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LTE Reviews

PCI Analysis
Planning & Optimization

Paulo Campolina
Sr. RF Engineer / June, 2016

Page 1

LTE Cell Search Description

PCI

Cell search is the first procedure executed by an UE (User Equipment) to connect to the LTE network.
After tuning on the strongest frequency channel depending upon which bands it is supporting.
This procedure demands the synchronization of radio symbols and frames between the UE and the
eNodeB.
To achieve that, two synchronization signals are broadcasted by the eNodeB every 10 ms:
Primary Synchronization Signal, PCI- ID (PSS)
It is present in subframes 0 and 5 (OFDM symbol 6) and is mapped on 72 subcarriers in the middle of
the band. From PSS, the UE is also able to obtain physical layer identity (0 to 2).
It is used to detect the carrier frequency and the SCH symbol timing.
Secondary Synchronization Signal, PCI- group (SSS)
It is present in subframe 0 and 5 (OFDM symbol 5), and is also mapped on 72 subcarriers in the middle
of the band. The SSS is 168 sequence number (0 to 167).
It is used to synchronize the UE to the frame timing.
One frame (10 ms)

6 resource blocks
(72 center sub-carriers)

PSS

SSS

Page 2

LTE Cell Search Description

PCI

Using physical layer identity and cell identity group number, the UE knows the PCI for this cell now.
In LTE 504 physical layer cell identities (PCI) are allowed and are divided into unique 168 cell layer identity
groups where each group consist of three physical layer identity.
As mentioned earlier, UE detects physical layer identity from PSS and physical layer cell identity group from
SSS. Assuming physical layer identity = 1 and cell identity group=2 then the PCI for given cell is
PCI = 3*(Physical layer cell identity group)+ physical layer identity = 3*2+1 = 7
Once the UE knows the PCI for a given cell, it also knows the location of cell Reference signals as shown in
figure (red and black squares). Reference signals are used in channel estimation, cell selection / reselection
and handover procedures.
The figure shows the CRS pattern in time and frequency for one
Physical Resource Block (PRB) and Transmission Time Interval
(TTI) with the normal cyclic prefix.
The squares represent the Resource Elements (REs), each one
consisting of a combination of a subcarrier and an OFDM
Symbol.
The CRSs are always transmitted in the same OFDM symbol for
all PRBs in the cell, regardless of PCI value.
But in the Frequency Domain, the value of The PCI defines the
frequency shift of CRSs from a limited set of values, defined by :
Function MOD-6 of the PCI (One antenna port)
Function MOD-3 of the PCI (Two or four antenna ports)
Page 3

LTE Cell Search Description

PCI

Page 4

LTE Cell Search Description

PCI

Detection of carrier frequency

PSS

Detection of SCH symbol timing


Identification of cell ID (0-2)

Detection of radio frame timing


SSS

Detection of cell ID group (0-167) PCI


Detection of MIMO & CP configuration

Read System Info & RS


timing
sequence
frequency shift

Page 5

PCI Planning

PCI

For each cell, PCIi = 3Sj + Pk


i = 0 503
j = 0 167 group
k=02

ID

The sequence for the SSS signal is generated as follows:


m0 = m mod 31

m1 = [m0+INT(m/31)+1] mod 31
m = Sj+q(q+1)/2
q = INT((Sj+q(q+1)/2)/30); q = INT(Sj/30)

Group #0

Group #1

Group #2

Group #167

PCI0

PCI3

PCI6

PCI501

PCI7 PCI8

PCI502PCI503

PCI1 PCI2

PCI4

ID5

Simulations hint that the following combinations at adjacent cells will give bad performance, i.e. long
synchronization times and high interference:
Same ID, i.e. same k

Same m0
Same m1
For example, PCIi = 0 PCIi = 3, 6, 498, 501 and 1, 2, 90, 91, 92, 177, 178, 179, 261, 262, 263, 342, 343,
344, 420, 421, 422, 495, 496, 497 are not optimal combinations for adjacent cells. This is valid for the case
when cells are synchronized.

