Network Planning Basics

Siemens

Network Planning Basics

Contents
1
2
3

First Steps & Factors affecting Network Planning

Cellular Networks and Frequency Reuse
Example of Network Optimization

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Network Planning Basics

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Network Planning Basics

First Steps & Factors affecting Network

Planning

Network Planning

First Steps and Factors affecting Network Planning

Fig. 1

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Network Planning Basics

Introduction
Nowadays the end users of a mobile network consider seamless coverage all over
the country as an obvious and fundamental feature of a cellular network. Cellular
network operators will try to offer their services in every spot where a customer could
wish to access them. Nevertheless still end users may experience total, partial or
temporary lack of coverage in certain areas. There are several factors influencing
how operators implement their networks and the resulting coverage is a compromise
between those factors.
The very first step in the Network planning process is studying the topographical
configuration of the territory. Local regulations and laws need to be known.
Numbering and addressing plans must be evaluated and developed. For an efficient
transmission planning existing networks and their substructure shall be considered.
In particular the connection points to the PSTN, the possible existing lines that could
be leased and the available microwave frequencies.
Furthermore statistical information are also necessary to determine the possible
density of traffic of an area. Inhabitants of areas having similar population density
could behave in very different ways in use of mobile phones according to their
average income, education, and acceptance of technology. This kind of information
must be very accurate and up to date and usually are retrieved from specialized third
party geographical and statistical institutes.
Finally the future expansion plans of the network must be considered including
possible new services.
Once the expected traffic density and the existing substructure have been evaluated
a CAD system for radio network planning is used and the MSC, BSC and BTS sites
are determined. Of course the locations need to be visited to verify if they are suitable
for mounting the necessary equipment.
Siemens has a several years long experience in network planning with the Unix
based tool Tornado.

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Network Planning Basics

Introduction
Very first steps
Studying the topographical maps,
the relative statistical relevant informations,
local regulations and laws,
existing networks and numbering plans
future expansion plans

Transmission
Planning
connection points to
the PSTN

possible leased lines

frequencies available
for microwave links

Network
Planning
evaluation of
expected traffic
density
use of CAD network
planning tool
(Tornado)
determination of
suitable MSC, BSC,
BTS sites

Fig. 2

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Network Planning Basics

Topography
Networks operating on a national level are divided by location into servicing areas,
so-called cells, in which a Base Transceiver Station BTS supplies the mobile
subscribers of the area concerned. The cells represent the smallest service area in
the PLMN network.
A big number of cells ensure service of the total PLMN service area. The cells are
theoretically arranged in a so-called honeycomb pattern. Adaptations to the
population/ traffic density and the topography of the service area lead to a more
irregular pattern. In a deserted flat area, as for example a salt lake, the radio network
planning is mainly a geometry exercise: what is the minimum number (base stations
have a cost!) of circular cells of a certain radius required for completely covering the
area without leaving holes?
Things become more complicated if we introduce obstacles as for Example
Mountains or forests, shadowing our transmitted signal. The area covered by the
base station will not be circular anymore, forcing us to deal with a more complicated
coverage patterns. Some rocky mountain walls, some lakes, or the sea in coastal
areas could reflect our signal introducing additional factors to be considered.
Finally some areas could be more densely populated, having a higher density of
traffic. It will be seen in this chapter how the higher the traffic density, the smaller the
cell area since a limited number of HF channels can only cope with a limited traffic
volume. This can be carried out via a reduction of the cell radius or by dividing the
cells into sectors, complicating our pattern even more.
The presence of major streets and bridges also can influence dimensioning and
shape of cells in the network.
Unfortunately it is not always possible placing the BTS on that ideal spot calculated
with the network planning tool, not all rooftops can carry the weight of a base station
or have enough place. Sometimes local administrations could also deny the
permission for mounting a site. This is why in our urban areas we may discover some
rooftops populated by base stations and antennas of more than one or all of the local
operators. That is probably the only place suitable for a BTS in that area where it is
permitted to place base stations, too.

