Ultra-dense Radio Access Networks for Smart Cities: Cloud-RAN, Fog-RAN and "cell-free" Massive MIMO

TL;DR

This paper explores ultra-dense radio access network architectures for smart cities, introducing Fog Massive MIMO, which combines cell-free massive MIMO with Fog-RAN to improve coordination and mitigate interference.

Contribution

It proposes the novel Fog Massive MIMO paradigm, integrating cell-free massive MIMO with Fog-RAN for enhanced coordination in ultra-dense networks.

Findings

Improved coordination reduces interference in dense networks

Fog Massive MIMO enhances network performance for smart city applications

Analysis shows potential benefits over traditional architectures

Abstract

In this paper we discuss the requirements for a radio access network architecture for ultra-dense networks for "smart city" applications, and show that coordination is required between access points to overcome the effects of interference. We propose a new paradigm, Fog Massive MIMO, based on a combination of the "cell-free" massive MIMO concept and the Fog Radio Access Network (F-RAN). In particular we analyze the potential benefit of improved coordination between APs over different coordination ranges.