Constantinos B. Papadias

Space-time processing for wireless communications

Space-time processing can improve network capacity, coverage, and quality by reducing co-channel interference (CCI) while enhancing diversity and array gain. This article focuses largely on the receive (mobile-to-base station) time-division multiple access (TDMA) (nonspread modulation) application for high-mobility networks. We describe a large (macro) cell propagation channel and discuss different physical effects such as path loss, fading delay spread, angle spread, and Doppler spread. We also develop a signal model incorporating channel effects. Both forward-link (transmit) and reverse-link (receive) channels are considered and the relationship between the two is discussed. Single- and multiuser models are treated for four important space-time processing problems, and the underlying spatial and temporal structure are discussed as are different algorithmic approaches to reverse link space-time professing with blind and nonblind methods for single- and multiple-user cases. We cover forward-link space-time algorithms and we outline methods for estimation of multipath parameters. We also discuss applications of space-time processing to CDMA, applications of space-time techniques to current cellular systems, and industry trends.

A transmitter diversity scheme for wideband CDMA systems based on space-time spreading

We present a transmit diversity technique for the downlink of (wideband) direct-sequence (DS) code division multiple access (CDMA) systems. The technique, called space-time spreading (STS), improves the downlink performance by using a small number of antenna elements at the base and one or more antennas at the handset, in conjunction with a novel spreading scheme that is inspired by space-time codes. It spreads each signal in a balanced way over the transmitter antenna elements to provide maximal path diversity at the receiver. In doing so, no extra spreading codes, transmit power or channel information are required at the transmitter and only minimal extra hardware complexity at both sides of the link. Both our analysis and simulation results show significant performance gains over conventional single-antenna systems and other open-loop transmit diversity techniques. Our approach is a practical way to increase the bit rate and/or improve the quality and range in the downlink of either mobile or fixed CDMA systems. A STS-based proposal for the case of two transmitter and single-receiver antennas has been accepted and will be included as an optional diversity mode in release A of the IS-2000 wideband CDMA standard.

Capacity-approaching space-time codes for systems employing four transmitter antennas

The design of space-time codes that are capable of approaching the capacity of multiple-input-single-output (MISO) antenna systems is a challenging problem, yet one of high practical importance. While a remarkably simple scheme of Alamouti (1998) is capable of attaining the channel capacity in the case of two-transmitter and one-receiver antennas (2,1), no such schemes are known for the case of more than two transmitter antennas. We propose a family of space-time codes that are especially designed for the case of four-transmitter antennas and that are shown to allow the attainment of a significant fraction of the open-loop Shannon capacity of the (4,1) channel.

Analysis and performance of some basic space-time architectures

In this paper, we discuss some of the most basic architectural superstructures for wireless links with multiple antennas: M at the transmit site and N at the receive site. Toward leveraging the gains of the last half century of coding theory, we emphasize those structures that can be composed using spatially one dimensional coders and decoders. These structures are investigated primarily under a probability of outage constraint. The random matrix channel is assumed to hold steady for such a large number of M-dimensional vector symbol transmission times, that an infinite time horizon Shannon analysis provides useful insights. The resulting extraordinary capacities are contrasted for architectures that differ in the way that they manage self-interference in the presence of additive receiver noise. A universally optimal architecture with a diagonal space-time layering is treated, as is an architecture with horizontal space-time layering and an architecture with a single outer code. Some capacity asymptotes for large numbers of antennas are also included. Some results for frequency selective channels are presented: It is only necessary to feedback M rates, one per transmit antenna, to attain capacity. Also, capacity of an (M,N) link is, in a certain sense, invariant with respect to signaling format.

Layered space-time receivers for frequency-selective wireless channels

Results in information theory have demonstrated the enormous potential of wireless communication systems with antenna arrays at both the transmitter and receiver. To exploit this potential, a number of layered space-time architectures have been proposed. These layered space-time systems transmit parallel data streams, simultaneously and on the same frequency, in a multiple-input multiple-output fashion. With rich multipath propagation, these different streams can be separated at the receiver because of their distinct spatial signatures. However, the analysis of these techniques presented thus far had mostly been strictly narrowband. In order to enable high-data-rate applications, it might be necessary to utilize signals whose bandwidth exceeds the coherence bandwidth of the channel, which brings in the issue of frequency selectivity. In this paper, we present a class of layered space-time receivers devised for frequency-selective channels. These new receivers, which offer various performance and complexity tradeoffs, are compared and evaluated in the context of a typical urban channel with excellent results.

