UMTS Scale Estimation

Contents
1 UMTS Service Model....................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Service Classification...............................................................................................................................1
1.2 Service Model..........................................................................................................................................2
1.2.1 Classification of Area Types.....................................................................................................2
1.2.2 CS Domain Service Model.......................................................................................................3
1.2.3 PS Domain Service Model.......................................................................................................4
2 UMTS Coverage Estimation........................................................................................................................9
2.1 Radio Propagation Model........................................................................................................................9
2.1.1 Free Space Propagation Loss....................................................................................................9
2.1.2 Propagation Model.................................................................................................................10
2.2 Link Budget............................................................................................................................................12
2.2.1 Basic Link Budget Parameters...............................................................................................13
2.2.2 Unlink Budget.........................................................................................................................22
2.2.3 Uplink/Downlink Balance......................................................................................................22
2.3 Coverage Scale Estimation....................................................................................................................23
2.3.1 Calculation of BS Coverage Radius.......................................................................................23
2.3.2 Calculation of BS Coverage Area..........................................................................................24
2.3.3 Scale Calculation....................................................................................................................25
3 UMTS Capacity Estimation.......................................................................................................................27
3.1 Capacity Estimation Flow......................................................................................................................27
3.2 Estimation Method of Hybrid Service Capacity....................................................................................27
3.2.1 Equivalent Erlang Method......................................................................................................28
3.2.2 Post Erlang-B Method............................................................................................................29
i
3.2.3 Campbell Method...................................................................................................................30
3.3 Uplink Capacity Estimation ..................................................................................................................32
3.3.1 Load Analysis for Uplink.......................................................................................................32
3.3.2 Uplink Capacity and Scale Estimation...................................................................................35
3.4 Downlink Capacity Estimation..............................................................................................................37
3.4.1 Analysis of Downlink Load....................................................................................................37
3.4.2 Downlink Capacity and Scale Estimation..............................................................................40
4 Scale Estimation Example..........................................................................................................................43
4.1 Assumed Conditions..............................................................................................................................43
4.2 Estimation Process.................................................................................................................................43
4.2.1 Estimation Flow Chart............................................................................................................43
4.2.2 Uplink Coverage Estimation..................................................................................................44
4.2.3 Uplink Capacity Estimation...................................................................................................46
4.2.4 Downlink Capacity Estimation..............................................................................................48
ii
1 UMTS Service Model
1.1 Service Classification
In the 3GPP protocol, services running in the UMTS system are grouped into four
classes based on Quality of Service (QoS), Conversational, Streaming, Interactive and
Background. The 3GPP protocol 22.105 gives examples to illustrate typical
applications of these services and their QoS requirements. Table 1.1-1 offers the basic
features and typical cases of these four classes of services.
Table 1.1-1 Service Classification
Service Category Basic Features Typical Cases
Conversational
Keep time relationship between information
entities in stream, conversational mode (small
delay and strict delay jitter requirement)
Voice service, video
conference, interactive
game, Telnet
Streaming
Keep time relationship between information
entities in stream
Voice stream media
download, movie browse,
Video On Demand (VOD)
Interactive
Request response mode and keep data
integrity
Basic browse, mobile
office, information service
and e-commerce
Background
Target has high tolerance to data delay and
data integrity shall be kept
Fax service, SMS, MMS,
FTP, E-mail
For different service cases, the UMTS service bear rate shall be designed according to
their special demands on radio resources. Table 1.1-2 lists the radio bear rates of these
typical services.
Table 1.1-2 Data Service Application Proportion and Bear Rate
Service
Bear Rate (kbps)
Uplink Downlink
E-mail 64 64
MMS 64 64
Intranet 64 128
E-commerce 64 128
Info Services 64 128
1
Entertainment 64 128
WWW 64 128
FTP 64 128/384
Video streaming 64 384
1.2 Service Model
Service model is the reference for capacity estimation. It reflects the proportion of each
service in hybrid service under various service environments. Based on this proportion,
you can estimate the average traffic or data throughput of a single user. Multiply the
value by the expected number of users in various environments to get the
corresponding total traffic or throughput.
1.2.1 Classification of Area Types
Service model is very important to the UMTS network design because it is the
reference for capacity estimation and determines whether to take future network
service demands into account during planning. On the other hand, service model is
hard to predict. Service model is closely associated with the behavior habits of different
users using different services and users habits of using services are closely associated
with many factors in different areas, such as economy and culture. Therefore, a service
model is inapplicable for the application requirements of different environments.
According to service type distribution, service development policy and user dynamic
distribution as well as consumption behavior features in an area, service distribution
areas are categorized into six classes, downtown area, urban area, suburb area, rural
area, main line of communication/scenic spot and indoor coverage. Table 1.2-1 gives
service distribution features and user density of different areas.
Table 1.2-1 Service Distribution Features and User Density of Different Areas
Area
Service
Distribution
Feature
Site
Classification
User Density
(user/km
2
)
Population Density
(user/km
2
)
Downtown area Traffic-intensive
High service rate
requirement
Key area of data
service
Central business
district*
>12000
>50000
Irregular
building-
intensive area
>8000 >30000
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Chapter 4 Scale Estimation Example
development Dense building
complex area
>1000
>10000
Urban area
High traffic; medium service rate;
common data service demands
>1000
>3000
Suburb area
Low traffic; low-speed or no data
service
<1000
>100
Rural area
Sparse traffic; with the purpose of
solving coverage
No guarantee for data service QoS
<1000 <100
Main line of
communication/
Scenic spot
Low traffic; scenic spot with seasonal
features
Note: *Such regions as Middle Ring of HongKong and Lujiazui Financial & Trade Zone in Shanghai
Considering voice service remains important at the early stage of 3G construction, the
following sections gives detailed recommendation of busy hour traffic for the above six
areas respectively on voice service and video phone service; with respect to PS domain
data service, busy hour traffic for only the former four areas are provided.
1.2.2 CS Domain Service Model
Figure 1.2-1 shows the voice service call model.
Call duration
Call setup
Call release
Error: Reference source not foundFigure1.2-1 Call Model of Voice Service
Primary parameters of the voice service model are Busy Hour Call Attempt (BHCA)
and call duration. With these two parameters, you can calculate the busy hour traffic.
Busy Hour Traffic = BHCA x Call Duration /3600
Tables1.2-2 and 1.2-3 respectively offer the recommended values of voice service and
video phone service in different areas.
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UMTS Scale Estimation
Table 1.2-2 Voice Service Model
Area BHCA Call Duration (S) Traffic (Erl/BH)
Downtown
area
Central business
district
2.7 60 0.045
Irregular
building-
intensive area
1.8 60 0.03
Dense building
complex area
1.2 60 0.02
Urban area 1.2 60 0.02
Suburb area 1.018 60 0.018
Rural area 0.96 60 0.016
Main line of
communication/scenic spot
0.9 60 0.015
Table 1.2-3 Video Phone Service Model
Area BHCA Call Duration (S) Traffic (mErl/BH)
Downtown
area
Central business
district
0.135 120 4.5
Irregular
building-
intensive area
0.09 120 3
Dense building
complex area
0.06 120 2
Urban area 0.06 120 2
Suburb area 0.0509 120 1.8
Rural area 0.048 120 1.6
Main line of
communication/scenic spot
0.045 120 1.5
1.2.3 PS Domain Service Model
The data service call model widely differs from the voice service call model. Data call
has the following features:
Conversion between Dormant state and Active state;
Each session of a user can consist of several packet calls and different data service
types and user types have differentiated features;
Data is transmitted in data burst mode;
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Chapter 4 Scale Estimation Example
Resources occupied by packet call vary with data burst transmission.
Figure 1.2-2 shows the data call process:
Packet Call Packet Call Packet Call Packet Call
Active Dormant Active Active Dormant Active
A data service process of a user A data service process of a user
Data call(session)-WWW Data call(session)-WWW
Click web
page
Click next page
Click next
page
Send/Receive E-
mail
Web page download
Web page
download
Web page download Web page download
Data Burst Data Burst Data Burst Data Burst
Active
Dormant
Packet Call
Packet Call
Web page download
Next web page download
Call setup Call release
Figure 1.2-2 Data Service Call Process
The data service here is described in ETSI model. Its primary parameters are Busy
Hour Session Attempt (BHSA), calls per session, packets per call and mean packet
size. With these parameters, you can work out the busy hour service throughput and
equivalent Erl. Table 1.2-4 gives the calculation method of data service throughput.
Table 1.2-4 Data Service Throughput Calculation
Parameter Symbol
BHSA of data service a
Application proportion b
Calls per session c
Packets per call d
Mean packet size (Byte) e
Service bear rate f
Service throughput (kbits/BH) G = a*b*c*d*e*8/1000
Erl h = g/3600/f
Based on the national CDMA user habit analysis statistics in conjunction with the
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UMTS Scale Estimation
international UMTS data service features, parameters of data service ETSI model in
downtown area are given in Table 1.2-5:
Table 1.2-5 Parameters of Data Service ETSI Model in Downtown Area
Service BHSA
Call per
Session
UL/DL
Packet
in a Call
UL/DL
Mean Packet
Size (Byte)
Throughput
UL/DL(kbits)
E-mail 0.3 2/2 15/15 480 34.56/34.56
MMS 0.05 2/2 15/15 480 5.76/5.76
Intranet 0.15 5/5 4/27 480 11.56/77.76
E-
commer
ce
0.05 2/2 10/26 480 3.84/9.98
Info
Services
0.08 2/2 5/33 480 6.14/40.69
Entertai
nment
0.02 5/5 4/27 480 1.54/10.37
WWW 0.2 5/5 2/15 480 7.68/57.60
FTP 0.15 1/1 8/74 480 4.61/42.62
Because all services will finally come down to the bear rate, Table 1.2-6 provides a
recommended data service model at the early stage of 3G construction based on bear
rate. Where, 384 service is applicable only for downtown and urban areas due to its
great impact on network coverage.
Table 1.2-6 Data Service Model
Bear
Rate
(kbps)
Busy Hour Traffic (kbits)
Uplink/Downli
nk Proportion
Downtown
Area
Urban Area Suburb Area Rural Area
64/64 80.64 63.04 38.8 15.76 1:1
64/128 161.88 140.3 87.35 34.94 1:7
64/384 112.51 86.8 54.25 21.7 1:10
Note: The data in this table is intended for Class 4 area, which relatively drops behind
Class 1, 2 and 3 areas so that you can multiply the data by 30, 20 and 10 respectively
for these areas. Overseas developed areas are taken as Class 1 areas.
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Chapter 4 Scale Estimation Example
From analysis, 31 provinces and cities in China mainland can be categorized into four
regions. The telecommunication development in provinces and cities of the same
region has many similarities so that they are taken into account comprehensively.
These four classes of regions are as follows:
Class 1: Guangdong, Shanghai, Beijing and Zhejiang;
Class 2: Tianjin, Fujian, Shandong, Liaoning, Sichuan, Chongqing and Jiangsu;
Class 3: Heilongjiang, Jilin, Hunan, Inner Mongolia, Hubei, Henan and Hainan;
Class 4: Qinghai, Hebei, Tibet, Shanxi, Anhui, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Yunnan,
Gansu, Ningxia, Xinjiang and Guizhou.
7
2 UMTS Coverage Estimation
2.1 Radio Propagation Model
2.1.1 Free Space Propagation Loss
Because of propagation path and landform interference, propagation signals are
decreased, which is known as propagation loss. In the space propagation, many factors
enter into radio wave loss, including ground absorption, reflection, refraction and
diffraction. In the case that radio wave is propagated in free space (homogeneous
medium with isotropy, imbibition and electric conductivity as zero), the above factors
are uncertain. However, it does not mean that there is no propagation loss of radio
wave in free space. After radio wave is propagated for a certain distance, it may also be
attenuated due to radiant energy diffusion (also called attenuation or loss).
When the transmitter whose transmission power is Pt eradiates radio signals through
isotropy antenna with gain as Gt, the signal power density Sr is:
2
4 d
Gt Pt
S
r

