Interference-aware spectral-and-energy efficiency tradeoff in heterogeneous networks

Heterogeneous networks (HetNets), where multiple low power small cell eNodeBs (SeNBs) are overlaid on the coverage of a high power macrocell eNodeB (MeNB), serve as promising paradigm to enhance spectral efficiency of future cellular wireless networks. To capture the complicated interference interaction and also the coordination behavior among MeNB and SeNBs, this paper proposes a bargaining cooperative game (BCG) framework for interference-aware power coordination in a HetNet. In particular, a new adjustable utility function is employed in the BCG framework to jointly address the spectral and energy efficiencies as well as to achieve the optimal tradeoff between them. We then derive the closed-form power coordination solutions and further propose an interference-aware power coordination scheme with the considerations of both interference mitigation and energy saving. Finally, the numerical results are provided to illustrate the convergence property and efficiency of the proposed power coordination scheme.