ACCESS TRANSMISSION NETWORK UPGRADE IN A NATIONWIDE MOBILE NETWORK MODERNIZATION PROJECT FOR EDGE DEPLOYMENT

Dr.Attila HILT, Pter PETRS Dean EMSLEY, Grzegorz RYBARCZYK Nokia Siemens Networks,
NPO, Network Planning and Optimization H-1092 Budapest, Kztelek utca 6. Hungary, attila.hilt@nsn.com
1 2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

INTRODUCTION
there is a continuous demand for capacity increase : new sites, new services, deployment of EDGE, UMTS microwave access networks become very dense most of the networks expanded historically not optimal planning rules were not always kept - planning mistakes several access networks are tipically 510 years old modernization & network optimization projects to meet subscribers expectations better spectral efficiency reduced frequency fees to adopt changing regulations, stricter standards to increase quality and reliability of the network
2 2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

UNOFFICIAL INTRODUCTION real life project learnings

no complicated equations before coffe break please

I PD (k
3

I PD (t ) =

2 E opt + 2E 2 F E2 R + E R F E o p t co s R F t + R F co s 2 R F t + 2 2

E R F E opt 2

co s( 2 o p t R F ) t +

E2 F R co s 2 optt 2

RF

)=

j=1 k = 0 2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

Nj

E out, j

opt, j

)E

* o u t , j+ k

opt, j

+ k

RF

NETWORK MODERNIZATION & OPTIMIZATION

GSM networks developed originally for voice data was not supported most of the GSM networks are tipically 515 years old example of nationwide modernization of operators GSM network simultaneous deployment of EDGE (in parallel with UMTS roll-out) operators goal was to achive a high speed mobile data network not technology specific (EGDE or UMTS) but service oriented modernization projects offer the possibility of network optimization in RF: high mobile data rates (100120 kbit/s typical), better KPIs in TRS: massive capacity upgrades meanwhile: adopting changing regulations, stricter standards, NW assessment, increasing quality and reliability removing historical constraints/planning mistakes in RF&TRS: less interference, better spectral efficiency

2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

GSM Network Architecture EGPRS supports data

SGSN Gn GGSN

BTS A.bis BSC

Gb

A MSC (or MSS)

BTS Radio Network

Access Transmission Network Core Network

EDGE : Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution

5 2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

Evolution of Mobile Data Rates : 1997High Speed Downlink/Uplink Packet Access Universal Mobile Telecommunication Services Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution General Packet Radio Service High Speed Circuit Switched Data Wireless Application Protocol Short Message Service

HSUPA 2008

HSDPA 2007
3.6 Mbit/s

UMTS 2003

EDGE 2002
236.8 kbit/s
(MCS.9)

GPRS 2000
48 kbit/s
(CS.2)

384 kbit/s

WAP, HSCSD 1999 1998

~40 kbit/s

SMS 1997

GSM Evolution

2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

EDGE Modulation and Throughput

GPRS Modulation method Number of bits Symbol rate Air IF burst size Gross rate/air-TSL User TP/air-TSL [bit/symbol] [ksymbol/s] [bits] [kbit/s] [kbit/s] GMSK 1 270.833 114 22.8 14 56 EDGE 8-PSK 3 270.833 348 69.6 59.2 236.8

Max.user TP/air-4TSL [kbit/s]

GMSK

8 PSK

(0,1) (0,0)

(0,0,0) (1,1) (0,0,1)

(0,1,0) (0,1,1) (1,1,1)

(1,0,1) (1,0)
7 2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

(1,1,0) (1,0,0)

EDGE upgrade : SW activation or HW swap

1.) Software upgrade/activation of existing, EDGE capable TRXs in existing UltraSites

2.) TRX upgrades in existing UltraSites (EDGE capable TRXs)

3.) Swap of entire BTS cabinet: Citytalk UltraSite and Flexitalk EDGE capable MetroSite

2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

Network Modernization Example : Site Swaps/Upgrades

more than 2000 BTS were swapped and/or upgraded
red dots : EDGE deloyment on existing TRS NW (D1) green squares : TRS NW upgrade was necessary (D2D7)

