WCDMA Radio

Network Coverage
Planning
www.huawei.com

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 Objectives

 Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

 Know the contents and process of radio network planning

 Understand uplink budget and related parameters

 Understand downlink budget and related parameters

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 Contents

1. WCDMA Radio Network Planning Process

2. R99 Coverage Planning

3. HSDPA Coverage Planning

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Capacity, Coverage, Quality
 Capacity & Coverage
 ↑ Users  ↑ Cell Load  ↑ Interference
Capacity
Level  ↓ Cell Coverage
 ↑ Cell Coverage  Cell Load ↓ Capacity ↓
COST
 Capacity & Quality
 ↑ Users  ↑ Cell Load  ↑ Interference Quality Coverage
Level  ↓ Quality
 ↑ Quality ( BLERtar ↓ )  ↓ Capacity

 Coverage & Quality

 ↑ Quality ( AMR ↑ )  ↓ Cell Coverage

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WCDMA Radio Network Planning Process

 Radio Network Planning (RNP) Process

 Step1 : Radio network dimensioning

 Step2 : Pre-planning of radio network

 Step3 : Cell planning of radio network

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WCDMA Radio Network Planning Process

 Step1 : Radio network dimensioning

 Radio network dimensioning includes coverage

dimensioning and capacity dimensioning

 Obtain the scale of sites and configuration according to

input requirements when the coverage and capacity are
balanced

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WCDMA Radio Network Planning Process

 Input & output of radio network dimensioning

Input
Capacity Related
-Spectrum Available
-Subscriber Growth Forecast  Number of NodeB
-Traffic Density
 Carrier configuration
Coverage Related
-Coverage Region  CE configuration
-Propagation Condition
-Area Type Information  Iub configuration

QoS Related  ……
-Blocking Probability
-Indoor Coverage
-Coverage Probability

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WCDMA Radio Network Planning Process

 Step2 : Pre-planning of radio network – Initial Site Selection

 Based on RND, radio network pre-planning is intended to

determine:

 Theoretical location of sites

 Implementation parameters

 Cell parameters

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WCDMA Radio Network Planning Process

 Step2 : Pre-planning of radio network - Prediction

 Based on RND result, sites location, implementation
parameters and cell parameters, we should predict coverage
results such as best serving cell, pilot strength, overlapping
zone
 We should carry out detailed adjustment (such as NodeB
number, NodeB configuration, antenna parameters) after
analyzing the coverage prediction results
 Finally ,we obtain proper site location and parameters that
should satisfy coverage requirement

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 WCDMA Radio Network Planning Process

 Step2 : Pre-planning of radio network - Prediction

Coverage by transmitter: Coverage by signal level: Overlapping zones:

Display the best server Display the signal level Display the signal level
coverage across the studied area across the studied area

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WCDMA Radio Network Planning Process

 Step3 : Cell planning of radio network - Site Survey

 We have to select backup location for site if theoretical location

is not available

 Based on experience , backup site location is selected in

search ring scope , search ring =1/4×R

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 WCDMA Radio Network Planning Process

 Step3 : Cell planning of radio network – Simulation

 U-Net use Monte Carlo simulation to generate user
distributions (snapshots)

 By iteration, U-Net get the UL/DL cell load, connection status

and rejected reason for each mobile

 The example of Monte Carlo simulation:

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WCDMA Radio Network Planning Process

 The following takes coverage probability for an example to

further understand how Monte Carlo simulation is performed
1st snapshot 2nd snapshot

3rd snapshot Simulation result

100% 20% 60% 100%

0% 75% 60% 40%

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 WCDMA Radio Network Planning Process

 Step3 : Cell planning of radio network – Simulation

 Generate certain quantity of network instantaneous state (snapshot)

 Obtain connection performance between terminals and UTRAN by

incremental operation

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 WCDMA Radio Network Planning Process

 Step3 : Cell planning of radio network - Simulation

 Measure and analyze results of multiple “snapshots” to have a
overall understanding of network performance

Handover Status: Pilot Quality (Ec/Io): Pilot Pollution:

Display areas depending on the Displays the pilot quality across Displays pilot pollution statistics
probe mobile handover status the certain area across the certain area

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 Contents

1. WCDMA Radio Network Planning Process

2. R99 Coverage Planning

3. HSDPA Coverage Planning

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 Contents
2. R99 Coverage Planning

