GSM Frequency Planning

ZTE university

Objectives of this course

To master the basic concepts of GSM frequency planning To master different kinds of frequency reuse methods and frequency reuse principles To know automatic frequency planning To master the principles and methods of neighbor cell planning To master the principles and methods of BSIC planning To master common anti-interference technologies

Contents

An overview of frequency planning

Frequency reuse methods Automatic frequency planning Neighbor cell planning BSIC planning

Anti-interference technologies

Functions of frequency planning

The status and functions of GSM frequency planning in radio network planning

Influences over the network capacity and the base station configuration

Interference prediction and emulation

The status and functions of GSM frequency planning in network optimization

Reduce interferences, improve C//I, and improve call quality Optimize frequency resources Enhance the operation value

The importance of GSM frequency planning

One of the important items of network planning One of the important measures of network optimization

Frequency bands of GSM system

GSM
system

Uplink/
MHz

Downlink/ Bandwidth
MHz / MHz

Duplex
separation/ MHz

Channel
number

GSM900

890 ~ 915

935 ~ 960
925 ~ 960 1805 ~ 1880

2 25
2 35 2 75

45
45 95

124
174 374

EGSM900 880 ~ 915 GSM1800 1710 ~ 1785

GSM1900 1850~1910 1930~1990 2 60

80

299

Channel numbers of GSM system

Channel separation

Each carrier frequency occupies 200 KHz bandwidth, adopts TDMA, and has 8 physical channels.

Channel configuration

GSM900MHz frequency band

fu(n)=890.2MHz+(n-1)*0.2MHz fd(n)= fu(n)+45MHz fu(n)=1710.2MHz+(n-512)*0.2MHz fd(n)= fu(n)+95MHz fu(n)Uplink frequency, sent by MS, received by a base station fd(n)Downlink frequency, sent by a base station, received by MS

GSM1800MHz frequency band

Principles for the formation of cellular structure

1) Radio clusters should be contiguous. 2) In adjacent radio clusters, the center-tocenter distance between any two cochannel reuse areas should be the same. Regular hexagon1 . . Radio cluster1

.
Regular hexagon n

.
. . Coverage areas

Radio cluster m

Principles for the formation of cellular structure

Radio clusters should be contiguous. In adjacent radio clusters, the center-to-center distance between any two co-

channel reuse areas should be the same.

Definition of adjacent channel interference

Co-channel interference C/I

When different cells use the same frequency, another cell may interfere with the serving cell. This is called C/I, that is, their ratio. According to GSM specifications, C/I should be more than 9dB (C/I>9dB). In a project, 3dB margin will be added, so C/I>12dB is required.

Adjacent channel interference C/A:

Under the frequency reuse mode, an adjacent channel may interfere with the channel used by the serving cell. The ratio of these two signals is C/A. According to GSM specifications, C/A should be more than -9dB (C/A>-9dB).

Calculation of carrier-to-interference ratio (C/I) of co-channel/adjacent channel

B C A D E B C A D E C A D F F B G D E G D E C A F C F B G G D E C A D F B G E F C A F B G G

Pown _ cell C = I Pi _ BCCH

Co-channel interference model

When the frequency is reused in
B C G C G

A
D F E B C G B G

a normal way: The distance between any two adjacent areas which use the same frequency should be D.
B C G A D F E B C G A D F E B C G F G E

A
D F E B C G

A
D E B C G C F

A
D F E B

A
D F E B C G A D F E B C G A D F E B C G

A
D F E B C G

Therefore, any three adjacent

areas which use the same frequency form a regular triangle. From the picture, it can be seen that: There are 6 interfering resources of the first circle, and there are 12 of the

A
D E B G C F

A
D F E B C G A D F E C B

A
F E C

A
D F E

A
D F

second circle.

Co-channel interference model

Co-channel interference probability

P(C / I B)
C/I (dB) probability density distribution

The shadow area means interference probability

Gauss distribution of probability density

Co-channel interference protection margin Zp

Co-channel interference protection ratio threshold B

C/I(dB)

Adjacent channel interference

Nearfar interference
Cell 2

According to the interference model, the C/I ratio of MS B to MS A is as follows:

Cell 1

d2

A
d1 d1 d2

D C

C d (dB) = k 2' log 1 = 9dB I d2 So when d 2 1.69 call drop d 1

will occur.

Procedures of frequency planning

Collection of system data

Check the completeness of data

Data review

The planning is based on the decided frequency reuse mode.

