Jakub Borkowski

West Pomeranian University of Technology (Zachodniopomorski Uniwersytet Technologiczny),

ul. Piastw 17, 70-310, Szczecin, Poland
also with Expert Connection Ltd, 28-29 The Broadway, W5 2NP London, United Kingdom
(email: jakub.borkowski@zut.edu.pl)
Lilia Husikyan
State Engineering University of Armenia, 0009 Yerevan 105 Teryan Str., Republic of Armenia
(email: lilia.husikyan@gmail.com)
Jacek Wszoek
AGH University of Science and Technology, al. A. Mickiewicza 30-059 Krakw, Poland
(e-mail: jacek.wszolek@kt.agh.edu.pl).

Applicability of MIMO deployment in HSPA networks

Abstract: MIMO is an attractive enhancement to 3G
HSPA networks, although it has not been widely
deployed. The objective of this paper is to discuss an
applicability of MIMO technique in HSPA networks
with supplementary use of VAM feature enabling
smooth coexistence with non-MIMO HSDPA users.
Observations performed on live network show that
MIMO deployment costs can be reduced with gradual rollout prioritizing cells with upgraded PA to
2x20W and re-utilizing antenna lines.
1. MOTIVATION
According to GSA (Global mobile Supplier Association) nearly 70% of 3G operators have launched HSPA+
(High Speed Packet Access) with DC-HSPA (Dual CellHSPA) as a 3G evolution mainstream [1]. At the same
time market research indicate that MIMO (Multiple
Input Multiple Output) technique despite of being one of
the key technologies for LTE (Long Term Evolution)
and WiMax networks, it has not been widely deployed in
HSPA+ networks [2] . This fact has been often commented as an unavailability of HSPA MIMO-capable
terminals on a mass market, need for the second pilot SCPICH (Secondary-Common Pilot Channel) reducing
code and power performance, and considerable roll out
CAPEX (Capital Expenditure). Moreover, some reports
indicate that transmit diversity transmission mode STTD (Space Time Transmit Diversity) in 3G [3], may
degrade performance of regular non-MIMO HSPA users
[4],[5].
In this paper, HSPA RAN (Radio Access Network) enhancement through MIMO introduction together with
VAM (Virtual Antenna Mapping) is studied, and accordingly, an applicability is analyzed based on audit
performed on a commercial 3G network.
2.

MIMO in HSPA

MIMO 2x2 (i.e. with two transmit and receive antennas) for HSDPA has been introduced in Rel. 7 3GPP
(Third Generation Partnership project) specification

[6],[7]. Two MIMO transmission modes have been defined a single (also called as transmit diversity) and a
dual layer (also called spatial multiplexing) mode. With
a single layer transmission, a pre coding (i.e. mapping of
modulated symbols to multiple antennas) matrix is adjusted to optimize power received by the terminal antennas. This is achieved by adjustment of the phase difference between symbols fed to the transmitting antennas in
order to provide a constructive interference at terminal
antennas. This results in an increased signal received
power and correspondingly higher average reported CQI
(Channel Quality Indicator) and higher throughput.
In case of a dual-layer transmission, an orthogonal precoding is applied, which allows to separate independent
data streams (layers) at the receiver. This theoretically
results in doubling the downlink capacity.
First MIMO enabling features for HSDPA offered by
telecom vendors provided only 28 Mbps DL (downlink)
peak throughput with 16QAM modulation on 15 parallel
HS-PDSCHs (High Speed-Physical Downlink Shared
Channels). Moreover, first MIMO solutions required a
significant usage of signal processing resources at base
stations, altogether making it not that interesting option.
Especially, in comparison with for example HSDPA an
upgrade through 64QAM enables 21 Mbps peak DL
HSDPA bit rate. A good illustration of the scenario from
2012 is provided in the GSMA report [8]. At present,
corresponding MIMO features offered by the telecom
vendors provide downlink capacity extension to 42
Mbps with HSPA 64QAM dual-stream MIMO (spatial
multiplexing) transmission mode on a single 5 MHz
carrier. In a similar manner, enabling dual-stream MIMO
on a DC-HSPA 2 x 5 MHz carriers increases peak downlink HSDPA throughput to 86 Mbps. Further evolution
includes MIMO extension on 4 or more 5 MHz carriers
MC-HSPA (Multi-Carrier HSPA) with analogical
downlink peak bit rate increase. In parallel to a carrieraggregation development, HSPA MIMO has been standardized as a Part of Rel. 11 of 3GPP with extension to
four transmit and receive antennas. Investigations performed by [9]-[11] have shown that higher order MIMO
in HSPA does only provide significant downlink spectral

3.

