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Optimization Methodology
Using GSM Fort
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May 2008
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Table of Contents
1
Introduction .............................................................................................. 3
4.2
4.3
Frequency Planning................................................................................. 11
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
7.2
Feature Activation......................................................................................... 16
7.3
Hopping ...................................................................................................... 16
Project Planning...................................................................................... 17
Introduction
This document presents the methodology for optimizing any GSM network (single
band or dual band markets GSM900/DCS1800 or GSM850/PCS1900) using
Schemas GSM Forts optimization tool.
The complete optimization cycle includes:
Preliminary analysis
Set-up Recording
Neighbor Optimization
Frequency Planning
This document offers a general approach to the optimization process, and is not
meant to replace the existing training document used for each vendor (Seven Basic
Steps to Optimize an Ericsson Market).
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INITIAL RECORDING
(OPTIONNAL)
FINAL RECORDING
NEIGHBOR OPTIMIZATION
FINAL RETUNE
TRAFFIC PARAMETERS
FINE TUNING
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NEIGHBOR OPTIMIZATION
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MS Recording Creation
The MS recording process must be performed carefully to minimize the length of the
project, especially with regard to Siemens, Alcatel, Motorola, Huawei, or Nortel,
where the BA list cannot be modified by the user, but only through the creation of
fake neighbors.
4.1
4.2
BSIC Check
Before beginning recording, the Fort BCCH-BSIC Reuse report should be checked to
ensure that the BSIC plan does not include any close BCCH/BSIC reuses.
Any reuse below 5 or 10 km (depending on the willingness of the customer to make
changes) should be corrected, and a new BSIC implemented, to avoid decoding
problems during the modeling phase.
4.3
Recording Implementation
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The Fort Cross Band Measurements feature is available for dual band networks.
While it is possible and recommended to measure both bands in a dual band
network, when more than one band is measured, the measurement recording time
increases. Therefore, this feature should only be used in one of the circumstances
described above.
Note than cross-band measurements are not available in Siemens, so the only way
to evaluate cross band impact is by using the Fort Cross Band Measurements
feature.
4.3.2 Shadow-Breaking
Recordings should provide the most accurate model possible. Because of shadowing
(blind spots), they may be useful to perform an initial retune and collect two sets of
recordings (before and after the initial retune). For example, two sectors using the
same BCCH will be considered shadowed. The interference between the two will only
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The BCCH reuse report before a project shows the number of close BCCH reuses
below 5 km may indicate poor BCCH planning and high shadowing
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4.3.3 Conclusion
An initial retune is recommended for markets having less than 20 BCCHs. MS
statistics should be recorded before and after the retune.
In dual band markets, the capacity layer (DCS 1800) does not always require a
shadow-breaking retune. Since twice the recording time is required, only one retune
(one set of recordings) should be implemented for that layer. The recordings should
be made after dual-band parameter optimization is implemented, if possible.
If additional time is available, inter-band (cross-band) measurements could be
recorded.
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Neighbor Optimization
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Frequency Planning
Frequency plans can be prepared separately for both bands, according to the Fort
methodology.
6.1
Several frequency planning strategies are available to operators, which involve BCCH
vs. TCH planning, hopping vs. non-hopping strategy, and base band hopping vs.
synthesized hopping.
Activating frequency hopping will maximize improvement to the network.
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6.2
Hopping Method
Extensive planning is required, since a new frequency must be planned for every
new TRX in the system (TRX addition or new cells)
2. The standard SFH (SFH1:1 or SFH1:3), involves splitting a spectrum into two
separate groups of frequencies for BCCH and TCH -- two blocks or a staggered
allocation (1 BCCH, 1 TCH). The disadvantages are:
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The main advantage of SFH is that it does not requires extensive planning, so that
TRX or new sites can easily be added to the network, which is especially good for
fast-growing markets. In addition, SFH brings the quality gain of hopping even to
cells with low number of TRXs, since the number of hoppers is much greater than the
number of TRXs.
3.
SFH Ad Hoc is a different version of SFH that allows planning a specific MAL
(with a different frequency and length) for each sector, instead of a fixed MAL used
by all sectors (SFH 1:1). MAL length is based on the number of TRXs in each cell.
Normally, a minimum of three or four hoppers is used for each cell with a MAL length
equal to the number of TRXs+1.