BCCH planning

TCH planning

BSIC planning

HSN planning

Handover planning

Prediction of system interference analysis

The output of a report

Is the result satisfies the planning requirements?

Contents

An overview of frequency planning

Frequency reuse methods Automatic frequency planning Neighbor cell planning BSIC planning

Anti-interference technologies

Frequency reuse

Frequency reuse:

It means that the same frequency is reused in a digital cellular system. Usually the limited frequency is divided into several groups, so each group is to be used by an neighbor cell.

Several concepts of frequency reuse

Frequency reuse

The origin is the limited frequency resources. The same group of frequency covers different areas. The reuse coefficient indicates the reuse frequency. The areas which use the same frequency should keep a distance from each other. This distance is called co-channel frequency reuse distance D. Co-channel interference protection ratio C/I9dB. In a project, 3dB margin will be added, so C/I>12dB is required. Adjacent channel interference protection ratio C/I 9dB. In a project, 3dB margin will be added, so C/A>-6dB is required. Adjacent channel protection ratio of 400KHz C/I41dB

Co-channel frequency reuse distance

Interference protection ratio

Frequency reuse method

Standard packet frequency reuse technology Multi-reuse pattern Tighter frequency reuse technology Multi-layer of networks technology Concentric circle technology Construction of dual band network (GSM900/1800)

43 reuse

43 reuse

Definition: 43 reuse divides frequency into 12 groups, which will be distributed to 4 sites alternatively. In other words, each site can use 3 groups of frequency. C/I
18dB>12dB

C (dB) I 24 = 10 log (8) 4 2(7.2) 4 = 18dB

43 reuse

43 reuse example 1

Suppose the carrier has 7.2M bandwidth, 36 frequency. 43 frequency reuse is shown as follows:
A1 1 13 25 B1 2 14 26 C1 3 15 27 D1 4 16 28 A2 5 17 29 B2 6 18 30 C2 7 19 31 D2 8 20 32 A3 9 21 33 B3 10 22 34 C3 11 23 35 D3 12 24 36

43 reuse

An example of 43 reuse

The phenomenon that adjacent base stations use the same frequency does not exist. However adjacent channel opposite cells still exist. Pattern 1D1---A2 Pattern 2D2---A3 Pattern 3D1---A2 Pattern 4D2---A3 Pattern 5D3---A1 Pattern 6D3---A1

43 reuse

43 reuse example 2

Suppose the carrier has 7.2M bandwidth, 36 frequency. 43 frequency reuse is shown as follows:
A1 1 13 25 B1 2 14 26 C1 4 16 28 D1 3 15 27 A2 5 17 29 B2 8 20 32 C2 7 19 31 D2 6 18 30 A3 9 21 33 B3 11 23 35 C3 10 22 34 D3 12 24 36

43 reuse

An example of 43 reuse

Except 1, 4, other patterns have co-channel opposite cells: Pattern 2: C1--A2; Pattern 3: B2--A3; Pattern 5:

C1---A2; B2---A3; D3---A1;

Pattern 6: D3--A1

33 reuse

33 reuse

33 reuse divides frequency into 9 groups which will be distributed to 3 sites alternatively. In other words, each site can use 3 groups of frequency. C/I
13.3dB>12dB

C (dB) I

24 = 10 log 2(7) 4 2(5.57) 4 = 13.3dB

33 reuse

An example of 33 reuse

Suppose the carrier has 7.2M bandwidth, 36 frequency. 33 frequency reuse is shown as follows:
A1 B1 C1 A2 B2 C2 A3 B3 C3

1 10
19 28

2 11
20 29

3 12
21 30

4 13
22 31

5 14
23 32

6 15
24 33

7 16
25 34

8 17
26 35

9 18
27 36

33 reuse

An example of 33 reuse

Pattern 1: There are no adjacent channel cells. Pattern 2:

C1---A2; C2---A3; C3---A1

A1 A3 C1 A2 C3 C2 B3 A1 B1 B2 A3 A2 C3 C2 C1 A2 C2 B3 A1 B2 B1 C3 C2 A3 A2 B3 B2 B1 A1 C1 C1 B3 B2 C3 C2 A3 A2 A1 C1 B1 A3 A2 B3 B2 C3 C2 C1 B1 A1

C3 B1 B3 B2 A3

13 reuse

13 reuse

13 reuse divides frequency A1 into 3 groups, which will be distributed to 1 site A1 A2 A3 A1 alternatively. In other words, each site can use 3 groups of A2 A3 A1 A2 A3 frequency. C/I
A1 A2 A3 A1

A2
9.43dB<12dB

A3 A2

A1 A3

A2

A3

13 reuse

An example of 13 reuse

Suppose the carrier has 7.2M bandwidth, 36 frequency. BCCH adopts 43 reuse, TCH adopts 13 frequency reuse + synthesized hopping, maximum Fraction Load is 50%, and one separation frequency is used between BCCH and TCH. Suppose CA of TCH is 1-23.

