Random access procedures and radio access network (RAN) overload control in standard and advanced long-term evolution (LTE and LTE-A) networks

In this chapter, we describe and discuss the current LTE random access procedure and the Radio Access Network Load Control solution within LTE/LTE-A. We provide an overview of the several considered load control solutions and give a detailed description of the standardized Extended Access Class Barring solution. We then provide a brief overview of the Load Control solutions provided by the Enhanced Packet Core (EPC) Network and how they intertwine with the Extended Access Barring at the Enhanced Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN). We also provide an outlook on the current 3GPP efforts in regards to MTC related load control issues.