Efficient layered data transport over multicarrier systems using optimized embedded modulation

We tackle the problem of efficient layered or multiresolution (MR) data transmission over multicarrier modulation (MCM) systems. We treat the source as being characterized by multiple layers of importance, i.e., having different bit error rate (BER) requirements. First we consider the MCM systems in a multiresolution framework using multiplexing techniques. Then we present the idea of embedded multicarrier modulation (E-MCM) as an effective way of achieving this, and introduce a fast table-lookup-based power allocation algorithm that optimizes the multicarrier constellation design in terms of maximizing the deliverable throughput bit-rate, subject to a total power constraint. Simulation results of our E-MCM system reveal substantial gains (up to about 25%) in deliverable bit-rates over optimized time-division-multiplexed-based designs.