gsm-to-umts training series 04_wcdma site survey_v1.0

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WCDMA Site Survey

GSM-to-UMTS Training Series_V1.0

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. HUAWEI Confidential

Date RevisionVersion

Description Author

2008-10-31 1.0 Draft completed. Zang Liang

2008-12-31 1.1 Descriptions in page 13 updatedDescriptions in page 35 updated

Liu

Nanchuan

2009-01-14 1.2 Required information about the

coverage area in page 13 added

Dong

Qihuan

Change History


Site survey provides a detailed construction scheme for the implementation of the WCDMA network deployment. Technically, site survey serves as the guidelines for stock and delivery, site construction, equipment installation, and site commissioning.

The result of site survey may determine the implementation difficulty or even the quality of the entire project.


After this course, you are able to:

Be familiar with the procedure of site survey

Know the principles of site selection

Understand the antenna system design

Remember the output documents of site survey


Chapter 1Chapter 1 Roles in Site SurveyRoles in Site Survey

Chapter 2 Site Survey Procedure

Chapter 3 Site Survey Report

Chapter 4 Responsibility Interface


Roles in Site Survey

Roles

− Radio network planning manager: General organizer of the

network planning, responsible for the overall network planning.

− Network planning personnel: Responsible for the noise test and

site survey according to instructions of the manager. Complete the

Site Survey Report and Noise Test Report.

− Engineering survey personnel: Perform the site survey with the

cooperation of the network planning personnel.


Chapter 1 Roles in Site Survey

Chapter 2Chapter 2 Site SurveySite Survey ProcedureProcedure




Site requirements satisfied?

Site requirements satisfied?

Site Survey Procedure

Ideal sites listIdeal sites list

GSM+UMTS co-site?GSM+UMTS co-site? NoNo

Output search Rings

Output search Rings

Obtain candidate

sites

Obtain candidate

sites

Perform site survey

Perform site survey

Complete the site survey

report

Complete the site survey

report

EndEnd

YesYes

NoNo

YesYes


Coordination Meeting for Site Survey

Before the site survey starts, all the personnel involved in site survey Before the site survey starts, all the personnel involved in site survey should have a coordination meeting. The main topics of the meeting are should have a coordination meeting. The main topics of the meeting are as follows:as follows:

Learn about the local electromagnetic environment. Perform the noise test if necessary.

Specify the site survey personnel and cooperators

Arrange for vehicles and related devices

Map out the site survey plan and survey routes. If the survey area is large, divide the site survey personnel into several groups to perform the site survey at the same time.

Set down the initial solution to the transmission and power supply.

From the telecom operator, obtain the existing frequency band, azimuth, and downtilt of the antenna system at the GSM+UMTS site.

After the effective communication with the telecom operator, acknowledge that the important zones are in coverage of the site. Before the site survey, all the site survey personnel should identify the important zones.


Preparations for Site Survey

Learn about the project profile. Collect the

documents related to the project, which can be:

Engineering documents

Background documents

Existing network situations

Local map marked with ideal sites

Configuration list in the contract

Latest site survey form for site survey

WCDMA Site Survey Form


Preparations for Site Survey Contact the marketing personnel or engineering

personnel. Record the phone number of the local

Huawei office and the telecom operator. Record the

way to the site.

Arrange for the tools. Ensure that the tools are

functional before the site survey starts. The required

tools are:

Digital camera

GPS

Compass

Tape/laser rangefinder

Laptop

Telescope


Preparations for Site SurveyTool Purpose Remarks

Digital camera Records the ambient environment,

roof information, and co-site

situations.

Charge the battery before use. You

are advised to carry the battery

charger of the camera.

GPS Locates the longitude and latitude of

the site.

The GPS should be in an open space

without obstacles and can be used

only when three or more satellites are

found. Set the projection mode to

WGS84. Set the longitude and latitude

format to XX.XXXX.

Compass Measures the antenna azimuth. Keep the compass away from iron

materials, such as the antenna

support or pole, to ensure

measurement precision.

Laptop Records and stores data.

Tape Measures the length.

Telescope Observes the ambient environment.

Laser rangefinder (optional)

Measures the height of a building.


Precautions of Site Selection The network planners have a basic knowledge about the coverage area, and

locate the ideal sites.

The survey personnel select the site and perform the site survey according to the

initial network planning. In the case that all the sites cannot meet the requirements,

the network planners are required to locate the search ring for candidate sites.

For the complicated coverage area, the network planners should perform the

practical propagation model test to verify whether the candidate site meets the

coverage requirements.

After the ideal sites are located, discuss with the landlord or land owner to ensure

that the land for ideal sites is available for purchase or rent.

