2017 International Conference on Networking and Network Applications
LTE NETWORK : COVERAGE AND CAPACITY PLANNING
4G cellular Network planning around Banepa
Sujeet Kumar Jha 1,Rupa Rokaya 2, Amit Bhagat 3,Ahmed Raja Khan4,Laxman Aryal5
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Kathmandu University
Kavre, Dhulikhel
Sujeet.jha.311@gmail.com , rokayalrupa@gmail.com2 , amitbhagat52@yahoo.com3 , Khanahmed.15raja@gmail.com,
1
aryal.laxman56@gmail.com
Abstract—The need for high speed data and voice is
essential nowadays. Long Term Evolution (LTE) is one
technology that supports user’s need of high speed data
and voice. LTE development is still centered in the big
cities of Nepal like Kathmandu and Pokhara, it is
possible for LTE to start developing in small area like
Banepa with a selected area of 5.56 km2. It is one of
potential place for LTE development. The LTE Radio
network planning involves coverage estimation and
capacity evaluation. In this project the coverage
estimation is done with consideration of the real
environment information at its nominal stage to obtain
better estimations. Planning method and scenario used
in this LTE planning is in 1800MHz frequency coverage,
the Government assigned frequency for cellular
operators.
This planning will be simulated using Atoll software.
The result of this planning will shows the best area to
locate the site according to the need in Banepa
Municipality and its surrounding area.
Keywords-Long Term Evolution, Network capacity, Network
Planning, Atoll.
I. INTRODUCTION
Now days, cellular communication is rapidly growing
and made an outstanding development not only in voice
communication but also tremendous increase in data
streaming. For this the technology evolved from 1G to 4G.
LTE is standardized as 4G by 3rd Generation Partnership
Project (3GPP). Its main feature to provide cheaper spectrum
efficiency for the operator, as well as mobile broadband
services with high quality to users. LTE technology itself
was developed from the Global System for Mobile (GSM)
and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)
[1].
A well-defined radio network planning model including the
coverage and capacity evaluations as well as frequency
978-1-5386-0604-9/17 $31.00 © 2017 IEEE 187
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DOI 10.1109/NaNA.2017.23
allocation attract, great attention as it provides a
macroscopic and valuable estimation for the entire network
and can ease the decision making and network deployment
for the operators.These process are completed by using the
intelligent tool and network element. The main aim of this
work is to study and describe the nominal radio access
network planning in LTE .
LTE development is still centred in the big cities of Nepal
like Kathmandu and Pokhara ,it is possible for LTE to start
developing in small area like Banepa with a selected area of
5.56 km2 [2,3]. In this project it is need to determine the
number site with some planning method that is based on
capacity and coverage. Scenario planning is to use 1800
MHz frequency and bandwidth of 5 MHz Atoll software
simulations is used to provide the best possible result of the
planning. With the LTE network planning at the Banepa, is
useful for mobile operators to implement it.
II. THE LTE (4G) NETWORK PLANNING
LTE is a relatively new cellular technology intended to
greatly increase the speed and capacity of mobile phone
networks. LTE is an improvement over 3G. Many of the
technologies within LTE are better versions of 3G. The goal
of LTE to provide a high data rate, low latency and packet
optimized radio access technology supporting flexible
bandwidth deployments with capability of 100 Mbps
downlink speed and 50 Mbps uplink speed. LTE uses both
FDD and TDD as duplexing techniques to accommodate all
types of spectrum resources [1,4].
Achieving the maximum capacity while no compromising
with quality of service is the main objective of the network
planning. Planning should be done by keeping future
expansion and growth in the mind. Wise spectrum reuse and
effective site location will be cost effective for users.
A. Steps in Planning process.
The steps for the planning of the network is done in step
wise fulfilling the requirements.
x Capacity Planning.
x Coverage Planning.
x Parameter Planning.
 The steps shown for planning in flowchart. Table 1:Link Budget Calculation for Downlink & Uplink

