Base-Station Location Optimization for LTE Systems with Genetic Algorithms

Minimizing the cost of a cellular network usually includes the optimum selection and location of base-stations, that meet certain coverage and capacity constraints. In the framework of LTE wireless networks, coverage and capacity planning are interrelated in terms of interference. Moreover, the ever increasing capacity demand for non-uniformly distributed users, along with mixed cell scenarios and relay nodes, makes base station location optimization a non trivial task. To address this issue we propose a genetic algorithm based methodology that optimally performs the task of base-stations location by minimizing the cost of the network while fulfilling the coverage and capacity criteria. Example results are provided for case study scenarios that give useful planning insights for LTE systems.