Security

Level:

Radio Network
Planning Procedure and
Services

www.huawei.com

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

 Objectives
After completing this course, you will be able to:

Have general knowledge of the radio network planning procedure.

Have a good command of major services in each phase of radio
network planning.

Have general knowledge of major tools used for radio network
planning.

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 2
 Contents
1. General Radio Network Planning Procedure

2. Radio Network Nominal Planning

3. Detailed Radio Network Planning

4. Tools for Radio Network Planning

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 3
Radio Network Planning Procedure
Radio Network Planning in ISD

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 Inputs and Outputs in Each Phase
• Contract information • Coverage scenario and • Network • Engineering parameter • Base station • Network nominal
• Pre-sales planning radio propagation model dimensioning table topology planning report
documents
• • CW test and model tuning results • Radio propagation • Maps • Engineering
Network deployment
targets, area, and • Information about • Available site model • Survey tools parameter table
Input

phases coverage, capacity and resources • Simulation parameters • Network planning

• Available sites and quality • Digital map • Simulation software information
frequencies • Traffic model • Digital map collection Table
• VIP information
• Estimation tool

Cell
Information Network Initial site System
Site survey parameter
collection dimensioning selection simulation
planning

• Checklist for network • Link budget results • Base station • Network Simulation • Engineering • Cell parameter
Output

planning information • Coverage and topology Report for Project parameter table design report
collection XXX
capacity iteration • Field survey report
• Network • Base station survey
dimensioning report memorandum

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 5
 Contents
1. General Radio Network Planning Procedure

2. Radio Network Nominal Planning

3. Detailed Radio Network Planning

4. Tools for Radio Network Planning

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 6
Radio Network Nominal Planning
Radio Network Nominal Planning

Information Network Initial site System

collection dimensioning selection simulation
• Contract information • Scenario • Estimation results • Engineering
• Pre-sales documents classification • Available site parameter table
• Radio propagation
• Target region • Radio propagation resources model
• Network deployment model • Digital map • Simulation
objectives • Coverage and parameters
• Available sites capacity • Simulation software
• • • Digital map
VIP information Traffic model

RND dimension tool and U-Net simulation software

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 7
Radio Network Nominal Planning Procedure
Collect required
information.


During radio network nominal

planning, preliminary design of the

Export a radio
Perform radio network
network dimensioning
dimensioning. report.

radio network is completed based Construction

Information
objectives
about
Network scope
available sites.

on collected information, network

Phased planning

Radio Import available

Perform initial site
propagation sites in the planning

dimensioning, site selection, and model.

selection.
tool.

system simulation. Perform

system
simulation.

Y

Huawei uses GENEX U-Net and Is
the site
need to be
adjusted?

RND for pre-planning simulation N

Output a radio
network pre-

and network estimation, planning report.

respectively.

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 8
Radio Network Nominal Planning – Information
Collection
Information collection is the basis for formulating policies for link budget, network dimensioning, and
network simulation and deployment. Detailed information can meet requirements of network
dimensioning and simulation, thereby helping obtaining satisfactory planning results.

The following information must be collected for a newly Additional information

deployed network: Caution:
for swap project:
• Information provided by marketing engineers (contract) • Before the project is
• Current optimization
• Project documents provided by pre-sales engineers started, learn related
report
during network planning information from pre-sales • Network configuration
• Information about the target region network planning and
information
• Network deployment objectives marketing personnel. • DT analysis results
• Network scale and phased construction plan • Repeatedly confirm the
• Traffic analysis
• Available sites and frequencies of the operator collected information with • User complaint analysis
• Digital map the customer.
results
Map in the MapInfo format • Pay special attention to
•
• Related guides
• VIP user survey VIP users.

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Radio Network Nominal Planning – Radio
Propagation Model
 The radio propagation model is used to predict the impact of terrain, obstacles, and human
factors on path loss generated during radio wave propagation.
 The radio propagation model ensures planning accuracy and saves human labor, cost, and time.

