Overview

The system design associated with code division multiple access (CDMA2000) systems has multiple factors that are interwoven with each other, making the design aspects a technical challenge. The CDMA2000 designer must not only account for the introduction of packet data services into the radio and fixed network access system but also the legacy systems, variants to 1xRTT, and eventual introduction of 3xRTT. This chapter will attempt to quantify some of the more salient aspects with CDAM2000 system design looking at several key scenarios that or issues that need to be addressed when considering or expanding CDMA2000 compatible infrastructure within a wireless system.

This chapter will cover

• Design criteria

• Traffic assumptions

• Link budgets

• Deployment issues

• Network node dimensioning

for the following three general types of systems:

• CDMA2000-1x (green field)

• IS-95 to CDMA2000-1x

• CDMA2000-1x to 3x

It will be assumed throughout the entire chapter that migration of legacy systems has been done successfully because it is not the intention of this chapter to cover the design aspects of the various legacy wireless systems. The reference section associated with this chapter, however, has several excellent sources for obtaining legacy system design guidance and examples.

With the previous said, the key factor that needs to be addressed, but often one of the most difficult, is what do you want to do? It is a simple question, but one that has profound implications with (all too often) no real answer in response to the question. The...