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ASSET
GSM-GPRS Tool User E101
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and describes only the product defined in the introduction of this documentation. This document is intended for the use of AIRCOM International's customers only for the purposes of the agreement under which the document is submitted, and no part of it may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or means without the prior written permission of AIRCOM International. The document has been prepared to be used by professional and properly trained personnel, and the customer assumes full responsibility when using it. AIRCOM International welcomes customer comments as part of the process of continuous development and improvement of the documentation. The information or statements given in this document concerning the suitability, capacity, or performance of the mentioned hardware or software products cannot be considered binding but shall be defined in the agreement made between AIRCOM International and the customer. However, AIRCOM International has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that the instructions contained in the document are adequate and free of material errors and omissions. AIRCOM International will, if necessary, explain issues, which may not be covered by the document. AIRCOM International's liability for any errors in the document is limited to the documentary correction of errors. AIRCOM International WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE IN ANY EVENT FOR ERRORS IN THIS DOCUMENT OR FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL (INCLUDING MONETARY LOSSES), that might arise from the use of this document or the information in it. This document and the product it describes are considered protected by copyright according to the applicable laws. ASSET is a registered trademark of AIRCOM International. Other product names mentioned in this document may be trademarks of their respective companies, and they are mentioned for identification purposes only. Copyright AIRCOM International 2010. All rights reserved.
Contents
1 Introduction to the ASSET Training Course 13
1.1 1.2 Overview of the ASSET GSM-GPRS Training Course ............................ 13 Course Objectives .................................................................................. 14
Introduction to ENTERPRISE 15
2.1 2.2 2.3 Objectives of this Session ....................................................................... 15 The ENTERPRISE Tools Suite ............................................................... 15 Obtaining User Assistance...................................................................... 16
Obtaining Support .......................................................................................... 17 Obtaining Further Information and Services .................................................. 19 Database Contents ........................................................................................ 20
2.3.1 2.3.2
The ENTERPRISE Database ................................................................. 19 The Two-Stage Commit Process ............................................................ 20 Session Summary Checklist ................................................................... 22
2.4.1
23
Objectives of this Session ....................................................................... 23 Starting ENTERPRISE ........................................................................... 23 Logging into a Database ......................................................................... 24 Creating a New Project ........................................................................... 25
Using Shared Data ........................................................................................ 26 About the Modify Project Dialog Box ............................................................. 27
3.4.1 3.4.2
Setting the Required Technology for your Project ................................... 32 Viewing Settings for the Current Project ................................................. 33 Message Log Window ............................................................................ 33 Exercise: Starting a Project..................................................................... 34 Session Summary Checklist ................................................................... 35
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4.4.1 4.4.2 4.4.3 4.4.4 4.4.5 4.4.6 4.4.7 4.4.8 4.4.9 4.4.10
4.5
Saving a Favourite Map View ................................................................. 55 Using GIS Export .................................................................................... 56 Printing Maps.......................................................................................... 58
Customising Page Layout for Printing Maps ................................................. 58 Printing the Map............................................................................................. 60 Printing a Specific Area of the Map View Window ........................................ 60
4.6.1
4.9
63
Objectives of this Session ....................................................................... 63 Overview ................................................................................................ 63 Creating Your Own Vector File Features ................................................ 64
Defining Attributes for a Vector File Feature ................................................. 67 Editing Lines and Polygons ........................................................................... 68 Managing Vector File Features ..................................................................... 70 Creating Holes or Islands for Polygons ......................................................... 74 Saving and Exporting Vectors ....................................................................... 77
Importing Vector File Data ...................................................................... 78 Classifying User Vector Files .................................................................. 79 Exercise: Creating and Displaying Vectors ............................................. 81 Session Summary Checklist ................................................................... 82
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83
Objectives of this Session ....................................................................... 83 Importing Antennas................................................................................. 83 Setting Up Propagation Models .............................................................. 85
About the Enhanced Macrocell Model ........................................................... 86 Adding an Enhanced Macrocell Model .......................................................... 86
6.3.1 6.3.2
6.4 6.5
Using XML Exports and Imports ............................................................. 91 About GSM Carriers in ASSET ............................................................... 94
Defining GSM and GPRS Carriers ................................................................ 95 Setting a BCCH Allocation Rule for TCH Allocation ...................................... 96 About GSM Frequency Bands ....................................................................... 96 About Carrier Layers...................................................................................... 99 Defining Carrier Layers ................................................................................ 100 About Cell Layers ........................................................................................ 101 Defining Cell Layers..................................................................................... 102 Making Carrier Layers Usable on a Sub-Cell .............................................. 103 Adding a Template for a Site or Node ......................................................... 107
6.6
About Templates .................................................................................. 106 Adding Sites or Nodes Using the Map View .......................................... 108 Setting Sub-Cell Parameters and Thresholds ....................................... 109
About the Signal Threshold and Pathloss Prediction Radius ...................... 110 Example of Using Signal Thresholds for Overlay/Underlay ........................ 111 Example of Using the Signal Offset ............................................................. 113 Using Instance IDs to Distinguish Antennas ............................................. 114 Moving Antennas in the Map View ............................................................ 116 Reorientating Antennas in the Map View .................................................. 117 Using Antenna Slots .................................................................................. 118
6.7.1
6.11 Quickly Viewing and Editing Site or Cell Information ........................... 119 6.12 Session Summary Checklist ................................................................ 122
7.2.1 7.2.2
7.3
7.4
Changing the Display Properties of Visualisers .......................................... 144 Copying and Resetting Display Properties of Visualisers ........................... 145 Exporting and Importing Display Properties of Visualisers ......................... 145
7.5
147
8.2.1 8.2.2
About Displaying Coverage .................................................................. 153 Creating Coverage Arrays .................................................................... 155 Displaying Coverage Arrays ................................................................. 157
8.6 8.7
Producing Coverage Reports/Statistics................................................. 165 Using the Array Manager ...................................................................... 166
Loading a Specific Array .............................................................................. 168 Saving Arrays .............................................................................................. 168 Deleting Arrays ............................................................................................ 168 About the Array Clipboard ........................................................................... 169
8.8
171
Objectives of this Session ..................................................................... 171 About Terminal Types........................................................................... 171 Adding a Terminal Type ........................................................................ 172
Adding a Terminal Type for GSM (Non-Sim) .............................................. 172 Adding a Terminal Type for GPRS (Non-Sim) ............................................ 173 Determining the Distribution of Traffic ......................................................... 174 About Vector Attribute Traffic Rasters ......................................................... 179 About Distributional Statistics ...................................................................... 180 About the Traffic Units ................................................................................. 180 About the Additional Traffic Arrays .............................................................. 180 Creating a Traffic Raster with Specified Values .......................................... 182 Creating a Vector Attribute Traffic Raster.................................................... 183 Displaying Traffic Rasters ............................................................................ 185 Scaling Traffic Rasters................................................................................. 185
9.4
9.5
9.6
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Capturing Traffic and Applying Values to Sub-cells .................................... 187 Calculating the Carrier Requirements ......................................................... 188 Displaying Traffic per Sub-Cell on the Map View ........................................ 189 Displaying Blocking Per Sub-Cell on the Map View .................................... 191 About Channel to Transceiver Maps ........................................................... 192
9.7
10
Planning Neighbours
197
10.1 Objectives of this Session ................................................................... 197 10.2 About Neighbours in ASSET ............................................................... 197 10.3 Creating Neighbours ........................................................................... 198
10.3.1 10.3.2 Creating Neighbours in the Map View ....................................................... 198 Creating Neighbours in the Site Database ................................................ 199
10.4 Using a Simple CSV File to Add or Remove Neighbours ..................... 201 10.5 About the Neighbour Planning Wizards ............................................... 202
10.5.1 10.5.2 10.6.1 10.7.1 10.7.2 10.7.3 10.7.4 Using the Prediction-based Neighbour Wizard ......................................... 203 Setting the Prediction-based Neighbour Plan Parameters ........................ 204 Performing a Neighbour Analysis .............................................................. 207 Displaying All Neighbours .......................................................................... 215 Displaying Neighbours for an Individual Cell ............................................. 216 Cross-referencing the Neighbour Analysis with the Map View ................. 217 Customising the Display of Neighbours..................................................... 218
10.6 About the Neighbour Analysis ............................................................. 206 10.7 Displaying Neighbours......................................................................... 215
10.8 Committing All First Order Neighbours of a Cell .................................. 219 10.9 Converting Inward/Outward Neighbours to Mutual .............................. 219
10.9.1 10.9.2 Converting Neighbours in the Site Database ............................................ 219 Converting Neighbours using the Neighbour Analysis .............................. 220
11
11.5 Generating Cell Information Reports ................................................... 227 11.6 Generating Frequency Plan Reports ................................................... 228 11.7 About the Interference Table for GSM ................................................. 229
11.7.1 11.7.2 11.7.3 11.8.1 11.8.2 11.8.3 ASSET Training Guide (GSM) Version 7.0 Creating an Interference Table for GSM ................................................... 230 Loading an Interference Table for GSM .................................................... 235 Viewing an Interference Table for GSM .................................................... 236 Prerequisites for the Interactive Frequency Analysis ................................ 243 Running the Interactive Frequency Analysis ............................................. 244 About the Interactive Frequency Analysis Dialog Box ............................... 246 Page 9
Changing Carrier Allocations in the Frequency Analysis .......................... 251 Linking the Frequency Analysis with the Map View .................................. 254 Setting Up BSIC Schemas ........................................................................ 256 Prerequisites for the BSIC Planner............................................................ 257 Running the BSIC Planner ........................................................................ 258 About the BSIC Report Dialog Box ............................................................ 259 Applying the Planned BSICs to the Database ........................................... 265
12
Generating Reports
267
12.1 Objectives of this Session ................................................................... 267 12.2 Generating Reports and Statistics ....................................................... 267 12.3 Generating Statistical Reports for Arrays ............................................. 268
12.3.1 12.4.1 12.4.2 12.4.3 12.4.4 Results of the Statistical Reports for Arrays .............................................. 269 Generating Site/Node Reports .................................................................. 272 Generating Cell Information Reports ......................................................... 273 Generating Frequency Plan Reports ......................................................... 274 Generating Reports of Uncommitted Changes ......................................... 275
13
279
13.1 Objectives of this Session ................................................................... 279 13.2 About GSM Frequency Bands ............................................................. 279 13.3 Overview of Dual Band Networks in ASSET ........................................ 280
13.3.1 13.3.2 13.4.1 Prerequisites for Dual Band Configuration ................................................ 280 Antenna Sharing in ASSET ....................................................................... 281 Configuring a Dual Band System using a Template .................................. 283
13.4 Configuring a Dual Band System ......................................................... 282 13.5 Viewing Coverage of the Dual Band Site ............................................. 284 13.6 Session Summary Checklist ................................................................ 286
14
14.5 Enabling GPRS on the Cells in the Site Database ............................... 293 14.6 Calculating and Analysing the GPRS Service Area ............................. 294 14.7 Defining Terminal Types for Data Services.......................................... 294
Page 10 ASSET Training Guide (GSM) Version 7.0
14.8 Creating a GPRS Traffic Array ............................................................ 295 14.9 About the GPRS Arrays....................................................................... 297
14.9.1 14.9.2 14.9.3 GPRS Data Rate Array .............................................................................. 297 GPRS Average Data Rate per Timeslot Array .......................................... 298 GPRS Service Area Data Rate Array ........................................................ 298
14.10 Generating the GPRS Arrays ............................................................ 299 14.11 Capturing Traffic and Analysing Capacity Requirements ................... 300 14.12 Process Summary for GPRS Analysis ............................................... 300 14.13 Session Summary Checklist .............................................................. 302
15
303
15.1 LTE Support ........................................................................................ 303 15.2 Carried Traffic Analysis ....................................................................... 304 15.3 Interference Table Functionality .......................................................... 305 15.4 Antenna Instance IDs .......................................................................... 308 15.5 Google Earth Support .......................................................................... 309 15.6 Extended Character Set Support ......................................................... 311 15.7 Licensing Configurations and Permissions .......................................... 312
Index
315
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SECTION 1
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SECTION 2
2 Introduction to ENTERPRISE
2.1 Objectives of this Session
During this session you will learn about: The ENTERPRISE tools suite The ENTERPRISE database and its contents The two-stage Commit process
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Description For efficiently finding faults in your network, and optimising and validating network performance prior to commercial launch Web-based GIS and report distribution
ENTERPRISE can be 'run' in a number of configurations: In an office environment over a Local Area Network (LAN) Between offices using a Wide Area Network (WAN) Standalone on a laptop computer in the office or field The following diagram depicts the key functional elements of the system and their interrelationships:
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Using ENTERPRISE User Reference Guides If you prefer to read printed content, we also provide User Reference Guides. To view or print these as PDFs (portable document format): 1 2 Ensure you have an appropriate PDF reader installed on your PC. Click Start on the taskbar, point to Programs, then AIRCOM International, then ENTERPRISE, then Docs. - or Navigate to the Docs folder in the location where you installed the product. If neither of these exists, please contact your administrator. 3 Double-click the PDF file that you want to view.
If you have a customer web account, you can also download the latest User Reference Guides from our website. Checking Release Notes Each release of the ENTERPRISE software is accompanied by Release Notes, giving important information on system requirements, installation, known issues, upgrades and so on. You can download these notes from our website. For any further documentation, such as application notes and extra reference information, please email the support team at the address described in Obtaining Support on page 17.
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Contacting us by Telephone or Email If you wish to contact us directly, here are the contact details of our regional offices:
Location Europe Regional Office United Kingdom Contact Details Tel : +44 1932 442000 Fax :+44 1932 442005 support@aircominternational.com Belgium France Germany Italy Sweden Middle East, Africa and Central Asia United Arab Emirates support@aircominternational.be support@aircominternational.fr support@aircominternational.de support@aircominternational.it support@aircominternational.se Tel : +971 4 391 2642 Fax :+971 4 391 8141 support@aircominternational.ae South Africa Tel : +27 11 745 1475 Fax : +27 11 465 1517 support@aircominternational.com Americas Mexico USA support@aircominternational.com.mx Tel : +1 214 576 2700 Fax : +1 214 576 2794 support@aircominternational.us Brazil Asia and Oceania Singapore support@aircominternational.com.br Tel: +65 6372 0548 Fax: +65 6372 0350 supportsg@aircominternational.com China Tel: +86 2162792779 Fax: +86 2162792855 supportsg@aircominternational.com India Tel: +91 124 4848200 Fax: +91 124 4517878 supportindia@aircominternational.com
When contacting us with a support query, it would help us if you: Give us as much information as possible about the problem and the context in which it occurred State the version and build you are using Have all the details of your query to hand Are logged into the ENTERPRISE application Can send extracts of your data sets if we need them to reproduce your problem
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When a user makes a change to the database, the change is first "APPLIED", which means that the change is stored in that user's "DIFF" tables and can only be seen by that user. When the user is satisfied that the change is correct and that all users should be aware of the new network data, it can then be "COMMITTED" to the master tables using the 'COMMIT' or 'COMMIT ALL' buttons. The COMMIT button saves selected changes within an open window to the database, whereas the COMMIT ALL button saves everything within that window to the database. This two-stage process for storing data in the database enables users to experiment with new designs without affecting other users, until satisfied with that particular change.
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If a change has only been 'Applied' to the database it is possible to use the RESTORE button in the Site or Link Database window to revert back to the previous Committed state.
The changes committed to the database by one user will not be visible to another user until the project is re-started (that is, after logging off and on again).
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Additional Notes:
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SECTION 3
Example of tabs - these correspond to the different modules that have been licensed and installed
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2 3
On the Database Login dialog box, ensure the correct database is shown in the Data Source box. Choose whether to log into ENTERPRISE: By typing in a username and password as set up by your administrator. Automatically, using authentication from the operating system (OS) where you are connected automatically to the database if the server confirms that you exist. This means you do not have to use a separate password here.
4 5
Click Login. If you belong to the Administrators group, you have the additional choice of: Logging in as yourself. Impersonating another user who is not already logged into the project. For example, to create new objects on their behalf.
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Choose to: Use new project data - or Share existing project data
Only share data if your map data cannot be contained within a single projection or zone as then you will need multiple projects to accurately model the site co-ordinates. You cannot share projects whose project data is already shared. For more information, see Using Shared Data on page 26. 3 If you choose to share project data, select the project whose data you want to share from the drop down list. This project will subsequently appear at the top level of the tree shown in the Start Project dialog box with the new project shown underneath. 4 If ENTERPRISE has been set up with a settings database schema, the Project Defaults field is enabled in the Table Selection dialog box. You can use the browse button to select a .stt file containing user settings to be used as defaults in the new project. For more information about the settings schema, see Database Settings Management in the ENTERPRISE Installation and Administration Guide.
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In the Modify Project dialog box, set up your project including: On the Map Data Directories tab, enter the locations that contain the various index files for map data elements you are using. If your map data does not contain a particular element, leave the box for that type of data blank. On the User Data Directories tab, specify paths for certain user preferences, such as favourite views. Also indicate if you want to load in all your own user vectors, all the user vectors for the people in your group, or all user vectors. For information on setting up groups, see the ENTERPRISE Installation and Administration Guide.
More information about what to specify on all the tabs of the Modify Project dialog box is given in the following sections. 6 When you have entered all the required information on the tabs, click OK.
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You could also use shared data in conjunction with loading a region or sub-set of a project. For example, you could have one project where all the sites are visible and a number of sub-projects each with different load areas. Shared projects are shown in the Start Project dialog box as a hierarchy, with the project whose data is shared at the top level and the newer project as a sub-folder. Only two levels are permitted:
If you have anything shared between projects, for example antennas, and you export and re-import as a new project in the same database you will get a message telling you that you are re-importing duplicate information. This message appears for each data point on an antenna, so ideally, do not try and re-import items that are shared between projects.
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An index file and data file(s) should exist in each of the sub-directories.
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This depends whether the paths to other people's user vectors are shared. If the user vector folder is shared between users, you should be aware that any folder deletion will impact other users trying to use that folder until they restart that project. If you want to edit other people's user vectors, you will need the correct permissions, which are set by your administrator.
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About the Prediction File Caching System Prediction files contain data that can be freshly regenerated at any time, but, as this process takes time, it is more efficient to store the files on the disk every time they are created, and manage them as a cache of precalculated data. Therefore, in ENTERPRISE, the concept behind the storage of the prediction files is that they are stored on disk and remain stored, even if they become 'invalid' due to changes to the cell parameters or locations. The major benefit of this is that they can be reused whenever they become 'valid' again. It is evident from the above approach that, on some occasions, the disk might become full and consist of many unwanted prediction files. For this reason, these files are automatically managed within ENTERPRISE by a caching algorithm, which can dispose of unwanted files on the basis of specific criteria. As a vital input to this algorithm, you need to specify the maximum disk space for the storage of these files, on a per prediction folder basis. This limit must be specified on the User Data Directories tab of the Modify Project dialog box.
Example of Setting Maximum Disk Space for Prediction File Storage in the Modify Project dialog box
Notes : The default value, if selected, represents 80% of the free disk space on the drive where the prediction folder exists. The specified settings for maximum disk space are stored in a configuration file in the root of the prediction folder. The concept of the Prediction File Caching System is also described in the Predicting Pathloss and Displaying Coverage section of the ASSET User Reference Guide, including the speed, efficiency and benefits involved in the creation and loading of prediction files. The caching algorithm is described in the ASSET Technical Reference Guide.
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3 4 5 6
In the Start Project dialog box, click on the Add button. In the Table Selection dialog box, select the New Project data option, then click Continue. In the Modify Project dialog box, name your new project JerseyCom. On the Co-ordinate System tab, click the Change button and choose the following settings:
Group System Datum Linear Unit Universal Transverse Mercator Zone 30N (6W to 0W) WGS84 METERS
7 8 9
On the Map data directories tab, define all available mapping data for the project. On the User data directories tab, complete all settings. On the Map Data Extents tab, click the Calculate button.
10 In the Modify Project dialog box, click OK. 11 In the Start Project dialog box, select your newly-created "JerseyCom project and click Start.
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Additional Notes:
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SECTION 4
4.2 Introduction
The GIS is a fundamental part of the ENTERPRISE suite in which you can view the different data available within ENTERPRISE including site data, connectivity and mapping data. The GIS is also referred to as the Map View or 2D View. The Map View and Site Database window are fully synchronised so that changes made in one window are reflected in the other. Similarly, when you click on a network element or property in the Map View, an open Site Database window will update dynamically to display the selected item.
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To open a Map View window: On the main toolbar, click the New 2D View button or From the View menu, click New 2D View. A blank Map View window opens. If you want the Map View window to stay always on top of other windows on your desktop, right-click the window title and click Always On Top. This picture shows an example Map View window: .
There are many buttons included in the 2D View, which are arranged into toolbars with different functions. We will now look at each of these toolbars in turn and discuss their functions. You open multiple 2D View windows to display different kinds of data simultaneously.
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The toolbars and buttons that you see are always dependent on the products you have installed. For specific information, see the relevant User Reference Guide. This table describes the tools available on the Map View toolbar:
Tool Description Select object. This button is also useful for deactivating any previously selected options (such as Pan or Zoom). Selection Filter toolbox. For more information, see Adding to the Selection Filter Using the Map View Window on page 136. Clear Selection Filter. Zoom around the centre of the Map View. Zoom to the extent of a rectangle that you draw on the Map View. Pan around the Map View. Quick finder. Jump to location. Display site tips. Key legend. Show data types for display. Favourite views. Create new vector. Vector manager. Hot track mode. Pixel select mode.
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The data types available for display include vectors, text, backdrops, height data, clutter data, site filters, cell information, network connections and coverage. Before you display anything else, display some standard line data, such as coastline, then zoom to the area you are interested in. This will ensure you do not slow down your PC by trying to display rasters, such as heights and clutter data, for whole areas that you are not interested in.
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To expand a category and see the data types beneath it: Click the + sign. To display a data type on the map: Ensure you have selected the checkbox next to the type:
For User Vectors and Measurements, WFS Services, and Clutter Data, you can select a category or sub-category and all items within that category are automatically selected and will be displayed:
Similarly, clearing the checkbox for the whole category will mean all items are no longer selected. If you are using the Data Types dialog box, to return to the Map View window click OK & Redraw. To change the display style of any data category: 1 In the Data Types dialog box, double-click the category name.
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The appropriate Display Properties dialog box appears, enabling you to change the properties of the displayed data.
The different properties shown will depend on the item selected. 3 To save the changes, click OK, and then click OK & Redraw to display the change. After you have customised the colours and styles for each item these will be automatically saved for future sessions. If you want to display 'rasterised' data such as heights or clutter, ensure that you are not zoomed out too far. This kind of data can require a large amount of RAM to display - the amount being a function of the area being displayed divided by the area of a single pixel of the rasterised data (resolution). If the area you have selected requires more physical RAM than your PC has available the drawing process will be VERY slow. Therefore, it is recommended to draw some vector data first in order to navigate to the required view area (this requires much less RAM) before displaying the heights or clutter data.
In the Map Information and Control dialog box that appears, click the Layer Order tab.
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This tab shows the currently selected data types in the order they are displayed on the map, with the highest item in the list being the last one to be displayed on the map.
To select more data types for display, use the Data Types tab of this dialog box. 3 To move a data type up or down in the order, select the required layer and click the up or down arrow buttons as required then click Redraw to automatically redraw the Map View window with your changes. To delete data layers, select the data layer(s) that you want to delete, then click the Remove Selected button. You can also click Remove All. Both these buttons are the equivalent of clearing the checkboxes in the list of data types. Double-clicking an item on the Layer Order tab brings up the display properties dialog box in which you can change how items are displayed in the usual way. Displaying and changing items in the legend. Selecting data types for display.
You can also use the Map Information and Control dialog box for:
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Description Stores frequently used Map Views, which includes remembering both the visual layers displayed as well as the exact region, zoom level and resolution selected. To quickly toggle between the different favourite views, use the Favourites drop-down list on the Map View Toolbar:
These can be stored, and optionally shared amongst other users. Organise Favourites Set Home Offers a way of renaming or removing existing favourites. Sets the Home view and specifies the zoom level with which any new 2D View window initially opens.
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To do this: 1 On the Map View toolbar, click the Display Site Tips button The Site Tip Attributes dialog box appears: .
In the Available Attributes pane, expand the required network element, and either: Click the name of the attribute that you want to display on the Map View, and click the right arrow button - or Select the checkboxes of the attribute(s) that you want to display on the Map View
The attributes are added to the Selected Attributes pane. Tips: If you want to remove an attribute from the Selected Attributes pane, select the required attribute and click the left arrow button . If you want to re-order the way that the attributes will be displayed, click the up and down arrow buttons to change the position. The attribute at the top of the list is displayed first and the attribute at the end of the list is displayed last.
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When you have selected all of the required attributes, click OK. The chosen attributes are then available as screentips when you hover the mouse over the cell. Your chosen attributes are saved for future use. However, if you close and reopen
the Map View, you will need to click the Display Site Tips button Site Tips.
