INTERFERENCE MANAGEMENT IN LTE SYSTEM AND BEYOUND

The key challenges to high throughput in cellular wireless communication system are interference, mobility and bandwidth limitation. Mobility has never been a problem until recently, bandwidth has been constantly improved upon through the evolutions in cellular wireless communication system but interference has been a constant limitation to any improvement that may have resulted from such evolution. The fundamental challenge to a system designer or a researcher is how to achieve high data rate in motion (high speed) in a cellular system that is intrinsically interference-limited. Multi-antenna is the solution to data on the move and the capacity of multi-antenna system has been demonstrated to increase proportionally with increase in the number of antennas at both transmitter and receiver for point-to-point communications and multi-user environment. However, the capacity gain in both uplink and downlink is limited in a multi-user environment like cellular system by interference, the number of antennas at the base station, complexity and space constraint particularly for a mobile terminal. This challenge in the downlink provided the motivation to investigate successive interference cancellation (SIC) as an interference management tool LTE system and beyond. The Simulation revealed that ordered successive interference (OSIC) out performs non-ordered successive interference cancellation (NSIC) and the additional complexity is justified based on the associated gain in BER performance of OSIC. The major drawback of OSIC is that it is not efficient in network environment employing power control or power allocation. Additional interference management techniques will be required to fully manage the interference.fi=Opinnäytetyö kokotekstinä PDF-muodossa.|en=Thesis fulltext in PDF format.|sv=Lärdomsprov tillgängligt som fulltext i PDF-format

Scheduler Algorithms for MU-MIMO

In multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO), the complexity of the base-station scheduler has increased further compared to single-user multiple input multiple output (SU-MIMO). The scheduler must understand if several users can be spatially multiplexed in the same time-frequency resource. One way to spatially separate users is through beamforming with sufficiently many antennas. In this thesis work, two downlink beamforming algorithms for MU-MIMO are studied: The first algorithm implements precoding without considering inter-cell interference (ICI). The second one considers it and attempts to mitigate or null transmissions in the direction of user equipments (UEs) in other cells. The two algorithms are evaluated in SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO setups operating in time division duplex (TDD) mode and serving with single and dual-antenna terminals. Full-Buffer (FB) and file transfer protocol (FTP) data traffic profiles are studied. Additionally, various UE mobility patterns, UE transmit antenna topologies, sounding reference signal (SRS) periodicity configurations, and uniform linear array (ULA) topologies are considered. Simulations have been performed using a system level simulation framework developed by Ericsson AB. Another important part of this thesis work is the functional verification of this simulation framework, which at the time of writing is still undergoing development. Our simulation results show that in SU-MIMO, the second algorithm, which considers ICI, outperforms the first one for FB traffic profile and all UE speeds, but not for FTP traffic profile and medium (30 km/h) or high (60 km/h) UE speeds. In this case, the first algorithm, which does not consider ICI, can be used with advantage. In MU-MIMO, cell downlink throughput gains are observed for the second algorithm over the first one for low and medium system loads (number of users). For both algorithms, the cell throughput is observed to decrease with increasing UE speed and sounding periodicity.Scheduling in modern wireless standards, e.g., 3G, 4G and future 5G, can be defined as the task of allocating time and frequency resources by the base station (BS) to each user equipment (UE) that wants to engage in communication. Resources are allocated every transmission time interval (TTI), which is typically one millisecond. There exist both uplink (from the UEs to the BS) and downlink (from the BS to the UEs) resource schedulers implemented in the e-Node B, i.e., the base station (BS) in Long Term Evolution (LTE). The aim of this thesis work is to study how various communication techniques proposed for 5G can increase the overall system throughput of the downlink (DL) when a realistic resource scheduler is used. In particular, we consider: (i) Beamforming, (ii) Multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO), and (iii) Inter-cell interference (ICI) mitigation. Beamforming can be achieved by deploying a large number of antenna elements at the BS with the aim of increasing the signal to interference noise ratio (SINR) towards the UE. Contrary to single-user multiple input multiple output (SU-MIMO), in MU-MIMO more than one UE are scheduled for transmissions in the same time-frequency resource; this is possible by judiciously pairing various UEs which are spatially sufficiently separated (according to some metric that we will define later). ICI mitigation can be achieved by means of proper precoding at BS where the precoder attempts to mitigate the interfering signal from BS towards UEs belonging to neighboring cells. In this thesis work, we investigate the performance of two scheduler algorithms for MU-MIMO, using SU-MIMO as baseline. The first algorithm does not consider ICI while the second one does. Dual layer beamforming (that is, two independent data streams are transmitted to each UE) and time division duplex (TDD) are assumed. In TDD mode the BS acquires the channel information from sounding reference signals (SRS) transmitted in the uplink (UL) and, by virtue of channel reciprocity, reuses the so-obtained channel information in the downlink. The performance evaluation of the two algorithms is based on the following parameters: UE Traffic profile, UE speed, SRS UL antenna configuration, SRS parameters, and BS antenna topology. - UE speed includes 3,30, and 60 km/h. - UE traffic profile includes full-buffer (FB) and file transfer protocol (FTP). With FB traffic profile, UEs send/receive data to/from the BS all the time, while this is not the case in the FTP traffic profile case. Some examples of FTP traffic profiles may include chatty, video, VoIP, web, etc. - SRS UL antenna configuration includes: (i) Two SRS, in which each UE sends two SRS to the BS from two antennas, (ii) one SRS with antenna selection, in which each UE alternately sends one SRS to the BS from each of two antennas, and (iii) one SRS without antenna selection, in which each UE sends one SRS to the BS from only one antenna. For two SRS UE case (note that in the downlink two layers, and hence two UE antennas, are always used). - SRS parameters include SRS bandwidth and SRS periodicity. In this thesis work, full-bandwidth SRS (20 MHz) with various SRS periodicities such as 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms are considered. - BS antenna topology includes 8 and 64 antenna elements at the BS. The main result of this thesis work is that in both SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO with FB traffic profile, it is better to use the second algorithm which considers ICI rather than the first one which does not. However, with FTP traffic profile, this is not always the case

