Millimeter-Wave Cellular Wireless Networks: Potentials and Challenges
05 Feb 2014-Vol. 102, Iss: 3, pp 366-385
TL;DR: Measurements and capacity studies are surveyed to assess mmW technology with a focus on small cell deployments in urban environments and it is shown that mmW systems can offer more than an order of magnitude increase in capacity over current state-of-the-art 4G cellular networks at current cell densities.
Abstract: Millimeter-wave (mmW) frequencies between 30 and 300 GHz are a new frontier for cellular communication that offers the promise of orders of magnitude greater bandwidths combined with further gains via beamforming and spatial multiplexing from multielement antenna arrays. This paper surveys measurements and capacity studies to assess this technology with a focus on small cell deployments in urban environments. The conclusions are extremely encouraging; measurements in New York City at 28 and 73 GHz demonstrate that, even in an urban canyon environment, significant non-line-of-sight (NLOS) outdoor, street-level coverage is possible up to approximately 200 m from a potential low-power microcell or picocell base station. In addition, based on statistical channel models from these measurements, it is shown that mmW systems can offer more than an order of magnitude increase in capacity over current state-of-the-art 4G cellular networks at current cell densities. Cellular systems, however, will need to be significantly redesigned to fully achieve these gains. Specifically, the requirement of highly directional and adaptive transmissions, directional isolation between links, and significant possibilities of outage have strong implications on multiple access, channel structure, synchronization, and receiver design. To address these challenges, the paper discusses how various technologies including adaptive beamforming, multihop relaying, heterogeneous network architectures, and carrier aggregation can be leveraged in the mmW context.
Citations
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TL;DR: This article investigates the problem of joint user association and resource allocation, defined by the number of allocated time-slots, in hybrid heterogeneous networks with the coexistence of sub-6-GHz base stations and millimeter wave (mm-Wave) base stations with the proposed two efficient heuristic algorithms.
Abstract: This article investigates the problem of joint user association and resource allocation, defined by the number of allocated time-slots, in hybrid heterogeneous networks with the coexistence of sub-6-GHz base stations and millimeter wave (mm-Wave) base stations. To do so, we formulate a joint optimization problem to improve the efficiency of resource utilization by maximizing the number of associated users and minimizing the number of allocated time-slots. The optimization problem is formulated as a binary integer linear program and is proved to be NP-hard. Accordingly, we propose two efficient heuristic algorithms to solve it. The first one is centralized and relies on complete information, whereas the second one is distributed and is based on a reinforcement learning approach. The proposed distributed learning algorithm aims to find the best association for each user based on its past experience, automatically and independently from others. Simulation results show that the performances of both proposed algorithms are close-to-optimal with an important reduction in computational complexity.
16 citations
Additional excerpts
...2984596 and sensitivity to blockage [2]....
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01 Aug 2019
TL;DR: An unscented Kalman filter (UKF) based beam tracking scheme for the UAV-enabled mmW mMIMO systems to manage the challenge of rapid channel variation due to UAV’s movement is proposed.
Abstract: Fueled by the incessantly growing need of high-speed wireless access in the fifth generation (5G) wireless networks, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-enabled millimeter wave (mmW) massive multiple input multiple output (mMIMO) has become an attractive solution to provide high capacity wireless transmission. In this paper, we proposed an unscented Kalman filter (UKF) based beam tracking scheme for the UAV-enabled mmW mMIMO systems to manage the challenge of rapid channel variation due to UAV’s movement. Considering the nonlinearity of beamforming and the performance advantage of UKF to a broader nonlinear estimation problem, we utilize UKF to estimate the channel angle vector to obtain the channel state information which is indispensable for beamforming. Numerical results showed that the proposed beam tracking scheme was capable of improving the accuracy of the estimated beam angle.
16 citations
Cites background from "Millimeter-Wave Cellular Wireless N..."
...Consequently, the majority of the total energy of UAV-BS mmW transmitting signals would arrive at UE from the line of sight (LOS) path [7, 10]....
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12 Nov 2015
TL;DR: A distributed auction-based solution is proposed, where the clients and access points act asynchronously to achieve optimal association along with the optimal operating beamwidth, and it is shown that the proposed algorithm provably converges to a solution that maximizes the aggregate network utility within a desired bound.
