Iterative Joint Estimation Procedure for Channel and Frequency Offset in Multi-Antenna OFDM Systems With an Insufficient Cyclic Prefix

This paper addresses a strategy to improve the joint channel and frequency offset (FO) estimation in multi-antenna systems, widely known as multiple-input-multiple-output orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM), in the presence of intersymbol interference (ISI) and intercarrier interference (ICI) occasioned by an insufficient cyclic prefix (CP). The enhancement is attained by the use of an iterative joint estimation procedure (IJEP) that successively cancels the interferences located in the preamble of the OFDM frame, which is used for the joint estimation and initially contains the interferences due to a CP shorter than the channel length. The IJEP requires at certain steps a proper iterative interference cancellation algorithm, which makes use of an initial FO compensation and channel estimation obtained due to the use of a symmetric sequence in the preamble. After the iterative cancellation of interferences, the procedure performs an additional joint channel and FO estimation whose mean square error converges to the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB). Later on, this subsequent joint estimation permits the removal of the interferences in the data part of the frame, which are also due to an insufficient CP, in the same iterative fashion but saving iterations compared with the use of other estimation strategies. The appraisal of the procedure has been performed by assessing the convergence of the simulated estimators to the CRB as a function of the number of iterations. Additionally, simulations for the evaluation of the bit error rate (BER) have been carried out to probe how the utilization of the proposed IJEP clearly improves the performance of the system. It is concluded that, with a reduced number of iterations in the preamble, the IJEP converges to the theoretical bounds, thus reducing the disturbances caused by a hard wireless channel or a deliberately insufficient CP.This work was supported in part by the Spanish na-tional projects GRE3N-SYST (TEC2011-29006-C03-03) and COMONSENS (CSD2008-00010).Publicad

Spectrally efficient emission mask shaping for OFDM cognitive radios

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing has been widely adopted in recent years due to its inherent spectral efficiency and robustness to impulsive noise and fading. For cognitive radio applications in particular, it can enable flexible and agile spectrum allocation, yet suffers from spectral leakage in the form of large side lobes, leading to inter-channel interference, unless mitigated carefully. Hence, recent OFDM-based standards such as 802.11p for vehicular communication and 802.11af for TV whitespace impose strict spectrum emission mask limits to combat adjacent channel interference. Stricter masks allow channels to operate closer together, improving spectral efficiency at the cost of implementation difficulty. Meeting the strict limits is a significant challenge for implementing both 802.11p and 802.11af, yet remains an important requirement for enabling cost-effective systems. This paper proposes a novel method that embeds baseband filtering within a cognitive radio architecture to meet the specification for the most stringent 802.11p and 802.11af masks, while allowing ten 802.11af sub-carriers to occupy a single basic channel without violating SEM specifications. The proposed method, performed at baseband, relaxes otherwise strict RF filter requirements, allowing the RF subsystem to be implemented using much less stringent 802.11a designs, allowing cost reductions

Achievable Throughput Optimization in OFDM Systems in the Presence of Interference and its Application to Power Line Networks

International audienceThe aim of this paper is to study the bit-loading and power allocation problem in the presence of interference (Inter-carrier Interference (ICI) and Inter-Symbol Interference (ISI)) in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems. ISI and ICI significantly degrade the performance of OFDM systems and make the resource management optimized without the assumption of interference less efficient. To solve this problem, an initial solution based on the greedy approach is proposed in this paper. Then, several reduced complexity approaches, which yield a little degradation compared to the initial solution, have been developed. Simulation results presented in the context of Power Line Communication (PLC) show that the performance of proposed algorithms is tight with their upper bound. Moreover, these algorithms efficiently improve the system performance as compared to the constant power water-filling allocation algorithm as well as maximum power allocation algorithm

