We consider scheduling and resource allocation in long-term evolution (LTE) networks across voice over LTE (VoLTE) and best-effort data users. The difference between these two is that VoLTE users get scheduling priority to receive their required quality of service. As we show, strict priority causes data services to suffer. We propose new scheduling and resource allocation algorithms to maximize the sum- or proportional fair (PF) throughout amongst data users while meeting VoLTE demands. Essentially, we use VoLTE as an example application with both a guaranteed bit-rate and strict application-specific requirements. We first formulate and solve the frame-level optimization problem for throughput maximization; however, this leads to an integer problem coupled across the LTE transmission time intervals (TTIs). We then propose a TTI-level problem to decouple scheduling across TTIs. Finally, we propose a heuristic, with extremely low complexity. The formulations illustrate the detail required to realize resource allocation in an implemented standard. Numerical results show that the performance of the TTI-level scheme is very close to that of the frame-level upper bound. Similarly, the heuristic scheme works well compared to TTI-level optimization and a baseline scheduling algorithm. Finally, we show that our PF optimization retains the high fairness index characterizing PF-scheduling.
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@cite_12: The LTE specification provides QoS of multimedia services with fast connectivity, high mobility and security. However, 3GPP specifications have not defined scheduling algorithms to support real time and non-real time application services. In this paper we propose a two level scheduling scheme composed by cooperative game concept and EXP-RULE scheduling algorithm. By using cooperative game theory such as bankruptcy game and Shapley value, the proposed mechanism works by forming coalition between flow classes to distribute the bandwidth fairly. To make a performance judgment, the proposed downlink scheduling scheme has been compared to other well known schedulers such as M-LWDF and PF. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme can improve the performance on the used metrics among services. The performance evaluation is conducted in terms of system throughput, packet loss ratio (PLR), cell spectral efficiency and fairness Index.
@cite_11: Future generation cellular networks are expected to provide ubiquitous broadband access to a continuously growing number of mobile users. In this context, LTE systems represent an important milestone towards the so called 4G cellular networks. A key feature of LTE is the adoption of advanced Radio Resource Management procedures in order to increase the system performance up to the Shannon limit. Packet scheduling mechanisms, in particular, play a fundamental role, because they are responsible for choosing, with fine time and frequency resolutions, how to distribute radio resources among different stations, taking into account channel condition and QoS requirements. This goal should be accomplished by providing, at the same time, an optimal trade-off between spectral efficiency and fairness. In this context, this paper provides an overview on the key issues that arise in the design of a resource allocation algorithm for LTE networks. It is intended for a wide range of readers as it covers the topic from basics to advanced aspects. The downlink channel under frequency division duplex configuration is considered as object of our study, but most of the considerations are valid for other configurations as well. Moreover, a survey on the most recent techniques is reported, including a classification of the different approaches presented in literature. Performance comparisons of the most well-known schemes, with particular focus on QoS provisioning capabilities, are also provided for complementing the described concepts. Thus, this survey would be useful for readers interested in learning the basic concepts before going into the details of a particular scheduling strategy, as well as for researchers aiming at deepening more specific aspects.
Scheduling is one of the most important components in LTE systems: the scheduler, implemented at the eNodeB (eNB), distributes the limited available time frequency resources among the active users in order to satisfy their QoS needs @cite_16 @cite_11 . The 3GPP specifications do not specify scheduling policies, making the scheduling algorithm vendor-specific @cite_12 . There are several works that have proposed and compared various scheduling algorithms; however, in general, these do not use an optimization framework to maximize a chosen metric (such as our choice of sum rate or PF rate) while meeting constraints set by GBR users. In this paper we focus on VoLTE users; the principles developed here could be extended to other GBR flows.