Abstract: Millimeter wave (mmWave) communication is a promising candidate for future extremely high data rate, wireless networks. The main challenges of mmWave communications are deafness (misalignment between the beams of the transmitter and receiver) and blockage (severe attenuation due to obstacles). Due to deafness, prior to link establishment between a client and its access point, a time consuming alignment/beam training procedure is necessary, whose complexity depends on the operating beamwidth. Addressing blockage may require a reassociation to non-blocked access points, which in turn imposes additional alignment overhead. This paper introduces a unifying framework to maximize network throughput considering both deafness and blockage. A distributed auction-based solution is proposed, where the clients and access points act asynchronously to achieve optimal association along with the optimal operating beamwidth. It is shown that the proposed algorithm provably converges to a solution that maximizes the aggregate network utility within a desired bound. Convergence time and performance bounds are derived in closed-forms. Numerical results confirm superior throughput performance of the proposed solution compared to existing approaches, and highlight the existence of a tradeoff between alignment overhead and achievable throughput that affects the optimal association.
16 citations
Cites background from "Millimeter-Wave Cellular Wireless N..."
...The main characteristics of mmWave systems are small wavelength, severe path-loss, vulnerability to obstacles, and large number of antenna elements both at the transmitter and at the receiver [1]–[4]....
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TL;DR: This study explains how the technologies envisioned for next generation networks can respond to the challenge of realizing IoT over a use case prepared for the IoT smart home platform called IOLITE, and discusses how the needs of the IOLite community use case scenario can be satisfied by implementing a service- centric abstraction layer on top of a flexible infrastructure for beyond 5G IoT applications.
Abstract: Connecting a massive number of sensors and actuators with energy and transmission constraints is only possible by providing a reliable connection despite the increase in data traffic due to the Internet of Things, and by guaranteeing a maximum end-to-end delay for applications with real-time constraints. Next generation network architectures need to satisfy these two requirements while connecting IoT sources producing data at massive scales to cloud resources that provide the capability to process and store this data. For this reason, realization of IoT in next generation cellular networks faces the problem of delivering cloud services over the network to things that are placed anywhere. In this study, we explain how the technologies envisioned for next generation networks can respond to the challenge of realizing IoT over a use case prepared for the IoT smart home platform called IOLITE. We start by discussing capacity requirements and focus on network densification as a promising solution method. The challenges of network densification can be overcome by integrating the technological enablers such as SDN, C-RAN, SON, and mobile edge computing. For this reason, we provide a thorough survey on the state of the art in integrating these enablers for a flexible network architecture at all network segments. Finally, we discuss how the needs of the IOLITE community use case scenario can be satisfied by implementing a service- centric abstraction layer on top of a flexible infrastructure for beyond 5G IoT applications.
16 citations
Cites methods from "Millimeter-Wave Cellular Wireless N..."
...The use of milimeter-wave frequency bands in cellular networks also requires careful dense small cell planning as non-line-ofsight attenuation, rain attenuation, and oxygen absorption allow transmissions only when radio node coverage radius is below 200 m [5]....
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...[5] S....
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TL;DR: This paper advocates a complex-valued B-spline neural-network-based nonlinear SC-FDE scheme for Hammerstein channels, and develops two efficient alternating least squares schemes for estimating the parameters of the Hammerstein channel.
Abstract: Single-carrier (SC) block transmission with frequency-domain equalization (FDE) offers a viable transmission technology for combating the adverse effects of long dispersive channels encountered in high-rate broadband wireless communication systems. However, for high-bandwidth-efficiency and high-power-efficiency systems, the channel can generally be modeled by the Hammerstein system, which includes the nonlinear distortion effects of the high-power amplifier (HPA) at transmitter. For such nonlinear Hammerstein channels, the standard SC-FDE scheme no longer works. This paper advocates a complex-valued (CV) B-spline neural-network-based nonlinear SC-FDE scheme for Hammerstein channels. Specifically, we model the nonlinear HPA, which represents the CV static nonlinearity of the Hammerstein channel, by a CV B-spline neural network, and we develop two efficient alternating least squares schemes for estimating the parameters of the Hammerstein channel, including both the channel impulse response coefficients and the parameters of the CV B-spline model. We also use another CV B-spline neural network to model the inversion of the nonlinear HPA, and the parameters of this inverting B-spline model can easily be estimated using the standard least-squares algorithm based on the pseudo training data obtained as a natural byproduct of the Hammerstein channel identification. Equalization of the SC Hammerstein channel can then be accomplished by the usual one-tap linear equalization in the frequency domain as well as the inverse B-spline neural network model obtained in the time domain. Extensive simulation results are included to demonstrate the effectiveness of our nonlinear SC-FDE scheme for Hammerstein channels.
