TD-LTE Network Evolution with In-Band and Out-Band Micro Cells Deployment

The wireless network gradually changes from voice service to broadband data access services and faces unprecedented growth in data traffic. The way to meet future capacity demand is by combining macro site expansion and outdoor micro layer deployment. Thus it is important for the operator to understand the basic cost and performance of different combinations of technologies according to their own network. In this paper, year-by-year network performance is simulated for an example TD-LTE network by using four networks upgrade approaches, including carrier upgrade, macro densification, micro deployment in dedicated carrier and micro deployment re-using macro carrier. Downlink TD-LTE network capacity evolution is analyzed in terms of the needed network upgrades. That is, we examine the number of macro and micro site need to be upgraded or added in each year for different network evolution paths, while a given network key performance indication (KPI) is maintained. The network cost in terms of relative Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is then compared among network evolution paths.