Radio Propagation Model Frequency Band

Okumura/Hata model 150 MHz to 1500 MHz

1500 MHz to 2000

COST231–Hata model
MHz

COST231 Walfish-Ikegami model 800 MHz to 2000 MHz

Applicable to indoor
Keenan–Motley model
transmission

150 MHz to 2000 MHz

Standard Propagation Model (SPM)
macro cells

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Radio Network Nominal Planning – Radio
Propagation Model Correction SPM
CW data
Model  Common radio propagation models:
Configure
 Okumura/Hata model
Perform data filtering.
parameters.
 COST231–Hata model
Y Correct parameter configurations
using the SPM model.
 Walfish-Ikegami model
 Keenan–Motley model
N Is data filtering Reconfigure
needed? Analyze the result.
parameters.  U-Net radio propagation model SPM

N Is the result
rational?

YE
S
Are all
N
The test data parameters
is abnormal. corrected?
Perform the
test again. Y

End

Process of parameter correction using the

radio propagation model

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Radio Network Nominal Planning – SPM Model
Introduction
U-Net radio propagation model SPM
Ploss = K1 + K2logd + K3log(Heff) + K4Diffraction + K5log(d)log(Heff) + K6(Hmeff) + Kclutterf(clutter)

Ploss: path loss (dB) K

Reference Value
Parameter
K1: offset constant
K1 –52.92
K2: distance-based attenuation constant
K2 68.6
K3: base station antenna height calibration coefficient
K3 5.83
K4: diffraction calculation multiplier (positive number only)
K4 1
K5: multiplier of log(HTxeff)log(d)
K5 –6.55
K6: mobile station antenna height calibration coefficient
K6 0
Kclutter: clutter attenuation calibration coefficient
D: distance between the base station and the mobile station (m)
Hmeffs and Heff: Effective heights of the mobile station antenna and base station
antenna (m)

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 12
 Radio Network Nominal Planning – Network
Dimensioning • Risks:
Analyze
Network dimensioning may be
Analyze customer
customer
inaccurate and fail to meet KPI
requirements.
requirements. requirements.
Coverage Quality Spectrum Radio propagation
……
requirements requirements information model

Determine parameters to be input. • Preventive measures:

Create
Service Planned Cooperate with marketing and other
Create link
link budget.
budget. model subscriber number
relevant departments, collect market
Maximum allowed path loss intelligence (MI), compare the number
Obtain
Obtain the
the cell
cell radius.
radius.
Estimate
Estimate the
the of Huawei-planned sites and that
capacity.
capacity. planned by other vendors, and analyze
Maximum cell radius
causes of the difference.
Calculate
Calculate the
the coverage
coverage area
area of
of aa Estimate
Estimate the
the single-
single- Estimate
Estimate network
network Before performing network
single base station. cell
single base station. cell capacity.
capacity. capacity.
capacity. dimensioning, collect information, such
Maximum coverage area of a
single base station
as whether there are restrictions on the
Estimate
Estimate the number of sites
the number of sites Estimate
building height or base station transmit
based Estimate the
the number
number of
of sites
sites based
based on
on
based onon coverage
coverage capacity power in the target region.
requirements. capacity requirements.
requirements.
requirements.
Maximum number of sites
If the customer requires Huawei make
commitments to KPIs, reserve certain
Estimate
Estimate site
site scale.
scale.
margin when estimating the number of
sites.

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 13
Radio Network Nominal Planning – Link Budget
1. Evaluate system coverage capability considering various factors affecting transmission of forward
and reverse signals. Calculate the maximum allowed path loss with communications quality
guaranteed.
2. Use the radio propagation model formula to calculate the maximum coverage distance of a cell
(cell radius).
3. Estimate the number of required sites based on the predetermined coverage area.

Coverage Dimensioning start

Link Budget

PL

Propagation model Cell Radius

R 9
Area  3R 2
8
NodeB Coverage Area

3
R Area  3R 2
NodeB number 2
NodeB Number
=Total coverage area/NodeB coverage area

Coverage Dimensioning End

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 14
Radio Network Nominal Planning– Uplink Budget
 Parameters used for UMTS uplink budget are shown in
Slow fading margin
the figure on the right.
 GSM and LTE uplink budget does not involve SHO Gain.
Fast fading margin
 GSM RF modules are not installed on a tower. If a tower- NodeB antenna gain
Interference margin
mounted amplifier (TMA) is installed, consider the TMA SHO gain
gain. Body loss
UE antenna gain
Antenna gain Cable loss

UE transmit power

Penetration loss
Pa
th
los
s
UPLINK BUDGET
Antenna gain
Maximum allowed
SHO gain path loss
Cable loss
Margin
NodeB
Loss
sensitivity Penetration
loss
NodeB reception sensitivity

