CELLULAR & MOBILE COMMUNICATION

LECTURE NOTES
B.TECH (IV-I SEM)
(2023-24)

PREPARED BY
Mr. POORNACHANDRA REDDY D, M.TECH

ASSISTANT PROFESSSOR
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION
ENGINEERING

SREE RAMA ENGINEERING COLLEGE

(SREE RAMA EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY, Regd. No. 414/1992, Ramireddy Nagar,
Karakambadi road, Tirupati-517507, Chittoor (Dt)., A.P
Approved by AICTE, New Delhi & Affiliated to JNTU Anantapur
Ph: 0877 – 6578556, 6578557
www.sreerama.ac.in Email: srectirupati@gmail.com
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UNIT-IV

FREQUENCY MANAGEMENT AND CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT

The function of frequency management is to divide the total number of available channels into
subsets which can be assigned to each cell either in a fixed fashion or dynamically (i.e., in response to
any channel among the available channels). The terms ―frequency management‖ and ―channel assignment‖ often
create some confusion. Frequency management refers to designating setup channels and voice channels
(done by the FCC), numbering the channels (done by the FCC), and grouping the voice channels into
subsets (done by each system according to its preference).
Channel assignment refers to the allocation of specific channels to cell sites and mobile units. A
fixed channel set consisting of one more subsets is assigned to a cell site on a long-term basis. During a
call, a particular channel is assigned to a mobile unit on a short- term basis. For a short-term
assignment, one channel assignment per call is handled by the mobile telephone switching office
(MTSO). Ideally channel assignment should be based on causing the least interference in the system.
However, most cellular systems cannot perform this way.
4.1 NUMBERING THE RADIO CHANNELS
The total number of channels at present (January 1988) is 832. But most mobile units an
systems are still operating on 666 channels. Therefore we describe the 666 channel numbering first. A
channel consists of two frequency channel bandwidths, one in the low band and one in the high band.
Two frequencies in channel 1 are
825.030 MHz (mobile transmit) 870.030 MHz (cell-site transmit). The two frequencies in channel 666 are
844.98 MHz (mobile transmit) and 898 MHz (cell-site transmit). The 666 channels are divided into two
groups: block A system and block B system. Each market (i.e., each city) has two systems for a duopoly
market policy. Each block has 333 channels, as shown in Fig.1.1.
The 42 set-up channels are assigned as follows.
Channels 313-333 block A

Channels 334-354 block B

The voice channels are assigned as

bloc
follows. Channels 1-312 (312 voice kA
block
channels)

Channels 355-666 (312 voice channels) B

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Fig.4.1. Frequency management chart

These 42 set-up channels are assigned in the middle of all the assigned channels to facilitate
scanning of those channels by frequency synthesizers. In the new additional spectrum allocation of 10
MHz (sec Fig. 1.2.), an additional 166 channels are assigned. Since a 1 MHz is assigned below 825
MHz (or 870 MHz) in the future, additional channels will be numbered up to 849 MHz (or 894 MHz) and
will then circle back. The last channel number is 1023. There are no Channels between channels 799
and 991.

Fig.4.2. New additional spectrum allocation

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GROUPING INTO SUBSETS

The number of voice channels for each system is 312. We can group these into any number of
subsets. Since there are 21 set-up channels for each system, it is logical to group the 312 channels into
21 subsets. Each subset then consists of 16 channels. In each set, the closest adjacent channel is 21
channels away, as shown in Fig.1.1. The 16 channels in each subset can be mounted on a frame and
connected to a channel combiner. Wide separation between adjacent channels is required for meeting
the requirement of minimum isolation. Each 16- channel subset is idealized for each 16-channel
combiner. In a seven- cell frequency-reuse cell system each cell contains three subsets, iA+iB+iC, where
i is an integer from 1 to 7. The total number of voice channels in a cell is about 45. The minimum
separation between three subsets is 7 channels. If six subsets are equipped in an omnicell site, the
minimum separation between two adjacent channels can be only three (21/6> 3) physical channel
bandwidths.
For
example,
1A+1B+1C+4A+4B+4 C
Or 1A+1B+1C+5A+5B+5C
SET-UP CHANNELS
Set-up channels also called control channels are the channels designated to setup calls. We
should not be confused by fact that a call always needs a set-up channel. A system can be operated
without set-up channels. If we are choosing such a system all the 333 channels in each cellular system
(block A or block B) can be voice channels; however each mobile unit must then scan 333 channels
continuously and detect the signaling for its call. A customer who wants to initiate a call must scan all the
channels and find an idle (unoccupied) one to use.

