The 6th Global Wireless Summit (GWS-2018)

Optimization of 4G LTE Network in Thailand

Kanyanee Phutcharoen and Sathaporn Promwong
Department of Telecommunication Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520 Thailand
60601208@kmitl.ac.th and sathaporn.pr@kmitl.ac.th

Abstract— In this paper present how evaluate the results of

optimization of fourth-generation long term evolution network in C. Network parameter optimization
Thailand. The investigated area is North of Thailand. The power In network parameter optimization step, the main target
level of received reference signal in the selected area is measured is to ensure the KPI performance by field and KPI statistics
by Nemo outdoor. The measurement results are used to analysis.
optimization of empirical models for correct prediction of in long
term evolution network. Comparison of the results obtained by
empirical models before and after tuning is made.

Keywords— LTE, 4G, 4G optimization, 4G evolution, LTE

Network

I. INTRODUCTION
For Thailand, the Long Term Evolution (4G)
technologies have broadband capabilities to offer Internet
with multimedia services. Thus, 4G-LTE is envisioned as the
potential solution for the Thailand’s lagged behind others
countries in the region. Thailand was one of the last few
countries in Southeast Asia to introduce 4G services. The 4G
on 900MHz/1800MHz spectrum auction concluded in 2015
was the first milestone towards transforming Thailand’s
2015, 900MHz/1800MHz and 2100MHz waveband
auction offer full 4G service and enhance 3G service.
We used to call less before the 3G era, we used to call on
2G on the 3G network, the band of the concession ended. We
have a lot of waves up 4G to use the net beginning. So there Flowchat show Process of LTE Network Tuning
must be more bands. We need to develop into 5G in the
future. This requires more spectrum than is currently
available.
III. TEST PREPARATIONS FOR LTE NETWORK TUNING
Hence to improve the accuracy of the models it is
necessary to adjust their parameters A. Test preparations : Set optimization Target
taking into account the influence of the specific Coverage is the most important requirement of network
environment. These parameters are determined by measuring tuning. The following is a example of coverage target.
the signal strength in a selected area. In the literature there
are various analytical approaches for tuning of empirical on TABLE I. TABLE TYPE STYLES
measurements of signal strength in different mobile
Acceptance Reference
networks. The process of LTE Network Tuning Content Value
Remarks

In this paper are presented results for optimization of 4G ≥ 95% (urban

LTE network in Thailand. area) This is the result of a scanner test
RSRP ≥ -100 conducted without outdoor load in the
dBm planned coverage area. The test routes
II. BASIC PROCESS OF LTE NETWORK TUNING are of grid structure, coverage all cell
≥ 90% (suburb)

A. Single site verification This is the result of a UE test

conducted without outdoor load in the
Single site verification step ensures every Single site can SINR ≥ 5 dB ≥ 95%
planned coverage area. The test routes
work normally. are of grid structure, coverage all cell

B. Network tuning
The main target of network tuning is to ensure the
coverage, control interference and clear basic handover • RSRP&SINR
problem. Normally network tuning is based drive test.

