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Mobile communications have been undergoing a generational change every ten years. While 5G network deployments are maturing, significant efforts are being made to standardize 6G, which is expected to be commercially introduced by 2030. This paper provides unique perspectives on the 6G network (radio and core) architecture(s) from the anticipated 6G use cases to meet the necessary performance requirements. To cater for the key 6G use cases, the 6G architecture must integrate different network-level functions in a multiplicity of virtual cloud environments, leveraging the advancements of distributed processing, artificial intelligence, and securely integrating different sub-networks e.g., terrestrial, and non-terrestrial networks into the overall 6G network. This paper characterizes the impact of 6G architectures from a deployment perspective with backwards compatibility in mind., Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in the IEEE Wireless Communications Magazine. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2210.03286

In this paper, the level of sparsity is examined at 6, 26, and 132 GHz carrier frequencies by conducting channel measurements in an indoor office environment. By using the Gini index (value between 0 and 1) as a metric for characterizing sparsity, we show that increasing carrier frequency leads to increased levels of sparsity. The measured channel impulse responses are used to derive a Third-Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)-style propagation model, used to calculate the Gini index for the comparison of the channel sparsity between the measurement and simulation based on the 3GPP model. Our results show that the mean value of the Gini index in measurement is over twice the value in simulation, implying that the 3GPP channel model does not capture the effects of sparsity in the delay domain as frequency increases. In addition, a new intra-cluster power allocation model based on measurements is proposed to characterize the effects of sparsity in the delay domain of the 3GPP channel model. The accuracy of the proposed model is analyzed using theoretical derivations and simulations. Using the derived intra-cluster power allocation model, the mean value of the Gini index is 0.97, while the spread of variability is restricted to 0.01, demonstrating that the proposed model is suitable for 3GPP-type channels. To our best knowledge, this paper is the first to perform measurements and analysis at three different frequencies for the evaluation of channel sparsity in the same environment.

Since the introduction of fifth-generation new radio (5G-NR) in Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 15, swift progress has been made to evolve 5G with 3GPP Release 18 emerging. A critical aspect is the design of massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology. In this line, this paper makes several important contributions: We provide a comprehensive overview of the evolution of standardized massive MIMO features from 3GPP Release 15 to 17 for both time/frequency-division duplex operation across bands FR-1 and FR-2. We analyze the progress on channel state information (CSI) frameworks, beam management frameworks and present enhancements for uplink CSI. We shed light on emerging 3GPP Release 18 problems requiring imminent attention. These include advanced codebook design and sounding reference signal design for coherent joint transmission (CJT) with multiple transmission/reception points (multi- TRPs). We discuss advancements in uplink demodulation reference signal design, enhancements for mobility to provide accurate CSI estimates, and unified transmission configuration indicator framework tailored for FR-2 bands. For each concept, we provide system level simulation results to highlight their performance benefits. Via field trials in an outdoor environment at Shanghai Jiaotong University, we demonstrate the gains of multi-TRP CJT relative to single TRP at 3.7 GHz., Comment: 23 pages, 37 Figures, one fig in the annex

We analyze the uplink radio frequency (RF) interference from a multiplicity of single-antenna user equipments transmitting to a cellular base station (BS) within the same time-frequency resource. The BS is assumed to operate with a lens antenna array, which induces additional focusing gain for the incoming signals. Considering line-of-sight propagation conditions, we characterize the multiuser RF interference properties via approximation of the mainlobe interference as well as the effective interferer probability. The results derived in this application note are foundational to more general multiuser interference analysis across different propagation conditions, which we present in a follow up paper., Comment: Application note containing 7 pages and 1 figure

