Frequency Planning and

Neighbor Cell Planning

ISSUE1.0

Chapter 1 Frequency planning

Chapter 2 Tight frequency reuse
Chapter 3 Frequency hopping
Chapter 4 Neighbor Cell Planning

Page 2

Content of Frequency planning

Frequency resource of GSM system
Requirement for interference and carrier-tointerference ratio
Signal quality grade coding
Concept of frequency reuse
4*3 frequency reuse

Page 3

Frequency Resource of GSM System

GSM 900 :

890

915

935

960

Duplex distance : 45 MHz

GSM 1800 :

1710

1785

1805

Duplex distance : 95 MHz

Page 4

1880

Frequency Band Configuration

GSM900:
BTS receiver (uplink ): f1 (n) =890.2+ (n-1)*0.2
MHz
BTS transmitter (downlink ): f2 (n) =f1 (n) +45 MHz

GSM1800:
BTS receiver (uplink ): f1 (n) =1710.2 + (n-512) *
0.2 MHz
BTS transmitter (downlink ): f2 (n) =f1 (n) +95 MHz
Page 5

Requirement for Interference and

Carrier-to-Interference Ratio
C/I =
Useful signal

All useful signals

All useless signals

Noise from environment

Other signals

GSM standard: C / I >= 9 dB

In practical projects: C / I >= 12dB
Page 6

carrier
interference

Requirement for Interference and

Carrier-To-Interference Ratio
C/I =
Useful signal

All useful signals

All useless signals

Noise from environment

Other signals

GSM standard: C / I >= 9 dB

In practical projects: C / I >= 12dB
Page 7

carrier
interference

Effect of Interference
Decrease of signal quality
Bit error
Recoverable: channel coding, error correction
Irrecoverable: phase distortion

System interference model

Unbalanced: uplink interference downlink
interference
Asymmetrical: the interference is different at
the MS and BTS ends

Page 8

Signal Quality
Receiving quality (RXQUAL parameter)
Level of receiving quality (0 ... 7)
Bit error rateRXQUAL
before
Mean decoding
BER
BER and
range error correction
Good
Fairly good
Acceptable
Intolerable

Page 9

class
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

(%)
0.14
0.28
0.57
1.13
2.26
4.53
9.05
18.1

from... to
< 0.2%
0.2 ... 0.4 %
0.4 ... 0.8 %
0.8 ... 1.6 %
1.6 ... 3.2 %
3.2 ... 6.4 %
6.4 ... 12.8 %
> 12.8 %

Concept of Frequency Reuse

Macro-cell system

{fi,fj..fk}

d
Micro-cell system
{fi,fj..fk}

Page 10

..

{fi,fj..fk}

..

{fi,fj..fk}

The Reason of Frequency Reuse

Frequency resource is limited. If there is 8MHz
frequency resource, 8 MHz = 40 channels * 8
timeslots = 320
==> max. 320 users can access the network
at the same time.

Page 11

Reuse Density
Reuse density is the number of cells in a
basic reuse cluster.

4*312

n*mn*m
n: BTS number in a basic reuse cluster
m: Frequency group number in a BTS
Tighter reuse
0

Looser reuse
10

Higher frequency reuse

efficiency, but interference
is serious. More technique
Is needed.

Page 12

20

Little interference, but frequency

reuse efficiency is low.

Problem of Frequency Reuse

[fn]
R

[fn]
D

[fn]

Reuse of a frequency causes the co-channel interference

Page 13

Interference (C/I) Estimation

C q 1

I
6

1/2

q = D/R = ( 3 k )

Page 14

Frequency Reuse Patterns

Purpose: to minimize the interference in the
whole network with the final frequency
allocation plan
Theoretically
Regular hexagon cell
Regular network distribution
Cell cluster
Multiplexing distance
D = R *sqrt(3*K)
R

