Spatial Coordination Strategies in Future Ultra-Dense Wireless Networks

TL;DR

This paper investigates spatial resource coordination in ultra-dense 5G networks, proposing an optimization framework and strategies that enhance network performance by managing densification and signaling overhead.

Contribution

It introduces a novel optimization framework and coordination strategies for spatial resources in ultra-dense networks, considering various information and implementation scenarios.

Findings

Coordination significantly improves user performance in ultra-dense networks.

Densification levels and power constraints critically impact network efficiency.

Spatial precoding and management strategies are essential for maximizing densification benefits.

Abstract

Ultra network densification is considered a major trend in the evolution of cellular networks, due to its ability to bring the network closer to the user side and reuse resources to the maximum extent. In this paper we explore spatial resources coordination as a key empowering technology for next generation (5G) ultra-dense networks. We propose an optimization framework for flexibly associating system users with a densely deployed network of access nodes, opting for the exploitation of densification and the control of overhead signaling. Combined with spatial precoding processing strategies, we design network resources management strategies reflecting various features, namely local vs global channel state information knowledge exploitation, centralized vs distributed implementation, and non-cooperative vs joint multi-node data processing. We apply these strategies to future UDN setups, and explore the impact of critical network parameters, that is, the densification levels of users and access nodes as well as the power budget constraints, to users performance. We demonstrate that spatial resources coordination is a key factor for capitalizing on the gains of ultra dense network deployments.