DOI: 10.23881/idupbo.021.1-2i

ARTÍCULOS - INGENIERÍAS

 

PLANNING AND SIMULATION FOR RADIO ACCESS NETWORKS ON “SMALL CELLS” TECHNOLOGY FOR HETEROGENEOUS ENVIRONMENTS

 

PLANIFICACIÓN Y SIMULACIÓN DE REDES DE ACCESO RADIO CON TECNOLOGÍA “SMALL CELLS” PARA ENTORNOS HETEROGÉNEOS

 

 

Gabriel Jaimes-Illanes

Laboratorio de Radiocomunicaciones (LRC)
Universidad Privada Boliviana
gabrieljaimes@upb.edu

(Recibido el 24 de febrero 2021, aceptado para publicación el 15 de julio 2021)

 

 

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ABSTRACT 

The document presents the planning and simulation of UMTS and LTE mobile telecommunications network by the use of Small Cells technology in heterogeneous environments solutions for real foray operators in Cochabamba to achieve efficiency in resource usage in a state of high traffic load of voice and data, and therefore achieve better utilities. The methodology is based on analytical development, planning, and simulation which take place in the first instance with the collection of information. In the following steps, the project requirements were identified, a vendor technical specifications comparison was made, and the Small Cell networks were designed by radio access network planning, cell distribution and dimensioning, transportation cadasters definition, technical equipment parametrization, and frequency plan determination. Finally a procedure of simulation for coverage predictions and design validation was made. It is concluded that the project is feasible and complies with technical requirements for land survey, services demand on voice and data, coverage for indoor or outdoor environments, mobility and transport users, parameters performance on RSCP, RSRP, RSRQ signal-to-noise ratio, capacity of users, specific scenario solutions and economic benefits on deployments. 

Keywords: Wireless Mobile Telecommunication Systems, LTE, UMTS, Small Cells, Indoor, Outdoor, RSCP, RSRP, RSRQ, Capacity, Coverage.

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RESUMEN

El documento presenta la planificación y simulación de redes de telecomunicaciones móviles UMTS y LTE mediante el uso de tecnología Small Cell en entornos heterogéneos para proponer soluciones a operadores de incursión real en escenarios de Cochabamba para lograr eficiencia en el uso de recursos de radio frecuencia un estado de alta carga de tráfico de voz y datos, y de esta manera lograr mejores utilidades. La metodología se basa en un desarrollo analítico, diseño e implementación que tiene lugar en primera instancia en la recolección de información. En los siguientes pasos, se identificaron los requisitos del proyecto, se compararon las especificaciones técnicas de los proveedores y se diseñaron las redes con tecnología Small Cell. Se procedió a realizar una etapa de simulación y finalmente un paso de validación. Se concluyó que el proyecto es factible donde se cumplen requisitos de levantamiento territorial, servicios de voz y datos, cobertura de ambientes indoor u outdoor, mejora en gestión de usuarios de movilidad y transporte, y mejoramiento en desempeño de parámetros RSCP, RSRP, RSRQ, relación señal a ruido, capacidad de usuarios, soluciones específicas y beneficios económicos en escenarios de despliegue.

Palabras Clave: Sistemas Inalámbricos de Telecomunicaciones Móviles, LTE, UMTS, Small Cells, RSCP, RSRP, RSRQ, Capacidad, Cobertura.

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1.   INTRODUCTION 

The influence of small cells as new technological trending in the planning and dimensioning for operator’s mobile networks leads to the need to optimize scenarios of high demand for services such as the growth for multimedia applications in voice and data, congestion of users with smartphones and tablets, growth of interfering structures, as well as a focus on global network through the improvement of end user interfaces. Heterogeneous environments allow the use of various technologies for user access to the network through different systems and protocols. In this case, for different access technologies supported by small cells, which allows communication in a homogeneous way with different interfaces existing nowadays. The technology considers other features such as network adaptability, technological convergence and network element scalability^[1]. Small Cells are a key ingredient of integrated Heterogeneous Networks (HetNets). Small cell development, implementation and optimization will effectively address the growing demand from people who use mobile broadband and voice services in early future, to provide resources for indoor and outdoor environments^[2].

