PLANNING

Planning begins with clearly understanding the user requirement. A user requirement shows what service the user expects in time, space and service. In space, the requirement defines precisely which geographic areas are to be covered; in service, the specification may define the call types to be supported, the service for packet transmission or the data throughput; and, in time defines the way the user expects the network to evolve.

Planning progresses by expressing the user requirement electronically in a planning tool then applying selected infrastructure. The specification normally includes performance parameters such as path availability, confidence in achieving a particular connectivity, limits to intra-network interference for given spectrum blocks and the like. At any stage the plan can be compared with the requirement.

MODELING

Modeling is an activity that fits within the family of methodologies often referred to as the scientific method of enquiry. This method requires the statement of a research question. Evidence is then gathered and a conclusion is reached. Alternatively, the evidence may permit a hypothesis to be put forward for further investigation.

So how does modelling help? Consider a question on spectrum coexistence: to what extent can application-specific, licence-exempt devices satisfactorily share with licensed WiMAX networks in the urban environment? This can be answered by outlining the representative networks in a modelling tool, developing scenarios for the operation of the various devices and determining the degree of interference between the devices and networks. From this an answer to the research question can be reasoned.

Modeling is a powerful way of revealing evidence to support, or refute, research questions. Tell us your question and we’ll give you the answer