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Understanding RF Network Cycle Why do we need optimization?? Optimization Stages Physical and Hardware Optimization Database parameter optimization
In-Building Solutions
RF Planning
RF Network Cycle
Frequency Planning
Neighbor List
PN Planning
Site Parameters
RF Planning
The inputs received from spreadsheet design and model tuning surveys, is used to prepare a Nominal Cell Plan aka Hi Level Design. The HLD has the following details
Distribution of the sites across the agreed geographical area. Coverage/Capacity objective details. Type of antennas to be used, sites where special hardware(TMA/MHA) is required, etc.
RF Planning
The output of the HLD is search rings which is defined for each site to be built in the network. Each search ring will have
Nominal site coordinates, Search radius and Specifications about antenna height requirements for each site, in order that the site objectives are reasonably achieved.
Search rings form a basis for further surveys to be carried out to hunt for site candidates and identify suitable ones.
Frequency Planning
GSM works on a frequency reuse pattern. As the sites get acquired and the build process starts, the RF planners prepare a frequency plan for the network.
Different techniques available for frequency plan a) Fixed Plan, b) Hopping Plan further divided into Baseband Hopping and Synthesized Frequency Hopping RF Planners either manually or by the use of an AFP(Automatic Frequency Planner) create a frequency plan for the network.
Frequency Planning
An optimal frequency is critical to ensure good RF performance of the network. Spectral challenges
Limited band allocation
RF Optimization/Parametric Optimization
During the network build initial RF optimization is done, to ensure that the sites built are reasonably meeting their objectives. During the network build phase it is also ensured that optimal parameter settings are done for all sites to ensure good performance. Detailed explanation of the above to follow!!
2) Future Expansion
Separate planning is done for Traffic Channels(TCH) and Access Channels (SDCCH).
Inbuilding Solutions
IBS is required in places where indoor coverage requirement is critical and the possibility of providing coverage from outdoor sites is not practicable. Usually implemented for places like corporate offices, hotels, hospitals, shopping complexes, etc., where both coverage and capacity is essential. IBS implementations may consist of
Repeaters Low cost solution for covering a small area with less traffic
Microcells/Macrocells Separate BTS sites which can be a single carrier microcell or a multi carrier macrocell, implemented in places where larger area needs to be covered and has higher traffic requirement.
Inbuilding Solutions
IBS implementations usually deploy a passive RF network using DAS(Distributive Antenna Systems). In some exceptional cases active elements like Leaky Feeders might be used. Cost of leaky feeder is comparatively very high, hence the requirement needs to be justified!! IBS performance also needs to be monitored and optimized as it is critical to the performance of the whole network. A bad performing IBS can skew the statistics of the BSC to which it belongs. Special handover algorithms are used for controlling handovers between IBS sites to outdoor network, in order to achieve good performance and for traffic management.
Benchmarking
Benchmarking is done for having a comparison of own network with competitors network in terms of coverage/voice quality. Benchmarking is also done for comparing own networks performance against certain set KPIs or previously achieved performance targets. Special tools like Qvoice equipment is available for voice quality benchmarking. For coverage/quality benchmarking could be done using regular drive test and post processing tools like TEMS and DESKCAT
Benchmarking
Statistical data from benchmarking can be used as a valuable input to the network optimization process. The data is used to identify weak areas in the network, which helps in developing strategies for improving the network performance.
