A SIC-Free Dual-Domain RSMA Strategy via AFDM-OFDM Coexistence for 6G Networks
IEEE Transactions on Communications, cilt.74, ss.11315-11325, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 74
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1109/tcomm.2026.3712545
- Dergi Adı: IEEE Transactions on Communications
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aerospace Database, Compendex, INSPEC, zbMATH, Materials Science & Engineering Collection (ProQuest), Technology Collection (ProQuest)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.11315-11325
- Anahtar Kelimeler: 6G networks, AFDM, channel estimation, OFDM, pilot design, RSMA, spectral efficiency
- İstanbul Medipol Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
The integration of diverse waveforms and the development of non-orthogonal multiple access schemes are essential to achieve the spectral efficiency and flexibility required in future 6G wireless networks. Nevertheless, the joint design of waveform coexistence and multiple access remains relatively unexplored. To address this gap, this paper introduces a novel rate-splitting multiple access (RSMA) framework that avoids reliance on successive interference cancellation (SIC) by separating signals directly in the waveform domain. Specifically, common messages are transmitted using affine frequency division multiplexing (AFDM) and decoded in the affine domain, while private messages are conveyed via orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and decoded in the frequency domain. To ensure accurate channel estimation, two pilot designs are proposed: A clean pilot scheme designed for high estimation accuracy, and a mixed pilot approach that integrates pilots with data transmission to enhance spectral efficiency (SE). Furthermore, the proposed approach is thoroughly evaluated in terms of peak-To-Average power ratio, where a tailored power allocation strategy is introduced, as well as SE and computational complexity. Simulation results under diverse channel conditions, including multipath delay, Doppler spreads, and varying modulation orders, demonstrate notable gains in bit error rate and computational complexity when compared with existing SIC-free RSMA techniques.