UMTS Coverage Estimation

Contents

1 UMTS Service Model...................................................................................................................................1

1.1 Service Classification..........................................................................................................................1

1.2 Service Model......................................................................................................................................2

1.2.1 Classification of Area Types.....................................................................................................2

1.2.2 CS Domain Service Model.......................................................................................................3

1.2.3 PS Domain Service Model.......................................................................................................4

2 UMTS Coverage Estimation........................................................................................................................9

2.1 Radio Propagation Model....................................................................................................................9

2.1.1 Free Space Propagation Loss....................................................................................................9

2.1.2 Propagation Model.................................................................................................................10

2.2 Link Budget.......................................................................................................................................12

2.2.1 Basic Link Budget Parameters...............................................................................................13

2.2.2 Unlink Budget.........................................................................................................................21

2.2.3 Uplink/Downlink Balance......................................................................................................22

2.3 Coverage Scale Estimation................................................................................................................23

2.3.1 Calculation of BS Coverage Radius.......................................................................................23

2.3.2 Calculation of BS Coverage Area..........................................................................................24

2.3.3 Scale Calculation....................................................................................................................25

i
1 UMTS Service Model

1.1 Service Classification

In the 3GPP protocol, services running in the UMTS system are grouped into four classes
based on Quality of Service (QoS), Conversational, Streaming, Interactive and Background.
The 3GPP protocol 22.105 gives examples to illustrate typical applications of these services
and their QoS requirements. Table 1.1-1 offers the basic features and typical cases of these
four classes of services.

Table 1.1-1 Service Classification

Service Category Basic Features Typical Cases

Keep time relationship between information Voice service, video
Conversational entities in stream, conversational mode (small conference, interactive
delay and strict delay jitter requirement) game, Telnet
Voice stream media
Keep time relationship between information
Streaming download, movie browse,
entities in stream
Video On Demand (VOD)
Basic browse, mobile
Request response mode and keep data
Interactive office, information service
integrity
and e-commerce
Target has high tolerance to data delay and Fax service, SMS, MMS,
Background
data integrity shall be kept FTP, E-mail

For different service cases, the UMTS service bear rate shall be designed according to their
special demands on radio resources. Table 1.1-2 lists the radio bear rates of these typical
services.

Table 1.1-2 Data Service Application Proportion and Bear Rate

Bear Rate (kbps)

Service
Uplink Downlink
E-mail 64 64
MMS 64 64
Intranet 64 128
E-commerce 64 128
Info Services 64 128
Entertainment 64 128
WWW 64 128

1
 FTP 64 128/384
Video streaming 64 384

1.2 Service Model

Service model is the reference for capacity estimation. It reflects the proportion of each
service in hybrid service under various service environments. Based on this proportion, you
can estimate the average traffic or data throughput of a single user. Multiply the value by the
expected number of users in various environments to get the corresponding total traffic or
throughput.

1.2.1 Classification of Area Types

Service model is very important to the UMTS network design because it is the reference for
capacity estimation and determines whether to take future network service demands into
account during planning. On the other hand, service model is hard to predict. Service model
is closely associated with the behavior habits of different users using different services and
users’ habits of using services are closely associated with many factors in different areas,
such as economy and culture. Therefore, a service model is inapplicable for the application
requirements of different environments.

According to service type distribution, service development policy and user dynamic
distribution as well as consumption behavior features in an area, service distribution areas
are categorized into six classes, downtown area, urban area, suburb area, rural area, main
line of communication/scenic spot and indoor coverage. Table 1.2-1 gives service
distribution features and user density of different areas.

Table 1.2-1 Service Distribution Features and User Density of Different Areas

Service
Site User Density Population Density
Area Distribution
Classification (user/km2) (user/km2)
Feature
Central business >12000
Traffic-intensive >50000
district*
High service rate
Irregular >8000
requirement
Downtown area building- >30000
Key area of data
intensive area
service
Dense building >1000
development >10000
complex area

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 Chapter 1 UMTS Service Model

High traffic; medium service rate; >3000

Urban area >1000
common data service demands
Low traffic; low-speed or no data >100
Suburb area <1000
service
Sparse traffic; with the purpose of
Rural area solving coverage <1000 <100
No guarantee for data service QoS
Main line of
Low traffic; scenic spot with seasonal
communication/
features
Scenic spot

Note: *Such regions as Middle Ring of HongKong and Lujiazui Financial & Trade Zone in Shanghai

Considering voice service remains important at the early stage of 3G construction, the
following sections gives detailed recommendation of busy hour traffic for the above six
areas respectively on voice service and video phone service; with respect to PS domain data
service, busy hour traffic for only the former four areas are provided.

