Wireless Communications SAP6-1

Solutions to Analytical Problems

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Chapter 6 Frequency Management and Channel Assignment

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P6.1 A cellular system is installed with 100 cell sites employing a frequency reuse

factor of 7 and 500 full duplex channels.

(a) How many numbers of channels per cell are available?

(b) Calculate the total number of channels available in the entire system.

(c) Repeat part (a) and (b) for K = 12.

Sol.: (Refer Section 6.1.1)

Total number of full duplex channels = 500 (Given)

Frequency reuse factor, K =7 (Given)

(a) Since all channels are allocated to a cluster, that is, among 7 cells,

therefore,

Numbers of channels per cell = 500 / 7 = 71 minimum Ans.

(b) Number of cell sites (or cells) = 100 (Given)

Number of clusters in the system = 100 / 7

Total number of channels in the system = (100 / 7) x 500 = 7,150 Ans.

(c) Frequency reuse factor, K = 12 (Given)

Wireless Communications SAP6-2

Numbers of channels per cell = 500 / 12 = 41 minimum Ans.

Number of clusters in the system = 100 / 12

Total number of channels in the system = (100 / 12) x 500 = 4,166 Ans.

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P6.2 In the GSM cellular system operating in 900 MHz band, 124 carrier channels are

available to the uplink and downlink channel separately in order to provide full

duplex communication.

(a) If the cluster size is seven, create a fixed channel assignment chart.

(b) Each radio carrier contains eight time slots capable of supporting eight

voice users. How many simultaneous communication links can be

established?

Sol.: (Refer Section 6.3.1)

Number of carrier channels available (uplink or downlink) = 124 (Given)

(a) Cluster size, K = 7 (Given)

Number of channels per cell = 124 /7 = 5 x 18 + 2 x 17

It means there can be 5 cells having 18 channels each, and 2 cells having

17 channels each in a cluster of 7 cells.

FIXED CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT CHART

Cell # No. of Channels Channel #

1 18 [1, 8, 15, ………………..……...113, 120]

Wireless Communications SAP6-3

2 18 [2, 9, 16, ………………..……...114, 121]

3 18 [3, 10, 17, ………………..…….115, 122]

4 18 [4, 11, 18, ………………..…….116, 123]

5 18 [5, 12, 19, ………………..…….117, 124]

6 17 [6, 13, 20, ………………..…….118, ----]

7 17 [7, 14, 21, ………………..…….119, ---]

(b) Number of voice users supported by a radio carrier = 8 (Given)

Number of simultaneous communication links = 124 x 8 = 992 Ans.

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P6.3 The U.S. AMPS analog full duplex cellular system is allocated 50 MHz RF

spectrum in the 800 MHz range and provides a total number of 832 duplex

channels. Forty-two of those channels are designated as set-up channels and the

rest are used as voice channels. The uplink frequency is exactly 45 MHz greater

than the downlink frequency.

(a) What is the bandwidth for each channel?

(b) How are channels distributed between the cell site and the mobile?

(c) Assume a cell site transmits control information on channel number 150,

operating at 874.5 MHz. Compute the transmit frequency of a mobile unit

transmitting on this channel.

Sol.: (Refer Section 6.1.1)

Wireless Communications SAP6-4

Allocated RF Spectrum bandwidth = 50 MHz or 50 x 103 KHz (Given)

Total number of duplex channels = 832 (Given)

(a) Duplex channel bandwidth = 50 x 103 KHz / 832 = 60 KHz

Simplex channel bandwidth = 60 KHz / 2 = 30 KHz Ans.

(b) The allocated RF spectrum bandwidth of 50 MHz is divided into two parts

of 25 MHz each, and allocated to uplink and downlink separated by 45

MHz in order to achieve full duplex communication between base station

and mobile subscribers.

The total numbers of 832 channels are divided into voice channels and

setup channels.