This old-fashioned frequency distribution

mode is not recommended

Page 15

4*3 Frequency Reuse

C1 C2
A1 A2
C3 D1
C1 C2
D2
A3 B1
A1 A2
B2 D3
C3 D1
D2 B3
A3 B1
C1 C2
C1 C2
B2 D3
A1 A2
A1 A2
B3 C1
C3 D1
C3 D1
C2 A3
D2 A3
D2
A1 A2
B1 B2
B1 B2
C3 D1
D3 C1
D3
D2 B3
C2 B3
A3 B1
A1
B2 D3
A2 C3
D1 D2
B3
A3 B1
B2 D3
B3

Page 16

Illustration of Frequency Allocation of

4*3 Frequency Reuse
A1 B1 C1 D1 A2 B2 C2 D2 A3 B3 C3 D3
34

34 35 36 37 38 39

40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51
52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63
64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75
76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87
88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95

Page 17

Chapter 1 Frequency planning

Chapter 2 Tight frequency reuse
Chapter 3 Frequency hopping
Chapter 4 Neighbor Cell Planning

Page 18

Tight Frequency Reuse Technology

Page 19

Multi-layer reuse pattern

Underlaid and overlaid cell
1*3
1*1

Multi-layer Reuse Pattern

Page 20

Multi-layer Reuse Pattern

BCCH: n1
TCH1: n2
TCH2: n3

TCHm-1: nm
n1 n2n3 n4 ...... nm

And n1+n2+...+nm=n

Page 21

Multi-layer Reuse Pattern Frequency

Allocation
Suppose that the available frequency carrier is 10MHZ, channel
number is 4694, the Multi-layer reuse pattern should be:

Page 22

RC type

Allocated
frequencies

Number of
available
frequencies

BCCH

46~57

12

TCH1

58~66

TCH2

67~74

TCH3

75~82

TCH4

83~88

TCH5

89~94

Multi-layer Reuse Pattern Frequency

Allocation
{f1,f2,f3,f4,f5...f40}

{f1,f3,f5...f23}

BCCH

Page 23

TCH1

{f2,f4..f22,f24...f40}

TCH2

TCH3

TCH4

Advantages of Multi-layer Reuse

Pattern

Capacity increase when reuse density is multiplied:

Supposing there are 300 cells
Bandwidth: 8 MHz (40 frequency)

Normal 4*3 reuse: reuse density=12

TRX

==> network capacity = 40/12 * 300 = 1000

Multiple reuse:

BWi
cap. N
re usei

BCCH layer:
re-use =14, (14 frq.)
Normal TCH layer:
re-use =10, (20 frq.)
Aggressive TCH layer:re-use = 6,
(6 frq.)

==> Network capacity = (1 +2 +1)* 300 = 1200

TRX

Page 24

Advantages of Multi-layer Reuse

Pattern
Capacity increases when reuse density is multiplied:
Supposing there are 300 cells
Bandwidth: 8 MHz (40 frequency)

Normal 4*3 reuse: reuse density=12

==> network capacity = 40/12 * 300 = 1000 TRX

Multiple reuse:

BWi
BCCH layer:
re-use =14,
(14 frq.)
cap. N
Normal TCH layer:
re-use =10,
(20 frq.) re usei
Aggressive TCH layer:re-use = 6, (6 frq.)

==> Network capacity = (1 +2 +1)* 300 = 1200

TRX

Page 25

Underlaid/Overlaid Frequency
Allocation

Overlaid-cell
Underlaid-cell

The inner circle covers a smaller area, and the frequency

can be reused more tightly.