1.2.2 CS Domain Service Model

Figure 1.2-1 shows the voice service call model.

Call duration

Call setup Call release

Error

: Reference source not foundFigure 1.2-1 Call Model of Voice Service

Primary parameters of the voice service model are Busy Hour Call Attempt (BHCA) and call
duration. With these two parameters, you can calculate the busy hour traffic.

Busy Hour Traffic = BHCA x Call Duration /3600

Tables 1.2-2 and 1.2-3 respectively offer the recommended values of voice service and video
phone service in different areas.

Table 1.2-2 Voice Service Model

Area BHCA Call Duration (S) Traffic (Erl/BH)

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UMTS Scale Estimation

Central business
2.7 60 0.045
district
Irregular
Downtown
building- 1.8 60 0.03
area
intensive area
Dense building
1.2 60 0.02
complex area
Urban area 1.2 60 0.02
Suburb area 1.018 60 0.018
Rural area 0.96 60 0.016
Main line of
0.9 60 0.015
communication/scenic spot

Table 1.2-3 Video Phone Service Model

Area BHCA Call Duration (S) Traffic (mErl/BH)

Central business
0.135 120 4.5
district
Irregular
Downtown
building- 0.09 120 3
area
intensive area
Dense building
0.06 120 2
complex area
Urban area 0.06 120 2
Suburb area 0.0509 120 1.8
Rural area 0.048 120 1.6
Main line of
0.045 120 1.5
communication/scenic spot

1.2.3 PS Domain Service Model

The data service call model widely differs from the voice service call model. Data call has
the following features:

Conversion between Dormant state and Active state;

Each session of a user can consist of several packet calls and different data service types and
user types have differentiated features;

Data is transmitted in data burst mode;

Resources occupied by packet call vary with data burst transmission.

Figure 1.2-2 shows the data call process:

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 Chapter 1 UMTS Service Model

A data service process of a user A data service process of a user

Data call(session)-WWW Data call(session)-WWW

Click web Click next Send/Receive E-

page Click next page page mail
Packet Call Packet Call Packet Call Packet Call
Web page Web page download
Web page download Web page download
download

Active Dormant Active Dormant Active Active

Web page download Next web page download

Packet Call Packet Call

Data Burst Data Burst Data Burst Data Burst

Call setup Call release

Active Dormant

Figure 1.2-2 Data Service Call Process

The data service here is described in ETSI model. Its primary parameters are Busy Hour
Session Attempt (BHSA), calls per session, packets per call and mean packet size. With
these parameters, you can work out the busy hour service throughput and equivalent Erl.
Table 1.2-4 gives the calculation method of data service throughput.

Table 1.2-4 Data Service Throughput Calculation

Parameter Symbol
BHSA of data service a
Application proportion b
Calls per session c
Packets per call d
Mean packet size (Byte) e
Service bear rate f
Service throughput (kbits/BH) G = a*b*c*d*e*8/1000
Erl h = g/3600/f

Based on the national CDMA user habit analysis statistics in conjunction with the
international UMTS data service features, parameters of data service ETSI model in
downtown area are given in Table 1.2-5:

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UMTS Scale Estimation

Table 1.2-5 Parameters of Data Service ETSI Model in Downtown Area

Call per Packet

Mean Packet Throughput
Service BHSA Session in a Call
Size (Byte) UL/DL(kbits)
UL/DL UL/DL

E-mail 0.3 2/2 15/15 480 34.56/34.56

MMS 0.05 2/2 15/15 480 5.76/5.76

Intranet 0.15 5/5 4/27 480 11.56/77.76

E-
commer 0.05 2/2 10/26 480 3.84/9.98
ce
Info
Service 0.08 2/2 5/33 480 6.14/40.69
s
Entertai
0.02 5/5 4/27 480 1.54/10.37
nment

WWW 0.2 5/5 2/15 480 7.68/57.60

FTP 0.15 1/1 8/74 480 4.61/42.62

Because all services will finally come down to the bear rate, Table 1.2-6 provides a
recommended data service model at the early stage of 3G construction based on bear rate.
Where, 384 service is applicable only for downtown and urban areas due to its great impact
on network coverage.

Table 1.2-6 Data Service Model

Bear Busy Hour Traffic (kbits)

Uplink/Downli
Rate Downtown
Urban Area Suburb Area Rural Area nk Proportion
(kbps) Area
64/64 80.64 63.04 38.8 15.76 1:1
64/128 161.88 140.3 87.35 34.94 1:7
64/384 112.51 86.8 54.25 21.7 1:10

Note: The data in this table is intended for Class 4 area, which relatively drops behind Class
1, 2 and 3 areas so that you can multiply the data by 30, 20 and 10 respectively for these
areas. Overseas developed areas are taken as Class 1 areas.

