Optimizing the GSM/EDGE air interface for multiple services with dynamic frequency and channel assignment

The variety of services offered in cellular networks is rapidly increasing. However, optimizing the GSM/EDGE air interface for a multitude of services remains a big challenge. Dynamic frequency and channel assignment (DFCA) provides powerful tools to manage the highly variable interference tolerance properties of different services in the air interface. The application of the DFCA concept in a GERAN (GSM/EDGE radio access network) with a mix of services is studied. The technical implementation of DFCA with multiple service support is also presented. The concepts are validated with extensive simulations. Simulations involve multiple scenarios with varying service mixes including both circuit switched and packet switched services. The results show significant capacity gains in both single service and multiple service scenarios.