Atoll 3 2 0 Technical Overview www forsk com The information presented herein is accurate to the best of our knowledge No part of this document can be copied, reproduced or distributed in any form wit.
Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview March 2013 www.forsk.com The information presented herein is accurate to the best of our knowledge No part of this document can be copied, reproduced or distributed in any form without prior authorisation from Forsk Atoll is a registered trademark of Forsk All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners © Forsk 2013 Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview Table of Contents Introduction 16 1.1 Supported Wireless Technologies 16 1.2 Supported Operating Systems 16 Supported operating systems for Atoll 64-bit 16 Supported operating systems for Atoll 32-bit 16 1.3 Supported Database Management Systems 16 1.4 Scalable Installation Configurations 17 Standalone 17 Multi-user, workstation-based 17 Multi-user, Citrix XenApp-based 17 1.5 Recommended Hardware and Software 18 1.6 Modular Architecture 19 Atoll Core Features 21 2.1 User Interface 21 2.1.1 Menus 22 2.1.2 Toolbars 22 2.1.3 Explorer Windows 22 2.1.4 Site Configuration Window 23 2.1.5 Map Window 24 2.1.6 Data Tables 25 2.1.7 Panoramic Window 25 2.1.8 Legend Window 25 2.1.9 Event Viewer 26 2.1.10 Other Windows 26 2.2 Geographic Information System (GIS) 26 2.2.1 High-performance Display 26 2.2.2 Multi-resolution Geographic Database 27 2.2.3 Supported Geo Data Types and File Formats 27 2.2.4 Terrain Elevation Data 29 2.2.5 Clutter Class Data 29 2.2.6 Clutter Height Data 30 2.2.7 Traffic Data 30 Raster Traffic Data 31 Vector Traffic Data 31 Live Traffic Data 31 Traffic Density Data 32 Multi-layer Traffic Data 33 © Forsk 2013 Page Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview Cumulated Traffic Maps 33 2.2.8 2D and 3D Vector Data 33 2.2.9 Population Data 34 2.2.10 Online Maps 34 2.2.11 Web Map Services 35 2.2.12 Raster Images 35 2.2.13 Text Data 36 2.2.14 Other Data Types 36 2.2.15 Working Zones 37 2.2.16 Integrated Cartography Editors 37 Vector Data Editor 37 Clutter Data Editor 38 Traffic Data Editor 38 2.2.17 Worldwide Coordinate Systems Database 38 2.2.18 Units 38 2.3 Calculation and Memory Management 39 2.4 Propagation Models 40 2.5 2.6 © Forsk 2013 2.4.1 Integrated Propagation Model Library 40 2.4.2 Optimised Multi-resolution Path Loss Calculations 42 2.4.3 Open Interface to External Propagation Models 43 2.4.4 Propagation Model Calibration 43 2.4.5 Real-time Transmitter-to-Point Profile Prediction 43 2.4.6 Link Budget Tool 44 Data Management 44 2.5.1 Data Import/Export 44 2.5.2 Site/Transmitter Creation and Editing 45 2.5.3 Site/Transmitter Selection 45 2.5.4 Site/Transmitter Grouping 45 2.5.5 Site/Transmitter Filtering 46 2.5.6 Site/Transmitter Sorting 47 2.5.7 Site/Transmitter Lists 47 2.5.8 User Configurations 47 Database and Multi-user Management 48 2.6.1 Customisable Multi-technology Database Model 49 2.6.2 Database Management 50 2.6.3 Multi-level Database Management 51 2.6.4 Data Modifications History Management 52 2.7 User Management 52 2.8 Calculation Result Reports 53 2.8.1 Printing 54 2.8.2 Exporting 54 Page Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview 2.9 Distributed Computing and Multi-threading 54 2.10 Task Automation and Development 55 2.10.1 Task Automation 55 2.10.2 Development Tools 56 General API 56 Propagation Model API 57 GSM/GPRS/EDGE Features 58 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 GSM/GPRS/EDGE Network Model 58 3.1.1 Sites 59 3.1.2 Transmitters 59 3.1.3 Subcells and TRXs (Transceivers) 60 3.1.4 Site Templates 61 3.1.5 Repeaters 61 GSM/GPRS/EDGE Network Configuration Parameters 62 3.2.1 Frequency Bands and Carriers 62 3.2.2 Global Network Settings 63 3.2.3 HCS (Hierarchical Cell Structure) Layers 63 3.2.4 Voice Codec Configuration 64 3.2.5 GPRS/EGPRS/EGPRS2 Coding Scheme Configuration 64 3.2.6 Timeslot Configuration 65 3.2.7 TRX Configuration 65 3.2.8 Quality Indicators 66 GSM/GPRS/EDGE Radio Equipment 66 3.3.1 Antennas 66 3.3.2 Transmitter Equipment 67 3.3.3 Feeder 67 3.3.4 Tower Mounted Amplifier (TMA) 67 GSM/GPRS/EDGE Traffic Model (Services and Users) 67 3.4.1 Services 68 3.4.2 Terminals 68 3.4.3 Mobility Types 69 3.4.4 User Profiles 69 3.4.5 Traffic Data 69 3.5 GMS/GPRS/EDGE Network Capacity Analysis and Dimensioning 69 3.6 GSM/GPRS/EDGE Monte Carlo Simulations 72 3.6.1 Generation