From analysis, 31 provinces and cities in China mainland can be categorized into four
regions. The telecommunication development in provinces and cities of the same region has

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 Chapter 1 UMTS Service Model

many similarities so that they are taken into account comprehensively.

These four classes of regions are as follows:

Class 1: Guangdong, Shanghai, Beijing and Zhejiang;

Class 2: Tianjin, Fujian, Shandong, Liaoning, Sichuan, Chongqing and Jiangsu;

Class 3: Heilongjiang, Jilin, Hunan, Inner Mongolia, Hubei, Henan and Hainan;

Class 4: Qinghai, Hebei, Tibet, Shanxi, Anhui, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Yunnan, Gansu,
Ningxia, Xinjiang and Guizhou.

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2 UMTS Coverage Estimation

2.1 Radio Propagation Model

2.1.1 Free Space Propagation Loss

Because of propagation path and landform interference, propagation signals are decreased,
which is known as propagation loss. In the space propagation, many factors enter into radio
wave loss, including ground absorption, reflection, refraction and diffraction. In the case that
radio wave is propagated in free space (homogeneous medium with isotropy, imbibition and
electric conductivity as zero), the above factors are uncertain. However, it does not mean
that there is no propagation loss of radio wave in free space. After radio wave is propagated
for a certain distance, it may also be attenuated due to radiant energy diffusion (also called
attenuation or loss).

When the transmitter whose transmission power is Pt eradiates radio signals through
isotropy antenna with gain as Gt, the signal power density Sr is:
Pt⋅Gt
Sr=
4 πd2
The signal power Pr received by the antenna with gain as Gr is:

Pr=Sr⋅Ar
Where, Ar stands for the effective receiving area of antenna,

Gr⋅λ 2
Ar =
4π
Pt⋅Gt⋅Gr⋅λ 2
Pr=
then, ( 4 π⋅d )2

Pt refers to the power from transmitter to transmit antenna.

λ refers to the electromagnetic wave length.

d refers to the distance between transmit and receive antennas.

Gt refers to the transmit antenna gain.

Gr refers to the receive antenna gain.

The propagation loss is defined as the ratio of power from transmitter to transmit antenna to
power received by receive antenna:

9
 Pt ( 4 π⋅d )2
Loss= =
Pr Gt⋅Gr⋅λ 2

Path loss is measured by dB, then space propagation loss (Loss) is:

( 4 π⋅d )2
Loss=10 lg [ Gt⋅Gr⋅λ 2 ] = 20 lg
4 πd
( )
λ
−10 lg ( Gt )−10 lg ( Gr )

Propagation loss of free space (Free Loss) is:

Loss=20 lg ( 4 πdλ )
If λ and d are measured by Km and f is measured by MHz, the common
formula is:

FreeLoss=32 . 44+20 lgd +20 lg f

From the above formula, we can see that the larger the distance (d) between transmit antenna
and receive antenna, and the larger the radio wave frequency (f), the larger the free space
loss. When d or f is doubled, the propagation loss of free space will be increased by 6 dB.

2.1.2 Propagation Model

While planning and constructing a mobile communication network, you have to make
detailed study about electric wave propagation features and field strength prediction before
determining frequency band, frequency allocation and radio wave coverage, calculating
communication probability and inter-system electromagnetic interference, and finally
defining radio equipment parameters. The radio propagation model is a mathematic formula
of such variables as radio propagation loss and frequency, distance, environment and antenna
height concluded by theory study and practical test. In the radio network planning, the radio
propagation model presents the designer an approximate propagation effect in the practical
propagation environment to estimate the space propagation loss. Therefore, the propagation
model veracity determines whether the cell planning is reasonable.

Radio propagation environments on the earth surface diversify a lot and propagation models
in different propagation environments are differentiated a lot, too. Therefore, the propagation
environment plays an important role in setting up a radio propagation model. The
propagation environment in a special region consists of the following factors:

 Terrains (mountains, hills, plain or water area)

 Number, height, distribution and material features of buildings

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 Chapter 1 UMTS Service Model

 Vegetation features

 Weather conditions

 Natural or man-made electromagnetic noise

 Working frequency of system

 Movement of mobile station

Propagation model is usually classified into outdoor propagation model and indoor
propagation model. The frequently-used models are shown in Table 2.1-1.

