UMTS Radio Network Planning

Contents

1 UMTS network planning ................................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Features of UMTS Technology ............................................................................................................... 1

1.1.1 Distinguishing Channels With Code ........................................................................................... 1

1.1.2 Self-infection System ................................................................................................................... 2

1.1.3 Providing Multi-rate Diversified Services.................................................................................. 2

1.1.4 Soft Capacity ................................................................................................................................ 2

1.1.5 Other Features .............................................................................................................................. 3

1.2 low Chart .................................................................................................................................................. 3

1.3 Description of Network Planning Process ............................................................................................. 4

1.3.1 Pre-research of Project ................................................................................................................. 4

1.3.2 Demand Analysis ......................................................................................................................... 4

1.3.3 Scale Estimation and Pre-planning Emulation ........................................................................... 5

1.3.4 Plan of Survey .............................................................................................................................. 5

1.3.5 Site Survey, Propagation Model Test and Noise Test ................................................................ 6

1.3.6 Site Filtering ................................................................................................................................. 7

1.3.7 Topology Design .......................................................................................................................... 7

1.3.8 Dummy Topology Selection ........................................................................................................ 8

1.3.9 Report Submission ....................................................................................................................... 8

1.4 Reports of Network Planning.................................................................................................................. 8

2 Planned Site Survey .......................................................................................................................................... 9

2.1 Work Details in this Phase ...................................................................................................................... 9

2.2 Selecting Sites for Survey ....................................................................................................................... 9

2.3 Planned Site Survey............................................................................................................................... 10

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2.4 Antenna Feeder Design and Site Type Selection .................................................................................10

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1 UMTS network planning

1.1 Features of UMTS Technology

The features of UMTS technology determine the characteristics, difficulties, and
solutions of UMTS network planning. Therefore, we use the features of UMTS
technology as the clue to introduce the features of UMTS and the related characteristics
of network planning.

1.1.1 Distinguishing Channels With Code

In the UMTS system, all the subscribers in each carrier share the frequency, time, and
power resources. Feature codes (scrambles and channel codes) are used in statistic
processing of signals to distinguish channels. That is the so-called CDMA technology.

A channel in the UMTS system does not occupy a band or time segment alone. The
transmitting end sends signal sequences according to the patterns of feature codes. The
receiving end measures and calculates the signals received according to the same
patterns of feature codes. If the feature code selected has good self-correlation and
cross-correlation, when there is signals for the local channel, the statistic result will be
expressed as high peak, and the effect of other channels will be attenuated. Thus, the
channels in the system can be distinguished. Therefore, in the UMTS system, there is
feature code planning instead of frequency planning.

A UMTS channel is composed of three parts, namely data stream, channel code
sequence, and scramble sequence. The channels must have at least one different
channel code and scramble. For the forward channels, different scrambles are used to
distinguish different cells. The channels in a cell are distinguished by different channel
codes. To ensure the isolation of cells, adjacent cells are not allowed to use the same
scramble. Pay attention to this point during network planning. Because there are
abundant code resources in reverse links, the scramble of each subscriber is different.

Thanks to CDMA and QPSK modulation technology, UMTS systems have higher
spectrum utilization than analog systems and GSM systems. Under the same condition,
the CDMA system bears much more subscribers.

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UMTS Radio Network Planning

1.1.2 Self-infection System

Because the channels of the UMTS system share the same frequency, time, and power
resources, the channels are isolated by the orthogonality of the feature codes measured.
However, the orthogonality of the feature codes is not good enough. As a result, the
channel isolation in the UMTS system is not as good as that in FDMA and TDMA. In
addition, the more the channels are used, the stronger the interference from other
channels will be. Therefore, when the link quality is guaranteed, the transmit power
must be as low as possible. It makes the power planning an important part in UMTS
network planning.

1.1.3 Providing Multi-rate Diversified Services

The UMTS system can provide flexible and diversified services to subscribers. That is
an important feature of UMTS. Under the same transmission environment, the UMTS
is requested to provide different transmission rates, for example, it can provide
144kbps in high-speed moving, 384kbps in walking condition, and 2Mbps indoors. The
UMTS system also supports variable rate services, mixed services, high speed data
packet services (multimedia services), and uplink/downlink rate asymmetric services
(Internet access). Considering the service expansion in the future, the UMTS system
also provides large capacity and data bearer capability with flexible rate matching. To
describe the QoS of the above services, parameters such as data rate, BER, transit delay,
and delay jitter are defined.