SFH Ad Hoc planning reintroduces frequency planning within SFH, and keeps SFH
quality gain even for cells with few TRXs. Random collisions are avoided through the
Interference matrix that Fort creates.
6.3
Two dedicated groups of frequencies for BCCH and TCH should be used with SFH
(especially with fixed MAL), but this does not necessarily mean that there will be two
frequency blocks.
A staggered BCCH vs. TCH plan can be used, interleaving some blocks of BCCH and
TCH within the spectrum:
Example 1: available spectrum 1-24, channels 1-2 will be TCH, 3-4 BCCH
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Example 1
1 TCH
2 TCH
3 BCCH
4 BCCH
5 TCH
6 TCH
7 BCCH
8 BCCH
9 TCH
10 TCH
11 BCCH
12 BCCH
13 TCH
14 TCH
15 BCCH
16 BCCH
17 TCH
18 TCH
19 BCCH
20 BCCH
21 TCH
22 TCH
23 BCCH
24 BCCH
Example 2
1 TCH
2 BCCH
3 TCH
4 BCCH
5 TCH
6 BCCH
7 TCH
8 BCCH
9 TCH
10 BCCH
11 TCH
12 BCCH
13 TCH
14 BCCH
15 TCH
16 BCCH
17 TCH
18 BCCH
19 TCH
20 BCCH
21 TCH
22 BCCH
23 TCH
24 BCCH
Capacity: Along with SFH1:1 or SFH1:3, the staggered plan allows use of all
available MAIO, so that more TRXs can be planned.
Quality: The staggered plan increases frequency diversity more than using two
blocks, especially when limited frequencies are available.
6.4
Fort offers a highly accurate Interference Matrix, based on real traffic distribution
within the network.
To obtain the best possible quality vs. capacity ratio, a non-random frequency
planning strategy should be used, such as:
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Base band hopping for markets with many TRXs/ cells (3 or more TRX/cells),
including free BCCH/ TCH planning.
SFH Ad Hoc planning, preferably with dedicated BCCH and TCH channels (blocked
or staggered to increase frequency diversity) for markets with limited spectrum
or few TRX/cell (2 TRX/cells average).
Both methods have advantages and disadvantages, but also significantly increase
network performance and capacity.
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Parameter Optimization
7.1
This topic is covered in a separate document that deals only with Dual band markets.
7.2
Feature Activation
GSM Fort easily checks the activation status of the major GSM features, including
Intra cell Handover, Power control, DTX, and TCH allocation strategy.
When the environment is exported to Schema format, it can be checked, regardless
of vendor, using the Sector and Channel Group.txt files.
The Sector.txt file includes the Intra-cell Handover activation status and the TCH
allocation strategy used in the network.
The TCH allocation priority should be set to TCH first in the case of SFH (which is
irrelevant when base band is used) since hopping gain provides better quality on
the TCH layer.
The Channel group.txt file includes the DTX and Power control activation status:
DTX Uplink should always be activated (downlink may provide some benefit, but
also results in voice quality distortions).
Power control should be activated on both links (if only 1 TRX is present, PC DL
cannot be activated).
7.3
Hopping
Frequency hopping should always be activated (either BB or SFH) and all sectors in
the optimization set and guard zone should use it.
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Optimization Activities
Project Preparation and Logistic
Kickoff meeting
NBR Clean-up
MS Statistics Collection (900 ) (*)
Network Modeling/Planning
Dual-band Parameters Optimization
Frequency plan implementation
MS Statistics Collection (1800 cross band) (**)
MS Statistics Collection (900 and 1800) (***)
Network Modeling/Analysis
Neighbor list implementation
Frequency Plan Implementation
Fine tuning of fP and parameters
BB Hopping Activation
Performance collection/analysis
Performance Benchmarking Before
Performance Benchmarking After
Final Report Preparation
N1 N2 N3
N1 N2
N1 N2 N3 N4 N5
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Day33
Day32
Day31
Day30
Day29
Day26
Day27
Day28
Day25
Day24
Day23
Day22
Day21
Day20
Day19
Day18
Day17
Day16
Day15
Day14
Day13
Day12
Day11
Day10
Day9
Day8
Day5
Day6
Day7
Day4
Day3
Day2
Project Planning
Day1