LTE MAC Scheduler

MAC scheduler is a crucial component of the LTE network's radio resource management. It
plays a pivotal role in allocating radio resources, such as time and frequency slots, to various
user equipment (UE) or services in an efficient and fair manner.

Functions of MAC Scheduler:

➢ Resource Allocation: The MAC scheduler allocates radio resources to UEs based on
their quality of service (QoS) requirements, channel conditions, and network
congestion. It ensures that UEs with higher priority or better channel conditions
receive more resources’ plays very important role here. Resource assignment is being
done on user per TI basis.
➢ Scheduling Algorithms: Various scheduling algorithms are employed to determine
which UE or service gets access to the available radio resources. Common scheduling
algorithms used in LTE networks include Proportional Fair Scheduling, Round Robin
Scheduling, and Maximum C/I (Carrier-to-Interference) Scheduling.
➢ Quality of Service (QoS) Management: The MAC scheduler considers the QoS
requirements of different services and ensures that resources are allocated
accordingly. For example, real-time services like voice and video have stricter delay
and packet loss requirements compared to non-real-time data services.
➢ HARQ Process Management: Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) is a key
feature in LTE for error correction. The MAC scheduler manages the allocation of
HARQ processes to UEs to improve the reliability of data transmission.
➢ Fairness and Load Balancing: The scheduler strives to maintain fairness among UEs
and prevent resource hoarding by any single UE. It also aims to balance the load
across different cells and sectors within the LTE network.
➢ Buffer Management: The MAC scheduler takes into account the buffer status of each
UE. UEs with larger data buffers may be given higher priority to prevent buffer
overflow.
➢ Interference Management: It considers interference levels from neighbouring cells
and adjusts resource allocation to mitigate interference effects, particularly in
scenarios with cell-edge users.
➢ Dynamic Adaptation: The MAC scheduler continuously adapts to changing network
conditions, such as variations in channel quality, user mobility, modulation, channel
coding and traffic load.

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 ➢ Efficiency and Spectral Efficiency: It aims to maximize the efficient use of available
radio resources to ensure optimal network performance, including spectral efficiency.
➢ Coordination with Other Layers: The MAC scheduler collaborates with other LTE
network components, including the radio link control (RLC) and the physical layer, to
ensure seamless data transmission.
➢ Power Control: LTE MAC scheduler regulates the transmission power of user
equipment to maintain a required signal quality, reduce interference, and extend
battery life, optimizing overall network performance. Provides desired SINR levels
and control interference.

How Scheduling works:

Let's examine a scenario where an eNodeB is responsible for serving a group of 12-15 users
simultaneously.

➢ The eNodeB acts as the central authority for making decisions regarding downlink
(DL) and uplink (UL) scheduling.
➢ Consider an example where the available spectrum is 15 MHz with a total of 75
Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs).
➢ In the time domain, it is not feasible to allocate a single Transmission Time Interval
(TTI) to every user due to the limitations of the system. Instead, scheduling is
performed on a per TTI basis.
➢ According to the LTE standard, a maximum of 8 users can be accommodated within a
single TTI. This means that in each TTI, the eNodeB can make scheduling decisions
for up to 8 users, taking into account factors such as channel quality, priority, and
data buffer status.

You can see in figure how exactly the allocation in DL based on TTI and different UEs looks
like.

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The allocation of resources to individual UEs, such as UE1, UE2, UE3, and others, is
determined and managed by the MAC (Medium Access Control) scheduler.

