NetSim Support Portal

Note: From v12.2 of NetSim, the source codes for LTE and 5G NR have been merged and hence, only LTE-A network is available and LTE-Femtocell, D2D, and LTE-VANET networks have been removed.

Femto Cells are used for coverage extension and for offloading users from the LTE network. Femtocell offers an advantage to both subscribers & operators by reducing network infrastructure costs and reduce traffic on the traditional radio network. Subscribers will get better indoor coverage. LTE Femto access point is called HeNB’s or HNB’s. 

The band 2110 - 2170 MHz is divided into three channels each of 20 MHz. HNB’s operate in a bandwidth of 20 MHz. An HNB gateway can allocate a max of 100 Resource Blocks for up to 3 HNB’s. Each additional HNB connected to an HNB gateway will coexist and share the frequency and Resource Blocks with the other HNB’s.

The network scenario shown here consists of an HNB Gateway to which three HNB’s are connected. It has an Operating Frequency (MHz): 2110 – 2170 MHz

The table shown below explains the Channel and frequency allocation and Resource block count for each of the HNB connected.

In the following network setup, we have one UE connected to each HNB. Each UE is generating traffic at a rate of 100 Mbps. Each HNB is allocated with 100 Resource Blocks. 

All UE’s connected to these HNB’s get a maximum throughput of 75 Mbps as shown in the table below:

Whenever an additional HNB is connected to the HNB Gateway, it will have to coexist in one of the three available channels by sharing the frequency and resource blocks with the other HNB’s operating in the same frequency. Here in the table shown we can see that HNB J shares resource blocks with HNB B and coexist in the same channel CH1 in the frequency 2110 - 2130 MHz. HNB B and J are allocated with 48 resource blocks each. As a result, UE H and I get a throughput of 75  Mbps and UE’s G and K connected to HNB B and J respectively get only a throughput of 35 Mbps as the HNB’s are sharing the resource blocks.

In the following network setup, we have 4 HNB’s connected to an HNB gateway, each of which has a UE connected. Generating traffic of 100 Mbps.

Shown here are the results of a Network scenario that we have simulated in NetSim:

Since the resource blocks and frequency are shared among UE G and UE K they experience a lower throughput when compared to the other User Equipment's.