2.1 Process of R99 Coverage Planning

2.2 R99 Uplink Budget

2.3 R99 Downlink Budget

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 Process of R99 Coverage Planning
 Goal of R99 coverage planning
 Obtain the cell radius

 Estimate NodeB number that could satisfy coverage requirement

Start

Link Budget
R
Path Loss 9
Area = * 3R 2
Propagation model Cell Radius 8

NodeB Coverage Area R 3

NodeB number Area = * 3R 2
2
Total coverage area NodeB Number
=
NodeB coverage area
End

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Propagation model
 Propagation model is used for predicting the medium value of path loss.
The formula can be simplified under if the heights of UE and base station
are given
PathLoss = f (d , f )
where: d is the distance between UE and base station, and f is the
frequency
 Propagation environment affect the model, and the main factors are :
 Natural terrain, such as mountain, hill, plain, water land, etc…;
 Man-made building (height, distribution and material);
 Vegetation;
 Weather;
 External noise

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Cost 231-Hata Propagation Model
Path Loss Equation

L = 46.3 + 33.9 log(F) - 13.82 log(H) + (44.9 - 6.55 log(H)) × log(R) - C

Environment Correction Factor

2
• Rural C = 4.78 (log(F)) + 18.33 log(F) + 40.94
2
• Suburban C = 2 (log(F/28)) + 5.4
• Urban C = 0.09 log(F) - 1.85
• Metropolitan C = 0.09 log(F) + 1.15
Abbreviation
• L : average propagation loss
• F : frequency
• H : BTS height
• C : correction factor
• R : cell radius

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 Contents
2. R99 Coverage Planning

2.1 Process of R99 Coverage Planning

2.2 R99 Uplink Budget

2.3 R99 Downlink Budget

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 Uplink Budget Principle
Antenna Gain

SHO Gain against Slow

fading Slow fading margin

SHO Gain against fast Fast fading margin

fading
Interference margin
NodeB Antenna Gain Body Loss

Cable Loss
UE Antenna Gain
Cable Loss UE Transmit Power
Penetration Loss
NodeB
Sensitivity
Penetration
Loss
UPLINK BUDGET

Antenna Gain Maximum

Allowed path loss
SHO Gain
Margin
Loss

NodeB reception sensitivity

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Element of Uplink Budget
1. UE_TransmissionPower ( dBm )
 The UE maximum transmit power is determined by the power class
of the UE, which is specified by the 3GPP standard

 The Class 4 UE, with maximum power 21 dBm, are normally

considered due to their popularity in the market

Grade of UE power （TS 25.101 )

Power Class Nominal maximum output power Tolerance

1 +33dBm +1/-3dB

2 +27dBm +1/-3dB

3 +24dBm +1/-3dB

4 +21dBm +2/-2dB

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Element of Uplink Budget

2. Body Loss ( dB )
 For voice, the body loss is 3 dB

 For the other service , the body loss is 0 dB

3. Gain of UE TX Antenna ( dBi )

 In general, the gain of UE antenna is 0 dBi

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Element of Uplink Budget

4. Penetration Loss ( dB )

 Indoor penetration loss means the difference between the

average signal strength outside the building and the average
signal strength of first floor of the building

 In terms of service coverage performance, micro-cells provide

an effective solution for achieving a high degree of indoor
penetration

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Element of Uplink Budget

5. NodeB_AntennaGain ( dB )
Sector Type Gain of Antenna (dBi)
Omni 11
2 Sector 18
3 Sector 18
6 Sector 20

Cable Loss
6. Cable loss ( dB )
- Cable loss between NodeB and antenna
- Jumper loss between NodeB and antenna
- Connectors loss between NodeB and antenna

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Element of Uplink Budget
 Path Loss and Fading
 Path Loss - fading due to propagation distance

 Long term (slow) fading - caused by shadowing

 Short term (fast) fading - caused by multi-path propagation

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 Element of Uplink Budget
7. Slow Fading Margin
 Slow Fading Margin depends on
 Coverage Probability @ Cell Edge

The higher the coverage probability is, the more SFM is required

 Standard Deviation of Slow Fading

The higher the standard deviation is, the more SFM is required
Probability Density

SFM required Coverage Probability @ Cell Edge:

P COVERAGE (x) = P [ F(x) > Fthreshold ]

Without SFM
With SFM

Fthreshold Received Signal Level [dBm]

