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Atoll 3.1.2 Exercises Radio
Atoll 3.1.2 Exercises Radio
EXERCISE BOOK
Atoll Training 3.1.2
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: Atoll :
General Features
(GSM GPRS EDGE Platform)
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Objectives:
o Creating an Atoll document from a database
o Using the Explorer
1. Launch Atoll.
2. Create from an existing database a 3GPPMulti-RAT document that will support GSM, UMTS
and LTE:
Select File New From an Existing Database
In the Selection of a Database dialogue box, choose the Access database that is
located at:
Material_for_exercises\Brussels\MultiRAT\Network_Data\Brussels_MultiRAT.m
db
In the Data to Load dialogue box, click OK.
In the 3GPP Multi-RAT dialogue box, select the three access technologies GSM,
UMTS and LTE and click OK.
3. Check the content of the Network Explorer:
Right-click on the Sites folder and select Adjust Map Window.
4. Right-click on the GSM Transmitters folder and select Properties.
Select the Display tab.
In the Display type field, select the Unique option.
Click on the symbol displayed and choose to give it the Colour Yellow and the Size
30, and then click OK.
Click OK to apply your changes and close the Transmitters Properties dialogue.
5. Do the same for the UMTS Transmitters:
Right-click on the UMTS Transmitters folder and select Properties.
Select the Display tab.
In the Display type field, select the Unique option.
Click on the symbol displayed and choose to give it the Colour Blue and the Size 25,
and then click OK.
Click OK to apply your changes and close the Transmitters Properties dialogue.
6. Do the same for the LTE Transmitters:
Right-click on the LTE Transmitters folder and select Properties.
Select the Display tab.
In the Display type field, select the Unique option.
Click on the symbol displayed and choose to give it the Colour Red and the Size 20,
and then click OK.
Click OK to apply your changes and close the Transmitters Properties dialogue.
7. Save the document in a personal folder:
Create a personal folder in the Atoll_Training folder provided.
Save your document in this folder under the name Atoll_MultiRAT.atl by selecting
File Save or Save As...
Information: If you want to redo the exercises after the training and want to create some MultiRAT
documents, make sure you only select the technologies (GSM, UMTS and/or LTE) that you have the
licence key for.
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Objectives:
o Importing geographic data files
o Importing a user configuration file
The
Clutter
Classes
file
located
at:
"Geo_Data\Brussels\Clutter_Classes\Brussels_Clutter_Classes.bil"
In the File Import dialogue box choose Clutter Classes as the Data type
then click Import.
3. Import a User Configuration file that will automatically import all the geographic files by
selecting Tools User Configuration Load...
Warning: The User Configuration file is pointing to geographic files that need to be placed at
the following location: C:\Atoll_Training\Geo_Data\Brussels.
Information: After the import of the User Configuration file you can see that several maps are now
available in your Geo Explorer:
3 Vector files (Brussels_Transportation_Ways, Belgium_Districts and Belgium_Municipalities)
1 Clutter Heights file (Brussels_Clutter_Heights)
1 Clutter Classes file (Brussels_Clutter_Classes)
1 Digital Terrain Model file (Brussels_Altitudes_(DTM))
1 Image (Brussels_Ortho_Image)
1 Population file (Brussels_Population)
4. Change the order of the maps or uncheck the visibility boxes of some of them to display the
information you are most interested in.
Information: To change the order of the maps you need to select a map and drag it above or below
the other maps.
5. Save the document.
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Objectives:
o Using station templates
o Using the Find on Map tool
Information: The goal of this exercise is to create a new Multi-RAT station in the district of Krosf
1. In the Geo Explorer, uncheck all the visibility boxes.
2. Tick the visibility box of the Belgium_Districts geographic file.
3. In the Toolbar, set the scale to 1:25000.
4. Use the Find on Map tool to locate the district called Krosf:
You can access the Find on Map tool by clicking on the icon
or by using the
shortcut CTRL+F.
In the Find field, select Vector.
In the Field field, select NAME.
Type Krosf in the white box below.
Zoom around the Krosf district (by double-clicking in the district, you can display its
properties to make sure you are looking at the Krosf district).
5. In the Radio Planning toolbar, expand the Station Templates drop-down list:
Select the GSM: Urban 900 station template from the list.
6. Go back to the Station Templates drop-down list to now select the UMTS: Urban station
template.
Click again on the New Transmitter or Station icon and drop this new station exactly
on the Krosf Site (when you are exactly above it, the site will get highlighted).
7. Go back to the Station Templates drop-down list to now select the LTE: Urban station
template.
Click again on the New Transmitter or Station icon and drop this new station exactly
on the Krosf Site.
8. Click on the Refresh icon
display getting updated.
(or F5) to refresh the map display and see the Krosf stations
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Objectives:
o Using Atoll grouping functions
o Using Atoll filtering functions
1. In the Network Explorer, right-click on the Sites folder and select Group by BSC
Expand the Sites folder to notice the new data organisation.
Right-click on one of the subfolders and select Open Table to access the parameters
of the Sites that belong to this group.
Close the table.
Information: Grouping used at the folder level can only be based on one parameter. Grouping used
at the folder properties level can be based on several parameters.
2. To group the Sites according to 2 fields, you need to do it through the Sites Properties
dialogue box:
Right-click on the Sites folder and select Properties.
In the General tab, click on the Group By... button.
In the Available fields box, select the Manufacturer parameter, press the
button
and then click OK.
Click OK to apply your changes and close the Sites Properties dialogue box.
Expand the Sites folder and notice the new data organisation (the Sites are grouped
by BSC and by Manufacturer now).
3. Right-click on the Sites folder and select Properties:
In the General tab, click on the Filter... button.
In the Field drop-down list, select BSC.
Remove the BSC1 as a value to include and then click OK.
Click OK to apply your changes and close the Sites Properties dialogue box.