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Network Planning Basics

Topography
Relevant
Topographical
Factors
obstacles
(mountains,forests,...)
reflections (mountain
walls, water...)
traffic density
(population density)
streets, bridges
local regulations

Fig. 3

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Network Planning Basics

Financial Aspects
To guarantee a GSM coverage aiming to 100% of the population, in a country like
Germany more than 35000 base stations are needed. A big investment is necessary
if we consider that apart from the cost of a base station, each site needs:
l

an engineers evaluation for suitability to understand if there are all of the

necessary stability and security conditions on the ground or rooftop to mount a
base station and eventually a mast for the antennas,

a local administration permission, which sometimes can be obtained only after

some expenses or a longer legal dispute, or in some cases can result in the
payment of a fee if totally or partially ignored,

sometimes a compensation payment to the owner of the ground or rooftop, also

here it is not unusual that some mediation skills are required,

cables for power supply which must be pulled to the site and wired respecting the
local security regulations

cables or radio links for transmission, which need specialized mounting and
commissioning

antennas and power amplifiers

specialized workers to mount the site

In the densely populated and economically strong urban areas this kind of
investments is easily recovered, this is the reason why network operators always
start implementing their networks there. In these areas operators know that investing
in capacity of the network and in quality of services translates into revenue.
In the deserted salt lake area of our previous example, radio network planning maybe
easy and also relatively cheap, but the amount of traffic is too low to make the
investment financially viable. In these areas the operator will in any case lose money.
Nevertheless the operator probably will cover that area because he must cover a
minimum percentage of the countrys area according to his frequency licensing
agreement with the local government. Once this percentage of territory is reached
only the economically less interesting areas will be left with no coverage at all.

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Financial Aspects
cost of the base station
engineers evaluation of the area
local administration permission
compensation to ground owner
cablings (power, transmission)
specialized workers

Fig. 4

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Network Planning Basics

Quality of Service
We shall distinguish between quality of service (QOS) perceived by the end user and
QOS from the network operators point of view.
The QOS perceived by the end user can be defined as the difference between the
service the user expects and the service he actually gets. The perceived quality of
service will determine the degree of satisfaction of the end user and his loyalty to the
network operator. So quality of service is a fundamental factor for the long-term
success of an operator.
From the point of view of the operator quality of service means principally two things:
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Providing all the services promised to the customer by allocating a sufficient

number of resources to satisfy all the requests. There can be exceptions as for
example available traffic channels on new years day, or coverage in nearly
unpopulated areas. The permanent costs for providing the service is in this cases
very often far beyond the benefits. In any case customers have lower expectations
in this occasions and the perceived QOS is not much influenced.

End user friendliness with an easy to access customer hotline service. Employees
being contacted by the customer shall transmit interest for the end user questions,
courtesy and knowledge, providing an immediate and, if necessary, individual
response.

Quality of service results a compromise between wanting to satisfy the end user and
on the other hand to save costs. During the phase of network planning the desired
QOS to be provided will be a fundamental factor for deciding the amount of material
and human resources to employ.

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Network Planning Basics

Quality of Service
User:
Difference
between
expected and
reiceived
service
Determines
user
satisfaction
and loyalty

Operator:
Provide all
promised
services
User
friendliness
with efficient
customer
hotline

Fig. 5

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Network Planning Basics

Erlang Tables
An important aspect of quality of service is the so-called grade of service. The grade
of services is usually indicated as a percentage number. A grade of service of 3 %
means that during a certain monitoring period 3 phone call attempts out of 100 failed
due to lack of available traffic channels.
Once an operator has decided what kind of grade of service he wants to offer, the
question reduces to how many traffic channels (TCH) or time slots are necessary to
provide it. This is a typical dimensioning problem. Here the previously mentioned
statistical studies come into action. A statistical evaluation of the amount of traffic is
needed. The unit of measurement of this quantity is called the Erlang and is
calculated by using the following formula:

n Erlangs =

[ (number of phone calls) x (average conversation time) ]

(time in seconds)

A certain monitored area could present during a period of 24 hours for example 3600
calls with average duration of 120 seconds. The traffic in that area measured in
Erlangs would result:
3600 x 120
= 5 Erlangs
24 x 3600

Now the Erlang tables are used, on the column corresponding to the desired grade of
service e.g. 3% we look for a value major than 5 Erlang, it results to be 5.53,
corresponding to 10 TCH or time slots. This means that being there 8 time slots in
one frequency, we need to allocate two frequencies in that area.
Of course during 24 hours the amount of traffic will fluctuate very much, and during
peak hours these resources could be insufficient, this is why more accurate
measurements during different time intervals over the day are necessary.

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Network Planning Basics

Erlang tables

Channels:
number of
time slots
necessary for
providing the
desired grade
of service

C h an n e l s
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
. ... ...