Page 6

PCI Planning

PCI

The number of possible patterns of pilot (CRS) depends on the antenna configuration, but it is less than 6.
CRS collision degrades the SINR estimation reported by the UE to the eNodeB, and affects the modulation
and coding schemes (MCS) for downlink transmission.
An eNodeB should be PCI collision and confusion free.
Collision free PCI means that two adjacent cells do not have same PCI
Confusion free PCI means that a cell may not have neighbors with same PCI
Also, frequency shift plays an important role during the PCI assignment. The PCI itself gives the frequency
shift through the formula below
P0 = PCI mod 6 + k.6
P1 = (PCImod6) mod3 +k.6 ,
Where,
k = 0 or 1,
P0= 1st Reference Signal position and
P1 = 2nd Reference Signal position.
So, an eNodeB with same frequency
shift cause interference.

Page 7

PCI Planning Schemes

PCI

There are two main strategy options:


a) Neighboring sites are grouped into clusters, and each cluster is assigned a limited number of Code Groups.
Each site is assigned to a specific Code Group and each sector a specific Color Group.

0
1
2

0
0
4
8

1
3
7
11

2
6
10
14

......
......

0
1
2

0
0
8
16

1
3
11
19

2
6
14
22

......
......

......

......

162
486
490
494

163
489
493
497

164
492
496
500

165
495
499
503

166
498
502
2

167
501
1
5

162
486
494
502

163
489
497
1

164
492
500
4

165
495
503
7

166
498
2
10

167
501
5
13

Alt. 1

Alt. 2

PCIs should be split into 3 different color groups and 168 code groups.
Code groups should be reserved for special purposes, e.g. in-building and PLMN borders or for future
expansions.
If a color group is assigned per sector and a code group is assigned per site, this will eliminate the risk of
having the same k or frequency shift in the same site, in adjacent cells or pointing at each other.
b) Random planning , i.e. PCI plan that does not consider PCI grouping and does not follow any specific reuse
pattern

Page 8

PCI Planning Schemes

PCI
P
12

2
2
0
2

1
0
1
0

Assign a color group


to each sector and a
code group per site

11
2

1
0

1
0

0
1

22

24

1 27
0

0
1

30

33

25

28

1
0

31

1
0

2
1
2

40 0

45
2

38

1
0

2
1

41

44

46
2

39

42

1
0

k=2 Color group 2

36 0
2

k=1 Color group 1

35 0
2

2
1

k=0 Color group 0

37 0

43

2
1

2
1

34
2

35

18

23

15

2
1

20

1
0

2
1

17

02

32

19

14

0
1

2
1

26

29

2
1

2
1

16

2
1

2
1

2
1

10
2

7
2

13

1
0
1

1
0
1

Typically 10-15 3-sector sites in a cluster.


Use a subset of the code groups in each cluster.
If there are ~70 code groups available, PCIs may be repeated every fifth or sixth cluster.
Structured planning like this eliminates the risk of having conflicting k or frequency shift in the same site, in
adjacent cells or pointing at each other.
Also the risk of having conflicting SSS sequences in adjacent cells is reduced although this may appear at
cluster borders.

Page 9

PCI Planning Schemes

PCI

The first strategy option is recommended to use in order to avoid non-optimal PCI combinations for adjacent
cells.
When planning PCIs the following priority orders are recommended:
The same PCIs should be avoided within the same site and as neighbors.
PCIs with conflicting k values should be avoided within the same site and as neighbors.
PCIs with conflicting m0 and m1 values should be avoided within the same site and as neighbors.
Reasons for not following these rules strictly:
Will not work in an irregular pattern (see previous slide).
Will cause a lot of limitations on neighbors and neighbor lists have to be shortened.

Page 10

PCI Interference

PCI

PSS allocation defines the alignment of the CRS or data RE between neighbor cells.
Depending on the scheme, more interference can occur on CRS or on data RE (PDCCH and/or PDSCH).
Shifted Reference Signals: Using different PSSs in adjacent cells, the CRSs are allocated in different
subcarriers within a PRB.
Non-Shifted Reference Signals: Using the same PSSs in adjacent cells, the CRSs are aligned and cause
collisions among the adjacent cells.

