Apparatus and method for optimization of carrier recovery in a receiver of a communication system

An apparatus and method to optimize recovery of the carrier frequency performs independent optimization of frequency capture range and carrier frequency estimation accuracy. A multi-correlator selects a frequency-shifted version of a signal of interest, extracted from a received signal, to output a coarse frequency-shifted version of the signal of interest. A fine frequency estimator shifts a frequency of the coarse frequency-shifted version of the signal of interest, based on a frequency corresponding to the spectral peak of the coarse frequency-shifted version of the signal of interest, and generates a fine frequency-shifted version of the signal of interest. A fine frequency estimator generates an intermediate frequency estimate and a plurality of phase estimates, based on the coarse frequency-shifted version of the signal of interest, resolves phase ambiguities in the plurality of phase estimates based on the intermediate frequency estimate, and generates a fine frequency-shifted version of the signal of interest.