Energy Efficient Massive MIMO Array Configurations

The high spectral efficiency of massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) is mainly achieved through the exploitation of spatial multiplexing, i.e. by using a high number of MIMO layers that are applied simultaneously to many users. The power consumption of a massive MIMO base station is determined by the hardware driving a high number of antenna ports and elements. In situations with a low number of users the hardware power consumption remains, while the achievable spectral efficiency can become comparatively low due to the low spatial multiplexing capabilities. We investigate the impact of different hybrid array architectures on spectral efficiency, average user throughput and power consumption and show how to design a massive MIMO system with significantly improved energy efficiency for a given target scenario, while maintaining a targeted service quality.