The 13th IEEE International Symposium on Consumer Electronics (ISCE2009)

Probability of Symbol Error of OFDM System

with 3-Dimensional Signal Constellations
Zhenxing Chen and Seog Geun Kang
School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Gyeongsang National University
Jinju, Gyeongnam 660-701, Republic of Korea
{chenzx, sgkang}@gnu.ac.kr

Abstract—In this paper, symbol error probabilities of orthogonal however, signal points are distributed on the two concentric
frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with 3-Dimensional (3- spheres. The distance among adjacent signal points in the
D) signal constellations over additive white Gaussian noise is constellations is the same. Comparing with the corresponding
computed and analyzed. We present the exact closed-form 2-D constellation, the minimum Euclidean distance (MED)
expressions of the symbol error probabilities of the OFDM between the signal points in the 3-D constellations is increased.
system with 3-D 8-ary and 32-ary constellations. In the case of 16- For a 3-D constellation of which decision region is the regular
ary constellation, an approximation symbol error probability is rectangular such as Fig. 1 (a) and (c), an exact closed-form
computed. The higher level 3-D constellations can be built by
expression can be calculated simply. In the case of the 16-ary
extension of a basic structure consisting of the regular
constellation shown in Fig. 1 (b), however, approximation of
hexahedron. Simulation result verifies that the theoretical error
performance found in this paper matches well with the
the probability of symbol error is computed.
experimental values. It is also noted that the OFDM systems with
3-D constellation have much lower symbol error probability than
general OFDM systems.

Keywords - wireless communication; OFDM system; 3-D

constellation; symbol error probabilites

I. INTRODUCTION
The symbol error probability about a variety of modulation
schemes has been an important topic in wireless
communication system. Furthermore, evaluation of the symbol
error probability depends on the structure of a signal (a)
constellation and its decision region. Most of the previous
works on signal constellations focus mainly on the 2-
dimenstional (2-D) signal space such as multilevel phase shift
keying (PSK) and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM),
and the issue about the computation of the symbol error
probability has also been figured out [1]-[3]. Recently, an
orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system
with 3-dimensional (3-D) signal mapper has been proposed in
[4]. Here, two kinds of basic 3-D signal constellations, having
4 and 8 signal points are exploited. The 3-D constellations have
also been employed in the polarization shift keying (POLSK)
for optical communication [5]-[7].
(b) (c)
In this paper, we investigate the mathematical expressions
Fig 1. The 3-D signal constellations (a) 8-ary (b) 16-ary (c) 32-ary
of symbol error probability for the OFDM systems with higher-
level 3-D signal constellations over additive white Gaussian
noise (AWGN) channel. Here, the regular hexahedron II. OFDM SYSTEM WITH 3-D CONSTELLATION
constellation shown in Fig. 1 (a) is used as the basic structure. As it is well known, the OFDM is a bandwidth efficient
And the higher-level constellations can be built by the basic signaling scheme for wideband digital communications. With
structure as shown in Fig. 1 (b) and (c). All of the symbols in the development of modern digital signal processing
the 3-D constellations are symmetric about the origin. For the technology, OFDM has become practical to implement and has
regular hexahedron, all the signal points are uniformly located been recommended as an efficient modulation scheme for a lot
on the sphere. In the case of extended 3-D constellations,

This work was supported by the Korea Science and Engineering

Foundation (KOSEF) grant funded by the Korea government (MEST) (No.
R01-2008-000-12283-0).

