Extended Cell Range (5G RAN6.1 - Draft A)
Extended Cell Range (5G RAN6.1 - Draft A)
Extended Cell Range (5G RAN6.1 - Draft A)
Issue Draft A
Date 2021-12-30
and other Huawei trademarks are trademarks of Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
All other trademarks and trade names mentioned in this document are the property of their respective
holders.
Notice
The purchased products, services and features are stipulated by the contract made between Huawei and
the customer. All or part of the products, services and features described in this document may not be
within the purchase scope or the usage scope. Unless otherwise specified in the contract, all statements,
information, and recommendations in this document are provided "AS IS" without warranties, guarantees
or representations of any kind, either express or implied.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made in the
preparation of this document to ensure accuracy of the contents, but all statements, information, and
recommendations in this document do not constitute a warranty of any kind, express or implied.
Website: https://www.huawei.com
Email: [email protected]
Contents
1 Change History.........................................................................................................................1
1.1 5G RAN6.1 Draft A (2021-12-30)...................................................................................................................................... 1
3 Overview....................................................................................................................................5
3.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................................................................... 5
3.2 Random Access Preamble Format..................................................................................................................................... 5
3.3 Slot Configuration................................................................................................................................................................... 6
6 Parameters.............................................................................................................................. 23
7 Counters.................................................................................................................................. 24
8 Glossary................................................................................................................................... 25
9 Reference Documents...........................................................................................................26
1 Change History
Technical Changes
None
Editorial Changes
Added descriptions of the impact relationship between Extended Cell Range (FDD)
and PRACH false alarm detection optimization. For details, see 4.2.2 Impacts.
Revised descriptions in this document.
This document only provides guidance for feature activation. Feature deployment and
feature gains depend on the specifics of the network scenario where the feature is
deployed. To achieve optimal gains, contact Huawei professional service engineers.
Software Interfaces
Any parameters, alarms, counters, or managed objects (MOs) described in Feature
Parameter Description documents apply only to the corresponding software
release. For future software releases, refer to the corresponding updated product
documentation.
frequency bands. For details about FR1 and FR2, see section 5.1 "General" in 3GPP
TS 38.104 V15.5.0.
3 Overview
Today's mobile communication networks cover almost all inland areas. However,
in areas such as seas, deserts, and open plains, site acquisition presents major
challenges due to sparse populations and poor environment. It is difficult to find
suitable site locations at sea, and standard site deployment in deserts or in open
plains (where traffic is light) requires extensive investment. To reduce costs and
ensure the network coverage in these areas, the Extended Cell Range solution is
introduced.
3.1 Introduction
Extended Cell Range increases the cell radius in order to expand cell coverage. In
TDD, the maximum theoretical cell radius is 60 km. In FDD, the maximum
theoretical cell radius is 100 km.
NOTE
In this document, the maximum cell radius refers to the maximum theoretical cell radius
with the Extended Cell Range feature enabled. Generally, the actual cell radius is less than
the maximum theoretical value.
used to specify the maximum cell radius. The value of this parameter cannot be
greater than the maximum cell radius corresponding to the preamble format.
NOTE
Select the random access preamble format in FDD based on the maximum cell radius as
follows:
● If the maximum cell radius is less than or equal to 14.5 km, preamble format 0 is
recommended.
● If the maximum cell radius is greater than 14.5 km and less than or equal to 100 km,
preamble format 1 is recommended.
Table 3-1 Mapping between the number of GP symbols and maximum cell radii
when the slot configuration is single-period 8:2 in low frequency bands
Slot Structure GP Maximum Theoretical Cell
Radius (km)
SS51 1 1.4
SS52 2 6.8
SS53 3 12.2
SS54 4 17.5
SS56 6 28.2
SS518 18 92.4
NOTE
Considering the PRACH capability and GP length, the actual maximum cell radius is 60 km
when the slot configuration is single-period 8:2 and the slot structure is SS518.
For details about the slot configuration and structure, see Standards Compliance.
