Abstract:Holographic multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) enables electrically large continuous apertures, overcoming the physical scaling limits of conventional MIMO architectures with half-wavelength spacing. Their near-field operating regime requires channel models that jointly capture line-of-sight (LoS) and non-line-of-sight (NLoS) components in a physically consistent manner. Existing studies typically treat these components separately or rely on environment-specific multipath models. In this work, we develop a unified LoS+NLoS channel representation for holographic lines that integrates spatial-sampling-based and expansion-based formulations. Building on this model, we extend the wavenumber-division multiplexing (WDM) framework, originally introduced for purely LoS channels, to the LoS+NLoS scenario. Applying WDM to the NLoS component yields its angular-domain representation, enabling direct characterization through the power spectral factor and power spectral density. We further derive closed-form characterizations for isotropic and non-isotropic scattering, with the former recovering Jakes' isotropic model. Lastly, we evaluate the resulting degrees of freedom and ergodic capacity, showing that incorporating the NLoS component substantially improves the performance relative to the purely LoS case.
Abstract:This paper investigates a fluid antenna system (FAS) where a single-antenna transmitter communicates with a receiver equipped with a fluid antenna (FA) over a Rician fading channel. Considering that multiple ports among the M available FA ports can be activated, the receiver selects the best K with the highest instantaneous signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and combines the received signals at the selected ports using maximum ratio combining. The statistics of the post-combining SNR are derived using a Laplace transform-based approach, which allows to analyze the outage probability (OP) of the FAS. Additional closed-form expressions for a lower bound on the OP and the asymptotic OP at high SNR are presented. Numerical results validate the analytical framework and demonstrate the interplay of key system parameters on the performance of the considered MRC-based FAS.
Abstract:The average symbol error probability (SEP) of a 1-bit quantized single-input multiple-output (SIMO) system is analyzed under Rayleigh fading channels and quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) modulation. Previous studies have partially characterized the diversity gain for selection combining (SC). In this paper, leveraging a novel analytical method, an exact analytical SEP expression is derived for a 1-bit quantized SIMO system employing QPSK modulation at the transmitter and maximum ratio combining (MRC) at the receiver. The corresponding diversity and coding gains of a SIMO-MRC system are also determined. Furthermore, the diversity and coding gains of a 1-bit quantized SIMO-SC system are quantified for an arbitrary number of receive antennas, thereby extending and complementing prior results.




Abstract:6G must be designed to withstand, adapt to, and evolve amid prolonged, complex disruptions. Mobile networks' shift from efficiency-first to sustainability-aware has motivated this white paper to assert that resilience is a primary design goal, alongside sustainability and efficiency, encompassing technology, architecture, and economics. We promote resilience by analysing dependencies between mobile networks and other critical systems, such as energy, transport, and emergency services, and illustrate how cascading failures spread through infrastructures. We formalise resilience using the 3R framework: reliability, robustness, resilience. Subsequently, we translate this into measurable capabilities: graceful degradation, situational awareness, rapid reconfiguration, and learning-driven improvement and recovery. Architecturally, we promote edge-native and locality-aware designs, open interfaces, and programmability to enable islanded operations, fallback modes, and multi-layer diversity (radio, compute, energy, timing). Key enablers include AI-native control loops with verifiable behaviour, zero-trust security rooted in hardware and supply-chain integrity, and networking techniques that prioritise critical traffic, time-sensitive flows, and inter-domain coordination. Resilience also has a techno-economic aspect: open platforms and high-quality complementors generate ecosystem externalities that enhance resilience while opening new markets. We identify nine business-model groups and several patterns aligned with the 3R objectives, and we outline governance and standardisation. This white paper serves as an initial step and catalyst for 6G resilience. It aims to inspire researchers, professionals, government officials, and the public, providing them with the essential components to understand and shape the development of 6G resilience.
Abstract:Extremely large-scale multiple-input multiple-output (XL-MIMO) systems operating at sub-THz carrier frequencies represent a promising solution to meet the demands of next-generation wireless applications. This work focuses on sparse channel estimation for XL-MIMO systems operating in the near-field (NF) regime. Assuming a practical subarray-based architecture, we develop a NF channel estimation framework based on adaptive filtering, referred to as \textit{polar-domain zero-attracting least mean squares (PD-ZALMS)}. The proposed method achieves significantly superior channel estimation accuracy and lower computational complexity compared with the well-established polar-domain orthogonal matching pursuit. In addition, the proposed PD-ZALMS is shown to outperform the oracle least-squares channel estimator at low-to-moderate signal-to-noise ratio.
