Radio Network Parameters and Cell Design Data

Chapter 15

This chapter is designed to provide the student with an overview

of parameter setting in GSM.

OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this chapter the student will be able to:

• understand what the Cell Design Document (CDD) is

• be familiar with some of the parameters in GSM
Cell Planning Principles

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EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D

 15 Radio Network Parameters and Cell Design Data

15 Radio Network Parameters and Cell

Design Data
Table of Contents

Topic Page

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................245
THE CDD STRUCTURE ............................................................................................ 245

SITE DATA.........................................................................................246
COMMON SITE DATA............................................................................................... 246

CELL DATA .......................................................................................247

COMMON DATA........................................................................................................ 247
NEIGHBORING CELL RELATION DATA.................................................................. 249
IDLE MODE BEHAVIOUR ......................................................................................... 249
LOCATING................................................................................................................. 251
CHANNEL ADMINISTRATION/IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT ON TCH ..................... 256
DYNAMIC MS POWER CONTROL ........................................................................... 256
DYNAMIC BTS POWER CONTROL ......................................................................... 257
DTX ............................................................................................................................ 257
FREQUENCY HOPPING ........................................................................................... 257
INTRA CELL HANDOVER ......................................................................................... 260
ASSIGNMENT TO ANOTHER CELL......................................................................... 260
OVERLAID/UNDERLAID SUBCELLS ....................................................................... 260
HIERARCHICAL CELL STRUCTURES..................................................................... 260
EXTENDED RANGE.................................................................................................. 260
DOUBLE BA LISTS.................................................................................................... 260
IDLE CHANNEL MEASUREMENTS.......................................................................... 261
CELL LOAD SHARING .............................................................................................. 261
MULTIBAND OPERATION ........................................................................................ 261
DIFFERENTIAL CHANNEL ALLOCATION ............................................................... 261

HARDWARE CHARACTERISTICS ...................................................261

EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D –i–

Cell Planning Principles

CDD FORMS......................................................................................262

– ii – EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D

 15 Radio Network Parameters and Cell Design Data

INTRODUCTION
When a new GSM R6.1/R3 system is built or when new cells
are added or changed in an existing GSM R6.1/R3 system, the
cell planner provides the operator with a document for each cell
containing data for the insertion of the cell in the radio network.
The data from all such documents is then converted into a data
transcript tape and loaded into the corresponding BSC.

A data transcript tape contains not only Cell Design Data (CDD)
information but also other data needed for the complete
configuration of the BSC and its BTSs.

This chapter explains what type of information is contained in

the CDD.

THE CDD STRUCTURE

The parameters in this chapter are organized according to radio
network features. The aim of this structure is to facilitate a more
feature oriented cell planning and network optimization.

In each radio network feature section, the parameters are

grouped into subsections defined by the network entity where
the parameter is defined.

The CDD is also arranged with a structure that corresponds to

the subcell structure shown in Figure 15-1. Therefore some
parameters appear in more than one part of the CDD.

CELL

UL SUBCELL OL SUBCELL

CHGROUP CHGROUP .... CHGROUP CHGROUP CHGROUP .... CHGROUP

Figure 15-1. The subcell structure supported by the GSM

system

EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D – 245 –

Cell Planning Principles

A subcell is a set of channels that share some specific

characteristics. An overlaid subcell is defined as a number of
traffic channels serving a part of a larger cell. An underlaid
subcell is defined as a number of traffic channels serving the
whole cell area.

A cell always has an underlaid (UL) subcell, whereas the

overlaid (OL) subcell is optional. A subcell structure exists
when there is an overlay subcell defined. The notation
“cell/subcell data” is used in order to clarify that these
parameters may be defined per subcell.

Each subcell is divided into channel groups which include a

subset of the frequencies defined for a cell. A channel group can
not be shared between different subcells. One single frequency
can be defined in only one channel group within the cell.

In this chapter only some of the parameters are described. For a

description of all parameters, with default settings, intervals,
etc., refer to the CDD document.

