When devising a coverage plan for your area, two key factors come into play: coverage and performance. For straightforward network deployments, focusing on these elements ensures seamless service delivery. To enable informed decisions during this process, it is essential to have full visibility of all cells within range, including both serving and non-serving (hidden) cells. This visibility provides a comprehensive view that extends beyond the cells actively promoted by the network.

Key considerations for network planning:

1. Define service objectives: Identify the services you wish to support across specific areas.
2. Assess capacity needs: Evaluate the anticipated traffic volume within defined zones.
3. Device mobility: Differentiate between mobile and stationary device requirements. For example, if devices are stationary, prioritize coverage where they are used rather than aiming for ubiquitous coverage.

Coverage requirements and planning:

Operating non-public networks requires meeting specific coverage levels, which should be reflected in the network planning process. Coverage levels can be categorized as follows:

1. Deep Indoor: Comprehensive coverage within buildings, including basements and underground areas.
2. Indoor: Coverage inside buildings, excluding basements and underground areas.
3. In-Car: Coverage while driving, considering vehicle speed and mobility.
4. Outdoor: Coverage in open areas such as streets, parks, and rural regions.
5. Limited: Coverage with reduced quality or availability, often in areas with challenging terrain or high interference.
6. No Coverage: Areas with minimal or no coverage, often due to geographical constraints or lack of infrastructure.

Depending on the requirements, placement of the 5G system, and budget, different types of radio cells may be needed. Macro cells cover large outdoor areas and are the most expensive. Micro cells provide smaller coverage areas than macro cells and cost less; they are often used for both outdoor and indoor environments. Pico cells cover even smaller areas with lower costs and are typically used indoors. Each cell type has specific advantages and disadvantages that should be considered during network and coverage planning.

To ensure accurate coverage planning, field measurements are recommended to verify coverage levels. These measurements can be performed using high-performance network scanners, which provide valuable data for post-processing analysis.

Example: Classification of coverage levels

The following figure illustrates an example of how coverage levels can be classified.

Figure 1: An example of classifying coverage levels.

In this example, network scanner measurement data is processed using R&S® SmartAnalytics, which categorizes coverage levels based on reference signal received power (RSRP) and other relevant parameters. This classification offers clear insight into coverage levels, enabling non-public network owners to optimize their planning and deployment strategies.

 Best practices for coverage verification

To ensure effective coverage verification, consider the following best practices:

1. Conduct thorough field measurements using high-performance network scanners to collect accurate data.
2. Utilize post-processing tools to classify coverage levels and identify areas for improvement.
3. Develop a comprehensive network planning strategy that reflects the specific coverage needs of the network owner.
4. Regularly review and update your coverage plan to stay aligned with evolving network demands and user behavior.

In multi-cell setups, interference presents a significant challenge. Any interference negatively impacts the Signal-to-Interference-and-Noise Ratio (SINR), which reduces the Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) and consequently lowers achievable data throughput. Interference typically occurs in two forms:

• Internal interference: Occurs when too many neighboring cells within your own network transmit on the same or overlapping frequencies, degrading signal quality and throughput.
• External interference: Originates from adjacent networks or unrelated wireless systems operating on proximate or identical frequencies, potentially reducing or disrupting your network’s performance.

Mitigation of interference and performance optimization:

To effectively address these interference challenges, it is crucial to:

• Conduct meticulous frequency planning and allocation.
• Employ advanced antenna configurations and beamforming techniques.
• Use a network scanner to:
  • Accurately map and visualize the RF environment, including all in-range cells and potential interference sources.
  • Identify and pinpoint specific interference hotspots and their origins.
  • Support data-driven decisions for optimized network configuration and interference mitigation strategies.

Expert Consultation: Given the complexity of mitigating internal and external interference, it is recommended to collaborate with experienced network planners and RF engineers to develop tailored solutions, ensuring optimal network performance and user experience.