U.S. patent application number 14/043559 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-30 for method and apparatus for planning radio frequency spectrum in a fixed wireless network.
This patent application is currently assigned to AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.. Invention is credited to David G. BELANGER, Sam Houston PARKER, SARAT PUTHENPURA, Ravi RAINA, Huahui WANG.
Application Number | 20140031053 14/043559 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45889782 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140031053 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PUTHENPURA; SARAT ; et
al. |
January 30, 2014 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PLANNING RADIO FREQUENCY SPECTRUM IN A
FIXED WIRELESS NETWORK
Abstract
A method and apparatus for selecting a bandwidth option for a
cell in a network are disclosed. For example, the method obtains,
for the cell, network traffic data for a geographical area for
mobility traffic and fixed wireless traffic, a physical
characteristic of an antenna in the geographical area, and a type
of connectivity at a customer premise, determines a busy time data
traffic from the network traffic data for both the fixed wireless
traffic and the mobility traffic, determines, for the cell, a cell
range from the physical characteristic of the antenna and the type
of connectivity at the customer premise, selects a bandwidth option
from a plurality of bandwidth options, and determines an average
throughput in accordance with the bandwidth option that is selected
and the cell range, wherein the average throughput comprises a
throughput for serving both the mobility traffic and the fixed
wireless traffic.
Inventors: |
PUTHENPURA; SARAT; (Berkeley
Heights, NJ) ; BELANGER; David G.; (Hillsborough,
NJ) ; PARKER; Sam Houston; (Cranbury, NJ) ;
RAINA; Ravi; (North Brunswick, NJ) ; WANG;
Huahui; (East Hanover, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
& |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
AT&T Intellectual Property I,
L.P.
Atlanta
GA
|
Family ID: |
45889782 |
Appl. No.: |
14/043559 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13315025 |
Dec 8, 2011 |
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14043559 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/452.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 16/28 20130101;
H04W 28/24 20130101; H04W 28/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/452.2 |
International
Class: |
H04W 28/20 20060101
H04W028/20 |
Claims
1. A method for selecting a bandwidth option for a cell in a
network, comprising: obtaining, by a processor, for the cell,
network traffic data associated with mobility traffic and fixed
wireless traffic for a geographical area, a physical characteristic
of an antenna in the geographical area, and a type of connectivity
at a customer premises; determining, by the processor, a busy time
data traffic from the network traffic data for both the fixed
wireless traffic and the mobility traffic; determining, by the
processor, for the cell, a cell range from the physical
characteristic of the antenna and the type of connectivity at the
customer premises; selecting, by the processor, the bandwidth
option from a plurality of bandwidth options; and determining, by
the processor, an average throughput in accordance with the
bandwidth option that is selected and the cell range, wherein the
average throughput comprises a throughput for serving both the
mobility traffic and the fixed wireless traffic.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: outputting the
bandwidth option that is selected, the cell range based on the type
of connectivity at the customer premises, and the average
throughput.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting selects a smallest
bandwidth option from the plurality of bandwidth options where the
average throughput of the cell exceeds the busy time data traffic
for both the fixed wireless traffic and the mobility traffic.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting selects a maximum
bandwidth option from the plurality of bandwidth options, if the
average throughput of the cell is less than the busy time data
traffic for both the fixed wireless traffic and the mobility
traffic, when the bandwidth option is set to the maximum of the
plurality of bandwidth options.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining if there
is surplus traffic; and outputting the surplus traffic, if there is
surplus traffic.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the cell range in
the downlink direction is performed in accordance with the type of
connectivity at the customer premises.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the cell range in
the uplink direction is performed in accordance with the type of
connectivity at the customer premises.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the cell range in
the downlink direction is performed in accordance with the physical
characteristic of the antenna, wherein the physical characteristic
of the antenna comprises a height of the antenna.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the cell range in
the downlink direction is performed in accordance with the physical
characteristic of the antenna, wherein the physical characteristic
of the antenna comprises a vertical beam width of the antenna.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the cell range
in the downlink direction is performed in accordance with the
physical characteristic of the antenna, wherein the physical
characteristic of the antenna comprises a tilt of the antenna.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the cell
range in the uplink direction is performed in accordance with the
physical characteristic of the antenna, wherein the physical
characteristics of the antenna comprises a receiver
sensitivity.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the cell
range in the uplink direction is performed in accordance with the
physical characteristic of the antenna, wherein the physical
characteristics of the antenna comprises a value of a fractional
power control parameter.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the cell
range in the uplink direction is performed in accordance with the
physical characteristic of the antenna, wherein the physical
characteristics of the antenna comprises a user endpoint device
power limit.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bandwidth
options is bounded by an aggregate spectrum bandwidth.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the selecting the bandwidth
option from the plurality of bandwidth options is performed in
accordance with the aggregate spectrum bandwidth.
16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions
which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform
operations for selecting a bandwidth option for a cell in a
network, the operations comprising: obtaining, for the cell,
network traffic data associated with mobility traffic and fixed
wireless traffic for a geographical area, a physical characteristic
of an antenna in the geographical area, and a type of connectivity
at a customer premises; determining a busy time data traffic from
the network traffic data for both the fixed wireless traffic and
the mobility traffic; determining, for the cell, a cell range from
the physical characteristic of the antenna and the type of
connectivity at the customer premises; selecting the bandwidth
option from a plurality of bandwidth options; and determining an
average throughput in accordance with the bandwidth option that is
selected and the cell range, wherein the average throughput
comprises a throughput for serving both the mobility traffic and
the fixed wireless traffic.
17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16,
further comprising: outputting the bandwidth option that is
selected, the cell range based on the type of connectivity at the
customer premises, and the average throughput.
18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16,
wherein the selecting selects a smallest bandwidth option from the
plurality of bandwidth options where the average throughput of the
cell exceeds the busy time data traffic for both the fixed wireless
traffic and the mobility traffic.
19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16,
wherein the selecting selects a maximum bandwidth option from the
plurality of bandwidth options, if the average throughput of the
cell is less than the busy time data traffic for both the fixed
wireless traffic and the mobility traffic, when the bandwidth
option is set to the maximum of the plurality of bandwidth
options.
