PANIMALAR ENGINEERNG COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF ECE
EC6801 – WIRELESS COMMUNICATION – POSSIBLE MCQ
UNIT 2 -CELLULAR ARCHITECTURE
Multiple Access Techniques – Basics
1. Multiple access schemes are used to allow ________ mobile users to share simultaneously
a finite amount of radio spectrum.
a) Many
b) One
c) Two
d) Ten-Fifteen

Answer: a
Explanation: Multiple access schemes are used to allow many mobile users to share
simultaneously a finite amount of radio spectrum. The sharing of spectrum is required to
achieve high capacity by simultaneously allocating the available bandwidth to multiple users.
2. The technique that makes possible the task of listening and talking in communication
system is called ________
a) Simplexing
b) Duplexing
c) Modulating
d) Multiple access technique

Answer: b
Explanation: In conventional telephone systems, it is possible to talk and listen
simultaneously. This effect is called duplexing and is generally required in wireless telephone
systems.
3. Frequency division duplexing provides ________ distinct bands of frequencies for
_________ user.
a) Two, two
b) One, two
c) Two, one
d) Two, many

Answer: c
Explanation: Frequency division duplexing (FDD) provides two distinct bands of frequencies
for every user. In FDD, any duplex channel actually consists of two simplex channels.
4. The forward band in FDD provides traffic from the mobile to base station.
a) True
b) False

Answer: b
Explanation: The forward band in FDD provides traffic from the base station to the mobile.
The reverse band provides traffic from the mobile to the base station.
5. The frequency separation between each forward and reverse channel changes throughout
the system.
a) True
b) False

Answer: b
Explanation:The frequency separation between each forward and reverse channel is constant
throughout the system. It is regardless of the particular channel being used. A device called a
duplexer is used inside each subscriber unit and base station to allow simultaneous
bidirectional radio transmission.
6. Time division duplexing uses ________ to provide both a forward and reverse link.
a) Frequency
b) Time
c) Time and frequency
d) Cell spacing

Answer: b
Explanation: Time division duplexing (TDD) uses time instead of frequency to provide both
a forward and reverse link. In TDD, multiple users share a single radio channel by taking
turns in the time domain.
7. TDD is effective for _________
a) Fixed wireless access and users are stationary
b) Dynamic wireless access and users are stationary
c) Fixed wireless access and users are moving
d) Dynamic wireless access and users are moving

Answer: a
Explanation: TDD is effective for fixed wireless access when all users are stationary. This
makes the propagation delay does not vary in time among the users. Because of rigid timing
required for time slotting, TDD generally is limited to cordless phone or short range potable
access.
8. In wideband systems, the transmission bandwidth of a single channel _________
coherence bandwidth of the channel.
a) Equal to
b) Not related to
c) Larger than
d) Smaller than

Answer: c
Explanation: In wideband systems, the transmission bandwidth of a single channel is much
larger than the coherence bandwidth of the channel. Thus, multipath fading does not greatly
vary the received signal power within a wideband channel.
9. In narrowband system, the channels are usually operated using TDD.
a) True
b) False

Answer: b
Explanation: In narrowband system, channels are usually operated using FDD. To minimize
interference between forward and reverse links on each channel, the frequency separation is
made as great as possible within the frequency spectrum.
10. Narrowband FDMA allows users to share the same radio channel allocating a unique time
slot to each user.
a) True
b) False

Answer: b
Explanation: In narrowband FDMA, a user is assigned a particular channel which is not
shared by other users in the vicinity. However narrowband TDMA allows the users to share
the same radio channel allocating a unique time slot to each user.

FDMA
1. Frequency division multiple access (FDMA) assigns ______ channels to _______ users.
a) Individual, individual
b) Many, individual
c) Individual, many
d) Many, many

Answer: a
Explanation: Frequency division multiple access (FDMA) assigns individual channels to
individual users. Each user is allocated a unique frequency band or channel. These channels
are assigned on demand to users who request service.
2. During the period of call, other users can share the same channel in FDMA.
a) True
b) False

Answer: b
Explanation: In FDMA systems, no other user can share the same channel during the period
of call. In FDD systems, the users are assigned a channel as a pair of frequencies; one is used
for the forward channel while the other frequency is used for the reverse channel.
3. The FDMA channel carries ____________ phone circuit at a time.
a) Ten
b) Two
c) One
d) Several

Answer: c
Explanation: The FDMA channel carries one phone circuit at a time. Each individual band or
channel is wide enough to accommodate the signal spectra of the transmissions to be
propagated.
4. If the FDMA channel is not in use, it can be used by other users.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Explanation: If an FDMA channel is not in use, it sits idle and cannot be used by other users
to increase or share capacity. It is essentially a wasted resource.
5. The bandwidth of FDMA channel is ______
a) Wide
b) Narrow
c) Large
d) Zero

Answer: b
Explanation: The bandwidth of FDMA channels is relatively narrow as each channel supports
only one circuit per carrier. That is, FDMA is usually implemented in narrow band systems.
6. The symbol time in FDMA systems is _________ thus intersymbol interference is ______
a) Large, high
b) Small, low
c) Small, high
d) Large, low

