Energy-Efficient Hybrid Symbol-Level Precoding via Phase Shifter Selection in mmWave MU-MIMO Systems

in Energy-Efficient Hybrid Symbol-Level Precoding via Phase Shifter Selection in mmWave MU-MIMO Systems (2021, January 25)

We address the symbol-level precoding design problem for the downlink of a multiuser millimeter wave (mmWave) multiple-input multiple-output wireless system. We consider a hybrid analog-digital ... [more ▼]

We address the symbol-level precoding design problem for the downlink of a multiuser millimeter wave (mmWave) multiple-input multiple-output wireless system. We consider a hybrid analog-digital architecture with phase shifter selection where a small-sized baseband precoder is followed by two successive networks of analog on-off switches and variable phase shifters according to a fully-connected structure. We jointly optimize the digital baseband precoder and the states of the switching network on a symbol-level basis, i.e., by exploiting both the channel state information (CSI) and the instantaneous data symbols, while the phase-shifting network is designed only based on the CSI. Our approach to this joint optimization is to minimize the Euclidean distance between the optimal fully-digital and the hybrid symbol-level precoders. It is shown via numerical results that using the proposed approach, up to 50 percent of the phase shifters can be switched off on average, allowing for reductions in the power consumption of the phase-shifting network. Adopting appropriate power consumption models for the analog precoder, our energy efficiency analysis further shows that this power reduction can substantially improve the energy efficiency of the hybrid precoding compared to the fully-digital and the state-of-the-art schemes. [less ▲]

Robust SINR-Constrained Symbol-Level Multiuser Precoding With Imperfect Channel Knowledge

in IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing (2020), 68(1), 1837-1852

In this paper, we address robust design of symbol-level precoding (SLP) for the downlink of multiuser multiple-input single-output wireless channels, when imperfect channel state information (CSI) is ... [more ▼]

In this paper, we address robust design of symbol-level precoding (SLP) for the downlink of multiuser multiple-input single-output wireless channels, when imperfect channel state information (CSI) is available at the transmitter. In particular, we consider a well known model for the CSI imperfection, namely, stochastic Gaussian-distributed uncertainty. Our design objective is to minimize the total (per-symbol) transmission power subject to constructive interference (CI) constraints as well as the users’ quality-of-service requirements in terms of signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio. Assuming stochastic channel uncertainties, we first define probabilistic CI constraints in order to achieve robustness to statistically known CSI errors. Since these probabilistic constraints are difficult to handle, we resort to their convex approximations in the form of tractable (deterministic) robust constraints. Three convex approximations are obtained based on different conservatism levels, among which one is introduced as a benchmark for comparison. We show that each of our proposed approximations is tighter than the other under specific robustness settings, while both of them always outperform the benchmark. Using the proposed CI constraints, we formulate the robust SLP optimization problem as a second-order cone program. Extensive simulation results are provided to validate our analytic discussions and to make comparisons with conventional block-level robust precoding schemes. We show that the robust design of symbol-level precoder leads to an improved performance in terms of energy efficiency at the cost of increasing the computational complexity by an order of the number of users in the large system limit, compared to its non-robust counterpart. [less ▲]

Robust Design of Power Minimizing Symbol-Level Precoder under Channel Uncertainty

in IEEE Global Communications Conference (GLOBECOM), Abu Dhabi 9-13 December 2018 (2019, February 21)

In this paper, we investigate the downlink transmission of a multiuser multiple-input single-output (MISO) channel under a symbol-level precoding (SLP) scheme, having imperfect channel knowledge at the ... [more ▼]

