The use of simplified air interface dimensioning techniques to explain the impact of various UMTS options

There are many features inherent to the 3G standards, which can be used to improve performance within a UMTS network. This paper discusses some of these features in relation to the air interface and uses simplified dimensioning methods to explain their impact on cell range, coverage quality and throughput capacity. In order to utilize each of these features to the maximum benefit it is important to understand what the limiting factors are within the air interface in terms of coverage, capacity and link direction. A simple dimensioning scenario shows how these principles can be used in the planning process. It is shown how and when to utilize each of the features most effectively based upon the limiting conditions within the network and how coverage and capacity requirements can be maintained with minimal increase in site numbers.