A new two-level scheduling algorithm for the downlink of LTE networks

The requirement of new mobile networks with ubiquitous broadband access has led the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) to define the LTE (Long Term Evolution) system that represents an important step towards the 4G technology and brings new enhanced mechanisms with various integrated data services. The packet scheduling mechanisms play a major role to achieve this goal. So, we propose in this paper, a new scheduling algorithm that optimizes resources assignment in overbooking scenarios. This algorithm serves available resources by doing a trade-off between spectral efficiency, QoS (Quality of Service) requirements and fairness. The performances of our proposed scheme have been evaluated by using simulations. The analyses demonstrated the effectiveness of our approach by showing that it allowed a good level of fairness while improving at the same time the overall system capacity and performances of users having strict QoS requirements.