978-1-4244-2976-9/09/$25.00 ©2009 IEEE 442

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 Fig 2. Transmitter of the 3-D OFDM system
of applications ranging from modems, digital audio
broadcast, to high-speed wireless communications for the
next generation [8]. For example, the high-speed wireless
LAN standard IEEE 802.11a [9] exploits the OFDM for its
physical layer specification. The conventional OFDM system
generally uses 2-D signal space to assign a complex signal to
each subchannel.
Recently, an OFDM system with 3-D space signal
constellation is proposed in [4]. The structure of 3-D OFDM
system transmitter is depicted in Fig. 2. where xb,k ,0 ≤ k ≤ N-
1, represent low-rate binary streams for each subchannel. b is
the number of bits, and is decided by the size of constellation.
N is the number of subchannels of the OFDM system. In the
3-D signal mapping block, each of b-bit binary stream is
mapped to a signal point to produce a 3×1 complex column
vector. Thus, an OFDM baseband signal S can be realized
with a 3×N matrix in the frequency domain as follow
⎡ x0 x1 " xN −1 ⎤
S = ⎢⎢ y0 y1 " y N −1 ⎥⎥ .
⎢⎣ z0 z1 " z N −1 ⎥⎦
For the conventional OFDM baseband signal, an inverse
discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) has been exploited in
order to generate OFDM signal in the time domain. In the 3-
D OFDM, however, to modulate the set of signals in (1), 2-D
IDFT is used. To lessen the computational complexity, a 2-D
inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) algorithm given in (2)
is preferred.
s ( n1 , n 2 ) = IFFT 2 ( S )
, (2)
1 N 2 −1 N 1 −1
⎡
n k ⎛ n1 k1 ⎞ ⎤
=
N1N 2
∑ ∑ S ( k , k ) exp ⎢ j 2π ⎜ N
1 2
2 2
+ ⎟⎥
N1 ⎠ ⎦
k 2 = 0 k1 = 0 ⎣ ⎝ 2
where N1 and N2 representing the number of rows and
columns are the number of dimensions and subchannels,
respectively.
III. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
In this section, the probability of symbol error of the new
3-D OFDM system over AWGN channel is presented. In
order to calculate the symbol error probability, we must
follow some specific criterions such as the Bayes or the
maximum likelihood decision criterion.
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In 3-D OFDM system, suppose that a transmitted symbol
in the transmitter is expressed as si=(xi yi zi)T, where T
denotes transposition of a matrix and the subscript i is the
index of symbols in 3-D constellation. A sample of the
recovered signals in the receiver can be described as
ri = si + ni = {xi + nx yi + ny zi + nz }T , (3)
where nx, ny and nz are the components of AWGN in 3-D
form with means of μx, μy and μz, respectively, and having the
same variance of σ2. We assume that three components of
received signals are statistically independent and identically
distributed so that their joint density is simply the product of
their individual densities. Then, we can represent the 3-D
Gaussian density function as
f ( x, y , z )
1 ⎛ 1 ( x − μ x )2 + ( y − μ y )2 + ( z − μ z )2 ⎞ . (4)
= exp ⎜⎜ − ⎟⎟
(2π )3/ 2 σ 3 ⎝ 2 σ2 ⎠
(1) Next, we have to define the accurate decision region.
Therefore, the optimum decision is based on making correct
and independent decisions on each component of the
received signal r. The decision procedure for each
component is a simple threshold test. As a result, the
decision region statistic can be given as
{( x, y, z ) : a < x < b, c < y < d , e < z < f )} , (5)
where the parameters a~f are decided in terms of different
conditions.
A. Minimum Euclidean Distance
In the maximum-likelihood decision criterion, the
Euclidean distance d among adjacent symbols in a signal
constellation is one of the typical performance measures. In
general, increasing the MED, we are more likely to have
better performance. All of the symbol error probabilities will
be represented in terms of the parameter d. MED values of
the three constellations as shown in Fig. 1 are presented in
the TABLE I, and compared with the corresponding 2-D
constellations, where all of the constellations are normalized
to have the same average power of unity. And the 2-D
constellations are 8-PSK, 16-ary and 32-ary QAM.
443
 TABLE I. COMPARISON OF THE MED OF 2-D AND 3-D For mathematical convenience, we use the standard
CONSTELLATIONS
Gaussian distribution function [10] defined as
Constellation 8-ary 16-ary 32-ary u exp(−v 2 / 2)
Φ (u ) = ∫ dv, − ∞ < u < ∞ . (8)
−∞
2π
2-D 0.7654 0.6325 0.4472

