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[EN] In today's information society, there is a growing need to access data communication services ubiquitously, with mobility and increasingly higher data rates. This society's demand has motivated the development of the fourth generation of mobile communications (4G) and its evolution towards the fifth generation (5G). This development has required a revolution on the radio interface of the mobile communications systems, and, consequently, has significantly modified their capabilities and their radio resource management. This is the case of the technology known as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and its 4G version called LTE-Advanced. This Doctoral Thesis addresses the modelling, the radio resource management analysis, and the performance evaluation of the downlink of LTE and LTE-Advanced where, among the different features of LTE-Advanced, the focus is on the Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) transmission. The Thesis provides a detailed description of the main characteristics of LTE and LTE-Advanced. The high complexity of these systems, has prompted the use of computer simulations as the primary research methodology. The Thesis makes a detailed description of the simulation methodology and the system modelling required, including some contributions of the author in this field. Among them, it is of significant relevance the link-level simulation results used in the European project WINNER + for the LTE evaluation. With regard to the analysis of the radio resource management in LTE, the fundamentals of link adaptation and scheduling are explained in the first place. In relation to the scheduling, the Thesis includes a thorough study of the proportional fairness concept and the suboptimal implementation typically used in LTE to maximize this metric. This study has resulted in a series of ideas embodied in a modification of the typical implementation, which has proved to be capable of increasing the proportional fairness of the resource allocations. Moreover, the link adaptation analysis has revealed the "flash-light" effect problem, which is characterized by a high interference variability due to rapid changes in the scheduling decisions. The Thesis demonstrates that a particular implementation that stabilizes the scheduling decisions can improve the system performance. The radio resource management analysis of this Thesis is completed with the study of CoMP. Specifically, the CoMP scheme studied in this Thesis is a solution with coordinated scheduling and beamforming (CS/CB), that takes into account realistic and robust assumptions concerning the knowledge that the coordinated points have about the channel state. The Thesis proposes this solution for its simplicity and its ability to improve high data rates coverage and capacity even with incomplete channel knowledge. Concerning LTE and LTE-Advanced evaluation, it is performed in two different types of scenarios. On the one hand, the scenarios defined in the process of evaluation of IMT-Advanced. In this framework, it is evaluated the importance of different multi-antenna techniques, including CoMP, considering full-buffer traffic models. The most important conclusions in these scenarios are the significant performance improvement achieved with spatial multiplexing of users and the fact that CoMP mechanisms provide a reduced benefit. The second group of scenarios are those defined by the European project METIS for the evaluation of 5G technologies. Specifically, an indoor office scenario and an outdoor sports stadium have been selected. In these scenarios, a realistic traffic model is used, and it has been demonstrated the utility of CoMP to satisfy the first 5G requirement definitions with feasible frequency bandwidths. In these scenarios with less homogeneous deployments, or with a limited number of transmitters originating the major part of interference, is where this Thesis has found CoMP to be more useful and where the Thesis promotes its use. / [ES] En la actual sociedad, hay una creciente necesidad de acceso a servicios de comunicación de datos de forma ubicua, móvil y a velocidades cada vez más altas. Esta demanda ha motivado el desarrollo de la cuarta generación de comunicaciones móviles (4G) y su evolución hacia la quinta generación (5G). Este desarrollo ha requerido una revolución en la interfaz radio de los sistemas de comunicaciones móviles modificando en gran medida sus capacidades y la forma en la que se gestionan sus recursos. Este es el caso de la tecnología conocida como Long Term Evolution (LTE) y su versión 4G llamada