CELLULAR NETWORKS

OPTIMISATION
Course Mobile Communications
ALTTC (Ghaziabad) - February 18th 22nd 2002

Sami Tabbane (ITU)

SUMMARY
- 1 Network structure and basic equipment
- 2 Cellular engineering basics
- 3 Network tuning
- 4 Quality of service monitoring process and
equipment
- 5 Decision process
- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 2 -

- 1 GSM NETWORK
STRUCTURE AND BASIC
EQUIPMENT
- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 3 -

GSM NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE AND INTERFACES

PSTN
Switch
VLR MSC

SP
ISUP

X25

SP
MAP

BSSAP
OMC

X25
PTS

Um
...
...
< ^>

..

BSC
Abis
BTS

MAP
SP
HLR
AuC

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 4 -

SP
HLR
AuC

ANTENNA CHARACTERISTICS

Antenna: one of the most critical elements in a RF
communications system.
 Antenna used for receiving and transmitting: 1 dB gain = 2
dB gain for the system (1 dB in each way).
It is a passive element:

 Cannot transmit more power than received (in each

direction),

 Can concentrate energy in a specific direction and thus,

shows a gain.

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 5 -

RADIATION PATTERNS
 The radiation pattern: polar diagram:
 Horizontal plane: azimuth radiations (i.e., according to the
direction N-E-S-W),
 Vertical plane: radiations according to the height (i.e., up,
down and horizontally).
 Antennas can be compared through their diagram
characteristics:

Points at -3 dB, -6 dB, -10 dB,

Front to back ratio,

Zeros angles, minor lobes, etc.
- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 6 -

EXAMPLES OF ANTENNA DIAGRAMS (1)

Sector antenna

EXAMPLES OF ANTENNA DIAGRAMS (2)

Omnidirectional antenna

GAIN OBTENTION

Optical-based methods:
- Reflectors used to focus the radiations. Works well for the microwaves where the reflectors have small sizes (parabolic reflector).

Array-based antennas (discrete elements):
- Power feeded to multiple elements,
- The radiations of the elements are on-phase in some directions.

ARRAY ANTENNAS FOR SECTOR SITES

Sector antennas: Dipoles, yagis, or log-periodic elements vertical
combinations with reflectors in the back.

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SOME ANTENNA SELECTION CRITERIA

 Before chosing an antenna, check:
 The radiation patterns of the vendor:
 Radiating pattern in the low, central and upper frequencies of
the band,
 Minor beams and zeros,
 Symetry.
 Test:
 Physical integrity, water resistance,
 Type of power,
 Measurements.
 Ask other users.
- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 11 -

USUAL ANTENNAS
Type
Dipole
Omni
Gain omni
Helicoidal
Yagi
Parabolic

Gains (in dB)

0
0
3 to 12
5 to 15
3 to 20
10 to 30

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 12 -

RADIATING CABLES

Classical solution to cover indoor tunnels.

Signal remains constant over several hundreds of
meters.
The use of radiating cables allows to smooth the signal
variations and to extend the coverage.

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BTS ARCHITECTURE
A BTS contains:
A transmission board (TRU),
A unit for combining, filtering and duplexing functions,
A TRX for: digital/analog processing, power amplifying, main receiver and
diversity, frequency hopping (synthesized and baseband).

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 14 -

BTS BASIC ARCHITECTURE

TRU
Power
Combiner
TRX

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 15 -

BTS TRANSMISSION/RECEPTION
CHARACTERISTICS

Receiver sensitivity
With duplexer
- 106 dBm
- 105 dBm
Without duplexer
- 111 dBm
With diversity
Transmitter output power
Without combiner
42 dBm
39 dBm
With combiner
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RBS 2000 (ERICSSON) EXAMPLE

Elements:
- DXU, Distribution Switch Unit (interface between PCM links
and the TRU, LAPD multiplexing),
- TRU, Transceiver Unit (management of the 8 time slots, include
A5/1 or A5/2 protocols),
- CDU, Combining and Distribution Unit (combining the signals
transmitted by the different TRU),
- PSU, Power Supply Unit (+24V),
- BFU, Battery Fuse Unit (safety power),
- ECU, Energy Control Unit (supervises and controls the power
and the cooling of the equipment).
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MICRO-BTS (ALCATEL)

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 18 -

TMA (TOWER MOUNTED AMPLIFIER)

