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The use of antenna arrays in wireless communications makes it possible to estimate the directions of arrival (DOAs) of impinging waveforms. The latter can be exploited to enhance channel estimation accuracy or as an input for advanced mobile positioning systems. In this paper, we consider the uplink of a multicarrier code-division multiple-access (MC-CDMA) network in which the base station is endowed with multiple receiving antennas arranged in a uniform linear array. Transmission takes place over a multipath channel, and the goal is the joint estimation of the channel responses and DOAs of the uplink signals. In doing so, we follow a maximum-likelihood (ML) approach and assume that users transmit orthogonal training sequences to facilitate the task of separating the signals. This way, all unknown parameters are estimated independently of each other with affordable complexity. Theoretical analysis and computer simulations are used to assess the performance of the proposed scheme and make comparisons with existing alternatives. Index Terms--Channel estimation, direction of arrival (DOA) estimation, multicarrier code-division multiple access (MC-CDMA).

We consider a unified framework comprising both multicarrier code-division multiple-access (MC-CDMA) and orthogonal frequency-division multiple-access (OFDMA), and discuss nonlinear prefiltering for downlink transmissions based on Tomlinson-Harashima precoding. The base station (BS) is equipped with multiple transmitting antennas and channel state information is assumed to be available at the transmit side. We design the prefiltering matrices so as to minimize the sum of the mean square errors at all mobile terminals when a conventional single-user data detector is employed at the receiver side. In this way, most of the computational burden is moved to the BS, where power consumption and computational resources are not critical requirements. Computer simulations are used to assess the performance of the proposed scheme under different operating scenarios. It turns out that OFDMA outperforms MC-CDMA when the system resources (subcarriers and/or spreading codes) are optimally assigned to the active nsers according to the channel quality. Index Terms--Minimum mean square error (MMSE) prefiltering, multicarrier code-division multiple-access (CDMA), orthogonal frequency-division multiple-access (OFDMA), Tomlinson-Harashima precoding (THP).

This paper deals with channel acquisition and tracking in the uplink of a multicarrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA) system. The transmission medium is characterized by multipath propagation, and the goal is to estimate the channel frequency response and the noise-power of each active user. Channel acquisition is performed jointly with the noise-power estimation following two different approaches. The first assumes independently faded subcarriers, while the second exploits the fading correlation across the signal bandwidth to improve the system performance. Both schemes are based on the maximum likelihood (ML) criterion and exploit some training blocks carrying known symbols. Channel tracking is pursued through least mean square (LMS) techniques using data decisions provided by a partial parallel interference cancellation (PPIC) receiver. Numerical results are given to highlight the effectiveness of the proposed methods and to present comparisons with other existing solutions. Index Terms--Channel acquisition, channel tracking, multicarrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA), noise-power estimation.

Maximum-likelihood estimation of the carrier frequency offset (CFO), timing error, and channel response of each active user in the uplink of an orthogonal frequency-division multiple-access system is investigated in this study, assuming that a training sequence is available. The exact solution to this problem turns out to be too complex for practical purposes as it involves a search over a multidimensional domain. However, making use of the alternating projection method, we replace the above search with a sequence of mono-dimensional searches. This results in all estimation algorithm of a reasonable complexity which is suitable for practical applications. As compared with other existing semi-blind methods, the proposed algorithm requires increased overhead but has more flexibility as it can be used with any subcarrier assignment scheme. Simulations indicate that the accuracy of the CFO estimates asymptotically achieves the Cramer--Rao bound. Index Terms--Channel estimation, frequency synchronization, orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), timing synchronization.

This paper deals with channel acquisition and tracking for the uplink of direct-sequence code-division multiple-access systems. The transmission medium is characterized by multipath propagation, and the goal is to estimate the time-varying channel impulse response (CIR) for a new user entering the system. Channel acquisition is pursued through maximum-likelihood techniques. The resulting scheme may be too complex in some applications, as it requires the online inversion of a large matrix. Therefore, we also consider a simpler solution based on the least-squares (LS) criterion. Channel tracking is performed through weighted LS methods. At each signaling interval, the CIR estimate is updated using data decisions and exploiting the inverse of the interference covariance matrix to mitigate the near-far problem. Performance is assessed by simulation in a scenario inspired by the frequency-division duplexing component of the universal mobile telecommunications system. The acquisition/ tracking algorithms are found to be resistant to multiuser interference and suitable for transmissions over fast-fading channels. Index Terms--Channel estimation, channel tracking, direct-sequence code-division multiple access (DS-CDMA).

