A9155v65 An Frequency Planning Ed01

A9155 RNP
A9155 V6.5 RNP Application Note:

Frequency Planning
3DF 01955 6520 VAZZA Edition 01

Status RELEASED
Change Note No
Short Title A9155 V6.5 Application Note Frequency Planning
All rights reserved. Passing on and copying of this

document, use and communication of its contents
not permitted without written authorization from
Alcatel-Lucent
2/111 3DF 01955 6520 VAZZA Ed. 01

Contents
Contents
A9155 RNP ..................................................................................1

Contents.......................................................................................3
Figures .........................................................................................7
1 Short description of A9155 V6 RNP ....................................11
2 Frequency Planning Capabilities in A9155 RNP .................12
3 Frequency Planning Process in Projects ..............................14
4 Pre-requisites for Frequency Planning in A9155 RNP .........18
4.1 Definition of the Focus of the Network Planning ............18
4.1.1 Active Cells .................................................18
4.1.2 Transmitter Filtering.....................................19
4.1.3 Filtering Zones ............................................20
4.1.4 Computation and Focus Zones ....................21
4.2 Completed Cell Coverage Planning .............................21
4.3 Neighbor Cell and Handover Planning.........................24
4.4 Capacity Analysis and Required Hardware Resources ....28
4.5 Resource Spectrum Definition.......................................29
4.5.1 Step 1: ‘Frequency Band’ Availability............29
4.5.2 Step 2: Defining Frequency Domains............31
4.5.3 Step 3: The HSN and BSIC domains.............34
4.5.4 Step 4: Setting Resource Requirements..........34
4.6 Putting higher priority on specific cells and subcells .......37
4.7 Freezing Resources......................................................39
4.7.1 Freezing Frequencies...................................39
4.7.2 Freezing HSNs ............................................40
4.7.3 Freezing BSICs ............................................41
4.8 Defining Synchronization Points ...................................41
4.9 Managing Interference Matrices ...................................43
4.9.1 Calculating a New Matrix ............................44
4.9.2 Renaming a Matrix ......................................46
4.9.3 Exporting a Matrix .......................................47
4.9.4 Importing a Matrix ......................................48
4.9.5 Activating / Deactivating a Matrix.................49
4.9.6 Matrix Properties .........................................50
4.10 Experience Matrix including ‘Exceptional Pairs’..............52
5 The AFP Model ...................................................................54
3DF 01955 6520 VAZZA Ed. 01 3/111

Contents
5.1 Understanding the AFP Algorithm ................................ 54

5.1.1 The Simulated Annealing Algorithm ............. 55
5.1.2 The Cost Function ....................................... 58
5.1.3 The Fast Simulated Annealing...................... 59
5.2 Performance Indicators................................................ 59
5.3 AFP Model Parameters ................................................ 60
5.3.1 The General Tab......................................... 61
5.3.2 The Frequency Assignment Tab.................... 61
5.3.3 The Resource Assignment Tab...................... 65
5.3.4 The About Tab ............................................ 67
6 The Automatic Frequency Planning Process ....................... 68
6.1 Step 1: Select the allocation scenario and the resources to
allocate 69
6.2 Step 2: Set Channel Separations and Exceptional Pairs . 72
6.2.1 Impact of Separations on the Assignment
Process 73
6.3 Step 3: Set Global AFP Parameters............................... 74
6.4 Step 4: Confirm the Chosen Settings ............................ 75
6.5 Step 5: Set Assignment Priorities .................................. 76
6.5.1 Setting Plan Cost Contributions .................... 76
6.5.2 Selecting the Interference Sources ................ 78
6.6 Step 6: The Resource Assignment Process ..................... 79
6.6.1 The Main AFP Window ................................ 79
6.6.2 The Results Window .................................... 83
7 Frequency Plan Qualification ............................................. 86
7.1 Evaluation Based on PIs............................................... 86
7.1.1 Identifying Zones with Higher Costs.............. 87
7.1.2 Comparing Two Frequency Plans................. 88
7.2 The ‘Audit’ Function .................................................... 88
7.3 First Statistical Evaluation of Frequency Plan ................. 90
7.4 Visual Evaluation of Frequency Plan ............................. 92
7.4.1 Labels and Tool Tips ................................... 92
7.4.2 Coloring of Strongest Server according to
BCCH 93
7.4.3 Visualization of Co- and Adjacent Channel
Cells 94
7.5 Interference Analysis of Frequency Plan ........................ 97
7.5.1 C/I Calculation Parameter Settings............... 98
7.5.2 C/I Calculation Result.................................. 98
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Contents
7.5.3 Exemplary Frequency Plan Benchmarking using

statistical C/I comparison on Areas ..............................99
7.6 Frequency Plan Point Analysis ....................................100
7.7 Graphical Evaluation of BSIC Assignment ...................102
8 Backup and Restore of Frequency Plans ...........................104
8.1 Complete A9155 Project ATL Document Backup .........104
8.2 Save TRX Table by Copy into Excel .............................104
8.3 COF Export/Import for Backup...................................105
9 Frequency Plan Implementation using PRC Generator .....107
9.1 Exporting Data to PRC Generator Module...................107
9.2 A9155 PRC Generator Module ..................................108
Abbreviations...........................................................................111
3DF 01955 6520 VAZZA Ed. 01 5/111

Preface
Figures
Figure 3-1: Frequency Planning Process .......................................................15
Figure 4-1 Active (red) and inactive (white) transmitters .................................19
Figure 4-2 Transmitter Filter.........................................................................20
Figure 4-3: Computation (red) and focus zones (green) in an AFP project.......21
Figure 4-4 Maximum Field Strength Calculation as part of Radio Coverage
Planning .................................................................................22
Figure 4-5 Strongest Server (Service Area) Calculation as part of Coverage
Planning .................................................................................23
Figure 4-6 Calculation Parameters for Automatic Neighbor Cell Allocation ....25
Figure 4-7 Neighbor cell relations in A9155 .................................................27
Figure 4-8 Visualization of Neighbors on Map ..............................................27
Figure 4-9 'Required TRXs' Column in Subcell table .......................................29
Figure 4-10 Frequency Bands in A9155 .......................................................30
Figure 4-11 Definition of Frequency Domains in A9155 ................................31
Figure 4-12: Frequency Domain consisting of 2 Frequency Blocks..................32
Figure 4-13 Groups A, B and C in a 1*3 Radio Hopping Fractional Reuse......33
Figure 4-14 Group 1*1 Hopping Group in 1*1 Fractional Re-Use..................33
Figure 4-15 Cell Types in A9155 .................................................................34
Figure 4-16 Setting a radio-hopping celltype's frequency domains on a per cell
basis ......................................................................................35
Figure 4-17: Setting the Celltype of a cell in the 'Properties' ...........................36
Figure 4-18: Celltypes in the table ...............................................................36
Figure 4-19. Setting Frequency and HSN resources at subcell level ................37
Figure 4-20. Setting the BSIC domain at cell level .........................................37
Figure 4-21: Introduction of an 'AFP'-weight per cell......................................38
Figure 4-22: Setting AFP weights at subcell level ...........................................38
Figure 4-23: Freezing Channels on a per cell basis.......................................39
Figure 4-24: Freezing Channels for several TRXs...........................................40
Figure 4-25. Subcell global freezing in the AFP wizard ..................................40
Figure 4-26. Freezing HSN values................................................................41
Figure 4-27. Default synchronization points ..................................................42
Figure 4-28. Defining a custom synchronization point ...................................43
Figure 4-29. The IM folder in A9155 V6.5 ....................................................44
Figure 4-30. Launching the calculation of a new predicted IM .......................44
Figure 4-31. Predicted IM calculation options ...............................................45
Figure 4-32. A newly created predicted IM....................................................46
Figure 4-33. Exporting a predicted IM to an external file................................47
Figure 4-34. Importing a predicted IM..........................................................48
Figure 4-35. Deactivating an IM ..................................................................49
Figure 4-36. Activated and deactivated IMs ..................................................49
Figure 4-37. General IM properties..............................................................50
Figure 4-38. Advanced IM properties ...........................................................51
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Preface
Figure 4-39: Setting Experience Matrix Separations at cell level...................... 52

Figure 4-40: Complete Experience Matrix in Exceptional Pair table ................ 53
Figure 5-1: COST function of frequency plans .............................................. 55
Figure 5-2: Modification of Frequency Plans in Simulated Annealing Process .. 56
Figure 5-3: Simulated Annealing Iteration Loop ............................................ 57
Figure 5-4: AFP Module Property Pages........................................................ 61
Figure 5-5: The 'Frequency Assignment' tab of A9155 AFP Module ................ 62
Figure 5-6. Manual selection of the Fast-Aggresive SA thresholds. ................. 65
Figure 5-7. The 'Resource Assignment' property page .................................... 66
Figure 6-1: Starting the AFP on the Transmitters folder .................................. 68
Figure 6-2. Launching AFP on a single cell ................................................... 69
Figure 6-3: The 1st page of the AFP wizard ................................................... 70
Figure 6-4: The 2nd page of the AFP wizard .................................................. 72
Figure 6-5 The 3rd page of the AFP wizard.................................................... 74
Figure 6-6: AFP Start window....................................................................... 76
Figure 6-7. AFP Priorities Setup window........................................................ 77
Figure 6-8. Selecting a mixed IM as interference source ................................ 78
Figure 6-9. Selecting several detailed IMs as interference sources .................. 79
Figure 6-10. The main AFP window ............................................................. 80
Figure 6-11. PI evolution charts ................................................................... 81
Figure 6-12. The assignment charts window ................................................. 82
Figure 6-13. The Results window of the AFP.................................................. 84
Figure 7-1. The PI columns in the TRXs table................................................. 87
Figure 7-2. Using the PI columns to colorize the transmitters on the map........ 88
Figure 7-3: Starting the audit function on a frequency plan ........................... 89
Figure 7-4: Result of Audit in Event-Window ................................................. 90
Figure 7-5 Frequency Distribution Add-in ..................................................... 91
Figure 7-6: Exemplary Channel Distribution in a GSM 900 Layer................... 91
Figure 7-7: Coloring of Strongest Server According to BCCH......................... 94
Figure 7-8: Starting the Search Tool ............................................................. 95
Figure 7-9: Search Tool Visualization ........................................................... 96
Figure 7-10: C/I Level Prediction Parameters ................................................ 98
Figure 7-11: C/I Level Prediction Color Settings ............................................ 98
Figure 7-12: Resulting network wide C/I Level study...................................... 99
Figure 7-13: Report on statistics on areas having certain C/I levels ................ 99
Figure 7-14: Comparing Frequency Plans using C/I.................................... 100
Figure 7-15: Interfered Areas Condition Tab .............................................. 101
Figure 7-16: Interfered Areas per Cell........................................................ 101
Figure 7-17: Point analysis of interference conditions .................................. 102
Figure 7-18: BSIC Visualization with Channel Search Tool........................... 103
Figure 8-1: Starting CAE Export ................................................................. 106
Figure 8-2: Selecting the data items to be selected ...................................... 106
Figure 9-1: Starting CAE Export ................................................................. 108
Figure 9-2: Selecting the data items to be selected ...................................... 108
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Preface
Figure 9-3: A9155 PRC Generator Module.................................................109
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Preface
Preface
Scope The document is dedicated to internal and external customers who
are performing GSM frequency planning using Alcatel-Lucent’s
Radio Network Planning Tool A9155 RNP in its version V6.5.
Readership Profile Experienced users or tool administrators of A9155 V6.5.
Content Summary The document gives the user mandatory pre-requisites for
frequency planning within A9155 RNP and guides through the
assignment procedure and the evaluation process.
Reference Documents
[1]. A9155 V6.5 User’ Guide – 3DF 01955 6480 PCZZA
[2]. A9155 PRC Generator User’s Guide and Process Description – 3DF 01955 0080
PCZZA
[3]. A9155 V6.5 Release Notes – 3DF 01955 6480 TQZZA
[4]. A9155 V6.5 RNP Application Note: RMS and T180 – 3DF 01955 6520 VAZZA
[5]. A9155 V6.5 Study Templates – 3DF 01955 6420 PTZZA
Service Information If you need special assistance, please contact the A9155 Hotline:
e-mail: RadioTools.Support@alcatel-lucent.ro
Phone: +40 256 303 414
Restrictions The document refers to A9155 V6 in the version V6.5.
Last Minute Changes No
Pre-conditions for use The user should be experienced in the use of A9155 V6.5.
10/111 3DF 01955 6520 VAZZA Ed. 01

