Professional Documents
Culture Documents
LTE NETWORKS
Atoll
Global RF Planning Solution
LTE Networks
LTE (Long Term Evolution) refers to the set of 3GPP standards which use SOFDMA (Scalable Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) and SC-FDMA (Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Acess) technologies. The 3GPP LTE
standard is currently under development, and, therefore, undergoes frequent modifications and updates. The aim of LTE
as the evolutionary next step for UMTS and GSM standards is to provide mobile broadband wireless access that supports
handovers between LTE cells as well as between LTE and UMTS/GSM cells at high user speeds.
Atoll enables you to design LTE broadband wireless access networks. Atoll can predict radio coverage, manage mobile
and fixed subscriber data, and evaluate network capacity. Atoll LTE also supports transmit diversity and spatial multiplexing (MIMO).
Atoll enables you to model fixed and mobile users in LTE environments. The data input corresponding to fixed subscribers
is modelled using a subscriber database integrated into the module. You can carry out calculations on fixed subscriber
locations as well as base your calculations on mobile user scenarios during Monte Carlo simulations. You can also perform
interference predictions, resource allocation, and other calculations on mobile users.
Atoll uses Monte Carlo simulations to generate realistic network scenarios (snapshots) using a Monte Carlo statistical
engine for scheduling and resource allocation. Realistic user distributions can be generated using different types of traffic
maps or subscriber data. Atoll uses realistic user distributions as input for simulations.
Coverage predictions can be created to study the following parameters:
Coverage predictions that depend on the networks traffic loads can be created from either Monte Carlo simulation results
or from a user-defined network load configuration (uplink and downlink traffic loads, and uplink noise rise). GSM GPRS
EGPRS, IS-95 cdmaOne, CDMA2000 1xRTT, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, UMTS HSPA, and LTE networks can be planned in
the same Atoll session.
Tip:
0.1
Before working with the Atoll LTE module for the first time, it is highly recommended to go
through the "Glossary of LTE Terms" on page 87. This will help you get accustomed to the
terminology used in Atoll.
You can open an existing Atoll document by selecting File > Open.
Creating a new Atoll document is explained in "Chapter 2: Starting an Atoll Project".
You can also add base stations using a base station template (see "Placing a New Base Station Using a Station
Template" on page 9).
3. Carry out basic coverage predictions ( 3 ).
-
4. Before making more advanced coverage predictions, you need to define cell load conditions ( 4 ).
You can define cell load conditions in the following ways:
-
You can generate realistic cell load conditions by creating a simulation based on traffic maps and subscriber
5. Make LTE-specific coverage predictions using the defined cell load conditions ( 5 ).
-
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4a
4c
4b
4d
4
5a
0.2
0.2.1
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0.2.1.1
0.2.1.1.1
Site Description
The parameters of a site can be found in the sites Properties dialogue. The Properties dialogue has two tabs:
Name: Atoll automatically enters a default name for each new site. You can modify the default name here. If
you want to change the default name that Atoll gives to new sites, see the Administrator Manual.
Position: By default, Atoll places the new site at the centre of the map window. You can modify the location
of the site here.
Tip:
While this method allows you to place a site with precision, you can also place sites using
the mouse and then position them precisely with this dialogue afterwards. For information
on placing sites using the mouse, see "Moving a Site Using the Mouse" on page 39.
Altitude: The altitude, as defined by the DTM for the location specified under Position, is given here. You can
specify the actual altitude under Real, if you wish. If an altitude is specified here, Atoll will use this value for
calculations.
Comments: You can enter comments in this field if you wish.
0.2.1.1.2
Transmitter Description
The parameters of a transmitter can be found in the transmitters Properties dialogue. When you create a transmitter, the
Properties dialogue has two tabs: the General tab and the Transmitter tab. Once you have created a transmitter, its Properties dialogue has three additional tabs: the Cells tab (see "Cell Description" on page 7), the Propagation tab (see "Chapter 5: Managing Calculations in Atoll"), and the Display tab (see "Display Properties of Objects" on page 40).
Name: By default, Atoll names the transmitter after the site it is on, adding an underscore and a number. You
can enter a name for the transmitter, but for the sake of consistency, it is better to let Atoll assign a name. If
you want to change the way Atoll names transmitters, see the Administrator Manual.
Site: You can select the Site on which the transmitter will be located. Once you have selected the site, you
can click the Browse button (
) to access the properties of the site on which the transmitter will be located.
For information on the site Properties dialogue, see "Site Description" on page 5. You can click the New
button to create a new site on which the transmitter will be located.
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Position relative to the site: You can modify the Position relative to the site, if you wish.
Active: If this transmitter is to be active, you must select the Active check box. Active transmitters are displayed in red in the Transmitters folder of the Data tab.
Note:
-
Transmission/Reception: Under Transmission/Reception, you can see the total losses and the noise
figure of the transmitter. Atoll calculates losses and noise according to the characteristics of the equipment
assigned to the transmitter. Equipment can be assigned using the Equipment Specifications dialogue which
appears when you click the Equipment button.
On the Equipment Specifications dialogue (see Figure 0.4), the equipment you select and the gains and
losses you define are used to initialise total transmitter losses in the uplink and downlink:
-
TMA: You can select a tower-mounted amplifier (TMA) from the list. You can click the Browse button
(
) to access the properties of the TMA. For information on creating a TMA, see "Defining TMA Equipment" on page 137.
Feeder: You can select a feeder cable from the list. You can click the Browse button (
) to access the
properties of the feeder. For information on creating a feeder cable, see "Defining Feeder Cables" on
page 137.
BTS: You can select a base transceiver station (BTS) equipment from the BTS list. You can click the
Browse button (
) to access the properties of the BTS. For information on creating a BTS, see "Defining BTS Equipment" on page 137.
Feeder Length: You can enter the feeder length at transmission and reception.
Miscellaneous Losses: You can enter miscellaneous losses at transmission and reception. The value
you enter must be positive.
Receiver Antenna Diversity Gain: You can enter a receiver antenna diversity gain. The value you enter
must be positive.
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Atoll always considers the values in the Real boxes in coverage predictions even if they
are different from the values in the Computed boxes. The information in the real Total
Noise Figure reception box is calculated from the information you entered in the Equipment Specifications dialogue. You can modify the real Total Losses at transmission and
reception and the real Total Noise Figure at reception if you wish. Any value you enter
must be positive.
Antennas:
-
Height/Ground: The Height/Ground box gives the height of the antenna above the ground. This is added
to the altitude of the site as given by the DTM. If the transmitter is situated on a building, the height entered
must include the height of building.
Main Antenna: Under Main Antenna, the type of antenna is visible in the Model list. You can click the
Browse button (
) to access the properties of the antenna. The other fields, Azimuth, Mechanical
Downtilt, and Additional Electrical Downtilt, display additional antenna parameters. The mechanical
and additional electrical downtilts defined for the main antenna are also used for the calculations using the
smart antenna equipment.
Number of Antenna Ports: Select the number of antenna ports used for transmit diversity or spatial multiplexing in the Transmission and Reception fields. For more information on how the number of antenna
ports are used, see "Multiple Input Multiple Output Systems" on page 80.
Under Secondary Antennas, you can select one or more secondary antennas in the Antenna column
and enter their Azimuth, Mechanical Downtilt, Additional Electrical Downtilt, and % Power, which is
the percentage of power reserved for this particular antenna. For example, for a transmitter with one
secondary antenna, if you reserve 40% of the total power for the secondary antenna, 60% is available for
the main antenna.
For information on working with data tables, see "Working with Data Tables" on page 57.
0.2.1.1.3
Cell Description
In Atoll, a cell is defined as an RF channel, with all its characteristics, on a transmitter; the cell is the mechanism by which
you can configure an LTE network. Currently, the LTE module allows only one cell per transmitter.
When you create a transmitter, Atoll reminds you to create a cell for the transmitter. The following explains the parameters
of an LTE cell. As you create a cell, Atoll calculates appropriate values for some fields based on the information you have
entered. You can, if you wish, modify these values.
The properties of an LTE cell are found on Cells tab of the Properties dialogue of the transmitter to which it is assigned.
The Cells tab has the following options:
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Name: By default, Atoll names the cell after its transmitter, adding a suffix in parentheses. If you change transmitter name, Atoll does not update the cell name. You can enter a name for the cell, but for the sake of consistency, it is better to let Atoll assign a name. If you want to change the way Atoll names cells, see the Administrator
Manual.
Frequency Band: The cells frequency band from the Frequency Band list.
Channel Number: The number of the channel from the list of available channels.
Active: If this cell is to be active, you must select the Active check box.
Power (dBm): The cells transmission power.
Reception Equipment: You can select the cells reception equipment from the Reception Equipment list. For
more information, see "Defining LTE Reception Equipment" on page 78. The cells reception equipment parameters are used in the uplink calculations.
Scheduler: The scheduler used by the cell for resource allocation during Monte Carlo simulations. You can select
the scheduler from the list of schedulers available in the Schedulers table. For more information see "Defining
LTE Schedulers" on page 79.
Max Number of Users: The maximum number of simultaneous users supported by the cell.
AMS Threshold (dB): The C/N threshold for switching from spatial multiplexing to transmit diversity as the signal
conditions get worse than the given value. For more information on adaptive MIMO switching, see "Multiple Input
Multiple Output Systems" on page 80.
Reference Signal Quality Threshold (dB): The minimum reference signal C/N required for a user to be connected to the cell. The referecen signal C/N is compared with this threshold to determine whether or not a user
can be connected to a cell.
Traffic Load (UL) (%): The uplink traffic load percentage. By default, the uplink traffic load is set to 100%.
Traffic Load (DL) (%): The downlink traffic load percentage. By default, the downlink traffic load is set to 100%.
UL Noise Rise (dB): The uplink noise rise in dB. By default, the uplink noise rise is set to 0.
Note:
You can set the values for uplink and downlink traffic loads, and the uplink noise rise manually to actual network values, or use the values calculated during Monte Carlo simulations.
Monte Carlo simulation results can be stored in the cells by clicking the Commit Results
button in the simulation results dialogue.
Antenna Diversity Support: The type of antenna diversity technique supported by the cell. You can select Single
Antenna, Transmit Diversity, Spatial Multiplexing, AMS, Single Antenna+Transmit Diversity, Single
Antenna+Spatial Multiplxing, or Single Antenna+AMS.
A cell that only supports Single Antenna does not have any antenna diversity mechanism, and only the users with
simple (non MIMO) terminals can connect to this cell. A cell that supports Transmit Diversity, Spatial Multiplexing, or AMS can carry traffic using MIMO-capable terminals. For example, Single Antenna+AMS can support
ordinary as well as MIMO-capable terminals. Specific gains are applied according to the antenna diversity mechanisms supported by the cell and the terminal.
Frame Configuration: The frame configuration used by the cell when the cells frequency band is TDD. If the networks switching point periodicity is set to "Half Frame," you can select a frame configuration of type DUUU-DUUU,
DUUD-DUUD, or DUDD-DUDD. If the networks switching point periodicity is set to "Frame," you can select a
frame configuration of type DUUU-DDDDD, DUUD-DDDDD, or DUDD-DDDDD. For more information on the TDD
switching point periodicity, see "The Global Transmitter Parameters" on page 75.
Max Number of Intra-technology Neighbours: The maximum number of neighbours from within the same Atoll
document that the cell can have.
Max Number of Inter-technology Neighbours: The maximum number of neighbours from other technology documents that the cell can have.
Neighbours: You can access a dialogue in which you can set both intra-technology and inter-technology neighbours by clicking the Browse button (
on page 48.
