Does Massive MIMO Fail in Ricean Channels?

Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) is now making its way to the standardization exercise of future 5G networks. Yet, there are still fundamental questions pertaining to the robustness of massive MIMO against physically detrimental propagation conditions. On these grounds, we identify scenarios under which massive MIMO can potentially fail in Ricean channels, and characterize them physically, as well as, mathematically. Our analysis extends and generalizes a stream of recent papers on this topic and articulates emphatically that such harmful scenarios in Ricean fading conditions are unlikely and can be compensated using any standard scheduling scheme. This implies that massive MIMO is intrinsically effective at combating interuser interference and, if needed, can avail of the base-station scheduler for further robustness.Comment: IEEE Wireless Communications Letters, accepte

Revisiting MMSE Combining for Massive MIMO Over Heterogeneous Propagation Channels

We consider a massive multiple-input multiple- output system with minimum-mean-squared-error processing on the uplink. A novel analytical framework is proposed to approximate the instantaneous signal-to-interference-plus-noise- ratio (SINR) of an arbitrary user terminal, as well as, the system sum spectral efficiency. Unlike previous studies, our methodology considers spatially correlated Ricean fading, with unequal Ricean K-factors, spatial correlation matrices and link gains across all terminals. Under this fully heterogeneous setting, we demonstrate that the SINR of a terminal can be tightly approximated by a linear combination of non-central chi-squared random variables, where the scaling depends on the individual link gains, K-factors, and eigenvalues of the terminal specific correlation matrices. Our approximations remain tight across the considered spatial correlation models, K-factor models, average uplink signal-to-noise-ratios and number of receive antennas. Leveraging the general form of the SINR and sum spectral efficiency, an analytical method to approximate their statistical moments is presented utilizing the moment generating function. The generality of the aforementioned analytical results is demonstrated via several special cases of practical relevance

6G Wireless Systems: Vision, Requirements, Challenges, Insights, and Opportunities

Mobile communications have been undergoing a generational change every ten years or so. However, the time difference between the so-called "G's" is also decreasing. While fifth-generation (5G) systems are becoming a commercial reality, there is already significant interest in systems beyond 5G, which we refer to as the sixth-generation (6G) of wireless systems. In contrast to the already published papers on the topic, we take a top-down approach to 6G. We present a holistic discussion of 6G systems beginning with lifestyle and societal changes driving the need for next generation networks. This is followed by a discussion into the technical requirements needed to enable 6G applications, based on which we dissect key challenges, as well as possibilities for practically realizable system solutions across all layers of the Open Systems Interconnection stack. Since many of the 6G applications will need access to an order-of-magnitude more spectrum, utilization of frequencies between 100 GHz and 1 THz becomes of paramount importance. As such, the 6G eco-system will feature a diverse range of frequency bands, ranging from below 6 GHz up to 1 THz. We comprehensively characterize the limitations that must be overcome to realize working systems in these bands; and provide a unique perspective on the physical, as well as higher layer challenges relating to the design of next generation core networks, new modulation and coding methods, novel multiple access techniques, antenna arrays, wave propagation, radio-frequency transceiver design, as well as real-time signal processing. We rigorously discuss the fundamental changes required in the core networks of the future that serves as a major source of latency for time-sensitive applications. While evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of key 6G technologies, we differentiate what may be achievable over the next decade, relative to what is possible.Comment: Accepted for Publication into the Proceedings of the IEEE; 32 pages, 10 figures, 5 table