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Abstract
QoS improvement can be achieved by expanding the
Despite the wide theoretical and technical knowledge coverage area and by optimally utilizing the available
about the capabilities of Global System for Mobile resources on both the access and the core network parts.
communications (GSM) elements, there is no specific An “optimized” network:
methodology for designing from scratch either the
Network Sub-System (NSS) nor the Base Station § increases network availability and efficiency,
Subsystem (BSS) parts or optimizing and expanding the § increases subscriber satisfaction by improving the
existing NSS/BSS architecture, by forecasting future overall network quality,
requirements in terms of network elements/resources. § increases competitiveness,
Thus, for an evolving network operator who wishes to § reduces operational costs
have a network running at lower cost, offering a
and therefore, shall constitute one of the “core” network
competitive Quality of Service (QoS) to its subscribers,
planning and dimensioning activities.
a Planning, Optimization & Forecasting Tool
(POFTool) is of pivotal importance. Despite the wide theoretical and technical knowledge
about the capabilities of GSM elements [1], there is no
This paper aims at identifying the main features of a
specific methodology for designing from scratch either
proper POFTool that efficiently supports dimensioning
the NSS nor the BSS parts or optimizing and expanding
and optimization studies for combined GSM / General
the existing NSS/BSS architecture, by forecasting future
Packet Radio System (GPRS) networks and to propose
requirements in terms of network elements/resources. In
an evaluation methodology which enables the
most cases, the operator instinctively chooses one of the
prioritization of alternative core network configurations
alternative configurations, mainly based on previous
according to operator-driven criteria.
experience, availability and ease. It is obvious that this
is not the proper way for operating an optimized
1 Introduction network. This task requires intense and persistent effort,
The revenue increase is of pivotal importance for each time the network configuration needs to be
every mobile network operator. Operators’ strategies changed. Things are getting more complicated for
focus on capturing new subscribers, reducing churn, network designers due to the introduction of the GPRS
increasing customers’ loyalty, increasing subscriber related elements and the incorporation of IP-based
satisfaction in service provisioning, reducing fraud, etc. backbone data network to the existing GSM
Among the “methods” used are: the enrichment of infrastructure.
service portfolio with new, innovative services attractive GSM/GPRS architecture [1-5] is illustrated in Figure
and relevant to the user, service differentiation offerings, 1.
handset subsidization, QoS improvements, etc.
SMS-GMSC type) increase dramatically. To select the optimum
SM-SC
SMS-IWMSC scenario (as well as the evolution steps) a methodology
E C to identify, evaluate and prioritize them, based on
Gd certain operator-driven criteria, is mandatory.
MSC/VLR HLR For an evolving network operator who wishes to have
Gs
D a network running at lower cost, offering a competitive
A Gc QoS to its subscribers, a POFTool, fulfilling many
Gr
Gb Gi diverse requirements (see section 2), is of pivotal
TE MT BSS SGSN GGSN PDN TE importance.
Gn
R Um Gn Gf
Gp The purpose of this paper is to identify the main
EIR features of a proper POFTool that efficiently supports
SGSN GGSN dimensioning and optimization studies for GSM/GPRS
networks and to propose a methodology, which enables
Other PLMNs
the identification of candidate network evolution
Signalling Interface
scenarios and their prioritization according to operator-
Signalling and Data Transfer Interface
driven criteria.
(section 3.3.2.3).
IDENTIFICATION
Traffic Estimation
SCENARIOS
Traffic
Traffic
Data
Data
3.3.2.1 The Evaluation Criteria
Apply Dimensioning
Rules An exhaustive list of criteria according to which the
identified scenarios will be evaluated is given below:
Net.
Net.Elem.
Elem.
