On the Practical Implementation of VFDM-based Opportunistic Systems: Issues and Challenges

Abstract

Vandermonde-subspace frequency division multiplexing (VFDM) is a physical layer technique for cognitive two-tiered networks, allowing for the coexistence of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) legacy system and a cognitive secondary system in a time division duplex mode. It consists of a linear null-space precoder used by the secondary transmitter to effectively cancel the interference towards one or more primary receivers, while guaranteeing a non-negligible rate to a served secondary receiver. In this work, we propose an implementation of an experimental test-bed using the new SDR4All platform developed at the Alcatel-Lucent Chair on Flexible Radio (SUPELEC) to take a step towards a proof of concept of a VFDM-based system. We focus on the secondary link, where an opportunistic transmitter/receiver pair communicates over moderately frequency selective channels, characterized by very short root mean square (r.m.s.) delay spreads and non uniform power delay profiles (PDP). The obtained results show the practical feasibility of a VFDM transmission over a secondary link. However, a significant bit error rate (BER) loss with respect to the previously shown achievable theoretical performance is evident. A thorough analysis of the structure of the VFDM precoder is carried out and the impact of the channel characteristics on the performance of the opportunistic system is discussed. Numerical findings demonstrate that the potential BER drop can be addressed by designing a suitable flexible receiver able to deal with the effect induced by non uniform PDP and short r.m.s. delay spread channels.