The efficient management of mobile communication networks resources corresponds to the good dimensioning of the network's spectrum, capacity, coverage and handling of interference, for the new technologies in the transmission of voice and data. This is a requirement for actual environments on operation for provision of services, and novel implementations that are important for different sectors of society. Moreover, Cochabamba is a city in process of development, with diverse scenarios for the application of new technologies and management schemes for telecommunications operators. In the next few years will exist new hopes to confront open standards such as Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE - A)^[3] and 5G New Radio (NR)^[4] on the way for urban and rural deployments, reduction of business operating costs, optimization of mobile network resources, and removal of obstacles to small cells deployments. The mis-optimized management of resources, in a situation with a high volume of voice and data traffic in today’s mobile networks, causes a direct relationship with the loss of operator profits by congested networks, a situation that occurs with the actual implemented capacity of a cell and bad use of network resources. Therefore, it is convenient to carry out a study, design and technology application suitable for confrontation of the feasibility in a new technology. The Small Cells solutions for the network design by the operators can satisfy the diverse requirements of the systems wireless telecommunications [12]. Since Small Cells technology provides adequate heterogeneous solutions for in-door and out-door^[5] environments to the growth of urban infrastructure in the city of Cochabamba, the contribution of the project was provided for the analysis of the different parameters of network quality of service in the access network nodes when using Small Cells for its operation, the use relevant in third and fourth generation technologies (3G and 4G), validation through network simulators, equipment quantification and projection of change to new technological trends at regional scenarios. In the present document the different procedures and technical vision of the project scope is developed.

In the first chapter an introduction to the technology, global trending and critical application for ”Small Cells” scenarios are developed for contextualization of theory background; For the second chapter the methodology and design procedure is described, focused on radio access network segment and key performance indicators;  The third chapter makes a detailed description of the selected scenarios for “Small Cells” solution deployments on consideration of cell distribution, cadasters and polygons definition; On chapter four it is shown the ink budget and coverage prediction results as part of the simulation planning methodology, making an analysis and evaluation of the performance on the solutions; Finally on chapter five, specific technical and deployment conclusions are determined for the results obtained in the project.

1.1.   MOBILE GENERATIONS

Through different improvements in wireless mobile communication systems, it was possible to develop technological trends based on mobile technologies to adapt into deployment changes. In this context, according to the definition of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), 4G techniques are the setoff of modern technologies in the world of wireless broadband communications: the International Mobile Telecommunications - Advanced (IMT - Advanced) is considered as 4G and International Mobile Telecommunications - 2020 (IMT - 2020) is considered as 5G. [5]

a) 1^th Generation (1G): The first mobile communication systems were analog and service-oriented for voice. Systems such as Advance Mobile Phone System (AMPS) and Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) they were widely used in America; For example, Nippon Telephone and Telegraph (NTT), in the countries Asia and Nordic Mobile Telephones (NMT) and Total Access Communication Systems (TACS) in other parts of the world. The 800 and 900 MHz bands were used, with a bandwidth of 40 MHz, the frequencies between 869- 894 MHz for transmissions from base station to mobiles and frequencies between 824 - 849 MHz for transmissions from mobiles to base station in AMPS and TACS technologies using multiplication by division of time [7].

b) 2^nd Generation (2G): The second generation networks were developed based on digital signaling of bands of narrow frequencies. By offering fully digital services, 2G technologies acquired popularity around the world. Improvements such as increased voice quality, capacity, and efficiency spectral and multiplexing were key factors for the evolution of mobile networks. With the advance, other services emerged such as a considerable degree of easy access to the WEB, digital voice and the handling of Short Message Service (SMS). Among the different technologies and their variants of second generation networks are:

▪  Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)

▪  Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)

▪  Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)

▪  EDGE – 2.75 G [3].

c) 3^rd Generation (3G): The third generation of wireless communication systems focuses on the process of globalization of mobile communication. There is a predominance of the Internet and data broadband. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) began the process of defining the standard for the third generation systems, known as International Mobile Telecommunications 2000 (IMT-2000). In Europe, the European Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETSI) was responsible for the process standardization of UMTS [10]. The standardized technologies in 3G are:

▪   UMTS Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), with downlink, speeds up to 1.92 Mbps.

▪   High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) pushed the 14 Mbps downlink.

▪   LTE Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) with peak speeds of 100 Mbps.

