BSC Dimensioning

Typically a BSC will have a number of capacity limitations. The following
types of limitations are typical:
■ Maximum number of transceivers (TRXs) (such as 256 or 512)
■ Maximum number of base stations (such as 128, 256, or 512)
■ Maximum number of cells (that is, sectors) (such as, 256 or 512)
■ Maximum number of packet data channels (such as 2000)
■ Maximum number of physical interfaces (such as 128)
■ In many cases, a BSC from a given vendor has a fixed capacity based
on a combination of the previous limitations. In determining the
number of BSCs required, one analyzes the RF design in the market
and calculates the number of BSCs based on which limitation imposes
the greatest restraint. Imagine for example that a given market has
200 sites, each with 3 sectors and 1 TRX per sector. Consider a BSC
model that can support up to 256 sites, 256 sectors, and 512 TRXs.
Then based on the site counts, we need two BSCs; based on the sector
count, we need three BSCs, and based on the TRX count, we need two
BSCs. Therefore, it is necessary to deploy at least three BSCs.