2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

Swap/Upgrade of the Base Stations for EDGE

80 70

Sites swapped per week

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
Week No
Sites Swapped

5/ 5/ 2 2 6 7
0

5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 5/ 2 8 2 3 3 9 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 2 3 3 3 4 5 3 6 3 3 7 8 3 4 9 0 4 4 1 2 4 3 4 4 4 5 4 4 6 7 4 8 4 5 5 5 9 0 1 2

6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 1 4 5 1 1 1 6 7 8 1 2 9 0 2 2 1 2 2 3 2 4

6/ 2 5

6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 6/ 2 2 6 7 2 8 2 3 3 3 9 0 1 2 3 3 3 3 4 5 3 3 3 3 6 7 8 9 4 0 4 4 1 2 4 3

6/ 4 4

1 0

8 11 23 23 22 16 21 13 39 25 38 40 29 42 52 51 71 62 61 58 28 0 0 0

5 13 18 17 20 19 15 20 12 29 32 21 24 29 34 33 42 24 37 35 31 42 45 27 27 15 11 4 10 16 26 37 41 35 37 33 42 41 44 39 39

very fast roll-out : 800 Sites in Phase 1, 1200 Sites in Phase 2

10 2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct2008

Concept of Dynamic A-bis Pool (EDAP)

Two sites of 2+2+2 configuration groomed into 1 E1 BTS1 ungroomed, space for future TRX upgrade, 6 TSL EDAP BTS2 ungroomed, space for future TRX upgrade, 6 TSL EDAP

2 BTS sharing 1E1 (2Mbit/s)

1 BTS per 1E1, 1 new 2 Mbit/s A-bis channel required

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Classification of possible problems in EDGE upgrade of sites

D1 : Easy swap site.
Existing TRS capacity is sufficient to activate EDGE after the site is swapped or upgraded. No additional E1 required. D2 : New 2 Mbit/s path must be patched. Patching means remote electrical or local physical cross connections via cables on sites. Existing physical TRS capacity is sufficient, but the entire 2Mbit/s path must be estabilished and checked between BSC and BTS (A-bis) before EDGE activation. Typical example is un-grooming of sites, where sites sharing the same E1, but there is no available A-bis TSL for EDAP (EDGE Dynamic A-bis Pool) D3 : SDH upgrade is required. A-bis path contains SDH section, where 2 Mbit/s upgrade is needed for the BTS. SDH upgrade require activation of existing physical interfaces or insertion of new cards may be required D4 : MW link must be swapped or upgraded. D5 : Leased Line upgrade required. D6 : BSC problem : No more free ET card available in actual BSC, PCU full-up, frozen BSC : BSC rehoming or BSC SW upgrade. D7 : Core NW upgrade is required E.g. SGSN, or Gb interface capacity upgrade.
12 2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

Statistics of TRS problems/upgrades required for EDGE

500 400 300
21.3%

200 100 0

13.3%

10.9%

2.4%

3.5%

TRS problems D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 No of problems

Total 1486 427 267 219 48 70 2517

% of sites 74.2% 21.3% 13.3% 10.9% 2.4% 3.5% 125.7%

D2 patching

D3 SDH

D4 MW

D5 LL

D6 BSC

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Statistics of TRS problem sites

TRS problem Sites D2 D2D3 D2D3D4 D2D3D4D6 D2D3D5 D2D3D6 D2D4 D2D4D6 D2D5 D2D5D6 D2D6 D4 TRS Problem sites Sites without TRS problem Total Total 81 4.0% 110 5.5% 97 4.8% 7 0.3% 22 1.1% 30 1.5% 26 1.3% 7 0.3% 25 1.2% 1 0.0% 26 1.3% 84 4.2% 516 25.8% 1486 74.2% 2002 100%
150

100

50

0
D 2 D 2D 3 D 2D 4 D 2D 5 D 2D 3D D 4 2D 3D 4D 6 D 2D 3D 5 D 2D 3D 6 D 2D 4D 6 D 2D 5D 6 D 2D 6 D 4

Conclusions : Number of sites are not equal with the number of TRS problems. One single site may suffer several TRS problems Solution of a single TRS problem can solve the TRS problem of several sites
14 2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

