Chapter5 Design of Wireless Network

Wireless Network Planning Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Design of Wireless Network.......................................................................................1
1.1 Design of Base Station Address........................................................................................1
1.2 Design of Parameters for Base Station Project.................................................................3
1.2.1 Environment for Antenna Installation......................................................................3
1.2.2 Antenna Separation in GSM System......................................................................5
1.2.3 Antenna Separation Form GSM and CDMA Base Station......................................5
1.2.4 Antenna Installation Interval...................................................................................8
1.3 Link Budget.....................................................................................................................11
1.3.1 Link Budget Model................................................................................................11
1.3.2 Reference point for base station sensitivity..........................................................12
1.4 Design of Coverage Area................................................................................................15
1.5 Capacity Distribution.......................................................................................................17
1.5.1 Voice channel distribution.....................................................................................17
1.5.2 Configuration of control channel...........................................................................19
1.6 Location Area Design......................................................................................................20
1.6.1 Definition of location area.....................................................................................20
1.6.2 Division of location areas......................................................................................21
1.6.3 Calculation of location areas.................................................................................24
1.7 Design of Indoor Coverage System................................................................................26
1.7.1 Design of indoor antenna system.........................................................................26
1.7.2 Capacity Analysis and Design..............................................................................33
1.7.3 Frequency Plan.....................................................................................................35
1.8 Design of Cell Data.........................................................................................................36
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Wireless Network Planning Chapter 5 Design of Wireless Network
Chapter 1 Design of Wireless Network

The most important of all in designing a wireless network concerns the design of
network layout. Such work involves the following in detail:
(1) Decide the way of frequency multiplexing in light of frequency bandwidth;
(2) Estimate the number of base stations required for the network based on
experience;
(3) Determine the theoretic position of the base station;
(4) Estimate network capacity;
(5) Assume parameters relevant to the base station (hierarchical structure of the
network, transmitting power, antenna type, height to be hung, direction and angle of
declination etc.);
On the basis of determining the basic layout of base station, plan the frequency and
adjacent areas, and then complete the related cell data, so as to accomplish the
entire planning process.
1.1 Design of Base Station Address

In planning a wireless network, the design of base station address should generally
meet the following requirements:
(1) The address should serve to meet the objective of rational cell structure; make a
comprehensive analysis using an electronic map and a paper map of the urban area
(information about ground objects and surface relief preferred). Standby station
address is required in the course of selecting a base station. For this purpose, it is
required to consider the overall network structure, and make a choice in such major
respects as coverage, anti-interference and traffic balance. In practice, the operator is
possibly required to consult with the proprietors as to the station to be chosen. In
general, the station address should be arranged within a range of 1/4 radius of
cellular base station (r for minimum width). It is allowed to choose several standby
station addresses within this range.
During the stage where the network is established and there are few base stations,
the station should be generally located at the center of an area where most of the
subscribers live. In designing a station address, top priority should be given to
ensuring good communication in special areas such as the place of governmental
agencies, airport, railway station, news center and major hotels and avoid overlapping
coverage in these areas; for other areas requiring coverage, station addresses should
be designed in accordance with standard cellular structure, while address selection
for suburbs, highroads and rural areas with a large area to be covered is free of limit
on cellular meshes;
(2) Without affecting the layout of base stations, existing telecommunications
buildings and post offices should be chosen as the station address, so that their
facilities such as equipment room, power supply and iron tower can be fully utilized;
(3) Point the major lobe of antenna to the areas with dense traffic so as to enhance
the signal intensity in this area and thus improve the communication quality; deviate
the direction of antenna’s major lobe from co-frequency cells, so as to control
interference in an effective way. In urban areas, it is recommended that the overlapping
coverage of antenna in adjacent sectors should not exceed 10% in depth; the overlapping
depth of cover between the coverage areas in suburbs and towns with the directional
included angle of the sectors no less than 90°. Attention should also be paid to the
correspondence between the carrier wave number and the cell in designing. A larger
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number of carrier wave should be configured for a cell of high density.

In designing an azimuth angle, it should be determined not only based on the
distribution of traffic around each base station but also from the perspective of the
overall network. In general, it is recommended to adopt, if possible, the same azimuth
for each urban base station, in order not to make it complicated to plan the network
when the cell breaks apart in the future; to avoid trans-regional coverage, the major
antenna lobe in populous downtown area should be kept from facing a straight street.
In places such as outskirts and trunk roads, the antenna bearing should be adjusted
in light of the objects to be covered.
(4) Generally, high mountains in urban areas or suburbs(over 200 ～ 300 meters
higher than the urban areas in altitude above sea level ) are not regarded as station
addresses in order to prevent co-frequency interference and avoid areas with weak
signals within their respective coverage areas, and to ease the difficulty in
engineering construction and make it easy for maintenance;
(5) New base stations should be installed in places, where traffic is convenient,
electric supply is available, the environment is safe without occupying much fertile
land; such places should not be near high-power radio transmitting station or other
interference sources, whose intensity should not exceed the indexes for the shield of
base station equipment against useless radiation;
(6) The designed station address should be kept far away from the forest so as to
avoid the fading of receiving signals;
(7) The designed station address must ensure the transmission link between it and
the base station controller is connected well;
(8) Attention must be paid to the effect of time dispersion in choosing an address from
mountainous areas, limnological regions with steep banks or many lakes, hills, cities
and an environment with high buildings. The address for a base station should be a
place near reflecting objects or put the directional antenna back on to the reflecting
objects when the base station is far away;
Note:
Time dispersion mainly refers to the problem of cofrequency interference arising from
the time difference between master signals arriving at the receiver and other
multipath signals in terms of time for transmission in space (transmission distance);
according to GSM protocol, the receiver equalizer must be equipped with a time
window of 16 ms (equivalent to 4.8 Km). Multipath signals with a time window less
than 16 ms are harmless and even instrumental; but those with a time window of over
16 ms are regarded as the cofrequency interference signals against the master
signals. In this case, it is required to consider whether the level difference between
them meets C/I value, that is, master signals are over 12dB greater than the multi-
path signals. The time window of Huawei receivers is more than 20ms.
(9) While choosing an address form urban high buildings, the height of building may
be wisely used to classify the network structure; the antennas for major base stations
should be a litter taller than the average height of buildings. In general, the base
station antenna in populous urban areas should be as high as 25～30 meters but it is
40～50 meters in the suburbs (or pointing to suburb cells);
(10) In choosing an address for highroads or mountain coverage, we should make the
most of land features, such an open area as the turn of a highroad.
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1.2 Design of Parameters for Base Station Project

When an address is selected, it is required to determine the engineering parameters
for each base station, including: the latitude and longitude of the place of a base
station antenna, hanging height, antenna direction, gain, azimuth, angle of
declination, feeder line type and transmitting power of each base station cell. This
work should be done on the basis of field survey.
We must know well the generation situation about the project before the survey and
collect various data relative to the project, including various project documents,
background information, information about existing network and local map. In
addition, a contract configuration list, latest network planning and exploration survey
of base stations should be prepared. Such instruments as digital camera, GPS,
compass, ruler and laptop should be prepared. Make sure that such instruments are
usable before setting out.
Attention must be paid to the following during the survey: while using GPS to position
the latitude and longitude of a base station, do not allow other persons to stay around
GPS, in an effort to make the positioning accuracy less than 30 m; make a detailed
record of the surroundings around the base station, such as the distribution of
buildings, whether there is powerful interference equipment and shared address
equipment. On the one side, specify the antenna parameters and on the other side,
this record is to avoid oblivion in the case of numerous base stations; in using a
compass, substances made of iron should be avoided in order to magnetization,
which will cause overlarge difference in measurement.
Survey is an important part to specify the base station layout ultimately. A field survey
for base station involves optical measurement, spectrum measurement and address
survey. Optical measurement is to check if there is a barrier around the base station,
which may reflect the electric waves, such as high buildings. Spectrum survey aims to
know if the electromagnetic environment around the base station and the antenna at
present and in the near future is in good condition. Address survey is focused on the
conditions for installing antenna and equipment, power supply and natural
environment. The focus of the following description is on the installation and design of
antenna.
1.2.1 Environment for Antenna Installation