LTE-Advanced. En concreto, esta Tesis Doctoral aborda el modelado, análisis de la gestión de recursos radio y evaluación de prestaciones del enlace descendente de LTE y LTE-Advanced, donde, de entre las características de LTE-Advanced, se ha puesto el foco de atención en la transmisión multipunto coordinada (CoMP). La Tesis proporciona una descripción detallada de las principales características de LTE y LTE-Advanced. La gran complejidad del sistema descrito ha motivado que la metodología de estudio haya sido la simulación mediante ordenador. La Tesis realiza una descripción detallada de dicha metodología y del modelado del sistema empleado, incluyendo algunas aportaciones del autor en este campo. De entre éstas, destaca la provisión de resultados de simulación de nivel de enlace que se usaron en el proyecto europeo WINNER+ para la evaluación de LTE. En cuanto al análisis de la gestión de recursos radio en LTE, en primer lugar, se explican los fundamentos de la adaptación al enlace y el scheduling. En relación con el scheduling, se realiza un estudio del concepto de proportional fairness y de la implementación subóptima típicamente usada en LTE para maximizar esta métrica. Este estudio ha dado como resultado una modificación de la implementación típica que ha demostrado ser capaz de aumentar la proportional fairness en la asignación de recursos con un bajo incremento de complejidad. Además, el análisis de la adaptación al enlace ha revelado el problema del efecto de "luz de flash" consistente en la alta variabilidad de la interferencia debida a rápidos cambios en las decisiones del scheduler. La Tesis demuestra que se pueden mejorar las prestaciones del sistema estabilizando dichas decisiones mediante una implementación concreta. El bloque de análisis de la gestión de recursos se completa con el estudio de CoMP. Específicamente, se estudia una solución con coordinación de scheduling y conformación de haz (CS/CB) que tiene en cuenta suposiciones reales y robustas en cuanto al conocimiento que los puntos coordinados tienen de los canales radio. La Tesis propone esta solución por su sencillez y capacidad de mejorar la eficiencia de los sistemas de comunicaciones móviles, tanto en cobertura de velocidades altas de transmisión como en capacidad, aun teniendo un conocimiento incompleto del canal. En cuanto a la evaluación de LTE y LTE-Advanced, ésta se realiza en dos tipos de escenarios. Por un lado, los escenarios definidos en el proceso de evaluación de IMT-Advanced. En este marco, se evalúa la importancia de diferentes técnicas de transmisión multiantena, incluyendo CoMP, y considerando tráfico de tipo full-buffer. Se ha obtenido una gran mejora de prestaciones por la multiplexación espacial de usuarios y mejoras discretas por el uso de CoMP. El segundo grupo de escenarios son los definidos por el proyecto europeo METIS para evaluación de tecnologías 5G, concretamente se han elegido un escenario de interiores con una oficina, y uno de exteriores con un estadio deportivo. En estos escenarios se utiliza un tráfico realista y se ha demostrado la utilidad de CoMP para mejorar las prestaciones del sistema. En estos escenarios con despliegues menos uniformes, o con un número limitado de transmisores provocando la mayor parte de la interferencia, es donde esta Tesis ha encontrado la mayor u / [CA] En l'actual societat de la informació, hi ha una creixent necessitat d'accés a serveis de comunicació de dades de forma ubiqua, mòbil i a velocitats cada vegada més altes. Aquesta demanda de la societat, ha motivat el desenrotllament de la quarta generació de comunicacions mòbils (4G) i la seua evolució cap a la quinta generació (5G). Aquest desenrotllament ha requerit una revolució en la interfície ràdio dels sistemes de comunicacions mòbils i ha modificat en gran manera les seues capacitats i la forma en què es gestionen els seus recursos. Aquest és el cas de la tecnologia coneguda com a Long Term Evolution (LTE) i la seua versió 4G anomenada LTE-Advanced. En concret, aquesta Tesi Doctoral aborda el modelatge, anàlisi de la gestió de recursos ràdio i avaluació de prestacions de l'enllaç descendent de LTE i LTE-Advanced, on, d'entre les característiques de LTE-Advanced, s'ha posat el centre d'atenció en la transmissió multipunt coordinada (CoMP). La Tesi proporciona una descripció detallada de les principals característiques de LTE i LTE-Advanced. La gran complexitat del sistema descrit ha motivat que la metodologia d'estudi s'haja basat en simulació per mitjà d'ordinador. La Tesi realitza una descripció detallada de la metodologia de simulació i del modelatge del sistema empleat, incloent-hi