UMTS Planning

Radio Planning Issues
Understanding UMTS
©Informa Telecoms
1 W-CDMA PLANNING
1.1 The Requirements 1
2 CELL PLANNING
2.1 Traditional Cell Planning 3
2.2 W-CDMA Cellular Planning Principles 5
2.3 Soft Handover Regions 7
2.4 Cell Breathing 9
3 INTERFERENCE EFFECTS
3.1 Own and Adjacent Cell Interference 11
3.2 Multi-path Effects 13
3.3 Interference Sharing and Soft Capacity 15
3.4 Limitations 17
3.5 User Data Rates and Number of Users 19
4 REDUCING INTERFERENCE/INCREASING CAPACITY
4.1 Sectorisation 21
4.2 Smart Antennas 23
4.3 Multi-Carrier Cells 25
4.4 Planning the Frequency Spectrum 27
4.5 The Layered Architecture 28
4.6 GSM Co – Planning 31
4.7 Use Of Existing Sites 33
4.8 W-CDMA, EDGE and GSM Coverage Areas 35
5 RADIO PLANNING AND SIMULATIONS
5.1 Planning Tools 37
5.2 Monte Carlo Simulations 37
6 SUMMARY – PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS 39
Understanding UMTS
©Informa Telecoms
1. W-CDMA PLANNING
1.1 The Requirements
When planning any radio network there are three overall requirements to be satisfied.
Coverage planning should allow services to be provided continuously over the area
of operation. Fortunately in UMTS, the UTRAN can exist alongside the GSM radio
network, or any other compatible (radio or fixed) access network, with handovers
allowed between the different systems. This, together with the different W-CDMA
modes of operation (FDD and TDD) allows a great deal of flexibility in coverage
planning.
Sufficient capacity should ensure that calls can be completed, or data transferred
with a high probability of success. The higher the success rate (Grade of Service)
planned for, the more equipment that will need to be provided.
Quality of Service must be maintained at an acceptable level. This becomes much

more of an issue with UMTS due to the range of services (all with varying needs of
data rate, delay tolerance, error rates etc.) which can be supported.
Understanding UMTS
1 ©Informa Telecoms
• Coverage
• Capacity
• Quality
Fig. 1 – Planning Requirements
©Informa Telecoms 2
2. CELL PLANNING
2.1 Traditional Cell Planning
For second generation Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) systems, including
GSM, the air interface was organised into equally spaced carrier frequencies, each of
which could support a finite number of users separated by the use of recurring time
slots (in GSM, eight timeslots existed per carrier frequency).
The TDMA notation refers to the use of timeslots, but the equal spacing of the carrier
frequencies is described as Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA). Hence GSM
is actually a TDMA / FDMA system. In addition, for each uplink frequency there is a
separate, but corresponding downlink frequency. This is known as Frequency Division
Duplex (FDD).
The frequency and time allocation in second generation networks ensures that the
different control data and user data can be kept separate within a given geographical
area. This can only work if the available carrier frequencies are planned to minimise
interference. This is achieved by careful control of transmitter powers, and stipulating
a minimum distance between transmitters using the same frequency (minimum re-use
distance) for a given quality of signal.
The radius of the nominated coverage area for each base site (cell) is therefore
planned to be significantly smaller than the stipulated re-use distance. This ratio
depends on the interference that can be tolerated in each system (GSM is fairly
tolerant, hence the re-use distance for a given power is relatively small).
Since power is generally set to provide sufficient coverage for the cell in question, the
smaller the cells, the lower the re-use distance. Hence, with careful power control,
cell planning becomes purely a geometrical problem.
In general, a tessellating pattern is used to provide coverage over the required

geographical area, as shown opposite. The greater the tolerance to interference, the
lower the ratio between re-use distance and cell radius need be, and hence the
smaller the number of cells in the pattern. GSM is more tolerant than the analogue
TACS system and can cope with a four cell repeat pattern rather than the minimum of
seven needed in TACS. However, as always, quality must be taken into account when
deciding on the repeat pattern.
For a finite set of available carrier frequencies, the larger the pattern, the lower the
number of available frequencies per cell. Therefore more cells may be needed within
the required geographical area in order to provide the same capacity. This leads to
higher infrastructure costs.
Understanding UMTS
eg: 7 Cell Re-use
Pattern
R
2
7 3
1
D
6 4
2
7 3
6 4
Re use distance D:
D = R 3N N = Cluster size
Interference considerations = Indicates cell with

