Optimal Channel Tracking and Power Allocation for Time Varying FDD Massive MIMO Systems

The use of massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology has enabled increased efficiency and capacity of wireless communication systems. When the downlink channel to user terminals (UTs) is known at the base station (BS), the BS can precode transmission to simplify detection at the UTs. In frequency division duplexed (FDD) systems, obtaining CSI at the transmitter to fully exploit the advantages of massive MIMO is complicated, since the number of channel coefficients to be trained and fed back from the UT is very large. This is exacerbated in the case where the channel is time varying, where frequent retraining and feedback is required. However, if the channel coefficients are spatially correlated, the amount of feedback required can be reduced significantly. In this paper, we consider the case where the channel coefficients from the BS to the UTs are spatially correlated, and show that efficient allocation of training power based on eigenvalues of the channel correlation matrix significantly boosts achievable rates. Further, we show that using Kalman filters to track the evolving channel coefficients reduces the need to retrain channels, and the reduced training requirement translates to higher data rates. Simulations confirm that optimal training and tracking channel modes enhances rates significantly.

Automated summary

The use of massive MIMO technology improves the efficiency and capacity of wireless communication systems. In frequency division duplexed systems, reducing the need for training and feedback can lead to higher data rates.