Scanner based load estimation for LTE networks

This paper provides an algorithm to estimate long-term-evolution (LTE) network load based on radio frequency (RF) scanner log file containing reference symbols received power (RSRP), reference symbols received quality (RSRQ), and signal to interference noise ratio (SINR) information of the serving cell and the neighbor cells. The estimated load is defined as the utilization of resource elements (RE) for other than the reference signal that are used by the E-UTRAN NodeB (eNB). Two calculation approaches are proposed. The first method, utilizing the RSRP and RSRQ measurement quantities, are appropriate to obtain average network load scenario. The second method uses SINR as well as RSRP and RSRQ information, this approach is appropriate to get single cell load scenario. Verification were done by comparing estimated load against actual load taken from network key performance indicator (KPI) data resulting an average error within 5%.