A Quick View Of HetNet- Heterogeneous Network

                                 A Quick View Of HetNet- Heterogeneous Network 

 

What is HetNet?

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.

 

 

Fig-1

 

HetNet often indicates the use of multiple types of access nodes in a wireless network. A Wide Area Network can use some combination of macrocells, picocells, and 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(Fig-1). 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.

Although HetNet was introduced already in 4G, it is used purely for system capacity expansions within local areas with a high density of traffic. The main concept behind HetNet is the introduction of microcells within the area of the macrocell, in order to enable features that are impossible for the macrocells themselves, like extreme changes of the requested traffic volume and latency. Mobile experts define a HetNet as a network that has sophisticated interactions among macrocells, microcells, and in some cases WiFi network elements used together to deliver a mosaic of coverage, with the ability for transitions among the network elements. Compared with regular uniform networks, the key characteristics of Heterogeneous networks (HetNet) are the increased ability for space-based resource reuse, and improved user experience, through the ability for small cells to collaborate within the macrocell networks.

HetNet in 5G

To support the quality of service and quality of experience of end users, an imminent architecture for the 5G backbone can deliver huge data rates using bandwidth spectrums from heterogeneous networks (HetNets), such environment is called as 5G HetNet. Without using such an architecture, there is no way to provide mobile services communications with required network performance characteristics, both in present day as well as future. In other words, we must design wireless access and networking technologies that are flexible and capable of handling the unexpected, extreme situations encountered on-site. Until a majority of mobile operators switch over to a 5G stand-alone network, the concurrent provisioning of higher levels of voice and data services could be supported and enhanced by the combination of various radio technologies.

Using these technologies in parallel results in smooth migration from existing networks to a new stand-alone 5G infrastructure. The seamless integration between heterogeneous wireless, optical, and radio frequency/optical networks requires a paradigm shift in a manner where the various networks cooperate with one another so that they can reach the desired goals of the 5G-and-beyond communications systems. Small-cell integration is a well-established practice in topological evolutions of current radio networks, in order to meet network densification needs and to deliver higher coverage at higher speeds to selected areas. A wide-area network may employ certain combinations of macrocells, microcells, picocells, and femtocells in order to offer wireless coverage over an environment that has a large diversity of wireless coverage zones, from open outdoor environments to office buildings, homes, and underground areas.

Advantages of HetNet

In addition to supporting the higher capacities of the 5G cell network technologies, a new radio access technology (RAT) could be introduced into the microcells in the HetNet, if we have to deal with some other users requirements. The primary goal of 5G HetNet is to enable a wireless access connection for any device with extreme requirements for traffic volume and latency.

The integration of small cells, which are smaller in size compared to macrocells, may allow for optimum coverage for users, particularly in a dense urban setting. Such small cell base stations can be deployed either as low-power Femtocells, which are commonly used in business/residential deployments, or higher-power Picocells to enhance the outdoor coverage provided by macrocells.

Current voice and data networks are designed and developed in 2G, 3G, 4G mostly according to specific macro-cell topology. I needed to build a cellular network with macrocells, where every macrocell has a single microcell in every sector of macrocells.

The main benefits of  HetNetare enriched capacity and guaranteed spot-free coverage. The overlay of Small Cells onto existing networks ensures high-speed, high-capacity communications for specific hot-spot area. This is especially desirable in densely-populated areas and business districts that need to provide reliable communication services to support an increasingly diverse and data-heavy range of applications. own studies show that HetNet can boost capacity and system throughput many times more than a conventional network. Small Cells can also be placed over gaps between cells to fill dead-spots, or added along the network rim to expand the network. A uniform coverage is increasingly important in today's world with so many content-based applications and services.

 

Disadvantages of HetNet

The advent and deployment of 5G network bring a massive number of innovative network services and exceptional user experience by providing superior data rates. Despite numerous benefits that 5G offers, the security and privacy in 5G is a challenge due to the existing large number of heterogeneous networks (HetNet). To harvest the numerous benefits of 5G, it is imperative to provide adequate protection mechanisms to maintain the user and data privacy in growing HetNet.

 

Conclusion

HetNet  allows capacity expansion to be based on actual demand in data traffic. By deploying small cells and HetNet networks, operators can address both short term and long-term challenges to enhance the network capacity and quality. To sum up, HetNet is a complex architectural change which will affect technology, deployment and monetization, and is an important stepping stone for 5G.