Coverage and Capacity of Millimeter-Wave Cellular Networks

The millimeter-wave (mmWave) band offers the potential for high-bandwidth communication channels in cellular networks. It is not clear, however, whether both high data rates and coverage in terms of signal-to-noise-plus-interference ratio can be achieved in interference-limited mmWave cellular networks due to the differences in propagation conditions and antenna topologies. This article shows that dense mmWave networks can achieve both higher data rates and comparable coverage relative to conventional microwave networks. Sum rate gains can be achieved using more advanced beam-forming techniques that allow multiuser transmission. The insights are derived using a new theoretical network model that incorporates key characteristics of mmWave networks.