Modelling Feasible Network Configurations for UMTS

Telecommunications operators worldwide are facing the challenge of deploying UMTS. These networks have to meet consumers’ expectations, tight budget constraints and governmental regulations. The careful dimensioning of the radio access infrastructure plays an essential role in achieving these goals.This paper presents an optimisation model for selecting well—tuned base station locations and configurations. The mixed integer programming model reflects the overall design problem fairly accurately. The interference limitations for successful up— and downlink transmissions, the need for sufficiently strong (cell) pilot signals, the limited downlink code capacity in each cell and the potential gain for mobiles from being in soft(er) hand—over are taken into account. This comprehensive model can be used as a core for refined UMTS planning tools.