of Realistic User Distributions 72 3.6.2 Scheduling and Radio Resource Management 72 3.6.3 Monte Carlo Simulation Management 73 3.6.4 Simulation Graphical Analysis 74 Graphical Display: Mobile Connection Status 74 Graphical Display: Codec Modes and Coding Schemes 75 © Forsk 2013 Page Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview Individual Mobile Results Graphical Display 75 3.6.5 Simulation Reports 76 Reports of a Single Simulation 76 Reports of a Group of Simulations 77 3.6.6 Updating Cell Loads 77 3.6.7 Exporting Results 77 3.7 GSM/GPRS/EDGE Coverage Predictions 77 3.7.1 Coverage Prediction Calculation and Management 77 3.7.2 Coverage Prediction Types 77 3.7.3 Coverage Prediction Reports 82 3.7.4 Coverage Prediction Graphical Comparison 82 3.7.5 Coverage Prediction Export 83 3.7.6 Point Analysis Tool 83 3.8 GSM/GPRS/EDGE Neighbour Planning 84 3.8.1 Automatic Neighbour Allocation 85 3.8.2 Graphical Neighbour Plan Editing 85 3.8.3 Neighbour Consistency Check Tool 86 3.9 GSM/GPRS/EDGE Automatic Frequency Planning 87 3.9.1 Interference Histogram Matrices 87 Interference Matrix Generation 87 Interference Matrix Analysis 88 Interference Matrix Export 89 3.9.2 Automatic Frequency Planning Parameters 89 3.9.3 Automatic Frequency Planning Outputs 90 3.9.4 Interactive Frequency Planning 91 3.9.5 Frequency Plan Analysis 91 Frequency Plan Audit 91 Frequency Channel Search 92 Sector-to-Sector Interference Analysis 92 3.10 GSM/GPRS/EDGE Automatic Cell Planning 93 3.10.1 ACP Parameters 93 3.10.2 ACP Optimisation Results 94 3.11 UMTS/HSPA Features 97 4.1 4.2 © Forsk 2013 GSM/GPRS/EDGE Co-planning With Other Radio Access Technologies 96 UMTS Network Model 97 4.1.1 Sites 98 4.1.2 Transmitters 98 4.1.3 Cells (R99, HSDPA, HSPA, and HSPA+) 99 4.1.4 Site Templates 100 4.1.5 Repeaters 100 UMTS Network Configuration Parameters 101 Page Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.2.1 Frequency Bands and Carriers 101 4.2.2 Global Network Settings 101 4.2.3 Radio Bearers (R99, HSDPA, and HSUPA) 102 4.2.4 Schedulers 103 4.2.5 UE categories (HSDPA and HSUPA) 103 4.2.6 Quality Indicators (R99, HSDPA, HSUPA) 103 UMTS Radio Equipment 103 4.3.1 Antennas 103 4.3.2 Transmitter Equipment 104 4.3.3 Feeder 104 4.3.4 Tower Mounted Amplifier (TMA) 104 4.3.5 Site Equipment 104 4.3.6 Reception Equipment (R99, HSDPA, HSPA, HSPA+) 105 UMTS Traffic Model (Services and Users) 107 4.4.1 Services 108 4.4.2 Terminals 109 4.4.3 Mobility Types 110 4.4.4 User Profiles 110 4.4.5 Traffic Data 110 UMTS Monte Carlo Simulations 110 4.5.1 Generation of Realistic User Distributions 111 4.5.2 Power Control and Radio Resource Management 111 4.5.3 Monte Carlo Simulation Management 113 4.5.4 Simulation Graphical Analysis 114 Graphical Display: Mobile Connection Status 114 Individual Mobile Result Graphical Display 115 4.5.5 Simulation Reports 115 Reports of a Single Simulation 116 Reports of a Group of Simulations 116 4.6 4.7 © Forsk 2013 4.5.6 Updating Cell Loads 117 4.5.7 Exporting Results 117 UMTS Coverage Predictions 117 4.6.1 Coverage Prediction Calculation and Management 117 4.6.2 Coverage Prediction Types 117 4.6.3 Coverage Prediction Reports 122 4.6.4 Coverage Prediction Graphical Comparison 122 4.6.5 Coverage Prediction Export 123 4.6.6 Point Analysis Tool 123 UMTS Multi-point Analysis 124 4.7.1 Multi-point Analysis Management 125 4.7.2 Multi-point Analysis Reports 125 Page Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview Active Set Analysis Result Reports 125 Potential Server Analysis Result Reports 126 4.7.3 4.8 Exporting Results 126 UMTS Neighbour Planning 126 4.8.1 Automatic Neighbour Allocation 127 4.8.2 Graphical Neighbour Plan Editing 127 4.8.3 Neighbour Consistency Check Tool 128 4.9 UMTS Primary Scrambling Code Planning 129 4.9.1 Automatic Scrambling Code Planning Tool 129 4.9.2 Scrambling Code Consistency Check Tool 130 4.9.3 Scrambling Code Interference Analysis 130 4.10 UMTS Automatic Cell Planning 131 4.10.1 ACP Parameters 131 4.10.2 ACP Optimisation Results 132 4.11 LTE Features 135 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 © Forsk 2013 UMTS Co-planning With Other Radio Access Technologies 133 LTE Network Model 135 5.1.1 Sites 136 5.1.2 Transmitters 136 5.1.3 Cells 137 5.1.4 Site Templates 138 5.1.5 Repeaters 138 LTE Network Configuration Parameters 139 5.2.1 Frequency Bands and Channels 139 5.2.2 Global Network Settings 140 5.2.3 Network Layers 140 5.2.4 Frame Configurations 