LOCATION AREA DIMENSIONING

GUIDELINE
THE ERICSSON GSM SYSTEM R7
Ericsson Radio Systems AB !!"
The contents of this product are subject to revision without notice due to
continued progress in methodology, design and manufacturing.
Ericsson assumes no legal responsibility for any error or damage resulting
from usage of this product.
T#is $rod%ct is c&assi'ied as Ericsson (ide Interna&)
1(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12
)en *ev + 1,,-$12$11
LOCATION AREA DIMENSIONING GUIDELINE
2(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12 )en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

THE ERICSSON GSM SYSTEM R7
Contents
Re*ision #istory))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))+
, Introd%ction)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))+
- Bac./ro%nd)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))+
0 1a/in/ ca$acity in t#e BTS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))2
..1 'hannel configurations .......................................................................... #
..2 /aging bloc0 struc ture ........................................................................... -
..( /aging groups ........................................................................................ -
... 1ueuing in the 2T&..............................................................................1"
..5 /aging strategies .................................................................................1"
..# 'alculating the 2T& paging capacity ...................................................12
+ Estimated ma3im%m LA si4e )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))0
2 1a/in/ ca$acity in t#e BSC )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))7
7 LA dimensionin/ strate/ies)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))!
" 1arameters ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))!
-.1 2&' parameters .................................................................................. 1,
-.2 3&' parameters ..................................................................................2"
! Re'erences )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))),0
((25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12
)en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

LOCATION AREA DIMENSIONING GUIDELINE
.(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12 )en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

THE ERICSSON GSM SYSTEM R7
Re*ision #istory
Re*ision Date Descri$tion
+ 1,,-$12$11 'reated. 2ased on ref. 1 and ref. 2.
Traffic estimations revised.
/aging capacity figures for 2&' revised.
/arameter summary included.
Editorial improvements.
, Introd%ction
+ 4ocation +rea (4+ is a group of cells in which a page will be broadcasted.
The upper boundary for the si5e of an 4+ is the service area of a 3obile
services &witching 'entre (3&'. 6n general the 4+s are smaller than that,
mainly due to the e7cessive paging load that a large 4+ would have to handle.
The lower boundary for the si5e of a 4+ is set by the 4ocation )pdating load,
causing increased demand for &tand alone 8edicated 'ontrol '%annel
(&8''% resources in the 4+ border cells.
2y analy5ing statistics it is possible to get information on how many pages,
first and second, which are issued. %owever this does not actually indicate
whether the paging load should be considered low, medium or (too high. +
gauge such as the ma7imum possible paging rate for each unit involved (e.g.
2&', 2T& is needed in the evaluation of the paging load.
The purpose of this document is to serve as a guideline on 4+$dimensioning
for the Ericsson 9&3 system *:. The objective of the dimensioning in this
guideline is to avoid having a too high paging load or 4ocation )pdating load
rather than to find the optimal si5e for 4+s. &ome functions that affect the
paging load and thereby the dimensioning are pointed out.
- Bac./ro%nd
;hen a 3obile &tation (3& is paged, a /aging message is sent from the
3&' to each 2ase &tation 'ontroller (2&' belonging to that 3&'<s service
area (global page, or to those 2&'s serving at least one cell belonging to the
4+ where the 3& is registered (local page.
=or each /aging message received by the 2&', /aging 'ommand messages
have to be sent to all cells belonging to the 4+ where the target 3& is
registered. The number of cells in an 4+ ranges from a few tens up to perhaps
5(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12
)en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

LOCATION AREA DIMENSIONING GUIDELINE
one hundred cells, sometimes even more. This means that one incoming
/aging message to the 2&' leads to a considerably larger number of outgoing
/aging 'ommands from the 2&'.
The 2T&s have to broadcast all the incoming pages. The /aging *e>uest
messages are sent on the /aging 'hannel (/'% on the 'ommon 'ontrol
'%annel ('''%. Too large 4+s may lead to a too high paging load in the
2T& resulting in congestion and lost pages.
&maller 4+s reduce the paging load in the 2T&s as well as in the 2&'s.
%owever, smaller 4+s also mean a larger number of 4+ border cells in the
networ0. Each time an 3& crosses the boarder between two 4+s, a 4ocation
)pdating is performed. The 4ocation )pdatings affect the load on the
signaling subchannels, &8''%, in the 4+ border cells. The &8''% signaling
capacity depends on the &8''% configuration in the cell and is further
described in ref. 3 .
0 1a/in/ ca$acity in t#e BTS
0) C#anne& con'i/%rations
The paging is done on timeslot 5ero on the 2roadcast 'ontrol '%annel
(2''% fre>uency. Timeslot 5ero consists of several channels? 2roadcast
'%annel (2'%, '''% and, if combined 2''%!&8''% is used, also 1
8edicated 'ontrol 'hannel (8''%. This is depicted in =igure 1.
@ The 2'% consists of =re>uency 'orrection '%annel (=''%,
&ynchroni5ation 'hannel (&'% and 2''%.
@ The '''% consists of two subchannels? the /'% and the +ccess 9rant
'%annel (+9'%. The /'% is used to page the 3&s with /aging *e>uest
messages.
The 8''% consists of &8''%, &low +ssociated 'ontrol '%annel @
(&+''% and (if cell broadcast is used, 'ell 2roadcast '%annel
('2'%.

