A 3D Beamforming Scheme Based on The Spatial Distribution of User Locations

Abstract: Multi-antenna technologies such as massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (massive MIMO) and beamforming are key features to enhance performance, in terms of capacity and coverage, by using a large number of antennas intelligently. With the upcoming 5G New Radio (NR), FD-MIMO (Full Dimension MIMO) will play a major key role. FD-MIMO consists in arranging a large number of antennas in a 2D array, which enables to use 3D beamforming i.e., beamforming in both horizontal and vertical dimensions. The present paper provides a 3D beamforming model where beam steering depends on the random spatial distribution of users. We attempt to derive some analytical results regarding the probability distribution of antenna beamforming radiation pattern. Also, through system level simulations, we show how 3D beamforming can reduce interference impact, compared to the traditional 2D beamforming, and enhances system performance in terms of the coverage probability and users throughput.