GUIDELINES FOR A LTE NETWORK DESIGN AND OPTIMISATION WITH ICS - designer
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GUIDELINES FOR A LTE
NETWORK DESIGN AND
OPTIMISATION WITH ICS
designer
ADVANCED
TOPOGRAPHIC
DEVELOPMENT
& IMAGES
SOFTWARE DESIGNERS: P & D MISSUDLTE FEATURES – ICS DESIGNER V2
VERSIONS HISTORY
GUIDELINES FOR A
LTE NETWORK
Version Date Writer DESIGN AND Remarks
OPTIMISATION WITH
ICS designer version
The present version of the
guideline covers the features
available in the release v.12.4.5.
1.3 21/01/2014 NEDHIF Sami 12.4.5 This document will be upadted at
regulars intervals to ensure that it
considers the latest uptates of ICS
Designer.
Limited Warranty
This manual is subject to the limited warranty conditions as specified by the general operating
license of the whole package. ATDI reserves the right to modify this manual without prior warning.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Versions History....................................................................................................................................... 2
Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................... 3
1. SCOPE ........................................................................................................................................... 5
2. LTE GENERAL WORKFLOW .................................................................................................... 6
3. LTE FEATURES ........................................................................................................................... 7
3.1. RSRP ...................................................................................................................................... 7
3.2. RSRQ...................................................................................................................................... 9
3.3. SNIR calculations .................................................................................................................. 9
3.4. DL Peak throughput plots ................................................................................................... 10
3.5. UL peak throughput plots ................................................................................................... 15
3.6. Traffic analysis and LTE schedulers ................................................................................. 17
3.7. PCI planning......................................................................................................................... 18
3.8. RSI and PRACH planning .................................................................................................. 19
3.9. LTE Handover and neighbour list analysis (intra-inter system) ..................................... 20
3.10. LTE Monte Carlos simulators......................................................................................... 25
3.11. Automatic search of site ................................................................................................. 32
3.12. Automatic frequency planning ....................................................................................... 32
3.13. Automatic site optimization............................................................................................. 33
3.14. Refarming frequency band and inter system coexistence ......................................... 33
3.15. LTE Field strength exposure (2D&3D).......................................................................... 36
3.16. LTE Propagation models ................................................................................................ 38
4. OPTIMIZATION ALGORITHMS BASED ON LIVE MEASUREMENTS ............................. 40
4.1. Introduction........................................................................................................................... 40
4.2. Optimization dedicated to the automated configuration of Physical Cell ID................. 41
4.3. Optimization dedicated to the RAT ANR configuration – LTE SON features .............. 45
4.4. Optimization based on the KPIs measurement ............................................................... 46
4.5. Optimization of the PDCCH resources ............................................................................. 52
4.6. Optimization of the RSRQ and SNIR levels ..................................................................... 53
4.7. Optimization dedicated to the resource optimization of relays ...................................... 60
5. PRACTICAL CASE (SCOPE and INPUT DATA) .................................................................. 62
5.1. Scope of the study............................................................................................................... 62
5.2. Cartographic layer ............................................................................................................... 63
5.3. Site and simulation parameters ......................................................................................... 64
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3.3.1 Physical configurations of the LTE sites ....................................................................... 64
3.3.2 SNIR requirements.......................................................................................................... 65
3.3.3 RSCP sensitivity .............................................................................................................. 66
3.3.4 PDSCH (traffic channel) sensitivity ............................................................................... 67
3.3.5 Path budget and power allocation ................................................................................. 67
3.3.6 Propagation models selection ........................................................................................ 68
6. PRACTICAL CASE (RESULTS) .............................................................................................. 70
6.1. PHASE 1: NETWORK DESIGN ........................................................................................ 70
4.1.1 Methodology..................................................................................................................... 70
4.1.2 Automatic search site result ........................................................................................... 70
4.1.3 RSRP and RSRQ results ............................................................................................... 72
4.1.4 DL and UL Peak Throughput results............................................................................. 74
4.1.5 SNIR coverage results .................................................................................................... 75
6.2. PHASE 2: NEIGHBOUR AND PCI PLANNING .............................................................. 76
5.2.1 Methodology..................................................................................................................... 76
5.2.2 Results .............................................................................................................................. 76
7. REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................ 80
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1. SCOPE
This document is intended to provide:
- A general understanding of LTE (Long Term Evolution) radio aspects;
- An overview of the main LTE features supported by ICS Designer ;
- A pratical case describing a LTE network design study considering the technical
recommendations that can be used to develop radio network planning processes. However, the
detailed specifications used on the practical case are outside the scope of this document.
These processes, LTE parameters and input data are typically customized to suit the specific
requirements of an operator.
The document is organized into the following sections:
• Section 1 presents an general overview of the LTE functionalities implemented in ICS Designer
and and the steps to follows during a LTE network design.The figure points out the process and
options that can be used during a LTE planning with the tool.
