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Abstract We describe issues on the TCP performance in LTE network conditions. The test will measure the achieved average
networks. TCP throughput is determined by various factors such application-layer data rates using Transmission Control
as TCP window size, loss probability and RTT. We present Protocol (TCP) or User Datagram Protocol (UDP) in High
measurement results of TCP throughput in a real LTE testbed Speed Packet Access (HSPA) and LTE networks [3].
with various factors and TCP auto-tuning enabled. As expected,
the test results show that the AM bearer outperforms the UM Although TCP performance over various wireless networks
bearer due to less loss probability in the former. However, test has been heavily studied in the literature, different wireless
results show that delay spikes incurred by the RLC ARQ environment may introduce new challenges to TCP. TCP
increase TCP RTT and degrade TCP performance. We propose window auto-tuning is the default feature on various operating
some enhancements for improving TCP throughput in LTE systems such as Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 2008
networks. Server and Linux, and so on. However, TCP performance over
wireless networks with auto-tuning enabled is almost never
Keywords LTE, TCP, ARQ, HARQ, RLC, Reordering, Auto-
mentioned. Reference [4] is the only one that discusses TCP
Tuning.
performance with auto-tuning enabled. It shows the TCP
throughput measurement of TCP variants over commercial
I. INTRODUCTION WiMAX networks with auto-tuning enabled. The results
rd indicate that the WiMAX link does not adversely affect the
The 3 Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specified the
intended operation of TCP variants, but that it is not well-suited
Long Term Evolution (LTE) radio interface to meet the
for the aggressive Cubic and window auto-tuning. Therefore it
increasing performance requirements of mobile broadband.
concludes that TCP Cubic and window auto-tuning are not
LTE provides a peak data rate of up to 300Mbps in the
recommended for connections traversing WiMAX links.
downlink and 75Mbps in the uplink with 20MHz bandwidth.
Currently, the 3GPP is specifying the LTE-Advanced radio In this paper, we describe issues on the TCP performance in
interface to meet the IMT-Advanced requirements. LTE- LTE networks. Section II briefly introduces the LTE radio
Advanced provides a peak data rate of up to 1Gbps in the interface focusing on the user plane protocol, including
downlink with peak spectral efficiency 30bps/Hz and 500Mbps Medium Access Control (MAC) Hybrid Automatic Repeat
in the uplink with peak spectral efficiency 15bps/Hz using up request (HARQ) and Radio Link Control (RLC) Automatic
to 100MHz bandwidth [1]. Repeat request (ARQ). Section III discusses TCP performance
factors such as TCP window size, loss probability, and Round
LTE is now on the market. In July 2011, an update from the
Trip Time (RTT). We also show the test results in the ETRI
Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) confirms that 218
LTE-Advanced system with varying TCP performance factors
operators in 80 countries now make investments in LTE
in LTE links and TCP auto-tuning enabled. To the best of our
networks. The organization's latest update states that 166 firm
knowledge, this work is one of the first detailed measurements
commercial LTE network deployments are in progress or
of TCP performance on a real LTE-Advanced system and on
planned in 62 countries. This includes 24 networks which have
LTE-family networks with TCP auto-tuning enabled. Section
commercially launched, while a further 52 operators in 19
IV discusses a discovered problem in which delay spikes
additional countries are engaged in LTE technology trials, tests
incurred by MAC HARQ reordering and RLC ARQ increase
or studies.
TCP RTT and degrade TCP performance. Finally, we propose
In January 2011, ETRI demonstrated the worlds first LTE- some enhancements to alleviate the problem and improve TCP
Advanced system. The system provides a peak data rate of up throughput in LTE networks as a result. Some concluding
to 600Mbps and a peak effective data rate, i.e., application remarks, including future works, are given in section V.
layer throughput, of up to 440Mbps in the downlink and
220Mbps in the uplink with 40MHz bandwidth [2]. II. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In December 2010, the 3GPP approved the new Release 11 A. LTE User Plane Protocol
study item, UE Application Layer Data Throughput In the LTE user plane, the PHY layer provides a bit pipe
Performance. The Global Certification Forum (GCF) with Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC) by protected
indicated that they want 3GPP to perform UE application-layer turbo-coding and a cyclic redundancy check (CRC), and
data throughput measurements under various simulated processes CRC ACK/NACK feedback. The MAC sub-layer
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is around 200Mbps with the RLC PDU loss probability under RTT incurred by RLC ARQ retransmissions, as the achievable
0.001%. TCP throughput is inversely proportional to the RTT.
