5G NSA Planning: Detailed insights into 5G NR Slot

Format(NSA Series#4)
NR Planning Session : Contents

Planning Tools Planning/Excel Tools Follow 4G Regulatory Requirements

NR Operating Band
NR-ARFCN PCI Planning
"Spectrum"

Neighbour
SSB Location Planning

Tracking Area
Numerology Planning

Today Topic
Throughput & Coverage
Duplex Scheme
⚫ NR Operating Band: Allocation of spectrum and frequency, Slot Format
Fixed, Semi-Static & Dynamic TDD
Cross Link Interference
impacting coverage and throughput.
4G/NR coexistence
⚫ Numerology: Significant influence on coverage. Planning impact on Performance
⚫ Slot Format: Affects both uplink and downlink capacity and
coverage.
⚫ PRACH: Introduces overhead towards the uplink.
⚫ Number of SSBs: Adds overhead towards the downlink. Beam Selection PRACH Planning
⚫ SSB Location: Might impact throughput
⚫ Downlink Allocated Power: Directly impacts downlink
capacity and coverage.

SSB Beam Configuration DL Transmit Power

CSI-RS Beam Management

NR Slot Format – Introduction
• To provide highest possible flexibility, 5G NR supports various duplexing schemes such as Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Semi-static TDD and Dynamic TDD.
• LTE also supported both TDD and FDD, but unlike the single frame structure used in NR, LTE used two different frame structure types used.
• Furthermore, unlike LTE where the uplink-downlink allocation does not change over time, the TDD operation for NR is designed with dynamic TDD as a key technology component.

Duplex Scheme TDD Slot Format main inputs

TDD
Frequency

UL+DL
UL/DL Separation in time domain
Slot Format Planning
Time

FDD Static TDD

Frequency

UL/DL Separation in Freq domain NR TDD Slot Configuration Type Semi-Static TDD
DL
Dynamic TDD
UL
Time
National Regulator
FDD(Half-Duplex)
Frequency Main Consideration 4G/5G Coexistence
UL/DL Separation in Freq & Time domain
Cross-Link Interference
DL

UL
Time
Throughput/Latency

Impact assessment Coverage/Capacity

*FDD Full/Half capability is a property of the device and
not the Base station as it can anyways operate in full RACH Planning
duplex mode irrespective of the device capability.
Subframe and Slot Format Configuration – 4G
• 3GPP TS 36.211 defines seven uplink-downlink subframe configurations. ( 1st Table)
• 3GPP TS 36.211 defines Special subframe configurations each correspond to different cell .radius. ( 2nd Table)

Subframe configurations
5 ms 5 ms
Uplink-Downlink Uplink-Downlink Downlink-to-Uplink Subframe number
Subframe Configuration Subframe Configuration Switch-Point Period 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
0 3:1 5 ms DSUUUD S UU U
1 2:2 5 ms DSUUDD S UU D
2 1:3 5 ms DSUDDD S UD D D S U D D D S U D D
3 1:2 10 ms DSUUUDDDD D
4 2:7 10 ms DSUUDDDDD D *4G Frame (SCS = 15ms)
5 1:8 10 ms DSUDDDDDD D
6 5:3 5 ms DSUUUD S UU D
Special subframe configurations
Special Subframe DwPTS GP UpPTS
Configuration (Symbols) (Symbols) (Symbols)
0 3 10 1
1 9 4 1
2 10 3 1
3 11 2 1
DwPTS DwPTS DwPTS DwPTS DwPTS DwPTS DwPTS DwPTS DwPTS DwPTS GP GP UpPTS UpPTS
4 12 1 1
5 3 9 2 *4G SSP Symbols allocation
6 9 3 2
7 10 2 2
8 11 1 2
9 6 6 2

S: Special subframe, DwPTS: downlink pilot timeslot, GP: guard period, and UpPTS : uplink pilot timeslot
Subframe and Slot Format Configuration –5G

.
• 3GPP has specified the NR slot format to be very flexible.
Individual slots and symbols can be configured as: Period(10 Slots) = 5ms
• Downlink
• Uplink
• Flexible Downlink Flexible Uplink

• Flexible symbols can be dynamically changed between

uplink and downlink (they can include a Guard period for
DL/UL Switching). DL DL DL DL F F F F UL UL

• RRC (SIB & UE dedicated signaling) and Physical Layer *SCS = 30 kHz
(PDCCH DCI) Signaling can be used to configure the slot
format.