• Section 2 describes the general LTE aspects and requirements needed during a phase of
deployement and optimisation. This section also focuses on the planning tool options considering
the fundamental aspects of a LTE deployment such as, coverage and traffic analysis, throughput
performance, spectrum re-farming ,mobility (intra-system and inter-RAT) and neighbour planning.
• Sections 3 et 4 focuses on a practical case describing a LTE network design in a urban area
located in Paris. This part illustrates a concret FDD LTE network scenario based on typical LTE
e-nodeB configurations, link budget and target throughput,...The goal of this practical case is to
present the methodolgy and capabilities of ICS Designer to assure a complet LTE network design
(from scratch). This study will describe in details how to find and determinate the minimum
number of LTE (macro cells, indoor solutions and microcells) sites via the ACP functions, how to
calculate the LTE throughputs based on SNIR vs.Throughput table, how to improve the expected
throughput and perform an automatic PCI planning… This practcal case doesn’t illustrate all the
features and approachs which can be used in ICS Designer but it provides a good illustration of
the flexibility and capability of the tool.
NOTES:
• All the features and modules described in this document are available on the standard version of
ICS Designer (No additional costs for extra modules).
• There is no limitation or restrictions of the bandwidth or frequency bands and multi technologies
can be supported in the same project (High flexibility of the tool).
• Free cartographic maps over the world, including DTM, Clutter layers and map/aerial images
(until 20m resolution) are provided with the tool.
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2. LTE GENERAL WORKFLOW
Open an existing project
- ACP (Automatic Cell
or create a new one VECTORS (.VEC)
Planning)
NETWORK ELEMENTS (.EWF)
-Import of LTE cells
-LTE cell configuration COVERAGE (.FLD)
(import by batch ) Set technical parameters MAP IMAGE (.IMG + .PAL)
-Selection site based on of the e-nodeB CLUTTER (.SOL)
existing UMTS or GSM BUILDINGS (.BLG)
DIGITAL ELEVATION MODEL (.GEO) or INDOOR PLAN (.IDR)
- Propagation models Define or load the LTE
selection simulation parameter file
-Characteristics of the UE (.PRM)
-Distance of calculation
(Km) Basic predictions:
-Min RSRP sensitivity -RSRP level
(dBm) -RSRQ (dB)
-RSSI
- ICIC Enhancement -SNIR (control channels)
- % PDSCH and % - SNIR (PUSCH)
Overhead parameters can
be adjusted according to
2D or 3D coverage
the traffic scenario
analysis
Automatic frequency
- RSRP plot assignment
- Best server RSRP,
- second server RSRP,
Automatic or manual
- Third server RSRP,
neighbour cell allocation
- RSRP probability,
- Max number of RSRP
channel Automatic or manual
- RSRP overlapping area Physical Cell Ids and RSI
e-node B setu parameter in ICS designer:
allocation
Various histogramme - LTE mode (FDD or TDD)
analysis : - Bandwidth configuration (1.4; 3; 5;10; 15 or
- Over the whole projet 20MHz) -
- Inside a cluster area Site location, Antenna height , Cell ID , azimuts
defined by a drawn , mecanical tilts
polygon - Antenna mode (nb of Tx/Rx arrays):
- Arround a predefined - Standard antenna
vector path) -SIMO, Tx Div
-MIMO spatial multiplexing
Field strenght exposure -Multi user MIMO spatial multiplexing
analysis (in 2D or 3D -AAS (Antenna Adaptive Switch)
modes).
-Max transmitted power, %RS power, %
PDSCH power, and % control channels power
Potential interference
-RBs traffic capacity
analysis between the LTE
- RSRP min level
stations and existing
- PUSCH received power min (dBm)
DVB-T network (Low
- Min sensitivity (dBm) – Noise Floor value
channel band)
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3. LTE FEATURES
3.1. RSRP
RSRP is used to measure the coverage of the LTE cell on the DL. The UE will send RRC
measurements reports that include RSRP values in a binned format. The reporting range of RSRP is
defined from −140 to −40dBm with 1 dB resolution. The main purpose of RSRP is to determine the
best cell on the DL radio interface and select this cell as the serving cell for either initial random
access or intra-LTE handover. It is also important to check the non-
Figure 1: RSRP threshold and cell selection
ICS Designer allows to calculate easily RSRP coverage (pilot coverage) according to the technical
parameters set on e-nodeB. This step is fundamental to determinate the service area of the cells.
Advanced features are available to analyze and optimize (dominance, pollution, overshooting effects)
the RSRP coverage:
o
v
c
Coverage/Network analysis/ This function computes the composite coverage of the RSRP (Reference
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RSRP coverage Signal Received Power) in dBm based on the "% Ref Signal" defined in the
analysis/Composite parameters of the e-nodeB station.
coverage
Coverage/Network analysis/ This function computes a best server map of the Reference Signal (RS).
RSRP coverage analysis
/Best Server coverage (16 b)
Coverage/Network analysis/ This function computes the overlapping areas of the RS transmitted by the
RSRP coverage analysis whole LTE network in the project.
