Channel estimation techniques for filter bank multicarrier based transceivers for next generation of wireless networks

A dissertation submitted to Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering (Electrical and Information Engineering), August 2017The fourth generation (4G) of wireless communication system is designed based on the principles of cyclic prefix orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (CP-OFDM) where the cyclic prefix (CP) is used to combat inter-symbol interference (ISI) and inter-carrier interference (ICI) in order to achieve higher data rates in comparison to the previous generations of wireless networks. Various filter bank multicarrier systems have been considered as potential waveforms for the fast emerging next generation (xG) of wireless networks (especially the fifth generation (5G) networks). Some examples of the considered waveforms are orthogonal frequency division multiplexing with offset quadrature amplitude modulation based filter bank, universal filtered multicarrier (UFMC), bi-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (BFDM) and generalized frequency division multiplexing (GFDM). In perfect reconstruction (PR) or near perfect reconstruction (NPR) filter bank designs, these aforementioned FBMC waveforms adopt the use of well-designed prototype filters (which are used for designing the synthesis and analysis filter banks) so as to either replace or minimize the CP usage of the 4G networks in order to provide higher spectral efficiencies for the overall increment in data rates. The accurate designing of the FIR low-pass prototype filter in NPR filter banks results in minimal signal distortions thus, making the analysis filter bank a time-reversed version of the corresponding synthesis filter bank. However, in non-perfect reconstruction (Non-PR) the analysis filter bank is not directly a time-reversed version of the corresponding synthesis filter bank as the prototype filter impulse response for this system is formulated (in this dissertation) by the introduction of randomly generated errors. Hence, aliasing and amplitude distortions are more prominent for Non-PR. Channel estimation (CE) is used to predict the behaviour of the frequency selective channel and is usually adopted to ensure excellent reconstruction of the transmitted symbols. These techniques can be broadly classified as pilot based, semi-blind and blind channel estimation schemes. In this dissertation, two linear pilot based CE techniques namely the least square (LS) and linear minimum mean square error (LMMSE), and three adaptive channel estimation schemes namely least mean square (LMS), normalized least mean square (NLMS) and recursive least square (RLS) are presented, analyzed and documented. These are implemented while exploiting the near orthogonality properties of offset quadrature amplitude modulation (OQAM) to mitigate the effects of interference for two filter bank waveforms (i.e. OFDM/OQAM and GFDM/OQAM) for the next generation of wireless networks assuming conditions of both NPR and Non-PR in slow and fast frequency selective Rayleigh fading channel. Results obtained from the computer simulations carried out showed that the channel estimation schemes performed better in an NPR filter bank system as compared with Non-PR filter banks. The low performance of Non-PR system is due to the amplitude distortion and aliasing introduced from the random errors generated in the system that is used to design its prototype filters. It can be concluded that RLS, NLMS, LMS, LMMSE and LS channel estimation schemes offered the best normalized mean square error (NMSE) and bit error rate (BER) performances (in decreasing order) for both waveforms assuming both NPR and Non-PR filter banks. Keywords: Channel estimation, Filter bank, OFDM/OQAM, GFDM/OQAM, NPR, Non-PR, 5G, Frequency selective channel.CK201

Selective Control Information Detection in 5G Frame Transmissions

Control signalling information within wireless communication systems facilitates efficient management of limited wireless resources, plays a key role in improving system performance of 5G systems. This chapter focuses detection of one particular form of control information, namely, selective control information (SCI). Maximum-likelihood (ML) is one of the conventional SCI detection techniques. Unfortunately, it requires channel estimation, which introduces some implementation constraints and practical challenges. This chapter uses generalized frequency division multiplexing (GFDM) to evaluate and demonstrate the detection performance of a new form of SCI detection that uses a time-domain correlation (TDC) technique. Unlike the ML scheme, the TDC technique is a form of blind detection that has the capability to improve detection performance with no need for channel estimation. In comparison with the ML based receiver, results show that the TDC technique achieves improved detection performance. In addition, the detection performance of the TDC technique is improved with GFDM receivers that use the minimum mean square error (MMSE) scheme compared with the zero-forcing (ZF) technique. It is also shown that the use of a raised cosine (RC) shaped GFDM transmit filter improves detection performance comparison with filters that employ root raised cosine (RRC) pulse shape

