Cellular Expert Whitepaper

Radio Network Planning Application
Based on ArcGIS

White Paper

2011 July

Copyright 2011 HNIT-BALTIC. All rights reserved. Cellular Expert and Cellular Expert logo are registered trademarks, @hnit-baltic.lt and www.hnit-baltic.lt are service marks of HNIT-
BALTIC in Lithuania and some other countries. In the United States and in some countries ArcGIS, ArcView, Spatial Analyst, 3D Analyst, ArcSDE are registered trademarks of Environmental
Systems Research Institute, Inc. The names of other products herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respecti ve trademark owners.
Cellular Expert White Paper 2
Table of Contents
1. Introduction _____________________________________________________________________ 6
2. System Configuration _____________________________________________________________ 8
2.1. License types ________________________________________________________________________ 8
2.2. Single-User Environment ______________________________________________________________ 8
2.3. Multi-User Environment ________________________________________________________________ 8
2.4. Cellular Expert Reader ________________________________________________________________ 10
3. Cellular Expert Licenses __________________________________________________________ 11
4. Data Management _______________________________________________________________ 12
4.1. Network Data Management ____________________________________________________________ 12
4.1.1. Sites _____________________________________________________________________________________ 12
4.1.2. Customers_________________________________________________________________________________ 13
4.1.3. Constructions ______________________________________________________________________________ 13
4.1.4. Sectors ___________________________________________________________________________________ 14
4.1.5. Passive Repeaters __________________________________________________________________________ 14
4.1.6. Cells _____________________________________________________________________________________ 14
4.2. Radio Equipment Data Management ____________________________________________________ 14
4.2.1. Antenna Editor _____________________________________________________________________________ 15
4.2.2. Antenna Import and Export ____________________________________________________________________ 17
4.2.3. Radio Channels ____________________________________________________________________________ 18
4.2.4. Modulation Performance ______________________________________________________________________ 18
4.2.5. Carriers ___________________________________________________________________________________ 19
4.2.6. Spectrum Density Masks _____________________________________________________________________ 19
4.2.7. Radio Systems _____________________________________________________________________________ 20
4.2.8. Equipment Availability ________________________________________________________________________ 20
4.2.9. Adaptive Modulation _________________________________________________________________________ 21
4.2.10. Feeders ________________________________________________________________________________ 21
4.2.11. Radio components ________________________________________________________________________ 22
5. Radio Path Profiling and Visibility Analysis __________________________________________ 23
5.1. Radio Path Profiling __________________________________________________________________ 23
5.1.1. Profiling calculations _________________________________________________________________________ 23
5.1.2. Obstacle Management _______________________________________________________________________ 24
5.1.3. Multi-path and reflection point analysis ___________________________________________________________ 24
5.1.4. Reflection Analysis __________________________________________________________________________ 25
5.1.5. Antenna heights optimizer_____________________________________________________________________ 26
5.2. Visibility Analysis ____________________________________________________________________ 27
6. Transmission Network Design and Analysis _________________________________________ 28
6.1. Radio Links Management _____________________________________________________________ 28
6.2. Power Budget Analysis _______________________________________________________________ 28
6.3. Performance Prediction _______________________________________________________________ 29
6.4. Geoclimatic Data ____________________________________________________________________ 30
6.5. Protection and Diversity ______________________________________________________________ 30
6.5.1. Equipment Protection Options _________________________________________________________________ 30
6.5.2. Propagation Diversity Options __________________________________________________________________ 30
6.6. Power Flux Density Calculation ________________________________________________________ 31
6.7. Terrain Scattering Analysis ____________________________________________________________ 32
6.8. Interference Analysis _________________________________________________________________ 32
6.9. Automatic Radio Link Frequency Planning _______________________________________________ 33
6.10. Radio Link Capacity Planning __________________________________________________________ 34
7. Coverage Prediction _____________________________________________________________ 35
7.1. User defined prediction models ________________________________________________________ 35
7.2. Hata Type Models ____________________________________________________________________ 35
7.3. Line-Of-Sight Type Models ____________________________________________________________ 36
7.4. Walfish Ikegami Model ______________________________________________________________ 37
7.5. SUI Prediction Model _________________________________________________________________ 38
7.6. Territory Coverage Statistics __________________________________________________________ 38
8. Drive Test Analysis and Prediction Model Tuning _____________________________________ 39
8.1. Drive Test Data Analysis ______________________________________________________________ 39
8.1.1. Drive-test data import ________________________________________________________________________ 39
8.1.2. Connect drive-test data points to serving cells _____________________________________________________ 39
8.1.3. Drive-test data playback ______________________________________________________________________ 40
8.1.4. Drive-test data post-processing ________________________________________________________________ 41
8.2. Prediction Model Tuning ______________________________________________________________ 42
8.2.1. Prediction Error Calculation ___________________________________________________________________ 42
8.2.2. Prediction Model Calibration ___________________________________________________________________ 43
9. 2G/2.5G Network Design __________________________________________________________ 44
9.1. Nominal Cell Planning ________________________________________________________________ 44
9.2. Field Strength Prediction ______________________________________________________________ 45
9.3. Best Server Prediction ________________________________________________________________ 45
9.4. Interference Analysis _________________________________________________________________ 46
9.5. Traffic Planning and Analysis __________________________________________________________ 47
10. 3G/3.5G/4G Network Design _____________________________________________________ 48
10.1. CDMA/UMTS Network Design __________________________________________________________ 48
10.1.1. Network Dimensioning _____________________________________________________________________ 48
10.1.2. Coverage Prediction _______________________________________________________________________ 49
10.1. LTE Network Design _________________________________________________________________ 50
10.1.1. LTE Coverage Predictions __________________________________________________________________ 50
10.2. WiMAX Network Design _______________________________________________________________ 51
10.2.1. Nominal Cell Planning _____________________________________________________________________ 51
10.2.2. Adaptive Modulation _______________________________________________________________________ 51
10.2.3. Throughput and Power Budget Calculations ____________________________________________________ 52
10.3. MIMO Antenna Performance ___________________________________________________________ 53
10.4. Fractional Frequency Reuse ___________________________________________________________ 53
10.5. Monte Carlo Traffic Simulation _________________________________________________________ 54
11. Broadcast Network Design ______________________________________________________ 57
11.1. Single Frequency Network Coverage ____________________________________________________ 57
11.2. Signal Delay ________________________________________________________________________ 57
11.3. Coverage Probability _________________________________________________________________ 57
11.4. SIR,SNR and Service Area _____________________________________________________________ 58
12. Automation and Optimization tools _______________________________________________ 59
12.1. Automated Task Processing ___________________________________________________________ 59
12.2. Site Optimization ____________________________________________________________________ 59
12.3. Automatic Frequency Planning ________________________________________________________ 60
12.4. Automated Site Candidates Selection ___________________________________________________ 62
12.5. Antenna Tilting Optimization __________________________________________________________ 63
13. 3D Analysis and Visualization ___________________________________________________ 64
14. GIS based Network Analysis ____________________________________________________ 66
15. Reporting ____________________________________________________________________ 67
16. Functionality Chart ____________________________________________________________ 68
17. System Requirements __________________________________________________________ 74
18. Contact Information ____________________________________________________________ 75