4.4.8 Searching the Map View Window with the Quick Finder
You can search the Map View window using the Quick finder dialog box. This enables you to locate items such as a location, Property, link or piece of text or attributes such as carried traffic. This picture shows an example where any Property ID containing the number 56 is listed in the Quick Finder dialog box and highlighted with an arrow in the Map View window:
If the Quick finder dialog box has not been used before, you will need to set it up. For more information see Setting Up the Quick Finder on page 49.
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To search the map using the Quick finder: 1 2 3 Click the Quick finder button .
In the first drop-down field select the item that you wish to search for. In the second drop-down field, if applicable, refine your search by selecting a parameter to search for. The item and parameter that you have chosen are shown in "Look for" field. If you have selected a parameter at step 3, click the button by the "Where" field. "Where" in this context is used to mean for example, find all cells where the cell ID includes the text "site." You can specify an expression to be applied to the search of your chosen item and parameter by selecting an operator and a value. The operators available depend on the parameter selected and can include regular expressions. You can also select the Not option to locate items that do not match the expression or value chosen.
Optionally click the button by the "Search in" field. For all items except text a drop-down list enables you to choose whether to search in a filter, a view, or in existing search results. If you choose to search in: A filter, specify which filter A view, use the Click View button to select one Existing results, a subset of these that match your refined search criteria will appear in the "Results" field after you click the Find button
For text items a drop-down field enables you to choose whether to search all text or just the text currently displayed in the Map View window. 6 Optionally click on the button by the "Highlight on view" field. You can use this to determine how your search results are to be identified in the Map View window. You can choose: 7 An arrow or a target symbol to highlight the item The colour of the arrow or target The colour of the surround (halo) around the arrow or target The colour of the symbol (dot) representing the item Whether or not text identifying the item is displayed The colour of the text used The size and transparency of the arrow or target used
Click Find. Your search results are shown in the Map View window and listed in the Quick finder dialog box under the "Results" field.
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You can select the Append option if you want the current search results to be retained and appended to the results of your next search. This table shows the options available if you right-click on any of the results listed:
Select This Option Select All Re-centre in view Re-centre and zoom in view Quick Edit Generate report Save as selection filter To Do This Select all the items in the search results list and highlight all the associated features in the Map View window. For single selected items, position the item in the centre of the Map View window. For single selected items, position the item in the centre of the Map View window and zoom in to 5km. Change the parameters associated with a GSM or UMTS item. Create a report including all the items shown in the list of search results. Create a selection filter that can subsequently be used to display the items identified by the search in the Map View window. For more information on filters, see Using Filters in ENTERPRISE on page 127.
2 3
Click
by the first drop-down list to open the Select/Deselect Items dialog box.
Choose the items that you want to have available for selection in the drop-down list. You can do this by clicking on individual items or you can right-click and choose to Select All or Deselect All. Click OK. Your chosen items are listed in the drop-down list. They will continue to be listed there whenever the Quick finder dialog box is opened for this project, unless you subsequently change your choice of listed items by the same method. In the first drop-down field, select the first item.
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6 7
Click by the second drop-down list to open the Select/Deselect Parameters dialog box. If applicable, choose the parameters associated with this item that you want to have available for selection in the drop-down field. You can do this by clicking on individual parameters or you can right-click and choose to Select All or Deselect All. Click OK. Your chosen parameters for this item are listed in the drop-down field. They will continue to be listed there whenever the Quick finder dialog box is opened for this project, unless you subsequently change your choice of listed parameters for this item by the same method. To choose parameters for other search items, in the first drop-down list, select the next item and then repeat steps 6 to 8 until you have chosen parameters for all applicable items.
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You can choose which information will be displayed in the Gadgets window by clicking the Edit Map Information button .
Add items as required (for example, Building Height, Visibility, and so on) by selecting the item in the 'Available items' pane and clicking the Add button to move them to the 'Selected items' pane. Similarly, to remove items, select the item in the 'Selected items' pane, and then click Remove to return the item to the 'Available items' pane.
You can change how the location is displayed and the building heights are calculated by double-clicking the item in Gadgets window. To begin with, the Gadgets window is attached to the bottom of the 2D View window, but it can be detached and then moved to any location (including another 2D View window is more than one is open). To do this, from the View menu click Pin Map View Gadgets. Clicking this option again will re-attach the window to the bottom of the 2D View.
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4.4.10
The Master View window is a small-scale map, which indicates with a rectangle the position of any currently opened map view. To open the Master View window: From the View menu, click Master View.
To choose what data is displayed on the Master View: 1 2 On the Master View, right-click and from the menu that appears, click Properties. In the Data Types dialog box, select the data you require:
You can edit the display properties of a data type by double-clicking it. 3 Click OK & Redraw.
You can scroll your Map View using the Master View window. To do this, drag the rectangle to the required position.
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To stop zooming, either click another button, the Select Arrow button or the Display Data Types button.
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Click the Zoom button , hold down Ctrl and click on the map where you want the centre of the zoom to be. Click the Zoom button and click and hold the left mouse button down while dragging the mouse upwards on the map. While using either of the above you are in Zoom mode. You can hold down Shift to change temporarily to Pan mode. This is useful for zooming and then scrolling and zooming again. Right-click on the map, and point to Menu Zoom then click the required zoom, for example, x0.5. To stop zooming, either click another button, the Select Arrow button or the Display Data Types button.
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The cursor changes to a hand shape. Click and hold down the left mouse button and drag the data to the required location. You can continue to drag until you are happy with the displayed data. 3 To cancel the panning function, click another toolbar button.
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Choose to export your data as a raster image, rectangle, polygon or as symbol points. If you select raster image, also choose the type of output file. If you intend to use your output with Google Earth Pro, select one of the GeoTIFF output file types. This table describes the options available:
Option Raster Image Description Usual image format where each pixel of an item is given a colour. The colour white is marked as the 'transparent colour', which improves the usability of the export in MapInfo format (especially when exporting multiple layers). Output files As selected in the list of Data Types in the Map View. Also accompanied by a TAB file.
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Description Contains run-length encoded rectangles. This scans the coverage array and encodes consecutive pixels with the same value into rectangles in the MapInfo output. So you have multiple small rectangles representing the coverage area rather than one larger polygon. Benefits : Fast method, and MapInfo software handles the results more easily. Drawbacks : The file size is larger and may prevent analysis in MapInfo.
Polygons
Creates a true polygon for each coverage area but requires more processing time.
Symbol points Exports display filters as scalable font symbols. These are set for each filter and for each visualiser. Symbol points are only available on filters and visualisers and are not available on other MapInfo property pages. Due to MapInfo software and font limitations the export may not reproduce the exact appearance of the Map View.
In the Map View window, from the File menu, click GIS Export. If you do not have MapInfo software installed then you will be prompted to browse for a file called MAPINFOW.PRJ. If you do not have this file, click OK, then in the Open dialog box, click Cancel and then OK. If you do not browse for the MAPINFOW.PRJ file, then a Non-Earth projection will be used when producing the exported map information.
In the GIS Export dialog box, either: Type the name of a folder to which you want to export the output files, and then add a filename prefix - or Click the Browse button , locate the folder to which you want to export the output files, and then enter a filename prefix
If you are exporting image files, choose whether or not to include a TAB file. If you are exporting polygons or rectangles, choose to generate either TAB/DAT or MID/MIF files (and which version). If you are exporting symbol points, choose to generate either TAB/DAT or MID/MIF files unless you are exporting for Google Earth, in which case choose KML files. If you choose KML files you can also choose to have your KML file opened in Google Earth automatically on export.
If you are exporting a large array, it is recommended to split the output array into tiles. To do this, select the 'Split the export' option, and then select the required number of tiles. Select a projection from the list of projections (unless you are exporting symbol points for Google Earth in which case a projection is not required).
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The MapInfo CoordSys pane will be empty and greyed out when using NonEarth projection.
Click OK. A progress bar will appear and ENTERPRISE proceeds to export all selected layers to the selected formats. A different file is created for each layer.
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Select the Print to Scale checkbox if you want to scale your mapping data appropriately. For example, if a 1:100000 scale is used on the output, every centimetre on the printout will represent 1 kilometre. The midpoints of the current view are used as the centre of this printout. Click OK. From the File menu, click the Print Preview button to see what the printout will look like and to choose where on the page you want the key, the map and the scale. For example:
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When you are satisfied, either: Print the whole map as shown in the Map View window Print a defined area of the map Print the map or area of map to file
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'Height Block Data' Favourite 1 Display: 2 Coastline (Colour - Black, Width - 1) Block Height data (Colour - Green, Min 0, Interval 5, Resolution 50m, Min Height Colour - White)
'Airport' Favourite 1 Display: 2 3 4 Coastline (Colour - Black, Width - 1) Map Backdrop/AirPhoto Backdrop (Display Coloured) , to search for Easting (558579) and Northing
Use the Zoom facility to display the Airport Runway. Save as a favourite and name it 'Airport'.
Now, click the drop-down list at the top of the 2D View, and review the favourites that you have created and verify that they were saved correctly:
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Additional Notes:
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SECTION 5
5.2 Overview
You can create and display your own vector file features, which are saved with the project. There are a number of different types of vector file feature, which are described in the following table:
Feature Type Polygon Line Point Text Description A set of points connected by lines that form a closed shape. Two or more points connected by lines that form an unclosed shape. A geometric element that has no dimensions, and whose position is based on its coordinates. A set of words or letters.
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Example polygons
The vector file features are organised in separate sub-folders (for example Buildings, Transportation Routes and so on). When you use the Create new vector button , the new vector file feature is added to the uppermost sub-folder folder that has its classification set as 'Unclassified'. If no such sub-folder exists, then a New Folder is automatically created. You can also create a new vector directly in the Vector Manager. To do this, from the Options menu, click: Add Vector, if you want to create a new vector and store the tab file in the folder defined for User (line) vector data on the User data directories tab of the Project Settings dialog box. For more information, see About the User Data Directories Tab on page 29. Add Vector to Folder, if you want to create a new vector and store the tab file in a different folder.
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In the Vector Structure Editor, type a name for the new vector. Click Add to add an initial attribute to the vector: Enter an attribute name, for example Population Choose whether you want the value to be a float, integer or string Click OK
For a full description of attributes, see Defining Attributes for a Vector File Feature on page 67.
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If you selected the Add Vector to Folder option, then in the Browse for Folder dialog box that appears, select the folder in which you want to store the vector:
- or If you clicked the Create new vector button or the Add Vector menu option (or you click Cancel in the Browse for Folder dialog box), the tab file is stored in the folder defined for User (line) vector data on the User data directories tab of the Project Settings dialog box. For more information, see About the User Data Directories Tab on page 29. A new blank vector tab file with its own sub-folder in the User Vectors folder is automatically created. 7 8 To rename the folder, right-click and select Rename, type the required name and then click OK. To create the new vector file feature, for example the path of a new road or an area that you want to define, select the new vector tab file and select the required button, depending on what you want to create. The following table describes the available options:
Click this button To create A line, or set of lines, in a vector. A polygon (a closed shape). A point. A text item.
For more information on the different types of vector file features, see the ENTERPRISE User Reference Guide.
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In the Map View window, follow the appropriate instructions depending on which feature you are creating:
If you are creating a Line Do this 1. Click the start point and all the subsequent points, as required. 2. Double-click the final point to complete the line. Polygon 1. Click the start point and all the subsequent points. 2. Double-click the final point to complete the polygon. Point Text item Click the location at which you want to add the point. 1. Click the location on the Map View window at which you want to add the text. 2. In the dialog box that appears, type the required text. 3. Click OK.
10 You can now add attributes to the vector or polygon. For more information on how to do this, see Defining Attributes for a Vector File Feature on page 67. In the Vector Manager, you can save your vector file feature changes. To do this: From the Options menu, click Save All. For more information on saving and exporting vectors, see Saving and Exporting Vectors on page 77. In the Vector Manager, you can also delete vectors. To do this: 1 2 Select the vector that you want to delete. From the Options menu, click Remove Vector.
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To specify which columns are used in statistics reports, in the Attribute name columns pane, type the required row numbers, each separated by a comma. In this example, only CountyName will be displayed in statistics reports:
For more information about setting values for the attributes, see Managing Vector File Features on page 70.
To move an entire line/polygon (including any holes or islands) to another location, select the line/polygon that you want to move (using the Select Shape button ), click the Move Shape button and then click the new location
To delete a particular point in the line/polygon, click the Delete Point button and click the point that you want to delete To delete a line/polygon, select the polygon/line using the Select Shape button , and then click the Delete Shape button .
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To append an existing line with another line: Select the line using the Select Shape button Click the Append Existing Vector button Add the new line as required. .
To add a point to an existing line/polygon: Select the line/polygon using the Select Shape button Click the Insert a Point within a Shape button Add the new point as required. . .
For information on how to save your changes, see Saving and Exporting Vectors on page 77. - or If you do not want to save your changes, right-click the required vector and click Undo All Changes. You can also create holes in polygons, or islands (two or more separate shapes that are still treated as the same polygon). For more information on how to do this, see Creating Holes or Islands For Polygons on page 74.
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The Table Browser dialog box appears. This picture shows an example:
The top pane lists all of the features (polygons, appended polygons, lines, points and so on) that belong to the vector file feature. Each feature is individually numbered (in the Feature# column) based on its sequence of creation within the vector file feature. The associated attribute columns correspond to the attributes already defined for the vector file feature. To set the attribute values: 1 2 In the top pane, select the required feature, and double-click the attribute value that you want to edit. Type the required value and press Return.
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To highlight specific features in the Map View window: 1 In the Display selection pane, choose whether you want to have the selected feature: 2 Highlighted in the Map View window - or Highlighted and focused in the centre of the Map View window
In the top pane, select the required feature from the list. The selected feature is highlighted (and if applicable, centred) in the Map View window:
To search for specific details of features: 1 2 In the Search pane, select the item(s) on which you want to search - you can search on the feature 'number', and/or any number of the attributes. To define the search criteria for one of the items, double-click the corresponding Expression row, and in the dialog box that appears, select the required options and click OK. If you are searching based on more than one item, you should do this for each item. 3 Click Search.
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The Table Browser highlights the features and attribute values that match the chosen search criteria. This picture shows an example:
Tips : 4 If you just want to display the search results, select the Display search results only checkbox. To highlight each of the search results in order, click the arrow buttons .
To create a new vector containing a sub-set of the features displayed in the search results: Ensure that the Display search results only checkbox is selected. Select the checkboxes for the required features under the Feature# column:
A new vector is created in the Vector Manager, and its name is displayed in the Message Log.
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In this way, you can, for example, generate population statistics based on the suburbs only or the centre only, and plan separate strategies accordingly. Alternatively, you may want to represent certain sub-sections of one area, but not the area as a whole. To model this, you can create separate islands for a main polygon. For example, blocks of flats spread across a wide area:
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To add a hole or island to a polygon: 1 2 Ensure you have a Map View window open with the required area displayed. From the Tools menu of the Map View window, click Vector Editor. - or From the Map View window toolbar, click the Vector Manager button - or Press Ctrl + R. The Vector Manager appears: .
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Click the Select Shape button , and in the Map View window, select the polygon to which you want to add the hole or island. From the Vector Manager toolbar, click the Append Existing Polygon button.
In the Map View window, click the start point and all subsequent points of the polygon, either inside an existing one (which would make it a hole) or somewhere else on the Map View (which would make it an island). All points of the hole must be within the same polygon.
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To link up the two ends of the polygon, double-click. To save the polygon, from the Options menu, click Save. For more information on how vectors can be saved, see Saving and Exporting Vectors on page 77. When you select the hole or island, the main polygon should be selected too, and vice versa.
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You can add extra lines to existing lines or sets of lines in a similar way: 1 2 3 4 5 Click the Select Shape button , and in the Map View window select the line or set of lines that you want to add an extra line to. From the Vector Manager toolbar, click the Append Existing Vector button. In the Map View window, click the start point and all subsequent points of the line. To finish the line, double-click. To add the line to the database, from the Options menu, click Save.
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Right-click, and from the menu that appears, click Save Copy As. In the dialog box that appears, browse to the folder in which you want to save the vector file feature. If you are saving an individual vector file, you must also specify the TAB filename. Click OK. The selected file(s) are saved to the chosen location, using the MapInfo projection setting defined in the project settings.
Saving Vectors to the Default Vector Folder To save vectors to the default vector folder: In the Vector Manager: Right-click the required vector name and from the menu that appears, click Save - or Select the required vector, and from the Options menu, click Save
The selected vector is saved to the default vector folder. If you want to save all of the vectors that you have created, from the Options menu, click Save All.
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Exporting Vectors To export vectors to a local folder, which saves an exact copy of the original file without including the current MapInfo projection setting: 1 In the Vector Manager, select: 2 3 The vector name, if you want to export a vector and all of its associated files The individual vector file, if you want to export a single file as a vector
Right-click, and from the menu that appears, click Export. In the dialog box that appears, browse to the folder in which you want to export the vector file feature. If you are exporting an individual vector file, you must also specify the TAB filename.
Click OK. The selected file(s) are exported to the chosen location.
A new vector file feature is created and the vector data file is imported. If the vector file feature consists of a single TAB file, the import is complete. 2 If the vector file feature is made up of multiple TAB files, you should now rightclick the new vector file feature name and from the menu that appears, click Import Vector File. The vector file feature is updated with the additional TAB file. 3
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Continue to add TAB files, until all of the files have been imported.
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If the vector file feature has any missing files, it is still loaded and the missing files marked with a red cross.
Point
Text Unclassified
To create a sub-folder in which to place, for example, all your Roads vectors: 1 2 3 4 5 In the Map View window, from the Tools menu, select Vector Manager. Right-click on User Vectors and Measurements. Click on Add Folder. A new folder called New Folder 1 appears on the vector tree. Right-click on New Folder 1. Click on Rename and type an appropriate name such as Roads.
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You should ideally have sub-folders for each of the classifications shown in the table, ensuring that each one has the appropriate classification. To assign a classification to a sub-folder: 1 2 In the Vector Manager, right-click on the sub-folder in the vector tree to which a classification is to be assigned. Click on Classifications. A submenu appears. This picture shows an example:
Click on the required classification. The classification is assigned to the sub-folder such that any vectors placed in that sub-folder belong to the sub-folder's classification. In the Vector Manager, right-click on the vector file to be re-classified. Click Cut. Right-click on the sub-folder representing the classification to which you want the vector to belong. Click Paste. The vector file appears under the chosen sub-folder in the vector tree and inherits the classification assigned to that sub-folder.
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For an example of how useful the vector classifications can be, here is a picture of the Select Vectors dialog box that is displayed when you are producing a Statistics Report for an array, and wish to restrict the statistics to one of more vectors. Notice how you can use the Advanced pane to limit the types (classifications) of vector that are listed for selection:
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Additional Notes:
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SECTION 6
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Click the Antennas tab and select the checkbox at the top left to enable the import.
If you do not select the Add to all projects checkbox, the antennas are available for assignment to cells for the project you currently have open. If you select the checkbox, they are available to all projects within the database. 3 4 Click the Add button. The Explorer window appears.
Navigate to the location where your PlaNet format antenna files are stored on the network. Select the antenna files you want to import and click Open. The antennas are then added to the import list within the PlaNet Import dialog box.
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Click Import.
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The antennas now appear in the Cellular Antennas dialog box, which can be accessed from the Equipment menu. This example shows the information stored under the Mask tab:
If necessary, you can move antennas from one folder to another. You should Commit the newly imported antennas to the database. The easiest way to do this is to click the Commit All button.
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Click the
button.
On the General tab, set up the general parameters, including the frequency and effective earth radius. The Standard Deviation of Interference can be used when running the Interference Table wizard (dynamic method), and also when using the Neighbour Planner wizard. The default value is 7.5dB.
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On the Path Loss tab, set the various model parameters. For suggested values, see Recommended Starting Parameters for the Enhanced Macrocell Model on page 88. On the Eff Ant Height tab, choose the effective site antenna height calculation method to be used. On the Diffraction tab, choose the diffraction loss calculation method to be used. You can also set the knife-edge parameters.
10 On the Clutter tab, you can specify Correction values to allow for different pathloss characteristics in different clutter environments. To do this, click and edit the required values for each clutter category. When specifying the Clutter options in your propagation models, it is generally recommended that you only specify or edit the Offset-loss values. In order to do this, ensure you leave the correction distance at 0.00, so that the correction value is only considered at the pixel location of the mobile station. If required, you can specify a generic correction distance, which limits how far from the mobile station the correction values are applicable. The total clutter loss for a prediction point is calculated by examining the clutter lying between the mobile station and the base station. Only points lying within the specified distance from the mobile station contribute to the total clutter loss. You can choose either: Distance Weighting: When calculating the total clutter loss, the individual clutter losses are weighted in a similar way to through-loss in other models. For more information, see About Through-Loss for Clutter on page 89. Uniform Weighting: When calculating the total clutter loss, the individual clutter losses are equally weighted.
11 Click OK. 12 Apply and commit your changes as required, then click Close.
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K values k1 for LOS k2 for LOS k1 (near) for LOS k2 (near) for LOS d < for LOS k1 for NLOS k2 for NLOS k1 (near) for NLOS k2 (near) for NLOS d < for NLOS k3 k4 k5 k6 k7
450 MHz 142.3 44.9 129.00 31.00 0.00 142.3 44.9 129.00 31.00 0.00 -2.22 -0.8 -11.70 -4.30 0.4
900 MHz 150.6 44.9 0.00 0.00 0.00 150.6 44.9 0.00 0.00 0.00 -2.55 0.00 -13.82 -6.55 0.7
1800 MHz 160.9 44.9 0.00 0.00 0.00 160.9 44.9 0.00 0.00 0.00 -2.88 0.00 -13.82 -6.55 0.8
2000 MHz 162.5 44.9 0.00 0.00 0.00 162.5 44.9 0.00 0.00 0.00 -2.93 0.00 -13.82 -6.55 0.8
2500 MHz 164.1 44.9 0.00 0.00 0.00 164.1 44.9 0.00 0.00 0.00 -3.04 0.00 -13.82 -6.55 0.8
3500 MHz 167 44.9 0.00 0.00 0.00 167 44.9 0.00 0.00 0.00 -3.20 0.00 -13.82 -6.55 0.8
If you are using frequencies that are not in the above tables, you can deduce the starting values from those of the nearest frequency.
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When calculating the total through-clutter loss, the individual through-clutter losses are weighted so that the clutter nearest the mobile station has the highest effect. The weighting is linear with a maximum weight of 1 (at the mobile station) and a minimum weight of zero (for clutter at distances >= The formula is as follows: ).
Where: is the distance of the clutter pixel (resolution-dependent) from the mobile station. is the through-loss distance.
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is greater than
In the case where the distance between the mobile and base station is less than only the clutter lying between the mobile station and the base station is taken into account.
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button and locate the *.xml file(s) that you want to import.
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When you have located the folder containing the required files, select the Index file and click Open'. In the XML Import dialog box, on each tab, select the items you want to import.
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On each tab, if required, you can use the Select All checkbox.
Select how you want conflicts to be handled during the import. You can be prompted on an individual basis, or merge the data, or or leave the existing data as it is, or replace the data in the project with the imported data. For example, if you are importing items like Carrier Layers, Cell Layers, Antennas, and so on, your current project may already have some of these. In this case, you can choose Leave and it will only import those items which you do not have. Another case is when you have some sites already, and you want to import the same sites but with a different configuration. In this case, select Replace, and the new settings will replace the old settings.
Click Import.
During the import, if there are any comments or problems, the message log will display them. Depending on the problem, you will get different choices to make. After the import has finished, you will need to Commit the imported items either using individual commits or via the Global Commit All option under the Database menu.
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Using XML Export The export process is a simplified version of the import process, and is therefore not described here. The main difference, of course, is that you need to specify a destination folder for the saved files.
Cell layers
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When finished, click OK. Adding carriers is immediate. There is no apply and commit procedure.
To remove an unused carrier: 1 2 From the Options menu, click Carriers. Select the required carrier and click Remove. or Clear any checkboxes for frequency bands whose carriers you no longer want to include. You cannot remove carriers that are assigned to a carrier layer.
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The frequency bands contain formulae that specify how the actual frequencies of a particular carrier are calculated. Most of the standard GSM bands are already set up for you (but, if necessary, you can add your own new bands, or modify the formulae of the existing bands). In a project, by default, these bands can be used as selection shortcuts within the System Carriers dialog box, as described in Defining GSM and GPRS Carriers on page 95. However, by default, they are inactive within the Carrier Layer Configuration dialog box. In summary, you only need to choose to use frequency bands if you want to: Consider the effects of intermodulation interference if you use ILSA, the automatic frequency planning tool. For more information, see the ILSA User Reference Guide. - and/or Delimit the carriers you can assign to a carrier layer. This simply means that if you define a carrier layer in the Carrier Layer Configuration dialog box, the carriers that you assign to that layer on the Carriers tab must be within the range within the frequency band selected on the General tab. For more information, see Defining Carrier Layers on page 100.