Waveform Advancements and Synchronization Techniques for Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing

To enable a new level of connectivity among machines as well as between people and machines, future wireless applications will demand higher requirements on data rates, response time, and reliability from the communication system. This will lead to a different system design, comprising a wide range of deployment scenarios. One important aspect is the evolution of physical layer (PHY), specifically the waveform modulation. The novel generalized frequency division multiplexing (GFDM) technique is a prominent proposal for a flexible block filtered multicarrier modulation. This thesis introduces an advanced GFDM concept that enables the emulation of other prominent waveform candidates in scenarios where they perform best. Hence, a unique modulation framework is presented that is capable of addressing a wide range of scenarios and to upgrade the PHY for 5G networks. In particular, for a subset of system parameters of the modulation framework, the problem of symbol time offset (STO) and carrier frequency offset (CFO) estimation is investigated and synchronization approaches, which can operate in burst and continuous transmissions, are designed. The first part of this work presents the modulation principles of prominent 5G candidate waveforms and then focuses on the GFDM basic and advanced attributes. The GFDM concept is extended towards the use of OQAM, introducing the novel frequency-shift OQAM-GFDM, and a new low complexity model based on signal processing carried out in the time domain. A new prototype filter proposal highlights the benefits obtained in terms of a reduced out-of-band (OOB) radiation and more attractive hardware implementation cost. With proper parameterization of the advanced GFDM, the achieved gains are applicable to other filtered OFDM waveforms. In the second part, a search approach for estimating STO and CFO in GFDM is evaluated. A self-interference metric is proposed to quantify the effective SNR penalty caused by the residual time and frequency misalignment or intrinsic inter-symbol interference (ISI) and inter-carrier interference (ICI) for arbitrary pulse shape design in GFDM. In particular, the ICI can be used as a non-data aided approach for frequency estimation. Then, GFDM training sequences, defined either as an isolated preamble or embedded as a midamble or pseudo-circular pre/post-amble, are designed. Simulations show better OOB emission and good estimation results, either comparable or superior, to state-of-the-art OFDM system in wireless channels

Unified Framework for Multicarrier and Multiple Access based on Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing

The advancements in wireless communications are the key-enablers of new applications with stringent requirements in low-latency, ultra-reliability, high data rate, high mobility, and massive connectivity. Diverse types of devices, ranging from tiny sensors to vehicles, with different capabilities need to be connected under various channel conditions. Thus, modern connectivity and network techniques at all layers are essential to overcome these challenges. In particular, the physical layer (PHY) transmission is required to achieve certain link reliability, data rate, and latency. In modern digital communications systems, the transmission is performed by means of a digital signal processing module that derives analog hardware. The performance of the analog part is influenced by the quality of the hardware and the baseband signal denoted as waveform. In most of the modern systems such as fifth generation (5G) and WiFi, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is adopted as a favorite waveform due to its low-complexity advantages in terms of signal processing. However, OFDM requires strict requirements on hardware quality. Many devices are equipped with simplified analog hardware to reduce the cost. In this case, OFDM does not work properly as a result of its high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) and sensitivity to synchronization errors. To tackle these problems, many waveforms design have been recently proposed in the literature. Some of these designs are modified versions of OFDM or based on conventional single subcarrier. Moreover, multicarrier frameworks, such as generalized frequency division multiplexing (GFDM), have been proposed to realize varieties of conventional waveforms. Furthermore, recent studies show the potential of using non-conventional waveforms for increasing the link reliability with affordable complexity. Based on that, flexible waveforms and transmission techniques are necessary to adapt the system for different hardware and channel constraints in order to fulfill the applications requirements while optimizing the resources. The objective of this thesis is to provide a holistic view of waveforms and the related multiple access (MA) techniques to enable efficient study and evaluation of different approaches. First, the wireless communications system is reviewed with specific focus on the impact of hardware impairments and the wireless channel on the waveform design. Then, generalized model of waveforms and MA are presented highlighting various special cases. Finally, this work introduces low-complexity architectures for hardware implementation of flexible waveforms. Integrating such designs with software-defined radio (SDR) contributes to the development of practical real-time flexible PHY.:1 Introduction 1.1 Baseband transmission model 1.2 History of multicarrier systems 1.3 The state-of-the-art waveforms 1.4 Prior works related to GFDM 1.5 Objective and contributions 2 Fundamentals of Wireless Communications 2.1 Wireless communications system 2.2 RF transceiver 2.2.1 Digital-analogue conversion 2.2.2 QAM modulation 2.2.3 Effective channel 2.2.4 Hardware impairments 2.3 Waveform aspects 2.3.1 Single-carrier waveform 2.3.2 Multicarrier waveform 2.3.3 MIMO-Waveforms 2.3.4 Waveform performance metrics 2.4 Wireless Channel 2.4.1 Line-of-sight propagation 2.4.2 Multi path and fading process 2.4.3 General baseband statistical channel model 2.4.4 MIMO channel 2.5 Summary 3 Generic Block-based Waveforms 3.1 Block-based waveform formulation 3.1.1 Variable-rate multicarrier 3.1.2 General block-based multicarrier model 3.2 Waveform processing techniques 3.2.1 Linear and circular filtering 3.2.2 Windowing 3.3 Structured representation 3.3.1 Modulator 3.3.2 Demodulator 3.3.3 MIMO Waveform processing 3.4 Detection 3.4.1 Maximum-likelihood detection 3.4.2 Linear detection 3.4.3 Iterative Detection 3.4.4 Numerical example and insights 3.5 Summary 4 Generic Multiple Access Schemes 57 4.1 Basic multiple access and multiplexing schemes 4.1.1 Infrastructure network system model 4.1.2 Duplex schemes 4.1.3 Common multiplexing and multiple access schemes 4.2 General multicarrier-based multiple access 4.2.1 Design with fixed set of pulses 4.2.2 Computational model 4.2.3 Asynchronous multiple access 4.3 Summary 5 Time-Frequency Analyses of Multicarrier 5.1 General time-frequency representation 5.1.1 Block representation 5.1.2 Relation to Zak transform 5.2 Time-frequency spreading 5.3 Time-frequency block in LTV channel 5.3.1 Subcarrier and subsymbol numerology 5.3.2 Processing based on the time-domain signal 5.3.3 Processing based on the frequency-domain signal 5.3.4 Unified signal model 5.4 summary 6 Generalized waveforms based on time-frequency shifts 6.1 General time-frequency shift 6.1.1 Time-frequency shift design 6.1.2 Relation between the shifted pulses 6.2 Time-frequency shift in Gabor frame 6.2.1 Conventional GFDM 6.3 GFDM modulation 6.3.1 Filter bank representation 6.3.2 Block representation 6.3.3 GFDM matrix structure 6.3.4 GFDM demodulator 6.3.5 Alternative interpretation of GFDM 6.3.6 Orthogonal modulation and GFDM spreading 6.4 Summary 7 Modulation Framework: Architectures and Applications 7.1 Modem architectures 7.1.1 General modulation matrix structure 7.1.2 Run-time flexibility 7.1.3 Generic GFDM-based architecture 7.1.4 Flexible parallel multiplications architecture 7.1.5 MIMO waveform architecture 7.2 Extended GFDM framework 7.2.1 Architectures complexity and flexibility analysis 7.2.2 Number of multiplications 7.2.3 Hardware analysis 7.3 Applications of the extended GFDM framework 7.3.1 Generalized FDMA 7.3.2 Enchantment of OFDM system 7.4 Summary 7 Conclusions and Future work

Spectrally and Energy Efficient Wireless Communications: Signal and System Design, Mathematical Modelling and Optimisation

