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Case Study
LTE Small Cell backhaul planning using CONNECT





















AIRCOM International
Cassini Court, Randalls Way,
Leatherhead, KT22 7TW
United Kingdom
www.aircominternational.com



Case Study Page 2 of 14

Contents
1 Executive Summary .................................................................................................... 3
2 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 4
3 Link Planning Considerations ....................................................................................... 5
3.1 Case Study Area ................................................................................................. 5
3.2 Link Types ......................................................................................................... 5
4 Planning Methodology ................................................................................................ 7
4.1 Line-of-Sight Analysis ......................................................................................... 7
4.2 Traffic Requirements .......................................................................................... 8
5 Link Planning Solution ................................................................................................ 9
5.1 PtP (LOS) 38GHz Hybrid Microwave Links ............................................................ 9
5.2 PtP (LOS) E-Band Microwave Links .................................................................... 10
5.3 PtMP (LOS) 26GHz Hub/Links ............................................................................ 10
5.4 PtMP (NLOS) 3.5GHz Hub/Links ........................................................................ 10
5.5 Fibre Optic Links .............................................................................................. 11
5.6 Link Performance ............................................................................................. 11
6 Conclusions .............................................................................................................. 13
7 Glossary .................................................................................................................. 14





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1 Executive Summary
With wireless data already predicted to exceed wired data in the next few years and network
capacity demands to increase 20-40 fold over the next 5 years, mobile operators are under
pressure to dramatically increase their network capacity and maintain data throughput rates,
in a cost effective manner. Embracing a Small Cell strategy seems to be the most common
approach to achieve this across the Worlds operators.

Small Cell technology (which includes femto, pico and micro cells) is currently in use by 67%
of operators according to the Small Cell Forum and its usage will increase from 4.3 million
small cells to 36.8 million by 2016. Operators need a planning strategy to ensure capacity
issues are addressed and throughput rates are maintained for continued positive customer
experience.

Small Cells can offer additional capacity and provide improved indoor and outdoor coverage
but planning is required to ensure that backhaul transmission can be achieved with
equipment that will typically be mounted on street furniture such as traffic lights, sign posts
or lamp posts and that there is sufficient capacity to handle the increased data rates provided
by LTE.

A Case Study is presented here, on how LTE Small Cell backhaul transmission can be planned
with AIRCOMs Backhaul and Link Planning tool, CONNECT using Point-to-Point (PtP) Wireless
Links, either micro- or millimetre-wave, Point-to-Multi-Point (PtMP) Microwave Links and Fibre
Optic Links in a high-traffic, high-density area of central London, in the United Kingdom,
which contains both Small Cells and Macro Cells.

The RF planning of the Small Cell layer can be performed using AIRCOMs ASSET Radio
Planning tool or any other similar solution. AIRCOMs I-VIEW DIMENSION End-to-End
Capacity Planning tool can be used for Capacity Management and scenario planning, what-if-
analysis, future expansion planning and optimisation. These are not covered in this case
study but were addressed in previous ones which can be obtained by contacting us if you
missed them.



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2 Introduction
This document demonstrates how an LTE Small Cells backhaul network can be planned with
AIRCOMs Backhaul and Link Planning tool, CONNECT. For this case study we are using a
high-traffic, high-density area of central London, in the United Kingdom, which contains both
Small Cells and Macro cells. The Macro Cell sites locations are real ones obtained from the
UKs regulators published data.

We will show in CONNECT the topology of this network segment and we will discuss the
various backhaul options listing their advantages and disadvantages. We will show that a
number of different combinations can be used and there is not a single answer but a careful
evaluation has to be performed taking into account a number of factors before the final
approach is decided.

We will then analyse the topography and the existing infrastructure of the study area and we
will select the best backhaul option which can offer the required capacity with high availability
and low cost. The required capacity on each cell is taken from an RF planning tool but it can
also be taken from real network statistics or marketing data.

For more details about the configuration and the simulations which were executed, please
contact us.