Tip:
0.2.1.2
0.2.1.2.1
c. Right-click the site you want to modify. The context menu appears.
d. Select Properties from the context menu. The sites Properties dialogue appears.
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0.2.1.2.2
c. Right-click the transmitter you want to modify. The context menu appears.
d. Select Properties from the context menu. The transmitters Properties dialogue appears.
3. Modify the parameters described in "Transmitter Description" on page 5.
4. Click OK. If you are creating a new transmitter, Atoll reminds you to create a cell. For information on creating a
cell, see "Creating or Modifying a Cell" on page 9.
Tips:
If you are creating several transmitters at the same time, or modifying several existing transmitters, you can do it more quickly by editing or pasting the data directly in the Transmitters table.
You can open the Transmitters table by right-clicking the Transmitters folder on the Data tab
of the Explorer window and selecting Open Table from the context menu. For information on
copying and pasting data, see "Copying and Pasting in Tables" on page 63.
If you want to add a transmitter to an existing site on the map, you can add the transmitter by
right-clicking the site and selecting New Transmitter from the context menu.
0.2.1.2.3
3. Right-click the transmitter on which you want to create a cell or whose cell you want to modify. The context menu
appears.
4. Select Properties from the context menu. The transmitters Properties dialogue appears.
5. Select the Cells tab.
6. Modify the parameters described in "Cell Description" on page 7.
7. Click OK.
0.2.1.3
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3. In the map window, move the pointer over the map to where you would like to
place the new station. The exact coordinates of the pointers current location
are visible in the Status bar.
To place the base station more accurately, you can zoom in on the map before you click the New
Station button. For information on using the zooming tools, see "Changing the Map Scale" on
page 46.
If you let the pointer rest over the base station you have placed, Atoll displays its tip text with its
exact coordinates, allowing you to verify that the location is correct.
You can also place a series of base stations using a station template. You do this by defining an area on the map where
you want to place the base stations. Atoll calculates the placement of each base station according to the defined hexagonal cell radius in the station template. For information on defining the cell radius, see "Creating or Modifying a Station
Template" on page 11.
To place a series of base stations within a defined area:
1. In the Radio toolbar, select a template from the list.
2. Click the Hexagonal Design button (
), to the left of the template list. A hexagonal design is a group of base
stations created from the same station template.
Note:
3. Draw a zone delimiting the area where you want to place the series of base stations:
a. Click once on the map to start drawing the zone.
b. Click once on the map to define each point on the map where the border of the zone changes direction.
c. Click twice to finish drawing and close the zone.
Atoll fills the delimited zone with new base stations and their hexagonal shapes. Base station objects such as
sites and transmitters are also created and placed into their respective folders.
You can work with the sites and transmitters in these base stations as you work with any base station object, adding, for
example, another antenna to a transmitter.
4. Move the pointer to the site on the map. When the frame appears around the site, indicating it is selected, click to
place the station.
0.2.1.4
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0.2.1.4.1
To create a new station template: Under Station Templates, select the station template that most closely
resembles the station template you want to create and click Add. The Properties dialogue appears.
To modify an existing station template: Under Station Templates, select the station template whose properties you want to modify and click Properties. The Properties dialogue appears.
4. Click the General tab of the Properties dialogue. In this tab (see Figure 0.6), you can modify the following: the
Name of the station template, the number of Sectors, each with a transmitter, and the Hexagon Radius, i.e., the
theoretical radius of the hexagonal area covered by this base sector.
-
Under Antennas, you can modify the following: the Height/Ground of the antennas from the ground (i.e., the
height over the DTM; if the transmitter is situated on a building, the height entered must include the height of
building), the main antenna Model, 1st Sector Azimuth, from which the azimuth of the other sectors are offset
to offer complete coverage of the area, the Mechanical Downtilt, and the Additional Electrical Downtilt for
the antennas.
Under Number of Antenna Ports, you can enter the number of antenna ports available for Transmission
and for Reception.
Under Propagation, you can modify the following: the Propagation Model, Radius, and Resolution for both
the Main Matrix and the Extended Matrix. For information on propagation models, see "Chapter 5: Managing
Calculations in Atoll".
Under Transmission/Reception, you can click the Equipment button to open the Equipment Specifications dialogue and modify the tower-mounted amplifier (TMA), feeder cables, or base transceiver station
(BTS). For information on the Equipment Specifications dialogue, see "Transmitter Description" on page 5.
The information in the computed Total Losses in transmission and reception boxes is calculated from the
information you entered in the Equipment Specifications dialogue (see Figure 0.4 on page 7). Atoll always
considers the values in the Real boxes in coverage predictions even if they are different from the values in the
Computed boxes. You can modify the real Total Losses at transmission and reception if you wish. Any value
you enter must be positive.
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11
Power, Frequency Band, Channel Number, LTE Equipment, and Max Number of Users.
Under Default Loads, you can enter the default values for Traffic Load (DL), Traffic Load (UL), and UL
Noise Rise.
Under Antenna Diversity, you can select the type of antenna diversity mode supported by the transmitter.
Diversity Support can be Single Antenna, Transmit Diversity, Spatial Multiplexing, AMS, Single
Antenna+Transmit Diversity, Single Antenna+Spatial Multiplxing, or Single Antenna+AMS.
You can also enter the AMS Threshold.
0.2.1.4.2
Add: If you want to add a user-defined field to the station templates, you must have already added it to the
Sites table (for information on adding a user-defined field to a table, see "Adding a Field to an Object Types
Data Table" on page 59) for it to appear as an option in the station template properties. To add a new field:
i.
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ii. Click the Delete button. The user-defined field appears in strikeout. It will be definitively deleted when you
close the dialogue.
-
ii. Click the Properties button. The Field Definition dialogue appears.
iii. Modify any of the properties as desired.
iv. Click OK to close the Field Definition dialogue and save your changes.
6. Click OK.
0.2.1.4.3
0.2.1.5
Quickly create a new station with the same settings as an original one in order to study the effect of a new station
on the coverage and capacity of the network, and
Quickly create a new homogeneous network with stations that have the same characteristics.
3. Right-click the site you want to duplicate. The context menu appears.
4. Select Duplicate > With Neighbours from the context menu, if you want to duplicate the station along with the
lists of intra- and inter-technology neighbours of its cells. Otherwise, select Duplicate > Without Neighbours.
You can now place the new station on the map using the mouse.
5. In the map window, move the pointer over the map to where you would like to place the new station. The exact
coordinates of the pointers current location are visible in the Status bar.
Tips:
To place the station more accurately, you can zoom in on the map before you click the New Station button. For information on using the zooming tools, see "Changing the Map Scale" on
page 46.
If you let the pointer rest over the station you have placed, Atoll displays its tip text with its exact
coordinates, allowing you to verify that the location is correct.
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13
0.2.2
When you import data into your current Atoll document, the coordinate system of the
imported data must be the same as the display coordinate system used in the document. If
you cannot change the coordinate system of your source data, you can temporarily
change the display coordinate system of the Atoll document to match the source data. For
information on changing the coordinate system, see "Setting a Coordinate System" on
page 86.
Copying and pasting data: If you have data in table form, either in another Atoll document or in a spreadsheet,
you can copy this data and paste it into the tables in your current Atoll document. When you create a group of
base stations by copying and pasting data, you must copy and paste site data in the Sites table, transmitter data
in the Transmitters table, and cell data in the Cells table, in that order.
Important: The table you copy from must have the same column layout as the table you are pasting
data into.
For information on copying and pasting data, see "Copying and Pasting in Tables" on page 63.
Importing data: If you have base station data in text or comma-separated value (CSV) format, you can import it
into the tables in the current document. If the data is in another Atoll document, you can first export it in text or
CSV format and then import it into the tables of your current Atoll document. When you are importing, Atoll allows
you to select what values you import into which columns of the table.
When you create a group of base stations by importing data, you must import site data in the Sites table, transmitter data in the Transmitters table, and cell data in the Cells table, in that order.
For information on exporting table data, see "Exporting Tables to Text Files" on page 65. For information on
importing table data, see "Importing Tables from Text Files" on page 65.
Note:
0.2.3
You can quickly create a series of base stations for study purposes using the Hexagonal
Design tool on the Radio toolbar. For information, see "Placing a New Base Station Using
a Station Template" on page 9.
0.2.4
14
Label: You can display information about each object, such as each site or transmitter, in the form of a label that
is displayed with the object. You can display information from every field in that object types data table, including
from fields that you add. The label is always displayed, so you should choose information that you would want to
always be visible; too much information in the label will make it harder to distinguish the information you are looking
for. For information on defining the label, see "Defining the Object Type Label" on page 43.
Tooltips: You can display information about each object, such as each site or transmitter, in the form of a tooltip
that is only visible when you move the pointer over the object. You can choose to display more information than
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in the label, because the information is only displayed when you move the pointer over the object. You can display
information from every field in that object types data table, including from fields that you add. For information on
defining the tool tips, see "Defining the Object Type Tip Text" on page 44.
Transmitter colour: You can set the transmitter colour to display information about the transmitter. For example,
you can select "Discrete Values" to distinguish transmitters by antenna type, or to distinguish inactive from active
transmitters. You can also define the display type for transmitters as "Automatic." Atoll then automatically assigns
a colour to each transmitter, ensuring that each transmitter has a different colour than the transmitters surrounding
it. For information on defining the transmitter colour, see "Defining the Display Type" on page 41.
Transmitter symbol: You can select one of several symbols to represent transmitters. For example, you can
select a symbol that graphically represents the antenna half-power beamwidth (
). If you have two transmitters on the same site with the same azimuth, you can differentiate them by selecting different symbols for each
(
0.2.5
and
). For information on defining the transmitter symbol, see "Defining the Display Type" on page 41.
0.2.6
You can combine a computation zone and a filter, in order to create a very precise selection of the base stations to be
studied.
0.2.7
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15
0.2.7.1
study the reception in real time along a profile between a reference transmitter and an LTE user, and
evaluate the signal levels coming from the surrounding transmitters at a given point (using existing path loss
matrices).
) in the Radio toolbar. The Point Analysis Tool window appears and the
3. A line appears on the map connecting the selected transmitter and the current position. You can now do the following:
-
Coordinates: Select Coordinates to change the receiver position by entering new XY coordinates.
Target Site: Select a site from the list to place the receiver directly on a site.
You can change the following options at the top of the Profile tab:
-
5. Right-click the Profile tab to choose one of the following commands from the context menu:
-
Properties: Select Properties to display the Analysis Properties dialogue. This dialogue is available from
the context menu on all tabs of the Point Analysis Tool window. You can:
-
16
Change the X and Y coordinates to change the present position of the receiver.
Select the Shadowing taken into account check box and enter a Cell Edge Coverage Probability, and,
select "From Model" from the Shadowing Margin list.
- Select Signal Level, Path loss, or Total losses from the Result Type list.
- You can select the Indoor Coverage check box to add indoor losses. Indoor losses are defined per clutter
class.
Link Budget: Select Link Budget to display a dialogue with the link budget.
Model Details: Select Model Details to display a text document with details on the displayed profile analysis.
Model details are only available for the Standard Propagation Model.
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Fresnel ellipsoid
Line of sight
0.2.7.2
You can use the same procedure to study the signal level coverage of several base stations
by grouping the transmitters. For information on grouping transmitters, see "Grouping Data
Objects by a Selected Property" on page 72.
If you wish to study only sites by their status, at this step you could group them by status.
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17
General tab: You can change the assigned Name of the coverage prediction, the Resolution, and you can
add a Comment. The resolution you set is the display resolution, not the calculation resolution.
