Performance Evaluation of Automatic Frequency Planning Using Automatic
Frequency Optimization System Tool
M. M. Haider*, J. Yousaf**, N. Qureshi***
*,***Center for Advanced Studies in Engineering, Islamabad, Pakistan
**SungKyunKwan University, Suwon, South Korea
*muhammad.mustafa1@ymail.com, **jawad.yousaf@yahoo.com, ***nadeemkureshi@gmail.com,
Abstract—Frequency planning in cellular networks is an
extremely onerous task. Manual allocation of frequencies for
different cells in a cellular network is even more difficult due to
overshooting cells in the network and limiting number of
frequencies available in the spectrum; thus, leading to
inefficiency in cellular radio systems. The substantial
deployment and high growth of cellular networks give rise to
the requirement of automatic frequency planning (AFP) tools.
Such tools ensure optimum performance and coverage of
wireless networks. These tools are based on different
evolutionary algorithms which play a key role in the
optimization of cellular networks and are frequently used by
different cellular service providers for better network
frequency planning. In this paper, AFP is implemented in real
cellular network of different major cities of Pakistan using
Automatic Frequency Optimization System (AFOS) tool. An
instant decrease in call drop rate was observed ranging from
14% to 35% after the implementation of frequency plan from
AFOS tool using baseband frequency hopping technique.
Keywords-automatic freequency planning (AFP); automatic
frequency optimization system (AFOS)
I. INTRODUCTION
In the last couple of years there has been significant
growth in wireless services. The service providers have to
adapt themselves with this rapid growth while ensuring
optimum performance and coverage in existing and new
networks. The global system for mobile communication is a
digital cellular technology for providing voice and data
services to mobile phone users. It is one of the most
successful cell phone technologies.
The RF engineers spend a lot of time configuring and
planning the network. This practice needs to be conducted
on regular basis to meet the demands of increased network
traffic to achieve satisfactory network performance. As each
GSM operator is allocated a limited frequency band having
small number of frequencies which need to be assigned to
thousands of transceivers (TRXs) of different cells of the
network. Therefore there is a reuse of frequencies and
automatic frequency plan generation is regarded highly
important for present GSM operators for network
optimization.
In GSM, high interference is observed if same or adjacent
frequencies are used in neighboring cells causing handover
failures and call drops. Interference has always remained a
limiting factor in radio communication systems despite the
ongoing enhancement in equipment design. Initially, due to
low demands of wireless services, manual frequency
planning approach could be employed with confidence.
However, with passage of time, tremendous growth in traffic
has resulted in an increase in the cell sites density to meet
the demands of traffic increase. This has consequently led to
high network complexity making it extremely hard to
manually assign frequencies to cells for optimum network
performance. Therefore automatic frequency planning (AFP)
methods have replaced manual frequency planning
techniques. These methods use strong optimization
algorithm and enhanced techniques for assigning of cells
frequencies resulting in near optimum network performance
and maximizing network capacity and coverage.
Much research has been done in automatic frequency
planning such as evolutionary algorithms for AFP [1]-[5],
minimizing interference in GSM networks [2], optimizing a
nonlinear, multivariate interference function [3], frequency
planning using inter-cell dependency matrix (ICDM) [4],
using meta heuristics and grid computing for frequency
panning [6], etc. Recent developments include the use of
Genetic Algorithm for frequency planning [7], use of fuzzy
logic for frequency planning and its comparison with
Genetic Algorithm based method [8].
In this paper, we have implemented AFP using Automatic
Frequency Optimization System (AFOS) Tool in real
network on major cities (Peshawar, Islamabad and
Rawalpindi). After implementation, various Key
Performance Indicators (KPIs) were examined to determine
the effect of AFP on network performance in those cities.
AFP using AFOS tool has resulted in enhancing network
quality and performance as improvement in Call Drop Rate
(CDR) has been observed in each city ranging from 14% to
35%.
The paper is organized as follows: in section 2, AFOS tool
description is shared. In section 3, AFP process using AFOS
tool is mentioned. Section 4 covers the performance results
and comparison of each city and section 5 provides
conclusion.
II. AFOS TOOL DESCRIPTION
AFOS is an effective, accurate and interface friendly
automatic frequency optimization software tool which
supports Alcatel Lucent, Huawei and Zhongxing Telecomm
(ZTE) vendors. AFOS improves the voice quality, reduce
the noise interference and call drop rate (CDR). It uses
genetic algorithm which is one of the evolutionary
algorithms [7]–[9]. AFOS tool generates interference matrix
and then calculates interference probability based on
measurement report (MR) data. The measurement reports
are values reported from the mobile station (MS) that
contain information about channel quality. On condition of
frequency constraints, AFOS tool calculates the overall
network interference probability to reach the lowest value
and then devises the frequency plan. The framework of
AFOS tool is shown in Fig. 1.
Four major steps involved in frequency planning are
generation of basic data files, interference matrix, analysis of
data and frequency optimization. In basic data files, traffic
information is included along with neighbor relations
between source and target cells and information about their
physical location. Interference matrix is generated after
importing measurement report (MR) data along with base
station subsystem and traffic data files. In data analysis,
interference between cells and neighbor relations are
analyzed and frequency model is simulated. This model is
then used for implementing the frequency assignment plan
and frequency allocation to the cells within the allocated
frequency band.

