Download - Konstantinos Halkiotis- Cosmote- Single RAN
Effectively Utilizing a Single RAN MSR/SDR Effectively Utilizing a Single RAN MSR/SDR Radio NetworkRadio Network
Dr. Konstantinos Halkiotis, Dr. Konstantinos Halkiotis, Principal EngineerPrincipal Engineer
Access & Transmission Network Dept.Access & Transmission Network Dept.
May 18May 18thth, , 20201010
Access & Transmission Network Dept.Access & Transmission Network Dept.Cosmote S.A.Cosmote S.A.
GROUPGROUP
ContentsContents
• Company Profile
• Single RAN MSR/SDR overview
• Assessing the impact of Single RAN technology on existing
GSM/UMTS networks
• Effectively optimizing network by using MSR/SDR Single RAN products
• Live Trial Results from Cosmote’s MSR/SDR trial• Live Trial Results from Cosmote’s MSR/SDR trial
• Conclusions
A pioneer & market leader on all fronts
Company Profile PresentationCompany Profile Presentation1996: Cosmote was founded from Greek PTT (OTE)
1998: Commercial Operation for GSM network
2001: Cosmote becomes the Leader Mobile Operator in Greece
2004: UMTS network Commercial Launch (June 2004)
2004: UMTS Services during 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens (1st operator
worldwide who provided UMTS services in Olympics)
2006: HSDPA commercial Launch (June 2006)
A pioneer & market leader on all fronts
2006: Commercial Launch of Globul’s UMTS/HSPA network
2007: HSPA Phase 2 (March 2007)
2008: HSPA Phase 3 (7,2 Mbps DL, 1,45 Mbps UL)
2009: HSPA+ introduction (21,6 Mbps DL, 5,76 Mbps UL)
2010: HSPA+ phase 2 & 3 (28,8 Mbps, 5,76 Mbps UL) (42,2 Mbps DL)
Cosmote Group provides GSM services in:
• Greece (Cosmote) (in operation since 1998)
• Albania (AMC) (in operation from 2001)
• Bulgaria (Globul) (in operation from 2001) and
Cosmote’s Group GSM/GPRS NetworksCosmote’s Group GSM/GPRS Networks
• Romania (Cosmote Romania) (in operation from 2005)
Cosmote Group has more than 21 million customers
• Cosmote provides UMTS services in Greece (since 2004) and Bulgaria (Globul)
since 2006.
• Cosmote Group provided HSPA services in Greece (7,2 Mbps DL / 1,45 Mbps
UL) and Bulgaria (1,45 Mbps UL / 3,6 Mbps DL). In addition HSDPA 7,2 Mbps
service is offered in Sofia region for Globul
• Cosmote Group offers HSPA+ 28,8 Mbps services in Capital and Major cities of
Cosmote Group UMTS NetworksCosmote Group UMTS Networks
Greece.
• Cosmote Group is providing UMTS services (including HSPA+) in Romania
since 2010
Single RAN OverviewSingle RAN Overview
Mobile Operators arecurrently running two ormore technologies on theiraccess networkLTE introduction will leadto three access networklayers
Disadvantages
�Increased CAPEX�Increased CAPEXDifferent infrastructures needed,individual system deployment,more resources required
�Increased OPEXSeparate system operation,increased power consumption,increased transmission cost
�Network Complexity
�Maintenance Difficulties
SDR/MSR technology overviewSDR/MSR technology overview
A software-defined radio (SDR)system, or Multistandard Radio (MSR),
is a Base Station characterized by the ability of its receiver and transmitter
to process two or more carriers in common active RF components
simultaneously in a declared RF bandwidth, where at least one carrier is of
a different RAT than the other carrier(s) (3GPP Specifications – TR.37.900)
While the concept of SDR is not new, the rapidly evolving capabilities of
digital electronics are making practical many processes that were once only
theoretically possible.
In very simple terms, a single Base Station will be able to simultaneously
transmit different radio access technologies from a single unit at the same
frequency band.
SDR/MSR technology overviewSDR/MSR technology overview
�In December 2009 ETSI & 3GPP published TR 37.900 (v.1.0.0), where
RF requirements for Multicarrier and MultiRAB BS are described
�Compared to traditional networks MSR/SDR BS uses the same base
band and the same RF part (in same frequency) to serve different RAT.