Total number of voice channels = 790 voice channels

Total number of setup channels = 832 – 790 = 42 setup channels

The total numbers of 832 channels are divided into two groups: Block A

and Block B, assigned to two different service providers to operate

simultaneously in the same service area for competition. Each block has

416 channels – 395 voice channels and 21 setup channels. Each channel

has a bandwidth of 30 KHz.

(c) Transmit frequency of a cell site = 874.5 MHz (Given)

Duplex spacing between UL and DL = 45 MHz (Standard)

Transmit frequency of a mobile unit = 874.5 – 45 = 829.5 MHz Ans.

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Wireless Communications SAP6-5

P6.4 In a seven-cell frequency-reuse cellular pattern with 3-sectors per cell, each cell

contains three subsets of channels, i.e., iA + iB + iC, where i is an integer from 1

to 7.

(a) Prepare a frequency management chart for Block A channels (voice and

setup) as defined for AMPS.

(b) Show that the minimum separation between three subsets of a cell is 7

channels.

(c) Show that the minimum channel separation between channels of the same

sector is 21.

Sol.: (Refer Section 6.1.1)

The Block A channels are numbered as below:

Total number of available channels = 333

- Voice channels: Channel numbers 001 – 312 (Total 312 voice channels)

- Set-up channels: Channel numbers 313 – 333 (Total 21 set-up channels)

Number of cells in each cluster, K =7 (Given)

Number of sectors in each cell =3 (Given)

Therefore, total number of sectors in each cluster = 7 x 3 = 21

Available number of voice channels = 312

Therefore, number of voice channels in each sector = 312 / 21 = 18 x 15 + 3 x 14

Wireless Communications SAP6-6

This means that 18 sectors will have 15 voice channels each whereas remaining 3

sectors (of a cluster having 21 sectors) will have 14 voice channels each only.

Now, available number of set-up channels = 21

Therefore, number of set-up channels in each sector = 21 / 21 = 1

This means that each of 21 sectors will have 1 setup channel each (the reason to

allocate 21 setup channels in each block for one service provider).

(a) AMPS FREQUENCY MANAGEMENT CHART FOR BLOCK A

Cell Sector No. of Voice Voice Channel # Setup Channel #

# # Channels

1A 15 [1, 22, 43, ……274, 295] 313

1 1B 15 [8, 29, 50, ……281, 302] 320

1C 15 [15, 36, 57, …288, 309] 327

2A 15 [2, 23, 44, ……275, 296] 314

2 2B 15 [9, 30, 51, ……282, 303] 321

2C 15 [16, 37, 58, …289, 310] 328

3A 15 [3, 24, 45, ……276, 297] 315

3 3B 15 [10, 31, 52, …283, 304] 322

3C 15 [17, 38, 59, …290, 311] 329

4A 15 [4, 25, 46, ……277, 298] 316

4 4B 15 [11, 32, 53, …284, 305] 323

Wireless Communications SAP6-7

4C 15 [18, 39, 60, …291, 312] 330

5A 15 [5, 26, 47, ……278, 299] 317

5 5B 15 [12, 33, 54, …285, 306] 324

5C 14 [19, 40, 61, …292, --- ] 331

6A 15 [6, 27, 48, ……279, 300] 318

6 6B 15 [13, 34, 55, …286, 307] 325

6C 14 [20, 41, 62, …293, --- ] 332

7A 15 [7, 28, 49, ……280, 301] 319

7 7B 15 [14, 35, 56, …287, 308] 326

7C 14 [21, 42, 63, …294, --- ] 333

(b) As seen from the above table, the minimum separation between three subsets of

any of seven cells is 7 channels.

(c) As seen from the above table, the minimum channel separation between channels

of the same sector is 21 channels. In each sector, the nearest adjacent channel is

21 channels away which is necessary to meet the requirement of minimum

frequency isolation for multichannel Tx combiner equipment at the cell site which

enables to use common Tx antenna.

