Challenges in 5G Network Planning: Design and

Optimization using Atoll

By

Sabbir Ahmed (160021059)

Adib Mahmud (160021133)
Sheikh Mukaddim Hossain (160021069)

A Thesis Submitted to the Academic Faculty in Partial

Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC

ENGINEERING

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Islamic University of Technology
Gazipur, Bangladesh

March 2021
1
Challenging 5G Network Planning, Designing and
Optimization using ATOLL Radio Planning Tool

A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of Requirement for the

Degree of Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering

By
Sabbir Ahmed, 160021059
Adib Mahmud, 160021133
Sheikh Mukaddim Hossain, 160021069

Supervised By:
Nafiz Imtiaz Bin Hamid
Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronic
Engineering

2
 To Whom It May Concern
After completing this thesis work, we checked the similarity index using “turnitin”
plagiarism checker for the first time on 12 March 2021 07:44AM (UTC-0800) where
submission ID of this document was 1531240238. Then after few corrections and
modifications we checked this document twice using same “turnitin” account on
March 13, 2021 and March 15, 2021 where submission ID was 1532062119 and
1533476996. Then we sent this document to our thesis supervisor Assistant
Professor Mr. Nafiz Imtiaz Bin Hamid and he checked with another “turnitin”
account on March 16, 2021 and found that this document had already been submitted
to IIT Kanpur on March 12, 2021 the same day we checked this work using “turnitin”
for the first time. Somehow our previously checked one is uploaded in the “tunitin”
respiratory. The bottom line is “turnitin” is crosschecking our document with our
previous uploaded one. To remove this confusion have we contacted with turnitin
support center but haven’t received any feedback yet. We got a standard similarity
index during our last check using the first “turnitin” account. We are confident
enough that if we exclude the cross-checking source which is basically our
document, then it will maintain a standard similarity index.

_____________________ ______________________ ______________________

Sabbir Ahmed Adib Mahmud Sheikh Mukaddim Hossain
Student No: 160021059 Student No: 160021133 Student No: 160021069
Academic Year: 2019-2020 Academic Year: 2019-2020 Academic Year: 2019-2020

3
 Declaration of Candidate
This thesis dissertation, or any part of it, has not been sent to any other institution
for the award of a degree or diploma.

_____________________ ______________________ ______________________

Sabbir Ahmed Adib Mahmud Sheikh Mukaddim Hossain
Student No: 160021059 Student No: 160021133 Student No: 160021069
Academic Year: 2019-2020 Academic Year: 2019-2020 Academic Year: 2019-2020

Approved By,

___________________________________
Nafiz Imtiaz Bin Hamid
Assistant Professor
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Islamic University of Technology
Date: 27 March, 2021

4
Acknowledgements
We express our special gratitude to our supervisor Assistant Professor Nafiz Imtiaz Bin Hamid
for guiding us throughout the whole research and helping us in every aspect we required. We
would also like to thank all the faculties of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE)
department for their co-operative and helpful attitude towards us during the entire process.

5
Abstract
This thesis paper consists of some 5G technology features such as 3D Beamforming, Massive
MIMO, mm wave transmission usage [1]. With the introduction to a new period of time the 5G
technology of mobile communication helps us to have massive scale communication by
connecting innumerable devices giving new alternatives to different sectors which ensures a
reliable and services with very low latency to the users. To support all these features, these 5G
noteworthy features are acknowledged using a network planning software, Atoll.
Atoll is a multi-technology wireless network design and optimization system that guides wireless
operators through the entire network design process, from initial planning to densification and
optimization. For the design and deployment of 5G networks, it supports the latest technological
developments such as massive MIMO, 3D beamforming, and mm - wave propagation. This paper
also contains network planning and optimization of a sample area of Uttara using Atoll. The
number of base stations required for an optimal communication was observed and set accordingly.

6
List of Contents
Acknowledgements...................................................................................................5
Abstract .....................................................................................................................6
List of Contents ........................................................................................................7
List of Figures: .........................................................................................................9
List of Tables: .........................................................................................................11
Abbreviations & Acronyms ..................................................................................12
1. Introduction ........................................................................................................13
1.1 The advancement of cellular technologies .....................................................13
1.1.1 1G....................................................................................................................... 13
1.1.2 2G....................................................................................................................... 14
1.1.3 3G....................................................................................................................... 14
1.1.4 4G....................................................................................................................... 14
1.1.5 5G....................................................................................................................... 14
1.2 Objectives .......................................................................................................15
2. 5G technology .....................................................................................................16
2.1 Basic features of 5G ........................................................................................16
2.2 5G key challenges ...........................................................................................17
2.3 Advantages of 5G over 4G .............................................................................17
2.4 Applications ....................................................................................................18
2.5 Frequency bands and technical specifications ................................................19
3. Atoll for 5G networks: .......................................................................................21
3.1 Atolls reconfigurable parameters:...................................................................22
3.2 Traffic Parameters: .........................................................................................25
3.3 Beamforming features: ...................................................................................26
3.4 MIMO features: ..............................................................................................28
4. Selection of deployment area and network planning: ....................................32
4.1 Necessary data and study area: .......................................................................32
4.1.1 DTM................................................................................................................... 33
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 4.1.2 Clutter Classes ................................................................................................... 33
4.1.3 Clutter Heights ................................................................................................... 35
4.1.4 Vector Layers ..................................................................................................... 36
4.2 Network planning ...........................................................................................37
4.2.1 Steps of network planning: ................................................................................ 37
4.2.2 Basic predictions: ............................................................................................... 39
4.2.3 ACP (Automatic Cell Planning): ....................................................................... 44
4.3 Predictions & Optimizations Reports: ............................................................45
4.4 Manual Optimization: .....................................................................................50
4.5 Results & Discussions: ...................................................................................55
5. Conclusion and Future Prospects: ...................................................................59
References: ..............................................................................................................60

