Since the introduction of fifth-generation new radio (5G-NR) in Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 15, swift progress has been made to evolve 5G with 3GPP Release 18 emerging. A critical aspect is the design of massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology. In this line, this paper makes several important contributions: We provide a comprehensive overview of the evolution of standardized massive MIMO features from 3GPP Release 15 to 17 for both time/frequency-division duplex operation across frequency range in (FR)-1 and FR 2-1. We analyze the progress on channel state information (CSI) frameworks, beam management frameworks and present enhancements for uplink CSI. We shed light on emerging 3GPP Release 18 problems requiring imminent attention. These include advanced codebook design and sounding reference signal design for coherent joint transmission (CJT) with multiple transmission/reception points (multi TRPs). We discuss advancements in uplink demodulation reference signal design, enhancements for mobility to provide accurate CSI estimates, and unified transmission configuration indicator framework tailored for FR 2–1 bands. For each concept, we provide system level simulation results to highlight their performance benefits. Via field trials in an outdoor environment at Shanghai Jiaotong University, we demonstrate the gains of multi-TRP CJT relative to single TRP at 3.7 GHz.

We present the results of a 3 dimensional (3D) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channel impulse response (CIR) measurement conducted in China and New Zealand (NZ) for an outdoor-to-indoor (O2I) urban macro environment. Key channel parameters are computed from the measured data using the space-alternating generalized expectation-maximization (SAGE) algorithm, and are used to re-construct the 16 × 16 3D MIMO CIR according to the guidelines given in the 3GPP 3D MIMO channel model. The CIR is then used to evaluate the channel capacity for four different antenna configurations. These different topologies, along with different antenna spacings, allow us to study the characteristics of the MIMO channel with different spatial correlation structures.

This paper reports the methodology and results from our latest field measurement campaign for characterizing the 3-dimensional (3D) MIMO channel, particularly in the elevation domains, in a typical urban macro (UMa) environments in Beijing, China. Stochastic channel model parameters are obtained based on the high-resolution multi-path parameter estimates. In addition, a distance dependent elevation angular spread model is proposed based on field observations. These works enables the realistic evaluation of 3D MIMO system performance and extends the applicability of the ITU SCM models in 3D MIMO system study.

In this paper, we evaluate the capacity gains offered by MIMO systems relative to SISO by using two metrics: the ratio between the expected value of the two capacities and a weighted difference between the two capacities. We present results for these metrics for the case of a general channel, where fading could be iid, correlated Rayleigh, or any other type. We derive limiting values of the capacity metrics for low and high SNR and show via simulation their behavior at other values of SNR. These simulations provide valuable insight into the variation of the capacity metrics in the important SNR range from -5 dB to 20 dB which is commonly observed in cellular systems.

Limited feedback precoding is part of the LTE standard. Despite standardization, important fundamental questions, especially relating to the performance due to the use of codebooks and receiver processing techniques, remain to be explored. In order to understand these questions, we consider a single user in a single cell employing single or multi-stream transmission using a variety of codebooks and a choice of different receiver types. We derive expressions for capacity loss relative to perfect feedback due to the limited size of codebook. When multistream transmission is deployed, we show that codebook feedback manifests itself as inter-stream interference resulting in a capacity loss for all receiver types. In the case of SVD receivers, this interference results in a capacity floor. We define a precoding matrix index (PMI) coherence time and bandwidth and show how these parameters are respectively related to channel coherence time and bandwidth. The PMI coherence parameters shed new light on how often feedback is required, both in time and frequency domains, and help us to determine the capacity penalty if feedback is delayed beyond the coherence parameters. Finally, we show the distribution of PMI and also show that this is environment dependent. This supports the need for codebooks that are adaptable to different environments and are not strictly tied to i.i.d. channels.