This activates the Frequency Band drop-down box on the Carriers tab within the Carrier Layer Configuration dialog box. If you use ILSA, you can choose to consider intermodulation interference between carrier frequencies during the automatic frequency planning process. For information on how to do this, see the ILSA User Reference Guide. Considering the effects of intermodulation can slow down the automatic frequency planning process, so it is not necessary to use frequency bands unless it is essential to your planning.
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10 Apply any changes that you make, and, if you want other users to see them, commit the changes. In order to make the Carrier Layer appear in the Site Database, it must be associated with a Cell Layer. For instructions on this, see Defining Cell Layers on page 102.
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Here is an example of the 900MHz layer. Here it has been named 900 Ctrl (but it could be named 900 BCCH):
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If you have more than one cell layer, you need to set their respective priorities, with the highest priority being 1. For example, if a macro and a micro cell layer were created, then the micro cell layer would be given the higher priority. The priorities are used to control which layer provides service when there is overlapping coverage from multiple layers.
Here is an example of the 900MHz cell layer. Here it has been named GSM-900, and the related 900MHz carrier layers have been associated to it:
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Then, on the General tab in the Site Database, you can define the parameters for the sub-cells which use this cell layer. For more information, see Setting Signal Thresholds for Sub-Cells on page 109.
To allocate a carrier layer (that is, make it usable) to a particular sub-cell: 1 In the Site Database window, select the required sub-cell. For example:
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2 3
Click >> to expand the Site Database window and then click the Carriers tab. In the Carrier Layers pane, select a carrier layer and select the Allocated checkbox. A carrier layer needs to be allocated to a cell before you can view and edit the frequency allocations in the Carriers pane. The purpose of the 'Allocated' checkbox is to determine whether a carrier layer is 'usable' on the sub-cell.
If you will be using ILSA to automatically assign your carriers, enter a number in the Carriers Req. box. This cannot be greater than the maximum you chose when defining the carrier layer. If you try to allocate a carrier that has already been allocated in another carrier layer, a warning appears asking you if you want to continue with the allocation.
Apply any changes that you make and, if you want other users to see them, Commit the changes.
Where you have used a common BCCH, only one cell layer in a cell has a BCCH carrier layer. You should ensure that you have set that cell layer as a master BTS on the cell layer BCF tab. Tips : Use the Global Editor to allocate carrier layers for many cells simultaneously. You can also pre-set the above options as defaults in the Templates dialog box. For information on using the Global Editor or creating Templates, see the ENTERPRISE User Reference Guide. BCCH Prerequisite Rule There is an option in ASSET that activates a rule that cells in the Site Database should not have TCH carriers allocated without having a BCCH carrier allocated. If this restriction rule is activated in the project, specific user actions will be monitored, as follows: When allocating a TCH (or assign an MA List) carrier layer, there must be a BCCH carrier layer already allocated. When de-allocating a BCCH carrier layer (assuming it is the only one), there must not be any TCH carrier layers still allocated (or MA Lists assigned). Where any of the above rules are broken, the change is prevented and a relevant message is displayed. For more information, see Setting a BCCH Allocation Rule for TCH Allocation on page 96.
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For more information on this tab, see Editing Carrier Allocations Manually on page 224.
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Example of Templates dialog box (in this case, specific to GSM element types)
The element types appearing in this dialog box are dependent on the technology you are using. You cannot Commit templates, you can only Apply them. This means that they are only visible to you, and cannot be shared directly with other users logged into the same database. The only way to make them available to other users is by exporting them as an XML file. For more information, see the ENTERPRISE User Reference Guide. Project Defaults In order to make an ASSET project easy to use right from the start, the following default objects, with pre-set parameters, are provided: Antenna default Propagation model defaults (450, 900, 1800 and 2100MHz) Template defaults (for each technology) Terminal type default (for each technology) These default objects represent the minimum parameters required to add/place sites and generate coverage arrays. The default templates include sites (or nodes) and cells (or sectors) that in turn make use of the default propagation models and antenna.
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These defaults are only present when new projects are added in ENTERPRISE. Existing projects will not have these defaults created.
Click Add Template. On the tabs, name the template and set the required parameters. Right-click the relevant site or node template and from the menu that appears, click Add Cell (or Add CDMA Sector). Continue doing this for each of the cells (or sectors) you want to add. On the tabs, define the parameters as required. Ensure the checkbox of your new template is selected, if you want to activate it as the current template. Here is an example:
For GSM, each cell also contains a sub-cell, which represents an instance of a cell layer. (Initially, this is always the default cell layer. If you want a different layer, you can right-click on the layer and delete it, then right-click on the cell and add a different cell layer.) You should set the parameters for both the cell and the sub-cell.
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The buttons available are dependent on the technologies you are using. You should consider pre-specifying the network parameters for new sites/nodes by using templates. For information on how to do this, see About Templates on page 106.
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Setting Signal Strength or Pathloss Parameters In ASSET, the signal thresholds and related parameters can be used to determine the minimum service level of individual cells. This will of course have a direct influence on the signal strength and service area arrays, and the interference arrays.
To restrict a cell's service area, you can specify one or more of these parameters, in the Site Database or the Templates dialog box:
Parameter Description Signal Offset (SS option) Signal offset only operates between cells of the same priority cell layer, and is specified in dB. An offset is applied to the cell when calculating which cell is the best server. Pathloss Threshold (PL option) Signal Threshold This value determines the highest pathloss for the sub-cell's coverage. The coverage will not extend further than this limit. For example, if this is set to 132dB, the pathloss will never exceed this limit. Also, if you select the Dynamic checkbox, you can enter a Traffic Weighting. This value determines the lowest signal strength (received power) for the sub-cell's coverage. The coverage will not extend further than this limit. For example, if this is set to -102dBm, the coverage will extend no lower than this limit. Typically, Signal Thresholds may be set differently to represent hierarchical cell structures (Underlay/Overlay). Used in conjunction with other cell configuration parameters to restrict the overall coverage radius provided by the sub-cell to either the minimum signal strength or the maximum timing advance, whichever is reached first. For a cell using extended range where two timeslots are used, the maximum timing advance is 133, otherwise the maximum is normally 63.
TA Threshold
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Where there are multiple thresholds in use, the coverage is restricted by the limit that is reached first. You can globally override the values for Signal Threshold and TA Threshold by using the Array Settings dialog box.
Example of how signal strength and service area arrays are limited by the Prediction Radius
For the purposes of interference calculations, the signal always propagates beyond the Signal Threshold value, down to a level of -200dBm, or down to a pathloss of 200dB, or to the Prediction Radius (whichever is reached first).
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Using these parameters for an Omni-site would provide a smaller radius of service area for the overlaid sub-cell, extending out to a signal strength of -80dBm, whereas the underlaid sub-cell's service area extends out to -102 dBm.
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If sub-cells are defined that need to use different propagation models, one can be chosen within the sub-cell such that it will override the one defined in the cell. You do not have to override the model if the sub-cell requires the same model as that defined at cell level. This diagram shows a similar scenario for a three-sector site, showing the Service Area (Block), available in the Map View, for the individual sub-cells:
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If the Signal Offset of the 120 sector for the GSM900 layer is set to (+) 6dB, the picture changes:
There is a significant encroachment of the GSM900 120 sector onto the other sectors. But note that this has not affected the GSM1800 coverage, because it only affects the best server calculation within the same cell layer. This makes no difference to the calculated received signal levels; it only has an influence on which cell is considered to be the best server.
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6.10.1
If your network uses a distributed antenna system (DAS), where there are many antennas assigned to a single cell (or any similar scenario), it may be useful to use the Instance ID parameter. This optional parameter (available on the Antennas tab for a cell in the Site Database) enables you to give a unique identity to each antenna instance on such cells, which helps to identify individual antennas in the following situations: Map View
The Antenna Instance ID helps you to select the correct antenna, for example for antenna re-orientation. In the example picture above, the "NY_n" represents the Instance ID, and, if applicable, the "[ ]" would contain the Shared Antenna ID. These are followed by the antenna device name, pattern name and azimuth.
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Filters
You can create filters based on the Antenna Instance ID, and use the filter for its normal variety of purposes, such as: Limiting the list of network elements displayed in the Site Database, the Map View or Site Reporter Varying the customised appearance of different filters in the Map View Controlling which items are to be included in the various wizards
Site/Node Reporter
You can include the Instance ID in the generated reports. Site Quick Edit and Cell Quick Edit
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6.10.2
If you are moving an antenna that is shared between cells and technology types on the same Property, any changes made will affect other antennas with the same shared antenna identity. For information on shared antennas, see the ENTERPRISE User Reference Guide. To move antennas for a cell in the Map View window: 1 From the Move/Edit Network Element toolbox, click the Move Antenna button .
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Select the appropriate cell. If a list of antennas appears, choose the required one. The Antenna Instance ID parameter may be useful in specific situations. See Using Instance IDs to Distinguish Antennas on page 114.
This change will automatically be applied in the Site Database, on the Antennas tab. The updated antenna location can be viewed in the Antenna Location pane:
This location can be viewed either relative to the Property location, or in absolute terms. You can either leave the change in the applied state, or commit it, or restore the last committed settings. If necessary, you can re-predict the site, and create a new coverage array. Alternatively you can directly edit the values in the Site Database, and this would be automatically reflected in the Map View.
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Setting Up Distributed Antennas If more than one antenna exists at the cell then each one can be moved to a different location. This, for example, enables you to locate two antennas at different ends of a long rooftop.
6.10.3
If you are reorientating an antenna that is shared between cells and technology types on the same Property, any changes made will affect other antennas with the same shared antenna identity. For information on shared antennas, see the ENTERPRISE User Reference Guide. To change the azimuth of a cell interactively in the Map View window: 1 From the Move/Edit Network Element toolbox, click the Reorientate Antenna button .
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Select the appropriate cell. If a list of antennas appears, choose the required one. The Antenna Instance ID parameter may be useful in specific situations. See Using Instance IDs to Distinguish Antennas on page 114.
Hold down the mouse button to move the antenna to the required position. As you move the cursor, the azimuth of the antenna will be displayed in the topleft corner of the Map View:
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This change will automatically be applied in the Site Database, on the Antennas tab. The updated azimuth can be viewed in the Antenna Properties pane:
You can either leave the change in the applied state, or commit it, or restore the last committed settings. If necessary, you can re-predict the site, and create a new coverage array. Alternatively you can directly edit the values in the Site Database, and this would be automatically reflected in the Map View.
6.10.4
In ENTERPRISE, an antenna slot is a logical grouping of antennas. Sub-cells (which represent groups of transceivers) are mapped to particular slots, enabling you to define cell configurations where transceivers are connected to different antenna systems. This can be done either in the Site Database or when setting up Templates. You can, for example, map a sub-cell to multiple antenna slots to model distributed antenna systems, or where you need more than one antenna in the same location. You can also utilise the antenna slots to model dual band configurations. Slots can also be used to temporarily switch cells OFF when performing coverage predictions. This is easier than deleting the cell.
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On the Map View, click on or near the site/cell that you want to view or edit. If there is more than one site/cell available at this location, from the list that appears, click the required site/cell.
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Depending which button you clicked, the dialog box shows all the site's cells, or just one specific cell. The Antenna Instance ID parameter (shown in the example Quick Edit dialog box as 'NY_189') may be useful in specific situations. See Using Instance IDs to Distinguish Antennas on page 114. 4 Edit the required parameters by clicking the current value and typing in the new value or selecting the required option (for example, the antenna pattern) from the drop-down list. If the parameter value can be generated using a wizard (for example, BSICs), you can click the Browse button to start the wizard from this dialog box.
You can only edit one shared antenna per site using this option. 5 If you also want to re-calculate the coverage based on these parameter changes, select the Calculate coverage checkbox. (In the case of GSM, select Sim or NonSim, as appropriate.) For GSM Non-Sim, the coverage calculation displays the coverage for a single site or single cell, and does not update any existing displayed arrays. For GSM Sim, and all other technologies, the coverage calculation updates any existing displayed coverage array, and any other related displayed arrays.
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Click Apply to update the Site Database with the new parameter values. If you have also chosen to freshly calculate the coverage, this takes place and the Map View is re-drawn.
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Additional Notes:
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SECTION 7
You define status fields within the ENTERPRISE Administrator module, in the Field Definer dialog box. For more information, see the ENTERPRISE Installation and Administration Guide. It is generally advised that fields be set up as early in the project as possible, so that they are available for the planner to assign the relevant option to the relevant network elements in the Site or Link Database, or in the Templates. This picture shows an example of the Field Definer:
When defining fields, it is important that you associate each field with the appropriate network element(s) (such as Properties, sites, cells or microwave links). For picklists, it is strongly recommended that the first option in each group is named unset, or similar, so that this can be the default when no particular option has yet been assigned.
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Any fields that you have edited - but not yet Applied - are displayed in bold. In the case of the Link Database, you can find the Status tab under the General tab for a microwave link.
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This next example shows the Picklist options expanded, so that one of them can be selected:
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In the Filters Database, static filters always appear as RED, and dynamic filters always appear as BLUE. This helps you to quickly identify the filter type.
Created filters can either be stored in a System folder (for everyone to use) or in the User folder, which means that they are not available to other users (unless they expressly choose to 'show all user filters' on the Filters tab of the Preferences dialog box under the File menu). The Apply and Commit principles are the same as for any other object saved to the database. The general recommendation is to make sensible usage of the system and (personal) user folders, and only commit filters that are essential to all users. On the Filters tab of the Preferences dialog box under the File menu, you can make various choices of which user filter folders to display.
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The Filter Database appears, displaying any folders and filters which have already been set up:
The Selection Filter is a special filter which is used by the Selection Expert, and is described in a subsequent section. 3 Select the folder in which you want to store the new filter and then click Add. This will launch the Filter Wizard, which guides you through the creation process. You can create sub-folders, if required, by right-clicking on the System folder or on your individual User folder.
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Step 1 of the Filter Wizard prompts you to give the filter a meaningful name (this can be modified later if required):
If your new filter has similar selection criteria as an existing filter, you can choose the option to use an existing filter as a template and select it from the drop-down menu. Click Next. 5 Step 2 of the Filter Wizard displays a list of Available Attributes. Move each required element type to the Selected Attributes pane by double-clicking it, dragging it, or selecting it and using the right arrow button. This will define which objects are to be considered in the filter. For example, one method would be to expand one of the items in the Available Attributes pane to reveal the selection of fields already set up for the project in ENTERPRISE Administrator. The required field can then be selected as an attribute for the filtering criteria. Polygons represent another way in which network elements can be filtered. All available polygons can be displayed by expanding the Property element in the Available Attributes pane. In this example, the Cell Site element has been expanded, and the 'Rollout Phase' field has been selected as an attribute to be considered in the filtering process:
You can specify the logical operators by right-clicking on them to toggle between the two types: If you choose OR, a value will be returned if any of the attributes are present If you choose AND, a value will be returned only if all the attributes are present
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It is also easy to modify these operators on the next screen, and to dynamically preview the resulting item selection. (In this particular example, this will make no difference, since there is only one attribute selected.) You can group attributes together with their own logical operator, and create rules within rules. The easiest way to do this is to drag and drop the attributes into their logical groupings. The Selection Rules will be activated from top to bottom, branching where specified. For some ideas on how to create 'faster' filters, see Making Your Dynamic Filters More Efficient on page 142. When you have all the element types and criteria that you want to filter on, click Next. 6 Step 3 of the Filter Wizard prompts you to set the definitive rules and criteria for the filter and enables you to modify the logical operators using the associated radio buttons. On this screen, you must click on each of the selected attributes to ensure that the appropriate options appear on the right-hand side.
Define the exact rule for each element type or criterion by selecting it in the 'Selected Attributes' pane, and: Selecting a rule definition (for example, 'Equals'). You can also reverse the rule definition (for example, 'Not Equal To') by selecting the 'Not' checkbox. Typing a value in the box or, if applicable, clicking the 'Values' button to select the value(s) that you are interested in (for example, when selecting Field values).
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In this example, click the 'Values' button, and tick the ON AIR option:
Then click OK. You can click Preview to see a list of all the elements that are included in the filter according to your latest definitions. This will help you to refine the filter further if necessary. When satisfied with your criteria, click Next. 7 Step 4 of the Filter Wizard displays the list of elements currently included in your filter. The filter will be 'Dynamic' (unless you now decide to switch it to 'Static' but if you want to create a static filter, it is easier to carry out the steps in the following section).
In this example, we have used the simple approach of using only the Field attribute; notice that all items associated with the filtered sites are also included in the filter, in other words, their related objects, such as Properties, MSC, BSC, cells, and so on. If we had selected the cell site AND its field attribute in Step 2, we would only have the cell sites in the filter, and not the related objects.
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Step 5 of the Filter Wizard enables you to set up the customised display settings for the items which are included in your filter. If you selected the Use existing filter as template option in Step 1, this screen will default to those settings. You can also easily modify these later in the Map View. Step 6 of the Filter Wizard (the final step) enables you to modify the name of the filter, and also to establish which other users, if any, will be able to modify this filter in the future (assuming it is committed, and assuming they have the appropriate permissions).
10 When satisfied, click the Finish button to complete the Filter creation process. The newly created filter appears in the Filters Database, in the folder you selected at the start of the process. As a Dynamic filter, it will appear with a BLUE symbol, as in this example:
In the Filters Database, any of the filters may be committed, modified or removed, and also moved or copied between folders. If you want this filter to be available for use by other users, you can Commit the filter. Otherwise, it will only be available locally on your machine. All created filters are available for use in various parts of ENTERPRISE, such as the Site Database, Link Database, Map View, Coverage Arrays, Wizards, Reports, and so on.
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Filters
Use a combination of chosen filter and element types Choose selected or All elements in a particular Map View
Map View
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All newly created filters appear in the Filters Database, in the folder you selected at the start of the process. Static filters appear with a RED symbol, as in this example:
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The Selection Filter: Is a static filter that exists only in memory. It is not stored in the database and therefore cannot be Applied or Committed. Can be renamed and saved as a normal static filter. Can be used as the basis for creating a static filter in the Filter Wizard.
7.3.4.2 Adding to the Selection Filter Using the Map View Window
To add items to the Selection filter using the Map View window: 1 2 3 4 If required, choose to limit the element types that are added. From the Database menu, click Selection Expert. In an open Map View window, ensure you are displaying the area and elements from which you will be selecting. Click the down arrow on the Selection filter toolbox
To Select individual network elements Do This Click the Single Select button.
Hold down Shift and click each network element that you want to include in the Selection filter. If you click an element that already exists in the Selection filter, it will be removed from the filter. That is, holding down Shift while clicking will toggle an item in and out of the Selection filter. You can also replace the contents of the Selection filter with your new selection by clicking without holding down Shift. Select network elements in a rectangular area that you will draw Click the Rectangular Select button and hold down Shift.
Click where you want a corner to be and then drag to create a rectangle. The elements within the rectangle are added to the Selection filter. As you do this, the width and height dimensions are displayed, along with the units that you chose in the Preferences dialog box. You can also replace the contents of the Selection filter with your new selection by clicking and dragging without holding down Shift.
Click and hold down the mouse button where the centre of the circle will be, and drag outwards to set the radius of the circle. The currently selected elements inside the circle are added to the Selection filter. You can also replace the contents of the Selection filter with your new selection by clicking and dragging without holding down Shift.
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Do This Click the Polygon Select button and hold down Shift.
Click where the first point of the polygon will be, then click to create more points as required. To close the polygon, double-click anywhere in the Map View window. The currently selected elements inside the polygon are added to the Selection filter. You can also replace the contents of the Selection filter with your new selection by clicking and dragging without holding down Shift. Clear Selection filter Click the Clear Selection filter the Selection filter. button to empty all objects from
Hold down Shift when using any of the above buttons to add a current selection to the filter. If you do not hold down Shift, the filter contains ONLY the current selection, replacing what was there. The selected elements appear in the Selection Expert and you can edit the items shown, and save or export the filter.
7.3.4.3 Adding Items to the Selection Filter Using the Site or Link Database
You can add items to a Selection filter using the Site or Link Database in various ways. Adding Items to the Selection Filter by Right-clicking In the Site or Link Database, right-click the network element that you want to add to the Selection filter and from the menu that appears, click Add to Selection Filter. Adding Items to the Selection Filter using the Filters tab To add to the selection (or any static) filter using the Filters tab of the Site or Link database: 1 2 3 In the Site or Link database, select the required object that you want to add to the selection filter. On the Filters tab, click Add to reveal the current list of available filters. Select one or more of the static filters in which you wish the object to be included, and click OK. The selection filter will then be automatically updated. You can use the Remove button in a similar way.
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Adding Items to the Selection Filter on the Hierarchy tab You can use the Hierarchy tab of the Site Database to add to a Selection filter. For example, you might want to create a filter containing the multiple items that are parented to the same Property. This method is applicable to the Site Database only. To add to the Selection Filter using the Hierarchy tab: 1 2 In the Site Database, select the parent of the item that you want to add to the Selection filter. On the Hierarchy tab for that element, click the Display button (or the Refresh button if you have previously clicked it). For example:
The items parented on this element now appear on the tab, as shown here:
Select one or more of the network elements shown on the tab and click the Add button to add them to the Selection filter. Similarly, to remove an item from the Selection filter, select the item on the tab and click the Remove button.
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To rename a filter, in the Filters dialog box, right-click the required filter and then click Rename. In the dialog box that appears, type the new name and click OK.
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To delete an existing filter: 1 2 From the Database menu, click Filters. Right-click the required filter and from the menu that appears, click Remove. - or In the Filter dialog box, select the filter you want to delete and click the Remove button. The filter is moved to the Wastebasket. To ensure other people cannot use it, you will need to remove it from the Wastebasket. Until you do this, the filter is still available to others.
Click the Browse button to select the location to which you want to export the *.xml file(s).
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On the Filters tab, select the filters that you want to export.
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This table lists the rules from quickest to process to the slowest:
Weighting Fastest 1 5 8 5-15 Slowest 50-10000+ depending on the number of points in the polygon Rule Type Element Hierarchy Field Attribute Polygon
The examples below show how performance is affected by good and bad use of rules. Example of reordering a simple filter Example of making filters faster by using fewer rules
You have set up the Selection filter to show Property IDs as labels. In a visualiser you choose to change the label to show contact details instead. Or you may have a filter showing all network elements and then create visualisers which each contain one network element type, enabling you to separate out your displays as required:
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In the Data Types dialog box, expand Filters and right-click the required filter.
Visualisers can also be included in Favourite Views (see Saving a Favourite Map View on page 55). This greatly speeds up the process of displaying the Visualisers with the minimum of effort.
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Resetting Display Properties You can reset a visualiser's display properties to the original ones that you chose when you first created the filter (not the visualiser). To do this : 1 2 In the list of data types, expand Filters and browse to the required visualiser. Right-click the required filter and select Reset.
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Additional Notes:
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SECTION 8
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However, there may be circumstances where it is beneficial to explicitly create pathloss predictions, for example if you want to create a large amount of predictions and want to set these running while you are away from your machine, in order to save time later. For this, or for any other, reason, you can use the Pathloss Prediction Generator. In the Array Settings dialog box, you can set options which have a major impact on the predictions loaded or created. Basically, you can choose to create arrays based on the prediction settings (radius, resolution, and propagation model) specified in the Site Database, or you can specify to override any or all of these.
It is also possible to use the primary/secondary predictions to assign a different propagation model for each one. This can be useful if part of a rural cell's coverage also covers an urban area. The settings you choose on in the Array Settings dialog box (Predictions tab) have a crucial impact on how or if the primary/secondary predictions are used for prediction creation/loading and array creation. Basically, you can choose to: Use only primary predictions Use primary and secondary predictions Use primary predictions, and only overlay secondary predictions if a resolution threshold is satisfied
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Example of how an array can use predictions - Using only primary predictions
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Example of how an array can use predictions - Using primary and secondary predictions
In this example, a high resolution has been set for the cell up to 2km radius, and a low resolution up to 4km radius. The coverage array was requested at the higher resolution. Notice how the pixels are using the lower resolution in the outer half of the coverage.
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The Pathloss Prediction Generator dialog box appears. Select whether to create predictions for:
Prediction Options Sites and Cells Descriptions Enables you to select individual sites. Instructions Type the name of the element and press Enter. Type a partial substring if you want multiple elements to appear. As you type, after a small time delay, a list of all the elements matching the substring will appear in the list.
Enables you to select the sites After selecting the radio button, click anywhere in the Map currently visible in an open View window to load the sites/cells. Map View. (Afterwards, the 'Select View' button becomes active, but you do not need to press it unless you want to subsequently switch your selection to a different Map View.) Enables you to select sites from a specific filter. Choose a filter from the drop-down box.
