Radio Planning Issues

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Radio Planning Issues

1. 2. W-CDMA PLANNING 1.1 The Requirements CELL PLANNING 2.1 Traditional Cell Planning 2.2 W-CDMA Cellular Planning Principles 2.3 Soft Handover Regions 2.4 Cell Breathing INTERFERENCE EFFECTS 3.1 Own and Adjacent Cell Interference 3.2 Multi-path Effects 3.3 Interference Sharing and Soft Capacity 3.4 Limitations 3.5 User Data Rates and Number of Users REDUCING INTERFERENCE/INCREASING CAPACITY 4.1 Sectorisation 4.2 Smart Antennas 4.3 Multi-Carrier Cells 4.4 Planning the Frequency Spectrum 4.5 The Layered Architecture 4.6 GSM Co Planning 4.7 Use Of Existing Sites 4.8 W-CDMA, EDGE and GSM Coverage Areas THE 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 WCDMA PLANNING PROCESS The Overall Planning Process Dimensioning Capacity and Coverage Planning Information Used In the Prediction Process Planning Tools Monte Carlo Simulations Network Optimisation 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 28 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 45 47 50

3.

4.

5.

6.

SUMMARY PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

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Radio Planning Issues

1. W-CDMA PLANNING
1.1 The Requirements
When planning any radio network there are three overall requirements to be satisfied. Coverage planning should allow services to be provided continuously over the area of operation. Fortunately in UMTS, the UTRAN can exist alongside the GSM radio network, or any other compatible (radio or fixed) access network, with handovers allowed between the different systems. This, together with the different W-CDMA modes of operation (FDD and TDD) allows a great deal of flexibility in coverage planning. Sufficient capacity should ensure that calls can be completed, or data transferred with a high probability of success. The higher the success rate (Grade of Service) planned for, the more equipment that will need to be provided. Quality of Service must be maintained at an acceptable level. This becomes much more of an issue with UMTS due to the range of services (all with varying needs of data rate, delay tolerance, error rates etc.) which can be supported.

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 Coverage Capacity Quality

Fig. 1 Planning Requirements

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2. CELL PLANNING
2.1 Traditional Cell Planning
For second generation Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) systems, including GSM, the air interface was organised into equally spaced carrier frequencies, each of which could support a finite number of users separated by the use of recurring time slots (in GSM, eight timeslots existed per carrier frequency). The TDMA notation refers to the use of timeslots, but the equal spacing of the carrier frequencies is described as Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA). Hence GSM is actually a TDMA / FDMA system. In addition, for each uplink frequency there is a separate, but corresponding downlink frequency. This is known as Frequency Division Duplex (FDD). The frequency and time allocation in second generation networks ensures that the different control data and user data can be kept separate within a given geographical area. This can only work if the available carrier frequencies are planned to minimise interference. This is achieved by careful control of transmitter powers, and stipulating a minimum distance between transmitters using the same frequency (minimum re-use distance) for a given quality of signal. The radius of the nominated coverage area for each base site (cell) is therefore planned to be significantly smaller than the stipulated re-use distance. This ratio depends on the interference that can be tolerated in each system (GSM is fairly tolerant, hence the re-use distance for a given power is relatively small). Since power is generally set to provide sufficient coverage for the cell in question, the smaller the cells, the lower the re-use distance. Hence, with careful power control, cell planning becomes purely a geometrical problem. In general, a tessellating pattern is used to provide coverage over the required geographical area, as shown opposite. The greater the tolerance to interference, the lower the ratio between re-use distance and cell radius need be, and hence the smaller the number of cells in the pattern. GSM is more tolerant than the analogue TACS system and can cope with a four cell repeat pattern rather than the minimum of seven needed in TACS. However, as always, quality must be taken into account when deciding on the repeat pattern. For a finite set of available carrier frequencies, the larger the pattern, the lower the number of available frequencies per cell. Therefore more cells may be needed within the required geographical area in order to provide the same capacity. This leads to higher infrastructure costs.