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3 Link Planning Considerations
3.1 Case Study Area
The Case Study Area is a dense urban area of central London that includes Covent Garden
and Holborn and is bounded by Soho, Leicester Square and Tottenham Court Road.


Fig. 1 The area under study
The map above has a Bing Web Map backdrop, overlaid with a Building Vector layer. The
buildings have been coloured by height (m) according to the ranges in the top left-hand
corner. The buildings in the area are between 10-60m in height.

The eight (8) large pink three-sector icons denote the existing LTE Macro Cell sites while the
small pink vector icons represent the new Small Cells that were added manually in locations
decided in the Radio Planning Tool to improve poor coverage and increase capacity. Twenty
four (24) Small Cells were added in this manner, in order to complement the macrocell
network and offer the required QoS to all the users.

The Macro Cell sites are on building rooftops or faades between 22-53m whereas the Small
Cells are at street level and all have a height of 4m.

The use of one or more transmission only sites located on high building (>50m) was
considered during Line of Sight (LOS) analysis.
3.2 Link Types
The available options while designing the Small Cell backhaul networks include a number of
different link types, each of them with its strengths and weaknesses.

Point-to-point microwave links take advantage of the numerous frequency bands that
are available between 10-60 GHz and is a widely used and tested technology. They are



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suitable connections between high (macrocell) sites, offering medium-to-high capacity
capabilities. However, a line-of-sight (LOS) between these sites is required, as well as a
recurring OPEX, due to the licensing of these links.

Point-to-point millimetre wave connections have a relaxed licensing procedure that
reduces the spectrum OPEX in many markets. Additionally, due to the high-frequencies, 70-
80 GHz, the antennas have a small and discreet size that makes them perfect for their street
level deployment. They can achieve very high capacities, but for short line-of sight links, and
thus they are suitable for the connections between the small cells.

Point-to-multipoint line-of-sight microwave links use the ETSI PtMP 10.5, 26 and 28
GHz frequency bands (other bands are in consideration). Up to 8 remote terminals can be
connected per access point with up to 300 Mbps backhaul capacity. Therefore they can only
be used as a backhaul option very close to the edge of the network, where the capacity
needs are not very demanding, with an increase though on the OPEX costs.

Non-line-of-sight (NLOS) PtMP links take advantage of the unlicensed 3.5 and 5 GHz
bands and their excellent low frequency propagation interaction with the environment to
connect multiple Small Cells. However, it is expected that these bands will be congested, with
relatively moderate capacity capabilities, and thus they will be used as last-mile connections
for low demanding Small Cells.

Other non-wireless connections are possible, like ADSL lines, coaxial cables or optical
fibres. Despite their high capacity and reliability (as in optical fibres), they add a significant
cost especially if they are not readily available in the planning region. They are mostly
suitable for connecting transmission hubs or Small Cells which cannot be accessed with a
wireless link.




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4 Planning Methodology
The backhaul connections of the Small Cells depend on a number of different factors and the
network itself will include many different link types of those described above; a single size
doesnt fit all.

The main drivers in the Small Cell planning are the traffic requirements and the existence of a
line-of-sight path to a macrocell or a transmission hub. It is possible though, if the
macrocell/transmission hub cannot be reached, to interconnect the small cells in a tree or
daisy chain or even for lower requirements with NLOS PtMP connections. For those small cells
that an adequate wireless path cannot be found, a wired one should be used, or an
alternative location to be found.

The interconnections between macrocells are planned with PtP microwave links, which are
typically available in most real deployments.
4.1 Line-of-Sight Analysis
As a first step, it is necessary to establish whether and where line-of-sight paths exist
between the newly added small cells and the macrocells/transmission hubs locations. A valid
LOS path should fulfil the Fresnel clearance criteria and consider all the available information
about the area under study. Such information is the terrain heights (DTM), clutter heights,
and building vectors and/or rasters.

CONNECT offers three ways of performing such an analysis; the LOS Wizard, which provides
a complete list of the possible LOS paths, the ability to save this information and create the
links automatically; the Height Profile between two locations (Fig. 2), with a visual display of
the actual path, user-obstruction editor and link budget/reporting functionalities; and the Site
Visibility in the Map 2D View window, for a quick LOS assessment.


