An Overview on Interference Management in 3GPP LTE-Advanced Heterogeneous Networks

The increasing demand for mobile data traffic brings new challenges on cellular networks in terms of network capacity and increased data throughput. In order to fulfill these demands, Heterogeneous Networks (HetNets) has been considered as a promising solution. On the other hand, Inter-Cell Interference Coordination (ICIC) is a big challenge toward HetNet deployments; in particular users in edge area of low power small cell are mostly vulnerable to stronger interference signals from high power macro cell. To resolve ICIC problem, 3GPP released some technologies based on TDM resource partitioning, FDM resource allocation along with power control, and still continue to find out the more suitable solutions. However, to date, a common platform of all possible solutions, particularly in TDM and FDM based, is not available to readers. In this context, this paper provides a holistic overview of ICIC strategies in this emerging wireless system. Towards this objective, the evolution of inter-cell interference management techniques is thoroughly investigated from TDM based enhanced inter-cell interference coordination (eICIC) techniques to more advanced Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) transmission/reception, while comparing and contrasting their common features and differences. Finally, Carrier Aggregation (CA) is explored in detail as an advanced and challenging mechanism in order to have an efficient resource allocation and inter-cell interference mitigation in LTE-Advanced HetNet environments.