Implementing New LTE GUI Dimensioning Tool

Abstract

The research area of mobile network has increased rapidly due to the new technologies in this field. In the RNP (radio network planning), the dimensioning of LTE (long term evolution) radio access network is a very important and critical process to get the required network performance and optimal cost. The planning and dimensioning simulation tools play an important role to select the optimal parameters values. A simulation dimensioning tool is introduced with GUI using MATLAB programs to represent mathematical formulas of LTE planning. The purpose of designing new tool is to be aware of the concept of planning, steps, different parameters and calculations used to understand planning better. A dimensioning tool that makes use of the link budget for cell coverage should be used, where a system level simulator may be used for the best estimation of capacity which is an input for the tool. The tool determines the cell range using coverage analysis. Then a capacity analysis is performed for capacity requirements. At the end the cell radius, throughput and the number of sites are determined. In this paper, a detailed LTE radio network planning procedure has been clearly presented which concentrates on coverage and capacity estimations. The tool is capable of dimensioning LTE network to give the number of sites of the base stations needed to cover a certain area. The simulator results are verified by other simulation tool (ATOLL simulation) which gives the same results as the new simulator tool.