Bounded Dimensioning of Multitraffic Next-Generation Mobile Networks

Next-generation mobile networks (NGMNs) are envisaged to offer interconnectivity among existing and emerging wireless technologies through a common Internet Protocol (IP)-based packet network. Interconnectivity through a common framework will enable individual networks to independently evolve (adoption/modification of a new/current system), allow new technologies to seamlessly integrate with the existing framework, and facilitate ubiquitous roaming for the mobile users. Dimensioning provides a theoretical bound for provisioning the required NGMN capacity to meet the projected traffic demand that arises from the participating networks. Although conventional network dimensioning (e.g., second generation, third generation, etc.) encompasses radio and core networks, the independence of networks within the NGMN framework confines its dimensioning process to the core network. Based on cell loading bounds (the number of users that are simultaneously supported in a cell), future traffic projection, and data rate variability, this paper proposes a dimensioning algorithm that derives an approximate estimate bound of core network elements [the number of base stations/access points (BSs/APs) per access router (AR), the number of ARs per mobility anchor point (MAP), and the number of MAPs per gateway (GW)]. The estimate bound is governed by the appropriate selection of the wired link capacities. A macrocell-based approach is considered within the proposed hierarchical NGMN architecture to address stationary, pedestrian, and vehicular users.