Page 26

Overlaid/Underlaid Frequency
Configuration
Super fn

Super fn
Regular fm

BCCH 15f

Super fn
Regular fm

Regular 24f

BCCH

Reuse density: 15

R TCH TRX reuse density: 12

S TCH TRX reuse density: 6

Page 27

Regular fm

Super 12f

4*3 and 1*3 Reuse Patterns

BCCH14+TCH36
1BCCH+3TCH

1BCCH+3TCH

1BCCH+3TCH

4*3

Page 28

1BCCH+12TCH

1BCCH+12TCH

1BCCH+12TCH

1*3

Illustration of 1*3 TCH Frequency

Allocation
TRX1 TRX2 ... TRX7
TRX1 TRX2 ... TRX7

TRX8 TRX9... TRX14

TRX8 TRX9... TRX14

TRX15 TRX16...TRX21

The red items are BCCH RCs

Page 29

TRX15 TRX16...TRX21

Frequency Planning Principle

There should be no co-channel frequency carriers in one BTS.
The frequency separation between BCCH and TCH in the same cell should
be not less than 400K.
When frequency hopping is not used, the separation of TCH in the same
cell should be not less than 400K.
In non-1*3 reuse mode, co-channel should be avoided between the
immediately neighbor BTS.
Neighbor BTS should not have co-channels facing each other directly.
Normally, with 1*3 reuse, the number of the hopping frequencies
should be not less than twice of the number of frequency hopping TRX
in the same cell.
Pay close attention to co-channel reuse, avoiding the situation that the
same BCCH has the same BSIC in adjacent area.

Page 30

Example of Frequency Planning

.

An example network in a specific place, BTS

are densely located. The topography is plain.
The maximum BTS configuration is S3/3/2
Initial planning:

Page 31

Example of Frequency Planning

Final frequency planning:

Page 32

Example of 1*3 Frequency Reuse

Suppose 900 band: 96124

BTS configuration: S3/3/3
BCCH layer: 96109 reuse pattern: 4*3
TCH layer: 110124 reuse pattern: 1*3

Page 33

TCH Consecutive Allocation Scheme

Group 1 (MA1): 110 111 112 113 114 Cell1

Group 2 (MA2): 115 116 117 118 119 Cell2

Group 3 (MA3): 120 121 122 123 124 Cell3

Page 34

TCH Interval Allocation Scheme

Page 35

Group 1 (MA1): 110 113 116 119 122

Cell1

Group 2 (MA2): 111 114 117 120 123

Cell2

Group 3 (MA3): 112 115 118 121 124

Cell3

Comparison Between Multi-layer

reuse and 1*3

Page 36

For Multi-layer reuse pattern, either Base band hopping or RF hopping can be
used. But for 1x3 reuse, only RF hopping can be used.
Multi-layer reuse pattern is a gradual process for TCH frequency planning. In
other words, the reuse is rather loose in TCH1 layer and it is quite close in the
last TCH layer (such as TCH5). The reason for this pattern is that base band
hopping is used in the Multi-layer reuse pattern. When there are rather few
frequency carriers, the hopping gain is small. Therefore, more frequency carriers
should be allocated for the layer with small TCH and then the reuse coefficient is
relatively large. When RF hopping is used in the Multi-layer reuse pattern and
there are a large number of frequency carriers, the hopping gain is high and the
reuse coefficient can be very small. In addition, the Multi-layer reuse pattern is of
a free pattern. It is different from base band hopping, in which the reuse must be
loose in the first TCH layer and more close in inner layers.

Comparison Between Example of

Frequency Planning and 1*3
The frequency planning for the 1x3 mode is simple and it is easy
to plan the frequency for new added BTS.
1x3 mode requires a rather regular BTS location distribution.
For the cells with fixed number of TRX, when the traffic is heavy,
the 1x3 provides higher service quality than that of Multi-layer
reuse pattern.
TRX can be easily added to the 1x3 network, but TRX number of
hopping should not exceed the product of the allocated hopping
frequency number and the max RF load ratio.
BCCH of Multi-layer reuse pattern can take part in the frequency
hopping, while BCCH in 1x3 mode can not.

