LTE Archives - Digis Squared

Digis Squared & Private Networks

Posted on March 21, 2022October 20, 2022 by admin

Yasser Elsabrouty, Digis Squared Chief Business Officer and Co-Founder, shares updates on the Private Network approach Digis Squared is undertaking for clients, and developments in the pipeline. But first, what is a Private Network?

What is a Private Network?

Built specifically for individual businesses or organisations, these dedicated LTE or 5G networks have typically been envisaged for mission-critical or highly secure environments. Increasingly however, businesses are deploying them to ensure robust coverage and capacity, reinforce intellectual property protection, and deliver commercial independence from the major network operators and CSPs within their physical business campus-environment.

Private Networks can be deployed in many different shapes and sizes, using various mix and match combinations of spectrum, applications and other factors.

Deployment

Dedicated, on-premise networks for both radio access network and core network
Hybrid use of some public mobile components plus dedicated on-premise components

Spectrum

Industrial: in some countries, regulators allocate specific licensed spectrum (Germany and Japan for example)
Shared: regulators allocate spectrum which is shared by multiple stakeholders, under license
Public: MNOs or CSPs lease part of their licensed spectrum to an enterprise for a fee
Unlicensed spectrum: assigned by the regulator, non-exclusive, free-to-use

Digis Squared & Private Networks

Digis Squared provides end-to-end System Integration services across multiple technologies including RAN, 4G/5G Core, Security, Messaging and Cloud, covering design, installation, testing, managed services operations.

Yasser Elsabrouty, Digis Squared Chief Business Officer and Co-Founder shares insights into the Private Network activity of the team.

“At Digis Squared, we are providing end to end Consultancy and System Integration services to build private networks to meet our customers’ needs. We work very flexibly with our clients – some know exactly what they need, and will ask Digis Squared to manage the System Integration, deployment and operational aspects of their pre-defined project. Others ask us to define all end to end elements: the deployment model, Spectrum, Radio details, Core network, orchestration and applications. Our teams are able to work with considerable flexibility, and according to the customer’s requirements and use cases to ensure they have and optimised Private Network which meets their needs.”

“We also offer predefined mix and match ‘off the shelf’ models that can be used as a starting point, and then adapt and deploy for the specific, customised and bespoke needs of each customer. We can take into account their specific requirements, including the size of the facility, devices deployed, which machines need to communicate with which departments, and other considerations. Some clients are looking at Private Networks to resolve specific coverage issues, or explore latency management for time-sensitive networks (TSNs). Whatever the scope of the Private Network, project our teams are enabling customers to scale up their businesses, serving more customers and satisfying the ever-increasing demand for private networks.ֿ”

“Using this mix-and-match method, we are developing profiles for different kinds of customers that can easily be implemented as needed, depending on size, area, number of sensors and cameras, or any other parameter. This approach will save time in deploying systems for customers, serving more customers while ensuring top-quality, optimised installations.”

If you would like to arrange a dedicated time to talk with the team, please get in touch, sales@digissquared.com

Digis Squared, independent telecoms expertise.

We transform telecom networks, deploy new technologies, and manage vendors, for operators, service providers and regulators.

Apply our expertise, automated AI-led tools and processes to transform your technical and commercial capabilities. We work with agility, deep experience, and our in-house cognitive tools to optimise and manage multi-vendor networks across all technologies.

Discover more

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Network testing & optimisation: INOS 5G | Now more than ever, test and optimise your 5G network
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DSS | Dynamic Spectrum Sharing for 4G LTE and 5G NR deployments
Technology sunset & spectrum refarming
Test and optimise LTE 450MHz, without handsets

Image credit: Sarah Doffman (Birmingham)

DSS ◦ Dynamic Spectrum Sharing for 4G LTE and 5G NR deployments

Posted on January 26, 2021October 14, 2022 by admin

Amr Ashraf, RAN and Software Solution Architect at Digis Squared, describes this new network technology, enabling LTE and 5G to be used in tandem, in the same frequency band, for the first time. Amr shares his insights into DSS, the benefits to both 4G LTE and 5G NR deployments, and the disadvantages.

