Small Cell Deployment Along Roads: Coverage Analysis and Slice-Aware RAT Selection

We characterize a multi-tier wireless network consisting of multi-radio access technology (RAT) small cells, operating in both sub-6GHz and millimeter wave (mm-wave) bands, overlaid on top of traditional macro cells. To realistically characterize the user equipment (UE) performance, we model the position of the small cells along roads. First, we provide tractable, yet realistic models to characterize the mm-wave interference and the effect of vehicular blockages on the mm-wave signals. Then, we introduce an association policy, where an UE selects the serving tier using the powers measured on the sub-6GHz band, and then, using the biased power of the mm-wave band, selects the RAT. Based on this, we derive the signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) coverage probabilities of pedestrian UEs. We investigate the effect of the RAT selection bias on the vehicular blockage, SINR coverage, and rate coverage experienced by the UEs. Leveraging the results of our analysis, we propose to use a varied range of RAT selection biases to support the diverse applications of the fifth generation (5G) mobile networks. Accordingly, we provide a slice-aware RAT selection strategy to support three types of services, characterized by different requirements in terms of reliability, coverage, and data rates.