4.1 Principles
For details, see 3 Overview.
4.2.1 Benefits
The coverage area of the base station is expanded, the maximum cell radius can
reach 100 km, and the random access success rate in the coverage area is
increased.
NOTE
4.2.2 Impacts
Network Impacts
None
Function Impacts
Function Name Function Switch Reference Description
4.3 Requirements
4.3.1 Licenses
Feature ID Feature Model Sales Unit
Name
4.3.2 Software
Before activating this function, ensure that its prerequisite functions have been
activated and mutually exclusive functions have been deactivated. For detailed
operations, see the relevant feature documents.
Prerequisite Functions
None
4.3.3 Hardware
Base Station Models
3900 and 5900 series base stations. 3900 series base stations must be configured
with the BBU3910.
Boards
The UBBPg and later baseband processing units support this function.
RF Modules
All NR FDD-capable RF modules that work in low frequency bands support this
function. For details, see the technical specifications of RF modules in 3900 & 5900
Series Base Station Product Documentation.
4.3.4 Networking
If NRDUCell.DuplexMode is set to CELL_FDD for a cell, TxRxMode in the
NRDUCellTrp MO corresponding to the cell must be set to 1T1R, 2T2R, 2T4R,
4T4R, or 8T8R.
It is recommended that the following networking planning policies be used to
ensure better service rates at the cell edge when Extended Cell Range is enabled:
● Antenna altitude
A valid antenna altitude consists of two parts: mountain altitude (h1) and the
altitude from the antennas to the ground (h2), as shown in Figure 4-1. Due
to limitations on the altitude of a tower or mast where the antennas are
mounted, the maximum altitude from the antennas to the ground is 70 m.
The valid antenna altitude determines the coverage radius on a live network.
Therefore, ensure that the target cell coverage is within line of sight (LOS) when
planning the antenna altitude. Non-line-of-sight (NLOS) areas may experience
signal attenuation and poor cell coverage due to the Earth's curvature.
For ocean coverage, Huawei provides a segmentation model to describe radio
propagation on the sea, as shown in Figure 4-2.
According to the model for radio propagation on the sea, the following tables list
the LOS distances corresponding to different site and UE altitudes.
Table 4-1 LOS distances corresponding to different site altitudes above sea level
when the UE altitude above sea level (Hr) is 2 m
Table 4-2 LOS distances corresponding to different site altitudes above sea level
when the UE altitude above sea level (Hr) is 10 m
Ht (m) d1 (km) d2 (km) d1 + d2 (km)
When deploying Extended Cell Range at sea, calculate the antenna altitude based
on the LOS distances (d1 + d2) listed in the preceding tables. When deploying
Extended Cell Range in deserts or on open plains, it is recommended that the
antenna altitude be calculated based on the LOS distances (d1) listed in the
preceding tables.
● Site acquisition
As the deployment of Extended Cell Range requires good radio propagation,
the following requirements must be met for site acquisition:
– There are no obvious obstacles in the target area to be covered by the
base station, which is within LOS.
– Site altitude is as high as possible based on coverage requirements.
– The GSM, UMTS, or LTE sites enabled with Extended Cell Range are
preferentially selected for deploying NR Extended Cell Range.
– Other requirements are the same as those for macro networks.
● Antenna model selection
– In 8T8R scenarios, high-gain common antennas are recommended.
– When Extended Cell Range is deployed at sea, the antennas are mounted
as high as possible in order to resist the effect of the Earth's curvature.
However, this may also create coverage holes at the near end. In this
4.3.5 Others
UEs must support long PRACH preamble format 1.
5.1 Principles
For details, see 3 Overview.
5.2.1 Benefits
The coverage area of the base station is expanded, the maximum cell radius can
reach 60 km, and the random access success rate in the coverage area is
increased.
NOTE
5.2.2 Impacts
Network Impacts
None
Function Impacts
Function Name Function Switch Reference Description
5.3 Requirements
5.3.1 Licenses
Feature ID Feature Model Sales Unit
Name
5.3.2 Software
Before activating this function, ensure that its prerequisite functions have been
activated and mutually exclusive functions have been deactivated. For detailed
operations, see the relevant feature documents.
