Shape of Cell in Cellular System
*Shape of Cells* For analytical purposes a “Hexagon” cell is preferred to other shapes on paper due to the following reasons. A hexagon layout requires fewer cells to cover a given area. Hence, it envisages fewer base stations and minimum capital investment. Other geometrical shapes cannot effectively do this. For example, if circular shaped cells are there, then there will be overlapping of cells. Also for a given area, among square, triangle and hexagon, radius of a hexagon will be the maximum which is needed for weaker mobiles. In reality cells are not hexagonal but irregular in shape, determined by factors like propagation of radio waves over the terrain, obstacles, and other geographical constraints. Complex computer programs are required to divide an area into cells. One such program is “Tornado” from Siemens.