Note : When a site but none of its cells are selected then all the cells on that site are predicted When a site and one or more of its cells are selected then only those explicit cells are predicted When cells (not sites) are selected, only those cells are predicted
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The sites you have chosen now appear listed in the dialog box. 4 If appropriate, you can select the checkbox to force repredictions. In the majority of situations, due to the recognition capabilities of the prediction system, this is unnecessary. However, in rare circumstances, there may be a situation where you know the predictions are out-of-date, but the prediction system considers them to be up-to-date. Such a circumstance might be, for example, when you know that changes have been made to the underlying map data used by the project. Click Start. Time estimates are shown as the prediction progresses. When the operation has finished, you can view and inspect the prediction results:
If required, you can choose to only show the failed predictions by clicking the 'Show Failed' button. If you do, the list will be reduced, as in this example:
After doing this, you can also choose to populate the Selection filter with only the 'failed' sites or cells, by clicking the relevant button.
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Coverage Arrays You can also create and display coverage arrays which take into account the coverage from multiple cells, for example a Best Server array. For more information, see Creating Coverage Arrays on page 155.
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For GSM networks, you will be able to select All Cell Layers or an individual cell layer. If All Cell Layers is selected, the Data Types list is updated under Site & Cell Coverage. If an individual layer is selected, the Data Types list is updated under Clipboard Arrays. For all other technologies, the Data Types list is always updated under Clipboard Arrays. To customise the coverage display for items listed under Site & Cell Coverage: Double-click on the item in the Data Types list, and on the Categories tab, select the required coverage schema from the drop-down box. Click OK, then click 'OK and Redraw'. When displaying coverage for several adjacent individual cells, the multiple predictions are not combined to display the "best" coverage at each pixel location, but are just shown on top of each other. If you want to display the best coverage value for each pixel, you should use an array. For information on this, see Creating Coverage Arrays on page 155.
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The technology options vary according to your licences. In this example of the Map View, the array creation options represent licences for GSM (Non-Sim), UMTS (Sim) and GSM (Sim):
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In the Array Options pane, specify a resolution for the array. You can specify any resolution. The output arrays will be generated at that requested resolution, using the prediction files at the resolutions specified for the corresponding network elements in the Site Database (or from the Override option in the Array Settings dialog box). A deterministic conversion process is used where necessary. In the Memory Status pane, you can see how much memory your chosen array requires, and how much is available.
Click Next.
10 Choose whether to save any array(s) that you create by selecting the Save checkbox. Browse to or type the path to a folder, or accept the default path shown (as specified in the Modify Project dialog box). 11 If you choose to save the arrays, a separate header file is saved as well, including the name of the user and the time and date when the array was created. To add your own planning comments, double-click on the comments field. 12 Click Finish. If you want to create a best server array iteratively (using the same network filters), see how to do this more easily in Creating and Displaying Coverage Simultaneously on page 161. Descriptions of the Coverage/Interference arrays are given in the ASSET Technical Reference Guide.
You have selected to only consider sub-cells with allocated carriers, but the sub-cells selected for the array have no carriers allocated.
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Coverage/Interference arrays (GSM Non-Sim) can be found under the Coverage heading:
Signal Coverage arrays (all technologies) can be found under the Simulator heading:
3 4
Select the array you want to display. Click 'OK and Redraw'.
The array will be displayed on the Map View. For brief descriptions of the different types of output arrays, see the ASSET Technical Reference Guide.
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Select what type of schema you require. Choose System for a type that other people can view or User to make a schema for your own use only. In the Schema (left side) pane, click Add. Enter a name for the new coverage schema and click OK. In the Coverage Categories (right side) pane, click Add to add a category. In the Label box enter a description, then choose a colour. Click Close to exit the Coverage Schemas dialog box. From the Configuration menu, point to Layers and click Cell Layers. On the Coverage Thresholds tab of the Cell Layers dialog box, select the appropriate coverage schema from the drop-down box and double-click each category to set its signal level.
In the case of multiple cell layers, you must do this separately for each cell layer. You can now select this new schema when you display coverage for a single site or cell, or when you set the display properties of a Non-Sim coverage array.
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If the array is a Best Server array, on the Categories tab, select the coverage schema that you want to use for the array. For more information on this, see Defining Coverage Schemas for GSM (Non-Sim) Arrays on page 159. If the array is not a Best Server array, the first tab is named differently, and the display options are slightly more specific, but the other tabs are the same.
3 4
Choose the level of transparency that will be used when the array is displayed. On the GIS Export tab, you can set the default content type for any subsequent GIS-based exports of this array: Raster Image (you can select from a range of output file types) RLE Rectangles Polygons
For more information on using GIS Export, see the ENTERPRISE User Reference Guide. 5 On the Visibility Settings tab, you can select options for displaying the array only at a particular zoom level threshold: Use View Zoom Range to set the minimum and maximum map view dimensions in which the array will be displayed according to Height or Width. Use Scale Range to set the minimum and maximum map view dimensions in which the array will be displayed according to the current paper settings, which are defined in the properties for the printer you choose.
Click OK to save the options. The Map View will now display the array with the new settings.
For more information on the 2g/2.5g arrays (such as Coverage, Interference and GPRS arrays), see the Array Descriptions section in the ASSET Technical Reference Guide.
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Service areas enable you to view the information from the Best Server array in terms of the geographical areas where each cell is the Serving Cell, irrespective of signal strength.
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To view this information: In the list of Data Types, ensure that Best Server is not selected and select Service Area (Block) or Service Area (Contour). This picture shows an example of a Service Area (Block) Array:
The Service Area works best with the default colour palette and on a screen with 65536 or more colours. If your screen only has 256 colours, you will need to change the colours to make adjacent service areas sufficiently different.
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Click the first cell then the second cell, and then choose a resolution. The result will vary according to which cell you click first.
The difference is calculated and displayed. The display settings can be set in 'Site & Cell Coverage' in the Data Types list.
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This picture shows an example of the carriers displayed on the Map View:
It is better to only display a limited number of carriers at any one time, because the display can only show a maximum of two carriers per cell. 6 Similarly, if you have chosen to use Group Planning in the Carrier Layers dialog box, on the Frequency Groups tab here, select the checkbox and select the first grid square, then choose the required colour. The next grid square will continue by using the next colour in the palette, and so on.
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After selecting the required reporting options in the Statistics dialog box, you can generate a report. Here is an example:
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Copy arrays to the Array Clipboard Rename Clipboard arrays To open the Array Manager: From the Arrays menu, click Array Manager. This picture shows an example of the Array Manager:
By default, all column information (File name, Memory, Resolution, and so on) is displayed, but you can customise which columns are included by right-clicking any of the column headings:
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You cannot delete individual arrays that were produced by the Simulator. However, you can use the Array Manager to delete the whole simulation from memory, if required.
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- or Using the Map View Data Types list: 1 2 3 In the Map View window, click the Show Data Types button From the list that appears, expand the Simulator heading. Right-click on the array and click Copy to Array Clipboard. .
Either method will create the copy of the array, and it will then appear under the Array Clipboard heading in both the Array Manager and the Map View. All output arrays from the Compound Array Generator are automatically held in memory as Clipboard arrays.
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Additional Notes:
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SECTION 9
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On the Cell Layers tab, associate the terminal type with one or more cell layers, by selecting from the available list, and clicking the button. This means that any traffic raster that is created for the terminal type can only be serviced by cells using the appropriate cell layer(s). For example, a dual band terminal might support the GSM900 and GSM1800 layers.
On the Clutter and/or Vectors tabs, define how the terminal type will be distributed over the Map View when a traffic raster is created. The flexible methods of distribution are generic to all technologies, and therefore are described fully in a separate section. See Determining the Distribution of Traffic on page 174. Apply and Commit your changes as required.
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On the Cell Layers tab, associate the terminal type with one or more cell layers, by selecting from the available list, and clicking the button. This means that any traffic raster that is created for the terminal type can only be serviced by cells using the appropriate cell layer(s).
On the GPRS/EGPRS tab, set the mean busy hour capacity (kb/s) of the terminal. This is an estimate of the traffic demand, in a busy hour, for the terminal type. This should include any overhead related to the characteristics of the device (for example, average packet size and TCP/IP protocol). Then specify the maximum number of timeslots supported by the terminal. On the Clutter and/or Vectors tabs, define how the terminal type will be distributed over the Map View when a traffic raster is created. The flexible methods of distribution are generic to all technologies, and therefore are described fully in a separate section. See Determining the Distribution of Traffic on page 174. Apply and Commit your changes as required.
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9.3.3.1 About the Clutter Tab on the Terminal Types Dialog Box
When you are determining the distribution of traffic for a terminal type, you can use either the Clutter tab or the Vectors tab, or a combination of both. This section describes the options on the Clutter tab.
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There are two methods you can choose if you want to spread traffic using clutter types: Weight or Density. The Weight option enables you to assign relative weights to the various clutter types available in your map data. These weights should represent the expected ratios of subscribers in each clutter type. The normalised percentages always add up to 100%. This method always requires a Total Traffic value to be entered during the Traffic wizard process. The Density option enables you to define a traffic density for each clutter type, and therefore the Total Traffic value in the Traffic wizard process is deactivated. If you intend to spread Live traffic, you must use the Weights option. Whichever method you use, the traffic units spread will be Terminals or Erlangs per km, as appropriate. For more information, see About the Traffic Units on page 180. For Weight, the Traffic wizard will spread the traffic over the selected region, applying the clutter weights on a pixel by pixel basis. For example, if the weights of clutter types 'Urban' and 'Rural' are 12 and 1 respectively, each urban pixel will have 12 times the traffic density of each rural pixel, irrespective of the total areas of the clutter types. For Density, the Traffic wizard will spread the traffic over the selected region, applying the specified densities to each pixel based on its clutter type. An advantage of using Weights is the extra flexibility. You can enter modified traffic values when you make subsequent runs of the Traffic wizard to produce new rasters, which will overwrite the old one (only one raster can exist in memory for any one terminal type). Alternatively, you can use the Scaling Traffic feature, which serves for both spreading methods. For each clutter type, you can also specify a percentage probability that the terminal is In-Building (that is, indoor). This will be used if you set up shadow fading standard deviations (and/or loss values) for indoor terminals, and will affect the simulation results. Setting Options and Values on the Clutter Tab To set the options and values on the Clutter tab of the Terminal Types dialog box: 1 2 3 Select either Weight or Density. Specify the values by selecting each of the clutter types and entering a value in the Weight column or Traffic Density column, as appropriate. If relevant to your technology type, specify the percentage values for In-Building by selecting each of the clutter types and entering a value in the % In-Building column. Apply and Commit your changes as required.
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9.3.3.2 About the Vectors Tab on the Terminal Types Dialog Box
When you determine the distribution of traffic for a terminal type, you can use either the Vectors tab or the Clutter tab, or a combination of both. This section describes the options on the Vectors tab.
On the Vectors tab of the Terminal Types dialog box, you can specify traffic to be spread into/onto any selected vector(s). When you later run the Traffic wizard to spread the traffic, any pixel intersected or enclosed by the vector will receive a traffic value, according to your requirements. Vectors may consist of lines, polygons or points. For information on how to create these, please refer to the ENTERPRISE User Reference Guide. There are two methods you can choose if you want to spread traffic using vectors: The Absolute option enables you to specify the total terminals within a vector (line, polygon or point) The Density option enables you to define a traffic density for each vector (line, polygon or point) Any vector-based traffic will be additional to clutter-based traffic, depending how the terminal type has been configured. For more information, see Using a Combination of the Clutter tab and the Vectors tab on page 178. If you want the terminal type to be spread exclusively into/onto vectors, ensure that all values on the terminal type's Clutter tab are set to zero (or, if the Weights option on the Clutter tab has been specified, you can simply set the traffic total value in step 5 of the wizard to zero). In the case where lines or points are not entirely within the region selected in the Traffic wizard, the traffic will be spread with the same specified values to the portion of the vectors that are within the region. However, traffic for polygons will be condensed into the portion of the polygon that is within the region. If you have set up vectors which contain both polygons and lines, the traffic specified for the lines is also spread over the edges of polygons (this may be useful for roads consisting of polygon 'loops'). If you do not want this to happen, you must organise your lines and polygons into separate vectors.
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The traffic units depend whether you use Absolute or Density, as described in this table:
Vector type Lines Basis Distance How Traffic is Spread Absolute mode Density mode Terminals or Erlangs per km. Traffic is evenly spread over Terminals or Erlangs. all the pixels through which the line runs. Traffic is evenly spread over Terminals or Erlangs. all the pixels enclosed within the polygon, unless you choose to use clutter weights when spreading traffic into polygons when you run the Traffic wizard. Traffic is spread onto whichever pixel the point is located. Terminals or Erlangs. If a vector file comprises multiple points, the traffic you define will be spread over all the points. For example, if you define 6 terminals for a vector comprising 3 points, each point will have 2 terminals.
Polygons
Area
Points
n/a
Terminals or Erlangs. If a vector file comprises multiple points, the traffic you define will be spread to each of the points. For example, if you define 6 terminals for a vector comprising 3 points, each point will have 6 terminals.
For more information about the units for each technology, see About the Traffic Units on page 180. In the case of polygons, traffic can be spread with or without taking account of clutter weights, determined by an option in step 2 of the Traffic Wizard. If you want clutter weights to be considered, ensure that clutter weights are selected and specified on the Clutter tab. For more information, see Creating a Traffic Raster with Specified Values on page 182. Setting Options and Values on the Vectors Tab To set the options and values on the Vectors tab of the Terminal Types dialog box: 1 2 3 4 Select either Absolute or Density. Select the required vector (line, polygon or point). Enter a traffic value in the appropriate column. Apply and Commit your changes as required.
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9.3.3.3 Using a Combination of the Clutter tab and the Vectors Tab
When you are determining the distribution of traffic for a terminal type, you can use either the Clutter tab or the Vectors tab. You can also choose to use a combination of both tabs. If you choose to do this, any vector-based traffic will be additional to clutter-based traffic, assuming either: The Weights option is specified on the terminal type's Clutter tab, some or all of the clutters types have weightings, and you use a non-zero traffic total value in step 5 of the Traffic Wizard. - or The Density option is specified on the terminal type's Clutter tab, and some or all of the clutters types have traffic density values set (in this case, the traffic total value in step 5 of the Traffic Wizard is inactive). If one of the above conditions is true, then the traffic will be spread to any pixels intersected/enclosed by the vector, in addition to any traffic for the clutter type of those pixels. Conversely, if you want the terminal type to be spread into/onto vectors only, ensure that all values on the terminal type's Clutter tab are set to zero (alternatively, if the Weights option on the Clutter tab has been specified, you can simply set the traffic total value in step 5 of the wizard to zero).
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The creation of Traffic Rasters enables you to: In the case of a nominal network, obtain initial estimates of the equipment and configuration needed. By displaying the array on the Map View, you can then gain a good idea of where to locate your sites. In the case of a more mature network, you can assess how your current network performs in terms of capacity. You can check that your site configuration is sufficient to match the traffic spread over the network. Also, in the case of 2g networks: You can capture the traffic from the array and assign it to individual sub-cells, and then use this data to analyse the capacity required for individual cells in your network. For this, you use the Static Traffic Analysis. You can use traffic arrays when creating an Interference Table, which can be used as an input to ILSA, the automatic Frequency Planning tool, or for the Interactive Frequency Analysis. And, in the case of 3g and 2g networks when using the Simulator, you need Traffic Rasters as a vital input to analyse your network performance.
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Before using the Traffic Wizard, ensure you have: 1 2 3 Defined at least one terminal type. Opened a Map View window that contains the area over which you want to spread the traffic (unless you prefer to enter co-ordinates). Created or loaded a coverage array, if restricting the traffic to coverage, or spreading live traffic. This step is optional for specified traffic, essential for live traffic, and not relevant for vector attributes.
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On step 5, you can specify the amount of traffic units if you used Clutter Weights when setting up the terminal type. If you used Clutter Density, then these values are already fixed, making this column inactive.
Any vector-based traffic will be additional to clutter-based traffic, depending how the terminal type has been configured. For more information, see Using a Combination of the Clutter tab and the Vectors tab on page 178. If you want the terminal type to be spread exclusively into/onto vectors, ensure that all values on the terminal type's Clutter tab are set to zero (or, if the Weights option on the Clutter tab has been specified, you can simply set the traffic total value in step 5 of the wizard to zero). 6 7 Ignore step 6 and click Next. (This separate option is described in Creating a Vector Attribute Traffic Raster on page 183.) On step 7, click Finish. You can optionally save the raster to a file. (You can also choose to do this later by using the Array Manager.)
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3 4 5 6
On step 3, choose the required resolution. The processing memory required to create the raster is shown. On step 4, the Restrict to Coverage is irrelevant for this spreading option, so just click Next. On step 5, the Traffic Total is irrelevant for this spreading option, so just click Next. On step 6, click Select Vectors, then select the appropriate vector(s), and then click OK. Then select the terminal type(s) and the attribute(s) by clicking in the dropdown list(s).
The traffic will be spread for all selected vectors that contain the chosen attribute(s). The traffic values are derived directly from the attribute values, that is, they become Erlangs or Terminals, as appropriate. Selecting this option overrides any settings in the previous two steps in the wizard for the specific terminal type(s). 7 On step 7, click Finish. You can optionally save the raster to a file. (You can also choose to do this later by using the Array Manager.)
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If required, you can change the display properties by double-clicking the item. You can then: Choose the start colour Type the Erlang or Terminals value at which you wish to start displaying traffic Type in the step interval, for example if you type 10, each colour relates to 10 mE or 10 terminals, as appropriate
Map Information Pane You can also display the traffic value at the current pixel in the Map Information pane. This pane displays information related to the specific pixel under the cursor (location, height, clutter, traffic and so on). As you move the mouse cursor over the map, the pane displays information related to the specific pixel. To view the pane: 1 2 On the Map View window, from the View menu, select Show Map View Gadgets. In the pane, click the Field Selector button to change what the pane displays.
This feature can be particularly useful for sensitivity analysis of nominal network designs (that is, if the traffic forecast increases by x%), and for predicting where problems might occur when traffic increases with time. You can also describe GPRS traffic in relation to CS traffic.
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3 4 5
These values are then stored in the Site Database, in the CS Traffic (E) box on the General tab for the sub-cell, and/or, if applicable, on the (E)GPRS tab.
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To make this traffic available to other users you must commit it in the Site Database window. Now you can also calculate the number of carriers required to provide a specific grade of service.
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The layer name column refers to the cell layer and not the carrier layer.
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Optionally, click the Apply Carriers Required on Sub-cells button to apply these changes on the Carriers page for each sub-cell in the Site Database window. This uses carrier priorities, so the first priority carrier layer is filled first according to maximum allocatable carriers, then the second priority and so on. To make this traffic available to other users you must commit it. If you have hopping sub-cells, in the dialog box that appears, enter the TRX Multiplier. If you require fractional loading of the network, you should enter a value n where 1/n is the fractional load you require.
You can do this either by running the first two stages of the Static Traffic Analysis, or by loading 2g live traffic. To display 'traffic per sub-cell' on the Map View: 1 2 3 In the Map View window, click the Show Data Types button. In the list of data types, under Traffic, select Traffic per Sub-cell. Double-click to change the display properties of the item.
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On the Categories tab, change the label, colour, pattern and level of the categories you set up. The colours are allocated to represent bands of traffic, for example, one colour might represent cells serving the range 0 to 3 Erlangs, another 3 to 6 Erlangs and so on. GPRS traffic is displayed as kbits/s. You can display GPRS data rate for the current allocation of transceivers for each sub-cell.
On the GIS Export tab, select the content type for the GIS Export, and, in the case of Raster image, the type of output file. For more information, see the ENTERPRISE User Reference Guide. On the Visibility Settings tab, you can select options for displaying the array only at a particular zoom level threshold: Use View Zoom Range to set the minimum and maximum map view dimensions in which the array will be displayed according to Height or Width Use Scale Range to set the minimum and maximum map view dimensions in which the array will be displayed according to the current paper settings, which are defined in the properties for the printer you choose
This diagram shows an example traffic per sub-cell analysis for CS traffic.
Traffic Per Sub-Cell Displayed in the Map View window with Key
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You can do this either by running the first two stages of the Static Traffic Analysis, or by loading 2g live traffic. To display 'blocking per sub-cell' on the Map View: 1 2 3 4 In the Map View window and click the Show Data Types button. In the list of data types, under Traffic, select CS Blocking. Blocking per sub-cell is displayed over the service area of the sub-cell. Double-click the item to change the display properties. On the Categories tab, choose a colour, pattern and a level (percentage) for each blocking item you want to set up. For example, you could display 5% blocking as yellow, 10% blocking as red or you can choose to display only pixels in bad areas (any level other than the lowest blocking value). On the GIS Export tab, select the content type for the GIS Export, and, in the case of Raster image, the type of output file. For more information, see the ENTERPRISE User Reference Guide. On the Visibility Settings tab, you can select options for displaying the array only at a particular zoom level threshold: Use View Zoom Range to set the minimum and maximum map view dimensions in which the array will be displayed according to Height or Width Use Scale Range to set the minimum and maximum map view dimensions in which the array will be displayed according to the current paper settings, which are defined in the properties for the printer you choose
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The cell boundaries can optionally be highlighted by using the Service Area (contour) option found under Coverage in the list of data types.
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Click Apply. The maximum number of traffic channels available is the maximum number of channels available per transceiver minus the number of signalling and control channels required to support the maximum number of traffic channels. Repeat this until you have reached the maximum number of carriers that cells in your network will contain. Select your new Channel to Transceiver map in the Cell Layers dialog box. Click on the on the Coverage Type tab, and you will see a drop-down list with all the available maps listed. Only one Channel to Transceiver map can be allocated per cell layer.
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7 8
To edit a user-defined Channel to Transceiver map: 1 2 3 Select the map you want to edit (you cannot change the default channel maps). Select the transceiver you want to edit. For non-GPRS channel maps, change the maximum number of channels and click Apply. You cannot specify a maximum number of channels that is less than the previous maximum number of channels. 4 5 Click Close. Make sure the correct Channel to Transceiver map is selected in the Cell Layers dialog box.
For GPRS, you can either use create a GPRS map, or you may choose to use one of the GSM defaults. If you want to create a GPRS map, see Creating Channel to Transceiver Maps for GPRS on page 194.
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To change the information in the columns, select a transceiver then click Edit Map. You can specify: Total number of channels (No.) Amount of dedicated GPRS capacity (Ngprs) Number of shared control channels (Nctrl) Number of GPRS control channels (Ngprsctrl)
The number of circuit switched traffic channels (Ncs) is automatically updated. 7 8 Click OK to close the GPRS Map Editor. Select your new Channel to Transceiver map in the Cell Layers dialog box. Click on the on the Coverage Type tab, and you will see a drop-down box with all the available maps listed. Only one Channel to Transceiver map can be allocated per cell layer. Select the map you want to edit. Select the transceiver you want to edit. For GPRS channel maps, click Edit Map and change the items as required. Click Close. Make sure the correct Channel to Transceiver map is selected in the Cell Layers dialog box.
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Additional Notes:
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SECTION 10
10 Planning Neighbours
10.1 Objectives of this Session
In this session you will learn about: Creating neighbours manually Using simple file lists to add or remove neighbours Creating neighbours using the Neighbour Planning Wizard Amending the neighbour-related parameters Using the Neighbour Analysis Displaying neighbours in the Map View Converting neighbours to mutual relationships
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10.3.1
1 2 3
To create neighbour relationships in the Map View: Click the down arrow on the Associations toolbox, and then click the Add Neighbour Cell button . Click a cell that requires new neighbours. Click the new neighbour cell. Neighbour relations are created and are automatically applied to the Site Database. 4 5 You can continue to add neighbour cells to the same site. Apply and commit your changes as required. The neighbour relations created in this manner are set as outward only. If you require mutual neighbours, you must add the reverse relationship in the same way, or you can use the Make All Mutual option in the Neighbour Analysis.
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10.3.2
1 2 3
To create neighbour relations in the Site Database window: Open the Site Database window and select the appropriate cell. On the Neighbours tab, click the Add button to add a new neighbour relationship. In the Neighbour Chooser dialog box that appears, you can specify any of these items:
Item Filter Cell ID Description This enables you to filter the cells that you want to be included in the Find operation for potential neighbours. The All filter is the default. You can use this edit box to type the ID of the potential neighbouring cell(s), and the type of expression: Substring, Regular expression or Exact (case-sensitive or otherwise). You can also type a comma-separated list of IDs, if you want to find a multiple set of cells. When using the Cell ID option, it may be wise to set the Filter to 'All'. Distance (km) Max Relative Bearing Technology The maximum distance from the potential neighbour. The maximum relative bearing from the potential neighbour. The technology used on the potential neighbour.
When satisfied with your selection criteria, click Find. A list of the cells that meet the criteria appears. This list always excludes any neighbour relationships already existing in the database.
Choose the cells that you wish to use for the neighbour relationships by selecting the required cell IDs. If required, you can also specify Mutual, Inward or Outward. If you want to set any of the neighbour parameters for the selected neighbours, you can click the Set Values button. The Set Parameters dialog box appears, enabling you to specify margins, protection, planning status, and priority. When you have finished, click OK.
