Encouraging device-to-device communications to improve energy efficiency in cellular systems

Abstract

This work explores the benefits in terms of energy efficiency that can be provided by device-to- device (D2D) communications in cellular systems. Analyzing a large cellular network using stochastic geometry, considering Nakagami fading and realistic system parameters, we explore the reduction that can be achieved in network power consumption, and the impact this reduction has on the performance of cellular users. When the network is not fully loaded, switching some cellular users into D2D mode results in a significant reduction of the network power consumption while the overall network throughput is maintained. Furthermore, it is observed that the impact of the reduction in the inter-cell interference arising from switching cellular users to D2D mode surpasses that from the new non- orthogonal transmissions. This translates into a slight improvement in the users' rates. Both analytical and simulation results are provided.