 Amplifier which compensate the power losses in the feeder link of
the antenna and reduces the noise level.
 If a usual antenna is provided for reception and transmission with a
TMA installed on the mast, a duplexor filter must be installer on
the mast.
 External alarms: RBS2000 provided the necessary connections for
the external alarms. These are defined by the operator and
transmitted to the BSC through the LAPD signaling link on the
Abis interface.
 16 types of different alarms can be defined.
- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 19 -

MICRO-WAVE LINKS

BTSs to BSC links can be insured by micro-waves (MW).
 Example of MINI-LINKs:
- Bitrates: 2, 22, 42 or 8, 28 or 82, 34+2 or 172 Mb/s.
- Frequency bands: 7, 14-15, 17-19, 21-23, 25-26 and
37-39 GHz.

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EXAMPLE OF MW USE

BSC
Digital Cross Connector
- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 21 -

BSC
Example of Ericsson BSC and TRC equipment

Number of TRX
Number of cabinets
Number of cells
Number of BSCs
BHCA
Capacity in Erlangs
Power

BSC/TRC
Up to 1020
2 to 8
512
16
200 000
6 400
48 54.5 V

BSC
Up to 1020
1 to 5
512
200 000
1 000
-

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 22 -

TRC
3 to 11
16
700 000
6 400
-

REPEATERS
Transmission-Reception equipment:

To fill coverage holes (indoor, ). Amplify the signals in
these areas.

To extend the service area of a cell beyond its normal
coverage.
 Not visible by the system.

 Passive function of signal regeneration in both ways.

 Channel management remains under BTS complete control.

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 23 -

REPEATER EXAMPLE OF USE

Repeater

BTS
Coverage hole

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 24 -

- 2 CE L L U L A R
ENGINEERING BASIC
CONCEPTS
- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 25 -

SOME BASIC RULES

Urban areas coverage:

Define regular pattern (reals sites located within 10 to 20% radius

distance from the theoretical position).

Homogeneous antennas azimuths in the same area (for example, 0,
120 and 240).

Similar antennas heights in the same area (15 meters for example).

Choice of the BTSs sites: buildings of (n+1 or n+2) floors compared
to the mean neighbouring buildings height (n floors) in the area, that is,
about 6 to 8 meters.

Do not use quasi-bi or quasi-tri sites in urban areas. Use only trisector sites.

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AERIAL INSTALLATION
Diversity techniques

 Horizontal space diversity: put two antennas separated by a certain

distance (1 to 2.5 meters typically). Gains: 5 dB on the uplink.
 Vertical space diversity: put two antennas one above the other
with a separation (1 meter typically, a too large distance gives rise
to different coverages). Gains: 4 dB on the uplink.
Note: The BCCH should be transmitted on the lowest antenna.
 Polarisation diversity: use a cross-polar antenna which transmits
and receive with polarisation angles of +45 and 45.

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 27 -

HORIZONTAL DIVERSITY
The most current one.

If it cannot be used  polarisation diversity in urban

environment and vertical space diversity in rural environment.
Diversity antennas must have:
 Same height,

 Same azimuths,

 Same tilts,

 Coplanar (i.e., in the same plan).

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 28 -

ANTENNAS
In the transmission system, feeders must be of same type and
length, antennas must be similar.
Antennas types: 65 or 85 horizontal aperture and 4.5 and 7
vertical aperture with an electrical tilt.
Mechanical tilt: physical inclinaison of the antenna. An
important downtilt up shifts the back lobes of the antenna
pattern.
Electrical tilt: Allows to gather the lateral lobes of the
horizontal radiations towards the center of the radiating area.

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 29 -

ANTENNA INSTALLATION ON THE ROOFTOP INSTALLATION ON A CENTRAL MAST

Antenna

Rooftop

Mast

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ANTENNA INSTALLATION ON THE ROOFTOP

- INSTALLATION ON SEPARATE 3 MASTS

Mast

Rooftop
Antenna

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 31 -

AERIAL CLEARING RULES (1)

Antennas close obstacles (horizontal or vertical
plan)
Importante reduction of the signal and thus
of the site role.
Horizontal clearing:
Avoid obstacles located within an angle of 120
from the antenna.
- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 32 -

AERIAL CLEARING RULES (2)

Vertical clearing: Angle between obstacles and the lower part of the
antenna 30.
Mast
L

Hm
Obstacle

h
d

Antenna height (Hm) = d.tg(30) + h + L/2.

