Multi-carrier frequency assignment method
View Patent ↗In a method and a device for frequency planning of a multi carrier cellular radio system, a cost function that reflects a multi carrier function is used. Using the method and the device the frequency optimization can be made to take into account systems employing multi carrier techniques whereby the planning complexity and time for operators is reduced.
1. A method of assigning frequencies in a cellular radio system where the cellular radio system employs a multi-carrier technique, wherein the method comprises:
collecting data related to the cellular radio system;
assigning a multi-carrier function cost for a multi-carrier function, wherein the multi-carrier function cost represents a level of interference associated with an assignment of frequencies to two or more carriers in a same cell or in a same sector; and
assigning frequencies to the two or more carriers based on the assigned mulit-carrier function cost.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein assigning the multi-carrier function cost for the multi-carrier function comprises assigning a multi-carrier function cost only when the level of interference associated with the assignment of the frequencies to the two or more carriers meets a threshold requirement.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein assigning the multi-carrier function cost for the multi-carrier function comprises assigning the multi-carrier function cost dependent on a difference in the levels of interference for each carrier pair assigned to a particular sector.
4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising adjusting the multi-carrier function cost based on a configurable priority setting.
5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the multi-carrier function cost is applied in conjunction with an optimization run involving calculation of the cost for a specific frequency plan/assignment for other cost functions.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the multi-carrier function cost is applied after first having performed other cost functions resulting in a single carrier cost function.
7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the other cost functions comprise at least one of an interference cost, a neighbor cost, a co-site cost, and a co-sector cost.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the multi-carrier function cost is calculated using combinations of at least two single carrier frequencies.
9. A device for assigning frequencies in a cellular radio system where the cellular radio system employs a multi-carrier technique, the device comprising:
a computer including a processor to implement an optimization function, said processor configured to:
assign a cost for a multi-carrier function, wherein the cost represents a level of interference associated with an assignment of frequencies to two or more carriers in a same cell or in a same sector; and
assigning frequencies to the two or more carriers based on the assigned cost.
10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to assign the cost only when the level of interference associated with the assignment of the frequencies to the two or more carriers meets a threshold requirement.
11. The device of claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to assign the cost dependent on a difference in the levels of interference for each carrier pairassigned to a particular sector.
12. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to adjust the cost based on a configurable priority setting.
13. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to apply the cost in conjunction with an optimization run involving calculation of the cost for a specific frequency plan/assignment for other cost functions.
14. The device according claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to apply the cost after first having performed other cost functions resulting in a single-carrier cost function.
15. The device according to claim 14 , wherein the other cost functions comprise at least one of an interference cost, a neighbor cost, co-site cost, and a co-sector cost.
16. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to calculate the cost using combinations of at least two virtual single carrier frequencies.