Rural Communication Planning

F.Y. 2004

6. Rural Telecommunication Systems

6.2 Cellular Mobile Telephone System

Chapter 1. Introduction to Cellular System

1-1
1. Typical Configuration

Next Figure explains the term of cellular system and systems name which configures cellular
network.
The area covered by each base Station is referred to as a cell. In 2nd Generation (Digital)
cellular systems, excluding CDMA One, each cell, or sector, used different frequencies.
In order that the number of subscribers served may be maximized, or to best suit the
topography, each cell is divided into several (example three) sectors which are covered by
different antennas.
Located in the center of the cell is the Base Station.
MSC (Mobile Switching Center) and the Base Station are connected by means of optical or
microwave radio transmission links. The connection link is called Approach link.
The home system is connected with systems owned by other operators by way of MSC. MSC
controls the traffic, and billing data are transferred from MSC to the Billing Center.
The IWF (Inter working system) can be used to support mobile originated and terminated
calls for asynchronous data and fax. The role of IWF is to synchronize events between the
circuit-based network and the packet data network. The IWF is not required for packet based
networks such as GPRS (General Packet Radio Service).
A home location register (HLR) maintains all the permanent information on the subscribers
that it is responsible for regardless of their physical location. In wireless system, the HLR
coordinates all subscriber identification activities when the mobile unit roams between
systems or between MSCs within the system and provides all the necessary identification
information to not only ensure that the subscriber is a valid subscriber but also to provide
information on how his or her calls are to be treated and the associated privileges that he or
she is allowed.

1-2
 Cellular System
Typical Configuration
Handoff
Sector
MS
Radius = 0.5~ 3Km

BS
MS

Approach
Links

Billing
Center
MSC

Cell
HLR IWF Frequency Re-use
POI MS : Mobile Station
PSTN BS : Base Station
MSC : Mobile Switching Center
PSTN : Public Switched Telephone Network
HLR : Home Location Register
Fixed Switching IWF : Inter-Working Function
Sub. Office POI : Point of Interfaces

Fig. 1.1 Cellular System

1-3
2. Feature of Cellular System
As a mobile unit travels over a distance and go out of the area served by a Base Station, their
Base Station connections is switched from one to another, which is referred to as Handover.
Ordinarily, the switching is performed instantly but, at times, the connections may be
momentarily interrupted.
In a CDMA system, telephone terminals (mobile unit) are served simultaneously by a plural
number of adjoining Base Stations on the same frequency, and this prevents interruption-free
handovers which is called the Soft (or softer) Handover.
Within one system, however, the system simply sees the subscriber (mobile unit) travel from
one sector to another adjoining sector, with smooth relevant data smoothly processed, thus
termed “Softer.” To subscribers, a “Softer” Handover is identical with the Soft Handover.

1-4
 Feature of Cellular System
Hand off (Hand over)
1. FDMA/TDMA System
Break–before–handoff
ÆCausing dropped call
2. CDMA System
Make–before–handoff
Æ Seamless handoff
*Soft handoff:
Æ BTS to BTS
*Softer handoff:
Æ Sector to sector
CDMA : Code division multiple access
FDMA : Frequency division multiple access
TDMA : Time division multiple access

Fig. 1.2 Feature of Cellular System

1-5
3. Frequency Reuse
In FDMA and TDMA systems, each cell (or each sector if sectorized) uses different
frequencies. In this approach, care must be taken to ensure different frequency assignment
to each of adjoining base stations, in order to avoid co-frequency interference.
In addition, when such practical conditions as the topography are taken in consideration,
channel plans are bound to be complex even in the initial network design stages.
In CDMA systems, each cell (or sector) is recognized or identified by the network (MSC) by
codes and timing. Thus, the entire system can be operated with only one radio frequency,
which makes channel design much easier.

1-6
 Feature of Cellular System
Frequency Reuse
FDMA/TDMA CDMA

f6 f1
f7 f4 f1 f1
f5 f2 f7 f1 f1 f1
f1 f3 f5 f2 f1 f1 f1 f1
f6 f1 f3 f1 f1 f1
f7 f4 f6 f1 f1 f1 f1 f1
f2 f7 f4 f1 f1 f1
f5 f2 f1 f1
f3 f1

Frequency is different each sector. Frequency is same.

Need to design of the No need the frequency

plan
frequency plan (Frequency Reuse)
Reuse

Fig. 1.3 Frequency Reuse

1-7