Cell-free Massive MIMO Enabled URLLC Communication for the Green Metaverse

Abstract

As the Metaverse gains popularity, the need for communication networks that support large-scale data transmission and real-time interaction in virtual and augmented reality applications becomes increasingly important. The cell-free (CF) massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system is a promising technology that can provide high-reliability, low-latency, and cost-effective wireless communication services in the Metaverse. In this article, we examine the performance of the CF massive MIMO system in Metaverse communication, considering both the line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight propagation environments, and derive novel and closed-form expressions for the ultra reliable and low-latency communication rate to quantify the impact of short packet communication. We propose four AP cooperation modes that can be flexibly adopted according to needs, with large-scale fading decoding weights delivering the best performance. Moreover, we analyze the energy consumption of the CF massive MIMO system to determine optimal energy efficiency for improved communication experiences. Our study provides valuable insights into the design and implementation of Metaverse communications enabled by CF massive MIMO.