GSM Radio Network Planning

N E T W O R K D E S I G N , S Y S T E M E X PA N S I O N , I N C R E A S I N G C A PA C I T Y
GSM Radio Network Planning

Network design, system expansion, increasing capacity

 How can you calculate the coverage and capacity of a GSM network?
 What is important when selecting sites?
 How do you make a link budget?
 What is meant by MRP?
 Which parameters are included in “System Information”?
 How can you increase coverage and capacity?
 What is meant by frequency reuse?
 How does the choice of antennas affect network performance?
 What are C/I, C/A, and C/N?
 How can repeaters improve the network performance?

GSM is the most widespread, most commonly deployed and fastest growing system standard for mobile telephony in
the world. Even though UMTS, the third generation mobile system, makes its entry into the market, GSM undergoes
continuous evolution and development.

High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD), Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE) and General Packet Radio
Service (GPRS) can be added to the GSM network resulting in new features, new functionality and increased data rates.

A GSM system with implemented GPRS functionality provides the core network required also by UMTS. Hence, the
platform is already prepared for the migration into the third generation mobile system, UMTS.

Course description
GSM Radio Network Planning is a 3-day course providing a solid understanding of how to design and plan a high
quality GSM radio network. The course also covers how to expand the network, techniques to boost capacity, how to
lower interference and increase quality in the network. Macro cell planning is emphasised in the course, however
planning with micro- and pico-cells is also featured. Furthermore it is discussed how cell-planning tools can enhance
the cell planning process and how problems can be solved regarding co-existence with other GSM, TDMA and
WCDMA systems.
 Contents
Introduction
• Network Architecture
• The Access method TDMA
• Logical Channels
Definition of Network Requirements
• Coverage requirements
• Capacity
The Need for Models
• Coverage models
• Parameter setting
• Network cost
• Planning tool
Capacity Planning
• Frequency planning 4/12, 3/9
• Frequency hopping
• Advanced frequency planning strategies
• Selection of frequency planning strategy
• Channels per cell
• Conversion of channels to Erlang
Selecting Site Locations
• Planning Tools
• Site Acquisition
Idle Mode and Busy Mode
• Idle mode procedures
• Cell selection
• Cell re-selection
• System information
• Cell parameters
• Handover algorithms
Initial Tuning
• Antenna direction/tilt
• Output power
• Frequency plan
• Neighbor list
• Handover parameters
Network Optimisation
• Handling poor C/N, C/I and C/A
• Handover problems and solutions
• Excessive load
• Battery life-time and paging
performance
Increasing Capacity
• Features
The course outline corresponds to the steps in a network planning • Tightening the frequency plan
process. Along the course, these steps are illustrated by calculation • Micro cells
• Pico cells
exercises. By performing the exercises, the participants have completed • Dual band
their own networks towards the end of the course. • Half-rate
• Example of high capacity network
Who should attend? Co-Existence Issues
• GSM 1900/TDMA
GSM Radio Network Planning is valuable to staff involved in the processes • GSM 900/900
of planning, rolling out, operating or optimizing a GSM network. • GSM 900/1800
• GSM/CDMAone
• GSM/WCDMA
Prerequisites
In order to fully benefit from GSM Radio Network Planning, it is
recommended that the participants have attended the Widermind GSM
Survey or have the equivalent basic understanding of the GSM system.

 For more information about in-house training events, please

send an email to Widermind at info@widermind.com. The
schedule for public training events is available at the Widermind
web site, www.widermind.com.
Widermind AB
Artillerigatan 6
SE-114 51 Stockholm, Sweden
Phone: +46 8 459 21 70
Fax: +46 8 459 21 71
info@widermind.com

www.widermind.com