Radio network dimension planning for WCDMA system using multiuser detection

When planning a WCDMA radio network, the system capacity, coverage and quality of service (QoS) cannot be decided independently because of the inherent self-interference of a CDMA communication system. Multiuser detection (MUD) technology can reduce most of the cellular users´ interference and will be implemented in the Release 5 of the WCDMA specifications introduced by 3GPP. We first introduce MUD technologies briefly. Then discuss how to preplan a WCDMA network with MUD technology adopted, including dimensioning of coverage and capacity. Lastly, we compare the performance in terms of coverage and capacity between systems with and without MUD technology engaged.