algunes aportacions de l'autor en aquest camp. D'entre aquestes, destaca la provisió de resultats de simulació de nivell d'enllaç que es van usar en el projecte europeu WINNER+ per a l'avaluació de LTE. Pel que fa a l'anàlisi de la gestió de recursos ràdio en LTE, en primer lloc, s'expliquen els fonaments de l'adaptació a l'enllaç i el scheduling. En relació amb el scheduling, es realitza un estudi del concepte de proportional fairness i de la implementació subòptima típicament usada en LTE per a maximitzar aquesta mètrica. L'estudi ha donat com a resultat una modificació de la implementació típica que ha demostrat ser capaç d'augmentar la proportional fairness en l'assignació de recursos amb un baix increment de complexitat. A més, l'anàlisi de l'adaptació a l'enllaç ha desvetllat el problema de l'efecte de "llum de flaix" consistent en la alta variabilitat de la interferència deguda a una ràpida variació de les assignacions de recursos. La Tesi demostra que es poden millorar les prestacions del sistema estabilitzant les decisions del scheduler mitjançant una implementació concreta. En el bloc d'anàlisi de la gestió de recursos d'aquesta Tesi es completa amb l'estudi de CoMP. Específicament, s'estudia una solució amb coordinació de scheduling i conformació de feix (CS/CB), que té en compte suposicions reals i robustes quant al coneixement que els punts coordinats tenen dels canals ràdio dels usuaris servits. La Tesi proposa aquesta solució per la seua senzillesa i capacitat de millorar l'eficiència dels sistemes de comunicacions mòbils, tant en cobertura de velocitats altes de transmissió com en capacitat, encara tenint un coneixement incomplet del canal. Quant a l'avaluació de LTE i LTE-Advanced, aquesta es realitza en dos tipus d'escenaris diferents. D'una banda, els escenaris definits dins del procés d'avaluació de tecnologies IMT-Advanced. Dins d'aquest marc, s'avalua la importància de diferents tècniques de transmissió multi-antena, incloent-hi CoMP, i considerant tràfic de tipus full-buffer. S'ha obtingut una gran millora de prestacions amb la multiplexació espacial d'usuaris i una discreta millora amb CoMP. El segon grup d'escenaris són els definits pel projecte europeu METIS per a l'avaluació de tecnologies 5G, concretament s'han triat un escenari d'interiors amb una oficina, i un d'exteriors amb un estadi esportiu, on s'ha utilitzat un tràfic realista. En aquests escenaris amb desplegaments menys uniformes, o amb un nombre limitat de transmissors provocant la major part de la interferència, és on aquesta Tesi ha trobat la utilitat més gran de / Martín-Sacristán Gandía, D. (2016). 3GPP Long Term Evolution: Performance Analysis and Evolution towards 4G with Coordinated Multi-Point Transmission [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/63261

This thesis investigates time synchronization, which is crucial in various applications, such as power grid monitoring, communication systems, and in the fusion of information from different sensors. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are currently the state-of-the-art for time synchronization in distributed wireless sensor networks. However, due to GNSS being vulnerable to jamming, alternative methods are required to ensure robustness in critical systems. Preferably, a system would not be controlled by a single country or organization, e.g., GPS. Therefore, time synchronization methods utilizing commonly available signals, such as radio or television broadcasting, are of interest. Long Term Evolution (LTE), the fourth-generation (4G) cellular network, is widely accessible and the framework is internationally standardized. Consequently, the scope of the thesis is limited to LTE-based methods for time synchronization.  Based on the desired receiver-to-receiver characteristics, Scalable Wireless Network Synchronization (SWINS) and Reference Broadcast Synchronization (RBS) were selected to obtain time synchronization. RBS is an active synchronization method requiring communication within the sensor network, while the passive SWINS method solely relies on self-captured measurements. Time synchronization performance was evaluated using Matlab. Simulations show an increased accuracy for SWINS in synchronized LTE networks, while RBS is superior in unsynchronized cellular networks. Both LTE-based methods show performance comparable to the time synchronization accuracy guaranteed with publicly available GPS signals. A sensitivity analysis with varying disturbances shows that jointly estimating time offset and position is preferred to sole time offset estimation if the transceiver position uncertainty exceeds 50 meters.