In conclusion, the single Erlang model cannot accurately describe the service demands
of subscribers in the UMTS system. A more complicated service model must be used.

1.1.4 Soft Capacity

The system capacity refers to the maximum number of subscribers that the system
supports at the same time.

The capacity of a UMTS system is measured by two aspects, hard capacity and soft
capacity. The hard capacity refers to the number of channels that the Node B allocates
to each cell (it is determined by the number of baseband channels and frequency
resources). Same as the 2G system, it determines the maximum number of calls that a
cell can handle at the same time.

The limit of soft capacity depends on the self-infection feature and the support of

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 Chapter 1 0BUMTS network planning

diversified services of the CDMA system. The system can deny the access of new
subscribers to reduce interference and ensure QoS. In the same way, the system may
permit the application of low-rate services and reject the high-rate services for the
consideration of resources. When the network traffic is heavy, the system may decrease
the quality of certain service to reduce resource occupation. All of these should be
expressed by system soft capacity. The number of subscribers allowed to access due to
interference or limited power, or the total data throughput ratio is not fixed. It is closely
related to radio environment, and service composition and ratio. With the development
of ASIC technology, the system processing capability is no longer the bottleneck of
capacity. The soft capacity ultimately determines the system capability.

To operators, the benefits of soft capacity is that it can balance the QoS and system
capacity within a certain degree, and dynamically adjust the ratio of various service
based on the maximum economic effect. However, the soft capacity causes difficulty in
capacity planning during network planning. In the UMTS system, the capacity
planning is the most difficult step.

1.1.5 Other Features

Other technology features of the UMTS system may also affect the network planning,
for example, the soft handover. The soft handover can bring extra gain to the system
and expand coverage. New technologies such as antenna diversity, intelligent antenna,
and multi-user detection will enhance system performance. If these technologies are
used in the system, the possible influence caused by these factors must be considered
during network planning.

1.2 low Chart

The following figure shows the process of network planning.

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UMTS Radio Network Planning

Fig. 1.2-1 Network Planning Flowchart

1.3 Description of Network Planning Process

1.3.1 Pre-research of Project

Upon the request of the operator, ZTE engineers (M&S personnel and network
planning engineers) should reach an agreement with the operator on network planning
process and working interface. The operator should provide necessary data for network
planning. The network planning can be started only after both sides sign on the
contents mutually agreed.

1.3.2 Demand Analysis

Adequate communication before network planning is essential to the subsequent work.

Prior to network planning, collect the basic information of the Node B in current
network and nail down the resources that the operator can provide, such as electronic
map, transmission resources, and equipment room conditions.

According to the requests of the operator, determine the planning of the coverage area
and corresponding subscriber density distribution, the planning of service areas, and
the target of the network planning.

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 Chapter 1 0BUMTS network planning

Analyze customer demands according to the requests of the operator. Learn the culture
and physiognomy of the area to be planned, explore the traffic distribution, and provide
the planning strategy that meets the coverage, capacity, and QoS requested by the
operator.

Conduct field survey in the key coverage area with accompany of the operator. Use
GPS to learn the location and area of the coverage field. Use the traffic distribution
data of the current network to guide the planning of the network to be constructed.
According to the Node B information provided, make good preparation for emulation.

In the stage of demand analysis, submit XXX (service area name) Network Planning
Requirements and Data Collection Sheet and 3G Network Planning Requirements and
Assessment Sheet.

1.3.3 Scale Estimation and Pre-planning Emulation

After estimating the network scale of the service area, determine the number of Nodes
B and the density of Node B. Use the special emulation software to verify the
estimated result of the network scale.

Through emulation, verify whether the number of Nodes B and the density of Node B
can meet the requirements of system coverage and capacity, and whether the mixed
services can meet the QoS.

The emulation not only verifies the number and density of Nodes B but also provides
Node B layout as well as the approximate area and location of the pre-selected site of
Nodes B.

Combine the pre-planning emulation results with the results of the demand analysis,
and prepare a complete planning report.

Output Report on XXX (service area name) Network Pre-planning.

