METHOD AND APPARATUS OF ASSIGNING AND SHARING CHANNELS IN A CELLULAR COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

摘要

A method of assigning and sharing carriers in a cellular communications system having a plurality of cells (A1) forming a plurality of cell clusters (3) of size N. A plurality of distinct carriers are allotted for use by the system and divided into N groups which are assigned among the N cells of each cell cluster so that each cell cluster has a substantially similar assignment of distinct carrier groups. Each group of distinct carriers is divided into a plurality of carrier subgroups (A1) wherein each subgroup of carriers of a cell substantially corresponds to an adjacent cell (B1). The subgroups of carriers are respectively designated for borrowing by cells adjacent to a corresponding cell. When all of the carriers assigned to a cell are utilized, a carrier can be borrowed at limited transmitted power, from a corresponding subgroup of carriers of an adjacent cellular gateway. A method is also provided for assigning and sharing carriers and prioritizing the order of return of the carriers from a borrowing cell to a lending cell.