Spatial-correlations and load-awareness in heterogeneous networks

We present a new unified model for the design and analysis of load-aware downlink heterogeneous networks (HetNets) where interferers are inherently spatially-correlated. A closed-form expression for the aggregate network interference statistics generated by correlated load-proportional tiers of base stations (BSs) over Nakagami-m fading interfering channels is developed. This approach allows for relaxation of several major limitations in the existing state-of-the-art models, in particular the always-on-BSs, uncorrelated interferers, and Rayleigh fading with no shadowing assumptions. The validity and advantages of the proposed load-aware framework over the heavily-adopted fully-loaded model and the more recent interference-thinning-based approximation are confirmed via extensive Monte-Carlo (MC) simulations. The results reveal several important trends and design guidelines for the practical deployment of HetNets.