SITE DATA

COMMON SITE DATA

The common site data is the same for all cells in a site.

Site Data
MSC NAME (identifies the MSC but is not stored in the MSC
or in the BSC)

BSC (identifies the BSC but is not stored in the MSC or in the
BSC)

56,7( (radio site identity where the Transceiver Group (TG) is

located

SITE NAME (helps identify the site geographically, but is not

stored in the MSC or in the BSC).

– 246 – EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D

 15 Radio Network Parameters and Cell Design Data

CELL DATA

COMMON DATA

BSC Data
'/8/ downlink/uplink line level

Cell Data
%63:5% This represents the base station output power in
dBm for the BCCH RF channel number.

&(// This represents the cell name, use preferably

the name of the site plus one more character
that identifies the cell within the site.

&*, Cell Global Identification

%6,& Base Station Identity Code, defined on a per

cell basis but usually the same for all cells in
the entire cluster.

%&&+12 This represents the absolute RF channel

number for BCCH.

%&&+7<3( This indicates the setup of BCCH (combined

with SDCCH/4, non-combined or combined
with SDCCH/4 or a CBCH).

$*%/. The number CCCH blocks reserved for the

access grant channel.

0)506 This represents the multiframe period. It

defines period in CCCH multiframes of
transmission of PAGING REQUEST messages.

)12))6(7 This represents the frame number offset and

indicates the time difference from the frame
number generator in the BTS.

EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D – 247 –

Cell Planning Principles

Resource Type Identities

These identifiers are used to specify the resource when a
parameter can be defined differently for different radio resource
types.

SCTYPE Subcell type (UL/OL)

CHTYPE Channel type (RH/SDCCH)

CHRATE Channel rate (full rate/half rate)

Cell/Subcell Data
This parameters may be defined differently for underlaid and
overlaid subcells. In case there is no subcell structure defined, it
is defined per cell.

76& Training Sequence Code

067;3:5 This represents the maximum transmit power

for MS in the cell.

%63:57 This represents the base station output power in

dBm for the non-BCCH RF channel numbers.

Channel Group Data

The channel group data must be repeated for each defined
channel group. Each channel group must be defined per subcell,
if a subcell structure exists. These parameters are not listed here,
but they include parameters such as 6'&&+ (indicating how
many SDCCH/8 channels are defined) and 71 (time slot
number).

– 248 – EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D

 15 Radio Network Parameters and Cell Design Data

NEIGHBORING CELL RELATION DATA

Neighboring Cell Relation Data

There are two types of parameters that can be defined for each
neighboring cell relation; hysteresis and offset parameters. It is
possible to define up to 64 neighbors for each cell. These
parameters are not listed here.

Additional Parameters Defined for Neighboring Cell Relations

These parameters need to be defined together with the
parameters above for neighboring cell relations. They are not
listed here.

External Neighboring Cell Data

These parameters need to be defined together with the
parameters above for external neighboring cells. They are not
listed here.

IDLE MODE BEHAVIOUR

Paging - MSC Data

These parameters are not listed here.

Implicit Detach - MSC Data

These parameters are not listed here.

Automatic Deregistration - MSC Data

These parameters are not listed here.

EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D – 249 –

Cell Planning Principles

Idle Mode Behavior - Cell Data

These parameters are sent in the system information on BCCH
for idle MSs and on SACCH for busy MSs.

$&&0,1 This represents the minimum received signal level in

dBm at the MS for permission to access the system.

&&+3:5 This represents the maximum transmitter power level

an MS may use when accessing a control channel.

&5+ Cell Reselect Hysteresis is the receiving signal

strength U[OHY hysteresis for required cell re-selection
over location area border.

1&&3(50 This represents the permitted PLMNs. That is, the

NCCs on the BCCH carriers for which the MS is
permitted to report measurement results.

6,06* This represents the system information BCCH

message.

06*',67 This represents the system information BCCH

message distribution.

&% This defines if the cell is barred for access.

&%4 Cell Bar Qualify

$&& This defines which access classes are barred.

