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MEKELLE UNIVERSITY

ETHIOPIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY-MEKELLE

SCHOOL OF ELECTRICAL AND COMMPUTER ENGINEERING

STREAM OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION

HOSTING COMPANY:

PROJECT ON:

COVERAGE ANALYSIS OF WCDMA NETWORK OF CLUSTER 1 IN


MEKELLE CITY

By: AJEBUSH TIKUYE

ID No: 261478

ADVISOR: TEKLE BIRHANE

SUPERVISOR: Mr. KAHSAY ABRHA

January 25/2010 E.C


Declaration

I Ajebush Tikuye declare that this internship reports and project are results of my effort and my
work done as intern at Ethio Telecom.

Signature: ___________________

Ajebush Tikuye

Approved by ____________________

Tekle Birhane

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Acknowledgements

Before I get into the thick of things, I want to present my whole hearted compliments, with higher
regards and warm thanks to one and all, who were the bone behind the sinews of this project. I wish
to express sincere gratitude to my lord because without his support I am nothing, and this project
would not have finished yet by only my strength.

The last but not the least parts that have a great role in my internship report and project are my
families. So, I would like to thank my families they give me a great strength and support, and they
are also always standing beside me.

Thirdly I would like to acknowledge north region ethio telecom Mekelle for accepting me for this
four month internship program, especially I would like to thank my advisor Tekle Birhane, my
supervisor Mr. Kahsay, Mr.Zelalem, Mr. Teame, Mr. Mearg Legesse, Mr. Berihu Amare, and Mr.
Tesfay for your support.

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Executive summary

This report contains some detailed explanation of our training from the beginning to the end. It
includes the brief history of our hosting company North Region Ethio telecom, its mission, vision,
customers and its overall organizational structure, overview of GSM cellular network, architecture
of GSM, GSM channels, overview of UMTS network, as well as UMTS architecture.

A radio environment is always changing. This means that physical parameters and engineering
parameters that were set by the initial planning will not work as well some time later. So it needs to
periodically check the link quality and take measures to ensure optimum performance because after
deployed once the sites, there are many subscribers and buildings that were not before. So in this
pproject I analyzed coverage of WCDMA network of cluster 1 in Mekelle city based on frequent
observations of previously collected data and customer complaint through Actix analyzer software,
Google earth and by observing the topography of the area.

It has been analyzed coverage of WCDMA network in cluster 1 and have around 92.6% of RSCP
and 87.2% of UE-Tx power of areas have good and excellent coverage but the remaining 7.4% of
RSCP and 12.8% of UE-Tx power are bad coverage areas. Selected one area with bad coverage
from the areas they have values of RSCP below -95dBm and Tx-power above 0dBm, the selected
area covers starting from Hawelti Semaetat above the main road and some parts below the
business campus and above the business campus including Hawelti, Dagmamsal bounded by
serawat condominium, Milano menafesha, and Hawelti serawat (sub urban). After analyzed the
topography of the selected area through observation and actix analyzer the proposed solution are
made by adjusting the mechanical tilt based on the sites antenna height, vertical beamwidth and the
distance separation, and shifting the azimuth position to the area of interest.

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Table of Contents

Contents page

Declaration ................................................................................................................................................................... i
Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................................................... ii
Executive summary .................................................................................................................................................... iii
Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................................................... iv
List of figures ............................................................................................................................................................ vii
List of tables .............................................................................................................................................................. vii
List of abbreviations ................................................................................................................................................. viii
CHAPTER ONE ......................................................................................................................................................... 1
AN OVERVIEW OF ETHIO TELECOM .................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Historical Background ....................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Vision, mission, values and objectives of Ethio Telecom ................................................................................. 2
1.2.1 Vision ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.2.2 Mission ....................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.2.3 Values ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
1.2.4 Objectives ................................................................................................................................................... 3
1.3 Services and Products of Ethio telecom ............................................................................................................ 3
1.3.1 Mobile service ............................................................................................................................................ 4
1.3.2 Fixed line service........................................................................................................................................ 6
1.3.3 Internet service ........................................................................................................................................... 6
1.3.4 Additional Business Services ..................................................................................................................... 7
1.5 Organizational structure of Ethio Telecom ....................................................................................................... 8
CHAPTER TWO......................................................................................................................................................... 9
OVERALL INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE ................................................................................................................. 9
2.1 Objectives of the internship ............................................................................................................................... 9
2.1.1 General objectives ...................................................................................................................................... 9
2.1.2 Specific objectives ...................................................................................................................................... 9
2.2 Beginning of the Internship ............................................................................................................................... 9
2.3 Internship Experience at ethio-telecom ........................................................................................................... 10
2.4 Experience shared from RAN Department...................................................................................................... 10

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2.4.1 GSM cellular networks ............................................................................................................................. 11
2.4.2 Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems (UMTS), 3G mobile networks ..................................... 20
2.5 Experience shared from Transmission Section ............................................................................................... 25
2.5.1 Overview of Transmission System ........................................................................................................... 25
2.5.2 Multiplexing ............................................................................................................................................. 26
2.5.3 Modulation ............................................................................................................................................... 27
2.5.4 Transmission Medias ................................................................................................................................ 27
2.5.5 Fundamentals of microwave technology .................................................................................................. 27
2.6 Experience shared from Network Performance and Optimization Section ..................................................... 29
2.6.1 Radio Network Optimization ................................................................................................................... 29
2.6.2 Drive testing ............................................................................................................................................. 30
2.6.3 Radio Resource Management (RRM) ...................................................................................................... 31
CHAPTER THREE ................................................................................................................................................... 32
BENEFITS GAINED FROM INTERNSHIP AND CHALLENGES ....................................................................... 32
3.1Benefits Gained From Internship ..................................................................................................................... 32
3.1.1 Upgraded Theoretical Knowledge ............................................................................................................ 32
3.1.2 Upgraded Practical Knowledge ................................................................................................................ 32
3.1.3 Improving Team playing skills................................................................................................................. 33
3.1.4 Improving Interpersonal Skills ................................................................................................................. 33
3.1.5 Improved Leadership Skill ....................................................................................................................... 33
3.1.6 Work Ethics and related work .................................................................................................................. 34
3.1.7 Entrepreneur skills .................................................................................................................................... 34
3.2 Challenges ....................................................................................................................................................... 34
CHAPTRE FOUR ..................................................................................................................................................... 35
COVERAGE ANALYSIS OF WCDMA NETWORK OF CLUSTER 1 IN MEKELLE CITY .............................. 35
4.1Background of the study................................................................................................................................... 35
4.1.1 IMPACT OF BS ANTENNA HEIGHT ON COVERAGE ..................................................................... 35
4.1.2 IMPACT OF ANTENNA TILT ON COVERAGE ................................................................................. 35
4.1.3 Performance Indicators for coverage analysis in WCDMA network ....................................................... 38
4.2 Literature Review ............................................................................................................................................ 38
4.3 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................................................ 39
4.4 Objectives ........................................................................................................................................................ 39
4.4.1 General Objective ..................................................................................................................................... 39

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4.4.2 Specific Objectives ................................................................................................................................... 39
4.5 Methodology ................................................................................................................................................... 40
4.6 System Model .................................................................................................................................................. 40
4.7 Data Analysis, Result and Discussions ........................................................................................................... 41
4.7.1 Coverage analysis of cluster 1 .................................................................................................................. 42
4.7.2 Selection of the problematic area from cluster 1 and make analysis ........................................................ 45
4.8 The Proposed Solution .................................................................................................................................... 47
CHAPTER 5 .............................................................................................................................................................. 52
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ........................................................................................................ 52
5.1 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................................... 52
5.2 Recommendation ............................................................................................................................................. 52
5.2.1 Recommendations to the Company .......................................................................................................... 52
5.2.2 Recommendations to Mekelle University ................................................................................................ 53
References ................................................................................................................................................................. 54

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List of figures

Figure 1.1: sequence of vanity numbers .....................................................................................................6


Figure 1.2: Organizational Structure of Ethio Telecom .............................................................................8
Figure 2.1: FDMA and TDMA frame structure of GSM .........................................................................12
Figure 2.2: GSM system architectAure ....................................................................................................14
Figure 2.3: BBU physical structure ..........................................................................................................16
Figure 2.4: BTS tower ..............................................................................................................................17
Figure 2.5: GSM air interfaces .................................................................................................................20
Figure 2.6: Composition of the UMTS network system ..........................................................................22
Figure 2.7: UTRAN structure ...................................................................................................................24
Figure 2.8: Optix RTN equipment components .......................................................................................29
Figure 4.1: Mechanical antenna downtilt scheme ....................................................................................37
Figure 4.2: The overall flowchart .............................................................................................................41
Figure4.3: output of RSCP of active set in cluster 1 by actix analzer .....................................................43
Figure 4.4: RSCP of active set in Histogram ...........................................................................................43
Figure 4.5: output of UE_ Tx power of cluster 1 by Actix analyzer ........................................................44
Figure 4.6.: UE_Tx power of cluster 1 histogram ....................................................................................45
Figure 4.7: the problematic area filtered by Actix analyzer .....................................................................45
Figure 4.8: UMTS active set and neighbor sets of the bad coverage area ...............................................47
Figure 4.9: partition of problematic (bad coverage) area .........................................................................48

List of tables
Table 4.1: Proposed Solution for Area 1 ..................................................................................................49
Table 4.2: Proposed Solution for Area 2 ..................................................................................................50
Table 4.3: Proposed Solution for Area 3 ..................................................................................................51

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List of abbreviations

2G, 3G Second Generation, Third Generation


ADSL Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line
AGCH Access Grant channel
AMPS Advanced Mobile phone service
ATN Aeronautical Transport Network
AuC Authentication center
BS Base Station
BSC Base Station Controller
BSS Base station Subsystem
BTS Base transceiver station
CDMA Code Division Multiple Access
CN Core network
CS Circuit Switched
CUG Closed user group
DSLAM Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer
EDGE Enhanced data rate for GPRS evolution
EIR Equipment identity registers
ET Electrical Tilt
ETA Ethiopian Telecommunication Agency
ETC Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation
GOTA Global Open Trucking Access
GPON Gigabit Passive Optical Network
GPRS General Packet radio service
GSM Global system for mobile communication
HLR Home Location Register
HSPA High speed packet access
IBTE Imperial Board of Telecommunication of Ethiopia
IMEI International mobile equipment identity
IP Internet Protocol

