Case Study

LTE Small Cell transport capacity

planning using I-VIEW DIMENSION

AIRCOM International
Cassini Court, Randalls Way,
Leatherhead, KT22 7TW
United Kingdom
www.aircominternational.com

Copyright 2012 AIRCOM International - All rights reserved. No part of this work, which is protected by copyright, may be reproduced
in any form or by any means - graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or storage in an
information retrieval system without the written permission of the copyright owner.

Table of Contents
1
2
3

5
6
7

Executive Summary .................................................................................................... 3

Introduction ............................................................................................................... 4
Configuration ............................................................................................................. 5
3.1
Analysis Area ..................................................................................................... 5
3.2
Network Topology .............................................................................................. 6
3.2.1 Existing Macro Cell Layer ................................................................................. 6
3.2.2 Macro Cell and Small Cell Layer Short-Term Scenario ........................................ 8
3.2.1 Macro Cell and Small Cell Layer Long-Term Scenario ........................................ 9
3.3
Traffic Model .................................................................................................... 10
3.4
Traffic Forecasting ............................................................................................ 11
Capacity Analysis ...................................................................................................... 12
4.1
Current Capacity .............................................................................................. 12
4.2
Increased Capacity 1st Year ............................................................................ 13
4.2.1 Bottlenecks in Existing Macro Cell Network ..................................................... 13
4.2.2 Bottlenecks in Short-Term Scenario ............................................................... 14
4.3
Increased Capacity 5 Year Plan ...................................................................... 14
4.3.1 Bottlenecks in Short-Term Scenario ............................................................... 14
4.3.2 Bottlenecks in Long-Term Scenario ................................................................ 15
4.4
Scenario Comparison and Bottlenecks ................................................................ 16
Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 17
Glossary .................................................................................................................. 18
Appendix A About the tool used in this case study ................................................... 19
7.1
I-VIEW DIMENSION ......................................................................................... 19
7.1.1 Schematic Visualisation ................................................................................. 19
7.1.2 Mobile Layer Capacity Planning and Dimensioning .......................................... 20
7.1.3 Multi-layer Transmission Planning and Capacity Management .......................... 20
7.1.4 IP/Eth Planning ............................................................................................ 21
7.1.5 Equipment Modelling and Inventory ............................................................... 21
7.1.6 Scenario Planning ......................................................................................... 21

LTE Small Cell transport capacity planning using I-VIEW DIMENSION

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1 Executive Summary
With wireless data already predicted to exceed wired data in the next few years and network
capacity demands to increase 20-40 fold over the next 5 years, mobile operators are under
pressure to dramatically increase their network capacity and maintain data throughput rates,
in a cost effective manner. Embracing a Small Cell strategy seems to be the most common
approach to achieve this across the Worlds operators.
Small Cell technology (which includes femto, pico and micro cells) is currently in use by 67%
of operators according to the Small Cell Forum and usage will increase from 4.3 million small
cells to 36.8 million by 2016. Operators need a planning strategy to ensure capacity issues
are addressed and throughput rates are maintained for continued positive customer
experience.
Small cells can offer additional capacity and provide improved indoor coverage but careful
planning of the transport network is critical to ensure that the backhaul and backbone
networks can support the increased data volumes and deliver good data rates.
A case study will be presented on how the LTE Small Cells transport capacity can be planned
using AIRCOMs end-to-end capacity planning tool, I-VIEW DIMENSION. This will be done
using a high-traffic, high-density area of central London, in the United Kingdom, which
contains both Small Cells and Macro Cells.
The case study will demonstrate how to plan the transport capacity for a Small Cell LTE layer
on top of an existing UMTS/LTE Macro Cell layer and how to choose the best backhaul
topology and routing. It will also show that simple link upgrades may not be a sufficient and
long-term solution for the expected data rates. New topologies and transport technologies
such as DWDM and IP/MPLS will be required to provide a viable solution for the next
generation transport network.
It will also highlight how scenario planning and proper dimensioning will be the key to ensure
that the maximum return on investment is achieved and how if those steps are done correctly
the transport network will be able to cope with the expected growth in high speed datacentric services.
The RF planning of the Small Cell layer used can be performed using AIRCOMs radio
planning tool, ASSET. This is not covered in this case study but was addressed in a previous
one which can be obtained by contacting us if you missed it.

LTE Small Cell transport capacity planning using I-VIEW DIMENSION

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2 Introduction
This document demonstrates how an LTE Small Cells transport network can be planned with
AIRCOMs End-to-end capacity planning tool, I-VIEW DIMENSION. For this case study we are
using a high-traffic, high-density area of central London, in the United Kingdom, which
contains both Small Cells and Macro cells. The Macro Cell sites locations are real ones
obtained from the UKs regulators published data.
We will show in I-VIEW DIMENSION the topology of this network segment, the served traffic
on the network elements and links as well as the utilisation of each link for the existing UMTS
and LTE Macro Cell network. The served traffic on each cell which is then routed on the
transport network is taken from an RF planning tool but it can also be taken from real
network statistics.
We will then demonstrate how the data increase according to the market analysis reports will
impact the existing Macro Cell network and we will highlight the expected bottlenecks. Then
we will setup a Small Cell LTE layer on top of the Macro Cell one and present how various
different backhaul topologies will perform and where the upgrades have to take place. Finally
we will demonstrate how to future proof the backhaul network for the next five years in order
to achieve a long-term solution. For more details about the configuration and the simulations
which were executed, please contact us.

