On the downlink capacity of LTE cell

Mobile networks are experiencing last few years data tsunami, where traffic is growing exponentially, together with user demands in terms of network performance. In such circumstances, mobile operators are upgrading existing 2G/3G networks to LTE, which significantly improves user experience, both in terms of throughput and latency, and provides needed capacity. In this paper the focus is on downlink capacity, which is more critical. In order to analyze downlink capacity and potential ways of its improvement, it is needed to establish as first step mathematical model for the capacity estimation. Model elaborated in this paper is based on the estimation of throughput in different part of the cells for different network load situation, derived in previous work [1] from on field measurements from the real network in combination with channel and wave propagation models. Downlink ring method is used for calculation of the cell capacity where network load, as well as distribution of the users in the cell area and site density, is taken in all capacity consideration. Finally, the potential ways for capacity improvements will be discussed in the conclusion part.