PROPAGATION MODEL

TUNING in ICS Telecom

ADVANCED

TOPOGRAPHIC

DEVELOPMENT

& IMAGES

SOFTWARE DESIGNERS: P & D MISSUD

PROPAGATION MODEL TUNING IN ICS TELECOM

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VERSIONS HISTORY

Version Date Writer PROPAGATION MODEL TUNING in ICS Telecom

version Remarks

1.0 14/11/2013 GALAS Jarosaw 12.2.6

The present version of the document covers the features available in the release v.12.3.6. This document will be upadted at regulars intervals to ensure that it considers the latest uptates of ICS Telecom.

Limited Warranty

This manual is subject to the limited warranty conditions as specified by the general operating license of the whole package. ATDI reserves the right to modify this manual without prior warning.

PROPAGATION MODEL TUNING IN ICS TELECOM

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Versions History .................................................................................................................................... 2

Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................. 3 1. Scope .............................................................................................................................................. 4 2. Propagation model tuning ........................................................................................................... 4

2.1. Clutter tuning .......................................................................................................................... 4 2.1.1. Configuration of Clutter tuning ..................................................................................... 4 2.1.2. Clutter tuning report and results .................................................................................. 6

2.2. Subpath tuning ....................................................................................................................... 7 2.2.1. Configuration of Subpath tuning .................................................................................. 7 2.2.2. Subpath tuning report and results ............................................................................... 9

3. Example ....................................................................................................................................... 11 3.1. Project setup ........................................................................................................................ 11

3.1.1. Cartographic data ........................................................................................................ 11 3.1.2. Base station configuration .......................................................................................... 12 3.1.3. Base configuration of clutter and propagation model ............................................. 12

3.2. Measurements data ............................................................................................................ 14

3.2.1. Conversion factor for measurements ........................................................................ 14 3.3. Propagation model tuning .................................................................................................. 15

3.3.1. Correlation before model tuning ................................................................................ 15 3.3.2. Clutter tuning ................................................................................................................ 16 3.3.3. Subpath tuning ............................................................................................................. 18 3.3.4. Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 20

PROPAGATION MODEL TUNING IN ICS TELECOM

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1. SCOPE Designing a network using a planning tool is meaningful as soon as the results obtained can be considered as reliable. The ATDI Planning tool provides dedicated functions for:

- comparison of the measurement data (drive tests, punctual measurements) and the prediction, - tuning propagation model.

This paper will detail a new automated propagation model tuning functions.

With this new function it is possible to tune propagation model in a two different ways:

- clutter tuning (diffraction factor, clutter attenuation in dB, clutter attenuation in dB/km), - modify subpath attenuation calculation method.

2. PROPAGATION MODEL TUNING

2.1. Clutter tuning The new clutter tuning function is available in the menu Measure Tuning Measurements

2.1.1. Configuration of Clutter tuning

Figure 1: Clutter tuning generic format

Measurement file name: The Clutter tuning generic format function requires a standard ASCII file following the structure: X [Separator] Y [Separator] FS

Input format: display first line of loaded measurement file

Separator symbol: The type of separator (, ;) can be specified by the user. X and Y are inverted: should be checked when the X and Y coordinates are inverted in the measurement file

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Coordinate code: it is specified by the user, enabling the measurement file to be compatible with any coordinate code handled by the ATDI tools.

Conversion to dBu (+-dB): this applies an offset to measured values, in order to convert them into dBV/m (conversion from dBm values into dBV/m for instance) Min range (measurement): The user can define minimum value of measurements that will be taken into account. This value can be updated from measurement file by clicking upd button

Max range (measurement): The user can define maximum value of measurements that will be taken into account. This value can be updated from measurement file by clicking upd button

Threshold (dBu): The user specifies a value in dBV/m below which all measured values will not be imported on screen

Rx antenna height (m): receiving antenna height in m used during measurements Number of values: display number of values in measurement file. This value can be updated from measurement file by clicking upd button

Set clutter to 0 on measurement point: clutter code in the location of the measurement point is modified to code 0. Measurement point is considered as open area

Move measurements on vector line: if a vector line is present, the measurement point will be relocated on the vector line.

