Robust frequency-domain turbo equalization for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communications

This dissertation investigates single carrier frequency-domain equalization (SC-FDE) with multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channels for radio frequency (RF) and underwater acoustic (UWA) wireless communications. It consists of five papers, selected from a total of 13 publications. Each paper focuses on a specific technical challenge of the SC-FDE MIMO system. The first paper proposes an improved frequency-domain channel estimation method based on interpolation to track fast time-varying fading channels using a small amount of training symbols in a large data block. The second paper addresses the carrier frequency offset (CFO) problem using a new group-wise phase estimation and compensation algorithm to combat phase distortion caused by CFOs, rather than to explicitly estimate the CFOs. The third paper incorporates layered frequency-domain equalization with the phase correction algorithm to combat the fast phase rotation in coherent communications. In the fourth paper, the frequency-domain equalization combined with the turbo principle and soft successive interference cancelation (SSIC) is proposed to further improve the bit error rate (BER) performance of UWA communications. In the fifth paper, a bandwidth-efficient SC-FDE scheme incorporating decision-directed channel estimation is proposed for UWA MIMO communication systems. The proposed algorithms are tested by extensive computer simulations and real ocean experiment data. The results demonstrate significant performance improvements in four aspects: improved channel tracking, reduced BER, reduced computational complexity, and enhanced data efficiency --Abstract, page iv

A polynomial QR decomposition based turbo equalization technique for frequency selective MIMO channels.

In the case of a frequency flat multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system, QR decomposition can be applied to reduce the MIMO channel equalization problem to a set of decision feedback based single channel equalization problems. Using a novel technique for polynomial matrix QR decomposition (PMQRD) based on Givens rotations, we extend this work to frequency selective MIMO systems. A transmitter design based on Diagonal Bell Laboratories Layered Space Time (D-BLAST) encoding has been implemented. Turbo equalization is utilized at the receiver to overcome the multipath delay spread and to facilitate multi-stream data feedback. The effect of channel estimation error on system performance has also been considered to demonstrate the robustness of the proposed PMQRD scheme. Average bit error rate simulations show a considerable improvement over a benchmark orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technique. The proposed scheme thereby has potential applicability in MIMO communication applications, particularly for TDMA systems with frequency selective channels

Antenna subset selection for cyclic prefix assisted MIMO wireless communications over frequency selective channels

Antenna (subset) selection techniques are feasible to reduce the hardware complexity of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, while keeping the benefits of higher-order MIMO systems. Many studies of antenna selection schemes are based on frequency-flat channel models, which are inconsistent to broadband MIMO systems employing spatial-multiplexing. In broadband MIMO systems aiming to provide high-data-rate links, the employed signal bandwidth is typically larger than the coherence bandwidth of the channel so that the channel will be of frequency selective nature. Within this contribution we provide an overview on joint transmitter- and receiver-side antenna subset selection methods for frequency selective channels and deploy them in MIMO orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems and MIMO single-carrier (SC) systems employing frequency domain equalization (FDE).DFG/KA 1154/1

Approximate minimum BER power allocation for MIMO-THP system

This paper proposes a transmit power allocation (TPA) scheme based on multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) Tomlinson-Harashima precoding (THP) structure, where a TPA matrix is introduced to the conventional MIMO-THP. We analyze the influence of the introduced TPA matrix on the performance of MIMO-THP. The proposed TPA scheme invokes the minimum average uncoded bit-error rate (BER) criterion subjected to a sum-power constraint. During the derivation, we consider the effects of precoding loss factor on the TPA scheme and obtain a closed-form expression of the TPA. Compared to existing TPA methods for MIMO-THP systems, the proposed scheme reduces processing complexity and improves the BER performance

Polynomial matrix QR decomposition and iterative decoding of frequency selective MIMO channels

For a frequency flat multi-input multi-output (MIMO) system the QR decomposition can be applied to reduce the MIMO channel equalization problem to a set of decision feedback based single channel problems. Using a novel technique for polynomial matrix QR decomposition (PMQRD) based on Givens rotations, we show the PMQRD can do likewise for a frequency selective MIMO system. Two types of transmitter design, based on Horizontal and Vertical Bell Laboratories Layered Space Time (H-BLAST, V-BLAST) encoding have been implemented. Receiver processing utilizes Turbo equalization to exploit multipath delay spread and to facilitate multi-stream data feedback. Average bit error rate simulations show a considerable improvement over a benchmark orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technique. The proposed scheme thereby has potential applicability in MIMO communication applications, particularly for a TDMA system with frequency selective channels