5G Model Tuning

Gaurav Goyal
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaurav-goyal-5g-rf/
Overview

With the help of Model tuning we can design a model for our network to generate coverage
prediction and network planning.
Quality of any network depends on the accuracy of the Propagation Model designed based on CW
testing and Model Tuning

So, The purpose of model tuning activity is to tune the propagation models based on the
drive test/CW data to improve Atoll’s coverage prediction.
CW Testing- Continuous Wave Testing

Network Planning/ RF Planning is always start with Continuous Wave Testing Method for all GREENFIELD project.

The main aim of doing CW testing is to gather information to design a propagation model of transmitted signal for mobile communication.

Propagation Model primarily depends on geography and terrain of a circle.

Secondly it also depends on clutter type e.g. Dense Urban (High rise congested buildings), Urban or Rural area.

This is the traditional method and best method for Model Tuning/Model designing.

This is applicable for all technologies that may be 2G, 3G, LTE or 5G. It is mainly Spectrum dependent test.
Set up of CW Testing:

The CW testing equipment contains-

1.Transmitter
2.Omnidirectional Antenna.
3.Power supply to provide power to the transmitter.
4.Drive test Kit as a receiver.
Equipment
Setup for data collection
Frequencies Selected
Data Collection by Drive test Method:
Collection of Samples and Plotting:
Collection of Samples and Plotting:
In the picture it is showing that Transmitter is placed in a fixed position and transmitted a frequency band say
2100MHz (Suppose 5MHz frequency range in 2100MHz band).

The Drive test car with kit were roaming in the town on the motor-able roads.
We have bifurcated all the collected samples in two different parts.

1.Good Quality received signal : received level from 0 to -93 dBm (Color GREEN)
2.Poor Quality received signal : received level from -93 to -120 dBms (Color RED)
Clutter wise sample collection
So we have completed CW testing and sample collection in 1 clutter, i.e. URBAN
Now we will identify a location of the same town or in different town with high rise congested building
area as DENSE URBAN.
In DENSE URBAN we may get a GOOD signal level travelling to a distance of 300m instead of 500m.
In RURAL area this distance may increase upto 1.5Km, 2Km or may be upto 4Km depending on the
band of Frequency.
More Frequency band less travelling distance because of more losses in high frequency.
For DENSE URBAN-300m
URBAN-500m
RURAL-1.5 Km
Model Tuning
Basic Understanding of Model Tuning

1st of all we should understand the basic of Model tuning, why do we do Model Tuning.

In simple language Model Tuning is done to match the coverage distance of transmitted signal, in
field and in Planning Tool for the same frequency and for similar kind of terrain and clutter.

Suppose in field we have seen through our CW testing samples that in 2100MHz in a particular
Urban area Received Signal Level (-93dBm) can travel a distance of 500m.
Now our target is to set this 500m distance (for signal level -93dBm) in Planning Tool for a site which
operates in 2100 MHz Band in similar Urban clutter.
Propagation Model and Formula:
Flow for Model Tuning
Formula for Standard Propagation Model:
Setting of K Values:
So whole Model tuning is done by varying the values of K1 and K2 to get a required Model.
We can do variations in other K values also for up to K7. But usually we prefer to
change K1 and K2 values only.
Setting of K1 and K2 to get a final Model is totally a trial and error method.
Step by step process:
Data/ Samples collected through conventional CW testing or through Drive Test are
imported in Planning Tool like Atoll.
Step by step process:

•Here we have seen that a signal level of -93 dBm is travelling to a distance of 500m in an Urban
area (Say Frequency band 2100MHz for 3G).
•Now we have plot a site in Atoll Planning Tool at the same Latitude and Longitude where we set our
Transmitter/Mobile Tower during CW testing.
•We already made a Project for 5G in Atoll with all different parameters. Main difference of Parameter
will be Modulation Techniques for different Technology.
•So now Atoll itself has some “K” values for the created Project.
•Run a prediction for the sample site by selecting only 1 site.
•The tool will show its own coverage area for the site based on the data available in the Project.
•This prediction value may or may not match with the actual data we have collected in field.
•In Planning tool let us define 3 signal level category
Green: -72 dBm
Yellow: -72 to -93 dBm
Red: -93 to -120 dBm
Step by step process:
Now our main task is to change the “K” values mainly K1 and K2 until
we reduced the distance of -93dBm signal from 900m to 500m for this
particular site.
K Factor
•Changing of K values are not like 1 time activity.
•It is a trial and error method.
•We would vary the “K” values until we reach the value of 500m distance coverage for -93
dBm signal.
•Every time after setting new “K” values we will run a Prediction Coverage.
•Then will check what the travel distance is.
•This Process will be repeated until we find some “K” values which shows a prediction of
2100MHz band, signal level -93dBm is covering up to a maximum distance of 500m
This is MODEL TUNING
So by repeating the process of “K” value change we can finally reach to a DESIGN in
Tool where coverage of signal level is same both in actual field and also in Planning
Tool.
This is MODEL TUNING.
The procedure of “Tune model”
Drive test data:
Real example -1 site
Import Drive test data:
Select drive test CSV file and click on Open.
Data format alignment:
Import Set up:
Change Display:
Display type:-.
Model Tuning Target:-

