Attaining fundamental bounds on timing synchronization

Abstract

In this paper, we propose an algorithm for timing synchronization that attains fundamental bounds derived by Weiss and Weinstein. These bounds state that, in addition to improving with time-bandwidth product and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), timing accuracy also improves as the carrier frequency gets larger, if the SNR is above a threshold. Our algorithm essentially follows the logic of the Weiss-Weinstein bound, and has the following stages: coarse estimation using time domain samples, fine-grained estimation using a Newton algorithm in the frequency domain, and final refinement to within a small fraction of a carrier cycle. While the results here are of fundamental interest, we are motivated to push the limits of synchronization to enable the tight coordination required for emulating virtual antenna arrays using a collection of cooperating nodes.