Course 093 5G RAN Design – Radio Planning and Dimensioning for NSA & SA Architectures

Dr. Spiros Louvros, PhD in Wireless Communications, Radio Access Network (RAN) Telecom Engineer, 3GPP technical recommendation group member, Greece. 5G has introduced a new way to offer services in the mobile industry. It has created a new way to represent the 3GPP cellular technology for accessibility, quite similar and competitive to WiFi for short range cells (mmWave sectors), as well fully compliant with the previous LTE technology for short and long range cell coverage (small, macro micro pico etc cells) in low and mid band frequencies. Its 3GPP standardized procedures will have a big impact on the next generation network planning and deployment for both coverage, capacity and IP transport network connectivity. Consequently an advanced understanding of how the evolutionary changes and improvements from previous LTE technology will impact the radio coverage, capacity (number of devices, different services requirements and throughput considerations), IP backhaul networking transmission and service quality will provide a powerful tool to create successfully new scenarios and subsequent planning methodologies to optimize and fully exploit the 5G capabilities. This course differentiates from other similar topics in the market by introducing the attendant into basic principles of RAN design based in realistic simulation results for recommended parameter configurations. Moreover it emphasizes into mathematical models resulting into useful formulas to be used for excel calculators. It suggests further vendor equipment behavior analysis based on machine learning methodologies and algorithms, resulting into realistic tools for each individual network and vendor equipments. Finally it provides adequate explanation into the existing proposed 3GPP optional features, which if activated would result into 5G RAN performance improvements. In order for the attendant to better understand the content of this topic and to gain a further insight into the 5G RAN design, it is also recommended to have prior attended following courses: – 5G Network Overview – recommended – 5G Network Protocols & Signaling Procedures - recommended but not essential It is also strongly recommended to complete the knowledge on 5G RAN planning and design by attending the course on 5G RAN Optimization Finally it is worth mentioning that this course could be customized, tailored into specific customer needs and requests. Special topics could be also added and discussed, as 5G RAN design over satellites, 5G over LiFi and/or indoor design, using specific features and methodology. Of course the overall course duration would be impacted.

Available course dates

This course has no planned course dates.

If you are interested in this course, contact us at cei@cei.se

TECHNOLOGY FOCUS

5G Radio Access Network (RAN) must be properly designed to operate in a wide range of spectrum bands with diverse standards characteristics and operator specific requirements, such as channel bandwidths and propagation conditions according to ICT‐671680 METIS‐II, Deliverable 1.1, “Refined scenarios and requirements, consolidated test cases, and qualitative techno‐economic assessment”, January 2016.

From Operator’s perspective it is equally important to develop and deploy a network which would be capable to be scaled up to extremes in capacity and coverage as well as throughput, number of devices, connections etc. This is achievable only if RAN design differentiates and separately focus into the so‐called user plane (UP), related to the transmission of actual application payload, and control plane (CP), related to control functionality and signaling.

This course will introduce participants on the methodology and algorithms into how to properly design the 5G RAN for two separate cases. The first case will explain the smooth design migration of LTE-A into the so called Non Stand-Alone architecture (also known as EN-DC connectivity). The second case will explain the most difficult part related to the Stand Alone (SA) deployment. Special consideration will be also given into 3GPP optional features for performance enhancements as well as general vendor agnostic parameters for the initial design.

The overall course will be further supported by excel tool calculator, for exercises and practical presentation of the design process. Finally it is worthwhile to mention that the overall RAN design will be supported by simulation results and non-linear regression algorithms to introduce the scheduler behavior and the beam management into the design process.

Instructor

Dr. Spiros Louvros

COURSE CONTENT

5G has introduced a new way to offer services in the mobile industry. It has created a new way to represent the 3GPP cellular technology for accessibility, quite similar and competitive to WiFi for short range cells (mmWave sectors), as well fully compliant with the previous LTE technology for short and long range cell coverage (small, macro micro pico etc cells) in low and mid band frequencies. Its 3GPP standardized procedures will have a big impact on the next generation network planning and deployment for both coverage, capacity and IP transport network connectivity. Consequently an advanced understanding of how the evolutionary changes and improvements from previous LTE technology will impact the radio coverage, capacity (number of devices, different services requirements and throughput considerations), IP backhaul networking transmission and service quality will provide a powerful tool to create successfully new scenarios and subsequent planning methodologies to optimize and fully exploit the 5G capabilities.

