Optimization Radio

Radio Network Optimisation
ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

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Main Topics
What is network optimisation? 2 Concept for optimisation 14
Analysis programs 15
Why optimisation? 2
Problem symptoms 15
Aim of network optimisation 3
Coverage analysis 16
Advantages for the customer 3 Test mobile measurements 16
Planning vs. optimising 4 Possible problem areas 17
Major problem areas 4 Antenna configuration 18
Antenna types - typical beam patterns 18
Radio optimisation related processes 5
Antenna fine tuning 19
Tuning 5 Omni vs. sectorised 20
Test types 6 Vertical antenna beam 20
Measurement analysis 6 Tilting 21
Change request and action 7 Antennadiversity type 22
Verification of RF network design 23
Acceptance tests 7
Site check 23
Ongoing optimising 8 Antenna isolation 24
Pre-analysis: general network check 8 Site physical configuration 25
Customer complaints analysis 9 Site-to-site distances and distribution 25
Collect/analyse OMC statistics 9 Special features for improving coverage 26
Cell splitting, sectorisation 26
Collect/analyse drive test measurements 10
DTM check 27
Implement changes 11 Propagation model verification 27
Test mobile 11 Link budget analysis 28
Repeated call setups 12
Continuous call 13
Statistics 14

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Main Topics (continued)

Dropped call analysis 29 Call setup/handover mechanisms 45
Call setup analysis 30 Location area codes 46
MAXRETR 30 Interference reduction 46
Handover performance analysis 31 Power control 47
Handover parameters 31 Frequency hopping 48
Consequence of missing neighbours 32 DTX 49
Consequence of many neighbour definitions 32 Channel configuration 50
Handover measurements 33 Capacity enhancements 50
Handover parameters 33 Adding TRX 51
Radio link measurements 34 Interference reduction features 51
Handover algorithm 36 Traffic load distribution 52
Handover criteria - quality 37 Call setup/handover mechanisms 52
Handover decision 37 Hierarchical cell structures 53
Intracell handover 38 Concentric cells 53
Level handovers 39 Overlaid micro-and picocells 54
Distance handover 40 Microcell frequency planning 54
Power budget handover 40 Speed sensitive handovers 55
Cell reselection 41 Half rate coding/dual rate operation 55
Speech quality analysis 43 Cell parameter optimisation 56
Downlink interference measurement 43 Performance measurements 56
Frequency changes 44
BSIC optimisation 45

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What is Network Optimisation?
Improving Capacity, Quality and General Performance of the

existing Network Infrastructure

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Why Optimisation?
Coverage holes
Performance degradation by interference
Different subscriber distribution compared to that assumed for
the network design
Unexpectedly high subscriber growth
Extensive network expansions ongoing
Frequency resources at the limit
Unexpected mobility profile of
subscribers

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Aim of Network Optimisation
Improved Network Quality

Speech quality, Call success rate, Call setup time
Improved Network Availability
Service area , Radio Coverage
Optimised utilisation of installed equipment
Increase in subscriber potential

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Advantages for the Customer
Optimum utilization of the Reduced subscriber complaints

system resources Optimised subscriber satisfaction
Minimized costs
Increased Profit One step ahead of the

Competitors

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Planning vs. Optimising
Thorough network planning from start can reduce the optimisation effort
significantly!
In a poorly planned network, achievable optimisation effects without
major re-design are rather marginal

A close link between the two activities is necessary
Be involved
Feedback result

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Major Problem Areas
no coverage
interference
blocking
handover not working
HW/SW failures

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Radio Optimisation Related Processes
Acceptance Ongoing
Tuning Tests Optimisation
The following processes involve optimisation related

activities
Tuning Process
drive tests
adjustment of network parameters
Acceptance tests
Ongoing Optimisation
Repeated quality control and improvement as network grows / matures

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Tuning
Test Measurement Change Request

Measurement Analyzing Action
Repeat Process
until
Agreed Quality
Objectives :
Verify network configuration against current planning status
Identify and eliminate equipment faults (HW/SW) and installation
errors
Ensure that the network is ready for acceptance testing

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Test Types
Continuous drive test
setup a test call and drive over an area for detecting lack of coverage,
missing handovers, interferences etc.
Spot test
detail measurement to be taken at dedicated problem spots for detail
analyzing of specific problem

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Measurement Analysis
Antenna Installation check
height, orientation and tilt
Basic cell parameters and functions

OMC
BCCH, BSIC, CI, LAC
Neighbour List, consistency
HO and power parameters
Call Setup on all timeslots and speech quality check
HO to other sectors or other neighbours
Test measurement (TEMS etc. together with a GPS)
Signal Strength
Co-channel and adjacent interference
Handover relations

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Change Request and Action
SBS System Database

Change BCCH to avoid interference
Change HO-Margin
Add neighbour relations (Mutual)
Site Hardware
Antenna tilt etc.
System error
Software bugs
Transmission sync. (ADPCM)

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Acceptance Tests
Setup Test Performing

Test Result
Scenario Test
Setup Test Scenario Test Routes

Test Purpose
Test Procedure
Test Duration
Test Definitions
Test Analysis
Coverage Criteria
Acceptance Criteria
Coverage Area
Successful Call
Test Results
Signal Level
Test Condition Signal Quality
Test Equipment Handover
Test Methodology Call Success Rate

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Ongoing Optimising
For improvement of the network after it is launched and filled

up by subscribers
Pre-analysis:
Pre-analysis: Collect
Collect/ / Collect
Collect/ /
Collect
Collect/ / Propose
Propose/ /
General
General analyse
analyse analyse
analyse
analyse
analyse implement
implement
network
network OMC
OMC drive
drivetest
test
complaints
complaints changes
changes
check
check statistics
statistics measuremts
measuremts
Repeat
Repeat
process
processuntil
until
agreed quality
agreed quality