The MAC scheduler in uplink LTE is responsible for allocating radio resources, such as
resource blocks (RBs) and subframes, to UEs. It does this by taking into account various
factors, such as:
➢ Channel quality: The scheduler will try to allocate RBs to UEs with good channel
quality, so that they can transmit data reliably and efficiently.
➢ Buffer status: The scheduler will also consider the amount of data that each UE has
buffered. UEs with more buffered data will be given higher priority, so that they can
empty their buffers and start transmitting new data as soon as possible.
➢ QoS requirements: The scheduler can also be configured to prioritize UEs with
specific QoS requirements, such as low latency or high throughput.
Here is an example of how the MAC scheduler might work in uplink LTE, using user-specific
scheduling:
➢ Suppose there are three UEs, UE1, UE2, and UE3, all within the same cell. UE1 has a
lot of data buffered and needs to transmit it quickly. UE2 has a small amount of data

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 buffered and is not as urgent. UE3 has a lot of data buffered, but it has a low latency
requirement.
➢ The MAC scheduler will first take into account the channel quality of each UE.
Suppose that UE1 has the best channel quality, followed by UE3, and then UE2.
➢ The scheduler will then consider the buffer status of each UE. Suppose that UE1 has
the most data buffered, followed by UE3, and then UE2.
➢ The scheduler will also consider the QoS requirements of each UE. Suppose that UE3
has a low latency requirement, while UE1 and UE2 do not.
Based on all of these factors, the MAC scheduler might decide to allocate the following
resources to each UE:
UE1: 2 RBs in subframe 1
UE2: 1 RB in subframe 2
UE3: 1 RB in subframe 1 and 1 RB in subframe 2
The scheduler would then send a scheduling grant to each UE, informing it of the RBs and
subframes that it has been allocated.
Note: This is just a simple example, and the MAC scheduler can be configured to work in
many different ways. However, the basic principles are the same: the scheduler allocates
radio resources to UEs based on channel quality, buffer status, and QoS requirements.
It is important to note that the MAC scheduler is a complex system, and there is no single
algorithm that is guaranteed to work best in all situations. The best algorithm to use will
depend on the specific network configuration and traffic conditions.
The DCI (Downlink Control Information) is transmitted on the PDCCH (Physical Downlink
Control Channel). The PDCCH is a dedicated channel that is used by the eNB to send control
information to UEs, such as scheduling grants and HARQ feedback.
The PDCCH is divided into a number of symbols, and each symbol can be used to transmit a
single DCI. The eNB decides which symbols to use for the PDCCH based on the amount of
control information that needs to be transmitted.
In the example above, the MAC scheduler has decided to allocate the following resources to
each UE:

UE1: 2 RBs in subframe 1

UE2: 1 RB in subframe 2
UE3: 1 RB in subframe 1 and 1 RB in subframe 2

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To transmit this information to the UEs, the eNB will need to send a scheduling grant to each
UE. Each scheduling grant is encoded in a single DCI.

The eNB will then need to decide which PDCCH symbols to use to transmit the DCIs. One
way to do this is to allocate one PDCCH symbol per UE. This would mean that the eNB would
use PDCCH symbols 1 and 2 to transmit the DCIs to UE1 and UE3, respectively. However, this
would not be very efficient, as it would mean that the eNB is wasting half of the PDCCH
symbols.
➢ A more efficient way to allocate PDCCH symbols is to use a process called PDCCH
bundling. PDCCH bundling allows the eNB to transmit multiple DCIs in a single PDCCH
symbol.
➢ In the example above, the eNB could use PDCCH symbol 1 to transmit the DCIs to
both UE1 and UE3. This would be possible because the DCIs for UE1 and UE3 are
both relatively small.
➢ If the DCIs for UE1 and UE3 were larger, then the eNB would need to use multiple
PDCCH symbols to transmit them. For example, the eNB could use PDCCH symbols 1
and 2 to transmit the DCIs to UE1 and UE3, respectively.
➢ The eNB decides which PDCCH symbols to use for each DCI based on the size of the
DCI and the number of PDCCH symbols that are available.

