Mobile radio network design in the VHF and UHF bands : a practical approach

Title:

Personal Author:

Graham, Adrian William

Publication Information:

Hoboken, NJ : John Wiley & Sons, 2007

ISBN:

9780470029800

Subject Term:

Wireless communication systems

Shortwave radio

Added Author:

Kirkman, Nicholas C.

Paul, Peter M.

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Summary

An essential element of radio technology and propagation is how to use radio technology and knowledge of radio propagation to design a network that meets the needs of customers.

Mobile Radio Network Design in the VHF and UHF Bands provides the technical and fundamental knowledge required for advanced mobile radio network design to achieve this in terms that the engineer will understand, and augments this with essential information gleaned from the authors' extensive experience in mobile radio network design.

In this book you will find out how some of the most highly-regarded radio network designers around go about designing radio networks that actually meet the needs of the network subscriber and of the network operator. It describes a well-proven framework that meets the essential need of ensuring that each step of the design project is carried out against known, unique and unambiguous requirements, and that these requirements have been extensively validated against the original requirements.

Reveals the secrets behind coverage design, capacity planning, interference analysis and reduction, frequency assignment and verifying that the delivered network actually performs as promised Introduces the concept of documentary deliverables as part of the project and underlines the need for method statements, user requirement, functional, test and design specifications Provides readers with a far greater understanding of the methods and processes necessary to bring about the successful completion of a radio network project Highlights vital aspects of radio network projects that are not always apparent to every engineer, but which may have a vital impact on the success of the project

The powerful approach used in this book will help to ensure the successful completion of every project and will be the basis for ensuring contractual compliance at every stage. It is an indispensable resource for all radio network design consultants and engineers, network operator technical managers, radio regulation engineers and military radio network planners.

Author Notes

Adrian William Graham is Consultant and Director of Business Development at ATDI Ltd. Previous positions include employment at Marconi Underwater Systems Limited as a test engineer, at the MOD as an analyst and at MEL Communications as a business development manager. Adrian has made presentations at many international symposia, on subjects as diverse as electronic warfare, military communications, spectrum management and the design of TETRA radio systems. He has led several major consultancy projects covering design of TETRA, microwave, paging and BFWA networks, and other specialist areas such as international coordination, spectrum management and direction finding ranges. Additionally, Adrian has led the activity to design training courses for the UK military and other Government Agencies covering communications and communications electronic warfare, and for police, customs and commercial customers in subjects such as TETRA network validation and verification, radio planning fundamentals and other key engineering tasks.

Nick Kirkman , Consultant, ATDI Ltd., UK.

Peter Paul , Consultant, ATDI Ltd., UK.