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Pre-analysis: General Network Check

Steps to be carried out:
Kick-off meeting
Determine original network planning objectives
Collect information about network status
Determine functional network structure, e.g.
- BTS / BSC locations., antenna direction etc.
- services and features used
- network structure (macrocell, microcell etc.)
Determine the network element configuration, e.g.
- number of TRX per cell
- sector / omni config.
Visit selected sites (if necessary)
Database analysis

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Customer Complaints Analysis
Additional source of information, but difficult to handle

Customer service desk must collect all relevant information
Caller and Called No. (PSTN->MS, etc.)
What is the problem? (Voice Quality, Cant make a call, etc.)
MS is moving or fixed while make call
Where did the problem occur?
When?

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Collect / Analyse OMC Statistics

OMC Measurement
Handled traffic (congestion on TCH, SDCCH)
dropped calls
Interference
Handover reason (due to UL_QUAL, Powerbudget, distance)
Advantages over test drives:
Less labor intensive and time consuming
More comprehensive, based on large number of users
not limited to time of test drive
Uplink and Downlink analysis possible
Subscriber behavior mix of outdoor, indoor, incar use

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Collect / Analyse OMC Statistics
Disadvantages, limitations:
Limited geographical resolution (Where does the problem occur?)
Cannot separate problems due to coverage from other
Call attempts in uncovered areas are not counted
Call drop due to lack of coverage
Network must have minimum load for reliable statistics

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Collect / Analyse Drive Test Measurements
Test types
Continuos drive test (Trace mode)
Spot test
Network performance test (Statistical mode)
Test Measurement
Collect MS measurement report data (Downlink only!!)
Serving signal level Timing Advance
BER (Rxqual) Layer 3 messages
Channel Number BSICs
CI and LAI Signal and power levels of neighbouring cells

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Implement Changes
Changes related to database parameters

Actions related to site hardware
Problems to be solved by Normal Roll-out activities
Problems to be solved by other system experts

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Test Mobile
Various modes, e.g.
Repeated call setups
Continuous call
Scanning mode
check for spectrum
occupancy
check for BCCH
with no neighbour
relations

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Repeated Call Setups

Um- Abis- A-Interface
Interface Interface
PSTN-
Base Base Mobile Interface
Transceiver Station Switching
Station Controller Center
Method Serial
Interface
Measuremt
Software
call setup
hold for predefined time period and then release
predefined time = mean holding time

call may be dropped earlier
repeat call setup after predefined waiting time (typical 15 s)
Purpose
simulate subscriber behavior
wide area quality assessment and trend identification

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Repeated Call Setups
Typical parameters
call setup success rate, setup time, dropped call rate
statistics can be generated in Tornado / Planet, e.g.
Call Diagnostics
RxQual Full Threshold: 4

RxQual Full Threshold (%): 90
RxLev Full Threshold: 14
RxLev Full Threshold (%): 90
Maximum Setup Time (s): 10
Call Time Setup Clear Down RxQual (%) RxLev (%) Category
1 21:38.8 6.5 OK 100 100 GOOD
2 23:53.1 FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL NO SETUP
3 26:08.7 5.7 OK 98 85.3 LOW SIGNAL
4 28:23.9 6.4 OK 79.5 100 NOISY
5 30:38.8 5.8 FAIL FAIL FAIL DROPPED
6 32:54.4 12 OK 100 100 DELAYED

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Continuous Call
Method
call setup
hold continuously until drive test route complete
in case of call drops re-establish
Purpose
Wide area quality trace
Locating individual problem areas
Detailed analysis in problem areas
Quality assessment on rural highways etc.
BS Testing and Functional Testing

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Continuous Call
Typical parameters
RxLev, RxQual, BCCH, BSIC,
handover, Layer 3 messages etc.
Import into planning tool
Terrain or clutter background
Comparison of measured
network performance vs.
prediction
Statistics:
RxLev, RxQual, handover
success rate

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Statistics
Combine from both modes
Measurement Test sample unit No. of samples Measured value

RxLev > -85 dBm Measurement bin (Tornado) 8,432 99.90%
RxQual < 4 Measurement bin (Tornado) 8,432 99.20%
Handover success rate Handover attempt 61 93.50%
Call setup success rate Call attempt 115 90.30%
Mean setup time Call successfully setup 106 5.3 s
Dropped call rate Call successfully setup 106 1.00%
Typical measurements also used for acceptance tests

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Performance Measurements
Provide an overview of network performance (statistics)
uplink analysis also possible
validity depends on sufficient samples
Examples:
blocking rate
BTS ID LAC CI BSIC f1 f2 f3 f4 Busy hour TCH Blocking Rate
6 4 4052 2 4 83 69 16:00:00 66.53%
2 4 4083 2 2 76 67 16:00:00 30.16%
5 4 4051 2 6 79 66 16:00:00 7.91%
22 4 4183 2 0 77 12:00:00 3.96%
1 4 4082 2 1 84 80 13:00:00 3.81%
BTS ID LAC CI BSIC f1 f2 f3 f4 Busy hour SDCCH Blocking Rate

25 4 4052 2 4 83 69 15:00:00 32.99%
6 4 4052 2 4 83 69 16:00:00 5.99%
26 4 4171 2 6 63 13:00:00 2.83%
3 4 4041 2 7 87 13:00:00 2.06%

