Analytical modeling of HSUPA-enabled UMTS networks for capacity planning

In recent years, mobile communication networks have experienced significant evolution. The 3G mobile communication system, UMTS, employs WCDMA as the air interface standard, which leads to quite different mobile network planning and dimensioning processes compared with 2G systems. The UMTS system capacity is limited by the received interference at NodeBs due to the unique features of WCDMA, which is denoted as `soft capacity'. Consequently, the key challenge in UMTS radio network planning has been shifted from channel allocation in the channelized 2G systems to blocking and outage probabilities computation under the `cell breathing' effects which are due to the relationship between network coverage and capacity. The interference characterization, especially for the other-cell interference, is one of the most important components in 3G mobile networks planning. This monograph firstly investigates the system behavior in the operation of UMTS uplink, and develops the analytic techniques to model interference and system load as fully-characterized random variables, which can be directly applicable to the performance modeling of such networks. When the analysis progresses from single-cell scenario to multi-cell scenario, as the target SIR oriented power control mechanism is employed for maximum capacity, more sophisticated system operation, `feedback behavior', has emerged, as the interference levels at different cells depend on each other. Such behaviors are also captured into the constructed interference model by iterative and approximation approaches. The models are then extended to cater for the features of the newly introduced HSUPA, which provides enhanced dedicated channels for the packet switched data services such that much higher bandwidth can be achieved for best-effort elastic traffic, which allows network operators to cope with the coexistence of both circuit-switched and packet-switched traffic and guarantee the QoS requirements. During the derivation, we consider various propagation models, traffic models, resource allocation schemes for many possible scenarios, each of which may lead to different analytical models. All the suggested models are validated with either Monte-Carlo simulations or discrete event simulations, where excellent matches between results are always achieved. Furthermore, this monograph studies the optimization-based resource allocation strategies in the UMTS uplink with integrated QoS/best-effort traffic. Optimization techniques, both linear-programming based and non-linear-programming based, are used to determine how much resource should be assigned to each enhanced uplink user in the multi-cell environment where each NodeB possesses full knowledge of the whole network. The system performance under such resource allocation schemes are analyzed and compared via Monte-Carlo simulations, which verifies that the proposed framework may serve as a good estimation and optimal reference to study how systems perform for network operators

Modelling and Analysis of Resource Management Schemes in Wireless Networks. Analytical Models and Performance Evaluation of Handoff Schemes and Resource Re-Allocation in Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Wireless Cellular Networks.

Over recent years, wireless communication systems have been experiencing a dramatic and continuous growth in the number of subscribers, thus placing extra demands on system capacity. At the same time, keeping Quality of Service (QoS) at an acceptable level is a critical concern and a challenge to the wireless network designer. In this sense, performance analysis must be the first step in designing or improving a network. Thus, powerful mathematical tools for analysing most of the performance metrics in the network are required. A good modelling and analysis of the wireless cellular networks will lead to a high level of QoS. In this thesis, different analytical models of various handoff schemes and resource re-allocation in homogeneous and heterogeneous wireless cellular networks are developed and investigated. The sustained increase in users and the request for advanced services are some of the key motivations for considering the designing of Hierarchical Cellular Networks (HCN). In this type of system, calls can be blocked in a microcell flow over to an overlay macrocell. Microcells in the HCN can be replaced by WLANs as this can provide high bandwidth and its users have limited mobility features. Efficient sharing of resources between wireless cellular networks and WLANs will improve the capacity as well as QoS metrics. This thesis first presents an analytical model for priority handoff mechanisms, where new calls and handoff calls are captured by two different traffic arrival processes, respectively. Using this analytical model, the optimised number of channels assigned to II handover calls, with the aim of minimising the drop probability under given network scenarios, has been investigated. Also, an analytical model of a network containing two cells has been developed to measure the different performance parameters for each of the cells in the network, as well as altogether as one network system. Secondly, a new solution is proposed to manage the bandwidth and re-allocate it in a proper way to maintain the QoS for all types of calls. Thirdly, performance models for microcells and macrocells in hierarchical cellular networks have been developed by using a combination of different handoff schemes. Finally, the microcell in HCN is replaced by WLANs and a prioritised vertical handoff scheme in an integrated UMTS/WLAN network has been developed. Simulation experiments have been conducted to validate the accuracy of these analytical models. The models have then been used to investigate the performance of the networks under different scenarios

