Diversity with practical channel estimation in arbitrary fading environments

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2004.Includes bibliographical references (p. 79-83).This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.This thesis presents a framework for evaluating the bit error probability of Nd-branch diversity combining in the presence of non-ideal channel estimates. The estimator structure is based on the maximum likelihood (ML) estimate and arises naturally as the sample mean of Np pilot symbols. The framework presented requires only the evaluation of a single integral involving the moment generating function of the norm square of the channel gain vector, and is applicable to channels with arbitrary distribution, including correlated fading. Analytical results show that the practical ML channel estimator preserves the diversity order of an Nd-branch diversity system, contrary to conclusions in the literature based upon a model that assumes a fixed correlation between the channel and its estimate. Finally, the asymptotic signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) penalty due to estimation error is investigated. This investigation reveals that the penalty has surprisingly little dependence on the number of diversity branches.by Wesley M. Gifford.S.M

Error rate performance metrics for digital communications systems.

In this thesis, novel error rate performance metrics and transmission solutions are investigated for delay limited communication systems and for co-channel interference scenarios. The following four research problems in particular were considered. The first research problem is devoted to analysis of the higher order ergodic moments of error rates for digital communication systems with time- unlimited ergodic transmissions and the statistics of the conditional error rates of digital modulations over fading channels are considered. The probability density function and the higher order moments of the conditional error rates are obtained. Non-monotonic behavior of the moments of the conditional bit error rates versus some channel model parameters is observed for a Ricean distributed channel fading amplitude at the detector input. Properties and possible applications of the second central moments are proposed. The second research problem is the non-ergodic error rate analysis and signaling design for communication systems processing a single finite length received sequence. A framework to analyze the error rate properties of non-ergodic transmissions is established. The Bayesian credible intervals are used to estimate the instantaneous bit error rate. A novel degree of ergodicity measure is introduced using the credible interval estimates to quantify the level of ergodicity of the received sequence with respect to the instantaneous bit error rate and to describe the transition of the data detector from the non-ergodic to ergodic zone of operation. The developed non-ergodic analysis is used to define adaptive forward error correction control and adaptive power control policies that can guarantee, with a given probability, the worst case instantaneous bit error rate performance of the detector in its transition fi'om the non-ergodic to ergodic zone of operation. In the third research problem, novel retransmission schemes are developed for delay-limited retransmissions. The proposed scheme relies on a reliable reverse link for the error-free feedback message delivery. Unlike the conventional automatic repeat request schemes, the proposed scheme does not require the use of cyclic redundancy check bits for error detection. In the proposed scheme, random permutations are exploited to locate the bits for retransmission in the predefined window within the packet. The retransmitted bits are combined using the maximal-ratio combining. The complexity-performance trade-offs of the proposed scheme is investigated by mathematical analysis as well as computer simulations. The bit error rate of the proposed scheme is independent of the packet length while the throughput is dependent on the packet length. Three practical techniques suitable for implementation are proposed. The performance of the proposed retransmission scheme was compared to the block repetition code corresponding to a conventional ARQ retransmission strategy. It was shown that, for the same number of retransmissions, and the same packet length, the proposed scheme always outperforms such repetition coding, and, in some scenarios, the performance improvement is found to be significant. Most of our analysis has been done for the case of AWGN channel, however, the case of a slow Rayleigh block fading channel was also investigated. The proposed scheme appears to provide the throughput and the BER reduction gains only for the medium to large SNR values. Finally, the last research problem investigates the link error rate performance with a single co-channel interference. A novel metric to assess whether the standard Gaussian approximation of a single interferer underestimates or overestimates the link bit error rate is derived. This metric is a function of the interference channel fading statistics. However, it is otherwise independent of the statistics of the desired signal. The key step in derivation of the proposed metric is to construct the standard Gaussian approximation of the interference by a non-linear transformation. A closed form expression of the metric is obtained for a Nakagami distributed interference fading amplitude. Numerical results for the case of Nakagami and lognormal distributed interference fading amplitude confirm the validity of the proposed metric. The higher moments, interval estimators and non-linear transformations were investigated to evaluate the error rate performance for different wireless communication scenarios. The synchronization channel is also used jointly with the communication link to form a transmission diversity and subsequently, to improve the error rate performance

