Frequency Planning Standard Operating Procedures

using NectAct Optimizer

Author:
Date: 25 February 2010
Version: 2.0
Sec. Class: Official use
Table of Contents

1. DOCUMENT CONTROL: ................................................................................................................3

Revision History............................................................................................................................................3

2. OPTIMIZER BASICS.......................................................................................................................4

3 MEASUREMENT BASED ANALYSIS............................................................................................5

4 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PREDICTIONS & MEASURMENT BASED TOOLS ..........................5

5 OPTIMIZER WORKING FLOW CHART .........................................................................................6

6 PRE OPTIMIZER TASKS................................................................................................................7

7 OPTIMIZER......................................................................................................................................9

7.1 ADJACENCY OPTIMIZATION......................................................................................................13

7.2 FREQUENCY OPTIMIZATION .....................................................................................................15

8 SUMMARY.....................................................................................................................................22
Frequency Planning SOP Kamran Afzal

1. DOCUMENT CONTROL:
Revision History
S.No Action Person Version
1 Document Mr. Kamran Afzal 2.0

Author: Kamran Afzal Page 3 of 22

Date: 25 February 2010 Confidential
Frequency Planning SOP Kamran Afzal

2. OPTIMIZER BASICS

NetAct Optimizer is used in the statistical and/or network wide optimization process in
NetAct. Optimizer provides visibility to current network behavior by combining the actual
GSM network configuration parameters and measured performance statistics with advanced
visualization and analysis functionality. Parameters can be optimised manually for small
changes or automatically by choosing from the range of optimisation solutions provided by
Optimizer. Optimizer can be used for a single cell or for a whole region.

The result of optimisation algorithms can be visualized on a geographical map before

downloading the optimisation plan to the network. The plan with the changed parameters is
sent to RAC where it is validated and provisioned to the network.

Some of the basic functionalities of Optimizer includes

• Optimizer uses statistical performance measurement data.

As the input data for algorithms is accurate (measurements of a real network), the output is
also more accurate than with a signal propagation estimate based process in Asset.

• Using measurements makes the tuning process faster.

Instead of heavy raster map based calculations - where, for example, the interference matrix is
calculated by considering signal strengths in each map pixel - a mobile measurement report is
used. When the data is processed in Optimizer, only some analysis is needed.

• Increased level of automation.

With Optimizer, the whole optimisation cycle is faster than with planning tools. As Optimizer
is implemented in the NetAct Framework, the actual configuration data and measurement
reports are available for processing. The network topology in Optimizer is always consistent
with the actual network data. When running Optimizer for the first time, some customizing is
needed, such as parameters needed to guide the generation algorithms.

Once the parameters are set, the next optimisation round is more effortless.

Author: Kamran Afzal Page 4 of 22

Date: 25 February 2010 Confidential
Frequency Planning SOP Kamran Afzal

3 MEASUREMENT BASED ANALYSIS

Interference Matrix, which is primarily based on interference related measurements but can
also be complemented with predictions, is the main core of Optimizer.
Interference matrix represents the interference relations between cells. Interference can be
computed or expressed with different mathematical methods such as ARP (Average Received
Power), CIP (Carrier over Interferer Probability) or FEP (Frame Erasure Probability).
Interference in Optimizer is primarily computed based on measurements that have been made
in an operated network. However in case measurements are not satisfactory because some of
missing data (for example, as in the case of new objects, or blind spots), it is possible to use
predicted interference values to complement measurements. This is done by combining data
from several sets and by defining a priority for the sets to be used.

4 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PREDICTIONS & MEASURMENT BASED TOOLS

Interference Matrix is generated in both predictions and measurement based tools. This
interference matrix is then used in the calculation of cell interference from other cells.

Optimizer generates the interference matrix based on following measurements

• CIP (Carrier to Interference Probability)

• ARP (Average Received Power)
• FEP (Frame Erasure Probability)

Carrier over Interferer Probability (CIP) is a probability of a random call

experiencing interference that exceeds a given threshold. Usually, an adequate
threshold for good quality calls is considered to be about 9 dB. CIP is represented
as a probability factor having floating point numbers with four number accuracy
(two decimals). The interval is [0.01,100.0] and unit percentage (%).

The Average Received Power (ARP) is a measurement for interference or

overlap between any two cells. It is simply the relative rx level measured from one
cell by mobiles served by another cell. ARP is represented as floating point
numbers with four number accuracy (two decimals). The interval is [0.0,63.0] and
unit RXLEV.

Frame Erasure Probability (FEP) is an estimated probability for a speech frame

to be erased. FEP is represented as a probability factor having floating point
numbers with four number accuracy (two decimals). The interval is [0.01,100.0]
and unit percentage (%).

Interference M atrix in P rediction Ba sed T ools is calculated with the help of predictions.
The predictions usually depend upon propagation models. The model describes the behaviour
of RF waves in certain environment and clutter. The Interference matrix generated with the
help of predictions will also be used for determining the interference values between cells but
this value will not be the real value.

