Merging multicarrier CDMA and oscillating-beam smart antenna arrays: exploiting directionality, transmit diversity, and frequency diversity

In this paper, a novel merger of multicarrier code-division multiple access (MC-CDMA) and smart antenna arrays is introduced. Here, a group of Q carriers in the MC-CDMA system is applied to its own M-element smart antenna array at the base station (BS). The smart antennas are located in close proximity to one another. We generate a transmit diversity gain at the receiver by carefully moving (oscillating) the antenna array's pattern. The pattern oscillation is achieved by applying appropriate time-varying phases to array elements of each smart antenna. The beam pattern oscillation ensures a mainlobe at the position of the intended user and small oscillations in the beam pattern. This beam pattern oscillation leads to a time-varying channel with a controllable coherence time; hence, a transmit diversity benefit, in the form of a time diversity benefit, is available at the receiver. Employing MC-CDMA with the proposed smart antenna at the BS, we achieve: 1) directionality which creates high network capacity via space-division multiple access; 2) a transmit diversity gain which supports high performance at the receiver in the mobile unit; and 3) increased capacity and performance via MC-CDMA's ability to support both CDMA and frequency diversity benefits, respectively.     

Transmit diversity via oscillating-beam-pattern adaptive antennas: an evaluation using geometric-based stochastic circular-scenario channel modeling

Applying carefully-selected time-varying phases (delays) to array elements of an adaptive antenna, the beam pattern oscillates in a controlled manner. This creates a time varying channel with a controllable coherence time. With an adaptive antenna at the base station (BS) and a single omnidirectional antenna at the mobile, the controllable coherence time is used by the mobile to exploit time diversity and enhance performance. In this work, assuming an oscillating-beam-pattern antenna array at the BS, the channel is properly modeled and the coherence time is evaluated. A so-called geometric-based stochastic channel model is presented, assuming a circular coverage area, and the channel is simulated in an urban environment. We demonstrate the relationship between coherence time and the antenna array control parameters and show that seven-fold-diversity can be created via small beam pattern oscillation.     

Achieving high-capacity wireless by merging multicarrier CDMA systems and oscillating-beam smart antenna arrays

We establish the network capacity (measured in terms of number of users) of a wireless system merging multicarrier code-division multiple-access (MC-CDMA) and smart antennas with oscillating-beam patterns. The MC-CDMA component supports high performance (in a probability-of-error sense) via frequency diversity and high network capacity via code division. The smart antenna with oscillating-beam pattern further enhances performance via transmit diversity (in the form of an induced time diversity) and further enhances network capacity via spatial division. The proposed merger has been shown to achieve a very high performance by exploiting a two-dimensional time-frequency diversity. We demonstrate the impressive network capacity gains achieved by this merger.     

Smart antenna arrays with oscillating beam patterns: characterization of transmit diversity in semi-elliptic coverage

By applying carefully selected time-varying delays to the array elements of a smart antenna located at the base station (BS), small oscillations are generated in the beam pattern. These oscillations create a time-varying channel demonstrating intra-symbol time variation and characterized by coherence time T/sub C/. At a single-antenna mobile station (MS), the time-varying channel (with coherence time T/sub C/) creates a time diversity which is exploited to enhance the mobile's performance (by introducing oversampling to the mobile receiver). We present a channel model which characterizes the time-varying channel that results from beam pattern oscillation. We then use our channel model to evaluate the coherence time, T/sub C/, at the mobile station (MS). The channel model presented corresponds to the so-called geometric-based stochastic channel model (GSCM), with a semi-elliptic coverage area. This geometric approach allows us to stochastically model the parameters of the time-varying channel impulse response. Simulations based on the GSCM show that 7-fold time diversity can be exploited at the MS (when beam pattern movement is small), which significantly improves the MS receiver probability-of-error performance.     

Performance of a cellular hybrid C/TDMA mobile radio systemapplying joint detection and coherent receiver antenna diversity

For future mobile radio systems, an appropriately chosen multiple access technique is a critical issue. Multiple access techniques presently under discussion are code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), and hybrids of both. In the paper, a hybrid C/TDMA system using joint detection (JD-C/TDMA) with coherent receiver antenna diversity (CRAD) at the base station (BS) receiver is proposed. Some attractive features of the JD-C/TDMA system are the possibility to flexibly offer voice and data services with different bit rates, soft capacity, inherent frequency and interferer diversity, and high system capacity due to JD. Furthermore, due to JD, a cluster size equal to 1 can be realized without needing soft handover. The single cell E_b/N₀ performance and the interference situation in a cellular environment of the uplink of a JD-C/TDMA mobile radio system with CRAD is investigated in detail. It is shown that the cellular spectrum efficiency is remarkably high, taking values up to 0.2 bit/s/Hz/BS in the uplink, depending on the actual transmission conditions     

