A decentralized cooperative Uplink/Downlink adaptation scheme for TDD Small Cell Networks

This paper presents a cooperative decentralized scheme for adjusting the Uplink (UL)-Downlink (DL) configuration of a Small Cell Network (SCN) with a TDD air interface. The goal of the cooperative decentralized scheme is to make a more efficient use of common wireless resources, selecting convenient TDD-frame configurations to maximize a sum utility function that takes into account both individual traffic demands and actual interference coupling situations. The cooperative decentralized scheme for UL/DL adaptation can be executed locally at each Base Station (BS), and relies solely on the exchange of low-rate signaling information among neighboring cells. Based on observed performance improvements, we conclude that cooperative decentralized schemes are a viable option for flexible-TDD implementation in SCN environments, particularly in presence of cells with strong interference coupling and low-rate signaling capabilities.