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eg: 7 Cell Re-use Pattern

R 2 7 1 6 5 3

D 4

2 7 1 6 5 Re use distance D: D = R 3N Interference considerations dictate that for: TACS, Cluster size 7 GSM, Cluster size 4 N 3 = = = Cluster size Indicates cell with set frequency (s) Cluster of cells 4 3

Fig. 2 Traditional Cell Planning

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2.2 W-CDMA Cellular Planning Principles

The W-CDMA planning concept initially seems simpler than for TDMA systems. It is based generally on a single cell repeat pattern, where the same W-CDMA carrier frequency can be used in adjacent cells continually throughout the network. Users and control data are separated by the use of codes within the spreading and despreading process. The ability to despread however mainly depends on the data rate and therefore spreading factor / processing gain, and on the overall interference received along with the wanted signal. The received interference originates from both the same cell (as the wanted signal), and from adjacent cells. In both cases, interference can be minimised by careful power control (fast power control in UMTS is performed 1500 times per second) and by controlling the overall loading of each cell (number of users and their aggregate data rates). The recovery of the wanted signal depends not only on the despreading process, but also on the rejection of the interfering signals. So long as different spreading codes are used, and they are orthogonal (with good cross correlation characteristics), the interfering signals will remain spread during the despreading process of the wanted signal. In addition, code allocation and required data rates are linked in W-CDMA by the nature of the code tree (used to ensure orthogonality). For both these reasons, code planning is essential.

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Spread signals from same and adjacent cells contribute to interference levels - GOOD POWER CONTROL REQUIRED - CAPACITY OF EACH CELL NEEDS PLANNING This interference remains spread on despreading wanted signal, unless same spreading codes are used, or poor correlation characteristics exist CODE PLANNING REQUIRED.

Fig. 3 W-CDMA Cellular Planning Principles

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2.3 Soft Handover Regions

The soft handover (between cells provided by different Node Bs) and softer handover (between cells provided by the same Node B) allows mobiles to be served by more than one radio interface connection at the same time. This is an important concept in W-CDMA in that it allows the mobile to use each separate signal to enhance the overall recovered signal. The soft and softer handover regions occur generally at the edge of cells where power requirements would otherwise be at their greatest. However, the gain introduced by the soft and softer handover allows for lower powers to be used, minimising the contribution to overall interference levels. The near-far effect is also mitigated, (where a mobile closer to the Node B introduces a level of interference into the system that precludes successful despreading of a mobile on the edge of a cell). When planning the network, the soft and softer handover regions must allow continuous coverage, whilst minimising overall interference under all cell load conditions. The trade off is that more hardware is required if the average time spent in soft or softer handover increases. This includes Rake Receivers in the Node B, and UTRAN transmission links for soft handover (where combining is done at the RNC). Note that combining techniques for soft and softer handover are different. Softer handover utilises the Rake receiver to combine the signals in much the same way that multi-path signals can be combined. Whilst soft handover combining is achieved in the RNC, where the different signals are assessed, and the best signal is chosen for inclusion in the combined signal (choice made every 10-80ms). Realistic figures for connections spent in soft handover may be 20-40%, whilst those spent in softer handover may be 10%.

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Mobiles may be served by more than one base station site in soft handover (shaded) areas Continuous coverage should be maintained (if required) under all load conditions The combining process enhances the signal in soft handover

Fig. 4 Soft Handover Regions

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2.4 Cell Breathing

If the number of users in a particular area increases, or their aggregate data rates increase, more interference is introduced into the overall system. Despreading of signals for mobiles in that area becomes more difficult, and the effective cell range for a given power reduces. Unfortunately, the adjacent cells, which may also be serving the same area (soft handover), will encounter the same problem. This means that for higher loading, the effective radius of all cells serving the area in question will reduce (for the given power), reducing the area of soft handover. The variation in effective radius with loading is a phenomenon known as cell breathing, and it must be taken into account when planning the handover regions.

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Lower Load

x x x
1

x
Higher Load

x x x x

x x x
1

Effective range of cell is reduced on higher loading due to interference caused by additional channels Adjacent cells also breathe Soft handover region reduces

Fig. 5 Cell Breathing

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Radio Planning Issues

3. INTERFERENCE EFFECTS
3.1 Own and Adjacent Cell Interference
Since the same W-CDMA frequency is used in each cell, the total interference in a system is a combination of that generated within the same cell, and that generated in adjacent, or nearby cells. The figure opposite shows the relationship between the spread wanted signal, the interference contribution from own cell and adjacent / nearby cells, data rates (and therefore the subsequent processing gain), power and range. The result is that power, coverage area, data rates (and subsequent spreading factor / processing gain) per user, and the overall loading of the cell all need careful consideration when implementing a W-CDMA network. Interference, capacity and coverage are interdependent and must be considered together.