In conclusion, the UE should support the TCP window In the LTE, layer 2 only provides in-sequence delivery of
scaling option to obtain a better performance if the BDP of a SDUs to the upper layer. If an RLC AM receiver detects a gap
TCP connection is larger than 65,535 bytes. in the sequence of received PDUs, it starts a reordering timer
(t_Reordering) assuming that the missing PDU is still being
B. Loss Probability retransmitted in the HARQ protocol. When t_Reordering
The achievable TCP throughput is bounded at [Throughput expires, usually in a HARQ failure case, it sends a status
<= MSS/(RTT*sqrt(Ploss))], where the MSS is the maximum message comprising the sequence number of the missing PDUs
segment size, RTT is the round-trip-time of the path, and Ploss to the sender. The ARQ function of RLC AM sender performs
is the probability of packet loss. We measured the TCP retransmissions based on the received status message. After the
throughput of the UM and AM bearers by varying the RLC gap is filled by the ARQ retransmission, it delivers
PDU loss probability from 0.001% to 1%. In the UM bearer, reassembled RLC SDUs to the upper layer in sequence.
the probability of a packet loss is much the same as the RLC Therefore, the TCP RTT of a packet that is retransmitted by the
PDU loss probability. However, in the AM bearer, the RLC ARQ is proportional to the RLC ARQ RTT.
probability of a packet loss in the wireless last-hop between
eNB and UE is nearly 0% through the help of the RLC ARQ. The RLC ARQ RTT is influenced by many factors such as
t_Reordering, status prohibit timer (t_StatusProhibit), and UL
Fig. 2 shows the measured TCP throughput of the UM scheduling (e.g., scheduling request, buffer status reporting).
bearer vs. AM bearer. As expected, the AM bearer almost We measured the TCP throughput of the AM bearer with
always achieves better throughput than the UM bearer due to varying t_Reordering of 30ms, 15ms, and 0ms. Actually, 0ms
less loss probability. The UM bearer shows much the same t_Reordering is not suitable, but we used it anyway as a
throughput as the AM bearer with loss probability on the order reference of the minimum TCP RTT with RLC ARQ.
of 10-5. With the loss probability on the order of 10-5, the
utilization of the AM bearer is almost 90%, and that of the UM Figure 3 shows the measured TCP throughput of the AM
bearer is nearly 87%. The missing 10% in utilization is due to bearer with t_Reordering of 30ms, 15ms, and 0ms. As expected,
the time period of the TCP slow start phase in the TCP server the AM bearer with t_Reordering of 0ms almost always
and the time taken to determine the optimal TCP receive achieves better throughput than the larger t_Reordering case
window size by auto-tuning in the TCP client. with every loss probability. The 0ms t_Reordering case shows
4%, 9%, and 32% gain compared with 30ms t_Reordering with
Compared with that of AM bearer, the utilization of the a loss probability on the order of 10-4, 10-3, and 10-2,
UM bearer is 75% with a loss probability on the order of 10-4, respectively. The 15ms t_Reordering case shows 3%, 2%, and
25% with a loss probability on the order of 10-3, and at worst, 10% gain compared with 30ms t_Reordering with loss
only 12% with a loss probability on the order of 10-2. From an probability on the order of 10-4, 10-3, and 10-2, respectively.
LTE design, the HARQ feedback NACK-to-ACK error
probability is on the order of 10-4 and the RLC PDU loss In conclusion, as we decrease the RLC ARQ RTT, the
probability after the HARQ is on the order of 10-3. Thus, the throughput of TCP applications can be increased.
UM bearer is not appropriate for TCP applications.
In conclusion, TCP applications should be serviced on the
AM bearer to obtain better performance.
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TCP auto-tuning enabled when the TCP ACK suffers delay the TCP performance. We propose some enhancements for
spikes. improving the TCP throughput in LTE networks. First, a local
NACK decreases the TCP RTT as well as the RLC ARQ RTT.
We can decrease the RLC ARQ RTT by introducing a local Second, an out-of-sequence delivery helps decrease the delay
NACK [11], [12], but the gain from decreasing the RLC ARQ spikes of TCP data and TCP ACK compression. Finally, an
RTT is not great. The local NACK has HARQ-assisted ARQ out-of-sequence delivery can help the TCP sender interpret
mechanisms. There are three mechanisms for a local NACK. the available bandwidth and RTT of the TCP connection
First, if the HARQ transmitter detects a HARQ failure, the exactly. For future work, we will study and test extensively an
transmitter ARQ entities are notified and retransmissions can out-of-sequence delivery in LTE networks with TCP auto-
be initiated. Second, if the HARQ receiver detects a NACK to tuning enabled.
ACK error, the transmitter ARQ entities are notified via
explicit signaling. Third, if the HARQ receiver detects a ACKNOWLEDGMENT
HARQ failure, the transmitter ARQ entities are notified. A
local NACK clearly can be a help in decreasing the RLC ARQ We thank all members who actively participated in tough
RTT, but the effect of a local NACK is similar to the use of but fruitful development and testing of the worlds first
t_Reordering between 30ms and 15ms. From the previous RTT operational LTE-Advanced System demonstrated outside lab
section, the gain from using 15ms t_Reordering is under 10%. conditions.
Also, simulation results from [11] show that the gain from a REFERENCES
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