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Michael Joham

Publications and source records attributed to Michael Joham.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Efficient Channel Prediction based on Gram-Square-Root Factorization using GMMs

Accurate channel state information (CSI) is critical for downlink (DL)-multi-user (MU)-multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, where feedback delays and mobility can degrade precoding performance. To ensure reliable beamforming and interference mitigation, CSI prediction is required. In practical systems, full CSI feedback is often infeasible due to signaling overhead, so transmitters rely on partial CSI reported by the receivers. In this work, we propose a Gaussian mixture model (GMM)-based prediction framework for MIMO-orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) channels under partial feedback using Gram-square-root factorization. To address the high dimensionality, we introduce an efficient parameter reduction technique that exploits structured covariance matrices, significantly lowering complexity without noticeable performance degradation. This reduction is based on the Gram-square-root factorization and remains of interest even when full CSI is available. Simulation results demonstrate that GMMs achieve the highest prediction accuracy and correctly capture the underlying channel subspaces, which is essential for effective MU-precoding. The proposed method outperforms classical baselines such as zero-order hold (ZOH), first-order hold (FOH), and linear minimum mean squared error (LMMSE) predictors, and an advanced neural network (NN)-based predictor. Notably, the parameter-reduced partial CSI GMM achieves performance comparable to that of full CSI prediction, highlighting its ability to efficiently model the channel structure under limited feedback.

eess.SP

On the Optimality of Rate Balancing for Max-Min Fair Multicasting

The max-min fair (MMF) multicasting problem is known to be NP-hard. In this work, we analytically derive the optimal solution to this NP-hard problem and establish the equivalence between rate balancing and the optimal MMF multicasting solution under certain conditions. Based on this theoretical insight, we propose a low-complexity algorithm for MMF multicasting that yields closed-form solutions. Simulation results validate our analysis and demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the state-of-the-art methods while being computationally more efficient.

eess.SP

Precoder Design in Multi-User FDD Systems with VQ-VAE and GNN

Robust precoding is efficiently feasible in frequency division duplex (FDD) systems by incorporating the learnt statistics of the propagation environment through a generative model. We build on previous work that successfully designed site-specific precoders based on a combination of Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) and graph neural networks (GNNs). In this paper, by utilizing a vector quantized-variational autoencoder (VQ-VAE), we circumvent one of the key drawbacks of GMMs, i.e., the number of GMM components scales exponentially to the feedback bits. In addition, the deep learning architecture of the VQ-VAE allows us to jointly train the GNN together with VQ-VAE along with pilot optimization forming an end-to-end (E2E) model, resulting in considerable performance gains in sum rate for multi-user wireless systems. Simulations demonstrate the superiority of the proposed frameworks over the conventional methods involving the sub-discrete Fourier transform (DFT) pilot matrix and iterative precoder algorithms enabling the deployment of systems characterized by fewer pilots or feedback bits.

cs.IT

Is Lattice Reduction Necessary for Vector Perturbation Precoding?

Vector perturbation (VP) precoding is an effective nonlinear precoding technique in the downlink (DL) with modulo channels, providing an approximation of dirty paper coding (DPC) which is capacity-achieving. Especially, when combined with Lattice reduction (LR), low-complexity algorithms achieve a very promising performance, outperforming other popular non-linear precoding techniques like Tomlinson-Harashima precoding (THP). However, these results are based on the symbol error rate (SER) or bit error rate (BER). When shifting the focus to the mutual information as the figure of merit, we show that this is different and that the underlying lattice problem has a unique structural property. For lattice problems with this special structure, we show for a whole class of algorithms that LR does not have any impact on the solution vector. At the same time, algorithms are identified which benefit from LR, even if this lattice structure arises. The provided structural analysis has strong implications on the performance evaluation of VP. In particular, we re-evaluate popular Lenstra-Lenstra-Lov\'asz (LLL)-aided methods like the LLL-aided nearest plane (NP) algorithm and show that they do not outperform conventional THP, highlighting the effectiveness of the THP method. This is in contrast to the existing results based on SER and BER where these methods clearly outperform THP.