1 %
0 .0 1
0 .1 5
0 .4 6
0 .8 7
1 .3 6
1 .9 1
2 .5
3 .1 3
3 .7 8
4 .4 6
5 .1 6
5 .8 8
6 .6 1
7 .3 5
8 .1 1
8 .8 8
9 .6 5
1 0. 4
1 1. 2
12
1 2. 8
1 3. 7
1 4. 5
1 5. 3
1 6. 1
17
1 7. 8
1 8. 6
1 9. 5
2 0. 3
... ... .

2 %
0 .0 2
0 .2 2
0 .6
1 .0 9
1 .6 6
2 .2 8
2 .9 4
3 .6 3
4 .3 4
5 .0 8
5 .8 4
6 .6 1
7 .4
8 .2 0
9 .0 1
9 .8 3
1 0 .7
1 1 .5
1 2 .3
1 3 .2
14
1 4 .9
1 5 .8
1 6 .6
1 7 .5
1 8 .4
1 9 .3
2 0 .2
21
2 1 .9
. .... ..

3 %
0 .0 3
0 .3 8
0 .7 3
1 .2 6
1 .8 8
2 .5 4
3 .2 5
3 .9 9
4 .7 5
5 .5 3
6 .3 3
7 .1 4
7 .9 7
8 .8 0
9 .6 5
1 0. 5
1 1. 4
1 2. 2
1 3. 1
14
1 4. 9
1 5. 8
1 6. 7
1 7. 6
1 8. 5
1 9. 4
2 0. 3
2 1. 2
2 2. 1
2 3. 1
... .... .

. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ...
. .... ....

Grade of
service: 3%
=> 3 out of
100 call
attempts fail

Elangs

[ (number of phone calls) x (average conversation time) ]

n Erlangs = --------------------------------------------------------------------------------(time in seconds)

Fig. 6

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Network Planning Basics

Cellular Networks and Frequency Reuse

Network Planning

Cellular Networks and Frequency Reuse

Fig. 7

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Network Planning Basics

Cellular Network
In order to guarantee a seamless coverage, in a cellular network the service areas of
the individual cells partially overlap. As a consequence, if the same frequency is used
in these overlapping areas, interferences between neighboring cells will occur. The
subscribers mobile stations will not be able to distinguish the different signals
reaching that area from different base stations. For this reason all cells surrounding
one cell in the cell structure must use frequencies differing from those used in the
one central cell.
Frequency channels are a limited resource, each operator has only a limited number
of channels, so there cannot be used different channels in all cells over the whole
network. For these reason cellular networks are commonly organized according to
the principle of cellular systems, frequency re-use. Examples of cellular networks not
using frequency re-use are the IS-95 and the UMTS network. They are CDMA
networks, where cells are distinguished by codes and not by frequency.
In GSM the narrow available frequency range is divided into individual frequencies
(channels). Only some of these channels are used in a certain cell, the remaining
channels are used in the adjacent cells. The same frequency is used again in cells,
which are sufficiently far apart from each other to avoid inter-channel interference.
This means that any area can be covered and thus an enormous increase in network
capacity can be achieved with a small supply of channel frequencies.

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Network Planning Basics

Principle:

The Cellular
Network

channels
x,y, z

cha nnels
u, v, w

~4r

co-ch annel int erference zone

= cluster area

ch annels

x,y, z

Principle:

Ma ny cells (BTS)
Ful l coverage
Partia l overlap of cel ls
Distributio n of frequency r esources
Only a few fr equencies per cell

Solution:

r = cell ra dius
(cell parameter)

Frequency re-use
re-use distance
for HF channel fr equen cy
cell,
radio cell

re-use distance
for
HF c hannel frequency

Fig. 8

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Network Planning Basics

Cluster
A certain minimum distance must be maintained between cells using the same
frequencies in order to prevent interference or at least keep it to a bare minimum.
This minimum distance, the so-called frequency re-use distance, depends on the
concrete network planning and corresponds to approximately 4 times the cell radius.
On this principle, the available channels can be divided e.g. into 7 parts and
distributed over the PLMN area in such a way that each cell contains one of these 7
sets of frequency channels. The minimum area in which the whole range of HF
channels are used is described as a cluster. Planning a concrete network implies that
the population/traffic density, the topography of the area to be supplied, etc. must be
taken into account.
The honeycomb structure represented here would apply to the deserted flat area of
our example only, in real life frequency planning is such a difficult matter that in any
case a sophisticated network planning software is needed.

