3G Network Optimisation Software Leads to Fewer Base Stations

Symena announced results from its UMTS network optimization development project. The purpose of the project is to find techniques for optimizing the performance of UMTS networks. The first objective was to improve performance of readily available conventional Node B and antenna technologies. In the second part, the optimal number of Smart Antennas was incorporated into the infrastructure mix. The results indicate that the performance of conventional networks can be improved by as much as 35%without increased investment in hardware. When the best number of Smart Antennas is deployed in the best locations, performance is improved by 90% with no new sites. The improved performance can be taken as either a reduction in the number of cells required or as increased capacity.

Results were obtained using the geography of a major European city with 75 cells based on existing sites. The starting parameters of each base station were set according to manufacturer's recommendations and standard practice. Using propagation data imported from a popular UMTS planning tool, it was then determined how many users could be served with a Service Probability of 95%. Using the techniques developed as part of this project, the optimal configuration of an "all- conventional " network was found. The best arrangement could accommodate 35% more users at the same Service Probability.

The optimal number of Smart Antennas was then deployed in the original network. It was found that 90% more users could be served with 95% Service Probability with the original number of cells and a Smart Antenna penetration of about 50%. To achieve this result with and all-conventional network required 50% more base stations. Over a 10 year predicted life for the network this represented a 60% saving in capital and operational expenses over an all-conventional network. This was achieved without optimizing the parameters of the Smart Antennas. Further improvements are expected when this is done. Technology to allow deployment and optimization of Smart Antennas is now being finalized.

The results indicate that the performance of UMTS networks can be boosted to serve increased customer demand without the acquisition of additional antenna sites. Changes in environmental and political attitudes since the rollout of GSM networks have made it increasingly difficult to obtain new base station sites. This sort of boost in coverage will be required if UMTS is to deliver on its promise of high data rates.

Symena CEO Dr Thomas Neubauer said, "The project demonstrates that operators can improve their performance simply by accurately tuning the network 's parameters.This is great news for operators who want to reduce capital costs in the rollout of their UMTS networks.Even greater returns can be achieved by using the appropriate number of Smart Antennas."

Symena has incorporated the technology developed in this project in its Capesso network optimization software. The project is being run in close co-operation with the Mobile Communications Group of the Technical University of Vienna.'"

Posted to the site on 4th October 2002