Array Architectures and Physical Layer Design for Millimeter-Wave Communications Beyond 5G

Ever increasing demands in mobile data rates have resulted in exploration of millimeter-wave (mmW) frequencies for the next generation (5G) wireless networks. Communications at mmW frequencies is presented with two keys challenges. Firstly, high propagation loss requires base stations (BSs) and user equipment (UEs) to use a large number of antennas and narrow beams to close the link with sufficient received signal power. Consequently, communications using narrow beams create a new challenge in channel estimation and link establishment based on fine angular probing. Current mmW system use analog phased arrays that can probe only one angle at the time which results in high latency during link establishment and channel tracking. It is desirable to design low latency beam training by exploring both physical layer designs and array architectures that could replace current 5G approaches and pave the way to the communications for frequency bands in higher mmW band and sub-THz region where larger antenna arrays and communications bandwidth can be exploited. To this end, we propose a novel signal processing techniques exploiting unique properties of mmW channel, and show both theoretically, in simulation and experiments its advantages over conventional approaches. Secondly, we explore different array architecture design and analyze their trade-offs between spectral efficiency and power consumption and area. For comprehensive comparison, we have developed a methodology for optimal design of system parameters for different array architecture candidates based on the spectral efficiency target, and use these parameters to estimate the array area and power consumption based on the circuits reported in the literature. We show that the hybrid analog and digital architectures have severe scalability concerns in radio frequency signal distribution with increased array size and spatial multiplexing levels, while the fully-digital array architectures have the best performance and power/area trade-offs.The developed approaches are based on a cross-disciplinary research that combines innovation in model based signal processing, machine learning, and radio hardware. This work is the first to apply compressive sensing (CS), a signal processing tool that exploits sparsity of mmW channel model, to accelerate beam training of mmW cellular system. The algorithm is designed to address practical issues including the requirement of cell discovery and synchronization that involves estimation of angular channel together with carrier frequency offset and timing offsets. We have analyzed the algorithm performance in the 5G compliant simulation and showed that an order of magnitude saving is achieved in initial access latency for the desired channel estimation accuracy. Moreover, we are the first to develop and implement a neural network assisted compressive beam alignment to deal with hardware impairments in mmW radios. We have used 60GHz mmW testbed to perform experiments and show that neural networks approach enhances alignment rate compared to CS. To further accelerate beam training, we proposed a novel frequency selective probing beams using the true-time-delay (TTD) analog array architecture. Our approach utilizes different subcarriers to scan different directions, and achieves a single-shot beam alignment, the fastest approach reported to date. Our comprehensive analysis of different array architectures and exploration of emerging architectures enabled us to develop an order of magnitude faster and energy efficient approaches for initial access and channel estimation in mmW systems

A Comprehensive Investigation of Beam Management Through Conventional and Deep Learning Approach

5G spectrum uses cutting-edge technology which delivers high data rates, low latency, increased capacity, and high spectrum utilization. To cater to these requirements various technologies are available such as Multiple Access Technology (MAT), Multiple Input Multiple Output technology (MIMO), Millimetre (mm) wave technology, Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access Technology (NOMA), Simultaneous Wireless Information and Power Transfer (SWIPT). Of all available technologies, mmWave is prominent as it provides favorable opportunities for 5G. Millimeter-wave is capable of providing a high data rate i.e., 10 Gbit/sec. Also, a tremendous amount of raw bandwidth is available i.e., around 250 GHz, which is an attractive characteristic of the mmWave band to relieve mobile data traffic congestion in the low frequency band. It has a high frequency i.e., 30 – 300 GHz, giving very high speed. It has a very short wavelength i.e., 1-10mm, because of this it provides the compact size of the component. It will provide a throughput of up to 20 Gbps. It has narrow beams and will increase security and reduce interference. When the main beam of the transmitter and receiver are not aligned properly there is a problem in ideal communication. To solve this problem beam management is one of the solutions to form a strong communication link between transmitter and receiver. This paper aims to address challenges in beam management and proposes a framework for realization. Towards the same, the paper initially introduces various challenges in beam management. Towards building an effective beam management system when a user is moving, various steps are present like beam selection, beam tracking, beam alignment, and beam forming. Hence the subsequent sections of the paper illustrate various beam management procedures in mmWave using conventional methods as well as using deep learning techniques. The paper also presents a case study on the framework's implementation using the above-mentioned techniques in mmWave communication. Also glimpses on future research directions are detailed in the final sections. Such beam management techniques when used for mmWave technology will enable build fast, efficient, and capable 5G networks

A survey on hybrid beamforming techniques in 5G : architecture and system model perspectives

The increasing wireless data traffic demands have driven the need to explore suitable spectrum regions for meeting the projected requirements. In the light of this, millimeter wave (mmWave) communication has received considerable attention from the research community. Typically, in fifth generation (5G) wireless networks, mmWave massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications is realized by the hybrid transceivers which combine high dimensional analog phase shifters and power amplifiers with lower-dimensional digital signal processing units. This hybrid beamforming design reduces the cost and power consumption which is aligned with an energy-efficient design vision of 5G. In this paper, we track the progress in hybrid beamforming for massive MIMO communications in the context of system models of the hybrid transceivers' structures, the digital and analog beamforming matrices with the possible antenna configuration scenarios and the hybrid beamforming in heterogeneous wireless networks. We extend the scope of the discussion by including resource management issues in hybrid beamforming. We explore the suitability of hybrid beamforming methods, both, existing and proposed till first quarter of 2017, and identify the exciting future challenges in this domain