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Interference

Wanted Signal

Interference Spread Wanted signal Interference Spread Wanted signal

Wanted signal despread and raised sufficiently to recover signal (Processing Gain is sufficient/data rate is low enough) Higher data rate, therefore lower processing gain insufficient to raise wanted signal sufficiently above noise Power of spread wanted signal is increased by reducing range, or increasing transmitted power (Increasing transmitted power adds more interference for other users) Power Range (coverage) Processing Gain/Spreading Factor per user Overall loading

Interference Increased power of spread wanted signal Need to control:

Fig. 6 Interference, Capacity and Coverage

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Radio Planning Issues

3.2 Multi-path Effects

Unlike in most radio systems, the Rake reception of the W-CDMA signals means that multi-path effects can be used to enhance the signal. Any signals that take different paths from source to destination will travel different distances and arrive at the destination at slightly different times. In W-CDMA however, the different multi-path components of the same original signal can then be despread separately by the same code, so long as the code has been delayed by an appropriate amount to account for the path differences. Once the multi-path components have been despread, they can be adjusted in time so that the despread signals coincide with each other, and then added together to give a composite signal.

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Multi-path Propagation

Received Components

Rake Output

Delay due to different paths

By delaying code generation in the Rake Receiver, multi-path can be used to enhance recovered signal.

Fig. 7 Multi-path Effect

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3.3 Interference Sharing and Soft Capacity

Another effect of W-CDMA is called interference sharing. If a W-CDMA network is planned for equal loading of the cells, the interference contributed by each cell to the average system interference will be roughly the same. Based on this, each cell will be planned to expect a certain level of interference from its neighbouring cells. Hence its loading / capacity will be planned with an upper limit which ensures that wanted signals can be despread and raised (by the processing gain) sufficiently above the interference (e.g. 7dB). However, if neighbouring cells are lightly loaded, the adjacent cell interference contribution is lower. The cell in question can benefit by providing higher data rates per user (lower processing gain, but with less total interference to raise the wanted signal above), or to accept a higher interference contribution from users in its own cell. This effectively means more users. In both cases, the capacity in the cell increases due to lower usage of (or interference from) adjacent cells. Since different cells throughout the network may be benefiting from this effect at any one time, there is an overall gain in capacity, and this can be planned for in the capacity calculations. The effect is known as soft capacity, and can only be taken advantage of if there is spare capacity (hardware and processing) available in the base sites. If there isnt spare capacity, then hard blocking will occur, where calls or data transfer is blocked due to lack of resources.

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Interference over whole system reflects dimensioning for average usage per cell

Cell Usage Equally Loaded Cells

Interference over whole system may remain the same

Higher Capacity is possible in middle cell due to reduced interference from neighbouring cells

Known as Soft Capacity

Fig. 8 Interference Sharing

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Radio Planning Issues

3.4 Limitations
It is useful to note the limitations of the system in terms of coverage and capacity. A significant factor is that in the downlink, the maximum transmitted power remains the same regardless of the number of users, and each user has to share the power available, whilst in the uplink, each mobile has its own power amplifier. Even with low downlink load, the coverage will depend on the interference contributed by the total number of users in the uplink (more users, less coverage), whilst in the downlink, for a given power, the higher the data rate, the lower the range for acceptable service. Range and capacity are, of course, traded off against each other in both the uplink and downlink. However, it is the plotted graphs of maximum path loss (range amongst other considerations) against load for given conditions, including interference, which illustrate the limitations. Below about 600kbps in the downlink, the uplink limits the range and hence coverage, whilst in the downlink, anything above about 700kbps can only be provided at low range (low coverage area). It is worth noting that a 2Mbps service can be provided using three separate codes and combining the results. As the capacity limits are approached, it becomes much more difficult to increase the capacity within the coverage area without adding more cells. Increasing downlink power to increase capacity is inefficient, whereas splitting the power between two WCDMA carrier frequencies would be much more efficient, but requires additional hardware. The figures quoted are only for illustration, and many factors will affect the performance, including improved antenna design for increasing the coverage (e.g. receive antenna diversity), and asymmetric services.

