Mobile Small Cells for Further Enhanced 5G Heterogeneous Networks

A heterogeneous network (Het Net) is a network topology composed by deploying multiple Het Nets under the coverage of macro cells (MCs). It can improve network throughput, extend cell coverage, and offload network traffic; for example, the network traffic of a 5G mobile communications network. A Het Net involves a mix of radio technologies and various cell types working together seamlessly. In a Het Net, coordination between MCs and small cells (SCs) has a positive impact on the performance of the networks contained within, and consequently on the overall user experience. Therefore, to improve user-perceived service quality, Het Nets require high-efficiency network protocols and enhanced radio technologies. In this paper, we introduce a 5G Het Net comprised of MCs and both fixed and mobile SCs (mSCs). The featured mSCs can be mounted on a car, bus, or train and have different characteristics to fixed SCs (fSCs). In this paper, we address the technical challenges related to mSCs. In addition, we analyze the network performance under two HetN et scenarios - MCs and ISCs, and MCs and mSCs.