LTE - Drivetest and Coverage Analysis

LTE - RF Drivetest and Coverage
Analysis
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/ray-khastur/36/965/b7a
Different Between TD-LTE & FD-LTE

Item
LTE-TDD
LTE-FDD
Duplex mode
TDD
FDD
Frame structure
Type 2
Type 1
UL and DL Ratio
7 types of UL and DL ratio, flexible
All subframes can be allocated only for the uplink or

downlink.
RRU Noise Figure
A T/R converter is required. The T/R

converter will bring about the insertion
loss of 2~2.5 dB .
A duplexer is required and the duplexer brings

about the insertion loss of 1 dB.
Beamforming
Supported (exchangeability based on Not supported (no exchangeability based on uplink

uplink and downlink channel)
and downlink channels)
MIMO Mode
Modes 18 are supported.
Mode 16 are supported.
Network Interference
Strict synchronization is required in the

whole network.
Synchronization requirement is not strict.
4G LTE Drivetest and Coverage Analysis| Page 2
Drive Test Peripheral
LTE Dongle
Notebook
GPS
Reference
Signal Received
Power (RSRP)
LTE RS Power Allocation
How to calculate RS Power ?

RRU 3252 run at 4T4R configuration, have total power 80W (Max 20W/Port).
RSRE Power = Psingle port-10*log(12*Nrb)+10*log(1+Pb)
Where ; PSingle Port = PRRU - 10*log(Nport)
B/ A
Pb is Power Bosting
Psingle port = 49-10*log(4)

= 43 dBm
= 20Watt
Single Antenna
Port
2 or 4 Antenna
Port
5/4
4/5
3/5
2/5
PB
If operator have 20 MHz for the first carrier and 10 Mhz for second carrier each
carrier can use 10W for first carrier and 5W for second carrier to maintain the
coverage is same. And still have spare about 5W for optimization purposes.
RS Power for 20 MHz @ 10W/port

RS = 40dBm 10*log(12*100) + 10*log(1+1)
= 12.2 dBm

RS = 37dBm 10*log(12*50) + 10*log(1+1)
= 12.2 dBm

RS = 40dBm 10*log(12*50) + 10*log(1+1)
= 15.2 dBm
With the same total power, coverage LTE
10 Mhz is larger than with LTE 20 MHz
Impact on Radio Network

Performance: A larger value of Pb
results in a larger increase in
ReferenceSignalPwr, better channel
estimation performance, and better
PDSCH demodulation performance,
but it also leads to lower transmit
power of the PDSCH (type B) and thus
increases

RS = 40dBm 10*log(12*50) + 10*log(1+1)
= 15.2 dBm
With the same total power, coverage LTE
10 Mhz is larger than with LTE 20 MHz

Power Boosting for RS
P =1 by default
B
Bandwidth
10M
15M
20M
RS Power for 20MHz

= 43 10*log(100*12) + 10*log10(PB+1) = 15.2dBm
PB
1
1
1
PRS ( dBm)
18.2
16.4
15.2
RS Power Overhead Comparison with CPICH
Type B Symbol: with RS REs
Type A Symbol: without RS REs
RS power per RE is 15.2dBm (0.033W) for 20MHz

Total RS power in 20MHz for Type B Symbol is 0.033*2 (RS REs/ RB) * 100 RBs = 6.6W
Total RS power in 20MHz for Type A Symbol is 0
Only two symbols carry RS within 0.5ms and hence the RS power overhead is about 6.6/20 * 2/7 = 9.4%
over 1 timeslot
LTE RS power overhead is about 9.4% which is similar to 10% CPICH power overhead
of UMTS
RxLev, RSRP and RSCP Comparison

Items
GSM
UMTS
LTE
43
43
43
Bandwidth (MHz)
0.2
20
Number of RB
N/A
N/A
100
BCCH Power/ CPICH power

/RS power per RE (dBm)
43
33
15.2
CL (dB)
120
120
120
-77
-87
-104.8
(e)NodeB power per Tx (dBm)
Rx Lev/RSCP/RSRP (dBm)
Received RS signal strength
over whole bandwidth
RSRP is the received signal strength

over 15KHz bandwidth while
bandwidth of RSCP is 5MHz
Only 1/6 REs is used for RS transmission

within one RB and hence the total received RS
power is 10*log10(100*12*1/6) = 23dB higher
than RSRP
-81.8
RSRP of LTE is much smaller than RSCP of UMTS under same radio environment
Factors Influencing LTE Coverage