Fig. 1 VAM (Virtual Antenna Mapping) mechanism a

block diagram.

MIMO DEPLPOYEMENT ASPECTS

Deployment of MIMO 2x2 requires two antennas on

both base station and the terminal. According to many
references, a single conventional outdoor cross-polar
antenna provides a sufficient decorrelation between two
MIMO streams [19],[21],[24],[27]. Hence it is suitable
for majority of deployments in non-pure LOS (Line of
sight) environments, i.e. urban, suburban, micro cellular
scenarios. At the same time, it has been shown that
MIMO deployment on two different physical antennas
on both different polarization and also horizontally
spaced does not increase channel decorrelation and
hence does not bring additional capacity benefit [25]. In
exceptional propagation environments with strong LOSdominant signal and with no reflections and no local
scattering, MIMO 2x2 deployment on a single crosspolar antenna does not bring any capacity gain over
traditional no-MIMO scenario. Although, such scenarios
are rarity, as usually at least local scatters are present,
then MIMO deployment on single cross-polar antenna
brings sufficient gain [22],[26].
MIMO 2x2 involves transmitting of two signals per cell.
Hence, upgrades on the RF-part of the base station to
enable MIMO 2x2 transmission require usage of the
additional PA (Power Amplifier) for the additional
transmission stream per each cell. Depending on the
capabilities of the RF modules already deployed and
multi-carrier configuration this might involves additional
RF module deployments. A significant roll out costs
reductions brings VAM (Virtual Antenna Mapping)
implementation, as discussed in the following chapter.

Fig. 2 Improved VAM via Phase Insertion, as proposed in

[28] by Vodafone.

efficiency improvements in line with the increased spatial multiplexing scheme but also improves a coverage
for rank-1 and rank-2 HSDPA transmissions due to
higher-order beam forming gain [12].
Uplink direction for HSUPA MIMO has been a subject
of research as well with number of reports indicating not
only benefits from capacity point of view, but also as an
essential coverage enhancement and a terminal batterysavings [13]-[16].
There has been a significant amount of research reporting results of MIMO trials in HSPA networks as well as
number of commercial test-deployments, for example:
M1 (Singapure), Polsat (Poland), Swisscom (Switzerland), Smartone (Hong Kong), France Telecom and
Vodafone Groups [8],[17]- [19]. Although, at present
there are very few 3G networks with commercially
rolled out MIMO HSDPA solution.

Depending on the vendor-specific implementation,

MIMO activation requires processing resources from the
baseband part of the base station. First MIMO commercial solutions required significant baseband processing
resources and moreover were providing only 16QAM
modulation. At present, processing requirements have
been clearly reduced. In some implementations (vendorspecific), there is even no extra base station processing
resources required for MIMO activation.
4.

VAM VIRUAL ANTENNA MAPPING

Virtual Antenna Mapping is an old mechanism discussed widely by 3GPP, standardized, and offered as a
3G HSPA+ feature by telecom vendors [20]. Originally,
VAM is a transmit diversity mechanism enabling coexistence of HSDPA MIMO and non-MIMO devices
within a cell. Functionality relies on applying a matrix of
pre-defined fixed offsets to the incoming data before PA
through a 2-port signal processing matrix resulting in
two orthogonal data flows. The introduced phase offsets
is seen only by HSDPA MIMO users, although the signal should remain unchanged for the regular non-MIMO
HSDPA users, Fig. 1.

(a)

(b)

Fig. 3. Utilization of PAs (Power Amplifiers) with MIMO

2x2; (a) without VAM (Virtual Antenna Mapping); (b)
with VAM.

Fig. 5.Average reported CQI based on cluster containing

20 cells. On indicated dates, selected cells were upgraded
to 40 W PA.

channels is increased accordingly) or capacity improvement (especially when power of common channels is
kept unchanged). This brings a direct improvement for
non-MIMO HSDPA users through average CQI increase
and hence - HSDPA end-user throughput.
Therefore, VAM remains an interesting feature, as the
additional PA required for the second MIMO antenna
can be fully utilized also by regular non-MIMO users.
Especially, as it is expected that MIMO-enabled HSDPA
terminals will not be dominant for early stage of MIMO
roll outs in 3G networks.
5.

Fig. 4. Activations of additional PA (Power Amplifier), figure per cell on monthly basis over two years
period; based on live 3G network.

