SEMESTER II SESSION 2019 / 2020

FACULTY OF ELECTRONICS AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING (FKEKK)

COURSE: 3 BENG S2
SUBJECT CODE: BENT 4783
SUBJECT: WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS

ASSIGNMENT
MULTICARRIER SYSTEMS AND OFDM

PREPARED BY:

NO NAME MATRIC NO.

1 MUHAMMAD FAIQ DANISH BIN SHAMRIS B021920034
2 MUHAMMAD FARIS BIN AZMAN B021920040
3 MURASOLI MAARAN A/L KALINGAN B021910008
4 SHANGKARI A/P MANI SEGARAN B021920016

PREPARED FOR: PROFESOR MADYA DR MUHAMAD SYAHRIR BIN JOHAL

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 18 JANUARY 2023

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 ABSTRACT.........................................................................................................................3

2.0 INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................4

2.1. DEFINITION....................................................................................................................4

3.0 LITERATURE REVIEW..................................................................................................5

3.1. History and Evolution Including Key Milestones and Developments in The Field.............5

3.2. The Basic Principles and Concepts, Including The Mathematical Foundations and
Underlying Theory...........................................................................................................................6

3.3. The Various Types of Multicarrier Systems and OFDM That Have Been Proposed and
Studied, Including Different Modulation Schemes, Channel Coding Techniques, and Signal
Processing Methods.........................................................................................................................7

3.4. The Performance Under Different Channel Conditions and in Different Environments,
Including Studies Of Their Robustness, Efficiency, and Capacity.................................................9

3.5. The Applications in Different Areas, such as Wireless Communications, Broadband

Access, and Satellite Communications..........................................................................................10

3.6. The Challenges and Limitations, Including Issues Related To Interference,

Synchronization, and Security.......................................................................................................11

3.7. The Ongoing Research and Future Directions in The Field, Including New Developments
and Open Problems That Need To Be Addressed.........................................................................12

3.8. The Comparison of Multicarrier Systems and OFDM with Other Modulation Schemes
such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA and Their Advantages and Disadvantages................................13

3.9. Some of The Future Directions For OFDM Research Include:..........................................14

4.0 CONCLUSION.................................................................................................................15

5.0 REFERENCE....................................................................................................................16
1.0 ABSTRACT

Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) is a widely used multicarrier

modulation technique in wireless communication systems. This literature review
examines the history and evolution of OFDM, including its development and early
applications. The advantages and disadvantages of OFDM compared to other multicarrier
modulation techniques are also discussed. Recent developments and research in OFDM,
such as advanced channel coding techniques, beamforming, and efficient signal
processing algorithms are explored. The use of OFDM in different wireless
communication systems, such as Wi-Fi, digital television, and cellular networks, and the
challenges and solutions to implement OFDM in these systems, are also discussed.
2.0 INTRODUCTION

In this paper, we will examine the history and evolution of OFDM, including its
development and early applications. We will also explore the advantages and
disadvantages of OFDM compared to other multicarrier modulation techniques.
Additionally, we will examine recent developments and research in OFDM, such as
advanced channel coding techniques, beamforming, and efficient signal processing
algorithms. Furthermore, we will discuss the use of OFDM in different wireless
communication systems, such as Wi-Fi, digital television, and cellular networks, and the
challenges and solutions to implement OFDM in these systems. Moreover, we will also
look at future directions for OFDM research, such as its potential use in upcoming
wireless communication standards like 6G and its integration with other technologies
such as massive MIMO and mmWave communications. Additionally, we will also
discuss the different modulation schemes and channel coding techniques that can be used
to modulate the subcarriers in multicarrier systems and OFDM, and their trade-offs.

2.1. DEFINITION

Multi-carrier modulation (MCM) is a method of encoding digital data on multiple

carrier frequencies. It is a type of digital modulation in which a single data stream is
divided into several parallel streams, each of which is modulated onto a separate carrier
frequency. This allows for the transmission of data at a higher rate than would be possible
with a single carrier frequency. The most common multicarrier modulation technique is
Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM).

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is a multicarrier modulation

technique used to transmit digital data over a wide frequency band. In this technique, the
wideband signal is divided into multiple narrowband subcarriers that are modulated and
transmitted independently. The subcarriers are orthogonal to each other, meaning that
they are spaced apart at regular intervals and are exactly a multiple of the inverse of the
symbol period.
3.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

3.1. History and Evolution Including Key Milestones and Developments in The Field

The history of Multicarrier systems and OFDM can be traced back to the early 20th
century with the development of frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) and time-
division multiplexing (TDM) techniques. However, it wasn't until the 1960s and 1970s
that the concept of multicarrier modulation (MCM) began to be studied in earnest.