Installation environment involves the environment near the antenna and the
environment around the base station. For the environment near the antenna, the
interval between antennas and the effect of an iron tower and building floors on the
antenna are the main concern. For the environment around the base station, attention
is mainly focused on the effect of buildings less than 500 meters high on
transmission.
To install a directional antenna on a wall, the antenna transmitting direction is
preferably perpendicular to the wall. If its azimuth angle must be adjusted, the
included angle between the antenna transmitting direction and the wall is required to
exceed 75°. In this case, as long as the front-to-back ratio of antenna is more than
20dB, the effect of signals reflected from the wall in its negative direction on those in
the radiating direction will be rather meager, as shown in Figure 5-1.
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no more than 15
antennas direction vertical direction
Figure 5-1 Included Angle Between the Antenna and the Wall in
Installation
To get a most desirable coverage, the headroom around the antenna is required to be 50 ～
100m. For 900M GSM, the radius of first fresnel zone within this range is about 5m, which
means that the base of the base station antenna should be 5 meters higher than its
environment. By making a wise use of the height of the buildings around it, we are able to
attain the base station coverage as we have expected.
The requirement on the headroom around the antenna is shown in Figure 5-2.
antenna
5
(a)
antenna
<50-100m <50-100m
<5m
(b)
Figure 5-2 Headroom Requirement for Antenna
In installing antennas for a base station, we should also make sure if the antennas will
produce a large shadow in its coverage area. The huge barriers near the base station
such as high buildings and mountains often cause shadows. Thus, we should try to
avoid these barriers in installing the antennas. When a directional antenna is installed
on top of a building, attention must be paid to keeping the edges of the building from
holding up beam radiation. The antenna should be installed close to the building
edges, so as to reduce or eliminate shadows. As the building roofs are diversified and
complex, when the antenna is to be installed away from the building edges, the
antenna should be placed higher than the roof. At this moment, consideration must be
given to the bearing of the roof and the antenna under stress against the wind in
terms of engineering. Without regard to the effect of the antenna’s declination angle,
the following two tables give the recommended height of the antenna from the roof in
the case of GSM900 and GSM1800.
 GSM900
Distance from the antenna to the Height from antenna base to building roof
building edge D(m) H(m)
0～1 0.5
1 ～10 2
10 ～30 3
>30 3.5
 GSM1800
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Distance from the antenna to the Height from antenna base to building roof
building edge D(m) H(m)
0～2 0.5
2 ～10 1
>10 2
1.2.2 Antenna Separation in GSM System
To avoid inter-modulation interference, there must be space between the receiver and
transmitter of the base station: Tx-Rx: 30dB; Tx-Tx: 30dB. This is also applicable to
the shared-address system for GSM900 and GSM1800. The antenna separation is
subject to the antenna radiation directional diagram, spatial distance and gain with no
regard to the attenuation caused by voltage standing wave ratio. It is worked out as
follows:
For vertical arrangement layout, v=28+40lg(k/λ) (dB)
For horizontal arrangement layout, Lv=22+20lg(d/λ)-(G1+G2)-(S1+S2) (dB)
Where Lv refers to required separation, λ is the length of carrier wave, k is vertical
separation, d is horizontal separation, G1, G2 are respectively the gains of the
transmitting antenna and receiving antenna in their maximum radiation direction (dBi),
and S1, S2 are respectively the secondary lobe level of the transmitting antenna and
receiving antenna in the direction of 90° (dBp, negative value relative to master
beam). Normally, 65° fan-shaped beam antenna S is about -18dBp, 90°fan-shaped
beam antenna S is -9dBp, and 120° fan-shaped beam antenna S is -7dBp, subject to
the special antenna directional diagram. In the event of omni-antenna, S is 0.
The antenna mount for GSM900 and GSM1800 systems should meet the following
requirements:
 Directional antenna
In the same system, the horizontal interval between the two antennas in the same
sector is equal to or more than 4m; the horizontal interval between the two antennas
in the same sector is equal to or more than 0.5m;
Between the two systems, when the two antennas of the same sector are in the same
direction, the horizontal interval between the antennas is equal to or more than 1m;
The vertical interval of antenna is equal to or more than 0.5 meters; the distance from
the antenna base to the enclosing wall on the roof is equal or more than 0.5 meters;
The included angle between the line connecting the lower antenna edge with the
antenna face pointing to the roof and the horizontal direction is more than 150;
The included angle between the connecting line of two antenna mounts and the
antenna direction should fall within the following range:
Antenna horizontal plane lobe width 60-70 90 120
Included angle between the connecting line >40－45 >55 >70
of two antenna mounts and the antenna
direction
 Omni-antenna
antenna horizontal interval ≥10 meters or antenna vertical interval ≥0.5 meter; the
distance from the lower antenna edge to the enclosing wall on the building roof≥0.5
meter.
1.2.3 Antenna Separation Form GSM and CDMA Base Station
The analysis of CDMA and GSM system interference should be based on the relation
between the frequency of two systems and their characteristics in transmitting and
receiving so as to study the interference in detail. The interference mainly involves the
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following three aspects: scattering interference, block interference and inter-

modulation interference. Of these three different interferences, scattering interference
plays a major part and has the most effect. Thus it is the key concern in network
design. As there is less inter-modulation interference and block interference than the
scattering interference, it is not discussed herein. Take the scattering interference of
CDMA2000 1X against GSM900 for explanation.
Currently, the frequency bands of China Unicom’s CDMA2000 1X and the present
GSM900 are as follows:
BTS transmission (MHz) BTS receiving (MHz)
GSM900 935-960 890-915
CDMA 870-880 825-835
As the two are too close to each other, interference against each other will easily
occur. Mostly, the transmission from CDMA2000 1X will interfere with GSM900, which
receives disclosure signal beyond the CDMA band and fall within the channels of
GSM receiver, thus raising the noise level of GSM receiver only to worsen GSM
uplink, reduce the coverage of the base station, and worsen the network quality. If
there is no enough separation between two base stations or the send filter interfering
the base station fails to provide enough outband attenuation, then the signals falling
into the band width of the interfered base station might be very strong, and thus
increase the noise threshold of the receiver. The degree in system performance fall
depends on the intensity of interference signals, which in turn remain subject to the
performance of the sending unit of interfering base station, the performance of
receiving unit of interfered base station, frequency band interval and antenna
separation.
The diagram of an interference model is shown as follows:
Figure 5-3 Diagram of Interference Model
Seen from Figure 5-3, the signals output from the amplifier of interference source base station
are first filtered by the send filter, then attenuate accordingly due to the separation between two
base stations, and finally they are received by the receiver of the interfered base station. The
power of scattering interference arriving at the antenna terminal of the interfered base station
can be expressed in the following formula:
WB int erf ered
I b ＝PTX−AMP －Pattenuation －I isolation ＋10 lg WB int erf ering
where, Ib refers to the interference level (dBm)received at the receiving terminal of the
interfered base station, PTX-AMP is the power (dBm) output from the interference source
amplifier, Pattenuation is the outband suppressed attenuation of the send filter, Iisolation
refers to the separation (dB) between base station antennas, WB interfered is the signal
bandwidth of interfered base station, and WBinterfering refers to the measurable
bandwidth of interference signals, also understood as the defined bandwidth of the
scattering radiation. In figuring out the interference level of the interfered base station,
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the difference and conversion between the two should be taken into consideration.
Regulate the above formula, and we will get:
WB int erf ered
I isolation ＝PTX−AMP －Pattenuation －I b ＋10 lg WB int erf ering
If the CDMA2000 1X transmitting frequency band is the last one at high end, that is
878.49MHz. CDMA2000 1X amplification output with the scattering falling within 890-915MHz
≤-13dBm/100kHz. The specific measures for realization is to filter and combine each
transmitting frequency band using a band-limiting filter with a bandwidth of only 1.23MHz. The
band-limiting filter of this kind has great outband attenuation, and attenuates at 890MHz up to
56dB and at 909MHz up to 80dB. All things considered, the worst of all is that the high end of
CDMA system interferes with the frequency at the lowest end of GSM system.
Then,
Iisolation = (-13dBm/100kHz)- 56 - Ib ＋10lg (200kHz/100kHz)
Ib is the maximum interference level (dBm) received by interference base station allowed at its
receiving antenna terminal. To ensure that the sensitivity is not affected, the external
interference level is required to be lower than the bottom receiver noise by 10dB. In this case,
the affected sensitivity amounts to around 0.5 dB. The bottom noise of GSM receiver is: noise
density × bandwidth ＋ noise coefficient. Suppose the receiver noise coefficient is 8, the bottom
noise is expressed in logarithm as follows:
－174 ＋ noise coefficient ＋ lg(200000)=-174+53+8＝－113dBm. Then the possible maximum
scattering interference is:
-113-10＝-123dBm/200kHz
This requires the scattering interference or intermodulation of other systems falling on GSM
receiver should be less than this value. Only in this way will it cause serious interference
against GSM system.
Thus, we can get the following:
Iisolation = (-13dBm/100kHz)- 56 - Ib ＋10lg (200kHz/100kHz)
= -13 - 56 - (-123dBm/200kHz) + 10lg (200kHz/100kHz) = 57 dBm/200kHz
In other words, whether CDMA antenna and GSM900 antenna share a station address, there
should be a separation of 57dB between them.
There are many ways to reduce the interference: make the spatial distance between the
antennas enough; filter outband channel noises of receiver with the receiver placed on different
equipment, such as receiver, multiplexer and separator.
I. On equipment interference
As stipulated in IA/EIA-97 protocol, the scattering interference of CDMA antenna
interface falling with the receiving frequency band of GSM900 should be less than -13
dBm/100kHz, that is, CDMA system will cause serious interference against GSM900.
On this basis, we consider the problem of interferences between the two and shared-
address construction in the initial design. To be specific, at each transmitting
frequency band, use a band-limiting filter with a bandwidth of 1.23MHz for filtering
and combination. This band limiting will attenuate greatly outside the band, so as to
reduce the requirement for spatial distance.
II. Requirment of antenna separation