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 15
Radio Network Nominal Planning – Downlink
Budget
 Parameters used for UMTS downlink budget are
shown in the figure on the right. SHO gain Slow fading margin
 GSM and LTE downlink budget does not involve SHO
UE antenna gain Fast fading margin
Gain. Interference margin

Antenna gain NodeB antenna gain Body loss

Cable loss
NodeB transmit power
Pa
th Penetration loss
los
s

DOWNLINK BUDGET Maximum allowed

path loss
Antenna gain
Cable loss SHO gain
NodeB Margin
sensitivity Penetration Loss
loss
UE reception sensitivity

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 16
Radio Network Nominal Planning – Link Budget
Example
R99 Link Budget in Uplink HSUPA Link Budget HSDPA Link Budget

Coverage-based site number estimation

Suppose the target coverage area is 80 km 2
The maximum path loss is 151 dB when cell load is 50% (3 dB).
Considering the penetration loss and shadow fading margin (20 dB), the path loss decreases to 131
dB.
The path loss model is: L = 137 + 35logR dB
Then, R = 0.674 km
The coverage area of a base station with three sectors is:
S = 1.95 R 2 = 0.88 km 2
The number of required sites is:
N = 80/0.88 = 90
That is, 90 base stations (270 sectors) are required.

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 17
Radio Network Nominal Planning – Network
Dimensioning on LTE Networks
 Calculate the number of users supported by a single cell/site in busy hours based on cell configurations and a traffic model
with given single-user average throughput in busy hours. Calculate the number of required sites based on the total number
of users to be served (the capacity to be provided).
1. If the number sites estimated based on coverage meets the capacity requirement, the calculation is complete.
2. If the number of sites estimated based on coverage does not meet the capacity requirement, adjust the number.

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 18
Radio Network Nominal Planning – Example of
LTE Network Dimensioning

Traffic Volume based Dimensioning

Assumptions:
Step 1 Cell Capacity a 10 MHz x 1.5 bit/s/Hz/cell • S111
• 10 MHz
Step 2 Monthly traffic volume per user b 10 GB package per user • 10 GB package

Step 3 Daily traffic c = b/30 days

Step 4 BH throughput (Mbit/s) d = c x 8 x 10%/3600s x 0.8 x 1000

(BH carries 10% of daily traffic assumed, DL:UL = 4:1)

Step 5 Subscribers supported in a cell e = a/d

Step 6 Subscribers supported in a site f = e x 3 = 760 subscribers

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 19
Radio Network Nominal Planning – UMTS
Network Dimensioning
GSM UMTS
Dimensioning Start
Hard
Soft blocking
Assumed Subscribers
blocking
Load per Connection Hardware Interference
dependent dependent
CS Peak Cell Load
CS Average Cell Load PS Average Cell Load HSPA Cell Load MBMS Cell Load Single
(MDE) Multi-service
service
(CS+PS)
(CS)
Total Cell Load
Respective
Single quality
= Target Cell Load?
No GOS requirement per
service
Yes

Dimensioning End Multi-

Dimension
dimensional
ErlangB
ErlangB
Load cell total_UL max{Load CS  peak , Load CS  avg  Load PS  avg  Load HSUPA  Load AHSDPA_UL }

Load cell total_DL max{Load CS  peak , Load CS  avg  Load PS  avg  Load HSDPA  Load AHSUPA_DL }  Load MBMS  Load CCH

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 20
Radio Network Nominal Planning – Map-
assistant Initial Site Selection
Select sites on the map based on available site resources of the
operator, coverage requirements, analysis results on the live network,
and network dimensioning results.

Required information: Note:

• Network dimensioning • The search ring takes the
theoretical site address as the
results
circle center and (R+R/8) as
• Available site resources
external diameter (R indicates
• Digital map the coverage radius of the
• Local administrative map theoretical site). In addition, site
(paper copy) height needs be considered.
• Google Earth software • Mark the site to be surveyed on
the paper map.

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 21
Radio Network Nominal Planning – System
Simulation
 Create a project and set the coordinate system.
 Import the digital map. The U-Net supports one-click digital map import (the map includes the following
information: heights, vector, clutter, and building).
 Set equipment parameters (site, antenna, transmitter, and cell).

