International Conference on Smart Computing and Electronic Enterprise.

(ICSCEE2018) ©2018 IEEE

Network Planning Optimization of Long Term

Evolution Radio Transmitter Using Taguchi’s
Method
Suci Rahmatia
Dept. of Electrical Engineering
University of Al Azhar Indonesia
Jakarta, Indonesia
suci@uai.ac.id
Ali Akbar Tanjung Octarina Nur Samijayani
Dept. of Electrical Engineering Dept. of Electrical Engineering
University of Al Azhar Indonesia University of Al Azhar Indonesia
Jakarta, Indonesia Jakarta, Indonesia
z.alytanjung@gmail.com Octarina.nur@uai.ac.id

Widya Nurcahayanti Tanjung

Dept. of Electrical Engineering
University of Al Azhar Indonesia
Jakarta, Indonesia
widya@uai.ac.id

Abstract—Long Term Evolution (LTE) is newest technology for identifying and adjusting its essential parameters. TM was
mobile telecommunication, it has some advantages that are high developed to optimize manufacturing processes and then import
data rates, low latency and using all Internet Protocols (IP) it into several engineering fields like hardware design, power
network architecture. The implementation of LTE requires high electronics, wireless network, microwave circuit etc. the
cost and takes a long time therefore we need network planning to advantages of TM are : fast convergence, easy implementation,
reduce the risks, some calculations, simulations and optimization effective reduction in number of experiments and doesn’t
is done in network planning. We use software named Atoll as tool depend on the initial values of the parameters [3].
for network planning and use Taguchi’s Method (TM) as
optimization technique. The objective of this paper is to obtain the II. LTE NETWORK PLANNING
optimal parameters value of azimuth, mechanical downtilt,
antenna gain and antenna height. The result is the responses that Network planning is needed to minimize any mistake which
determine the most influential factors due to result depending on could degrades the performance and efficiency from network
their delta value. From this paper, the most influential factor design. The goal of network planning is to establish a radio
based on SN ratio is antenna height which have delta value 9.47. network with sufficient coverage and capacity to ensure the
Then we implement the optimized LTE radio transmitter quality of service [4].
parameters into LTE network design. The result gave more 12.2%
coverage area by signal level, increase average signal received A. Link Budgeting
power by 0.69 dBm and increase the coverage area by throughput The purpose of link budgeting is to calculate all gains and
downlink by 1.5%. losses from transmitter through the medium (vacuum, cable,
waveguide, fiber optic, etc.) to the receiver on the
Keywords— LTE Network Design; Atoll; Radio Transmitter telecommunication system. The link budget’s output also
Optimization; Taguchi Method; Coverage area
determines how many base stations they should use to cover
I. INTRODUCTION some specific area [5].
Wireless Long Term Evolution (LTE) has engaged the attention TABLE I LINK BUDGET CALCULATION
of wireless operators, investors, and industry watchers around Parameter Symbols / Formula
the world in the late years. LTE is the next major step in mobile
radio communications and is introduced in 3rd Generation Frequency band (MHz) Radio Frequency
Partnership Project (3GPP) [1]. Bandwidth (MHz) 1.4/3/5/10/15/20
The purpose of network planning is to cut these bad Morphology Urban/Suburban/Rural
possibilities by building an efficient radio network on coverage
and capacity so that the Quality of Service (QoS) of the network Duplexing Mode TDD/FDD
could be ideal. All aspects have been calculated in network Maximum total transmitter
A
planning such as geographical characteristic, population density power (dBm)
and others variability. The important things in network planning Loss (feeder + cable) (dB) B
are coverage planning, capacity planning and model propagation
Antenna gain (dBi) C
[2].
EIRP (dB) D = A-B+C
To provide the optimal result of network planning, we need
the efficient optimization technique. Taguchi method (TM) is SINR (dB) E
one of the efficient optimization technique as its main objective
UE noise figure (dB) F
is to improve the characteristics of a process or a product by
 International Conference on Smart Computing and Electronic Enterprise. (ICSCEE2018) ©2018 IEEE

