Dimensioning Tool for 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) Radio Access Network

Abstract

LTE networks are intended to bridge the functional data exchange gap between very high data rate fixed WLANs and very high mobility cellular networks. For LTE network to experience its full functional capabilities it must be well-planned and deployed effectively. The dimensioning phase which comprises of two fundamental processes namely the coverage planning and the capacity planning is a very crucial step in the deployment of any LTE network. However, it is difficult to come out with a clear model of the coverage and capacity planning and research works are still going on to improve these aspects. In view of this problem, this paper aim at assessing different ways of achieving coverage and capacity planning in LTE network by developing and analytical model based on link budget calculation. The model is later implemented with Visual Basic software as a dimensioning tool named “LTE Smart Planner”. The software was first assessed against some manual data in order to prove its effectiveness. The software was further tested against existing tools like Nokia Siemens Network Dim tool (NSN Dimtool) using the COST 231 HATA propagation model. In all it appears that the LTE Smart Planner is very effective and ease the task of coverage and capacity planning of LTE network by providing a very simple and user-friendly programming environment to the user. However some differences were observed in the results of the LTE Smart Planner as compared to the NSN Dimtool and these were due to the differences in the method used to estimate thermal noise. These differences were much felt for dense urban and urban area.