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List of Figures:
Figure 2. 1 5G uses cases ............................................................................................................. 18

Figure 3. 1 Working environment of Atoll .................................................................................. 21

Figure 3. 2 The C/(I+N) bearer selection criterion ...................................................................... 25
Figure 3. 3 Beam patterns ............................................................................................................ 28
Figure 3. 4 SU-MIMO & MU-MIMO ......................................................................................... 29
Figure 3. 5 Single User MIMO capacity gains with respect to C/(I+N) level for 16x8 antenna . 30
Figure 3. 6 MU-MIMO Capacity Gain with respect to number of user ...................................... 30

Figure 4. 1 Uttara coordinates ...................................................................................................... 32

Figure 4. 2 Digital Terrain Model ................................................................................................ 33
Figure 4. 3 Clutter classes ............................................................................................................ 34
Figure 4. 4 Clutter heights............................................................................................................ 36
Figure 4. 5 Vector Layers ............................................................................................................ 36
Figure 4. 6 Network Planning Steps ............................................................................................ 37
Figure 4. 7 Import Dhaka city map in Atoll ................................................................................. 38
Figure 4. 8 Formulas of Okumara-Hata model ............................................................................ 39
Figure 4. 9 Predictions of coverage by transmitter ...................................................................... 40
Figure 4. 10 Predictions of coverage by signal level ................................................................... 40
Figure 4. 11 Predictions of coverage by overlapping zone .......................................................... 41
Figure 4. 12 Number of servers based on coverage areas ............................................................ 41
Figure 4. 13 Best signal level based on covered areas ................................................................. 42
Figure 4. 14 Coverage by peak RLC throughput (UL) ................................................................ 42
Figure 4. 15 Coverage by peak RLC throughput (DL) ................................................................ 43
Figure 4. 16 Geographical Profile of site 34_1 ............................................................................ 43
Figure 4. 17 The point analysis of RS of site 27_3 ...................................................................... 44
Figure 4. 18 The point analysis of PDSCH of site 27_3 .............................................................. 44
Figure 4. 19 C/(I+N) thresholds in decibel .................................................................................. 45
Figure 4. 20 %RSRP .................................................................................................................... 46
Figure 4. 21 %RSRQ ................................................................................................................... 47
Figure 4. 22 Average Load Improvement .................................................................................... 47
Figure 4. 23 Total Fixed Cost ...................................................................................................... 48
Figure 4. 24 Improvement in RSRP ............................................................................................. 48
Figure 4. 25 Improvement in RSRQ ............................................................................................ 49
Figure 4. 26 Improvement in Capacity ........................................................................................ 49
Figure 4. 27 Coverage by downlink signal level ......................................................................... 50
Figure 4. 28 Coverage by downlink transmitter .......................................................................... 51
Figure 4. 29 Overlapping zone (DL) ............................................................................................ 51
Figure 4. 30 Coverage by throughput (DL) ................................................................................. 52
Figure 4. 31 Best signal level based on covered areas ................................................................. 52
Figure 4. 32 Number of servers based on covered areas ............................................................. 53
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Figure 4. 33 Uplink Peak RLC throughput .................................................................................. 53
Figure 4. 34 Downlink Peak RLC throughput ............................................................................. 54
Figure 4. 35 PDSCH observation using point analysis tool ......................................................... 54
Figure 4. 36 Geographical Profile of site 7_2 .............................................................................. 55
Figure 4. 37 %RSRP .................................................................................................................... 55
Figure 4. 38 %RSRQ ................................................................................................................... 56
Figure 4. 39 Improvement in RSRP objectives............................................................................ 56
Figure 4. 40 Improvement in RSRQ objectives ........................................................................... 57
Figure 4. 41 Improvement statistics ............................................................................................. 58

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List of Tables:
Table 2. 1 Minimum Technical Requirements for IMT-2020 ..................................................... 19
Table 2. 2 New Radio Operating Bands ....................................................................................... 20

Table 3. 1 Base station sub-system equipment ............................................................................ 22

Table 3. 2 Transmitter total loss ................................................................................................... 22
Table 3. 3 5G Network Radio Bearer ........................................................................................... 23
Table 3. 4 User profile.................................................................................................................. 26
Table 3. 5 MU-MIMO Diversity Gain According to Number of Antennas ................................ 31