Table 2.1-1 Common Propagation Models

Model Name Frequency Range

Okumura-Hata 150 MHz–1500 MHz macro cell prediction
Cost231-Hata 150 MHz–2000 MHz macro cell prediction
Cost231 Walfish-Ikegami 800 MHz–2000 MHz micro cell prediction
Keenan-Motley 900 MHz and 1800 MHz indoor environment
prediction
General model 150 MHz–2000 MHz macro cell prediction

The Cost231-Hata model and the General model used in the network planning software
Aircom are described below.

The Cost231-Hata model is applicable for 150 MHz–2000 MHz macro cell prediction. The
urban path loss value can be worked out with the following approximate analysis formula:
Pathloss=46 .3+ 33. 9 lg f −13 . 82 logh b + ( 44 . 9−6 .55 lg hb ) lg d− Ahm +C m
W
here, f refers to carrier, unit: MHz, applicable for 150 MHz–2000 MHz;
hb refers to BS antenna height, unit: m, effective height 30 m–200 m;

d refers to the distance from mobile station to antenna, unit: Km;

Ah m refers to mobile station antenna height correction factor;
Cm refers to city center correction factor, 3 dBm for large cities and 0 dBm for middle-
and small-size cities.

In practical radio propagation environment, topographical features shall also be taken into
account. The planning software Aircom does make some improvements by considering the
topographical impacts in practical environment on the electric wave propagation, and thus
guarantee the accuracy of coverage prediction result in a better manner.

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UMTS Scale Estimation

The model is expressed as below:

Path loss = k1 + k2log(d) + k3Hms + k4lg(Hms) + k5lg(Heff) + k6log(Heff)log(d) +

k7(diffraction loss) + clutter loss

d refers to the distance from mobile station to BS antenna, unit: Km;

Heff refers to the effective height of BS transmit antenna, unit: m;

Hms refers to the height of mobile station antenna, unit: m;

diffraction loss refers to dispersion loss;

clutter loss refers to topographical feature loss correction factor.

To analyze the electric wave propagation of different regions and different cities, the K value
may vary with different topographical features and different city environments. In practice,
you need to determine the K value of different regions, cities and areas through propagation
model correction.

2.2 Link Budget

Link budget is the precondition of coverage planning. Calculation of the maximum allowed
loss of services can be made to get the coverage radius of cell in a certain transmission
model, so as to determine the BS scale under the continuous coverage conditions. Generally,
link budget shall be made in two directions of uplink (from MS to BS) and downlink (from
BS to MS). In addition, uplink/downlink balance shall be implemented. The coverage
planning is generally calculated based on the maximum radius that the MS can reach (that is,
uplink budget). That is because many uncertain factors (such as number of subscribers that
are simultaneously connected, subscriber distribution, and subscriber rate) affect the forward
coverage radius, which makes the calculation complicated. In general cases, the BS power
can satisfy the coverage requirement. That is, the coverage is uplink limited. Table 3.2-1
shows the basic algorithm of link budget.

Table 2.2-1

Parameter Symbol Procedure

Transmitter power (dBm) A
Transmitting antenna gain (dBi) B
Transmitting-end human body loss (dB) C
Transmitting-end feeder loss (dB) D
Transmitting-end effective radiation power (dBm) E E=A+B-C-D

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 Chapter 1 UMTS Service Model

Thermal noise density (dBm/Hz) F

G G=F+10*LOG(3840
Thermal noise (dBm)
000)
Receiver noise coefficient (dB) H
Receiver noise (dBm) I I=G+H
Interference margin (dB) J
Service bit rate (kbps) K
Processing gain (dB) L L=10*LOG(3840/K)
Eb/No (dB) M
Receiver sensitivity (dBm) N N=I+J-L+M
Receiver antenna gain (dBi) O
Receiver feeder loss (dB) P
Receiving-end human body loss (dB) Q
Power control margin (dB) R
Soft handoff gain (dB) S
Shadow fading margin (dB) T
Penetration loss (dB) U
V V=E-N+O-P-Q-
Maximum allowed path loss (dB)
R+S-T-U

2.2.1 Basic Link Budget Parameters

This section describes basic parameters of the UMTS link budget.