List of Illustrations
Cellular Expert Object Inspector _____________________________________________________________________________ 12
Representation of Sites on the map __________________________________________________________________________ 13
Representation of Customers on the map _____________________________________________________________________ 13
Representation of Constructions on the map ___________________________________________________________________ 14
Radio Equipment Manager _________________________________________________________________________________ 15
Parabolic Antenna Editor ___________________________________________________________________________________ 16
Sector Antenna Editor _____________________________________________________________________________________ 16
Antenna Import __________________________________________________________________________________________ 17
Antenna Export ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 17
Radio Channel Editor ______________________________________________________________________________________ 18
Modulation Editor ________________________________________________________________________________________ 19
Carrier Editor _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 19
Spectrum Mask Editor _____________________________________________________________________________________ 20
Radio System Editor _______________________________________________________________________________________ 20
Equipment Availability _____________________________________________________________________________________ 21
Adaptive Modulation Editor ________________________________________________________________________________ 21
Feeder Editor _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 22
Radio Component Editor ___________________________________________________________________________________ 22
Path Profiling ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 24
Reflection Point Analysis ___________________________________________________________________________________ 25
Multi-path Analysis _______________________________________________________________________________________ 25
Reflection analysis tool ____________________________________________________________________________________ 26
Antenna Height Optimizer __________________________________________________________________________________ 26
Visibility Analysis _________________________________________________________________________________________ 27
Advanced visibility calculation options ________________________________________________________________________ 27
Radio Links Manager ______________________________________________________________________________________ 28
Radio Link Prediction Results ________________________________________________________________________________ 29
Radio Link performance targets _____________________________________________________________________________ 29
Radio Link performance objectives ___________________________________________________________________________ 30
Protection and Diversity ____________________________________________________________________________________ 31
Power Flux Density ________________________________________________________________________________________ 31
Terrain Scattering _________________________________________________________________________________________ 32
Interference prediction results ______________________________________________________________________________ 33
Automatic frequency planning tool___________________________________________________________________________ 33
Traffic Flow manager ______________________________________________________________________________________ 34
Tracing network connections on the map______________________________________________________________________ 34
User defined prediction models ______________________________________________________________________________ 35
Field strength coverage prediction using Hata9999 prediction model _______________________________________________ 35
Field strength coverage prediction using line-of-sight prediction model _____________________________________________ 36
Field strength coverage prediction using Walfish-Ikegami model __________________________________________________ 37
Field strength coverage map predicted using SUI model _________________________________________________________ 38
Territory Coverage Statistics ________________________________________________________________________________ 38
Drive-test data import tool _________________________________________________________________________________ 39
Drive-test serving cell tool __________________________________________________________________________________ 39
Connecting Drive-test data points to serving cells _______________________________________________________________ 40
Drive-test Data Viewer tool _________________________________________________________________________________ 40
Drive-test Data Post-Processing _____________________________________________________________________________ 41
Prediction Error Calculation _________________________________________________________________________________ 42
Prediction Model Tuning ___________________________________________________________________________________ 43
Nominal cell plan _________________________________________________________________________________________ 44
Field strength coverage prediction dialog and results ____________________________________________________________ 45
Best server prediction dialog and results ______________________________________________________________________ 45
Interference coverage prediction dialog and results _____________________________________________________________ 46
Sector traffic spreading over best server area __________________________________________________________________ 47
CDMA Network Dimensioning Calculator window ______________________________________________________________ 48
UMTS/HSDPA coverage predictions __________________________________________________________________________ 49
LTE Coverage Predictions ___________________________________________________________________________________ 50
Nominal cell plan _________________________________________________________________________________________ 51
Adaptive modulation data rate ______________________________________________________________________________ 51
WiMAX Parameters Calculator ______________________________________________________________________________ 52
MIMO Antenna Performance _______________________________________________________________________________ 53
Subband and subcarrier allocation options ____________________________________________________________________ 53
Monte Carlo traffic simulation tool ___________________________________________________________________________ 54
HSDPA traffic simulations __________________________________________________________________________________ 54
LTE traffic simulations _____________________________________________________________________________________ 55
Monte Carlo traffic simulation results ________________________________________________________________________ 55
Monte Carlo traffic coverage results __________________________________________________________________________ 56
Single Frequency Network Coverage _________________________________________________________________________ 57
SIR,SNR and Service Areas __________________________________________________________________________________ 58
Automated Task Processing Tool ____________________________________________________________________________ 59
Site optimization tool ______________________________________________________________________________________ 59
Automatic Frequency Planning parameters definition dialogs _____________________________________________________ 60
Automatic Frequency Planning Results dialog __________________________________________________________________ 61
Automated Site Candidates Selection Tool _____________________________________________________________________ 62
Calculated minimum site number to serve fixed customers _______________________________________________________ 62
Antenna gain map ________________________________________________________________________________________ 63
3D antenna pattern visualization ____________________________________________________________________________ 64
3D antenna pattern and field strength coverage map for WiMAX network __________________________________________ 65
Statistics of field strength coverage raster _____________________________________________________________________ 66
Cellular Expert Reports _____________________________________________________________________________________ 67

1. INTRODUCTION

Cellular Expert
TM
is a wireless telecommunication network planning, optimization and data
management solution, available to the telecommunication industry since 1995. Used in 35
countries by over 90 customers, the software is distinctive for its versatile functionality, calculation
precision, multi-technology, intuitive usage and powerful GIS platform. Cellular Expert allows users
to plan, optimize network and analyze information efficiently, to lower costs, increase profitability,
and improve the quality of customer support services. The software is being constantly updated to
support the latest technologies and includes the functionality based on real customer requirements
giving a significant advantage for the user.

HNIT-BALTIC is the developer of Cellular Expert. Operating since 1993, HNIT-BALTIC is a
constantly expanding international company, having more than 500 customers worldwide. The
company has 15 years of sales and marketing experience in international market focusing on
software solutions for telecommunication companies. The company provides software solutions
and professional services including software development, customization, implementation system
integration, training, consultancy and support in more than 35 countries worldwide. HNIT-BALTIC
business strategy focuses on an absolute commitment to customers to deliver high quality,
reliable, competitive and innovative solutions, enabling customers to lower operational costs,
increase profitability and customer satisfaction.

Cellular Expert solution is dedicated to:
- Mobile network operators
- Telecoms
- Internet providers
- Military communications
- Emergency service providers
- Private networks
- Consultancy services providers
- Other companies performing planning, analysis, optimization and reporting tasks for radio
networks.

Supported wireless technologies:
- Transmission networks (Microwave)
- Broadband access networks (LMDS, MMDS, WLL)
- 2G/2.5G networks (GSM, DCS, CDMA)
- 3G/3.5G networks (CDMA2000, WCDMA, HSDPA, HSUPA)
- 4G networks (WiMAX, LTE)
- Military and rescue networks (TETRA, TETRAPOL)
- Broadcasting DAB,DVB-T, DVB-T2, other single or multiple frequency networks
- Other technologies in frequency range up to 40 GHz

Cellular Expert has several types of advanced coverage prediction algorithms for the modeling of
microwave point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, fixed and mobile radio systems based on ITU-R,
ETSI, COST 231 and IEEE standards and recommendations. The models can be calibrated using
drive test data, and customized for certain types of terrain and land-use. The propagation models
cover a distance range from several meters up to 150 kilometers and frequencies from 100 MHz
up to 40 GHz. Cellular Expert supports Line of Sight, Hata, COST 231, Walfish-Ikegami, SUI type
models and the ability to implement additional prediction models. Cellular Expert has the unique
ability to use combined prediction models according to environmental conditions. Coverage
prediction functionality includes Field Strength and Best Server calculations. There is a possibility
to calculate N Best Servers and the number of servers per area.

