Manual and Automatic Design for UMTS Networks

The expected commercial opening of UMTS networks in Europe emphasizes the need for high performance design tools and methodology. UMTS networks are interference-limited with frequency resources shared among users [1]. High quality design is therefore crucial to optimally utilize the limited available resources to maximize coverage, capacity, and Quality of Service (QoS). This paper focuses on the design in terms of antenna parameters: antenna tilt, azimuth and type, and common channel powers. The design depends on the objectives defined by the operator: The dimensioning service, the penetration margins, the coverage target for the different services, the pricing or throughput policies, etc. Network optimization is required throughout the lifetime of the network: Roll-out stage and densification of an existing network. The design quality is of particular importance since it impacts the investments of the operator, and the network performance in terms of coverage, capacity and QoS.