Also common BSC/RNC is usedAlso common BSC/RNC is used
�There is no difference in Core Network (for existing technologies)
�RRC protocol extensions remain unchanged compared to traditional
GSM / UMTS networks
Single RAN / SDR / MSR Access Mobile Networks OverviewSingle RAN / SDR / MSR Access Mobile Networks Overview
�With SDR functionality all technologies are supported by the same base
band part and what will be transmitted per cell could be tuned by software
(with no additional HW) by only using dual mode RF units per site.
�In this way the operator could tune every time frame what would be
transmitted on air (how many GSM TRXs, how many UMTS carriers, transmitted on air (how many GSM TRXs, how many UMTS carriers,
what power for each one of these, etc.) without adding extra HW or
visiting the site.
�All actions could take place from operator’s NMS.
Single RAN / SDR / MSR Access Mobile Networks OverviewSingle RAN / SDR / MSR Access Mobile Networks Overview
CurrentSingle RAN / SDR
CurrentSingle RAN / SDR
Cost Saving with multi mode BTS and BSCsCost Saving with multi mode BTS and BSCs
Equipment cost saving, TCO savings, site rental savings, power consumptionsavings, installation savings, engineering cost savings, etc.
Assessing the impact of Single RAN technology on existing GSM/UMTS networks
GSM and UMTS technologies are now used by mobile operators
The introduction of UMTS increased to TCO for operators
As soon as LTE will become to market then a mobile operator will
be obligated to operate 3 different technologies in parallel
TCO will be further increased if network deployment will be based on traditional network architecture
Assessing the impact of Single RAN technology on existing GSM/UMTS networks
Single RAN technology will simplify network installations
GSM and UMTS will be served by the same base stations and controller,
while future upgrade to LTE could be done only by SW (if it operates in
the same frequency)
SDR / MSR network overview SDR / MSR network overview Looking advantages and challenges of SDR RANLooking advantages and challenges of SDR RAN
Compared to traditional GSM/UMTS networks deploying SDR technology
offers great advantages.
Operators have three key reasons for introducing SDR technology:
��ReducingReducing thethe costcost ofof rollingrolling outout existingexisting && newnew technologytechnology networksnetworks��ReducingReducing thethe costcost ofof rollingrolling outout existingexisting && newnew technologytechnology networksnetworks
(e(e..gg.. LTE)LTE) andand modernizingmodernizing existingexisting networksnetworks thatthat comecome toto endend ofof lifelife
cyclecycle
��ImprovingImproving networknetwork utilizationutilization byby remotelyremotely allocatingallocating technologiestechnologies
betweenbetween differentdifferent RATsRATs
��OPEXOPEX (power(power && backhauling)backhauling) savingssavings
MSR/SDMSR/SDRR network overview network overview Looking advantages and challenges of SDR technologyLooking advantages and challenges of SDR technology
Despite of advantages there are Despite of advantages there are A LOT OF CHALLENGESA LOT OF CHALLENGES like:like:
�� Effective Frequency refarmingEffective Frequency refarming
�� CoCo--existence between GSM / UMTS / LTE in the same bandexistence between GSM / UMTS / LTE in the same band
�� Interoperability between networks (GSM & UMTS)Interoperability between networks (GSM & UMTS)
��Reducing the cost of rolling out existing & new technologies networksReducing the cost of rolling out existing & new technologies networks
AccordingAccording toto SDRSDR theorytheory operatorsoperators willwill havehave thethe abilityability toto runrun twotwo oror moremore RANRAN
byby installinginstalling onlyonly oneone CabinetCabinet perper sitesite.. ThisThis couldcould reducereduce futurefuture networknetwork rollroll outout
costscosts byby 7070%% comparedcompared toto thethe traditionaltraditional deploymentdeployment..
