Signaling overhead and feedback delay reduction in heterogeneous multicell cooperative networks

Heterogeneous networks (HetNets) and multicell cooperation are two key technologies in cellular networks that can improve network performance. The channel information of all the collaborating Base Stations (BSs) is one of the core factors to achieve better throughput performance gain in the coordinated multipoint (CoMP) communication. Here, we propose a novel method for handling Channel State Information (CSI) feedback in HetNet CoMP, named DCEC-HetNet: Direct CSI-feedback to Elected Coordination-station for Heterogeneous Networks. The DCEC-HetNet architecture aims to reduce the signaling overhead and feedback latency, and subsequently increase the throughput of the network. We use the Discrete Event System Specification (DEVS) formalism to model the cellular network. The simulation results demonstrate that the DCEC-HetNet architecture significantly decreases the number of CSI feedback packets being transmitted within the network, and reduces the feedback latency resulting in higher cell throughput.