2017 Progress In Electromagnetics Research Symposium — Spring (PIERS), St Petersburg, Russia, 22–25 May

Electromagnetic Compatibility Assessment of LTE 700 Networks for

Co-channel Case
Guntis Ancans, Tamara Sharashidze, and Vjaceslavs Bobrovs
Institute of Telecommunications, Riga Technical University, Azenes St. 12-201, LV-1048, Riga, Latvia

Abstract— The 694–790 MHz (700 MHz) band was allocated to the mobile, except aeronauti-
cal mobile, service on a co-primary basis with other services to which this band is allocated on a
primary basis in Region 1 and identified to International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) by
the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12). The allocation of mobile service in
Region 1 in 700 MHz band got effective after the WRC-15. Countries of Region 1 will be able
to plan and use these frequencies for IMT systems. The objective of this paper is to assess the
electromagnetic compatibility of mobile broadband (LTE) networks operating in 700 MHz band.
The research contains an assumption of a preferred frequency division duplex (FDD) channelling
arrangement which contains confined 2×30 MHz blocks: 703–733 MHz (uplink) and 758–788 MHz
(downlink). The model consists of two LTE networks operating in 700 MHz band. Co-channel
scenario was analysed in this paper, and possible impact of transmitting LTE base stations to
neighbouring LTE network receiving stations. The Monte Carlo simulation within SEAMCAT
software was used for interference analysis of these systems. The Monte Carlo simulations show
more relaxed electromagnetic compatibility scenario. The set of base station radio parameters
were evaluated and different mitigation techniques were proposed in this paper in order to achieve
best results for electromagnetic compatibility of LTE 700 networks. For SEAMCAT simulations
was used Extended Hata propagation model. The results obtained provide the minimum cou-
pling distance required between two neighbouring LTE 700 networks to maintain the necessary
performance level of the LTE system.

1. INTRODUCTION
The 2015 ITU World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) has taken a decision that will
provide enhanced capacity for mobile broadband in the 694–790 MHz (700 MHz) frequency band
in ITU Region 1 (Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia) and a globally harmonized
solution for the implementation of the digital dividend. The decision allocates the 700 MHz band
to the mobile service and identifies it for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) in ITU
Region 1, similarly to what was decided by the 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-
07) for ITU Region 2 (Americas) and Region 3 (Asia-Pacific) [1]. The 700 MHz band is described
as the second digital dividend following the allocation of frequencies in the 800 MHz band (the first
digital dividend) for mobile broadband services [2].
This frequency range can be put into use only after all the necessary electromagnetic compat-
ibility studies have been completed. The following case study elaborates on evaluation of elec-
tromagnetic compatibility of mobile broadband (LTE) networks operating in 700 MHz band. The
case study assesses the necessary minimum separation distance between LTE base station (BS)
transmitters and neighbouring LTE network receiving stations given in a reference cell to maintain
the necessary performance level of the LTE system.
Authors found that sharing and electromagnetic compatibility studies on assessment of LTE
700 networks for co-channel case have not been performed yet. Though a similar study using
Monte Carlo analysis was done in study [3] where were investigated LTE networks in 800 MHz
and 2.6 GHz frequency band. Unlike the abovementioned study this paper presents results of using
different protection ratio value, different BS antenna height and maximum transmit power, different
cell size and cell layout etc. parameters.
This paper is organized as follows. The second chapter is devoted to the technical character-
istics and used protection criteria. The third chapter dedicated to the compatibility evaluation
methodology and interference scenario. The fourth chapter is devoted to the compatibility analysis
and results, and in the last one conclusion are derived.
2. TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PROTECTION CRITERIA
The study contains an assumption of a frequency division duplex (FDD) channelling arrangement
which contains 2 × 30 MHz blocks: 703–733 MHz for uplink and 758–788 MHz for downlink [4]. The
LTE 700 channels with 10 MHz bandwidth were used in this paper in order to evaluate a more

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realistic scenario. The LTE parameters used in this paper were taken from inputs to JTG 4-5-6-7
from WP5D for IMT (LTE) [5] and Report ITU-R M.2292-0 [6]. Mobile service (LTE) base station
basic parameters used in this study are provided in Table 1.

Table 1. Characteristics of LTE base station.