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Capa

city li

mited

Cove

in the

rage

down

limite

link

d in t

he up

link

Note that for a 2 Mbps service, three codes would be used

Fig. 9 Limitations
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Radio Planning Issues

3.5 User Data Rates and Number of Users

Since acceptable service depends on despreading the wanted signal, which in turn depends on the level of interference in the system, there is generally a trade-off between the number of users and their average data rates. This is because an upper limit on total interference determines the capacity. For lower data rate users, the processing gain is relatively high and each signal will be raised significantly above the interference for average planned cell load conditions. However, as the number of users increase, so the interference increases, and an upper limit on the number of users will be reached (this is maximised by effective power control). For higher data rate users, the processing gain is not so high, which results in the signal being raised less effectively above the interference. The maximum interference level will be reached earlier, hence a lower number of users will be tolerated for acceptable higher data rate services to be provided. The total user data capacity is affected by the control information, in that more lower data rate users will require more control information, leaving less user data. However, higher data rate users will have a less even distribution over the system, which makes capacity planning less efficient. Therefore on average, overall cell loading may be lower if higher data rate users dominated and had been planned for. In practice, of course, a mix of users would generally be expected. Asymmetric services may also be provided.

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144

Note: Figures are for illustration only

User rates (kbps)

64

32 16 12.2 0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Number of channels per cell

Total capacity (Users x User Rates) is not constant due to dimensioning and also the greater control overhead required for more lower rate users

Fig. 10 User Data Rates and Number of Users

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Radio Planning Issues

4. REDUCING INTERFERENCE/INCREASING CAPACITY

4.1 Sectorisation
One simple way to reduce interference is to use sectored cells, where a single base site can support up to six sectors (or cells) at a time. The directional antennas mean that antenna gain acts to enhance the signals from mobiles in the sector, and reject those outside the sector. At the same time, interference in the downlink is reduced due to the confinement of power within the sector, which ensures a lower contribution to overall interference. In addition, the cells are effectively smaller (for the same number of sites) and therefore lower powers can be used. Softer handover now becomes a factor in that mobiles can be in handover between sectors of the same Node B, with the signal combined in the Rake receiver (an advantage in terms of reduced power requirement). The Soft handover region, rather than the Softer handover region still provides the greater area. Effectively, the reduced interference allows greater capacity for the same number of base sites, or reduced hardware costs for the same capacity if the system is planned as a sectored system from initial rollout.

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 Reduced Co-Channel Interference Increased Capacity Reduced Hardware Costs

Soft Handover Region Softer Handover Region Base Station Sites with Axis of sectorisation

Fig. 11 Sectorisation
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4.2 Smart Antennas

The sectored cell benefits can be taken to the extreme with the use of smart antennas, where multiple beams can be generated, each serving a specified user. The beams are effectively very narrow sectors, with all the benefits in terms of reduced interference. Antenna gain is generally higher than for the three or six sector sites. The beams are formed and steered by antenna arrays. The broadcast channel is configured for normal cell coverage since it must be available to mobiles in idle mode. Smart antennas may well be a feature in UMTS networks.

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Broadcast Channel

Narrow Beam

User

Multiple beams can be generated for multiple users Co-Channel interference in Uplink and Downlink is reduced Range increased due to higher antenna gain Capacity increased due to reduced co-channel interference

Fig. 12 Smart Antennas

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Radio Planning Issues

4.3 Multi-Carrier Cells

Multi-carrier cells offer an efficient way to increase capacity (limited generally by the downlink). Unlike power increases in a single frequency (which provide little improvement in capacity as the higher data rates, or user numbers are approached), a second carrier frequency allows the data rates, or user numbers to remain in the part of the load curve considered efficient in terms of capacity provision. Each frequency can then use power control to increase capacity until each now approaches the limit again (as defined by the load curve). In general, the frequencies used will be adjacent channels (adjacent W-CDMA frequencies), and will therefore cause adjacent channel interference. However, this can be minimised by co-locating the transmitter / receivers and using the same antennas. This concept can be extended to different network operators who may be using adjacent frequencies. They could both benefit from reduced adjacent channel interference if they co-located their transmitter / receivers. A mobile required to change frequencies for capacity, coverage, or quality reasons would use the hard handover technique.