/Overlapping
This function computes the percentage of the RS simultaneously received
Coverage/Network analysis/
transmitted from the whole LTE network in the project. For example, if for
RSRP coverage
verage analysis
a given pixel the result is equal to 30% it means that the receiver will be
/Simultaneous
ablee to receive a RS signal from 30% of the stations available in the project
This is a map of simultaneous servers - Gives for each pixel the number of
RS ANALYSIS
servers with a RSRP less than the RSRP of the best server reduced by
Coverage/Network analysis/ delta (defined by the user) :
RSRP coverage analysis abs(FS_serving_sector-FS_other_sector)>=Delta
/Simultaneous except best
server
Calculates the probability of coverage based on RSRP P threshold precision
corresponds to a pixel distance around the point being processed to
Coverage/Network analysis/ calculate the average of all these points, not the value exact on the current
RSRP coverage analysis point.
/Coverage probability
Coverage/Network Displays the first best RSRP server, the second…
analysis/ RSRP coverage
analysis /Servers
RSRP (Reference Symbol Received Power): It is determined for a considered cell as the linear
average over the power contributions (in [W]) of the resource elements that carry cell-specific
cell
reference signals within the considered
cons measurement frequency bandwidth.
Figure 2:: RSCP coverage prediction using
3GPP urban propagation model
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3.2. RSRQ
The functions dedicated to the RSRQ allows to perform a complete analysis of the RS signal and to
check the impact of the serving and surrounding cells.
Below the list of the functions dedicated to the RSRQ:
- First server RSRQ
- Second server RSRQ
- Third server RSRQ
- Simultaneous servers
RSRQ (Reference Symbol Received Quality): Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) is
defined as the ratio N×RSRP/(EUTRA carrier RSSI), where N is the number of RB’s of the EUTRA
carrier RSSI measurement bandwidth. The measurements in the numerator and denominator shall be
made over the same set of resource blocks.
3.3. SNIR calculations
The Required SINR is the main performance indicator for LTE and the accurate knowledge required
SINR is central to the authenticity of the throughput and thus the process of dimensioning. Required
SINR depends up on the following factors:
- Modulation and Coding Schemes (MCS)
- Propagation Channel Mode
- Higher the MCS used, higher the required SINR and vice versa. This means that using QPSK
½ will have a lower required SINR than 16-QAM ½.
The SNIR (Signal to Interference plus Noise ratio) is express as follows:
S: Useful signal (received power)
I own: Own cell interference (close to zero due to the orthogonally of subcarriers)
I oth: Other cell interference
N: Noise power
In LTE the SNIR PDSCH required replaces the Eb/N0 required of the UMTS Rel.99. The required
SINR can be estimated by two different methods:
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o By using the „Throughput vs. average SNIR tables. These tables are obtained as an
Output of link level simulations. For each type of propagation channel models and different
antenna configurations, different tables are needed (see table 1).
o By using the Alpha Shannon formula. Alpha-Shannon formula provides an approximation of
the link level results. Thus, in this case, no actual simulations are needed, but factors used
in Alpha-Shannon formula are needed for different scenarios
The “4G SNIR maps” function allows to perform SNIR plot coverage for the PDSCH (traffic) and
control channels. The SNIR calculation can also take into account:
- The use of multi carriers on the same site (when more than one carrier is used per site)
- RSRQ constraints to assure the reliability of the RS signal quality.
- All the potential interferers (RSSI) from the LTE inter sites but also from the other network
systems (Digital broadcast network, UMTS, GSM…)
- ICIC parameter activated to improve the SNIR performance (ICIC scheduler is used to reduce
risks of collision between PRB’s from inter sites).
Note that SNIR calculation are also used to analyses the radio link failure performance and the other
physical channels PDCCH/ PCIFCH, PCH, PBCH, (as described in 3GPP TS 36.101)
For example, PDCCH’s performance is important not only because it delivers the scheduling
information to the UEs but also because when a UE first tries to access the network, PDCCH failure
can result in delayed access or access failure. During handover, PDCCH failure will cause handover
failure since downlink messages (response from the eNodeB) cannot be successfully delivered to the
UE.
3.4. DL Peak throughput plots
Per definition Peak throughput represents a theoretical upper bound on what can be achieved on the
channel in terms of throughput or capacity. It is an ideal case since it assumes no frame erasures and
should not be thought of as a sustainable throughput (refer to Section 5.5 for a definition of maximum
sustainable throughput).
The peak throughput depend on:
− Bandwith configuration (1.4; 3; 5..20MHz)
− SNIR conditions (depends on the path loss attenuations, transmitted power...)
