Noncoherent Multiple-Symbol Detection in Coded Ultra-wideband Communications

Recently, ultra wideband (UWB) impulse radio systems based on noncoherent detection, such as transmitted reference and differential modulation systems, have drawn a lot of attention for their potential applications in low-rate and low-cost communications. In this paper, a unified approach is presented to develop and analyze a noncoherent multiple-symbol detection (MSD) algorithm for various UWB signaling formats in multi- path environments. Pair-wise error probabilities of coherent and noncoherent MSD algorithms are derived and compared. The intrinsic connection between the coherent and noncoherent MSD algorithms is revealed, tradeoff curves between their performance and complexity are obtained, and optimal transmission signal design rules for noncoherent detection are provided. The bit error rates are shown through simulations to verify the analysis and to evaluate the performance of the developed algorithms in realistic environments.