This article addresses the use of REMs to support interference management optimization in heterogeneous networks composed of cells of different sizes and including both cellular and non-cellular (e.g. WiFi) technologies. After presenting a general architecture for including REM databases in different network entities, the article analyzes the achievable benefits in relation to specific interference management techniques, including a discussion on practical considerations such as information exchange requirements, REM ownership, and security aspects. Finally, several research directions derived from the proposed framework are identified.

This article investigates the problem of call admission control in cellular networks using code-division multiple access, which is mainly viewed as an interference management problem. Our approach is to study the effects of various system parameters and user profile characteristics on the generation of multiple access interference (MAI). Different CAC schemes are presented, and different user and system characteristics that affect the CDMA system operation are listed. The focus of our work is on the emerging third-generation wireless systems and particularly on the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. Analytical and simulation tools were constructed for quantifying these system characteristics. The results obtained by these two models show that the outage probability for a system is very sensitive to the user bit rate and quality of service requirements. The combination of different service types has a significant effect too; even a small number of high-bit-rate users can degrade the low-bit-rate users' performance and considerably increase their outage probability. The use of a CAC algorithm is expected to guarantee the service offered to accepted users.

Future Internet (FI) scenarios envisage ubiquitous broadband coverage and seamless mobility, enabling the availability of personalized network connectivity at all places and with a high quality of service (QoS). In such a heterogeneous and complex environment, Vertical Handover (VHO) management is key for achieving the connectivity objectives, but also presents several challenges. In surveying this topic, the paper takes a direction that extends the state-of-the-art: By incorporating concepts of Autonomic Network Management (ANM), in particular the self-management and cognitive functionalities therein, to VHO management, the paper sheds new light to VHO operations from an ANM point of view, encompassing FI environments and the emerging 5G networks. In doing so, the survey identifies the main concepts and provides a taxonomy of relevant architectural components. Based on this taxonomy, a number of important autonomic features are identified, each one promoting the system’s self-optimization along a certain direction towards the overall enhancement of the VHO operations. Another contribution of the paper is the consideration of robustness in VHO decision making (i.e., achieving stable decisions under uncertainty) and a discussion of the relation between robustness factors and the autonomic features previously introduced. The general concepts developed in the paper are applied to representative state-of-the-art handover management solutions with autonomic characteristics. These specific solutions are presented, analyzed and correlated according to the proposed taxonomy and criteria, culminating to conclusions that provide useful insights towards future, further enhanced solutions.