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In the Neighbour Chooser dialog box, click OK. Apply and commit your changes as required.
The neighbour relationships are added, with the parameters that you have specified. Tips : You can amend the parameters for the neighbour relations at any time. See Amending Neighbour Parameters in the Site Database on page 200. You can also customise how the neighbour relationship columns are displayed on the Neighbours tab. See the following section.
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10.3.2.1
When you are viewing the lists of neighbours for cells on the Neighbour tab in the Site Database, you can: Specify which columns to display Set the column widths Re-order the columns left to right To do this: 1 2 3 4 5 On the Neighbour tab, right-click on any column heading and select Choose Details from the context menu. In the dialog box that appears, select the columns you want to show, and deselect those you want to hide (the Show/Hide buttons can be used if preferred). Set a column width for your selected items. Use the Move Up/Down buttons to re-order the selected columns. Click OK.
In the Site Database window, the columns will be displayed according to your requirements. You can also sort the rows in the neighbour list by double-clicking any of the column headings (for example, sort by Cell ID, Direction, or Priority).
10.3.2.2
If you want to modify any of the neighbour-related parameters for neighbours that already exist, you can do this on the Neighbours tab of the Site Database. You can either: Individually edit the appropriate parameters by clicking in the boxes in the relevant columns Using the Set Values button, which can be used for individual or groups of neighbours The parameters can be set separately for outward/inward relations. These parameters include: Hysteresis Margin Protection State Planning Status Priority Editing these settings always depends on your object user-permissions for the cells affected by the outward/inward relations.
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To do this for individual neighbours, using the edit boxes: 1 2 Click on the appropriate edit box of the neighbour: Margin (Out/In), Protection State (Out/In), Planning Status (Out/In), or Priority (Out/In). For Margin or Priority, edit the value. For Protection or Planning Status, choose 'Yes/No' or 'Live/Planned' (respectively) from the drop-down box. Select the cell or cells for which you want to amend the parameters. Click the Set Values button. In the Set Parameters dialog box that appears, specify the required parameters for the selected cell(s). These can be set separately for outward/inward relations. When you have finished, click OK. Apply and commit your changes as required.
To do this for individual or groups of neighbours, using the Set Values button: 1 2 3 4 5
Example of file format that can be used for GSM, UMTS and LTE
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The Neighbour Planning Wizard only creates outward neighbour relationships, but, of course, these are 'mirrored' by inward neighbour relationships for the corresponding cells.
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10.5.1
The Prediction-based Neighbour wizard is available for GSM, UMTS, CDMA2000, EV-DO, LTE or Mobile WiMAX, as well as a range of inter-technology neighbour plans, such as GSM-UMTS, UMTS-LTE, LTE-CDMA, and so on. Before you use the wizard, you should consider performing a Commit All on the Site Database. This would enable you to perform a Restore All to return to the previous configuration, if necessary. To plan neighbours using the Prediction-based Neighbour wizard: 1 2 3 4 Open the Map View window and display the area and cells that you wish to include in the plan. From the Tools menu, point to Neighbours, then Neighbour Wizard, and click Prediction Based. In the first step of the wizard, check that the region for the plan is correct. If necessary, you can modify the area by entering precise co-ordinates. Click Next and select the filters that you wish to plan for. You can either use the filters that already appear in the Map View, or select filters from the checkboxes provided. Whichever option you use, only cells included in the chosen map region will be included in the plan. 5 Click Next and select the Plan Type you wish to use, and set the required parameters. For more information about this, see Setting the Prediction-based Neighbour Plan Parameters on page 204. The plan types will vary depending on the technologies enabled in your project. If you use more than one plan type in the wizard, the results will be combined in the resulting Neighbour Analysis. 6 Click Next and you can choose to: 7 Start the Neighbour Analysis immediately after the wizard has finished Save the list of valid neighbours in a *.xml file (this list will be automatically stored in memory, but you can choose to save it now or later)
Click Next. A summary page will appear. If you are satisfied with the settings, click Finish.
If you have selected to automatically start the analysis, the neighbours are displayed in the Neighbour Analysis dialog box. For more information about this, see About the Neighbour Analysis on page 206. To start the Neighbour Analysis at any other time, from the Tools menu, point to Neighbours and click Neighbour Analysis.
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10.5.2
When you are planning neighbours using the Prediction-based Neighbour Wizard, you can set specific options and parameters depending on your plan type. This enables you to model the characteristics of your network more accurately. The parameters, some of which are specific to the plan type, are described in the following sections. Search Area Parameters This table describes the parameters for establishing the search area of the source cell:
Plan Type All Search Area Parameters Description
Handover hysteresis margin This is a network parameter whose purpose is to prevent repetitive re-selection of the serving cell. It defines the maximum allowed difference between the signal strength of the serving cell and the best signal, in order that the serving cell can keep serving a terminal even when its signal is not the best one. In the Neighbour Wizard, this margin is used to determine the amount of source cells to be compared against target cells in each pixel. For example, if the margin is set to 3dB, then the source cells can be defined as 'all cells whose signal strength is within 3dB of the Best Serving signal at that pixel'. For each pixel, the threshold parameter/s (below) must also be satisfied. Signal or Quality Threshold(s) Only pixels containing values (signal strengths or quality, as appropriate) equal to or higher than the threshold will be included in the resulting search area, provided that the handover hysteresis margin is also satisfied. All pixels below the threshold will be excluded.
Target Cells Parameters Within the search area, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, the wizard finds potential target cells, and creates a list of valid neighbours for the source cell. This table describes the parameters for the selection of valid target neighbour cells:
Plan Type GSM-GSM Target Cells Parameters Neighbour planning margin (dB) Description In each pixel, the signal strength difference between the source cell and target cell is calculated. This value is then compared to this margin, and the difference is converted into a handover probability factor (based on a normal distribution formula). These factors are summed to find the net handover probability for each target cell on the whole search area. Depending on the other qualifying criteria, the target cell may qualify as a valid neighbour. In each pixel, the target cell must satisfy both the RSCP Threshold and the Ec/Io Threshold. In each pixel, the target cell must satisfy the GSM Signal Threshold.
RSRP Threshold and RSRQ Threshold RSCP Threshold and Ec/Io Threshold
In each pixel, the target cell must satisfy both the RSRP Threshold and the RSRQ Threshold. In each pixel, the target cell must satisfy both the RSCP Threshold and the Ec/Io Threshold.
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Target Cells Parameters Maximum number of covering cells Maximum distance Maximum number of neighbouring cells
Description The maximum number of target cells that are considered at each pixel during the neighbour calculations. At a pixel-by-pixel level, this parameter determines how many 'sets' of covering cell data are to be evaluated for potential neighbours. In order to qualify as a valid neighbour, a target cell must be within this specified distance. The maximum number of neighbouring cells that can qualify as valid neighbours for the source cell. (The overlapping percentage ranking determines which neighbours qualify.) This parameter is unavailable for LTE-GSM, because, for this plan type, cellspecific neighbour limits can be set in the Site Database.
A target cell must attain at least n% of the overlapping area (the net handover probability) to qualify as a valid neighbour. If you also select the minimum number option (below), this simply means that if the number of valid neighbours attaining >n% is less than the specified minimum number, other target cells (attaining <n%) will be added as valid neighbours, until the minimum is satisfied. All the supporting criteria must also be satisfied.
This option can be used to ensure a minimum number of neighbours for each source cell, even if the percentage (above) is not attained. This must be less than or equal to the specified maximum. For LTE-GSM, this value is always limited by the cell-specific neighbour limits set in the Site Database. All the supporting criteria must also be satisfied.
Enables you to set a generic standard deviation for the signal strength/quality (as appropriate). Otherwise, the parameter on the target cell's assigned propagation model will be used (or, if the model has no such parameter, 7dB will be used). If you select this option, cells that exist on sites belonging to the same Property will automatically qualify as valid neighbours. The map resolution for the plan(s).
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You can use the Neighbour Analysis to: Identify any discrepancies with the existing neighbours, after planning neighbours using one of the Neighbour Wizards. Load the neighbour lists that are used in the live network into the database, and then compare them to those that have been generated by the Neighbour Wizards. Analyse the effects of new sites and cells, seeing where new relationships need to be added and where current relationships have become obsolete, then update the database as appropriate. Use the editing functionality (also available in the Site Database) such as: Adding/removing neighbours Making one-way relationships mutual Modifying neighbour-related parameters
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View the neighbour relationships currently existing in the Site Database. Display the 'Proposed and Existing' neighbours on the Map View (even if not Applied to the database). Generate a neighbours report. Generate a delta export text file. If you used more than one plan type in the Neighbour Planning Wizard, the results are combined in the Neighbour Analysis.
10.6.1
The Neighbour Analysis dialog box is interactive. You can use it to add or remove neighbours, and edit a variety of neighbour-related parameters. If you have created neighbours using the Neighbour wizard, and have selected to automatically display the Neighbour Analysis window after planning, you can view it immediately. Alternatively, you can generate the Neighbour Analysis window at any other time (including if you have created neighbours manually, without using the wizard). It is wise to perform a Commit All on the Site Database before you use the Neighbour Analysis. This would enable you to perform a Restore All to return to the previous configuration, if necessary. To perform the neighbour analysis: 1 2 From the Tools menu, point to Neighbours and click Neighbour Analysis. In the Neighbour Analysis window, from the cell list in the left pane, select any cell and then, in the neighbour list in the right pane, you can view information relating to the neighbour cells. If you have run the Neighbour Planning Wizard, or loaded a saved plan, the Filter option allows you to view other cells that were not in the planned filter. However, if you want to only view cells that were included in the generated plan, you can select the Display Proposed Cells Only option. If required, while you are in this display mode, you can click the 'Set All Priority' button. This will automatically assign priorities for the neighbour relationships for each cell. An integer value (1, 2, 3 and so on) will be assigned, corresponding to the relative attained percentage overlap value of each neighbour. There are also three basic display options: Proposed, Existing, Proposed and Existing. There is also a fourth option to display all neighbours excluding any user-deleted ones. However, it is recommended that you generally use the 'Proposed and Existing' display mode within this dialog box. The display option is only for visual purposes and does not play any part in limiting which neighbours are updated if/when you click the 'Update Database' or the 'Make All Mutual' buttons.
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The different display options for the neighbouring cells are described in the following table:
This Option Proposed Displays Neighbour relationships that are in the generated neighbour plan, but do not currently exist in the Site Database. Neighbour relationships added manually in the Neighbour Analysis. Neighbour relationships that currently exist in the Site Database, but are not in the generated neighbour plan. Are newly proposed in the generated neighbour plan, or Currently exist in the Site Database, or Have been added manually in the Neighbour Analysis Delta plan All Proposed-only neighbours relationships, excluding any user-deleted ones. In other words, this option can be considered as a way of viewing the differences between Proposed relationships and Existing relationships.
Existing
Proposed and Existing All neighbour relationships. That is, those that:
3 4
If you want to make some or all of your neighbour relationships mutual, see Converting Inward/Outward Neighbours to Mutual on page 219. The Neighbour Analysis automatically sets an 'Action (Inward)' and 'Action (Outward)' for each neighbouring cell. The different categories are described in the following table:
This Action Create Corresponds to Newly proposed neighbour relationships that do not currently exist in the Site Database (these may be have been generated by the wizard, or added manually in the Neighbour Analysis). Such relationships remain in the 'Create' state, even if their neighbour-related parameters have also been changed in the Neighbour Analysis. Keep Remove Neighbour relationships which already exist in the Site Database and will not be changed (unless manually selected to be removed). Neighbour relationships (proposed or existing) that have been manually selected in the Neighbour Analysis to be removed. Removals can be undone using the Undo Changes button. Update Existing neighbour relationships that have had their neighbour-related parameters changed in the Neighbour Analysis, such as margin, priority, and so on. Any newly proposed neighbour relationships (that is, not already existing in the database) will always show as 'Create' rather than 'Update', even if their parameters have been changed.
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10.6.1.1
When you have performed a Neighbour Analysis, you can choose to update the database with the changes from within the analysis. This may include changes made by the Neighbour Wizard (such as new or removed relationships) and/or changes that you have made manually in the analysis. When you update the database with the neighbour relationships generated by the plan, you can do this in two distinct ways: If you manually right-click on individual cells and use the 'Update Selected Cell(s) to DB' option, this operation applies all the changes marked as 'create', 'remove' and 'update'. It does this for those selected cells only. You may find this option useful, for example, if you want to create some neighbours for one or several new sites but not modify a very carefully optimised neighbour plan that already exists for the 'live' sites. If you use the Update Database button, this operation applies all the changes marked as 'create', 'remove' and 'update'. It does this for all the appropriate cells in the Neighbour Analysis, regardless of the selected filter and regardless of the display option. You should be aware of any neighbour limits that may be active in the project. If any limits are active, the provisional neighbour relationships appear as normal in the Neighbour Analysis, but, for cells where limits would become exceeded, they cannot be included in a database update.
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10.6.1.2
When you are viewing the lists of neighbours for cells in the Neighbour Analysis dialog box, you can: Specify which columns to display Set the column widths Re-order the columns left to right To do this: 1 2 3 4 5 In the Neighbour Analysis dialog box, in the right-hand pane, right-click on any column heading and select Choose Details from the context menu. In the dialog box that appears, select the columns you want to show, and deselect those you want to hide (the Show/Hide buttons can be used if preferred). Set a column width for your selected items. Use the Move Up/Down buttons to re-order the selected columns. Click OK.
In the Neighbour Analysis dialog box, the columns will be displayed according to your requirements. You can also sort the rows in the neighbour list by double-clicking any of the column headings (for example, sort by Cell ID, Direction, or Priority).
10.6.1.3
You can add inward, outward or mutual neighbours to a cell in the Neighbour Analysis dialog box. The method is the same as the one on the Neighbour tab of the Site Database. To do this: 1 2 3 Select the cell (in the left pane) for which you want to create a neighbour. Click Create. In the Neighbour Chooser dialog box that appears, specify these items:
Item Filter Cell ID Description This enables you to filter the cells that you want to be included in the Find operation. The All filter is the default. You can use this edit box to type the ID of the potential neighbouring cell(s), and the type of expression: Substring, Regular expression or Exact (case-sensitive or otherwise). You can also type a comma-separated list of IDs, if you want to find a multiple set of cells. When using the Cell ID option, it may be wise to set the Filter to 'All'. Distance (km) Max Relative Bearing Technology The maximum distance from the potential neighbour. The maximum relative bearing from the potential neighbour. The technology used on the potential neighbour.
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When satisfied with your selection criteria, click Find. A list of the cells that meet the criteria appears. This list always excludes any neighbour relationships already existing in the database.
Choose the cells that you wish to use for the neighbour relationships by selecting the required cell IDs. If required, you can also specify Mutual, Inward or Outward. If you want to set any of the neighbour parameters for the selected neighbours, you can click the Set Values button. The Set Parameters dialog box appears, enabling you to specify margins, planning status, and priority. When you have finished, click OK.
In the Neighbour Chooser dialog box, click OK. The neighbour relations are added (or updated) in the Neighbour Analysis dialog box.
To update the database with the changes that you have made, click Update Database. This adds all the neighbour relationships marked in the Neighbour Analysis as 'create' to the Site Database (and removes any marked as 'remove'). The changes will be in the Applied state.
10.6.1.4
You can use the Neighbour Analysis dialog box to update the neighbour-related parameters for individual neighbours or groups of neighbours (the parameters can be set separately for outward/inward relations). These include: Hysteresis Margin (GSM only) Planning Status Priority Notes: Editing these settings always depends on your object user-permissions for the cells affected by the outward/inward relations. The protection state cannot be edited here (for information on editing this, see the ASSET User Reference Guide). To do this for individual neighbours, using the edit boxes: 1 2 Click on the appropriate edit box of the neighbour: Margin (Out/In), Planning Status (Out/In), or Priority (Out/In). For Margin or Priority, edit the value. For Planning Status, choose Live or Planned from the drop-down box.
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To do this for individual or groups of neighbours, using the Set Parameters dialog box: 1 2 3 4 Select the cell or cells (in the right pane) for which you want to amend the parameters. Click the Set Values button. In the dialog box that appears, specify the required parameters for the selected cell(s). These can be set separately for outward/inward relations. When you have finished, click OK.
For individual neighbours, you can open the Set Parameters dialog box by doubleclicking on the row containing the appropriate neighbour.
10.6.1.5
You can use the Neighbour Analysis dialog box to remove individual neighbours, or remove groups of neighbours for a particular cell, or remove all neighbours within the analysis. The right pane enables you to 'hand-pick' neighbours, whereas the left pane enables you to choose (sub)sets of neighbours relating to a particular cell. Removing Neighbours by using Individual Selections 1 2 3 4 In the right pane, select the neighbour(s) you wish to remove. Click Remove (the right pane button). In the dialog box that appears, select Outward, Inward or All. Click OK to confirm.
In the Neighbour Analysis, any deletions will have their appropriate Action column(s) set to 'remove'. Removing All neighbours of a Cell or All Neighbours within the Analysis 1 In the left pane, select the appropriate cell(s). - or At the top of the left pane, click the Select All button. 2 3 At the bottom of the left pane, click the Remove button. In the dialog box that appears, select the type of neighbours to remove: 4 Direction: Outward, Inward or all Status: Proposed, Existing or all Technology: Intra, Inter or all
Click OK to confirm.
In the Neighbour Analysis, any deletions will have their appropriate Action column(s) set to 'remove'.
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Any neighbours with their Action column(s) marked as 'remove' will not be deleted from the database until you click the Update Database button. The Update Database operation applies all the neighbour removals to all the appropriate cells in the Neighbour Analysis, regardless of the selected filter and regardless of the display option.
10.6.1.6
Before updating the database with your changes, you can selectively undo: Any neighbours that have been set to be removed Any neighbour parameters, such as margin or priority changes To do this: In the right pane of the Neighbour Analysis: 1 2 3 4 Select the neighbour(s) for which you wish to undo the changes. Click Undo Changes. In the dialog box that appears, select Outward, Inward or All. Click OK to confirm.
In the Neighbour Analysis, the selected neighbour(s) will have the appropriate Action column(s) set to 'keep' or 'create' (as appropriate)'.
10.6.1.7
You can generate two types of report from the Neighbour Analysis. Neighbour Report This report format can either be Microsoft List. To do this: 1 2 In the Neighbour Analysis dialog box, click the Generate Report button. Select the report format, and click OK. Excel Text File or Comma-Separated
The neighbour report is generated. The content of the neighbour report is reactive to both the selected filter and the display option mode. That is, the report will only show the neighbour relationships included in the filter and within the display option (Proposed, Existing, and so on). This flexibility enables you to limit the report to the items of interest.
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Delta Export Report The delta export report will show the differences between a neighbour plan created using the Neighbour Planning Wizard and the neighbour plan in the Site Database. This export only contains neighbour relationships that have been created or removed in the plan. It can also include create/remove changes that you make manually in the Neighbour Analysis, provided the Delta Export button is clicked after making such changes. To do this: 1 2 In the Neighbour Analysis dialog box, click the Delta Export button. Browse for a destination folder, and then click Save. A default file name appears, but you can edit this. 3 4 Check that the file name and destination path are as required. Click Export.
The delta export report is generated to a text file. The file format is described in this example:
Source Cell Identity SITE7C SITE8B GSM ID or Cell ID (UMTS) 123lon 789lon Target Cell Identity SITE8C SITE7C GSM ID or Cell ID (UMTS) 456lon 123lon Action 1=Add 0=Remove 1 0
The content of the delta export report is reactive to the selected filter but it is not reactive to the display option mode. That is, the report will only show the create/remove differences for those neighbour relationships included in the filter, but it disregards the display option (Proposed, Existing, and so on).
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You can also display neighbours on the Map View in several ways: All neighbours Neighbours for individual cells Neighbours that are proposed by the Neighbour Analysis Live/planned neighbours
10.7.1
This display method requires you to hover the mouse over each cell's azimuth to display its neighbours. To display all neighbours in the Map View window: 1 2 In the Map View window, click the Show Data Types button .
In the list of Data Types, expand Neighbours/Exceptions, then expand Hand Over Neighbours.
3 4 5
Select the All Neighbours option. Click the OK & Redraw button. Move the mouse over each cell's azimuth to display its neighbours.
The Map View is updated as you move the mouse. You can also customise how the neighbours are displayed, as described in Customising the Display of Neighbours on page 218.
ASSET Training Guide (GSM) Version 7.0 Page 215
10.7.2
This display method enables you to display an individual cell's neighbours on the Map View. To do this: 1 In the bottom-left of the Site Design toolbar (on the left of the Map View), click the down arrow on the Associations toolbox, and then click the Display Neighbour button as shown here:
Select the appropriate cell on the Map View. The neighbour relationships are displayed as lines between the cells as shown in this example:
You can show or hide the displayed item by selecting/deselecting the relevant checkbox.
You can also customise how the neighbours are displayed, as described in the following section.
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10.7.3
When you are viewing the contents of the Neighbour Analysis dialog box, you can display the 'Proposed and Existing' neighbours on the Map View, even if you have not yet Applied the proposed neighbours to the database. This may be very useful in aiding you to assess the proposed new relationships. To do this: 1 Select the 'Render on 2D View' option in the Neighbour Analysis dialog box.
2 3 4
In the Map View window, click the Show Data Types button
In the list of Data Types, expand Neighbours/Exceptions, then expand Hand Over Neighbours. Select the Neighbours from Analysis option.
5 6
Click the OK & Redraw button. Move the mouse over each cell's azimuth to display its neighbours.
The Map View is updated as you move the mouse, and the respective cell is highlighted automatically in the Neighbour Analysis. Conversely, you can also click on any cell in the left pane of the Neighbour Analysis, and the Map View updates accordingly. Here is an example:
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10.7.4
When you are displaying neighbours (all neighbours or neighbours for individual cells), you can customise how the line colours/weights/styles are displayed in the Map View. To do this: 1 In the Data Types list, expand Neighbours/Exceptions, then expand Hand Over Neighbours.
Double-click the required item. The Display Properties dialog box appears. If you chose the 'All Neighbours' item, you can filter on a network type.
3 4
Select the neighbour technology types that you want to view on the map and click the relevant Set Display button. In the dialog box that appears, choose a line colour and line weight for the neighbour type. If required, you can then define different styles and arrow types for mutual, outward-only and inward-only neighbours. For example, you could use a solid line style for the mutual neighbours, and broken line styles for the non-mutual neighbours (the arrows are optional).
If you want to view the planning status (Live or Planned) of the neighbour relations, select the relevant checkboxes, and then set distinctive line characteristics and click OK. You must also select the required neighbour technology type(s). Where appropriate, the planning status display settings always override the neighbour technology type display settings.
6 7 8 9
If you want to display 2nd order neighbours (neighbours of neighbours), click the 2nd Order tab, select the checkbox, then set the line characteristics and click OK. When you have finished in the Display Properties dialog box, click OK. In the Data Types list, ensure the required item is selected. Click the OK & Redraw button.
The Map View is updated. If you chose All Neighbours, you need to move the mouse over each cell's azimuth to display its neighbours. To stop displaying the neighbours, simply deselect the relevant checkbox, and Redraw.
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10.9.1
In the Site Database you can convert inward and outward neighbours to be mutual neighbours. To do this: 1 2 Open the Site Database window and select the appropriate cell. On the Neighbours tab, select the neighbour(s) that you want to make mutual. You can select more than one neighbour at a time by holding down the Shift or Ctrl key on your keyboard and then selecting the neighbours you require. 3 Click the Make Mutual button. The new outward or inward relationship(s) will be created accordingly, and the Direction of the appropriate neighbour(s) will show as 'Mutual' in the Site Database window. 4 Commit your changes as required.
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10.9.2
There are various ways of making neighbours mutual within the Neighbour Analysis. Converting Individually Selected Neighbours 1 In the right pane, select the neighbour(s) that you want to make mutual. You can select more than one neighbour at a time by holding down the Shift or Ctrl key on your keyboard and then selecting the neighbours you require. 2 Click the Make Mutual button. The new outward or inward relationship(s) will be created accordingly, and the Direction column of the appropriate neighbour(s) will display as 'Mutual'. 3 To apply this change, click Update Database.
Converting All Neighbours of a Cell or All Neighbours 1 In the left pane, select the appropriate cell(s). - or At the top of the left pane, click the Select All button. 2 3 At the bottom of the left pane, click the Make All Mutual button. In the dialog box that appears, select the type of neighbours to make mutual. Status: Proposed, Existing or All Technology: Intra, Inter or All Intra technology carrier: Intra, Inter or All (not applicable to 2g)
The changes takes place for all the selected cells, regardless of the display option in the right pane. 4 Click OK to confirm. The new outward or inward relationships will be created accordingly, and the Direction column of the appropriate neighbours will display as 'Mutual'. 5 To apply these changes, click Update Database.