Cellular Expert is more than just a network planning tool. The software is developed on the worlds
leading Geographical Information System (GIS) platform - ArcGIS, which has been developed
by the industry leader ESRI Inc. ArcGIS allows analyzing data and author geographic knowledge
to examine relationships, test predictions, and ultimately make better decisions. ArcGIS provides a
complete set of tools for modeling geographic information to support smarter, faster decisions.
ArcGIS can be used to discover and characterize geographic patterns, model and analyze against
all sources of geographic data, optimize network and resource allocation, automate workflows
through a visual modeling environment and use comprehensive spatial modeling and analysis
tools to reveal answers in your data. Extensions for ArcGIS are specialized tools that add more
capabilities and allow performing extended tasks such as spatial analysis, raster geoprocessing,
three-dimensional analysis, map publishing and other tasks.
2. SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
2.1. License types
Two types of Cellular Expert licenses are available -
Single-use and Concurrent-use. It gives the versatility for
the customer to optimize the number of seats used for the
software. A Single-use license is installed to each
workstation; it is beneficial when the workstation used for
Cellular Expert is exploited all the time. A Concurrent-use
license can be installed to unlimited number of seats,
simultaneously using the purchased number of the
licenses. This type of licenses is beneficial when many specialists in the company are using
Cellular Expert but only occasionally.
2.2. Single-User Environment
Single-User Environment is used when there is no need to
share network and geographical data and all the network
planning operations are done individually on a personal
computer. For Single-User configuration of Cellular
Expert, all the information about radio network objects is
stored in personal geodatabase (MDB format). Network
coverage predictions, best server, interference and other
raster data is stored in ESRI GRID format locally on the
disc. Geographical data can be stored locally on a disc,
on a network server or in ArcGIS Server database. ArcView license is required to operate in
Single-User environment.
2.3. Multi-User Environment
Multi-User Environment is used for collaborative network
planning when geographical and network data is shared
on a central database server. For Multi-User configuration
of Cellular Expert, all information about radio network
objects is stored in ArcGIS Server database. Geographic
data can be stored locally on disc, on a network server or
in ArcGIS Server database. Field strength predictions can
be calculated locally and stored on file server or ArcGIS
Server database. ArcEditor license is required to operate
in Multi-User Environment. ArcGIS Server with Microsoft
SQL Server database or Oracle database is required on
the server-side.

Cellular Expert supports database versioning. In addition to main database several versions (e.g.
planned Q1, alternative Q1,) can be created. Depending on task complexity, network size
several workflows can be applied:

Direct Editing
The simplest workflow for multi-user access to geodatabase is when many users
are directly editing the main network database.
Each person opens the main network database for editing, a temporary version
is created. Whenever the editor saves the work or ends the edit session, then
that temporary version is automatically reconciled with and posted to the main database.
If there are conflicts, you must resolve them with the conflict resolution dialog before you can
successfully save your edits. If no conflicts are detected, the edits are directly posted to the default
version.
This workflow is most appropriate where the units of work are fairly modest in scale and where no
design alternatives have been explored or historical snapshots made.

Two-Level Tree
Many organizations employ a more structured process that
tracks discrete work units of construction or maintenance.
These work units typically span a time interval of days,
weeks, or months and represent tasks such as adding new
phone service.
When a work order or project is initiated, a version is created.
One or several people work on this version until the design or construction is complete. At that
point, reconciliation or posting are done to merge the work order features into the main database,
and then the work order version can be removed.

Multilevel Tree
Some organizations projects have a higher level of structure
and can be subdivided into functional or geographic parts.
For larger projects with departments and teams, a multilevel
version tree is an effective way to organize work flow. The
teams that are working on each aspect of the project have their
own version, with which they can maintain a private view of their
designs and then post the designs when constructed.

Cyclical
Many projects go through a prescribed or regulated set of
stages that require engineering, administrative, or legal
approval before proceeding to the next stage.
A version represents each stage of this process. A cyclical
workflow can capture the design at each stage, and when
the last stage is reached and finished, the design can be
posted directly to the default version, which represents the
nominal state of the database.

Extended History
For some projects, it is desirable to preserve a version that
reflects a historic state of a project.
You can define a historic version on a project version, and
when the project version is posted to its parent version, the
historic version remains as a snapshot in time.

Cellular Expert Multi-User Functionality Depending on ESRI Licensing

Cellular Expert
on ArcEditor
Cellular Expert
on ArcView
View main network
database

View geographic data from
server

Calculate predictions, best
server, traffic distribution,
etc.

Post calculation to server

1

Create local copy of
network database

Direct multi-user editing of
network database

Create, edit, post network
database versions

View network database
versions

1
Cellular Expert on ArcView can post network data and prediction raster using ESRI tools for
data loading to ArcGIS Server.

2.4. Cellular Expert Reader
Cellular Expert Reader is a special configuration of the software used for previewing of
geographical and network objects. Cellular Expert Reader is installed on top of ArcReader. In
order to prepare and edit a project for previewing in Cellular Expert Reader, ArcView with
Publisher extension license is required.
3. CELLULAR EXPERT LICENSES
PROFILE
Cellular Expert Profile license provides the advanced radio path profiling functionality for point-to-
point network. Radio link power budget calculation, multipath and reflection analysis, as well as the
antenna height optimization functions are available.
RADIO LINKS
Cellular Expert Radio Links license is dedicated for fixed wireless telecommunication networks. It
is used to analyze and plan transmission networks, point-to-point and point-to-multipoint access
networks.
STANDARD
Cellular Expert Standard license is dedicated for 2G/2.5G mobile networks. The module provides
the functionality to perform point-to-area calculations based on ITU-R, ETSI and COST 231
standards.
UMTS
Cellular Expert UMTS license is dedicated for 3G/3.5/4G mobile networks. Versatile functionality
and simplicity fully cover modern operator needs and is focused to use at all stages of network
planning and optimization.
WIMAX
Cellular Expert WiMAX license is dedicated for mobile and fixed WiMAX networks. The
functionality of this module is based on two key standards - fixed WiMAX IEEE 802.16d and
mobile WiMAX IEEE 802.16e.
PROFESSIONAL
Professional license combines Standard, UMTS and WiMAX licenses and is most suitable for the
mobile operators providing the whole spectrum of services and operating wide range of wireless
technologies.
ENTERPRISE
Cellular Expert Enterprise license is a combination of all modules and includes the complete
functionality offered by Cellular Expert solution.

Functionality Profile Radio Links Standard UMTS WiMAX Professional Enterprise
Radio Path Profiling
Network & Equipment Data Management
Transmission and access network planning
Visibility Area Calculation & Analysis
Nominal Network Planning
Field Strength & Best Server Coverage Prediction
Automated Frequency Planning
Automated Cell Planning
Drive Test Data Analysis & Model Calibration
UMTS Coverage & Service Planning & Analysis
WiMAX Network Planning
Traffic Planning & Analysis
Network Optimization Tools
Automated Task Processing
Multi User Environment -

4. DATA MANAGEMENT
4.1. Network Data Management
Cellular Expert is equipped with a set of various tools for management of network data. The data
can be represented and analyzed using map view, tabular view, graphs and reports. The Object
Inspector tool allows previewing and editing network objects such as sites, sectors, constructions,
repeaters, customers structured in hierarchical order. The objects can be manipulated with a
mouse pointer to perform moving, copying and creating templates.

Cellular Expert Object Inspector
4.1.1. Sites
The Site represents geographical location of a radio base station. It is identified by the unique site
ID and contains information about geographical coordinates, ground altitude, base height and
other attributes.


Representation of Sites on the map
4.1.2. Customers
Customers, represent locations of individual subscribers in the point-to-multipoint networks. In
addition to site parameters, it may contain customers address and phone number information.
Usually customer locations represent antenna mountings on the rooftops of buildings.

Representation of Customers on the map
4.1.3. Constructions
Some sites may have several constructions, where radio transceivers are mounted. They are
identified by IDs of construction and site. The construction may have altitude and base height
which differ from the corresponding site's height.


