Algorithmic Exploration and Implementation of a MIMO-OFDM Equalizer

In this paper we explore algorithms and architectures for the implementation of a MIMO OFDM Equalizer for high speed wireless communications. The algorithmic exploration is based on matrix computations and factorizations. A scalable computational methodology and architecture is proposed for the implementation of a 4×4 MIMO OFDM. A 2×3 Equalizer supporting Maximum Ratio Combining and Zero Forcing equalization for 20/40 MHz 64-QAM OFDM modulation has been implemented in 150 nm technology. The Equalizer area is 133k gates and the maximum throughput achieved is 480Mbits/s. The system described in this paper is compliant with the latest IEEE standard for MIMO wireless communications (802.11n)     

A dynamic location management service for group applications in cellular networks

To cope with the increasing demand of multimedia applications, new IEEE 802.11 wireless local area networks devices have been defined such as IEEE 802.11aa and IEEE 802.11ac. The former proposes new intra-access categories (AC) differentiation based on stream classification service (SCS) scheme. The latter standard allows simultaneous downlink transmissions thanks to downlink multi-user MIMO technology and sharing transmission opportunity (TXOP) period scheme. In this paper, we focus on the basis of this technique and the behavior of the access point (AP) to manage the multi-user access. Then, we propose a hybrid access mechanism entitled multi-user multi-cast access mechanism (MUMAM) that supports downlink multi-user transmissions while considering intra-AC differentiation. MUMAN considers SCS scheme to prioritize between multicast and unicast flows of an AC and follows transmissions based on IEEE 802.11ac TXOP sharing technique. Extensive simulation and analysis show that MUMAM has a significant positive impact on delay and throughput performance of different AC(s).     

基于IEEE 802.11ac的多用户MIMO传输方案的优化设计及其性能分析

在IEEE 802.11ac Draft 2.0标准草案的基础上,针对其新引入的多用户MIMO传输机制进行了深入研究,提出了几点改进的优化设计方案,并完成了相应的性能分析。最后对IEEE 802.11ac的多用户MIMO传输方案进行了系统的性能分析,仿真结果表明,改进的传输方案在误比特率(BER)和吞吐量方面获得了明显的性能增益,且与针对性能的理论分析与仿真结果相吻合。     

Exploiting Multiuser MIMO in the IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN Systems

By adopting multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technologies, IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs are evolving into high speed systems. While only one user can transmit at a time in the conventional IEEE 802.11 systems, we investigate the possibility of multiuser transmission by using MIMO antennas, which is now known as multiuser MIMO. The multiuser MIMO technique enables multiple users to receive packets over the downlink simultaneously, but it should be carefully used in the IEEE 802.11 systems for interoperation with non-MIMO legacy terminals. Through analysis and simulation evaluation, we demonstrate that multiuser transmission with a scheduling algorithm and single-user transmission with enhanced spatial multiplexing achieve enhanced performance by exploiting multiuser diversity in the space and time domains. Especially, when the number of stations is large, multiuser transmission shows better performance than enhanced single-user transmission.     

IEEE 802.11 medium access control enhancements based on simultaneous multiple‐input multiple‐output bandwidth sharing

The demand for higher data rate has spurred the adoption of multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) transmission techniques in IEEE 802.11 products. MIMO techniques provide an additional spatial dimension that can significantly increase the channel capacity. A number of multiuser MIMO system have been proposed, where the multiple antenna at the physical layer are employed for multiuser access, allowing multiple users to share the same bandwidth. As these MIMO physical layer technologies further evolve, the usable bandwidth per application increases; hence, the average service time per application decreases. However, in the IEEE 802.11 distributed coordination function‐based systems, a considerable amount of bandwidth is wasted during the medium access and coordination process. Therefore, as the usable bandwidth is enhanced using MIMO technology, the bandwidth wastage of medium access and coordination becomes a significant performance bottleneck. Hence, there is a fundamental need for bandwidth sharing schemes at the medium access control (MAC) layer where multiple connections can concurrently use the increased bandwidth provided by the physical layer MIMO technologies. In this paper, we propose the MIMO‐aware rate splitting (MRS) MAC protocol and examine its behavior under different scenarios. MRS is a distributed MAC protocol where nodes locally cooperate with one another to share bandwidth via splitting the spatial channels of MIMO systems. Simulation results of MRS protocol are obtained and compared with those of IEEE 802.11n protocol. We show that our proposed MRS scheme can significantly outperform the IEEE 802.11n in medium access delay and throughput. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Designing Fast Fourier Transform Accelerators for Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing Systems

