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Introduction to Microcellular

Introduction to Microcellular
Section Objectives
On completion of this section the student will be able to: S S understand what a microcell is and how they may be employed. understand the advantages of microcellular over other capacity enhancement techniques.

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Introduction

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Introduction
What is Microcell?
The term microcell suggests a small cell. This is true, but microcells are defined as cells for which the antennas are mounted below local rooftop level. This helps contain the microcells RF radiation to within the street canyons.

Why Deploy Microcells?

At present 80 to 90% of the current worldwide GSM subscribers fall into one category, that of slow moving and stationary handportable units (class 4 mobiles).

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Introduction

Microcellular Concept

The Microcellular principle has applications in: - GSM, DCS, PCS - Urban areas - In building systems

Microcellular offers independence of: - Frequency - Technology base - Products

(using existing networks ARFC N's) (i.e. Any existing or future hardware) (for example, Motorola microcells under another vendors macrocells)
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How are Microcells Deployed?

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How are Microcells Deployed?

By placing the antenna below the rooftop, the RF propagation can be contained. This allows the frequency reuse within the microcells coverage area to be tighter that in the existing network. This means greater spectrum efficiency. The microcells are also deployed underneath the existing network. This introduces the term, layered architecture. This would suggest that the current system cells become umbrella or macrocells. Therefore, in the area of macro- and microcell coverage we have enhanced capacity. We can now say that the microcells have introduced better capacity and spectrum efficiency. We could also assume that any areas of poor or no coverage in the existing network could also be overcome by the use of microcells. This would mean that microcells can provide greater: S S S Capacity Coverage Spectrum efficiency

or

S S S

Erlangs Km2 MHz

Note:
One Erlang is a measure of one traffic channel permanently utilized.

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Layered Architecture
Microcell A MACROCELL Microcell B

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Microcell A

CP02: Introduction to Digital Cellular

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY

MACROCELL

Microcell B

How are Microcells Deployed?

Side View

Top View

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Building Penetration from Externally Mounted Cells

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Building Penetration from Externally Mounted Cells

For a cell with an outdoor mounted antenna, path loss defines the limit of possible coverage, including building penetration losses and on-street path loss. This suggests that, as the distance from the antenna increases, the depth of penetration into buildings will reduce. There may be situations where a building further away has better indoor coverage, for example, due to the fact that the angle of incidence to the building is more favourable for better penetration. The level of penetration into a building depends on a number of factors some of which are: S S S S Building material. Number of windows. Angle of incidence. Internal structure.

A microcell could give enhanced coverage within a building, even if it is deployed primarily as an external or on-street microcell. This aids providing the user with greater coverage. Microcells may even be deployed within buildings, especially in larger indoor areas (for example, conference centres etc.).

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Building Penetration from Externally Mounted Cells

Building Penetration from Externally Mounted Cells

Bad in building penetration

Good in building coverage

Excellent in building coverage

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Antenna Types

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Antenna Types
Both directional and omni-directional antennas have their uses in a microcellular system. The different attributes of these antennas can be used by the cell planners to avoid shadows, reduce handover requests, and maximize call success.

Directional Antennas
Directional antennas are useful for covering long streets and have the following advantages: S S Extra gain in the forward direction. Suppressed signal in the reverse direction, this is a useful characteristic if the cell is a potential interferer with another cell located behind it.

It is also worth noting that a directional antenna could be used to improve in-building coverage, in specific buildings, within the microcell area.

Omni Antennas
Omni antennas are useful for covering open areas (for example squares, plazas). In these areas, it is desirable to have a clearly designated best server cell to avoid excessive handovers and their attendant problems. Another application is to create a corner crossroads cell. This avoids having transient cells at street crossroads. However, by intersecting with more streets, the potential for interference with other cells may be increased.

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Antenna Types

Antenna Types
Directional Antennas
Antenna Buildings

Coverage

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In building coverage could greatly improve this area

Omni Antennas
Buildings Antenna

Coverage

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The Microcellular Solution

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The Microcellular Solution

As the GSM network has evolved and matured, its traffic loading has increased as the number of subscribers has grown. Eventually, the network could reach a point of traffic saturation. The use of microcells can provide high traffic capacity in localized areas. The use of microcells can alleviate the increase in congestion. Microcells could be stand-alone cells to cover traffic hotspots or a contiguous coverage of cells in a combined architecture.

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The Microcellular Solution

The Microcellular Solution

S Increased capacity and better coverage S Microcell coverage will provide better coverage where conventional macrocells do not (blackspots) S On street cells will in some case have better in building penetration than macrocells - dependant on individual site location etc. S Specific in building cells may be implemented S Microcells can be used to supplement channel capacity in areas of rapid traffic growth S Microcells offer ways of effectively covering areas of non homogenous traffic S Increased spectral efficiency

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Picocells

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Picocells
The future capacity and coverage requirements of a network may require the introduction of indoor cellular coverage. This may be provided by picocells. Picocells could offer further capacity, coverage and quality enhancement to a network which has already deployed microcells to provide on street coverage and capacity.

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Picocells

Picocells

Cell 1

Cell 2

Cell 3

Cell 4

Cell 5

Cell 6

Cell 7
Each floor could have its own cell allowing MS to establish a call on the top floor and maintain it whilst moving between floors.

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CP02: Introduction to Digital Cellular FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY

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Picocells

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