1 Short description of A9155 V6 RNP
1 Short description of A9155 V6 RNP
A9155 V6 RNP is a software application dedicated to radio

network engineering for networks working under the GSM, UMTS,
CDMA and WiMAX technology.
A9155 V6 RNP supports the following tasks
■ Radio Measurement Evaluation and Propagation Model
Calibration
■ Radio network Coverage Planning
■ Traffic/Capacity Analysis
■ Neighborhood Planning
■ Frequency and BSIC Planning
■ QoS Predictions
■ BS System Data Interfacing
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2 Frequency Planning Capabilities in A9155 RNP

With growing traffic in existing GSM TDMA networks most
operators face the need for a more efficient use of their most
limited resource: the frequency spectrum.
Alcatel-Lucent supports these needs with a wide range of functions
embedded in the main application of the A9155 Radio Network
Planning software [1].
The A9155 RNP provides features for
• Enhanced frequency plan analysis for all kind of radio
configurations
• Consistency checks against given resources
• C/I analysis for overall quality check and local optimizations
• Efficient visualization functions for manual network check and
frequency plan modifications
• Enhanced algorithms for fast, efficient and reliable resource
planning
• Automatic Frequency planning in all possible configurations:
non-hopping, base-band, synthesized frequency hopping and
mixed hopping networks
• Usage of real network information like
RMS (Radio Measurement Statistics) for frequency
planning Ö Real interference taken into account,
T180 counters B Real network behaviour
• Automatic FHS (also known as MAL), MAIO and HSN
planning
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• Automatic BSIC planning

• Standardized Interface to Alcatel BSS system for frequency
plan implementation
For actual information please check the A9155 AFP Module
Release Notes [3].
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3 Frequency Planning Process in Projects

Frequency Planning is an iterative process performed in several
steps and several actors are involved when the A9155 RNP
package is used. These actors are as follows:
► A9155 RNP main application
► A9155 PRC Generator Module
► A9155 AFP Module
► Frequency Planning Project Leader and Management
The first step in the A9155 RNP supported frequency planning
process is to setup the network in the planning tool. This means
that positions of sites and information about the cells’ antenna
system have to be entered in the A9155. The setup of the network
in A9155 should contain all the physical data having an impact
on the further steps of the project (coverage predictions and
especially C/I plots): ACCURATE info about the position of the
sites, antenna types, down-tilting, height and also some maps.
This should be the result of a site audit campaign. Otherwise the
results predicted by A9155 might be too different compared to
real network. Based on this rudimentary information a ‘Coverage
Planning’ is performed based on a field-strength prediction. The
coverage planning step within A9155 is mandatory as a base for
all kind of frequency planning missions.
When this basis is provided the process splits into two possible
branches. If the frequency plan is done for a from-scratch process
the user can directly continue with starting the frequency plan
generation process. In the other case that an existing network
should be optimized it is strongly recommended to do a detailed
analysis of the existing frequency plan.
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Figure 3-1: Frequency Planning Process
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This gives the user the possibility to benchmark a new plan (‘Status
Quo’) against an improved plan. In order to evaluate an existing
frequency plan the logical configuration of the operational
network is downloaded via the A9155 PRC Generator Module.
This contains beside some cell individual parameters the HO plan
as well as the operational frequency plan. The interfaces used are
standard interfaces defined within Alcatel-Lucent.
After having the operational logical configuration inside A9155
the analysis of the frequency plan can be started using the C/I
prediction features and other possibilities described in chapter 7.
A9155 also provides a set of Performance Indicators (PIs), which
can be used for frequency plan benchmarking, usually by creating
a report. This report is the base for a later comparison and
benchmark against a new plan.
At this stage now the AFP process can be started. At the beginning
there should be at least a verification of the operational
neighborhood plan: either optimize the existing one or create a
new one from scratch, based on predictions. The neighborhood
plan is an important input for the frequency planning so here the
necessary care should be taken.
Besides the field strength predictions, A9155 can also use for
frequency planning information from the real network data, like
the RMS and T180 counters.
RMS creates statistics with the C/I for each cell pair serving cell Ö
declared neighbour cell. This C/I information is then summarized
and used by A9155 AFP module as an interference matrix. Since
only declared neighbours are measured, in order to get
measurements from all potential interferer cells more neighbours
are artificially created. They are so called dummy neighbours.
The usage of RMS in frequency planning [4] is optional, but if it is
used, it adds more steps in the A9155 frequency planning
process:
Dummy data generation (A9155)
Upload new configuration (with dummy data) in the
network (A9155 PRC Generator Module)
RMS measurement (OMC-R)
Remove dummy neighbours after measurements (A9155,
A9155 PRC Generator Module)
Interference matrix creation out of RMS files (A9155)
16/111 3DF 01955 6520 VAZZA Ed. 01

The handover statistics (T180 counters) are simply used to show

the HO relationship of one cell with all its neighbours. The main
idea is that the HO traffic is not homogeneously distributed and
some cell pairs will have more handovers traffic than others. The
cell pairs with higher HO traffic will have a higher channel
separation.
These “interference” factors are used to create an interference
probability matrix which can be used either as a standalone matrix
or combined with the predicted matrix or RMS matrix.
The automatic frequency planning using the A9155 AFP Module
starts with the definition step in A9155 that specifies all necessary
input of frame conditions of the plan. The frequency domains,
capacity requirements and interference conditions have to be set
up within the main application. The AFP is then run based on the
given requirements. Frequency planning is an iterative work and
several runs to find a suitable strategy might be necessary. Each
plan should also be evaluated with A9155 RNP under the same
conditions like the existing plan and should lead to the same kind
of PIs.
If a certain satisfying result is achieved, the PIs of the existing
frequency plan and the new frequency plan should be compared.
Frequency Plan Team leader and Project Management has to
compare the frequency plan and their PIs to draw a decision to
implement the new frequency plan or not. This kind of benefit/risk
assessment must include all operational risks that are related to
the frequency plan implementation through an MLU session.
If the decision comes to a ‘Go’ for the new frequency plan the
activation is performed on a PRC that is created from ACIE file
import created by the A9155 PRC Generator Module.
After the implementation it should be verified whether the
frequency plan calculated has been really implemented in all cells
to avoid problems. The network has to be monitored closely in
terms of QoS indicators and interference, after the new frequency
plan has been implemented.
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4 Pre-requisites for Frequency Planning in A9155 RNP
4 Pre-requisites for Frequency Planning in A9155

RNP
The frequency planning phase is a very important step in the
overall network life cycle, used by both network planning and
radio optimization processes.
This chapter describes the required inputs to AFP Module and the
results that have to be available from previous steps to perform a
successful automatic frequency planning with A9155 V6.
4.1 Definition of the Focus of the Network Planning
4.1.1 Active Cells

At the beginning the user has to define the focus area of the radio
network planning, concerning the cells and entities in his network.
The cells to be included and that should be considered in the
planning must be activated. The activated cells are marked as red
and the deactivated ones are white.
18/111 3DF 01955 6520 VAZZA Ed. 01

Figure 4-1 Active (red) and inactive (white) transmitters
No consideration of inactive transmitters!

CAUTION
Transmitters that are inactive will completely be hidden from all
calculations and the Automatic Frequency Planning module. The
user has to ensure that all the transmitters he wants to consider in
the planning must be switched on.
4.1.2 Transmitter Filtering

The filter that can be set directly on the transmitter properties page
has also an impact on the input that is considered for the AFP
module.
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Figure 4-2 Transmitter Filter

When a filter is applied on the Transmitters folder, the transmitters
that do not pass the filter are completely ignored by the AFP.
4.1.3 Filtering Zones

Transmitter filtering can also be done on the map, by drawing a
filtering zone. This is useful when the user wants to filter the
transmitters visually, based on geographical criteria, without
defining a filter in the Transmitters folder properties.
All the transmitters located outside of the filtering zone will be
completely ignored by the AFP, while those located inside the zone
can be used in the frequency planning process.
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4.1.4 Computation and Focus Zones

The computation and focus zones used by A9155 have an impact
on the transmitters that are considered within the AFP process.
Figure 4-3: Computation (red) and focus zones (green) in an AFP project
► the AFP area is the intersection between the computation and
the focus zones
► if either of the zones is not defined, the other one will be
considered as the AFP area
► transmitters inside the AFP area are loaded and considered in
the AFP module
► transmitters located outside of the AFP area but having HO
adjacencies or bringing potential interference into the
planning area, are loaded and considered in the AFP module
► transmitters outside the AFP zone are considered frozen for all
resource types.
4.2 Completed Cell Coverage Planning

To be able to perform frequency planning within A9155 RNP it is
required that the following calculations have been carried out in
advance.
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■ Cell specific path loss prediction

■ Coverage by Signal Level Study (recommended)
■ Coverage by Transmitter Study (recommended)
For each cell in the network a cell specific path loss file has to be
available internally in the document or in the LOSSES directory
(external calculation storage case). Every cell specific path loss file
has to be valid (all calculations done and no change of cell design
and other relevant parameters in the meantime).
The results ‘Signal Level Study’ and ‘Coverage by Transmitter
Study’ are not mandatory, but are normally performed before a
frequency planning campaign is started to provide a good
overview on the network.
Figure 4-4 Maximum Field Strength Calculation as part of Radio Coverage Planning
22/111 3DF 01955 6520 VAZZA Ed. 01

The applied settings of the calculation provide the maximum field-

strength at each pixel where the BCCH subcell’s minimum
reception thresold is exceeded. The given field strength at a pixel
has a reliability level of 50 %, that means that in half of the cases
will be higher and in 50 % of the cases is smaller than the given
dBm value. Only cells in the Macro Layer are considered in this
example.
Higher Reliability of Result

TIP
To ensure a higher reliability of the colored field strength level it is
recommended to increase this percentage (for instance to 75 %).
Figure 4-5 Strongest Server (Service Area) Calculation as part of Coverage Planning
The applied settings of the calculation provide the strongest server
at each pixel where the BCCH subcell’s minimum reception
3DF 01955 6520 VAZZA Ed. 01 23/111

threshold is exceeded. It is assumed that the pixels that have the

same strongest server are forming its service area. Only cells in
the Macro Layer are considered in this example. Also a reliability
level of 50 % is considered in this example. In order to gain a
higher reliability this value could be increased (for instance to
95%).
Coverage Planning using Templates of Studies

TIP
The easiest way for performing coverage planning is to use the
predefined templates for different coverage studies. These studies
provide prepared parameter settings that ensure that the user gets
exactly that kind of result what is described in the comments. More
details can be found in [5].
4.3 Neighbor Cell and Handover Planning

