Capacity analysis of a cellular data system with 3G/WLAN interworking

The 3G-WLAN interworking is motivated by the potential of merging the ubiquitous coverage of cellular with the high data-rate of wireless LAN to improve service quality and reduce system cost. In this paper we propose and develop a simulation model to investigate the system capacity benefits of the hybrid 3G/WLAN system for real-time and near real-time video services. In particular, we use this model to estimate the total traffic handling capacity of the hybrid network (with specified service-level performance objectives) as a function of the percentage of the cellular service area covered by WLAN. The results demonstrate that a 3G/WLAN interworking system leads to a large net increase in system capacity and/or decrease in service cost for both real-time and near real-time video services.