System Level Performance Analysis of OFDM for UTRAN System

In this paper, we present the system level performance analysis of the OFDM for UTRAN system in a multiuser, multicell and multiservice environment. First the OPNET-based simulation platform is introduced and its main modules and major functions are described; then based on this platform the modeling methodologies specified to OPNET and system level simulation are given, which includes interface between system and link level modeling, link adaptation including AMC modeling, HARQ modeling, etc. Next, the performance metrics are described specified to the system-level simulations. An in-depth performance analysis of the LTE system in a dynamic multiuser multicell and multiservice environment is given, Through the simulation results, we show that the OFDM for UTRAN enhancement achieves much higher system capacity and spectral efficiency than the traditional system such as WCDMA with MMSE receiver or Rake receive. Key-Words: OFDM; UTRAN; HSDPA; System level simulation; OPNET