Layered Division Multiplexing Enabled Broadcast Broadband Convergence in 5G: Theory, Simulations, and Scenarios

The vision of the future 5G - Multicast Broadcast Services (5G-MBS) is to achieve full convergence of broadcast and broadband services by providing these services on the same infrastructure and dynamically switching between them without impacting user experiences. By incorporating Layered Division Multiplexing (LDM) into the new 5G-MBS system and performing proper antenna precoding, the network can transmit a 2-layered signal where the higher-power Core Layer (CL) transmits a Single Frequency Network (SFN) broadcast signal, and the lower-power Enhanced Layer (EL) is used for broadband services. To evaluate the performance of the 2-layered network, a 5G system-level simulator is created and configured according to the 3GPP self-evaluation scenarios to compare against the 3GPP calibration results. The resulting Signal to Interference & Noise Ratio (SINR) Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) curves fall within the tolerance margin of 1~2 dB from the 3GPP calibration average. Full simulations of the 2-layered network show for an urban scenario with Inter-Site Distance (ISD) of less than 1 km, the network can provide up to three 4K video broadcast services in the CL while supporting a near full broadband network in the EL. For further ISDs up to 3 km, the network can sustain video broadcast service at 1080p while supporting a partial broadband network. For a rural scenario, at the reference ISD of 1732 m, the CL can support three 4k video broadcast services while the EL performance matches a standalone broadband network. Finally, for further ISD of up to 5 km, the CL can support one 1080p and one 720p video broadcast service, and for ISD up to 10 km, the network can provide one broadcast service at 720p in the CL, all while providing a full broadband network in the EL.