Wireless Network Planning System for Spectrum Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing wireless networks is challenging, especially for inexperienced designers, due to the complexity of selecting appropriate equipment and managing spectrum needs, particularly in scenarios with co-located networks and scarce spectrum resources.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that aids network designers by identifying suitable base station equipment and determining geographic network extent to minimize interference, allowing for efficient spectrum allocation and acquisition, using a computer-implemented method that receives network criteria, identifies equipment models, determines base station locations, and generates requests for spectrum use rights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wireless network is designed without specifying network operating frequency initially, then equipment selection flexibility is improved and spectrum acquisition options are expanded, but determining appropriate geographic coverage area and ensuring regulatory compliance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of geographic extent based on regulatory signal strength limits before spectrum acquisition. By pre-determining the geographic coverage area that would comply with regulatory limits at various frequencies, the system enables flexible equipment selection while ensuring future regulatory compliance. The geographic extent is calculated using path loss models and regulatory limits, creating a preliminary plan that can be executed once frequency is selected.
2Productivity
If the geographic coverage area is expanded to meet network throughput requirements, then network capacity is improved, but spectrum interference with co-located networks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different analysis approaches for different geographic zones. It calculates a geographic extent based on regulatory signal strength limits that creates a buffer zone around the coverage area. This buffer zone ensures that signals at the boundary do not interfere with co-located networks, while the interior coverage area is optimized for network throughput requirements. The path loss model is applied locally at different distances from base stations to determine appropriate power levels and coverage boundaries.
3Ease of manufacture
If base station equipment is selected from multiple manufacturers without frequency specification, then equipment cost options are improved, but technical compatibility and performance evaluation become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a frequency-independent geographic extent calculation methodology that can be applied universally across different equipment manufacturers and frequency bands. The path loss model and regulatory limit calculations are generic and can evaluate any base station equipment once frequency is selected. This universal approach allows the system to maintain technical compatibility evaluation capabilities while enabling equipment selection from multiple manufacturers based on cost and performance requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for planning a wireless network are disclosed. Attributes of the wireless network may be determined from minimal information. For instance, based on a specified coverage area and network usage information, and without operating frequency information, base station equipment models may be determined. An estimated number of base stations to deploy the network also may be determined. Also, a geographic extent of the network for regulatory compliance and acquisition of spectrum use rights may be determined.