In-building Coverage

Solutions

KULASEKARAN. P
Technical Specialist - RF ( Inbuilding Radio Network Planner)
Bangalore. (INDIA)

12/13/2005 1
 In-Building Solution
• What is an In-Building Solution & Why is it required ?
• It is a process, where in we radiate adequate Mobile signals of one particular Network operator in that entire
building.
In places like basement floors, higher floors of some high rise Buildings, Airports, Corporate offices, Hotels
& Shopping malls we tend to get signals from different cell sites around the building, so subscriber mobile
ping-pong from one cell site to another resulting in high CALL-DROPS & High BER ( Rx Quality )
In some case when the subscriber base increases, the Network operator has difficulty in planning new
BTS. So instead of deploying a Macro Site the operator uses a Micro BTS where in the signal from Micro
BTS will be distributed through out the building using Co-axial cables and distributed antenna system. By
doing so, we will have uniform signal been radiated all through out the building providing an error free
Network connection to all their valuable subscribers present in that building.
In the basement floors there will be absolutely no mobile signals
present, so this problem also can be solved using a distributed antenna
system in that floor.

Network Problems inside Buildings

• High Call Drops - Above 4th or 5th floors ( Due to Multi cell Hand over )
• High Bit Error Rate - Due to Multipath propagation, Water refraction, Interference from other cell
sites of same operator or other operators
• No network Coverage - Basements, Ground Floors etc. ( Penetration loss)
• Subscriber base increases – If deployment of new BTS sites are not possible

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 Topics

1. In building Solution Proposals

2. Planning
3. Measurement
4. Implementation
5. In building acceptance testing

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 General RF Requirements of a customer
• Quality of Service

• Customer requirements > Rx level must be - 80dBm @ 95% Location

Probability
• Server from in building solution in dedicated mode > = 90%
• Call Setup success rate = 98% in the entire building
• Drop Call Rates < = 2%
• DL Rx Quality ( 0 – 2 ) > = 90 % In the entire building
• DL Rx Quality ( 0 – 4 ) > = 95 % In the entire building

• Spillage of signals must be < = -85dBm, on the street and the adjacent
buildings
• Frequency planned for Indoor coverage must be carefully planned
• Parameter settings for IBS must be carefully planned (ex:- hopping frequency,
MAIO, HCS etc.,

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 Resources

Customers Radio RF Survey Customer Site

Network Planner Engineer acquisition team

NETWORK OPERATOR
Can be the same person

Radio Network
Planner Installation
(documentation) Planner

Sub Contractor Installation

Supervisor

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 Process flow
In building survey & implementation roll - out

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 RF Survey with building floor plan
• Nokia phones with net monitor software loaded in it
• Readings need to be taken manually in different locations of the floor, the readings can be mapped on
the floor plans for easy understanding
• TEMS LIGHT is an Ericsson Indoor walk test tool, connect the TEMS to the laptop, load the software and
upload the floor plan of the building. Walk in the floors and record the signal levels, Final report will
have signal details super imposed on the pre-loaded floor plans.

NOTE : For precise EIRP planning at each antenna, its advisable to use TEMS Transmitter for the
survey, but a professional Radio planner is as good as a TEMS Transmitter.

RF Survey Tools TEMS TRANSMITTER

TOOL
NOKIA NETMONITOR TEMS LIGHT TOOL

Rx Lvl
ARFCN

12/13/2005 7
 1. In building solution proposal
Radio Network Plan – RNP Report

Passive Distribution
• Solution description
• Coverage plan CAT-5 Distribution

• System diagram
• Power budget calculation
• Proposed antenna location photograph
• System layout on floor plan ( ACAD)
• Measurement results

12/13/2005 8
 RNP Report
Solution Description
Over view
Network Solution passive coaxial & Antenna distribution or LGC network

Coverage Plan (i.e.) Intended Coverage area

Based on the questionnaire or customers requirement, How many levels? Basement , Car park, Lift
lobby, toilets, staff area etc., where all the coverage required

