Performances evaluation of different algorithms for PCIs self configuration in LTE

Nowadays, network operators are basically facing two problems: the fast number of subscribers growth and the network congestion. To solve these problems, network operators increase the number of cells, make cells smaller and reserve a subpart of frequencies to Femto cells to offload data traffic. As a consequence, networks manual planning demands a lot of efforts and its cost increases. Self-configuring and self-optimizing mechanisms would be vital to operators to reduce manual planning. This article focuses on the application of these mechanisms in LTE and more specifically on the procedure of Automated configuration of Physical Cell Ids (PCIs). This procedure aims at avoiding conflicts in PCIs allocation. In this article, we first evaluate the performances of 3 relabeling algorithms applied on graphs representing real LTE Macro networks: Random Relabeling algorithm (RR), Smallest available Value algorithm (SV), Distance 3 neighbour label algorithm (D3). Then, we evaluate the performances of the best algorithm applied on graphs representing real LTE networks where Femto cells are connected to Macro cells. Here, we answer the following question: is the selected relabeling algorithm still efficient when we extend its application to Femto cells?.