Table 4. 1 Clutter Class ................................................................................................................ 34

Table 4. 2 Surface area coverage ................................................................................................. 46
Table 4. 3 Capacity Stats .............................................................................................................. 50
Table 4. 4 RSRP and RSRQ objectives........................................................................................ 57

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Abbreviations & Acronyms

5G Fifth Generation
DL Downlink
DTM Digital Terrain Model
eMBB Enhanced Mobile Broadband
EPRE Energy Per Resource Element
FDD Frequency Division Duplex
GSM Global System for Mobile communications
IMT-2020 International Mobile Telecommunications 2020
ITU International Telecommunications Union
International Telecommunications Union-Radio Communications
ITU-R
Sector
LTE Long-Term Evolution
MAC Medium Access Control
MIMO Multiple-Input Multiple-Output
mMTC Massive Machine Type Communication
MU-MIMO Multi-User MIMO
NB-IoT Narrow-Band Internet-of-Things
NR New Radio
OFDM Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing
PBCH Physical Broadcast Channel
PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel
PDCP Packet Data Convergence Protocol
PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel
PHY Physical Layer
PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel
PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel
QAM Quadrature Amplitude Modulation
QPSK Quadrature Phase Shift Keying
RB Resource Block
RLC Radio Link Control
SISO Single-Input Single-Output
SNR Signal to Noise Ratio
SPM Standard Propagation Model
SS Synchronization Signal
SS-RSRP SS Reference Signal Received Power
SU-MIMO Single-User MIMO
TDD Time Division Duplex
UE User Equipment
UL Uplink
UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunication System
URLLC Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication

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 Chapter 1

1. Introduction
Mobile networking technology has been evolving over the last decades as the needs of consumers
continue to evolve and new use scenarios are uncovered. Mobile network communication has
started its journey with the introduction of first generation of mobile communications in 1980s [2]
with analog voice then to over digital voice signals in the 1990s with second generation of mobile
technology. 3G came in the early 2000s with new mobile broadband, which allowed easy cellular
internet connectivity and made voice communications lesser of a priority. 4G came along with
LTE [3][4] and opened doors for improvement in mobile broadband.
Now that we are facing the start of a new period of time, the fifth generation of mobile
communications (5G) is promising in various fields including the immense demand for mobile
networks with data speeds of multiple gigabits per second, allowing new instances, like vast
communications linking innumerable computers, cameras, which offering technological advances
in different sectors such as business, transportation and communication, ascertaining ultra-reliable
services with low-latency for utilizing in sectors of public safety, vehicle communication, remote
surgery and many more.
To ensure the maximization of all these plots, 5g technology has some noteworthy features such
as Massive MIMO, 3D beamforming, use of mmWave [5] that can increase the area of coverage
and user capacity of the network and also make it more reliable.
However, prior to the operational implementation of any new technology, there is a preparation
process in which facets of radio engineering, for example deciding the position transmitters and of
base stations, calculating its capacity and fixing the size of cells in terms of reach and capacity,
assigning different frequencies and analyzing radio transmission and environmental interference,
are analyzed then simulated.
For this sort of network plan and optimization, providers use simulating software. Atoll [6] is a
network planning and optimizing tool that is provided by the company Forsk, for working with a
large number of radio network technologies to design and optimization.

1.1 The advancement of cellular technologies

1.1.1 1G
The first generation of wireless cellular technology is referred as 1G. These were introduced in
1980. Only voice calls were possible using this technology. This continued till it was replaced by
2G digital telecommunications later.

13
1.1.2 2G
2G stands for the second generation of cellular technology. The radio signals used in this
technology are digital whereas 1G used analog signals. The power requirements of digital
transmission are smaller. 2G introduced SMS, image messages, and MMS (Multimedia Message
Service) [7]. 2G was launched on GSM technology and FDMA or TDMA multiplexing techniques
are used in it. This also supports more frequency band. Before the introduction of 3G, there are
two intermediate levels of 2G: 2.5G and 2.75G, which use GPRS and EDGE technologies,
respectively.

1.1.3 3G
With the introduction of 3G [8], the communication sector got a huge gift as video transmission
was possible for the very first time. 3G technology uses CDMA technology which has a data rate
of 144 kbps and can be up to 1.92 Mbps. Some applications of 3G can be mobile internet access,
wireless voice calls, fixed wireless internet access, video calls. Later 3G also introduced some
upgraded versions [9], 3.5G and 3.75G which has higher data rates.

1.1.4 4G
Next on the list is fourth generation [10] of mobile wireless network technology. 3G is
incompatible for modern technologies such as full-motion video, teleconferencing in wireless
media, multi-media [11]. Multiple 3G standards render roaming and operating across networks
more difficult, so a scheme with a higher data rate was created. 4G [10] is an all-IP, with OFDMA-
based infrastructure capable of about hundred megabits per second for higher mobility and around
Gigabit speed for low mobility, with high security and end-to-end quality of service. It can handle
a larger number of user equipment (UEs) with less lag. It has a 100 MHz maximum bandwidth.
Some of the applications of 4G can be high-definition mobile TV, IP telephony, 3D television,
mobile web access video conferencing, gaming facilities.