1 Transmitter power:

 BS transmitting power:

The maximum transmitting power of BS is 43 dB. The power of the Dedicated

CHannel (DCH) accounts for 63% of the total power. Table 2.2-2 shows the power
distribution of all channels:

Table 2.2-2 Power Distribution of Channels

Power (dBm) Power (W) Proportion

Max Tx Power: 43.0 20.0 100.00%

Pilot Power: 33.0 2.0 10%
PCCPCH(BCH): 30.0 1.0 5%
SCCPCH(FACH): 30.0 1.0 5%
SCCPCH(PCH): 30.0 1.0 5%
AICH: 26.0 0.4 2%
PICH: 26.0 0.4 2%

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UMTS Scale Estimation

P-SCH: 29.0 0.8 4%

S-SCH: 29.0 0.8 4%
DCH 41.0 12.6 63%

The BS transmitting power is a system parameter, different for individual services. It shall
be determined in accordance with service type and service coverage.

 MS transmitting power:

During link budget, suppose the maximum transmitting power of UE data service to
+21 dBm and that of voice service to +21 dBm.

The BS transmitting power is a system parameter, different for individual services. It shall
be determined in accordance with service type and service coverage. In the network
optimization process, optimization engineers shall adjust power distribution to all channels
in accordance with network quality and service requirement to provide the whole network
with the optimal performance.

2 Human body loss

It is generally 3 dB for voice service and 0 dB for data service.

3 Antenna gain

It is generally 0 dB for the UE.

During link budget, suppose the directional antenna gain of the BS to 17 dBi and the
omni-directional receiving antenna gain to 11 dBi. In practice, different antennas can
be selected in accordance with different region types and coverage requirements.

4 Feeder loss

It includes the loss of all feeders and connectors between the equipment top and the
antenna connector. For a feeder of 30-40 meters long, suppose the total feeder loss to
4 dB (including the connector loss) during link budget. For a feeder of 40-50 meters
long, suppose the total feeder loss to 5 dB (including the connector loss) during link
budget.

The feeder loss may decrease the BS receiving level and shorten the coverage radius.
Tower amplifiers can be used to make up for the feeder loss on the uplink.

5 Eb/No

In the GSM system, the Signal-to-Noise ratio (S/N) is used to describe the anti-
interference capability of useful signals. When S/N matches certain conditions, the

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 Chapter 1 UMTS Service Model

receiver can demodulate useful signals. In the UMTS system, however, useful signals
are submerged in the noise. So S/N cannot be used to reflect the signal quality
sufficiently. Eb/No serves as the reference of signal quality in the UMTS system.

Eb/No indicates the demodulation threshold of the receiver, that is, energy per bit
divided by the noise power spectrum density.

Eb indicates the signal energy per bit, that is, Eb = S/R where S indicates signal
energy and R indicates service bit rate.

No indicates the noise power spectrum density, that is No = N/W where W indicates
bandwidth (3.84 M) and N indicates noise (total receiving power except the signal
itself).
S
R
S S
W N
×W
×PG
Eb/No = N = R = N

PG indicates the processing gain. As an important index of the spread spectrum

system, it reflects the amplitude of valid signals increased by the spread spectrum
technology at the demodulation end.

S/ N is similar to C /I in the GSM system.

In the unit of dB, Eb/No = S(dBm) – N(dBm) + 10lg(W/R).

The value of Eb/No is related to the receiving/transmitting diversity of mobile

equipment, multi-path channel condition, and service type.

Table 3.2-3 and Table 3.2-4 show the uplink/downlink Eb/No values of different
services under different multi-path channel conditions.

Table 2.2-3 Uplink Eb/No Value

UL Eb/No Urban Area Suburb Area

(dB)
Service type Static TU 3km/h TU 50km/h RA 3km/h RA 50km/h RA 120km/h
AMR 12.2k 4.1 4.2 6.4 4.1 6 6.4
CS 64K 2.5 2.87 4.5 2.8 5.2 5.2
PS 64K 0.9 1.6 4.5 2.7 5 4.9

Table 2.2-4 Downlink Eb/No Value

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UMTS Scale Estimation

UL Eb/No Urban Area Suburb Area

(dB)
Service type Static TU 3km/h TU 50km/h RA 3km/h RA 50km/h RA 120km/h
AMR 12.2k 7.2 7.7 7.1 8.5 8.4 7.2
CS 64K 7.1 7.7 6.7 8.8 8.2 7.1
PS 64K 6.4 7.4 6.2 8 7.8 6.4
PS 128K 5.7 6.4 5.5 7.3 7.3 5.7
PS 384K 6.4 8 5.9 7.7 7.7 6.4

6 Interference margin

Interference margin = −10 lg∗lg(1−η ) , where η indicates the cell load.

The UMTS system is of self-interference, and its coverage is closed related to the
system capacity. At earlier network stages, little traffic results in low value of
interference margin. As the traffic load increases, the interference margin becomes
larger and the BS coverage shrinks. With regard to link budget, therefore, it is
necessary to select the maximum uplink load in accordance with the estimated traffic
increasing trend to ensure good coverage.