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Performance Measurements
Call setup success rate
BTS ID LAC CI Busy Hour Call Set-up Success Rate
25 4 4152 15:00:00 28.4%
29 4 4131 15:00:00 68.0%
15 4 4032 18:00:00 81.3%
5 4 4051 16:00:00 92.1%
26 4 4171 13:00:00 94.1%
11 4 4071 12:00:00 94.7%
Dropped call rate

BTS ID LAC CI TCH RF Loss Inter Cell HO Intra Cell Call Drop
Connections Loss HO Loss Rate
37 4 4192 19730 1526 23 153 9%
15 4 4032 12740 723 6 58 6%
22 4 4183 10993 485 18 13 5%
25 4 4152 24748 755 12 29 3%
7 4 4011 8849 240 16 23 3%
26 4 4171 15922 219 28 12 2%
29 4 4131 5712 77 8 6 2%
27 4 4172 10421 156 4 4 2%
19 4 4212 9192 130 9 5 2%
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Concept for Optimisation

Analyzing
Programs
Alternatives
Status of the
Network
Coverage
Decide further
Ho two
Analysis Program
ne
w rk?
Dropped Calls
to
im
pr
Network
ov
Snapshot Call Setup Success

e
th
e
Handover Perf.
Speech Quality
Quick
Check General Check

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Analysis Programs
Coverage: Analysis for Fulfilment of Coverage
Requirements (Urban, rural ...
areas, outdoor, in-car, indoor)
Dropped Call: Analysis for Dropped Calls due to
Interference, SW/HW failures,
Transmission Network Failures
Call Setup: Analysis for Blocking and Capacity
Limitations, Analysis for Resource
Allocation Procedures
Handover: Analysis for Efficient Handover
Performance
Speech Quality: Analysis for Interference

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Problem Symptoms
No service High call drop rate
No coverage RF Network
No System Availability No coverage
Network Element Failures Interference
Transmission Network Failures Handover failure
Fixed Network BSS, SSS
Low call setup success rate Network Element Failure
RF Network Transmission Failures
No coverage Other networks
Interference Mobile terminal
Blocking
Fixed Network BSS, SSS Poor speech quality
RF Network
Blocking
No coverage
Overload
Interference
Other Poor handover performance
Fixed Network BSS, SSS
Network element failure
Transmission network failure
Other networks
Mobile Phone

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Coverage Analysis
Test mobile measurements
Antenna configuration check
Verification of RF network design
DTM check
Propagation model verification
Link budget analysis

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Test Mobile Measurements

Collect RxLev measurements together with GPS co-ordinates
Analyse on planning tool
Reasons for poor coverage:
serving cell not best server
handover problems
best server signal low
check site / network design
Analyse in terms of relevant
thresholds:
indoor level
in-car level
outdoor level

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Test Mobile Measurements

Consequences of
poor RxLev:
low RxQual
vulnerable
to interference
Limitation with
drive tests:
downlink only
Another method:
statistical
analysis
OMC or drive
tests

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Possible Problem Areas

Downlink Uplink
Output power low Receive sensitivity degraded due
Obstruction of Tx antenna to hardware problems
Antennae not aligned properly Obstruction of Rx antennae
Broken / wrongly connected Antennae not aligned properly
cables Broken / wrongly connected
Database parameters controlling cables
output power Lack of diversity gain

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Antenna Configuration
General points to check
antenna type, e.g.
omni
directional 60, 90 or 120 degrees
electrical downtilt
cross-polarised
antenna azimuth angle (for directional antennae)
coverage targets
antenna tilt angle
electrical + mechanical
diversity & isolation
e.g. space diversity,
polarisation diversity

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Antenna Types - Typical Beam Patterns
Directional antenna

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Antenna Types - Typical Beam Patterns
Omni antenna with electrical downtilt

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Antenna Fine Tuning
Horizontal Plane:
Possible coverage weakness between sectors
Interference reduction
Traffic load distribution
Vertical Plane:
Interference reduction
Possible coverage weakness in the short to medium distance range

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Omni vs. Sectorised
OMNI cells - more difficult to optimise

Electrical downtilt possible, however
same for entire cell
Parameters same for entire cell
Directional antennae
narrower beam easier to control interference
tilting less efficient with wider beams
Sectorised cell site with different

downtilt angles

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Vertical Antenna Beam

High gain antennae with sharp vertical lobe In practice:
shadow under antenna For cluttered
Ant. Effective
environments
height reflections often
0 compensate
2 electrical d
ar owntilt
cta n (60 3 dB-po
int: 5.25
/400)
= 8 .5

60 m
City
400 m
Solution: Add mechanical downtilt

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Tilting
Antenna downtilt often used to minimise interference
Minimum: Vertical main lobe pointing at cell edge
hBS
Maximum: First null angle pointing at cell edge

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Tilting
Electrical vs. Mechanical downtilt

0 0
Electrical Mechanical
Advantages:
Better back lobe characteristics
Better lower side lobe characteristics A combination of
mechanical / electrical
Disadvantages: downtilt may be used
Antennas are more expensive

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Tilting
No Tilt Down Tilted 4 degrees

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Antenna Diversity Type

Space diversity Dual polarisation
Rx ant. 1
Rx ant. 2
Rx ant.
Typical > 10
Horisontal / Cross
vertical polarised
mobile antenna normally not held
vertically
vertical polarisation when signals are reflected
in general good performance polarisation change (vertical normally
requires extra antenna for dominates)
diversity cross polarised preferred
good performance in urban areas
save one antenna
easier installation

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Verification of RF Network Design

Site check
Site physical configuration evaluation
Site-to-site distances and distribution
Special features for improving coverage
Site database configuration evaluation
Tx power BTS
power control settings
etc.