20. An apparatus for selecting a bandwidth option for a cell in a
network, comprising: a processor; and a computer-readable medium
storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the
processor, cause the processor to perform operations, the
operations comprising: obtaining, for the cell, network traffic
data associated with mobility traffic and fixed wireless traffic
for a geographical area, a physical characteristic of an antenna in
the geographical area, and a type of connectivity at a customer
premises; determining a busy time data traffic from the network
traffic data for both the fixed wireless traffic and the mobility
traffic; determining, for the cell, a cell range from the physical
characteristic of the antenna and the type of connectivity at the
customer premises; selecting the bandwidth option from a plurality
of bandwidth options; and determining an average throughput in
accordance with the bandwidth option that is selected and the cell
range, wherein the average throughput comprises a throughput for
serving both the mobility traffic and the fixed wireless traffic.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/315,025, filed Dec. 8, 2011, which is
currently allowed and is herein incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to communication
networks and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for
planning radio frequency spectrum in a fixed wireless network,
e.g., a long term evolution (LTE) based fixed wireless network.
BACKGROUND
[0003] As Internet usage continues to grow, more and more customers
are accessing communications services via a mobile device, e.g., a
cell phone, a smart phone, etc. For example, a customer may receive
multimedia content via his/her cell phone. The cell phone transmits
and receives voice and data packets to and from the service
provider's network via a base station and an access network.
[0004] The customer's ability to access services via a wireless
device is dependent on the availability of capacity on various
network elements, e.g., radio access networks, cell site equipment,
and so on. In order to keep up with the demand, the expansion of
cellular networks requires tremendous capital infusion.
Unfortunately, it is very difficult to forecast the demand for the
cell sites and/or radio access networks.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] In one embodiment, the present disclosure teaches a method
and apparatus for selecting a bandwidth option for a cell in a
network. For example, the method obtains, for the cell, network
traffic data for a geographical area for mobility traffic and fixed
wireless traffic, a physical characteristic of an antenna in the
geographical area, and a type of connectivity at a customer
premise, determines a busy time data traffic from the network
traffic data for both the fixed wireless traffic and the mobility
traffic, determines, for the cell, a cell range from the physical
characteristic of the antenna and the type of connectivity at the
customer premise, selects a bandwidth option from a plurality of
bandwidth options, and determines an average throughput in
accordance with the bandwidth option that is selected and the cell
range, wherein the average throughput comprises a throughput for
serving both the mobility traffic and the fixed wireless
traffic.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The teaching of the present disclosure can be readily
understood by considering the following detailed description in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting an illustrative network
related to the current disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 2 provides an exemplary illustration of a traffic
circle for an antenna of the current disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method for planning a
radio frequency spectrum for a fixed wireless network;
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method for determining
the cell range;
[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method for selecting,
for a particular cell, a bandwidth option and determining the
average throughput of the cell;
[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method for providing a
multi-carrier frequency spectrum planning for a fixed wireless
network; and
[0013] FIG. 7 depicts a high-level block diagram of a
general-purpose computer suitable for use in performing the
functions described herein.
[0014] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals
have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements
that are common to the figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The present disclosure broadly teaches a method and
apparatus for planning radio frequency spectrum in a fixed wireless
network, e.g., in a long term evolution (LTE) based fixed wireless
network and the like. Although the teachings of the present
disclosure are discussed below in the context of an LTE network,
the teaching is not so limited. Namely, the teachings of the
present disclosure can be applied for other types of wireless
networks or cellular networks (e.g., 2G network, 3G network and the
like), wherein planning of a radio frequency spectrum is
beneficial.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting an illustrative network
100 related to the current disclosure. Illustrative networks may
include Internet Protocol (IP) networks, Ethernet networks,
wireless networks, cellular networks, and the like.
[0017] In one embodiment, the network may comprise a plurality of
user endpoint devices (UEs) 102-104 configured for communication
with the core network 110 (e.g., an IP based core backbone network
supported by a service provider) via an access network 101.
Similarly, a plurality of endpoint devices 105-107 are configured
for communication with the core network 110 via an access network
108. The network elements 109 and 111 may serve as gateway servers
or edge routers for the network 110.
[0018] The endpoint devices 102-107 may comprise customer endpoint
devices such as personal computers, laptop computers, servers,
routers, wireless phones, cell phones, smart phones, computing
tablets, and the like. The access networks 101 and 108 serve as a
means to establish a connection between the endpoint devices
102-107 and the NEs 109 and 111 of the core network 110. The access
networks 101 and 108 may each comprise a Digital Subscriber Line
(DSL) network, a broadband cable access network, a Local Area
Network (LAN), a Wireless Access Network (WAN), a Radio Access
Network (RAN), a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, a 3.sup.rd
party network, and the like. The access networks 101 and 108 may be
either directly connected to NEs 109 and 111 of the core network
110, or indirectly through another network.
[0019] Some NEs (e.g., NEs 109 and 111) reside at the edge of the
core infrastructure and interface with customer endpoints over
various types of access networks. An NE that resides at the edge of
a core infrastructure can be implemented as an edge router, a media
gateway, a border element, a firewall, a switch, and the like. An
NE may also reside within the network (e.g., NEs 118-120) and may
be used as a mail server, a router, or like device. The core
network 110 also comprises an application server 112 that contains
a database 115. The application server 112 may comprise any server
or computer that is well known in the art, and the database 115 may
be any type of electronic collection of data that is also well
known in the art. Those skilled in the art will realize that
although only six endpoint devices, two access networks, five
network elements are depicted in FIG. 1, the communication system
100 may be expanded by including additional endpoint devices,
access networks, network elements, and/or application servers,
without altering the teachings of the present disclosure. The above
network 100 is described to provide an illustrative environment in
which data for various services, e.g., voice, data, and/or
multimedia services, are transmitted on networks.
[0020] In one embodiment, a service provider may enable customers
to access services via a wireless access network. For example, a
customer may use a cell phone to access Internet Protocol (IP)
services, multimedia services, and the like. The packets from and
to the wireless device, e.g., a cell phone or a smart phone, may
then traverse one or more radio access networks and equipment,
e.g., base stations, backhaul equipment, etc.