141 5.2.5 Radio Bearers 142 5.2.6 Schedulers 143 5.2.7 UE categories 143 5.2.8 Quality Indicators 143 LTE Radio Equipment 143 5.3.1 Antennas 143 5.3.2 Transmitter Equipment 144 5.3.3 Feeder 144 5.3.4 Tower Mounted Amplifier (TMA) 144 5.3.5 Reception Equipment and MIMO Gains 144 5.3.6 Smart Antenna Equipment 146 LTE Traffic Model (Services and Users) 147 5.4.1 Services 148 5.4.2 Terminals 148 Page Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview 5.4.3 Mobility Types 149 5.4.4 User Profiles 149 5.4.5 Traffic Data 149 5.4.6 Fixed Subscribers Database 149 5.5 LTE Monte Carlo Simulations 151 5.5.1 Generation of Realistic User Distributions 151 5.5.2 Scheduling and Radio Resource Management 151 5.5.3 Monte Carlo Simulation Management 152 5.5.4 Simulation Graphical Analysis 153 Graphical Display: Mobile Activity Status 153 Graphical Display: Throughput 154 Graphical Display: Mobile Connection Status 154 Individual Mobile Results Graphical Display 155 5.5.5 Simulation Reports 155 Reports of a Single Simulation 155 Reports of a Group of Simulations 156 5.5.6 Updating Cell Loads 157 5.5.7 Exporting Results 157 5.6 LTE Coverage Predictions 157 5.6.1 Coverage Prediction Calculation and Management 157 5.6.2 Coverage Prediction Types 157 5.6.3 Coverage Prediction Reports 167 5.6.4 Coverage Prediction Graphical Comparison 167 5.6.5 Coverage Prediction Export 168 5.6.6 Point Analysis Tool 168 5.7 LTE Neighbour Planning 169 5.7.1 Automatic Neighbour Allocation 169 5.7.2 Graphical Neighbour Plan Editing 170 5.7.3 Neighbour Consistency Check Tool 171 5.8 LTE Automatic Frequency and Physical Cell ID Planning 171 5.8.1 Frequency and Physical Cell ID Plan Analysis 173 Frequency and Physical Cell ID Search Tool 173 Frequency and Physical Cell ID Display on Map 173 Physical Cell ID Consistency Check Tool 173 Physical Cell ID Distribution 174 5.9 LTE Automatic Cell Planning 174 5.9.1 ACP Parameters 175 5.9.2 ACP Optimisation Results 176 5.10 CDMA2000 Features 179 6.1 © Forsk 2013 LTE Co-planning With Other Radio Access Technologies 177 CDMA2000 Network Model 179 Page Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.1.2 Sites 180 6.1.3 Transmitters 180 6.1.4 Cells (1xRTT, 1xEV-DO) 181 6.1.5 Site Templates 182 6.1.6 Repeaters 182 CDMA2000 Network Configuration Parameters 183 6.2.1 Frequency Bands and Carriers 183 6.2.2 Global Network Settings 183 6.2.3 Radio Bearers 184 6.2.4 Quality Indicators 184 CDMA2000 Radio Equipment 184 6.3.1 Antennas 184 6.3.2 Transmitter Equipment 185 6.3.3 Feeder 185 6.3.4 Tower Mounted Amplifier (TMA) 185 6.3.5 Site Equipment 185 6.3.6 Reception Equipment (1xRTT, 1xEV-DO) 186 CDMA2000 Traffic Model (Services and Users) 187 6.4.1 Services 188 6.4.2 Terminals 189 6.4.3 Mobility Types 191 6.4.4 User Profiles 191 6.4.5 Traffic Data 192 CDMA2000 Monte Carlo Simulation 192 6.5.1 Generation of Realistic User Distributions 192 6.5.2 Power Control and Radio Resource Management 192 CDMA2000 1xRTT Monte Carlo Simulation Algorithm 192 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Monte Carlo Simulation Algorithm 193 6.5.3 Monte Carlo Simulation Management 194 6.5.4 Simulation Graphical Analysis 195 Graphical Display: Mobile Connection Status 195 Individual Mobile Result Graphical Display 196 6.5.5 Simulation Reports 196 Reports of a Single Simulation 196 Reports of a Group of Simulations 197 6.6 © Forsk 2013 6.5.6 Updating Cell Loads 197 6.5.7 Exporting Results 198 CDMA2000 Coverage Predictions 198 6.6.1 Coverage Prediction Calculation and Management 198 6.6.2 Coverage Prediction Types 198 6.6.3 Coverage Prediction Reports 202 Page Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview 6.6.4 Coverage Prediction Graphical Comparison 202 6.6.5 Coverage Prediction Export 203 6.6.6 Point Analysis Tool 203 6.7 CDMA2000 Neighbour Planning 203 6.7.1 Automatic Neighbour Allocation 204 6.7.2 Graphical Neighbour Plan Editing 204 6.7.3 Neighbour Consistency Check Tool 205 6.8 CDMA2000 PN Offset Planning 206 6.8.1 Automatic PN Offset Planning Tool 206 6.8.2 PN Offset Consistency Check Tool 207 6.8.3 PN offset interference analysis 208 6.9 CDMA2000 Automatic Cell Planning 208 6.9.1 ACP Parameters 208 6.9.2 ACP Optimisation Results 209 6.10 WiMAX Features 212 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 © Forsk 2013 CDMA2000 Co-planning Features 211 WiMAX Network Model 212 7.1.1 Sites 213 7.1.2 Transmitters 213 7.1.3 Cells 214 7.1.4 Site Templates 215 7.1.5 Repeaters 215 