RF Design Basics

November 23, 2015

RF Design

Adding new sites to existing network for

A: Coverage
B: Capacity
Modifying Existing Sites
Adding Carriers for Capacity
Modifying existing Design Parameters such as Tilts, Antennas , Azimuths
Network Upgrades
Adding new sites to existing network

Search Rings Defined- Also referred as zero location with Search Radius
Zero locations are entered into RF Design tool (PLANET/Atoll) and a preliminary RF
design (Antennas, tilts, heights) is established to meet the coverage and capacity
requirements
Candidates SCIPs Identified
Candidate evaluation Using Planning and RF Design tools and Site Visits- RF design
keeps evolving.
Candidate finalized
Site RF Design Parameters Finalized (Antenna, Azimuth, tilts, Cable Type location of
Radios etc)
CDs and Zoning Reviews
Cx or COP package reviews
Site OA or Integration
RF Design Process
Search Rings Identified Shared with Site Acq (SA) team

SCIPs Received from SA

Analyze SCIP- Visit needed? Send Rejected Candidates back to SA

Y
RF Candidate Passed N
(Atoll & Visit)

Y
Share RF Design Parameters with SA

SA Works on CDs and Lease Send Redlined CDs /ZDs to SA

N
RF Review of CDs

Passed
Site NTPd Site moves to CX Phase.
Things to look for: RF Site Candidate

Type of Site
A rooftop
A Monopole
A Guyed Mast
A Tower, WT etc

Existing Carriers (ATT, TMO, VZW, Sprint, etc)

Height Available for antennas
Height of Structure (Building or Tower)
Any Foliage or How dense is vegetation around
Type of Clutter and Pops or Demographics
Capacity or Coverage objective?
Ease of Access-from Ops and Opto Perspective
Ideal location of antenna placements- Follow 1/5 Rule for rooftops
Consider any Zoning Constraints in Citys jurisdiction
RF Design Parameters:

Choose the Most appropriate Type of Antennas (Type BW, Gain, Size
Antenna Type (LTE-MIMO-Ports-Gain, BW, Size- Future carrier or band expansions)
Antenna Azimuths- Keep the pops and high traffic areas, low coverage areas as targets)
Antennas Tilts (Best Chosen by the tools Atoll) reasonable coverage overlap /intended dominant server
Keep future tilts ad design modifications in mind

RF Coaxial cables or Fiber Cables- Study losses for jumpers Link Budget
Length of Coax (7/8 1-5/8) and jumpers- Minimize losses
Location and Type of Radios
Location of BTS Equipment
# of Sectors and # of antennas.
Any special Design Requirements- EIRP
Candidate Evaluation: Assuming MS22XC983 is a new site location.
 MS22XC983 Coverage with neighboring sites

Best Pilot Ec (dBm)

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MS22XC983 (Single site in a Cluster) Compare different changes and Select the
best

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 MS22XC983 Cluster with Nbr sites- Check for Best Coverage overlaps.

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