Rate optimization for massive MIMO relay networks: A minorization-maximization approach

We consider the problem of sum-rate maximization in massive MIMO two-way relay networks with multiple (communication) operators employing the amplify-and-forward (AF) protocol. The aim is to design the relay amplification matrix (i.e., the relay beamformer) to maximize the achievable communication sum-rate through the relay. The design problem for the case of single-antenna users can be cast as a non-convex optimization problem, which in general, belongs to a class of NP-hard problems. We devise a method based on the minorization-maximization technique to obtain quality solutions to the problem. Each iteration of the proposed method consists of solving a strictly convex unconstrained quadratic program; this task can be done quite efficiently such that the suggested algorithm can handle the beamformer design for relays with up to ~ 70 antennas within a few minutes on an ordinary PC. Such a performance lays the ground for the proposed method to be employed in massive MIMO scenarios.