MIMO signal processing in offset-QAM based filter bank multicarrier systems

Next-generation communication systems have to comply with very strict requirements for increased flexibility in heterogeneous environments, high spectral efficiency, and agility of carrier aggregation. This fact motivates research in advanced multicarrier modulation (MCM) schemes, such as filter bank-based multicarrier (FBMC) modulation. This paper focuses on the offset quadrature amplitude modulation (OQAM)-based FBMC variant, known as FBMC/OQAM, which presents outstanding spectral efficiency and confinement in a number of channels and applications. Its special nature, however, generates a number of new signal processing challenges that are not present in other MCM schemes, notably, in orthogonal-frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM). In multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) architectures, which are expected to play a primary role in future communication systems, these challenges are intensified, creating new interesting research problems and calling for new ideas and methods that are adapted to the particularities of the MIMO-FBMC/OQAM system. The goal of this paper is to focus on these signal processing problems and provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of the recent advances in this area. Open problems and associated directions for future research are also discussed.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

OFDM-based schemes for next generation wireless systems

The purpose of this study is to investigate two candidate waveforms for next generation wireless systems, filtered Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (f-OFDM) and Unified Filtered Multi-Carrier (UFMC). The evaluation is done based on the power spectral density analysis of the signal and performance measurements in synchronous and asynchronous transmission. In f-OFDM we implement a soft truncated filter with length 1/3 of OFDM symbol. In UFMC we use the Dolph-Chebyshev filter, limited to the length of zero padding (ZP). The simulation results demonstrates that both waveforms have a better spectral behaviour compared with conventional OFDM. However, the induced inter-symbol interference (ISI) caused by the filter in f-OFDM, and the inter-carrier interference (ICI) induced in UFMC due to cyclic prefix (CP) reduction , should be kept under control. In addition, in a synchronous transmission case with ideal parameters, f-OFDM and UFMC appear to have similar performance with OFDM. When carrier frequency offset (CFO) is imposed in the transmission, UFMC outperforms OFDM and f-OFDM

