On the Study of Self-Configuration Neighbour Cell List for Mobile WiMAX

Mobile WiMAX faces challenge of developing base station with self-configuration feature. This paper studies the algorithms of self-configuring neighbour cell list (NCL) for the WiMAX base stations. Three categories of algorithms are proposed based on different antenna radiation approximations. With empirical estimation of cell coverage radius, the algorithms are tested and compared in terms of user SINR experience via computer simulation. Circle- based and sector-based algorithms are found to have the best performances of providing users with high SINR value and low SINR variation. Real-pattern-based algorithm failed to achieve the expected performance. The possible reasons are analyzed. The algorithms are also inspected from the aspect of computational load. The results indicate that circle- based and sector-based algorithms present superior performances. Therefore, they are the most feasible candidates of self-configuration NCL algorithms.