Representation of Constructions on the map
4.1.4. Sectors
Sector represents radio transmitting and/or receiving equipment mounted on the corresponding
site or construction. It is identified by IDs of site and sector and may be prescribed a construction
ID, if available. Sector's attributes contain information about antenna type, orientation and height
above ground, cell name, feeder loss and other parameters depending on the type of the
equipment. Depending on the nature of the radio service, sectors may be divided into two types:
cellular and transmission sectors. The cellular sectors are equipped with broad-beam antennas
used in point-to-area or point-to-multipoint communications. The transmission sectors usually have
unidirectional parabolic antennas and operate at a fixed set of frequencies. On the contrary, the
cellular sectors are usually equipped with broadband transceivers and employ TDMA or CDMA
access technology.
4.1.5. Passive Repeaters
Passive repeaters are used to redirect microwave beam which is being blocked by an obstacle
such as mountain, building, etc. Three main types of passive repeaters exist: two-antenna
repeater, single- and double-reflector repeaters.
4.1.6. Cells
Cells are used for frequency reuse planning in cellular networks. They denote carriers list and
other common radio channel parameters for a given sector. The concept of cell is extended to
transmission networks to describe frequency plans for the fixed radio links. Each cell has a carriers
list defining the frequency plan within the cell. Based on the number of different channels
contained by the cell, all cells are divided into single-channel and multi-channel cells. Single-
channel cell may contain carriers which belong to a single channel. The name of such a cell
coincides with the name of the corresponding channel. The links within such a cell may use only
carriers of a single channel, but they can be switched to another single-channel cell. As a rule,
single-channel cells are used to build links for point-to-point transmission networks. Multi-channel
cells may contain unlimited number of different channels. Such a cell allows switching link
channels within the predefined carriers list. Carriers list is created by allocating channel group to a
set of different cells. Such cells are typical in cellular mobile or access networks. To differentiate
between single- and multi-channel cells, a channel multiplicity parameter is defined. It is zero for
single-channel cells and represents a number of different channels for multi-channel cells.
4.2. Radio Equipment Data Management
Equipment Manager is used to edit and preview radio equipment data. It handles the following
categories of radio system equipment:
- Antennas
- Digital radio channels
- Frequency plans
- Radio models
- Feeders
- Passive components.

Radio Equipment Manager

4.2.1. Antenna Editor
Antenna editor enables the user to modify antenna attributes such as name, manufacturer,
polarization, gain, cross polarization discrimination, front to back ratio and radiation pattern
diagrams.

There are two different types of editor dialogs for parabolic and sector antennas. The differences
are in the number of radiation patterns. The parabolic antennas may have four (HH, VV, HV, VH,
for dual polarization) or two (HH, HV, for horizontal, or VV, VH, for vertical polarization) radiation
patterns.

Parabolic Antenna Editor
In case of sector antennas, there are always two polarization patterns: vertical and horizontal.

Sector Antenna Editor
Antenna type previewer contains radiation pattern window and user interface controls. They
enable one to display various patterns (HH, VV, HV and VH), choose coordinate system
(rectangular, polar or spherical), set scale (linear or logarithmic), define maximum attenuation, and
set gridlines.

4.2.2. Antenna Import and Export
Cellular Expert has convenient tools to import antenna patterns from Planet, NSMA, Andrew and
other ASCII formats.

Antenna Import
Antenna patterns can be exported from Cellular Expert database to Planet, NSMA and Andrew
formats.

Antenna Export
4.2.3. Radio Channels

Radio Channel Editor

Radio channel editor contains a list of various parameters pertaining to digital radio channel:
- Min, Max and Center frequency
- Carrier's width
- Bit rate
- Block size
- Mean number of errors per burst
- Dispersive fade margin
- Modulation type

The parameters can be changed directly or with the help of edit and select buttons:
4.2.4. Modulation Performance
Modulation editor displays digital modulation performance parameters. They can be defined by the
corresponding table of predefined values for the most common modulation types, or by the
approximated formula:
( ) SNR a Q c BER =
where a and c are constants,
|
.
|
\
|
=
2 2
1
) (
x
erfc x Q

and erfc( ) is the complementary error function.

New tables of modulation performance can be included by appending table
ModulationPerformanceTables.

Modulation previewer displays the curve log10(BER) vs. SNR.


Modulation Editor
4.2.5. Carriers
Carrier editor enables the user to define channel frequency plan. It can automatically generate
carriers list for simplex or duplex channel based on the following predefined parameters:
- Lowest and highest frequencies
- Channel and duplex spacings
- Number of carriers.

After these parameters are entered, carrier table can be automatically generated. Each row in the
table represents carrier frequency of the corresponding transceiver.

Carrier previewer displays the carriers list representation on the frequency axis.

Carrier Editor
4.2.6. Spectrum Density Masks
Spectrum mask editor allows the user to define spectrum form of the corresponding radio channel.
Spectrum mask can be generated based on the width and number of mask points by clicking
Generate Mask button. Later, the form of the mask can be adjusted manually by editing frequency
and attenuation values in the table.

Spectrum mask previewer represents the positive part of the mask.

Spectrum Mask Editor
4.2.7. Radio Systems
Radio system editor contains information about radio model, type, emission designator, and
transmitter-receiver parameters: power, ATPC, frequency stability, thresholds, noise figures,
nonlinearity.

Radio System Editor
4.2.8. Equipment Availability
Calculate Availability command in Radio System Editor opens Equipment Availability dialog listing
radio equipment parts with corresponding MTBF and MTTR values. You can add/delete new
equipment parts and specify its availability parameters.
After all the values are entered, equipment availability is calculated automatically.

Equipment Availability
4.2.9. Adaptive Modulation
Adaptive Modulation Map dialog allows entering the following adaptive modulation parameters of
the equipment:
- Modulation type
- Guard time
- SNR
- Sensitivity
- Data Rate
- Throughput

Adaptive Modulation Editor
4.2.10. Feeders
Feeder editor dialog allows entering waveguide data:
- Type
- Size
- Length
- Attenuation

Several frequency bands are supported only in transmission link planning module. For cellular
networks, attenuation is defined by first frequency band in the table.


Feeder Editor
4.2.11. Radio components
Radio component editor dialogs contains information about various radio components:
- Attenuators
- Combiners
- Couplers
- Jumpers
- Multiplexers
- Switches

The main parameter used in cellular network analysis is insertion loss given in dB, which is added
to miscellaneous losses of a sector.

Radio Component Editor
5. RADIO PATH PROFILING AND VISIBILITY ANALYSIS
5.1. Radio Path Profiling
Radio path Profiling tool is used for path-loss analysis between transmitter and receiver.
Cellular Expert includes 2 profiling tools Dynamic Profile and Static Profile. Dynamic Profile
checks surrounding terrain having fixed transmitter and can be used for quick search for a suitable
receiver point. Once the receiving point has been selected, the user can analyze profile statically
and include various obstacles into path-loss analysis. Fresnel zones, Earth curvature and
obstacles on the path are displayed in the path profile window. The location and the height of the
obstacles can be edited, automatically updating the radio link budget calculation worksheet. Single
knife-edge, Deygout, and Average methods can be selected for diffraction calculation.

5.1.1. Profiling calculations
The following parameters are calculated using Profile tool:

- Clearance:
o Clearance, m
o Clearance distance, km
o Normalized clearance, %
o Normalized clearance distance, km

- Losses:
o Free space loss, dB
o Dual slope free space loss, dB
o Rain attenuation, dB
o Gaseous absorption, dB
o Sub-Path diffraction, dB
o Correction for multipath effects, dB
o Correction for multipath and focusing, dB
o Total loss, dB

- Reflections:
o Received signal, dB
o Reflection distance, m
o Delay, ns
o Grazing angle, rad
o Divergence factor
o Terrain roughness, m
o Inclination, mrad


Path Profiling
5.1.2. Obstacle Management
Cellular Expert Profile has the ability to edit obstacle without changing the actual raster values.
This feature can be used if the actual obstacle differs from the one present in the obstacle raster.
This way the obstacle can be added, removed or the height of the obstacle should be changed.
5.1.3. Multi-path and reflection point analysis
Multi-path and reflection analysis enables the estimation of influence of different propagation
conditions on radio path performance.