• There are 3 types of Slot assignment in NR TDD System

DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL F F UL UL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL

• Static allocation
• Semi-Static Allocation 1 Slot = 14 Symbols = 0.5ms
• Dynamic Allocation
Subframe and Slot Format Configuration –4G Vs. 5G

.
4G 5G
5 ms 5 ms Period(10 Slots) = 5ms

Downlink Flexible Uplink

D S U D D D S U D D DL DL DL DL F F F F UL UL
*4G Frame (SCS = 15ms) SCS = 30 kHz

DwPTS DwPTS DwPTS DwPTS DwPTS DwPTS DwPTS DwPTS DwPTS DwPTS GP GP UpPTS UpPTS DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL F F UL UL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL

1 Slot = 14 Symbols = 1ms

1 Slot = 14 Symbols = 0.5ms

• Fixed Slot and Symbol Allocation(UL & DL allocations doesn`t change overtime) • Dynamic TDD is supported, where the UL and DL transmissions are dynamically scheduled to adapt
• Limited Combination to actual traffic mix and load.
• Support Up to 56 Slot allocation Combination.
Slot Format Configuration –5G Static Slot assignment
• The parameter structure defines a default uplink-downlink configuration for a cell. This parameter structure can include 1 or 2 pattern
• The following configuration and parameters are delivered to the UEs. Via SIB1 in 5G SA or RRC Reconfiguration. in 5G NSA

tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon(Cell Parameter) How to check current settings from DT Logs?

DDDDDDDDSUU
tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon Parameter Structure dl-UL-TransmissionPeriodicity = 5ms
nrofDownlinkSlots = 7
referenceSubcarrierSpacing 15, 30, 60, 120 kHz nrofDownlinkSymbols = 6
dl-UL-TransmissionPeriodicity 0.5, 0.625, 1, 1.25, 2, 2.5, 5. 10 ms nrofUplinkSlots = 2
nrofUplinkSymbols = 4
nrofDownlinkSlots 0 to 320(current max is 80)
nrofDownlinkSymbols 0 to 13
Pattern1
nrofUplinkSlots 0 to 320(current max is 80)
nrofUplinkSymbols 0 to 13
dl-UL-TransmissionPeriodicity-v1530 3, 4 ms
dl-UL-TransmissionPeriodicity 0.5, 0.625, 1, 1.25, 2, 2.5, 5. 10 ms
nrofDownlinkSlots 0 to 320(current max is 80)
nrofDownlinkSymbols 0 to 13
Pattern2
nrofUplinkSlots 0 to 320(current max is 80)
nrofUplinkSymbols 0 to 13
dl-UL-TransmissionPeriodicity-v1530 3, 4 ms

1. dl-UL-TransmissionPeriodicity: the pattern repeats periodically based on configured value dl-UL-TransmissionPeriodicity = 5 ms 5 ms

2. nrofDownlinkSlots: defines the number of DL slots at the start of the period
3. nrofDownlinkSymbols: defines the no of DL Symbols within the slot follows the DL Slot
4. nrofUplinkSlots: defines the number of DL slots at the end of the period
D D D D D D D F U U D D D D D D D F U U
5. nrofUplinkSymbols: defines the no of UL Symbols within the slot precedes the UL Slot D: nrofDownlinkSlots
6. dl-UL-TransmissionPeriodicity-v1530: . The UE ignores the original information element if U: nrofUplinkSlots
this new version is included nrofdownlinkSymbol
s
F: Flexiable
TDD Special Slot (6:4:4) D D D D D D G G G G U U U U
nrofUplinkSymbols
14 Symbols

*Symbols and slots which remain unallocated at the center of the pattern are treated as Flexible and can be subsequently allocated to either the UL or DL
*Release 15 version specifications limits the upper value to 80 slots per frame for the DL/UL Slots. This corresponds to the maximum number of slots within a 10 ms period when using the 120 kHz subcarrier
spacing
Slot Format Configuration –5G Semi-Slot assignment
• The tdd-UL-DL-Configuration_Dedicated parameter structure can be provided to the UE using dedicated signaling.
.
• This parameter structure can be used to refine the UL/UL transmission pattern provided by tdd-UL-DL-Configuration_Common

tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated Semi-static pattern

5 ms 5 ms
tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated
Sequence ( 1 to 320 instances) tdd-UL-DL-
slotIndex 0 to 319 D D D D D D F F F F F F F F U U UU Configuration
Common
slotSpecificConfigurations allDownlink
ToAddModList allUplink
symbols
nrofDownlinkSymbols 1 to 13 tdd-UL-DL-
nrofUplinkSymbols 1 to 13 D D F F F U U U Configuration
slotSpecificConfigurations Sequence ( 1 to 320 instances) Dedicated
ToReleaseList slotIndex 0 to 319
Resulting
• The dedicated parameter structure provides a list of configurations for individual slots. D D D D D D DD F F F U U U U U UU semi-static pattern

