Multi-Carrier Modulation: An Evolution from Time-Frequency Domain to Delay-Doppler Domain

Abstract: The recently proposed orthogonal delay-Doppler division multiplexing (ODDM) modulation, which is based on the new delay-Doppler (DD) domain orthogonal pulse (DDOP), is studied. A substantial benefit of the DDOP-based ODDM or general delay-Doppler domain multi-carrier (DDMC) modulation is that it achieves orthogonality with respect to the fine time and frequency resolutions of the DD domain. We first revisit the family of wireless channel models conceived for linear time-varying (LTV) channels, and then review the conventional multi-carrier (MC) modulation schemes and their design guidelines for both linear time-invariant (LTI) and LTV channels. Then we discuss the time-varying property of the LTV channels' DD domain impulse response and propose an impulse function based transmission strategy for equivalent sampled DD domain (ESDD) channels. Next, we take an in-depth look into the DDOP and the corresponding ODDM modulation to unveil its unique input-output relation for transmission over ESDD channels. Then, we point out that the conventional MC modulation design guidelines based on the Wely-Heisenberg (WH) frame theory can be relaxed without compromising its orthogonality or without violating the WH frame theory. More specifically, for a communication system having given bandwidth and duration, MC modulation signals can be designed based on a WH subset associated with sufficient (bi)orthogonality, which governs the (bi)orthogonality of the MC signal within the bandwidth and duration. This novel design guideline could potentially open up opportunities for developing future waveforms required by new applications such as communication systems associated with high delay and/or Doppler shifts, as well as integrated sensing and communications, etc.