− MCS (Modulation Coding Sheme) achieved
− n°PRB allocated to PDSCH channels
The Peak throughput calculation requires a table of correspondence (between SNIR vs. Throughput)
dedicated to the LTE configuration (Channel models, antenna system, traffic load…). Usually this table
is provided by the vendor equipment. In ICS Designer, the table of “SNIR vs. Throughput” used for the
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peak throughput calculation can be selected from an internal table implemented in the tool (using
standards values as shown below) or from external tables (with the specific vendor’s
recommendations):
SNIR vs. Throughput table by default in ICS Designer:
In ICS Designer, the tables of SNIR vs. Throughput from the recommendations based on
vendor recommendations are implemented by default. Those tables can be used for the
following LTE configurations:
Bandwidth 5 MHz
N° PRB 25
Channel models EPA 5 Hz
DL Transmission mode SIMO 1x2, TX diversity 2x2, Open loop Spatial Multiplexing MIMO
2x2
UL Transmission mode SIMO
The Throughput (kbps) values in those table are defined as the date rate per resource block for
a given SINR.
The peak throughput result calculated on each pixel will be performed according to this table but
also the cell load (number of RB used for the traffic allocation) specified in the e-nodeB setup
tab of the station (as shown in the figure 2).
Figure 3: E-nodeB traffic parameters with load traffic: 50%
Figure 4: SNIR vs. Throughput table by default in ICS Designer
Import of external SNIR vs. Throughput table in ICS Designer:
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A external table can be requested in an excel sheet via the “Import format 2” options with
columns – SNIR (dB), Throughput in kbps per RB for SIMO antenna , Throughput in kbps
per RB for TxDiv antenna , Throughput in kbps per RB for MIMO antenna, Throughput in
kbps per RB for UL STD”.
The procedure of import of external throughput tables can be described with the following
typical case:
- Step 1: The user must to choose the % cell load used for the simulation (standard value: 50%)
- Step 2: The % cell load must be set in the traffic parameter of the e-nodeBs (%RS signal,
%PDSCH channels, %control channels…)
- Step 3: Select the column describing the SNIR vs. throughput value for the wanted % load
traffic (figure 4)
- Step 4: Then, the user must to create a .CSV file with the values specified in the vendor table
and with the format 2 specified in ICS Designer (see figure 3). Note that, the throughputs values
specified in the .CSV must be the throughput only per RB and not for all the RB allocated
Note that the peak throughput calculation in ICS Designer may takes into account multi criterions as
the RSRQ reliability and the transmission modes used by the e-nodeBs (fixed transmission mode or
AAS Adaptive mode switch antenna are supported):
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Figure 5: Peak throughput calculation with AAS mode
Those options allows to analyze, improve the throughput performance of the network and also
determinate the most appropriate transmission mode in the cell edge or cell center. Below, an
illustration of the throughput performances with different transmission mode configurations:
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Figure 6: Peak throughput plots with LTE network using single antenna
Figure 7: Peak throughput plots with LTE network using 2X2MIMO configuration (SU-SD)
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Better SNIR at the
cell edge
with TxDiv mode
Figure 8: Peak throughput plots with LTE network using AAS configuration
3.5. UL peak throughput plots
The UL Peak throughput calculation is performed via the function “4G Uplink SNIR” available in the
menu “Statistics -> coverage -> 4G Uplink SNIR”
The UL SNIR calculation is done as follows:
First the best DL RSRP is calculated for all the activated stations.
Then UL SNIR PUSCH can be calculated with 2 modes:
If « 1 sub / enodeB (random) » is checked, the function will select only one sub/station (stronger
sub interferer from the random selection).
If « 1 sub / enodeB (random) » is unchecked; power sum is applied (this power sum is based on
the subscribers selected during the random selection).
Note 1: Only the parented subscribers are taken into account by this function.
Note 2: The parented sub doesn’t interfere his wanted station.
Note 3: The Noise rise calculated with the mode “Subscriber distribution method (Monte-Carlo)” is the
average noise rise per station for the whole passes.
Note 4: If the subscribers are declared as “mobile”, their coordinates will be changed after each pass.
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Figure 9: UL SNIR map
Once SNIR plot coverage is displayed, the user needs just to import the “UL SNIR vs. Throughput”
table.
Figure 10: UL peak throughput plots
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3.6. Traffic analysis and LTE schedulers
The throughput an individual user may experience depends both on the MCS allocated (a function of
the user’s characteristics and channel conditions especially RSCP, RSRQ and SNIR) and on the
demands of other users sharing the channel resource. The sharing of the resources over the users is
arbitrated by the scheduler. ICS Designer can simulate the behavior of the traffic for giving population
of users according to various type of scheduler. ICS designer have introduce a traffic method of
calculation based on the LTE schedulers which allows to determinate what is the best algorithm to
apply according to a given traffic scenario.
The LTE schedulers are the following:
− Max SNIR:
The Priority is given to the current user has the greatest signal to noise ratio (SNR). MaxSNIR
method allocates the radio resource constantly to the user who has the best spectral efficiency
and therefore that will provide the best throughput on each EU. However, a negative effect of
this allocation is that users close to the e-nodeB always have a disproportionate priority on users
further away. When the network is congested, it is also common for mobile located on the cell
edge that they don’t access at all to the radio resource. With Max SNR it is impossible to
guarantee quality of service even minimal since it is exclusively or almost exclusively dependent
on the relative position of the mobile. In addition, the Max SNR has another disadvantage: it
does not take into account users' needs when assigning priorities.
