Capacity Planning for Carrier Ethernet LTE Backhaul Networks

With the introduction of LTE networks operators need to plan a new, IP-based mobile backhaul. In this paper, the authors provide recommendation on dimensioning LTE backhaul networks links using three methods: delay-, dimensioning formula- and overbooking factor-based. Results are obtained from OPNET simulations with traffic model based on traffic forecast for 2015. A delay-based approach gives recommended bandwidth for expected number of users. A dimensioning formula is proposed to calculate link bandwidth when mean value of aggregated traffic in the network is known. An overbooking factor is calculated and verified.