Author: Kamran Afzal Page 5 of 22

Date: 25 February 2010 Confidential
 Frequency Planning SOP Kamran Afzal

5 OPTIMIZER WORKING FLOW CHART

Below are the steps which describe implementation procedure for optimizer. Total duration
depends upon the area under observation. The area selection can be done per BSC or
geographical area (depends upon the requirement).

Attach BAList  After  disable  Run  Implement 

Select FP  & En. 
Select Area
Strategy Measurment 1  Measurments
/BAlist
Adjacency 
Optimization
Adjecencies 
in Network
Run AFP
s
Week

Figure 1: Optimizer working flow chart

Author: Kamran Afzal Page 6 of 22

Date: 25 February 2010 Confidential
Frequency Planning SOP Kamran Afzal

6 PRE OPTIMIZER TASKS

Few things need to be considered in selecting the Area of Interest or BSC for good results

• Minimum or no outages; sites have to be very stable

• Urban with minimum overshooting
• Freeze must be implemented before start of live measurements till benchmarking is
done

Once the Area is selected then follow the below mentioned steps

1. Attach BAlist of 900 plus 1800 to all the cells which are to be optimized with
Optimizer. The BAList will contain complete BCCH ARFCN’s

2. Once BAlist is attached and verified then CF & DAC measurements are to be enabled
in the selected BSC for one week. The weather conditions in this time must be very
stable

3. After one week stop the measurements and detach the BAlist

Database Update

Once Pre Optimizer tasks are completed then database of the selected area needs to be
updated. This process will be done through Antenna Data Editor tool provided in Netact.

FIGURE 2: ANTENNA DATA EDITOR MAIN VIEW

Author: Kamran Afzal Page 7 of 22

Date: 25 February 2010 Confidential
Frequency Planning SOP Kamran Afzal

• Export the required BSC in “csv” format. FILEÆ Export Æ Export as csv

• Update the “csv” file with latest RF OnAir Database Sheet

• Import back to Antenna Data Editor. FILE Æ Import

Figure 3: Antenna Data Editor Import/Export

The updated data will automatically reflected in optimizer. Optimizer gets the data from
Netact database and any changes in Antenna Data Editor will effect the Netact Database so it
is recommended to double check the data before importing in the tool.

Export the data again from Optimizer and check the authenticity with RF Database, it must
show the updated values now.

Author: Kamran Afzal Page 8 of 22

Date: 25 February 2010 Confidential
Frequency Planning SOP Kamran Afzal

7 OPTIMIZER

Once database is updated then Optimizer is used to retrieve measurements and optimization

From Netact Æ Configuration window click Optimizer Tool

Figure 4: NetAct Main View

Creating Scope

Optimizer will define the scope and buffer areas for optimization. The cell in scope will be
planned and buffer areas will be considered as read-only.

Figure 5: Defining Scope of required BSC

Author: Kamran Afzal Page 9 of 22

Date: 25 February 2010 Confidential
Frequency Planning SOP Kamran Afzal

Once the scope is created then BSC/Cells will be shown in Scope window. Scope needs to be
activated after that

BSCÆCreate New Scope

Activate Scope

Figure 6: Scope activation

The Scope area in the map will be shown in colour while the buffer area will be fainted.

Measurement Retrieval

The CIP and ARP measurements are now retrieved in Optimizer

Optimizer Æ Tools Æ Network Statistics Æ Preparing GSM IM Creation

This will open a step window through which BAList and measurements can be
enabled/disabled from your workstation.

But this will not be the case in here as these changes are sent through CM teams as separate
MAR’s.

So for this step just proceed further by clicking next and selecting appropriate band for
Optimization (i.e., 900 or 1800)

Author: Kamran Afzal Page 10 of 22

Date: 25 February 2010 Confidential
Frequency Planning SOP Kamran Afzal

=
Figure 7: Preparing GSM IM Creation

Once finished is clicked then Interference Matrix window is automatically opened.

Figure 8: Interference Matrix table

Author: Kamran Afzal Page 11 of 22

Date: 25 February 2010 Confidential
Frequency Planning SOP Kamran Afzal

Measurements will be retrieved for both CIP and ARP separately.

Figure 9: Interference Matrix table with CIP and ARP values

First select the CIP from interference type and click the Retrieve tab. Measured set will be
shown after that which can also be viewed by clicking view tab. Once retrieval is complete
then click Run Predictions. This will calculate the blind spots (where cell id is not decoded
in measurements due to coverage hole or co BCCH-BSIC issue)

Priority needs to be given to each set. Higher priority foe measured set (1 to Measured and 2
to Simple Predicted)

Author: Kamran Afzal Page 12 of 22

Date: 25 February 2010 Confidential
Frequency Planning SOP Kamran Afzal

7.1 ADJACENCY OPTIMIZATION

Adjacency Optimization can be started after retrieval of measurements. ARP will be used to
perform Adjacency optimization.

Figure 10: Neighbour Planning

Tools Æ Adjacency Optimization Æ Adjacency Optimization

Select ARP as interference type and click OK. The adjacency window will appear.