− RR:
This method (called “Rodin Robin”) involves allocating the same amount of RB users. However,
the rate actually received will depend on the radio conditions (C / N + I, priority bearers).This
method does not take into account the needs of users in terms of desired flow or maximum
delay of packets. Users are then assigned a rate that is unrelated to their needs. Round Robin
does not take into account the position, capabilities and needs of each user. It allocates the
same amount of blindness resource units for all mobile without any possibility of
differentiating services and thus ensure any quality of service.
− PF:
This algorithm (called “Proportional Fair”) is considered as the most appropriate in terms of
simplicity and performance. It consists in allocating RB iteratively so that the overall throughput
provided to each user increases gradually in the same way. When a user has received that
application flow, no more RB is assigned and the execution of the algorithm occurs with other
users. The algorithm stops when all users are satisfied or all RB were distributed. UE get equal
flow rates. In the end, the users with low demand are always advantaged because their desired
flow is almost always provided; they are often fully satisfied In contrast with the other users who
require more resources (note that in the case where all users have the same needs, scheduler
"Robin Rodin" equivalent to the Max-Min Fair).
Figure 11: Parenting LTE module in ICS designer
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The user needs to define the profile of the UE (max transmitted power, antenna height, transmission
mode supported, traffic demand…) and generate the population of UE (per density per km² or over a
polygon or per site…) then the LTE parenting function will calculate UE by UE the effective traffic
received based on the selected algorithm. Note that during this parenting, DL and UL radio conditions
are checked (RSCP, RSRQ and PUSCH). The “ICIC enhancement” option can be checked to reduce
the risk of collision between RB transmitted by inter-cells as well the MIMO adaptive switch modes
(AAS).
- Dynamic LTE traffic analysis based on parenting method: RB allocation and throughput
calculation based on UE’s population (can be generated manually or imported via a .CSV file).
The final result is a gglobal LTE Traffic QoS report by subscriber, station or for the entire
network. Throughput and RB allocation distribution will depends on:
Profile and location of the UE
Channels setting of the cells and RB capacity dedicated to the traffic channel.
Transmission mode used: AAS (Antenna Adaptive Switch) mode or fixed mode
(Single antenna port SISO or SIMO, Tx Div/MISO, Spatial multiplexing MIMO, Multi
user MIMO).
Scheduler method (Max SNIR, RR, PF)
Pre-defined “SNIR vs. Throughput/RB” table
Connectivity between e-node B and UEs (Min RSCP, Min RSRQ received by the UE and in
PUSCH received by the e-nodeB) are checked then the e-nodeB is allocating the RBs
according to the scheduler method used for the simulation. Once the e-nodeB RBs are
allocated for the UE’s, the throughput offer is calculated according to a SNIR us Throughput
(per RB) table map for the dedicated transmission mode used by the UE.
If the AAS mode is selected, ICS designer will choose the best transmission mode for a
given UE giving the best SNIR performances. Typically TxDiv transmission mode when the
SNIR is poor (at the cell edge) or MIMO mode when the SNIR measured is high (typically
when the mobile is close to the station). Of course, the choice of the transmission mode
(when the AAS mode is selected) in ICS designer is also depending of the characteristics of
the UE (EPA05, EPA70)
- LTE prospective planning: Automatic search of site to connect the orphan UE (when the UE
is not connected to the e-nodeB) due to a weak level of coverage or traffic congestion.
3.7. PCI planning
The menu “Coverage/Network planning/Physical layer cell identities...” allows to plan the PCI
(Physical Layer Cell Identities) and the “PHY Group ID” (Physical Layer Cell Identity Group) in order to
avoid any risk of collision between the neighbor cells.
There are 504 unique physical-layer cell identities. The physical-layer cell identities are grouped into
168 unique physical-layer cell-identity groups, each group containing three unique identities. The
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grouping is such that each physical-layer cell identity is part of one and only one physical-layer cell-
identity group. A physical-layer cell identity NID cell = 3NID(1) +NID(2) is thus uniquely defined by a
number NID (1) in the range of 0 to 167, representing the physical layer cell identity group, and a
number NID(2) in the range of 0 to 2, representing the physical layer identity within the physical-layer
cell identity group (see 3GPP TS 36.211 recommendations).
Note that the LTE neighbour list must be previously generated before to launch the PCI planning (refer
to the section “2.9 LTE Handover and neighbour list analysis”)
3.8. RSI and PRACH planning
The first step in the random-access procedure is the transmission of a random-access preamble. The
main purpose of the preamble transmission is to indicate to the base station the presence of a random
access attempt and to allow the base station to estimate the delay between the eNodeB and the
terminal. The delay estimate will be used in the second step to adjust the uplink timing. The time–
frequency resource on which the random-access preamble is transmitted is known as the Physical
Random-Access Channel (PRACH). The e-nodeB broadcasts information to all terminals in which
time–frequency resource random-access preamble transmission is allowed. As part of the first step of
the random-access procedure, the terminal selects one preamble to transmit on the PRACH.