978-1-5386-4288-7/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE 374

 The 6th Global Wireless Summit (GWS-2018)
o RSRP (Reference Signal Receive Power)
is defined as the linear average over the
power contributions of the resource
element that carry cell-specific reference
signals within the considered measurement
frequency bandwidth.
o SINR (signal-to-interference plus Noise
ratio)
o Signal (S) : power of effective signal
o Interference (I) : power of interference
o Noise (N) : Thermal noise of receiver.
• Setting service power (calculate power of PDSCH by
RS Power)
o RS Power PA and PB are sent via RRC
Signaling for two antenna cases. PA values
are PA and PB are calculated using the
table below.
TABLE II. TABLE CALCULATION POWER PDSCH
Ps
Pb/Pa
One antenna port Two and four antenna ports
0 1 5/4
1 4/5 1
2 3/5 3/4
3 2/5 1/2
PDSCH Power is calculated from PA and PB. It is
recommended to set PB = 1 dB and PA to -3 dB. That is, the
pilot power of the symbol including the pilot symbol is 1/3.
The performance and power ratings of the Type A and Type
B symbols are Service Channel Power in situations where
there is a special need, such as in rural areas where data
rates are low. We may set the PB to 2 or 3 dB to increase the
coverage.
• Control Channel
The power of the PDCCH, PHICH, PCFICH, PBCH,
Primary Synchronization Channel, and Secondary
Synchronization Channel is set using the offset from RS
Power.
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IV. OPTIMIZATION SOLUTIONS
A. Coverage issue: : Classification of space problems.
(Related to RSRP)
- Coverage Hole We have to make sure that
coverage is continuous throughout the area.
- Cross Coverage
- Uplink and downlink imbalances. The loss of
uplink and downlink signals must be balanced to address
uplink and downlink coverage
- Dominant Cells Each cell in the network must
have a dominant area in order to avoid problems with the
selection of a new frequency or the handover caused by
the change of the signal.
Factors affecting coverage:
Downlink has the following factors: EIRP, Combining Loss
Values, Path Loss Values, Frequency band, Distance
between reception and eNodeB Various scenarios (Urban
and suburban areas) and terrain (mountainous plains or hills),
which affect the travel of bands. Height of the antenna, The
parameters of the antenna, The angle of the antenna,
Horizontal Angle of Antenna.
Uplink has the following factors: Receiver sensitivity of
eNodeB, Diversity gain of antenna, Transmission capacity of
UE, Loss of uplink signal.
• Coverage Hole
Signal coverage is poor: the quality of the signal in the
cell is worse than the baseline of optimization in a given
area. Therefore, the client can not register or report itself
to the network. The service is lower than the required
QoS.
Coverage Hole: If there is no coverage or low
coverage level In one area The area is referred to as the
area with weak signal coverage. The level of the UE
signal is lower. Minimum level to access the service.
(RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN) Since the level of the
downlink signal received in the coverage area is weak,
the signal is unstable. In this situation The client is
disconnected from the network. After moving into the
area with soft cover. Workers in connected mode will not
be able to handover to other cells with higher signal
levels. This may cause service drop because of poor
signal quality and level.
Solution to soft signal coverage problems
Analysis of terrestrial environment and signal level
monitoring from nearby eNodeB.
EIRP analysis of each sector is based on parameter
setting and ensures that the EIRP is as high as possible.
Increase pilot power, Adjust the horizontal angle and
angle of the antenna. Increase antenna height and the
antenna is high. Use a new eNodeB if we can not solve
the coverage hole by tuning the antenna. Increasing
 The 6th Global Wireless Summit (GWS-2018)
coverage using nearby eNodeB resulted in a larger
overlap between the two eNodeBs and resulting in an
appropriate handover area. (Note that increasing the
coverage may lead to co-channel interference.
interference and adjacent channel interference. Use RRU
(Remote Radio Unit), leaky feeder, and directional
antenna to solve the blind spot of traffic signals, tunnels,
underground car parks, basements or high
buildings.Analyze the impact of the situation and the
terrain on the coverage.
Case Study: Finding weak signal coverage using a
scanner or drive test using a client (UE)
Figure I: Find out the weak signal coverage using a
scanner or drive test using a client (UE)
The test drive under a non-load condition to find the
distribution on the test route. Then find a soft cover. By
viewing the signal distribution as shown in Fig. Then
adjust the RF parameters of the eNodeB that covered the
signal in that area.
• Dominant cell
In the absence of a dominant cell The level of signal
received from the serving cell is similar to the
neighboring cell. And the downlink level between the
cells. Similarly, the cell reselection threshold or signal
level will result in a new cell selection. The level of
signal in this area is not satisfactory with the SINR of the
cell being served. Unstable due to frequency reuse and
poor signal quality. In this situation, dominant cells are
often re-selected. Therefore, frequent handover or service
drop occurs on the client in connected mode due to bad
signal quality. Dominant dominant cells may be
considered as areas with weak coverage
Solution to problem of lack of dominant cells.
Find the cells that cover the areas without the
dominant cells. During the network planning phase Then
adjust the angle and horizontal angles of the antenna. To
increase the coverage caused by the strong signal cell.
And reduce the coverage of other cells. With a soft signal
Customize the engineering parameters of the cell that can
cover the area we need.
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Case Study: Finding No-Cell Area
Figure II: Finding No-Cell Area.
o Angle: The client often reselects cell (cell
reselection) or performs handover between
identical cells.
o Analysis: We can analyze using the
Signaling Procedure and the PCI (Physical
Cell Identifier) distribution. In the LTE
network, the PCI value is semi-unique. As
a result of the PCI distribution in the
image, PCI will switch between two or
more colors. If there is no dominant cell
o Solution: According to the plan, cell 337
cells will be dominant cells that cover the
area and cell 49 will have strong signals.
To make a handover between cells 337 and
49 at the intersection. Thus, there is an
increase in the angle of the cell 49.
• Cross Coverage
Cross Signal Coverage Means that the coverage of
eNode B exceeds that planned. And create a discrete
space. For example, if the height of a site is higher
than the average height of a building. The signal is
sent as far as it goes along the road. This leads to an
"island" phenomenon if the cable is connected in an
area that is remote from the eNodeB but is also served
by the eNodeB and the surrounding cell. Island is not
set to the neighboring cell of the current cell. When
setting up a cell handover parameter, it may cause a
call drop or line failure as soon as the client leaves the
island. If a neighbor cell is set up The problem of call
drop can occur because the ball can not handle
handover. Crossover coverage usually occurs on both
sides of the bay because both sides of the bay are
spaced apart. So eNode B on both sides of the bay
area has to be specially designed.
Solution to Cross coverage
Adjust the antenna's horizontal angle to suit. So that
the direction of the main lobe is slightly out of the
direction of the road. To reduce the coverage of the
signal is very far from the reflection of the signal
 The 6th Global Wireless Summit (GWS-2018)

