TD-LTE Engineering Optimization Workflow

TD-LTE Engineering
Optimization Workflow

LEGAL STATEMENT
By accepting this certain document of ZTE CORPORATION you agree to the following terms. If
you do not agree to the following terms, please notice that you are not allowed to use this
document.
All rights are reserved for ZTE CORPORATION. Any rights not expressly granted herein are
reserved. This document contains proprietary information of ZTE CORPORATION. Any
reproduction, transfer, distribution, use or disclosure of this document or any portion of this
document, in any form by any means, without the prior written consent of ZTE CORPORATION
is prohibited.
and
are registered trademarks of ZTE CORPORATION. ZTEs company name,
logo and product names referenced herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of
ZTE CORPORATION. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks
or trade names of their respective owners. Without the prior written consent of ZTE
CORPORATION or the third party owner thereof, anyones access to this document should not
be construed as granting, by implication, estopped or otherwise, any license or right to use any
marks appearing in the document.
The design of this product complies with requirements of environmental protection and personal
security. This product shall be stored, used or discarded in accordance with product manual,
relevant contract or laws and regulations in relevant country (countries).
This document is provided as is and as available. Information contained in this document is
subject to continuous update without further notice due to improvement and update of ZTE
CORPORATIONs products and technologies.

ZTE CORPORATION
Address:

NO. 55
Hi-tech Road South
ShenZhen
P.R. China

ZTE Confidential Proprietary

2011 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved.

TD-LTE Engineering Optimization Workflow

518057
Website:

http://support.zte.com.cn

Email:

doc@zte.com.cn

2016 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

ZTE Confidential Proprietary

TD-LTE Engineering Optimization Workflow

Revision History
Product Version

Document Version

Serial
Number

Remarks
The first release

Author
Document
Version
R1.0

Written on
2011-02-09

ZTE Confidential Proprietary

Written by
Kang Kai

Reviewed by

Approved by

Yuan Haijun

2011 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved.

TD-LTE Engineering Optimization Workflow

Applicable to: LTE network optimization engineers

Suggestion:

Before reading this document, you had better have the following knowledge

and skills:
SN
1

Knowledge and skills

LTE theories

Reference material
TD-LTE Theories and Key Technologies V2.0

2
3

Follow-up document:

After reading this document, you may need the following

information:
SN

Reference material

Remarks

TD-LTE Network Coverage Optimization Guide

V1.7

It describes how to optimize the LTE

network coverage effect.

TD-LTE Signaling Flow V1.1

It describes the whole workflow which the

signaling goes through.

TD-LTE ZXPOS CNT Guide V1.0

It introduces how to use the ZXPOS CNT,

a kind of drive test tool.

2016 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

ZTE Confidential Proprietary

TD-LTE Engineering Optimization Workflow

About This Document

Abstract
This document is written to guide the network optimization after the completion of eNodeB
construction. It focuses on the network optimization workflow, including the prerequisites, the
preparations, the plan and the implementation of the network optimization.
Chapter

Description

1 Overview

It gives you an overview of this workflow.

2 Prerequisites

It describes two prerequisites for the engineering

optimization.

3 Implementation

It describes the whole optimization workflow in details.

ZTE Confidential Proprietary

2011 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved.

TD-LTE Engineering Optimization Workflow

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1

Overview...........................................................................................................6

2
2.1
2.2

Prerequisites....................................................................................................6
Network Planning...............................................................................................7
eNodeB Commissioning.....................................................................................7

3
3.1
3.2
3.2.1
3.2.2
3.2.3
3.2.4
3.2.5
3.2.6
3.2.7
3.2.8
3.2.9
3.3
3.3.1
3.3.2
3.3.3
3.3.4
3.3.5

Implementation................................................................................................8
Work Plan..........................................................................................................8
Workflow............................................................................................................ 9
Preparations......................................................................................................
Parameter Review...........................................................................................
Cluster Optimization.........................................................................................
Coverage Optimization....................................................................................
Service Optimization........................................................................................
Area Optimization.............................................................................................
Border Optimization.........................................................................................
Whole Network Optimization............................................................................
Acceptance Test...............................................................................................
Tasks................................................................................................................ 12
Data Acquisition...............................................................................................
Problem Analysis and Formulation of Optimization Scheme............................
Implementation of Optimization Scheme..........................................................
Optimization Verification...................................................................................
Writing and Reviewing Optimization Report.....................................................

