Performance Evaluation of Relay Deployment in Long-Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) Network

Abstract

Normally, cell-edged users in wireless networks experience a low Signal-to-Interference-Noise-Ratio (SINR). This problem results in low signal strength and causes a bad performance for the overall system. Moreover, the small cell capacity and cell coverage will occur at the cell-edge. To support high data services and applications, it is required a peak data rate. The enhancement of the cell-edge capacity as well as cell coverage are the expectation that can be provided by Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A). This paper proposed a new scheme for an optimum relay node (RN) placement in LTE-A cellular network to enhance the coverage extension at cell-edges region. The user with low SINR will hand over to the relay node (RN) and will efficiently utilize the system resources. Various LTE-A technologies including RN deployments have been studied to meet these requirements. High data rates coverage with a minimum operator cost is the advantage of RNs. Algorithms to determine the minimum distance between users and both BS and RN and the signal strength received in the proposed scheme are also provided. The simulation results indicate an improvement in signal strength for the deployment of fixed relays.