Surveys

This chapter is designed to give an overview of the radio network survey of a cellular network, as well as some radio measurements.

OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this chapter, the student will be able to: Explain why a radio network survey is done and what factors to consider during a survey Explain three types of radio measurements: path loss parameters, time dispersion, and interfering transmitters

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................1 SITE REQUIREMENTS................................................................................ 2 RADIO NETWORK SURVEY...................................................................... 3
BASIC CONSIDERATIONS .................................................................................... 70 POSITION RELATIVE TO NOMINAL GRID .............................................................. 70 SPACE FOR ANTENNAS...................................................................................... 70 ANTENNA SEPARATIONS .................................................................................... 71 NEARBY OBSTACLES ......................................................................................... 71 SPACE FOR RADIO EQUIPMENT......................................................................... 72 POWER SUPPLY/BATTERY BACKUP................................................................... 72 TRANSMISSION LINK ........................................................................................... 72 SERVICE AREA STUDY ....................................................................................... 72 CONTRACT WITH THE OWNER............................................................................ 72

RADIO MEASUREMENTS..........................................................................6
PATH LOSS PARAMETERS.................................................................................. 73 TIME DISPERSION............................................................................................... 73 INTERFERING TRANSMITTERS............................................................................. 74

INTRODUCTION
The cell planning process results in a cell plan with nominal site positions. If the operator has access to existing locations, it is necessary to adapt the cell plan according to these locations. For this reason, it is important that the cell planner has a basic knowledge of the locations that can be used. The on-site cell planning work that takes place is called the Radio Network Survey.

SITE REQUIREMENTS
The proposed network design shows only approximate site locations. The exact site position depends on the possibilities of constructing a site on the suggested location. Different permits are usually necessary, for example, a planning permit from the local council planning committee. Masts or towers almost always require planning permits, and in many cases, they are subject to permits from civil aviation or military authorities (for example, obstruction lighting may be needed). Permission to use the site or a lease contract must be agreed upon with the owner of the site. Besides the need for the permits, the following must be taken into account. Access roads - The site must be accessible to installation personnel and heavy trucks. If there is no road leading to the site, a helicopter might be needed for material transports and for mast or tower installation. Material transport and storage - The site must have an area suitable for efficient unloading and handling of goods. Space requirements - For an outdoor site, it is necessary that the ground area is large enough for the radio base station and tower or mast foundation. Power cables must be installed and a power source must be found in the vicinity of the site if power is not available at the site. For an indoor site, the RBS equipment room must meet a number of requirements concerning power connection, such as grounding, power outlet, and space for transport network interface products. Antenna support structures - These must be provided. They can consist of several short pipes on a roof, a guyed mast, or a self supporting tower. The term tower usually refers to a self supported structure, whereas the term mast refers to a structure supported with guy wires.

 Transmission access - A number of Pulse Coded Modulation (PCM) transmission lines are needed. Two types of transmission network standards may occur. The first case is 2 Mbit/s PCM with 75 ohm unbalanced or 120 ohm balanced lines, the second case is 1.5 Mbit/s PCM using 100 ohm balanced lines. Antenna feeder routes - Indoor, the antenna feeder paths must have proper cable support facilities, preferably a cable ladder. The antenna feeder may also be placed in available cable chutes inside the building. Outdoor, feeder cable paths from an antenna supporting structure, fall into two categories. Cables can be installed on cable ladders above ground from the antenna or through underground cable ducts.

RADIO NETWORK SURVEY

BASIC CONSIDERATIONS
It is likely that the system operator has a number of alternative buildings, which may be used in the cellular network planning phase. One reason for this is to reduce the initial cost. These aspects of site selection must be studied: Position relative to nominal grid Space for antennas Antenna separations Nearby obstacles Space for radio equipment Power supply/battery backup Transmission link Service area study Contract with the owner

POSITION RELATIVE TO NOMINAL GRID

The initial study of a cell system often results in a theoretical cell pattern with nominal positions for the site locations. The existing buildings must then be adapted in such a way that the real positions are established and replace the nominal positions. The visit to the site is to ensure the exact location (address/coordinates and ground level). It is also possible for more than one existing site to be used for a specific nominal position.

SPACE FOR ANTENNAS

The radio propagation predictions provide an indication as to what type of antennas can be used on the base station and in what direction the antennas should be oriented.The predicted antenna height should be used as a guideline when the on-site study starts. If space can be found within a maximum deviation of 15% from the predicted height the original predictions can be used with sufficient accuracy. If it is possible to install the antennas at a higher position than the predicted position, the operator must ensure that there is no risk for co-channel interference. If the antennas are

to be installed at a lower position than predicted, new predictions must be carried out, based on this position. It is not necessary that all antennas in one particular cell have the same height or direction. That is, it is possible to have cells on the same base station with different antenna heights. This can be the case, if space is limited in some directions. There are also cell planning reasons for placing antennas at different heights. This includes coverage, isolation, diversity and/or interference.

