Timing and Carrier Synchronization in Wireless Communication Systems: A Survey and Classification of Research in the Last 5 Years

Timing and carrier synchronization is a fundamental requirement for any wireless communication system to work properly. Timing synchronization is the process by which a receiver node determines the correct instants of time at which to sample the incoming signal. Carrier synchronization is the process by which a receiver adapts the frequency and phase of its local carrier oscillator with those of the received signal. In this paper, we survey the literature over the last 5 years (2010–2014) and present a comprehensive literature review and classification of the recent research progress in achieving timing and carrier synchronization in single-input single-output (SISO), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), cooperative relaying, and multiuser/multicell interference networks. Considering both single-carrier and multi-carrier communication systems, we survey and categorize the timing and carrier synchronization techniques proposed for the different communication systems focusing on the system model assumptions for synchronization, the synchronization challenges, and the state-of-the-art synchronization solutions and their limitations. Finally, we envision some future research directions

Millimeter wave link configuration with hybrid MIMO architectures

The use of multiple antennas, widely known as MIMO technology, is a key feature to deploy mmWave communication systems enabling high-data-rate applications. With more than two decades of global experience in deploying Wi-Fi and cellular communication using sub-6 GHz frequency bands, simply repurposing these designs for mmWave bands would fail to account for additional propagation impairments and circuit design constraints at these higher frequencies. A solution to overcome the propagation challenges is the use of multiple directional communication beams, whereby proper alignment between transceivers provides sufficient link quality to enable reliable decoding of the transmitted data. In this dissertation, efficient link configuration solutions suitable for mmWave cellular communications are developed. To gain some insight into the achievable performance of mmWave systems, two broadband channel-estimation-based link configuration solutions are proposed for MIMO-OFDM systems, in which both the transmitter and receiver are assumed to be perfectly synchronized. The proposed solution exploits the spatially common sparsity in the mmWave channel and enables efficient acquisition of the CSI while allowing the use of multiple RF chains on both the transmitter and receiver sides. In a simplified scenario, the CRLB for the channel estimation problem is derived, and the proposed channel estimation algorithms are shown to both outperform prior work in communication performance and exhibit excellent estimation performance. Furthermore, the proposed algorithms are assessed in a more challenging scenario with realistic channel parameters, and it is shown that both near-optimal spectral efficiency and low BER can be attained with lower overhead and computational complexity than prior solutions. Next, the impact of imperfect CFO synchronization on the channel estimation problem is analyzed under a narrowband channel model. The CRLB for the estimation of the different unknown parameters involved in the problem is theoretically analyzed, and closed-form expressions are provided for the estimation of the different parameters. Under a joint estimation-theoretic and CS framework, a low-complexity multi-stage solution is proposed to estimate both the different unknown synchronization parameters and the large-dimensional mmWave MIMO channel. Different trade-offs between estimation, spectral efficiency, and overhead performance are exposed, and the proposed estimators are shown to be asymptotically optimal in the low SNR regime. The proposed solution is assessed under a channel model with several clusters and rays per cluster, and is shown to attain near-optimal spectral efficiency values in both the low and high SNR regimes. The computational complexity of the proposed solution is also analyzed, in which it is shown to achieve a marginal increase in computational complexity with respect to the solution proposed in the previous contribution. Finally, the impact of TO, CFO, and PN impairments on the channel estimation problem is analyzed under a broadband channel model. The problem of time-frequency synchronization under PN impairments is theoretically analyzed, and the proposed solutions to the synchronization problem are exploited to estimate the frequency-selective mmWave MIMO channel. The hybrid CRLB for the estimation of the different synchronization impairments is analyzed, and closed-form expressions leveraging the information coupling between the different impairments are provided. The previously proposed joint estimation-theoretic and CS framework is extended to frequency-selective scenarios, and two low-complexity multi-stage solutions are proposed to estimate both the different synchronization impairments and the large-dimensional mmWave MIMO channel. The first solution relies on a batch-processing LMMSE-based EM algorithm to estimate the different synchronization impairments, while the second solution uses a sequential-processing EKF-RTS-based EM algorithm, thereby reducing computational complexity. Thereafter, both the hybrid CRLB for the estimation of the equivalent beamformed complex channels and the estimates for these parameters are exploited to estimate the large-dimensional frequency-selective mmWave MIMO channel. Finally, a joint PN and data detection algorithm is proposed for data transmission under the 5G NR frame structure. The proposed solutions are evaluated using a 5G NR-based channel model, and different trade-offs between estimation performance, computational complexity, overhead, achievable spectral efficiency and BER are exposed, and comparisons with prior work are also provided. The results show that mmWave link configuration using hybrid MIMO architectures can be established with low overhead without assuming synchronization, even in the low SNR regime.Electrical and Computer Engineerin