Thermal noise (dBm) G = 10log(1000*k*T*b) III. TAGUCHI’S METHOD

Receiver sensitivity (dB) H = E+F+G
UE antenna gain (dBi) I composition of the experiments, and the fitness function
UE loss (dB) J (function responsible for the adjustment of the parameters). The
Interference margin (dB) K method was developed based on the concept of Orthogonal
Minimum Signal Received
L = H-I+J-K
Strength (dB)
Penetration loss (dB) M number of experiments necessary to solve the problem, quickly
Shadow fading margin
N
(dB)
Path Loss (dB) O
Then, use formulas of propagation model to determine coverage
radius
B. Coverage Planning
Coverage planning determines how much cell sites that
should be built in some places to meet the subscribers’
requirement. To get the value of the cell sites, we need to
calculate the cell coverage by using link budget. And then, we
use Atoll network planning software to do the simulation. The
reason why using Atoll because it is an open, scalable, and
flexible multi-technology network design and optimization,
Atoll also has simple interface that ease this research [6].
C. Propagation Model
Propagation model has been used for calculating the
coverage area according to Path Loss (PL). Common
propagation model in Atoll are Standard Propagation Model
(SPM) and Okumura - Hata. SPM is a propagation model based
on the Hata formulas and is suited for predictions in the 150 to
3500 MHz band over long distances (from one to 20 km). It is
best suited to GSM 900/1800, UMTS, CDMA2000, WiMAX,
Wi‐Fi, and LTE radio technologies [5]. For LTE, the Hata
formula has been developed into Cost 231 formula and works
effectively for frequency bands 1500 MHz or higher. The
following equations will show the formula of Cost 231 – Hata
PL  A  B log( d )  C (1)
A  46.3  33.9 log( f c )  13.82 log( hb )  a(hm ) (2)
B  44.9  6.55 log( hb ) (3)
The symbols interpretation from equation (1), (2) and (3) are
fc is frequency in MHz
d is the distance between Tx and Rx (eNB and UE) in meter
hm is height of UE antenna in meter
hb is height of radio transmitter in meter
a(hm) is mobile antenna height correction function
C = 0 for small and medium – sized city Urban areas and
Suburban areas
C = 3 for metropolitan areas
The initialization in the process of the Taguchi Method is
given by the selection of the OA, which will be used for the
fitness function is defined according to the application. The
Arrays (OA), an effective form of choosing the parameters of
the project in an optimization process, which reduces the
reaching the convergence to the desired structure [7][8].
A. Orthogonal Array
TM uses a special set of arrays called OA demanding the
manner of conducting the minimal number of experiments to
provide the information about all the factors affecting the
performance of the system. If we have an example of TM design
which have 10 level for 5 parameters, we need 105 = 100,000
experiment. But with using OA we can reduce the number of
experiment. The notation of OA(N, k, s, t) is used to represent
an OA with N is number of experiment, k is number of
parameters, s is the level for each parameters and t is the strength
of the OA. If we have an OA which have specification above
(k=5 and s=10) by using strength (t) we don’t need 100,000
experiment but only 100 experiment. If we use number of
strength (t = 2) we can get 102 = 100 number of experiment. We
can choose the value of strength from 2 up to amount of s. the
higher we use strength the higher we need the number of
experiments [7].
B. Means Response
In TM, there are responses for the data given, that are by
means, Signal-to-Noise ratio (SN ratio). The responses are
necessary to determine the rank of parameters, rank indicated
the most influential parameters to less influential. To calculate
the means response on specific factor and level, we need to sum
all the result which its factor and level involved.
i 1 Ri
n
x (4)
n
With n is the total amount of data which involved parameter, Ri
is the result index.
C. Signal-to-Noise Ratio Response
The method to calculate SN ratio response almost similar to
means response calculations. SN ratio response calculation
divided into three method with depend on their FF, the method
are larger is better, smaller is better and nominal is best. But in
this paper we only use smaller is better with equation:
n
 (R
2
)
  10 log( i 1 i ) (5)
n
With η is the SN ratio using function in equation (4)
 International Conference on Smart Computing and Electronic Enterprise. (ICSCEE2018) ©2018 IEEE

IV. NETWORK PLANNING DESIGN IMPLEMENTATION V. RADIO TRANSMITTER OPTIMIZATION

The objective of the network planning is to cover at least From previous section, we need 5 sites to be built in Atoll
65% focus zone area of 34.05 km2, so the minimum coverage with radio specification as Table III
area is 22.13 km2. First, link budget and propagation model
identification is needed to determine number of sites. TABLE III INITIAL RADIO TRANSMITTER SPECIFICATION

