Simulation-Base Performance Evaluation in LTE and LTE-Advanced

The main objective of this paper is to simulate the throughput of the new generation of mobile networks and check if the results are consistent with theoretical values. The LTE network and its evolution, LTE-Advanced, were studied. Using two different simulators, the parameters that had a greater impact on maximum throughput were studied and the conclusion was that these parameters are the Bandwidth, the value of Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) and the antenna configuration (through MIMO techniques). For this reason, the impact of the variation of each one of these parameters in the maximum throughput was studied. The conclusion is that the higher the bandwidth, the higher the maximum throughput, however, the spectral efficiency increases only slightly. It was also found that with the increase of the CQI value, the maximum throughput and spectral efficiency greatly increase and the same can be verified when increasing the number of transmitting or receiving antennas. This occurred for both cases (LTE simulator and LTE-Advanced simulator), but it was also found that the LTE simulator originated values closer to theoretical values while the LTE-Advanced simulator simulates better the conditions that will be found in reality. Through the two simulators it was possible to verify much of what was stated in the initial chapters of the thesis, allowing the main objective to be achieved.