EXPLAIN M11 - 2 Radio Network Planning Tools

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Radio Network Planning Tools

Training Document

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The information in this document is subject to change without notice and describes only theproduct defined in the introduction of this documentation. This document is intended for theuse of Nokia Networks' customers only for the purposes of the agreement under which thedocument is submitted, and no part of it may be reproduced or transmitted in any form ormeans without the prior written permission of Nokia Networks. The document has been

prepared to be used by professional and properly trained personnel, and the customerassumes full responsibility when using it. Nokia Networks welcomes customer comments aspart of the process of continuous development and improvement of the documentation.

The information or statements given in this document concerning the suitability, capacity, orperformance of the mentioned hardware or software products cannot be considered bindingbut shall be defined in the agreement made between Nokia Networks and the customer.However, Nokia Networks has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that the instructionscontained in the document are adequate and free of material errors and omissions. NokiaNetworks will, if necessary, explain issues which may not be covered by the document.

Nokia Networks' liability for any errors in the document is limited to the documentarycorrection of errors. Nokia Networks WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE IN ANY EVENT FORERRORS IN THIS DOCUMENT OR FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCIDENTAL ORCONSEQUENTIAL (INCLUDING MONETARY LOSSES), that might arise from the use ofthis document or the information in it.

This document and the product it describes are considered protected by copyrightaccording to the applicable laws.

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Other product names mentioned in this document may be trademarks of their respectivecompanies, and they are mentioned for identification purposes only.

Copyright Nokia Oyj 2003. All rights reserved.

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents

1 Objectives ................................................................................... 4

2 Tools Overv iew .......................................................................... 5

3 Network Planning Tools ............................................................ 63.1 NetAct Planner............................................................................. 63.2 Transmission Planning Tools....................................................... 63.2.1 NPS/10......................................................................................... 6

4 Site Survey Tools ....................................................................... 8

5 Measurement Tools ................................................................... 9

5.1 TOM and TIM............................................................................... 9

6 GIS and Site Database............................................................. 116.1 MapInfo...................................................................................... 116.2 Global Positioning System (GPS) .............................................. 116.3 CellTracker................................................................................. 11

7 Network Performance Reporting Tools ................................. 127.1 Configuration Data Warehouse (CDW)...................................... 127.2 Network Data Warehouse (NDW )............................................. 137.3 Cell Doctor / Network Doctor ..................................................... 147.4 PlanEdit...................................................................................... 15

7.5 Integrated System for Automated Reporting (ISAR).................. 157.6 Digital Maps and Geographical Information Systems................ 157.6.1 Map Datum ................................................................................ 167.6.2 Co-ordinate Systems ................................................................. 17

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1 Objectives

At the end of this module, the participant will be able to:

List the limitations of planning tools

List the planning tools used by Nokia

Describe the main features of Nokia NetAct Planner

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2 Tools Overview

Before utilizing any computerised, highly sophisticated tools, paper and

pencil should be used. At this stage design information should be collected inorder to be able to sketch the rough network layout. This includes decisions

about network topology, quantities and sizes of the network elements. The

planning budget should be agreed with the corresponding departments at this

stage.

Tools have limitations that should be taken into account when making a

planning. Limitations of tools include:

Precision of results:

validity of assumptions?

reliability of modelling?

Tools need:

initial design proposal

fundamental ideas

creative thinking

users intelligence

There are no self-configuring tools, the garbage in - garbage out rule

applies strictly.

In network planning, we use different types of tools for different purposes:

Planning (NetDim, NetAct Planner, NetAct WCDMA Planner, NPS10)

Site survey (GPS receiver, digital camera, compass, LOS checking)

Measurements (TOM, ESVD, Power meter, Spectrum analyser,

transmitters)

GIS and databases (MapInfo, CellTracker, Oracle)

Performance reporting tools (CDW, NDW, PlanEdit, CellDoctor,

ISAR, NPStat)

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3 Network Planning Tools

3.1 NetAct Planner

NetAct Planner is a tool for cellular planning and microwave link planning. It

supports also site acquisition and on-the-spot planning, since it can be run on

laptop The software runs in MS-windows environment. The data is stored in

an Oracle database. The main tasks and applications are:

coverage planning

capacity planning

frequency allocation

interference calculation

IUO / IFH / dual band planning

radio link & repeater calculations

micro-cell modelling

measurement import

propagation model tuning

statistical coverage evaluation

data import/ export to NMS.

