The continuous-time peak-to-average power ratio of OFDM signals using complex modulation schemes

Computing the continuous-time peak-to-average-power ratio (PAPR) of OFDM signals is computationally challenging. The pioneering work by Tellambura applies only to OFDM signals using real-valued modulation schemes. In this paper, a practical technique for evaluating the continuous-time PAPR of OFDM signals using complex modulation is presented. Using the proposed scheme, it is confirmed that the four-time oversampled discrete-time PAPR is a good approximation of the continuous-time PAPR even for complex OFDM signals. Furthermore, the proposed scheme is employed to verify some existing analytical bounds on continuous PAPR in the literature. Index Terms--OFDM, peak-to-average-power ratio, PAPR, multicarrier modulation.