Optimization of access network design in 3G networks

This paper proposes a novel constraint-based optimization model and a novel search strategy for optimizing the design of a 3G UMTS access network. The model concerns finding a set of sites for locating RNCs, and at the same time optimally assigning node Bs to the selected RNCs. All these choices must satisfy a set of constraints and optimize a set of objectives. Computational results show that the model and the search strategy are highly efficient. Optimal solutions are always obtained for small or medium sized problems. For large sized problems, the final results are on average within 5.77 % to 7.48 % of the lower bounds.