Distributed Clustering and Interference Management in Two-Tier Networks

Employing centralized resource management schemes is generally infeasible in large-scale networks. The deployment of heterogeneous Femtocell Access Points (FAPs) over the cellular licensed spectrum is therefore challenging. In particular, the resulting inter-node interference inhibits the network performance. In this paper, the authors design a hierarchical, distributed, interference management scheme that exploits the benefits of clustering. First, in order to reduce the cross-tier interference, each FAP independently identifies vacant subbands for potential transmission. Then, by exchanging some simple messages with its immediate neighbors in an iterative fashion, coalition clusters are formed.