Islamic University of Technology
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
EEE 4541: Wireless Communication
Fundamentals of Radio Planning for Cellular
Network with 2G Example
- Dr. Mohammad Tawhid Kawser
Professor, EEE Dept.
Frequency Bands
Band Absolute Radio Frequency Range
Frequency Uplink Downlink
Channel
Number
(ARFCN)
P-GSM 900 1 ≤ n ≤ 124 F(n) = 890 MHz + (0.2 n) Fu(n) = F(n) + 45 MHz
E-GSM 900 0 ≤ n ≤ 124 F(n) = 890 MHz + (0.2 n) Fu(n) = F(n) + 45 MHz
975 ≤ n ≤ 1023 F(n) = 890 MHz + ((0.2 (n - 1024))
DCS 1800 512 ≤ n ≤ 885 F(n) = 1710.2 MHz + ((0.2(n - 512)) Fu(n) = F(n) + 95 MHz
• P-GSM 900: The frequency band used is 890-915 MHz for uplink and
935-960MHz for downlink. Duplex spacing is 45 MHz. The frequency
bands are divided into 125 channels with widths of 200 kHz. Channel
number 0 is used as a guard band. Active channels are numbered 1 to
124.
• E-GSM 900: It is an extension band (EGSM) of 10 MHz in both
directions. The frequency band used is 880-915 MHz for uplink and
925-960MHz for downlink. The additional 50 channels use numbers
975 to 1023.
• DCS 1800: The frequency band used is 1710-1785 MHz for uplink and
1805-1880 MHz for downlink. Duplex spacing is 95 Mhz. The
frequency bands are divided into 375 channels with widths of 200 kHz.
Channel number 511 is used as a guard band. Active channels are
numbered 512 to 885.
Multiple Access
GSM uses both FDMA and TDMA
• FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access): The frequency
bands are divided into channels with widths of 200 kHz.
• TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access): There are 8 time slots.
The length of a timeslot is 577 ųs. One radio channel can support 8
physical channels. A set of eight time slots is referred to as a TDMA
frame. The length of a TDMA frame is 4.615 ms (8 × 577 ųs = 4.615
ms).
The start of a TDMA frame on the uplink is delayed by the fixed period of
three timeslots from the TDMA frame on the downlink. The MS does not
need to transmit and receive at the same time and it can use a single
transceiver.
A voice user uses only one slot in the TDMA frame. GPRS/EDGE can use
more than one slot for higher data rate.
Burst Transmissions
Normal Burst
• Tail Bits: Covers the periods of uncertainty during the ramping up and
down of the power burst.
• Coded Data: Signaling or user data
• Stealing Flag
• Training Sequence: It is a known sequence. It is required to
compensate the effect of multipath fading.
• Guard Period
– No data present
Cellular Coverage
A particular geographical area needs to have coverage with signals for mobile
services. The whole area may be assumed to be covered with hexagonal cells.
In case of GSM (2G), the available spectrum is split into a number of
segments and they are reused so that the adjacent cells do not interfere with
each other.
A cluster is the aggregation of the cells over which all segments of spectrum
are used only once. The clusters are repeated one after another to cover the
geographical area. The number of cells in the cluster is called cluster size (N).
Frequency reuse factor is defined as 1/N.
The cell where the same frequency is reused is called co-channel cell. The
interference from a co-channel cell is called co-channel interference (CCI).
The CCI needs to be small enough.
Cell planning with N = 7
Cell Size: The choice of cell size depends on a few things and requires
consideration of trade-offs. A smaller cell size offers the following advantages
and disadvantages.
Advantage:
1. More resources are available for the users.
2. Less transmission power required for both the base station and the UE.
User End
Disadvantage:
1. Higher number of base stations is required.
2. Higher number of handovers will take place.
3. Radio Network Planning (RNP) becomes more complicated.
Cluster Size (N): The choice of cluster size depends on a few things and
requires consideration of trade-offs. A smaller cluster size offers the following
advantages and disadvantages.
Advantage:
1. More clusters are repeated over the same geographical area. This allows
more resources available for the users.
2. Lower Overbooking Factor (OBF) required.
[OBF = peak overall data rate demand/average overall data rate demand]
Disadvantage:
1. The neighboring co-channel cell will be closer resulting in higher co-
channel interference (CCI).
Co-Channel Interference (CCI) Estimation
A A
A A A
A A
A -> co-channel cells
The nearest co-channel cell can be found in the following figure as follows.
1. Move i cells straight
2. Turn 600 and move j cells straight
Then N = i2 + ij + j2
Assuming the distance between the nearest co-channel cell, D and the cell
radius, R, Co-Channel Reuse Ratio, Q = D/R.
Higher D => Higher Q => Lower CCI
Higher R => Lower Q => Higher CCI
Higher N => Higher Q => Lower CCI
Omni or Sectoring
There are two ways to create cells:
1. Omni Base Station: The Base Station with omni antenna may be
placed in the middle of the cell. Omni base stations are mainly installed
in regions with a relatively low number of subscribers.
2. Sectorization: In order to increase to subscriber capacity of a cellular
network directional antennas can be used (e.g. three or six sector
antennas of 120 or 60 degrees opening) instead of omni-directional
antenna at each base station. Because of directional antennas, fewer
neighboring cells can interfere and so a higher frequency reuse factor
can be used. Sectoring also allows better control over the shape of
coverage area. All the sectors can be supplied from one mast.