1 + combined 2''%!&8''% is a combination of 2'%, '''% and 8''%. The '''%s share its resources on the multiframe with the
&8''%!.s (see =igu re (.
#(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12 )en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

THE ERICSSON GSM SYSTEM R7
2''% $carrier
" 2 . 5 # : 1 (
2'% '''% 8''%
=''% 2''% +9'% &8''%!'2'% &+''% &'% /'%
Figure 1. Channe !"nfigura#i"n "f #i$e%"# &. The 'a%he' %(uare% are u%e' in
a !"$)ine' *CCH+SDCCH !"nfigura#i"n.
Timeslot " is logically divided into multiframes, where each multiframe is
2(5.. ms. Ane multiframe e>uals to 51 frames. The multiframes have different
contents for the different channel configurations, and therefore the paging
capacity variesB
@ Non5com6ined 2''%!&8''% can fit , paging bloc0s (see ..2 per
multiframe.
6f the non$combined configuration is used, the '''%, on timeslot 5ero on
the 2''% carrier, does not share its timeslot with &8''%s (see the
multiframe mapping in =igure 2. The signaling subchannels are mapped
on one or more separate timeslots (- signaling subchannels, &8''%!-, is
fitted on one timeslot.
=' ' % = ' ' % =' ' % = ' ' % =' ' % 6dle
& '% &'% & '% &'% & '%
2 ' ' % ' ' ' % ' ' ' % ' ' ' % ' ' ' % ' ' ' % ' ' ' % ' ' ' % ' ' ' % ' ' ' %
Figure ,. N"n-!"$)ine' $a..ing "f *CH% an' CCCH% "n #i$e%"# &/
'"0nin1. One $u#ifra$e !an fi# 2 CCCH )"!1%.
@ Com6ined 2''%!&8''% can fit ( paging bloc0s per multiframe.
;ith a combined configuration, the '''%s are mapped on timeslot 5ero
on the 2''% carrier together with &8''%!. (four signaling subchannels.
'ombining the '''%s with the &8''%!. means that one e7tra timeslot
can be used for traffic or signaling. %owever, a combined configuration
also affects the paging capacity. Each multiframe contains ( paging bloc0s
instead of , (se =igure (, which means that the ma7imum 2T& paging
capacity is reduced to one third.
:(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12
)en *ev + 1,,-$12$11
LOCATION AREA DIMENSIONING GUIDELINE
= ' ' % =' ' % = ' ' % =' ' % = ' ' % 6dle
&'% & '% &'% & '% &'%
2 ' ' % & 8''% ' ' ' % & 8''% ' ' ' % &8 ''% & 8''% ' ' ' % &8''% &8 ''%
Figure 3. C"$)ine' $a..ing "f *CH%/ CCCH% an' SDCCH% "n #i$e%"# &/
'"0nin1. One $u#ifra$e !an fi# 3 CCCH )"!1%.
To choose between combined and non$combined configuration, the parameter
BCCHTY1E is used.
The +9'% is used to assign an &8''% (6mmediate +ssignment to an 3&
during the call set$up phase. The +9'% shares the same resources as the
/'%. The '''% can be set up to either have dedicated bloc0s for +ccess
9rant, or +ccess 9rant can wor0 in stealing mode which means replacing
paging bloc0s with +ccess 9rant bloc0s when needed. 6f dedicated bloc0s are
used, each multiframe will contain 2 paging bloc0s (for combined or - paging
bloc0s (for non$combined.
0), 1a/in/ 6&oc. str%ct%re
Each multiframe contains ( (combined 2''%!&8''% or , (non$combined
2''%!&8''% paging bloc0s. Each paging bloc0 can fit up to four /aging
*e>uests.
Each paging bloc0 can fit eitherB
@ 2 63&6 /aging *e>uests (63&6 C 6nternational 3obile &ubscriber 6dentity
@ . T3&6 /aging *e>uests (T3&6 C Temporary 3obile &ubscriber 6dentity
@ 1 63&6 D 2 T3&6 /aging *e>uests
63&6 63&6
T C T3&6 T T T T
63&6 T T
Figure 3. A .aging )"!1 !an fi# #0" IMSI .age% "r f"ur TMSI .age% "r a
!"$)ina#i"n "f "ne IMSI an' #0" TMSI .age%.
0)- 1a/in/ /ro%$s
+fter an 3& tunes to the 2''% carrier and decodes the &ystem 6nformation,
it performs an evaluation to which paging group it belongs, and hence, which
particular paging bloc0 of the available bloc0s on the paging channel that is to
be monitored.
-(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12 )en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

