Title: Automatic cell planning strategies for UMTS networks

Authors: Jean-Marc Picard, Zwi Altman, Sana Ben Jamaa, Mathieu Demars, Herve Dubreil, Benoit Fourestie, Arturo Ortega

Addresses: France Telecom R&D, RESA/NET, 38-40 rue du General Leclerc, 92794 Issy les Moulineaux Cedex 9, France. ' France Telecom R&D, RESA/NET, 38-40 rue du General Leclerc, 92794 Issy les Moulineaux Cedex 9, France. ' France Telecom R&D, RESA/NET, 38-40 rue du General Leclerc, 92794 Issy les Moulineaux Cedex 9, France. ' France Telecom R&D, RESA/NET, 38-40 rue du General Leclerc, 92794 Issy les Moulineaux Cedex 9, France. ' France Telecom R&D, RESA/NET, 38-40 rue du General Leclerc, 92794 Issy les Moulineaux Cedex 9, France. ' France Telecom R&D, RESA/NET, 38-40 rue du General Leclerc, 92794 Issy les Moulineaux Cedex 9, France. ' France Telecom R&D, RESA/NET, 38-40 rue du General Leclerc, 92794 Issy les Moulineaux Cedex 9, France

Abstract: Automatic cell planning aims at optimising the performance of UMTS networks in terms of capacity, coverage and quality of service by automatically adjusting antenna parameters and common channel powers. This paper presents an overview on optimisation strategies that correspond to different scenarios depending on the operational context. Starting from capacity optimisation, we show how an Automatic Cell Planner (ACP) can be enhanced with specific functionalities such as joint coverage/capacity optimisation, automatic site selection or steered optimisation. Finally, we show how the improvement in quality of service brought about by an ACP can be accurately assessed with dynamic simulations using adequate key performance indicators (KPI).

Keywords: UMTS networks; automatic cell planning; genetic algorithms; optimisation strategies; multiobjective; steered optimisation; quality of service; QoS; key performance indicators; ACP; KPI; network capacity, network coverage; mobile networks; wireless networks; antenna parameters; common channel powers; automatic site selection; simulation; network design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMNDI.2005.007932

International Journal of Mobile Network Design and Innovation, 2005 Vol.1 No.1, pp.8 - 17

Published online: 04 Oct 2005 *

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