Characterization of Single- and Multi-antenna Wireless Channels

The wireless propagation channel significantly influences the received signal, so that it needs to be modeled effectively. Extensive measurements and analysis are required for investigating the validity of theoretical models and postulating new models based on measurements. Such measurements, analysis, and modeling are the topic of this thesis. The focus of the included contributions are Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) propagation channels and radio channels for sensor network applications. Paper I presents results from one of the first MIMO measurements for a double-directional characterization of the outdoor-to-indoor wireless propagation channel. Such channels are of interest for both cellular and wireless LAN applications. We discuss physical aspects of building penetration, and also provide statistics of angle and delay spreads in the channel. The paper also investigates the coupling between DOD and DOA and the two spectra are found to have non-negligible dependence. We test the applicability of three analytical channel models that make different assumptions on the coupling between DODs and DOAs. Our results indicate that analytical models, that impose fewer restrictions on the DOD to DOA coupling, should be used preferrably over models such as the Kronecker model that have more restrictive assumptions. Paper II presents a cluster-based analysis of the outdoor-to-indoor MIMO measurements analyzed in Paper I. A subset of parameters of the COST 273 channel model, a generic model for MIMO propagation channels, are characterized for the outdoor-to-indoor scenario. MPC parameters are extracted at each measured location using a high-resolution algorithm and clusters of MPCs are identified with an automated clustering approach. In particular, the adopted clustering approach requires that all MPC parameters must be similar in order for the MPCs to form a cluster. A statistical analysis of the identified clusters is performed for both the intra- and inter-cluster properties. Paper III analyzes the spatial fading distribution for a range of canonical sensor deployment scenarios. The presented results are relevant to communicating within, and between, clusters of nodes. Contrary to the widely accepted assumption in published literature that the channel is AWGN at a small-enough distance, our measurements indicate that values of the Rice factor do not, in general, increase monotonically as the Tx-Rx distance is reduced. A probability mixture model is presented, with distance dependent parameters, to account for the distance dependent variations of the Rice factor. A simulation model that includes small- and large-scale fading effects is presented. According to the modeling approach, a sensor node placed anywhere within the spatial extent of a small-scale region will experience the channel statistics applicable to that region. Paper IV presents results characterizing a radio channel for outdoor short-range sensor networks. A number of antennas are placed on the ground in an open area and time-variation of the channel is induced by a person moving in the vicinity of the nodes. The channel statistics of both the LOS path and the overall narrowband signal are non-stationary. We investigate the stationarity interval length to be used for small-scale analysis. Our analysis of the various measured links shows that the Rx signal strength is significantly influenced by a moving person only when the person blocks the LOS path. We present a generic approach for modeling the LOS blockage, and also model the time-variant Doppler spectrum of the channel's scattered components

INCREASED ACCURACY OF THE NAKAGAMI M PARAMETER MEASUREMENT METHOD BASED ON SPACE DIVERSITY RECEPTION

In this paper we will present increased accuracy measurement method for the Nakagami-m m parameter estimation, based on implementation of space diversity reception. Parameter m will be estimated in real time, based on the obtained values of first, second and third order moments of signal, measured by a proposed system. The obtained results will show an increase of accuracy obtained by using this method over the results obtained by using a standard measurement procedure, so it creates a potential to apply this measurement method for estimation of fading parameters in various propagation environments

Measurement-Based Modeling of Wireless Propagation Channels - MIMO and UWB

Future wireless systems envision higher speeds and more reliable services but at the same time face challenges in terms of bandwidth being a limited resource. Two promising techniques that can provide an increased throughput without requiring additional bandwidth allocation are multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems and ultra-wideband (UWB) systems. However, the performance of such systems is highly dependent on the properties of the wireless propagation channel, and an understanding of the channel is therefore crucial in the design of future wireless systems. Examples of such systems covered by this thesis are wireless personal area networks (papers I and II), vehicle-to-vehicle communications (paper III), board-to-board communications inside computers (paper IV) and sensor networks for industrial applications (paper V). Typically, channel models are used to evaluate the performance of different transmission and reception schemes. Channel modeling is the focus of this thesis, which contains a collection of papers that analyze and model the behavior of MIMO and UWB propagation channels. Paper I investigates the fading characteristics of wireless personal area networks (PANs), networks that typically involve human influence close to the antenna terminals. Based on extensive channel measurements using irregular antenna arrays, typical properties of PAN propagation channels are discussed and a model for the complete fading of a single link is presented. Paper II extends the model from paper I to a complete MIMO channel model. The paper combines the classical LOS model for MIMO with results from paper I by prescribing different fading statistics and mean power at the different antenna elements. The model is verified against measurement data and the paper also provides a parameterization for an example of a PAN scenario. Paper III presents a geometry-based stochastic MIMO model for vehicle-to-vehicle communications. The most important propagation effects are discussed based on the results from extensive channel measurements, and the modeling approach is motivated by the non-stationary behavior of such channels. The model distinguishes between diffuse contributions and those stemming from interaction with significant objects in the propagation channel, and the observed fading characteristics of the latter are stochastically accounted for in the model. Paper IV gives a characterization of UWB propagation channels inside desktop computer chassis. By studying measurement results from two different computers, it is concluded that the propagation channel only shows minor differences for different computers and positions within the chassis. It is also found out that the interference power produced by the computer is limited to certain subbands, suggesting that multiband UWB systems are more suitable for this type of applications. Paper V describes a UWB channel model based on the first UWB measurements in an industrial environment. Analyzing results from two different factory halls, it is concluded that energy arrives at the receiver in clusters, which motivates the use of a classical multi-cluster model to describe the channel impulse response. Parts of the results from this paper were also used as input to the channel model in the IEEE 802.15.4a UWB standardization work. In summary, the work within this thesis leads to an increased understanding of the behavior of wireless propagation channels for MIMO and UWB systems. By providing three detailed simulation models, two for MIMO and one for UWB, it can thus contribute to a more efficient design of the wireless communications systems of tomorrow