THE ERICSSON GSM SYSTEM R7
The operator can set the number of paging groups for each cell.
@ A #i/# n%m6er o' $a/in/ /ro%$s means that the 3&s have to wait for a
longer time than the low number case before the right paging bloc0
arrives. This increases the time for paging.
@ A &o7 n%m6er o' $a/in/ /ro%$s shortens the call setup time due to that
the 3& listens to the paging bloc0 more fre>uently. The drawbac0 is that
the 3& power consumption is higher.
There are two main parameters that determine the number of paging groups in
a cell (besides BCCHTY1E . The two parameters are AGBL8 and
M9RMS B
@ AGBL8
The parameter AGBL8 determines how many of the paging bloc0s per
multiframe that are reserved for the +9'% (6mmediate +ssignment.
Ericsson<s 2T&s support AGBL8 C " (no bloc0s reserved and
AGBL8 C 1 (1 bloc0 reserved. The number of paging bloc0s used for
+ccess 9rant depends on the traffic in the cell. &ince 6mmediate
+ssignment has priority over paging in the Ericsson 9&3 system *:,
AGBL8 should be set to " (no bloc0s reserved unless other is re>uired . 2
E7periences from e7isting networ0s show that the share of '''%
resources used for +ccess 9rant is very low, typically below 5 E.
@ M9RMS
M9RMS is the multiframe period and defines the transmission interval of
paging messages to the same paging group. =or e7ample, M9RMS C,
means that 3&s belonging to a certain paging group is paged every ,th
multiframe. This means that the transmission interval of paging messages
to paging groups is appro7imately 2.1 second (, F 2(5.. ms. + high value
of M9RMS will lead to more paging groups in the cell.
The relation between M9RMS , AGBL8 and the number of paging groups isB
'ombined 2''%!&8''% cellsB
Gumber of paging groups C (( $ AGBL8 F M9RMS
Gon combined 2''%!&8''% cellsB
Gumber of paging groups C (, $ AGBL8 F M9RMS
Table 1 shows this relation together with the duration time between
transmission of each paging group.

2
AGBL8 must be set to 1 if 'ell 2roadcast is used in a cell with a non$combined configuration, or if &ystem 6nformation : H - are sent on the
2''%.
,(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12
)en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

LOCATION AREA DIMENSIONING GUIDELINE
Ta)e 1. The rea#i"n )e#0een MFRMS / AGBLK / nu$)er "f .aging )"!1%
.er $u#ifra$e/ #i$e )e#0een #ran%$i%%i"n "f ea!h .aging gr"u. an' nu$)er
"f .aging gr"u.%.
Gumber of pagin g groups Gumber of paging groups
('ombined 2''%!&8''% (Gon combined 2''%!&8''%
Time between ( paging bloc0s 2 paging bloc0s , paging bloc0s - paging bloc0s
transmission per multiframe, per multiframe, per multiframe, per multiframe,
of each paging ( AGBL8 C " ( AGBL8 C 1 ( AGBL8 C " ( AGBL8 C 1
M9RMS group
2 "..: sec # . 1- 1#
( ".:1 sec , # 2: 2.
. ".,. sec 12 - (# (2
5 1.1- sec 15 1" .5 ."
# 1..1 sec 1- 12 5. .-
: 1.#5 sec 21 1. #( 5#
- 1.-, sec 2. 1# :2 #.
, 2.12 sec 2: 1- -1 :2
0)0 :%e%in/ in t#e BTS
6ncoming /aging 'ommands are buffered in a >ueue (one for each paging
group. The >ueue for each paging group in the 2T& can fit between # and 1.
pages, depending on the number of paging groups. The 2T& distributes the
/aging 'ommands as /aging *e>uest messages on the radio path when paging
bloc0s are available. + too high rate of incoming /aging 'ommands to the
2T& increases the >ueuing time, something that leads to an increase of the
average time for the paging response. 6f the >ueue is full, the incoming pages
are Ithrown awayI. 6f a page is >ueued for a too long time in the 2T&, the
page may also be lost due to the fact that the 3&' does not receive the paging
response before the timer ( 1AGTIMERRE1LA or 1AGTIMERE1GLOB
has e7pired. The ris0 of having an e7cessive delay in the 2T& increases if the
time between the transmission of each paging group (set by the parameter
M9RMS is long.
;hen there are no paging messages to be transmitted to 3&s in a certain
paging group, dummy pages are sent instead.
0)+ 1a/in/ strate/ies
0)+) Retransmission o' $a/es
6f the 4+ of an 3& is 0nown in the J4* (normal case, the first page is a
local page. + local page is only broadcasted in the cells belonging to the 4+
in which the 3& is registered. 6f a page was not successful (the 3& did not
1"(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12 )en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

THE ERICSSON GSM SYSTEM R7
respond to the page, the 3&' can be set to send a second page. The second
page can be either local or global. + global page is broadcasted in all cells
belonging to the same 3&' area as the 4+ in which the 3& was registered.
;hen an 3& is paged, either T3&6 or 63&6 can be used to identify the 3&.
The recommended paging strategy isB
@ 6f the 4+ of an 3& is 0nown in the J4*, the first page is a local page. =or
the local page, T3&6 is used to identify the 3&.
@ 6f the 3& did not respond to the first page, a second page is performed.
The second page is also a local page but 63&6 is used to identify the 3&.
Ather strategies than recommended would affect the paging load in the
following wayB
@ Go second pageB
Go second page reduces the paging load in the 2T& as well as the 2&'.
The drawbac0 is the ris0 of having more unsuccessful 3& pagings.
@ 9lobal second pageB
'ompared to a local second page, a global second page increases the
paging load. The advantage is that 3&s that for some reason have the
wrong 4+ status in the J4* have a better chance of being successfully
paged.
@ T3&6 for second pagesB
6f the second page is global, 63&6 has to be used to identify the 3&. 6f the
second page is local, either 63&6 or T3&6 can be used to identify the 3&.
)sing T3&6 will increase the paging capacity in the 2T&. The drawbac0 is
that some pages may be unsuccessful if an 3& has the wrong T3&6 in the
J4*, for e7ample just after having crossed a 4+ boarder.
Note; Ericsson base stations will automatically (if '''% repeat is turned on
retransmit /aging *e>uests once, provided that there are free resources on the
paging channel. This has nothing to do with the retransmission of lost pages.
Note; 6n 9&3 1,"" there is a possibility of restricting the second page to a
4ocal +ccess and Transport +rea (4+T+. + 4+T+ can be defined to consist
of one or more 4+s, which together correspond to a charging area. 6t may be
served by one or several 3&'s (ref. ..
0)+), Red%cin/ %nnecessary $a/in/s
The 4ocation +rea dimensioning is mainly based on the paging load in the
2T&. E7amples of networ0 features that can reduce the re>uired paging rate in
a system areB
@ 63&6 attach!detachB
The ATT parameter informs the 3& whether it shall apply 63&6 attach and
detach. 6f ATT is set to AG, the 3& will send attach and detach
information to the 3&'!J4* when it is powered on and off. The number
of unnecessary pagings of 3&s that are not connected to the networ0
11(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12
)en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

