System and Link Level Performance of Pico and Macro-cells in 3D Extended Channel Models LTE-Advanced Networks

Abstract

This paper evaluates the user performance analysis at system level of pico-cells and macro-cells in 3D Extended Channel Models LTE-Advanced Networks. The analysis makes use of state-of-the-art 3D raytracing for a large number of macro and pico-cell base stations and user equipment locations. A baseband LTE-A link level simulator for 2x2 MIMO was designed and implemented in MATLAB to determine the user performance in pico-cells and macro-cells for line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight link. A pico-cell and macro-cell UE analysis at the system level and a comparison of external wall and lamp-post mounted picocell are also presented. User performance is analysed in terms of mean power, link budget and path loss coefficient. The empirical path loss equation for pico-cells and macro-cells in a HetNet urban environment are analyzed using 3D ray tracing data. The analysis shows that the user gains in terms of received power when the Pico base station is mounted on an external wall of a building rather than a lamp post. It can be determined that the deployment of pico-cells can be used to improve existing macro network coverage and performance in an LTE-Advanced network mostly near the cell edge.