Introduction to OFDM - Orthogonal Frequency

Division Multiplexing
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is a digital multi-carrier modulation
scheme that extends the concept of single subcarrier modulation by using multiple subcarriers
within the same single channel. Rather than transmit a high-rate stream of data with a single
subcarrier, OFDM makes use of a large number of closely spaced orthogonal subcarriers that
are transmitted in parallel. Each subcarrier is modulated with a conventional digital
modulation scheme (such as QPSK, 16QAM, etc.) at low symbol rate. However, the
combination of many subcarriers enables data rates similar to conventional single-carrier
modulation schemes within equivalent bandwidths.

OFDM is based on the well-known technique of Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM). In FDM
different streams of information are mapped onto separate parallel frequency channels. Each
FDM channel is separated from the others by a frequency guard band to reduce interference
between adjacent channels.

The OFDM scheme differs from traditional FDM in the following interrelated ways:

1. Multiple carriers (called subcarriers) carry the information stream,

2. The subcarriers are orthogonal to each other, and

3. A guard interval is added to each symbol to minimize the channel delay spread and
intersymbol interference.

(Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) A digital transmission technique

that uses a large number of carriers spaced apart at slightly different
frequencies. First promoted in the early 1990s for wireless LANs, OFDM is
used in many wireless applications including Wi-Fi, WiMAX, LTE, ultra-
wideband (UMB), as well as digital radio and TV broadcasting in Europe and
Japan. OFDM is also used in land-based ADSL Internet service (see DSL).

OFDM Uses Subcarriers

Although frequency division multiplexing (FDM) by itself implies multiple data
streams, OFDM carries only one data stream broken up into multiple signals.
Hundreds of carriers are used; each one a "subcarrier" for a single data
channel.

OFDM subcarriers can be modulated by any method, although QAM and

QPSK are typically used (see QAM and PSK). Coded OFDM (COFDM) adds
forward error correction. See OFDMA, carrier, bandwidth, CCK/OFDM and 8-
VSB.

What is OFDM
1.

Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) is a very popular modulation scheme for wideband
digital communications used in applications such as wireless networking and digital television. It is a
frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) scheme in which a large number of closely-spaced orthogonal
subcarriers are modulated with the transmit data using conventional modulation schemes such as QAM
or PSK. Learn more in: Power Issues and Energy Scavenging in Mobile Wireless Ad-hoc and Sensor
Networks

2.

It is a digital modulation technique in which a single data stream is split into multiple parallel streams and
transmitted over narrow overlapping subcarriers. Learn more in: An Introduction to LiFi and Review of
Prototypes Designed on FPGA and Other Hardware

3.

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing is a modulation technique for transmission over a frequency-
selective channel. OFDM divides the channel into multiple orthogonal frequencies, and each frequency
will use a subcarrier where data streams are transmitted. Because the concurrent subcarriers carry
different data streams, OFDM allows high spectral efficiency. Learn more in: Advances of Radio Interface
in WCDMA Systems

4.

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing is a technique that splits a wide frequency band into a number
of narrow frequency bands and inverse multiplexes data across the subchannels. Both 802.11a and the
forthcoming 802.11g standards are based on OFDM. Learn more in: Security and Privacy Approaches for
Wireless Local and Metropolitan Area Networks (LANs & MANs)

5.

A method of encoding digital data on multiple carrier frequencies. Learn more in: Visible Light
Communication Numerous Applications

6.

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing. Learn more in: Mobile Network Architecture: 3GPP
Generations (UMTS, LTE, and Pre-5G)

7.

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM / OFDMA) technology. This is a technique for

transmitting large amounts of digital data over a radio waves. OFDM works by splitting the radio signal
 into multiple smaller sub-signals that are then transmitted simultaneously at different frequencies to the
receiver. Learn more in: The Diffusion of WiMax Technology: Hurdles and Opportunities

8.

A method of encoding digital data on multiple carrier frequencies. Learn more in: Visible Light
Communication Numerous Applications

9.

Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing. Learn more in: Mobile Telecom System Architectures—IMS

an Evolution Path Towards IP Convergence

Key features of OFDM

 Multiple carriers (called subcarriers) carry the information stream.
 The subcarriers are orthogonal to each other.
 A guard interval is added to each symbol to minimize the channel delay spread
and intersymbol interference
Existing system:

 These techniques are divided into two groups. These are signal scrambling techniques and signal
distortion techniques. The signal scrambling techniques are:

 Signal Scrambling Techniques

(i)Block Coding

(ii) Selective Mapping Method(SLM)

 (iii) Partial Transmit Sequence(PTS)

Disadvantages:

 System suffers from high PAPR and ISI.

 ICI occurs due to loss of Orthogonality

 Requires time and frequency synchronization to get a low BER

The 5G mobile network promises to be faster and smarter and has lower latency and higher efficiency,
lower bandwidth issues compared to 4G.