Enhanced Inter-Cell Interference Coordination Challenges in Heterogeneous Networks

TL;DR

This paper discusses the challenges of inter-cell interference coordination in heterogeneous networks, highlighting standardization efforts within 3GPP to address deployment complexities of small cells over macrocells.

Contribution

It provides an overview of HetNet architectures and details the technical challenges and standardization activities related to interference management.

Findings

Identification of key interference issues in HetNets

Overview of 3GPP standardization efforts

Discussion of deployment challenges and solutions

Abstract

3GPP LTE-Advanced has started a new study item to investigate Heterogeneous Network (HetNet) deployments as a cost effective way to deal with the unrelenting traffic demand. HetNets consist of a mix of macrocells, remote radio heads, and low-power nodes such as picocells, femtocells, and relays. Leveraging network topology, increasing the proximity between the access network and the end-users, has the potential to provide the next significant performance leap in wireless networks, improving spatial spectrum reuse and enhancing indoor coverage. Nevertheless, deployment of a large number of small cells overlaying the macrocells is not without new technical challenges. In this article, we present the concept of heterogeneous networks and also describe the major technical challenges associated with such network architecture. We focus in particular on the standardization activities within the 3GPP related to enhanced inter-cell interference coordination.