In each cell, there are 64 preamble sequences available. Two subsets of the 64 sequences are
defined as illustrated in Figure 14.9, where the set of sequences in each subset is signaled as part of
the system information. As long as no other terminal is performing a random-access attempt using the
same sequence at the same time instant, no collisions will occur and the attempt will, with a high
likelihood, be detected by the eNodeB.
ICS Designer the function “Coverage/Network/planning/Root Sequence Index Allocation” allows to
perform and optimize the RSI (Root sequence index) allocation of the LTE sites depending of the
neighbor relations between the cells.
Note that new advanced allocation methods has been implemented (PRACH ZC sequence parameter
for 3GPP, coverage range, extended radius…) in the last release.
Figure 12: RSI allocation window in ICS Designer
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The number of root sequence index can be generated by several
methods:
- By the user
- From max coverage range
- From extended radius
or
- From PRACH table (0-15)
- From extended radius (site tab of the station)
- From access radius (km
Object properties (F5): Add of Root Sequence Index (RSI)
3.9. LTE Handover and neighbour list analysis (intra-inter system)
The handover procedures for E-UTRAN systems are described in the 3GPP TS 36.331.
E-UTRAN supports two types of handover:
- Intra Radio Access Technology handovers divided into two categories:
HO intra system with intra-frequency neighbours
HO intra system with intra-frequency neighbours
When an LTE UE is powered on, it scans all E-UTRA Radio Frequency (RF) bands and starts to listen
to the broadcast channels for synchronization. This is done to find a suitable cell for initial camping
with the best radio conditions according to cell RSRP measurements. After cell selection, the UE
registers to the network and starts to measure intra-frequency neighbours as candidates for cell
reselection according to cell ranking criteria. Usually this means that reselection is performed if the
radio conditions, according to RSRP measurements, are better than a configured threshold above that
of the serving cell and if the RSRQ threshold is enough. The UE also measures the inter-frequency
cells according to the neighbouring cell list. The prioritization between the intra and inter frequency
layers depends of the strategy used by the operator but usually the intra frequency HO are often the
first priority.
- Inter Radio Access Technology handovers:
HO between E-UTRAN (LTE) and UTRAN (3G) neighbours
HO between E-UTRAN (LTE) and GSM neighbours
HO between E-UTRAN (LTE) and Wi-Fi neighbours (3GPP release 12)
When the UE is not able to use intra or inter frequency neighbours with acceptable RSRP threshold,
the core network will LTE UE is able to switch to UTRAN or GSM system.
The advanced HO features on ICS Designer support all the types of HO supported by the E-UTRAN:
Inter/Intra technology handovers.
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The different options available in this function are the following:
- Handovers for intra-eNodeB and inter eNodeB (LTE-LTE) :
As shown in the figure 13, The HO algorithm used during the calculation is based on the
event A3 (better cell HO) and A5 (handover threshold based on RSRP).
The quality of the RS signal (RSRQ) can be checked during the HO calculation. In this
case, the degradation due to the RSRQ will be takes into account during the HO
procedure.
The Intra and inter frequency HO can be simulated separately.
The HO map can be calculated according to a predefined list of neighboor cells.
Figure 13: LTE LTE handover process in ICS Designer
- Handovers for eNodeB and NodeB (LTE-3G) : :
As shown in the figure 14, The HO algorithm used during the calculation is based on the
RSRP serving cell for the e-nodeB and Ec/I0 plus RSCP thresholds for the nodeB
The quality of the RS signal (RSRQ) can be also checked during the HO calculation. In
this case, the degradation due to the RSRQ will be takes into account during the HO
procedure.
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Figure 14: LTE 3G handover process in ICS Designer
- Handovers for eNodeB and BTS (LTE-2G) : :
As shown in the figure 15, The HO algorithm used during the calculation is based on the
RSRP serving cell for the e-nodeB and RSSI for the BTS
The quality of the RS signal (RSRQ) can be also checked during the HO calculation. In
this case, the degradation due to the RSRQ will be takes into account during the HO
procedure.
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Figure 15: LTE2G handover process in ICS Designer
The advanced “Neighbour calculation…” function in ICS Designer allows to perform the intra and
Inter- frequency neighbour list required to plan the PCI allocations and avoid risk of collision between
the PCI’s. The functions includes also the possibility to generate the inter system neighbour list
(between LTE and 3G, LTE and Wi-Fi…) according to multi hysteresis criterions.
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In the end of the calculation, a .CSV report giving the neighbour list by station is generated and the
neighbour cells are automatically updated on the neighbour list box of the e-nodeB setup tab of the
LTE station.
