The trend in wireless communications systems is the enhancement of the network infrastructure with the introduction of small cells, where a specific geographical area is served by low-range, low-power access points. The result is the creation of a heterogeneous topology where macrocells coexist with a variety of small-cell types. In this editorial article we briefly summarize the recent technical advances in the design and deployment of future heterogeneous networks addressed in the papers that compose this special issue. In particular the following aspects are considered: the design of interference and radio resource management algorithms, the analysis of the energy efficiency and power control issues in heterogeneous networks, the concept of coordination in small cell networks, key backhaul aspects of HetNets, deployment issues and overall management strategies.

Peer Reviewed