Self-tuning algorithms for the assignment of packet control units and handover parameters in GERAN

Esta tesis aborda el problema de la optimización automática de parámetros en redes de acceso radio basadas en GSM-EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN). Dada la extensión del conjunto de parámetros que se puede optimizar, este trabajo se centra en dos de los procesos encargados de la gestión de la movilidad: el proceso de (re)selección de celda para servicios por conmutación de paquetes y el proceso de traspaso para servicios de voz por conmutación de circuitos

Radio network management in cognitive LTE-Femtocell Systems

This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London.There is a strong uptake of femtocell deployment as small cell application platforms in the upcoming LTE networks. In such two-tier networks of LTEfemtocell base stations, a large portion of the assigned spectrum is used sporadically leading to underutilisation of valuable frequency resources. Novel spectrum access techniques are necessary to solve these current spectrum inefficiency problems. Therefore, spectrum management solutions should have the features to improve spectrum access in both temporal and spatial manner. Cognitive Radio (CR) with the Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) is considered to be the key technology in this research in order to increase the spectrum efficiency. This is an effective solution to allow a group of Secondary Users (SUs) to share the radio spectrum initially allocated to the Primary User (PUs) at no interference. The core aim of this thesis is to develop new cognitive LTE-femtocell systems that offer a 4G vision, to facilitate the radio network management in order to increase the network capacity and further improve spectrum access probabilities. In this thesis, a new spectrum management model for cognitive radio networks is considered to enable a seamless integration of multi-access technology with existing networks. This involves the design of efficient resource allocation algorithms that are able to respond to the rapid changes in the dynamic wireless environment and primary users activities. Throughout this thesis a variety of network upgraded functions are developed using application simulation scenarios. Therefore, the proposed algorithms, mechanisms, methods, and system models are not restricted in the considered networks, but rather have a wider applicability to be used in other technologies. This thesis mainly investigates three aspects of research issues relating to the efficient management of cognitive networks: First, novel spectrum resource management modules are proposed to maximise the spectrum access by rapidly detecting the available transmission opportunities. Secondly, a developed pilot power controlling algorithm is introduced to minimise the power consumption by considering mobile position and application requirements. Also, there is investigation on the impact of deploying different numbers of femtocell base stations in LTE domain to identify the optimum cell size for future networks. Finally, a novel call admission control mechanism for mobility management is proposed to support seamless handover between LTE and femtocell domains. This is performed by assigning high speed mobile users to the LTE system to avoid unnecessary handovers. The proposed solutions were examined by simulation and numerical analysis to show the strength of cognitive femtocell deployment for the required applications. The results show that the new system design based on cognitive radio configuration enable an efficient resource management in terms of spectrum allocation, adaptive pilot power control, and mobile handover. The proposed framework and algorithms offer a novel spectrum management for self organised LTE-femtocell architecture. Eventually, this research shows that certain architectures fulfilling spectrum management requirements are implementable in practice and display good performance in dynamic wireless environments which recommends the consideration of CR systems in LTE and femtocell networks

Routing Strategies for Capacity Enhancement in Multi-hop Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