Wireless communication networks have evolved continuously over the last four decades in order to meet the traffic and security requirements due to the ever-increasing amount of traffic. However this increase is projected to be massive for the fifth generation of wireless networks (5G), with a targeted capacity enhancement of 1000× w.r.t. 4G networks. This enhanced capacity is possible by a combination of major approaches (a) overhaul of some parts and (b) elimination of overhead and redundancies of the current 4G. In this work we focus on OFDM reference signal or pilot tones, which are used for channel estimation, link adaptation and other crucial functions in Long-Term Evolution (LTE). We investigate two aspects of pilot signals pertaining to its evolution - (a) impact of targeted interference on pilots and its mitigation and (b) adaptation of pilot patterns to match the channel conditions of the user. We develop theoretical models that accurately quantify the performance degradation at the user’s receiver in the presence of a multi-tone pilot jammer. We develop and evaluate mitigation algorithms to mitigate power constrained multi-tone pilot jammers in SISO- and full rank spatial multiplexing MIMO-OFDM systems. Our results show that the channel estimation performance can be restored even in the presence of a strong pilot jammer. We also show that full rank spatial multiplexing in the presence of a synchronized pilot jammer (transmitting on pilot locations only) is possible when the channel is flat between two pilot locations in either time or frequency. We also present experimental results of multi-tone broadcast pilot jamming (Jamming of Cell Specific Reference Signal) in the LTE downlink. Our results show that full-band jamming of pilots needs 5 dB less power than jamming the entire downlink signal, in order to cause Denial of Service (DoS) to the users. In addition to this, we have identified and demonstrated a previously unreported issue with LTE termed ‘Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) Spoofing’. In this scenario, the attacker tricks the user terminal into thinking that the channel quality is good, by transmitting interference transmission only on the data locations, while deliberately avoiding the pilots. This jamming strategy leverages the dependence of the adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) schemes on the CQI estimate in LTE. Lastly, we investigate the idea of pilot pattern adaptation for SISO- and spatial multiplexing MIMO-OFDM systems. We present a generic heuristic algorithm to predict the optimal pilot spacing and power in a nonstationary doubly selective channel (channel fading in both time and frequency). The algorithm fits estimated channel statistics to stored codebook channel profiles and uses it to maximize the upper bound on the constrained capacity. We demonstrate up to a 30% improvement in ergodic capacity using our algorithm and describe ways to minimize feedback requirements while adapting pilot patterns in multi-band carrier aggregation systems. We conclude this work by identifying scenarios where pilot adaptation can be implemented in current wireless networks and provide some guidelines to adapt pilots for 5G. / Master of Science / Wireless communications have evolved continuously over the last four decades in order to meet the ever-increasing number of users. The next generation of wireless networks, named 5G, is expected to interconnect a massive number of devices called the Internet of Things (IoT). Compared to the current generation of wireless networks (termed 4G), 5G is expected to provide a thousandfold increase in data rates. In addition to this, the security of these connected devices is also a challenging issue that needs to be addressed. Hence in the event of an attack, even if a tiny fraction of the total number of users are affected, this will still result in a large number of users who are impacted. The central theme of this thesis is the evolution of <i>Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) pilot signals</i> on the road from 4G to 5G wireless networks. In OFDM, pilot signals are sent in parallel to data in order to aid the receiver in mitigating the impairments of the wireless channel. In this thesis, we look at two perspectives of the evolution of pilots: a) targeted interference on pilot signals, termed as ‘Multi-tone pilot jamming’ and b) adapting pilot patterns to optimize throughput. In the first part of the thesis, we investigate the (a) impact of multi-tone pilot jamming and (b) propose and evaluate strategies to counter multi-tone pilot jamming. In particular, we propose methods that (a) have the potential to be implemented in the Third Generation Partnership Project Long-Term Evolution (3GPP LTE) standard, and (b) have the ability to maintain high data rates with a multi-antenna receiver, in the presence of a multi-tone pilot jammer. We also experiment and analyze the behavior of LTE in the presence of such targeted interference. In the second half of the thesis, we explore the idea of adapting the density of pilots to optimize throughput. Increasing the pilot density improves the signal reception capabilities, but reduces the resources available for data and hence, data rate. Hence we propose and evaluate strategies to balance between these two conflicting requirements in a wireless communication system. In summary, this thesis provides and evaluates ideas to mitigate interference on pilot signals, and design data rate-maximizing pilot patterns for future OFDM-based wireless networks.

