Energy-Efficient Heterogeneous Cellular Networks with Spectrum Underlay and Overlay Access

In this paper, we provide joint subcarrier assignment and power allocation schemes for quality-of-service (QoS)-constrained energy-efficiency (EE) optimization in the downlink of an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA)-based two-tier heterogeneous cellular network (HCN). Considering underlay transmission, where spectrum-efficiency (SE) is fully exploited, the EE solution involves tackling a complex mixed-combinatorial and non-convex optimization problem. With appropriate decomposition of the original problem and leveraging on the quasi-concavity of the EE function, we propose a dual-layer resource allocation approach and provide a complete solution using difference-of-two-concave-functions approximation, successive convex approximation, and gradient-search methods. On the other hand, the inherent inter-tier interference from spectrum underlay access may degrade EE particularly under dense small-cell deployment and large bandwidth utilization. We therefore develop a novel resource allocation approach based on the concepts of spectrum overlay access and resource efficiency (RE) (normalized EE-SE trade-off). Specifically, the optimization procedure is separated in this case such that the macro-cell optimal RE and corresponding bandwidth is first determined, then the EE of small-cells utilizing the remaining spectrum is maximized. Simulation results confirm the theoretical findings and demonstrate that the proposed resource allocation schemes can approach the optimal EE with each strategy being superior under certain system settings

Design, Modeling, and Performance Analysis of Multi-Antenna Heterogeneous Cellular Networks

This paper presents a stochastic geometry-based framework for the design and analysis of downlink multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) heterogeneous cellular networks with linear zero-forcing transmit precoding and receive combining, assuming Rayleigh fading channels and perfect channel state information. The generalized tiers of base stations may differ in terms of their Poisson point process spatial density, number of transmit antennas, transmit power, artificial-biasing weight, and number of user equipments served per resource block. The spectral efficiency of a typical user equipped with multiple receive antennas is characterized using a non-direct moment-generating-function-based methodology with closed-form expressions of the useful received signal and aggregate network interference statistics systematically derived. In addition, the area spectral efficiency is formulated under different space-division multiple-access and single-user beamforming transmission schemes. We examine the impact of different cellular network deployments, propagation conditions, antenna configurations, and MIMO setups on the achievable performance through theoretical and simulation studies. Based on the state-of-the-art system parameters, the results highlight the inherent limitations of baseline single-input single-output transmission and conventional sparse macro-cell deployment, as well as the promising potential of multi-antenna communications and small-cell solution in interference-limited cellular environments