To improve memory consumption and optimise the calculation times, you should set the display resolutions of
coverage predictions according to the precision required. The following table lists the levels of precision that
are usually sufficient:
Note:
Display Resolution
City Centre
5m
City
20 m
County
50 m
State
100 m
Country
If you create a new coverage prediction from the context menu of either the Transmitters
or Predictions folder, you can select the sites using the Group By, Sort, and Filter buttons
under Configuration. Because you already selected the target sites, however, only the Filter button is available.
Condition tab: The coverage prediction parameters on the Conditions tab allow you to define the signals that
will be considered for each pixel (see Figure 0.10).
-
At the top of the Condition tab, you can set the signal level range to be considered.
Under Server, select "All" to consider all servers. Selecting "All" or "Best signal level" will give you the
same results because Atoll displays the results of the best server in either case. Selecting "Best signal
level" necessitates, however, a longer time for calculation.
When you select "Best signal level" or "Second best signal level," you can also define a Margin that Atoll
will take into consideration.
If you select the Shadowing Taken into Account check box, you can change the Cell Edge Coverage
Probability.
You can select the Indoor Coverage check box to add indoor losses. Indoor losses are defined per clutter
class.
Display tab: You can modify how the results of the coverage prediction will be displayed.
-
(
) beside the Tip Text box and selecting the fields you want to display in the tooltip.
You can select the Add to Legend check box to add the displayed value intervals to the legend.
Note:
If you change the display properties of a coverage prediction after you have calculated it,
you may make the coverage prediction invalid. You will then have to recalculate the coverage prediction to obtain valid results.
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0.2.8
).
0.2.8.1
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19
One file per transmitter with the extension LOS for its main path loss matrix.
A DBF file with validity information for all the main matrices.
A folder called "LowRes" with LOS files and a DBF file for the extended path loss matrices.
Private Directory: The Private Directory is where you store path loss matrices you generate or, if you are
loading path loss matrices from a shared location, where you store your changes to shared path loss matrices.
Click the button beside the Private Directory (
) and select Embedded to save the path loss matrices in
the Atoll document, or Share to select a directory where Atoll can save the path loss matrices externally.
Note:
Path loss matrices you calculate locally are not stored in the same directory as shared path
loss matrices. Shared path loss matrices are stored in a read-only directory. In other words,
you can read the information from the shared path loss matrices but any changes you make
will be stored locally, either embedded in the ATL file or in a private external folder, depending on what you have selected in Private Directory.
Caution:
When you save the path loss files externally, the external files are updated as soon as calculations are performed. In order to keep consistency between the Atoll document and the
stored calculations, you should save the Atoll document before closing it if you have
updated the path loss matrices.
Shared Directory: When you are working in a multi-user Atoll environment, the project data is stored in a
database and the path loss matrices are stored in a directory that is accessible to all users. Any changes you
make will not be saved to this directory; they will be saved in the location indicated in Private Directory. The
path loss matrices in the shared directory are updated by a user with administrator rights based on the updated
information in the database. For more information on shared directories, see the Administrator Manual.
5. Click OK.
Display all the matrices: All path loss matrices are displayed.
Display only invalid matrices: Only invalid path loss matrices are displayed.
The Available Results table lists the following information for each displayed path loss matrix:
-
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Size: The size of the path loss matrix for the transmitter.
File: If the path loss matrix is not embedded, the location of the file is listed.
5. Click the Statistics button to display the number of path loss matrices to be recalculated. The Statistics dialogue
appears (see Figure 0.12) with the total number of invalid path loss matrices and the reasons for invalidity, as well
as a summary of the reasons for invalidity.
0.2.8.2
For more information about the available propagation models, see "Chapter 5: Managing Calculations in Atoll".
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21
7. Click OK. The selected propagation models will be used for all transmitters.
Note:
You can group transmitters by several properties by using the Group By button on the
Properties dialogue. For more information, see "Advanced Grouping" on page 73.
7. To enter the same values in one column for all transmitters in the table:
a. Enter the value in the first row in the column.
b. Select the entire column.
c. Select Edit > Fill > Down to copy the contents of the top cell of the selection into the other cells.
Note:
If you want to copy the contents of the last cell in the selection into all other cells, you can
select Edit > Fill > Up. For more information on working with tables in Atoll, see "Working
with Data Tables" on page 57.
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0.2.8.3
You can also define the propagation models for a transmitter by right-clicking it in the map
window and selecting Properties from the context menu.
1. Atoll first checks to see whether the path loss matrices exist and, if so, whether they are valid. There must be valid
path loss matrices for each active and filtered transmitter whose propagation radius intersects the rectangle
containing the computation zone.
2. If the path loss matrices do not exist or are not valid, Atoll calculates them. There has to be at least one unlocked
coverage prediction in the Predictions folder. If not Atoll will not calculate the path loss matrices when you click
the Calculate button (
).
3. Atoll calculates all unlocked coverage predictions in the Predictions folder. Atoll automatically locks the results
of a coverage prediction as soon as it is calculated, as indicated by the icon (
in the Predictions folder.
Notes:
0.2.8.4
You can stop any calculations in progress by clicking the Stop Calculations button (
toolbar.
) in the
Existing polygon: You can use any existing polygon on the map as a computation zone by right-clicking it and
selecting Use as Computation Zone from the context menu.
Importing a polygon: If you have a file with an existing polygon, for example, a polygon describing an administrative area, you can import it and use it as a computation zone. You can import it by right-clicking the Computation Zone folder on the Geo tab and selecting Import from the context menu.
Fit to Map Window: You can create a computation zone the size of the map window by right-clicking the Computation Zone folder on the Geo tab and selecting Fit to Map Window from the context menu.
Note:
0.2.8.5
You can save the computation zone in the user configuration. For information on exporting
the computation zone in the user configuration, see "Exporting a User Configuration" on
page 81.
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3. Right-click the transmitter you want to activate. The context menu appears.
4. Select Active Transmitter from the context menu. The transmitter is now active.
To set more than one transmitter as active using the Transmitters context menu:
1. Click the Data tab of the Explorer window.
2. Select the transmitters you want to set as active:
-
To set all transmitters as active, right-click the Transmitters folder. The context menu appears.
To set a group of transmitters as active, click the Expand button ( ) to expand the Transmitters folder and
right-click the group of transmitters you want to set as active. The context menu appears.
3. Select Activate Transmitters from the context menu. The selected transmitters are set as active.
To set more than one transmitter as active using the Transmitters table:
1. Click the Data tab of the Explorer window.
2. Right-click the Transmitters folder. The context menu appears.
3. Select Open Table. The Transmitters table appears with each transmitters parameters in a second row.
4. For each transmitter that you want to set as active, select the check box in the Active column.
To set more than one cell as active using the Cells table:
1. Click the Data tab of the Explorer window.
2. Right-click the Transmitters folder. The context menu appears.
3. Select Cells > Open Table. The Cells table appears with each cells parameters in a second row.
4. For each cell that you want to set as active, select the check box in the Active column.
To set transmitters as active using a zone:
1. Click the Geo tab of the Explorer window.
2. Click the Expand button (
3. Right-click the folder of the zone you will use to select the transmitters. The context menu appears.
Note:
If you do not yet have a zone containing the transmitters you want to set as active, you can
draw a zone as explained in "Using Zones in the Map Window" on page 49.
4. Select Activate Transmitters from the context menu. The selected transmitters are set as active.
Once you have ensured that all transmitters are active, you can set the propagation model parameters. For information on
choosing and configuring a propagation model, see "Chapter 5: Managing Calculations in Atoll".
Calculating path loss matrices can be time and resource intensive when you are working on larger projects. Consequently,
Atoll offers you the possibility of distributing path loss calculations on several computers. You can install the distributed
calculation server application on other workstations or on servers. Once the distributed calculation server application is
installed on a workstation or server, the computer is available for distributed path loss calculation to other computers on
the network. For information on setting up the distributed calculation server application, see The Administrator Manual.
0.2.8.6
24
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0.2.8.6.1
At the top of the Condition tab, you can set the range of signal level to be considered.
Under Server, select "All" to consider all servers. Selecting "All" or "Best Signal Level" will give you the same
results because Atoll displays the results of the best server in either case. Selecting "Best Signal Level"
necessitates, however, the longest time for calculation.
When you select "Best Signal Level" or "Second Best Signal Level," you can also define a Margin that Atoll
will take into consideration.
If you select the Shadowing Taken into Account check box, you can change the Cell Edge Coverage Probability.
You can select the Indoor Coverage check box to add indoor losses. Indoor losses are defined per clutter
class.
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0.2.8.6.2
At the top of the Condition tab, you can set the range of signal level to be considered.
Under Server, select "All" to consider all servers. Selecting "All" or "Best Signal Level" will give you the same
results because Atoll displays the results of the best server in either case. Selecting "Best Signal Level"
necessitates, however, the longest time for calculation.
When you select "Best Signal Level" or "Second Best Signal Level," you can also define a Margin that Atoll
will take into consideration.
If you select the Shadowing Taken into Account check box, you can change the Cell Edge Coverage Probability.
You can select the Indoor Coverage check box to add indoor losses. Indoor losses are defined per clutter
class.
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0.2.8.6.3
At the top of the Condition tab, you can set the range of signal level to be considered.
Under Server, select "All" to consider all servers. Selecting "All" or "Best Signal Level" will give you the same
results because Atoll displays the results of the best server in either case. Selecting "Best Signal Level"
necessitates, however, the longest time for calculation.
When you select "Best Signal Level" or "Second Best Signal Level," you can also define a Margin that Atoll
will take into consideration.
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If you select the Shadowing Taken into Account check box, you can change the Cell Edge Coverage Probability.
You can select the Indoor Coverage check box to add indoor losses. Indoor losses are defined per clutter
class.
27
0.2.8.7
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0.2.8.7.1
0.2.8.7.2
Select View > Legend Window. The Legend window is displayed, with the values for each displayed coverage
prediction identified by the name of the coverage prediction.
In the map window, place the pointer over the area of the coverage prediction that you want more information on.
After a brief pause, the tooltip appears with the information defined in the Display tab of the coverage prediction
properties (see Figure 0.19).
0.2.8.7.3
) in the Radio toolbar. The Point Analysis Tool window appears and the
2. At the bottom of the Point Analysis Tool window, click the Reception tab (see Figure 0.20).
The predicted signal level from different transmitters is reported in the Reception tab in the form of a bar chart,
from the highest predicted signal level on the top to the lowest one on the bottom. Each bar is displayed in the
colour of the transmitter it represents.
Change the X and Y coordinates to change the present position of the receiver.
Select the Shadowing taken into account check box and enter a Cell Edge Coverage Probability, and
select "From Model" from the Shadowing Margin list.
Select the Indoor Coverage check box to add indoor losses. Indoor losses are defined per clutter class.
0.2.8.7.4
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3. Right-click the Focus Zone or Hot Spot Zones folder, depending on whether you want to create a focus zone or
a hot spot. The context menu appears.
4. Select Draw from the context menu.
5. Draw the focus or hot spot zone:
a. Click once on the map to start drawing the zone.
b. Click once on the map to define each point on the map where the border of the zone changes direction.
c. Click twice to finish drawing and close the zone.
A focus zone is delimited by a green line; a hot spot zone is delimited by a heavy black line. If you clear the zones
visibility check box in the Zones folder of the Geo tab in the Explorer window, it will no longer be displayed but
will still be taken into account.
You can also create a focus or hot spot zone as follows:
Existing polygon: You can use any existing polygon on the map as a focus zone by right-clicking it and selecting
Use as Focus Zone from the context menu.
Note:
You can only create a focus zone, and not a hot spot zone, from an existing polygon.