Downlink
Transmitter- BTS/NodeB/eNode B
Maximum Transmitter power
(dBm) 43.00 dBm
Transmitter Antenna Gain (dBi) 18.00 dBi
Cable loss (dB) 2.00 dB
EIRP (dBm) 59.00 dBm
Receiver- UE
Diversity Gain 3 dB
Node B Noise figure 7 dB
Thermal Noise -104.50 dBm
Receiver noise floor -97.50 dBm
Figure 1:Block diagram for Network Planning.
SINR -9 dB
B. Coverage Parameter Receiver sensitivity -106.50 dBm
Coverage planning consists of evaluation of DL and UL Interference margin 4 dB
radio link budgets. The maximum path loss is calculated
based on service throughput defined by the cell edge user control channel overhead 1 dB
that required SINR level at the receiver. The minimum of Receiver antenna gain 0.00 dBi
the maximum path losses in UL and DL directions is Penetration Loss 22 dB
converted into cell radius, by using a propagation model
appropriate to the deployment area. Radio Link Budget is the Body loss 0 dB
most prominent component of coverage planning exercise. Maximum Allowable Pathloss 141.50 dBm
The link budget includes the key parameters like Antenna
height, Antenna gains, Pathloss, Transmitted power,
Receiver sensitivity [6]. UPLINK
The uplink and the downlink which gives to deliver specific Transmitter- UE
throughput to the cell edge user The LTE link budget Maximum Transmitter power (dBm) 22
calculation is similar to that of other cellular technologies.
Transmitter Antenna Gain (dBi) 0
Maximum allowable attenuation of the radio wave
traversing the air interface excludes clutter data (e.g. Body loss (dB) 0
penetration loses, propagation data) is expresses as [5]: EIRP (dBm) 22
Receiver- BTS/NodeB/eNode B
Prx = Ptx + GTx +Grx – Ltx – Lrs +PM –PL (1) Diversity Gain 3 dB
LMAX = PTX + GTX - LTX – Rsens + GRX – LRX + Gdiv (2) Node B Noise figure 2 dB
RSens= kTB + NF + SINR +IM – Gd (3) Thermal Noise -118.40 dBm
Receiver noise floor -116.40 dBm
Where, SINR -7 dB
Prx = the received power (dBm). Receiver sensitivity -123.40 dBm
Ptx = the transmitter output power (dBm). Interference margin 3 dB
Gtx = the transmitter antenna gain (dBi).
cable loss 2 dB
Ltx = cable loss and other loss in transmitter.
Receiver antenna gain 18 dBi
Lrx = Losses in receiver side.
Penetration Loss 22 dB
UE = user equipment.
MHA gain 2 dB
EIRP = Estimated Isotropic Radiated Power.
BTS = Base transceiver station.
Maximum Allowable Pathloss 141.40 Bm

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C. Pathloss Model E. Capacity Parameter
Path loss estimation is performed by empirical models. Four Capacity planning is performed using the inputs parameters
parameters are used for estimation of the propagation loss which are total number of population and expected
by Hata's well-known model known as Cost231: frequency subscribers as percentage from the total population
f, distance d, base station antenna height HBS and the height numbers. It also includes customer prediction parameter
of the mobile antenna. Cost231-Hata model can be used in [7,9].
macro cells as the propagation model. The application range Table 2:Statistical Subscriber Estimation.
is as follows [5]:
Parameter Value Description
x Frequency band: 1500 MHz to 2000 MHz
Cellular Penetration 28998 Government Record
x Base station height: 30 meters to 200 meters.
21749 75% of population is
x Terminal antenna height: 1 meter to 10 meters Target Age Group target group
The Cost231-Hata model can be expressed by the following 40%
formula: Market Share Network Operator
20%
Total = L – a(Hss) + Cm (4) Growth factor Forecast for 5 years
LTE user coverage 40%
L = 46.3 +33.9 × log (f) – 13.92log (HBS)-a(hR) + (44.9 – target Assumption
6.55 × log(HBS)) × log(d) (5) 3480
Total
a(hR) = (1.1log (f) – 0.7)hR – (1.56log(f) – 0.8) (6)
Above is the possible subscriber predicted for the network.
Where, It is also important to calculate the number of the subscriber
f = indicate working frequency of the system (MHz). technically served by the particular site [8].
L= Medium Path loss (dB).
HBS= indicate the height of the base station antenna(m). Table 3:Number of subscriber supported by System.
HSS= indicate the height of the terminal antenna(m).
d= indicates the distance between the terminal and the base Parameter Value Description
station (Km). DL Cell Average 33.12
a(HSS) = indicates the terminal gain function. Capacity Mbps a.Cell capacity
a(hR) = Mobile station antenna height correction factor Designed DL Cell b. Cell loading
Cm = 0 dB for medium cities and suburban area
50%
Loading assumed
16.56
D. Calculation of Cell Radius and Site number. Designed DL Cell Mbps
Capacity c = a *b
From the link budget analysis MAPL of Uplink as well as
downlink is calculated and by using equation 4,5 & 6. The Peak to Average 20% d.Peak to Average
uplink and downlink distance is calculated as the [6] Ratio ratio 20% in BH
31.28
Uplink distance = 1.299 km. Average DL BH e. From capacity
Kbps
Downlink distance = 1.310 km. Throughput/sub planning
Uplink cell range = 0.649 km.
Downlink cell range = 0.655 km.
Sector number per 3
Therefore, appropriate cell range which is ought to be taken site f
as 0.652 km. Subscribers
From the study, 3-sector site is defined to be effective for the 1355
system so the area of each hexagonal cell is supported a site. g.=c*f/(1+d)/e
Total number of 7 h. from coverage
Area of each cell = 1.95 * R2 (7) site planning
= 0.833 sq. km Total number of
Area of Banepa Municipality = 5.56 sq. km. subscriber 9046

   supported i= h*g
 = = 5.56/0.833 = 7 approx.
 