[0021] In order to ensure capacity is available to serve the
customers, the service provider may forecast the demand for the
cell sites and/or radio access networks. Equipment such as
antennas, base stations, backhaul equipment, and the like may then
be deployed accordingly. However, keeping up with the demand by
adding more and more network equipment requires tremendous capital
infusion. Thus, the service provider may wish to improve the
utilization of available network resources. In addition, some
networks have more flexibility as compared to other networks. For
example, universal mobile telecommunication systems (UMTSs) and
wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) systems have a fixed
bandwidth of 5 MHz. However, long term evolution (LTE) networks
have at least six bandwidth options. The bandwidth options for an
LTE comprise at least one of: 1.4 MHz, 3 MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz
and 20 MHz. For example, a particular cell of an LTE network may
have all of the above six spectral bandwidth options available.
[0022] Moreover, the demand for the cell sites and/or radio access
networks may be for different types of traffic with different
expectation levels. For example, the traffic may be for customers
needing mobility service or for customers needing a "fixed"
wireless service. For example, in urban areas, the customer may be
using the cell phone in addition to other services, e.g., other
wire-based services. Thus, the customer may be using the cell phone
while mobility is needed. However, in other areas, the cell phone
may be used as a "fixed" wireless device. For example, the customer
may be located at a rural area were the customer has no access to
wire-based services. Therefore, the customer may be using the cell
phone for all communications--regardless of the need for mobility.
Thus, "fixed" wireless service refers to a wireless service that is
anticipated that the customer will not likely be mobile when
accessing the wireless service, e.g., when the user is at the
user's home or the user's office. This scenario equates to the
scenario when a user may drop his land line service (broadly wired
service, e.g., a home land line or an office land line) and simply
relies on the mobile cellular service for all of his communication
need. It is anticipated that the user will use a substantial amount
of communication bandwidth while the user is at a fixed location,
e.g., at his home or his place of employment (e.g., an Office).
[0023] Customers accessing services while being mobile understand
that cell coverage may not be available everywhere and calls may be
dropped. In addition, the mobile customers also expect the
throughput level and quality of service to vary. However, customers
expect to receive the same quality of service, consistency of
coverage, throughput level, etc. while being at a fixed location.
In other words, a customer who is using a mobile device in place of
an endpoint device that is traditionally serviced by a fixed wired
network, may continue to expect the reliability and quality of
service of a wired network.
[0024] In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method
for planning radio frequency spectrum for a fixed wireless network.
The planning of the present disclosure is based on the bandwidth
need and frequency spectrum constraint for each cell in the
network. However, proper dimensioning and determination of a
required bandwidth depends on several factors.
[0025] For example, the bandwidth need of the particular cell may
be based on forecast data, a traffic mix of the mobility traffic
and the fixed wireless traffic, a consideration of change in
traffic pattern when new applications emerge, a consideration of
bandwidth for uplink data transmission of mobility traffic, a
consideration of bandwidth for uplink data transmission of fixed
wireless traffic, a consideration of bandwidth for downlink data
transmission of mobility traffic, a consideration of bandwidth for
downlink data transmission of fixed wireless traffic, etc. The
traffic mix refers to a ratio a proportion of the total traffic
attributable to mobility traffic versus a proportion of the total
traffic attributable to the fixed wireless traffic.
[0026] The spectrum requirements and availability may be based on
several factors. For example, the factors that affect the spectrum
requirements for each cell may comprise one or more of: forecasted
busy-hour cell traffic for mobility traffic, forecasted busy-hour
cell traffic for fixed wireless traffic, target spectrum
utilization limits for both mobility and fixed wireless traffic,
availability of multiple carrier frequencies, terrain type, power
limits on user endpoint devices, types of user endpoint devices,
power limits on base stations, antenna tilts, etc. The different
types of user endpoint devices are used for different types of
connectivity at the customer location. For example, one type of
connectivity may be through an outdoor antenna. A second type of
connectivity may be through an Ethernet cable being used for
completely indoor connections.
[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the coverage area, the
concept of a sector in a base station will first be described. In
one embodiment, a base station for a wireless network may be
deployed with one or more directional antennas that cover a
predetermined portion of the 360 degree angle. The coverage of one
directional antenna is determined by dividing the 360 degrees by
the number of directional antennas included in the base station. A
portion of a wireless network that is covered with one directional
antenna is referred to as a sector. For example, if there are three
directional antennas at a base station, each directional antenna
covers 120 degrees, thereby resulting in three sectors. The base
station may also be referred to as a three sector base station. A
cell is a geographical area that may be served by a number of base
stations. For example, if each cell is defined as a geographical
area shaped like a hexagon, the base stations may be located at the
corners of the hexagons. The three directional antennas may then be
directed to provide coverage for three different cells.
[0028] In one embodiment, each sector uses a predetermined portion
of available frequency resources such that adjacent sectors may
assign channels in mutually exclusive frequency ranges. However, it
should be noted that other cellular networks may assign frequency
ranges in a different manner and the present disclosure is not
limited in this aspect. For example, each of the three sectors
above may use one third of available frequency resources. Adjacent
sectors may use different frequency ranges. The channels for
adjacent sectors are then assigned in mutually exclusive frequency
ranges such that interference is minimized.
[0029] A coverage area (geographical range) of a sector may depend
on a number of factors, e.g., frequency band, terrain, antenna
height, antenna tilt, antenna azimuth, transmitted power level,
etc. The geographical range of a sector may be approximated by a
circle. The circle may be referred to as a traffic circle. The
traffic circle may be visualized as being a circle on the ground
below the antenna in a base station, covering the geographical
range for the antenna sector.
[0030] FIG. 2 provides an exemplary illustration 200 of a traffic
circle for an antenna of the current disclosure. The exemplary
illustration 200 is that of an antenna 201. The antenna 201 has a
geographical range 202 which may be approximated by the traffic
circle 203. The physical characteristics of the antenna 201 are
denoted as follows:
[0031] .tau.: Tilt angle of the antenna;
[0032] .theta.: Vertical beam width of the antenna;
[0033] h: Height of the antenna;
[0034] d: Geographical range of the sector in the base station;
[0035] Z: Azimuth of the antenna (90 degree in this example);
[0036] (X.sub.BS, Y.sub.BS): Cartesian coordinate location of the
antenna in the base station; and
[0037] (X.sub.TC, Y.sub.TC): Cartesian coordinate location of the
center of the traffic circle.
