A Dynamic Clustering Approach for Increasing User Throughput in 5G Wireless Networks

In cellular networks, user density and activity across network area vary from cell to another, and even at the same area over the day hours. This results in an irregular utilization of the network resources (i.e., resource blocks "RBs") across the network cells. One of the solutions to improve network utilization is the coordinated multi-point (CoMP) approach which coordinates signal transmission and reception for a user to and from multiple base stations (BSs). However, providing CoMP to all network users could waste RBs. To solve this problem, a novel clustering technique is proposed in this paper to guarantee a wise CoMP service to users based on their area density state (i.e., overloaded or under-loaded) and across different day periods. Through simulations, the proposed dynamic clustering algorithm outperforms other clustering algorithms in improving overall user throughput while maintaining the total consumed energy to acceptable levels.