Bill of Materials
Details of How many antennas ( Omni, Panel ), Cable type (1/2” or 7/8”), Splitters, Couplers

Macro/ Micro BTS Accommodation

Type of BTS ( Micro, Macro, flexi talk etc., based on output power )
BTS Location (to be placed in which floor ? Is there any other BTS installed by other network operators ?)
BTS configuration ( 1+1+1 or 2+2+2)
Electrical power supply for BTS
Power to be tapped from ?)
How to bring in E1 connection for the BTS
Should we put a separate electrical meter ? MCB required ? Etc.,

12/13/2005 9
 Types of RF distribution techniques
Distributed Antenna System :
• Using passive components like ( Splitters 2way, 3way, 4way , Couplers 6dB, 7dB, 10dB, 15dB, 20dB etc.,)
• Using Active amplifiers ( Line amplifiers etc., )
• Using CAT-5 Cable, Main Hub, Expansion Hub and Remote antenna unit ( RAU’s)

Leaky Cable System :

• Coupling loss
• Attenuation over distance need to be calculated

12/13/2005 10
 Passive Distribution Techniques
• Cable lengths more than 50mts has to be a 7/8” (Less loss)
• Use RF couplers for symmetrical power splits
Coupler values are 3dB, 6dB, 7dB, 10dB, 15dB, 20dB & Variable couplers

10 dB Coupler

• Design must have similar power distribution & coupling loss to each antenna

• Best design is to minimize the co-ax length as far as possible

12/13/2005 11
 2. Coverage plan
BASEMENT

NO SIGNAL

ENTRY

WINDSOR - HALL (I,II & III) LORDS - HALL (I,II & III)
PROPOSED ANTENNA'S PROPOSED ANTENNA

PROJECT: IBC SOLUTION

CLIENT ADDRESS:
COVERAGE REQUIRED TO BE COVERED BY CUSTOMER NAME: BSNL

sasken
AREA OUTDOOR CELL network engineering
CONTACT PERSON:

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 3. Trunking or System Diagram

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 Link Budget Calculation for each antenna
LINK BUDGET CALCULATION FOR UPLINK & DOWNLINK OF ALL ANTENNAS

Length of cable Splitter Coupler

Connector
Loss
6 dB 10 dB Antenna Gain Link Budget Calculation
Total Antenna
Sl Anten
1/2 7/8 3 losses EIRP

Directional
No na No Loss 2 way 4 way Loss

Total Loss
inch inch way (dB) (dBm)

