Course 575: UMTS Network Planning and Design - Level I

UMTS, also referred to as wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), is one of the most significant advances in the evolution of telecommunications into 3G networks. UMTS allows many more applications to be introduced to a worldwide base of users and provides a vital link between today's multiple GSM systems and the ultimate single worldwide standard for all mobile telecommunications, International Mobile Telecommunications 2000 (IMT2000).
This course covers the network planning of UMTS network covering the CS, PS and IM domains. This course is vendor-neutral, thus maximizing the true value of this telecom educational experience for its attendees

Network Planning

• Overview of 3G Planning
• GOS / Area coverage
• RNP planning procedure
• Preparation -coverage & capacity
• Offered traffic - cell capacity and coverage estimation
• Cell capacity estimation - simulations
• Estimated max cell coverage
• UMTS Network planning process
• Blocking / Trunking efficiency
• Cell count
• Cell count model
• Offered traffic environments
• Load factors
• Estimated cell count

Detailed Network Planning

• Radio environment characterization
• Pilot pollution & power
• Inter-frequency handover
• Non-uniform traffic
• Code requirements
• Control channel planning
• Soft Handover parameter planning
• Hierarchical Cell Structures
• Radio network testing
• Code Planning

Radio Environment & Microcell Planning

• Microcell Network Planning
• SHO design
• Outdoor / Pedestrian / Vehicular
• Microcell - Corner effect
• Indoor / Office planning

Network Dimensioning

• Channel element planning
• Coexisting with 2G
• Intermodulation
• Adjacent channel interference
• Uplink simulations
• UMTS radio carriers
• Frequency sharing
• Transmission capacity
• 2G co-planning
• External operator interference
• Uplink Calculations (worst case)
• Planning with adjacent channel interference
• Actual spectrum allocation
• Guard bands & zones

Link budgets & range calculations

• Spectrum efficiency - Uplink & Downlink
• Eb/No
• MUD
• Range calculations
• Range in unloaded & loaded networks
• Effect of bit rates on range
• Uplink/Downlink budgets
• Terminal Assumptions
• Typical UMTS ranges
• Uplink load factor
• Noise rise
• Uplink capacityOverheads
• Capacity and coverage gains - transmit diversity
• Coverage improvements
• C/I Ratio
• QOS
• Spectrum efficiency comparisons
• Link budget calculation template
• Range extensions with MUD
• Link budgets and loads
• Processing gain
• Link Budget samples
• Propagation model
• Downlink load factor
• Coverage versus capacity
• Coverage versus different bit ratesDownlink transmit diversity
• Capacity improvements

Radio Resource Managemen

• RRM algorithms
• Admission control strategy
• Packet scheduler
• Micro diversity
• Power control
• Fast power control
• Uplink fast power control
• Soft handover algorithm
• Handover decision
• Admission control
• Load control (congestion control)
• Interference margin
• Macro diversity
• Open/Closed/Outer and inner loop
• Improved power control signalling
• Handover mechanism
• Handover measurements
• Handover parameters

UMTS Planning Methodologies and Tools

• Planning methodologies
• Monte Carlo simulations
• Monte Carlo results analysis
• Methodology comparisons
• Deterministic models
• Popular microcell models
• Carrier wave measurements
• Static simulations
• Monte Carlo input parameters
• Sample plots
• Propagation models
• Popular macrocell models
• Mapping data requirements

Traffic Analysis

• Traffic analysis process
• Target coverage
• Sample usage and service offerings

Nominal planning & site selection

• Nominal planning
• Initial dimensioning
• Spreadsheet dimensioning
• Site selection
• Recommended antenna heights
• Flowchart
• UMTS ranges
• Site options
• Bad UMTS sites
• Evaluating traffic requirements

Detailed site design

• UMTS site configurations
• RX Antennas
• 4 RX diversity
• Various configuration coverage increasesCo-siting antennas
• Antenna tilts
• System configurations
• MHA's
• TX diversity
• Isolation requirementsDual system antenna sample
• Antenna orientation