Importing a polygon: If you have a file with an existing polygon, for example, a polygon describing an administrative area, you can import it and use it as a focus or hot spot zone. You can import it by right-clicking the Focus
Zone or Hot Spot Zones folder on the Geo tab and selecting Import from the context menu. When you import hot
spot zones, you can import the name given to each zone as well.
Fit to Map Window: You can create a focus or hot spot zone the size of the map window by selecting Fit to Map
Window from the context menu.
Notes:
You can save the focus or hot spot zones so that you can use them in a different Atoll document:
-
You can save the focus zone in the user configuration. For information on exporting the
focus zone in the user configuration, see "Exporting a User Configuration" on page 81.
- You can right-click the Focus Zone folder or the Hot Spot Zones folder on the Data tab
of the Explorer window and select Export from the context menu.
You can include population statistics in the focus or hot spot zone by importing a population
map. For information on importing maps, see "Importing a Raster-format Geo Data File" on
page 99.
0.2.8.7.5
3. Right-click the coverage prediction for which you want to generate a report. The context menu appears.
4. Select Generate Report from the context menu. The Columns to Be Displayed dialogue appears.
5. Define the format and content of the report:
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to move it up or
to move it down.
You can save the current report format in a configuration:
a. Under Configuration, click the Export button. The Save As dialogue appears.
b. In the Save As dialogue, browse to the folder where you want to save the configuration and enter a File name.
You can apply a configuration that you have saved previously:
a. Under Configuration, click the Import button. The Open dialogue appears.
b. Select the configuration you want to import and click Open. The imported report configuration is applied
6. When you have finished defining the format and content of the report, click OK in the Columns to Be Displayed
dialogue. The coverage prediction report table appears. The report is based on the hot spot zones and on the
focus zone if available or on the hot spot zones and computation zone if there is no focus zone.
To display a report on all coverage predictions:
1. Click the Data tab in the Explorer window.
2. Right-click the Predictions folder. The context menu appears.
3. Select Generate Report from the context menu. The Columns to Be Displayed dialogue appears.
4. Define the format and content of the report:
You can select the columns that will be displayed in the report and define the order they are in:
a. Select the check box for each column you want to have displayed.
b. Define the order of the columns by selecting each column you want to move and clicking
to move it up or
to move it down.
You can save the current report format in a configuration:
a. Under Configuration, click the Export button. The Save As dialogue appears.
b. In the Save As dialogue, browse to the folder where you want to save the configuration and enter a File name.
You can apply a configuration that you have saved previously:
a. Under Configuration, click the Import button. a appears.
b. Select the configuration you want to import and click Open. The imported report configuration is applied
5. When you have finished defining the format and content of the report, click OK in the Columns to Be Displayed
dialogue. The coverage prediction report table appears. The report shows all displayed coverage predictions in
the same order as in the Predictions folder. The report is based on the focus zone if available or on the calculation
zone if there is no focus zone.
You can include population statistics in the focus zone or hot spot zone by importing a population map. For information on
importing maps, see "Importing a Raster-format Geo Data File" on page 99. Normally, Atoll takes all geo data into consideration, whether it is displayed or not. However, for the population statistics to be used in a report, the population map has
to be displayed.
To include population statistics in the focus zone or hot spot zone:
1. Ensure that the population geo data is visible. For information on displaying geo data, see "Displaying or Hiding
Objects on the Map Using the Explorer" on page 36.
2. Display the report as explained above.
3. Select Format > Display Columns. The Columns to Be Displayed dialogue appears.
4. Select the following columns, where "Population" is the name of the folder on the Geo tab containing the population map:
-
Atoll saves the names of the columns you select and will automatically select them the next time you create a
coverage prediction report.
5. Click OK.
If you have created a custom data map with integrable data, the data can be used in prediction reports. The data will be
summed over the coverage area for each item in the report (for example, by transmitter or threshold). The data can be
value data (revenue, number of customers, etc.) or density data (revenue/km, number of customers/km, etc.). Data is
considered as non-integrable if the data given is per pixel or polygon and cannot be summed over areas, for example,
socio-demographic classes, rain zones, etc. For information on integrable data in custom data maps, see "Integrable
Versus Non Integrable Data" on page 115.
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0.2.8.7.6
3. Right-click the coverage prediction whose statistics you want to display. The context menu appears.
4. Select Histogram from the context menu. The Statistics dialogue appears with a histogram of the area defined
by the focus zone (see Figure 0.21).
-
Under Histogram Based on Covered Areas, you can select to view a histogram, CDF, or inverse CDF based
on area or percentage.
The Detailed Results section displays the covered area values, or the percentage of the covered area, along
the y-axis against the coverage criterion along the x-axis.
You can copy the graph by clicking the Copy button.
You can print the graph by clicking the Print button.
Under Statistics Based on Study Conditions, you can view the mean and standard deviation of the coverage criterion calculated during the coverage calculations, if available.
0.2.8.7.7
32
Intersection: This display shows the area where both coverage predictions overlap (for example, pixels covered
by both coverage predictions are displayed in red).
Union: This display shows all pixels covered by both coverage predictions in one colour and pixels covered by
only one coverage prediction in a different colour (for example, pixels covered by both predictions are red and
pixels covered by only one prediction are blue).
Difference: This display shows all pixels covered by both coverage predictions in one colour, pixels covered by
only the first prediction with another colour and pixels covered only by the second prediction with a third colour (for
example, pixels covered by both predictions are red, pixels covered only by the first prediction only are green, and
pixels covered only by the second prediction are blue).
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Figure 0.23: Signal level coverage prediction of network with new base station
Now you can compare the two predictions.
To compare two predictions:
1. Right-click one of the two predictions. The context menu appears.
2. From the context menu, select Compare with and, from the menu that opens, select the prediction you want to
compare with the first. The Comparison Properties dialogue appears.
3. Click the General tab. You can change the Name of the comparison and add Comments.
The General tab contains information about the coverage predictions being compared, including their names and
resolutions.
4. Click the Display tab. On the display tab, you can choose how you want the results of the comparison to be displayed. You can choose among:
-
Intersection
Union
Difference
In order to see what changes adding a new base station made, you should choose Difference.
5. Click OK to create the comparison. The comparison in Figure 0.24, shows clearly the area covered only by the
new base station.
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35
Intersection
Union
Difference
In order to see what changes modifying the antenna tilt made, you can choose Union. This will display all pixels
covered by both predictions in one colour and all pixels covered by only one prediction in another colour. The
increase in coverage, seen in only the second coverage prediction, will be immediately clear.
5. Click OK to create the comparison. The comparison in Figure 0.27, shows clearly the increase in coverage due at
the change in antenna tilt.
0.2.8.8
36
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This section explains the coverage predictions available for analysing signal quality and for analysing the network
response to traffic. The following coverage prediction is explained:
0.2.8.8.1
Modelling Services
Services are the various services available to users. These services can be either voice or data type services. This section
explains how to create a service. The following parameters are used in predictions:
You can modify the properties of an existing service by right-clicking the service in the
Services folder and selecting Properties from the context menu.
5. You can edit the fields on the General tab to define the new service. Some fields depend on the type of service
you choose. You can change the following parameters.
-
Name: Atoll proposes a name for the new service, but you can set a more descriptive name.
Type: You can select either Voice or Data as the service type.
Priority: Enter a priority for this service. "0" is the lowest priority. The priority is used by the schedulers for
resource allocation. For more information about how schedulers work in Atoll, see "Defining LTE Schedulers"
on page 79.
Activity Factor: The uplink and downlink activity factors are used to determine the probability of activity for
users accessing a voice type service during Monte Carlo simulations.
Highest Bearer: Select the highest bearer that the service can use in the uplink and downlink. This is considered as an upper limit during bearer determination.
Max Throughput Demand: Enter the highest throughput that the service can demand in the uplink and downlink. This is the Maximum Bit Rate (MBR) of the service.
Min. Throughput Demand: Enter the minimum required throughput that the service should have in order to
be available in the uplink and downlink. This is the Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR) of the service.
Average Requested Throughput: Enter the average requested throughput for uplink and downlink. The
average requested throughput is used in a simulation during user distribution generation to calculate the
number of users attempting a connection.
Application Throughput: Under Application Throughput, you can set a Scaling Factor between the application throughput and the RLC (Radio Link Control) throughput and a throughput Offset. These parameters
model the header information and other supplementary data that does not appear at the application level.
The application throughput parameters are used in throughput coverage predictions and for application throughput
calculation.
-
Body Loss: Enter a body loss for the service. The body loss is the loss due to the body of the user. For
example, in a voice connection the body loss, due to the proximity of the users head, is estimated to be 3 dB.
6. Click OK.
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You can modify the properties of an existing mobility type by right-clicking the mobility type
in the Mobility Types folder and selecting Properties from the context menu.
5. You can enter or modify the following parameters in the Mobility Types New Element Properties dialogue:
-
6. Click OK.
Modelling Terminals
In LTE, a terminal is the user equipment that is used in the network, for example, a mobile phone, a PDA, or a cars onboard navigation device.
The following parameters are used in predictions:
Antenna
Reception equipment
Maximum terminal power
Gain and losses
Noise figure
Type of antenna diversity supported
Number of transmission and reception antenna ports
You can modify the properties of an existing terminal by right-clicking the terminal in the
Terminals folder and selecting Properties from the context menu.
5. You can enter or modify the following parameters in the Terminals New Element Properties dialogue:
-
Note:
38
Model: Select an antenna model from the list of available antennas. If you do not select an antenna for
the terminal, Atoll uses an isotropic antenna in calculations.
Keep in mind that in case you do not select an antenna, Atoll uses an isotropic antenna,
not an omni-directional antenna, in calculations. An isotropic antenna has spherical radiation patterns in the horizontal as well as vertical planes.
Gain: Enter the terminal antenna gain if you have not selected an antenna model in the Model field. If you
have selected an antenna, the Gain field is disabled and shows the gain of the selected antenna.
Antenna Diversity Support: Select whether the terminal supports MIMO or not. MIMO-capable terminals
will be allocated to cells that support the transmit diversity, spatial multiplexing, or AMS.
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Number of Antenna Ports: Enter the number of antenna ports for the terminal in Transmission and
Reception.
6. Click OK.
0.2.8.8.2
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39
0.2.8.8.3
40
"Setting the Traffic Loads and the UL Noise Rise" on page 41.
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5. To enter the same values in one column for all cells in the table:
a. Enter the value in the first row in the column.
b. Select the entire column.
c. Select Edit > Fill > Down to copy the contents of the top cell of the selection into the other cells.
Note:
If you want to copy the contents of the last cell in the selection into all other cells, you can
select Edit > Fill > Up. For more information on working with tables in Atoll, see "Working
with Data Tables" on page 57.
When you base a coverage prediction on simulations, you would select the simulations on
which you would be basing the coverage prediction from the Load Conditions list.
You must select a Terminal, a Mobility type, and a Service. The C/(I+N) coverage prediction is a best server
coverage prediction. The Noise Figure defined in the terminal types properties dialogue is used in the coverage
prediction to determine the total noise in the downlink, and the Noise Figure of the transmitter is used to determine
the total noise in the uplink.
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42
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When you base a coverage prediction on simulations, you would select the simulations on
which you would be basing the coverage prediction from the Load Conditions list.
You must select a Terminal, a Mobility type, and a Service. The best bearer coverage prediction is always based
on the best server. The Noise Figure defined in the terminal types properties dialogue is used in the coverage
prediction to determine the total noise in the downlink, and the Noise Figure of the transmitter is used to determine
the total noise in the uplink. As well, the bearer selection for each pixel according to the C(I+N) level is performed
using the bearer selection thresholds defined in the reception equipment. This reception equipment is the one
defined in the selected terminal for the downlink coverage predictions, and the one defined in the cell properties
of the serving transmitter for the uplink coverage predictions. Mobility is used to index the bearer selection threshold graph to use.
