127 Proceedings of WFMN07, Chemnitz, Germany

The Use of Microcells as a Means of

Optimizing UMTS Networks
David Pouhè, Driton Emini, Mathias Salbaum
Technische Universität Berlin Teleca Systems GmbH T-Mobile Deutschland GmbH
Einsteinufer 25 Neumeyerstr. 50 Dieselstr. 43
10587 Berlin 90411 Nuermberg 90441 Nuermberg
pouhe@emc.ee.tu-berlin.de, Driton.Emini@teleca.de, Matthias.Salbaum@t-mobile.de,

Abstract— This paper deals with the question whether the II. COMPARISON OF THE PRESENT-STATE AND THE COMBINED -
performance of UMTS networks can be improved by using micro STATE
cells operating on the same carrier. The crucial part is the setting
of the microcell within a reference sector in a UMTS macro The comparison is based on the results of several
network in order to achieve maximum benefit. A further measurements in a particularly chosen area of investigation.
experiment will then reveal whether microcells are suitable for The following three parameters, which have to be taken into
capacity extensions consideration when planning and optimizing a network,
constitute the so-called “Optimization Triangle for Mobile
Index Terms— UMTS, macrocell, microcell, cell load, network Networks”: Received Power PE (dBm), Throughput (kbps)
optimisation, handover
and Interference Ec/Io (dB).
I. INTRODUCTION
An UMTS network requires precise planning and, when in
use, continues supervision of all the parameters relevant to the
quality of the service. The performance of the UMTS
networks has so far been examined alongside with the use of
sector-macro cells. Since the required capacity can be quickly
consumed for quite a few services (multi media services,
Mobile-TV, video call, etc.) network operators have to
enhance network capacity in hot spot areas. A further
alternative beside HSDPA and HSUPA is the introduction of
microcells, which have already been tested and found to work
well in GSM networks [1].

The success of such networks of the third generation is due to

precise network planning in order to achieve quality, capacity
and efficient management. [5] shows the different types and
ways of application of a microcell. The utilisation of
microcells has been investigated from different aspects in [2],
[3] and [4]. This paper investigates the theoretical and
practical use of microcell within a macrocell which are using
the same frequency.
The paper is organized as follows. Section II compares the
present-state (with no micro cell in the system) and the
combined-state (when a micro cell is additionally used within
the system). Based on the results of this investigation the third
section presents strategies to optimize UMTS networks taking
the UMTS network of T-Mobile Germany in the city center of
Nuremberg as an example. Section IV examines the network
under high load.
Fig.1. UMTS networks constituted of macro and micro cells (in circle).
The first analysis in the area of investigation shows that, when
a micro cell is implemented within the near field region of a
macrocell, the throughput is lower than the case when no
microcell is in the system (Fig. 2). Although the received
power slightly improved, the interference situation worsened.
Interferences are due to simultaneous data transmission from
different connections within the cell and electromagnetic
disturbance from co-channel cells. The increase of
interference leads to a higher Bit Error Rate (BER),
consequently increasing the repetition of the transferred data.
Ultimately the throughput decreases.

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128 Proceedings of WFMN07, Chemnitz, Germany

Macrocell and Microcell in System Only Macrocell in System this means that the microcell can be placed at a maximum
400 distance of 250m of the macro cell (depending on network
350 structure and the surrounding environment). Since the distance
Throughput (kbps)

300 between two or more macrocells in urban networks is 500 to

250
600m, the micro cell will then be at the edge of coverage of
several macrocells. Besides having low coverage, these areas
200
demonstrate instability regarding the best server in the system
150
(which means there is no “dominating” sender in the active-
100
set2). Several equally strong senders will worsen the
50 interference situation. It is also possible for gaps to occur as a
0 result of cell breathing. With the use of microcells the
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
performance of UMTS networks in such areas can be
Time (s) improved.
Fig. 2. Throughput with and without microcell. Microcell within near field 50
zone of reference macrocell.
45

Differenc CPICH (dBm)

40
The potential of the environment surrounding the base station 35
and the technical realisations in the area of investigation make 30
it possible to carry out different experiments. The experiments 25
vary in the distance and visual sight, Line of Sight (LOS) or 20
Non Line of Sight (NLOS) respectively, between microcell 15
and the reference macrocell. 10
5

The main finding concerning the distance between the 0

0 100 200 300 400 500
microcell1 and the reference macrocell, within the near field
Time (s)
region, is: The greater the distance between the two cells, the
better the network performance (Fig.3). Fig. 4. Differential level when using a microcell in the system.

