Efficient cell selection algorithm in hierarchical cellular networks: multi-user coordination

In a hierarchical cellular network employing universal frequency reuse, the level of both intra- and intercell interference largely depends on the selection of a serving cell for the users in the overlapping area of multiple cells. We propose an efficient cell selection algorithm that is suitable for hierarchical cellular networks. In the proposed algorithm, uplink transmit power is used as a key parameter and cells are selected on the basis of the coordination of multiple users, rather than the choice of a single user. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm improves performance with respect to the number of supportable users and the transmit power that each user needs in order to achieve a given target SINR.