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Performance Analysis of Dedicated Signalling Channels in GERAN by Retrial Queues

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Abstract

GERAN (GSM-EDGE Radio Access Network) operators have traditionally used the Erlang B formula to estimate the number of signalling channels on a per-cell basis. Thus, it is assumed that the network behaves as a loss system with Poisson arrivals. However, the presence of automatic retrial mechanisms and correlated arrivals in these channels suggests that these assumptions might not be valid. This paper presents a performance analysis of the Stand-alone Dedicated Control CHannel in GERAN. Preliminary analysis shows that the Erlang B formula underestimates congestion and blocking on this channel. To address this issue, a queueing model with retrials and correlated arrivals is proposed, where correlation between arrivals is modelled by a simple Markov-Modulated Poisson Process. The proposed model can be tuned on a per-cell basis by statistics in the Network Management System. Model assessment is based on performance statistics from a live GERAN system. Results show that a simple retrial queueing model fails to explain blocking in cells with a large number of channels. These limitations are overcome by adding correlated arrivals in the retrial model.

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Abbreviations

BH:

Busy Hour

BR:

Blocking Ratio

CR:

Congestion Ratio

EC:

Emergency Call

GERAN:

GSM-EDGE Radio Access Network

GH:

Ghost Seizure

ID:

IMSI Detach

LU:

Location Update

MOC:

Mobile Originated Call

MTC:

Mobile Terminated Call

NMS:

Network Management System

RE:

Call Re-Establishment

RM:

Retrial Model

RMCA:

Retrial Model with Correlated Arrivals

SMS:

Short Message Service

SS:

Supplementary Service

SDCCH:

Stand-alone Dedicated Control CHannel

TCH:

Traffic CHannel

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Communications Engineering Department, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain

    Salvador Luna-Ramírez & Matías Toril

  2. Performance Services, Nokia Siemens Networks, Huntingdon, UK

    Volker Wille

Authors
  1. Salvador Luna-Ramírez
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  2. Matías Toril
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  3. Volker Wille
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Correspondence to Matías Toril.

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Luna-Ramírez, S., Toril, M. & Wille, V. Performance Analysis of Dedicated Signalling Channels in GERAN by Retrial Queues. Wireless Pers Commun 60, 215–235 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11277-010-9939-1

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