0$;5(7 This defines maximum number of retransmissions an

MS may attempt when accessing the system.

7; This defines the number of time slots over which the

MS must spread transmission when accessing the
system.

$77 This tells the MS if it is allowed to apply IMSI attach

and detach.

7 This defines the time-out value that controls the

location updating procedure, i.e. when notifying the
availability of the MS to the network.

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 15 Radio Network Parameters and Cell Design Data

&52 This defines an offset to encourage or discourage MSs

to select the cell while it is camping on another cell,
i.e. perform a cell reselection.

72 This defines a negative offset applied to cell reselect

offset (&52).

37 This defines the duration for which the temporary

offset (72) is applied.

LOCATING

Intra-MSC Handover - MSC Data

These parameters are not discussed here.

Inter-MSC Handover in Anchor MSC-MSC Data

These parameters are not discussed here.

Inter-MSC Handover in Non-anchor MSC-MSC Data

This parameter is not discussed here.

System Type - BSC Data

6<67<3( This identifies the system type, GSM 900, GSM 1800
or GSM 1900.

Algorithm Selection - BSC Data

(9$/7<3( This identifies the evaluation type, i.e. which locating
algorithm should be used.

EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D – 251 –

Cell Planning Principles

Flow Control - BSC Data

These parameters are not discussed here.

Filter Control - BSC Data

This parameter is not discussed here.

Filter Control - Cell Data

The measurement results are sent from the BTS to the BSC
every SACCH period (480 ms) starting when the MS is assigned
an SDCCH. The measurement results are stored and filtered in
the BSC. The signal strength and quality measurements that
have arrived latest are filtered in order to smooth out
measurement noise. In addition, some fading components of a
duration of about the same as the filter response time are filtered
out.

The filter parameters are not listed here.

Basic Ranking - Cell Data

%63:5 This represents the BTS output power on the BCCH
frequency.

065;0,1 This represents the minimum required signal strength

received at the MS in a given cell to consider the cell
as a possible candidate for handover.

%65;0,1 This represents the minimum required signal strength

received at the BTS to consider the cell as a possible
candidate for handover.

065;68)) This represents the sufficient signal strength received

at the MS to consider the cell for selection for further
ranking according to the magnitude of the path loss.

– 252 – EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D

 15 Radio Network Parameters and Cell Design Data

%65;68)) This represents the sufficient signal strength received

at the BTS to consider the cell for selection for
further ranking according to the magnitude of the
path loss.

Basic Ranking - Cell/Subcell Data

This parameter may be defined differently for underlaid and
overlaid subcells. In cases where there is no subcell structure
defined, it is defined per cell.

%67;3:5 This is the BTS output power on all frequencies

other than the BCCH frequency.

Basic Ranking - Neighbor Cell Data

.+<67

Type: Numeral
Range: 0 - 63
Unit: dB
Default: 3
Command: RLNRC
Comments: Signal strength hysteresis when evaluating K-cells

/+<67

Type: Numeral
Range: 0 - 63
Unit: dB
Default: 3
Command: RLNRC
Comments: Path loss hysteresis when evaluating L-cells

EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D – 253 –

Cell Planning Principles

75+<67

Type: Numeral
Range: 0 - 63
Unit: dB
Default: 2
Command: RLNRC
Comments: Signal strength hysteresis when transition between K- and L-cells

.2))6(7

Type: Numeral
Range: -63 - 63
Unit: dB
Default: 0
Command: RLNRC
Comments: Signal strength offset when evaluating K-cells

/2))6(7

Type: Numeral
Range: -63 - 63
Unit: dB
Default: 0
Command: RLNRC
Comments: Path loss offset when evaluating L-cells

– 254 – EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D

 15 Radio Network Parameters and Cell Design Data

752))6(7

Type: Numeral
Range: -63 - 63
Unit: dB
Default: 0
Command: RLNRC
Comments: Signal strength offset when transition between K- and L-cells
An offset value is a certain amount of dB by which the path loss
or the signal strength can be adjusted in order to push the cell
border towards or away from the serving BTS.
As the BSC does not accept negative parameters, each offset
parameter is implemented as two different parameters. For
instance, in the case of .2))6(7, the BSC parameters are
called .2))6(73 (zero or positive value) and .2))6(71
(negative value). The same goes for /2))6(7 and 752))6(7.

