On the use of multiple hops in next generation cellular architectures

Multi-hop cellular architectures am being explored for use in future fourth generation (4G) cellular networks [1]. This paper is a step towards identifying desirable features of such multi-hop architectures. Towards this end, we compare two network architectures which have been proposed to improve the throughput of packet data cellular networks viz. the Hybrid Wireless Network (HWN) architecture proposed in [21 and the Multi-hop Cellular Network (MCN) architecture proposed in [31 and [4]. We extend the HWN architecture (proposed only for operation over a single cell in [2]) to multiple cells. We present an analysis of the MCN architecture to gain additional insights into its operation. We also present simulations to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the two architectures. Based on these simulations, we suggest modifications to improve the performance of both architectures. We identify issues relating in general to the inclusion of Ad hoc features (multiple hops) into cellular architectures.