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3.10. LTE Monte Carlos simulators
LTE Monte Carlo analysis functions in ICS Designer comprises downlink and uplink Best Server,
Interference and Traffic analysis. ICS Designer performs several randomrandom trials, using a pseudo-
pseudo
random distribution to spread the UE over the map for each trial. The outputs of the analysis are
quality and traffic reports. The Monte Carlo approach is very useful and efficient to validate or enhance
the LTE network parameters in order to achieve the coverage and interference objectives for a given
population of UE. Typically, the LTE Monte Carlo simulators can be used to validate the following
criterions:
For downlink:
− RSCP Levels
− RSRQ levels
− SNIR Levels
For uplink:
− PUSCH levels
Once the e-nodeB
nodeB network is configured (antenna height, bandwidth, transmitted power...) a
population of UE can be generated (with one or several profiles) can be generated and randomly
distributed on the project by different ways: Per density of km²,
km², over configured cells. Once the
population is generated, the tool will calculate the average and the distribution of the coverage KPIs
(RSCP, RSRQ, SNIR PDSCH and PUSCH).
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Figure 16: LTE Monte Carlo Simulator in ICS Designer
Figure 17:
17 RSRQ (dB) simulation with Monte Carlo simulator
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Figure 18:
18 RSRQ (dB) distribution with Monte Carlo simulator
Figure 19:
19 RSCP (dBm) simulation with Monte Carlo simulator
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Figure 20:: PUSCH (dBm) simulation with Monte Carlo simulator
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Figure 21:: SNIR (PDSCH) simulation with Monte Carlo simulator
The Monte carlo simulator can also be used to optimize the e-nodeb
nodeb configuration in order to improve
the coverage and interference KPI s parameters. The Monte carlo simulator is able to calculate the
KPI distribution over the UE population with taking into account the variability of the e-nodeB
e
parameters
rameters especially the folowing:
− Azimuth(°),
− Electrical tilt(°)
− Antenna height (m)
− Percentage of transmit power dedicated to the RS signal
− Percentage of transmit power dedicated to the PDSCH
signal
− Percentage of transmit power dedicated to the control
channels
− Antenna type (transmission mode: Standard, MIMO SM, Tx Div
, MISO, single antenna,
tenna, SISO, SIMO, MU-MIMO)
MU
For example, It is easy to check the impact in term of RSRQ(dB) and SNIR(PDSCH) when the
electrical tilt applied for the e-nodeBs
e are between -4° and -8°
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Figure 22: RSRQ distribution simulation with Monte Carlo simulator (Electrical Downtilt = -2°)
Figure 23: RSRQ distribution simulation with Monte Carlo simulator (Electrical Downtilt between -4° and -8°)
Figure 24: SNIR (PDSCH) distribution simulation with Monte Carlo simulator (Electrical Downtilt = -2°)
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Figure 25:: SNIR (PDSCH) distribution simulation with
with Monte Carlo simulator (Electrical Downtilt between-4°
between and -8°)
In this example SNIR (PDSCH),
PDSCH), RSCP and RSRQ KPIs are degraded when the electrical downtilt
applied to the Tx antennas is too high. The aerial configuration using -2°
2° downtilt seems to be the
th
most adapted for the dimensioning network. In the real LTE network, SNIR(PDSCH) level can be
improved by the usage of AAS antennas as shown below with the new Monte Carlo simulation using
AAS mode. Note that AAS mode and MIMO antennas doesn’t affect RSRP RSRP or RSRQ levels: RSRP
doesn’t depend on the number of transmit antennas,
antennas, as it is measured always from resource elements
transmitted by one antenna at a time. The 3GPP has defined RSRP as the average power of a single
resource element. The UE measures the th power of multiple resource elements used to transfer the
reference signal but then takes an average of them rather than summing them.
Figure 26:: SNIR (PDSCH) distribution simulation with Monte Carlo simulator
(Electrical Down tilt = -2° and AAS mode activated)
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3.11. Automatic search of site
Several automatic search site features to increase coverage & capacity are available in ICS Designer.
Below a description of the main functions:
Feature name Menu Rules
“Prospective planning” “Coverage/Network This function allows to find the
planning/Prospective best locations for new sites in
planning…” case of greenfield and
densification scenarios. This
function is based on coverage
target assumption.
“Parenting LTE” “Subscriber/Parenting/ 4G This function is based on a
parenting LTE” population of LTE users
(profiles and traffic demands
must be defined). It allows to
resolve the problems of the
traffic network congestion (or
low traffic QoS performance)
by adding new sites in the hot
spot area. This function takes
into account DL/UL coverage
criterions and traffic
assumption.
3.12. Automatic frequency planning
The advanced Automatic frequency planning function in ICS Designer allows to perform a full and
fractional automatic frequency planning for a LTE network.
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3.13. Automatic site optimization
Several automatic optimization features of network parameters to increase coverage & capacity are
available in ICS Designer.
Below a description of the main ACP features:
Feature name Menu Rules
“Station according to target “Coverage/Station Allows to select (for all the
coverage” candidates/Station according to activated stations) the sites
target coverage” required to achieve the
coverage target (by clutter
types). Allows to help the
user in order to reduce the
number of sites required at
the minimum.