Page 37

Chapter 1 Frequency planning

Chapter 2 Tight frequency reuse
Chapter 3 Frequency hopping
Chapter 4 Neighbor cell planning

Page 38

Content of Frequency Hopping

Class of hopping
Advantages of hopping
Parameter of hopping
Collocation of hopping data

Page 39

Content of Frequency Hopping

Class of hopping
Advantages of hopping
Parameter of hopping
Collocation of hopping data

Page 40

Frequency Hopping

Page 41

Class of Hopping
Hopping can be implemented in two ways
Base-band hopping
RF hopping

Class according to the min hopping time unit

Timeslot hopping
Frame hopping

Page 42

Base Band Hopping Principle

Page 43

RF Hopping Principle

Page 44

Class of Hopping
Frame hopping
Frequency changes every TDMA frame. The different

channel of one TRX uses the same MAIO.

Timeslot hopping
Frequency changes every timeslot. The different channel

of one TRX uses the different MAIO.

Page 45

Advantages of Hopping
Get an agreeable radio environment.
Provide a similar communication quality for
every user.
Tighter reuse patterns are possible to be used
for larger capacity.

Page 46

Frequency Diversity of Hopping

Smoothen the rapid fading (Rayleigh fading)

Page 47

Interference Diversity of Hopping

Smoothen and average the interference

Page 48

Hopping Parameters

All the parameters which are related to hopping are configured in

cell/configure Hopping data

Hopping mode: the mode used by the BTS system, including three
options: not hopping, base band hopping and RF hopping.

MA (Mobile Allocation Set): the set of available RF bands when

hopping, containing at most 64 frequency carriers. The frequency

being used must be those of the available frequency

Page 49

Description of Hopping Parameters

HSNhopping sequence number063.
HSN=0cycle hopping.
HSN0random hopping. Every sequence number
corresponds a pseudo random sequence.

Page 50

Hopping Parameters
MAIO (Mobile Allocation Index Offset): used to define the initial
frequency of the hopping.

Be careful to configure the MAIO of same timeslot in all channels,

otherwise interference occurs.

Page 51

Description Hopping Parameters

At the air interface, the frequency used on a specific burst is
an element in MA set. MAI is used for indication, referring to

a specific element in the MA set.

Page 52

MAI is the function of TDMA FN, HSN and MAIO.

Chapter 1 Frequency planning

Chapter 2 Tight frequency reuse
Chapter 3 Frequency hopping
Chapter 4 Neighbor cell planning

Page 53

Why
Handover is based on the neighbor relationship.
Existing problem of neighbor planning
No neighbor relationship, no handover
Co-BCCH and co-basic between adjacent cells lead
to handover failure.
redundant neighbors
missing neighbor

Page 54

Neighbor Cell Description

There are table BA1 and table BA2.

Table BA1 describes BCCH frequencies of the adjacent cells to be measured when the MS is in
idle mode.
Table BA2 describes BCCH frequencies of the adjacent cells to be measured when the MS is in
dedicated mode.
There are two kinds of neighbors
bidirectional neighbors
unidirectional neighbors
Bidirectional neighbors are common, and unidirectional neighbors are used in special
condition, such as overshooting

Page 55

Overshooting and Unidirectional Neighbor

The signals of cell A covers some areas far away from this
cell. It is overshooting.

When MS moves from this area towards B and C

in dedicated mode, the signal is worse and worse.

since cell B and C is not the cell As neighbor,

call drop will occur finally.

There are three solution:

Adjust the downtilt of the antenna
Adjust the transmitting power of the BTS
Add B and C as the neighbor of cell A, no need to add
A to B and C, that is unidirectional neighbor.
(make sure that there are no co-BCCH and co-BSIC in neighbor list)

Page 56

Neighbor Planning Principle

The cells of co-site must be set as neighbor cells
The cells confronting directly must be added to neighbor list
The cells facing toward the same direction should be neighbors
The cells shooting by the original cell
The cells shooting at the original cell

The cells, one site apart, face to face should be neighbor cells.

Page 57

Demonstration (ideally)

Original cell
co-site cell
Confronting cell
same directional cell
one site apart
face to face cell
Page 58