FBMC-based random access signal design and detection for LEO base stations

The integration of non-terrestrial networks into the 5G ecosystem is mainly driven by the possibility of provisioning service in remote areas. In this context, the advent of flying base stations at the low Earth orbit (LEO) will enable anywhere and anytime connectivity. To materialize this vision, it is of utmost importance to improve radio protocols with the aim of allowing direct satellite access. Bearing this aspect in mind, we present a new random access signal, which is based on the filter bank multicarrier (FBMC) waveform, and a computationally efficient detection scheme. The proposed solution outperforms the standardized access scheme based on single-carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM), by reducing out-of-band (OOB) emissions and reducing the missed detection probability in presence of very high carrier frequency offset (CFO), which is inherent to LEO satellite systems. The improvement is related to the fine frequency resolution of the detector and the use of pulse shaping techniques. Interestingly, the FBMC-based random access signal achieves a high level of commonality with 5G new radio, as the preamble generation method and the time-frequency allocation pattern can be kept unchanged. Concerning the practical implementation aspects, the complexity of the detector is similar in both SC-FDM and FBMC.This paper is part of the R+D+i project (PID2020-115323RB-C31) funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033. This work is supported by the grant from Spanish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation and the European union - NextGenerationEU (UNICO-5G I+D/AROMA3D-Space (TSI-063000-2021-70))Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

SMARAD - Centre of Excellence in Smart Radios and Wireless Research - Activity Report 2011 - 2013

Centre of Excellence in Smart Radios and Wireless Research (SMARAD), originally established with the name Smart and Novel Radios Research Unit, is aiming at world-class research and education in Future radio and antenna systems, Cognitive radio, Millimetre wave and THz techniques, Sensors, and Materials and energy, using its expertise in RF, microwave and millimeter wave engineering, in integrated circuit design for multi-standard radios as well as in wireless communications. SMARAD has the Centre of Excellence in Research status from the Academy of Finland since 2002 (2002-2007 and 2008-2013). Currently SMARAD consists of five research groups from three departments, namely the Department of Radio Science and Engineering, Department of Micro and Nanosciences, and Department of Signal Processing and Acoustics, all within the Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering. The total number of employees within the research unit is about 100 including 8 professors, about 30 senior scientists and about 40 graduate students and several undergraduate students working on their Master thesis. The relevance of SMARAD to the Finnish society is very high considering the high national income from exports of telecommunications and electronics products. The unit conducts basic research but at the same time maintains close co-operation with industry. Novel ideas are applied in design of new communication circuits and platforms, transmission techniques and antenna structures. SMARAD has a well-established network of co-operating partners in industry, research institutes and academia worldwide. It coordinates a few EU projects. The funding sources of SMARAD are diverse including the Academy of Finland, EU, ESA, Tekes, and Finnish and foreign telecommunications and semiconductor industry. As a by-product of this research SMARAD provides highest-level education and supervision to graduate students in the areas of radio engineering, circuit design and communications through Aalto University and Finnish graduate schools. During years 2011 – 2013, 18 doctor degrees were awarded to the students of SMARAD. In the same period, the SMARAD researchers published 197 refereed journal articles and 360 conference papers

