Femtocells Networks

Abstract—The surest way to increase the system capacity of a wireless link is by getting the transmitter and receiver closer to each other, which creates the dual benefits of higher-quality links and more spatial reuse. In a network with nomadic users, this inevitably involves deploying more infrastructure, typically in the form of microcells, hot spots, distributed antennas, or relays. A less expensive alternative is the recent concept of femtocells also called home base stations which are data access points installed by home users to get better indoor voice and data coverage. Femtocells expand the coverage of cellular networks, provide high data rate for users, decrease the transmission power of user equipments, and increase the spectrum efficiency. In this article, we will explore different characteristics of femtocell networks such as power control schemes, interference avoidance, capacity-coverage analysis, energy-efficiency and access control strategies. I