Performance evaluation of spread spectrum-based multiple access combined with 5G filter-based multi-carrier waveforms

Abstract

The primary design goal of 5G is to provide much improved capabilities than what the current state-of-the-art cellular technology could offer in order to satisfy the growing demand for mobile data traffic and device connectivity. To address this objective, a fundamental redesign of the air interface and resource management is needed. In this paper, spread spectrum technology was integrated to different 5G filter-based multicarrier waveforms. Candidate waveforms for 5G that were considered in this research are Filter Bank Multicarrier (FBMC), Universal Filtered Multicarrier (UFMC), and Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM). The study assesses the impact of applying spread spectrum techniques on these 5G filter-based multicarrier waveforms under different channel impairments and synchronization errors. Performance of each scheme was evaluated by determining the bit error rate (BER) for both multiuser and single-user transmission load scenarios. Simulation results are provided showing advantages and disadvantages of combining 5G multi-carrier waveforms with spread spectrum techniques under different channel environments.