Cette thèse s'intéresse aux problèmes d'allocations des ressources et de puissance dans les réseaux cellulaires de quatrième génération (4G). Pour faire face à la demande continuellement croissante en débit des utilisateurs mobiles, les opérateurs n'ont d'autre choix que de densifier leurs infrastructures d'accès au réseau radio (RAN), afin de maximiser l'utilisation de la bande passante disponible dans l'espace. Un des défis de cette nouvelle architecture est la coexistence de nombreuses cellules voisines et la gestion des interférences co-canal qu'elles génèrent entre elles. De telles contraintes ont amené la communauté scientifique à s'intéresser aux réseaux auto-organisés et auto-optimisés (SON), qui permettent aux réseaux de s'optimiser localement via des décisions décentralisées (sans planification statique). L'intérêt principal de tels réseaux est le passage à l'échelle des algorithmes distribués et la possibilité de s'adapter dynamiquement à de nouveaux environnements. Dans cette optique, nous proposons l'étude de deux problèmes d'allocation de ressources. La première partie de cette thèse se concentre sur l'optimisation de l'usage des ressources, dans un contexte de transmission coordonnée par plusieurs stations de base (CoMP). Les performances de la coordination de stations de base sont évaluées, selon le critère de capacité uniforme, ainsi que le compromis entre l'efficacité spectrale et l'équité entre les utilisateurs. Nous proposons également une méthode généralisée et distribuée de sélection de l'ensemble de stations en coopération, afin d'optimiser le compromis efficacité-équité. Dans une seconde partie, nous nous intéressons à l'optimisation de l'allocation des ressources et de puissance, dans le but de minimiser la consommation électrique du réseau. Nous présentons deux algorithmes dont les décisions sont décentralisées. Le premier est basé sur une optimisation stochastique (via l'échantillonneur de Gibbs) et permet une optimisation globale du système. Le second quant à lui est basé sur l'adaptation de la théorie du contrôle et utilise des modèles prédictifs et la poursuite de cibles pour allouer les ressources et les puissances dans un contexte de canaux et d'interférences dynamiques. Dans de nombreux cas, plusieurs objectifs concurrents sont à considérer pour évaluer les performances d'un réseau (capacité totale, équité, consommation électrique, etc.). Dans le cadre de cette thèse, nous nous efforçons à présenter les résultats sous la forme de compromis multi-objectifs. / This thesis focuses on resources and power allocation problem in the fourth generation (4G) of cellular networks. To face the continuous growth of mobile users capacity requirements, operators need to densify their radio access network (RAN) infrastructure, to maximize the use of the available bandwidth in space. One of the major issues of this new architecture is the proximity of many base stations (BS) and the management of the interference they generate on each other's cell. Such constraints makes scientific community focus on Self-Optimized, Self-Organized Networks (SON) that allow network elements to optimize them-selves through decentralized decisions (no static network planning is required). A major interest of SON is their capability to scale to large and non-organized networks, as well as being able to adapt them-selves dynamically, by using distributed algorithms. In this context, this thesis proposes the study of two resource allocation problems. The first part of this thesis focuses on the optimisation of resource sharing, in the context of coordinated multi-points transmissions (CoMP). Performances of BS coordination are evaluated, using the uniform capacity criterion, as well as the trade-off between total capacity and fairness among users. We also propose a generalized and distributed method to select the set of coordination of BS, to optimize the capacity-fairness trade-off. In the second part of this thesis, we focus on optimizing the transmit power and resource allocation, in order to reduce electric consumption. We present two distributed algorithms: the first one is based on a stochastic optimisation (using Gibbs sampling), and tries to reach the global optimum state through decentralized decision. The second one is based on control theory, and uses target tracking as well as model predictive control to allocate resources and power in a dynamic channel scenario. In many cases, trade-offs are to be maid between opposite objectives when evaluating network performances (total throughput, fairness, energy consumption, etc.). In this thesis, we present most of the network performances using multi-objectives evaluations.