One of the key early milestones in the development of multicarrier systems was the
invention of the discrete multitone (DMT) system by J. A. C. Bingham in 1988. DMT
was a form of multicarrier modulation that used a large number of narrowband carriers to
transmit data. This approach offered significant advantages over traditional FDM and
TDM systems, including improved spectral efficiency and immunity to inter-symbol
interference (ISI).

In the early 1990s, the concept of orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM)

was proposed as a means of implementing DMT. OFDM uses a set of orthogonal
subcarriers to transmit data, which allows for high data rates and reduced susceptibility to
ISI. OFDM quickly gained popularity and became a key component of many wireless and
broadband communications systems.

One of the first commercial applications of OFDM was the European digital audio
broadcasting (DAB) system, which was introduced in the 1990s. OFDM also became the
basis for the IEEE 802.11a wireless LAN standard, and the ITU-T G.hn standard for
high-speed wired and wireless home networking.

In recent years, the use of OFDM has been extended to other wireless communication
systems like 4G, 5G, and WiMAX. The use of OFDM in these systems has significantly
increased the data rates and improved the quality of service.

Overall, the history of multicarrier systems and OFDM is marked by a steady progression
of research and development, with key milestones and developments along the way that
have led to the widespread use of these techniques in modern communications systems.
3.2. The Basic Principles and Concepts, Including The Mathematical Foundations and
Underlying Theory.

Multicarrier systems and OFDM are based on the concept of dividing a wideband signal
into multiple narrowband subcarriers that are modulated and transmitted independently.

In multicarrier systems, each subcarrier is modulated with a portion of the data to be

transmitted. The subcarriers are then combined to form a composite signal, which is
transmitted over the channel. At the receiver, the composite signal is demodulated and
the original data is recovered.

OFDM is a specific type of multicarrier system in which the subcarriers are orthogonal to
each other, which means that the subcarriers are spaced apart at regular intervals and are
exactly a multiple of the inverse of the symbol period. This ensures that the subcarriers
do not interfere with each other, reducing the susceptibility to inter-symbol interference
(ISI) and allowing for high data rates.

The mathematical foundations of OFDM are based on the use of the Inverse Discrete
Fourier Transform (IDFT) and Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) to convert the digital
data into a frequency-domain representation, which is then modulated onto the
subcarriers. At the receiver, the DFT is used to convert the received signal back into a
time-domain representation, allowing for the recovery of the original data.

OFDM also uses a technique called cyclic prefix (CP) to combat the effect of multipath
propagation. CP is a guard interval added to the start of each symbol, which is a copy of
the end of the symbol. This helps to reduce the ISI caused by multipath propagation by
ensuring that the symbol is not affected by the interference of previous symbols.

In summary, multicarrier systems and OFDM are based on the concept of dividing a
wideband signal into multiple narrowband subcarriers that are modulated and transmitted
independently. OFDM uses orthogonal subcarriers and the IDFT/DFT and CP technique
to reduce the susceptibility to inter-symbol interference and combat the effect of
multipath propagation, which allows for high data rates and improved quality of service.
3.3. The Various Types of Multicarrier Systems and OFDM That Have Been Proposed
and Studied, Including Different Modulation Schemes, Channel Coding Techniques,
and Signal Processing Methods.

There have been several different types of multicarrier systems and OFDM that have
been proposed and studied in the literature. Some of the key variations include:

i. Different modulation schemes: Different types of modulation, such as amplitude

modulation (AM), phase modulation (PM), and quadrature amplitude modulation
(QAM), can be used to modulate the subcarriers in multicarrier systems and OFDM.
Each type of modulation has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of spectral
efficiency, robustness to noise, and ease of implementation.

a. Amplitude modulation (AM) is a type of modulation in which the amplitude of the

carrier wave is varied in proportion to the amplitude of the modulating signal. AM is
relatively easy to implement, but it has low spectral efficiency and is sensitive to
noise.

b. Phase modulation (PM) is a type of modulation in which the phase of the carrier wave
is varied in proportion to the amplitude of the modulating signal. PM can be more
robust to noise than AM, but it is more complex to implement.

c. Quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) is a type of modulation in which both the

amplitude and phase of the carrier wave are varied in proportion to the amplitude of
the modulating signal. QAM can have high spectral efficiency and is relatively robust
to noise. However, it can be complex to implement and requires accurate phase and
amplitude tracking.