1.3.4 Plan of Survey

Based on the results of emulation and the field survey period requested by the operator,
obtain the workload of the survey.

According to the workload of the survey, make the survey plan, determine the leader
and members of the field survey team, settle down the start time and end time, and
prepare the equipment for field survey.

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UMTS Radio Network Planning

Assign the survey task to the leader of the field survey. The leader of the filed survey
should submit the XXX (service area or pilot network name) Survey Plan. The leader
of the filed survey should report the survey progress of each day in the Daily Report on
XX (service area name) Survey Progress. With the daily report, the home office can
learn the progress of the survey and provide necessary HR and material support in
time.

1.3.5 Site Survey, Propagation Model Test and Noise Test

The noise test is unnecessary for the use of legal frequency. However, to ensure the
network performance and detect the possible interference in time, noise test can be
performed on the sites selected according to the Specification of Noise Test in Network
Planning. If noise test is requested, output the Report on Noise Test in XXX (service
area name).

It must be clearly declared in the report that the noise test is not the specialty of ZTE,
and the equipment used is not the special equipment for noise test. Therefore, if
interference is detected, the interference exists. However, due to the factors such as
directional property, time, and test height of the interference, it does not mean the
interference does not exist if no interference is detected.

Conduct noise test during the site survey. The test results can be attached to the site
survey sheet. Noise test report is not required.

According to the Specification of Propagation Model Site Selection, the emulation

owner selects the site for the test of propagation model. The emulation test site is
similar to the planned site. The survey engineers take photons and collect radio data at
the test sits selected by the emulation owner. The test engineers determine the test paths
and conduct the test according to the Specification of Selecting the Paths for
Propagation Model Test. Based on the correction model of the electrical measurement
data, the emulation engineers obtain the propagation model under the environment of
the planned area.

Determine the propagation model test environment as follows: dense urban area,
ordinary urban area, suburb and town, and rural area.

Output Propagation Model Test Site Survey Report, Propagation Model Test Report,
and Propagation Model Correction Report.

Site survey of the planned area

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The site survey is an important part of the network planning.

The survey engineers must conduct site survey and collect data carefully to ensure the
validity and accuracy of the survey data. The site survey is essential to the network
emulation and construction as well as the network optimization.

Select the sites for field survey: take the site survey of China Mobile as an example.
Select the sites provided according to the field survey results and emulation. Select the
proper site meeting the requirements of UMTS networking, and build up network
structure on it.

Plan the site survey: For China Tietong and China Netcom that cannot provide sites for
field survey, the survey engineers should find more than three candidate sites about 50
m around the major coverage area after determining the planned area. The candidate
sites must comply with the site selection specification. Select the sites for field survey
from the candidate sites by the means of emulation.

The survey owner should assign a person to complete the XXX (service area name)
Node B Survey Sheet, ensuring that the survey sheet is filled and the survey data is
checked on a daily basis. At the end of the survey, the survey owner submits a survey
report and summarizes the survey completed.

1.3.6 Site Filtering

According to the field survey results, test results and pre-planning emulation results,
select the sites. For the site that cannot be determined, provide the information of
several candidate sites to the home office for analysis and decision-making.

1.3.7 Topology Design

The task of this phase is to determine the type and network structure of the sites
selected. Determine the type of the site according to the requirements of coverage and
capacity, and then design a reasonable network topology. When designing the site
distribution, select network units according to the factors such as topography,
physiognomy, coverage, capacity, and equipment room conditions. The common
network elements include macro cell, micro cell, remote deploy of RF module, and
repeater. These NEs will bring good effect when applied in network construction.

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UMTS Radio Network Planning

1.3.8 Dummy Topology Selection

The emulation engineers enter the data collected in the site survey in the emulation
software, perform emulation of the candidate solutions, and then select the best
solution.

1.3.9 Report Submission

The project owner submits the final network planning and design report according to
the site survey report, propagation model correction test results, and emulation results.

1.4 Reports of Network Planning

The following reports are output during network planning:

1. XX (service area name) Network Planning Requirements Analysis Report

2. XXX (service area name) Pre-planning Emulation Report

The emulation results can be attached to the pre-planning report.

3. XXX (service area name) Survey Plan

It contains the members of the survey team and the preparation of equipment.

