Long Term Evolution Networks Planning

Design of Program for Optimization of Next-Generation Networks with Focus

on LTE

Jan Černý, Jiří Masopust

Dpt. Of Applied Electronics and Telecommunications
FEE, University of West Bohemia
Pilsen, Czech Republic
cernyj44@students.zcu.cz, masopust@kae.zcu.cz

Abstract – This work deals with 4th Generation Long reach high data speed over the air interface within a
Term Evolution (LTE) standard for mobile limited broad band are Orthogonal Frequency Division
telecommunication. LTE comes with new approaches Multiple Access (OFDMA), Multiple-Input Multiple-
how to increase speed and stability of wireless data Output (MIMO) and Adaptive Modulation and Coding
transmission. Planning these networks involves many (AMC). The result is a network with maximum data
complex tasks, therefore advanced software tools are throughput 300 Mbit/s for downlink and 75 Mbit/s for
needed. The mostly used are Atoll or ASSET. This uplink. Very important is also reduced latency. LTE
simulation described in the end of this paper is network is backwards compatible with existing
attempting to demonstrate the most important
technologies and supports inter-system handover both
principles of the planning process.
ways. [4]
Keywords-LTE, Long Term Evolution, Radio Network A. Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access
Planning, Cell Site Planning (OFDMA)
I. INTRODUCTION Data transmission over the air interface is based on
the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing
Mobile data traffic globally multiplied fourteen
(OFDM). OFDM divides frequency specter into
times between 2010 and 2015 according to Ericsson
multiple closely spaced orthogonal sub-carriers. Every
mobility report [1]. Long-term Evolution (LTE)
single subcarrier can have much lower symbol rate
standard is focused on maximum data throughput to
than one currier would have while occupying the
follow this trend. It is very complex system, which
whole band. This efficiently eliminates the effects of
involves modern technologies from various fields,
multi-path. Reflected signals do not interfere with the
starting with optical technology of the backbone
next symbol, because all the reflected signals arrive
network followed by complex electronics for signal
during one symbol duration. To avoid any inter-
processing and control. Very important are the
symbol interference, the guard interval is implemented
technologies applied to maximize the frequency-band-
after every symbol.
usage efficiency and increasing the data throughput.
Figure 1. OFDMA
After a brief description of the whole system of Time Time
LTE the most important of the frequency-efficiency-
Frequency(Subcarriers)
Frequency(Subcarriers)

maximizing technologies are mentioned. Afterwards

the process of planning the network in general is
described and the most commercially used
professional software tools are named. In the end is
presented a simulation program created in MATLAB
to approach the network planning process.
OFDM OFDMA
Similar approach to this project can be found in the
User 1 User 2 User 3 User 4
bachelor thesis [10], which uses the Berg’s recursive
model to predict coverage of microcells. Simulations This picture shows extension of OFDM, OFDMA, OFDMA assigns
of signal propagation for mobile networks in Matlab carriers to users dynamically, following their current need of
can be also found in the publication [11] and the LTE bandwidth.
principles are closely explained in the publication [12]
also using Matlab programs. For the purpose of a network with many
subscribers, who are accessing different content or
II. CHARACTERISTICS OF LTE service in the same time, the subcarriers are
Long-term evolution (LTE) is a cellular dynamically assigned to the subscribers according to
technology standard following after the third their requirements and the overall traffic within the
generation UMTS networks. Therefore LTE is cell. This extension of OFDM called Orthogonal
considered 4th generation cellular network (4G). LTE Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) is
is fully IP based and focused on delivering multimedia used in LTE for downlink. For uplink a Single Carrier
content with improvement of Quality of Service Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) was
(QoS). The most important technologies allowing LTE chosen for its better power efficiency. [2]