Foreword	p. xv
Preface	p. xvli
Glossary	p. xix
Part 1 p. 1
1 Introduction	p. 3
1.1 Mobile Radio Network Design in the Modern World	p. 3
1.2 Network Stakeholders	p. 6
1.3 Spectrum Coexistence	p. 7
1.4 The Network Design Activity	p. 8
1.5 Project Resources	p. 9
1.6 Validation and Verification	p. 11
1.7 Evolving Needs	p. 11
1.8 A Practical Approach, Not the Practical Approach	p. 11
2 Spectrum and Standards	p. 13
2.1 Introduction	p. 13
2.2 International Spectrum Management	p. 14
2.2.1 The International Telecommunications Union	p. 14
2.2.2 ICAO	p. 17
2.3 Regional Bodies	p. 17
2.3.1 CEPT	p. 17
2.3.2 CITEL	p. 18
2.3.3 Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications	p. 18
2.3.4 Asia-Pacific Telecommunity	p. 18
2.3.5 Gulf Cooperation Council	p. 18
2.3.6 African Telecommunications Union	p. 18
2.3.7 National Bodies	p. 18
2.4 Other Useful Bodies	p. 19
2.4.1 Introduction	p. 19
2.4.2 ETSI	p. 19
2.4.3 COST	p. 20
2.4.4 IEEE	p. 20
2.4.5 lET	p. 20
2.4.6 NTIS	p. 20
2.4.7 NTIA and ITS	p. 21
3 Mobile Radio Technologies	p. 23
3.1 Introduction	p. 23
3.2 Mobile Radio Network Users and Networks	p. 24
3.3 Types of Mobile Network	p. 24
3.4 Direct Mode	p. 25
3.5 Single Site	p. 26
3.6 Simulcast	p. 28
3.7 Trunked Radio Systems	p. 29
3.8 Cellular Systems	p. 32
3.9 Composite Systems	p. 33
3.10 Other Approaches	p. 33
3.11 Fixed and Mobile Convergence	p. 35
4 The Mobile Environment Part 1: Propagation Mechanisms and Modelling	p. 37
4.1 Introduction	p. 37
4.2 The Electromagnetic Spectrum	p. 38
4.3 Propagation Mechanisms at VHP and UHF	p. 39
4.3.1 Distance	p. 40
4.3.2 Reflection	p. 40
4.3.3 Scattering	p. 42
4.3.4 Refraction	p. 44
4.3.5 Diffraction	p. 47
4.3.6 Absorption	p. 48
4.4 Introduction to Propagation Modelling	p. 49
4.5 Point-to-Area Models	p. 49
4.5.1 General Properties of Point-to-Area Models	p. 49
4.5.2 ITU-R P.370 and ITU-R P.1546	p. 51
4.5.3 Okumura-Hata, COST 231 Hata and Other Point-to-Area Models	p. 53
4.5.4 IF-77 and ITUR P.528 Models	p. 55
4.5.5 Other Point-to-Area Models	p. 57
4.6 Point-to-Point Models	p. 58
4.6.1 General Properties of Point-to-Point Models	p. 58
4.6.2 Bullington Method	p. 61
4.6.3 Epslein-Peterson Method	p. 62
4.6.4 Edwards and Durkin Method	p. 62
4.6.5 Deygout Method	p. 63
4.6.6 ITU-R P.526 Model	p. 63
4.7 Hybrid Models	p. 63
4.8 Radio Clutter in Propagation Models	p. 65
4.9 Tuning Propagation Models	p. 67
4.10 Factors in Model Selection	p. 68
4.10.1 Introduction	p. 68
4.10.2 Frequency Range	p. 68
4.10.3 Link Length	p. 68
4.10.4 Radio Environment	p. 68
4.10.5 Antenna Height	p. 69
4.10.6 The Application	p. 69
4.10.7 Available Data	p. 69
4.11 Abnormal Propagation Conditions	p. 70
4.12 Propagation Model Summary	p. 70
5 The Mobile Environment Part 2: Fading, Margins and Link Budgets	p. 73
5.1 Introduction	p. 73
5.1.1 Statistics Relevant for Fading	p. 74
5.1.2 Lognormal Distribution	p. 75
5.1.3 Rayleigh Distribution	p. 76
5.1.4 Ricean Distribution	p. 77
5.1.5 Other Statistical Distributions	p. 78
5.2 Slow Fading	p. 79
5.2.1 Slow Fading (Shadowing) Mechanisms	p. 79
5.2.2 Slow Fading and Propagation Model	p. 80
5.3 Fast Fading	p. 82
5.3.1 Fast Fading Mechanisms	p. 82
5.4 Receiver Antenna Environment - Body Loss and Other Factors	p. 85
5.5 Elements of a Radio Link	p. 86
5.5.1 Generic Link Diagram	p. 86
5.5.2 Nominal Power	p. 88
5.5.3 Feeder and Connector Losses	p. 88
