University of Cape Town

Department of Electrical Engineering

EEE4121F
Solution to Tutorial 1

(1) Using relevant diagram(s), explain the sequence of interactions between the various
elements of a 3G network required to setup a circuit-switched voice call from a mobile
station on MTN network to another mobile station on Vodacom network. (6 Marks)

Vodacom 3G Network

HLR1 HLR2 VLR2

MTN 3G Network

Node B 1 RNC 1 3G MSC 1 GMSC1 GMSC2 3G MSC2

VLR 1
Node B 2 RNC 2

Mobile handset
initiating a call

Mobile handset
receiving a call

(2) A cellular network has a reuse factor of 7, and each cell in the network has 3 sectors. If the
diameter of a cell is 4km, what is the minimum distance between the centres of tw o co-
channel cells? (4 Marks).

D  R 3N
4
D 3 7
2
D= 9.17 Km

(3) Explain two disadvantages of not using the harmonized frequency bands for the 4G cellular
network. (3 Marks)

- Increase in the unit cost of devices/base stations

- Limited roaming capabilities
- Interoperability problems across different countries
-Low efficiency in the use of spectrum (in border areas)
 (4) Explain two benefits and one challenge of using millimetre wave for the 5G network. (4
Marks)
Benefits
(i) Availability of high bandwidth, and subsequently high data rate
(ii) Allow smaller antennas to be used in devices
(iii) Limited interference in high-density deployment of small cells

Challenge
(i) It suffers high attenuation and not suitable for use in low-density areas where bigger cells
are more cost effective.
(ii) Poor signal reception for indoor users.

(4) Bandwidth, power, time, and space are major resources in mobile communications. Explain
how these resources affect the efficiency of mobile communication networks. (8 Marks)
(i) Bandwidth: Radio spectrum is scarce and expensive. The efficiency of utilization of
available spectrum determines achievable data rates in the network.
(ii) Power: Mobile network devices use battery. When a mobile device is out of power, it
cannot connect to the network. High power efficiency is important to increase talk
time, and reduce frequency of battery recharge. Base stations and other equipment
use power. High power efficiency is required to reduce cost and carbon emission in
the environment. Moreover, efficient power control is important to reduce overall
interference in the network.
(iii) Time is a major resource in the network. The goal of communication network is to send
the highest possible data within the shortest possible time. Moreover, network
resource demand varies with time. There is congestion during the peak periods, and
resource underutilization during the off-peak time. Techniques to even out network
traffic, as much as possible, for the 24 hour duration of the day, will enhance the
overall radio resource utilization.
(iv) Space is a major resource in mobile networks. Cellular partitioning affects the network
capacity in any given location.

(5) Explain two motivations for dynamic spectrum management in wireless networks. (4 Marks)
i. Dynamic spectrum management improves the utilization of frequency spectrum, and
thereby increases achievable data rate.
ii. Dynamic spectrum management increases the number of services/devices that can be
provided/supported in a given location.

(7) In next generation mobile networks, mobile terminals having different capabilities will be
used to access network services. Explain how each of the following aspects of terminal
heterogeneity affects radio resource utilization in wireless networks: (i) terminal modality, (ii)
terminal screen size, and (iii terminal homing capability. (6 Marks)

i. Terminal Modality is the number of network interfaces a mobile terminal has. It determines the
number of radio access networks to which a mobile terminal can connect. A single-mode
terminal can be connected to just one radio access network, and therefore may experience
 higher blocking/dropping probability than a dual-mode terminal that can connect to two radio
access networks. Thus, terminal modality enhances overall radio resource utilization in mobile
networks.

ii. Terminal screen size determines the number of pixels required for certain level of video quality.
Bigger terminal screen mean more (data rate) bandwidth will be required to achieve the same
level of video quality.

iii. Terminal homing capability determines the RATs to which a mobile device can connect
simultaneously. A dual-homed terminal with experience less blocking/dropping probability than
a single-homed terminal. A dual-homed terminal can aggregate capacity from two RATs, and
thereby enhances the utilization of radio resources as well as quality of service experienced by
users.