This thesis explores engineering studies and designs aiming to meeting the requirements of enhancing capacity and energy efficiency for next generation communication networks. Challenges of spectrum scarcity and energy constraints are addressed and new technologies are proposed, analytically investigated and examined. The thesis commences by reviewing studies on spectrally and energy-efficient techniques, with a special focus on non-orthogonal multicarrier modulation, particularly spectrally efficient frequency division multiplexing (SEFDM). Rigorous theoretical and mathematical modelling studies of SEFDM are presented. Moreover, to address the potential application of SEFDM under the 5th generation new radio (5G NR) heterogeneous numerologies, simulation-based studies of SEFDM coexisting with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) are conducted. New signal formats and corresponding transceiver structure are designed, using a Hilbert transform filter pair for shaping pulses. Detailed modelling and numerical investigations show that the proposed signal doubles spectral efficiency without performance degradation, with studies of two signal formats; uncoded narrow-band internet of things (NB-IoT) signals and unframed turbo coded multi-carrier signals. The thesis also considers using constellation shaping techniques and SEFDM for capacity enhancement in 5G system. Probabilistic shaping for SEFDM is proposed and modelled to show both transmission energy reduction and bandwidth saving with advantageous flexibility for data rate adaptation. Expanding on constellation shaping to improve performance further, a comparative study of multidimensional modulation techniques is carried out. A four-dimensional signal, with better noise immunity is investigated, for which metaheuristic optimisation algorithms are studied, developed, and conducted to optimise bit-to-symbol mapping. Finally, a specially designed machine learning technique for signal and system design in physical layer communications is proposed, utilising the application of autoencoder-based end-to-end learning. Multidimensional signal modulation with multidimensional constellation shaping is proposed and optimised by using machine learning techniques, demonstrating significant improvement in spectral and energy efficiencies