Tap Loss

Tap Loss
Through

Through
Qty Loss Down Link

Ceiling
Up Link (RSSI (RSSI at

Loss

Loss
at Micro BTS) Mobile)
1 BA1 61 0 4.27 1 0 1 9 1 0 0 0 6 8 4 1 0 23.27 16.73 -49.48 -42.48
2 BA2 25 0 1.75 1 0 1 9 1 0 0 0 6 8 4 1 0 20.75 19.25 -46.96 -39.96
3 BA3 55 0 3.85 0 0 2 12 0 1 0 0 1.5 8 4 1 0 21.35 18.65 -47.56 -40.56
4 BA4 62 0 4.34 0 0 2 12 0 1 0 0 1.5 8 4 1 0 21.84 18.16 -48.05 -41.05
5 BA5 77 0 5.39 0 0 2 12 0 1 0 0 1.5 8 4 1 0 22.89 17.11 -49.1 -42.1
6 BA6 85 0 5.95 0 0 2 12 0 1 0 0 1.5 8 4 1 0 23.45 16.55 -49.66 -42.66
7 GA7 92 0 6.44 0 0 3 18 0 0 0 0 0 8 4 1 0 28.44 11.56 -54.65 -47.65
8 GA8 97 0 6.79 0 0 3 18 0 0 0 0 0 8 4 1 0 28.79 11.21 -55 -48
9 GA9 65 0 4.55 0 0 3 18 0 0 0 0 0 8 4 1 0 26.55 13.45 -52.76 -45.76
10 GA10 77 0 5.39 0 0 3 18 0 0 0 0 0 8 4 1 0 27.39 12.61 -53.6 -46.6
11 GA11 65 0 4.55 0 0 3 18 0 0 0 0 0 8 4 1 0 26.55 13.45 -52.76 -45.76
12 GA12 47 0 3.29 0 0 3 18 0 0 0 0 0 8 4 1 0 25.29 14.71 -51.5 -44.5
13 GA13 65 0 4.55 0 0 3 18 0 0 0 0 0 8 4 0 1 26.55 17.45 -52.76 -41.76
14 GA14 57 0 3.99 0 0 3 18 0 0 0 0 0 8 4 0 1 25.99 18.01 -52.2 -41.2
15 GA15 32 0 2.24 0 0 3 18 0 0 0 0 0 8 4 1 0 24.24 15.76 -50.45 -43.45
16 GA16 62 0 4.34 0 0 3 18 0 0 0 0 0 8 4 1 0 26.34 13.66 -52.55 -45.55
17 GA17 47 0 3.29 0 0 3 18 0 0 0 0 0 8 4 1 0 25.29 14.71 -51.5 -44.5
18 GA18 57 0 3.99 0 0 3 18 0 0 0 0 0 8 4 1 0 25.99 14.01 -52.2 -45.2
19 GA19 44 0 3.08 0 0 2 12 1 0 0 0 6 8 4 1 0 25.08 14.92 -51.29 -44.29
20 GA20 59 0 4.13 0 0 3 18 0 1 0 0 1.5 10 5 1 0 28.63 11.37 -54.84 -47.84
21 GA21 54 0 3.78 0 0 3 18 0 1 0 0 1.5 10 5 1 0 28.28 11.72 -54.49 -47.49

NOTE:
UPLINK & DOWNLINK Budget are calculated at a distance of 25meters from the Antennas
Body loss = 3 dB
12/13/2005 14
Indoor Multipath faded margin loss (incase of more partitions) = 6 dB
Total loss = 9 dB
An additional loss of 9 dB has to be taken into account in both uplink and downlink RSSI
 Antenna Location with Photograph

12/13/2005 15
 RNP Report
Floor plan with Antenna Location marking
PR O PO SED C A B LES & A N T EN N A
B A SEM EN T

BSP13

NO SIGNAL
BSP12
BCP9

E NT R Y

W IN D SO R - H A L L (I,II & III) LO R D S - H A LL (I,II & III)

PR O PO SE D A N TEN N A 'S PR O PO SED A N TE N N A
2-w ay Splitter 1
4-w ay Splitter 2" F eeder C able
P RO JE C T : IB C S O L U T IO N
C U S TO M ER N A M E: B SN L C LIEN T A D DR ESS:
3-w ay Splitter Panel A ntenna Jum per C able
sasken
netw ork engineering
C oupler C eiling A ntenna C onnectors C O N TA C T P ERS ON :

12/13/2005 16
 Existing Signal level measurements

NOKIA NET MONITOR DESIGN TEMS TOOL DESIGN

NO SIGNAL

ENTRY

WINDSOR - HALL (I,II & III) LORDS - HALL (I,II & III)
PROPOSED ANTENNA'S PROPOSED ANTENNA

EXISTING SIGNAL LEVELS PROJECT: IBC SOLUTION

CUSTOMER NAME: BSNL CLIENT ADDRESS:
BASEMENT sasken
network engineering
CONTACT PERSON:

12/13/2005 17
 Planning ( duration )
• Pre survey ( discussion with Network operator & coordinator ) 0.5 day
• Survey + Measurement ( 1 day for a moderately big building ) 1 person from Operator side also required
• System diagram, Antenna location, Power budget calculation etc., ( 1 day Max )
• Report preparation in ACAD ( 1 day )
• Compilation of the proposal and preparing a final plan ( 1 day )

NOTE : Total about 4.5 days are required for planning and report preparation, but the same can be
squeezed in 3 to 4 days Max, Quicker than this, will be a compromise on quality

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 Planning of Accessories
Omni antennas

Note: Size & shape of the antenna (round, flat) can vary depending upon customer’s request

12/13/2005 19
 Planning of Accessories
Directional or Panel antennas

Note: Size & shape of the antenna (small, big) can vary depending upon customer’s request

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 Planning of Accessories
Splitters & Couplers

2 way 3 way 4 way

Note: Couplers will be same like 2 Way splitters but the output port in the sides are little long from the
other port.

