TOWARDS GREEN HETEROGENEOUS NETWORKS- A Survey

Abstract

It is the goal of researchers working in the field of future cellular networks to ensure that Heterogeneous Networks (HetNets) be far more energy efficient (EE) than their homogeneous counterparts. This drive towards reducing their energy consumption rate has led to considering HetNets as “Green networks”. In this regard, lots of documents describing several research and developmental efforts are readily available. However, it remains unclear how researchers and technology developers alike intend to efficiently integrate the deployment, user association and resource allocation functions together. Consequently, this paper takes an inventory look at the state of art in green heterogeneous networks as it pertains to these key functions. Firstly, network deployment is discussed before considering user association and then, resource allocation. We conclude on advocating the need for an efficient synergy between these different functions, and also document particular future research directions in this regards.