Future Wireless Techniques | ELEC6252 | University of Southampton

Module overview

This course covers some advanced techniques that have the potential for application in the future generations of wireless communications systems. Recently, the research and development in wireless communications have been focused on the techniques for the fifth generation (5G) wireless systems. Therefore, this course will cover a few of the key techniques proposed for the 5G wireless systems.

The course begins with the principles of cooperative communications. A range of relay and cooperative networks with different relay protocols are considered. One-hop, two-hop and multiple-hop networks with one or multiple cooperative nodes are analysed. Cooperative protocols may include amplify-and-forward, decode-and-forward, compress-and-forward, network coding, etc. Furthermore, some fundamentals in multicell cooperation are discussed.

Then, the course considers the principles of full-duplex, addressing the self-interference cancellation techniques for full duplex systems, and examines the potential of full-duplex for wireless system design.

Next, the course’s focus is on the non-orthogonal multiple-access (NOMA), which is a technique allowing densely deployed users (devices) to simultaneously transmit their information. The NOMA principles are analysed in the context of both the uplink transmission and downlink transmission.

Then, the course moves to the principles of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), followed by analysing the potential of MIMO for meeting the requirements of future wireless systems. A range of technical options for MIMO transceiver optimisation are also discussed. Built on the above theoretical foundation, the course then covers the multi-user MIMO and massive MIMO, with the emphasis on their principles, characteristics, and implementation challenges.

The final part of the course covers the millimetre wave (MmWave) communications. This part first provides an overview of MmWave communications. Then, it exams the fundamentals of ultrawideband (UWB) communications by considering issues such as, UWB signalling, modulation, coding, equalisation, etc.

Next, it characterises the MmWave channels with the emphasis on its differences from the conventional radio frequency (RF) communication channels. The course concludes with the MmWave transceiver design, covering mainly the beamforming techniques operated in the analog, digital or hybrid analog-digital domain.

Linked modules

Pre-requisites: ELEC3203 OR ELEC3204

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

The characteristics of millimetre wave (MmWave) channels.
The principles of relay communications as well as the typical relay techniques.
Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) as well as the related techniques for its implementation.
The principles of MIMO and its potential through the capacity analysis of MIMO systems.
Multiuser MIMO and massive MIMO.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Employ some skills for MIMO transceiver optimisation.
Understand the principles and technical challenges of full-duplex, and employ the capability to exploit the potentials of full-duplex for system design.
Understand the principles of ultrawideband (UWB) communications, and be familiar with the technical solutions for deign of UWB systems.
Be familiar with some optional techniques for MmWave transceiver design.
Possess the knowledge of multicell cooperation and cooperative MIMO, and be familiar with some uplink/downlink cooperative processing algorithms.
Possess the knowledge of non-orthogonal multiple-access (NOMA), and the skills for designing NOMA schemes for application in ultra-densely deployed wireless systems.

Syllabus

Cooperative Wireless Communications:

Principles of relay communications;
Two-hop relay networks;
Multi-hop relay networks;
Full-duplex relay communications;
Multicell cooperative communications: Uplink/downlink cooperative processing;
Cooperative MIMO.

Duplexing and Multiple-Access Techniques for Future Wireless Systems:

Overview of duplex techniques;
Principles and challenges of full-duplex;
Self-interference and self-interference cancellation in full-duplex;
Full-duplex: opportunities for system design and implementation challenges;
Non-orthogonal multiple-access (NOMA): principles, advantages, and implementation techniques for NOMA;
Signal detection in NOMA systems;
Sparse spreading CDMA and sparse code multiple-access, factor graph for operation of message passing algorithm.

MIMO, Multiuser MIMO and Massive MIMO:

Fundamentals of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO);
Capacity of MIMO systems, when channel state information (CSI) is known to trans-mitter, to receiver, or to both.
MIMO transmission/detection techniques;
Multiuser MIMO: principles, characteristics and transmission/detection techniques;
Massive MIMO: principles, characteristics and transmission/detection techniques;
Pilot contamination in massive MIMO;
Implementation challenges and standardisation.

Millimetre Wave (MmWave) Communications:

MmWave promise and applications - a new frontier;
Basics in ultrawideband digital communications: ultrawideband signalling, modulation, coding, and equalisation;
MmWave propagation and channel models;
Beamforming for MmWave communications: Analog beamforming, digital beamforming and hybrid Beamforming.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Classroom teaching and 2 coursework.

Study time
Type	Hours
Lecture	36
Follow-up work	18
Preparation for scheduled sessions	18
Wider reading or practice	46
Tutorial	12
Revision	10
Completion of assessment task	10
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Journal Articles

Y. Saito, Y. Kishiyama, A. Benjebbour, T. Nakamura, A. Li and K. Higuchi (2013). Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) for Cellular Future Radio Access. Vehicular Technology Conference, 2013 IEEE 77th, (VTC Spring), pp. 1-5.

J. Schaepperle and A. Ruegg (2009). Enhancement of throughput and fairness in 4G wireless access systems by non-orthogonal signalling. Bell Labs Technical Journal, 13(4), pp. 59-78.

Textbooks

T.M. Cover and J.A. Thomas (1991). Elements of Information Theory. New York, USA: John Wiley & Sons.

T.S. Rappaport, R.W. Heath Jr., R.C. Daniels and J.N. Murdock (2015). Millimeter Wave Wireless Communications: Systems and Circuits. USA: Prentice Hall.

A. Osseiran, et.al (2016). 5G Mobile and Wireless Communications Technology. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

S. Haykin (1996). Adaptive Filter Theory. USA: Prentice Hall.

H.L.V. Trees (2005). Optimum Array Processing: Part V of Detection, Estimation, and Modulation Theory. UK: John Wiley & Sons.

R.S. Zahidur (2015). Cooperative Wireless Communications and Networking Paperback. Scholars' Press.

L.-L. Yang (2009). Multicarrier Communications. UK: John Wiley and Sons.

C. Oestges and B. Clerckx (2007). MIMO Wireless Communications: From Real-World Propagation to Space-Time Code Design. UK: Academic Press.

K.J.R. Liu, A.K. Sadek, W. Su and A. Kwasinski (2008). Cooperative Communications and Networking. UK: Cambridge University Press.

I. Robertson, N. Somjit and M. Chongcheawchamnan (2016). Microwave and Millimetre-Wave Design for Wireless Communications. UK: Wiley-Blackwell.

D. Tse and P. Viswanath (2005). Fundamentals of Wireless Communication. UK: Cambridge University Press.

Assessment

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Continuous Assessment	30%
Final Assessment	70%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External