• Each slot can be configured with any of the following:

• Downlink
• Uplink
DDDDDD F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F U U UUUUU
• Partially downlink or Uplink nrofdownlinkSymbols nrofUplinkSymbols
• Combination of both Uplink and Downlink

• It is not possible to change slots and symbols which have already been configured as uplink D: nrofDownlinkSlots
or downlink through tdd-UL-DL-Configuration_Common U: nrofUplinkSlots
F: Flexiable
• Only Slots declared as Flexible can be changed
*The Device will monitor for control signaling in DL and transmit/receive according to received grants/assignment. In essence, device would view each OFDM symbol as a DL unless it has been
instructed to Transmit in the UL.
Slot Format Configuration –5G Dynamic-Slot assignment(SFI)
• The UE monitors the PDCCH for UL & DL resource allocations during any Flexible symbols/Slots that have been configured using semi-static parameters structure.
.
• However, the UE does not m onitor the PDCCH for resource allocations during any Flexible symbols/slots that been configured using DCI Format 2_0.
• The Flexible Slots can be used to generate reserved periods during which the UE does not transmit nor receive. i.e: can be used during 4G/5G Spectrum sharing

SlotFormatIndicator parameter Structure Tdd Dynamic pattern

5 ms 5 ms
SlotFormatIndicator
sfi-RNTI 0 to 65535 tdd-UL-DL-
dci-PayloadSize 1 to 128 bits
Sequence ( 1 to 320 instances)
D D D D D D F F F F F F F F U U UU Configuration
Common
servingCellId 0 to 319
3GPP TS 38.213- Table 11.1.1-1: Slot formats
subcarrierSpacing allDownlink
No. of Symbols
slotFormatCombToAddModList subcarrierSpacing2 allUplink
SFI 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
slotFormatCombinationId 0 to 511
slotFormatCominations
slotFormats Integer(0 to 255) 0 D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D: nrofDownlinkSlots
PositionInDCI 0 to 127 1 U U U U U U U U U U U U U U U: nrofUplinkSlots
slotFormatCombToReleaseList servingCellId 0 to 319 3 D D D D D D D D D D D D D F F: Flexiable
4 D D D D D D D D D D D D F F
• UE is allocate with sfi_RNTI before it receives DCI information.
46 D D D D D F D D D D D D F U
• Remaining Flexible symbols can be dynamically reconfigured using DCI Format 2_0. 54 F F F F F F D D D D D D D D
55 D D F F F U U U D D D D D D
• DCI Format 2_0 provides “UE Group” Common Signaling to multiple UEs allocated with the
same SFI-RNTI. • SFI cannot override a semi-statically configured UL or DL Period. However the SFI can override
a symbol period semi-statically configured.
• PositionInDCI specifies the location of the relevant Slot Format Indicator(SFI). Different UE can
be configured with different PosistionInDCI values and so extract different information from the • The Slot Format Indicator (SFI) provided by the payload of DCI Format 2_0 defines a pointer
Payload. towards a specific Slot Format combinations. Each Slot Format Combination is generated
using a series of Slot Formats standardized by 3GPP.
• Slot Format Indicator(SFI) defines a pointer to a specific Slot Formats standardized by 3GPP
specifications. • 3GPP specifications defines 56 standardized Slot Formats.

*The Device will monitor for control signaling in DL and transmit/receive according to received grants/assignment. In essence, device would view each OFDM symbol as a DL unless it has been
instructed to Transmit in the UL.
Slot Format Configuration –5G Dynamic-Slot assignment(SFI)

Frame = 10 ms = 20 Slots

5 ms 5 ms

tdd-UL-DL-Configuration
D D D D D D F F F F F F F F U U UU Common

SFI = 28 --> Slot = 14 Symbols

DL Heavy Transmission with UL Part D D D D D D D D D D D D F U

SFI = 34 --> Slot = 14 Symbols

UL Heavy Transmission with DL Part D F U U U U U U U U U U U U

SFI = 0 --> Slot = 14 Symbols SFI = 28 --> Slot = 14 Symbols

Slot Aggregation for DL Heavy
D D DDDDDDDDDD D D D D D D D D D D D D D D F U
Transmission (I.e for eMBB)
Subframe and Slot Format Configuration –Cross Link Interference(DuetoDynamicAllocation)
1. The UL of one cell causing interference to the downlink of a neighboring cell (UE to UE interference)

