Selective C-/U-plane split and CoMP to improve moderate speed users performance in small cell deployments

Abstract

Network densification is widely accepted as one of the solutions that will allow to meet the 1000x capacity challenge in future generation cellular networks. Small Cell Networks allow higher spatial reuse and so higher area spectral efficiency. However, mobility issues appear and handover robustness deteriorates for users at moderate speed, which translates into connection dropping and throughput degradation. In order to overcome these problems, this paper proposes a new scheme based on Cooperative Multi-Point combined with dual connectivity with control and user plane split. Results show a decrease in frequent handover failures and the corresponding throughput gains. Thus, the integration of these users into the small cell tier would be a feasible option.