Achieving distributed load balancing in self-organizing LTE radio access network with autonomic network management

Long Term Evolution (LTE) packet scheduling plays an essential role as part of LTE's Radio Resource Management (RRM) to support successful implementation of new data services across the LTE network. The main contribution of this paper is to model and propose a novel scheduling scheme for LTE networks and to compare its performance with the performances of both the Best-CQI and RR Uplink schedulers. The Best-CQI scheduler is characterized by high data rates at cell level, but poor fairness. On the other hand, the round robin (RR) scheduler is characterized by low data rates at cell level, but good fairness. The main goal of our proposed scheme is to process these two conflicts terms in a better way. Performance modeling results presented in the paper show that the newly proposed scheduling scheme allows fair distribution of available LTE resources while at the same time keeps the system's capacity utilization as good as possible.

Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks are designed with overlap between cells to support mobility along the network cells and to avoid out of coverage area; especially in suburban and rural area because high mobility. The overlapping results in interferences which reduce network capacity so this paper aims to bring customer demands for high-quality networks. This paper involves a good understanding of radio network planning and optimization of LTE and perform a case study in Taiz governorate with a selected suburban and rural area of 86.846 km2. Self-organizing networks (SONs) are widely considered to improve the end users’ quality of experience. The simulation was performed using ATOLL software. The radio frequency (RF) optimization involves Inter-Cell Interference Coordination (ICIC). The downlink (DL) LTE coverage area is enhanced and increased to 84 km2 with probability of 97%. In addition, the overlapping zone is reduced to 0.4% and the block error rate (BLER ≥ 0.2) is reduced to 2.1% in the DL and (BLER ≥ 0.2) to 0.6% in the uplink (UL).

Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) transmission by neighboring base stations to mobile users is recently considered for both the cell-edge and the overall system throughput enhancements in next-generation cellular systems. As one of the most promising CoMP techniques, Joint Transmission (JT)-CoMP achieves higher spectral efficiency by exploiting cooperative diversity gains and inter-cell interference mitigation by coordinated transmission of the same information from multiple transmitting points. In this paper, we investigate the throughput and energy benefits of JT-CoMP transmission (over the conventional single-point transmission) in Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced homogeneous and heterogeneous network scenarios. For realistic rate/energy efficiency analysis, we propose a link-level modeling framework based on Finite State Markov Chain models for physical layer transport block transmission over the LTE radio access network. Results obtained show significant rate gains and energy savings using JT-CoMP (compared to the single-point transmission) especially for users in the cell-edge area.

This paper presents the study of the relationship between Autonomic Network Management (ANM) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) under the prism of Long Term Evolution (LTE) Self-Organizing Networks (SONs). The ANM and SDN paradigms, besides sharing a few common goals, have shown to be complementary to each other in terms of level of abstractions and expectations. In particular, we consider the Unified Management Framework (UMF) introduced in the FP7 UNIVERSELF project, which focuses on higher level self-* functionality, often assuming as given a fictional adaptation layer between such autonomics and the managed infrastructure. On the other hand, SDN architectures provide by design a uniform control substrate for the programmatic management of network resources through vendor-agnostic APIs. However, despite the popularity of flow-based control in core networks and data centers, a similar widely-adopted abstraction to that of the "flow" have yet to be defined for radio access and SONs. In this work we propose such a novel abstraction layer designed to realize SON programmability. The prototype Autonomic SDN (AutoSDN) controller has been integrated with UMF to self-optimize an LTE-Advanced heterogeneous network, enabling SON functions to be provided by 3rd parties and to be hot-plugged into the network.

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) offloading is an important approach to address the data traffic challenge faced by Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. Legacy offloading solutions based on the core network suffer from the limitations of load unbalance and user experience degradation. To solve this problem, 3GPP has recently proposed a radio access network (RAN) assisted WLAN offloading scheme. In this article, we thoroughly analyze the performance of this new scheme, with emphasis on the RAN auxiliary parameters and control rules defined in it. Furthermore, two kinds of offloading algorithms based on this scheme are proposed and compared with the traditional solutions by simulation. Results show that the RAN-assisted offloading scheme can increase average user throughput and leverage resources available in both LTE and WLAN systems.