III. AFP PROCESS USING AFOS TOOL Figure 1. Framework of AFOS Tool

The following block diagram outlines the optimization

workflow for an AFP Project using AFOS tool for a single
city. Usually it takes about one to one and a half month to
finish an AFP project.
A. Kick off Meeting
A clear project timeline and work matrix is defined in
which resources are aligned for successful completion of the
project.
B. Network Audit
A complete audit (latitude, longitude, azimuth, antenna
height, electrical tilt, mechanical tilt, cell type) of all the Figure 2. AFP Project Optimization Workflow using AFOS Tool
cells covering the city requires to be conducted. It has to be
ensured that no cell covering the city is missed out while city where AFP needs to be implemented. The MR data
conducting the audit. needs to be verified on daily basis during the network freeze
duration.
C. Pre-Optimization
E. Model Network and Validate:
There are no overshooting and sector swaps cells in the
city. If such type of cells is observed then necessary Base data files are created after MR data collection. Base
measures need to be taken to resolve these issues. These data files include cell basic data, traffic data and neighbor
measures include down tilting the cell by varying list data files of the required city. Base data files and MR
electrical or mechanical tilt, and antenna cables are data files are given as input in AFOS tool. Then interference
checked for sector swap resolution cases. matrix is generated and frequency model simulation is
executed from AFOS tool. Frequency ranges are mentioned
D. MR Data Collection in frequency model simulation and number of iterations is
A network freeze should be announced for the required city set. The frequency plan of the required city is given as
for one to two weeks duration. During this period no output from AFOS tool after completing the required
activities should be allowed to be conducted in the required number of iterations given as input.
F. Frequency Plan Audit: Tabular representation of Peshawar city KPIs is as shown
Frequency plan of the city is checked for any in Table I. Average values of pre and post dates are taken.
discrepancies and frequency reuse of each frequency is Statistics for 14th Jan are not included due to network freeze
verified. Discrepancies may include missing frequencies for some government reasons.
from the allocated frequency band.
G. Implement Plan into Real Network:
The frequency plan is implemented into real network
using any one of the frequency hopping techniques [11] -
[13]. Baseband frequency hopping (BB FH) technique [14]
was implemented in each city. In BB FH, every TRX has its
own frequency the mobile hops across different TRXs [15].
In case of RF hopping, the frequency is changed for each
TRX. The mobile can stay on same TRX while hopping. The
main challenge is to ensure exact frequency plan as devised
from AFOS tool is implemented in the real network.
H. KPIs Monitoring and Final Report:
After the successful implementation of the plan in real
network, hourly monitoring of statistics of required city is Figure 4. DL RXQUAL (0-4) of Peshawar City
carried out to check for any degradation.
Table I. Peshawar City Performance Indicators
IV. PERFORMANCE RESULTS
Pre-Dates: (11th, 12th, 13th, 15th) January-2014.
AFP plan from AFOS tool was successfully Post-Dates: (16th-19th) January-2014.
implemented in Peshawar, Islamabad and Rawalpindi. These
cities are equipped with Alcatel vendor. In each city,
improvement in KPIs was observed and results are as KPIs Pre Post Status
follows:
TCH Traffic number 9547.54 9765.90 ▲
A. Peshawar City:
An increase in traffic is observed after AFOS plan CDR (Exclude HO) 0.83% 0.51% ▲
implementation which is due to user behavior. 34%
improvement is observed in call drop rate (CDR) exclude DL Quality (0-4) 88.76% 91.63% ▲
handover (HO).
B. Islamabad City:
An increase in traffic of 480-Erlangs is observed after
AFOS plan implementation in Islamabad city which is due
to user behavior. A 16% improvement in CDR (Exclude
HO) was observed after AFP plan implementation from

