Chapter CDMA RF System Design Procedure

2 Link Budgets and Asso-

ciated NetPlan Inputs
2.1 Overview
A system design is usually based on trying to maximize coverage but still ensuring sufficient signal
strength for calls. The coverage design has to be balanced with the requirements for quality and
capacity within the system. Although all three factors are important in an analog design, the RF
coverage is not dependent upon the number of traffic channels. In a CDMA system, however, the
coverage and capacity are interrelated. With higher capacity, the cell coverage is reduced. All three
principles (coverage, capacity, and quality) must be factored into a CDMA system design.

The first step in a system design is setting up the link budget to model the path between the mobile
and the base station. This link budget accounts for all of the gains and losses along the path.

There are two main purposes for establishing a link budget for CDMA designs. The first main
purpose is to establish system design assumptions (such as vehicle loss, building loss, ambient
noise margin, maximum subscriber transmit power, etc.) which are used as inputs to NetPlan in the
design process. The second main purpose of a link budget is to establish an estimate for maximum
allowable path loss. This maximum allowable path loss number is used in conjunction with the
propagation model in NetPlan to estimate cell site coverage.

Analyzing the coverage based on a maximum allowable path loss is an important step since it can
help determine major issues such as cell site placement problems (sites spaced too close or too far
apart), terrain obstruction issues, and sites which may present interference problems (sites on
mountain tops or near large bodies of water). By identifying these issues early in the design
process, some of these issues can be resolved before going through the time and effort of
simulations. This allows the simulator process to be used to concentrate on issues that can only be
analyzed with the simulator rather than issues that can be addressed by coverage plots based on
path loss only.

A detailed discussion of the link budget and all its parameters can be found in Section 5 of the
CDMA RF Planning Guide (version 1.7, February 16, 1996). It is recommended that this section
of the RF Planning guide be read before generating a link budget or producing a propagation study.
Once the parameters are understood, the following information can be used to determine initial link
budget values and to show how these values are used to determine the inputs into NetPlan.

Note: This document assumes a detailed design process is followed using the NetPlan
maximum allowable path loss step as well as the NetPlan CDMA simulator. Budgetary
designs are not addressed.

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2.2 RF Link Budget Parameters
As mentioned in the CDMA RF Planning Guide, the system designer will need to determine the
specific link budget parameters to be used when designing the system. The following lists some
of these parameters:

• Propagation Related Parameters:

Building Loss
Vehicle Loss
Body Loss
Noise Margin
RF Feeder Losses
Antenna Gain
• CDMA Specific Parameters:
Interference Margin
Eb/No
• Product Specific Parameters:
Product Transmit Power
Product Receiver Sensitivity
• Reliability Parameter (Shadow Fade Margin)

The values within the link budget provide the designer with input parameters to be used within both
the NetPlan maximum allowable path loss step as well as the NetPlan CDMA simulator.

2.3 Link Budget Assumptions

Due to the variability of the forward link, the CDMA link budget models only the reverse link. In
addition, CDMA link budgets make simplifying assumptions regarding noise rise and Eb/No
requirements. For instance, in the link budget Eb/No is considered a constant, in actuality, Eb/No
is not a constant value but varies with respect to speed.

A link budget must be determined for each different site configuration. The link budget for each
site must incorporate any specific parameters that have been supplied by the customer (such as
building penetrations, antenna heights, antenna gains, cable losses, coverage criteria, coverage
reliability, etc.). If these parameters change from site to site, then the link budgets will need to be
calculated for each site.

Since a high percentage of subscriber units sold are portables and these units are often used in
vehicles, it is recommended that a vehicle loss factor be included in all designs. If the customer
does not specifically state a value to be used for vehicle loss, use an estimate of 6 dB.

