1.

SCRAMBLING CODE AND NEIGHBOR PLANNING

1.1

Scrambling code planning

Scrambling code is used to identify cells in WCDMA network. Its low cross-correlation property enables
mobile to differentiate signals coming from different cells. Scrambling code in WCDMA can be resembled
the frequency planning in GSM. However, the scrambling code planning is not a crucial performance
factor in the network as frequency planning.
Downlink scrambling code is used in cell search procedure. A proper downlink scrambling code planning
is required for the following factors:
(i)

Efficient reuse of the codes.

(ii)

Allow flexible planning among regions and also Hierarchical Cell Structure.

(iii)

Fasten cell search procedure.

(iv)

Cater scrambling code planning for future network expansion.

The following will describe WCDMA cell search procedure, Nokia scrambling code planning strategies to
avoid scrambling code pollution, as well as, management of the codes. During the cell search, UE
searches for a cell and determines the downlink scrambling code and frame synchronization of that cell.
The cell search is typically carried out in three steps:
Step 1: Slot Synchronization
During the first step of the cell search procedure, UE uses the SCH primary Synchronization code to
acquire slot Synchronization to a cell.
Step 2: Frame synchronization and code-group identification
During the second step of the cell search procedure, UE uses the SCH secondary synchronization code to
find frame synchronization and identify the code group of the cell found in the first step.
Step 3: Scrambling-code identification
During the last step, UE determines the exact primary SC used by the cell found. The primary SC is
identified through symbol-by-symbol correlation over the P-CCPCH with all codes contain within the code
group identified in 2nd step.
1.2

Downlink scrambling code planning strategy for SMART 3G

With the consideration of the future expansion of the network, the scrambling Code Groups (0-63) are
divided into 3 sets as following:
(i)

Set A: 36 groups reserved for macro layer outdoor sites which can support, 36 x 8 codes =
288 codes = 288 cells = 96 sites for 1-time reuse

(ii)

Set B: 18 groups for future expansion sites which can support 18 x 8 codes = 144 codes =
144 cells = 48 sites for 1-time reuse.

(iii)

Set C: 9 groups for in-building, micro and tested cells which can support 9 x 8 codes = 72
codes = 72 cells = 24 sites for 1-time reuse.

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Set B codes are reserved for future planning purposes in network expansion phase. The aim of the
reserved code set is to minimize changes of the scrambling code on the existing sites if new sites are
added into the network.
With this future expansion phase consideration, the number of codes reserved for the existing phase is
smaller, which means the code reuse in the existing plan will be tighter. However, 36 groups of code
reserved in Set A for the current phase, are still manageable on the scrambling code planning for existing
network configuration without major impact on the performance of the network.
The code groups in Set C are smaller and mainly reserved for in-building and micro site. Since the
coverage overlapping is smaller compare to macro site, tighter code reuse pattern can be used on inbuilding and micro sites.
In dense urban area, one reuse pattern is restricted to 10 sites instead of 12 as to taking into
consideration of future site/cell expansion or additional sites during rollout phases.
1.3

Downlink scrambling code plan (macro sites) for SMART 3G

The 36 code group (01-36), which is reserved for macro sites, consists of 288 codes (36 X 8). The 288
codes are further divided into 8 reuse group as shown in the Table 6.3.1. Each reuse group (R1 to R8)
are then comprised of 36 codes, of which, used as code assignment to every cell for up to12 sites with
1+1+1 configuration. The reuse group planning for the 1014 nominal sites is shown in Figure 6.3.1.

