Key Performance Indicators and Measurements for LTE Radio Network Optimization

This chapter describes how the different interfaces of the evolved Universal terrestrial radio access network (E‐UTRAN) can be monitored and the measurement equipment that can be used. It outlines the important performance parameters required to troubleshoot and optimize the network and presents a set of counter‐based key performance indicators (KPIs) is proposed to check the performance of the most essential network functions. The chapter describes approaches of monitoring the Long Term Evolution (LTE) interfaces from the air interface through core network (Enhanced Packet Core ‐ EPC) interfaces. On the LTE radio interface, the most interesting aspect for radio quality is inter‐cell interference. A set of common performance counters for accessibility, retainability, and mobility KPIs is generated by network elements like eNB and mobility management entity (MME). Hence, these counters are also named network element counters or operation and maintenance center (OMC) counters.