Code synchronization and path delay estimation for a CDMA system using long code masking

Abstract

Establishing synchronization with locally generated spread code is one of the most important tasks in DS-CDMA systems for effective and reliable communications. A three-step procedure is proposed in this paper for fast code synchronization and subsequent path delay estimation for a single base station based system in a multipath environment. The synchronization procedure starts from the slot synchronization and then frame synchronization with the help of long code masked symbol. The path delays are estimated from the power delay profile computed from the instantaneous signal power of pilot symbols. The average power delay profile is used as the threshold. This three-step procedure is extensively simulated for different power delay profiles and the results are discussed.