WiMAX Network Configuration Parameters 216 7.2.1 Frequency Bands and Channels 216 7.2.2 Global Network Settings 217 7.2.3 Frame Configurations 218 7.2.4 Radio Bearers 219 7.2.5 Schedulers 219 7.2.6 Quality Indicators 219 WiMAX Radio Equipment 219 7.3.1 Antennas 219 7.3.2 Transmitter Equipment 220 7.3.3 Feeder 220 7.3.4 Tower Mounted Amplifier (TMA) 220 7.3.5 Reception Equipment and MIMO Gains 221 7.3.6 Smart Antenna Equipment 222 WiMAX Traffic Model (Services and Users) 223 7.4.1 Services 223 7.4.2 Terminals 224 7.4.3 Mobility Types 224 7.4.4 User Profiles 224 Page 10 Multi-RAT Co-planning Features Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview 10.5.7 Updating Cell Loads You can store the cell loads calculated by Monte Carlo simulations in the cells data table This enables you to update the network cell loads based either on the average results from a simulation group or the results of from a single simulation Cell load values for all the cells in the network radio database are then updated with the results generated by the selected simulation Cell loads from a simulation, simulation group, or from the cells data table can then be used to generate coverage prediction plots 10.5.8 Exporting Results You can export the simulation results as described in 2.5.1 Data Import/Export 10.6 Multi-RAT Coverage Predictions In Atoll a coverage prediction is a plot displaying calculation results of user-selected parameters on the map and enabling graphical as well as statistical analysis of the network behaviour Examples of coverage predictions are signal level, signal quality, throughput plots, etc For each pixel, Atoll calculates the required information This data is then graphically represented by a colour according to a user-defined legend Different display options are available in Atoll, depending on the calculated parameter 10.6.1 Coverage Prediction Calculation and Management Coverage predictions are performed by assuming a “probe mobile” (non-interfering terminal) on each pixel of the considered area The probe mobile characteristics (terminal type, mobility type, service type) are specified as inputs to the coverage prediction in order to calculate the user-defined prediction parameter Predictions are stored as multi-layer geographic objects in the Predictions folder of the Explorer window and can be displayed in the map window Subfolders can be created in the Predictions folder in order to group various coverage prediction objects into categories Coverage predictions can be directly created under a subfolder and moved from one subfolder to another using the mouse 10.6.2 Coverage Prediction Types Multi-RAT coverage prediction types and their display options available in Atoll are listed below All single-RAT coverage predictions For information on technology-specific coverage predictions, see the corresponding chapter Effective service area analysis (DL+UL) o Available technologies Coverage by throughput (DL) o Effective RLC throughput o Application throughput 10.6.3 Coverage Prediction Reports Atoll can generate reports for one or more coverage predictions with various detail levels as defined by the user Reports are spread sheet-like tables that can be printed directly from Atoll or exported to any desktop tool An example of such a report is given in Figure 10.18 Figure 10.18 Coverage prediction report 10.6.4 Coverage Prediction Graphical Comparison Graphical comparison (difference, intersection or union) between two coverage predictions can be performed For example, coverages of different technologies can be compared on a pixel-by-pixel basis (e.g CDMA2000 voice coverage plot vs LTE voice coverage plot) as shows in Figure 10.19 © Forsk 2013 Page 318 Multi-RAT Co-planning Features Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview Figure 10.19 Coverage prediction graphical comparison 10.6.5 Coverage Prediction Export Any coverage prediction can be exported in the following formats: Atoll format ArcView SHP MapInfo MIF and TAB ArcView Grid TXT and ASC Vertical Mapper GRD and GRC BMP PNG TIFF BIL JPEG2000 JPEG When exported in MapInfo format, coverage prediction attributes (e.g., signal levels, transmitter IDs, etc.) are exported along with the plot Figure 10.20 gives an example of the exported attributes for a prediction Figure 10.20 Coverage prediction attributes export to MapInfo 10.6.6 Point Analysis Tool For information on technology-specific point analysis, see the