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3 Configuration
3.1 Analysis Area
The Analysis Area covers a dense urban area of central London that includes Covent Garden
and Holborn and is bounded by Soho, Leicester Square and Tottenham Court Road.

The purple icons denote the existing Macro Cell sites while the red ones the new Small Cell
ones which were added manually in locations decided in the Radio Planning tool (ASSET) to
improve poor coverage and increase capacity.

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3.2 Network Topology

3.2.1 Existing Macro Cell Layer
All the Macro Cell sites are connected in a star topology with MW links (grey lines) to an
aggregation point which is then connected with a fibre link (red line) to a main transmission
site which is part of the backbone network (not shown here).

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Having a look at the detailed schematic view of the network segment in I-VIEW DIMENSION
we realize that the Macro Cell sites contain one NodeB and one eNodeB each, all of them
connected to radio equipment (one traffic node and one or more radios). The traffic is then
aggregated to the aggregation site and carried from an Optical ADM to the fibre backbone
network.

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3.2.2 Macro Cell and Small Cell Layer Short-Term Scenario

The Small Cell sites will have to be connected to the aggregation through new links which are
planned as part of this case study. As a short-term solution which will allow for quick
deployment we are assuming that all the Small Cells with be served using Point-to-Multi-Point
(PmP) NLOS links from the existing Macro Cell sites and Point-to-Point (PtP) links. New PmP
antennas will have to be added to the existing network. The detailed planning of the link
budgets and the interference analysis of the MW links can be performed in a MW Planning
tool like AIRCOMs CONNECT (this will be the case study topic for next month).

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3.2.1 Macro Cell and Small Cell Layer Long-Term Scenario

In the long run and given the major increase in the required capacity that is expected, the
PmP MW links will not be the most efficient solution. Fibre links will eventually have to be
deployed to ensure that the traffic will be served adequately. This will provide a long-term
and scalable solution, being able to adequately cope with the required capacity for the next
few years.

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3.3 Traffic Model

The traffic model which is used in the case study is taken from the simulation results of the
Radio Planning tool in order to represent traffic which will be captured by the cells during the
Busy Hour (BH). In order to achieve even more realistic modelling the cell statistics from a
Performance Management tool could be used instead.
The cell level traffic has been used as the Demands to be routed by each Macro Cell NodeB
and eNodeB via the aggregation site to the fibre network.

Cell Name

Parent Base Station

Technology

Bitrate (Mbps)

00197804A
00197804B
00197804C
00243055A
00243055B
00243055C
00245836A
00245836B
00245836C
00245837A
00245837B
00245837C
00245841A
00245841B
00245841C
00248434A
00248434B
00248434C
e00197804A
e00197804B
e00197804C
e00243055A
e00243055B
e00243055C
e00245836A
e00245836B
e00245836C
e00245837A
e00245837B
e00245837C
e00245841A
e00245841B
e00245841C
e00248434A
e00248434B
e00248434C

00197804
00197804
00197804
00243055
00243055
00243055
00245836
00245836
00245836
00245837
00245837
00245837
00245841
00245841
00245841
00248434
00248434
00248434
e00197804
e00197804
e00197804
e00243055
e00243055
e00243055
e00245836
e00245836
e00245836
e00245837
e00245837
e00245837
e00245841
e00245841
e00245841
e00248434
e00248434
e00248434

UMTS
UMTS
UMTS
UMTS
UMTS
UMTS
UMTS
UMTS
UMTS
UMTS
UMTS
UMTS
UMTS
UMTS
UMTS
UMTS
UMTS
UMTS
LTE
LTE
LTE
LTE
LTE
LTE
LTE
LTE
LTE
LTE
LTE
LTE
LTE
LTE
LTE
LTE
LTE
LTE

0.7510608
0.511287
3.218079
1.537242
3.791781
3.107413
0.4068386
4.92806
1.992801
3.148421
3.31222
4.410731
1.088441
0.8030928
3.634284
2.971812
1.353941
0.6968108
2.145888
1.46082
9.194512
4.39212
10.83366
8.878322
1.162396
14.08017
5.693716
8.995488
9.463485
12.60209
3.10983
2.294551
10.38367
8.490891
3.868403
1.990888

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3.4 Traffic Forecasting

In order to model the expected data increase, data from standard market analysis reports
which predict a non-linear increase over the next five years has been used.
Two different cases have been assumed in order to demonstrate the impact of the data
increase. In the first one the increased traffic is expected to be carried by the existing LTE
Macro Cell sites only and the expected bottlenecks are highlighted. In the second case the
increased traffic is assumed to be carried in its entirety by the newly added Small Cell Sites
and the different topologies and capacity upgrades are analysed and benchmarked.

