Spectral Efficiency Self-Optimization through Dynamic User Clustering and Beam Steering

Abstract

This paper presents a novel scheme for spectral efficiency (SE) optimization through clustering of users. By clustering users with respect to their geographical concentration we propose a solution for dynamic steering of antenna beam, i.e., antenna azimuth and tilt optimization with respect to the most focal point in a cell that would maximize overall SE in the system. The proposed framework thus introduces the notion of elastic cells that can be potential component of 5G networks. The proposed scheme decomposes large-scale system-wide optimization problem into small-scale local sub-problems and thus provides a low complexity solution for dynamic system wide optimization. Every sub-problem involves clustering of users to determine focal point of the cell for given user distribution in time and space, and determining new values of azimuth and tilt that would optimize the overall system SE performance. To this end, we propose three user clustering algorithms to transform a given user distribution into the focal points that can be used in optimization; the first is based on received signal to interference ratio (SIR) at the user; the second is based on received signal level (RSL) at the user; the third and final one is based on relative distances of users from the base stations. We also formulate and solve an optimization problem to determine optimal radii of clusters. The performances of proposed algorithms are evaluated through system level simulations. Performance comparison against benchmark where no elastic cell deployed, shows that a gain in spectral efficiency of up to 25% is possible depending upon user distribution in a cell.