WCELLS.mbx v1.

WCELLS.MBX v1.0 USER GUIDE UMTS

Copyright RF Optimization Tools, 2011 All rights reserved

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CONTENTS
1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.1.Purpose...................................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Intended users .......................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Main data/graphic tables ........................................................................................... 4 1.4. Presentation of cells in Mapinfo, using WCELLS.mbx .......................................... 5 1.5. Installation and Concept of Application Directory .................................................. 7 1.6. Concept of PROJECTS ............................................................................................ 8 2. Quick start ....................................................................................................................... 9 2.1 Quick Start - Generation of cells Mapinfo objects from txt file information ........ 11 2.2 Quick Start - Cell coloring according to operational state..................................... 14 2.3 Quick Start - Cell Information after selection........................................................ 15 2.4 Quick Start - Cell Search ........................................................................................ 16 2.5 Quick Start - Highlight of Neighbors (3G->3G)..................................................... 17 2.6 Quick Start - Highlight of cells with given value of PSC (Primary Scrambling Code) ............................................................................................................................. 18 2.7 Quick Start - Changing cell size ............................................................................. 19 2.8 Quick Start - Changing cell width ......................................................................... 20 2.9 Quick Start - Importing/Updating of basic UMTS network parameters from *.xls files (PSC, operational state, 3G->3G neighbors, RNC) ............................................. 21 2.10 Quick Start - Deleting of all cells (per Technology or all) .................................. 22 2.11 Quick Start Redrawing cells ............................................................................. 23 2.12 Quick Start Toggling labels .............................................................................. 23 Appendix I - Format of table T00_WCELLS (main graphic table)............................. 24 Appendix II required format of TXT file with UMTS/GSM/LTE/CDMA cells data to be imported into T00_WCELLS table .......................................................................... 26 Appendix III required format of XLS file with PSC, operationalState and RNC ..... 27 Appendix IV required format of XLS file with 3G->3G neighbors .......................... 28

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1. Introduction
1.1. Purpose
WCELLS.mbx 1.0 is an advanced MapBasic application that can be used as visualization tool for presenting cells belonging to mobile telephony networks on the map, as well as some accompanying information. WCELLS.mbx 1.0 relies on Mapinfo as the main software application (minimum version is Mapinfo 6.0). The input information (list of cells with geographical information, network parameters and 3G->3G neighbors) are *.txt and *.xls formatted files. The outputs are graphic objects in Mapinfo (regions in the shape of cells/sectors, colored according to values of input information or accompanied by corresponding labels). The main idea is to help mobile telephony personnel in decision making, by presenting information in visual rather than tabular form. The main goal is portability (independence of the information source) and flexibility (easy updating & customization). The main graphic tables support UMTS, GSM, CDMA and LTE technologies, however, features of WCELLS v1.0 support UMTS technology only.

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WCELLS v1.0 - Summary of Features: 01. Generation of cells Mapinfo objects from txt file information 02. Cell coloring according to operational state 03. Cell Information after selection 04. Cell Search 05. Highlight of Neighbors (3G->3G) 06. Highlight of cells with given value of PSC (Primary Scrambling Code) 07. Changing cell size 08. Changing cell width 09. Importing/Updating of basic UMTS network parameters from *.xls files (PSC, operational state, 3G->3G neighbors, RNC) 10. Deleting of all cells

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1.2. Intended users

This Map Basic application, WCELLS.mbx version 1.0, is intended to be used by personnel involved in mobile telephony, primarily: a) Cell Planning RF Engineers, dealing with PSC and neighbor relations planning (UMTS), b) RF Optimization Engineers, dealing with presentation, analysis and troubleshooting of mobile networks, c) all other personnel, involved in geographical distribution of the sites in any mobile telephony network.

WCELLS.mbx is a handy visualization tool, user-friendly, easy-to-use application, even for users not experienced in Mapinfo. For an experienced user, WCELLS.mbx speeds up significantly decision making process related to most frequent daily activities of Mobile Telephony Engineering. WCELLS.mbx does not guaranty any Optimization result. Author denies any responsibility for any damage that users might have as the consequence of decisions based upon usage of this tool. WCELLS.mbx is not related to any particular vendor. Any similarity in terminology with any particular manufacturer of mobile telephony equipment is coincidental and not intentional. The author reserves the right to change this program anytime without notice. This program is subject to copyright laws and it is exclusive property of author of the program, all rights reserved. Any altering, reverse engineering or similar activity would be treated illegal and is punishable by law.