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4 Capacity Analysis
4.1 Current Capacity

From this plot it can be seen that the current BH traffic loading of the existing Macro Cell
network segment is within a good operation limit.

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4.2 Increased Capacity 1st Year

4.2.1 Bottlenecks in Existing Macro Cell Network

From this plot it can be seen that after the first year, one of the MW links of the existing
Macro Cell network segment will have to be upgraded as it will not be able to support the
expected traffic increase.

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4.2.2 Bottlenecks in Short-Term Scenario

From this plot it can be seen that by introducing the Small Cells, two of the existing MW links
will have to be upgraded while 20 new PmP links will have to be deployed in order to connect
the Small Cells to the rest of the network. The Small Cells will however allow the network to
have improved coverage and support more users.

4.3 Increased Capacity 5 Year Plan

4.3.1 Bottlenecks in Short-Term Scenario

From this plot it can be seen that after 5 years all the links will have to be upgraded.

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4.3.2 Bottlenecks in Long-Term Scenario

From this plot it can be seen that by deploying fibres up to last mile it will provide enough
capacity to all Macro Cells and Small Cells for the next five years.

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4.4 Scenario Comparison and Bottlenecks

The next table gives us a quick comparison of the various different scenarios as well as an
overview of the expected bottlenecks for each scenario.

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5 Conclusion
This Case Study has shown that LTE Small Cells backhaul and backbone networks can be
effectively planned and analysed in I-VIEW DIMENSION. The non-linear increase in the traffic
demand will require immediate upgrades in the backhaul network. However simple link
upgrades may not be a sufficient and long-term solution for the expected data rates. New
topologies and transport technologies such as DWDM and IP/MPLS will be required to provide
a viable solution for the next generation transport network.
Scenario planning and proper dimensioning will be the key to ensure that the maximum
return on investment is achieved and that the transport network will be able to cope with the
high speed data-centric services by making the best use of the infrastructure.
In addition to capacity planning, the introduction of the new technologies will require the data
modelling and planning of VLANs, MPLS LSPs and layer 3 topologies.
I-VIEW DIMENSION combines powerful data modelling and visualisation with multi-layer
capacity planning offering a unique solution for the planning and operation of the next
generation networks which support a number of different Radio Access Technologies and
different cell layers.

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6 Glossary
ADM Add Drop Multiplexer
BH Busy Hour
DWDM Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing
IP Internet Protocol
LOS Line of Sight
LSP Label Switched Path
LTE - Long Term Evolution, a technology from the 3GPP industry group
MPLS Multi Protocol Label Switching
MW - Microwave
NLOS Non Line of Sight
PmP Point to Multi Point
PtP Point to Point
RF Radio Frequency
UMTS - Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
VLAN Virtual Local Area Network

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7 Appendix A About the tool used in this case study

7.1 I-VIEW DIMENSION
I-VIEW Dimension is an End-to-end Visualisation and Capacity tool which is aimed at assisting
the mobile operators to:

Understand and visualise their entire network

Have a common storage location for data of various different domains, departments
and vendors
Perform capacity management and planning from the mobile layer to transmission
Plan the future upgrades for various scenarios and future growth in order to achieve
the maximum ROI

The main capabilities of I-VIEW DIMENSION can be summarised below:

7.1.1 Schematic Visualisation

Mobile layer
Mobility layers
Physical layer
IP layer
ATM layer
PDH layer
SDH layer
MW layer
Optical layer

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7.1.2 Mobile Layer Capacity Planning and Dimensioning

GSM/UMTS RAN and Core Network Element and Interface modelling and visualisation
Support for various 3GPP specifications
Capacity planning of Network Elements, Interfaces and bottlenecks identification
Support for both ATM and IP protocol stacks
Flexible modelling of subscriber and traffic behaviour

7.1.3 Multi-layer Transmission Planning and Capacity Management

PDH/SDH/ATM/IP/MPLS/Eth/PWE multi-layer modelling and visualisation

Multi-protocol demand modelling
Hybrid link modelling
Manual multi-layer fixed path routing
Automatic physical layer routing based on SPF
Link occupancy calculation and bottleneck identification
Powerful visualisation of the routing paths and hotspots

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7.1.4 IP/Eth Planning

Static and dynamic routing based on routing topologies and tables

OSPF/IS-IS/BGP protocol modelling
Ethernet switching based on Switching table configurations
Routing domain and group modelling
IP and MAC Address modelling and visualisation
IP/Eth protocol stack modelling
Router, Switch and interface throughput related parameter calculations and
bottleneck identification

7.1.5 Equipment Modelling and Inventory

Vendor independent modelling

Site, Node, Subrack, Card, Slot, Port, Link modelling
Port to port connectivity
Functional status (In/Out-of-Service) and Planning status
(Planned/Commissioned/Live) modelling

7.1.6 Scenario Planning

What-if scenario planning for traffic growth, technology evolution and network
changes
Easy scenario comparison and merge
Ability to create any number of different scenarios for a given project

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