A method for midamble estimation comprises the steps of receiving a burst of symbols, selecting a subset of the burst of symbols that comprises a first midamble symbol, calculating, for each symbol in the subset, a corresponding midamble estimation error, and determining the lowest calculated midamble estimation error to locate the first midamble symbol. A receiver comprises an antenna configured to receive a burst of symbols, a timing estimator configured to select a subset of the burst of symbols that comprises a first midamble symbol, a midamble estimator configured to calculate, for each symbol in the subset, a corresponding midamble estimation error, and a processor configured to select the symbol in the subset corresponding to a lowest calculated midamble estimation error as the first midamble symbol.