Frequency Reuse Patterns in GSM

Proper frequency planning is essential in the development of a quality cellular system. Due to the
limited amount of available RF spectrum, the scarcity of channels available to each operator, and
the fact that most available frequencies are non-contiguous for most operators, frequencies must
be reused throughout the system to increase network capacity. The frequencies are assigned such
that there is minimal cochannel and adjacent channel interference between sites. Frequency reuse
is based on hexagonal cell groupings called clusters. The size of the cluster will determine how the
cluster is repeated throughout the network, i.e. the reuse pattern. The frequency reuse patterns
are designated as N/F. Where N is the number of cell sites in a cluster and F is the number of
frequency groups within a cluster. Ericsson uses 7/21 and 4/12 reuse patterns. The cluster patterns
In a 7/21 plan, there are 7 cell sites (A, B, . . . , G) and 21 frequency groups (A1, A2, A3, . . . , G1,
G2, G3). Because A1 and G3 are adjacent frequency groups, G2 and G3 are switched in the pattern
so as to prevent interference. In a 4/12 pattern, there are 4 cell sites and 12 frequency groups. The
frequency groups for these patterns are described in this document. There is no frequency reuse
within a cluster. The voice channel group is used to assign a frequency group to a cell.