Figure 3. CDR (Exclude HO) of Peshawar City

The estimated quality in a GSM network is measured in
terms of bit-error-rate and is described by the parameter
RXQUAL [16] [17]. A 3% improvement in downlink (DL) Figure 5. CDR (Exclude HO) of Islamabad City
RXQUAL (0-4) is observed.
AFOS tool in Islamabad city. Tabular representation of Slight increase in DL RXQUAL (0-4) was observed after
performance indicators of Islamabad city is depicted in AFOS plan implementation in Rawalpindi City. Table III
Table II. DL RXQUAL (0-4) is following normalized trend. depicts the Rawalpindi city performance indicators status
with pre and post measurements.

Figure 6. DL RXQUAL (0-4) of Islamabad City

Table II. Islamabad City Performance Indicators Figure 8. DL RXQUAL (0-4) of Rawalpindi City

Table III. Rawalpindi City Performance Indicators

Pre-Dates: (7th-10th) February-2014.
Post-Dates: (11th-14th) February-2014.
Pre-Dates: (7th-10th) February-2014.
Post-Dates: (11th-14th) February-2014.
KPIs Pre Post Status
KPIs Pre Post Status
TCH Traffic number 6802.47 7282.67 ▲
TCH Traffic number 21436.23 21475.80 ▲
CDR (Exclude HO) 1.07% 0.89% ▲
CDR (Exclude HO) 1.13% 1.06% ▲
DL Quality (0-4) 93.20% 92.81% ■
DL Quality (0-4) 90.02% 90.46% ▲
C. Rawalpindi City:
An increase in traffic of 754-Erlangs observed after AFOS
plan implementation in Rawalpindi city. A 14% Significant improvement in CDR is observed after AFP
improvement in CDR (Exclude HO) is observed. implementation in real network from AFOS tool. Similarly
DL RXQUAL (0-4) has shown improvement or followed the
normalized trend in spite of traffic increase. The percentage
improvement in CDR for three defined cities is illustrated in
Fig. 9. Fig. 10 depicts the DL RXQUAL comparison for
various cities. The tabular description of CDR improvement
and DL RXQUAL is shown in Table IV and V respectively.
As depicted by graphical and tabular illustration, maximum
improvement of 34% in CDR and 3% in DL RXQUAL is
observed for Peshawar region.

Figure 7. CDR (Exclude HO) of Rawalpindi City
V. CONCLUSION
In this work, Automatic Frequency Planning (AFP) using
AFOS tool is presented resulting in improved network
quality and performance. Improvement in CDR has been
observed in each city ranging from 14% to 35% after the
frequency plan implementation. Highest gain in terms of call
 Islamabad and Rawalpindi, better frequency usage resulted
in 16% and 14% improvement in call drop rate, respectively.
Thus automatic frequency planning using AFOS tool is an
effective process due to its accuracy and less time
consumption for the allocation of frequencies to all the base
stations in the network as compared to manual frequency
planning. AFOS tool makes use of frequency re-usage in an
efficient way while ensuring near optimum network
performance. Future work includes the implementation of
AFP using AFOS tool on the remaining supported vendors
using different hopping techniques in real network.

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