Pekka Pirinen

Precoding for Full Duplex Multiuser MIMO Systems: Spectral and Energy Efficiency Maximization

We consider data transmissions in a full duplex (FD) multiuser multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) system, where a base station (BS) bidirectionally communicates with multiple users in the downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) channels on the same system resources. The system model of consideration has been thought to be impractical due to the self-interference (SI) between transmit and receive antennas at the BS. Interestingly, recent advanced techniques in hardware design have demonstrated that the SI can be suppressed to a degree that possibly allows for FD transmission. This paper goes one step further in exploring the potential gains in terms of the spectral efficiency (SE) and energy efficiency (EE) that can be brought by the FD MU-MIMO model. Toward this end, we propose low-complexity designs for maximizing the SE and EE, and evaluate their performance numerically. For the SE maximization problem, we present an iterative design that obtains a locally optimal solution based on a sequential convex approximation method. In this way, the nonconvex precoder design problem is approximated by a convex program at each iteration. Then, we propose a numerical algorithm to solve the resulting convex program based on the alternating and dual decomposition approaches, where analytical expressions for precoders are derived. For the EE maximization problem, using the same method, we first transform it into a concave-convex fractional program, which then can be reformulated as a convex program using the parametric approach. We will show that the resulting problem can be solved similarly to the SE maximization problem. Numerical results demonstrate that, compared to a half duplex system, the FD system of interest with the proposed designs achieves a better SE and a slightly smaller EE when the SI is small.

On the Spectral Efficiency of Full-Duplex Small Cell Wireless Systems

We investigate the spectral efficiency of full-duplex small cell wireless systems, in which a full-duplex capable base station (BS) is designed to send/receive data to/from multiple half-duplex users on the same system resources. The major hurdle for designing such systems is due to the self-interference at the BS and co-channel interference among users. Hence, we consider a joint beamformer design to maximize the spectral efficiency subject to certain power constraints. The design problem is first formulated as a rank-constrained optimization problem, and the rank relaxation method is then applied. However, the relaxed problem is still nonconvex, and thus, optimal solutions are hard to find. Herein, we propose two provably convergent algorithms to obtain suboptimal solutions. Based on the concept of the Frank-Wolfe algorithm, we approximate the design problem by a determinant maximization program in each iteration of the first algorithm. The second method is built upon the sequential parametric convex approximation method, which allows us to transform the relaxed problem into a semidefinite program in each iteration. Extensive numerical experiments under small cell setups illustrate that the full-duplex system with the proposed algorithms can achieve a large gain over the half-duplex system.

Transmission strategies for full duplex multiuser MIMO systems

We introduce a full duplex multiuser multiple-input multiple-output (FD MU-MIMO) system, and consider the total throughput maximization problem under a sum power constraint in the downlink (DL) channel and per-user power constraints in the uplink (UL) channel. Due to the nature of asymmetric DL/UL capacity, a trivial method to this problem is to optimize the DL and UL channels sequentially. However, when the self-interference (SI) is large, the sum rate of the UL channel in this sequential design is dramatically degraded. Herein, a joint design is proposed, in which the DL and UL channels are optimized simultaneously. Since the objective function of the throughput maximization problem is non-convex, it is difficult to find the optimal solution. Thus, we propose a joint iterative algorithm to find a suboptimal design, using a local optimization strategy. Simulation results demonstrate that the iterative joint design outperforms the sequential design, and the FD MU-MIMO system is superior to the conventional half duplex (HD) system in terms of the total system throughput when the SI is sufficiently small. This makes the FD MU-MIMO techniques promising for small cell deployments where the transmit power is relatively small.

Advanced Wireless ICT Healthcare Research

Recently, the methods to improve general hospital logistics and processes have been under heavy investigation all over the world. Especially in the public healthcare and welfare sectors, the improved process practices can save a lot of time from supporting tasks which could be redirected to personal, patient care duties. Changes in processes directly affect overall healthcare costs. How to shift work load from supporting activities to patient-centric care, and make the patient passage through hospital processes more convenient using wireless technology are discussed in this paper. Some examples on hardware implementation related to the topic are also discussed.