The signal power Pr received by the antenna with gain as Gr is:

Ar Sr Pr
Where, Ar stands for the effective receiving area of antenna,

4
2

Gr
Ar
then,
( )
2
2
4
Pr
d
Gr Gt Pt

Pt refers to the power from transmitter to transmit antenna.

refers to the electromagnetic wave length.
d refers to the distance between transmit and receive antennas.
Gt refers to the transmit antenna gain.
Gr refers to the receive antenna gain.
9
The propagation loss is defined as the ratio of power from transmitter to transmit
antenna to power received by receive antenna:
( )
2
2
4
Pr

Gr Gt
d Pt
Loss
Path loss is measured by dB, then space propagation loss (Loss) is:
( )
( ) ( ) Gr Gt
d
Gr Gt
d
Loss lg 10 lg 10
4
lg 20
4
lg 10
2
2

,
_

1
]
1

Propagation loss of free space (Free Loss) is:

,
_

d
Loss
4
lg 20
If and d are measured by Km and
f
is measured by MHz, the common formula
is:
f d FreeLoss lg 20 lg 20 44 . 32 + +
From the above formula, we can see that the larger the distance (d) between transmit
antenna and receive antenna, and the larger the radio wave frequency (f), the larger the
free space loss. When d or f is doubled, the propagation loss of free space will be
increased by 6 dB.
2.1.2 Propagation Model
While planning and constructing a mobile communication network, you have to make
detailed study about electric wave propagation features and field strength prediction
before determining frequency band, frequency allocation and radio wave coverage,
calculating communication probability and inter-system electromagnetic interference,
and finally defining radio equipment parameters. The radio propagation model is a
mathematic formula of such variables as radio propagation loss and frequency,
distance, environment and antenna height concluded by theory study and practical test.
In the radio network planning, the radio propagation model presents the designer an
approximate propagation effect in the practical propagation environment to estimate
the space propagation loss. Therefore, the propagation model veracity determines
whether the cell planning is reasonable.
Radio propagation environments on the earth surface diversify a lot and propagation
models in different propagation environments are differentiated a lot, too. Therefore,
the propagation environment plays an important role in setting up a radio propagation
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Chapter 4 Scale Estimation Example
model. The propagation environment in a special region consists of the following
factors:
Terrains (mountains, hills, plain or water area)
Number, height, distribution and material features of buildings
Vegetation features
Weather conditions
Natural or man-made electromagnetic noise
Working frequency of system
Movement of mobile station
Propagation model is usually classified into outdoor propagation model and indoor
propagation model. The frequently-used models are shown in Table 2.1-1.
Table 2.1-1 Common Propagation Models
Model Name Frequency Range
Okumura-Hata 150 MHz1500 MHz macro cell prediction
Cost231-Hata 150 MHz2000 MHz macro cell prediction
Cost231 Walfish-Ikegami 800 MHz2000 MHz micro cell prediction
Keenan-Motley 900 MHz and 1800 MHz indoor environment prediction
General model 150 MHz2000 MHz macro cell prediction
The Cost231-Hata model and the General model used in the network planning software
Aircom are described below.
The Cost231-Hata model is applicable for 150 MHz2000 MHz macro cell prediction.
The urban path loss value can be worked out with the following approximate analysis
formula:
( )
m m b b
C Ah d h h f Pathloss + + + lg lg 55 . 6 9 . 44 log 82 . 13 lg 9 . 33 3 . 46
Where, f refers to carrier, unit: MHz, applicable for 150 MHz2000 MHz;
b
h
refers to BS antenna height, unit: m, effective height 30 m200 m;
d refers to the distance from mobile station to antenna, unit: Km;
m
Ah
refers to mobile station antenna height correction factor;
m
C
refers to city center correction factor, 3 dBm for large cities and 0 dBm for
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UMTS Scale Estimation
middle- and small-size cities.
In practical radio propagation environment, topographical features shall also be taken
into account. The planning software Aircom does make some improvements by
considering the topographical impacts in practical environment on the electric wave
propagation, and thus guarantee the accuracy of coverage prediction result in a better
manner.
The model is expressed as below:
Path loss = k1 + k2log(d) + k3Hms + k4lg(Hms) + k5lg(Heff) + k6log(Heff)log(d) +
k7(diffraction loss) + clutter loss
d refers to the distance from mobile station to BS antenna, unit: Km;
Heff refers to the effective height of BS transmit antenna, unit: m;
Hms refers to the height of mobile station antenna, unit: m;
diffraction loss refers to dispersion loss;
clutter loss refers to topographical feature loss correction factor.
To analyze the electric wave propagation of different regions and different cities, the K
value may vary with different topographical features and different city environments.
In practice, you need to determine the K value of different regions, cities and areas
through propagation model correction.
2.2 Link Budget
Link budget is the precondition of coverage planning. Calculation of the maximum
allowed loss of services can be made to get the coverage radius of cell in a certain
transmission model, so as to determine the BS scale under the continuous coverage
conditions. Generally, link budget shall be made in two directions of uplink (from MS
to BS) and downlink (from BS to MS). In addition, uplink/downlink balance shall be
implemented. The coverage planning is generally calculated based on the maximum
radius that the MS can reach (that is, uplink budget). That is because many uncertain
factors (such as number of subscribers that are simultaneously connected, subscriber
distribution, and subscriber rate) affect the forward coverage radius, which makes the
calculation complicated. In general cases, the BS power can satisfy the coverage
requirement. That is, the coverage is uplink limited. Table 2.2-1 shows the basic
algorithm of link budget.
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Chapter 4 Scale Estimation Example
Table 2.2-1
Parameter Symbol Procedure
Transmitter power (dBm) A
Transmitting antenna gain (dBi) B
Transmitting-end human body loss (dB) C
Transmitting-end feeder loss (dB) D
Transmitting-end effective radiation power (dBm) E E=A+B-C-D
Thermal noise density (dBm/Hz) F
Thermal noise (dBm)
G G=F+10*LOG(3840
000)
Receiver noise coefficient (dB) H
Receiver noise (dBm) I I=G+H
Interference margin (dB) J
Service bit rate (kbps) K
Processing gain (dB) L L=10*LOG(3840/K)
Eb/No (dB) M
Receiver sensitivity (dBm) N N=I+J-L+M
Receiver antenna gain (dBi) O
Receiver feeder loss (dB) P
Receiving-end human body loss (dB) Q
Power control margin (dB) R
Soft handoff gain (dB) S
Shadow fading margin (dB) T
Penetration loss (dB) U
Maximum allowed path loss (dB)
V V=E-N+O-P-Q-
R+S-T-U
2.2.1 Basic Link Budget Parameters
This section describes basic parameters of the UMTS link budget.
1 Transmitter power:
BS transmitting power:
The maximum transmitting power of BS is 43 dB. The power of the Dedicated
CHannel (DCH) accounts for 63% of the total power. Table 2.2-2 shows the
power distribution of all channels:
Table 2.2-2 Power Distribution of Channels
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UMTS Scale Estimation
Power (dBm) Power (W) Proportion
Max Tx Power: 43.0 20.0 100.00%
Pilot Power: 33.0 2.0 10%
PCCPCH(BCH): 30.0 1.0 5%
SCCPCH(FACH): 30.0 1.0 5%
SCCPCH(PCH): 30.0 1.0 5%
AICH: 26.0 0.4 2%
PICH: 26.0 0.4 2%
P-SCH: 29.0 0.8 4%
S-SCH: 29.0 0.8 4%
DCH 41.0 12.6 63%
The BS transmitting power is a system parameter, different for individual services. It
shall be determined in accordance with service type and service coverage.
MS transmitting power:
During link budget, suppose the maximum transmitting power of UE data
service to +21 dBm and that of voice service to +21 dBm.
The BS transmitting power is a system parameter, different for individual services. It
shall be determined in accordance with service type and service coverage. In the
network optimization process, optimization engineers shall adjust power distribution to
all channels in accordance with network quality and service requirement to provide the
whole network with the optimal performance.
2 Human body loss
It is generally 3 dB for voice service and 0 dB for data service.
3 Antenna gain
It is generally 0 dB for the UE.
During link budget, suppose the directional antenna gain of the BS to 17 dBi and
the omni-directional receiving antenna gain to 11 dBi. In practice, different
antennas can be selected in accordance with different region types and coverage
requirements.
4 Feeder loss
It includes the loss of all feeders and connectors between the equipment top and
the antenna connector. For a feeder of 30-40 meters long, suppose the total
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Chapter 4 Scale Estimation Example
feeder loss to 4 dB (including the connector loss) during link budget. For a
feeder of 40-50 meters long, suppose the total feeder loss to 5 dB (including the
connector loss) during link budget.
The feeder loss may decrease the BS receiving level and shorten the coverage
radius. Tower amplifiers can be used to make up for the feeder loss on the
uplink.
5 Eb/No
In the GSM system, the Signal-to-Noise ratio (S/N) is used to describe the anti-
interference capability of useful signals. When S/N matches certain conditions,
the receiver can demodulate useful signals. In the UMTS system, however,
useful signals are submerged in the noise. So S/N cannot be used to reflect the
signal quality sufficiently. Eb/No serves as the reference of signal quality in the
UMTS system.
Eb/No indicates the demodulation threshold of the receiver, that is, energy per
bit divided by the noise power spectrum density.
Eb indicates the signal energy per bit, that is, Eb = S/R where S indicates signal
energy and R indicates service bit rate.
No indicates the noise power spectrum density, that is No = N/W where W
indicates bandwidth (3.84 M) and N indicates noise (total receiving power
except the signal itself).
Eb/No =
N
W
R
S
=
R
W
N
S

