Eliminating Channel Feedback in Next-Generation Cellular Networks

Abstract

The high cost of cellular spectrum has motivated network providers to seek advanced MIMO techniques to improve spectral efficiency [2, 1]. Yet, only point-to-point MIMO multiplexing can be performed efficiently in current networks [3]. More advanced MIMO solutions, such as massive MIMO, coordinated multi-point, distributed MIMO, and multi-user MIMO, all require the base station to know the downlink channels prior to transmission. In the absence of this information, the base station cannot beamform its signal to its users