New Mid-Band (FR3, 6-24 GHz) XL-MIMO for 6G: Channel Modeling, Algorithm Evaluation, and Field Trials

Abstract

The new mid-band (FR3, 6-24 GHz) spectrum is expected to play an important role in future 6G networks by providing a favorable balance among coverage, capacity, and deployment feasibility. Meanwhile, extremely large-scale multiple-input multiple-output (XL-MIMO) has emerged as a key enabling technology to exploit the propagation and spatial multiplexing potential of these frequency bands. Firstly, this paper provides a systematic review of spectrum allocation and standardization activities for new mid-band spectrum, together with the 6G spectrum planning strategies of countries and regions. Secondly, the wideband massive MIMO channel sounder is also introduced, which is specially developed for channel measurements of new mid-band with over a thousand elements. Thirdly, propagation characteristics and channel modeling approaches of four representative XL-MIMO architectures, including co-located, cell-free, and intelligent XL-MIMO, are comprehensively reviewed and analyzed, with particular emphasis on near-field propagation, spatial non-stationarity, and capacity performance. Then, recent advances in channel estimation, beamforming, and artificial-intelligence-assisted signal processing are summarized. In addition, the performance of new mid-band XL-MIMO systems equipped with 1536 and 768 antenna elements is comparatively evaluated. Finally, real communication environment prototype system field trials conducted in the Upper 6 GHz (U6GHz) band are used to investigate practical system performance under realistic deployment conditions. The results indicate that the target signal-to-noise ratio is a critical factor affecting XL-MIMO performance in the U6GHz band.