In addition to the improvement of the received power3 (Fig.4),

350
the interference level is decreased since the microcell exists as
300
a “dominant” sender within the system. The Signal-Noise-
Throughput (kbps)

250
Ratio (SNR) increases and the data signal dominate over the
200 noise signal. The average shows an improvement of the SNR
150 by 3 to 4 dB.
100

50 Regarding the stability of the best server, an improvement is

0 been achieved, too. In case no microcell is present in the
20 m (LOS) 80 m (LOS) 100 m (NLOS) system the best server oscillates permanently (Fig.6,
Distance between Macrocell and Microcell
Scrambling Code4). This leads to instability of the server and
Fig. 3. Throughput depending on the distance between macro- and microcell, high signalling effort.
stationary measurement.

As a result of the gained finding, the following question

arises: How does the system react if a microcell is positioned
at the edge of coverage of a reference macrocell in urban
networks?

III. OPTIMAL PLACEMENT OF THE MICROCELL WITHIN URBAN

UMTS NETWORKS
The distance between the micro- and the macrocell has a
crucial impact on the capacity and the coverage area [4] of the
microcell. If the microcell is located at a long distance from
the reference macrocell, the former is able to gain maximum
capacity and the maximum coverage area. In urban networks
1
In both numerical and practical investigations, the used microcell has a
circular pattern. Besides, it consists of three outdoor point sources and one
indoor point source. Each point radiates ¼ of the total radiated power (20 W).
2
The Active Set shows the base station with which the mobile station is
connected at the same time
3
The buildings close by can also achieve an improvement in terms of
received power and interference situation when a micro cell is used
4
Altogether, 256 Scrambling Codes (SC) are used in the Downlink; they
are regionally easy to identify. In further regions, these codes can be re-used.
The SC-planning of UMTS networks is similar to the frequency planning of
GSM-networks.

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129 Proceedings of WFMN07, Chemnitz, Germany

Only Macrocells in System Macrocells and Microcell in System

0
0 100 200 300 400 500
-2

-4
Ec/Io (dB)

-6

-8

-10

-12
Time (s)

Fig. 5. Interference situation when using a micro cell within the system.

If a micro cell is added to such a system it dominates within

the entire area of investigation as the Best Server providing
Fig. 7. Identified areas for the use of micro cells in the city center of
relative stability and achieving clear-cut boundaries of Soft-
Nuremberg.
Handover zones.
The common means of optimizing a network, using electrical
down tilt antennae, is not sufficient in such areas. By raising
Only Macrocells in System Macrocells and Microcell in System antennae the Soft Handover Area may be increased, and by
450 lowering them gaps may occur. Each additionally
400 implemented macrocell in an already dense network can cause
350 further instability. Using the “Optimization Triangle for
Scrambling Code

300 Mobile Networks” (Fig. 8) as an example, the results of

250 UMTS networks using microcells shall be demonstrated.
200
150
Capacity:
Throughput
100 ≈ 250 kbps
50 ≈ 320kbps
0 100 200 300 400 500
Time (s) Coverage: Quality:
Fig. 6. Best Server in the area of investigation with and without a microcell Power: SNR
(Microcell here with SC 277). ≈ -85 dBm ≈ -8 dB
≈ -60 dBm ≈ -4 dB

Case study: Optimizing the UMTS network within the city Fig. 8. Optimization triangle for mobile network.
center of Nuremberg
As mentioned above, the planning of UMTS networks relies • The dashed triangle: The network has not been
on sector-macrocells. One possibility of optimization is the optimized. The values show the average of the
electrical or rather mechanical tilt [8] of antennae respectively. measured parameters in the identified areas.
In practise, electrical down tilt between 5° and 10° is deployed • The drown triangle: Possible optimum by using
depending on the type and location of antennae (more in microcells. The values show the average of the
urban center as in rural areas). measured parameters.

