CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1

In Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, the signal is

distorted while propagating through wireless communication system caused by
fading channel. Fading is a fluctuation in received signals amplitude, phase and
angle of arrival due to multipath reflective paths. Mary Quadrature Amplitude
Modulation (QAM) and Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) modulation schemes
are considered in a WCDMA system. The performances of these modulation
techniques are evaluated when the system is subjected to Additive White Noise
Gaussian (AWGN), multipath Rayleigh fading and multipath Rician fading channel.
Computer simulation tool, MATLAB, will be used throughout the research. We will
use MatLab 7.9 for simulation and evaluation of BER and SNR for WCDMA system
models.A study of different modulation techniques is needed so that a WCDMA
system can choose suitable modulation technique to suit the channel quality, thus
delivering optimum and efficient data rate to mobile terminal. It is discovered that
the performance of 16-QAM is significantly degraded in AWGN and multipath
fading channel compared to that of QPSK. Error correction coding is needed to be
used in this system particularly with 16-QAM to ensure better performance of
WCDMA system.

49

1.2

Background of the Problem

Wideband CDMA is a third-generation (3G) wireless standard which

uses one 5 MHz channel for both voice and data, initially providing data rate up to
384 Kbps. WCDMA is being used by Universal Mobile Telecommunication System
(UMTS) as platform of the third generation cellular communication system.
WCDMA has high resistance to multipath fading channels where as this was not
used in conventional narrowband signal of the 2nd generation (2G) communication
system. High data rate signal transmission can be transmitted over the air by using
WCDMA system, thus enabling high bandwidth consuming applications such as
gaming, music downloading ,video streaming and high resolution pictures to end
users.

In

2nd generation (2G)

networks,

Gaussian minimum shift

keying(GMSK) modulation scheme is generally used in GSM (Global System

for Mobile Communication). This modulation can only transmit data rate of 1 bit per
symbol. So it is quite sure that this kind of modulation technique is not suitable for
the next generation communication system. So, there is a need to study the
performance of new modulation technique that could deliver higher data rate
effectively in a multipath fading channel.

This project is focused on the study and the performance analysis of

high data rate modulation technique at those channels which are subjected to
Multipath Rayleigh and Rician Fading and Additive White Gaussian Noise
(AWGN). Modulation techniques that will be studied are 16-ary QAM
(Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) and QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying).
The performance of fading channels in W-CDMA system are based on Bit Error
Rate (BER) and Signal-to Noise ratio (SNR) .

50

1.3

Problem Statement

Over the past decade, there is a significant increase in the number of

subscribers, new bandwidth consuming applications will place demands for capacity
such as video streaming, gaming and high resolution pictures. Since 2G in which
Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying modulation scheme is widely used GSM
communication could not deliver high data rate as it transmit 1 bit/symbol.

Mobile channels are very different from The radio link between the
transmitter and receiver, it varies from simple line-of-sight to one that is severely
obstructed by the buildings, mountains, etc. However, the mobile channels are
very different from the stationary as well as predictable wired channels because
of their randomness. There are several factors which determine the behavior of the
channel such as speed of the transmitter, speed of the receiver and so on.

High data rate signal transmission can be transmitted over the air by
using WCDMA system. WCDMA require perfect modulators and demodulators and
transmission path for the implementation of high data rate. We need to study the
performance of modulation technique that deliver high data rate effectively in
multipath fading channel.

1.4

Objectives

The objectives of this project are:

I.
II.

To study and evaluate WCDMA system

To simulate the different modulation technique of WCDMA over different
channels and compare Bit Error Rate(BER) versus Signal To noise

III.

Ratio(SNR).
To study the performance of modulation technique that can deliver high data
rate effectively in multipath fading channel.

51

1.5

Scope of the work

This research thesis is based on study and simulation using computer

simulation software, MatLab 7.9. The simulation will be done using m files of
MatLab. There will be no error correction coding or channel coding used for this
simulation models. Two Modulation schemes that will be usd in this project are
Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) and 16-ary

Quadrature Amplitude

Modulation (16-QAM).

This project will analyze suitable modulation techniques that are

capable of delivering higher data rate without compromising errors in a multipath
fading environment. The performance of these modulation techniques will be
simulated by using computer simulation tool ,MatLab 7.9.

We will create six models of WCDMA system in order to simulate

and analyze the performance in the channel which are:
1.
2.

WCDMA system in AWGN channel for QPSK modulation technique.

WCDMA system in multipath Rayleigh fading channel for QPSK modulation

3.

technique.
WCDMA system in multipath Rician fading channel for QPSK modulation

4.
5.

technique.
WCDMA system in AWGN channel for 16-QAM modulation technique.
WCDMA system in multipath Rayleigh fading channel for16-QAM modulation

6.

technique.
WCDMA system in multipath Rician fading channel for 16-QAM modulation
technique.

Finally when the necessary simulations are done, analysis will

be drawn as graphical form according to bit error rate and signal to noise ration
and comments and conclusion will displayed based on the results we found.