A SOFTWARE TOOL FOR RADIO COMMUNICATION NETWORK OPTIMIZATION

KRE FEI STU, Ilkovi ova 3, 812 19 Bratislava marecheck@pobox.sk, petrek@kre.elf.stuba.sk

Marek Horvth1, Jozef Petrek

Abstract: This paper presents a new software tool for radiocommunication network topology optimisation. The tool uses the digital network database of the Slovak republic and is a base for the network topology optimisation algorithms application. 1. Introduction The task of an economical service of communication networks is a crucial issue in presentday competing environment. The authors dispose of some powerful network topology optimisation algorithms [1], which work very well assuming that the cost functions of all network links are known, this means that the length-cost function for all links is exactly known. Unfortunately this is not the case for not-rented microwave radio links. The cost of a link depends not on the link length, frequency band and bandwidth exclusively but also on the terrain profile, power line availability, node locality rent cost and other variable factors. The goal of our effort was to create a software environment for the radio network optimisation which could be skilful for network providers. 2.Radio link cost function In our consideration we used following link cost function cl or node cost function cn respectively:

cl =

il + ol el

c n = rn +

in + on en

(1)

where index l is for a link and index n for a node, r is the rent cost [$/month]2 i is installation cost [$] e is the life expectancy of the considered network component [month] o is the operation cost [$/month] rn is the rent cost for a place where the provider may place its technology. When the provider owns the parcel or building yet, rn = 0. on is the cost of maintenance of the node, assumed electricity consumption etc. in is the cost for building modifications for rented space or erection of provider owned building respectively, cost of antenna mast, cost of power line installation, cost of all node technology except of those which is included in the link installation cost il . We isolated the cost, which are typical for a node from the cost of link not to duplicate the same cost because one rented site, building, antenna mast may guest more links. The most complicated entry is the cost of power line installation because it crucially depends on the low voltage accessibility. In the process of new network planning the optimised locations of all network nodes are not known. To be able to optimise the network also in this
1 2

Marek Horvth has written his graduation thesis at KRE FEI STU under supervision of Jozef Petrek $ is the symbol for the local currency

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phase we plan entering positions of distinguished power supply nodes and introduce the power lines with simplified cost function similar to the communication line cost function. In our tool for the simplicity rn+ on is only one parameter (Cost of operation, see Fig.1). When the link keeps the network operator (the link is not rented from another operator), the il is cost for all needed technology (transceivers, receivers, antennas and cables etc.) on both ends of the link.

Fig.1 Network nodes and links editing tool 3. Basic features of the tool For the easy editing of network nodes and links an editing tool was made (see Fig. 1.) To realise a microwave link between two points A and B sometimes a relay station is necessary because of the rugged topography or long distance between A and B. The maximal length of one hop microwave link dmax we calculate from equation (2)

max

P +G Pp k + A20log f T 20 = 10

[km, dBm, dBi, dBm, dB, dB, GHz ]

(2)

Where PT is the transmitter power G is the sum of transmitter and receiver antennas gains PP is the receiver sensitivity k is the sum of cable and connector attenuation in both transceiver and receiver sides
1 60 92,4 dB is a constant coming from the radar 4 equation and unit transcending; c is the light velocity in m/s

= 20 log c log109 + log

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A is a gain reserve, which is necessary because of additional atmospheric wave absorption, which depends on frequency band and local weather condition. In 23 GHz band we use A=20 dB f is the used frequency

Fig.2. Plane map of the terrain with a designed network

Fig.3. 3D view of the terrain profile

The exact locality of a node side can be edited entering the exact geographical coordinates of a node. Unfortunately there are more geographical coordinate systems. This tool works default in the Slovak S-JTSK system but supports also the transcoding from the military S-42 WGS-84 respectively. So the coordinates measured using the GPS satellite system can easily be used. After editing the node (and link if any) coordinates in the editing tool (Fig. 1) the user can see the plain map with network nodes (and links). The scaling factor is set automatically (Fig.2) according to network dimension. A 3D model of the terrain profile is also available (Fig. 3). Clicking on a link, choosing two network nodes or writing geographical co-ordinates of two points a terrain profile between two points can be displayed (Fig.4). The antenna altitudes are taken from the network station file. The first Fresnel zone is also depicted. The radius of the n-th Fresnel zone is calculated using (3) [3]

rn = n

d1d 2 d1 + d 2

(3)

where is wave length, d1 and d2 are distances of the transmitter and receiver antennas respectively. A skilful radio network design tool is the visibility tool (Fig.5) which finds quickly a visibility to nodes from a chosen network node or visibility to terrain from a chosen terrain point to all directions. The used digital terrain database has 100 meter grid therefore between two database points in the real terrain some local extremes may occur. To predict the extremes a interpolation method can be used. Three possibilities can be chosen: without interpolation, linear interpolation two-dimensional sampling theorem [3].

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For longer links also the earth curvature should be taken into account. The tool provides three possibilities, one of them has to be chosen by the user: without earth curving 4 radio earth curving ( Rr = Re = 8493 km, where Re is the earth radius, Rr is an equivalent 3 earth radius optical earth curving

Fig.4. Terrain profile

Fig.5 Visibility tool

4. Conclusion This tool is a base for radio network topology optimisation. Similar to all other comparable tools is not able to grand safe results because of insufficient detail or inaccuracy of digital terrain database. In the cities the building are not included in the database, in rural areas usually forest vegetation might change the real visibility result. Therefore the visibility of antennas should be proven on-site before starting final project of installing all radio equipment. After finishing the continuing work on network topology optimisation could the tool can save much resources for network operators. 5. References [1] Petrek J.: Hierarchical communication network topology optimisation. KRE FEI STU Bratislava 1998, PhD. theses, p. 107 [2] Ericson: Ericson Mini-Link System Planning, Sweden, Mondal: Ericson Microwave System AB, 2002 [3] Klima J., Klime J.: Vpo et intenzity elektromagnetickho po a v psmach VKV a UKV, Nadas Praha, 1988, p.144 [4] Horvth M.: Radiocommunication network topology optimisation. KRE FEI STU Bratislava 2003, Graduation theses, p. 81 [5] Federln ministerstvo spoj : Metodika vpo tu a plnovn rdiorelovch spoj , Praha 1984, MDT 621.396.43.001.1:001.8

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