The commercial availability of low-cost millimeter wave (mmWave) communication and radar devices is starting to improve the penetration of such technologies in consumer markets, paving the way for large-scale and dense deployments in fifth-generation (5G)-and-beyond as well as 6G networks. At the same time, pervasive mmWave access will enable device localization and device-free sensing with unprecedented accuracy, especially with respect to sub-6 GHz commercial-grade devices. This paper surveys the state of the art in device-based localization and device-free sensing using mmWave communication and radar devices, with a focus on indoor deployments. We first overview key concepts about mmWave signal propagation and system design. Then, we provide a detailed account of approaches and algorithms for localization and sensing enabled by mmWaves. We consider several dimensions in our analysis, including the main objectives, techniques, and performance of each work, whether each research reached some degree of implementation, and which hardware platforms were used for this purpose. We conclude by discussing that better algorithms for consumer-grade devices, data fusion methods for dense deployments, as well as an educated application of machine learning methods are promising, relevant and timely research directions., Comment: 43 pages, 13 figures. Accepted in IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials (IEEE COMST)

We analytically approximate the expected sum capacity loss between the optimal downlink precoding technique of dirty paper coding (DPC), and the sub-optimal technique of zero-forcing precoding, for multiuser channels. We also consider the most general case of multi-stream transmission to multiple users, where we evaluate the expected sum capacity loss between DPC and block diagonalization precoding. Unlike previously, assuming heterogeneous Ricean fading, we utilize the well known affine approximation to predict the expected sum capacity difference between both precoder types (optimal and sub-optimal) over a wide range of system and propagation parameters. Furthermore, for single-stream transmission, we consider the problem of weighted sum capacity maximization, where a similar quantification of the sum capacity difference between the two precoder types is presented. In doing so, we disclose that power allocation to different users proportional to their individual weights asymptotically maximizes the weighted sum capacity. Numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate the tightness of the developed expressions relative to their simulated counterparts., Comment: IEEE WCNC 2022, 6 pages, 4 figures

A large number of papers are now appearing on sixth-generation (6G) wireless systems, covering different aspects, ranging from vision, architecture, applications, and technology breakthroughs. With cellular systems in mind, this paper presents six critical, yet fundamental challenges that must be overcome before development and deployment of 6G systems. These include: Opening the sub-terahertz (sub-THz) spectrum for increased bandwidths and the ability to utilize these bandwidths, pushing the limits of semiconductor technologies for operation within the sub-THz bands, transceiver design and architectures to realize the high peak data rates, and realizations of sub-millisecond latencies at the network-level to achieve the 6G key performance indicators. Additionally, since 6G systems will not be introduced in a green fields environment, backwards compatibility with existing systems is discussed. Where possible, we present practical solutions to realize the identified challenges., Comment: IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine, 8 pages, 6 figures, 3 tables

Millimeter-wave cellular communication requires beamforming procedures that enable alignment of the transmitter and receiver beams as the user equipment (UE) moves. For efficient beam tracking it is advantageous to classify users according to their traffic and mobility patterns. Research to date has demonstrated efficient ways of machine learning based UE classification. Although different machine learning approaches have shown success, most of them are based on physical layer attributes of the received signal. This, however, imposes additional complexity and requires access to those lower layer signals. In this paper, we show that traditional supervised and even unsupervised machine learning methods can successfully be applied on higher layer channel measurement reports in order to perform UE classification, thereby reducing the complexity of the classification process., Comment: Accepted for Publication in 2021 IEEE International Workshop on Machine Learning for Signal Processing, 6 Pages, 7 Figures, 1 Table

We provide a simple, yet general and accurate framework for analyzing zero-forcing (ZF) precoding performance for a full-dimensional massive multiple-input multiple-output system. Exploiting an order two Neumann series, our framework approximates the expected (average) ZF signal-to-noise ratio and ergodic sum spectral efficiency, while catering for a finite multipath propagation model, as well as correlated and uncorrelated user equipment (UE) positions in both azimuth and elevation domains. The analysis provides clear insights on the influence of propagation and system parameters on ZF performance. We identify how far UEs must lie in azimuth and elevation for the ZF precoder to approach uncorrelated channels. Our framework is useful for predicting the ZF performance degradation arising from channel correlation. For optimal performance, UEs could be separated by around 30$^\circ$ in azimuth and 15$^\circ$ in elevation - conditions which are difficult to meet in reality., Comment: Accepted for Publication in the Proceedings of IEEE VTC-Fall 2021; 5 Pages; 3 Figures

