Mike Scott

Chapter Fourteen – Wireless Technologies of the Future

This chapter discusses the wireless arena of the future, the fourth generation (4G). 4G will be required to provide higher speed, greater capacity, able to offer Internet protocol (IP)-based services at an affordable price, and support multiple access technologies including the next stage towards automated processes. This next phase will signify a fundamental change in the telecommunications industry, as the emphasis will be on data movement. 4G can be best thought of as a combination of an advanced air-interface system using a superior modulation scheme, thus enabling higher and faster data transfer over the air interface, coupled with an all IP scenario within the core of the network. 4G networks will deliver the ever increasing data rates and exceed all current 3G expectations. The advances made within 4G will ensure high-speed data and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) becomes a reality.

Wideband-CDMA Network Planning

This chapter discusses the wideband-code division multiple access (W-CDMA) network planning to develop and execute the procedures required for attaining a workable plan. W-CDMA planning consists of the development and establishment of the planning process and the network optimization procedures, followed by the development of the actual network design plan. Capacity, coverage, and quality are the three factors that give a better understanding of the proposed requirement. Within a third-generation network, the planning and optimization/re-planning tasks will become an ongoing process. The main objective of network planning is to efficiently control and maximize the effects of these parameters. Preparation, number of estimated cells, and management of the network plan are the three phases for achieving an accurate network plan. Network design planning must consider microcell/macrocell coverage and capacity, indoor and high data coverage, co-location, and migration from global system for mobile communication network. Network optimization requires proper analysis of network performances.

3G Planning Methodologies and Tools

This chapter discusses the type of planning and optimization methods that enable a planner to determine which types of radio frequency propagation models are best suited to different and challenging environments. The chapter also elucidates the fundamental aspect of third-generation (3G) planning, which is represented by the Monte Carlo simulations and the various parameters required for it. It also illustrates the importance of mapping data and test measurements for calibration purposes. Static analysis (calculations), dynamic simulations, and static simulations are three types of planning methods for 3G. Various propagation models are discussed that enable the planner to select the required model for the specific environment to be planned.

Nominal Planning and Site Selection

This chapter discusses the process of cell planning, site selection, and radio and transmission requirements. With vigilant and skilled planning, the required coverage, capacity, and quality of service (CCQ), can be achieved from the beginning of the radio networks life cycle, and simultaneously, an adaptable network topology can be enabled for future growth. A nominal plan is initially classed as a hypothetical network or an imaginary network whereby prospective cells are theoretically located within the desired coverage area. Spreadsheet dimensioning, creation of nominal plan, defining search areas, and identifying site options are major elements of nominal planning. A coverage-driven spreadsheet can be constructed along with a capacity-driven spreadsheet and a combined approach can then be modeled. The selection of both a preferred and a back-up site depends on the evaluation of both the radio coverage and the transmission back haul enabling the traffic to be relayed through the network.

Radio Environments and Microcell Planning

This chapter discusses the issues related to microcell planning in the network design, while taking into account the soft handover design elements, indoor to outdoor environments, and vehicular environments. Accurate microcell and picocell planning is required for high data rate users located in densely populated areas, who generate the bulk revenue. Within universal mobile telephony system (UMTS), it will be possible to have six-sectored sites to enhance both coverage and capacity. The increase experienced in the RF forward gain when using six narrow beam antennas will in turn cause an increase in the coverage area. A six-sector site can lead to an increase in coverage in an area that is served by multiple cells, for example the soft handover region. UMTS (3G) is likely to offer a layered approach for providing coverage and small densely populated areas such as office environments business parks, and airports. must be able to provide high quality, high data rate coverage.

Detailed Network Planning

This chapter discusses the issues associated with network planning, and describes control channel power planning, radio frequency characterization, soft handover (parameter) planning, and inter-frequency handover planning. It provides an idea of how to initiate a planning process, how to develop the necessary procedures, and design the plan for a third-generation network. The chapter also explains soft handover parameter planning, hierarchical cell structures, and code requirements. Effective network planning means finding the optimum compromise between an ideal configuration and the unavoidable constraints that society and the environment place on the design. Detailed network planning requires information such as coverage, capacity, and quality-of-service, requirements to interference levels, transmit power, multiple bit rate services, and different delay throughputs. In addition, network planning needs to consider iterative coverage evaluation, pilot power planning, and implementation of hierarchical cell structuring.

Radio Resource Management

This chapter discusses the important radio resource management (RRM) functions that have an impact on the overall system efficiency and infrastructure costs. RRM handles the utilization of air interface resources and ensures that the data throughput of the radio access network can be efficiently managed, for example management of the power, spectrum, and channels available. RRM is responsible for providing the optimal tradeoff scenario between the three key parameters—coverage, capacity, and quality-of-service model (CCQ). This chapter describes different types of blocking with regard to RRM. The admission control, load control, packet scheduler, and power control must all be considered along with the handover mechanism. Each of these parameters must be understood to enable the planner to correctly construct the network plan while ensuring the required QoS can be achieved at the optimal levels possible.

Chapter Twelve – Optimization through Detailed Site and Antenna Configuration

This chapter discusses the fundamental issues with respect to site and antenna configurations. Antennas are defined mainly by their radiation characteristics. Radiation patterns can be thought of as two-dimensional images, they illustrate how much energy the antenna is able to radiate and in which direction. To quantify the shape of the radiation pattern, the half power beam width, side and rear lobes, and main beam tilt need to be defined. Parameters such as the location, obstructions, antenna type and configuration, cable runs, and interference issues should be taken into account for accurately predicting the antennas propogation pattern.need to be taken into consideration. The configuration also ensures that optimal coverage, capacity, and quality of service (CCQ) can be achieved, along with ensuring that cost savings can be made by employing the correct types of site configurations within different types of environments.

UMTS (3G) Development and Future Technologies

This chapter discusses the existing developments in universal mobile telephony system (UMTS) services along with some of the possible future technologies. UMTS services consist of numerous components that provide a variety of information to the end users, such as Internet service providers, content providers, mobile, and virtual mobile network operators. It is indicated that various methods will emerge for individual users for accessing, managing, and controlling vast amounts of information from many diverse sources. The need for both mobility and information access is likely to increase and hence, the requirement for widespread access to information is still driving UMTS forward, though at a slow pace at present. For UMTS to survive, it is critical for both the vendors and operators to resolve the technical issues in a timely manner and offer the promised services at an affordable price to the end user.

Chapter Five – 3G Co-planning and Co-existence

This chapter discusses the crucial co-location issues with regard to both third-generation planning and network roll-out. The chapter also describes the major issues and pitfalls to be considered when co-planning for a universal telephony mobile system (UMTS) network. The chapter also addresses the intermodulation, isolation, interference, and adjacent channel leakage issues, all of which have a detrimental effect on the coverage parameter of the coverage, capacity, and quality-of-service model. Uplink calculations and uplink simulations are explained along with UMTS carriers, frequency sharing, and guard bands. The network planner should have the desired knowledge to ensure that co-existence can be implemented with minimal disruption to the networks involved. The chapter also examines how performing uplink simulations provide a good insight into how the network behaves with respect to the required coverage, how and why guard bands are implemented, and the possibilities for intersystem handovers.