LTE PCI Self-Optimization Feature

Budi Prasetyo LTE Feature 20:53

Introduction
There are 504 physical cell identifiers (PCIs) in an LTE network. They are divided into
168 groups and each group consists of three PCIs. PCIs are essential for successful
signal synchronization and signal demodulation. Each E-UTRAN cell maps only one
PCI When excessive E-UTRAN cells exist on the LTE network, multiple E-UTRAN intra-
frequency cells inevitably use the same PCI. If PCIs are improperly planned or manually
modified, cell frequencies are changed, or neighboring cell parameters are modified,
PCIs may conflict between E-UTRAN intra-frequency cells
Developed the PCI conflict detection and self-optimization feature, which provides the
following functions:
 PCI conflict detection PCI conflict detection is divided into the following types:
1. Distributed detection Distributed detection is performed by the eNodeB. Configuration
parameters on the eNodeB, such as neighboring cell information, PCIs, and
frequencies, change due to manual operations, ANR, or X2 message interaction,
causing the eNodeB to perform PCI conflict detection.
2. Centralized detection Centralized detection is performed by the SONMaster. Based on
the obtained NE configuration data, engineering parameter data, and MRs and
performance data to which you subscribe, the SONMaster performs PCI conflict
detection manually or periodically.
 Distributed and centralized detection results are displayed on the SONMaster in a
unified way and involved in PCI self-optimization.PCI self-optimization.Conflicting cells
are re-assigned with proper PCIs based on the detected PCI conflicts combined with the
network topology and neighboring cell configuration data. PCI self-optimization supports
PCI mod 3, mod 6, and mod 30 optimization.
Benefits
PCI conflict detection and self-optimization provided by automatically detects PCI
conflicts between neighboring cells on the LTE network and assigns proper PCIs to
conflicting cells using PCI self-optimization to eliminate or reduce PCI conflicts, thereby
reducing service drop rates and improving handover success rates. In addition, this
feature optimizes PCI mod 3 conflicts, enhancing the downlink throughput of cells and
improving the SINR

PCI Conflict Types

PCI Collision A PCI collision occurs between two intra-frequency cells that use an
identical PCI but are insufficiently isolated. In this case, UEs in the overlapping area of
the two cells cannot implement signal synchronization or decoding

If a cell has the same frequency and PCI as one of its neighboring cells, there is a PCI
collision between the cell and the neighboring cell.

PCI Confusion
A PCI confusion occurs between a detected cell and a neighboring cell if the two cells
have the same frequency and PCI and if the reference signal received power (RSRP) of
the two cells reaches the handover threshold. The PCI confusion may lead to UE
handover failures or service drops.
The PCI confusion occurs in the following scenarios :

1. Intra-frequency confusion between LTE cells

In this scenario, cells A, B, and C are LTE cells with the same downlink frequency. Cells
A and B have the same PCI. Therefore, cells A and B create confusion for cell C
Note : According to LTE neighboring cell configuration principles, the frequency and PCI
of cell C must not be the same as those of cell A or cell B. Otherwise, cell A or cell B
cannot be added to the NCL of cell C LTE

In this scenario, cells A, B, and C are LTE cells with the same downlink frequency. Cells
A and B have the same PCI. Therefore, cells A and B create confusion for cell C
Note : According to LTE neighboring cell configuration principles, the frequency and PCI
of cell C must not be the same as those of cell A or cell B. Otherwise, cell A or cell B
cannot be added to the NCL of cell C LTE

2. Inter-frequency confusion between LTE cells

In this scenario, cells A, B, and C are LTE cells. Cells A and B have the same frequency
and PCI and are inter-frequency neighboring cells of cell C. Therefore, cells A and B
create confusion for cell C. 3

3.Inter-RAT confusion created by LTE cells for a UMTS cell

In this scenario, two LTE cells create PCI confusion for the UMTS cell, thereby affecting
the handover of the UMTS cell.