Frequency Planning
Frequency Re-use
F= 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
Clusters
GSM uses concept of cells One cell covers small part of network Network has many cells Frequency used in one cell can be used in another cells This is known as Frequency Re-use
F=2 F=7 F=1 F=6,10 F=2 F=7 F=1 F=6,10 F=5,9 F=3 F=7 F=5,9 F=2 F=3 F=3
F=4,8
F=4,8
F=6,10
F=1
F=4,8 F=5,9
C / I = 9 db
A A
Q= D R
Adjacent ARFCN's can be used in adjacent cells, but as far as possible should be avoided. As such separation of 200 Khz is sufficient, but taking into consideration the propagation effects, as factor of protection 600 Khz should be used*. In the worst, Adjacent ARFCN's can also be used in adjacent cells by setting appropriate handover parameters ( discussed later in optimization)
Cell Configuration
Omnidirectional Cell Sectorial Cell
BTS
Low gain Antennas Lesser penetration/directivity Receives Int from all directions Lower implementation cost
BTS
High gain Antennas Higher penetration/directivity Receives Int from lesser directions Higher implementation cost
Interference in Omni-Cells
B A
3,6,9 C
3,6,9 B
3,6,9 A
Sectored Cells
C3 6 C2
3 9
C1
B3
6
3
9
B1
B2 A3 6 A2 3
A1
Receives
Re-use Patterns
Omni - Cells : 3 cell, 7 cell, 12 cell, 14 cell, 19 cells etc Sector - Cells : 3/9 , 4/12, 7/21
C3
C2
A1 A3 A2
C3 B1 B3 C2 A1
C2 A3 B2 C3 A2 C1 B3 C2
A1
C3
C2
B1 B3
A1 A3 C1 C3
A2
C1
B1 B3
B2 A1 A2 C1 C3 C2
B2
C1 C3
C2
B1
A2 B3 C2
B1
A3 B2
A3
B2
A1
C3
A1
Exercise !!!
Using ARFCN's 1to9 , do the channel allocation for the below cells using 3/9 pattern
C3 B1 B3 A1 A3
C2 A3 B2 C3 A2
A1
C3 A2 B1
C2
A3 B2
A1
C3 A2 B1
C2
C1
B3 C2
C1 C3
B3 C2 A1
B2
A1
B1
A3
A2 C1
B1
A3 B2
C1
A2
C1
C3
B3 C2 A1
B2
C3
B3
C2 A1
C3
C2
1
4 3 6 9 7 5 2
Adjacent Channel Interference is very difficult to avoid within the cluster itself.
B3
B2 D1 A3
D2 B1
D3 A2 B1 B3 C2
D2
B3 D1
B2
D3
C1
B2 D1
D2 B1
B2
C3
B2 A1 A3 C2 C1
B3 C1 C3
D3 A2 B3
B1 B2
C3
D2
Exercise
Using ARFCN's 61 to72 do the channel allocation for the below cells using 4/12 pattern.
B3 D1 D3 B1 B3 C1 C3
B2 A3 D2 C3 B2 A3 C2
A1
D3 A2 B1
B3 D1
D2 C3
B2 A3 D2 B1 C3 B2
C1
B3 C2 D1 D3 A2 B1
B2
C1
A1
D2
B2 D1
C2
A1 D3 A2 C1 B3
C1
B3 C2
A1
D3
D2
1
5 3 7 9 6 2 11
12 4
10
4/12 pattern avoids adjacent channels in adjacent cells
Use of optimal antenna heights Should be sufficient to cater to the coverage area, but should not exceed the requirement, else it results into large spillovers and interference, making reuse difficult!! Use optimal tilt Electrical tilt as far as possible. In some cases combination of electrical and mechanical tilts
Quality of Service
Effect of QOS !
Revenue
--------Customer Switchovers Less New Customers Cost of Dropped Calls Cost of Blocked Calls
Dissatisfied Customers
--- Customers face describes your profit curve --- 1 Dissatisfied customer prevents 10 new
Importance of RF Optimization
RF Optimization is a continuous and iterative process.
Main Goal To achieve performance levels to a certain set standard. Network subscribers expect wireline/near wireline quality.
Importance of RF Optimization
RF/Access Network KPIs can be broadly classified into three types a) Access related KPI b) Traffic/Resource Usage related KPI c) Handover related KPI
Examples of Traffic KPI a)TCH Drop Rate c)TCH Blocking, etc. b) Call success rate
Importance of RF Optimization
Apart from the KPIs mentioned earlier the operator may have his own set of custom KPIs which the operator feels is critical to guage the performance of his network. RF optimization process drives the effort to achieve and maintain the network performance KPI. Optimization can be broadly divided into 3 categories, as follows a) Hardware Optimization b) Physical Optimization
c) Database/Parameter Optimization
Generally the activities mentioned above are done in parallel. In some cases one may precede the other.
