A Novel Transmission Network Design Method for Beyond 3G Networks

In beyond 3G networks, the adequate design of the transmission network that diverts the data traffic of the NodeBs to the core network is an important challenge. Due to the deployment of new radio access technologies, and the dramatic traffic increase, the network operators tend to apply traffic aggregation techniques within their transmission network to reach higher utilization. This paper presents a method for the design of microwave transmission network topology and optimal link capacity assignment. The method considers the traffic conditions of the NodeBs; the number, lengths and capacities of the available microwave links; the available number of pylons/buildings with given upper-bound on the number of antennas; the traffic aggregation factor at the NodeBs; the costs of the transmission capacities; and topology constraints. The method finds the network topology and a capacity planning with the less cost within the set of candidate topologies.