A pre-requisite for the design of wireless systems is the understanding of the propagation channel. While a wealth of propagation knowledge exists for bands below 6 GHz, the same can not be said for bands approaching millimeter-wave frequencies. In this paper, we present the design, implementation and measurement-based verification of a re-configurable 27.5-29.5 GHz channel sounder for measuring dynamic directional channels. Based on the switched array principle, our design is capable of characterizing 128$\times$256 dual-polarized channels with snapshot times of around 600 ms. This is in sharp contrast to measurement times on the order of tens-of-minutes with rotating horn antenna sounders. Our design lends itself to high angular resolution at both link ends with calibrated antenna arrays sampled at 2$^\circ$ and 5$^\circ$ intervals in the azimuth and elevation domains. This is complemented with a bandwidth of up to 2 GHz, enabling nanosecond-level delay resolution. The short measurement times and stable radio frequency design facilitates real-time processing and averaging of the received wavefronts to gain measurement signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range. After disclosing the sounder design and implementation, we demonstrate its capabilities by presenting dynamic and static measurements at 28 GHz over a 1 GHz bandwidth in an office corridor environment., Comment: IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 30 pages, 16 figures, 2 tables

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 tables

We examine the favorable propagation (FP) behavior of a massive multi-user multiple-input-multiple-output (MU-MIMO) system equipped with a uniform linear array (ULA), horizontal uniform rectangular array (HURA) or uniform circular array (UCA) using a ray-based channel model with user cluster sharing. We demonstrate FP for these systems and provide analytical expressions for the mean-squared distance (MSD) of the FP metric from its large-system limit for each of the aforementioned topologies. We use these results to examine the detrimental effects of user cluster sharing on FP behavior, and demonstrate the superior performance of the ULA as compared to the UCA and the HURA with equal inter-element spacing. Although cluster sharing has a negative impact on FP for finite arrays, we additionally examine the asymptotic rate of convergence to FP as a function of array size and show that this rate is unchanged with or without user cluster sharing., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, Accepted for publication in IEEE PIMRC 2020

Propagation models constitute a fundamental building block of wireless communications research. Before we build and operate real systems, we must understand the science of radio propagation, and develop channel models that both reflect the important propagation processes and allow a fair comparison of different systems. In the past five decades, wireless systems have gone through five generations, from supporting voice applications to enhanced mobile broadband. To meet the ever increasing data rate demands of wireless systems, frequency bands covering a wide range from 800 MHz to 100 GHz have been allocated for use. The standardization of these systems started in the early/mid 1980's in Europe by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute with the advent of Global System for Mobile Communications. This motivated the development of the first standardized propagation model by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) 207 working group. These standardization activities were continued and expanded for the third, fourth, and fifth generations of COST, as well as by the Third Generation Partnership Project, and the International Telecommunication Union. This paper presents a historical overview of the standardized propagation models covering first to fifth-generation systems. In particular, we discuss the evolution and standardization of pathloss models, as well as large and small-scale fading parameters for single antenna and multiple antenna systems. Furthermore, we present insights into the progress of deterministic modelling across the five generations of systems, as well as discuss more advanced modelling components needed for the detailed simulations of millimeter-wave channels. A comprehensive bibliography at the end of the paper will aid the interested reader to dig deeper., Comment: Invited journal paper (in print); 19 pages, 13 figures and 1 table

Massive MIMO is a leading technology to connect very large numbers of energy constrained nodes, as it offers both extensive spatial multiplexing and large array gain. A challenge resides in partitioning the many nodes into groups that can communicate simultaneously such that the mutual interference is minimized. We here propose node partitioning strategies that do not require full channel state information, but rather are based on nodes' respective directional channel properties. In our considered scenarios, these typically have a time constant that is far larger than the coherence time of the channel. We developed both an optimal and an approximation algorithm to partition users based on directional channel properties, and evaluated them numerically. Our results show that both algorithms, despite using only these directional channel properties, achieve similar performance in terms of the minimum signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio for any user, compared with a reference method using full channel knowledge. In particular, we demonstrate that grouping nodes with related directional properties is to be avoided. We hence realise a simple partitioning method requiring minimal information to be collected from the nodes, and where this information typically remains stable over a long term, thus promoting their autonomy and energy efficiency.

