On Uplink Network MIMO under a Constrained Backhaul and Imperfect Channel Knowledge

It is known that next generation mobile communications systems will most likely employ multi-cell signal processing - often referred to as network MIMO - in order to improve spectral efficiency and fairness. Many publications exist that predict strong achievable rate improvements, but usually neglecting various practical issues connected to network MIMO. In this paper, we analyse the impact of a constrained backhaul infrastructure and imperfect channel knowledge on uplink network MIMO from an information theoretical point of view. Especially the latter aspect leads to the fact that the channel conditions for which network MIMO is reasonably beneficial are strongly constrained. We observe different base station cooperation schemes in scenarios of maximal 3 base stations and 3 terminals, provide simulation results, and discuss the practicability of the discussed schemes and the implications of our results.