AlsoAlso duedue toto thethe needneed forfor fewerfewer sites,sites, fewerfewer licenseslicenses forfor basebase stationstation installation,installation,
networknetwork RollRoll OutOut couldcould bebe fasterfaster andand withwith CAPEXCAPEX && OPEXOPEX savingssavings
Advantages of SDAdvantages of SDRR compared to traditional networkscompared to traditional networks
�� ImprovingImproving networknetwork utilizationutilization byby remotelyremotely allocatingallocating technologiestechnologies
betweenbetween differentdifferent RATsRATs
AccordingAccording toto technicaltechnical specificationsspecifications MSR/MSR/ SDRSDR networksnetworks willwill offerofferthethe samesame servicesservices byby usingusing thethe samesame basebase stations,stations, controllerscontrollers andandbackhaulingbackhauling.. TheThe operatoroperator cancan choosechoose whatwhat itit willwill bebe transmittedtransmitted ononairair viavia it’sit’s NMSNMS systemsystem.. AlsoAlso intelligentintelligent SWSW couldcould allocateallocate capacitycapacityaccordingaccording toto technologytechnology needsneeds (e(e..gg.. allocateallocate moremore powerpower toto UMTSUMTS
Advantages of SDAdvantages of SDRR compared to traditional networkscompared to traditional networks
accordingaccording toto technologytechnology needsneeds (e(e..gg.. allocateallocate moremore powerpower toto UMTSUMTSinin thethe nightnight whenwhen GSMGSM TRXsTRXs areare notnot heavilyheavily loaded)loaded)
�� OPEX (power & backhauling) savingsOPEX (power & backhauling) savings
By using MSR/SDR Base Stations power savings could be achieved By using MSR/SDR Base Stations power savings could be achieved up to 60% compared to traditional base stations. Also common up to 60% compared to traditional base stations. Also common transmission could be used (for Iub and Abis) that could transmission could be used (for Iub and Abis) that could significantly reduce OPEX neededsignificantly reduce OPEX needed
Effectively optimizing network by using MSR/SDR Single RAN Effectively optimizing network by using MSR/SDR Single RAN productsproducts
�CAPEX reduction for refarming
One potential problem is that extensive HW reconfiguration in existing GSM
network is needed in order to introduce another technology in the same
band, by serving existing GSM traffic without affecting GSM KPIs. This leads
to additional CAPEX investment.
SDR could solve this problem by just using SW to tune different network
technologiestechnologies
�GSM/UMTS/LTE network optimization
Physical optimization of three different technologies is quite complicated. With
SDR technology network could be optimally used based on each technology
traffic needs, by using SW.
�Interoperability between networks
Normally interoperability issues between GSM / UMTS / LTE networks should
be addressed. With SDR technology this problem is solved.
Theory is very promising. Theory is very promising.
What about the reality?What about the reality?
Cosmote Group Pilot Cosmote Group Pilot Network ResultsNetwork Results
Live Trial Results from Cosmote’s MSR/SDR trial
In this Trial the main scope was to evaluate Single RAN network deployment by usingBase Stations & Controllers that can support both GSM/GPRS and UMTS technologies.Also possible future proof investment (e.g. LTE functionality) were examined, in order tominimize the TCO.
Trial took place in collaboration with HuaweiHuawei TechnologiesTechnologies which was the only ofCosmote Group suppliers that has available equipment with Multi Standard Radio (MSR)functionality both HW and SW.
The scope of Trial Testing was:
�to evaluate performance and functionality of the new SDR technology at
900 MHz (base stations and RNC/BSC)
�to verify interoperability with existing GSM and UMTS 2100 MHz
networks
�to test simplicity in configuring the 2G/3G capacity of the base station and
allocating resources in different technologies.
�to test GSM/LTE functionality
Live Trial Results from Cosmote’s MSR/SDR trial
Trial was divided in two phases :
�Lab trial
�Field Trial
Lab trial took place in controlled environment where basic functionality was
tested
Field trial was taken place in a part of Cosmote Group live network (in
Bulgaria – Ihtiman region)
In addition basic LTE functionality was tested (at 1800 MHz and 900 MHz).
Field Trial Area
The field test area is located in the southeast of Sofia where Globul has two sites. One is site 2004 in the
center of town Ihtiman which has two sectors (sector one was not used in field test). The other one is site
2237 placed on a factory building. It has three sectors. The distance between them is approximate 5.3km.
