Design and performance evaluation of turbo FDE receivers

Dissertação apresentada na Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Electrotécnica e de ComputadoresIn recent years, block transmission techniques were proposed and developed for broadband wireless communication systems, which have to deal with strongly frequency-selective fading channels. Techniques like Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM)and Single Carrier with Frequency Domain Equalization (SC-FDE) are able to provide high bit rates despite the channel adversities. In this thesis we concentrate on the study of single carrier block transmission techniques considering receiver structures suitable to scenarios with strongly time-dispersive channels. CP-assisted (Cycle Pre x) block transmission techniques are employed to cope with frequency selective channels, allowing cost-e ective implementations through FFT-based (Fast Fourier Transform) signal processing. It is investigated the impact of the number of multipath components as well as the diversity order on the asymptotic performance of SC-FDE schemes. We also propose a receiver structure able to perform a joint detection and channel estimation method, in which it is possible to combine the channel estimates, based on training sequences, with decision-directed channel estimates. A study about the impact of the correlation factor estimation in the performance of Iterative Block-Decision Feedback Equalizer (IB-DFE) receivers is also presented

Limiting Performance of Conventional and Widely Linear DFT-precoded-OFDM Receivers in Wideband Frequency Selective Channels

This paper describes the limiting behavior of linear and decision feedback equalizers (DFEs) in single/multiple antenna systems employing real/complex-valued modulation alphabets. The wideband frequency selective channel is modeled using a Rayleigh fading channel model with infinite number of time domain channel taps. Using this model, we show that the considered equalizers offer a fixed post signal-to-noise-ratio (post-SNR) at the equalizer output that is close to the matched filter bound (MFB). General expressions for the post-SNR are obtained for zero-forcing (ZF) based conventional receivers as well as for the case of receivers employing widely linear (WL) processing. Simulation is used to study the bit error rate (BER) performance of both MMSE and ZF based receivers. Results show that the considered receivers advantageously exploit the rich frequency selective channel to mitigate both fading and inter-symbol-interference (ISI) while offering a performance comparable to the MFB

Estimation and detection techniques for doubly-selective channels in wireless communications

A fundamental problem in communications is the estimation of the channel. The signal transmitted through a communications channel undergoes distortions so that it is often received in an unrecognizable form at the receiver. The receiver must expend significant signal processing effort in order to be able to decode the transmit signal from this received signal. This signal processing requires knowledge of how the channel distorts the transmit signal, i.e. channel knowledge. To maintain a reliable link, the channel must be estimated and tracked by the receiver. The estimation of the channel at the receiver often proceeds by transmission of a signal called the 'pilot' which is known a priori to the receiver. The receiver forms its estimate of the transmitted signal based on how this known signal is distorted by the channel, i.e. it estimates the channel from the received signal and the pilot. This design of the pilot is a function of the modulation, the type of training and the channel. [Continues.

Pré-codificação e equalização para sistemas SC-FDMA heterogéneos

Mestrado em Engenharia Electrónica e TelecomunicaçõesMobile traffic in cellular networks is increasing exponentially. Small-cells are considered as a key solution to meet these requirements. Under the same spectrum the small-cells and the associated macro-cell (forming the so called heterogeneous systems) must cooperate so that one system can adapt to the other. If no cooperation is considered then the small-cells will generate harmful interference at the macro-cell. Interference alignment (IA) is a precoding technique that is able to achieve the maximum degrees of freedom of the interference channel, and can efficiently deal with inter-systems interference. Single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) is a promising solution technique for high data rate uplink communications in future cellular systems. Conventional linear equalizers are not efficient to remove the residual inter-carrier interference of the SC-FDMA systems. For this reason, there has been significant interest in the design of nonlinear frequency domain equalizers in general and decision feedback equalizers in particular, with the iterative block decision feedback equalizer (IB-DFE) being the most promising nonlinear equalizer. In this dissertation we propose and evaluate joint interference alignment precoding at the small cell user terminals with iterative non-linear frequency domain equalizer at the receivers (macro base station and central unit) for SC-FDMA based heterogeneous networks. The small-cell precoders are designed by enforcing that all generated interference at the macro-cell is aligned in an orthogonal subspace to the macro-cell received signal subspace. This enforces that no performance degradation is observed at the macro cell. Then, we design an iterative nonlinear frequency domain equalizer at the macro-cell receiver that is able to recover the macro-cell spatial streams, in the presence of both small-cell and inter-carrier interferences. The results show that the proposed transmitter and receiver structures are robust to the inter-system interferences and at the same time are able to efficient separate the macro and small cells spatial streams.O trafego móvel nas redes celulares tem aumentado exponencialmente. As pico- células são consideradas como a solução chave para cumprir estes requisitos. Dentro do mesmo espectro, as pico-células e as macro-células (formando os chamados sistemas heterogéneos) precisam de colaborar de modo a que um sistema possa adaptar-se ao outro. Se não for considerada a cooperação, então as pico-células irão gerar interferência prejudicial na macro-célula. Interference alignment (IA) é uma técnica de précodificação que é capaz de atingir o grau máximo de liberdade do canal de interferência, e consegue lidar eficazmente com interferência entre sistemas. Single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) é uma solução técnica promissora para transmissão de dados em uplink, para sistemas celulares futuros. Equalizadores lineares convencionais não são eficientes a remover a interferência residual entre portadoras dos sistemas SC-FDMA. Por este motivo, tem havido interesse significativo no desenho de equalizadores não lineares no domínio da frequência em geral e em equalizadores baseados em decisão por feedback em particular, tendo o iterative block decision feedback equalizer (IB-DFE) como o equalizador não linear mais promissor. Nesta dissertação propomos e avaliamos précodificação de alinhamento de interferência nos terminais das pico-células em conjunto com equalizadores não lineares no domínio da frequência nos recetores (estação base da macro-célula e unidade central de processamento) para redes heterogéneas baseadas em SC-FDMA. Os précodificadores das pico-células são desenhados de maneira a obrigar a que toda a interferência gerada na macro-célula esteja alinhada num subespaço ortogonal em relação ao subespaço do sinal recebido na macro- célula. Isto obriga a que não seja observada degradação de desempenho na macro-célula. Em seguida, desenhamos um equalizador não linear no domínio da frequência no recetor da macro-célula capaz de recuperar os fluxos de dados da macro-célula, na presença de interferência tanto entre portadoras como das pico-células. Os resultados mostram que as estruturas de transmissão e receção propostas são robustas contra a interferência entre sistemas e ao mesmo tempo capaz de separar eficientemente os dados da macro e das pico células

