Overview of 5G Modulation and Waveforms Candidates

The 5G (fifth generation) mobile communications aim to support a large versatile type of services with different and often diverging requirements, which has posed significant challenges on the design of 5G systems. Modulation and waveforms are one of the key physical layer components that determine the system throughput, reliability, and complexity, therefore their design is critical in meeting the variety requirements of 5G services. A comprehensive overview was presented on the modulation and waveforms that have been considered for their potential application to 5G in the literature, identifying their design requirements, and discussing their advantages to meet such requirements. Additional considerations that extend our view to higher layer aspects and air interface harmonization are provided as the final remarks. As a result of this article, it is hopeful to draw greater attentions from the readers on this important topic, and trigger further studies on the promising modulation and waveform candidates.