Evaluation of fourth generation air-interfaces for mobile communications

Abstract

Abstract Development of the Fourth Generation of mobile communication systems, or 4G, has already begun in various organizations and research institutions worldwide. There is currently no single conclusive definition for 4G systems, and the process of 4G standardization will only begin after the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2007. The purpose of this report is to provide an objective definition of 4G systems based on user requirements, and to use this definition to determine an appropriate 4G access network architecture. By examining the current trends in user requirements, and the methodologies proposed by different researchers, an objective definition of 4G systems was developed. The definition states that the purpose of 4G systems is to provide users with the capacity to access any service at any time at a reasonable cost and at the required levels of quality. There are two developmental methodologies which are currently being considered to achieve this objective: first the evolution and convergence of existing systems, including cellular, IT and broadcasting communication systems, and second, the development of a new 4G access network capable of providing users with access to advanced services. The primary specification for this new access network is that it must provide a throughput of 1 Mbps for mobile users and 1 Gbps for users that are stationary. Other requirements include high spectral efficiency and high capacity and coverage. The primary focus of this report is the examination of the second of the above methodologies by evaluating the performance of candidate 4G air-interface architectures so that a recommendation could be made as to which of the architectures is the preferred choice as the core component in a new 4G access network. Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) modulation is a high performance modulation technique capable of achieving high levels of spectral efficiency and is widely accepted as the technique most capable of meeting 4G access network requirements. There are two primary access network architectures that make use of OFDM modulation and could form the core components of a 4G air-interface, the physical component of a 4G access network. To determine which architecture is the appropriate choice for 4G systems, a series of simulations were run using realistic models of a wireless environment. The results of those simulations were analyzed, and it was determined that, due to the absence of multiple access interference found in MC-CDMA, OFDMA systems better met the defined requirements for a 4G air-interface. The use of additional techniques such as radio resource management, multi-antennae technologies and software defined radios are cited as potential methods for improving both OFDMA and MC-CDMA performance.