Category Parameter
Site Longitude, latitude, altitude, and the number
parameter of available uplink/downlink CEs

Antenna Antenna attribute: gain, electrical downtilt,

parameter horizontal and vertical lobe, and operating
frequency range

Cell name, antenna type, antenna

engineering parameters, such as height,
azimuth, downtilt, transmission loss,
Transmitter
reception loss, calculated cell radius, primary
parameter
and secondary radio propagation models,
TMA, feeder type, feeder length, BTS
equipment, and calculation accuracy
 The projected coordinate system must be consistent with the ellipsoid model
described in the projection file in the heights file folder of the digital map. Cell Number of TRXs in a cell, cell power,
 The coordinate display mode must be consistent with the projection mode of parameter (including the pilot power, SCH power, and
the base station in longitude and latitude directions. CCH power) and the scrambling code No.

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 22
Radio Network Nominal Planning – Coverage
Prediction
 The U-Net can be used to perform common coverage
prediction. On the Project Explorer tab page, choose
Predictions and select Properties from the drop-down list
menu to set the signal level range of uplink and downlink
signals. Signal levels exceeding the range are not involved in
prediction.
 Signal strength: RxLev, CPICH RSCP, Best server cell,
RSRP, and RSSI
 Signal quality: C/I, EcIo, RSRQ, and SINR
 Modulation and coding scheme: MCS
 Rate: Throughput

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 23
Radio Network Nominal Planning – Traffic Map

 The U-Net can be used to create a traffic map based on

environment, clutter weight, coverage prediction, and
measurement reports, facilitating traffic map-based simulation.

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 24
Radio Network Nominal Planning – Capacity
Simulation
After user allocation is complete, move the
 The U-Net can be used to mouse to a circle to view the information about
the user, including location, service type, terminal
perform semi-static Monte type, user behavior, mobility type, activation
Carlo simulation. status, connection status, best serving cell, and
handover status indicator.

Simulation group name

Number of simulations
Mode of saving simulation results:
1. Only average statistics exported
2. Test terminal information not exported
3. Standard test terminal information
exported
4. Detailed test terminal information
exported

Select constraints the U-Net must comply

with during power control simulation.
Maximum cell power
Maximum number of channel elements
Maximum uplink cell load (default value:
75%)
Walsh code validity

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 25
 Contents
1. General Radio Network Planning Procedure

2. Radio Network Nominal Planning

3. Detailed Radio Network Planning

4. Tools for Radio Network Planning

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 26
Detailed Radio Network Planning

Contents of detailed radio network planning

Cell parameter Office data

Site RF survey
planning preparation

• Site selection • Neighboring cell planning • BSC/RNC and base

• Antenna selection • Frequency/Scrambling station/cell MML scripts
• Antenna height planning code/PCI planning
• Azimuth planning • LAC/TAC planning
• Downtilt planning • PRACH planning
• Power planning

The U-Net planning tool

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 27
Detailed Radio Network Planning – Site Survey
Collect site information and
Radio network environment information required for
Radio network
Estimation report
Estimation report network planning to determine
whether the site address meets site
Obtain construction requirements.
Obtain
information Obtain the site
information
about the ideal selection radius.
about
site.the ideal
site. Yes

Is there a non- No Is the site a

Huawei site at the Is the
newly site a
deployed Obtain alternate
site address? newly deployed
site? sites.
site? No

Yes
No
Is the Electromagnetic
Can the site No Electromagnetic
background test
Perform site requirement
support new background test
survey. met?
hardware?

Yes Yes
Export a site survey
Export a site survey
report.
report. End
End

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 28
Detailed Radio Network Planning – Site Selection

Select sites based on available site resources of the Try to locate the site in the center of a cellular
structure (as indicated by green part in the following
operator, coverage requirements, analysis results on
figure), ensuring a regular network topology. The
the live network, and network dimensioning results. alternative sites must be located within the search ring
whose external radius is (R+R/4).

Population distribution
High-traffic areas and densely-
Traffic distribution populated areas
Subscriber mobility

Sites
Surroundings of the addresses on high mountains, in
base station forests, and near radars,
Signal transmission broadcasting stations, and power
quality plants are not recommended.

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 29
Detailed Radio Network Planning – Antenna
Selection
Select antennas based on coverage and service quality requirements, traffic
distribution, terrain, and landforms in the area served by the base station, the
coverage of the entire network, and interference situations.

The following table describes antenna selection in typical scenarios.