from the buildings. On two sides of the road adjust maximum. BLER (Block Error Rate), the uplink and
the angle of the antenna or switch to the antenna with downlink imbalances cause service drop. The main cause
a very high angle. While watching the horizontal of this problem is: Limited uplink coverage
direction of the antenna. Adjustable corner press is
the most effective way to control the coverage area.
Adjustable angle can be achieved by electrical and
mechanical principles. We should use electrically
adjustable angles if possible due to less backlobe
problems. Reducing the height of the antenna for a
site with a height reduces carrier transmission without
impacting cell performance.
Case Study: Cross-coverage due to improper tilt settings
Figure III : Uplink and downlink problem

Solution to Uplink and downlink problem

If no performance data is available for RF optimization,
trace a single user in the OMC room to view the uplink
report on the UU interface, and then analyze the
measurement report and the files from the test drive. If
performance data is available, check each carrier in each
cell for uplink and downlink uplink problems based on
uplink and downlink balance measurement. If uplink
disturbances cause imbalance, watch the eNodeB alarm
to check for interference. Verify that the device is
working properly and that an alarm has occurred. If the
uplink and downlink imbalances are caused by other
factors such as the uplink and downlink gain of the
repeater and the trunk amplifier is incorrectly set up. The
antenna system is faulty when the receive and
Figure II: Cross-over coverage due to improper tilt transmission paths are isolated or the power amplifier is
setting faulty. If the device is operating normally or if an alarm
occurs, handle the change by isolation or modification.

o Angle: From the figure, cross-coverage B. Signal quality issues (Related to SINR)
will occur in cells with a PCI 288 value, so
that the cells will interfere with other cells.
Causes service drop down.
o Analysis: The cause of the possible cross-
coverage. The height of the antenna is too
high. Or the wrong angle setting. By
checking the parameter settings. The angle
is set very low. It is recommended to
increase the angle of press.
o Solution: Adjust the cell angle of 288
from 3 to 6, as shown in cell cross-section
288.

Figure IV: Show the process of analyzing the SINR problem.

• Uplink and downlink problem
In the idle mode, the client receives the eNodeB signal
and successfully registers with the cell. However, the
eNodeB can not receive the uplink signal because of
limited transmission. When a client accesses a random
access system or uploads data in this situation. The
uplink coverage distance is less than the downlink
coverage distance. The uplink and downlink failures
result in limited uplink or downlink coverage. In the case
of limited uplink coverage, the sending power of the
client will be higher. Highest level In the downlink
coverage, the downlink DCH transmit code power is the
Resolution of signal quality problems caused by
improper parameter setting,
Frequency optimization: change and optimize frequencies
based on drive test and performance measurement.
Antenna System: Adjust the horizontal and vertical
angles of the antenna. To change the signal distribution in
disturbed areas. By increasing the signal from the
dominant sector and reducing it from other sectors.
Increase coverage: Increase the transmission capacity of
one cell and reduce the transmission capacity of other

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 The 6th Global Wireless Summit (GWS-2018)

cells. To make a dominant cell adjust the transmit power:
Reduce the transmit power of the RS to reduce the
coverage if the pattern of the antenna distorts from the
overpressure. Transmission and antenna systems can be
shared.
V. CONCLUSION
RF Optimization includes customizing the list of
neighboring cells. And various engineering parameters. Most
interference and interference problems can be resolved by
these measures in order of priority.
-Adjust the angle of the antenna.
-Adjust the height of the antenna.
-Adjust the position of the antenna.
-Type of antenna
-Tail pole amplifier (TMA)
-Adjust the position of the site
-Add site or RRU
RF Optimization is one step in making network
optimization. RF Optimization is focused on improving the
distribution. In order to achieve service parameter
optimization, RF Optimization often uses drive test results to
focus on signal coverage and handover issues, which may be
complementary to other issues. The handover, service drop,
Access to the system and interference problems caused by
these problems. The parameters are adjusted. Include a list of
neighboring cells in the RF Optimization phase, while the
parameter cell will be optimized for parameter optimization.
REFERENCES
[1] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256103504_RF_Planning_a
nd_Optimization_for_LTE_Networks
[2] https://www.mathworks.com/help/lte/examples/reference-signal-
measurements-rsrp-rssi-rsrq-for-cell-reselection.html
[3] https://arimas.com/78-rsrp-and-rsrq-measurement-in-lte/
[4] https://www.cablefree.net/wirelesstechnology/4glte/rsrp-rsrq-
measurement-lte/
[5] https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00589617/document

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