Parameters to review: Below two main parameters results you would want to review to check the accuracy of
the models.
Mean Error = The arithmetic mean value of all errors of survey points when compared to the prediction. This is
an average value of all the differences.
Formula: ΣXi / n
Where, n = number of pairs of values
Xi are the difference values (Difference= Measured Value - Prediction Value)
Standard Deviation: Standard deviation Is the square root of the average square distance to the mean.
Formula: (Σ(Xi-Mean error)^2 / n)^0.5
Qualifying Model Performance:
Filter:
Min and Max distance: Define the Min and Max distance ranges of CW points from the transmitters you
want to keep in the Analysis. This filter can be used to calculate the performance statistic by distance for
the models.
Example: Min distance = 0 and Max distance = 500 : CW points within 0 to 500 meters from transmitters
will only be included for the analysis and result.

Min and Max RSRP: Define the Min and Max ranges of RSRP you want to keep for the CW points to be
included in the Analysis. You can define Min RSRP range here based on the receiver sensitivity of the
scanner. Typically we recommend to keep this range at -110dBm.
Example: Min RSRP = -110 dBm and Max RSRP = -50 : CW points between -50 to -110 dBm signal
strength will only be included for the analysis and result.
Azimuth/points angle: It is preferable to use relative azimuth while applying this filter
Relative: Min and Max angle relative to assigned azimuths of transmitters
Absolute: Min and Max angle not relative to assigned azimuths of transmitters
Example: Min angle = -60 and Max angle = 60 : CW points within +- 60 degree of Azimuths of
transmitters will only be included for the analysis and result when relative option is checked.

Clutter Class: You can also apply filter based on the clutter classes to remove any indoor points.
CW points under unchecked clutter classes will be filtered out from the tuning analysis and results

You can also use focus zone to filter out the points
Tuning a model

Next step is to tune propagation model based on the CW data. Any filtering you have applied
will be applicable when you tune the models.
“Duplicate”
SPM PROPERTIES:-
Right click the copied model and select calibration.
The Automatic Calibration Wizard
First tune K1,K2
K1 Value is depends upon Radio Frequency
and Radio Technology:
Tune K3,K5,K6
Coefficients Relevant to Effective Height of Antenna
(K3/K5/K6)
The K3 is relevant to effective height of antenna. The antenna height keeps fixed in
measurement, the distance to the antenna is within 3 km, and the terrain changes a little, so
the effective height of antenna changes little. Therefore, tuning K3 is not recommended.

Similar with K3, tuning K5 is also not recommended.

The K6 is relevant with the effective height of UE. The UE serves as a receiver in test, so K6
equals to 0 and its impact can be neglected
Tune K4
Diffraction refers to phenomena that occur when a wave encounters an obstacle or a slit. It is defined as the
bending of waves around the corners of an obstacle or through an aperture into the region of geometrical
shadow of the obstacle/aperture.
Diffraction Multiplier (K4)
The K4 is relevant to diffraction calculation.
− If the used map lacks of height information of buildings, the diffraction loss will be calculated based on the ground
height. If you test within a small range, the terrain undulates a little. This differs greatly from knife-edge objects in
calculating diffraction loss, so the calculation is inaccurate.
As a result, tuning K4 is not recommended.
− If you test within a large range, the terrain undulates greatly. For example, the area is mountainous.
As a result, tuning K4 is recommended.
− If you use high-resolution 3D maps with the height information about buildings, you can calculate diffraction loss
with the height information. Therefore, tuning K4 is recommended. In this way, the obtained model will be more
accurate
Tune CC
Kclutter and Clutter Loss

The CW measurement proceeds in outdoor open land, but the points will be inadequate in other
clutters. As a result, do not tune Kclutter and losses per clutter loss. Therefore, you can configure
Kclutter to 1 and losses per clutter loss to 0, or Kclutter to 0. This has no impact on tuning result.

In simulation, you need configure Kclutter to 1; you need configure losses per clutter loss
according to conditions of digital maps or local conditions. Different digital maps contain the
different clutters with different definitions, so you shall set them accordingly.

In a planning project, the values of clutter losses must be confirmed by the operator or even
provided by the operator.
Select the CW test data and parameters for calibration in turn, and click Commit to complete the
setting
Analyzing the Calibrated Model
SPM-Parameters
CC of SPM
CC of Tuned Model
Parameters of Tuned Model
Compare:-
Displaying Statistics on CW Measurement Paths
Select Propagation model:
Calculate signal level:
Display Statistics:
Review Results:
Compare un tuned and tuned model results:

Select Calculations > Calculate All the Predictions from the context menu.
(Atoll calculate the errors between measured and predicted signal levels)
Thanks