This thesis examines a Distributed Interference Impact Probing (DIIP) strategy for Wireless Ad hoc Networks (WANETs), using a novel cross-layer Minimum Impact Routing (MIR) protocol. Perfonnance is judged in tenns of interference reduction ratio, efficiency, and system and user capacity, which are calculated based on the measurement of Disturbed Nodes (DN). A large number of routing algorithms have been proposed with distinctive features aimed to overcome WANET's fundamental challenges, such as routing over a dynamic topology, scheduling broadcast signals using dynamic Media Access Control (MAC), and constraints on network scalability. However, the scalability problem ofWANET cannot simply adapt the frequency reuse mechanism designed for traditional stationary cellular networks due to the relay burden, and there is no single comprehensive algorithm proposed for it. DIIP enhances system and user capacity using a cross layer routing algorithm, MIR, using feedback from DIIP to balance transmit power in order to control hop length, which consequently changes the number of relays along the path. This maximizes the number of simultaneous transmitting nodes, and minimizes the interference impact, i.e. measured in tenns of 'disturbed nodes'. The perfonnance of MIR is examined compared with simple shortest-path routing. A WANET simulation model is configured to simulate both routing algorithms under multiple scenarios. The analysis has shown that once the transmitting range of a node changes, the total number of disturbed nodes along a path changes accordingly, hence the system and user capacity varies with interference impact variation. By carefully selecting a suitable link length, the neighbouring node density can be adjusted to reduce the total number of DN, and thereby allowing a higher spatial reuse ratio. In this case the system capacity can increase significantly as the number of nodes increases. In contrast, if the link length is chosen regardless ofthe negative impact of interference, capacity decreases. In addition, MIR diverts traffic from congested areas, such as the central part of a network or bottleneck points

WCDMA Mobility Troubleshooting Studies and Enhancements

Mobiliteetti on yksi WCDMA-teknologian menestyksen avaintekijöistä. Saumattoman liikkuvuuden ylläpitämiseksi radioresurssien hallinnan algoritmit ovat tärkeässä roolissa verkon hallinnassa. Yhdessä pääsyvalvonnan, kuormavalvonnan, pakettiskedulerin, resurssimanagerin ja tehovalvonnan kanssa kanavanvaihtoalgoritmit vastaavat laadukkaan, katkeamattoman yhteyden ylläpidosta. Nämä algoritmit on toteutettu radioverkko-ohjaimen (RNC) ohjelmistossa. Ohjelmiston elinkaaren aikana ohjelmiston eri osissa kohdataan erilaisia haasteita. Ohjelmiston lisäksi ongelmia voi löytyä myös radioverkon suunnittelusta, verkkolaitteistosta tai päätelaitteista. Kaikkien näiden ongelmien analysointiin vaaditaan kokeneita R&D-insinöörejä, eikä ongelmien varsinaisen aiheuttajan löytäminen usein ole yksinkertaista. Tämän takia erilaiset vianetsintätyökalut ovat ohjelmistokehityksessä ensisijaisen tärkeitä. Tämä diplomityö analysoi jo käytössä olevia vianetsintämenetelmiä NSN-WCDMA-Control Plane-Handover Algorithm -ryhmässä sekä esittää erilaisia paranneltuja ratkaisuja näihin menetelmiin. Tämän diplomityön tuloksena muutamia paranneltuja ratkaisuja toteutettiin ja muutamia muita ratkaisumalleja analysoitiin. Vianetsintätyökalujen sekä -menetelmien kehitys jatkuu tarkastellussa ohjelmistokehitysryhmässä myös tämän diplomityön valmistumisen jälkeen.Mobility is the key success area in WCDMA technology. To maintain seamless mobility, Radio Resource Management algorithms are essential in network management. Together with Admission Control, Load Control, Packet Scheduler, Resource Manager and Power Control algorithms, Handover Control algorithms are responsible for high quality seamless communication. These algorithms take place in the Radio Network Controller software. In software life-cycle there can be challenges related with different software program blocks. Other than software problems there can also be radio network planning problems, hardware problems and user-equipment related problems. Those issues have to be analyzed by experienced R&D engineers. Usually it is not straightforward to investigate what is the root cause. Because of this reason troubleshooting tools play a vital role in software development. This thesis analyzes the existing troubleshooting solutions in NSN-WCDMA-Control Plane-Handover Algorithm team and proposes enhanced solutions for those needs. As a result of this thesis, some of the enhanced solutions are implemented and analyses for the other solutions are provided. Development of troubleshooting tools and methodology will continue in the software development team after the completion of this thesis