Li, Yun, Bin Cao, and Chonggang Wang.

"Handover Schemes in Heterogeneous LTE Networks:

Challenges and Opportunities." IEEE Wireless Communications Magazine 23.2 (2016):
112-7. ProQuest. Web. 23 Oct. 2016.
Summary: Small cells such as, femtocells, picocells, and microcells are deployed in LTE
networks to provide and increase in data rates within hotspots around cities. Femtocells are
to improve energy efficiency and data rates; these are typically installed at hotspots where
the coverage may not be so good. Data usage among mobile users has increased
exponentially and is expected to reach 11.2 exabytes by 2017. Moreover, to deal with the
increase of data traffic throughout the world, a solution would be to use highly spectrumefficient wireless techniques. Such wireless techniques are, OFDM (orthogonal frequencydivision multiplexing) and MIMO (multiple-input multiple output) and they provide an
increase for capacity among wireless technologies. Another way to cope with some of the
data load is to bring the base stations closer to users by using small cells. Femtocells,
picocells, and microcells bring LTE towards heterogeneous networks (HetNets). This will
reduce energy consumption and promote faster data rates.
Analysis: The authors include great detail within the introduction that can assist me in my
research. They provide several examples of how LTE networks can be improved and give
insight on the future of wireless; 5G. Data usage among mobile users is not expected to
decline anytime soon so cellular companies have to fix these issues now before the future of
wireless can continue. The authors have backgrounds in communication and engineering
and provide various models and examples that support their proposal. These small cells
need to be implemented everywhere to cut energy costs and increase data rates so that we
will be ready for 5G. They support their examples by showing models that depict how femto
and picocells will be implemented alongside existing base stations.
Reflection: Using this source will help me gather enough information so that I can present a
valid argument on why mobile networks need to added onto. These networks are struggling
right now and cellular companies are just raking in all of this money but dont seem to be
fixing the issues. Femtocells act as mobile hotspots around cities to provide a seamless
mobile experience. Furthermore, the authors describe various protocols and procedures for
dealing with this issue.

Li, Yun. The Macro-femto Heterogeneous Network Architecture. 2016. Handover Schemes in
Heterogeneous LTE Networks: Challenges and Opportunities. Web. 23 Oct. 2016.