Reflection Point Analysis

Multi-path Analysis
5.1.4. Reflection Analysis
Reflection Analysis tool enables the user to analyze received signal level dependency on
frequency, K-factor, transmitter and receiver heights.


Reflection analysis tool
5.1.5. Antenna heights optimizer
Antenna heights optimizer is a handy tool to automatically optimize the height of transmitter and
receiver to achieve required normalized clearance level and/or other parameters.

Antenna Height Optimizer
5.2. Visibility Analysis
Cellular Expert has several visibility calculation tools that allow creating line-of-sight visibility
coverage taking into account real or effective Earth radius, transmitter, receiver and obstacle
heights. Clearance and Fresnel zones visibility can also be calculated.

Visibility Analysis
Advanced Visibility Analysis tool has the capability to define constant transmitter and receiver
heights or obtain them from defined layers, use real r effective earth radius, calculate Fresnel
visibility clearance and normalized clearance, calculate the number of visible sites for the analyzed
area and the required receiver height to achieve visibility.

Advanced visibility calculation options
6. TRANSMISSION NETWORK DESIGN AND ANALYSIS
6.1. Radio Links Management
Point-to-point and point-to-multipoint radio links can be created between transmitting and receiving
sites. Radio Links Manager tool enables the creation of one-way or duplex radio links, adjusting
transmitter-receiver parameters, and selecting diversity and protection configurations. Reflective
and back-to-back antenna repeaters can be created and placed on the map.

Radio Links Manager
6.2. Power Budget Analysis
Radio link budget analysis includes detailed profile calculations and power budget prediction at the
receiver side.
The path profile contains information about free space loss, path clearance, sub-path diffraction,
atmospheric attenuation and diffraction loss (average, single knife-edge, Deygout).
Power budget analysis describe a received signal level, total gains and loss, thermal and
composite fade margins, and resulting bit error ratio (BER).


Radio Link Prediction Results
6.3. Performance Prediction
Quality and availability performance of a radio link is assessed according to ITU recommendations
G.821 and G.826. Error performance parameters are defined in terms of bit and block errors
parameters ESR (Errored Second Ratio), SESR (Severely Errored Second Ratio), BBER
(Background Block Error Ratio) and UATR (unavailable time ratio).

Radio Link performance targets
Performance Objectives Dialog allows defining availability and performance objectives. Predefined
performance objectives are related to the radio links under analysis.

Radio Link performance objectives
6.4. Geoclimatic Data
Geoclimatic data is used in radio link performance analysis. Following gaseous absorption
parameters can be defined:
- Refractivity Data For Multipath Fading using ITU and Vigants-Barnett methods
- Gaseous absorption values for dry air pressure and water vapor density.
- Rain fading - regions for rain rate statistics and calculation methods (ITU and Crane).
- Annual mean surface temperature at 2m above the surface of the Earth according to ITU-R
P.1510. The data is used to evaluate thermal noise of a receiver.
6.5. Protection and Diversity
6.5.1. Equipment Protection Options
Protection improvement factors can be defined for 1+1 and m:n protection configurations. Different
protection factors apply for combined and switched transceivers.
1+1 protection improvement factor (DIF) is calculated according to ITU-G.827 method, and m:n
according to recommendation ITU-R F.557.

6.5.2. Propagation Diversity Options
Diversity improvement factors are defined for space, frequency and angle diversity types. Diversity
improvement factors can be defined manually or calculated according to ITU-R P. 530 method.


Protection and Diversity
6.6. Power Flux Density Calculation
Power flux density (PFD) is calculated at specified height above selected reference grids. PFD is
calculated along link path with sampling step equal to cell size of elevation grid.
The results table shows distance and calculated power flux density values in W/cm2,
dB(W/cm2), spectral PFD in dB(W/cm2*Hz) and the ratio of limit level divided by the calculated
value.

Power Flux Density
6.7. Terrain Scattering Analysis
Scattering analysis calculates mutual interference between intersecting radio paths due to terrain
scattering.
Calculations method is based on the Recommendation ITU-R F.1096 (1994): Methods Of
Calculating Line-of-sight Interference Into Radio-Relay Systems To Account For Terrain
Scattering.

Terrain Scattering
6.8. Interference Analysis
Interference analysis represents prediction of unwanted interference between radio links. It
includes interference level estimation, net filter discrimination loss, C/I objectives for co- and
adjacent-channel interference and fade margin loss assessment. Path profile analysis of
interference links provides detail information about propagation loss of unwanted emissions.
Scattering analysis calculates mutual interference between intersecting radio paths due to terrain
scattering. Intermodulation analysis is used to find spurious frequencies arising on the same site
due to nonlinear radio components.


Interference prediction results
6.9. Automatic Radio Link Frequency Planning
Automatic frequency planning tool is used to find the minimum number of carriers required to serve
selected radio links within given interference threshold. Interference threshold can be defined in
terms of absolute interference level, signal-to-interference ratio or fade margin loss.

Automatic frequency planning tool
6.10. Radio Link Capacity Planning
A number of tools are provided to manage traffic connectivity on each site, to perform traffic flow
routing and trace network on the map.

Traffic Flow manager

Tracing network connections on the map
7. COVERAGE PREDICTION
7.1. User defined prediction models
Cellular Expert has the unique ability to use combined prediction models according to
environmental conditions.
Radio tower
Obstacle
Clutter
Clutter
LOS
OLOS
OOLOS
CLOS
COLOS

User defined prediction models
7.2. Hata Type Models
Hata Type Models based on Okumura - Hata equitation for frequencies of about 150 MHz - 2 GHz
and distances up to 100 km. Standard, Macro or 9999 Model coefficients can be defined in Hata
equitation. One or dual slope algorithm can be applied for line of sight areas. Average height for
each type of clutter can be assigned and taken into account. Loss offset and penetration rasters
allow defining the unique loss parameters for each clutter type and to model the floor, external,
and internal walls penetration.

Field strength coverage prediction using Hata9999 prediction model
7.3. Line-Of-Sight Type Models
Line-of-sight type models based on ITU-R P.452 algorithm is used for point-to-point and point-to-
multipoint planning at frequencies up to about 40 GHz, distances up to about 100 150 km.
Additional loss for impact of rain, polarization discrimination, antenna pointing, carrier to noise plus
interference ratio (C/N + I), modulation type is accounted in the prediction.

Field strength coverage prediction using line-of-sight prediction model
7.4. Walfish Ikegami Model
The comprehensive Walfish-Ikegami algorithm supports detailed buildings data and can be used
for microcells and picocells planning in dense urban environment. Walfish-Ikegami model can be
combined with line-of-sight model and include correction factors due to diffraction, clutter and
building penetration loss. Inside building coverage prediction can be performed by using specified
floor penetration, external, and internal walls penetration, which could be different for each building
or the same for same types of buildings.

Field strength coverage prediction using Walfish-Ikegami model
7.5. SUI Prediction Model
For radio wave propagation in 3.5 GHz region, SUI prediction model is implemented according to
IEEE 802.16 standard. It allows defining specific propagation coefficients to reflect different terrain
propagation conditions. The model can be combined with free space loss model for line-of-sight
areas, it can also include diffraction correction factor, clutter loss offset raster and building
penetration data.

Field strength coverage map predicted using SUI model
7.6. Territory Coverage Statistics
The tool calculates radio signal coverage statistics for defined polygon areas. The result of the calculation is
a new polygon layer with calculated coverage percentage and condition (True or False) fields.

