Synchronization and Channel Estimation Design for Multi-Stream MIMO System in Sub-Terahertz Channel Model

This article presents an advanced synchronization and channel estimation architecture for multi-stream MIMO systems in sub-terahertz environments. To streamline hardware complexity, we employ Golay cross-correlation across all detection and estimation schemes. Key innovations include a precise timing detection algorithm that utilizes pulse shaping impulse response and quadratic regression, along with multiple window-based approaches to enhance performance against non-ideal effects. At the architectural level, a shared optimized Golay correlator reduces hardware usage by 23%, efficiently handling multiple correlation lengths in a single design. Additionally, we propose an indexing-count method that addresses sorting challenges, achieving notable improvements in processing speed and complexity reduction. The proposed design supports the highest modulation schemes defined in IEEE Std. 802.15.3d, achieving an uncoded bit error rate of 1.96×10-4 for 16-QAM and 64-QAM at SNRs of 18.8 dB and 25 dB, respectively. This meets the IEEE Std. 802.15.3d standard of 10-12 at SNRs of 19.6 dB and 25.6 dB for these modulation schemes after error correction. Our hardware operates at a clock rate of 1.76 GHz, enabling dual-stream transmission and achieving a throughput of 21.12 Gb/s with 64-QAM modulation. © 2020 IEEE.