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Configuration Options
forLTEeNBs
In terms of service provision, the optimiser needs to be concerned with variable bandwidth
anddelay requirements. The optimiser needs to understand how resources are allocated
andallthe factors that could affect the performance of an established connection.
The diagram shows a general interpretation of a typical work flow. The network management
function generally takes a whole-network view and considers whether the network is functioning
correctly in terms of defined KPIs and customer satisfaction. Once a problem hasbeen
identified it will be escalated to the optimisation function. An important first task foroptimisation
is to verify that the problem exists and that it is caused by a weakness in the part of thenetwork
of interest. To do this the optimiser needs to have an awareness of dependencies with functionality
in other parts of the network.
LTE network represents the first widespread use of Self Optimising Network (SON) functionality,
but it would be a mistake to assume that this removes the need for network performance
monitoring and optimisation. Indeed, it is likely that a greater understanding of network
behaviour will be required.
Optimisation Network
Verifty problem management
Identify cause
Identify solution MME
Keep it Simple
There are a great many parameters defined that can influence the behaviour of the LTE radio
interface. Whilst it may be tempting to experiment with very fine control using a large number
ofparameters, the unpredictable nature of radio signals and the potential for error in parameter
setting suggest a simple-is-best approach. This not a new concept for LTE, but the more
complex a system becomes, the greater the need to control carefully those adjustments that
aremade to the system.
The advice of fourteenth-century English academic and monk William of Ockham (Occam)
translates more or less as plurality should not be posited without necessity. It remains a good
starting point for anyone dealing with potentially complex problems.
There are 504 PCI values available organised into 168 groups of 3. Note that there is no
requirement for the grouping to be related to the association between an eNB and its cells.
Although the PCI value can be manually planned and configured, it is a likely parameter to
partof a Self Optimising Network (SON) solution.
Frequency Allocation
In most cases an LTE network is organised into frequency layers so there is no requirement
forfrequency planning. A cells type will determine its frequency allocation by default. Even
where frequency planning is being used it is a simple process and it may be that the antenna
orientation determines the frequency allocation. The frequency is identified using an E-UTRA
Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (EARFCN).
Bandwidth Configuration
LTE is often described as bandwidth agnostic, which refers to the potential for this single
technology to be configured to operate in a range of different bandwidths. There are many
factors that may determine a cells configured bandwidth, including licence conditions, power
availability, service requirements, hardware performance, infrastructure sharing and the band
inuse. It is by no means the case that an operator must use the same bandwidth on all cells,
oreven that they use the same bandwidth in the uplink and downlink directions.
eNB eNB
Bandwidth configuration
(1.4, 3,5,10,15 or 20 MHz)
The bands reflect both those currently in use for 2G and 3G technologies of various types
aswell as new blocks of spectrum that are already, or may in the near future, become available
for use in the wireless broadband market.
EARFCNs are spaced in steps of 100 kHz across each defined LTE band. It is up to an operator
to decide which EARFCN to use; however, account must be taken of the channel bandwidth
since transmission cannot be made outside the licensed spectrum. This means that dependent
on the band and bandwidth in use, some EARFCNs will be unusable.
The diagram shows the formulae for nominal adjacent channel spacing and for the
determination of channel centre frequency from a given EARFCN.
Exercise
Answer the following questions. You may find the Excel spreadsheet ARFCN Calculations
useful for question 2.
1. Write a formula for the determination of EARFCN from a given channel centre frequency.
2. Assuming an operator has a licence for the lowest 15 MHz of band 7 and intends to use
15MHz bandwidth, what uplink and downlink EARFCNs should be used?
Where the values of FDL_low, FUL_low, NOffs-DL, and NOffs-UL are band dependent defined values
(see 3GPPTS 36.104 5.7.3)
The SFN approach enables an operator to use the widest channel bandwidth with consequent
benefits in terms of potential cell throughput. However, there will be an impact in terms of
interference, particularly at the cell edge.
F1 F1 F2 F3
F1 F1 F1 F2
eNB eNB
F1 F3
Interference Mitigation
Potential interference between eNBs allocated the same channel frequencies can be avoided,
orat least mitigated, through coordinated resource allocation. Because the LTE air interface is
based on a multicarrier physical layer, OFDMA and SC-FDMA, when a resource is allocated it
represents only a fraction of the complete resource available in a cell. As shown in the diagram,
UEs in the edge-of-cell area can be allocated different blocks from the available spectrum.
UEsin the centre of the cell coverage area can potentially be allocated larger resources
because interference potential is significantly lower in this region. Thus UEs 1 and 4 could use
the same spectrum simultaneously while UEs 2 and 3 need to be allocated different spectrum.