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Site Check
Verify that site is implemented according to plan
Check installation e.g.
antenna spacing (diversity, isolation) Omni
Tx
antennae in one sector are installed in the same plane k1
k2 k2
antennae alignment Rx Rxd
omni antenna installation

cable installation
Vertical spacing Horisontal spacing
Alignment of antennas
Rx Tx
Antennas mounted in different planes
Rx
k d
Tx
a= max 15 Rx Tx Rxd
a
a
d d d

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Antenna Isolation
Isolation by vertical or horizontal separation
between two antennas K73316..
60
A
50
Isolation /dB
40 Horizontal Horizontal
30
20 Vertical
10
0
A
500
750
2250
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
Spacing A/ mm
Source: Kathrein
Vertical
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Antenna Isolation
Isolation by vertical or horizontal separation
between two antennas K73416..
60
A
Isolation /dB
40 Horizontal Horizontal
20 Vertical
0
A
400
500
650
750
900
1150
1250
1000
Spacing A/mm
Vertical
Source: Kathrein

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Site Physical Configuration

Antenna height
ideally sites within a given area classification should have similar heights if
traffic distribution is uniform

evaluate site height in terms of objective
macrocell / minicell / microcell

limitation of interference
clear obstructions
Antenna tilt / directions
avoid coverage gaps
target priority areas
limit interference
Appropriate antenna types

sectorise omni cells?

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Site-to-Site Distances and Distribution

For an area of uniform structure / terrain / traffic
site-to-site distance should be uniform (assuming uniform site design)
Site distribution should reflect
coverage characteristics / requirements
capacity requirements
Typical case
Downtown: High site density
Suburban area: less dense
Roads: Sites located along a line

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Special Features for Improving Coverage

Microcell Other indoor coverage solutions
for indoor coverage distributed anteanne
outdoor coverage in high fibre optic repeater
capacity areas leaky cable
Repeaters HCS, e.g.
alternative to microcell where large cells for car-coverage
the traffic needs are low small cells for pedestrians
indoor
outdoor Micro - Cell Site -Location
Macro - Cell Site -Location
road coverage Pla

c e
Building
Outlines
coverage hole fill solution

Building
et
ee
Outlines
Ma
t
Str
e
ing
tr
S
Ce ild s
cro
ll B Bu tl ine
ord u
er O
Scale = 0.5 Km

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Cell splitting, Sectorisation
Change from large cells to small cells

Difficult , Expensive
Mainly driven by capacity requirements
Result: Improved indoor coverage

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DTM Check
DTM resolution
horizontal
macrocell (typical 50-100 m for roads, 50 m for small cities, 20 - 40 m for
large cities)
microcell (very high resolution, down to building level)
vertical - should be high
Source data
heights and clutter derived from paper maps
clutter and / or vector updates by satellite photographs / aerial photos
for metropolitan areas

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Propagation Model Verification

Wrong model wrong coverage prediction
In general, standard models have high performance
Highly specialised model may only be valid for a small area
Model performance depends on accuracy of DTM
To tune the model
field strength measurements
check existing model against measurements
modify model parameters

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Link Budget Analysis

Check for link budget imbalance
downlink uplink
Coverage Problem - Unbalanced Up- and Downlink
Uplink Power Budget - Downlink Power Budget = 0! BTS
Link Power Budget is balanced!
d o w n lin k P A o u tp u t p o w er
c o m b in e r lo s s
c a b le lo ss d o w n lin k R x S e n sitivity B S
R x S e n sitiv ity M S
c a b le lo s s u p lin k
a n te n n a d iv e rsity g a in
u p lin k
M S P e ak P o w er

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Coverage Problem - Unbalanced Up- and Downlink

Uplink Power Budget - Downlink Power Budget 0!
Link Power Budget is unbalanced!
RxLev/dBm
-55,00
Caused by wrong assumption for
35% Coverage Loss @ 3dB!
Receiver Sensitivity
Diversity Gain
-65,00
Propagation Environment
RxLev for Indoor
Coverage(90%) Link Balancing via
Links balanced Optimization of Diversity
-75,00
3dB unbalanced Tower mounted amplifier
55% Coverage Loss @ 6 dB! 6dB unbalanced
High power amplifier
-85,00
0,20 0,40 0,60 0,80
Distance from BTS in km

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Increasing BS Output?
Unbalanced link budget
Better BS Rx sensitivity or pre-amplifier
Must be matched by higher BS TX power for balanced link budget
-110 dBm
Uplink -107 dBm
Downlink
40 dBm
37 dBm
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Dropped Call Analysis

How to measure
drive tests
repeated call setups (preferred)
continuous calls
OMC measurements
Reasons for dropped calls
lack of coverage
interference problems
handover problems
lack of synchronisation in network
problems with other parts of the network

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Call Setup Analysis

How to measure
drive tests
repeated call setups
OMC measurements
Reasons for failed call setups
lack of coverage
database problems
database inconsistencies
parameter settings, e.g.
RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN, RACHBT, RACH_MAX_RETRANS
cell reselection related parameters
network congestion

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MAXRETR
Slotted ALOHA mechanism: Several users may attempt to
access channel simultaneously
in case of collision new attempts are made
MAXRETR: Maximum no. of retries allowed
H (1 ) RACH
R AC
C H (2)
RA
H
AGC BTS
MS
E.g: MAXRETR = 2
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Handover Performance Analysis