5.5.4 Tuning Units, Amplifiers and Combiners	p. 88
5.5.5 Base Station Antennas	p. 89
5.5.6 Mobile Antennas	p. 91
5.5.7 Receiver Sensitivity	p. 91
5.5.8 Sensitivity and Noise	p. 93
5.6 Building a Link Budget	p. 93
5.6.1 Introduction	p. 93
5.6.2 Link Loss Calculation to Determine Level at Receiver	p. 94
5.6.3 Link Budget to Determine Maximum Allowable Loss	p. 95
5.6.4 Link Budget to Determine MMOFS	p. 96
5.6.5 Other Factors in Link Budgets	p. 98
5.7 Expressing the Link Budget in a Planning Tool	p. 98
5.8 Balanced and Unbalanced Links	p. 99
5.9 Equipment Data Sheets and Reality	p. 100
Part 2 p. 103
6 The Radio Network Design Environment	p. 105
6.1 Introduction	p. 105
6.2 Network Design Professionals	p. 108
6.2.1 Junior Network Design Engineer	p. 109
6.2.2 Senior Network Design Engineer	p. 109
6.2.3 Network Designers	p. 110
6.2.4 Network Design Capability Strategies	p. 111
6.3 Network Stakeholders	p. 113
6.3.1 The Concept of Stakeholders	p. 113
6.3.2 Stakeholders in Typical Projects	p. 114
6.4 A 'Business-Centric' Approach to Design	p. 117
6.5 Design Elements	p. 120
6.6 Project Phases and Project Life Cycle	p. 122
6.6.1 The Classic Life Cycle	p. 123
6.6.2 The Prototyping Life Cycle	p. 125
6.6.3 The Spiral Life Cycle	p. 126
6.6.4 Combining Project Life Cycles	p. 127
6.7 Design Specifications	p. 129
6.7.1 Our Approach to Projects	p. 129
6.7.2 Specification and Documentation within the Project	p. 130
6.7.3 The Business Case	p. 132
6.7.4 The Customer Statement of Requirements	p. 133
6.7.5 The Contract	p. 133
6.7.6 Method Statement	p. 134
6.7.7 User Requirements Specification	p. 134
6.7.8 Functional Specification	p. 136
6.7.9 Detailed Design Document	p. 137
6.7.10 Test Specification	p. 137
6.7.11 Acceptance Certificate	p. 138
6.8 Design Deliverables	p. 138
7 Selection of Engineering Tools and Data	p. 141
7.1 Introduction	p. 141
7.2 Engineering Tools for Network Design	p. 142
7.2.1 History of Planning Tools	p. 142
7.2.2 Current Planning Tools	p. 143
7.2.3 Future Trends in Planning Tools	p. 143
7.3 Benefits of Using Design Tools	p. 145
7.4 Radio Network Design Tool Fundamentals	p. 147
7.5 Geographic Information System (GIS) Functionality	p. 149
7.5.1 Import and Handling of Available Environmental Data	p. 149
7.5.2 Projection and Re-projection of Environmental Data	p. 151
7.5.3 Data Views	p. 151
7.5.4 Mensuration	p. 155
7.5.5 Statistical and Deterministic Reporting	p. 156
7.5.6 User-defined Data Manipulation	p. 156
7.6 Propagation Modelling	p. 157
7.7 Modelling Functions of a Radio Network Design Tool	p. 159
7.7.1 Path-Based Predictions	p. 159
7.7.2 Coverage-Based Predictions	p. 163
7.7.3 Traffic Predictions	p. 168
7.7.4 Interference Predictions	p. 170
7.7.5 Frequency Assignment	p. 175
7.7.6 Modelling Radios	p. 176
7.7.7 Ancillary Features	p. 177
7.7.8 Advanced Features	p. 178
7.7.9 System Integration Features	p. 183
7.7.10 Selecting the Right Tool for the Job	p. 183
7.8 Environmental Data	p. 184
7.8.1 Introduction to Environmental Data	p. 184
7.8.2 Digital Terrain Maps and Digital Elevation Models	p. 187
7.8.3 Clutter Data	p. 191
7.8.4 Building Data	p. 192
7.8.5 Image Data	p. 193
8 Starting the Project	p. 195
8.1 Introduction	p. 195
8.2 Project Requirements Statement	p. 196
8.2.1 The Perceived Need for the Project	p. 197
8.2.2 The Spectrum Environment	p. 197
8.2.3 The Service Area	p. 199