Network Modernization Example : Topology, MW links (D4)

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Modernization of MW Access Networks

23 GHz example :
Nokia Radio Type Capacity Bandwidth Pout (nominal TX power) VHP2-220A (60 cm) antenna VHLP2-220 (60 cm) antenna VHLP2-23 (60 cm) antenna BER=10-3 threshold, guaranteed BER=10-6 threshold, guaranteed System Gain, (BER=10-3) System Gain, (BER=10-6) System & 2xAnt.Gain, (BER=10-3) System & 2xAnt.Gain, (BER=10-6) Gain increase compared to DH Gain increase compared to DH FlexiHopperPlus 8x2 16x2 7 14 18 18

double capacity in same bandwidth

FlexiHopper 8x2 16x2 14 28 18 18 40.1 40.4 -82 -79 100 97 180.8 177.8 4.6 5.6 40.4 -79 -76 97 94 177.8 174.8 4.6 5.6 -86 -83 104 101 184.2 181.2 8 9 40.1 -83 -80 101 98 181.2 178.2 8 9 -79 -75 96 92 176.2 172.2 0 0 -76 -72 93 89 173.2 169.2 0 0 DynaHopper 8x2 16x2 14 28 17 17 40.1 40.1 Mbit/s MHz dBm dBi dBi dBi dBm dBm dB dB dB dB dB dB

increased system gain

better antenna gain

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2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

Basic Rules of Dense MW Access NW Design

proper use of frequency bands avoid High-Low conflict on sites set transmit power as low as possible use high gain antennas select proper link polarization balance Received Signal Levels at sites use high quality MW radios
17
70
30

monitor the results

2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

Polarization and Distance Rule

always select the proper frequency band : long links lower frequency bands (e.g. 13 or 15 GHz), short links as high frequencies as possible (23, 26, 38 or 58 GHz). in several countries there are local regulations forcing all network operators for efficient band selection. Swiss regulation is shown as an example:
Distance(km) 0.15 52 or 58 GHz Vertical 38 GHz 23 GHz 13 GHz
Horizontal Vertical Horizontal Vertical Horizontal Vertical

7.5

10

12

15

18

2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

High and Low TX Radios

ETSI defines RF channel raster and duplex distance in each frequency band. (In some bands e.g. 15 GHz more duplex distances are standardized.) Low sub-band 1A 2A 3A 4A 5A 6A 7A High sub-band 1B 2B 3B 4B 5B 6B 7B f Duplex (go-return) distance

Tx=4B
H (High TX)

Rx=4A

Rx=4B Tx=4A
L (Low TX)

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2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

Avoiding High - Low Conflicts (near field interference)

High / Low TX channel allocation, all links are in the same band e.g. 23 GHz H new link must be added :

H H L

L H

near interference should be avoided

H/L

Solution 1 :
add one more site into the loop

Solution 2 :
introduce new frequency band

H L

H
new freq. band e.g. 32 or 38 GHz

H
20

L
2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

Setting Transmit Power Properly

only high output power

high output power

high output power

interf erenc e

H
path

high output power L

high and low output power

low output power

L
L
high output power low output power L

H
Preferably try to use low output power but high gain antennas, if possible.
21 2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

Selecting High Gain and High Performance Antennae

Standard
High

Standard antenna

Performance

Interfered site 5-15 dB High Performance antenna

high performance antenna has better gain in main direction and smaller sidelobes in unwanted directions

Un-interfered site

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2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

OSS Monitoring of the Link Parameters

Pout RSL frequency modulation mode 2Mbit/s cross connections IDU configuration

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2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

Roll-Out Speed of Access Network Modernization

MW Link Swaps, Upgrades & New Links 500
PLANNED MW LINKS

links planned links frequency licenced links swapped or upgraded links to be swapped or upgraded
13. 11. 8. 6. Apr. May. Jun. Jul. 2006 3. 31. 28. 26. 23. Aug. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. 2006 2006