4. To remove the filtering, go back to the General tab of the Sites Properties and click on the
Filter... button:
Click the Clear all button and then click OK.
Click OK to apply your changes and close the Sites Properties dialogue box.
Notice that the Sites belonging to BSC1 have reappeared in the Explorer and on
the map, and that the filter symbol on the Sites folder has also disappeared.
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Objectives:
o Creating a computation zone by different means
1. In the Geo Explorer, expand the Zones folder to see the Computation Zone.
2. Right-click on the Computation Zone and select Edit Zone.
Once again, right-click on the computation zone and select Draw Polygon.
Click several times on the map to create each point defining the Computation zone
and double-click to finish creating it.
3. Right-click on the border of the Computation Zone on the map, and select Insert Point
Click on the inserted point to move it and place it wherever you want.
Information: You can do that directly by clicking on the computation zones border and by
dragging your pointer wherever you want.
4. Right-click on the border of the Computation Zone on the map, and select Move
Move the zone to place it wherever you want.
5. In the Geo Explorer, right-click on the Computation Zone and select Fit Zone to Map
Window
A rectangular Computation Zone that surrounds the current view of your map is
created (you can zoom out to see it better).
6. Right-click on the Computation Zone and select Import:
Import the file that is located at:
Material_for_exercises\Brussels\MultiRAT\Computation_Zone\Brussels_Comp
utation_Zone.mif
In the Vector Import dialogue box, make sure that the Computation Zone is selected
in the Import to field, and then click Import.
7. Save the document.
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Objectives:
o Calculating coverage predictions
1. In the Network Explorer, group the GSM Transmitters by Frequency Band and by Site.
2. Expand the GSM Transmitters folder to see the GSM1800 and GSM900 subfolders under which the
Transmitters are grouped by Site.
3. Right-click on the GSM 900 subfolder and select Open Table.
Locate the Main propagation model column.
Click the first cell and select Standard Propagation Model 900 MHz.
Select the whole column and do Edit Fill Down (or CTRL+D) to assign the Standard
Propagation Model 900 MHz to all the Transmitters of the table.
Close the table.
4. Do the same for the Transmitters that are in the GSM 1800 subfolder:
Right-click on the GSM 1800 subfolder and select Open Table.
Locate the Main propagation model column.
Click the first cell and select Standard Propagation Model 1800 MHz.
Select the whole column and do Edit Fill Down (or CTRL+D) to assign the Standard
Propagation Model 1800 MHz to all the Transmitters of the table.
Close the table.
5. Right-click on the GSM Transmitters folder and select Properties.
In the Propagation tab, under the Main matrix box set the Radius to 5000 m and the
Resolution to 20 m.
Click OK.
6. Save the document.
7. In the Toolbar, set the scale to 1:25000.
8. In the Geo Explorer, tick the visibility box of the Belgium_Municipalities.
Use the Find on Map tool to locate the municipality called Etterbeek by putting Vector in
the Find field, NAME in the Field field and Etterbeek in the white box below.
Right-click the Etterbeek municipality and select Use As Focus Zone.
Close the Find on Map tool.
Expand the Zones folder and tick the visibility box of the Focus Zone to see your newly
created zone.
9. Clear the visibility boxes of the Focus Zone and the Belgium_Municipalities.
10. In the Network Explorer, right-click on the Predictions folder and select New Prediction.
Under the Standard Predictions GSM, select Coverage by Signal Level.
In the General tab, rename the prediction GSM Prediction 1: Coverage by Signal Level.
11. Right-click on the GSM Prediction 1: Coverage by Signal Level prediction and select Generate
Report.
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Information: You can notice that the statistical report is only based on the Focus zone (no information is
available in the "% Computation zone" column).
12. In the Geo Explorer, right-click on the Focus Zone folder and select Delete Zone.
13. In the Network Explorer, right-click on the GSM Prediction 1: Coverage by Signal Level and
select Generate report.
Select the following Columns to be Displayed:
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o Surface (km )
o % of Covered Area
o % Focus Zone
o % Computation Zone
Then click OK.
Compare this report with the one you made previously.
Information: You can now notice that the statistical report is based on the Computation zone (no
information is available in the "% Focus zone" column)
14. Close both reports.
15. Save the document.
16. Clear the visibility boxes of the UMTS Transmitters and the LTE Transmitters to only keep the GSM
Transmitters displayed on the map.
17. Right-click on the GSM Transmitters folder and select Properties.
Select the Display tab.
In the Display type field, select the Automatic option.
Click OK to apply your changes and close the Transmitters Properties dialogue.
18. Right-click on the Predictions folder and select New Prediction.
Under the Standard Predictions GSM, select Coverage by Transmitter.
In the General tab, rename the prediction GSM Prediction 2: Coverage by Transmitter
(Best Server-Null Margin).
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21. Right-click on the prediction GSM Prediction 1: Coverage by Signal Level, select Split in Cells
and choose the prediction GSM Prediction 2: Coverage by Transmitter (Best Server-Null
Margin).
Click OK.
Information: Atoll has created a prediction named Splitting in Cells (GSM Prediction 1: Coverage by
Signal Level-GSM Prediction 2: Coverage by Transmitter (Best Server-Null Margin)) enabling you to
see the transmitter's coverage zone and the distribution of the signal strength levels inside of the coverage
zone at the same time.
22. Save the document.
23. From the Menu bar, select Tools Point Analysis.
Select the GSM - Reception tab.
24. In the Network Explorer, expand the GSM Transmitters folder and the GSM 900 subfolder.
Right-click on the Krosf site and select Calculations Create a New Prediction...
Select a Coverage by Signal Level prediction.
Rename the prediction GSM Prediction 4: Coverage by Signal Level Krosf only.
25. Expand the GSM Transmitters folder and the GSM 900 subfolder.
Right-click on the Krosf site and select Open Table.
