ABSTRACT

Contents 15.1 Introduction ................................................................................. 550 15.2 Multihop Relaying Networks .......................................................... 551

15.2.1 Properties of Relay-Based Networks ...................................... 551 15.2.2 Deployment of Relay-Based Networks .................................. 552

15.3 Technology-Specific Features Affecting the Network Planning and Optimization Process ............................................................... 553 15.3.1 Interference Model ............................................................. 553 15.3.2 Cooperative Relay Networks ................................................ 555

15.4 Optimization Framework and Procedures ......................................... 557 15.4.1 Parameter Reconfiguration .................................................. 557 15.4.2 Frequency Planning ............................................................ 560 15.4.3 System Level Simulation and Performance

Evaluation Methods ............................................................ 564 15.5 Optimization Techniques ............................................................... 573

15.5.1 Metaheuristics .................................................................... 574 15.5.2 Multiobjective Optimization ................................................ 574

15.6 Planning Criteria for LTE-An Economic Perspective ....................... 577 15.7 Conclusion and Open Issues ........................................................... 583 References .............................................................................................. 584

15.1 Introduction To successfully compete with other existing and future wireless, cellular, and wireline services, wireless network designers need to fully consider the specific technical constraints that influence the whole design process. The number of combinations of network elements and parameters that can be configured during the design process [e.g., antenna tilt, azimuth, base station location, power, radio resource management (RRM) parameters], constitutes the solution space. The size of this space determines the degree of complexity of finding appropriate solutions. In wireless metropolitan area networks (WMAN) scenarios, and particularly in multihop environments, the number of options is high, so it is very unlikely that the optimal network configuration can be found using a manual method [1].