Abstract:Shifting 6G-and-beyond wireless communication systems to higher frequency bands and the utilization of massive multiple-input multiple-output arrays will extend the near-field region, affecting beamforming and user localization schemes. In this paper, we propose a localization-based beam-focusing strategy that leverages the dominant line-of-sight (LoS) propagation arising at mmWave and sub-THz frequencies. To support this approach, we analyze the 2D-MUSIC algorithm for distance estimation by examining its spectrum in simplified, tractable setups with minimal numbers of antennas and users. Lastly, we compare the proposed localization-based beam focusing, with locations estimated via 2D-MUSIC, with zero forcing with pilot-based channel estimation in terms of uplink sum spectral efficiency. Our numerical results show that the proposed method becomes more effective under LoS-dominated propagation, short coherence blocks, and strong noise power arising at high carrier frequencies and with large bandwidths.
Abstract:To leverage high-frequency bands in 6G wireless systems and beyond, employing massive multiple-input multipleoutput (MIMO) arrays at the transmitter and/or receiver side is crucial. To mitigate the power consumption and hardware complexity across massive frequency bands and antenna arrays, a sacrifice in the resolution of the data converters will be inevitable. In this paper, we consider a point-to-point massive MIMO system with 1-bit digital-to-analog converters at the transmitter, where the linearly precoded signal is supplemented with dithering before the 1-bit quantization. For this system, we propose a new maximumlikelihood (ML) data detection method at the receiver by deriving the mean and covariance matrix of the received signal, where symbol-dependent linear minimum mean squared error estimation is utilized to efficiently linearize the transmitted signal. Numerical results show that the proposed ML method can provide gains of more than two orders of magnitude in terms of symbol error rate over conventional data detection based on soft estimation.
Abstract:Accurate channel estimation is critical for realizing the performance gains of massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. Traditional approaches to channel estimation typically assume ideal receiver hardware and linear signal models. However, practical receivers suffer from impairments such as nonlinearities in the low-noise amplifiers and quantization errors, which invalidate standard model assumptions and degrade the estimation accuracy. In this work, we propose a nonlinear channel estimation framework that models the distortion function arising from hardware impairments using Gaussian process (GP) regression while leveraging the inherent sparsity of massive MIMO channels. First, we form a GP-based surrogate of the distortion function, employing pseudo-inputs to reduce the computational complexity. Then, we integrate the GP-based surrogate of the distortion function into newly developed enhanced sparse Bayesian learning (SBL) methods, enabling distortion-aware sparse channel estimation. Specifically, we propose two nonlinear SBL methods based on distinct optimization objectives, each offering a different trade-off between estimation accuracy and computational complexity. Numerical results demonstrate significant gains over the Bussgang linear minimum mean squared error estimator and linear SBL, particularly under strong distortion and at high signal-to-noise ratio.
Abstract:The analysis of systems operating in future frequency ranges calls for a proper statistical channel characterization through generalized fading models. In this paper, we adopt the Extended {\eta}-{\mu} and {\kappa}-{\mu} models to characterize the propagation in FR3 and the sub-THz band, respectively. For these models, we develop a new exact representation of the sum of squared independent and identically distributed random variables, which can be used to express the power of the received signal in multi-antenna systems. Unlike existing ones, the proposed analytical framework is remarkably tractable and computationally efficient, and thus can be conveniently employed to analyze systems with massive antenna arrays. For both the Extended {\eta}-{\mu} and {\kappa}-{\mu} distributions, we derive novel expressions for the probability density function and cumulative distribution function, we analyze their convergence and truncation error, and we discuss the computational complexity and implementation aspects. Moreover, we derive expressions for the outage and coverage probability, bit error probability for coherent binary modulations, and symbol error probability for M-ary phase-shift keying and quadrature amplitude modulation. Lastly, we provide an extensive performance evaluation of FR3 and sub-THz systems focusing on a downlink scenario where a single-antenna user is served by a base station employing maximum ratio transmission.
Abstract:This paper explores the data-aided regularization of the direct-estimate combiner in the uplink of a distributed multiple-input multiple-output system. The network-wide combiner can be computed directly from the pilot signal received at each access point, eliminating the need for explicit channel estimation. However, the sample covariance matrix of the received pilot signal that is used in its computation may significantly deviate from the actual covariance matrix when the number of pilot symbols is limited. To address this, we apply a regularization to the sample covariance matrix using a shrinkage coefficient based on the received data signal. Initially, the shrinkage coefficient is determined by minimizing the difference between the sample covariance matrices obtained from the received pilot and data signals. Given the limitations of this approach in interference-limited scenarios, the shrinkage coefficient is iteratively optimized using the sample mean squared error of the hard-decision symbols, which is more closely related to the actual system's performance, e.g., the symbol error rate (SER). Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed regularization of the direct-estimate combiner significantly enhances the SER, particularly when the number of pilot symbols is limited.