Set the Height (m) of all the antennas to 40 m.
Close the table.
26. Right-click on the GSM Transmitters and select Properties.
In the Propagation tab, notice that the path loss matrices of the Krosf transmitters are no
longer valid. Why?
27. Right-click on the prediction GSM Prediction 4: Coverage by Signal Level Krosf only and
select Duplicate.
Rename the duplicated prediction to GSM Prediction 5: Coverage by Signal Level Krosf
only 40 m.
Calculate this new prediction.
28. Tick the visibility boxes of the GSM Prediction 4 and the GSM Prediction 5 only.
29. Right-click on the Predictions folder and select Generate Report.
Select the following Columns to be Displayed:
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o Surface (km )
o % of Covered Area
o % Focus Zone
o % Computation Zone
Then click OK.
Which prediction is showing better results? Why?
Close the report.
Information: Atoll will generate a comparative report for both predictions. It is then easier to look for
differences.
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: Atoll :
GSM GPRS EDGE Technologies
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Objectives:
o Opening an Atoll document from an .atl file
1. Open
the
file
"Training_Atoll_MultiRAT.atl"
located
in
the
folder
Material_for_exercises\Brussels\GSM_GPRS_EDGE\Network_Data
2. Select the visibility checkbox of the GSM Transmitters folder in order to make them visible
(
).
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Objectives:
o Working with BSICs domains
o Working with cell types
).
1. Open the GSM Transmitters table and set the BSIC domain for all GSM transmitters to "BSIC
domain 0 & 4:
Locate the "BSIC domain" column.
Use the "Fill down" (CTRL+D) function.
Close the Transmitters table.
2. Group the GSM Transmitters by "Cell type", then open the corresponding tables for each group
and replace the cell types as follows:
"Macro Cell 900" replaced by "Macro Cell 900 - Reduced domains"
"Micro Cell 1800" replaced by "Micro Cell 1800 - Reduced domains"
"Macro Cell 1800" replaced by "Macro Cell 1800 - Reduced domains"
Information: When Atoll asks, "Update subcells and TRXs according to the new cell type?" confirm by
clicking OK.
3. Click the Refresh button (
4. Open each Cell type subfolder and assign the HCS layers as follows:
HCS Layer "Macro layer 900" for the GSM transmitters of the cell type "Macro Cell 900
Reduced domains"
HCS Layer "Macro layer 1800" for the GSM transmitters of the cell type
"Macro Cell 1800 Reduced domains"
HCS Layer "Micro layer 1800" for the GSM transmitters of the cell type
"Micro Cell 1800 Reduced domains"
Information: GSM Network Settings are available in the Parameters tab (
).
Information: HCS layers are often used to define service zones (characterized by different traffic and priority)
based
on
a
specific
layer
(Umbrella,
Macro,
Micro
or
Pico
cells).
Service zones can also be based on frequency bands (900 MHz and 1800 MHz for instance).
5. Open the Subcells table: Standard Data and make the following changes:
Locate the "TRX Type" column and right-click on a BCCH cell
Select "Filter excluding selection" to keep only non-BCCH TRXs in the subcells table.
Set the "Hopping mode" (locate it in the table) to "Base Band Hopping".
Right-click anywhere in the table and select "Remove Filter" to display all the BCCH and TCH
TRXs in the subcells table.
Close the subcells table.
6. Save the document.
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Objectives:
o Playing with Service Areas options in standard predictions
Information: In GSM/GPRS/EDGE projects, several service areas can be defined either in the traffic
capture, during Interference Matrices computations and in predictions. The selection has to be done
according to the type of prediction you want to show.
1. Create a GSM Coverage by transmitter prediction for all the GSM transmitters.
On the General tab name it "GSM Prediction 4: Coverage by transmitter (HCS
Servers)".
On the Condition tab, under Server, select the option "HCS Servers"
Set the margin to 0 dB
2. Click Calculate.
Information: This prediction shows the service areas of the GSM transmitters having the best signal
level on each pixel, for each HCS layer. Cells are in competition per layer assuming their calculated
signal level is higher than the subcell reception thresholds and the HCS layer reception threshold.
Overlapping between HCS layers is possible, but overlapping between GSM transmitters on a given
HCS layer is not possible.
3. Right-Click the previous GSM Prediction 4 and select Duplicate
On the General tab rename it "GSM Prediction 5: Coverage by transmitter
(Highest Priority HCS Server)".
On the Condition tab, under Server, select the option "Highest Priority HCS Server"
Set the margin to 0 dB
4. Click Calculate.
Information: This prediction shows the service areas of the GSM transmitters having the best signal
level on each pixel, on the highest priority HCS layer. The priority HCS layer is the layer for which the
priority value is the highest and for which the calculated signal level is higher than its subcell reception
thresholds and the HCS layer reception threshold. Overlapping between HCS layers and between
GSM transmitters of a given HCS layer is not possible.
Note: If two layers have the same priority, the traffic is served by the GSM transmitter for which the
difference between the received signal strength and the HCS threshold is the highest. The way
competition is managed between layers with the same priority can be modified. For more information,
see the Administrator Manual.
5. Hide all the predictions by unchecking the visibility flags in front of each of it.
6. Save the document
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Objectives:
o Manually assign frequencies to several GSM transmitters of a site
o Working with the Find on Map tool
o Analysing network quality
o Analysing network interference
Unselect the visibility check box of the " GSM Prediction 4: Coverage by Transmitter (HCS
Servers)".
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Information: Do not forget to display the Legend when you display your predictions to see what the
different colours indicate.
1. Create a "GSM Coverage by C/I level" prediction for all GSM transmitters:
Name it "GSM Coverage by C/I level: Highest Priority HCS Server BCCHs".
On the Condition tab, set Server to " Highest Priority HCS Server" with a margin
set to 0 dB.
Set the Interfered Subcells to BCCH.
