A low-cost cellular mobile communication system: a hierarchical optimization network resource planning approach

This paper deals with the optimization of the design and radio network resource planning for cellular mobile communication systems. The key element to be considered for mobile network planning is cost. A hierarchical optimization planning method (HOP) is utilized since there are so many factors like system performance, terrain features, base station parameters, and cost factors which are involved in the large-scale system design. We present a three-level optimization approach for designing a cellular mobile system. It determines the cell number, cell site allocation, and the specific base station parameters in order to minimize the total system cost and to comply with the required system performance. The problem is formulated as a large combinatorial optimization model which can determine the optimal number of cells and select the best base stations´ locations. The simulated annealing approach is developed to solve the hard combinatorial problem. Simulation results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the HOP approach for radio network planning