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Journal ArticleDOI

Coordinated multipoint: Concepts, performance, and field trial results

TL;DR: The principal feasibility of COMP is shown in two field testbeds with multiple sites and different backhaul solutions between the sites, and significant gains can be shown for both the uplink and downlink.
Abstract: Coordinated multipoint or cooperative MIMO is one of the promising concepts to improve cell edge user data rate and spectral efficiency beyond what is possible with MIMOOFDM in the first versions of LTE or WiMAX. Interference can be exploited or mitigated by cooperation between sectors or different sites. Significant gains can be shown for both the uplink and downlink. A range of technical challenges were identified and partially addressed, such as backhaul traffic, synchronization and feedback design. This article also shows the principal feasibility of COMP in two field testbeds with multiple sites and different backhaul solutions between the sites. These activities have been carried out by a powerful consortium consisting of universities, chip manufacturers, equipment vendors, and network operators.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An overview of 5G research, standardization trials, and deployment challenges is provided, with research test beds delivering promising performance but pre-commercial trials lagging behind the desired 5G targets.
Abstract: There is considerable pressure to define the key requirements of 5G, develop 5G standards, and perform technology trials as quickly as possible. Normally, these activities are best done in series but there is a desire to complete these tasks in parallel so that commercial deployments of 5G can begin by 2020. 5G will not be an incremental improvement over its predecessors; it aims to be a revolutionary leap forward in terms of data rates, latency, massive connectivity, network reliability, and energy efficiency. These capabilities are targeted at realizing high-speed connectivity, the Internet of Things, augmented virtual reality, the tactile internet, and so on. The requirements of 5G are expected to be met by new spectrum in the microwave bands (3.3-4.2 GHz), and utilizing large bandwidths available in mm-wave bands, increasing spatial degrees of freedom via large antenna arrays and 3-D MIMO, network densification, and new waveforms that provide scalability and flexibility to meet the varying demands of 5G services. Unlike the one size fits all 4G core networks, the 5G core network must be flexible and adaptable and is expected to simultaneously provide optimized support for the diverse 5G use case categories. In this paper, we provide an overview of 5G research, standardization trials, and deployment challenges. Due to the enormous scope of 5G systems, it is necessary to provide some direction in a tutorial article, and in this overview, the focus is largely user centric, rather than device centric. In addition to surveying the state of play in the area, we identify leading technologies, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses, and outline the key challenges ahead, with research test beds delivering promising performance but pre-commercial trials lagging behind the desired 5G targets.

1,659 citations


Cites methods from "Coordinated multipoint: Concepts, p..."

  • ...These techniques are already in use in IMT Advanced systems [28]....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper surveys the state-of-the-art literature on C-RAN and can serve as a starting point for anyone willing to understand C- RAN architecture and advance the research on the network.
Abstract: Cloud Radio Access Network (C-RAN) is a novel mobile network architecture which can address a number of challenges the operators face while trying to support growing end-user's needs. The main idea behind C-RAN is to pool the Baseband Units (BBUs) from multiple base stations into centralized BBU Pool for statistical multiplexing gain, while shifting the burden to the high-speed wireline transmission of In-phase and Quadrature (IQ) data. C-RAN enables energy efficient network operation and possible cost savings on baseband resources. Furthermore, it improves network capacity by performing load balancing and cooperative processing of signals originating from several base stations. This paper surveys the state-of-the-art literature on C-RAN. It can serve as a starting point for anyone willing to understand C-RAN architecture and advance the research on C-RAN.

1,516 citations


Cites background from "Coordinated multipoint: Concepts, p..."

  • ...Proper RRH aggregation and assignment to one BBU Pool can also facilitate CoMP [44]....

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Book
03 Jan 2018
TL;DR: This monograph summarizes many years of research insights in a clear and self-contained way and providest the reader with the necessary knowledge and mathematical toolsto carry out independent research in this area.
Abstract: Massive multiple-input multiple-output MIMO is one of themost promising technologies for the next generation of wirelesscommunication networks because it has the potential to providegame-changing improvements in spectral efficiency SE and energyefficiency EE. This monograph summarizes many years ofresearch insights in a clear and self-contained way and providesthe reader with the necessary knowledge and mathematical toolsto carry out independent research in this area. Starting froma rigorous definition of Massive MIMO, the monograph coversthe important aspects of channel estimation, SE, EE, hardwareefficiency HE, and various practical deployment considerations.From the beginning, a very general, yet tractable, canonical systemmodel with spatial channel correlation is introduced. This modelis used to realistically assess the SE and EE, and is later extendedto also include the impact of hardware impairments. Owing tothis rigorous modeling approach, a lot of classic "wisdom" aboutMassive MIMO, based on too simplistic system models, is shownto be questionable.