Parameter Value
Tx frequency 763 MHz
Rx frequency 708 MHz
Channel bandwidth 10 MHz
Maximum output power 46 dBm
Antenna gain 15 dBi
BS antenna pattern ITU-R F.1336
Antenna polarization ±45 degrees
Antenna downtilt 0 degrees
Sectorization 3 sectors
Antenna height 30 m
Cell size/radius 8 km (rural environment)
SINR minimum −10 dB

Simulations in SEAMCAT were performed using three sector (3GPP2) cell layout consisting of
seven BS (21 cells) with full overlap of LTE channels 10 MHz. In the simulations 20 user locations
were randomly generated per cell. Antenna height of user equipment (UE) was assumed 1.5 m.
The protection criterion considered being a sufficient protection level of the LTE system in this
study — the minimum throughput should be not less than 95% of the LTE cell throughput. This
criterion was derived from 3GPP TS 36.104 technical specification. Number of events used in the
SEAMCAT simulations was 20’000.
3. COMPATIBILITY EVALUATION METHODOLOGY AND INTERFERENCE
SCENARIO
The Monte Carlo modelling was used for simulation methodology in this study in order to assess
the interference from LTE BS downlink to neighbouring LTE network receiving stations (UE).
The Monte Carlo modelling provides statistical elements of real life behaviour of mobile terminals
and interference, enabling a realistic estimate of the potential interference. SEAMCAT software
tool based on Monte Carlo method was used in this study [7]. The interference scenario where
transmitting LTE BS interferes neighbouring LTE network was evaluated in this paper. SEAMCAT
simulation scenario is presented in Figure 1.
This study focuses only on a scenario that is shown in figure above: transmitting LTE base
stations (downlink) interferes neighbouring LTE network receiving stations (UE) in the given ref-
erence cell. This scenario corresponds also to the case of deployment of mobile networks in border

Figure 1. SEAMCAT simulation scenario.

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areas where LTE Network A and LTE Network B are placed across the borderline. For simulations
we used the Extended Hata radiowave propagation model.
4. COMPATIBILITY ANALYSIS AND RESULTS
SEAMCAT Monte Carlo simulation results show the required separation distance between trans-
mitting LTE BS and the neighbouring LTE network, keeping the acceptable level of interference
in the LTE reference cell — the average loss of throughput in the LTE network reference cell must
not exceed 5%. Results of SEAMCAT simulations are presented in Table 2.

Table 2. Results of SEAMCAT simulations.

Separation distance LTE network reference
between two LTE networks in cell average throughput
downlink case, km loss,%
28 3.36
26 4.68
25 5.53
20 12.38
16 22.75
14 31.71
11 51.29
8 73.28

The SEAMCAT simulation results for this scenario show that the required minimum coupling
distance (separation distance) must be more than about 26 km. Performing additional simulations
authors found that applying various mitigation techniques for interfering BS, e.g., reduce max-
imum output power, limit antenna height, downtilt antennas, limit horizontal radiation pattern
beamwidth, point BS antenna sectors as possible away from the neighbouring network can consid-
erably improve electromagnetic compatibility of the LTE 700 networks and decrease the required
separation distance.
5. CONCLUSION
This study presents important results on the evaluation of coexistence requirements for the LTE
deployment in the 694-790 MHz band. This part of spectrum is very precious because of it optimum
in terms of coverage and bandwidth.
Electromagnetic compatibility of two LTE 700 networks for co-channel case was assessed with
Monte Carlo modelling using SEAMCAT for more realistic case. Monte Carlo simulation results
for the considered scenario show that the required separation distance must be more than approxi-
mately 26 km in order to keep the average throughput loss in the LTE network reference cell below
5%.
The results of this study identify that mitigation techniques, such as downtilting of antennas,
discrimination of antennas, limitation of LTE BS maximum output power and BS antenna height
etc. are required for the LTE 700 network planning and deployment in border areas in order to
assure the compatibility between these neworks. Some additional practical measurements could be
performed to verify the simulation results. The acquired compatibility assessment results can be
used by National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs), mobile operators and other interested parties
when planning mobile services in the 700 MHz band.
REFERENCES
1. Ancans, G., V. Bobrovs, A. Ancans, and D. Kalibatiene, “Spectrum considerations for 5G
mobile communication systems,” Procedia Computer Science, Vol. 104, Dec. 1, 2016.
2. Ancans, G., E. Stankevicius, and V. Bobrovs, “Evaluation of LTE and aeronautical radionav-
igation service electromagnetic compatibility in 694–790 MHz frequency band,” Elektronika ir
Elektrotechnika, Vol. 22, No. 6, 2016.
3. “LTE border coordination simulation results & trigger values proposal,” France Telecom Or-
ange, ECC PT1(11)042, Jan. 7, 2011.

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4. Ancans, G., E. Stankevicius, and V. Bobrovs, “Evaluation of LTE 700 and DVB-T and DVB-
T2 electromagnetic compatibility for co-channel case,” PIERS Proceedings, Shanghai, China,
Aug. 8–11, 2016.
5. “Sharing parameters for WRC-15 agenda item 1.2,” Liaison Statement to Joint Task Group
4-5-6-7, ITU Working Party 5D, Document 4-5-6-7/49-E, Oct. 16, 2012.
6. “Characteristics of terrestrial IMT-Advanced systems for frequency sharing/interference anal-
yses,” Report ITU-R M.2292-0, Dec. 2013.
7. “Spectrum Engineering Advanced Monte Carlo Analysis Tool (SEAMCAT),” developed within
the frame of European Conference of Postal and Telecommunication administrations (CEPT),
available: www.seamcat.org.

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