We study the performance of a class of time-offset estimation algorithms for synchronization of master-slave nodes based on asynchronous transfer of timing cells when GPS is not used. We implement a synchronization control mechanism based on cell acknowledgment time-out (TO) with wait or no wait options. We analyze the mechanism reliability and performance parameters over symmetric links using an exponential cell delay variation model. We show that the maximum-likelihood offset estimator does not exist for the exponential likelihood function. We analytically provide RMS error result comparisons for five ad hoc offset estimation algorithms: the median round delay, the minimum round delay, the minimum link delay (MnLD), the median phase, and the average phase. We show that the MnLD algorithm achieves the best accuracy over symmetric links without having to impose a strict TO control, which substantially speeds up the algorithm. We also discuss an open-loop estimation updating mechanism based on standard clock models.

This paper presents a general framework for computing the asymptotic error probability (i.e., at high average SNRs) of M-ary and binary signaling schemes over Rician and Rayleigh fading diversity channels. A general theorem (Theorem 1) relates the asymptotic error rate of multipath and multichannel receivers (over AWGN, ISI free channels) to the multidimensional integral of the conditional error probability. Two other theorems are presented for the particular cases where the conditional error probability is a function of the sum of received SNRs (Theorem 2) or received amplitudes (Theorem 3). Theorems 2 and 3 are related for linear coherent systems, and closed form expressions are obtained for equal gain combining systems. Detection structures for typical diversity schemes (coherent/noncoherent maximal ratio and equal gain combining, and quadratic noncoherent combining) are considered. We analyze the asymptotic error rates of some M-ary signaling schemes (MPSK/MPAM with Kth order diversity and orthogonal signals with K=1 and with coherent and noncoherent detection). Binary signaling is also considered in our study.