According to RNC configuration principles, two LTE cells with the same frequency and
PCI must not be added to the NCL of the UMTS cell. Therefore, you can add only cell A
or cell B to the NCL of cell C.
4) Inter-RAT confusion created by LTE cells for a GSM cell
The principle diagram for LTE is the same as that for UMTS. LTE-to-GSM handovers
seldom occur on the network. Therefore, LTE-to-GSM confusion is seldom created and
is not considered in this version temporarily

PCI Mod 3 Interference

On the LTE network, if PCIs of two neighboring cells are different and the mod 3
remainders are the same, this constructs the PCI mod 3 interference, as shown in

As shown in the preceding figure, cells A, B, and C have the same frequency but
different PCIs. The PCI mod 3 remainders for cells A and B are 1, which constructs the
 PCI mod 3 interference. If a cell is in dual antenna mode, the carriers transmitted in the
reference signal will generate intra-frequency interference, thereby decreasing the
SINR. (Note: If cells are in single antenna mode and the PCI mod 6 remainders are the
same, the carriers transmitted in the reference signal will generate intra-frequency
interference, thereby decreasing the SINR.) According to the research results of PCI
mod 3 conflicts on the network, the PCI mod 3 conflicts have the following impact on the
user SINR and throughput:
 The SINR decreases most when the cell has no load and decreases less when the
network load grows. The PCI mod 3 conflicts have little impact on user throughput.
 In highly-loaded scenarios, the PCI mod 3 conflicts bring insignificant impact and are
not the main cause of interference problems. Therefore, the PCI mod 3 conflicts in the
case of certain load need to be considered.

PCI Self-Optimization

For distributed detection, the eNodeB reports PCI conflict information to the SONMaster
after detecting PCI conflicts. After receiving distributed detection results, the
SONMaster combines them with centralized detection results, performs centralized PCI
self-optimization, and assigns conflicting cells with proper PCIs. PCI self-optimization
results take effect only when they are delivered to the eNodeB
PCI self-optimization is also supported in scenarios where some network element (NE)
engineering parameters are not configured or the cells use compressed bandwidth.
These parameters include longitude, latitude, azimuth, and beamwidth.

Prioritization Rules
If multiple cells experience PCI conflicts, the SONMaster adheres to the following
prioritization rules to prioritize the conflicting cells and then selects the cells for PCI
optimization in descending order.
1. Prioritizes cells with higher optimization priorities specified by users. The optimization
priority of an LTE cell can be specified on the SONMaster as High priority, Low priority,
or Locked. During PCI self-optimization, conflicting cells with a high priority are assigned
with new PCIs in precedence. A conflicting cell whose priority is Locked will not be
assigned with a new PCI.
2. Prioritizes cells experiencing the most frequent PCI conflicts with other cells.
Changing the PCI of a cell experiencing the most frequent PCI conflicts improves the
PCI optimization efficiency. If multiple conflicting cells have the same optimization
priority, the cell that experiences the most frequent PCI conflicts is preferentially
optimized.
3. Prioritizes cells that are newly deployed or cells whose PCIs are recently changed.
This is because: − The probability of data errors for these cells is high. − Changing the
PCI of a cell involved in network reconfiguration has a minor impact on the live network.
If multiple conflicting cells have the same optimization priority and experience the same
PCI conflict level, newly deployed cells or cells whose PCIs are recently changed are
preferentially optimized.
4. Prioritizes micro cells. A new PCI takes effect after it is delivered to the eNodeB. This
PCI delivery blocks the cell under the eNodeB, thereby interrupting services. Changing
the PCI of a micro cell has a minor impact on the live network because a micro cell
usually covers a small area. If multiple conflicting cells have the same optimization
priority, experience the same PCI conflict level, and have the same PCI modification
property (cells are deployed recently or their PCIs are changed recently or neither),
micro cells are preferentially optimized.
5. Prioritizes cells that have a small number of neighboring cells. Blocking a cell with
few neighboring cells has a minor impact on the live network. If multiple conflicting cells
of the same type have the same optimization priority, experience the same PCI conflict
level, and have the same PCI modification property, cells that have a small number of
neighboring cells are preferentially optimized.