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Element of Uplink Budget
8. SHO Gain against Slow Fading
 SHO reduces slow fading margin compared to the single cell case

 SHO gain against slow fading can improve the coverage probability

SHO Gain against slow fading = SFM without SHO - SFM with SHO

SHO Gain Against SFM

(dB)
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
98% 95% 92% 90% 85%
Standard deviation=11.7
Path loss slope=3.52 Area coverage probability

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Element of Uplink Budget
9. Fast Fading Margin
 Fast fading margin
 required to guarantee fast power control

 the factors affect FFM include channel model, service type, BLER
requirement

Fast Fading Margin= Eb/No without fast PC - Eb/No with fast PC

Uplink case: UE moves

towards the edge of the cell

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Element of Uplink Budget
10. SHO Gain against Fast fading

 SHO gain against fast fading reduces the Eb/No requirement

 SHO gain against fast fading leads to a gain for reception

sensitivity

 SHO gain against fast fading exists for both uplink and
downlink (Typical value of SHO gain against FFM is 1.5dB)

SHO Gain Against Fast Fading = Eb/No without SHO – Eb/No with SHO

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Element of Uplink Budget
11. Interference Margin in Uplink
 Interference Margin is equal to Noise Rise

NoiseRise = −10 ⋅ Log10 (1 − ηUL ) [dB ]

 Higher cell load leads to heavier interference

 Interference margin affects cell coverage

Interference Curve in Uplink 50% UL Load — 3dB

NoiseRise(dB)

60% UL Load — 4dB

75% UL Load — 6dB

UL Load

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Element of Uplink Budget
12. NodeB Reception Sensitivity

Re ceptionSen sitivity = N th + NF + Eb / N 0 − PG

 Nth : Thermal Noise

 NF: Noise Figure

 Eb/No : required Eb/No to maintain service quality

 PG: Processing Gain

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Element of Uplink Budget
12. NodeB Reception Sensitivity
 Nth : Thermal Noise is the noise density generated by
environment and equals to:

N th = 10 log( K * T *W )
 K：Boltzmann constant, 1.38×10-23J/K

 T：Temperature in Kelvin, normal temperature: 290 K

 W：Signal bandwidth, WCDMA signal bandwidth 3.84MHz

 Nth = -108dBm/3.84MHz

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Element of Uplink Budget
12. NodeB Reception Sensitivity

 NF: Noise Figure :

 For Huawei NodeB, latest NF is 1.6dB

 For commercial UE, typical NF is 7dB.

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Element of Uplink Budget
12. NodeB Reception Sensitivity

 PG: Processing Gain :

 Processing gain is related with the service bearer rate, and the
detail formula is present below:

chip rate
Pr ocess Gain = 10 log( )
bit rate

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Element of Uplink Budget

12. NodeB Reception Sensitivity

 Eb/No is required bit energy over the density of total noise to

maintain service quality
 Eb/No is obtained from link simulation
 Eb/No is related to following factors
 Service type
 Multi-path channel model
 User speed
 The target BLER

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 Contents
2. R99 Coverage Planning

2.1 Process of R99 Coverage Planning

2.2 R99 Uplink Budget

2.3 R99 Downlink Budget

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 Downlink Budget Principle
Antenna Gain SHO Gain against Slow
fading Slow fading margin

SHO Gain against fast Fast fading margin

fading
Interference margin
NodeB Antenna Gain Body Loss

Cable Loss
UE Antenna Gain

NodeB Transmit Power

CableLoss Penetration Loss

Penetration UE
Loss Sensitivity DOWNLINK BUDGET

Antenna Gain Maximum

allowed path loss
SHO Gain
Margin
Loss

UE reception sensitivity

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Element of Downlink Budget

 Interference Margin in Downlink

I total PN + I own + I other No + (α + f )× PMax ⋅η DL / CL
NoiseRise = = =
PN PN PN
 Wherein, α is non-orthogonality factor, f is the interference
ratio of other cell to own cell

 Interference margin is equal to noise rise

IM(dB) Interference Margin

30.00
25.00

α =0.6, f = 1.78, 20.00

15.00
10.00
PMax=20W, η DL = 0.9 5.00
0.00
120 125 130 135 140 145 150

CL(dB)
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Case Study : R99 Uplink Budget
Uplink link budget comments
Factors Scenario Dense urban
Continuous coverage service CS64
Sector type 3 sector
Environment outdoor
TMA used FALSE
Channel mode TU3