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1.3 Main data/graphic tables

The main table containing information of all cells (UMTS, GSM, CDMA, LTE) is T00_WCELLS. Additional tables are derived from T00_WCELLS according to Layers concept of Mapinfo. Different layers contain cells of different RAN Technologies and frequency ranges, for example for UMTS cells, 3 tables are generated, T01_WCELLS, T02_WCELLS and T03_WCELLS, containing cells of three frequency ranges. This facilitates independent usage of individual layers within Mapinfo / WCELLS. User can define frequency range of group of UMTS cells before importing cell data from a text file, by giving appropriate value (1,2,3) to the field F34_UMTS_BANDNO. The table T00_WCELLS contains data and graphic information. Graphic information is hidden (invisible by Mapinfo Browser). Insertion of new cells into WCELLS is described in Chapter 2.1. Manual insertion of new records in Browser is not correct method of creation of new cells (lacking graphic information). Manual editing of some fields of T00_WCELLS (Longitude, Latitude, Dir, Antenna_size, Ant_BW), although not recommended, is allowed and after redrawing of affected cell/group of cells (Chapter 2.11) would lead to correct displaying. Changing table structure (adding/removing/changing fields) of any of WCELLS tables is not allowed. Manual editing can be used, for example, to set globally Ant_BW of all cells to desired constant value, using Mapinfo option Update Column. Before such global editing, it is highly recommended to backup the table T00_WCELLS, in case of undesired results. *** In the following sections, the term field will be applied in the context of T00_WCELLS table if not designated otherwise. A detailed description of T00_WCELLS structure is given in Appendix I.

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1.4. Presentation of cells in Mapinfo, using WCELLS.mbx

The graphic presentation of a cell in WCELLS.mbx consists of a Mapinfo region in shape of circle (omni cell) or part of circle (sector cell), whose center is located at the pair of coordinates (Longitude, Latitude), the orientation reflects the chosen Azimuth, width of a sector can correspond to Horizontal Antenna Beam Width, and the size of a sector would be according to chosen antenna Size, on the map.

In WCELLS v1.0, a default (recommended) coloring scheme is applied. The following rules of default color coding are applied to UMTS cells: - BLUE - GREY - YELLOW - GREEN - RED = ACTIVE (ENABLED) cell = HALTED (DISABLED) cell = highlighted cell (having a chosen parameter value, e.g. PSC; serving cell, when displaying neighbor relations, etc.) = neighbor of the selected cell = neighbor of the selected cell with the same PSC value

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Figure 1. Example of UMTS and GSM cell presentation in WCELLS (in this case, 3 UMTS and 3 GSM cells, co-sited)

Figure 2. Example of color coding: Inactive (DISABLED) UMTS cells are shown GREY, Active (ENABLED) are BLUE, according to F19_STATE field

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1.5. Installation and Concept of Application Directory

The initial folder of WCELLS.mbx application is chosen by user during installation, and will be referred in the following text as Application Directory. It is recommended to choose a hard drive location with enough space. It is compulsory to choose a location where the user has all read/write rights, which is essential for WCELLS.mbx functionality. This location cannot be changed afterwards (of course, a new installation is another option). Installation consists of simple copying/pasting of the following 6 files from installation folder into Application Directory:

WCELLS_v1.0.MBX wcells01.dll DriveInfoApp.exe SerialNumber.txt Projects.TAB Projects.DAT Apart from the above, user has to provide the existence of C:\TEMP folder and read/write rights in that directory. The following 3 files have to be copied there: SerialNumber.txt WCELLS_Licence.txt DriveInfoApp.exe (from installation directory) License file (user specific) Reader of Hard Drive Identification

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1.6. Concept of PROJECTS

Users can have various mobile networks to deal with, WCELLS.mbx can present and manipulate only one of them at a time. In order to keep all data in an organized way, a concept of Projects in introduced. WCELLS v1.0 supports one project only. Project is a set of data belonging to one mobile network (eventually having multiple technologies). Every Project has a unique name and is located in a separate file folder, which we will refer to as Project Directory. Project Directory name is combination of number (provided by WCELLS.mbx) and generic name (defined by user). Example: for the first project to be created and a generic name TEST, the folder name would be 01_TEST. Project Directory is located in Application Directory (provided automatically by WCELLS.mbx). Project Directory has subfolders with strict names, given by WCELLS.mbx and not to be changed by user. If changed, the functionality of WCELLS.mbx would be reduced or completely nullified. Names, location, field structure and contents of Mapinfo files created by WCELLS.mbx are not to be changed manually by user, unless explicitly specified.

