Dynamic RF-Chain Scaling for Energy-Proportional Massive MIMO Base Stations

Abstract

The capacity limitation of wireless networks can be overcome using MIMO architecture, but it causes power consumption while operating a static base station. RF chains are continuing in operation for all time, even when there is no cell utilization. To overcome this, we are designing a dynamic physical layer which has a muting controller to build a realistic physical layer for sustainable 6G operation accessible on condition of load. By managing Quality of Service(QoS), the designed system is able to reduce hardware waste. In this system, we load a set of real antennas calculated on the scale of the number of active antennas; for that, we simulate traffic waves during daytime. The controller sets a hardware floor to ensure uninterrupted broadcast signaling, thus eliminating coverage holes. This framework can be effectively tested by running it over a 24-hour traffic cycle. During the day, as per full load, the dynamic array reaches the same maximum sum-rate as a fixed 64 -antenna tower. Circumstances when the system is idle, such as at night, the unnecessary portions of the RF chain are powered down, reducing overall base station power consumption by more than 60%. We show that the current hardware costs are successfully separated from user demand in a network that can give a very predictable and energy-proportional blueprint for the next generation networks.