Interference analysis and capacity for forward link 3G CDMA network with adaptive antennas

In code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, the capacity of forward link (FL) communication to mobile receivers is limited primarily by co‐channel interference (CCI). Adaptive antenna arrays (AAAs) that use antenna arrays along with advanced signal processing at the base station (BS) have been proposed to mitigate this limitation. For a 3G CDMA cellular network, where each BS equipped with an AAA serves mixture of voice and data users within its coverage, we study FL capacity and investigate the effects of different factors (array topology, multipath angle spread, data rate, and beamforming algorithm) on this capacity under Rayleigh fading channel. By modeling the instantaneous signal‐to‐interference power ratio received at the mobile, we derive the system outage equation that considers blocking of either desired voice or data user. Simulation results show that for the same element spacing and number of antenna elements per cell, the uniform circular array (UCA) topology results in larger capacity than the sectorized uniform linear array (ULA) topology does, and that a larger angle spread or data user rate reduces FL capacity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Transmission Strategies for MISO Downlink MC-CDMA Mobile Systems

This paper proposes two space-frequency schemes with a multi-user pre-filtering technique for downlink (DL) multicarrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA) systems. We consider the use of antenna arrays at the base station (BS) and a single antenna at the mobile terminal (MT) and derive the proposed multi-user pre-filtering technique that modulates the transmitted signal to eliminate the effects of multiple access interference (MAI) and channel distortions at the mobile terminals, while maintaining low MT complexity. Two types of detectors are considered at the MT: simple despreading and single user equalizers. The performances of the proposed schemes are compared to those of other transmit signal design approaches that have been recently proposed for DL MC-CDMA, considering both typical indoor and pedestrian scenarios, and channel coding based on UMTS specifications.     

Joint spatial-frequency blind multiuser detection based on LCCMA

Multicarrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA) has the ability to combat with frequency selective fading and antenna array can enhance the performance of system. The paper proposes a novel joint spatial-frequency blind multiuser detection for antenna array MC-CDMA based on linear constraint constant modulation algorithm (LCCMA), which has robust performance and can ensue the weight vectors to converge to that of the desired user. Simulation indicates the proposed algorithm has better bit error ratio (BER) performance than that of the traditional beamforming-based two-step algorithm.     

Smart versus dumb antennas-capacities and FEC performance

We compare two approaches to use multiple transmit antennas in an FEC coded wireless system: smart antennas use an antenna array to direct a beam in the direction of the dominant transmission path in order to obtain an antenna gain. Another approach is to use multiple transmit antennas for diversity using space-time block codes. Since no knowledge of the channel is required at the transmitter we denote this approach as dumb antennas. Using equivalent single-input channel models we compare smart and dumb antennas in terms of the BER performance and channel capacity and discuss under which conditions it is preferable to use multiple transmit antennas for transmit diversity or for beamforming     

Experiments on coherent adaptive antenna array diversity forwideband DS-CDMA mobile radio

In wideband direct sequence code division multiple access (W-CDMA), employing an adaptive antenna array is a very promising technique to reduce severe multiple access interference (MAI) from high rate users. A four-antenna pilot symbol-assisted coherent adaptive antenna array diversity (PSA-CAAAD) receiver comprising an adaptive antenna array based on a minimum mean squared error (MMSE) criterion and a RAKE combiner is implemented in preliminary laboratory and field experiments. There are two important design concepts of the PSA-CAAAD receiver. The first is that the adaptive antenna array forms an antenna beam for each resolved propagation path and tracks only slow changes in the directions of arrival (DOAs) and average powers of the desired and interfering user signals. The second is that the RAKE combiner tracks the instantaneous changes in channel conditions and coherently combines the signals of the desired user propagating along the resolved paths to maximize the instantaneous signal-to-interference plus background noise power ratio (SINR). This paper presents, both by laboratory and field experiments, the effectiveness of PSA-CAAAD receiver as a powerful means to reduce severe MAI from high rate users, and that it is more effective than using a space diversity receiver with the same number of antennas in the W-CDMA reverse link     

Vector channels for smart antennas. Measurements, statisticalmodeling, and directional properties in outdoor environments

