Architecture design, frequency planning, and performance analysis for a microcell/macrocell overlaying system

An innovative hierarchical microcell/macrocell architecture is presented. Applying the concept of cluster planning, the proposed sectoring arrangement can provide good shielding between micro- and macro-cells. As a result, underlaid microcells can reuse the same frequencies as the overlaying macrocells without decreasing the macrocell system capacity. With the proposed method, microcells not only can be gradually deployed, but they can be extensively installed to provide complete coverage throughout the service area. With these flexibilities, the proposed method allows the existing macrocellular systems to evolve smoothly into a hierarchical microcell/macrocell architecture. The total system capacity of the new architecture can be five times that of a traditional 3-sector 7-cell macrocellular system