Sparse code multiple access, SCMA is a non-orthogonal multiple-access technique

being developed for possible use with 5G and other advanced communications syste
ms.
The aim is that SCMA, Sparse Code Multiple Access will improve spectral efficien
cy of wireless radio access.
In many respects, SCMA can be considered as a combination of CDMA, Code Division
Multiple Access and OFDMA, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access.
Sparse Code Multiple Access, SCMA basics
With SCMA, different incoming data streams to be transmitted are directly mapped
to code-words of different multi-dimensional cookbooks, where each code-word re
presents a spread transmission layer. This is effectively how the CDMA works
In this way the multiple data streams can share the same time-frequency resource
s of OFDMA signal.
The sparsity of code-words makes the near-optimal detection feasible through the
iterative use of a Message Passing Algorithm, MPA.
In SCMA, coded bits are directly mapped to multi-dimensional sparse code-words s
elected from layer-specific SCMA codebooks.
SCMA enables overloading of the number of devices used. This occurs when the num
ber of overlaid layers exceeds the code-word length. However the low complexity
of multi-layer detection enables excessive code-word overloading.
As a result of the optimization of the overloading factor along with modulationcoding levels of layers, the system provides a more flexible and efficient linkadaptation mechanism.
Additionally, the signal spreading feature of SCMA can improve link-adaptation a
s a result of less coloured interference.
The complexity of detection of SCMA is controlled by two main factors:
The sparseness level of SCMA code-words.
The use of multidimensional constellations with a low number of projection point
s per dimension.