Appendix A Integrated Network Planning Tool: Nokia NetAct Planner

Ari Niininen
Nokia Networks

A.1 OVERVIEW OF NETACT PLANNER NetAct Planner is a multi-user environment planning tool based on a Windows platform. It has several interfaces to other planning systems, measurement tools and the Nokia NetAct network management system for deploying plans into the network and back into the planning tool, as shown in Figure A. 1. Table A. 1 provides a summary and is displayed at the end of this section.

A.2 THE RADIO PLANNER Radio Planner is an efficient and flexible solution for radio network planning. It offers effective support in all phases of the radio network planning process for multi-user organisations in an office environment. Furthermore, PC compatibility with laptop computers enables field use and provides planning engineers with real mobility. Radio Planner is specially developed for the planning of all types of GSM and TETRA networks. Radio Planner was designed using a systems approach, which helps to provide

Fundamentals of Cellular Network Planning & Optimisation A.R. Mishra. 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. ISBN: 0-470-86267-X

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Figure A. 1 Nokia NetAct Planner integration mobile subscribers with continuous coverage, capacity, quality and service content. Radio Planner supports standard GSM features such as frequency hopping, dual band as well as Nokia GSM system specific features. GPRS and EDGE planning are key challenges for many operators. Radio Planner supports packet-switched radio network capacity planning. With Radio Planner, you can calculate the needed GPRS and EDGE capacities in the network based on the selected quality of service criteria and data rates. Coverage can be calculated with the four included propagation models: Okumura-Hata, a Nokia version of Okumura-Hata, Walfisch-Ikegami, and Microcell. There is also an open interface to external propagation models, which means that you can utilise your own propagation models if needed. All of these models can be tuned with drive test measurements. Radio Planner also provides coverage planning and analysis support for dual-band networks (shown in Figure A.2). Capacity calculation is based on real network traffic imported from Nokia NetAct (Network Management System). You can distribute this real network traffic data on userdefinable clutter or vector weights, enabling accurate capacity calculation, which is especially important in dual-band and GPRS/EDGE planning. The frequency allocation tool minimises interference efficiently by optimising the separation cost and interference table cost. Allocation accuracy is based on allocation time. The progress of allocation can be followed with statistical or graphical views. The frequency allocation tool supports both RF and base-band frequency hopping. Information management is becoming increasingly important in radio network planning, especially in projects such as microcell planning, where the major part of planning activities can be carried out in the field. Radio Planner has a user-friendly site database, which enables

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Figure A.2 GSM radio network planning fast entering and editing of all network parameters. Radio Planner reporting tools provide flexible and extensive network reports.

A.3 WCDMA PLANNER WCDMA Planner offers excellent assistance with radio network planning when a 3G Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) network is built. It is a flexible and userfriendly planning system capable of meeting your initial WCDMA radio network planning needs. The WCDMA planning process in WCDMA Planner is designed to be very fluent and easy to follow (see Figure A.3). Furthermore, powerful editing and data handling features make the whole network planning process faster and easier. All this results in superior usability. In addition to high-quality radio network planning features such as advanced and tunable propagation models, WCDMA Planner has a revolutionary approach to planning and optimising WCDMA networks based on UMTS service and traffic requirements. WCDMA

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Figure A.3 WCDMA radio network planning

Planner supports the modelling of several services and their mixtures through flexible traffic and service modelling tools. The WCDMA Planner traffic modelling function provides you with various methods for defining traffic forecasts and for the effective management of traffic data via traffic layers. The realistic modelling of non-homogenous traffic distribution information substantially improves the accuracy of the detailed analyses. WCDMA Planner uses stateof-the-art simulation techniques such as Monte Carlo to estimate the interference in the system. WCDMA Planner comprises several analyses to provide an in-depth understanding of the plan. For example, you can calculate the probability with which each service can be provided, or visualise the area in which a soft handover occurs. Analysis results are displayed in tables, reports and as map displays that can be printed. NetAct Planner enables common planning for 2G and 3G networks. As WCDMA Planner is part of the Nokia WCDMA system solution, it is the most suitable tool for planning Nokia radio access networks, along with networks from other vendors.