2016 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

ZTE Confidential Proprietary

TD-LTE Engineering Optimization Workflow

Overview
The network optimization functions to improve the network performance by means of
optimizing the coverage indicator, the switchover indicator and the access indicator.
The network performance optimization can be evaluated by the following aspects:

Coverage: The coverage related indicators include the RSRP, CINR, RSRQ,
coverage rate, receiving power, transmit power and coverage mileage ratio. The
RSRP/CINR/RSRQ indicates the network coverage quality. The coverage mileage
ratio indicates the coverage status of the whole network. The coverage problems,
including coverage absence, weak coverage, coverage overshooting and pilot
pollution, may cause call drops and access failure. Therefore, the coverage
problem is the focus of the network optimization.

Quality: The quality related indicators include the throughput efficiency, delay and
block error rate (BLER).

Access: It is indicated by the access success rate. The access is considered to be

unsuccessful if the UE fails to set up the service connection within the given time
after it sends out the access request message. In most cases, the unsuccessful
access is caused by the poor coverage, coverage overshooting, improper
neighboring cell settings, and interference.

Call-hold: It is indicated by the call-drop rate. In most cases, the call drop is caused
by the poor coverage, main cell absence, improper neighboring cell settings, and
interference.

Handover: It is indicated by the handover success rate.

Generally speaking, a detailed network optimization solution should be worked out for
the purpose of increasing the value of the above indicators to desired level.

Prerequisites
The network optimization is performed upon the completion of network planning and
commissioning. Additionally, the network optimization is launched only when a certain
scale of eNodeBs are commissioned. In this regard, tools designed for the network
planning, commissioning and optimization are to be used in the stage of network
optimization for the sake of time efficiency.

ZTE Confidential Proprietary

2011 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved.

TD-LTE Engineering Optimization Workflow

2.1

Network Planning
In the stage of network planning, the engineer leverages a well-organized workflow to
obtain the network construction scale and the network construction parameters, which
may guide the actual network construction. The outcome of network planning exerts
great influence over the workload of future network optimization and the network
performance.
Therefore, the engineer needs to make a good plan for the networking. He should
provide the follow materials:

2.2

the eNodeB Information table;

the neighboring cells relationship table (providing the information about the
eNodeB altitude, eNodeB longitude, the antenna azimuth, the antenna down
tilt, the equipment height, PCI, frequency, and RS power);

and the simulation report.

eNodeB Commissioning
The network optimization launches only when:

the eNodeB is working properly and no alarm is reported;

all equipment is working properly and all reported alarms are cleared;

all necessary tests are performed to prove that the service is in normal status;

the commissioning test records are provided for the network optimization
engineer.

the radio network planning parameters and the antenna & feeder parameters are
configured based on the network planning result;

all radio planning parameters (including PCI, frequency and power) are
configured based on the network planning result;

the antenna is installed at the height, azimuth and down tilt specified in the
network planning result;

the actual height, azimuth and down tilt of the installed antenna are provided
for the network optimization engineer;

a certain scale of eNodeBs are commissioned;

2016 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

ZTE Confidential Proprietary

TD-LTE Engineering Optimization Workflow

eNodeBs are constructed in groups so as to save more time for the network
optimization;

the eNodeB construction plan is provided for the network optimization

engineer so that he can work out the optimization plan with more information;

the eNodeB information table is provided for the network optimization engineer;

all necessary information about the eNodeB (including the eNodeB ID, the cell
ID, the cell description, the eNodeB altitude, the eNodeB longitude, the
antenna height, the antenna down tilt, and the antenna type) is provided after
the completion of eNodeB construction.

Implementation

3.1

Work Plan
Before the network optimization work is launched, a detailed network optimization
scheme concerning aspects such as the network scale, network coverage area, eNodeB
construction plan and network acceptance data need to be worked out. Additionally,
information such as tools, human resources, vehicles and targets of the network
optimization are also included.
The outcome of network optimization includes:
1 Completion time of network optimization in every cluster and district and all
necessary reports
2 Arrangement of manpower, test tools and vehicles;
The manpower, test tools and vehicles are prepared based on the resource configuration
model, the completion time of network optimization and the eNodeB construction plan.
3 Layout of eNodeBs
Divide all eNodeBs into groups based on the eNodeB construction plan. Thirty eNodeBs
make up a cluster and several clusters make up a district. The eNodeBs in the same
cluster should be constructed nearly at the same period so as to save more time for the
network optimization.
4) Content of daily/weekly network optimization report and the recipients of the report

ZTE Confidential Proprietary

2011 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved.