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2. Quick start
STEP1: Creation of our first Project The program WCELLS.mbx can be started: a) by Double-Clicking on it in Windows Explorer or b) from Mapinfo, applying the following sequence of commands: Tools, Run MapBasic program, select and open WCELLS.mbx (similar: Ctrl-U). A window Creating a new Project will pop up and user is instructed to provide a new generic name for a Project, e.g. TEST (WCELLS will add number 01 to Project Directory name).

After creation of the first Project, a Welcome message will come up, and the user will be offered to accept the terms of usage. The user is normally expected to click I AGREE, meaning that he/she accepts the agreement and is then allowed to continue. As the result of this, a new Drop-down menu will become visible at the far right of the Mapinfo menu structure. The menu name is UMTS-Cells Choosing this menu would result in Drop-down options described in the chapters to come.

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Also, a Map window would become visible, its name changed to WCELLS v1.0 TEST, corresponding to generic name of open project. Two Button Pads would become visible: General and UMTS.

Figure 3. Mapinfo windows after starting WCELLS v6.0 for the first time Finally, Message window will show up, where all the activities will be accompanied by appropriate messages.

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2.1 Quick Start - Generation of cells Mapinfo objects from txt file information
STEP2: Creation of WCELLS graphic presentation of UMTS Cells The next step in our Quick Start would be to generate new cells from *.txt file. We would need beforehand to provide *.txt file, according to required format. The template of required TAB separated file can be found in Installation folder: \WCELLS_TXT_TEMPLATES\NewCells_UMTS.txt. For the first time, you may just use this file for your first project. Alternatively, simply open this file using Excel and fill up information for new cells below the first row that contains field names (1 row per cell). For UMTS cells, field F01_RANTECH should be UMTS. This and other compulsory fields to be filled up are:
F01_RANTECH F02_CELL, F03_SITE, F04_LON, F05_LAT, F06_AZIMUTH, F13_ANT_BW_HOR F18_ANT_GSIZE F34_UMTS_BANDNO (radio access network technology, default = UMTS) (cell name, i.e. sector name) (site name) (longitude) (latitude) (azimuth) (horizontal antenna bandwidth, default = 65) (antenna size in Map window, unit = 100m, default = 5) (band, i.e. carrier number, default = 1)

The remaining fields can be left as unknown or they can be filled up with more useful information, if known. Now, when *.txt file is ready, we can use the following menu option: UMTS Cells -> Project Setup and Maintenance -> Import Cells from Text File

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From Dialog, chose UMTS radio button, Only new, All per carrier field and click OK, then chose your file (you can import the template file for testing purposes, having 6 UMTS cells, 2 sites). As the result, new cells should be created and program would create separate layers and tables, per technology, (UMTS, GSM, LTE, CDMA layers), some of them would be empty.

Figure 4. Map window after importing 3 UMTS cells (1 site ) from template file.

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TROUBLESHOOTING: Usual issue is that the input text file is not according to required format. Example 1:

meaning that field F34_UMTS_BANDNO should be 1,2,3, the other values are not accepted.

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2.2 Quick Start - Cell coloring according to operational state

STEP3: Import operational state from *.xls and see ENABLED and DISABLED cells First, we have to provide *.xls file with the required format. A template file can be found in installation directory\WCELLS_XLS_TEMPLATES\ INPUT01 PARAMETERS - UMTS.xls. Conditions: TAB = UtranCell Cell field name = UtranCell Operational state field name = operationalState Operational state allowed values: 1 (ENABLED) 0 (DISABLED) Now, when *.xls file is ready, we can use the following menu option: UMTS Cells -> Import -> UMTS: Import OperationalState from XLS File Then, a file should be chosen and open. WCELLS will then update the field F19_STATE with imported data. If we have chosen the template file, the result will be coloring 4 cells in blue (enabled) and 2 in grey (disabled) as shown below (according to contents of template file).

Figure 5. UMTS Cell coloring according to operational state : blue (enabled) and grey (disabled)

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2.3 Quick Start - Cell Information after selection

STEP4: Select a cell and display Cell_Info_UMTS window Cell selection is performed by mouse-clicking on the Mapinfo Selection button and then mouse-clicking on a cell, e.g. UMTS cell. This causes the appearance/change of CELL_Info_UMTS window, where some fields of T00_WCELLS table are presented in text form and updated according to the chosen cell.

