Optimized two‐level scheduler for video traffic in LTE downlink framework

Abstract

SummaryThe most challenging issue in long‐term evolution (LTE) mobile networks is the design of an optimal scheduler. The main target of the LTE scheduling strategy is to guarantee a certain level of quality of service (QoS) in order to satisfy users' needs. In this work, a novel queue‐optimized two‐level scheduling strategy is introduced. The queue‐optimized scheduler has the ability to support both real‐time (RT) and non‐RT (NRT) services in the LTE downlink framework. The first level of the proposed scheduler depends on an optimized queue length threshold that is dynamically adapted to adjust the assigned resources for the video traffic to maintain the throughput around its average value. The proposed scheduling strategy is utilized to efficiently enhance the radio resource allocation process for video traffic by minimizing the allocation of any excess unwanted resources, which consequently facilitates the support of more video connections and enhances the overall network spectral efficiency. The distribution of the resources among users for RT and NRT applications is actually performed at the second level of the scheduling process. The physical resource blocks (PRBs) are assigned according to the enhanced earliest due date first (EEDDF) mechanism. The proposed scheduling strategy prioritizes users according to their service requirements, to improve the QoS provision. The proposed scheduler maximizes the video applications throughput, and generally, minimizes the packet delay and the packet loss rate (PLR) for RT applications.