For more information on services, terminals, mobility types, and LTE equipment, see "Modelling Services" on
page 37, "Modelling Terminals" on page 38, "Modelling Mobility Types" on page 38, and "Defining LTE Reception
Equipment" on page 78, respectively.
If you want the coverage prediction to consider shadowing, you can select the Shadowing taken into account
check box and enter a percentage in the Cell Edge Coverage Probability text box. The shadowing margin for
C(I+N) calculations is based on the C/I standard deviation.
You can also have the coverage prediction take Indoor Coverage into consideration.
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44
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When you base a coverage prediction on simulations, you would select the simulations on
which you would be basing the coverage prediction from the Load Conditions list.
You must select a Terminal, a Mobility type, and a Service. The throughput coverage prediction is always based
on the best server. The Noise Figure defined in the terminal types Properties dialogue is used in the coverage
prediction to determine the total noise in the downlink, and the Noise Figure of the transmitter is used to determine
the total noise in the uplink. As well, the bearer selection for each pixel according to the C(I+N) level is performed
using the bearer selection thresholds defined in the reception equipment. This reception equipment is the one
defined in the selected terminal for the downlink coverage predictions, and the one defined in the cell properties
of the serving transmitter for the uplink coverage predictions. The mobility is used to indicate the bearer selection
threshold graph to use. The service is used for the application throughput parameters defined in the service Properties dialogue.
For more information on services, terminals, mobility types, and LTE equipment, see "Modelling Services" on
page 37, "Modelling Terminals" on page 38, "Modelling Mobility Types" on page 38, and "Defining LTE Reception
Equipment" on page 78, respectively.
If you want the coverage prediction to consider shadowing, you can select the Shadowing taken into account
check box and enter a percentage in the Cell Edge Coverage Probability text box. The shadowing margin for
C(I+N) calculations is based on the C/I standard deviation.
You can also have the coverage prediction take Indoor Coverage into consideration.
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46
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0.2.8.9
By including the frequency band and channel number of each cell in the transmitter label,
the search results will be easier to understand. For information on defining the label, see
"Defining the Object Type Label" on page 43.
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0.2.8.10
0.2.9
Printing coverage prediction results: Atoll offers several options allowing you to customise and optimise the
printed coverage prediction results. Atoll supports printing to a variety of paper sizes, including A4 and A0. For
more information on printing coverage prediction results, see "Printing a Map" on page 68.
Defining a coverage export zone: If you want to export part of the coverage prediction as a bitmap, you can
define a coverage export zone. After you have defined a coverage export zone, when you export a coverage prediction as a raster image, Atoll offers you the option of exporting only the area covered by the zone. For more
information on defining a coverage export zone, see "Using a Coverage Export Zone" on page 53.
Exporting coverage prediction results: In Atoll, you can export the coverage areas of a coverage prediction in
raster or vector formats. In raster formats, you can export in BMP, TIFF, ArcView grid, or Vertical Mapper (GRD
and GRC) formats. When exporting in GRD or GRC formats, Atoll allows you to export files larger than 2 GB. In
vector formats, you can export in ArcView, MapInfo, or AGD formats. For more information on exporting coverage prediction results, see "Exporting Coverage Prediction Results" on page 54.
Planning Neighbours
You can set neighbours for each cell manually. When allocating neighbours, the cell to which you are allocating neighbours
is referred to as the reference cell. The cells that fulfil the requirements to be neighbours are referred to as possible neighbours.
Usually, you will allocate neighbours globally during the beginning of a radio planning project. Afterwards, you will allocate
neighbours to base stations as you add them.
Atoll supports the following neighbour types in an LTE network:
Intra-technology neighbours: Intra-technology neighbours are cells defined as neighbours that also use LTE.
Intra-technology neighbour cells perform handover using a different carrier.
Inter-technology neighbours: Inter-technology neighbours are cells defined as neighbours that use a technology
other than LTE.
0.2.9.1
48
"Allocating or Deleting Neighbours Using the Cells Tab of the Transmitter Properties Dialogue" on page 49.
"Allocating or Deleting Neighbours Using the Neighbours Table" on page 49.
"Allocating or Deleting Neighbours on the Map" on page 49.
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Allocating or Deleting Neighbours Using the Cells Tab of the Transmitter Properties Dialogue
To allocate or delete LTE neighbours using the Cells tab of the transmitters Properties dialogue:
1. On the map, right-click the transmitter whose neighbours you want to change. The context menu appears.
2. Select Properties from the context menu. The transmitters Properties dialogue appears.
3. Click the Cells tab.
4. On the Cells tab, click the Browse button (
Atoll automatically sets the importance for manually allocated neighbours to "1."
c. Click elsewhere in the table when you have finished creating the new neighbour.
8. To delete a neighbour:
a. Click in the left margin of the table row containing the neighbour to select the entire row.
b. Press DEL to delete the neighbour.
9. Click OK.
For information on working with data tables, see "Working with Data Tables" on page 57.
4. To allocate a neighbour:
a. In the row marked with the new row icon (
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Click the reference transmitter on the map. Atoll displays its neighbour relations.
-
If the two transmitters already have a symmetric neighbour relation, press CTRL and click the other transmitter. Atoll converts the symmetric relation to an inward non-symmetric inter-technology neighbour relation.
If there is no existing neighbour relation between the two transmitters, first create a symmetric neighbour relation by pressing SHIFT and clicking the transmitter with which you want to create a symmetric relation. Then
press CTRL and click the other transmitter. Atoll converts the symmetric relation to an inwards non-symmetric
inter-technology neighbour relation.
0.2.9.2
Importing Neighbours
You can import neighbour data in the form of ASCII text files (in TXT and CSV formats) into the current Atoll document
using the Neighbours table.
To import neighbours using the Neighbours table:
1. Open the Neighbours table:
a. Select the Data tab of the Explorer window.
b. Right-click the Transmitters folder. The context menu appears.
c. Select Cells > Neighbours > Intra-technology Neighbours from the context menu. The Neighbours table
appears.
2. Import the ASCII text file as explained in "Importing Tables from Text Files" on page 65.
0.2.9.3
0.2.9.3.1
2. Select Display Options from the context menu. The Neighbour Display dialogue appears.
3. Select which neighbour links to display:
-
50
Outwards Non-Symmetric: Select the Outwards Non-Symmetric check box to display neighbour relations
where the selected cell is the reference cell and where the neighbour relation is not symmetric.
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Inwards Non-Symmetric: Select the Inwards Non-Symmetric check box to display neighbour relations
where the selected cell is neighbour and where the neighbour relation is not symmetric.
Symmetric: Select the Symmetric check box to display neighbour relations that are symmetric between the
selected cell and the neighbour.
5. Select Neighbours from the menu. The neighbours of a cell will be displayed when you select a transmitter.
6. Click a transmitter on the map to display the neighbour relations. Atoll displays the following information (see
Figure 0.40) on the selected carrier:
-
The symmetric neighbour relations of the selected (reference) transmitter are indicated by a heavy black
line.
The outward neighbour relations are indicated with a light black line with an arrow the colour of the selected
(reference) transmitter.
The inward neighbour relations are indicated with a light black line with an arrow the colour of the transmitter
which has the selected (reference) transmitter as a neighbour.
0.2.9.3.2
3. Select Display Options from the context menu. The Neighbour Display dialogue appears.
4. Click the Browse button (
Unique: Select "Unique" as the Display Type if you want Atoll to colour the coverage area of a cells neighbours with a unique colour.
Discrete Values: Select "Discrete Values" as the Display Type, and then a value from the Field list, if you
want Atoll to colour the coverage area of a cells neighbours according to a value from the Intra-technology
Neighbours table.
Value Intervals: Select "Value Intervals" to colour the coverage area of a cells neighbours according the
value interval of the value selected from the Field list. For example, you can choose to display a cells neighbours according to their rank, or according to the importance, as determined by the weighting factors.
) next to Tip Text and select the neighbour characteristics to be displayed in the
0.2.9.4
).
Exporting Neighbours
The neighbour data for an Atoll document is stored in a series of tables. You can export the neighbours data to use it in
another application or in another Atoll document.
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51
Intra-technology Neighbours: This table contains the data for the intra-technology neighbours in the current
Atoll document.
Inter-technology Neighbours: This table contains the data for the inter-technology neighbours in the current
Atoll document.
4. When the selected neighbours table opens, you can export the content as described in "Exporting Tables to Text
Files" on page 65.
0.3
0.3.1
52
LTE radio bearers: Radio bearers are used by the network for carrying information. The LTE Radio Bearer table
lists all the available radio bearers. You can create new radio bearers and modify existing ones by using the LTE
Radio Bearer table. For information on defining radio bearers, see "Defining LTE Radio Bearers" on page 77.
Services: Services are the various services, such as VoIP, FTP download, etc., available to users. These services
can be either of the type "voice" or "data". For information on modelling end-user services, see "Modelling Services" on page 37.
Mobility type: In LTE, information about receiver mobility is important to determine the users radio conditions and
throughputs. For information on modelling mobility types, see "Modelling Mobility Types" on page 38.
Terminals: In LTE, a terminal is the user equipment that is used in the network, for example, a mobile phone, a
PDA, or a cars on-board navigation device. For information on modelling terminals, see "Modelling Terminals" on
page 38.
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0.3.2
Atoll provides four types of traffic maps for LTE projects. These maps can be used for the different types of traffic data
sources as follows:
0.3.2.1
Live traffic data from the OMC: Traffic maps per transmitter and per service, where traffic is spread over the
best server coverage area of each transmitter and each coverage area is assigned either the total throughput
demand or the number of users. For more information, see "Live Traffic Data From the OMC" on page 53 and "Creating a Traffic Map Based on Live Data" on page 53.
Marketing-based traffic data: Traffic vector maps based on user profiles, where each vector (polygon, line
or point) describes subscriber densities (or numbers of subscribers for points) with user profiles and mobility types,
and traffic raster maps based on environments, where each pixel has an environment class assigned. For more
information, see "Marketing-Based Traffic Data" on page 54, "Importing a User Profile-Based Traffic Map" on
page 56, and "Importing an Environment Class-Based Traffic Map" on page 57.
Population-based traffic data: Traffic raster maps based on user densities, where each pixel has an actual
user density assigned. For more information, see "Population-Based Traffic Data" on page 58 and "Importing a
Traffic Density Map" on page 58.
2G network statistics: Cumulated traffic maps. For more information, see "Converting 2G Network Traffic" on
page 59 and "Exporting Cumulated Traffic" on page 59.
0.3.2.1.1
You can also import a traffic map from a file by clicking the Import a File button. You can
import AGD (Atoll Geographic Data) format files that you have exported from another Atoll
document.
6. Select a coverage prediction by transmitter from the list of available coverage predictions by transmitter.
7. Enter the data required in the Traffic per Transmitter dialogue:
-
If you are creating a Map based on Transmitters and Services (Throughputs), enter the throughput
demands in the uplink and downlink for each sector and for each listed service.
If you are creating a Map based on Transmitters and Services (# Users), enter the number of active users
in the uplink and downlink for each sector and for each listed service.
Note:
You can also import a text file containing the data by clicking the Actions button and selecting Import Table from the menu. For more information on importing table data, see "Importing Tables from Text Files" on page 65.
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53
10. Click OK. Atoll creates the traffic map in the Traffic folder.
You can update the information, throughput demands and the number of users, on the map afterwards. You can update
live traffic per sector maps if you add or remove a base station. You must first recalculate the coverage prediction by transmitter. For more information, see "Making a Coverage Prediction by Transmitter" on page 26. Once you have recalculated
the coverage prediction, you can update the traffic map.