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Frequency 2 Frequency 1

Hard Handover can be employed

Adjacent channel interference is minimised by co-locating and using same antennas. Different operators using adjacent frequency bands would benefit from colocation to reduce adjacent channel interference

Fig. 13 Multi-Carrier Cells

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Radio Planning Issues

4.4 Planning the Frequency Spectrum

Within the available frequency band, the actual carrier frequency and spacing can be set in steps of 200kHz. This can be used effectively to decrease the spacing between frequencies within the operators band (where the increased adjacent channel interference can be minimised by co-locating the transmitters / receivers, and using the same antennas). This allows increased separation (at the edge of the operator's band) with the adjacent frequencies used by another operator, as shown opposite.

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Operator 1 (10MHz)

Operator 2 (15MHz)

frequency

4.6MHz

> 5MHz

4.6MHz

Larger spacing (Minimises interference)

Carrier spacing can be set in steps of 200kHz within band to minimise adjacent channel interference Operators can minimise adjacent channel interference from their own carriers by co-location (hence spacing can be reduced in order to maximise spacing between operators)

Fig. 14 Setting the Carrier Spacing

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Radio Planning Issues

4.5 The Layered Architecture

A layered architecture may be employed for coverage, capacity, or quality reasons, with the different layers operating on different frequencies (required in order to minimise the effects of interference in each cell). At the micro / pico-cell level, TDD mode may be utilised. Its reduced range can be used to advantage in areas requiring higher data rates. The TDD cell power can be controlled sufficiently to provide coverage only in selected areas (such as offices). This ensures that interference is kept to a minimum in other coverage areas where the TDD frequency is re-used. Hence, higher data rates / loading can be provided for "hot spots", while more general coverage is provided by FDD operation. If more than one FDD frequency is available, an umbrella layer can also be used for wider area coverage. The loading of each layer needs careful consideration. Different data rates can be traded off against the number of users. Hard handovers must be used between different modes and frequencies (and also, therefore, between layers).

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FDD f1

FDD f2

FDD f2

TDD f3
Different Carrier Frequencies may be employed at different layers (hard handovers can be used) Lower range, higher bit rate services may be provided by TDD mode (eg: office environments)

Fig. 15 The Layered Architecture

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4.6 GSM Co Planning

The way in which UMTS has been specified allows for an evolutionary strategy from existing 2G GSM networks. In fact in the first phase of UMTS, the core network is essentially an evolved GSM Phase 2+ network, incorporating circuit switched and packet switch (GPRS) infrastructures. It is a general assumption that GSM and UMTS will co-exist in a similar way that first and second generation systems did. However for UMTS, the core network will initially be that of the existing GSM network, and it follows that operators will also want to maximise use of the existing radio infrastructure. Re-using existing GSM base transceiver sites will provide a huge cost saving to operators. The feasibility of this is illustrated opposite in a comparison of effective ranges for both GSM (900 and 1800MHz frequencies) and UMTS (at varying data rates). GSM 900 clearly allows for greater range, whereas GSM 1800 and low to moderate W-CDMA data rate ranges are more comparable. Range is more limited for the W-CDMA at higher data rates.

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Relative Coverage (Range)

WCDMA 384kbps

WCDMA 144kbps

WCDMA SPEECH

GSM 1800 SPEECH GSM 900 SPEECH

Fig. 16 GSM Co Planning Range Comparisons

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4.7 Use Of Existing Sites

Existing GSM sites may therefore be used for UMTS, so long as the cell range / coverage area required for the planned UMTS system can be provided with the existing base site spacing. If not, then additional sites will be needed. Remote, or rural areas, where GSM has been planned simply to provide continuous coverage (with a low capacity requirement), will generally provide more of a problem than urban areas due to the greater cell sizes. GSM 900 cell sizes will usually be greater than GSM 1800 in these areas. For urban areas, capacity is often the major planning issue. Here, the available frequencies must be re-used more often in order to provide the required resources. This is achieved by carefully controlling the transmitted power and reducing the cell sizes. The GSM cell sites will be closer together and therefore more likely to support UMTS cells with the required coverage areas. In urban areas, GSM 900 and 1800 are likely to have similar cell sizes, and therefore are more equally likely to be able to provide UMTS coverage from existing sites. The UMTS soft and softer handover regions (including under higher load conditions) must be taken into account when planning coverage from existing GSM cell sites.

