LTE femtocells

In this chapter, the femtocell is analysed as a solution for indoor network coverage problems and local-convergence demands for indoor network applications. To enable femtocells operating within a variety of networks of standard femtocell network architecture is required. The Long Term Evolution (LTE) specifications introduce a wide range of support for femtocells. The chapter covers the physical-layer details of LTE, which comprises time slot structures and available data rates. It focuses on the conventional methods/solutions to mitigate interference, which comprises spectrum allocation, power control and antenna approaches. These solutions can be combined with cognitive radio (CR) to introduce a higher degree of interference awareness with respect to the dynamic changes in the wireless environment. The chapter provides a brief analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of femtocells in a two-tier interference scenario. The interference scenarios require interference mitigation schemes to curb the mutual interference in a heterogeneous network.