LOCATION AREA DIMENSIONING GUIDELINE
decreases and therefore, the ATT parameter value should always be set to
AG. This leads to more signaling on the &8''%, thereby affecting the
&8''% dimensioning (*ef. (.
/eriodic *egistrationB @
/eriodic *egistration is necessary to avoid unnecessary paging attempts for
an 3& which has lost coverage and has not been able to inform the system
that it is inactive. The T-,, parameter controls the /eriodic *egistration
interval. + shorter interval, together with implicit detach supervision
initiated in the 3&', will reduce the number of unnecessary pagings but it
leads to more signaling on the &8''%, thereby affecting the &8''%
dimensioning (*ef. (. The recommended initial setting of T-,, is .", i.e.
registration every . hour. t h
0)2 Ca&c%&atin/ t#e BTS $a/in/ ca$acity
The paging of an 3& is initiated by the 3&' sending a /aging message to
each 2&' belonging to that service area of the 3&' (global page, or to those
2&'s serving at least one cell belonging to the 4+ where the 3& is registered
(local page. Each 2&' receiving a /aging message sends a /aging 'ommand
message to each of its 2T&s. The message contains the 3& identity (T3&6 or
63&6, the paging group number of the 3& and optionally an indication for
the 3& about which combination of channels will be needed for the
subse>uent transaction related to the paging.
6f a page is global (only when 4+ was not 0nown in the J4* with the
recommended setting, 63&6 has to be used to identify the 3&. ;ith a
correctly dimensioned 3&'!J 4*, less than 5 E of the pages should be global
pages. Therefore, in these calculations, all pages are assumed to be local.
The theoretical paging bloc0 capacity of a 2T& isB
'ombined 2''%!&8''% cellsB
( AGBL8 C"B ( ! ".2(5. C ,)7+ paging bloc0s ! second
( AGBL8 C1B 2 ! ".2(5. C ")+< paging bloc0s ! second
Gon combined 2''%!&8''% cellsB
( AGBL8 C"B , ! ".2(5. C -"),+ paging bloc0s ! second
( AGBL8 C1B - ! ".2(5. C --)!" paging bloc0s ! second
6n order to calculate the paging capacity in the 2T&, the relation between the
number of pages using 63&6 or T3&6 has to be estimated. ;ith the
recommended setting, all second pages use 63&6 to identify the 3&.
E7periences from live networ0s show that with the Ericsson<s 9&3 systems,
*# default setting, typically 25 E of the pages of an 3& result in a second
page. 6n an average, this means that for each 3& terminated call attempt
(C /aging +ttempt (/+, 1 T3&6 and K 63&6 are transmitted.
12(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12 )en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

THE ERICSSON GSM SYSTEM R7
Each paging bloc0 can fit . T3&6 pages or 2 63&6 pages. +ssuming 25 E
second pages (63&6, and no global pages, the number /aging +ttempts per
paging bloc0 isB
. ! (1 D 2 F 25 E C 2.: /+ ! paging bloc0 (1 /+ C 1 T3&6 D K 63&6
The ma7imum theoretical paging capacity in the 2T& is thenB
'ombined 2''%!&8''% cellsB
( AGBL8 C"B 2.: F (( ! ".2(5. C -0 /+ ! second
( AGBL8 C1B 2.: F (2 ! ".2(5. C ,- /+ ! second
Gon combined 2''%!&8''% cellsB
( AGBL8 C"B 2.: F (, ! ".2(5. C <- /+ ! second
( AGBL8 C1B 2.: F (- ! ".2(5. C !, /+ ! second
The corresponding number of /aging 'ommands (including 25 E second
pages the 2T& can handle is in each of these casesB
'ombined 2''%!&8''% cellsB
( AGBL8 C"B 1.25 F -0 = 0,)+ /aging 'ommands ! second
( AGBL8 C1B 1.25 F ,- = ,")7+ /aging 'ommands ! second
Gon combined 2''%!&8''% cellsB
( AGBL8 C"B 1.25 F <- C ,! /aging 'ommands ! second
( AGBL8 C1B 1.25 F !, = + /aging 'ommands ! second
6n this document, a ma7imum allowed paging load of 5" E of the theoretical
ma7imum paging capacity in the 2T& is assumed. This means that there is
room for all 2T& originated retransmissions . ;hen the average paging load (
is 5" E of the ma7imum theoretical capacity in the 2T&, very few 2&'
originated pages will be lost due to that the paging >ueue (in the 2T& is full.
+llowing a ma7imum paging load of 5" E, the ma7imum /aging +ttempt
capacity in the 2T& isB
'ombined 2''%!&8''% cellsB
( AGBL8 C"B ".5 F 2.: F (( ! ".2(5. C 7 /+ ! second
( AGBL8 C1B ".5 F 2.: F (2 ! ".2(5. C )+ /+ ! second