Conformação de pulso de formas de onda OFDM para a interface aérea 5G

Orientador: Luís Geraldo Pedroso MeloniDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de ComputaçãoResumo: As formas de onda com multiplexação ortogonal por divisão de freqüência (OFDM) foram utilizadas com sucesso na interface aérea 3GPP LTE para superar a seletividade do canal e proporcionar uma boa eficiência espectral e altas taxas de transmissão de dados. O próximo sistema de comunicações 5G tem como objetivo oferecer suporte a mais serviços do que o antecessor, como comunicações de banda larga móveis, comunicações de tipo máquina e comunicações de baixa latência, e considera muitos outros cenários de aplicação, como o uso de espectro fragmentado. Esta diversidade de serviços com diferentes requisitos não pode ser suportada pela OFDM convencional, pois OFDM configura toda a largura de banda com parâmetros que atendem a um serviço em particular. Além disso, pode ocorrer interferência interportadora (ICI) quando a OFDM convencional é usada com multiplexação assíncrona de múltiplos usuários e isso é devido às altas emissões fora de banda (OOB) das subportadoras e à violação da condição de ortogonalidade do sinal. Portanto, para atender aos requisitos das futuras aplicações sem fio 5G, o desenvolvimento de uma interface aérea inovadora com novas capacidades torna-se necessário, em particular, uma nova forma de onda mais espectralmente ágil do que OFDM capaz de suportar múltiplas configurações, suprimindo efetivamente a interferência entre usuários, e com integração direta com as camadas superiores. Este trabalho centra-se em duas técnicas de conformação de pulsos para reduzir a emissões fora de banda e melhorar o desempenho de formas de onda baseadas em OFDM. A conformação de pulsos pode permitir o uso de parametrizações múltiplas dentro da forma de onda e abandonar os paradigmas rígidos de ortogonalidade e sincronismo com uma degradação de desempenho causada por interferência intersymbol (ISI) e ICI relativamente baixa. A primeira parte aborda um método de modelagem de pulso baseado na filtragem por subportadora para reduzir a emissão fora de banda no transmissor e interferência de canal adjacente (ACI) no receptor. Ele pode ser implementado usando funções de janela e alguns formatos de janela são apresentados nesta parte. O primeiro usa o prefixo cíclico (CP) existente dos símbolos para suavizar as transições abruptas do sinal, portanto, os grandes lóbulos espectrais sinc causados pelos filtros retangulares. Isso garante a compatibilidade retroativa em sistemas que usam OFDM com prefixo cíclico (CP-OFDM). O formato da segunda janela estende o comprimento do CP para reter a capacidade da forma de onda para combater a propagação do atraso do canal. Os efeitos no desempenho do ISI e ICI são estudados em termos de relação de sinal para interferência (SIR) e taxa de erro de bit (BER) usando formas de onda LTE em um cenário de espectro fragmentado multi-usuário. A segunda parte deste trabalho aborda o desenho e análise de filtros para a contenção espectral flexível em transceptores com filtragem baseada em sub-banda. Este filtro, chamado aqui semi-equiripple, exibe melhor atenuação na banda de rejeição para reduzir as interferências entre subbandas do que os filtros equiripple e filtros sinc baseados em janelamento e também possui boas características de resposta ao impulso para reduzir o ISI. O projeto de filtros baseia-se no algoritmo Parks-McClellan para obter diferentes taxas de decaimento da banda de parada e atende a especificações arbitrárias de máscaras de emissão de espectro (SEM) com baixa distorção dentro da banda. Portanto, pode ser útil para obter baixas emissões fora da banda e configurar sub-bandas com parâmetros independentes, uma vez que a interferência assíncrona é contida pelos filtros. São estudadas três distorções de ISI no filtro: espalhamento de símbolos relacionado à causalidade do filtro, ecos de símbolos devido a ondulações na banda e amplificação de ISI devido a amostras de valores anômalas nas caudas de sua resposta de impulso. O desempenho do filtro é avaliado em termos de densidade de espectro de potência (PSD) e conformidade com SEMs, taxa de erro de modulação (MER) e operação em um esquema assíncrono multi-serviço usando uma única forma de onda. O SIR e o efeito da filtragem na precisão da modulação são avaliados usando formas de onda OFDM ISDB-T e LTE. Estruturas de hardware flexíveis também são propostas para implementações reais. Os resultados mostram que esses métodos de conformação de pulso permitem que a forma de onda explore os fragmentos de espectro disponíveis e ofereça suporte a múltiplos serviços sem uma penalidade de desempenho significativa, o que pode permitir uma interface aérea mais flexívelAbstract: Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) waveforms have been used successfully in the 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) air interface to overcome the channel selectivity and to provide good spectrum efficiency and high transmission data rates. The forthcoming 5G communication system aims to support more services than its predecessor, such as enhanced mobile broadband, machine-type communications and low latency communications, and considers many other application scenarios such as the fragmented spectrum use. This diversity of services with different requirements cannot be supported by conventional OFDM since OFDM configures the entire bandwidth with parameters attending one service in particular. Also, substantial intercarrier interference (ICI) can occur when conventional OFDM is used with asynchronous multiuser multiplexing and this is due to the high out-of-band (OOB) emissions of the subcarriers and the violation of the signal orthogonality constraint. Therefore, to meet the requirements of future 5G wireless applications, the development of an innovative air interface with new capabilities becomes necessary, in particular, a new waveform more spectrally agile than OFDM capable of supporting multiple configurations, suppressing the inter-user interference effectively, and with straightforward integration with the upper layers. This work focuses on two pulse shaping techniques to reduce the OOB emission and improve the in-band and OOB performances of OFDM-based waveforms. Pulse shaping can enable the use of multiple parameterizations within the waveform and abandon the strict paradigms of orthogonality and synchronism with relatively low performance degradation caused by intersymbol interference (ISI) and ICI. The first part addresses a pulse shaping method based on per-subcarrier filtering to reduce both OOB emission in the transmitter and adjacent channel interference (ACI) in the receiver. It can be implemented using window functions and some window formats are presented in this part. The first uses the existing cyclic prefix (CP) of OFDM symbols to smooth abrupt transitions of the signal, thus the large sinc spectral sidelobes caused by the rectangular filters. This guarantees backwards compatibility in systems using conventional cyclic prefixed OFDM (CP-OFDM). The second window format extends the CP length to retain the waveform ability to combat channel delay spread. The effects on performance of ISI and ICI are studied in terms of the signal to interference ratio (SIR) and bit error rate (BER) using LTE waveforms in a multi-user fragmented spectrum scenario. The second part of this work addresses the design and analysis of a filters for flexible spectral containment in subband-based filtering transceivers. This filter, called here semi-equiripple, exhibits better stopband attenuation to reduce the inter-subband interferences than equiripple and windowed truncated sinc filters and also has good impulse response characteristics to reduce ISI. The design is based on the Parks-McClellan algorithm to obtain different stopband decay rates and meet arbitrary spectrum emission masks (SEM) specifications with low in-band distortion. Therefore, it can be useful to achieve low OOB emission and configure subbands with independent parameters since the asynchronous interference is contained by the filters. Three ISI distortions in the filter are studied: symbol spreading related to the filter causality, symbol echoes due to in-band ripples, and ISI amplification due to outlier samples in the tails of its impulse response. The performance of the filter is assessed in terms of the power spectrum density (PSD) and compliance with tight SEMs, modulation error rate (MER) and operation in a multi-service asynchronous scheme using a single waveform. The SIR and the effect of filtering on the modulation accuracy are evaluated using OFDM ISDB-T and LTE waveforms. Flexible hardware structures are also proposed for actual implementations. The results show that these pulse shaping methods enable the waveform to exploit the available spectrum fragments and support multiple services without significant performance penalty, which can allow a more flexible air interfaceMestradoTelecomunicações e TelemáticaMestre em Engenharia ElétricaCAPE

