Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Weighted Graph Based Clustering and Local Mobility Management for Dense Small Cell Network with X2 Interface

  • Published:
Wireless Personal Communications Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Along with the surge in mobile data, dense small cell network has become an effective method to improve system capacity and spectrum efficiency. However, because more small cells are deployed, the interference among dense small cells exacerbates. It also makes frequent handover for mobile users (UEs), which brings a great deal of signaling overhead to the core network. In order to solve the problems of interference and frequent handover, a novel clustering scheme for dense small cell network is proposed in this paper. The scheme is based on the weighted graph. First, we present a dense small cell clustering model based on X2 interface to minimize core network signaling overhead. To improve the usability of the model, we model the system as an undirected weighted graph. Then we propose the maximum benefit merging algorithm to reduce the complexity. This method enables adjacent small cells to cooperate and form virtual cellular cluster according to handover statistics information. Then we select cluster head (CH) according to certain rule in each cluster. Cluster head acts as the mobility anchor, managing the handovers between cluster members. This can reduce core network signaling overhead and the interference among small cells effectively. Compared with the 3GPP handover algorithm, the proposed clustering model in this paper can reduce the signaling overhead more than 70%. The simulation results show that the proposed clustering model can effectively cluster the dense small cell.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Balakrishnan, R., & Akyildiz, I. (2016). Local anchor schemes for seamless and low-cost handover in coordinated small cells. IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, 15(5), 1182–1196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Baracca, P., Boccardi, F., & Braun, V. (2012). A dynamic joint clustering scheduling algorithm for downlink comp systems with limited CSI. In 2012 international symposium on wireless communication systems (ISWCS) (pp. 830–834). IEEE.

  3. Becvar, Z., Vondra, M., & Mach, P. (2013). Dynamic optimization of neighbor cell list for femtocells. In 2013 IEEE 77th vehicular technology conference (VTC Spring) (pp. 1–6). IEEE.

  4. Chekkouri, A. S., Ezzouhairi, A., & Pierre, S. (2013). X2 based local mobility management for networked femtocells. In WiMob (pp. 622–629).

  5. Cisco. (2016). Cisco visual networking index: Global mobile data traffic forecast update, 2015–2020, white paper

  6. Fan, C., Zhang, Y. J., & Yuan, X. (2016). Dynamic nested clustering for parallel PHY-layer processing in cloud-RANs. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 15(3), 1881–1894.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Gesbert, D., Hanly, S., Huang, H., Shitz, S. S., Simeone, O., & Yu, W. (2010). Multi-cell mimo cooperative networks: A new look at interference. IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, 28(9), 1380–1408.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Guo, T., Wang, N., Tafazolli, R., et al. (2013). Local mobility management for networked femtocells based on x2 traffic forwarding. IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, 62(1), 326–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Huang, K., Zheng, L., Li, K., & Jie, J. (2012). Benefit-tree dynamic clustering algorithm based on degree of wiliness to cooperate for base station cooperation. Journal of Electronics & Information Technology, 34(6), 1469.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Li, W., Zheng, W., Xiangming, W., & Su, T. (2012). Dynamic clustering based sub-band allocation in dense femtocell environments. In 2012 IEEE 75th vehicular technology conference (VTC Spring) (pp. 1–5). IEEE.

  11. Lim, J., & Hong, D. (2013). Mobility and handover management for heterogeneous networks in LTE-advanced. Wireless Personal Communications, 72(4), 2901–2912.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Mehryar, S., Chowdhery, A., & Yu, W. (2012). Dynamic cooperation link selection for network MIMO systems with limited backhaul capacity. In 2012 IEEE international conference on communications (ICC) (pp. 4410–4415). IEEE.

  13. Network, E.U.T.R.A. (2015) X2 general aspects and principles (release 13.0.0), Vol. 36. Technical Specification TS (December, 2015).

  14. Ng, C. T., & Huang, H. (2010). Linear precoding in cooperative mimo cellular networks with limited coordination clusters. IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, 28(9), 1446–1454.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Recommendation, & ITU-R. (2015). Propagation data and prediction methods for the planning of indoor radiocommunication systems and radio local area networks in the frequency range 900 mhz to 100 ghz, P. 1238–1.

  16. Sathya, R. V., Venkatesh, V., Ramji, R., Ramamurthy, A., & Tamma, B. R. (2016). Handover and SINR optimized deployment of LTE FEMTO base stations in enterprise environments. Wireless Personal Communications, 88(3), 619–643.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Thainesh, J. S., Wang, N., & Tafazolli, R. (2015). Reduction of core network signalling overhead in cluster based LTE small cell networks. In 2015 IEEE 20th international workshop on computer aided modelling and design of communication links and networks (CAMAD) (pp. 226–230). IEEE.

  18. Venkatesan, S. (2007). Coordinating base stations for greater uplink spectral efficiency in a cellular network. In IEEE 18th international symposium on personal, indoor and mobile radio communications, 2007. PIMRC 2007 (pp. 1–5). IEEE.

  19. Wei, J. (2014). Research of comp clustering scheme in LTE-A. Microcomputer & Its Applications, 2, 019.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Wang, L., Zhang, Y., & Wei, Z. (2009). Mobility management schemes at radio network layer for LTE femtocells. In Vehicular technology conference (pp. 1–5). VTC Spring.

  21. Woo, M. S., Kim, S. M., Hong, S. E., & Min, S. G. (2015). Micro mobility management for heterogeneous networks in LTE-A. In 2015 38th international conference on telecommunications and signal processing (TSP) (pp. 45–48). IEEE.

  22. Xie, J., & Nayayanan, U. (2007). Signaling cost analysis of handoffs in a mixed ipv4/ipv6 mobile environment. In Global telecommunications conference, GLOBECOM’07 (pp. 1792–1796).

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work is jointly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 61572074), the Funding Project for Beijing Excellent Talents Training (No. 2013D009006000002), and the Foundation of Beijing Engineering and Technology Center for Convergence Networks and Ubiquitous Services.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Communication Engineering, School of Computer and Communication Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China

    Ying-ying Li, Zhong-gui Ma, Wen-bo Yan & Li-yu Liu

Authors
  1. Ying-ying Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zhong-gui Ma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  3. Wen-bo Yan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  4. Li-yu Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhong-gui Ma.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Li, Yy., Ma, Zg., Yan, Wb. et al. Weighted Graph Based Clustering and Local Mobility Management for Dense Small Cell Network with X2 Interface. Wireless Pers Commun 95, 3771–3783 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11277-017-4025-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11277-017-4025-6

Keywords