Optimizing the design of a code division multiple access cellular system configuration with multiple criteria

This paper deals with the mathematical modeling and optimization of a code division multiple access (CDMA) cellular system configuration that seeks the optimal location, power, and antenna height of each base station in a service area, in order to optimize call quality, service coverage and total cost of system configuration. The factors affecting optimum selection are the non-uniform spatial demand in the service area, the propagation environment, the interference among users and among base stations, and other factors intrinsic to CDMA technology The simulated annealing method supplemented by a demand allocation algorithm is implemented in a software package to solve this complex multiobjective nonlinear optimization problem. This research shows that simulated annealing is a viable method for obtaining ‘good quality’ solutions to the wireless system configuration problem. A realistic case study dealing with the design of a cellular system configuration for the city of Cambridge, MA, and its surroundings, is developed to illustrate the modeling concept and the steps of the algorithm. Sensitivity analysis is performed to further analyze the configuration decision.