Figure 4. CELL Info window related to an UMTS cell

This window can be moved around by clicking the mouse on it and holding it while moving. Most operations on cells are executed after cell selection.

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2.4 Quick Start - Cell Search

STEP5: Searching for a cell and centering Map window around it For cell search, user should click on the button in UMTS Button pad.

User is offered a dialog window with two options. Cell name can be selected from a ListBox (1) or can be edited in a TextBox (2). The elements of ListBox are all existing UMTS cells. The result of this operation is that the Map Window will be centered around chosen UMTS cell.

Figure 5. Cell Search dialog window.

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2.5 Quick Start - Highlight of Neighbors (3G->3G)

STEP6: Import 3G->3G neighbors from *.xls and highlight the neighbors of selected UMTS cell. First, we have to provide *.xls file with the required format. A template file can be found in installation directory\WCELLS_XLS_TEMPLATES\ INPUT02 NEIGHBORS - UMTS-UMTS.xls. Conditions: TAB = UtranNeighbour Count of Neighbors field name: COUNT Cell field name = CELL Neighbors field names = N1, N2,N64 When *.xls file is ready, we can use the following menu option: UMTS Cells -> Import -> UMTS: Import UMTS->UMTS (3G->3G) NBRS from XLS File (1 row per cell, N nbrs) Then, a file should be chosen and open. The successful import is ended with the following message displayed in Message window: ===Import of 3G-> 3G NBRS ended === Next step is to select a UMTS cell and then click on button on UMTS button pad. If we are working with the template file, the result will be coloring selected cell in yellow and neighboring cells in green as shown below (according to contents of template file).

Figure 6. Highlighting 3G->3G neighbors of selected cell Coloring back can be done using button from button pad General.

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2.6 Quick Start - Highlight of cells with given value of PSC (Primary Scrambling Code)
STEP7: Import primary scrambling code from *.xls and highlight UMTS with chosen value of PSC. First, we have to provide *.xls file with the required format. A template file can be found in installation directory\WCELLS_XLS_TEMPLATES\ INPUT01 PARAMETERS - UMTS.xls. Conditions: TAB = UtranCell Primary scrambling code field name: primaryScramblingCode When *.xls file is ready, we can use the following menu option: UMTS Cells -> Import -> UMTS: Import Scrambling Code (SC) from XLS File Then, a file should be chosen and open. The successful import is ended with the following message displayed in Message window: ===Import of SC ended === Next step is to click on button on UMTS button pad. A window will be open and user can define a value of PSC (0511). All cells on current Map window having chosen value of PSC would be highlighted (colored yellow). Message window will read the number of cells found with chosen value and their cell names.

Figure 7. Highlighting UMTS cells with chosen value of PSC

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2.7 Quick Start - Changing cell size

This option is used to change size of all visible UMTS cells in Map Window to a value chosen from the offered listbox (1,2,,9,10,15,20). (unit=100m, roughly). This option is convenient when density of cells is much different in different areas (usually smaller cell size is convenient for downtown areas). Also, user can chose to change size of one layer only (belonging to Carrier 1, 2 or 3). Figure 8. Set UMTS size dialog window

Figure 9. Example of changing size of UMTS cells (before and after the change)

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2.8 Quick Start - Changing cell width

This option is used to to change sector bandwidth of all visible cells in Map window to a value chosen from the offered listbox (20,30,,80,90 degrees). Also, user can chose to change BW of one layer only (belonging to Carrier 1, 2 or 3). Figure 9. Set UMTS bandwidth dialog window

Here is an example of changing sector width from 65 to 40 degrees.

Figure 10. Example of changing width of UMTS cells (before and after the change)

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2.9 Quick Start - Importing/Updating of basic UMTS network parameters from *.xls files (PSC, operational state, 3G->3G neighbors, RNC)
Some of import/update features are already described in previous chapters (import of PSC, operational state, 3G->3G neighbors). For import of RNC information, xls file format should be as follows (same Template file): Conditions: TAB = UtranCell Cell field name = UtranCell RNC field name = RNC

Figure 12. Cell info UMTS after importing PSC and RNC

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2.10 Quick Start - Deleting of all cells (per Technology or all)

This option is used to delete all cells of certain RAN Technology (UMTS/ GSM/CDMA/LTE) from T00_WCELLS table. User is asked to confirm this operation. Also, it is possible to delete all cells from T00_WCELLS (regardless of RAN Technology).

It is typically used before a new import of all cells is performed.

