Optimized cross-layer protocol choices for LTE in high-speed vehicular environments

One important advantage of the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) based cellular communication system Long Term Evolution (LTE) is its robustness against different kinds of impairments as they may occur on the mobile radio communication channel. This includes an increased toughness not only in harsh multi path scenarios, but also for the case of extremely high user velocities. In this paper, the applicability of the LTE system for two example applications (LTE based backhaul for high speed trains and live transmission of flight recorder data) is investigated by means of extensive throughput measurements (TCP and UDP) incorporating a radio channel emulator. The measurement results show that LTE in general is capable to provide reliable communication links for both considered scenarios. However, extreme velocities as they occur in a “flight data transmission at cruising speed” scenario rely on a specialized cross-layer parameterization.