3.2 Transmission Planning Tools

3.2.1 NPS/10

NPS10 is a software package for cellular access network design. It supportsplanning for cellular and PSTN networks, including network architecture

comparison. The application area is SDH/PDH and mixed transport network

planning.

The main features are:

automatic topology creation, traffic routing, cost optimisation

calculation of segment capacities and availability of end-to-end

connection

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service layer modules for cellular and fixed access networks.

Inputs

physical topology

logical connections

routing

capacity calculations

cost and availabilitycalculations Calculations

cellular transmission design

Erlang formulas and cell-specificparameters

automatic logical connectiongeneration from given base station

information

cost calculation functionality

Outputs

capacity/spare capacity

availability per logicalconnection

costs per segment/2MEqu

enrouted logical connections

unsatisfied availabilities

detailed reports oftraffic/physical entities

Figure 1. NPS/10 features

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4 Site Survey Tools

In field work, site hunting and technical site surveys, the planner needs to use

different kinds of tools:

GPS (Global Positioning System)

(test) mobile

digital camera

binoculars

compass

clinometer

LOS checking: lights, mirrors, flags, balloons, etc.

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5 Measurement Tools

5.1 TOM and TIM

TOM (Tool for Outdoor Measurements) is a portable tool for call tracing and

quality surveys. Up to 4 mobiles can be measured simultaneously. The

measurement results are logged to a PC file for later evaluation. The position

of the measured results is recorded with a GPS receiver. The rack version of

TOMs predecessor NMS/X (Network Measurement System) can be used for

model tuning and field strength measurements. TIM (Tool for Indoor

Measurements) and TOM (Tool for Outdoor Measurements) are new versions

of NMS/X with basically all the same functionality. Measurement results canbe imported to NetAct Planner and SAM (Software for Analysing

Measurements).

Measured data include:

Call statistics:

number of call attempts

number of successful calls

dropped calls

co-ordinates

markers & time stamps

release causes

handover causes

Measurement reports:

location area code

cell identity (CI + BSIC)

frequency number

field strength

In connected mode:

quality class

timing advance

power control values

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GPS

NMS

X Measurement

person or vehicle

MMAC

Portable tool for call tracing quality survey.

Rack version with ESVD for model tuning coverage measurement.

GPS antenna

unitDigital Map Site Data

GPS Receiver Micro Computer

Hard-

disk

1 ..4 Mobile

Stations

data for later

evaluation/

processing in PC or

planning tool

Figure 2. TOM

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6 GIS and Site Database

6.1 MapInfo

MapInfo is a graphic software which lets you work with geographical

referenced objects. The objects may be organised in different layers to make

the creation of different scenarios easier. The main advantage for planning is

the possibility to display easily detailed information of sites with co-ordinates

within the correspondent map. It is possible to import site information from

Excel or CellTracker.

6.2 Global Positioning System (GPS)

GPS (Global Positioning System) is based on a constellation of 24 satellites. It

uses CDMA coding of the signal, thus having different codes for civilian or

military use. Positioning data has a precision of a hundred meters (civilian) or

some meters (military), using the default WGS84 datum. GPS is used to get

co-ordinates of visited sites during site surveys or with TOM and NMS/X

measurements.

Watch out !!! Map datum and GPS datum must be THE SAME, otherwise

bigger errors come out.

6.3 CellTracker

CellTracker is an Oracle-based database interface customised for Nokia site

acquisition process. MapInfo can be linked via ODBC to CellTracker: this

enables the possibility to compare the nominal site plan with the real situation

on the field. People in different departments working for the same project

(RF, SA, CW, etc.) share the same information about the sites. Using acommon site database is the safest way to avoid having different information

about the same site. Each user has its own account and read/write rights. In

addition, issuing of customised reports, sorted by different site-related

parameters.

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7 Network Performance Reporting Tools

NMS 2000 collects network performance data. This data can be collected,

post processed and analysed with several different kinds of tools. Some toolsproduce text reports about the network performance and parameter settings

(Network Doctor and Cell Doctor) whereas some produce pre-defined graphs

and reports based on statistics (Network Data Warehouse, ISAR).