16 citations
Cites background from "Millimeter-Wave Cellular Wireless N..."
...This paper advocates a complex-valued (CV) B-spline neural network based nonlinear SC-FDE scheme for Hammerstein channels....
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References
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Book•
15 Jan 1996
TL;DR: WireWireless Communications: Principles and Practice, Second Edition is the definitive modern text for wireless communications technology and system design as discussed by the authors, which covers the fundamental issues impacting all wireless networks and reviews virtually every important new wireless standard and technological development, offering especially comprehensive coverage of the 3G systems and wireless local area networks (WLANs).
Abstract: From the Publisher:
The indispensable guide to wireless communicationsnow fully revised and updated!
Wireless Communications: Principles and Practice, Second Edition is the definitive modern text for wireless communications technology and system design. Building on his classic first edition, Theodore S. Rappaport covers the fundamental issues impacting all wireless networks and reviews virtually every important new wireless standard and technological development, offering especially comprehensive coverage of the 3G systems and wireless local area networks (WLANs) that will transform communications in the coming years. Rappaport illustrates each key concept with practical examples, thoroughly explained and solved step by step.
Coverage includes:
An overview of key wireless technologies: voice, data, cordless, paging, fixed and mobile broadband wireless systems, and beyond
Wireless system design fundamentals: channel assignment, handoffs, trunking efficiency, interference, frequency reuse, capacity planning, large-scale fading, and more
Path loss, small-scale fading, multipath, reflection, diffraction, scattering, shadowing, spatial-temporal channel modeling, and microcell/indoor propagation
Modulation, equalization, diversity, channel coding, and speech coding
New wireless LAN technologies: IEEE 802.11a/b, HIPERLAN, BRAN, and other alternatives
New 3G air interface standards, including W-CDMA, cdma2000, GPRS, UMTS, and EDGE
Bluetooth wearable computers, fixed wireless and Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS), and other advanced technologies
Updated glossary of abbreviations and acronyms, and a thorolist of references
Dozens of new examples and end-of-chapter problems
Whether you're a communications/network professional, manager, researcher, or student, Wireless Communications: Principles and Practice, Second Edition gives you an in-depth understanding of the state of the art in wireless technologytoday's and tomorrow's.
17,102 citations
"Millimeter-Wave Cellular Wireless N..." refers background in this paper
...Also, the human body and many outdoor materials being very reflective, allow them to be important scatterers for mmW propagation [28], [30]....
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...However, these measurements were performed in an outdoor campus setting with much lower building density and greater opportunities for LOS connectivity than would be found in a typical urban deployment....
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...Despite the potential of mmW cellular systems, there are a number of key challenges to realizing the vision of cellular networks in these bands: • Range and directional communication: Friis’ transmis- sion law [54] states that the free space omnidirectional path loss grows with the square of the…...
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TL;DR: The motivation for new mm-wave cellular systems, methodology, and hardware for measurements are presented and a variety of measurement results are offered that show 28 and 38 GHz frequencies can be used when employing steerable directional antennas at base stations and mobile devices.
Abstract: The global bandwidth shortage facing wireless carriers has motivated the exploration of the underutilized millimeter wave (mm-wave) frequency spectrum for future broadband cellular communication networks. There is, however, little knowledge about cellular mm-wave propagation in densely populated indoor and outdoor environments. Obtaining this information is vital for the design and operation of future fifth generation cellular networks that use the mm-wave spectrum. In this paper, we present the motivation for new mm-wave cellular systems, methodology, and hardware for measurements and offer a variety of measurement results that show 28 and 38 GHz frequencies can be used when employing steerable directional antennas at base stations and mobile devices.
