Staff Profile

Tongyang Xu (Member, IEEE) received the B.Eng. degree in electronic information engineering from Xidian University, Xi’an, China, in 2011, the M.Sc. degree (Distinction) in telecommunications, and the Ph.D. degree (Thesis no correction) in electronic and electrical engineering from University College London (UCL), London, U.K., in 2012 and 2017, respectively.

He is currently a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) with the School of Engineering, Newcastle University. He has authored and co-authored more than 70 papers in the areas of signal communications, machine learning, and hardware implementation. He contributed two books Signal Processing for 5G: Algorithms and Implementations (Wiley, 2016) and Key Enabling Technologies for 5G Mobile Communications (Springer, 2016). His research interests include signal waveform design, 5G/6G wireless and optical communications, machine learning, Internet of things, secure communications, sensing and communications, MIMO beamforming and transmission, software-defined radio, FPGA, and real-time testbed prototyping.

Dr Xu is a Visiting Lecturer at University College London (UCL).

Dr Xu is the Director of Newcastle University Communications Systems Lab.

Dr Xu is the Associate Editor of IEEE Wireless Communications Letters,

Dr Xu is the Associate Editor of Journal Frontiers in Communications and Networks.

Research Interests

·     Signal waveform design (wireless, optical and wireless-optical)

·     Communication systems (4G/5G/6G): system modelling and implementation

·     RF and digital system prototyping (software defined radio, USRP, FPGA)

·     Artificial intelligence (machine learning & deep learning)

·     Next-generation Internet of things

·     Secure communications (wireless, optical and wireless-optical)

·     Novel modulation format design

·     MIMO beamforming and transmission

·     Antenna design and prototyping

·     Signal processing, algorithm development and mathematical modelling

·     Medical and Healthcare engineering

Research Projects

2023 – 2026, Integrated Waveform and Intelligence (IWAI): Physical Layer Solutions to Sustainable 6G. Funded by EPSRC (£376k)

Role: Principle Investigator

2020 – 2022, Learning to Communicate: Deep Learning based solutions for the Physical Layer of Machine Type Communications (LeanCom). Supported by EPSRC (£860k)

Role: Senior Research Fellow

2021 – 2022, Non-Orthogonal IoT for Future Wireless Networks and 5G. Supported by Cisco (£109k).

Role: Senior Research Fellow

2019 – 2020, Waveform Design for Next-Generation 6G. Supported by Huawei (£189k).

Role: Senior Research Fellow

2018 – 2019, Development and Testing of a Pre-Commercialization Prototype of an Electronically Steerable Parasitic Array Radiator (ESPAR) transceiver. Supported by EPSRC -IAA (£200k)

Role: Research Fellow

2016 – 2017, Development of a Pre-Commercialization 5G Transceiver Prototype Aimed at Increasing Spectrum Availability in Next Generation Networks. Supported by EPSRC -IAA (£100k)

Role: Research Fellow

Pre-Commercialization Prototyping (Waveform, 5G/6G, AI, IoT, MIMO, etc)

Publication information is in the bracket

1.  2023: irSinc shaped NOFS signal waveform for 6G: New waveform design for 6G (Nature Communications Engineering).

2.  2022: Over-the-air ISAC multiuser-MIMO for 6G: Integrated sensing and communications:ISAC (IEEE Open journal, MobiCom).

3.  2022: Deep learning UnfoldingDecNet detector: Unfolding neural network based signal detection (IEEE TWC journal).

4.  2021: Over-the-air Security: Waveform-defined security (IEEE IoT journal).

5.  2020: AI-sensing over-the-air: Wavelet based classification on non-orthogonal signals (IEEE GLOBECOM).

6.  2019: AI-sensing over-the-air: Deep learning non-cooperative waveform communications (IEEE VTC).

7.  2019: Hybrid analog-digital multiuser-MIMO beamforming: Hybrid analogue and digital beamforming (IEEE IoT journal).

