Cell search time performance using PVS transmit diversity in heterogeneous networks with the same frequency spectrum

This paper presents the initial cell search time performance based on Long Term Evolution (LTE) synchronization signals employing precoding vector switching (PVS) transmit diversity in heterogeneous networks. We focus on the effect of PVS transmit diversity to mitigate the influence of co-channel interference in heterogeneous networks with the same frequency spectrum between a macrocell and small cells. System-level simulation results show that when using two-antenna receive diversity, the cell search time at the cell ID detection probability of 98% using PVS transmit diversity is decreased by approximately 20 ms than for one-antenna transmission. Moreover, we show that the PVS transmit diversity is more effective for inter-macrocell synchronous operation compared to that for inter-macrocell asynchronous operation. Through the simulation results, we show that PVS transmit diversity is beneficial in achieving fast initial cell search times in heterogeneous networks with the same frequency spectrum.