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ISDN Integrated Service Digital Network
LAI Location area Identification
LTE Long Term Evolution
MSC Mobile Switching Center
MT Mechanical Tilt
NSS Network and Switching Subsystem
OSS Operation Station Subsystem
PLMN Public Landline Mobile Network
PS Packet Switched
PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network
RAN Radio Access Network
RNC Radio Network Controller
RNS Radio Network Subsystem
RRC Radio Resource Control
RSCP Received Signal Chip Power
RSS Radio station subsystem
RTN Radio Transport Network
UE User equipment
UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunication system
UTRAN UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network
VLR Visitor Location Register
VPN Virtual Private Network
VSAT Very Small Aperture Terminal
WCDMA Wideband Code Division Multiple Access

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CHAPTER ONE
AN OVERVIEW OF ETHIO TELECOM
1.1 Historical Background
The introduction of telecommunication in Ethiopia dates back to 1894. Ethiopian
Telecommunications Corporation is the oldest public telecommunications operator in Africa. In
those years, the technological scheme contributed to the integration of the Ethiopian society
when the extensive open wire line system was laid out linking the capital with all the important
administrative cities of the country.

In 1952 the Imperial Board of Telecommunications (IBTE) was established by proclamation No.
131/52 in 1952. The Board had full financial and administrative autonomy and was in charge of
the provision and expansion of telecommunications services in Ethiopia. The Imperial Board of
Telecommunications of Ethiopia, which became the Ethiopian Telecommunications Authority in
1981, was placed in charge of both the operation and regulation of telecommunication services in
the wake of the market reforms.

In 1996, the Government established a separate regulatory body, the Ethiopian


Telecommunication Agency (ETA) by Proclamation 49/1996, and during the same year, by
regulation 10/1996, the Council of Ministers set up the Ethiopian Telecommunications
Corporation (ETC).

The Ethiopian Telecommunication Agency (ETA) started its operation by giving license in four
areas of services, namely, Public Switched Telecommunication Network (PSTN), Cellular
Mobile, Internet and Data communication services to Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation
(ETC), which was established by Council of Ministers regulation No 47/1999 as an incumbent
state owned operator. Currently, ETC is providing all types of services (PSTN, cellular Mobile,
Internet and data communication services) in all parts of the country.

Ethio telecom, previously known as the Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC), is an


integrated telecommunications services provider in Ethiopia, providing internet and telephone
services. Based in Addis Ababa, it is one of the "Big-5" group of state owned corporations in

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Ethiopia, along with Ethiopian Airlines, the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Ethio-Insurance, and
the Ethiopian Shipping Lines.

In late 2006 the ETC signed an agreement worth US$ 1.5 billion with
three Chinese companies, ZTE Corporation, Huawei Technologies and the Chinese International
Telecommunication Construction Corporation, to upgrade and expand Ethiopian
telecommunications services. This agreement will increase the number of mobile services from
1.5 million to 7 million, land line telephone services from 1 million to 4 million, and expansion
of the fiber optic network, from the present 4,000 kilometers to 10,000 by 2010. It is part of a
larger US$ 2.4 billion plan by the Ethiopian government to improve the country‟s
telecommunications infrastructure. Ethio telecom (ET) was managed, on a management contract
arrangement from 2010 to 2013 June, by France Télécom, and was required to comply with
Ethiopian Government orders.

The Ethiopian telecommunication started with a low rank beginning more than a hundred years
ago by establishing a telephone link between the capital city and some major imperial cities.
Today, telecommunication has extended to the interior of the country and uses technologies such
as micro-wave, satellite and fiber optics.

1.2 Vision, mission, values and objectives of Ethio Telecom

1.2.1 Vision
Ethio Telecom vision encompasses the following crucial points.
 To be a world-class telecommunications service provider
 To be committed to understand, meet and exceed the telecommunication needs and
expectations of country at large and customers in particular.
 To be a center for advancement of ICT, via research, innovation, transfer, adoption,
diffusion, adaptation, integration and dissemination in Ethiopia in particular and in
East/Horn of Africa in general
1.2.2 Mission
Ethio Telecom mission runs in parallel with Ethiopian government‟s mission, supporting the
steady growth of Ethiopia by transforming and modernizing telecommunication and services.
That is:

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 To connect every Ethiopian through ICT
 To provide products and services that enhance the development of our nation
 To build a successful brand known for its customer consideration
 To build its managerial capability that enables Ethio telecom to operate at an
international standard.
1.2.3 Values
While meeting international standards, Ethio Telecom remains faithful to its values which are:
 Lead with vision: Be committed to understand, meet and exceed the telecom needs and
expectations of the country at large and of customers in particular.
 Respect: Respect customers and recognize that the revenue generated allows ethio
telecom to operate and recognize employees of ethio telecom as most valuable assets and
create conducive working environment that allows them to develop and grow.
 Excellence: Be committed to high-level performances, customer service quality,
organizational excellence and continuous improvement of Quality of Services
 Integrity: Be ethical and honest in all assignments
 Accountability: Be accountable to all stakeholders
1.2.4 Objectives
 being customer-focused company
 offering the best quality of service
 building a financial sound company
 meeting excellent world class standards

1.3 Services and Products of Ethio telecom


Ethio Telecom is institutionalized with the objectives of promoting the development of high
quality, efficient, reliable and affordable telecommunication services in the country. Its services
can be broadly classified as:
 Mobile service
 Fixed line service
 Internet service

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1.3.1 Mobile service

Mobile service includes mobile roaming, satellite mobile, GOTA service, business mobile,
machine to machine, Vanity number, Voice, GPRS and SMS new package and hybrid business
mobile

1 .Mobile Roaming

Mobile roaming is a service that helps subscribers automatically to make and receive voice calls,
send and receive data, or access other services when travelling outside the geographical coverage
area of Ethio Telecom, by means of using a visited country‟s operator‟s network. It could be
outbound roaming, a service given to Ethio customers who wants to use their mobile phone
abroad, and inbound, a service given to customers of foreign operator who has a roaming
agreement with it(like tourists, foreigner investors …). Currently this service is provided only for
GSM post paid subscribers.

Features of Roaming mobile services are mobility, accessibility, all features of postpaid GSM
service. Benefits of roaming areenable customer to be accessed globally, single Phone, single
Number and one Bill benefits, charges related to calls made on visited networks will be paid
along with local bill back home, prevent customers from high hotel telephone bills charge, and
enable customers to continue and control business or any other affair without geographical
limits.

2. GOTA (Global Open Trucking Architecture)

GOTA (Global Open Trucking Architecture) is a service given using the CDMA2000 wireless
network for the purpose of group communication. It allows two or more individuals to
communicate and also use for private and group calls using push to talk. The service also allows
the subscriber to make external calls after subscribing to the mobile wireless service.
GOTA Service Benefits are affordability, can be used as GSM mobile, one-to-one private calls
and one-to-many group calls, the ability to set the user‟s priority, the ability to perform forced
insertion/ forced release based on the user‟s priority, the ability to classify the groups, in which
the group members can be managed by the user.

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3. Satellite Mobile

Satellite mobile telephone is mobile phone that connects to orbiting satellites instead of
terrestrial network. It enables customers in every part of the globe to be beneficiaries of telecom
services through satellites stationed on the universe. Satellite phone is one of the greatest
innovations in communication. The satellite mobile telephone provides similar features of
communication services to that of earthly mobile telephones such as; voice, SMS and low-band
width internet access. Satellite phone vital communication tool in remote area where local
telecom are unreliable and this kind of service needs special telephone apparatus and SIM

3. Business Mobile

Business mobile Service with/without CUG is a bundled postpaid mobile service that allows
enterprise customers to make calls at a discounted rate compared to the normal mobile tariff
rates.BM with CUG (Closed User Group) option, in addition to the business mobile bundles, any
calls out of the bundle made within the group are treated at a much discounted rate. To subscribe
CUG there should be at least five defined internal users within the group for each organization.
All services supported by GSM are also supported by Business mobile.

4. Packaged Services

Packaged services are a service that could be provided in the form of voice off pick package,
GPRS package and SMS package. Special target of customers for all packages include students,
night shift workers, big Hotel workers and Taxi drivers.

5. Vanity Numbers

Vanity numbers are Mobile numbers which are memorable and easy to dial. Vanity numbers are
classified into four categories based on their easiness to remember. These are:
Platinum numbers: 0911111111, 0922222222, 0933333333 …
Gold numbers: 0911121314, 0915161718 ….
Silver numbers: 0912345678, 0901234567 ….
Bronze numbers: 0912331233, 0911121112 …….

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Figure 1.1: sequence of vanity numbers

6. Machine to Machine

Machine to Machine is a wireless technology that enables machines to talk to each other, and
which customers can access directly from their office or home computer. It combines
telecommunication and information technology in order to connect remote devices and locations,
system and people. It is the utilization of different types of mechanical devices to establish a
communication and exchange of information. M2M used a data enabled SIM card.

1.3.2 Fixed line service

It includes Wired Fixed line, Wireless Fixed line (CDMA), Short code, Bulk SMS and ISDN/E1.
Landline: is a telephone line that travels over terrestrial circuits. A land line can be copper wire,
fiber optics or microwave.
Wireless Fixed line: is much similar to the ordinary fixed telephone service; it uses Fixed
Wireless Terminal (FWT) which enables it to give a voice, data and other value added services.
It works where ever CDMA network is available.
ISDN/E1 service: Integrated services digital network (ISDN) is an international communications
standard for sending voice, video, and data over digital telephone lines or normal telephone
wires.
1.3.3 Internet service

1. Fixed broadband internet


Broadband is a relatively fast Internet service provided through wired and wireless connections
with a speed level from 256 Kbps.
 Fixed wired broadband internet is provided through copper or fiber with different
access methods like ADSL, VDSL, EPON and GPON.