The value of interference margin in the uplink budget depends on the capacity
requirement in the network design. The interference margin is 3 dB when the load is
taken 50% from the dense urban area or a cell in the urban area, it is 2.2 dB when the
load is taken 40% from the suburb area, and it is 1.5 dB when the load is taken 30%
from the rural area.

For the downlink, the relationship between load and interference still exists. The
interference margin shall be determined by emulation because it is hard to make the
theoretic calculation.

7 BS receiving sensitivity

BS receiving sensitivity indicates the minimum receiving level that the service
channel requires to guarantee the decoding requirement with certain communication
qualities.

From the above deduction of Eb/No:

S(dBm) = Eb/No(dB) + N(dBm) - 10lg(W/R).

N indicates the total noise that the BS receives, that is, N = Noise + Nf + IM.

In the formula:

Noise indicates the thermal noise, caused by electronic thermal movements in the

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 Chapter 1 UMTS Service Model

conductor. It is generated between antenna and receiver as well as in the damaged

component coupler of level 1 of the receiver. In most of communication systems, the
power spectrum density is the same at the fixed frequency point because the noise
bandwidth is far larger than the system bandwidth. From the DC to the frequency of
1012 Hz, therefore, the noise power generated by the thermal noise source is the same
per unit bandwidth. The calculation formula of power is:

Noise = KTW (in the unit of W)

K indicates a Boltzmann constant, namely 1.38*10-23J/K.

T indicates the Kelvin temperature, namely 290 K.

W indicates the signal bandwidth, namely 3.84 M.

When dBm is taken as the calculation unit:

Noise = 10lg(KT) + 10lg(W).

10lg(KT) indicates the thermal noise density (in the unit of dBm/Hz).

Nf indicates the BS noise coefficient, defined as the ratio of input S/N to output S/N.
3GPP does not have specific requirement for the equipment noise. It is generally
taken as 3 dB for link budget.

IM indicates the noise increasing caused by system load.

S(dBm) = Eb/No(dB) + 10lg(KTW) + Nf(dBm) + IM(dBm) - 10lg(W/R).

The formula of BS receiving sensitivity is:

Receiver Sensitivity = 10lg(KT) + Nf + 10lg(Eb/No) + 10lgR + IM.

10lg(KT) indicates the thermal noise density, namely –174 dBm/Hz.

Nf indicates the BS noise coefficient, namely 3 dB.

IM indicates the interference margin.

8 Soft handoff gain

Here, soft handoff gain indicates the gain to overcome slow fading. When the mobile
equipment is located in the soft handoff region, multiple radio links of soft handoff
receive signals at the same time, which decreases the requirement for the shadow
fading margin. The soft handoff gain is generally taken as 3 dB for link budget.

9 Power control margin (fast fading margin)

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UMTS Scale Estimation

The UMTS system adopts the fast closed-loop power control of 1500 Hz. For a low-
speed mobile terminal, the fast closed-loop power control of 1500 Hz can fight fast
fading and guarantee the demodulation performance. Because of the features of fast
fading, however, the fast power control cannot compensate deep fading when the low-
speed mobile terminal is in deep fading. In this case, the UE (Node B) needs to fight
deep fading by increasing the average transmitting power. When the UE is located at
the edge of a cell, the fast power control cannot compensate deep fading either.
Therefore, it is necessary to reserve a certain dynamic adjustment scope of
transmitting power for the fast closed-loop power control during link budget. The
power control margin is generally taken as 3 dB.

For a medium-speed or high-speed terminal (moving speed  50 km/hour), the

interleave in the channel code functions to fight fast fading while the fast closed-loop
power control has little function. So it is unnecessary to reserve the power control
margin.

10 Penetration loss

The penetration loss of buildings and vehicles is an important factor that influences
the radio coverage. The penetration loss is related to the specific building/vehicle type
and incident angle of radio wave. Suppose that the penetration loss complies with
lognormal distribution during link budget, and use the average value of penetration
loss and standard deviation to describe it. If the radio coverage outside buildings is
effective, it is enough to set the penetration loss to 10 dB–15 dB. To receive and
initiate calls at the core part of a building, it is necessary to set the penetration loss to
30 dB. Similarly, the penetration loss is also important to the coverage inside vehicles.
A car has the penetration loss of 3 dB to 6 dB, and vans and buses may have larger
changes. The penetration loss at the front of vans should not exceed that of cars, but
that at the rear of vans may reach 10 dB to 12 dB. The specific value is dependent on
the number of windows. Therefore, it is necessary to set a reasonable penetration loss
value in accordance with actual conditions of the planning region during link budget
to guarantee good service quality.

