NSN Wimax Network+Design Radio+Access v1

Nokia Siemens WiMAX Network Design Service

Table of Contents

1 Wimax Network Design Service__________________________________3

1.1 Wimax High-level Design_________________________________________31.2 Wimax Detailed Design___________________________________________41.3 Wimax Initial Optimisation_________________________________________4

2 © Nokia 2004 document.doc Confidential

1 Wimax Network Design Service

Nokia Siemens recognises that network quality has a strategic importance and is a way to strengthen the customer’s brand. Nokia Siemens also recognises that in an increasingly competitive environment cost benefits have to be realised.The greatest influence in reducing total site costs is during the radio planning and site selection process. It is paramount that during site selection, the optimum site is chosen, having taken into consideration RF coverage, potential revenue, construction and maintenance costs.Nokia Siemens will invest heavily during the planning and acquisition phase, to ensure the most suitable and cost effective site is selected. The aim of this activity is to deploy a network that combines high quality with minimised CAPEX. Starting in the initial planning phase, the Nokia Siemens solution describes the network planning and optimisation process.

The detailed planning service covers the Wimax access network (RAN), which includes both the radio interface and access transmission network.

1.1 Wimax High-level Design

Network assessment - the scope of network assessment phase is to analyse and collect all the required information about the existing radio access and transmission network infrastructure that will be used for Wimax. The network is mainly access transmission network, but can also be transport network in core networks.

This information is needed in the subsequent phases, to ensure a smooth, efficient and safe integration of the new elements. All this information is the weighted against operator’s business plans and growth forecasts.

The main outcome of this phase is a description of the existing infrastructure.

Wimax network dimensioning - dimensioning of the network elements needed is performed, based on the outcome of the network assessment. It includes the traffic modelling and capacity requirement planning for the Wimax radio access and transmission network infrastructure and required network elements already in existing network or new elements.

It is combination of customer’s requirements, the output of the network assessment and the Wimax system solution currently available. Particularly important is the customer’s strategy for IP based transmission network and site solutions, since it is going to heavily affect for example to architecture design.

The dimensioning is in parallel with a topology design. The topology design normally require some dimensioning changes, these two activities need to be repeated until a satisfactory solution is found.

Wimax topology design - topology of the network is designed, in order to cope with the customer existing infra and general project requirements. In the case of an existing network, this means using the output of the network assessment to find the most efficient way of re-using the infrastructure. This is also the phase which decides the transport network utilisation if at all.


Designing the topology is also a way of ensuring a more effective re-use of the existing network hardware in case of migration.

1.2 Wimax Detailed Design

Detailed planning - the scope of detailed planning is to manage and plan activities simultaneously, and includes coordination between planning, acquisition and implementation, to manage the trade-off (time/performance) of site selection, optimal site layout, site specific parameters and antenna configuration.

Detailed cell planning - at this stage the nominal plan is developed into the actual network plan. This involves detailed validation of the identified site candidates in association with the acquisition team, site surveys of preferred candidates and final selection. The next step is to update the RF data in the coverage modelling and service prediction tool and progress tracking data in the IMS. During this stage there will be much iteration of radio network performance calculations and traffic modelling to analyse coverage, capacity, availability and frequency interference in line with quality of service definitions as different site options are evaluated.

As a result of this work a finely tuned plan is produced. This information will further fine tune the system design document and coverage planning tool. All the necessary city plots of required coverage, capacity and availability will also be produced. As suitable candidates are progressed through to integration the RF plan will be further refined and evaluated to ensure that Customer’s requirements are being met.

Detailed access transmission planning - as the RF coverage plan begins to take shape, refinement of the access transmission plan will begin. It is important to commence this work at the earliest possible stage to ensure the most cost effective solution, as lead times for microwave links and leased lines can delay rollout. The dimensioning and nominal planning results are progressed into the detailed planning phase, and detailed site-specific network plans for the access transmission network are created. At this stage leased line requirements will be discussed with Customer.

During this stage, detailed plans and documents will be created to facilitate transmission network element commissioning and integration. Detailed microwave frequency planning will be completed in line with Radio Communications Agency guidelines.

