cellular expert whitepaper

Radio Network Planning Application Based on ArcGIS

White Paper

2011 July

Copyright © 2011 HNIT-BALTIC. All rights reserved. Cellular Expert and Cellular Expert logo are registered trademarks, @hnit-baltic.lt and www.hnit-baltic.lt are service marks of HNIT-BALTIC in Lithuania and some other countries. In the United States and in some countries ArcGIS, ArcView, Spatial Analyst, 3D Analyst, ArcSDE are registered trademarks of Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. The names of other products herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners.

http://www.hnit-baltic.lt/

Cellular Expert White Paper 2

Table of Contents 1. Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ 6

2. System Configuration _____________________________________________________________ 8

2.1. License types ________________________________________________________________________ 8

2.2. Single-User Environment ______________________________________________________________ 8

2.3. Multi-User Environment ________________________________________________________________ 8

2.4. Cellular Expert Reader ________________________________________________________________ 10

3. Cellular Expert Licenses __________________________________________________________ 11

4. Data Management _______________________________________________________________ 12

4.1. Network Data Management ____________________________________________________________ 12 4.1.1. Sites _____________________________________________________________________________________ 12 4.1.2. Customers_________________________________________________________________________________ 13 4.1.3. Constructions ______________________________________________________________________________ 13 4.1.4. Sectors ___________________________________________________________________________________ 14 4.1.5. Passive Repeaters __________________________________________________________________________ 14 4.1.6. Cells _____________________________________________________________________________________ 14

4.2. Radio Equipment Data Management ____________________________________________________ 14 4.2.1. Antenna Editor _____________________________________________________________________________ 15 4.2.2. Antenna Import and Export ____________________________________________________________________ 17 4.2.3. Radio Channels ____________________________________________________________________________ 18 4.2.4. Modulation Performance ______________________________________________________________________ 18 4.2.5. Carriers ___________________________________________________________________________________ 19 4.2.6. Spectrum Density Masks _____________________________________________________________________ 19 4.2.7. Radio Systems _____________________________________________________________________________ 20 4.2.8. Equipment Availability ________________________________________________________________________ 20 4.2.9. Adaptive Modulation _________________________________________________________________________ 21 4.2.10. Feeders ________________________________________________________________________________ 21 4.2.11. Radio components ________________________________________________________________________ 22

5. Radio Path Profiling and Visibility Analysis __________________________________________ 23

5.1. Radio Path Profiling __________________________________________________________________ 23 5.1.1. Profiling calculations _________________________________________________________________________ 23 5.1.2. Obstacle Management _______________________________________________________________________ 24 5.1.3. Multi-path and reflection point analysis ___________________________________________________________ 24 5.1.4. Reflection Analysis __________________________________________________________________________ 25 5.1.5. Antenna heights optimizer_____________________________________________________________________ 26

5.2. Visibility Analysis ____________________________________________________________________ 27

6. Transmission Network Design and Analysis _________________________________________ 28

6.1. Radio Links Management _____________________________________________________________ 28

6.2. Power Budget Analysis _______________________________________________________________ 28

6.3. Performance Prediction _______________________________________________________________ 29

6.4. Geoclimatic Data ____________________________________________________________________ 30

6.5. Protection and Diversity ______________________________________________________________ 30 6.5.1. Equipment Protection Options _________________________________________________________________ 30 6.5.2. Propagation Diversity Options __________________________________________________________________ 30

6.6. Power Flux Density Calculation ________________________________________________________ 31

6.7. Terrain Scattering Analysis ____________________________________________________________ 32

6.8. Interference Analysis _________________________________________________________________ 32

6.9. Automatic Radio Link Frequency Planning _______________________________________________ 33

6.10. Radio Link Capacity Planning __________________________________________________________ 34

7. Coverage Prediction _____________________________________________________________ 35

7.1. User defined prediction models ________________________________________________________ 35

7.2. Hata Type Models ____________________________________________________________________ 35

7.3. Line-Of-Sight Type Models ____________________________________________________________ 36


7.4. Walfish – Ikegami Model ______________________________________________________________ 37

7.5. SUI Prediction Model _________________________________________________________________ 38

7.6. Territory Coverage Statistics __________________________________________________________ 38

8. Drive Test Analysis and Prediction Model Tuning _____________________________________ 39

8.1. Drive Test Data Analysis ______________________________________________________________ 39 8.1.1. Drive-test data import ________________________________________________________________________ 39 8.1.2. Connect drive-test data points to serving cells _____________________________________________________ 39 8.1.3. Drive-test data playback ______________________________________________________________________ 40 8.1.4. Drive-test data post-processing ________________________________________________________________ 41

8.2. Prediction Model Tuning ______________________________________________________________ 42 8.2.1. Prediction Error Calculation ___________________________________________________________________ 42 8.2.2. Prediction Model Calibration ___________________________________________________________________ 43

9. 2G/2.5G Network Design __________________________________________________________ 44

9.1. Nominal Cell Planning ________________________________________________________________ 44

9.2. Field Strength Prediction ______________________________________________________________ 45

9.3. Best Server Prediction ________________________________________________________________ 45

9.4. Interference Analysis _________________________________________________________________ 46

9.5. Traffic Planning and Analysis __________________________________________________________ 47

10. 3G/3.5G/4G Network Design _____________________________________________________ 48

10.1. CDMA/UMTS Network Design __________________________________________________________ 48 10.1.1. Network Dimensioning _____________________________________________________________________ 48 10.1.2. Coverage Prediction _______________________________________________________________________ 49

10.1. LTE Network Design _________________________________________________________________ 50 10.1.1. LTE Coverage Predictions __________________________________________________________________ 50

10.2. WiMAX Network Design _______________________________________________________________ 51 10.2.1. Nominal Cell Planning _____________________________________________________________________ 51 10.2.2. Adaptive Modulation _______________________________________________________________________ 51 10.2.3. Throughput and Power Budget Calculations ____________________________________________________ 52

10.3. MIMO Antenna Performance ___________________________________________________________ 53

10.4. Fractional Frequency Reuse ___________________________________________________________ 53

10.5. Monte Carlo Traffic Simulation _________________________________________________________ 54

11. Broadcast Network Design ______________________________________________________ 57

11.1. Single Frequency Network Coverage ____________________________________________________ 57

11.2. Signal Delay ________________________________________________________________________ 57

11.3. Coverage Probability _________________________________________________________________ 57

11.4. SIR,SNR and Service Area _____________________________________________________________ 58

12. Automation and Optimization tools _______________________________________________ 59

12.1. Automated Task Processing ___________________________________________________________ 59

12.2. Site Optimization ____________________________________________________________________ 59

12.3. Automatic Frequency Planning ________________________________________________________ 60

12.4. Automated Site Candidates Selection ___________________________________________________ 62

12.5. Antenna Tilting Optimization __________________________________________________________ 63

13. 3D Analysis and Visualization ___________________________________________________ 64

14. GIS based Network Analysis ____________________________________________________ 66

15. Reporting ____________________________________________________________________ 67

16. Functionality Chart ____________________________________________________________ 68

17. System Requirements __________________________________________________________ 74

18. Contact Information ____________________________________________________________ 75


List of Illustrations

Cellular Expert Object Inspector _____________________________________________________________________________ 12

Representation of Sites on the map __________________________________________________________________________ 13

Representation of Customers on the map _____________________________________________________________________ 13

Representation of Constructions on the map ___________________________________________________________________ 14

Radio Equipment Manager _________________________________________________________________________________ 15

Parabolic Antenna Editor ___________________________________________________________________________________ 16