8.  2018-2019: Next-generation 6G IoT waveform: Signal precoding (IEEE IoT journal, IEEE INFOCOM, IEEE PIMRC); Extend signal coverage (IEEE GLOBECOM); Data rate enhancement (IEEE PIMRC); Double data rate (IEEE PIMRC); Double connected IoT devices (IEEE IoT journal).  

9.  2018: Waveform-AI: Neural network compression for non-orthogonal signal detection (IEEE WCNC).

10.   2017-2018: 5G-SDR platform: USRP self-interference cancellation signal communications over the air (IEEE VTC); Dual USRP setup for the coexistence of 4G and 5G signals (IEEE CSNDSP); Pre-commercialization 5G USRP platform design and over-the-air testing (IEEE PIMRC).

11.   2016: mm-wave 60 GHz platform: 60 GHz non-orthogonal signal waveforms are delivered at 3.75 Gbit/s through 250 meters multimode fiber over 3 meters wireless link (IEEE JLT journal).

12.   2015: 5G compressed-CA platform: Bandwidth compressed carrier aggregation wireless signal waveform transmission using SDR transceiver and Spirent VR5 channel emulator (IEEE TVT journal).

13.   2015: 4G-SDR platform: LTE/LTE-A experimental testbed. (IEEE ICC).

14.   2014-2015: Optical fiber platform: Direct detection optical testbed to transmit non-orthogonal signals at 10 Gbit/s (IEEE PTL journal); Dual polarization coherent detection optical testbed to transmit non-orthogonal signals at 24 Gbit/s (IEEE PTL journal).

15.   2013: FPGA based detector: A real-time MIMO/SEFDM detector working at 1.06 Gbit/s was designed and implemented on a Xilinx Vertex-6 FPGA chip (IEEE ICT).

Book Chapters

1.    I. Darwazeh, T. Xu, and R. C. Grammenos, Signal Processing for 5G: Algorithms and Implementations. Wiley, 2016, ch. Bandwidth Compressed Multicarrier Communication: SEFDM. (invited).

2.    I. Darwazeh, R. C. Grammenos, and T. Xu, Key Enabling Technologies for 5G Mobile Communications. Springer, 2016, ch. Spectrally Efficient Frequency Division Multiplexing for 5G. (invited).

Journal Publications

3.    T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Identification and practical validation of spectrally efficient non-orthogonal frequency shaping waveform,” Nature Communications Engineering, vol. 2, no. 58, 2023.

4.    Y. Chen, W. Yuan, and T. Xu, “Coding Split and Adjustment to Defend OFDM-IM Against Jamming Attacks,” in IEEE Communications Letter, vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 457-461, Feb. 2023,

5.    T. Xu, F. Liu, C. Masouros, and I. Darwazeh, “An Experimental Proof of Concept for Integrated Sensing and Communications Waveform Design,” in IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society, vol. 3, pp. 1643-1655, 2022.

6.    J. Ding, T. Liu, T. Xu, W. Hu, S. Popov, M. S. Leeson, J. Zhao, and T. Xu, “Intra-channel nonlinearity mitigation in optical fiber transmission systems using perturbation-based neural network,” Journal of Lightwave Technology, 40, 7106-7116 (2022).

7.    Z. Liu, T. Xu, C. Jin, T. Xu, M. Tan, J. Zhao, and T. Liu, "Analytical optimization of wideband nonlinear optical fiber communication systems," Opt. Express 30, 11345-11359 (2022).

8.    Y. Chen, T. Xu, and I. Darwazeh, “Index Modulation Pattern Design for Non-Orthogonal Multicarrier Signal Waveforms,” in IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, vol. 21, no. 10, pp. 8507-8521, Oct. 2022.

9.    T. Xu, "Waveform-Defined Security: A Low-Cost Framework for Secure Communications," in IEEE Internet of Things Journal, vol. 9, no. 13, pp. 10652-10667, Jul., 2022.

