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 letter analyzes the coverage probability of a cooperative non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) millimeter wave (mmWave) network consisting of source and destination pair without a direct link and derives the coverage of randomly picking a relay to quantify the benefits of relay selection in mmWave NOMA.
Abstract: This letter analyzes the coverage probability of a cooperative non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) millimeter wave (mmWave) network consisting of source ( $S$ ) and destination ( $D$ ) pair without a direct link. A cooperative relay ( $R$ ), which is selected from a set of active users, helps $D$ to receive its data. The transmission from $S$ to $R$ is based on NOMA, by which $R$ can receive its own data and $D$ ’s data simultaneously. Two relay selection schemes are developed. For each scheme, the favorable users that meet a rate threshold are selected to be in the decoding set. Then from the decoding set, a relay is selected that is nearest to $S$ (in the 1st selection scheme), or nearest to $D$ (in the 2nd selection scheme). For both schemes, we characterize the spatial density (location dependent) of decoding sets and derive the coverage probability. Both schemes outperform orthogonal multiple access. We also derive the coverage of randomly picking a relay (i.e., no selection) to quantify the benefits of relay selection in mmWave NOMA.
7 citations
Cites background from "Millimeter-Wave Cellular Wireless N..."
...On the other hand, compared to sub-6 GHz communications, mmWave communications are more likely to experience very weak link or even no link due to the much higher path losses and blockage losses in mmWave, which largely shrinks the mmWave coverage area [7]....
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...Here, we only consider relays that are in line of sight (LOS) from S and D because non line of sight path losses exceed 20 dB or more over LOS links [7]....
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TL;DR: It is shown that up to second order in the SNR, the mutual information of a system with two-level output signals incorporates only a power penalty factor of $\pi /2$ (1.96 dB) compared to systems with infinite resolution for all channels of practical interest with perfect or statistical CSI.
Abstract: We analyze the performance of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) links with one-bit output quantization in terms of achievable rates and characterize their performance loss compared to unquantized systems for general channel statistical models and general channel state information (CSI) at the receiver. One-bit ADCs are particularly suitable for large-scale millimeter wave MIMO Communications (massive MIMO) to reduce the hardware complexity. In such applications, the signal-to-noise ratio per antenna is rather low due to the propagation loss. Thus, it is crucial to analyze the performance of MIMO systems in this regime by means of information-theoretical methods. Since an exact and general information-theoretic analysis is not possible, we resort to the derivation of a general asymptotic expression for the mutual information in terms of a second-order expansion around zero SNR. We show that up to second order in the SNR, the mutual information of a system with two-level (sign) output signals incorporates only a power penalty factor of $\pi /2$ (1.96 dB) compared to systems with infinite resolution for all channels of practical interest with perfect or statistical CSI. An essential aspect of the derivation is that we do not rely on the common pseudo-quantization noise model.
7 citations
Cites background from "Millimeter-Wave Cellular Wireless N..."
...Additionally, the low SNR analysis under coarse quantization is useful in the context of large scale (or massive) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) [4], [5], [6] and millimeter-wave (mmwave) communications [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], considered as key enablers to achieve higher data rates in future wireless networks....
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01 Oct 2018
TL;DR: In this article, the use of licensed spectrum access (LSA) to coordinate spectrum sharing among cellular operators is proposed to make it possible to use the spectrum more efficiently in response to the very high expected traffic demand.
Abstract: Regulators all around the world have started identifying the portions of the spectrum that will be used for the next generation of cellular networks. A band in the mmWave spectrum will be exploited to increase the available capacity. In response to the very high expected traffic demand, a sharing mechanism may make it possible to use the spectrum more efficiently. In this work, moving within the European and Italian regulatory conditions, we propose the use of Licensed Spectrum Access (LSA) to coordinate sharing among cellular operators. Additionally, we show some preliminary results on our research activities which are focused on a dynamic spectrum sharing approach applied in simulated 5G cellular scenarios.
7 citations
01 Nov 2019
TL;DR: This paper develops a structured CP decomposition-aided channel estimation algorithm, which leverages standard linear algebra and avoids random initialization and iterations, and shows that the proposed scheme outperforms the traditional strategies in terms of accuracy, complexity and robustness.
Abstract: In this paper, we focus on the channel estimation of millimeter wave (mmWave) multiple-input multiple-output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing systems with hybrid analog-digital structures. By exploiting the sparse characteristics of mmWave channels, we transform the channel estimation issue to the recovery problem of multi-path parameters, e.g., angle of arrival/departure, time delay and path gain. We formulate the downlink training signals as a third-order low-rank tensor, which fits a canonical polyadic (CP) model with three factor matrices containing the channel parameters. We further exploit the Vandermonde structure of the factor matrix and develop a structured CP decomposition-aided channel estimation algorithm, which leverages standard linear algebra and avoids random initialization and iterations. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme outperforms the traditional strategies in terms of accuracy, complexity and robustness.
7 citations
Cites background from "Millimeter-Wave Cellular Wireless N..."
...The available bandwidth at the mmWave frequencies can be availed of to provide gigabitper-second throughput rates against the ever increasing data traffic [2]....
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02 Mar 2022
TL;DR: A new simulation framework is relied on, based on ns-3, to simulate IRS/AF systems with a full-stack, end-to-end perspective, with considerations on the impact of the channel model and the protocol stack of 5G NR networks.
Abstract: The high propagation and penetration loss experienced at millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies requires ultra-dense deployments of 5th generation (5G) base stations, which may be infeasible and costly for network operators. Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) has been proposed to partially address this issue, though raising concerns in terms of power consumption and scalability. Recently, the research community has been investigating Intelligent Reflective Surfaces (IRSs) and Amplify-and-Forward (AF) relays as more energy-efficient alternatives to solve coverage issues in 5G scenarios. Along these lines, this paper relies on a new simulation framework, based on ns-3, to simulate IRS/AF systems with a full-stack, end-to-end perspective, with considerations on the impact of the channel model and the protocol stack of 5G NR networks. Our goal is to demonstrate whether these technologies can be used to relay 5G traffic requests and, if so, how to dimension IRS/AF nodes as a function of the number of end users.
7 citations
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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