Sector Antenna Editor _____________________________________________________________________________________ 16

Antenna Import __________________________________________________________________________________________ 17

Antenna Export ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 17

Radio Channel Editor ______________________________________________________________________________________ 18

Modulation Editor ________________________________________________________________________________________ 19

Carrier Editor _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 19

Spectrum Mask Editor _____________________________________________________________________________________ 20

Radio System Editor _______________________________________________________________________________________ 20

Equipment Availability _____________________________________________________________________________________ 21

Adaptive Modulation Editor ________________________________________________________________________________ 21

Feeder Editor _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 22

Radio Component Editor ___________________________________________________________________________________ 22

Path Profiling ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 24

Reflection Point Analysis ___________________________________________________________________________________ 25

Multi-path Analysis _______________________________________________________________________________________ 25

Reflection analysis tool ____________________________________________________________________________________ 26

Antenna Height Optimizer __________________________________________________________________________________ 26

Visibility Analysis _________________________________________________________________________________________ 27

Advanced visibility calculation options ________________________________________________________________________ 27

Radio Links Manager ______________________________________________________________________________________ 28

Radio Link Prediction Results ________________________________________________________________________________ 29

Radio Link performance targets _____________________________________________________________________________ 29

Radio Link performance objectives ___________________________________________________________________________ 30

Protection and Diversity ____________________________________________________________________________________ 31

Power Flux Density ________________________________________________________________________________________ 31

Terrain Scattering _________________________________________________________________________________________ 32

Interference prediction results ______________________________________________________________________________ 33

Automatic frequency planning tool___________________________________________________________________________ 33

Traffic Flow manager ______________________________________________________________________________________ 34

Tracing network connections on the map______________________________________________________________________ 34

User defined prediction models ______________________________________________________________________________ 35

Field strength coverage prediction using Hata9999 prediction model _______________________________________________ 35

Field strength coverage prediction using line-of-sight prediction model _____________________________________________ 36

Field strength coverage prediction using Walfish-Ikegami model __________________________________________________ 37

Field strength coverage map predicted using SUI model _________________________________________________________ 38


Territory Coverage Statistics ________________________________________________________________________________ 38

Drive-test data import tool _________________________________________________________________________________ 39

Drive-test serving cell tool __________________________________________________________________________________ 39

Connecting Drive-test data points to serving cells _______________________________________________________________ 40

Drive-test Data Viewer tool _________________________________________________________________________________ 40

Drive-test Data Post-Processing _____________________________________________________________________________ 41

Prediction Error Calculation _________________________________________________________________________________ 42

Prediction Model Tuning ___________________________________________________________________________________ 43

Nominal cell plan _________________________________________________________________________________________ 44

Field strength coverage prediction dialog and results ____________________________________________________________ 45

Best server prediction dialog and results ______________________________________________________________________ 45

Interference coverage prediction dialog and results _____________________________________________________________ 46

Sector traffic spreading over best server area __________________________________________________________________ 47

CDMA Network Dimensioning Calculator window ______________________________________________________________ 48

UMTS/HSDPA coverage predictions __________________________________________________________________________ 49

LTE Coverage Predictions ___________________________________________________________________________________ 50

Nominal cell plan _________________________________________________________________________________________ 51

Adaptive modulation data rate ______________________________________________________________________________ 51

WiMAX Parameters Calculator ______________________________________________________________________________ 52

MIMO Antenna Performance _______________________________________________________________________________ 53

Subband and subcarrier allocation options ____________________________________________________________________ 53

Monte Carlo traffic simulation tool ___________________________________________________________________________ 54

HSDPA traffic simulations __________________________________________________________________________________ 54

LTE traffic simulations _____________________________________________________________________________________ 55

Monte Carlo traffic simulation results ________________________________________________________________________ 55

Monte Carlo traffic coverage results __________________________________________________________________________ 56

Single Frequency Network Coverage _________________________________________________________________________ 57

SIR,SNR and Service Areas __________________________________________________________________________________ 58

Automated Task Processing Tool ____________________________________________________________________________ 59

Site optimization tool ______________________________________________________________________________________ 59

Automatic Frequency Planning parameters definition dialogs _____________________________________________________ 60

Automatic Frequency Planning Results dialog __________________________________________________________________ 61

Automated Site Candidates Selection Tool _____________________________________________________________________ 62

Calculated minimum site number to serve fixed customers _______________________________________________________ 62

Antenna gain map ________________________________________________________________________________________ 63

3D antenna pattern visualization ____________________________________________________________________________ 64

3D antenna pattern and field strength coverage map for WiMAX network __________________________________________ 65

Statistics of field strength coverage raster _____________________________________________________________________ 66

Cellular Expert Reports _____________________________________________________________________________________ 67


1. INTRODUCTION Cellular ExpertTM is a wireless telecommunication network planning, optimization and data management solution, available to the telecommunication industry since 1995. Used in 35 countries by over 90 customers, the software is distinctive for its versatile functionality, calculation precision, multi-technology, intuitive usage and powerful GIS platform. Cellular Expert allows users to plan, optimize network and analyze information efficiently, to lower costs, increase profitability, and improve the quality of customer support services. The software is being constantly updated to support the latest technologies and includes the functionality based on real customer requirements giving a significant advantage for the user. HNIT-BALTIC is the developer of Cellular Expert. Operating since 1993, HNIT-BALTIC is a constantly expanding international company, having more than 500 customers worldwide. The company has 15 years of sales and marketing experience in international market focusing on software solutions for telecommunication companies. The company provides software solutions and professional services including software development, customization, implementation system integration, training, consultancy and support in more than 35 countries worldwide. HNIT-BALTIC business strategy focuses on an absolute commitment to customers to deliver high quality, reliable, competitive and innovative solutions, enabling customers to lower operational costs, increase profitability and customer satisfaction. Cellular Expert solution is dedicated to:

Mobile network operators

Telecoms

Internet providers

Military communications

Emergency service providers

Private networks

Consultancy services providers

Other companies performing planning, analysis, optimization and reporting tasks for radio

networks.

Supported wireless technologies:

Transmission networks (Microwave)

Broadband access networks (LMDS, MMDS, WLL)

2G/2.5G networks (GSM, DCS, CDMA)

3G/3.5G networks (CDMA2000, WCDMA, HSDPA, HSUPA)

4G networks (WiMAX, LTE)

Military and rescue networks (TETRA, TETRAPOL)

Broadcasting DAB,DVB-T, DVB-T2, other single or multiple frequency networks

Other technologies in frequency range up to 40 GHz


Cellular Expert has several types of advanced coverage prediction algorithms for the modeling of microwave point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, fixed and mobile radio systems based on ITU-R, ETSI, COST 231 and IEEE standards and recommendations. The models can be calibrated using drive test data, and customized for certain types of terrain and land-use. The propagation models cover a distance range from several meters up to 150 kilometers and frequencies from 100 MHz up to 40 GHz. Cellular Expert supports Line of Sight, Hata, COST 231, Walfish-Ikegami, SUI type models and the ability to implement additional prediction models. Cellular Expert has the unique ability to use combined prediction models according to environmental conditions. Coverage prediction functionality includes Field Strength and Best Server calculations. There is a possibility to calculate N Best Servers and the number of servers per area. Cellular Expert is more than just a network planning tool. The software is developed on the world’s leading Geographical Information System (GIS) platform - ArcGIS™, which has been developed by the industry leader ESRI Inc. ArcGIS allows analyzing data and author geographic knowledge to examine relationships, test predictions, and ultimately make better decisions. ArcGIS provides a complete set of tools for modeling geographic information to support smarter, faster decisions. ArcGIS can be used to discover and characterize geographic patterns, model and analyze against all sources of geographic data, optimize network and resource allocation, automate workflows through a visual modeling environment and use comprehensive spatial modeling and analysis tools to reveal answers in your data. Extensions for ArcGIS are specialized tools that add more capabilities and allow performing extended tasks such as spatial analysis, raster geoprocessing, three-dimensional analysis, map publishing and other tasks.


2. SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

2.1. License types

Two types of Cellular Expert licenses are available - Single-use and Concurrent-use. It gives the versatility for the customer to optimize the number of seats used for the software. A Single-use license is installed to each workstation; it is beneficial when the workstation used for Cellular Expert is exploited all the time. A Concurrent-use license can be installed to unlimited number of seats, simultaneously using the purchased number of the licenses. This type of licenses is beneficial when many specialists in the company are using Cellular Expert but only occasionally.

2.2. Single-User Environment

Single-User Environment is used when there is no need to share network and geographical data and all the network planning operations are done individually on a personal computer. For Single-User configuration of Cellular Expert, all the information about radio network objects is stored in personal geodatabase (MDB format). Network coverage predictions, best server, interference and other raster data is stored in ESRI GRID format locally on the disc. Geographical data can be stored locally on a disc, on a network server or in ArcGIS Server database. ArcView license is required to operate in Single-User environment.

2.3. Multi-User Environment

Multi-User Environment is used for collaborative network planning when geographical and network data is shared on a central database server. For Multi-User configuration of Cellular Expert, all information about radio network objects is stored in ArcGIS Server database. Geographic data can be stored locally on disc, on a network server or in ArcGIS Server database. Field strength predictions can be calculated locally and stored on file server or ArcGIS Server database. ArcEditor license is required to operate in Multi-User Environment. ArcGIS Server with Microsoft SQL Server database or Oracle database is required on the server-side. Cellular Expert supports database versioning. In addition to main database several versions (e.g. planned Q1, alternative Q1,…) can be created. Depending on task complexity, network size several workflows can be applied: Direct Editing


The simplest workflow for multi-user access to geodatabase is when many users are directly editing the main network database. Each person opens the main network database for editing, a temporary version is created. Whenever the editor saves the work or ends the edit session, then

that temporary version is automatically reconciled with and posted to the main database. If there are conflicts, you must resolve them with the conflict resolution dialog before you can successfully save your edits. If no conflicts are detected, the edits are directly posted to the default version. This workflow is most appropriate where the units of work are fairly modest in scale and where no design alternatives have been explored or historical snapshots made. Two-Level Tree Many organizations employ a more structured process that tracks discrete work units of construction or maintenance. These work units typically span a time interval of days, weeks, or months and represent tasks such as adding new phone service. When a work order or project is initiated, a version is created. One or several people work on this version until the design or construction is complete. At that point, reconciliation or posting are done to merge the work order features into the main database, and then the work order version can be removed. Multilevel Tree

Some organizations’ projects have a higher level of structure and can be subdivided into functional or geographic parts. For larger projects with departments and teams, a multilevel version tree is an effective way to organize work flow. The teams that are working on each aspect of the project have their own version, with which they can maintain a private view of their designs and then post the designs when constructed.

Cyclical Many projects go through a prescribed or regulated set of stages that require engineering, administrative, or legal approval before proceeding to the next stage. A version represents each stage of this process. A cyclical workflow can capture the design at each stage, and when the last stage is reached and finished, the design can be posted directly to the default version, which represents the nominal state of the database. Extended History

For some projects, it is desirable to preserve a version that reflects a historic state of a project. You can define a historic version on a project version, and when the project version is posted to its parent version, the historic version remains as a snapshot in time.

Cellular Expert Multi-User Functionality Depending on ESRI Licensing

Cellular Expert on ArcEditor

Cellular Expert on ArcView


View main network database

View geographic data from server

Calculate predictions, best server, traffic distribution, etc.

Post calculation to server 1

Create local copy of network database

Direct multi-user editing of network database

Create, edit, post network database versions

View network database versions

1 – Cellular Expert on ArcView can post network data and prediction raster using ESRI tools for data loading to ArcGIS Server.

2.4. Cellular Expert Reader

Cellular Expert Reader is a special configuration of the software used for previewing of geographical and network objects. Cellular Expert Reader is installed on top of ArcReader. In order to prepare and edit a project for previewing in Cellular Expert Reader, ArcView with Publisher extension license is required.


3. CELLULAR EXPERT LICENSES PROFILE Cellular Expert Profile license provides the advanced radio path profiling functionality for point-to-point network. Radio link power budget calculation, multipath and reflection analysis, as well as the antenna height optimization functions are available.

RADIO LINKS Cellular Expert Radio Links license is dedicated for fixed wireless telecommunication networks. It is used to analyze and plan transmission networks, point-to-point and point-to-multipoint access networks.

STANDARD Cellular Expert Standard license is dedicated for 2G/2.5G mobile networks. The module provides the functionality to perform point-to-area calculations based on ITU-R, ETSI and COST 231 standards.

UMTS Cellular Expert UMTS license is dedicated for 3G/3.5/4G mobile networks. Versatile functionality and simplicity fully cover modern operator needs and is focused to use at all stages of network planning and optimization.

WIMAX Cellular Expert WiMAX license is dedicated for mobile and fixed WiMAX networks. The functionality of this module is based on two key standards - fixed WiMAX IEEE 802.16d and mobile WiMAX IEEE 802.16e.

PROFESSIONAL Professional license combines Standard, UMTS and WiMAX licenses and is most suitable for the mobile operators providing the whole spectrum of services and operating wide range of wireless technologies.

ENTERPRISE Cellular Expert Enterprise license is a combination of all modules and includes the complete functionality offered by Cellular Expert solution.

Functionality Profile Radio Links Standard UMTS WiMAX Professional Enterprise

Radio Path Profiling

Network & Equipment Data Management

Transmission and access network planning

Visibility Area Calculation & Analysis

Nominal Network Planning

Field Strength & Best Server Coverage Prediction

Automated Frequency Planning

Automated Cell Planning

Drive Test Data Analysis & Model Calibration

UMTS Coverage & Service Planning & Analysis

WiMAX Network Planning

Traffic Planning & Analysis

Network Optimization Tools

Automated Task Processing

Multi User Environment-


4. DATA MANAGEMENT

4.1. Network Data Management

Cellular Expert is equipped with a set of various tools for management of network data. The data can be represented and analyzed using map view, tabular view, graphs and reports. The Object Inspector tool allows previewing and editing network objects such as sites, sectors, constructions, repeaters, customers structured in hierarchical order. The objects can be manipulated with a mouse pointer to perform moving, copying and creating templates.

Cellular Expert Object Inspector

4.1.1. Sites

The Site represents geographical location of a radio base station. It is identified by the unique site ID and contains information about geographical coordinates, ground altitude, base height and other attributes.


Representation of Sites on the map

4.1.2. Customers

Customers, represent locations of individual subscribers in the point-to-multipoint networks. In addition to site parameters, it may contain customer’s address and phone number information. Usually customer locations represent antenna mountings on the rooftops of buildings.

Representation of Customers on the map

4.1.3. Constructions

Some sites may have several constructions, where radio transceivers are mounted. They are identified by IDs of construction and site. The construction may have altitude and base height which differ from the corresponding site's height.


