Performance of Cell-Free Massive MIMO Networks under Rayleigh and Rician fading

This work investigates the impact of different channels fadings on the favorable propagation, channel hardening, and spectral efficiency of the cell-free massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system. The analyzes consider both line-of-sight (LOS) and non-LOS (NLOS) channels in indoor and outdoor environments. Specifically, the channel may be subject to correlated and uncorrelated Rayleigh or Rician fading. The results indicate that cell-free systems can provide more hardening and spectral efficiency when the channel behaves like a Rician fading. On the other hand, they may benefit from more favorable propagation in Rayleigh fading channels.