LTE RF Planning

Oct. 2012 | Singapore | 1750 EUR

Download brochureThe course explains in detail the process of LTE radio network planning and design. After outlining the fundamental background, including radio propagation and E-UTRA radio interface architecture, it considers coverage and capacity planning tasks focusing on those aspects, where LTE planning process needs special attention due to the new radio interface. These include consideration of multiple antenna systems and new methods for frequency reuse and interference management. Recommendations for configuration of the key radio procedures and consideration of the interoperability issues close the course.

The course utilizes a number of hands-on practical exercises using the following tools:

• RNP tool to prepare coverage plots,
• 4G System Lab – a System Level Simulator to reflect various frequency reuse concepts and business case options,
• LTE PHY Lab – a Link Level Simulator to observe signals, channels and frames of the LTE air interface

LTE RF Design Process

• RF Planning workflow
• Inputs to and targets for the planning process; expected outputs
• Coverage and capacity requirements
• Planning constraints
• Significant differences in planning for GSM and UMTS

EPS Overview and E-UTRAN Consideration (tool-based)

• Evolved Packet System architecture
• E-UTRAN architecture: nodes and interfaces
• eNB and UE architecture
• Radio frame for E-UTRA FDD and TDD
• Reference signals and pilots: RS, P-SS, S-SS, DRS, SRS
• PHY channels in the downlink: PBCH, PDCCH, PCFICH, PHICH, PDSCH
• PHY channels in the uplink: PRACH, PUCCH, PUSCH
• Link-level radio interface simulations

Radio Propagation Principles (tool-based)

• Spectrum considerations and LTE frequency bands
• RF requirements imposed on UE and eNB transceivers
• Large-scale and small-scale propagation effects; path-loss, shadowing and fading
• Propagation models: statistical, empirical and deterministic
• Configuration and tuning of the propagation model

Antenna Considaration and MIMO

• Antenna properties - size, gain, beam-width, polarization, front-to-back ratio
• LTE diversity techniques
• Spatial multiplexing, single-user and multi-user MIMO
• Transmission modes and MIMO feedback signaling
• Impact on LTE link budget and capacity
• Antenna system sharing options

Coverage Planning and Link Budgets (tool-based)

• Link budgets, gains and losses
• Role of adaptive modulation and coding scheme
• Requirements for signal-to-noise-and-interference ratio (SNIR) and receiver sensitivity
• Thermal noise calculations and interference estimation
• Maximum allowed path loss
• Impect of normal and extended cyclic prefix
• Impact of antenna configuration
• Range determination and site-to-site distance estimation
• Signal level and best server coverage plots
• SNIR and spectrum efficiency coverage plots
• Key measurements: RSSI, RSRP and RSRQ
• Site sharing options
• Improving coverage with the use of repeaters
• LTE downlink and uplink link budget exercises
• Planning tool configuration and simulations 

Frequency Reuse and Interference Management (tool-based)

• Interference avoidance, cancellation and coordination
• Considerations for Single Frequency Network (SFN)
• Frequency-parallel schemes (OFDMA, SC-FDMA) in SFN
• Classical frequency reuse concept (integer reuse)
• Fractional frequency reuse (FFR) methods including soft reuse and partial reuse
• Comparison of FDD and TDD co-channel interference scenarios
• Role of X2 interface between eNBs in coordination of interference and load balancing
• Frequency planning performance evaluations and simulations 

LTE Capacity Planning (tool-based)

• EPS bearers and QoS concept
• Traffic types and device types
• Capacity planning with MIMO
• Influence of Modulation and Coding Scheme distribution on sector capacity
• Overview of backhaul network options and requirements
• Excercises in capacity calculations

RAN Procedures Configuration

• Self-Organizing Network (SON)
• Synchronization signals distribution (PHY cell ID planning)
• Random access preamble allocation and dimensioning of PRACH opportunities
• Cell reselection and handover parameters
• Uplink and downlink transmit power control
• Feedback reporting configuration (CQI, PMI, RI)

LTE Inter-working with 2G, 3G

• Roaming
• Inter-working with 3GPP and non-3GPP networks