Ambiguity Function Analysis and Direct-Path Signal Filtering of the Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) Waveform for Passive Coherent Location (PCL)

This research presents an ambiguity function analysis of the digital audio broadcast (DAB) waveform and one signal detection approach based on signal space projection techniques that effectively filters the direct-path signal from the receiver target channel. Currently, most Passive Coherent Location (PCL) research efforts are focused and based on frequency modulated (FM) radio broadcasts and analog television (TV) waveforms. One active area of PCL research includes the search for new waveforms of opportunity that can be exploited for PCL applications. As considered for this research, one possible waveform of opportunity is the European digital radio standard DAB. For this research, the DAB performance is analyzed for application as a PCL waveform of opportunity. For this analysis, DAB ambiguity function calculations and ambiguity surface plots are created and evaluated. Signal detection capability, to include characterization of time-delay and Doppler-shift measurement accuracy and resolution, is investigated and determined to be quite acceptable for the DAB wavefor

PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT OF OFDM SYSTEM BY USING ICI SELF CANCELLATION TECHNIQUE

ABSTRACT: OFDM is the expected performance for 4 th Generation broadband multimedia wireless systems. OFDM is robust to multi-paths fading and delay because it has high data transmission capability with high bandwidth efficiency that's why it has recently been applied in wireless communication systems. the causes of loss of orthogonality and amplitude reduction of OFDM signal and lead to Inter Carrier Interference (ICI) is due to OFDM system is very sensitive to carrier frequency offset, which is one of the major drawback of OFDM system. We can reduce ICI by using various techniques. Here in this paper ICI self cancellation method is used to combat the effect of ICI induced by CFO Keywords-OFDM, ICI, CFO I.INTRODUCTION In today's world OFDM is very functional for high speed data transmission systems, because it has numerous unique features like Robustness to multipath fading, high spectral efficiency, and immunity to impulse interference, flexibility and simple equalization over single carrier communication system. OFDM is a special case of multi-carrier modulation. Multi-carrier modulation is the concept of splitting a signal into a number of signals, modulating each of these new signals to several frequency channels, and combining the data received on the multiple channels at the receiver II. OFDM SYSTEM MODEL A basic OFDM system contains modulation scheme, serial to parallel transmission, parallel to serial transmission and IFFT/FFT