8.2.4 The Required Services	p. 199
8.2.5 Contracted Tasks	p. 200
8.2.6 The CIS Project	p. 200
8.3 RNDS Initial Actions	p. 201
8.4 The RNDS Project Team and the Stakeholders	p. 201
8.4.1 Countyshire Investigation Services (CIS)	p. 203
8.4.2 Emergency Services Spectrum Group (ESSG)	p. 205
8.4.3 Spectrum Services Ltd (SSL)	p. 205
8.4.4 Radio Infrastructure Services (RIS)	p. 207
8.4.5 Radio Network Design Services (RNDS)	p. 207
8.4.6 Interacting with Stakeholders	p. 207
8.5 Project Activities	p. 208
8.6 Setting Up the Project	p. 209
8.6.1 Starting the Method Statement	p. 209
8.6.2 Project Resources	p. 211
8.7 Elucidating Project Requirements	p. 213
8.8 Detailed Design Document	p. 216
8.9 Test Specification	p. 218
8.10 Project Plan	p. 219
8.11 Quality Plan	p. 219
8.12 Risk Register	p. 220
8.13 Producing a Baseline	p. 220
8.14 Outline Planning and Dimensioning	p. 222
8.15 Calibration Surveys	p. 223
8.16 Continuing with the Project	p. 223
9 Mobile Coverage Design	p. 225
9.1 Introduction	p. 225
9.2 Practical Expression of Performance Criteria	p. 226
9.2.1 Introduction	p. 226
9.2.2 Practical Definition of Service Requirements	p. 226
9.2.3 Definition of Geographic Service Areas	p. 228
9.3 Initial Design Approaches	p. 229
9.3.1 Grid Style Approach	p. 230
9.3.2 Selective Design Approach	p. 231
9.3.3 High Point Approach	p. 232
9.3.4 Existing Site Approach	p. 233
9.3.5 Automatic Site Finding Approach	p. 234
9.4 Configuring, Performing and Interpreting Coverage Simulations	p. 234
9.4.1 Setting Up Coverage Predictions	p. 234
9.4.2 Performing Coverage Predictions	p. 237
9.4.3 Configuring Prediction Results	p. 238
9.4.4 Interpreting Coverage Predictions	p. 241
9.5 Nominal Characteristics for the Network Design Activity	p. 243
9.5.1 Introduction	p. 243
9.5.2 Nominal Base Station Parameters	p. 244
9.5.3 Mobile Parameters	p. 245
9.6 Base Station Design and Optimisation	p. 248
9.7 Project Types	p. 250
9.7.1 Introduction	p. 250
9.7.2 Greenfield Projects	p. 250
9.8 Legacy Projects	p. 252
9.9 'Existing Site' Projects (Site Databases)	p. 253
9.10 Coverage Design Deliverables	p. 253
10 Traffic Demand and Capacity	p. 255
10.1 Introduction	p. 255
10.2 Modelling Mobile Subscribers	p. 256
10.2.1 Determining Subscriber Types	p. 256
10.2.2 Public Safety Example	p. 260
10.2.3 Other Methods of Representing Subscribers	p. 262
10.3 Representing Traffic Demand Metrics	p. 262
10.4 Blocking and Queuing	p. 263
10.4.1 Introduction	p. 263
10.4.2 Erlang B	p. 264
10.4.3 Enhanced Erlang B	p. 266
10.4.4 Erlang C	p. 266
10.5 Determining Traffic Demand on a Site-by-Site Basis	p. 269
10.6 Capacity Planning for Traffic	p. 270
10.7 Modelling Mixed Services	p. 272
10.8 Designing for Traffic	p. 273
10.9 Traffic Analysis Deliverables	p. 275
11 Network Design Methods	p. 277
11.1 Network Limiting Factor	p. 277
11.2 Rollout Strategy	p. 277
11.2.1 Introduction	p. 111
11.2.2 Pilot System	p. 278
11.2.3 Regional Rollout	p. 279
11.2.4 Sparse Network	p. 281
11.2.5 Limited Service	p. 283
11.3 Re-Broadcast/Relay Links	p. 283
11.4 Future Proofing	p. 284
12 Backhaul	p. 285
12.1 Introduction	p. 285
12.2 Background to Backhaul	p. 285
12.3 Specifying Link Performance	p. 287
12.4 Radio Link Design Aspects	p. 288
12.4.1 Line of Sight Condition	p. 288
12.4.2 Availability Calculations for Fixed Links	p. 289
