A main distinguishing feature of a wireless network compared with a wired network is its broadcast nature, in which the signal transmitted by a node may reach several other nodes, and a node may receive signals from several other nodes simultaneously. Rather than a blessing, this feature is treated more as an interference-inducing nuisance in most wireless networks today (e.g., IEEE 802.11). The goal of this paper is to show how the concept of network coding can be applied at the physical layer to turn the broadcast property into a capacity-boosting advantage in wireless ad hoc networks. Specifically, we propose a physical-layer network coding (PNC) scheme to coordinate transmissions among nodes. In contrast to "straightforward" network coding which performs coding arithmetic on digital bit streams after they have been received, PNC makes use of the additive nature of simultaneously arriving electromagnetic (EM) waves for equivalent coding operation. PNC can yield higher capacity than straight-forward network coding when applied to wireless networks. We believe this is a first paper that ventures into EM-wave-based network coding at the physical layer and demonstrates its potential for boosting network capacity. PNC opens up a whole new research area because of its implications and new design requirements for the physical, MAC, and network layers of ad hoc wireless stations. The resolution of the many outstanding but interesting issues in PNC may lead to a revolutionary new paradigm for wireless ad hoc networking.

Hot topic: physical-layer network coding

Relying on basic tools such as eigensignals of linear time-invariant systems, linear and circular block convolution, and fast Fourier transforms (FFTs), this article develops a systematic discrete-time framework and designs novel systems for single- and multiuser wireless multicarrier communications-a field rich in signal processing challenges that holds great potential in various applications including audio/video broadcasting, cable television, modem design, multimedia services, mobile local area networks, and future-generation wideband cellular systems. Wireless multicarrier (MC) communication systems utilize multiple complex exponentials as information-bearing carriers. MC transmissions thus retain their shape and orthogonality when propagating through linear time-dispersive media, precisely as eigensignals do when they pass through linear time-invariant (LTI) systems.

Wireless multicarrier communications

Wireless location refers to the geographic coordinates of a mobile subscriber in cellular or wireless local area network (WLAN) environments. Wireless location finding has emerged as an essential public safety feature of cellular systems in response to an order issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1996. The FCC mandate aims to solve a serious public safety problem caused by the fact that, at present, a large proportion of all 911 calls originate from mobile phones, the location of which cannot be determined with the existing technology. However, many difficulties intrinsic to the wireless environment make meeting the FCC objective challenging. These challenges include channel fading, low signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), multiuser interference, and multipath conditions. In addition to emergency services, there are many other applications for wireless location technology, including monitoring and tracking for security reasons, location sensitive billing, fraud protection, asset tracking, fleet management, intelligent transportation systems, mobile yellow pages, and even cellular system design and management. This article provides an overview of wireless location challenges and techniques with a special focus on network-based technologies and applications.

Network-based wireless location: challenges faced in developing techniques for accurate wireless location information

A main distinguishing feature of a wireless network compared with a wired network is its broadcast nature, in which the signal transmitted by a node may reach several other nodes, and a node may receive signals from several other nodes simultaneously. Rather than a blessing, this feature is treated more as an interference-inducing nuisance in most wireless networks today (e.g., IEEE 802.11). The goal of this paper is to show how the concept of network coding can be applied at the physical layer to turn the broadcast property into a capacityboosting advantage in wireless ad hoc networks. Specifically, we propose a physical-layer network coding (PNC) scheme to coordinate transmissions among nodes. In contrast to “straightforward” network coding which performs coding arithmetic on digital bit streams after they have been received, PNC makes use of the additive nature of simultaneously arriving electromagnetic (EM) waves for equivalent coding operation. PNC can yield higher capacity than straightforward network coding when applied to wireless networks. We believe this is a first paper that ventures into EM-wavebased network coding at the physical layer and demonstrates its potential for boosting network capacity. PNC opens up a whole new research area because of its implications and new design requirements for the physical, MAC, and network layers of ad hoc wireless stations. The resolution of the many outstanding but interesting issues in PNC may lead to a revolutionary new paradigm for wireless ad hoc networking.