Designing accelerators for the real-time computation of Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithms for state-of-the-art Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) demodulators has always been challenging. We have scaled-up a template-based Coarse-Grain Reconfigurable Array device for faster FFT processing that generates special purpose accelerators based on the user input. Using a basic and a scaled-up version, we have generated a radix-4 and mixed-radix (2, 4) FFT accelerator to process different length and types of algorithms. Our implementation results show that these accelerators satisfy not only the execution time requirements of FFT processing for Single Input Single Output (SISO) wireless standards that are IEEE-802.11 a/g and 3GPP-LTE but also for Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) IEEE-802.11n standard.     

Reactive routing evaluation using modified 802.11a with realistic vehicular mobility

Realistic mobility dynamics and underlying PHY/MAC layer implementation affect real deployment of routing protocols in vehicular ad hoc network (VANET). Currently, dedicated short range communication devices are using wireless access in vehicular environment (WAVE) mode of operation, but now IEEE is standardizing 802.11p WAVE. This work presents an in-depth simulation-based analysis of two reactive routing protocols, i.e., dynamic source routing (DSR) and ad hoc on-demand distance vector (AODV) with modified IEEE 802.11a PHY/MAC layers (comparable to 802.11p) in modified VANET mobility models (freeway, stop sign, and traffic sign) in terms of load, throughput, delay, number of hops, and retransmission attempts. Results obtained using OPNET simulator show that in urban/highway mobility scenarios, AODV??s performance with forthcoming 802.11p at high bit rate would be better than DSR in terms of high throughput, less delay, and retransmission attempts. Moreover, this comprehensive evaluation will assist to address challenges associated with future deployment of routing protocols integrated upon devices with upcoming IEEE 802.11p, concerning specific macro-/micro-mobility scenarios.     

下一代无线局域网标准802.11ac

802.11ac是新一代无线局域网技术标准,是802.11n标准的延续。在继承了已有WLAN标准中许多先进技术的基础上,802.11ac在物理层和MAC层做了一系列的技术改进,来保证高质量、高传输速率的网络服务。就像以前的每次技术标准的进步一样,802.11ac标准同样有很强的向后兼容能力,能和已有的802.11a/n网络很好的共存,为用户体验网络服务提供更多的选择。     

Improving DL-MU-MIMO performance in IEEE 802.11ac networks through decoupled scheduling

The IEEE 802.11ac standard introduces new downlink multi-user MIMO (DL-MU-MIMO) transmissions to up to four users in order to increase spatial reuse in wireless local area networks (WLANs). We argue that even better WLAN performance can be achieved by slightly modifying the DL-MU-MIMO scheduling. To this end we propose a new queuing mechanism based on the decoupling of EDCA and DL-MU-MIMO scheduling (DEMS) to avoid head-of-line blocking. We show that DEMS outperforms traditional 802.11ac scheduling based on first in, first out transmission queues. The improvement is shown in terms throughput achieved with: (a) more efficient channel usage, (b) increased probability of transmission of high priority traffic, and (c) decreased competition between frames destined to distinct users.

     

Recent advances and evolution of WLAN and WMAN standards [guest editorial]

Standardization of wireless technologies is a continuous process, and even established standards are updated and modified in response to changes in the technology and the marketplace. One such example is the successful IEEE 802.11 standard for wireless local area networks (WLANs), which was originally designed for 1 and 2 Mb/s traffic, and is now being upgraded to support 600 Mb/s in 802.11n and being considered as a high-throughput (up to 1 Gb/s) wireless interface for the nomadic scenarios of the next generation of wireless systems. Similarly, enhancements to the IEEE 802.16 standard for wireless metropolitan area networks (WMANs) are being considered to develop a mobile air interface with support for up to 100 Mb/s in high mobility scenarios. This continuous evolution of the IEEE 802.11 WLAN and 802.16 WMAN standards is made possible with new innovation and contribution from both academia and industry. Given the rapid growth of these technologies, it is important to understand what new application scenarios have triggered the recent developments within WLAN and WMAN standards, how they are evolving, the technological challenges they face, and the opportunities for both the industry and research communities. In this issue, from a large number of submissions, we have selected five key articles for inclusion, which provide the reader with ongoing developments in these standards, technology roadmaps, current research challenges, and comprehensive evolution of these technologies, as well as deployment experience and application requirements.     

