The benefits of load sharing when dimensioning networks

Abstract

With third and fourth generation (4G) wireless technology, operators may manage multiple wireless networks, including cellular networks of different generations, frequencies and cell sizes; potentially multiple wireless LAN networks operating at different data rates, and possibly satellite and other networks. Architectural studies on integrated heterogeneous networks propose that a common radio resource manager allocate sessions to wireless networks, based on service requirements and loading. This idea has merit: distributed operating systems has shown that distributing jobs across computer systems can lead to increased throughput, performance, modularity, survivability, and accessibility. This study investigates how the increased modularity and performance offered by load shared networks can translate into lower deployment costs in cellular networks, as in distributed systems.