When moving from one cell to another (neighbour cells) handovers are
necessary
Too many neighbours SIEMENS AG
MON MAR15 15:18:41
SCALE 1:2500
Inaccurate handover
decision EqualPowerBoundary
Mutual Neighbour
Non-Mutual Neighbour
Handover Failure & Missing Neighbour
Too many Neighbours
Dropped Call
Missing Neighbour
definition
Handover Failure
Dropped Call

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Handover Parameters
Objectives:
mobile should be connected to the
bestcell
avoid unnecessary handovers
Consequence
good speech quality
less dropped calls

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Consequence of Missing Neighbours

Defined neighbours
Server
Missing neighbour
f1 Interferer
f1 Missing neighbour cells Congestion
Cell dragging
Cell dragging
Poor RxQual Poor RxLev Interference Exceeded distance Poor PBGT
Dropped Calls

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Consequence of Many Neighbour Definitions

Only about 100 measurement samples are possible during one
measurement period for all defined neighbour cells
Number of BCCH carriers Number of samples per
In BCCH Allocation Carrier in SACCH multiframe
32 3-4
16 6-7
10 10-11
8 12-13
: :
(Rec. GSM 0508)
Too many neighbour cells

Problem:
Inaccurate signal level measurement Sites with too
large coverage
False handover decisions area
Dropped Calls

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Handover Measurements
Handover due to a better
cell
(RxLev_1 > RxLev_Full)
Handover due to bad

quality
Can also be analysed

by statistics

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Handover Parameters
Fine-tuning of handover parameters
Moving cell boundaries in order to
Enhance success rate for critical handovers
Minimize local interference at the cell edge
Traffic load sharing between cells
Compared to other optimization measures improvement potential is
limited
Affected by
Measurement averaging
PS! Neighbours
Power control parameters should in general
be mutual

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Radio Link Measurements

BTS measurements (Uplink):
Signal level BSC
Quality
BS-MS distance
(Interference levels in idle time slots)
UL
DL
Neighbour MS BTS

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MS measurements (Downlink)
Signal Level
BSC
Quality
Signal levels of neighbouring cells (BCCH)
Strongest 6 are reported to the Network
UL
DL
Neighbour MS BTS

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BSC (In general)
Collects all data
BTS and MS send measurement reports every 480 ms BSC
Makes handover decisions
Siemens Network, BTS makes HO decisions
UL
DL
Neighbour MS BTS

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Radio link measurements averaging
BTS (BSC) receives measurement samples from BTS + MS
every SACCH-Multiframe (480ms,104 TDMA frames)
Gliding Window
averaging Window size (max.31)
Window is cleared after call setup or handover
32 27 23 29 29 21 19 22 23 21
Average value = 24

s
F F S S F F F S S F
Measurement Values each
32 27 23 29 29 21 19 22 23 21 SACCH Multiframe (0.48s)
32 32 27 27 23 29 29 29 21 21
Average value = 27
W_Lev_Full = 2
W_Lev_SUB = 1
Gliding Window = 5

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Handover Algorithm
Handover
Handover
Decision
Decision
yes yes Inter-cell HO

Inter-cell HO
IRQUAL due to Quality
PBGT Power Budget
no no
yes Inter-cell HO
yes
Intra-cell HO
LEV due to Level IAQUAL due to Quality
no no
yes Inter-cell HO No handover
DIST due to Distance action
no

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Handover Criteria
Handover Region (due to quality and level)
Rx_Qual L_Rx_Lev_XX_IH
7
Intercell HO Intracell HO
due to quality due to Quality
L_Rx_Qual_XX_H
Intercell HO No handover
due to level action due to
quality or level
Rx_Lev
0 L_Rx_Lev_XX_H 63
s
Handover Decision
Handover
HandoverTypes
Types Decision
DecisionCriteria
Criteria
Intercell
IntercellHO
HO 1.
1.RXQUAL_XX
RXQUAL_XX>>L_RXQUAL_XX_H
L_RXQUAL_XX_H
due
duetotoQuality
Quality 2.
2.RXLEV_XX
RXLEV_XX<<L_RXLEV_XX_IH
L_RXLEV_XX_IH
3.
3.XX_TXPWR
XX_TXPWR==MinMin(XX_TXPWR_Max,P)
(XX_TXPWR_Max,P)
HO
HOduedueto
toLevel
Level 1.
1.RXLEV_XX
RXLEV_XX>>L_RXLEV_XX_H
L_RXLEV_XX_H
2.
2.XX_TXPWR
XX_TXPWR==Min(XX_TXPWR_Max,P)
Min(XX_TXPWR_Max,P)
HO
HOduedueto
toDistance
Distance 1.
1.MS_BS_DIST
MS_BS_DIST>>MS_Range_Max
MS_Range_Max
HO
HOduedueto
to 1.
1.RXLEV_NCELL(n)
RXLEV_NCELL(n)>>RXLEV_MIN(n)
RXLEV_MIN(n)
Power
PowerBudget
Budget ++Max
Max(0,MS_TXPWR_MAX(n)-P)
(0,MS_TXPWR_MAX(n)-P)
2.
2.PBGT(n)
PBGT(n)>>HO_MARGIN(n)
HO_MARGIN(n)
Intracell
IntracellHO
HO 1.
1.RXQUAL_XX
RXQUAL_XX>>L_RXQUAL_XX_H
L_RXQUAL_XX_H
due
duetotoQuality
Quality 2.
2.RXLEV_XX
RXLEV_XX>>L_RXLEV_XX_IH
L_RXLEV_XX_IH