ii. Channel coding techniques: Different channel coding techniques, such as convolutional
coding, turbo coding, and low-density parity-check (LDPC) coding, can be used to
improve the robustness of multicarrier systems and OFDM to channel errors.

a. Convolutional coding: Convolutional coding is a type of error-correcting code in

which the code word is a function of a finite number of data symbols. Convolutional
codes are powerful in correcting burst errors, but they have a relatively low code rate.
 b. Turbo coding: Turbo coding is a type of error-correcting code that combines
convolutional coding with iterative decoding. Turbo codes have a higher code rate
than convolutional codes and can provide a powerful error-correction capability.

c. Low-density parity-check (LDPC) coding: LDPC coding is a type of error-correcting

code that uses sparse parity-check matrices. LDPC codes can provide a near-capacity
error-correction performance, but they have a relatively high decoding complexity.

d. Polar coding: Polar coding is a type of error-correcting code that uses a combination
of channel polarization and successive cancellation decoding. Polar codes can provide
near-capacity error-correction performance with low encoding and decoding
complexity.

iii. Signal processing methods: Different signal processing methods, such as equalization,
channel estimation, and synchronization, can be used to improve the performance of
multicarrier systems and OFDM in the presence of channel impairments.

iv. Filter Bank Multi-Carrier (FBMC): FBMC, also known as filtered multicarrier (FMC) or
filter bank based multicarrier (FBMC), is a multicarrier technique that uses a filter bank
to modulate the data onto the subcarriers. This approach offers several advantages over
OFDM, including reduced intercarrier interference, improved frequency localization and
robustness to frequency selective fading.

v. Multi-Carrier Code Division Multiple Access (MC-CDMA): MC-CDMA is a

multicarrier technique that uses code division multiple access (CDMA) to spread the data
over a large number of subcarriers. This approach offers several advantages over OFDM,
including improved resistance to multipath propagation and the ability to support a large
number of users.

Overall, there are several different types of multicarrier systems and OFDM that have
been proposed and studied in the literature, each with their own advantages and
disadvantages. Different modulation schemes, channel coding techniques, and signal
processing methods have been used to improve the performance of these systems.
3.4. The Performance Under Different Channel Conditions and in Different
Environments, Including Studies Of Their Robustness, Efficiency, and Capacity.

The performance of multicarrier systems and OFDM has been studied extensively under
different channel conditions and in different environments.

In terms of robustness, OFDM has been found to be relatively robust to channel

impairments such as frequency-selective fading and multipath propagation. This is due to
the use of orthogonal subcarriers and the cyclic prefix (CP) technique, which helps to
reduce the susceptibility to inter-symbol interference (ISI) and combat the effect of
multipath propagation.

In terms of efficiency, OFDM has been found to be highly efficient in terms of spectral
utilization. The use of a large number of subcarriers allows for a high data rate, and the
orthogonality of the subcarriers allows for a high degree of multiplexing.

In terms of capacity, OFDM has been found to be capable of supporting a large number
of users and high data rates. The use of advanced modulation schemes and channel
coding techniques can further increase the capacity of OFDM systems.

In terms of environment, OFDM is widely used in many wireless and wired

communication systems, such as digital audio broadcasting (DAB), wireless local area
networks (WLANs), digital video broadcasting (DVB), and Long-Term Evolution (LTE)
cellular networks.

Overall, the performance of multicarrier systems and OFDM has been found to be highly
robust, efficient, and capable of supporting high data rates and a large number of users.
The performance of these systems can be further improved by using advanced
modulation schemes, channel coding techniques, and signal processing methods.
3.5. The Applications in Different Areas, such as Wireless Communications, Broadband
Access, and Satellite Communications.

Multicarrier systems and OFDM have a wide range of applications in different areas,
such as wireless communications, broadband access, and satellite communications.

i. Wireless Communications: OFDM is widely used in wireless communications systems,

such as 4G and 5G cellular networks, WiMAX, and wireless local area networks
(WLANs). OFDM is particularly well-suited for these systems because it is robust to
channel impairments and can support high data rates.

ii. Broadband Access: OFDM is also used in broadband access systems, such as digital
subscriber line (DSL) and cable modems. These systems use OFDM to transmit data over
copper and coaxial cables, which can be affected by channel impairments such as
crosstalk and noise. OFDM's robustness to channel impairments makes it well-suited for
these applications.