Long Term Evolution (LTE) of UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access and Radio Access Network is a Fourth Generation wireless broadband technology which is capable of providing backward compatibility with 2G (Second Generation) and 3G (Third Generation) technologies. LTE is able to deliver high data rate and low latency with reduced cost. It uses the frame structure as Time Division Duplexing (TDD) Land Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD). The broadcast channel in LTE is Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) information is divided into two categories one is Master Information Block (MIB) consists of a limited number of the most frequently transmitted parameters essential for initial access to the cell, and is carried on the PBCH and the other System Information Blocks (SIB) at the physical layer are multiplexed together with unicast data transmitted. The main objective of this paper is the realization of receiver architectures for PBCH in LTE considering Single Input Single Output (SISO), Multiple Input Single Output (MISO), Single Input Multi Output (SIMO), and Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO). The Receiver processing steps involves as channel de-estimation, demodulation, minimum mean square error (MMSE) and among the received data minimum value is calculated using the comparator at receiver side. By applying the following VLSI DSP methods folding to reduce the number of resource elements required and another method consider to reduce the delay is Super scalar processing method and the results are compared between the direct method, folding method and super scalar method. Based on simulation and implementation, results are discussed in terms of Register Transfer Level (RTL) design, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) editor, power estimation and resource estimation. To simulate all the modules of all PBCH channel Verilog code, Modelsim is used. For synthesis and implementation of the above architecture PlanAhead 13.4 tool on Virtex-5, xc5vlx50tff1136-1 device board is used.

The number of connected devices and the amount of data traffic exchanged through mobile networks is expected to double in the near future. Long Term Evolution (LTE) and fifth generation (5G) technologies are evolving to support the increased volume, variety and velocity of data and new interfaces the Internet of Things demands. 5G goes beyond increasing data throughput, providing broader coverage and reliable ultra-low latency channels to support challenging future applications. However, this comes with a cost. As such, the architectural design of radio access network requires due consideration. This chapter explains why the radio access network is critical to 5G success and how novel trends on edge computing, network slicing and network virtualisation perform a critical role in optimising resources on emerging 5G infrastructures.

In the current environment of burgeoning demand for mobile broadband, Long Term Evolution (LTE) is the most preferred wireless technology for the mobile operators. Considering the legacy multi-technology networks, operators need to strategically work upon maximizing their revenue while minimizing their cost and satisfying the subscriber’s requirements as well. Operators have a choice between 2 network strategies- LTE overlay and single radio access network (SRAN). A survey carried out proved SRAN to be the optimum LTE deployment strategy considering the total cost of ownership (TCO). This paper discusses the effect on the system performance due to the up gradation of network from second generation (2G) to third generation (3G) to long term evolution (LTE) systems using Nokia Siemens Network Flexi multi-radio base stations. Measurements of RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power), SINR (Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio) and throughput were carried out by a drive test within 2Km of the deployed site area which indicated that all the 3 parameters were affected as the user equipment moved away from the site area and towards the cell edges. This problem can be addressed by deployment of low power relay nodes, one of the promising techniques, for increasing the coverage of LTE advanced networks (the future of LTE systems).

3G wireless communication is the next version of mobile networks. Load balancing in networks causes efficient using of network resources. In this paper, we propose an efficient algorithm for load balancing of radio network controllers (RNCs) in radio access networks (RANs). As the characteristics of connections between RNCs and BTSs in a RAN are similar to those of graphs, we make use of graphs to solve our problem. The algorithm is based on the finding a path by which the RNCs could exchange their overloads. By using these paths the algorithm load balances the RNCs in an efficient and fast way. By testing our algorithm on networks with different topology and comparing the results, the efficiency and ability of our algorithm will be verified.

Game theory provides an adequate methodology for analyzing topics in communication systems that include trade-offs such as the subject of load balancing. As a means of balancing the load in the network, users are handed over from highly loaded cells to lower loaded neighbors increasing the capacity usage and the Quality of Service (QoS). The algorithm that calculates the amount of the load that each cell should decide either to accept or to offload might differ if the base stations are from distinct vendors, which in-turn may have an impact on the performance of the network. In this paper, we study the load balancing problem using a game-theoretic approach where, in the worst case, each cell decides independently on the amount of load that maximizes its payoff in an uncoordinated way and investigate whether the resulting Nash equilibrium would exhaust the gains achieved. Moreover, we alter the behavior of the players using the linear pricing technique to have a more desirable equilibrium. The simulation results for the Long Term Evolution (LTE) network have shown that the Nash equilibrium point can still provide a remarkable increase in the capacity when compared to a system without load balancing and has a slight degradation in performance with respect to the equilibrium achieved by linear pricing.

