IPLAN · Indoor radio network PLANning and optimisation

It is estimated that 2/3 of the calls (voice services) and 90% of data services (e.g., Internet access) using wireless technologies take place indoors. How to plan and design good indoor radio networks has become a paramount issue. However, the vast majority of the work on Radio Access Network (RAN) Planning and Optimisation (P&O) has been done for outdoor rather than indoor. As a result, there lack good indoor RAN P&O tools.In this project, indoor radio network P&O methods and tools will be developed. The tools will provide some 20-30% performance improvements, reduce power usage and radio wave pollutions (thus reduce the health concerns) of indoor radio systems, and improve information security (due to the reduction of signal leakage).The objectives of the project are as follows:1. Research and develop fast and accurate radio propagation models that can be used for indoor radio network planning and optimisation.2. Investigate various issues arising from the use of femtocells, for example, the study of interference between femtocells, between femto and outdoor macrocells.3. Investigate how to effectively reduce power usage and radio wave pollutions in indoor environment.4. Develop an automatic indoor radio network planning and optimisation tool suite that will fill the gap in the indoor RAN P&O market.Achievement of these objectives will lead to fast and accurate indoor radio propagation models and advanced indoor radio network P&O tools that can be used to plan and optimise WiFi, UMTS/HSPA/LTE, WiMAX for indoor coverage.