Traffic Optimization
RF Planning
Network Rollout
/Build Phase
RF Fine tuning
Optimization Stages
Database
parameter optimization
Hardware Optimization
Hardware Optimization is a process in which ailing network elements which affect the performance of BSS (Access Network) are trouble-shooted. The BSS maintenance team attends to hardware issues. However there is a substantial assistance taken from the RF team for isolating the problem to the specific hardware. How is hardware optimization done?? Inputs for the process are
Drive testing
OMCR statistics
Pathbalance= pathloss+110.
where pathloss = uplink pathloss downlink pathloss. uplink pathloss = actual Ms Txpower rxlev_ul downlink pathloss = actual Bs Txpower rxlev_dl It is desirable to have the pathloss value as 0 which represents a balanced path. However a deviation of +/- 10 is acceptable
RF path should be traced for possible hardware faults. Possible things that
could go wrong are a) High VSWR due to faulty feeder cable b) Improper connectorisation
c) Faulty combiner
Processor problems
The present BTS equipment architecture is quite robust and with the evolution of VLSI techniques, the different hardware modules have been compacted into single units. The current TRXs/TRUs are having inbuilt processing abilities apart from also containing the RF physical channels. However in places where older equipment are still in use, problems with processor, could be encountered. These problems are easily identifiable by drive test and usually also show up degradation on OMCR statistics. However in the current scenario these problems have rare occurences.
c) Conduct call test on the site/cell in question check for assignment failures, handover failures, from layer 3 messages.
Physical RF Optimization
Physical RF Optimization
Physical RF Optimization is an essential requirement during the network build/pre optimization stages. In most cases the OEM vendor is responsible for the network during this phase and he carries out the process to ensure that the actual network is as near good as the desktop designed one.
The process comprises of conducting a drive test for the entire cluster, which may comprise of one or several BSC areas. The drive test results are plotted on a GIS map and deficiencies in coverage/interference problems are identified by plotting Rxlev/Rxqual values. Most of the coverage deficiencies are fixed by making changes to antenna heights(rare), bore and tilts.
At later stages parametric optimization is done to bring the network performance close to desktop design.
Physical RF Optimization
RF optimization is also carried out during network expansion phase, i.e when new site or group of sites are added into the network.
In many networks RF optimization is also done as a regular process to maintain good network performance. RF optimization is helpful in resolving specific coverage problems or interference problems, cell overreach, no dominant server issues, etc.
Typical thumb rule to follow while carrying out physical RF optimization for resolving coverage or interference issues Step 1:- Try tilting the antennas. Step 2:- Try changing the orientation. Step 3:- Increase or reduce the height if tilt/reorientation does not solve the problem Step 4:- Change the antenna type as a last resort.
Database/Parameter Optimization
The process starts the moment a GSM network goes on air and continues on a day-to-day basis, till the network is operational.
Under GSM each vendor has hundreds of parameters which can be played with to achieve different performance metrics under different scenarios. Usually most of the parameters are enabled with default settings and are always kept unchanged. However there are some specific parameters which control the RF performance which can be changed on a cell or even carrier-level, to achieve specific improvements.
Database/Parameter Optimization
GSM Features Before proceeding to database parameters, let us discuss some important GSM features which are commonly being used in current networks.
GSM networks worldwide are mainly affected by the following types of problems:- 1) Coverage issues, 2) Interference issues, 3)Capacity issues. Interference in GSM networks can be reduced significantly by using some special features, as mentioned
Frequency Hopping
DTX Dynamic Power Control
Frequency
F1 F2 F3
Time
The first time slot of the BCCH TRX is not allowed to hop, it must be excluded from the hopping sequence.
This leads to three different hopping groups. The first group doesnt hop and it includes only the BCCH time slot. The second group consists of the first time slots of the nonBCCH TRXs. The third group includes time slots one through seven from every TRX.
RTSL 0 TRX-1 B
TRX-2
f2
TRX-3
f3
TRX-4
f4
Non-BCCH TRXs are hopping over f1, f2, f3, fn TRX-2 . . . . f1, the MA-list (f1,f2,f3,...,fn) attached to the cell.
f2,
f3, fn
BB-FH
TRX-1
F1(+ BCCH) F2
Frequency
TRX-3
F3 RF
F1 F2 F3
Time
Dig.