To minimize the above interferences, it is required to keep a proper separation
between the antennas of two systems. To quote the formula as defined in Section
5.2.2:
For vertical arrangement layout, Lv=28+40lg(k/λ)(dB)
For horizontal arrangement layout, Lv=22+20lg(d/λ)-(G1+G2)-(S1+S2)(dB)
Here are several circumstances to explain the requirement on the separation between
CDMA and GSM900 antennas:
1) CDMA and GSM900 antennas do not share a station address with antennas
installed horizontally opposite each other (or shared-address omni-antenna).
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Suppose the effective gains between the two antennas in the maximum radiation
direction are 10dBi respectively (feeder line loss considered) with interference signals
of 890MHz. According to the foregoing analysis, the separation between CDMA2000
1X equipment and GSM should be at least 57dB.
According to the above formula, we can get the following:
57=22＋20lg(Dh/λ) －(10+10)
The horizontal interval between the two base station antennas d＝180m
Effective antenna gain in
Separation Antenna interval
the direction of radiation
requirement (dB) requirement (m)
(dBi)
10 57 180
15 57 569
2) CDMA and GSM900 antennas share a station address (antennas placed on the
same platform and separated horizontally), directional antenna.
Suppose GSM900 and CDMA20001X antennas are placed horizontally and both
adopt 65 degree antennas; Suppose the antenna gains of GSM and CDMA20001x in
the direction of radiation are both 15dBi.
65°antenna plane side lobe is about -18dB in the direction of 90 degrees and then the
effective gains in the said direction are 15-18＝-3dBi.
57=22＋20lg(Dh/λ) －〔(15+15) + ((-18)+ (-18))〕
According to the above formula, we conclude that the horizontal interval between the
antennas is d＝9m.
Effective antenna gain in
Separation Antenna interval
the direction of radiation
requirement (dB) requirement (m)
(dBi)
10 57 3
15 57 9
3) CDMA and GSM900 antenna share a station address (antennas are scattered on
different platforms of the iron tower and vertically separated), omni-antenna and
directional antenna.
57=28+40lg(k/λ)
From the above formula, we come to an conclusion that the vertical interval between
the antennas is 为 d＝1.7m.
What is described above is a way of deduction. In practical networking, we will have
to install antennas of other type at shared address, which requires us to figure it out
on our own in combination with the equipment indexes. The indexes of importance
are as follows: scattering radiation, calculation of interference power of the
interference signals against the interfered equipment and calculation of antenna
separation.
1.2.4 Antenna Installation Interval
Diversity technology is one of the most effective measures to withstand attenuation. If

the two antennas on the plane are 10 wavelengths away from each other, attenuation
will be reduced. Although the receiving diversity requires two or more ports, it
obviously reduces attenuation, thus reducing the power of a mobile station and
improving the transmission quality, which serves as an advantage to the entire
system.
In the event of space diversity, the distance between the two receiving antennas is 12
～18λ; 1λ=0.32m (900MHz); 1λ=0.16m (1800MHz). In general, the horizontal interval
between diversity antennas stands at 0.11 times that of the effective height of the
antenna. The higher the antenna is installed, its horizontal interval of diversity
antenna will be greater. But when antenna interval is 6m, it is very difficult to install an
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antenna to the tower. In addition, for diversity reception, vertical separation is required
to stand at 5～6 times that of the same diversity gain. Generally, in actual project, we
do not adopt vertical diversity but vertical separation, especially for omni-antenna.
When the effective installation height of diversity antenna is less than 30m, and
diversity antenna interval is less than 3m, the two pairs of antenna are within each
other’s near field, thus distorting the antenna directional diagram. In order to keep the
fluctuation of directional diagram caused by the effect of the two antennas upon each
other below 2dB, the diversity distance should be more than 3 meters in the event of
any antenna effective height.
In addition, attention should be paid to the following in the event of space diversity: to
cover a highroad, we generally make the connecting line (diversity plane) of two
receiving antennas perpendicular to the highroad.
Note: space diversity distance(4--6m for GSM)

actual installed distance
Figure 5-4 Diagram of Antenna Space Diversity Distance
The following table shows the requirement for GSM antenna interval (suppose there
is no barrier between the antennas; in practical project, for example, the iron tower
holds up between all omni-antennas, the horizontal interval can be reduced
obviously):
Omni-antenna:
Separation requirement: TX-TX, TX-RX: 30dB
Vertical
interval
Horizontal interval Remark
(recommende
d)
Antenna from
GSM900: TX-TX, TX-RX ≥0.5m Gain=10dBi: 10m
tower 2m
Antenna from
GSM1800: TX-TX, TX-RX ≥0.25m Gain=10dBi: 5m
tower2m
GSM900+GSM1800: Antenna from
≥0.5m Gain=10dBi: 1m
TX-TX, TX-RX tower2m
Diversity requirement:
≥4m(recommend Antenna from
GSM900: RX-RX ------
ed 6m) tower2m
≥2m(recommend Antenna from
GSM1800: RX-RX ------
ed 3m) tower2m
Directional antenna:
Required separation between TX-TX, TX-RX: 30dB
Vertical Horizontal
Antenna of the same sector Remark
interval interval
GSM900: TX-TX, TX-RX ≥0.5m 4m No effect of the
iron tower
structure in
antenna
forwarding
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direction
No effect of the
iron tower
structure in
GSM1800: TX-TX, TX-RX ≥0.25m 2m
antenna
forwarding
direction
Adjacent sector antenna (placed on Vertical Horizontal
Remark
the same platform) interval interval
GSM900: TX-TX/TX-RX ------ ≥0.5m
GSM1800: TX-TX/TX-RX ----- ≥0.5m
Diversity requirement
No effect of the
iron tower
≥4m
structure in
GSM900: RX-RX ------ (recommended
antenna
6m)
forwarding
direction
No effect of the
iron tower
≥2m
structure in
GSM1800: RX-RX ------ (recommended
antenna
3m)
forwarding
direction
GSM900 and GSM1800 are installed in flexible forms, but whatever the form,
GSM900 antenna and GSM1800 antenna shall meet the aforementioned
requirements for their respective interval.
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1.3 Link Budget

