Configuring Sectors in the RAN Node (5G )

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 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 varies on area, demographics, equipment and use case. Whether small cell urban to large macro in suburban, each sector needs to be modeled with the correct link budget emulating the real network for the most accurate design.

To cater to these various cases, EDX allows the user to allocate the system profiles per sector as required.

There are many methods in bringing one's 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 Workbook 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.

1. Open 5G Networks Dialog → RAN Import

Open

This will open the 5G Import GUI.

2. 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.

Open

3. 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.

5. RAN Node File - Sectors

This tab will be used to define 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

6. 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

Note - these settings are not mandatory to the import of the network

7. 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

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.

9. 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.