Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing Basics

The best way to learn about ofdm basic facts is to look at a good OFDM video tutorial (ExploreGate has the best ones). However, in the interim, this short article will teach you some information about basic ofdm and how it is used. OFDM is an acronym that stands for Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing - it is a way to transfer data at high speeds using broadband multicarrier modulation methods. The rate at which data is transferred has a direct effect on how good the quality of the transmission. The higher the speed, the more likely there will be line noise and interference, and the data may become corrupted. There will usually be much less interference when data is sent at a slow rate. A multicarrier modulation method, as used by OFDM, allows for many small pieces of data to be sent and then later combined to arrive as a single unit. With ofdm the data is split into up to 52 substreams, and later made into a single mutiplexed stream. This allows for the data to be sent more slowly, and therefore line noise and interference is decreased; although the receiver will receive far more data in the same time period than using other data delivery methods. What may surprise you, is this is not a recent concept. Research into the possibility of this type of data transfer was known more than 50 years ago. The method was originally referred to as multicarrier modulation, but needless to say, the technique would have been extremely hard if not impossible to implement as the hardware for such technology was simply not available at the time. The computer technology we have today finally makes this type of data transfer possible. In the last few years, interest in OFDM has greatly increased along with the demand for new wireless technology and high speed data transfers. Until now, OFDM is probably the most efficient technology we have for transferring data,

because it eliminates the problem of multipath broadcasting that previously resulted in huge data errors and loss of signal. The main advantage of using ofdm is the increase in bandwidth efficiency it creates. What this actually means is that it is possible to transmit more data faster in a given bandwidth without the presence of noise. The measure of bandwidth efficiency available is measured at bps/Hz or bits per second per Hertz. Wireless high-frequency data transfer usually has multipath issues, but these are eliminated with ofdm. In theory, short-wavelength signals should be easily received over short distances, as long as the receiving and transmitting antennas are within line of sight. However, in reality buildings, hills, trees and even people, effect the transmission by reflecting parts of the signal. Unfortunately, this means a copy of the original signal is also sent and received by the antenna. This often results in data cancellations and other issues. OFDM divides the data into small pieces, and transmits it at low rates. As a result there is far less line noise and very few problems with large data transmission.