The neighbor cell plan is also an important optional input for the
frequency planning algorithm. The fact that the frequency channel
separation between GSM neighbor cells’ BCCHs should be at
least 1 or better 2 will put a high impact on the capability of the
AFP algorithm to find a solution proper and reliable solution. A
good neighbor planning is the basis for a good frequency
planning.
So it is necessary that neighbor planning has been finished before
automatic frequency planning and the appropriate table of A9155
is populated with the GSM-cell relationships.
The built-in algorithm for neighborhood planning is started using
the following command:
Transmitter -> Neighbours -> Automatic Allocation
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Figure 4-6 Calculation Parameters for Automatic Neighbor Cell Allocation

The automatic neighbor cell allocation algorithm works according
to the following principle:
A transmitter A will consider a transmitter B as neighbor if:
► The distance between both transmitters is lower than a user-
definable max inter-site distance.
► There is an overlap zone (SA ∩ SB) with a given reliability level
where:
● SA is the area where the signal reception from the
transmitter A is greater than a minimum signal level.
● SB is the area where:
□ The signal reception from the transmitter B is greater
than the signal reception from the transmitter A plus
3DF 01955 6520 VAZZA Ed. 01 25/111

the handoff margin start until a handover margin

end
□ The transmitter B is the best server.
● Either the % covered surface ((SA ∩ SB)/SA*100) is greater
than a % minimum covered area if the ‘Covered area’-
option is selected, or the % traffic covered on the overlap
area is higher than a % minimum covered area if the
‘Covered traffic’- option is taken into account.
► The user can set the maximum number of neighbors to be
allocated to each transmitter. Thus, among n transmitters (n >
max number of neighbors), which meet the criteria described
above, only those with the greatest covered surface area
(Covered area option) or with the most covered traffic
(Covered traffic option) will be selected.
► The ‘force co-site transmitters as neighbors’- option enables
the user to force the co-site transmitters to be taken into
account in the neighbor allocation. The co-site transmitters
will be the first neighbors in the list.
For more detailed information the technical reference manual has
to be consulted.
Hints for Neighbor Planning

TIP
It is necessary to perform the neighbor plan in principle using the
following rule: ‘As many neighbors per cell as necessary, as less
as possible’.
An oversized neighbor planning will result in a bad frequency plan
because neighbor-constraints are solved by the algorithm and no
interference can be optimized. An optimum handover planning
provides 8-12 neighbors per cell in all directions. There should be
neighbor symmetry if possible, but in many cases this setting
cannot be used due to limitations of the maximum number of
neighbors.
As a result complete entries in the neighbor cell table should be

available.
The neighbor cell table is accessible under
Transmitter -> Neighbours -> Intra-technology Neigbours
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Figure 4-7 Neighbor cell relations in A9155

A visual representation of neighborhoods on the map is enabled
by clicking the related symbol on the menu bar and selecting a
specific transmitter.
Figure 4-8 Visualization of Neighbors on Map
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It has to be ensured that neighbor relations exist in all directions of

the cell. The limitation in the number of neighbors must not cut the
neighbors only in a specific direction. If this happens the signal
level or the maximum distance used by the neighbour allocation
algorithm have to be decreased to focus on the important
neighbors in the near surrounding of a cell.
4.4 Capacity Analysis and Required Hardware

Resources
There are two different ways to supply A9155 RNP with the
required information concerning the number of TRXs that have to
be assigned with frequencies during the AFP process.
■ Manually entering the number of subcells reflecting the TRXs.

This method is used when standard configurations are used in
a project (for instance 1 TRX per cell in the case of network
startup) or when re-planning of an existing network with the
number of TRX known.
■ calculation of required TRXs by A9155 RNP under
consideration of a map indicating the expected traffic density
per pixel in the network
As a result of the capacity analysis each cell’s subcells should be

populated with their requirements.
The population can be checked under:
Transmitter -> Subcells -> Open Table
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Figure 4-9 'Required TRXs' Column in Subcell table

The minimum requirement consists of the BCCH subcell
requirement that has to be populated with ‘1’ for each cell. This
requirement is available by default.
4.5 Resource Spectrum Definition

The radio resources that can be allocated by the A9155 AFP
include frequencies, HSNs and BSICs, each with their own
available spectrum. The radio resource spectrum that is available
for the AFP process is defined in several process steps.
4.5.1 Step 1: ‘Frequency Band’ Availability

The frequency band table is the basis of the frequency spectrum
resource within the planning tool.
3DF 01955 6520 VAZZA Ed. 01 29/111

The table of ‘Frequency Bands ‘is available under:

Transmitter -> Network Settings -> Frequencies -> Bands
Figure 4-10 Frequency Bands in A9155

In the first step it should be checked in this table whether the
desired basic frequency band for the used system technology is
available here. In the default installation all common system
technology data sets are included. For each frequency band the
mid frequency and the channel width is specified. For all GSM
system technologies frequency band the channel wide is 200 KHz.
The ‘First’ and ‘Last’ channel are set according to the GSM
specifications. All channels within this interval can be used in
principle for the AFP-band setup.
The parameter ‘Nb Columns’ is not used.
Hint for specific projects

TIP
It is recommended not to modify the existing basic settings. It is
preferred to add datasets if required.
It is also recommended not to define a certain band structure on
this level, but to do it in a later step using ‘Frequency Domains’.
30/111 3DF 01955 6520 VAZZA Ed. 01

4.5.2 Step 2: Defining Frequency Domains

From the overall frequency bands it is now the task to specify the
project specific frequency block definitions. This is done via so
called ‘Frequency Domains’.
For each subcell requirement it has to be specified which
frequency domain should be used for automatic assignment.
By applying these steps it is ensured that each TRX gets a
frequency from its dedicated domain.
The frequency domains are set up under:
Transmitter -> Network Settings -> Frequencies -> Domains
Figure 4-11 Definition of Frequency Domains in A9155
Hint for complex frequency band structures

TIP
It is recommended to define complex frequency band structures on
domain level. For instance BCCH and TCH band splits can be
realized on domain level. Also bands for different hopping modes
should be defined on frequency domain level.
Each created frequency domain can now be configured from

frequency groups under:
Transmitter -> Network Settings -> Frequencies -> Groups
3DF 01955 6520 VAZZA Ed. 01 31/111

Defining Groups within Frequency Domains

Each frequency domain can be configured from different
frequency groups under:
Transmitter -> Network Settings -> Frequencies -> Groups
For non-hopping networks the frequency resource for specific
subcells as BCCH and TCH can be defined in the following way.
Figure 4-12: Frequency Domain consisting of 2 Frequency Blocks

The different frequency blocks of a domain can be added as data
rows in this table. Each block/group can be identified by an
arbitrary name. The block is defined by a ‘Minimum’ border
channel and a ‘Maximum’ border channel as well as by a step
size between these two borders. From this block specific
frequencies can be ‘Excluded’ by putting them on the related list.
On the other hand additional ‘Extra’ frequencies can be put to a
block.
It is in the responsibility of the user to have the definitions of the
groups and blocks as transparent as possible.
Radio Hopping Fractional Reuse Domains can also be
defined under the property page.
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Figure 4-13 Groups A, B and C in a 1*3 Radio Hopping Fractional Reuse

Radio Hopping Fractional Reuse Scenarios can also be handled by
this implementation of a radio hopping frequency domain.
In the example 3 groups A, B and C were defined with 11
frequencies each with an intra channel distance of 3. The domain
covers 33 channels.
Figure 4-14 Group 1*1 Hopping Group in 1*1 Fractional Re-Use

In the example above only 1 hopping group is defined. This is the
case in 1*1 re-use networks where every cell uses the same
frequencies by resolving onsite-collisions via MAIO assignment per
site and HSN assignment for inter-site collisions.
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4.5.3 Step 3: The HSN and BSIC domains

Another important step for frequency planning is the definition of
BSIC and HSN domains. Normally all HSN values should be
available in all projects.
If desired, the user can define its own HSN and BSIC domains and
groups, in the same manner frequency domains and groups are
defined.
To access the HSN groups and domains, click
Transmitters -> Network Settings -> HSNs.
To access the BSIC groups and domains, click
Transmitters -> Network Settings -> BSICs.
4.5.4 Step 4: Setting Resource Requirements

In the next step the user has to specify which resources his specific
cells are allowed to use.
Setting Frequency and HSN Requirements

The best way to assign the resource requirements to all cell is via
celltypes. The celltype table is opened by clicking:
Transmitter -> Network Settings -> Cell Types
Figure 4-15 Cell Types in A9155

From the ‘list of cell types’ that opens the user selects the ones that
are appearing in its network and clicks on ‘Properties’.
34/111 3DF 01955 6520 VAZZA Ed. 01

Figure 4-16 Setting a radio-hopping celltype's frequency domains on a per cell basis
The celltypes’ subcell requirements will now be satisfied from the
frequency domains that are given per subcell.
The ‘Allocation Strategy’ selection has the following meaning:
► Free – the frequencies for the subcell’s TRXs will be selected
freely from the frequency domain, without taking in
consideration the define groups.
► Group Constrained – all the subcell’s TRXs will contain
frequencies from the same group. AFP will choose the group
from the groups defined in the frequency domains.
In the example above, the BCCH TRX will search its channel freely
in the domain ‘DOMAIN_GSM900’. As BCCH does not hop, the
Hopping Mode of this subcell is ‘Non Hopping’. The TCH TRXs will
search their MALs in the ‘Hopping_scenario_1x1’ domain. As the
allocation mode is ‘Group Constrained’, the TCH TRXs will have
as MALs a complete group of the frequency domain. The
maximum MAL length is set to 64.
The following table gives a subset of the possible combinations
that can be set in A9155 (main set of combinations):
3DF 01955 6520 VAZZA Ed. 01 35/111

Cell Subcell Hopping Mode Allocation Mode

Standard NH Cell BCCH Non Hopping Free / Group Constraint
TCH Non Hopping Free / Group Constraint
BBH Cells BCCH Base Band Hopping Free / Group Constraint
TCH Base Band Hopping Free / Group Constraint
RFH Cells BCCH Non Hopping Free / Group Constraint
TCH Synthesized Hopping Free / Group Constraint

Fractional Reuse
The desired HSN domain for each subcell can be selected from
the ‘HSN domain’ column. In the example presented in Figure
4-16 the default domain ‘All HSNs’ is being used.
After resources have been defined for the different celltypes, the
celltypes have to be associated to the network cells.
Figure 4-17: Setting the Celltype of a cell in the Figure 4-18: Celltypes in the table
'Properties'
Setting the frequency and HSN domains in the Subcells

NOTE table
The user has the option of setting the frequency and HSN domains
for each subcell individually, directly from the Subcells table which
is accessible by clicking ‘Transmitters -> Subcells -> Open Table’
(see Figure 4-19). Please note that for the AFP, the settings in the
Subcells table are prioritary and will override the settings declared
in the Cell Types table.
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Figure 4-19. Setting Frequency and HSN resources at subcell level
Setting BSIC Requirements

The BSIC domain can be set al cell level, directly from the
Transmitters table, as shown in Figure 4-20.
Figure 4-20. Setting the BSIC domain at cell level
4.6 Putting higher priority on specific cells and

subcells
In many projects, specific areas are more important than other
areas. Also, some subcells, like BCCH, must be planned with
greater care than others. In A9155 it is possible to introduce an
AFP weight at cell and / or subcell level.
At cell level, this can be accomplished in the transmitter’s
properties, on the ‘AFP’-tab.
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Figure 4-21: Introduction of an 'AFP'-weight per cell

At subcell level, the AFP weight can be set using the corresponding
column in the subcells table.
Figure 4-22: Setting AFP weights at subcell level

