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: kchalkiot@cosmote.gr

Tel. +302106374640