Simplified Interference Modeling in Multi-Cell Multi-Antenna Radio Network Simulations

This paper outlines and evaluates a simplified interference model applicable in multi-cell multi-antenna radio network simulations. Based on the path-loss, the model classifies interferers as either strong or weak and the channels of strong interferers together with the channel of the desired signal are accurately modeled using a spatial channel model (SCM). The SCM assures that the spatial signature of the signals is accounted for in the evaluations. The channels of weak interferers are simply characterized by the path-loss and interference is modeled as additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). The model is verified by means of simulations of a 57 sector OFDM/TDMA network and by comparing results achieved using the simplified model to results from simulations with full interference modeling, i.e., to the case when all interferers are accurately modeled. The verification results demonstrate that the simplified model with at least eight links accurately modeled provides a high modeling accuracy and results are comparable to results achieved with full interference modeling. Moreover, in the employed simulation tool this reduces the simulation time by up to a factor of four. The model may hence be used as a means to speed up simulations of multi-cell multi-antenna radio networks.