The doctoral dissertations of the former Helsinki University of Technology (TKK) and Aalto University Schools of Technology (CHEM, ELEC, ENG, SCI) published in electronic format are available in the electronic publications archive of Aalto University - Aaltodoc.
Aalto

Soft Detection and Decoding in Wideband CDMA Systems

Kimmo Kettunen

Dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Science in Technology to be presented with due permission for public examination and debate in Auditorium S1 at Helsinki University of Technology (Espoo, Finland) on the 14th of March, 2003, at 12 o'clock noon.

Overview in PDF format (ISBN 951-22-6425-0)   [606 KB]
Dissertation is also available in print (ISBN 951-22-6269-X)

Abstract

A major shift is taking place in the world of telecommunications towards a communications environment where a range of new data services will be available for mobile users. This shift is already visible in several areas of wireless communications, including cellular systems, wireless LANs, and satellite systems. The provision of flexible high-quality wireless data services requires a new approach on both the radio interface specification and the design and the implementation of the various transceiver algorithms. On the other hand, when the processing power available in the receivers increases, more complex receiver algorithms become feasible.

The general problem addressed in this thesis is the application of soft detection and decoding algorithms in the wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) receivers, both in the base stations and in the mobile terminals, so that good performance is achieved but that the computational complexity remains acceptable. In particular, two applications of soft detection and soft decoding are studied: coded multiuser detection in the CDMA base station and improved RAKE-based reception employing soft detection in the mobile terminal.

For coded multiuser detection, we propose a novel receiver structure that utilizes the decoding information for multiuser detection. We analyze the performance and derive lower bounds for the capacity of interference cancellation CDMA receivers when using channel coding to improve the reliability of tentative decisions.

For soft decision and decoding techniques in the CDMA downlink, we propose a modified maximal ratio combining (MRC) scheme that is more suitable for RAKE receivers in WCDMA mobile terminals than the conventional MRC scheme. We also introduce an improved soft-output RAKE detector that is especially suitable for low spreading gains and high-order modulation schemes. Finally we analyze the gain obtained through the use of Brennan's MRC scheme and our modified MRC scheme.

Throughout this thesis Bayesian networks are utilized to develop algorithms for soft detection and decoding problems. This approach originates from the initial stages of this research, where Bayesian networks and algorithms using such graphical models (e.g. the so-called sum-product algorithm) were used to identify new receiver algorithms. In the end, this viewpoint may not be easily noticeable in the final form of the algorithms, mainly because the practical efficiency considerations forced us to select simplified variants of the algorithms. However, this viewpoint is important to emphasize the underlying connection between the apparently different soft detection and decision algorithms described in this thesis.

This thesis consists of an overview and of the following 6 publications:

  1. Kettunen, K. and Laakso, T., Iterative multiuser receiver utilizing soft decoding information. Proceedings IEEE International Communications Conference, ICC'99. Vancouver, BC, Canada, June 1999, pages 942-946.
  2. Kettunen, K., Iterative multiuser receiver/decoders with enhanced variance estimation. Proceedings IEEE 49th Vehicular Technology Conference, VTC'99. Houston, Texas, USA, May 1999, pages 2318-2322.
  3. Kettunen, K., Performance of coded multistage detection in correlated Rayleigh channels. Proceedings X European Signal Processing Conference, EUSIPCO-2000. Tampere, Finland, September 2000, pages 565-568.
  4. Kettunen, K., 2001. Enhanced maximal ratio combining scheme for RAKE receivers in WCDMA mobile terminals. IEE Electronics Letters 37, No. 8, pages 522-524.
  5. Kettunen, K. and Lilleberg, J., Decoding metric of downlink CDMA RAKE receivers using bit-interleaved coded modulation. Accepted to Wireless Personal Communications, May 2002.
  6. Kettunen, K., Enhanced maximal ratio combining for RAKE receivers in mobile CDMA terminals. Proceedings 5th Nordic Signal Processing Symposium, NORSIG 2002. On board Hurtigruten, Norway, October 2002, pages 217-221.

Keywords: CDMA, soft detection, soft decoding, coded multiuser detection, RAKE receiver, sum-product algorithm, iterative methods

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© 2003 Helsinki University of Technology

Last update 2011-05-26