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The Cellular Network / Principles of Network Planning

Frequency re-use distance: avoid inter-channel interferences

Cluster: smallest domain within which all frequency resource is used
(GSM900: typ. 7/9 cells)
Network planning: difficult
Fig. 9

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Network Planning Basics

Cell Size
The size and shape of the cell depend on:
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The range of the MS radio contact (MS output peak power); topography (e.g.
mountains, buildings, vegetation etc) and climate play a role here.

Traffic density

The maximum radius of a cell broadcast channel is 35 km in the GSM900 system, 8

km in the GSM1800 system. The possibility of setting up "extended range cells" with
a radius of up to 100 km has been integrated into GSM Phase 2+ for GSM900
systems. This should allow coverage of sparsely populated areas and especially
coastal regions. The extended cell concept results in a reduced capacity.
Transmit power is limited for higher traffic densities in order to achieve a high degree
of re-use of frequencies over smaller cells: The size of clusters is inversely
proportional to the capacity of the radio system.
Cell Coverage
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Omni Cells: The BTS is equipped with omni-directional antennae and serves a
360 angle.

Sector Cells: The BTS supplies the cells with directional antennae. The cell shape
is a circular segment. Sectors of e.g. 180 or 120 but also 60 are covered.

Omnicells are often employed in the countryside or in general in areas with a low
traffic density.
180 sector cells are usually employed along major communication roads as
highways or urban thoroughfares.
120 sector cells are typical for urban areas
60 sector cells have been developed for extreme traffic situations as for example
urban hotspots like railway stations or particular indoor solutions.

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Network Planning Basics

Cell Size and Coverage

GSM 1800: 8km

GSM 900: 35km (100 km)

360 omnicell
countryside
deserted and coastal areas (100 km)

180 sector cell

120 sector cell

60 sector cell

along roads

urban areas

areas with dense traffic

hotspots (e.g. railway
stations)

Fig. 10

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Network Planning Basics

Hierarchical Cellular Structures

A Hierarchical Cell Concept (Rec. 05.22) is planned for towns, with an extremely high
density of mobile subscribers.
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Macro-Cell: The "normal" cells are called Macro Cells. They have ranges from
approximately one km to several (extended cell concept: 100 km).

Micro Cell: Typical urban cell. Sometimes used in restricted areas with very high
mobile user density, e.g. shopping malls, railway and subway stations, airport
terminals. Their radius ranges from some 100 meters to approximately 1 km.

Pico Cell: Cells for the support of indoor applications, e.g. offices. Their range
should be several 10m.

Velocity dependent Handover are necessary in the Hierarchical Cellular Structures.

A macro cell superimposed to an existing network structure such that it covers a
certain number of cells is commonly appealed as umbrella cell. Umbrella cells are
hierarchically floating above the network and can be used as a traffic buffer for urban
network cells. In case of a traffic overflow in one or more cells, some running traffic
connection can be handed over to the umbrella cell so that the exceeding connection
requests can be accepted by the hierarchically lower cell.
A Pico cell can be implanted inside a hierarchically lower position in a micro or macro
cell. This is typically done in high traffic density locations where a micro cell is not
sufficient for handling all the connection requests. This kind of implantation can also
be temporary, by using mobile base stations. A typical example could be the
Oktoberfest, where for a limited period the amount of traffic rises dramatically in a
restricted area. After that period the mobile base station are uninstalled again.

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Network Planning Basics

Hierarchical Cellular Structures

A macro cell
as umbrella
cell over
several
micro cells
(traffic buffer)

Hierarchical Cellular Concept:

Macro cells: min. 500 m
Micro cells: some 100 m
Pico cells: some 10 m
speed-dependent allocation

A pico cell
inside a
micro cell
(hotspots)

Fig. 11

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Network Planning Basics

BSS Transmission Planning

Connecting a base station to the local BSC may become a challenging task in certain
areas. The necessary bandwidth must be estimated, and then a convenient
transmission line must be determined. In urban areas microwave links with directional
antennae are very popular as an alternative to leased lines but, for example, they
have a poor performance in areas characterized by frequent heavy rainfalls or their
use in certain areas is forbidden by local regulations. In some very particular cases
as for example in deserts, also satellite connections are used.
When connecting all base stations of one area to a BSC, several possible
configurations can be chosen:
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Star: All base stations are connected one by one to the BSC

Multidrop Chain: One base station is connected to the BSC and all the other base
stations are connected one to another forming a chain. This configuration is used
mainly for road coverage and helps saving on connection lines. Connecting the
same base stations with a star configuration would be much more expensive.

