Energy efficiency analysis of cellular networks with cooperative relays via stochastic geometry

Cooperative relaying is a promising technology that can improve the spectral and energy efficiency of cellular networks. However, the deployed relays consume a lot of energy and system resources. To improve the energy efficiency of the relay-assisted cellular networks, this paper considers the use of energy harvesting (EH) on relay nodes. A random sleeping strategy is also introduced in macro base stations (MBS) as a possible method to reduce energy consumption. In this paper, an analytical model is proposed to investigate the energy efficiency of cellular networks with EH relays and sleep mode strategy. Numerical results confirm a significant energy efficiency gain of the proposed networks comparing to the cellular networks with non-EH relays and MBSs without sleep mode strategy. The effects of the density and transmit power of MBSs on energy efficiency are also given through simulations.