A.4

LINK PLANNER

Link Planner is an efficient and flexible solution for microwave link planning. Link Planner provides line-of-sight (LOS) checking, link frequency allocation, interference analysis, advanced link database and a traffic routing tool. Link Planner calculates link budgets, outage, availability and reliability values (see Figure A.4).

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Figure A.4 Microwave link planning

Height profiling is able to perform LOS checks between: site to site, site to point, point to point, point to multi-point. It also does calculations related to Fresnel zones, reflections, minimum antenna height, clearance/obstruction, hop length, diffraction loss, etc. Link Planner supports ITU-R recommendations (P.530-7 and P.530-10) and ITU-T recommendations (G.821 and G.826) performance estimations. Also it supports diversity cases: space, frequency, space + frequency and angle diversity. Interference analyses are done using a module called an interference wizard. It performs calculation such as cumulative analyses of interference, co-channel and adjacent-channel interference. Also part of the module are preparation of related reports, visualisation of the interference in a 2D view, its subsequent effect on link budget calculation, etc. Link Planner shares a common database with other modules of NetAct Planner, which enables seamless data usage between Link Planner and other NetAct Planner modules. This means that both the transmission and radio network planning teams have real-time information of each other's project work, and both teams can synchronise different planning project phases smoothly. A.5 TRANSMISSION PLANNER Transmission Planner is a complete transmission network planning tool solution with sophisticated, easy-to-use information management functionality, routing facilities, and manipulation of physical and logical networks as well as capacity and equipment type and size identification accordingly. Transmission Planner provides advanced support for planning and dimensioning of mobile, TETRA, PSTN and Data Operator's networks. SDH, primary rate (n x 2Mbps) and generic data transmission as well switching and SS7 signalling networks planning are supported. Mobile access transmission network planning ( x 2 Mbps) is supported in all details. Transmission Planner combines sophisticated design algorithms with an intuitive, easyto-use graphical user interface. Design algorithms are useful but they cannot handle all

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Figure A.5 Capacity planning and modules in Transmission Planner

complexities of real networks. A user-friendly interface is important for visualisation and for manual modifications to provide maximal flexibility for the network planner. The Transmission Module supports efficient transmission network architecture planning in interactive sessions. Applications are available for key tasks, such as network topology and capacity manipulation with different traffic scenarios. It gives results of network capacity utilisation as well as information of non-routed traffic. As a result, the network topology and required transmission capacities are presented, as well as the number and size of nodes (see Figure A.5). The Transmission Module's Detailed-view provides a detailed level of information about the actual physical devices in 2G and 3G transmission networks. Other modules in transmission network layers are: IP, ATM, Lightpath, SDH, and PDH. The Traffic Module models all traffic for mobile networks. The Traffic Module is a logical layer with visible nodes including: BTSs, BSCs, MSCs and their 3G equivalents and their logical connections. Other service network layers are: TETRA, PSTN Access, Interswitch, and SS7 signalling. The main driver for creating IP and ATM modules is the increasing importance of packet-based networks. Most of the modern data services are implemented in the various packet-switched networks and the IP module was created to provide a means of modelling these. In addition to well-established packet networks that are based on IP or ATM packet networks, Nokia's aim is to provide a basic transmission capacity dimensioning tool both for GPRS networks and eventually for third-generation mobile networks. The IP module is used to define traffic demands for an IP network. As planning results, equipment capacities and estimates of the network usage are provided. The IP module can provide valuable information about bottlenecks in the network and easy ways to solve them with the user-friendly graphical interface. It provides an easy way to estimate packet throughputs; and to give more realistic results, packet loads of equipment and protocol overheads can be included in the capacity calculations. IP traffic can be easily routed to lower transport layers such as ATM, SDH or PDH and the required capacities on those layers can be analysed in corresponding modules.

