Initial timing acquisition for asynchronous DS-UWB transmissions by burst synchronization signal

Abstract

We consider the initial timing acquisition for asynchronous DS-UWB transmissions in a distributed network topology, i.e., no common timing reference and neither synchronization among terminals are provided. Thus, when an arbitrary terminal in active mode (at switch-on or after sleeping period) needs to establish communication with reachable terminals, it listens for a common synchronization signal. Such a low-duty cycle synchronization signal is broadcasted by active terminals which accept a communication link. Thus, a simplified maximum likelihood (ML) algorithm is provided for initial timing acquisition. This estimator offers good performance in UWB radio channels independently of the multipath intensity profile for either fast and slow fading. Additionally, the proposed method provides estimation of the average SNR per channel path, multipath intensity profile, and noise plus interference power spectral density.