International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000) is on behalf of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for 3G. GSM proponents present Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), an evolution of the same as the path to IMT-2000 [28]. Alternate schemes are developed in the United States, Japan, and Korea. Each scheme implies typically multiple radio transmission techniques in order to handle the evolution of 2G.To move into this "unified" 3G system, users will probably need a phone so quintuple capable of operating in an 800/900 MHz band, a 1.7 to 1.9 GHz band and a 2.5 bandit 2.69 GHz [7].

d) 4^th Generation (4G): According to the definition of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), 4G techniques are the set of modern technologies in the world of wireless broadband communications: the International Mobile Telecommunications - Advanced (IMT - Advanced) considered as 4G. IMT-Advanced systems support high mobility applications, broadband multimedia services and a wide range of data speeds according to the demands of users and services in multiple user environments. The set of different technologies that make up 3G is called IMT- 2000. The term IMT refers to the set of IMT-Advanced and IMT – 2000 [29]. On December 62010, at the ITU World Radiocommunication Seminar 2010 (WRS - 10), in Geneva, it was defined that only two technologies are accepted to compose IMT-Advanced [2]:

▪ LTE-Advanced (LTE Release 10 & beyond)

▪ Mobile WiMAX 2.0 (802.16m, WirelessMAN-Advanced)

e) 5^th Generation (5G): The 5G System is the principal focus of 3GPP Release 15. Release 15 profiles the 5G system Phase 1, while the 5G system profiles Phase 2 which is going to be defined in Release 16. The specification of Phase 1 has involved all the 3GPP Working Groups.  The 5G requirements have been identified in terms of new services and markets, the principal milestones describe different types of requirements for different 5G usage such as Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB): the new requirements are identified for data-rates, traffic/connection density, user mobility, etc. Many deployments, capacity and coverage scenarios are considered, driving different service areas, some examples are indoor/outdoor, urban and rural areas, office and home, local and wide areas connectivity; Ultra Reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC): where many scenarios demand the consideration of very low latency and very high communications service availability.  Moreover, these last milestones are conducted by implementation functionalities and features. Therefore, of these factors depend directly on the 5G framework, in consideration of affection in actual scenarios this can be reduced by suitable interconnections between the 5G system core of the 5G network, for example, to allow local hosting of the services [27]; Massive Internet of Things (mIoT). The current technology standardized as formal 5G as part of IMT – 2020 is:

▪  5G NR (New Radio)

1.2.   RADIO ACCESS NETWORK DOMAIN METRICS

In reference to interoperability, RF^[6] resource management, the development of network maintenance and optimization, it is possible to consider different quantitative and qualitative domains that allow evaluating the technical performance of the network [8].

a) Capacity is defined as the degree of number of users connected to a network of telecommunications, capable of guaranteeing a level of availability of services. It also refers to resources of a system, to perform a certain task. In a more specific context, the capacity implies the number of users capable of experiencing a level of quality.

b) Quality of Service (QoS) is the description or measurement of the general performance of a service, to quantitatively measure the quality of the service; several related aspects of the network service, such as packet loss, bit rate, throughput, delay, availability and fluctuation.

c) Coverage refers to the geographic area in which a service or application is available. It is usually applied to radio communications, but can also be used in cable services. Transmitting stations and telecommunications companies generate coverage maps that indicate to the user the area in which they offer their services [9].

d) Key Performance Indicators for the analysis and quantifiable study of the performance of 3G and 4G networks, the Key Performance Indicator (KPI's)^[7], which are representative metrics for the success of activities or procedures in an organization. Some of the KPIs that are considered for network planning and optimization are:

▪ RSSI (received signal strength indicator): measures the total average received power.

▪ RSCP (received signal code power): it is the power measured by a receiver in a physical communication channel, referring to 3G.

▪ RSRP (reference signal received power): it is the power reference average according to a bandwidth, referring to LTE.