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Intracell Handover
Stay within cell, change frequency / time slot situation
in general interference different on different timeslots
change to a different cell may be unnecessary
Interferer: f1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Sever: f1
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
higher traffic load higher likelihood on other timeslots

not effective with frequency hopping
parameter settings for intracell handover should be set to reduce such
handovers

s
Intracell Handover
Check for simultaneous occurrence of:
Poor quality (high Rx_Qual)
Sufficient signal level
L_Rx_Lev_XX_IH
Rx_Qual
L_Rx_Lev_XX_IH
Intracell HO
due to Quality
L_Rx_Qual_XX_H
L_Rx_Lev_XX_H Rx_Lev

s
Level Handovers
Adjacent cell not stronger than current cell + HO margin
Serving cell has insufficient coverage
emergency handover to cell with better coverage
Rx_Lev
Server HOMARGIN
HO_Threshold_Lev
neighbour
MinHOReqInt
Driven route

s
Level Handovers
Receiver limit sensitivity
L_RXLEV_XX_H (outgoing level HO)
L_RXLEV_XX_IH (inter HO
/ intracell quality HO)
RXLEV_MIN (incoming HO)
BTS
RXLEV_MIN
threshold for cell to accept incoming handover
L_RXLEV_XX_H
threshold for initiating outgoing handover due to signal level
relation with RXLEV_MIN will determine hysteresis
L_RXLEV_XX_IH
threshold for initiating inter / intracell quality HO
s
Distance Handover
Maximum allowable BS-MS distance
Default: MS_Range_Max=61 (bits Timing Advance,TA)
Maximum value: 63, corresponding to 35 km
GSM : ma
x 35 km Enhanced by
Extended Cell
Normally used in combination with other criteria, e.g.

cross-water propagation,
elevated bridges etc.

s
Power Budget Handover

Select cell with better signal level at given location
HO margin
Large enough to avoid ping-pong HO
small enough to allow fast HO BTS1
BTS2
Ping-Pong HO
1. RXLEV_NCELL(n) > RXLEV_MIN(n) + Max(0,MS_TXPWR_MAX(n)-P)
2. PBGT(n) = RXLEV_NCELL(n)-(RXLEV_DL+PWR_C_D)
+Min(MS_TWPWR_MAX(n),P)-Min(MS_TXPWR_MAX(n),P)
> HO_MARGIN(n)

s
Cell Reselection
C1-criterion for cell access:
C1
C1==AV_RXLEV
AV_RXLEV- -RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN
RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN- -MAX(0,MS_TXPWR_MAX_CCH-P)
MAX(0,MS_TXPWR_MAX_CCH-P)>>00
MS takes 5 samples of the received level on each RF carrier which

are averaged
AV_RXLEV = 1/5 * (RXLEV1+RXLEV2++RXLEV5)

s
Cell Reselection
For example: DL
BTS
MS
MS class 5 (GSM900)
AV_RXLEV=-97 dBm
RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN = -100 dBm

MS_TXPWR_MAX_CCH = 29 dBm (0.8W)
C1 = -97 - (-100) - Max(0,33-29)

= -1

s
Cell Reselection
For example: DL
MS class 5 (GSM900)
Operator B
DL BTS
Operator A RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN = -100 dBm

BTS MS MS_TXPWR_MAX_CCH = 33 dBm (2W)
RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN = -110 dBm

MS_TXPWR_MAX_CCH = 33 dBm (2W)
MS receives signal from Operator A and B = -90 dBm

Operator A Operator B
C1 = -90 - (-110) - Max(0,33-29) C1 = -90 - (-100) - Max(0,33-29)
= +16 = +6

s
Cell Reselection
C1 criteria
Same Location Area
C1 (neighbour cell) > C1 (serving cell)
Different Location Area
C1 (neighbour cell) > C1 (serving cell) + Cell_Reselect_Hysteresis
C1 High power class MS

Low power class MS
Cell_Reselect_Hysteresis
BTS1 BTS2

s
Speech Quality Analysis

Parameters Causes of interference
RxQual co-channel interference
Frame Erasure Rate (FER) adjacent channel interference
Speech Quality Index (SQI) intermodulation
Measurements mainly on one link only
Drive test multipath interference
preferably continuous call
OMC statistics
Cause for poor quality Interfering cell of base
station within GSM -
low signal strength (coverage network
related
interference
low signal strength and Base station within GSM
Network
interference

s
Downlink Interference Measurement

Typical requirement
speech: RxQual 4
data: RxQual 3
BER % RxQual
0.0 - 0.2 0
0.2 - 0.4 1
0.4 - 0.8 2
0.8 - 1.6 3
1.6 - 3.2 4
3.2 - 6.4 5
6.4 - 12.8 6
> 12.8 7
With frequency hopping:
RxQual not a valid parameter

s
Frequency Changes
Sometimes necessary to minimise interference
As network reaches capacity limit this becomes difficult
Other frequencies may be affected by the change
Can be done at either interfering cell or victim cell
Choice: Whichever happens to be easier to change
Existing plan may be entered into planning tool as
constraints
search for optimum frequency allocation for a given cell
At a certain point the whole network e.g. in a city may have to
be re-planned

s
Frequency Changes
BCCH/TCH swapping
Method sometimes used: Alternate between clusters
BCCH: 794 BCCH: 794 BCCH: 797

BCCH: 794
TCH:797 TCH:794
before after
Effectiveness depends on TCH traffic load

BCCH / TCH sub-bands are mixed
Could be used as a temporary measure
while traffic load is low

s
BSIC Optimisation
Base Station Identity Codes

Used by the MS to distinguish between cells
using the same frequency
Co-Channel cells must have different
f9
BSICs
f9
f9

s
Call Setup/Handover Mechanisms
20-25 dB street corner loss: Fast handovers required

