This SpringerBrief focuses on the coexistence concerns emerging in LTE
networks using unlicensed frequency bands. It provides a comprehensive
review on LTE networks and their unavoidable need for enhanced capacity
to meet the demands for future applications, including a need for
low-cost options.
LTE using unlicensed frequency (U-LTE) is then introduced as the most
promising solution, and discussed from various perspectives to unveil
its benefits, challenges, and requirements for coexistence with the
widely-deployed IEEE 802.11/Wi-Fi technology. Meeting these coexistence
requirements is the most important factor for the acceptance of U-LTE,
and the majority of this brief explores the big picture concerns and
existing solutions related to coexistence-aware medium access protocols
for background knowledge. A proposed network-aware adaptive
listen-before-talk protocol is presented and evaluated.
Finally, the authors identify a number of open technical questions and
potential research issues in U-LTE. This SpringerBrief is suitable for
telecom engineers, researchers, and academic professionals with valuable
knowledge and potential working or research directions when designing
and developing medium access protocols for next generation wireless
access networks.