Enhanced Spectrum Sensing for Cognitive Cellular Systems

This dissertation aims at improving spectrum sensing algorithms in order to effectively apply them to cellular systems. In wireless communications, cellular systems occupy a significant part of the spectrum. The spectrum usage for cellular systems are rapidly expanding due to the increasing demand for wireless services in our society. This results in radio frequency spectrum scarcity. Cellular systems can effectively handle this issue through cognitive mechanisms for spectrum utilization. Spectrum sensing plays the first stage of cognitive cycles for the adaptation to radio environments. This dissertation focuses on maximizing the reliability of spectrum sensing to satisfy regulation requirements with respect to high spectrum sensing performance and an acceptable error rate. To overcome these challenges, characteristics of noise and manmade signals are exploited for spectrum sensing. Moreover, this dissertation considers system constraints, the compatibility with the current and the trends of future generations. Newly proposed and existing algorithms were evaluated in simulations in the context of cellular systems. Based on a prototype of cognitive cellular systems (CCSs), the proposed algorithms were assessed in realistic scenarios. These algorithms can be applied to CCSs for the awareness of desired signals in licensed and unlicensed bands. For orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) signals, this dissertation exploits the characteristics of pilot patterns and preambles for new algorithms. The new algorithms outperform the existing ones, which also utilize pilot patterns. Additionally, the new algorithms can work with short observation durations, which is not possible with the existing algorithms. The Digital Video Broadcasting - Terrestrial (DVB-T) standard is taken as an example application for the algorithms. The algorithms can also be developed for filter bank multicarrier (FBMC) signals, which are a potential candidate for multiplexing techniques in the next cellular generations. The experimental results give insights for the reliability of the algorithms, taking system constraints v into account. Another new sensing algorithm, based on a preamble, is proposed for the DVBT2 standard, which is the second generation of of DVB system. DVB-T2 systems have been deployed in worldwide regions. This algorithm can detect DVB-T2 signals in a very short observation interval, which is helpful for the in-band sensing mode, to protect primary users (in nearly real-time) from the secondary transmission. An enhanced spectrum sensing algorithm based on cyclostationary signatures is proposed to detect desired signals in very low signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). This algorithm can be developed to detect the single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) signal, which is adopted for the uplink of long-term evolution (LTE) systems. This detector substantially outperforms the existing detection algorithms with the marginal complexity of some scalar multiplications. The test statistics are explicitly formulated in mathematical formulas, which were not presented in the previous work. The formulas and simulation results provide a useful strategy for cyclostationarity-based detection with different modulation types. For multiband spectrum sensing, an effective scheme is proposed not only to detect but also to classify LTE signals in multiple channels in a wide frequency range. To the best of our knowledge, no scheme had previously been described to perform the sensing tasks. The scheme is reliable and flexible for implementation, and there is almost no performance degradation caused by the scheme compared to single-channel spectrum sensing. The multiband sensing scheme was experimentally assessed in scenarios where the existing infrastructures are interrupted to provide mobile communications. The proposed algorithms and scheme facilitate cognitive capabilities to be applied to real cellular communications. This enables the significantly improved spectrum utilization of CCSs

Characterization of MIMO Antennas and Terminals: Measurements in Reverberation Chambers

The reverberation chamber (RC) has drawn attention as a multipath emulator over the past decade for both passive and active over-the-air (OTA) tests. The overview of this thesis is given in Chapter 1. Although the main purpose of this thesis is characterization of MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) terminals based on RC measurements, it is of importance to know under which channel condition the device has been tested. Parameters that are used to characterize the channel in a multipath environment are coherence bandwidth, delay spread, coherence time, Doppler spread, coherence distance and angular spread. In a normal RC, angular of arrival distribution is almost uniform. The corresponding coherence distances for different antennas can be derived at ease based on the a priori knowledge of the uniform angular distribution. Therefore, the main tasks of RC channel characterization are to determine coherence bandwidth, RMS delay spread, coherence time and Doppler spread. These studies are given in Chapter 2. For multi-port antennas used in MIMO systems, relevant characterizations are correlation, embedded radiation efficiency, diversity gain, and MIMO capacity, all of which can be measured in a RC. In order to compare the RC measurements with that of an anechoic chamber (AC), two methods for evaluations of AC measurement-based maximum ratio combining (MRC) diversity gain and MIMO capacity are presented correspondingly. After examining these two methods, they are applied, respectively, to a wideband multi-port antenna that is measured in both AC and RC. Comparisons show good agreements. Furthermore, a throughput measurement of a LTE (long term evolution) dongle is tested in the RC. A corresponding throughput model is presented. Simple as it is, this model can be used to predict the measurement results well. All of these are studied in Chapter 3. For both passive and active OTA tests, the measurement accuracy is of great importance. Previous RC measurement uncertainty works believed that the RC accuracy depends only on the independent sample number. This thesis, however, shows that the RC accuracy depends not only on the independent sample number, but also on the Rician K-factor, i.e. the power ratio of unstirred electromagnetic (EM) fields to the stirred ones, and that the K-factor represents a residual error in RC measurements. It is also proven on practical chambers that accuracy can be improved either by reducing the K-factor, or by introducing stirring methods that reduce it, such as platform and polarization stirring. This work is presented in Chapter 4. Chapter 5 concludes this thesis