Channel assignment methods in frequency hopping cellular radio networks

The use of GSM frequency hopping feature is becoming more popular among operators. Therefore channel assignment tools supporting the feature will be needed. In this paper methods for solving the channel assignment problem in cellular radio systems including frequency hopping are presented. The support of reuse partitioning and some other features is also considered. The study is based on Markov-chain based traffic models combined with bit error ratio analysis, from which several cost-functions with different complexity levels can be defined. For the minimization of the cost-function several combinatorial optimization methods are available. A method based on simulation of dynamic channel assignment policy is also considered. This approach gives a method to support more complex system features.