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The capacity of a GSM-based network is dependent on the frequency reuse scheme and
the amount of the operator¶s spectrum. Frequency reuse schemes are used to divide the
spectrum into unique groups of channels, so that the frequency planner can
methodically assign channels to a network of cells. The reuse scheme is chosen to
minimize the amount of interference in a network of cells, but also has an impact on the
capacity of a particular site. „
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The amount of spectrum a license holder has must be considered as well. Since the
GSM channel is 200 kHz wide, five channels can fit into 1 MHz of spectrum. Therefore,
a European operator, with 25 MHz of spectrum, will have 62 channels available;
whereas, a PCS operator in the United States, with 30 MHz of spectrum, will have 75
channels available. Remember that half of the spectrum is for downlink and half is for
uplink.„
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A GSM market that has just launched commercial service will likely use a 4/12-reuse
scheme. Using a 4/12-reuse scheme will have less capacity (not likely to be a problem as
the network turns on), but more importantly, the larger distance to reuse will minimize
interference. As subscribers are added to the network, the capacity increases to the
point that frequencies must be reused over shorter distances. Using frequency hopping,
the GSM network may be frequency planned using all of the channels within three sites.
Frequency hopping is explained in a later section.„
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The number of channels available per sector when considering the two reuse schemes is
calculated as follows:„
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To calculate the capacity of the network, the Erlang capacity of each sector must be
identified. The Erlang capacity of each sector is calculated by considering the desired
Grade Of Service (GOS) and the number of voice channels per sector. It is industry-
accepted practice to design a network with 1 - 2% GOS. The number of voice channels
per sector is calculated with respect to the number of RF carriers per sector. Generally,
eight time slots are considered for each carrier except the first carrier, which dedicates
one or two time slots for control and messaging. By using an Erlang-B table, the Erlangs
per sector are determined.„
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The Erlang capacity of the network is calculated as follows: „
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Comparing the total capacity of networks using the two different reuse schemes is
depicted as follow.„
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Capacity of Network Using 3/9 Reuse Scheme„
Total Number of Cells Required„ 100„ „
Number of Voice Channels/ 22„ „
Sector„
Blocking Rate„ 1„ %„
Erlangs/Sector„ 13.65„ „
Sectors per Site„ 3„ „
Erlangs/Site„ 40.95„ „
Erlang Capacity of Network„ 4095„ „
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Capacity of Network Using 4/12 Reuse Scheme„
Total Number of Cells Required„ 100„ „
Number of Voice Channels/ 14„ „
Sector„
Blocking Rate„ 1„ %„
Erlangs/Sector„ 7.351681„ „
Sectors per Site„ 3„ „
Erlangs/Site„ 22.05„ „
Erlang Capacity of Network„ 2205„ „
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In the case of a network using a 3/9-reuse scheme, there would be 810 channels.
Conversely, the same network of sites using a 4/12-reuse scheme would have 630
channels; however, the capacity has almost doubled. This example is a bit over
simplified, and conservatively assumes that all sites in the network have the same
distribution of traffic; however, it depicts the gains associated with a tighter reuse
scheme. „
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