LTE Cell Load Estimation Based on DCI Message Decoding

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel method for LTE cell load estimation by decoding DCI messages in the control channel, using software-defined radio and MATLAB, providing an alternative to traditional measurement techniques.

Contribution

It introduces a new approach to estimate LTE cell load through DCI message decoding, utilizing SDR and MATLAB for practical implementation and testing.

Findings

Successful decoding of DCI messages to estimate cell load

Effective detection of UE in simulated and real LTE signals

Validation of method with real LTE base station data

Abstract

The modern mobile communication systems, the task of analyzing the parameters of quality of service and network information load remains one of the most popular. There are several ways getting this information in LTE networks. For example, by evaluation of test signals or estimation special reference signals in LTE frame. In this paper, it is proposed to obtain information about the cell load by decoding service messages of the DCI control information block. The main idea of this method is that the information load of LTE cell is estimated by decoding DCI messages in the LTE physical control channel and establishing the number of unique identifiers. For decoding the LTE signal, was used MATLAB LTE Toolbox and software-defined radio platform USRP 2920. In the work, the UE detection algorithm was tested on the signal generated using MATLAB software, and evaluated the information load of the network of a real LTE base station.