Third-generation Wireless Systems Research Articles

Real-Time Algorithms and Architectures for several user Channel Detection in Wireless Base Station Receivers

In this paper presents algorithms and architecture designs that can meet real-time requirements of for several user channel estimation and detection in code-division multiple-access-based wireless base-station receivers. Entangled algorithms proposed to implement several user channel assessment and demodulation make their real-time execution difficult on current digital signal processor-based receivers. A based several user channel assessment scheme requiring matrix conversion is draft again from an demodulation perspective for a reduced intricacy, repetitive scheme with a simple fixed-point very large scale integration architecture. A reduced-intricacy, bit-streaming several user demodulation algorithm that avoids the need for demodulation is also developed for a simple, pipelined VLSI architecture. Thus, we develop real-time solutions for several user channel assessment and demodulation for third-generation wireless systems by: 1) designing the algorithms from a fixed-point execution perspective, without significant loss in error rate performance; 2) task partitioning; and 3) designing bit-streaming fixed-point VLSI architectures that explore pipelining, correspondence, and bit-level computations to achieve real-time with minimum area overhead.

An Accurate Performance Approximation for Beyond 3G Wireless Broadband Systems With QoS

Beyond third-generation (3G) wireless systems will support real-time (inelastic) and nonreal-time (elastic) traffic over a common packet-switched radio channel using quality-of-service (QoS) mechanisms to differentiate the traffic. A key challenge in accurately modeling user and system performances is to be able to simultaneously account for the impacts of mixed traffic types, QoS mechanisms, and varying radio channels. This paper presents a novel way of extending and combining a number of techniques into a single approximate analytic methodology for providing fast and accurate performance analysis of multiple inelastic- and elastic-traffic classes, which is subject to preemptive priority for the inelastic traffic. The methodology is compared with the simulation for a range of guaranteed bit-rate requirements for the inelastic traffic and overall system traffic loads, with the results showing excellent agreement between the model and simulation.

Wideband Speech Coding Advances in VMR-WB Standard

This paper presents novel techniques for source-controlled variable-rate wideband speech coding. These techniques have been used in the variable-rate multimode wideband (VMR-WB) speech codec recently selected by the Third-Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) for wideband (WB) speech telephony, streaming, and multimedia messaging services in the cdma2000 third-generation wireless system. The codec utilizes efficient coding modes optimized for different classes of speech signal including generic coding based on AMR-WB for transients and onsets, voiced coding optimized for stable voiced signals, unvoiced coding optimized for unvoiced segments, and comfort noise generation for inactive segments. Several innovations enable very good performance at average bit rates below 8 kb/s for active speech coding. The article presents an overview of the codec and describes in detail some of the codec novel features: Robust pitch tracking algorithm, coding-mode dependent prediction of linear prediction (LP) filter quantization, and novel frame erasure concealment techniques including supplementary information for reconstruction of lost onsets and improving decoder convergence. Selected results from the Selection and Characterization tests of the codec illustrate its performance

IEEE 802.16/WiMAX-based broadband wireless access and its application for telemedicine/e-health services

In this article we investigate the application of IEEE 802.16-based broadband wireless access (BWA) technology to telemedicine services and the related protocol engineering issues. An overview of the different evolutions of the IEEE 802.16 standard is presented and some open research issues are identified. A survey on radio resource management, traffic scheduling, and admission control mechanisms proposed for IEEE 802.16/WiMAX systems is also provided. A qualitative comparison between third-generation wireless systems and the IEEE 802.16/WiMAX technology is given. A survey on telemedicine services using traditional wireless systems is presented. The advantages of using IEEE 802.16/WiMAX technology over traditional wireless systems, as well as the related design issues and approaches are discussed. To this end, we present a bandwidth allocation and admission control algorithm for IEEE 802.16-based BWA designed specifically for wireless telemedicine/e-health services. This algorithm aims at maximizing the utilization of the radio resources while considering the quality of service requirements for telemedicine traffic. Some performance evaluation results for this scheme are obtained by simulations

Mobility-Aware Admission Control Schemes in the Downlink of Third-Generation Wireless Systems

