Performance Analysis of Radio Access Technology Selection Algorithms in Heterogeneous 4G Networks

Abstract: In this paper is given a performance analysis of Radio Access Technology selection (RATS) algorithmsfor Long Term Evolution - Advanced (LTE-A) heterogeneous networks. The relevant performances are analysed using atwo dimensional Markov Model. Two RATSalgotithms are applyed:the first oneis simple, based only on the availability of the small cell connection, while the second one is based on two more criteria: user mobility and network load. The performance analysis shows that better results are obtained using the features provided in LTE-A, compared to the ones in previous technologies. The RATS algorithm influences the system performances as well. The results show that using the RATS algorithm based on two more criteria provides better perfotmances than the simpler one.

Keywords: Heterogeneous network, LTE-A, RATS algorithms, Markov Model, Video streaming