Modeling Simple HetNet Configurations with Mixed Traffic Loads

In this paper we consider radio access network configurations comprising cells of different size (one macro cell and some small cells). Cells have overlapping coverage, and the corresponding base stations offer both elastic and inelastic services. The considered setting is modeled as a queuing network, and we examine the system performance for variable parameter values, showing that some of the emerging behaviors can be unexpected, and providing insight into the effective deployment of small cells within the coverage of one macro cell. In particular, we see that a large fraction of elastic traffic, together with an area of the small cell corresponding to a significant portion of the macro cell area are important aspects for the effective exploitation of the small cell capacity. These behaviors can significantly impact the deployment of small cells, which are expected to become increasingly popular because of the need to provide additional capacity through densification of the cell layout.