Urgency Conditions - Cell Data

These five parameters are not discussed here.

Urgency Conditions - Neighbor Cell Data

This parameter is not discussed here.

Urgency Conditions - External Neighbor Cell Data

This parameter is not discussed here.

Urgency Conditions - Cell/Subcell Data

These two parameters may be defined differently for underlaid
and overlaid subcells. In cases where there is no subcell
structure defined, these parameters are defined per cell. They are
not listed here.

EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D – 255 –

Cell Planning Principles

Handover failure - Cell Data

These two parameters are not discussed here.

Signaling Channel Handover - BSC Data

These two parameters are not discussed here.

Signaling Channel Handover - Cell Data

This parameter is not discussed here.

RPD Load - Cell Data

This parameter is not discussed here.

Disconnection Algorithm - Cell Data

These three parameters are not discussed here.

CHANNEL ADMINISTRATION/IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT ON TCH

Parameters applicable to this radio network feature are not
discussed here.

DYNAMIC MS POWER CONTROL

Parameters applicable to this radio network feature are not
discussed here.

– 256 – EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D

 15 Radio Network Parameters and Cell Design Data

DYNAMIC BTS POWER CONTROL

Parameters applicable to this radio network feature are not
discussed here.

DTX
Parameters applicable to this radio network feature are not
discussed here.

FREQUENCY HOPPING

Channel Group Data

+23

Type: String
Range: ON, OFF, TCH
Unit: -
Default: OFF
Command: RLCHC, RLCFP
Comments: Frequency hopping status
+23 is the switch for turning frequency hopping on or off.
SDCCHs as well as TCHs can hop. The value OFF turns
frequency hopping off for all channels in the channel group. The
value TCH turns frequency hopping on for traffic channels in the
channel group and the value ON turns frequency hopping on for
all channels in the channel group, i.e. also for SDCCH channels.
A BCCH will not hop even if it belongs to a channel group
defined as hopping.

EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D – 257 –

Cell Planning Principles

+61

Type: Numeral
Range: 0 - 63
Unit: -
Default: -
Command: RLCHC, RLCFP.
Comments: Hopping sequence number
The hopping BPC is transmitted on a set of frequencies included
in a Hopping Frequency Set (HFS). The order of the frequencies
to transmit on is defined by the hopping sequence number +61
(GSM 05.02, 6.2.3).
+61= 0 identifies the cyclic hopping sequence
+61=1- 63 identifies different pseudo random sequences

– 258 – EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D

 15 Radio Network Parameters and Cell Design Data

Hardware Characteristics Data

)+23

Type: String
Range: BB, SY
Unit: -
Default: SY (if &20%= HYB, i.e. if hybrid combiner is used)
BB (if &20%= FLT, i.e. if filter combiner is used)
Command: RXMOC, RXMOI
Comments: Frequency Hopping
The frequency hopping to be performed in the TG.
BB Baseband hopping.
SY Synthesizer hopping
Frequency hopping can be achieved by two methods, namely
baseband or synthesizer hopping. The parameter )+23 indicates
the frequency hopping mode in the TG. When the TG is
connected to a filter combiner only baseband hopping can be
used.
When baseband hopping is performed each TX is transmitting on
a fixed frequency, i.e. frequency hopping for a basic physical
channel (BPC) is obtained by switching TXs between each
TDMA frame.
For synthesizer hopping the TX switches frequencies for every
TDMA frame sent. In other words, each BPC is carried by one
single TX, except when a BCCH burst is transmitted. The BCCH
burst is in that case carried by the TX which transmits the BCCH
frequency.