Set the Interference Condition to "C/I" (not to C/I+N)
Select the "Detailed Results" option.
Leave the other parameters at their default setting.
Click Calculate.
2. Activate the Point Analysis window by clicking the
button. In the scrolling box, select the
GSM Interference tool and check the C/I values on several pixels.
Close the Point Analysis window.
3. Hide the prediction by unchecking its visibility flag.
4. Save the document.
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Objectives:
o Working with Coding Scheme Configurations
o Analysing GPRS/EDGE parameters and indicators
Information:
A GPRS/EDGE transmitter is capable of supporting different coding schemes depending on the type of
configuration used. The coding scheme will be chosen according to the radio conditions.
These radio conditions are taken into account in Atoll and influence GPRS/EDGE parameters and indicators
such as coding schemes and throughput.
Therefore these indicators can be used to ascertain the network quality.
1. Create a "GSM Coverage by GPRS/EDGE Coding Schemes" prediction for all GSM transmitters:
In the Condition tab, set the Server to "Best Idle Mode Reselection Criterion (C2)".
Leave the other parameters at their default setting.
Click OK.
2. Create a "GSM Packet Quality and Throughput Analysis" prediction for all GSM transmitters:
In the Condition tab, set the Server to "Best Idle Mode Reselection Criterion (C2)".
In the Display tab, set the Field to RLC/MAC Throughput/Timeslot (kbps) and set the
following Shading parameters
First Break : 60
Last Break : 0
Interval : -5
Leave the other parameters at their default setting.
Click OK.
3. On the Radio Planning toolbar click on the Calculate icon
4. Save the document.
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: Atoll :
3G Technologies
(UMTS/HSPA)
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Objectives:
o Opening an Atoll document from an .atl file
o Adding HSPA cells
).
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Objectives:
o Analysing UMTS studies
o Using the Point Analysis Tool to determine service areas
Information: In order to open the UMTS Cells table, right-click the UMTS Transmitters folder and select
Cells > Open Table.
1. Open the UMTS Cells table. Import the following file :
"Material for exercises\Brussels\UMTS_HSPA\Network_Data\Brussels_HSPA_Cells.txt"
Rank the cells according to the Carrier column in a descending order.
Verify the properties of cells using carrier 1.
Which technologies are supported on these carriers?
Information: The network consists of transmitters working on two carriers in dense urban areas and
transmitters working on only one carrier in suburbs.
Carrier 0 carries R99 traffic only while carrier 1 supports HSPA traffic.
2. Close the UMTS Cells table.
Information: UMTS coverage predictions are based on the uplink and downlink load conditions. In Atoll,
these load conditions are defined by the cell uplink load factor for the uplink and the cell total power for the
downlink. These parameters can be entered manually in the UMTS Cells table if you know them and used for
calculating UMTS coverage predictions.
3. Create a "Pilot Quality Analysis (Ec/Io)" prediction for all transmitters with the following parameters
on the Condition tab:
Terminal = UMTS Terminal.
Service = Mobile Internet Access.
Mobility = Pedestrian.
Carrier = 0.
On the Display tab, change the threshold level "-15 dB" to "-14 dB" (Note that the Ec/Io
Threshold for all the mobility types has been set to -14 dB)
On the General tab, name the prediction: "UMTS: Pilot Quality Analysis (Ec/Io) (Mobile
Internet)".
Click Calculate.
Information: With the "Pilot Quality Analysis (Ec/Io)" prediction, Atoll calculates the best Ec/I0 received on
each pixel. Then, it colours the pixel according to the values and the thresholds defined on the Display tab.
By default, the display is set to show the Ec/I0.
4. Right-click the prediction and choose the "Generate report" option
Select the following information to be displayed:
2
o Surface (km )
o % of Covered Area
o % Computation Zone
o Click OK.
o Notice that no areas with Ec/I0 values higher than 5 dB is available
o Close the report
5. Create an "Effective Service Area Analysis (Eb/Nt) (DL+UL)" prediction for all transmitters with the
following parameters on the Condition tab:
Terminal = UMTS Terminal.
Service = Mobile Internet Access.
Mobility = Pedestrian.
Carrier = 0.
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On the General tab, name the prediction: "UMTS: Effective Service Area Analysis (Mobile
Internet)".
Click Calculate.
Information: With this prediction, Atoll colours the pixel when the service is available, i.e., when the values of
Ec/Io, Eb/Nt DL, and Eb/Nt UL on the pixel exceed the respective minimum quality values.
6. Select the visibility box for the prediction "UMTS: Effective Service Area Analysis (Mobile
Internet)" and open the Point Analysis Tool.
Select the UMTS - AS Analysis view
Set the Point Analysis Tool with the same parameters as defined in the prediction we want
to study (Terminal = UMTS Terminal, Service = Mobile Internet Access, Mobility =
Pedestrian, Carrier = 0).
Perform an Active Set analysis on several pixels and determine one pixel where the service
is not available in the Downlink
Double-click
in the point analysis tool in order to know why the service is not
available in the Uplink. Why?
Close the Point Analysis Tool.
Information: By double-clicking the service availability result, a dialogue box is displayed showing necessary
information to investigate the availability or the non availability of a service on a certain pixel.
7. Create a "Pilot Pollution Analysis" prediction for all transmitters with the following parameters on
the Condition tab:
Terminal = UMTS Terminal.
Service = Mobile Internet Access.
Mobility = Pedestrian.
Carrier = 0.
On the General tab, name the prediction: "UMTS: Pilot Pollution Analysis (Mobile
Internet)".
Click Calculate.
Information: With this prediction, Atoll determines on each pixel the number of polluters there might be. Then
it colours the pixel according to the values and the thresholds defined in the Display tab.
A polluter is a cell which satisfies all the conditions to enter the mobile AS but which is not admitted because
the AS limit has already been reached.
