henry3499
2019-11-18, 07:37 AM
Author : Rachid Lamali
Infovista Planet 7.2 has shown great capabilities in designing 5G network with full Automatic Cell Planning (ACP) functionalities, Site Selection and 5G Monte Carlo Simulation.
In this article, I will illustrate the important steps to design your 5G network.
Below process map for the 5G NR radio network design and is showing the different sub processes relation:
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQHONehbzGO6WQ/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=T1wrDk9fPKB-Fp4Sh0eWLGdLHJXcttwKC-2qCVhXSCk
In next paragraph, I will describe the main NR design settings window used in Planet 7.2:
Spectrum Allocation:
Depends on 5G NR deployed frequency band, the spectrum allocation can be created accordingly (Home → Network → Spectrum Allocation).
Figure below shows examples of NR Spectrum Allocation settings for a 100 MHz carrier in mid-band (3.5 GHz).
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQE1hE_exHPkcQ/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=hH4VHR2daW3ObnX39BbV_jl2hK4e5j8369thPw-N4AE
Network Overlay
In case your LTE project is already created in Planet and to simplify the 5G project creation, it is recommended to use network overlay feature which is accessible through (Plan → Network Overlay)
Similar LTE Antennas and propagation model will be used and Tabular Editor can be used to set 5G network configuration!
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQHDRasUwQIzLg/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=bbTN04DTF4Wob4wsjmdETXkBu7pu9hJvmUYYxjlpM40
Propagation Model
In 5G design, it is recommended to use P3M or Universal propagation model. Below figure is showing overall P3M settings (Plan → New → Propagation Models ). It is important to set proper values for Outer wall loss and Penetration loss slope.
The P3M model is statically pre calibrated but experience shown that it is still recommended to calibrate the model using CW measurements.
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQHf7SURu1WZzA/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=0wZ8XK6UTF5IQjX9QUk_s4cmuyfoiHwgIkJjUeoOnpM
NR Frame Settings
Figure below shows the frame setup for the 5G NR 3.5 GHz (Home → Network → Network Technologies → NR → Frame Setup tab)
The NR Frame settings are vendor specific and are usually similar to the one used during link budget calculation.
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQFk0z-GvcE8gg/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=hPbGn9MZPZu2J18en7u9bxLy1oGwDneYLn6lmZC2RTM
Modulations and Coding Scheme (MCS) - gNB / UE
The modulation bearer consist of mapping between a given C/(I+N) and Bits per symbol and are used to calculate the achieved user throughput during an Analysis or Monte Carlo simulation.
The data rate versus C/(I+N) are very crucial to determine what data rate the user will get at different radio condition.
The settings is available at (Home → Network Settings →NR → Modulations).
Below figure is showing an example of modulation bearer set at gNB level in down-link (DL) and up-link (UL) direction .[/COLOR]
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQGD7RF5SwUBuQ/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=42WMt4WiLGwqUuyL95QVWDM8AWk6WG_KqXkK1gkXrK4
In similar way, we need to set the modulation bearer at the user equipment (UE) side (Home → Subscriber Settings → Equipment Type → NR-UE → Bearers).
An example is shown in below figure and it is important to select only the used bearers:
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQFJHyPxjt12uA/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=ot7_m5CPTRDO0ocr4veP8ae8EvnaQzLQgeWaTgVR3uQ
5G Antenna
Advance Adaptive System Antenna (AAS) are used in 5G networks and are vendor specific antenna. The AAS pattern to be imported into Planet tool.
User has to enable the Beamforming option, select the beamfornming configuration and the down link port number
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQGHctpXuIj0sQ/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=L13qZ6j-6nUZH8Pj9zyurBaKk20W6rjKyIsLxqn-kx8
Power
The PA power is vendor specific value. Below example is showing an example of 80 watts output power. It is recommended to select "Automatic" option for PSS & SSS calculation.
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQHLVrPrnRevOw/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=ZnPZHmjVhcVaAk561DHwK6QQ5zx5qkpIIm_A-7UzCNI
5G Analysis
As Monte Carlo simulations is time taking task and require advance level understanding of traffic modeling, it is recommended to use Network Analysis tool (Analyse → New Analysis → NR). Network analysis is static analysis and provide good indication of the network performance.
The sector loading is an required inputs for the network analysis and which is not the case of Monte Carlo simulation
The main important settings and plots are illustrated in below figure:
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQGn_twBCLHn7g/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=6fuXAxEDVbEbVGbkjZgkVuxmqxXzlY70xSa3e0D_AcU
Automatic Cell Planning (NR ACP)
ACP can significantly improve the overall quality performance by fine-tuning the NR network physical parameters such as Tilts, antenna height and Azimuth.
User has to define first the optimization goal (Cell Optimization → Optimization Profiles → New) and select the physical parameters to be optimized (Cell Optimization → Optimization → New).
Planet 7.2 support 3D ACP Optimization
Below figure is showing overall ACP settings:
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQHVRhgaqMu5Lg/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=7UyXvEf08TMdVwXddTuJOjBEC5VFYiMtfPHMFr6R3Rw
Monte Carlo Simulation
Support of NR Monte Carlo (MC) simulation is introduced in Planet 7.2. The MC is an advance simulation of the network with live user map and is accessible through (Analyze → Monte Carlo Simulation → New Simulation → NR).
