A Dimensioning Study for UMTS Core Networks

Current literature provides many practical tools and theoretical methods to design, plan, and dimension Global System for Mobile Communications GSM and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System UMTS radio networks but overlooks the algorithms of network planning and dimensioning for core networks of GSM, UMTS and IP Multimedia Subsystem IMS. This paper introduces an algorithm for traffic, bandwidth and throughput dimensioning of the network entities in the UMTS core network, based on the traffic and throughput generated or absorbed in the interfaces of the network entities. A case study is provided to verify the algorithms created for UMTS core network. This paper helps UMTS network operators dimension and build an optimum network to deliver the best quality of service for users. The algorithms developed in the paper have been successfully applied in dimensioning a nationwide UMTS network in North Africa and adopted in an optimization tool by a mobile operator in the United States in 2008-2009.

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