# IMT-2020 SYSTEM TYPES

  
There are two different types of network structure: Homogeneous networks and Heterogeneous networks. A homogeneous network structure consists of a single base station type. It can be a macro, a micro or an indoor base station. A heterogeneous network structure consists of combination of at least two base station types. For a large area or nationwide studies, a combination of network structures may be required.   
In designing <span data-highlighted="true" data-vc="highlighted-text"><span class="_kqswh2mm"><span class="_5pioz8co _189e1dm9 _1il9buyh _19lc184f _d0altlke" data-testid="definition-highlighter">IMT</span></span></span>-2020 systems for SEAMCAT scenario, user can consider three different types of network structure: Macro system, Micro system and Hybrid system as shown below. There are number of predefined systems and user can define his own system to be used in SEAMCAT study if none of the predefined systems are not appropriate.

![image.png](https://wiki.cept.org/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/scaled-1680-/4129xgdyQHONYgC8-image.png)

<span class="fabric-text-color-mark" data-renderer-mark="true" data-text-custom-color="#d2232a">Figure: Overview of <span data-highlighted="true" data-vc="highlighted-text">IMT</span>-2020 system types preconfigured in <span data-highlighted="true" data-vc="highlighted-text"><span class="_kqswh2mm"><span class="_5pioz8co _189e1dm9 _1il9buyh _19lc184f _d0altlke" data-testid="definition-highlighter">SEMCAT</span></span></span> Systems library</span>

## Macro system<span class="heading-anchor-wrapper" role="presentation"><button aria-hidden="true" class="css-x4slh0" data-testid="anchor-button" type="button"><span aria-label="Copy" class="_1e0c1o8l _vchhusvi _1o9zidpf _vwz4kb7n _y4ti1igz _bozg1mb9 _12va1onz _jcxd1r8n" role="img"><svg class="_1reo15vq _18m915vq _syaz1r31 _lcxvglyw _s7n4yfq0 _vc881r31 _1bsbpxbi _4t3ipxbi" fill="none" role="presentation" viewbox="0 0 16 16"><path clip-rule="evenodd" d="M8.22 2.22a3.932 3.932 0 1 1 5.56 5.56l-2.25 2.25-1.06-1.06 2.25-2.25a2.432 2.432 0 0 0-3.44-3.44L7.03 5.53 5.97 4.47zm3.06 3.56-5.5 5.5-1.06-1.06 5.5-5.5zM2.22 8.22l2.25-2.25 1.06 1.06-2.25 2.25a2.432 2.432 0 0 0 3.44 3.44l2.25-2.25 1.06 1.06-2.25 2.25a3.932 3.932 0 1 1-5.56-5.56" fill="currentcolor" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg></span></button></span>

Macro system represents cellular system using macro base stations used for seamless wide area coverage. Macro base stations are often deployed above roof-top. Cell sizes in <span data-highlighted="true" data-vc="highlighted-text">IMT</span> networks can vary considerably depending on the deployment (urban, suburban, rural), environment, carrier frequency and the base station's type. In Macro system in SEAMCAT user can select system for simulation as either UpLink or DownLink.

## Micro system<span class="heading-anchor-wrapper" role="presentation"><button aria-hidden="true" class="css-x4slh0" data-testid="anchor-button" type="button"><span aria-label="Copy" class="_1e0c1o8l _vchhusvi _1o9zidpf _vwz4kb7n _y4ti1igz _bozg1mb9 _12va1onz _jcxd1r8n" role="img"><svg class="_1reo15vq _18m915vq _syaz1r31 _lcxvglyw _s7n4yfq0 _vc881r31 _1bsbpxbi _4t3ipxbi" fill="none" role="presentation" viewbox="0 0 16 16"><path clip-rule="evenodd" d="M8.22 2.22a3.932 3.932 0 1 1 5.56 5.56l-2.25 2.25-1.06-1.06 2.25-2.25a2.432 2.432 0 0 0-3.44-3.44L7.03 5.53 5.97 4.47zm3.06 3.56-5.5 5.5-1.06-1.06 5.5-5.5zM2.22 8.22l2.25-2.25 1.06 1.06-2.25 2.25a2.432 2.432 0 0 0 3.44 3.44l2.25-2.25 1.06 1.06-2.25 2.25a3.932 3.932 0 1 1-5.56-5.56" fill="currentcolor" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg></span></button></span>

Micro system is an element system which consists of micro cell cluster which can be considered as standalone system or can be fitted within macro system configuration. In the urban environment, micro base stations are generally deployed below roof-top. DL/<span data-highlighted="true" data-vc="highlighted-text"><span class="_kqswh2mm"><span class="_5pioz8co _189e1dm9 _1il9buyh _19lc184f _d0altlke" data-testid="definition-highlighter">UL</span></span></span>

## Hybrid system<span class="heading-anchor-wrapper" role="presentation"><button aria-hidden="true" class="css-x4slh0" data-testid="anchor-button" type="button"><span aria-label="Copy" class="_1e0c1o8l _vchhusvi _1o9zidpf _vwz4kb7n _y4ti1igz _bozg1mb9 _12va1onz _jcxd1r8n" role="img"><svg class="_1reo15vq _18m915vq _syaz1r31 _lcxvglyw _s7n4yfq0 _vc881r31 _1bsbpxbi _4t3ipxbi" fill="none" role="presentation" viewbox="0 0 16 16"><path clip-rule="evenodd" d="M8.22 2.22a3.932 3.932 0 1 1 5.56 5.56l-2.25 2.25-1.06-1.06 2.25-2.25a2.432 2.432 0 0 0-3.44-3.44L7.03 5.53 5.97 4.47zm3.06 3.56-5.5 5.5-1.06-1.06 5.5-5.5zM2.22 8.22l2.25-2.25 1.06 1.06-2.25 2.25a2.432 2.432 0 0 0 3.44 3.44l2.25-2.25 1.06 1.06-2.25 2.25a3.932 3.932 0 1 1-5.56-5.56" fill="currentcolor" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg></span></button></span>

  
Hybrid system in SEAMCAT is composed of macro cells and microcells. Micro cell clusters are distributed in a macro cell coverage area. Each cluster consists of two cells which are positioned randomly in macro cell sector. For hybrid system to be feasible cell radius of macro system have to be enough to fit <span data-highlighted="true" data-vc="highlighted-text">IMT</span>-2020 micro cells. There are two predefined <span data-highlighted="true" data-vc="highlighted-text">IMT</span>-2020 hybrid systems <span data-highlighted="true" data-vc="highlighted-text">IMT</span>-2020 DownLink Hybrid Macro + micro and <span data-highlighted="true" data-vc="highlighted-text">IMT</span>-2020 UpLink Hybrid Macro + micro. For Hybrid systems SEAMCAT shows characteristics of Aggregate system and System layout. To see or edit characteristics of subsystem user need to expand tree node and chose individual system as shown below.

![image.png](https://wiki.cept.org/uploads/images/gallery/2026-04/scaled-1680-/aMRZtWqW5UDfdIMD-image.png)<span class="fabric-text-color-mark" data-renderer-mark="true" data-text-custom-color="#d2232a">Figure: Overview of the <span data-highlighted="true" data-vc="highlighted-text">IMT</span>-2020 hybrid system in SEAMCAT showing individual subsystems</span>