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2.4 Example Link Budgets
Table 2-1: Example CDMA RF Link Budget - Uplink for 1.9 GHz
Parameter Unit Notes Example 13 kB Example 8 kB
Link Budget Link Budget

Portable Tx power dBm a * Note 1 23 23

Portable Ant Gain dBd b * Note 1&2 -2.14 -2.14
Body Loss dB c * 2 2
Vehicle Loss dB d * Note 3 6 6
Building Loss dB e * 0 0
Base Ant Gain dBd f * Note 2 14.5 14.5
Line Loss dB g * Note 4 2 2
Eb/No dB h 7.3 7.0
Noise Figure dB k * 6 6
Base Rx Sensitivity dBm m Note 5 -119.1 -121.2
Interference Margin dB n Note 6 3 3
Ambient Noise Rise dB p * Note 7 0 0
Shadow Fade Margin dB r Note 8 5.6 5.6
Max. Allowable Path Loss dB 135.86 137.96
= a+b-c-d-e+f-g-m-n-p-r

* These values are all used as input into the CDMA simulator.

NOTES:
1. One has to be careful when specifying the portable transmit power. In the IS95
specifications (for 800 MHz), the minimum effective radiated power (ERP) for a Class
III personal station is listed as 23 dBm. However, in the J-STD-008 specifications (for
1.9 GHz), the minimum isotropic effective radiated power (EIRP) for a Class II personal
station is listed as 23 dBm. The ERP is calculated with respect to a dipole (antenna
gains given in dBd) while the EIRP is calculated with respect to an isotropic antenna
(antenna gains given in dBi). (dBd = dBi - 2.14)

To illustrate this further, consider the following ERP and EIRP calculations:
At 800 MHz
with respect to an with respect to a dipole
isotropic antenna
Portable Tx Power 23 dBm 23 dBm
Portable Antenna Gain 2.14 dBi 0 dBd
25.14 dBm EIRP 23 dBm ERP

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At 1.9 GHz
with respect to an with respect to a dipole
isotropic antenna
Portable Tx Power 23 dBm 23 dBm
Portable Antenna Gain 0 dBi -2.14 dBd
23 dBm EIRP 20.86 dBm ERP

As these tables show, if you are not careful to specify all of your values with respect to
either an isotropic antenna or a dipole, the calculations can easily be off by roughly 2
dB.

2. The antenna gain values are given in terms of dBd since the NetPlan tool requires
calculations to be done using antenna values in dBd. (dBd = dBi - 2.14)

3. Recommended value if no vehicular loss value is specified by the customer.

4. The value listed is an example line loss value. A 1-5/8” heliax cable @ 1.9 GHz has
~ 1.25 dB loss per 100 ft. Also, another 0.75 dB was assumed for jumpers and
connectors. NOTE: An analysis should be done for each particular sector to determine
the estimated line loss. This calculation should include all losses between the antenna
and the base station such as the top jumper, the main transmission line, a surge protector,
the bottom jumpers, and all connectors. Also, keep in mind that the line loss is frequency
dependent. The following chart shows an example of this.
Example main transmission line losses:
850 MHz 1900 MHz
7/8” Foam Dielectric Coaxial Cable 1.23 dB/100’ 1.97 dB/100’
1 5/8” Foam Dielectric Coaxial Cable 0.767 dB/100’ 1.25 dB/100’

5. Base Rx Sensitivity = kTB + Eb/No + NF - PG

where the processing gain PG = B/R. The remaining parameters are detailed below.

vocoder rate 8 kbps 13 kbps

Eb/No 7.0 dB 7.3 dB
NF 6 dB 6 dB
kT -174 dBm/Hz -174 dBm/Hz
B 60.9 dB-Hz (1.228 MHz) 60.9 dB-Hz (1.228 MHz)
R 39.8 dB (9.6 kbps) 41.6 dB (14.4 kbps)

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- These values assume flat fading and worse case speed (30 kmph @ 1% FER), with
diversity and perfect decorrelation.
- These values also assume a CSM chipset (MCC8s). When using a BSM chipset
(MCC4s), the Eb/No values are approximately 2 dB greater which results in sensitivity
numbers that are degraded by approximately 2 dB.

6. 50% loading = 3 dB, based on -10*log(1-% loading). NOTE: The 50% is an

approximation used in this example link budget to try and maximize coverage at the
expense of reducing capacity. This approximation will vary depending on the specific
design requirements (capacity and coverage). Expected noise rise is better estimated
from simulation studies.