12.4.3 Diversity Techniques to Improve Link Performance	p. 300
12.5 Calculating Microwave Reliability	p. 303
12.6 Microwave Noise and Interference	p. 305
12.6.1 Noise in Microwave Systems	p. 305
12.6.2 Equipment Thermal Noise	p. 305
12.6.3 Interference	p. 307
12.7 Summary	p. 311
13 Network Interference	p. 313
13.1 Introduction	p. 313
13.2 Thermal Noise Floor, Receiver Noise Floor and Receiver Sensitivity	p. 313
13.3 Noise in the VHF and UHF Bands	p. 315
13.4 Interfering Radio Noise at the Receiving Antenna	p. 317
13.5 Interference Engineering	p. 320
13.5.1 Introduction	p. 320
13.5.2 Co-Channel Interference	p. 321
13.5.3 Adjacent and Other Channel Offset Interference	p. 322
13.5.4 Multiple Interferers	p. 324
13.6 Interference Propagation Models	p. 327
13.7 Interference Mitigation Approaches	p. 328
13.8 Interference Deliverables	p. 329
14 Frequency Assignment	p. 331
14.1 Introduction to Frequency Assignment	p. 331
14.2 Frequency Assignment in Context	p. 334
14.3 Network Frequency Plans	p. 336
14.4 Overall Assignment Process	p. 337
14.5 Far-Site Assignment Methodologies	p. 338
14.5.1 Prioritisation of Requests	p. 338
14.5.2 Manually Seeding Assignments	p. 339
14.5.3 Illustration of an Assignment Process	p. 340
14.6 Co-Site Assignment Methodologies	p. 341
14.6.1 Introduction	p. 341
14.6.2 Image Frequencies	p. 344
14.6.3 Frequency Separation	p. 344
14.6.4 Inter-Modulation Products	p. 345
14.7 Assignment Methods for Mobile Units	p. 350
14.8 Frequency Assignment Deliverables	p. 353
15 Verification	p. 355
15.1 Validation and Verification	p. 355
15.2 Introduction to Surveys	p. 356
15.3 Survey Fundamentals	p. 360
15.3.1 Capturing Statistically Valid Data	p. 360
15.3.2 The Mobile Signal	p. 361
15.3.3 Sampling Rate	p. 362
15.3.4 Sample Gap Distance	p. 364
15.3.5 Selecting a Measurement Receiver	p. 366
15.3.6 Surveying Fundamentals Summary	p. 367
15.4 Digital Surveying	p. 368
15.5 Digital Network Performance Surveys	p. 372
15.6 Planning a Survey Campaign	p. 372
15.6.1 Vehicle Surveying	p. 373
15.6.2 Pedestrian/Indoor Surveying	p. 373
15.6.3 Emulating Hand-Portable Performance from a Vehicle Radio	p. 373
15.6.4 Operating Multiple Radio Terminals in a Survey Vehicle	p. 374
15.7 Network Analysis and Network Acceptance	p. 374
15.8 A Case Study	p. 376
15.9 Verification Deliverables	p. 377
16 Mobile Network Development Cookbook	p. 379
16.1 Introduction	p. 379
16.2 Pre-Project Activities	p. 379
16.2.1 Stakeholder Analysis (Chapters 6 and 8)	p. 379
16.2.2 Technology Analysis	p. 379
16.2.3 Pricing the Design and Preparing a Project Plan	p. 380
16.3 Project Phases and Documentation (Chapter 6)	p. 380
16.4 Setting Up the Project (Chapter 8)	p. 381
16.5 Data Requirements (Chapter 7)	p. 382
16.5.1 Environmental Data	p. 382
16.5.2 Radio Equipment Technical Parameters	p. 383
16.5.3 Antenna Characteristics	p. 383
16.6 The URS (Chapters 6 and 8)	p. 383
16.7 The FS and TS (Chapters 6 and 8)	p. 384
16.8 Coverage Design (Chapter 9)	p. 384
16.9 Traffic Design (Chapter 10)	p. 384
16.10 Interference Mitigation (Chapter 13)	p. 387
16.11 Frequency Planning (Chapter 14)	p. 387
16.12 Verification (Chapter 15)	p. 389
16.13 Typical Project Deliverables	p. 389
16.13.1 Project Documents	p. 389
16.13.2 Design Deliverables	p. 389
16.14 Final Thoughts	p. 390
Index	p. 393

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Table of Contents