( The 2T& retransmission of /aging *e>uests occurs
"n4 when there are free recourses on the '''%, but a margin of 5" E is here applied to
be able to retransmit all /aging *e>uests.
1((25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12
)en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

LOCATION AREA DIMENSIONING GUIDELINE
Gon combined 2''%!&8''% cellsB
( AGBL8 C"B ".5 F 2.: F (, ! ".2(5. C + /+ ! second
( AGBL8 C1B ".5 F 2.: F (- ! ".2(5. C 02 /+ ! second
The number of /aging 'ommands (including 25 E second pages that the
2T& can handle, allowing a ma7imum paging load of 5" E, is in each of these
casesB
'ombined 2''%!&8''% cellsB
( AGBL8 C"B 1.25 F 7 = ,), /aging commands ! second
( AGBL8 C1B 1.25 F )+ = 0)0 /aging commands ! second
Gon combined 2''%!&8''% cellsB
( AGBL8 C"B 1.25 F + C 2-)" /aging commands ! second
( AGBL8 C1B 1.25 F 02 = +7)+ /aging commands ! second
+ Estimated ma3im%m LA si4e
;hen doing 4+ dimensioning it is important not to e7ceed the ma7imum
paging capacity. 6n an e7isting networ0, outgoing /aging 'ommands from the
2&'s should be measured. This is done by adding the two counters
NLA1AGLOTOT and NLA1AG,LOTOT that are the counters for the
number of first and repeated /aging message to an 4+. To get /aging
'ommands per second, divide this sum by the measurement period. This
should not e7ceed the figures calculated in the previous chapter (..#.
6f there are no available statistics, e.g. at an initial configuration, a traffic
model has to be used. The e7amples below is a calculation of how many
/aging 'ommands per second that are generated for a traffic model called
2+&1 (*ef. 5 and how many T*Ls an 4+, in such a networ0, can serve. The
2+&1 model is based on collected switch data and corresponds in some sense
to an average networ0 (E7ample 1. + fluctuation from the average networ0
has to be ta0en into consideration and in E7ample 2, a networ0 with higher
paging load is presented. 2y e7amine the results of these two e7amples a
conclusion of how to dimension the networ0 can be done. (#en not 6ein/
'ami&iar 7it# t#e s%6scri6er 6e#a*io%r it is recommended to %se t#e
'i/%res accordin/ to E3am$&e ,) These recommendations are to use
combined 2''%!&8''% up to 21"" Erlang ( M 5"" T*Ls per 4+. =or more
than 21"" Erlang T*Ls per 4+, a non$combined configuration should be
used. )sing this as an initial configuration, the operator can optimi5e the
networ0 by using measurements.
Im$ortant note; The figures in this section refers to 2T& capacity. There are
also capacity limitations in the 2&' that must be considered, see section #.
1.(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12 )en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

THE ERICSSON GSM SYSTEM R7
E3am$&e ; BAS mode&
These estimations of the 4+ si5e re>uire some assumptions regarding the
traffic and subscriber behaviour. 6n order to estimate the ma7imum si5e of a
4+, an estimated paging load per Erlang of traffic in the 4+ is calculated. The
number of first pages generated per Erlang traffic is estimated with the
following average assumptions (2+&1 default model,
*ef. 5B
@ 3& originated call attemptsB 2+ >
@ =raction of 3& originated call attempts with 2 answerB 77 >
@ 8uration of 3& originated call with 2 answerB 7+ sec
@ =raction of 3& originated call attempts without 2 answerB ,- >
@ 8uration of 3& originated call attempt if no 2 answerB ,< sec
@ =raction of 3& terminated call attempts leading to a pageB +< >
@ =raction of 3& terminated call attempts with 2 answerB !< >
@ 8uration of 3& terminated call with 2 answerB !< sec
@ =raction of 3& terminated call attempts without 2 answerB < >
@ 8uration of 3& terminated call attempt if no 2 answerB ,< sec
@ 3argin for traffic pea0sB ,< >
=raction of all call attempts resulting in a pageB (1N#5E F 5"E C 7)+ >
The mean holding 2T& time for connection (including no 2$answerB
".#5 ! (".#5 D ".1:5 F (".::F:5s D ".2(F2"sD
".1:5 ! (".#5 D ".1:5 F (".,F,"s D ".1F2"s C 2- seconds
1 Erlang of traffic corresponds to an average of 1 ! #( C <)<2 calls per second
1:.5 E 3& terminated calls attempts leading to a page CO ".1:5 F "."1# C
<)<<," 3& terminated call attempts per second and Erlang traffic
The total paging load per Erlang traffic is with the 2" E margin for traffic
pea0sB
1.2 F ".""2- C <)<<-0 /+ per second and Erlang traffic
;hich e>uals toB
1.25 F ".""(. C <)<<0- /aging 'ommands per second and Erlang traffic
%aving estimated the appro7imate number of /aging +ttempts per second for
one Erlang of traffic, and the ma7imum paging load in the 2T&, the ma7imum
si5e of an 4+ in terms of served traffic can be calculatedB
15(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12
)en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