1.3.   SMALL CELLS

Small Cells is a general term for low-power radio access nodes that are used both on spectrums with or without a license. They have a coverage range that varies from 10 meters to several hundred meters, compared to the tens of kilometers served by microcells as shown below, Figure 1. The elements Included in this category are femtocells, picocells, microcells, and metro cells [25].

a) HetNets use a combination of devices and technologies that work together to enable mobile voice service and broadband access. Voice communication and data transmission are key factors for income. As consumption continues to grow, operators are looking for new strategies to face the challenge of improving the quality of experience or Quality of Experience (QoE). At a high level, HetNets represent a strategic evolution of the mobile access network in which operators increase macrocell capacity relative to demand [20]. HetNets deploy the network closer to the customer, the lowest cost location and the access nodes of low power indoors and outdoors, on street lights, roadsides and inside corporate buildings. Therefore, to facilitate HetNets deployments, infrastructure providers choose to integrate interfaces of 3G, LTE and Wi-Fi technologies inside small cells. Groups of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) are working to overcome implementation hurdles and maximize the technology of HetNet [23].

b) Small Cell Architecture

The architecture of Small Cell technology is shown below, Figure 2:

The eNodeB includes both the antenna and the radio controller which were separate entities in the pre-LTE technologies. The eNodeBs communicate with the EPC, with the MME and the SGW. The MME manages the mobility of the EU between cells, while the SGW handles the transmission and reception of data.

c) Stations and radio bases of small cells provide enhanced mobile broadband service [33] in several ways:

▪ Serve for smaller and closer areas to end users. This provides better-quality and more connections with higher bandwidth and lower latency.

▪ They allow the available spectrum to be reused many times, although with the concern by the interference of macrocells and other Small Cells. Peak performance of picocells and microcells is the same as macrocells, since both use the same bandwidth of radio.

▪ Provide coverage in areas poorly served by macrocells due to the placement of the construction, distance and interference.

 

2.   METHODOLOGY OF DESIGN AND PLANNING 

This section seeks to carry out an analysis of Small Cells technology for the city of Cochabamba on the different public urban areas, through indoor or outdoor solutions. By taking as a study subject the population of Cochabamba, who can select for the services offered by mobile operators, sectoral polygons are defined taking into account design parameters according to specific solution.

2.1.   DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

For the design of the Small Cell network, it was seek to study the following considerations in force in the city from Cochabamba: Land survey of the area, by coverage and its form of spread; High voice and data traffic, to improve service to large numbers of users; Indoor or outdoor environment, due to the type of solution, planning and equipment to be implemented; Public availability scenarios, to improve the quality of user experience; Previous deployments, due to the compatibility of resources in the network; Backhaul, due to the interconnection of network elements; Macrocells, for the downloading of traffic and connection with other cells [26]; Mobility and transport of users, due to the reliability of the user's connection; Availability of technology, due to the improvement of the quality of service of the network.

Since design considerations are supported by quantifiable technical parameters and information of the solution, from the perspective of the network and user, it is decided to use:

a) To improve network quality of service [5] using the following indicators: RSCP, RSRP, RSRQ, and Signal to Noise ratio.

b) To improve the quality of user experience using the following indicators: availability, areas of coverage, cell distribution, terrain survey maps, and buildings.

2.2.   RADIO ACCESS PLANNING

The planning methodology of this project is based on Small Cell technology, respectively to the 3G & 4G architecture - WCDMA and LTE, predominant in the operators of the city of Cochabamba [11].

The pre-planning stage is an analysis of the areas in the city of Cochabamba considering:

a) Traffic demand: by satisfying the situations and moments in which the user presents a high rate of traffic in calls and data, an improvement in the quality of service of the network is provided.

b) Description of services: with a tendency to use data rather than calls, the user requires specific services to your environment.

c) Definition of technologies: the performance of a solution must be based on the satisfaction of the user requirements, with different types of technologies, some of which are presented more efficiently for the solution.

d) Definition of frequencies: each country defines a frequency distribution plan according to its environment; the operation of the equipment must be in accordance with this plan and performance of the operators.

e) Classification of Small Cells: each area presents a different environment for a design. The diversity of solutions Small Cell allows the implementation of network elements based on considerations and parameters of this technology.

