A Bandwidth Estimation Model for Multiplexed E-MBMS Services

The E-MBMS (evolved multimedia broadcast and multicast service) in 3GPP LTE is characterized by the MBSFN (MBMS single frequency network) operation. The MBSFN operation requires that the identical signals are transmitted from all the base stations at the same time and in the same frequency. Such requirement implies some restrictions in the resource allocation and may increase the needed bandwidth when the service areas are overlapped. However, the overlapping is potentially helpful for over-provisioning, and hence some resource might be saved. Thirdly, multiplexing of the VBR streams gives considerable statistical gain, but makes it more difficult to estimate the actually needed bandwidth. In this paper, a low complex bandwidth estimation model is presented for E-MBMS services.