The document outlines the radio planning process for mobile radio networks, detailing four phases: site identification and initial budgeting, detailed RF propagation modeling, fine-tuning and optimization, and continuous optimization. Each phase involves various tools and techniques for analyzing network requirements, modeling coverage, and ensuring quality, with a focus on adapting to environmental changes and user needs. Ultimately, effective planning and optimization are crucial for network startup and augmentation to enhance coverage and capacity.

1. Mobile Radio Network
Planning and Optimisation
Author: Anjit Rajkarnikar
July2024

2. Radio Planning process is very important and needs to be followed in correct sequence for any
brand-new network startup or any mature network requiring New Greenfield site, or Existing
network Upgrade – Augmentation scenario.
Whatever the scenario, there are 3 phases in radio planning.
First of all, understanding the initial budget of the project and identifying the initial scope with
areas of interest & hot spots coverage is important.

3. Phase 1:
• Phase 1 is about identifying candidate site location and initial radio link budgeting:
• In this stage, usually it is a case of any brand-new network startup phase, A statistical propagation model
(e.g. Hata, COST-231 Hata) may be used for a quick analysis of the number of sites and to approximate the
coverage area of the planned sites, using simple radio transceiver characteristics and 'flat' map of the area.
• In the case of mature site, if it is greenfield site planning, best candidate site location is identified and
confirmed the best candidate as per available option through feasibility studies from location, transmission,
cost, network performance.
• If that is a Network expansion, or augmentation, then base don on long/short term plans, Coverage/Quality
predictions and analysis is done through Planning prediction tool like ATOLL to see effect of expansion that
could be addition of layers, new sectorisation, Omni to Sector, etc

4. Phase 2 :
• Phase 2: Detailed RF propagation modelling:
• where Automatic planning tools like ATOLL, HTZ are often utilised to perform Detailed RF propagation modelling and predictions, using the suitable propagation model as per the
selected antenna, the terrain, and clutter data, while implementing RF link budget.
• & analysing the prediction maps will help determine the number of sites, along with design parameters like:
-heights of sites in site location.
-Antenna Bearings and downtilts.
-Neighbour cell lists for each site.
-Detailed coverage predictions (e.g. signal strength (RSRP), best SINR, best server areas, UL / DL throughput)
• In case of Network augmentation, in mature network, design of new network configuration needs confirmation. That require analysing the “As-Built Drawing” and detailed analysis
of the site condition while confirming if requires Design Site Visits. So, Site visit helps to identify space availability in the Tower, Space in equipment hut, space in the Feeder tray.
Also, it is important to re-analyse existing transmission Bandwidth allocation and the carrier Bandwidths, electrical Power capacity, and any restrictions for future upgrade.
• RF design, RF hardware configuration always need to satisfy the upgrade objective and also, it's crucial to identify the existing network Elements, which may require upgrade while
the new proposed Radio Design is upgraded. Like additional Transmission bandwidth may be required, Power upgrade, Antenna Headframe modification, Antenna positions
shuffling, etc, or adding new rack to make space for new indoor equipment.

5. Phase 3:
• Phase 3: is about fine tuning & optimisation. & in the case of network start-up, that involves collecting the Continuous-Wave data
to calibrate the propagation prediction model, to optimise the RF plan. using CW generator, CW drive data is collected to fine-tune
or calibrate the propagation model & predicting the available data throughout each site, fine-tuning of parameter settings (like.
antenna bearing, down tilting).
• Whereas in the case of mature network, in this Phase, Planner or designer is required predicting the available data throughput in
each site, fine-tuning of Design parameters (e.g. antenna orientation, downtilting) as required by project requirements like EME
mitigations.
• In case of Greenfield site in the mature network, SAED involved with the Site Acquisition brief, which will be issued by RF designer
that will contains the Search Ring with the list of example candidate site location from design perspective. Upon SAED site survey,
best possible candidate location will be submitted in a Candidate Assessment Report for designer’s review/approval.
• Designer asses the Candidate Assessment Report and provide site Ranking and Scoring from design perspective, based on new
radio Coverage, new network Capacity, new network Quality that each of those candidate site would bring. Feasibility studies of
Transmission link (MW or Optical) in each candidate should be done in this stage, where Power connection, Location Planning
score will be provided by SAED team in line with design candidate score.
• Based on highest score/rank, candidate site is selected to initiate greenfield project deployment process.

6. Phase 4:
• Phase 4: Continuous optimisation
• This final phase of the RF planning process involves continuous optimisation of the RF plan to accommodate for changes in the environment or additional service requirements (e.g. additional
coverage or capacity). collecting measurement data on a regular basis which could be via drive testing or centralised collection. The data is then used to plan new sites or to optimize the parameter
settings (e.g. antenna orientation, downtilting)
• It is important to execute regular review and analysis of Radio Network key performance indicators including
• a. Cell Availability (that confirm site is down or up)
• b. Accessibility (site blocking)
• c. Integrity (data throughput)
• d. Retainability (Drop rate)
• e. Mobility (Handover)
• f. Utilisation (Traffic, PRB, RRC users)
• Customer complaint investigation and resolution is another key area that require above kPI to analyse as first step, perform Coverage/SINR prediction, terrain/clutter Profile analysis, using tool like
ATOLL and utilising layer3 analysis in a tool like Truecall, where network probe data is used to analyse system logs & L3 messaging. Also, using crowd source data visualisation and analysing the
Drive test Data, radio feature review and analysis, will help optimisation process in confirming root cause and finding the best possible solution and capturing short term and long-term
improvement plans for the future or immediate network improvement plan for the customer or the local area.