Answer: d
Explanation: The symbol time of a narrowband signal is large as compared to the average
delay spread. This implies that the amount of intersymbol interference is low and, thus, little
or no equalization is required in FDMA narrowband systems.
7. Due to _________ transmission scheme __________ bits are needed for overhead in
FDMA systems.
a) Continuous, few
b) Discontinuous, few
c) Continuous, many
d) Discontinuous, many

Answer: a
Explanation: Since FDMA is a continuous transmission scheme, fewer bits are needed for
overhead purposes (such as synchronization and framing bits) as compared to TDMA.
8. Which of the following is not true for FDMA systems as compared to TDMA systems?
a) Low complexity
b) Lower cell site system cost
c) Tight RF filtering
d) Narrow bandwidth

Answer: b
Explanation: FDMA systems have higher cell site system costs as compared to TDMA
systems. It is due to single channel per carrier design, and the need to use costly bandpass
filters to eliminate spurious radiation at the base station.
9. __________ is undesired RF radiation.
a) Intermodulation frequency
b) Intermediate frequency
c) Instantaneous frequency
d) Instrumental frequency
Answer: a
Explanation: Intermodulation (IM) frequency is undesired RF radiation which can interfere
with other channels in the FDMA systems. The nonlinearities cause signal spreading in the
frequency domain and generate IM frequency.
10. __________ is based on FDMA/FDD.
a) GSM
b) W-CDMA
c) Cordless telephone
d) AMPS

Answer: d
Explanation: The first US analog cellular system, the Advanced Mobile Phone System
(AMPS) is based on FDMA/FDD. A single user occupies a single channel while the call is in
progress.
11. In US AMPS, 416 channels are allocated to various operators with 10 kHz guard band
and channel between them is 30 kHz. What is the spectrum allocation given to each operator?
a) 12.5 kHz
b) 30 kHz
c) 12.5 MHz
d) 30 MHz

Answer: c
Explanation: Spectrum allocated to each cellular operator is 12.5 MHz. As Bt = NBc +
2Bguard; which is equal to 416*30*103+2(10*103) = 12.5 MHz.

TDMA
1. TDMA systems transmit in a continuous way.
a) True
b) False

Answer: b
Explanation: TDMA systems transmit data in a buffer and burst method. Thus, the
transmission for any user is not continuous.
2. Preamble contains __________
a) Address
b) Data
c) Guard bits
d) Trail bits

Answer: a
Explanation: TDMA frame is made up of a preamble, an information message and the trail
bits. In a TDMA frame, the preamble contains the address and synchronization information
that both the base station and the subscribers use to identify each other.
3. __________ are utilized to allow synchronization of the receivers between different slots
and frames.
a) Preamble
b) Data
c) Guard bits
d) Trail bits

Answer: c
Explanation: Guard times are utilized to allow synchronization of the receivers between
different slots and frames. TDMA/FDD systems intentionally induce several time slots of
delay between the forward and reverse time slots for a particular user.
4. Which of the following is not true for TDMA?
a) Single carrier frequency for single user
b) Discontinuous data transmission
c) No requirement of duplexers
d) High transmission rates

Answer: a
Explanation: TDMA share a single carrier frequency with several users, where each user
makes use of non-overlapping time slots. The number of time slots per frame depends on
several factors, such as modulation technique, available bandwidth etc.
5. Because of _______ transmissions in TDMA, the handoff process in __________
a) Continuous, complex
b) Continuous, simple
c) Discontinuous, complex
d) Discontinuous, simple

Answer: d
Explanation: Because of discontinuous transmissions in TDMA, the handoff process is much
simpler for a subscriber unit, since it is able to listen for other base stations during idle time
slots.
6. __________ synchronization overhead is required in TDMA due to _______ transmission.
a) High, burst
b) High, continuous
c) Low, burst
d) No, burst

Answer: a
Explanation: High synchronization overhead is required in TDMA systems because of burst
transmissions. TDMA transmissions are slotted, and this requires the receivers to be
synchronized for each data burst.
7. TDMA allocates a single time per frame to different users.
a) True
b) False

Answer: b
Explanation: TDMA has an advantage that it can allocate different numbers of time slots per
frame to different users. Thus, bandwidth can be supplied on demand to different users by
concatenating or reassigning time slots based on priority.
8. ___________ of TDMA system is a measure of the percentage of transmitted data that
contains information as opposed to providing overhead for the access scheme.
a) Efficiency
b) Figure of merit
c) Signal to noise ratio
d) Mean

Answer: a
Explanation: Efficiency of TDMA system is a measure of the percentage of transmitted data
that contains information as opposed to providing overhead for the access scheme. The frame
efficiency is the percentage of bits per frame which contain transmitted data.
9. A TDMA system uses 25 MHz for the forward link, which is broken into radio channels of
200 kHz. If 8 speech channels are supported on a single radio channel, how many
simultaneous users can be accommodated?
a) 25
b) 200
c) 1600
d) 1000

Answer: d
Explanation: For a TDMA system that uses 25 MHz for the forward link, which is broken
into radio channels of 200 kHz. If 8 speech channels are supported on a single radio channel,
1000 simultaneous users can be accommodated as N = (25 MHz)/(200 kHz/8).
10. What is the time duration of a bit if data is transmitted at 270.833 kbps in the channel?
a) 270.833 s
b) 3 μs
c) 3.692 μs
d) 3.692 s

Answer: c
Explanation: If data is transmitted at 270.833 kbps in the channel, the time duration of a bit
will be 3.692 μs, as Tb = (1/270.833 kbps) = 3.692 μs.

