Self-organizing inter-cell interference coordination in 4G and beyond networks using genetic algorithms

The design objective of the 4G and beyond networks is not only to provide high data rate services but also ensure a good subscriber experience in terms of quality of service. However, the main challenge to this objective is the growing size and heterogeneity of these networks. This paper proposes a genetic-algorithm-based approach for the self-optimization of interference mitigation parameters for downlink inter-cell interference coordination parameter in Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks. The proposed algorithm is generic in nature and operates in an environment with the variations in traffic, user positions and propagation conditions. A comprehensive analysis of the obtained simulation results is presented, which shows that the proposed approach can significantly improve the network coverage in terms of call accept rate as well as capacity in terms of throughput

Multimedia delivery in the future internet

The term “Networked Media” implies that all kinds of media including text, image, 3D graphics, audio and video are produced, distributed, shared, managed and consumed on-line through various networks, like the Internet, Fiber, WiFi, WiMAX, GPRS, 3G and so on, in a convergent manner [1]. This white paper is the contribution of the Media Delivery Platform (MDP) cluster and aims to cover the Networked challenges of the Networked Media in the transition to the Future of the Internet. Internet has evolved and changed the way we work and live. End users of the Internet have been confronted with a bewildering range of media, services and applications and of technological innovations concerning media formats, wireless networks, terminal types and capabilities. And there is little evidence that the pace of this innovation is slowing. Today, over one billion of users access the Internet on regular basis, more than 100 million users have downloaded at least one (multi)media file and over 47 millions of them do so regularly, searching in more than 160 Exabytes1 of content. In the near future these numbers are expected to exponentially rise. It is expected that the Internet content will be increased by at least a factor of 6, rising to more than 990 Exabytes before 2012, fuelled mainly by the users themselves. Moreover, it is envisaged that in a near- to mid-term future, the Internet will provide the means to share and distribute (new) multimedia content and services with superior quality and striking flexibility, in a trusted and personalized way, improving citizens’ quality of life, working conditions, edutainment and safety. In this evolving environment, new transport protocols, new multimedia encoding schemes, cross-layer inthe network adaptation, machine-to-machine communication (including RFIDs), rich 3D content as well as community networks and the use of peer-to-peer (P2P) overlays are expected to generate new models of interaction and cooperation, and be able to support enhanced perceived quality-of-experience (PQoE) and innovative applications “on the move”, like virtual collaboration environments, personalised services/ media, virtual sport groups, on-line gaming, edutainment. In this context, the interaction with content combined with interactive/multimedia search capabilities across distributed repositories, opportunistic P2P networks and the dynamic adaptation to the characteristics of diverse mobile terminals are expected to contribute towards such a vision. Based on work that has taken place in a number of EC co-funded projects, in Framework Program 6 (FP6) and Framework Program 7 (FP7), a group of experts and technology visionaries have voluntarily contributed in this white paper aiming to describe the status, the state-of-the art, the challenges and the way ahead in the area of Content Aware media delivery platforms

Opportunistic Third-Party Backhaul for Cellular Wireless Networks

With high capacity air interfaces and large numbers of small cells, backhaul -- the wired connectivity to base stations -- is increasingly becoming the cost driver in cellular wireless networks. One reason for the high cost of backhaul is that capacity is often purchased on leased lines with guaranteed rates provisioned to peak loads. In this paper, we present an alternate \emph{opportunistic backhaul} model where third parties provide base stations and backhaul connections and lease out excess capacity in their networks to the cellular provider when available, presumably at significantly lower costs than guaranteed connections. We describe a scalable architecture for such deployments using open access femtocells, which are small plug-and-play base stations that operate in the carrier's spectrum but can connect directly into the third party provider's wired network. Within the proposed architecture, we present a general user association optimization algorithm that enables the cellular provider to dynamically determine which mobiles should be assigned to the third-party femtocells based on the traffic demands, interference and channel conditions and third-party access pricing. Although the optimization is non-convex, the algorithm uses a computationally efficient method for finding approximate solutions via dual decomposition. Simulations of the deployment model based on actual base station locations are presented that show that large capacity gains are achievable if adoption of third-party, open access femtocells can reach even a small fraction of the current market penetration of WiFi access points.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure

Enhanced Inter-Cell Interference Coordination Challenges in Heterogeneous Networks

3GPP LTE-Advanced has started a new study item to investigate Heterogeneous Network (HetNet) deployments as a cost effective way to deal with the unrelenting traffic demand. HetNets consist of a mix of macrocells, remote radio heads, and low-power nodes such as picocells, femtocells, and relays. Leveraging network topology, increasing the proximity between the access network and the end-users, has the potential to provide the next significant performance leap in wireless networks, improving spatial spectrum reuse and enhancing indoor coverage. Nevertheless, deployment of a large number of small cells overlaying the macrocells is not without new technical challenges. In this article, we present the concept of heterogeneous networks and also describe the major technical challenges associated with such network architecture. We focus in particular on the standardization activities within the 3GPP related to enhanced inter-cell interference coordination.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, 2 table

Samoorganizirajuće mreže: Podržano učenje za optimizaciju LTE mobilnosti

With the evolution of broadband mobile networks towards LTE and beyond, the support for the Internet and Internet based services is growing. Self Organizing Network (SON) functionalities intend to optimize the network performance for the improved user experience while at the same time reducing the network operational cost. This paper proposes a Reinforcement Learning (RL) based framework to improve throughput of the mobile users. The problem of spectral efficiency maximization is modeled as co-operative Multi-Agent control problem between the neighbouring eNodeBs (eNBs). Each eNB has an associated agent that dynamically changes the outgoing Handover Margin (HM) to its neighbouring cells. The agent uses the RL technique of Fuzzy Q-Learning (FQL) to learn the optimal mobility parameter i.e., HM value. The learning framework is designed to operate in an environment with the variations in traffic, user positions and propagation conditions. Simulation results have shown the proposed approach improves the network capacity and user experiences in terms of throughput.Razvoj širokopojasne mobilne mreže prema LTE mrežama uvjetuje pojačani rast internetskih servisa i usluga. Samoorganizirajuće mreže namijenjene su optimizaciji performansi mreže s ciljem poboljšanja korisnikovog zadovoljstva i smanjenja troškova rada. U radu se predlaže pristup zasnovan na podržanom učenju kako bi se popravila propusnost mobilnog korisnika. Problem maksimizacije spektralne učinkovitosti modelira se kao kooperativni više agentski problem upravljanje između susjednih čvorova (eNBs). Svaki čvor ima pridruženog agenta koji dinamički mijenja marginu primopredaje prema susjednim ćelijama. Agent koristi tehniku neizrazitog Q učenja (FQL) kako bi naučio optimizirati parametre mreže. Učenje je organizirano za rad u uvjetima raznovrsnog prometa, korisničkih položaja i uvjeta propagacije. Simulacijski rezultati pokazuju kako predloženi pristup poboljšava kapacitet mreže i korisnički doživljaj u smislu propusnosti mreže

Self Organising Network Techniques to Maximise Traffic Offload onto a 3G/WCDMA Small Cell Network using MDT UE Measurement Reports

This paper presents a number of Self-Organising Network (SON) based methods using a 3GPP Minimisation of Drive Testing (MDT) approach or similar and the analysis of these geo-located UE measurements to maximise traffic offload onto lamppost mounted 3G/WCDMA microcells. Simulations have been performed for a real 3G/WCDMA microcell deployment in a busy area of central London and the results suggest that for the network studied a traffic increase on the microcell layer of up to 175% is achievable through the novel SON methods presented