WCELLS.mbx v1.

WCELLS.MBX v1.0

USER GUIDE LTE

Copyright RF Optimization Tools, 2011

All rights reserved
WCELLS.mbx v1.0

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 (4G->4G)..................................................... 17
2.6 Quick Start - Highlight of cells with given value of PCI (Physical Cell Identity) 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 LTE network parameters from *.xls
files (PCI, operational state, 4G->4G neighbors, MME) ............................................. 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 LTE/GSM/LTE/CDMA cells data to
be imported into T00_WCELLS table .......................................................................... 26
Appendix III required format of XLS file with PCI, operationalState and MME ..... 27
Appendix IV required format of XLS file with 4G->4G neighbors .......................... 28
WCELLS.mbx v1.0 1

1. Introduction

1.1. Purpose

WCELLS.mbx 1.0L 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 1.0L 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 4G->4G
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 LTE, GSM, CDMA and LTE technologies,
however, features of WCELLS v1.0L support LTE technology only.
WCELLS.mbx v1.0 2

WCELLS v1.0L - 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 (4G->4G)
06. Highlight of cells with given value of PCI (Physical Cell Identity)
07. Changing cell size
08. Changing cell width
09. Importing/Updating of basic LTE network parameters from *.xls files
(PCI, operational state, 4G->4G neighbors, MME)
10. Deleting of all cells
WCELLS.mbx v1.0 3

1.2. Intended users

This Map Basic application, WCELLS.mbx version 1.0L, is intended to be

used by personnel involved in mobile telephony, primarily:

a) Cell Planning RF Engineers, dealing with PCI and neighbor relations

planning (LTE),

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.
WCELLS.mbx v1.0 4

1.3 Main data/graphic tables

The main table containing information of all cells (LTE, 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 LTE cells, 3 tables are
generated, T07_LCELLS, T08_LCELLS and T09_LCELLS, containing cells of
three frequency ranges. This facilitates independent usage of individual
layers within Mapinfo / WCELLS. User can define frequency range of group
of LTE cells before importing cell data from a text file, by giving appropriate
value (1,2,3) to the field F44_LTE_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.

WCELLS.mbx v1.0 5

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 v1.0L, a default (recommended) coloring scheme is applied.

The following rules of default color coding are applied to LTE cells:

- BLUE = ACTIVE (ENABLED) cell

- GREY = HALTED (DISABLED) cell
- YELLOW = highlighted cell (having a chosen parameter value, e.g. PSC;
serving cell, when displaying neighbor relations, etc.)
- GREEN = neighbor of the selected cell
- RED = neighbor of the selected cell with the same PSC value
WCELLS.mbx v1.0 6

Figure 1. Example of LTE and GSM cell presentation in WCELLS

(in this case, 3 LTE and 3 GSM cells, co-sited)

Figure 2. Example of color coding: Inactive (DISABLED) LTE cells

are shown GREY, Active (ENABLED) are BLUE, according to
F19_STATE field
WCELLS.mbx v1.0 7

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_v1.0L.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 (from installation directory)

WCELLS_Licence.txt License file (user specific)
DriveInfoApp.exe Reader of Hard Drive Identification
WCELLS.mbx v1.0 8

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 v1.0L
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.
WCELLS.mbx v1.0 9

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 LTE-Cells Choosing
this menu would result in Drop-down options described in the chapters to
come.
WCELLS.mbx v1.0 10

Also, a Map window would become visible, its name changed to WCELLS
v1.0L TEST, corresponding to generic name of open project.

Two Button Pads would become visible: General and LTE.

Figure 3. Mapinfo windows after starting WCELLS v1.0L for the first
time

Finally, Message window will show up, where all the activities will be
accompanied by appropriate messages.
WCELLS.mbx v1.0 11

2.1 Quick Start - Generation of cells Mapinfo objects from txt file
information

STEP2: Creation of WCELLS graphic presentation of LTE 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_LTE.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 LTE cells, field F01_RANTECH should be LTE.

This and other compulsory fields to be filled up are:

F01_RANTECH (radio access network technology, default = LTE)

F02_CELL, (cell name, i.e. sector name)
F03_SITE, (site name)
F04_LON, (longitude)
F05_LAT, (latitude)
F06_AZIMUTH, (azimuth)
F13_ANT_BW_HOR (horizontal antenna bandwidth, default = 65)
F18_ANT_GSIZE (antenna size in Map window, unit = 100m, default = 5)
F44_LTE_BANDNO (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:

LTE Cells -> Project Setup and Maintenance -> Import Cells from Text File
WCELLS.mbx v1.0 12

From Dialog, chose LTE 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 12 LTE cells, 4 sites).

