School of Engineering and Technology, (SET)
 
AT77.10 : Cellular Network Planning  3(2-3)
 
Course objectives:

To familiarize the students with computer-aided planning methodology for cellular mobile communications network
 
Learning Outcomes:

Introduction to Cellular Network Planning. Radio Propagation Effects and Coverage Planning. Multiuser Interference and Capacity Planning, Frequency and Channel Allocation, Computerized Cellular Network Planning Tools, Cellular Network Measurements.
 
Pre-requisite(s):

Consent of the instructor

 
Course Outline:

I Introduction
1. Objectives of Radio Network Planning
2. The Impact of User Environment
3. Cellular Network Planning Approaches
4. Starting Points for The Planning Procedure: Desired Grade of Service, System Specification, Equipment Specifications, Available Frequency Band, Service Area Topography, Traffic Distribution, Existing Infrastructure
5. Phases of The Planning Procedure

II Radio Network Definition including Capacity planning
1. Starting Points and Objectives
2. Frequency Reuse
3. Prediction of Offered Traffic
4. Capacity Planning Example

III Propagation Analysis and Coverage Planning
1. Starting Points and Goals of Coverage Planning
2. Multipath Propagation: Path Loss, Hata Model, Walfish-Ikegami Model, Path Loss Corrections, Slow and Fast Fading
3. Connection Between Coverage and Quality of Service
4. Radio Link Power Budget: Antenna Feeder Loss, Antenna Gain
5. Application Example

IV Frequency Allocation
1. Starting Points and Objectives
2. Regular Frequency Reuse Patterns
3. Methods Applied in Frequency Planning: Interference Levels, Minimum Reuse Distances, Allocation of Frequencies, Adjacent Channel Interference Avoidance
4. Application Example: Simple Frequency Planning Method Using Regular Reuse Patterns, Advanced Frequency Planning Method Using Pairwise Interference Analysis

V Cellular Network Planning Tools
1. Digital Maps
2. Capacity Planning in Radio Network Definition
3. Propagation Analysis and Coverage Planning: Hata Model and Walfish-Ikegami Model, Morphography, Antenna Height and Topography Corrections
4. Frequency Allocation
5. Route Calculations: Comparison of Predicted and Measured Data, Simulation of Calls Along Routes
6. Cellular Network Measurement: NMS/X, TIM and SAM of Nemo Technologies
 
Laboratory Sessions:

1. Cellular Network Planning Using NPS/X Tool
2. Cellular Network Measurement with the NMS/X
 
Learning Resources:

Textbook:

Lecture Notes
 
Reference Books:

S. Faruque:
Cellular Mobile Systems Engineering, Artech House, 1996
J. Gardiner, B. West (Ed.):
Personal Communication Systems and Technologies, Artech House, 1995
J. D. Gibson:
The Mobile Communications Handbook, CRC Press, 1996
W.C. Jakes, Jr.:
Microwave Mobile Communications, John Wiley & Sons, 1974
A. Mehrotra:
Cellular Radio Performance Engineering, Artech House, 1994
R. Steele:
Mobile Radio Communications, 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 1999

 
Journals and Magazines:

IEE Electronics and Communications Journal
IEE Electronics Letter
IEEE Communications Magazine
IEEE Transactions on Communications
IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications
IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology
 
 
Teaching and Learning Methods:

N/A
 
Evaluation Scheme:

The final grade will be computed from the following constituent parts: midsem exam (25%), final exam (45%), and laboratories (30%). Closed-book examination is naormally used in both midsem exam and final exam.

 
Instructor(s):
SECTION NAME