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 Fixed wireless BB internet wireless is device or system used to connect different fixed
locations with a radio or other wireless link.
 Wireless broadband internet is an Internet service which can be given through different
access methods like, AIRONET, supports up to 54 Mbps downloading capacity, VSAT
(supports up to 2Mbps downloading capacity), EVDO and 3G.
2. Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) Internet
Fixed Broadband Internet service is an Internet service with wired access. It can be provided
through copper or fiber depending on the speed requested and other factors.
Ethio Telecom provides this service in two options:
 Limited ADSL: is a packaged service based on volume; mainly targeting residential
customers.
 Unlimited ADSL: It is unlimited in volume and sold with a fixed monthly rent with
different access speed options.

3. 3G Internet

Ethio telecom‟s 3G Internet package service is a broadband internet service. The package is
designed to meet the demand of both residential and enterprise customers.

4. Evolution Data Only (EVDO)

EVDO is a Broadband mobile Internet service with high speed using CDMA technology. The
service works wherever CDMA network is available. The service is available in Addis Ababa
and more than 200 cities and town throughout the country. It is provided in three alternative
packages: 1GB, 2GB and 4GB for both prepaid and postpaid customers.

1.3.4 Additional Business Services

1. Virtual Private Network


Virtual Private Network (VPN) enables private and public institutions to connect their various
branches and to establish their own private networks. VPN enables you to share information and
activate all information technology systems inside your branches via fixed and mobile options.
The service is available all over Ethiopia in areas covered by Ethio telecom terrestrial and mobile
network that support data services.

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2. VSAT: VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) is an internet or VPN service using a satellite
access mechanism. It is a way of establishing private satellite communication network for large
organizations that have widely dispersed locations.

1.5 Organizational structure of Ethio Telecom

The current organizational structure of Ethio Telecom is based on the organizational structure of
France telecom. Ethio Telecom‟s organizational structure can be broadly viewed as technical
division, commercial division, support division and others. Each division has its own sub
divisions as listed below.

Figure 1.2: Organizational Structure of Ethio Telecom

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CHAPTER TWO
OVERALL INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

2.1 Objectives of the internship


2.1.1 General objectives
The general objective of the internship is to see the practical career environment and acquire an
insight on how theoretical concepts are applied in practical working environment. Besides to
observing and practicing the operational environment, it helps us to know and apply the ethics of
working environment like responsibility, punctuality, professionalism and the like.
2.1.2 Specific objectives
Specific objective is to acquire and demonstrate competencies expected in a professional
managerial environment such as:
 Developing communicational, cooperativeness and team-work skills
 Expansion of knowledge and acquaintance with industry in the field of Electrical and
Electronics Engineering.
 Consolidation and deepening of existing knowledge in the Electrical and Electronic
Engineering design and construction industry.
 Participation in the development, manufacture and assembly of products typical for
the industry.
 Create conducive atmosphere to assess professional qualification
 Increase productivity of the student.

2.2 Beginning of the Internship

I got an acceptance in Ethio Telecom with the help of our University Industry Linkage (MU-
UIL) office in collaboration with Ministry of Education and Ethio Telecom. Having done this, I
was given an orientation at Ministry of Education and chose where want to work. And then I
took a two days training on overall organizational overview, rules and regulations of working
environment, products and services of Ethio Telecom in Addis Ababa at Ethio Telecom
Microwave building. At the end of the training, I was assigned to work at North Region Ethio
Telecom, Mekelle.

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2.3 Internship Experience at ethio-telecom

Internship at Ethio Telecom began with a two-day training. This two-day training was held to
introduce us, the interns, to the organizational structure, rules and regulations, corporate culture,
product and services and history of Ethio Telecom. In addition, we also reviewed the history of
telecommunications technologies, state of the art telecom technologies and trends in
communication technologies.

I and other fourteen students were assigned on the university industry linkage program Ethio
Telecom at Mekelle. We were informed to report on Feburaray 16 at hosting human resource
offices and we do so. The North Region Human Resource office, Mr.kidane, assigned us to work
in Operation and Maintenance department. In addition, the north region Ethio telecom manger,
Mr. Kifilay introduces us the four sections which are RAN, IP, core and transmission. We then
chose one from the four by our need, and I and three students chose RAN. We met Mr.kahsay,
RAN supervisor, and introduce us with the stuff members.

In the first three months we work in RAN and transmission section, but in the final month
(during fourth month) I work in network performance and optimization section.

2.4 Experience shared from RAN Department


Radio Access Network (RAN)
A radio access network (RAN) is part of a mobile Telecommunication system which implements
a Radio access technology. Conceptually, it resides between devices such as a Mobile phone, a
computer, or any remotely controlled machine and provides connection with its Core network
(CN). RAN consists of Base Transceiver Station (BTS), Base station Controller (BSC) for GSM,
NodeB, Radio Station Controller(RNC) for UMTS, eNodeB for LTE. It resides between Mobile
station (UE plus SIM card) and Mobile switching center (MSC).
RAN (Radio Access Network) has three sub departments: GSM for 2G, UMTS for 3G and
CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). Of these, we had seen GSM and UMTS.

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2.4.1 GSM cellular networks
The second generation (2G) of cellular networks was based on digital communications and was
first deployed in the early 1990s. The shift from analog to digital technology improved the
quality, capacity, cost, power, speed, security and quantity of services.
GSM is based on TDMA and operates at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz (850 MHz and 1900 MHz in
North America). For the 900 MHz, the downlink frequency band is 935-960 MHz and the uplink
frequency band is 890-915 MHz, Thus, the bandwidth for both uplink and downlink is 25 MHz
which allows 124 carriers with a channel spacing of 200 KHZ. In GSM, each Radio Frequency
(RF) channel caters for 8 speech channels. Techniques like cell sizing and splitting, power
control and frequency reuse are applied to increase GSM network capacity.

The GSM system was designed as a second generation (2G) cellular phone technology which
was built mainly for voice services and slow data transmission but better in capacity and
performance than the previous first generation analogue systems. In GSM roaming service was
possible but not in 1G. Ethio‟s 2G GSM networks operate in the 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
frequency bands and it supports circuit switched voice and data.

GSM technology is a combination of frequency division multiple access (FDMA) and time
division multiple access (TDMA). In primary GSM 900 MHz the uplink frequency band is
890_915 MHz and the down link frequency band is 935_960 MHz. This 25 MHz bandwidth is
subdivided into 124 carrier frequency channels each spaced 200 kHz apart (guard band). Each
carrier frequency is then divided in to 8 time slots using TDMA. For GSM1800 uplink and
downlink frequency bands are 1710-1785 MHz and 1805-1880 MHz respectively.

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Figure 2.1: FDMA and TDMA frame structure of GSM

GSM cellular architecture


A given geographical area is segmented in to cells. Cell is a coverage area of a single BTS. The
possible coverage area is of a spherical region of radius „r‟, but hexagonal cells are used ideally
so as to neglect the interferences between them.
Several carrier frequencies are used without using the same frequencies in neighbor cells. Cell
radius varies from some 100 meters to 35 kilometers depending on user density, geography and
transceiver power and the like.

2.4.1.1GSM CHANNELS
• Physical Channel: Each timeslot on a carrier is referred to as a physical channel
• Logical Channel: Variety of information is transmitted between the MS and BTS.
Different types of logical channels:
– Traffic channel
– Control Channel
GSM logical channels
The data whether user traffic or signaling information are mapped onto the physical channels by
defining a number of logical channels. A logical channel will carry information of a specific type
and a number of these channels may be combined before being mapped on to the same physical
channel. Logical channels are broadly categorized in to traffic channels and signaling channels.

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Traffic channels (TCHs)
The traffic channels are intended to carry encoded speech or user data. Full rate traffic channels
carry a net bit rate of 22.8 Kb/s (TCH/F) whereas half rate traffic channels carry a net bit rate of
11.4 Kb/s (TCH/H).
Control Channels (CCHs)
The control channels are intended to carry signaling and Synchronization data between the base
station and the Mobile station.
GSM control channels are divided in to three.
 Broadcast control channels
 Common control channels
 Dedicated control channels
Broadcast control channels
Broadcast control channels are used to broadcast synchronization and general network
information to all the MSs within a cell. They are transmitted in downlink direction only. It has
three categories.
I. Frequency correction channel (FCCH) is used for frequency correction and synchronization of
mobile station.
II. Synchronization Channel (SCH) is used to synchronize the mobile station time wisely with
the BTS.
III. Broadcast control channel (BCCH) is used to broadcast control information such as details of
the control channel configuration used at the BTS, a list of the BCCH carrier frequencies used at
the neighboring BTSs and a number of parameters that are used by the MS when accessing the
BTS to every MS within a cell.
Common Control Channels
Common control channels are used by an MS during the paging and access procedures. Common
control channels are of three types.
I. Paging channel (PCH) within certain time intervals the MS will listen to the Paging channel,
PCH, to see if the network wants to get in contact with the MS.

II. Random access channel during listening to the PCH, the MS will realize it is being paged.
The MS answers, requesting a signaling channel, on the Random Access channel, RACH. RACH
can also be used if the MS wants to get in contact with the network.
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III. Access grant channel (AGCH) is used by the network to grant, or deny an MS access to the
network by supplying it with details of a dedicated channel.

Dedicated Control Channels


DCCH is used to carry Signaling information between a MS and a BTS using associated and
dedicated control channels during or not during a call. They are of three types.
I. Slow associated control channels are used to transmit non-urgent information for instance,
transmitter power control.
II. Fast associated control channels are used for more urgent information, e.g. a handover
command.
III. Standalone dedicated control channels (SDCCH) in some situations, signaling information
must flow between a network and an MS when a call is not in progress such as during a location
update. This could be accommodated by allocating either a full rate or half-rate TCH and by
using either the SACCH or FACCH to carry the information.

