What is FD-MIMO LTE 5G | Benefits or Advantages of FD-MIMO

This page covers overview of FD-MIMO features used in LTE and 5G systems. It mentions benefits or advantages of FD-MIMO and drawbacks or disadvantages of FD-MIMO.

What is FD-MIMO?

Introduction:
FD-MIMO stands for Full Dimensional Multiple Input Multiple Output. In FD-MIMO, the signals are transmitted in virtual beam formats so that receivers are powered from all the three dimensions. Hence it is also known as 3D-MIMO. It is supported in 3GPP specifications of LTE up to Rel-14.

As shown it uses 2D array structure which allows large number of antenna elements. These elements are packed in smaller form factors as desired by LTE/5G BS design.

As shown, FD-MIMO uses both horizontal beamforming and vertical beamforming so that beams can be focused anywhere in three dimensional spaces. The technology is implemented for both less than 6 GHz and mmwave frequency bands.

Antenna arrays are arranged in any rectangular form. Antenna array of 8x8 dimension is usually used in LTE. The same antenna array with smaller size can be used in 5G NR system.

Due to advancement in technology, BBU (Baseband Unit) and RRU (Remote Radio Unit) are separately installed. In this architecture, only analog RRU are located at cell site and hence reduces equipments and simplifies network installation. BBU are installed indoors and far away from the outdoor cell site. Both BBU and RRU are interfaced using CPRI/eCPRI interface. Higher order MU-MIMO is also supported by FD-MIMO.

Benefits or advantages of FD-MIMO

Following are the benefits or advantages of FD-MIMO:
➨It supports multiple users on same bandwidth. Hence it increases spectrum efficiency.
➨It reduces interference at the receiver from other overlapping transmissions. This increases power of the signal at the receiver.
➨It significantly improves cellular capacity by 3 to 5 times.
➨Antenna arrays with small factor can be used at cellular towers.
➨Use of AAS in FD-MIMO offers dynamic beam pattern adaptation in three dimensional space.
➨It offers efficient and simple operation & management of the FD-MIMO based system.
➨FD-MIMO antenna array increases average system throughput by 2 to 3 times compare to conventional antenna array.

Drawbacks or disadvantages of FD-MIMO

Following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of FD-MIMO:
➨As number of antenna elemenets increase, the system becomes more complex and requires robust signal processing algorithms at the receiver.
➨It is more expensive compare to conventional MIMO system.

Advantages and Disadvantages of other wireless technologies

5G NR Numerology | 5G NR Terminology

5G NR Control channels | 5G NR Traffic Channels | 5G NR Reference Signals and sequences

5G TECHNOLOGY RELATED LINKS

This 5G tutorial also covers following sub topics on the 5G technology:
5G basic tutorial    5G Frequency Bands    5G millimeter wave tutorial    5G mm wave frame    5G millimeter wave channel sounding    Difference between 4G and 5G    5G testing and test equipments    5G network architecture    5G NR Physical layer    5G NR MAC layer    5G NR RLC layer    5G NR PDCP layer   

LTE RELATED LINKS

This tutorial section on LTE basics covers following sub topics:
LTE tutorial  LTE features  LTE terminologies  Frame  TDD FDD  Channel types  PHY  stack  throughput  CA   cell search  network entry  Timers  PSS vs SSS  Security   LTE Bands  EARFCN  Hotspot  router  What is VoLTE  VoLTE originating call flow  VoLTE UE attach and registration procedure 

Difference between LTE Advanced vs LTE Advanced Pro vs 5G Links

Article on LTE Advanced>>   LTE-a vs LTE-a Pro>>   5G vs LTE Advanced Pro>>  

What is Difference between

difference between OFDM and OFDMA
Difference between SC-FDMA and OFDM
Difference between SISO and MIMO
Difference between TDD and FDD
FDMA vs TDMA vs CDMA
FDM vs TDM
CDMA vs GSM

RF and Wireless Terminologies