Once the eNB has decided which PDCCH symbols to use for each DCI, it will transmit the
DCIs to the UEs. The UEs will then decode the DCIs to determine which RBs and subframes
they have been allocated.
Example to understand:
Suppose that the eNB has decided to use PDCCH symbol 1 to transmit the DCIs to both UE1
and UE3. The DCI for UE1 is encoded in bits 0-15 of PDCCH symbol 1, and the DCI for UE3 is
encoded in bits 16-31 of PDCCH symbol 1.
UE1 and UE3 will both receive PDCCH symbol 1. UE1 will then decode the first 16 bits of
PDCCH symbol 1 to determine which RBs and subframes it has been allocated. UE3 will then
decode the last 16 bits of PDCCH symbol 1 to determine which RBs and subframes it has
been allocated.

➢ In this way, the eNB can use PDCCH bundling to efficiently transmit scheduling grants
to multiple UEs in a single PDCCH symbol.

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 ➢ If the PDCCH is not detected, the UE will not be able to receive the scheduling grant.
This means that the UE will not know which RBs and subframes it has been allocated,
and it will not be able to transmit any data.
➢ The UE will then start a retransmission timer. If the timer expires before the UE
receives a scheduling grant, the UE will retransmit the data that it was trying to
transmit.
➢ The UE will continue to retransmit the data until it receives a scheduling grant and is
able to transmit the data successfully.
➢ The number of retransmissions that the UE will attempt is configurable, and it is
typically set to a value between 3 and 7.
➢ If the UE retransmits the data the maximum number of times and still does not
receive a scheduling grant, the UE will drop the data.

A high PDCCH BLER can lead to a number of problems, including:

➢ Reduced throughput: If the UE is not able to receive the scheduling grant reliably, it
will not be able to transmit as much data.
➢ Increased latency: The UE will need to retransmit data that is not received correctly,
which can increase the latency of data transmissions.
➢ Increased packet loss: If the UE retransmits the data the maximum number of times
and still does not receive a scheduling grant, the UE will drop the data, which can
lead to increased packet loss.
There are a number of things that can be done to reduce the PDCCH BLER, such as:
➢ Improving the channel quality: This can be done by using a higher transmission
power or by using a different antenna configuration.
➢ Reducing the amount of interference: This can be done by using a different frequency
band or by using a different cell layout.
➢ Using a more robust PDCCH encoding scheme: This can be done by using a longer
PDCCH symbol or by using a higher redundancy factor.

The eNB will typically monitor the PDCCH BLER and take corrective action if necessary.
➢ the enodeB may increase the transmission power or change the antenna
configuration if the PDCCH BLER is too high.
➢ The enodeB is going to increase the aggregation level of particular PDCCH or DCI.
➢ Increase of aggregation, the number of CCEs will increase and this kind of situation
basically seen at cell edge condition.

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Note: How UE will find which DCI for which UE. CRC is scrambled with CRNTI of the user. Now
based on use it will allocate the modulation which is filled by channel condition.
Which UE need to schedule first will be based on the MAC Scheduler, relies on a variety of
information sources to make informed resource allocation decisions.

Figure: reference yatebts.com

These sources include:
➢ QoS Data from PCRF: The MAC Scheduler receives Quality of Service (QoS) data from
the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF). This information encompasses
parameters such as the minimum guaranteed bandwidth, maximum allowed
bandwidth, packet loss rates, and relative priority levels assigned to individual users.
These details help the scheduler ensure that each user's specific QoS requirements
are met.
➢ Messages from UEs: The scheduler also communicates with User Equipment (UEs) to
gather real-time information about the radio channel conditions. UEs provide
feedback on the quality of the radio channel, signal strength or weakness, and other

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 relevant metrics. This information aids the scheduler in making dynamic decisions
based on the current wireless environment.
➢ Radio Receiver Measurements: Additionally, the MAC Scheduler collects
measurements from the radio receiver, which include assessments of radio channel
quality, noise levels, and interference levels. These measurements are crucial for
optimizing resource allocation, as they reflect the actual conditions experienced by
the UEs.
➢ Buffer Status from Upper Layers: The upper layers of the network provide the MAC
Scheduler with information about the status of data buffers. This data indicates how
much data is currently queued up and awaiting transmission for each user.
Understanding the buffer status helps the scheduler determine which UEs have data
ready for immediate transmission.

