設計及實作一個完整且精確的 LTE 網路模擬系統

Abstract

3G長期演變技術(LTE)是由Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 所提出的新一世代無線網路標準。LTE以OFDM技術為基礎，配合無線基地台子系統與多天線技術（MIMO）和高階調變技術（如 64QAM）等，可實現100Mbps以上速率。作為一新興的標準，LTE吸引了越來越多團隊投入研究，然而目前仍欠缺高品質開放原始碼且具可信度的網路模擬軟體支援。在這個為期兩年的研究計畫中，我們會以NCTUns為開發平台完成LTE網路模擬器的設計與實作，第一年首先開發LTE的實體層與連結層，第二年把LTE的移動漫遊、多天線技術（MIMO）完成。接下來我們會進行嚴謹的驗證過程，以確保模擬結果的正確性，這個階段是開發模擬器過程中最重要的階段，因為精準的模擬結果是得來不易的。

Long Term Evolution (LTE) was proposed by Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) as the next generation mobile communication system. It adopts the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) as the spectrum sharing method. By incorporating the OFDM with advanced antenna technology such as MIMO and robust modulation schemes (i.e. 64QAM), LTE can achieve a peak data rate of at least 100 Mbps. As LTE emerges as an early leader of 4G technology, it has gained intensive research interest. However, in terms of LTE simulation, currently it is still lacking high-quality and open source simulator, which is very valuable to LTE researchers. In this 2-year project, we propose to implement the LTE system on the NCTUns network simulator. In the first year, we will focus on designing and implementing the Physical layer and MAC layer of LTE as the foundation. In the second year, we will combine the fundamental LTE with advanced features such as mobility with roaming functionality and MIMO technology. Last but not the least, we will go through a careful validation phase to validate and verify the correctness of LTE system on NCTUns. This phase actually is the most important phase as accurate simulation results do not come easy.