The default value of the AFP weight at both cell and subcell level is
1. In order to increase the priority of a cell or subcell in the AFP
process the user has to enter a value > 1.
The regular contribution of a subcell to the overall cost of the
frequency plan is multiplied by the product of the subcell AFP
weight and the transmitter AFP weight.
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Increasing a cell’s AFP weight can force the AFP algorithm to give
a higher priority to that transmitter (since it will have a greater
impact on the plan cost), while solving all constraints. Increasing a
subcells’ AFP weight will also increase the weight of that subcell in
the plan cost.
4.7 Freezing Resources

In many cases the user wants to restrict changes to certain areas
of the network and freeze the resource assignment that should not
be touched by the AFP.
4.7.1 Freezing Frequencies

This can be done on a per cell basis in the Transmitter table or the
‘TRXs’ tab of the cell properties. Both freezing levels (transmitters
and TRX) are taken into account by AFP. In the case a user is
freezing a transmitter, all its TRX will be frozen even though not
specified so in the TRX table.
Figure 4-23: Freezing Channels on a per cell basis

Freezing of channels for more than one cell can be done in the
TRX list table:
3DF 01955 6520 VAZZA Ed. 01 39/111

Transmitter -> Subcells -> TRXs
Figure 4-24: Freezing Channels for several TRXs

Glabal subcell freezing is also available as an option when AFP is
started. The user may choose to freeze all BCCH channels or all
traffic channels in the project in the 3rd window of the AFP wizard.
Figure 4-25. Subcell global freezing in the AFP wizard
4.7.2 Freezing HSNs

The HSN assignment can also be frozen for each subcell
individually.
In order to freeze the HSN value for a given subcell, open the
Subcells table and check the value for the desired subcell in the
‘Freeze HSN’ column.
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Figure 4-26. Freezing HSN values
4.7.3 Freezing BSICs

In order to freeze the BSIC value for a given cell or set of cells,
open the Transmitters table and check the appropriate values in
the ‘Freeze BSIC’ column.
Freezing BSIC without freezing BCCH is not recommended !

WARNING
Freezing BSIC if BCCH is not frozen is not recommended since the
BSIC planning is always performed after frequency planning and
depends on the assigned BCCH frequencies. Freezing BSIC is
useful only if BCCHs are frozen as well.
4.8 Defining Synchronization Points

Synchronization points (SPs) are used to create clusters of subcells
which are hopping synchronously. From the AFP point of view, a
SP has meaning only in case of SFH subcells.
AFP plans the frequencies in such a way that no co-
synchronization point collisions are allowed between the SFH TRXs
inside a SP (hard-constraint). The default co-site separation will be
used.
By default, A9155 considers the SP to be the same as the site,
because usually all cells in a site share the same synchronization
signal.
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Figure 4-27. Default synchronization points
In Figure 4-27 both the BCCH and TCH subcells of cells ACHC1
and ACHC2 have the same synchronization point ‘ALCOCHETE
CENTRO’ which is their site.
In order to define a different SP, the user must enter the same
value in the Synchronization column of the Subcells table, for each
subcell that belongs to the SP. The value can be any arbitrary text,
as long as the subcells in the SP have the same Synchronization
value.
In the example presented in Figure 4-28, the ACH1, ACH2,
ACHC1 and ACHC2 cells have been grouped under the same
Synchronization point named ‘My Synchro’. This means that all
SFH TRXs belonging to these cells will be planned as if they belong
to the same virtual site, with no co-site collisions accepted among
them.
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Figure 4-28. Defining a custom synchronization point

Defining custom SPs is extremely useful in case of future GSM
releases that will support synchronization between several sites,
like B10 or B11.
4.9 Managing Interference Matrices

Interference matrices are very important to the frequency planning
process, since they can help in solving interference between cells,
thus providing a better radio quality in the network.
Starting with the V6.5 version of A9155, a special folder for
interference matrix (IM) storage has been created in the Data tab
of the Explorer window. This folder stores all interference matrices
used inside a project, either as links to external files or as data
embedded into the ATL file.
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Figure 4-29. The IM folder in A9155 V6.5

The IM folder can contain all types of IMs: predicted, T180, RMS
and Mixed.
4.9.1 Calculating a New Matrix
Predicted IMs
Predicted IMs are based on path-loss information computed by
A9155. They can be calculated, exported to external files and
imported from external files directly from the main application.
Calculating a new predicted IM can be done by clicking
‘Interference Matrices -> Calculate…’.
Figure 4-30. Launching the calculation of a new predicted IM

The following window appears, presenting the options for the IM
calculation:
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Figure 4-31. Predicted IM calculation options

The Server option presents the following choices:
► Best signal level per HCS Layer - considers only the
interference on the area where a serving cell is the strongest
cell per HCS layer including the Margin value. This is the
default option.
► All - considers all signals.
The calculation can also take in consideration the shadowing if the
‘Shadowing taken into account’ checkbox is checked by the user.
In that case, the user can specify the Cell Edge Coverage
Probability which represents the lowest accepted probability of
having coverage from a transmitter at a certain pixel.
Traffic spreading controls the weighting of each pixel in the
final interference matrix
► ‘Based on the maps used in the default traffic capture
(probability expressed in % of interfered traffic’. This option
should be taken when a traffic map is available.
► ‘Uniform (probability expressed in % of interfered area’. This
is the default option.
Clicking on ‘OK’ starts the calculation and gives you reports about
the progress on each subcell.
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When the process is finished, a new IM will appear in the

Interference Matrices subfolder, with a default name of
‘Interference Matrix X’ where X is a number related to the number
of predicted IMs already created in the project.
Figure 4-32. A newly created predicted IM
RMS, T180 and Mixed IMs

RMS, T180 and Mixed IMs are interference matrices computed
based on real network data. In order to create such matrices, the
RMS V2.0 feature of A9155 must be installed.
As the description of this feature is beyond the scope of this
document, please consult the A9155 V6.5 application note on
RMS and T180 [4] for details.
4.9.2 Renaming a Matrix

An IM can be renamed according to the user’s desire, by
rightclick-ing it and selecting the ‘Rename’ option: type in a new
name for the IM followed by the Enter key.
Use unique IM names

OBSERVATION
Although A9155 allows you to specify the same name for different
interference matrices, they won’t be all visible to the AFP module
unless they have unique names.
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4.9.3 Exporting a Matrix
Predicted IMs
Predicted IMs can be exported to external files. In order to export
an IM, right-click on it and select the ‘Export …’ option.
Figure 4-33. Exporting a predicted IM to an external file

A Windows standard ‘Save As’ dialog will appear prompting the
user for the file name, location and the desired format. A number
of 4 IM formats are supported directly by A9155, the
recommended one being ‘1 value per line dictionary file (*.clc)’.
After clicking OK, A9155 will write the IM to disk.

Please consult the A9155 V6.5 application note on RMS and T180
[4] for details on how to export these IMs into their proprietary
format.
WARNING Avoid exporting RMS, T180 and Mixed IMs using the Export
IM feature of A9155
It is possible to apply the export procedure presented for predicted
IMs for IMs with different types loaded into the Interference
Matrices folder. In this case the IM will be written using the
predicted IM file format, which may result in loss or alteration of
IM data. Always use the RMS feature to import/export this type of
IMs.
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4.9.4 Importing a Matrix

IMs saved in external files can added into the project’s Interference
Matrices folder by using the import function.
Predicted IMs
The import function is activated by clicking ‘Interference Matrices -
> Import…’ as shown in Figure 4-34.
Figure 4-34. Importing a predicted IM

A standard ‘Open’ dialog appears, allowing the user to select the
file that contains the IM. After clicking OK, the A9155 will import
the file and create an entry in the IM folder with the same name as
the name of the file (without the extension).
Ensure IM consistency
NOTE
During import of the Interference Matrix only elementary checks
about cell availability are performed. The user has to ensure that
the interference matrix reflects the current network status.

Please consult the A9155 V6.5 application note on RMS and T180
[4] for details on how to import IM files using these formats.
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4.9.5 Activating / Deactivating a Matrix

By default, a newly created or imported IM is active, which means
that it is visible for the AFP process. If you wish to hide an IM from
the AFP process, it must be deactivated.
Deactivating an IM can be done by rightclick-ing its entry in the
IMs folder and selecting the ‘Deactivate’ option.
Figure 4-35. Deactivating an IM

A deactivated matrix will have a different icon. In the example
presented in Figure 4-36 the ‘Interference Matrix A’ is deactivated,
while the ‘T180_…’ IM is active and visible to the AFP.
Deactivated IM
Figure 4-36. Activated and deactivated IMs

A deactivated IM can be reactivated by rightclicking it and
selecting the ‘Activate’ option.
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4.9.6 Matrix Properties

Matrix properties are accessible by double-clicking an IM in the
Interference Matrices folder. The window that appears has two
tabs: General and Advanced.
Figure 4-37. General IM properties

From the General tab, the user can set the IM name, change the
active state and generate a report on the IM data.
An useful option is to embed or externalize the IM. Regarding this
option, the choices are as follows:
► Embed – this option is available in case of predicted IMs
imported from external files. When clicking the ‘Embed’
button, the IM data, which was previously liked to an external
file, will be copied into the project’s ATL file and the link to the
external file will be removed. Therefore, if the ATL file is
moved on a different computer, there will be no need of
moving the IM files as well in order to have the IM data.
► Externalize – this option is available in case of IMs already
embedded in the ATL project. Its effect is identical to that of
the IM export described in paragraph 4.9.3, ‘Exporting a
Matrix’, with the remark that once externalized, the IM data
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will be disembedded from the project and will be liked to the

exported external file.
Figure 4-38. Advanced IM properties

The ‘Advanced’ tab contains IM settings for advanced users.
The ‘Matrix based on:’ setting allows the user to change the IM
type by specifying the source on which the interference data is
based. Setting this parameter will influence the IM type as it will be
recognized by the AFP.
From the available options, AFP supports the following:
‘Matrix based on’ setting in A9155 IM type as seen
by the AFP
Propagation Predicted IM
RXLEV OMC Statistics (+ neighbour extension) RMS IM
RXLEV OMC Statistics (between neighbours only) T180 IM
Collection of input from an unknown source being used Mixed IM
as upper limits
The Quality Indicators are for A9155 internal use only, and have
a meaning only in case of predicted IMs.
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4.10 Experience Matrix including ‘Exceptional Pairs’

The experience matrix contains pairs of cells having specific
channel separation requirements that are not considered in the
interference or neighborhood matrix.
These exceptional pairs can be entered on a per subcell basis in
the ‘AFP’ tab of the transmitter properties.
Figure 4-39: Setting Experience Matrix Separations at cell level

A complete import of an experience matrix into A9155 V6 can be
done using the exceptional pair table:
Transmitter -> Frequency Plan -> Exceptional Pairs
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Figure 4-40: Complete Experience Matrix in Exceptional Pair table

The channel separation constraint value will be considered in the
automatic frequency planning module.
Use results from T180 HO counter evaluation for AFP!

