  We consider the analysis and design of distributed wireless networks wherein
remote radio heads (RRHs) coordinate transmissions to serve multiple users on
the same resource block (RB). Specifically, we analyze two possible
multiple-input multiple-output wireless fronthaul solutions: multicast and zero
forcing (ZF) beamforming. We develop a statistical model for the fronthaul rate
and, coupled with an analysis of the user access rate, we optimize the
placement of the RRHs. This model allows us to formulate the location
optimization problem with a statistical constraint on fronthaul outage. Our
results are cautionary, showing that the fronthaul requires considerable
bandwidth to enable joint service to users. This requirement can be relaxed by
serving a low number of users on the same RB. Additionally, we show that, with
a fixed number of antennas, for the multicast fronthaul, it is prudent to
concentrate these antennas on a few RRHs. However, for the ZF beamforming
fronthaul, it is better to distribute the antennas on more RRHs. For the
parameters chosen, using a ZF beamforming fronthaul improves the typical access
rate by approximately 8% compared to multicast. Crucially, our work quantifies
the effect of these fronthaul solutions and provides an effective tool for the
design of distributed networks.