Loop: Similar to the multidrop chain, but with the particularity that the chain ends
at the BSC again. This configuration is safer than the multidrop chain. If in the
multidrop chain one link is down all of the following base stations in the chain will
be disconnected and the traffic lost. With the loop, those base stations will be still
connected to the BSC on the other end and the traffic will not be lost.

Redundant: Same as Star, but with loop advantage. For very important sites.

Cross Connect: A hub or similar cross-connect equipment can be integrated at

the BTS site to allow the connection of more base stations over that one site.

Multidrop Loop: Another possible use of cross-connect equipments, with loop

advantages.

All combinations of this configurations are possible.

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Network Planning Basics

BSS Transmission Planning

Star

Redundant

Loop

BSC

leased lines
microwave links
satellite

Crossconnect
Multidrop chain

Multidrop
Loop

Fig. 12

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Example of Network Optimization

Network Planning

Examples of Network Optimization

Fig. 13

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Network Planning Basics

Change of Initial Conditions

A network is always planned and then rolled out using topographical maps, statistical
information and local regulations that are in a certain sense a photography of the
actual situation. Some forecasts can be done on how the given situation will develop
in time and a network shall be always planned in such a way that it can easily adapt
to the changing conditions. Nevertheless sudden changes in habits of population and
related traffic densities in well restricted areas are quite common and operators are
constantly forced to re-plan parts of their networks. Here some examples are listed in
which additional base stations must be placed and integrated. The whole network
planning process must be repeated for that area. A certain number of frequencies
must be employed and carefully chosen according to the actual frequency reuse
patterns of that area, lines must be leased for BSC connections, available microwave
frequencies found etc. etc.
l

Nightlife changes in unpredictable ways, masses of people may in few weeks

abandon completely certain facilities crowding some others simply following the
wave of fashion.

Changes in local urban regulations or long term street maintenance works can
influence traffic flows heavily, urban thoroughfares can change from one day to the
other from characterized by constant traffic jams (dense phone traffic, relatively
few handovers) to fast flowing (low phone traffic, relatively frequent handovers) or
vice-versa

It is not unusual that new shopping malls are opened in almost deserted areas in
the outskirts of urban conglomerates creating a confluence of customers towards
areas previously of low interest

For these reasons network monitoring tools have been developed, able to provide
cell by cell performance and quality of service information. These tools are commonly
included in the OMC-B for the Base Station Subsystem and in the OMC-S for the
Network Switching Subsystem.

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Network Planning Basics

Change of Initial Conditions

fashion & nightlife

changed city traffic
new shopping malls

network monitoring tools are needed

network planning process must be repeated

Fig. 14

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Network Planning Basics

Canyoning
Optimization of a cellular network means improving the efficiency of an existing
situation and very often results in tangible economical benefits for the network
operator. Network monitoring information are compared with the results of field
measurements performed in the area to be optimized. These measurements may be
of various nature (power, direction of arrival, polarization, etc. etc.) depending on the
particular environment and require professional tools and well trained personnel.
A typical example of how misleading network monitoring information can be if not
compared to adequate field measurements is the phenomenon of street canyon
scattering or more simply canyoning. A cell can assume undesired propagation
shapes modeled on the surrounding environment, these shapes are highly influenced
by how the antennas are directioned, both in the horizontal and in the vertical sense.
The example presented shows how in a given urban environment the actual
propagation shapes of two cells A and B can differ very much from the intentions of
the network planner. Cell A has to cover part of Square 1. Cell B has to cover Street
2. The network monitoring tool will report traffic statistics related to the cells A and B
associating them to the supposed coverage areas (Intention of the network planner).
The output information at this point will be that cell A presents a much higher traffic
density than expected and needs additional capacity. Cell B has almost no traffic and
seems to have been over-dimensioned. More money needs to be invested in cell A,
for supporting additional frequencies and larger transmission means. The initial
investments on cell B are nearly wasted.
At a more detailed analysis (actual situation revealed by measurements) a strong
canyoning effect is detected. The cell A has a shape such to cover greatest part of
the area cell B had to cover. Almost all users in Street 2 use cell A instead of B. In
lucky cases adjusting the mounting angle of the antennae of cell A and B, can
drastically reduce canyoning of cell A, and improve the efficiency of cell B.