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Remote Areas (GSM Coverage Planned)

WCDMA Range GSM Range

Additional Base Sites Required for Continuous Coverage

Urban Areas (GSM Capacity Planned)

Cell boundary less than GSM or WCDMA maximum range

Possible to Provide Continuous Coverage using Existing Sites

Fig. 17 Using Existing 2G Sites

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4.8 W-CDMA, EDGE and GSM Coverage Areas

A network may be planned with the different W-CDMA modes, EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution) and GSM providing different areas of coverage. Each would be able to support different data rates and Qualities of Service. The reasons for this approach could include cost, speed of rollout, coverage, capacity, or overall quality. It makes sense in many ways to leave basic (voice subscribers) on the GSM network, since a large initial migration to UMTS would increase interference, reducing the ability to provide higher data rate services for potentially high revenue (usually corporate) users. The high value users will usually be concentrated in business areas. As more users start using higher data rate services, a gradual migration would allow operators to use GSM sites initially for UMTS coverage, increasing capacity as the network grows. The cut off between a likely GSM and UMTS subscriber is not clear cut. EDGE could provide an extra step, with the flexibility of higher data rate services without increasing the UMTS load. UMTS services could be sold at a premium, with higher capacity provided initially in urban areas (where GSM co-planning is most feasible). TDD can be used to provide higher data rates in the required "hotspots".

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EDGE URBAN COVERAGE WCDMA TDD Hot Spots (Offices etc) GSM Continuous Coverage

WCDMA FDD Business Coverage

Fig. 18 Coverage Areas

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Radio Planning Issues

5. THE WCDMA PLANNING PROCESS

5.1 The Overall Planning Process
The overall planning process is illustrated opposite. The requirements for coverage, capacity and quality are set before an initial dimensioning phase, based on these requirements, is used to give a rough estimate of the hardware requirements, and the number of sites. Based on these results, and also with regard to the coverage, capacity and quality requirements, the network is planned. The sites are selected, and the configuration and parameters of the sites are set. At this stage, an iterative approach would be taken, using one of the many planning tools available to network planners. The network plan would be put through an initial optimisation phase at this stage. The actual network can only be truly optimised once in operation, under real load conditions. To achieve this, the performance is monitored through the production of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), otherwise known as key metrics, and accurate growth and usage predictions are made. This allows the radio parameters to be adjusted, and cells reconfigured accordingly. Where necessary, new sites would be added.

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REQUIREMENTS: Coverage Capacity Quality

DIMENSIONING CAPACITY & COVERAGE PLANNING OPTIMISATION

Number of sites required Hardware Requirements

BUILD THE NETWORK

Analyse Coverage Select Sites Select Configuration of Sites Set Parameters for Radio Resource Management Analyse Quality of Service

Analyse Key Metrics Analyse Coverage Analyse Capacity Analyse Quality Analyse Growth & Changing User Patterns

PERFORMANCE MONITORING Adjust Radio Resource Management Parameters Adjust Site Configurations Add sites (for optimisation and growth)

NETWORK OPTIMISATION

Fig. 19 The Planning Process

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5.2 Dimensioning
The dimensioning process initially considers the quality in calculating signal loss (and gains) in the radio and processing path. This is called calculating the link budget. Once available, the calculated link budget allows the maximum radio path losses for varying data rates to be determined (and hence therefore the maximum cell radius). Coverage can therefore be analysed and capacity estimated. Based on the capacity and coverage analysis, the number of sites and base station hardware can be determined. Once known, this allows the number of RNCs and Core Network elements to be calculated. Finally, the transmission network requirements can be determined. This is a simplified description of dimensioning as many complex radio planning issues need considering in order to provide accurate dimensioning information.

