A novel dynamic inter-cell interference coordination technique for LTE networks

Inter-cell interference problems arise in dense frequency reuse networks such as Long Term Evolution (LTE). They have harmful impact on system performance, especially for cell-edge users or users having bad radio conditions. Inter-Cell Interference Coordination (ICIC) schemes aim at mitigating the interference produced by nearby cells to enhance the performance of cell-edge users. ICIC techniques include static frequency reuse schemes and cell-coordinated schemes. In this paper, we propose a semi-static frequency allocation algorithm that exploits evolved-NodeBs communications via X2 interface to mitigate inter-cell interference. Each cell is divided into two zones: cell-center and cell-edge. Cell zone satisfaction is tracked, and the unsatisfied zone gets more frequency resource blocks in a distributed manner. The scope of this work is on the downlink of LTE networks using frequency division duplex transmission mode. An LTE downlink system level simulator is chosen to compare the performance of the proposed technique with the frequency reuse-1 model and the fractional frequency reuse technique. Simulation results show that our technique improves throughput cumulative distribution function, achieves a better throughput fairness, and reduces the percentage of unsatisfied users. It is a dynamic technique able to adapt with non-uniform user distributions and traffic demands.