2.1 Questions on Cellular Concepts and Frequency Reuse

1. Cellular concept replaces many low power transmitters to a single high power transmitter.
a)True
b)False

Answer: b
Explanation: Cellular concept is a system level idea that replaces a single high power
transmitter to many low power transmitters. High power transmitters lead to large cell, and thus
it was impossible to use the same frequencies throughout the systems. But, it is possible with
low power transmitter.
2. Why neighbouring stations are assigned different group of channels in cellular system?
a) To minimize interference
b) To minimize area
c) To maximize throughput
d) To maximize capacity of each cell
Answer: a
Explanation: Neighbouring base stations are assigned different group of channels. It minimizes
the interference between base stations and the users under their control.
3. What is a cell in cellular system?
a) A group of cells
b) A group of subscribers
c) A small geographical area
d) A large group of mobile systems
Answer: a
Explanation: Cell is a small geographic area in a cellular system. Each cellular base station
within a cell is allocated a group of radio channels that could be used in another cell.

4. What is frequency reuse?

a) Process of selecting and allocating channels

b) Process of selection of mobile users
c) Process of selecting frequency of mobile equipment
d) Process of selection of number of cells
Answer: a
Explanation: Frequency reuse is the process of using the same radio frequencies on radio
transmitter sites within a geographic area. They are separated by sufficient distance to cause
minimal interference with each other.
5. Which of the following is a universally adopted shape of cell?
a) Square
b) Circle
c) Triangle
d) Hexagon
Answer: d

Explanation: Hexagonal cell shape is a simplistic model of radio coverage for each base station.
It has been universally adopted since the hexagon permits easy and manageable analysis of a
cellular system.
6.Actual radio coverage of a cell is called __________
a) Fingerprint
b) Footprint
c) Imprint
d) Matrix
Answer: b
Explanation: Actual radio coverage of a cell is known as the footprint. It is determined from
field measurements or propagation prediction models. Although the real footprint is amorphous
in nature, a regular cell shape is needed for systematic system design.
7.Why the shape of cell is not circle?
a) Omni directionality
b) Small area
c) Overlapping regions or gaps are left
d) Complex design
Answer: c
Explanation: Circle is the first natural choice to represent the coverage area of a base station.
But while adopting this shape, adjacent cells cannot be overlaid upon a map without leaving
gaps or creating overlapping regions.
8. What is the main reason to adopt hexagon shape in comparison to square and triangle?
a) Largest area
b) Simple design
c) Small area
d) Single directional
Answer: a
Explanation: For a given distance between the center of a polygon and its farthest perimeter
points, the hexagon has the largest area. Thus, by using the hexagon geometry, the fewest
number of cells can cover a geographic region.
9. Which type of antenna is used for center excited cells?
a) Dipole antenna
b) Grid antenna
c) Sectored antenna
d) Omnidirectional antenna

Answer D

10. Which type of antenna is used for edge excited cells?

a) Omnidirectional antenna
b) Grid antenna
c) Sectored directional antenna
d) Dipole antenna
Answer: c
Explanation: For edge excited cell, mostly base station transmitters are placed on three of the
six cell vertices. To cover the assigned portion of a cell, sectored directional antenna is the best
choice.
11. For a cellular system, if there are N cells and each cell is allocated k channel. What is the
total number of available radio channels, S?
a) S=k*N
b) S=k/N
c) S=N/k
d) S=kN
Answer: a
Explanation: If there is a cellular system with total of S duplex channels. Each cell is allocated
a group of k channels and there are total N cells in the system, S channels are divide among N
cells into unique and disjoint channel groups. Therefore, total number of radio channel is the
product of total number of cells in the system (N) and number of channel allocated to each cell
(k).
12.What is a cluster in a cellular system?
a) Group of frequencies
b) Group of cells
c) Group of subscribers
d) Group of mobile systems
Answer: b
Explanation: Cluster is group of N cells. These cells use the complete set of frequency available
for the cellular system at that location.
13. What is a frequency reuse factor for N number of cells in a system?
a) N
b) N2
c) 2*N
d) 1/N
Answer: d
Explanation: The frequency reuse factor is defined as 1 over the number of cells in the cluster
of the system (N). It is given by 1/N since each cell within a cluster is only assigned 1/N of the
total available channels in the system.
14. Capacity of a cellular system is directly proportional to __________
a) Number of cells
b) Number of times a cluster is replicated
c) Number of Base stations
d) Number of users
Answer: b