The background: what is Dynamic Spectrum Sharing?

“Dynamic Spectrum Sharing, DSS, is a new network technology that enables LTE and 5G to be used in tandem, in the same frequency band, for the first time. The DSS technology decides in real-time the need for 5G and LTE; the network then separates the available spectrum and dynamically determines which mobile communications system to preferentially use the available frequencies.”

“Let’s imagine a network operator, without DSS, that has 20 MHz of mid-band spectrum for both 4G and 5G – they would have to split that spectrum in two to launch both technologies to their customers. In other words, they would have to allocate 10 MHz of spectrum to 4G LTE and cram all their LTE users into that 10 MHz of spectrum. Then the remaining 10 MHz of AWS spectrum could be used for 5G, even though initially there will only be a minimal number of 5G users. Now let’s consider their approach if they do have DSS: now the operator doesn’t have to split that mid-band spectrum or have a dedicated spectrum for either 4G LTE or 5G; instead, they can share that 20 MHz of spectrum between the two technologies.”

“So how is this experienced by the end-user? Let’s imagine you are surfing with a 5G device, and you’re connected to the mobile network via a transmitter equipped with this DSS technology; in this case you’ll be connected via 5G, surfing within the 5G standard. Now, let’s imagine a second scenario: let’s imagine you are in exactly the same place, connected to exactly the same transmitter and DSS equipment, but this time with you have a slightly older handset that only supports 4G – now, you’ll be surfing with 4G. To summarise: one transceiver, two networks.“

Why use DSS?

“As the global rollout of 5G networks progresses, dynamic spectrum sharing between 4G and 5G is becoming a focal point for mobile operators. DSS is an important enabler for the rapid and cost-effective construction of efficient 5G networks, with large coverage areas, using the current mid- and low-band spectrum. In the same 4G band, base stations can concurrently transmit LTE and 5G New Radio (NR) services, and distribute resources dynamically based on traffic demand.”

“The 5G NR standard provides the ability to adapt to existing LTE deployments and to share the spectrum now (and previously) used exclusively by LTE. The enabling mechanism is DSS, which facilitates the co-existence of 5G NR and 4G LTE by using the same spectrum. In the long term, DSS enables network providers to use the lower frequency bands to provide a coverage layer for 5G. Some network operators are already using DSS, and a large-scale rollout is expected to occur between late 2020 and early 2022.”

4G LTE & 5G NR Dynamic Spectrum Sharing [1]

What are the impacts on 4G LTE and 5G NR?

“For a smooth, uninterrupted transition to 5G, DSS provides a unique solution. This innovative technology can be leveraged to implement 5G networks in LTE spectrum bands to minimise the impact on existing services. Mobile network operators will re-use their current LTE hardware and infrastructure with DSS and deliver 5G via software updates.”

“However, when two separate systems need to share limited resources and overhead from 4G LTE, and 5G NR signal transmission impacts overall network capability, spectrum resource constraints may be introduced. To address this, based on the traffic requirements for each technology, DSS dynamically allocates resources to 4G LTE and 5G NR, enabling efficient use of resources.”

Techniques to avoid the collision of pilot signals: MBSFN [2]

“Today, LTE is mostly dominated by low-spectrum bands. Therefore, operators deploying 5G in low spectrum bands are looking for solutions which minimise the impact on their existing LTE networks, and ensure a smooth migration, and 4G LTE – 5G NR dynamic spectrum sharing is one way to deliver this is. Service providers can deploy 4G LTE and 5G NR in the same bands by using DSS: LTE users access the network using LTE cells within one carrier network, while 5G users are linked using 5G cells.”

