A power-efficient coverage scheme for cell-edge users using cognitive beamforming

Abstract

This paper addresses the problem of strong intercell interference on cell-edge users in conventional cellular networks by deploying cognitive cells within the vicinity of primary cell borders. The cognitive base stations serve primary cell-edge users within the cognitive cells. In return, the cognitive base stations are rewarded by the same spectrum allocated to the primary base stations to serve secondary users. We propose a strategy that is formulated as an optimization problem for the cognitive cell to minimize the total transmit power of the cognitive base station. This optimization problem is subjected to maintain a controlled level of interference at the primary outer-cell users falling outside of the cognitive cell and to assure required levels of signal-to-noise-plus-interference-ratio (SINR) at all primary cell-edge and secondary users within the cognitive cell. Simulation results confirm that the beamforming scheme in conjunction with the proposed cognitive structure lead to a significant reduction in overall power transmitted in the network.