Performance of VoLTE and data traffic in LTE heterogeneous networks

VoLTE (Voice over LTE) is expected to be deployed in the near future to provide voice services in LTE networks. There is also an increasing need for much higher data capacity as a result of smartphone proliferation. Therefore, it is important to investigate and optimize the LTE networks in the presence of voice and data traffic. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of LTE Downlink when both VoLTE and data users are present. Both Macro only (homogenous) and HetNet (heterogeneous with Macro and small cells) scenarios are considered. It is shown that HetNet with Pico cell range expansion significantly improves both the system data performance and VoLTE capacity.