ICI and PAPR enhancement in MIMO-OFDM system using RNS coding

The Inter-Carrier-Interference (ICI) is considered a bottleneck in the utilization of Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) systems, due to the sensitivity of the OFDM towards frequency offsets which lead to loss of orthogonality, interference and performance degradation. In this paper Residue Numbers as a coding scheme is impeded in MIMO-OFDM systems, where the ICI levels is measured and evaluated with respect to conventional ICI mitigation techniques implemented in MIMO-OFDM. The Carrier-to-Interference Ratio (CIR), the system Bit-Error-Rate (BER) and the Complementary Cumulative Distribution Function (CCDF) for MIMO-OFDM system with Residue Number System (RNS) coding are analyzed and evaluated. The results had demonstrated a performance of transmission model with and without RNS

Study on Air Interface Variants and their Harmonization for Beyond 5G Systems

[ES] La estandarización de la Quinta Generación de redes móviles o 5G, ha concluido este año 2020. No obstante, en el año 2014 cuando la ITU empezó el proceso de estandarización IMT-2020, una de las principales interrogantes era cuál sería la forma de onda sobre la cual se construiría la capa física de esta nueva generación de tecnologías. El 3GPP se comprometió a entregar una tecnología candidata al proceso IMT-2020, y es así como dentro de este proceso de deliberación se presentaron varias formas de onda candidatas, las cuales fueron evaluadas en varios aspectos hasta que en el año 2016 el 3GPP tomó una decisión, continuar con CP-OFDM (utilizada en 4G) con numerología flexible. Una vez decidida la forma de onda, el proceso de estandarización continuó afinando la estructura de la trama, y todos los aspectos intrínsecos de la misma. Esta tesis acompañó y participó de todo este proceso. Para empezar, en esta disertación se evaluaron las principales formas de onda candidatas al 5G. Es así que se realizó un análisis teórico de cada forma de onda, destacando sus fortalezas y debilidades, tanto a nivel de implementación como de rendimiento. Posteriormente, se llevó a cabo una implementación real en una plataforma Software Defined Radio de tres de las formas de onda más prometedoras (CP-OFDM, UFMC y OQAM-FBMC), lo que permitió evaluar su rendimiento en términos de la tasa de error por bit, así como la complejidad de su implementación. Esta tesis ha propuesto también el uso de una solución armonizada como forma de onda para el 5G y sostiene que sigue siendo una opción viable para sistemas beyond 5G. Dado que ninguna de las forma de onda candidatas era capaz de cumplir por sí misma con todos los requisitos del 5G, en lugar de elegir una única forma de onda se propuso construir un transceptor que fuese capaz de construir todas las principales formas de onda candidatas (CP-OFDM, P-OFDM, UFMC, QAM-FBMC, OQAM-FBMC). Esto se consiguió identificando los bloques comunes entre las formas de onda, para luego integrarlos junto con el resto de bloques indispensables para cada forma de onda. La motivación para esta solución era tener una capa física que fuese capaz de cumplir con todos los aspectos del 5G, seleccionando siempre la mejor forma de onda según el escenario. Esta propuesta fue evaluada en términos de complejidad, y los resultados se compararon con la complejidad de cada forma de onda. La decisión de continuar con CP-OFDM con numerología flexible como forma de onda para el 5G se puede considerar también como una solución armonizada, ya que al cambiar el prefijo cíclico y el número de subportadoras, cambian también las prestaciones del sistema. En esta tesis se evaluaron todas las numerologías propuestas por el 3GPP sobre cada uno de los modelos de canal descritos para el 5G (y considerados válidos para sistemas beyond 5G), teniendo en cuenta factores como la movilidad de los equipos de usuario y la frecuencia de operación; para esto se utilizó un simulador de capa física del 3GPP, al que se hicieron las debidas adaptaciones con el fin de evaluar el rendimiento de las numerologías en términos de la tasa de error por bloque. Finalmente, se presenta un bosquejo de lo que podría llegar a ser la Sexta Generación de redes móviles o 6G, con el objetivo de entender las nuevas aplicaciones que podrían ser utilizadas en un futuro, así como sus necesidades. Completado el estudio llevado a cabo en esta tesis, se puede afirmar que como se propuso desde un principio la solución, tanto para el 5G como para beyond 5G, la solución es la armonización de las formas de onda. De los resultados obtenidos se puede corroborar que una solución armonizada permite alcanzar un ahorro computacional entre el 25-40% para el transmisor y del 15-25% para el receptor. Además, fue posible identificar qué numerología CP-OFDM es la más adecuada para cada escenario, lo que permitiría optimizar el diseño y despliegue de las redes 5G. Esto abriría la puerta a hacer lo mismo con el 6G, ya que en esta tesis se considera que será necesario abrir nuevamente el debate sobre cuál es la forma de onda adecuada para esta nueva generación de tecnologías, y se plantea que el camino a seguir es optar por una solución armonizada con distintas formas de onda, en lugar de solo una como sucede con el 5G.