In a cellular system, we are implementing frequency-reuse concepts. In this case the set-up
channels are acting as control channels. The 21 set-up channels are taken out from the total number of
channels. The number 21 is derived from a seven-cell frequency-reuse pattern with three 120◦ sectors per
cell, or a total of 21 sectors, which require 21 set-up channels. However, now only a few of the 21 setup
channels are being used in each system. Theoretically, when cell size decreases the use of set-up
channels should increase. Set-up channels can be classified by usage into two types: access channels
and paging channels.
An access channel is used for the mobile-originating calls and paging channels for the land
originating calls. For this reason, a set-up channel is sometimescalled an ‗accesschannel‘ and sometimes called a
‗paging channel.‘ Everytwo- way channel contains two 30-kHz bandwidth.. Normally one set-up channel is
also specifiedby two operations as a forward set-up channel (using the upper band) and a reverse set-up
channel (using the lower band). In the most common types of cellular systems, one set-up channel is
used for both access and paging. The forward set-up channel functions as the paging channel for
responding to the mobile-originating calls. The reverse set-up channel functions as the access channel
for the responder to the paging call. The forward set- up channel is transmitted at the cell site, and the
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reverse set-up channel is transmitted at the mobile unit. All set- up channels carry data information only.

ACCESS CHANNELS:
In mobile-originating calls, the mobile unit scans its 21 set-up channels and chooses the
strongest one. Because each set-up channel is associated with one cell, the strongest set-up channel
indicates which cell is to serve the mobile-originating calls. Th. mobile unit detects the system
information transmitted from the cell site. Also, the mobile unit monitors the Busy/Idle status bits over the
desired forward setup channel. When the idle bits are received, the mobile unit can use the
corresponding reverse set-up channel to initiate a call.

Frequently only one system operates in a given city; for instance, block B system might be
operating and the mobile unit could be set to ―preferable A system.‖ When the mobile unit first scans the 21 set-up
channels in block A, two conditions can occur.
1. If no set-up channels of block A are operational, the mobile unit automatically switches to block B.
2. If a strong set-up signal strength is received but no message can be detected, then the scanner
chooses the second strongest set-up channel. If the message still cannot be detected, the mobile unit
switches to block B and scans to block B set-up channels.

PAGING CHANNELS:
Each cell site has been allocated its own setup channel (control channel). The assigned forward
set-up channel (FOCC) of each cell site is used to page the mobile unit with the same mobile station
control message.
Because the same message is transmitted by the different set-up channels, no simulcast
interference occurs in the system. The algorithm for paging & mobile unit can be performed in different
ways. The simplest way is to page from all the cell sites. This can occupy a large amount of the traffic
load. The other way is to page in an area corresponding to the mobile unit phone number. If there is no
answer, the system tries to page in other areas. The drawback is that response time is sometimes too
long.
When the mobile unit responds to the page on the reverse set-up channel, the cell site which
receives the response checks the signal reception level and makes a decision regarding the voice
channel assignment based on least interference in the selected sector or underlay-overlay region.

FIXED CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT

ADJACENT-CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT:
Adjacent-channel assignment includes neighboring-channel assignment and next-channel
assignment. The near-end–far-end (ratio) interference can occur among the neighboring channels (four
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channels on each side of the desired channel). Therefore, within a cell we have to be sure to assign
neighboring channels in an Omni- directional-cell system and in a directional-antenna-cell system
properly.
In an Omni-directional-cell system, if one channel is assigned to the middle cell of seven cells,
next channels cannot be assigned in the same cell. Also, no next channel (preferably including
neighboring channels) should be assigned in the six neighboring sites in the same cell system area (Fig.
7.3a). In a directional-antenna-cell system, if one channel is assigned to a face, next channels cannot be
assigned to the same face or to the other two faces in the same cell. Also, next channels cannot be
assigned to the other two faces at the same cell site (Fig. 7.3b). Sometimes the next channels are
assigned in the next sector of the same cell in order to increase capacity. Then performance can still be
in the tolerance range if the design is proper.

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Fig.4.3 Adjacent channel assignment (a) Omni direction

antenna cells; (b) Directional antenna cells
CHANNEL SHARING
Channel sharing is a short-term traffic-relief scheme. A scheme used for a seven-cell three-face
system is shown in Fig. 7.2. There are 21 channel sets, with each set consisting of about 16 channels.
Figure7.2 shows the channel set numbers. When a cell needs more channels, the channels of another
face at the same cell site can be shared to handle the short-term overload. To obey the adjacent-channel
assignment algorithm, the sharing is always cyclic. Sharing always increases the trunking efficiency of
channels.
Since we cannot allow adjacent channels to share with the nominal channels in the same cell,
channel sets 4 and 5 cannot both be shared with channel sets 12 and 18, a indicated by the grid mark.
Many grid marks are indicated in Fig.7.2 for the same reason. However, the upper subset of set 4 can be
shared with the lower subset of set 5 with no interference. In channel-sharing systems, the channel
combiner should be flexible in order to combine up to 32 channels in one face in real time. An alternative
method is to install a standby antenna.

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Fig.4.4. Channel sharing algorithm

CHANNEL BORROWING
Channel borrowing is usually handled on a long-term basis. The extent of borrowing more
available channels from other cells depends on the traffic density in the area. Channel borrowing can be
implemented from one cell-site face to another face at the same cell site. In addition, the central cell site
can borrow channels from neighboring cells. The channel-borrowing scheme is used primarily for slowly-
growing systems. It is often helpful in delaying cell splitting in peak traffic areas. Since cell splitting is
costly, it should be implemented only as a last resort.

