LTE RF Planning: Procedure and Challenges

Abstract
Long Term Evolution or LTE is the true broadband wireless communication system that is
enabling high speed mobile communications across globe. World is shifting now towards a
seamless connectivity of devices where every device will be connected to the internet all the
time. High speed connectivity like LTE can only guarantee such a future seamless connected
network over the wireless interface and thus it is considered the next generation technology.
Proper planning procedure ensure operators best utilization of CAPEX(Capital Expenditure)
implementing sites plan and providing best user experience. In this paper LTE RF planning
procedure and challenges are discussed.
Key Words:

Introduction
LTE is the radio technology promised to satisfy long term need for air interface evolution. At the
beginning of cellular technology of first generation, internet was not so popular or widespread as
it is today. So first generation did not have any provision to providing data service, it was only
for voice. Primary target of second generation mobile was to move into digital processing instead
of analog system used in first generations. However GSM included concepts of data and
facsimile in it with feature like Circuit Switched data (CSD). However circuit switched system is
not a good solution for bursty nature of data traffic.
Later on General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) was introduced to accommodate packet
switched data traffic into the GSM system with introduction of some gateway nodes and data
processing cards at Base Station Controllers (BSC). So far Base Station (BTS) was unaffected
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because GPRS was using same modulation technique as GSM. Only some modification was
needed in the Abis interface due to GPRS coding schemes 3 and 4 rates were higher than the
Abis interface 16 kbps channel mapping. EDGE came up with 8PSK modulation and 9 coding
schemes with highest coding rate of 59.2 kbps single time slot and theoretically 473.6 kbps using
simultaneous eight radio timeslots. Although throughput performance of EDGE was not as good
in the field [1] it drew attention that it is required to increase spectral efficiency to get higher
throughput in the air interface. UMTS or third generation system was introduced keeping data
centric user into consideration from the very beginning. It promised 2 Mbps of data for stationary
user. Later on HSPDA, HSUPA and HSPA+ technologies were overlaid on UMTS system which
provided higher throughput using higher modulations, MIMO and multi carrier techniques.

Almost every ten years there was an introduction of new cellular technology and LTE took into
account of all the previous techniques and came up with a vision of long term sustainable radio
technology. LTE is highly scalable because it supports different bandwidth options (1.4, 2.5, 5,
10, 15 & 20MHz), multiple modulation and coding schemes (BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM).
Spectral efficiency of OFDM system is remarkable. It was shown that using orthogonal
frequency division multiplexing technique 50% BW saving is possible over traditional FDM
system [need to provide reference -Anamul]. Moreover it uses multicarrier narrowband OFDM
scheme in downlink direction which gives very strong performance in combating multipath delay
and fading effects. LTE has other advantages like it reduces latency, supports backward
compatibility, has simple network architecture, provides self-optimization of radio network etc.

[some one please try to write on LTE RF planning, what I have done is describing the why LTE
is long term evolution]

Notes:
1. Two important points ``almost`` have been decided in this document: First, the objective of the
paper and Second, its structure.
2. I would suggest that everybody should read more especially the following references:
I. Long Term Evolution Network Planning and Performance Measurement, by Zakaria Zubi (I
have sent you this paper earlier).
II. Coverage and Capacity Analysis of LTE Radio Network Planning considering Dhaka City.
This paper provides two references (17 and 18) where an open source software (MatLab Code)
can be downloaded to realize some calculations (I would ask Adrian in collaboration with
Anamul to do this task)
III. Dimensioning of LTE Network Description of Models and Tool, Coverage and Capacity
Estimation of 3GPP Long Term Evolution radio interface. Master Thesis by: Abdul Basit, Syed
(I have sent you this paper earlier as well).

LTE RF Planning procedure

1. Select Design
Area
2. Collect Geodata,
Clutter, & Population
Information
3. Select Propagation
Model and optimize for
Terrain
4. Calculate RF Link
Budget starting from UE
sensitivity
5. Place Sites and
simulate Coverage in
planning Tool
6. Satisfactory Coverage?

No

YES
7. Plan for Capacity
parameters Modulation,
FEC, # of carriers,
Backhaul Planning etc
8. Operation, continuous
Monitoring and
Optimization

Fig 1: LTE RF Planning Procedure

Fig 1 shows the steps that were followed for LTE RF planning.

2. Collecting maps and data

[Adrian please discuss point 1 and 2 Here - Anamul]
3. Propagation model
An RF propagation model is a mathematical formula used to characterize the radio wave
propagation between the transmitter on one end and the receiver at the other end of the RF path.
It is typically a function of frequency, distance, antenna heights, terrain, clutter and other
conditions. The planning tool can be fed with all the details of the site, such as type of terrain,
environment, heights of antennas. It can perform the necessary number of calculations required
to provide an accurate picture of the propagation paths of the site. Several planning tools are
available in the market, and it is up to the operators and system designers to select the tool(s) that
suit them best [2]. Mentum Planet was used as planning tool in this project.

