Gaussian 1-2-1 Networks: Capacity Results for mmWave Communications

TL;DR

This paper introduces the 1-2-1 network model for mmWave communications, showing that capacity can be approximated by routing through at most 2N+2 paths, where N is the number of relays.

Contribution

It presents a novel 1-2-1 network model capturing beamforming constraints in mmWave networks and provides a capacity approximation method based on limited path routing.

Findings

Capacity approximated by routing along at most 2N+2 paths

Model captures beamforming constraints in mmWave networks

Provides theoretical capacity bounds for relay networks

Abstract

This paper proposes a new model for wireless relay networks referred to as "1-2-1 network", where two nodes can communicate only if they point "beams" at each other, while if they do not point beams at each other, no signal can be exchanged or interference can be generated. This model is motivated by millimeter wave communications where, due to the high path loss, a link between two nodes can exist only if beamforming gain at both sides is established, while in the absence of beamforming gain the signal is received well below the thermal noise floor. The main result in this paper is that the 1-2-1 network capacity can be approximated by routing information along at most $2N+2$ paths, where $N$ is the number of relays connecting a source and a destination through an arbitrary topology.