It should be guaranteed that there is no adjacent channel of MAIO for 3 cells under one base station. MAIO should be the same for cells on the same direction of a base station. HSN should be the same for 3 cells under the same base station. HSN should be different for adjacent base stations. On the other hand, the distance between base stations of the same HSN should be as far as possible (HSN reuse). MA1 MA2 MA3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

MRP

According to MRP technology (Multiple Reuse Pattern), a frequency band is divided into several orthotropic BCCH frequency bands and several TCH frequency bands. Each frequency band works as an independent layer. Different layers adopt different frequency reuse patterns, which become tight to each other from layer to layer.
6 MHz bandwidth BCCH reuse coefficient 12 Reuse coefficient 9 Reuse coefficient 6 Suitable for micro cells

MRP

MRP
BCCH adopts the 43 reuse pattern or a higher reuse coefficient. Hierarchical planning is adopted for BCCH and TCH, and micro cell frequency is reserved. BSIC decoding is not relevant to TCH load, which will not influence BSIC decoding. Simplify the configuration of a neighbor list. Advantages of MRP

Adopts anti-interference technologies like DTX,DPC,HP and so on for TCH carrier frequency.
Since each layer is independent, it is easy for separate maintenance.

MRP

An example of MRP

Suppose the carrier has 7.2M bandwidth, 36 frequency which are from 60 to 95. On basis of MRP, 36 carrier frequency falls into four groups, that is, 12/9/8/7. For details, refer to the following table.
Channel types Logical channel TCH1 service channel TCH2 service channel TCH3 service channel

Channel number

60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71

72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80

81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88

89 90 91 92 93 94 95

MRP
66 62 64 60 68 61 69 70 65 67 63 71
72 78 74 75 73 79 72 77 80 75 78 76

1) BCCH 4 3
92 90 91 89 93 89 93 94 91 90 92

2) TCH1 3 3
82 83 81 85 81 84 86 83 85 84 82 86

94

4) TCH3 2 3

3) TCH2 2 3

MRP

60 72 81 89

64 75 83 91

62 73 82 90

66 76 84 92 70 80 85 94 65 77 83 91 85 93 69 80

67 75 92 84 63 72 82 90 71 86 78 94

85 93 68 78

61 74 81 89

Concentric circle

An ordinary cell is divided into two circles: an underlayer and an overlayer.

Concentric circle
Two ways for the realization of concentric circle
Ordinary concentric circle It helps to decrease the transmission power of the underlayer. The handover is based on path loss and TA.

Intelligent concentric circle

The underlayer and the overlayer have the same transmission power. The handover is based on C/I.

The call is established on the overlayer. When the measured C/I is larger than Good C/I threshold, the overlayer is switched into the underlayer. When measured C/I is smaller than Bad C/I threshold, the underlayer is switched into the overlayer.

Concentric circle
Ordinary concentric circle Intelligent concentric circle

It does not need to change the network structure.

Some special handover algorithms need to be added. However, generally speaking, it is easy to be realized. There are no special requirements for the handset.

It can make use of the present site, and there is little

change of the network. C/I measurement and estimation, and some special handover algorithms need to be added. There are no special requirements for the handset. The improvement of capacity is remarkable. The increase is from 20% to 40%. The improvement of capacity is related to the distribution of traffic. It is related to the traffic absorbed by the underlayer. It is suitable for cells of intense traffic, which are near the base station.

The improvement of capacity is limited.

Usually, the increase is 10-30%. The improvement of capacity is related to the traffic distribution. Since the power of the underlayer is small, it is not easy for it to absorb the indoor traffic. It is suitable for the outdoor traffic which is densely distributed around the base station.