A. Link Budget Parameters Identification Radio Transmitter Specification Value

Frequency band (MHz) 2100

TABLE II LINK BUDGET IDENTIFICATION
Half Power Beam Width (HPBW) 65°
Parameter Formula/Symbols Value
Electrical Tilt 4°
Frequency band
Radio Frequency 2100
(MHz) Antenna Gain (dBi) 18
Bandwidth (MHz) 1.4/3/5/10/15/20 10
Mechanical downtilt 0°
Morphology Urban/Suburban/Rural Urban
Azimuth 0°
Duplexing Mode TDD/FDD FDD
Height (m) 25
Maximum total
transmitter power A 43
(dBm)
Loss (feeder + cable)
In this paper, the parameters that will be optimized are
B 0.6 mechanical downtilt, azimuth, antenna gain and height.
(dB)
Antenna gain (dBi) C 18 A. Orthogonal Array Scheme
EIRP (dB) D = A-B+C 60.4 The parameters also defined as factors which have 5 levels
SINR (dB) E -3.98
in every factors. Table IV is shown to illustrate the OA

UE noise figure (dB) F 4 TABLE IV ORTHOGONAL ARRAY (OA) SCHEME

G= Factors
Thermal noise (dBm) -104
10log(1000*k*T*b) Level Azim Mechanical
Receiver sensitivity Gain Height
H = E+F+G -103.98 uth Downtilt
(dB)
UE antenna gain
1 0° 0° 16 dBi 17.5 m
I 0
(dBi) 2 10° 0.5° 17 dBi 20 m
UE loss (dB) J 0
3 20° 1° 18 dBi 22.5 m
Interference margin
K 3
(dB) 4 30° 1.5° 19 dBi 25 m
Minimum Signal
Received Strength L = H-I+J-K -106.98 5 40° 2° 20 dBi 27.5
(dB)
Penetration loss (dB) M 22 Azimuth is the horizontal angle of radio transmitter,
Shadow fading mechanical downtilt is the vertical angle of radio transmitter.
N 7.25
margin (dB) Then, by using software Minitab 17, optimization using OA on
Path Loss (dB) O 138.13 Table IV need 25 experiments to analyze, after that Minitab will
give the result of TM response means and SN Ratio. Minitab 17
B. COST – Hata Propagation Model is the software that supports this research to determine the OA,
Propagation model that implemented in this design is Cost – experiments and responses.
Hatta because it work properly for frequency band which higher B. Means Response
than 1500 MHz. The application of Propagation model already
used in Link budget to determine the coverage radius.
From link budget, MAPL is 138.13 dB. Then using equation
(1), (2) and (3) to calculate coverage radius and coverage area.
So, coverage radius (d) is 0.89 km. using 3-sectoral sites
equation, coverage radius is

Acell  (1.95).(2.6).(0.89) 2 (6)

Thus, to cover 22.13 km2 we need 5 sites.

 International Conference on Smart Computing and Electronic Enterprise. (ICSCEE2018) ©2018 IEEE

From Fig.2, antenna height has highest impact due to

coverage area, then followed by gain antenna, mechanical
downtilt and the lowest is azimuth. Rank determined by
calculating the delta of SN ratio. According to the graph,
optimal value based on SN ratio response are

TABLE VI. OPTIMAL VALUE BASED ON SN RATIO RESPONSE

Factors
Value Mechanical
Azimuth Gain Height
Downtilt
Before
0° 0° 18 dBi 25 m
Optimization
After
20° 0° 20 dBi 27.5 m
Optimization