= PG
N
S

PG indicates the processing gain. As an important index of the spread spectrum
system, it reflects the amplitude of valid signals increased by the spread
spectrum technology at the demodulation end.
N S
is similar to
I C
in the GSM system.
In the unit of dB, Eb/No = S(dBm) N(dBm) + 10lg(W/R).
The value of Eb/No is related to the receiving/transmitting diversity of mobile
equipment, multi-path channel condition, and service type.
Table 2.2-3 and Table 2.2-4 show the uplink/downlink Eb/No values of different
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UMTS Scale Estimation
services under different multi-path channel conditions.
Table 2.2-3 Uplink Eb/No Value
UL Eb/No
(dB)
Urban Area Suburb Area
Service type Static TU 3km/h TU 50km/h RA 3km/h RA 50km/h RA 120km/h
AMR 12.2k 4.1 4.2 6.4 4.1 6 6.4
CS 64K 2.5 2.87 4.5 2.8 5.2 5.2
PS 64K 0.9 1.6 4.5 2.7 5 4.9
Table 2.2-4 Downlink Eb/No Value
UL Eb/No
(dB)
Urban Area Suburb Area
Service type Static TU 3km/h TU 50km/h RA 3km/h RA 50km/h RA 120km/h
AMR 12.2k 7.2 7.7 7.1 8.5 8.4 7.2
CS 64K 7.1 7.7 6.7 8.8 8.2 7.1
PS 64K 6.4 7.4 6.2 8 7.8 6.4
PS 128K 5.7 6.4 5.5 7.3 7.3 5.7
PS 384K 6.4 8 5.9 7.7 7.7 6.4
6 Interference margin
Interference margin =
) 1 lg( lg 10
, where

indicates the cell load.

The UMTS system is of self-interference, and its coverage is closed related to
the system capacity. At earlier network stages, little traffic results in low value of
interference margin. As the traffic load increases, the interference margin
becomes larger and the BS coverage shrinks. With regard to link budget,
therefore, it is necessary to select the maximum uplink load in accordance with
the estimated traffic increasing trend to ensure good coverage.
The value of interference margin in the uplink budget depends on the capacity
requirement in the network design. The interference margin is 3 dB when the
load is taken 50% from the dense urban area or a cell in the urban area, it is 2.2
dB when the load is taken 40% from the suburb area, and it is 1.5 dB when the
load is taken 30% from the rural area.
For the downlink, the relationship between load and interference still exists. The
interference margin shall be determined by emulation because it is hard to make
the theoretic calculation.
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Chapter 4 Scale Estimation Example
7 BS receiving sensitivity
BS receiving sensitivity indicates the minimum receiving level that the service
channel requires to guarantee the decoding requirement with certain
communication qualities.
From the above deduction of Eb/No:
S(dBm) = Eb/No(dB) + N(dBm) - 10lg(W/R).
N indicates the total noise that the BS receives, that is, N = Noise + N
f
+ IM.
In the formula:
Noise indicates the thermal noise, caused by electronic thermal movements in
the conductor. It is generated between antenna and receiver as well as in the
damaged component coupler of level 1 of the receiver. In most of
communication systems, the power spectrum density is the same at the fixed
frequency point because the noise bandwidth is far larger than the system
bandwidth. From the DC to the frequency of 10
12
Hz, therefore, the noise power
generated by the thermal noise source is the same per unit bandwidth. The
calculation formula of power is:
Noise = KTW (in the unit of W)
K indicates a Boltzmann constant, namely 1.38*10-23J/K.
T indicates the Kelvin temperature, namely 290 K.
W indicates the signal bandwidth, namely 3.84 M.
When dBm is taken as the calculation unit:
Noise = 10lg(KT) + 10lg(W).
10lg(KT) indicates the thermal noise density (in the unit of dBm/Hz).
N
f
indicates the BS noise coefficient, defined as the ratio of input S/N to output
S/N. 3GPP does not have specific requirement for the equipment noise. It is
generally taken as 3 dB for link budget.
IM indicates the noise increasing caused by system load.
S(dBm) = Eb/No(dB) + 10lg(KTW) + N
f
(dBm) + IM(dBm) - 10lg(W/R).
The formula of BS receiving sensitivity is:
Receiver Sensitivity = 10lg(KT) + Nf + 10lg(Eb/No) + 10lgR + IM.
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UMTS Scale Estimation
10lg(KT) indicates the thermal noise density, namely 174 dBm/Hz.
Nf indicates the BS noise coefficient, namely 3 dB.
IM indicates the interference margin.
8 Soft handoff gain
Here, soft handoff gain indicates the gain to overcome slow fading. When the
mobile equipment is located in the soft handoff region, multiple radio links of
soft handoff receive signals at the same time, which decreases the requirement
for the shadow fading margin. The soft handoff gain is generally taken as 3 dB
for link budget.
9 Power control margin (fast fading margin)
The UMTS system adopts the fast closed-loop power control of 1500 Hz. For a
low-speed mobile terminal, the fast closed-loop power control of 1500 Hz can
fight fast fading and guarantee the demodulation performance. Because of the
features of fast fading, however, the fast power control cannot compensate deep
fading when the low-speed mobile terminal is in deep fading. In this case, the
UE (Node B) needs to fight deep fading by increasing the average transmitting
power. When the UE is located at the edge of a cell, the fast power control
cannot compensate deep fading either. Therefore, it is necessary to reserve a
certain dynamic adjustment scope of transmitting power for the fast closed-loop
power control during link budget. The power control margin is generally taken
as 3 dB.
For a medium-speed or high-speed terminal (moving speed 50 km/hour), the
interleave in the channel code functions to fight fast fading while the fast closed-
loop power control has little function. So it is unnecessary to reserve the power
control margin.
10 Penetration loss
The penetration loss of buildings and vehicles is an important factor that
influences the radio coverage. The penetration loss is related to the specific
building/vehicle type and incident angle of radio wave. Suppose that the
penetration loss complies with lognormal distribution during link budget, and
use the average value of penetration loss and standard deviation to describe it. If
the radio coverage outside buildings is effective, it is enough to set the
penetration loss to 10 dB15 dB. To receive and initiate calls at the core part of a
18
Chapter 4 Scale Estimation Example
building, it is necessary to set the penetration loss to 30 dB. Similarly, the
penetration loss is also important to the coverage inside vehicles. A car has the
penetration loss of 3 dB to 6 dB, and vans and buses may have larger changes.
The penetration loss at the front of vans should not exceed that of cars, but that
at the rear of vans may reach 10 dB to 12 dB. The specific value is dependent on
the number of windows. Therefore, it is necessary to set a reasonable penetration
loss value in accordance with actual conditions of the planning region during
link budget to guarantee good service quality.
11 Shadow fading margin
The shadow fading complies with lognormal distribution. Its value is related to
the sector edge communication probability and shadow fading standard
deviation, while the latter is related to the electromagnetic wave propagation
environment.
The fading margin is reserved to overcome fading changes and guarantee
reliability of communications in the cell. It shall correspond to certain
requirements of cell edge communication probability.
In the radio space propagation, the path loss of any a given distance changes
rapidly and the path loss value can be regarded as a random variable in
conformity with lognormal distribution. In the case of network design in
accordance with the average path loss, the loss value of points at the cell edge
shall be larger than the path loss median for 50% of time period, and smaller
than the median for the left 50% of time period. That is, the edge coverage
probability of the cell is 50% only. In this case, it is hard for subscribers at the
cell edge to obtain expected service quality with 50% of probability. To improve
coverage probability of the cell, it is necessary to reserve the fading margin
during link budget. The edge coverage probability is generally taken to 75% for
link budget. The following takes the edge coverage probability equal to or larger
than 75% as an example:
Suppose the random variable of propagation loss to