TD-LTE Engineering Optimization Workflow

3.2

Workflow

3.2.1

Preparations
Prepare the following materials before the launch of network optimization:

10

eNodeB information table: It provides the information about the eNodeB name,
eNodeB ID, MCC, TAC, eNodeB altitude, eNodeB longitude, antenna height,
antenna azimuth, antenna down tilt, transmit power, frequency, PCI, ICIC and
PRACH.

eNodeB commissioning information table and alarm information table

map: It is the mapinfo map for the area where the network covers

drive test software: Its license is also needed.

test UE: It is compatible with the drive test software.

test vehicle: prepare the test vehicles based on the network optimization plan

2016 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

ZTE Confidential Proprietary

TD-LTE Engineering Optimization Workflow

3.2.2

power supply: vehicle power supply or UPS

working staff who take charge of antenna & feeder adjustment

network optimization engineers

Parameter Review
Before the network optimization, the engineer should review the key parameters of the
eNodeBs in the district to be optimized in order to confirm that the cell configuration
parameters are consistent with the planning results. Otherwise, modify inconsistent
parameters accordingly.
The key parameters include: frequency, neighbor cell, PCI, power, handover/re-selection
parameters, and PRACH parameters.

3.2.3

Cluster Optimization
The cluster optimization is performed based on the eNodeB commissioning status. As
for the dense urban, the cluster optimization starts when more than 80% eNodeBs have
been commissioned in this area. As for suburban and rural areas, the cluster
optimization launches as long as the eNodeB begins to work properly.
Make sure that the eNodeBs have been commissioned before the cluster optimization.
Besides, check that there are no alarms reported and the eNodeBs to be optimized are
working properly.

3.2.4

Coverage Optimization
The coverage optimization, which focuses on the RSRP, RSRQ and CINR, is the most
important part and the first step in the engineering optimization. It involves the
adjustment of the engineering parameters, the power and the neighbor cell relationship.
After the adjustment of engineering parameters and RS power, the engineering
parameter list needs to be updated immediately.

3.2.5

Service Optimization
The service optimization should be done according to the plan after the coverage
optimization meets the requirement. Firstly, test the long-time service holding capability.
Later, check that the handover success rate and the data service rate meet the
requirement. Next, test the short call of the basic services. Check the access success
rate and the call drop rate. If the service cannot meet the requirement, the engineer
needs to analyze causes and then perform the optimization accordingly. The engineering
parameter list and the parameter modification tracking list should be updated in time
afterwards.

ZTE Confidential Proprietary

2011 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved.

11

TD-LTE Engineering Optimization Workflow

3.2.6

Area Optimization
The coverage and service optimization of the whole area should be done after the
completion of cluster optimization. The area optimization focuses on the cluster border
and blind spots. Similar to the workflow of cluster optimization, the coverage optimization
is performed ahead of the service optimization in the stage of area optimization. It is
suggested that the border optimization is done by the group composed of optimization
engineers in neighboring clusters. In the process of area optimization, the engineering
parameter list and the parameter modification tracking list should be updated in time.
Moreover, the comparison report for the original parameters and modified parameters is
also needed.

3.2.7

Border Optimization
The optimization of area border begins after the completion of inner area optimization.
The border coverage and service optimization are done by a group composed of
optimization engineers from neighboring districts. When eNodeBs at both sides of the
border are provided by different manufacturers, the coverage optimization and service
optimization need to be done by group composed of engineers from these two
manufacturers. The coverage and service optimization flows are exactly the same as the
cluster optimization flow. In the process of border optimization, the engineering
parameter list and the parameter modification tracking list should be updated in time.
Moreover, the comparison report for the original parameters and modified parameters is
also needed.

3.2.8

Whole Network Optimization

During the whole network optimization, the optimization engineer needs to perform the
DT test for the whole network so as to get a clear idea of the network coverage and the
service status. He then needs to optimize the coverage and service of roads and areas
required by the customer. The coverage and service optimization flows are exactly the
same as the cluster optimization flow. In the process of whole network optimization, the
engineering parameter list and the parameter modification tracking list should be
updated in time. Moreover, the comparison report for the original parameters and
modified parameters is also needed.

3.2.9

Acceptance Test
The acceptance test for the network performance is done based on the acceptance
standard. The test routes, test points and call modes are chosen according to the
contract or the principles determined in the requirement analysis stage. In most cases,
the customer should attend the acceptance test.