We consider the uplink of a direct-sequence code-division multiple-acress system operating over a multipath fading channel, and we aim at estimating the propagation delay and the frequency offset of a new user entering the network. The joint estimation of these parameters is investigated using a weighted-least-squares approach. The exact solution turns out to be too complex for practical purposes, as it involves a numerical search over a bidimensional domain. As an alternative, we propose a suboptimal procedure, in which the propagation delay is first computed with a monodimensionai search and then is exploited to derive the frequency offset in closed form. Both data-aided and nondata-aided estimation methods are considered. The proposed synchronizers have a reasonable complexity and are suited for third-generation cellular systems. Their performance is assessed by simulation in a scenario inspired by the specifications of the frequency-division duplexing component of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems standard. It is found that they provide accurate estimates and are useful even in applications over rapidly varying channels. Index Terms--Direct-sequence code-division multiple access (DS-CDMA), frequency offset, propagation delay, weighted-least-square estimation (WLSE).

The time-division duplex (TDD) component of the universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) employs synchronous code-division multiple-access techniques with orthogonal spreading codes to provide protection against cochannel interference. In the presence of multipath propagation, however, the code orthogonality is lost and multiaccess interference is generated at the receiver. In such conditions, an estimate of the channel impulse response is required for reliable detection. In this paper, we propose and compare two pilot-assisted schemes for channel estimation in the downlink of the UMTS-TDD system. Both algorithms also provide estimates of the users' energies, which are needed to perform multiuser detection. Theoretical analysis and computer simulations are used to assess the channel estimation performance in terms of mean-squared errors and bit-error rate. It is shown that the accuracy of the proposed estimators attains the Cramer-Rao bound at intermediate/high signal-to-noise ratios. Index Terms--Channel estimation, Cramer-Rao bound (CRB), downlink, universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS).

This paper deals with timing and frequency recovery for the uplink of an orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) system. The frequency estimator is derived from ad hoc reasoning, whereas the timing estimator is based on the maximum-likelihood criterion. Both schemes rely on the repetition of a fixed pilot symbol. Their main feature is that they provide feed-forward estimates and allow synchronization in only two OFDM blocks. In contrast to other existing methods, they do not require that the subcarriers of a given user occupy adjacent positions in the signal bandwidth. This makes it possible to interleave subcarriers of different users so as to optimally exploit the frequency diversity of the channel. Theoretical analysis and computer simulations are used to assess the performance of the proposed synchronizers. It is found that the degradations due to residual frequency and timing errors are negligible at signal-to-noise ratios of practical interest. Index Terms--Frequency estimation, maximum-likelihood (ML), orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), timing estimation.

We propose a new algorithm for Doppler rate estimation in burst-mode phase shift keying (PSK) transmissions. This issue may arise in mobile radio links when the received signal experiences significant time-varying Doppler distortion, as in low-earth-orbit satellite systems. The algorithm is based on the transmission of a training sequence and has a feedforward structure that is easy to implement in digital form. Its estimation accuracy is close to the Cramer-Rao bound even at SNR values as low as 0 dB. Comparisons with earlier methods are discussed. Index Terms--Burst-mode transmission, Doppler rate, Doppler shift.

Estimation of the channel impulse response (CIR) in orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) systems is discussed. The focus is on two pilot-aided schemes: the maximum liklihood estimator (MLE; and the Bayesian minimum mean square error estimator (MMSEE).

We investigate a novel nondata-aided method for jointly estimating timing and carrier frequency offset in MSK-type modulation. The algorithm has a feedforward structure and lends itself to a simple digital implementation. Its estimation accuracy depends on a design parameter that may be varied to trade performance for computational complexity. Setting the parameter to unity yields a synchronization scheme already known in the literature. Computer simulations are used to assess the synchronizer performance on AWGN Rayleigh fading channels with MSK and Gaussian MSK modulation. Index Terms - Frequency offset. MSK-type modulation, timing offset.