Fig. 2 The height profile between two properties



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4.2 Traffic Requirements
The traffic needs for each small cell were calculated using AIRCOMs RF planning tool, ASSET,
which is tightly integrated with CONNECT, and thus seamlessly share this information. This
information is also an important parameter on deciding where to place the small cell itself.

Cell Name Parent Base Station Bitrate (Mbps)
00197804A 00197804 0.7510608
00197804B 00197804 0.511287
00197804C 00197804 3.218079
00243055A 00243055 1.537242
00243055B 00243055 3.791781
00243055C 00243055 3.107413
00245836A 00245836 0.4068386
00245836B 00245836 4.92806
00245836C 00245836 1.992801
00245837A 00245837 3.148421
00245837B 00245837 3.31222
00245837C 00245837 4.410731
00245841A 00245841 1.088441
00245841B 00245841 0.8030928
00245841C 00245841 3.634284
00248434A 00248434 2.971812
00248434B 00248434 1.353941
00248434C 00248434 0.6968108
e00197804A e00197804 2.145888
e00197804B e00197804 1.46082
e00197804C e00197804 9.194512
e00243055A e00243055 4.39212
e00243055B e00243055 10.83366
e00243055C e00243055 8.878322
e00245836A e00245836 1.162396
e00245836B e00245836 14.08017
e00245836C e00245836 5.693716
e00245837A e00245837 8.995488
e00245837B e00245837 9.463485
e00245837C e00245837 12.60209
e00245841A e00245841 3.10983
e00245841B e00245841 2.294551
e00245841C e00245841 10.38367
e00248434A e00248434 8.490891
e00248434B e00248434 3.868403
e00248434C e00248434 1.990888





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5 Link Planning Solution
The above requirements dictate the way the network, which now consists of eight LTE
macrocell sites and twenty-four LTE small cells, should be interconnected. It is acknowledged
that are needed:
1 x Transmission Only High Site
8 x PtP (LOS) 38GHz Hybrid Microwave Links
9 x PtP (LOS) E-Band Microwave Links
1 x PtMP (LOS) 26GHz Hub with 4 x PtMP (LOS) Links
1 x PtMP (NLOS) 3.5GHz Hub with 8 x PtMP (NLOS) Links
3 x Fibre Optic Links


Fig. 3 Small Cell backhaul network
The requirement for one transmission only high site was identified in the eastern half of the
Case Study area, with a height of almost 60m it was one of the highest buildings in the area
and provided a fibre optic Point-of-Presence (PoP) and good opportunities for both LOS and
NLOS links.
5.1 PtP (LOS) 38GHz Hybrid Microwave Links
PtP (LOS) 38GHz Microwave Links (in red) were created from two hubs, one transmission
only and on existing Macrocell Site in order to provide inter-connectivity between the eight
Macrocell sites and the fibre optic PoP.

Hybrid Radios have been used as it is likely that the LTE Macrocells will be co-located with
legacy technology sites for UMTS/HSPA and GSM/EDGE/GPRS.



Case Study Page 10 of 14


Fig. 4 The LOS links shown in Google Earth as exported by Connect
5.2 PtP (LOS) E-Band Microwave Links
PtP (LOS) E-Band Microwave Links (in blue) were mainly used between Smalls Cells with line-
of-sight along streets. In fact it was possible to link seven Small Cells in a tree topology with
central location having access to optical fibre. In addition E-Band Microwave Links have been
used for connection of a Macrocell Site to a Small Cell and from the transmission only hub to
a another Small Cell.
5.3 PtMP (LOS) 26GHz Hub/Links
The possibility to make four PtP (LOS) Links to Small Cells from a Macrocell site in the south-
east quadrant of the Case Study area was identified. This provided a good opportunity to
locate a PtMP (LOS) 26GHz Microwave Hub and four PtMP (LOS) 26GHz Microwave Links (in
green).

