A Metaheuristic Approach for Propagation-Model Tuning in LTE Networks

When deploying a new mobile technology such as LTE, it is crucial to identify the factors that affect the radio network in terms of capacity and quality of service. In this context, network coverage is arguably the single most influential factor. This work presents a metaheuristic-optimization approach that automatically adapts the parameters of a signal-propagation model. The optimization procedure is performed per cell, enabling the calculation of accurate network-coverage predictions. The evaluation of the proposed approach is carried out on two different regions in Slovenia, where Telekom Slovenije, d.d., provides LTE coverage. The results show radio-propagation predictions of improved quality when compared to manual and analytical methods.

[1]  Mario García-Lozano,et al.  Metaheuristic Procedure to Optimize Transmission Delays in DVB-T Single Frequency Networks , 2011, IEEE Transactions on Broadcasting.

[2]  M. V. S. N. Prasad,et al.  TUNING OF COST -231 HATA MODEL FOR RADIO WAVE PROPAGATION PREDICTIONS , 2012 .

[3]  Harald Haas,et al.  Energy efficient resource allocation in OFDMA networks using ant-colony optimization , 2012, 2012 International Symposium on Communications and Information Technologies (ISCIT).

[4]  Lianfen Huang,et al.  Online propagation model correction based on PSO algorithmin LTE SON system , 2012, Anti-counterfeiting, Security, and Identification.

[5]  Rizwan Ullah,et al.  Comparison of Radio Propagation Models for Long Term Evolution (LTE) Network , 2011, ArXiv.

[6]  Erik Aarnæs,et al.  Tuning of Empirical Radio Propagation Models Effect of Location Accuracy , 2004, Wirel. Pers. Commun..

[7]  Sonja Filiposka,et al.  Terrain-aware three-dimensional radio-propagation model extension for NS-2 , 2011, Simul..

[8]  Mehdi Amirijoo,et al.  Influence of Different Factors on X-Map Estimation in LTE , 2011, 2011 IEEE 73rd Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC Spring).

[9]  N. Behlilovic,et al.  Applicability evaluation of Okumura, Ericsson 9999 and winner propagation models for coverage planning in 3.5 GHZ WiMAX systems , 2012, 2012 19th International Conference on Systems, Signals and Image Processing (IWSSIP).

[10]  Yoann Corre,et al.  Three-Dimensional Urban EM Wave Propagation Model for Radio Network Planning and Optimization Over Large Areas , 2009, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology.

[11]  L. R. Maciel,et al.  Radio propagation characteristics for line-of-sight microcellular and personal communications , 1993 .

[12]  Peter Korosec,et al.  Balancing downlink and uplink soft-handover areas in UMTS networks , 2012, 2012 IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation.

[13]  Lingyang Song,et al.  Evolved Cellular Network Planning and Optimization for UMTS and LTE , 2010 .

[14]  Tsuyoshi Hamada,et al.  A GRASS GIS parallel module for radio-propagation predictions , 2014, Int. J. Geogr. Inf. Sci..

[15]  Tsuyoshi Hamada,et al.  190 TFlops Astrophysical N-body Simulation on a Cluster of GPUs , 2010, 2010 ACM/IEEE International Conference for High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage and Analysis.

[16]  Thomas Stützle,et al.  Ant colony optimization: artificial ants as a computational intelligence technique , 2006 .

[17]  Mauro Birattari,et al.  Swarm Intelligence , 2012, Lecture Notes in Computer Science.

[18]  Natasa Neskovic,et al.  Microcell electric field strength prediction model based upon artificial neural networks , 2010 .

[19]  Zrni,et al.  Minimax LS Algorithm for Automatic Propagation Model Tuning , 2001 .

[20]  Bogdan Filipic,et al.  The differential ant-stigmergy algorithm , 2012, Inf. Sci..

[21]  M. Hata,et al.  Empirical formula for propagation loss in land mobile radio services , 1980, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology.

[22]  W. A. Hassan,et al.  Studying different propagation models for LTE-A system , 2012, 2012 International Conference on Computer and Communication Engineering (ICCCE).

[23]  I. Rolfes,et al.  Measurement based channel model for large concert halls , 2010, 2010 IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium.

[24]  Wenxiao Shi,et al.  A Linear Least Square Method of Propagation Model Tuning for 3G Radio Network Planning , 2008, 2008 Fourth International Conference on Natural Computation.

[25]  El-Ghazali Talbi,et al.  Metaheuristics - From Design to Implementation , 2009 .