4. Statement of XXX (service area name) Survey

After discussing with the operator, the survey owner submits this document
before the site survey. This documents describes the actual survey tasks in the
site survey.

5. Daily Report on XXX (service area name) Survey

6. XXX (service area name) Survey Report

The summary report submitted after the site survey is completed. The survey
sheet can be attached to the report.

7. Report on Noise Test in XXX (service area name)

If the operator requests the report, submit it. If not, the report can be submitted
as an attachment of the survey report.

8. XXX (service area name) Radio network Planning Report

Use the emulation tool to select the site from the candidate sites.

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2 Planned Site Survey

2.1 Work Details in this Phase

Purpose: To determine the locations of final sites through a field survey of the planned
sites based on the corrected propagation model and network topology design.

Person in charge: Planning survey engineer

Input: Dimensioning results

Output: Site Survey Report

Work details:

1) Selecting sites for survey;

2) Planned site survey;

3) Site antenna feeder design and site type selection;

4) Filling out the UMTS site survey information table.

2.2 Selecting Sites for Survey

Site selection should follow some basic principles outlined below:

1) No obvious obstruction can exist around the site. Make sure any planned site can
provide antenna mount locations that satisfy the coverage directions needed in
planning, and the main lobe direction is not obstructed. Setting of sector
direction angles in a site has a great impact on both coverage of ambient areas
and settings of ambient sites, and change of a site may cause adjustment of
many other sites, so the survey should try to ensure the coverage directions
needed in planning can be implemented in real environments.

2) The height of all sites should be identical if possible. The antenna mount height
in an urban area should be 5 to 15 meters larger than average ambient height;
and over 15 meters in a suburb or rural area. The antenna mount height in a site
is required to be approximate to the planned height. In view of far coverage of a
high site, try to avoid overshooting and overlap coverage of neighbor base
stations, to prevent influence on network quality and capacity.

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UMTS Radio Network Planning

3) Requirement on the distance between the location of a real site and that of a
planned site. To guarantee network performance, it is necessary to ensure the
distance between the planned location and the site determined through survey
based on the planned location does not exceed one quarter of the planned
coverage radius, or the network topology may be affected.

4) To select a site in a suburb and rural area, it is necessary to consider its

convenience of transportation and availability of power supply. That is to
consider the cost of investment in site construction.

2.3 Planned Site Survey

Site survey needs to collect and record basic site information for completion of the
UMTS Site Survey Information Table:

1) Longitude and latitude and GPS precision: obtained from GPS positioning;

2) Building height: refers to the height from the building top to the ground, which
can be tested by a range finder placed at the building top;

3) Record interference sources around the site. What need recording include
locations and types of interference sources around the site;

4) Description of the ambient environment of base station: location of the

house/tower where the base station antenna resides, for example, level
land/ramp top/hillside/hilltop/low hill crest/valley floor/ramp bottom. Provide
the factual location.

5) Indicate if there is any severe obstruction around: relative to the site, provide the
angle, distance, exceeding height, and size of obstructions, which may be
divided into groups. The size of obstructions can be represented by length *
height in meter;

6) Indicate if there is any tower/height: if there is an available tower, record its

height, number of layers, and occupation of each layer.

7) Detailed address of the surveyed sites.

2.4 Antenna Feeder Design and Site Type Selection

Antenna feeder design and site type selection include the following tasks:

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 Chapter 2 1BPlanned Site Survey

1) Recommend antenna parameters: provide recommended parameters of antenna

gain, half-wave lobe angle, downtilt, antenna mount height, and antenna
directional angle according to ambient topography and geomorphy and coverage
requirement (mainly the key coverage areas).

2) Recommend diversity type/distance: dual-polarized diversity or space diversity.

3) Type/distance of isolation from ambient interference source: indicates whether

horizontal or vertical isolation is adopted between antennas and GSM, CDMA
and microwave antennas, and the isolation distance to be adopted to meet
isolation requirement.

4) Calculate the feeder length: calculate the feeder length based on the equipment
room location, antenna location, and cabling setting, and provide the results by
sector.

5) Recommend antenna feeder location: recommend location for antenna

installation on the rooftop and provide cabling route of the feeder according to
the equipment room location. Try to select a short feeder route to reduce feeder
loss.

6) Select site type according to ambient topography and geomorphy, coverage

requirement, and capacity requirement.

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