Safety Communication Layer Methodology Assessment of COFDM Over a Selective Rayleigh Fading Channel

This paper presents a methodology to evaluate the safety performance in wideband wireless systems through frequency-selective channels. We propose a methodology based on the error distribution along an Orthognal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol for a given channel situation. From there, a mathematical method that considers the benefits of channel coding is derived to characterize the performance of safety communication layer tools as defined by the regulatory framework. This process is illustrated using an example with industry-specific data. It is shown that the effect of fading variability benefits the safety performance of the wireless system. The analytical model shows that variability reduces the probability of events with many errored subcarriers. This reduction facilitates the identification of a higher number of situations that put the safety function at risk. The possibilities of reaching some SIL limits within the proposed scenario are also explored.