Cell-free massive MIMO: A new next-generation paradigm

Abstract

Cell-free (CF) massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems have a large number of individually controllable antennas distributed over a wide area for simultaneously serving a small number of user equipment (UE). This solution has been considered as a promising next-generation technology due to its ability to offer a similar quality of service to all UEs, despite its low-complexity signal processing. In this article, we provide a comprehensive survey of CF massive MIMO systems. To be more specific, the benefit of so-called of channel hardening and favorable propagation conditions are exploited. Furthermore we quantify the advantages of CF massive MIMO systems in terms of their energy- and cost-efficiency. Additionally, the signal processing techniques invoked for reducing the fronthaul burden for joint channel estimation and for transmit precoding are analyzed. Finally, the open research challenges in both its deployment and network management are highlighted.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Lajos Hanzo: orcid.org/0000-0002-2636-5214

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