UMTS Radio Network Planning
Process
ZTE University
Content
UMTS Technical Features
UMTS Network Planning Process
Radio Propagation Feature
Propagation of Electromagnetic wave－straight, reflection,
scattering, diffraction
Radio signal fading includes 3 parts:
Path loss: fading with distance between transmitter and receiver
Large scale fading：middle amplitude of fading with log normal
distribution, slow fading, caused by shadow effect
Small scale fading: small amplitude of fading with rapid change,
fast fading, caused by multi-path effect.
Signal Rx Level Pathloss
= +
Slow fading
distance
+
Fast fading
Multi-Address Technology
FDMA
Different channels at different
frequencies, such as AMPS and
TACS.
TDMA
Different channels at the same
frequency are distinguished by
timeslots, such as GSM.
CDMA
Different channels at the same time
and frequency are distinguished by
different codes, such as UMTS.
Self-Interfering System
Source
Shared frequency spectrum caused
intra-frequency interference, multi-Path
effect, difficult to implement perfect
orthogonality with ideal self correlation
and cross correlation.
Phenomenon
Noise rise, soft capacity
Solution
Power control, admission control, load
control and careful network planning
One of radio network planning
goals is to minimize self-interfering
Power Escalation
Uplink noise rise increases
with the number of
subscribers non-linearly
Downlink Node B power
increases with the number
of subscribers non-
linearly
Soft Capacity
Soft Capacity Cell Breathing
Interference
Power Control
The signal for one subscriber is the noise to the others.
The transmitted power should be controlled in order that
it would not block other subscribers.
Near - far effect
despreading
Node B
despreading
Node B
Soft Handover
Soft handover
RL2
UE connects with more than
RL1
one radio links with different
Node B
Softer handover
UE connects with more than
one radio links with the cells
in the same Node B
Hard handover
Intra-frequency hard
handover
Inter-frequency hard
handover
Inter-RAT hard handover
Coverage and Capacity Relationship
Normally,
160 Coverage is UL
limited
downlink load Capacity is DL
155 limited
path loss [dB]
Max. allowed
150
145
140
uplink load
135
100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300
throughput per sector [kbps]
Demodulation threshold Eb/No
Processing Eb/No
Gain(PG)
Subscriber 3
Noise Subscriber 2
Subscriber 1
Eb indicates the signal energy per bit, Eb = S/R where S indicates
signal energy and R indicates service bit rate.
No indicates the noise spectrum density, No = N/W where W indicates
chip rate (3.84 M) and N indicates noise.
Eb S W S W S
PG
No R N N R N
Multi-Service Hybrid System
64kbps service coverage
Different services have
different rates, and their
coverage ranges and
capacities are different. 128kbps service coverage
384kbps service coverage
Different proportions and
composition of hybrid service, with
different system capacities
Network Planning Goals
We should do…
Fulfill operators’ requirement on coverage, capacity,
and service quality, estimate network scale, minimize
investment, and simulate to verify.
Predict network development trend, and prepare for
future development.
Goals
Maximize coverage in time and space.
Minimized intra-system interference to reach the
required service quality.
Optimize radio parameters to maximize service
quality.
With capacity and service quality fulfilled, minimize
equipment number and cost.
Network Planning Policy
The purpose of radio network planning is to shorten
the investment return period than lower the CAPEX as
well as OPEX.
Firstly for coverage, the solution is:
point coverage
line coverage
plane coverage
Content
UMTS Technical Features
UMTS Network Planning Process
Planning Process - Requirement Analysis
Requirement Analysis
Network Dimensioning
Pre-Planning
Simulation
Propagation Model
Test and Calibration
Sites Survey
Sites Layout
Network Simulation
Output Planning
Report
Requirement Analysis
Learn the customer’s requirement of coverage,
capacity, and QoS.
Learn the landform and environments of the planned
area.
Learn the population distribution and average
income per person in the planned area.
Learn information about the existing network in the
planned area.