Number of microwave links

400

FREQUENCY APPROVED LINKS IMPLEMENTED MW LINKS LINKS TO BE BUILT / SWAPPED

300

200

100

0
1. 29. 27. 24. 22. 19. 16. 16. Sep. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. 2005 2006
24

2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

Topology of Repeater VS803 Optimized for Access Capacity Increase

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2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

Repeater Optimization for Access Capacity Increase

Site name Ollon Site ID VD431 Chavalon Chavalon VS803 VS803 VD954 Territet VD954 VD422 Chavalon Gion VS803 VD454 Chavalon La Chiesaz VS803 VD406 Chavalon Sully VS803 VD417 Chavalon Legier VS803 VD411 Chavalon Corseaux VS803 VD881 Chavalon Pelerin VS803 VD804 Chavalon Mollie Margo Chavalon VS803 VD801 VS803

Link number hop length [km] interference new capacity NEW new channel [MHz] new polarization new fr. band new radio old radio old fr. band OLD old polarization old channel [MHz] old capacity Interference 59

Link 1 11.03 no 4x2

22417.5 23425.5

Link 2 9.4 no 8x2 54

22382.5 23390.5

Link 3 9.11 no 4x2 57

22403.5 23411.5

Link 4 11.33 no 4x2 61

22431.5 23439.5

Link 5 14.49 no 8x2 64

22452.5 23460.5

Link 6 11.29 no 4x2 56

22396.5 23404.5

Link 7 13.25 no 8x2 53

22375.5 23383.5

Link 8 14.7 no 16x2 30

22421 23429

Link 9 17.25 no 32x2 H:12 12912/13178 V:13 12926/13192 X-polar 13 GHz FHP X-polar FH 23 GHz Vertical 16
22442 23450

Link 10 26.08 no 16x2 11

12898 13164

Vertical 23 GHz FH FH 23 GHz Vertical 53

22375.5 23383.5

Horizontal 23 GHz FHP DH 23 GHz Vertical 52

22368.5 23376.5

Vertical 23 GHz FH FH 23 GHz Vertical 57

22403.5 23411.5

Horizontal 23 GHz FH FH 23 GHz Vertical 65

22459.5 23467.5

Vertical 23 GHz FHP DH 23 GHz Vertical 49

22347.5 23355.5

Horizontal 23 GHz FH FH 23 GHz Vertical 59

22417.5 23425.5

Vertical 23 GHz FHP FHP 23 GHz Vertical 66

22466.5 23474.5

Horizontal 23 GHz FHP FH 23 GHz Vertical 14

22386 23394

Vertical 13 GHz FHP FH 13 Vertical 6

12905 13171

4x2 yes

4x2 no

4x2 no

4x2 yes

4x2 yes

4x2 yes

8x2 yes

16x2 yes

16x2 yes

16x2 no

links marked with yellow had interference (all links were Vertical) some links were out of channel range preferred by Authority several links arriving to the repeater in a narrow angle by systematic order of swapping link polarizations between Horizontal and Vertical (H, V, H, V, ) and by swapping out 5 links : access capacity increased from 80x2 Mbit/s up to 104x2 Mbit/s
26 2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

How shouldnt we plan microwave links ?

Strong wind may influence the network quality e.g. by changing polarization from vertical to horizontal

27

2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

How shouldnt we plan microwave links ?

Sometimes the problem may arise when the wind does not blow

28

2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

Try to keep the first Fresnel zone clear

The link was implemented firstbuilding reconstruction came later

29 2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

CONCLUSION
several GSM networks are typically 515 years old modernization with EDGE deployment in GSM networks results of a successful EDGE deployment for a Swiss mobile operator due to mobile systems microwave access networks became very dense continuous demand for capacity increase statistics of the required TRS network upgrades were presented several rules of dense access network design modernization projects give opportunity also for network optimization network optimization example of a repeater showed 24x2 Mbit/s capacity increase for a microwave transmission node

Thank You for Your Attention !

30 2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.

High altitude FlexiHopper radio : JungfrauJoch

FHP radio at 3571 m

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2008 Nokia Siemens Networks - HILT Attila - Budapest , 1-Oct-2008.