3
dictate that for: set frequency (s)
TACS, Cluster size 7
GSM, Cluster size 4 = Cluster of cells
Fig. 2 – Traditional Cell Planning
2.2 W-CDMA Cellular Planning Principles
The W-CDMA planning concept initially seems simpler than for TDMA systems. It is
based generally on a single cell repeat pattern, where the same W-CDMA carrier
frequency can be used in adjacent cells continually throughout the network. Users
and control data are separated by the use of codes within the spreading and
despreading process. The ability to despread however mainly depends on the data
rate and therefore spreading factor / processing gain, and on the overall interference
received along with the wanted signal.
The received interference originates from both the same cell (as the wanted signal),
and from adjacent cells. In both cases, interference can be minimised by careful
power control (fast power control in UMTS is performed 1500 times per second) and
by controlling the overall loading of each cell (number of users and their aggregate
data rates).
The recovery of the wanted signal depends not only on the despreading process, but
also on the rejection of the interfering signals. So long as different spreading codes
are used, and they are orthogonal (with good cross correlation characteristics), the
interfering signals will remain spread during the despreading process of the wanted
signal.
In addition, code allocation and required data rates are linked in W-CDMA by the
nature of the code tree (used to ensure orthogonality). For both these reasons, code
planning is essential.
Understanding UMTS
1
• Spread signals from same and adjacent cells contribute to interference levels
- GOOD POWER CONTROL REQUIRED
- CAPACITY OF EACH CELL NEEDS PLANNING
• This interference remains spread on despreading wanted signal, unless
same spreading codes are used, or poor correlation characteristics exist
– CODE PLANNING REQUIRED.
Fig. 3 – W-CDMA Cellular Planning Principles
2.3 Soft Handover Regions
The soft handover (between cells provided by different Node Bs) and softer handover
(between cells provided by the same Node B) allows mobiles to be served by more
than one radio interface connection at the same time.
This is an important concept in W-CDMA in that it allows the mobile to use each
separate signal to enhance the overall recovered signal. The soft and softer handover
regions occur generally at the edge of cells where power requirements would
otherwise be at their greatest. However, the gain introduced by the soft and softer
handover allows for lower powers to be used, minimising the contribution to overall
interference levels. The near-far effect is also mitigated, (where a mobile closer to the
Node B introduces a level of interference into the system that precludes successful
despreading of a mobile on the edge of a cell).
When planning the network, the soft and softer handover regions must allow
continuous coverage, whilst minimising overall interference under all cell load
conditions. The trade off is that more hardware is required if the average time spent in
soft or softer handover increases. This includes Rake Receivers in the Node B, and
UTRAN transmission links for soft handover (where combining is done at the RNC).
Note that combining techniques for soft and softer handover are different. Softer
handover utilises the Rake receiver to combine the signals in much the same way that
multi-path signals can be combined. Whilst soft handover combining is achieved in
the RNC, where the different signals are assessed, and the best signal is chosen for
inclusion in the combined signal (choice made every 10-80ms).
Realistic figures for connections spent in soft handover may be 20-40%, whilst those
spent in softer handover may be 10%.
Understanding UMTS
1
• Mobiles may be served by more than one base station site in soft handover
(shaded) areas
• Continuous coverage should be maintained (if required) under all load
conditions
• The combining process enhances the signal in soft handover
Fig. 4 – Soft Handover Regions
2.4 Cell Breathing
If the number of users in a particular area increases, or their aggregate data rates
increase, more interference is introduced into the overall system. Despreading of
signals for mobiles in that area becomes more difficult, and the effective cell range for
a given power reduces. Unfortunately, the adjacent cells, which may also be serving
the same area (soft handover), will encounter the same problem. This means that for
higher loading, the effective radius of all cells serving the area in question will reduce
(for the given power), reducing the area of soft handover.
The variation in effective radius with loading is a phenomenon known as cell

