Wireless networks have become an essential and established part of modern society. These networks require the siting and configuration of transmitters (base stations) that provide service coverage and network capacity. However, the problem of determining the correct locations and the many ways to configure each transmitter at each site is a diffcult problem both to accurately model and to solve. Mathematically it is important to determine so-called lower and upper bounds. Lower bounds provide information on the set of minimum requirements for network operation, while upper bounds are particular instances of network solutions. If thelower and upper bounds match each other a gauranteed optimal network is obtained.This project is aimed at eliminating the lack of methodolgy and techniques for deteriming upper and lower bounds for the comtemporary cell planning problem. The research will permit both the optimality of existing and new networks to be assessed and potentially enhanced.

The Innovative Construction Research Centre (ICRC) is dedicated to socio-technical systems research within the built environment, with particular emphasis on through-life performance in support of the client's business operations. Our vision is for a research centre that not only supports the competitiveness of the architectural, engineering, construction and facilities management sectors, but also supports societal needs for built infrastructure and the broader competitiveness of the UK economy. The domain of enquiry lies at the crucial interface between human and technical systems, thereby requiring an inter-disciplinary approach that combines engineering research methods with those derived from the social sciences. The ICRC's research portfolio is organised into six themes: (1) Integration of design, construction and facilities management. Concerns the through-life management of socio-technical systems within the built environment. Topics of consideration include: integrated logistic support, design for reliability and systems integration for building services. Of particular concern is the way that firms within the supply chain are integrated to provide solutions that add value to the client's business. (2) Knowledge management and organisational learning. Addresses the means of supporting knowledge flows across extended supply chains and the extent to which procurement systems learn across projects. Of particular importance is the design of learning mechanisms that extend across organisational boundaries. Also investigates the degree to which the construction sector can learn from other sectors, i.e. aerospace, automotive, retail, defence. (3) Human resource management and the culture of the industry. The construction sector is too often characterised by regressive approaches to human resource management (HRM) with little emphasis on developmental to support innovation. Of particular importance is the concept of 'high commitment management' that has emerged as a central component in the quest to link people management to business performance. Any attempt to improve HRM practices in the construction sector must also recognise cultural barriers to the implementation of new ways of working.(4) Innovative procurement. Includes legal, economic and organisational aspects of procurement systems. The last twenty years has seen a plethora of new procurement methods seeking to encourage different behaviours and allocations of risk. Many such initiatives experienced significant reality gaps between technological intent and resultant behaviours. Of particular importance in the current context is the notion of performance-based contracting which seeks to reward parties on the basis of building performance.(5) Innovation in through-life service provision. Most innovation in facilities management (FM) is concerned with service provision rather than the design and construction of the built asset. The inclusion of FM-service provision reflects the ICRC's strategic focus on through-life issues. The shift towards service provision is reflected in practice through procurement approaches such as PFI/PPP. But the issue has a wider significance as construction contractors increasingly embrace service philosophy. (6) Competitiveness, productivity and performance. Focuses on techniques for performance improvement, coupled with a broader emphasis on competitiveness and profitability within the marketplace. Techniques for performance improvement include: process mapping, benchmarking, value management, risk management and life-cycle costing. Also seeks to assess the competitiveness of the construction sector in comparison to other countries, and to achieve a broader understanding of the economic context within which firms operate.

Strategy=======The overall aim of the Cambridge EDC is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of engineering designers and design teams by undertaking research into the theories that will underpin the design methods of the future. These methods will be embodied in software tools, workbooks and publications that support the creation of reliable, high-quality, cost-effective products.Research Themes==============The EDC's is structured under the following research Themes: * Healthcare Design: Design for Patient Safety * Inclusive Design: Designing for the Older and Disabled Users (1) * Process Modelling: Modelling the Design Process * Change Management: Tracking Changes in Products * Design Practice: Understanding Practice * Engineering Knowledge: Capture, Storage and Retrival (1) * Computational Design: Integrated Optimisation Methods and Tools Note (1) These Themes receive zero or minimal support from the IMRC Block Grant.

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.