After the project parameters for the base station are specified, it is necessary to work
out a link budget in order to further estimate its coverage. At this moment, it is
required to consider the sensitivity of the base station equipment selected. In mobile
communication system, the wireless link is divided into uplink and downlink. An
excellent system should implement power budgeting in design, so as to strike a
balance between the uplink signals and downlink signals within the coverage area.
Otherwise, if the uplink signal coverage is greater than the downlink signal coverage,
and the downlink signals on the edge of cell are relatively weaker, such signals will
easily be “engulfed” by the strong signals from other cells; if the downlink signal
coverage is greater than the uplink signal coverage, the mobile station will be forced
to wait under this coverage, but the uplink signals are too weak and thus the voice
quality is not good enough. Of course, balance is not necessarily absolute equality.
From the survey report on Abis interface, we can judge clearly whether there is a
balance between the uplink and downlink signals. Normally, when the level difference
between the uplink and downlink signals reaches the sensitivity difference between
base station receiver and mobile phone receiver, it is deemed that a balance is
reached. However, as the fading of uplink and downlink channels is not totally the
same, and as a result of such factors as the difference in receiver noise deterioration
performance, this difference will generally fluctuate within a range of 2-3dB.
1.3.1 Link Budget Model
Figure 5-5 Link Estimation Model
To figure out uplink and downlink balance, it is necessary to take into account of a
very important component. The active parts of the bases station receiving system and
the thermal movement in RF conductor will cause heat noises, which reduce the
signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of system reception, so that it restricts the base station
sensitivity from rising and reduces the communication quality. The principle for tower
amplifier is to add a low noise amplifier at the front end of base station receiving
system, i.e. close to the receiving antenna, so as to improve the receiving
performance of the base station.
In terms of technical principle, the tower amplification is to reduce the noise
coefficient of base station receiving system so as to improve the service quality inside
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the service area. In this way, it functions to improve the receiving performance of the
base station. The contributions made by the power amplifier to the uplink shall be
distinguished in light of the performance of its own low noise amplifier rather than only
based on the gains. Normally, the uplink and downlink balance with amplifier added
should be modified and worked out according to the test method for its practical
sensitivity.
I. No tower amplifier
Without a tower amplifier, the input interface of the multiplexer on top of the cabinet
should be taken as the reference point for sensitivity.
For a downlink signal link, the power of base station transmitter is Poutb, the
combiner loss is Lcb, feeder line loss is Lfb, base station antenna gain is Gab, the
loss of space transmission is Ld, the mobile station antenna gain is Gam, the
receiving level of the mobile station is Pinm, its fading margin is Mf and the noise
deterioration at the side of mobile station is Pmn. Then it follows:
Pinm+Mf=Poutb-Lcb-Lfb+Gab-Ld+Gam-Pmn (1)
For uplink signal link, the output power of the mobile station transmitter is Poutm,
base station diversity receives a gain of Gdb, the receiving level of the base station is
Pinb and noise deterioration at the side of mobile station is Pbn. In accordance with
the principle of reciprocity, the gain received and sent by the antenna is equal. Then it
follows:
Pinb+Mf=Poutm+Gam-Ld+Gab+Gdb-Lfb-Pbn (2)
Normally, Pmn≈Pbn, after consolidation, the following equation appears
Poutb=Poutm+Gdb+(Pinm-Pinb)+Lcb (3)
II. With tower amplifier
The tower amplifier input interface is taken as the reference point for sensitivity if
there is a tower amplifier. It is not necessary to consider the loss of uplink feeder line,
thus Equation (3) will change to Equation (4):
Poutb=Poutm+Gdb+(Pinm-Pinb)+Lcb+Lfb (4)
1.3.2 Reference point for base station sensitivity
I. Definition of sensitivity
Receiver sensitivity refers to the minimum signal level needed to be input from the
receiver input terminal under the circumstances where the receiver meets certain bit
error rate.
To measure receiver sensitivity aims to check the performance of receiver analog RF
circuit, intermediate frequency circuit, and modulation and decoder circuit.
Performances to measure receiver error bit rate are the three parameters including
FER, RBER and BER. When the function of bit error detection in the receiver
indicates a frame is at fault, this frame will be defined as deleted. FER is defined as
the ratio of the deleted frames to the frames received. For full rate voice channel, this
is normally caused when 3-bit cyclic redundancy check (CRC) detects errors or bad
frame indication (BFI) arising from other processing functions occurs. For signaling
channel, this is usually caused when the Fire code (FIRE) or other group codes
detect errors. No definition of FER is available for data services.
RBER is defined as the bit error rate of those not announced as deleted frames. That
is the ratio of number of bit errors in the fame detected as “good” to the total number
of bits transmitted in “good” frames.
Bit error rate (BER) is defined as the ratio of bit errors received to all the data bits
transmitted.
12
As channel bit error rate is random, we normally measure the receiver bit error rate by
statistical measurement. That is, conduct several sample measurements on each
channel. When the number of sample measurements is definite, and the bit error rate
gained from every measurement falls within a certain range of test errors, it is
deemed that bit error rate of this channel has met the requirement on bit error rate as
stipulated. The limit value of sampled number and test bit error should meet the
following requirements:
(1) For each independent sample test, the times through a “bad” unit should be kept
as low as possible (probability lower than0.2%);
(2) For each independent sample test, there is a high possibility of passing through a
“bad” unit probability higher than 99.7%};
(3) The measurement involves the statistical characteristic of height;
(4) The time for test should be reduced to the minimum.
As a result, we can measure the receiver sensitivity by measuring if the receiver bit
error rate meets the requirements as stipulated while inputting sensitivity level to the
receiver.
In light of different transmission conditions, the requirements for reference sensitivity
level under two conditions are stipulated with respect to receiver sensitivity: static
reference sensitivity level and multi-path reference sensitivity level. Let’s talk about
the requirements and measurement for these two kinds sensitivity level in GSM
system as follows.
Static reference sensitivity level
Static reference sensitivity level of a receiver is the signal level added by a standard
test signal to the receiver input terminal. At this point, of the data produced after
receiver demodulation and channel decoding, its FER, RBER or BER is better than or
equal to the value stipulated under static transmission condition for a specified type of
channel (such as FACCH, SDCCH, RACH and TCH).
Multi-path reference sensitivity level
Multi-path reference sensitivity level of a receiver is the signal level of a standard test
signal at the receiver input terminal. At this point, of the data produced after receiver
demodulation and channel decoding, its FER, RBER or BER is better than or equal to
the value stipulated under multi-path transmission condition for the specified type of
channel (such as FACCH, SDCCH, RACH and TCH). Typical multi-path transmission
conditions include TU50 (at a urban car speed of 50km/h), RA250 (at a speed of
250km/h in rural areas) and HT100 (at a speed of 100km/h in hill environment) etc.
Besides, attention should be paid to the following differences in defining the
sensitivity: without diversity sensitivity, with diversity sensitivity; the difference in bit
error and error frame indicator under the status of frequency hopping and no
frequency hopping.
II. Sensitivity test point in the event of tower amplifier
Fi
Figure 5-6 Sensitivity Test on Base Station with Tower Amplifier
13
III. Sensitivity test point without tower amplifier
Figure 5-7 Sensitivity test of base station without tower amplifier
14
1.4 Design of Coverage Area

In practical project planning, the effective coverage of base station is subject to the
following factors: effective transmitting power of base station, the work frequency
band (900MHz and 1800MHz) used, the type and position of antenna, power budget,
wireless transmission environment and the coverage indexes required by the
equipment buyer. Let’s combine the requirement on service quality index for mobile
communication network (for example), and through examples, give the coverage of
base station theoretically under various coverage requirements.
Minimum
Application
receiving Other indexes
environment
power (dBm)
Mobile phone sensitivity -102 dBm, fast
fading protection 3dB, slow fading
protection (indoors) 7dB (slow normal
Received by mobile
divergency, indoor 7dB, outdoors 8dB,
phone, inside the -70
reachability of 90% within the coverage
building
area), penetration loss of 18dB,
interference noise of 2dB, environmental
noise fading protection 2dB.
Received by mobile
phone, in a small
sleeper car or
-80 protection 5dB, penetration loss of 10dB,
inside the room on
interference noise of 2dB, environmental
the first floor of an
noise protection 2dB.
ordinary building
Outdoors -90
protection 5dB, interference noise of 2dB,
environmental noise protection 2dB.
Suppose:
 GSM900 and GSM1800 base station antennas are both 30 meters
high;
 The sensitivity of GSM900 2W (33dBm) mobile station is -102dBm, and
-100dBm for 1800 1W (30dBm) mobile station;
 The mobile station antenna is as high as 1.5 meters with a gain of 0dB;
 When M900 uses CDU, its sensitivity is -110dBm; and M1800
sensitivity is -108dBm;
 CDU insertion loss is 5.5dB, SCU insertion loss is 6.8dB;
 65-degree directional antenna gain is 13dBd (M900) and 16dBd
(M1800);
 The feeder line is as long as 50m, 4.03dBm/100 meters (900MHz), and
5.87dB/100 meters (1800MHz);
 Select Okumura transmission model;
 Ordinary urban environment.
The calculation results are as follows:
(1) M900 outdoors coverage radius in urban areas
Mobile phone minimum receiving level is Pmr min = −90dBm. Coverage radius should
be the maximum transmitting power of TRX. The maximum transmitting power of
M900 TRX amounts to Pbt = 40W (46dBm).
15
The effective radiation power of base station antenna is:

EIRP = Pbt − L com − L bf + Ga b = 46 − 5.5 − 2.01 + 13 + 2.15 = 53.65dBm
Where L com is combiner loss, L bf is feeder line loss and Ga b is the gain of base station
antenna,
and maximum transmission loss possible is:
L p = EIRP − Pmr min = 53.65 − (−90 ) = 143.65dB
According to Okumura transmission model as described above:

L p = 69.55 + 26.16 lg f − 13.82 lg h b + (44.90 − 6.55 lg h b ) lg d − A h m
where h b refers to the height of base station antenna, h m is the height of mobile
phone antenna, and f =900MHz.
A h m = (1.1 lg f − 0.7 )h m − (1.56 lg f − 0.8 ) = 0.01dB
Substitute the above equation with each known member, and the result is d = 2.8km.
(2) M900 inside a building in urban area
Mobile phone minimum receiving level Pmr min = −70dBm.
L p = EIRP − Pmr min = 53.65 − (−70 ) = 123.65dB
d = 0.75km
This indicates the base station can cover an area of 2.8km in radius, but for the users
on the first floor of a building 750m away from the base station, the reception quality
falls short of the requirement.
(3) M900 coverage radius in the suburbs
mobile phone minimum receiving level Pmr min = −90dBm。
L p = EIRP − Pmr min = 53.65 − (−90 ) = 143.65dB
Okumura transmission model for urban areas should be modified as follows:
L p = 69.55 + 26.16 lg f − 13.82 lg h b + (44.90 − 6.55 lg h b ) lg d
− A h m − 2[lg(f/28 )] 2 − 5.4
So d = 5.4km
It is obvious that in terms of the same configuration of base station, the coverage
radius base station in the suburb is better than that in the urban area.
(4) M1800 outdoor coverage radius in the urban area
mobile phone minimum receiving level Pmr min = −90dBm. As the maximum transmitting
power of M1800 TRX amounts to 40W(46dBm), the coverage radius should be the
maximum transmitting power of TRX.
EIRP = Pbt − L com − L bf + Ga b = 46 − 5.5 − 2.93 + 16 + 2.15 = 55.73dBm
L p = EIRP − Pmr min = 145.73dB
For 1800MHz, Okumura transmission model is:
L p = 46.3 + 33.9 lg f − 13.82 lg h b + (44.90 − 6.55 lg h b ) lg d − A hm
Besides, f = 1800 MHz, A h m = (1.1 lg f − 0.7 )h m − (1.56 lg f − 0.8 ) = 0.04dB
Substitute the above expression with each known member, and the result will be d =
1.7km.
(5) M1800 inside the room of an urban building
mobile phone minimum receiving level Pmr min = −70dBm.
16
L p = EIRP − Pmr min = 55.73 − (−70 ) = 125.73dB