NokiaConfiguration

Data Warehouse

Analysis

Planning

Implementation

Network

Warehousing

Nokia NMS/2000

ima

plementation logicactual configuration dataccess to network elements

Nokia NetworkData Warehouse

ey performance indicatorsalysis

uningports

kantre

stremnche

oringporting

odificationsetwork history

ck rules

NokiaTotem Suite

atereen

whwhwh

Nokia Trafficaeal Time

Traffic MonitorR

Figure 3. Network performance analysis tools

7.1 Configuration Data Warehouse (CDW)

Nokia Configuration Data Warehouse (CDW) is a centralised solution

providing support for network planning and operations. It controls radio

network parameters and manages the data and work process for introducing

parameter changes and network extensions. The role of CDW in networkdevelopment is to be a central database system where the definitions for

network extensions are cumulatively collected. Also, CDW supports the

cross-organisational processes in completing network planning and operating

tasks. Rules and check function reduce the possibility of erroneous parameter

values.

Also related to the goals of the optimisation process is a need for network

auditing which ensure that the planned parameter values are correctly

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implemented into the network. Configuration Data Warehouse does this

automatically.

CDW makes it possible to store configuration data from all the NMSs in one

place, therefore data management becomes significantly easier. The data onactual network configuration data is copied from the NMS to CDW. CDW

reads the parameter and configuration data in the NMS and copies the data.

With CDW, the network planner can export data from all the objects and

parameters defined in the NMS-NPS/X interface. It is not necessary for it to

be the actual current data that is exported the planner can also export the

configuration data of a future network. The data is retrieved from the CDW

database and can be transferred to the planning tool.

CDW functionalities:

Audit function to check configuration correctness

Utilising own rule definitions

Introducing parameter modifications

Support for network development process.

7.2 Network Data Warehouse (NDW )

Nokia Network Data Warehouse (NDW) is the centre of the network

optimisation process. NDW extracts information from both digital cellular and

other networks, stores it, analyses and formats it into ready-made and easy

accessible reports. It then distributes it to the right people in right time over

intranet.

Network data warehouse provides the operator with information for managing

everyday operations that guarantee quality for end-users , technical

developments to cope with capacity and coverage demands and long-term

trend analysis and forecasting for future network growth. Nokia Network Data

Warehouse is capable of interworking with other NMS systems, like

NMS/2000, NMS/5000 and CDW.

NDW functionalities:

Controlling all data coming from the network

Different life-cycle for different data

Common post-processing tools for different types of data

Report distribution via operators Intranet.

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7.3 Cell Doctor / Network Doctor

Network Doctor (Cell Doctor) is a reporting package which provides effective

tools to cover all functional areas of the NMS/2000: configurationmanagement, fault management and performance, with special focus on the

needs of network planning, operation and maintenance.

Network Doctor offers a menu-based user interface where the user can move

up and down the menu hierarchy.

The reports produce an output file, which opens in the vuepadeditor. The

report can then be modified and saved using the editor commands.

MENUS IN XTERM WINDOW

OUPUT IN VUEPAD EDITOR IN XTERM WINDOW

******************************************* * CELL DOCTOR* * v.1.18.15* * for OMC T4&5, BSC S3* *******************************************

1) Fault Management

2) Configuration Management

3) Performance Management



6) Doctor ...

7) OMC System Administration

8) Help ...

9) Change

/q) Exit

NW

DOCTOR

USER

Figure 4. Network doctor user interface.

Network Doctor reports are textual reports presented in a table format. Each

report starts with a front page containing a description, which helps you,

understand what the report is used for. These include e.g. the following:

Quality of the radio network plan (coverage, parameter optimisation)

Cell dimensioning (capacity)

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Transmission (availability, capacity)

Network Elements (availability)

Interference

Network Doctor is a customer release and Cell Doctor is a Nokia internal

release of the same tool.

7.4 PlanEdit

PlanEdit is a Windows NT or Windows 95 -based application for RNW plan

editing, including all RNW parameters available in the network. It supports up

to BSS6 parameters and is compatible with T8, T9 and T10. The tool focus is

on mass modifications and it supports especially site creation, HO planningand frequency and IUO planning.

7.5 Integrated System for Automated Reporting(ISAR)

ISAR (Integrated System for Automated Reporting) is a software tool for post

processing of the measurements log files. It supports the analysis of drive test

measurements generated by NMS/X and TOM. The aim of ISAR is to

improve network performance, supplementing both OMC statistics and

planning tools predictions. It generates statistical information for dropped

calls, downlink signal level, downlink quality and handovers.