[0038] The radius of the traffic circle r is then:
r = d 2 , wherein d = h Cot ( .tau. - .theta. / 2 ) . ( 1 )
##EQU00001##
[0039] For example, for an antenna with h=60 meters,
.tau.=7.6.degree., .theta.=1.degree., then, d=482 meters and r=241
meters.
[0040] The Cartesian coordinate location of the center of the
traffic circle is determined using the following equations:
X.sub.TC=X.sub.BS+(d Sin Z)/2 (2)
Y.sub.TC=X.sub.BS+(d Cos Z)/2 (3)
(X.sub.TC, Y.sub.TC,r) denotes the circular coordinate of the
sector. (4)
[0041] In the above determination of the range of the antenna, the
tilt angle of the antenna was used in equation (1). However, in
some scenarios the tilt angle may either be unavailable or set to
zero. In one embodiment, the current method provides another method
of estimating the range d from the transmitted power of the base
station as follows:
[0042] Let, X: Transmitted power of the base station in dBm; [0043]
Y: An estimate of the received signal strength in dBm determined
using a Hata-Okamura wireless signal propagation model of equation
(5), provided below; [0044] f: Carrier frequency of base station
antenna in Mhz; [0045] h: Height of the antenna in meters; and
[0046] d: range of the antenna in meters.
[0047] The default values for the parameters in the Hata-Okamura
wireless signal propagation model (on the dB scale) depend on the
carrier frequency of the base station antenna. For example, the
default values for the parameters for carrier frequencies of 900
Mhz and 1800 Mhz are:
A=69.55 (for f=900 Mhz) and A=46.30 (for f=1800 Mhz); B=26.16 (for
f=900 Mhz) and B=33.90 (for f=1800 Mhz);
C=-13.82; D=44.90; and E=-6.55.
[0048] Then,
Y=X-A-B log(f)-C log(h)-(D+E log(h))log(d/1000). (5)
[0049] Therefore, if Y.sub.min is a minimum limit on the received
signal strength (e.g., -120 dBm), then the range of antenna (d) in
meters is given by:
d = 1000 .times. 10 { X - A - B log ( f ) - C log ( h ) - Y D + E
log ( h ) } . ( 6 ) ##EQU00002##
[0050] In one embodiment, the current method combines the above two
ways of estimating d as follows:
d = Min [ h Cot ( .tau. - .theta. / 2 ) , 1000 .times. 10 { X - A -
B log ( f ) - C log ( h ) - Y D + E log ( h ) } ] ( 7 )
##EQU00003##
[0051] The method then uses equations (1) to (3) to determine the
(X.sub.TC, Y.sub.TC, r).
[0052] Similarly, (X.sub.TC, E.sub.TC, r) and the range of an
antenna in a base station can be determined for other carrier
frequencies using an appropriate set of default values for the
parameters in the Hata-Okamura wireless signal propagation model.
For example, carrier frequency bands deployed for an LTE base
station may comprise: 700 MHz, 850 MHz, 1900 MHz, etc.
[0053] In one embodiment, the present method provides planning of a
radio frequency spectrum. The method determines, for each antenna
in a cell site, a spectrum requirement and a range. Note that the
spectrum requirement and the range considered for each antenna is
only the portion providing coverage for a specific cell. For
example, for the three-directional antenna described above, the
coverage for traffic to and from a specific hexagonal shaped
geographical area is considered. For example, the antenna coverage
over the 120 degree (described above) of the three-directional
antenna is considered. As such, the spectrum requirement and range
are referred to as a spectrum requirement for a cell, and a cell
range or a coverage area for a cell.
[0054] The spectrum requirement and cell range may be determined
based on one or more of: a targeted spectrum utilization level for
mobility traffic and fixed wireless traffic, terrain, carrier
frequency, forecast of cell traffic for both mobility and fixed
wireless traffic, transmitted power levels of the base station,
transmitted power levels of UEs, types of UEs, antenna tilts,
antenna azimuth, antenna height, vertical beam width of the
antenna, etc. The cell range for a particular cell may be limited
by the range for a downlink transmission or the range for an uplink
transmission. For example, the power levels for transmitting in the
uplink and downlink directions may be different. In addition, the
cell range may depend on a type of connectivity at the customer
premise. For example, some customers may have a premise with an
outdoor antenna while other customers do not have an outdoor
antenna. Furthermore, receiver sensitivity levels on base stations
may be different from the levels on UE devices.
[0055] In one embodiment, the present method determines the cell
range as a minimum of the ranges in the uplink and downlink
(transmission) directions. In one embodiment, the present
disclosure determines the cell range in downlink direction,
d.sub.dl, in accordance with: base station antenna height, vertical
beam width of base station antenna, and tilt of base station
antenna. In one embodiment, the method determines the cell range in
the downlink direction based on a type of connectivity at the
customer premise. For example, the method may determine whether an
outdoor antenna is available at the customer premise. The method
may then provide two values for the cell range in the downlink
direction: one value based on an assumption of an outdoor antenna
not being available at the customer premise, and a second value
based on an outdoor antenna being available at the customer
premise.
[0056] In one embodiment, the present disclosure determines the
cell range in uplink direction, d.sub.ul, in accordance with: a
base station receiver sensitivity, fractional power control (FPC)
parameters, and UE power limits. In order to determine the cell
range in the uplink direction, the method first determines a
maximum path loss budget by performing link budget analysis. The
method then maps the path loss budget to the frequency range of the
uplink transmission in accordance with the carrier frequency and a
propagation model for radio waves. The cell range in the uplink
direction for the particular carrier frequency and path loss budget
are then determined.
[0057] In one embodiment, the method determines the cell range in
the uplink direction based on a type of connectivity at the
customer premise. For example, the method may provide two values
for the cell range in the uplink direction: one value based on an
assumption of an outdoor antenna not being available at the
customer premise, and a second value based on an outdoor antenna
being available at the customer premise.
[0058] The method then determines the cell range as the minimum of
the uplink and downlink cell ranges. For example, the cell range
may be derived as follows: cell range=min{d.sub.ul, d.sub.dl}. In
one embodiment, the cell range may be based on the type of
connectivity at the customer premise. For example, the method may
provide two values for the cell range: one value based on an
assumption of an outdoor antenna not being available at the
customer premise, and a second value based on an outdoor antenna
being available at the customer premise. For instance, a customer
site located further than a first distance from the cell site may
need an outdoor antenna. In another example, a customer site
located further than a second distance from the cell site may not
achieve a desired service level, even if an outdoor antenna is
available, and so on.