LOCATION AREA DIMENSIONING GUIDELINE
'ombined 2''%!&8''%B
( AGBL8 C"B ".5 F 2.: F (( ! ".2(5. ! ".""(. C 0,+< Erlang
( AGBL8 C1B ".5 F 2.: F (2 ! ".2(5. ! ".""(. C ,"-- Erlang
Gon combined 2''%!&8''%B
( AGBL8 C"B ".5 F 2.: F (, ! ".2(5. ! ".""(. C ,7+ Erlang
( AGBL8 C1B ".5 F 2.: F (- ! ".2(5. ! ".""(. C --0 Erlang
2y doing the estimation that each T*L roughly carry an average of . Erlang
of traffic during busy hour, the corresponding number of T*Ls per 4+ isB
'ombined 2''%!&8''%B
( AGBL8 C"B .25" ! . C <2- T*Ls per 4+
( AGBL8 C1B 2-(( ! . C 7<" T*Ls per 4+
Gon combined 2''%!&8''%B
( AGBL8 C"B 12:51 ! . C -"" T*Ls per 4+
( AGBL8 C1B 11((. ! . C ,"-0 T*Ls per 4+
E3am$&e ,; Hi/# $a/in/ &oad
These estimations of the paging load in a 4+ use the same assumptions as
previous e7ample e7cept forB
@ 3& originated call attemptsB +< >
@ =raction of 3& terminated call attempts leading to a pageB 7< >
These are harder re>uirements than the average networ0 in the previous
e7ample.
;ith the same calculations as above, the total paging load per Erlang traffic is
with the 2" E margin for traffic pea0sB
<)<<27 /+ per second and Erlang traffic,
which e>uals toB
<)<<"- /aging 'ommands per second and Erlang traffic
The si5e of an 4+ in terms of served traffic and the corresponding number of
T*Ls per 4+ (by doing the estimation that each T*L roughly carry an
average of . Erlang of traffic during busy hour areB
'ombined 2''%!&8''%B
( AGBL8 C"B ,2" Erlang C +0, T*Ls per 4+
( AGBL8 C1B 00+ Erlang C -2 T*Ls per 4+
1#(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12 )en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

THE ERICSSON GSM SYSTEM R7
Gon combined 2''%!&8''%B
( AGBL8 C"B 2+<- Erlang C 2,2 T*Ls per 4+
( AGBL8 C1B +7"< Erlang C 00+ T*Ls per 4+
2 1a/in/ ca$acity in t#e BSC
The *: E7tended /aging feature can provide the 2&' with a paging capacity
of more than -5"" /aging 'ommands per second (*ef. #. This was tested by
sending #" /aging messages per second to a 2&' (+/P 212 11 with 1.( cells
(C-5-" /aging commands!sec. 8ue to test limitations, higher load could not
be tested, although it is li0ely that the 2&' can handle higher load. 6n this
document, -5"" /aging commands will be ta0en to be the ma7imum limit of
the 2&'. Gote that the 2&' paging capacity is difficult to estimate. 6t is
therefore recommended to closely monitor the paging performance by &T&
counters.
The 2&' paging capacity is no bottlenec0 when doing 4+ dimensioning as
long asB
Q'ells!4+ F Q/aging 'ommands!cell and sec R -5"" /aging 'ommands!sec
E3am$&e ; BASI mode& 7 it# one TR? ce&&s
+n 4+ with 5"" one T*L cells, the /aging 'ommand load is calculatedB
. Erlang!T*L F 5"" T*Ls C ,<<< Er&an/ tra''ic
2""" F "."".( /aging 'ommands!secFErlang C ")2 1a/in/ Commands@sec
-.# F 5"" cells C 0-<< 1a/in/ Commands@sec
E3am$&e ,; Hi/# $a/in/ &oad 7it# one TR? ce&&s
+n 4+ with 5"" one T*L cells, the /aging 'ommand load is calculatedB
. Erlang!T*L F 5"" T*Ls C ,<<< Er&an/ tra''ic
2""" F ".""-( /aging 'ommands!secFErlang C 2)2 1a/in/ Commands@sec
1#.# F 5"" cells C "-<< 1a/in/ Commands@sec
E3am$&e -; Hi/# $a/in/ &oad 7it# 0 TR? ce&&s
+n 4+ with 25" four T*L cells, the /aging 'ommand load is calculatedB
. Erlang!T*L F 1""" T*Ls C 0<<< Er&an/ tra''ic
.""" F ".""-( /aging 'ommands!secFErlang C --), 1a/in/ Commands@sec
((.2 F 25" cells C "-<< 1a/in/ Commands@sec
1:(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12
)en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

LOCATION AREA DIMENSIONING GUIDELINE
These e7amples can be summari5ed by two graphs using the high paging load
traffic model. The first one (=igure 5 presents the limitations of the traffic for
different number of cells in the 2&'. =igure # shows how many T*L s per cell
(average in 2&' that are recommended without e7ceeding the /aging
'ommand capacity of the 2&'.
25" cells 2"" cells 15"cells
12"""
1"" cells
1""""
-"""
#"""
."""
2"""
"
" 1""" 2""" (""" .""" 5""" #""" :""" -""" ,""" 1"""" 11"""
Erlang ! 2&'
Figure 5. The gra.h .re%en#% #he i$i#a#i"n% "f #he #raffi! f"r 'ifferen# nu$)er
"f !e% in #he *SC. The #hi!1 ine re.re%en#% #he highe%# re!"$$en'e' 6aging
C"$$an' "a' f"r an LA. N"#e #ha# #he gra.h %h"0% #he %i#ua#i"n 0i#h "ne LA
in #he *SC. If #he *SC i% 'i7i'e' in#" #0" LA%/ #he *SC .aging !a.a!i#4 i%
in!rea%e'.
1 T*L!cell
2" "" "
2 T*Ls!cell
1- "" "
1# "" "
1. "" "
( T*Ls!cell
12 "" "
1" "" "
. T*Ls!cell
-" ""
#" ""
." ""
2" ""
"
" 1" " 2" " (" " . "" 5" " #" " :" " - "" ," " 1" "" 1 1" "
TR?s @ BSC
Figure 8. The gra.h .re%en#% #he $a9i$u$ nu$)er "f TR:% in #he *SC in
"r'er n"# #" e9!ee' #he 6aging C"$$an' !a.a!i#4. 3 Erang +TR: i%
a%%u$e'. N"#e #ha# #he gra.h %h"0% #he %i#ua#i"n 0i#h "ne LA in #he *SC. If
#he *SC i% 'i7i'e' in#" #0" LA%/ #he *SC .aging !a.a!i#4 i% in!rea%e'.
1-(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12 )en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

