Network planning and design

About: Network planning and design is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 12393 publications have been published within this topic receiving 229776 citations. The topic is also known as: network design.

Radio planning and coverage optimization of 3G cellular networks

Abstract: Radio planning and coverage optimization are critical issues for service providers and vendors that are deploying third generation mobile networks and need to control coverage as well as the huge costs involved. Due to the peculiarities of the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) scheme used in 3G cellular systems like UMTS and CDMA2000, network planning cannot be based only on signal predictions, and the approach relying on classical set covering formulations adopted for second generation systems is not appropriate. In this paper we investigate mathematical programming models for supporting the decisions on where to install new base stations and how to select their configuration (antenna height and tilt, sector orientations, maximum emission power, pilot signal, etc.) so as to find a trade-off between maximizing coverage and minimizing costs. The overall model takes into account signal-quality constraints in both uplink and downlink directions, as well as the power control mechanism and the pilot signal. Since even small and simplified instances of this NP-hard problem are beyond the reach of state-of-the-art techniques for mixed integer programming, we propose a Tabu Search algorithm which provides good solutions within a reasonable computing time. Computational results obtained for realistic instances, generated according to classical propagation models, with different traffic scenarios (voice and data) are reported and discussed.

Thermal component models for electro-thermal network simulations

Abstract: A procedure is given for developing thermal component models for electrothermal network simulation. In the new electrothermal network simulation methodology, the simulator solves for the temperature distribution within the semiconductor devices, packages, and heat sinks (thermal network) as well as the currents and voltages within the electrical network. The thermal network is represented as an interconnection of compact thermal component models so that the system designer can readily interchange different thermal components and examine different configurations of the thermal network. To facilitate electrothermal network design, the interconnection of the thermal component models is specified by the user in the same way that the interconnection of the electrical network components is specified. The thermal component models are also parameterized in terms of structural and material parameters so that the details of the heat transport physics are transparent to the user. Examples of electrothermal network simulations are given, and the temperature measurement methods used to validate the thermal component models are described. >

Multi-period transportation network design under demand uncertainty

Abstract: The ability to make optimal transportation network investments decision is central to the strategic management of transportation systems. The presence of uncertainty in transportation systems presents new challenges in making optimal network investment decisions. In this paper, the authors develop a multi time period network design problem considering both demand uncertainty and demand elasticity. Such an approach affords the planner the flexibility to delay, change, or even abandon the future network investment. The authors measure the flexibility of investing over multiple time periods as compared to a single-stage network design decision. Initially, the authors provide a taxonomy and define many dimensions of transportation network flexibility. This is followed with the development of a flexible network design formulation (FNDP), in which the investment is staged over multiple time periods. The demand is assumed to be separable and the demand elasticity is captured using a negative exponential distribution. The authors develop the FNDP formulation as bilevel stochastic mathematical programming with complementarity constraints (STOCH-MPEC) in which the bi-level formulation is converted to a single level using non-linear complementarity constraint conditions for user equilibrium (UE) problem. The formulation is implemented on two test networks and the results show the benefits of FNDP over single-stage NDP--measured in terms of increase in present expected system consumer surplus (PESCS)--are in the range of 10-30%. The results clearly demonstrate that under demand uncertainty there are potential benefits of introducing flexibility in investment decisions. Finally, the authors conduct a sensitivity analysis of FNDP with different budget values and it is observed that certain paradoxical sharp corners are observed at certain budget values.

Spatial traffic estimation and characterization for mobile communication network design

Abstract: This paper presents a new method for the estimation and characterization of the expected teletraffic in mobile communication networks. The method considers the teletraffic from the network viewpoint. The traffic estimation is based on the geographic traffic model, which obeys the geographical and demographical factors for the demand for mobile communication services. For the spatial teletraffic characterization, a novel representation technique is introduced which uses the notion of discrete demand nodes. We show how the information in geographical information systems can be used to estimate the teletraffic demand in an early phase of the network design process. Additionally, we outline how the discrete demand node representation facilitates the application of demand-based automatic mobile network design algorithms.