8. Create a "Handoff Zones" prediction for all transmitters with the following parameters on the
Condition tab:
Terminal = UMTS Terminal.
Service = Voice.
Mobility = Pedestrian.
Carrier = 0.
On the General tab, name the prediction: "UMTS: Handoff Zones (Voice)".
Click Calculate.
Information: With this prediction, Atoll colours each pixel according to the mobile handover status.
9. Save the document.
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Objectives:
o Understand the influence of the "Total power (dBm)" parameter on the DL UMTS coverage
predictions
Information: In order to open the UMTS Cells table, right-click the UMTS Transmitters folder and select
Cells > Open Table.
1. Open the UMTS Cells table make the following changes:
Locate the "Carrier" column and right-click a cell that is set to 0.
Select "Filter by Selection" to keep only the cells of carrier 0 in the UMTS Cells table.
For the cells using carrier 0, set the "Total Power (dBm)" to 36 dBm.
Information: It is important not to confuse the "Max DL Load (% Max Power)" and the "Max Power (dBm)"
columns with the "Total Power (dBm)" column when changing this parameter.
Click the Remove Filter button in the table toolbar in order to display all cells in the UMTS
Cells table.
Close the UMTS Cells table.
2. Right-click the prediction " UMTS: Pilot Quality Analysis (Ec/Io) (Mobile Internet)" and select
Duplicate.
Name the prediction: " UMTS: Pilot Quality Analysis (Ec/Io) (Mobile Internet) Total
power=36dBm"
Calculate the prediction.
3. Select the visibility box of both studies " UMTS: Pilot Quality Analysis (Ec/Io) (Mobile Internet)"
and " UMTS: Pilot Quality Analysis (Ec/Io) (Mobile Internet) Total power=36dBm"
Right-click the Predictions folder and select Generate Report
Select the following information to be displayed:
2
o Surface (km )
o % of Covered Area
o % Computation Zone
o Click OK.
o Which one is having the best coverage? Why?
o What is the impact of the "Total Power (dBm)" parameter on the coverage?
Close the report
Information: Atoll will generate a comparative report for all the studies. It is then easier to look for differences.
4. Right-click the prediction "UMTS: Effective Service Area Analysis (Mobile Internet)" and select
Duplicate.
Name the prediction: "UMTS: Effective Service Area Analysis (Mobile Internet) Total
power=36dBm"
On the Display tab, change the display colour from Red to Blue
Calculate the prediction.
5. Select the visibility box of both studies " UMTS: Effective Service Area Analysis (Mobile Internet)"
and "UMTS: Effective Service Area Analysis (Mobile Internet) Total power=36dBm"
Right-click the Predictions folder and select Generate Report
Select the following information to be displayed:
2
o Surface (km )
o % of Covered Area
o % Focus Zone
o % Computation Zone
o Click OK.
o Which one is having the best coverage? Why?
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o What is the impact of the "Total Power (dBm)" parameter on the coverage?
Close the report
Information: Atoll will generate a comparative report for all the studies. It is then easier to look for differences.
6. Open the UMTS Cells table:
Use the "Filter by Selection" option and set the "Total Power (dBm)" to 40 dBm for all cells
using carrier 0.
Close the UMTS Cells table.
7. Save the document.
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Objectives:
o Understand the influence of the "UL load factor (%)" parameter on UL UMTS coverage
predictions
Information: In order to open the UMTS Cells table, right-click the UMTS Transmitters folder and select
Cells > Open Table.
1. Create a "Service Area Analysis (Eb/Nt) (UL)" prediction for all transmitters with the following
parameters on the Condition tab:
Terminal = UMTS Terminal.
Service = Mobile Internet Access.
Mobility = Pedestrian.
Carrier = 0.
On the Display tab, select the Required power (dBm) field. Then, click the Actions button
and select Shading.
1. Set the First Break to 20,
2. Set the Last Break to -40,
3. Set the Interval to 5.
On the General tab, name the prediction: "UMTS: Uplink Required Power (Mobile
Internet)".
Click Calculate.
Information: Here, Atoll calculates on each pixel the power required by the terminal to satisfy the minimum
UL Eb/Nt. Then, it colours the pixel according to the value and the thresholds defined in the Display tab.
The same prediction can be calculated on the downlink with the prediction "Service Area Analysis (Eb/Nt)
(DL)".
Atoll calculates on each pixel the power required on traffic channels in order to satisfy the minimum Eb/Nt DL.
Then, it colours the pixel according to the values and the thresholds defined in the Display tab.
2. Open the UMTS Cells table:
Use the "Filter by Selection" option and set the "UL load factor (%)" to 20% for all cells
using carrier 0.
Close the UMTS Cells table.
Information: It is important not to confuse the "Max UL Load Factor (%)" column and the "UL load factor
(%)" column when changing this parameter.
3. Right-click the prediction "UMTS: Uplink Required power (Mobile Internet)" and select Duplicate.
Name the prediction: "UMTS: Uplink Required power (Mobile Internet) UL load=20%".
Calculate the prediction.
4. Select the visibility box of both studies "UMTS Uplink Required power (Mobile Internet)" and
the prediction "UMTS Uplink Required power (Mobile Internet) UL load=20%"
Right-click the Predictions folder and select Generate Report
Select the following information to be displayed:
2
o Surface (km )
o % of Covered Area
o % Computation zone
o Click OK.
o Which one is having the best coverage? Why?
o What is the impact of the "UL load factor (%)" parameter on the coverage?
Close the report
Information: Atoll will generate a comparative report for all the studies. It is then easier to look for differences.
5. Open the Cells table:
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Use the "Filter by Selection" option and set the "UL load factor (%)" to 60% for all cells
using carrier 0.
Close the Cells table.
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Objectives:
o Analysing HSDPA studies
o Determining the "HSDPA Bearer" availability at a location
1. Create a "HSDPA Quality and Throughput Analysis" prediction for all transmitters with the
following parameters on the Condition tab:
Terminal = HSPA (HSDPA UE9 HSUPA UE6).
