Improved dichotomous search frequency offset estimator for burst-mode continuous phase modulation

A data-aided technique for cartier frequency offset estimation with continuous phase modulation （CPM） in burst- mode transmission is presented. The proposed technique first exploits a special pilot sequence, or training sequence, to form a sinusoidal waveform. Then, an improved dichotomous search frequency offset estimator is introduced to determine the frequency offset using the sinusoid. Theoretical analysis and simulation results indicate that our estimator is noteworthy in the following aspects. First, the estimator can operate independently of timing recovery. Second, it has relatively low outlier, i.e., the minimum signal-to-noise ratio （SNR） required to guarantee estimation accuracy. Finally, the most important property is that our estimator is complexity-reduced compared to the existing dichotomous search methods： it eliminates the need for fast Fourier transform （FFT） and modulation removal, and exhibits faster convergence rate without accuracy degradation.