Interference coordination of heterogeneous LTE systems using remote radio heads

In this paper, we present an operational strategy to mitigate co-channel interference (CCI) by using geographically distributed remote radio heads (RRHs). The inter-node CCI becomes a dominant performance degradation factor for heterogeneous network (HetNet) systems. Recently, there are emerging attempts in Third Generation Partnership Project to adopt advanced techniques to Long Term Evolution Advanced systems to mitigate CCI problems for HetNet systems, namely, the coordinated multipoint transmission (CoMP). However, the CoMP scheme cannot control the CCI generated from outside coordination boundaries. To resolve this problem, we propose a partial activation strategy by using RRHs deployed near cell edge which results in moving coverage boundary effects. Based on Monte Carlo system level simulations, performance of the conventional strategies and the presented strategy is evaluated. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme outperforms the enhanced inter-cell interference coordination and CoMP schemes especially for users located near cell edge areas.