Mentor

Client Overview

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson you will be able to

describe Mentor’s key features, workflow,
and terminology

Mentor Client Overview 2

Main Topics
• Explore Mentor’s main window
• Explain common terminology and concepts
• Discuss network environment and model creation
• Review network analysis tools
• Describe different optimization plan objectives

Mentor Client Overview 3

Mentor Main Window
Menu and Toolbars
Panes

Status Map Area

Mentor Client Overview 4

Main Window – Panes
By default, the Mentor window displays two panes on the
left of the main window:

• Layers – enables you to display or hide various layers on the map.

• Calculations – lists the calculations in the network, and their status.

Mentor Client Overview 5

Map Operations
You can perform the following operations on the map:

• Zoom (In / Out / Fit)

• Map fitting options
• Panning
• Resize sector / symbol display
• Measure distance and azimuth
• Remove lines connecting associated sectors
• Display GIS layers
• Show neighbors and neighbor list
• Print

Mentor Client Overview 6

Network and Model
Mentor Network Environment
The network environment is a representation of the real network,
including all the relevant information required by Mentor to perform
analysis and optimization tasks:

• Hierarchy of network elements (sites, sectors, and antennas).

• Geographical information.
• Network definitions from various sources (updated according to the
latest switch-dump export files).

Mentor Client Overview 8

Network Modeling
Mentor analysis and optimization phases are based on the
mobile-measurement logs collected before each phase.

• Mentor uses mobile measurements and network-statistics logs to:

• Create an accurate model of the network behavior, for example,
traffic location, noise level, detected neighbors, and so on.
• Analyze the network performance.

• As these mobile measurements take up a large amount of disk space

while they are being collected, they are typically stored on a special
directory within the file server.

Mentor Client Overview 9

Network and Model Import
• Network environment and model can be created both locally on your
desktop or on the Mentor server.

• As part of the project installation, both the environment and the model
are created on the Mentor server by TEOCO experts.
• The network is partitioned into Clusters according to the project
definitions (per customer, per market).

• Each engineer is usually only required to import the environment and

model of the relevant cluster from the server .

Mentor Client Overview 10

Network Environment Creation and Import
The Mentor network environment is created by gathering and importing
the required configuration data into Mentor.

• Configuration data files include physical configuration of the

network, general environment data, and the latest switch-dump files.

• This data is organized according to specific Mentor file formats

recognized by the application.

• The creation of a full network environment is required only once

per cluster.
• Network changes can be updated when required.

Mentor Client Overview 11

Network Configuration Data Collection
The required files and instructions for collection are detailed in the
Required Data Inputs document delivered by TEOCO, according to
the relevant vendor.

• All required data should be organized in one folder.

• It should contain daily sub-folders for
mobile measurements.

• It is recommended that the latest switch-dump

export be used to update the files and to
locate any inconsistencies, including missing
or unnecessary sectors.

Mentor Client Overview 12

Network Project File
The existing network environment can be exported or saved into
a project file – *.opr or *mpr.

• The file includes references to mandatory and optional

configuration files.

• The project file can be shared and used when importing a new
network into the Mentor client (instead of creating one from
scratch using the configuration files).

Mentor Client Overview 13

The Import Wizard
The Import Wizard is used to import a network environment
into Mentor.

• Choose the import Method:

• OPR / MPR – Existing Mentor network file.
• Configuration Files – New network.
• Server – Retrieve configuration files from the server.

Mentor Client Overview 14

Planned Sites and Sectors
Mentor enables you to add new planned sites and sectors to the
map area, which allows you to visualize their affect by including
them in analyses and optimizations.

• Planned sites can be added by:

• Importing a predefined text file.
• Manually adding the sites to the map.
• You can export the planned sites to a file for backup.

Mentor Client Overview 15

Submitting Network Changes to the Server
• When submitting data to the server, Mentor analyzes the data and
makes a list of discrepancies between the submitted data and the
data currently on the server.

• You are required to accept or reject the discrepancies.

• The accepted changes to the server network are sent to the server
and divided up according to the clusters to which they belong.
• All the users assigned to the relevant clusters will receive
notification of the submission.

