Performance Analysis of Ranging Process in IEEE 802.16e OFDMA Systems

In this paper, ranging process in IEEE 802.16e OFDMA systems is analyzed and performance is evaluated. Ranging process provides initial network entry, uplink synchronization, and system coordination. In the system initialization state, multiple users transmit randomly selected ranging code set and BS conducts multiple user identification by ranging code identification and uplink synchronization by transmission delay estimation. Ranging detection is based on peak detection exploiting the cross-correlation property of ranging code. However, the cross-correlation property is prone to be affected by channel characteristics and interference in the multipath fading channel. This paper analyzed the performance of ranging process in the multipath fading channel with 6 practical channel models and investigated the effect of channel characteristics and SNR. For the probabilistic analysis PDF of ranging signal is also induced using Rayleigh approximation. Metrics of the performance evaluation consider both PHY and MAC layer. Simulations are conducted concerning various factors such as multipath profiles, ranging detection miss and error thresholds, cyclic prefix duration, and MAC layer parameters. The results of will give a thorough understanding on ranging process.