The PtMP Hubs consist of six Sectors with one Carrier per Sector.
5.4 PtMP (NLOS) 3.5GHz Hub/Links
A PtMP (NLOS) 3.5GHz Hub was located on the transmission only high site, from where it
was possible to connect eight Small Cells using PtMP (NLOS) 3.5GHz Microwave Links (in
orange). The key difference between the PtMP (LOS) and PtMP (NLOS) links is that it is not
necessary to have clear line of sight between the Hub Sector Antenna and the Small Cell
PtMP Antenna.




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Fig. 5 No LOS path exists for this Small Cell; a NLOS option has to be followed
5.5 Fibre Optic Links
Fibre Optic Links (in yellow) were used to connect two Smalls Cells with no radio path (LOS or
NLOS) that meet capacity and link budget requirements to the transmission only hub. A Fibre
Optic Link was also used to connect a Small Cell hub location that was in turn connected to a
further Small Cells in a tree topology.

In CONNECT, as well as planning a range of PtP and PtMP Microwave Links, it is also possible
to plan non-microwave connections, such as optical fibres, coaxial cables, twisted pairs and
leased lines.
5.6 Link Performance
All planned wireless links were ensured not only to offer enough capacity to fulfil the traffic
requirements but also to operate within the availability targets, reducing the outage periods
in acceptable levels. Transmit powers, operating modulation types and antennas were fine
tuned to achieve this goal.

Interference levels were made certain not to degrade the network performance, by running
the Interference Analysis wizard, and make amendments in the configuration, where
necessary.

CONNECT offers adequate planning capabilities according to the ITU specifications to allow
for accurate planning of the links. Link Budget, Fade Margin, Outage, Reliability and
Objectives are calculated to ensure high availability of the links.




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Fig. 6 Link planning




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6 Conclusions
It is evident that planning the backhaul of a Small Cell network will require a variety of
wireless and wired link types based on the generated traffic, the location of the small cells,
and cost, among other factors. Traditional link planning methods will not be sufficient as the
environment and the propagation phenomena are becoming equally crucial for the backhaul
as they are for the RF.

This Case Study has shown that backhaul transmission for LTE Small Cells can be effectively
planned and analysed in CONNECT.

As the majority of Small Cells will be deployed in dense urban and urban environments it is
highly recommended that Building Vector data is available for LOS analysis and the
calculation of obstruction losses for NLOS links; the more detailed the environment
information the more accurate the planning results.

Not all the small cells locations can be reached with line-of-sight connections. Therefore, it is
necessary to locate the hub locations, from where NLOS PtMP microwave links could be
delivered with adequate capacity and availability.

Similarly, not all small cells can be connected with any wireless connection, LOS or NLOS.
Therefore, it may be necessary to identify them and plan the wired connections (coaxial
cables, optical fibres, leased lines).

The macrocells will be interconnected with LOS point-to-point microwave links, but the
increased capacity due to the small cells means that they will need to be upgraded. Such
knowledge would help to plan and perform the necessary actions timely, before leading to a
degraded performance.

Since the traffic needs is an important factor, cooperation between the radio-frequency and
transmission planners would be necessary to ensure that the designed backhaul network
would fulfil the requirements for both teams. Therefore, the integration with an RF planning
tool, like the one that CONNECT offers with ASSET, would make that an easy task.





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7 Glossary
AMC Adaptive Modulation and Coding
ATPC Automatic Transmit Power Control
DTM Digital Terrain Map
E-Band Extremely High Frequency bands from 71-76GHz, 81-86GHz and 92-95GHz
EDGE Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution
ETSI European Telecommunications Standards Institute
FDD Frequency Division Duplexing
GPRS General Packet Radio Service
GSM Global System for Mobile Communications
HSPA High Speed Packet Access
IP Internet Protocol
ITU International Telecommunications Union
LOS Line of Sight
LTE - Long Term Evolution, a technology from the 3GPP industry group
NLOS Non Line of Sight
OPEX Operational Expenditure
PoP Point of Presence
PtMP Point to Multi Point
PtP Point to Point
Rx Receive
TDD Time Division Duplexing
TDM Time Division Multiplexing
Tx Transmit
UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
WMS Web Map Service