Channel Assignment Strategies

Channel Assignment Strategies

• Frequency reuse scheme
– increases capacity
– minimize interference
• Channel assignment strategy
– fixed channel assignment
– dynamic channel assignment
• Fixed channel assignment
– each cell is allocated a predetermined set of voice channel
– any new call attempt can only be served by the unused channels
– the call will be blocked if all channels in that cell are occupied
• Dynamic channel assignment
– channels are not allocated to cells permanently.
– allocate channels based on request.
– reduce the likelihood of blocking, increase capacity.
With the rapid increase in number of mobile users, the mobile
service providers had to follow strategies which ensure the
effective utilization of the limited radio spectrum. With increased
capacity and low interference being the prime objectives, a
frequency reuse scheme was helpful in achieving this objectives.
A variety of channel assignment strategies have been followed to
aid these objectives. Channel assignment strategies are classified
into two types: fixed and dynamic, as discussed below.
Fixed Channel Assignment (FCA)
In fixed channel assignment strategy each cell is

allocated a fixed number of voice channels. Any
communication within the cell can only be made with
the designated unused channels of that particular cell.
Suppose if all the channels are occupied, then the call is
blocked and subscriber has to wait.
Fixed Channel Assignment (FCA)
This is simplest of the channel assignment strategies as it requires
very simple circuitry but provides worst channel utilization. Later
there was another approach in which the channels were borrowed
from adjacent cell if all of its own designated channels were
occupied. This was named as borrowing strategy. In such cases
the MSC supervises the borrowing process and ensures that none
of the calls in progress are interrupted.
Dynamic Channel Assignment (DCA)
In dynamic channel assignment strategy channels are

temporarily assigned for use in cells for the duration of
the call. Each time a call attempt is made from a cell the
corresponding BS requests a channel from MSC. The
MSC then allocates a channel to the requesting the BS.
After the call is over the channel is returned and kept in
a central pool. To avoid co-channel interference any
channel that in use in one cell can only be reassigned
simultaneously to another cell in the system if the
distance between the two cells is larger than minimum
reuse distance.
Dynamic Channel Assignment (DCA)
When compared to the FCA, DCA has reduced the

likelihood of blocking and even increased the trunking
capacity of the network as all of the channels are
available to all cells, i.e., good quality of service. But
this type of assignment strategy results in heavy load on
switching center at heavy traffic condition.
Handoff Process
When a user moves from one cell to the other, to
keep the communication between the user pair, the user
channel has to be shifted from one BS to the other
without interrupting the call, i.e., when a MS moves into
another cell, while the conversation is still in progress,
the MSC automatically transfers the call to a new FDD
channel without disturbing the conversation. This
process is called as handoff . A schematic diagram of
handoff is given in next slide.
Handoff Process
Handoff Process
Processing of handoff is an important task in any cellular

system. Handoffs must be performed successfully and be
imperceptible to the users. Once a signal level is set as the
minimum acceptable for good voice quality (Prmin), then a
slightly stronger level is chosen as the threshold (PrH)at
which handoff has to be made, as shown in next slide. A
parameter, called power margin, defined as
Handoff Process
Handoff Process
∆ is quite an important parameter during the handoff

process since this margin ∆ can neither be too large nor
too small. If ∆ is too small, then there may not be
enough time to complete the handoff and the call might
be lost even if the user crosses the cell boundary.
Handoff Process
If ∆ is too high o the other hand, then MSC has to be

burdened with unnecessary handoffs . This is because
MS may not intend to enter the other cell. Therefore ∆
should be judiciously chosen to ensure imperceptible
handoffs and to meet other objectives.
Factors Influencing Handoffs
The following factors influence the entire handoff process:

a) Transmitted power: as we know that the transmission power
is different for different cells, the handoff threshold or the
power margin varies from cell to cell.
b) Received power: the received power mostly depends on the
Line of Sight (LoS) path between the user and the BS.
Especially when the user is on the boundary of the two cells,
the LoS path plays a critical role in handoffs and therefore
the power margin ∆ depends on the minimum received power
value from cell to cell.
Factors Influencing Handoffs
c) Area and shape of the cell: Apart from the power

levels, the cell structure also a plays an important
role in the handoff process.
d) Mobility of users: The number of mobile users
entering or going out of a particular cell, also fixes
the handoff strategy of a cell.

Channel Assignment Strategies

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Channel Assignment Strategies

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Channel Assignment Strategies

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Channel Assignment Strategies

Channel Assignment Strategies

In fixed channel assignment strategy each cell is

In dynamic channel assignment strategy channels are

When compared to the FCA, DCA has reduced the

Processing of handoff is an important task in any cellular

∆ is quite an important parameter during the handoff

If ∆ is too high o the other hand, then MSC has to be

The following factors influence the entire handoff process:

c) Area and shape of the cell: Apart from the power

You might also like