5G Module

In continuing our 5G Module launch we have released a number of features, which include user flexibility for setting up a link budget, with fully customizable settings for any equipment vendor or user scenarios. A new workbook has been added to allow per sector settings to fit in any deployment case. In addition we are very proud to announce the addition of Carrier Aggregation where users can model the gNodeb, cells and UEs with the CA combos as per operator or vendor specifications.

The Feature list as follows;

1. Addition and updates to CQI table

2. 5G Outdoor to Indoor Empirical model

3. 5G & LTE MIMO UL & DL Configuration

4. Add TDD Submenu to 5G GUI.

5. Add TDD Frame and pattern

6. 5G TDD Menu respects the special Slot configuration

7. 5G studies run only on 5G defined sectors.

8. SS-SINR study to 5G model

9. RAN Node

10. New Excel Workbook in RANNODE

11. Blank entries to use SP 5G system parameters.

12. Validation of excel parameters.

13. CA aggregation to XL

14. CS studies for aggregation throughput

15. CA on UE GUI

16. Studies for different UE types on CA

1.      Addition and updates to CQI table

  We have re-vamped  CQI table to have the flexibility to be vendor agnostic to our users

Open

 The CQI, MCS and SINR mapping defines what the UE is able to receive (dependent on UE capabilities) and what is received.

 This table has been enhanced with the new columns.

                                       i.      Active selection

                                      ii.      MCS name

                                      iii.      Modulation Region

                                      iv.      Modulation Efficiency

                                      v.      SINR

                                      vi.      PA Power Backoff

 The table is now customizable, where users can add more CQI entries. This is important for vendor specific equipment where values are outside of the standards table.

User can define which are active entries to use and which are now, which are important when using custom entries.

2.      5G Outdoor to Indoor Empirical model

As per 3GPP there are a number of scenarios and propagation models defined in 38.901

All were implemented but the outdoor to indoor, which is now added to the propagation models.

Open

This allows the user to use a 5G model to benchmark and audit the outdoor to indoor scenarios against all equipment vendors and general planning.

3.      5G & LTE MIMO UL & DL Configuration

The MIMO table is now fully customizable for all vendor equipment scenarios.

As we see the growth and investment in smart antennas for the latest technology trends, we are also adapting to these changes.

As such we allow the user to define their own MIMO configurations for the antennas and UL/DL parameters

4.      Add TDD Submenu to 5G GUI.

A new TDD Submenu has been added to the 5G System parameters GUI

5G technology using the OFDM technology will work with FDD or TDD depending on the frequency band used.

These bands have pre-defined to use either FDD or TDD usage. As such the definitions are below*

 5G FR1 FREQUENCY BANDS

As such we have added a new TDD parameters button, so that users can add their TDD structure

 *taken from https://www.cablefree.net/wirelesstechnology/4glte/5g-frequency-bands-lte/

5.      Add TDD Frame and pattern

The TDD frame is defined to understand how the signal is carried in the slots of the frame.

 In 5G we do not have the pre-defined notion as LTE, therefore leaving it open and flexible for the user.

 Under the new TDD Parameter tab we have added the option to add the TDD frame using symbols OR using parameters as per 3GPP

In addition, we have added the option to add pattern 2. Allowing additional scheduling flexibility where pattern 2 is included in the network.

6.      5G TDD Menu respects the special Slot configuration.

The special slot in the 5G TDD frame , is the flexible slot, which can be UL or DL as per requirement of user

This is also used to handle the guard period in 5G as such we do not allow removal but edit to it

7.      5G studies run only on 5G defined sectors.

The behavior has been changed so that only 5G defined sectors will be used for studies, no generic sectors will be used. Allowing to model many technologies overlaid in the network.

8.      SS-SINR study

A new SS-SINR study has been added to the 5G module. This is the secondary synchronization Signal to noise an interference ratio

As per 3GPP  It is defined as the linear average over the power contribution (in Watts) of the resource elements carrying secondary synchronization signals divided by the linear average of the noise and interference power contribution (in Watts) over the resource elements carrying secondary synchronization signals within the same frequency bandwidth.

9.      RAN Node Tab in System Parameters

A new RANNode Tab is added to the 5G system parameter tab. This will now bring the functionality to set up per sector settings for 5G NR

This opens the RAN Node GUI

10. New Excel Workbook in RAN NODE

To enable the best user, experience a new workbook is provided to set up the 5G NR network. This will allow per site/sector settings.

Thus, allowing the user to plan the network for the different scenarios and deployment cases.

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 setting emulating the field for the most accurate design

The excel includes the following tabs

• Introduction

• Site

• Sector

• Technology

• CQI- UL

• CQI-DL

• TDD frame

11. Blank entries to use SP 5G system parameters.

In cases where the user does not need to set each sector individually there is the option to use the system parameters where it is globally applied to these sectors for faster set up and planning

12. Validation of excel parameters.

The Excel workbook will run validation to ensure sanity before running the studies. Providing the user the ability to change and correct any errors

13. Added new 5G template.

A new template will be provided as a guide to the user to start the insertion of data alleviating any guess work. This will be saved to the users location of choice and can be sharable across projects

14. CA aggregation to XL

Carrier Aggregation, a powerful technology that allows the UE maximum throughput allowable and best user experience.

Allowing the operators to make use of all fragmented spectrum, CA becomes an important technology to leverage all purchased spectrum across the multiple bands

Initially introduced with LTE, that quickly became an industry standard. Carrier aggregation is very much needed in 5G to meet promised use cases of data rates, but also to work from low to high band scenarios.

We have added CA in SignalPro, In the new RAN Node workbook under the gNodeB and within the Mobile unit

User can enter the CA combination as per 3GPP format, this then will be used when the system is simulated for  CA conditions.

15. CA studies for aggregation throughput

New CA studies for the aggregated throughput received by UEs  at the location they are in. This provides the throughput received at CA conditions for the UEs with CA capabilities

16. CA on UE GUI

Each UE has its own unique capabilities, dependent on the vendor. One of which is the Carrier aggregation it can work on.

To emulate real network conditions, we have added the CA capabilities on UE devices. Found under the mobile unit, a new entry where user can add the CA combos supported for that UE, for example the CA for Iphone 10 and CA for Samsung S20 in USA vs Asia

17. Studies for different UE types on CA

New studies have been added to show the different UE types and their CA coverage. This study will provide information of which UEs are able to receive CA in the right condition for higher data rates and which UEs have a better CA coverage over the other.

In the study details user can select the different UE types and new studies to run the heat map comparison