Cellular Wireless Networks Types

There are 3 types of cellular wireless networks that cover different cellar areas. These networks are applicable to different wireless communication scenarios. Most of the time a macrocellar network covers the largest area. However, it still has its disadvantages because it requires the highest transmission power and shows the lowest spectrum efficiency. On the other hand, a picocell network achieves the best spectrum efficiency even if it transmits the weakest radio signal to cover a small area.

Cellular Wireless network are divided into cells to reuse the wireless spectrum in the most efficient manner. A single cell is commonly a hexagon in shape. There are three types of cellular networks based on the cell radius.
The3 Types of Cellular Wireless Networks
Picocellar Wireless Network

This type has the smallest radio coverage with a radius that ranges from 10 to 200m. It is commonly called the indoor wireless network because it is usually deployed in a small room. This type also has the best spectrum efficiency among the three types of cellar networks. Picocellar networks transmit the lowest radio power and has the smallest rms delay due to its coverage.

Macrocellar Wireless Network
This type can cover a large area with a radius ranging from 1 to 10 km. A large macrocell which is mainly used for rural areas with little traffic can cover a range with a radius of 5 to 10 km. Small macrocells that are used used if traffic density is high, covers a range with a radius between 1 and 5 km. Macrocellars transmit a very high radio power allowing it to cover a large cellar area. However, the large cell coverage results in low spectrum efficiency.
Microcellar Wireless Network
These networks cover a radius ranging from 200m to 1km and are deployed in suburbs or other areas with high traffic density. They are often deployed as a chain or in two dimensions. The two-dimension set up is commonly made in the city streets. On the other hand, chain-like deployments are built along a highway with high traffic densities. This type has better spectrum efficiency than that of macrocellar networks.