Advances in multi-cell networks: a network information-theoretic view

Abstract

Throughout the past decades, the capacity per unit area of multi-cell wireless networks has increased exponentially due in large part to the decreasing size of the cells (Cooper's law). Recent research efforts have led to the introduction of sophisticated in-cell technologies, such as capacity-achieving channel codes, MIMO systems and mesh networking. These techniques are able to improve the system performance within the limits imposed by the interference arising from out-of-cell transmissions. However, to keep up the exponential trend recognized by Cooper's law, novel approaches are needed that exploit, rather than suffer from, inter-cell interference. This is possible by working across the cells, instead of within individual cells separately, via multi-cell processing.

In this talk, recent results on the analysis of multi-cell processing are reviewed. The focus is on simple models that enable insight to be obtained via network information-theoretic tools. Beside the necessary background, two main issues related to the implementation of multi-cell processing will be addressed. The first is the impact of limitations in the backhaul connecting the base stations on the achievable gains with multi-cell processing. The second is the interplay of in-cell technologies (and specifically mesh networking) with multi-cell processing. Upper and lower bounds on the per-cell capacity in different scenarios (for uplink and downlink) are derived and compared. Analysis and numerical results shed some light into the two aspects mentioned above. Directions for future research are also highlighted.

Biography

Osvaldo Simeone received the M.Sc. degree (with honors) and the Ph.D. degree in Information Engineering from Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy, in 2001 and 2005 respectively. He is currently with the Center for Wireless Communications and Signal Processing Research (CWCSPR), at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Newark, New Jersey, where he is an Assistant Professor. His current research interests concern the cross-layer analysis and design of wireless networks with emphasis on information-theoretic, signal processing and queuing aspects. Specific topics of interest are: cognitive radio, cooperative communications, ad hoc, sensor, mesh and hybrid networks, distributed estimation and synchronization. Dr. Simeone currently serves as an Editor for IEEE Trans. Wireless Commun.