Packet Scheduling Algorithm in LTE/LTE-Advanced-based Cellular Networks

Abstract

Cellular networks are ever evolving and have incorporated state-of-the-art technologies. These networks have been primarily operating on second generation, and thereafter migrating to third generation technology to cater for data-centric traffic. To cater for high data rate applications like video in cellular networks, long-term evolution was proposed by Third Generation Partnership Project under the International Telecom Union. Long-term evolution is now a commercially available protocol which is easy to deploy and provides high data rate. However, long-term evolution-based cellular networks are prone to congestion due to transport of bandwidth-hungry services like video and data transfers especially at peak hours and in emergency situations, wherein the number of subscribers utilizing the cellular network is much more than what the network is designed to handle. The congestion scenarios may lead to packet loss of important data. Hence, it is pertinent that these cellular networks should incorporate effective packet prioritisation and scheduling algorithm to augment realization in peak traffic conditions. In the present research work, a proficient packet scheduling algorithm is positioned on class of service prioritization, data rate consumption, and location of origin of traffic in the cellular network. Simulation results demonstrate that by incorporating the proposed packet scheduling algorithm in the long-term evolution-based cellular networks, the packet loss of important packets reduces substantially. © 2017, © 2017 IETE.