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Thomas Farely
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Cellular Telephone Basics Search
JANUARY 01, 2006 Subscribe to Private Line's feed
Posted by Tom Farley & Mark van der Hoek at 08:55 PM [What is this?]
Cell and Sector Terminology
ARTICLE INDEX
With cellular radio we use a simple hexagon to represent a complex
object: the geographical area covered by cellular radio antennas. I. Introduction
These areas are called cells. Using this shape let us picture the II. Cellular History
cellular idea, because on a map it only approximates the covered III. Cell Sector Terminology
area. Why a hexagon and not a circle to represent cells? IV. Basic Theory and Operation
IX. Code Division Multiple
Access: IS-95
A. Before We Begin: A
Cellular Radio Review
B. Back to the CDMA
Discussion
When showing a cellular system we want to depict an area totally
C. Summary of CDMA
covered by radio, without any gaps. Any cellular system will have
D. A different way to
gaps in coverage, but the hexagonal shape lets us more neatly share a channel
visualize, in theory, how the system is laid out. Notice how the E. Synchronization
circles below would leave gaps in our layout. Still, why hexagons and F. What Every Radio
not triangles or rhomboids? Read the text below and we'll come to System Must Consider
that discussion in just a bit. G. CDMA Benefits
H. Call Processing: A Few
Details
V. Cellular frequency and
channel discussion
VI. Channel Names and
Functions
VII. AMPS Call Processing
A. Registration
B. Pages: Getting a call
C. The SAT, Dial Tone,
and Blank and Burst
Notice the illustration below. The middle circles represent cell sites.
D. Origination: Making a
This is where the base station radio equipment and their antennas call
are located. A cell site gives radio coverage to a cell. Do you E. Precall Validation
understand the difference between these two terms? The cell site is
a location or a point, the cell is a wide geographical area. Okay? VIII. AMPS and Digital Systems
compared
X. Appendix
Most cells have been split into sectors or individual areas to make
them more efficient and to let them to carry more calls. Antennas A. AMPS Call Processing