Rotating clustering with simulated annealing user scheduling for coordinated heterogeneous MIMO cellular networks

In this paper, a rotating clustering scheme to increase the average achievable rates for the downlink of a coordinated multicell multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system is proposed. The users´ data signals are transmitted cooperatively via the base stations of a cluster within the sectorized multicell heterogeneous cellular network. The performance of the system with the proposed clustering methods using a simulated annealing algorithm as the user scheduler is investigated. The simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods in conjunction with the throughput maximization and proportionally fair scheduling metrics.