11 Shadow fading margin

The shadow fading complies with lognormal distribution. Its value is related to the
sector edge communication probability and shadow fading standard deviation, while
the latter is related to the electromagnetic wave propagation environment.

The fading margin is reserved to overcome fading changes and guarantee reliability of

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 Chapter 1 UMTS Service Model

communications in the cell. It shall correspond to certain requirements of cell edge

communication probability.

In the radio space propagation, the path loss of any a given distance changes rapidly
and the path loss value can be regarded as a random variable in conformity with
lognormal distribution. In the case of network design in accordance with the average
path loss, the loss value of points at the cell edge shall be larger than the path loss
median for 50% of time period, and smaller than the median for the left 50% of time
period. That is, the edge coverage probability of the cell is 50% only. In this case, it is
hard for subscribers at the cell edge to obtain expected service quality with 50% of
probability. To improve coverage probability of the cell, it is necessary to reserve the
fading margin during link budget. The edge coverage probability is generally taken to
75% for link budget. The following takes the edge coverage probability equal to or
larger than 75% as an example:

Suppose the random variable of propagation loss to ζ which is Gaussian

distribution on dB. Set the average value to m , the standard deviation to δ ,
and the corresponding probability distribution function to Q . Set a loss threshold
ζ1 . If the propagation loss is larger than this threshold, the signal strength will fail
to meet the demodulation requirement of expected service qualities. The edge
coverage probability equal to or larger than 75% can be represented as:
ζ1 (ζ −m )2
−
1 2 δ2
Pcov erage =Pr (ζ <ζ 1 )= ∫e
√2 π δ −∞
dζ

For the outdoor environment, the standard deviation of the random variable of
propagation loss is always taken to 8 dB. The margin value corresponding to the edge
coverage probability (communication probability) of 75% is:

m−ζ 1=0. 675 δ=0 .675×8=5 . 4 dB

See Figure 3.2-1 and Figure 3.2-2:

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UMTS Scale Estimation

Accumulated normal probability distribution

100%
90%
80%
75%
70%
60%
50%

0.675 
Median
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
-3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
Deviation with median signal m

Figure 2.2-1 Fading Margin——Probability Distribution Function

Normal distribution
probability density function

Standard deviation=8dB
0.675 x8=5.4dB

m Threshold Propagati
on loss

Figure 2.2-2 Fading Margin——Probability Density Function

The above figures show that it is necessary to reserve 5.4 dB margin to guarantee the edge
coverage probability of 75% in the network planning. An easier method is to calculate by
using the NORMINV function in Excel. Table 2.2-5 and Figure 2.2-3 show the values of
shadow fading margin and edge coverage probability in different standard deviations.

Table 2.2-5 Shadow Fading Margin and Edge Coverage Probability in Different Standard Deviations

Shadow Fading Margin

Edge Coverage Probability δ = δ = δ =
δ = 6dB
8dB 10dB 12dB
50% 0 0 0 0
55% 0.75 1.01 1.26 1.51

20
 Chapter 1 UMTS Service Model

60% 1.52 2.03 2.53 3.04

65% 2.31 3.08 3.85 4.62
70% 3.15 4.20 5.24 6.29
75% 4.05 5.40 6.74 8.09
80% 5.05 6.73 8.42 10.10
85% 6.22 8.29 10.36 12.44
90% 7.69 10.25 12.82 15.38
95% 9.87 13.16 16.45 19.74
98% 12.32 16.43 20.54 24.64

22

20 19.74

18
Shadow fading margin (dB)

16.45
16
15.38
14
12.82 13.16
12.44 σ＝6dB
12
σ＝8dB
10.36 σ＝10dB
10 10.10 10.25
9.87 σ＝12dB

8.09 8.42 8.29

8 7.69
6.74 6.73
6 6.29 6.22
5.24 5.40 5.05
4.62
4 3.85 4.20 4.05
3.04 3.08 3.15
2.53 2.31
2 2.03
1.51
1.26 1.52
1.01
0.75
0 0
50% 55% 60% 65% 70% 75% 80% 85% 90% 95%

Edge coverage probability

Figure 2.2-3 Shadow Fading Margin and Edge Coverage Probability in Different Standard Deviations

2.2.2 Unlink Budget

The parameters taken in the last section can be used to calculate the uplink budget under
different environments and coverage requirements. The following table shows the
calculation process:

Table 2.2-6 Uplink Budget

Parameter Symbol
Maximum transmitting power of UE A
UE antenna transmitting gain B
UE transmitting loss (human body loss) C
Actual maximum transmitting power of UE per D= A +B – C

21
UMTS Scale Estimation

Parameter Symbol
channel
Environment thermal noise power spectrum
E
density
Uplink noise figure F
Uplink receiving noise power spectrum density G = E +F
Uplink noise rise H
Total BS uplink receiving interference power
I=G+H
spectrum density
Uplink signal quality requirement Eb/No J
Uplink service rate K
L = I + 10lg(3.84*106) +(J – 10lg (3.84*106/
Uplink receiving sensitivity
k ))
BS antenna gain M
BS integrated loss N
Shadow fading margin P
Soft handoff gain Q
Power control margin R
Penetration loss S
Maximum loss T = D -L +M-N-P+Q-R-S

2.2.3 Uplink/Downlink Balance

Different from uplink budget, downlink budget makes all subscribers in the cell share the BS
power at the same time. The BS power distribution aims to make all subscriber services
connected with the BS in the cell match the corresponding service level. Besides the number
of subscribers in the cell, the downlink cell radius is also related to the location and services
of the subscriber.

The following table shows the parameters that cause the maximum allowed path loss
difference between uplink budget and downlink budget. The downlink is usually limited by
the capacity. When the load of the cell increases, the condition of limited downlink may
occur.

Table 2.2-7 Uplink/Downlink Parameter Comparison

Parameter Uplink Downlink

Receiver noise coefficient (dB) 2.2 7
Depending on the maximum single-
Maximum transmitting power (dBm) 21
channel transmitting power

22
 Chapter 1 UMTS Service Model

Receiving-end Eb/No (dB) (12.2 kbps) 4. 2 7.2

The balance between the uplink and downlink needs the help of planning software for
iterative calculation. The calculation includes the uplink coverage estimation and the
downlink power distribution. It shows link balance if the total power does not exceed the
maximum BS transmitting power. If the total power required by the downlink exceeds the
maximum BS transmitting power, it is necessary to reduce the coverage area and conduct the
downlink power distribution again until the total power is smaller than or equal to the
maximum BS transmitting power.

2.3 Coverage Scale Estimation

2.3.1 Calculation of BS Coverage Radius

After acquisition of the maximum allowed path loss between MS and BS via link budget, it
is easy to estimate the BS coverage radius by combining with the local radio propagation
model. In fact, the radio propagation model describes the relationship between path
propagation loss and coverage distance. The maximum allowed path loss and radio
propagation model that have been known can be used to conversely deduct the maximum BS
coverage radius. If the coverage radius of macro-cell BS is to be estimated only without
considering the topographic features, the macro-cell radius can be calculated by using the
Cost231-hata model.

R=10 α
α=( Pathloss−46 . 3−33 . 9 lg f +13 . 82 lg hb −C m+ Ahm ) / ( 44 . 9−6 .55 lg hb )
Pa
thloss indicates the maximum allowed path loss, acquired via link budget.
f indicates the carrier frequency, in the unit of MHz.
hb indicates the BS antenna height, in the unit of m.

d indicates the distance from the MS to the antenna, in the unit of Km.
Ah m indicates the mobile antenna height correction factor.
Cm indicates the big-city center correction factor, 3 dBm for big cities and 0 dBm for
medium and small cities.

In practice, the universal model of emulation software (such as Aircom) is generally used:

Path loss = k1 + k2log(d) + k3Hms + k4log(Hms) + k5log(Heff) + k6log(Heff)log(d) +

23
UMTS Scale Estimation

k7(diffraction loss) + clutter loss

Obtain the radio propagation model that best matches the actual environment of the local
area by correcting k1, k2, k3, k4, k5, k6, k7(diffraction loss) and clutter loss.

2.3.2 Calculation of BS Coverage Area

The cell coverage radius “R” calculated in the last section can be used to obtain the BS
coverage area “Area” and inter-BS distance “D”. The BS coverage area is related to the BS
type. The following shows some common BS types of Node B:

1 Omni-directional BS

3
√3 R2
Area = 2 ,D= √ 3R
2 Three-sector directional BS (65 horizontal lobe)
D

9 3
√3 R2 R
Area = 8 ,D= 2

3 Six-sector directional BS

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 Chapter 1 UMTS Service Model

D
R

3
√3 R2
Area = 2 ,D= √ 3R
2.3.3 Scale Calculation

The planning region area divided by the single-BS coverage area is the number of BSs that
can cover the region with coverage requirements satisfied.

25