Explanation: The capacity of a cellular system is directly proportional to the number of times
a cluster is replicated in a fixed area. If the cluster size N is reduced while the cell size is kept
constant, more clusters are required to cover a given area, and hence more capacity is achieved.
15. A spectrum of 30 MHz is allocated to a cellular system which uses two 25 KHz simplex
channels to provide full duplex voice channels. What is the number of channels available per
cell for 4 cell reuse factor?
a) 150 channels
b) 600 channels
c) 50 channels
d) 85 channels
Answer: a
Explanation: Total bandwidth is 30 MHz. And the channel bandwidth is 50 KHz/duplex
channel (25KHz*2). Therefore, total available channels are 600 channels (30,000/50). For 4
cell reuse factor, total number of channels available per cell will be 150 channels (600/4).
2.2 Questions on Handoff
1. What is the condition for handoff?

a) A mobile moves into a different cell while in conversation

b) A mobile remains in the same cell while in conversation
c) A mobile moves to different cell when idle
d) A mobile remains in the same cell and is idle

Answer: a
Explanation: Handoff occurs when a mobile moves into a different cell while a conversation is
in progress. The MSC automatically transfers the call to a new channel belonging to the new
base station.
2. Handoff does not require voice and control channel to be allocated to channels associated
with the new base station.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Explanation: Handoff operation involves identifying a new base station. It also requires that
the voice and control signal be allocated to channels associated with the new base station.
3. The time over which a call can be maintained within a cell without handoff is called
_________
a) Run time
b) Peak time
c) Dwell time
d) Cell time
Answer: c

Explanation: The time over which a call is maintained within a cell without handoff is called
as dwell time. Dwell time vary depending on speed of user and type of radio coverage.
4 Dwell time does not depend on which of the following factor?
a) Propagation
b) Interference
c) Distance between subscriber and base station
d) Mobile station
Answer: d
Explanation: Dwell time of a particular user is governed by a number of factors. They include
propagation, interference, distance between the subscriber and the base station, and other time
varying effects.
5.Which of the following is associated with the handoff in first generation analog cellular
systems?
a) Locator receiver
b) MAHO
c) Cell dragging
d) Breathing cell
Answer: a
Explanation: Locator receiver is a spare receiver in each base station. It is used to scan and
determine signal strengths of mobile users which are in neighbouring cells.
6. MAHO stands for ______

a) MSC assisted handoff

b) Mobile assisted handoff
c) Machine assisted handoff
d) Man assisted handoff
Answer: b
Explanation: MAHO stands for mobile assisted handoff. In 2G systems, handoff decisions are
mobile assisted. In MAHO, every mobile station measure the received power from surrounding
7. A handoff is initiated when the power received from the base station of a neighbouring cell
falls behind the power received from the current base station by certain level.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Explanation: MAHO measures the power received from the surrounding base station. And a
handoff is initiated when the power received from the base station of a neighbouring cell begins
to exceed the power received from current base station.
8. What is the condition for intersystem interference?

a) Mobile moves from one cell to another cell

b) Mobile remains in the same cell
c) Mobile moves from one cellular system to another cellular system
d) Mobile remains in the same cluster
Answer: c
Explanation: An intersystem handoff is initiated when a mobile moves from one cellular system
to another during a course of a call. An MSC engages in an intersystem interference when a
mobile becomes weak in a given cell and MSC cannot find another cell to which call can be
transferred.
9. What is the disadvantage of guard channel?
a) Efficient utilization of spectrum
b) Cross talk
c) Near far effect
d) Reduce total carried traffic
Answer: d
Explanation: Guard channel is a concept for handling priority in handoff. Here, a fraction of
the total available channels in a cell is reserved exclusively for handoff requests from ongoing
calls. This method has the disadvantage of reducing the total carried traffic, as fewer channels
are allocated to originating calls.
10. Which of the following priority handoff method decrease the probability of forced
termination of a call due to lack of available channels?
a) Queuing
b) Guard channel
c) Cell dragging
d) Near far effect
Answer: a
Explanation: Queuing of handoff requests is a method to decrease the probability of forced
termination of a call due to lack of available channels. Queuing of handoff is possible due to
the fact that there is a finite time interval between the time the received signal level drops below
the handoff threshold and the time the call is terminated.
11. Umbrella cell approach is possible by using _________
a) Antenna of same heights
b) Antenna of different heights
c) Different voice channels
d) Different control channels
Answer: b
Explanation: Umbrella cell approach is possible by using different antenna heights and
different power levels. By using this approach, it is possible to provide large and small cells
which are co-located at a single location.
12. Cell dragging is a problem occur due to __________
a) Pedestrian users
b) Stationary users
c) High speed mobile systems
d) Base stations having same frequency
Answer: a
Explanation: Cell dragging is a practical handoff problem in microcell system. It results from
pedestrian users that provide a very strong signal to the base station.
13. What was the typical handoff time in first generation analog cellular systems?
a) 1 second
b) 10 seconds
c) 1 minute
d) 10 milliseconds
Answer: b
Explanation: In first generation analog cellular system, the typical time to make a handoff once
the signal level is below the threshold, is about 10 seconds. This requires the value for threshold
to be 6 dB to 12 dB.
14. How much time it takes for handoff in digital cellular systems like GSM?
a) 1 second
b) 10 seconds
c) 1 minute
d) 10 milliseconds

Answer: a
Explanation: In digital cellular systems, the mobile assista with the handoff procedure by
determining the best candidate. Once the decision is made, it typically requires 1 to 2 seconds
for handoff.
15. Soft handoff is also known as _________
a) MAHO
b) Hand over
c) Break before make
d) Make before break
Answer: d
Explanation: Soft handoff is one in which the channel in the source cell is retained and used
for a while in parallel with the channel in the target cell. In this case, the connection with the
receiver target is established before the connection to the source is broken, hence this handover
is called make-before-break.