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IN BUILDING

MACRO FUTURE

MACRO CELL

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0
R1
8
16
24
32
40
48
56
64
72
80
88
96
104
112
120
128
136
144
152
160
168
176
184
192
200
208
216
224
232
240
248
256
264
272
280
288
296
304
312
320
328
336
344
352
360
368
376
384
392
400
408
416
424
432
440
448
456
464
472
480
488
496
504

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1
R2
9
17
25
33
41
49
57
65
73
81
89
97
105
113
121
129
137
145
153
161
169
177
185
193
201
209
217
225
233
241
249
257
265
273
281
289
297
305
313
321
329
337
345
353
361
369
377
385
393
401
409
417
425
433
441
449
457
465
473
481
489
497
505

2
R3
10
18
26
34
42
50
58
66
74
82
90
98
106
114
122
130
138
146
154
162
170
178
186
194
202
210
218
226
234
242
250
258
266
274
282
290
298
306
314
322
330
338
346
354
362
370
378
386
394
402
410
418
426
434
442
450
458
466
474
482
490
498
506

3
R4
11
19
27
35
43
51
59
67
75
83
91
99
107
115
123
131
139
147
155
163
171
179
187
195
203
211
219
227
235
243
251
259
267
275
283
291
299
307
315
323
331
339
347
355
363
371
379
387
395
403
411
419
427
435
443
451
459
467
475
483
491
499
507

4
R5
12
20
28
36
44
52
60
68
76
84
92
100
108
116
124
132
140
148
156
164
172
180
188
196
204
212
220
228
236
244
252
260
268
276
284
292
300
308
316
324
332
340
348
356
364
372
380
388
396
404
412
420
428
436
444
452
460
468
476
484
492
500
508

5
R6
13
21
29
37
45
53
61
69
77
85
93
101
109
117
125
133
141
149
157
165
173
181
189
197
205
213
221
229
237
245
253
261
269
277
285
293
301
309
317
325
333
341
349
357
365
373
381
389
397
405
413
421
429
437
445
453
461
469
477
485
493
501
509

6
R7
14
22
30
38
46
54
62
70
78
86
94
102
110
118
126
134
142
150
158
166
174
182
190
198
206
214
222
230
238
246
254
262
270
278
286
294
302
310
318
326
334
342
350
358
366
374
382
390
398
406
414
422
430
438
446
454
462
470
478
486
494
502
510

7
R8
15
23
31
39
47
55
63
71
79
87
95
103
111
119
127
135
143
151
159
167
175
183
191
199
207
215
223
231
239
247
255
263
271
279
287
295
303
311
319
327
335
343
351
359
367
375
383
391
399
407
415
423
431
439
447
455
463
471
479
487
495
503
511

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Table 6.3.1 Scrambling code for SMART 3G

Figure 6.3.2 Sample of how Scrambling code group is assigned

Figure 6.3.2 above explains how the Code Group is used in the Scrambling Code planning. It defines a
group of scrambling codes to be used in a specific subgroup which is known as Code Group. When
plotting into a map as shown, an easy checking is possible to ensure there is no similar Scrambling Code
exists within surrounding sites.
1.4

Neighbor planning

Neighboring cells must be defined for each cell in WCDMA network for continuous call connection whilst
UE is moving. For WCDMA, neighbor cells can be located in the same network with same frequency, or in
the same network with different frequency, and in the different PLMN. Missing essential neighbor can
cause pilot pollution, low RSCP and Ec/Io since UE unable to perform handover to intended dominant cell.
The UE will then be served by non dominant cell.

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The initial neighbor planning for MTC Zain project will be done based on the nominal cell plan, the intrafrequency and inter system neighbors are considered. For individual ready-to-on-air site, the neighbor
plan will be revised as according to the latest site parameter and project rollup status due to the following
reasons:
(i)

The site coordinate and the antenna parameters may be changed after site survey.

(ii)

Not all the sites in the same area will be on air at the same time.

(iii)

New sites may be added to the network.

(iv)

Inter-system neighbors cell definition for supporting inter-system Handover.

The criteria for selecting neighboring cell are to select all first tier neighbors followed by necessary second
tier neighbors so as to minimizing the number of the neighbors cells. A final neighbor list should be
defined during cluster pre optimization and it should continue again when the network grows.