Mentor Client Overview 16

Automatic Updates
The Automatic Updates feature automatically downloads updates from
the sever to your desktop, for the currently open and active network.

• These updates include only the new and changed data of new model
days, switch dump updates, physical configuration updates, and so
on.

• As soon as the updates have been copied to your computer, a dialog

box is displayed, enabling you to import them and synchronize your
network with the latest changes on the server.

Mentor Client Overview 17

Enabling Automatic Updates
• Enabling automatic network updates from the server is done via the
Network Properties.

• You can view the status of this feature on the status bar, and control
it using the right-click menu.

Mentor Client Overview 18

Network Analysis
Sector Selection and Calculation Sets
A selection set is a group of sectors that you have selected on
which to create a model, or run an analysis or optimization.

• Methods for creating a sector selection set:

• Using the Pointer to draw a rectangle around the sectors on the
map.
• Using the Sector Lasso to select the sectors.
• Pasting the required sectors on the map (using Ctrl+Alt+V).

• After creating the selection set, Mentor automatically calculates

a wider cluster, based on the neighbor list of
the selection set, called the calculation set.

Mentor Client Overview 20

Analysis and Optimization
Once you have a validated network and model, you can perform
analyses and optimizations as required.

• Optimizations and advanced analysis calculations are executed by

using step-by-step dedicated wizards.
• Use the workflow toolbar to launch the relevant wizard.

• Executed analyses and optimizations can be viewed and managed

from the Calculations pane.

Mentor Client Overview 21

Analyzing the Network
• Mentor analysis tools are used for daily analysis of network
parameters, KPIs, quality and performance, such as:
• Overloaded sectors.
• Low handover rates.
• High drop rates.
• Areas with pilot pollution.

• Only sectors for which there is a model can be included

in the analysis.

• Mentor supports both manual ‘ad-hoc’ analysis and advanced

wizard-based analysis, which can be executed on the client or
the server.

Mentor Client Overview 22

Analysis Tools – Histograms
You can display a histogram of the map layers in order to view
a graphical display of the values in the layer.

Mentor Client Overview 23

Analysis Tools – Positioning-based Maps
Mentor uses mobile measurements and special algorithms to
generate positioning-based KPI map layers.

• Mentor supports the following map types:

• KPI Maps.
• RF-based Maps.
• Call Trace–based Event Maps.

• Positioning-based maps can be created at any time from the toolbar

or by right-clicking an area or sector selection.

Mentor Client Overview 24

RF-based Maps
The following RF-based maps are available:

• Performance
• Drop
• Traffic
• Server and Polluter
• Arc
• Combined
• GSM Maps

Mentor Client Overview 25

Performance Maps – Example

Ec/Io Best Server Map

Pilot Dominance Map

Mentor Client Overview 26

Drop Maps – Example

Drop Maps

Traffic Maps

Mentor Client Overview 27

Call Trace–based Maps
Use Event Maps to create call trace-based maps for events, which
display a positioned visual indication, per mobile handset:

• Virtual Drive Test Maps

• Mobile Drop Maps
• Access Failure Maps
• Mobile IRAT Maps
• CSFB Maps

Mentor Client Overview 28

Virtual Drive Test – Map Layer
You can view the virtual drive test on the map area, or display its
details in the Event Viewer.

Mentor Client Overview 29

Mobile Drops Maps – Example

All Mobiles

Selected Reasons

Mentor Client Overview 30

Analysis Tools – Statistics
If your model contains positioning, Mentor enables you to analyze
an area or sector selection by displaying the relevant RF and traffic
statistics for the busy hour in the Statistics Viewer.

• Mentor supports analyzing statistics for:

• Mobile Drops
• Performance
• Server and Polluters

Mentor Client Overview 31

The Analysis Wizard
The Analysis wizard provides the following benefits:

• Create various Excel-based detailed reports.

• Create multiple KPI, RF, and Event maps simultaneously in the
background.
• Save analysis templates for recurring schedules.

Mentor Client Overview 32

Analysis Calculations – Operations
From the right-click menu of the relevant analysis
calculation you can:

• Load created layers.