Micro-micro
Micro-macro
Fast measurement averaging

Carefully tuned handover thresholds
Small handover margins
Short penalty timers

s
Location Area Codes

Purpose
identify location area
in incoming call is paged to all BTSs within LA
Large location area
advantage: less location updates (reduced SDCCH load)
disadvantage: more paging traffic
Boundaries should not cross high traffic areas
Cell reselection across LA boundaries
Parameter Cell_Reselect_Hysteresis (typ. 4 dB) used to avoid
unnecessary signalling due to ping-pong cell reselections

s
Interference Reduction
Power Control
Frequency Hopping
Discontinuous Transmission DTX

s
Power Control
Quality-triggered PC
e.g. L_RXQUAL_XX_P = 4
Triggers a power increase at poor quality

e.g. U_RXQUAL_XX_P = 1
Triggers a power reduction at good quality
Virtually disabled by setting to highest RXQUAL value
Level criterion is more suitable for power reduction
Level-triggered PC
e.g. L_RXLEV_XX_P = 25 (-85 dBm)
Triggers a power increase at bad level

e.g. U_RXQUAL_XX_P = 35 (-75 dBm)
Triggers a power reduction at good level

s
Power Control
RXQUAL
Power Increase
(bad quality)
L_RXQUAL_XX_P
Power Decrease
Power Increase
(Good Level)
(bad level)
L_RXQUAL_XX_P
Power Decrease
(good quality)
RXLEV
L_RXLEV_XX_P U_RXLEV_XX_P
2*POW_RED_STEP_SIZE

s
Frequency Hopping
Cyclic / Pseudo Random hopping 0 BCCH
0 SDCCH
Baseband / Synthesized hopping
1 Call 1
5 Call 2
f1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
f2 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
f3 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
TDMA frame
(8 time slots)

s
Frequency Hopping
0 SDCCH
Call 1
Call 2
f1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
f2 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
f3 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
TDMA frame
(8 time slots)

s
Frequency Hopping
0 SDCCH
1 Call 1
5 Call 2
f1
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
f2,f3,f4,f5,f6,f7 f4 f3 f6
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
f2,f3,f4,f5,f6,f7 f7
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
TDMA frame
(8 time slots)

s
DTX
Goal: Reduce speech data rate from 13 kbps (user speaking)
to 500 bps (enough to encode background noise)
reduce MS power consumption
reduce the interference in a cell
SBS parameter for DTX / VAS administration
DTXUL -> 0 : MS may use DTX (If possible)
1 : MS shall use DTX
2 : MS shall not use DTX
DTXDL -> FALSE : downlink DTX disabled at BTS
TRUE : downlink DTX enabled at BTS
PS! No gain for data communications

s
Channel Configuration
Channel
ChannelType
Type Channel
ChannelCombination
Combination
TCHFULL
TCHFULL TCH/F
TCH/F + FACCH/F++SACCH/F
+ FACCH/F SACCH/F
MAINBCCH
MAINBCCH FCCH
FCCH + SCH + BCCH++CCCH
+ SCH + BCCH CCCH(AGCH+PCH+RACH)
(AGCH+PCH+RACH)
MBCCHC
MBCCHC FCCH
FCCH + SCH + BCCH + CCCH +44(SDCCH+SACCH)
+ SCH + BCCH + CCCH + (SDCCH+SACCH)
SDCCH
SDCCH 88(SDCCH
(SDCCH++SACCH)
SACCH)
TCHF&HLF*
TCHF&HLF* TCH/H(0)
TCH/H(0) + FACCH/H(0)
+ FACCH/H (0)++SACCH/H(0)
SACCH/H(0)++TCH/H(1)
TCH/H(1)
BCBCH*
BCBCH* FCCH
FCCH + SCH + BCCH + CCCH + 3 (SDCCH+SACCH)++CBCH
+ SCH + BCCH + CCCH + 3 (SDCCH+SACCH) CBCH
SCBCH*
SCBCH* 77(SDCCH + SACCH) + CBCH
(SDCCH + SACCH) + CBCH
CCCH*
CCCH* BCCH
BCCH++CCCH
CCCH
For example, Note: * in SBS BR 3.0

1TRX : TS0 -> BCBCH
TS1-7 -> TCHFULL
2 TRXs : TRX0, TS0 -> MAINBCCH
TRX0, TS1 -> SCBCH
TRX0, TS2-7 -> TCHFULL
TRX1, TS0-7 -> TCHFULL

s
Capacity Enhancements
Easy approach: Add TRXs
Problem: No more frequencies:
Options

Interference optimisation features: FH, PC, DTX
Sectorisation: Increasing cell density
Cell splitting: Increasing site density
HCS
Dual band operation (e.g. GSM900/DCS1800)
Dual mode operation (e.g. GSM900/DECT)
Underlay / Overlay
Overlaid micro- and picocells
Half rate coding
Migration to 3rd Generation Systems

s
Adding TRX
Congested cells found by OMC measurements
Sec TRX GOS 2% Week1 Week2 Week3 Week4 Week5 Week6 Week7
BTS1 1 3 14.9 10.53 9.66 10.21 9.88 10.54 9.97 10.37
BTS2 2 2 8.2 7.43 7.26 7.59 6.98 7.55 8.02 8.33
BTS3 3 3 14.9 11.92 11.4 12.12 11.82 11.75 12.02 12.15
Sector 2 will experience congestion
Sometimes percentage limit, e.g. 80%, of full load defined
Sector 3 is near that limit
Possible limitations of TRX extensions:
Need for changed hardware configuration costly
e.g. new BTS rack needed