MSC BSC TCSM
TRX-1
F1, F2, F3 BCCH RF BB-FH is feasible with large configurations RF-FH is viable with smaller configurations
RF-FH
TRX-2
Dig.
The Cell Allocation (CA) is a list of all the frequencies allocated to a cell. The CA is transmitted regularly on the BCCH.
Usually it is also included in the signaling messages that command the mobile to start using a frequency hopping logical channel. The cell allocation may be different for each cell. The practical limit is 64, since the MA-list can only point to 64 frequencies that are included in the CA list .
The MA is a list of hopping frequencies transmitted to a mobile every time it is assigned to a hopping physical channel. The MA-list is automatically generated if the baseband hopping is used. If the network utilises the RF hopping, the MA-lists have to be generated for each cell by the network planner. The MA-list is able to point to 64 of the frequencies defined in the CA list However, the BCCH frequency is also included in the CA list, so the practical maximum number of frequencies in the MA-list is 63.
The frequencies in the MA-list are required to be in increasing order because of the type of signaling used to transfer the MAlist.
FN & HSN
1 1 + MAIOTRX
MAIOTRX 0 1 2
MAIOOFFSET , User definable
MAI(0...N-1) =
MA INDEX (MAI)
N-2
N-1
MA
f1
f2
f3
f4
fN-1
fN
When RF Hopping is deployed the BCCH layer is planned using the standard 4X3 or 7X3 or an intermediate suitable pattern. Maximum protection is assigned while planning to the BCCH layer as it is critical to call setup procedure. For the TCH layer there are mainly three types of widely used reuse patterns
1X1 All sectors in the network use a single MA list.
Loading Factor This is the ratio of no of TRX to the no of hopping frequencies in the MA list Loading Factor = No of Hopping TRX/No of Frequencies. For eg. Loading factor = 50 % if there are 2 TRX and 4 hopping frequencies. Lowest practically achievable loading factor is 33 %for 1X3, 17 % for 1X1 and highest is 100 % .
Usually 100% loading factor is used in case of ad-hoc RF hopping, for cells with higher configuration (6-6-6), however for lower configuration like (2-2-2) 50 % loading factor could be used. In case of ad-hoc hopping the loading factor can be planned to be specific to the cell configuration.
C/I improvement
+ 42
- 75
-95
+ 42
Downlink RxQual
+ 33
- 70
-90
Database Optimization
Typical problems which GSM subscribers experience are Coverage issues Voice quality issues Access issues/congestion Handover related issues Dropped calls
Database Optimization
BSS Parameters are broadly classified into the following groups Access related parameters Call handling/Handover related parameters Congestion related parameters
Database Optimization
Cell Reselection C2
Why C2??
Database Optimization
Network Criteria
3. Downlink Quality
4. Downlink Interference 5. Uplink Level
6. Downlink Level
7. Distance 8. Power Budget
Database Optimization
TRHO/BTS Parameters
Often all the above problems are addressed to the RF optimization team
for resolution
RF Optimization Poor Coverage Issues Poor Coverage Issues Coverage problems are one of the most concerning issues.
Subscribers experience a No network or Network Search scenarios on the fringe area of the cells.
Mostly these problems are experienced in suburban areas and also in many cases inbuilding coverage problems occur.
Analysis is simple
TEMS equipment/test phone displays Rxlev of serving cell and neighbour cells Generally problem occurs when Rxlev drops below 95 dBm. When the Rxlev drops to 100 dBm or lower the subscriber experiences a fluctuating single bar or a network search scenario. When Rxlev (DL) drops below 95 dBm its very difficult to have successful call setup, as typically the uplink Rxlev would be much lower.
Switch related MS experiences a Downlink Disconnect abnormal release, usually with a Cause Value.
CV 47 is a common example Layer 3 message DL Disconnect. Non RF related call drops need to be escalated to isolate the fault which could be related to the switch/transcoder or at any point in the Abis/A Interface.
Use TEMS (layer 3 messages) to identify the cell to which the MS attempts handover and results in a failure
Handover Command
Handover Access Handover Complete
Handover Failure
Handover Command
Handover Access
Handover Failure
Neighbourlist problems
Crosscheck with RF BSC dump to confirm the BCCH/BSIC and other parameters of the target cell.
Report any inconsistencies to the OMCR personnel.