GFDM - A Framework for Virtual PHY Services in 5G Networks

The next generation of wireless networks will face different challenges from new scenarios. The main contribution of this paper is to show that Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM), as a baseline of flexible circular filtered multicarrier systems, can be used as a framework to virtualize the PHY service for the upper layers of 5G networks. This framework opens the possibility to apply software-defined network principles to produce software-defined waveforms capable of addressing the requirements of future mobile networks. Hence, a block oriented concept will be used to provide the modulation service, emulating different flavors of waveforms designed to go beyond the well-established Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) principles, in scenarios where they perform best. The virtual physical layer (PHY) service opens the opportunity to have a fast and dynamic evolution of the infrastructure, as applications change over time. The presented unified modulation concept contributes with future research directions to address burst and continuous transmissions, referencing basic approaches for synchronization and advanced receiver design that can be exploited in future for the whole frame structure design and channel estimation strategies.