Spectral Segmented Linear Regression for Coarse Carrier Frequency Offset Estimation in Optical LEO Satellite Communications

Abstract

Carrier frequency offset estimation (CFOE) is a critical stage in modern coherent optical communication systems. Although conventional all-digital techniques perform reliably in typical fiber-optic communication links, CFOE can become a major bottleneck in low-symbol-rate scenarios with large carrier frequency offsets (CFOs) approaching the signal bandwidth and severe additive noise levels. These conditions are particularly prevalent in links between optical ground stations (OGSs) and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, where Doppler-induced frequency shifts of several gigahertz and atmospheric attenuation can significantly degrade CFOE performance and can render conventional methods ineffective. In this paper, we propose a robust non-data-aided (NDA) scheme designed for wide-range CFOE. The proposed coarse CFOE (C-CFOE) algorithm partially compensates the CFO, enabling the operation of a subsequent fine CFOE stage. By applying low-complexity operations to the spectrum of the received signal, we recast the frequency estimation task as a segmented linear regression (SLR) problem. Numerical simulations in stress-test scenarios involving large CFOs, low SNR, and low symbol rates show that the proposed approach achieves good estimation accuracy and robust convergence. Offline experimental validation further confirms the practical feasibility of the method.