THE ERICSSON GSM SYSTEM R7
+s mentioned before it is difficult to estimate the 2&' paging capacity.
&uspected 2&' paging >ueue overflow can be monitored. The 2&' will
discard paging messages from the 3&' when the paging >ueue is full and the
2&' has a counter, TOTCONG1AGA which steps for every discarded page.
The number of paging messages received from the 3&' is counted by
TOT1AG . 6f the paging >ueue is congested, consider splitting the 4+ into
two or more 4+s. This will lower the paging load in the 2&'.
7 LA dimensionin/ strate/ies
The paging load determines the ma7imum si5e of an 4+ while the 4ocation
)pdating load in the 4+ border cells sets the minimum si5e. The most
important rule is not to e7ceed the ma7imum paging capacity of the 2T& or
the 2&'.
;hen having defined a combined 2''%!&8''% configuration in a cell, the
4+ can be fairly large before the paging capacity becomes a limiting factor in
the 2T&. &ince all paging messages have to be broadcasted in every cell
within the 4+ in >uestion, the combined 2''%!&8''% cell will be the
limiting factor if at least one combined 2''%!&8''% cell is used in the 4+.
(The paging congestion only affects this combined cell, not the entire 4+. 2y
using combined 2''%!&8''% configuration an e7tra &8''%!. is gained.
Thus if it is applicable from a 4ocation )pdating point of view, combined
configuration is a recommended solution.
6n rural areas it is often, because of the lower traffic load, easy to find suitable
4+ border cells, however there is no reason to have smaller 4+s than
necessary. Ane 4+ per 2&' area is often a good rule of thumb. 6f an 4+ is
relatively large, and the paging load is high, one should consider splitting the
4+ into two or more 4+s. This will reduce the paging load in the 2T&s as
well as in the 2&'.
6n larger cities, the increased &8''% load in 4+ border cells may be more
critical. This can ma0e it more difficult to find suitable 4+ borders. 6f the
2&' areas are relatively small, and it is difficult to find suitable 4+ borders,
one 4+ can cover several 2&' areas.
*egardless of the type of area, rural or urban, it is recommended to have the
4+ border cells in low subscriber density area. 4+ borders crossing over high
mobility areas, e.g. high ways, should be avoided. The most important
recommendation is to carefully monitor the performance of the system.
1,(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12
)en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

LOCATION AREA DIMENSIONING GUIDELINE
" 1arameters
") BSC $arameters
6n this section some of the most important 2&' parameters for paging
performance are e7plainedB
M9RMS is the multiframe period and defines the transmission interval of
paging messages to the same paging group.
AGBL8 sets the number of '''% bloc0s in each multiframe that will
be reserved for access grants. &etting AGBL8 to a value other than
" will reduce the paging capacity.
BCCHTY1E can be eitherB
'A32 C 'ombined? The cell has a combined 2''%, '''% and @
&8''%!..
@ 'A32' C 'ombined with '2'%? The cell has a combined 2''%,
'''% and &8''%!. with a '2'% subchannel.
@ G'A32 C Got combined? The cell does not have a &8''%!..
6f 'A32 is used the ma7imum capacity of the '''% will decrease to a third
(if AGBL8 set to ", compared to the G'A32 case.
T-,, is the time between the periodic registration.
ATT determines if attach!detach is allowed.
CRH is the hysteresis value used when the 3& in idle mode crosses an 4+
border. +s default this parameter is set to .. + higher setting might be
advantageous in areas with many 4+ borders and thus problems with many
4ocation )pdatings.
Ta)e ,. *SC .ara$e#er #a)e.
1arameter De'a%&t Recommended Ba&%e ran/e
name *a&%e *a&%e
M9RMS # . 2$, '''% multiframes
AGBL8 1 " "$: ("$1 for *2& 2"",
2"""
BCCHTY1E G'A32 see section (.# 'A32, 'A32',
G'A32
T-,, ." ." "$255
SE& SE& SE&, GA ATT
CRH . . "$1. (in steps by 2 d2
2"(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12 )en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