Service = High Speed Internet.
Mobility = Pedestrian.
Carrier = 1.
On the Display tab, select the "RLC Peak Rate (kbps)" field.
On the General tab, name the prediction: "HSDPA: DL RLC Peak Rate High Speed
Internet - UE9 (1 user)".
Click Calculate.
2. Create a "HSDPA Quality and Throughput Analysis" prediction for all transmitters with the
following parameters on the Condition tab:
Terminal = HSPA (HSDPA UE5 HSUPA UE6).
Service = High Speed Internet.
Mobility = Pedestrian.
Carrier = 1.
On the Display tab, select the "RLC Peak Rate (kbps)" field.
On the General tab, name the prediction: "HSDPA: DL RLC Peak Rate High Speed
Internet UE5 (1 user)".
Click Calculate.
3. Import the following vector into the Geo tab:
"Material_for_exercises\Brussels\UMTS_HSPA\HSPA\Brussels_HSPA_Analysis_Point.mif".
This file contains one point.
Clear the visibility boxes of all the predictions.
Use the Adjust Map Window tool for the vector file you have just imported.
Select the visibility box of both studies "HSDPA: DL RLC Peak Rate High Speed Internet UE9 (1 user)" and "HSDPA: DL RLC Peak Rate High Speed Internet UE5 (1 user)".
By placing your cursor over the point, you can see the throughput ("HSDPA bearer") available
in a tip text bullet.
Which coverage is better? Why?
4. Save the document.
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Objectives:
o Analysing HSUPA studies
o Determining the "HSUPA Bearer" availability at a given location
1. Create a "HSUPA Quality and Throughput Analysis" prediction for all transmitters with the
following parameters on the Condition tab:
Terminal = HSPA (HSDPA UE5 HSUPA UE6).
Service = High Speed Internet.
Mobility = Pedestrian.
Carrier = 1.
HSUPA Resources = For a single user.
On the Display tab, select the "RLC Peak Rate (kbps)".
On the General tab, name the prediction: "HSUPA: UL RLC Peak Rate High Speed
Internet UE6 (1 user)".
Click Calculate.
2. Create a " HSUPA Quality and Throughput Analysis" prediction for all transmitters with the
following parameters on the Condition tab:
Terminal = HSPA (HSDPA UE5 HSUPA UE6).
Service = High Speed Internet.
Mobility = Pedestrian.
Carrier = 1.
HSUPA Resources = Shared by the HSUPA users defined or calculated per cell.
On the Display tab, select the "RLC Peak Rate (kbps)".
On the General tab, name the prediction: "HSUPA: UL RLC Peak Rate High Speed
Internet UE6 (4 users)".
Click Calculate.
Information: The number of HSUPA users in the UMTS Cells table is set to 4.
3. Clear the visibility boxes of all the predictions.
4. Use the Adjust Map Window tool for the Brussels_HSPA_Analysis_Point file imported previously.
Select the visibility box of both studies "HSUPA: UL RLC Peak Rate High Speed Internet
UE6 (1 user)" and "HSUPA: UL RLC Peak Rate High Speed Internet UE6 (4 users)".
By placing your cursor over the point, you can see the throughput ("HSUPA bearer") available
in a tip text bullet.
Which coverage is better? Why?
5. Clear the visibility boxes of all the predictions and zoom out from the map.
6. Save the document.
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Objectives:
o Using the automatic neighbour allocation tool
Information: Access the Neighbours commands by right-clicking the UMTS Transmitters folder.
1. Use the Automatic Allocation tool to allocate the UMTS intra-carrier neighbours of UMTS
transmitters. Define the following parameters in the Intra-carrier Neighbours tab:
Click the Define button.
In the DL Load Contributing to Io box, set the Global value (%Pmax) to 20%.
Click OK.
Set the % min Covered Area to 1%.
Select the following relation constraints: Force co-site cells as neighbours,
Force adjacent cells as neighbours and Delete existing neighbours on the right side of
the interface.
Click the Calculate button.
Click Commit to commit the results.
Click the Close button to close the Automatic Neighbour Allocation dialogue.
2. Select the visibility box of the prediction: "UMTS Prediction 2: Coverage by Transmitter (Best
Server-Null Margin) and click the Edit Relations on the Map button (
).
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Objectives:
o Using the automatic scrambling codes allocation tool
o Using the Search Tool
Information: Access the Primary Scrambling Codes commands by right-clicking the UMTS Transmitters
folder.
1. Use the Automatic Allocation tool to plan primary scrambling codes. Define the following
parameters:
Take the Neighbour constraints into account and select the Second Order option.
Set the Default Reuse Distance to 5000 m.
Choose the "Clustered" strategy.
Clear the Use a max of codes option.
Select the Allocate carriers identically option.
Click the Calculate button.
Click the Commit button to commit the results.
Click the Close button to close the Automatic Allocation dialogue.
2. Open the Code Distribution tool.
3. Select Find on Map from the Edit menu. In the Find on Map window, choose to search for
scrambling codes.
4. Select the visibility box of the prediction: "UMTS Prediction 2: Coverage by Transmitter (Best
Server-Null Margin).
5. Search for the scrambling codes 1, 2, and 16
6. Click the Reset Display button.
7. Close the Find on Map window.
8. Clear the visibility box of the prediction: "UMTS Prediction 2: Coverage by Transmitter (Best
Server-Null Margin).
9. Display the allocated scrambling codes for each transmitter on the map:
Right-click the UMTS Transmitters folder and select Properties.
On the Display tab, set the display type to "Discrete Values" and select the
"Cells: Primary Scrambling codes" field.
On the Display tab, change the Label by selecting "Cells: Primary Scrambling codes".
