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.
- Multiuser MIMO and massive MIMO.
- The principles of MIMO and its potential through the capacity analysis of MIMO systems.
- 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.
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Possess the knowledge of multicell cooperation and cooperative MIMO, and be familiar with some uplink/downlink cooperative processing algorithms.
- 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.
- Be familiar with some optional techniques for MmWave transceiver design.
- Possess the knowledge of non-orthogonal multiple-access (NOMA), and the skills for designing NOMA schemes for application in ultra-densely deployed wireless systems.
- Understand the principles of ultrawideband (UWB) communications, and be familiar with the technical solutions for deign of UWB 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.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Completion of assessment task | 10 |
| Wider reading or practice | 46 |
| Lecture | 36 |
| Revision | 10 |
| Follow-up work | 18 |
| Tutorial | 12 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 18 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Journal Articles
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.
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.
Textbooks
R.S. Zahidur (2015). Cooperative Wireless Communications and Networking Paperback. Scholars' Press.
A. Osseiran, et.al (2016). 5G Mobile and Wireless Communications Technology. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
C. Oestges and B. Clerckx (2007). MIMO Wireless Communications: From Real-World Propagation to Space-Time Code Design. UK: Academic Press.
S. Haykin (1996). Adaptive Filter Theory. USA: Prentice Hall.
L.-L. Yang (2009). Multicarrier Communications. UK: John Wiley and Sons.
H.L.V. Trees (2005). Optimum Array Processing: Part V of Detection, Estimation, and Modulation Theory. UK: John Wiley & Sons.
I. Robertson, N. Somjit and M. Chongcheawchamnan (2016). Microwave and Millimetre-Wave Design for Wireless Communications. UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
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.
D. Tse and P. Viswanath (2005). Fundamentals of Wireless Communication. UK: Cambridge University Press.
K.J.R. Liu, A.K. Sadek, W. Su and A. Kwasinski (2008). Cooperative Communications and Networking. UK: Cambridge University Press.
Assessment
Summative
Summative assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Continuous Assessment | 30% |
| Final Assessment | 70% |
Referral
Referral assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Set Task | 100% |
Repeat
Repeat assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Set Task | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External