下一代WLAN技术标准802.11ac/ad

基于IEEE802.11n标准的WLAN能够支持高达600 Mbit/s的传输速率,但在支持无线高清视频传输等高吞吐量无线数据业务时仍然会遇到瓶颈。面对这一挑战I,EEE已启动下一代WLAN技术标准802.11ac和802.11ad的制定工作,数据吞吐量将达到几个Gbit/s,能够更好地满足快速增长的市场需求。     

A taxonomy and evaluation for developing 802.11‐based wireless mesh network testbeds

The definition of wireless mesh networks (WMNs) has been used in the literature to connote and epitomize the ideal, ubiquitous, pervasive, and autonomic networking technology. An increasing interest has been emerging on the development of 802.11‐based WMN testbeds to test the new ideas and approaches more realistically as opposed to relying solely on simulations. Although the developed testbeds have provided several insights to researchers for furthering the technology, there are still several issues that need to be addressed, particularly, with the approval of new standards, such as IEEE 802.11s, IEEE 802.11n, and IEEE 802.16, and upcoming protocols, such as IEEE 802.11ac, 802.11ad, 802.11ah, and 802.11af TV White Space efforts. In this paper, our goal is to provide a taxonomy and insightful guidelines for the creation of 802.11‐based WMN testbeds as well as to identify several features that future WMN testbeds should possess. Utilizing these features, we evaluate the existing WMN testbeds. Finally, in addition to the existing WMN testbed experiments conducted at several layers of the protocol stack, we provide a list of open future research issues that can benefit from experiments on WMN testbeds. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Node to Node Performance Evaluation through RYU SDN Controller

In this paper a novel jamming technique is presented. The idea of the proposed jamming technique is based on adding inphase and quadrature impairments to the jamming signal. The jammer is simply a quadrature phase shift keying signal. The bit error rate probability (BER) of the proposed jamming signal is derived analytically and validated with the aid of the software defined radio SystemVue design software. The standard multi input multi output (MIMO) wireless local area network (WLAN) IEEE802.11n communication system is chosen as the victim system. Its BER performance is simulated in the presence of the proposed jamming signal in multipath fading channel. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed jamming signal on the MIMO WLAN IEEE802.11n communication system is practically measured in the laboratory where a practical experiment is held and the efficiency of the proposed jamming signal is compared with the traditional single tone jamming signal. It will be shown practically that the proposed jamming technique outperforms the traditional single tone jamming signal by nearly 15 dBm on the impact of efficiently jam the MIMO WLAN IEEE802.11n communication system.

     

Receiver Algorithms for Multi-stream Data Transmission in WLAN 802.11n Networks

Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) systems employ multiple antennas to provide high spectral efficiency and wireless link reliability thanks to multipath diversity and space multiplexing. This technology is now being implemented into wireless standards such as 802.11n, as well as the 4th generation cellular networks. In this paper we present results of an extensive simulation research in which we compare three receiver models for MIMO WLAN 802.11n system. We investigate maximum-likelihood, zero-forcing and Vertical Bell Laboratories Layered Space Time receivers. Performance of these receivers for a range of 802.11n environments, i.e. for several channel models and different number of transmitter and receiver antennas is evaluated. The results of the comparison highlight the benefits of MIMO technology and show to what extent it is possible to improve the MIMO 802.11n system performance increasing the receiver complexity.     

Numerical Aspects of MIMO OFDM PHY Layer Applications on SDR Platforms

IEEE 802.11n compliant receivers are composed of a number of functional blocks, each one with a specific computational complexity and requirements for numerical precision. MIMO preprocessing causes a major part of the computational complexity, since it typically consists of operations like QR decompositions or matrix inversions. Hence, it also demands considerable numerical precision, while other parts of the transceiver, e.g. MIMO equalization or OFDM modulation, need significantly less accuracy. Various publications exist on the issue of ASIC design for MIMO preprocessing. However, the increasing variety of mobile communication standards calls for more flexible platforms, implementing the different standards in software, hence called Software Defined Radios (SDRs). This work focuses on achieving bit error rates (BERs) close to floating-point performance while using the limited fixed-point precision typically available on SDR platforms. To that end, several algorithmic enhancements are described that enable a numerically stable MIMO application even on a 16-bit fixed-point platform. These enhancements are implemented on the maturing P2012 platform by ST Microelectronics as proof-of-concept. Execution time as well as error correction performance are discussed as quality indicators of the implementation.     