ANTENNA SEPARATIONS
There are two reasons for antennas to be separated from each other and from other antenna systems: To achieve space diversity To achieve isolation The horizontal separation distance to obtain sufficient space diversity between antennas is 12-18 or 4-6 m for GSM 900 and 2-3 m for GSM 1800/1900. Typical values of separation distances between antennas to obtain sufficient isolation (normally 30 dB) are 0.4 m (horizontal), and 0.2 m (vertical) for GSM 900.

NEARBY OBSTACLES
One very important part in the Radio Network Survey is to classify the close surroundings with respect to influence on radio propagation. In traditional point-to-point communication networks, a line-of-sight path is required. A planning criterion is to have the first fresnel zone free from obstacles. (NOTE: The fresnel zone is the area in open space that must be practically free of obstructions for a microwave radio path to function properly, some degree of fresnel consideration is required in the immediate vicinity of the microwave radio RF envelope/field.) It is not possible to follow this guideline because the path between the base and the mobile subscriber is normally not line-of-sight. In city areas, one cell planning criterion is to provide margins for these types of obstacles. If optimal coverage is required, it is necessary to have the antennas free for the nearest 50-100 m. The first fresnel zone is approximately five meters at this distance (for 900 MHz). This means the lower part of the antenna system must be five meters above the surroundings.

SPACE FOR RADIO EQUIPMENT

Radio equipment should be placed as close as possible to the antennas to reduce the feeder loss and the cost of feeders. However, if these disadvantages can be accepted, other locations for the equipment can be considered. In addition, sufficient space should be allotted for future expansions.The radio network survey includes a brief study with respect to this matter. A more detailed analysis takes place when the location is chosen to be included in the cellular network.

POWER SUPPLY/BATTERY BACKUP

The equipment power supply must be estimated and the possibility of obtaining this power must be checked. Space for battery backup may be required.

TRANSMISSION LINK
The base station must be physically connected to the BSC. This can be carried out via radio link, fiber cable, or copper cable. Detailed transmission planning is not included in this course.

SERVICE AREA STUDY

During the network survey, it is important to study the intended service areas from the actual and alternate base station locations. Coverage predictions must be checked with respect to critical areas.

CONTRACT WITH THE OWNER

The necessary legal documentation must exist between the land owner and the proposed site user, for example, a contract for site leasing. Even though cost is a major consideration in the site acquisition process, cost is not discussed as a factor in this course.

RADIO MEASUREMENTS
PATH LOSS PARAMETERS
A radio survey involves installation of a transportable test transmitter somewhere in the area where the base station is to be installed. Using a specially equipped vehicle, signal strength can be measured. For this purpose, Ericsson has designed a computerized measurement system. A locating unit, a measuring receiver with antenna, a control and processing unit, and a tape recorder are among the equipment contained in the unit. Signal level can be measured on a number of channels and, for each channel, samples are taken at an adjustable speed. Normally, samples are taken several times per wavelength traveled. The data is pre-processed before it is stored on either the hard drive or a diskette and presented off-line after the survey. Results can be presented with respect to median value, standard deviation, and number of measuring squares along the test routes. The recorded files can be imported into EET/TEMS CellPlanner and displayed on the map. The residual values (that is, the difference between the prediction and the measurement, can also be displayed. If there is a difference, the path loss parameters in the prediction model can be adjusted according to the measurements.

TIME DISPERSION
Measurements must be performed to verify the time dispersion predictions. In addition, if there are quality problems, time dispersion measurements must be taken to verify that time dispersion is actually causing the poor quality. The equipment used for time dispersion measurements consists of a transmitter and a receiver (Figure 8-1). The transmitter sends a short pulse, the signal is received and the pulse response is evaluated in a controller (Figure 8-2). In this way, the time delay and the carrier to reflection ratio can be found.
RX Antenna TX Antenna

Filter Filter Pulse Generator Amplifier Van Equipment Spectrum Analyzer Controller Unit

Site Equipment Figure 8-1 Time Dispersion Measurement Equipment

Figure 8-2 Impulse Response

INTERFERING TRANSMITTERS
For sites where a number of other radio transmitters are co-located, Ericsson recommends that radio spectrum measurements and a subsequent interference analysis be performed. Ericsson has developed special equipment and methods for this purpose. These include a computer controlled spectrum analyzer and computer programs for calculating interference levels at different frequencies.The end result of a radio spectrum measurement is to accept the sitefrom an interference point of view, to accept it with reservations, or to reject the site and find another one.