In this paper, novel connection admission control (CAC) algorithms that take into account the effect of mobility of users both inside and outside the cell in the downlink of third-generation mobile systems are developed. First, the system capacity, including the other-cell interference, subject to feedback between cells is studied. Then, effective bandwidth expressions for calls are obtained as a function of both their location in the cell as well as their class of traffic (i.e., voice versus data). Next, this formulation is used to derive two mobility-aware admission control algorithms, i.e., a priority CAC, where calls are accepted not only upon resource availability, but also through acceptance ratios that reflect their levels of priority, and a squeezing CAC, where elastic calls may be squeezed to a minimum agreed value, giving way to admit more calls in the system and to secure further ongoing mobile users. Using Markovian analysis, several performance measures are obtained, namely the blocking probability, the dropping probability, both intracell and intercell, as well as the overall cell throughput. The authors eventually investigate the performance of our CAC and show how to extend the Erlang capacity bounds, i.e., the set of arrival rates such that the corresponding blocking/dropping probabilities are kept below predetermined thresholds

Smart Antennas in a WCDMA Radio Network System: Modeling and Evaluations

A comprehensive study is given of smart antennas for wide-band code-division multiple access (WCDMA). It analyzes, evaluates, and presents methods and ideas for the deployment of smart antennas in WCDMA third-generation wireless systems and for future generations. Three major implementations are evaluated and analyzed in a dynamic system simulator: higher order sectorization (HOS), fixed beams (FBs) with secondary common pilot channel (S-CPICH), and FBs with primary common pilot channel (P-CPICH) as a phase reference. The system modeling integrates antenna and wave propagation modeling to evaluate and design smart antennas in wireless communications. Furthermore, this paper analyzes the impact of angular spread of various antenna configurations, the interaction and impact of radio resource management as power tuning of the common channel, scrambling code (SCO) allocation technique, and soft and softer handover algorithm. Moreover, an SCO allocation strategy and an adaptive load-dependent power-tuning algorithm of the P-CPICH are proposed. Furthermore, a signal-to-(interference plus noise) ratio derivation is given. Extensive simulation studies are carried out to evaluate the capacity gains of HOS and FB. The 12-sector sites yield the best system downlink capacity gain compared to three-sector sites equipped with a single antenna, slightly more than three-sector sites equipped with four FBs each. The six-sector sites equipped with two FBs each reduce the gap between HOS and FB systems to 10%

Asymptotic error rates in third-generation wireless systems

The introduction of the so-called third-generation wireless communication system, also known as UMTS or IMT-2000, is a large-scale revolution in telecommunications. It uses a technique called code division multiple access (CDMA). An advanced algorithm to improve the performance of such a CDMA system is called hard-decision parallel interference cancellation and was studied by van der Hofstad and Klok for a rather basic model. We extend many of their results to a more realistic model, where different users transmit at different powers and where additive noise is present.

Adaptive downlink scheduling and rate selection: a cross-layer design

In this paper, we discuss a cross-layer design for joint user scheduling and adaptive rate control for downlink wireless transmission. We take a stochastic learning-based approach to achieve this. The scheduling is performed at the medium access control (MAC) layer, whereas the rate selection takes place at the physical/link (PHY/LINK) layer. These two components residing in the two layers exchange information to ensure that user defined rate requests are satisfied by the right combination of transmission schedules and rate selections. The method is highly efficient for low mobility applications with mobile speeds in the order of a few kilometers per hour. While simple to implement, this technique requires no explicit channel estimation phase. The only feedback used are the single bit ACK/NACK signal indicating the correct reception/failure of the packet. As shown in the convergence theorems, the algorithm achieves optimal performance in stationary channels. With slowly varying channels, the rate selection algorithm sees a quasi-stationary channel and adaptively converges to an optimal solution. Simulations performed using a third-generation wireless system, namely, high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) validate the theoretical results.

Performance Evaluation of a Novel CDMA Detection Technique: The Two-State Approach

The use of code division multiple access (CDMA) makes third-generation wireless systems interference limited rather than noise limited. The research for new methods to reduce interference and increase efficiency led us to formulate a signaling method where fast impulsive silence states are mapped on zero-energy symbols. The theoretical formulation of the optimum receiver is reported and the asymptotic multiuser efficiency (AME) as well as an upper bound of the probability of error have been derived and applied to the conventional receiver and the decorrelating detector. Moreover, computer simulations have been performed to show the advantages of the proposed two-state scheme over the traditional single-state receiver in a multiuser CDMA system operating in a multipath fading channel.

