Realistic Performance of LTE: In a Macro-Cell Environment

The aim of this paper is to provide a reliable performance evaluation of 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks. A new kind of simulation method, based on drive test measurements on a live network, is used. The measurements are combined with link level simulation results for different LTE device categories. Simulation results show that all MIMO 2x2 LTE devices have the same performance in a macro-cell environment: the average user throughput is around 35Mbps, but there are still differences depending on the user's location. Network upgrade to MIMO 4x4 leads to a 60% improvement of average throughput.