La recherche dans les réseaux de communication cherche à améliorer la capacité et les performances des technologies de réseaux tout en satisfaisant à la fois la demande croissante d’instantanéité des accès et des échanges d’information. Par exemple, les travaux sur les systèmes sans-fil de cinquième génération (5G) visent à augmenter le débit de données et l’efficacité spectrale mais aussi à réduire la latence et la consommation d’énergie. Dans ce contexte, la mise en réseau basée sur la proximité est envisagée afin d’améliorer l’échange d’information entre périphériques proches, même dans le cas où aucune infrastructure n’est disponible. Une composante essentielle de ces solutions est la capacité de rapidement détecter (ou découvrir) les autres systèmes à proximité. Bien que l’utilisation de la découverte des systèmes et de services ne soit pas à proprement parler une nouveauté dans les réseaux, son adoption dans les réseaux sans-fil a augmenté l’importance et la pertinence de ce type de mécanismes. Par conséquence, l’objectif de cette thèse est d’optimiser les performances du processus de découverte en utilisant des mécanismes contextuels. Dans un premier temps, nous commençons par une description préliminaire des défis auxquels sont confrontés les utilisateurs du réseau et comment les solutions actuelles (c’est-à-dire Long Term Evolution (LTE)) ne peuvent pas couvrir leurs besoins. Dans un deuxième temps, nous présentons l’architecture utilisée pour évaluer nos propositions: l’architecture appareil-à-appareil (D2D) qui est définie par le programme de partenariat de troisième génération (3GPP) pour être utilisée dans les réseaux LTE. Nous mettrons tout particulièrement l’accent sur la description du processus de découverte tel qu’il est défini dans les spécifications. Finalement, nous présentons une étude analytique, avec un modèle de mise en oeuvre pour tester et valider les performances de la découverte directe. En utilisant cette analyse, nous proposons un algorithme de transmission adaptatif qui optimise le processus de découverte pour les topologies statiques. Cette contribution sert de base à des algorithmes étendus et améliorés ciblant premièrement des scénarios où la disponibilité de données historiques permet de prédire les fluctuations de la densité des utilisateurs, et deuxièmement des situations entièrement dynamiques sans infrastructure ou support externe, montrant comment les mécanismes contextuels peuvent fournir des performances presque optimales. Toutes ces contributions et ces analyses sont supportées et validées par des modèles de simulation et des expériences qui montrent l’importance et l’exactitude de nos propositions dans l’optimisation de la performance et de la fiabilité dans le cadre de la découverte directe / Research in communication networks aims to improve the capabilities and performance of network technologies, and to satisfy the ever increasing demand for instant information access and exchange. For example, work on Fifth Generation (5G) Wireless Systems aims to increase data rates and spectral efficiency while lowering latency and energy consumption. Within this context, proximity-based networking is being considered in order to improve the data sharing between nearby devices, regardless of the availability of additional infrastructure. An integral component of these solutions is the ability to quickly detect (or discover) other systems in the vicinity. While system and service discovery has been a concept used in networks for some time, its adoption by wireless networks has increased the importance and relevance of this type of mechanisms. Therefore, the goal of this thesis is to optimize the performance of the discovery process by using context-aware mechanisms. First, we start by an introductory description of the challenges faced by network users and how current solutions (i.e. Long Term Evolution (LTE)) are unable to cover their needs. Second, we present the architecture we will use to evaluate our proposals, namely the device-to-device (D2D) architecture defined by the Third-Generation Partnership Program (3GPP) for use in LTE networks, with an emphasis on the description of the discovery process as defined in the standard specifications. Then, we present an analytical study, along with an implementation model to test and validate the performance of direct discovery. Building upon that analysis, we propose an adaptive transmission algorithm that optimizes the discovery process for static topologies. This contribution is used as the foundation for extended and enhanced algorithms targeting scenarios where the availability of historic data allows for predicting user density fluctuations, and fully dynamic situations without external infrastructure or support, showing how context-aware mechanisms can provide almost optimal performance. All these contributions and analysis are supported and validated by simulation models and experiments that showcase the importance and correctness of our proposals in the optimization of the performance and reliability in D2D direct discovery

