Cell breathing in Green wireless networks

In this paper, we propose a synthesis of the cell breathing mechanism for mobile networks in the context of high energy efficiency networks.

The technique known as "cell breathing" was proposed in the mid-1990s to lower the average level of interference in cellular networks, in conjunction with power control. Subsequently, several other research projects on cell breathing were proposed, including admission control. Towards the end of the 2000s, it reappeared in the research literature, this time as a very promising alternative for reducing energy consumption levels in wireless access networks.

The structure of the article covers the following points:

• the current importance of energy-efficient networks;

• other proposed approaches to energy savings in different network layers:

  • components and base station,

  • transmission links,

  • large-scale access network ;

• description of the cell respiration mechanism, with the advantages that this technique provides for achieving high energy efficiency;

• prospects for integration with other techniques, such as femtocells and relaying.