As the result, new cells should be created and program would create
separate layers and tables, per technology, (LTE, GSM, LTE, CDMA layers),
some of them would be empty.

Figure 4. Map window after importing 3 LTE cells (1 site ) from

template file.
WCELLS.mbx v1.0 13

TROUBLESHOOTING:

Usual issue is that the input text file is not according to required format.

Example 1:

meaning that field F44_LTE_BANDNO should be 1,2,3, the other values

are not accepted.
WCELLS.mbx v1.0 14

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\ INPUT17
LTE - STATE.xls.

Conditions: TAB = LTECell

Cell field name = CELL
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:

LTE Cells -> Import -> LTE: 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 10 cells in blue (enabled) and 2 in grey (disabled) as
shown below (according to contents of template file).

Figure 5. LTE Cell coloring according to operational state : blue

(enabled) and grey (disabled)
WCELLS.mbx v1.0 15

2.3 Quick Start - Cell Information after selection

STEP4: Select a cell and display Cell_Info_LTE window

Cell selection is performed by mouse-clicking on the Mapinfo Selection

button and then mouse-clicking on a cell, e.g. LTE cell. This causes the
appearance/change of CELL_Info_LTE 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 LTE 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.

WCELLS.mbx v1.0 16

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 LTE 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 LTE cells.

The result of this operation is that the Map

Window will be centered around chosen LTE cell.

Figure 5. Cell Search dialog window.

WCELLS.mbx v1.0 17

2.5 Quick Start - Highlight of Neighbors (4G->4G)

STEP6: Import 4G->4G neighbors from *.xls and highlight the neighbors of
selected LTE 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
INPUT14 NEIGHBORS - LTE-LTE.xls.

Conditions: TAB = LTENeighbour

Count of Neighbors field name: COUNTER
Cell field name = CELL
Neighbors field names = N1, N2,N64

When *.xls file is ready, we can use the following menu option:

LTE Cells -> Import -> LTE: Import LTE->LTE (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 4G-> 4G NBRS ended ===
Next step is to select a LTE cell and then click on button on LTE 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.
WCELLS.mbx v1.0 18

2.6 Quick Start - Highlight of cells with given value of PCI (Physical
Cell Identity)

STEP7: Import Physical Cell Identity from *.xls and highlight LTE with
chosen value of PCI.

First, we have to provide *.xls file with the required format. A template file
can be found in installation directory\WCELLS_XLS_TEMPLATES\ INPUT18
LTE PCI.xls

Conditions: TAB = LTECell

Physical Cell Identity field name: PCI

When *.xls file is ready, we can use the following menu option:

LTE Cells -> Import -> LTE: Import Physical Cell Identity (PCI) 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 PCI ended ===

Next step is to click on button on LTE button pad.

A window will be open and user can define a value of PSC
(0-504). All cells on current Map window having chosen
value of PCI would be highlighted (colored yellow).

Message window will read the number of cells found with

chosen value and their cell names.

Figure 7. Highlighting LTE cells with chosen value of PCI

WCELLS.mbx v1.0 19

2.7 Quick Start - Changing cell size

This option is used to change size of all visible

LTE 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 LTE size dialog window

Figure 9. Example of changing size of LTE cells (before and after the
change)
WCELLS.mbx v1.0 20

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 LTE bandwidth dialog window

Here is an example of changing sector width from

65 to 40 degrees.

Figure 10. Example of changing width of LTE cells (before and after
the change)
WCELLS.mbx v1.0 21

2.9 Quick Start - Importing/Updating of basic LTE network parameters

from *.xls files (PCI, operational state, 4G->4G neighbors, MME)

Some of import/update features are already described in previous chapters

(import of PCI, operational state, 4G->4G neighbors).

For import of MME information, xls file format should be as follows (Template
file INPUT29 LTE MME.xls):

Conditions: TAB = LTECell

Cell field name = CELL
MME field name = MME

Figure 12. Cell info LTE after importing PCI and MME
WCELLS.mbx v1.0 22

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

This option is used to delete all cells of certain RAN Technology (LTE/
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.

