Executive Summary

GSM network is globally accepted standard for digital cellular system. The continuous performance evaluation of the network is a must for better quality service. Using the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), to judge network performance and evaluate the Quality of Service (QoS) is a major task that has to be done for every GSM network. In this project, our main target is to evaluate the performance of the GSM network of BAHIR DAR city. The methodology used for this project includes collection of data from nearby telecom station and if possible from sites using drive test equipments. The analysis of the gathered data is the next step to be done for this project .The last step is use of some optimization techniques for the current GSM network site which has real problem. Different observations/recommendations based on practical aspects of the optimization will be presented based on the result from the data.

Problem definition
In our country Ethio-Telecom is the only company that provides telecommunication services which include GSM mobile communication. Bahir-Dar city Ethio-telecom is one of the branches of Ethio-telecom in North western region. The current GSM radio network of Bahir-Dar city faces many problems, which include access failure, call drop and unsuccessful handoff and other in some of the radio part stations. These failures usually degrade the basic services of the customer, that arises complain from the subscriber side. The quality of service requirements for the GSM radio network such as coverage, capacity and quality are the major points to be evaluated. In order to investigate and ensure the achievement of acceptable efficiency, we proposed to work on the performance evaluation (based on the key performance indicators (kPIs)) and then propose on optimization for the current GSM.

Objective of the project

Main objective To evaluate the current performance of the GSM network and then to propose on optimization techniques for quality improvement. Specific objectives To study and understand the radio part of GSM system in BAHIR-DAR city To evaluate the performance of this GSM network To propose a technique that is used to maximize the quality of service (QoS) of the network.

Introduction GSM System Overview

Global system for mobile communication (GSM) is a globally accepted standard for digital cellular communication. GSM is the name of a standardization group established in 1982 to create a common European mobile telephone standard that would formulate specifications for a panEuropean mobile cellular radio system operating at 900 MHz GSM uses a fullduplex (FDX), which allows communication in both directions, and unlike half-duplex, allows this to happen simultaneously. For best efficiency, GSM uses the two multiple access methods, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) systematically.[ ]

Radio Components of GSM System

We concentrate on the radio part of the network since it is the part of the network that is directly connected to the mobile user. So our project is focused on the radio part of the network and we describe in detail about it as follows. The radio network is the part of the network that includes the base station (BTS) and the mobile station (MS) and the interface between them, as shown in figure 1.[]

Mobile Station (MS)

Mobile station is a station in the cellular radio service intended for use while in motion at unspecified locations. It is made up of two parts, the handset and the subscriber identity module (SIM). The SIM is a small smart card that is inserted into the phone and carries information specific to the subscriber, such as, Service Provider Name (SPN), and Local Area Identity (LAI). The SIM can also store phone numbers dialed and received, the, phone books, and data for other applications. A SIM card can be removed from one phone, inserted into another GSM capable phone and the subscriber will get the same service as always.[]
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Base Station (BS)

Base Station is a fixed station in a mobile radio system used for radio communication with the mobile stations. It provides the physical connection to the mobile station through the air interface. They are located at the centre or edge of a coverage region, consists of transmitter and receiver antennas, and are mounted on top of towers It handles speech encoding, encryption, multiplexing (TDMA), and modulation/demodulation of the radio signals. It is also capable of frequency hopping. It coordinates handoff and control functions. []

Base Station Controller (BSC)

The BSC controls multiple BTSs. It handles allocation of radio channels, frequency administration, power and signal measurements from the MS, and handovers from one BTS to another (if both BTSs are controlled by the same BSC). It reduces the number of connections to the Mobile Switching Center (MSC) and allows for higher capacity connections to the MSC.[]

Radio part

switching part

Figure 1 GSM network system block diagram

Although GSM technology is applied throughout the country, there are some problems associated with its different network equipments. Such as Weak signals in some area: due to antenna position, size, type of the antenna and the transmitted power.

Call drop: due to large number of subscribers in a single cell, hand over (mismatch b/n cells), geographical position of BTS.

Interference: due to noise, neighboring transmitted signal.

So there must be some form of optimization techniques to avoid the above mentioned problems and increase quality of service. Optimization is an important step in the life cycle of a wireless network. GSM Radio Frequency Optimization (GSM RF Optimization) is the optimization of GSM radio frequencies. There are also various parts of the GSM network which have to be constantly monitored and necessarily changes in order to keep KPIs in agreed limits with the mobile operator.

