arXiv subjects

Lixia Xiao

Publications and source records attributed to Lixia Xiao.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

An Optical Pathway to Movable Rydberg Atomic Quantum Receivers

This paper develops an optically movable Rydberg atomic quantum receiver (RAQR), in which the probe and coupling beams are steered within each vapor cell to dynamically reconfigure the effective radio-frequency (RF) sensing position without mechanical actuation. A closed-form equivalent baseband model is derived by separating the atomic transduction coefficient, optical steering phase, and cell-center array response into distinct factors and the accuracy of the resulting model is validated against numerical solutions of the Lindblad master equation. Based on the derived model, we reveal two complementary channel-shaping mechanisms, including intrinsic beam-pattern shaping through RF-to-optical transduction and per-cell phase control enabled by optical displacement. To further exploit these capabilities, a non-convex sum-rate maximization problem is formulated over the optical positions and local oscillator design and solved via an alternating optimization framework with analytical gradients. Simulation results validate the derived model and demonstrate substantial performance gains enabled by optical movability, highlighting its potential as a programmable receiver architecture for future wireless networks.

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arXiv2026

AFDM-FTN: A Spectrally Efficient Waveform for High-Mobility Communications

This paper proposes an affine frequency division multiplexing (AFDM)-aided faster-than-Nyquist (FTN) waveform, termed AFDM-FTN, to enhance spectral efficiency (SE) in high-mobility communication scenarios. We first derive the AFDM-FTN input-output relationship and analyze the FTN-induced interference pattern in AFDM-FTN. To address the channel estimation challenges, a low-complexity channel estimator based on the basis expansion model (BEM) is developed. By exploiting the intrinsic characteristics of the AFDM channel matrix and the FTN coefficient matrix, a multi-layer message passing (MLMP) algorithm is proposed that leverages the sparsity of the time-domain (TD) channel and the FTN coefficient matrix, where belief messages are iteratively propagated across the TD channel, FTN, and transform layers. Building upon the BEM-assisted channel estimation and MLMP, a low-complexity joint channel estimation and data detection scheme (BEM-MLMP-JCED) is further developed to iteratively refine channel estimation with the aid of transmitted data. Finally, the channel estimation lower bound, the mean square error (MSE) performance of the BEM-MLMP-JCED, and the computational complexity are analyzed. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed AFDM-FTN system with BEM-MLMP-JCED achieves comparable BER to conventional AFDM while providing enhanced SE and reduced complexity compared to benchmark receivers.

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arXiv2026

Towards Standardizing Affine Frequency Division Multiplexing (AFDM) for Future Wireless Networks

Affine frequency division multiplexing~(AFDM) has emerged as a compelling waveform candidate for future wireless networks, owing to its strong resilience to doubly selective channels and its ability to enable the seamless integration of communication and sensing functionalities. Against this context, this article provides a systematic study of AFDM from a standardization perspective. We first introduce the principles of AFDM and discuss the major considerations involved in waveform standardization. We then examine the backwards compatibility of AFDM with 4G/5G multi-numerology frameworks and their anticipated evolution, frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar waveforms, and long-range (LoRa) modulation, demonstrating that AFDM can be incorporated into legacy processing chains with limited modification. Key standardization-critical capabilities are further discussed, including multiple-antenna and multi-user support, and peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). Finally, we investigate the potential of AFDM in several emerging scenarios, including non-terrestrial networks~(NTN), integrated sensing and communications (ISAC), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and underwater acoustic (UWA) communications, whereby severe delay-Doppler dispersion places stringent demands on waveform robustness. Through these explorations, it is shown that that AFDM represents a timely and compelling technology for future wireless networks.

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arXiv2026

Joint Phase Noise and Off-Grid Channel Estimation for AFDM Systems via Sparse Bayesian Learning

In practical affine frequency division multiplexing (AFDM) systems, the intricate coupling of oscillator phase noise (PN) and off-grid fractional shifts traps conventional estimators in a severe high-SNR error floor. To address these challenges, we propose a joint PN and channel estimation method based on sparse Bayesian learning (JPNCE-SBL). Specifically, a reduced-rank subspace projection is first introduced to capture the dominant eigen-energy of the Wiener PN process. Concurrently, a dynamic grid evolution strategy is designed to iteratively eliminate off-grid errors without requiring computationally prohibitive global grid densification. Both components are integrated into a unified Expectation-Maximization (EM) framework, where the channel and PN estimates are jointly updated at each iteration to prevent error propagation. Simulation results demonstrate that JPNCE-SBL significantly outperforms existing benchmarks in both NMSE and BER, closely approaching the perfect channel state information case under practical PN conditions.

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arXiv2025

From Active to Battery-Free: Rydberg Atomic Quantum Receivers for Self-Sustained SWIPT-MIMO Networks

In this paper, we proposed a hybrid simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT)-enabled multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) architecture, where the base station (BS) uses a conventional RF transmitter for downlink transmission and a Rydberg atomic quantum receiver (RAQR) for receiving uplink signal from Internet of Things (IoT) devices. To fully exploit this integration, we jointly design the transmission scheme and the power-splitting strategy to maximize the sum rate, which leads to a non-convex problem. To address this challenge, we first derive closed-form lower bounds on the uplink achievable rates for maximum ratio combining (MRC) and zero-forcing (ZF), as well as on the downlink rate and harvested energy for maximum ratio transmission (MRT) and ZF precoding. Building upon these bounds, we propose an iterative algorithm relying on the best monomial approximation and geometric programming (GP) to solve the non-convex problem. Finally, simulations validate the tightness of our derived lower bounds and demonstrate the superiority of the proposed algorithm over benchmark schemes. Importantly, by integrating RAQR with SWIPT-enabled MIMO, the BS can reliably detect weak uplink signals from IoT devices powered only by harvested energy, enabling battery-free communication.

