Unified framework for flexible multi-carrier communication systems

The design of efficient architectures for Multi-Carrier (MC) communication systems can be a challenging task when it involves the adoption of Filter-Bank Multi-Carrier (FBMC) modulation techniques. The main design issues found in FBMC systems are generated by the incorporation of band-limited shaping pulses. Yet, these pulses have many advantages in terms of performance, such as providing either improved spectral confinement or no frequency overlap between adjacent subcarriers. They also benefit from robustness in front of narrowband interferences, and reduced out-of-band power emission, among others. However, the advantages of FBMC schemes are often obscured when it comes to the implementation point of view. This is particularly true for the flexible FBMC systems, where on top of incorporating band-limited shaping pulses, no restrictions are imposed on the signal parameters (i.e. symbol rate, carrier spacing or sampling frequency). In this context, the present paper will provide a unified framework to describe flexible FBMC signals when both signal design and implementation criteria are combined.