1,352 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed a max-min power control algorithm to ensure uniformly good service throughout the area of coverage in a cell-free massive MIMO system, where each user is served by a dedicated access point.
Abstract: A Cell-Free Massive MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) system comprises a very large number of distributed access points (APs), which simultaneously serve a much smaller number of users over the same time/frequency resources based on directly measured channel characteristics. The APs and users have only one antenna each. The APs acquire channel state information through time-division duplex operation and the reception of uplink pilot signals transmitted by the users. The APs perform multiplexing/de-multiplexing through conjugate beamforming on the downlink and matched filtering on the uplink. Closed-form expressions for individual user uplink and downlink throughputs lead to max–min power control algorithms. Max–min power control ensures uniformly good service throughout the area of coverage. A pilot assignment algorithm helps to mitigate the effects of pilot contamination, but power control is far more important in that regard. Cell-Free Massive MIMO has considerably improved performance with respect to a conventional small-cell scheme, whereby each user is served by a dedicated AP, in terms of both 95%-likely per-user throughput and immunity to shadow fading spatial correlation. Under uncorrelated shadow fading conditions, the cell-free scheme provides nearly fivefold improvement in 95%-likely per-user throughput over the small-cell scheme, and tenfold improvement when shadow fading is correlated.

1,234 citations

Posted Content
TL;DR: Under uncorrelated shadow fading conditions, the cell-free scheme provides nearly fivefold improvement in 95%-likely per-user throughput over the small-cell scheme, and tenfold improvement when shadow fading is correlated.
Abstract: A Cell-Free Massive MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) system comprises a very large number of distributed access points (APs)which simultaneously serve a much smaller number of users over the same time/frequency resources based on directly measured channel characteristics. The APs and users have only one antenna each. The APs acquire channel state information through time-division duplex operation and the reception of uplink pilot signals transmitted by the users. The APs perform multiplexing/de-multiplexing through conjugate beamforming on the downlink and matched filtering on the uplink. Closed-form expressions for individual user uplink and downlink throughputs lead to max-min power control algorithms. Max-min power control ensures uniformly good service throughout the area of coverage. A pilot assignment algorithm helps to mitigate the effects of pilot contamination, but power control is far more important in that regard. Cell-Free Massive MIMO has considerably improved performance with respect to a conventional small-cell scheme, whereby each user is served by a dedicated AP, in terms of both 95%-likely per-user throughput and immunity to shadow fading spatial correlation. Under uncorrelated shadow fading conditions, the cell-free scheme provides nearly 5-fold improvement in 95%-likely per-user throughput over the small-cell scheme, and 10-fold improvement when shadow fading is correlated.

893 citations

References
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article considers network coordination as a means to provide spectrally efficient communications in cellular downlink systems and describes how the antenna outputs are chosen in ways to minimize the out-of-cell interference, and hence to increase the downlink system capacity.
Abstract: In this article we consider network coordination as a means to provide spectrally efficient communications in cellular downlink systems. When network coordination is employed, all base antennas act together as a single network antenna array, and each mobile may receive useful signals from nearby base stations. Furthermore, the antenna outputs are chosen in ways to minimize the out-of-cell interference, and hence to increase the downlink system capacity. When the out-of-cell interference is mitigated, the links can operate in the high signal-to-noise ratio regime. This enables the cellular network to enjoy the great spectral efficiency improvement associated with using multiple antennas

1,074 citations

Proceedings ArticleDOI
29 Apr 2010
TL;DR: A centralized MAC scheduling approach for joint transmission coordinated multi-point (JT CoMP) is proposed and several cluster strategies are investigated as well, focusing on schemes that add only low complexity to the existing 3GPP LTE Release 8 system.
Abstract: Coordinated multi-point transmission/reception is considered for LTE-Advanced as a tool to improve the coverage of high data rates, the cell-edge throughput and/or to increase the system throughput [1]. Joint transmission schemes are mentioned in [1] as an example of coordinated transmission between cells for the downlink. Here, data are transmitted simultaneously either coherently or non-coherently from multiple cells to a single mobile station. In this paper, a centralized MAC scheduling approach for joint transmission coordinated multi-point (JT CoMP) is proposed. Since several base stations transmit jointly to a single mobile station, the base stations are grouped together in so-called clusters. Several cluster strategies are investigated as well. The focus is on schemes that add only low complexity to the existing 3GPP LTE Release 8 system. Simulation results are provided for non-coherent transmission for full buffer and bursty traffic models with various system loads for different static cell clustering approaches.

