Improving Energy Efficiency in Multi-cell OFDMA Networks

In this contribution a smart resource allocation algorithm which conjugates the capacity enhancement capability of a classical scheduling strategy based on a maximum Channel State Indicator assignment, and the interference mitigation capability provided in multi-cell environments by power adaptation, is analyzed and validated from an energy efficiency point of view. The proposed algorithm has the ambition of embodying a "green" solution to the problem of optimally allocating the transmission resources to both fixed or mobile users in an OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) multi-cell environment. A system level simulator reproducing, in a multi-cell scenario with mobile users, the standard parameters of LTE (Long Term Evolution) is used to analyze the impact of the proposed strategy on the system power efficiency. The comparison of its performance with the one provided by other classical scheduling strategies definitely states the advantages of the proposed solution in terms of energy efficiency, confirming the prominent role of power reduction effect on the performance of smart allocation strategies in cellular systems.