Requirement Analysis (Cont.)
Planning Area Sorting
The purpose to sort the planning area is to
refine network design and layout.
Different areas have different geographical
environment, vegetation distribution, and
building density.
Different areas require different number of
Node B to meet the coverage requirement.
Area type Area characters
Dense Urban Central business district, dense shopping center, dense residential area
Mean Urban Industrial park, shopping center, residential area
Suburban The edge of city, the center of village and town
Rural Farm, the edge of village and town
Requirement Analysis (Cont.)
64 k CS
Coverage Requirements
Different areas have the different requirements
for the service type coverage rate.
Different requirements for service type and
coverage rate in the same area will get different
number of Node B
144k PS data
384k PS data
Requirement Analysis (Cont.)
Capacity Requirements
No. of subscribers and their ‘profile’, traffic model,
service type , forecast, “hot spots”
Requirement Analysis (Cont.)
Cell load
Load increases, Coverage reduces , System unstable
12
10
8
Noise Rise
0
0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
Load
Requirement Analysis (Cont.)
Other information
The important building in the planning area
The information of traffic line, just as highway
The important villages and towns in the planning area
Planning Process – Propagation Model
Requirement Analysis
Network Dimensioning
Pre-Planning
Simulation
Propagation Model
Test and Calibration
Sites Survey
Sites Layout
Network Simulation
Output Planning
Report
Free Space Propagation Loss
Pt Gt Gr 2
Pr (d )
(4 ) d2 2
Pt 2
PL(dB) 10 log 10 log 2 2
Pr ( 4 ) d
Pt: TX power
Pr(d): Rx power
Gt: Gain of TX antenna
Gr: Gain of RX antenna
d: Distance between TX and RX antennas
PL: Pathloss in free space
Free Space Propagation Loss
4d
Loss 20 lg
FreeLoss 32.44 20 lg d 20 lg f
Radio Propagation Model
Factors in radio propagation model:
In the space propagation, many factors enter into radio wave loss,
including ground absorption, reflection, refraction and diffraction,
while these factors are inapplicable for the propagation loss
formula in free space;
While planning and constructing a mobile communication network,
you have to make detailed study about electric wave propagation
features and field strength prediction before determining
frequency band, frequency allocation and radio wave coverage,
calculating communication probability and inter-system
electromagnetic interference, and finally defining radio equipment
parameters;
The radio propagation model presents the designer an
approximate propagation effect in the practical propagation
environment to estimate the space propagation loss. Therefore,
the propagation model veracity determines whether the cell
planning is reasonable.
Radio Propagation Model
The propagation environment plays an important role
in setting up a radio propagation model. The
propagation environment in a special region consists
of the following factors:
Terrains (mountains, hills, plain or water area)
Number, height, distribution and material features of buildings
Vegetation features
Weather conditions
Natural or man-made electromagnetic noise
Working frequency of system
Movement of mobile station
Radio Propagation Model
Improvement to the space free loss formula:
Model Name Frequency Range
Okumura-Hata 150 MHz–1500 MHz macro cell
Cost231-Hata 150 MHz–2000 MHz macro cell
Cost231 Walfish-Ikegami 800 MHz–2000 MHz micro cell
Keenan-Motley 900 MHz and 1800 MHz indoor environment
General model 150 MHz–2000 MHz macro cell
Cost231-Hata Model
Pathloss 46.3 33.9 lg f 13.82 log hb 44.9 6.55 lg hb lg d Ahm Cm
f -refers to carrier, unit: MHz, applicable for 150 MHz–2000 MHz
hb -refers to BS antenna height, unit: m, effective height 30 m–200 m
d -refers to the distance from mobile station to antenna, unit: Km
Ahm -refers to mobile station antenna height correction factor
C m -refers to city center correction factor, 3 dBm for large cities
and 0 dBm for middle- and small-size cities
General Model
Propagation Model Selection
PathLoss K1 K 2 log( d ) K 3Hms K 4 log( Hms )
K 5 log( Heff ) K 6 log( Heff ) log( d )
K 7(diffractionloss ) Clutterloss
K1-Fading Constant
K2-Distance Fading Coefficient
K3、K4-Mobile Station Antenna Height calibration
Coefficient
K5、K6-Base Station Antenna Height calibration
Coefficient
K7-Diffraction calibration Coefficient
Clutterloss-Calibration Value of Physiognomy Fading
D-Distance between base station and mobile station (km)
Hms -Mobile Station Antenna Effective Height (m)
Heff-Base Station Antenna Effective Height (m)
Propagation Model Test
Site Selection
Test sites should be selected from each
environment categories.
