5G is used within various deployments and heterogeneous networks, where the systems profile such as frequency, carrier spacing, bandwidth and MCS requirements will differ depending on the the scenario.
Such as;:
High band in downtown areas , - typically small cell deployments
Mid band in suburban areas - typically macro deployments
Low band in rural areas - typically macro deployments
Cluster (super cluster) to cluster variations on scenarios
Each cluster rollout and deployment vary varies on area, demographics, equipment and use case. Whether small cell urban to large macro in suburban, each sectors sector needs to be modeled with the correct link budget emulating the real network for the most accurate design.
To cater for to these various cases, EDX allows the user to allocate the system profiles per sector as required.
There are many methods in bringing ones one's network data into SignalPro. This article will go through populating the RAN node excel Excel sheet for sectors.
For more details on the RAN node, please see the following Article LTE-PRO Module
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To enable the best user experience, a new workbook has been implemented to set up the LTE-Pro network. This will allow per site/sector settings.
The format is excel Excel to allow users to import their network with ease.
The excel Excel Workbook includes the following tabs:
Introduction
Site
Sector
Technology
CQI-UL
CQI-DL
TDD frame
CA
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We are now ready to begin - Please follow the steps to configure the sectors within the RAN Node Book.
Open 5G Networks Dialog → RAN Import
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This will open the 5G Import GUI.
5G Import
For first time import First time importing a network into the RAN Node, a template is provided for the user to follow, ensuring the correct format is used.
By default, this template is saved in the project folder in a “RANNODE” folder. This template should can be opened and saved onto a local drivesaved in any location the user desires.
The system will automatically name the file; the user should rename for personalization.
RAN Node File - Introduction
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Upon opening the document, the introduction tab will be presented to the user. This tab explains the “rules” followed in the document.
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RAN Node File - Sites
Within this tab the user must define the sites and any carrier aggregation.
The carrier aggregation must be specified with the 3GPP formats for any combination and separated by commas.
RAN Node File - Sectors
This tab will be used to define the the sectors and the soft parameters such as;:
Site Name to Sector
Technology profile to be used (see step 7)
PCI, PSS, SSS definitions per sector - not mandatory
Neighbors , (intra and inter) - also not mandatory
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Continuing the soft parameter definitions per sector, the channel information per sector will be defined in this tab.
Currently this is downlink only, ; uplink will be released in future release.
Definitions
EPRE
Energy (power) allocated to one RE is called EPRE (Energy Per Resource Element).
EPRE indicate power for one resource element (RE). This can be used for any channel (e.g. Reference Signal, PDSCH, etc.). This value does not vary with system bandwidth or number of RBs.
RS EPRE
Reference Signal Energy Per Resource Element
SS EPRE Offset
Secondary Synchronization Signal Energy Per Resource Element
PDSCH EPRE Offset
Physical Downlink Shared Channel, Energy Per Resource Element
PBCH EPRE Offset
Physical Broadcast Channel, Energy Per Resource Element
PDCCH EPRE Offset
Physical Downlink Control Channel, Energy Per Resource Element
PDCCH Overhead
Physical Downlink Control Channel Overhead
Note - these settings are not mandatory to the import of the network
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This tab is to define all the various technology profiles for the network.
Definitions:
Name of the technology - user User defined
System Profile - Band (prefix “n”)
SCS - subcarrier Subcarrier spacing
Bandwidth - bandwidth Bandwidth of system
Cyclic Prefix - normal Normal or extended
FDD or TDD (in case of TDD, new template should be created to define the pattern)
Uplink CQi CQI - see See step 8
Downlink CQI - See step 8
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These tabs for the UP and DL are used to define the MCS to support the system profile of your sector/network.
Other MCS’s can be added and removed; there is a limit of 30 for DL and 30 for UL.
Users can create many tabs for various CQI Ul & DL definitions, then assign them to the sectorstechnology profiles.
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Validation
Once complete, save the file and import.
The system will validate the file and throw any errors if found.
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Once the validation passes, the information is sent into SignalPro and ready for planning.10.
Data imported
The data is now visible in ;:
Sites GUI
Sectors GUI
Technology profiles
Channels
For more information, please contact EDX support.