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 33 -

AERIAL INSTALLATION
BTS to aerials connection includes:

 A jumper between the output of the BTS and the feeder connector.
 A feeder.
 A jumper between the feeder connector and the antenna connector.
 The connectors.
To avoid important losses:
 Minimise the BTS to antennas distance. Maximum acceptable value: 3
dB.
 Curvature radius cables indicated by the vendor must be respected to
avoid an increase in the value of the SWR (Stationary Wave Ratio).

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 34 -

CONNECTION OF THE BTS TO THE AERIALS

Antenna

Jumper

Feeder
Jumper

BTS
cabinet

Connector
- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 35 -

FEEDERS SIZES
For a 3 dB maximum loss.
Feeder
super flex

7/8
1
1 5/8

Link
1 feeder
1 feeder + 1 jumper
1 feeder + 2 jumpers
1 feeder + 2 jumpers
1 feeder + 2 jumpers

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 36 -

Maximum length
17 m
23 m
35 m
47 m
55 m

BTS INSTALLATION
Some basic rules:

BTS cabinet must be installed close to
each others with an easy access.

Transmission equipement (MW or HDSL)
installed on the same line as the BTS or the
closest possible.

A/C installed front of the BTS equipment.

Backup power supply (rectifier and
battery) installed the farest possible from the
BTS cabinets.

Cabling (energy, ground, transmission) on
the cable tray.

Patch pannel with multipoints connection
to fixed half-way from the BTS equipment
and power equipment, directly connected to
the ground.

Feeder cables outgoing path must be
waterproofed.

BTS SITE INSTALLATION PLAN

BTS cabinet installation way
Transmission
Cabinet 3 Cabinet 2

Cabinet 1

BTS equipment
Working space
Typical: 4 meters over 3 meters

Batteries

Rectifier

Patch panel

A/C

BTS CONNECTIONS WITH NETWORK

EQUIPMENT
DDF

MSC

TC

Transmission links
...

BSC

Switch DDF

Transmission DDF

DDF
DDF: Digital Distribution Frame
- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 39 -

- 3 NETWORK
PARAMETER SETTING

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 40 -

NETWORK PARAMETER SETTING

Working parameters setting is one of the main tasks to realize
when putting a network into operation.

Essential task of the network operator for:

Activate or desactivate some fonctionnalities,

Quality of Service,

Network optimisation.

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 41 -

DIFFERENTS TYPES OF PARAMETERS

 Equipment related parameters: Specific to the equipment.

 System parameters (activation of certain fonctionalities such
as ciphering, power control, ).
 Product related parameters (software versions).
 Engineering parameters (almost fifteen for optimising the
network): Can be modified by the operators at the OMCs.
 Numbering (BSC number, ).
 Network design (sites numbers, ).
 Optimisation for system tuning (handover margins, access
thresholds, ).
 Operation (barred cells, ).
- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 42 -

BSS PARAMETERS (1)

Cell selection/reselection parameters
- Cell_Reselect_Offset: Favor the cells of a frequency band.
- Temporary_Offset: Avoid Ping-Pong cell reselection.
- Cell_Reselect_Hysteresis: Avoid the reselection of cells
belonging to different LAs and reduces the unsuccessful
paging rate. Example: 6 dB.

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 43 -

BSS PARAMETERS (2)

Access related parameters
- Max_Number_Retransmission: Maximum number of
retransmissions on the access channel (example: 1, 2, 4,
7). Default value: 2.
- Number_of_Slots_Spread_Trans: Maximum number of
slots between 2 successives retransmissions (3 to 12, 14,
16, 20, 25, 32, 50).
- RXLEV_Access_Min: Defined the cell area. A change of
3 dB corresponds to 21% of the cell radius and 46% of
the cell coverage area.
- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 44 -

BSS PARAMETERS (3)

Handover
Their tuning is done to meet the following goals:
 Minimise the number HO/distance,
 HO triggered off the closest to the cell border,
 Target cell correctly selected,
 Link quality maintained during the HO phase.
- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 45 -

BSS PARAMETERS (4)

Handover
To meet these constraints, we shall minimise:
 The number of HO attempts,

 The HO failure probability or call dropping rate,

 Ping-pong effect,

 Handover duration (handover triggering  target BS link

successful establishment),
 Resource consumption.