A Cooperative Moving Relay Node System Deployment in a High Speed Train

In this paper we present system level simulation results for a cooperative moving relay node (MRN) system deployed on a high speed train (HST). Recently interest has grown in using MRNs to provide enhanced cellular coverage to users in public transport, particularly HSTs, of which the modern construction materials and techniques cause high vehicle penetration loss (VPL) when signals propagate into the train. MRNs utilising antenna arrays on the exterior and interior of the train are a promising solution to overcoming this VPL in order to provide onboard users with improved service. We show that a cooperative system of 8 MRNs onboard a HST is able to provide significant improvements to achievable throughput of onboard users when compared to direct transmission, as well as indirectly improving the throughput of other users located in cells the HST is passing through.

Co-Primary Multi-Operator Resource Sharing for Small Cell Networks

To tackle the challenge of providing higher data rates within limited spectral resources we consider the case of multiple operators sharing a common pool of radio resources. Four algorithms are proposed to address co-primary multi-operator radio resource sharing under heterogeneous traffic in both centralized and distributed scenarios. The performance of these algorithms is assessed through extensive system-level simulations for two indoor small cell layouts. It is assumed that the spectral allocations of the small cells are orthogonal to the macro network layer and thus, only the small cell traffic is modeled. The main performance metrics are user throughput and the relative amount of shared spectral resources. The numerical results demonstrate the importance of coordination among co-primary operators for an optimal resource sharing. Also, maximizing the spectrum sharing percentage generally improves the achievable throughput gains over non-sharing.

Outage analysis of ultra-wideband system in lognormal multipath fading and square-shaped cellular configurations

Generic ultra-wideband (UWB) spread-spectrum system performance is evaluated in centralized and distributed spatial topologies comprising square-shaped indoor cells. Statistical distributions for link distances in single-cell and multicell configurations are derived. Cochannel-interference-induced outage probability is used as a performance measure. The probability of outage varies depending on the spatial distribution statistics of users (link distances), propagation characteristics, user activities, and receiver settings. Lognormal fading in each channel path is incorporated in the model, where power sums of multiple lognormal signal components are approximated by a Fenton-Wilkinson approach. Outage performance of different spatial configurations is outlined numerically. Numerical results show the strong dependence of outage probability on the link distance distributions, number of rake fingers, and path losses.

UWB supporting medical ICT applications

In this paper, the utilization of ultra wideband (UWB) technology is reviewed for medical wireless ICT applications. As a low power technique, UWB is capable to operate in underlay fashion with other existing radio and medical systems. At hospital site, this is one of the major requirements set to the electrical devices. UWB makes it possible to utilize both high and low data rate applications and accurate positioning.

Co-channel co-existence study of outdoor macrocell and indoor femtocell users

Femtocell concept is gaining popularity as a promising way to improve resource reuse and thereby system capacity. This paper addresses a co-existence scenario where outdoor macrocell users and indoor femtocell users are located in close proximity. Impact of macro- and femtocells originated co-channel interference to the desired femto- and macrocell uplink is evaluated by means of outage probability and achievable throughput, varying key system parameters. The numerical results show that the desired femtolink is robust against interference. It is interfered almost equally by other femtocells and by the macrocell whereas the desired macrolink is mainly constrained by interference from other macrocell links.

Wideband CDMA network sensitivity function

We analyze capacity losses in code division multiple access (CDMA) networks due to imperfections in the operation of the system components. The main result of this work is a systematic mathematical framework for capacity evaluation of CDMA-based networks in fading channels. This should be considered as an alternative tool to extensive simulations being used for these purposes at the moment. The intention is to provide simple approximate relations that simultaneously take into account: multiple access intracell interference (MAI), intercell interference, and near-far effect, including different sources of power control imperfections. In addition to this, the efficiencies of the major receiver components are also included in the analysis. A flexible complex signal format is used which enables us to model at currently interesting proposals for wideband CDMA (W-CDMA) standards. The theory is general, and some examples of practical set of channel and system parameters are used as illustration. Further elaboration of these results, including extensive numerical analysis based on the offered analytical framework, would provide enough background for the understanding of W-CDMA system performance in a realistic environment.