Detailed simplified implementation of filter bank multicarrier modulation using sub-channel prototype filters

Abstract

Filter bank multicarrier modulation is one of the most researched techniques in recent wireless communications literature. It is robust against channel frequency selectivity, but it does not require cyclic prefix to compensate for intersymbol interference. Therefore, filter bank multicarrier modulation is superior to orthogonal frequency division multiplexing in terms of spectral efficiency. However, this comes at the cost of higher implementation complexity. Despite the vast published research on filter bank multicarrier modulation, little attention has been given to providing a detailed implementation supported by sufficient mathematical analysis. This is particularly true about the prototype filter section, which is the main source of implementation complexity. In this paper we try to fill this gap by presenting a detailed implementation based on the use of simple sub-channel prototype filters. Sub-channel prototype filters are shorter than a single prototype filter by a factor that is equal to the number of data symbols per multicarrier symbol, resulting in reduced complexity and added design flexibility. Detailed mathematical analysis is provided to support the validity of the proposed implementation.