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Network Planning Basics

A
Square 1

Canyoning
Network monitoring tool:
cell A presents unexpected high density
cell B is almost unused

Street 2

B
Try network
optimization
Intention of the network planner

B
Actual situation revealed by measurements

OR

The angles of the

antennae of cell A
and B are slightly
changed so to
reduce cell A
canyoning and
better
approximate the
intention of the
network planner
use cell B
efficiently
no further
expenses needed

Invest in capacity
expansion of A

equipment
transmission
means

A is
overdimensioned
B is still unused

Fig. 15

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Network Planning Basics

Handover Margins
The handover procedure is of extreme importance for the correct functioning of a
cellular network. For this reason it is standardized very in detail in the ETSI
recommendations. This doesnt mean that there is no possibility of optimization of
handovers. For example the algorithm used by the BSC together with the received
measurement reports to take the handover decision is completely in the hands of
network developers and can change deeply depending on the network parameters
and the state of the art in network measurement technologies. One of the editable
parameters in these algorithms is the handover margin.
During a conversation the mobile station measures the RXLEV of its serving BTS and
that one of the neighboring ones, the delta between those is constantly calculated by
the BSC. As the mobile moves on the neighboring signal will become stronger until it
is bigger than that of the serving cell. The delta is now considered negative and when
it reaches a certain threshold the handover is performed, that threshold is,
simplifying, the handover margin. If a handover margin is set too low, a Ping-Pong
effect can occur, the handover will be performed in a very restricted area between the
two BTSs, and the probability of being re-handovered back is high. On the other
hand too high handover margins will cause the BSC to perform the handover when
the connection quality is already very poor, or in worst case the connection has
already dropped.
Power is the quantity used for the measurement, but quality of service is what the
operator wants to preserve. The handover margin must be placed in any case within
the limits of an acceptable (according to the operators market and traffic strategy)
quality of service. These limit is defined as lower threshold in the handover process
and represents the strength level at which the connection reaches the lowest quality
allowed.
The handover margin values can be very different from area to area, and an
optimization of them helps increasing:
l

the network efficiency avoiding unnecessary Ping-Pong signaling

the QOS perceived by the end users by performing timely handovers.

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Network Planning Basics

Handover Margins
(moving from A to B)
range for
handover
margins

signal strenght

highest
handover
margin allowed

=0
A

B
lower threshold

distance

Fig. 16

TM2100EU03TM_0001
2002 Siemens AG

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Network Planning Basics

Frequency Hopping
Frequency Hopping means to change the frequency used for transmission is
consequently changed every TDMA frame following a certain frequency hopping
algorithm. The Time Slot of the physical channel is still fixed.
The logic behind frequency hopping is to guarantee that all channels have the same
high degree of transmission quality by dividing possible short term interference over
all channels of the cell.
So a narrow-band interference does not disrupt the total transmission on one carrier,
i.e. on one frequency band, because the transmission is hopping from TDMA frame
to TDMA frame to other frequencies.
Nevertheless, now interference occurs for all the carrier of the cell from time to time
when transmitting on the disturbed frequency band. But this can be compensated in
GSM, because in classical GSM there is always redundancy on the transmitted data.
The redundant information is delivered in the next TS of the succeeding TDMA
frame, i.e. on another frequency (which is not disturbed).
Frequency hopping is optional in GSM. It is on the PLMN operators decision to use
frequency hopping or not. Frequency hopping significantly improves the quality /
reliability of transmission.
The time slot transmitting the Broadcast Control Channel BCCH (carrying information
necessary for MS synchronization to the network) does not participate in frequency
hopping.
Frequency hopping is done in the MS and BS, managed from the BSC. The
frequency hopping algorithm can be configured from an OMC.

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2002 Siemens AG

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Network Planning Basics

Frequency Hopping

Compensation of
narrow-band interference
stable & reliable transmission
(redundant bits on different TDMA frames)

RFC 1

RFC2

RFC 3

RFC 4

RFC 5
TCH

f rame 0

frame 1

f rame 2

frame 3

frame 4

f rame 5

Fig. 17

TM2100EU03TM_0001
2002 Siemens AG

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Network Planning Basics

TM2100EU03TM_0001
2002 Siemens AG