# Cell-Free Massive MIMO for 6G Wireless Communication Networks

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2110.07309 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2110.07309/

## Key facts

- Cited by 4 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 14 Oct 2021.

## Built on by (most cited first, 4 of 4)

- [ENGNN: A General Edge-Update Empowered GNN Architecture for Radio Resource Management in Wireless Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2301.00757/) (2022)
- [Over-The-Air Federated Learning Over Scalable Cell-free Massive MIMO](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2212.06482/) (2022)
- [Learning Cooperative Beamforming with Edge-Update Empowered Graph Neural Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2212.08020/) (2022)
- [FRIEND: Federated Learning for Joint Optimization of multi-RIS Configuration and Eavesdropper Intelligent Detection in B5G Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2603.10977/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

The recently commercialized fifth-generation (5G) wireless communication networks achieved many improvements, including air interface enhancement, spectrum expansion, and network intensification by several key technologies, such as massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), millimeter-wave communications, and ultra-dense networking. Despite the deployment of 5G commercial systems, wireless communications is still facing many challenges to enable connected intelligence and a myriad of applications such as industrial Internet-of-things, autonomous systems, brain-computer interfaces, digital twin, tactile Internet, etc. Therefore, it is urgent to start research on the sixth-generation (6G) wireless communication systems. Among the candidate technologies for such systems, cell-free massive MIMO which combines the advantages of distributed systems and massive MIMO is considered as a key solution to enhance the wireless transmission efficiency and becomes the international frontier. In this paper, we present a comprehensive study on cell-free massive MIMO for 6G wireless communication networks, especially from the signal processing perspective. We focus on enabling physical layer technologies for cell-free massive MIMO, such as user association, pilot assignment, transmitter and receiver design, as well as power control and allocation. Furthermore, some current and future research problems are highlighted.