Capacity optimisation in MC‐CDMA systems

Abstract

Abstract A novel efficient algorithm is proposed for the optimisation of capacity assignment in a MC‐CDMA system with an additional frequency division multiplexing component. Based on an estimate of the frequency‐selective channel, the algorithm optimises the assignment of the sub‐bands to the users with respect to the overall system capacity. Moreover, in the optimisation process the algorithm can efficiently cope with a given prioritisation among classes of user‐services, i.e. user‐groups, identified on the basis of a certain demand, such as throughput, tolerable delay and/or error rate etc. From an initial random solution, the algorithm proceeds progressively towards the optimisation of the target function, yielding, in general, a local optimum. By trying a few different initial solutions a very good approximation of the global optimum can be obtained. Futhermore, the algorithm complexity grows only as the square of the number of carriers. Simulation results show that its application provides a very significant gain in the downlink performance of the overall system or of the prioritised user‐groups.