Cell split
Newly constructed GSM network Not many subscribers; More subscribers Channel congestion

Necessity

Capacity expansion of the carrier frequency; More subscribers Traffic congestion and maximum carrier frequency configuration under the present frequency resources Cell split

Each time when splitting occurs, the radius of the base

Features

station coverage will become half of the original one. The number of base stations is 4 times of the original number. The splitting is not unlimited.

Procedures for the choice of frequency reuse pattern

The configuration of maximum carrier frequency of a base station is based on the present frequency reuse pattern of the GSM network planning area, and the allowed bandwidth. The maximum traffic which can be offered by each base station is based on the number of voice channel, the indicators of call congestion rate, and the check of Erlang B table. The minimum base station radius can help to calculate the maximum traffic intensity requirements which can be satisfied by the base station under the present frequency reuse pattern. Then make a comparison of the data mentioned above and the traffic intensity required by the areas of high traffic intensity. If the former is smaller than the latter, it indicates that the capacity required by subscribers can not be satisfied with the present frequency reuse pattern. Tighter frequency reuse pattern needs to be adopted, and the procedures mentioned above need to be repeated. Finally, the frequency reuse pattern of the network planning area is determined.

Evolution of frequency reuse pattern

Dual band network 900 macro cell BCCH layer 1800 macro cell

Multi-layer network

Frequencyhopping group

TCH1 layer TCH2 layer Overlay

TCHn layer

43reuse
Frequencyhopping group TCHn+1 layer TCHn+2 layer MRP bands 900 micro cell 1800 micro cell Underlay

Dual-layer reuse pattern Multi-layer reuse pattern

Main principles for frequency planning

Under the same base station, no co-channel/adjacent channel is allowed. Co-channel should be avoided for adjacent base stations. Both cochannel and adjacent channel should be avoided for opposite cells. As to frequency-hopping of radio frequency, HSN of cells under the same base station should be the same. However, adjacent channel for MAIO should be avoided. The same BCCH and the same BSIC should be avoided within a short distance. If a high mountain is located between base stations, it should not be treated as an neighbor cell. However, if a large body of water exists between base stations, it should be treated as an neighbor cell. When frequency-hopping occurs, a part of frequency band of BCCH should be reserved to adopt 43 reuse pattern or a higher reuse pattern. In consideration of geographical factors, if a site is constructed on a high mountain, it should be configured with independent frequency.

Multi-layer network technology

GSM900 macro

GSM1800 macro

GSM900 micro

GSM1800 micro P-cell

P-cell

Contents

An overview of frequency planning

Frequency reuse methods Automatic frequency planning Neighbor cell planning BSIC planning

Anti-interference technologies

Automatic frequency planning

Automatic frequency planning makes use of some planning software to realize automatic frequency allocation of carrier frequency, and allocation of color code. Its purpose is to reduce the frequency collision rate of the whole network.

The planning software calculates automatically to allocate frequency for carrier frequency in the most reasonable way. The calculation is based on a series of factors, e.g., interference relationship, handover relationship, geographical distribution, and so on.

Automatic frequency planning tools available in ZTE now

Automatic frequency planning tools CNP Introduction of tools An automatic frequency planning software based on Factories ZTE

AIRCOM

path loss value of simulation The data is based on the

prediction.

simulation prediction.

AIRCOM

It is based on the C/I information of MR data measured AFP and reported by handsets of the present network. Both the simulation data and handover data can be referred to. ACTIX

CNO-G

Both the information of geographical distribution and antenna azimuth is referred to.

ZTE

ZTE will put forward some automatic frequency planning /optimization tools which are researched and developed by itself CNP/CNO-G.

AIRCOM/CNP automatic frequency planning algorithm

The principles for the realization of Aircom/CNP are similar: The simulation of path loss of signals during the transmission is based on some engineering parameter information, e.g., 3D digital map, longitude and latitude, antenna information and so on. The whole replanning area is rasterized. In each raster, the predicted level of each cell is calculated for C/I prediction. On basis of the data, the interference matrix is generated so as to carry out the automatic frequency planning according to the matrix.

AIRCOM/CNP data are not valid enough, since the data comes from simulation prediction, which is limited to the accuracy of digital map, and can not comprehensively reflect the real subscriber experience. However, this tool is suitable for newly constructed network. Thats because the newly constructed network has no MR data, and C/I value can only be obtained from simulation prediction.