ISBN 978-80-261-0601-2, © University of West Bohemia, 2016

B. Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) different interconnected tasks which can be divided in
Theoretically, the easiest way of increasing data surveys, coverage planning, capacity planning,
speed is to widen the frequency bandwidth. frequency planning.
Unfortunately, mobile networks providers are always Figure 2. Cell Site Planning
limited by the bandwidth. Therefore different
approach of increasing the speed was needed. Surveys
Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) is one of the S
solutions. This name stands for the technology where i
t
multiple antennas are transmitting multiple different e Coverage planning
data streams using the same frequency. The antennas
p
are detached, therefore each signal has a different path. l
This is necessary for the receiver to distinguish a
n
between the data streams. The rest is a matter of signal n Capacity planning
processing on the side of the receiver. This i
n
technology is already implemented in 3G but in LTE g
is improved about so-called cross-polarization. This Frequency planning
means that each of two signal waves are polarized in a
plane rotated 45 degrees from the horizontal and 90
degree to each other. Cross-polarization helps the Field measurement and optimization
receiver distinguish more distorted and attenuated
signals. Usage of MIMO is negotiated with the eNB.
When the receiver is no longer able to distinguish the All the tasks o cell site planning are interconnected and one task
cannot be carried out without taking in account the impact on the
data streams, MIMO is switched off or used in other part of the process.
different mode, where it helps to increase coverage or
cope with interference. [2] [3] 1) Coverage Planning
Coverage planning serves to identify spots with
C. Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC) low signal and adjust the position or the power of the
Another factor defining the data speed is the eNodeB to efficiently cover the whole desired area. To
number of bits per symbol, which is given by the used calculate coverage, propagation models are used.
modulation. Modulations used in LTE are QPSK, Propagation models can be either empirical/statistic or
16QAM, 64QAM or 64QAM. Adaptive modulation deterministic. Empirical propagation models are
and coding (AMC) is responsible for choosing the typically based on COST-231 model. They give
highest modulation possible with respect to the current general results about the signal fading as a function of
channel characteristics. 64QAM modulation provides frequency and distance from the eNodeB. Additionally
6 bits per symbol, but the transmission becomes more they are tuned by other additional parameters like
sensitive to noise. Therefore, in case of worse signal general type of environment or relative difference of
conditions, a modulation with lower number of bits the antennas height. Deterministic models give more
per symbol is chosen to keep an acceptable bit error accurate results than empirical. They are based on
rate. This system ensures maximum data speed in an determining exact ways of wave propagation path. To
area of good coverage and stable error-free connection approach these accurate results, the simulation tool
in an area with weaker signal or lower Signal-to- requires more specific data about the area and they are
Noise-plus-Interference-Ratio (SNIR). This typically more demanding on computing resources. Three-
happens on the edges of a cell. [4] dimensional ray tracing is an example of deterministic
model used in LTE planning. To reach higher
III. NETWORK PLANNING [4] accuracy with planning additional field, measurement
As it was mentioned before, mobile network is must be carried out to verify and adjust the results of
very complex and therefore expensive technological the simulation. Choice of frequency has also impact on
system. Any mistake in the process of planning the coverage. Higher frequencies have higher path loss
network results in increase of costs, degrades the and therefore maximum size of a cell is smaller. [4]
efficiency of the whole building process and also of
the network performance. The goal of network 2) Capacity Planning
planning is to establish a radio network with sufficient Capacity planning of LTE networks is usually
coverage and capacity to ensure expected quality of based on measured data obtained from existing
service. All the resources must be used with the network. Capacity of a cell is limited and one cell can
maximum efficiency. Therefore the particular area handle only a limited amount of subscribers. Therefore
must be carefully studied in terms of geographical in areas with higher expected traffic (for example a
character, residential character and population density. city center) the cell size must be smaller compared to
Already existing networks must be taken in account. suburban or rural areas.
Well planed network should also be prepared for Arrival of smart-phones brought completely new
possible future development. challenges for capacity planning. Smart-phones are
A. Cell Site Planning constantly going from idle state to connected, when
applications synchronize with a server. Smart-phones
Cell site planning is the whole process of finding are also more demanding on data speed and therefore
the accurate location for the eNodesB sites and require more bandwidth. [4]
defining the size of its cells. One eNodeB typically
serves three cells. Cell site planning consists of many
 To ensure maximum data speed but also to satisfy RNP software tools must contain characteristics of
maximum users, the bandwidth is assigned used network standard and equipment to give
dynamically (see OFDMA). With more active users in applicable results. Therefore the proper planning
a cell the data speed for one user degrades. To deliver software tools must be used for planning of LTE
important real time services, as for example voice or networks.
video-call in conditions of higher cell traffic, must be Figure 4. Function of RNP software tool
implemented well defined Quality of Service protocol.
With increasing traffic in the network the interference
grows, which has also significant impact on capacity.
Interferences can be limited with correct frequency
planning. [2] [4]
3) Frequency planning
3GPP defines various frequency bands in range
from 700 MHz to 3800 MHz and also defines different
bands for Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and for
Time Division Duplex (FDD). The used bandwidth
can be 1,4 MHz, 3 MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz or
20 MHz. This gives the operators possibility to
implement frequency band available in their area.
Instead of using different frequency carriers in
adjacent cells, like for example in GSM, in LTE
Conventional Frequency reuse Scheme 1*3*1 can be Radio Network Planning (RNP) tool calculate and visualize its
used. Then the whole frequency band is assigned to outputs based on introduced data about the network configuration
each cell. That improves the capacity of each cell but and the particular environment. [6]
results in higher interference on the borders of the According to [5] and [7] the most popular RNP
cells. LTE uses scrambling and pseudo-noise codes to software is Atoll. Atoll is a multi-technology wireless
distinguish between signals on the same frequency. [4] network design and optimization software tool suitable
Still the interferences are present and result in a noise for many standards including GSM, UMTS and LTE.
which according to the Shannon-Hartley theorem It supports multi-technology simulation suitable for
degrades maximum possible data throughput. planning LTE networks along with other standards. It
Therefore in urban areas with high site density it is includes various adjustable propagation models both
recommended to use Soft Frequency reuse scheme empirical and deterministic. Atoll also supports
1*3*1 (Fig. 3). In this case only part of the cell is various sources of geographical data including popular
covered by the whole frequency band. The edges of web map services. Other wide spread software tools
the cell are covered only by one third of frequency are for example ASSET or Pegaplan [8], which is used
band, different third than the adjacent cell is using. by Czech T-mobile.
Frequencies used for the edges are following reuse
scheme known from cell networks like GSM. This Figure 5. Example of coverage map output
helps to reduce the inter-cell interferences. [2]
Figure 3. Soft Frequency reuse scheme