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 46 -

BSS PARAMETERS (5)

Handover related parameters
- L_RXQUAL_H: Maximises the quality of the communication and
minimises the HO rate. Typical value: 1.6 to 3.2%.
- L_RXLEV_XX_H: Determined by radio engineering, so that the HO
triggering occurs at the cell border. If too low, the HO will be
triggered too soon (ping-pong effect), if too large, HO triggered too
late (call dropping). Default value: -101 to 110 dBm.
- MAX_MS_RANGE: Determined according to cell sizes (fixed during
the cellular engineering phase).
- HO_MARGIN(n): Hysteresis allowing to meet a tradeoff between
the ping-pong handover rate and the quality of service.

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 47 -

HO_MARGIN ADJUSTEMENT (1)

Signal issued from A

Handover Margin 1

Signal issued from B

HO from A to B

HO from B to A
Considered signal:

Min(MS_TXPWR_MAX, P) - RXLEV_DL - PWR_C_D for the current BTS

Min(MS_TXPWR_MAX, P) - RXLEV_DL for the neighbouring BTS

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 48 -

HO_MARGIN ADJUSTEMENT (2)

Signal issued from A
Signal issued from B

HO from A to B

Considered signal:
Min(MS_TXPWR_MAX, P) - RXLEV_DL - PWR_C_D for the current BTS
Handover Margin 2

Min(MS_TXPWR_MAX, P) - RXLEV_DL for the neighbouring BTS

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 49 -

- 4 MEASUREMENTS

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 50 -

INTERFACES TYPES

Air Interface (Um): Provide information on the downlink as well as
on the exchanged messages during the protocols operation (calls,
lcoation updates, ). Tools (mobiles with trace and associated tools)
such as Ericsson TEMS.

BTS-BSC Interface (Abis): Allows evaluate radio performance of
one or several calls in both ways (uplink and downling). Allows observe
resource allocation mechanisms (TCH or SDCCH) as well as intra-BSC
handovers operation. Tools (protocol analysers) such as Siemens K11XX
or K12XX series.

BSC-MSC Interface (A): FoAllows capture additional information
on the protocol operation and BSS - NSS problems. Tools such as
Siemens K11XX or K12XX series.
- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 51 -

Radio interface analysis

 Radio interface analysis tools: essential to identify the origins of the
problems (handover failures, coverage holes, bad quality due to
interference, call drop, ).

Mobiles with trace: display the serving cell frequency, the allocated
time slot number, RXLEV and RXQUAL, neighbouring cells list,
neighbouring cells BCCHs, timing advance, ...
 Data can be stored in a laptop.
 GPS receiver connection allows to display on a map (for instance in
MAPINFO) the mobile trajectory and the evolutions of the indicated
parameters.

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 52 -

ERICSSON TEMS TOOL EXAMPLE

A measurement chain using TEMS includes:
 PC software with a serial port for the data,
 TEMS mobile with trace including the related software,
 GPS receiver.

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 53 -

TEMS collected information

- Serving cell and neighbouring cells identities (BSICs) and BCCH frequencies.
- Radio parameters: RXLev, RXQual, TXPower, DTX, Timing Advance, FER,
SQI (voice quality), C1, C2,
- Current channel: CGI (MCC, MNC, LAC, CI), BSIC, BCCH ARFCN, TCH
ARFCN, Time slot, Channel type, Channel mode (FR, EFR, HR), Hopping
Channel, Hopping Frequencies, HSN (Hopping Sequence Number).
- Map to display the measurement itinerary with: parameters values, main events
(handover, call drop, ) and sites position. A GPS receiver is required for this
feature.
- Level 2 messages (RR-RSP, DISC-CMD, UA-RSP, SABM-CMD, ) and 3
(Synch Channel Information, System Information Type 6, Measurement Report,
Synch Channel Information, Paging Request, Assignement Complete, Handover
Complete, ).
- Frequency scanning.
- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 54 -

Voice quality analysis

QVOICE example (Ascom)
This tool allows:
- To recognize FR and EFR types of coding.
- To measure the voice quality of several networks in parallel.
- Store the differents voice effects (live recording),
- To detect blank, mettalic voice, Ping-Pong effect, echos problems.

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 55 -

OMC-R counters analysis to partir des

 Counters transmitted by the BSCs to the OMC-R.