2.4.1.2 GSM system architecture

GSM is a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), several providers‟ setup mobile networks
following the GSM standard within each country. It comprises three subsystems:-

A. Radio Station subsystem (RSS)


B. Network and Switching Subsystem (NSS)
C. Operation Subsystem (OSS)
The overall architecture of GSM looks like:

Figure 2.2: GSM system architecture

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A. Radio Station Subsystem
Radio station subsystem is portion of GSM architecture which covers all the radio aspects. RSS
is composed of two subsystems:
 Mobile station (MS)
 Base Station Subsystem (BSS)
1. Mobile station (MS)
Mobile stations are the section of a GSM cellular network that the user sees and operates. The
two main elements are the main hardware, user equipment, and the SIM.
The user equipment contains the main elements of the mobile phone and contains a number
known as the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) which is installed in the phone at
manufacture. It is accessed by the network during registration to check whether the equipment
has been reported as stolen.

Subscriber Identity Module (SIM): a smartcard that holds the subscriber identity, performs
authentication algorithms, stores authentication and encryption keys, some subscription
information that is needed at the terminal

2. Base station subsystem


The Base Station Subsystem (BSS) is the Radio Access Network (RAN) section of GSM
architecture that is fundamentally associated with communicating with the mobiles on the
network. It consists of two elements which are:
 Base transceiver station (BTS)
 Base Station Controller (BSC)
Base Transceiver Station

BTS is a mobile network access device which comprises the radio transmitter/receiver and their
associated antennas that transmit and receive signals to directly communicate with mobiles. BTS
has indoor and outdoor components with their specific functions. The indoor part consists of
Base Band Unit (BBU), Radio Transmission Network (RTN), ATN and Digital Current
Distribution Unit (DCDU) and Rectifier.

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BBU (base band unit)
BBU is a small box with all the external ports on the front panel. It consists of UMPT, UEIU,
UPEU, UBRI and WBBP.
FAN: Controls the temperature and heat of every module in BBU
UMPT (Universal main processing and transmission unit): Controls and manages the entire BTS.
It provides interfaces related to reference clock, power supply, operation and maintenance and
external alarm collection.
UEIU (universal environment interface unit): Supports multiple environment monitoring signals.
It supports eight Boolean alarm signals and two RS485 environment monitoring signals.
UPEU (Universal power and environment interface unit): Supports to the -48 v DC power input
supply. Supplies power to the boards, modules and fan in the BBU.
UBRI (Universal baseband radio interface): Provides the interface for both 2G and 3G
WBBP (WCDMA baseband processor): Provides the interface only for 3G

Figure 2.3: BBU physical structure

The outdoor portion consists of the following components:


 Transceiver (TRX) basically does transmission and reception of signals. It is also called
drive receiver.
 Power amplifier (PA) amplifies the signal from drive receiver for transmission through
antenna; may be integrated with drive receiver.
 Combiner Combines feeds from several TRXs so that they could be sent out through a
single antenna
It allows for a reduction in the number of antenna used.
 Duplexer is used for separating, sending and receiving signals to/from antenna. It does
sending and receiving signals through the same antenna ports (cables to antenna).

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 Alarm extension system Collects working status alarms of various units in the BTS
and extends them to operations and maintenance (O&M) monitoring stations.
 A remote radio unit is a remote radio transceiver that connects to an operator radio
control panel via electrical or wireless interface. They are generally connected to the
BTS/NodeB/ eNodeB via a fiber optic cable using Common Public Radio Interface
protocols.
The RRU can be configured to communicate with a base band unit (BBU) via a physical
communication link and can communicate with a wireless mobile device via an air interface. It is
used to extend the RF signal to some specified coverage area.

Basic functions of BTS include frequency hopping, channel coding and decoding, rate
adaptation, encryption and decryption, Paging and Uplink signal measurements.

Figure 2.4: BTS tower

Base Station Controller (BSC)

BSC resides between group of BTSs and MSC. It controls all the BTSs around it and the
switching mechanisms between MS and MSC, manages radio and terrestrial channels, encrypts
and decrypts the data, traffic measurement, authentication, location register and update and
manages handover.

B. Network and Switching Subsystem


NSS contains a variety of different elements, and is often termed as the core network which
performs call forwarding; handover switching and the like. It provides the main control and

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interfacing for the whole mobile network. NSS consists of MSC (Mobile Switching Center), LR
(Home Location Register and Visitor Location Register), gateway mobile and switching center
(GMSC), EIR and AuC.
I. Mobile Switching Center
The MSC controls call signaling and processing, and Coordinates the handover of the mobile
connection from one base station to another as the mobile roams around. The mobile switching
center (MSC) is the primary service delivery node for GSM/CDMA, responsible for routing
voice calls and SMS as well as other services (such as conference calls, FAX and circuit
switched data). The MSC sets up and releases the end-to-end connection, handles mobility and
hand-over requirements during the call and takes care of charging and real time pre-paid account
monitoring. The MSC manages the roles of inter-cellular transfer, mobile subscriber visitors, and
interconnections with the PSTN. Each MSC is connected through GMSC to the local Public
Switched Telephone Network (PSTN or ISDN) to provide the connectivity between the mobile
and the fixed telephone users.
II. Home Location Register

HLR is a database that contains all the administrative information about each subscriber along
with their last known location. In this way, the GSM network is able to route calls to the relevant
base station for the MS. When a user switches on their phone, the phone registers with the
network and from this it is possible to determine which BTS it communicates with so that
incoming calls can be routed appropriately.

III. Visitor Location Register (VLR)

The VLR is a database that contains temporary information about subscribers that is needed by
the MSC in order to service visiting subscribers. The VLR is always integrated with the MSC.
When a mobile station roams into a new MSC area, the VLR connected to that MSC will request
data about the mobile station from the HLR. Later, if the mobile station makes a call, the VLR
will have the information needed for call setup without having to interrogate the HLR each time.

IV. Equipment Identity Register (EIR)


EIR is an optional database that is supposed to contain the unique International Mobile
Equipment Identity (IMEI), which is a number of the mobile phone equipment. EIR is specified

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to prevent usage of stolen mobile stations or to bar malfunctioning equipment (e.g., from certain
manufacturer).
V. Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC)
GMSC provides interface between the mobile network and Public Switched Telephone Network
(PSTN).
VI. Authentication Center (AuC)
The Authentication Center is a protected database that stores a copy of the secret key stored in
each subscriber's SIM card, which is used for authentication and ciphering of the radio channel.
It protects network operators from different types of fraud found in today's cellular world.

C. Operation and Support Subsystem (OSS)

The OSS or operation and support subsystem is an element within the overall GSM network
architecture that is connected to components of the NSS and the BSC. It is used to control and
monitor the overall GSM network and it is also used to control the traffic load of the BSS.

Generally used for the following specific tasks:

 Subscriber information management


 Billing
 Ensure smooth running of the network
 Monitors performance of the network
 Generates relevant alarm if there is fault
 Corrects some faults while others may require visit
 Collect and analyze network performance data
 Input for optimization decisions

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GSM air interfaces

Figure 2.5: GSM air interfaces

2.4.2 Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems (UMTS), 3G mobile networks

2.4.2.1 Third generation mobile networks

The 3G is created by ITU-T and is called IMT-2000 which should provide convergence of the
existing standards in 2G, such as CDMA, GSM, and TDMA. It is created to provide higher data
rates and the possibility for creation of various services over the same network architecture.
Besides it should be transparent and open to new services created by the service and con-tent
providers.

UMTS is an upgrade from GSM which uses WCDMA. Its standardization work is carried out by
Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Data rates of UMTS are 144 kbps for rural, 384
kbps for urban outdoor, 2048 kbps for indoor and low range outdoor. UMTS has 1920-1980
MHz uplink and 2110-2170 MHz downlink frequency bands.

3G Mobile network frequency range available in Ethiopia is from 1700 MHz to 2690 MHz of
which 2140 MHz for downlink and 1950 MHz for uplink are used by Ethio telecom UMTS radio
network.

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WCDMA Services Compatible with abundant services and applications of GSM and GPRS, the
WCDMA system has an open integrated service platform to provide a wide prospect for various
3G service.

Features of 3G Services
3G (WCDMA) services are inherited from 2G (GSM) services. In a new architecture, new
service capabilities are generated, and more service types are available. Service characteristics
vary greatly, so each service features differently. Generally, there are features as follows:
 The real-time services such as voice service generally have the QoS requirement.
 Compatible backward with all the services provided by GSM.
 The concept of multimedia service is introduced.

2.4.2.2 UMTS System Structure


The Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is the third generation (3G) mobile
telecommunication system by using the WCDMA air interface technology, usually called
WCDMA telecommunication system. It adopts a structure similar to the second generation (2G)
mobile telecommunication system, including the Radio Access Network (RAN) and the Core
Network (CN). The RAN is used to process all the radio-related functions, while the CN is used
to process all voice calls and data connections within the UMTS system, and implements the
function of external network switching and routing. Logically, the CN is divided into the Circuit
Switched (CS) Domain and the Packet Switched (PS) Domain. UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access
Network (UTRAN), CN and User Equipment (UE) together constitute the whole UMTS system.

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Figure 2.6: Composition of the UMTS network system

The UMTS network system includes the following parts:

I. User Equipment (UE):


The UE exchanges data with network equipment through the Uu interface, and provides services
like common voice, data, mobile multi-media and Internet application (For example, E-mail,
WWW browse and FTP).

UE includes:
 Mobile Equipment (ME): Providing application and services.
 UMTS Subscriber Module (USIM): Providing subscriber identification.
II. UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network

Is divided into Node B and Radio Network Controller (RNC).


 Node B: Is the base station of the WCDMA system and processes the physical layer
protocol of the Uu interface and interconnects with RNC via the standard Iub interface.
Its main functions include spreading/de-spreading, modulation/demodulation, channel
coding/decoding, and conversion between baseband signals and RF signals.
 Radio Network Controller (RNC): Responsible for connection establishment, call
release and handover.