TIP
Results coming from T180 HO counter evaluation can be entered
into the ‘Exceptional Pair’ table to ensure that the real HO statistics
is considered in the AFP. The process consist in classification of the
neighbours based on T180 counters and select the appropriate
separation, then Copy/Paste them into this A9155 table.
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5 The AFP Model
5 The AFP Model

This chapter describes the algorithmic basis for the AFP Module as
well as the AFP Model parameters that are controlling the
implemented process.
5.1 Understanding the AFP Algorithm

Most of the implemented heuristic AFP algorithms in the different
network planning tools can be classified generally in two different
groups:
► Heuristic with Re-Classification ( Box, … )
► Heuristic with successive improvement ( Neural Network
Approaches, Taboo-Methods, Simulated Annealing, …)
It turned out that so called ‘Cost-function driven AFPs’ are very
efficient in quality and performance. They belong to the second
group.
Such AFP algorithms try to minimize an overall COST-function that
describes the quality of a frequency plan. The COST function
summarizes up all the violations of a frequency plan against the
given requirements. So the AFP tries to find out the absolute
minimum of the COST-function that reflects the optimum
frequency plan under the given conditions.
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5 The AFP Model
C (s)
Local
Minimu m
Absolute Minimu m
s' s Frequency Plan s
Figure 5-1: COST function of frequency plans

The figure above describes such a COST function C in
dependence of frequency plans s. Each frequency plan has a
COST value C(s). When changing a frequency in the frequency
plan “s”, the frequency plan is then s’. It will have a better or
worse cost. During run-time of the algorithm the frequency plans
in moving along an n-dimensional COST-function.
The algorithm works in the way that the frequency plan is modified
by changing one or several frequencies in an iteration, and
calculating the COST value for the changed plan. If the COST
value is smaller than in the original plan, the new plan is accepted
as better and the algorithm goes on with the next iteration. If the
new plan is worse the plan is rejected. By this way the COST
function is reduced step-by-step.
The danger with this principal approach is to trap into a local
minimum of the COST function that cannot be left with only
changing a frequency.
5.1.1 The Simulated Annealing Algorithm

For minimum-finding a special algorithmic approach, the so-
called ‘Simulated Annealing’ method has been chosen. The
‘Simulated Annealing’ methodology is coming from solid states
physics using the similarity to the behavior of material when the
temperature T is decreased. It states that the atomic site (=the
frequency plan) will freeze at an optimum point concerning
energetic state (=COST) when the temperature is decreased and
the dynamic movement of the atoms slows down. Also the
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5 The AFP Model
‘tunneling effect’ that allows the transition of energy hills (=COST

Mountains) is considered in the ‘Simulated Annealing’.
Single Step Movement towards worse
frequency plans ( ΔCplan > 0 )
C (s) Multi-Step ‘Tunneling’ through

‘COST mountain’ to avoid
trapping into local minima
Local Minimum
Single Step Movement towards better

frequency plans ( ΔCplan < 0 )
Absolute Minimum
Figure 5-2: Modification of Frequency Plans in Simulated Annealing Process

The figure above shows the different movement possibilities. The
green Single Step Movement towards better plans with ΔCplan<0
describes the regular acceptance when a frequency plan gets
better when a frequency is changed. In single cases worse plans
are accepted temporarily like in the similarity of theory of solid
states physics where atoms are moving to energy levels that are
normally not allowed.
The probability of ‘Single step movement towards worse plans
ΔCplan > 0’ is decreasing with the system temperature that is
decreasing slowly with each iteration, but it is theoretically possible
at each iteration. Additionally a ‘Multi-Step tunneling through
‘COST mountain’ to avoid trapping into local minimum’ is
triggered from time to time. This means changing time by time
several frequencies and checking the cost.
Figure 5-3 describes the iteration loop of Simulated Annealing.
The starting point is an existing plan or an arbitrary plan when
there is no existing plan.
The COST value C(s) of the starting frequency plan is calculated.
Then the temperature T of the system is decreased.
Then an arbitrary frequency plan modification s->s’ is performed
in single step or multi-step mode in dependence of a probability.
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5 The AFP Model
Target items are selected randomly from the AFP scope, using a
random number generator.
The COST value C(s’) of the new plan is calculated and the
difference ΔC.
Depending on ΔC and the temperature T this plan will be
accepted or rejected.
If the new frequency plan s’ is rejected the previous plan is
restored before the next iteration is entered.
If the new frequency plan S is accepted it is checked if the stop
condition is reached or not. If yes the module ends up with the
frequency plan s’ and the COST value C(s’). If the stop condition is
not reached a new iteration loop is entered with the frequency
plan s’.
Start with Initial/Operative Frequency Plan

Temperature = Start-Temperature (1)
Reduce Temperature T linearly
Modification of Frequency Plan s -> s'
Calculate COST of new Frequency Plan Cnew(s') &

Difference to old Plan ΔC = Cnew(s') - Cold(s)
No Yes
Accept
New Plan dependant on
Temperature T and ΔC?
Yes No
Stop Condition
reached ?
Restore old Frequency Plan
End with new Frequency Plan
Figure 5-3: Simulated Annealing Iteration Loop

The acceptance of frequency plans works according to the
following rules:
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5 The AFP Model
► Single Step Movement towards better plans ( ΔCplan<0) are

always accepted
► Single Step Movement towards worse plan ( ∆Cplan>0) are
only accepted in case that random number R (0 ...1):
Acceptance of Worse Plans
1
0.9
0.8
0.7 High Difference
Cost
exp (-dC/T)
0.6
0.5 Medium Difference
Cost
0.4
Low Difference
0.3 Cost
0.2
0.1
0
− ΔC plan 0 0.5 1
R <e
Temperature T
T
► Less acceptance of worse plans in case of high COST

difference ΔCplan and/or with low temperature T->0
► Multi-step tunneling done in random case. Acceptance
according ∆Cplan.
As it can be seen from the above description, the definition of the
COST function is the kernel part of the algorithm.
5.1.2 The Cost Function

The COST function is defined as the sum of all violations of the
frequency plan s against the requirements.
The following contributions to the COST are considered in the AFP
module:
► violations against neighbor list requirements
► violations against the interference matrix:
► predicted
► RMS
► T180
► mixed
► violations against given exceptional cell pair separations
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5 The AFP Model
Co-cell, co-site, frozen items and frequency domain

NOTE violations are now hard-constraints
Starting with A9155 AFP V2.0, violations against co-cell and co-
site separations or against frequency domains are now considered
hard constraints, and the AFP will not proceed with the assignment
process if these constraints cannot be respected.
The different contributions can be weighted according to their

importance in the individual project. These weightings can be set
up in the Priorities Window of the AFP wizard.
5.1.3 The Fast Simulated Annealing

Fast-Aggressive SA is an evolution of the normal SA algorithm and
uses a set of thresholds, sorted in descending order, to rank the
target items (TRXs) during the frequency assignment process.
A threshold is represented as a <Ck, Pk> pair, where Ck
represents the cost threshold, while Pk is the probability of
selecting for assignment an item having a cost greater than Ck.
Therefore, the algorithm will try to solve the bad cases first (those
items that have a cost > Ck), with a probability Pk, while for the
rest of the cases (probability 1-Pk) it will select its targets randomly
from the rest of the network.
The Fast-Aggressive SA algorithm starts with the highest threshold
<C1, P1>, and when there are no more items with a cost greater
than the threshold cost, the next threshold in the list will be
selected. This ensures that the worst items are treated with a
higher priority, this resulting in a faster decrease of the COST.
5.2 Performance Indicators

According to paragraph 5.1.2, the plan cost in AFP is computed
as a sum of violations. For each violation there is an indicator
which measures the amount of impact that violation has on the
plan cost. These indicators are called performance indicators (PIs)
since they enable the user to evaluate the quality of a frequency
plan.
The following PIs are available in A9155 AFP:
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5 The AFP Model
Table 1. A9155 AFP performance indicators

PI Description Defined at:
Neighbours Measures the cost of neighbour violations on the given TRX, Network
item.
Experience Measures the cost of exceptional pairs violations. TRX, Network
Predicted Represents the cost of interference coming from a TRX, Network
Interference Predicted IM.
RMS Interference Represents the cost of interference coming from an TRX, Network
RMS IM.
T180 Interference Represents the cost of interference coming from a TRX, Network
T180 IM.
Mixed Interference Represents the cost of interference coming from a TRX, Network
Mixed IM.
Total Represents the sum of all violation costs on the item. TRX, Subcell, Cell,
Network
The violation-specific PIs (neighbours, experience and interference)

are computed for each TRX found in the AFP scope, and then
aggregated (summed) directly at network level.
Total PIs are computed for each TRX found in the AFP scope by
summing the specific TRX PIs, then aggregated at subcell level,
followed by cell level and finally at network level.
The higher the PI, the higher is the impact of the violation to the
plan cost. For an ideal plan, with no violations, all PIs should be 0.
Based on this, two plans can be compared in terms of quality,
either for a specific violation type or in general, by comparing
their PIs.
5.3 AFP Model Parameters

The set of parameters that control the behaviour of the AFP
module is located in the AFP property pages, accessible by
double-clicking the Alcatel.A9155.AFPModule in the Modules tab
of the Explorer window.
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5 The AFP Model
Figure 5-4: AFP Module Property Pages

The AFP settings are grouped over several property pages, each
property page having a corresponding tab in the module
properties window.
5.3.1 The General Tab

On the ‘General’ tab the user can specify a different name for the
parameter dataset. This is useful for example if the user clones the
original dataset and wishes to give it a custom name.
5.3.2 The Frequency Assignment Tab

The Frequency Assignment tab controls the simulated annealing
algorithm used to assign the Channels, MAL and MAIO resources.
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5 The AFP Model
Figure 5-5: The 'Frequency Assignment' tab of A9155 AFP Module
Algorithm Selection
Two SA algorithms are available for selection. The difference
among these two variants consists in the way the algorithm
chooses the candidate TRXs for assignment.
► The Fine tunning SA selects randomly the TRXs which will be
assigned from the AFP scope. This algorithm type is
recommended in case the frequency plan has a narrow
spectrum and the plan cost exhibits small variations around a
certain level.
► The Fast-aggressive option ranks the TRXs according to
their cost. The TRXs with higher cost will be taken in
consideration for the assignment with a higher priority than
those with a lower cost. Fast-aggressive SA is recommended
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5 The AFP Model
as the startup choice when a new plan is created, until the

plan the cost decreases to a stable level.
Algorithm Profiles
For each algorithm type, AFP holds a list of user-definable profiles.
A profile contains a set of values for the algorithm parameters. A
‘Standard’ profile, which cannot be deleted, is provided by default
for each SA algorithm type.
When a profile is selected, AFP will load the values from that
profile into the working parameter set, which can be edited by the
user. The parameters are grouped together according to their role
in the algorithm (‘Temperature’, ‘Tunneling’ etc). When the user
clicks on a parameter, the interface will provide a short description
of that parameter at the bottom of the parameter list.
After changing the desired parameter values, there is the option of
saving them under a new profile name, by clicking the ‘Save As
…’ button. User-defined profiles can be deleted by selecting them
and clicking the ‘Delete’ button. By clicking the ‘Apply’ or ‘OK’
button at the bottom of the property page, the current parameter
set will be applied to the frequency allocation algorithm.
Algorithm Parameters
The SA algorithms are controlled by a series of parameters. The
basic set of parameters is common to both Fine-Tunning and the
Fast-Aggressive SA. The Fast-Aggressive SA contains an additional
set of parameters which control the thresholds used to rank the
TRXs.
Table 2. SA algorithm parameters