cs.IT

Sum-Rate Optimisation of a Multi-User STAR-RIS-Aided System with Low Complexity

Reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) is a promising technology for future wireless communication systems. However, the conventional RIS can only reflect the incident signal. Hence, it provides a limited coverage, as compared to a simultaneously transmitting and reflecting RIS (STAR-RIS). Prior works on the STAR-RIS address the power minimisation or the sum-rate maximisation problem by reformulating the objective problem as a convex optimisation problem and then employing numerical tools like CVX to obtain the solution, which introduces significant computational complexity leading to a huge runtime, making the algorithms impractical for real-world implementation. In this paper, we propose a low complexity solution for the optimisation of a multi-user STAR-RIS system, where the non-convex optimisation problem is decomposed into multiple convex sub-problems with closed-form optimal solutions. The simulation results illustrate that our proposed algorithm achieves similar performance to CVX-based solutions in the literature while being computationally efficient.

eess.SP

Statistical Precoder Design in Multi-User Systems via Graph Neural Networks and Generative Modeling

This letter proposes a graph neural network (GNN)-based framework for statistical precoder design that leverages model-based insights to compactly represent statistical knowledge, resulting in efficient, lightweight architectures. The framework also supports approximate statistical information in frequency division duplex (FDD) systems obtained through a Gaussian mixture model (GMM)-based limited feedback scheme in massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems with low pilot overhead. Simulations using a spatial channel model and measurement data demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework. It outperforms baseline methods, including stochastic iterative algorithms and Discrete Fourier transform (DFT) codebook-based approaches, particularly in low pilot overhead systems.

cs.IT

Decoupling Networks and Super-Quadratic Gains for RIS Systems with Mutual Coupling

We propose decoupling networks for the reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) array as a solution to benefit from the mutual coupling between the reflecting elements. In particular, we show that when incorporating these networks, the system model reduces to the same structure as if no mutual coupling is present. Hence, all algorithms and theoretical discussions neglecting mutual coupling can be directly applied when mutual coupling is present by utilizing our proposed decoupling networks. For example, by including decoupling networks, the channel gain maximization in RIS-aided single-input single-output (SISO) systems does not require an iterative algorithm but is given in closed form as opposed to using no decoupling network. In addition, this closed-form solution allows to analytically analyze scenarios under mutual coupling resulting in novel connections to the conventional transmit array gain. In particular, we show that super-quadratic (up to quartic) channel gains w.r.t. the number of RIS elements are possible and, therefore, the system with mutual coupling performs significantly better than the conventional uncoupled system in which only squared gains are possible. We consider diagonal as well as beyond diagonal (BD)-RISs and give various analytical and numerical results, including the inevitable losses at the RIS array. In addition, simulation results validate the superior performance of decoupling networks w.r.t. the channel gain compared to other state-of-the-art methods.

eess.SP

Bilinear Precoder Based Efficient Rate Splitting Method in FDD Systems

In this work, we propose a low-cost rate splitting (RS) technique for a multi-user multiple-input single-output (MISO) system operating in frequency division duplex (FDD) mode. The proposed iterative optimisation algorithm only depends on the second-order statistical channel knowledge and the pilot training matrix. Additionally, it offers a closed-form solution in each update step. This reduces the design complexity of the system drastically as we only need to optimise the precoding filters in every coherence interval of the covariance matrices, instead of doing that in every channel state information (CSI) coherence interval. Moreover, since the algorithm is based on closed-form solutions, there is no need for interior point solvers like CVX, which are typically required in most state-of-the-art techniques.

eess.SP

Robust Precoding for FDD MISO Systems via Minorization Maximization

In this work, we propose an approach to robust precoder design based on a minorization maximization technique that optimizes a surrogate function of the achievable spectral efficiency. The presented method accounts for channel estimation errors during the optimization process and is, hence, robust in the case of imperfect channel state information (CSI). Additionally, the design method is adapted such that the need for a line search to satisfy the power constraint is eliminated, that significantly accelerates the precoder computation. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed robust precoding method is competitive with weighted minimum mean square error (WMMSE) precoding, in particular, under imperfect CSI scenarios.