Page 11

PCI Interference

PCI

So, the levels of interference in the downlink, can be affected by the PSS plan / configuration, apart from
the propagation environment and the traffic distribution in time and space.

Page 12

PCI Interference Mitigation

PCI

The allocation of physical layer cell identities is analogous to the scrambling code planning for UMTS.
The isolation between cells which are assigned the same physical layer cell identity should be sufficiently
great to ensure that UE never simultaneously receive the same identity from more than a single cell.
Specific physical layer cell identities can be excluded from the plan, to allow for future network expansion.
Whenever possible, cells belonging to the same eNodeB should be allocated identities from within the
same group.
In priority order, it should fulfilled:
- Avoid assigning the same PCI to neighbour cells.
- Avoid assigning the same mod3 (PCI) to neighbour cells.
- Avoid assigning the same mod6(PCI) to neighbour cells.
- Avoid assigning the same mod30 (PCI) to neighbour cells.

Mod30 PCI to avoid UL-DM


RS interference in case
grpAssigPUSCH=0

Mod3 PCI to avoid


Reference Signal pollution
in case of n-ports antenna ,
where n>1

Id = 0
Id = 2

Id = 6
Id = 8

Id = 1
Id = 3
Id = 5

Id = 7
Id = 9

Id =
11
Id = 4

Id =
10
Page 13

PCI Interference Mitigation

PCI

In order to mitigate any issue with the PCI, some analysis / tools should be done:

Run a prediction tool , like Atoll, Planet etc., with an updated database and propagation models. This
will provide a relative accurate indication of possible interference matrix. It will consider:

Latitude/Longitude

Azimuth

RAD Center of the Site

Electrical/Mechanical Tilts

Antenna system configuration (model, Eirp etc.)

PCI

Band

Propagation/Coverage Footprint of the Sector

Clutter/Building data

In networks with a non standard azimuths distribution, the graph next page may support strategies to
be applied. Approach:

Identify sites that do not follow:

PSS = 0 , sector alpha

PSS = 1, sector beta

PSS = 2, sector gamma


Page 14

PCI Interference Mitigation

PCI

Evaluate PCI of co PCI < 10 km after morphology, TA, SINR and HO measurements analysis (all
analysis tools are already available in ENIQ).

Evaluate PSS MOD_3 of sites with distance smaller than 1 mi. Dense urban, metro, urban and
suburban.

Propose changes and strategy according to clusters and site weight.

The distribution in the graph shows that the sectors are oriented over a wide range of azimuths.

The azimuth planning (design) followed CDMA existing network, which target coverage on expense
of standard azimuths.

Page 15

PCI Interference Mitigation

PCI

So based on this restriction, the best possible PCI retune cab be designed and implemented .

Another approach is to correlate Sectors with low Sec Throughput (network measured) with the
results of the prediction toll or any other tool that presents a sort of interference penalties count.

Vide example table below:

earfcndl (OSS)
8665
8321
8763
8165
8640

# Sectors
2369
1716
2260
44
100

DL Avg Sec Throughput MB/s


8.27
7.22
5.76
7.67
10.69

Criteria for Low Speeds :


For all sectors where DL Sec Speeds are less
than 80%, according to table above.

80%
6.61
5.77
4.60
6.14
8.55

EARFCN / Priority
8165
0
High
Low
Middle
8321
0
High
Low
Middle
8640
0
High
Low
Middle
8665
0
High
Low
Middle
8763
0
High
Low
Middle
Grand Total

Count of Priority Sum of Throughput < AVG Sum of Throughput < AVG2
44
37
3
1
3
1716
1224
190
81
221
100
78
9
3
10
2369
1714
242
112
301
2260
1627
246
107
280
6489

0
0
0
0
0
12
0
12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
40
0
40
0
0
126
0
126
0
0
178

0
0
0
0
0
12
0
12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
40
0
40
0
0
126
0
126
0
0
178
Page 16

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