Planet General Propagation model was used for analysis of coverage in this project. It is a good
propagation model to use for macro-cell planning. It is best used for frequencies between 150
and 2000 MHz where the distance between the transmitter and the receiver ranges between 1 and
100 kilometers. Ideally, when using this model, the base station antenna heights should range
between 30 and 1000 meters and the mobile station antenna heights should be between 1 and 10
meters. Details of the model can be found from [3].

4. Calculate RF Link Budget

PRX = PTX + K1 + K2log(d) + K3log(Heff)+ K4Diffraction + K5log(Heff) log(d) + K6(Hmeff) +

KCLUTTER
So, -164 = -120 - 44.9 Log(d) - 5.83log(30) +0 +6.55 log(30) log (d) + 0+0
So, log(d)=-21.93/-35.22
So, d= 4.16
Next-> -105 = 45 120 - 44.9 Log(d) +0 + 0 + 0 + 0
PTX = 160.39dBm = 39.81 mW

So, PTX =-121.569 +105 = -16.5691

K1= 44.9 3 [69.55 + 26.16log(f)] + 2[log(f/28)]2 + 5.4, for 150- 1500 MHz & suburban
So, K1= 0.030708 dBm , f=700 MHz and design was done for suburban area

K2 = -44.9, K3= -5.83, K4= 0, K5 = 6.55

Need to show that we have taken some Rx sensitivity as reference then, we added losses both for
Link, Transmitter and Receiver, coupling, added Tx gain, antenna gain and final reached into
some Tx power and antenna height.
[Need to work on it Anamul, I will]

5. Coverage Simulation
In this project simulation was done for LTE 700 MHz band over a pre-existing 13 BELL sites
located in the Etobicoke area encircling Humber College.

Fig 2- Coverage for 13 sites ( Inserted the Picture Anamul Amrinder Singh)
Site Area = Cell Area x Number of Sector per site
No of eNodeB = Total area to cover / Site Area
[I will work on it later on, maybe we need to reduce some sites, and remove the overlappingAnamul]
6. Neighbor planning

Fig 3 Neighbor planning of one cell

Defining neighbor cells are important for cell resection in IDLE mode and handover procedures
in ACTIVE mode. Often it is required to change parameters of a neighbor definition such as
different thresholds and timers to optimize smooth handover or to reduce or eliminate ping pong
effects.
7. Physical cellid planning

Figure 4 Physical Cell ID

Physical Cell ID (PCI) planning is more important because if optimal PCI is not assigned to
eNodeB the signals will overshoot and cause interference. [4]. The PCI is combination of two
synchronisation signals: primary synchronisation signals, PCI- ID (PSS) and Secondary
synchronisation signals, PCI- group (SSS). PSS is present in subframe 0 and 5 (OFDM symbol
6) and is mapped on 72 subcarriers in the middle of the band. The PSS is 3 sequence number (0,
1 and 2). SSS is present in subframe 0 and 5 (OFDM symbol 5), and is also mapped on 72
subcarriers in the middle of the band as shown in figure 1.The SSS is 168 sequence number (0 to
167). PCI is combination of PSS and SSS. The 168 Physical-Layer Cell-Identity groups with 3
Physical-Layer Identities per group makes 168 x 3 = 504 Physical-Layer Cell Identities (PCI).
Mathematically: PCI = PSS + 3*SSS [4]

8. Capacity planning
After coverage planning is done and estimation is performed, capacity planning is
performed.Capacity Planning refers to as designing a network for a particular geographical area
to provide sufficient radio resources for all the users to be served, this step takes into
consideration the approximate number of subscribers in the given design area or what is known
as traffic.
Analyzing the traffic inputs provided by the operator to derive the traffic demands, which
includes the number of subscribers, the traffic mix and data about the geographical spread of
subscribers in the deployment area. For network operators, erring on capacity expectations has
negative consequences as capacity fundamentally impact the cost of the network both on the
access and the backhaul side.
For capacity planning traffic maps are required. Traffic Maps can be used to ensure that with
your network design, service is available in the areas where it is most needed. These are
generated using
subscriber values and subscriber/km2 values. The design can also be according to Erlang and
Erlang/km2 values as well. 3. To define the number of users over a large geographical area in 2D
models using geodata and clutter, pixels were introduced which provide a relative idea about
number of users in that area.

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Figure 5 Capacity Plan

8.1 Procedure
1. Estimate the average throughput that has to be provided in UL (Uplink) and DL
(Downlink) per subscriber.
2. Estimate the peak throughput.
3. Estimate the maximum number of subscribers per site by calculating the number of
subscribers for both UL &DL.