12/13/2005 21
 Planning of Accessories
Feeders or Cables

Note: ½” Cable comes without super flex also and that is what is used in most of the IBS, similar to RFX
½” Leaky cable, but no holes on the corrugation

12/13/2005 22
 Implementation
• Site in-charge or a Project engineer ( 1 person )
• Skilled technician to make connectors ( 1 person )
• Sub contractors well versed of cable laying
• For an average size building with 30 antennas and 1000 meters of cable can be
completed in 7 days time, provided there is no hindrance from the building owners
• Cables, Splitters, Couplers & Antennas ( If possible ) must be named during
installation
• Cable lengths to be marked along with the cable names during implementation
• Cables to be neatly cable tied at every 2 mts of length
• VSWR measurements of all cables( along with antenna connected ) must be noted
down during installation
• Clamps are to be provided for ceiling and panel antennas, incase if there is no wall
support
• appropriate tools to be used for making connectorisation

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 Implementation
Example of Coupler & Splitter installation in a cable tray

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 Implementation
Example of Ceiling antenna installation

12/13/2005 25
 Implementation
Example of Panel antenna installation

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 Tools required for implementation

• Prep tool
• Chamfer tool
• Crimping tool
• Quality Knife
• Hack saw Frame & Blade
• Shaping tool
• Cutter
• Spanner set
• Screw driver set
• Soft Hammer

12/13/2005 27
 Measurement Equipments required for
Implementation
BIRD SA 2500 EX Site Analyzer
Both are used to measure
• VSWR
• Return Loss
• Distance to Fault finding
• Measure RF power to certain level
• Can be interfaced with PC or Laptop to get Graph of VSWR

ANRITSU S 331A Site Analyzer

12/13/2005 28
 Acceptance Testing
Materials or Accessories Check
• Physically check the implementation ( any loose cabling, physical damage on feeders, antennas
clamped properly etc., )
• VSWR check for sample cables ( it is highly impossible to check VSWR for each cable in inbuilding
solution, the reason is we have more than 100 pieces of cable in an average building, testing all the
100 will fetch entire 2 days & more over some cables will be inside the false ceiling )
• Check the list of inventory’s used in that particular site
• Sample check the implemented cable lengths ( Checking all the feeder physically might not be
possible )

Electrical & Ground Check

• Check the power connections of Micro BTS ( Voltage check, Grounding, Fixing etc., )
• Feeder cable connected to the output of micro cell has to be grounded properly using grounding kit
• Ventilation in the room to be checked

RF Signal Check
• Check the signal levels ( Idle mode ) at places mentioned in the RNP report
• Check Call Setup, Call quality, Call sustain and Call hand over to Outdoor cells
• Check for the in building cell Signal spill over

12/13/2005 29
 Time Busters in the Project

12/13/2005 30
 What might go wrong – Time Busters
• MICRO BTS LOCATION CHANGE

> Due to building owner’s decision

> New plan needs to be done, Re-design
> Unforeseen, sometimes dependent upon site acquisition team relationship with the building
owner

CABLE ROUTING CHANGES

> Due to inaccessibility of some riser, certain parts of ceiling, renovations etc.,
> again redesign the plan
> Incase of hotels, we will not get permission if guests are more or meetings going on in the
Ball rooms
> Incase of any accidents during implementation
> If coverage area not defined properly by the network operator during initial RF survey
> Shortage of cables or any other accessories during implementation process

Note: Project planning, implementation issues not

handled properly leads to extra unforeseen amount
of time & money spending during optimization

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