On the Performance of Multi-tier Heterogeneous Networks under LoS and NLoS Transmissions

Heterogeneous networks (HetNets) with a multi-tier structure have been considered as a promising method to provide high quality of service to mobile users. The dense deployment of small-cell base stations (BSs) implies short distances between BSs and users. It is therefore likely that users will see line-of-sight (LoS) links from its serving BS and even nearby interfering BSs, which has not been considered in performance analysis for multi-tier HetNets yet. In this paper, we study a dense multi-tier HetNet with LoS and non-line-of-sight (NLoS) transmissions based on a multi-slope path loss model. The spatial locations of BSs of any given network tier and those of mobile users are modeled as independent spatial Poisson point processes (SPPPs). We derive the expression of downlink coverage probability for the multi-tier HetNet, based on which we calculate the area spectral efficiency (ASE) and energy efficiency (EE) of the HetNet. Our analytical results demonstrate that in an extremely dense HetNet, both the ASE and EE of the HetNet will drop quickly with further increase of the small-cell density due to the dominance of LoS interfering small-cell links.