Signaling and multiple access techniques for ultra wideband 4G wireless communication systems

Due to the demanding performance requirements for fourth-generation wireless systems, several technologies have been considered for replacing third-generation wireless systems. Potential technologies for fourth-generation wireless systems are ultra wideband, orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing, and multi-input multi-output antenna systems. Ultra wideband is of particular interest for fourth-generation wireless applications that emphasize short range, high data rate, and/or low power. We focus on ultra wideband radio due to its unique advantages: high data rate, low power, and resilience to multipath fading effects. We discuss the signal characteristics, channel propagation, modulation schemes, and hardware implementation. Two major approaches to ultra wideband signaling, impulse-based and multicarrier ultra wideband, are elaborated. Furthermore, two categories of multiple access are also considered: distributed and centralized.

An adaptive cross-layer scheduler for improved QoS support of multiclass data services on wireless systems

With the rapid growth of the Internet and other Internet protocol-related applications, wireless systems have shifted toward supporting a wider variety of data services. This has placed an enormous strain on the already tight capacity of wireless systems. Many improvements have been made at the link layer in second- and third-generation wireless systems. However, further improvements in packet data admission, scheduling, and policing are necessary to maximize capacity and user satisfaction. Of the three, efficient scheduling has the greatest impact on increased system capacity. In addition, proper scheduling can greatly improve user satisfaction. We introduce an adaptive cross-layer packet scheduler, which outperforms popular packet schedulers with respect to both packet delay and user throughput.

A tutorial on multiple access technologies for beyond 3G mobile networks

In this article, some fundamental technical concepts of the main multiple access schemes for wireless mobile systems are reviewed, and a path for the development of appropriate multiple access technologies for next-generation mobile networks, or so-called beyond 3G (B3G), is established. We first review the multiple access technologies in second- and third-generation wireless cellular systems from historical and technical points of view. This review is followed by a novel formulization of the multiple access schemes through mathematical expressions that could simplify the process of development of new multiple access schemes for B3G wireless cellular systems. We then list the most important features of multiple access schemes in 3G mobile systems. Finally, we conclude the article by reviewing the most promising multiple access technologies for B3G mobile cellular systems.

Improving the performance of third-generation wireless communication systems

The third-generation (3G) mobile communication system uses a technique called code division multiple access (CDMA), in which multiple users use the same frequency and time domain. The data signals of the users are distinguished using codes. When there are many users, interference deteriorates the quality of the system. For more efficient use of resources, we wish to allow more users to transmit simultaneously, by using algorithms that utilize the structure of the CDMA system more effectively than the simple matched filter (MF) system used in the proposed 3G systems. In this paper, we investigate an advanced algorithm called hard-decision parallel interference cancellation (HD-PIC), in which estimates of the interfering signals are used to improve the quality of the signal of the desired user. We compare HD-PIC with MF in a simple case, where the only two parameters are the number of users and the length of the coding sequences. We focus on the exponential rate for the probability of a bit-error, explain the relevance of this parameter, and investigate how it scales when the number of users grows large. We also review extensions of our results, proved elsewhere, showing that in HD-PIC, more users can transmit without errors than in the MF system.

Improving the performance of third-generation wireless communication systems

The third-generation (3G) mobile communication system uses a technique called code division multiple access (CDMA), in which multiple users use the same frequency and time domain. The data signals of the users are distinguished using codes. When there are many users, interference deteriorates the quality of the system. For more efficient use of resources, we wish to allow more users to transmit simultaneously, by using algorithms that utilize the structure of the CDMA system more effectively than the simple matched filter (MF) system used in the proposed 3G systems. In this paper, we investigate an advanced algorithm called hard-decision parallel interference cancellation (HD-PIC), in which estimates of the interfering signals are used to improve the quality of the signal of the desired user. We compare HD-PIC with MF in a simple case, where the only two parameters are the number of users and the length of the coding sequences. We focus on the exponential rate for the probability of a bit-error, explain the relevance of this parameter, and investigate how it scales when the number of users grows large. We also review extensions of our results, proved elsewhere, showing that in HD-PIC, more users can transmit without errors than in the MF system.

Beyond 3G: compound wireless services

A key feature of third-generation wireless systems is support for high bit-rate telecommunications. This technology, known as code division multiple access, is being deployed in two versions: CDMA2000 for which the Telecommunications Industry Association committee TR-45 developed a standard, supports up to 2.4 Mbps, while wideband CDMA, standardized by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute, supports up to 8 Mbps. These high bit rates are leading to a plethora of new wireless services that broadly fall into three categories: information retrieval; mobile commerce; general communication. Next-generation wireless services enables users to carry out specialized, elaborate functions by combining component services offered by various sources. A compound wireless service consists of a combination of component wireless services in an executable sequence that a user can store in memory and invoke in the future when desired.