3-D 1.1547 0.6874 0.6667 By substituting the parameters of boundary condition in (6)
into (7), we can obtain the expression of probability of
Increasement(%) 50.86 8.68 49.08 correct decision as
3
⎡ ⎛ d ⎞⎤ , (9)
According to the TABLE I, the 3-D constellations have Pc , n = ⎢1 − Φ ⎜ − ⎟⎥
⎣ ⎝ 2σ ⎠ ⎦
much increased MED as compared with the corresponding 2-
D constellations. In the case of 8-ary constellation, the where μx= μy= μz= d/2. By the symmetricity, the correct
increasement is about 51%. decision probability of every symbol in the constellation is
the same. Thus, the symbol error probability of entire 3-D
B. Symbol error probability OFDM system can be simply written as Pe,n= 1 - Pc,n. For
1) 8-ary constellation: To derive the probability of digital communication systems, the error probabilities are
usually expressed in terms of the complementary
symbol error, an accurate decision region for each signal distribution function Q. The final expression of symbol
point must be defined. Since each of the symbols in the error probability of the OFDM system with 3-D 8-ary
constellation are located symmetrically about the origin, we constellation can be given as
choose a decision region for symbol Si that lies in the first
3
quadrant, as illustrated in Fig. 3. ⎡ ⎛ d ⎞⎤ , (10)
Pe , = 1 − ⎢1 − Q ⎜ ⎟⎥
⎝ 2σ
n
⎣ ⎠⎦
z
where the relationship between Q function and the tabulated
function is Q(x)= Φ(-x).

Decision region
2) 16-ary constellation: Unlike 3-D 8-ary constellation,
Si 3-D 16-ary constellation has nonconstant envelop. Therefore,
the calculation of smybol error probability should be
divided into two parts: the inner and the outer symbol error
y probabilities. An average symbol error probability can be
obtained finally.
At first, we still consider the question about decision
region. In this case, the decision region is far more complex
than that of 8-ary constellation which has the rectangular
decision region. By the geometrical structure, the draft of
x the decision region is drawn in the Fig. 4.
Fig 3. Decision region for 8-ary constellation

In the case of 8-ary constellation, the decision region z

occupies one of 8 uniform 3-D spaces. Since the observation
The decision region
space can be expanded to the infinity, parameters of
of inner symbol
decision boundaries in (5) can be simply chosen. Thus, the
decision region statistic can be written as
Γ = {( x, y , z ) : 0 < x < +∞, 0 < y < +∞, 0 < z < +∞} . (6) Sj
Firstly, we compute the probability of a correct decision Si
Pc, n when an arbitrary symbol is transmitted. According to
the maximum-likelihood decision rule, if the decision
statistic of received signal satisfies the decision region Г in y
the receiver, we consider that the symbol Si is transmitted.
Hence, the probability of correct decision can be calculated
The decision region
as of outer symbol
x
Pc , n = ∫∫∫ f ( x, y, z )dxdydz . (7)
Fig 4. Decision region of 16-ary constellation

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Both Si and Sj are located in the first quadrant. The decision ⎛ Pc _ inner , n + Pc _ outer , n ⎞.
region of inner symbol Si is a tetrahedron which consists of Pe , n = 1 − ⎜ ⎟ (14)
three boundary planes and a triangular plane that ⎝ 2 ⎠
perpendicular to the associate line from Si to Sj and the mid
Hence, the final result of symbol error probability can be
of these two symbols. Suppose that the point of intersection
obtained approximately as
between the triangular plane and coordinate axis is l. Then,
we can figure out the equation of the triangular plane, that is,
σ ⎛ − ⎞ 1 ⎛ 3d ⎞
5+ 3 d 2 d2
−
l = x + y + z. Therefore, the decision region statistic of the Pe , n ≈ 1 − ⎜e 16 σ 2
−e 8σ 2
⎟ + Q ⎜⎜
inner symbol is 6π d ⎜⎝ ⎟ 2 ⎝ 2σ ⎟⎟⎠
⎠
Γ = {( x, y, z ) : 0 < x < l , 0 < y < l , 0 < z < l − x − y} . (11) ⎛ −d2 7 +3 3 d 2 2
⎞
σ −
− ⎜ e 8σ − e 16 σ ⎟
2
. (15)
And the rest space of the first quadrant becomes the
decision region of the outer symbol. In this case, however, a
( ⎜
8π + 6π d ⎝ ) ⎟
⎠
3 − 2 ⎡ ⎛ 4+ 3 d ⎞ ⎛ 3 3d ⎞ ⎤
2
21d
closed-form expression of the symbol error probability
cannot be obtained. + e 128σ ⎢Q ⎜⎜ − ⎟⎟ − Q ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎥
8 ⎣⎢ ⎝ 8 σ⎠ ⎝ 8σ ⎠ ⎦⎥
For mathematical convenience, we proposed an 49 + 28 3 d 2
evaluated method in terms of the volume of the entire 3 − ⎛ 3−2 d ⎞ ⎛ d ⎞
+ e Q ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟− Q ⎜ −
128 σ 2
⎟
decision region. An evaluated equivalent decision region 8 ⎝ 8 σ ⎠ ⎝ 2σ ⎠
diagram is described in Fig. 5. We rotate the 3-D 16-ary
3) 32-ary constellation: Finally we discuss the symbol
constellation and put symbol points Si and Sj on the
error probability of 3-D 32-ary OFDM system. Though the
coordinate axis z. To simplify computation, we assume that
size of constellation is increased, the suructure of decision
the decision region is a cone having the apex at the origin o.
region is simpler than that of 16-ary constellation. Due to
Then, the decision boundary of symbol Si and Sj is a
the symmetricity, decision region of only two symbols is
spherical surface with the center o and the radius l and the
illustrated in Fig. 6.
mid of Si Sj. The vertical angle φ can be determined
threshold of computing volume of the cone.