corresponding chapter 10.7 Multi-RAT Inter-technology Neighbour Planning Inter-technology neighbours (LTE neighbours of UMTS cells, etc.) can be generated by any of the following means in Atoll: Importing an external neighbour plan (e.g., in Excel format) Automatically producing a neighbour plan as described in 10.7.1 Automatic Inter-technology Neighbour Allocation Graphically and/or manually creating, editing and deleting a neighbour plan as presented in 10.7.2 Graphical Neighbour Plan Editing © Forsk 2013 Page 319 Multi-RAT Co-planning Features Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview 10.7.1 Automatic Inter-technology Neighbour Allocation Inter-technology neighbour lists can be generated automatically in Atoll For each cell, potential neighbours are ranked according to their importance The neighbour planning algorithm considers the following user-specified parameters: Technology-specific radio criteria (hysteresis, signal level, Ec/Io, margin, etc.) Maximum inter-site distance Maximum number of neighbours Minimum area covered (overlapping area between the reference cell and its potential neighbour) Importance ranges for distance, coverage, adjacency, and co-site factors Forcing “co-site cells as neighbours“ and/or “exceptional inter-technology neighbour pairs” is possible with Atoll Figure 10.21 displays the automatic inter-technology neighbour allocation dialog box Figure 10.21 Multi-RAT automatic neighbour list generation 10.7.2 Graphical Neighbour Plan Editing Neighbour plan can be graphically edited in Atoll Clicking a transmitter on the map displays all its neighbour relations All types of neighbour relations (outwards, inwards or symmetrical) can be created, edited and/or deleted graphically Such an example is presented in Figure 10.22 Figure 10.22 Graphical neighbour plan editing © Forsk 2013 Page 320 Multi-RAT Co-planning Features Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview 10.7.3 Neighbour Consistency Check Tool A neighbour relation audit is available in Atoll This function enables you to determine inconsistencies in the current neighbour plan Figure 10.23 shows the neighbour relation conditions that can be verified using the audit Figure 10.23 Multi-RAT neighbour audit 10.8 Multi-RAT Inter-technology Interference Analysis In addition to the analysis of interference between network elements of the same technology, Atoll enables you to analyse interference between co-located networks of different technologies Atoll can take into account interference from coexisting networks in Monte Carlo simulations and coverage predictions The following inter-technology interference scenarios are modelled in Atoll: Interference received by mobiles on the downlink from other technology base stations and mobiles in the vicinity Interference received by cells on the uplink from other technology base stations and mobiles in the vicinity Figure 10.24 Interference received by mobiles on the downlink Figure 10.25 Interference received by cells on the uplink You can enter inter-technology interference reduction factor graphs in Atoll (as shown in Figure 10.26) in order for Atoll to automatically calculate interference from external base stations in the downlink Furthermore, user-defined intertechnology noise rise values can be set for both downlink and uplink per cell © Forsk 2013 Page 321 Multi-RAT Co-planning Features Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview Figure 10.26 Inter-technology interference reduction factor graphs Figure 10.27 Inter-technology interference analysis example 10.9 Multi-RAT Automatic Cell Planning The Atoll ACP (Automatic Cell Planning) module enables you to automatically determine the best GSM/UMTS/LTE and CDMA2000/LTE cell parameter settings for your multi-RAT network The aim of the Atoll ACP is to improve network quality in terms of both coverage and capacity For a general description of the ACP, see 13 Automatic Cell Planning (ACP) Features For more information on technology-specific ACP parameters and results, see the corresponding chapter The following parameters can be allocated automatically in a multi-RAT network: Antenna types, heights, azimuths, tilts Cell transmission powers The Atoll ACP carries out a multi-objective optimisation for all the technologies in your multi-RAT network The ACP optimisation objectives can be set for each technology individually © Forsk 2013 Page 322 Multi-RAT Co-planning