One of the enabling technologies for Long Term Evolution (LTE) deployments is the femtocell technology. By having femtocells deployed indoors and closer to the user, high data rate services can be provided efficiently. These femtocells are expected to be depolyed in large numbers which raises many technical challenges including the handover management. In fact, managing handovers in femtocell environments, with the conventional manual adjustment techniques, is almost impossible to keep pace with in such a rapidly growing femtocell environment. Therefore, doing this automatically by implementing Self Organizing Network (SON) use cases becomes a necessity rather than an option. However, having multiple SON use cases operating simultaneously with a shared objective could cause them to interact either negatively or positively. In both cases, designing a suitable coordination policy is critical in solving negative conflicts and building upon positive benefits. In this work, we focus on studying the interactions between three self optimization use cases aiming at improving the overall handover procedure in LTE femtocell networks. These self optimization use cases are handover, Call Admission Control (CAC) and load balancing. We develop a comprehensive, unified LTE compliant evaluation environment. This environment is extendable to other radio access technologies including LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), and can also be used to study other SON use cases. Various recommendations made by main bodies in the area of femtocells are considered including the Small Cell Forum, the Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) alliance and the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Additionally, traffic sources are simulated in compliance with these recommendations and evaluation methodologies. We study the interaction between three representative handover related self optimization schemes. We start by testing these schemes separately, in order to make sure that they meet their individual goals, and then their mutual interactions when operating simultaneously. Based on these experiments, we recommend several guidelines that can help mobile network operators and researchers in designing better coordination policies. / Thesis (Master, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2012-12-05 22:35:27.538

The next generation wireless networks i.e. 5G aim to provide multi-Gbps data traffic, in order to satisfy the increasing demand for high-definition video, among other high data rate services, as well as the exponential growth in mobile subscribers. To achieve this dramatic increase in data rates, current research is focused on improving the capacity of current 4G network standards, based on Long Term Evolution (LTE), before radical changes are exploited which could include acquiring additional/new spectrum. The LTE network has a reuse factor of one; hence neighbouring cells/sectors use the same spectrum, therefore making the cell edge users vulnerable to inter-cell interference. In addition, wireless transmission is commonly hindered by fading and pathloss. In this direction, this thesis focuses on improving the performance of cell edge users in LTE and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) networks by initially implementing a new Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) algorithm to mitigate cell edge user interference. Subsequently Device-to-Device (D2D) communication is investigated as the enabling technology for maximising Resource Block (RB) utilisation in current 4G and emerging 5G networks. It is demonstrated that the application, as an extension to the above, of novel power control algorithms, to reduce the required D2D TX power, and multihop transmission for relaying D2D traffic, can further enhance network performance. To be able to develop the aforementioned technologies and evaluate the performance of new algorithms in emerging network scenarios, a beyond-the-state-of-the-art LTE system-level simulator (SLS) was implemented. The new simulator includes Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) antenna functionalities, comprehensive channel models (such as Wireless World initiative New Radio II i.e. WINNER II) and adaptive modulation and coding schemes to accurately emulate the LTE and LTE-A network