7. If a value is known for the ambient noise of the system, it should be added to the link
budget.

8. The shadow fade margin assumes the effects of soft handoff and multiple cells. The
value shown here is an example of the fade margin required based on a multi-cell system
simulation to achieve an area reliability of 97%. (An 8 dB standard deviation for
lognormal shadowing and a propagation slope of 40 dB per decade were used in the
simulation.) This value will vary depending on the actual area reliability that the system
is designed to achieve.

2.5 Determining NetPlan Inputs to Estimate Coverage

The information obtained in the link budget is used in conjunction with a propagation model to
estimate the coverage of each cell. As mentioned before, NetPlan is used along with the reverse
link information in a CDMA system design to estimate the system coverage. This design is
followed by a more detailed design using the CDMA simulator to analyze both the forward and
reverse links.

The link budget information is used to determine the specific values used as input in the NetPlan
tool. Specifically, the information is used to calculate the system cutoff level (used when viewing
or plotting coverage) and cell “ERP” levels used in generating coverage studies.

Since the NetPlan tool allows for only one value to be used as a cutoff value for the entire system,
all site specific variables need to be accounted for in the site’s “ERP” term. These variations
include such parameters as percent loading, building loss, vehicle loss, line losses, and antenna
gains. “ERP” is referred to here in quotes because if all of the variables of a site such as vehicle
losses or building losses are accounted for in this term, then it is really no longer a true ERP value.
A true ERP (effective radiated power) refers to the power that is being radiated out from an
antenna.

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All of the terms in a link budget must be accounted for within NetPlan to get an accurate coverage
prediction. Therefore, the link budget terms must either be included in the cutoff value or in the
site’s “ERP”. In order to make it easier to determine where each link budget parameter should be
accounted for (cutoff level or “ERP” value), it is recommended to use the BTS receiver sensitivity
value as the cutoff value and account for all other link budget terms in the site’s “ERP”.

2.5.1 Example Calculations of NetPlan Values

Using the above link budget, the following shows the values that would be used for the NetPlan
maximum allowable path loss coverage studies.

Table 2-2: NetPlan Cutoff Level (Min. Signal Strength)

Reverse Link Unit Example 13 kB Example 8 kB
Parameter Link Budget Link Budget
Base Rx Sensitivity dBm -119.1 -121.2
Cutoff (Min. Signal Strength) dBm -119.1 -121.2

Table 2-3: NetPlan ERP (Receive Voice)

Reverse Link Unit Notes Example 13 kB Example 8 kB
Parameter Link Budget Link Budget
Portable Tx power dBm a Note 1 23 23
Portable Ant Gain dBd b Note 1&2 -2.14 -2.14
Body Loss dB c 2 2
Vehicle Loss dB d 6 6
Building Loss dB e 0 0
Base Ant Gain dBd f Note 2 14.5 14.5
Line Loss dB g 2 2
Interference Margin dB h 3 3
Ambient Noise Rise dB k 0 0
Shadow Fade Margin dB m 5.6 5.6
NetPlan Rv “ERP” dB 16.76 16.76
= a+b-c-d-e+f-g-h-k-m

NOTES:

1. See Note 1 in section 2.4 “Example Link Budgets”.

2. The antenna gain values are in dBd since NetPlan requires all calculations to be done
using antenna values in dBd. (dBd = dBi - 2.14)

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As a double check to make sure that the proper values have been calculated for NetPlan, the “ERP”
and the cutoff values when combined should equal the maximum allowable path loss calculated in
the link budget.
Table 2-4: Double Check of NetPlan Values
Parameter Unit Example 13 kB Example 8 kB
Link Budget Link Budget
NetPlan Rv “ERP” dB a 16.76 16.76
Cutoff (Min. Signal Strength) dBm b -119.1 -121.2
Calculated Path Loss from dB 135.86 137.96
NetPlan Values
= a-b
Max. Allowable Path Loss dB 135.86 137.96
from Link Budget

2.5.2 Entering NetPlan Values

The NetPlan Rv “ERP” values may be entered via the “Edit Site” cell site editor window. Access
to the “Edit Site” menu is gained through a pull down menu (see Figure 2-1: Edit Site - Pull Down
Menu).