The Update Database operation applies all the changes to all the appropriate cells in the Neighbour Analysis, regardless of the selected filter and regardless of the display option.
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10.10
This checklist has been provided as a self-assessment of the objectives stated at the beginning of the session. Please tick all objectives covered in this session: Creating neighbours manually Using simple file lists to add or remove neighbours Creating neighbours using the Neighbour Planning Wizard Amending the neighbour-related parameters Using the Neighbour Analysis Displaying neighbours in the Map View Converting neighbours to mutual relationships
Additional Notes:
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SECTION 11
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You can also use the following resources to help analyse frequency plans: Frequency Plan Reporter Interactive Frequency Analysis Wizard
If the layer does not appear, ensure it has been associated with the cell layer, as explained in Defining Cell Layers on page 102. 3 In the Carriers pane, select or deselect the relevant checkbox(es) to edit the allocation status, as appropriate:
Status Alloc. Forbidden Alloc. and Fixed None Description The carrier is allocated. The carrier is set as forbidden. The carrier allocation is set as fixed. The carrier is not allocated.
Any Fixed or Forbidden states can be used as inputs to ILSA. 4 You can now repeat the process for a different carrier layer. When you have finished making your allocations on all the relevant carrier layers for the sub-cell, click Apply to save the changes.
Optionally, each carrier can be also assigned with one of five states: Active, Idle, Released, Locked, Deleted. These five carrier states are for user information only. They will have no impact on the rest of the functions in ENTERPRISE.
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You can also use the Carrier Layer tab of the Global Editor in the Site Database to make limited allocation status changes based on filters.
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11.4.1
1 2 3 4
Here are the main steps for analysing an existing or nominal frequency plan: Ensure the current or nominal frequency allocations have been set up or imported in the Site Database. From the Arrays menu, click Array Settings. On the Coverage/Interference tab, choose Co-channel or Adjacent channel or both. Open the Map View window at the desired location. Create one or more interference array(s). For more information, see Creating Coverage/Interference Arrays (Non-Sim) on page 155. You can choose from: Worst Interferer Total Interference Worst Connection Average Connection
Descriptions of these array types are given in the ASSET Technical Reference Guide. If you are using a frequency hopping network, choose a connection type array, since these are designed to consider hopping carriers. 5 6 Display the array(s) on the Map View. After analysing the array(s) visually (and plotting the resulting view, if desired), you can now analyse the plan statistically, by producing an Interference Statistics report. The report gives details of the proportion of interference better and worse than the chosen interference threshold, as well as a breakdown by clutter type and by cell. The Total Covered Area in the report is the area of the Best Server array down to the chosen coverage level. It is also possible to confine the statistics within specified user polygons, for example enclosing urban areas only. 7 Use the Interactive Frequency Analysis to generate a comprehensive report which can analyse and fine-tune the frequency plan based on the Interference Table, Neighbours, Site/Cell Separations and Exceptions. Use the Frequency Plan Reporter to generate a simple report which lists allocations which do not meet specified carrier separation constraints. Display the Frequency Re-use on the Map view, using the Cell Info option under the Data Types list.
8 9
It is always necessary to create an Interference Array before generating an Interference Report. This is because the reports always extract their data from the interference array currently in memory. Therefore, after making any changes in the network, you should always carry out both steps consecutively.
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Carrier
Groups
4 5 6 7 8
On the Cell Parameters tab, enter cells which match one or all of the code fields. Use * as a wildcard if one or all of the fields is not required for the search. On the Filter tab, select a site filter to further filter the cells displayed. Click Find to search for the correct cells. The lower pane of the dialog box shows a preview of the report. Click Export to save the report. In the Select Data Export File dialog box, either enter a new file name or select an existing report to overwrite, then click Save.
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Click Generate.
If you chose to include interference data in your report, the mE values are listed under the column heading 'Interference'. The values represent the Traffic Affected by Interference for each cell pair. The total of these values, Affected Traffic (mE), appears at the bottom-left of the report. An Interactive Frequency Analysis is also available. For more information, see About the GSM Interactive Frequency Analysis on page 241.
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* These values are weighted according to the severity of interference. ASSET provides an Interference Table Wizard that can generate its results from either: Coverage area data and (optionally) traffic data - or Measurement data (traffic data only) - or A combination of both The quality of information in the table is dependent on the accuracy of your propagation model(s), pathloss predictions, traffic data and measurement data, as appropriate. If you want to use measurement data, you can do this by loading an external file. ASSET supports the ICDM (Inter-Cell Dependency Matrix) *.msmt file format. (More file formats can be supported upon customer requests, or formats can be customdeveloped using a dedicated API.) When this file is loaded, ASSET post-processes it into the *.ait file format. The ASSET Interference Table lists each victim cell in association with all possible interfering cells, and accumulates the interference that would result if all cells were allocated the same or adjacent carriers. In this way, it provides comparative 'cost' values that you can use to objectively minimise the interference within any plan during the frequency planning process. This information in the table can be used as an input to influence frequency allocations when using ILSA (automatic frequency planning tool) or the Interactive Frequency Analysis. It is also a compulsory input to the MA List Planner and the MAIO Planner (advanced mode).
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11.7.1
Notes: The necessary coverage arrays are created automatically, if they are not already in memory. If you want to include traffic data when creating an interference table, you must have at least one traffic array in memory (either generated or loaded), and its resolution must be the same as the resolution that you intend to specify in the Interference Table Wizard. The traffic array can be the same size or larger (but not smaller) than the region selected in the wizard. To create an interference table: 1 2 3 Open a Map View window that displays the region for the cells that you wish to include. From the Tools menu, point to Interference Tables and click Interference Table Wizard. In the first step of the wizard, check that the region is correct. If necessary, you can modify it by entering precise co-ordinates. Click Next. 4 Select the site/cell filters to be included in the analysis, either by using the filters already displayed in the Map View, or by specifying the filters using the checkboxes. By default, interference caused by overlapping predictions from cells outside the selected region will be included (on condition that those cells are in the specified filters). If you do not want this to happen, select the appropriate checkbox. Click Next. 5 Ensure 'GSM' is the selected technology (this option depends on your licences).
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On the GSM Best Server Parameters tab, set the: Best Server Margin. This enables you to extend the potential best server area, by allowing pixels where the victim cell's carrier is not the 'best server' to be considered as such (provided that it is within the specified margin). Maximum Number of Potential Best Servers. This limits the number of cells which can be considered as best servers at each pixel, and can save processing time. Resolution. If you are including traffic data, please see the note at the start of this section.
Click the GSM Interference Parameters tab. Here, you can: Set an Adjacent Channel Offset. Set a Maximum Relative RX Level Margin. A cell can only be considered as an interferer if the signal difference is less than or equal to this value. Select 'Use Traffic Data', if required, and choose which traffic arrays to include (this option is only active if one or more arrays exist in memory). Select the Interference Probability method. See How Interference Probability is Determined on page 233.
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Click the GSM Cell Layer Parameters tab. Here, you can: Select one or more Serving Cell Layers.
Override, if required, the sub-cell specific coverage (TA and Signal) thresholds that are stored in the Site Database. Select 'Use Priorities & Offsets, SS Mode' if you want the results to take into account any priorities that have been set in the Cell Layers dialog box, and any signal offsets in the Site Database, when determining the better serving subcells. If unselected, the best server results are based on signal strength alone. This checkbox is only applicable when the sub-cells in the Site Database have been set to SS (Signal Strength) mode, and has no effect for sub-cells set to PL (Pathloss) mode.
Select one or more Interfering Cell Layers. Choose to Consider Interference between Different Cell Layers.
Click Next. You can choose to save the generated interference table to an *.ait file (or you can save it later). You can also select whether you want to view the table after running the wizard (or you can view it later), and you can add any comments. Click Next. 10 Check the summary and click Finish. The interference table is created, and according to your choices in the wizard, saved and displayed. The interference table is based on the project parameters and (if applicable) traffic data at the time of running the wizard. In certain circumstances, if the parameters or data have changed, you may want to generate a new up-to-date Interference Table. In other words, it is important to stress that the 'validity' of the Interference Table is under your control.
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11.7.1.1
When you create an interference table, the probability of interference depends on the C/I ratio of each pixel. The Interference Table Wizard calculates the interference for overlapping areas between two cells. That is, it describes the interference that would result if any two cells were allocated the same or adjacent carriers, based on area and/or traffic. In ASSET, there are two ways to calculate the probability of interference:
When you run the Interference Table Wizard, you can select either of the above methods. Each method is described in the following sections. Using Static Weights A C/I to Probability curve is used to calculate the probabilities of interference according to the C/I ratio on each pixel. A default curve is provided. To view or edit the interference weights: 1 From the Tools menu, select Interference Tables, then click Interference Weights. This dialog box appears:
To edit any of the values, click on one of the rows, and edit the percentage in the bottom-right corner.
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To add a new curve, click Add, name the curve, and then edit the values of the curve as required. When you run the Interference Table Wizard, you can choose the required curve from the drop-down box.
The adjacent channel curve is produced from the adjacent channel offset which you specify in the Interference Table Wizard. Calculating Dynamically When defining a cell layer, you can specify a C/I threshold. When defining a propagation model, you can specify a standard deviation of interference. For more information, see Defining Cell Layers on page 102. In the case where the propagation model type has no standard deviation of interference parameter, 7dB will be used. The value specified for the cell layer determines the point at which connection quality begins to be adversely affected. C/I is assumed to follow a normal distribution about the calculated mean, with the combined standard deviation of interference of the propagation models assigned to the two cells. The probability of interference for each pair of cells is determined by a cumulative normal distribution based on: Mean C/I threshold of the equipment (dB) on a per cell layer basis C/A offset of the equipment (dB) on a per cell layer basis Standard deviation as follows:
Where: =Standard deviation of the propagation model used by cell a =Standard deviation of the propagation model used by cell b The adjacent channel curve is produced from the adjacent channel offset which you specify in the Interference Table Wizard. For more information on the algorithm used to generate the interference table, see the ASSET Technical Reference Guide.
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11.7.2
You can either create an interference table within ASSET, or load a file into memory. If you need to load a file, you can do this from two basic sources: A previously saved (or externally created) *.ait file. An externally created *.msmt (ICDM) file.
11.7.2.1
The file format used for an ASSET interference table is the *.ait file format. This can contain values for area and/or traffic. If a different (but valid) file format is used to load an external file, such as the *.msmt format, the file is post-processed into the *.ait file format. An example interference table file is shown below:
A description of the *.ait file format can be found in the ENTERPRISE Technical Reference Guide.
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11.7.3
In ASSET, you can view your interference table in a detailed and customisable analysis window. To view this analysis window: From the Tools menu, point to Interference Tables and click View Interference Table. Here is an example of the Interference Table Analysis window:
Example of Interference Table Analysis for GSM (the columns can be customised)
In the left pane of the report window, the table lists the victim cells with their associated cell layer, and shows the total coverage area and, if applicable, total traffic, corresponding to the victim cell. In the right pane of the report window, the table lists the interfering cells corresponding to the victim cell that is currently selected/highlighted in the left pane. When you select any of the victim cells in the left pane, the list of interfering cells automatically updates in the right pane. For each of the interfering cells in the right pane, the table shows its respective calculated (or loaded) overlapping values. These values are given for both co-channel and adjacent channel interference. The percentages indicate the proportion of the interfering cell's area/traffic values with respect to the total area/traffic values on the victim cell.
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The interference data relating to each interfering cell is presented in the right pane, as follows:
Interference in terms of Area Co-Area (km2) Co-Area (%) Adj-Area (km2) Adj-Area (%) Interference in terms of Traffic Co-Traffic (T or mE) Co-Traffic (%) Adj-Traffic (T or mE) Adj-Traffic (%)
You can: Limit the cells in the report window, by using the Filter drop-down list. Search for a specific victim cell in the left pane, by using the Find button. View the interferers for any of the victim cells by selecting the appropriate victim cell. Re-sequence any of the columns in the left pane or the right pane, by clicking the appropriate column header. For example, you can sort the list of interfering cells to find which cells might be causing the greatest potential problems to the victim cell. Specify the decimal place precision that you require (this influences the right pane only). Customise the column details in the right pane, as described in the following sections. Generate a report by clicking the Report button. This report will reflect your customised columns and decimal precision. Interact with the Map View, helping you to visualise specific cells. This is described in the following sections. Interact with the Site Database, helping you to check a specific cell's network parameters. This is described in the following sections.
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11.7.3.1
When viewing an interference table analysis, you can interact with the Map View, in order to visualise specific victim cells and/or interfering cells. To do this: 1 In the lower-left corner of the Interference Table Analysis window, select the 'Render on 2D View' checkbox:
The cell is highlighted in the Map View, together with all its interfering cells, as in this example:
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If you want to only highlight a specific interfering cell, you can select one of the cells in the right pane of the analysis window. You can also selectively highlight multiple interfering cells, by using the Ctrl or Ctrl-Shift keys in the right pane of the analysis window. You can customise the display settings of the symbols used for the victim cells and interfering cells. To do this: 1 In the Map View, click the Show Data Types button click the Interference Table heading: and, from the list, double-
3 4
Click OK. In the Show Data Types dialog box, click Redraw.
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11.7.3.2
When viewing an interference table analysis, you can interact with the Site Database, in order to check a specific cell's network parameters. To do this: 1 Right-click on the required cell (in the left pane or right pane).
Click 'Select Cell in Site DB'. The cell is located and highlighted in the Site Database.
Conversely, from the Site Database, you can locate a specific victim cell in the analysis window, by selecting the cell in the Site Database.
11.7.3.3
When you are viewing the Interference Table Analysis, in the right pane (which contains the interfering cells), you can: Specify which columns to display Set the column widths Re-order the columns left to right To do this: 1 Right-click on any column heading and select Choose Details from the context menu.
2 3 4 5
In the dialog box that appears, select the columns you want to show, and deselect those you want to hide (the Show/Hide buttons can be used if preferred). Set a column width for your selected items. Use the Move Up/Down buttons to re-order the selected columns. Click OK.
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Carrier separation violations The carrier separation violations can be analysed by setting minimum separation thresholds (you can analyse the frequency plan based only on carrier separation violations, in which case you do not need an Interference Table in memory). The thresholds can be set at the following levels: Site Cell Neighbours Exceptions
Analysis and Tuning After you have run the analysis, the GSM Interactive Frequency Analysis Report dialog box provides information on sector (cell) assignments, carrier assignments, cost breakdowns and/or separation violations. This interactive dialog box enables you to: View and analyse the cell-carrier-specific interference costs and/or separation violations when you select any cell and carrier in the report dialog box. Sort the rows so that you can analyse the results more clearly. For example, you can sort by highest or lowest costs. Manually tune an existing frequency plan, by reassigning, assigning or unassigning carriers (or MA Lists) for specific cells. After doing this, you can perform an 'Update' in the report, which enables you to view the updated costs and/or violations resulting from your manual carrier assignment changes. If you are satisfied with the results, you can then decide to Apply the changes to the database. Coordinate the analysis report with the Map View, by selecting an analysed cell on the Map View so that it is automatically highlighted in the report, or selecting a cell in the report so that it is highlighted on the Map View.
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11.8.1
Before using the Interactive Frequency Analysis, you need to check that you have the required prerequisites. This varies depending on whether you intend to analyse interference costs or carrier separation violations (you can, if required, do both). Interference Costs Analysis Check that you have: Allocated carriers to the cells, using any of the methods in ASSET. Generated or loaded an Interference Table (Matrix) into memory. See Creating an Interference Table for GSM on page 230. Performed a Commit All on the Site Database, if you intend to Apply any carrier allocation changes to the database. This would enable you to perform a Restore All to return to the previous configuration, if necessary. Opened a Map View window that displays the area for the cells that you wish to include in the analysis. You should ensure that this area is the same as (or part of) the region that was used to generate the Interference Table. Carrier Separation Analysis Check that you have: Allocated carriers to the cells, using any of the methods in ASSET. Created neighbours in the Site Database (if you want to analyse any neighbour violations). See Creating Neighbours on page 198. Defined exceptions in the Site Database (if you want to analyse any exception violations). Performed a Commit All on the Site Database, if you intend to Apply any carrier allocation changes to the database. This would enable you to perform a Restore All to return to the previous configuration, if necessary. Opened a Map View window that displays the area for the cells that you wish to include in the analysis.
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11.8.2
1 2 3 4
To use the Interactive Frequency Analysis: Ensure you have checked the prerequisites. From the Tools menu, point to GSM Planners and click Interactive Frequency Analysis. In the first step of the analysis tool, check that the area for the analysis is correct. If necessary, you can modify the area by entering precise co-ordinates. Click Next, and select the site/cell filters to be included in the analysis, either by using the filters already displayed in the Map View, or by specifying the filters using the checkboxes. Click Next. You can assign a carrier allocation status (Editable, Read-Only or Ignore) to each selected filter. This table summarises these options:
Status Editable Description The carrier assignments for cells with this filter status can be manually modified. New carriers can be assigned, and existing carriers can be unassigned. Also, carriers can be modified to Fixed or Forbidden. If required, the carrier amendments for these cells can also be Applied to the database. Editing is subject to the normal object ownership permissions, and also restricted by the maximum allocable carriers value for the carrier layer. Read-Only Ignore The carrier assignments for cells with this filter status are considered in the analysis and report, but the assignments are non-editable. Cells with this filter status are completely ignored. This status may be useful when you have some large complex filters, and you just wish to exclude a few cells. You could simplify their exclusion by creating a simple filter and using this Ignore option.
The Up/Down arrows enable you to prioritise the filters in the list. If a cell belongs to more than one of the selected filters, then its planning status is determined by the higher priority filter. Important : 6 Interference Costs: Cells which are not in any of the chosen filters, but exist in the Interference Table, may affect the analysis. Separation Violations: Related cells (such as neighbours or exceptions) which are not in any of the above filters may affect the analysis. In either of the above cases, such cells are considered by the algorithm and, if appropriate, will appear in the report with the status "None". Select the required cell layer to include in the analysis Select the required carrier layer(s) to include in the analysis (If appropriate to the cell layer, MA Lists are also available)
If you have the BCCH prerequisite rule activated, you will see a warning message. For more information, see Setting a BCCH Allocation Rule for TCH Allocation on page 96.
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Click Next, and select whether you want to analyse: Interference Table costs (traffic or area) - and-or Carrier separation violations
Description Victim, Interferer or Both: Victim - where a carrier is affected by interference caused by other carriers Interferer - where a carrier is creating interference for other carriers Both (the combined sum) Weights Based on These weights can optionally be used to scale the costs. The interference table provides the Co and Adjacent channel interference in terms of affected area and/or affected traffic. For the analysis, choose one of the following options: Area - in terms of km Area - in terms of % Traffic - in terms of mE Traffic - in terms of % Separation violations Minimum carrier separations Description Site: Intra-site separations violating the specified minimum are reported. Cell: Intra-cell separations violating the specified minimum are reported. Neighbours: Neighbouring cell separations violating the specified minimum are reported. Exceptions: Separations violating the Exception minimum values (if set in Site Database) are reported.
Click Next. If you have selected both analysis options, you need to choose which data (Cost or Violations) is represented by the colour legends in the output report. You can also choose how many colours are used to represent the data range. Click Next, and if you are satisfied with the summary, click Finish.
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11.8.3
The Frequency Analysis dialog box is generated after you run the Interactive Frequency Analysis. The report consists of three panes: Sector Assignments This lists the sectors (cells) and details their current carrier allocations and associated interference cost (and/or separation violations) Carrier Assignments This lists the carriers that are available to the cell that is currently selected in the first pane, and details their associated interference cost (and/or separation violations). This pane also contains a column that indicates which carriers are currently allocated to the cell. The sum of the costs for the currently allocated carriers is equal to the total cost for the cell selected in the Sector Assignments pane. Cost Breakdown This gives a breakdown of the interference costs and/or carrier separation violations corresponding to the currently selected cell and currently selected carrier (in the main two panes). In other words, it lists the carriers that are Co and/or Adjacent to the carrier selected in the Carrier Assignments pane (as well as all other carriers violating the separation constraints). The sum of the costs from this pane is equal to the total cost for the carrier selected in the Carrier Assignments pane. For information on using the Report dialog box, see How to Use the Frequency Analysis Dialog Box on page 246. For more detailed information on each specific pane, see the relevant section. The interference costs and separation violations can be updated when you make manual changes to the carrier assignments within the interactive report dialog box.
11.8.3.1
The Report dialog box changes according to which rows you select. When the report is initially launched (immediately after the analysis has been run), the first cell in the Sector Assignments pane and the first carrier in the Carrier Assignments pane appear highlighted, and their associated values appear in the Cost breakdown. The report dialog box is very powerful, because the three panes are interdependent. This is how you should use it: 1 2 Select a cell in the Sector Assignments pane. This row becomes highlighted, and determines what is displayed in the Carrier Assignments pane. Select a carrier in the Carrier Assignments pane. This row also becomes highlighted, and determines what is displayed in the Cost Breakdown pane.
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The Cost Breakdown pane is automatically populated with values based on the selected cell and the selected carrier. The values displayed in this pane are always responsive to the selections highlighted in the other two panes. This breakdown pane displays details of all cells which impact the interference cost (or have separation violations) for the selected cell and the selected carrier in the other two panes. 3 You can make changes to the carrier allocations within the dialog box. For information on this, see Changing Carrier Allocations in the Frequency Analysis on page 251.
Tips: You can customise how the columns are displayed. See Customising the Columns on the Frequency Analysis on page 250. You can sort the contents of the report using a simple method or more complex method. See Sorting the Rows on the Frequency Analysis on page 250. You can produce a printed version of the report by clicking the Reports button. The printed report only includes the information relating to the currently selected sector and carrier. The report dialog box can only be generated by running the analysis wizard, so if you wish to retain it for a while in memory, use the minimise option rather than the close option. The cost values in all three panes of the report always depend on the selected option (Area km, Area %, Traffic mE, or Traffic %) in the analysis wizard, and the cost column headings vary accordingly. For example, if 'Traffic mE' was selected, the column heading reads 'Total Cost (Traffic mE)'.
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11.8.3.2
The Sector Assignments pane lists the sectors (cells) and details their current carrier allocations and associated interference cost (and/or separation violations). This table describes its contents:
Column Heading Key Description Colour legend to help identify possible problems (the colour range can be customised in the wizard). You can click the 'Key' button to view or edit the colour ranges. Sector Status Hopping Control Name of the cell. Whether the carrier allocation status for the cell is Editable, Read-Only or Ignore. The Hopping Status of the cell, as specified in the Site Database (None, Baseband, Site, or Synthesised). Control carrier assigned to the cell. This is limited to the carrier layer(s) you selected in the wizard. Traffic List of Traffic carriers assigned to the cell. These are comma-separated. MA lists are also supported. This is limited to the carrier layer(s) you selected in the wizard. Total Cost The sum of costs of all the cells which are (as appropriate) victims of and/or interferers to the respective cell. Therefore, it is the sum of the costs for the currently allocated carriers in the Carrier Assignments pane. The cost depends on the option (Victim, Interferer, Both) selected in the wizard. Total Contributors Worst Contributor Worst Contribution (%) Violation Type Total Violations Total Allocations Available Allocations The number of cells contributing to the Total Cost. The cell with the highest cost impact on the respective cell. The percentage of the Total Cost provided by the worst contributor. All associated violations (types) for the respective cell. Total number of violations (the same violation type can occur on multiple cells/carriers). The number of carriers currently allocated to the cell. The number of carriers still available to be allocated to the cell, dependent on the combined sum of maximum allocable carriers set on all the appropriate carrier layers.
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11.8.3.3
The Carrier Assignments pane lists the carriers that are available to the cell that is currently selected in the first pane, and details their associated interference cost (and/or separation violations). It also indicates the carriers that are currently allocated to the cell. This table describes its contents:
Column Heading Key Carrier Carrier Layer/MA List Total Cost Description Colour legend to help identify possible problems (the colour range can be customised in the wizard). You can click the 'Key' button to view the colour ranges. Carrier number. Name of carrier layer (or MA List) to which it belongs. The sum of costs from all impacting cells, relative to the selected carrier. Therefore, it is the sum of the respective costs in the Cost Breakdown pane. The cost also depends on the option (Victim, Interferer, Both) selected in the wizard. Total Contributors Worst Contributor Worst Contribution (%) Violation Type Total Violations Allocation State The number of cells contributing to the Total Cost. The cell with the highest cost impact. The percentage of the Total Cost provided by the worst contributor. Any associated violations for the respective carrier. Total number of violations (the same violation type can occur on multiple cells/carriers). This indicates whether the carrier (or MA List) is used by the respective cell: "Allocated" = allocated; "-" = unallocated. "Fixed" = allocated and fixed; "Forbidden" = unallocated and forbidden.
The displayed information always depends on which cell is selected in the Sector Assignments pane, because the viewable results are specific to that selected cell.