10. Save the document.
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: Atoll :
LTE Technologies
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Objective:
o Opening an Atoll document from an .atl file
).
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Objectives:
o Working with frequency bands
o Checking LTE global parameters
o Working with tables
).
7. Display the (Frequency) Bands table and verify whether the entered data are consistent with the data
described below:
"2110 FDD - 5 MHz (E-UTRA Band 1)"
Based on the FDD duplexing method.
Using channels from 0 to 2.
With 28.23 dB of adjacent channel suppression.
UL start frequency : 1920 MHz
DL start frequency : 2110 MHz
8. Display the Properties of the LTE Network Settings folder and verify in the Global Parameters tab
whether the entered data are consistent with the data described below:
Default Cyclic Prefix: 0 Normal
PDCCH Overhead: 2 SD
PUCCH Overhead: 1 RB
9. In order to see the impact of such a configuration on the LTE Frame, right-click in the LTE Transmitters
folder, then Cells, and select Frame Details. Click Calculate so as to see the frame details in Downlink.
10. Do the same for the Uplink.
Close the Frame Details dialogue.
11. Save the document.
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Objectives:
o Updating Cell Loads to compute LTE specific predictions
o Understanding the "UL noise rise (dB)" parameter on coverage predictions
Information: LTE performance is linked to Downlink Traffic Load and Uplink Noise Rise. Those factors are
defined at the Cells level and can be either set manually or committed from a Monte-Carlo simulation.
1. Open the LTE Cells table:
Verify that "Max Power (dBm)" is set to 43 dBm for all LTE cells.
Verify that UL and DL Traffic Loads are set to 100% for all LTE cells.
Verify that "UL Noise Rise (dB)" is set to 3 dB for all LTE cells.
Close the LTE Cells table.
2. Create a "LTE: Coverage by C/(I+N) Level (UL)" coverage prediction for all LTE transmitters with the
following parameters on the Condition tab:
Terminal = LTE Terminal.
Service = VoIP.
Mobility = Pedestrian.
On the General tab, name the prediction: "LTE: Coverage by C/(I+N) Level (PUSCH) NR
3 dB".
Click Calculate.
3. Open the LTE Cells table:
Set the "UL Noise Rise (dB)" to 10 dB for all LTE cells.
Close the LTE Cells table.
4. Duplicate the coverage prediction "LTE: Coverage by C/(I+N) Level (PUSCH) NR 3 dB", rename it
"LTE: Coverage by C/(I+N) Level (PUSCH) NR 10 dB" and Calculate it.
5. Move the coverage prediction "LTE: Coverage by C/(I+N) Level (PUSCH) NR 3 dB" up over
the coverage prediction "LTE: Coverage by C/(I+N) Level (PUSCH) NR 10 dB".
Information: To move a map (or a folder), select it and then drag it above the other maps if you want it to be
seen first. Or drag the map below the other maps if you want it to be in the background.
6. Check both predictions alternately and verify the impact of the "UL Noise Rise" parameter.
7. Right-click the prediction "Coverage by C/(I+N) Level (PUSCH) NR 3 dB" and choose the "Compare
with" option with the prediction "Coverage by C/(I+N) Level (PUSCH) NR 10 dB"
Click OK.
8. Open the LTE Cells table:
Set back the "UL Noise rise" to 3 dB for all the LTE Cells
Close the LTE Cells table.
9. Save the document.
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Objectives:
o Importing neighbours
o Checking the consistency of a neighbour plan
o Visualizing neighbours on map
Information: Access the Neighbours features by right-clicking the LTE Transmitters folder then
Neighbours.
10. Open the LTE Neighbours table.
Then, right-click in it and import the following file:
"Material_for_exercises\Brussels\LTE\Neighbours\ Brussels_LTE_LTE_Neighbours.txt".
Close the LTE Neighbours table.
11. Launch the Audit tool (LTE Transmitters > Neighbours > LTE > Audit...), check all conditions
and run it.
12. Select the visibility check box of the prediction: "LTE Prediction 2: Coverage by Transmitter (Best
Server-Null Margin)".
13. Click the Edit Relations on the map button (
14. Now, click the arrow (
and click OK.
).
) and select Display options. Check the Display coverage areas option
15. Click on several LTE transmitters to see their neighbour relations on the map.
16. Click the neighbour Edit Relations button again to disable it.
17. Save the document.
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Objective:
o Modify Frequency Reuse in the network so that you can verify its impact on network
quality and throughput.
Information: In each cell, the assigned channel number has an impact on interference, therefore on its quality
and the throughput. The aim of this part is to compare quality and throughput predictions with a different
Frequency Reuse, assuming that a spectrum of 15 MHz is available.
Two options may be considered:
Using the spectrum as a single channel of 15 MHz and allocating it to all LTE cells
Splitting the band into 3 channels of 5 MHz, with 1 channel for each sector on each station
1. Open the LTE Cells table and verify that channel 1 is assigned to all LTE cells. Then, allocate the
Frequency Band "2110 FDD - 15 MHz (E-UTRA Band 1)" to all LTE cells.
Close the LTE Cells table.
2. Create a "LTE: Coverage by C/(I+N) Level (DL)" prediction for all LTE transmitters with the following
parameters on the Condition tab:
Terminal = LTE Terminal.
Service = Mobile Internet Access.
Mobility = Pedestrian.
On the General tab, name the prediction: "LTE: Coverage by C/(I+N) Level (PDSCH) 1
Channel".
Click OK.
3. Create a "LTE: Coverage by Throughput (DL)" coverage prediction for all LTE transmitters with the
following parameters in the Condition tab:
Terminal = LTE Terminal.
Service = Mobile Internet Access.
Mobility = Pedestrian.
On the General tab, name the prediction: "LTE: Coverage by Throughput (DL) 1
Channel".
Click OK.