� Dimensions (H*W*D): 900××××600××××450mm
� Weight: 120kg (typical), ≤ 160 kg (full configuration)
� Power consumption (S111): 500W (Typical),,,,590W (Max)
� Power: -200V AC~~~~240V AC,-48DV,20DV
� Output power: 80W ToC
� Receiver sensitivity:
� -116dBm (GSM, 2-way Rx diversity)
� -129.3dBm (UMTS, 2-way Rx diversity)
Indoor BTS3900 Specification
� -129.3dBm (UMTS, 2-way Rx diversity)
� System capability (Max):
� GSM: 36 TRX
� UMTS: 24 cells, 1536 CEs (UL/DL)
� Temperature Range: -20~~~~50℃℃℃℃
� Transmission: E1/T1/FE/GE/STM-1
� Hardware and Software ready for 64QAM, MIMO
� Advanced all IP platform
� Smooth evolution to LTE
Lab testing Results
In Lab Testing Basic functionality was tested. Among tests were the following topics
Test TopicsTest Topics
��GSM basic functionalityGSM basic functionality
��WCDMA basic functionalityWCDMA basic functionality
��GSM & UMTS concurrent GSM & UMTS concurrent
operationoperationAll tests have been All tests have been
operationoperation
��Mobility ManagementMobility Management
��Operation and MaintenanceOperation and Maintenance
��ReliabilityReliability
��Fault management & system Fault management & system
managementmanagement
��MRFU work modeMRFU work mode
All tests have been All tests have been successfully completed successfully completed
Field testing results
Field tests were including five different categories of tests:
•Delay tests,
•Mobility tests,
• Throughput tests,
•Output power tests, •Output power tests,
•GRFU/MFRU high capacity and maximum output
power tests.
SDR/MSR Functionality spectrum per MRFU at 900 MHz
2 GSM TRXs (43dBm/TRX) and 1 UMTS carrier (46dBm) co-transmitted in one mRFU
RRSCP Scanner MeSCP Scanner Meaassuurements UMTS 2100 MHzrements UMTS 2100 MHz
RRSCP Scanner MeSCP Scanner Meaassuurements UMTS 900 MHzrements UMTS 900 MHz
RSCP measurements – various spacing
Ec/Io Measurements – various spacing
RRSCP Scanner MeSCP Scanner Meaassuurements for all UMTS bandsrements for all UMTS bands
Field testing results
1.GSM/GPRS throughput
Theoretical Throughput values for GPRS services
Code type Download(Kbps) Upload(Kbps)
Throughput
CS1 32 18
CS2 48.8 24.4
CS3 57.6 28.4
CS4 80.8 40.4
GPRS Throughput Test Results
Test item Download(Kbps) Upload(Kbps)
GSM 900 Throughput 75.7 38
GSM 1800 Throughput 74.6 40.6
During the test, the code type was not fixed and the network was capable to choose the code type automatically based to radio conditions.
Field testing results
2. UMTS R99 throughput
Huawei MFRU module can support five types of bandwidth, 5 MHz, 4.8 MHz, 4.6 MHz , 4.4 MHz and 4.2 MHz . During the field tests 5 MHz, 4.6 MHz and 4.2 MHz were used . Average throughput recoded was 383.5 Kbps.