Studies on 6-sector-site deployment in downlink LTE

Mobile data traffic is expected to increase massively in the following years. Consequently, service operators are induced to increase the capacity of their networks continually to attract more subscribers and maximize their revenues. At the same time, they want to minimize operational costs and capital expenditures. Among the alternatives that aim to increase the network capacity, higher order sectorization, and in particular a six sectorized configuration, is nowadays attracting a lot of attention for LTE macro-cell deployments since a higher number of sectors per site results in improved site capacity and coverage. A six sectorized configuration is attractive for both roll-out phase and growth phase of the network. In the roll-out phase, the radio access network is planned with 6-sector sites instead of 3-sector sites with the advantage that less sites are needed for the same capacity and coverage requirements. In the growth phase, the six sectorized configuration can be used to upgrade existing 3-sector sites where the traffic grows beyond the current sites' capabilities. Therefore, no additional expensive and time consuming contracts need to be signed for the locations of the new sites, while the existing sites are used more efficiently. However, although potentially a 6-sector site can offer a double capacity than a 3-sector site, several factors prevent the capacity from growing proportionately to the number of sectors. Consequently, there is an uncertainty on whether the capacity gain is high enough to justify the extra costs of the additional equipment and, more specifically, whether the 6-sector-site deployment is more economically attractive than a 3-sector-site deployment. The aim of this report is to solve this uncertainty. First, we present the main factors that affect the capacity gain. Next, we quantify the impact of these factors on the capacity gain in downlink LTE with the use of a system level simulator. Finally, we use the results of the simulation study as inputs for an economic study to access the reasons for a possible deployment of 6-sector sites instead of 3-sector sites for LTE