The design stage is based on the following points:

f) Availability: basically the operators seek to implement sites in areas where there is demand for services and, therefore, satisfy a group of users; however, planning and sizing a network presents capacity limitations. For this purpose, it is necessary to implement Small Cells technology for areas where it is allowed to increase the capacity of traffic through specific solutions [15].

g) Coverage: the physical range of the signal in a device is not presented in a homogeneous way; the Small Cells technology is efficient when providing a wide range of solutions. To give good coverage, it is necessary to make various considerations such as:

▪ Natural environment type and signal propagation
▪ Structures and buildings
▪ Transmitting power of the transmitter
▪ Floor height, tilt or vertical inclination and azimuth or horizontal orientation of the transmitter
▪ Interferences and signal attenuations
▪ Technical parameters of the transmitter, equipment and technology
▪ Reason for the high demand for services
▪ Human activities in the area
▪ Type of installation and form of operation and maintenance of the equipment

h) Frequency plan: the solution must be legal and in accordance with the requirements set out for these of the electromagnetic spectrum in the country. The type of frequency to be used affects directly the performance of the equipment for the solution; therefore, the assignment and Transmitter configuration should be optimal for your operation [13].

i) Type of application: the solution is structurally specific to the urban environment, activities of the area and function; therefore, it can present harmony and functionality with the environment and, at the same time, meet user needs.

The application stage considers:

j) Sizing of the network: to validate the project, it is necessary to consider the feasibility economics of the same; counting and listing the network allows the definition of the type of equipment to be used for this purpose [14].

k) Comparison of manufacturers: there is a great diversity of technologies. When choosing a solution, must consider the efficiency of the equipment, compatibility with current operators, their types of applications, the cost of the equipment and performance in the environment.

l) Small Cells parameterization: the correct operation of a technology depends on the adequate configuration of the different technical parameters of the equipment as well as its planning background.

2.3.   FREQUENCY PLAN

According to the different telecommunications operators, the scalable technology for LTE (in the process of implementation) operates on the AWS^[8] band at 2100 MHz [22]. Likewise, the frequency bands in 1900 MHz for 3G technology in at least two operators, which is why defines to use this band for the future compatibility of the solution with the Cochabamba environment [11]:

a) For LTE-A:

▪ Requested band: 2100 [MHz]

▪ Bandwidth of each carrier: 10 - 20 [MHz]

▪ Available carrier capacity: 2 carriers

b) For UMTS- HSPA^[9]:

▪ Requested band: 1900 [MHz]

▪ Bandwidth of each carrier: 5 [MHz]

▪ Available carrier capacity: 4 carriers

2.4.   MANUFACTURERS COMPARISON

The products for Small Cell solutions that the different manufacturers offer are more detailed when the moment to approve a Roll - Out tender or deployment of the solution. However, based on case studies, applications, and technical information the manufacturer Ericsson has a portfolio of Small Cell technology with a set of network elements well organized and developed.  The quality and performance of this manufacturer is very good due to its constant evolution and performance of technology in other scenarios; is robust due to the variety of technologies to be used, is scalable to new technological trends, presents operational safety and compatibility in the market. It has a user capacity according to the required application.

The coverage is varied with respect to the standardization of Small Cell technology and has very good solutions at indoor and outdoor level. Its installation is simple, state-of-the-art and with evolving scalability^[10]. It is the first technology to be considered by several operators in different countries. The manufacturer Huawei has a portfolio of Small Cell technology with a set of network elements quite varied and organized. The quality and performance of this manufacturer is good in outdoor environments, in which the technology is not exactly standardized; however this manufacturer presents indoor solutions oriented to the market of companies and institutions. It also has a capacity to use according to the required application. Coverage functions are presented with simplicity in its corresponding equipment installation and scalability of mobile technologies evolutions. Mobile service is the first technology to be considered by operators especially in Asian countries [16]; without dependency on specific solutions, there are still general preferences for Ericsson in this region. The manufacturer Nokia Siemens Networks has a portfolio of Small Cell technology with a set of specific and organized network elements. The quality and performance of this manufacturer are very good, with an orientation to the use of solutions indoor, and does not present a diversity of equipment. The teams present harmony and functionality in the work environment, the final comparison is detailed below. It has a user capacity according to the required application. It is not considered as the best Small Cell technology, below Ericsson and Huawei, but shown with perspectives of evolution by the performance of the technology in normal networks.

 

3.   DESCRIPTION  OF PLANNING “SMALL CELLS ”SCENARIOS

The project is limited to the areas with the highest urban concentration in the city of Cochabamba, that is, high data and call traffic and adequate implementation conditions. It is determined to provide Small Cell coverage and services to the following areas defined by polygons in Figure 3.

The chosen scenarios allow considering the diversity of Small Cells technology applications; likewise, growth in the use of technology is expected for Cochabamba. In Table 4 some relevant data is shown.

