How to select the adequate planning tool for 5G network design!

[henry3499]

Design and deployment of 5G networks is already started in many countries and much more design projects are expected in upcoming years. Vendors and independent software companies providing operators and vendors with wireless network design and optimization products are working very hard to get their products 5G ready!.
As network planning tools are yet to support full 5G functionalities, it is required to select the adequate planning tool for your 5G network design and optimization.
In this article, I will introduce the main criteria to be checked and benchmark for different planning tools available in market. The one which fulfill the project design requirements will be selected.
Reports and Layers support
Depends on your 5G network radio design requirements, it is important to check that all the required plots and statistics are supported by the selected planning tool.
Most of planning tools support basic plots such SS-RSRP, SS-RSRQ and PDSCH C/(I+N) but if for example, we are looking for some specific plots like "Best Control and Traffic Beam channel ID", then some of the tools may not provide this information.
Below figure is showing an example comparison and report mapping between two different planning tools.

As shown in above mapping, some of the reports are supported by planning tool 1 and not supported by planning 2 and verse versa !
It is good to notice as well that any missing reports can be requested to the tool provider and can be added but it may take time and additional cost.
LTE Project migration to 5G NR
Easy conversion of an existing LTE project into 5G NR project will simplify the 5G project creation.
Following figure is showing an example of "Network Overlay Feature" in planning tool that can easily convert LTE network group to 5G NR network.

Similar LTE Antennas and propagation model will be used, and Tabular Editor can be used to set the 5G network configuration.
Frame Editor
Planning tools which provide more flexibility in setting different common control channel (CCCH) overhead (#RE) are preferable. The link budget calculation is based on vendor specific settings specially for common control channel (CCCH) and in some design project, it is required to set the similar settings in planning tool frame editor.
3D Propagation Models and Beam-forming Antennas
As 5G design require full 3D planning, the selected planning tool to provide propagation models that support buildings and clutter height information. The output indoor predictions are expected at multi story building.
Below figure is showing sample 3D propagation models settings in two different planning tool:

In 5G network, beamforming antenna are used or what is called "Massive MIMO : M-MIMO)". M-MIMO antenna patterns are formed of many sub-element antennas integrated in one single physical antenna. Each antenna sub-elements generate narrow beams for one or multiple users multiplexed in special domain. Each vendor (E******* , Huawei, Nokia,..) are having their own 3D beamforming antenna models.
Existing planning tools are having their own default 3D beamforming antenna but it will be better to check if the planning tool support the vendor specific 3D antenna patterns and it can be imported in planning tool format directly.
Below figure is showing sample default 3D beamforming antenna

Automatic Cell planning (ACP)
Most of planning tools support Automatic Cell planning (ACP) but what is require to check is the available optimization goal. For example, if the target is to optimize the 5G PDSCH C/(I+N), then ACP should provide such settings flexibility.
In below figure, we can see for example planning tool 1 support "spectral efficiency” goal where planning tool 2 doesn’t support it. It is important to check that the expected optimization goals are supported by the selected planning tool.

The ACP should consider the 3D multi story-based optimization as well.
Monte Carlo Simulation (MC)
To determine the network performance (User throughput, cell load, capacity…), the support of 5G Monte Carlo simulation by the planning tool is crucial.
It is also good to check the available Monte Carlo simulation reports and plots. Detail information in MC output will help for optimum 5G design performance.
Below figure is showing sample planning tool MC simulation output reports and plot.

The support of 3D based monte carlo simulation is preferable.
LTE Live measurement Geo-location
Geo-located raster for LTE network such "user and payload map" can be used for 5G design and Monte Carlo simulation or an input to enhance the 5G traffic map creation. The geo-located RSRP can be converted to a virtual drive test (VDT) and will be used to calibrate the propagation model.
Import vendor specific traces format is important which can avoid creating the geo-located raster in another tool and then importing it in generic format into the planning tool.
Below are sample Geo-located reports and plot supported by a planning tool.

Thanks for reading and keep your comments !
Rachid Lamali

[billaugust]

Nice job, Henry.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on 5G network planning.

Would also expect to see more 5G centric design requirement and principles coming to this field.