An efficient packet scheduling algorithm to improve the performance of cell-edge user in LTE network

Abstract

The scheduling algorithm of Long Term Evolution (LTE) is responsible for allocating the resource blocks (RB) efficiently to the end users. Different algorithms have different impact to the network in terms of throughputs, spectral efficiency, and fairness. However, previous algorithms are unable to enhance the cell-edge user performance due to the unawareness of the location of user and user congestion in the cell area. This paper proposes a downlink scheduling algorithm based on modified Exponential Proportional Fairness (EXP/PF) algorithm to improve the performance of the cell-edge user and all other users in the cell. The cell is divided into two regions namely outer and inner to differentiate the user in this proposed algorithm. It considers Received Signal Strength (RSS), a threshold value based on user congestion in the regions and the distance between eNodeB (eNB) and user. The obtained system-level simulation results show that the proposed algorithm significantly improves the cell-edge user throughput along with average user throughput, cell throughput, spectral efficiency and fairness index compared with the other existing algorithms.