Analytical performance evaluation of massive MIMO techniques for SC-FDE modulations

Abstract

In the Fifth Generation of telecommunications networks (5G), it is possible to use massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) systems, which require efficient receivers capable of reaching good performance values. MIMO systems can also be extended to massive MIMO (mMIMO) systems, while maintaining their, sometimes exceptional, performance. However, we must be aware that this implies an increase in the receiver complexity. Therefore, the use of mMIMO in 5G and future generations of mobile receivers will only be feasible if they use very efficient algorithms, so as to maintain their excellent performance, while coping with increasing and critical user demands. Having this in mind, this paper presents and compares three types of receivers used in MIMO systems, for further use with mMIMO systems, which use Single-Carrier with Frequency-Domain Equalization (SC-FDE), Iterative Block Decision Feedback Equalization (IB-DFE) and Maximum Ratio Combining (MRC) techniques. This paper presents and compares the theoretical and simulated performance values for these receivers in terms of their Bit Error Rate (BER) and correlation factor. While one of the receivers studied in this paper achieves a BER performance nearly matching the Matched Filter Bound (MFB), the other receivers (IB-DFE and MRC) are more than 1 dB away from MFB. The results obtained in this paper can help the development of ongoing research involving hybrid analog/digital receivers for 5G and future generations of mobile communications.