This course differentiates from other similar topics in the market by introducing the attendant into basic principles of RAN design based in realistic simulation results for recommended parameter configurations. Moreover it emphasizes into mathematical models resulting into useful formulas to be used for excel calculators. It suggests further vendor equipment behavior analysis based on machine learning methodologies and algorithms, resulting into realistic tools for each individual network and vendor equipments. Finally it provides adequate explanation into the existing proposed 3GPP optional features, which if activated would result into 5G RAN performance improvements.

In order for the attendant to better understand the content of this topic and to gain a further insight into the 5G RAN design, it is also recommended to have prior attended following courses:

–      5G Network Overview – recommended
–      5G Network Protocols & Signaling Procedures – recommended but not essential

It is also strongly recommended to complete the knowledge on 5G RAN planning and design by attending the course on 5G RAN Optimization 

Finally it is worth mentioning that this course could be customized, tailored into specific customer needs and requests. Special topics could be also added and discussed, as 5G RAN design over satellites, 5G over LiFi and/or indoor design, using specific features and methodology. Of course the overall course duration would be impacted.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This course presents the principles of initial 5G RAN design including all topics related to coverage, RACH accessibility, capacity and throughput estimations in different scenarios. Consequently it is considered to be a valuable topic mainly for Radio Network Planners who have the daily duty to successfully plan for 5G RAN deployment, provide the best RAN QoS by contributing to the overall E2E QoS performance, as well as estimate the necessary throughput capacity and subsequent expansions for different services (URLLC, xMBB, mMTC) with the goal to minimize the overall congestion and blocking probability and maximize the RAN accessibility.

Moreover it is also considered to be equally useful for Radio Network Optimizers who’s daily job is to optimize the network performance. Prior knowledge of the RAN design principles will facilitate their effort to gain a deep insight into the initial planning principles and functional RAN performance contribution, guiding them into the root of unexpected  network performance problems from all accessibility, retainability as well as throughput point of view.

Radio Network Managers will also find this course interesting, acquiring a good and solid understanding on the 5G RAN deployment requirements and restrictions. This experience will result into better understanding of necessary HW and equipment mobile sector business negotiations with vendors and equipment providers as well as further insights into the future 5G network expansion needs.

Finally it is considered to be a valuable help for 5G System Architects, 3GPP consultants, 5G R&D Researchers, 5G System Analysts and 5G network consultants, contributing into further insight to the 5G technology and requirements for services, optional feature enhancements and general E2E performance in the pathway towards 6G.

Section 1 – 5G NR Physical Layer
5G New Radio (NR) technology review

  • 3GPP rel 15 and Rel 16 overview
  • FR1 and FR2 spectrum
  • Scalable numerology
  • OFDM techniques
  • NR frame structure
  • FDD – TDD modes
  • NR signals and channels
  • Non Stand Alone (NSA) vs. Stand Alone (SA) architecture
  • 5G Services – eMBB, massive IoT, URLLC 

Massive MIMO technology

  • 3GPP Massive MIMO stabdardization
  • Beam-forming principles and Massive MIMO Gain margins
  • Existing market mMIMO antennas (AAS-AAU units) 

5G Wireless Channel Considerations

  • FR1 & FR2 3D-Channel models
    – Non-Line of Site and Rayleigh modeling
    – LoS and Rice modeling
  • Shadow modeling
  • Doppler effects
  • Pathloss models for FR1 and FR2 mmW bands
  • Link Budget analysis supported by excel calculator
    – Rural macro scenario,
    – Urban macro & micro scenario,
    – Dense Urban pico scenario,
    – Outdor to Indor (O2I) scenario
    – Indoor scenario

Section 2 – Stand-Alone (SA) Planning
Uplink Planning

  • General UL requirements
    – Equipment HW requirements
    – Operator Performance requirements
  • NR Power control (PC) description
    – NR UL PC factor
    – PC factor configuration recommendations
  • Uplink Interference factor
    – UL Interference estimation using mathematical modeling
    – UL Interference estimation using simulations
  • Coverage UL Channel planning
    – PUSCH (based on simulation results)
    – PUCCH (based on simulation results for SINR target),
    – PRACH (based on simulation results for SINR target)
    – PRACH accessibility success probability (based on mathematical models)
  • Coverage UL Signal planning
    – SRS (based on simulation results)
    – DMRS (based on simulation results for SINR target),
    – CSI-RS (based on simulation results for SINR target),
  • Capacity (UL Throughput) calculations – single service
    – URLLC average and cell edge
    – xMBB average and cell edge
    – mMTC average and cell edge
  • Capacity calculation – combined services
  • UL Cell Throughput calculation
  • UL Throughput calculation – NR Carrier Aggregation
  • IP Transport Network UL capacity requirements
  • Practical Examples using excel tool calculator