Horizontal Preset
Gain Polarization Mode
Half-Power Angle Electrical Downtilt

0 to 10 degrees (a value within

Urban About 15 dBi
60 to 65 degrees Dual polarization the range of 2 to 6 degrees is
district Medium gain
recommended), adjustable

Suburban 15 dBi to 18 dBi Dual polarization or Depending on the actual

65 or 90 degrees
district Medium and high gain vertical polarization condition

90 or 120 degrees, Directional antenna: 16 dBi

The electrical downtilt is not
Rural or using to 18 dBi (Recommended)
preset. Null filling antennas are
areas omnidirectional Omnidirectional antenna: 11 Vertical polarization
recommended for high sites.
antennas dBi in normal conditions

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Detailed Radio Network Planning – Antenna
Height Design
 Antennas configured for different cells of the same base station can have different heights.
 In normal cases, the effective height of antenna in flat urban districts is about 25 m.
 The antenna height can be greater (about 40 m) for base stations in suburban districts.
 If the antenna height is excessively great, the coverage level near the antenna is low (causing a
coverage hole). This problem is especially serious for omnidirectional antennas.
 If the antenna height is excessively large, serious overshoot coverage and interference will be
caused, affecting network quality.

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 31
Detailed Radio Network Planning – Antenna
Azimuth Design
• Design the antenna azimuth from the perspective of the entire
network, ensuring that coverage requirements are met, and the
azimuths of three sectors of a base station in urban districts
are consistent. Perform fine-tuning if required.
• Adjust the antenna azimuth based on key coverage
requirements at rural-urban fringe, main lines of transportation,
and isolated base stations in suburban districts.
• The main lobe of the antenna must point to an area with high
traffic density to enhance the signal strength in such area and
improve voice quality.
• In urban districts, the overlapping coverage of two adjacent
sectors cannot exceed 10%.
• In suburban districts, villages, and towns, the overlapping
GSM coverage of two neighboring cells cannot be too large.
Generally, the included angle of antennas of adjacent sectors
LTE of a base station must be equal to or greater than 90 degrees.
UMTS • To avoid overshoot coverage, prevent the main lobe of the
antenna from pointing to a straight street in densely-populated
urban districts.

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 32
Detailed Radio Network Planning – Antenna
Downtilt Design
Design the antenna downtilt considering the base station transmit power, antenna
height, cell coverage range, and radio transmission environment.

Maximum coverage
distance in the direction
Maximum coverage with the greatest gain
distance in the minus 3 dB.
direction with the
greatest gain

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 33
Detailed Radio Network Planning –
Electromagnetic Background Test (Optional)
Ensure that electromagnetic environment of all selected site meet requirements, and no
external interference exits. An electromagnetic-interfering device (such as a spectrum
analyzer) is used to test on the field. Generally, the test is performed by network
planning survey personnel during the survey process.
Parameter
Parameter Value Remarks
Name

For example, uplink Fo is set to 1950 MHz Center frequency of the tested
Fo
and downlink Fo to 2140 MHz. spectrum

SPAN For example, SPAN is set to 100 MHz. The spectral width can be tested

MaxHold Select MaxHold for occasional interference

Maximum value/Average value
/Average and Average for consecutive interference.

RefLvl cannot be set to AutoLevel and must

be configured based on the test signal
RefLvl strength. Ensure that received signals are Reference level
displayed in the middle of the frequency
spectrograph screen.

Vertical Scale 10 dB/div (default value) Scale value on axis Y

Common parameters of a spectrum analyzer

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 34
Detailed Radio Network Planning – Neighboring
Cell Planning
A mobile network service area is composed of cells providing continuous coverage. To ensure that conversation is
not interrupted when users move from a cell to adjacent cells, the MS/UE must be handed over from the serving cell
to the adjacent cell. To achieve this, the adjacent cell must be added as a neighboring cell of the serving cell. The
neighboring cell mechanism prevents call drops and improves user experience.