2.3 Questions on Interference and Capacity

1. Which of the following is not a source of interference?

a) Base station in a different cluster
b) Another mobile in same cell
c) A call in progress in neighbouring cell
d) Any BS operating on same frequency
Answer: a
Explanation: Interference is a major limiting factor in the performance of cellular radio
systems. Sources of interference includes another mobile in the same cell, a call in progress in
neighbouring cell, other base stations operating in the same frequency band, or any non-cellular
system which inadvertently leaks energy into the cellular frequency band.
2. Interference on voice channels causes _______
a) Blocked calls
b) Cross talk
c) Queuing
d) Missed calls
Answer: b
Explanation: Interference on voice channels causes crass talk. Here, the subscriber hears
interference in the background due to an undesired transmission.
3. Interference in control channel leads to ________
a) Cross talk
b) Queuing
c) Blocked calls
d) Voice traffic
Answer:c
Explanation: On control channels, interference leads to missed and blocked calls. This happens
due to errors in the digital signalling.
4. Interference is more severe in rural areas.
a)True
b)False
Answer: b
Explanation: Interference is more severe in rural areas. It happens due to the greater RF noise
floor and the large number of base stations and mobiles.
5. What are co-channel cells?
a)Cells having different base stations
b) Cells using different frequency
c) Cells using adjacent frequency
d) Cells using same frequency
Answer: d
Explanation: Due to frequency reuse concept, there are several cells that use the same set of
frequencies. These cells are called co-channel cells. And the interference between these cells
is called co-channel interference.
6. Co-channel interference is a function of _________
a) Radius of cell
b) Transmitted power
c) Received power
d) Frequency of mobile user
Answer: a
Explanation: This is the case when the size of each cell is approximately the same and the base
stations transmit the same power. Co-channel interference ratio is independent of the
transmitted power and becomes a function of the radius of the cell ® and the distance between
centers of the nearest co channel cell (D).
7. Co-channel reuse ratio is define by _________
a) Q=D*R
b) Q=D/R
c) Q=D^R
d) Q=1/R
Answer: b
Explanation: Co-channel reuse ratio is defined by Q=D/R. By increasing the ratio of D/R, the
spatial separation between co-channel cells relative to the coverage distance of a cell is
increased. Thus, interference I reduced from improved isolation of RF energy from the co-
channel cells.
8. Co-channel ratio in terms of cluster size is defined as _________
a) √(3N)
b) N
c) 3N
d) √N
Answer:a
Explanation: Co-channel reuse is defined using √(3N) A small value of Q provides larger
capacity since the cluster size N is small. However, a large value of Q improves the
transmission quality, due to smaller level of co-channel interference.
9. What is the cluster size for CDMA?
a) N=10
b) N=100
c) N=1
d) N=50
Answer: c
Explanation: CDMA systems have a cluster size of N=1.Therefore, frequency reuse is not as
difficult as for TDMA or first generation cellular systems.
10. What is breathing cell effect?
a) Fixed coverage region
b) Dynamic and time varying coverage region
c) Large coverage region
d) Very small coverage region
Answer: b
Explanation: Breathing cell is a concept used by CDMA systems. They had a dynamic, time
varying coverage region which varies depending on the instantaneous number of users on the
CDMA radio channel.
11. Adjacent channel interference occurs due to _______
a) Power transmitted by Base station
b) MSCs
c) Same frequency of mobile users
d) Imperfect receiver filters
Answer: d
Explanation: Interference resulting from signals which are adjacent in frequency to the desired
signal is called adjacent channel interference. It results from imperfect receiver filters which
allow nearby frequencies to leak into the passband.

12. Which of the following problem occur due to adjacent channel interference?
a) Blocked calls
b) Cross talk
c) Near-far effect
d) Missed calls
Answer: c
Explanation: One of the main problems with adjacent channel interference is the near-far effect.
It occurs when a mobile close to a base station transmits on a channel close to one being used
by a weak mobile.
13. In near-far effect, a nearby transmitter captures the __________
a)Receiver of the subscriber
b) Transmitter of the subscriber
c) Nearby MSC
d) Neighbouring base station
Answer: a
Explanation: Near-far effect occurs if an adjacent channel user is transmitting in very close
range to a subscriber’s receiver while the receiver attempts to receive a base station on the
desired channel. In this effect, a nearby transmitter captures the receiver of the subscriber.
14. Adjacent channel interference can be minimized through _______
a) Changing frequency of base stations
b) Careful filtering and channel assignments
c) Increasing number of base stations
d) Increasing number of control channels
Answer: b
Explanation: Adjacent channel assignment can be minimized through careful filtering and
channel assignments. Each cell is given only a fraction of the available channels, a cell need
not be assigned channels which are all adjacent in frequency.
15. In dynamic channel assignment, any channel which is being used in one cell can be
reassigned simultaneously to another cell in the system at a reasonable distance.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Explanation: Dynamic channel assignment (DCA) is one well known solution to the micro
cellular channel assignment problem. The dynamic nature of the strategy permits adaptation to
spatial and traffic variations while the distribution of control reduces the required
computational load.