Representation of Constructions on the map

4.1.4. Sectors

Sector represents radio transmitting and/or receiving equipment mounted on the corresponding site or construction. It is identified by IDs of site and sector and may be prescribed a construction ID, if available. Sector's attributes contain information about antenna type, orientation and height above ground, cell name, feeder loss and other parameters depending on the type of the equipment. Depending on the nature of the radio service, sectors may be divided into two types: cellular and transmission sectors. The cellular sectors are equipped with broad-beam antennas used in point-to-area or point-to-multipoint communications. The transmission sectors usually have unidirectional parabolic antennas and operate at a fixed set of frequencies. On the contrary, the cellular sectors are usually equipped with broadband transceivers and employ TDMA or CDMA access technology.

4.1.5. Passive Repeaters

Passive repeaters are used to redirect microwave beam which is being blocked by an obstacle such as mountain, building, etc. Three main types of passive repeaters exist: two-antenna repeater, single- and double-reflector repeaters.

4.1.6. Cells

Cells are used for frequency reuse planning in cellular networks. They denote carriers list and other common radio channel parameters for a given sector. The concept of cell is extended to transmission networks to describe frequency plans for the fixed radio links. Each cell has a carriers list defining the frequency plan within the cell. Based on the number of different channels contained by the cell, all cells are divided into single-channel and multi-channel cells. Single-channel cell may contain carriers which belong to a single channel. The name of such a cell coincides with the name of the corresponding channel. The links within such a cell may use only carriers of a single channel, but they can be switched to another single-channel cell. As a rule, single-channel cells are used to build links for point-to-point transmission networks. Multi-channel cells may contain unlimited number of different channels. Such a cell allows switching link channels within the predefined carriers list. Carriers list is created by allocating channel group to a set of different cells. Such cells are typical in cellular mobile or access networks. To differentiate between single- and multi-channel cells, a channel multiplicity parameter is defined. It is zero for single-channel cells and represents a number of different channels for multi-channel cells.

4.2. Radio Equipment Data Management

Equipment Manager is used to edit and preview radio equipment data. It handles the following categories of radio system equipment:

Antennas

Digital radio channels

Frequency plans

Radio models

Feeders

Passive components.


Radio Equipment Manager

4.2.1. Antenna Editor

Antenna editor enables the user to modify antenna attributes such as name, manufacturer, polarization, gain, cross polarization discrimination, front to back ratio and radiation pattern diagrams. There are two different types of editor dialogs for parabolic and sector antennas. The differences are in the number of radiation patterns. The parabolic antennas may have four (HH, VV, HV, VH, for dual polarization) or two (HH, HV, for horizontal, or VV, VH, for vertical polarization) radiation patterns.


Parabolic Antenna Editor

In case of sector antennas, there are always two polarization patterns: vertical and horizontal.

Sector Antenna Editor


Antenna type previewer contains radiation pattern window and user interface controls. They enable one to display various patterns (HH, VV, HV and VH), choose coordinate system (rectangular, polar or spherical), set scale (linear or logarithmic), define maximum attenuation, and set gridlines.

4.2.2. Antenna Import and Export

Cellular Expert has convenient tools to import antenna patterns from Planet, NSMA, Andrew and other ASCII formats.

Antenna Import

Antenna patterns can be exported from Cellular Expert database to Planet, NSMA and Andrew formats.

Antenna Export


4.2.3. Radio Channels

Radio Channel Editor

Radio channel editor contains a list of various parameters pertaining to digital radio channel:

Min, Max and Center frequency

Carrier's width

Bit rate

Block size

Mean number of errors per burst

Dispersive fade margin

Modulation type The parameters can be changed directly or with the help of edit and select buttons:

4.2.4. Modulation Performance

Modulation editor displays digital modulation performance parameters. They can be defined by the corresponding table of predefined values for the most common modulation types, or by the approximated formula:

SNRaQcBER

where a and c are constants,

22

1)(

xerfcxQ

and erfc( ) is the complementary error function. New tables of modulation performance can be included by appending table ModulationPerformanceTables. Modulation previewer displays the curve log10(BER) vs. SNR.


Modulation Editor

4.2.5. Carriers

Carrier editor enables the user to define channel frequency plan. It can automatically generate carriers list for simplex or duplex channel based on the following predefined parameters:

Lowest and highest frequencies

Channel and duplex spacings

Number of carriers. After these parameters are entered, carrier table can be automatically generated. Each row in the table represents carrier frequency of the corresponding transceiver. Carrier previewer displays the carriers list representation on the frequency axis.

Carrier Editor

4.2.6. Spectrum Density Masks

Spectrum mask editor allows the user to define spectrum form of the corresponding radio channel. Spectrum mask can be generated based on the width and number of mask points by clicking


Generate Mask button. Later, the form of the mask can be adjusted manually by editing frequency and attenuation values in the table. Spectrum mask previewer represents the positive part of the mask.

Spectrum Mask Editor

4.2.7. Radio Systems

Radio system editor contains information about radio model, type, emission designator, and transmitter-receiver parameters: power, ATPC, frequency stability, thresholds, noise figures, nonlinearity.

Radio System Editor

4.2.8. Equipment Availability

Calculate Availability command in Radio System Editor opens Equipment Availability dialog listing radio equipment parts with corresponding MTBF and MTTR values. You can add/delete new equipment parts and specify its availability parameters.


After all the values are entered, equipment availability is calculated automatically.

Equipment Availability

4.2.9. Adaptive Modulation

Adaptive Modulation Map dialog allows entering the following adaptive modulation parameters of the equipment:

Modulation type

Guard time

SNR

Sensitivity

Data Rate

Throughput

Adaptive Modulation Editor

4.2.10. Feeders

Feeder editor dialog allows entering waveguide data:

Type

Size

Length

Attenuation

Several frequency bands are supported only in transmission link planning module. For cellular networks, attenuation is defined by first frequency band in the table.


Feeder Editor

4.2.11. Radio components

Radio component editor dialogs contains information about various radio components:

Attenuators

Combiners

Couplers

Jumpers

Multiplexers

Switches

The main parameter used in cellular network analysis is insertion loss given in dB, which is added to miscellaneous losses of a sector.

Radio Component Editor


5. RADIO PATH PROFILING AND VISIBILITY ANALYSIS

5.1. Radio Path Profiling

Radio path Profiling tool is used for path-loss analysis between transmitter and receiver. Cellular Expert includes 2 profiling tools – Dynamic Profile and Static Profile. Dynamic Profile checks surrounding terrain having fixed transmitter and can be used for quick search for a suitable receiver point. Once the receiving point has been selected, the user can analyze profile statically and include various obstacles into path-loss analysis. Fresnel zones, Earth curvature and obstacles on the path are displayed in the path profile window. The location and the height of the obstacles can be edited, automatically updating the radio link budget calculation worksheet. Single knife-edge, Deygout, and Average methods can be selected for diffraction calculation.

5.1.1. Profiling calculations

The following parameters are calculated using Profile tool:

Clearance: o Clearance, m o Clearance distance, km o Normalized clearance, % o Normalized clearance distance, km

Losses: o Free space loss, dB o Dual slope free space loss, dB o Rain attenuation, dB o Gaseous absorption, dB o Sub-Path diffraction, dB o Correction for multipath effects, dB o Correction for multipath and focusing, dB o Total loss, dB

Reflections: o Received signal, dB o Reflection distance, m o Delay, ns o Grazing angle, rad o Divergence factor o Terrain roughness, m o Inclination, mrad


Path Profiling

5.1.2. Obstacle Management

Cellular Expert Profile has the ability to edit obstacle without changing the actual raster values. This feature can be used if the actual obstacle differs from the one present in the obstacle raster. This way the obstacle can be added, removed or the height of the obstacle should be changed.