Computer networks are infrastructures largely used by our society supporting a broad range of applications. In effect, computer networks are diverse in terms of their scale, complexity, heterogeneity and application scenario (industrial, corporate, academic, telecommunications, sensors, domestic, mobile, smart grids, body networks, others). As such, network management became a challenging research issue mainly due to the fact that applications and services must be integrated with rather diverse requirements. The manager is another relevant and evolving aspect that has been considered by new OAM (Operation, Administration and Management) solutions. As a matter of fact, autonomic network management is a trend in the network management research area and the main focus is, in brief, to facilitate the network management task in a scenario of inherent complexity. As such, the autonomic management approach presents challenges that must be evaluated and understood. This tutorial explores the autonomic network management fundamentals which must be considered whenever any specific technical approach is conceived. In brief, the tutorial explores the state of the art, architecture, requirements and, in general, the strategic approaches that are commonly used in an autonomic management solution for networks in different utilization scenarios.

The increasing adoption of Machine-Type Communication (MTC) applications on existing Long Term Evolution (LTE) brings new challenges for traditional signaling mechanism and system capacity. MTC is related to high number of devices; which represents a challenge when performing control and signaling procedures required for getting resource grant, since these processes are inefficient compared to the actual resource usage for small data transmissions. Solutions based on device grouping propose a static grouping approach, which does not perform well in low load scenario. This paper introduces the notion of a flexible admission/connection that can give granular group device control to Core network. With the proposed approach devices can be grouped for a certain period of time under supervision and control of a gateway and they can be ungrouped when there is no need for grouping them together. In this way, a finer control can be achieved on prioritizing certain services and load balancing. Our simulation results demonstrate significant signaling reduction by using this simple scheme compared to conventional connection procedure.

Autonomic network management is a vision that brings autonomic computing principles to network management. In this vision, the use of policies is a key aspect. Besides, it is necessary some level of decentralization to enable broad autonomic capabilities. However, the consistency of policy states among autonomic management elements is an important challenge. In this paper we introduce multi-agent truth maintenance features in decentralized autonomic network management as a mechanism to bring consistency maintenance of policy states. We developed a model of a decentralized autonomic network management system on Peersim to perform simulation experiments. Besides, the utilization of policies in P2P-based autonomic network management systems is presented as case study.

The 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) Release-8 specifications are designed to deliver higher peak data rates, higher throughput and lower air-interface latency compared to 2G and 3G systems. This higher performance will make it possible to support more demanding applications beyond web-browsing and voice, requiring higher data rates and stricter QoS constraints. Video services are becoming increasingly popular over the Internet indicating that the demand for such high data-rate video applications over cellular wireless will continue to grow. However, in order to make these services commercially viable in a LTE system it is necessary for the air-interface to deliver high quality services to a significant number of users simultaneously. In this paper we investigate the video capacity of a LTE air-interface using realistic video traffic models. An LTE air-interface can support multiple-antenna transmit arrays and several multiple antenna transmission modes to increase system capacity. We investigate the benefits of using 4 transmit antennas compared to 2 transmit antennas on the video capacity of an LTE system. The results from our investigation indicate that the capacity benefits with 4 transmit antennas are much higher with video services than those observed with other traffic models such as the full-buffer traffic model. The results also show that a 10MHz TDD LTE system can service upto 48 users per sector with 256Kbps video streams in the downlink indicating that such services can be commercially viable.

Modern cellular wireless communication systems of the fourth (4G) and fifth generation (5G) face a problem of various types of interference or intentional jamming. Consequently, a degradation of the services provided and an incorrect network operation may occur. In this paper, configuration of the networks' physical layer is investigated, with the said investigation preceded by the measurement of parameters of commercial networks operating in two different environments, to assess their vulnerabilities to interference or intentional jamming. Finally, a method for analyzing the radio signal received with the use of 5G New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) radio interfaces is proposed, to detect and mitigate the negative impact of unwanted signals. Software-based implementation of the proposed method allows one to detect and mitigate co-channel interference, intentional jamming and maintain compatibility of user equipment (UE) with the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard, as it does not affect operations performed, for instance, at the time and frequency synchronization or channel parameter estimation phases.