Parameter Description
Fine-Tunning SA parameters
Specifies if plans which are worse in terms of total cost, but better in terms
of worst item (TRX) cost or average interference will be accepted by the
AcceptWorsePlans algorithm.
When total plan cost reaches a very low level, this option should be
deactivated.
Sets if the SA algorithm reheating is enabled. Reheating will raise the SA
EnableReheat temperature to increase the probability of accepting worse plans in order
to exit a local minima.
Sets the number of iterations after which reheating occurs if no change
ReheatThreshold
has been observed in the plan cost.
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5 The AFP Model
This parameter, multiplied with the ReheatThreshold, will give the

number of iterations after which super reheat occurs if no change is
SuperReheatMultiplier observed in the plan cost.
Super reheat will reset the SA temperature at its start level.
Represents the factor by which the SA temperature is reduced after each
CoolingFactor iteration. Reducing the SA temperature will lower the probability of
accepting worse plans by the algorithm.
Sets the starting temperature of the SA algorithm. The recommended
StartTemperature
value is 1.
Sets the probability (in %) by which the algorithm performs tunneling.
TunnelingProbability Tunneling will change multiple items (TRXs) in a single iteration in order to
travel faster through local peaks in the plan cost (see Figure 3-1).
Sets the number of items which will be changed when tunneling is
performed.
TunnelSize Increasing this value will allow a faster travel through peaks in the total
cost of the plan when exiting a local minima. Normal values are between
5 and 20. Setting higher values may impact the algorithm performance.
Additional Fast-Aggressive SA parameters
Specifies how the thresholds by which the items (TRXs) are ranked are
generated.
ThresholdsMode Automatic will let the SA algorithm decide the best set of thresholds
(recommended). Manual will allow the user to specify its own set of
thresholds (for advanced users only).
Contains the list of thresholds used by the fast SA algorithm to rank the
Thresholds TRXs (see Figure 5-6).
Available only if ThresholdsMode = Manual.
Specifies the number of iterations after which the threshold probability will
ThresholdsAdjustment\ be adjusted if no change is observed in the total plan cost.
ActivationCount
Sets the factor by which the threshold probability is decreased. It is used
ThresholdsAdjustment\ in conjunction with the ActivationCount.
ProbabilityAdjustmentFactor
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5 The AFP Model
Figure 5-6. Manual selection of the Fast-Aggresive SA thresholds.
5.3.3 The Resource Assignment Tab

The AFP parameters contained in the ‘Resource Assignment’
property page control aspects radio resource assignment aspects
which are not related to the SA algorithm. These parameters
include:
Plan Initialization Settings

► Use alternative initialization algorithm for small
frequency domains - during the usual initialization phase
of the FP, the frequencies within a site are assigned randomly,
a process which can fail for narrow domain networks. If this
random approach does not succeed in initializing a site and
avoiding hard constraints violations, this option triggers
another initialization strategy which takes into account the
order of TRX frequency assignment and the separations
between TRXs. If enabled, this property is useful during the
frequency initialization of a site containing NH and BBH TRXs
which have narrow frequency domains. In such cases, only
even or odd frequencies might be assigned to TRXs
(supposing that all co-cell and co-site separations are 2).
► Try all possible combinations – enables the alternative
initialization algorithm to try all the possible combinations of
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5 The AFP Model
frequencies in order to initialize the site. The operation can be

very time consuming, especially if the plan contains multiple
sites which fail normal initialization. This option is available
only if ‘Use alternative initialization algorithm for small
frequency domains’ is enabled.
Figure 5-7. The 'Resource Assignment' property page
MAL Assignment Parameters

► Enable minimal MAL startup – this option controls the
initialization of SFH TRXs in Free allocation mode. When
enabled, AFP will try to initialize these TRXs with MALs of half-
domain length. If hard constraints are not respected, the MAL
size will be increased by 1, until hard constraints can be
fulfilled. When disabled, AFP will use the entire domain as
MAL for the Free SFH TRXs during the initialization phase.
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5 The AFP Model
HSN Assignment Parameters

► Enable cyclic hopping (HSN 0) – when enabled, this
option will instruct AFP to assign HSN 0 for all SFH subcells in
the AFP scope. When disabled, AFP will assign the HSN taking
in consideration the following rules:
□ The same HSN value should be allocated to all the
subcells in a synchronization point.
□ Between synchronization points different HSN values
should be allocated.
□ As the HSN domain is limited, the HSN values will be
reused, in this case different synchronization points
will have the same HSN value. The rule is to allocate
the same HSN value to synchronization points that
are as far as possible one from another.
BSIC and TSC Assignment Options

BSIC allocation is performed independently for groups of cells,
where a group contains all cells which have the same BCCH.
► No neighbours taken into account – the allocation of
BSIC is done strictly on distance considerations. If a BSIC
value needs to be reused inside a group of cells, it will be
assigned to cells located as far away as possible. This strategy
can generate <BCCH, BSIC> conflicts between neighbours.
► Consider 1st degree neighbours for BSIC allocation –
this allocation strategy takes in consideration, besides
distance, the 1st order neighbours of the cells, in order to
avoid <BCCH, BSIC> collisions. If BSIC assignment cannot
be performed, the algorithm will fall back to the ‘No
neighbours taken into account’ strategy.
► Consider 1st and 2nd degree neighbours for BSIC
allocation – this strategy takes into account the distance and
both the 1st and 2nd order neighbours of the cells. If BSIC
assignment cannot be performed, the algorithm will fall back
to the ‘Consider 1st degree neighbours …’ strategy.
5.3.4 The About Tab

The last tab in the AFP property pages displays information obout
the A9155 AFP module, such as the software version and
copyright information.
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6 The Automatic Frequency Planning Process

The automatic frequency assignment process can be launched in 3
ways:
► On the whole AFP scope, by rightclick-ing the Transmitters
folder and selecting: ‘Frequency Plan > Automatic
Allocation…’.
Figure 6-1: Starting the AFP on the Transmitters folder
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► On a subset of the AFP scope, if the Transmitters folder is

grouped into subfolders, by rightclick-ing the desired
subfloder and selecting: ‘Frequency Plan > Automatic
Allocation…’.
► On a single cell, by rightclick-ing the cell on the map and
selecting the ‘Frequency Plan…’ option.
Figure 6-2. Launching AFP on a single cell
6.1 Step 1: Select the allocation scenario and the

resources to allocate
After launching the frequency planning process, the AFP wizard
will appear on screen.
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Figure 6-3: The 1st page of the AFP wizard

AFP Model allows the user to select the AFP module to be used
for the allocation (in case multiple modules are registered from
different vendors). For A9155 AFP, the selection is
‘Alcatel.A9155.AFPModule’. By clicking the ‘…’ button, the
property pages of the AFP module will be opened (see paragraph
5.3).
AFP Scenario selects the allocation scenario which will be loaded
and executed by the AFP. The following scenarios are available in
A9155 AFP:
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► Green field – this general-purpose scenario will create a

new frequency plan from scratch. It will reinitialize all
assignable TRXs found in the AFP scope, create the required
TRXs if not found, and perform the resource allocation without
taking in consideration the previously existing plan.
► Standard optimization – this strategy takes in
consideration the existing plan, and will use it as a starting
point for the frequency allocation. This scenario is
recommended when an optimization of the current frequency
plan is required. Please note that this scenario will only use
existing items, and no new TRXs will be created.
► Cell and TRX extension – designed for the case when
network densification or extension is performed, this scenario
will not touch any of the existing TRXs and will perform the
frequency assignment only on the new items which have been
added to the network.
Resources to allocate offers the possibility of selecting which
resources will be assigned by the AFP. Only the checked resources
will be allocated by the AFP.
MAL, MAIO and Channels must be selected or deselected

NOTE together
In order to have a consistent frequency assignment, the MAL,
MAIO and Channels resource boxes must be checked or
unchecked together. AFP will not perform only MAIO or channel
assignment individually since this could lead to inconsistent results.
If the MAL, MAIO and Channels boxes do not have the same
selection state, AFP will generate a notification message and quit
the assignment process.
Indicators to allocate displays the list of PIs which can be

allocated by the AFP process. This list is only for the user’s
information and cannot be edited.
It is recommended not to change the by default ticked option
Load all the potential interferers in the case the user wants
to take into account an Interference Matrix.
If the "Load all the potential interferers’ button is not ticked the AFP
module will only take "fixed" constraints into account (meaning co-
site, co-cell, neighbor and exceptional pair constraints). With this
option unchecked, the loading/start time of the module is much
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faster, but with the restriction that no interference is taken into

account.
6.2 Step 2: Set Channel Separations and Exceptional

Pairs
The second page of the AFP wizard sets the target separation
constraints.
Figure 6-4: The 2nd page of the AFP wizard

The following settings are advised:
► Co-site Separation: A default separation of 2 is
recommended on this setting. That means on the same site at
least a minimum channel distance of 2 should be kept by all
frequencies on air at one time.
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► Co-Transmitter Separation (co-cell): A default separation

of 3 is recommended if no special allowance is available. The
Evolium equipment should also be able to handle a
separation of 2, but this setting should only be applied after
the user has ensured about local equipment.
► Neighbor-Separation: A default minimum separation of 1
should be kept between direct neighbor cells to keep the HO
process without any sources of problems. Better would be to
have a separation of 2. The neighbors relationship data is
located in the neighbor list table of A9155 V6.
Opening the ‘Exceptional Pair’ table the Channel Separation pairs
can be viewed and, if necessary, some modifications can be
performed here.
6.2.1 Impact of Separations on the Assignment Process

The separations can be set between channel types (BCCH, TCH or
TCH_INNER) in order to fine tune the assignment process
according to real needs in the network.
The Co-Transmitter and Co-Site separations enforce AFP’s hard-
constraints. Hard constraints are respected if these separations are
achieved between co-cell and respectively co-site TRXs. Therefore,
setting a very high value on these separations may make it
impossible to the AFP to initialize the frequency plan respecting the
hard-constraints.
Neighbour separations impact the frequency planning process
and the way the cost is computed.
Impact of settings on neighbour separations

EXAMPLE
Setting the neighbour BCCH–BCCH separation to 2 and neighbour
TCH–TCH separation to 1, will ensure that neighbour BCCH TRXs
will be planned more strictly.
The neighbour PIs will take in consideration both CC (colliding
TRXs have the same ARFCN) and AC (colliding TRXs have adjacent
ARFCNs) neighbour collisions on BCCH, while for TCH channels
only CC collisions will be considered as violations. Therefore, AFP
will solve AC collisions on BCCH, while AC collisions on TCH may
be left as-is since they will have no impact on the PIs and zero
impact on the plan cost.
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6.3 Step 3: Set Global AFP Parameters

The next page of the AFP wizard contains general assignment
settings.
Figure 6-5 The 3rd page of the AFP wizard

In this window the user is able to set the global parameters related
to frequency planning such as: a global freezing strategy on
subcells according to their TRX type, the location of the traffic load
information and consideration of DTX.
► Subcell Global Freezing
Control (BCCH) - freeze all existing BCCH TRX subcells
involved in the frequency planning.
Others - freeze all TCH subcells involved in the
frequency planning.
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► Existing TRX Global Freezing regarding to the TRX

Type - this option is set directly by the scenario, therefore is
read-only:
Control (BCCH) - freeze all BCCH TRX involved in the
frequency planning.
Others - freeze all TCH TRX involved in the frequency
planning.
► Traffic Loads - allows choosing the input for the traffic loads
(needed in the cost function) have to be extracted:
From Subcell Table
Based on Default Traffic Capture Results
► DTX – set the TRXs involved in frequency planning to use
Discontinuous Transmission. This feature is taken into account
by A9155 AFP only if traffic information is available in the
Subcells table and impacts the interference PIs.
6.4 Step 4: Confirm the Chosen Settings

After finishing the 3rd Step the following window appears,
prompting the user to confirm the launch of the AFP.
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Figure 6-6: AFP Start window