To update the traffic map:
1. Click the Geo tab of the Explorer window.
2. Click the Expand button (
3. Right-click the traffic map based on live data that you want to update. The context menu appears.
4. Select Update from the context menu. The Traffic per Transmitter dialogue appears.
Select the updated coverage prediction by transmitter and define traffic values for the new transmitter(s) listed at
the bottom of the table. Deleted or deactivated transmitters are automatically removed from the table.
5. Click OK. The Traffic Map Properties dialogue appears.
6. Click OK. The traffic map is updated on the basis of the selected coverage prediction by transmitter.
0.3.2.2
You can modify the properties of an existing user profile by right-clicking the user profile in
the User Profiles folder and selecting Properties from the context menu.
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Calls/Hour: For services of the type "voice," enter the average number of calls per hour for the service. The
calls per hour is used to calculate the activity probability. For services of the type "voice," one call lasting 1000
seconds presents the same activity probability as two calls lasting 500 seconds each.
For services of the type "data," the Calls/Hour value is defined as the number of sessions per hour. A session
is like a call in that it is defined as the period of time between when a user starts using a service and when he
stops using a service. In services of the type "data," however, he may not use the service continually. For
example, with a web-browsing service, a session starts when the user opens his browsing application and
ends when he quits the browsing application. Between these two events, the user may be downloading web
pages and other times he may not be using the application, or he may be browsing local files, but the session
is still considered as open. A session, therefore, is defined by the volume transferred in the uplink and downlink
and not by the time.
Note:
In order for all the services defined for a user profile to be taken into account during traffic
scenario elaboration, the sum of activity probabilities must be lower than 1.
Duration (sec.): For services of the type "voice," enter the average duration of a call in seconds. For services
of the type "data," this field is left blank.
UL Volume (KBytes): For services of the type "data," enter the average uplink volume per session in kilobytes.
DL Volume (KBytes): For services of the type "data," enter the average downlink volume per session in kilobytes.
6. Click OK.
Modelling Environments
An environment class describes its environment using a list of user profiles, each with an associated mobility type and a
given density (i.e., the number of users with the same profile per km). To get an appropriate user distribution, you can
assign a weight to each clutter class for each environment class. You can also specify the percentage of indoor subscribers
for each clutter class. In a Monte-Carlo simulation, an additional loss (as defined in the clutter class properties) will be
added to the indoor users path loss.
To create or modify an LTE environment:
1. Click the Data tab of the Explorer window.
2. Click the Expand button (
You can modify the properties of an existing environment by right-clicking the environment
in the Environments folder and selecting Properties from the context menu.
Density (Subscribers/km2): Enter a density in terms of subscribers per square kilometre for the combination
of user profile and mobility type.
where:
Nk
N Area =
Wk
Weight of clutter k
Sk
For example: An area of 10 km with a user density of 100/km. Therefore, in this area, there are 1000 users. The
area is covered by two clutter classes: Open and Building. The clutter weighting for Open is "1" and for Building is
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55
0.3.2.2.1
You can also create a traffic map manually in Atoll by clicking the Create Map button in the
New Traffic Map dialogue. For information, see "Creating an Environment Class-Based
Traffic Map" on page 57.
56
User Profile: If you want to import user profile information from the file, under Defined, select "By field" and
select the source field from the Choice column. If you want to assign a user profile from the LTE Parameters
folder of the Data tab, under Defined, select "By value" and select the user profile in the Choice column.
Mobility: If you want to import mobility information from the file, under Defined, select "By field" and select
the source field from the Choice column. If you want to assign a mobility type from the LTE Parameters folder
of the Data tab, under Defined, select "By value" and select the mobility type in the Choice column.
Density: If you want to import density information from the file, under Defined, select "By field" and select the
source field from the Choice column. If you want to assign a density, under Defined, select "By value" and
enter a density in the Choice column for the combination of user profile and mobility type. In this context, the
term "density" depends on the type of vector traffic map. It refers to the number of subscribers per square kil-
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where:
Nk
N Area =
Wk
Weight of clutter k
Sk
12. If you wish you can specify a percentage of indoor subscribers for each clutter class. During a Monte Carlo simulation, an additional loss (as defined in the clutter class properties) will be added to the indoor users path loss.
13. Click OK to finish importing the traffic map.
0.3.2.2.2
You can also create a traffic map manually in Atoll by clicking the Create Map button in the
New Traffic Map dialogue. For information, see "Creating an Environment Class-Based
Traffic Map" on page 57.
0.3.2.2.3
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57
Draw Map
Delete Map
) to draw the polygon on the map for the selected environment class.
) and click the polygon to delete the environment class polygon on the map.
9. Click the Close button to close the Environment Map Editor toolbar and end editing.
0.3.2.2.4
3. Right-click the environment class based traffic map whose statistics you want to display. The context menu
appears.
4. Select Statistics from the context menu. The Statistics window appears.
The Statistics window lists the surface (Si in km) and the percentage of surface (% of i) for each environment
Si
class "i" within the focus zone. The percentage of surface is given by: % of i = -------------- 100
Sk
0.3.2.3
0.3.2.3.1
You can also create a traffic map manually in Atoll by clicking the Create Map button in the
New Traffic Map dialogue. For information, see "Creating an Environment Class-Based
Traffic Map" on page 57.
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0.3.2.4
0.3.2.5
The Entire Project Area: This option allows you to export the cumulated traffic over the entire project.
The Computation Zone: This option allows you to export the cumulated traffic contained by a rectangle
encompassing the computation zone.
Terminal: Select the type of terminal traffic that will be exported or select "All" to export traffic using any terminal.
Service: Select the service traffic that will be exported.
Mobility: Select the mobility type that will be exported or select "All" to export all mobility types.
Direction: Select one of the following:
-
Uplink/Downlink: Select Uplink/Downlink to export only active mobiles with both uplink and downlink
traffic.
Downlink: Select Downlink to export mobiles with downlink traffic only.
Uplink: Select Uplink to export mobiles with uplink traffic only.
the direction whether you want to cumulate traffic on the uplink and the downlink, only on the uplink, or
only on the downlink.
8. In the Select Traffic Maps to Be Used list, select the check box of each traffic map you want to include in the
cumulated traffic.
9. Define a Resolution in Metres. The resolution must be an integer and the minimum resolution allowed is 1.
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0.3.3
3. Right-click the traffic map you want to export. The context menu appears.
4. Select Save as from the context menu.
5. Enter a file name and select a file format for the traffic map.
6. Click Save.
For a raster traffic map you have to define:
0.3.4
An export Resolution.
0.3.4.1
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5. Click the Table tab. On the Table tab you can modify the various fields in the subscriber list, add user-defined fields
to the table, or, most importantly, change the default parameters for the fields in the table. These default parameters will be assigned to all the subscribers in this list created by using the mouse on the map (see Figure 0.44).
To modify the default values for these fields:
a. Select the field whose default value you want to modify.
b. Click Properties. The Field Definition dialogue appears.
c. Enter the new default value.
d. Click OK.
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ID: The subscriber ID in the subscriber list. It is an automatically created identification number.
X and Y coordinates: The geographical coordinates of the subscriber. A subscriber location is always fixed.
Height: The altitude of the subscriber antenna with respect to the ground (DTM).
Name: You can assign a descriptive name to each subscriber.
User Profile: A user profile defines the traffic demand characteristics of subscribers. Atoll determines the terminal used, the service accessed, and the activity status of subscribers during Monte Carlo simulations
according to the information in the user profiles. For more information, see "Modelling User Profiles" on
page 54.
Terminal: A default terminal (CPE) is the user equipment with an antenna, reception equipment, and noise
characteristics. The properties of this terminal are taken into consideration when performing calculations on
the subscriber list.
Service: The service that the subscriber accesses by default. The properties of this service are taken into consideration when performing calculations on the subscriber list.
Azimuth: The orientation of the subscriber antenna in the horizontal plane. Azimuth is always considered with
respect to the north. You can either define this value manually or let Atoll calculate it for the subscriber. Atoll
points the subscriber antenna towards its serving base station.
Mechanical Downtilt: The orientation of the subscriber antenna in the vertical plane. Mechanical downtilt is
positive when it is downwards and negative when upwards. You can either define this value manually or let
Atoll calculate it for the subscriber. Atoll points the subscriber antenna towards its serving base station.
Lock Status: You can choose to lock the subscriber antenna orientation and serving transmitter. Use this
option if you do not want Atoll to change the assigned server or the antenna orientation.
Serving Base Station: The serving transmitter of the subscriber. You can either define this value manually
or let Atoll calculate it for the subscriber.
Reference Cell: The reference cell of the serving transmitter of the subscriber. You can either define this value
manually or let Atoll calculate it for the subscriber.
Received Power (DL) (dBm): The signal level received at the subscriber location in the downlink. This value
is calculated by Atoll during calculations on subscriber lists.
Interference + Noise (DL) (dBm): The interference + noise level experienced at the subscriber location in the
downlink. This value is generated by Atoll during the calculations on subscriber lists.
C/(I+N) (DL) (dB): The C/(I+N) at the subscriber location in the downlink. This value is generated by Atoll
during the calculations on subscriber lists.
Bearer (DL): The highest LTE bearer available for the C/(I+N) level at the subscriber location in the downlink.
This value is generated by Atoll during the calculations on subscriber lists.
BLER (DL): The Block Error Rate read from the subscribers terminal types reception equipment for the
C(I+N) level at the subscriber location in the downlink. This value is generated by Atoll during the calculations
on subscriber lists.
61
Peak RLC Channel Throughput (DL) (kbps): The maximum RLC channel throughput attainable using the
highest bearer available at the subscriber location in the downlink. This value is generated by Atoll during the
calculations on subscriber lists.
Effective RLC Channel Throughput (DL) (kbps): The effective RLC channel throughput attainable using the
highest bearer available at the subscriber location in the downlink. This value is generated by Atoll during the
calculations on subscriber lists.
Received Power (UL) (dBm): The signal level received at the serving transmitter from the subscriber terminal
in the uplink. This value is generated by Atoll during the calculations on subscriber lists.
Interference + Noise (UL) (dBm): The interference + noise level experienced at the serving transmitter of the
subscriber in the uplink. This value is generated by Atoll during the calculations on subscriber lists.
C/(I+N) (UL) (dB): The C/(I+N) at the serving transmitter of the subscriber in the uplink. This value is generated by Atoll during the calculations on subscriber lists.
Bearer (UL): The highest LTE bearer available for the C/(I+N) level at the serving transmitter of the subscriber
in the uplink. This value is generated by Atoll during the calculations on subscriber lists.
BLER (UL): The Block Error Rate read from the reference cells reception equipment for the C/(I+N) level at
the serving transmitter of the subscriber in the uplink. This value is generated by Atoll during the calculations
on subscriber lists.
Transmission Power (UL) (dBm): The transmission power of the subscribers terminal after power control in
the uplink. This value is generated by Atoll during the calculations on subscriber lists.
Number of Used Resource Blocks (UL): The number of resource blocks being used by the subscriber in the
uplink. This value is generated by Atoll during the calculations on subscriber lists.
Peak RLC Channel Throughput (UL) (kbps): The maximum RLC channel throughput attainable using the
highest bearer available at the serving transmitter of the subscriber in the uplink. This value is generated by
Atoll during the calculations on subscriber lists.
Effective RLC Channel Throughput (UL) (kbps): The effective RLC channel throughput available using the
highest bearer available at the serving transmitter of the subscriber in the uplink. This value is generated by
Atoll during the calculations on subscriber lists.