Prerequisite Functions
Function Name Function Switch Reference Description
5.3.3 Hardware
Base Station Models
3900 and 5900 series base stations. 3900 series base stations must be configured
with the BBU3910.
Boards
Only the UBBPg supports this function. For details, see the related BBU technical
specifications in 3900 & 5900 Series Base Station Product Documentation.
RF Modules
All NR-capable low-frequency 64T or 32T AAUs support this function. All NR-
capable 8T RRUs support this function. For details about NR-capable AAUs or
RRUs, see 3900 & 5900 Series Base Station Product Documentation.
5.3.4 Networking
It is recommended that the following networking planning policies be used to
ensure better service rates at the cell edge when Extended Cell Range is enabled:
● Antenna altitude
A valid antenna altitude consists of two parts: mountain altitude (h1) and the
altitude from the antennas to the ground (h2), as shown in Figure 5-1. Due to
limitations on the altitude of a tower or mast where the antennas are mounted,
the maximum altitude from the antennas to the ground is 70 m.
The valid antenna altitude determines the maximum cell radius on a live network.
Therefore, ensure that the target cell coverage is within LOS when planning the
antenna altitude. NLOS areas may experience signal attenuation and poor cell
coverage due to the Earth's curvature.
For ocean coverage, Huawei provides a segmentation model to describe radio
propagation on the sea, as shown in Figure 5-2.
● d denotes path C, which is a shadow area with poor signal quality due to the
Earth's curvature. Therefore, this path can be ignored during network
planning.
According to the model for radio propagation on the sea, the following tables list
the LOS distances corresponding to different site and UE altitudes.
Table 5-1 LOS distances corresponding to different site altitudes above sea level
when the UE altitude above sea level (Hr) is 2 m
Ht (m) d1 (km) d2 (km) d1 + d2 (km)
Table 5-2 LOS distances corresponding to different site altitudes above sea level
when the UE altitude above sea level (Hr) is 10 m
Ht (m) d1 (km) d2 (km) d1 + d2 (km)
When deploying Extended Cell Range at sea, calculate the antenna altitude based
on the LOS distances (d1 + d2) listed in the preceding tables. When deploying
Extended Cell Range in deserts or on open plains, it is recommended that the
antenna altitude be calculated based on the LOS distances (d1) listed in the
preceding tables.
● Site acquisition
As the deployment of Extended Cell Range requires good radio propagation,
the following requirements must be met for site acquisition:
– There are no obvious obstacles in the target area to be covered by the
base station, which is within LOS.
6 Parameters
The following hyperlinked EXCEL files of parameter reference match the software
version with which this document is released.
● Node Parameter Reference: contains device and transport parameters.
● gNodeBFunction Parameter Reference: contains all parameters related to
radio access functions, including air interface management, access control,
mobility control, and radio resource management.
NOTE
You can find the EXCEL files of parameter reference for the software version used on the
live network from the product documentation delivered with that version.
----End
7 Counters
The following hyperlinked EXCEL files of performance counter reference match the
software version with which this document is released.
● Node Performance Counter Summary: contains device and transport counters.
● gNodeBFunction Performance Counter Summary: contains all counters related
to radio access functions, including air interface management, access control,
mobility control, and radio resource management.
NOTE
You can find the EXCEL files of performance counter reference for the software version used
on the live network from the product documentation delivered with that version.
----End
8 Glossary
9 Reference Documents
● 3GPP TS 38.104: "NR; Base Station (BS) radio transmission and reception"
● 3GPP TS 38.211: "NR; Physical channels and modulation"
● Hyper Cell
● Standards Compliance
● High Speed Mobility
● NSA Networking based on EPC
● Beam Management
● Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction
● Remote Interference Management (Low-Frequency TDD)
● Cell Combination
● Channel Management