WCELLS.mbx v1.0 23

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

LTE - > 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 T07_LCELLS), next click
set labels to carrier 2 (table T08_LCELLS), the next one to carrier 3 (table
T09_LCELLS).

Clicking on button remove all LTE labels.

WCELLS.mbx v1.0 24

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 Format Comment Critical

F01_RANTECH Char(20) Radio Access Network x
Technology (GSM, LTE, LTE or
CDMA)
F02_CELL Char(20) Cell Identification x
F03_SITE Char(20) Site Identification x
F04_LON Char(20) Geographical longitude x
F05_LAT Char(20) Geographical latitude x
F06_AZIMUTH Char(20) Azimuth (antenna direction) x
F07_ANT_HEIGHT Char(20) Antenna height (above
ground level)
F08_GND_HEIGHT Char(20) Above sea level
F09_MECH_TILT Char(20) Mechanical downtilt
F10_ELEC_TILT Char(20) Electrical downtilt
F11_CELL_TYPE Char(20) Descriptive, e.g. Macro,
micro, etc.
F12_ANT_TYPE Char(20) Manufacturers designation
F13_ANT_BW_HOR Char(20) Horizontal antenna bandwidth x
F14_ANT_BW_VER Char(20) Vertical antenna bandwidth
F15_SITE_NAME Char(20) Site name
F16_NOTE Char(20) Note, auxiliary,
F17_CI Char(20) Cell Identification (number)
F18_ANT_GSIZE Char(20) Antenna size (graphic) x
F19_STATE Char(40) Values: 1 (ENABLED); 0 x
(DISABLED)
F20_AUX Char(20) Auxiliary
F21_GSM_BCCH Char(20) GSM BCCH x
F22_GSM_BSIC Char(20) GSM BSIC x
F23_GSM_HSN Char(20) GSM HSN x
F24_GSM_LAC Char(20) GSM LAC
F25_GSM_BSC Char(20) GSM BSC
F26_GSM_FBAND Char(20) GSM Frequency Band
F27_GSM_BANDNO Char(20) GSM Frequency Band Number x
F28_GSM_AUX Char(20) GSM Auxiliary
F29_GSM_AUX Char(20) GSM Auxiliary
WCELLS.mbx v1.0 25

F30_GSM_AUX Char(20) GSM Auxiliary

F31_LTE_SC Char(20) LTE Scrambling Code x
F32_LTE_RNC Char(20) LTE Radio Network Controller
F33_LTE_FBAND Char(20) LTE Frequency Band
F34_LTE_BANDNO Char(20) LTE Frequency Band Number x
F35_LTE_AUX Char(20) LTE Auxiliary
F36_LTE_AUX Char(20) LTE Auxiliary
F37_LTE_AUX Char(20) LTE Auxiliary
F38_LTE_AUX Char(20) LTE Auxiliary
F39_LTE_AUX Char(20) LTE Auxiliary
F40_LTE_AUX Char(20) LTE Auxiliary
F41_LTE_CODE Char(20) LTE Code x
F42_LTE_MME Char(20) LTE MME
F43_LTE_FBAND Char(20) LTE Frequency Band
F44_LTE_BANDNO Char(20) LTE Frequency Band Number x
F45_LTE_CSG Char(20) LTE CSG
F46_LTE_PLMN Char(20) LTE PLMN
F47_LTE_PCI Char(20) LTE PCI x
F48_LTE_AC Char(20) LTE AC
F49_LTE_TA Char(20) LTE TA
F50_LTE_AUX Char(20) LTE Auxiliary

Yellow fields are not RAN Technology specific critical fields.

WCELLS.mbx v1.0 26

Appendix II required format of TXT file with LTE/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 LTE cells information is provided in

directory 04_IMPORT_TXT, after project initialization.

***
WCELLS.mbx v1.0 27

Appendix III required format of XLS file with PCI, operationalState

and MME

Excel file with LTE information about PCI, operational state and MME should
have data in TAB = LTECell, first row should contain field names, and the
following field names are compulsory: PCI, operationalState and MME, like
on the picture below.

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

WCELLS.mbx v1.0 28

Appendix IV required format of XLS file with 4G->4G neighbors

Excel file with LTE information about 4G->4G neighbors should have data in
TAB = LTENeighbour, 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 4G->4G neighbors of

the LTE CELL.