“Select station according to “Coverage/Station candidates/ Select Allows to select (for all the
surface covered by station” station according to surface covered activated stations) the sites
by station” for a coverage target (surface
per km²) required by station.
“Route planning” “Coverage/Network planning/Route Function dedicated to roads,
planning…” highway, railway
environments and it used to
determinate automatically the
best sites and configuration
(azimuths, tilts) in order to
cover of optimize the clutters
defined as a “vector”.
“Prospective planning” “Coverage/Network This function allows to find
planning/Prospective planning…” the best locations for new
sites in case of greenfield and
densification scenarios. This
function is based on coverage
target assumption.
“Station optimizing” “Coverage/Network planning/ Station This function allows to
optimizing” optimize a set of parameters
(tilt°, Antenna height,
azimuth…) in order to
improve the station coverage
Other LTE optimising features can be used to:
- Compare and to find for each cell the best equipment configuration (according to a pre-defined
list of vendor configuration) in order to improve the target coverage.
- Simulate and compare the prediction results with the use of AAS (Adaptive Antenna Switch)
- The user is also able to activate additional parameters such as ICIC parameter or power
boosting (applied to the RS, PDSCH or PDCCH channels) to improve weak coverage.
3.14. Refarming frequency band and inter system coexistence
At WRC-07 (World Radiocommunication Conference), this resulted in different allocations to mobile
services in the digital dividend bands in different regions: 800 MHz in Europe, Africa and Middle East
and 700 MHz in Americas and Asia Pacific. WRC-12 corrected this imbalance by also allocating the
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700 MHz band to the mobile service in Europe, Africa and Middle East, subject to confirmation by
WRC-15. This delay permitted the necessary studies to achieve harmonization of the frequency plans
using a combination of both the 700 MHz and 800 MHz bands throughout the world. Very good
progress has been made in this regard.
The interference module used in ICS Designer is able to perform multi-technology technical
coexistence studies in order to:
• Quantify the impact of each technology over the other,
• Analyze the affected population and services
• Perform scenario analysis to quantify the impact of various tradeoffs: spectrum allocation,
interference impact, costs, etc…
The interference between LTE and the other existing systems (like Digital broadcast network) but also
the cases of refarming frequency band between the existing mobile network systems (for example
between 3G and GSM in the 900 MHz band) can be easily performed . The NDF matrix (standards
protection ratios) for all the interferences combination (4G vs. DVB-T, 2G vs. 2G, 2G vs. 3G, 3G vs.
2G, 3G Vs. 3G) are implemented in the tool. The flexibility of the tool allows to the user to support in
the same project unlimited stations using different technologies.
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Figure 27: Scenario describing the case 3G vs. 2G network when the 2G band [935MHz, 940MHz]
is migrated to the 3G system
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Figure 28: LTE stations interference calculation on DVB-T network in ICS Design
(interfered areas are marked with pink color)
3.15. LTE Field strength exposure (2D&3D)
The potential health risk of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMFs) emitted by cellular
network are currently of considerable public interest. A very important issue is the requirement for
coexistence between wireless equipment and people leaving around those type of transmitters.
Existing national standards on electromagnetic radiation safety are based on the result of extensive
research and consideration of any possible health risks. The recommendation about the maximum
exposure level (µV/m) are depending on the countries and can be a subject of disputes between
lobbies and operators.
The 3D coverage feature in ICS Designer allows to calculate in 3D the field strength level in visibility
only (LOS) or taking also into account the diffraction (LOS/NLOS). The dynamic 3D display engine has
been implemented in order to be able to display the coverage in the façade and inside de the building.
This feature allows to check easily and clearly the field strength level (dBµV/m or in V/m) generated by
transmitters (2G/3G/LTE) and help the RF planner to find the best transmitter configuration in order to
reduce the potential risk.
Figure 29: Dynamic 3D display engine in ICS Designer
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Figure 30: 3D FS exposure result in the facades
Note that, in the work of the Copic (committee piloted by the French national regulator
composed of the national French mobile network operators and various public actors), ATDI
has been kindly asked (since 2009 until 2013) to study the population exposure to
electromagnetic waves emitted by the antennas of mobile networks, ATDI was responsible
to perform the following studies:
− Modeling of coverage (2G, 3G voice and HSDPA) different mobile networks in the
current state ("State of Play");
− Impact on the coverage of the various networks of power reduction of certain issuers
located in the experimental area;
− Reconfiguration of these networks following a power reduction by adding
complementary sites to find or get as close as possible to cover the "state of play",
ensuring that these new sites will not generate exposure levels exceeding the target
threshold (0.6V / m or 1V / m).
− Modeling of coverage (2G, 3G voice and HSDPA) different mobile networks in the
current state ("State of Play");
− Impact on the coverage of the various networks of power reduction of certain issuers
located in the experimental area;
− Reconfiguration of these networks following a power reduction by adding
complementary sites to find or get as close as possible to cover the "state of play",
ensuring that these new sites will not generate exposure levels exceeding the target
threshold (0.6V / m or 1V / m).
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