Features Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview Figure 10.28 Multi-RAT ACP optimisation parameters The ACP optimises all the technologies in a multi-RAT network simultaneously Figure 10.29 Multi-RAT ACP optimisation progress dialog box and quick comparison map The recommended changes show the improvements brought by each reconfigured parameter Changes that improve the network the most can be applied to the network ACP displays the recommended changes on a graph, sorted in the order of decreasing network improvement percentage © Forsk 2013 Page 323 Multi-RAT Co-planning Features Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview Figure 10.30 Multi-RAT ACP change details Quality and objective coverage plots provide a side-by-side before/after analysis of the multi-RAT network in terms of coverage and capacity improvements This enables a quick assessment of the optimisation results before implementation in the network Figure 10.31 Multi-RAT network improvement analysis © Forsk 2013 Page 324 Measurements and Drive Test Data Features Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview 11 Measurements and Drive Test Data Features The Atoll Measurements module is an optional module available for all mobile radio access technologies in Atoll The Atoll Measurements module is capable of processing two different types of measurement data: CW (continuous wave) measurements Dedicated continuous wave transmitters are set up for collecting signal strength measurements during measurement campaigns, usually for the purpose of calibrating propagation models Drive test data Drive test campaigns are carried out on live networks by making test calls and recording relevant information, such as signal strength and signal quality values for the serving and neighbour cells, and messages exchanged between the mobile and the network These data are usually collected for the purpose of radio network optimisation 11.1 CW Measurements CW measurements can be imported, displayed, analysed, processed, and used for propagation model tuning in Atoll Atoll allows importing CW measured data in various formats including MS Excel, ASCII text, MSI Planet, and CSV More than one survey paths can be simultaneously loaded into a project During the import process, the corresponding transmitter ID and frequency are assigned to each of the survey files Import configurations can be saved in Atoll for convenience Imported measurement data can be processed in Atoll This processing includes graphic filtering by range, signal strength, clutter types, number of measurement points, and antenna azimuths This is presented in Figure 11.1 Figure 11.1 CW measurement processing Atoll is also capable of generating detailed reports on the comparison between measured and predicted values This report includes the standard deviation, mean, repartition law, and other statistical information Statistics are also provided per clutter type Figure 11.2 shows an example of a visual comparison between measured and predicted data © Forsk 2013 Page 325 Measurements and Drive Test Data Features Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview Figure 11.2 Prediction – measurement comparison Atoll also includes a feature for smoothing measurement values which allows reducing the effect of fading on the measured values Measurement smoothing is carried out using a sliding window to reduce the variations in the measured values 11.2 Drive Test Data Drive test data can be imported, displayed, analysed, filtered, and used for path loss matrix tuning in Atoll Atoll allows importing drive test data in various formats including TEMS (FMT and PLN), ASCII text, DAT, and CSV Moreover, other specific formats, generic or proprietary, can also be imported in Atoll More than one survey paths can be simultaneously loaded into a project File import configurations can be saved in Atoll for convenience Drive test data can also be exported from Atoll to files in MapInfo, ArcView and Atoll formats At the time of import, Atoll identifies serving and neighbour cells by decoding the cell identifiers (BSIC/BCCH, scrambling codes, PN offsets, physical cell IDs, preamble indexes, etc.) Atoll is also capable of decoding call events The decoding is performed automatically during the file import Figure 11.3 gives an example of a TEMS PLN file imported in Atoll with decoded call events Figure 11.3 Call event decoding from a TEMS file imported in Atoll Imported drive