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P6.5 In a cellular system with a 9-cell cluster, 162 voice channels are available. Show

the fixed-channel assignment in each cell if omnidirectional antennas are used at

Wireless Communications SAP6-8

the cell-site.

Sol.: (Refer Section 6.3)

Number of available voice channels = 162 (Given)

Number of cells in a cluster =9 (Given)

Since omnidirectional antennas are used at each cell-site, all the available voice

channels are assigned in a cluster. Assuming uniform traffic distribution in each

cell of a cluster, equal number of voice channels will be assigned to each cell.

Therefore, number of voice channels assigned in each cell = 162 / 9 = 18

Let voice channels are numbered from 001 to 162. In order to maintain adequate

adjacent channel separation between channels assigned in the same cell, 18

channels are assigned to each cell separated by 9 channel bandwidths (equal to

number of cells in a cluster).

FIXED CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT CHART

Cell # No. of Channels Channel #

1 18 [001, 010, 019, ……………….…..……...145, 154]

2 18 [002, 011, 020, ……………….…..……...146, 155]

3 18 [003, 012, 021, ……………………..…….147, 156]

4 18 [004, 013, 022, ……………………..…….148, 157]

5 18 [005, 014, 023, ……………………..…….149, 158]

6 18 [006, 015, 024, ……………………..…….150, 159]

Wireless Communications SAP6-9

7 18 [007, 016, 025, ……………………..…….151, 160]

8 18 [008, 017, 026, ……………………..…….152, 161]

9 18 [009, 018, 027, ……………………..…….153, 162]

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P6.6 A cellular system is configured with a 12-cell cluster arrangement. There are total

288 voice channels available. Illustrate the fixed-channel assignment in each

sector if 3-sector 120° directional antennas are used at the cell-site.

Sol.: (Refer Section 6.3)

Number of available voice channels = 288 (Given)

Number of cells in a cluster = 12 (Given)

Therefore, number of voice channels assigned in each cell = 288 / 12 = 24

Number of sectors in a cells =3 (Given)

Therefore, number of voice channels in each sector = 24 / 3 = 8

Number of sectors in a cluster = 3 x 12 = 36

Let voice channels are numbered from 001 to 288.

FIXED CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT CHART FOR K = 12, S = 3

Cell # Sector # Voice Channel # (8 channels per sector)

1A [001, 037, 073, ……………………………….…217, 253]

1 1B [013, 049, 085, ……………….……………….…229, 265]

Wireless Communications SAP6-10

1C [025, 061, 097, ……………….……………….…241, 277]

2A [002, 038, 074, ……………………………….…218, 254]

2 2B [014, 050, 086, ………....…………………….…230, 266]

2C [026, 062, 098, …..……..…………………….…242, 278]

3A [003, 039, 075, ……………………………….…219, 255]

3 3B [015, 051, 087, ……………………………….…231, 267]

3C [027, 063, 099, ………….…………………….…243, 279]

4A [004, 040, 076, ……………………………….…220, 256]

4 4B [016, 052, 088, ……………………………….…232, 268]

4C [028, 064, 100, …..……..…………………….…244, 280]

5A [005, 041, 077, ……………………………….…221, 257]

5 5B [017, 053, 089, …….…..…………………….…233, 269]

5C [029, 065, 101, ………….…………………….…245, 281]

6A [006, 042, 078, ……………………………….…222, 258]

6 6B [018, 054, 090, ………....…………………….…234, 270]

6C [030, 066, 102, ………….…………………….…246, 282]

7A [007, 043, 079, ……………………………….…223, 259]

7 7B [019, 055, 091, ……..…..…………………….…235, 271]

Wireless Communications SAP6-11

7C [031, 067, 103, ………….…………………….…247, 283]

8A [008, 044, 080, ……………………………….…224, 260]

8 8B [020, 056, 092, ………....…………………….…236, 272]

8C [032, 068, 104, ………….…………………….…248, 284]

