Summary

Two areas of detailed study are being suggested in this proposal: cellular architectures, and link quality evaluation and handoff algorithms. A new macrodiversity cellular architecture is proposed that has the same topology as a sectored cellular system, but allows the mobile subscriber to be connected to multiple radio ports. By using DCA the traditional cell boundary is broken, thereby reducing overall networks delays and simplifying implementation of macrodiversity. Issues to be addressed include performance vs. complexity, distributed dynamic channel assignment, and switching.

The second broad area of research proposes to develop new algorithms for robust and adaptive measurements link quality and new handoff algorithms that are suitable for macrodiversity and hierarchical cellular architectures, especially in a microcellular environment. We are also interested in fast and accurate methods for in-service signal quality estimation, algorithms based on the higher-order statistics of the mobile radio channel, the development of handoff analysis methods for microcellular environments and SIR-based handoff algorithms.

The approaches to be employed in the study involve a mixture of analytical and simulation studies. Whenever possible we will strive to keep our concepts and methodology as general as possible. The work would be performed by three Ph.D. students and the two Principal Investigator. Reporting would be through journal publications, conference presentations, and NSF reports. The research would be performed over a three year period, and would completely support the time of the three Ph.D. students and a fraction of the summer salary for the two Principle Investigators.