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQGXJ7cifZ7zWg/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=QP9JirD-6Ve_eh1kn7ipO4Dzo43yz4Vs0IPV2SD7_xw
Thanks for reading and please share your thoughts
Infovista Planet 7.2 has shown great capabilities in designing 5G network with full Automatic Cell Planning (ACP) functionalities, Site Selection and 5G Monte Carlo Simulation.
In this article, I will illustrate the important steps to design your 5G network.
Below process map for the 5G NR radio network design and is showing the different sub processes relation:
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQHONehbzGO6WQ/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=T1wrDk9fPKB-Fp4Sh0eWLGdLHJXcttwKC-2qCVhXSCk
In next paragraph, I will describe the main NR design settings window used in Planet 7.2:
Spectrum Allocation:
Depends on 5G NR deployed frequency band, the spectrum allocation can be created accordingly (Home → Network → Spectrum Allocation).
Figure below shows examples of NR Spectrum Allocation settings for a 100 MHz carrier in mid-band (3.5 GHz).
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQE1hE_exHPkcQ/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=hH4VHR2daW3ObnX39BbV_jl2hK4e5j8369thPw-N4AE
Network Overlay
In case your LTE project is already created in Planet and to simplify the 5G project creation, it is recommended to use network overlay feature which is accessible through (Plan → Network Overlay)
Similar LTE Antennas and propagation model will be used and Tabular Editor can be used to set 5G network configuration!
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQHDRasUwQIzLg/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=bbTN04DTF4Wob4wsjmdETXkBu7pu9hJvmUYYxjlpM40
Propagation Model
In 5G design, it is recommended to use P3M or Universal propagation model. Below figure is showing overall P3M settings (Plan → New → Propagation Models ). It is important to set proper values for Outer wall loss and Penetration loss slope.
The P3M model is statically pre calibrated but experience shown that it is still recommended to calibrate the model using CW measurements.
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQHf7SURu1WZzA/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=0wZ8XK6UTF5IQjX9QUk_s4cmuyfoiHwgIkJjUeoOnpM
NR Frame Settings
Figure below shows the frame setup for the 5G NR 3.5 GHz (Home → Network → Network Technologies → NR → Frame Setup tab)
The NR Frame settings are vendor specific and are usually similar to the one used during link budget calculation.
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQFk0z-GvcE8gg/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=hPbGn9MZPZu2J18en7u9bxLy1oGwDneYLn6lmZC2RTM
Modulations and Coding Scheme (MCS) - gNB / UE
The modulation bearer consist of mapping between a given C/(I+N) and Bits per symbol and are used to calculate the achieved user throughput during an Analysis or Monte Carlo simulation.
The data rate versus C/(I+N) are very crucial to determine what data rate the user will get at different radio condition.
The settings is available at (Home → Network Settings →NR → Modulations).
Below figure is showing an example of modulation bearer set at gNB level in down-link (DL) and up-link (UL) direction .[/COLOR]
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQGD7RF5SwUBuQ/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=42WMt4WiLGwqUuyL95QVWDM8AWk6WG_KqXkK1gkXrK4
In similar way, we need to set the modulation bearer at the user equipment (UE) side (Home → Subscriber Settings → Equipment Type → NR-UE → Bearers).
An example is shown in below figure and it is important to select only the used bearers:
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQFJHyPxjt12uA/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=ot7_m5CPTRDO0ocr4veP8ae8EvnaQzLQgeWaTgVR3uQ
5G Antenna
Advance Adaptive System Antenna (AAS) are used in 5G networks and are vendor specific antenna. The AAS pattern to be imported into Planet tool.
User has to enable the Beamforming option, select the beamfornming configuration and the down link port number
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQGHctpXuIj0sQ/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=L13qZ6j-6nUZH8Pj9zyurBaKk20W6rjKyIsLxqn-kx8
Power
The PA power is vendor specific value. Below example is showing an example of 80 watts output power. It is recommended to select "Automatic" option for PSS & SSS calculation.
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQHLVrPrnRevOw/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=ZnPZHmjVhcVaAk561DHwK6QQ5zx5qkpIIm_A-7UzCNI
5G Analysis
As Monte Carlo simulations is time taking task and require advance level understanding of traffic modeling, it is recommended to use Network Analysis tool (Analyse → New Analysis → NR). Network analysis is static analysis and provide good indication of the network performance.
The sector loading is an required inputs for the network analysis and which is not the case of Monte Carlo simulation
The main important settings and plots are illustrated in below figure:
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQGn_twBCLHn7g/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=6fuXAxEDVbEbVGbkjZgkVuxmqxXzlY70xSa3e0D_AcU
Automatic Cell Planning (NR ACP)
ACP can significantly improve the overall quality performance by fine-tuning the NR network physical parameters such as Tilts, antenna height and Azimuth.
User has to define first the optimization goal (Cell Optimization → Optimization Profiles → New) and select the physical parameters to be optimized (Cell Optimization → Optimization → New).
Planet 7.2 support 3D ACP Optimization
Below figure is showing overall ACP settings:
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQHVRhgaqMu5Lg/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=7UyXvEf08TMdVwXddTuJOjBEC5VFYiMtfPHMFr6R3Rw
Monte Carlo Simulation
Support of NR Monte Carlo (MC) simulation is introduced in Planet 7.2. The MC is an advance simulation of the network with live user map and is accessible through (Analyze → Monte Carlo Simulation → New Simulation → NR).
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/C5112AQGXJ7cifZ7zWg/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0?e=1579737600&v=beta&t=QP9JirD-6Ve_eh1kn7ipO4Dzo43yz4Vs0IPV2SD7_xw
Thanks for reading and please share your thoughts