which is Gaussian
distribution on dB. Set the average value to
m
, the standard deviation to

,
and the corresponding probability distribution function to
Q
. Set a loss
threshold
1
. If the propagation loss is larger than this threshold, the signal
strength will fail to meet the demodulation requirement of expected service
qualities. The edge coverage probability equal to or larger than 75% can be
19
UMTS Scale Estimation
represented as:

<
1
2
) (
cov
2
2
2
1
) 1 (

d e P P
m
r erage
For the outdoor environment, the standard deviation of the random variable of
propagation loss is always taken to 8 dB. The margin value corresponding to the
edge coverage probability (communication probability) of 75% is:
dB m 4 . 5 8 675 . 0 675 . 0 1
See Figure 2.2-1 and Figure 2.2-2:
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
- 3 - 2. 5 - 2 - 1. 5 - 1 - 0. 5 0 0. 5 1 1. 5 2 2. 5 3
75%
0
.
6
7
5

Accumulated normal probability distribution

M
e
d
i
a
n
Deviation with median signal m
Figure 2.2-1 Fading MarginProbability Distribution Function
m
Normal distribution
probability density function
Standard deviation=8dB
0.675 x8=5.4dB
Threshold
Propagati
on loss
Figure 2.2-2 Fading MarginProbability Density Function
The above figures show that it is necessary to reserve 5.4 dB margin to guarantee the
20
Chapter 4 Scale Estimation Example
edge coverage probability of 75% in the network planning. An easier method is to
calculate by using the NORMINV function in Excel. Table 2.2-5 and Figure 2.2-3
show the values of shadow fading margin and edge coverage probability in different
standard deviations.
Table 2.2-5 Shadow Fading Margin and Edge Coverage Probability in Different Standard Deviations
Edge Coverage Probability
Shadow Fading Margin

= 6dB

= 8dB

= 10dB

= 12dB
50% 0 0 0 0
55% 0.75 1.01 1.26 1.51
60% 1.52 2.03 2.53 3.04
65% 2.31 3.08 3.85 4.62
70% 3.15 4.20 5.24 6.29
75% 4.05 5.40 6.74 8.09
80% 5.05 6.73 8.42 10.10
85% 6.22 8.29 10.36 12.44
90% 7.69 10.25 12.82 15.38
95% 9.87 13.16 16.45 19.74
98% 12.32 16.43 20.54 24.64
0
0. 75
1. 52
2. 31
3. 15
4. 05
5. 05
6. 22
7. 69
9. 87
0
1. 01
2. 03
3. 08
4. 20
5. 40
6. 73
8. 29
10. 25
13. 16
0
1. 26
2. 53
3. 85
5. 24
6. 74
8. 42
10. 36
12. 82
16. 45
0
1. 51
3. 04
4. 62
6. 29
8. 09
10. 10
12. 44
15. 38
19. 74
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
50% 55% 60% 65% 70% 75% 80% 85% 90% 95%
6dB
8dB
10dB
12dB
S
h
a
d
o
w

f
a
d
i
n
g

m
a
r
g
i
n

(
d
B
)
Edge coverage probability
Figure 2.2-3 Shadow Fading Margin and Edge Coverage Probability in Different Standard Deviations
21
UMTS Scale Estimation
2.2.2 Unlink Budget
The parameters taken in the last section can be used to calculate the uplink budget
under different environments and coverage requirements. The following table shows
the calculation process:
Table 2.2-6 Uplink Budget
Parameter Symbol
Maximum transmitting power of UE A
UE antenna transmitting gain B
UE transmitting loss (human body loss) C
Actual maximum transmitting power of UE per
channel
D= A +B C
Environment thermal noise power spectrum
density
E
Uplink noise figure F
Uplink receiving noise power spectrum density G = E +F
Uplink noise rise H
Total BS uplink receiving interference power
spectrum density
I = G + H
Uplink signal quality requirement Eb/No J
Uplink service rate K
Uplink receiving sensitivity
L = I + 10lg(3.84*10
6
) +(J 10lg (3.84*10
6
/
k ))
BS antenna gain M
BS integrated loss N
Shadow fading margin P
Soft handoff gain Q
Power control margin R
Penetration loss S
Maximum loss T = D -L +M-N-P+Q-R-S
2.2.3 Uplink/Downlink Balance
Different from uplink budget, downlink budget makes all subscribers in the cell share
the BS power at the same time. The BS power distribution aims to make all subscriber
services connected with the BS in the cell match the corresponding service level.
Besides the number of subscribers in the cell, the downlink cell radius is also related to
the location and services of the subscriber.
22
Chapter 4 Scale Estimation Example
The following table shows the parameters that cause the maximum allowed path loss
difference between uplink budget and downlink budget. The downlink is usually
limited by the capacity. When the load of the cell increases, the condition of limited
downlink may occur.
Table 2.2-7 Uplink/Downlink Parameter Comparison
Parameter Uplink Downlink
Receiver noise coefficient (dB) 2.2 7
Maximum transmitting power (dBm) 21
Depending on the maximum single-
channel transmitting power
Receiving-end Eb/No (dB) (12.2 kbps) 4. 2 7.2
The balance between the uplink and downlink needs the help of planning software for
iterative calculation. The calculation includes the uplink coverage estimation and the
downlink power distribution. It shows link balance if the total power does not exceed
the maximum BS transmitting power. If the total power required by the downlink
exceeds the maximum BS transmitting power, it is necessary to reduce the coverage
area and conduct the downlink power distribution again until the total power is smaller
than or equal to the maximum BS transmitting power.
2.3 Coverage Scale Estimation
2.3.1 Calculation of BS Coverage Radius
After acquisition of the maximum allowed path loss between MS and BS via link
budget, it is easy to estimate the BS coverage radius by combining with the local radio
propagation model. In fact, the radio propagation model describes the relationship
between path propagation loss and coverage distance. The maximum allowed path loss
and radio propagation model that have been known can be used to conversely deduct
the maximum BS coverage radius. If the coverage radius of macro-cell BS is to be
estimated only without considering the topographic features, the macro-cell radius can
be calculated by using the Cost231-hata model.