breathing, and it must be taken into account when planning the handover regions.
Understanding UMTS
Lower Load
2 x
x x
x 1
3 x
Higher Load
2
x x
x x
x x
x 1
x
3 x
x
• Effective range of cell is reduced on higher loading due to interference caused

by additional channels
• Adjacent cells also breathe
• Soft handover region reduces
Fig. 5 – Cell Breathing
3. INTERFERENCE EFFECTS
3.1 Own and Adjacent Cell Interference
Since the same W-CDMA frequency is used in each cell, the total interference in a
system is a combination of that generated within the same cell, and that generated in
adjacent, or nearby cells.
The figure opposite shows the relationship between the spread wanted signal, the
interference contribution from own cell and adjacent / nearby cells, data rates (and
therefore the subsequent processing gain), power and range.
The result is that power, coverage area, data rates (and subsequent spreading factor /
processing gain) per user, and the overall loading of the cell all need careful
consideration when implementing a W-CDMA network.
Interference, capacity and coverage are interdependent and must be considered

together.
Understanding UMTS
Interference
Wanted
Signal
• Wanted signal despread

and raised sufficiently to
recover signal (Processing
Interference Gain is sufficient/data
rate is low enough)
Spread Wanted
signal
• Higher data rate, there-
fore lower processing
Interference gain – insufficient to
raise wanted signal
Spread Wanted sufficiently above noise
signal
• Power of spread wanted
signal is increased by
Interference reducing range, or
increasing transmitted
Increased power power (Increasing trans-
of spread mitted power adds more
wanted signal interference for other
users)
Need to control: • Power
• Range (coverage)
• Processing Gain/Spreading Factor per user
• Overall loading
Fig. 6 – Interference, Capacity and Coverage
3.2 Multi-path Effects
Unlike in most radio systems, the Rake reception of the W-CDMA signals means that
multi-path effects can be used to enhance the signal.
Any signals that take different paths from source to destination will travel different
distances and arrive at the destination at slightly different times. In W-CDMA
however, the different multi-path components of the same original signal can then be
despread separately by the same code, so long as the code has been delayed by an
appropriate amount to account for the path differences. Once the multi-path
components have been despread, they can be adjusted in time so that the despread
signals coincide with each other, and then added together to give a composite signal.
Understanding UMTS
Multi-path
Propagation
Received Components Rake Output
Delay due to
different paths
• By delaying code generation in the Rake Receiver, multi-path can be used to

enhance recovered signal.
Fig. 7 – Multi-path Effect
3.3 Interference Sharing and Soft Capacity
Another effect of W-CDMA is called interference sharing.
If a W-CDMA network is planned for equal loading of the cells, the interference
contributed by each cell to the average system interference will be roughly the same.
Based on this, each cell will be planned to expect a certain level of interference from
its neighbouring cells. Hence its loading / capacity will be planned with an upper limit
which ensures that wanted signals can be despread and raised (by the processing
gain) sufficiently above the interference (e.g. 7dB).
However, if neighbouring cells are lightly loaded, the adjacent cell interference
contribution is lower. The cell in question can benefit by providing higher data rates
per user (lower processing gain, but with less total interference to raise the wanted
signal above), or to accept a higher interference contribution from users in its own
cell. This effectively means more users. In both cases, the capacity in the cell
increases due to lower usage of (or interference from) adjacent cells.
Since different cells throughout the network may be benefiting from this effect at any
one time, there is an overall gain in capacity, and this can be planned for in the
capacity calculations.
The effect is known as soft capacity, and can only be taken advantage of if there is
spare capacity (hardware and processing) available in the base sites. If there isn’t
spare capacity, then hard blocking will occur, where calls or data transfer is blocked
due to lack of resources.
Understanding UMTS
Interference over whole
system reflects dimensioning
for average usage per cell
Cell Usage
Equally Loaded Cells
Interference over whole system

