A Physical Model of Wireless Network

Abstract

Using an approach developed in physics, we propose a new framework for the study of cellular networks. The key idea of the physical network model we propose is to replace the discrete base stations (BS) entities by a continuum of transmitters which are spatially distributed in the network. This allows us to establish a closed form formula of the other-cell downlink interference factor f, as a function of the location of the mobile. We define here f as the ratio of outer cell received power (i.e. the power received from other cells) to the inner cell received power. This physical model allows calculating the influence of interference on any mobile in a cell, whatever its position. Results obtained with that closed-form formula are close to the ones obtained by simulations using a traditional hexagonal network model. Since the physical model allows to establish a closed form formula of the interference factor, it allows to do analytical studies of wireless networks such as outage probability, quality of service, capacity.