d = 0.46km.
This indicates the base station is able to cover an area of 1.7km in radius, but for the
users on the first floor of a building 500m away from the base station, the reception
quality falls short of the requirement. The said results are summarized in the following
table:
Mobile phone
TRX
minimum Coverage
Application environment transmitting
receiving power radius (km)
power (W)
(dBm)
Inside the room
M900 40 -70 0.75
of a building
Outdoors in
40 -90 2.80
urban areas
In the suburbs 40 -90 5.40
Outdoors in
M1800 40 -90 1.70
urban areas
Inside the
room of a 40 -70 0.46
building
From the table, it is clear that the coverage of M1800 is less than that of M900 and
the coverage of an urban base station is less than that in the suburb.
1.5 Capacity Distribution
1.5.1 Voice channel distribution
The capacity of base station refers to the number of channels to be configured for a
base station or a cell. It involves the number of wireless voice channels and number
of control channels. According to the range of base station or cell and user density
distribution, figure out the total number of users, and then according to the index for
wireless channel call loss and traffic, refer to Erl B table and work out the number of
voice channels to be configured.
(1) According to the bandwidth and multiplexing mode currently used for GSM
network within the planned area, we can get the maximum CF number to be
configured with a base station;
(2) Each CF has 8 channels; minus the number of control channels, we will get the
maximum number of voice channels to be configured with each base station;
(3) According to the number of voice number and call loss index (generally 2% for
dense traffic area and 5% for other areas), refer to Erl B table, and get the maximum
traffic a base station is able to load (Erl number);
(4) Divide this Erl number by the average user traffic when busy, and you will get the
maximum number of users a base station is able to satisfy;
(5) Using the data for user density, we may find out the coverage area of this base
station;
(6) When a region with different user density are specified, we can work out the
number of base stations to be configured through the area of the region with this user
density and the actual coverage area of the base station as known above;
(7) For important places, it is necessary to consider the backup of base station and
the realization of CF mutual aid function; at least two base stations are needed for an
important county and at least two CF for an important sector;
(8) For areas with possible bursting traffic (competition venues and seasonal tourist
17
resorts etc.), the resources for equipment (carrier frequency, microcell etc.) and
frequency resources should be reserved in advance;
(9) Such dynamic factors as roaming ratio, user mobility factor, new service
development (GPRS, WAP and SMS etc.), industry competition, rate change, one-
way toll and economic growth should be taken into account;
(10) To configure a base station, it is necessary to consider ABIS interface
transmission, such as the use of ABIS interface at 15:1 and 12:1 and cascading etc.,
and save transmission while meeting the capacity;
(11) Actively adopt cellular system plus distributed antennas to meet the urban
coverage and capacity; use economical micro base stations to provide coverage for
rural areas and high roads and use HDSL for transmission in these areas;
(12) Reserve in advance some CF, micro cells and micro base stations to cover newly
developed areas and for the selection in the optimization period;
(13) In some special areas, base stations made up of omni-directional/directional
mixed cells can be used to give full reign to their respective edges in coverage and
capacity. In this case, attention should be paid to the separation between the omni-
antenna and directional antenna. Installation in light of layers is preferred; in terms of
traffic control, algorithm in light of layers can be used for control;
(14) For some highroads requiring little traffic but large coverage, we may resort to
0.5+0.5 cell networking mode with single CF micro base station + power divider + two
sets of directional antennas.
Erl traffic model is used to work out the traffic density a network is capable of bearing.
Call loss may be 2% or 5% in light of practical conditions. Erl B table is shown as
follows:
TCH Traffic (Erl)
CF number for
numbe
each cell
r
2% 5%
1 6 2.27 2.96
2 14 8.2 9.73
3 21 14.03 16.18
4 29 21.03 23.82
5 36 27.33 30.65
6 44 34.68 38.55
7 52 42.1 46.53
8 59 48.7 53.55
9 67 56.25 61.63
10 75 63.9 69.73
From the above table, we can see that the larger the number of cell CF, the large the
call loss rate. The larger traffic each TCH is able to bear, the higher utilization rate of
TCH channel is. Channel utilization rate is an important indicator for assessing the
quality of planning and design. If the number of users in a base station is too small,
the construction unit will generally consider delaying the construction of this base
station. As a result of the limit on cell coverage and usable frequency bandwidth, it is
necessary to plan the cell capacity in a rational way in an effort to improve the
channel utilization rate under the precondition of ensuring sound voice quality. In
considering the share of traffic between these two in constructing a dual frequency
network, wider frequency bandwidth can be used to realize high utilization rate of the
channel.
It is discovered in practical application that when the actual traffic via each line of a
base station cell reaches 85%～90% of TCH traffic (call loss 2%) given in Erl B table,
the probability of congestion in this base station cell will obviously rise. As a result, we
generally take 85% of the traffic as defined in Erl B table as the reference for the
traffic density a computer network is able to bear. These data estimated for traffic
capacity needs to be counted and completed gradually in the course of network
18
construction.
I. Example:
The capacity of local network requires expansion. In accordance with service
development and in combination of population growth and network popularization,
users will reach 100,000 in 2 years; considering roaming factor (according to traffic
statistics and development trend) 10%, mobile factor (It mainly refers to the users
moves within the local network instead of roaming) 10%, dynamic factor 15% (with
bursting traffic considered), then we know that the network capacity as required is 10*
(1+10%+10%+15%)=135,000; however, in consideration of congestion, we generally
use 85% of the traffic as given in Erl B table as the reference for the traffic density
that the computer is able to bear; as a result, the designed network capacity is 13.5/
(85%)=158,800, i.e. 160,000.
1.5.2 Configuration of control channel
I. SDCCH distribution
In GSM system, most of the time during the general call creation process and
position update process, the mobile station works on SDCCH channel. The following
table is the configuration principles recommended for SDCCH.
General General
configuration Configuration of the configuration
TRX number
(SDCCH/8 + edge of location area (use Immediate
SDCCH/4) ass. on TCH)
1 SDCCH/4 SDCCH/4 SDCCH/4
2 SDCCH/8 SDCCH/8 SDCCH/4
SDCCH/8 +
3 SDCCH/8 + SDCCH/4 SDCCH/8
SDCCH/4
SDCCH/8 +
4 2*SDCCH/8 SDCCH/8
SDCCH/4
SDCCH/4 +
5 2*SDCCH/8 2*SDCCH/8
SDCCH/8
6 2*SDCCH/8 2*SDCCH/8+SDCCH/4 2*SDCCH/8
2*SDCCH/8+SDC
CH/4
SDCCH/4 + 2 *
SDCCH/8
It is very difficult to sum up a traffic model for SDCCH channel. In particular, it even
becomes almost impossible to do so after the large-scale application of layered
network and short messages. Fortunately, the equipment of some manufactures at
the present supports SDCCH dynamic allocation. SDCCH channel dynamic allocation
enables the dynamic adjustment of SDCCH capacity, so as to reduce the congestion
of SDCCH channel congestion, reduce the effect of SDCCH channel initial
configuration on system performance and increase the system capacity. This function
mainly involves the following aspects: dynamic allocation from SDCCH to TCH
channel and restoration from SDCCH to TCH channel. Use dynamic allocation
algorithm, and determine whether to perform dynamic configuration according to the
input parameters: at a point when the cell’s SDCCH chancel is busy and the number
of idle TCH channels exceeds a certain value, then the idle TCH channels will be
converted to SDCCH channels according to corresponding setting. After a while,
when the cell’s SDCCH channel stays idle, BSC will restore SDCCH channel
dynamically allocated to TCH channel.
II. CCCH allocation

Public control channels mainly include AGCH, PCH and RACH intended to send
access grant (i.e. immediate assignment) and paging message. All service channels
19
of each cell share CCCH channel. CCCH channel may either share the same
physical channel (one time slot) with SDCCH or solely use a physical channel. The
related CCCH channel parameters include the following: [CCCH configuration],
[number of access grant reserved channels], [frame number coding between identical
paging].
[CCCH configuration] serves to designate the type of CCCH channel configuration,
i.e. Whether to share a physical channel with SDCCH channel. In the case of 1 or 2
TRX in the cell, it is recommended that CCCH channel occupy one physical channel
and share it with SDCCH; in the case of 3 or 4 TRX, it is recommended that CCCH
channel occupy one physical channel and does not share it with SDCCH channel; in
the case of more than 4 TRX, it is recommended to work out the capacity of paging
channel in CCCH and perform specific configuration.
[number of access grant reserved channels]decides the ratio occupied by paging
channel and access grant channel on CCCH. The two parameters of [number of
access grant reserved channels] and [CCCH configuration] determine the capacity of
access grant channels. The value of [number of access grant reserved channel} in
principle is: on the precondition of ensuring the access grant channel is not
overloaded, minimize the said parameter as much as possible in order to shorten the
time for mobile station to respond to paging, so as to improve the service
performance of the system.
[frame number coding between identical paging]decides how many paging sub-
channels the paging group of a cell is divided into. In this way, along with [CCCH
channel configuration] and [number of access grant reserved channels] jointly
determines the total number of paging sub-channels in a cell. As each subscriber to
the mobile station (corresponding to each IMSI) belongs to a paging group, every
paging group in each cell corresponds to a paging sub-channel. The mobile station
will work out the paging group where it belongs in light of its own IMSI. After that, it
works out the position of the paging sub-channels belonging to the said paging group.
In practical network, the mobile station only listens in the contents in the paging sub-
channel it belongs to with no regard to the contents in other paging sub-channels.
1.6 Location Area Design
1.6.1 Definition of location area