This paper proposes an efficient rate one space-frequency block code (SFBC) for multiple-input multiple-output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) systems. The proposed SFBC incorporates concept of matched rotation precoding (MRP) to achieve full transmit diversity and optimal system performance for arbitrary number of transmit antennas, subcarrier interval and subcarrier grouping. The MRP exploits the inherent rotation property of SFBC and has relaxed restrictions on subcarrier interval and subcarrier grouping, making it ideal for adaptive/time varying systems. The lowerbound of the coding gain for MRP is derived and shown that it is useful when designing a SFBC for practical scenarios, e.g. when transmitters have only partial knowledge of power delay profile or when the power delay profile has only a few dominant delayed paths. Simulation results show that the MRP can achieve a similar or better performance than existing SFBCs.

This paper presents a multirate space-time- frequency linear block coding scheme (STFBC) with full transmit diversity for a variety of transmission rates. The proposed multirate STFBC can achieve relatively smooth balance between the performance and the transmission rate for a given constellation size. Design of a space-time linear block coding (STBC) scheme is presented as a special case of the proposed multirate STFBC, which perform better than some of the existing STBCs. Moreover, optimized multirate STFBCs have also been compared with some of the existing STFBCs. Simulations results show that the design parameter has sufficient flexibility to achieve improved performance with reduced computational complexity.

In this paper we develop a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) channel model and derive its spatial and temporal correlation properties. We present a generalized methodology to derive the spatial correlation when the angles of arrival (AoA) and angles of departure (AoD) are either independent or partly correlated. Our model therefore spans the full range from well-established single ring models, where AoA and AoD are fully correlated to complex industrial channel models where they are uncorrelated. It is shown that first order and second order approximations to the channel give rise to a single- Kroneckermodel and a sum-Kroneckermodel respectively. We compare our model to other MIMO channel models in terms of correlation structure and the ergodic mutual information (EMI) and study the effect of the non-Kronecker correlation structure.

Many channel models for MIMO systems have appeared in the literature. However, with the exception of a few recent results, they are largely focussed on two dimensional (2D) propagation, i.e., propagation in the horizontal plane, and the impact of elevation angle is not considered. The assumption of 2D propagation breaks down when in some propagation environments the elevation angle distribution is significant. Consequently, the estimation of ergodic capacity assuming a 2D channel coefficient alone can lead to erroneous results. In this paper, for cross polarized channels, we define a composite channel model and channel coefficient that takes into account both 2D and 3D propagation. Using this composite channel coefficient we assess the ergodic channel capacity and discuss its sensitivity to a variety of different azimuth and elevation power distributions and other system parameters.

Fourth-generation (4G) systems are expected to support data rates of the order of 100 Mb/s in the outdoor environment and 1 Gb/s in the indoor/stationary environment. In order to support such large payloads, the radio physical layer must employ receiver algorithms that provide a significant increase in spectrum efficiency (and, hence, capacity) over current wireless systems. Recently, an explosion of multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) studies have appeared with many journals presenting special issues on this subject. This has occurred due to the potential of MIMO to provide a linear increase in capacity with antenna numbers. Environmental considerations and tower loads will often restrict the placing of large antenna spans on base stations (BSs). Similarly, customer device form factors also place a limit on the antenna numbers that can be placed with a mutual spacing of 0.5 wavelength. The use of cross-polarized antennas is widely used in modern cellular installations as it reduces spacing needs and tower loads on BSs. Hence, this approach is also receiving considerable attention in MIMO systems. In order to study and compare various receiver architectures that are based on MIMO techniques, one needs to have an accurate knowledge of the MIMO channel. However, very few studies have appeared that characterize the cross-polarized MIMO channel. Recently, the third-generation partnership standards bodies (3GPP/3GPP2) have defined a cross-polarized channel model for MIMO systems but this model neglects the elevation spectrum. In this paper, we provide a deeper understanding of the channel model for cross-polarized systems for different environments and propose a composite channel impulse model for the cross-polarized channel that takes into account both azimuth and elevation spectrum. We use the resulting channel impulse response to derive closed-form expressions for the spatial correlation. We also present models to describe the dependence of cross-polarization discrimination (XPD) on distance, azimuth and elevation and delay spread. In addition, we study the impact of array width, signal-to-noise ratio, and antenna slant angle on the mutual information (MI) of the system. In particular, we present an analytical model for large system mean mutual information values and consider the impact of elevation spectrum on MI. Finally, the impact of multipath delays on XPD and MI is also explored.