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Bell Labs Innovations

Engineering Guideline

EG5: Frequency Planning

LM: 4

401 - 380 - 335

Version 0.9
February 1998

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Copyright © 1998 by Lucent Technologies
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Engineering Guideline EG5: Frequency Planning

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However, information is subject to change.

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Table of Contents

1.1 About this Guideline 7

1.2 Re-using Carrier Frequencies 7

1.3 Frequency Clusters 7

1.4 Interference 7
1.4.1 Shadow Margin 8

1.5 Frequency Re-Use 9

1.5.1 Omni Cell layout 9
1.5.2 Sector Cell Layout 10
1.5.3 Cloverleaf Model 10

1.6 Network Growth 11

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1.1 About this Guideline

This document explains how the limited number of available channel frequencies
can be allocated between cells, to provide the most effective radio coverage
throughout the network. The concept and practical application of frequency reuse
is discussed, together with the problems the network frequency plan must
overcome.

1.2 Re-using Carrier Frequencies

Frequency reuse is the core concept of cellular mobile radio systems, since the
number of permitted carrier frequencies is fixed. A frequency can be reused
simultaneously in different cells, provided cells using the same frequency are
sufficiently distant to keep co-channel interference at an acceptable level most of
the time, in most of the covered area. This distance is dependent upon a number of
factors such as transmitter power levels, antenna design, terrain etc.

1.3 Frequency Clusters

For the purpose of devising a frequency plan, the cells are arranged into clusters.
The available frequency spectrum is shared by the cells in this cluster , which is
repeated over the entire network. In this way an optimum frequency reuse pattern
is achieved,
Theoretically, a large cluster (C) is desired. In practice, the total number of
allocated frequencies is fixed. When C is too large the number of frequencies
assigned to each of the cluster cells becomes too small. Trunking inefficiency and
limited traffic capacity will be the result.
The challenge is to find the smallest value of C which can still meet the system
performance requirements. This involves :

• Estimation of Co-channel interference

• Calculation of the minimum frequency reuse distance D to meet the Co-

channel interference criterion
Practical values of C are in the range from 3 to 21.

1.4 Interference
GSM Rec 05.05 specifies the necessary interference protection ratios for co-
channel and adjacent channels. The values are given in Table 1.
Table 1: Interference protection ratios specified by GSM Rec 05.05
Relation Frequency Minimum
Spacing (kHz) C/I (dB)
Co-channel 0 9
1st adjacent channel 200 -9
2nd adjacent channel 400 -41
3rd adjacent channel 600 -49

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The minimum frequency spacings according to GSM Rec 05.05 are: shown in
Table 2.

Table 2: Minimum frequency spacings specified by GSM Rec 05.05 .

Where ... Minimum Spacing
kHz
within a cell 600
between two co-cell sites 400
between two neighbouring cells 200
The specified protection ratios already take into account multipath propagation
effects (Raleigh fading). That is, given these values the receivers have to meet a
certain performance in terms of Bit Error Rate and Frame Erasure Rate. Other
effects like signal degradation due to shadowing are not included in these values.

1.4.1 Shadow Margin

Table 3 shows the additional margins which need to be considered on top of the
above specified interference protection ratios. This is required in order to achieve
sufficient performance in a predefined percentage of locations on the cell fringe or
the entire cell area.
Table 3: Additional margins for predefined percentage of locations.
Edge freedom of Area freedom of Margin (σ=7dB,
interference interference n=3.5)
0.70 0.86 5 dB
0.75 0.90 7 dB
0.80 0.91 8 dB
0.85 0.94 10 dB
0.90 0.96 13 dB
0.95 0.99 16 dB
These values are valid under the assumption that the shadowing effects of serving
and interferer signal can be statistically described by a lognormal distribution with
a standard deviation of 7 dB and a decrease of the field strength level by 35
dB/decade (n=3.5) versus the distance.
In order to achieve 94 percent freedom of interference in the entire cell area we
have to add at least 10 dB margin to the reference interference protection ratio. For
example from the GSM 05.05 recommendation, co-channel interference requires a
minimum C/I of 9dB. To take into account shadow margin the frequency reuse in
the network has to be designed in such a way that a C/I value of at least 19 dB co-
channel is guaranteed.
It is possible to improve the C/I ratio by good frequency management e.g. grouping
the channels into sub-sets. Alternatively if the quality of the received signal is poor
an intracell handover to another frequency or timeslot should occur. It is also
possible to reduce the signal strength of the interfering signal. This can be done by
lowering the antenna height, changing the radiation pattern of the antenna used or
applying electrical downtilt.
For other methods of improving the carrier to interference ratio see the
Engineering Guideline on Capacity Enhancement Techniques.

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1.5 Frequency Re-Use

The C/I performance in radio networks with different cell layouts is also different.
This leads to different frequency reuse distances in networks of different cell
configurations

1.5.1 Omni Cell layout

In an Omni cell network all base stations are equipped with omnidirectional
antennas i.e. the signal is radiated uniformly in any direction. This leads to the
well known hexagonal cell structure.
Table 4 shows the C/I which can be achieved for various frequency reuse distances
in a homogeneous omni cell network. In the tables the reuse distance D is
normalised to the cell radius R. The calculated C/I values are given for various
antenna heights assuming a mobile at the cell boundary and considering the two
strongest interferers.
Associated to the normalised reuse distance D/R in a regular cellular network is
the so-called cluster (C). If the frequency allocation applied to such a cluster is
periodically repeated according to certain rules a regular frequency reuse pattern
can be achieved throughout the entire network. Only certain cluster sizes are
possible, due principally to the geometry of a hexagon. These can be derived using
the following formula
C = i*i + i*j + j*j i,j = 0,1,2,3,4...
Using these clusters the overall interference situation is exactly the same for each
cell in the entire network. The relation between the cluster size C and the
normalised reuse distance D/R is given by the following formula:
D/R = SQRT(3*C)
Table 4: C/I values for various antenna heights, mobile at cell fringe.
Cluster D/R C/I (dB) C/I (dB) C/I (dB) C/I (dB)
C Hb = 35m Hb = 45 m Hb = 100 m Hb = 200m
1 1.73 -3.0 -3.0 -3.0 -3.0
3 3.00 9.1 8.8 8.1 7.4
4 3.46 11.7 11.4 10.4 9.6
7 4.58 17.1 16.7 15.4 14.2
9 5.20 19.2 18.8 17.3 16.1
12 6.00 22.0 21.5 19.9 18.5
13 6.24 22.5 22.0 20.3 18.9
16 6.93 24.3 23.7 21.9 20.4
19 7.55 25.9 25.3 23.4 21.8
21 7.94 26.6 26.0 24.1 22.4
25 8.66 28.0 27.4 25.4 23.6
27 9.00 28.9 28.2 26.1 24.3
28 9.17 29.1 28.4 26.3 24.5
31 9.64 29.8 29.2 27.0 25.2
At a base station height of 35m and minimum required C/I of 19dB the size of the
cluster required is 9 with a D/R of 5.2.
For example if the cell radius is 6km the frequencies can be re-used at a transmitter
approximately 31 km away .

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1.5.2 Sector Cell Layout

In a Sector cell layout, typically 3 cells (120 degree sectors) are installed at each
site i.e. each sector illuminates a 120 degree area. The main advantages of a sector
cell network are
• Increased coverage area per site as higher gain antennas can be
used
• Better C/I performance compared to Omni cell Layout if
frequencies are reused in such a way that all sectors with the
same frequency are pointing in the same direction.
Table 5 shows the C/I performance in 3-sector cell network assuming that all
sectors using the same frequency are pointing in the same direction. The C/I values
have been calculated considering the two worst interferers.
Table 5: C/I performance in 3-sector cell network (refer to text).
Cluster C D/R C/I (dB) C/I (dB) C/I (dB) C/I (dB)
Hb = 35m Hb = 45 m Hb = 100 m Hb = 200m
1 1.73 -0.4 -0.4 -0.5 -0.5
3 3.00 13.4 13.1 12.1 11.2
4 3.46 17.6 17.1 15.8 14.7
7 4.58 19.3 18.8 17.4 16.2
9 5.20 23.1 22.6 20.9 19.4
12 6.00 24.0 23.4 21.7 20.2
13 6.24 25.2 24.6 22.8 21.2
16 6.93 27.1 26.5 24.6 22.8
19 7.55 27.3 26.7 24.7 23.0
21 7.94 28.8 28.1 26.1 24.3
25 8.66 30.3 29.6 27.5 25.6
27 9.00 30.2 29.5 27.3 25.4
28 9.17 30.7 30.0 27.8 25.9
31 9.64 31.7 31.0 28.7 26.8

1.5.3 Cloverleaf Model

The Cloverleaf model is generally used for high capacity macrocellular networks
which feature uniform traffic distribution.
The site geometry of the ”Cloverleaf” model can be characterised as follows:
• 3-cells (sectors) per site.
• The pointing azimuth for the three collocated cells are 120 degrees
separated and are oriented with the neighbouring sites to produce a
cloverleaf pattern.
• Each cell has one directional transmit antenna and two directional
diversity receive antennae with the same azimuth.
• High-gain antennas with a horizontal beamwidth of 65° are used.
The 4/12 Cloverleaf scheme is shown in Figure 1.

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A3 A1

D3 D1 A2 B3 B1

D2 C3 C1 B2 A3 A1

A3 A1 C2 D3 D1 A2 B3 B1

D3 D1 A2 B3 B1 D2 C3 C1 B2

D2 C3 C1 B2 C2

C2

Figure 1:4/12 cloverleaf scheme.

The C/I performance of a network with Cloverleaf layout is shown in Table 6 .

Table 6: C/I performance of network using Cloverleaf layout.

Cluster C D/R C/I (dB) C/I (dB) C/I (dB) C/I (dB)
Hb = 35m Hb = 45 m Hb m Hb = 200m
1 1.73 -3.0 -3.1 -3.5 -3.8
3 3.00 5.8 5.5 4.6 3.9
4 3.46 5.8 5.5 4.6 3.9
7 4.58 6.8 6.5 5.6 4.7
9 5.20 13.2 12.8 11.5 10.4
12 6.00 12.7 12.3 10.9 9.6
13 6.24 12.7 12.3 10.9 9.6
16 6.93 19.3 18.8 17.4 16.2
19 7.55 13.2 12.8 11.3 10.0
21 7.94 17.4 16.9 15.2 13.8
25 8.66 20.2 19.7 18.0 16.6
27 9.00 17.4 16.9 15.1 13.6
28 9.17 17.4 16.9 15.2 13.8
31 9.64 21.3 20.8 19.1 17.6

1.6 Network Growth

After a cellular network is installed, the traffic demand of the network may grow.
It may be possible to overcome this by adjusting the site operational parameters, or
introducing capacity enhancement techniques. Alternatively, if there is a non-
uniform subscriber distribution in a given area it may be possible to delay cell site
addition or sectoring, by borrowing frequencies from other, non adjacent groups.

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Network growth can also be required for other reasons, for example if the existing
outdoor coverage needs to be upgraded to indoor coverage. When new BTSs or
TRXs are required then the integration of these into the existing system needs to
be carefully planned.

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