5G in space: PHY-layer design for satellite communications using non-orthogonal multi-carrier transmission

For the 5th generation of terrestrial mobile communications, Multi-Carrier (MC) transmission based on non-orthogonal waveforms is a promising technology component compared to orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) in order to achieve higher throughput and enable flexible spectrum management. Coverage extension and service continuity can be provided considering satellites as additional components in future networks by allowing vertical handover to terrestrial radio interfaces. In this paper, the properties of Filter Bank Multicarrier (FBMC) as potential MC transmission scheme is discussed taking into account the requirements for the satellite-specific PHY-Layer like non-linear distortions due to High Power Amplifiers (HPAs). The performance for specific FBMC configurations is analyzed in terms of peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR), computational complexity, non-linear distortions as well as carrier frequency offsets sensitivity (CFOs). Even though FBMC and OFDM have similar PAPR and suffer comparable spectral regrowth at the output of the non linear amplifier, simulations on link level show that FBMC still outperforms OFDM in terms of CFO sensitivity and symbol error rate in the presence of non-linear distortions.