Aspects of capacity enhancement techniques in cellular networks

Frequency spectrum is the scarce resource. From mobile operator’s point of view, efficient utilization of the radio resources is needed while providing maximum coverage, and ensuring good quality of service with minimal infrastructure. In high capacity demanding areas, multilayer networks with multiband and multi radio access technologies are deployed, in order to meet the capacity requirements. In his doctoral thesis, Usman Sheikh has proposed a “Smart Traffic Handling” strategy, which is based on user’s required service type and location. Smart traffic handling scheme efficiently utilizes the different layers of the network, balances the load among them, and improves the system capacity. Power resources at base station are also limited. Usman Sheikh’s proposed “Power Control Scheme for High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) network” improves the cell edge user experience, while maintaining the fairness among the other users in a cell. With the help of a proposed power control scheme, a user far from the base station can also enjoy the better quality of service. Generally, mobile operators use macro cells with wide beam antennas for wider coverage in the cell, but future capacity demands cannot be achieved by using only them. “Higher Order Sectorization” is one possible way to increase the system capacity. Usman Sheikh proposed new network layouts called “Snowflake” and “Flower” tessellations, for 6-sector and 12-sector sites, respectively. These tessellations can be used as a basis for making a nominal network plan for sites with higher order sectorization. These tessellations would be helpful for simulation purposes. Through his work, he has also tried to highlight the importance of deploying “Adaptive MIMO Switching” in Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, the fourth generation of wireless networks. In future, the fifth generation of wireless networks is expected to offer thousand times more capacity compared to LTE. The novel concept of “Single Path Multiple Access (SPMA)” given by Usman Sheikh is a revolutionary idea, and gives a possibility to increase the system capacity by a giant margin. SPMA can be considered as a right step towards 5G technology. Usman Sheikh’s work is of high importance not only from mobile operator’s point of view; rather his contributions to the scientific community will also lead to better user (customer) experience. His work will definitely benefit the mankind in utilizing the limited resources in an optimum and efficient way

Uplink MIMO schemes in local area time division duplex system

One of 3rd Generation Partnership Projects's release 9 research areas is deployment and improvement of Long Term Evolutions's Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access interface in local area cells, using time division duplex and 100MHz available bandwidth. For uplink part of this system, we revise and study MIMO algorithms considered in release 8's downlink (Cyclic Delay Diversity and Space-Frequency Block Codes open-loop schemes, Singular Value Decomposition and codebook-based closed-loop schemes), look for new alternatives, and simulate impacts of given scenario - reciprocity, correlated MIMO channels, slow fading etc. As a result, we draw conclusions about advantages of having multiple transmit antennas in User Equipment in contrast with higher price and power consumption

Linear space-time modulation in multiple-antenna channels

This thesis develops linear space–time modulation techniques for (multi-antenna) multi-input multi-output (MIMO) and multiple-input single-output (MISO) wireless channels. Transmission methods tailored for such channels have recently emerged in a number of current and upcoming standards, in particular in 3G and "beyond 3G" wireless systems. Here, these transmission concepts are approached primarily from a signal processing perspective. The introduction part of the thesis describes the transmit diversity concepts included in the WCDMA and cdma2000 standards or standard discussions, as well as promising new transmission methods for MIMO and MISO channels, crucial for future high data-rate systems. A number of techniques developed herein have been adopted in the 3G standards, or are currently being proposed for such standards, with the target of improving data rates, signal quality, capacity or system flexibility. The thesis adopts a model involving matrix-valued modulation alphabets, with different dimensions usually defined over space and time. The symbol matrix is formed as a linear combination of symbols, and the space-dimension is realized by using multiple transmit and receive antennas. Many of the transceiver concepts and modulation methods developed herein provide both spatial multiplexing gain and diversity gain. For example, full-diversity full-rate schemes are proposed where the symbol rate equals the number of transmit antennas. The modulation methods are developed for open-loop transmission. Moreover, the thesis proposes related closed-loop transmission methods, where space–time modulation is combined either with automatic retransmission or multiuser scheduling.reviewe