eess.SP

Low Complexity Rate Splitting Approach in RIS-Aided Systems Based on Channel Statistics

Rate splitting multiple access (RSMA) and reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) are two prospective technologies for improving the spectral and energy efficiency in future wireless communication systems. In this work, we investigate a rate splitting (RS) technique for an RIS-aided system in the presence of only statistical channel knowledge. We propose an algorithm with a quasi closed-form solution based only on the second-order channel statistics, which reduces the design complexity of the system as it does not require estimation of the channel state information (CSI) and optimisation of the precoding filters and phase shifts of the RIS in every channel coherence interval.

eess.SP

Nonlinear Precoding in the RIS-Aided MIMO Broadcast Channel

We propose to use Tomlinson-Harashima Precoding (THP) for the reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-aided multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) broadcast channel where we assume a line of sight (LOS) connection between the base station (BS) and the RIS. In this scenario, nonlinear precoding, like THP or dirty paper coding (DPC), has certain advantages compared to linear precoding as it is more robust in case the BS-RIS channel is not orthogonal to the direct channel. Additionally, THP and DPC allow a simple phase shift optimization which is in strong contrast to linear precoding for which the solution is quite intricate. Besides being difficult to optimize, it can be shown that linear precoding has fundamental limitations for statistical and random phase shifts which do not hold for nonlinear precoding. Moreover, we show that the advantages of THP/DPC are especially pronounced for discrete phase shifts.

eess.SP

A Versatile Pilot Design Scheme for FDD Systems Utilizing Gaussian Mixture Models

In this work, we propose a Gaussian mixture model (GMM)-based pilot design scheme for downlink (DL) channel estimation in single- and multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) frequency division duplex (FDD) systems. In an initial offline phase, the GMM captures prior information during training, which is then utilized for pilot design. In the single-user case, the GMM is utilized to construct a codebook of pilot matrices and, once shared with the mobile terminal (MT), can be employed to determine a feedback index at the MT. This index selects a pilot matrix from the constructed codebook, eliminating the need for online pilot optimization. We further establish a sum conditional mutual information (CMI)-based pilot optimization framework for multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) systems. Based on the established framework, we utilize the GMM for pilot matrix design in MU-MIMO systems. The analytic representation of the GMM enables the adaptation to any signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) level and pilot configuration without re-training. Additionally, an adaption to any number of MTs is facilitated. Extensive simulations demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed pilot design scheme compared to state-of-the-art approaches. The performance gains can be exploited, e.g., to deploy systems with fewer pilots.

cs.IT

High-SNR Comparison of Linear Precoding and DPC in RIS-Aided MIMO Broadcast Channels

We compare dirty paper coding (DPC) and linear precoding methods in a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)- aided high-signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) scenario, where the channel between the base station (BS) and the RIS is dominated by a line-of-sight (LOS) component. Furthermore, we consider two groups of users where one group can be efficiently served by the BS, whereas the other one has a negligible direct channel and has to be served via the RIS. Within this scenario, we analytically show fundamental differences between DPC and linear methods. In particular, our analysis addresses two essential aspects, i.e., the orthogonality of the BS-RIS channel with the direct channel and a channel mitigation term, depending on the number of RIS elements, that is present only for linear precoding techniques. The mitigation term generally leads to strong limitations for the linear method, especially for random or statistical phase shifts. Moreover, we discuss under which circumstances this mitigation term is negligible and in which scenarios DPC and linear precoding lead to the same performance.