VI. PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS

From Table V. and Table VI. the optimal value has been
obtained from analysis of TM responses. The test must be
Fig. 1. TM response of means
conducted to validate the optimization result based on their
performance of coverage area by signal level and coverage area
In Fig.1, TM response determined rank of those parameters,
by throughput downlink. They compared to the result before
rank 1 is the parameter has highest impact due to result and rank
optimization with after optimization. But, in this research
4 is the parameter has lowest impact. From means response
azimuth didn’t get its optimal value because its result from
rank, on the first place is height antenna with delta 9.47
means response and SN ratio response is not equal. So, in this
followed by gain antenna and mechanical downtilt with delta
performance azimuth defined as 0°.
9.40 and so on. According to main effect plot for means,
optimal value based on means response are A. Coverage by Signal Level
Signal level is the most important component when we
TABLE V. OPTIMAL VALUE BASED ON MEANS RESPONSE
discuss about wave propagation. It indicates the power received
Factors
Value
from eNB to UE in LTE network. Atoll calculated the total of
Mechanical
Azimuth Gain Height coverage area by mapping its signal level value from the lowest
Downtilt
Before 18 to the highest level. Visualization coverage area by signal level
0° 0° 25 m
Optimization dBi
After 20 comparison before and after optimization are shown on Fig. 3.
10° 0° 27.5 m
Optimization dBi

C. SN Ratio Response

Fig. 3. Coverage Area by Signal Level Area Comparison

Before optimization means using initial parameters before

optimization using TM and after optimization means using
optimal result of parameters from TM (see Table V and Table
VI). Coverage area by signal level represented as multi-level
color. For detail value of signal level are shown on following
Fig. 4 and Fig. 5
Fig. 2. TM response of SN ratio
 International Conference on Smart Computing and Electronic Enterprise. (ICSCEE2018) ©2018 IEEE
Fig. 4. Coverage Area by Signal Level Before Optimization
Fig. 5. Coverage Area by Signal Level After Optimization
From Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the optimal parameters have higher of
coverage area with 28.673 km² and covered 84.2% of focus
zone when initial value of coverage area only 24.51 km² and
covered 72% of focus zone, it means using optimal parameters
could improve coverage area amount 12.2%. In addition, the
average of signal level also improved from -86.44 dBm to -
85.75 dBm or increasing amount 0.69 dBm.
B. Coverage by Throughput Downlink
Throughput downlink is the value that determine real value
of the bitrate downlink. Throughput is also necessary to find out
the quality of bitrate due to coverage area. In this research, we
compare the throughput downlink before optimization and after
optimization.
Fig. 6. Coverage area by throughput downlink area comparison
The quality of throughput downlink due to coverage area are
shown in Fig.7 and Fig.8
Fig. 7. Coverage area by throughput downlink before optimization
Fig. 8. Coverage Area by Throughput Downlink After Optimization
The coverage area before optimization is 20.632 km² which
covered amount 60.6% of focus zone increased to 21.155 km²
which covered 62.1% of focus zone after optimization it
improved amount 1.5%. But average throughput DL decreased
from 10,152.06 kbps to 9,675.84 kbps. The trade-off from
coverage area is the decreasing of throughput. But the trade-off
can be tolerated because 9,675.84 kbps still higher than the
recommended speed of group video.
VII. CONCLUSION
Using the analysis from previous chapter, it can be
concluded that using Taguchi’s Method could improve the
efficiency of LTE network design by providing the optimal
value of parameters then increase the coverage area without
neglecting its performance. As the result from analysis above,
the optimal value of mechanical downtilt was 0°, antenna gain
was 20 dBi and antenna height was 27.5 m by using TM. Then
those parameters implemented into Atoll and got the value
coverage area by signal level and coverage area by throughput
downlink. Coverage area by signal level was increased amount
12.2% from 24.51 km² to 28.673 km² due to focus zone which
have area 34.02 km². It met the minimum coverage area
requirement that should be covered 65% of focus zone or
amount 22 km². Also, using optimization increased average
signal level by 0.69 dBm from -86.44 dBm to -85.75 dBm.
Then coverage by throughput downlink increased amount 1.5%
from 20.632 km² to 21.155 km², it didn’t meet the 65% of focus
because there was many interferences inside the focus zone.
 International Conference on Smart Computing and Electronic Enterprise. (ICSCEE2018) ©2018 IEEE

And average throughput downlink decreased from 10,152.06 [4] J. Cerny, J. Masopust, “Long Term Evolution Network Planning”,
Bohemia, University of West Bohemia, 2016.
kbps to 9,675.84 kbps but it can be tolerated for support
[5] M. Coupechoux, “Link Budget 4G”, Paris: Telecom Paris Tech, 2016.
multimedia access and video conference.
[6] Atoll, in Atoll 3.2.1 Model Calibration Guide, Forsk, 2014.
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