Non-data aided timing acquisition of ultra-wideband transmissions using cyclostationarity

Abstract

Low-complexity rapid timing acquisition constitutes a major challenge in realizing the high potential that ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless technology promises for indoor communications. We derive and test two such timing acquisition algorithms which capitalize on the cyclostationarity that is naturally present in UWB transmissions. Our novel schemes are blind, they do not require multiple antennas or oversampling, and rely on frame-rate sampling which reduces complexity and acquisition delay considerably.