Note:
In Atoll, channel throughputs are peak RLC, effective RLC, or application level throughputs
achieved at a given location using the highest LTE bearer with the entire channel
resources.
For more information on the calculations that you can carry out on subscriber lists, see "Performing Calculations
on Subscriber lists" on page 63.
6. Click the Display tab. You can modify how subscribers added to the list are displayed. For information on defining
the display properties, see "Display Properties of Objects" on page 40.
7. Click OK. Atoll creates a new subscriber list.
You can now move the pointer over the map and click once to place a new subscriber at the location of the pointer. Press
ESC or click the normal pointer button ( ), to finish adding subscribers on the map. For information on adding subscribers
to a list, see "Adding Subscribers to a Subscriber List Using the Mouse" on page 62.
You can open the subscriber list table containing all the subscribers and their parameters.
To open the subscriber list table:
1. Click the Data tab in the Explorer window.
2. Click the Expand button (
3. Right-click the subscriber list you want to open. The context menu appears.
4. Select Open Table from the context menu.
For information on working with data tables, see "Working with Data Tables" on page 57.
0.3.4.1.1
3. Right-click the subscriber list to which you want to add subscribers. The context menu appears.
4. Select Add Subscribers from the context menu. The pointer changes to subscriber addition mode (
).
5. Move the mouse over the Map window, and click once to add each subscriber.
6. Press ESC or click the normal pointer button (
Tip:
62
To place subscribers more accurately, before clicking the map, you can zoom in on the
map. For information on using the zooming tools, see "Changing the Map Scale" on
page 46.
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0.3.4.1.2
0.3.4.2
You can also export subscriber lists. For information on exporting table data, see "Exporting
Tables to Text Files" on page 65.
Azimuth: The orientation of the subscriber antenna in the horizontal plane. Azimuth is always considered with
respect to the North. Atoll calculates this value according to the serving base station if the Lock Status field is
set to either Server or None. Atoll points the subscriber antenna towards its serving base station.
Mechanical Downtilt: The orientation of the subscriber antenna in the vertical plane. Mechanical downtilt is positive when it is downwards and negative when upwards. Atoll calculates this value according to the serving base
station if the Lock Status field is set to either Server or None. Atoll points the subscriber antenna towards its
serving base station.
Serving Base Station: The serving transmitter of the subscriber. Atoll determines the serving base station for
subscribers whose Lock Status field is set to None.
Reference Cell: The reference cell of the serving transmitter of the subscriber. Atoll determines the reference
cells for subscribers whose Lock Status field is set to None.
Received Power (DL) (dBm): The signal level received at the subscriber location in the downlink.
Interference + Noise (DL) (dBm): The interference + noise level experienced at the subscriber location in the
downlink.
C/(I+N) (DL) (dB): The C/(I+N) at the subscriber location in the downlink.
Bearer (DL): The highest LTE bearer available for the C/(I+N) level at the subscriber location in the downlink.
BLER (DL): The Block Error Rate read from the subscribers terminal types reception equipment for the C/(I+N)
level at the subscriber location in the downlink.
Peak RLC Channel Throughput (DL) (kbps): The maximum RLC channel throughput attainable using the
highest bearer available at the subscriber location in the downlink.
Effective RLC Channel Throughput (DL) (kbps): The effective RLC channel throughput attainable using the
highest bearer available at the subscriber location in the downlink.
Received Power (UL) (dBm): The signal level received at the serving transmitter from the subscriber terminal in
the uplink.
Interference + Noise (UL) (dBm): The interference + noise level experienced at the serving transmitter of the
subscriber in the uplink.
C/(I+N) (UL) (dB): The C/(I+N) at the serving transmitter of the subscriber in the uplink.
Bearer (UL): The highest LTE bearer available for the C/(I+N) level at the serving transmitter of the subscriber in
the uplink.
BLER (UL): The Block Error Rate read from the reference cells reception equipment for the C/(I+N) level at the
serving transmitter of the subscriber in the uplink.
Transmission Power (UL) (dBm): The transmission power of the subscribers terminal after power control in the
uplink.
Number of Used Resource Blocks (UL): The number of resource blocks being used by the subscriber in the
uplink.
Peak RLC Channel Throughput (UL) (kbps): The maximum RLC channel throughput attainable using the
highest bearer available at the serving transmitter of the subscriber in the uplink.
Effective RLC Channel Throughput (UL) (kbps): The effective RLC channel throughput attainable using the
highest bearer available at the serving transmitter of the subscriber in the uplink.
Note:
In Atoll, channel throughputs are peak RLC, effective RLC, or application level throughputs
achieved at a given location using the highest LTE bearer with the entire channel
resources.
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0.3.5
0.3.5.1
64
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If a user is rejected during step 2., step 3., or step 4., the cause of rejection is "No Service". If a user is rejected during
step 5., the cause of rejection can either be "Scheduler Saturation," i.e., the user is not among the users selected for re-
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65
0.3.5.2
Creating Simulations
In Atoll, simulations enable you to study the capacity of your LTE network and model the different network regulation
mechanisms, such as power control and scheduling, in order to optimise network performance and maximise capacity.
You can create one simulation or a group of simulations that will be performed in sequence. You must have at least one
traffic map or subscriber list in your document to be able to perform simulations.
To create a simulation or a group of simulations:
1. Click the Data tab in the Explorer window.
2. Right-click the LTE Simulations folder. The context menu appears.
3. Select New from the context menu. The properties dialogue for a new simulation or group of simulations appears.
4. On the General tab of the dialogue, enter a Name and Comments for this simulation or group of simulations.
5. Under Execution on the General tab, you can set the following parameters:
-
Number of Simulations: Enter the number of simulations to be carried out. All simulations created at the
same time are grouped together in a folder on the Data tab of the Explorer window.
Execute Later: If you select the Execute Later check box, the simulation will not be carried out until you click
the Calculate button (
). If the Execute Later check box is not selected, the simulation will be carried out
as soon as you click OK and close the dialogue.
Note:
Execute Later enables you to automatically calculate LTE coverage predictions after simulations with no intermediary step by creating your simulations, creating your predictions and
then clicking the Calculate button (
).
Global Scaling Factor: If desired, enter a scaling factor to increase user density.
The global scaling factor enables you to increase user density without changing traffic parameters or traffic
maps. For example, setting the global scaling factor to 2 is the same as doubling the initial number of subscribers (for environment and user profile traffic maps) or the rates/users (for live traffic maps per sector).
Select Traffic Maps to be Used: Select the traffic maps you want to use for the simulation.
Select Subscriber Lists to be Used: Select the subscriber lists you want to use for the simulation.
You can select traffic maps of any type. However, if you have several different types of traffic maps and want
to make a simulation on a specific type of traffic map, you must ensure that you select only traffic maps of the
same type. For information on the types of traffic maps, see "Creating a Traffic Map" on page 53.
Note:
When you perform simulations for subscriber lists, Atoll does not base the calculations on
subscriber lists on the path loss matrices calculated for transmitters. This is because the
path loss matrices are calculated for a given receiver height (1.5 m by default), but each
subscriber in a subscriber list can have a different height. Therefore, Atoll recalculates the
path loss, received power, and other output, for each subscriber when you perform simulations on subscribers.
Using the same generated user and shadowing error distribution for several simulations can
be useful when you want to compare the results of several simulations where only one
parameter changes.
66
Max Number of Iterations: Enter the maximum number of iterations that Atoll should run to make convergence.
DL Traffic Load Convergence Threshold: Enter the relative difference in terms of downlink traffic load that
must be reached between two iterations.
UL Traffic Load Convergence Threshold: Enter the relative difference in terms of uplink traffic load that
must be reached between two iterations.
UL Noise Rise Convergence Threshold: Enter the relative difference in terms of uplink noise rise that must
be reached between two iterations.
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0.3.5.3
0.3.5.3.1
You can make the traffic distribution easier to see by hiding geographic data and coverage
predictions. For information, see "Displaying or Hiding Objects on the Map Using the
Explorer" on page 36.
0.3.5.3.2
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67
0.3.5.3.3
0.3.5.3.4
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5. Click OK. The traffic distribution is now displayed by throughput (see Figure 0.49).
0.3.5.3.5
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69
0.3.5.3.6
In the map window, place the pointer over the user that you want more information on. After a brief pause, the
tooltip appears with the information defined in the Display tab of the LTE Simulations folder properties (see
Figure 0.51).
Figure 0.51: Displaying the traffic simulation results using tool tips
0.3.5.4
) to expand the folder of the simulation group containing the simulation whose results
Atoll calculates the total number of users who try to connect. This number is the result of the first random
trial; radio resource allocation has not yet finished. The result depends on the traffic description and traffic
input.
During the first random trial, each user is assigned a service and an activity status. The number of users
per activity status and the UL and DL throughput demands that all users could theoretically generate are
provided.
The breakdown per service (total number of users, number of users per activity status, and UL and DL
throughput demands) is given.
The Sites tab: The Sites tab contains the following information per site:
-
70
Peak RLC User Throughput (DL) (kbps): The sum of peak RLC user throughputs of all the users connected
in the downlink in all the cells of the site.
Effective RLC User Throughput (DL) (kbps): The sum of effective RLC user throughputs of all the users
connected in the downlink in all the cells of the site.
Application Level User Throughput (DL) (kbps): The sum of application level throughputs of all the users
connected in the downlink in all the cells of the site.
Peak RLC User Throughput (UL) (kbps): The sum of peak RLC user throughputs of all the users connected
in the uplink in all the cells of the site.
Effective RLC User Throughput (UL) (kbps): The sum of effective RLC user throughputs of all the users
connected in the uplink in all the cells of the site.
Application Level User Throughput (UL) (kbps): The sum of application level throughputs of all the users
connected in the uplink in all the cells of the site.
Peak RLC User Throughput (DL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of peak RLC user
throughputs of the users connected in the downlink in all the cells of the site.
Effective RLC User Throughput (DL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of effective RLC
user throughputs of the users connected in the downlink in all the cells of the site.
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Application Level User Throughput (DL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of application
level throughputs of the users connected in the downlink in all the cells of the site.
Peak RLC User Throughput (UL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of peak RLC user
throughputs of the users connected in the uplink in all the cells of the site.
Effective RLC User Throughput (UL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of effective RLC
user throughputs of the users connected in the uplink in all the cells of the site.
Application Level User Throughput (UL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of application
level throughputs of the users connected in the uplink in all the cells of the site.
The Cells tab: The Cells tab contains the following information, per site and transmitter:
-
Traffic Load (DL) (%): The traffic loads of the cells calculated on the downlink during the simulation.
Traffic Load (UL) (%): The traffic loads of the cells calculated on the uplink during the simulation.
UL Noise Rise (dB): The noise rise of the cells calculated on the uplink during the simulation.
Peak RLC User Throughput (DL) (kbps): The sum of peak RLC user throughputs of all the users connected
in the downlink.
Effective RLC User Throughput (DL) (kbps): The sum of effective RLC user throughputs of all the users
connected in the downlink.
Application Level User Throughput (DL) (kbps): The sum of application level throughputs of all the users
connected in the downlink.
Peak RLC User Throughput (UL) (kbps): The sum of peak RLC user throughputs of all the users connected
in the uplink.
Effective RLC User Throughput (UL) (kbps): The sum of effective RLC user throughputs of all the users
connected in the uplink.
Application Level User Throughput (UL) (kbps): The sum of application level throughputs of all the users
connected in the uplink.
Peak RLC User Throughput (DL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of peak RLC user
throughputs of the users connected in the downlink.
Effective RLC User Throughput (DL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of effective RLC
user throughputs of the users connected in the downlink.
