An Open Source Product-Oriented LTE Network Simulator Based On Ns-3

An Open Source Product-Oriented

LTE Network Simulator based on ns-3

Nicola Baldo, Marco Miozzo, Manuel Requena-Esteso, Jaume Nin-Guerrero

Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (CTTC)

Av. Carl Friedrich Gauss 7, 08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain

{nbaldo, mmiozzo, mrequena, jnin}@cttc.es

ABSTRACT

In this paper we present a new simulation module for ns-3

aimed at the simulation of LTE networks. This module has

been designed with a product-oriented perspective in order

to allow LTE equipment manufacturers to test RRM/SON

algorithms in a simulation environment before they are deployed

in the field. First, we describe the design of our simulation

module, highlighting its novel aspects. Subsequently,

we discuss the testing methodology that we adopted to validate

its output. Finally, we present some experimental result

to assess its performance in terms of execution time and

memory usage.

Categories and Subject Descriptors

I.6.5 [Simulation and Modeling]: Model Development—

Modeling methodologies; I.6.7 [Simulation and Modeling]:

Simulation Support Systems—Environments

General Terms

Algorithm, Design, Performance, Verification

Keywords

3GPP, LTE, E-UTRA, Scheduling, Simulator, ns-3

1. INTRODUCTION

3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) is the most promising

standard for the upcoming fourth generation (4G) of mobile

wireless communication systems. Very briefly, the innovative

aspects included in LTE are a high speed radio interface

based on OFDMA/SC-FDMA called Evolved Universal

Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA), an all-IP core network

called Evolved Packet Core (EPC), and, most importantly,

Self Organized Network (SON) capabilities, i.e., the ability

of the base stations – called eNodeBs (eNBs) using the LTE

nomenclature – to form a self configuring, self-optimizing

and self-healing network. SONs are seen as a crucial enhancement

with respect to prior mobile technologies, since

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MSWiM’11, October 31–November 4, 2011, Miami, Florida, USA.

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they allow higher density network deployments that yield

a significant increase in system capacity, and at the same

time they permit a reduction in the operational expenditure

of mobile network operators. In addition, the development

of SON capabilities is an opportunity for LTE vendors to

add value to their product and to be more competitive in

the market. In this process, LTE simulators are expected to

play a crucial role [1].

In this paper we describe a new software module for ns-3

that we are developing. The model partially leverages on

the previous work of [2], in that the Channel model and

part of the Physical layer model are reused. However, the

rest of the E-UTRA model has been totally redesigned to be

more representative of the LTE standard, as well as closer

to real-world implementations. In particular, the LTE MAC

Scheduler API published by the FemtoForum [3] has been

adopted in the simulator. This interface is used by femtocell

manufacturers

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