Efficient Fast-Convolution-Based Waveform Processing for 5G Physical Layer

This paper investigates the application of fast-convolution (FC) filtering schemes for flexible and effective waveform generation and processing in the fifth generation (5G) systems. FC-based filtering is presented as a generic multimode waveform processing engine while, following the progress of 5G new radio standardization in the Third-Generation Partnership Project, the main focus is on efficient generation and processing of subband-filtered cyclic prefix orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (CP-OFDM) signals. First, a matrix model for analyzing FC filter processing responses is presented and used for designing optimized multiplexing of filtered groups of CP-OFDM physical resource blocks (PRBs) in a spectrally well-localized manner, i.e., with narrow guardbands. Subband filtering is able to suppress interference leakage between adjacent subbands, thus supporting independent waveform parametrization and different numerologies for different groups of PRBs, as well as asynchronous multiuser operation in uplink. These are central ingredients in the 5G waveform developments, particularly at sub-6-GHz bands. The FC filter optimization criterion is passband error vector magnitude minimization subject to a given subband band-limitation constraint. Optimized designs with different guardband widths, PRB group sizes, and essential design parameters are compared in terms of interference levels and implementation complexity. Finally, extensive coded 5G radio link simulation results are presented to compare the proposed approach with other subband-filtered CP-OFDM schemes and time-domain windowing methods, considering cases with different numerologies or asynchronous transmissions in adjacent subbands. Also the feasibility of using independent transmitter and receiver processing for CP-OFDM spectrum control is demonstrated

Generalized Fast-Convolution-based Filtered-OFDM: Techniques and Application to 5G New Radio

This paper proposes a generalized model and methods for fast-convolution (FC)-based waveform generation and processing with specific applications to fifth generation new radio (5G-NR). Following the progress of 5G-NR standardization in 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), the main focus is on subband-filtered cyclic prefix (CP) orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) processing with specific emphasis on spectrally well localized transmitter processing. Subband filtering is able to suppress the interference leakage between adjacent subbands, thus supporting different numerologies for so-called bandwidth parts as well as asynchronous multiple access. The proposed generalized FC scheme effectively combines overlapped block processing with time- and frequency-domain windowing to provide highly selective subband filtering with very low intrinsic interference level. Jointly optimized multi-window designs with different allocation sizes and design parameters are compared in terms of interference levels and implementation complexity. The proposed methods are shown to clearly outperform the existing state-of-the-art windowing and filtering-based methods.Comment: To appear in IEEE Transactions on Signal Processin

A Link Quality Model for Generalised Frequency Division Multiplexing

5G systems aim to achieve extremely high data rates, low end-to-end latency and ultra-low power consumption. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the design of 5G physical layer waveforms. One important candidate is Generalised Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM). In order to evaluate its performance and features, system-level studies should be undertaken in a range of scenarios. These studies, however, require highly complex computations if they are performed using bit-level simulators. In this paper, the Mutual Information (MI) based link quality model (PHY abstraction), which has been regularly used to implement system-level studies for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), is applied to GFDM. The performance of the GFDM waveform using this model and the bit-level simulation performance is measured using different channel types. Moreover, a system-level study for a GFDM based LTE-A system in a realistic scenario, using both a bit-level simulator and this abstraction model, has been studied and compared. The results reveal the accuracy of this model using realistic channel data. Based on these results, the PHY abstraction technique can be applied to evaluate the performance of GFDM based systems in an effective manner with low complexity. The maximum difference in the Packet Error Rate (PER) and throughput results in the abstraction case compared to bit-level simulation does not exceed 4% whilst offering a simulation time saving reduction of around 62,000 times.Comment: 5 pages, 8 figures, accepted in VTC- spring 201

Multi-service systems: an enabler of flexible 5G air-interface

Multi-service system is an enabler to flexibly support diverse communication requirements for the next generation wireless communications. In such a system, multiple types of services co-exist in one baseband system with each service having its optimal frame structure and low out of band emission (OoBE) waveforms operating on the service frequency band to reduce the inter-service-band-interference (ISvcBI). In this article, a framework for multi-service system is established and the challenges and possible solutions are studied. The multi-service system implementation in both time and frequency domain is discussed. Two representative subband filtered multicarrier (SFMC) waveforms: filtered orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (F-OFDM) and universal filtered multi-carrier (UFMC) are considered in this article. Specifically, the design methodology, criteria, orthogonality conditions and prospective application scenarios in the context of 5G are discussed. We consider both single-rate (SR) and multi-rate (MR) signal processing methods. Compared with the SR system, the MR system has significantly reduced computational complexity at the expense of performance loss due to inter-subband-interference (ISubBI) in MR systems. The ISvcBI and ISubBI in MR systems are investigated with proposed low-complexity interference cancelation algorithms to enable the multi-service operation in low interference level conditions

Multi-service Signal Multiplexing and Isolation for Physical-Layer Network Slicing (PNS)

Network slicing has been identified as one of the most important features for 5G and beyond to enable operators to utilize networks on an as-a-service basis and meet the wide range of use cases. In physical layer, the frequency and time resources are split into slices to cater for the services with individual optimal designs, resulting in services/slices having different baseband numerologies (e.g., subcarrier spacing) and / or radio frequency (RF) front-end configurations. In such a system, the multi-service signal multiplexing and isolation among the service/slices are critical for the Physical-Layer Network Slicing (PNS) since orthogonality is destroyed and significant inter-service/ slice-band-interference (ISBI) may be generated. In this paper, we first categorize four PNS cases according to the baseband and RF configurations among the slices. The system model is established by considering a low out of band emission (OoBE) waveform operating in the service/slice frequency band to mitigate the ISBI. The desired signal and interference for the two slices are derived. Consequently, one-tap channel equalization algorithms are proposed based on the derived model. The developed system models establish a framework for further interference analysis, ISBI cancelation algorithms, system design and parameter selection (e.g., guard band), to enable spectrum efficient network slicing