Most commonly (almost 80% cases), 3-sector cells are used. Omni cells are
also used to some extent. Often times 2 or 4 sector cells are used. Other
numbers are very rare.
Example:
The operator is licensed 15 MHz spectrum. It uses N = 4 with 3-sector
cells.
15 MHz/200 kHz = 75 channels available.
In a cluster 4×3 = 12 sectors.
Each sector has 6 or 7 channels.
Assuming 7 channels => 7×8 = 56 time slots are available.
2 slots are used for control signaling.
54 voice users can be supported simultaneously.
If both parties, of the voice call, remain in the same cell, 27 calls can be set
up.
Antenna installation for 3-sector cells
All 3 antennas per sector can be mounted at the same height because
directional antennas have higher isolation in comparison to omnidirectional
antennas.
A number of antenna elements are typically used as an array and they are
housed in a casing. The rear side of the casing is metallic; it acts as a reflector
stopping backward radiation and increasing forward radiation.
The typical HPBW values are as follows:
• HPBW (horizontal): 600 - 800
• HPBW (vertical): 50 - 150.
Signal Diversity
The usual link is non-LOS. The reflected waves have differing phase and
polarization characteristics. The transmitted signal extremely rarely reaches
the user via the most direct route. If it does, the received signal is a
combination of LOS and non-LOS electromagnetic wave components. The
diversity of the signal components can be employed purposely, as space
diversity or polarization diversity.
1. Space Diversity: This system consists of two reception antennas
spaced a distance apart. One antenna has a certain field strength profile
with maxima and minima from its coverage area, the other antenna has
a completely different field strength profile although only spaced a few
meters away. Ideally the minima of one antenna will be completely
compensated by the maxima of the other. Both antennas function
separately on different reception paths, whereby the higher signal per
channel and antenna is chosen by the base station. The improvement
in the average signal level achieved with this method is called diversity-
gain.
Separation in the horizontal plane is preferred (horizontal diversity).
The results of vertical diversity are considerably worse.
For example, the typical GSM Omni Base Station uses 3 antennas as
follows:
– one transmitting antenna (Tx)
– two receiving antennas (Rx)
The transmitting antenna may be mounted higher and in the middle in
order to guarantee a cleaner omnidirectional characteristic. The
influence of the Rx and Tx antennas on each other is reduced (higher
isolation). The two receiving antennas are spaced at 12-20λ to achieve
a diversity gain of 4-6 dB.
For sectorization, the space diversity can be used as follows.
2. Polarization Diversity: The reflections which take place within urban
areas are not all of the same polarization. Furthermore a mobile
telephone is never held exactly upright which means that all
polarizations between vertical and horizontal are possible. It is
therefore logical that different polarizations of signals are also used.
Space diversity uses two vertically polarized antennas as reception
antennas and compares the signal level. Polarization diversity uses two
orthogonally polarized antennas and compares the resulting signals.
This can be performed in two different ways as shown below. The
diversity gain in urban areas is the same as that achieved via space
diversity (4-6 dB).
I. Horizontal and Vertical Polarization: The antenna systems
are horizontally and vertically polarized. A spatial separation is
not necessary which means that the differently polarized dipoles
can be mounted in a common housing. Sufficient isolation can
be achieved even if the dipoles are interlocked into one unit so
that the dimensions of a dual-polarized antenna are not greater
than that of a normal polarized antenna.
There may be two antennas per sector as follows:
Alternatively, the dual polarized antenna can be fed via a
duplexer for Rx and Tx, then only one antenna is needed per
sector.
II. Polarization +45°/-45°: It is also possible to use dipoles at +45°/-
45° instead of horizontally and vertically (0°/90°) placed. One now has
two identical systems which are able to handle both horizontally and
vertically polarized components. This combination brings certain
advantages in flat regions because the horizontal components are fewer
due to the fewer reflections. A further advantage is that both antenna
systems can be used to transmit.
Radio Network Planning (RNP)
It is a long process performed by skilled engineers. The team attempts to fulfill
the requirements in terms of two items.
1. Coverage: Availability of sufficient downlink signal at user locations.
2. Capacity: Availability of sufficient resources to meet the data demand
of users.
RNP involves proper settings of a few parameters shown below.
1. Location of Base Station
2. Number of Sectors
3. Azimuth: Direction with respect to North
4. Antenna Height
5. Transmit power
6. Transmit Antenna Gain or HPBW
7. Downtilt: Angle of direction of maximum radiation from horizontal
direction. This can help achieve total sector coverage with a minimum
of sector overlap.
− Mechanical Downtilt: Physically downtilting the antenna
creating an angle of antenna set from vertical direction.
− Electrical Downtilt: The radiation pattern is downtilted using
electrical signals fed to the antenna (e.g. using particular phase
relationship among signals fed the antenna array elements)
List of Tools
(Usually technology independent)
Radio Network Planning (RNP) Tools:
Aircom ASSET, TEMS Cell Planner, TEMS Link Planner, Forsk Atoll, ATDI
ICS Telecom, NetAct Planner, Pathloss, Planet, Mentum Ellipse, WinProp,
Optimi xWizard, Optimi xACP, EDX Signal Pro, Actix RadioPlan, iBwave
Vendor Drive Test (DT) Tools Post-Processing (PP) Tools
InfoVista TEMS Investigation TEMS Discovery
Anite Nemo Outdoor Nemo Analyze
Accuver XCAL XCAP
Huawei GENEX Probe GENEX Assistant
Actix Actix Analyzer