ADVANTAGE OF SECTORIZATION:
The total number of available channels can be divided into sets (subgroups) depending on the
Sectorization of the cell configuration: the 120◦-sector system, the 60◦-sector system, and the 45◦-sector system. In
certain locations and special situations, the sector angle can be reduced (narrowed) in order to assign
more channels in one sector without increasing neighboring-channel interference. Sectorization serves
the same purpose as the channel-borrowing scheme in delaying cell splitting. In addition, channel
coordination to avoid co- channel interference is much easier in sectorization than in cell splitting. Given
the same number of channels, trunking efficiency decreases in Sectorization.
SECTORIZED CELLS: There are three basic types.
1. The 120◦-sector cell is used for both transmitting and receiving Sectorization. Each sector has an
assigned a number of frequencies. Changing sectors during a call requires handoffs.
2. The 60◦-sector cell is used for both transmitting and receiving Sectorization. Changing sectors during a
call requires handoffs. More handoffs are expected for a 60◦ sector than a 120◦ sector in areas close to cell sites
(close-in areas).

3. The 120◦ or 60◦-sector cell is used for receiving Sectorization only. In this case, the transmitting
antenna is Omni directional. The number of channels in this cell is not sub- divided for each sector.
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Therefore, no handoffs are required when changing sectors. This receiving-Sectorization-only
configuration does not decrease interference or increase the D/R ratio; it only allows for a more accurate
decision regarding handing off the calls to neighboring cells.

UNDERLAY-OVERLAY ARRANGEMENT
In actual cellular systems cell grids are seldom uniform because of varying traffic conditions in different
areas and cell-site locations.
OVERLAID CELLS:
To permit the two groups to reuse the channels in two different cell-reuse patterns of the same size, an
―under laid‖ small cell is sometimes established at the same cell site as the large cell (see Fig. 7.5a). The
―doughnut‖(large)and―hole‖(small)cellsaretreatedastwodifferentcells.Theyareusuallyconsideredas
―neighboring cells.‖

Fig.4.5.Under laid-overlaid cell arrangements. (a) Underlay-overlay in omnicell; (b)

Underlay- overlay in Sectorized cell; (c) Two level handoff scheme

The use of either an Omni directional antenna at one site to create two sub ring areas or three
directional antennas to create six subareas is illustrated in Fig. 4.5 b. As seen in Fig.4.5, a set of
frequencies used in an overlay area will differ from a set of frequencies used in an underlay area in order
to avoid adjacent-channel and co-channel interference.
The channels assigned to one combiner—say, 16 channels—can be used for overlay, and another
combiner can be used for underlay.
IMPLEMENTATION:
The antenna of a set-up channel is usually Omni directional. When an incoming call is received by
the set-up channel and its signal strength is higher than a level L, the under laid cell is assigned;
otherwise, the overlaid cell is

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assigned. The handoffs are implemented between the under laid and overlaid cells. In order to avoid the
unnecessary handoffs, we may choose two levels L1 and L2 and L1 > L2 as shown in Fig. 4.5 (c). When
a mobile signal is higher than a level L1 the call is handed off to the under laid cell. When a signal is
lower than a level L2 the call is handed off to the overlaid cell. The channels assigned in the under laid
cell have more protection against co-channel interference.

NON FIXED CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT STRATEGY

1. FIXED CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT: The fixed channel assignment (FCA) algorithm is the most common
algorithm adopted in many cellular systems. In this algorithm, each cell assigns its own radio channels to
the vehicles within its cell.
2. DYNAMIC CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT: In dynamic channel assignment (DCA), no fixed channels are
assigned to each cell. Therefore, any channel in a composite of N radio channels can be assigned to the
mobile unit. This means that a channel is assigned directly to a mobile unit. On the basis of overall
system performance, DCA can also be used during a call.
3. HYBRID CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT: Hybrid channel assignment (HCA) is a combination of FCA and DCA.
A portion of the total frequency channels will use FCA and the rest will use DCA.
4. BORROWING CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT: Borrowing channel assignment (BCA) uses FCA as a normal
assignment condition. When all the fixed channels are occupied, then the cell borrows channels from the
neighboring cells.
5. FORCIBLE-BORROWING CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT: In forcible-borrowing channel assignment (FBCA),
if a channel is in operation and the situation warrants it, channels must be borrowed from the neighboring
cells and at the same time, another voice channel will be assigned to continue the call in the neighboring
cell. There are many different ways of implementing FBCA. In a general sense, FBCA can also be
applied while accounting for the forcible borrowing of the channels within a fixed channel set to reduce
the chance of co-channel assignment in a reuse cell pattern. The FBCA algorithms based on assigning a
channel dynamically but obeying the rule of reuse distance.
The distance between the two cells is reuse distance, which is the minimum distance at which
no co- channel interference would occur. Very infrequently, no channel can be borrowed in the
neighboring cells. Even those channels currently in operation can be forcibly borrowed and will be
replaced by a new channel in the neighboring cell or the neighboring cell of the neighboring cell. If all the
channels in the neighboring cells cannot be borrowed because of interference problems, the FBCA
stops.

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