Network Topologies, Design and Convergence

This chapter deals with how a wireless network is designed, planned, installed, optimised and maintained. Wireless telecommunications network infrastructure design, planning and installation is a specialised task and is aimed to service a populated area in a cost effective manner. It must also facilitate future network evolution as the subscriber base grows and new technologies are introduced. The chapter lists and discusses possible networking topologies for wireless broadband telecommunications systems. It discusses the characteristics of these topologies and how they perform considering the specific challenges of broadband telecommunications systems. The chapter also discusses the convergence of wireless and fixed networking technologies and how network coverage may be automatically optimised as the number of base stations and traffic levels change in different geographical areas. Wireless service provision to a populated area is a function of subscriber density as well as standard specifics, as operators build the necessary infrastructure.