To cover enough clutters.
The testing site shall be free of visible
obstructions around.
The testing site shall be higher than the
surrounding buildings.
Antenna
Transmitter
Receiver
Laptop
Propagation Model Test (Cont.)
Route Selection
All directions from the testing site should
be included.
The vehicle should take a route to or from
the testing site in the shape of “8”, net, ring,
or spiral, with a constant speed.
Propagation Model Calibration (Cont.)
Data Process
Distance Filtration.
Intensity Filtration.
Land Feature Filtration
Propagation Model Calibration (Cont.)
Propagation Model Selection
PathLoss K1 K 2 log( d ) K 3Hms K 4 log( Hms )
K 5 log( Heff ) K 6 log( Heff ) log( d )
K 7(diffractionloss ) Clutterloss
K1-Fading Constant
K2-Distance Fading Coefficient
K3、K4-Mobile Station Antenna Height calibration
Coefficient
K5、K6-Base Station Antenna Height calibration
Coefficient
K7-Diffraction calibration Coefficient
Clutterloss-Calibration Value of Physiognomy Fading
D-Distance between base station and mobile station
(km)
Hms -Mobile Station Antenna Effective Height (m)
Heff-Base Station Antenna Effective Height (m)
Planning Process – Network Dimensioning
Requirement Analysis
Network Dimensioning
Pre-Planning
Simulation
Propagation Model
Test and Calibration
Sites Survey
Sites Layout
Network Simulation
Output Planning
Report
Network Dimensioning
Link budget
Capacity analysis
Give need analysis report, and estimate the Number
of NodeBs in the planned area.
Network Dimensioning (Cont.)
Input:system load requirment and
coverage requirement
Uplink coverage Downlink coverage Uplink capacity
estimation estimation estimation
Quantity of BSs Quantity of BSs Quantity of BSs
satisfying uplink satisfying downlink satisfying uplink
coverage coverage capacity
Compare the results
and evaluate the
larger one
Based on traffic type Based on power
Downlink capacity
estimation
Quantity A of Quantity B of
Add BSs
channels to be channels availably
provided by every cell provided by every
on the downlink cell on the downlink
No
A<B
Yse
End
Link Budget
Antenna Gain
Feeder loss
PA BS Power
Receiver Sensitivity
Path Loss
Margin
Penetration Loss
Body Loss
Link budget
Coverage Target Mas Allowable Path Loss
UE Power
Raius No.Node B
Propagation Model
Capacity Analysis
Equivalent voice channels
Amplitude
provided by each cell
Inter mean
Virtual channel of each
Inter variance
cell
Capacity factor
Syetem Total_virtual_Elr Cell_virtual_Elr
Total _ virtual _ Erl
Cell _ virtual _ Erl
No.Cell
Planning Process – Pre-Planning Simulation
Requirement Analysis
Network Dimensioning
Pre-Planning
Simulation
Propagation Model
Test and Calibration
Sites Survey
Sites Layout
Network Simulation
Output Planning
Report
Pre-Planning Simulation
Verify estimation with simulation
Give suggestions for Node B layout, location, and
area.