11.8.3.4
The Cost Breakdown pane gives a breakdown of the interference costs and/or carrier separation violations corresponding to the currently selected cell and currently selected carrier (in the main two panes). This table describes its contents:
Column Heading Sector Carrier Layer/MA list Status Control Traffic Cost Violation Type Description Name of the impacting cell. Name of carrier layer (or MA List) to which it belongs. Whether the carrier allocation status for the cell is Editable, Read-Only or Ignore. Control carrier assigned to the impacting cell. Traffic carrier assigned to the impacting cell. The cost related to each carrier used by the impacting cell. The sum of the costs in this pane are equal to the Total Cost for the selected carrier in the Carrier Assignments pane. The violation type associated with the respective cell. S = Site, C = Cell, E = Exception, N = Neighbour 2N = 2nd Order Neighbour
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11.8.3.5
When you are viewing the Interactive Frequency Analysis dialog box, you can: Specify which columns to display Set the column widths Re-order the columns left to right To do this: 1 Right-click on any column heading and select Choose Columns from the context menu.
2 3 4 5
In the dialog box that appears, select the columns you want to show, and deselect those you want to hide (the Show/Hide buttons can be used if preferred). Set a column width for your selected items. Use the Move Up/Down buttons to re-order the selected columns. Click OK.
The columns will be displayed according to your requirements. You can also resize the Report dialog box window, and you can resize the individual left and right panes.
11.8.3.6
When you are viewing the Interactive Frequency Analysis dialog box, you can sort the rows (top to bottom) simply by clicking on any of the column headings. You can then toggle between ascending and descending order. This simple method sorts all the rows based singly on the clicked column. However, you may also sort the rows based on multiple columns, using a hierarchical method. This may be useful if you want, for example, to display the rows primarily in the BCCH sequence, and then subordinately in the TCH sequence, as in this example:
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To do this: 1 2 3 4 In the Analysis dialog box, right-click on any column heading and select Sort By from the context menu. In the dialog box that appears, select the columns that you want to determine the row sequencing. Highlight each of the selected items in turn, and use the Change button to toggle between Ascending/Descending. Highlight each of the selected items in turn, and use the Move Up/Down buttons to define the hierarchy. The primary column must be higher than a subordinate column. So, the above example would be defined like this:
Click OK.
In the Report dialog box, the rows will be displayed according to your requirements.
11.8.4
The Interactive Frequency Analysis enables you to manually tune an existing frequency plan, by making manual changes to the carrier assignments within the Report dialog box. Specifically, you can reassign, assign or unassign carriers (or MA Lists) for individual cells. You can then assess the effects of the changes by updating the interference costs and/or separation violations within the report. If you are satisfied with the results, you can then decide to Apply the changes to the database directly from the Report dialog box. (This is, in effect, the same as making manual changes in the Site Database, as described in Editing Carrier Allocations Manually on page 224.) Allocation changes can only be made to cells that were designated as 'Editable' in the analysis wizard. Such changes are subject to the normal object ownership permissions.
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To make manual changes to the carrier assignments: 1 Ensure the appropriate sector is highlighted (selected) in the Sector Assignments pane:
In the Carrier Assignments pane, click in the 'Allocation State' column of the appropriate carrier (ensuring it belongs to the correct carrier layer) and, from the drop-down list, select one of the four options: - (None) Allocated Forbidden Fixed
(These options are the same as the options under the Carriers tab in the Site Database.)
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When changes are made, the Total and Available Allocations columns for the sector are updated automatically. These columns depend on the 'Maximum Allocable Carriers' values of the carrier layers that were included in the analysis. For example, in the Carrier Layers dialog boxes, if that value is 5 for the TCH carrier layer, and 1 for the BCCH layer, the Total Allocations and Available Allocations would sum 6. Notes: The Forbidden option also de-allocates a carrier if it is currently allocated The Fixed option also allocates a carrier if it is currently unallocated If the 'Maximum Allocable Carriers' limit for a carrier layer has been reached, the only available options for a currently unallocated carrier will be "-" or "Forbidden"
3 4
If you want to update the interference cost values and/or violations in the Report dialog box, click the Update button. If you want to save the changes into the Site Database, click Apply.
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11.8.5
While you have the Interactive Frequency Analysis Report dialog box open, you can select a cell on the Map View so that it becomes highlighted (selected) in the Report dialog box. To do this: 1 In the Map View, click on a cell (that you know was included in the analysis).
That cell is highlighted (selected) in the Sectors pane of the Report dialog box:
Highlighting Cells in the Map View You can also select a cell in the Sector Assignments pane or Cost Breakdown pane, and highlight it in the Map View. To do this: 1 2 3 Click the Visualise button. Select the Highlight on View checkbox. Specify your preferred display settings. These display settings can be different for the Sector Assignments and Cost Breakdown panes. 4 Click on the required cell in one of the appropriate panes.
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11.9.1
The BSIC Schemas dialog box for GSM enables you to create ranges (schemas) of NCCs and BCCs. These schemas enable you to set limits on the codes generated when you use the BSIC Planner. The schemas will also appear in a drop-down box above the BSIC codes on the General tab of the cells in the Site Database, limiting manual selections of the BSIC codes. (If required, the schemas and codes assigned to cells can be edited using the Global Editor.) The default schema is named 'All', and, in a new project, it contains all 64 BSICs. However (assuming you have user permissions), you can modify the code ranges within this default schema and, if required, give the schema a new name. You cannot delete this schema. Creating a Schema To create a schema: 1 From the Configuration menu, click Code/ID Schemas. Depending on your technology licences, you may then need to click GSM BSIC Schemas. This picture shows an example of the BSIC Schemas dialog box:
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Select the NCCs that you want to use. When you select an NCC, the list of its BCCs appears in the right pane. Select the required BCCs within each NCC. To view the BCCs that you have selected for a particular NCC, click to the right of the NCCs checkbox. Clicking inside an NCC checkbox toggles all its BCCs on/off.
11.9.2
Before using the BSIC Planner you must ensure you have: Assigned carriers to the cells. Created neighbours (only if you are performing the plan with reference to the neighbouring cells). Opened a Map View window that shows the region that includes the cells that you wish to plan. Considered which filters you are going to use, and which planning status will be assigned to them. When you plan colour codes, you can, if required, assign a specific planning status to each filter. If a cell exists in multiple filters, it will take its planning status from the highest priority filter in which it exists (filters can be prioritised in the wizard). This table describes the planning status options:
Column Heading Plan Read-Only Ignore Description Codes will be planned for these cells. These cells will appear in the left pane of the report. Codes already allocated in these cells will not be changed. However, these cells will be included in the left pane of the report. Cells in these filters will not be considered in the planning process, and will not appear in the reports. This status may be useful when you have some large complex filters, and you just wish to exclude a few cells. You could simplify their exclusion by creating a simple filter and using this Ignore option.
It is wise to perform a Commit All on the Site Database before you run the BSIC Planner. This means that, after the plan has been run, if you choose to Apply it to the Site Database, you would be able to perform a Restore All to return to the previous configuration, if necessary.
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11.9.3
1 2 3 4
To plan GSM colour codes using the BSIC Planner: From the Tools menu, point to GSM Planners, then click BSIC Plan Wizard. In the first step of the wizard, check that the area for the plan is correct. If necessary, you can modify the area by entering precise co-ordinates. Click Next. Select the site/cell filters to be included in the plan. Click Next. In the Status column, you can assign a planning status (Plan, Read-Only or Ignore) to each selected filter. If necessary, the Up/Down arrows enable you to prioritise the filters in the list (if a cell belongs to more than one of the filters, then its planning status is determined by the higher priority filter). Please see the information about the planning status options in the prerequisites in the previous section. 5 In the Schema column, associate each selected filter with the required BSIC schema (see Setting Up BSIC Schemas on page 256). Click Next. Alternatively, you can load the 'per cell' schemas from the Site Database. 6 Set the required Re-use parameters:
Parameter Code re-use distance Description You can choose one of two options: Fixed or Automatic. Fixed: This is a constant re-use distance from a cell, within which the Planner will try not to assign the same BCCH/BSIC. Automatic: This is a variable re-use distance from a cell, within which the Planner will try not to assign the same BCCH/BSIC. You specify the number of Divisions Per Cell, and the amount of Nearest Cells Per Division to consider. For each division, the re-use distance will vary, depending on the proximity of the other cells within it. You also specify a Re-use Distance Limit, which sets a hard limit for all divisions. Consider Neighbouring cells: Highest Neighbour Order When planning codes with reference to neighbouring cells, this enables you to specify such neighbours up to the nth order. This can be 1, 2, 3 or 4, representing (up to) first, second, third and fourth order neighbours, respectively.
Click Next. 7 If you are using a hopping network, and MA Lists have been defined, you should select the Synthesised Hopping / Site Hopping option. For these types of hopping cells, the wizard retrieves the MALIDs from the Site Database, and uses them in place of the BCCHs. Otherwise, you should select the Non-Hopping / Base-Band Hopping option. Click Next. 8 If you are satisfied with the summary, click Finish. ASSET calculates the code assignments, and generates a Report dialog box.
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11.9.4
The BSIC Report dialog box is generated when you run the BSIC Planner. It displays the BSIC assignments, and also displays details of any clashing cells. Left Pane
Example section of the left pane of BSIC Planner report dialog box
For each planned (or read-only) cell, the left pane of the report dialog box presents the following information:
Column Heading Result Additional Comments or Possible Values Unique Assignment: the cell has no clashing cells. Reused Assignment: the cell has no clashes with its neighbours, but clashes with one or more non-neighbour cells. Neighbour Clash: the cell clashes with one or more of its neighbours. Excluded: the cell was excluded from the plan because it has no antennas or no assigned BCCH. Sector Plan Status BCCH NCC BCC Number of Clashing Neighbours Number of Clashing Sectors Closest Clash Max Clash Factor Number of Alternatives Sector/Cell Name Plan, Read Only, Excluded Broadcast Control channel Network Colour Code Base Station Colour Code Details are listed in the right pane. Details are listed in the right pane. Distance to the nearest clashing cell. See About the Clash Factors on page 264. This column only displays a value for 'Plan' cells that have Reused Assignment clashes. It gives the number of codes in the cells schema that could have produced a unique assignment for the cell. If a value is displayed in this column, it indicates that the planning algorithm has reused a code when it would have been better to assign an unused code. The planner should be run again, with larger reuse distance requirements, as this will encourage less code re-use.
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Right Pane
Example section of the left pane of BSIC Planner report dialog box
The right pane provides information on the clashing cells, and presents the following information:
Column Heading Sector Plan Status Additional Comments or Possible Values Sector/Cell Name Plan, Read Only, None Cells that appear in the right pane may not necessarily have been included in the filters specified in the wizard. Such cells will have a plan status of None. Neighbour Order Neighbour Order of the neighbour clash: '1', '2', '3', '4': signifies first order, second order, and so on '0' signifies a non-neighbour cell inside the re-use distance '--' signifies a non-neighbour cell outside the re-use distance Distance Clash Factor Paths Distance between the two cells See About the Clash Factors on page 264. This column only displays a value for 'Plan' cells that have Reused Assignment clashes. It gives the number of codes in the cells schema that could have produced a unique assignment for the cell. If a value is displayed in this column, it indicates that the planning algorithm has reused a code when it would have been better to assign an unused code. The planner should be run again, with larger reuse distance requirements, as this will encourage less code re-use.
Tips: You can customise how the columns are displayed. See Customising the Columns on the BSIC Report on page 261. You can sort the contents of the report using a simple method or a more complex method. See Sorting the Rows on the BSIC Report on page 261. You can link the report with the Map View. See Highlighting Cells in the Map View on page 262. The report dialog box can only be generated by running the wizard, so if you wish to retain it for a while in memory, use the minimise option rather than the close option. You can produce a printed version of the report by clicking the Reports button. If you are satisfied with the planned results, you can save the planned codes to the Database. See Applying the Planned BSICs to the Database on page 265.
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11.9.4.1
When you are viewing the BSIC Report dialog box, you can: Specify which columns to display Set the column widths Re-order the columns left to right To do this: 1 Right-click on any column heading and select Choose Columns from the context menu.
2 3 4 5
In the dialog box that appears, select the columns you want to show, and deselect those you want to hide (the Show/Hide buttons can be used if preferred). Set a column width for your selected items. Use the Move Up/Down buttons to re-order the selected columns. Click OK.
The columns will be displayed according to your requirements. You can also resize the Report dialog box window, and you can resize the individual left and right panes.
11.9.4.2
When you are viewing the BSIC Report dialog box, you can sort the rows (top to bottom) by clicking on any of the column headings. You can then toggle between ascending and descending order. This simple method sorts all the rows based singly on the clicked column. However, you may also sort the rows based on multiple columns, using a hierarchical method. This may be useful if you want, for example, to display the rows primarily in the BCCH sequence, and then subordinately in the Closest Clash sequence. To do this: 1 Right-click on any column heading and select Sort By from the context menu.
In the dialog box that appears, select the columns that you want to determine the row sequencing.
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3 4
Highlight each of the selected items in turn, and use the Change button to toggle between Ascending/Descending. Highlight each of the selected items in turn, and use the Move Up/Down buttons to define the hierarchy. The primary column must be higher than a subordinate column. Click OK.
In the BSIC Report dialog box, the rows will be displayed according to your requirements.
11.9.4.3
While you have the Report dialog box open, you can interact with the Map View, in order to visualise specific victim cells and/or interfering cells. To do this: 1 2 3 Click the Visualise button. Select the Highlight on View checkbox. Specify your preferred display settings of the symbols used for the victim cells and interfering cells:
Click on the required victim cell in the left pane of the Report dialog box:
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That cell is located and highlighted on the Map View, together with all its interfering cells, as in this example:
If you want to only highlight a specific interfering cell, you can select one of the cells in the right pane of the analysis window. You can also selectively highlight multiple interfering cells, by using the Ctrl or Ctrl-Shift keys in the right pane of the analysis window.
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11.9.4.4
The Report dialog box enables you to rank the clashes and the re-use violations by sorting the rows based on the distance between cells. However, this distance cannot help to indicate whether the cells are pointing towards or away from each other. Also, a pair of cells with large coverage areas may interfere with each other more than a pair cells with the small coverage areas, even though the distances between the cells is the same. The Clash Factor (a number between 0 and 3) tries to account for this. The higher the number, the worse the clash. The report shows the 'Clash Factor' in the right pane, and the maximum of these ('Max Clash Factor') in the left pane. How the Clash Factor is Calculated In the case of two cells A and B, the Clash Factor for cell A is a measure of how much A affects B, and is calculated as follows:
Scenario A and B are colocated. A and B are not co-located, and B is outside As capture region. Clash Factor Formula for Cell A Clash Factor = (3 - Angular Separation/180) Clash Factor = 0 Explanation Cells that are co-located have the most severe Clash Factors (between 2 and 3 inclusive). The smaller the angular separation between clashing antennas, the higher the Clash Factor. Zero Clash Factor, since A is not pointing towards B.
A and B are not Clash Factor = Cells that are not co-located have Clash Factors of 1 or lower. co-located and B (Distance to nearest non-co-located Example 1: is inside As cell in As capture region) / ( Distance capture region". Distance to B = 10km, and B is the nearest cell in As capture to B ) region. Clash Factor = 1 Example 2: Distance to B = 10km, and the nearest cell in As capture region is 2km. Clash Factor = 0.2 The clash factor is lower in Example 2, because Cell A probably has a smaller coverage area than in Example 1.
For the purposes of the calculations, the "capture region" is a sector of angular width equal to twice the antennas 3dB beamwidth. For example, if cell A has an antenna with a bearing of 40, and a beamwidth of 60, then the capture region is a sector with a bearing of 40 and an angular width of 120. For cells with multiple antennas and/or repeaters, a capture region is calculated for each antenna, and then, from all the combinations of antennas on A and B, the highest Clash Factor is reported.
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11.9.5
In the BSIC Report dialog box, you can choose to save the planned codes to the database. To do this: 1 2 Ensure you are satisfied with the planned results. Click the Apply button.
The updated codes can be viewed (and edited) on the General tab of the relevant cells in the Site Database:
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11.10
This checklist has been provided as a self-assessment of the objectives stated at the beginning of the session. Please tick all objectives covered in this session: Editing carrier allocations Analysing a frequency plan Generating frequency plan reports Creating and viewing an Interference Table Using the Interactive Frequency Analysis Using the BSIC Planner
Additional Notes:
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SECTION 12
12 Generating Reports
12.1 Objectives of this Session
In this session you will learn about: Generating Statistical Reports Generating Site/Node Reports Generating Cell Information Reports Generating Frequency Plan Reports Generating a Delta Report
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Click the Show Data Types button to display the Data Types list, and expand either the Simulator or Coverage heading, as appropriate. Then select the required array, right-click on it, and choose Statistics. This picture shows an example:
The Statistics dialog box appears. The options are described in the following section.
12.3.1
Depending on the options you select in the Statistics dialog box, the report you create can display the following sections: The analysis parameters such as the coverage or quality level selected, and any area restriction vectors selected Statistics and Category summaries Statistics broken down by: Per clutter type Per cell Per chosen vector(s) Per feature within a chosen vector
The following tables describe the values that you can choose to include in the rows of the statistical reports:
Statistics summary Total Displayed Area Description The chosen area of analysis. This is either the area of the selected Map view, or, if you selected to restrict the analysis area, the sum of the area within the chosen vector(s). The total area within the specified levels. The covered area as a percentage of the total displayed area.
In the case of 2g Interference Arrays only, there is an extra row named Total Coverage Area, representing the area which has coverage above the specified minimum service level.
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Description Category names and ranges of values. The total area within the specified levels. The covered area as a percentage of the total area.
Per Clutter statistics breakdown Total Area by Clutter category Covered Area Covered Area (%)
Description For each clutter category, the area that exists in the chosen area of analysis. For each clutter category, the amount of its area within the specified levels. For each clutter category, the percentage of its area within the specified levels.
Per Cell statistics breakdown Total Area of the Cell coverage (service area)
Description For each cell, the total of its (best server) service area that exists in the chosen area of analysis. For each pixel, only the best serving cell is considered.
For each cell, the amount of its service area within the specified levels. For each cell, the percentage of its service area within the specified levels.
Per Vector statistics breakdown Total Area of each chosen vector Covered Area Covered Area (%)
Description The total area of the vector that exists in the chosen area of analysis. The total area within the specified levels. The covered area as a percentage of the total area.
Description
Total Area of of each feature* that is contained in The total area of the feature that exists in the chosen area of analysis. the chosen vector. Attribute values (road name, road number, building name, and so on) can (*roads, lines, polygons, and so on) also be shown, depending on the configuration in the vector's structure editor. Covered Area Covered Area (%) The total area within the specified levels. The covered area as a percentage of the total area.
Distributional Statistics (such as population) This is an optional further breakdown of the results into columns, giving values for distribution units.
Distributional statistics Distribution units covered Distribution units covered (%) Description For each of the above (Summaries, Clutter, Cell and Attribute), the distribution units within the specified levels. For each of the above (Summaries, Clutter, Cell and Attribute), the percentage of the distribution units within the specified levels.
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12.3.1.1
Here is an example of a statistical report (for coverage) for a Best Server array:
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12.4.1
You can generate a customised Site/Node Report at any time, using filtered selections if required. You can extract and summarise the contents of the Site Database to various network object levels, such as: Properties GSM Sites GSM Cells Neighbours If you select items from more than one of the above, the generated report contains columns that do not apply to all the records - this is inevitable because of the hierarchical nature of the data, that is, one-to-many relationships. For ease of reading, the requested information for Properties and the requested information for each technology are generated onto separate report sheets. To produce a Site/Node Report: 1 2 3 From the Reports menu, click Site/Node Report. The Site Report Generator dialog box appears. Select a filter for the Properties/sites/nodes you want to include in the report. Select the style of report that you want to use: 4 Hierarchy style, with new rows separating individual object types Flat style, for ease of data manipulation
Choose whether you want the report to open in Microsoft Excel or in a text editor.
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Select the Autosave checkbox to automate the naming of the file. The file will be saved in your personal TEMP directory when you generate it and the filename will contain the date and time, for example: C\:Documents and Settings\john.smith\Local Settings\Temp\2007-02-28 17-4829 (Report).xls
On the tabs of the Site Report Generator dialog box, select the information you want to extract from the database. You can quickly select or deselect all the checkboxes on any single tab, by right-clicking anywhere on the main body of the dialog box, and then clicking Select All or Clear All.
Click Generate.
The selections you choose will be stored automatically, so that the next time you use this dialog box, the previously selected items will appear by default. However, the filter initially displayed is always determined by the default set on the Filters tab of the Preferences dialog box, accessible from the File menu. Importing and Exporting the Report Selections You can also use the Import and Export buttons to import or export the site report selections. This enables fast import/export of the selections. (You can also do this by using the User Settings import/export functionality, as described in the ENTERPRISE Installation and Administration Guide, but that method requires the project to be closed and re-opened.)
12.4.2
To produce a report containing all cells which use a certain carrier, or range of carriers: 1 2 From the Reports menu, click GSM Cell Info Report. Enter the information you require on each tab. The report produced will contain cells which satisfy ALL the criteria (x AND y AND z) you specify on the three tabs. On the Carriers/Cells tab:
Search By Cell identity For Cells which will interfere Cells for which a given carrier is allocated Cells for which a given carrier is allocated within a given layer Co- or adjacent channel interference A carrier A range of carriers A particular or all carrier layers Frequency groups for a particular or all carrier layers
Carrier
Groups
4 5
On the Cell Parameters tab, enter cells which match one or all of the code fields. Use * as a wildcard if one or all of the fields is not required for the search. On the Filter tab, select a site filter to further filter the cells displayed.
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6 7 8
Click Find to search for the correct cells. The lower pane of the dialog box shows a preview of the report. Click Export to save the report. In the Select Data Export File dialog box, either enter a new file name or select an existing report to overwrite, then click Save.
12.4.3
1 2
To generate a basic report based on the current frequency plan: From the Reports menu, click GSM Frequency Plan Reporter. Choose the filter you require then select the information you wish to display. This table lists the items you can include in your report:
Item Co-Site / Cell Separations Neighbour Separations Exceptions Interference Description Co- site and co-cell separations, below the thresholds, will be reported. Neighbour separations below the threshold will be reported. Broken exception separations will be shown. A summary of the carrier-based interference statistics will be displayed if an interference table is loaded. These statistics only provide interference data that is based on affected traffic. Intermodulation Interference Select the order up to which to report. For example, if you select 3rd order, both 2nd and 3rd order intermodulations will be reported on. In the report, the carriers causing the intermodulation are reported along with the carriers that are interfered with. The report also shows whether the carriers are downlink or uplink. Effective Frequency Re-use The effective frequency re-use for each of the sub-cells. For more information on how the frequency re-use is calculated, see the ASSET Technical Reference Guide. MALID Frequency Load (GSM only) The MA List ID, which identifies which MA list each sub-cell uses. The frequency load for each of the sub-cells. If you select to include this, you can also define up to what grade of traffic service you want to include (for example, a value of 1.0 represents 100% traffic service, and a value of 0.5 represents 50% traffic service). For more information on how the frequency load is calculated, see the ASSET Technical Reference Guide. Insufficient MA List Length (GSM only) Override MAIO Separation (GSM only) Select this option to display the sub-cells with insufficient carriers according to the MA list , based on the MAIO separation value. Select this option to override the existing MAIO separation value, and enter your own separation value for this report.
Click Generate.
If you chose to include interference data in your report, the mE values are listed under the column heading 'Interference'. The values represent the Traffic Affected by Interference for each cell pair. The total of these values, Affected Traffic (mE), appears at the bottom-left of the report. An Interactive Frequency Analysis is also available. For more information, see About the GSM Interactive Frequency Analysis on page 241.
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12.4.4
You can produce a report that details all the changes (additions, modifications and deletions) which you have made and Applied to network elements, but not Committed to the database. These changes are therefore not visible to other users. The network element, each field and the modified and previous values of each field are shown. The report details additions, modifications and deletions to all elements in your networks as well as items such as propagation models and equipment. To produce a report of uncommitted changes: 1 2 From the Database menu, click Delta Report. If there are a large number of differences, a message appears to warn you that this might take time. You can choose not to continue by clicking No, otherwise click Yes to produce the report. You can reduce the time taken to generate the report by clearing any orphaned DB entries that exist in the DIFF tables for the project. (Otherwise, any such entries will be included in the Delta report as inserts or updates.) To do this, click on the Utilities tab, and from the Tools menu, click Clean DB Orphans. A message also appears if there are no differences. The diff tables in the database are analysed and a report appears. The left pane displays each item, its type and a state showing if the element has been added, deleted or updated. This picture shows an example:
Tips: To sort the data in any of the columns in the left-hand pane, click the column heading To find a particular network element ID, type the name in the Find ID box. ENTERPRISE highlights the item with then name (or the nearest alphabetical/numerical match) that you have entered.
