Cost-Effectiveness Analysis and Design of Cost-Efficient Cell-Free Massive MIMO Systems

Abstract: Cell-free massive multi-input multi-output (MIMO) has recently attracted much attention, attributed to its potential to deliver uniform service quality. However, the adoption of a cell-free architecture raises concerns about the high implementation costs associated with deploying numerous distributed access points (APs) and the need for fronthaul network installation. To ensure the sustainability of next-generation wireless networks, it is crucial to improve cost-effectiveness, alongside achieving high performance. To address this, we conduct a cost analysis of cell-free massive MIMO and build a unified model with varying numbers of antennas per AP. Our objective is to explore whether employing multi-antenna APs could reduce system costs while maintaining performance. The analysis and evaluation result in the identification of a cost-effective design for cell-free massive MIMO, providing valuable insights for practical implementation.