1.1.5 5G
The fifth-generation technology for mobile communication network [12] is known to be 5G, which
the cellular companies started implementing globally in the late 21st decade. It came to compensate
the drawbacks 4G had, which offer access to the majority of existing cellphones. 5G will use a
completely new band of radio signals. It will use “mm Wave” to broadcast at frequencies between
30-300 GHz. There are about three major field applications for the 5G network technology. They
are Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC), Massive Machine Type
Communications (mMTC), and Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB).

14
1.2 Objectives
This research work aims the usage of Atoll to work with some noteworthy features of 5G network
technology and come up with a suitable network plan for a certain area and to optimize it. To do
so, some objectives were determined.
 Identifying some important features of 5G network technology like 3D Beamforming [13],
Massive MIMO [14].
 To understand how Atoll uses different geographical parameters to model the area.
 Identifying the network requirement of the area based on population, clutter class, clutter
heights.
 Finding a suitable way to optimize the network plan to minimize the cost.

15
 Chapter 2

2. 5G technology
To meet the new and modern requirements of the modern world, 5G came in place. This overcomes
the lacking which 4G had earlier. It started its journey at around 2019.
5G networks have far greater connectivity and coverage rates than previous networks. The
Wireless World Wide Web (WWWW) should be the focus of 5G. Various wireless and broadband
technologies such as UMTS, LTE, Wi-Fi, Wi-max are being developed for the development of the
Dynamic Ad-Hoc Wireless Networks (DAWN) alongside World Wide Wireless Web (WWWW)
and Real Wireless World. Under the latest smartphone operating system, 5G technology offers
unprecedented network capabilities as well as the capacity to connect an infinite number of calls
and transmit an unlimited amount of data. It has a promising future because it can handle the new
technology and offer luxury handsets to its customers.

2.1 Basic features of 5G

 Higher frequency bands are being used to accommodate extremely large transmission
bandwidths and high data rates. In theory, 4G networks can reach average download speeds
of one gigabit per second, although this has never been achieved in reality. For 5G, this
will increase to 10Gbps.
 To improve network energy efficiency and reduce interference, an ultra-lean design is used
to prevent always-on transmissions.
 The mobile IP address of the guests is determined by their location or related network in
Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6).
 Many subcarriers can be supported at the same time.
 5 G can also make the best of any existing piece of spectrum across a large variety of
regulatory spectrum paradigms and frequencies, including small bands under 1 GHz, mid
bands between 1 to 6 GHz, and millimeter wave medium bands.
 Low latency
 Beam-centric architecture allows for extensive beamforming and a large range of antenna
elements for both transmission of data and control-plane procedures.
 More Personalized Access

16
2.2 5G key challenges
 Higher-frequency bands are expected to play a role in 5G [15]. There is more bandwidth
available in these airwaves, but signals cannot travel almost as fast at these high frequencies
as they do at the frequencies used by 4 G, resulting in a poor communication.
 One of the most significant issues facing 5G is standardization. Several committees are
now focused on interoperability requirements, historical compatibility of older systems
(4G, 3G, 2G), and future-proofing the network.
 There is no unique infrastructure for linking various engineering operations. A regulatory
body that offers a shared forum for all engineering activities to manage interconnectivity
challenges and information sharing is needed.
 Interference may be caused by a variety of factors, like buildings, trees, and even poor
weather. Operators must build more base stations to ensure greater coverage and to use
antenna technology such as massive MIMO to combat this.

2.3 Advantages of 5G over 4G

5G is a unified platform that is more capable than 4G.

5G wireless network technology chooses to be more compatible and a capable network which
gives improved and very fast mobile broadband experiences alongside different services like
critical networking and vast IoT. This technology supports all sorts of spectrum forms (licensed,
unlicensed and sharing) with variation of high, low and mid quality. It also provides modern linked
connection methods like multi hope mesh network, device-device connections and a number of
deployment models (from large macro level cells to micro cells, hotspot).

Better Spectrum
5G has better spectrum quality than any other previous versions. It can make the best use of any
available bandwidth (MHz) to a versatile spectrum of regulatory bands. With range starting from
1GHz of the lower bands to around 1 GHz and 6 GHz of the mid bands, to mmWave known to be
of higher bands.

Faster Data Rate

5G very fast than the previous version of mobile network technology, 4G. It has an average data
speed over 100 Mbps with peaks at about 20 Gigabits per second (Gbps).

More Capacity
17
5G is planned to accommodate a 100-fold improvement in network capacity and performance.

Lower Latency
5G has a dramatically lower latency, allowing for more instantaneous, real-time access: the end-
to-end latency has been reduced by tenfold to only 1ms.

2.4 Applications
5G has three major field applications, which are the massive Internet of Things alongside mission-
critical communications, and enhanced mobile broadband. The capacity to flexibly support future
systems, forward compatibility that are not known in today’s world is one of the distinguishing
features of 5G.

Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB)

5G mobile network technology will provide us with new immersive experiences like more uniform
data speeds, VR and AR with quicker speed, lower cost-per-bit and lower latency, alongside
making our cellular phones smarter and better.

Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC)

5G would allow new services like remote control of different equipments, mission-critical
infrastructure, and medical procedures, which can transform industries with lower latency, ultra-
reliable and accessible, connections.

Figure 2. 1 5G uses cases

18
Massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC)
5G is designed to link a large number of embedded sensors in practically all by allowing data
speeds, power, and mobility to be scaled down, resulting in incredibly lean and low-cost
networking solutions.

2.5 Frequency bands and technical specifications

The radio communication sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), ITU-R
which is are held accountable for the making optimal usage of the radio frequency spectrum,
published the International Mobile Telecommunications-2020 (IMT-2020), which contains some
standards of 5G network to use.
The set of standards for technical performance published is summarized in the table below.

Table 2. 1 Minimum Technical Requirements for IMT-2020

19
These are divided into frequency ranges of two separate bands due to different radio frequency
(RF) specifications (e.g. maximum transmitting power):
• All existing and new bands below 6 GHz are included in Frequency range 1 (FR1)
• Newer bands in the range of 24.25 – 52.6 GHz are included in Frequency range 2 (FR2)

In our thesis FR1 has been used. The operating bands for the FR1 has been shown below:

Table 2. 2 New Radio Operating Bands

20
 Chapter 3

3. Atoll for 5G networks:

Forsk's Atoll is a platform for wireless network which supports a wide range of technologies like
5G New Radio, Long Term Evolution, NB-Internet of Things, UMTS, GSM, and MIMO, 3D
Beamforming, and millimeter-wave propagation, as well as the latest technological advances such
as MIMO, millimeter-wave propagation and 3D Beamforming.
This can give operators and vendors a framework to design, optimize, and plan their networks.
Users are expecting more and better facilities as technology advances.
This clarification is important that most of the information are taken from Atoll User Manual [16],
and from Atoll Technical Reference Guide [17].

Figure 3. 1 Working environment of Atoll

21
3.1 Atolls reconfigurable parameters:
Atoll aids in the modelling of different pieces of equipment and parameters used to create a
network, such as the cell tower, cell parameters, and transmitter. The location of the base station
and transmitters is referred to as the site. The device used to produce radio waves for sending or
receiving data through an antenna is referred to as a transmitter. Finally, a cell is a transmitter's RF
tube.
The downlink and uplink losses are calculated using the properties of three components that make
up the base station subsystem:
 TMA: This is used to lower the base station's composite noise number. Known as Tower
Mounted Amplifier.
 Feeder cable: links the antenna to the TMA
 Transmitter equipment

The parameters for the base station subsystem are mentioned in the table below.

Table 3. 1 Base station sub-system equipment

Table 3. 2 Transmitter total loss

The following are the cell parameters that Atoll helps to customize:
• Carrier: In the frequency range, the transmitter is the cell's carrier. The carrier bandwidth was
indicated.

22
• Maximum transmission capacity in dBm: The maximum power which can be transmitted by
the cell.
• Layer: The cell's network layer. It may either be a macro (for macro cells) or a nano (for
small/micro cells) plate.
• SS/Physical Broadcast Channel numerology: The kind of numerology used by the cell.
• SS/ Physical Broadcast Channel periodicity: The SS/ Physical Broadcast Channel bursts'
frequency.
• Radio equipment: radio equipment used for mobile phones.
• Scheduler: Bearer selection and resource allocation are handled by the cell's scheduler.
• Diversity service (DL): The antenna diversity approach that the cell supports in the downlink.

Table 3. 3 5G Network Radio Bearer

23
• Uplink diversity support (UL): This refers to the kind of antenna diversity strategy that the cell
supports.
• Number of Multi User MIMO users for downlink: On the downlink, this is the total number
of MU-MIMO users sharing the same services.
• Number of Multi User MIMO users for uplink: The total number of MU-MIMO users who
have access to the same uplink facilities.
• Traffic load for downlink in %: The percentage of downlink traffic load.
• Traffic load for uplink in %: The percentage of uplink traffic load.
• Downlink traffic load maximum (DL) in percentage: This should not be surpassed.
• Maximum traffic load in uplink in %: The uplink's maximum traffic load should not be
surpassed.
• UL noise rise in dB: the dB increases in uplink noise.
• Maximum no. of neighbours: The cell's maximum number of 5G New Radio neighbours.
• Maximum no. of inter-technology neighbours: Depends on cell.

24
 Figure 3. 2 The C/(I+N) bearer selection criterion

3.2 Traffic Parameters:

The traffic parameters in Atoll are common to all radio communication systems and specify the
services that users need, their mobility, the devices they use, the user profile, and the area in which
they are located based on user intensity.
Subscribers in Atoll have access to some services. For example: voice, internet, and broadband.
However, since future 5G networks can accommodate massive amounts of high-bandwidth data,
Web browsing was the type of service used by 5G New Radio subscribers.
The pedestrian accessibility category was used for 5G NR subscribers and a speed of 3 km/h.
The UE is a cell phone here.

