Architectural Challenges for Multi-mode Small Cells for Indoor Coverage

Achieving higher quality of service and improved indoor coverage have always been major challenges with increasing percentage of data traffic every year. For this purpose, integration of wireless technologies to assist in traffic handling has become a significant solution. This research focuses on designing a network infrastructure to meet high service demands through interworking of multiple wireless technologies. Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has specified multiple protocols for an integration of LTE and WLAN including Core Network (CN) level and Radio Access Network (RAN) level interworking. This paper discusses different available approaches for an integration of LTE and WLAN as well as best suited protocols for indoor coverage and service enhancement. To avoid parallel deployment, network sharing mechanisms among multiple operators are also examined. An experimental platform for a LTE-WLAN integration based on OpenAirInterface (OAI) is configured. A simulation of a LTE and WLAN integrated architecture is also designed using Network Simulator 3 (NS3) for optimized traffic offloading algorithm development.