QoS-oriented packet scheduling for wireless multimedia CDMA communications

In the third-generation (and beyond) wireless communication systems, there will be a mixture of different traffic classes, each having its own transmission rate characteristics and quality-of-service (QoS) requirements. In this paper, a QoS-oriented medium access control (MAC) protocol with fair packet loss sharing (FPLS) scheduling is proposed for wireless code-division multiple access (CDMA) communications. The QoS parameters under consideration are the transmission bit error rate (BER), packet loss, and delay requirements. The MAC protocol exploits both time-division and code-division statistical multiplexing. The BER requirements are guaranteed by properly arranging simultaneous packet transmissions and controlling there transmit power levels, whereas the packet loss and delay requirements are guaranteed by proper packet scheduling. The basic idea of FPLS is to schedule the transmission of multimedia packets in such a way that all the users have a fair share of packet loss according to their QoS requirements, which maximizes the number of the served users under the QoS constraints. Simulation results demonstrate effectiveness of the FPLS scheduler, in comparison with other previously proposed scheduling algorithms.

User-level QoS and traffic engineering for 3G wireless 1xEV-DO systems

Third-generation (3G) wireless systems such as 3G1X, 1×EV-DO, and 1xEV-DV provide support for a variety of high-speed data applications. The success of these services critically relies on the capability to ensure an adequate quality of service (QoS) experience to users at an affordable price. With wireless bandwidth at a premium, traffic engineering and network planning play a vital role in addressing these challenges. We present models and techniques that we have developed for quantifying the QoS perception of 1×EV-DO users generating file transfer protocol (FTP) or Web browsing sessions. We show how user-level QoS measures may be evaluated by means of a Processor-Sharing model that explicitly accounts for the throughput gains from multi-user scheduling. The model provides simple analytical formulas for key performance metrics such as response times, blocking probabilities, and throughput. Analytical models are especially useful for network deployment and in-service tuning purposes due to the intrinsic difficulties associated with simulation-based optimization approaches. © 2003 Lucent Technologies Inc.

Prototype experience for MIMO BLAST over third-generation wireless system

In this paper, a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) extension for a third-generation (3G) wireless system is described. The integration of MIMO concepts within the existing UMTS standard and the associated space-time RAKE receiver are explained. An analysis is followed by a description of an actual experimental MIMO transmitter and receiver architecture, both realized on digital signal processors (DSPs) and FPGAs within a precommercial OneBTS base station. It uses four transmit and four receive antennas to achieve downlink data rates up to 1 Mb/s per user with a spreading factor of 32 and the UMTS chip rate of 3.84 MHz. Furthermore, different MIMO detectors are evaluated, comparing their performance and complexity. System performance is evaluated through simulations and indoor over-the-air measurements. Capacity and bit-error rate measurement results are presented.

QoS-Based Admission and Load Control Algorithm for Integrated Voice/Data Services over Wideband CDMA

In order to maximize the system capacity in third generation wireless system, efficient call admission and load control algorithms are required to handle the different services having diverse traffic patterns and Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. We propose an admission and load control algorithm that considers the network loading information, propagation conditions, and the interference level. The algorithm takes advantage of the new features of third-generation (3G) wireless system such as the reported pilot measurements, auxiliary pilot for smart antennas, and variable spreading gain. Dynamic resource allocation is employed to scale the amount of the assigned radio resources taking the network loading conditions and channel characteristics into consideration. The results show that integrating the voice service and the data service with high transmission rate (>144 Kbps) can be realized using efficient resource management.

The Flexent® packet core access platform for CDMA2000* packet data

The promise of third-generation (3G) wireless systems to the mobility industry will largely be realized through the ability to support services using high-speed packet data. When combined with full mobility, packet data services such as always-on data connections and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) are certain to benefit and attract both end users and service providers alike. Lucent Technologies' Flexent® packet core platform has been designed to provide the performance, reliability, and flexibility to support advanced packet data services. In this paper, we describe the hardware and software architecture used to implement CDMA2000 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">∗</sup> on the Flexent packet core, how it is synergistic with Lucent's existing packet data platform, and the ongoing evolution of this product to enable all IP services of the future, including VoIP.