Territory Coverage Statistics
8. DRIVE TEST ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION MODEL TUNING
8.1. Drive Test Data Analysis
8.1.1. Drive-test data import
Cellular Expert allows importing of drive test data from Ericsson TEMS, Motorola iFTA, NEMO or
any other tool which has ASCII export capabilities.

Drive-test data import tool

8.1.2. Connect drive-test data points to serving cells

Drive-test serving cell tool
The connection of drive test data points to serving cells can be visualized on the map.

Connecting Drive-test data points to serving cells
8.1.3. Drive-test data playback
Drive-test data viewer allows to playback the data and analyze collected parameters.

Drive-test Data Viewer tool
8.1.4. Drive-test data post-processing
A powerful set of post-processing, querying, reporting and visualization tools enable to analyze
drive test data and use it for prediction model calibration. Drive test post-processing tool allows
filtering data points by distance, frequency and other parameters and using different statistical
methods to process drive test data.

Drive-test Data Post-Processing
8.2. Prediction Model Tuning
8.2.1. Prediction Error Calculation
Error calculation tool allows getting statistical error information by comparing drive-test data with
the prediction results and using this information to estimate prediction accuracy.

Prediction Error Calculation
8.2.2. Prediction Model Calibration
Prediction model tuning allows calculating optimal model parameters using Hata 9999 prediction
model or combined line-of-sight and Hata 9999 models. To increase prediction accuracy loss
offset values for different clutter types can be generated. Tuning results can be saved to a report
and later used for re-predicting the coverage using the calculated optimal parameters.

Prediction Model Tuning
9. 2G/2.5G NETWORK DESIGN

9.1. Nominal Cell Planning
Nominal cell planning can be performed using a pre-defined cell size based on the desired
reliability level, cell overlap, subscriber penetration. Cellular Expert allows users to conveniently
create frequency reuse plan.

Nominal cell plan
9.2. Field Strength Prediction
Field strength prediction calculation can be performed for selected sectors. User can define the
cell size, calculation extent and mask. Minimum displayed field strength value can be defined.

Field strength coverage prediction dialog and results
9.3. Best Server Prediction
Calculation of the best server and number of servers can be performed for selected sectors. The
user can define the cell size, calculation extent and mask. Flexible labeling options are available.

Best server prediction dialog and results
9.4. Interference Analysis
Cellular Expert has the capability to perform a quick check of C/I and C/A interference between
selected sectors with or without preliminary channel assignment for the sector as well as
calculation of C/I matrix. Total C/I and C/A interference coverage and coverage of interference for
each channel can be calculated. Field strength and sector/cell name of carrier and interferer can
be identified on the map. The user can set minimum C/I and C/A field margin.

Interference coverage prediction dialog and results
9.5. Traffic Planning and Analysis
Traffic raster (values in Erlangs) is created by reclassifying clutter (land use) data, any statistical
data in vector or raster format, or by spreading actual traffic data obtained from the operating
system.

Live data from switch can imported in text file or dBase table and automatically linked to particular
cells. Live traffic data spreading can be done using weighted raster of clutters, the Best Server
raster and live traffic data.

Using Traffic raster and current or planned raster of Best Server, traffic load for each
Sector/Cell/Site can be estimated.

Sector traffic spreading over best server area
10. 3G/3.5G/4G NETWORK DESIGN
10.1. CDMA/UMTS Network Design
10.1.1. Network Dimensioning
CDMA Network Dimensioning Calculator is used for estimation of BS capacity and coverage
requirements. It allows evaluation of cell loading and range according to the traffic demand profile.
The calculations are based on the power budget for downlink (forward) and uplink (reverse) links.
As a result the required network equipment configuration for predefined traffic can be obtained.

CDMA Network Dimensioning Calculator window

10.1.2. Coverage Prediction
Coverage planning is accomplished for a mobile users distributed according to user distribution
grid. Traffic demand grid is used to specify average traffic profile with different traffic mix types,
e.g. data, interactive and voice. The following coverage calculations can be performed and
visualized on the map:
- Pilot signal strength
- Best server
- Pilot Ec/Io and Ec/No
- Pilot delta
- Soft and softer handoff
- Cell capacity
- MS transmit power
- MS received Eb/No
- HSDPA data rate

UMTS/HSDPA coverage predictions
10.1. LTE Network Design
LTE coverage prediction tool allows prediction of RSRP, RSRQ, RS-SINR, coverage probability and
average data rate rasters. Inter-cell interference and MIMO antenna performance are included into coverage
predictions. Multiple MIMO configurations are supported including transmitter and receiver diversity,
spatial multiplexing and beamforming. Fractional frequency reuse can be used to minimize inter-cell
interference by assigning different subbands to neighboring sectors. Monte Carlo traffic simulations allow
detailed user traffic modeling by statistical analysis of mobile user distribution snapshots.
10.1.1. LTE Coverage Predictions
For LTE networks the following coverage rasters can be calculated:
RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power)
RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality)
Best servers
RS-SINR
DL data rate
Coverage probability

LTE Coverage Predictions
10.2. WiMAX Network Design
10.2.1. Nominal Cell Planning
Nominal Cell Planning tool allows creating three, four or six sectored site configurations used in
WiMAX networks, assigning frequency plans and creating nominal cells on the map. Supported
are FDD and TDD frequency plans.

Nominal cell plan
10.2.2. Adaptive Modulation
OFDM based radio equipment allows operation on different modulation levels depending on
received signal level. Cellular Expert allows to define modulation table for each equipment model
and to predict adaptive modulation mode or available bit rate distribution map.

Adaptive modulation data rate
10.2.3. Throughput and Power Budget Calculations
WiMAX Parameters Calculator is used to calculate following WiMAX network parameters:
- data throughput
- bit rate
- channel spectral efficiency
- system gain
- receiver sensitivity
- maximum allowable loss
according to the chosen system parameters such as:
- modulation type
- channel bandwidth
- sub-carriers
- loss margins.

Downlink and uplink direction analysis is available. The WiMAX Parameters calculator supports
OFDMA(802.16-2004) and SOFDMA (802.16e) multiplexing technologies.

WiMAX Parameters Calculator
10.3. MIMO Antenna Performance
Multiple antenna configurations can be used to increase signal coverage, traffic throughput and reduce
interference in LTE and WiMAX networks. Transmitter/receiver diversity and beamforming configurations
are supported.

MIMO Mode

Antenna
Configuration
Coverage Gain, dB Throughput Factor SNR Gain, dB

Diversity Gain, dB

Multiplexing Gain
Interference
Reduction
Factor, dB
DL UL DL UL DL UL
SIMO Rx div 1x2 3 0 1 1 0 0
MISO Tx div 2x1 3 3 1 1 0 0
OL-MIMO 2x2 3 3 1.9 1 0 0
4x2 6 3 1.9 1 0 0
4x4 6 6 3.8 1 0 0
Beamforming 4x4 3 3 1 1 6 3
MIMO Antenna Performance
10.4. Fractional Frequency Reuse
Fractional frequency reuse enables allocation of different powers to OFDM subbands for cell center and
cell edge users, thus reducing interference. Fractional Frequency Reuse (FFR) and Soft Frequency Reuse
(SFR) schemes available.
Subband and subcarrier allocation options:
Subband Power Subcarriers

1

80
<- for FFR
3

120
(equal powers)
1 Low 100

2 Low 100
<- for SFR
3 High 100

1 31 80

2 38 80
<- for SFR
3 31 140

Subband and subcarrier allocation options
10.5. Monte Carlo Traffic Simulation
Monte Carlo Traffic Simulation tool is used for cell capacity prediction. It supports UMTS, HSDPA and
LTE networks. The simulation is based on statistical analysis of randomly generated mobile users.