If all the candidate sites cannot meet the requirements, reselect sites or modify the

coverage requirements. Be sure to map out a site selection plan meeting the actual

coverage requirements.


Principles of Site Selection

The principles of site selection are as follows:

a. Always try to plan the site at the ideal position of

the regular mesh. Plan the candidate site within one

fourth of the radius of the search ring.

Ideal site position



b. Always try to use the existing equipment without affecting the site deployment.

This is to minimize the construction cost and period.

c. Generally, do not plan the site at the peak (100 m altitude difference or higher than the downtown) located in the suburb or edge of the downtown. This is to facilitate the coverage area control, site construction, and subsequent maintenance.

d. The new site should be located in an area where the traffic is convenient, the

mains supply is available, the environment conditions are reliable, and less plow

land is occupied.

e. The new site should be far from high-power radio transmitters, radar stations, or

other interference sources.

f. The new site should be far from forests to avoid fast fading.

g. Take into consideration the signal reflection and delay, especially in mountain

areas, areas with steep cliffs or dense lakes, highlands, or high metal buildings.



h. In the case of site selection in the downtown with dense buildings, you can

divide the network hierarchy by skillfully using the height of different buildings.

i. At the initial stage of network deployment, the number of sites is small. In this

case, you should plan the sites to ensure a good coverage for importance areas.

j. Do not plan the edge of the cell in the densely populated areas. Good coverage

means one and only one main signal coverage.

k. The First Fresnel zone of the antenna should be in an open space without

obstacles.

l. Consider the long-term plan.

m. If the site selection is on the basis of capacity expansion, pay attention to the

cooperation between the new site and the existing network.


Typical Problems in Site Selection

Improper site layout has a

considerable impact on network

performance, especially on the

WCDMA network:

1. Poor coverage areas and blind

areas: This problem is caused by

excessive distance between sites,

block with obstacles, or weak indoor

coverage.



2. Excessive overlapping coverage:

If the distance between sites is too small, or

if the forward power allocation is improper,

the overlapping coverage is excessive, or

the soft handover occurs frequently. The

strong pilot signals may cause pilot

pollution and a deteriorated BLER. Thus,

call drops may occur.



3. Cross coverage: If the site is located at

the peak or a skyscraper in the downtown or

suburb, cross coverage may occur. When

you determine the site location and direction

of the main lobe of the antenna, cross

coverage may also occur if the main lobe

direction is consistent with the route of

terrestrial objects having the waveguide

effect, such as streets and rivers.


Detailed Site Survey

Taking photos of the site profile One to two photos of site entrance, entire building, or iron tower

structure. Collecting the latitude and longitude information of the site Before using the GPS at the top of the building, set the GPS

coordinates format to WGS-84, and set the latitude and longitude format to XX.XXXX˚. The settings are subject to the requirements of the telecom operator.

Based on the measured data by the GPS, fill in the XXX Project XXX Site Survey Form.

Taking photos of the site profile One to two photos of site entrance, entire building, or iron tower

structure. Collecting the latitude and longitude information of the site Before using the GPS at the top of the building, set the GPS

coordinates format to WGS-84, and set the latitude and longitude format to XX.XXXX˚. The settings are subject to the requirements of the telecom operator.

Based on the measured data by the GPS, fill in the XXX Project XXX Site Survey Form.



Recording the radio propagation environment of the site

Within 500 m around the site, record the height of buildings or natural obstacles higher than the antenna (or with roughly the equal height) and their distance to the site on each direction of the site. Start from the North.

On the antenna platform, take photos of the surrounding radio propagation environment. By using the compass, take photos on the 12 directions clockwise, starting from 0˚ (the North) with the step size of 30˚. On the roof sketch, the shooting position and direction should be marked for each photo.

If the antenna systems of other telecom operators exist near the site, record them.

Other information

On site, fill in the XXX Project XXX Site Survey Form.

Recording the radio propagation environment of the site

Within 500 m around the site, record the height of buildings or natural obstacles higher than the antenna (or with roughly the equal height) and their distance to the site on each direction of the site. Start from the North.

On the antenna platform, take photos of the surrounding radio propagation environment. By using the compass, take photos on the 12 directions clockwise, starting from 0˚ (the North) with the step size of 30˚. On the roof sketch, the shooting position and direction should be marked for each photo.

If the antenna systems of other telecom operators exist near the site, record them.

Other information

On site, fill in the XXX Project XXX Site Survey Form.



Taking photos and sketching the site geographical location

When taking photos, record the angle information of photos for future archiving.


When taking photos, record the angle information of photos for future archiving.




Save the photos in the format that has a minimized size under the condition that they can be displayed clearly.


Save the photos in the format that has a minimized size under the condition that they can be displayed clearly.



Roof information

Sites to be deployed: On the roof sketch, mark the installation position of the antenna and the direction of the cable rack.

Sites already deployed: Many factors affect the installation position of the antenna. The space information of the antenna platform and the antenna parameters of the other system in the GU site affect the antenna installation position to a great extent.

Roof information

Sites to be deployed: On the roof sketch, mark the installation position of the antenna and the direction of the cable rack.

Sites already deployed: Many factors affect the installation position of the antenna. The space information of the antenna platform and the antenna parameters of the other system in the GU site affect the antenna installation position to a great extent.


Antenna System Survey and Design

The antenna system is an important

subsystem of the base station system.

Generally, it refers to the channel

between the antenna and the cabinet

top, which involves the antenna,

feeder, jumper, TMA, surge protector,

grounding clip, feeder clip, and feeder

window.

Antenna system

Grounding clip

Jumper

Feeder fixing clip

Grounding clip

Indoor jumper

Tower NodeB

Feeder


Antenna System Survey and Design

The Tower Mounted Amplifier (TMA) is installed on the tower. It is close to the

antenna. Generally, the TMA is connected to the antenna through a 1/2 inch

jumper with the length 2–3 m. The received signals of the antenna enter the

TMA for amplification. With the TMA, the system sensitivity is effectively

improved and the uplink coverage is enlarged. Meanwhile, the TX power of the

mobile can be lowered. Thus, the system interference is reduced and the QoS

of speech services is improved.

TMA

TX filter

Bypass

LNA

Antenna

RX filter

Bias Tee

RX filter


Antenna System Survey and Design—Antenna Category

In terms of radiation direction:

Directional antenna and omni-directional antenna

In terms of appearance:

Board antenna, cap antenna, whip antenna, and plane antenna

In terms of polarization mode:

Single polarization antenna and dual polarization antenna


Antenna System Survey and Design—Antenna Selection

Antenna selection in the downtown

Usually select the directional antenna with the horizontal half power

angel 60˚–65˚.

Generally select the antenna with the medium power gain around 15

dBi.

Preferably select the antenna with the electrical downtilt 2˚–6˚.

Preferably select the dual polarization antenna.

Antenna selection in the suburbs

Select the directional antenna with the horizontal half power angel 65˚ or

90˚, according to actual requirements.

Generally select the antenna with the medium or high power gain 15–18

dBi.

Determine whether to use the preset downtilt according to actual

requirements.

The dual polarization antenna or vertical polarization antenna is

applicable.


Antenna System Survey and Design—Antenna Selection Antenna selection in the countryside

Select the 90˚ or 120˚ directional antenna or omni-directional

antenna, according to actual requirements.

Select the directional antenna with the high power gain 16–18 dBi.

Generally do not select the antenna with the preset downtilt. The

antenna with null filling is preferred for the site at a high position.

Preferably select the vertical polarization antenna.

Antenna selection along the highway

Generally select the directional antenna with narrow beam and high

power gain. Also, you can select 8-shaped antenna or omni-

directional antenna according to actual requirements.

Generally do not select the antenna with the preset downtilt, because of

the coverage requirements of the highway.

Preferably select the vertical polarization antenna.

The signal strength ratio of front main lobe to back main lobe of the

directional antenna should not be excessive.



Antenna selection in the tunnel

Tunnel shorter than 2 km

— Preferably select the 10–12 dBi Yagi antenna /log periodic

antenna/plane antenna at the inner side of the tunnel entrance for

coverage of the road tunnel shorter than 2 km.

Tunnel longer than 2 km

— Preferably select the distributed repeater system of leaky feeders,

coaxial cables, or fibers.



Indoor antenna selection

Omni-directional antenna

— Vertical polarization antenna with power gain 2 dBi. Cap or

teacup in appearance and small size. Easy installation and

elegant appearance.

Directional antenna

— Vertical polarization. Horizontal half power angel 90˚ and

power gain 7 dBi.


Antenna System Survey and Design—Antenna Installation

The antenna installation environment involves the environment around

the antenna and the environment around the site. In the environment

around the antenna, you need to consider the antenna isolation,

influence of the tower and building on the antenna. In the environment

around the site, you need to consider the influence of high buildings

within 500 m away to the site on the radio propagation.

Antenna

Antenna

Reserved space around the antenna

Requirements of antenna installation against the wall

Antenna direction



Minimize the shadow area caused by the antenna in its coverage area.

Avoid the obstacles during the antenna installation. For example, install

the antenna at the edge on the top of the building, to prevent the building

top from obstructing the radio signals.

Distance (m) from the antenna to the edge of the building

Height (m) from the bottom of the antenna to the building top



The interference between the GSM site and the NodeB can be analyzed in

the following respects:

Blocking effects on the NodeB by the GSM site

Spurious effects on the NodeB RX band by the GSM site

Blocking effects on the GSM site by the NodeB

Spurious effects on the GSM RX band by the NodeB

In the case of GSM+UMTS co-site, the antenna isolation should be greater

than 30 dB in general, to meet the isolation requirements on blocking and

spurious effects.


Antenna System Survey and Design—Antenna Installation Interval In the case of space diversity, the interval between two RX antennas should be 12–18

λ. 1 λ = 0.15 m (2 GHz).

A high antenna indicates that the large horizontal interval between two diversity

antennas. Generally, the horizontal interval between two diversity antennas is 0.11

times as long as the valid height of the antenna (from the ground to the middle point of

the antenna).

To achieve the same diversity effect, the interval between two vertical diversity

antennas must be five to six times as long as the interval between two horizontal

diversity antennas.

The horizontal interval between two diversity antennas should always be greater than

3 m, irrespective of the antenna valid height, to reduce the interaction between the two

antennas.




Chapter 3Chapter 3 Site Survey ReportSite Survey Report



Output Documents

WCDMA Site Survey Report

Mainly involves network construction background, initial

planning scheme, site engineering parameters list, and site

layout.


Involves antenna installation position, engineering parameters

of each sector, and ambient environment of the antenna.

Site Survey Memo

WCDMA Engineering Parameters List


Site Survey MemoWCDMA

Engineering Parameters ListWCDMA Site Survey Report





Chapter 4Chapter 4 Responsibility InterfaceResponsibility Interface


Responsibility Interface (Indoor Part)

　 Responsibility Owner

　 Network planners Engineering personnel

Indoor part

　Environmental survey in the equipment room. The survey items include wall, ceiling, floor fitments and bearing capacity, space, cleanness, temperature, humidity, and security.

　 Auxiliary equipment survey: power supply, transmission, and grounding status.

　

Equipment installation survey in the equipment room. The survey items include installation positions of NodeB cabinet, power cabinet, transmission box, batteries, air conditioner, infrared device, indoor feeders, jumpers, feeder window, and feeder cabling rack. Prepare the survey report (indoor part) and the indoor engineering design drawing, which are used for delivery reference (excluding delivery without the survey report).

Indoor survey: Check the special antenna system design. For example, check the combiner model, loss, and special external filters in the case of the shared antenna system by UMTS and GSM.

　

In site survey, the responsibilities of network planners and engineering

personnel are different, which are specified as follows:


Responsibility Interface (Outdoor Roof Part)



Outdoor roof part

Check the antenna installation mode (rooftop, tower, or peak) and installation position. Check the feeder length and category. The related records should be confirmed together with the customer and engineering personnel.

Check the antenna installation mode and installation position. The related records should be confirmed together with the customer and network planners. Check the outdoor feeders and jumpers. Prepare the survey report (outdoor part) and the engineering design drawing, which are used for delivery reference (excluding delivery without the survey report).

Properly set the antenna parameters. In detail, record the antenna model, antenna height (building or tower height inclusive), azimuth, and downtilt.

　

Check the other system at the GU co-site. Perform the electromagnetic environment test. Based on antenna-related parameters, position and height, ensure the effect of system isolation and space diversity.

　

Record site-related information. Prepare the survey report (outdoor roof part), which involves the site latitude and longitude, profile (or photo) of the building or tower where the antenna is installed, roof sketch (antenna installation inclusive), and co-site information (mode, frequency band, or antenna).

　


Responsibility Interface (Outdoor Environment Part and Output Documents)



Outdoor environment part

Check the ambient radio environment. Check for major obstacles, large-area reflection or absorption zones (like lakes, hills, or forests). Ensure a good network coverage. Locate and test the obvious radio interference source (like inter-system interference) around the site.

　

Properly set the antenna parameters (like azimuth and downtilt), based on the ambient radio environment and traffic volume.

　

Record the information about the ambient environment. Prepare the survey report (ambient environment part). Take the environmental photos (total 12 photos with interval 30˚) that illustrate the ambient environment.

　

Output documents

WCDMA Site Survey Report, WCDMA Site Survey Form, Site Survey Memo, WCDMA Engineering Parameters List, and related attachments (like photos).

Engineering Survey Report, Site Survey Memo, indoor and outdoor installation drawings, and related attachments.

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