Interference mitigation in an LTE femtocell base station using uplink antenna selection

Josep Soler-Garrido,Woon Hau Chin,Magnus Sandell

doi:10.1186/1687-1499-2012-335

Josep Soler-Garrido, Woon Hau Chin + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1687-1499-2012-335

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Abstract

Abstract Antenna selection represents an attractive technique that allows to improve performance of wireless systems due to its simplicity and ease of implementation. Antenna selection is able to provide diversity through the use of multiple antennas while keeping low cost and energy consumption by selecting only a subset of the available elements at any given time, hence requiring a smaller number of RF transmitter and receiver chains. This makes it especially suitable for femtocell or small-cell base stations, typically employed by cellular operators to provide indoor radio coverage in customer premises. This article presents an analysis and validation of antenna selection using a LTE-FDD femtocell prototype. The effects on antenna selection performance of different antenna training schedules and channel variation rates are investigated under realistic propagation conditions. It is observed that antenna selection is able to provide substantial gains in terms of channel quality and reliability in interference-limited scenarios, attesting its suitability for large-scale femtocell deployments.

Highlights

Cellular data traffic volumes are projected to grow at an exponential rate over the few years, rendering conventional cellular network structures unable to cope with the expected level of demand
2.1 System model We consider a single-user wireless system where the transmitter is assumed to be equipped with a single antenna and the receiver is equipped with an N-element antenna array
4 Experimental setup As discussed in the previous sections, antenna selection is in theory a cost-effective technique able to provide diversity gain in wireless systems

Summary

Introduction

Cellular data traffic volumes are projected to grow at an exponential rate over the few years, rendering conventional cellular network structures unable to cope with the expected level of demand. Deployment of femtocell base stations is strategically important to operators In this new paradigm, interference is prevalent due to the ad-hoc placement of radio equipment, which inevitably leads to overlapping coverage of multiple cells. The cost and physical dimensions of femtocell base stations present major restrictions on the choice of interference management techniques. Antenna selection techniques are able to increase link reliability through diversity gains at an order equal to the number of available antenna elements.

Antenna selection

Performance analysis

Conclusion