Under GSM protocol, the entire mobile communication network is divided into
difference service areas in light of different location area codes, and the network calls
the entire location area in order to call the mobile user. The functions of a location
area are described as follows: call connection with mobile users should be created at
the side of network. It is necessary to record the location information about the said
mobile user at any time, so that the user may be called when necessary. The basic
information about the current location of local registered users (information about
MSC/VLR where the user is connected) is kept in the equipment at network side;
MSC/VLR, the equipment at network side, keeps the basic information and location
information about all the mobile users stationed currently under this MSC (information
about specific location area); SIM cards of mobile subscribers store the location
information of these users (specific information about location area). When a mobile
station is in service, after locked to a broadcast channel, compare the location
information, that is, compare to check if the location area information stored in SIM
card is consistent with that delivered by the broadcast channel. If inconsistent, the
mobile station will start up location update. The task of location update is to register
new location area in the current MSC/VLR. If MSC/VLR is discovered to have
changed, it is then necessary to send signaling to the registration place to modify
MSC/VLR information in HLR and delete old MSC/VLR information. When the mobile
station is in standby state, it will continuously intercept the location area information of
broadcast channels. Once it discovers the location information in SIM card is
20
inconsistent with the location information delivered by the broadcast channel, it will
start up location update without delay. When the mobile station is in communication
state, it will intercept the location information delivered by an associated channel.
When it discovers the location information stored in SIM card is inconsistent with the
information delivered from the associated channel, after the communication is over, it
will start up location update immediately. To ensure the paging to mobile subscriber is
not lost, it is requested that the location information kept in HLR, VLR and SIM card is
consistent with each other at any time.
Location area is a basic unit underlying GSM system, that is, the paging message will
be delivered on the basis of location area with the paging messages of one mobile
user in the location area delivered to all the cells. One location area may include one
or multiple BSC but it belongs to a single MSC, as shown in Figure 5-8.
PLMN
MSC MSC
CELL CELL CELL CELL
LA LA
CELL CELL CELL CELL
CELL CELL CELL CELL

LA LA
CELL CELL CELL CELL
Figure 5-8 Division of service areas
1.6.2 Division of location areas
To specify the location of a mobile station, the coverage of each GSM PLMN will be
divided into many location areas. The size of location area (i.e. coverage of one
location area code LAC) is a very key factor in the system. The following is the
principles for location area planning:
(1) Location area cannot be divided into over large or over small areas.
If LAC covers a too small area, the mobile station will undergo an increase in location
update processes, thus increasing the signaling flow in the system; on the contrary, if
the location area covers a too large range, then the same paging message in the
network paging mobile station will be delivered in many cells, thus leading to the
overload of PCH channel, and increasing the signaling flow at Abis interface. The
calculation of location areas is related to the paging strategies of different
manufacturers. Refer to “calculation of location area” as described in the next section
for details. Generally, it is recommended that the number of TRX in each location area
is around 300. In the initial stage where the network is first constructed, as there is no
much traffic, the number of TRX one LAC is able to accommodate may be greater
than this value; however, it is very necessary to monitor PCH load and traffic growth
in the long run. Of course, to add a slave BCCH channel may increase PCH capacity
effectively at a sacrifice of one voice channel.
(2) Perform LAC area division in light of the geographic distribution and action of
mobile subscribers, so as to reach the goal that there is fewer location updates on the
edge of the location area.
In the event of discontinuous coverage between the suburb and the urban area, it is
likely that mobile phone fails to perform location update when the update time is due
at the cyclic position. After the protection time (generally set in MSC) the system will
consider IMSI undergoes hidden separation. If this goes to the urban area, the LAC in
the urban area is consistent with that in the suburb, and then some mobile phones will
21
not perform normal location update immediately. Thus there arise some signals,
which are not in the service areas. As a result, in allocation of location arrears, the
location areas used for ordinary suburbs (counties) are different from those in urban
areas. For this reason, the location areas are distributed in the way of a concentric
circle (the urban area in the inner circle may be divided into several location areas
due to capacity factor. Inside the circle, the division may adopt the method in light of
sections or another inner and external ring or mixed way), so as to avoid the above
phenomena. Practice has proved that the LAC division in this way may not only
decrease users not in the service area but also improve the completion rate and call
successful rate, as shown in Figure 5-9:
Figure 5-9 Diagram of LAC Division
In addition, in big cities with high traffic, if there are more than two location areas,
such geographic factors as mountains and rivers in the urban areas can be used as
the boundary of location areas, so as to reduce the overlapping depth of different
cells under the two location areas. In the event of no such geographic environment,
streets should not be taken as the boundary for dividing location areas, and the
boundary shall not put in a place with high traffic (such as shopping malls). Generally,
it is required that the boundary of location area should not be parallel or perpendicular
to the streets but in oblique crossing. In the areas where the urban area meets the
suburb, the boundary of a location area should be located at the place of base station
on the outskirts, instead of at the place where the city proper adjoins the suburb with
dense traffic, so as to avoid the users in this area updating their locations very
frequently.
A dual-frequency network requires more in respect of location area division. Here is
some experience in the construction of a dual-frequency network with regard to the
division of location area:
(1) If M1800 and M900 use a MSC separately, their location areas will surely differ. It
is required to make the mobile station stay in M1800 cell, which absorbs traffic by
setting parameters, so as to reduce the switch and repeated selection between the
two frequency bands. At the same time, the load brought to the system arising from
location update should be taken into full account in designing signaling channels.
(2) If M1800 and M900 share in one MSC, in the initial period of network construction,
as long as the system capacity permits, it is recommended to use the same location
22
area; if it is necessary to divide it into two or more location areas due to limited paging
capacity, there are two ways of design: divided in light of geographic locations and
frequency bands. Refer to Figure 5-10 and Figure 5-11 for details.
Figure 5-10 Divide Location Areas in Light of Frequency Band
900 Cell 900 Cell 900 Cell 900 Cell
1800 Cell 1800 Cell 1800 Cell

1800 Cell 1800小区 1800 Cell
LA1 LA2
Divide location areas in light of geographic locations
Figure 5-11 Divide Location Areas in Light of Geographic Locations
To divide location areas in light of frequency band requires setting parameters in

consideration of frequent update due to the switch and repeated selection between
two frequency bands, so that the mobile station will remain in M1800 cell, which
absorbs traffic, so as to reduce the switch and repeated selection between the two
frequency bands. At the same time, the load brought to the system arising from
location update should be taken into full account in designing signaling channels. To
divide location areas in light of geographic locations may serve to solve the problem
of frequent location update arising from dual frequency switch and repeated selection,
but it is necessary to modify the office data of the previous M900 network. At the
same time, on the boundary of a location area, there exist the location updates
caused by the switch and repeated selection at the same frequency band and dual
frequency band, thus there is much signaling flow, it is required to design the location
area boundary carefully.
23
1.6.3 Calculation of location areas
I. For non-combination BCCH

(1) Purpose
Work out the number of users or CF number one location area accommodates.
(2) Prerequisite
(a) All the cells are configured with a non-combination BCCH
(b) Number of reserved access grant blocks is A
Note:
 Paging block is 9-A
 1 frame=4.615ms, 1multiframe=51frame=0.2354s, that is, there are
1/0.2354=4.25 frames within 1 second; the number of
paging blocks is: 4.25×(9-A)
(c) The number of paging messages in each paging block is B:
Note:
 Paging times each paging block is able to deliver;
 Ratio of TMSI to IMSI in paging
X×(Y/(Y+1))×1 paging sub-block +X×(1/(Y+1))×2 paging sub-block = 4
Message sub-block number of each paging X=4×(Y+1)/(Y+2)
(d) Paging resending ratio is C
(e) Time length of average call is D (unit: second)
(f) Caller: called: received point-to-point short message = E: E: F
Note:
 Each paging block consists of 23 bytes, which can send:
2 IMSI pages;
2 TMSI and 1 IMSI page;
4 TMSI pages
 Call times corresponding to each page (caller or called) is: (2*E)/(E+F)
(g) Traffic of each user when busy G (unit: Erl)
(h) In consideration of the distribution of paging commands, we think when it exceeds
30%, the paging channel will undergo congestion.
Each TRX has 7.2 TCH on the average, and the maximum of traffic of
(i)
each TRX on the average within 1 hour is 7.2
(3) Formula
Traffic in each location area: 4.25×(9-A)×B×30%×2×E×D/[(E+F)×C]
Number of users in each location area: possible traffic in each location area/G
CF number in each location area: possible traffic in each location area/7.2
Note:
 If some CF does not aim to improve traffic but to meet its coverage, the
number of CF it can support can be improved;
 If short messages burst suddenly, then the paging amount will increase
with supported users on the decline, which may require flow control
protection;
 Traffic models in different areas and different periods are different, so
24
each parameter should be submitted with different value.

