Evaluation of an Interference-Coordination Algorithm Based on Self-Organizing Techniques on a Real LTE Deployment Scenario

An implementation of an inter-cell interference control algorithm in a LTE network is presented. The proposed procedure takes advantage of collaborative self-organizing functions among neighbouring cells to improve the performance of conventional ICIC (Inter-Cell Interference Coordination) algorithms. In particular, the sharing of resource occupation information between adjacent cells is exploited to coordinate resource allocation for users. The proposed algorithm has been tested on a link-level simulator using a physical layer abstraction based on data from a real network scenario. Both deployment and traffic data is used, so the technique is tested beyond canonical implementations and results can be considered as more realistic. Results show an enhancement in Signal-to-Interference ratio (SINR) and throughput for cell-edge users compared to similar procedures not based on self-organizing techniques. In addition, a decrease in the blocking probability for those users far away from base station has been observed. Finally, the quality of service for users close to cell centre remains unchanged, and in some cases, becomes improved. These effects are more notorious in medium-loaded situations, especially in unbalanced traffic cases. These results support the feasibility of the implementation of this procedure in future LTE deployments.