Heterogeneous network

A heterogeneous network is a network connecting computers and other devices with different operating systems and/or protocols. For example, local area networks (LANs) that connect Microsoft Windows and Linux based personal computers with Apple Macintosh computers are heterogeneous.[1][2] The word heterogeneous network is also used in wireless networks using different access technologies. For example, a wireless network which provides a service through a wireless LAN and is able to maintain the service when switching to a cellular network is called a wireless heterogeneous network.

HetNet

Reference to a HetNet often indicates the use of multiple types of access nodes in a wireless network. A Wide Area Network can use macrocells, picocells, and/or femtocells in order to offer wireless coverage in an environment with a wide variety of wireless coverage zones, ranging from an open outdoor environment to office buildings, homes, and underground areas. Mobile experts define a HetNet as a network with complex interoperation between macrocell, small cell, and in some cases WiFi network elements used together to provide a mosaic of coverage, with handoff capability between network elements.[3] A study from ARCchart estimates that HetNets will help drive the mobile infrastructure market to account for nearly $57 Billion in spending globally by 2017.[4] Small Cell Forum defines the HetNet as ‘multi-x environment – multi-technology, multi-domain, multi-spectrum, multi-operator and multi-vendor. It must be able to automate the reconfiguration of its operation to deliver assured service quality across the entire network, and flexible enough to accommodate changing user needs, business goals and subscriber behaviours.’[5]

HetNet architecture

From an architecture perspective, the HetNet can be viewed as encompassing conventional macro radio access network (RAN) functions, RAN transport capability, small cells and Wi-Fi functionality, that are increasingly being virtualized and delivered in an operational environment where span of control includes data center resources associated with compute, networking and storage.[6]

In this framework, self-optimizing network (SON) functionality is essential to enable order-of-magnitude network densification with small cells. Self-configuration or ‘plug and play’ reduces time and cost of deployment, while self-optimization then ensures the network auto-tunes itself for maximum efficiency as conditions change. Traffic demand, user movements and service mix will all evolve over time, and the network needs to adapt to keep pace. These enhanced SON capabilities will therefore need to take into account the evolving user needs, business goals and subscriber behaviours.

Importantly, functions associated with HetNet operations and management take earlier SON capability that may have only been targeted at a single domain and/or technology, and expand it to deliver automated service quality management across the entire HetNet.[7]

Semantic of “Heterogeneous Network” in Telecommunications

From a semantical point of view, it is very important to note that the Heterogeneous Network terminology may have different connotations in wireless telecommunications. For instance, it may refer to the paradigm of seamless and ubiquitous interoperability between various multi-coverage protocols (a.k.a. HetNet). Otherwise, it may refer to the non-uniform spatial distribution of users or wireless nodes (a.k.a. Spatial Inhomogeneity). Therefore, using the term "heterogeneous network" without putting it into perspective may result in a source of confusion in scientific literature and during the peer-review cycle. In fact, the confusion may further be aggravated, especially in light of the fact that the “HetNet” paradigm may also be researched from a “geometrical” angle.[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Archi Delphinanto; Ben Hillen; Igor Passchier; Bas van Schoonhoven; Frank den Hartog (January 2009). "Remote Discovery and Management of End-User Devices in Heterogeneous Private Networks". 6th IEEE Consumer Communications and Networking Conference (CCNC 2009).: 1–5. doi:10.1109/CCNC.2009.4784889.
  2. ↑ Archi Delphinanto; Ton Koonen; Frank den Hartog (January 2011). "End-to-end available bandwidth probing in heterogeneous IP home networks". 8th IEEE Consumer Communications and Networking Conference (CCNC 2011).: 431–435. doi:10.1109/CCNC.2011.5766506.
  3. ↑ "HetNet Forecast". Mobile Experts. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  4. ↑ "HetNet Market Summary & Forecasts: Macro Cells, Small Cells & Wi-Fi Offload". ARCchart. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
  5. ↑ Small Cell Forum (2016). HetNet and SON overview. http:scf.io/doc/107: Small Cell Forum.
  6. ↑ Small Cell Forum (2016). Integrated HetNet architecture framework. http:scf.io/doc/172: Small Cell Forum.
  7. ↑ Small Cell Forum (2016). Role of SON in the HetNet deployment process. http:scf.io/doc/173: Small Cell Forum.
  8. ↑ Mouhamed Abdulla. "On the Fundamentals of Stochastic Spatial Modeling and Analysis of Wireless Networks and its Impact to Channel Losses". Ph.D. Dissertation, Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia Univ., Montréal, Québec, Canada, Sep. 2012.: (footnote of Page 126).


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