An efficient coverage algorithm for use in macrocell-small cell systems

Abstract

The deployment of small cell base stations within the coverage area of a macrocell base station serves as an important means of increasing energy efficiency. Furthermore, such a deployment also constitutes a key technology for future communication network markets. There is a shortage of research, however, on how to efficiently solve the problem of coverage holes (that is, specific locations or areas in which a user is not able to get an adequate signal from the wireless network) when such a network architecture is used. In this study, we propose an efficient coverage algorithm for use in such macrocell-small cell network systems. The proposed algorithm is able to provide users with comprehensive wireless signal coverage in various scenarios, while also avoiding unnecessary power consumption. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can provide much better overall system performance than conventional ones.