Patent ID: 7929459
Filing Date: 2011-04-19
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for determining whether a modification to or expansion of a wireless communications network is efficient in terms of cost, the apparatus comprising: means for forecasting an increase in network traffic; means for iteratively simulating modifications to or expansions of the network based on one or more optimization algorithms employing weighting factors until a simulated modification to or expansion of the network is identified that meets at least one of the forecasted increase in network traffic, performance improvement criteria, or coverage expansion criteria in order to automatically generate an optimal network configuration, the means for iteratively simulating determines a cost of the identified simulated modification to or expansion of the network; and means for receiving information describing the simulated modified or expanded network and information relating to the costs associated with the simulated modification or expansion, and performing a network configuration selection algorithm and processes said information to determine whether the identified simulated modification or expansion of the network meets a predetermined cost range, if the predetermined cost range is determined to be met, then the identified simulated modification or expansion of the network is selected for implementation, if the predetermined cost range is determined not to have been met, the for receiving information informs the second logic to make specific alterations to the simulated modifications to or expansions of the network to reduce cost and run additional simulations.