Cell and user virtualization for ultra dense network

Ultra-dense network deployment is a clear trend considered for the next generation networks. To allow flexible deployment of small cells, self-backhauled small cell architecture is one of the important types of the future ultra-dense network architecture. In this paper, densification and virtualization are considered in both cell and user aspects. Virtualization of radio access network provides a key solution to mobility and interference issues. It enables user centric radio access. On the terminal side, more devices are expected to be connected in the network. Similarly, virtualization can be applied to the terminal side. This enables virtual resource allocation and coordination among terminals to boost up the user capability and overall network performance. This paper proposes a novel small cell architecture which considers multi-layer virtualization for dense heterogeneous network.