Analysis of uplink and downlink capacities for two-tier cellular system

Abstract

Combining macrocell and microcell in a two-tier cellular system is highly attractive because it provides a balance between maximising the number of users per unit area and minimising the network control associated with handoff. The authors examine the system capacity of a two-tier cellular architecture employing three TDMA/CDMA strategies. Both the uplink and downlink are evaluated via mathematical analysis. Results indicate that system performance degrades for either a larger macrocell or microcell and capacities are inadequate for users near the macrocell's boundary. It also shows a huge discrepancy between the results obtained for the centre cell against those for the boundary cell.