Introduction: The association between obesity and clinically significant prostate cancer (PCa) is still a matter of debate. In this study, we evaluated the effect of body mass index (BMI) on the prediction of pathological unfavorable disease (UD), positive surgical margins (PSMs), and biochemical recurrence (BCR) in patients with clinically localized (≤cT2c) International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade group 1 PCa at biopsy. Methods: 427 patients with ISUP grade group 1 PCa who have undergone radical prostatectomy and BMI evaluation were included. The outcome of interest was the presence of UD (defined as ISUP grade group ≥3 and pT ≥3a), PSM, and BCR. Results: Statistically significant differences resulted in comparing BMI with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and serum testosterone levels (both p < 0.0001). Patients with UD and PSM had higher BMI values (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.006, respectively). BCR-free survival was significantly decreased in patients with higher BMI values (p < 0.0001). BMI was an independent risk factor for BCR and PSM. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis testing PSA accuracy in different BMI groups, showed that PSA had a reduced predictive value (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.535; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.422–0.646), in obese men compared to overweight (AUC = 0.664; 95% CI = 0.598–0.725) and normal weight patients (AUC = 0.721; 95% CI = 0.660–0.777). Conclusion: Our findings show that increased BMI is a significant predictor of UD and PSM at RP in patients with preoperative low-to intermediate-risk diseases, suggesting that BMI evaluation may be useful in a clinical setting to identify patients with favorable preoperative disease characteristics harboring high-risk PCa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe joint carrier phase and timing recovery algorithms for CPM signaling. They may be employed with any CPM format, and with either full or reduced state detectors. Their implementation is fully digital, and involves a limited computational complexity. Simulation results show that these algorithms have excellent tracking performance. When operated in their simplest form, however, they may exhibit false locks. In particular, this occurs with multilevel and partial response formats. A simple solution to the false lock problem is proposed.

Symbol timing in continuous phase modulated signals is investigated making use of maximum likelihood estimation methods. Nondata-aided algorithms are proposed with a feedforward structure. They are suitable for digital implementation and can be employed with either full or partial response signaling. Multilevel symbol alphabets are allowed and the modulation index may be arbitrary. Performance is assessed by analysis and simulation. It turns out that full response schemes are comparatively easier to synchronize. Difficulties arise with partial response signaling, especially with long frequency pulses.

We consider the uplink of a multicarrier code-division multiple-access (MC-CDMA) network and assume that the base station is endowed with a uniform linear array. Transmission takes place over a multipath channel and the goal is the estimation of the directions of arrival (DOAs) of the signal from the active users. In a multiuser scenario, difficulties are primarily due to the large number of parameters involved in the estimation of the DOAs which makes this problem much more challenging than in single-user transmissions. The solution we propose allows estimating the DOAs of different users independently, thereby leading to a significant reduction in the system complexity. In the presence of multipath propagation, however, estimating the DOAs of a given user through maximum-likelihood methods remains a formidable task since it involves a search over a multidimensional domain. Therefore, we look for simpler solutions and discuss two alternative schemes based on the SAGE and ESPRIT algorithms.

This letter is concerned with the estimation of two synchronization parameters that play a key role in multi-h continuous-phase modulation receivers - the ordinary symbol timing phase and the so-called superbaud timing phase. The recovery of symbol and superbaud timing is implemented by means of feedforward nondata-aided algorithms. The novelty of the proposed method is that it can be applied to any modulation format, either full or partial response, with binary or multilevel symbols and with arbitrary modulation indices. Index Terms - Continuous phase, timing.

Vesicouterine fistula (VUF) is a rare extra-anatomical communication developing between the uterus or cervix and the urinary bladder, most commonly after an iatrogenic injury during a cesarean section. Patients with VUF may have various clinical presentations, ranging from Youssef's syndrome (vaginal urine leakage, amenorrhea, and menouria) to urinary tract infection and infertility. Quality of life for patients having this pathology is strongly affected owing to the psychological burden. Treatment is surgery based because low success rates have been reported for conservative or minimally invasive approaches. Herein, we present a case of a 35-year-old woman successfully treated by a minimally invasive endoscopic repair procedure with the injection of microfragmented autologous adipose tissue (Lipogems®). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]