2.4 Questions on Channel Assignment Strategies

1. Which of the following is not an objective for channel assignment strategies?
a) Efficient utilization of spectrum
b) Increase of capacity
c) Minimize the interference
d) Maximize the interference
Answer: d
Explanation: The objective of channel assignment strategy is to utilize the spectrum efficiently.
And for efficient utilization, a frequency reuse scheme consistent with the objective of
increasing capacity and minimizing interference is required.
2. The choice of channel assignment strategy does not impact the performance of the system.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Explanation: The choice of channel assignment strategy impacts the performance of the system.
Particularly as to how calls are managed, when a mobile user is handed off from one cell to
another.
3. In fixed channel assignment strategy, each cell is allocated a predetermined set of _______
a) Voice channels
b) Control channels
c) Frequency
d) base stations
Answer: a
Explanation: In a foxed channel strategy, each cell is allocated a predetermined set of voice
channels. Any call attempt within the cell can only be served by the unused channels in that
particular cell.
4. What happen to a call in fixed channel strategy, if all the channels in a cell are occupied?
a) Queued
b) Cross talk
c) Blocked
d) Delayed
Answer: c
Explanation: As any call attempt within a cell can be served by unused channels in fixed
channel strategy. If all the channels in that cell are occupied, the call is blocked and subscriber
does not receive any service.
5. What is a borrowing strategy in fixed channel assignments?
a) Borrowing channels from neighbouring cell
b) Borrowing channels from neighbouring cluster
c) Borrowing channels from same cell
d) Borrowing channels from other base station in same cell
Answer: a
Explanation: In borrowing strategy, a cell is allowed to borrow channels from a neighbouring
cell if all of its own channels are already occupied. The MSC supervises such borrowing
procedure and ensures that the borrowing of channel does not interfere with any call in
progress.
6. In dynamic channel assignment strategy, voice channels are allocated to different cells
permanently.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Explanation: In a dynamic channel strategy, voice channels are not allocated to different cells
permanently. Instead, serving base station requests a channel from MSC each time a cell
request is made.
7. In dynamic channel assignment strategy, base station requests channel from ____________
a) MSC
b) Neighbouring cell
c) Neighbouring cluster
d) Neighbouring base station
Answer: a
Explanation: Each time a call request is made, the serving base station requests a channel from
the MSC. The switch then allocates a channel to the requested cell following an algorithm that
takes into account the likelihood of future blocking within the cell.
8. Dynamic channel assignment reduces the likelihood of blocking in comparison to fixed
channel assignment.
a)True
b)False
Answer: a
Explanation: Dynamic channel assignment reduces the likelihood of blocking. Accordingly,
the MSC only allocates a given frequency if that frequency is not presently in use in the cell or
any other cell which falls within the minimum restricted distance of frequency reuse.
9. RSSI stands for ________

a) Radio System Signal Indicator

b) Restricted Signal Strength Indicator
c) Radio Signal Strength Indication
d) Restricted System Software Indicator
Answer: a
Explanation: Received signal strength indicator (RSSI) is a measurement of the power present
in a received radio signal. RSSI is usually invisible to a user of a receiving device.
10. What is the drawback of dynamic channel assignment?
a) Decrease channel utilization
b) Increase probability of blocked call
c) Cross talk
d) Increase storage and computational load on system
Answer: d
Explanation: Dynamic channel assignment requires the MSC to collect real time data on
channel occupancy, traffic distribution and RSSI of all channels on continuous basis. This
increases the storage and computational load on the system but provides the advantage of
increased channel utilization and decreased probability of blocked call.

2.5 Questions on Improving Coverage and Capacity in

Cellular Systems

1. Which of the following techniques do not help in expanding the capacity of cellular
system?
a) Sectoring
b) Scattering
c) Splitting
d) Microcell zone concept
Answer: b
Explanation: As the demand for wireless service increases, the number of channels assigned to
a call eventually becomes insufficient to support the required number of user. Techniques such
as cell splitting, sectoring and coverage zone approaches are used in practice to expand the
capacity of cellular system.
2. ________ uses directional antennas to control interference.

a) Sectoring
b) Cell splitting
c) Repeaters
d) Micro cell zone concept
Answer: a
Explanation: Sectoring uses directional antenna to further control the interference and
frequency reuse of channels. By decreasing the cell radius R and keeping the co-channel reuse
ratio D/R unchanged, cell splitting increases the number of channels per unit area.
3. _______ allows an orderly growth of cellular system.

a)Sectoring
b) Scattering
c) Cell splitting
d) Micro cell zone technique
Answer: c

Explanation: Cell splitting allows an orderly growth of cellular system. By defining new cells
which have a smaller radius than the original cells, capacity increases due to additional number
of channels per unit area.

