A Thorough Assessment on Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) based Wireless Communication: Challenges and Interpretation

Analysis of existing research on wireless communication states that, in the present world, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is a promising technique for enabling data transmission in wireless networks due to its resource management scheme. In a specific wireless network, the available bandwidth is distributed among various channels by covering sub-carrier bands so that bandwidth and frequency can be properly utilized. For sensor device and Nano-sensor device level communication in a wireless environment, OFDM can have a great impact on forwarding data packets efficiently with less attenuation. For simultaneous multiple transmission using a shareable (bandwidth) medium, OFDM performs comparatively better throughput. A better data rate can be achieved during the data transmission process using multi-carrier communication, which is introduced in the OFDM technique. Although OFDM is one of the key communication methods for wireless networks, there are some major drawbacks to this technique. The problem statement of this research paper is to identify the major drawbacks of OFDM-based communication as well as introduce some remedial mechanisms to overcome those drawbacks. Channel fading, synchronization, reliability, and interference are the key challenges in OFDM based wireless communication. The main objective of this research is to find out key challenges of this OFDM based wireless communication field and to introduce some guidelines to handle those challenges efficiently. Additionally, a comparative analysis of OFDM-based wireless communication is provided in this paper to differentiate between our research contribution and existing research work in this field.

I. Introduction

Wireless Communication (WC) refers to the text and audio data transfer mechanism across a specific area without using cable, wire, or any kin d of physical medium [1]. The processes that involve the interconnection and communication among several devices with the help of analog and digital signals are termed “wireless communication processes.” The network coverage area of wireless communication may vary from short distance (Bluetooth) to long distance (radio communication) [2]. In Vivo communication, telecommunication, Wi-Fi, and home sensor networks (to sense intruders like apps) are the implementation areas of the wireless communication field. Cost effectiveness, flexibility, faster speed, and constant connectivity are the major advantages of using wireless communication [3]. Nowadays, wireless keyboards, mouse, satellite and broadcast television, headphones, etc., are used as communicating devices [4]. There are various techniques available in wireless communication to ensure smooth data transmission, like equalization, channel coding, diversity, and multiplexing. Out of these techniques, OFDM is becoming the key technique in wireless communication systems [5], [6].