Physical layer network coding based communication systems in frequency selective channels

PhD ThesisThe demand for wireless communications is growing every day which requiresmore speed and bandwidth. In two way relay networks (TWRN), physical layer network coding (PLNC) was proposed to double the bandwidth. A TWRN is a system where two end users exchange data through a middle node called the relay. The two signals are allowed to be physically added before being broadcasted back to the end users. This system can work smoothly in flat fading channels, but can not be applied straightforward in frequency selective channels. In a multipath multi-tap FIR channel, the inter-symbol interference (ISI) spreads through several symbols. In this case, the symbols at the relay are not just an addition of the sent symbols but also some of the previous symbols from both sides. This not only causes a traditional PLNC to fail but also a simple one equalizer system will not solve the problem. Three main methods have been proposed by other researchers. The OFDM based PLNC is the simplest in terms of implementation and complexity but suffers from the disadvantages of the OFDMlike cyclic prefix overhead and frequency offset. The main disadvantage, however is the relatively low BER performance because it is restricted to linear equalizers in the PLNC system. Another approach is pre-filtering or pre-equalization. This method also has some disadvantages like complexity, sensitivity to channel variation and the need of a feedback channel for both end nodes. Finally, the maximum likelihood sequence detector was also proposed but is restricted to BPSK modulation and exponentially rising complexity are major drawbacks. The philosophy in this work is to avoid these disadvantages by using a time domain based system. The DFE is the equalizer of choice here because it provides a non-trivial BER performance improvement with very little increase in complexity. In this thesis, the problem of frequency selective channels in PLNC systems can be solved by properly adjusting the design of the system including the DFE. The other option is to redesign the equalizer to meet that goal. An AF DFE system is proposed in this work that provides very low complexity especially at the relay with little sensitivity to channel changes. A multi-antenna DNF DFE system is also proposed here with an improved performance. Finally, a new equalizer is designed for very low complexity and cost DNF approach with little sacrifice of BER performance. Matlab was used for the simulations with Monte Carlo method to verify the findings of this work through finding the BER performance of each system. This thesis opens the door for future improvement on the PLNC system. More research needs to be done like testing the proposed systems in real practical implementation and also the effect of adding channel coding to these systems.Iraqi Government, Ministry of Higher Educatio

High performance faster-than-nyquist signaling

AbstractIn a wireless broadband context, multi-path dispersive channels can severely affectdata communication of Mobile Terminals (MTs) uplink.Single Carrier withFrequency-Domain Equalization (SC-FDE) has been proposed to deal with highlydispersive channels for the uplink of broadband wireless systems. However, currentsystems rely on older assumptions of the Nyquist theorem and assume that a systemneeds a minimum bandwidth 2Wper MT. Faster-Than-Nyquist (FTN) assumesthat it is possible to employ a bandwidth as low as 0.802 of the original Nyquistbandwidth with minimum loss - despite this, the current literature has only proposedcomplex receivers for a simple characterization of the wireless channel. Furthermore,the uplink of SC-FDE can be severely affected by a deep-fade and or poor channelconditions; to cope with such difficulties Diversity Combining (DC) Hybrid ARQ(H-ARQ) is a viable technique, since it combines the several packet copies sent bya MT to create reliable packet symbols at the receiver.In this thesis we consider the use of FTN signaling for the uplink of broadbandwireless systems employing SC-FDE based on the Iterative Block with DecisionFeedback Equalization (IB-DFE) receiver with a simple scheduled access HybridAutomatic Repeat reQuest (H-ARQ) specially designed taking into account thecharacteristics of FTN signals. This approach achieves a better performance thanNyquist signaling by taking advantage of the additional bandwidth employed of aroot-raised cosine pulse for additional diversity.Alongside a Packet Error Rate (PER) analytical model, simulation results show that this receiver presents a better performance when compared with a regular system,with higher system throughputs and a lower Energy per Useful Packet (EPUP)

Turbo Packet Combining for Broadband Space-Time BICM Hybrid-ARQ Systems with Co-Channel Interference

In this paper, efficient turbo packet combining for single carrier (SC) broadband multiple-input--multiple-output (MIMO) hybrid--automatic repeat request (ARQ) transmission with unknown co-channel interference (CCI) is studied. We propose a new frequency domain soft minimum mean square error (MMSE)-based signal level combining technique where received signals and channel frequency responses (CFR)s corresponding to all retransmissions are used to decode the data packet. We provide a recursive implementation algorithm for the introduced scheme, and show that both its computational complexity and memory requirements are quite insensitive to the ARQ delay, i.e., maximum number of ARQ rounds. Furthermore, we analyze the asymptotic performance, and show that under a sum-rank condition on the CCI MIMO ARQ channel, the proposed packet combining scheme is not interference-limited. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the gains offered by the proposed technique.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, and 2 table