10 R
( ) ( )
b m m b
h Ah C h f Pathloss lg 55 . 6 9 . 44 / lg 82 . 13 lg 9 . 33 3 . 46 + +
Pathloss indicates the maximum allowed path loss, acquired via link budget.
f
indicates the carrier frequency, in the unit of MHz.
23
UMTS Scale Estimation
b
h
indicates the BS antenna height, in the unit of m.
d indicates the distance from the MS to the antenna, in the unit of Km.
m
Ah
indicates the mobile antenna height correction factor.
m
C
indicates the big-city center correction factor, 3 dBm for big cities and 0 dBm for
medium and small cities.
In practice, the universal model of emulation software (such as Aircom) is generally
used:
Path loss = k1 + k2log(d) + k3Hms + k4log(Hms) + k5log(Heff) + k6log(Heff)log(d) +
k7(diffraction loss) + clutter loss
Obtain the radio propagation model that best matches the actual environment of the
local area by correcting k1, k2, k3, k4, k5, k6, k7(diffraction loss) and clutter loss.
2.3.2 Calculation of BS Coverage Area
The cell coverage radius R calculated in the last section can be used to obtain the BS
coverage area Area and inter-BS distance D. The BS coverage area is related to the
BS type. The following shows some common BS types of Node B:
1 Omni-directional BS
R
D
Area =
2
3
2
3
R , D = R 3
2 Three-sector directional BS (65 horizontal lobe)
24
Chapter 4 Scale Estimation Example
D
R
Area =
2
3
8
9
R , D = R
2
3
3 Six-sector directional BS
D
R
Area =
2
3
2
3
R , D = R 3
2.3.3 Scale Calculation
The planning region area divided by the single-BS coverage area is the number of BSs
that can cover the region with coverage requirements satisfied.
25
3 UMTS Capacity Estimation
3.1 Capacity Estimation Flow
The capacity estimation is another important part of the scale estimation. The purpose
of capacity estimation is to estimate the approximate BS number needed by the
capacity according to the service model and service traffic demand of the network
planning. Similar with the link budget, the capacity estimation should be performed
from the uplink and downlink. For the UMTS system capacity, the interference is
limited in the uplink direction and the BS power is limited in the downlink direction. In
the 2 G CDMA network, the voice service is the main application service with
symmetrical uplink and downlink traffic, the capacity is limited in the uplink direction,
so the uplink capacity calculation is focused on in capacity estimation. However, in the
UMTS network, the data service proportion is obviously increased and the network
uplink and downlink traffic becomes asymmetric generally, and even the downlink
capacity may be limited. Therefore, the UMTS capacity estimation should be
performed from the uplink and downlink respectively. The following steps are involved
in capacity estimation:
1 Hybrid service intensity analysis. The UMTS system can provide multiple
services. The hybrid service intensity analysis makes the system capacity
consumed by various services equivalent to that consumed by a single service.
2 Uplink capacity estimation. Estimate the BS number that meets the service
demand based on the hybrid service intensity analysis.
3 Downlink capacity estimation. It is a verification process. The BS transmission
power formula is used to calculate the channel number that can be provided by
the current BS scale so as to verify whether this channel number can meet the
capacity requirement, and if it cannot, stations need be added.
3.2 Estimation Method of Hybrid Service Capacity
There are multiple services in the UMTS network, their service rates and required
Eb/No are diversified, the effects on the system load and consumed BS resources are
different, so the estimation for the cell capacity cannot adopt the method for estimating
27
the cell capacity in a pure voice network. An idea of hybrid service capacity estimation
is to make equivalent among various services to make the system capacity consumed
by various services equivalent to that consumed by a single service. The Equivalent
Erlang, Post Erlang-B and Campbell methods in the hybrid service estimation are
introduced respectively as follows.
3.2.1 Equivalent Erlang Method
The fundamental principle of the Equivalent Erlang method is to make a service
equivalent to another service, calculate the total traffic (erl) of the equivalent services
and count the channel number needed by this traffic. We will give an example to
explain it as below.
Suppose services A and B are provided in the network, where,
service A: each connection occupies one channel and the total is 12 erl;
service B: each connection occupies 3 channels and the total is 6 erl.
If 1 erl service B is equivalent to 3 erl service A, the total traffic in the network will be
12+6*3=30 erl (service A). After querying Table erl-B, we know that altogether 39
channels are needed under 2% blocking rate.
If 3 erl service A is equivalent to 1 erl service B, the total traffic in the network will be
12/3+6=10 erl (service B). After querying Table erl-B, we know that altogether 17
service B channels (equivalent to 17*3=51 service A channels) are needed under 2%
blocking rate.
Upon the above analysis, we know that calculation result through the Equivalent
Erlang method is related to the equivalent mode adopted. The result through the former
equivalent mode is too small (39 channels) which is too optimistic, while the result
through the latter mode is too large (51 channels), which is too pessimistic, as shown in
the following figure:
28
Chapter 4 Scale Estimation Example
Capacities meeting the
same GOS are different
Low speed
service
equivalent
2 Erl Low
speed service
1 Erl High
speed service
High speed service
equivalent
The calculation
result is related
to the
equivalent
mode
3.2.2 Post Erlang-B Method
The fundamental principle of the Post Erlang-B method is to calculate the channel
number required by each service capacity respectively and add channels in an
equivalent manner to obtain the channel number required by the hybrid service
capacity. We will give an example to explain it as below.
Suppose services A and B are provided in the network, where,
service A: each connection occupies one channel and the total is 12 erl;
service B: each connection occupies 3 channels and the total is 6 erl.
After querying Table erl-B, we know that altogether 19 channels are needed to meet
service A traffic (12 erl) under 2% blocking rate.
After querying Table erl-B, we know that altogether 12 service B channels (equivalent
to 12*3=36 service A channels) are needed to meet service B traffic (6 erl) under 2%
blocking rate.
The two services need 19+36=55 channels totally.
Calculate the network capacity in a special case based on the Post Erlang-B method:
Suppose services A and B are the same kind, where,
service A: each connection occupies one channel and the total is 12 erl;
service B: each connection occupies 1 channels and the total is 6 erl.
After querying Table erl-B, we know that altogether 19 channels are needed to meet
service A traffic (12 erl) under 2% blocking rate.
29
UMTS Scale Estimation
After querying Table erl-B, we know that altogether 12 channels are needed to meet the
service B traffic (6 erl) under 2% blocking rate.
Services A and B need 19+12=31 channels totally.
Because services A and B are the same kind, the total traffic is 12+6=18 erl. According
to the currently known method of capacity calculation in single service, after querying
Table erl-B, we know that 26 channels are needed to meet the traffic demand under 2%
blocking rate. This result is correct obviously.
Upon above analysis, we can see that the calculation result through the Post Erlang
method is too pessimistic (31>26). The reason is that the BS channels are shared
among services, however, the Post Erlang method factitiously separates the channels
used by the services, and thus, the BS channel resource utilization ratio is reduced, as
shown in the following figure:
Capacities meeting the same
GOS are different
1 ERL service A
1 ERL service B
1 ERL service A and
1 ERL service B
The
calculation
result is too
pessimistic
3.2.3 Campbell Method
The fundamental principle of the Campbell method is to make all services equivalent to
a virtual service based on certain rules, calculate the total traffic (erl) of this virtual
service, count the virtual channel number needed by this traffic, and convert the
number into the actual channel number that meets the network capacity.
The equivalent principle of the Campbell model:
30
Chapter 4 Scale Estimation Example

i
i i
i
i i
a erl
a erl
v
c
2

c
ffic OfferedTra

c
a C
Capacity
i i
) (

Where, c indicates capacity factor.

v indicates hybrid service variance.

indicates hybrid service mean.

i
a
indicates the equivalent intensity of service i.
i
C
indicates the channel number needed by service i.
OfferedTraffic indicates traffic of the virtual service.
Capacity indicates the virtual channel number needed by the virtual traffic.
We will give an example to explain it as below.
Suppose services A and B are provided in the network, where,
service A: each connection occupies one channel and the total is 12 erl;
service B: each connection occupies 3 channels and the total is 6 erl.
Equivalent intensity of service A a1=1 and that of service B a2=3.
The hybrid service mean is

+
i
i i
a erl 30 3 6 1 12
The hybrid service variance is

+
i
i i
a erl v 66 3 6 1 12
2 2
The capacity factor is
2 . 2
30
66

v
c
The virtual traffic is
63 . 13
2 . 2
30

c
ffic OfferedTra

After querying Table erl-B, we know that altogether 21 virtual channels are needed to
meet the virtual traffic under 2% blocking rate.
According to formula (), under 2% blocking rate, the channel number needed by each
service is shown as follows:
31
UMTS Scale Estimation
Service A:
47 1 ) 2 . 2 21 (
1
+ C
Service B:
49 3 ) 2 . 2 21 (
1
+ C
From the above analysis, compared with results of the Equivalent Erlang and Post
Erlang-B methods, the result of the Campbell method is more credible, so it is a more
reasonable estimation method for hybrid service capacity at present. According to the
Campbell method, under the same requirement of the service level GOS, diversified
channel resources are needed by different services, or, under the same channel
resources, different services obtain diversified service levels. From this point of view,
the Campbell method is more reasonable. However, the Campbell method makes all
services uniformly equivalent as the circuit domain services and uses the Erlang-B
model for analysis and calculation. In fact, the features of the packet domain services
are completely different from those of the circuit domain services, and in addition, the
Erlang-B establishment conditions are not satisfied, so this equivalent method has
defects itself. A further research is needed for better hybrid service establishment
model and capacity analysis method.
In the Campbell method, the service equivalent intensity a can be calculated based on
channel number consumed by each kind of service or based on the interference
introduced from the air interface by each kind of service, shown as follows:
1 amplitude for 1 amplitude for rate bit
service for service for rate bit
amplitude Relative
0
0
N
E
N
E
b
b