In this paper, we investigate the downlink transmission of a multiuser multiple-input single-output (MISO) channel under a symbol-level precoding (SLP) scheme, having imperfect channel knowledge at the transmitter. In defining the SLP design problem, a general category of constructive interference regions (CIR) called distance preserving CIR (DPCIR) is adopted. In particular, we are interested in a robust SLP design minimizing the total transmit power subject to individual quality-of-service (QoS) requirements. We consider two common models for the channel uncertainty region, namely, spherical (norm-bounded) and stochastic. For the spherical uncertainty model, a worst-case robust precoder is proposed, while for the stochastically known uncertainties, we derive a convex optimization problem with probabilistic constraints. We simulate the performance of the proposed robust approaches, and compare them with the existing methods. Through the simulation results, we also show that there is an essential trade-off between the two robust approaches. [less ▲]

Power Minimizer Symbol-Level Precoding: A Closed-Form Sub-Optimal Solution

in IEEE Signal Processing Letters (2018), 25(11), 1730-1734

In this letter, we study the optimal solution of multiuser symbol-level precoding (SLP) for minimization of the total transmit power under given signal-to-interference-plus noise ratio (SINR) constraints ... [more ▼]

In this letter, we study the optimal solution of multiuser symbol-level precoding (SLP) for minimization of the total transmit power under given signal-to-interference-plus noise ratio (SINR) constraints. Adopting the distance preserving constructive interference regions (DPCIR), we first derive a simplified reformulation of the problem. Then, we analyze the structure of the optimal solution using the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) optimality conditions. This leads us to obtain a closed-form sub-optimal SLP solution (CF-SLP) for the original problem. Meanwhile, we obtain the necessary and sufficient condition under which the power minimizer SLP is equivalent to the conventional zero-forcing beamforming (ZFBF). Simulation results show that CF-SLP provides significant gains over ZFBF, while performing quite close to the optimal SLP in scenarios with rather small number of users. The results further indicate that the CF-SLP method has a reduction of order 1000 in computational time compared to the optimal solution. [less ▲]

Constructive Interference for Generic Constellations

in IEEE Signal Processing Letters (2018), 25(4), 586-590

In this letter, we investigate optimal and relaxed constructive interference regions (CIR) for the symbol-level precoding (SLP) problem in the downlink of a multiuser multiple-input single-output (MISO ... [more ▼]

In this letter, we investigate optimal and relaxed constructive interference regions (CIR) for the symbol-level precoding (SLP) problem in the downlink of a multiuser multiple-input single-output (MISO) channel.We define two types of CIRs, namely, distance preserving CIR (DPCIR) and union bound CIR (UBCIR) for any given constellation shape and size. We then provide a systematic way to describe these regions as convex sets. Using the definitions of DPCIR and UBCIR, we show that the SLP power minimization problem, minimizing either sum or peak (per-antenna) transmit power, can always be formulated as a convex optimization problem. Our results indicate that these regions allow further reduction of the transmit power compared to the current state of the art without increasing the computational complexity at the transmitter or receiver. [less ▲]

On low complexity detection for QAM isomorphic constellations

in Kayhan, Farbod (Ed.) On low compelxity detection for QAM isomorphic constellations (2017, December)

Despite of the known gap from the Shannon's capacity, several standards are still employing QAM or star shape constellations, mainly due to the existing low complexity detectors. In this paper, we ... [more ▼]

Despite of the known gap from the Shannon's capacity, several standards are still employing QAM or star shape constellations, mainly due to the existing low complexity detectors. In this paper, we investigate the low complexity detection for a family of QAM isomorphic constellations. These constellations are known to perform very close to the peak-power limited capacity, outperforming the DVB-S2X standard constellations. The proposed strategy is to first remap the received signals to the QAM constellation using the existing isomorphism and then break the log likelihood ratio computations to two one dimensional PAM constellations. Gains larger than 0.6 dB with respect to QAM can be obtained over the peak power limited channels without any increase in detection complexity. Our scheme also provides a systematic way to design constellations with low complexity one dimensional detectors. Several open problems are discussed at the end of the paper. [less ▲]

Optimized non-orthogonal multiplexing in Peak Power Limited Channels

Scientific Conference (2017, October)