10. T. Xu, T. Xu, and I. Darwazeh, “Deep Intelligent Spectral Labelling and Receiver Signal Distribution for Optical Links”, Optics Express, 29, 39611-39632 (2021).

11. T. Xu, C. Masouros and I. Darwazeh, "Design and Prototyping of Hybrid Analog–Digital Multiuser MIMO Beamforming for Nonorthogonal Signals," in IEEE Internet of Things Journal, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 1872-1883, Mar. 2020.

12. T. Xu, T. Xu, P. Bayvel, and I. Darwazeh, “Non-Orthogonal Signal Transmission over Nonlinear Optical Channels,” IEEE Photonics Journal, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 1–13, Jun. 2019.

13. T. Xu, C. Masouros, and I. Darwazeh, “Waveform and space precoding for next generation downlink narrowband IoT,” IEEE Internet of Things Journal, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 5097–5107, Jun. 2019.

14. T. Xu, H. Ghannams, and I. Darwazeh, “Practical evaluations of SEFDM: Timing offset and multipath impairments,” Infocommunications Journal, vol. X, no. 10, pp. 1–9, Dec. 2018. (invited).

15. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Non-orthogonal narrowband Internet of Things: A design for saving bandwidth and doubling the number of connected devices,” IEEE Internet of Things Journal, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 2120–2129, Jun. 2018.

16. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Transmission experiment of bandwidth compressed carrier aggregation in a realistic fading channel,” IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, vol. 66, no. 5, pp. 4087–4097, May 2017.

17. T. Xu, S. Mikroulis, J. E. Mitchell and I. Darwazeh,” Bandwidth Compressed Waveform for 60 GHz Millimeter-Wave Radio over Fiber Experiment,” IEEE Journal of Lightwave Technology, vol. 34, no. 14, pp. 3458–3465, Jul. 2016.

18. D. Nopchinda, T. Xu, R. Maher, B. Thomsen, and I. Darwazeh, “Dual polarization coherent optical spectrally efficient frequency division multiplexing,” IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 83–86, Jan. 2016.

19. P. Haigh, S. T. Le, S. Zvanovec, Z. Ghassemlooy, P. Luo, T. Xu, P. Chvojka, T. Kanesan, E. Giacoumidis, P. Canyelles-Pericas, H. L. Minh, W. Popoola, S. Rajbhandari, I. Papakonstantinou, and I. Darwazeh, “Multi-band carrierless amplitude and phase modulation for bandlimited visible light communications systems,” IEEE Wireless Communications, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 46–53, Apr. 2015. 

20. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “A soft detector for spectrally efficient systems with non-orthogonal overlapped sub-carriers,” IEEE Communications Letters, vol. 18, no. 10, pp. 1847-1850, Oct. 2014.

21. I. Darwazeh, T. Xu, T. Gui, Y. Bao, and Z. Li, “Optical SEFDM system; bandwidth saving using non-orthogonal sub-carriers,” IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 352–355, Feb. 2014.

22. T. Xu, R. C. Grammenos, F. Marvasti, and I. Darwazeh, “An improved fixed sphere decoder employing soft decision for the detection of non-orthogonal signals,” IEEE Communications Letters, vol. 17, no. 10, pp. 1964–1967, Oct. 2013.

Conference Publications (Invited)

23. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, "DFT-Spread Spectrally Efficient Non-Orthogonal FDMA," 2019 International Conference on Wireless Networks and Mobile Communications (WINCOM), Fez, Morocco, 2019, pp. 1-5. (invited).

24. L. Zhu, T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, "Fast-OFDM Transmission with Duobinary 3-PSK Modulation," 2019 International Conference on Wireless Networks and Mobile Communications (WINCOM), Fez, Morocco, 2019, pp. 1-6. (invited).

