Efficient Signal Processing and Radio Resource Management (RRM)for Coordinated Multiple-Antenna Multi-Node Downlink Transmission in Heterogeneous Cellular Networks

Reliable high-speed wireless data transmission is the primary goal of future cellular systems. A key impediment to achieving this goal is interference on receivers from transmitters in adjacent cells. This problem becomes even more challenging when the types of transmitters and cell sizes vary within a heterogeneous network (HetNet). The performance of users near a cell edge suffers the most. There are several ways to mitigate interference and improve performance. This project will investigate the following: 1) Algorithms for user scheduling and coordinated transmissions within time-varying clusters of cooperating base stations; 2) Precoding and interference mitigation methods using very large antenna arrays, which exploit the statistics of large numbers to enhance performance; 3) Joint base station-relay-user selection and signal processing algorithms that reduce the complexity and requirements for channel feedback in HetNets employing multiple-antenna relay nodes. This research will allow the participants to gain relevant expertise that will help impact the formulation of future wireless standards.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Witold A. Krzymień

Student:

Robert C. Elliott, Mahmood Mazrouei Sebdani, Godfrey O. Okeke

Partner:

Telus

Discipline:

Engineering - computer / electrical

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

University of Alberta