2. The DL of one cell causing interference to the Uplink of a neighboring cell (BTS to BTS interference)

Slot = 14 Symbols

Cell 1 DL
Centric Slot D D D D D D D D D D D D G U
Cross-Link Interference

Cell 2 UL
Centric Slot D G U U U U U U U U U U U U

Cell 1 Cell 2

2
Cross-Link Interference

Cross-Link
Interference

1
Subframe and Slot Format Configuration –Cross Link Interference (Due NR/4G Framemissalignment)
1. The UL of one cell causing interference to the downlink of a neighboring cell (UE to UE interference)

2. The DL of one cell causing interference to the Uplink of a neighboring cell (BTS to BTS interference)

5 ms 5 ms

4G Frame(SCS=15KHz) D S U D D D S U D D *ULDL_SubFrame Config2 = (4:1)

Cross-Link Interference Cross-Link Interference

NR Frame(SCS=30KHz) D D D D D D D F U U D D D D D D D F U U *Tdd ULDL_Pattern = (8:2)

4G 5G
2
Cross-Link Interference

Cross-Link
Interference

1
Subframe and Slot Format Configuration –nr/lte-Coexistence
5 ms 5 ms

4G Frame(SCS=15KHz) D S U D D D S U D D *ULDL_SubFrame Config2 = (4:1)

NR Frame(SCS=30KHz) D D D F U U D D D D D D D F U U D D D D *Tdd ULDL_Pattern = (4:2:4) → dual-period 8:2

0ms Frame Offset

5 ms 5 ms

3ms Frame Offset

NR Frame(SCS=30KHz) D D D D D D D F U U D D D D D D D F U U *Tdd ULDL_Pattern = (8:2)

4G SSP 7 (10:2:2) D D D D D D D D D D G G U U
TDD Special Slot (6:4:4) D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D G G G G U U U U

Symbols
Subframe and Slot Format Configuration –Impact assessment
Throughput Latency
DL ACK
• DDDSU offers highest DL Throughput. Delay
• DDDSUDDSUU offers highest UL Throughput.

Flexiable Slot Pattern Total D D D F U U D D D D *Tdd ULDL_Pattern = (4:2:4) → dual-period 8:2

Pattern # DL OS #UL OS DL Ratio UL Ratio
DL:F:UL Symbols
DDSU 11:3:0 195 70 70% 25% Delay
10:2:2 208 56 74% 20%
DDDSU
11:3:0 212 56 76% 20% D D D D D D D F U U *Tdd ULDL_Pattern = (8:2)
10:2:2 180 84 64% 30%
DDDSUDDSUU 280 Delay
11:3:0 184 84 66% 30% Different Slot format allocations can influence
3:8:3 202 56 72% 20% • Downlink HARQ feedback and uplink data
DDDSUUDDDD
6:4:4 208 56 74% 20% D D F U *Tdd ULDL_Pattern = (3:1) scheduling to reduce RTT delay
DDDDDDDSUU
4:6:4 204 56 73% 20% • Shorter SRS transmission period: tracing of fast
*SCS = 30kHz *SCS = 30kHz channel changes to improve MIMO performance

Coverage RACH Planning

Slot0 Slot1 Slot2 Slot3 Slot4 Slot5 Slot6 Slot7 Slot8 Slot9 • RACH Planning is restricted to the Slot Format Configuration.
D D D D D D D D U U
S S S S S S S S
S S S S S S S S DDDDDDDSUU (Max. 8 SSB supported) – 5 ms • RACH Long Preambles format requires at least 1 ms of continuous uplink Transmission.
B B B B B B B B
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
• Long Format support larger cell Radius and larger RSI (839).
Slot0 Slot1 Slot2 Slot3 Slot4
D D D D U
S S S S S S S S (4:2:4) → dual-period 8:2 (4:1)
S S S S S S S S DDDSU (Max. 7 SSB supported) – 2.5 ms
B B B B B B B B Long Preamble supported DDDSU: Long Preamble not supported
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Slot0 Slot1 Slot2 Slot3 D D D F U U D D D D D D D F U D D D F U

D D D U
S S S S S S S S 1ms 0.5ms
S S S S S S S S DDSU (Max. 5 SSB supported) – 2 ms
B B B B B B B B
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 *Assuming Special Slot = 10:2:2 *SCS = 30kHz