standards. Additionally, a novel interference modelling scheme using the 'wrap around' technique was proposed and implemented that maintained the topology of flat surfaced maps, allowing for use with cell planning tools while obtaining accurate and timely results in the SLS compared to the few existing platforms. For the proposed CoMP algorithm, the adaptive beamforming technique was employed to reduce interference on the cell edge UEs by applying Coordinated Scheduling (CoSH) between cooperating cells. Simulation results show up to 2-fold improvement in terms of throughput, and also shows SINR gain for the cell edge UEs in the cooperating cells. Furthermore, D2D communication underlaying the LTE network (and future generation of wireless networks) was investigated. The technology exploits the proximity of users in a network to achieve higher data rates with maximum RB utilisation (as the technology reuses the cellular RB simultaneously), while taking some load off the Evolved Node B (eNB) i.e. by direct communication between User Equipment (UE). Simulation results show that the proximity and transmission power of D2D transmission yields high performance gains for a D2D receiver, which was demonstrated to be better than that of cellular UEs with better channel conditions or in close proximity to the eNB in the network. The impact of interference from the simultaneous transmission however impedes the achievable data rates of cellular UEs in the network, especially at the cell edge. Thus, a power control algorithm was proposed to mitigate the impact of interference in the hybrid network (network consisting of both cellular and D2D UEs). It was implemented by setting a minimum SINR threshold so that the cellular UEs achieve a minimum performance, and equally a maximum SINR threshold to establish fairness for the D2D transmission as well. Simulation results show an increase in the cell edge throughput and notable improvement in the overall SINR distribution of UEs in the hybrid network. Additionally, multihop transmission for D2D UEs was investigated in the hybrid network: traditionally, the scheme is implemented to relay cellular traffic in a homogenous network. Contrary to most current studies where D2D UEs are employed to relay cellular traffic, the use of idle nodes to relay D2D traffic was implemented uniquely in this thesis. Simulation results show improvement in D2D receiver throughput with multihop transmission, which was significantly better than that of the same UEs performance with equivalent distance between the D2D pair when using single hop transmission.

The proliferation of modern wireless networks increases demand for high capacity and throughput in order to provide faster, more robust, efficient and broadband services to end users. Mobile WiMAX and LTE are examples of such networks in which for some cases they have exposed limited connectivity due to harsh environment. Relay stations are preferred to overcome problems of weak or no access for such network devices, that are placed in specific positions to maintain high quality of data transfer at low cost and provide the required connectivity anywhere anytime. These stations should be equipped with an antenna system capable of establishing communication between base station (backhaul link) and end users (access link). This thesis focuses on the design and development of a new antenna system that is suitable for a relay-based wireless network. Planar geometries of microstrip patch antennas are utilized. The antenna system comprises two antenna modules: a new design of a single antenna for access link and a new design of an antenna array for backhaul link realization. Both antenna specifications are compatible with the IEEE802.16j protocol standard. Hence, relay station should be capable of pointing its radiation pattern to the base station antenna, thus to achieve the desired radiation pattern of the relay station, a new beam-forming module is proposed, designed and developed to generate the proper radiation pattern. The beam-forming module incorporating digital phase shifters and attenuator chips is fabricated and tested. The optimization process using the Least Mean Square (LMS) algorithm is considered in this study to assign the proper phase and amplitude that is necessary to each radiation element excitation current, to produce the desired steered radiation pattern. A comprehensive study on the coupling effects for several relative positions between two new backhaul and access link antenna elements is performed. Two new antenna configurations for coupling reduction are tested and the simulated and measured results in terms of antenna radiation performances were compared and commented.