For the experiment, we used a 5G smart phone. Specifications are:

Noise figure is 8 dB, losses as 0 dB, min power taken as -40 dBm whereas we took max power as
23 dBm. It supports MIMO and antenna gain is 0 dB and the number of transmitting antennas and
number of reception antennas both are 4.

25
The company user was the user profile that was considered, and it had the following characteristics:

Table 3. 4 User profile

Finally, mobility type, and density, the atmosphere class defines the regions. The city was set up
as a compact urban environment, with 800 enterprise usage users/square kilometre.

3.3 Beamforming features:

One of Atoll's main features is 3D beamforming, it allows to form beam in both horizontal planes
and vertical planes.
3D beamforming in Atoll refers to uniform planar array antennas with horizontal and vertical
antenna components aligned around a two-dimensional axis. The frequency range at which it can
operate, number of antenna components, inter-element spacing, polarization, port number and
radiation patterns characterize each 3 dimensional beamforming antenna.
Atoll models can be used to achieve 3D beamforming by discriminating between the antenna
model and the beam pattern.
• Physical beamforming antenna equipment creates a lot of antenna patterns. Which are
represented by the beamforming antenna.
• Beamforming pattern creates a lot of different types of beam patterns. And these beam patterns
represent the 3D beamforming patterns.
The physical characteristics which we will reconfigure to figure out the the 3D beamforming
antenna panel can be defined by the following parameters:
• Frequency range: The 3D beamforming antenna is built to run within a great range of
frequencies. It is considered in MHz range.
• Vertical spacing: the difference in wavelength multiples between two vertical antenna
components.
26
• Horizontal spacing: the difference in wavelength multiples between two horizontal antenna
components.
• Columns: It is denoted by N. How many component exists in the panel is known as column.
• Number of rows: It is denoted by M. M represent the number of rows on which the antenna
components are arranged inside the column.
• Number of transmission ports: Total number of ports can be used in the transmission process.
• Number of reception ports: Total number of ports can be used in operation at a given time.

Each 3D beamforming pattern represented by the given parameters:

• Beam type: It can be a control channel, it can also be a traffic channel, even it can be both. The
SS/Physical Broadcast Channel block in 5G New Radio uses control channel beams, while the
Physical Downlink Control Channel and Physical Downlink Shared Channel use traffic channel
beams.
• Beam index: determines the 3D beamforming model's special index for the beam pattern.
• Electrical azimuth: It is represented in degree. It indicates a direction that points the pattern of
the beam.
• Electrical tilt: It is also represented in degree. It indicates the tilt direction of the beam pattern.
• Horizontal elements: It is denoted by m. The horizontal elements specify the amount of
horizontal antenna elements used to form the beam pattern.
• Vertical elements (n): indicates how many elements of vertical antenna were used.
• Boresight gain (dB): indicates how far the beam gains in the direction specified by its tilt. And
it’s also specified by its azimuth.
• Half-power beamwidth: It is represented in degree. It shows the horizontal template aperture
equivalent to a 3 dB pattern attenuation.

Antenna produces different beam pattern, which can be graphically seen using Atoll, as shown in
Figure 3.3

27
 Figure 3. 3 Beam patterns

3.4 MIMO features:

Spatial multiplexing represents the transmit diversity, receive diversity, SU-MIMO. And
interactive MIMO represents the MU-MIMO are all supported by Atoll the radio network planning
tool

28
 Figure 3. 4 SU-MIMO & MU-MIMO

If Physical Downlink Shared Channel or Physical Uplink Shared Channel of Carrier to Interference
Ratio at a certain place where the UE is higher or almost same to the threshold in 5G New Radio
equipment then only the UE will be benefited by the MIMO gain. Atoll sets this standard to 14
decibels by law. But if the UE doesn’t reach to this threshold then it will not be benefited by the
gain. It means that SU-MIMO as well as the MU-MIMO will only be used above this threshold.
SU-MIMO gain can vary. Which depends on the number of transmission and reception end and
carrier to noise and interference ratio amount, which can be called a power gain specified to
increase data rate. Figure 3.5 shows the benefits for a 16 antennas transmitter and 8 antennas
receiver.

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Figure 3. 5 Single User MIMO capacity gains with respect to C/(I+N) level for 16x8 antenna

Figure 3. 6 MU-MIMO Capacity Gain with respect to number of user

30
Table 3. 5 MU-MIMO Diversity Gain According to Number of Antennas

31
 Chapter 4

4. Selection of deployment area and network planning:

The first part of this chapter is consist of two things. First one is the geographical area. And second
one is the geographic data. Which was used in network planning software Atoll to carry out
different calculations.
The second part is consist of network planning in that specific area considering best signal level
along with coverage by transmitter.

