Optimizing Global System for Mobile Communication Network Design via Minimum Spanning Tree (Published)
This paper explores the technique of minimum spanning tree (MST) to optimize the design of Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication network. The coverage area is Yola North and Yola South Local Government Areas in Adamawa State, Nigeria. The estimated subscriber capacity is 200,000. Area view from satellite images in space using Google earth and Arc GIS software provided part of the site survey data. Base Station (BS) selection was based on population density of any given area. Follow-up physical visit to selected locations was undertaken to augment the information from Google earth and Arc Map. The coverage of each site and the corresponding antenna height were determined from the survey data. The technique of MST was deployed in the analysis of the site survey data. The outcome showed a reduction from 80 possible network links to only 28 links. The MST outcome also provided alternative links that could guarantee service during critical repair works.
Keywords: Global System for Mobile Communication, Minimum Spanning Tree, Network, Quality of Service