• Open created reports.
• Display on the map the area / sectors chosen for the calculation.
• Duplicate and edit the calculation.
• Schedule a recurring task.
• Save the calculation as a template.
• Delete the calculation.
• Duplicate and edit the calculation
• View the calculation’s properties.

Mentor Client Overview 33

Scheduling Recurring Analysis Tasks
After you have run an analysis, you can use the same template
to schedule additional analysis tasks in the server.

• If required, you can schedule multiple analysis tasks simultaneously

by adding one or more templates from other analyses.

Mentor Client Overview 34

Viewing Server Tasks Status
• On the Status bar, you can view the status and number of tasks
that are currently running in the server.

• If required, you can access the relevant task occurrence dialog

box to edit and manage tasks.

Mentor Client Overview 35

Network Optimization
Mentor Optimization Plans
Mentor supports the following optimizations:

• Neighbor List Plan (including IRAT)

• Network Parameters Plan
• Scrambling Code Plan
• PCI Plan
• Antenna Sectors Plan
• Overshooting Resolution Plan

Mentor Client Overview 37

SC Plan Optimization
Mentor provides an automatic solution for SC optimization in all
wide-band technologies, to resolve co-SC conflicts before running
any other optimization.

• The optimization plan takes into consideration the physical array of

cell sites and antennas, the neighbor list definition, and various
constraints and planning rules.

• SC planning is required in the following cases:

• Optimizing existing sites – resolving co-SC conflicts or reserving
SCs for future sites.
• New site planning – selecting the best SCs for new sites.
• Redefining pilots for large clusters, which can be the result of
reserving SCs for new sites.

Mentor Client Overview 38

SC Optimization Layers
Mentor creates two layers for each SC Optimization plan, showing
SC-reuse pairs, connected by a line whose color reflects the severity
of the reuse:

• Scrambling Code Reuses Before (the optimization).

• Scrambling Code Reuses After.

Mentor Client Overview 39

PCI Plan Optimization
Mentor provides an automatic solution for PCI optimization to
resolve co-PCI conflicts before running any other optimization.

• The optimization plan takes into consideration the physical array of

cell sites and antennas, the neighbor list definition, and various
constraints and planning rules.

• PCI planning is required in the following cases:

• Optimizing existing sites – resolving co-PCI conflicts or
reserving PCIs for future sites.
• Redefining PCIs for large clusters, which can be the result of
reserving PCIs for new sites.

Mentor Client Overview 40

PCI Optimization Layers

Mentor Client Overview 41

Neighbor List Optimization
The neighbor list optimization helps ensure that the neighbor list
is as accurate as possible, so that mobiles can identify all pilots.

• There are two types of neighbor lists:

• Original Neighbor List – currently implemented, imported from
the switch dump.
• Optimized Neighbor List – planned neighbor list according to the
optimization process.

• In addition to the automatic optimization process, Mentor enables you

to manually fine tune the neighbor list by adding or removing
neighbors, or by changing the priority of existing neighbors.

Mentor Client Overview 42

IRAT Neighbor List Optimization
An IRAT neighbor list is needed for a smooth transition to
GSM, allowing subscribers to move between UMTS (3G) and
GSM (2G) radio access networks without losing service.

• IRAT Optimization Goals:

• Improve voice drop rate.
• Optimize number of IRAT neighbors.
• Improve IRAT HO success rate.

• IRAT optimization requires importing the GSM network configuration.

Mentor Client Overview 43

Original Neighbor List Modifications
• Before running the neighbor list optimization you can add
constraints to the optimization by performing the following:
• Locking neighbors.
• Adding / removing new neighbors from list.
• Adding forbidden neighbors.

• Constraints to specific sectors are performed from the Neighbor List

tab of source sector’s properties.

Mentor Client Overview 44

HO-Rate Change Layer and Detailed Table

Mentor Client Overview 45

Manual Neighbor List Optimization

• The original plan from the switch.

• The optimized plan created by Mentor.

• You should duplicate the plan and then edit it.

Mentor Client Overview 46

Neighbor List Editor
Map

Neighbor
List Viewer

Summary
Mentor Client Overview 47
Power, Tilt, and RAB Power Optimization
The network antenna sectors plan is optimized within Mentor, based
on a model consisting of data retrieved from RNC logs and KPIs.