At the top of the window the results of the validation step are
given. It contains messages about the result of the loading
procedure and some basic consistency checks.
Clicking on ‘Run’ will launch the AFP process, while clicking on
‘Cancel’ will abort the AFP.
6.5 Step 5: Set Assignment Priorities
6.5.1 Setting Plan Cost Contributions

The first window that appears after clicking the ‘Run’ button
contains the assignment priorities. The priorities refer to the
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contribution (weight) of each violation cost to the total FP cost. The

higher the weight, the higher is the priority of solving that violation
to the AFP.
Figure 6-7. AFP Priorities Setup window

Let us consider CX to be the cost of all violations of type X. In the
example given in Figure 6-7, the total cost is computed as follows:
CTOPO = 80% · CNEIGHBOURS + 20% · CEXCEPTIONAL PAIRS
CINTERFERENCE = 30% · CPREDICTED + 70% · CT180
CTOTAL = 70% · CTOPO + 30% · CINTERFERENCE = 56% x CNEIGHBOURS
+ 14% x C EXCEPTIONAL PAIRS + 9% · CPREDICTED + 21% · CT180
Therefore, neighbour violations will have a weight of 56% of the
total plan cost, experience matrix violations will contribute with
14%, predicted interference with 9% and T180 interference with
21%.
The settings in priorities window will also impact the PIs tat will be
taken in consideration by the AFP. PIs will be computed only for
non-zero contributions, and their value is directly proportional to
the weight of the violation. For the above-mentioned example, the
PIs are computed as follows:
PITOTAL = CTOTAL = PINEIGHBOURS + PIEXC. PAIRS + PIPREDICTED + PIT180
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PINEIGHBOURS = 56% x CNEIGHBOURS

PIEXC. PAIRS = 14% x C EXCEPTIONAL PAIRS
PIPREDICTED = 9% x C PREDICTED
PIT180 = 21% x C T180
6.5.2 Selecting the Interference Sources

The Priorities Setup window also allows the user to choose which
kind of IM will be taken in consideration during the frequency
assignment process.
AFP will scan all active IMs in the Interference Matrices folder of
A9155 and group them according to their type (see chapter 4.9).
If both mixed and detailed (predicted, RMS or T180) IMs are
found, a selection becomes active specifying which type of IMs will
be used by the AFP:
► Combined – if one or more mixed IMs are active in the IMs
folder and this option is selected, the user will be able to
select a single mixed IM as interference source. The selected
IM will have an automatically set contribution of 100%. No
detailed IMs can be selected in parallel with a mixed IM.
Figure 6-8. Selecting a mixed IM as interference source

► Detailed – this option is active if one or more detailed IMs
are present and activated in the IMs folder. For each detailed
IM type, the user can select a specific IM and its weight
(contribution), as shown in Figure 6-9. The IM types that are
not used can be deactivated using the ‘Enabled’ option (e.g
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the T180 IM type). The sum of all enabled IM types

contributions must be equal to 100%.
Figure 6-9. Selecting several detailed IMs as interference sources

After pressing the ‘OK’ button, the AFP will start the frequency
assignment process with the given priorities.
6.6 Step 6: The Resource Assignment Process
6.6.1 The Main AFP Window

The Main AFP window is active during the entire frequency
assignment process and provides real-time information about the
performed tasks, planning status and FP evolution. It also allows
the user to check at any time the frequency and PI distribution for
the current plan.
The main AFP window is composed of two panels:
► Allocation Process Indicators displays three indicators related
to the frequency assignment algorithm, as follows:
□ Best plan cost – displays the total cost of the best
recorded plan
□ Iteration – the current iteration of the SA algorithm
□ Elapsed time – the elapsed time since the SA
algorithm was started
► Allocation Process Monitor contains two parts:
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► the PI Evolution Charts, which display the evolution of the

frequency plan’s PIs
► the AFP messages (informational, warnings and errors) which
are generated by the AFP during the frequency assignment
process. These messages are also written to the A9155 event
viewer.
Figure 6-10. The main AFP window
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The assignment process can be interrupted at any time from the

main AFP window by pressing the ‘Stop Allocation’ button.
AFP mantains plan consistency when allocation is stopped

NOTE
When the ‘Stop Allocation’ button is pressed, the AFP will finish the
current SA iteration and then allocate the BSIC and HSN (if these
resources were selected for assignment) in order to maintain a
consistent resource allocation.
Analyzing the PI Evolution

The information in the PI evolution charts is updated during
frequency assignment every time a new best plan is recorded by
the SA algorithm.
The evolution in time of each PI is represented as a curve with the
PI values on the Y-axis and the timestamps at which the values
were recorded on the X-axis.
Figure 6-11. PI evolution charts

The user can select which PIs are displayed in the chart by clicking
the ‘PI Sources’ button and selecting the desired PIs.
The PI evolution chart supports all kind of operations, like
zooming, panning and copying to clipboard, available by
rightclicking on the chart surface. By hovering over a graph curve,
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a tooltip appears showing the value of that curve at the mouse

cursor.
Displaying the Assignment Charts

By clicking the ‘Charts’ button during the frequency assignment
process, a new window opens displaying the frequency and PI
distribution of the current best plan, as shown in Figure 6-12.
The frequency assignment process is paused while the

NOTE assignment charts are displayed
While the frequency and PI distribution charts are displayed, the
AFP pauses the frequency assignment process in order to avoid
the possibility of a new best plan to emerge while the current one
is being analyzed by the user.
Figure 6-12. The assignment charts window

Two charts are displayed in this window:
► the Frequency Distribution, which displays the assignment
statistics for each ARFCN in the AFP scope’s frequency
spectrum, grouped by TRX type as a stacked bar chart. This
chart has an additional set of controls, as follows:
□ ‘TRX Types’ – allows the user to select which TRX
types are visible on the chart.
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□ ‘ARFCH Range’ – allows the selection of an ARFCN

interval which will be displayed in the chart.
□ ‘Fit window’ – if enabled, it fits the chart on the
available window space.
► the PI Distribution, which displays the impact of detailed PIs
on the total plan cost as a pie chart.
The distribution charts support the same operations as the PI
evolution chart: zooming (frequency distribution chart only),
copying to clipboard and value display on mouse hover.
The charts window is useful for the quality assessment of the
current best plan. When the assessment is done, the frequency
assignment can be resumed by clicking on the ‘Exit’ button.
6.6.2 The Results Window

If the calculation has been stopped by the user by pressing the
‘Stop Allocation’ button in the main AFP window or a cost 0
solution was found by the program, the main AFP window is
closed and the new frequency plan is displayed in the Results
window.
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Figure 6-13. The Results window of the AFP

The Frequency Plan tab is giving for each TRX the allocated
resource requested by the user as well as the PI values. If there are
existing violations against the requirements it is possible to check
them by clicking on the button given next to in the ‘Separation
Violations’ column, in the ‘With the TRX’ column.
The buttons located beneath the FP display offer access to
advanced options, as follows:
► Display Options - enables the user to filter the displayed
information.
► The Actions button allows advanced options like:
□ resetting the frequency plan to its previous state (prior
to performing the resource assignment);
□ filtering the TRXs in order to keep only those newly
assigned resources that match a given criteria;
□ exporting the FP to an external file.
The buttons located at the bottom of the Results window have the
following functions:
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► Resume – resumes the resource allocation process from the

point where it was stopped. The program returns to the main
AFP window and continues its search for a better FP that the
current best plan.
► Commit - writes the new frequency plan into the A9155
project database and closes the Results window.
► Cancel - the Results window is closed without committing the
AFP allocation results.
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7 Frequency Plan Qualification

When a frequency plan is calculated there are different
possibilities to evaluate the quality of the result.
Also use this method for operational frequency plans!

TIP
The described methods can also apply on operational frequency
plans coming from the living network. At the beginning of a
frequency planning campaign the existing frequency plan should
be loaded into A9155 and analyzed by the given methods to have
a comparison between the existing and the improved status.
7.1 Evaluation Based on PIs

When a new frequency plan is committed, the A9155 AFP writes
the PIs into the project database for the TRXs, subcell and cell
levels of the network hierarchy, as follows:
► in the TRXs table the distinct and total TRX PIs are written,
using the following columns:
□ PI_TOTAL
□ PI_NEIGHBOURS
□ PI_EXPERIENCE
□ PI_INTERMODULATION (not used yet)
□ PI_RMS_IM
□ PI_T180_IM
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□ PI_PREDICTED_IM
□ PI_DRIVETEST_IM (not used yet)
□ PI_COMBINED_IM
Figure 7-1. The PI columns in the TRXs table
► in the Subcells table the total subcell PI is written in the

PI_TOTAL column.
► in the Transmitters table the total cell PI is written in the
PI_TOTAL column.
Using these PIs, the user can perform various assessments like:
► ranking the cells according to their costs
► analyzing the quality of the frequency plan in terms of
interference, neighbour relations etc.
► comparing two frequency plans.
7.1.1 Identifying Zones with Higher Costs

The PI values in the Transmitters table can also be used to colorize
the transmitters on the map (from the Transmitters -> Properties -
> Display section), as shown in Figure 7-2, for a better view of the
hot zones where the number of violations is higher.
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Figure 7-2. Using the PI columns to colorize the transmitters on the map
7.1.2 Comparing Two Frequency Plans

The PIs can be used to compare two frequency plans created for
the same project, provided that the network data is the same
(same computation and focus zones, same neighbour relations,
same interference matrices and subcell weights etc.).
AFP priority settings affect the PI values

NOTE
Please note that the PIs of both FPs must have been computed by
running AFP with the same priority settings in both cases, since the
PI values are in direct proportion to the weights set in the Priorities
window of the AFP (see paragraph 6.5).
7.2 The ‘Audit’ Function

This function checks the frequency plan within A9155 against
requirements that can be defined in the following steps.
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The Audit function is started:

Transmitter->Frequency Plan -> Audit…
Figure 7-3: Starting the audit function on a frequency plan

The check is has different input parameters distributed over three
tabs:
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On the ‘General’ tab the requirements that should be checked

have to be selected by the user.
On the ‘Separation’ tab the separation values have to validate by
the user against the frequency plan is checked.
The ‘Detailed Result’ tab triggers the grade of deepness in which
the user is informed about results of the audit.
The result of the frequency plan audit is provided in the event
window of A9155.
Figure 7-4: Result of Audit in Event-Window
7.3 First Statistical Evaluation of Frequency Plan

The statistical evaluation is the first step when checking a
frequency plan.
The distribution of frequencies in the network is a first indicator
about the results of the AFP process.
The evaluation is done by the “Frequency Distribution Add-in”.
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Figure 7-5 Frequency Distribution Add-in
Figure 7-6: Exemplary Channel Distribution in a GSM 900 Layer
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With this chart the user can evaluate whether the AFP has
respected the basic spectrum partitioning inputs in A9155 V6. Also
it can be seen how homogenous are assigned the frequencies from
the available spectrum.
There are possibilities to display all frequencies, only BCCH or only
TCH. Also the frequency range can be set accordingly with the
evaluated frequency band.
7.4 Visual Evaluation of Frequency Plan

The visualization of frequency plan can be done using the display
features of A9155 V6.
7.4.1 Labels and Tool Tips

Visualize channels as text on the map the labeling and the tool-
tips on transmitter properties can be used.
Settings Map Visualization

Label
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Tool
Tip
7.4.2 Coloring of Strongest Server according to BCCH

To visualize the re-use of channels a strongest server plot can be
colored according to the BCCH frequency of a cell.
With this possibility the planner can get a fast overview about the
distribution of BCCHs.
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Figure 7-7: Coloring of Strongest Server According to BCCH

The coloring of course makes only sense when there are enough
colors that can be distinguished.
7.4.3 Visualization of Co- and Adjacent Channel Cells

