Filterbank based multi carrier transmission (FBMC) — evolving OFDM: FBMC in the context of WiMAX

This paper gives an overview of some outcomes produced in the FP7 project PHYDYAS - PHYsical layer for DYnamic AccesS and cognitive radio. The main concern of the project is to analyze and propose a new physical layer succeeding OFDM, i.e. a multi carrier system applying filter banks omitting the severe out-of-band leakage of OFDM. The new physical layer was investigated within two different scenarios. On the one side a cognitive radio scenario exploiting the stronger frequency containment for improved dynamic spectrum access. On the other side a cellular basestation ruled network harvesting the increased spectral efficiency. Within this paper we concentrate on the latter. We compare a conventional OFDM based system to its modified version applying the filter bank in terms of complexity, performance and compatibility. Additionally we propose a smooth evolution path ensuring legacy support.