Multi-Layer Linear Processing For Uplink Massive Mimo Systems In The Presence Of Unequal-Power Co-Channel Interferers

We propose a novel multi-layer linear receiver fur massive MIMO systems that can provide a range of complexity/performance trade-offs. The proposed method consists of splitting the antenna array into a number of subsets of size greater than all users, which is further divided into smaller subsets. Then, optimum combining (OC) is applied on each subset in a first layer. The outputs are combined using OC again at a second layer. Finally, the resulting outputs are combined using maximal-ratio combining (MRC). This design is inspired by our previous work which proposes to implement two layer processors to achieve a good trade-off between performance and complexity. Simulation results show that our method approaches the performance of a conventional OC combiner, albeit with significantly reduced complexity.