ISAR converts the measurements log files in MAPINFO format files *.MIF,

this option permits to import the measurements file in MAPINFO and to

display the measurement results as a classical MAPINFO graphical layer.

ISAR SW package includes also ISAR database. This database is dedicated to

store benchmarking information between competitor operators. It holds all the

files produced in the report generating stage of ISAR.

7.6 Digital Maps and Geographical InformationSystems

Coverage planning is based on digital maps. Digital maps base on

Geographical Information Systems (GIS). In the strictest sense, a GIS is a

computer system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and displaying

geographically referenced information, i.e. data identified according to their

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locations. Practitioners also regard the total GIS as including operating

personnel and the data that go into the system.

The way maps and other data have been stored or filed as layers of

information in a GIS makes it possible to perform complex analysis. Pixel(map unit) is the smallest detail of a digital map. Pixels are squares, defining

the resolution of data. The value of a pixel is an average over the area

covered, typical resolution of digital maps is 2m... 500m. All layers of a block

have the same resolution, even though a map can contain blocks with different

resolutions.

Layers of one block

One pixel / unit

Figure 5. Structure of a digital map

All predictions are only as accurate as the digital map to which its based on.

If the digital map is old, inadequate or too large resolution, the prediction

results cannot be trusted. In addition to the morphographic and topographicinformation, vectorised data of the building database and roads is needed.

Accuracy of the prediction is normally about 10 times the accuracy of the map

database.

Map information in a GIS must be manipulated so that it registers, or fits, with

information gathered from other maps. Before the digital data can be

analysed, they may have to undergo other manipulations - projection

conversions, for example - that integrate them into a GIS.

7.6.1 Map Datum

Geodetic datumdefines the size and shape of the earth and the origin and

orientation of the co-ordinate systems used to map the earth. Hundreds of

different data have been used to frame position descriptions since the first

estimates of the earth's size were made by Aristotele. Data have evolved from

those describing a spherical earth to ellipsoidal models derived from years of

satellite measurements (e.g. World Geodetic System 1984, WGS-84).

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Modern geodetic data range from flat-earth models used for plane surveying

to complex ellipsoidal models used for international applications, which

completely describe the size, shape, orientation, gravity field and angular

velocity of the earth. While cartography, surveying, navigation, and

astronomy all make use of geodetic datum, the science of geodesy is thecentral discipline for the topic.

Referencing geodetic co-ordinates to the wrong datum can result in position

errors of hundreds of meters. Different nations and agencies use different data

as the basis for co-ordinate systems used to identify positions in geographic

information systems, precise positioning systems, and navigation systems.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is based on WGS-84.

The diversity of data in use today and the technological advancements that

have made possible global positioning measurements with sub-meter accuracy

requires careful datum selection and careful conversion between co-ordinates

in different data. Complete datum conversion is based on seven parameter

transformations that include three translation parameters, three rotation

parameters and a scale parameter.

Ellipsoidal earth modelsare required for accurate range and bearing

calculations over long distances. Loran-C, and GPS navigation receivers use

ellipsoidal earth models to compute position and waypoint information.

Ellipsoidal models define an ellipsoid with an equatorial radius and a polar

radius. The best of these models can represent the shape of the earth over the

smoothed, averaged sea-surface to within about one hundred meters. Major

(equatorial radius) and minor (polar radius) semi-axes define reference

ellipsoids. Other reference ellipsoid parameters such as flattening, and

eccentricity are computed from these two terms.

7.6.2 Co-ordinate Systems

There are many different co-ordinate systems, based on a variety of geodetic

data, units, projections, and reference systems in use today.

The most commonly used co-ordinate system today is the Latitude,

Longitude, and Height system, see Figure 6. The Prime Meridian and the

Equator are the reference planes used to define latitude and longitude.

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Figure 6. Longitude, latitude and height

Another very common system used for network planning activities is the

Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system, which defines two

dimensional, horizontal positions.

UTM zone numbers designate 6 degree longitudinal strips extending from 80

degrees South latitude to 84 degrees North latitude. UTM zone characters

designate 8 degree zones extending north and south from the equator. There

are special UTM zones between 0 degrees and 36 degrees longitude above 72

degrees latitude and a special zone 32 between 56 degrees and 64 degrees

north latitude.

Figure 7. UTM co-ordinate system

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EXPLAIN M11 - 2 Radio Network Planning Tools