In the Rules tab select Sync & Two way Neighbours. Neighbours can be created/deleted by
selecting appropriate tabs

Author: Kamran Afzal Page 13 of 22

Date: 25 February 2010 Confidential
Frequency Planning SOP Kamran Afzal

Figure 11: Neighbour Creation

Neighbour Cre ation: For Neighbour creation, select the maximum distance and angle
between antennas.

Co channel ARP value needs to be set. This number of neighbour creations will increase with
less value

Neighbour Deletion: For Neighbour deletion, ceck the distance and maximum theta angle

Click Start Optimization

The newly added and deleted neighbours will be shown in browser window

The Neighbours are then verified manually. Once verified they must be implemented by
sending Neighbor addition/deletion MAR to CM.

After the implementation verification needs to be performed again via Netact.

These Neighbours will be automatically updated in Netact and can be viewed through
Optimizer

To view the neighbours, select the cell Æ right click view adjacencies

Author: Kamran Afzal Page 14 of 22

Date: 25 February 2010 Confidential
Frequency Planning SOP Kamran Afzal

7.2 FREQUENCY OPTIMIZATION

For frequency Optimization click Tools->frequency optimi zation-> frequen cy

optimization-> Select CIP+ARP-> OK

Figure 12: AFP

After this the Frequency Optimization window will appear. Showing the scope and buffer
BSC’s

Each BSC can be selected to see the cells present in it. There are a number of options which
can be changed in order for the AFP algorithm to run in a specific way.

These Option include

• Frequency band
• Layers
• BSC
• Scope BTS
• MAL’s
• Frequency Groups
• Manual Separation
• Separation Violation Penalties

Author: Kamran Afzal Page 15 of 22

Date: 25 February 2010 Confidential
Frequency Planning SOP Kamran Afzal

Figure 13: AFP options

These options will be selected one by one

Show Æ Frequency Bands Æ Select the required band to plan

Show Æ Layers Æ Select BCCH/TCH layers to be planned

Figure 14: AFP Layers

Author: Kamran Afzal Page 16 of 22

Date: 25 February 2010 Confidential
Frequency Planning SOP Kamran Afzal

Show Æ BS C Æ Sel ect required f requency group to cells – A ssigned ARFCN’s after
planning will also be shown in this tab

Figure 15: AFP BSC

Show Æ Scope BTS Æ BTS priorities are set here (Low, Normal, High)

Figure 16: Scope BTS

Author: Kamran Afzal Page 17 of 22

Date: 25 February 2010 Confidential
Frequency Planning SOP Kamran Afzal

Show Æ MALs Æ Select/modify the Malist to be assigned

Figure 17: MALs tab

Show Æ F requency Groups Æ Modify the frequency in a band for assignment (less BCCH for
example)

Figure 17: Frequency Groups

Author: Kamran Afzal Page 18 of 22

Date: 25 February 2010 Confidential
Frequency Planning SOP Kamran Afzal

Show->Seperation Violation Penalties(Default Recommended)Æ

Changes the cost of the Interference Matrix. However violation
can be changed if required, equivalent changes should be made for
all Freq Group/TRX Layer pair.

This shows the cost and penalties between different layers. If a cost is
broken then penalty will increased for that layer in AFP algorithm.

Figure 18: Separation Violation

Once all these settings are saved then click start optimization. This will open a new AFP
window

Author: Kamran Afzal Page 19 of 22

Date: 25 February 2010 Confidential
Frequency Planning SOP Kamran Afzal

Figure 19: Start Frequency Optimization

Analysis
Requirement must be entered in this tab about what to plan.

Frequency Plan
The AFP tabs is used for frequency optimization

Figure 20: AFP Tab

Author: Kamran Afzal Page 20 of 22

Date: 25 February 2010 Confidential
Frequency Planning SOP Kamran Afzal

AFP Algorithm can be run in three different types

AFP->Fast: Starts from current Plan.

AFP->Optimization: Starts from zero, but runs for very less time
AFP->Accurate: Starts from zero. Runs for the Specified Time

Select the required algorithm type and click allocate. Optimizer will take some time to plan
frequencies and will generate the results

Figure 21: Optimizer Results

Results will be shown on BSC/BTS/Layer level. Appropriate graphs and values will be shown
against the algorithm and each cell.

After getting the results go to Show Æ BSC and copy the data with headers. Paste this data in
excel sheet so that it can be verified with other tools as well

New frequencies will now be shown as channels (Planned). This can be verified either on
Optimizer or on Mapinfo/Asset

Author: Kamran Afzal Page 21 of 22

Date: 25 February 2010 Confidential
Frequency Planning SOP Kamran Afzal

8 SUMMARY

• Select the area which is stable with minimum number of outages

• Enable freeze on the Area till benchmarking is complete

• 900 and 1800 combined BAList must be attached to cells (only one band BAList
will result in HO Drops between bands)

• Disable the measurements and detach the BAList after one week

• Run the Adjacency optimization before AFP

• Verify the Neighbours

• Implement the Adjacency changes in network before running AFP

• Try AFP with different algorithm methods and for Accurate method run the AFP
overnight

• Verify the results in Asset.

Author: Kamran Afzal Page 22 of 22

Date: 25 February 2010 Confidential