(4) Example
If the number of reserved access grant blocks is 2, then 1 multiframe has (9-2)=7
paging block and 4.25×7=29.7 paging blocks can be sent within 1 second.
Suppose IMSI and TMSI paging occupies half, then each paging block is able to send
8/3 pages.
Then a maximum of 29.7×8/3 = 79.2 pages may be delivered within 1 second.
That is, 79.2×3600×30%=85536 pages can be delivered within 1 hour.
Suppose MSC paging resend ratio is 1.1, i.e. it supports 85536/1.1 = 77760 pages.
Suppose the duration of each call is 60S, then the traffic for 1 call is
60/3600=0.017ERL.
Suppose caller: called: short message (received) = 5:5:1,
Then 0.017ERL corresponds to 6/10 page, and it may support 57024 calls.
77760/0.6×0.017=2203.2ERL
If the traffic for each user when busy is 0.03, it may support 2203.2/0.03=73440
users,
And supports CF of 2203.2/7.2=306TRX.
II. For combined BCCH, supported number of CF will decrease.
III. For multiple BCCH, the number of supported CF will increase.

With a view to different traffic density, it is recommended to combine BCCH cells,
BCCH cells and multiple BCCH cells to make up a location area separately.
Generally speaking, it is necessary to consult with the operators in respect of the
planning for location areas for specification. Domestically, Numbering Rules and Post
& Telecommunications 900-1800 Technical System should be the reference for
principles for CGI and CI coding.
25
1.7 Design of Indoor Coverage System

Currently, the indoor coverage mainly depends on the extension of existing outdoor
coverage, such as the mode of direct station, outdoor high-power base station and
highly installed antenna. However, these solutions will lead to the following problems:
 As wall penetration involves a large loss and indoor coverage renders
bad effect, there will be a large number of blind spots impossible for
communication.
 Direct station mode requires much on source level and both the
intermodulation interference and co-frequency interference are serious
in bad communication quality at high rate of call drops.
 Capacity problem fails to be solved fundamentally. The network
capacity is limited at a low call successful rate.
 It affects the planning of frequency for the entire network. It is difficult to
increase the network capacity.
 Serious “detached island effect”
 As a result of quality and capacity, the development of value-added
services for group users is restricted (such as GPRS data service)
To improve the service level, it is urgently needed to solve the problem of indoor
coverage. In the design intended for a solution to indoor coverage, we need to
consider the following problems:
 Try to avoid the effect of newly-built indoor system on the existing
network, so as to distinguish indoor from outdoor
 How to provide sufficient indoor network capacity
 Support new services and new functions
Here is an analysis in terms of design of indoor antenna system, capacity design and
frequency plan.
1.7.1 Design of indoor antenna system
I. RF design
(1) Link budget
For indoor coverage, the formula for link budget is as follows:
Pant = MS sens + RFm arg + IFm arg + BL + LNFm arg + L path − G ant
P ant =
antenna input interface power
MS sens =
−
104dBm（equipment receiving sensitivity ）
RFm arg =
rayleigh fading margin
IF m arg =
access margin (dependent on environment)
LNF m arg =
design access, generally 5dB
B L= （900MHz：5dB，1800/1900MHz：3dB
human body loss
G ant =
antenna gain
L path =Path loss
26
Where path loss Lpath is:

Lpath＝32.5+20logd (km)+20logf (MHz)+α
In the formula:
Free space loss Lp＝32.5+20logd (km)+20logf (MHz)
α: Loss of other objects, floor and impediments; here are values of some typical
penetration loss:
 Partition wall block: 5~20dB
 Floor block: ＞20dB
 Block of furniture and other impediments: 2~15dB
 Thick glass: 6~10dB
 The penetration loss of train carriages: 15~30dB
 Penetration loss of lifts: 30dB or so
 Loss of signals from fixed signal source at the track curve of tunnels:
10~40dB /km
 Loss of oblong tunnels: 10~15dB/km
 The loss of column tunnel is 35~40dB/km, and thus tunnels usually use
disclosure cables for coverage
During the course of link budgeting, it is necessary to take the following key factors
into account: in an indoor multi-antenna system, the link budget for test points is
usually based on the link with minimum path loss; in the same coverage area, it is
ensured if possible that the effective radiation power (EIRP) of each antenna interface
is consistent with its error kept within 10dB; the level of designed level is quite high,
and thus it is not necessary to use antenna diversity to improve the density of uplink
signals; to reduce uplink interferences, it is necessary to configure the maximum
transmitting power for mobile phone and meanwhile enable the function of dynamic
power control of the mobile phone; in link budgeting, it is necessary to preserve some
margins in preparation for design error correction and the extension of antenna
system in the future; in estimating and designing interference margins, the margins
will differ in light of the distance away from the external walls of the building. The
closer to the external wall, the designed interference margins will be larger.
(2) Service quality design (degree of being interfered)
The degrees of being interfered in respect of an indoor cell are described as follows:
The building where the indoor cell is located is at the same
height as the surrounding buildings;
Frequency multiplexing ≥12；
Little
The outdoor system covers the area where indoor cells are
interference
located not effectively;
The indoor system possesses dedicated frequency involving
little cell frequency multiplexing.
General
The use of environment and frequency between the two
interference
The building where indoor cells are located is a high-rise
Degree in
compared with the surrounding buildings
interference
Frequency multiplexing ≤9
The actual interference level will vary with the change of network layout and the fresh
planning of frequency; the actual interference level can be obtained through field test.
(3) Service quality design (interference design margin)
The higher the interference degree is, there are more interference design margins
(IFmarg) within the said area, and the higher the level that mobile phone needs to
receive, as shown in the following table. What needs to be noted is, in adopting
indoor dual-frequency system, the mobile phone will receive the designed level
27
according to the indexes as defined in 1800 system.

Receiving level the mobile phone requires
Actual level interference degree
(dBm)
Major interference degree -65
Medium interference degree -75
Minor interference degree -85
II. Antenna system design

The concept for the design of indoor distributed system is as follows: first survey the
type, structure, indoor structure, interference environment and service targets
(general public/business group users) with respect to the building, and then analyze
the path loss; set antennas in light of different areas (type, number and place for
installation). Hereunder are the antenna design guidelines for some typical areas:
(1) Guideline for the antenna wiring in a single cell
When a single cell achieves the building coverage, each antenna should be
configured to ensure the equal distribution of signals within the coverage area of the
cell. Generally, it is recommended to install the antennas in a zigzag way, as shown in
Figure 5-12.
Figure 5-12 Guideline for Antenna Wiring in a Single Cell
(2) Antenna Wiring Guideline for Multiple Cells

When multiple cells achieve the building indoor coverage, it is necessary to note that
there must be some interval between co-frequency multiplexing cells. Each antenna
should be configured likewise to ensure the equal distribution of signals within the
coverage area of the cell. If it involves compact frequency multiplexing, to ensure
sound service quality, it is generally recommended to install the antennas between
different layers in the same position, as shown in Figure 5-13.
28
Figure 5-13 Guideline for Antenna Wiring in Multiple Cells
(3) Antenna layout in a closed environment

When the exterior wall of the building is relatively thick, then the signals attenuate
greatly with little disclosure and little interference from outdoor co-frequency, thus the
frequencies between floors can be planned with ease, as shown in Figure 5-14.
Figure 5-14 Antenna Layout in Closed Environment
(4) Antenna layout in a half-open environment

If the exterior wall of the building is built of a structure of glass window/wall, there will
be little signal attenuation. If the inside of the building is an open meeting
environment, it will suffer large interference from outdoor co-frequency, thus
necessitating dedicated frequency for planning; or multi-antenna system with low
output power is adopted for this purpose, where the cell edge is confined to inside the
building, as shown in Figure 5-15.
29
Figure 5-15 Antenna Layout in Half-open Environment
(5) Antenna layout for building of frame structure

When the building has many interior walls and these walls are thick, thus requiring
that the antennas are installed in the corridor, the output power of the antenna is
generally large so as to ensure sound coverage. In this case, some signals will leak
through the corridor windows. It requires dedicated frequency for planning. The
interval between the co-frequency cells of different floors is larger than that in other
environments, as shown in Figure 5-16.
Figure 5-16 Antenna Layout for Buildings of Frame Structure
(6) Antenna layout for office buildings

For such areas as offices of indoor business groups that require high service quality,
multiple directional antennas and omni-antennas are generally adopted for indoor
coverage. Rational design of effective cell radiation power will easily serve to control
the cell coverage, and thus having little interference against the outside, as shown in
Figure 5-17.
30
Figure 5-17 Antenna Layout for Office Buildings
(7) Antenna Layout for Parking Lots