• The optimization objective is to:

• Improve network coverage and quality by improving
the Ec/Io and pilot dominance.
• Improve network coverage by balancing traffic.

• Mentor uses a Genetic Algorithm (GA) to find the best solution,

according to predefined goals.

• It is very important that the neighbor list is well optimized across the
entire network before running the antenna sectors plan optimization.

Mentor Client Overview 48

Goals and Sub-goals
Optimization goals “guide” the Optimizer engine to optimize the
network in a certain direction, to help you locate the best solutions for
solving specific network issues and achieving specific targets.

• Optimization goals include sub-goals (e.g. Improve Ec/Io),

which represent the KPIs in the network.
• Each sub-goal has its own threshold level.
• Mentor can optimize more than one sub-goal
simultaneously.

• Mentor lets you to customize your own goals, and set the
thresholds for the selected sub-goals.

Mentor Client Overview 49

Predefined Goals
Mentor includes two predefined goals:

• Coverage and quality – minimize the number of UEs that will not be
able to initiate or sustain a conversation.
• This goal uses messages from the RF Message Model (messages
with a leg to a sector in the calculation set).

• Capacity – reduce the network-resource utilization (Code usage

and/or power usage) while maintaining quality of service, thereby
freeing up capacity for more traffic, especially HSDPA traffic.
• This goal uses sector-based sub-goals, which consider the sectors
in the calculation set.

Mentor Client Overview 50

Predefined Sub-Goals
• Coverage and Quality
• Improve RSCP (dBm) – default threshold -100.
• Improve Ec/Io (dB) – default threshold -10.

• Capacity
• Improve RSCP (dBm) – default threshold -100.
• Improve Ec/Io (dB) – default threshold -10.
• Reduce Power Usage (%) – default threshold 70%.
• Reduce Code Usage (%) – default threshold 70%.

Mentor Client Overview 51

Power Optimization Layer

Mentor Client Overview 52

Overshooter Resolution Optimization
The Overshooter Resolution Plan features a specialized algorithm
that identifies overshooting and undershooting sectors, and suggests
appropriate tilt changes to improve their RF footprint.

• In order to run the overshooter resolution plan, a regular model

without geo-positioning data can be used.
• A 5-day model is recommended.

• Per sector undershooter/overshooter classification and resolution

is based on:
• NL impact – relation between incoming and outgoing neighbors.
• Identifying sectors that deviate from the "normal" noise rise
in the cluster.

Mentor Client Overview 53

Parameter Plan Optimization
Depending on your network vendor, Mentor enables you to optimize
certain parameters to improve the network:

• Ericsson – CQI
• Optimize this parameter statically or dynamically to improve its
precision and utilize its entire range, in order to improve the
feedback the HSDPA UE gives the sector to which it is connected.

• Huawei – SHO Quality Threshold

• Mentor reduces the number of unacknowledged handover
requests by preventing links with bad quality from being added or
requesting to be added to the active set.

Mentor Client Overview 54

Optimization Plan Implementation
After you have run an optimization plan, you should do the
following to implement it:

• Prior to the Implementation:

• Review and validate the optimization plan.
• Export the optimized plan.

• Following the Implementation:

• Validate the plan implementation.
• Collect new data following the implementation.
• Analyze the new data.

Mentor Client Overview 55

Optimization Plan – Validation
As soon as the optimization run has completed, you should review
and validate its results using the generated layers and reports.

• Layers – once you load the required layers, you can view them from
the Layers pane.

• Reports

Mentor Client Overview 56

Optimization Plan – Export
• After you’ve reviewed, validated and fine-tuned the optimization plan,
you can export it to be implemented in the network.

• You can also export all neighbor list or antenna sectors optimization
results to a planning tool, and save them for later use from within the
planning tool.

Mentor Client Overview 57

Lesson Summary – Q&A
• What are the methods for loading a network environment in
the client?
• What is a recurring scheduled task?
• Describe the main analysis tools.
• Describe the optimization workflow.

Mentor Client Overview 58