Module_5

Introduction to OFDM
(Orthogonal Frequency Division
Multiplexing )
Basic Concept of OFDM
Importance of Orthogonality
….Importance of Orthogonality cont
Difference between FDM and OFDM
Differences from other multiplexing
techniques
 OFDM versus WDM

-more flexible

-higher bandwidth efficiency

Differences from other multiplexing
techniques
 OFDM versus TDM
-number of carriers
-synchronization
-sensitivity
-capacity/efficiency advantages
-complexity and cost issues
OFDM block diagram

Fig. 5. A typical baseband OFDM system

 .….Cont
The baseband model for a typical OFDM wireless
.communication system, is shown in Fig. 5
The binary data to be transmitted, is first mapped
using digital modulation schemes like binary phase
shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift
keying (QPSK) or quadrature amplitude
.modulation (QAM)
The modulated data symbols are converted from
serial to parallel form. One column of data symbols
.forms a single OFDM symbol
Multiple OFDM symbols form the OFDM grid. Each
.row of data symbols is termed as subcarrier
 .….Cont
If one OFDM symbol comprises of N data symbols,
.the number of subcarriers are N
The pilot insertion block is used to transmit known
data, which is optional. Pilots are known data
symbols, which assist in estimating the channel at
.the receiver
Each OFDM symbol is converted to time domain
.using an inverse DFT (IDFT) operation
A cyclic prefix (CP) is attached at the beginning of
each time domain OFDM symbol to counteract the
.distortion caused by ISI in the channel
CP is the replica of last part of any given OFDM
symbol. Instead of CP, a Zero Padding (ZP) can also
.be used
 .….Cont
.However, CP is more effective than ZP in combating ISI
After the insertion of CP, the resultant OFDM symbols
are converted to serial form and are transmitted
through a wireless channel
The channel may be of flat fading type or
frequency selective fading type. In any case, at the
receiver, the presence of additive white Gaussian
.noise (AWGN) is inherent
Perfect synchronization is assumed between the
transmitter and receiver. Imperfect timing or frequency
synchronization causes reduced BER performance of any
.given channel estimation technique
 .….Cont
At the receiver, the received symbols are converted
.to parallel form and the CP is removed
The resulting OFDM symbols are sent through a DFT
block and the corresponding frequency domain
.symbols are obtained
A pilot based equalizer uses these symbols to
estimate the channel and further processes the
received data to estimate transmitted OFDM
.symbols
There symbols are then converted to serial form and
are demapped, to obtain the transmitted binary
.data
 Types of OFDM
 C-OFDM
 MIMO-OFDM
 V-OFDM
 W-OFDM
 Flash-OFDM
 C-OFDM
Coded OFDM
Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB)

Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB-T)

COFDM offers real benefit in the

presence of isolated narrow-band

interfering signals
 Multiple Input, Multiple Output
OFDM (MIMO-OFDM)
 Developed by Iospan Wireless
 Uses multiple antennas to transmit
and receive radio signals
 Spatial multiplexing
 V-OFDM
 Vector OFDM
 Developed by CISCO
 Increases subscriber coverage
 Lowers the cost of provisioning and
deploying infrastructure
 Employs both frequency and spatial
diversity
 Creates a robust processing technique for
multi-path fading and narrow band
interference
Paths

Base Station

Subscriber
 W-OFDM
 Wideband OFDM
 Invented by Wi-LAN

 Large spacing between carriers

 Advantages:

Optimal performance against Multi-path -

Less sensitive to carrier offset -
Optimal power efficiency of the transmitter-
amplifier
More immune against fading -
 Flash-OFDM
 Fast-hopped OFDM
 Wide-band spread-spectrum

technology
 Avoids the compromises inherent in

other mobile data systems

 Capability to work around interfering

signals
 Applications
 Digital Audio and Video
Broadcasting
 Asymmetric Digital Subscriber

Line (ADSL)
 Wireless Networking

 Power-line Technology