3G Planning Methods

3G Planning Methods

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3G Planning Methods

Contents
Planning Methodologies
Static Calculation
Static Simulation
Dynamic Simulation
Comparison
Planning Processes

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3G Planning Methods

Introduction
This section includes a comparison of the different
methods of analysis that could be carried out to analyse a
UMTS network
It is important the we understand the differences between
these methods to understand:
! their merits and demerits
! likely advantages of tools employing them
The aim of this section is to understand the alternatives
and how/when they might be used

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Planning Methodologies
There are basically two possible types of 3rd Generation
planning methods
! Static Calculation
" A deterministic algorithm is used to analyse the performance of the
network configured within the planning tool
" Repeating an analysis gives the same result
! Simulation
" Statistical processes and an iterative system status calculation
used to analyse the performance of the network configured within
the planning tool
" Repeating an analysis may give different results

Some tools use a combination of methods or hybrid

methods

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3G Planning Methods

Static Calculation
Static Calculation is a similar approach to that taken in
ASSET for GSM planning
A statistical analysis of the network is used to derive
design thresholds
In UMTS the following mechanisms must be accounted
for:
! Soft handover gain (typically ~5dB at the cell edge)
! Interference Margins (both intra cell and inter cell)
! Control and signalling overheads
! Fade Margins (to design to a given coverage probability)
! Special technique margins(Adaptive antennas, Transmit diversity,
Smart Radio)

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3G Planning Methods

Simulation
There are two types of simulation that might be used for
radio planning
Static Simulations
! Static simulations analyse the performance of a snapshot of the
network
! A snapshot is an instance in time, with UEs in statistically
determined places
Dynamic Simulations
! Dynamic simulations simulate UEs moving through the network in
successive timeslots

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Static Simulations
One or more snapshots of the network are taken
In each snapshot a mobile or terminal list is generated
The ability of each terminal to make its connection to the
network is calculated through an iterative process
Various failure mechanisms will typically be considered
(maximum mobile power, maximum Node B power
reached, no available channels, low pilot Ec/Io,
uplink/downlink interference)
The performance of the network is then analysed from the
results of the snapshots carried out

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Monte Carlo Simulations

Monte Carlo Simulations are a form of static simulation
! Also a very trendy formthe Gucci of simulators
They rely upon a large number of statistically independent
snapshots
The mean performance of the network over these
snapshots is then determined
3G uses a Monte Carlo Simulation engine

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3G Planning Methods
Monte Carlo Simulation - Coverage
Probability

100% 20% 60% 100%

0% 75% 60% 40%

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Monte Carlo Simulation

1 iteration 10 iteration 100 iteration

500 iteration 1000 iteration 10000 iteration

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Dynamic Simulations
Dynamic simulations look at mobiles moving through the
network
A mobile list is generated and solved for the first timeslot
The simulation may consider time to be split into:
! chip periods
! bit periods
! timeslots (SNR considered)
Successive timeslots are then simulated dependant upon
the results of the previous timeslot
New mobiles are simulated coming into the network and
terminating their calls

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Dynamic Simulation
I think I think
Ill Ill
make make
a call a call

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3G Planning Methods

Which method is best?

This is a little like saying - which is the best tool:
! A hammer
! A screwdriver
! A spanner
All three methods have different advantages and
disadvantages - and may be used for different tasks
These can be broadly considered in three areas:
! Accuracy
! Complexity
! Computational overhead -i.e. time taken to use the tool

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Comparison of methods
Static Analysis Static Dynamic
Simulation Simulation

Accuracy Not very particularly Reasonable but Probably quite high -

with global margins doesnt deal with the assuming no bad
(IS-95 experience) dynamic network assumptions are
performance made to speed it up
Complexity Relatively More difficult to Difficult to judge
straightforward to use configure and more results.
once configured complicated results.

Time Taken Shortest as quick Moderate Extremely long if

as for GSM depending on number multiple runs
of terminals and cells performed for
statistical validity

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Planning Processes
Due to the difference in performance of the techniques we
probably want to use a combination for our planning
toolbox
Our aims are to achieve:
! Fast Network Rollout
! Good Network Design
A number of tasks are highlighted in the following slides

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Nominal Planning
Nominal Planning requires:
! Quick issue of SARFs etc to Site Acquisition
! Approximate Site Densities and Locations
! Detailed optimisation of nominal sites is pointless
Probably best to use:
! Static Analysis for bulk of planning
! Static Simulation for regional validation

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Final Site Selection and Detailed Design

Final Site Selection requires
! Relatively quick analysis of candidates
! Confidence in Final Candidate Selection
! A reasonable amount of work on individual selected sites can be
expected
Probably best to use:
! Static analysis for initial candidate shortlisting
! Static Simulation over a small area for final candidate selection
! Static Simulation over a large area for final validation

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Optimisation
Repeated Static and Dynamic simulations may prove
useful for detailed optimisation of
! site configurations
! problem/high sensitivity areas
! call admission and radio resource management algorithms

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