Virtual Small Cells Using Large Antenna Arrays as an Alternative to Classical HetNets

In 4G the introduction of small cells is the solution to cope with dense traffic areas. The deployment of new equipment implies a non- negligible cost in terms of backhauling, sites acquisition, maintenance and network energy consumption. Advances on large antenna arrays research permit conceiving the use of massive antennas elements at the macrocell. Our approach consists in supplying the extra network capacity at dense traffic areas using directive beams: the Virtual Small Cells (VSCs). VSCs are created at the macrocell by the activation of multiple antenna elements and replace the use of picocells, reducing consequently the OPEX and CAPEX expenses. VSCs are reconfigurable according to traffic fluctuation, can increase the throughput in 50% regarding a only-macrocell deployment and reduce the global network consumed power.