[CA] L'estandardització de la Quinta Generació de xarxes mòbils o 5G, ha conclòs enguany 2020. No obstant això, l'any 2014 quan la ITU va començar el procés d'estandardització IMT-2020, uns dels principals interrogants era quina seria la forma d'onda sobre la qual es construiria la capa física d'esta nova generació de tecnologies. El 3GPP es va comprometre a entregar una tecnologia candidata al procés IMT-2020, i és així com dins d'este procés de deliberació es van presentar diverses formes d'onda candidates, les quals van ser avaluades en diversos aspectes fins que l'any 2016 el 3GPP va prendre una decisió, continuar amb CP-OFDM (utilitzada en 4G) amb numerología flexible. Una vegada decidida la forma d'onda, el procés d'estandardització va continuar afinant la frame structure (no se m'ocorre nom en espanyol), i tots els aspectes intrínsecs de la mateixa. Esta tesi va acompanyar i va participar de tot este procés. Per a començar, en esta dissertació es van avaluar les principals formes d'onda candidates al 5G. És així que es va realitzar una anàlisi teòrica de cada forma d'onda, destacant les seues fortaleses i debilitats, tant a nivell d'implementació com de rendiment. Posteriorment, es va dur a terme una implementació real en una plataforma Software Defined Radio de tres de les formes d'onda més prometedores (CP-OFDM, UFMC i OQAM-FBMC), la qual cosa va permetre avaluar el seu rendiment en termes de la taxa d'error per bit, així com la complexitat de la seua implementació. Esta tesi ha proposat també l'ús d'una solució harmonitzada com a forma d'onda per al 5G i sosté que continua sent una opció viable per a sistemes beyond 5G. Atés que cap de les forma d'onda candidates era capaç de complir per si mateixa amb tots els requeriments del 5G, en compte de triar una única forma d'onda es va proposar construir un transceptor que fóra capaç de construir totes les principals formes d'onda candidates (CP-OFDM, P-OFDM, UFMC, QAM-FBMC, OQAM-FBMC). Açò es va aconseguir identificant els blocs comuns entre les formes d'onda, per a després integrar-los junt amb la resta de blocs indispensables per a cada forma d'onda. La motivació per a esta solució era tindre una capa física que fóra capaç de complir amb tots els aspectes del 5G, seleccionant sempre la millor forma d'onda segons l'escenari. Esta proposta va ser avaluada en termes de complexitat, i els resultats es van comparar amb la complexitat de cada forma d'onda. La decisió de continuar amb CP-OFDM amb numerología flexible com a forma d'onda per al 5G es pot considerar també com una solució harmonitzada, ja que al canviar el prefix cíclic i el número de subportadores, canvien també les prestacions del sistema. En esta tesi es van avaluar totes les numerologías propostes pel 3GPP sobre cada un dels models de canal descrits per al 5G (i considerats vàlids per a sistemes beyond 5G), tenint en compte factors com la mobilitat dels equips d'usuari i la freqüència d'operació; per a açò es va utilitzar un simulador de capa física del 3GPP, a què es van fer les degudes adaptacions a fi d'avaluar el rendiment de les numerologías en termes de la taxa d'error per bloc. Finalment, es presenta un esbós del que podria arribar a ser la Sexta Generació de xarxes mòbils o 6G, amb l'objectiu d'entendre les noves aplicacions que podrien ser utilitzades en un futur, així com les seues necessitats. Completat l'estudi dut a terme en esta tesi, es pot afirmar que com es va proposar des d'un principi la solució, tant per al 5G com per a beyond 5G, la solució és l'harmonització de les formes d'onda. dels resultats obtinguts es pot corroborar que una solució harmonitzada permet aconseguir un estalvi computacional entre el 25-40% per al transmissor i del 15-25% per al receptor. A més, va ser possible identificar què numerología CP-OFDM és la més adequada per a cada escenari, la qual cosa permetria optimitzar el disseny i desplegament de les xarxes 5G. Açò obriria la porta a fer el mateix amb el 6G, ja que en esta tesi es considera que serà necessari obrir novament el debat sobre quina és la forma d’onda adequada per a esta nova generació de tecnologies, i es planteja que el camí que s’ha de seguir és optar per una solució harmonitzada amb distintes formes d’onda, en compte de només una com succeïx amb el 5G.