Downlink Planning

  •  General DL requirements
    – Equipment HW requirements
    – Operator Performance requirements
  • NR Power Spectral Density
  • Downlink Interference factor
    – DL Interference estimation using mathematical modeling
    – DL interference estimation using simulations
  • Coverage DL Channel planning
    – PDSCH (based on simulation results)
    – PDCCH (based on simulation results for SINR target),
  • Coverage DL Signal planning
    – PSS/SSS (based on simulation results)
    – PBCH (based on simulation results)
    – DMRS (based on simulation results for SINR target),
    – CSI-RS (based on simulation results for SINR target),
  • Capacity (DL Throughput) calculations – single service
    – URLLC average and cell edge
    – xMBB average and cell edge
    – mMTC average and cell edge
  • Capacity calculation – combined services
  • DL Cell Throughput calculation
  • DL Cell Throughput calculation – NR Carrier Aggregation
  • IP Transport Network DL capacity requirements
  • Practical Examples using excel tool calculator

5G NR Sector Planning

  • PCI Planning
  • Random Access Planning

– RACH Root Planning

  1. Process description
  2. Excel Tool calculator

– PRACH Preample selection

  1. 3GPP recommendations
  2. PRACH preample tables
  • R Power Spectral Density
  • TA Planning
  • RNA Planning

Section 3 – non Stand-Alone (NSA) Planning
Dual Carrier review

  • NSA EN-DC (most common Option 3x) overview
    – EN-DC setup procedure – Signaling Flow
    – EN-DC setup requirements
    – EN-DC setup configuration parameters
    – NR Secondary node scenarios – the hot spot and the LTE collocation
  • NSA EN-DC fallback to LTE
    – EN-DC release procedure – Signaling Flow
    –  EN-DC release requirements
    – EN-DC release configuration parameter

Uplink Planning

  • General LTE & 5G UL requirements
    – Equipment HW requirements
    – Operator Performance requirements
  • LTE & NR Power control (PC) description
    – UL PC factor
    – PC factor configuration recommendations
  • LTE Uplink Interference factor
    – UL Interference estimation using mathematical modeling
    – UL Interference estimation using simulations
  • NR Uplink Interference factor
    – UL Interference estimation using mathematical modeling
    – UL Interference estimation using simulations
  • Coverage UL Channel planning
    – LTE/NR PUSCH (based on simulation results)
    – LTE/NR PUCCH (based on simulation results for SINR target),
    – LTE PRACH (based on simulation results for SINR target)
    – LTE PRACH accessibility success probability (based on mathematical models)
  • Coverage UL Signal planning
    – LTE/NR SRS (based on simulation results)
    – LTE CRS TM1-7 (based on simulation results for SINR target),
    – LTE CSI-RS TM8-10 (based on simulation results for SINR target),
  • Capacity (UL Throughput) calculations – single service
    – EN-DC MBB hot spot scenario
    – EN-DC NB-IoT hot spot scenario
    – EN-DC MBB collocation scenario
    – EN-DC NB-IoT collocation scenario
  • UL EN-DC Cell Throughput calculation
  • UL capacity consideration in LTE
  • UL Throughput calculation – EN-DC Carrier Aggregation
  • UL Throughput calculation – EN-DC and LTE TM10 CoMP
  • IP Transport Network UL capacity requirements
  • Practical Examples using excel tool calculator

Downlink Planning

  • General LTE & 5G DL requirements
    – Equipment HW requirements
    – Operator Performance requirements
  • LTE & NR Power Spectral Density
  • LTE Downlink Interference factor
    – DL Interference estimation using mathematical modeling
    – DL interference estimation using simulations
  • NR Downlink Interference factor
    – DL Interference estimation using mathematical modeling
    – DL interference estimation using simulations
  • Coverage DL Channel planning
    – LTE/NR PDSCH (based on simulation results)
    – LTE/NR PDCCH (based on simulation results for SINR target),
  • Coverage DL Signal planning
    – NR PSS/SSS (based on simulation results)
    – LTE/NR PBCH (based on simulation results)
    – NR DMRS (based on simulation results for SINR target),
    – LTE DMRS TM8-10 (based on simulation results for SINR target)
    – LTE CRS TM1-7 (based on simulation results for SINR target),
    – LTE CSI-RS TM8-10 (based on simulation results for SINR target),
  • Capacity (DL Throughput) calculations – single service
    – EN-DC MBB hot spot scenario
    – EN-DC NB-IoT hot spot scenario
    – EN-DC MBB collocation scenario
    – EN-DC NB-IoT collocation scenario
  • DL EN-DC Cell Throughput calculation
  • DL capacity consideration in LTE
  • UL Throughput calculation – EN-DC Carrier Aggregation
  • UL Throughput calculation – EN-DC and LTE TM10 CoMP
  • IP Transport Network DL capacity requirements
  • Practical Examples using excel tool calculator