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arXiv2025

Cooperative Base Station Assignment and Resource Allocation for 6G ISAC Network

In the upcoming 6G networks, integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) will be able to provide a performance boost in both perception and wireless connectivity. This paper considers a multiple base station (BS) architecture to support the comprehensive services of data transmission and multi-target sensing. In this context, a cooperative BS assignment and resource allocation (CBARA) strategy is proposed in this paper, aiming at jointly optimizing the communication and sensing (C&S) performance. The posterior Cramer-Rao lower bound and the achievable rate with respect to transmit power and bandwidth are derived and utilized as optimization criteria for the CBARA scheme. We develop a heuristic alternating optimization algorithm to obtain an effective sub-optimal solution for the non-convex optimization problem caused by multiple coupled variables. Numerical results show the effectiveness of the proposed solution, which achieves a performance improvement of 117% in communication rate and 40% in sensing accuracy, compared to the classic scheme.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2025

Advanced Codebook Design for SCMA-aided NTNs With Randomly Distributed Users

In this letter, a novel class of sparse codebooks is proposed for sparse code multiple access (SCMA) aided non-terrestrial networks (NTN) with randomly distributed users characterized by Rician fading channels. Specifically, we first exploit the upper bound of bit error probability (BEP) of an SCMA-aided NTN with large-scale fading of different users under Rician fading channels. Then, the codebook is designed by employing pulse-amplitude modulation constellation, user-specific rotation and power factors. To further reduce the optimization complexity while maintaining the power diversity of different users, an orthogonal layer-assisted joint layer and power assignment strategy is proposed. Finally, unlike existing SCMA codebook designs that treat all users as one super-user, we propose to minimize the BEP of the worst user to ensure user fairness. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme is capable of providing a substantial performance gain over conventional codebooks.

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arXiv2025

Amplitude-Domain Reflection Modulation for Active RIS-Assisted Wireless Communications

In this paper, we propose a novel active reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-assisted amplitude-domain reflection modulation (ADRM) transmission scheme, termed as ARIS-ADRM. This innovative approach leverages the additional degree of freedom (DoF) provided by the amplitude domain of the active RIS to perform index modulation (IM), thereby enhancing spectral efficiency (SE) without increasing the costs associated with additional radio frequency (RF) chains. Specifically, the ARIS-ADRM scheme transmits information bits through both the modulation symbol and the index of active RIS amplitude allocation patterns (AAPs). To evaluate the performance of the proposed ARIS-ADRM scheme, we provide an achievable rate analysis and derive a closed-form expression for the upper bound on the average bit error probability (ABEP). Furthermore, we formulate an optimization problem to construct the AAP codebook, aiming to minimize the ABEP. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme significantly improves error performance under the same SE conditions compared to its benchmarks. This improvement is due to its ability to flexibly adapt the transmission rate by fully exploiting the amplitude domain DoF provided by the active RIS.

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arXiv2024

DAFT-Spread Affine Frequency Division Multiple Access for Downlink Transmission

Affine frequency division multiplexing (AFDM) and orthogonal AFDM access (O-AFDMA) are promising techniques based on chirp signals, which are able to suppress the performance deterioration caused by Doppler shifts in high-mobility scenarios. However, the high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) in AFDM or O-AFDMA is still a crucial problem, which severely limits their practical applications. In this paper, we propose a discrete affine Fourier transform (DAFT)-spread AFDMA scheme based on the properties of the AFDM systems, named DAFT-s-AFDMA to significantly reduce the PAPR by resorting to the DAFT. We formulate the transmitted time-domain signals of the proposed DAFT-s-AFDMA schemes with localized and interleaved chirp subcarrier allocation strategies. Accordingly, we derive the guidelines for setting the DAFT parameters, revealing the insights of PAPR reduction. Finally, simulation results of PAPR comparison in terms of the complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF) show that the proposed DAFT-s-AFDMA schemes with localized and interleaved strategies can both attain better PAPR performances than the conventional O-AFDMA scheme.

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arXiv2024

Channel Estimation for AFDM With Superimposed Pilots

The recent proposed affine frequency division multiplexing (AFDM) employing a multi-chirp waveform has shown its reliability and robustness in doubly selective fading channels. In the existing embedded pilot-aided channel estimation methods, the presence of guard symbols in the discrete affine Fourier transform (DAFT) domain causes inevitable degradation of the spectral efficiency (SE). To improve the SE, we propose a novel AFDM channel estimation scheme by introducing the superimposed pilots in the DAFT domain. An effective pilot placement method that minimizes the channel estimation error is also developed with a rigorous proof. To mitigate the pilot-data interference, we further propose an iterative channel estimator and signal detector. Simulation results demonstrate that both channel estimation and data detection performances can be improved by the proposed scheme as the number of superimposed pilots increases.

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arXiv2023

Design and Performance Analysis of Index Modulation Empowered AFDM System

In this letter, we incorporate index modulation (IM) into affine frequency division multiplexing (AFDM), called AFDM-IM, to enhance the bit error rate (BER) and energy efficiency (EE) performance. In this scheme, the information bits are conveyed not only by $M$-ary constellation symbols, but also by the activation of the chirp subcarriers (SCs) indices, which are determined based on the incoming bit streams. Then, two power allocation strategies, namely power reallocation (PR) strategy and power saving (PS) strategy, are proposed to enhance BER and EE performance, respectively. Furthermore, the average bit error probability (ABEP) is theoretically analyzed. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed AFDM-IM scheme achieves better BER performance than the conventional AFDM scheme.

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