I continue to care about the work of people who look and look mobile. Last time we got acquainted with the profession of a cellular network engineer. These technicians maintain the equipment above and make sure the signal is fast and the internet is fast on a daily basis.
Today, than usual, planners and optimizers of cellular networks. To do this, I talked with the center with senior experts in planning the MTS network at the Moscow enterprise Pavel Berezin and Vladimir Filatov.
Planning and optimization of cellular networks is inextricably undertaken, so the interaction between these networks is always closely.
What does a cellular network planner do?
In short, it is coverage prediction and optimization, capacity calculation and site determination, a large number of suitable for the installation of the main site. All in order to ensure high quality communication in Europe.
All operators have indicators of communication quality, such as data transfer rate, quality of voice services, number of interruptions, etc. The task of the scheduler is to model the dependency in the waiting area for a given set of employees with a given quality level.
It all starts with the reconnaissance zone, which requires an air connection. The planner selects the size of the territory, its topography, development, the number of subscribers, and the services that should be provided to them.
By placing the base stations on the ground, the planner, with the help of his special program, can evaluate how a possible solution will meet the requirements. In addition, it analyzes population statistics by territory: how high are the nearest base stations, whether the inclusion of extended ranges is required in order to redistribute consumption with accumulation and “pull up” communication quality indicators in problem areas.
What does a cellular network optimizer do?
If the scheduler plans what is not yet available, then the optimizer optimizes what is already there. Optimization requires waiting for communication, large amounts of effective data, measurement results.
It is always a process of trial and error, the result of an analysis of fresh movement statistics, as well as various experiments, where without them.
For example, the use of new technologies in standards, the addition of increased aggregation frequency, modulation, coding scheme, MIMO order, everything that is aimed at increasing capacity and efficiency is already increasing the network. The optimizer must keep up with the times and constantly analyze the results of his actions.
– Pavel Berezin, MTS senior expert
The optimizer works with the software of elementary elements, that is, the basic prototype. There are tens of thousands of them and work with individual system capabilities. SON systems (self-optimizing network) come to the rescue. Such a system takes care of routine operations: prescribing the optimal chair so that they are combined with another device, power adjustment, tilt angle, etc.
Before the advent of specialized software, most of the network settings were performed manually by optimizers at each station or at a small group of stations. Currently, they often customize the software and special scripts, which, in turn, allow you to find features in it.
Without the use of industrial systems, working with the current level of the network, especially in such complex locations as Moscow, is simply impossible – there are not enough hands and eyes to follow everyone.
Optimization helps to find errors when external conditions change: for example, change the antenna tilt angle and thereby reduce coverage in one place and increase it in the counter or balance traffic parameters. When the optimizer has exhausted its observations, the schedulers are reconnected.
– Vladimir Filatov, MTS senior expert
Where do network planners and optimizers work?
Mostly in the office. There I talked with the interviewees, the photo is also from there.
Many tasks can be solved easily: there are digital terrain models, information resources, network coverage simulation software. There are situations when it is necessary to travel, for example, to important facilities, mass events, sports facilities, places where people copy.
Our game has a group of radio measurements. Here they, as a rule, work “in the fields”, where, with the help of specialized complexes, they more accurately measure the quality characteristics of the network. These results are processed with the help of other specialized software and already processed by the manufacturers of schedulers and optimizers for additional study, analysis and adjustment of technical solutions.
We work in a single program: planning, optimization and radio measurement. None of these three groups is allowed from the general process building and network development.
– Pavel Berezin, MTS senior expert
What is the difficulty in the work of network planners and optimizers?
Complex tasks are, as a rule, situations with a large congestion of subscribers in one location. When tens of thousands of people gather in one place, they consume a very large amount of traffic, and the base stations, which quickly cope with traffic on weekdays, begin to “suffocate”, and the speed of subscribers decreases.
Preparations for the World Cup in 2018 were a serious challenge, when MTS guarded communications at Luzhniki, at the Spartak stadium, at the Otkritie Arena site. Planners and optimizers repeatedly had to go out, assess the situation on the spot and then simulate decisions in the office.
Particular attention was paid to the organization of communication in the fan zone on Sparrow Hills, when a decision had to be issued very quickly: the number of forecasts exceeded the number of forecasts by several times.
We see there day and night, watching how the structures are assembled, and thinking where we can add additional equipment.
Basically, the antennas are built into the housings of large screens that were installed in the fan zone. An additional 4 base stations have been deployed, upgraded to the existing one, consuming the load between them. Plus, mobile base stations were installed – such trailers with antennas to quickly increase capacity in certain places. In the regular network cycle, which usually takes a couple of months, was completed in two days.
– Vladimir Filatov, MTS senior expert
Approximately 50% of time optimizers exploit network problems such as low speed, traffic congestion, etc. This work is like daily cleaning – routine and to some extent endless. But it makes it possible to significantly improve the quality of the network in the most problematic areas.
What are the requirements for network planners and optimizers?
The planning and calculation division is the “think tank” of the technical unit. Therefore, the requirements for candidates are high:
First of all, it is required to identify the mindset, critical and systemic thinking – the presence of the possibilities of various objects and processes in a holistic way.
Communication skills are important, because the central attention is paid to many company processes and it is necessary to communicate a lot with other departments. We interact with business, marketing, network development and operation departments. use the information flow and the volume of priority tasks, stress resistance is also critical.
It is important to constantly learn because technology is advanced. At the same time, there are many related areas in our work – for example, working with databases, software systems, etc.
– Vladimir Filatov, MTS senior expert
A planner needs creativity. There are always several options for industrial solutions, among them it is necessary to find the very first option from a construction, technical and economic point of view.
they meet only with planners and optimizers who come from MTUCI and Bauman University. But the university or specialty is not the main thing:
A profile specialty is not required to enter the profession. Yes, technical education is required here, preferably in the field of communications or information technology. But still pay attention to the ability to process information and interpret it correctly.
– Pavel Berezin, MTS senior expert
As my interlocutors say, in the planning center and in the nearest MTS there is no ecological “phystech” when only men work. Women currently make up about 20% of many units and are doing a great job.
You can learn more about the requirements on the MTS vacancies website. Here is an example of a vacancy for the position of an optimizer in Krasnodar.
Source: Iphones RU
I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.