[0059] The method then proceeds to determine the appropriate
bandwidth dimension for meeting the traffic requirements in both
the uplink and downlink directions in accordance with the cell
range. For example, the method obtains busy hour data traffic,
R.sub.req, from forecast traffic of the radio access network for
both mobility and fixed wireless traffic. For example, the fixed
wireless traffic may impose a more stringent requirement on the
throughput level as compared to that imposed for mobility traffic.
For instance, the throughput level for the fixed portion of the
traffic mix may be 100% of the demand, while the throughput level
for the mobility portion of the traffic mix may be 90%, etc. The
traffic mix may then be used to determine the appropriate value for
R.sub.req. The method then determines the smallest bandwidth
option, BW, such that the average throughput of the cell exceeds
the above busy hour data traffic for providing service for both the
fixed wireless traffic and the mobility traffic. For example, the
method then determines BW, such that R.sub.cell>R.sub.req,
wherein the required throughput takes into account the mix of
traffic. The mix of traffic refers to the proportion of the total
traffic attributed to mobility traffic and the proportion of the
total traffic attributed to fixed wireless traffic.
[0060] It should be noted that the "busy hour" data traffic only
refers to the peak traffic forecast volume (throughput) and the
time at which the peak traffic volume occurs. It is not limited to
the unit of measure of an "hour", but may be simply be referred to
as a "busy time" of any unit of time measures, e.g., based on a
minute, several minutes, an hour, several hours, and so on.
[0061] In one embodiment, BW is determined by first setting the
value of BW to the minimum value of the six bandwidth options,
determining the average throughput of the cell, R.sub.cell, in
accordance with the cell range and BW, iteratively increasing the
value of the BW to the next higher bandwidth option among the six
options, until either all options are exhausted or a value is
determined for BW (i.e., one of the six options), such that
R.sub.cell>R.sub.req.
[0062] For example, the BW may first be set to 1.4 MHz. The
throughput of the cell, R.sub.cell, for BW=1.4 MHz and the cell
range determined above is then determined. If
R.sub.cell>R.sub.req, the BW (i.e., 1.4 MHz) and R.sub.cell are
provided as an output. Otherwise, the BW is set to the next
bandwidth option. For example, BW may be set to 3 MHz. The
throughput of the cell, R.sub.cell, for BW=3 MHz and the cell range
is then determined. If R.sub.cell>R.sub.req, the BW (i.e., 3
MHz) and R.sub.cell are provided as an output. Otherwise, the BW is
set to the next bandwidth option. The process continues until a
value is successfully determined for BW such that
R.sub.cell>R.sub.req. If a value is successfully determined for
BW, the method outputs the value of the BW as the appropriate
bandwidth for meeting the traffic requirements. The method also
outputs the corresponding throughput for the cell, R.sub.cell.
[0063] If all options get exhausted before a value among the six
options is found such that R.sub.cell>R.sub.req, the BW is set
to the value of the maximum of the six bandwidth options. The
method then outputs the value of the BW, and the corresponding
throughput for the cell. The method then determines a surplus
traffic as the difference between R.sub.req and R.sub.cell. The
surplus traffic may then be carried on another carrier
frequency.
[0064] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method 300 for planning
a radio frequency spectrum for a fixed wireless network. The method
provides a spectrum requirement and a cell range for each cell in a
geographical area. The method can be implemented in a server
located in the service provider's network. For example, the method
may be implemented in application server 112 deployed in core
network 110 as shown in FIG. 1 or the general purpose computer
illustrated in FIG. 7 below. Method 300 starts in step 305 and
proceeds to step 310.
[0065] In step 310, method 300 obtains, for each cell, network
traffic data for a geographical area for mobility traffic and fixed
wireless traffic, physical characteristic of an antenna in the
geographical area, and a type of connectivity at a customer
premise. For example, the service provider may have selected a
geographical area for which network planning may be needed. The
method then obtains from one or more databases, server, etc.,
traffic data (current and forecast) for the geographical area, and
physical aspects of antennas (deployed or planned to be deployed)
in the geographical area, terrain of the geographical area, mix of
traffic, types of antennas, types of connectivity at customer
premises, and so on.
[0066] In step 315, method 300 determines busy hour data traffic
from the network traffic data for fixed wireless traffic and
mobility traffic. For example, the network traffic data may be
analyzed to determine, for each cell, the busy hour data traffic
attributed to fixed wireless traffic and the busy hour data traffic
attributed to mobility traffic. The busy hour data traffic refers
to the peak traffic forecast volume (throughput) and the time at
which the peak traffic volume occurs. The busy hour data traffic
may also be referred to as a required throughput, R.sub.req.
[0067] In step 320, method 300 determines, for each cell, a cell
range from the physical characteristic of the antenna and the type
of connectivity at the customer premise. For example, the cell
range (coverage area) may be determined from the physical
characteristics of the antennas in the geographical area and the
type of connectivity at the customer premise. FIG. 4 (described
below) illustrates a flowchart of a method 400 for determining the
cell range of a cell.
[0068] In step 325, method 300 selects, for each cell, a bandwidth
option from a plurality of bandwidth options. The method also
determines an average throughput in accordance with the bandwidth
option that is selected and the cell range, wherein the average
throughput is for serving the mobility traffic and the fixed
wireless traffic. For example, the average throughput for serving
the mobility traffic and the fixed wireless traffic may be derived
from the average throughput of the mobility traffic and the average
throughput of the fixed wireless traffic. In one embodiment, the
selection of the bandwidth option is performed by determining the
smallest bandwidth option, BW, from the plurality of bandwidth
options such that the average throughput of the cell (for both
mobility and fixed wireless traffic) exceeds the busy hour data
traffic. FIG. 5 (described below) illustrates a flowchart of a
method 500 for selecting the bandwidth option and determining the
average throughput. In one embodiment, the plurality of bandwidth
options comprises: 1.4 MHz, 3 MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz and 20
MHz.
[0069] In optional step 340, method 300 determines if there is
surplus traffic. For example, the largest bandwidth option of the
plurality of bandwidth options may have a throughput that is less
than the throughput needed to meet the traffic requirements for the
cell for the total of the mobility traffic and fixed wireless
traffic. For instance, for the example described above, BW may be
set to 20 MHz and R.sub.cell<R.sub.req. Then, a plurality of
carrier frequencies may be needed to meet the traffic requirements.
