Towards Fully Optimized BICM Transceivers

Bit-interleaved coded modulation (BICM) transceivers often use equally spaced constellations and a random interleaver. In this paper, we propose a new BICM design, which considers hierarchical (nonequally spaced) constellations, a bit-level multiplexer, and multiple interleavers. It is shown that this new scheme increases the degrees of freedom that can be exploited in order to improve its performance. Analytical bounds on the bit error rate (BER) of the system in terms of the constellation parameters and the multiplexing rules are developed for the additive white Gaussian Noise (AWGN) and Nakagami-$m$ fading channels. These bounds are then used to design the BICM transceiver. Numerical results show that, compared to conventional BICM designs, and for a target BER of $10^{-6}$, gains up to 3 dB in the AWGN channel are obtained. For fading channels, the gains depend on the fading parameter, and reach 2 dB for a target BER of $10^{-7}$ and $m=5$.Comment: Submitted to the IEEE Transactions on Communication

Performance Prediction of Nonbinary Forward Error Correction in Optical Transmission Experiments

In this paper, we compare different metrics to predict the error rate of optical systems based on nonbinary forward error correction (FEC). It is shown that the correct metric to predict the performance of coded modulation based on nonbinary FEC is the mutual information. The accuracy of the prediction is verified in a detailed example with multiple constellation formats, FEC overheads in both simulations and optical transmission experiments over a recirculating loop. It is shown that the employed FEC codes must be universal if performance prediction based on thresholds is used. A tutorial introduction into the computation of the threshold from optical transmission measurements is also given.Comment: submitted to IEEE/OSA Journal of Lightwave Technolog

GTD-based transceivers for decision feedback and bit loading

We consider new optimization problems for transceivers with DFE receivers and linear precoders, which also use bit loading at the transmitter. First, we consider the MIMO QoS (quality of service) problem, which is to minimize the total transmitted power when the bit rate and probability of error of each data stream are specified. The developments of this paper are based on the generalized triangular decomposition (GTD) recently introduced by Jiang, Li, and Hager. It is shown that under some multiplicative majorization conditions there exists a custom GTD-based transceiver which achieves the minimal power. The problem of maximizing the bit rate subject to the total power constraint and given error probability is also considered in this paper. It is shown that the GTD-based systems also give the optimal solutions to the bit rate maximization problem

Robustness maximization of parallel multichannel systems

Bit error rate (BER) minimization and SNR-gap maximization, two robustness optimization problems, are solved, under average power and bit-rate constraints, according to the waterfilling policy. Under peak-power constraint the solutions differ and this paper gives bit-loading solutions of both robustness optimization problems over independent parallel channels. The study is based on analytical approach with generalized Lagrangian relaxation tool and on greedy-type algorithm approach. Tight BER expressions are used for square and rectangular quadrature amplitude modulations. Integer bit solution of analytical continuous bit-rates is performed with a new generalized secant method. The asymptotic convergence of both robustness optimizations is proved for both analytical and algorithmic approaches. We also prove that, in conventional margin maximization problem, the equivalence between SNR-gap maximization and power minimization does not hold with peak-power limitation. Based on a defined dissimilarity measure, bit-loading solutions are compared over power line communication channel for multicarrier systems. Simulation results confirm the asymptotic convergence of both allocation policies. In non asymptotic regime the allocation policies can be interchanged depending on the robustness measure and the operating point of the communication system. The low computational effort of the suboptimal solution based on analytical approach leads to a good trade-off between performance and complexity.Comment: 27 pages, 8 figures, submitted to IEEE Trans. Inform. Theor

A Systematic Study of the Behaviour of PMEPR in Relation to OFDM Design Parameters

The design of systems with enhanced quality of service (QoS) and improved power efficiency has evolved into an intensive research area in wired and wireless communications engineering. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) has been proven to have the potential to achieve high data rates, adapt to severe channel conditions and exhibit spectral efficiency; this has gained its popular support in the design industry, especially for fourth generation (4G) systems. However, the high peak to mean envelope power ratio (PMEPR) exhibited by OFDM signals require linear operation of analog devices, with the associated trade-off of poor power efficiency. Several methods to reduce this PMEPR problem have been effectively researched while revealing the shortcomings. In this study we recognize the need to present the effect of OFDM system parameters on the behaviour of the PMEPR. In order to provide a basis for systematic selection of OFDM design parameters for PMEPR mitigation, we first study the reaction of the PMEPR to OFDM design parameters, we then analyse the effect of OFDM design parameters on the shortcomings of the PMEPR-limiting clipping technique.Peer reviewe