Exploitation of Triangular Lattice Arrays for Improved Spectral Efficiency in Massive MIMO 5G Systems

Francesco Alessio Dicandia,Simone Genovesi

doi:10.1109/access.2021.3053091

Francesco Alessio Dicandia, Simone Genovesi

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2021.3053091

Copy DOI

Abstract

A thorough analysis of the performance of planar arrays with a regular periodic lattice is carried out and applied to massive multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) systems operating within 5G NR n257 and n258 frequency band. It is shown that, among different arrangements with uniform spacing, a triangular lattice guarantees the reduction of the Average Side Lobe Level (ASLL), a better angular scan resolution of the main beam within a predefined angular sector and a lower mutual coupling level among elements. Moreover, single beam and multibeam application scenarios are considered for the performance comparison and both cases assess the remarkable features offered by a triangular arrangement. Particular attention is paid to illustrate, for different propagation channel scenarios, the effects of the array lattice on overall system performance including average gain as well as Signal-to-Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR) and Sum Spectral Efficiency (SSE). The obtained results prove that a regular and periodic triangular lattice is appealing for arrays to be adopted in massive MIMO 5G systems.

Highlights

Massive multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) can offer a significant boost to the throughput of 5G wireless communication systems [1]–[4]
By comparing the results reported on the color maps, it can be noticed that both the employed array lattices exhibit similar trend during the beam steering within the investigated bandwidth even though the triangular lattice (γ = 60◦) allows obtaining higher gain values than square one
A thorough study on the employment of regular periodic lattices for planar array has been addressed in this paper with a particular focus on their applications for massive MIMO 5G systems within both the 5G New Radio (NR) n257 and n258 band

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Massive multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) can offer a significant boost to the throughput of 5G wireless communication systems [1]–[4]. It has to be observed that the reduction of the PSLL by aperiodic arrangements is obtained by spreading the energy in a larger solid angle, raising the Average Side Lobe Level (ASLL) [26] with a consequent maximum array gain reduction These irregular array solutions based on an extensive optimization procedure present some challenges in terms of practical design increasing considerably the complexity of the feeding network [27], [28]. It is interesting to notice that massive MIMO antenna array are mostly implemented by using square or rectangular arrangements among the elements [14], [15], [17], [18], [32] the triangular lattice may exhibit several advantages.

EQUILATERAL TRIANGULAR VS SQUARE LATTICE PLANAR ARRAY

MULTIBEAM ANTENNA

Findings

CONCLUSION