may remain the same
Higher Capacity is possible

in middle cell due to reduced
interference from neighbouring
cells
Known as “Soft Capacity”
Fig. 8 – Interference Sharing
3.4 Limitations
It is useful to note the limitations of the system in terms of coverage and capacity.
A significant factor is that in the downlink, the maximum transmitted power remains
the same regardless of the number of users, and each user has to share the power
available, whilst in the uplink, each mobile has its own power amplifier.
Even with low downlink load, the coverage will depend on the interference
contributed by the total number of users in the uplink (more users, less coverage),
whilst in the downlink, for a given power, the higher the data rate, the lower the range
for acceptable service.
Range and capacity are, of course, traded off against each other in both the uplink
and downlink. However, it is the plotted graphs of maximum path loss (range
amongst other considerations) against load for given conditions, including
interference, which illustrate the limitations. Below about 600kbps in the downlink, the
uplink limits the range and hence coverage, whilst in the downlink, anything above
about 700kbps can only be provided at low range (low coverage area).
It is worth noting that a 2Mbps service can be provided using three separate codes
and combining the results.
As the capacity limits are approached, it becomes much more difficult to increase the
capacity within the coverage area without adding more cells. Increasing downlink
power to increase capacity is inefficient, whereas splitting the power between two W-
CDMA carrier frequencies would be much more efficient, but requires additional
hardware.
The figures quoted are only for illustration, and many factors will affect the
performance, including improved antenna design for increasing the coverage (e.g.
receive antenna diversity), and asymmetric services.
Understanding UMTS
Capa
city li
mited
in the
down
Cove link
rage
limite
d in t
he up
link
• Note that for a 2 Mbps service, three codes would be used
Fig. 9 – Limitations
3.5 User Data Rates and Number of Users
Since acceptable service depends on despreading the wanted signal, which in turn
depends on the level of interference in the system, there is generally a trade-off
between the number of users and their average data rates.
This is because an upper limit on total interference determines the capacity.
For lower data rate users, the processing gain is relatively high and each signal will be
raised significantly above the interference for average planned cell load conditions.
However, as the number of users increase, so the interference increases, and an
upper limit on the number of users will be reached (this is maximised by effective
power control).
For higher data rate users, the processing gain is not so high, which results in the
signal being raised less effectively above the interference. The maximum interference
level will be reached earlier, hence a lower number of users will be tolerated for
acceptable higher data rate services to be provided.
The total user data capacity is affected by the control information, in that more lower
data rate users will require more control information, leaving less user data. However,
higher data rate users will have a less even distribution over the system, which makes
capacity planning less efficient. Therefore on average, overall cell loading may be
lower if higher data rate users dominated and had been planned for. In practice, of
course, a mix of users would generally be expected. Asymmetric services may also
be provided.
Understanding UMTS
144
Note: Figures are for
illustration only
User rates (kbps)
64
32
16
12.2
0
10 20 30 40 50 60
Number of channels per cell
• Total capacity (Users x User Rates) is not constant due to dimensioning and
also the greater control overhead required for more lower rate users
Fig. 10 – User Data Rates and Number of Users
4. REDUCING INTERFERENCE/INCREASING CAPACITY
4.1 Sectorisation
One simple way to reduce interference is to use sectored cells, where a single base
site can support up to six sectors (or cells) at a time. The directional antennas mean
that antenna gain acts to enhance the signals from mobiles in the sector, and reject
those outside the sector. At the same time, interference in the downlink is reduced
due to the confinement of power within the sector, which ensures a lower contribution
to overall interference. In addition, the cells are effectively smaller (for the same
number of sites) and therefore lower powers can be used.
Softer handover now becomes a factor in that mobiles can be in handover between
sectors of the same Node B, with the signal combined in the Rake receiver (an
advantage in terms of reduced power requirement). The Soft handover region, rather
than the Softer handover region still provides the greater area.
Effectively, the reduced interference allows greater capacity for the same number of
base sites, or reduced hardware costs for the same capacity if the system is planned
as a sectored system from initial rollout.
Understanding UMTS
• Reduced Co-Channel
Interference Soft Handover Region
• Increased Capacity
• Reduced Hardware
Softer Handover Region
Costs
Base Station Sites with
Axis of sectorisation
Fig. 11 – Sectorisation
4.2 Smart Antennas
The sectored cell benefits can be taken to the extreme with the use of smart
antennas, where multiple beams can be generated, each serving a specified user. The
beams are effectively very narrow sectors, with all the benefits in terms of reduced
interference. Antenna gain is generally higher than for the three or six sector sites.
The beams are formed and steered by antenna arrays.
The broadcast channel is configured for normal cell coverage since it must be
available to mobiles in idle mode.
Smart antennas may well be a feature in UMTS networks.
Understanding UMTS
Narrow
Broadcast
Beam
Channel
User
• Multiple beams can be generated for multiple users