Max.TCH transmit power 21.00 a

Cable loss Tx (dB) 0.00 b
Body loss Tx (dB) 0.00 c
Antenna gain Tx (dB) 0.00 d
EIRP (Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power) 21.00 e=a-b-c+d

Antenna gain Rx (dB) 18.00 f

Cable loss Rx (dB) 3.34 g
Body loss Rx (dB) 0.00 h
Noise figure (dB) 1.60 i
Required Eb/No (dB) 2.80 j
Receiver sensitivity (dBm) -121.54 k=j+(-108.16+i)-10log(3840/64)
Actual load (%) 0.50 l
Interference margin (dB) 3.01 m=-10log(1-l)
SHO gain over fading (fast&slow) (dB) 1.50 n
Fast fading margin (dB) 3.60 o
Min.signal reception strength (dBm) -131.09 p=g+k-f+m-n+o

Penetration loss (dB) 0.00 q

Slow fading standard deviation (dB) 10.00 r
Area coverage probability 0.95 s
Slow fading margin (dB) 6.57 t
Path loss (dB) 145.52 u=e-p-q-t

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Case Study : R99 Downlink Budget
Downlink link budget comments
Factors Scenario Dense urban
Continuous coverage service CS64
Sector type 3 sector
Environment outdoor
TMA used FALSE
Channel mode TU3

Max.TCH transmit power 36.00 a

Cable loss Tx (dB) 3.34 b
Body loss Tx (dB) 0.00 c
Antenna gain Tx (dB) 18.00 d
EIRP (Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power) 50.66 e=a-b-c+d

Antenna gain Rx (dB) 0.00 f

Cable loss Rx (dB) 0.00 g
Body loss Rx (dB) 0.00 h
Noise figure (dB) 7.00 i
Required Eb/No (dB) 6.30 j
Receiver sensitivity (dBm) -112.64 k=j+(-108.16+i)-10log(3840/64)
Actual load (%) 0.75 l
Interference margin (dB) 4.58 m=-10log(1-l)
SHO gain over fading (fast&slow) (dB) 1.50 n
Fast fading margin (dB) 1.70 o
Min.signal reception strength (dBm) -107.86 p=g+k-f+m-n+o

Penetration loss (dB) 0.00 q

Slow fading standard deviation (dB) 10.00 r
Area coverage probability 0.95 s
Slow fading margin (dB) 6.57 t
Path loss (dB) 151.95 u=e-p-q-t

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 Contents

1. WCDMA Radio Network Planning Process

2. R99 Coverage Planning

3. HSDPA Coverage Planning

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Link Budget Difference of HSDPA and R99

 Coverage Requirement
 R99: Based on target continuous coverage service

 HSDPA: Based on cell edge throughput

 Simulation KPI
 R99: Connect Success Rate, Coverage Probability, Pilot
Pollution Proportion and SHO

 HSDPA: Cell Average Throughput and Cell Edge Throughput

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 Link Budget Difference of HSDPA and R99

 Target Network Load

 R99: DL target load should be set to 75%

 HSDPA: DL target load can be raised to 90%

HSDPA
power
Cell total power Cell total power

More power
R99 DCH Power 90% R99 DCH Power to ensure
75% R99 capacity
CCH CCH

time time

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Link Budget Difference of HSDPA and R99

 Other Parameters
 R99:
 Power control margin should be considered.

 SHO gain should be considered.

 HSDPA:
 Power control margin need not be considered.

 SHO gain should not be considered for HSDPA.

 Other elements: Number of HS-PDSCH, HSDPA power, etc.

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 HSDPA Deployment Strategy

Mature Phase HSDPA+R9 f2 HSDPA+R9

9 9
Focus on: R99+HSDP R99+HSDP R99+HSDP
f1
A A A
 HSDPA Performance

Initial Phase HSDPA+R9 f2

Focus on: 9
R99 f1 R99+HSDP R99
 HSDPA coverage A
 no impact on R99

Hot Spot & Dense

Urban Suburban & Rural
Urban

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HSDPA Link Budget Categories

HSDPA+R99
 HSDPA Throughput Requirement

 Guarantee R99 CS Traffic Capacity

R9  Not Change R99 Coverage

9

R99 requirement should be met first, and then HSDPA throughput !

