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Course unit, curriculum year 2024–2025
COMM.SYS.520

Radio Network Planning, 5 cr

Tampere University
Teaching periods
Active in period 1 (1.8.2024–20.10.2024)
Active in period 3 (1.1.2025–2.3.2025)
Active in period 4 (3.3.2025–31.5.2025)
Course code
COMM.SYS.520
Language of instruction
English
Academic years
2024–2025, 2025–2026, 2026–2027
Level of study
Advanced studies
Grading scale
General scale, 0-5
Persons responsible
Responsible teacher:
Mikko Valkama
Responsible teacher:
Jukka Lempiäinen
Responsible organisation
Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences 100 %
Coordinating organisation
Electrical Engineering Studies 100 %
Core content
  • GSM system and radio network planning
    - GSM system introduction
    - Planning process
    - GSM configuration planning
    - GSM coverage planning
    - GSM capacity planning
    - GSM frequency planning, optimization, and monitoring

    The students understand the fundamental radio network planning problem and become aware of planning related phenomena of multi path radio propagation environment. Students learn the phases of radio network planning process and the properties of the network configuration (equipment) that affect the GSM link- and system performance. Students are able to estimate the GSM cell coverage through link budget and propagation model calculations. Students can separately, based on calculations, assess the impact of coverage and capacity on the GSM network performance.
  • UMTS system and radio network planning
    - UMTS introduction
    - UMTS configuration planning
    - UMTS coverage and capacity enhancements
    - UMTS topology planning
    - UMTS radio resource management and functionality

    Students become aware of the differences between GSM and UMTS radio interface. They will have the ability to understand and calculate how the coverage- and capacity planning are bound together in UMTS. Students are able, based on calculations, to assess and estimate capacity of UMTS network and know how the traffic load affects the system performance. The students also know the functionality and the key radio resource management functions of UMTS network.
  • System improvements towards higher packet data rate services
    - HSPA
    - LTE system and performance
    - 5G differences to 3G/4G
    - 6G key topics

    The students know the basics of radio resource management, system functionality and air interface of high packet data rate technologies such as HSPA, LTE and 5G. The students are able to describe and calculate achievable air interface throughput and the factors that affect it.
Learning outcomes
Prerequisites
Compulsory prerequisites
Further information
Learning material
Equivalences
Studies that include this course
Completion option 1
Exam and project work. Student should have understanding about GSM/UMTS/LTE radio network planning process, planning phases and planning objectives.
Completion of all options is required.

Participation in teaching

08.01.2025 29.04.2025
Active in period 3 (1.1.2025–2.3.2025)
Active in period 4 (3.3.2025–31.5.2025)

Exam

14.10.2024 14.10.2024
Active in period 1 (1.8.2024–20.10.2024)
14.08.2024 14.08.2024
Active in period 1 (1.8.2024–20.10.2024)