Dynamic load balancing and throughput optimization in 3GPP LTE networks

Abstract

Load imbalance that deteriorates the system performance is a severe problem existing in 3GPP LTE networks. To deal with this problem, we propose in this paper a load balancing framework, which aims at balancing the load in the entire network, while keeping the network throughput as high as possible. In this framework, the objective is formulated as a network-wide utility function balancing network throughput and load distribution, and then it is transformed to an integer optimization problem under resource allocation constraints. After that, the complexity of the problem is analyzed, network structure constraints are presented, and a practical suboptimal algorithm, called Heaviest-First Load Balancing (HFLB), is proposed. Extensive simulation is made and the results show that using the HFLB algorithm the network can get significantly better load balancing while maintaining the same network throughput at the price of a bit more handovers compared with the traditional signal strength-based handover algorithm.