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Click the Info button to display the right hand pane which will show all fields associated with any element that you select and its value: In the right hand pane: A red symbol appears next to an item with applied changes, for example, A green symbol appears next to an item that has not been changed, for example, To view any additional information, double-click the symbol beside the name of an attribute, then click the Back button to return to the previous list Notes: If no information is available, the symbol is green If the item is an addition, the 'Previous Value' is marked as '-' If the item is a deletion, the 'Modified Value' is marked as '-'
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Additional Notes:
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SECTION 13
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The following session will take you through, step by step, how to set up a dual band network in ASSET.
13.3.1
Before setting up this configuration, a number of important items need to be in place. These items include: Importing Antennas, either Single-band or Dual-band Setting up specific Propagation Models for each frequency band (GSM900 and 1800) Allocating Carriers for both frequency bands Defining the two Carrier Layers Defining the two Cell Layers For details on how to set up these items, please refer to the sections on Setting Up a Network and Traffic Planning within this document.
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13.3.2
If you are using antennas that are dual band, such as 900 and 1800 MHz, where the only difference between the antennas is their patterns, you can share the antenna. The sector could be represented as two cells. For example, a site has a sector at an azimuth of 180. If you configure the sector to support an antenna of a different bandwidth, all parameters such as height, azimuth, tilt, correction factor and shared ID would be the same. By sharing antennas for different technology types, you can make changes to the parameters for an antenna and they are reflected in all technology types sharing this antenna. This reduces the time needed to make the changes for many antennas for all the different technology types on the same Property. To share an antenna and make it available for multi-technology sites and cells on the same Property, you first have to ensure that the settings on the Shared Antennas tab of the Preferences dialog box (from File menu) are set to the defaults as shown here:
You then need to: 1 2 3 4 Select the relevant cell in the Site Database. On the Antennas tab, select the Shared Antenna checkbox. Choose the antenna pattern you require. In the Identity box, type a number (1-127) to identify the antenna in the database:
5 6
Repeat this process for the second antenna you want to share, ensuring you use the same number in the Identity box. Click Apply.
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You are then prompted to either: Sync with antenna shares - this makes the currently selected antenna's parameters the same as those of other antennas with the same identity. Update associated shared antennas - this updates the parameters of any shared antennas to be the same as those of the currently selected antenna. Break relationships - this breaks or cancels the 'shared' relationship of the currently selected antenna, so that the identity returns to "N/A" (this does not affect the other antennas sharing the original identity). Obviously, if you wish to retain the sharing, you would choose the first or second option.
To add a new site template, right-click the Cell Site element type, and click Add Template:
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13.4.1
1
To configure the template for a dual band 3-sector site using a template: Right-click the template, and from the menu that appears, click 'Add Cell' six times:
, By default the new cells will have the GSM-Default Cell Layer assigned to them, since this was the original project default layer. 2 3 4 Right-click on the text of all the GSM-Default sub-cells and select Delete Cell Layer. Right-click on the text of the first three sub-cells (A-C) and select Add Cell Layer, and then select GSM900. Right-click on the text of the last three sub-cells (D-F) and select Add Cell Layer, and then select GSM1800. You should now see this:
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On each cell, the parameters can now be configured in the normal way under each tab. Some important parameters for the cell are: Antenna details (Antennas tab) Propagation model (Antennas tab) Obviously, the assigned models and antennas can be specific to the frequency bands (GSM900, GSM1800). On each sub-cell, the parameters can now be configured in the normal way under each tab. Some important parameters for the sub-cell are: Signal Threshold (General tab) PA Output (Antenna/TRX tab) Optionally, the Signal Threshold can be set differently for each band so that the traffic will be forced onto the GSM1800 layer (which may be the higher priority layer). The traffic will be served by the GSM1800 layer until the received level is better than the Signal Threshold value set, then the traffic will go to the GSM900 layer. For example, the GSM1800 Layer could be set to 85dBm and the GSM900 Layer set to 102dBm. In that situation, the Cell Layer priorities (if set) would then only matter for overlapping coverage down to 85dBm.
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You should be able to see the different service areas of the GSM900 cells and the GSM1800 cells:
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Additional Notes:
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SECTION 14
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Within this session we will look at the stages in the GPRS Capacity process. The following diagram gives an overview of the GPRS Planning process:
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14.4.1
1
To set GPRS Channel Coding Schemes: From the Configuration menu, point to Lookup Tables and Curves and click GPRS CCS. The following window will appear:
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You can edit these by either: Highlighting and re-typing - or In the C/I(dB) column, define the C/I, for example between 0 and 30 dB and in the coding scheme (throughput) column define the x axis values, for example between 0 and 15 kb/s.
The C/I versus data rate values are dependent on the nature of the network, for example, how fast the mobiles are expected to move, whether RF hopping is used in the GPRS cells, and so on. You can then: Click Show Graph to see a plot of C/I against data rate per timeslot When a row containing data is selected (except the last row), you can click Add Row to insert another row Click Commit to update the changes to the database Coding schemes are optimised, that is, the best one is chosen. The data contained within these tables can be scaled for any number of timeslots, that is, the data rate for three timeslots is three times the data rate for one timeslot for a given C/I.
14.4.2
Use the Channel to Transceiver mapping tables to define timeslot distribution. These mapping tables enable you to specify how many carriers are needed to provide the required number of traffic channels. You need to set the amount of Circuit Switched and Packet Switched control channels as well as the amount of dedicated GPRS traffic channels. To set up a channel to transceiver map for GPRS, from the 'Configuration' menu: 1 2 From the Configuration menu, point to Lookup Tables and Curves and click Channels to Transceivers. Within the Channel to Transceiver Setup window, click on the 'Add Map' button and enter an appropriate name for the map, and click OK. The following message appears:
Click Yes.
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In the box labelled 'Default Number of Channels Per Transceiver", enter the number of traffic channels that can be supported per carrier (for example, 8), and click Apply. Click on the 'Add Transceiver' button, which will populate the window with default figures. To change the information in the table, select the row, and click the Edit Map button.
5 6
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You can specify: Total number of channels (No.) Amount of dedicated GPRS capacity (Ngprs) Number of shared control channels (Nctrl) Number of GPRS control channels (Ngprsctrl)
(The number of circuit switched traffic channels (Ncs) is automatically updated.) 8 9 Click OK to close the GPRS Map Editor. From the Configuration menu, point to Layers, and select Cell Layers.
10 Select your new Channel to Transceiver map in the Cell Layers dialog box. Click on the on the Coverage Type tab, and you will see a drop-down box with all the available maps listed. Only one Channel to Transceiver map can be allocated per cell layer.
14.4.3
Channel Occupancy is used to estimate the efficiency with which GPRS data packets can be packed into the available timeslots. This is most useful in GPRS when you come close to using full network capacity. The greater the number of available timeslots means the better the efficiency with which GPRS data packets can be packed. To set channel occupancy: 1 2 From the Configuration menu, point to Lookup Tables and Curves and click Timeslot Occupancy. To populate the columns, either set default values by clicking the Set to Defaults button. or Manually add values, using values between 0 and 100 in the Occupancy columns, where 100 means full occupancy. You can then: Click Show Graph to see a plot of the values Edit any value by clicking it and changing it Click Remove All to delete all the values in the columns When a row containing data is selected (except the last row), you can click Add Row to insert another row Click Commit to update the changes to the database
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In the Traffic pane on this tab, you can edit the GPRS and EGPRS traffic values, which represent the loading on the sub-cell. You can enter these here if they are known, or use the automatic process in the Static Traffic Analysis for GPRS and EGPRS. For more information, see Running the Static Traffic Analysis on page 186. Also if you have the EGPRS enabled, you can edit the percentage of EGPRS traffic that uses 8-PSK modulation. ASSET sums the traffic of each (E)GPRS traffic raster pixelby-pixel, and creates a total traffic value on the sub-cell. For each sub-cell, the percentage of traffic using 8-PSK modulation is calculated and saved. An automatically calculated value for the traffic mix can be applied to the sub-cells after running the Static Traffic Analysis, but you can enter your own value here (although this is recommended only for advanced users). The value will be zero unless the EGPRS Data Rate array has been created previously, or you have entered the value manually in the Site Database or Global Editor. These values will be taken into account when Interference Arrays are calculated, if the Use Traffic checkbox on the Interference tab of the Array Settings dialog box is selected.
All these parameters can also be edited in the Global Editor, or pre-set using the Templates.
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Here is an example:
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If you want to restrict the traffic spread to Best Server coverage (Step 4 of the Traffic Wizard) then: You must have coverage arrays for GSM Best Server and GPRS Best Server in memory - and Their mapping resolution must be set the same as that set in Step 3 of the Traffic Wizard The Traffic array can now be viewed within the Map View window by selecting the Terminal Type name from the Traffic category of the 'Show Data Types' list:
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14.9.1
The GPRS Data Rate array shows the maximum data rate (in kbits per second) that you can achieve (per one timeslot) at a particular pixel using GPRS technology. This calculation is capacity-independent. Use the GPRS Data Rate array to see where in a area you will get what performance. This type of array requires a Best Server (GPRS) array, which is generated automatically if one does not already exist. The GPRS Data Rate array determines coverage for cells that support GPRS and includes the effect of Frequency Hopping and DTX. The array calculates a pixel's average C/I value, ignoring the signal (C) from non-GPRS cells but considering interference for all cells, both GPRS and non-GPRS. When the average C/I value for each pixel has been determined, the array converts it from a signal to noise ratio to a data rate per timeslot by referring to the Channel Coding Scheme. For details, see the ASSET User Reference Guide. Only Channel Coding Schemes supported by the best serving sub-cell are included. The data rate is stored in the array. You can specify the cell layer/carrier layer combinations to be considered when calculating the GPRS data rate array by selecting the appropriate combinations in the Interference tab of the Array Settings dialog box. As with other arrays, you can double-click the item from the Data Types list on the Map View to change the displayed colours and categories for the array.
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14.9.2
The GPRS Average Data Rate per Timeslot display uses the serving cell information from the Best Server (GPRS) array. The Average Data Rate per Timeslot array uses the distribution of traffic (Terminal Types/km) and the data demands of each type. It then calculates an average data rate per timeslot for the cell. This is calculated and stored when the GPRS Data Rate array is produced. It uses the GPRS Data Rate array to give a data rate per timeslot (kb/s). This value is then multiplied by the number of terminals of that type present to get the demand for that pixel for that terminal type. The results for each terminal type for all the pixels within a sub-cell are then divided by the number of terminals of that type with the sub-cell. The result for each terminal type present is then averaged to generate the average data rate per timeslot, which is then stored on the sub-cell. If the traffic array and the GPRS Data Rate array are of different resolutions, the GPRS Data Rate array is interpolated to get the corresponding kb/s for each traffic array pixel. To display this on the map, ensure Average Data Rate per Timeslot (GPRS) is selected in the list of data types to display. The area covered by each GPRS sub-cell is displayed on the map in the colour corresponding to its average data rate per timeslot. When displayed on the map, the array has different colours representing the different service levels in a kb/s/timeslot. For example: High (Multimedia) Medium (Web access) Low (e-mail) >12kb/s (Red) 7-12kb/s (Green) 2-7kb/s (Blue)
As with other arrays, you can double-click the item from the Data Types list on the Map View to change the displayed colours and categories for the array.
14.9.3
The GPRS Service Area Data Rate array displays the capacity limited GPRS data rate for each serving cell. The data rates are displayed accordingly to chosen categories over the service area of each server. For example, for a server whose capacity limited data rate is 6kb/s, the service area of this server will be displayed as the appropriate category. The default category in this case would be e-mail as according to the default scheme, the data rate range for e-mail is 1-28 kb/s. The service area for this cell would therefore be coloured in the colour for the category e-mail. As with other arrays, you can double-click the item from the Data Types list on the Map View to change the displayed colours and categories for the array.
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Click 'OK'.
The full procedure to create arrays is described in Creating Coverage Arrays on page 155. The GPRS Data Rate array can now be viewed within the Map View window by selecting the GPRS Data Rate name from the Coverage category of the 'Data Types' list:
When you have generated the above array, the tool automatically calculates and generates the following GPRS arrays: 'Average Data Rates per Timeslot' 'Service Area Data Rate'
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These arrays can also be viewed by selecting the appropriate categories in the 'Data Types' list.
The Map Information pane (Gadgets) can be useful for analysing the GPRS arrays. See Map View Gadgets Window on page 50.
14.12
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Here is a summary description of the process to use when performing GPRS analysis: Set up the Coding Schemes and Occupancy Tables. Set up a GPRS Channel to Transceiver Map, and allocate it to the Cell Layer (or you may choose to use the GSM standard). In the Site Database, on the (E)GPRS tab, enable the appropriate sub-cells for GPRS, and enable the required coding schemes. Run the Pathloss Prediction Generator. Create a GPRS Best Server array. See Creating Coverage/Interference Arrays (Non-Sim) on page 155. Set up a terminal type for GPRS, and set it as packet switched. Specify the downlink demand per terminal and maximum timeslots per TRX. Create a traffic raster. This could include terminal types for both GSM voice (Erlangs) and GPRS (Terminals). Create a GPRS Data Rate Array. See Creating Coverage/Interference Arrays (NonSim) on page 155. This calculates the data rate per timeslot for each pixel, based purely on the automatically run Average Connection C/I and the highest correlated throughput value from the relevant coding scheme. This array depends strictly on the frequency allocation of the network, but ignores network availability. This array can be displayed on the Map View.
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The above array automatically produces the Average Data Rate per Timeslot array. This array takes into account the number of terminals spread and the demand per terminal. An average data rate is then displayed across the whole sub-cell area, based on the GPRS Best Server array (that is, array colours are not per pixel, but per sub-cell area). This 'demand' array can be displayed on the Map View.
10 Run the Static Traffic Analysis (at least the first three steps). Review the Captured Traffic and Traffic Analysis reports. 11 Display the Service Data Rate Array on the Map View. This is a representation of how well or badly the network will perform in coping with the GPRS traffic according to the current TRX allocation on the sub-cells. This array takes into account the capacity and service of the network. This 'service' array can be displayed on the Map View. You can customise the display settings for each array, and add colours to show lower scales of kbs, such as 0.01kbs, 0.1kbs, 1 kbs, 5kbs, 10kbs, and so on. It is also useful to activate the relevant values in the Map Information pane, and then compare the array values with each other. The concept of the analysis is that the kbs values in the final 'Service' array should be lower than those in the earlier 'Demand' array, which will indicate that the current network TRX configuration can cope with that demand. Otherwise, if the values are higher, the implication of the analysis is that the network cannot cope. Reiterations If you subsequently make changes to the TRX configuration on the sub-cells, or modify the terminal type or traffic spreading parameters or values, the analysis steps you should reiterate (in a strict sequence) are: Create a traffic raster Create a GPRS Data Rate array Run the Static Traffic Analysis (at least the first three steps)
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14.13
This checklist has been provided as a self-assessment of the objectives stated at the beginning of the session. Please tick all objectives covered in this session: Defining the GSM Data Service settings Enabling GPRS on the Cells in the Site Database Calculating and analysing the GPRS Service Area Defining Terminal Types for Data Services Creating a GPRS Traffic Array Generating the GPRS Arrays Capturing Traffic and Analysing Capacity Requirements
Additional Notes:
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SECTION 15
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If you do not want the traffic from subordinate network elements to be aggregated automatically you can choose to turn the Auto Aggregate facility off and you can enter traffic figures manually using the Carried Traffic Editor.
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The tabs and parameters vary according to the technology you select. The technologies are only visible if you have the appropriate licence. This new functionality means that, for LTE and Mobile WiMAX, the information in the interference table can be used as a vital input to their Frequency Planning Wizards. (For GSM, as before, you can use the table as an input to the Interactive Frequency Analysis, or to ILSA, the automatic frequency planning tool.) Viewing the Table within ASSET In addition, you can now view your interference table in a detailed and customisable analysis window. Here is an example of the Interference Table Analysis window:
In the left pane of the report window, the table lists the victim cells with their associated cell layer, and shows the total coverage area and, if applicable, total traffic, corresponding to the victim cell. In the right pane of the report window, the table lists the interfering cells corresponding to the victim cell that is currently selected/highlighted in the left pane. When you select any of the victim cells in the left pane, the list of interfering cells automatically updates in the right pane. For each of the interfering cells in the right pane, the table shows its respective calculated (or loaded) overlapping values. These values are given for both co-channel and adjacent channel interference. The percentages indicate the proportion of the interfering cell's area/traffic values with respect to the total area/traffic values on the victim cell. The interference data relating to each interfering cell is presented in the right pane, as follows:
Interference in terms of Area Co-Area (km2) Co-Area (%) Adj-Area (km2) Adj-Area (%) Interference in terms of Traffic Co-Traffic (T or mE) Co-Traffic (%) Adj-Traffic (T or mE) Adj-Traffic (%)
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You can: Limit the cells in the report window, by using the Filter drop-down list. Search for a specific victim cell in the left pane, by using the Find button. View the interferers for any of the victim cells by selecting the appropriate victim cell. Re-sequence any of the columns in the left pane or the right pane, by clicking the appropriate column header. For example, you can sort the list of interfering cells to find which cells might be causing the greatest potential problems to the victim cell. Specify the decimal place precision that you require (this influences the right pane only). Customise the column details in the right pane. Generate a report by clicking the Report button. This report will reflect your customised columns and decimal precision. Interact with the Map View, helping you to visualise specific cells. Interact with the Site Database, helping you to check a specific cell's network parameters. Here is an example of how you can use the interference table analysis to interact with the Map View, in order to visualise specific victim cells and/or interfering cells. :
Example of Map View showing a highlighted victim cell, together with all its interfering cells
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Example of how Antenna Instance IDs can facilitate antenna selection on the Map View
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In addition to KML, ENTERPRISE can also produce GeoTIFF exports. To import GeoTIFF images into Google Earth, you should use Google Earth Pro.
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You can also link your ENTERPRISE Map View with Google Earth, so that when you pan or zoom on the map, Google Earth opens, shows the same view, and reflects any panning and zooming performed:
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For more information about how licensing configurations and permissions can be controlled by the system administrator, and further licensing information, see the ENTERPRISE Installation and Administration Guide.
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User Controlling their Licence Usage in ENTERPRISE Users can control their licence use via the Licence Administrator in ENTERPRISE. The Licence Administrator enables you to view and edit the licences that are available to you after logging in to the database. As an ENTERPRISE user, you can use the Licence Administrator to: Get licences Drop licences Check out (commute) licences for usage remote from the network server, based on a specified number of days Edit the Startup option to determine your default licence configuration Here is an example of the Licence Administrator dialog box:
For more information about using the Licence Administrator, see the ENTERPRISE User Reference Guide.
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Index
A
Algorithms Prediction file caching algorithm 29, 30 Allocating carrier layers 103 Analysis frequency plans 225 Antennas distributed 114, 116 moving 114, 116 reorientating 114, 117 slots 118 Arrays archiving 166, 169 best server 155, 161 clipboard 169 creating 155 deleting 168 displaying 161 loading 168 managing 166 saving 166, 168, 169 traffic 178, 181, 185, 189 troubleshooting 156 types available 155 Assignments, carriers 224 Attributes adding to vectors 67 defining for a vector file feature 67 editing 70 traffic rasters 179 viewing as screentips 45 Azimuths, changing 114, 116, 117
calculating required 188 defining GSM and GPRS carriers 94, 95 fixing 105 forbidding 105 grouping 100 layers 99 status 224 Cell layers about 101 defining 102 Cells antennas 114, 116, 117, 118 configuring 106, 109 editing 119 reports 227 viewing attributes as screentips 45 Change reports 275 Channel to Transceiver maps 192, 193, 194 Clipboard arrays 169 Colour code planning 255 Co-ordinates setting 31 Coverage arrays 155 for single site or cell 154 pathloss predictions 151 schemas 159 statistics 268
D
Data loading 31 ordering 42 project 25 shared 26 viewing 42 viewing attributes as screentips 45 Database reports 272 Databases logging in 24 reports 272 uncommitted changes 275 Delta reports 275 Display Schemas for arrays 153 Displaying attributes 45 blocking 191 neighbours 215, 216, 218 traffic 185, 189 Distribution Statistics, generating reports 179, 180, 268 Dual predictions, example 148
B
BCCH Prerequisite Rule 96 Best Server arrays 155, 161 Blocking, displaying 191 BSIC planning 255 schemas 256
E
Editing cells quickly 119 lines and polygons 68 sites quickly 119 vector file feature attributes 70 Examples fields 124 Exporting MapInfo 56
C
Caching algorithm for predictions 29 Carrier layers about 99 Carriers allocating 103, 105 assignments 224
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F
Favourites accessing 55 saving 55 Features creating vector file features 64 using and managing vector file features 70 Fields about 123 creating 124 examples 124 Filters about 135 adding 127, 129, 134 creating 127, 135, 137 deleting 140 editing 140 optimising 142 speeding up 142 using 135 Forcing repredictions 151 Frequency bands 96, 97 displaying on map view 164 Frequency Analysis Wizard 241 Frequency Planning analysing plans 225 reports 228
L
Layers carrier 99 cell 99, 101 defining 100, 102 Lines spreading traffic 67, 176, 179 Links fields 124 Live traffic creating a traffic raster 181 Locations, finding on map 47 Logging in, overview 24
M
Map data projections 28 specifying 28 Map View displaying attribute data on 45 saving 55 MapInfo, exporting to 56 Maps displaying 42 displaying attribute data on 45 favourites 55 printing 58, 60 redrawing 42, 55 repositioning 55 saving views 55 selecting items 44 size 31 vector file features 64 viewing 55
G
GPRS arrays 297, 298 channel to transceiver maps 194 GSM Interactive Frequency Analysis 241
H
Height profile cellular antenna tilts 114 Hierarchy tab adding to filter 137 Holes, for polygons 74
N
Neighbours about 197 adding 198, 199, 201, 203, 210 analysing 206, 207 customising column details 200, 210 displaying 215 making mutual 219 planning 203 Network Configuration Report 272 Nodes adding 106
I
ILSA analysing plans 225 interference tables 229 Importing vectors 78 Interactive Frequency Analysis 241 Interference arrays 155 Interference tables about 229 creating 230 loading 235 viewing 236 Intermodulation calculations 97 frequency bands 96
O
Ordering, map data 42
P
Parameters suggested values for propagation models 88 Partial loading about 31 Pathloss
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predicting 151 Planning colour codes 255 frequency 224, 225 Points attributes 67, 179 creating 64 spreading traffic 67, 176, 179 Vector Manager 64 Polygons attributes 67, 179 creating 64 holes and islands 74 spreading traffic 67, 176, 179 Vector Manager 64 Population Statistics, generating reports 67, 179, 180, 268 Prediction file management 29, 30 Predictions creating 151 file caching system 29, 30 file management algorithm 29, 30 Printing maps 58, 60 Projections specifying 28 Projects creating 24, 25 loading subsets 31 sharing data 26 Propagation Models Enhanced Macrocell 86 Properties fields 123 viewing attributes as screentips 45
traffic statistics 186, 188, 189 uncommitted 275 Repositioning, maps 55 Rules for filters 142
S
Saving map views 54, 55 Schemas coverage 159 display schemas 153 Screentips, viewing attribute data as 45 Searching attributes 70 maps 47 vectors 70 Service Area arrays (GSM) 161 Serving Cell arrays creating 155, 161 Settings projects 24 Shortcuts zooming 54 Signal coverage pathloss predictions 151 Signal strength restricting 109, 111 viewing difference between two cells 163 Signal thresholds about 110 example 111 setting 109 Site tips, displaying 45 Sites adding 106 displaying 47 editing 119 fields 125 filters 136, 137, 140, 142 finding on map 47 flagging status 123 reports 272 status 123 viewing attributes as screentips 45 Slots antenna 118 Spreading traffic traffic rasters 178, 181 Statistics population 179, 180, 268 reports 268 Status fields examples 124 Sub-cells, definition 101
Q
Quick Finder searching with 47 setting up 49
R
Received Power, setting GSM signal thresholds 109, 110, 111 Recommendations propagation model parameters 88 Redrawing maps 55 Refreshing maps 55 Region loading about 31 Regions loading 31 Reorientating antennas in Map View 114, 117 Reports about 268, 272 cell information 227 coverage statistics 268 database 272 delta 275 frequency planning 228 population statistics 179, 180, 268 sites/nodes 272 statistics 268
T
Table Browser, using 70 Templates creating 106 Terminal types determining distribution 174 Text creating 64
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on map 47 Tilts, analysing in the Height Profile 114 Toolbars Map View 39 Vector Editor 64 Traffic analysis 186 arrays 178, 179, 181, 185 displaying 185, 189, 191 live 181 rasters 178, 179, 181, 185 spreading 178, 181 statistics 186, 188, 189 Troubleshooting array creation 156 co-ordinates 31 selecting items 44
U
Uncommitted changes, reporting 275 UTM, co-ordinate system 28
V
Vectors attributes 67, 179 creating 64 editing 68 importing 78 managing 70 spreading traffic 67, 176, 179 Table Browser 70 Vector Manager 64 Visualisers, about 143, 144
Z
Zoom saving 55 shortcuts 54
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