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Physical Layer Network Coding

In a data communication system capable of variable rate transmission, high rate packet data transmission improves utilization of the forward link and decreases the transmission delay. Data transmission on the forward link is time multiplexed and the base station transmits at the highest data rate supported by the forward link at each time slot to one mobile station. The data rate is determined by the largest C/I measurement of the forward link signals as measured at the mobile station. Upon determination of a data packet received in error, the mobile station transmits a NACK message back to the base station. The NACK message results in retransmission of the data packet received in error. The data packets can be transmitted out of sequence by the use of sequence number to identify each data unit within the data packets.

Method and apparatus for high-rate packet data transmission

Basic principles of DS-CDMA applications radio operating environments and their impact into system design system design aspects a novel wieband CDMA radio interface typical wideband CDMA radio interfaces performance analysis time division duplex (TDD) DS-CDMA hierarchical cell structures implementation aspects radio nerwork planning and deployment network aspects comparison to TDMA and other 3rd generation radio interface proposals future developments.

Wideband CDMA for third generation mobile communications

The basis for any air interface design is how the common transmission medium is shared between users (i.e., multiple access scheme). The underlying multiple access method for all mobile radio systems is FDMA. The performance of TDMA and CDMA has been subject to vigorous debate, without any definitive conclusions. This article gives an overview of worldwide research and standardization activities related to the multiple access schemes for third-generation mobile communications systems IMT-2000 and UMTS.

An overview of air interface multiple access for IMT-2000/UMTS

Third-generation mobile radio networks, often dubbed as 3G, have been under intense research and discussion recently and will emerge around the year 2000. In the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), third generation networks are called International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000), and in Europe, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). IMT-2000 will provide a multitude of services, especially multimedia and high-bit-rate packet data. Wideband code division multiple access (CDMA) has emerged as the mainstream air interface solution for the third-generation networks. In Europe, Japan, Korea, and the United States, wideband CDMA systems are currently being standarized. This article provides a comprehensive introduction to wideband CDMA. It also provides a review of the wideband CDMA air interface proposals including WCDMA in Europe and Japan, cdma2000 in the United States, and wideband CDMA in Korea.

An overview of CDMA evolution toward wideband CDMA

An overview of third-generation wireless personal communications is presented, and the challenges to meet its demands are examined. At the ITU level, the third generation is known as IMT-2000. In Europe, the third generation of wireless personal communications is known as UMTS. Special attention has been paid in giving a brief description of the research and development, standardization, and regulatory activities. The UMTS terrestrial radio access (UTRA) concept is presented. The different ACTS projects involved in making UMTS a success are introduced.

An overview of third-generation wireless personal communications: a European perspective

From the Publisher:
While covering the basics of wideband CDMA, this major revision of the best-selling Wideband CDMA for Third Generation Mobile Communications brings you up-to-date with all the latest developments in third generation mobile communications New sections cover fundamental IP concepts, All-IP core networks, and the standardized radio access technologies WCDMA, EDGE and cdma2000, including their future developments WCDMA HSPA and 1XEV

This cutting-edge book gives you a complete understanding of the complex standardization environment of 3G networks and the design and development of 3G systems to help you achieve higher transfer speeds for video, mobile Internet and other applications It describes how third generation system applications impact radio access system design and compares and contrasts major wideband CDMA standards: WCDMA, WCDMA TDD and cdma2000 Includes 190 illustrations and 75 equations that support major topics throughout the book

Tero Ojanperä

Papers

Wideband CDMA for third generation mobile communications

An overview of air interface multiple access for IMT-2000/UMTS

An overview of CDMA evolution toward wideband CDMA

An overview of third-generation wireless personal communications: a European perspective

WCDMA: Towards IP Mobility and Mobile Internet