Atoll 3.2.0 Key advantages over Aircom Asset 8.

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This note outlines some major key advantages of Atoll over Asset. The points listed below are major architectural killer arguments. Atoll also has advantages when it comes to a more detailed analysis of technology-related features, which are not discussed here.

1/ 64-bit No 64-bit version of Asset Asset is a 32-bit application and is limited to 4Gb for project size and memory usage. This is a major difference in terms of performance and capacity to deal with large projects. Although there are some 64-bit calculation modules in Asset, the core module is 32-bit and is a bottleneck for all calculations, GIS features and data management. Atoll and all its modules are native 64-bit application with no limitation on project size and memory usage, and dramatically extend performance and possibilities in demanding situations such as: High resolution path loss calculation with a large calculation radius Monte Carlo simulations with a large number of mobiles distributed over large areas Neighbour calculations Report generation on prediction plots over a large geographical area (e.g., country-wide) Interference matrix generation with a large number of transmitters AFP and ACP over large geographical areas

2/ Multi-technology Network Modelling in Asset (multi-RAT networks) Asset includes a muti-RAT network model but some key features of Asset do not support the concept of multitechnology network : No multi-technology traffic model No multi-technology Monte-Carlo simulator

In Asset multi-technology features are coverage-oriented and do not model the complexity and the dynamics of modern multi-RAT wireless networks. No Multi-technology traffic model in Asset Asset does not incorporate a multi-technology unified traffic model that models the traffic demand on a per service basis with various technology bearers. Assets traffic definition is set for each technology and therefore does not describe the multi-RAT traffic demand. Moreover, Asset does not support multi-technology UEs. No combined multi-technology Monte Carlo simulator in Asset Asset users will run independent technology simulations that will provide separate arrays for each technology with no consideration of inter-technology traffic spreading. Multi-technology arrays are not multi-layered (see

GIS section) and model technologies independent technologies that do not dynamically share the network traffic demand Atoll is a genuine and consistent multi-technology radio planning and optimisation platform which includes the following: Unified multi-technology traffic model where services are described in a technology-independent manner that is common to all technology modules of Atoll Combined multi-technology Monte-Carlo simulator that dynamically spreads and offload traffic between technology layers in each simulation run Multi-technology ACP that performs a multi-technology network optimisation with full support of equipment sharing between technologies. The impact of a shared antenna change will be assessed on all technologies and optimisation is performed simultaneously on all or selected technology with consideration of shared antennas.

3/ GIS and user interface Outdated user interface poor data edition functionalities Asset has no integrated Excel-like tabular editor, therefore data editing is a cumbersome process in Asset. A separate tool is needed to bulk edit the required data. This tool doesnt work for all data types. For example, antennas cannot be bulk-edited. Asset does not offer undo/redo, copy/paste, grouping on any field, table view and many other must have features. Atoll includes a powerful and fully-featured data editor. All data is presented in a tabular view which provides editing, formatting and editing excel-like features. Atoll can dynamically deal with folders and subfolders based on any user-defined selection criteria making bulk edition straightforward. No multi-layered prediction plots (arrays) in Asset Asset only supports single-layered arrays. Each array provides a single value for each pixel (e.g. RSSI, service etc.) so Asset does not natively models objects or concepts that need multiple values per pixel. An example is a multi-technology wireless network (single RAN multiple RAT) where several technologies can deliver a given service for a single pixel with a RSSI per technology (e.g. LTE, UMTS). To model such situations users need to create several arrays that will represent the different technology layers. Data consistency and reports have to be carefully and manually taken care of. Atoll natively supports muti-layered prediction plots as single objects where each layer can be manually edited and displayed as a subset of the multi-layered plot. As an example, Atoll allows to create a single RAN multiple RAT prediction plot which will be a multi-layered graphical object where each technology (LTE, UMTS etc.) will be represented as a layer and automatically updated upon any change of the network.

Atoll also supports transparency and multiple graphical patterns, allowing a clear and combined display of the layers on map, and an automatic update and consistency checks of multi-technology prediction plot reports.

4 / Wi-Fi Poor Wi-Fi offload modelling in Asset, no combined Wi-Fi mobile Monte-Carlo simulation Wi-Fi offloading is modelled in a simplistic on/off manner without using a Monte-Carlo simulator. Asset simply substracts the traffic potentially carried out by the Wi-Fi and does not consider the fact that the mobile and the Wi-Fi layers operate simultaneously and that traffic will be spread between layers. Atoll performs a combined mobile/Wi-Fi Monte-Carlo simulation so all the factors (traffic, coverage, interference) are dynamically considered in the process.

5/ Data Management No file-based data structure Oracle is mandatory Asset requires the installation of Oracle even for standalone single-user configurations, as Asset does not have its own file-based data structure. Asset directly stores the network data in the Oracle database, making the evaluation of multiple what if scenarios complex and time consuming. Atoll combines a binary file-based format and central storage in an Oracle, SQL Server or Access database. Links between individual working files and reference data provide operators with a natural way to quickly evaluate what if scenarios and update a reference/shared database.