Clutter selection (tuning): in this box the user can define which clutters will be tuned Choice of clutter parameter to be tuned:

Clutter height tuning (diffraction factor): with this option clutter tuning function will tune clutter height (diffraction factor) parameter. The user need to set: minimum diffraction factor, maximum diffraction factor and step.

During the clutter height tuning for a given measurement point program will calculate coverage for each clutter code with a diffraction factor (from a given range, with a given step) and compare it with measurements.

Clutter attenuation tuning (dB): with this option clutter tuning function will tune clutter attenuation (dB) parameter. The user need to set: minimum attenuation (dB), maximum attenuation (dB) and step (dB). During the clutter attenuation tuning (dB) for a given measurement point program will calculate coverage for each clutter code with a clutter attenuation (dB) (from a given range, with a given step) and compare it with measurements.

Clutter attenuation tuning (dB/km): with this option clutter tuning function will tune clutter attenuation (dB) parameter. The user need to set: minimum attenuation (dB/km), maximum attenuation (dB/km) and step (dB). During the clutter attenuation tuning (dB/km) for a given measurement point program will calculate coverage for each clutter code with a clutter attenuation (dB/km) (from a given range, with a given step) and compare it with measurements.

From Clutter tuning generic format dialog box user has also access to clutter parameters, propagation model selector, calculation distance, station list.

PROPAGATION MODEL TUNING IN ICS TELECOM

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2.1.2. Clutter tuning report and results After the clutter tuning function finish calculations Report listing window appear:

Figure 2: Clutter tuning Report listing

The report list for each clutter code and for tuned parameter (from min/max range):

- Mean delta (dB): mean delta in dB between measurements and prediction for a given clutter code and value of tuned parameter

- Pc < 6 dB: percent of values (delta between measurements and prediction) that are lower than 6 dB for a given clutter code and value of tuned parameter

Report can be exported to CSV file by Listing button.

Result of clutter tuning:

Clutter tuning function will automatically update clutter parameters (Diffraction factor, Attenuation (dB) or attenuation (dB/km) according to the best Pc < 6 dB results.

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Figure 3: Clutter parameters. Diffraction factor after clutter tuning

2.2. Subpath tuning

2.2.1. Configuration of Subpath tuning The new subpath tuning function is available in the menu Measure Tuning Subpath methods

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Figure 4: Subpath tuning generic format

Measurement file name: The Clutter tuning generic format function requires a standard ASCII file following the structure: X [Separator] Y [Separator] FS

Input format: display first line of loaded measurement file

Separator symbol: The type of separator (, ;) can be specified by the user. X and Y are inverted: should be checked when the X and Y coordinates are inverted in the measurement file

Coordinate code: it is specified by the user, enabling the measurement file to be compatible with any coordinate code handled by the ATDI tools.

Conversion to dBu (+-dB): this applies an offset to measured values, in order to convert them into dBV/m (conversion from dBm values into dBV/m for instance) Min range (measurement): The user can define minimum value of measurements that will be taken into account. This value can be updated from measurement file by clicking upd button

Max range (measurement): The user can define maximum value of measurements that will be taken into account. This value can be updated from measurement file by clicking upd button

Threshold (dBu): The user specifies a value in dBV/m below which all measured values will not be imported on screen

Rx antenna height (m): receiving antenna height in m used during measurements Number of values: display number of values in measurement file. This value can be updated from measurement file by clicking upd button

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Set clutter to 0 on measurement point: clutter code in the location of the measurement point is modified to code 0. Measurement point is considered as open area

Move measurements on vector line: if a vector line is present, the measurement point will be relocated on the vector line.

During the subpath tuning for a given measurement point program will calculate coverage with a different subpath methods and compare it with measurements.

From Subpath tuning generic format dialog box user has also access to clutter parameters, propagation model selector, calculation distance, station list.

2.2.2. Subpath tuning report and results After the subpath tuning function finish calculations Report listing window appear:

Figure 5: Subpath tuning Report listing

The report list for each subpath model:

- Mean delta (dB): mean delta in dB between measurements and prediction, - Percentage 6 dB: percent of values (delta between measurements and prediction) that are lower

than 6 dB for a given clutter code and value of tuned parameter Report can be exported to CSV file by Listing button.

