GSM Radio Network Planning

N E T W O R K D E S I G N , S Y S T E M E X PA N S I O N , I N C R E A S I N G C A PA C I T Y

GSM Radio Network Planning

Network design, system expansion, increasing capacity

How can you calculate the coverage and capacity of a GSM network? What is important when selecting sites? How do you make a link budget? What is meant by MRP? Which parameters are included in System Information? How can you increase coverage and capacity? What is meant by frequency reuse? How does the choice of antennas affect network performance? What are C/I, C/A, and C/N? How can repeaters improve the network performance?

GSM is the most widespread, most commonly deployed and fastest growing system standard for mobile telephony in the world. Even though UMTS, the third generation mobile system, makes its entry into the market, GSM undergoes continuous evolution and development. High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD), Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE) and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) can be added to the GSM network resulting in new features, new functionality and increased data rates. A GSM system with implemented GPRS functionality provides the core network required also by UMTS. Hence, the platform is already prepared for the migration into the third generation mobile system, UMTS. Course description GSM Radio Network Planning is a 3-day course providing a solid understanding of how to design and plan a high quality GSM radio network. The course also covers how to expand the network, techniques to boost capacity, how to lower interference and increase quality in the network. Macro cell planning is emphasised in the course, however planning with micro- and pico-cells is also featured. Furthermore it is discussed how cell-planning tools can enhance the cell planning process and how problems can be solved regarding co-existence with other GSM, TDMA and WCDMA systems.

Contents
Introduction
Network Architecture The Access method TDMA Logical Channels

Definition of Network Requirements

Coverage requirements Capacity

The Need for Models

Coverage models Parameter setting Network cost Planning tool Frequency planning 4/12, 3/9 Frequency hopping Advanced frequency planning strategies Selection of frequency planning strategy Channels per cell Conversion of channels to Erlang

Capacity Planning

Selecting Site Locations

Planning Tools Site Acquisition

Idle Mode and Busy Mode

Idle mode procedures Cell selection Cell re-selection System information Cell parameters Handover algorithms Antenna direction/tilt Output power Frequency plan Neighbor list Handover parameters Handling poor C/N, C/I and C/A Handover problems and solutions Excessive load Battery life-time and paging performance Features Tightening the frequency plan Micro cells Pico cells Dual band Half-rate Example of high capacity network GSM 1900/TDMA GSM 900/900 GSM 900/1800 GSM/CDMAone GSM/WCDMA

Initial Tuning

Network Optimisation

Increasing Capacity The course outline corresponds to the steps in a network planning process. Along the course, these steps are illustrated by calculation exercises. By performing the exercises, the participants have completed their own networks towards the end of the course. Who should attend? GSM Radio Network Planning is valuable to staff involved in the processes of planning, rolling out, operating or optimizing a GSM network. Prerequisites In order to fully benefit from GSM Radio Network Planning, it is recommended that the participants have attended the Widermind GSM Survey or have the equivalent basic understanding of the GSM system.

Co-Existence Issues

For more information about in-house training events, please send an email to Widermind at info@widermind.com. The schedule for public training events is available at the Widermind web site, www.widermind.com.

Widermind AB Artillerigatan 6 SE-114 51 Stockholm, Sweden Phone: +46 8 459 21 70 Fax: +46 8 459 21 71 info@widermind.com

www.widermind.com