The method may then determine the surplus traffic as: surplus
traffic=R.sub.req-R.sub.cell. In one embodiment, method 300
receives the surplus traffic, along with the bandwidth option and
the average throughput from method 500.
[0070] In step 350, method 300 outputs, for each cell, the
bandwidth option that is selected, the cell range based on a type
of connectivity at the customer premise, and the average throughput
for both mobility traffic and fixed wireless traffic. For example,
the method may output the values of: BW, cell range with an outdoor
antenna at the customer premise, cell range without an outdoor
antenna at the customer premise, and R.sub.cell. If surplus traffic
is also determined, the method may output the surplus traffic. For
example, if R.sub.req=22 Mbps and R.sub.cell=20 Mbps, the method
may output a surplus traffic=2 Mbps. The method proceeds to either
step 390 to end processing the current network traffic data or
returns to step 310 to obtain more network traffic data.
[0071] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method 400 for
determining the cell range. For example, for each particular cell,
the cell range may be determined from the physical characteristics
of the antenna providing coverage for the cell and a type of
connectivity at the customer premise. For example, the method may
be implemented in application server 112 deployed in core network
110 as shown in FIG. 1 or the general purpose computer illustrated
in FIG. 7 below. Method 400 starts in step 405 and proceeds to step
410.
[0072] In step 410, method 400 obtains the physical characteristics
of the antenna providing coverage for the cell and a type of
connectivity at the customer premise. For example, for a particular
antenna in a base station, the method obtains: a height of the
antenna, a vertical beam width of the antenna, a tilt of the
antenna, receiver sensitivity, fractional power control (FPC)
parameters, UE power limits, and types of connectivity provided at
customer premises.
[0073] In step 415, method 400 determines the cell range, d.sub.dl,
in a downlink direction. The determining of the cell range in the
downlink direction is performed in accordance with the physical
characteristic of the antenna, wherein the physical characteristic
of the antenna comprises: a height of the antenna, a vertical beam
width of the antenna, and a tilt of the antenna. In one embodiment,
the cell range in the downlink direction is based on the type of
connectivity at the customer premise.
[0074] In step 420, method 400 determines the cell range, d.sub.ul,
in an uplink direction. The determining of the cell range in the
uplink direction is performed in accordance with the physical
characteristic of the antenna, wherein the physical characteristics
of the antenna comprises: a receiver sensitivity, one or more
values of fractional power control (FPC) parameters, and user
endpoint device (UE) power limits. In one embodiment, the cell
range in the uplink direction is based on the type of connectivity
at the customer premise.
[0075] In one embodiment, the determining of the cell range in the
uplink direction is performed by first performing link budget
analysis to calculate a maximum path loss budget for the uplink
direction. The path loss budget is then mapped to the frequency
range used for uplink transmission in accordance with the carrier
frequencies being used for uplink transmission and a propagation
model for radio waves. The cell range in the uplink direction for
the particular carrier frequency and path loss budget is then
determined.
[0076] In step 430, method 400 determines the cell range for the
cell (both uplink and downlink transmission). The cell range is
determined as the minimum of the cell range in the uplink direction
and the cell range in the downlink direction. For example, the cell
range for the cell may be derived as follows: cell
range=min{d.sub.ul, d.sub.dl}. In one embodiment, the cell range is
based on the type of connectivity at the customer premise. For
example, the cell range may be based on an availability of an
outdoor antenna at the customer premise.
[0077] In step 440, method 400 outputs the cell range and a type of
connectivity at the customer premise for the cell range. For
example, the method provides the cell range along with the
assumption made regarding the type of connectivity at the customer
premise to an application server that performs method 300. The
method then ends in step 490.
[0078] Note that method 400 above determined the cell range based
on an assumption of availability of tilt angles for antennas in the
geographical area. However, the available data may vary. Thus, the
cell range may be determined using the available data. For example,
for each antenna, if the tilt angle for the antenna is provided,
the method may use equation (1) to approximate the range in a
chosen direction. If the tilt angle is not available but the
transmitted power level, the minimum limit on the received signal
strength, and the carrier frequency are known, the method may use
equation (6). If both the tilt angle and the power levels are
available, the method may use equation (7) and so on. In addition,
if the tilt angle is small, it is assumed that the coverage for the
particular cell is limited by the cell range in the uplink
direction.
[0079] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method 500 for
selecting, for a particular cell, a bandwidth option and
determining the average throughput of the cell in accordance with
the bandwidth option that is selected, wherein the average
throughput comprises the average throughput for mobility traffic
and the average throughput for fixed wireless traffic. The
selection of the bandwidth option is performed by determining the
smallest bandwidth option, BW, from a plurality of bandwidth
options such that the average throughput of the cell exceeds the
busy hour data traffic for both the mobility traffic and the fixed
wireless traffic. For example, the method may be implemented in
application server 112 deployed in core network 110 as shown in
FIG. 1 or the general purpose computer illustrated in FIG. 7 below.
Method 500 starts in step 505 and proceeds to step 510.
[0080] In step 510, method 500 receives for the particular cell: a
cell range, a plurality of bandwidth options, and busy hour data
traffic for mobility traffic and fixed wireless traffic. In one
example, the method may retrieve the cell range, the plurality of
bandwidth options, the busy hour data traffic for fixed wireless
traffic, the busy hour data traffic for mobility traffic, etc. from
a server or a database. The plurality of bandwidth options is a
list of values of bandwidths for setting a parameter BW. In another
example, an application server that performs the method 300 may
provide as input: the cell range, the plurality of options for BW,
and the busy hour data traffic for each of the fixed wireless
traffic and the mobility traffic. For example, a selected option
for BW and a throughput for the cell for handling both the fixed
wireless traffic and the mobility traffic may then be returned to
the application server. The application server may use the selected
option and throughput in step 325, as described above.
[0081] In step 520, method 500 sets a bandwidth parameter, BW, to
the minimum value of the plurality of bandwidth options. For
example, for the six bandwidth options described above, the method
sets BW to 1.4 MHz. It should be noted that the present disclosure
is not limited to only the six bandwidth options described above.
Namely, any number of bandwidth options is within the scope of the
present disclosure depending on the requirements of a particular
network.
