A multi‐criteria BS switching‐off algorithm for 5G heterogeneous cellular networks with hybrid energy sources

Abstract

In this paper, we study base station (BS) switching‐off and offloading for the next‐generation 5G‐heterogeneous (macro/femto) networks supplied with hybrid energy sources. This type of network will form the basis of the high‐data rate energy‐efficient cellular networks in the years to come. A novel generalised‐multimetric algorithm is presented. Our proposal is conceived to operate in highly heterogeneous radio access network environments, as expected for 5G, where BSs with different characteristics of coverage, radio resources and power consumption coexist. The approach uses a set of metrics with a modifiable priority hierarchy in order to filter, sort and select the BS neighbours, which receive traffic during redistribution and offloading of the BSs to be put into sleep mode. In our analysis, we study the impact of BS power model trends for active, idle and sleep modes on the BS switching‐off. We highlight how the continuous evolution of BS components and the introduction of renewable energy technologies play a significant role to be considered in the decision‐making. The multimetric approach proposed makes it possible to define and accomplish defined network performance goals by adding specific emphasis on aspects like QoS energy savings or green equipment utilisation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Delay‐ and energy‐aware load balancing in ultra‐dense heterogeneous 5G networks

“…Nowadays, mobile operators see network offloading as the key towards relieving congestion in 4G/5G networks. In such a way, several research works have addressed the problem of load balancing in mobile networks during the last years . Nonetheless, deriving a dynamic optimal load balancing proposal that combines delay and energy awareness is challenging.…”

“…The relevance of load balancing in emerging networks is clear; even in the cutting‐edge framework of network function virtualization, some ideas are proposed to provide traffic offloading in 5G environments . Among the most recent studies, a QoS‐aware load balancing algorithm is proposed in Rangisetti and Tamma for software‐defined 4G environment.…”

“…That heuristics uses loads of the cells, QoS profiles of users and their expected cell throughputs so as to make load balancing decisions. Suárez et al present a novel multimetric algorithm so as to control offloading in 5G HetNets based on multiple parameters, such as consumed energy, signal‐to‐interference‐plus‐noise ratio and load. Also, for the promising Cloud Radio Access network architecture, a simple algorithm is proposed in Khan et al, which targets maximum energy savings by balancing load among the base band units so that the fewer base band units are assigned to the remote radio heads.…”

“…[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]25,26 Nonetheless, deriving a dynamic optimal load balancing proposal that combines delay and energy awareness is challenging. The relevance of load balancing in emerging networks is clear [8][9][10][11] ; even in the cutting-edge framework of network function virtualization, some ideas are proposed to provide traffic offloading in 5G environments. 8 Among the most recent studies, a QoS-aware load balancing algorithm is proposed in Rangisetti and Tamma 9 for software-defined 4G environment.…”

Energy-Aware Resource Management in Heterogeneous Cellular Networks With Hybrid Energy Sources

“…The work is further extended in [16], which provides insights on how to perform the cellbreathing, BS switching-off and traffic offloading for Hetnets with small cells. This work is later complemented in [17] which deals in addition with hybrid energy for HetNets by proposing a UE-BS association multimetric approach. In [18] authors present a combined radio resource management for green Het-Nets which use differentiated policies based on traffic which emphasizes sleep modes for low traffic and load balancing for higher traffic demands.…”