Solution

Precision network planning for green mobile networks

Precision network planning

for green mobile networks

Precision mobile network planning helps operators optimally allocate network resources, reduce power consumption, enhance network performance, and build efficient, eco-friendly mobile networks.
By Yang Bo
unnecessary sites, curtail site survey costs, and reduce power consumption.

Two complementary clouds

Broadband networks have to meet the high-speed data service requirements of specific user groups as well as the general requirements of subscribers. For example, greater network resources are demanded in top-grade office buildings, high-class residential areas, large shopping centers, airports, galleries, and coffee shops. As conventional macro-cell networks are failing to cater to high use areas, Huawei has proposed the Two Clouds concept, comprising the continuous cloud and the high speed cloud. The continuous cloud targets average user groups and aims to meet their data service requirements through the wide coverage capabilities of high power distributed BTSs or macro BTSs. The high speed cloud is designed to meet higher level usage and is typically deployed in densely-populated urban areas and comprises low power micro BTSs, such as Pico, ePico, and Home AP, that cover narrower areas, The two clouds complement each other by combining low and high power BTSs, which significantly reduces network power consumption and greatly improves throughput perception and network coverage quality.

Precision planning and coverage on demand

adio network planning usually employs 3D digital maps to i d e n t i f y l a n d u s e p ro f i l e s , ranging from densely-populated urban and factories to open land and rural area. However, a limited accuracy of around 20m coupled with map makers patchy knowledge of local terrain tends to cause errors, such as clutter and size. Huawei has solved these problems with its Visual Aid Planning system, integrating highly accurate 5m resolution satellite

images and visual environments, such as Google Earth Pro, with the Huawei network planning software, GENEX U-Net. The solutions output can be displayed on traditional digital maps in a visual environment setting, vastly increasing coverage prediction accuracy. Combined with Huaweis Smart Cell Planning module, the system dynamically adjusts cells azimuths and downtilt in line with clutter definition and provides recommendation for transmission power and network installation. The Visual Aid Planning method precisely identifies the network coverage area and target, which helps operators eliminate

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Huawei Communicate

Optimized network resource allocation

The Huawei SingleRAN CoRNP&RNO (Radio Network Planning a n d R a d i o Ne t w o rk Op t i m i z a t i o n ) solution uses a unified tool platform to collaboratively plan and optimize multiple networks, such as GSM and UMTS. The solution optimally allocates network resources and requires just one team. Collaborative coverage planning provides an area-specific coverage mode to achieve seamless network coverage with adjacent networks, save site resources, and avoid wasted additional investment. Collaborative capacity planning tailors service strategies to different user groups, which efficiently utilizes network resources and maximizes network capacity. Collaborative quality planning optimizes network parameters to promote intersystem cooperation, improve network KPIs, and boost user experience. The solution incorporates an analytical platform that ser ves to assess status and then optimize the performance of multiple networks. Collaborative R a d i o Re s o u r c e Ma n a g e m e n t ( C o RRM) effectively identifies inefficient resource use and balances traffic to avoid congestion. Collaborative interference analysis can analyze and thus reduce network interference to avoid issues such as excessive power transmission of wireless network and increased power consumption by mobile phones.

Power sharing
Statistics show that the power used by radio-frequency (RF) elements accounts for around 40% of the total power consumption in a site. Multi-Carrier Power Allocation/Power Sharing (MCPA) technology can improve coverage by 8% to 20%, with a given static output power from the power amplifier. The following table shows the power and coverage improvements in cells (S3 and S4) each with one multi-RF unit (MRFU) when MCPA is deployed.

transfer excessive UEs from an overloaded cell to low-load cells based on a specified load limit. Doing so reduces the access rejection rate and increases system capacity. Interference Control and Interference Coordination (ICIC): Coordinates different edge bands between neighboring cells to reduce inter-cell interference. ICIC raises the throughput of cell-edge UEs by up to 20%, thus improving user experience.

Intelligent Combiner Bypass

Intelligent Combiner Bypass technology can reduce power consumption by about 30% in low traffic cases. For heavy traffic, half the power (3dB) in a double-density module is lost after a combiner subsumes two carriers. The Intelligent Combiner Bypass configures one carrier to support traffic when traffic is low. Power Booster technology configures a double-density modulesuch as DTRU, DRFU, and DRRUas a single-carrier module. After modulation and digitalto-analogue (DA) conversion, RF signals enter the power amplifier by two outputs, and are then combined. This kind of combiner amplifies double signal power as the phases of the two signal outputs are fully aligned. In this way, Intelligent Combiner Bypass technology significantly reduces the power used by BTSs whilst keeping the same transmission power.

Self-organizing Network
The Self-organizing Network (SON) solution curtails OPEX, the CAPEX i n c u r re d by n e t w o rk p l a n n i n g a n d optimization, and the carbon footprint of networks. Huawei has allocated considerable resources to SON development and has already commercially launched its solution. SON mainly provides the following features: Au t o Ne i g h b o r Re l a t i o n ( A N R ) : Automatically discovers neighboring cells to minimize missed cells, maximize handover success, and reduce the time locating neighboring cells and the power consumption of mobile phones. Mobility Robust Optimization (MRO): Reduces abnormal handovers by balancing premature and delayed handovers. The MRO forward or reverse adjusts the Cell Individual Offset (CIO) in line with the delayed/premature handover ratio, and can also adjust the A2 threshold in an intersystem environment. Mobility Load Balancing (MLB): Negotiates with neighboring cells and modifies relevant mobility parameters to

Distributed BTS
The Distributed Base Station system innovated by Huawei allows RRUs to be mounted close to antennas, which nearly doubles antenna output power and significantly increases network coverage. The number of BTSs required is reduced by around 30% and power consumption is cut by between 30% and 40%. In addition, distributed BTSs do not require an equipment room, which realizes a zero footprint, and reduces the requirements on feeders and tower mounted amplifiers. In 2007, Vodafone reported that its legacy BTS in Spain consumed around 925W to yield 20W to antennas. The new Huawei BTSs use just 480W to produce 40W at the top of cabinet, meaning that each BTS annually saves an average of 3.9MWh.
Editor: Liu Zhonglin liuzhonglin@huawei.com
FEB 2010 . ISSUE 54

Reducing power use with multiple technologies

Table 1 BTS power and coverage improved by MCPA TRXs Static Set-top Power Dynamic Shared Set-top Power Power Increase Coverage Radius Increase Coverage Area Increase 3

4 20W / 43dBm 27W / 44.3dBm 1.3dB About 9% About 18%

27W / 44.3dBm 31W / 44.9dBm 0.6dB About 4% About 8%

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