[0082] In step 525, method 500 determines the average throughput of
the particular cell, R.sub.cell, in accordance with the cell range
of the particular cell and the value of the bandwidth parameter BW,
wherein the average throughput comprises the average throughput for
mobility traffic and the average throughput for fixed wireless
traffic. For example, one or more analytical models and simulation
tools may be used to determine the average throughput of the cell
for handling the total of the fixed wireless traffic and the
mobility traffic, from the cell range and the BW. Note that the
cell range may be dependent on whether or not an outdoor antenna is
provided at the customer premise.
[0083] In step 530, method 500 determines if the average throughput
of the particular cell exceeds the busy hour data traffic, wherein
the busy hour data traffic is for handling both the fixed wireless
traffic and mobility traffic. For example, the method may determine
if R.sub.cell>R.sub.req, wherein the required throughput is for
handling both the fixed wireless traffic and the mobility traffic.
If R.sub.cell>R.sub.req, the method proceeds to step 580.
Otherwise, the method proceeds to step 540.
[0084] In step 540, method 500 determines if all options are
exhausted. If the throughput of the cell is less than the busy hour
data traffic, while the bandwidth option is set to the maximum of
the plurality of bandwidth options, then all options are exhausted.
For example, the throughput of the cell may be less than the
required throughput to meet the traffic needs. For example,
R.sub.cell<R.sub.req and BW may be already set to the maximum of
the plurality of options. If all options are exhausted, the method
proceeds to step 550. Otherwise, the method proceeds to step
570.
[0085] In step 550, the method selects the maximum bandwidth
option, BW, from the plurality of bandwidth options. For example,
the maximum bandwidth option is selected. However, the average
throughput of the cell may still not exceed the busy hour data
traffic. For example, R.sub.cell<R.sub.req, while the maximum
value is selected for BW. The method then proceeds to optional step
555.
[0086] In optional step 555, method 500 determines a surplus
traffic. For example, the surplus traffic may be determined as the
difference between R.sub.req and R.sub.cell. For example, the
surplus traffic may be determined and another carrier frequency may
be used for the surplus traffic. The method then proceeds to step
580.
[0087] In step 570, method 500 sets the value of the bandwidth
parameter BW to the next higher value of the plurality of bandwidth
options. For example, for the six options described above, if
BW=1.4 MHz in the previous iteration, the BW is set to the next
higher setting for the present iteration. For example, BW=3 MHz for
the present iteration. Similarly, if BW=3 MHz in the previous
iteration, the BW is set to 5 MHz for the present iteration. The
method then proceeds to step 525.
[0088] In step 580, the method outputs, for the cell, the value of
the bandwidth parameter BW and the throughput, wherein the
throughput comprises the throughput for providing service to both
the mobility traffic and fixed wireless traffic. For example, the
method may output a selected bandwidth option (i.e., a value of the
parameter BW selected from the six values described above such that
k.sub.cell>R.sub.req) and the average throughput for the cell
associated with the selected BW and the cell range. For example,
the method may output the value of BW and the corresponding value
of R.sub.cell. If surplus traffic is found in step 555, the method
may also output the surplus traffic. The method then ends in step
590.
[0089] Note that, in the above description, a carrier frequency
band is distinguished by a nominal frequency (e.g., 700 MHz, 850
MHz, 1900 MHz, etc.). However, each carrier frequency band may be
comprised of multiple bandwidth blocks, with each bandwidth block
of a particular carrier frequency band carried over a distinct
carrier frequency within the particular carrier frequency band. For
example, for the LTE, the bandwidth of each block may be a
selection from: 1.4 MHz, 3 MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz and 20
MHz.
[0090] In one embodiment, the spectral bandwidth available across
all blocks comprising a particular frequency band is limited. For
example, let a particular frequency band be denoted by f.sub.i and
the aggregate spectrum bandwidth of the particular frequency band
be denoted by S(f.sub.i). Then, S(f.sub.i) is limited. If the
S(f.sub.i) is less than the maximum bandwidth for the LTE, it may
impose additional constraints on the allowed bandwidths. For
example, if S(f.sub.i)=12 MHz, the bandwidth options are limited to
1.4 MHz, 3 MHz, 5 MHz and 10 MHz--as the 15 MHz and 20 MHz options
clearly exceed the aggregate spectrum bandwidth for f.sub.i. As
such, the planning may be improved by employing a multi-carrier
plan. The present method provides a multi-carrier planning of
spectrum.
[0091] As described above, in order to meet traffic requirements
with the smallest value of BW, the spectrum is allocated
successively from one carrier frequency to the next. In one
embodiment, if there are multiple blocks within the same carrier
frequency band, the multiple blocks may first be allocated
successively, before proceeding to the next frequency band. For
example, the spectrum may be assigned within a particular f.sub.i
until the aggregate spectrum S(f.sub.i) is exhausted. Then, if the
aggregate spectrum for f.sub.i is exhausted, blocks in the next
frequency band, e.g. blocks in frequency band f.sub.i+1, may be
used.
[0092] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method 600 for providing
a multi-carrier frequency spectrum planning for a fixed wireless
network. The method can be implemented in a server located in the
service provider's network or a general purpose computer as
illustrated in FIG. 7 below. For example, the method may be
implemented in application server 112 as shown in FIG. 1. Method
600 starts in step 605 and proceeds to step 610.
[0093] In step 610, method 600 obtains network traffic data for a
geographical area for mobility traffic and fixed wireless traffic,
physical characteristics of antennas in the geographical area, a
plurality of bandwidth options, a plurality of carrier frequencies,
an aggregate spectrum bandwidth for each of the plurality of
carrier frequencies, and a type of connectivity at a customer
premise.
[0094] In step 613, method 600 analyzes the network traffic data to
determine busy hour data traffic for both mobility traffic and
fixed wireless traffic. For example, the network traffic data may
be analyzed to determine, for each cell, the busy hour data traffic
R.sub.req for both mobility traffic and fixed wireless traffic.
[0095] In step 615, method 600 sets an index to one. For example,
there may be n carrier frequencies. The carrier frequencies may be
represented by f.sub.1, f.sub.2, . . . f.sub.n. The method then
allocates traffic to f.sub.1, then to f.sub.2, and so on. The index
is set to one, such that traffic is first allocated to the carrier
frequency
[0096] In step 617, method 600 sets: a value of a first parameter
traffic to the busy hour data traffic, R.sub.req, and a value of a
second parameter spectrum to the aggregate spectrum bandwidth
S(f.sub.i).
