QoS implementation inside LTE networks to support time-critical smart grid applications

Long Term Evolution (LTE) represents the next generation mobile telecommunication networks and has potential to enable new applications that have stringent Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. Several smart grid applications such as Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU)-based state estimation applications require low delay data communication. In this paper we add QoS capabilities into the LTE core network such that it can support applications with low latency requirement. Dedicated bearers have been realized through the implementation of Traffic Flow Template (TFT) and GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) user plane protocols. We explored the impact of applying QoS mechanisms on different types of applications such as VoIP and smart grid applications. The results show a substantial improvement of QoS metrics when applying dedicated bearers and hence it is possible to offer low latency for time critical applications.