<![CDATA[The relentless evolution of communication systems, driven by the demands of 5G and the impending 6G networks, necessitates heightened data rates and spectral efficiency. orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), a form of multicarrier modulation employed in multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems, stands as a pivotal technology. Yet, OFDM grapples with challenges, notably the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) issue. Selective mapping (SLM) has been a favored technique for mitigating PAPR in OFDM, albeit challenged by computational complexities in its pursuit of discovering optimal phase factors. This paper pioneers a transformative approach by integrating metaheuristic algorithms genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and the innovative fireworks algorithm (FWA) into SLM for PAPR reduction while minimizing computational complexity. Simulation results not only affirm the efficacy of SLM-based techniques but also spotlight the potential of metaheuristic algorithms in addressing PAPR challenges in modern communication systems. The study transcends single-antenna systems, extending to MIMO-OFDM systems based on WiMAX standards, validating the efficacy of these techniques in multi-antenna configurations. Crucially, the FWA, proposed for the first time in this paper, emerges as a robust candidate, striking an enviable balance between computational efficiency and performance, achieving a notable PAPR reduction with a favorable search number.]]>