4.1 Necessary data and study area:

Our selected area was 64.53 km2 of Uttara, Dhaka (Bangladesh).
Here used coordinate system we took was WGS 84 / UTM zone 44N and the bounding region
coordinates are:

Figure 4. 1 Uttara coordinates

32
For performing various calculations in Atoll we imported 4 geographic data types, those are:
 Digital Terrain Model (DTM)
 Clutter Classes
 Clutter Heights
 Vector Layers

4.1.1 DTM
The elevation of the ground over sea level is described by the term DTM (Digital Terrain Model).
Propagation models automatically take these values and do the calculations.

Figure 4. 2 Digital Terrain Model

4.1.2 Clutter Classes

The amount of land covered or land used is described by the clutter class data file. The propagation
model takes clutter groups into account while computing.

33
 Figure 4. 3 Clutter Classes
Each color code defines a specific class name. A list of code, class name and the class description
is given below:

Table 4. 1 Clutter Class

34
Here we have 209 possible classes and a code is embedded in each pixel of the clutter class.. This
code represent used grounds [18].

4.1.3 Clutter Heights

The elevation of a clutter over a DTM with one altitude specified by pixel is referred to as clutter
height. This file includes various altitudes from the same clutter class.

35
 Figure 4. 4 Clutter Heights

4.1.4 Vector Layers

To describe polygons Atoll recognizes some factors such as contours and points. For examples
areas, paths, and costlines.

Figure 4. 5 Vector Layers

36
4.2 Network planning
Uttara is one of the most developed residential area of Dhaka city. Efficient 5G radio network
planning is a great challenge here. If we want to do so with the optimal utilization of limited
resources then it will be a big challenge.

4.2.1 Steps of network planning:

The radio network planning process is divided into five main stages, with the first four being
prelaunch and the fifth being post-launch. Preplanning, preparation, comprehensive planning,
acceptance, and optimization are the five main phases. A flowchart is given below:

Figure 4. 6 Network Planning Steps

Preplanning: Before the actual network planning begins, the preplanning process includes the
tasks and training. It is advantageous to be aware of the current market situation and competitors,
just as it is in any other industry. The customer approves the network preparation requirements.
Preparation: The dimensioning and initial network configuration provide feedback to the
planning process. This is the foundation for nominal preparation, which relates to the coverage of
radio networks. Using a planning tool to manage capacity. The basic strategy does not commit to
exact site locations but offers an initial estimate a rough idea of the positions as well as the
distances between the sites.
Comprehensive planning: Detail preparation will begin after the planning process is completed
and the location and configurations of the site are known. Frequency, adjacency, and parameter
preparation are all part of the comprehensive planning process.
37
Acceptance: In addition to fine-tuning, a review is performed for any defects that could have
occurred during the installation process. Prelaunch optimization is a high-level technique that does
not dig into details. After the launch, network optimization continues at a more comprehensive
stage.
Optimization: As we all know, optimization is a never-ending operation. The optimization
includes all details about the network and its current state as input. Some important elements, such
as statistical data, alarms, and traffic, must be closely controlled.
In this thesis, simulation result, budget calculations, coverage analysis as well as capacity analysis
have been performed. For design and analysis purpose we have used here Atoll radio network
planning tool.

Figure 4. 7 Import Dhaka city map in Atoll

Selected statistical zone:

 Selected focus zone: 64.53 km2
 Selected computation zone: 64.53 km2
 Population (total): 345097
 Density: 9350/km
 Hexagon radius, X= 350 m

Planning parameters:
 Propagation model: Okumura-hata
 Antenna: 65deg 18dBi 0Tilt 2100MHz
 Antenna height: 30 m
 Hexagon area: 2.6 X
38
All these above mentioned parameters are described in Hata model and used for urban areas.

Figure 4. 8 Formulas of Okumara-Hata model

Here, Lu is the median path loss and its unit is decibel. Frequency of transmission is denoted by f.
Hb is the effective height of e-NodeB and its unit is meter (m). Link distance is denoted by d with
kilometer (km) unit. The antenna height of a base terminal is its operational height is represented
by Hr and the unit is meter (m). And a(Hr) is known as correction factor of height of the antenna.

4.2.2 Basic predictions:

We have performed basic predictions of coverage by transmitter, coverage by signal level and
coverage by overlapping zone.

Initially implemented number of sites are 33.

39
Figure 4. 9 Predictions of coverage by transmitter

Figure 4. 10 Predictions of coverage by signal level

40
Figure 4. 11 Predictions of coverage by overlapping zone

Figure 4. 12 Number of servers based on coverage areas

41
Figure 4. 13 Best signal level based on covered areas

Figure 4. 14 Coverage by peak RLC throughput (UL)

42
Figure 4. 15 Coverage by peak RLC throughput (DL)

Figure 4. 16 Geographical Profile of site 34_1

43
 Figure 4. 17 The point analysis of RS of site 27_3

Figure 4. 18 The point analysis of PDSCH of site 27_3

When looking at the coverage prediction data, it's clear that the proposed network will have
sufficient coverage [19]. Again, post-simulation review of the traffic map shows that subscribers
are largely connected at both Uplink and Downlink. Which means it is a very good sign for the
expected network. Performance analysis using a point analysis method strengthens the basis for a
successful planned network.