System description
GSM network of BAHIR DAR city has 25 BTS and 1 MSC (mobile switching center). Each BTS includes GSM 900MHZ and GSM 1800MHZ antennas. The location each BTS and the detailed map of the system are shown below.

Figure 2.Network planning of BAHIR-DAR city

From the above figure we can see that each station has unique identity numbers so as to be identified by the central office. On The above map central office is the base station controller and it deals with Handover control, channel assignments, collection of cell configuration data. The dots with the identity numbers signify the base transceiver station (BTS).the interconnection of the distributed BTSs is either by optical fiber or by microwave link. The microwave link interconnect will use small microwave antenna installed on each of BTS.The main aim of interconnection with the base station controller is to monitor the status of each base transceiver stations from the controller office.

Methodology
The methodology to be used for this project starts from detail study of the current operational GSM network of BAHIR-DAR city. To evaluate the network data need to 6

be collected and analyzed in order to identify its problem. Finally possible solutions are suggested for each problem and optimization for one parameter is done.

Study the overall GSM system of BAHIR-DAR city

This is the first step of our project. In this step we will study about GSM system specifically the Bahir-Dar one. Since our project mainly concerned on the radio part of the GSM network, our study focused on this part. During this study we check out the network plan of the Bahir-Dar and study detail about each BTS found in the city.

Data collection and analysis

Data of the network, which is record on the network management system (NMS), is collected from the main telecom office. The data collects the parameters information of the radio network part which can used to find the causes for the failure of the network. In addition to this the planning data that used for us to configure about every station (for instance number of subscriber, cell size and others) is found from the network management office. If possible we try to conduct the driving test in order to collect data in addition to the NMS data.

Network evaluation
After data collection, the next step will be analyzing this data by using the suitable software. This is done by comparing the network parameters with the key performance indicators (KPIs). Depending on the analysis result we identify the problems that occur on the network which cause its failure.

Solution suggestion and optimization

This is the final stage of the evaluation process. In this part we suggest solutions for the problems we identified in the above step. And finally we optimize at least one parameter by using one of optimization algorism and if possible we implement the optimization on the existing network.

Work plan
Amount of time devoted for this project is nine weeks (November 21 to January 30). Within this time the work plan is as follow
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Table 1 work plan for the project Basic Data Collection Network evaluation and Optimization 1st week 2nd and 4th 3rd week Proposal Setup Study the GSM system of BAHIRDAR city week Compared NMS with KPI data solution to 6th week Suggest Report & 7th and 8th 9th week Report

Presentation

Preparation

Data collection

Problem identification

Optimization

Group discussion

Network evaluation

References

[1] S. Kyriazakos, G. Karetsos, E. Gkroustiotis, C. Kechagias, P. Fournogerakis Congestion Study and Resource Management in Cellular Networks of present and Future Generation, IST Mobile Summit 2001, Barcelona, Spain, 9-12 September 2001. [2] Fundamentals of Cellular Network Planning and Optimizations 2G/2.5G/3G... Evolution to 4G Author:Ajay R. Mishra John. [3] Cellular Network Planning and Optimization Jyri Hmlinen, Communications and

Networking Department, Helsinki university,2007

[4] Kechagias, S.Papaoulakis, N.Nikitopoulos, D. Karambalis: A Comprehensive Study on Performance Evaluation of Operational GSM and GPRS Systems under Varying Traffic Conditions. IST Mobile and Wireless telecommunications Summit, 2002, Greece

Table of Contents
Executive Summary....................................................................................................1 Problem definition...................................................................................................... 2 Objective of the project..............................................................................................2 Introduction................................................................................................................ 3 GSM System Overview............................................................................................3 Radio Components of GSM System.........................................................................3 Mobile Station (MS) ................................................................................................ 3 Base Station (BS).....................................................................................................4 10

Base Station Controller (BSC) .................................................................................4 System description ....................................................................................................5 Methodology............................................................................................................... 6 Study the overall GSM system of BAHIR-DAR city...................................................7 Data collection and analysis....................................................................................7 Network evaluation................................................................................................. 7 Solution suggestion and optimization......................................................................7 Work plan...................................................................................................................7 References..................................................................................................................9 Table of Contents..................................................................................................... 10

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