"A New Fine Tracking Algorithm for Binary Offset Carrier Modulated Signals"

In this paper, an analysis of a new synchronization technique for Binary Offset Carrier (BOC) modulated signals will be presented. Goal of the proposed method is to improve the synchronization performances by reducing the synchronization errors due to the characteristic BOC cross-correlation function. The synchronization is generally based on the envelope of the cross-correlation between the received signal and the local replicas. In a classical NRZ modulation this envelope is approximately a triangle whose peak corresponds to the perfect synchronization between the incoming signal and local replicas. In the BOC case, instead, the cross-correlation is given by a set of triangles with positive and negative peaks in which only the central one corresponds to the perfect synchronization. This paper will describe a novel technique characterized by a different choice of the local replica. In this manner the cross-correlation envelope is composed by different triangles with positive and negative peaks; this envelope has one and only one zero-crossing that corresponds to the perfect synchronization. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method, a theoretical analysis has been carried on together with computer simulations. In particular, the main properties of the technique, compared with the classical situation, will be presented.