Cell Radius & Site Count Estimator
Estimate maximum cell radius from MAPL using path loss models, then calculate the number of base station sites needed to cover a geographic area.
Path Loss Model Reference
Choose a propagation model that matches your deployment environment and frequency. The model determines how quickly signal power falls with distance, which sets the link budget-derived maximum cell radius. For full path loss model details, see the pathloss model calculator.
| Model | Freq range | Distance | Environment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Space | Any | Any | Line-of-sight, no obstructions |
| Hata Urban | 150–1500 MHz | 1–20 km | Dense urban macrocell |
| Hata Suburban | 150–1500 MHz | 1–20 km | Suburban / low density |
| Hata Rural | 150–1500 MHz | 1–20 km | Open rural, flat terrain |
| COST-231 Urban | 1500–2000 MHz | 1–20 km | Urban macrocell, GSM1800/UMTS |
Hexagonal Cell Geometry
Cellular networks approximate coverage using a hexagonal grid. The number of sites needed to cover a total area depends on the cell type and radius. For capacity per cell, see spectrum efficiency.
Cell area (omni) = π × R²
Cell area (3-sector) = 2.598 × R² (hexagonal)
Inter-site distance = √3 × R = 1.732 × R
Sites needed = ceil(Area_km² / Cell_area)
Note: 5G NR mmWave cells are typically 50–300 m radius — use Free Space or ray-tracing models. Okumura-Hata was not designed for mmWave frequencies above 2 GHz.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MAPL (Maximum Allowable Path Loss)?▾
MAPL is the maximum path loss a radio link can sustain while still maintaining the minimum required received signal level at the receiver. It is calculated as: MAPL = TX_power + TX_antenna_gain − TX_losses − RX_sensitivity − RX_losses + RX_antenna_gain − fade_margin − interference_margin. MAPL directly sets the maximum range of a cell — a higher MAPL allows a larger cell radius.
What is the Okumura-Hata path loss model?▾
The Okumura-Hata model (3GPP TR 36.942, ITU-R P.529) is an empirical formula for predicting median path loss in urban, suburban and rural macrocell environments at 150–1500 MHz. It was derived from Okumura's measured data and parameterised by Hata for base station height, mobile height, and carrier frequency. The COST-231 extension covers 1500–2000 MHz, making it applicable to LTE Band 3 and 2100 MHz deployments.
How is the number of sites calculated from cell radius?▾
For a hexagonal cell layout (the standard cellular planning approximation), the cell area for a 3-sector site is 2.598 × R² where R is the cell radius in km. The number of sites = ceil(total_coverage_area / cell_area). Inter-site distance (ISD) = 1.732 × R. Actual deployments add 10–20% more sites for terrain irregularities, coverage holes, and capacity hotspots.
What is the difference between omni and sectorised cells?▾
An omnidirectional antenna radiates equally in all directions, giving a roughly circular coverage footprint. A 3-sector cell uses directional antennas (typically 65° or 90° horizontal beamwidth) pointing in three directions 120° apart, covering a hexagonal area. Sectorisation multiplies capacity (each sector is an independent cell) without significantly changing coverage area, since the hexagonal cell shape tiles efficiently.