If the reference service is the voice service, with its activity at the physical layer
considered, the above formula can be modified to:
for voice v for voice for voice rate bit
service for service for rate bit
amplitude Relative
0
0

N
E
N
E
b
b
3.3 Uplink Capacity Estimation
3.3.1 Load Analysis for Uplink
In the UMTS system, all users adopt the same carrier and each signal becomes a noise
(interference) for others upon coding. Therefore, each signal is contained in the
32
Chapter 4 Scale Estimation Example
bandwidth interference background generated by other user. To access a call, the
mobile station power must be large enough to overcome other mobile stations in the
bandwidth, that is, the receive signal in the BS must reach Eb/No (energy per user bit
to noise spectral density) required by the service demodulation.
No Eb
j
) / (
User J's handling gain
User J's signal
Total receive power (without its own signal)
The above formula can be written into:
j total
j
j j
j
P I
P
R v
W
No Eb

) / (
Where, W indicates the chip rate, 3.84 Mchip/s.
vj indicates user js activation factor.
Rj is user js bit rate.
Pj indicates receive power for signals from user j.
Itotal indicates total broadband receive power with the thermal noise power included of
the BS.
From the above formula, we know that the receive power at the BS receive end should
meet the following formula so that the user signal can meet the demodulation
requirement:
total
j j j
j
I
v R No Eb
W
P
) / (
1
1
+

Define a connection load factor Lj:

j j j
j
v R No Eb
W
L
) / (
1
1
+

Lj indicates the ratio of user signal power to the total BS receive power, so a single
user signal power Pj is represented to
tatal j j
I L P
.
The total receive power of all N users from one cell is:

N
j
tatal j
N
j
j
I L P
1 1
Generally, the total receive power at the BS receive end consists of in-cell user
33
UMTS Scale Estimation
interference power, out-cell user interference power and BS thermal noise, that is:
N other in tatal
P P P I + +
Where, Pin indicates the total interference power of in-cell users.
Pother indicates the total interference power of out-cell users.
PN indicates the BS thermal noise power.
Because the out-cell mobile station interference power is not controlled by the local
cell BS, the interference is hard to determine. Generally, define the ratio of the
interference from other cell to that of the local cell as the neighbor cells interference
factor i:
i
Other cell interference
Local cell interference
i indicates the ratio of other cell interference to the local cell interference at the BS
receive end of the local cell. Generally, the neighbor cell interference factor of the
macro cell that adopts omni antenna is 0.55 and that of the macro cell that adopts three-
sector antenna is 0.65.
Therefore, the total user receive power of the BS is

+ +
N
j
tatal j other in
I L i P P
1
) 1 (
Define the noise lifting as the ratio of total broadband receive power to the noise power
of the BS, that is,

N
j
j
other in tatal
tatal
N
total
L i
P P I
I
P
I
NR
1
) 1 ( 1
1
Define the uplink load factor
UL

as


+
+ +
N
j
j j j
N
j
j UL
v R No Eb
W
i L i
1 1
) / (
1
1
) 1 ( ) 1 (
UL

indicates the ratio of the user signal power at the BS receive end to the total
receive power of the broadband.
Then, the noise lifting can be represented to
34
F
o
Chapter 4 Scale Estimation Example
UL
NR

1
1
or
) 1 ( 10 ) (
10 UL
LOG dB NR
This equation reflects the thermal noise lifting caused by user interference at the BS
receive end. 3 dB noise lifting corresponds to 50% load factors and 6 dB noise lifting
corresponds to 75% load factors. Generally, the network planning supposes that the
uplink load factor is 50%, in a single service, the channel number provided by each cell
can be calculated through formula (1), and then, the total BS number required by the
uplink capacity demand can be counted further. For the capacity estimation for hybrid
service, the Campbell algorithm should be combined to make the system resources
consumed by various services equivalent to those consumed by a single service. Then,
the channel number provided by each cell can be calculated through formula (1), and
the BS number required by the hybrid service capacity demand can be counted further.
The next section details the capacity estimation flow of the hybrid service.
The uplink noise lifting
NR
corresponds to the interference margin in the uplink
budget, that is, the coverage is related to the capacity. In planning, the network load
factor should be determined to get the noise lifting corresponding to this load. Then,
the BS radius meeting the uplink capacity requirement can be calculated further
through the link budget.
3.3.2 Uplink Capacity and Scale Estimation
The previous section describes the load factor of uplink, based on which, this section
describes how to estimate the BS quantity satisfying the composite traffic requirements
for uplink. Figure 3.3-1 shows the flow of estimating uplink capacity.
35
UMTS Scale Estimation
Calculate equivalent
intensity of services
Calculate the variance,
average value and capacity
factor of the mixed service
Virtual traffic A of the
system
Calculate the quantity
of equivalent voice channels
in a cell
The quantity of virtual
channels in the sell
Virtual traffic B of the cell
Number
of cells
A/B
Error:
Reference source not found
Figure 3.3-1 Flow Chart of Estimating Uplink Capacity
1 Calculate the virtual composite traffic of the system.
Because various services have different effects on system load, such an effect
can be equivalent to the effect of multiple voice channels on system load. The
calculation formula is as follows:
amplitude service= (Rservice x Eb/Noservice x vservice)/ (Rvoice x Eb/Novoice
x voice)
Where, R represents service rate.
Eb/No represents quality factor of the service.
v represents the activation factor of the service at the physical layer
According to the Campell theory, the virtual composite traffic of the system can
be calculated.
2 Calculate the quantity N of equivalent voice channels provided by a cell.
36
Chapter 4 Scale Estimation Example
Suppose that system capacity load is represented by

, the uplink capacity

formula is as follows

+
+
N
j
o
b
j
N
E
v R
W
f
1
*
1
* 1
1
* ) 1 (
Where, represents load factor, f represents interference factor from an adjacent
cell, v represents activation factor and N represents the quantity of channels.
According to the above formula, the quantity N of equivalent voice channels
provided by a cell can be evaluated.
3 Calculate the quantity of virtual channels in every cell
Bases on the quantity N of equivalent voice channels evaluated in step 2 and the
following formula
voice channel=virtual channel*C
Where, voice channel is the quantity N of equivalent voice channels
The quantity of virtual channels in every cell can be evaluated.
4 Look up Table Erl B according to the quantity of virtual channels evaluated in
step 3, and get the quantity of virtual traffic in every cell.
5 Calculate the quantity of cells
According to the virtual composite traffic of the system evaluated in step 2 and
virtual traffic of every cell evaluated in step 4, calculate the quantity of required
cells:
the number of cells=composite traffic/the virtual Erlang number every cell
The quantity of BSs required in three sectors is calculated as follows: the
number of cells/3.
3.4 Downlink Capacity Estimation
3.4.1 Analysis of Downlink Load
On the downlink, BS power is shared by all users in a cell. When no power in total BS
power can be allocated to a new user, air interface capacity reaches its limit. That is to
say, when a BS transmits the total power used for normal running of all users exceeds
37
UMTS Scale Estimation
the rated power of the BS, downlink capacity reaches power limit. Therefore, downlink
capacity is limited by the total transmitting power of the BS.
Similar to the analysis method of uplink capacity, analysis of downlink capacity starts
from the Eb/No value required by signal demodulation. To correctly demodulate useful
signals on the downlink, the mobile station must overcome interference from the
following three aspects: interference caused by nonorthogonality of the channel in a
cell, interference of signals from the outside of the cell and thermal noise from the
mobile station. That is,
N other tatal
P P P I + + ) 1 (
Where, P represents total BS transmitting power.
Pother represents total interference power of signals from the outside of the cell.
PN represents thermal noise power from the mobile station.
represents quadrature factor of the downlink.
On the downlink, quadrature factor is a very important parameter. Users on the
downlink of UMTS are differentiated based on the orthogonal code. In the case there is
no multipath propagation, orthogonality keeps unchanged when the mobile station
receives signals from the BS. However, in the actual process of signal propagation,
multipath delay is unavoidable, therefore orthogonality between channels is damaged,
thus causing interference. Quadrature factor 1 corresponds to the user fully orthogonal.
Generally, quadrature factor in the multipath channel is between 0.4 and 0.9.
By referring to the derivation means of uplink load factor, denote the downlink load
factor
DL

as follows:

+
N
j
j j
j
j
j DL
i
R W
No Eb
v
1
] ) 1 [(
/
) / (

Where,
W
represents chip rate at 3.84 Mchip/s.
vj
represents activation factor of the user j.
j
R
represents bit rate of the user j.
j

represents channel quadrature factor from the user j.

j
i
represents the ratio of BS power received by the user j from other cell to that from
this cell.
Because mobile stations are distributed randomly in a cell,
j

and
j
i
are related to
38
Chapter 4 Scale Estimation Example
the location of users. For the average value of cell load factors, adopt its similar
average value in the whole cell, that is:

+
N
j
j
j
j DL
i
R W
No Eb
v
1
] ) 1 [(
/
) / (

Where,

represents the average quadrature factor in a cell. Generally, it is 60% for

the multipath channel and 90% for the non-multipath channel.
i
represents the
average ratio of the BS power received by the user from other cell to that from this cell.
Generally, it is 55% for the omni antenna macro cell and 65% for the three-sector
antenna macro cell.
During the analysis of downlink capacity, estimation of BS transmitting power is the
most important. The estimated BS transmitting power is average power not peak power
at the cell boundary, because the transmitting power distributed by the BS for each user
is determined by the average loss from the BS to the mobile station and the sensitivity
of the mobile station. On the actual network, users are distributed randomly in a cell,
not at the cell boundary, therefore, the average path loss value, not the maximum path
loss value estimated for the link, should be adopted when BS transmitting power is
calculated. In a macro cell, the difference between the maximum path loss and the
average path loss is usually 6 dB.
The total BS transmitting power can be expressed by the following formula:
DL
N
j
j
j
j rf
R W
No Eb
v L W N
TxP BS

1
/
) / (
_
1
Where,
rf
N
represents the noise power spectrum density on the front of the mobile
station receiver, and it can be calculated by the following formula:
) 290 (sup 0 . 174 K poseT NF dBm NF KT N
rf
+ +
Where, NF
represents the noise coefficient of the mobile station receiver with the typical value of 5
dB to 9 dB.
L
represents the average path loss, which is evaluated by subtracting 6 dBm from the
maximum path loss.
vj represents activation factor of the user j.
Rj represents bit rate of the user j.
In the case of a single service, evaluate the channel quantity provided by every cell
39
Form
ula
UMTS Scale Estimation
under the maximum allowed transmitting power according to the formula (2) and
further evaluate the total number of BSs satisfying downlink capacity requirements.
In fact, the analysis of uplink and downlink link performances is a hard process.
Because the performance of downlink depends on many basic elements very much, its
analysis cannot be streamlined like the analysis of uplink. The Eb/No value range of
downlink is a parameter changing greatly with moving speed and multipath condition.
In addition, the mobile station receiver does not use antenna diversity. The reason why
the required Eb/No value changes with the mobile station is that at least two paths
cannot be ensured unless it is clearly known that the mobile station is in soft handoff or
softer handoff statuses. Such a change, randomicity of mobile station location and
interference level from the surrounding cell make the analysis of downlink
performance complicated. In designing, a very conservative conclusion can be gotten
in the case the worst condition is considered. Generally, estimate capacity after
analyzing the channel quantity required by uplink capacity, and observe whether the
downlink can support the mobile station to work in the designated coverage area and
its channel quantity reaches the channel quantity generated by the uplink.
3.4.2 Downlink Capacity and Scale Estimation
Downlink estimation is a verification process. The process of downlink capacity and
scale estimation is as follows: First calculate the quantity of equivalent voice channels
to be provided by this cell in the current service model, and then calculate the quantity
of equivalent voice channels availably provided by the cell according to the downlink
power calculation formula, and subsequently compare these two results. If the quantity
to be provided by the cell is less than that availably provided by the cell, it indicates
that downlink power is enough and the current scale satisfies system capacity
requirements. If the former is larger than the latter, it indicates that downlink capacity
is limited. To make downlink power enough, add some BSs.
1 Calculate the quantity of equivalent voice channels to be provided by every cell.
Under the precondition of known reverse capacity and scale, you can evaluate
the traffic of various services in every cell under such a scale. Then, according to
the equivalence of voice channels, you can evaluate the quantity of equivalent
voice channels to be provided by every cell. This quantity can be calculated by
following several steps below
1) Calculate the average traffic of various services in every cell according to the BS
40
Chapter 4 Scale Estimation Example
quantity of uplink and total traffic of downlink.
Average traffic of various services in a cell
3 ntity StationQua UplinkBase
inkTraffic TotalDownl
Where, the BS quantity is the larger value between estimated uplink coverage
and estimated capacity result.
2) According to the Campell theory, calculate the virtual Erlang traffic in every cell.
The calculation method in this step is the same as that of uplink.
3) Look up Table Erl B according to the virtual Erlang traffic in every cell
evaluated in step 2, and calculate the quantity of virtual channels in every cell.
4) According to the quantity of virtual channels evaluated in step 3 and the
following formula
c
a C
Capacity
i i
) (

you can evaluate the quantity of equivalent voice channels to be provided by

every cell.
2 Calculate the quantity of equivalent voice channels availably provided by the
cell.
According to the forward power formula
] ) 1 [(
/
) / (
* 1
/
) / (
* * *
1
1
j j
N
j
j
j
j
N
j
j
j
j N
R W
No Eb
v
R W
No Eb
v L P
P
+

Where, P
N
represents the noise power spectrum density on the front of the
mobile station receiver, and it can be calculated by the following formula:
) 290 (sup 0 . 174 K poseT NF dBm NF KT P
N
+ +
,
NF represents the noise coefficient of the mobile station receiver with the typical
value of 5 dB to 9 dB.
L
represents the average path loss, which is evaluated by subtracting 6 dBm
from the maximum path loss. j represents the average quadrature factor.
Generally, it is 0.6 for the multipath channel and 0.9 for the non-multipath
channel.
41
UMTS Scale Estimation
j represents interference factor from an adjacent cell. Generally, it is 0.55 for
the omni antenna macro cell and 0.65 for the three-sector antenna macro cell.
The quantity of equivalent voice channels availably provided by the cell can be
calculated.
3 Compare the above two results. If the quantity to be provided by the cell is less
than that availably provided by the cell, it indicates that downlink power is
enough and the current scale satisfies system capacity requirements. If the
former is larger than the latter, it indicates that downlink capacity is limited. To
make downlink power enough, add some BSs.
42
4 Scale Estimation Example
4.1 Assumed Conditions
Suppose that the service model data of this area is as follows:
Channel environment: TU 3 km/h
System design load: 50%
Voice service blocking rate: 0.02%
Interference factor from the adjacent cell: 0.65
Quadrature factor: 0.6
Area of the city zone: 40.8 square kilometers
Services in this area are planned as follows:
Uplink:
Voice CS64 PS64/64 PS64/128 PS64/384
Data rate(k) 12.2 64 64 64 64
Activity factor 0.67 1 1 1 1
Eb/No 4.7 2.87 1.6 1.6 1.6
Forecast traffic 3000 400 100 5 2
Downlink:
Voice CS64 PS64/64 PS64/128 PS64/384
Datarate(k) 12.2 64 64 128 384
Activity factor 0.58 1 1 1 1
Eb/No 7.7 7.7 7.4 6.4 8
Forecast traffic 3000 400 100 40 20
4.2 Estimation Process
4.2.1 Estimation Flow Chart
43
Input:system load requirment and
coverage requirement
Uplink coverage
estimation
Quantity of BSs
satisfying uplink
coverage
Downlink coverage
estimation
Quantity of BSs
satisfying downlink
coverage
Compare the results
and evaluate the
larger one
Uplink capacity
estimation
Quantity of BSs
satisfying uplink
capacity
End
Based on traffic type
Based on power
Quantity A of
channels to be
provided by every cell
on the downlink
Quantity B of
channels availably
provided by every
cell on the downlink
A
d
d