Figure 2-1: Edit Site - Pull Down Menu

This action opens up the cell site editor window as seen in Figure 2-2: Edit Site. Two areas have
been circled in this figure. The area marked “Area - A Common Input” denotes inputs which must
be defined whether the cell site is analog or CDMA. These include name, location, propagation
boundaries, etc. The area marked “Area - B Antenna Input” denotes inputs which are specific to
each sector “antenna”. It is in area B that the NetPlan Rv “ERP” values will be entred.The Rv ERP
values calculated for each sector may then be entered into the Rv ERP boxes of the edit site
window. See Figure 2-3: Edit Site - Rv ERP below:

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Figure 2-2: Edit Site

Area - A
Common Input

Area - B
Antenna Input

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Figure 2-3: Edit Site - Rv ERP

Rv ERP (dBm)

2.5.3 NetPlan Image Parameters and Multiple Level Plots

In order to generate coverage for a system within NetPlan, the site specific values (such as ERP,
antenna parameters, etc.) need to be set as well as the system “Image Parameters”. The image
parameters (found via pull-down menus... Configure > Combined Image Parameters > Image
Parameters) include the output resolution and the minimum signal strength. See Figure 2-4: Image
Parameters for details.

Figure 2-4: Image Parameters

1 2

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NOTES:

1. A resolution of 100 m is required for simulations to get a more accurate output.

2. The minimum signal strength image parameter is an important parameter since it
determines the threshold below which signal strength data will not be available in best
server/sector images. In other words, regardless of whether the site propagation data was
obtained for lower minimum signal strengths, the best server/sector image will contain
no data for signal strengths below the defined minimum. Therefore, if you are designing
a system to include in-vehicle loss but you think you may also want to look at a best
server/sector plot to show on-street mobile coverage, then you want to make sure that
you set your minimum signal strength low enough so that the on-street values are
included. (For example, if you are designing a system with 6 dB in-vehicle loss and
would normally look at a signal strength level of -119 dBm to show in-vehicle coverage,
and you want to look at a best server plot showing “on-street” levels, your minimum
signal strength would need to be at least -125 dBm.)

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By setting different levels when viewing or plotting an image, you can show different coverage
regions such as areas of in-building coverage, in-vehicle coverage, or on-street mobile coverage.
These levels are accessed by assigning different cutoff points when assigning colors and values to
the image sliders. The sliders are accessed via the “L” button to open the Layers window. With the
image displayed, click the ellipsis [...] for “image” to open the “coloring” window. From there
select the “intervals” button which will open the window with the coloring sliders. From here,
differing colors and cutoff settings can be assigned for the image. See Figure 2-5: Setting Image
Cutoff Levels for details.

Figure 2-5: Setting Image Cutoff Levels

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As an example, assume the loss factors that you are using in your system design are as follow: in-
building loss factor in the dense urban region is 20 dB, in-building loss factor for a residential
region is 10 dB, and in-vehicle loss factor of 6 dB. Assume further that for your system the level
that you are using for a cutoff to show in-vehicle coverage is -119 dBm. (This assumes that the
“ERP” calculations include the in-vehicle loss but not the 20 dB and 10 dB building loss values for
dense urban and residential regions.) Then if you wish to show a plot that highlights the areas
where you expect coverage to be good based on the different loss factors (in-building dense urban,
in-building residential, in-vehicle, on-street mobile), you would set up the different levels as
depicted by the noted values in Figure 2-5: Setting Image Cutoff Levels:

Note area type image cutoff level

1 in-building dense urban -105 dBm
2 in-building residential -115 dBm
3 in-vehicle -119 dBm
4 on-street mobile -125 dBm

2.6 Utilizing Link Budget Assumptions in Simulations

As mentioned before, the system design assumptions within the link budget are also used during
the simulation portion of the design process. These values are listed with an asterisk in Table 2.1.
For more details on how these values are used within the simulator, please refer to chapter 6 and X.

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