Max-min Fair Beamforming for SWIPT Systems with Non-linear EH Model

We study the beamforming design for multiuser systems with simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT). Employing a practical non-linear energy harvesting (EH) model, the design is formulated as a non-convex optimization problem for the maximization of the minimum harvested power across several energy harvesting receivers. The proposed problem formulation takes into account imperfect channel state information (CSI) and a minimum required signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR). The globally optimal solution of the design problem is obtained via the semidefinite programming (SDP) relaxation approach. Interestingly, we can show that at most one dedicated energy beam is needed to achieve optimality. Numerical results demonstrate that with the proposed design a significant performance gain and improved fairness can be provided to the users compared to two baseline schemes.Comment: Invited paper, IEEE VTC 2017, Fall, Toronto, Canad

Recent Advances in Joint Wireless Energy and Information Transfer

In this paper, we provide an overview of the recent advances in microwave-enabled wireless energy transfer (WET) technologies and their applications in wireless communications. Specifically, we divide our discussions into three parts. First, we introduce the state-of-the-art WET technologies and the signal processing techniques to maximize the energy transfer efficiency. Then, we discuss an interesting paradigm named simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT), where energy and information are jointly transmitted using the same radio waveform. At last, we review the recent progress in wireless powered communication networks (WPCN), where wireless devices communicate using the power harvested by means of WET. Extensions and future directions are also discussed in each of these areas.Comment: Conference submission accepted by ITW 201

Throughput Optimization for Massive MIMO Systems Powered by Wireless Energy Transfer

This paper studies a wireless-energy-transfer (WET) enabled massive multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) system (MM) consisting of a hybrid data-and-energy access point (H-AP) and multiple single-antenna users. In the WET-MM system, the H-AP is equipped with a large number $M$ of antennas and functions like a conventional AP in receiving data from users, but additionally supplies wireless power to the users. We consider frame-based transmissions. Each frame is divided into three phases: the uplink channel estimation (CE) phase, the downlink WET phase, as well as the uplink wireless information transmission (WIT) phase. Firstly, users use a fraction of the previously harvested energy to send pilots, while the H-AP estimates the uplink channels and obtains the downlink channels by exploiting channel reciprocity. Next, the H-AP utilizes the channel estimates just obtained to transfer wireless energy to all users in the downlink via energy beamforming. Finally, the users use a portion of the harvested energy to send data to the H-AP simultaneously in the uplink (reserving some harvested energy for sending pilots in the next frame). To optimize the throughput and ensure rate fairness, we consider the problem of maximizing the minimum rate among all users. In the large-$M$ regime, we obtain the asymptotically optimal solutions and some interesting insights for the optimal design of WET-MM system. We define a metric, namely, the massive MIMO degree-of-rate-gain (MM-DoRG), as the asymptotic UL rate normalized by $\log(M)$. We show that the proposed WET-MM system is optimal in terms of MM-DoRG, i.e., it achieves the same MM-DoRG as the case with ideal CE.Comment: 15 double-column pages, 6 figures, 1 table, to appear in IEEE JSAC in February 2015, special issue on wireless communications powered by energy harvesting and wireless energy transfe

Physical Layer Service Integration in 5G: Potentials and Challenges

High transmission rate and secure communication have been identified as the key targets that need to be effectively addressed by fifth generation (5G) wireless systems. In this context, the concept of physical-layer security becomes attractive, as it can establish perfect security using only the characteristics of wireless medium. Nonetheless, to further increase the spectral efficiency, an emerging concept, termed physical-layer service integration (PHY-SI), has been recognized as an effective means. Its basic idea is to combine multiple coexisting services, i.e., multicast/broadcast service and confidential service, into one integral service for one-time transmission at the transmitter side. This article first provides a tutorial on typical PHY-SI models. Furthermore, we propose some state-of-the-art solutions to improve the overall performance of PHY-SI in certain important communication scenarios. In particular, we highlight the extension of several concepts borrowed from conventional single-service communications, such as artificial noise (AN), eigenmode transmission etc., to the scenario of PHY-SI. These techniques are shown to be effective in the design of reliable and robust PHY-SI schemes. Finally, several potential research directions are identified for future work.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figure