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SET QoS Requirements

Calculate Radio LInk Budgets

Coverage Analysis

Capacity Estimation

Estimate Number of Sites and Base Station Hardware Estimate Number of RNCs and Core Network Elements

Estimate Tramsission Network Requirements

Fig. 20 Dimensioning
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Radio Planning Issues

5.3 Capacity and Coverage Planning

A commercial software planning tool would generally be used for the capacity and coverage planning process. An iterative process is employed since changes made to a cell parameter or configuration may affect coverage or capacity over a wider area. The many variable parameters and factors in UMTS, including variable data rates, interference sharing and soft handover regions make the iterations very complex in UMTS. The planning tool is dependent on real data in order to provide accurate results. The results will include base site locations, configurations and radio parameter values.

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 Real propagation data for area Estimate of user density and user traffic Existing base station sites

CAPACITY AND COVERAGE PLANNING

Information

Iterative Prediction Process

Base station location Base station configuration Parameters

Fig. 21 Capacity and Coverage Planning

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Radio Planning Issues

5.4 Information Used In the Prediction Process

As well as real radio propagation data for the area, predicted user density and traffic, and the existing base station sites, the iterative prediction process requires additional data. These are illustrated opposite. The more accurate the data, the more accurate the result

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Propagation Data User Density & Traffic Existing Base Station Sites

Considerations: Interference Estimation Mobile Speeds Multipath Channel Profiles Bit Rates Type of Service Fast Power Control Soft/Softer Handover Uplink/Downlink Loading Transmission Requirements

CAPACITY AND COVERAGE PLANNING Iterative Prediction Process

Locations, Configurations, Parameters

Fig. 22 Information used to predict Capacity and Coverage for W-CDMA Systems
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Radio Planning Issues

5.5 Planning Tools

The complex nature of the iterative process necessitates a software planning tool. This allows much of the external data to be loaded, including the radio propagation and geographical data for the area in question. The operator can then ask for iterations under various conditions. Various visual representations are used to covey the coverage and capacity results on screen, as shown.

5.6 Monte Carlo Simulations

The Monte Carlo method is a general technique applied to many systems to model the outcomes, from economics to physics. The basis is random numbers and statistical probability calculations. There are many forms of Monte Carlo simulations. In UMTS, the simulation is applied to the radio network to model the coverage and therefore capacity of the radio system under various conditions. The planning tools used at this stage of the planning process use the Monte Carlo method because it allows complex systems to be analysed by sampling a number of random configurations. It then uses this data to describe the system as a whole.

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Supplied courtesy of Ericsson

Fig. 23 Planning Tools

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5.7 Network Optimisation

Network optimisation processes are used to allow the network operator to maximise the use of the network by providing the required quality of service for the minimum infrastructure and operating costs, whilst taking into account predicted growth. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), otherwise known as Key Metrics are used to analyse performance against the specified quality of service. The results can be used to adjust settings and parameters used in handovers, power control, packet scheduling, admission control, and load control. KPIs, together with predicted growth forecasts can be used to trigger additional base site planning. Much of this may be automated in UMTS due to its complex nature.

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Quality of Service Criteria Specified Analyse Key Metrics Soft Handover Area Optimisation Forecast and Measured Traffic Growth Radio Resource Management Algorithms - handovers - power control - packet scheduling - admission - load control

Much of this may be automated in third generation systems

Fig. 24 Optimising the Network

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Radio Planning Issues

6. SUMMARY PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

The planning considerations for UMTS are summarised in the figure shown opposite.

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 Cellular structure used Same frequency can be used in each cell Codes need to be planned to prevent co-channel interference (64 groups to choose from) In general, the greater the bit rate per user, the lower the number of users per cell Greater cell range gives reduced capacity (and vice versa) for a given power The greater the instantaneous cell usage, the smaller the effective cell range (cell breathing) Interference decreases range and/or capacity for a given power Overall system noise/interference must be kept as low as possible Interference reducing techniques may be used Diversity Multi user detection Smart antennas Repeaters Increased downlink power gives increased capacity only to a certain limit Planning may use: more than one frequency for capacity or coverage purposes (eg: hierarchical cells) GSM/EDGE to offer more complete coverage around UMTS Islands TDD mode suited to shorter range (and possibly higher data rates) FDD mode suited to longer range Asymmetric services must be planned for

Fig. 25 W-CDMA Planning Considerations - Summary

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