eess.SP

Design of a Multi-User RIS-Aided System with Statistical Channel Knowledge

Reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) is a promising technology to enhance the spectral and energy efficiency in a wireless communication system. The design of the phase shifts of an RIS in every channel coherence interval demands a huge training overhead, making its deployment practically infeasible. The design complexity can be significantly reduced by exploiting the second-order statistics of the channels. This paper is the extension of our previous work to the design of an RIS for the multi-user setup, where we employ maximisation of the lower bound of the achievable sum-rate of the users. Unlike for the single-user case, obtaining a closed-form expression for the update of the filters and phase shifts is more challenging in the multi-user case. We resort to the fractional programming (FP) approach and the non-convex block coordinate descent (BCD) method to solve the optimisation problem. As the phase shifts of the RIS obtained by the proposed algorithms are based on the statistical channel knowledge, they do not need to be updated in every channel coherence interval.

eess.SP

Channel-Adaptive Pilot Design for FDD-MIMO Systems Utilizing Gaussian Mixture Models

In this work, we propose to utilize Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) to design pilots for downlink (DL) channel estimation in frequency division duplex (FDD) systems. The GMM captures prior information during training that is leveraged to design a codebook of pilot matrices in an initial offline phase. Once shared with the mobile terminal (MT), the GMM is utilized to determine a feedback index at the MT in the online phase. This index selects a pilot matrix from a codebook, eliminating the need for online pilot optimization. The GMM is further used for DL channel estimation at the MT via observation-dependent linear minimum mean square error (LMMSE) filters, parametrized by the GMM. The analytic representation of the GMM allows adaptation to any signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) level and pilot configuration without re-training. With extensive simulations, we demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed GMM-based pilot scheme compared to state-of-the-art approaches.

eess.SP

An Efficient Rate Splitting Precoding Approach in Multi-User MISO FDD Systems

In this work, we develop an efficient precoding strategy for a multi-user multiple-input-single output (MU MISO) system operating in frequency-division-duplex (FDD) mode, where rate splitting multiple access (RSMA) is implemented. To this end, we consider one-layer RS and show its significant impact on the system performance, specifically in the case where the channel state information (CSI) is incomplete at the transmitter. Based on a lower bound on the achievable rate that takes into account the CSI errors, we establish an augmented weighted average mean squared error (AWAMSE) algorithm for the RS setup denoted by AWAMSE-RS, where even the updates for the common and the private precoders are computed via analytical expressions, hence circumventing the need for interior-point methods. Simulation results validate the efficiency of our approach in terms of computational time and its competitiveness in terms of the achievable system throughput compared to state-of-the-art methods and non-RS setups.

eess.SP

Diffusion-based Generative Prior for Low-Complexity MIMO Channel Estimation

This work proposes a novel channel estimator based on diffusion models (DMs), one of the currently top-rated generative models. Contrary to related works utilizing generative priors, a lightweight convolutional neural network (CNN) with positional embedding of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) information is designed by learning the channel distribution in the sparse angular domain. Combined with an estimation strategy that avoids stochastic resampling and truncates reverse diffusion steps that account for lower SNR than the given pilot observation, the resulting DM estimator has both low complexity and memory overhead. Numerical results exhibit better performance than state-of-the-art channel estimators utilizing generative priors.

eess.SP

On the Asymptotic Mean Square Error Optimality of Diffusion Models

Diffusion models (DMs) as generative priors have recently shown great potential for denoising tasks but lack theoretical understanding with respect to their mean square error (MSE) optimality. This paper proposes a novel denoising strategy inspired by the structure of the MSE-optimal conditional mean estimator (CME). The resulting DM-based denoiser can be conveniently employed using a pre-trained DM, being particularly fast by truncating reverse diffusion steps and not requiring stochastic re-sampling. We present a comprehensive (non-)asymptotic optimality analysis of the proposed diffusion-based denoiser, demonstrating polynomial-time convergence to the CME under mild conditions. Our analysis also derives a novel Lipschitz constant that depends solely on the DM's hyperparameters. Further, we offer a new perspective on DMs, showing that they inherently combine an asymptotically optimal denoiser with a powerful generator, modifiable by switching re-sampling in the reverse process on or off. The theoretical findings are thoroughly validated with experiments based on various benchmark datasets

cs.LG