An apparatus for cooperative multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) is provided. The apparatus uses a new carrier assignment scheme (CAS) called generalized interleaved CAS, along with non-data-aided timing synchronization. With the generalized interleaved CAS, random OFDM signals are formed into patterns similar to unequal period synchronization patterns (UPSPs), and a corresponding non-data-aided timing synchronization scheme is set. With the help of majority vote refinement (MVR), the present invention achieves better timing synchronization and enhances the quality of signal demodulation.