25. I. Darwazeh, H. Ghannam, and T. Xu, “The first 15 years of SEFDM: a brief survey,” in 11th IEEE International Symposium on Communication Systems, Networks & Digital Signal Processing (CSNDSP18), Budapest, Hungary, Jul. 2018, pp. 1–7. (invited).

26. T. Xu, T. Xu, and I.Darwazeh, “Deep learning for interference cancellation in non-orthogonal signal based optical communication systems,” in IEEE Progress in Electromagnetics Research Symposium – Spring (PIERS), Toyama, Japan, Aug. 2018, pp. 241–248. (invited).

27. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Nyquist-SEFDM: pulse shaped multicarrier communication with sub-carrier spacing below the symbol rate,” in IEEE 2016 10th International Symposium on Communication Systems, Networks & Digital Sign (CSNDSP) (CSNDSP16), Prague, Czech Republic, Jul. 2016, pp. 1–6. (invited).

28. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Experimental validations of bandwidth compressed multicarrier signals,” in IEEE WoWMoM’16 Workshop on Fifth Generation Wireless: From Bits to Packets (5GB2P) (IEEE WoWMoM 5GB2P’16), Coimbra, Portugal, Jun. 2016, pp. 1–10. (invited).

29. S. Mikroulis, T. Xu, and I. Darwazeh, “Practical demonstration of spectrally efficient FDM millimeter-wave radio over fiber systems for 5G cellular networking,” in Proc. SPIE, vol. 9772, San Francisco, CA, USA, 2016, pp. 97720I–1–97720I–8 (invited).

Conference Publications (Regular)

30. Y. Lin, C, Wang, J. Si, and T. Xu, “Anti-Eavesdropping and Anti-Jamming Waveform Design with Coding Split Index Modulation”, in 2023 IEEE ICCC.

31. Z. Wei, C. Masouros, T. Xu, and Y. Jiang, “Interference exploitation with Multi-Antenna receivers and heterogeneous throughput requirements,” in 2022 IEEE Global Communications Conference: Selected Areas in Communications: Big Data (Globecom2022 SAC BD), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Dec. 2022.

32. J. Qi, T. Xu, Z. Liu, C. Jin, T. Xu, L. Li, L. Kanthan, J. Zhao, and T. Liu, “Amplifier limited information rates in high-speed optical fiber communication systems,” in Optoelectronic Devices and Integration XI, X. Zhang, B. Li, C. Yu, and X. Zhang, Eds., vol. 12314, International Society for Optics and Photonics. SPIE, 2022, p. 1231404.

33. T. Xu, F. Liu, C. Masouros, and I. Darwazeh, “Proof of concept experiments of joint waveform design for integrated sensing and communications,” in 1st ACM MobiCom Workshop on Integrated Sensing and Communication Systems (ISACom 2022) (ISACom 2022), Sydney, Australia, Oct. 2022.

34. Y. Chen, T. Xu, and I. Darwazeh, “Min-Max hamming distance considerations for activation pattern design in index modulation,” in 2022 IEEE/CIC International Conference on Communications in China (ICCC) (IEEE ICCC 2022), Sanshui, Foshan, China, Aug. 2022.

35. T. Xu and Z. Wei, "Waveform Defence Against Deep Learning Generative Adversarial Network Attacks," 2022 13th International Symposium on Communication Systems, Networks and Digital Signal Processing (CSNDSP), 2022, pp. 503-508.

36. T. Xu, “Waveform-Defined Privacy: A Signal Solution to Protect Wireless Sensing,” IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC Fall), Workshop on Integrated Sensing and Communication towards 6G, Sept. 2021.

37. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Faster URLLC: Deep Learning Waveform Fingerprinting,” in IEEE ICC 2021 Workshop on Ultra-high speed, Low latency and Massive Communication for futuristic 6G Networks (WS24 ICC'21 Workshop - ULMC6GN), Montreal, Canada, Jun. 2021.

