DGD-CNet: Denoising Gated Recurrent Unit with a Dropout-Based CSI Network for IRS-Aided Massive MIMO Systems

For the deployment of Sixth Generation (6G) networks, integrating Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (Massive MIMO) systems with Intelligent Reflecting Surfaces (IRS) is highly recommended due to its significant benefits in reducing communication losses for Non-Line-of-Sight (NLoS) conditions. However, the use of passive IRS presents challenges in channel estimation, mainly due to the significant feedback overhead required in Frequency Division Duplex (FDD)-based Massive MIMO systems. To address these challenges, this paper introduces a novel Denoising Gated Recurrent Unit with a Dropout-based Channel state information Network (DGD-CNet). The proposed DGD-CNet model is specifically designed for FDD-based IRS-aided Massive MIMO systems, aiming to reduce the feedback overhead while improving the channel estimation accuracy. By leveraging the Dropout (DO) technique with the Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), the DGD-CNet model enhances the channel estimation accuracy and effectively captures both spatial structures and time correlation in time-varying channels. The results show that the proposed DGD-CNet model outperformed existing models in the literature, achieving at least a 26% improvement in Normalized Mean Square Error (NMSE), a 2% increase in correlation coefficient, and a 4% in system accuracy under Low-Compression Ratio (Low-CR) in indoor situations. Additionally, the proposed model demonstrates effectiveness across different CRs and in outdoor scenarios.