In wireless communications, smart antenna systems that employ antenna arrays coupled with adaptive signal-processing techniques at the basestation improve capacity, coverage, and trunking efficiency. However, design and performance analysis of smart antenna systems strongly depend on channel propagation characteristics of signals present at the antenna array, the so-called vector channels. Here, variation of narrow-band vector channels (spatial signatures) due to a moving terminal is studied in typical suburban settings. Vector channel measurements are taken using a real-time smart antenna system with a uniform circular array at the basestation and a mobile transmitter at several locations. Two different wireless scenarios, namely, pedestrian and car mobile, are implemented to emulate the random movement of the mobile user. In each scenario, the mobile transmitter locations are chosen so that there exists line-of-sight (LOS), nonline-of-sight (NOLOS), or both LOS and NOLOS (mixed) propagation to the basestation. We find that in all cases, the Beta distribution can be used to empirically represent the spatial signature correlations and that large spatial diversity exists in NOLOS cases compared to LOS cases. Also, direction-of-arrivals mostly do not change much with movement in a suburban environment     

Correlation and channel capacity of MIMO systems employing multimode antennas

A novel way of exploiting higher modes of antennas as diversity branches in multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) systems is introduced. Essentially, antennas employing multiple modes offer characteristics similar to an antenna array, through multiple modes and using only a single element. The physical mechanism that yields different received signals is the fact that each mode has a different radiation pattern. Analytical expressions for the correlation between signals received by different modes are presented for a biconical and a circular microstrip antenna that employs higher order modes. It is found that the correlation is low enough to yield a significant diversity gain. Furthermore, the channel capacity of a MIMO system using a multimode antenna, i.e., an antenna employing multiple modes, is found to be comparable to the capacity of an array. Since only one element is needed, the multimode antenna offers several advantages over traditional arrays, and is an interesting antenna solution for future high capacity MIMO systems.     

Joint transmitter receiver diversity for efficient space divisionmultiaccess

The beamforming problem is studied in wireless networks where both the transmitters and receivers have linear adaptive antenna arrays. Algorithms are proposed that find the antenna array weight vectors at both the transmitters and receivers as well as the transmitter powers with one of the following two objectives: (1) to maximize the minimum signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) over all receivers and (2) to minimize the sum of the total transmitted power satisfying the SINR requirements at all links. A numerical study is performed to compare the network capacity and the power consumption among systems having a different number of antenna array elements in a code division multiple access network     

The impact of multiuser diversity on space-time block coding

In this letter, analytic performance results are derived for space-time block coding paired with multiuser diversity. We consider a scenario in which K active data users, each of which is potentially equipped with multiple antenna elements, are served by a multi-antenna element base station (BS). We focus on the downlink channel, where a space-time block coding scheme is employed and assume that channel quality information is reported to the BS by all users on a per frame basis. Using a scoring function at the BS, time resources are allocated to the user with the best instantaneous effective signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), facilitating a multiuser diversity mechanism. Using order statistics, we compute histograms and cumulative distribution functions of the effective SNR at the space-time combiner output and assess the interaction between multiuser diversity obtained via scheduling and spatial diversity obtained via the space-time code.     

Adaptive interference suppression in multiuser wireless OFDMsystems using antenna arrays

This paper considers the problem of mitigating fading and interference in wireless orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) multiple access communication systems. Applications include cellular mobile radio, wireless local loop, and wireless local area networks. The effect of interchannel interference (ICI) arising from time-selective fading and frequency offsets and co-channel interference (CCI) is analyzed. A loop-timing method that enables a synchronous uplink between multiple mobile transceivers and a base-station is described. Adaptive antenna arrays are utilized at the base for uplink reception, and optimum array combining based on the maximum SINR criterion is used for each subchannel over slowly time-varying channels. For operation over fast time-varying channels, a novel two-stage adaptive array architecture that incorporates combined spatial diversity and constraint-based beamforming is presented. While ICI alone is most effectively overcome by spatial diversity, combined beamforming and diversity are most effective to combat CCI in the presence of fading. The overall method is suitable for real-time implementation and can be used in conjunction with traditional coding schemes to increase the link-margin     

Adaptive antennas at the mobile and base stations in an OFDM/TDMAsystem

Several smart antenna systems have been proposed and demonstrated at the base station (BS) of wireless communications systems, and these have shown that significant system performance improvement is possible. We consider the use of adaptive antennas at the BS and mobile stations (MS), operating jointly, in combination with orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing. The advantages of the proposed system includes reductions in average error probability and increases in capacity compared to conventional systems. Multiuser access, in space, time, and through subcarriers, is also possible and expressions for the exact joint optimal antenna weights at the BS and MS under cochannel interference conditions for fading channels are derived. To demonstrate the potential of our proposed system, analytical along with Monte Carlo simulation results are provided     