[0097] In step 620, method 600 determines if the value of the
second parameter, spectrum, is less than the minimum value of the
plurality of bandwidth options. For the example above, S(f.sub.i)
may be less than 1.4 MHz. If the value of the second parameter is
less than the minimum value of the plurality of bandwidth options,
the method proceeds to step 622. Otherwise, the method proceeds to
step 630.
[0098] In step 622, method 600 increments the index by one. For
example, the index in incremented by one until a carrier frequency
with S(f.sub.i) above the minimum value of the plurality of
bandwidth options is found. The method then returns to step
617.
[0099] In step 630, method 600 selects a bandwidth option from a
plurality of bandwidth options wherein the bandwidth option that is
selected is bounded by the aggregate spectrum bandwidth, and
determines an average throughput for the cell, wherein the average
throughput comprises the average throughput for handling both the
mobility traffic and the fixed wireless traffic. In one embodiment,
the selection of the bandwidth option is performed by using method
500. However, the bandwidth options that can be considered are
limited by the spectrum constraints of the carrier frequency.
[0100] In step 640, method 600 determines if the value of the first
parameter, traffic, is greater than the average throughput for the
cell, as derived in step 630. If the value of the first parameter
is greater than the average throughput for the cell, the method
proceeds to step 650. Otherwise, the method proceeds to step
680.
[0101] In step 650, method 600 sets the value of the second
parameter, spectrum, to a new value, wherein the new value is
determined by subtracting the selected bandwidth option from the
previous value of the second parameter. For example, the method may
set spectrum as: ectrum:=spectrum-BW. Similarly, the value of the
first parameter is set to a new value, wherein the new value is
determined by subtracting the throughput determined in step 640
from the previous value. For example, the method may set traffic
as: traffic:=traffic--R.sub.cell. For example, if S(f.sub.i)=9 MHz
and BW=SMHz, traffic=20 Mbps, and R.sub.cell=5 Mbps, the first
parameter is set to a new value by performing traffic:=20 Mbps-5
Mbps and the second parameter is set to a new value by performing
spectrum:=9 MHz-5 MHz. The method then returns to step 620 to
assign one or more other blocks or carrier frequencies for carrying
the remaining 15 Mbps of traffic.
[0102] For example, if S(f.sub.1)=8 MHz for the first carrier
frequency, R.sub.req=12 Mbps, BW is set to 5 MHz, and R.sub.cell=5
Mbps when BW=5 MHz, the entire 12 Mbps traffic cannot be carried
over the first carrier frequency range. Thus, a first block of 5
MHz and a second block of 3 MHz may be assigned in the first range
of the first carrier frequency. Then, the surplus traffic is
carried over the next carrier frequency. For example, 4 Mbps worth
of traffic (if 5 MHz+3 MHz BW has been assumed to be able to
support 8 Mbps traffic from calculations) is assigned to be carried
on carrier frequency f.sub.2. Hence, a plurality of carrier
frequencies and a plurality of blocks may be needed to meet the
traffic requirements.
[0103] In step 680, method 600 outputs, for each of the plurality
of carrier frequencies, one or more bandwidth options that are
selected from the plurality of bandwidth options, and a respective
throughput for each of the one more bandwidth options that are
selected. For example, each carrier frequency may have a plurality
of blocks. Then, for each block, a bandwidth option is selected and
the throughput for the block is determined. The method then
provides an output for all the blocks, including the bandwidth
option and throughput. The method then proceeds to either step 690
to end processing the data or returns to step 610 to obtain more
data.
[0104] Those skilled in the art realize that the present invention
may be applied for a network that has any plurality of bandwidth
options. As such, the above description is not intended to limit
the implementation to an LTE or to the six bandwidth options
described above. For example, more bandwidth options may be added
to increase flexibility and to carry traffic for services that
require higher bandwidth.
[0105] It should be noted that although not specifically stated,
one or more steps of methods 300, 400, 500 or 600 may include a
storing, displaying and/or outputting step as required for a
particular application. In other words, any data, records, fields,
and/or intermediate results discussed in the methods 300, 400, 500
or 600 can be stored, displayed and/or outputted to another device
as required for a particular application. Furthermore, steps or
blocks in FIGS. 3-6 that recite a determining operation, or involve
a decision, do not necessarily require that both branches of the
determining operation be practiced. In other words, one of the
branches of the determining operation can be deemed as an optional
step.
[0106] FIG. 7 depicts a high-level block diagram of a
general-purpose computer suitable for use in performing the
functions described herein. As depicted in FIG. 7, the system 700
comprises a hardware processor element 702 (e.g., a CPU), a memory
704, e.g., random access memory (RAM) and/or read only memory
(ROM), a module 705 for planning a radio frequency spectrum in a
fixed wireless network, and various input/output devices 706 (e.g.,
storage devices, including but not limited to, a tape drive, a
floppy drive, a hard disk drive or a compact disk drive, a
receiver, a transmitter, a speaker, a display, a speech
synthesizer, an output port, and a user input device (such as a
keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, and the like)).
[0107] It should be noted that the teachings of the present
disclosure can be implemented in software and hardware, e.g., using
application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), a general purpose
computer or any other hardware equivalents, e.g., computer readable
instructions pertaining to the method(s) discussed above can be
used to configure a hardware processor to perform the steps of the
above disclosed methods. For example, a computer-readable medium
may be in communication with the processor, where the
computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of
instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions
which, when executed by the hardware processor, cause the hardware
processor to perform the methods (e.g., methods 300-600) as
disclosed above.
[0108] In one embodiment, the present module or process 705 for
planning a radio frequency spectrum in a fixed wireless network can
be loaded into memory 704 and executed by processor 702 to
implement the functions as discussed above. As such, the present
method 705 for planning a radio frequency spectrum in a fixed
wireless network (including associated data structures) of the
present disclosure can be stored on a non-transitory (e.g.,
tangible or physical) computer readable medium, e.g., RAM memory,
magnetic or optical drive or diskette and the like.
[0109] While various embodiments have been described above, it
should be understood that they have been presented by way of
example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a
preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the
above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only
in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *