D2D multi-hop routing: Collision probability and routing strategy with limited location information

In this paper, we define a collision area in a heterogeneous cellular network for the purpose of interference management between Device-to-Device (D2D) and conventional cellular (CC) communications. Currently, most D2D routing algorithms assume synchronized accurate location knowledge among users and the base stations. In reality, this level of location accuracy is difficult and power consuming in Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). In current Long-Term Evolution (LTE), there is no location information from the cell besides range information from time measurements. In the absence of accurate location information, we analyze the collision probability of the D2D multi-hop path hitting the defined collision area. Specifically, we consider the problem for three different routing scenarios: intra-cell, intra-cell to cell boundary, and cell boundary to boundary routing. As a result, we propose a dynamic switching strategy between D2D and CC communications in order to minimize mutual interference. The gradient-based switching strategy can avoid collision with the collision area and only requires knowledge of the current user and the final destination user´s distances to the serving base station.