Design of a low-complexity equalizer for AFDM-based 6G communication systems in high-mobility scenarios

Affine frequency division multiplexing (AFDM) has recently emerged as a promising modulation technique to address challenges in high-mobility 6G communication environments, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), high-speed railways, autonomous vehicles, and non-terrestrial networks.  AFDM multiplexes information symbols within the affine domain using a sequence of chirps and enables effective path separation in the affine domain at the receiver. Despite its potential, existing AFDM receivers often rely on computationally intensive equalization techniques, especially compared to the single-tap equalization used in OFDM systems.

This project aims to explore the design of an AFDM transmission scheme that enables low-complexity equalization. The approach involves strategic selection of AFDM chirp parameters, novel symbol arrangement design at the transmitter, and performing low-complexity equalization in a newly defined domain where channel-induced interference is minimized. Matlab-based simulations will be performed to model, validate, and assess the system’s performance.

Successfully completing this project will require knowledge in three key research areas of wireless communication, namely, AFDM, doubly selective channel models, and equalization design in communication receivers.