AFP automatic frequency planning algorithm

AFP data mainly comes from C/I data reported by handsets of subscribers, which is specific and accurate.
Pair relationships of cells of the whole network can be obtained through BA scheduling. Besides, the following factors can also be taken into consideration, e.g., handover relationship of the present network, simulation prediction relationship of newly constructed sites, customized protection relationship of VIP sites and so on. Different kinds of data can be considered in an integrated way. For details, please refer to Special Subject Manual for GSM Network P & O MR-based Tool Application of AFP.

Interference relationship (MR)

Planning principles (Strategy)

Handover relationship (Handover)

Tools (AFP)

Plan

Prediction relationship (Prediction)

Configuration of penalty value (Priority Setting)

Differences between the automatic frequency planning tools

The accuracy of data: AFP is based on real subscriber data of the network, while AIRCOM/CNP is based on simulation prediction. A rich variety of data: For AFP, it is possible to make a comprehensive consideration of data and pair relationships of cells. Bedsides, the requirements for antenna parameters are not strict. However, for AIRCOM/CNP, the data only comes from simulation prediction. Besides, it largely depends on the propagation model, antenna information, accuracy of digital map, and so on.

Advantages of automatic frequency planning

Time-saving & labor-saving: Frequency replanning can be realized by the machine, because of which people are freed from the manual planning which is troublesome and time-consuming. Especially for a large network, this method takes greater effects. Objective and accurate: Subjective factors are avoided to the fullest extent. The advantages of AFPs network model and its compatibility with the present network can guarantee the quality of the planning results.

Suppose there are 3 BSC, 1700 carrier frequency, and the frequency of the whole network needs to be modified, the workload for this is calculated as follows:

Manual planning Efficiency evaluation (according to staff needed) Efficiency evaluation (according to time) Accuracy 3 people

Automatic planning 1 person

More than one week 50%

1-3 days 90%

No matter how large the network is, only 1-2 engineers are needed at the headquarters to form a plan. So the larger the network is, the more advantages MR solution will show.

Contents

An overview of frequency planning

Frequency reuse methods Automatic frequency planning Neighbor cell planning BSIC planning

Anti-interference technologies

Main principles for neighbor cell planning

No co-channel or same BSIC is allowed between the serving cell and neighbor cells, or between the neighbor cells themselves which belong to the same serving cell. No co-channel is allowed between the serving cell and neighbor cells. The configuration of neighbor cells is not without any limitation. The default number of neighbor cells is no more than 31. According to the engineering experience, it is suggested that the neighbor cells should be less than 24. Except for special conditions, usually, two-way neighbor cell relationship is required.

Principles of neighbor cell planning for urban areas

Principles of neighbor cell planning for suburban areas

Unreasonable neighbor cell planning

Types of unreasonable neighbor cell planning Unidirectional neighbor cells Too many neighbor cells Too few neighbor cells

Results

Call drop Handover failure Frequent handover Islanding effect Abnormal overshooting handover Unbalanced traffic Reduction of handover accuracy

Contents

An overview of frequency planning

Frequency reuse methods Automatic frequency planning Neighbor cell planning BSIC planning

Anti-interference technologies

Definition and value range of BSIC

Definition of BSIC

NCCNetwork Color Code BCCBase transceiver station Color Code NCC07 BCC07

Value range of BSIC

Functions of BSIC

Principles for BSIC planning

Contents

An overview of frequency planning

Frequency reuse methods Automatic frequency planning Neighbor cell planning BSIC planning

Anti-interference technologies

Anti-interference measures

DTX

If the activity factor of DTX is p, the gain is calculated as follows:

C C C / I (dB) = 10 log 10 log = 10 log p pI I

Frequency Hopping

Base Band Hopping

Synthesized Hopping

Base band hopping

Synthesized Hopping

Several important parameters related to frequency hopping

HSN Hopping Sequence Number

It describes the frequency hopping tracks.

MAIO Mobile Allocation Index Offset

It describes the frequency where TRX of each cell starts frequency hopping.

MA List Mobile Allocation List

It describes the list of frequency which have frequency hopping

Fractional load

It describes the load relationship between the number of carrier frequency taking part in frequency hopping and the number of frequency in MA.

Benefits of frequency hopping

Frequency diversity Against Rayleigh fading

Benefits of frequency hopping

Interference diversity equalization of interference

DPC

With DPC, BTS will not work with the maximum transmission power unless the MS is located at the cell boundary. The location of interfering MS is all about probability, which is especially true under the circumstance of frequency hopping. Suppose the factor of DPC is p: