Cluster-Based Design for Two-Hop Cellular Networks

Optimal resource allocation with an objective of maximizing the system capacity is an NP-hard problem in multi-hop cellular networks. Hence, different heuristic algorithms have been developed over the years that would improve the network system capacity. In this paper, a novel cluster-based architecture is proposed for a two-hop cellular network whereby the transmission distance between any communicating pair is restricted to half the cell radius. In this design, a given radio resource is used by two simultaneously communicating pairs in every hexagonal cell, but for only half the time slot period. The characteristic feature of this cluster-based design is that it enables a frequency reuse ratio of one.