5-day instructor-led training

The goal of WCDMA Radio Network Optimization course is to present details on a number of optimization problems, techniques and solutions specific to WCDMA radio-access networks. The participants will learn about radio network planning, deployment and optimization. Solutions that include micro-cellular and in-building systems as well as pilot, handover, repeater, antenna and sub-sectorization techniques will be presented in detail. Furthermore, the participants will learn about service-specific performance and inter-system issues.

The WCDMA Radio Network Optimization course is a 5-day course that will present details on the following topics.

• Relevant wireless channel characteristics;
• Radio network analysis, planning and deployment;
• Optimization tools;
• Optimization of pilot, handover, antenna as well as sectorization parameters;
• Micro-cellular and in-building systems;
• Inter-system issues;
• Optimization of voice and packet-switched services;
• Differences between UMTS, HSDPA and HUSPA network optimization problems and techniques.

The participants will gain a detailed knowledge of a wide range of optimization techniques and solutions specific to WCDMA radio-access networks. The participants will be able to efficiently approach any optimization problem. They will be able to consider and employ a range of possible optimization solutions that corresponds to a particular problem.

Detailed knowledge of the WCDMA technology is needed. Furthermore, knowledge of the UMTS network protocols, architecture, and procedures is required. A good knowledge of GSM networks will be instrumental.

This course is intended for:

• Radio network planning managers;
• Radio network planning and optimization engineers;

Day 1

3GPP Standardization and UMTS Overview

• Wireless standards landscape
• What is 3GPP?
• Timeline
• Basic features - radio access, network elements and spectrum

WCDMA for UMTS-FDD

• Multiple access, channelisation and scrambling codes
• Wireless channel characteristics
• Multipath diversity
• Temporal diversity
• Radio resource management
• Power control
• Handovers and macro-diversity
• Admission and load control
• Packet scheduling
• Rate matching
• Cell-breathing

Day 2

UMTS Radio Access Procedures

• Cell search procedure
• Paging procedure
• RACH procedure
• Open loop power control
• UMTS to GSM handover
• Compressed mode

HSDPA and HSUPA

• HSDPA features
• Transmission time interval
• Channelisation codes
• Resource sharing
• Modulation
• Turbo channel coding and soft bits
• Hybrid ARQ
• Channel quality indicator
• Multiuser scheduling
• Mobile terminal categories
• MAC-hs
• Power allocation

Day 3

Radio Network Planning and Dimensioning

• Cell loading and interference margin
• Margins and gains
• Typical mobile terminal and base station parameters
• Link budget case studies
• Coverage and capacity
• Meeting data-rate density requirements
• Base-station density vs. number of carriers and capacity (dimensioning)
• Scrambling code planning
• Backhaul dimensioning
• RNC dimensioning
• Case studies and problem solving

Introduction to HSDPA and HSUPA

• How HSDPA and HSUPA improve system performance
• Introduction criteria
• Resource allocation between UMTS and HSDPA/HSUPA
• Carrier allocation and migration

Day 4

Radio System Performance Enhancements

• Impact of P-CPICH
• Adding new carrier
• Tower top LNAs and remote radio heads
• Adaptive multi rate speech coding
• GSM and UMTS
• Lowering inter-carrier interference
• Repeaters
• Sectorization techniques
• Antenna tilting
• Introduction of new subcarriers
• Multiple antenna techniques
• Multiuser detection
• Equalization

Handover Optimization

• Handover procedure
• Hysteresis algorithm parameters
• Parameter recommendations
• Handover trade-offs
• Optimization for coverage vs. capacity
• Inter-frequency handover considerations

Day 5

Inter System Planning and Optimization

• GSM to 3G
• 3G to 3G
• Boundary planning
• Typical inter-system scenarios
• Inter-system handover procedure
• Inter-system handover due to capacity reasons
• Compressed mode issues

Micro Cell and Indoor Solutions

• Micro-cell characteristics
• Micro- and macro-cell hierarchy
• Near-far effect
• Indoor solutions and effects
• Micro- and macro-cell interference
• Distributed antenna system
• Leaky cable
• Optical cable

Network Management and Optimization

• Management model and systems
• Optimization loops
• Quality cycle
• Measurements
• Key performance indicators
• Field measurements
• QoS and service performance
• Auto-tuning