A compact microstrip fed dual polarised multiband antenna for IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax applications

A compact microstrip fed dual polarised multiband monopole antenna for IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax communication based applications is presented. The antenna is circularly polarised in IEEE 802.11 b/g bands while linearly polarised in IEEE 802.11 a/n/ac/ax bands. The asymmetric U-shaped slot in the ground plane of proposed antenna is used to introduce the necessary 90° phase shift between two orthogonal electric field vectors necessary for circular polarisation. The Ω-shaped slot on patch is used to introduce a band elimination notch between the usable frequency bands. The radiation characteristics of the proposed antenna (at 2.4 GHz) can be changed from left hand circular polarisation (LHCP) to right hand circular polarisation (RHCP) by replacing asymmetric U-shaped slot with its mirror image on the opposite side of ground plane. The proposed antenna has a wide impedance bandwidth of 110.8% and can also be used in various applications including worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) and IEEE 802.11p standard based V2V (Vehicle to Vehicle) communication.     

The design and implementation of the IEEE 802.11 MAC based on soft-core processor and RTOS

The implementation method of the IEEE 802.11 Medium Access Control （MAC） protocol is mainly based on DSP （Digital Signal Processor）/ARM （Advanced Reduced instruction set computer Machine） processor or DSP/ARM IP （Intellectual Property） core. This paper presents a method based on Nios II soft-core processor embedded in Altera＇s Cyclone FPGA （Field Programmable Gate Array） and MicroC/OS-II RTOS （Real-Time Operation System）. The benefits and drawbacks of above methods are compared, and then the method presented in this paper is described. The hardware and software partitioning are discussed; the hardware architecture is also illustrated and the MAC software programming is described in detail. The presented method has some advantages, such as low cost, easy-implementation and very suitable for the implementation of IEEE 802.11 MAC in research stage.     

高速无线局域网主要技术

无线局域网（WLAN）技术发展迅速，但传输速度慢的缺点始终是阻碍WLAN进步发展的”瓶颈”。实现更高的传输速率，取得更可靠的性能，需要全面采用下一代移动通信的关键技术。IEEE 802.11n标准全面改进了802.11标准，在物理层引入了正交频分复用与多入多出相结合的技术，使传输速度成倍提高；在媒体访问控制（MAC）层采用帧聚合机制、传输机会与拥塞确认技术，使MAC层的性能得到提升，数据帧结构得到优化，网络吞吐能力得到提高；在WLAN中采用新的纠错编码的方法——低密度奇偶校验码，使接收机在较低的信噪比情况下仍然可以拥有较低的误码率，使覆盖范围得到提升。     

A comparative study of STBC transmissions at 2.4 GHz over indoor channels using a 2 × 2 MIMO testbed

In this paper we employ a 2 × 2 Multiple‐Input Multiple‐Output (MIMO) hardware platform to evaluate, in realistic indoor scenarios, the performance of different space‐time block coded (STBC) transmissions at 2.4 GHz. In particular, we focus on the Alamouti orthogonal scheme considering two types of channel state information (CSI) estimation: a conventional pilot‐aided supervised technique and a recently proposed blind method based on second‐order statistics (SOS). For comparison purposes, we also evaluate the performance of a Differential (non‐coherent) space‐time block coding (DSTBC). DSTBC schemes have the advantage of not requiring CSI estimation but they incur in a 3 dB loss in performance. The hardware MIMO platform is based on high‐performance signal acquisition and generation boards, each one equipped with a 1 GB memory module that allows the transmission of extremely large data frames. Upconversion to RF is performed by two RF vector signal generators whereas downconversion is carried out with two custom circuits designed from commercial components. All the baseband signal processing is implemented off‐line in MATLAB ®, making the MIMO testbed very flexible and easily reconfigurable. Using this platform we compare the performance of the described methods in line‐of‐sight (LOS) and non‐line‐of‐sight (NLOS) indoor scenarios. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flexible design and implementation of QC-Based LDPC decoder architecture for on-line user-defined matrix downloading and efficient decoding

This paper proposes a flexible QC-LDPC decoder to support on-line matrix downloading. Its applications include IEEE 802.16e, 802.11n/ac/ax, and other advanced standards. Via TSMC 40-nm technology, the flexible architecture only has an area of 0.415 mm². The according power dissipation is 84.68 mW at maximal clock frequency of 1.0 GHz. It is successfully verified with 3 LDPC codes pre-defined in IEEE 802.11n/ac/ax.