9A [009, 045, 081, ……………………………….…225, 261]

9 9B [021, 057, 093, ………….…………………….…237, 273]

9C [033, 069, 105, ………….…………………….…249, 285]

10A [010, 046, 082, …….………………………….…226, 262]

10 10B [022, 058, 094, ………....…………………….…238, 274]

10C [034, 070, 106, ………….…………………….…250, 286]

11A [011, 047, 083, …..…..……………………….…227, 263]

11 11B [023, 059, 095, ……..…..…………………….…239, 275]

11C [035, 071, 107, ………….…………………….…251, 287]

12A [012, 048, 084, …….………………………….…228, 264]

12 12B [024, 060, 096, ………....…………………….…240, 276]

12C [036, 072, 108, ………….…………………….…252, 288]

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P6.7 In a cellular system using omnidirectional antennas, a 7-cell cluster is employed, as

shown in figure 6.9.

Wireless Communications SAP6-12

c7

c6 c2

c1

c5 c3

c4

Figure 6.9 A 7-cell cluster omnidirectional cellular system

The cell marked c1 at the center of the cluster has a lot more traffic than other

cells of the cluster. Suggest the strategy to meet this requirement within the

allocated channels of the same cluster or outside the cluster.

Hint: (Refer Section 6.3.3)

The channel-borrowing scheme can be implemented from one cell-site sector to

another sector of the same cell site. A 7-cell system is normally configured with

three 120° sectors per cell. The total number of available channels per cell is

divided into three equal subsets. The cell marked c1 need to borrow some

channels from adjacent cells in order to meet the higher traffic requirement. The

strategy to meet this requirement within the allocated channels of the same cluster

or outside the cluster is given as:

• Those channels which are free and not being used by the other cells of the

same cluster can be borrowed by c1.

• Since some channels are reused outside the cluster, only those free

channels which could minimize the possible interference with the cells of
Wireless Communications SAP6-13

the other clusters are within reuse distance of c1 cell as well can be

borrowed.

The only solution to minimize interference in channel borrowing scheme is the

use of sectored-cells instead of omni directional cells.

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P6.8 A cell is partitioned into six-sector format, s1 to s6, as shown in Figure 6.10.

s3
s4 s2

s5 s1
s6

Figure 6.10 A 6-sector cell

What will be the impact of channel-borrowing and cochannel interference within

the sectors of a cell as well as outside the cell?

Hint: (Refer Section 6.3.4)

While borrowing channels from other cells, there are two criteria of verifying

potential interference and possible prohibition of using them.

- The first criterion is that the reuse distance with other nearby clusters

using those borrowed channels should be verified.

- The second criterion is that the directions of sectors of all cells not

satisfying the reuse distance should be verified.

There is only one cochannel interference sector for each serving sector in this

case. Those channels from others sectors should be borrowed which meet the
Wireless Communications SAP6-14

requirement of the reuse distance or the direction of the channel borrowed sector

should be such so as not to interfere with the sector under consideration.

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P6.9 In a cellular system with a 4-cell cluster, what would be the impact of channel

borrowing if each cell deploys 3-sector configuration.

Hint: (Refer Section 6.3.4)

There will be two cochannel interference sectors for each serving sector in this

case. Those channels from others sectors should be borrowed which meet the

requirement of the reuse distance or the direction of the channel borrowed sector

should be such so as not to interfere with the sector under consideration.

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P6.10 A cellular system is designed with 6-sector 60° directional antennas with a 4-cell

cluster arrangement. What would be the impact of channel borrowing?

Hint: (Refer Section 6.3.4)

There is only one cochannel interference sector for each serving sector in this

case. Assume that each corresponding sector of all clusters uses the same group of

channels to maintain minimum desired reuse distance or acceptable C/I value.

Those channels from others sectors should be borrowed which meet the

requirement of the reuse distance or the direction of the channel borrowed sector

should be such so as not to interfere with the sector under consideration.

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