 Essentials to analyse the quality, to detect problems, to realize

statistics, at the system side.
 Analysis tools use these counters (generally, these are specific).
Example: Alcatel RNO or NPA, Metrica.

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 56 -

EXAMPLE OF A QUALITY REPORT TABLE

 Operator quality monitoring teams may developp applications (Excel

based typically) to extract the required information.
BSC OUARDIA1
CELL

TBLOCTCH TBLOCSD TRUPTCH TRUPTSD THBETERC TEHOSintra TEHOSinter TEHOEintra TEHOEinter TEHO/cel HODROP

Aeroport_Tunis_M_12_2
Aeroport_Tunis_M_51
Asdrubal_13_3
Asdrubal_7_1
Asdrubal_7_2
Bardo_10_1
Bardo_10_2
Bardo_10_3
Belvedere1_1
Belvedere1_2
Belvedere2_3

1,0%
0,0%
0,0%
0,0%
0,4%
0,0%
5,9%
0,2%
0,0%
0,0%
0,0%

0,1%
0,0%
0,4%
0,0%
0,0%
0,3%
0,9%
0,0%
0,0%
0,0%
1,0%

2,3%
1,3%
1,0%
0,6%
0,8%
1,3%
0,7%
0,6%
0,5%
0,9%
0,6%

0,3%
0,0%
0,3%
0,3%
0,4%
0,5%
0,4%
0,3%
0,2%
0,2%
0,3%

90,0%
15,7%
64,6%
69,1%
59,7%
52,2%
26,5%
41,6%
48,4%
55,3%
46,1%

2,2%
3,0%
2,5%
3,3%
3,8%
12,3%
9,0%
12,4%
3,5%
4,1%
6,5%

13,6%
0,0%
72,5%
17,6%
19,4%
34,8%
42,5%
32,5%
10,3%
45,1%
14,4%

6,5%
10,1%
3,0%
2,5%
5,0%
9,3%
17,6%
5,2%
2,1%
4,7%
46,0%

33,3%
0,0%
5,9%
10,6%
8,9%
7,2%
13,9%
3,3%
5,0%
11,1%
95,5%

2,1%
6,7%
4,5%
1,3%
7,1%
0,0%
0,0%
1,0%
2,2%
1,0%

Quality of service indicators

Indicator
TBLOCTCH
TRUPTCH
THBETERC
TEHOSinter
TEHOEinter
HODROP

Meaning
TCH blocking rate (TCH congestion)
TCH dropping rate
Best cell criterion HO rate
Inter-BSC outgoing HO failure rate
Inter-BSC incoming HO failure rate
Call drop due to HO problem

Indicator
TBLOCSD
TRUPTSD
TEHOSintra
TEHOEintra
TEHO/cel

Meaning
SDCCH bloking rate (SDCCH congestion)
SDCCH dropping rate
Intra-BSC outgoing HO failure rate
Intra-BSC incoming HO failure rate
Intra-cell HO failure rate

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 57 -

0,3%
0,0%
0,6%
0,2%
0,2%
0,4%
0,2%
0,1%
0,2%
0,5%
0,2%

- 5 DECISION
PROCESS

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 58 -

ANALYSIS PROCESS
Field
measurements

OMC counters
analysis

Subscribers
complaints

Problems
analysis and detection

- Parameters adjustment
- On-site intervention
- Maintenance actions
- ...

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 59 -

DECISIONS EXAMPLES
Problem
Coverage

Interference Capacity -

Handover
Ping Pong

Detection
Access failure rate
Call drop rate
Important RXLEV HO rate
Communication quality
RXQUAL HO rate
Call dropping
Blocking rate
HO failure rate

- Bad quality
- Micro-communication
interruption

Solutions
-

New sites
Antennas (tilt, azimuths, aperture)
TMA installation
Frequency change
Power control tuning
Antennas action
TRX adjunction
Cell load distribution
HO thresholds and cell access
parameters adjustment
- HO parameters adjustement
- BTSs power adjustment

- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 60 -

CONCLUSIONS

Network optimisation is a continuous process.
 Requires well-trained and experienced staff.
 Many problems can have various origins (maintenance,
parameters tuning, features activation, frequency planning,
equipment installation, ).
 Close interaction between Quality Monitoring Team,
Engineering Department and Maintenance Teams is
necessary.
- Cellular networks optimisation - Sami Tabbane p. 61 -