Frequency
Band
ICIC
LTE
Specific
Data Rate
TX Power
RB Number
Factors Affecting LTE

Link Budget
Cell Load
Interference
Margin
MCS
MIMO
Radio Condition
LTE
Specific
LTE
Specific
Receiver
LTE Standard
Sensitivity
ICICInter Cell Interference Coordination
Some other factors such as site height, BPL, TMA, coverage probability,
Weak Coverage and Coverage Holes

The signal quality in cells is poorer than the optimization baseline in an area.
Weak
coverage
As a result, UEs cannot be registered with the network or accessed services

cannot meet QoS requirements.
If there is no network coverage or coverage levels are excessively low in an area, the area is called a weak
coverage area. The receive level of a UE is less than its minimum access level (RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN) because
Coverage holes
downlink receive levels in a weak coverage area are unstable. In this situation, the UE is disconnected from the
network. After entering a weak coverage area, UEs in connected mode cannot be handed over to a high-level
cell, and even service drops occur because of low levels and signal quality.
Resolving Weak Coverage Problems

Analyze
geographical environments and
Deploy
new eNodeBs if coverage hole
Use
RRUs, indoor distribution systems,
check the receive levels of adjacent
problems cannot be resolved by
leaky feeders, and directional antennas to
eNodeBs.
adjusting antennas.
resolve the problem with blind spots in
Increase
elevator shafts, tunnels, underground
Analyze
the EIRP of each sector based on
coverage by adjacent eNodeBs
parameter configurations and ensure
to achieve large coverage overlapping
garages or basements, and high
EIRPs can reach maximum values if
between two eNodeBs and ensure a
buildings.
possible.
moderate handover area.
Analyze
Note: Increasing coverage may lead to
terrains on coverage.
Increase
Adjust
pilot power.
antenna azimuths and tilts,
increase antenna height, and use high-gain
the impact of scenarios and
co-channel and adjacent-channel

interference.
antennas.
Case: Searching for a Weak Coverage Area by Using a Scanner or Performing Drive Tests on
UEs
Perform drive tests in zeroload environments to obtain

the distribution of signals on
test routes. Then, find a
weak coverage area based
on the distribution, as
shown in the figure.
Adjust RF parameters of the
eNodeB covering the area.
Weak
coverage
area
Lack of a Dominant Cell
In an area without a dominant cell, the receive level of the serving cell is similar to the receive levels of its
neighboring cells and the receive levels of downlink signals between different cells are close to cell
reselection thresholds. Receive levels in an area without a dominant cell are also unsatisfactory. The SINR of
Lack of a
dominant
cell
the serving cell becomes unstable because of frequency reuse, and even receive quality becomes
unsatisfactory. In this situation, a dominant cell is frequently reselected and changed in idle mode. As a
result, frequent handovers or service drops occur on UEs in connected mode because of poor signal quality.
An area without a dominant cell can also be regarded as a weak coverage area.
Resolving Problems with Lack of a Dominant Cell

Determine
cells covering an
Adjust
engineering
area without a dominant cell
parameters of a cell that can
during network planning, and
optimally cover the area as
adjust antenna tilts and
required.
azimuths to increase coverage
by a cell with strong signals

and decrease coverage of
other cells with weak signals.
Case: Searching for an Area Without a Dominant Cell

Symptom
UEs frequently perform cell reselections or
handovers between identical cells.
Analysis
Analysis can be based on signaling procedures and
PCI distribution.
According to PCI distribution shown in the figure,
PCIs alternate in two or more colors if there is no
dominant cell.
Solution
According to the coverage plan, cell 337 is a
dominant cell covering the area and cell 49 also has
strong signals. To ensure handovers between cells 337
and 49 at crossroads, increase tilts in cell 49.
Lack of a
dominant
cell
1.PCI distribution in cluster xx
Cross Coverage
Cross coverage means that the coverage scope of an eNodeB exceeds the planned one and generates
discontinuous dominant areas in the coverage scope of other eNodeBs. For example, if the height of a site is
much higher than the average height of surrounding buildings, its transmit signals propagate far along hills or
roads and form dominant coverage in the coverage scope of other eNodeBs. This is an island phenomenon.
Cross
coverage
If a call is connected to an island that is far away from an eNodeB but is still served by the eNodeB, and cells
around the island are not configured as neighboring cells of the current cell when cell handover parameters
are configured, call drops may occur immediately once UEs leave the island. If neighboring cells are
configured but the island is excessively small, call drops may also occur because UEs are not promptly
handed over. In addition, cross coverage occurs on two sides of a bay because a short distance between the
two sides. Therefore, eNodeBs on two sides of a bay must be specifically designed.
Resolving Cross Coverage Problems

Adjust
antenna azimuths properly
Adjust
antenna tilts or replace
Decrease
the antenna height for
so that the direction of the main
antennas with large-tilt antennas
a high site.
lobe slightly obliques from the
while ensuring proper antenna
Decrease
direction of a street. This reduces
azimuths. Tilt adjustment is the
carriers when cell performance is
excessively far coverage by electric
most effective approach to control
not affected.
waves because of reflection from
coverage. Tilts are classified into
buildings on two sides of the street.
transmit power of
electrical tilts and mechanical tilts.

Electrical tilts are preferentially
adjusted if possible.
Case: Cross Coverage Caused by Improper Tilt Settings
Symptom
As shown in the upper right figure, cross coverage
occurs in a cell whose PCI is 288. Therefore, the cell
interferes with other cells, which increases the
probability of service drops.
Analysis
The most possible cause for cross coverage is
excessively antenna height or improper tilt settings.
According to a check on the current engineering
parameter settings, the tilt is set to an excessively
small value. Therefore, it is recommended that the tilt
be increased.
Solution
Adjust the tilt of cell 288 from 3 to 6. As shown in the
lower right figure, cross coverage of cell 288 is
significantly reduced after the tilt is adjusted.
Case: Inverse Connections Involved in the Antenna System
Symptom
The RSRPs of cells 0 and 2 at the Expo Village site are low and
high respectively in the red area shown in the figure. The signal
quality of cells 0 and 2 is satisfactory in the areas covered by
cells 2 and 0 respectively.
Analysis
After installation and commissioning are complete, the RSRP in
the direction of the main lobe in cell 0 is low. After cell 0 is
disabled and cell 2 is enabled, the RSRP in cell 2 is normal and
the SINR is higher than that tested in cell 0. Therefore, this
problem may occur because the antenna systems in the two
cells are connected inversely. Test results are as expected after
optical fibers on the baseband board are swapped.
Solution
Swap optical fibers on the baseband board or adjust feeders and
antennas properly. It is recommended that optical fibers on the
baseband board be swapped because this operation can be
performed in the equipment room.
Suggestions
Network planning personnel must participate in installation.
Alternatively, customer service personnel have detailed network
planning materials and strictly supervise project constructors for
installation. After installation is complete, labels must be
attached and installation materials must be filed.
Imbalance Between Uplink and Downlink

When UE transmit power is less than eNodeB transmit power, UEs in idle mode may receive eNodeB signals and
successfully register in cells. However, the eNodeB cannot receive uplink signals because of limited power
when UEs perform random access or upload data. In this situation, the uplink coverage distance is less than
Imbalance
between
uplink and
downlink
the downlink coverage distance. Imbalance between uplink and downlink involves limited uplink or downlink
coverage. In limited uplink coverage, UE transmit power reaches its maximum but still cannot meet the
requirement for uplink BLERs. In limited downlink coverage, the downlink DCH transmit code power reaches
its maximum but still cannot meet the requirement for the downlink BLER. Imbalance between uplink and
downlink leads to service drops. The most common cause is limited uplink coverage.
Uplink coverage area
Downlink coverage area
coverage area
Resolving Problems with Imbalance Between Uplink and Downlink
If
no performance data is available for RF
If
uplink interference leads to imbalance between
optimization, trace a single user in the OMC
uplink and downlink, monitor eNodeB alarms to
equipment room to obtain uplink measurement
check for interference.
reports on the Uu interface, and then analyze the
Check
measurement reports and drive test files.
whether alarms are generated if imbalance between
If
uplink and downlink is caused by other factors, for
performance data is available, check each
carrier in each cell for imbalance between uplink
whether equipment works properly and
and downlink based on uplink and downlink
example, uplink and downlink gains of repeaters and

trunk amplifiers
are set incorrectly, the antenna
balance measurements.
system for receive diversity is faulty when reception

and transmission are separated, or power amplifiers
are faulty. If equipment works properly or alarms are
generated, take measures such as replacement,
isolation, and adjustment.
Signal to Noise
& Interference
Ratio (SINR)
Traditional Frequency Planning