• Co-Channel interference in Uplink and Downlink is reduced
• Range increased due to higher antenna gain
• Capacity increased due to reduced co-channel interference
Fig. 12 – Smart Antennas
4.3 Multi-Carrier Cells
Multi-carrier cells offer an efficient way to increase capacity (limited generally by the
downlink).
Unlike power increases in a single frequency (which provide little improvement in

capacity as the higher data rates, or user numbers are approached), a second carrier
frequency allows the data rates, or user numbers to remain in the part of the load
curve considered efficient in terms of capacity provision. Each frequency can then
use power control to increase capacity until each now approaches the limit again
(as defined by the load curve).
In general, the frequencies used will be adjacent channels (adjacent W-CDMA

frequencies), and will therefore cause adjacent channel interference. However, this
can be minimised by co-locating the transmitter / receivers and using the same
antennas.
This concept can be extended to different network operators who may be using
adjacent frequencies. They could both benefit from reduced adjacent channel
interference if they co-located their transmitter / receivers.
A mobile required to change frequencies for capacity, coverage, or quality reasons

would use the hard handover technique.
Understanding UMTS
Frequency 2
Frequency 1
Hard Handover
can be employed
• Adjacent channel interference is minimised by co-locating and using same

antennas.
• Different operators using adjacent frequency bands would benefit from co-
location to reduce adjacent channel interference
Fig. 13 – Multi-Carrier Cells
4.4 Planning the Frequency Spectrum
Within the available frequency band, the actual carrier frequency and spacing can be
set in steps of 200kHz. This can be used effectively to decrease the spacing between
frequencies within the operators band (where the increased adjacent channel
interference can be minimised by co-locating the transmitters / receivers, and using
the same antennas). This allows increased separation (at the edge of the operator's
band) with the adjacent frequencies used by another operator, as shown opposite.
Understanding UMTS
Operator 1 (10MHz) Operator 2 (15MHz)
frequency
4.6MHz > 5MHz 4.6MHz

Larger spacing
(Minimises interference)
• Carrier spacing can be set in steps of 200kHz within band to minimise adjacent
channel interference
• Operators can minimise adjacent channel interference from their own carriers
by co-location (hence spacing can be reduced in order to maximise spacing
between operators)
Fig. 14 – Setting the Carrier Spacing
4.5 The Layered Architecture
A layered architecture may be employed for coverage, capacity, or quality reasons,

with the different layers operating on different frequencies (required in order to
minimise the effects of interference in each cell).
At the micro / pico-cell level, TDD mode may be utilised. Its reduced range can be
used to advantage in areas requiring higher data rates. The TDD cell power can be
controlled sufficiently to provide coverage only in selected areas (such as offices).
This ensures that interference is kept to a minimum in other coverage areas where the
TDD frequency is re-used. Hence, higher data rates / loading can be provided for "hot
spots", while more general coverage is provided by FDD operation.
If more than one FDD frequency is available, an umbrella layer can also be used for
wider area coverage. The loading of each layer needs careful consideration. Different
data rates can be traded off against the number of users.
Hard handovers must be used between different modes and frequencies (and also,
therefore, between layers).
Understanding UMTS
FDD f1
FDD f2 FDD f2
TDD f3
• Different Carrier Frequencies may be employed at different layers