6,708 citations
"Millimeter-Wave Cellular Wireless N..." refers background or methods in this paper
...In both 28- and 73-GHz measurements, each point was classified as either being in a NLOS or LOS situation, based on a manual classification made at the time of the measurements; see [26] and [28]–[33]....
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...• Empirical NYC: These curves are based on the omnidirectional path loss predicted by our linear model (1) for the mmW channel with the parameters from Table 1, as derived from the directional measurements in [26]....
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...Details of the measurements can be found in [26], [28]– [33], [81]....
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...This tremendous potential has led to considerable recent interest in mmW cellular both in industry [7]–[9], [18], [19] and academia [20]–[26], with a growing belief that mmW bands will play a significant role in beyond 4G and 5G cellular systems [27]....
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...In particular, we survey our own measurements [26], [28]–[33] made in New York City (NYC) in both 28- and 73-GHz bands and the statistical models for the channels developed in [34]....
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TL;DR: The gains in multiuser systems are even more impressive, because such systems offer the possibility to transmit simultaneously to several users and the flexibility to select what users to schedule for reception at any given point in time.
Abstract: Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology is maturing and is being incorporated into emerging wireless broadband standards like long-term evolution (LTE) [1]. For example, the LTE standard allows for up to eight antenna ports at the base station. Basically, the more antennas the transmitter/receiver is equipped with, and the more degrees of freedom that the propagation channel can provide, the better the performance in terms of data rate or link reliability. More precisely, on a quasi static channel where a code word spans across only one time and frequency coherence interval, the reliability of a point-to-point MIMO link scales according to Prob(link outage) ` SNR-ntnr where nt and nr are the numbers of transmit and receive antennas, respectively, and signal-to-noise ratio is denoted by SNR. On a channel that varies rapidly as a function of time and frequency, and where circumstances permit coding across many channel coherence intervals, the achievable rate scales as min(nt, nr) log(1 + SNR). The gains in multiuser systems are even more impressive, because such systems offer the possibility to transmit simultaneously to several users and the flexibility to select what users to schedule for reception at any given point in time [2].
5,158 citations
"Millimeter-Wave Cellular Wireless N..." refers background in this paper
...These multiple antenna systems can be used to form very high gain, electrically steerable arrays, fabricated at the base station (BS), in the skin of a cellphone, or even within a chip [6], [10]–[17]....
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe five technologies that could lead to both architectural and component disruptive design changes: device-centric architectures, millimeter wave, massive MIMO, smarter devices, and native support for machine-to-machine communications.
Abstract: New research directions will lead to fundamental changes in the design of future fifth generation (5G) cellular networks. This article describes five technologies that could lead to both architectural and component disruptive design changes: device-centric architectures, millimeter wave, massive MIMO, smarter devices, and native support for machine-to-machine communications. The key ideas for each technology are described, along with their potential impact on 5G and the research challenges that remain.
3,711 citations
TL;DR: The technical and business arguments for femtocells are overview and the state of the art on each front is described and the technical challenges facing femtocell networks are described and some preliminary ideas for how to overcome them are given.
Abstract: The surest way to increase the system capacity of a wireless link is by getting the transmitter and receiver closer to each other, which creates the dual benefits of higher-quality links and more spatial reuse. In a network with nomadic users, this inevitably involves deploying more infrastructure, typically in the form of microcells, hot spots, distributed antennas, or relays. A less expensive alternative is the recent concept of femtocells - also called home base stations - which are data access points installed by home users to get better indoor voice and data coverage. In this article we overview the technical and business arguments for femtocells and describe the state of the art on each front. We also describe the technical challenges facing femtocell networks and give some preliminary ideas for how to overcome them.
3,298 citations
"Millimeter-Wave Cellular Wireless N..." refers background in this paper
...Heterogeneous networks, or HetNets, have been one of the most active research areas in cellular standards bodies in the last five years [45], [48], [67], [68], with the main focus being intercell interference coordination and load balancing....
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