Uplink resource allocation optimization for user-centric cell-free MIMO networks

TL;DR

This paper proposes a semi-distributed uplink resource allocation method for user-centric cell-free MIMO networks, balancing high data rates and scalability by decentralizing algorithms with minimal performance loss.

Contribution

It introduces a novel semi-distributed operation mode and a new QoS metric to decentralize resource allocation, reducing information exchange in cell-free MIMO networks.

Findings

Eliminates the need for inter-access point information exchange

Achieves near-centralized data rates with decentralized algorithms

Balances scalability and high data rate performance

Abstract

We examine the problem of optimizing resource allocation in the uplink for a user-centric, cell-free, multi-input multi-output network. We start by modeling and developing resource allocation algorithms for two standard network operation modes. The centralized mode provides high data rates but suffers multiple issues, including scalability. On the other hand, the distributed mode has the opposite problem: relatively low rates, but is scalable. To address these challenges, we combine the strength of the two standard modes, creating a new semi-distributed operation mode. To avoid the need for information exchange between access points, we introduce a new quality of service metric to decentralize the resource allocation algorithms. Our results show that we can eliminate the need for information exchange with a relatively small penalty on data rates.