Frequency Spectrum limited

s
Interference Reduction Features

Frequency Hopping (FH)
Dynamic Power Control (PC)
Discontinuous Transmission (DTX)
allow tighter frequency re-us
(already considered for 40-60 Erl./km2 in macrocell layer with 5 to 10 MHz)

No
Noadditional
additionalsites
sitesor
orfrequencies
frequenciesrequired
required

Available,
Available,stable
stable

Implementation
Implementationcauses
causesnonodisturbance
disturbanceofof
network
networkoperation
operation
Little
Littleor
orno
noeffect
effectififavailable
availablespectrum
spectrumisisvery
very
limited
limited(BCCH
(BCCHlimitations)
limitations)

s
Traffic Load Distribution
Traffic in a cell related to cell coverage area

If sufficient overlap between cells:
reduce traffic by changing cell boundary
antenna downtilt
reduce power (PWRRED)
alter handover boundaries
Usually a temporary solution only
Default HO boundaries
Changed HO boundaries

s
Call Setup/handover mechanisms
Relieve macrocells from traffic
Umbrella type handover into microcells

Directed retry
Allows call setup In second-best server, shares traffic resources between
layers

s
Hierarchical Cell Structures

Underlay/Overlay
Umbrella cells: Dominant site with large coverage area
low traffic - fast mobiles
Macrocells: Antenna above average rooftop level

normal traffic
Microcell: Antenna below average rooftop level
cover small high traffic areas
Picocell: Antenna Hotspot

P C Indoor coverage
Outdoor Installation
usually indoors
I E
C L
Ls
O Parking lot
coverage to building
or parts thereof - e.g. Contiguous Microcellular Coverage
Business users
Subway Coverage Extension

s
Concentric cells
C/I = 17 dB C/I = 17 dB
Signal
l e v el l evel
C/I = 0 dB Signal
f3 f1 f2 f3
Inner cell can use 1 x 3 reuse pattern

Special handover mechanisms between layers
Limited gains for uniform traffic distribution

s
Overlaid Micro- and Picocells
The smallest cells should absorb most of the traffic in their

coverage area
Larger cells for fast moving mobiles / areas not covered by
small cells
Macrocells
Microcells
Picocells

s
Microcell Frequency Planning

Different resolutions required for different layers
flexibility of planning tool needed
Dedicated frequency bands for different layers
Reduce complexity of frequency optimisation task
Guard band may be needed to avoid adjacent channel interference
Call Setup/handover strategy
Serving
reduce macrocell traffic BTS
determine mobile speed
Fast handovers
Loss around street corner: 20 dB!
Micro BTS

s
Speed Sensitive Handovers
Mechanisms to separate fast from slow mobiles

mobile class
today mostly same class is used (e.g. GSM900 class 4)
measurement of the timing advance delta
only works for direction away from site
cell type
try to keep handovers within same layer unless speed change
mean time between handovers

s
Half Rate Coding / Dual Rate Operation
Has potential to double network capacity

Advantages:
No additional sites / frequencies required
Minimum investment for infrastructure upgrade
Disadvantage:
Speech quality degradation (reduction of speech bit rate from 13 kb/s to
6.5 kb/s)
Especially mobile-to-mobile calls
Gain depends on ratio full rate users / half rate users / data traffic

s
Cell Parameter Optimisation

Default parameter sets:
PS! Standard setting suitable for most cases
Starting point for possible optimisation, however
more relevant after other optimisation activities
Different parameter standards may be used for
different area types
BTS types
etc.
Danger
many parameters easy to lose overview
inconsistencies
deterioration of quality

s
Possible Network Optimisation Measures

Effect
Overlaid
microcells
Dual mode
Cell spiltting
Dual band
Frequency
Underlay/
Changes
Sectorisation
Overlay
HR Repeaters
FH, PC, DTX
Fine tuning of antenna

Cell parameter
Preamps
orientation and tilt
setting
Adding
TRX
Cost, Effort

s
Increasing Network Capacity

The relationship between quality and capacity
In a congested network, quality can deteriorate very quickly:
Violation of all 4 basic quality criteria
Congestion
Poor speech
Extended call quality
setup times
Interference/
Noise
Dropped
Unavailability call
of service

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Optimization Radio

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Radio Network Optimisation

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

Main Topics (continued)

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

What is Network Optimisation?

Improving Capacity, Quality and General Performance of the

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

Aim of Network Optimisation

Improved Network Quality

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

Advantages for the Customer

Optimum utilization of the Reduced subscriber complaints

Increased Profit One step ahead of the

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

Planning vs. Optimising

major re-design are rather marginal

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

Major Problem Areas

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

Radio Optimisation Related Processes

The following processes involve optimisation related

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

Test Measurement Change Request

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

Basic cell parameters and functions

Co-channel and adjacent interference

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

Change Request and Action

SBS System Database

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

Setup Test Performing

Setup Test Scenario Test Routes

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

For improvement of the network after it is launched and filled

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

Pre-analysis: General Network Check

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

Customer Complaints Analysis

Additional source of information, but difficult to handle

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

Collect / Analyse OMC Statistics

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

Collect / Analyse OMC Statistics

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

Collect / Analyse Drive Test Measurements

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

Changes related to database parameters

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

Repeated Call Setups

hold for predefined time period and then release

predefined time = mean holding time

wide area quality assessment and trend identification

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

Repeated Call Setups

RxQual Full Threshold: 4

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

ICN PLM CA NP SIEMENS Limited 1999

Combine from both modes

Measurement Test sample unit No. of samples Measured value