5G New Radio (NR) Design and Planning: Coverage, Capacity, and Throughput

Course details

Explore how to design and plan for effective 5G network deployment. Learn about the transition drivers from 4G to 5G and examine 5G’s core capabilities such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra‑reliable low‑latency communication (URLLC), and massive machine‑type communications (mMTC). Gain insight into architectural differences between standalone (SA) and non‑standalone (NSA) options, and discover the technological innovations enabling high‑speed 5G performance. Delve into radio wave propagation challenges, signal quality measurements, and antenna array techniques to plan well for coverage and capacity. Learn how to perform link budget calculations and throughput analysis, applying theoretical models to real‑world scenarios.

Designed for telecom professionals, aspiring cloud engineers, tech managers, decision‑makers, researchers, and tech enthusiasts, this course provides the info needed to optimize network engineering efforts. By the end of the course, you will be able to plan, deploy, and analyze 5G deployments for maximum data capacity and efficient latency management.

Concepts

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction to 5G Systems

Evolution from 4G to 5G - The drivers for change
What is 5G Key capabilities and use cases
The 5G triangle - eMBB, URLLC, and mMTC
5G network architectures - Standalone (SA) vs. non-standalone (NSA)
5G spectrum demystified - Frequency ranges (FR1 and FR2)
Why is 5G so fast Key enabling technologies

5G NR Fundamentals

Flexible numerology and frame structure
The resource grid - RE, RB, and bandwidth parts (BWP)
Multiple access - OFDMA in 5G NR
Modulation and coding schemes (MCS)
Duplexing methods - FDD, TDD, and supplementary uplink (SUL)

Initial Access and RACH Preambles

High-level 5G system architecture
5G SA initial access and registration procedure
The synchronization signal block (SSB)
Random access channel (RACH) procedure
RACH functions and mapping
Preamble format sequence
PRACH long sequence cell radius calculation
Preamble formats short sequence
PRACH short sequence cell radius calculation
Preamble formats long sequence

Radio Wave Propagation and Challenges

Key radio signal measurements (RSRP, RSSI, SINR, RSRQ)
S RSRP (synchronization signal reference signal received power)
SS RSSI (synchronization signal received signal strength indicator)
SS RSRQ (synchronization signal reference signal received quality)
SS SINR (synchronization signal signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio)
The radio signal challenge - Path loss and attenuation
Large-scale effects - Path loss models
Large-scale effects - Log-normal fading
Small-scale effects - The Doppler effect and phase noise
Building penetration loss
Foliage loss
The fundamental limit - Thermal noise
Understanding link budget

MIMO, Beamforming, and Antenna Systems

Antenna fundamentals and arrays
MIMO concepts - SU MIMO, MU MIMO, and massive MIMO
Beamsweeping and antenna architecture
Antenna deployment for urban and rural

Capacity, Coverage, and Dimensioning

5G network planning blueprint
Traffic growth and network dimensioning
Shannon s law - The theoretical capacity limit
Cell edge - 5G promise
The core trade-off - Cell edge coverage vs. capacity
Impact of control channel overheads

Spectrum Planning and Interference

5G spectrum and band allocation
Supplementary uplink (SUL) deployment scenarios
Understanding 5G interference - PIM, near far effect
Interference fundamentals - ACLR (adjacent channel leakage ratio)
Numerology selection

Coverage and Link Budget Analysis

Coverage planning methodology
Downlink link budget calculation
Uplink link budget calculation
Uplink link budget calculation (detailed)

Throughput and Performance Planning

5G peak data rate calculation
Practical throughput planning (different modes and scenarios)
5G peak data rate (throughput) - Different modes
5G user plane latency considerations

5G Deployment Architectures

Overview of 5G deployment architectures
Standalone (SA) deployment - Option explained
Non-standalone (NSA) deployment - Option 3x ENDC architecture
Downlink traffic flow in ENDC (NSA) networks

Throughput Modeling and Analysis

MAC throughput categories and performance metrics
Practical MAC throughput measurement techniques
Downlink throughput formulas for gNB (SA and NSA modes)
PDCP layer downlink throughput in eNB (NSA mode)

Conclusion

Conclusion