A TD-LTE Prototype System with Modules for General-Purpose Cognitive Resource Management and Radio-Environmental Mapping

In this article we describe a demonstrator that shows how the cognitive resource manager (CRM) and the radio-environmental map (REM) can be efficiently implemented in full commercial grade cellular system (i.e., LTE system). The demonstrator shows how the modular CRM together with its open interface, the universal link-layer API (ULLA), facilitates the implementation of efficient radio resource management techniques guaranteeing the quality of service in the LTE system. The CRM, through ULLA, is able to obtain PHY/MAC status information of the link between the tested eNode B and the user equipment, and reconfigure link parameters. This measure-and-control by CRM/ULLA is independent of the underlying radio access technology, which shows the neutrality of CRM/ULLA towards PHY/MAC characteristics. The article also shows how the REM can be easily implemented in such system and how the REM provides the CRM with environmental information that enhances system management performance.