Spectrum Aggregation with Multi-band User Allocation over Two Frequency Bands

Abstract

This paper seeks to explore the integration of spectrum and network resource management functionalities to the benefit of achieving higher performance and capacity gains in an IMT-A scenario. In particular, we investigate the allocation of users over two frequency bands (i.e., 2 GHz and 5 GHz ones) for a single operator scenario. The same type of RAT is considered for both frequency bands. It is assumed that the operator considered in this work has gained access to the frequency pool with a certain portion of the available spectrum. The operator has access to a non-shared 2 GHz band and to part (or all) of the frequency pool band at 5 GHz. The performance gain is analyzed in terms of higher data throughput, reduced delay and lower blocking probability. The performance is heavily dependent on the channel quality for each user in the considered bands which, in turn, is a function of the path loss and the distance from the base station (BS). The operator will have relevant improvements when user terminals are heterogeneously distributed on the cell, with variable distances from the BS. A gain up to 400 kbps (22%) was obtained with the proposed suboptimal solution.