B
S
s
No
Yse
A<B
D
o
w
n
l
i
n
k

c
a
p
a
c
i
t
y
e
s
t
i
m
a
t
i
o
n
Error: Reference source not found
Figure 4.2-1 Estimation Flow Chart
4.2.2 Uplink Coverage Estimation
1 Evaluate the maximum allowed path loss through link budget
The calculation formula of uplink budget is as follows:
The maximum allowed space path loss mobile station transmitting power
(dBm) + mobile station antenna gain (dB) human body loss (dB) BS feeder
44
Chapter 4 Scale Estimation Example
loss (dB) + BS receiving antenna gain (dBi) + soft handoff gain (dB) building
or car body penetration loss (dB) slow fading margin (dB) power control
margin (dB) interference margin (dB) BS receiving sensitivity (dBm)
Values in the following table can be obtained according to parameters in Section
4.2.1:
Voice CS64 PS64 PS64/128 PS64/384
Transmitting
end
Maximum transmitting
power (dBm)
21 21 21 21 21
Antenna gain (dBi) 0 0 0 0 0
Human body loss (dB) 2 0 0 0 0
Effective transmitting power 19 21 21 21 21
Receiving
end
Thermal noise power
spectrum density (dBm/HZ)
-174 -174 -174 -174 -174
Thermal noise power (dBm) -108 -108 -108 -108 -108
Receiver noise coefficient
(dB)
2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2
Receiver noise (dBm) -105 -105 -105 -105 -105
Interference margin (dB) 3 3 3 3 3
Bit rate (kbit) 12.2 64 64 64 64
Processing gain (dB) 24.98 17.78 17.78 17.78 17.78
Receiving Eb/No (dB) 4.2 2.87 1.6 1.6 1.6
Receiver sensitivity -124 -118 -119 -119 -119
Antenna gain (dBi) 17 17 17 17 17
Line loss 4 4 4 4 4
Others
Power control margin 3 3 3 3 3
Soft handoff gain 3 3 3 3 3
Shadow fading margin 10.3 10.3 10.3 10.3 10.3
Penetration loss 20 20 20 20 20
Maximum allowed path loss 125.34
121.4
7
122.7
4
122.74 122.74
2 Calculate the cell coverage radius according to a specific propagation model
Here, we adopt a universal propagation model of Aircom to calculate:
Path loss = k1 + k2log(d) + k3Hms + k4log(Hms) + k5log(Heff) +
k6log(Heff)log(d) + k7(diffraction loss) + clutter loss
Use parameters in the following table
k1 152.4
45
UMTS Scale Estimation
k2 44.6
k5 -13.82
k6 -6.55
Heff 30
K1 and K2 parameters have greater effect on the budget result. While, K3 and K4 have
less effect, so their values are 0.
Obtain the BS coverage radius after adopting the maximum path loss:
Voice CS64 PS64 PS64/128 PS64/384
Radius (Km) 0.65 0.5 0.54 0.54 0.54
3 Calculate the number of BSs required by uplink
From the result in the previous step, we see that the uplink coverage is limited
by the CS64kps service, so the BS radius satisfying successive coverage of
CS64kps is adopted when the number of BSs is calculated.
If the coverage area S of the three-sector BS
2
3
8
9
R 1.95 0.5
2
0.488
Km
2
The number of BSs satisfying uplink coverage requirement is 40.8/0.488 = 84
For downlink budget, because all users in the cell share BS power simultaneously, the
cell radius on the downlink is not only related to the number of users in the cell, but
also related to user location and services used by users. The balance between the uplink
and downlink should be calculated iteratively with the planning software. First predict
coverage area for the uplink, and then allocate power for the downlink. If the total
power does not exceed the maximum transmitting power of the BS, links are balanced.
If the total power required by the downlink exceeds the maximum transmitting power
of the BS, coverage area should be reduced and power should be re-allocated to the
downlink until the total power is less than or equal to the maximum transmitting power.
4.2.3 Uplink Capacity Estimation
1 Calculate the virtual composite traffic of the system.
1) Equivalent service intensity of each service
According to the formula
46
Chapter 4 Scale Estimation Example
1 amplitude for 1 amplitude for rate bit
service for service for rate bit
amplitude Relative
0
0
N
E
N
E
b
b

obtain
voice: 1
CS64: 64 x 1 x 100.287/12.2 x 0.67 x 100.42 = 5.76
PS64/64: 64 x 1 x 100.16/12.2 x 0.67 x 100.42 = 4.3
PS64/128: 64 x 1 x 100.16/12.2 x 0.67 x 100.42 = 4.3
PS64/384: 64 x 1 x 100.16/12.2 x 0.67 x 100.42 = 4.3
2) Calculate the mean of composite traffic

+ + + +
i
i i
a erl mean 1 . 5766 3 . 4 2 3 . 4 5 3 . 4 100 67 . 5 400 1 3000
3) Calculate the variance of composite traffic

+ + + +
i
i i
a erl iance 7 . 18271 3 . 4 2 3 . 4 5 3 . 4 100 67 . 5 400 1 3000 var
2 2 2 2
4) Calculate the capacity factor
capacity factor variance/mean 3.17
5) Calculate the virtual composite traffic of the system
composite traffic mean/capacity factor 5766.1/3.17 1818.96 (Erl)
2 Calculate the quantity N of equivalent voice channels availably provided by the
cell
According to the uplink load formula

+
+
N
j
o
b
j
N
E
v R
W
f
1
*
1
* 1
1
* ) 1 (
Where,
% 50
and
65 . 0 f
get the quantity of equivalent voice channels N 54
3 Calculate the quantity of virtual channels in every cell
47
UMTS Scale Estimation
According to
c
a C
Capacity
i i
) (

get the quantity of virtual channels in the cell (54 1)/3.17 16

4 Look up Table Erl B according to the quantity of virtual channels evaluated in
step 3, and get the quantity of virtual traffic in every cell, that is 9.83 Erl.
5 Calculate the number of cells
Number of cells Virtual traffic of the system/virtual traffic of every cell
1818.96/9.83 186
The number of required three-sector BSs 186/3 62
After the above calculation, we know that 84 stations are required for uplink
coverage. The evaluated number of stations is less than 84, so it meets both
coverage and capacity requirements.
4.2.4 Downlink Capacity Estimation
Downlink capacity estimation is a verification process. With the downlink power
formula, verify whether the number of BSs evaluated from uplink coverage and
capacity budget meets the power requirement. Add BSs until downlink power meets
the requirement.
1 Calculate the quantity of equivalent voice channels to be provided by every cell.
1) Calculate the average traffic of various services in each cell according to the BS
quantity of uplink and total traffic.
Average traffic of various services in every cell is:
Voice: 3000/84/3 = 11.9 Erl
CS64: 400/84 = 1.59 Erl
PS64/64: 100/84 = 0.4 Erl
PS64/128: 35/84 = 0.14 Erl
PS64/384: 20/84 = 0.079 Erl
2) Calculate the virtual Erlang traffic in every cell.
Equivalent service intensity of each service on the downlink
48
Chapter 4 Scale Estimation Example
Voice: 1
CS64: 64 x 1 x 10
0.77
/12.2 x 0.67 x 10
0.77
= 7.8
PS64/64: 64 x 1 x 10
0.74
/12.2 x 0.67 x 10
0.77
= 7.3
PS64/128: 144 x 1 x 10
0.64
/12.2 x 0.67 x 10
0.77
= 13.1
PS64/384: 144 x 1 x 10
0.8
/12.2 x 0.67 x 10
0.77
= 50
The mean of composite traffic is
Mean = 11.9
1
+ 1.59

7.8 + 0.4

7.3 + 0.14

13.1 + 0.079

50 =
33.04
The variance of composite traffic is
Variance = 11.9
1
+ 1.59

7.82 + 0.4

7.32 + 0.14

13.12 + 0.079

502 = 355.19
Capacity factor = variance/mean = 355.19/33.04 = 10.75
Virtual traffic of the cell
composite traffic = mean/capacity factor = 33.04/10.75 = 3.07 (Erl)
3) Check Table Erl B and obtain that the quantity of virtual channels required by
every cell is 7
4) Calculate the quantity of equivalent voice channels required by each cell.
According to the formula
c
a C
Capacity
i i
) (

evaluate the quantity of equivalent voice channels is: 7 10.75 + 1 76.

2 Calculate the quantity of equivalent voice channels actually provided by every
cell.
According to the downlink power formula
] ) 1 [(
/
) / (
* 1
/
) / (
* * *
1
1
j j
N
j
j
j
j
N
j
j
j
j N
R W
No Eb
v
R W
No Eb
v L P
P
+

Where, P represents the maximum service transmitting power, which is 13 W.

49
UMTS Scale Estimation
P
N
represents the noise power spectrum density on the front of the mobile station
receiver, and its value is -169 dBm.
L
represents average path loss, which is evaluated by subtracting 6 dBm from
the maximum path loss.
j
represents average quadrature factor, which is 0.6 for the multipath channel.
j
represents interference factor from an adjacent cell. It is 0.65 for the three-
sector antenna macro cell.
Obtain that the quantity of equivalent voice channels actually provided by every
cell is 71.
3 Comparison
Through downlink budget, the quantity of channels required by every cell is 76
when there are 84 BSs in a network. However, according to the power formula,
the quantity of channels actually provided by every cell under the current scale
is 75. That is, downlink power cannot meet the requirement. To meet such a
requirement, add some BSs.
Obtain the following table through successive iterative calculation:
BS Quantity Required Channel Quantity Provided Channel Quantity
83 76 71
84 76 71
85 76 71
86 76 71
87 76 71
88 65 71
If there are 88 BSs, the uplink and downlink coverage capacity requirement can be
met.
In the case, the BS coverage radius is 488 . 0 95 . 1 / 88 / 8 . 40 Km
50