Detailed Parameter Planning - this detailed planning ensures that sites are set-up to receive the correct initial parameter set. This process of working to an initial default parameter set allows a site to be brought on air immediately it is available, key to early revenue generation. More refined optimisation will take place once the site is live and throughout its lifetime

Globally, Nokia Siemens has used the LACE process (Lightly Automated Commissioning Environment) to optimise the commissioning and integration of the BTS. The LACE process uses Nokia Siemens NetAct to create site specific databuild for all network elements. This reduces the need for manual intervention and makes on-site activities faster and parameters error free. This parameter integrity can give better network performance.

1.3 Wimax Initial Optimisation


Initial optimisation phase - the scope of initial optimisation is to ensure good network performance is achieved when the site or cluster of sites are integrated into the live network. It is performed through drive measurement and the use of network statistics followed by remedial action to improve performance to meet KPIs. This information will be provided to Customer as part of the site handover pack. This is achieved through the optimisation of hardware and software parameters. This is shown below:

Initial Optimisation

The initial optimisation process includes a preparation phase, which is followed by an iterative optimisation process. This continues until the KPI requirements are met. This preparation includes:

Consistency checks between site build and planning documentation and NetAct data Defining drive test routes, taking into account any specific Customer requirements

Site optimisation concentrates on each individual site and how it performs within the surrounding cluster. Area verification takes a broader approach by focusing on network performance over the entire area and begins when all site clusters in the area have been optimised.

At this stage the site performance will be assessed in accordance with the quality of service definitions defined.

Optimisation, capacity and upgrade management - Nokia Siemens will use reports based on the Customer quality of service requirements to identify where the network needs improvement or to be upgraded. An important consideration is the lead time versus the upgrade type i.e. a bandwidth increase will not require acquisition involvement but an infill site will. Nokia Siemens will therefore manage upgrades and lead times to ensure that network quality is maintained.

The Nokia Siemens solution is dimensioned and structured to deliver a high quality access network aimed at satisfying the KPI commitments. If the business requires it, the solution offers the flexibility and capability to provide performance improvement. In overview the solution includes: field measurement survey, second line performance fix, radio optimisation and special investigation which when combined provide a robust performance analysis and optimisation function.

The main tasks and activities performed include but are not limited to:


Drive Test Analysis Good Network Quality ?

Implement Changes

Corrective Action

Yes

No

Preparation

Optimisation

Network monitoring and problem resolution - network faults that impact end user performance need dedicated focus to ensure the time to resolution is minimised. The Nokia Siemens solution includes this function as it is an essential part of operational optimisation Network performance improvement process - analysis of network statistics and field survey data to identify performance improvement opportunitiesContinuous network configuration assessment - in an evolving network, there is a requirement to manage the ever-changing configuration databases ensuring the actual network configuration follows the detailed design for both the Radio and Transmission networkPerformance indicators development (KPI & PI) - these indicators provide the foundation of performance and capacity monitoring. Changes in technology and feature enhancements require their continual developmentCoverage and interference optimisation - using network and drive data identify radio plan shortfalls such as resurgence, frequency interference, overwhelming cells and limited coverage cells and optimise by changes to the physical site configuration Frequency planning - frequency planning can be a major contributor to the quality of the radio network and requires regular review after extensive new site integration or upgrade. Frequency planning is typically performed using both network data and planning tool simulations Parameter tuning - the detailed parameter design sets are reviewed and tuned as needed to ensure optimum performance. The parameter tuning will take into consideration feature inter working and network behaviour as it matures. Neighbour adjacency planning - in a WiMax network, which carries mobile VOIP, handover between cells will require continual neighbour planning and update as an essential to ensure optimum performance

ReportingMonthly KPI reports will be provided by Nokia Siemens covering the following major areas:

Network evolution Operations & maintenance Network performance

These reports will be presented in a dashboard type format based on Customer’s requirements. These reports will be backed up by in depth analysis where applicable and provide the basis for regular technical review meetings.


Documents

NSN Wimax Network+Design Radio+Access v1