Condition for neighboring cell

planning:
It is recommended that two cells meeting Serving cell Adjacent cell
both of the following conditions be
planned as neighboring cells:
These cells have overlapping
coverage.
MSs/UEs may be handed over from
one cell to the other.
Neighboring cell planning tool:
 U-Net

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 35
Detailed Radio Network Planning – Frequency
Planning
Common frequency reuse
GSM frequency planning aims to improve the spectrum utilization rate.
technologies:
By reusing a frequency in different cells, the network capacity is
1. Conventional frequency reuse
increased.
2. MRP
3.1*3
 Do not assign the same frequency or neighboring frequencies to cells in the same
base station. 4.1*1
 For the same cell, it is recommended that the BCCH and TCH frequency have an 5. Concentric cell
interval of greater than 400 kHz.
 In non-frequency hopping (FH) scenarios, it is recommended that the inter-TCH
C1 C2
frequency interval be greater than 400 kHz in a cell. A1
A2 C3
 Prevent adjacent base stations from using the same frequency. (Even when the C1 D1 D2
main lobe directions of antennas of the base stations are different, side and back C2 A3
A1 A2 B1
lobes can cause serious interference.) C3 B2 D3
D1
A3 D2
 Do not assign the same frequency or adjacent frequencies to opposite cells or B1 B3
B2 C1 C2
diagonal cells of base stations with a small distance considering the complexity in D3
A1 A2 C3
antenna height and propagation environment. B3 C1 C2 D1 D2
 Generally, ensure that the number of frequencies participating in FH must be more A3
A1 A2 B1
than double of the number of TRXs participating in FH in 1x3 frequency use. C3 D1 B2 D3
A3 D2
 In adjacent areas, cells whose BCCHs use the same frequency cannot use the B1 B3
B2
same base transceiver station identity code (BSIC). D3
B3

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 36
Detailed Radio Network Planning – Scrambling
Code Planning
Purpose of scrambling code planning: Ensure that downlink signals of intra-frequency cells with the same
scrambling code do not interfere with each other. Such interference affects the UE in correctly synchronizing with the
serving cell and decoding pilot channels of the serving cell.

 Scrambling code planning principles: Scrambling code planning example

 The basic principle for scrambling code planning is to allocate
an appropriate scrambling code to each cell to improve the
scrambling code resource usage on the entire network and
meet capacity expansion and maintenance requirements
during network development.
 In practical scrambling code planning, the following rules are
recommended:
1. For intra-frequency cells under the same site, sequentially
allocate scrambling codes in the same scrambling code group.
2. Different scrambling code groups are allocated to adjacent sites
(adjacent cells exist in the sites).
3. For the cells in the same sector in a multi-frequency network,
preferentially use the same scrambling code.

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 37
Detailed Radio Network Planning – PCI Planning
 The physical cell identifier (PCI) in LTE networks is used to differentiate radio signals of different cells within a certain coverage
area, thereby preventing the same PCI in relevant cells in the area. The LTE cell search procedure uses the mechanism of grouping
cells by cell ID. Determine the cell group ID using SSCH and then the cell ID using PSCH.
 The function of the PCI in LTE networks is similar to that of the scrambling code in the WCDMA networks. The planning purpose is
also similar, that is, to ensure the reuse distance.
 The difference is that the scrambling code value range is 0 to 511 and the PCI value range is 0 to 503. Protocols do not specify
requirements for scrambling code planning, and the only requirement is to ensure the reuse distance. According to the current
protocol requirement, when PCIs for three cells under an eNodeB are divided by 3, the remainders must be 0, 1, and 2, respectively.
 You can use the U-Net for PCI planning.

Consider the following in practical PCI planning:

 PCI reservation for indoor coverage

 PCI reservation for boundaries if multiple cities are involved

 Large reuse distance for the high base stations may be subject to overshoot coverage

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 38
Detailed Radio Network Planning – LAC/TAC
Planning
The location area (LA) and the tracking area (TA) have similar functions (both are used for paging purposes).
Location area code (LAC)/Tracking area code (TAC) planning aims to reduce unnecessary location update signaling
caused by location change under the premise that paging capacity is guaranteed.
Planning tool: U-Net

a) The LA/TA cannot be too large or too small. The paging load and the
signaling overhead must be balanced.
b) Assign the same LAC/TAC to a geographically continuous area, reducing
and avoiding mixed networking for base stations within a TA.
c) Plan the TA boundary at mountains or rivers and reduce the overlapping
coverage of cells under two LACs/TACs to maximally reduce location
update costs at TA boundaries.
d) A paging area must be served by one MSC/MME.
e) During LTE network deployment in a GSM/UMTS network, it is
recommended that the range and boundary of the LTE TA be consistent
with those of the LA in the GSM/UMTS network.
LAC planning

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 39
Detailed Radio Network Planning – PRACH
Planning
Purpose:
PRACH planning is to plan the ZC root sequence. Each cell has 64 preamble sequences, and the
preamble sequences used by UEs are randomly selected or allocated by the eNodeB. PRACH
planning aims to allocate ZC root sequence indexes for cells, ensuring that preamble sequences
generated using the ZC root sequence index are different for adjacent cells, thereby preventing
mutual interference.

