Diversity Techniques for MIMO-OFDM (Multiple

Input Multiple Output Orthogonal Frequency

Division Multiplexed) Systems

Group Members:
Asma Majeed 6170
Bilal Javed 6187

Supervisor:
Mr. Muhammad Azam

Submission Date: 09/10/2009

 Table of Contents

ABSTRACT------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND----------------------------------------------------3

OFDM----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3
MIMO-OFDM-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3
DIVERSITY------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3
Cyclic Delay Diversity (CDD)---------------------------------------------------------------3
Alamouti diversity, Space Time Block Code (STBC)--------------------------------------4
Maximal Ratio Combining--------------------------------------------------------------------4

SCOPE OF THE PROJECT AND LIST OF OBJECTIVES------------------------------4

SCOPE-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4
CONCRETE LIST OF OBJECTIVES-----------------------------------------------------------------4
NOTE------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4

TIME LINE------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5

References--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6
Abstract
Multiple-input multiple-output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-
OFDM) is a physical layer technology which has the advantages of increased spectral
efficiency or link reliability by having multiple antennas at both transmitter and receiver
and the simplified computationally efficient equalization offered by OFDM.

MIMO-OFDM technology has been adopted by various wireless standards all over the
world like IEEE 802.11n (WLAN), IEEE 802.16 (WiMax) 3GPP LTE (4th Generation
Cellular standard) etc.

MIMO-OFDM systems can either be used to increase spectral efficiency, called spatial
multiplexing mode, or to increase the reliability of the link, diversity mode.

In this project we will evaluate the performance of different diversity techniques for
MIMO-OFDM systems over fading channels.

Introduction and Background

OFDM
OFDM works by splitting the signal into multiple smaller sub-signals that are then
transmitted simultaneously at different orthogonal frequencies to the receiver.

MIMO-OFDM
Reliability of a MIMO-OFDM link can be increased by the order of magnitude when
used with different diversity techniques.

Diversity
Diversity can be exploited in time, frequency and space (in MIMO systems). Following
are amongst the most popular and widely used diversity techniques for MIMO-OFDM
systems.

In our project we’ll focus on these three diversity techniques

Cyclic Delay Diversity (CDD)

Cyclic delay diversity (CDD) was introduced in 2001 to obtain spatial

diversity in an OFDM based transmission system.
Alamouti diversity, Space Time Block Code (STBC)

Space Time Codes are specifically designed for the transmit diversity
scenario. Using this scheme we can send same symbol through multiple
antennas simultaneously.

Maximal Ratio Combining

Maximal-ratio combining works on the receiver side. Usually in this case

there are multiple Tx antennas and single Rx antenna

Scope of the project and list of objectives

Scope
In this project we are going to compare the following diversity techniques for MIMO-
OFDM systems over fading channels.

 Cyclic Delay Diversity (CDD)

 Alamouti Diversity Space Time Block Code (STBC)
 Maximal ratio Combining (MRC)

The comparison will be made in following aspects.

 Bit error rate verses SNR performance

 Complexity analysis
 Utility of the diversity techniques in various scenarios

Concrete list of objectives

 Study and Simulation of a basic MIMO-OFDM system in Matlab and its
performance evaluation over fading channels.

 Study and simulation of the previously mentioned three diversity techniques for
MIMO-OFDM system in Matlab and their performance analysis.

 Implementation of diversity techniques for MIMO-OFDM system in GNU Radio

using Python and C.

Note: In order exploit frequency diversity convolutional, error correction code and
interleaving will be used. Inbuilt Matlab functions for Convolutional encoding and
decoding will be used as their implementation is beyond the scope of this project.
Time line
There are two main phases of our project. First is to study and simulate different
OFDM techniques in MATLAB and evaluate its performance over fading
channels Study and simulation using MATLAB

– SISO(not MIMO)-OFDM system 12 Oct’ 09 11 Nov’ 09

– CDD 12 Nov’ 09 14 Dec’ 09

– STBC 15 Dec’ 09 14 Jan’ 10

– MRC 15 Jan’ 10 16 Feb’ 10

2nd is to Implement of different diversity techniques in GNU Radio using Python and
C interfaces. For that purpose we also have to spend some time on
understanding these interfaces.

 Study of Python/C++ interfaces 17 Feb’ 10 19 Mar’ 10

• Implementation in GNU Radio using Python and C++

– Implementation of CDD 22 Mar’ 10 21 Apr’ 10

– Implementation of STBC 22 Apr’ 10 24 May’ 10

– Implementation of MRC 25 May’ 10 24 Jun’ 10

Note: The Gantt chart is also attached in the end of the report.
References
Armin D. 2005, ‘On Antenna Diversity Techniques of OFDM Systems’, PHD
dissertation, Germany

Henrik S. 2005, ‘A Comparison between Alamouti Transmit Diversity and (Cyclic) Delay
Diversity for a DRM+ System’, University of Applied Sciences South Westphalia
Lindenstr. 53, D-59872 Meschede, Germany

Rehman M.I., Witrisal K., Prasad D., Ole O., Prasad R., ‘Performance Comparison
between MRC Receiver Diversity and Cyclic Delay Diversity in OFDM WLAN
Systems’, Department of Communications Technology, Aalborg University Denmark;
Institute for Telecommunications and Wave Propagation, Graz University of Technology
Austria.