HSDPA+R9
 HSDPA Throughput Requirement 9

No WCDMA  R99/R4 Capacity, Coverage Requirement

R99 and HSDPA requirement should be met simultaneously !

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 HSDPA Link Budget Element

 DL Coupling Loss

DL _ CouplingLoss = PL _ DL + Lf _ BS − Ga _ antenna + Lb + SFM NSHO + Lp

 Cell edge Ec/No

Ec PHS − DSCH
= 10 × log( DL _ CoupleLoss＋NF＋Nt
)
No
(α + f )×η DL × Pmax + 10 10

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HSDPA Link Budget Principle
 Goal of HSDPA link budget
 The HSDPA link budget is usually based on the R99 link budget to get
the cell edge throughput in downlink

 The HSDPA cell edge throughput need to be calculate depend on

simulation results, which is related with cell edge Ec/No

 Simulation
Conditions
 Channel model-TU3

 5 codes

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 HSDPA Link Budget Principle
 According to R99 Cell Radius and HSDPA Power Allocation,
calculate Cell Edge Throughput

R99 Network Cell Radius

Downlink Path Loss DL_CoupleLoss=DL_PL+TxBodyLoss+TxCableLoss-TxAntennaGain

+RxBodyLoss + RxCableLoss-RxAntennaGain +PenetrationLoss
+SlowFadingMargin
Downlink Coupling Loss
HSDPA power

Ec PHS − DSCH
Ec/No at Cell Edge = 10 × log( DL _ CoupleLoss＋NF＋Nt
)
No
(α + f )×η DL × Pmax + 10 10

Simulation Results

Cell Edge Throughput

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 HSDPA Link Budget Principle
 According to Cell Edge Throughput requirement and HSDPA
Power Allocation, calculate HSDPA Cell Radius

Cell Edge Throughput

Simulation results

Ec/No at Cell Edge

HSDPA power

Downlink Coupling Loss PHS − DSCH

− (α + f )×η DL × Pmax
Ec
DL _ CoupleLoss = No
Downlink Path Loss
NF＋Nt

DL_CoupleLoss=DL_PL+TxBodyLoss+TxCableLoss-
TxAntennaGain+RxBodyLoss+ RxCableLoss-RxAntennaGain
HSDPA Cell Radius
+PenetrationLoss + SlowFadingMargin

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HSDPA Link Budget Principle

 According to Cell Edge Throughput requirement and Cell

Radius, calculate HSDPA Power

Cell Radius Cell Edge Throughput

Simulation results

Downlink Path Loss Ec/No at Cell Edge

Downlink Coupling Loss PHSDPA = PHS − DSCH + PHS − SCCH

Ec
( DL _ CoupleLoss × Nt × NF + (α + f )×η DL × Pmax ) ×
= No + P
HS − SCCH
Pmax

HSDPA Power

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Case Study – HSDPA Link Budget
 Assumption:
 Downlink maximum path loss: 129.06 dB

 Cable loss : 0.5 dB

 NodeB antenna gain : 18dBi

 Penetration loss : 20dB ( required in indoor coverage )

 Body loss : 0 dB

 Slow fading margin without soft handover gain against SFM :

13.1dB

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Case Study – HSDPA Link Budget
 Assumption:
 Channel type: TU3
 Non-orthogonality factor: 0.5
 Adjacent cell interference factor: 1.78
 HSDPA code resource: 5
 Cell radius: 0.36 km
 UE Category: 8
 Max transmitter power of downlink: 20000 mW
 Total power of HSDPA: 6000 mW (30% downlink power allocation)

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Case Study – HSDPA Link Budget
 According to the assumption above, the DL Coupling Loss for
HSDPA is calculated below:

DL _ CouplingLoss = PL _ DL + Lf _ BS − Ga _ antenna + Lb + SFM NSHO + Lp

= 129.06 + 0.5 - 18 + 0 + 13.1 + 20 = 144.66dB

 Cell Edge Ec/No will be carried out base on equation below:

Ec PHS − DSCH
= 10 * log( DL _ CoupleLoss＋NF＋Nt
)
No
(α + f )×η DL × Pmax + 10 10

6000
= 10 * log( 144.66 −108.16 + 7
) = −10.2dB
(0.5 + 1.78) * 0.9 * 20000 + 10 10

 Base on the simulation result, the Cell Edge Throughput for

HSDPA can be obtained is 173.80 Kbps
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