Note:
PRACH planning in high-speed and low-speed scenarios are similar. The
only difference is that the algorithm for determining the available root
sequence index is more complex in high-speed scenarios. For details, see
related PRACH planning guide.
Planning tool: U-Net

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 40
Detailed Radio Network Planning – Power
Planning
Power planning on GSM networks mainly refers to the planning of TRX transmit power. Different
TRXs in each cell must be configured with the same power. The power is generally planned based
on the coverage distance and cell configuration.

Power planning on UMTS networks mainly refers to the planning of pilot CPICH power. Power of
other service channels can be calculated based on the pilot signal. (Generally, the CPICH power
accounts for 10% of the total power.)

Power planning on LTE networks mainly refers to the Parameter GSM UMTS LTE
planning of the power of pilot reference signals (RSs).
Power of service channels can be calculated based on the
RS power. Currently, recommended configurations are: PB BCCH/Pilot Power ● ● ●
= 1 dB and PA = –3 dB. Under such configuration, network
performance is optimal, and the pilot power on Type A and
The U-Net supports power planning in
Type B symbols is near that of service channels.
all RATs.

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 41
 Contents
1. General Radio Network Planning Procedure

2. Radio Network Pre-planning

3. Detailed Radio Network Planning

4. Tools for Radio Network Planning

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 42
 Radio Network Dimensioning Tool – RND
Example of the dimensioning result
 RND is short for Radio Network Dimensioning.
 The RND is independently developed by Huawei and used to
assist radio network planning.
 The RND tool can complete link budget, coverage prediction,
and capacity estimation at the initial stage of network planning
and calculates the maximum number of base stations required
and the maximum number of users supported.

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 43
Radio Network Planning Tool – GENEX U-Net
GENEX U-Net, a Huawei professional product in radio network planning, integrates Huawei professional experience
in radio network planning in many years, provides efficient and accurate radio network planning capability, and
applies to network pre-planning and detailed planning phases. This tool effectively improves the network planning
efficiency and lowers planning difficulties.

 Supporting GSM, UMTS, CDMA, and LTE FDD/TDD

 Complete GIS system, supporting accurate and
visualized planning simulation
 Accurate NE type, radio propagation model, antenna
type, and traffic modeling
 Fully using live-network data to perform planning
simulation
 ACP and ASP planning in various scenarios
 Accurate coverage prediction and and capacity
simulation
 Supporting planning of network resources, such as the
neighboring cell, frequency, scrambling code, and PCI

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 44
 Radio Network Planning Tool – Rich Live-Network
Data

Measurement
Location,
… MR Count, and signal level
Report
• Viewing weak coverage
areas.
• Identifying heavily
Drive Test Location and signal level
loaded cells.
… • Correcting the radio
Data propagation model.
• Generating a path loss Weak signal ratio > 30%
matrix. Weak signal ratio 10-30%
Weak signal ratio <10%
Traffic MR quantity >800
Cell-level
… traffic volume MR quantity 400-800
Statistics MR quantity <400

The GENEX U-Net supports importing and presenting live-network data, such as the MR, DT data, and traffic
statistics and can perform simulation based on such data, greatly improving the planning efficiency and accuracy.

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 45
Radio Network Planning Tool – Accurate Traffic
Map
Grid-level traffic

Traffic  Considering the clutter weight

volume

distribution  Based on live-network MR data

map  Considering live-network traffic statistics

 Considering the environment (such as urban

Random user

User districts or suburban districts)

locations

 Considering road information

distribution
 Considering cell coverage
map  Fixing user locations
 Considering live-network MRs

The GENEX U-Net provides two types of traffic maps for different planning and simulation.
You can use the traffic distribution map to perform accurate planning, such as ACP and ASP, ensuring that RF
parameter adjustment or site addition is consistent with the actual network condition.
Alternatively, you can use the user distribution map to simulate the live network user status and perform network
capacity simulation.

Copyright © 2015 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Page 46
Thank you
www.huawei.com