III. Core Network (CN)


CN is responsible for connecting other networks as well as communicating and managing
UEs. The core network equipment of different protocol versions in the WCDMA system is
different. Generally, the R99 core network is divided into the CS domain and the PS domain.
The Release 4(R4) core network is the same as the Release 99 (R99) core network, but in the
R4 core network, the MSC function of R99 CS is implemented by the two separate entities:
Mobile Switching Center (MSC) Server and Media Gateway (MGW). The Release 5 (R5)
core network is the same as the R4 core network except that R5 has been added with an IP
multi-media domain. Currently Ethio-telecom implemented Release 5 core network.

The R99 core network has the following functional entities:

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1. Mobile Switching Center (MSC)/ Visitor Location Register (VLR)
MSC/VLR is a functional node of the CS domain in the WCDMA core network. It connects
with Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) via the Iu-CS interface, with
external networks such as Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Integrated Service
Digital Network (ISDN) via the PSTN/ISDN interface, with Home Location Register (HLR) via
the C interface, with MSC/VLR, Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) or Short Message
Center (SMC) via the E interface, with Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) via the Gs
interface. Its main functions are call control, mobility management, authentication and ciphering
of the CS domain.

2. Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC)


GMSC is the gateway node between the CS domain of the WCDMA mobile network and
external networks, and it is an optional functional node. It connects with external networks
(PSTN, ISDN and other PLMN) through the PSTN/ISDN interface, connects with HLR through
the C interface. It implements the routing function of incoming calls in the MSC function and
inter-network settlement function of such external networks as fixed networks.

3. Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)


SGSN is a functional node of the PS domain in the WCDMA core network. It connects with
UTRAN through the Iu-PS interface, with Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) through the
Gn/Gp interface, with HLR/AUC through the Gr interface, with MSC/VLR through the Gs
interface, with SMC through the Gd interface, with CG through the Ga interface and with SGSN
interface through the Gn/Gp interface and its main functions are route forwarding, mobility
management, authentication and ciphering of the PS domain.

4. Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)


GGSN is a functional node of the PS domain in the WCDMA core network. It connects with
SGSN through the Gn/Gp interface and with external data networks (Internet/Intranet) through
the Gi interface. It provides the routing and encapsulation of data packets between the WCDMA
mobile network and the external data networks. Its major functions are to provide interfaces to
external IP packet networks. It needs to provide the gateway function for UE to access external
packet networks. From the point of view of external networks, GGSN looks as if it were a router

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of all user IP networks in the addressable WCDMA mobile network and it needs to exchange
routing information with external networks.
5. Home Location Register (HLR)
HLR is a functional node shared by the CS and PS domains in the WCDMA core network. It
connects with MSC/VLR or GMSC through the C interface, with SGSN through the Gr
interface, and with GGSN through the Gc interface. And its main functions are to store
subscription information for subscribers, support new services and provide the enhanced
authentication function.
2.4.2.3 Basic Structure of UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN)

UTRAN includes one or several Radio Network Subsystems (RNS).A RNS is composed of one
RNC and one or several node B‟s. The Iu interface is used between RNC and CN while the Iub is
adopted between RNC and node B, Within UTRAN RNCs connect with one another through the
Iur interface. The Iur interface can connect RNCs via the direct physical connections among
them or connect them through the transport network. RNC is used to allocate and control the
radio resources of the connected node B, however, node B serves to convert the data flows
between the Iub interface and the Uu interface and, at the same time it also participated in part of
radio resource management.

Figure 2.7: UTRAN structure

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UTRAN has the following main interfaces:

Cu interface: The Cu interface is the electrical interface between the USIM card and ME, and it
adopts the standard interface.

Uu interface: The Uu interface is the radio interface of WCDMA. UE accesses the UMTS system
through the Uu interface, so we can say the Uu interface is the most important open interface in
the UMTS system.

Iur interface: The Iur interface is the interface connecting RNCs. It is specific to the UMTS
system for mobility management of UEs in RAN. For example, when different RNCs perform
soft handover, all UE data are transmitted from the working RNC to the candidate RNC through
the open standard Iur interface.

Iub interface: The Iub interface is an open standard interface connecting Node B and RNC. It
allows RNC to connect to NodeB from another equipment manufacturer.

Iu interface: The Iu interface is the interface between UTRAN and CN. Similar to the A interface
and the Gb interface in the GSM system, it is also an open standard interface. It allows different
vendor‟s UTRAN and CN to connect together, and can be divided into the Iu-CS interface and
the Iu-PS interface.

2.5 Experience shared from Transmission Section

2.5.1 Overview of Transmission System

Transmission is a process of transporting information between end points of a system or


network. It composed of transmission node equipment‟s and transmission mediums and is
located between switching nodes or between base station and base station controller. The main
actions performed in transmission network are modulation and multiplex/demultiplexing. Every
transmission system consists of transmitter, transmitting channel and receiver.

Basic transmission techniques deployed in ethio telecom are:-


 Coaxial cable
 Microwave link

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 Satellite
 Fiber optic cable
2.5.2 Multiplexing
Multiplexing is a process that combines several signals for simultaneous transmission on single
transmission channel. It is economically feasible to utilize the available bandwidth of optical
fiber or coaxial cable or radio system in a single high capacity system shared by multiple users.
Various multiplexing techniques deployed are FDM, TDM, CDM and WDM.
Advantages of WDM
 Ultra high capacity ( i.e 1 DWDM = 3.2Tbps )
 Data transparency ( no data mixing )
 Long haul transmission
 Compatible with existing optical fibers
 High networking flexibility, economy, and reliability
 Smooth expansion (easy to add any fiber) and etc.

Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM)


WDM assigns incoming optical signals to specific frequencies of light (wavelengths or
lambdas) with a certain frequency band. It takes multiple optical signals, maps them to
individual wavelengths and multiplex the wavelength over a single fiber used.
There are two divisions of wavelength division multiplexing categories.

a) Course wave length division multiplexing


CWDM refers to the WDM technology with somehow larger interval between adjacent
wavelengths. It is used in short –distance transmission system, metro networks (city) and rarely
currently. CWDM have 20 channels with 20nm channel spacing

b) Dense wavelength division multiplexing


DWDM refers to WDM technology utilizing closely spaced channels (with small interval
between adjacent wavelengths), with channel spacing 1.6nm and less. It can bear 8 ~ 160
wavelengths in one fiber and it is mostly used in long- distance transmission system. Which is
cost effective way of increasing capacity without replacing fiber, and have a capacity greater
than 80Gbps per single fiber.

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2.5.3 Modulation
Modulation is the process of superimposed the information of modulating signal with carrier
signal by varying the characteristics of carrier signal (amplitude, frequency, and phase).
Of the various modulation techniques Ethio telecom uses adaptive modulation. Adaptive
modulation (AM) technology adjusts the modulation scheme automatically based on the
environmental, atmospheric and terrestrial conditions which affects channel quality. In AM,
when modulation schemes are switched, the transmit frequency, receive frequency, and
channel spacing remain unchanged.
The basic Needs of modulation:
 To reduce antenna height
 For multiplexing
 For avoiding the mixing signals
 To increase the range of communication
2.5.4 Transmission Medias
Ethio Telecom‟s transmission media encompasses both wired and wireless. Wired transmission
media includes twisted pair cable, coaxial cable and optical fiber whereas unwired (Air)
includes microwave and satellite communications.

2.5.5 Fundamentals of microwave technology


Microwave is electromagnetic wave with frequency from 300MHz to 300GHz. Microwave
Systems transmit voice and data through the basic transmission techniques used in Ethio
Telecom are microwave, SDH and DWDM.
The atmosphere as super-high-frequency radio waves.
Microwave is a line of sight communication and has the following characteristics.
 Can be rapidly installed
 Can cross complicated terrains( Rivers, Lakes and Mountains)
 Used for long-haul telecommunications.
 Still viable for right-of-way bypass and geographic obstruction avoidance
Design consideration of microwave engineering are free space Loss/ atmospheric attenuation,
reflections, diffractions, rain attenuation and skin effect. Ethio telecom‟s microwave technology
is deployed via Optix RTN 900 series.

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2.5.5.1 Optix RTN 900 series
Optix RTN 900 is a new generation TDM/hybrid/packet integrated microwave transmission
system developed by Huawei. It provides seamless microwave transmission solution for mobile
communication or private networks. There are four types of Optix RTN 900 products: Optix
RTN 900, Optix RTN 905, Optix RTN 950, Optix RTN 950A and Optix RTN 980 of which
users can choose specific series suited for their site.
Optix RTN 900 series provide a variety of service interfaces that can be installed easily and
configured flexibly. It provides a solution that can integrate TDM microwave, hybrid
microwave and packet microwave technologies according to networking scheme for the sites,
achieving smooth upgrade from TDM to hybrid and from hybrid to packet microwave. This
solution meets transmission requirements of 2G, 3G and LTE. Besides it allows future network
evolution and evolution.
Components of RTN series
 Digital modem (indoor unit)
 IF cable
 Radio frequency (RF) unit (ODU)
 Hybrid coupler
 pole
 antenna
Hybrid coupler is optional that is necessary when two ODUs are to be connected. NR Ethio
Telecom has N+0 protection configuration and doesn‟t use hybrid coupler.

Digital modem
The digital modem (IDU 900) accesses services, performs service and IF processing, provides
system control and communication function and modulates the baseband signal and converts to
intermediate frequency signal. It provides radio links of various types in which different IF
boards, control, switching and timing boards and ODUs are configured for diverse microwave
scenarios.
IF cable: connects ODU and IF boards directly. It transmits IF signal and ODU management
signal between IDU and ODU and provides _48V power to the ODU.

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RF unit: RF unit, ODU, converts the intermediate frequency in to radio frequency and
amplifies the signal so as to transmit it with the microwave. Besides it performs up conversion,
mixing IF signal and high frequency local oscillation signal and output RF signal.
Antenna: Antenna is a passive device that radiates and absorbs the modulated signal. It is fed by
direct connect of the RF unit, coaxial cable, or waveguides at higher frequencies.

Figure 2.8: Optix RTN equipment components

2.6 Experience shared from Network Performance and Optimization Section

Network optimization amounts to finding a network configuration to achieve the best possible
performance. The goal of resource optimization is to achieve the best possible re-source
utilization. The boundary between the two areas, network optimization and resource
optimization, is even tighter than that between network planning and resource planning.
Moreover, in practice, resource optimization is very often a part of network optimization.

The main difference between the two concepts is that optimization tasks related to network
infrastructure are typically associated with network optimization rather than resource
optimization.

2.6.1 Radio Network Optimization


Radio network optimization is carried out in order to improve the network performance with the
existing resources. The main purpose is to increase the utilization of the network resources, solve
the existing and potential problems on the network and identify the probable solutions for future
network planning.
Through Radio Network Optimization, the service quality and resources usage of the network are
greatly improved and the balance among coverage, capacity and quality is achieved.

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Network optimization is step in which the efficiency of the network is increased. It is a
continuous process that keeps on improving the overall network quality. The network quality can
be seen two different perspectives; one is the subscriber point of view and other is the operator
point of view.

In general, the following steps are followed during the Radio Network Optimization:

 Data Collection and verification


 Data analysis
 Parameter and hardware adjustment
 Optimization result confirmation and reporting.

Due to the mobility of subscribers and complexity of the radio wave propagation, most of
network problems are caused by increasing subscribers and the changing environment. Radio
Network Optimization is a continuous process that is required as the network evolves.

Basic needs of Optimization:


 For existing network of RAN
 After new deployment in order to check single site verification
 Periodical assessment in order to check the performance the site
 If there is customer complaint
Inputs for optimization
 Drive test
 Customer complaints
2.6.2 Drive testing
The first step in the process for collecting measurement data. Once the data has been collected over the
desired RF coverage area, it is output to post processing software. Drive testing is a method of measuring
and assessing the coverage, capacity and QoS.
This data collected from the field and is associated with the Mobile Station.

Drive test is performed by a car, GPS, laptop, Google earth, map info, nemo, Genox probe and scanner.
Causes of Poor Coverage:
1. Poor coverage due to bad RSCP- Receive signal level <-95dbm

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2. Poor Coverage due to Missing neighbors & handover failure
3. Faulty hardware.
4. Interference

2.6.3 Radio Resource Management (RRM)


Radio Resource Management (RRM) is elementary part of a mobile system. RRM is responsible
for efficient utilization of the air interface resources. It is needed to:
 Guarantee Quality of Service (QoS)
 Maintain the planned coverage area
 Optimize the radio resource usage in the network

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CHAPTER THREE

BENEFITS GAINED FROM INTERNSHIP AND CHALLENGES


3.1Benefits Gained From Internship
The internship has helped me to improve myself in so many aspects. It helped me to see how the
real world, in terms of communication engineering, works and how to be able to deal with it.
Also to relate the theoretical knowledge with practical knowledge and able to organized both
knowledge for real world of life and familiarize our self for working environment and
have better performance for technician‟s skill. All in all, I am so grateful for the times I have
spent in the internship as they were life changing experiences. To say the least I have acquired
the following benefits.

3.1.1 Upgraded Theoretical Knowledge


We know that theoretical lessons have great difference from practical when we see from
difference angles. Theoretical knowledge is gained from visualizing something from what we
understand and is weak to master or save.
I learned theoretical concepts that were not adequately discussed in classroom. To mention a
few:
 GSM system Architecture
 GSM channels
 GSM air interfaces
 UMTS system architecture
 Basic structure of UTRAN and main interface
 Overview of transmission system and RTN(microwave equipment)
 Network optimization and dive test.
The other thing that completely surprised me was when I learned the angular separations
between the two sectors of a three sector cell may be different than 120°.
3.1.2 Upgraded Practical Knowledge
During the internship period I upgraded practical knowledge to study and analyze the radio
environment measurement file by Actix analyzer software to understand which area has
excellent, good, average, and bad in terms of coverage and quality.

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3.1.3 Improving Team playing skills
As intern students, the northern region ethio telecom assigned us in team of four students. This
created opportunity for us to develop team work skills. Through our day to day activities we
acquired some benefits related to team work.

In addition to this we were working with various technicians, subdivision specialists,


supervisors, managers and other members of the staff. We were asking them questions and
discuss with them and ourselves. We were able to get familiar with them and involved in some of
their tasks.

3.1.4 Improving Interpersonal Skills


Interpersonal communication skill means one‟s ability to easily engage itself in discussions on
technical, environmental and social issues with a professional manner and able to grasp
something useful out of it. Of course it was not an easy as it sounds at first. But through the
course of time and with a great help from different means, I was able to improve what
important skill is. We just try to have good communication skill with people around us. As we
tried to know something that is new to us in the company, we would ask the ambiguity to
the workers near to us and whom we supposed know it. In turn, besides of
understanding the ambiguities, we developing the communication ways and interpersonal
communication skills.

3.1.5 Improved Leadership Skill


The skill of leadership is the ability of one‟s to guide, control and monitor peers and collages that
are taking part in a given activities it may be in office or production area. Educated,
skilled and experienced man power is necessary for leader position because the activity of the
leader is should be exemplary (model) for other workers.

Even though we didn‟t participate in leadership arena directly, we were observing how the
managers and supervisors manage and convey their order to the specialists, technicians
and ourselves.

To be a good leader one should develop the following features:


 Have good communication ability
 Being passionate serve as a role model

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 Motivate others to greatness
 Listening the ideas and problems of employers
 Learning from mistakes and weaknesses
 Ready to educate and improve oneself

3.1.6 Work Ethics and related work


Work ethics is a set of values based on hard work and diligence. Working as an intern in NR
Ethio Telecom helped us gain work ethics in terms of being reliable, having initiatives, and
pursuing new skills. We developed our work ethics through the values of attitude, behavior,
respect, communication, interaction and how one gets along with others.
Generally, we should follow the rule and regulations set by the company and avoid
complaining any work load, activity or assignment that may arise on the production, utility or
office area, if we have a good work ethics and we are responsible for a given work (task). We
were with a great interest when we were trying to meet our responsibilities and work ethics that
we supposed to be based on our wisdom (status).

3.1.7 Entrepreneur skills


Entrepreneur skill is the state of being an entrepreneur that is one who innovates his/her own
business and benefits himself/ herself or other citizens of the nation.

To be an entrepreneur one should develop the skills like self-motivation, self-confidence, ethics
and moral, learn from mistakes and weaknesses, self-reliance, enthusiasm, ability to plan and
complete tasks timely, willing to learn, and good communication skill etc…

3.2 Challenges
During this internship program we face many challenges from these:

 There was shortage of mentors, who can show us the detail operation of the company
 Lack of computers to study and to download data
 We were not allowed to use our own laptops inside the company
 We were not allowed to use the software management systems such as netnumen and
U2000 since the system is active and allowed for only employers

34
CHAPTRE FOUR
COVERAGE ANALYSIS OF WCDMA NETWORK OF CLUSTER 1 IN
MEKELLE CITY

4.1Background of the study


Coverage refers to the maximum distance between the desired user and the BS is required to
cover or provide service to a given geographical area with an acceptable quality of service
(QoS). Coverage area analysis is an important consideration to check periodically to ensure
optimum performance of the coverage and while designing of a new cellular network.

The capacity and coverage calculations are important issues to be considered while designing of
cellular system. Hence, the proper designing of WCDMA system involves the accurate and
efficient prediction of cell coverage in terms of capacity.

Mekelle city sites (BTS and nodeB) are classified in to cluster 1, cluster 2, and cluster3. From
these I decide to analysis factor that affect coverage in 3G network in cluster 1.

4.1.1 IMPACT OF BS ANTENNA HEIGHT ON COVERAGE

Tall antenna tower are costly and might be perceived as having a negative aesthetic
impact. However, in extremely rural areas, such as desert environment and emerging
markets, tall, low-cost towers can be used to efficiently reduce site costs and significantly
improve coverage.

The base station coverage area is primarily dependent on the antenna height. If the antenna
height is increased path loss is lessened and on decreasing the antenna height path loss increases
[5].

4.1.2 IMPACT OF ANTENNA TILT ON COVERAGE

The efficiency of a cellular network depends on its correct configuration and adjustment
of radiant systems; the transmitting and the receiving antennas. And one of the more
important system optimizations task is based on correct adjusting tilts, or the inclination of the
antenna in relation to an axis. With the tilt, we direct irradiation further down (or higher),
concentrating the energy in the new desired direction. When the antenna is tilted down, it is
35
called down tilt, which is the most common use. If the inclination is up (very rare and extreme
cases), we call up tilt. The tilt is used when we want to reduce interference and/or coverage in
some specific areas, having each cell to meet only its designed area [5].

Antenna tilt (inclination or angle of the antenna to its axis) of base stations in wireless network is
a key factor for determining the cell coverage. Mechanically or Electrically down tilting the
elevation beam of an antenna directs the null points of the antenna pattern towards the
horizontal plane thereby preventing the energy from propagating into neighboring cells. In
systems with small cell size (where the distance between the cell center and the cell edge
is very less), electrical tilting proves to be a cost effective and trivial solution to the
interference problems. While mechanical tilt provides reduced coverage in the central
direction and more coverage in side directions, pattern blooming, the vertical tilt results in
uniform modification in the antenna radiation pattern (i.e. antenna gain on the horizon decreases)
[4].

Tilting plays a crucial role in interference management, improves the conditions for handover by
minimizing unwanted overlapping with neighboring cells. With tilting, interference at cell
boundary can be removed and the received signal strength in region of interest (ROI) can be
increased along with minimal interference to neighboring cells.