“Network coverage is enhanced by introducing 5G in low spectrum bands, which in turn typically have greater coverage than high-spectrum bands. As a result, new low-band 5G NR bands need to be reserved by mobile network operators; the alternative approach is to deploy coverage densification solutions. However, coverage can be extended at a faster rate by deploying 5G in low spectrum bands. Furthermore, the control and signalling message can be passed to the low-frequency band when 5G carrier aggregation (CA) is used to aggregate the low- and mid-bands, and the data rate can be improved with extended mid-band coverage. This directly increases the overall efficiency of the cell.”

Existing deployments

According to GSMA Intelligence, [3], at least sixteen mobile operators in 10 countries have already launched 5G using DSS, including Claro Brazil, China Unicom and China Telecom in China, and Verizon in the USA. These deployments can be classified into two groups:

Operators that want to deploy 5G but do not have access to ‘new’ 5G spectrum.
Operators with access to 5G spectrum but want to achieve greater coverage (by deploying DSS in low or mid bands).

Are there any disadvantages with DSS?

“Yes, let’s be realistic here, it’s not all good news! Using DSS results in a loss of 4G LTE and 5G NR capacity in the order of 10-20%. The amount of capacity lost depends on the mode and implementation technique of the equipment vendor. So when selecting vendors, a key differentiator to consider is how to minimise this capacity loss.”

In conversation with Amr Ashraf, Digis Squared 5G & LTE RAN & Software Solution Architect, and Trainer.

DSS optimisation and INOS

If you or your team would like to discover more about DSS optimisation, or how INOS can help you in your network deployment or benchmarkings, please get in touch: use this link or email sales@DigisSquared.com .

Keep up to speed with company updates, product launches and our quarterly newsletter, sign up here.

Digis Squared, independent telecoms expertise.

Sources,

Mobile World Live
Frank Rayal
GSMA Intelligence: Global Mobile Trends 2021
For more information about INOS, click here.
Further info, as referenced in Amr’s original LinkedIn post: ShareTechnote

Abbreviations

AWS: Advanced Wireless Services (a wireless communication frequency band of the radio spectrum)
CA: carrier aggregation
CSP: communications service provider
DSS: dynamic spectrum sharing
MBSFN: multicast-broadcast single-frequency network
NR: 5G New Radio

Image credits: Sergey Pesterev, view from Hurghada International Airport Egypt.

LTE 600MHz ◦ Network benchmarking & optimisation with INOS

Posted on December 15, 2020October 14, 2022 by admin

The background: why is the 600MHz band being used for LTE?

Mobile data usage continues to grow throughout the world, and the pandemic has massively impacted forecasts and expectations, causing telecom operators and CSPs to bring forward their deployment decisions.

“The limited amount of spectrum available below 1 GHz will ultimately run out of capacity. This puts mobile broadband at risk in emerging markets, rural areas and inside buildings. Therefore, long-term
planning is key to enable countries to offer great mobile services for everyone.”
GSMA, October 2019

So what can be done to identify more spectrum for mobile broadband? Countries working on the digital TV switchover can consider including 600MHz for mobile broadband. North America is leading the way – USA auctions were completed in April 2017, Canada in April 2019, and Mexico in 2020!

600MHz LTE benefits

We asked Amr Ashraf, RAN and Software Solution Architect and Trainer at Digis Squared, to give us his insights into LTE 600MHz band.

“Over the last couple of years we’ve been starting to hear about the deployment of very low band for mobile communication. Now, we have commercial networks working on one of the most important low bands, 600MHz.”

Halberd Bastion [2]: Band 71 600 MHz LTE coverage prediction

“600MHz is likely to need about 0.8 cells to cover the same area as a 700MHz cell. So 600MHz will be excellent for providing coverage over a given area. And, as an added bonus, the 600MHz signal is likely to penetrate most buildings – great for indoor coverage.”

