Its correlation which you have to do for the detection of OFDM Signal either through CP or Piolet Signal. There is no much diffrence between between the detection algorithm of two. I am giving you one of cited paper in this area. which not only let you introduce you this through Pilot and CP detection of OFDM Signal.
The base station transmits pilot tones for the UEs to estimate the channel irrespective of whether the UE is utilizing the channel or not. Therefore, the pilot tone can not help us in identifying whether a channel is used by a subscriber or not in OFDM systems.