Toward a Unified Framework for Analysis of Multi-RAT Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

Abstract

The increased penetration of different radio access technologies (RATs) and the growing trend towards their convergence necessitates the investigation of wireless heterogeneous networks (HetNets) from coverage and capacity perspective. This paper develops a unified framework for signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio and rate coverage analysis of multi-RAT HetNets, with each RAT employing either a contention-free or a contention-based channel access strategy. The proposed framework adopts tools from stochastic geometry, with the location of APs and mobile users modeled through independent Poisson point processes (PPPs). We specifically focus on a two-RAT scenario (i.e., cellular and Wi-Fi), where for multi-tier Wi-Fi RAT, with contention-based channel access like CSMA/CA, the location dependent distribution of interfering APs has been approximated through a homogeneous PPP. Moreover, by using some simple yet realistic set of assumptions, the distance to nearest active AP has been defined which results in simplified expressions. The medium access probability for a random and a tagged AP under a multi-tier Wi-Fi RAT has also been derived and discussed. By keeping in view the tremendous effect of temporal domain on overall network performance, the stable queue probability has been derived by assuming a non-saturated traffic model. The results have been validated through extensive simulations and compared with existing approaches. Some useful insights have also been presented that shed light on design and analysis of multi-RAT HetNets and provide motivation for further research in this direction.