Algorithms for Enhanced Inter Cell Interference Coordination (eICIC) in LTE HetNets

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel, provably guaranteed algorithm for joint resource allocation and user association in LTE HetNets, improving spectrum sharing between macro and pico cells while considering interference, topology, and load.

Contribution

Develops a new algorithm for joint resource allocation and user association in LTE HetNets with provable guarantees, accounting for interference, topology, and traffic load.

Findings

Algorithm effectively manages spectrum sharing in LTE HetNets.

Proven guarantees on algorithm performance.

Extensive evaluation using real network RF plans.

Abstract

The success of LTE Heterogeneous Networks (HetNets) with macro cells and pico cells critically depends on efficient spectrum sharing between high-power macros and low-power picos. Two important challenges in this context are, {(i)} determining the amount of radio resources that macro cells should {\em offer} to pico cells, and {(ii)} determining the association rules that decide which UEs should associate with picos. In this paper, we develop a novel algorithm to solve these two coupled problems in a joint manner. Our algorithm has provable guarantee, and furthermore, it accounts for network topology, traffic load, and macro-pico interference map. Our solution is standard compliant and can be implemented using the notion of Almost Blank Subframes (ABS) and Cell Selection Bias (CSB) proposed by LTE standards. We also show extensive evaluations using RF plan from a real network and discuss SON based eICIC implementation.