3.1.   ARRANGEMENT OF ELEMENTS

The design for each polygon considers an arrangement of network elements on consideration to the scenarios and requirements of each appropriate solution for your application, as shown below, Table 5:

3.2.   NETWORKS ARCHITECTURES

Since each polygon has its own conditions for a good operation of the Small Cells network, an equipment configuration was defined between the mRRU's, RBS 6501's, Radio Dot's, IRU's and DU's, based on functional case studies and manufacturer recommendations [5]; therefore, it was decided establish a predominance for the star topology referring to each RBS 6501 and mRRU for each polygon. The network element architecture for each polygon is shown below, Figure 4:

3.3.   CELL DISTRIBUTION

For the distribution of cells, a previous analysis of the topology was made for elements and structures that compose and critical areas for emplacement of Small Cells, with respect to the design requirements and planning scenarios explained above. The design for each polygon was different, finding a diversity of Small Cells applications and type solutions for the city of Cochabamba. Also, planning for each cell was parameterized for each cell according to the best possible performance of each sector for the Small Cells [6]. Figure 5 shows an overview of each environment:

a) For polygon α, Figure 5a): A1: It is the entrance to the Boulevard, with a large concentration of people on weekends, a variety of business and cultural activity. A2: On Beni Street, with a great concentration of food businesses, high traffic of people; is a residential area. A3: Intersection of avenues, near the Simón I. Patiño center and the UPAL University, with great concentration of students, high automotive traffic and pedestrian traffic. A4: In the parking lot of the IC Norte Supermarket, with great traffic of people and traffic, automotive, intersection of avenues and business environment. A5: On Pando Avenue, with a diversity of businesses, automotive traffic, pedestrian traffic and activity labor. A6: On Melchor Urquidi Avenue, near the intersection of the America Avenue, residential area, various businesses and pedestrian traffic.

b) For the polygon β, Figure 5b): B1: Close to the Bolivian American Center, with pedestrian traffic, high level of private vehicular traffic and public; on Plaza Colón, at the intersection of 25 de Mayo and Venezuela streets. B2: In the center of Plaza Colón, with omnidirectional coverage, high level of pedestrian traffic all day, social and cultural activities. B3: At the southern entrance of El Prado, close to influential businesses such as Globos and Dumbo, area of work activity, with high pedestrian traffic, various businesses, social and cultural activities. B4: On Chuquisaca Street, with coverage to the pedestrian area of El Prado and nearby businesses; high pedestrian traffic, structure area for work purposes and various businesses. B5: In front of the Comteco building on La Paz Street, intersection of avenues, covering the area of El Prado, high pedestrian traffic, social and cultural activities. B6: On Oruro Street, it covers a large area of El Prado, close to the main square; high traffic pedestrian, residential area and various businesses.

c) For the polygon γ, Figure 5c): C1: It is the intersection of Ayacucho and Heroines avenues; high pedestrian traffic area, with various business activities throughout the day, vehicular traffic zone, and meeting point and reference. Omnidirectional coverage, buildings for work and business purposes. City center. C2: It is the intersection of General Achá Street and Ayacucho Avenue, with high pedestrian traffic, with various businesses. Close to influential companies. Exit of the passage of the mail.

d) For the polygon δ, Figure 5d): D1: On Oquendo Avenue, high pedestrian traffic of students, academic activities. Entrance to the Universidad Mayor de San Simón. Various businesses. D2: On the university pedestrian walkway, high student traffic throughout the day, activities academic and social. D3: End of the pedestrian walkway, intersection of different student campuses, near the multi building academic and IESE. Green environments. D4: Entrance to the campus of the Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences, central courtyard, exit to the street Sucre, great student traffic and academic activities. D5: It is the central courtyard of the Faculty of Humanities and Educational Sciences; high traffic of students and activities. Omnidirectional coverage. D6: It is the central courtyard of the Faculty of Economic Sciences with a large size. Study environments and green areas. High level of student traffic. Between classroom buildings and administration. Academic activities. D7: It is the entrance of the Faculty of Architecture, a large green area, and a diversity of academic activities. High pedestrian traffic.D8: In front of the laboratory classrooms and the parking lot. High pedestrian traffic. Entrance to the complex sports college. D9: In front of the Faculty of Technology, in front of the administrative building. Diversity of classrooms and environments to study. High traffic of students and administrators. D10: On Sucre Street is the entrance to the Faculty of Technology. Green areas and open environments study. Close to the main auditorium. Great concentration of students.

e) For the polygon ε, Figure 5e): E1: First floor of the Center cinema, it has a diversity of businesses and a high traffic of people throughout the day. Omnidirectional coverage in the food court. E1: Second floor of the Cinema Center, it is an environment of waiting and meals before the cinemas. High-level of traffic of people throughout the day. Omnidirectional coverage.