ALL COURSE DATES FOR THE CATEGORY:

Telecommunications

011 Digital Signal Analysis Techniques: Time, Frequency, and Spatial Algorithms

Location: Barcelona, Spain Date: April 13 - April 15, 2026 Duration: 3 days
Instructors: Professor Gonzalo Seco-Granados and Professor José A. López-Salcedo This 3-day course that goes beyond available textbooks and extends these signal analysis tools to higher dimensions and multiple sensor channel. Conventional tools for analyzing and extracting the feature content of signals are filters (time content), Fourier transforms (frequency content) and beamforming (spatial content). Alternative tools to these conventional techniques are able to produce signal analysis results with finer temporal detail and higher spectral and spatial resolution. Read full course description including course schedule.

Early Bird
2 280,00 2 535,00 
Early Bird Price Ends: February 13, 2026

Telecommunications

044 Radio Spectrum Management

Location: Gothenburg, Sweden Date: June 22 - June 24, 2026 Duration: 3 days
Instructor: Dr. Naveed Mufti This 3-day course in Radio Spectrum Management. This topic is of ever increasing importance for Telecommunications Companies, Public Authorities as well as for Defence Forces. This advanced course is giving participants the knowledge of rules and regulations for the utilization, also discussing analysis and planning of the Radio Spectrum. It is necessary for the planning, implementation and operation phases of various types of technologies: Point-to-Point/Multipoint Links, Broadband Wireless Access, Cellular Systems, Radar, Navigation Systems as well as television and sound broadcasting networks, both analogue and digital. The hierarchical process of military spectrum management has extensive needs for long-term strategic as well as short-term tactical frequency management. Read full course description including course schedule

Early Bird
2 280,00 2 535,00 
Early Bird Price Ends: April 22, 2026

Telecommunications

058 Modern Digital Modulation Techniques for Wireless, Satellite, and Wireline Communications – 5G and Beyond

Location: Barcelona, Spain Date: April 13-17, 2026 Duration: 5 days
Instructor: Professor Irving Kalet The goal of this course is to introduce the participant to those digital modulation methods and multiple access techniques presently in use in mobile wireless (e.g.,5G-NR), broadband wireless(e.g.,Wi-Fi6), cable, satellite, deep-space and wireline (and power-line) communications, as well as to those techniques, which are being considered for future or next generation systems, e.g., 6G, and Wi-Fi 7. Modern digital modulation and multiple access techniques are basic building blocks of the physical (or radio) interface of all digital communication systems. We will describe many of these techniques during the course including those methods, which are being used in the newest systems including the Fifth Generation (5G-NR) cellular system, as well as ideas for modulations for 6G. Objective:
  • Learning about OFDM -based systems including OFDM, OFDMA, S-OFDMA, and SC-FDMA, which are integral parts of 5G-NR, 4G-LTE and the IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) systems.
  • Emphasis on the new modulation standard for the physical interface of 5G-NR. This OFDM standard is based on scalable subcarrier spacing.
  • Discuss other modulations, such as “Faster Than Nyquist” (FTN) signaling, which are being considered for advanced wireless systems. Many of the modulations have been combined with MIMO, Massive MIMO, and BLAST, to improve spectral efficiency.
  • Describe the use of constant-envelope CPM modulations (e.g., GMSK), especially for present and future broadband wireless communications and space communications. All of the modulations have been, and will be, utilized in mobile and broadband wireless systems, as well as in xDSL systems, to greatly improve both bandwidth and power efficiency.
  • Discussion of one of the most important topics in communications, Shannon Information Theory.
Read full course description including course schedule

Early Bird
3 540,00 3 935,00 
Early Bird Price Ends: March 13, 2026

Telecommunications

815 O-RAN System Overview

Location: Barcelona, Spain Date: April 13 - April 14, 2026 Duration: 2 days  
Instructor: Dr. Marcin Dryjanski The course covers joint design of technology and ecosystem aspects in Open RAN networks. The technology enablers include open networking, virtualization, HW/SW disaggregation, network intelligence. The course discusses Open RAN concept, architecture, use cases, functions and interfaces. With further network densification and high sophistication of the relation between multiple layers and operators and network elements require network management solution based on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The central point is the O-RAN Alliance, but relation to other entities, like TIP (Telecom Infra Project), and 3GPP is also emphasized. Read full course description including course schedule