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 Since over the year there is growth in the number of
subscriber as well the required single user average
throughput. So, there it is needed to compare the growth of
subscriber with the number of subscriber supported by the
system. The number of subscriber is assumed to be added at
the rate of 20% and average throughput is assumed to
increase at rate of 10%. The graph shows the condition as.
Number of subscriber Estimated
Number of subscriber Supported
10000
NO OF SUBSCRIBERS
III. SYSTEM SIMULATION & RESULT ANALYSIS
All of the required data for radio network planning of
specified LTE network was given as input to the Atoll
planning tool.
A. Site Location
The Digital map of Nepal is loaded where the projection to
be used for Nepal is WGS 84 /UTM zone 45N i.e. Datum:
WGS 84, Ellipsoid: WGS 84 and Projection: UTM
Zone.[6].The digital map consists of Clutter class, Clutter
height, Vector map and places. There all together seven sites
which are located in the computation area of map.

8000

6000

4000

2000

0
1 2 3 4 5
YEARS

Figure 2: Chart Subscriber Growth v/s Subscriber Supported.

From above, chart the table the designed system is able to

deliver the quality of service to the subscriber under the
specified condition for up to 4 years.

F. Parameter Planning.
The parameters listed in the Table 3 is the inputs to the NSN
Excel based tool and was chosen according to the type of
terrain and city [2,3,9].
Figure 3: Area of Planning with sites and transmitters.
Table 4:Planning Parameters
Table 5:Site Location with Coordinates.
Parameters Downlink Uplink(UL)
(DL) Name Longitude Latitude Altitude (m)
Frequency 1800 MHz Site0 [1474]
85.529E 27.633N
Bandwidth 5 MHz
Propagation Model Cost – Hata Site1 85.522E 27.630N [1465]
Frequency Reuse 1
Site2 85.536E 27.630N [1516]
Frequency Range 1710 MHz – 1805 MHz –
1785 MHz 1880 MHz Site3 85.537E 27.636N [1624]
MIMO configuration 2×2 MIMO 2×2 MIMO
TX power 43 dBm 23 dBm Site4 85.524E 27.623N [1457]
Rx antenna gain (dBi) 18 0 Site5 [1475]
Body Loss(dB) 2 0 85.518E 27.637N
Noise Figure(dB) 7 2 Site6 85.533E 27.622N [1458]

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B. Simulation Result Table 5: Coverage Area by Signal Level
Plotting of the coverage is cenred in Banepa .The resulting Surface (km²) % Computation
simulation is shown in fig.In which, green denotes the Zone
Coverage by 5.2628 96.2
strong signal and blue is relatively weak signal.The
Signal Level (DL)
coverage around site depends upon the surrounding
Best Signal Level 0.0641 1.2
parameter like settlement,open area,Highways,streets, roads (dBm) >=-70
,water boadies etc. Best Signal Level 0.2125 3.9
(dBm) >=-75
Best Signal Level 0.8139 14.9
(dBm) >=-80
Best Signal Level 2.0743 37.9
(dBm) >=-85
Best Signal Level 3.5629 65.1
(dBm) >=-90
Best Signal Level 4.4659 81.7
(dBm) >=-95
Best Signal Level 4.9829 91.1
(dBm) >=-100
Best Signal Level 5.2628 96.2
(dBm) >=-105

C. Result Analysis
From the simulation, it can be determined that 92.6%
Banepa municipality areas can be covered by LTE service,
the mean best signal (dBm) =-75.61 dBm with standard
deviation of -56.35. The some of the region in uncovered
Figure 4:Coverage prediction by Signal level due to clutter parameter. The average Co-Channel
Interference Probability is 6.23 %.
From the above figure, the total coverage is 96.2% area of
total computation area.The histogram represents the average
signal strength throughout the area.
IV. CONCLUSION
The ultimate objectives of the study of LTE radio network
%
planning are to introduce the relevant LTE features,to define
26 the basic models for radio propagation planning, to estimate
24 coverage and network element count. The project assist in
22 the development of various tools used in RNP.With this
20
view, following the standard radio network planning
18
16 procedure, link level simulator was used which offers
14 unique capabilities of using both predictions and live
12 network data throughout the network planning and
10
optimization process.
8
6
4
2
0
-105

-100

-95

-90

-85

-80

-75

-70

-65

-60

Best Signal Level (dBm)

Figure 5:Histogram Best signal v/s Area covered

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Based on the calculations, simulations and analysis on the
design, it can be concluded that:
x By using the government assigned frequency of
1800 MHz and bandwidth of 5 MHz, the capacity
of the cell is only 33 Mbps.
x To accommodate trafiic capacity at Banepa, there
all together seven 3-sectored sites located at
different place for better coverage.
x Mean best signal coverage over all area is -75.61
dBm with the standard deviation of -56.35.
x The system is designed in a such a way that it is
able to deliver quality of service upto four years
under the specified condition.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We would like to express gratitude like parents and friends
who helped us a lot in finalizing this research project within
the limited time frame.
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