4. Which of the following technology distributes the coverage of the cell and extends the
cell boundary to hard-to-reach places?
a) Cell splitting
b) Scattering
c) Sectoring
d) Micro cell zone concept
Answer: d

Explanation: Micro cell zone concept distributes the coverage of the cell and extends the cell
boundary to hard-to reach places. It is the solution for the problem of increased number of
handoffs when sectoring which results in an increase of load on switching.
5. Which of the following increases the number of base stations in order to increase capacity?
a) Cell splitting
b) Sectoring
c) Repeaters
d) Micro cell zone concept
Answer: a

Explanation: Cell splitting increases the number of base stations in order to increase capacity.
Whereas, sectoring and zone microcells rely on base station antenna placements to improve
capacity by reducing co-channel interference.
6. Which of the following experience trunking inefficiencies?
a) Cell splitting
b) Micro cell zone technique
c) Sectoring
d) Repeaters
Answer: c
Explanation: Sectored cells experience trunking inefficiencies. Cell splitting and zone micro
cell techniques do not suffer the trunking inefficiencies experienced by sectored cells. They
enable the base station to oversee all handoff chores related to microcells, thus reducing the
computational load at MSC.
7. The process of subdividing a congested cell into smaller cells is called _______
a) Cell splitting
b) Sectoring
c) Micro cell technique
d) Repeaters
Answer: a
Explanation: Cell splitting is the process of subdividing a congested cell into smaller cells.
Each small cell has its own base station and a there is a corresponding reduction in antenna
height and transmitter power.
8. Cell splitting increases the capacity of a cellular system since it increases the number of
times ________ are reused.
a) Cells
b) Channels
c) Transmitters
d) Mobile stations
Answer: b
Explanation: Cell splitting increases the capacity of a cellular system since it increases the
number of times channels are reused. But it has a limitation that handoffs are more frequent
and channel assignments become more difficult.
9. Cell splitting do not maintain the minimum c-channel reuse ratio.
a)True
b)False
Answer: b

Explanation: Cell splitting allows a system to grow by replacing large cells with smaller cells.
It does not upset the channel allocation scheme required to maintain the minimum co channel
reuse ratio Q between co-channel cells.
10. Which of the following technique is used to limit radio coverage of newly formed
microcells?
a) Sectoring
b) Splitting
c) Antenna downtilting
d) Scattering
Answer: c
Explanation: Antenna downtilting deliberately focuses radiated energy from the base station
toward the ground (rather than toward the horizon). It is often used to limit the radio coverage
of newly formed microcells.
11. Sectoring increases SIR (Signal to Interference Ratio).
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Explanation: Sectoring increases SIR so that cluster size may be reduced. SIR is improved
using directional antenna. And then capacity improvement is achieved by reducing the number
of cells in a cluster, thus increasing the frequency reuse.
12. Which of the following has range extension capability?
a) Sectoring
b) Repeaters
c) Scattering
d) Micro cell zone concept