Early Bird
1 560,00 1 735,00 
Early Bird Price Ends: February 13, 2026

E-Learning Courses, Telecommunications

E-Course 604 Radio Spectrum Management – Introduction, Organisations and Regulations

Location: E-Course 3 months access

Instructor: Mr. Olov Carlsson

Senior Director of EM Solutions at Altair Engineering, Sweden Mr. Carlsson is teaching this bundle e-learning course in Radio Spectrum Management. This is of ever increasing importance for Telecommunications Companies, Public Authorities as well as for Defence Forces. Radio Spectrum Management – Introduction, Organisations and Regulations This e-learning course is giving participants the knowledge of organisations and regulations, both national and international. The course includes: 100 minutes on-demand video 29 modules 3 months access This course is the first part of a series of three e-Learning courses about Radio Spectrum Management. For effective training benefit, we recommend also attending course 605 Radio Spectrum Management – Technical Basics and course 606 Radio Spectrum Management for various Services Get a better price when ordering all three courses: Bundle 604-606 Radio Spectrum Management

99,00 
 

E-Learning Courses, Telecommunications

E-Course 605 Radio Spectrum Management – Technical Basics

Location: E-Course 3 months access

Instructor: Mr. Olov Carlsson

This e-learning course in Radio Spectrum Management is taught by Mr. Olov Carlsson, Senior Director – EM Solutions at Altair Engineering, Sweden. This topic is of ever increasing importance for Telecommunications Companies, Public Authorities as well as for Defence Forces. Radio Spectrum Management – Technical Basics This e-learning course is giving participants the knowledge of technical basics, like Technical Characteristics, Radio Wave Propagation and Collocation Interference. The course includes: 131 minutes on-demand video 43 modules 3 months access This course is the second part of a series of three e-Learning courses about Radio Spectrum Management. For effective training benefit, we recommend also attending course 604 Radio Spectrum Management – Introduction, Organisations and Regulations and course 606 Radio Spectrum Management for various Services Get a better price when ordering all three courses: Bundle 604-606 Radio Spectrum Management

199,00 
 

E-Learning Courses, Telecommunications

E-Course 606 Radio Spectrum Management for Various Services

Location: E-Course 3 months access

Instructor: Mr. Olov Carlsson

This e-learning course in Radio Spectrum Management is taught by Mr. Olov Carlsson, Senior Director – EM Solutions at Altair Engineering, Sweden. This topic is of ever increasing importance for Telecommunications Companies, Public Authorities as well as for Defence Forces. Radio Spectrum Management for Various Services This e-learning course is giving participants the knowledge in Radio Planning for various services, like Space, Mobile, Broadcasting, Radio Navigation, Radio Location and Science Services. The course includes: 214 minutes on-demand video 81 modules 3 months access This course is the third part of a series of three e-Learning courses about Radio Spectrum Management. For effective training benefit, we recommend also attending course 604 Radio Spectrum Management – Introduction, Organisations and Regulations and course 605 Radio Spectrum Management – Technical Basics. Get a better price when ordering all three courses: Bundle 604-606 Radio Spectrum Management

299,00 
 

E-Learning Courses, Telecommunications

E-Course Bundle 604-606 Radio Spectrum Management

Location: E-Course 12 months access

Instructor: Mr. Olov Carlsson

Senior Director of EM Solutions at Altair Engineering, Sweden Mr. Carlsson is teaching this bundle e-learning course in Radio Spectrum Management. This is of ever increasing importance for Telecommunications Companies, Public Authorities as well as for Defence Forces. This advanced course is giving participants the knowledge of rules and regulations for the utilization, also discussing analysis and planning of the Radio Spectrum. The course includes: 445 minutes on-demand video 153 modules 12 months access Course 604 – Radio Spectrum Management – Introduction, Organisations and Regulations This e-learning course is giving participants the knowledge of organisations and regulations, both national and international. Course 605 – Radio Spectrum Management – Technical Basics This e-learning course is giving participants the knowledge of technical basics, like Technical characteristics, Radio wave propagation and Collocation interference. Course 606 – Radio Spectrum Management for Various Services This e-learning course is giving participants the knowledge in Radio Planning for various services, like Space, Mobile, Broadcasting, Radionavigation, Radio Location and Science services. Read full course description including course schedule.

495,00 
 

Would you like an inhouse course?

Contact Us!

Share your details below, and our team will be in touch as soon as possible.