Fig 6. Decision region of 32-ary constellation

The decision region statistic for the inner and the outer
symbol is applied as follow
Fig 5. The evaluated equivalent decision region for 16-ary constellation

Using the sphere coordinate integral, we firstly compute Γinner

the probability of correct decision of the inner symbol, and = {( x, y, z ) : 0 < x < d , 0 < y < d , 0 < z < d } . (16)
it can be obtained by converting (6) into (12)
Γ outer
2π ϕ r
Pc _ inner , n = ∫ ∫ ∫ f (r , ϕ , θ )r 2 sin ϕdrdϕ dθ , (12) = {( x, y, z ) : d < x < +∞, d < y < +∞, 0 < z < +∞}
0 0 0

where r = l. And the probability of correct decision the outer The symbol error probabilities of the inner symbol and
symbol can be computed as that of the outer symbol can be computed independently.
Since the computation process is similar to 16-ary 3-D
2π ϕ +∞ constellation, we remove the procedures and provide only
Pc _ outer , n = ∫ ∫ ∫ f (r , ϕ , θ )r 2 sin ϕdrdϕ dθ . (13)
0 0 r the final expression of symbol error probability given as
Hence, the average symbol error probability of OFDM 3 2
11 ⎛ d ⎞ 21 ⎛ d ⎞ 15 ⎛ d ⎞. (17)
system with 3-D 16-ary constellation is given by Pe, n = Q⎜ ⎟ − Q⎜ ⎟ + Q⎜ ⎟
4 ⎝ 2σ ⎠ 4 ⎝ 2σ ⎠ 4 ⎝ 2σ ⎠

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 0 0

-1 -1

-2 -2

-3 -3

-4 -4

-5 -5

-6 -6

-7
-7

-8
-8 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

Fig 7. The Probability of symbol error of the 3-D OFDM system Fig 8. The symbol error probabilities of the general and the 3-D OFDM
systems

C. Simulation Results REFERENCES

To verify the mathematical derivation of the symbol
error probabilities, computer simulation in an AWGN
environment has been carried out, where the number of
OFDM symbols is 108, and each OFDM symbol consists of
1024 subchannels. The term ‘symbol error’ means a 3-D
subchannel signal that have been received in error. In Fig. 7,
the experimental and the theoretical results are compared. It
can be observed that the theoretical error probabilities are
almost the same to the experimental results in all signal-to-
noise power ratio (SNR). The symbol error rate (SER) of 3-
D OFDM system with 8-ary constellation is much lower
than those with 16-ary and 32-ary constellations. The
performance difference between the 16-ary OFDM and the
32-ary OFDM is around 1dB. These results are closely
coincident with the analysis of the MED shown in TABLE I.
In Fig. 8, we compare the error performance of the 3-D
OFDM systems with that of the general OFDM systems. It
is apparent that the OFDM systems with 3-D constellation
have much improved error performance. In the 8-ary OFDM
system, the former has around 8 dB lower SER than the
latter at the SER of 10-6.
IV. CONCLUSIONS
The symbol error probabilities of 3-D OFDM system
having 8-ary, 16-ary and 32-ary constellation are calculated
in this paper. Computer simulation verifies theoretical
results are very accurate. It is also noted that the OFDM
systems with 3-D constellation have much better
performance than the general 2-D OFDM system.
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