test data can be filtered by clutter type, distance, or serving cell In addition, any user-defined filter parameter can be added through a query function Drive test data can be displayed in Atoll using any parameter from the imported data Parameter information can be presented in three different ways: On the map window: The link between a measurement point and its serving cell and neighbours (if available) is drawn in real-time as the mobile moves along the drive test path © Forsk 2013 Page 326 Measurements and Drive Test Data Features Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview In the drive test data table: All parameters can be visualised In the drive test data analysis tool: a graph shows the selected parameters of the drive test data These three display modes are interactively linked with each other As the cursor is moved along the data path, the mobile follows its drive test path and the corresponding record in the drive test data table is highlighted An example of this feature is presented in Figure 11.4 Map window Serving cell Test mobile Data record Drive test data table Analysis tool Parameter values Figure 11.4 Drive test data display 11.3 Propagation Model Calibration CW measurement data can be used for manual tuning of the propagation models through the propagation model editor, or for assisted calibration or automatic optimisation using the automatic propagation model calibration routine This module determines the optimum propagation model parameters using a Minimum Root Mean Square algorithm An example of automatic calibration window is shown in Figure 11.5 Figure 11.5 Automatic propagation model calibration Figure 11.6 Assisted propagation model calibration © Forsk 2013 Page 327 Measurements and Drive Test Data Features Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview 11.4 Path Loss Tuning Drive test data and CW measurements can be used in Atoll to improve the accuracy of calculated path loss matrices (propagation results) of individual transmitters and repeaters Atoll applies global and localised corrections to the calculated values depending on the number of measurement points taken into account and the distance between the measurement point and the pixel being corrected The interpolation is based on the points located inside a predefined ellipse oriented towards the transmitter A weighting factor is applied based on the radius of each ellipse and the distance to the measurement point Catalogues of measurement paths intended to be used for path loss tuning can be created and shared among users Figure 11.7 Measurement based path loss tuning on coverage: before (left) and after (right) © Forsk 2013 Page 328 Automatic Frequency Planning (AFP) Features Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview 12 Automatic Frequency Planning (AFP) Features The Atoll AFP (Automatic Frequency Planning) module enables radio network design engineers to automatically plan and allocate cell parameters to optimise network coverage and capacity The Atoll AFP is an optional module available for the following technologies: GSM/GPRS/EDGE LTE WiMAX Wi-Fi The Atoll GSM AFP module is based on sophisticated optimisation techniques and includes combined automatic as well as interactive frequency planning (IFP) and optimisation of TRX allocation vs interference conditions It can automatically allocate frequencies, frequency hopping parameters (MAL, HSN, MAIO), and BSIC, etc The Atoll GSM AFP module can combine and use interference matrices based on predictions and live network statistics from the OAM It can also calculate and take intermodulation interference into account The Atoll GSM AFP includes support for frequency bands, carriers, layers, border constraints, and frequency hopping parameters (MAL, HSN, MAIO) It allows setting up vendor-specific requirements, and user-defined constraints and costs Figure 12.1 GSM AFP optimisation process (left), IFP interference analysis (top), implementation plan analysis (right) The Atoll LTE AFP module can automatically allocate frequencies and physical cell IDs according to the defined interference and collision-based optimisation targets The AFP can work with user-defined constraints and costs based on interference matrices from various sources, neighbour relations, and distance The AFP fully supports multi-band networks using different carrier widths The Atoll LTE AFP can automatically plan physical cell IDs taking into