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Figure A.6 Drive-test results analysis using Quality Planner

A.6 QUALITY PLANNER It is essential that mobile network operators measure the performance of the radio network and carry out optimisation of the system. Only by making field trial measurements are operators able to determine the performance of the radio network as seen by subscribers. Quality Planner provides an automated analysis of the test mobile measurement files and produces diagnostic reports to resolve problems within the radio network (see Figure A.6). Quality Planner is an efficient and flexible solution for analysing GSM network air interface measurements, providing effective support in all analysis tasks including GPRS and EDGE network measurement analysis, for network planning organisations. PC compatibility with laptop computers enables field use and provides planning engineers with real mobility. Quality Planner has a common database with other NetAct Planner modules, thereby enabling seamless data usage between radio planning and optimisation. Drive test measurements can be analysed in the same map view as coverage, traffic or interference predictions, enabling a unique and accurate network analysis. Quality Planner also offers efficient problem solving and diagnostic capabilities. The drive test replay functionality of Quality Planner enables a broad range of information to be displayed in the 2D map window during the drive test measurement analysis, including layer 3 messages, serving cell information, radio environment data, serving and neighbour graphs. Quality Planner supports a thorough analysis of radio network performance. The call success analysis is an important part of the field test measurements. This function summarises the status of each call made within the field trial measurements. Handover analysis provides the ability to analyse cost-effective methods for both inter- and intra-cell handovers. The neighbour analysis performs a checking routine based on the real BSC neighbour lists. Possible missing or not measured neighbours are registered as problems. The signal

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level analysis clarifies the network field strength levels and the quality analysis co- and adjacent-channel interference levels. Quality Planner's Probe module is a network analysis tool that enables you to benchmark the quality of your network and easily compare it against your own network's past performance. Whereas the analysis functionality of Quality Planner is designed to pinpoint specific problems and faults in the network so that you can locate and fix them, Probe gives a wider picture of one or more networks, providing statistics that show the system's problems as a whole. By using Probe, you can also perform trend analyses on key performance indicators such as handover, level, quality and network performance. Additionally, you can query selective data. A.7 ROLLOUT PLANNER Rollout Planner is a project management system for telecom network rollouts and expansions. It handles the project management for implementation projects. Rollout Planner is a complete, efficient and flexible solution for project management and site tracking. The Rollout Planner platform is suitable for multi-user projects and organisations; it also supports field use and therefore provides real mobility for users (see Figure A.7).

Figure A.7 Rollout Planner

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Rollout Planner provides advanced support for project management, including: detailed information at site level planning of project milestones and tracking of different tasks management of site acquisition and site candidates status information of the project on a per-site basis management of task-related documents productivity and deviation reports on individual or group of sites control of lead times between tasks and milestones. Rollout Planner has a common database with other modules of NetAct Planner, to enable seamless data usage between project management and network planning, including site acquisition and implementation status. This means that the project management and network planning teams have real-time knowledge of each other's project work and all departments can smoothly synchronise different planning project phases.

Table A. 1 Summary of Net Act Planner Module Radio Planner Functionality Radio Planner is developed especially for the planning of all types of GSM and TETRA networks and is also suitable for NMT networks. It supports present GSM features such as frequency hopping and dual-band planning. HSCSD, GPRS EDGE technologies are also supported. WCDMA Planner is designed for WCDMA radio network planning. This planning system is part of the Nokia WCDMA system solution and has been developed in cooperation with both Nokia and a leading planning tool supplier, therefore enabling the latest WCDMA technology utilisation. In addition to high-quality radio network planning functionality, WCDMA Planner offers an evolutionary approach to planning and optimising networks based on data service requirements. Link Planner is an efficient and flexible solution for microwave link planning. Link Planner uses the most modern ITU formulas and includes interference calculations for frequency assignment. Transmission Planner is designed for transport and switching network planning. It supports the planning of 2G/3G mobile, ATM/IP and PSTN networks, including dimensioning and network architecture comparisons. (continued)

WCDMA Planner

Link Planner

Transmission Planner

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Table A.I (Co/if.) Module Quality Planner Functionality Quality Planner for field measurement analysis is an intelligent software package that provides automated analysis of test mobile measurement files and produces diagnostic reports to resolve problems within the radio network. Rollout Planner is a site acquisition and project process-tracking tool for network rollout and expansion projects, providing full visibility of project milestones, progress and productivity.

Rollout Planner