Monte Carlo traffic simulation tool
HSDPA simulations are performed at packet level. Multipath fading and Doppler spread are taken into
account. Proportionally fair packet scheduler is used.

Radio Channel
UE
Node B / RNC
Buffer 1
Buffer 2
Buffer 3
SNR -> CQI -> TBS

HSDPA traffic simulations
LTE simulation takes into account MIMO antenna and OFDMA modulation gains. Proportionally fair
scheduling takes advantage of high SNR regions to maximize capacity.


Tx Rx
User 1 User 2 User 3
Frequency, subcarriers, resource blocks
re
T
i
m
e
,

s
y
m
b
o
l
s

MIMO - OFDMA Gain
N
Tx
N
Rx

LTE traffic simulations

Simulation results include:
Cell throughput dependence on the number of active users
Carried/offered traffic ratio
Maximum number of supported users per cell

Monte Carlo traffic simulation results

Monte Carlo traffic coverage results
11. BROADCAST NETWORK DESIGN
Cellular Expert covers the following broadcasting technologies:
Radio (DAB, etc.)
Television (DVB-T, DVB-T2, etc.)
Other single or multiple frequency networks

Tasks solved by Cellular Expert:
Network Data Configuration
Single Frequency Network (SFN) Coverage
Signal Delay
Coverage Probability
Population coverage statistics
Service Area and SIR, SNIR
11.1. Single Frequency Network Coverage
Composite coverage for each defined channel
Signal Delay
Probability

Single Frequency Network Coverage
11.2. Signal Delay
Signal delay calculation
Estimation of network equipment and multipath delay
Various results symbolization
11.3. Coverage Probability
Coverage probability analysis for defined receiver sensitivity
Update field strength according to your coverage probability needs
11.4. SIR,SNR and Service Area
Wanted and Unwanted (interfering) signals ratio (SIR);
Wanted and Unwanted with Thermal noise ratio (SNR);
Noise factor to include equipment influence

SIR,SNR and Service Areas
12. AUTOMATION AND OPTIMIZATION TOOLS
12.1. Automated Task Processing
Automated Task Processing Tool is dedicated for large volume calculations. It allows users to
create configuration files and use them for batch processing. Automated Task Processing Tool
utilizes multi-processors and multi-core processors, so the performance of prediction operations is
increased depending on the number of processors/cores installed on the machine. Each
configuration file can use different prediction model or any other settings used for prediction. The
tool allows scheduling the start of prediction jobs on specific date/time.

Automated Task Processing Tool
12.2. Site Optimization
Site optimization tool selects some base station sites from a given list of candidate base station
sites. Selection procedure analyzes several types of antennas, a set of traffic demand points, radio
thresholds and a group of components priority constraints. For each selected site the number of
sectors and types of antennas, as well as the associated values for each of the antenna
parameters are determined. The procedure optimizes a set of objectives such as amount of traffic
that can be handled, level of potential interference and coverage percentage.

Site optimization tool
12.3. Automatic Frequency Planning
The main tasks of an Automatic Frequency Planning (AFP) tool are to release interfering
frequencies and assign frequencies to the wireless network nodes, so that the network quality
would be optimized. The AFP tool enables to calculate frequency plans for several types of
wireless networks: WiMAX, TETRA, GSM and other FDMA type networks.
From the technical point of view, Automatic Frequency Planning is considered as a separate
interference linked chains minimization problem. Those interference linked chains are created
based on sector/cell relations from an input impact (neighborhood) matrix. The task of the AFP
algorithm is to disrupt the interference linked chain by releasing interfering co- and adjacent
frequencies and assigning free of interference frequencies which would not construct the
interference linked chain. The release and assignment of frequencies are based on metrics
calculated from: sectors/cells demand of frequencies (can be defined by user or obtained from
traffic simulation tools), number of neighbors, area of neighborhood and etc. The neighborhood
information is taken from the impact matrix data which denotes the impact area of neighboring
sectors/cells. In the new frequency plan generation the sector/cell which has lower demand of
frequencies and higher number of interfering neighbors are more liable to dispose the interfering
frequency inside the interference linked chain. The result of AFP module is a new frequency plan
which contains non interfering frequency channels for each sector or cell. The result dialog shows
AFP status information about released interfering, assigned new channels, calculation time and
etc.

Automatic Frequency Planning parameters definition dialogs


Automatic Frequency Planning Results dialog
12.4. Automated Site Candidates Selection
The tool provides functionality for automated connection of fixed customers to serving sites
according to visibility or signal strength conditions. Optimal number of sites from all candidates is
selected according to signal quality requirements

Automated Site Candidates Selection Tool

Calculated minimum site number to serve fixed customers
12.5. Antenna Tilting Optimization
Antenna tilting tools allow finding antenna orientation required to serve assigned area. Antenna tilt
angles are calculated based on customer defined polygon or cell area.
Antenna gain pattern for a given tilt can be plotted on the map.

Antenna gain map
13. 3D ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION
Besides comprehensive capabilities of 3D Analyst, Cellular Expert provides additional 3D analysis
functionality. It includes generation and visualization of 3D antenna pattern using Free Space,
Hata or SUI algorithms for optimization of antenna orientation.

3D antenna pattern visualization
Cellular Expert allows you to overlay 3D antenna pattern and prediction results such as field
strength, best server or interference prediction on 3D terrain. This feature is very useful for
planning in dense urban areas with high resolution data.

3D antenna pattern and field strength coverage map for WiMAX network
14. GIS BASED NETWORK ANALYSIS
GIS technology provides advanced geo-statistical analysis, reporting and visualization capabilities.
It complements Cellular Expert software with technologies which allow integration of location-
based data in network planning and operations, customer care, sales and marketing, as well as
many other tasks. Unlimited number of separate coverage, interference, traffic and other rasters
can be created, combined and analyzed. Statistics, raster analysis and other functions of Spatial
Analyst for advanced analysis are available.

Statistics of field strength coverage raster
15. REPORTING
Cellular Expert provides two methods for creating reports:
- Using the ArcMap built-in reporting tool
- Using Crystal Reports
Using the ArcMap built-in reporting tool, reports are created and stored with ArcMap project. Once
created, report can be added to map layout, customized and printed out or exported to many
popular graphics formats.
Crystal Reports allow users to create presentation-quality reports to include with the map or
distribute to others. The Report Designer provides a graphical interface for easy customization of
the report.

Cellular Expert Reports
16. FUNCTIONALITY CHART
Tasks
Features
Network data management

Site, sector, construction, customer, repeater management:
- Add
- Edit
- Move
- Copy
- Delete
- Site re-use patterns for nominal planning

Point-to-point analysis
Free space path loss: ITU-R P.525-2
Fresnel zone ellipsoids: ITU-R P.526-11
Path clearance: ITU-R P.530-13
Specific attenuation: ITU-R P.676-8 using input from ITU-R P.837-5, ITU-R
P.838-3 and ITU-R P.839-3
Rain attenuation: ITU-R P.530-13
Diffraction algorithms:
- Single knife-edge (ITU-R P.526-11)
- Deygout (ITU-R P.526-11)
- Average (ITU-R P.530-13)
Path loss models:
- Line-of-sight
- Hata
- Diffraction
- Macro Adaptive
- SUI
Reflection analysis
Multipath analysis
Anti-correlation analysis
Antenna height optimization
Reporting

Radio equipment data
management
Antenna, feeders, combiners, modulation performance tables, carriers, radios,
spectrum masks management:
- Add
- Edit
- Copy
- Delete
- Create/Edit antenna pattern
- Vertical antenna pattern every 1
- Horizontal antenna pattern every 1
- 3D pattern creation, display, export
- Import/Export of antennas