Guide site survey work
Existing site’s sources
Propagation model
Traffic model
Planning Process – Sites Survey
Requirement Analysis
Network Dimensioning
Pre-Planning
Simulation
Propagation Model
Test and Calibration
Sites Survey
Sites Layout
Network Simulation
Output Planning
Report
Sites Survey
To get the necessary data needed by network
planning and simulation
To learn geographical environment and radio
environment of the site
To learn the condition of building site
To learn the traffic distribution of planning area
To provide the candidate sites for planning area
Site Survey
Site Selection Principles
Convenience in traffic, reliability in city power supply, lightning protection and
grounding, small floor space;
Network construction initial stage, ensure the coverage and quality of VIP
subscribers and the area with high user density ;
Under the condition of no effects to the site layout, should choose the currently
existed sites as the candidate sites and utilize their equipment room, power supply,
tower, etc. ;
Avoid the site location which is close to radar, if necessary, for the security
factors, should apply the correspond methods to avoid the mutually interference ;
Avoid to locate the site on the mountain, in the forest ;
Avoid to select the sites which will be affected by the potential constructed
buildings .
Site Survey
Data Recording
Site information: site name, site address, latitude,
longitude, building height, tower height
Radio Parameter: azimuth angle, down-tilt, antenna height
antenna type, diversity type and separation
Radio environment description
Interfering source
Planning Process – Network Simulation
Requirement Analysis
Network Dimensioning
Pre-Planning
Simulation
Propagation Model
Test and Calibration
Sites Survey
Sites Layout
Network Simulation
Output Planning
Report
Network Simulation
Input several optional solutions
simultaneously.
Simulate all optional solutions.
Select the most appropriate solution
according to the simulation result.
Simulation results－ graphic output
Best server
Pilot strength
Pilot Ec/Io
Soft handover probability
Pilot pollution
Service coverage probability
Cell load
Best server
Best server
Over shoot erased
Over shoot
Pilot strength-CPICH RSCP
Pilot strength
Continuous
coverage of pilot
No continuous
coverage of pilot
Pilot Ec/Io
Pilot quality improved
Pilot quality not good
Soft handover probability
Pilot pollution-The number of
pilot polluters
Service coverage probability
Coverage probability
improved
Coverage probability
not good
Cell load-Uplink Load
Statistics report
Simulation Statistics Analysis
Statistics report (Cont.)
Mean Attempted 992.850
Mean Served 964.050 97.10%
Mean Failed 28.800 2.90%
Mean In Soft or Softer Handover 271.250 28.14%
Mean In Softer Handover 66.400 6.89%
Contributions to Failure
No UL Channels Primary Channel 0.00%
No DL Channels Primary Channel 0.00%
UL Channels Channel Limit Reached 0.00%
DL Channels Channel Limit Reached 0.00%
Low Pilot SIR 3.65%
Downlink Eb/No (Range) 1.74%
Downlink Eb/No (Capacity) 0.00%
Uplink Eb/No 15.63%
Noise Rise 86.63%
No Carrier 0.00%
Excessive Pathloss 0.00%
Comparison between simulation and drive
test data
Comparison between simulated and tested
network performance
Calculate the difference of
simulated and tested Ec and
Ec/Io in each bin
Statistics on thousands of
samples
Made comparison for 3 trial
UMTS networks in China: Beijing,
Shanghai, Guangzhou
Comparison between simulation and drive
test data
Comparison between simulation and drive
test data
Comparison shows that the planned network can predict
the performance of real network quite well
Planning Process – Output Planning
Report
Requirement Analysis
Network Dimensioning
Pre-Planning
Simulation
Propagation Model
Test and Calibration
Sites Survey
Sites Layout
Network Simulation
Output Planning
Report
Planning Report Output
Report contents
Networking requirements for the UMTS network
Service model and demand analysis
Radio network scale estimation
Policy and principle analysis
Networking proposal and solution to network construction by
stages
Attachment contents
Propagation model test result
BS address survey table
BS engineering parameter table
Radio parameter configuration table
Network diagram and site layout diagram
simulation result report
