Massive mimo systems with wireless fronthaul

A central processing unit (CPU) apparatus providing a data communication between the CPU and a user equipment (UE) via at least one access point (AP) in a cell-free massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system, the CPU apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of antenna elements;
• a transceiver coupled with the plurality of antenna elements and configured for the data communication via the at least one AP;
• and
• a processor coupled with the transceiver and configured to:
• select a group of APs including the at least one AP to provide the data communication between the CPU and the UE;
• establish a first data communications link over a first frequency band between the CPU and the at least one AP;
• cause the at least one AP to establish a second data communications link over a second frequency band between the at least one AP and the UE;
• and
• transmit, via beamforming by the plurality of antenna elements, a portion of data to the at least one AP over the first data communications link, the portion of the data configured to be relayed via the at least one AP to the UE over the second data communications link;
• wherein:
• the first data communications link and the second data communications link each comprise a wireless data communications link;
• and
• the first frequency band comprises higher frequency levels than those of the second frequency band.

A communications method, comprising:

• selecting a first group of access points (APs) including a first AP to provide a data communication between a central processing unit (CPU) and a first user equipment (UE);
• establishing a first data communications link over a first frequency band between the CPU and the first AP;
• enabling the first AP to establish a second data communications link over a second frequency band between the first AP and the first UE;
• and
• transmitting, via beamforming by a plurality of antenna elements of the CPU, a portion of data to the first AP over the first data communications link, the portion of the data configured to be relayed via the first AP to the first UE over the second data communications link;
• wherein:
• the first data communications link between the CPU and the first AP comprises a wireless data communications link;
• and
• the first frequency band comprises higher frequency levels than those of the second frequency band.