Test item Bandwidth Average throughput(Kbps)
UMTS900
BW:5MHZ 383.4
BW:4.6MHZ 383
BW:4.2MHZ 383.2
UMTS2100 BW:5MHZ 383.6
375
377
379
381
383
385
387
389
5M BW 4.6M BW 4.2M BW
UMTS R99 throughput(Kbps)U900 U2100
Field testing results
3. UMTS HSPA throughputHSPA throughput tests performed in live trial were, HSDPA 7.2 Mbps, HSDPA 14.4 Mbps, HSUPA 1.9 Mbps and HSUPA 5.7 Mbps. All of them were tested with different bandwidths. The average throughputs (with ATM transmission) were 5.7 Mbps for HSDPA 7.2 Mbps, 11.5 Mbps for HSDPA 14.4 Mbps, 1.86 Mbps for HSUPA 1.9 Mbps and 4.2 Mbps for HSUPA 5.7Mbps
Test item Sort Bandwidth Average throughput(Mbps)
HSDPA 7.2M
BW:5MHZ 5.67
BW:4.6MHZ 5.67
BW:4.2MHZ 5.66
HSDPA 14.4MBW:5MHZ 11.71
UMTS900
HSDPA 14.4MBW:5MHZ 11.71
BW:4.2MHZ 11.45
HSUPA 1.9
BW:5MHZ 1.87
BW:4.6MHZ 1.86
BW:4.2MHZ 1.86
HSUPA 5.7BW:5MHZ 4.21
BW:4.2MHZ 4.18
UMTS2100
HSDPA 7.2M BW:5MHZ 5.7
HSDPA 14.4M BW:5MHZ 11.48
HSUPA 1.9 BW:5MHZ 1.87
HSUPA 5.7 BW:5MHZ 4.26
HSDPA Service RSCP measurements
HSDPA Service RSCP measurements
GSM network evaluation prior SDR implementation
Best Scan Level Area Plot prior UMTS900 MHz implementation
GSM network evaluation after SDR implementation
Best Scan Level Area Plot after UMTS900 MHz implementation
KPIs Without SDR 900 MHz With SDR 900 MHz
Traffic , Erl 4,258 4,590
Call Bids 271,911 290,131
Call Blocking Rate, % 0.02 0
SDCCH Blocking Rate, % 0.03 0.01
Blocked Calls 64 4
TCH Assignment Success Rate, % 99.91 99.96
Drop Call Rate, % 0.3 0.3
GSM KPIs before and After SDR 900 MHz implementation
Drop Call Rate, % 0.3 0.3
SDCCH Drop Rate, % 0.1 0.09
Dropped Calls 806 868
SDCCH Drops 508 420
HO Lost of all Drops Rate, % 8.44 13.82
Call Minutes per Drop 317 317
Handover Success Rate, % 97.09 96.66
UL RxQual Avg. - 0.33
DL RxQual Avg. - 0.44
4. UMTS HSPA+ throughput
Tests performed were the following:
�64QAM Throughput
�64QAM ping time delay
MIMO Throughput �MIMO Throughput
�MIMO ping time delay
64QAM Throughput
For 64QAM services downlink average
throughput was 21Mbps.
For Uplink, the average throughput was 4.1Mbps
HSPA+ & MIMO Throughput
HSPA+ & MIMO services were tested successfully and the downlink average throughput was 26.61Mbps
64QAM ping time delay
Ping time delay measured with HSPA+ for 0 and 1460 bytes were 24 msec and 44 msec correspondingly.
MIMO ping time delay
For HSPA+ and MIMO the latency was 47, 49 and 61 msec for 0, 32 and 1460 bytes.
MIMO ping time delay
Interoperability between UMTS 900 MHz Interoperability between UMTS 900 MHz ––UMTS 2100 MHz UMTS 2100 MHz -- GSM/GPGSM/GPRRS networksS networks
Interoperability between UMTS networks
�All CS HO between UMTS 2100 MHZ <-> UMTS 900 MHz were tested successfully�PS Cell reselection was tested successfully
Interoperability issues between UMTS 900 MHz and GSM/GPRS networksInteroperability issues between UMTS 900 MHz and GSM/GPRS networks
�Interoperability with GSM/GPRS was tested successfully (but this is not a UTRAN functionality, because HO to GSM were driven by Core network)�No difference between UMTS900/2100 MHz was observed on service QoS and O&M. Also no impact on transport network observed
Power Consumption Saving Tests by using SDR BTS
With these tests the purpose was to evaluate the possible powersavings gained by the Single RAN / SDR equipment compared toidentical configuration traditional base stations.