IV. THE USE OF MICROCELLS IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE CAPACITY

If the boundary conditions5 are fulfilled - especially with
EXTENSIONS IN UMTS NETWORKS
respect to the location of the microcell - , identifying regions
where the microcells can be located at the aim of increasing A. Performing the experiment
the performance of the network is an easy talks (Fig. 7, white
In Europe, UMTS networks use the Wide Band Code Division
marked areas).
Multiple Access (W-CDMA) as access method [6]. The
capacity of a cell (macro- or micro) is defined by the
bandwidth available. This experiment examines whether a
microcell can enlarge the capacity.
A comparison of two states regarding throughput and
5 interference situation will be shown.
Boundary conditions: Hotspots and Blackspots.

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130 Proceedings of WFMN07, Chemnitz, Germany

• Present-state: The area of investigation is covered TPs and the ME. During the interval of 300 to 600 seconds,
only by a macrocell the throughput of the ME is reduced to a third. All four
• Combined-state: The area of investigation is covered participants classify the quality of the picture as good
simultaneously by a macro- and microcell6 (Fig.11). The TPs get the required data rate for this service in
For the experiment, a hotspot is simulated in the area of this interval, too.
investigation. Ten test participants (TP) are within close range
of the measuring equipment (ME). The TPs are placed in the 400
area as depicted in Fig.9. This area would be the coverage 350
area of an idle microcell.
300

Throughput (kbps)
250
Macrocell 200

150

100

TP1 TP2 50

TP5 TP6 0
Microcell 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
TP 7 TP 8
Time (s)
TP3 TP4
Timeslot 1: 0s-300s, Timeslot 2: 300s-600s,
TP9 TP 10 Timeslot 3: 600s-900s, Timeslot 4: 900s-1200s

Fig.10. Throughput of present-state when increasing the number of

participants.
Fig.9. Positions of the test participants in the area provided by the micro cell
when it was in the idle-state. At the next logon times (timeslot 3 and 4, Fig.10) the next pair
of TPs establish Mobile TV connections. Now, the ME and
First, the measuring equipment establishes a connection to the
six, and respectively eight, TPs are logged on to the network;
server and remains within the network throughout the duration
finally, the total capacity is distributed among eight
of the experiment. The test participants enter the network in
participants. The throughput for the ME does not change.
groups of two, one group after the other. The chronological
According to the TPs there are drastic changes. In this
order is important, as it enables to check how many
interval, the picture quality deteriorates, in some cases
participants can be embraced in the network and how many
buffering of data occurs or the connection is lost (Fig.11). In
are blocked. The TPs all use the same service, which requires
interval 5, all TPs release the connections and the ME regains
high data rate. A convenient service for this experiment is
a throughput of approximately 384kbps.
Mobile TV since it requires a throughput of approx. 114 kbps
(payload).
Test partitipant 1 Test partitipant 3
1

B. Evaluation
2

As expected, the capacity is divided among the participants

according to the service required and the resources available
3

at that time. Since all participants use the same service, except
for the measuring equipment (downloading continuously 1MB
4

files), one can assume that the capacity should be divided in

equal shares. Fig.10 shows the throughput from the measuring
5

equipment in the present-state throughout the duration of the

experiment.
6

During the first interval, the total capacity is divided between

two TPs and the ME. The throughput measured by ME is
2 TP 4 TP 6 TP 8 TP 10 TP
approx. 384 kbps. During this interval, the TPs describe the
Test partitipants in System
quality of the picture on the screen as very good (Fig.11),
Subjective notion of TP 1: very good 2: good 3: medium
which is a sign that the required data rate has been achieved. 4: bad 5: buffering 6: interruption
Within 300 seconds (timeslot 2), the next two TPs start their
Mobile TV service. Therefore, the capacity is shared by four Fig.11. Picture Quality from the point of view of the TPs in the present state.