Design and Analysis of GFDM-Based Wireless Communication Systems

Le multiplexage généralisé par répartition en fréquence (GFDM), une méthode de traitement par blocs de modulation multiporteuses non orthogonales, est une candidate prometteuse pour les technologies de forme d'onde pour les systèmes sans fil au-delà de la cinquième génération (5G). La capacité du GFDM à ajuster de manière flexible la taille du bloc et le type de filtres de mise en forme des impulsions en fait une méthode appropriée pour répondre à plusieurs exigences importantes, comme une faible latence, un faible rayonnement hors bande (OOB) et des débits de données élevés. En appliquant aux systèmes GFDM la technique des systèmes à entrées multiples et sorties multiples (MIMO), la technique de MIMO massif ou des codes de contrôle de parité à faible densité (LDPC), il est possible d'améliorer leurs performances. Par conséquent, l'étude de ces systèmes combinés sont d'une grande importance théorique et pratique. Dans cette thèse, nous étudions les systèmes de communication sans fil basés sur le GFDM en considérant trois aspects. Tout d'abord, nous dérivons une borne d'union sur le taux d'erreur sur les bits (BER) pour les systèmes MIMO-GFDM, technique qui est basée sur des probabilités d'erreur par paires exactes (PEP). La PEP exacte est calculée en utilisant la fonction génératrice de moments(MGF) pour les détecteurs à maximum de vraisemblance (ML). La corrélation spatiale entre les antennes et les erreurs d'estimation de canal sont prises en compte dans l'environnement de canal étudié. Deuxièmement, les estimateurs et les précodeurs de canal de faible complexité basés sur une expansion polynomiale sont proposés pour les systèmes MIMO-GFDM massifs. Des pilotes sans interférence sont utilisés pour l'estimation du canal basée sur l'erreur quadratique moyenne minimale(MMSE) pour lutter contre l'influence de la non-orthogonalité entre les sous-porteuses dans le GFDM. La complexité de calcul cubique peut être réduite à une complexité d'ordre au carré en utilisant la technique d'expansion polynomiale pour approximer les inverses de matrices dans l'estimation MMSE conventionnelle et le précodage. De plus, nous calculons les limites de performance en termes d'erreur quadratique moyenne (MSE) pour les estimateurs proposés, ce qui peut être un outil utile pour prédire la performance des estimateurs dans la région de Eₛ/N₀ élevé. Une borne inférieure de Cramér-Rao(CRLB) est dérivée pour notre modèle de système et agit comme une référence pour les estimateurs. La complexité de calcul des estimateurs de canal proposés et des précodeurs et les impacts du degré du polynôme sont également étudiés. Enfin, nous analysons les performances de la probabilité d'erreur des systèmes GFDM combinés aux codes LDPC. Nous dérivons d'abord les expressions du ratio de vraisemblance logarithmique (LLR) initiale qui sont utilisées dans le décodeur de l'algorithme de somme de produits (SPA). Ensuite, basé sur le seuil de décodage, nous estimons le taux d'erreur de trame (FER) dans la région de bas E[indice b]/N₀ en utilisant le BER observé pour modéliser les variations du canal. De plus, une borne inférieure du FER du système est également proposée basée sur des ensembles absorbants. Cette borne inférieure peut agir comme une estimation du FER dans la région de E[indice b]/N₀ élevé si l'ensemble absorbant utilisé est dominant et que sa multiplicité est connue. La quantification a également un impact important sur les performances du FER et du BER. Des codes LDPC basés sur un tableau et construit aléatoirement sont utilisés pour supporter les analyses de performances. Pour ces trois aspects, des simulations et des calculs informatiques sont effectués pour obtenir des résultats numériques connexes, qui vérifient les méthodes proposées.8 372162\u a Generalized frequency division multiplexing (GFDM) is a block-processing based non-orthogonal multi-carrier modulation scheme, which is a promising candidate waveform technology for beyond fifth-generation (5G) wireless systems. The ability of GFDM to flexibly adjust the block size and the type of pulse-shaping filters makes it a suitable scheme to meet several important requirements, such as low latency, low out-of-band (OOB) radiation and high data rates. Applying the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technique, the massive MIMO technique, or low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes to GFDM systems can further improve the systems performance. Therefore, the investigation of such combined systems is of great theoretical and practical importance. This thesis investigates GFDM-based wireless communication systems from the following three aspects. First, we derive a union bound on the bit error rate (BER) for MIMO-GFDM systems, which is based on exact pairwise error probabilities (PEPs). The exact PEP is calculated using the moment-generating function (MGF) for maximum likelihood (ML) detectors. Both the spatial correlation between antennas and the channel estimation errors are considered in the investigated channel environment. Second, polynomial expansion-based low-complexity channel estimators and precoders are proposed for massive MIMO-GFDM systems. Interference-free pilots are used in the minimum mean square error (MMSE) channel estimation to combat the influence of non-orthogonality between subcarriers in GFDM. The cubic computational complexity can be reduced to square order by using the polynomial expansion technique to approximate the matrix inverses in the conventional MMSE estimation and precoding. In addition, we derive performance limits in terms of the mean square error (MSE) for the proposed estimators, which can be a useful tool to predict estimators performance in the high Eₛ/N₀ region. A Cramér-Rao lower bound (CRLB) is derived for our system model and acts as a benchmark for the estimators. The computational complexity of the proposed channel estimators and precoders, and the impacts of the polynomial degree are also investigated. Finally, we analyze the error probability performance of LDPC coded GFDM systems. We first derive the initial log-likelihood ratio (LLR) expressions that are used in the sum-product algorithm (SPA) decoder. Then, based on the decoding threshold, we estimate the frame error rate (FER) in the low E[subscript b]/N₀ region by using the observed BER to model the channel variations. In addition, a lower bound on the FER of the system is also proposed based on absorbing sets. This lower bound can act as an estimate of the FER in the high E[subscript b]/N₀ region if the absorbing set used is dominant and its multiplicity is known. The quantization scheme also has an important impact on the FER and BER performances. Randomly constructed and array-based LDPC codes are used to support the performance analyses. For all these three aspects, software-based simulations and calculations are carried out to obtain related numerical results, which verify our proposed methods

Estudo de formas de onda e conceção de algoritmos para operação conjunta de sistemas de comunicação e radar

