Network-Controlled Repeaters Under Power Amplifier Non-linearities

TL;DR

This paper proposes a distortion-aware uplink framework for network-controlled repeaters in massive MIMO systems, addressing non-linear power amplifier effects to improve spectral efficiency.

Contribution

It introduces a novel distortion-aware processing method that models PA non-linearities and optimizes signal combining for enhanced performance.

Findings

Closed-form expressions for Bussgang gain and distortion covariance

A DA combining vector that maximizes SIR in the presence of non-linearities

Improved spectral efficiency under PA non-linear distortions

Abstract

Network-controlled repeaters (NCRs) are a low-cost means to extend coverage and strengthen macro diversity in wireless networks. They operate in real time by amplifying and re-transmitting the incoming signal with only hardware-level delays, without requiring any channel state information (CSI) at the repeater itself. However, their power amplifiers (PAs) generate non-linear distortion that is jointly forwarded with the desired signal and can undermine multiuser performance unless the distortion statistics are exploited. This paper develops a distortion-aware (DA) uplink framework for repeater-assisted massive MIMO (RA-MIMO) under PA non-linearities. We adopt a memoryless third-order polynomial model for the repeater PA and characterize the achievable spectral efficiency (SE) using the Bussgang decomposition. Closed-form expressions are derived for the Bussgang gain matrix and the distortion covariance. We also design a DA combining vector that maximizes the effective signal-to-interference-plus-distortion ratio.