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2.11 Quick Start Redrawing cells

User can redraw all cells in current Map window including coloring back to colors determined by operationalState, using the menu option UMTS - > Redraw cells in window (size, color). *** If user wants to color back all cells according to operationalState, another option is to just click on the button: .

2.12 Quick Start Toggling labels

User can toggle site labels clicking on .

Labels are initially set according to carrier 1 (table T01_WCELLS), next click set labels to carrier 2 (table T02_WCELLS), the next one to carrier 3 (table T03_WCELLS). Clicking on button remove all UMTS labels.

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Appendix I - Format of table T00_WCELLS (main graphic table)

The following table contains field names of T00_WCELLS, format and comment. Field Critical designates fields that must be properly set to provide correct functionality of WCELLS. Field name F01_RANTECH Format Char(20) Comment Radio Access Network Technology (GSM, UMTS, LTE or CDMA) Cell Identification Site Identification Geographical longitude Geographical latitude Azimuth (antenna direction) Antenna height (above ground level) Above sea level Mechanical downtilt Electrical downtilt Descriptive, e.g. Macro, micro, etc. Manufacturers designation Horizontal antenna bandwidth Vertical antenna bandwidth Site name Note, auxiliary, Cell Identification (number) Antenna size (graphic) Values: 1 (ENABLED); 0 (DISABLED) Auxiliary GSM BCCH GSM BSIC GSM HSN GSM LAC GSM BSC GSM Frequency Band GSM Frequency Band Number GSM Auxiliary GSM Auxiliary Critical x

F02_CELL F03_SITE F04_LON F05_LAT F06_AZIMUTH F07_ANT_HEIGHT F08_GND_HEIGHT F09_MECH_TILT F10_ELEC_TILT F11_CELL_TYPE F12_ANT_TYPE F13_ANT_BW_HOR F14_ANT_BW_VER F15_SITE_NAME F16_NOTE F17_CI F18_ANT_GSIZE F19_STATE F20_AUX F21_GSM_BCCH F22_GSM_BSIC F23_GSM_HSN F24_GSM_LAC F25_GSM_BSC F26_GSM_FBAND F27_GSM_BANDNO F28_GSM_AUX F29_GSM_AUX

Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(40) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20)

x x x x x

x x

x x x

WCELLS.mbx v1.0 F30_GSM_AUX F31_UMTS_SC F32_UMTS_RNC F33_UMTS_FBAND F34_UMTS_BANDNO F35_UMTS_AUX F36_UMTS_AUX F37_UMTS_AUX F38_UMTS_AUX F39_UMTS_AUX F40_UMTS_AUX F41_LTE_CODE F42_LTE_MME F43_LTE_FBAND F44_LTE_BANDNO F45_LTE_CSG F46_LTE_PLMN F47_LTE_PCI F48_LTE_AC F49_LTE_TA F50_LTE_AUX Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) Char(20) GSM Auxiliary UMTS Scrambling Code UMTS Radio Network Controller UMTS Frequency Band UMTS Frequency Band Number UMTS Auxiliary UMTS Auxiliary UMTS Auxiliary UMTS Auxiliary UMTS Auxiliary UMTS Auxiliary LTE Code LTE MME LTE Frequency Band LTE Frequency Band Number LTE CSG LTE PLMN LTE PCI LTE AC LTE TA LTE Auxiliary

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Yellow fields are not RAN Technology specific critical fields.

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Appendix II required format of TXT file with UMTS/GSM/LTE/CDMA cells data to be imported into T00_WCELLS table
Text file with cells information should be a TAB separated file with heather row containing names of the fields. All 50 fields are the same as in the table T00_WCELLS (already given in Appendix I).

An example of correct TXT file with UMTS cells information is provided in directory 04_IMPORT_TXT, after project initialization. ***

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Appendix III required format of XLS file with PSC, operationalState and RNC
Excel file with UMTS information about SC, operational state and RNC should have data in TAB = UtranCell, first row should contain field names , and the following field names are compulsory: primaryScramblingCode, operationalState and RNC, like on the picture below.

Valid values of operationalState are: 0 (DISABLED) and 1 (ENABLED).

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Appendix IV required format of XLS file with 3G->3G neighbors

Excel file with UMTS information about 3G->3G neighbors should have data in TAB = UtranNeighbour, first row should contain field names , and the following field names are compulsory: COUNTER, CELL, N1,N2, , N64, like on the pictures below.

Field COUNTER must contain the number of existing 3G->3G neighbors of the UtranCell CELL.