To some extent this process will occur naturally through the action of the resource allocation
algorithm and, of course, an eNB can coordinate resource allocation between all the cells that
itcontrols. However, if an X2 interface exists between eNBs then they can communicate directly
to negotiate resource allocation.
UE3
eNB eNB
UE1 F1 F1 UE4
UE2
F1 F1
More extreme time dispersion may occur when there are distant strong reflectors within the cell
coverage area. Common examples are hilly or mountainous terrain or suburban areas with sight
of a high-rise dense urban district. In such cases much longer time dispersion can occur and
the expended cyclic prefix should be used.
The CP reduces the number of OFDM symbols per slot from seven to six with a consequent
reduction in potential capacity in the ratio 6/7. Therefore the CP should only be used by
exception and then usually only if a time dispersion problem has been detected and confirmed.
Time
RMS delay spread
Extended CP
c. 15 s
Power
Time
RMS delay spread
One slot,
Tslot =
15360 TS 30720 TS
One subframe
30720 TS
GP GP
DwPTS UpPTS DwPTS UpPTS
MIMO Options
Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) is fully supported by LTE at release 8/9 up to rank 2
(2x2MIMO) and partially supported up to rank 4 (4x4 MIMO). Most LTE systems include MIMO
capability although full support cannot be assumed for all devices and it may not be an
appropriate option for use in all scenarios.
Transmit Diversity
In cases where the eNB has MIMO capability but the UE does not it is still possible to use
theeNBs antenna array to create transmit diversity in the downlink channel. This will provide
increased throughput in any given channel conditions.
SU-MIMO
Single User MIMO (SU-MIMO) is the standard MIMO configuration where the feature is fully
supported by both eNB and UE. The most common implementation is 2x2 MIMO.
MU-MIMO
Multi User MIMO (MU-MIMO) is a feature for use only in the uplink direction where an eNB has
MIMO capability but the UE does not. The uplink channel is configured such that a MIMO effect
is created from two separate UE sharing the same allocated resource. This enables the capacity
gains of MIMO to be realised at cell level, although individual users are limited to rates equivalent
to those of a non-MIMO (SISO) channel. This benefit is limited in scope since it works best when
the uplink channel conditions for the two UEs in the MU-MIMO pair are coherent.
Beamforming
It is possible to use the precoding and antenna array associated with MIMO support to create
abeamforming effect. Additional features such as UE-specific reference signals are included
inthe LTE standards to enhance this capability.
MU-MIMO Beamforming
The chief options, however, are the number of OFDM symbols occupied in each subframe in the
downlink direction by the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), and the number of slots
per subframe occupied in the uplink direction by the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUSCH).
In both these cases the configuration on a working cell would typically be dynamic and determined
by instantaneous need. In some cases, however, the optimiser may have the ability to limit the
range of dynamic operation. Additionally, if use is being made of a coverage planning tool or
anautomatic cell planning tool, then typical values may need to be entered for static simulations.
There are also several possibilities for the range of scheduling modes and signalling formats that
may be used in the PDCCH.
One exception in terms of optimisation potential is the Physical Random Access Channel
(PRACH), for which there are many configuration options. Configuration of this channel may also
be covered by SON functionality, but even in this case careful consideration should be given to
the setting of operating rules for the SON algorithm.
SON Concepts
The LTE technical standards outline the principles of Self-configuring and self-Optimising
Networks (SON). However, the standards do not define how the aims of SON would be
achieved; the solutions themselves are proprietary vendor solutions. TS 36.902 outlines
nineintended use cases for SON as follows:
SON OAM
functions
EUTRAN
MBMS data is is passed to the EUTRAN using two additional functional nodes, the Multi-cell/
multicast Coordination Entity (MCE) and the MBMS Gateway (MBMS GW). The MCE deals
withadmission control and the efficient and coordinated allocations of resources across multiple
eNBs. The MBMS GW acts as the collation point for MBMS data from providers for onward
transmission to eNBs.
It is possible to implement eMBMS in a single cell using a defined set of logical and transport
channels intended solely for this purpose. However, a much more efficient solution is to
usethese channels in a multicell context. This mode of operation is referred to as Multicast
Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN). This mode of operation is applied only in
TDDmode and involves the use of a halving of the standard subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz to
just7.5kHz. This results in a doubling of the OFDM symbol period, which in turn allows the
extended CP to be doubled to approximately 30 s.
MBMS data is then transmitted simultaneously from multiple synchronised LTE cells to a defined
MBSFN synchronisation area. UEs supporting the service receive the data from multiple cells
and the extended CP enables them to deal with the more extreme time dispersion that results
from variable propagation delay.
CP Symbol Period
Smartphone
or dedicated CP Symbol Period
mobile
TV device Time dispersion due to
propagation delay variation