An integrated FSK-signaling scheme for OFDM-based advanced cellular radio

Future broadband picocellular networks demand powerful modulation and coding methods under the tight constraints of affordable modem complexity and low power consumption for the mobile terminal (MT). In order to increase battery life and allow low-cost mobile equipment to be effectively integrated in such a broadband system we propose the use of a separate low-rate signaling channel (SSC) on the physical layer. This additional channel has the primary function of power saving. For this purpose it takes on connection and mobility control functions as well as further tasks on broadcasting and synchronization. A new concept of a broadband TDMA system is presented, incorporating OFDM for the physical high rate data channel (D-channel) and CPFSK modulation with non-coherent detection for the low-rate SSC, whereby both channels are separated in frequency. Modem and system design issues are discussed and evaluated by simulation.