(hard handovers can be used)
• Lower range, higher bit rate services may be provided by TDD mode
(eg: office environments)
Fig. 15 – The Layered Architecture
4.6 GSM Co – Planning
The way in which UMTS has been specified allows for an evolutionary strategy from
existing 2G GSM networks. In fact in the first phase of UMTS, the core network is
essentially an evolved GSM Phase 2+ network, incorporating circuit switched and
packet switch (GPRS) infrastructures.
It is a general assumption that GSM and UMTS will co-exist in a similar way that first
and second generation systems did. However for UMTS, the core network will initially
be that of the existing GSM network, and it follows that operators will also want to
maximise use of the existing radio infrastructure.
Re-using existing GSM base transceiver sites will provide a huge cost saving to
operators. The feasibility of this is illustrated opposite in a comparison of effective
ranges for both GSM (900 and 1800MHz frequencies) and UMTS (at varying data
rates).
GSM 900 clearly allows for greater range, whereas GSM 1800 and low to moderate
W-CDMA data rate ranges are more comparable. Range is more limited for the
W-CDMA at higher data rates.
Understanding UMTS
Relative Coverage (Range)
WCDMA 384kbps
WCDMA 144kbps
WCDMA SPEECH
GSM 1800 SPEECH
GSM 900 SPEECH
Fig. 16 – GSM Co Planning – Range Comparisons
4.7 Use Of Existing Sites
Existing GSM sites may therefore be used for UMTS, so long as the cell range /
coverage area required for the planned UMTS system can be provided with the
existing base site spacing. If not, then additional sites will be needed.
Remote, or rural areas, where GSM has been planned simply to provide continuous
coverage (with a low capacity requirement), will generally provide more of a problem
than urban areas due to the greater cell sizes. GSM 900 cell sizes will usually be
greater than GSM 1800 in these areas.
For urban areas, capacity is often the major planning issue. Here, the available
frequencies must be re-used more often in order to provide the required resources.
This is achieved by carefully controlling the transmitted power and reducing the cell
sizes. The GSM cell sites will be closer together and therefore more likely to support
UMTS cells with the required coverage areas. In urban areas, GSM 900 and 1800 are
likely to have similar cell sizes, and therefore are more equally likely to be able to
provide UMTS coverage from existing sites.
The UMTS soft and softer handover regions (including under higher load conditions)
must be taken into account when planning coverage from existing GSM cell sites.
Understanding UMTS
Remote Areas (GSM Coverage Planned)
WCDMA Range
GSM Range
Additional Base
Sites Required for
Continuous Coverage
Urban Areas (GSM Capacity Planned)
Cell boundary less than GSM

or WCDMA maximum range
Possible to Provide
Continuous Coverage
using Existing Sites
Fig. 17 – Using Existing 2G Sites
4.8 W-CDMA, EDGE and GSM Coverage Areas
A network may be planned with the different W-CDMA modes, EDGE (Enhanced Data
rates for Global Evolution) and GSM providing different areas of coverage. Each
would be able to support different data rates and Qualities of Service. The reasons for
this approach could include cost, speed of rollout, coverage, capacity, or overall
quality.
It makes sense in many ways to leave basic (voice subscribers) on the GSM network,
since a large initial migration to UMTS would increase interference, reducing the
ability to provide higher data rate services for potentially high revenue (usually
corporate) users. The high value users will usually be concentrated in business areas.
As more users start using higher data rate services, a gradual migration would allow
operators to use GSM sites initially for UMTS coverage, increasing capacity as the
network grows.
The cut off between a likely GSM and UMTS subscriber is not clear cut. EDGE could
provide an extra step, with the flexibility of higher data rate services without
increasing the UMTS load.
UMTS services could be sold at a premium, with higher capacity provided initially in
urban areas (where GSM co-planning is most feasible). TDD can be used to provide
higher data rates in the required "hotspots".
Understanding UMTS
EDGE
URBAN
COVERAGE
WCDMA TDD GSM

