Optimal Array size for Multiuser MIMO

This paper investigates the optimal number of antennas at a base station, in contrast to what has been accepted in the past: that increasing the number of antennas at base station always enhances performance. In this study, we show that increasing the number of antennas does not always improve the desired performance. Additionally, such increase in antennas consumes more power in transmission and adds to the computation complexity, which in turn needs more time and is more difficult to implement. The optimum number of antennas has been evaluated using simulations. The simulation results show that the optimal ratio equals to 1.2 times the number of active users in each time frame.