Selection of DRX scheme for voice traffic in LTE-A networks: Markov modeling and performance analysis

Power saving is a leading issue in the User Equipment (UE) for limited source of power in Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) networks. Battery power of an UE gets exhaust quickly due to the heavy use of many service applications and large data transmission. Discontinuous reception (DRX) is a mechanism used for power saving in UE in the LTE-A networks. There are scope of improvements in conventional DRX scheme in LTE-A networks for voice communication. In this paper, a DRX scheme is chosen by selecting optimal parameters of DRX scheme, while keeping Quality of Service (QoS) delay requirements. Further, delay analysis for first downlink packet is performed. Moreover, expressions for delay distribution and expected delay of any downlink packet, are obtained and represented graphically. Based on analytical model, the trade-off relationship between the power saving and queueing delay is investigated.