12

2016 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

ZTE Confidential Proprietary

TD-LTE Engineering Optimization Workflow

The acceptance test is carried out for the purpose of finding out the optimization effect.
In this regard, great importance should be attached to it because its result exerts great
impact on the project. During the acceptance test, the optimization engineers should do
as follows:
(1) participate into the discussion and confirmation of test items;
(2) work out the acceptance criteria according to test items and expected optimization
effect;
(3) skip step 1 and 2 if the test items and acceptance criteria are determined by the
customer;
(4) work out the DT routes and conduct the pre-test before the formal test.

3.3

Tasks

3.3.1

Data Acquisition

3.3.1.1

Task Description
Purpose: Collect the network performance data and give it to the optimization engineers
for analysis.
Principal: Test engineers
Input: Digital map, eNodeB datasheet, test plan
Output: DT\CQT\background data
Contents: Work out the test plan and collect required data based on the specific network
optimization project. Give the test data to the optimization engineers so that they can
analyze and locate problems.

3.3.2

Problem Analysis and Formulation of Optimization Scheme

3.3.2.1

Task Description
Purpose: Work out an optimization scheme by means of network performance
evaluation, problem analysis and problem locating. Conduct the scheme.
Principal: Optimization engineers
Input: Test data

ZTE Confidential Proprietary

2011 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved.

13

TD-LTE Engineering Optimization Workflow

Output: Scheme of Optimization and Adjustment

Contents: Analyze data, locate problem and then work out the network optimization
scheme. All members in the project or the designated personnel review the scheme in
order to avoid or modify improper operations.

3.3.3

Implementation of Optimization Scheme

3.3.3.1

Task Description
Purpose: Conduct the network optimization according to the scheme.
Principal: Equipment engineers
Input: Scheme of Optimization and Adjustment
Output: Optimization and adjustment record
Contents: Conduct all items in the network optimization scheme; record the results and
necessary processes based on the actual situation.

3.3.3.2

Precautions
Pay attention to the following items when implementing the optimization scheme:
(1) Email the adjustment table to the equipment engineers involved in the optimization
scheme according to the optimization adjustment scheme. The email should also be
sent to the project manager, the email sender and relevant personnel. Make sure
that all adjustment items are clearly described in the table attached to the email, e.g.
adding neighbor cell to the cell 1011 or the ID of the new neighbor cell is 1042.
(2) Record all information accurately when the DT engineer calls the engineer in the
equipment room to modify parameters at the backend.
(3) Send a formal adjustment table to the third party involved in the optimization scheme
(e.g. adjusting the antenna) in triplicate. The copies of adjustment table should be
sent to the engineering team, the project manager and the sender.
(4) Make an appointment with the engineering team in advance.
(5) Verify the optimization effect after the scheme is implemented.
(6) Restore all modified parameters to their original status if necessary.

14

2016 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

ZTE Confidential Proprietary

TD-LTE Engineering Optimization Workflow

3.3.4

Optimization Verification

3.3.4.1

Task Description
Purpose: Verify the optimization effect by means of various tests after the completion of
the scheme.
Principal: Test engineers
Input: Optimization and adjustment record; original network performance data
Output: Comparison of the network performance before and after the adjustment
Contents: After the implementation of the optimization scheme, collect data as required.
Compare and analyze the data collected before and after the adjustment. Collect data in
the same network environment if possible so to work out accurate verification result.
Make sure that the network problem is solved and the network performance meets the
requirement. Otherwise, go back to the step of data acquisition and repeat the whole
process.

3.3.4.2

3.3.5

Precautions
(1)

Use the same test tool before and after the optimization if possible.

(2)

Choose the same test route before and after the optimization.

(3)

Check whether the loading test is being performed in the test area or not.

(4)

Conduct the test at the same time of the day in order to ensure the data is
obtained in the same radio network environment.

(5)

The UE should move at the same speed.

Writing and Reviewing Optimization Report

Purpose: Work out the network optimization report. Record the measures used in the
network optimization and the optimization effect in the report.
Principal: Optimization engineers
Input: All data of the optimization process
Output: Network Optimization Report (including the optimization & adjustment scheme,
and the comparison of engineering parameters before and after the optimization)

ZTE Confidential Proprietary

2011 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved.

15

TD-LTE Engineering Optimization Workflow

Contents: Work out the network optimization report. Record the measures used in the
network optimization and the optimization effect in the report.
Assist members in the project or the designated personnel in reviewing the Network
Optimization Report. Modify the report based on their comments.

16

2016 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

ZTE Confidential Proprietary