38. Z. Wei, C. Masouros, and T. Xu, “Constructive Interference based Joint Combiner and Precoder Design in Multiuser MIMO Systems,” in IEEE ICC 2021 Workshop on Emerging Topics in 6G Communications (WS08 ICC'21 Workshop - Emerging6G-Com), Montreal, Canada, Jun. 2021.

39. Y. Zhang, T. Xu, J. Ding, Z. Wang, T. Xu, J. Zhao, and T. Liu, “Carrier phase recovery in optical fiber communication systems using high order modulation formats,” in Semiconductor Lasers and Applications XI, W. Li, W. H. Hofmann, and Y. Su, Eds., vol. 11891, International Society for Optics and Photonics. SPIE, 2021, pp. 14 – 23.

40. Z. Liu, T. Xu, J. Ding, Y. Zhang, M. Li, T. Xu, and T. Liu, “Accuracy of EGN model in ultra-wideband optical fiber communication systems,” in Semiconductor Lasers and Applications XI, W. Li, W. H. Hofmann, and Y. Su, Eds., vol. 11891, International Society for Optics and Photonics. SPIE, 2021, pp. 31 – 37.

41. T. Xu, “Waveform-Defined Security Enhancement via Signal Generation Optimization,” IEEE Global Communications Conference (IEEE GLOBECOM Workshop-5GWiS), Dec. 2020.

42. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Wavelet Classification for Non-Cooperative Non-Orthogonal Signal Communications,” IEEE Global Communications Conference (IEEE GLOBECOM Workshop-AT5Gp), Dec. 2020.

43. T. Xu, “Waveform-defined security: a framework for secure communications,” in IEEE/IET 12th International Symposium on Communication Systems, Networks & Digital Signal Processing (CSNDSP2020), Porto, Portugal, Jul. 2020.

44. Z. Wei, C. Masouros, F. Liu, and T. Xu, “Optimal closed-form designs for directional modulation with practical hardware limitations,” in 2020 IEEE Global Communications Conference: Communication Theory (Globecom2020 CT), Taipei, Taiwan, Dec. 2020.

45. X. Qiu, Z. Li, X. Sun, and T. Xu, “A lightweight intelligent authentication approach for intrusion detection,” in 2020 IEEE 31^st Annual International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications, London, United Kingdom (Great Britain), 2020.

46. Z. Wei, C. Masouros, T. Xu, and K. K. Wong, “Robust interference exploitation for multi-cell transmission,” in 2020 IEEE 31st Annual International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications, London, United Kingdom (Great Britain), 2020.

47. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Deep Learning for Over-the-Air Non-Orthogonal Signal Classification,” IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC Spring), Antwerp, Belgium, May 2020.

48. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Non-orthogonal frequency division multiple access,” IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC Spring), Antwerp, Belgium, May 2020.

49. X. Liu, T. Xu, and I. Darwazeh, “Coexistence of orthogonal and nonorthogonal multicarrier signals in beyond 5G scenarios,” in 2020 2^nd 6G Wireless Summit (6G SUMMIT) (6G Summit 2020), Levi, Lapland, Finland, 2020.

50. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Prototyping of Singular Value Reconstruction Precoding for Reliable Non-Orthogonal IoT Signals,” in IEEE 30th Annual International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications (PIMRC), Istanbul, Turkey, Sept. 2019, pp. 1-6.

51. T. Xu, F. Liu, A, Li, C. Masouros, and I. Darwazeh, “Constructive Interference Precoding for Reliable Non-Orthogonal IoT Signaling,” IEEE International Conference on Computer Communications (IEEE INFOCOM WKSHPS: CNERT 2019), Paris, France, Apr. 2019, pp. 590–595.

52. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Design and prototyping of neural network compression for non-orthogonal IoT signals,” in 2019 IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC) (IEEE WCNC 2019), Marrakech, Morocco, Apr. 2019.

53. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Non-Orthogonal waveform scheduling for next generation narrowband IoT,” in 37th IEEE Global Communications Conference (IEEE GLOBECOM Workshop-UHS5G), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 2018, pp. 1–6.

54. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Half-Sinc Waveform Design for Narrowband IoT,” in IEEE 29th Annual International Symposium on Personal, Indoor, and Mobile Radio Communications (PIMRC), Bologna, Italy, Sept. 2018, pp. 600–601.

55. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Uplink narrowband IoT data rate improvement: dense modulation formats or non-orthogonal signal waveforms?” in IEEE 29th Annual International Symposium on Personal, Indoor, and Mobile Radio Communications (PIMRC Workshop-CorNer), Bologna, Italy, Sept. 2018, pp. 142–146.

56. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Experiment for Non-Interfering coexistence of Non-Orthogonal SEFDM signals and LTE,” in 11th IEEE International Symposium on Communication Systems, Networks & Digital Signal Processing (CSNDSP18), Budapest, Hungary, Jul. 2018, pp. 1–6.

57. W. Ozan, H. Ghannam, T. Xu, P. A. Haigh, and I. Darwazeh, “Experimental evaluation of channel estimation and equalization in Non-Orthogonal FDM systems,” in 2018 11th International Symposium on Communication Systems, Networks Digital Signal Processing (CSNDSP), Budapest, Hungary, Jul. 2018, pp. 1–6.

58. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Experimental Validations on Self Interference Cancelled Non-Orthogonal SEFDM Signals”, in 2018 IEEE 87th Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC Spring), Porto, Portugal, Jun. 2018, pp. 1–5.

59. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Multi-Sphere decoding of block segmented SEFDM signals with large number of sub-carriers and high modulation order,” in IEEE International Conference on Wireless Networks and Mobile Communications (WINCOM), Rabat, Morocco, Nov. 2017, pp. 1–6.

60. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Bit precision study of a non-orthogonal iterative detector and its RTL modelling verifications,” in IEEE 28th Annual International Symposium on Personal, Indoor, and Mobile Radio Communications (PIMRC), Montreal, QC, Canada, Oct. 2017, pp. 1–5.

61. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Experimental over-the-air testing for coexistence of 4G and a spectrally efficient non-orthogonal signal,” in IEEE 28th Annual International Symposium on Personal, Indoor, and Mobile Radio Communications (PIMRC), Montreal, QC, Canada, Oct. 2017, pp. 1–5.

62. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “A joint waveform and precoding design for non-orthogonal multicarrier signals,” in IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC), San Francisco, CA, USA, Mar. 2017, pp. 1–6.

63. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Bandwidth compressed carrier aggregation,” in IEEE ICC 2015 - Workshop on 5G & Beyond - Enabling Technologies and Applications (ICC15 - Workshops 23), London, United Kingdom, Jun. 2015, pp. 1107-1112.

64. S. Mikroulis, T. Xu, J. E. Mitchell and I. Darwazeh, “First demonstration of a spectrally efficient FDM radio over fiber system topology for beyond 4G cellular networking,” in 20th IEEE European Conference on Networks and Optical Communications - (NOC), London, United Kingdom, Jun. 2015, pp. 1–5.

65. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Spectrally efficient FDM: spectrum saving technique for 5G?” in 1st IEEE International Conference on 5G for Ubiquitous Connectivity 2014 (5GU2014), Levi, Finland, Nov. 2014, pp. 273–278.

66. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “Multi-Band reduced complexity spectrally efficient FDM systems,” in 9th IEEE/IET International Symposium on Communication Systems, Networks & Digital Signal Processing 2014 (CSNDSP14), Manchester, United Kingdom, pp. 904-909, Jul. 2014.

67. T. Xu and I. Darwazeh, “M-QAM signal detection for a non-orthogonal system using an improved fixed sphere decoder,” in 9th IEEE/IET International Symposium on Communication Systems, Networks & Digital Signal Processing 2014 (CSNDSP14), Manchester, United Kingdom, pp. 623-627, Jul. 2014.