[EN] The standardization of the Fifth Generation of mobile networks or 5G is still ongoing, although the first releases of the standard were completed two years ago and several 5G networks are up and running in several countries around the globe. However, in 2014 when the ITU began the IMT-2020 standardization process, one of the main questions was which would be the waveform to be used on the physical layer of this new generation of technologies. The 3GPP committed to submit a candidate technology to the IMT-2020 process, and that is how within this deliberation process several candidate waveforms were presented. After a thorough evaluation regarding several aspects, in 2016 the 3GPP decided to continue with CP-OFDM (used in 4G) but including, as a novelty, the use of a flexible numerology. Once the waveform was decided, the standardization process continued to fine-tune the frame structure and all the intrinsic aspects of it. This thesis accompanied and participated in this entire process. To begin with, this dissertation evaluates the main 5G candidate waveforms. Therefore, a theoretical analysis of each waveform is carried out, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses, both at the implementation and performance levels. Subsequently, a real implementation on a Software Defined Radio platform of three of the most promising waveforms (CP-OFDM, UFMC, and OQAM-FBMC) is presented, which allows evaluating their performance in terms of bit error rate, as well as the complexity of its implementation. This thesis also proposes the use of a harmonized solution as a waveform for 5G and argues that it remains a viable option for systems beyond 5G. Since none of the candidate waveforms was capable of meeting on its own with all the requirements for 5G, instead of choosing a single waveform, this thesis proposes to build a transceiver capable of building all the main waveforms candidates (CP-OFDM, P-OFDM, UFMC, QAM-FBMC, OQAM-FBMC). This is achieved by identifying the common blocks between the waveforms and then integrating them with the rest of the essential blocks for each waveform. The motivation for this solution is to have a physical layer that is capable of complying with all aspects of beyond 5G technologies, always selecting the best waveform according to the scenario. This proposal is evaluated in terms of complexity, and the results are compared with the complexity of each waveform. The decision to continue with CP-OFDM with flexible numerology as a waveform for 5G can also be considered as a harmonized solution, since changing the cyclic prefix and the number of subcarriers, changes also the performance of the system. In this thesis, all the numerologies proposed by the 3GPP are evaluated on each of the channel models described for 5G (and considered valid for beyond 5G systems), taking into account factors such as the mobility of the user equipment and the operating frequency. For this, a 3GPP physical layer simulator is used, and proper adaptations are made in order to evaluate the performance of the numerologies in terms of the block error rate. Finally, a sketch of what could become the Sixth Generation of mobile networks or 6G is presented, with the aim of understanding the new applications that could be used in the future, as well as their needs. After the completion of the study carried out in this thesis, it can be said that, as stated from the beginning, for both 5G and beyond 5G systems, the solution is the waveform harmonization. From the results obtained, it can be corroborated that a harmonized solution allows achieving computational savings between 25-40% for the transmitter and 15-25% for the receiver. In addition, it is possible to identify which CP-OFDM numerology is the most appropriate for each scenario, which would allow optimizing the design and deployment of 5G networks. This would open the door to doing the same with 6G, i.e., a harmonized solution with different waveforms, instead of just one as in 5G.Flores De Valgas Torres, FJ. (2020). Study on Air Interface Variants and their Harmonization for Beyond 5G Systems [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/164442TESI