5.1.3. Multi-path and reflection point analysis

Multi-path and reflection analysis enables the estimation of influence of different propagation conditions on radio path performance.


Reflection Point Analysis

Multi-path Analysis

5.1.4. Reflection Analysis

Reflection Analysis tool enables the user to analyze received signal level dependency on frequency, K-factor, transmitter and receiver heights.


Reflection analysis tool

5.1.5. Antenna heights optimizer

Antenna heights optimizer is a handy tool to automatically optimize the height of transmitter and receiver to achieve required normalized clearance level and/or other parameters.

Antenna Height Optimizer


5.2. Visibility Analysis

Cellular Expert has several visibility calculation tools that allow creating line-of-sight visibility coverage taking into account real or effective Earth radius, transmitter, receiver and obstacle heights. Clearance and Fresnel zones visibility can also be calculated.

Visibility Analysis

Advanced Visibility Analysis tool has the capability to define constant transmitter and receiver heights or obtain them from defined layers, use real r effective earth radius, calculate Fresnel visibility clearance and normalized clearance, calculate the number of visible sites for the analyzed area and the required receiver height to achieve visibility.

Advanced visibility calculation options


6. TRANSMISSION NETWORK DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

6.1. Radio Links Management

Point-to-point and point-to-multipoint radio links can be created between transmitting and receiving sites. Radio Links Manager tool enables the creation of one-way or duplex radio links, adjusting transmitter-receiver parameters, and selecting diversity and protection configurations. Reflective and back-to-back antenna repeaters can be created and placed on the map.

Radio Links Manager

6.2. Power Budget Analysis

Radio link budget analysis includes detailed profile calculations and power budget prediction at the receiver side. The path profile contains information about free space loss, path clearance, sub-path diffraction, atmospheric attenuation and diffraction loss (average, single knife-edge, Deygout). Power budget analysis describe a received signal level, total gains and loss, thermal and composite fade margins, and resulting bit error ratio (BER).


Radio Link Prediction Results

6.3. Performance Prediction

Quality and availability performance of a radio link is assessed according to ITU recommendations G.821 and G.826. Error performance parameters are defined in terms of bit and block errors parameters ESR (Errored Second Ratio), SESR (Severely Errored Second Ratio), BBER (Background Block Error Ratio) and UATR (unavailable time ratio).

Radio Link performance targets

Performance Objectives Dialog allows defining availability and performance objectives. Predefined


performance objectives are related to the radio links under analysis.

Radio Link performance objectives

6.4. Geoclimatic Data

Geoclimatic data is used in radio link performance analysis. Following gaseous absorption parameters can be defined:

Refractivity Data For Multipath Fading using ITU and Vigants-Barnett methods

Gaseous absorption values for dry air pressure and water vapor density.

Rain fading - regions for rain rate statistics and calculation methods (ITU and Crane).

Annual mean surface temperature at 2m above the surface of the Earth according to ITU-R P.1510. The data is used to evaluate thermal noise of a receiver.

6.5. Protection and Diversity

6.5.1. Equipment Protection Options

Protection improvement factors can be defined for 1+1 and m:n protection configurations. Different protection factors apply for combined and switched transceivers. 1+1 protection improvement factor (DIF) is calculated according to ITU-G.827 method, and m:n – according to recommendation ITU-R F.557.

6.5.2. Propagation Diversity Options

Diversity improvement factors are defined for space, frequency and angle diversity types. Diversity improvement factors can be defined manually or calculated according to ITU-R P. 530 method.


Protection and Diversity

6.6. Power Flux Density Calculation

Power flux density (PFD) is calculated at specified height above selected reference grids. PFD is calculated along link path with sampling step equal to cell size of elevation grid.

The results table shows distance and calculated power flux density values in W/cm2,

dB(W/cm2), spectral PFD in dB(W/cm2*Hz) and the ratio of limit level divided by the calculated value.

Power Flux Density


6.7. Terrain Scattering Analysis

Scattering analysis calculates mutual interference between intersecting radio paths due to terrain scattering. Calculations method is based on the Recommendation ITU-R F.1096 (1994): “Methods Of Calculating Line-of-sight Interference Into Radio-Relay Systems To Account For Terrain Scattering”.

Terrain Scattering

6.8. Interference Analysis

Interference analysis represents prediction of unwanted interference between radio links. It includes interference level estimation, net filter discrimination loss, C/I objectives for co- and adjacent-channel interference and fade margin loss assessment. Path profile analysis of interference links provides detail information about propagation loss of unwanted emissions. Scattering analysis calculates mutual interference between intersecting radio paths due to terrain scattering. Intermodulation analysis is used to find spurious frequencies arising on the same site due to nonlinear radio components.


Interference prediction results

6.9. Automatic Radio Link Frequency Planning

Automatic frequency planning tool is used to find the minimum number of carriers required to serve selected radio links within given interference threshold. Interference threshold can be defined in terms of absolute interference level, signal-to-interference ratio or fade margin loss.

Automatic frequency planning tool


6.10. Radio Link Capacity Planning

A number of tools are provided to manage traffic connectivity on each site, to perform traffic flow routing and trace network on the map.

Traffic Flow manager

Tracing network connections on the map


7. COVERAGE PREDICTION

7.1. User defined prediction models

Cellular Expert has the unique ability to use combined prediction models according to environmental conditions.

Radio tower

Obstacle

Clutter

Clutter

LOS

OLOS

OOLOS

CLOS

COLOS

User defined prediction models

7.2. Hata Type Models

Hata Type Models based on Okumura - Hata equitation for frequencies of about 150 MHz - 2 GHz and distances up to 100 km. Standard, Macro or 9999 Model coefficients can be defined in Hata equitation. One or dual slope algorithm can be applied for line of sight areas. Average height for each type of clutter can be assigned and taken into account. Loss offset and penetration rasters allow defining the unique loss parameters for each clutter type and to model the floor, external, and internal walls penetration.

Field strength coverage prediction using Hata9999 prediction model


7.3. Line-Of-Sight Type Models

Line-of-sight type models based on ITU-R P.452 algorithm is used for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint planning at frequencies up to about 40 GHz, distances up to about 100 – 150 km. Additional loss for impact of rain, polarization discrimination, antenna pointing, carrier to noise plus interference ratio (C/N + I), modulation type is accounted in the prediction.

Field strength coverage prediction using line-of-sight prediction model


7.4. Walfish – Ikegami Model

The comprehensive Walfish-Ikegami algorithm supports detailed buildings data and can be used for microcells and picocells planning in dense urban environment. Walfish-Ikegami model can be combined with line-of-sight model and include correction factors due to diffraction, clutter and building penetration loss. Inside building coverage prediction can be performed by using specified floor penetration, external, and internal walls penetration, which could be different for each building or the same for same types of buildings.

Field strength coverage prediction using Walfish-Ikegami model


7.5. SUI Prediction Model

For radio wave propagation in 3.5 GHz region, SUI prediction model is implemented according to IEEE 802.16 standard. It allows defining specific propagation coefficients to reflect different terrain propagation conditions. The model can be combined with free space loss model for line-of-sight areas, it can also include diffraction correction factor, clutter loss offset raster and building penetration data.

Field strength coverage map predicted using SUI model

7.6. Territory Coverage Statistics

The tool calculates radio signal coverage statistics for defined polygon areas. The result of the calculation is a new polygon layer with calculated coverage percentage and condition (True or False) fields.