Type of Scheduling:
There are basically three types of Scheduling:
➢ Dynamic scheduling
Dynamic scheduling is the most common type of scheduling in LTE MAC. It is a flexible
approach that allows the eNB to allocate resources to UEs on a per-subframe basis. This
allows the eNB to respond quickly to changes in channel conditions, buffer status, and QoS
requirements.
Example: Suppose there are three UEs, UE1, UE2, and UE3, all within the same cell. UE1 has
good channel quality and a large buffer. UE2 has good channel quality and a small buffer.
UE3 has poor channel quality and a large buffer.

The eNB might use dynamic scheduling to allocate more RBs to UE1 than to UE2, and more
RBs to UE2 than to UE3. This would ensure that UE1 is able to transmit its large buffer of
data quickly, and that UE2 is able to transmit its small buffer of data with low latency.

➢ Persistent scheduling
Persistent scheduling is a type of scheduling that assigns resources to UEs on a fixed basis.
This is useful for services that require a guaranteed level of bandwidth or latency, such as
voice over IP (VoIP).
Example: Suppose there is a VoIP UE in the cell. The eNB might use persistent scheduling to
allocate a fixed number of RBs to the VoIP UE every subframe. This would ensure that the
VoIP UE has the bandwidth it needs to transmit voice data with low latency.

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➢ Semi-persistent scheduling
Semi-persistent scheduling is a type of scheduling that is a hybrid of dynamic scheduling and
persistent scheduling. It allows the eNB to allocate resources to UEs on a semi-fixed basis.
This is useful for services that require a guaranteed level of bandwidth or latency, but also
need to be able to respond to changes in channel conditions and buffer status.
Example: Suppose there is a VoIP UE and a data UE in the cell. The eNB might use semi-
persistent scheduling to allocate a fixed number of RBs to the VoIP UE every subframe, and
then allocate the remaining RBs to the data UE on a dynamic basis. This would ensure that
the VoIP UE has the bandwidth it needs to transmit voice data with low latency, and that the
data UE is able to transmit its data with the best possible performance.

Note: The best scheduling type to use in a particular situation will depend on the specific
requirements of the service. For example, VoIP services will typically require persistent or
semi-persistent scheduling, while data services can typically be scheduled using dynamic
scheduling.

There are a number of different scheduling algorithms that can be used in LTE. Some of the
most common scheduling algorithms include:

➢ Round Robin (RR):

The RR scheduler allocates RBs to UEs in a cyclical manner. This means that each UE is
allocated the same amount of RBs, regardless of its channel quality or buffer status.
Example: Suppose there are three UEs, UE1, UE2, and UE3, all within the same cell. The RR
scheduler would allocate RBs to the UEs in the following order: UE1, UE2, UE3, UE1, UE2,
UE3, and so on.

➢ Proportional Fair (PF):

The PF scheduler allocates RBs to UEs in a proportional manner, based on their channel
quality and buffer status. This means that UEs with good channel quality and large buffers
will be allocated more RBs.
Example: Suppose there are three UEs, UE1, UE2, and UE3, all within the same cell. UE1 has
good channel quality and a large buffer. UE2 has good channel quality and a small buffer.
UE3 has poor channel quality and a large buffer.

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The PF scheduler would allocate more RBs to UE1 than to UE2, and more RBs to UE2 than to
UE3.
➢ Maximum CQI (Max CQI):
The Max CQI scheduler allocates RBs to the UE with the best channel quality. This means
that the UE with the strongest signal will be allocated the most RBs.
Example: Suppose there are three UEs, UE1, UE2, and UE3, all within the same cell. UE1 has
the best channel quality, followed by UE2, and then UE3.
The Max CQI scheduler would allocate the most RBs to UE1, followed by UE2, and then UE3.

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