A specific evaluation concerning cells having co-channel or
adjacent channel allocation can be done with the ‘Search Tool’
that can be started from the View menu.
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Figure 7-8: Starting the Search Tool

Using the channel search tool the co- and adjacent channels can
be visualized on the map either as colored arrows or colored
strongest server area. The goal is of course that co-channel cells
are located as far from each other as possible.
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Figure 7-9: Search Tool Visualization

The user has to enter the channel he is searching for. Clicking the
Find button will colorize the transmitter arrows and the strongest
server area of the cells having the selected channel number or the
adjacent ones:
► RED: Co-channel
► YELLOW: Twice adjancent (upper and lower)
► GREEN: Lower Adjacent Channel
► BLUE: Upper Adjacent Channel
► GREY: Other transmitters without any co or adjacent collision
The user is able to skip comfortable through the spectrum clicking

on the arrows beside the ARFCN input frame.
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In the same way as using C/I predictions, the predictions V2 and

V3 can be used. These predictions use the inputs form the Worst
Interferer Add-in.
The ‘Search Tool’ can also be used for visualization of BSIC

TIP
and BCCH/BSIC combinations!
Please refer to the second and third tab of the Channel Search
Tool to perform BSIC or BSIC/BCCH visualizations
7.5 Interference Analysis of Frequency Plan

The prediction of interference is the most reliable result derived by
A9155 concerning the performance of a frequency plan.
At the end of a frequency planning process this calculation should
be performed mandatory to ensure the quality of the channel
allocation and to be able to compare frequency plans.
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7.5.1 C/I Calculation Parameter Settings
Figure 7-10: C/I Level Prediction Parameters Figure 7-11: C/I Level Prediction Color
Settings
The C/I Level prediction calculation evaluates with these settings

the following conditions:
► For each pixel the strongest transmitter per HCS Layer is
assumed to be the server
► At these pixels all interferers (co- and adjacent channels) are
considered
► C/I is colored over the complete useful range (green: OK, red,
orange: NOK)
► Detailed channel results are requested
7.5.2 C/I Calculation Result

With this network wide study the network wide C/I conditions can
be evaluated on a map.
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Figure 7-12: Resulting network wide C/I Level study

A report on this network wide study can be retrieved by clicking on
the study and selecting the ‘Generate report’ right mouse menu
entry. This report is based on a ‘focus’ zone that can be set up
using the mouse as a polygon and can be saved as a vector.
Figure 7-13: Report on statistics on areas having certain C/I levels

The report could be copied/pasted to Excel and a statistical and
graphical evaluation could be performed.
7.5.3 Exemplary Frequency Plan Benchmarking using

statistical C/I comparison on Areas
The following report extract shows an extract of a report
comparing the performance of frequency plans.
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Figure 7-14: Comparing Frequency Plans using C/I
7.6 Frequency Plan Point Analysis

A9155 allows to analyze the interference conditions at specific
points using the ‘Point Analysis’ tool within A9155.
The base for this procedure is the ‘Interfered Areas’ calculation. It
gives the areas where certain (sub-) cells are interfered in the way
that a given minimum C/I threshold is undershot.
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Figure 7-16: Interfered Areas per Cell
Figure 7-15: Interfered Areas Condition

Tab
Based on this result a detailed ‘point analysis’ can be performed

to solve local problems of the frequency plan. When the ‘Detailed
Result’ box is checked this evaluation can be done on single TRX
level.
Using the ‘Point Analysis’ tool the configuration from the next
figure can be achieved.
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Figure 7-17: Point analysis of interference conditions

The point analysis tool is enabled in the ‘View’ menu.
The colored (‘interfered’) cell area and its subcell can be displayed
on the map. With the moving pointer the certain points on this
area can be check to evaluate possible interference level. For the
serving transmitter and its interferers on co-channel and adjcacent
channels the power values are displayed. The Co-channel
transmitters are shown as ‘filled bars’ and the Adjacent-channels
as ‘half-filled’ bars considering the neighbor channel attenuation.
As a black bar the total interference at a certain point is displayed.
7.7 Graphical Evaluation of BSIC Assignment

The graphical evaluation of the BSIC plan can be done via the
‘Channel Search’ tool available in the ‘View’ menu of A9155.
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Figure 7-18: BSIC Visualization with Channel Search Tool

The user is able to visualize same BSIC values on the map.
Visualization of BSIC/BCCH Combinations

TIP
On the third tab of the channel search tool, the user can enter
combinations of BSIC/BCCH values.
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8 Backup and Restore of Frequency Plans

In the case a frequency plan has reached a certain stage and
constitutes a milestone it might be necessary to backup this status
for archiving and later restore.
In principle there are several possibilities to backup a frequency
plan.
8.1 Complete A9155 Project ATL Document Backup

This means that the user saves the ATL document including the
frequency plan together with all relevant data. He continues
working on the document with a different name
This solution gives the following advantages
► Simplest save operation (just use ‘Save As’ in the A9155 file
menu)
► Full consistency with all settings in A9155 document
► Fastest restore operation
The disadvantage of this solution is the
► Highest amount of required disk space to save several
frequency plans as all calculation results will be duplicated
8.2 Save TRX Table by Copy into Excel

This means that the user marks all the entries in the
Transmitter->Subcell-> TRXs
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And:
right click on tables and select export
copies it into a table oriented program like MS Excel
The user shall export/copy all columns and not restrict to the
channels.
This solution gives the following advantages
► Minimum necessary disk space
► Use of standard format and tool
► Fast Export/Copy Operation
The disadvantage of this solution could be
► Data inconsistency with other parts of the tool (additional
cells, violations against new neighbors…)
8.3 COF Export/Import for Backup

The means that the user uses the standard A9155 export/import
interfaces concerning cell logical data to backup a frequency plan.
The backup procedure works via the ‘CAE Export’ item in the Tools
menu.
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Figure 8-1: Starting CAE Export

Figure 8-2: Selecting the data items to be
selected
The frequency plan is included in the ‘Frequencies’, FHS and HOP
as well as in the TRX information. These files have to be included
in the export.
The restore of the frequency plan has to be done via the ‘CAE
Import’ item in the Tools menu.
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9 Frequency Plan Implementation using PRC Generator
9 Frequency Plan Implementation using PRC

Generator
After fixing the target frequency plan it will be the task to
implement this plan in the Alcatel-Lucent BSS system together with
other logical data.
This implementation will be done by the so-called A9155 PRC
Generator Module which sets up the interface to the Alcatel-Lucent
OMC.
The PRC Generator allows the user to down-/upload the complete
logical cell configuration from/to the OMC via ACIE Interface Files
supporting different BSS Releases (B6/B7/B8/B9).
9.1 Exporting Data to PRC Generator Module

For uploading the frequency plan and other logical data the so-
called ‘CAE Export’ function has to be started in the ‘Tools’ menu.
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Figure 9-1: Starting CAE Export

Figure 9-2: Selecting the data items to
be selected
The cell logical data to be exported will be put in the directory that
is specified in the window. The user has to select the BS System
release of the OMC.
The data selection contains the following parts:
► Cell RNO: Physical Cell data like coordinates and antenna
► Interference Matrix: Potential Mutual Interference Conditions
► Cell Data: Cell individual logical cell parameters
► GSM Neighbors: Neighbor relations for handovers
► Frequencies: ARFCNs in the cells’ Frequency Allocation
► PDCH groups: packet data time slot allocation
► FHS and HOP: Frequency Hopping Systems, HSN and MAIOs
► TRX List: Time Slot Configuration and Preference Marks for
Voice and GPRS
9.2 A9155 PRC Generator Module

The PRC Generator Module is included in the A9155 installation
package.
For usage please refer to the ‘A9155 PRC Generator User’s Guide
and Process Description’ [2].
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Figure 9-3: A9155 PRC Generator Module

The A9155 PRC Generator Module provides the following
features:
► Downloading OMCs logical configuration via ACIE files
► Consistency Checks on Operational Configuration
► Viewing Operational Configuration
► Transfer of Logical Configuration to A9155 main application
via COF files
► Reading planned logical Configuration from A9155 via COF
Files
► Consistency Checks on Planned Configuration
► Uploading Logical configuration to OMC
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Abbreviations
Abbreviations
A9155 Alcatel-Lucent’s Radio Network Planning Tool
AC Adjacent Channel
AFP Automatic Frequency Planning
BCC Base Station Colour Code
BSIC Base Station Identification Code
BTS Baseband Tranceiver Station
BCCH Broadcast Control Channel
BSC Base Station Controller
C/I Carrier over Interference
CAE Carrier/Interference Ratio
CC Co-Channel
FP Frequency Plan
HCS Hierarchical Cell Structure
HO_MARGIN Handover margin used for cell filtering in case of better cell
handover
HSN Hopping Sequence Number
IM Interference Matrix
KPI Key Performance Indicator
LAC Location Area Code
MA Mobile Allocation
MAIO Mobile Allocation Index Offset
MAL Mobile Allocation List
MLU Massive Logical Update
NCC Network Color Code
OMC-R Operation and Maintenance Center Radio
PI Performance Indicator
PRC Provisioning Radio Configuration
QoS Quality of Service
RMS Radio Measurements Statistics
SC Supervised Configuration
SP Synchronization Point
T180 HO traffic flow measurements counters
TCH Traffic Channel
TS Time Slot
TRX Baseband Transceiver
END OF DOCUMENT
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A9155v65 An Frequency Planning Ed01

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A9155 RNP

A9155 V6.5 RNP Application Note:

3DF 01955 6520 VAZZA Edition 01

Short Title A9155 V6.5 Application Note Frequency Planning

All rights reserved. Passing on and copying of this

2/111 3DF 01955 6520 VAZZA Ed. 01

A9155 RNP ..................................................................................1

3DF 01955 6520 VAZZA Ed. 01 3/111

5.1 Understanding the AFP Algorithm ................................ 54

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7.5.3 Exemplary Frequency Plan Benchmarking using

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Figure 4-39: Setting Experience Matrix Separations at cell level...................... 52

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Figure 9-3: A9155 PRC Generator Module.................................................109

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10/111 3DF 01955 6520 VAZZA Ed. 01

1 Short description of A9155 V6 RNP

A9155 V6 RNP is a software application dedicated to radio

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2 Frequency Planning Capabilities in A9155 RNP

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• Automatic BSIC planning

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3 Frequency Planning Process in Projects

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Figure 3-1: Frequency Planning Process

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The handover statistics (T180 counters) are simply used to show

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4 Pre-requisites for Frequency Planning in A9155

4.1 Definition of the Focus of the Network Planning

4.1.1 Active Cells

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Figure 4-1 Active (red) and inactive (white) transmitters

No consideration of inactive transmitters!

4.1.2 Transmitter Filtering

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Figure 4-2 Transmitter Filter

4.1.3 Filtering Zones

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4.1.4 Computation and Focus Zones

4.2 Completed Cell Coverage Planning

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■ Cell specific path loss prediction

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The applied settings of the calculation provide the maximum field-

Higher Reliability of Result

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threshold is exceeded. It is assumed that the pixels that have the

Coverage Planning using Templates of Studies

4.3 Neighbor Cell and Handover Planning

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Figure 4-6 Calculation Parameters for Automatic Neighbor Cell Allocation

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the handoff margin start until a handover margin

Hints for Neighbor Planning

As a result complete entries in the neighbor cell table should be

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Figure 4-7 Neighbor cell relations in A9155

Figure 4-8 Visualization of Neighbors on Map

Figure 4-14 Group 11 Hopping Group in 11 Fractional Re-Use