Automated W-CDMA microcellular deployment and coverage reconfiguration based on situation awareness

This paper examines the implementation of an automated W-CDMA microcellular deployment and coverage reconfiguration algorithm based on the concepts of Situation Awareness (SA). A deterministic microcellular propagation model (Citrus) is used to provide the detailed site-specific propagation data. An initial network deployment is performed over one square kilometre of central Bristol using the Combination Algorithm for Total Optimisation (CAT). Buildings are then added or removed from the microcell to represent realistic time variations in the geographic environment. A new Situation Awareness (SA) algorithm is developed and applied to the modified W-CDMA microcell to automatically reconfigure the network’s coverage and capacity based on the new propagation environment. Optimisation of coverage and capacity is achieved through the use of a Genetic Algorithm (GA). This paper presents the details of the underlying SA algorithm and the results obtained for the above scenario. These new algorithms are shown to automatically sustain a high Grade of Service as the microcellular environment evolves over time. Gains of up 203% in spectral efficiency were observed for the 144 kbps service.