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 on area, demographics, equipment and use case. Whether small cell urban to large macro in suburban each sectors needs to be modeled with the correct link budget emulating the real network for the most accurate design
To cater for these various cases EDX allows the user to allocate the system profiles per sector as required
There are many methods in bringing ones network data into SignalPro. This article will go through populating the RAN node excel sheet for sectors
For more details on the RAN node please see the following Article LTE-PRO Module
What is the Excel Workbook in RAN NODE
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 to allow users to import their network with ease
The excel includes the following tabs
Introduction
Site
Sector
Technology
CQI- UL
CQI-DL
TDD frame
CA
Prerequisites
SignalPro and either “5G or LTE-PRO” modules are purchased or both
SignalPro project has been set up
Sites and sectors must be set up in SignalPro
Within RF systems with locations
Optional Hard parameters - this can be added after
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
This will open the 5G Import GUI
5G 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 can be saved in any location the user desires
The system will automatically name the file, the user should rename for personalization
RAN Node File- Introduction
Upon opening the document the introduction tab will be presented to the user. This tab explains the “rules” followed in the document
4. 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
RAN Node File - Channel Info
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
For more information please contact EDX support
Note- these settings are not mandatory to the import of the network
RAN Node File - Technology Template
This tab is to define all the various technology profiles for the network
Definitions
Name of the technology - user defined
System Profile - Band (prefix “n”)
SCS - subcarrier spacing
Bandwidth - bandwidth of system
Cyclic Prefix- normal or extended
FDD or TDD (in case of TDD, new template should be created to define the pattern)
Uplink CQi - see step 8
Downlink CQI - See step 8
RAN Node File - CQI_Dl & CQI_UL
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 technology profiles
Validation
Once complete, save the file and import
The system will validate the file and throw any errors if found
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