With the potential to provide a clean break from massive multiple-input multiple-output, large intelligent surfaces (LISs) have recently received a thrust of research interest. Various proposals have been made in the literature to define the exact functionality of LISs, ranging from fully active to largely passive solutions. Nevertheless, almost all studies in the literature investigate the fundamental spectral efficiency performance of these architectures. In stark contrast, this paper investigates the implementation aspects of LISs. Using the fully active LIS as the basis of our exposition, we first present a rigorous discussion on the relative merits and disadvantages of possible implementation architectures from a radio-frequency circuits and real-time processing viewpoints. We then show that a distributed architecture based on a common module interfacing a smaller number of antennas can be scalable. To avoid severe losses with analog signal distribution, multiple common modules can be interconnected via a digital nearest-neighbor network. Furthermore, we show that with such a design, the maximum backplane throughput scales with the number of served user terminals, instead of the number of antennas across the surface. The discussions in the paper can serve as a guideline toward the real-time design and development of LISs., Comment: Invited Paper in the Proceedings of IEEE ICASSP 2020

The premise of massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) is based around coherent transmission and detection. Majority of the vast literature on massive MIMO presents performance evaluations over simplified statistical propagation models. All such models are drop-based and do not ensure continuity of channel parameters. In this paper, we quantify the impact of spatially consistent (SC) models on beamforming for massive MIMO systems. We focus on the downlink of a 28GHz multiuser urban microcellular scenario. Using the recently standardized Third Generation Partnership Project 38.901 SC-I procedure, we evaluate the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio of a user equipment and the system ergodic sum spectral efficiency with zero-forcing, block diagonalization, and signal-to-leakage-plus-noise ratio beamforming. Our results disclose that at practical signal-to-noise ratio levels, SC channels yield a significant performance loss relative to the case without SC due to substantial spatial correlation across the channel parameters., Comment: Invited Paper in the Proceedings of EuCAP 2020

Favorable propagation (FP) and channel hardening (CH) are desired properties in massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. To date, these properties have primarily been analyzed for classical \textit{statistical} channel models, or \textit{ray-based} models with very specific angular parameters and distributions. This paper presents a thorough mathematical analysis of the asymptotic system behavior for ray-based channels with \textit{arbitrary} ray distributions, and considers \textit{two} types of antenna array structures at the cellular base station: a uniform linear array (ULA) and a uniform planar array (UPA). In addition to FP and channel hardening, we analyze the \textit{large system potential} (LSP) which measures the asymptotic ratio of the expected power in the desired channel to the expected total interference power when both the antenna and user numbers grow. LSP is said to hold when this ratio converges to a positive constant. The results demonstrate that while FP is guaranteed in ray-based channels, CH may or may not occur depending on the nature of the model. Furthermore, we demonstrate that LSP will not normally hold as the expected interference power grows logarithmically for both ULAs and UPAs relative to the power in the desired channel as the system size increases. Nevertheless, we identify some fundamental and attractive properties of massive MIMO in this limiting regime.

Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) promises significantly higher performance relative to conventional multiuser systems. However, the promised gains of massive MIMO systems rely heavily on the accuracy of the absolute front-end calibration, as well as quality of channel estimates at the base station (BS). In this paper, we analyze user equipment-aided calibration mechanism to estimate the amplitude scaling and phase drift at each radio-frequency chain interfacing with the BS array. Assuming a uniform linear array at the BS and Ricean fading, we obtain the estimation parameters with moment-based (amplitude, phase) and maximum-likelihood (phase-only) estimation techniques. In stark contrast to previous works, we mathematically articulate the equivalence of the two approaches for phase estimation. Furthermore, we rigorously derive a Cramer-Rao lower bound to characterize the accuracy of the two estimators. Via numerical simulations, we evaluate the estimator performance with varying dominant line-of-sight powers, dominant angles-of-arrival, and signal-to-noise ratios., Comment: Accepted in the Proceedings of IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC) 2020, Dublin, Ireland

Fifth-generation (5G) new radio (NR) deployments are being rolled out in both the C-band (3.3 - 5.0 GHz) and millimeter-wave (mmWave) band (24.5 - 29.5 GHz). For outdoor scenarios, the C-band is expected to provide wide area coverage and throughput uniformity, whereas the mmWave band is expected to provide ultra-high throughput to dedicated areas within the C-band coverage. Due to the differences in the frequency bands, both systems are expected to be designed with different transmit and receive parameters, naturally resulting in performance variations proportional to the chosen parameters. Unlike many previous works, this paper presents measurement evaluations in central Auckland, New Zealand, from a pre-commercial deployment of a single-user, single-cell 5G-NR system operating in both bands. The net throughput, coverage reliability, and channel rank are analyzed across the two bands with baseband and analog beamforming. Our results show that the C-band coverage is considerably better than mmWave, with a consistently higher channel rank. Furthermore, the spatial stationarity region (SSR) for the azimuth angles-of-departure (AODs) is characterized, and a model derived from the measured beam identities is presented. The SSR of azimuth AODs is seen to closely follow a gamma distribution., Comment: In the Proceedings of 2019 IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC), Dublin, Ireland

In multiuser multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) systems, channel correlation is detrimental to system performance. We demonstrate that widely used, yet overly simplified, correlation models that generate identical correlation profiles for each terminal tend to severely underestimate the system performance. In sharp contrast, more physically motivated models that capture variations in the power angular spectra across multiple terminals, generate diverse correlation patterns. This has a significant impact on the system performance. Assuming correlated Rayleigh fading and downlink zero-forcing precoding, tight closed-form approximations for the average signal-to-noise-ratio, and ergodic sum spectral efficiency are derived. Our expressions provide clear insights into the impact of diverse correlation patterns on the above performance metrics. Unlike previous works, the correlation models are parameterized with measured data from a recent 2.53 GHz urban macrocellular campaign in Cologne, Germany. Overall, results from this paper can be treated as a timely re-calibration of performance expectations from practical MU-MIMO systems., Comment: To appear in the Proceedings of IEEE PIMRC 2019, Istanbul, Turkey

Data rate requirements for cellular communications are expected to increase 1000-fold by 2020, compared to 2010. This is mainly because of the rapid increase in the number of wireless devices and data hungry applications per-device. This creates a formidable bandwidth crisis. Milimeter-wave (mmWave) systems with massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) operation are two complementary concepts poised to meet this exploding demand, as verified by the wealth of investigations by both industry and academia. Nevertheless, existing MIMO processing techniques, requiring a dedicated radio-frequency (RF) up/down-conversion chain per antenna, results in prohibitively high complexity and cost of the mmWave prototypes. The primary objective of this paper is to present a complete feasibility study on alternative beamforming techniques targeted to reduce the system complexity without drastically compromising its performance. More precisely, at 28 GHz, we investigate the end-to-end performance of two different lens-based beamforming topologies. Our study is an amalgam of theoretical modelling, electromagnetic design, and prototype manufacturing, yielding a comprehensive mmWave, massive MIMO performance evaluation., Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, 8th ESA Workshop on Millimetere-Wave Technology and Applications, Dec. 2018

Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) is becoming a mature technology, and has been approved for standardization in the 5G ecosystem. Although there is a large body of papers on the theoretical analysis of massive MIMO, the majority of relevant work assumes the simplified, yet overly idealistic, Kronecker-type model for spatial correlation. Motivated by the deficiencies of the Kronecker model, we invoke a naturally generalized spatial correlation model, that is the Weichselberger model. For this model, we pursue a comprehensive analysis of massive MIMO performance in terms of channel hardening and favorable propagation (FP). We identify a number of scenarios under which massive MIMO may fail, in terms of channel hardening and FP, and discuss their relevance from a practical perspective., Comment: IEEE ICC 2019, submitted

This work demonstrates the sensitivity of lens antenna arrays operating at millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies. Considering a Rotman lens array in receive mode, our investigation focuses on its most imperative defect: aberration of electromagnetic (EM) energy. Aberration leads to spillover of electric fields to neighboring ports, reducing the lens' ability to focus the EM energy to a desired port. With full EM simulations, we design a 28 GHz, 13 beam and 13 array port Rotman lens array to characterize its performance with the aforementioned impairment. Our findings show that the impact of aberration is more pronounced when the beam angles are close to the array end-fire. More critically, the corresponding impact of aberration on the desired signal and interference powers is also investigated for an uplink multiuser cellular system operating at 28 GHz. The presented results can be used as a reference to re-calibrate our expectations for Rotman lens arrays at mmWave frequencies., Comment: 3 pages, 5 figures, presented in Proc. IEEE IMWS-5G, Jul. 2018

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, accepted

Closed-form approximations of the expected per-terminal signal-to-interference-plus-noise-ratio (SINR) and ergodic sum spectral efficiency of a multiuser multiple-input multiple-output system are presented. Our analysis assumes spatially correlated Ricean fading channels with maximum-ratio combining on the uplink. Unlike previous studies, our model accounts for the presence of unequal correlation matrices, unequal Rice factors, as well as unequal link gains to each terminal. The derived approximations lend themselves to useful insights, special cases and demonstrate the aggregate impact of line-of-sight (LoS) and unequal correlation matrices. Numerical results show that while unequal correlation matrices enhance the expected SINR and ergodic sum spectral efficiency, the presence of strong LoS has an opposite effect. Our approximations are general and remain insensitive to changes in the system dimensions, signal-to-noise-ratios, LoS levels and unequal correlation levels., Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in the IEEE Wireless Communications Letters, Vol. 6, 2017

Closed-form approximations to the expected per-terminal signal-to-interference-plus-noise-ratio (SINR) and ergodic sum spectral efficiency of a large multiuser multiple-input multiple-output system are presented. Our analysis assumes correlated Ricean fading with maximum ratio combining on the uplink, where the base station (BS) is equipped with a uniform linear array (ULA) with physical size restrictions. Unlike previous studies, our model caters for the presence of unequal correlation matrices and unequal Rice factors for each terminal. As the number of BS antennas grows without bound, with a finite number of terminals, we derive the limiting expected per-terminal SINR and ergodic sum spectral efficiency of the system. Our findings suggest that with restrictions on the size of the ULA, the expected SINR saturates with increasing operating signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) and BS antennas. Whilst unequal correlation matrices result in higher performance, the presence of strong line-of-sight (LoS) has an opposite effect. Our analysis accommodates changes in system dimensions, SNR, LoS levels, spatial correlation levels and variations in fixed physical spacings of the BS array., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in the proceedings of IEEE ICC, to be held in Paris, France, May 2017

In this paper we demonstrate the rate gains achieved by two-tier heterogeneous cellular networks (HetNets) with varying degrees of coordination between macrocell and microcell base stations (BSs). We show that without the presence of coordination, network densification does not provide any gain in the sum rate and rapidly decreases the mean per-user signal-to-interference-plus-noise-ratio (SINR). Our results show that coordination reduces the rate of SINR decay with increasing numbers of microcell BSs in the system. Validity of the analytically approximated mean per-user SINR over a wide range of signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) is demonstrated via comparison with the simulated results., Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures, submitted to IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC) 4th International Workshop on Small Cells and 5G (SmallNets), London, UK, June 2015