Test 3 BTS3900A S4/4/4, 4*10W GSM and 1*20W UMTS per MRFU
BTS Power Consumption(W) 1122
Transmitter Power (dBm)
MRFU 1 47.9
MRFU 2 47.76
MRFU 3 47.73
BTS / Node B Configuration and
Type
Power Consumption (Watts) Total Power Consumption of 2G
and 3G separate Base Stations
Huawei BTS 3012 (4+4+4/10 Watts)
- Full load
2400
3160Huawei BTS 3812A (1+1+1 / 20
Watts per power amplifier) – full
load
760
In order to have a direct comparison between Single RAN solution and the
traditional base stations used up to today, measurements were performed in a
Huawei BTS 3812 A Node B (outdoor) with 1+1+1 / 20 Watts per carrier and a
BTS 3012 A GSM BTS with S4/4/4 configuration with full load
SDR Base Station Consumption: 1122 Watts1122 Watts
Combination of traditional 2G and 3G Base Stations Consumption :
3160 Watts3160 Watts
Power Savings by using SDR:Power Savings by using SDR: 65% of regular consumption65% of regular consumption
LTE 900 MHz 10 MHz THROUGHPUT TESTSLTE 900 MHz 10 MHz THROUGHPUT TESTS
LTE e-Node Bs channel spacing was tuned at 10 MHz bandwidth.Average throughput achieved was 48,6 Mbps as it is shown in the following picture
LTE 900 MHz 5 MHz THROUGHPUT TESTSLTE 900 MHz 5 MHz THROUGHPUT TESTS
LTE e-Node Bs channel spacing was tuned at 5 MHz bandwidth.Average throughput achieved was 30 Mbps as it is shown in the following picture
GSM 1800 MHz / LTE 1800 MHz Lab Tests
THROUGHPUT TESTSTHROUGHPUT TESTS
Case Description:::: Downlink Single-User Throughput, Stationary, High SNR, FTP, 20 MHz channel
spacing
Test Result::::1、、、、download two 2G files ,,,,throughout =70.75Mbps((((SINR 21.00dB/20.00dB ))))
LTE 1800 MHz 10 MHz THROUGHPUT TESTSLTE 1800 MHz 10 MHz THROUGHPUT TESTS
LTE e-Node Bs channel spacing was tuned at 10 MHz bandwidth.Average DL throughput achieved was 48,3 Mbps and average UL throughput achieved was 28,5
Mbps
LTE 1800 MHz 5 MHz THROUGHPUT TESTSLTE 1800 MHz 5 MHz THROUGHPUT TESTS
LTE e-Node Bs channel spacing was tuned at 5 MHz bandwidth.Average DL throughput achieved was 30 Mbps and average UL throughput achieved was 13,8 Mbps
Conclusions 1
�During this trial MSR/SDR technology functionality was evaluated
�During both Lab and Field trial basic and advanced functionality were
tested successfully.
�GSM and UMTS performance was equal or better to the traditional GSM
and UMTS base stations
�Mobility and availability of GSM and UMTS remain intact
�O&M was very simple for both networks
�Common transmission was used and tested successfully for both GSM
and UMTS technologies
Conclusions 2
�HSPA and HSPA+ performance was equal to the traditional UMTS 2100
MHz performance
�By using SDR technology one power amplifier can support (power wise)
the majority of existing GSM + UMTS configurations in live network. In
case more power is needed a second RFU can be used in addition to the
first
�No spurious emissions or intermodulation products were recorded by
SDR RFUs, in all testing cases
� Power savings by using single RAN / SDR solution could be up to 65%
compared to the traditional Base Station combinations
Conclusions 3
�� Introduction of MSR / SDR Technology will save TCO in current and future Introduction of MSR / SDR Technology will save TCO in current and future
mobile networksmobile networks
�� In addition In addition SDR / MSR seems to be Future Proof investmentSDR / MSR seems to be Future Proof investment (e.g. (e.g.
evolution to LTE in installed frequencies without any HW addition or change) evolution to LTE in installed frequencies without any HW addition or change)
�� MSR / MSR / SDR is recommended for Modernization of Old GSM networksSDR is recommended for Modernization of Old GSM networks
with Future Proof Access Technologieswith Future Proof Access Technologies
From this trial it seems that Multi Standard From this trial it seems that Multi Standard
Radio or Software Defined Radio (Single RAN) Radio or Software Defined Radio (Single RAN)
networks is a reality. networks is a reality.
with Future Proof Access Technologieswith Future Proof Access Technologies
THANK YOU FOR THANK YOU FOR
YOUR ATTENTIONYOUR ATTENTION
Contact Information:
Dr. Konstantinos Halkiotis
Access & Transmission Netw. Dept.
Kifisias 95-97, 15124, Athens,
Greece
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel. +302106374640