iii. Satellite Communications: OFDM is also used in satellite communications systems, such
as digital audio broadcasting (DAB) and digital video broadcasting (DVB). These
systems use OFDM to transmit data over large distances, which can be affected by
channel impairments such as multipath propagation and fading. OFDM's robustness to
channel impairments makes it well-suited for these applications.

iv. Digital Television: OFDM is used in digital television systems such as ATSC, DVB-T,
ISDB-T and DTMB, which use OFDM to transmit digital video and audio signals over
terrestrial broadcast networks.

v. Power Line Communications: OFDM is also used in power line communications (PLC)
systems, which use existing power lines to transmit data. These systems can be affected
by channel impairments such as noise and interference from other devices. OFDM's
robustness to channel impairments makes it well-suited for these applications.
3.6. The Challenges and Limitations, Including Issues Related To Interference,
Synchronization, and Security.

Multicarrier systems and OFDM, like any communication system, have their own set of
challenges and limitations. Some of the key challenges and limitations include:

i. Interference: One of the main challenges in multicarrier systems and OFDM is dealing
with interference from other systems. Interference can come from other users sharing the
same frequency band, or from other systems using adjacent bands. This can degrade the
performance of the system and reduce the capacity.

ii. Synchronization: Synchronization is another key challenge in multicarrier systems and

OFDM. The receiver needs to be precisely synchronized with the transmitter in order to
correctly demodulate the received signal. Synchronization errors can cause inter-symbol
interference (ISI) and reduce the performance of the system.

iii. Security: Security is a major concern in multicarrier systems and OFDM, as the system
can be vulnerable to eavesdropping and jamming. Cryptographic techniques and other
security measures need to be implemented to protect the system against these types of
attacks.

iv. Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR): The high peak-to-average power ratio of OFDM
signals can cause problems in power amplifiers, making it difficult to maintain a constant
output power and this can affect the energy efficiency.

v. Complexity: The implementation of OFDM systems can be complex and computationally

intensive. The IDFT/DFT and CP techniques used in OFDM can require significant
computational resources, which can be a challenge for low-power devices.

vi. Sensitivity to Frequency offset: OFDM systems are also sensitive to frequency offset,
which can cause intercarrier interference and degrade the performance. This is
particularly a challenge in mobile communication systems where the carrier frequency
can vary due to movement.

In summary, multicarrier systems and OFDM have their own set of challenges and
limitations. Interference, synchronization, security, PAPR, complexity, and sensitivity to
frequency offset are some of the main challenges that need to be addressed in order to
ensure the performance, reliability, and security of these systems.
3.7. The Ongoing Research and Future Directions in The Field, Including New
Developments and Open Problems That Need To Be Addressed.

The field of multicarrier systems and OFDM is a rapidly evolving one, with ongoing
research and new developments taking place in several areas. Some of the key ongoing
research and future directions in the field include:

i. Enhanced spectral efficiency: Researchers are looking at ways to improve the spectral
efficiency of multicarrier systems and OFDM, such as using advanced modulation
schemes and channel coding techniques, and exploring the use of non-orthogonal
subcarriers.

ii. Improved robustness: Researchers are also looking at ways to improve the robustness of
multicarrier systems and OFDM to channel impairments, such as frequency-selective
fading and multipath propagation. This includes exploring the use of advanced signal
processing techniques, such as space-time coding and multi-antenna systems.

iii. Improved security: Researchers are exploring new ways to improve the security of
multicarrier systems and OFDM, such as the use of physical-layer security techniques
and the integration of blockchain technology.

iv. Massive MIMO: Researchers are investigating the use of massive MIMO in OFDM
systems, which can provide significant improvements in capacity and coverage.

v. 6G and beyond: Researchers are also looking at the use of multicarrier systems and
OFDM in the context of future wireless communication systems such as 6G and beyond.

Overall, the field of multicarrier systems and OFDM is a rapidly evolving one, with
ongoing research and new developments taking place in several areas. Researchers are
addressing a wide range of open problems, from improving the spectral efficiency and
robustness, to improving the security and to explore the future possibilities in 6G and
beyond.
3.8. The Comparison of Multicarrier Systems and OFDM with Other Modulation
Schemes such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA and Their Advantages and Disadvantages.