One- and two-dimensional antenna arrays for microwave wireless power transfer (MWPT) systems and dual-antenna transceivers

In this work, we demonstrate novel one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) antenna arrays for both microwave wireless power transfer (MWPT) systems and dual-antenna transceivers. The antenna array can be used as the MWPT receiving antenna of an integrated MWPT and Bluetooth (BLE) communication module (MWPT-BLE module) for smart CNC (computer numerical control) spindle incorporated with the cloud computing system SkyMars. The 2D antenna array has n rows of 1 × m 1D array, and each array is composed of multiple (m) differential feeding antenna elements. Each differential feeding antenna element is a differential feeding structure with a microstrip antenna stripe. The stripe length is shorter than one wavelength to minimise the antenna area and to prevent being excited to a high-order mode. That is, the differential feeding antenna element can suppress the even mode. The mutual coupling between the antenna elements can be suppressed, and the isolation between the receiver and the transmitter can be enhanced. An inclination angle of the main beam aligns with the broadside, and the main beam is further concentrated and shrunk at the elevation direction. Moreover, if more differential feeding antenna elements are used, antenna gain and isolation can be further enhanced. The excellent performance of the proposed antenna arrays indicates that they are suitable for both MWPT systems and dual-antenna transceivers.     

Simulation,implementation and performance evaluation of a diversity enabled WCDMA mobile terminal

Smart antenna array technology has been shown to greatly improve the performance of wireless communication systems. In this article, we describe the impact of smart antenna array processing at the mobile terminal for Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) cellular networks. Using system simulations we demonstrate the quality of service, network coverage, and network capacity improvement provided by a WCDMA dual antenna receiver and we establish a relationship between this improvement and the link level performance. We then describe a receiver architecture for a dual antenna WCDMA mobile receiver. The proposed receiver was implemented, as part of a complete mobile terminal solution, in an ASIC using a 0.18 μm, 1.8 V CMOS technology. The ASIC was integrated with RF, analog and digital components in a PCMCIA card form factor. The PCMCIA is a 3GPP compliant user equipment and has been submitted to standardized performance and conformance tests. Experimental measurements gathered with the PCMCIA card illustrate the impact of a diversity enabled mobile data terminal on the link level performance. For various propagation environments and transmission data rates, improvements in the range of 2.7 – 10 dB in the required DPCH I _c/I _or for a 1% Block Error Rate (BLER) were observed. These measurements are within 1.4 dB of the ideal link level simulations which indicates that the predicted improvement at the network level should also materialize. The results presented in this paper show the tremendous potential of smart antenna arrays in 3G WCDMA cellular networks and establish diversity as a viable solution for high-speed cellular communications.     

Performance of a wireless MC-CDMA system with an antenna array in afading channel: reverse link

We propose a multicarrier code-division multiple-access (MC-CDMA) system employing an antenna array at the base station, and analyze the performance of the MC-CDMA system in a fading channel. An optimal beamformer not requiring explicit direction of arrival estimation or training signals is derived for the MC-CDMA system in the reverse link, and is shown to reduce interferences from other users significantly, thus increasing the system's user capacity. Also, it is shown that the MC-CDMA approach can achieve better performance than the direct-sequence CDMA approach when both approaches employ the code filtering technique for the antenna array     

A joint cross-layer transmission design with time–frequency coded cooperation HARQ for underground coal mine MC-CDMA WSNs

In this paper, multicarrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA) modulation is adapted to constitute wireless sensors to improve the monitoring performance of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) for underground coal mine. A subcarrier phase compensation algorithm based on selective mapping (SLM) is proposed to reduce the relatively high PAPR of MC-CDMA signal. To further improve the monitoring performance of the underground MC-CDMA WSNs, a joint cross-layer transmission with time–frequency coded cooperation hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) is also proposed. The proposed cross-layer transmission combines time–frequency coded cooperation of physical layer with HARQ of media access control (MAC) layer. In the proposed transmission, the cooperative sensor utilizes time–frequency coded cooperation method to retransmit the monitoring information of source sensor at each retransmission time to obtain the coding gain and spatial diversity gain. Simulation results show that the proposed joint cross-layer transmission for underground coal mine MC-CDMA WSNs based on SLM phase compensation has significantly reduced the PAPR of MC-CDMA signal and improved the monitor performance of the coal mine MC-CDMA WSNs.