Answer: b
Explanation: Wireless operator needs to provide dedicated coverage for hard-to-reach areas,
such as within buildings, or in valleys or tunnels. Radio transmitters used to provide such range
extension capabilities are called as repeaters. They are bidirectional in nature.
13.Repeaters has one drawback of reradiating ____________
a) Frequency
b) Channels
c) Power
d) Repeater noise and interference
Answer: d
Explanation: Upon receiving signals from a base station forward link, the repeater amplifies
and reradiates the base station signals to the specific coverage region. Unfortunately, the
received noise and interference is also reradiated by repeater on both the forward and reverse
link.
14. Which of the following is not an advantage of micro cell zone technique?
a) Reduced co channel interference
b) Improved signal quality
c) Increase in capacity
d) Increasing number of base stations
Answer: d
Explanation: The advantage of the zone cell technique is that co-channel interference in the
cellular system is reduced since a large central base station is replaced by several low powered
transmitters on the edges of the cell. Thus, signal quality is reduced and it leads to an increase
in capacity.
15. In a micro cell zone concept, when a mobile travels from one zone to another within the
cell, it retains the same _________
a) Power level
b) Base station
c) Channel
d) Receiver
Answer: c
Explanation: As a mobile travels from one zone to another within the cell, it retains the same
channel. Thus, unlike in sectoring, a handoff is not required at the MSC when the mobile travels
between zones within the cell. The channels are re used in co channel cells in a normal fashion.
 2.6 Questions on Trunking and GOS
1. What is the concept for accommodating a large number of users in a limited radio spectrum?
a) Grade of service
b) Trunking
c) Multiplexing
d) Multitasking
Answer: b
Explanation: Cellular radio systems rely on trunking to accommodate a large number of users
in a limited radio spectrum. The concept of trunking allows a large number of users to share
the relatively small number of channels in a cell by providing access to each user, on demand.
2. On termination of call, the occupied channel is not returned to the pool of available channels
in trunking.
a)True
b)False
Answer: b
Explanation: In a trunked radio system, each user is allocated a channel on a per call basis.
Upon termination of the call, the previously occupied channel is immediately returned to the
pool of available channels. It is a method for a system to provide network access to many clients
by sharing a set of lines or frequencies instead of providing them individually.
3. In trunking system, when the channel is already in use, the call is blocked or queued.
a)True
b)False
Answer: a
Explanation: In a trunked mobile radio system when a particular user requests service, there is
a possibility that all the channels are already in use. Then the user is blocked, or denied access
to the system. Sometimes, a queue may be used to hold the requesting users until a channel
becomes available.
4. Who developed the fundamental of trunking theory?
a) Newton
b) Ohm
c) Erlang
d) Einstein
Answer: c
Explanation: The fundamentals of trunking theory were developed by Erlang. He was a Danish
mathematician. He embarked on the study of how a large population could be accommodated
by a limited number of servers in late 19th century.
5. What is the unit for the measure of traffic intensity?
a) Meters
b) Henry
c) Ohm
d) Erlang
Answer: d
Explanation: The measure of traffic intensity is given by Erlang. It is defined as the ratio of the
time during which a facility is cumulatively occupied to the time this facility is available for
occupancy. Telecommunication operators are vitally interested in traffic intensity as it dictates
the amount of equipment they must supply.
6. One Erlang represents _________
a) One call- hour per hour
b) One call-minute per hour
c) One call- hour per minute
d) Many calls- hour per hour
Answer: a
Explanation: One Erlang represents the amount of traffic intensity carried by a channel that is
completely occupied (i.e. one call- hour per hour or one call- minute per minute). For example,
a radio channel that is occupied for 30 minutes during an hour carries 0.5 Erlangs of traffic.
7. What is the measure of the ability of user to access a trunked system during the busiest hour?
a) Trunking
b) Grade of Service (GOS)
c) Multiplexing
d) Sectoring
Answer: a
Explanation: The grade of service (GOS) is a measure of the ability of a user to access a trunked
system during the busiest hour. The busy hour is based upon customer demand at the busiest
hour during a week, month or a year.
8. GOS is typically given as a likelihood that a ________
a) Call is in progress
b) Channels are busy
c) Call is blocked
d) Channel are free
Answer: c
Explanation: GOS is typically given as the likelihood that a call is blocked or the likelihood of
a call experiencing a delay greater than a certain queuing time. It is the wireless designer’s job
to estimate the maximum required capacity used to allocate the proper number of channels in
order to meet GOS.
9. The time requires to allocate a trunked radio channel to a requesting user is called _______
a) Dwell time
b) Holding time
c) Run time
d) Set up Time
Answer: d
Explanation: When any user makes a call request, the time required to allocate a trunked
channel to a user is known as set up time. TETREA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) call set up
time is 0.3 seconds. GSM uses a call set up time of several seconds.
10. Average duration of a typical call is called ________
a) Holding time
b) Dwell time
c) Set up time
d) Run time
Answer: a
Explanation: Average time of a typical call is called holding time. It is denoted by H (in
seconds). It is used to measure the traffic intensity per user. The time over which a call may be
maintained within a cell, without handoff is called dwell time.
11. The average number of call requests per unit time is also known as ________
a) Request rate
b) Load
c) Grade of Service
d) Traffic intensity
Answer: a
Explanation: Request rate is the average number of call requests per unit time. It is denoted by
λ. Unit for request rate is second-1. It can also be defined as the ratio of traffic intensity of each
user and the holding time.
12. Traffic intensity offered by each user is the product of __________
a) Set up time and holding time
b) Call request rate and holding time
c) Load and holding time
d) Call request rate and set up time
Answer: b
Explanation: The traffic intensity offered by each user is equal to the call request rate multiplied
by the holding time. Each user generates a traffic intensity A=λH Erlang. Here, H is the average
duration of a call and λ is the average number of call requests per unit time for each user.
13. AMPS cellular system is designed for a GOS of _____ blocking.
a) 10%
b) 50 %
c) 2%
d) 1%
Answer: c
Explanation: The AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone System) cellular system is designed for a
GOS of 2% blocking. This implies that the channel allocations for cell sites are designed so
that 2 out of 100 calls will be blocked due to channel occupancy during the busiest hour.
14. Blocked calls cleared formula is also known as _______ formula.
a) Erlang C
b) Erlang A
c) Erlang D
d) Erlang B
Answer: d
Explanation: Erlang B formula is also known as the blocked calls cleared formula. The Erlang
B formula determines the probability that a call is blocked. And, it is a measure of the GOS for
a trunked system which provides no queuing for blocked calls.
15. Blocked calls delayed formula is also known as _______
a) Erlang A
b) Erlang B
c) Erlang C
d) Erlang D
Answer: c
Explanation: Erlang C is also known as Blocked Calls Delayed. In this trunked system, a queue
is provided to hold calls which are blocked. If a channel is not available immediately, the call
request may be delayed until a channel becomes available.

NOTE: Dear Students refer problems ppt and assignment

solutions pdf for more numerical problems.

***ALL THE BEST***