Identify # of Required Data
Data q Cost (Q1): This factor will be highly determined by
Network Elements
the number of new elements or upgrades of existing
Evaluation
Evaluation
ones (MSCs, SGSNs, GGSNs, ATM/IP switches)
Apply Evaluation Criteria
EVALUATION
Methodology Values
Values
elements the lower the cost. It should be stressed
Prioritized List of Weighting that the re-use shall be considered in a network-
Weighting
Candidate Scenarios Factors wide approach (i.e., transfer of material to another
Factors
GA).
q Reusability (Q2): This factor concerns the degree
SELECTION
SCENARIO
OPTIMUM
Dimensioning Sub-Tool
Config.
of reusing the existing infrastructure (network
Config.
Data
Data
elements) in the GA under consideration so as to
fulfil the network “evolution requirements”.
q Transferability (Q3): This factor concerns the
Figure 3: Proposed Evaluation Methodology possibility of transferring redundant network
elements -not considered for future use- from the
3.3.1 Candidate Scenarios Identification Phase GA under study to another GA fulfilling the latter
GA’s network “evolution requirements”.
The aim of this phase is the identification of the
number and type of required GSM/GPRS elements, q Performance (Q4): This factor is mainly
based on the corresponding dimensioning rules (see determined by the capacity/load offset. It can be
network-elements related data). decomposed into three sub-criteria:
§ (Q41) Performance with regard to the number
The GSM dimensioning requires the estimation of the of subscribers.
“BSS traffic”4 and the “transit traffic”5, while the GPRS
§ (Q42) Performance with regard to the BSS
traffic handled.
of number of subscribers, max. BHCA, etc. can be utilized. The same
applies for SGSNs in terms of the number of attached subscribers and
the throughput. 5
This traffic stream represents the mobile-originating/terminating
4
This traffic stream represents the sum of the originating and the traffic destined/ coming to/from POIs (PSTN, other PLMNs, internet)
terminating traffic (in Erl) from/to the BTSs. connected to the G-MSCs and GGSNs.
§ (Q43) Performance with regard to the transit Criterion Factor
traffic handled. Performance W11
q Simplicity (Q5): This criterion concerns the Group 1 New Generation Network Elements W12
minimum number of required network elements to Reusability-Transferability-Simplicity W13
handle sufficiently the total traffic. The minimum
Cost W21
the number of network elements is, the lower the Group 2
number of interconnections/routes/links required Reusability-Transferability-Simplicity W22
and therefore the lower the network complexity is. Reusability W31
q New Generation Elements (Q6): This criterion Group 3 Transferability W32
will be of high value in supporting the operator's Simplicity W33
decision to use new generation network elements Table 1: Weighting Factors
types in the future.
3.3.2.2 Algorithm Description Cost
4 Conclusions
In this paper the main features of a POFTool enabling
mobile operators to optimize their network and forecast
future requirements concerning network elements and
resources have been presented.
In addition a network evolution methodology based
on which the operator can evaluate alternative network
configuration scenarios and prioritize them according to
specific criteria. Finally an application example of this
methodology was given.
References
[1] M. Mouly, M.-B. Pautet, “The GSM system for
mobile communications”, published by the
authors, Palaiseau, France, 1992.
[2] J. Cai, D.J. Goodman, “General packet radio
service in GSM”, IEEE Commun. Mag., Vol. 35,
No. 10, Oct. 1997.
[3] R. Kalden, I. Meirick, M. Meyer, “Wireless
Internet access based on GPRS”, IEEE Personal
Commun., Vol. 7 No. 2, April 2000.
[4] ETSI GSM 3.60 version 7.1.0 Release 1998
"Digital Cellular Telecommunications System
(Phase 2); General Packet Radio Service
(GPRS); Service Description; Stage 2".
[5] C.Bettstetter, H. Vogel, J. Eberspacher, "GSM
Phase 2+ General Packet Radio Service GPRS:
Architecture, Protocols, and Air-Interface", IEEE
Communications Survey, vol. 2 no. 3, 3rd Quarter
1999, http://www.comsoc.org/pubs/surveys.
[6] Anne DePiante Henriksen and Ann Jensen
Traynor, "A Practical R&D Project
Selection Scoring Tool", IEEE Trans. on
Engineering Management, Vol. 46, No.2, May
1999.