&20%

Type: String
Range: FLT, HYB
Unit: -
Default: -
Command: RXMOI, RXMOC
Comments: Combiner type used in the TG
FLT Filter combiner.
HYB Hybrid combiner

EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D – 259 –

Cell Planning Principles

INTRA CELL HANDOVER

Parameters applicable to this radio network feature are not
discussed here.

ASSIGNMENT TO ANOTHER CELL

Parameters applicable to this radio network feature are not
discussed here.

OVERLAID/UNDERLAID SUBCELLS
Parameters applicable to this radio network feature are not
discussed here.

HIERARCHICAL CELL STRUCTURES

Parameters applicable to this radio network feature are not
discussed here.

EXTENDED RANGE
Parameters applicable to this radio network feature are not
discussed here.

DOUBLE BA LISTS
Parameters applicable to this radio network feature are not
discussed here.

– 260 – EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D

 15 Radio Network Parameters and Cell Design Data

IDLE CHANNEL MEASUREMENTS

Parameters applicable to this radio network feature is not
discussed here.

CELL LOAD SHARING

Parameters applicable to this radio network feature are not
discussed here.

MULTIBAND OPERATION
Parameters applicable to this radio network feature are not
discussed here.

DIFFERENTIAL CHANNEL ALLOCATION

Parameters applicable to this radio network feature are not
discussed here.

HARDWARE CHARACTERISTICS
These parameters describe the configuration and characteristics
of the hardware in the BTS. They are not discussed here.

EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D – 261 –

Cell Planning Principles

CDD FORMS
This form may be used as a data request sheet for the parameter
settings in the BSC. The structure is based on the structure in the
CDD document.

6LWH'DWD

MSC NAME: RSITE:

BSC: SITE NAME:

&RPPRQ&HOO'DWD

%63:5 &(// &*, %6,& %&&+12

%&&+7<3( $*%/. 0)506 )12))6(7

6&7<3( UL
76& 067;3:5 %63:57

6&7<3( OL
76& 067;3:5 %63:57

&KDQQHO*URXS'DWD

&+*50 +23 +61 1805(4%3&

'&+12
6'&&+ 71 &%&+

,GOH0RGH%HKDYLRU&HOO'DWD

$&&0,1 &&+3:5 &5+ 1&&3(50 &%

6,06* 06*',67
6,06* 06*',67
6,06* 06*',67
&%4 $&& 0$;5(7 7; $77
7 &52 72 37

– 262 – EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D

 15 Radio Network Parameters and Cell Design Data

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&+$3 1(&,

EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D – 263 –

Cell Planning Principles

063RZHU&RQWURO&HOO'DWD

'0367$7(

6&7<3( UL
66'(6 ,1,'(6 66/(1 ,1,/(1 /&2038/
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'7;)8/

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6&7<3( UL
6'&&+5(* 66'(6'/ 5(*,17'/ 66/(1'/ /&203'/
4'(6'/ 4&203'/ 4/(1'/ %63:50,1

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6'&&+5(* 66'(6'/ 5(*,17'/ 66/(1'/ /&203'/
4'(6'/ 4&203'/ 4/(1'/ %63:50,1

'7;&HOO'DWD

'7;' '7;8

– 264 – EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D

 15 Radio Network Parameters and Cell Design Data

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6&7<3( UL
,+2 70$;,+2 7,+2 0$;,+2 42))6(78/
42))6(7'/ 662))6(78/ 662))6(7'/

6&7<3( OL
,+2 70$;,+2 7,+2 0$;,+2 42))6(78/
42))6(7'/ 662))6(78/ 662))6(7'/

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/,677<3( ACTIVE
0%&&+12

/,677<3( IDLE
0%&&+12

EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D – 265 –

Cell Planning Principles

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,17$9( /,0,7 /,0,7 /,0,7 /,0,7

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7&+8/ 7&+2/

– 266 – EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D

 15 Radio Network Parameters and Cell Design Data

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EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D – 267 –

Cell Planning Principles

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– 268 – EN/LZT 123 3314 R2D