6G virtual small-cells: pragmatic coverage adaptation, interference-mitigation, and energy-efficiency optimization

Virtual small cell (VSC) deployment enables dynamic, on-demand service provisioning in localized, high-traffic regions of sixth-generation (6G) networks, while coexistence within dense multi-tier heterogeneous networks makes interference management strongly dependent on the physical layer. However, existing VSC studies largely rely on network-level abstractions, simplified coverage assumptions, or incomplete radio-frequency (RF) hardware modelling. To address this gap, this work presents a unified analytical and benchmarking framework for physical-layer VSC coverage optimization. First, VSC footprints are generated through closed-loop iterative antenna array (AA) radiation-pattern control based on coverage plots, equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP), and user equipment (UE) receiver-sensitivity constraints. In this process, beamwidth and sidelobe level (SLL) are jointly adjusted to achieve main-lobe-dominant coverage, reduce unwanted sidelobe-based UE connectivity, and improve interference management. Next, the generated VSC footprint is analysed using holistic hardware-aware power modelling that jointly incorporates AA feed-network losses, power amplifier (PA) efficiency, remote radio head (RRH) circuitry, RF-chain losses, and hardware imperfections. The results show that (Formula presented) dB SLL tapering improves the peak signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) by 21.2 dB compared with normal amplitude excitation. Moreover, smaller VSC footprints require higher-order AA modes, increasing feed-network losses and total power consumption. Finally, ground base station idleness and transmit-end deactivation achieve approximately (Formula presented) power-consumption reduction, confirming the framework’s effectiveness for green 6G communications.