Samsung’s Suite of Intelligent Network Solutions for the Next Phase of 5G: RF Design Tool

In order to improve the 5G service quality, operators need to design and deploy their 5G networks carefully and accurately. And this requires the right network planning and design tools. With the right tool, operators can simulate the quantity and location of mmWave and Massive MIMO radios, accurately predict coverage and capacity, streamlining the planning process. Through accurate Radio Frequency (RF) simulations, operators can optimize the required number of radios and still reach their targeted capacity.

After extensive research in 5G technology, Samsung developed an intelligent solution that can help define the optimal 5G radio network design for both mmWave and Massive MIMO radios. In the past, accurate radio simulations required numerous field measurements using various tools to calibrate the simulation tool parameters for accurate results. This often resulted in multiple field trips by personnel. Samsung’s CognitiV 5G RAN Planning and Optimization (CognitiV RPO) uses up-to-date map and topology information to offer the ideal deployment scenario, with more accuracy in expected capacity gains, and enabling the optimal site configuration.

CognitiV RPO helps operators make smarter, faster business decisions based on real-environment simulations and predictions – including capabilities to plan for Massive MIMO-based deployments for mid-band spectrums.

Accurate 3D Semantic Maps, Real-life Environment Modeling with AI

Samsung’s solution provides an AI-based real environment recognition and automatic 3D map reconstruction. In order to simulate the real world surroundings, Samsung’s solution generates a 3D semantic map based on AI technology (deep-learning), enabling a 3D visual detection of micro-scale objects. The tool captures street-side photographs and satellite images to extract environmental details, including:

- Tree foliage: Shape, density, height, width

- Tree trunk: Height, diameter

- Pole type: Height, diameter

- Building materials: Brick, concrete, stone, wood, metal, glass, sidings

Ultimately, this aggregated information forms a 3D semantic map, “a map with meaning”, which is unique to Samsung’s RF design tool. This is the basis for accurate simulations for mmWave and MIMO systems.

mmWave RAN Planning

When Samsung began to research mmWave technologies over a decade ago, it learned that there were inaccuracies in prediction results when using traditional RF planning methods. Coverage analysis was not precise enough because conventional RF design was based on statistical channel models and general digital maps.

Samsung’s challenge was to develop a reliable RF planning solution that can analyze multiple channel models in detail based on accurate 3D semantic maps to validate a sensitive and high frequency band. Since 2016, Samsung focused on the development of a tool that runs with a new propagation model to analyze 5G radio networks more precisely.

Samsung’s CognitiV RPO predicts mmWave propagation paths based on GPU-powered 3D full ray-tracing methodology. Our unique 3D full ray-tracing model traces comprehensive propagation paths and estimates signal losses based on real-world information such as window penetration, material surfaces of the buildings, tree trunk diffraction and tree vegetation scattering, among others.

Massive MIMO RAN Planning

Samsung’s RAN Planning tool helps simulate the exact capacity gains of Massive MIMO. It utilizes 3D full-dimension channel simulations based on UE-specific beamforming, inter-UE interference analysis and inter-cell interference analysis.

For FR1 (Frequency Range 1 that includes sub-6GHz frequencies) Massive MIMO planning, determining the ideal deployment scenario is one of the most critical factors in maximizing cell/user capacity. With a Massive MIMO gain prediction tool, Samsung helps operators have more reliable data, optimize total cost of ownership (TCO) and increase efficiency in site planning.

Samsung’s Massive MIMO planning entails the intelligence of channel correlation between multiple UEs in a cell, also taking into account the modem algorithms implemented in each Massive MIMO radio. Since Massive MIMO gain is evaluated based on cell capacity rather than coverage, a comprehensive analysis of Transmission Mode (TM) control, UE scheduling, beamforming and Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC) in a certain condition is required for accuracy.

Our CognitiV RPO produces simulation results that are nearly equivalent to the actual capacity gain by statistically simulating network performance, also reflecting the distribution of multiple cells and users. Therefore, our RAN planning simulations can replace the costly tuning work needed out in the field such as physical measurements and drive tests.

User-Friendly and Intuitive UX Design

Our planning tool not only stands out for its accuracy, but also for its user-friendly UX design. The tool offers a user-oriented interface with visual object palettes, as well as tree and wall material libraries. Digitized simulation results are visually marked on a 3D heat-map, allowing a quick grasp of the signal strengths based on the surrounding obstacles.

“Building a 5G network requires careful positioning of tens of thousands of radios in order to ensure high quality and coverage. We have put a heavy emphasis on a user-friendly design and accuracy of the tool. Our solution utilizes multiple layers of information powered by 3D mapping, but it is still very simple to use. Any user can visually read and intuitively understand the analysis.” — Kang Bum Lee, Senior Designer of Interaction Design at Samsung Networks

It was selected as a finalist for five industry awards including iF Design Award (Germany, 2018) and IDEA Design Award (USA, 2018) for its intuitive interface.

As 5G mobile traffic continues to surge with the introduction of high quality services, there is a need for densification of networks, requiring more small cell deployments. Therefore, there is an increasing importance on precise deployment planning. Samsung’s CognitiV RPO solution will help operators make business decisions more easily and quickly. Samsung is committed to continuing research to find more ways to improve our solution and we look forward to supporting our customers in their successful 5G network rollouts.