1. Develop novel radio network planning optimization algorithms for GSM/UMTS co-existence and
co-citing. This requires modeling GSM/UMTS co-citing as a multiobjective optimization problem
and developing low complexity algorithms to efficiently solve it.
2. Develop novel radio network planning optimization algorithms with electromagnetic radiation
based objective functions. This requires integrating EM radiation based constraints into the
optimization problem taking into account difference between the GSM and UMTS systems and
taking into account typical threshold values accepted by regional governing bodies. This in turn
requires reviewing national/regional guidelines on allowed EM radiation levels.
3. Implement the developed algorithms into a software tool that can be used by cellular network
operators and university researchers. After succeeding in modeling the optimization problem and
efficiently solving it, it is very important to develop a user friendly software tool that can be used by
researchers working in the area and by network operators to obtain optimized GSM/UMTS
seamless networks with an option to take into account EM radiation levels. This step is significant
as it forms one of the main products of this research work and helps disseminating its results.
4. Perform practical radio network planning case study for GSM/UMTS co-citing in the city of Beirut.
This requires accurate topological data for the city of Beirut in addition to statistics on user
densities, propagation models, services, etc. The significance of this step is to test the developed
software tool on real data in order to obtain better assessment of the proposed algorithms. This
requires initiating contact with local cellular network operators in order to obtain required data and
jointly assess obtained results.
5. Stimulate research activities and collaboration between universities and local/Arab network
operators in the field of cellular network planning and optimization. Cellular network operators can
provide useful practical information/data and can benefit from the outcomes of the project
especially that many Arab countries are gradually migrating, or planning to migrate, to UMTS
networks with already existing GSM networks.
All project objectives were achieved as summarized below. The items listed below correspond
to the project objectives listed in the previous section.
1. We have developed novel radio network planning algorithms for network scenarios with
GSM/UMTS co-citing. The problem was formulated as a multi-objective optimization
problem and mathematical optimization techniques were used to solve it. Results were
obtained and evaluated for various scenarios.
Part of the research outcome was published in IEEE International Conference on
Communications 2009 (IEEE ICC’09). Moreover, an extended journal publication is
currently in preparation.
2. We have developed novel radio network planning algorithms for network scenarios with
electromagnetic radiation considerations. We addressed the following two network planning
problems: optimized site selection from a given set of candidate sites and optimized site
placement for finding the best locations of a given number of sites in an area of interest.
Both problems were formulated as multi-objective optimization problems and solved using
mathematical optimization techniques taking into account power transmission and
electromagnetic radiation considerations. Results were obtained and evaluated for various
