On the Performance of Cluster-Based MIMO-NOMA in Multi-Cell Dense Networks

Abstract

This paper develops an analytical framework for exploring the benefits of applying cluster-based multi-antenna non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) in dense wireless networks. Using the tools of stochastic geometry, a new explicit expression and a tight approximation for per-cluster average data rates are derived in terms of relevant system parameters. Moreover, simulation results are provided to validate the accuracy of our analytical results and draw some essential system design insights. Based on the tractable expressions, we further consider the analysis and optimization of area spectral efficiency (ASE). It is analytically demonstrated that: 1) In terms of the per-cluster average data rate, there exists a wide range for the power allocation coefficient within a cluster where NOMA outperforms orthogonal multiple access (OMA); 2) The per-cluster average data rate of NOMA benefits more from the additional deployment of antennas at base stations (BSs) than that of OMA when the accuracy of channel state information at transmitter (CSIT) is fixed; 3) Regarding to ASE, there exists an optimal combination of the number of clusters and power allocation coefficient to maximize ASE. The performance gain of NOMA relative to OMA becomes marginal when the requirement of user fairness is stringent; 4) As for a special case that the power allocation coefficient is fixed, the analytical results indicate that ASE scales linearly with the number of antennas when the number of clusters is set optimally.