Territory Coverage Statistics


8. DRIVE TEST ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION MODEL TUNING

8.1. Drive Test Data Analysis

8.1.1. Drive-test data import

Cellular Expert allows importing of drive test data from Ericsson TEMS, Motorola iFTA, NEMO or any other tool which has ASCII export capabilities.

Drive-test data import tool

8.1.2. Connect drive-test data points to serving cells

Drive-test serving cell tool


The connection of drive test data points to serving cells can be visualized on the map.

Connecting Drive-test data points to serving cells

8.1.3. Drive-test data playback

Drive-test data viewer allows to playback the data and analyze collected parameters.

Drive-test Data Viewer tool


8.1.4. Drive-test data post-processing

A powerful set of post-processing, querying, reporting and visualization tools enable to analyze drive test data and use it for prediction model calibration. Drive test post-processing tool allows filtering data points by distance, frequency and other parameters and using different statistical methods to process drive test data.

Drive-test Data Post-Processing


8.2. Prediction Model Tuning

8.2.1. Prediction Error Calculation

Error calculation tool allows getting statistical error information by comparing drive-test data with the prediction results and using this information to estimate prediction accuracy.

Prediction Error Calculation


8.2.2. Prediction Model Calibration

Prediction model tuning allows calculating optimal model parameters using Hata 9999 prediction model or combined line-of-sight and Hata 9999 models. To increase prediction accuracy loss offset values for different clutter types can be generated. Tuning results can be saved to a report and later used for re-predicting the coverage using the calculated optimal parameters.

Prediction Model Tuning


9. 2G/2.5G NETWORK DESIGN

9.1. Nominal Cell Planning

Nominal cell planning can be performed using a pre-defined cell size based on the desired reliability level, cell overlap, subscriber penetration. Cellular Expert allows users to conveniently create frequency reuse plan.

Nominal cell plan


9.2. Field Strength Prediction

Field strength prediction calculation can be performed for selected sectors. User can define the cell size, calculation extent and mask. Minimum displayed field strength value can be defined.

Field strength coverage prediction dialog and results

9.3. Best Server Prediction

Calculation of the best server and number of servers can be performed for selected sectors. The user can define the cell size, calculation extent and mask. Flexible labeling options are available.

Best server prediction dialog and results


9.4. Interference Analysis

Cellular Expert has the capability to perform a quick check of C/I and C/A interference between selected sectors with or without preliminary channel assignment for the sector as well as calculation of C/I matrix. Total C/I and C/A interference coverage and coverage of interference for each channel can be calculated. Field strength and sector/cell name of carrier and interferer can be identified on the map. The user can set minimum C/I and C/A field margin.

Interference coverage prediction dialog and results


9.5. Traffic Planning and Analysis

Traffic raster (values in Erlangs) is created by reclassifying clutter (land use) data, any statistical data in vector or raster format, or by spreading actual traffic data obtained from the operating system. Live data from switch can imported in text file or dBase table and automatically linked to particular cells. Live traffic data spreading can be done using weighted raster of clutters, the Best Server raster and live traffic data. Using Traffic raster and current or planned raster of Best Server, traffic load for each Sector/Cell/Site can be estimated.

Sector traffic spreading over best server area


10. 3G/3.5G/4G NETWORK DESIGN

10.1. CDMA/UMTS Network Design

10.1.1. Network Dimensioning

CDMA Network Dimensioning Calculator is used for estimation of BS capacity and coverage requirements. It allows evaluation of cell loading and range according to the traffic demand profile. The calculations are based on the power budget for downlink (forward) and uplink (reverse) links. As a result the required network equipment configuration for predefined traffic can be obtained.

CDMA Network Dimensioning Calculator window


10.1.2. Coverage Prediction

Coverage planning is accomplished for a mobile users distributed according to user distribution grid. Traffic demand grid is used to specify average traffic profile with different traffic mix types, e.g. data, interactive and voice. The following coverage calculations can be performed and visualized on the map:

Pilot signal strength

Best server

Pilot Ec/Io and Ec/No

Pilot delta

Soft and softer handoff

Cell capacity

MS transmit power

MS received Eb/No

HSDPA data rate

UMTS/HSDPA coverage predictions


10.1. LTE Network Design

LTE coverage prediction tool allows prediction of RSRP, RSRQ, RS-SINR, coverage probability and

average data rate rasters. Inter-cell interference and MIMO antenna performance are included into coverage

predictions. Multiple MIMO configurations are supported including transmitter and receiver diversity,

spatial multiplexing and beamforming. Fractional frequency reuse can be used to minimize inter-cell

interference by assigning different subbands to neighboring sectors. Monte Carlo traffic simulations allow

detailed user traffic modeling by statistical analysis of mobile user distribution snapshots.

10.1.1. LTE Coverage Predictions

For LTE networks the following coverage rasters can be calculated:

• RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power)

• RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality)

• Best servers

• RS-SINR

• DL data rate

• Coverage probability

LTE Coverage Predictions


10.2. WiMAX Network Design

10.2.1. Nominal Cell Planning

Nominal Cell Planning tool allows creating three, four or six sectored site configurations used in WiMAX networks, assigning frequency plans and creating nominal cells on the map. Supported are FDD and TDD frequency plans.

Nominal cell plan

10.2.2. Adaptive Modulation

OFDM based radio equipment allows operation on different modulation levels depending on received signal level. Cellular Expert allows to define modulation table for each equipment model and to predict adaptive modulation mode or available bit rate distribution map.

Adaptive modulation data rate


10.2.3. Throughput and Power Budget Calculations

WiMAX Parameters Calculator is used to calculate following WiMAX network parameters:

data throughput

bit rate

channel spectral efficiency

system gain

receiver sensitivity

maximum allowable loss according to the chosen system parameters such as:

modulation type

channel bandwidth

sub-carriers

loss margins. Downlink and uplink direction analysis is available. The WiMAX Parameters calculator supports OFDMA(802.16-2004) and SOFDMA (802.16e) multiplexing technologies.

WiMAX Parameters Calculator


10.3. MIMO Antenna Performance

Multiple antenna configurations can be used to increase signal coverage, traffic throughput and reduce

interference in LTE and WiMAX networks. Transmitter/receiver diversity and beamforming configurations

are supported.

MIMO Mode

Antenna

Configuration

Coverage Gain, dB Throughput Factor SNR Gain, dB

Diversity Gain, dB

Multiplexing Gain

Interference

Reduction

Factor, dB

DL UL DL UL DL UL

SIMO Rx div 1x2 3 0 1 1 0 0

MISO Tx div 2x1 3 3 1 1 0 0

OL-MIMO 2x2 3 3 1.9 1 0 0

4x2 6 3 1.9 1 0 0

4x4 6 6 3.8 1 0 0

Beamforming 4x4 3 3 1 1 6 3

MIMO Antenna Performance

10.4. Fractional Frequency Reuse

Fractional frequency reuse enables allocation of different powers to OFDM subbands for cell center and

cell edge users, thus reducing interference. Fractional Frequency Reuse (FFR) and Soft Frequency Reuse

(SFR) schemes available.

Subband and subcarrier allocation options:

Subband Power Subcarriers

1

80 <- for FFR

3

120 (equal powers)

1 Low 100

2 Low 100 <- for SFR

3 High 100

1 31 80

2 38 80 <- for SFR

3 31 140

Subband and subcarrier allocation options


10.5. Monte Carlo Traffic Simulation

Monte Carlo Traffic Simulation tool is used for cell capacity prediction. It supports UMTS, HSDPA and

LTE networks. The simulation is based on statistical analysis of randomly generated mobile users.