1*3*3 Frequency Planning
Advantage
Lower interference and larger coverage radius

Disadvantage
Lower spectrum efficiency

Suitable Scenario
Abundant frequency resource or inconsecutive spectrum scenarios large coverage

scenarios.
1*3*3
1*3*1 Frequency Planning

Advantage
Higher spectrum efficiency

Disadvantage
Lower cell edge throughput due to serious interference

Suitable Scenario
Lacking frequency resource
Capacity requirement scenarios, such as dense urban and urban areas during network
initial stage
1*3*1
Interference and Capacity Comparison 1*3*3 Vs 1*3*1

1*3*3 10MHz channel (30MHz) compare with 1*3*1 10MHz channel (10MHz)
The downlink service channel SINR of 131
and 133
1
CDF
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
-10
10
SINR
131
20
30
40
133
SINR distribution comparison
Average sector capacity comparison
1*3*3 with low interference because of more frequency resource.

1*3*3 with high sector capacity because of low interference.
More frequency resource required for 1*3*3
SINR
The SINR is not specifically defined in 3GPP specifications. A common formula is as follows:
SINR = S/(I + N)
S: indicates the power of measured usable signals. Reference signals (RS) and physical downlink shared
channels (PDSCHs) are mainly involved.
I: indicates the power of measured signals or channel interference signals from other cells in the current
system and from inter-RAT cells.
N: indicates background noise, which is related to measurement bandwidths and receiver noise
coefficients.
Empirical SINR at the edge of a cell:
The SINR is greater than -3 dB in 99% areas in Norway.
The SINR is greater than -3 dB in 99.25% areas in the Huayang field in Chengdu.
Signal Quality (SINR is mainly involved)
Cell layout
Site
selection
Antenna
height
Antenna
azimuths
Antenna tilts
Frequency
plan
Resolving Signal Quality Problems Caused by Improper Parameter Settings

Optimizing
frequencies
Change and optimize frequencies based on drive test and

performance measurement data.
Adjust antenna azimuths and tilts to change the distribution of signals in an

Adjusting the
antenna
system
Adding dominant
coverage
interfered area by increasing the level of a dominant sector and decreasing levels of
other sectors.
Increase power of a cell and decrease power of other cells to form a dominant
cell.
Decrease RS power to reduce coverage if the antenna pattern is distorted because

Adjusting power
of a large antenna tilt.

Power adjustment and antenna system adjustment can be used together.
Case: Adjusting Antenna Azimuths and Tilts to Reduce Interference

Symptom
Cross coverage occurs at sites 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, and co-channel interference occurs
in many areas.
Analysis
According to the analysis of engineering parameters and drive test data, cell density is large in
coverage areas. Coverage by each cell can be reduced by adjusting antenna azimuths and tilts.
Solution
Change the tilt in cell 28 from 2 degrees to 4 degrees so that the direction points to a
demonstration route. Change the tilt in cell 33 from 3 degrees to 6 degrees so that the direction
points to the Wanke Pavilion. Change the tilt in cells 50 and 51 from 3 degrees to 6 degrees so
that the direction points to the Communication Pavilion. Decrease the transmit power in cell 33 by
3 dB to reduce its interference to overhead footpaths near China Pavilion.
Poor signal
quality before
optimization
SINR before optimization in Puxi
SINR after optimization in Puxi

Case: Changing PCIs of Intra-frequency Cells to Reduce Interference
Symptom
Near Japan Pavilion, UEs access a cell whose PCI is 3 and SINRs are low. UEs are about 200 m away from the
eNodeB. This problem may be caused by co-channel interference.
Analysis
This problem is not caused by co-channel interference because no neighboring cell has the same frequency as the
current cell. Cell 6 interferes with cell 3. SINRs increase after cell 6 is disabled. In theory, staggered PCIs can
reduce interference.
Solution
Change PCI 6 to PCI 8. Test results show that SINRs increase by about 10 dB.
SINR when cell 6 is enabled
SINR when cell 6 is disabled
SINR when PCI 6 is changed to PCI 8
Case: Handover Failure Caused by Severe Interference
Symptom
During a test, handovers from PCI 281 to PCI 279 fail.
Analysis
Cell 281 is a source cell and is interfered by cells 279 and 178. Delivered handover commands always
fail and cannot be received correctly by UEs. Cell 279 is a target cell for handover, and its coverage is
not adjusted preferentially because the signal strength in the handover area can ensure signal quality
after handovers. Therefore, cell 178 must be adjusted to reduce its interference to cell 281.
Solution
Adjust antenna tilts to decrease coverage by cell 178.
SINR Improvement
INITIAL PLAN
AFTER ACP
In the inner city of Jakarta where ZTE antenna configuration taken

