Increasing Cellular Capacity: Methods and
Challenges
Introduction
As wireless service demand grows, cellular systems face a fundamental challenge: the number
of channels assigned to a cell becomes insufficient to support the required number of users.
When this occurs, cellular design techniques are essential to provide more channels per unit
coverage area. [1]
Core Capacity Improvement Techniques
1. Cell Splitting
Definition and Concept
Cell splitting is the process of subdividing congested cells into smaller cells, each with its own
base station and correspondingly reduced antenna height and transmitter power. [1]
How It Works
Geometric Scaling: When cell radius is reduced by half, approximately 4 times as many
cells are required to cover the same area
Frequency Reuse: Increases capacity by increasing the number of times channels are
reused
Power Adjustment: New microcells require reduced transmit power
Mathematical Relationship
For cells with radius R/2 compared to original radius R:
Power reduction required: P₁₂ = P₁₁/16 (12 dB reduction for n=4 path loss exponent) [1]
Theoretical capacity increase: Approaches 4x when all cells become microcells
Practical Example
Case Study from Example 2.8: [1]
Original system: 5 base stations × 60 channels = 300 channels
Partial microcells: 11 base stations × 60 channels = 660 channels (2.2× increase)
Full microcells: 17 base stations × 60 channels = 1020 channels (3.4× increase)
2. Sectoring
Principle
Sectoring keeps cell radius unchanged while decreasing the D/R ratio by reducing co-channel
interference using directional antennas. [1]
Implementation Types
120° Sectoring (3 sectors):
Reduces first-tier interferers from 6 to 2
Achieves S/I = 24.2 dB (significant improvement over 17 dB omnidirectional)
Enables 7-cell reuse instead of 12-cell reuse
Capacity improvement factor: 12/7 = 1.714
60° Sectoring (6 sectors):
Further reduces interference
Provides even better S/I performance
Enables smaller cluster sizes
Technical Benefits
Reduced interference without decreasing transmit power
Enables smaller cluster sizes (N)
Increased frequency reuse efficiency
Additional degree of freedom in channel assignment
3. Zone Microcells
Distributes coverage of a cell to hard-to-reach places
Extends cell boundaries without full cell splitting
Reduces computational load at Mobile Switching Center (MSC)
Major Challenges and Trade-offs
1. Cell Splitting Challenges
Real Estate and Deployment Issues
Difficult to find optimal locations for new cell sites
Different cell sizes coexist, complicating channel assignments
Special care required to maintain minimum co-channel separation distances
Power Management Complexity
Channels must be broken into two groups:
Smaller cell reuse requirements (lower power)
Larger cell reuse requirements (higher power)
Can't use uniform power levels across mixed cell sizes
Antenna downtilting required to limit microcell coverage
Handoff Issues
Increased handoff frequency as cell boundaries are crossed more often
10× increase in handoff rate when cell radius reduced by factor of 4 [1]
Must accommodate both high-speed and low-speed traffic simultaneously
Umbrella cell approach needed for seamless transitions
2. Sectoring Challenges
Trunking Efficiency Loss
Critical Trade-off Example: [1]
Unsectored system: 57 channels handle 44.2 Erlangs (1,326 calls/hour)
120° sectored system: 19 channels/sector handle 11.2 Erlangs each
Total sectored capacity: 3 × 11.2 = 33.6 Erlangs (1,008 calls/hour)
Result: 24% capacity reduction despite interference improvements
Infrastructure Complexity
Multiple antennas required per base station
Channel pools subdivided into smaller, less efficient groups
Increased system complexity and maintenance costs
Coverage Limitations
Directional patterns less effective in dense urban areas
Radio propagation control challenges with complex terrain
Increased handoffs between sectors
3. System-Wide Challenges
Traffic Handling vs. Quality Trade-offs
The fundamental challenge: improving one metric often degrades another
Better interference control → Reduced trunking efficiency
More base stations → Higher infrastructure costs
Smaller cells → More complex handoff management
Economic Considerations
Cost-benefit analysis required for each technique
Cell splitting increases infrastructure costs significantly
Sectoring requires antenna system investments
Operational complexity increases maintenance expenses
Strategic Implementation Guidelines
When to Use Cell Splitting
High traffic density areas requiring maximum capacity
Sufficient real estate available for new sites
Budget allows for infrastructure expansion
Handoff management systems can handle increased complexity
When to Use Sectoring
Moderate capacity increases needed
Limited real estate for new sites
Interference management is primary concern
Acceptable trunking efficiency trade-offs
Hybrid Approaches
Combine techniques based on specific area requirements
Phased implementation starting with sectoring, progressing to splitting
Zone microcells for coverage extension in challenging areas
Quantitative Performance Summary
Technique Capacity Increase S/I Improvement Infrastructure Impact
Cell Splitting 2.2× - 4× Maintains existing High (new sites)
120° Sectoring 1.714× potential +7.2 dB Medium (antennas)
60° Sectoring Variable Higher Medium-High
Conclusion
Increasing cellular capacity requires balancing multiple competing factors:
Technical performance vs. economic constraints
Interference control vs. trunking efficiency
Coverage quality vs. system complexity
Success depends on careful analysis of specific deployment scenarios and strategic
selection of appropriate techniques based on traffic patterns, geographical constraints, and
economic considerations. The combination of multiple techniques often provides the best
overall solution for modern cellular network capacity challenges.
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1. wireless-comm-princip-n-practice-theodoresrappaport-55-61.pdf