The focus of this thesis is the processing of signals and design of algorithms that can be used to enable radar functions in communications systems. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is a popular multicarrier modulation waveform in communication systems. As a wideband signal, OFDM improves resolution and enables spectral efficiency in radar systems, while also improving detection performance thanks to its inherent frequency diversity. This thesis aims to use multicarrier waveforms for radar systems, to enable the simultaneous operation of radar and communication functions on the same device. The thesis is divided in two parts. The first part, studies the adaptation and application of other multicarrier waveforms to radar functions. At the present time many studies have been carried out to jointly use the OFDM signal for communication and radar functions, but other waveforms have shown to be possible candidates for communication applications. Therefore, studies on the evaluation of the application of these same signals to radar functions are necessary. In this thesis, to demonstrate that other multicarrier waveforms can overcome the OFDM waveform in radar/communication (RadCom) systems, we propose the adaptation of the filter bank multicarrier (FBMC), generalized frequency division multiplexing (GFDM) and universal filtering multicarrier (UFMC) waveforms for radar functions. These alternative waveforms were compared performance-wise regarding achievable target parameter estimation performance, amount of residual background noise in the radar image, impact of intersystem interference and flexibility of parameterization. In the second part of the thesis, signal processing techniques are explored to solve some of the limitations of the use of multicarrier waveforms for RadCom systems. Radar systems based on OFDM are promising candidates for future intelligent transport networks. Exploring the dual functionality enabled by OFDM, we presents cooperative methods for high-resolution delay-Doppler and direction-of-arrival estimation. High-resolution parameter estimation is an important requirement for automotive radar systems, especially in multi-target scenarios that require reliable target separation performance. By exploring the cooperation between vehicles, the studies presented in this thesis also enable the distributed tracking of targets. The result is a highly accurate multi-target tracking across the entire cooperative vehicle network, leading to improvements in transport reliability and safety.O foco desta tese é o processamento de sinais e desenvolvimento de algoritmos que podem ser utilizados para a habilitar a função de radar nos sistemas de comunicação. OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) é uma forma de onda com modulação multi-portadora, popular em sistemas de comunicação. Para sistemas de radar, O OFDM melhora a resolução e fornece eficiência espectral, além disso sua diversidade de frequências melhora o desempenho na detecção do radar. Essa tese tem como objetivo utilizar formas de onda multi-portadoras para sistemas de radar, possibilitando a operação simultânea de funções de radar e de comunicação num mesmo dispositivo. A tese esta dividida em duas partes. Na primeira parte da tese são realizados estudos da adaptabilidade de outras formas de onda multi-portadora para funções de radar. Nos dias atuais, muitos estudos sobre o uso do sinal OFDM para funções de comunicação e radar vêm sendo realizados, no entanto, outras formas de onda mostram-se possíveis candidatas a aplicações em sistemas de comunicação, e assim, avaliações para funções de sistema de radar se tornam necessárias. Nesta tese, com a intenção de demonstrar que formas de onda multi-portadoras alternativas podem superar o OFDM nos sistemas de Radar/comunicação (RadCom), propomos a adaptação das seguintes formas de onda: FBMC (Filter Bank Multicarrier); GFDM (Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing); e UFMC (Universal Filtering Multicarrier) para funções de radar. Também produzimos uma análise de desempenho dessas formas de onda sobre o aspecto da estimativa de parâmetros-alvo, ruído de fundo, interferência entre sistemas e parametrização do sistema. Na segunda parte da tese serão explorados técnicas de processamento de sinal de forma a solucionar algumas das limitações do uso de formas de ondas multi-portadora para sistemas RadCom. Os sistemas de radar baseados no OFDM são candidatos promissores para futuras redes de transporte inteligentes, porque combinam funções de estimativa de alvo com funções de rede de comunicação em um único sistema. Explorando a funcionalidade dupla habilitada pelo OFDM, nesta tese, apresentamos métodos cooperativos de alta resolução para estimar o posição, velocidade e direção dos alvos. A estimativa de parâmetros de alta resolução é um requisito importante para sistemas de radar automotivo, especialmente em cenários de múltiplos alvos que exigem melhor desempenho de separação de alvos. Ao explorar a cooperação entre veículos, os estudos apresentados nesta tese também permitem o rastreamento distribuído de alvos. O resultado é um rastreamento multi-alvo altamente preciso em toda a rede de veículos cooperativos, levando a melhorias na confiabilidade e segurança do transporte.Programa Doutoral em Telecomunicaçõe