4. On the toolbar, click Calculate (
5. Open the LTE Cells table and allocate the Frequency Band "2110 FDD - 5 MHz (E-UTRA Band 1)" to all
LTE cells.
6. Import the following file:
"Material_for_exercises\Brussels\LTE\Network_Data\Brussels_Frequency_Reuse_Cells_LTE.txt".
Then, verify in the LTE Cells table that:
Channel 0 is assigned to sectors 1.
Channel 1 is assigned to sectors 2.
Channel 2 is assigned to sectors 3.
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7. Duplicate the coverage prediction "LTE: Coverage by C/(I+N) Level (PDSCH) 1 Channel" and rename
it "LTE: Coverage by C/(I+N) Level (PDSCH) 3 Channels".
8. Duplicate the coverage prediction "LTE: Coverage by Throughput (DL) 1 Channel" and rename it
"LTE: Coverage by Throughput (DL) 3 Channels".
9. On the toolbar, click Calculate (
10. Compare the results for the two different Frequency Reuse configurations. What is your conclusion?
11. Return to the initial state by assigning channel 1 to all LTE cells.
12. Save the document.
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Objectives:
o Checking the influence of an inconsistent PCI plan on Reference Signal quality
o Using the Automatic Physical Cell ID Allocation
o Working with the Find on Map tool
11. Open the Find on Map tool and seek successively the Physical Cell ID 1 and 2.
12. Click the Reset Display button and close the Find on Map tool.
13. Right-click in the LTE Transmitters folder, select Properties, and then the Display tab. In the Label
field, select Physical Cell ID, and then click OK. Apply your changes and click OK to close the
Properties dialogue.
14. Create a "LTE: Coverage by C/(I+N) Level (DL)" prediction for all LTE transmitters with the following
parameters on the Condition tab:
Terminal = LTE Terminal.
Service = Mobile Internet Access.
Mobility = Pedestrian.
On the Display tab, select Reference Signal C/(I+N) Level (DL).
On the General tab, name the prediction: "LTE: Coverage by C/(I+N) Level (RS) Initial
PCI Plan".
Click Calculate.
Information: Access the Physical Cell ID features (Automatic Allocation, Audit and Distribution) by rightclicking the LTE Transmitters folder then AFP.
15. Launch the Physical Cell ID Audit tool, check all conditions and run it.
16. Run the Physical Cell ID distribution too. Conclusion?
17. Now, launch the Automatic Physical Cell ID Allocation tool. Check that SSS ID Allocation option
is set to Same per site, and click on Calculate. Commit results and close the Resource Allocation
window.
18. Analyse the new Physical Cell ID plan.
19. Duplicate the coverage prediction "LTE: Coverage by C/(I+N) Level (RS) Initial PCI Plan" and
rename it "LTE: Coverage by C/(I+N) Level (RS) Enhanced PCI Plan".
20. Calculate this new prediction.
21. Compare the results for the two different Physical Cell ID plans, especially in downtown. Conclusion?
22. Return to the initial state by setting the Traffic Load (DL and UL) to 100% for all LTE cells.
23. Save the document
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Objectives:
o Setting the properties of the cells so as to make possible the support of static ICIC (or
Fractional Frequency Reuse) and verify the impact of fractioned frame on network quality
and throughput.
Information: For each cell, you can set up the ICIC support by selecting Static DL in the Interference
Coordination Support. In addition, for each cell, the ICIC delta path loss threshold (which activates the
capability of the cell to use a 1/3rd fraction of its channel bandwidth in its ICIC part of the frame) and the ICIC
ratio (DL) have to be set up.
1. To update cells with the FFR capability, open the Cells table. Use the Ctrl+D combination to update the
following columns:
Verify that Channel Number is set to 1 for all cells
Set Interference Coordination Support to Static DL for all cells
Set ICIC Delta Path Loss Threshold to 4 dB for all cells
Set the ICIC Ratio (DL) to 25% for all cells
Verify the ICIC UL Noise Rise value is 0 dB for all cells
Verify that UL/DL Traffic Loads are set to 100% and UL Noise Rise to 3dB for all LTE cells.
2. Create a "LTE: Coverage by C/(I+N) Level (DL)" coverage prediction for all LTE transmitters with the
following parameters on the Condition tab:
Terminal = LTE Terminal.
Service = Mobile Internet Access.
Mobility = Pedestrian.
On the General tab, name the prediction: "LTE: Coverage by C/(I+N) Level (PDSCH) FFR".
Click OK.
3. Create a "LTE: Coverage by Throughput (DL)" coverage prediction for all LTE transmitters with the
following parameters in the Condition tab:
Terminal = LTE Terminal.
Service = Mobile Internet Access.
Mobility = Pedestrian.
In the Display tab, select Actions Shading... and set the following parameters:
o First break: 10,000
o Last break: 100
o Interval: -100
o Then click OK.
On the General tab, name the prediction: "LTE: Coverage by Throughput (DL) FFR".
Click OK.
4. On the toolbar, click Calculate (
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Objectives:
o Setting MIMO parameters in the network
o Verify the quality and throughput improvement due to MIMO
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10. Duplicate the coverage prediction "LTE: Coverage by C/(I+N) Level (PDSCH) TX Diversity" and
rename it "LTE: Coverage by C/(I+N) Level (PDSCH) SU-MIMO".
11. Duplicate the coverage prediction "LTE: Coverage by Throughput (DL) TX Diversity" and
rename it "LTE: Coverage by Throughput (DL) SU-MIMO".
12. On the toolbar, click Calculate (
13. Compare studies No MIMO and SU-MIMO. What is the impact of SU-MIMO, especially near the
transmitters?
14. Open the Transmitters table and set the Number of Transmission Antenna Ports back to 1 for all
the transmitters.
15. Open the Cells table and remove the Diversity Support (DL) for all LTE transmitters. Then set back
the Traffic Load (DL) to 100% for all LTE transmitters.
16. Save the document.
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