Parabolic and sector antenna editors:
- Tabular radiation pattern representation with inplace editing
- Graphical radiation pattern representation in linear and logarithmic
scales
- Modulation performance editor
- Tabular and graphical representations of the BER vs. signal-to-noise
ratio dependencies, approximation by formula
- Defined curves for BPSK, QPSK, DQPSK, M-FSK, M-QAM
modulations
- Carriers list editor
- Frequency plans for simplex and duplex channels
- Tabular and graphical representations of frequency carriers
- Spectrum mask editor
- Spectrum density mask editing
- Automatic mask generation for predefined bandwidth
- Tabular and graphical representations of spectrum masks
- MIMO configuration

Radio link management

Creating
Editing
Deleting
Visualization

Radio link budget analysis

Point-to-point systems radio relay lines
Point-to-multipoint systems:
- Fixed WiMAX
- LMDS
- MMDS
- WLL

Radio link performance analysis

ITU-T G.821 recommendation targets
Parameters: ESR, SESR, unavailable time ratio;
Local grade portion (ITU-R F.697-2)
Medium grade portion (ITU-R F.696-2)
High grade portion (ITU-R F.557-4)
Parameters: ESR, SESR, BBER
National portion (ITU-R F.1189-1):
- Access network
- Short haul network
- Long haul network
International portion (ITU-R F.1092-1):
- Terminating countries
- Intermediate countries

Parameters: UATR

Radio Links Interference
Analysis

- Interference level prediction
- Net filter discrimination
- C/I protection ratios for co- and adjacent-channels
- Fade margin loss objectives

Automatic Radio Link Frequency
Planning

Selects the minimum number of carriers required to serve selected radio links
within given interference threshold

Visibility calculation

Line of Sight
Path clearance
Fresnel zone clearance
Minimum antenna height

Propagation Models:
HATA

Basic algorithm: Okumura-Hata equitation
Type: Point-to-multipoint
Frequency: ~ 150 MHz - 2 GHz
Distance: up to 100 km
Hata Model Parameters:
- Standard (ETR 364, COST 231 and ITU-R P.529-3)
- Macro Model
- 9999 Model (Ericsson)
Effective Antenna Height methods:
- Absolute
- Profile
- Average
- Relative
- Slope
Diffraction
- Single knife-edge (ITU-R P.526-11)
- Deygout (ITU-R P.526-11)
- Spherical Earth (ITU-R P.526-11)
- Average (ITU-R P.530-13)

Line of Sight

Basic algorithm: ITU-R P.452-14
Type: Point-to-point and Point-to-multipoint
Frequency: about 700 MHz - 40 GHz
Distance: up to 100 - 150 km
Percentage of Time: 0.001 to 50.
Specific attenuation: ITU-R P.676-8 using input from ITU-R P.837-5,
ITU-R P.838-3 and ITU-R P.839-3.
Diffraction: Deygout method of ITU-R P.526-11
Rain attenuation: ITU-R P.530-13

Walfish-Ikegami

Basic algorithm: COST 231 Model (ETR 364, COST 231 Final Report)
Type: Point-to-area (multipoint)
Frequency: about 800 MHz - 2 GHz

SUI

Basic algorithm: IEEE 802.16
Type: Point-to-area (multipoint)
Frequency: about 2 GHz - 5 GHz

Best Server calculation

Nth best servers coverage, number of servers coverage
Nth best servers field strength coverage

Prediction Model tuning

Evaluation of prediction accuracy
Hata model:
- 9999 model parameters adjustment
- Macro model parameters adjustment
- Clutter loss offset determination for each type of clutter
Walfish Ikegami model tuning
SUI model tuning
Line of sight model:
- One slope model tuning
- Dual slope model tuning

Network Analysis:

Territory Coverage Statistic

Traffic Analysis

Drive-test analysis

3D Analysis

Coverage probability

Coverage statistic and condition calculation for specified area

Traffic spreading by best server coverage

Traffic spreading using clutter weights

Import formats: Ericsson TEMS, Motorola, iFTA, NEMO, ASCII files
Drive-test post-processing:
- Statistical analysis
- Filtering
- Averaging

Drive test decomposition

Prediction update with drive test data

Measurements to serving cell connection

Drive test data player

3D antenna pattern visualization
Hata or free space loss algorithms for field strength calculation
Ability to optimize antenna parameters (tilt, azimuth, etc.)

Coverage probability percentage and fade margin prediction due to shadowing

3G+ features

UMTS coverage

HSDPA coverage prediction

Monte Carlo Traffic simulation

CDMA Network Dimensioning
Calculator

RSCP calculation
RSSI calculation
Pilot signal prediction
Traffic channel coverage

HS-DSCH SINR raster
HSDPA data rate raster

UMTS, HSDPA and LTE technology support
Networks capacity calculation
Average throughput per mobile user calculation

BS capacity and coverage requirements analysis
Cell overload estimation
Cell range dependence for UL and DL on the number of users

LTE coverage prediction for RSRP, RSRQ, RS-SINR, coverage probability and
average data rate
MIMO antenna support
OFDM and fractional frequency reuse


LTE functionality
WiMAX features:

Adaptive modulation

WiMAX system calculator

Monte Carlo Traffic simulation

Adaptive modulation raster
DL and UL throughput raster
DL and UL bitrate raster

Bitrate calculation
Throughput calculation
Spectral efficiency calculation
Link budget calculation
Signal-to-noise + interference ratio calculation
Frequency reuse
-
Networks capacity calculation
Average throughput per mobile user calculation

Frequency planning
Nominal channel groups creation for nominal planning
Quick interference checking between two sectors
Labeling tool for frequency visualization
Co-channel(C/I) interference:
- Separate C/I raster for each channel
- Total C/I raster for all channels
- Separate and combined C/I raster for hopping and non-hopping cells
- Carrier and interferer ID raster
Adjacent channel (C/A) interference:
- Separate C/A raster for each channel
- Total C/A raster for all channels
- Carrier and interferer id raster

Automated frequency planning
Neighborhood/Impact matrix calculation
Automatic channel release
Automatic channel assignment

Network optimization
Visibility/Site Matrix:
- Line-of-sight visibility matrix between selected or all base stations and
customers
- Signal field strength matrix between selected or all base stations and
customers
Site optimization:
- Suitable base station points from primary defined base station points
- Number of sectors assigned to base stations
- Antenna type (omni-directional, directional)
- Sector power
- Antenna height
- Antenna tilt (for directional antennas)
- Antenna azimuth range (for directional antennas)
- Automated site candidate selection
- Automated cell planning


DVB-T planning

- Network data configuration
- SFN coverage
- Signal delay
- Coverage probability
- Population coverage statistics
- Service area and SIR, SINR

Automation

- Automated task processing
- Parallel calculations on multicore processors

Architecture Features

Unicode Characters support
English/Metric units support
Powerful GIS analysis, Labeling, Visualization, Reporting features
Parallel computing on multi-processor/multi-core systems

17. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

CPU:
1.6 GHz or higher
Intel Core Duo, Intel Pentium or Intel Xeon Processors or higher

Memory/RAM:
1 GB minimum
If using the ArcSDE Personal Edition for Microsoft SQL Server Express software, 2 GB of RAM
is required.

Display Properties:
Color depth: Greater than 256 color
Screen Resolution: 1024 x 768 recommended or higher at Normal size (96dpi)

Disk Space Requirements:
100 GB recommended (Depends on data used)

18. CONTACT INFORMATION

HNIT-BALTIC, UAB

S. Konarskio 28A
LT-03127 Vilnius
Lithuania

Phone: +370 5 2150575
Fax: +370 5 2150576

E-mail: cellexp@hnit-baltic.lt

www.cellular-expert.com

Cellular Expert Whitepaper

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