Chirp-based OCDM and AFDM Waveforms for 6G and Beyond: Principles, Recent Advances, and Future Opportunities

Chirp-based OCDM and AFDM Waveforms for 6G and Beyond: Principles, Recent Advances, and Future Opportunities | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 18 February 2026 V1 Latest version Share on Chirp-based OCDM and AFDM Waveforms for 6G and Beyond: Principles, Recent Advances, and Future Opportunities Authors : Qu Luo , Zeping Sui 0000-0001-7960-2925 [email protected] , Tianyao Ma , Qihao Peng , Zilong Liu , Yin Xu , Pei Xiao , Yong Liang Guan , Hüseyin Arslan , and George K Karagiannidis Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.177145233.37871971/v1 758 views 246 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Recently, chirp-based multicarrier waveforms have emerged as a promising technology for next-generation wireless networks. These waveforms offer enhanced robustness to doubly selective channels and enable the seamless integration of communication and sensing functionalities. This survey provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of two representative chirp-based multicarrier schemes, i.e., orthogonal chirp division multiplexing (OCDM) and affine frequency division multiplexing (AFDM), which are attracting growing interest for high-mobility and integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) scenarios. First, the historical evolution from orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) to chirp-based modulation is revisited. This reveals the intrinsic structural connections and unique signal representations that underpin OFDM and AFDM. Subsequently, recent advances in transceiver design and performance analysis are reviewed, encompassing peak-toaverage power ratio (PAPR) reduction, channel estimation, and signal detection techniques. We further examine ISAC architectures and sensing mechanisms enabled by these waveforms, alongside their emerging applications in nonterrestrial networks (NTNs), underwater acoustic and optical communications, and physical-layer security (PLS). Finally, open research challenges and future directions are outlined, offering a forward-looking roadmap for the development and standardization of chirp-based multicarrier systems within the sixth-generation (6G) and beyond wireless landscape. Supplementary Material File (surveyafdmocdm.pdf) Download 14.35 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 18 February 2026 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords afdm highmobility communications isac ocdm waveform design Authors Affiliations Qu Luo View all articles by this author Zeping Sui 0000-0001-7960-2925 [email protected] View all articles by this author Tianyao Ma View all articles by this author Qihao Peng View all articles by this author Zilong Liu View all articles by this author Yin Xu View all articles by this author Pei Xiao View all articles by this author Yong Liang Guan View all articles by this author Hüseyin Arslan View all articles by this author George K Karagiannidis View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 758 views 246 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Qu Luo, Zeping Sui, Tianyao Ma, et al. Chirp-based OCDM and AFDM Waveforms for 6G and Beyond: Principles, Recent Advances, and Future Opportunities. Authorea . 18 February 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.177145233.37871971/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. 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