3.4.   INTERCONNECTION CADASTRES

The interconnection transport networks in each polygon were defined based on the optimal operation of the elements of the network, the planning carried out, the security, the loss of gain by cables and connectors, in addition to the saving resources. The existing interfaces in the design are:

▪ mRRU – mRRU^[11]
▪ mRRU - BTS 6501
▪ DOT – IRU

Optical fiber with SFP LX-1310 nm type cable was used for each interface, with significant attenuation starting at 10[Km] of line deployment, which is used by operators in Cochabamba. Figure 6 shows the cadaster of interconnections of the polygons.

 

4.   RESULTS 

4.1.   LINK BUDGET 

Small Cell's traffic calculation by sector considers several technical planning parameters, moreover the information is provided only by the manufacturer once the equipment purchase was made. A traffic calculation tool for macro cells was used, compatible with the technology design Small Cell, with which parameters were configured considering the information from the manufacturer Ericsson, applications of the medium and case studies [4].

The link calculation in UMTS and LTE for the link by transmitter, receiver by Small Cell for Uplink and Downlink has default calculation values. However, the following input and output parameters were considered, Table 6:

 

4.2.   SIMULATION PROCEDURE 

Through a previous parameterization of each cell and site for the different planned Small Cells, it was possible to import the information regarding the required format. A project was created based on the technology standards 3GPP and the DTM map of Cochabamba was imported. For the parameterization of cells, the following were considered aspects: The tool requires engineering parameters such as position coordinates, transmission power, azimuth, tilt, propagation model, frequency bands, technologies and equipment. Since the frequency bands are 2100 MHz in LTE -A and 1900 [MHz] in UMTS, equipment was used compatible and suitable for modeling Small Cells, their Kathrein type antennas, as well as Omni-directional antennas with limited coverage. A computing polygon adequate to the required coverage was considered. High resolution was used for coverage predictions [10]. Atoll allows to create projects based on current technologies, which consider a set of configurations, equipment, predictions and simulations to be developed; UMTS and LTE - A were chosen. After the DTM height map was imported, sites with default settings were added. Each site is configured with name, longitude, latitude, altitude, pole heights and support type. We proceeded to the creation and configuration of each transmitter corresponding to each Small Cell; the following values: Antenna height, Gain and Electric tilt (default); Frequency band; Vertical and horizontal radiation pattern; Max and pilot power; and Propagation model and resolution.  A coverage prediction was configured based on the signal level received by the user. According to the link calculation performed previously.

4.3.   COVERAGE PREDICTIONS

Through the computational polygons it was possible to analyze the coverage for the different planned polygons. Took carried out a prediction of the signal level received by the user based on the obtained DTM maps; subsequently performed a feedback of the predictions to adjust technical parameters of the Small Cells and re-simulate. In the same way, the software allowed to make reports of the percentage of surface covered in the polygon of computation at different levels defined in the legend. This indicator refers to the environment of the cells. It should be noted that the coverage of epsilon polygon is more uniform because it is an indoor solution [19]. Below is the reports shown Table 7:

a) LTE - A technology:

UMTS technology:

The equipment was configured from the parametrization of antennas designed in the program. Therefore, a parameterization of tilts and azimuths was made for avoiding co-channel interference. Predictions require a high resolution elevation map for more accurate results with the propagation model^[12], as well as being owned by some operators in Cochabamba. The alpha polygon presents localized coverage requirements as shown in Figure 7.

As it has an open area between buildings, the beta polygon presents very good coverage. The gamma polygon is of a small area with good coverage. The delta polygon has several Small Cells with good coverage for each faculty of the university. The epsilon polygon has good coverage being a closed environment. The most important received signal values to consider reaching optimal percentages.

 

5.  CONCLUSIONS 

It is concluded that the application of Small Cell technology in heterogeneous environments for the city of Cochabamba is efficient by improving the use of radio frequency resources, user capacity and received signal levels in the polygons defined, which was validated by the simulation tools used. Also improvement of controlled coverage is achieved for all the surfaces and finally the economic feasibility of the solutions. It is determined that, within the alpha, beta, gamma, delta and epsilon polygon, there are percentages greater than 97.1% RSRP and 87.5% RSCP in outdoor solutions and greater than 97.9% RSRP and 86.1% RSCP in indoor solutions for all polygons defined. In the studies of the characteristics of Small Cells carried out, there are exponential growth projections in the implementation of this technology around the world, especially in consideration for future 5G deployments. The importance of portfolios of manufacturers of this technology is for the non-standardized technical performance specification that are presented in a varied way by each vendor, with different approaches and applications, three of which are the most predominant and diverse for outdoor and indoor solutions in Latin America, therefore part of operator roles is the selection and technology evaluation for specific deployment scenarios. Small Cells is compatible with most cell phone technologies^[13] and also for future 5G dense urban scenarios. For the planning methodology, parameters, considerations and quality indicators of the performance of UMTS and LTE were a critical part of the development of analysis models performed for high data volume environments.

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

The author thanks the technical support provided by Dr. Gustavo Siles, Director of the Radio Communications Laboratory (LRC). To Dr. Omar Ormachea, Head of the Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering degree for the synergies and collaborative support in the publication. Also the academic collaboration and engineering evaluation by Eng. Denis Sanchez during the development of the article in terms of planning by using this new technology. Finally, the institutional and collaborative support of the teaching staff and logistics organizations of the Universidad Privada Boliviana (UPB) regional Cochabamba, Bolivia.

 

REFERENCES 

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^[1] QUALCOMM has profiled, such as the case of Small Cells features, different scenarios for research groups on expectations of Heterogeneous environments for diverse genres of Radio Access Cells. [24]

^[2] Described by LYER, ZETO, SHNEIDER, and  KURTZ, 2014 [3]

^[3] Long Term Evolution (LTE) Advance, as well as WiMAX V2, is currently considered 4th Generation Standardized Technologies for International Telecommunications Union (ITU). [1]

^[4] Release 15, presented the first version of 5G New Radio Technology as Phase I, since 2018.[14]

^[5] Currently different scenarios for mobile radio Access technologies are considered for In – Door scenarios such as Halls, buildings, theatres and museums. Otherwise Out-Door scenarios are useful for non-macro solutions such as academic campus, enterprise lands and small business.

^[6] Radio Frequencies (RF), which correspond from 30 KHz to 300 GHz.[10]

^[7] Mobile communications industry uses performance indicators management machines, proper from vendors and manufacturers that correspond to the monitoring, evaluation and optimization of the network for radio resources.

^[8] Currently AWS Frequency bands, which correspond for 700 [MHz] and 2.1 [GHz], are used for profiles of LTE frequency assignment bands in different countries for South America. [17][30]

^[9] HSPA technology is a natural convergence technology for UMTS, with improvements on throughput, spectral efficiency and air interface protocols that correspond to the following HSDPA, HSDPA and HSPA+, on consideration of other variations such as WCDMA, in the case of Asia, as 3.75 G. This provides the milestones for following LTE and 4G technology, LTE – Advanced.

^[10] In reference to Release 10, and recently for Release 15, scalability of networks is considered for Non-Stand-Alone (NSA solution on consideration of AWS band in LTE-A and NR technologies [18].

^[11] Ericsson products for mRRU. BTS 6501 and Radio DOT consider CPRI interfaces standardized by vendor.

^[12] ATOLL simulation allows importing different propagation models based on solutions and real scenarios that are parametrized on demand. As the case of COST – HASTA, OKUMURA HATA, Standard Propagation Model and ITU profiled propagation models. These scenarios are analyzed on frequency plan variation that corresponds for reference and comprehensive predictions on coverage.

^[13] Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMMB) milestone for 5G implementation considers a relevant reduction on antenna coverage pattern (x4) for New Radio RAN network. In consequence, increment of urban cells density will be a suitable scenario for Small Cells technology on new SA and NSA scenarios for 5G.