4.2.3 ACP (Automatic Cell Planning):

Preferences:
Optimization calculation settings: High precision
Low quality improvement changes: 50%
Prediction transparency: 50%
Multi-storey: Enabled
EMF exposure: Enabled

Template Setup:
Propagation model: SPM
No. of iteration: 240
Resolution: 50 m
Cost weighting: Normal
44
4.3 Predictions & Optimizations Reports:
For a coverage-limited scenario or an interference-limited scenario, coverage or cell range is
calculated. The fading margin, cell edge target signal level, average load, and other factors all play
a role.
The following figure illustrate that C/(I+N) thresholds depend on user mobility.

Figure 4. 19 C/(I+N) thresholds in decibel

45
 Table 4. 2 Surface area coverage

Name Surface (km2) % of Covered %Focus Zone

Area
Overlapping Zones (DL) 0 64.168 100 99.4
No. of servers >=4 1.88 2.93 2.9
No. of servers >=3 7.545 11.758 11.7
No. of servers >=2 25.288 39.409 39.2
No. of servers >=1 64.168 100 99.4

Figure 4. 20 %RSRP

46
 Figure 4. 21 %RSRQ

Figure 4. 22 Average Load Improvement

47
 Figure 4. 23 Total Fixed Cost

Initial RSRP Final RSRP

Figure 4. 24 Improvement in RSRP

48
Initial RSRQ Final RSRQ

Figure 4. 25 Improvement in RSRQ

Figure 4. 26 Improvement in Capacity

49
 Table 4. 3 Capacity Stats

It is visible that the RSRP and RSRQ both improved as well as the capacity. After 240 number of
iterations %RSRP increased from 95.3% to 97.8% and %RSRQ increased from 84.4% to 93.2%.
Undoubtedly it is a good improvement but main drawback here is cost.
To reduce this cost we manually reduced the number of sites. Initially it was 33 then we reduced
it to only 19. Then again we have calculated the basic predictions and observed the signal coverage
and quality.

4.4 Manual Optimization:

Basic predictions:

Figure 4. 27 Coverage by downlink signal level

50
Figure 4. 28 Coverage by downlink transmitter

Figure 4. 29 Overlapping zone (DL)

51
 Figure 4. 30 Coverage by throughput (DL)

Figure 4. 31 Best signal level based on covered areas

52
Figure 4. 32 Number of servers based on covered areas

Figure 4. 33 Uplink Peak RLC throughput

53
 Figure 4. 34 Downlink Peak RLC throughput

Figure 4. 35 PDSCH observation using point analysis tool

54
 Figure 4. 36 Geographical Profile of site 7_2

We can see that subscribers mostly connected through PDSCH at both Uplink and Downlink [20].
And also Reference Signal (RS) is giving positive sign [21]. The figure (4.36) shows the
geographic profile of site 7_2.

4.5 Results & Discussions:

Initial RSRP Final RSRP

Figure 4. 37 %RSRP

55
 Initial RSRQ Final RSRQ

Figure 4. 38 %RSRQ

Figure 4. 39 Improvement in RSRP objectives

56
 Figure 4. 40 Improvement in RSRQ objectives

Table 4. 4 RSRP and RSRQ objectives

Objective: RSRP

Zone Initial (%) Final (%)

Focus 81.16 90.09

Computations 81.05 90.00

Objective: RSRQ

Zone Initial (%) Final (%)

Focus 90.49 93.05

Computation 90.51 93.05

We have achieved desired coverage with an improvement of 8.96% in RSRP and 2.54% in RSRQ.
In both cases our requested coverage was 90.00%. And this time we have achieved our expected
result using only 19 sites.

57
Figure 4. 41 Improvement statistics

58
 Chapter 5

5. Conclusion and Future Prospects:

As broadband service is increasing drastically and in the field of cellular, extensive coverage, high
capacity and QoS (Quality of Service) have become key factors to the users. The main purpose of
this work was to study the Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) & Reference Signal Received
Quality (RSRQ). Also capacity level was performed.

In this thesis, Atoll was used to study and predict the coverage, quality and capacity. First we
imported the map of “Dhaka City” then we selected our area of study. After that we implemented
sites according to our necessity. Then we have seen the prediction results. To be more realistic, we
again optimized the previous design to get a better coverage and signal quality by reducing the
number of sites and modifying the antennas.

Our expected coverage was 85% and we have successfully achieved it. Network success rate
depends on 3 factors. These are coverage, capacity & quality. Reducing dropped calls rate and
optimization increased the capacity. Elimination of interference from both external & internal
sources increases the quality of network.

Taking general parameters, traffic parameters, beamforming features and MIMO features into
account the work was done. By modifying these parameters and taking necessary steps we have
reduced the overlapping zones.

As for future work, we would like to compare between different propagation models and to sort
out the best propagation model for 5G network in terms of signal quality, user throughput and
coverage. These parameters can also be efficiently updated by combining different MIMO
configurations and beamforming capable antennas.

59
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