into the initial planning show there are so much SINR around 0~5
(dB). After do the ACP Optimization the SINR much improve with
much blue color (SINR >=15 dB)
Initial Plan
After ACP
Radio Parameter @ GENEX Probe

PCI (Physical Cell Identifier)
Value range : 0 839, cross-check any cross
feeder problem when conducting moving test.
RSRP (Reference Signal Receive Power)
-70 dBm to -90 dBm
Good
-91 dBm to -110 dBm Normal
-110 dBm to -130 dBm Bad
SINR (Signal to Interference+Noise Ratio)
16 dB to 30 dB
Good
1 dB to 15 dB
Normal
-10 dB to 0 dB
Bad
Radio Parameter @ GENEX Probecont

Modulation Coding Scheme
64 QAM Good
16 QAM Normal
QPSK
Bad
Neighboring cell
Downlink EARFCN
On-Site Hardware
MIMO Antenna
BBU : Baseband Unit

RRU : Radio Remote Unit
Signal quality overview plot (Serving PCI)

RNO-1
Signal quality overview plot (RSRP)
Signal quality overview plot (SINR)
Signal quality overview plot (DL Throughput)
Signal quality overview plot (UL Throughput)

LTE - Drivetest and Coverage Analysis

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LTE - RF Drivetest and Coverage

Different Between TD-LTE & FD-LTE

7 types of UL and DL ratio, flexible

All subframes can be allocated only for the uplink or

RRU Noise Figure

A T/R converter is required. The T/R

A duplexer is required and the duplexer brings

Supported (exchangeability based on Not supported (no exchangeability based on uplink

Modes 18 are supported.

Mode 16 are supported.

Strict synchronization is required in the

Synchronization requirement is not strict.

4G LTE Drivetest and Coverage Analysis| Page 2

Drive Test Peripheral

4G LTE Drivetest and Coverage Analysis| Page 3

4G LTE Drivetest and Coverage Analysis| Page 4

LTE RS Power Allocation

How to calculate RS Power ?

Psingle port = 49-10*log(4)

LTE RS Power Allocation

RS Power for 20 MHz @ 10W/port

RS Power for 10 MHz @ 5W/port

RS Power for 10 MHz @ 10W/port

Impact on Radio Network

RS Power for 10 MHz @ 10W/port

4G LTE Drivetest and Coverage Analysis| Page 6

LTE RS Power Allocation

RS Power for 20MHz

4G LTE Drivetest and Coverage Analysis| Page 7

RS Power Overhead Comparison with CPICH

Type B Symbol: with RS REs

Type A Symbol: without RS REs

RS power per RE is 15.2dBm (0.033W) for 20MHz

RxLev, RSRP and RSCP Comparison

BCCH Power/ CPICH power

(e)NodeB power per Tx (dBm)

RSRP is the received signal strength

Only 1/6 REs is used for RS transmission

Factors Influencing LTE Coverage

Factors Affecting LTE

Weak Coverage and Coverage Holes

As a result, UEs cannot be registered with the network or accessed services

4G LTE Drivetest and Coverage Analysis| Page 11

Resolving Weak Coverage Problems

geographical environments and

new eNodeBs if coverage hole

RRUs, indoor distribution systems,

check the receive levels of adjacent

problems cannot be resolved by

leaky feeders, and directional antennas to

resolve the problem with blind spots in

elevator shafts, tunnels, underground

the EIRP of each sector based on

coverage by adjacent eNodeBs

parameter configurations and ensure

to achieve large coverage overlapping

garages or basements, and high

EIRPs can reach maximum values if

between two eNodeBs and ensure a

moderate handover area.

Note: Increasing coverage may lead to

antenna azimuths and tilts,

increase antenna height, and use high-gain

131 Frequency Planning