New Combined Downlink Scheduling Algorithm for LTE Networks

Abstract

Considered as the 4th generation network, the LTE (Long Term Evolution) was defined by the 3GPP consortium as a succession of these predecessors, allowing the improvement of the QoS offered to the customers. Due to the limitations at the bandwidth, Radio Resource Management (RRM) remains one of the important aspects in cellular networks. The Packet Scheduling is an essential mechanism of the RRM procedure. It is used to define the distribution method of radio resources. The main objective of these mechanisms is the improvement of the performance of the LTE system for all users. This is why scheduling algorithms are of great importance in the resources management. And since they are not defined in 3GPP specifications, they become a vital subject of research. In this paper, we proposed a new downlink scheduling algorithm named Combined PF-MLWDF-EXP/PF (CPMEP) and we compared its performances in a Single Cell with Interference scenario with the well-known schedulers such as Proportional Fair (PF), Modified Largest Weighted Delay First (MLWDF) and Exponential Proportional Fairness (EXP/PF). The simulation results show that the combined algorithm is more efficient for different applications, despite it has limitations in terms of Fairness Index and Throughput for Non Real-Time services.