Quantized feedback MIMO scheduling for heterogeneous broadcast networks

One-bit quantization of signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio is discussed in literature for user scheduling in homogeneous network where users are assumed to have equal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). It is mentioned in literature that 1-bit quantization with fixed quantization threshold does not achieve multiuser diversity. Moreover, the system sum-rate achieved by this lags significantly behind that of full feedback scheme. Two multi-bit quantized feedback scheduling schemes are proposed for broadcast network with heterogeneous users experiencing different channel statistics. It is presented that these two schemes with fixed optimum quantization thresholds profit from the diversity provided by independent and identically distributed channels. Moreover, proposed optimistic multi-bit quantized scheduling scheme achieves higher system sum-rate than the proposed multi-bit quantized scheme by addressing the limitations of the later one. The optimum quantization thresholds depend on the number of transmit antennas and system SNR. Moreover, these multi-bit quantized feedback scheduling schemes also ensure user fairness. Simulation results are presented to support the numerical analysis.