EDGE air-interface capacity analysis

The third generation evolution paths for GSM and TDMA include a common air-interface standard entitled Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE). This paper discuss the EDGE air-interface capabilities, modes, and features. It examines the frequency reuse, and link throughput capabilities for the EDGE radio interface in a TDMA network. The upper bound on the base station transceiver's (BTS) link throughput is developed based on the available spectrum and frequency groups. A case study of the coverage area with 30 BTSs in an urban environment is studied and presented for different reuse patterns. The carrier to interference ratio is modeled for worst case 100% utilization and the link throughput is estimated for the coverage area and on the cell level.