Such areas as parking lots, which require some coverage but have no special need of
capacity, the receiving level of mobile phone is not required to be high (around
-90dBm). The key coverage areas are the lifts with large passage of people,
automatic moving stairs and entrance to parking lots, as shown in Figure 5-18.
Figure 5-18 Antenna Layout for Parking Lot
31
(8) Supermarket
Such areas as supermarkets have some requirements in terms of both coverage and
capacity, and the antenna system in these places may be set in light of the actual
building structure, as shown in Figure 5-19.
Figure 5-19 Antenna Layout for Supermarkets
III. Survey
Finalize the installation and wiring of antenna through survey, involving the following
aspects:
 Area of coverage in detail, requirement of signal coverage quality,
different from place to place;
 The distribution of existing signals in coverage area; understand the
blind spots, hot spots and signal point of impingement;
 Composition of buildings in the coverage area; block against signals;
 Access position and mode of signals;
 Examine the positions where equipment can be installed.
The topological structure, wiring diagram of the final output system, list of materials In
particular, it should be stressed that omni-antennas are generally installed at the
center of the ceiling, while the small directional antennas are installed, hung on the
exterior wall with its near side radiating indoors, so as to minimize its effect on
outdoor system, and meet the C/I requirement on outdoor system.
If possible, coverage test may be conducted, as shown in Figure 5-20; in accordance
with the test result, adjust the initial antenna design to meet the coverage
requirement; or plan the frequency anew to meet the requirement on voice quality.
Normally, if the radiation power of antenna interface is 10dBm, a small indoor omni-
32
antenna of 2dBi should be used. In this case, within the range of 30m of the antenna,
if there are no dense partition walls, the coverage level may reach -70dBm.
Figure 5-20 Diagram of Coverage Test
IV. Reduce switch from inside to outside through traffic control

The measures are as follows: in Idle status, set CRO and TO etc., to ensure
reasonable reselection relationship in the cells indoors and outdoors; as the indoor
high-rise coverage system with desirable indoor coverage may be regarded
independent of the outdoor system, it is only required to consider the switch
relationship between indoor cell and external cell at the entrance to the building, so as
to ease the impact of the switch and external network. At this moment, the priority
level of indoor cells may be set higher, so that all the traffic whose level is higher than
a certain switch threshold between layers is kept in the indoor cell, while the inter-
layer switch threshold and magnetic hysteresis can be specified and adjusted in light
of practical conditions about the network (coverage, interference etc).
1.7.2 Capacity Analysis and Design

Before capacity analysis, it is first required to specify the type of indoor service areas,
as shown in the following table:
Type of indoor service
Features of the service area Example
area
It is rather difficult to
estimate the traffic, for the
average flow by the day and
at night will differ in
different periods. It is
necessary to take the Airport, shopping
Public service area characteristic of unequal center and sports
capacity distribution and field etc.
bursting in a comprehensive
way. However, GOS and the
traffic of each user can be
referred to in accordance
with the outdoor cells.
Business service area The utilization rate of the Office buildings, star
33
previous fixed telephone

network stands high, where
the traffic is relatively fixed
easy for estimation, but the
service quality is required to commercial hotels
be high. Generally, GOS is
1%, and the traffic of each
user is also high, up to
0.1Erl.
Distributed
antenna system
Distributed antenna system
Power Distributed
divider antenna system
Power Distributed
divider antenna system
Figure 5-21 (a) Diagram of a Single Cell (b) Diagram of Vertical

Divided Multiple Cells
As shown in Figure 5-21, the current distributed system is organized in two cell ways:
single cell and vertical split. The former is applicable to indoor coverage requiring
small capacity, while the latter is applicable to areas with dense indoor traffic.
Likewise, when the capacity for indoor single cell falls short of requirement, it is also
necessary to perform cell split. But this is vertical split way. In the event of vertical cell
split, the original single cell is required to split into at least 3 cells so as to ensure
frequency multiplexing; co-frequency cell is generally to be separated at an interval of
four layers, as shown in Figure 5-22. To avoid frequency interference, indoor cell
should be prevented from splitting.
Frequency A
The cell frequency for

different floors can be
Frequency B multiplexed, but there is a
certain space between
them.
Frequency A
Figure 5-22 Vertical Cell Split
34
1.7.3 Frequency Plan
If dedicated frequency is adopted indoors, the frequency planning is relatively simple.

Generally speaking, the frequency multiplexing for business service areas and public
service areas is basically the same. If the frequency resources permit, dedicated
frequency band should be adopted for indoor coverage; if the frequency resources
are not enough, stealthy frequency should be used. As a result of quality and capacity
factors (such as the development of GPRS high rate data services), if 900M
frequency falls short of the requirement, 1800M frequency should be introduced in
dual frequency system.
If there is no frequency dedicated to indoor system and stealthy frequency is used,
make sure not select the adjacent frequency of these frequencies; try to ensure
BCCH frequency free of interference, while TCH layer can be planned in the manner
of RF jumping to reduce interference; at the same time, with the aid of BTS
equipment’s uplink frequency band scan function to search for uplink usable
frequencies, and with the aid of downlink function of roadside equipment to search for
downlink usable frequencies. Furthermore, it should also be noted that before the
start of layered network structure, the service cell is generally the cell with the
strongest signal level, and the adjacent frequency interference is not obvious; when
the layered network structure is started, the service cell is not necessarily the cell with
the strongest signal level. At this point, attention shall be paid to reducing the adjacent
frequency interferences.
As the urban environment is complicated, especially the effect of antenna back lobe,
the interference from medium and high buildings is generally rather serious. In
particular, the frequency plan for indoor coverage system of high buildings should pay
attention to this. Normally, the lower floors of a building adopts regular frequency
plan, but it is recommended to adopt dedicated frequency band for higher floors with
heavy interference. The ultimate frequency is selected on the basis of actual
interference environment test.
35
1.8 Design of Cell Data

To ensure the sound and stable running of the network, it is also required to design
the cell configuration data related to each base station, including such wireless
parameters as cell system message parameters, various switches and power control
algorithms. What requires special explanation is: the selection of cell switching area,
what algorithm to start and whether to use frequency hopping, power control and DTX
as well as other functions should have been specified in the design, coverage
estimation and frequency planning for the base station.
36

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Wireless Network Planning Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Design of Wireless Network

1.1 Design of Base Station Address

number of carrier wave should be configured for a cell of high density.

1.2 Design of Parameters for Base Station Project

1.2.1 Environment for Antenna Installation

1.2.2 Antenna Separation in GSM System

1.2.3 Antenna Separation Form GSM and CDMA Base Station

following three aspects: scattering interference, block interference and inter-

Figure 5-3 Diagram of Interference Model

II. Requirment of antenna separation

1.2.4 Antenna Installation Interval

Diversity technology is one of the most effective measures to withstand attenuation. If

Note: space diversity distance(4--6m for GSM)

Figure 5-4 Diagram of Antenna Space Diversity Distance

1.3 Link Budget

1.3.1 Link Budget Model

Figure 5-5 Link Estimation Model

1.3.2 Reference point for base station sensitivity

III. Sensitivity test point without tower amplifier

Figure 5-7 Sensitivity test of base station without tower amplifier

1.4 Design of Coverage Area

The effective radiation power of base station antenna is:

According to Okumura transmission model as described above:

L p = EIRP − Pmr min = 55.73 − (−70 ) = 125.73dB

1.5 Capacity Distribution

1.5.1 Voice channel distribution

1.5.2 Configuration of control channel

II. CCCH allocation

1.6 Location Area Design

1.6.1 Definition of location area

CELL CELL CELL CELL

Figure 5-8 Division of service areas

1.6.2 Division of location areas

Figure 5-9 Diagram of LAC Division

Figure 5-10 Divide Location Areas in Light of Frequency Band

900 Cell 900 Cell 900 Cell 900 Cell

1800 Cell 1800 Cell 1800 Cell

Divide location areas in light of geographic locations

Figure 5-11 Divide Location Areas in Light of Geographic Locations

To divide location areas in light of frequency band requires setting parameters in

1.6.3 Calculation of location areas

I. For non-combination BCCH

each parameter should be submitted with different value.

II. For combined BCCH, supported number of CF will decrease.

III. For multiple BCCH, the number of supported CF will increase.

1.7 Design of Indoor Coverage System

1.7.1 Design of indoor antenna system

L path =Path loss

Where path loss Lpath is:

according to the indexes as defined in 1800 system.

II. Antenna system design

Figure 5-12 Guideline for Antenna Wiring in a Single Cell

(2) Antenna Wiring Guideline for Multiple Cells

Figure 5-13 Guideline for Antenna Wiring in Multiple Cells

(3) Antenna layout in a closed environment

Figure 5-14 Antenna Layout in Closed Environment

(4) Antenna layout in a half-open environment

Figure 5-15 Antenna Layout in Half-open Environment

(5) Antenna layout for building of frame structure

Figure 5-16 Antenna Layout for Buildings of Frame Structure

(6) Antenna layout for office buildings

Figure 5-17 Antenna Layout for Office Buildings

(7) Antenna Layout for Parking Lots