THE ERICSSON GSM SYSTEM R7
"), MSC $arameters
The following 3&' parameters and e7change properties are relevant for
paging and 4ocation )pdatingB
BTDM implicit detach supervision should be e>ual (or longer than T-,, in
the 2&'. I' T-,, is increasedA BTDM m%st a&so 6e increased) Note that
BTDM is set in minutes and T-,, is set in deci$hours.
GTDM is an e7tra guard time in minutes before the subscriber is set to
detached.
TDD sets the time (in days that an inactive 63&6 is stored in the J4* before
it is removed.
1AGTIME9RSTLA is the time supervision for the page response of the
first page. The 3& is paged in the 4+ with the first page if the 4ocation +rea
6dentity (4+6 information e7ists in the J4*. The parameter is set according
to the default values.
1AGETIME9RSTGLOB is the time supervision for the first global page. 6t
is used instead of 1AGTIME9RSTLA if the 4+6 information does not e7ist
in the J4*.
1AGERE1LA decides how the second page is sentB
" /aging in 4+ is not repeated
1 /aging is repeated in 4+ with either T3&6 or 63&6
2 /aging is repeated in 4+ with 63&6
( /aging is repeated as global paging with 63&6
1AGERE1GLOB defines how global paging is repeated according toB
" 9lobal paging is not repeated
1 9lobal paging is repeated with 63&6
1AGTIMERE1LA is the time supervision for the second page to 4+. This
is the timer used for the second page when 1AGERE1LA is set to 1 or 2.
1AGTIMERE1GLOB , the time supervision for the second page, if it is
global.
TMSI1AR indicates if T3&6 should be used or notB
" T3&6 is not allocated. Note that this setting this means that
T3&6 is not used. The paging capacity will be decreased if
T3&6 is not used.
1 T3&6 is allocated only on encrypted connection
2 T3&6 is allocated
TMSILAIMSC states if a new T3&6 shall be allocated at a change of 4+6
within the 3&'!J4*. Anly applicable if TMSI1AR is not e>ual to ".
" +llocation only once
1 +llocation on every change of 4+6
21(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12
)en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

LOCATION AREA DIMENSIONING GUIDELINE
6f T3&6 is used it will be used (at least in the first page. Then, depending on
how 1AGERE1LA is set the page is repeated with either T3&6 or 63&6.
%owever, there will always be some pages that are sent out globally in the
first page. The reason for this is that information about the 3& did not e7ist in
the J4*. Gormally, this is due to that the 3& was removed from the J4*,
due to being inactive for too long (see parameter TDD above. +t an incoming
call, the %4* has information about the most recent location, i.e. J4*, where
the 3& was registered. Then, when the call is connected to the J4* a global
page will be sent out due to that no information e7ists in the J4* about this
particular 3&. 6f the 3& would have been registered in the J4* but not
active, no page would have been sent out.
The following 4+T+ e7change properties are valid only if the function E>ual
+ccess and Transit Getwor0 &election in 3&'!J4* and 9ateway 3&'
(93&' is implemented. This is an optional 9&3 1,"" function.
LATAUSED defines the usage of 4+T+ administrationB
" 4+T+ administration is not used
1 4+T+ administration is used
1AGLATA defines if 4+T+ paging is used for mobile terminating calls or
notB
" 4+T+ paging is not used
1 4+T+ paging is used
1AGRE1CTLA defines how the paging in one location area is repeated, if
the first /aging +ttempt was local. This parameter is only valid when
1AGLATA is set to 1.
" /aging in one 4+ is not repeated
1 /aging in one 4+ is repeated with either T3&6 or 63&6
2 /aging in one 4+ is repeated with 63&6
( /aging is repeated as call delivery 4+T+ paging with 63&6
1AGTIMERE1LATA defines the time supervision for page response of
repeated 4+T+ paging. +fter e7piration of this timer no new paging
repetition for this call is done.
22(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12 )en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

THE ERICSSON GSM SYSTEM R7
Ta)e 3. MSC .ara$e#er #a)e.
1arameter name De'a%&t Recommended Ba&%e ran/e
*a&%e *a&%e
A== BTDM T-,, F # #$15(" (steps of # minutes or
A==
GTDM $ $ "$255 minutes
TDD A== $ 1$255 days or A==
. $ 2$1" sec 1AGTIME9RSTLA
1AGETIME9RSTGLOB . $ 2$1" sec
1AGERE1LA 2 $ "$(
1AGERE1GLOB " $ "$1
1AGTIMERE1LA : $ 2$1" sec
1AGTIMERE1GLOB : $ 2$1" sec
TMSI1AR " 1 or 2 "$2
TMSILAIMSC " $ "$1
LATAUSED " $ "$1
1AGLATA " $ "$1
2 $ "$( 1AGRE1CTLA
1AGTIMERE1LATA : $ 2$1" sec
2((25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12
)en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

LOCATION AREA DIMENSIONING GUIDELINE
! Re'erences
ref. 1 4ocation +rea dimensioning guideline '3E 2" *#,
5!1"" 5#$=') 1"1 2"# )en *ev +
ref. 2 4+$ and paging analysis for radio networ0 investigations,
4J*!/$,:"""1 *ev +
ref. ( &8''% 8imensioning 9uideline, 1"!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12 )en
*ev +
ref. . )ser 8escription for Ericsson<s 9&3 systems, *:, 6dle 3ode
2ehaviour, 2!155($%&' 1"( 12 )en +
ref. 5 2&' capacity report N 2asic model, %ans +ndersson, P!E/$,#B":2
ref. # 'apacity test report in 2&'!&J for 2&& *:!2&', Tan 9ustavsson,
(!152 -( .!='/ 1"( ,:"!(
2.(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12 )en *ev + 1,,-$12$11

THE ERICSSON GSM SYSTEM R7
25(25 11!1"" 5#$%&' 1"( 12
)en *ev + 1,,-$12$11