Apparatus and method for synchronization in a multiple-carrier communication system by observing energy within a guard band

摘要

A method, apparatus and system detects a loss of synchronization between a transmitter and a receiver in a multiple-carrier communication system such as an OFDM system. A guard band synchronization detector provides a synchronization indicator based on the energy detected within a guard band where a pilot tone is transmitted adjacent to the guard band. A timing error results in energy leakage into one or more guard bands. In one embodiment, a plurality of synchronization indicators are observed to determine whether a loss of synchronization between a transmitter and a receiver in the wireless system has occurred.