CDMA downlink performance issues

Several key performance issues for the downlink of IS-95 based CDMA systems are explored. Performance data collected from a number of operational systems using CDMA diagnostic monitor equipment and post-processing analysis software is used to aid in the development of improved link and system performance prediction models. The models developed permit the sensitivity of link performance and system capacity to be examined for a wide variety of deployment scenarios. The impact of orthogonality loss on link performance is assessed along with the relative impact on system capacity. Performance limitations resulting from channel induced multipath and soft handoff are also examined based on using a 3-tap RAKE receiver. The results suggest that many systems may not meet the performance and capacity predictions derived from using simplistic downlink radio network planning models