8.1.1 Throughput:
For now, lets assume a 25 MHz LTE system. We first calculate the number of resource
elements
(RE) in a sub frame (a sub frame is 1 msec):
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12 Subcarriers x 7 OFDMA Symbols x 25 Resource Blocks x 2 slots = 4,200 REs

Then we calculate the data rate assuming 64 QAM with no coding (64QAM is the highest
modulation for downlink LTE):
6 bits per 64QAM symbol x 4,200 Res / 1 msec = 25.2 Mbps
The MIMO data rate is then 2 x 25.2 = 50.4 Mbps. We now have to subtract the overhead related
to control signaling such as PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) and PBCH (Physical
Broadcast Channel) channels, reference & synchronization signals, and coding. These are
estimated as follows:
PDCCH channel can take 1 to 3 symbols out of 14 in a sub frame. Assuming that on average
it is 2.5 symbols, the amount of overhead due to PDCCH becomes 2.5/14 = 17.86 %.
Downlink RS signal uses 4 symbols in every third subcarrier resulting in 16/336 = 4.76%
overhead for 22 MIMO configuration
The other channels added together amount to ~2.6% of overhead

The total approximate overhead for the 5 MHz channel is 17.86% + 4.76% + 2.6% = 25.22%.
The peak data rate is then 0.75 x 50.4 Mbps = 37.8 Mbps.
Note that the uplink would have lower throughput because the modulation scheme for most
device classes is 16QAM in SISO mode only.
There is another technique to calculate the peak capacity which I include here as well for a 220
MHz LTE system with 44 MIMO configuration and 64QAM code rate 1:
Downlink data rate:
Pilot overhead (4 Tx antennas) = 14.29%
Common channel overhead (adequate to serve 1 UE/sub frame) = 10%

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CP overhead = 6.66%
Guard band overhead = 10%
Downlink data rate = 4 x 6 bps/Hz x 20 MHz x (1-14.29%) x (1-10%) x (1-6.66%) x (1-10%) =
298 Mbps.
Uplink data rate:
1 Tx antenna (no MIMO), 64 QAM code rate 1 (Note that typical UEs can support only 16QAM)
Pilot overhead = 14.3%
Random access overhead = 0.625%
CP overhead = 6.66%
Guard band overhead = 10%
Uplink data rate = 1 * 6 bps/Hz x 20 MHz x (1-14.29%) x (1-0.625%) x (1-6.66%) x (1-10%) =
82 Mbps.

8.1.2 Maximum number of Subscribers

Subscribers = [ Cell capacity [Mbps]8192Mbit / GB * 3.8GB/sub ] * 3(sectors) * 3600s/hour *
30days/month [ 50%(max load) / 7%(busy hour share) ] * Sites * [ 15% / 50% ] (distribution)

9 Challenges
1. The very first challenge is to acquire high resolution data which is imperative to any
design.
2. The data is terrain data and clutter data. For a specific small area high quality data is very
expensive and not easy to acquire.
3. Selecting the appropriate propagation model for the specified type of terrain. For example

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if its urban area the propagation model will be Cost231 and not the normal or default
model.
The propagation model depends solely on the type of terrain and clutter data. So the main
challenge is determining the category under which the area falls for which planning has
to
be carried out.
4. After the area type is specified RF link budget challenges are faced, if the RF budget
calculations are not accurate the cell range calculations will not be accurate.
5. Coverage which is the next step has challenges of its own. First the appropriate cell
radius
has to be determined for each site that has to be placed for both uplink and downlink.
Further to have proper coverage height of each tower, transmitted power, azimuth angle
and other factors have to be considered accurately, if that is not done then coverage has
blind spots and overlaps leading to no coverage and interference in other areas
respectively.
6. Capacity and coverage are interdependent because theoretical capacity of the network is
limited by the number of eNBs installed in the network, so if more eNBs are used
coverage
is also increased. The main challenge for cell capacity planning is providing accurate data
input for the number of users in the specified area, because if number of users area more
than calculated for then the cell would not be able to provide service to everyone and
number of dropped calls will increase also this will lead to insufficient data provision for
users in the area. Also cell capacity in LTE is impacted by several factors, which includes
interference level and supported modulation and coding schemes. These challenges can
be
overcome by using accurate data for both coverage and traffic calculations.
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(We have to add challenges for neighbor ID and Physical ID, ihave limited knowledge
about that, Anamul can you please write that. Also feel free to add comments if any other
challenges can be added I will add those as well).

References
1. EDGE Technical Presentation, Ericsson, PCCA meeting Indianapolis, 19-20 August,
2003
2. Long Term Evolution:Radio Network Planning, ITU ASP COE Training onWireless
Broadband, Sami TABBANE, 5-8 November 2013 Nadi (Fiji Islands), internet at academy.itu.int/moodle/pluginfile.php, accessed on July 10, 2014.
3. Mentum Planet 5.7, Planet general Model Technical Note, Infovista S. A., part of
Mentum Planet Software Documentation, 2014.
4. Robust physical cell ID planning for LTE, Ekta Gujral, Senior RF Optimisation and
Planning Engineer, Ericsson Global India Pvt. Ltd

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