68. I. Darwazeh, T. Xu, T. Gui, Y. Bao, and Li, “Optical spectrally efficient FDM system for electrical and optical bandwidth saving,” in IEEE ICC 2014 - Optical Networks and Systems (ICC’14 ONS), Sydney, Australia, pp. 3432-3437, Jun. 2014.

69. T. Xu, R. C. Grammenos, and I. Darwazeh, “FPGA implementations of real-time detectors for a spectrally efficient FDM system,” in 20th IEEE International Conference on Telecommunications (ICT), Casablanca, Morocco, May 2013, pp. 1–5.

Module leader, Newcastle University

MSc-EEE8128: Communications and Signal Processing

About the Course

• To ensure students have a sound knowledge of the fundamental concepts of simulation techniques for wireless communication systems.
• To provide experience and develop skills in the simulation of communication systems using MATLAB.
• To develop skills in mapping theoretical concepts to fast signal processing algorithms as required for modern wireless communications.
• To ensure students can assess the complexity involved in the computation of digital signal processing algorithms and be able to recommend hardware specifications that meet the requirements.

Module Topics Include

Part A

The bit error rate (BER) performance of a digital communication link using a state-of-the-art modulation scheme such as high order Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) in conjunction with Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) will be investigated via MATLAB simulations in mobile wireless communications channels and in the presence of additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) by utilizing functions available in the Signal Processing and Communications toolboxes and additional programming. Initially, an introduction to MATLAB will be offered where the students will be familiarised with the MATLAB development cycle. The simulation test bench will be implemented in the complex based-band and will include the following functionality:

1. 16-QAM information bit/symbol generator.

2. 16-QAM modulator that maps information bits/symbols to the 16-QAM constellation.

3. OFDM modulator including provision for cyclic prefix (CP) protection against multipath channel spread.

4. ITU based frequency-selective multipath channel and complex-valued AWGN generator.

5. Optimal receiver for AWGN.

6. Zero-forcing (ZF) and Minimum Mean Squared Error (MMSE) based equalizers to combat the multipath channel.

7. Computation of BER performance for various CP length as a function of signal to noise ratio (SNR) using the known channel impulse response (CIR) against their semi-analytical performances.

8. CIR computation using comb pilot based channel estimation (CE).

9. BER and Mean Squared Error (MSE) performance for CE based ZF and MMSE equalizers.

10. Improved simulation speeds using cluster-type parallel computation.

Extension to multiple-input multiple-output systems as used in 5G cellular communications will be considered by extending the functionality of the simulation to accommodate for

1. Multiple OFDM transmitters and receivers.

2. Generation of 5G compatible wireless channels.

3. 3D matrix operations in Matlab.

4. MIMO channel channel impulse response (CIR) simulation and frequency response computation.

5. Noise variance computation for setting Signal-to-noise Ratio (SNR) in MIMO systems.

6. MIMO ZFE and MMSE receiver computation and applications per subcarrier dimension.

7. Computations of BER for different Tx and Rx dimensions.

8. Computational complexity analysis for receiver operations.

9. Theoretical and semi-analytical performance analysis for MIMO OFDM systems.

10. Parallel computation implementation for speeding-up simulations.

Part-B

Lecture on Matlab programming

Part-C

Lab exercise for Matlab programming tasks in Part-B

Part-D

Lab exercise for the communication system design tasks in Part-A

• Articles

  • Chen Y, Yuan W, Xu T. Coding Split and Adjustment to Defend OFDM-IM Against Jamming Attacks. IEEE Communications Letters 2023, 27(2), 457-461.
  • Chen Y, Xu T, Darwazeh I. Index Modulation Pattern Design for Non-Orthogonal Multicarrier Signal Waveforms. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications 2022, 21(10), 8507-8521.
  • Xu T, Liu F, Masouros C, Darwazeh I. An Experimental Proof of Concept for Integrated Sensing and Communications Waveform Design. IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society 2022, 3, 1643-1655.