Result of subpath tuning:

Subpath tuning function will automatically update Subpath attenuation model in Propagation model configuration according to the best Pc < 6 dB results.

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Figure 6: Propagation models. Subpath attenuations model after subpath tuning

PROPAGATION MODEL TUNING IN ICS TELECOM

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3. EXAMPLE Lets consider an example of propagation model tuning based on WiMAX network.

3.1. Project setup 3.1.1. Cartographic data

Figure 7: From the top let corner: 1m resolution DTM, clutter layer, building layer and BING image layer

PROPAGATION MODEL TUNING IN ICS TELECOM

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3.1.2. Base station configuration Configuration of base station that was used for measurements.

Figure 8: Base station configuration

3.1.3. Base configuration of clutter parameters and propagation model Base configuration of clutter parameters and propagation model used for simulation before model tuning.

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Figure 9: Base configuration clutter parameters

PROPAGATION MODEL TUNING IN ICS TELECOM

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Figure 10: Base configuration of propagation model

3.2. Measurements data Measurements data should be delivered in CSV file with fallowing structure:

X [Separator] Y [Separator] FS Sample of measurements:

21.998072;50.034898;-73 21.998212;50.034733;-73 21.998287;50.034645;-73 21.99842;50.034472;-78 21.998485;50.034388;-78 21.998652;50.034193;-80

3.2.1. Conversion factor for measurements If measurements are in dBm unit it is necessary convert it to dBV/m. Without using this conversion factor it will be not possible to correctly display and use measurements. To calculate conversion factor Field strength converter could be used.

Menu Tools Field strength converter

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In this example 12 dB antenna gain was used for measurements.

Figure 11: Field strength converter

Calculated conversion factor is equal to + 136 dB.

3.3. Propagation model tuning In this example propagation model tuning will be made in a two steps:

- clutter tuning - diffraction factor tuning, - subpath tuning.

3.3.1. Correlation before model tuning Correlation between measurements and prediction before tuning of propagation model. Menu Measure Correlation Generic (X Y E)

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Figure 12: Correlation function settings

Figure 13: Correlation results before propagation model tuning

Correlation before model tuning:

- correlation factor is 0.70, - standard deviation is 4.07%, - 78.39% values* < 6 dB (* - delta between measurement and prediction in each point)

3.3.2. Clutter tuning First step in propagation model tuning is clutter height tuning (diffraction factor) for Vegetation layers only.

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Menu Measure Tuning Measurements

Clutter tuning function is configured as below:

Figure 14: Clutter tuning settings diffraction factor tuning

After that clutter tuning is finished will automatically create report and update diffraction factor for vegetation layers in clutter parameters. After tuning coverage must be recalculated.

Figure 15: Report from clutter tuning

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Figure 16: Correlation results after clutter tuning

Correlation after clutter height tuning:

- correlation factor is 0.77, - standard deviation is 3.57%, - 88.19% values* < 6 dB (* - delta between measurement and prediction in each point)

3.3.3. Subpath tuning Second step in propagation model tuning is subpath attenuation methods tuning.

Menu Measure Tuning Subpath methods

Subpath attenuation method tuning function is configured as below:

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Figure 17: Subpath tuning settings

After that subpath tuning is finished program will automatically create report and update subpath attenuation method in Propagation model settings. After tuning coverage must be recalculated.

Figure 18: Report from subpath tuning

As it is shown on a picture above, the best correlation is for Subpath attenuation method set to coarse integration. This option is automatically set in propagation model settings.

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Figure 19: Correlation results after clutter and subpath tuning

Correlation after clutter and subpath tuning:

- correlation factor is 0.77, - standard deviation is 3.56%, - 93.97% values* < 6 dB (* - delta between measurement and prediction in each point)

3.3.4. Conclusion As it was shown in this example the best results of propagation model tuning are after bought clutter tuning and subpath tuning.

END OF THE DOCUMENT