On the contrary, as reported by Vodafone in [28], VAM

impact on non-HSDPA devices is not that transparent as
initially intended although still positive in comparison
with coexistence with conventional STTD (Space Time
Transmit Diversity) mechanism. At the same time, [28]
proposes an enhancement to the standard VAM through
a CQI-dependent phase adaptation introduced after the
VAM matrix but before the second PA, Fig. 2. This
solution improves performance of non-MIMO HSDPA
users in a MIMO-enabled cell..
Key VAM implication on the cell functionality is, that it
allows for PA power balancing affecting both nonMIMO and MIMO HSDPA users. Hence, as presented in
Fig. 3, non-MIMO users can benefit from the additional
PA accordingly. Deployment of two PAs per cell is a
common optimization technique in 3G allowing for
either coverage improvement (when power of common

CONSIDERED LIVE NETWORK

SCENARIO

Analyses were carried out on a commercial 3G network deployment. A cluster consisting of all cells served
by a single RNC (Radio Network Controller) covering
urban-dominant environment was selected for analysis.
Cells were, in general, carrying high- and medium-traffic
load. All outdoor base stations have been equipped with
cross-polar antennas supporting a conventional uplink
reception diversity.
A considered network was in mature stage, with no ongoing development or rollout project within an analyzed
time frame. The PA upgrades have been made as a part
of regular ongoing optimization process. Accordingly,
cells for the PA upgrade were identified and prioritized
with increased PS (Packet Switched)-call setup failure
rate due to AC (Admission Control) and low HS-DSCH
end-user throughput. Hence, the upgrades were triggered
purely by the capacity reasons, and accordingly 40W PA
activations were made while keeping transmission power
of the common channels unchanged
6.

MIMO READINESS ANALYSES

A history of activations of additional PAs in a single

RNC (Radio Network Controller) of the considered
network over two years period is presented in Fig. 4. The
RNC covered an urban area, as illustrated in Section 5,
consisting of altogether 1087 cells. Based on the regu-

lar capacity-driven optimization process, 245 of cells

have been upgraded to 40W PA. The considered RAN
(Radio Access Network) topology under the selected
RNC have been deployed in a three layered manner, with
single layer dedicated to carry only Release 99 traffic.
Taking into account all HSPA-dedicated cells (690
cells), 35% of those have been upgraded to 40W PA.
Thus, MIMO with VAM combination could have been
deployed on those cells with minimum costs and effort.
A cluster consisted of 20 highly-loaded cells have been
selected, out of which 10 have been upgraded to 40 W
PA in line with the regular optimization practice, within
a considered time frame. An identified cluster consisted
of only HSPA-dedicated cells, since a considered network has a separated layer to carry Release 99 traffic.
Results provided in Fig.5 indicate clear improvement of
an average reported CQI with PA upgrades (on dates
identified by red markers). This cell selection process is
in line with the expected prioritization of cells for potential upgrades to MIMO, in order to increase HSDPA
capacity of the congested cells in high traffic areas. Although, depending on the common channel power allocations, coverage of MIMO- and VAM-enabled cells can
be also enhanced. Clearly, more significant CQI improvements could have been observed with PA upgrades
performed on coverage-limited cells. However, as our
intention is to show RAN readiness for MIMO deployment, a cluster of interference-limited cells has been
selected.
In addition to sufficient PA capability, cross-polar antennas, and appropriate software licensing, MIMO deployment requires a sufficient number of RF modules at
base stations. Namely, each MIMO-enabled cell requires
two transmit signals per cell. Hence, in order to enable
MIMO for all cells in a three-sectored base station, two
3-sectored RF modules must be used. Therefore, an
appropriate audit is needed in an operator RAN prior
MIMO deployment decision
7.

CONCLUSIONS

MIMO, despite of being one of key technologies in

LTE networks, has not been widely deployed in 3GHSPA networks. Observations show that operators may
significantly reduce feature roll out costs when reutilizing existing antennas and antenna without any
quality compromise. Moreover, when enabling VAM
processing mechanism together with MIMO on HSPA,
feature becomes transparent for regular users and also
additional PA can be fully shared between MIMO and
non-MIMO HSDPA users. Hence, MIMO can be gradually introduced for cells already equipped with additional
PA, allowing for further rollout costs reductions. This
approach practically allows for significant CAPEX reductions with MIMO rollout in 3G HSPA networks.
Study performed on a commercial live 3G-HSPA network show that according to a regular capacity-driven
optimization process, number of cells has been upgraded
to additional PA, hence ready for straightforward MIMO
implementation. Potential deployment costs may be

involved with additional RF base station modules to

provide two transmit signals per each cell.
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