136 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper considers the cellular downlink and provides a comprehensive summary and extension of previous and current work on multicell signal processing, and compares the performance obtained through centralized or decentralized optimization approaches, or through optimal or suboptimal calculation of precoding matrices, and identifies reasonable performance–complexity trade-offs.
Abstract: Recent work has shown that multicell cooperative signal processing in cellular networks can significantly increase system capacity and fairness. For example, multicell joint transmission and joint detection can be performed to combat intercell interference, often mentioned in the context of distributed antenna systems. Most publications in this field assume that an infinite amount of information can be exchanged between the cooperating base stations, neglecting the main downside of such systems, namely, the need for an additional network backhaul. In recent publications, we have thus proposed an optimization framework and algorithm that applies multicell signal processing to only a carefully selected subset of users for cellular systems with a strongly constrained backhaul. In this paper, we consider the cellular downlink and provide a comprehensive summary and extension of our previous and current work. We compare the performance obtained through centralized or decentralized optimization approaches, or through optimal or suboptimal calculation of precoding matrices, and identify reasonable performance–complexity trade-offs. It is shown that even low-complexity optimization approaches for cellular systems with a strongly constrained backhaul can yield major performance improvements over conventional systems.

114 citations


"Coordinated multipoint: Concepts, p..." refers background in this paper

  • ...The same spectrum resources are used in all sectors, leading to interference for terminals (user equipment [UE] in Third Generation Partnership Project [3GPP] terminology) at the edge between the cells, where signals from multiple base stations are received with similar signal power in the downlink....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The performance of LTE Release 8 is evaluated as a baseline and advanced concepts currently in discussion such as cooperative MIMO based on system-level simulations, and measurements in the laboratory and a multisite field testbed within the EASY-C project are evaluated.
Abstract: The 3GPP LTE standard is stable now in its first release (Release 8), and the question is how good its performance is in real-world scenarios. LTE is also a good base for further innovations, but it must be proven that they offer performance advantages for the price of their complexity. This article evaluates the performance of LTE Release 8 as a baseline and advanced concepts currently in discussion such as cooperative MIMO based on system-level simulations, and measurements in the laboratory and a multisite field testbed within the EASY-C project.

100 citations


"Coordinated multipoint: Concepts, p..." refers methods in this paper

  • ...Different approaches to COMP can be analyzed using system-level simulations with hexagonal cells and evaluation methodologies customary in the 3GPP, Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN), and International Telecommunication Union (ITU)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A practical approach using space-frequency-selective multiuser MIMO scheduling that increases the probability of using multistream transmission and has implemented essential functions of the approach in real time on an experimental 3GPP LTE prototype in 20 MHz bandwidth.
Abstract: With the introduction of orthogonal frequency- division multiplexing and multiple antennas in cellular networks, there are new opportunities to adapt the transmission to propagation and interference conditions. In this article we describe a practical approach using space-frequency-selective multiuser MIMO scheduling. Frequency-selective feedback is provided on achievable data rates for preferred single- and multistream transmission modes. The base station selects the best mode while providing instantaneous fairness. We observe that multiuser transmission increases the probability of using multistream transmission. Besides the benefits from optimal combining at the physical layer, there is an additional gain at the MAC layer since the estimation of achievable rates becomes more precise. Altogether, 93 percent of the theoretical throughput can be realized by synchronizing the base stations and providing cell-specific reference signals. We have implemented essential functions of the approach in real time on an experimental 3GPP LTE prototype in 20 MHz bandwidth. Feasibility of the key features is proven in laboratory and field trials.

65 citations


"Coordinated multipoint: Concepts, p..." refers background in this paper

  • ...The same spectrum resources are used in all sectors, leading to interference for terminals (user equipment [UE] in Third Generation Partnership Project [3GPP] terminology) at the edge between the cells, where signals from multiple base stations are received with similar signal power in the downlink....

    [...]