Throughput and Coverage Analysis of WCDMA and HSDPA Networks

This research deals with a study of case, unifying theoretical and practical aspects, regarding the cell-planning of Wideband Code Division Multiplexing (WCDMA) Release 99 (Rel99) and High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) Rel. 5 networks. The used methodology, validated by the close agreement between field and numerical results for throughput and cell coverage, is a useful tool to have first order throughput/coverage prediction results for dimensioning and optimization purposes of advanced wireless networks. The field and analytical results also have confirmed that the HSDPA Rel. 5 allow a higher performance with a similar coverage in relation to that one obtained with a WCDMA Rel. 99 network.