“Ideally, an operator will have a selection of low band (600MHz, 700MHz and 90MHz) spectrum to provide wide coverage and in-building coverage together with higher bands (1.8GHz, 2.1/2.6GHz, etc.) to provide capacity at specific locations with small cells, including in-building distributed antenna systems. The trick is in deploying the bands efficiently and economically to meet the market needs.”

… and issues

“On other hand, I don’t think that the 600MHz band will be that useful for 5G implementation, as we can’t use all the new transmission techniques with a low band like Massive MIMO.”

“In order for MIMO to work effectively, the antennas need to be spatially separated such that they are uncorrelated. And, the lower the band, the larger the antenna and the required separation between them. At the 600MHz band, it would be incredibly difficult to physically fit more than two uncorrelated antennas inside handsets, given their current sizing. Our calculations therefore assume that 5G and 4G in the 600MHz band will only make use of 2×2 MIMO.”

“There will be some problems to be faced in the reallocation of systems currently utilising this band, like DTV, and also some wireless devices like MICs. However, 600MHz LTE will be one of the most important bands during the next 10 years for full 4G coverage, particularly for rural areas.”

What problems are encountered deploying the 600MHZ band?

With any new network deployment, testing and optimisation are vital to ensure network performance, and also address any inadvertent impacts on existing networks. Whilst a limited number of activities can be undertaken centrally, drive testing, and in-building testing are critical to understanding the real customer experience in the field.

Developed in-house by Digis Squared, INOS is an intelligent, automated testing, benchmarking and analysis platform for network operators and service providers, delivering drive testing (DT), in-building solution (IBS) capability, and much more, whilst decreasing both the time taken to complete the work and opex cost.

Using cloud-controlled mobiles mounted in cars or taken around buildings, INOS collects and uploads data to the cloud, and eliminates the need for a laptop or engineers in the car, or out and about inside buildings. INOS can receive updated test scripts in the field to instantly re-analyse live network configuration changes, avoiding expensive follow-up field trips. It minimises the sometimes chaotic nature of drive tests, and ensures your staff can work alone at Covid-19 safe distances.

One of the key issues with any drive testing tool, such as INOS, is that there are very few mobile phones available for drive testing in this 600MHz LTE frequency, and where there are, drive test solutions don’t use them.

The good news: uniquely, INOS supports LTE 600MHz band

The Digis Squared team have extensively tested a large range of mobile phones, and the best-performing mobile in the LTE 600MHz band that we have found so far is the Google Pixel 5.

After detailed testing in specific locations where 600MHz LTE is in the live network, our teams have found a significant enhancement in capability using this device in our testing portfolio.

Digis Squared’s INOS tool assessing LTE 600MHz band: Coverage (RSRP)

Digis Squared’s INOS tool assessing LTE 600MHz band: Quality (SINR)

Digis Squared’s INOS tool assessing LTE 600MHz band: MIMO performance (spatial rank)

Digis Squared’s INOS tool assessing LTE 600MHz band: Internet speed (DL PDCP throughput)

LTE 600MHz optimisation with INOS

We’ve already started drive testing this capability with live networks. If you or your team would like to discover more about LTE 600MHz optimisation, or how INOS can help you in your network deployment or benchmarking, please get in touch: use this link or email sales@DigisSquared.com to arrange an informal chat.

In conversation with Amr Ashraf, Digis Squared 5G & LTE RAN & Software Solution Architect, and Trainer.

Digis Squared, independent telecoms expertise.

Keep up to speed with company updates, product launches and our quarterly newsletter, sign up here.

Sources

GSMA
Halberd Bastion
For more information about INOS, click here.

Abbreviations

CSP: communications service provider
DT: drive testing
DTV: digital TV
IBS: in-building solution
INOS: Intelligent Network Optimisation Solution, a Digis Squared tool
MICs: wireless microphones
MIMO: multiple-input and multiple-output. A method for multiplying the capacity of a radio link using multiple transmission and receiving antennas to exploit multipath propagation.

Image credit: Gurwinder Singh