6
For this experiment, the used microcell has a omnidirectional pattern and
transmits with a total power of 20 Watt.

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131 Proceedings of WFMN07, Chemnitz, Germany

Now the following question arises: How does the interference microcell shrank, are served by the macrocell only shows the
situation change when more participants log on to the system? subjective evaluation of the picture quality of TP1 (Fig.14).
While TP1 (at the beginning of the experiment at the edge of
coverage of the microcell) describes the picture quality as very
good throughout the entire measuring, TP3 (within close
-1 distance to the microcell) suffers from buffering of data and
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
-2 finally connection loss. Due to the increase of the interference,
-3 the connection is cut off for TP3 as well as ME at the same
-4
time. Buffering of data is a consequence of not receiving
sufficient data rate. Since the connection of the ME to the
Ec/Io (dB)

-5
network has been cut off, there are no measurements recorded
-6
for the last interval (Fig.13). The timer for the required Ec/Io-
-7 value of -12 dB is overtaken. This leads to a hard handover
-8 with a switch to the GSM network as a consequence.
-9

-10 Test partitipant 1 Test partitipant 2

Time (s)

1
Fig.12. Interference situation at present-state with growing number of

2
participants

3
Fig.12 shows the increase of interference when more
4
participants establish connections (around 1dB per 2TPs).
5

When eight to ten TPs are served by the same cell at the same
time, a deterioration of approximately 3dB is registered.
6

When comparing the present-state with the combined-state 2 TP 4 TP 6 TP 8 TP 10 TP

Test partitipants in system
regarding the throughput (Fig.10 and Fig.13), one finds that
only the first interval, and therefore the period of time when
two TPs use the system, is the same. By adding new TPs, the Subjective notion of TP: 1: very good 2: good 3: medium
4: bad 5: buffering 6: interruption
coverage area of the microcell decreases and the impact of cell
breathing [7] becomes visible. Fig.14. Picture quality described by the TPs during the combined-state.

400 Concerning the micro cell we can conclude the following:

350

300
• The cell shrinks quickly as the load increases.
Throughput (kbps)

• The TPs served by the microcell do not get the

250
required data rate for the service are using.
200 • When using the microcell, the interference rises to
150 the extent that the connection is cut off and/or
100
buffering occurs.
50

0 400
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
350
Time (s)
300
Throughput (kbps)

Timeslot 1: 0s-300s, Chaos area > 300 s (shaded area)

250

Fig. 13. Throughput in combined-state with growing number of system users. 200

150
The instability of the throughput in the shaded region - 100
“chaos-area” (Fig.13) can be explained as follows: As the 50
microcell’s coverage shrinks, TP1 and TP2 are left out of the 0
coverage of the microcell and are only served by the 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

macrocell. This means that the capacity available increases Time (s)

until the next TPs log on. This behaviour will probably be Fig.15. Throughput in the area of the macrocell when microcell is working to
continued. The fact that at least the first two TPs, after the full capacity (macrocell is relieved, possible throughput is approximately
384kbps).

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132 Proceedings of WFMN07, Chemnitz, Germany

With regard to the macrocell, however, we can assert that it is

unburdened when a microcell is used. Therefore, we can
surely assume that the microcell has the potential for capacity
extension. The subjective evaluation of the picture quality of
TP1 reveals that the reference macrocell is unburdened. This
assumption has been proved by the measuring results which
have been carried out in the coverage area of the macrocell
(Fig.15).

V. CONCLUSION
The performance of UMTS networks when using a micro cell
has been investigated. It became clear that the distance
between the micro- and the reference macrocell plays an
important role. The bigger the distance, the smaller the impact
of macro- on microcell and vice versa. Based on this finding,
a strategy for optimizing urban UMTS networks by deploying
microcells has been demonstrated. The last section of the
paper pointed out that the microcell has potential for capacity
extensions and can therefore heavily unburden the macro cell.

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WFMN07_I_B2, pp. 127-132 http://archiv.tu-chemnitz.de/pub/2007/0213/