A constant modulus algorithm for multiuser signal separation in presence of delay spread using antenna arrays

The consider the problem of recovering p synchronous communication signals that are transmitted through a multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) linear channel and are, therefore, received in the presence of both interuser (IUI) and intersymbol interference (ISI). A multichannel linear equalization approach is taken, and we propose to adjust the equalizer coefficients with a blind adaptive algorithm (without the use of training data). This multiuser constant modulus algorithm (MU-CMA) is derived from the minimization of a cost function that penalizes deviations of the equalized signals from the constant modulus property as well as cross-correlations between them. The proposed scheme appears to be an appealing technique for multiuser blind equalization that combines good convergence properties with low computational complexity.

Joint angle and delay estimation (JADE) for multipath signals arriving at an antenna array

In wireless communications, mobiles emit signals that arrive at a base station via multiple paths. Estimating each paths angle-of-arrival (AOA) and propagation delay is necessary for several applications, such as mobile localization for emergency services. We propose a novel subspace approach to estimate the AOA and delays of multipath signals from digitally modulated sources arriving at an antenna array. Our method uses a collection of estimates of a space-time vector channel. The Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) and simulations are provided.

Globally convergent blind source separation based on a multiuser kurtosis maximization criterion

We consider the problem of recovering blindly (i.e., without the use of training sequences) a number of independent and identically distributed source (user) signals that are transmitted simultaneously through a linear instantaneous mixing channel. The received signals are, hence, corrupted by interuser interference (IUI), and we can model them as the outputs of a linear multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) memoryless system. Assuming the transmitted signals to be mutually independent, i.i.d., and to share the same non-Gaussian distribution, a set of necessary and sufficient conditions for the perfect blind recovery (up to scalar phase ambiguities) of all the signals exists and involves the kurtosis as well as the covariance of the output signals. We focus on a straightforward blind constrained criterion stemming from these conditions. From this criterion, we derive an adaptive algorithm for blind source separation, which we call the multiuser kurtosis (MUK) algorithm. At each iteration, the algorithm combines a stochastic gradient update and a Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization procedure in order to satisfy the criterions whiteness constraints. A performance analysis of its stationary points reveals that the MUK algorithm is free of any stable undesired local stationary points for any number of sources; hence, it is globally convergent to a setting that recovers them all.

A Novel Approach to MIMO Transmission Using a Single RF Front End

In this paper we introduce a new perspective to the implementation of wireless MIMO transmission systems with increased bandwidth efficiency. Unlike traditional spatial multiplexing techniques in MIMO systems, where additional information can be sent through the wireless channel by feeding uncorrelated antenna elements with diverse bitstreams, we use the idea of mapping diverse bitstreams onto orthogonal bases defined in the beamspace domain of the transmitting array far-field region. Using this approach we show that we can increase the capacity of wireless communication systems using compact parasitic antenna architectures and a single RF front end at the transmitter, thus paving the way for integrating MIMO systems in cost and size sensitive wireless devices such as mobile terminals and mobile personal digital assistants.

Is the PHY layer dead

This article originates from a panel with the above title, held at IEEE VTC Spring 2009, in which the authors took part. The enthusiastic response it received prompted us to discuss for a wider audience whether research at the physical layer (PHY) is still relevant to the field of wireless communications. Using cellular systems as the axis of our exposition, we exemplify areas where PHY research has indeed hit a performance wall and where any improvements are expected to be marginal. We then discuss whether the research directions taken in the past have always been the right choice and how lessons learned could influence future policy decisions. Several of the raised issues are subsequently discussed in greater details, e.g., the growing divergence between academia and industry. With this argumentation at hand, we identify areas that are either under-developed or likely to be of impact in coming years - hence corroborating the relevance and importance of PHY research.