Multicarrier systems and OFDM can be compared to other modulation schemes such as
CDMA, TDMA, and FDMA.

i. CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access): CDMA is a multiple access technique that uses
spread-spectrum technology and a unique code for each user to transmit data over the
same frequency band. CDMA has a higher spectral efficiency compared to FDMA and
TDMA, but its implementation is more complex.

ii. TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access): TDMA is a multiple access technique that
divides the frequency band into time slots and assigns each user a unique time slot to
transmit data. TDMA is simple to implement and has low complexity, but has a lower
spectral efficiency compared to CDMA and OFDM.

iii. FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access): FDMA is a multiple access technique that
divides the frequency band into different frequency channels and assigns each user a
unique channel to transmit data. FDMA is simple to implement and has low complexity,
but has a lower spectral efficiency compared to CDMA and OFDM.

iv. OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing): OFDM is a multicarrier

technique that uses a large number of orthogonal subcarriers to transmit data. OFDM has
a high spectral efficiency and is robust to channel impairments such as frequency-
selective fading and multipath propagation, but its implementation can be complex.

In summary, Multicarrier systems and OFDM, as well as CDMA, TDMA, and FDMA,
are multiple access techniques used to share the same frequency band by multiple users.
OFDM has a high spectral efficiency, and robustness to channel impairments, compared
to the other modulation schemes, but its implementation can be complex. CDMA has a
higher spectral efficiency but more complex implementation, TDMA and FDMA have a
simple implementation and low complexity but lower spectral efficiency.
3.9. Some of The Future Directions For OFDM Research Include:

i. 6G communications: With the development of 6G, OFDM is likely to be one of the key
modulation techniques used in 6G systems. Research on OFDM for 6G is focused on
increasing the spectral efficiency, reducing the latency and improving the energy
efficiency.

ii. Massive MIMO and mmWave communications: OFDM can be integrated with massive
MIMO and mmWave communications to improve the system's performance. The
combination of OFDM with massive MIMO can increase the spectral efficiency, while
the integration of OFDM with mmWave communications can increase the data rate and
improve the system's robustness against fading.

iii. Machine Learning: Machine learning techniques can be applied to OFDM to improve its
performance in dynamic channels, such as channel estimation, equalization, and resource
allocation.

iv. Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA): OFDM can be integrated with NOMA to
improve the system's performance. NOMA can increase the system's capacity and
improve the system's robustness against fading.

v. Full-Duplex (FD) Communications: OFDM can be integrated with FD communications

to improve the system's performance. The integration of OFDM with FD
communications can increase the system's capacity and improve the system's robustness
against fading.

vi. Security: OFDM can be integrated with various security techniques such as physical layer
security and artificial intelligence to improve the security of the system.

These are some of the possible future directions for OFDM research, but there may be
many other possible areas for research as well.
4.0 CONCLUSION

OFDM is a widely used and mature multicarrier modulation technique that has been
adopted in various wireless communication systems. OFDM has several advantages over
other multicarrier modulation techniques, such as high data rate, increased resistance to
intersymbol interference and multipath fading. There are many ongoing research and
development efforts aimed at improving the performance of OFDM systems, such as
advanced channel coding techniques, beamforming, and efficient signal processing
algorithms. OFDM is a key enabler for future high-performance wireless communication
systems, especially in 6G and its integration with other technologies such as massive
MIMO and mmWave communications. Different modulation schemes can be used to
modulate the subcarriers in multicarrier systems and OFDM, such as amplitude
modulation (AM), phase modulation (PM), and quadrature amplitude modulation
(QAM), each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Different channel
coding techniques can be used to improve the robustness of multicarrier systems and
OFDM to channel errors, such as convolutional coding, turbo coding, and low-density
parity-check (LDPC) coding, each of them also has its own trade-offs. The choice of
modulation scheme and channel coding technique will depend on the specific
requirements of the system and the trade-offs between error-correction capability, code
rate, and decoding complexity.
5.0 REFERENCE

[1] B. Farhang-Boroujeny, “Filter Bank Multicarrier Modulation: A Waveform Candidate for

5G and Beyond,” Advances in Electrical Engineering, vol. 2014, pp. 1–25, Dec. 2014,
doi: 10.1155/2014/482805.

[2] J. Malhotra, “Investigation of Channel Coding Techniques for High Data Rate Mobile
Wireless Systems,” 2015.

[3] Y. Otani, S. Ohno, K. ann Donny Teo, and T. Hinamoto, “Subcarrier Allocation for multi-
user OFDM system.”

[4] R. Prasadt and S. Harat, “An Overview of Multi-Carrier CDMA.”

[5] Y. Wu, “ORTHOGONAL FREQUENCY DIVISION MULTIPLEXING: A MULTI-

CARRIER MODULATION SCHEME,” 1995.