Hot Spots Continuous
(Offices etc) Coverage
WCDMA FDD
Business Coverage
Fig. 18 – Coverage Areas
5. RADIO PLANNING AND SIMULATIONS
5.1 Planning Tools
The complex nature of the iterative process necessitates a software planning tool.
This allows much of the external data to be loaded, including the radio propagation
and geographical data for the area in question. The operator can then ask for
iterations under various conditions. Various visual representations are used to covey
the coverage and capacity results on screen, as shown.
5.2 Monte Carlo Simulations
The Monte Carlo method is a general technique applied to many systems to model
the outcomes, from economics to physics. The basis is random numbers and
statistical probability calculations. There are many forms of Monte Carlo simulations.
In UMTS, the simulation is applied to the radio network to model the coverage and
therefore capacity of the radio system under various conditions.
The planning tools used at this stage of the planning process use the Monte Carlo
method because it allows complex systems to be analysed by sampling a number of
random configurations. It then uses this data to describe the system as a whole.
Understanding UMTS
Supplied courtesy of Ericsson
Fig. 19 – Planning Tools
6. SUMMARY – PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
The planning considerations for UMTS are summarised in the figure shown opposite.
Understanding UMTS
• Cellular structure used
• Same frequency can be used in each cell
• Codes need to be planned to prevent co-channel interference
(64 groups to choose from)
• In general, the greater the bit rate per user, the lower the number
of users per cell
• Greater cell range gives reduced capacity (and vice versa)
for a given power
• The greater the instantaneous cell usage, the smaller the
effective cell range (cell breathing)
• Interference decreases range and/or capacity for a given power
• Overall system noise/interference must be kept as low as possible
• Interference reducing techniques may be used
– Diversity
– Multi user detection
– Smart antennas
– Repeaters
• Increased downlink power gives increased capacity only to a certain limit
• Planning may use:
– more than one frequency for capacity or coverage purposes
(eg: hierarchical cells)
– GSM/EDGE to offer more complete coverage around UMTS “Islands”
• TDD mode suited to shorter range (and possibly higher data rates)
• FDD mode suited to longer range
• Asymmetric services must be planned for
Fig. 20 – W-CDMA Planning Considerations - Summary

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Radio Planning Issues

1.1 The Requirements

Quality of Service must be maintained at an acceptable level. This becomes much

Fig. 1 – Planning Requirements

2.1 Traditional Cell Planning

In general, a tessellating pattern is used to provide coverage over the required

Interference considerations = Indicates cell with

Fig. 2 – Traditional Cell Planning

2.2 W-CDMA Cellular Planning Principles

Fig. 3 – W-CDMA Cellular Planning Principles

2.3 Soft Handover Regions

Fig. 4 – Soft Handover Regions

2.4 Cell Breathing

The variation in effective radius with loading is a phenomenon known as cell

• Effective range of cell is reduced on higher loading due to interference caused

Fig. 5 – Cell Breathing

3.1 Own and Adjacent Cell Interference

Interference, capacity and coverage are interdependent and must be considered

• Wanted signal despread

Fig. 6 – Interference, Capacity and Coverage

3.2 Multi-path Effects

Received Components Rake Output

• By delaying code generation in the Rake Receiver, multi-path can be used to

Fig. 7 – Multi-path Effect

3.3 Interference Sharing and Soft Capacity

Another effect of W-CDMA is called interference sharing.

Equally Loaded Cells

Interference over whole system

Higher Capacity is possible

Known as “Soft Capacity”

Fig. 8 – Interference Sharing

• Note that for a 2 Mbps service, three codes would be used

3.5 User Data Rates and Number of Users

This is because an upper limit on total interference determines the capacity.

Number of channels per cell

Fig. 10 – User Data Rates and Number of Users

4. REDUCING INTERFERENCE/INCREASING CAPACITY

4.2 Smart Antennas

Smart antennas may well be a feature in UMTS networks.

• Multiple beams can be generated for multiple users

Fig. 12 – Smart Antennas

4.3 Multi-Carrier Cells

Unlike power increases in a single frequency (which provide little improvement in

In general, the frequencies used will be adjacent channels (adjacent W-CDMA

A mobile required to change frequencies for capacity, coverage, or quality reasons

• Adjacent channel interference is minimised by co-locating and using same

Fig. 13 – Multi-Carrier Cells

4.4 Planning the Frequency Spectrum

4.6MHz > 5MHz 4.6MHz

Fig. 14 – Setting the Carrier Spacing

4.5 The Layered Architecture

A layered architecture may be employed for coverage, capacity, or quality reasons,

• Different Carrier Frequencies may be employed at different layers

Fig. 15 – The Layered Architecture

4.6 GSM Co – Planning

GSM 1800 SPEECH

GSM 900 SPEECH

Fig. 16 – GSM Co Planning – Range Comparisons

4.7 Use Of Existing Sites

Urban Areas (GSM Capacity Planned)

Cell boundary less than GSM

Fig. 17 – Using Existing 2G Sites

4.8 W-CDMA, EDGE and GSM Coverage Areas

WCDMA TDD GSM