B. Professional software
To help the engineers with all the complex tasks The coverage calculation gives location-dependent results. One
connected with the network design there are various coverage result is the maximum data rate which a user achieves at a
certain location in a radio cell. This means in the context of radio
Radio Network Planning (RNP) software tools. Based network planning that this achievable data rate is calculated for
on information about the network configuration and every pixel. [8]
characteristics of the environment, the RNP tool
provides graphical outputs visualizing coverage, IV. DESIGN OF PROGRAM FOR OPTIMIZATION OF
capacity and interference in the network area. LTE NETWORK
In the bachelor thesis [9] multipath signal
propagation and empirical models used for planning of
2G GSM cellular networks were studied and a
simulation program approaching cellular network accuracy, which will be hard to approach with this
planning was created in Matlab. The main objective fairly simplified simulation. However it can be very
now is to adjust the simulation so it can be applied on useful to visualize the basic principles and phenomena
4G networks. in this easy-to-use tool. In order adapt the simulation
for the LTE network standard it is necessary to take in
The simulation has a graphical user interface account used technologies as MIMO and AMC and
allowing a user to place different eNodeBs in the provide data throughput visualization.
simulation area, assign them frequency band and
define maximum emitted power. Positions and REFERENCES
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Individual sites can be changed or deleted to adjust the report-june-2015.pdf
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http://www.slideshare.net/tharinduwije/lte-radio-netwok-
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mimo-work
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Figure 6. Example of coverage map output Taylor & Francis Group
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and the strongest interfering signal on the same
frequency. In GSM networks it was necessary to avoid
interference in order to ensure the service there. In
LTE interference mainly limits the data speed. Data
speed is also one of the most observed parameters at
LTE. Therefore it is suitable to implement
visualization of data throughput map to the simulation.
It can be mainly based on existing coverage and
interference calculation and it should take in account
also deployment of MIMO technology and AMC.
V. CONCLUSION
LTE networks are very complex and their planning
takes in account many factors. All of the tasks of site
planning (coverage planning, capacity planning,
frequency planning) are interconnected and cannot be
carried out separately. Professionally used Radio
Network Planning software simulates the coverage
and other indicators important for planning with