In this paper, we investigate the performance of optimized overlay modulation schemes and compare the results with both time division multiplexing and superposition modulation assuming a peak power ... [more ▼]

In this paper, we investigate the performance of optimized overlay modulation schemes and compare the results with both time division multiplexing and superposition modulation assuming a peak power limited AWGN channel. We show that significant gains can be achieved by properly designing the constellation set, specially in the presence of large SNIR imbalance between the user's link quality. We introduce two realistic case studies and present the results for each scenario. [less ▲]

QAM to Circular Isomorphic Constellations

in 8th Advanced Satellite Multimedia Systems Conference (ASMS/SPSC), Palma de Mallorca, Spain, 2016 (2016, September)

Employing high order constellations is inevitable in order to achieve higher spectral efficiency in satellite communication systems. In DVB-S2X standard, constellations with up to 256 points have been ... [more ▼]

Employing high order constellations is inevitable in order to achieve higher spectral efficiency in satellite communication systems. In DVB-S2X standard, constellations with up to 256 points have been included. However, optimizing such high order constellations is a difficult task. In this paper we propose a very simple constellation design based on the radial map from QAM constellations to non-uniform APSK constellations. Our method provides a systematic way to generate a family of optimized high order constellations. We show that gains larger than 0.5 dB can be obtained with respect to the DVB-S2X constellations with 256 points. Even though the proposed constellations are essentially sub-optimal (in terms of maximizing the mutual information), they provide a very competitive test benchmark for the performance of high order constellations. Moreover, the proposed construction potentially allows for an efficient one-dimensional soft detection by an inverse mapping to the QAM. Finally, further optimization techniques are discussed. [less ▲]

Four-Dimensional Constellations for Dual-Polarized Satellite Communications

in Proceedings on IEEE International Conference on Communications (2016, May)

In this paper, we investigate the performance of constellations optimized for transmissions in dual-polar mobile satellite applications. These four-dimensional constellations (inphase and quadrature per ... [more ▼]

In this paper, we investigate the performance of constellations optimized for transmissions in dual-polar mobile satellite applications. These four-dimensional constellations (inphase and quadrature per polarization) are designed for joint transmission over the two polarizations. Such constellations enhance the reliability of the system by providing certain redundancy into their design. Their performance is compared with transmission of independent 2D constellations over each polarization. As performance metrics, the pragmatic achievable mutual information and the bit error rate have been considered. The gains serve to indicate the need to further investigate 4D constellation design and its application in dual-polar MIMO systems. [less ▲]

Comparative Assessment of Orthogonal and Nonorthogonal Multiplexing Techniques for Differentiated Satellite Broadcasting Services

Scientific Conference (2015)

This paper presents a comparative assessment of two multiplexing techniques for providing differentiated classes of services over a realistic broadcasting satellite channel under variable link conditions ... [more ▼]

This paper presents a comparative assessment of two multiplexing techniques for providing differentiated classes of services over a realistic broadcasting satellite channel under variable link conditions. A distinctive characteristic of satellite broadcasting channels is the non-linear characteristics of high power amplifier on-board of the satellite. In this scenario, the conventional additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel with average power limitation is no longer an accurate model and nonlinear characteristics have to be taken into account. Orthogonal multiplexing (time sharing) techniques combined with variable coding and modulation are compared with hierarchical modulations with the goal of maximizing the number of broadcast channels over a given transponder while maintaining a target service availability. Hierarchical modulations are shown to provide better performance than orthogonal time division multiplexing (time-sharing) schemes for the AWGN channel. Here we design a practical transmitter scheme based on the hierarchical modulation and maximize the throughput by optimizing the achievable mutual information for finite size constellations. This will provide a lower bound on throughput which can be achieved by non orthogonal multiplexing scheme. We compare the performance of hierarchical modulation (non-orthogonal multiplexing) and time sharing techniques (orthogonal multiplexing) supporting two different service quality and service availability requirements for broadcasting the same content. [less ▲]