When selecting the optimum tilt angle, the goal is to have as high signal strength as possible in
the area where the cell should be serving traffic. Beyond the serving area of the cell, the signal
strength should be as low as possible. When the cell site uses a high-gain antenna, downward
tilting can direct the nulls in the antenna pattern towards the horizon to prevent energy from
propagating into other cells. A too aggressive down tilting strategy will however lead to an
overall loss of coverage. Down tilting the antenna limits the range by reducing the field strength
in the horizon and increases the radiated power in the cell that is actually to be covered [5].

Selection of mechanical antenna down tilt Angle


Mechanical antenna down tilt is achieved by directing the antenna element towards the ground.
Clearly, Optimum down tilt angle depends at least on two factors: geometrical factor ( ) and
antenna vertical beamwidth factor ( ). The geometrical factors takes into account the
height of the base station antenna ( ) and mobile station antenna ( ) as well as the size of

36
the dominance area (d). The geometrical factor is not enough to describe the optimum downtilt
angle, since certainly antenna vertical beamwidith affects the optimum downtilt angle.
Eventually, antenna vertical beam width is expected to have a great impact on the downtilt angle.
Hence, the optimum mechanical downtilt angle ( ) is assumed to be a function of the vertical
beamwidith factor and geometrical factor:

Intuitively, an increase of the antenna height should also increase the required downtilt angle and
vice versa. Correspondingly, a cell with a small dominance area should require a larger down tilt
angle. However, the geometrical factor as such is not enough to define the required downtilt
angle, as it does not take into account any information about antenna vertical beamwidth. One
possibility is to select the antenna beamwidth factor as half of the antenna half-power (-3dB)
vertical beamwidth ( 3 dB). For the 3-sectored sites, the horizontal beamwidth (BW) of the
antennas is and vertical one either with corresponding antenna gains of 18 dBi
and 15.2 dBi. On the contrary, for the 6-sectored sites, horizontally beamwidth and
vertically beamwidth antennas are utilized with corresponding antenna gain of 21 dBi.

Figure 4.1: Mechanical antenna downtilt scheme

37
4.1.3 Performance Indicators for coverage analysis in WCDMA network

Performance Indicators are a set of measurable parameters that quantify the overall performance
of a network. Different wireless technologies usually use different performance indicator due
mainly to the different techniques they use to achieve communication. WCDMA uses parameters
like MS received power and MS transmitted power.

i. MS Received Power (Rx Power) or RSCP


This parameter is the measure of the total power (including interference) that reaches the mobile
station. In general, the larger the Rx Power parameter at a given location the better is the
reception at that location.
ii. MS Transmitted Power (Tx Power)
Transmitted Power is the transmission power of the mobile station during traffic state. The Tx
Power is determined by reverse closed loop power control. Reverse closed loop power is carried
out in the following steps.
1. The mobile station makes a rough initial estimation of the required power and transmits with
that power
2. Signal strength measurement is carried out at the base station
3. The base station sends power up or power down commands to the mobile station based on the
signal strength measurements. The powers up and power down commands correspond to 1 dB
increase or decrease in Tx Power respectively.
The larger the Tx Power parameter at a given location the worse is the reception at that location.
That is, the signal reaching the base station was poor and the Base Station (BS) has requested
power up.

4.2 Literature Review

To do this project I refer a number of projects and ethio telecom manuals, for instance one of
from these projects is [2], Oboverulu E. Agboje, a project on performance analysis of wireless
mobile network, in Covenantum University, 2016, from this project I understand the
performance analysis of GSM network of Nigeria in one cluster which contains 27 base stations
using TEMS investigation software based on received signal analysis and received quality
analysis.

38
From [3], Dinesh Kumar, a project on Improve GSM Network call drop by RF optimization,
India, 2016, from this project I observed how to make drive test, how to analysis using TEMS
and improvement mechanisms of poor coverage and quality of service in GSM network. [4]
Impact of base station antenna height and antenna tilt on performance of LTE system described
briefly based on effects of antenna height and antenna tilt. [5] Effects of variation in transmitter
power, antenna height, and antenna tilt in a WCDMA networks briefly described.

From these projects I am motivated to analysis coverage of WCDMA network of cluster 1 in


Mekelle city using Actix analyzer based on their RSCP, and Tx-Power, and propose the solution
of the problematic area by the impact of antenna height, and antenna tilt on coverage.

4.3 Statement of the Problem

A radio environment is always changing. This means that physical parameters and engineering
parameters that were set by the initial planning will not work as well some time later. Hence, we
need to periodically check the link quality and take measures to ensure optimum performance in
coverage because after deployed once the sites, there are many subscribers and buildings that
were not before. From this I am motivated to analyze coverage of WCDMA network based on
their performance indicators (RSCP, and Tx-Power) and to propose the solution based on the
impact of antenna height, antenna tilt and azimuth of the problematic area.

4.4 Objectives
4.4.1 General Objective
The general objective of this project is to analysis and measure the performance coverage of
WCDMA network of cluster 1 in Mekelle city.
4.4.2 Specific Objectives
 To analyze coverage of WCDMA network in cluster 1 in terms of RSCP and Tx-Power
using Actix analyzer
 To filter (cut) the problematic area and analyze through actix analyzer
 To propose the solution to solve the problems that are identifie4

39
4.5 Methodology
The main goal of this project is to analysis and to measure the performance coverage of
WCDMA network of cluster 1 in Mekelle city by actix analyzer software from the log file, and
then to select and to analyze the area with poor coverage to propose the solution based on the
sites antenna height, vertical beamwidith, and the distance between the site and the desired area.

To achieve this goal I follow the following the formal methodologies:


 Data collection: a qualitative data and quantitative data are collected from interview,
observation, data base and analyzing documents, and from actix analyzer software.
 Literature review: by referring many text books related to coverage analysis, different
thesis, projects from different websites.
 Analysis tool: in this project Actix analyzer software used to analyze the collected data
(log file)
 Analysis and Interpretation of the results from analysis software and observation from
different angles.

4.6 System Model


In this project, the data is collected from different means as explain in the methodology to
analyze the coverage of WCDMA network of cluster 1 in Mekelle city.

Next, the data is analyzed through Actix analyzer software and then select the areas with bad
coverage and analyzed again through actix analyzer and deep observation of the areas.

Finally, propose the solution by adjusting the mechanical downtilt antenna angle, calculated from
the sites physical parameters (antenna height, vertical beamwidith and distance from the site to
the desired area), and shift the azimuth of the antenna towards the desired direction through
observation.

40
Start

Data Collection

Data Analyzing through Actix Analyzer

Selecting and analyzing the area with bad coverage

Proposing the Solution Using mathematical model

Conclusion

End
Figure 4.2: The overall flowchart

4.7 Data Analysis, Result and Discussions

The log file is collected by network performance and optimization teams based on their frequent
observations of previously collected data and customer complaint. This data is collected on voice
services by making drive test from the field (collecting data through Genox probe with external
GPS by moving or rotating the area by car) and with mobile station (indoor nemo (nemo handy)
collected by Samsung-5 mobile) because drive test is the first step in the collecting measurement
data and used for measuring and monitoring the network parameter.

This data contains all the radio environment measurement files for all wireless sites in WCDMA
network of cluster 1.

41
The drive test of WCDMA is made on downlink measurement of UARFCN 10587MHz,
10612MHz, 10663MHz, and 10688MHz.
UMTS carrier frequencies are designated by a UTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel
Number, UARFCN. The UARFCN can be easily calculated from the following equation or
formula:
UARFCN = 5 (frequency in MHz)
So the drive test is made on frequency of UARFCN/5; 2117.4MHz, 2122.4MHz, 2132.6MHz,
and 2137.6MHz.

The data or log file and Actix analyzer software are given to me after I gave the permission letter
written by electrical and computer engineering dean to the network performance and
optimization supervisor of ethio telecom, Mekelle Mr. Mearg Legesse because is secured without
ethio telecom employers. After that it has been analyzed the coverage of WCDMA network of
cluster 1 in Mekelle city.

Cluster 1 has been analyzed through collected data (log file) based on the topography that have
the area, by Actix analyzer based on their RSCP and Tx-Power, and Google earth.

Materials and Tools Used to analyze:


1. Log file from drive test
2. Analysis software
3. Cell site information

4.7.1 Coverage analysis of cluster 1


To find the regions with good, poor and no coverage it has been analyzed through performance
indicators of WCDMA network that means by following parameters RSCP (received signal code
power) and Tx power from the log file by actix analyzer software.
1. Coverage (RSCP) Distribution of Cluster 1
In the UMTS cellular communication system, received signal code power (RSCP)
denotes the power measured by a receiver on a particular physical communication
channel. It is used as an indication of signal strength, and as a handover criterion, in
downlink power control.

dBm and Watts Conversion: Or =

42
If RSCP values are:
 Above, -60dBm are Excellent coverage
 to -60dBm are Good coverage
 dBm to -85dBm are poor indoor coverage
 Below -95 dBm are bad coverage

The problematic areas are in red color.

Figure4.3: output of RSCP of active set in cluster 1 by actix analzer

Figure 4.4: RSCP of active set in Histogram

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According to the map 92.6% of the area have average and better than average coverage.
However, 7.4% of the areas have bad coverage.

2. UE_TxPow Distribution Analysis of cluster 1


If UE- TxPow values are:
 Bellow -15dBm Excellent coverage
 -15dBm to -10dBm Good coverage
 -10dBm to -5dBm Good coverage
 -5dBm to 0dBm Average coverage
 0dBm to 5dBm Poor coverage
 Above 5dBm bad coverage

The problematic areas are in red color and yellow color

Figure 4.5: output of UE_ Tx power of cluster 1 by Actix analyzer

44
Figure 4.6.: UE_Tx power of cluster 1 histogram

From the above figure the UE- TxPow of the given area is 87.2%, the majority of the area are
excellent and good coverage. However 13.8% are bad coverage that means the locations of
mobile station (UE) is having to transmit at maximum or near maximum power. This is an
indicator of areas where MS is having the hard time reaching the BS.

4.7.2 Selection of the problematic area from cluster 1 and make analysis
After identifying the bad coverage area from RSCP and UE_Tx power analysis to propose the
solution by filtering or cut the problematic area only, it has been made the following analysis.

Figure 4.7: the problematic area filtered by Actix analyzer

45
From Actix analyzer the bad coverage areas had been cut or filtered from the area in cluster 1, in
this area around 45.5%, and 59.9% coverage (RSCP) and UE_Tx Power is bad. Normally this
area covers starting from Hawelti Semaetat above the main road and some parts below the
business campus, and above the business campus including Hawelti, Dagmamsal bounded by
serawat condominium, Milano menafesha, and Hawelti serawat (sub urban).

This area is surrounded by the following sites 121470 a rooftop site in Hawelti Semaetat of
sector 3, 121836 site in Hawelti Serawat (sub urban area) of sector 1 and 2, 121301 site of
Serawat condominium of sector 1 and 2, 121284 site of in Milano menafesha of sector 1, 2, and
3, 121834 a rooftop site in Asaci Business or Rim House of sector 1, 121025 site in Business
Campus of sector 2 and 3, and 121017 site in Abune Aragawi church of sector 3.

I make analysis from the following observation:


1. When I observed the topography, there are many buildings above the height of the sites,
due to this reason the received power strength decreases that reach in a given area due to
path loss and the area is very deep and full of subscribers.
2. The impact of antenna height, antenna tilt, and horizontal and vertical beamwidith of
sites are not consider on coverage.
3. Finally it has been analyzed through actix software in this area there is no dominance cell
that means there are many serving cells with weak signals including detected cell (leads
to overshoot because the site is placed far from the area) in addition to active set cells.

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Figure 4.8: UMTS active set and neighbor sets of the bad coverage area

Figure 4.8 shows in a given area there are two active set cells (121299 site in Gebreil church
sector 2 and 3), three monitored set in three different sites, and two detected set cells in from far
sites, so in this given area there is a disturbance (inter cell interference).

4.8 The Proposed Solution

When I came to the solution all the sites listed above must be adjusted their mechanical down tilt
angle and azimuth to increase their coverage in a way that is not affected the good coverage.
Mechanical down tilt angle is calculating from the height of antenna, vertical beamwidth of
sector antenna and distance estimated from the actix analyzer.

Mechanical tilt adjustment is one of the main coverage improvement mechanism, mechanical tilt
have numbers from 0 to 10. When mechanical tilt increases from zero to ten the coverage
becomes shrink and covers for small distances because the antenna direction becomes down due
to this reason the signal strength can‟t penetrate for the required location.

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Azimuth adjustment is also one mechanism for coverage enhancement by shifting the antennas
main lobe towards the desired direction. Azimuth adjustment is performed after analyzed in actix
software and by observing the site and the topography deeply.

Figure 4.9: partition of problematic (bad coverage) area

In order to make easy analysis the problematic areas had been divided in three parts.
Normally Area 1 is above the main road of Hawelti Semaetat and same parts below business
campus, this problematic area is adjusted by physical adjustment of 121470 site of sector 2
(34702) in Hawelti Semaetat and 121015 site of sector 1(30257) in Business campus.

So in order to make adjustment, the tilt angle (mechanical tilt) can be estimated through simple
calculation. Optimum down tilt angle depends at least on two factors: geometrical factor ( )
and antenna vertical beamwidth factor ( ).

Actually these areas have 3-sectored sites, and they have horizontal beamwidth (BW) of the
antennas is and vertical beamwidith of with corresponding antenna gains of 18 dBi.

48
The height and distance must be in the same measurement units. The distance estimated from the
actix analyzer by taking average. The height of mobile station is not used in the calculation of
mechanical downtilt angle, because of the drive test is made from the downlink measurement.

Table 4.1: Proposed Solution for Area 1

Sites Initial value (data base) Distance Proposed value (optimized value)
estimated from
MT Height(m) Azimuth MT ( = ) Azimuth
actix
analyzer(m)

121470-2 2 21.5 200 900 4.3 205


(34702)

121015-1 7 30 90 420 7 85
(30257)

Note that:
If mechanical tilt is in decimal or fraction calculated from antenna height and distance, round off
to descending integer number in order to increase the coverage of the area. For example MT ( )
= .
From the above table when I compare initial value with the proposed value 121015-1 has proper
mechanical downtilt angle but the azimuth position was adjusted towards the bad coverage area
by decreasing from 90 to 85, and 121470-2 site has 2 mechanical downtilt angle initially, so this
sector serves in another areas rather than the desired area due to the signal strength of this sector
concentrate for a long distance excluding the selected area and this sector creates inter cell
interference in another area, so it must be adjusted by making 4 and 205 of MT and azimuth
position respectively.

49
Area 2 is the second problematic area because the area is deep with many subscribers and there
are many tall building above the height of surrounding sites. This area is the central part of the
areas including the house of Dr. Balema bounded above main road of Business campus, below
Hawelti Serawat (sub urban), below Serawat condominium, and Milano menafesha.

So to give coverage with good quality to the areas in area2:


1. The best solution must be to deploy one site around the deep and center of area2
2. By adjusting MT based on calculating the height of antenna, vertical beamwidth of
antenna and distance between them,
Table 4.2: Proposed Solution for Area 2

Sites Initial value (data base) Distance Proposed value (optimized value)
estimated from
MT Height Azimuth MT ( = ) Azimuth
actix
analyzer(m)

121836-1 (38361) 4 37.5 60 1400 4.5 60

121836-2 (38362) 2 37.5 145 1200 3.7 145

121015-3 (30259) 4 30 290 800 5.14 5 290

121301-1 (33014) 4 41 30 600 6.9 30

121301-2 (33015) 10 41 130 550 7.2 130

121284-1 (32847) 4 25.7 0 550 5.6 5 0

121284-3 (32849) 8 25.7 260 480 6 260

From table 4.2, area 2 must be good or excellent coverage area after adjusting the mechanical
downtilt angle of 121836-2, 121015-3, 121301-1&2, and 121284-1&3 from their antenna height,
the distance to the area of interest, and vertical beamwidith of antenna.

50
Area 3 is around Desta Hotel and above, this area is adjusted by making physical adjustment for
the sites below.

Table 4.3: Proposed Solution for Area 3

Initial value (data base) Distance Proposed value (optimized


estimated from value)
Sites
actix
MT Height Azimuth MT ( = ) Azimuth
analyzer(m)

121284-2 (32848) 1 25.7 130 450 6.2 130

121015-2 (30258) 5 30 180 1100 4.5 4 175

121834-1 (38344) 7 20.5 0 450 3.26 3 0

121017-3 (30179) 6 38 285 700 6 280

From the table 4.3, area 3 must be good or excellent coverage after adjusting the mechanical
downtilt angle of the surrounding sectors (121284-2, 121015-2, and 121834-1) from their
antenna height, the distance to the area of interest, and vertical beamwidith of antenna and the
azimuth of 121015 sector 2 and 121017 sector 3 must be decrease by to direct the main lope
towards poor coverage area.

51
CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Conclusion

Internship is the basic knowledge full for every students living in this globalized world, because
there is knowledge at every work company the same as that of at universities, even if there is a
problem with some company to give a chance for more working accessibility intern students can
get more knowledge more. So as internship student I got more knowledge related to my field
from this company, and know the working behavior. It has been an ideal place and program
for me to freshly and strongly grasp experiences, upgrading theoretical knowledge and
practical skill and to widen our perspective view during designing or technical practical
activities.

It has been analyzed coverage of WCDMA network in cluster 1 by their RSCP and Tx- Power
and have around 92.6% of RSCP and 87.2% of UE-Tx power of areas have good and excellent
coverage but the remaining 7.4% of RSCP and 12.8% of UE-Tx power are bad coverage areas.
Select one area with bad coverage from the areas they have values of RSCP below -95dBm and
Tx-power above 0dBm, the selected area have 45.5% and 59.9% bad coverage based on their
RSCP and Tx-power respectively. After analyzed the topography of the selected area through
observation and actix analyzer the proposed solution are made by adjusting the mechanical tilt
based on the sites antenna height, vertical beamwidth and the distance separation, and shifting
the azimuth position to the area of interest.

5.2 Recommendation

5.2.1 Recommendations to the Company


For the most part, my internship experience was great but I want to recommend for the future. Even
though the internship program has its own encouraged and highly advanced sides, it has some weakness
that needs to be corrected as company level. Then, I recommend the following:

 It is better to rotation the students from one division to other division for the scheduled time.
This helps the students to capture all necessary knowledge in different divisions. On our
program we stay in all most RAN and transmission department for the total period, even within

52
the sections that are under the department there is no circulation of students because I am
not aware or know about the remaining sections.
 There is one unforgettable section which is network performance and optimization used to
understand the alive or real networks environmental and physical parameter practically but in
north region ethio telecom Mekelle students are not assigned in this section. So I want to
recommend this section must include in addition to the four sections listed above as the fifth
section.

5.2.2 Recommendations to Mekelle University


This internship program is very important to all university students but I observed a lot of
problems to be solved by the university. To list some of them:

 There is no one who can check the way how the students are handled in the company
 There was delay in assigning advisors, there is no any monitoring to the student and no
evaluations are taken monthly by the Internship Coordinator Office (ICO).

53
References

[1]. . http://www.ethiotelecom.et
[2]. Oboverulu E.Agboje, “Performance Analysis of wireless mobile network”, Covanantum
University, 2016
[3]. Dinish Kumar, “Improve GSM network call drop by RF optimization”, India, 2016
[4]. Jolly parikh, Anduradha Basu; “Impact of base station antenna height and antenna tilt on
performance of LTE system”, India, 2014
[5]. Theophilus Alumona, “Effects of variation in transmitter power, antenna height and
antenna tilt in a WCDMA network”, Nigeria, 2014
[6]. Training manuals of ethio telecom
[7]. “Huawei and ZTE training manuals”, Ethio telecom, 2017
[8]. Christophe Chevallier al, “WCDMA Deployment handbook”, 2006
[9]. Heikki Kaaranen et al, “UMTS Networks Architecture mobility and services”, 2005

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