Futuristic cityscape with glowing wireless signals representing GFDM technology.

Is GFDM the Future of 5G? A Simpler Way to Send Data Faster!

Theo Raines in Tech & Innovation August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Learn how MCT method can reduce PAPR in GFDM systems, offering a more efficient approach to data transmission and improving signal quality for next-gen networks."

In today's fast-paced world, mobile communication is essential. The fourth generation (4G) relies on Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). However, OFDM struggles to meet the demands of 5G, facing issues such as high out-of-band radiation, high Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR), and sensitivity to carrier frequency offset (CFO). These limitations hinder its ability to support low latency applications and vehicle-to-vehicle communication.

Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM) has emerged as a promising candidate for 5G wireless communication. GFDM effectively reduces out-of-band radiation. However, it still suffers from high PAPR, which can reduce efficiency and increase system operating costs. High PAPR requires wider dynamic range, which introduces noise and distorts signals.

Researchers have explored clipping methods to reduce PAPR. But, these methods often increase computational complexity and cause signal distortion due to irreversible loss of large signals. This article introduces a new method called Majorizing Compressing and Expanding Technique (MCT), which suppresses high PAPR in GFDM systems.

How Does MCT Reduce PAPR in GFDM Systems?

Futuristic cityscape with glowing wireless signals representing GFDM technology.

The Majorizing Compressing and Expanding Technique (MCT) is designed to compress high-power signals and expand low-power signals at the transmitter. At the receiver end, an inverse transformation occurs. This process reduces signal amplitude fluctuation, bringing it closer to the average and thereby reducing PAPR. By compressing the high power signals before sending, the load is minimized and quality maximized.

Here's a simplified breakdown of how MCT works:

Compression: High-power signals are compressed to reduce their peak amplitude.
Expansion: Low-power signals are expanded to increase their amplitude.
Transmission: The modified signal is transmitted.
Inverse Transformation: At the receiver, the signal undergoes an inverse transformation to restore the original signal.
PAPR Reduction: The overall effect is a reduction in PAPR, leading to improved system efficiency and performance.

Simulations have demonstrated that MCT offers a tradeoff between PAPR reduction and bit error rate (BER) performance. Comparisons between clipping and MCT methods show that MCT performs better in reducing PAPR while maintaining acceptable BER.

MCT: A Promising Solution for Future Wireless Networks

The findings suggest that Majorizing Compressing and Expanding Technique (MCT) is a promising solution for reducing PAPR in GFDM systems. By compressing high-power signals and expanding low-power signals, MCT effectively minimizes signal amplitude fluctuation and improves system performance. This makes MCT a valuable technique for enhancing the efficiency and reliability of 5G and beyond wireless networks.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/978-981-10-6571-2_112, Alternate LINK

Title: Gfdm System Papr Reduction Based On Mct Method

Journal: Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering

Publisher: Springer Singapore

Authors: Yaqin Zhao, Chentong Wu, Longwen Wu, Chunliu Li

Published: 2018-06-07

Everything You Need To Know

Why is Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM) being considered for 5G instead of continuing with Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) used in 4G?

Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM) is considered a promising candidate for 5G because it effectively reduces out-of-band radiation, a significant issue in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems used in 4G. However, GFDM still faces challenges like high Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR). While not detailed here, other potential waveforms considered for 5G include Filter Bank Multi-Carrier (FBMC) and Universal Filtered Multi-Carrier (UFMC), each with their own advantages and disadvantages related to spectral efficiency, complexity, and robustness.

How does the Majorizing Compressing and Expanding Technique (MCT) actually work to lower Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR) in Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM) systems?

The Majorizing Compressing and Expanding Technique (MCT) reduces Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR) in Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM) systems by compressing high-power signals and expanding low-power signals at the transmitter. This compression and expansion minimizes signal amplitude fluctuation. At the receiver end, an inverse transformation restores the original signal. This approach reduces PAPR, leading to improved system efficiency. It is important to note that the specific mathematical operations and algorithmic implementations involved in the compression, expansion, and inverse transformation stages of MCT are not described here but would involve signal processing techniques.

Why is it important to reduce Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR) in Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM) systems, and what are the potential consequences of not doing so?

High Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR) in Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM) systems can significantly reduce efficiency and increase system operating costs. High PAPR requires a wider dynamic range in the transmitting hardware, leading to increased power consumption and potential signal distortion due to noise. This can affect the overall quality and reliability of the wireless communication. The Majorizing Compressing and Expanding Technique (MCT) aims to mitigate these effects by reducing PAPR.

What is the tradeoff between Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR) reduction and bit error rate (BER) when using the Majorizing Compressing and Expanding Technique (MCT) in Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM) systems?

The Majorizing Compressing and Expanding Technique (MCT) offers a valuable tradeoff between Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR) reduction and bit error rate (BER) performance in Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM) systems. While MCT effectively reduces PAPR, it's essential to consider its impact on BER. The simulations show that MCT performs better in reducing PAPR while maintaining acceptable BER compared to clipping methods, which can introduce signal distortion. Further optimizations and parameter adjustments in the MCT implementation can fine-tune this tradeoff for specific application requirements.

What are the limitations of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) in the context of 5G, and how do Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM) and Majorizing Compressing and Expanding Technique (MCT) aim to overcome these?

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) used in 4G networks struggles to meet the demands of 5G due to issues such as high out-of-band radiation, high Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR), and sensitivity to carrier frequency offset (CFO). These limitations hinder its ability to support low latency applications and vehicle-to-vehicle communication, which are key features of 5G. Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM) and methods like Majorizing Compressing and Expanding Technique (MCT) are explored to address these challenges and improve the efficiency and reliability of future wireless networks. Other advanced techniques not mentioned may include advanced coding schemes, multiple antenna techniques (MIMO), and beamforming, which are all critical for enhancing 5G performance.