account various network planning constraints such as the PSS ID collision, eNode-B-based SSS ID allocation, uplink demodulation reference signal sequence collision, cell-specific reference signal collisions, collisions of PCFICH (physical control format indicator channel) resource element groups, etc The Atoll WiMAX AFP can automatically allocate frequencies, preamble indexes, segments, and permbases according to the defined interference and collision-based optimisation targets The AFP can work with user-defined constraints and costs based on interference matrices from various sources, neighbour relations, and distance The AFP fully supports multi-band networks using different carrier widths © Forsk 2013 Page 329 Automatic Frequency Planning (AFP) Features Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview Figure 12.2 LTE PCI plan analysis (left) and WiMAX FFR analysis (right) The Atoll Wi-Fi AFP can automatically allocate frequencies according to the defined interference and collision-based optimisation targets The AFP can work with user-defined constraints and costs based on interference matrices from various sources, neighbour relations, and distance The AFP fully supports multi-band networks using different carrier widths © Forsk 2013 Page 330 Automatic Cell Planning (ACP) Features Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview 13 Automatic Cell Planning (ACP) Features The Atoll ACP (Automatic Cell Planning) module enables radio network design engineers to optimise their network settings for improving network coverage and capacity The Atoll ACP is an optional module available for the following technologies: GSM/GPRS/EDGE UMTS/HSPA LTE CDMA2000 WiMAX Wi-Fi The Atoll ACP can also be used in 3GPP and 3GPP2 multi-RAT projects for optimising GSM/UMTS/LTE and CDMA2000/LTE networks simultaneously The Atoll ACP can be used to optimise parameters of installed antennas (patterns, heights, azimuths, and tilts) and cell transmission powers The ACP can take into account various standard and user-defined optimisation objectives, such as coverage, interference, capacity, service quality, and EMF exposure levels at building facades Moreover, the ACP is capable of taking different building floors into account for evaluating the optimisation plans with multi-storey buildings The ACP can also be used during the initial design stage of a network to perform antenna selection and to calculate the optimum azimuths and mechanical tilts The ACP also includes automatic site placement and candidate site selection features Figure 13.1 ACP multi-RAT (GSM/UMTS/LTE) optimisation process The ACP optimisation process is based on flexible and user-definable directives These optimisation directives can include a number of weighted criteria dependent on clutter data, radio access technologies, KPIs, traffic data, etc The ACP also enables comprehensive analyses of proposed optimisation plans Multiple “what if?” scenarios can be generated, stored, and compared in order to make informed decisions on the definitive optimisation plan The ACP can use calibrated propagation models as well as path loss results tuned using drive test measurements Moreover, the network optimisation process in the ACP can also take into account multiple indoor floor levels in addition to the outdoor ground level The Atoll ACP includes full multi-technology support for combined GSM/UMTS/LTE and CDMA2000/LTE optimisation The ACP takes into account the interaction and co-existence of different technology networks in the optimisation process and proposes combined optimisation plans for the whole multi-RAT network Multi-technology optimisation results can be simultaneously displayed, analysed, and implemented within Atoll © Forsk 2013 Page 331 Automatic Cell Planning (ACP) Features Atoll 3.2.0 Technical Overview Figure 13.2 Atoll ACP implementation plan analysis © Forsk 2013 Page 332 ... Maps 33 2. 2.8 2D and 3D Vector Data 33 2. 2.9 Population Data 34 2. 2. 10 Online Maps 34 2. 2.11 Web Map Services 35 2. 2. 12 Raster Images... Figure 2 . 32 The raster image opacity and contrast can be adjusted by the user © Forsk 20 13 Page 35 Atoll Core Features Atoll 3. 2. 0 Technical Overview Figure 2 . 32 Raster image 2. 2. 13 Text Data Atoll. .. areas Atoll Installed on Microsoft Windows 32 -bit (XP, Vista, 7, 20 03 Server, 20 08 Server) Microsoft Windows 64-bit (XP, Vista, 7, 20 08 Server, 20 08 Server R2) Microsoft Windows 64-bit (7, 20 08