Monte Carlo traffic simulation tool

HSDPA simulations are performed at packet level. Multipath fading and Doppler spread are taken into

account. Proportionally fair packet scheduler is used.

Radio Channel UE Node B / RNC

Buffer 1

Buffer 2

Buffer 3

SNR -> CQI -> TBS

HSDPA traffic simulations

LTE simulation takes into account MIMO antenna and OFDMA modulation gains. Proportionally fair

scheduling takes advantage of high SNR regions to maximize capacity.


Tx Rx

User 1 User 2 User 3

Frequency, subcarriers, resource blocks

re

Tim

e, s

ymb

ols

MIMO - OFDMA Gain

NTx NRx

LTE traffic simulations

Simulation results include:

• Cell throughput dependence on the number of active users

• Carried/offered traffic ratio

• Maximum number of supported users per cell

Monte Carlo traffic simulation results


Monte Carlo traffic coverage results


11. BROADCAST NETWORK DESIGN Cellular Expert covers the following broadcasting technologies:

Radio (DAB, etc.) Television (DVB-T, DVB-T2, etc.) Other single or multiple frequency networks

Tasks solved by Cellular Expert:

Network Data Configuration Single Frequency Network (SFN) Coverage Signal Delay Coverage Probability Population coverage statistics Service Area and SIR, SNIR

11.1. Single Frequency Network Coverage

Composite coverage for each defined channel

Signal Delay

Probability

Single Frequency Network Coverage

11.2. Signal Delay

Signal delay calculation

Estimation of network equipment and multipath delay

Various result’s symbolization

11.3. Coverage Probability

Coverage probability analysis for defined receiver sensitivity


Update field strength according to your coverage probability needs

11.4. SIR,SNR and Service Area

Wanted and Unwanted (interfering) signals ratio (SIR);

Wanted and Unwanted with Thermal noise ratio (SNR);

Noise factor to include equipment influence

SIR,SNR and Service Areas


12. AUTOMATION AND OPTIMIZATION TOOLS

12.1. Automated Task Processing

Automated Task Processing Tool is dedicated for large volume calculations. It allows users to create configuration files and use them for batch processing. Automated Task Processing Tool utilizes multi-processors and multi-core processors, so the performance of prediction operations is increased depending on the number of processors/cores installed on the machine. Each configuration file can use different prediction model or any other settings used for prediction. The tool allows scheduling the start of prediction jobs on specific date/time.

Automated Task Processing Tool

12.2. Site Optimization

Site optimization tool selects some base station sites from a given list of candidate base station sites. Selection procedure analyzes several types of antennas, a set of traffic demand points, radio thresholds and a group of components priority constraints. For each selected site the number of sectors and types of antennas, as well as the associated values for each of the antenna parameters are determined. The procedure optimizes a set of objectives such as amount of traffic that can be handled, level of potential interference and coverage percentage.

Site optimization tool


12.3. Automatic Frequency Planning

The main tasks of an Automatic Frequency Planning (AFP) tool are to release interfering frequencies and assign frequencies to the wireless network nodes, so that the network quality would be optimized. The AFP tool enables to calculate frequency plans for several types of wireless networks: WiMAX, TETRA, GSM and other FDMA type networks. From the technical point of view, Automatic Frequency Planning is considered as a separate interference linked chains minimization problem. Those interference linked chains are created based on sector/cell relations from an input impact (neighborhood) matrix. The task of the AFP algorithm is to disrupt the interference linked chain by releasing interfering co- and adjacent frequencies and assigning free of interference frequencies which would not construct the interference linked chain. The release and assignment of frequencies are based on metrics calculated from: sector’s/cell’s demand of frequencies (can be defined by user or obtained from traffic simulation tools), number of neighbors, area of neighborhood and etc. The neighborhood information is taken from the impact matrix data which denotes the impact area of neighboring sectors/cells. In the new frequency plan generation the sector/cell which has lower demand of frequencies and higher number of interfering neighbors are more liable to dispose the interfering frequency inside the interference linked chain. The result of AFP module is a new frequency plan which contains non interfering frequency channels for each sector or cell. The result dialog shows AFP status information about released interfering, assigned new channels, calculation time and etc.

Automatic Frequency Planning parameters definition dialogs


Automatic Frequency Planning Results dialog


12.4. Automated Site Candidates Selection

The tool provides functionality for automated connection of fixed customers to serving sites according to visibility or signal strength conditions. Optimal number of sites from all candidates is selected according to signal quality requirements

Automated Site Candidates Selection Tool

Calculated minimum site number to serve fixed customers


12.5. Antenna Tilting Optimization

Antenna tilting tools allow finding antenna orientation required to serve assigned area. Antenna tilt angles are calculated based on customer defined polygon or cell area. Antenna gain pattern for a given tilt can be plotted on the map.

Antenna gain map


13. 3D ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION Besides comprehensive capabilities of 3D Analyst, Cellular Expert provides additional 3D analysis functionality. It includes generation and visualization of 3D antenna pattern using Free Space, Hata or SUI algorithms for optimization of antenna orientation.

3D antenna pattern visualization


Cellular Expert allows you to overlay 3D antenna pattern and prediction results such as field strength, best server or interference prediction on 3D terrain. This feature is very useful for planning in dense urban areas with high resolution data.

3D antenna pattern and field strength coverage map for WiMAX network


14. GIS BASED NETWORK ANALYSIS GIS technology provides advanced geo-statistical analysis, reporting and visualization capabilities. It complements Cellular Expert software with technologies which allow integration of location-based data in network planning and operations, customer care, sales and marketing, as well as many other tasks. Unlimited number of separate coverage, interference, traffic and other rasters can be created, combined and analyzed. Statistics, raster analysis and other functions of Spatial Analyst for advanced analysis are available.

Statistics of field strength coverage raster


15. REPORTING Cellular Expert provides two methods for creating reports:

Using the ArcMap built-in reporting tool

Using Crystal Reports™ Using the ArcMap built-in reporting tool, reports are created and stored with ArcMap project. Once created, report can be added to map layout, customized and printed out or exported to many popular graphics formats. Crystal Reports allow users to create presentation-quality reports to include with the map or distribute to others. The Report Designer provides a graphical interface for easy customization of the report.

Cellular Expert Reports


16. FUNCTIONALITY CHART Tasks Features

Network data management

Site, sector, construction, customer, repeater management:

Add

Edit

Move

Copy

Delete

Site re-use patterns for nominal planning

Point-to-point analysis

Free space path loss: ITU-R P.525-2 Fresnel zone ellipsoids: ITU-R P.526-11 Path clearance: ITU-R P.530-13 Specific attenuation: ITU-R P.676-8 using input from ITU-R P.837-5, ITU-R P.838-3 and ITU-R P.839-3 Rain attenuation: ITU-R P.530-13 Diffraction algorithms:

Single knife-edge (ITU-R P.526-11)

Deygout (ITU-R P.526-11)

Average (ITU-R P.530-13)

Path loss models:

Line-of-sight

Hata

Diffraction

Macro Adaptive

SUI

Reflection analysis Multipath analysis Anti-correlation analysis Antenna height optimization Reporting

Radio equipment data management

Antenna, feeders, combiners, modulation performance tables, carriers, radios, spectrum masks management:

Add

Edit

Copy

Delete

Create/Edit antenna pattern

Vertical antenna pattern every 1º

Horizontal antenna pattern every 1º

3D pattern creation, display, export

Import/Export of antennas

Parabolic and sector antenna editors:

Tabular radiation pattern representation with inplace editing

Graphical radiation pattern representation in linear and logarithmic scales

Modulation performance editor

Tabular and graphical representations of the BER vs. signal-to-noise


ratio dependencies, approximation by formula

Defined curves for BPSK, QPSK, DQPSK, M-FSK, M-QAM modulations

Carriers list editor

Frequency plans for simplex and duplex channels

Tabular and graphical representations of frequency carriers

Spectrum mask editor

Spectrum density mask editing

Automatic mask generation for predefined bandwidth

Tabular and graphical representations of spectrum masks

MIMO configuration

Radio link management

Creating Editing Deleting Visualization

Radio link budget analysis

Point-to-point systems radio relay lines Point-to-multipoint systems:

Fixed WiMAX

LMDS

MMDS

WLL

Radio link performance analysis

ITU-T G.821 recommendation targets Parameters: ESR, SESR, unavailable time ratio; Local grade portion (ITU-R F.697-2) Medium grade portion (ITU-R F.696-2) High grade portion (ITU-R F.557-4) ITU-T G.826 recommendation targets Parameters: ESR, SESR, BBER National portion (ITU-R F.1189-1):

Access network

Short haul network

Long haul network International portion (ITU-R F.1092-1):

Terminating countries

Intermediate countries ITU-T G.827 recommendation targets Parameters: UATR

Radio Links Interference Analysis

Interference level prediction

Net filter discrimination

C/I protection ratios for co- and adjacent-channels

Fade margin loss objectives

Automatic Radio Link Frequency Planning

Selects the minimum number of carriers required to serve selected radio links within given interference threshold

Visibility calculation

Line of Sight Path clearance Fresnel zone clearance Minimum antenna height


Propagation Models:

HATA

Basic algorithm: Okumura-Hata equitation Type: Point-to-multipoint Frequency: ~ 150 MHz - 2 GHz Distance: up to 100 km Hata Model Parameters:

Standard (ETR 364, COST 231 and ITU-R P.529-3)

Macro Model

9999 Model (Ericsson)

Effective Antenna Height methods:

Absolute

Profile

Average

Relative

Slope Diffraction

Single knife-edge (ITU-R P.526-11)

Deygout (ITU-R P.526-11)

Spherical Earth (ITU-R P.526-11)

Average (ITU-R P.530-13)

Line of Sight

Basic algorithm: ITU-R P.452-14 Type: Point-to-point and Point-to-multipoint Frequency: about 700 MHz - 40 GHz Distance: up to 100 - 150 km Percentage of Time: 0.001 to 50. Specific attenuation: ITU-R P.676-8 using input from ITU-R P.837-5, ITU-R P.838-3 and ITU-R P.839-3. Diffraction: Deygout method of ITU-R P.526-11 Rain attenuation: ITU-R P.530-13

Walfish-Ikegami

Basic algorithm: COST 231 Model (ETR 364, COST 231 Final Report) Type: Point-to-area (multipoint) Frequency: about 800 MHz - 2 GHz Distance: up to 5 km

SUI

Basic algorithm: IEEE 802.16 Type: Point-to-area (multipoint) Frequency: about 2 GHz - 5 GHz Distance: up to 70 km

Best Server calculation

Nth best servers coverage, number of servers coverage Nth best servers field strength coverage

Prediction Model tuning

Evaluation of prediction accuracy Hata model:

9999 model parameters adjustment

Macro model parameters adjustment

Clutter loss offset determination for each type of clutter Walfish – Ikegami model tuning SUI model tuning Line of sight model:

One slope model tuning

Dual slope model tuning


Network Analysis:

Territory Coverage Statistic

Traffic Analysis

Drive-test analysis

3D Analysis

Coverage probability

Coverage statistic and condition calculation for specified area Traffic spreading by best server coverage Traffic spreading using clutter weights Import formats: Ericsson TEMS, Motorola, iFTA, NEMO, ASCII files Drive-test post-processing:

Statistical analysis

Filtering

Averaging Drive test decomposition Prediction update with drive test data Measurements to serving cell connection Drive test data player 3D antenna pattern visualization Hata or free space loss algorithms for field strength calculation Ability to optimize antenna parameters (tilt, azimuth, etc.) Coverage probability percentage and fade margin prediction due to shadowing

3G+ features

UMTS coverage

HSDPA coverage prediction

Monte Carlo Traffic simulation

CDMA Network Dimensioning Calculator

RSCP calculation RSSI calculation Pilot signal prediction Traffic channel coverage HS-DSCH SINR raster HSDPA data rate raster UMTS, HSDPA and LTE technology support Networks capacity calculation Average throughput per mobile user calculation BS capacity and coverage requirements analysis Cell overload estimation Cell range dependence for UL and DL on the number of users LTE coverage prediction for RSRP, RSRQ, RS-SINR, coverage probability and average data rate MIMO antenna support OFDM and fractional frequency reuse


LTE functionality

WiMAX features:

Adaptive modulation

WiMAX system calculator

Monte Carlo Traffic simulation

Adaptive modulation raster DL and UL throughput raster DL and UL bitrate raster Bitrate calculation Throughput calculation Spectral efficiency calculation Link budget calculation Signal-to-noise + interference ratio calculation Frequency reuse

Networks capacity calculation Average throughput per mobile user calculation

Frequency planning

Nominal channel groups creation for nominal planning Quick interference checking between two sectors Labeling tool for frequency visualization Co-channel(C/I) interference:

Separate C/I raster for each channel

Total C/I raster for all channels

Separate and combined C/I raster for hopping and non-hopping cells

Carrier and interferer ID raster Adjacent channel (C/A) interference:

Separate C/A raster for each channel

Total C/A raster for all channels

Carrier and interferer id raster

Automated frequency planning Neighborhood/Impact matrix calculation Automatic channel release Automatic channel assignment

Network optimization Visibility/Site Matrix:

Line-of-sight visibility matrix between selected or all base stations and customers

Signal field strength matrix between selected or all base stations and customers

Site optimization:

Suitable base station points from primary defined base station points

Number of sectors assigned to base stations

Antenna type (omni-directional, directional)

Sector power

Antenna height

Antenna tilt (for directional antennas)

Antenna azimuth range (for directional antennas)

Automated site candidate selection

Automated cell planning


DVB-T planning

Network data configuration

SFN coverage

Signal delay

Coverage probability

Population coverage statistics

Service area and SIR, SINR

Automation

Automated task processing

Parallel calculations on multicore processors

Architecture Features

Unicode Characters support English/Metric units support Powerful GIS analysis, Labeling, Visualization, Reporting features Parallel computing on multi-processor/multi-core systems


17. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

CPU: 1.6 GHz or higher Intel Core Duo, Intel Pentium or Intel Xeon Processors or higher Memory/RAM: 1 GB minimum If using the ArcSDE Personal Edition for Microsoft SQL Server Express software, 2 GB of RAM is required. Display Properties: Color depth: Greater than 256 color Screen Resolution: 1024 x 768 recommended or higher at Normal size (96dpi) Disk Space Requirements: 100 GB recommended (Depends on data used)


18. CONTACT INFORMATION

HNIT-BALTIC, UAB

S. Konarskio 28A LT-03127 Vilnius Lithuania

Phone: +370 5 2150575 Fax: +370 5 2150576

E-mail: [email protected]

www.cellular-expert.com

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.cellular-expert.com/

cellular expert whitepaper

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