Application Level User Throughput (DL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of application
level throughputs of the users connected in the downlink.
Peak RLC User Throughput (UL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of peak RLC user
throughputs of the users connected in the uplink.
Effective RLC User Throughput (UL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of effective RLC
user throughputs of the users connected in the uplink.
Application Level User Throughput (UL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of application
level throughputs of the users connected in the uplink.
The Mobiles tab: The Mobiles tab contains the following information:
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X and Y: The coordinates of users who attempt to connect (the geographic position is determined by the
second random trial).
Height: The height of the user terminal (antenna).
User Profile: The assigned user profile. Atoll uses the assigned service and activity status to determine the
terminal and the user profile.
Service: The service assigned during the first random trial during the generation of the user distribution.
Terminal: The assigned terminal. Atoll uses the assigned service and activity status to determine the terminal
and the user profile.
Mobility: The mobility type assigned during the first random trial during the generation of the user distribution.
Activity Status: The assigned activity status. It can be DL, UL, or DL+UL.
Connection Status: The connection status indicates whether the user is connected or rejected at the end of
the simulation. If connected, the connection status corresponds to the activity status. If rejected, the rejection
cause is given.
Clutter Class: The code of the clutter class where the user is located.
Subscriber ID: The ID of the user if the user is generated from a subscriber list and not from a traffic map.
Subscriber List: The subscriber list of the user if the user is generated from a subscriber list and not from a
traffic map.
Indoor: This field indicates whether indoor losses have been added or not.
Serving Base Station: The serving transmitter of the subscriber.
Reference Cell: The reference cell of the serving transmitter of the subscriber.
Total Path Loss (dB): The path loss calculated for the user.
Received Power (DL) (dBm): The signal level received at the user location in the downlink.
Azimuth: The orientation of the users terminal antenna in the horizontal plane. Azimuth is always considered
with respect to the North. Atoll points the user antenna towards its serving base station.
Downtilt: The orientation of the users terminal antenna in the vertical plane. Mechanical downtilt is positive
when it is downwards and negative when upwards. Atoll points the user antenna towards its serving base station.
Interference + Noise (DL) (dBm): The interference + noise level experienced at the user location in the downlink.
C/(I+N) (DL) (dB): The C/(I+N) at the user location in the downlink.
Bearer (DL): The highest LTE bearer available for the C/(I+N) level at the user location in the downlink.
BLER (DL): The Block Error Rate read from the user terminals reception equipment for the C/(I+N) level at
the user location in the downlink.
Peak RLC Channel Throughput (DL) (kbps): The maximum RLC channel throughput attainable using the
highest bearer available at the user location in the downlink.
71
Effective RLC Channel Throughput (DL) (kbps): The effective RLC channel throughput attainable using the
highest bearer available at the user location in the downlink. It is calculated from the peak RLC throughput and
the BLER.
Application Level Channel Throughput (DL) (kbps): The application level throughput is the net throughput
without coding (redundancy, overhead, addressing, etc.). It is calculated from the effective RLC throughput,
the throughput scaling factor of the service and the throughput offset.
Peak RLC User Throughput (DL) (kbps): The maximum RLC user throughput attainable using the highest
bearer available at the user location in the downlink.
Effective RLC User Throughput (DL) (kbps): The effective RLC user throughput attainable using the highest
bearer available at the user location in the downlink. It is calculated from the peak RLC throughput and the
BLER.
Application Level User Throughput (DL) (kbps): The application level throughput is the net throughput
without coding (redundancy, overhead, addressing, etc.). It is calculated from the effective RLC throughput,
the throughput scaling factor of the service and the throughput offset.
Received Power (UL) (dBm): The signal level received at the serving transmitter from the user terminal in
the uplink.
Interference + Noise (UL) (dBm): The interference + noise level experienced at the serving transmitter of the
user in the uplink.
C/(I+N) (UL) (dB): The C/(I+N) at the serving transmitter of the user in the uplink.
Bearer (UL): The highest LTE bearer available for the C/(I+N) level at the serving transmitter of the user in
the uplink.
BLER (UL): The Block Error Rate read from the reference cells reception equipment for the C/(I+N) level at
the serving transmitter of the user in the uplink.
Transmission Power (UL) (dBm): The transmission power of the user terminal after power control in the
uplink.
Number of Used Resource Blocks (UL): The number of resource blocks being used by the user in the uplink.
Peak RLC Channel Throughput (UL) (kbps): The maximum RLC channel throughput attainable using the
highest bearer available at the serving transmitter of the user in the uplink.
Effective RLC Channel Throughput (UL) (kbps): The effective RLC channel throughput attainable using the
highest bearer available at the serving transmitter of the user in the uplink. It is calculated from the peak RLC
throughput and the BLER.
Application Level Channel Throughput (UL) (kbps): The application level throughput is the net throughput
without coding (redundancy, overhead, addressing, etc.). It is calculated from the effective RLC throughput,
the throughput scaling factor of the service and the throughput offset.
Peak RLC User Throughput (UL) (kbps): The maximum RLC user throughput attainable using the highest
bearer available at the serving transmitter of the user in the uplink.
Effective RLC User Throughput (UL) (kbps): The effective RLC user throughput attainable using the highest
bearer available at the serving transmitter of the user in the uplink. It is calculated from the peak RLC
throughput and the BLER.
Application Level User Throughput (UL) (kbps): The application level throughput is the net throughput
without coding (redundancy, overhead, addressing, etc.). It is calculated from the effective RLC throughput,
the throughput scaling factor of the service and the throughput offset.
Notes:
In Atoll, channel throughputs are peak RLC, effective RLC, or application level throughputs
achieved at a given location using the highest LTE bearer with the entire channel resources.
If a user is rejected, his user throughput is zero.
The Initial Conditions tab: The Initial Conditions tab contains the following information:
-
0.3.5.5
The parameters related to the clutter classes, including the default values.
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Atoll calculates the total number of users who try to connect. This number is the result of the first random
trial; radio resource allocation has not yet finished. The result depends on the traffic description and traffic
input.
During the first random trial, each user is assigned a service and an activity status. The number of users
per activity status and the UL and DL throughput demands that all users could theoretically generate are
provided.
The breakdown per service (total number of users, number of users per activity status, and UL and DL
throughput demands) is given.
The Sites (Average) tab: The Sites (Average) tab contains the following information per site:
-
Peak RLC User Throughput (DL) (kbps): The sum of peak RLC user throughputs of all the users connected
in the downlink in all the cells of the site.
Effective RLC User Throughput (DL) (kbps): The sum of effective RLC user throughputs of all the users
connected in the downlink in all the cells of the site.
Application Level User Throughput (DL) (kbps): The sum of application level throughputs of all the users
connected in the downlink in all the cells of the site.
Peak RLC User Throughput (UL) (kbps): The sum of peak RLC user throughputs of all the users connected
in the uplink in all the cells of the site.
Effective RLC User Throughput (UL) (kbps): The sum of effective RLC user throughputs of all the users
connected in the uplink in all the cells of the site.
Application Level User Throughput (UL) (kbps): The sum of application level throughputs of all the users
connected in the uplink in all the cells of the site.
Peak RLC User Throughput (DL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of peak RLC user
throughputs of the users connected in the downlink in all the cells of the site.
Effective RLC User Throughput (DL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of effective RLC
user throughputs of the users connected in the downlink in all the cells of the site.
Application Level User Throughput (DL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of application
level throughputs of the users connected in the downlink in all the cells of the site.
Peak RLC User Throughput (UL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of peak RLC user
throughputs of the users connected in the uplink in all the cells of the site.
Effective RLC User Throughput (UL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of effective RLC
user throughputs of the users connected in the uplink in all the cells of the site.
Application Level User Throughput (UL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of application
level throughputs of the users connected in the uplink in all the cells of the site.
The Cells (Average) tab: The Cells (Average) tab contains the following average information, per site and transmitter:
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Traffic Load (DL) (%): The traffic loads of the cells calculated on the downlink during the simulation.
Traffic Load (UL) (%): The traffic loads of the cells calculated on the uplink during the simulation.
UL Noise Rise (dB): The noise rise of the cells calculated on the uplink during the simulation.
Peak RLC User Throughput (DL) (kbps): The sum of peak RLC user throughputs of all the users connected
in the downlink.
Effective RLC User Throughput (DL) (kbps): The sum of effective RLC user throughputs of all the users
connected in the downlink.
Application Level User Throughput (DL) (kbps): The sum of application level throughputs of all the users
connected in the downlink.
Peak RLC User Throughput (UL) (kbps): The sum of peak RLC user throughputs of all the users connected
in the uplink.
Effective RLC User Throughput (UL) (kbps): The sum of effective RLC user throughputs of all the users
connected in the uplink.
Application Level User Throughput (UL) (kbps): The sum of application level throughputs of all the users
connected in the uplink.
Peak RLC User Throughput (DL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of peak RLC user
throughputs of the users connected in the downlink.
Effective RLC User Throughput (DL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of effective RLC
user throughputs of the users connected in the downlink.
Application Level User Throughput (DL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of application
level throughputs of the users connected in the downlink.
Peak RLC User Throughput (UL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of peak RLC user
throughputs of the users connected in the uplink.
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0.3.5.6
Effective RLC User Throughput (UL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of effective RLC
user throughputs of the users connected in the uplink.
Application Level User Throughput (UL) (kbps) For Each Service: For each service, the sum of application
level throughputs of the users connected in the uplink.
) to expand the folder of the simulation group containing the simulation whose re-
d. Select Properties from the context menu. The simulation properties dialogue appears.
2. Click the Cells tab.
3. On the Cells tab, click Commit Results. The following values are updated for each cell:
-
0.3.5.7
0.3.6
74
Coverage by C/(I+N) Level: For information on making a downlink or uplink coverage by C/(I+N) level, see
"Making a Coverage by C/(I+N) Level" on page 41.
Coverage by Best Bearer: For information on making a downlink or uplink coverage by best bearer, see "Making
a Coverage by Best Bearer" on page 43.
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Coverage by Throughput: For information on making a downlink or uplink coverage by throughput, see "Making
a Coverage by Throughput" on page 45.
When no simulations are available, you select "(Cells Table)" from the Load Conditions list, on the Condition tab.
However, when simulations are available you can base the coverage prediction on one simulation or a group of simulations.
To base a coverage prediction on a simulation or group of simulations, when setting the parameters:
1. Click the Condition tab.
2. From the Load Conditions list, select the simulation or group of simulations on which you want to base the coverage prediction.
0.4
Advanced Configuration
The following sections describe different advanced parameters and options available in the LTE module that are used in
coverage predictions as well as Monte Carlo simulations.
In this section, the following advanced configuration options are explained:
0.4.1
Name: Enter a name for the frequency band, for example, "1.91 GHz - 5 MHz." Each LTE frequency band has
a specific channel bandwidth. Mentioning the channel bandwidth in the frequency band name is a good
approach. This name will appear in other dialogues when you select a frequency band.
Channel Width (MHz): Enter the channel bandwidth for each channel in the frequency band.
First Channel: Enter the number of the first channel in this frequency band.
Last Channel: Enter the number of the last channel in this frequency band. If this frequency band has only
one carrier, enter the same number as entered in the First Channel field.
Note:
The relationship between the frequency band (spectrum), the channel width, and the channel numbers can be defined as:
Frequency Band Width = Channel Bandwidth x (Last Channel + 1 - First Channel)
So, if you have a frequency band of 15 MHz, and you are deploying your network with
3 MHz allocated to each cell, you can find the First and Last Channel numbers by:
Last Channel - First Channel = (Frequency Band Width / Channel Bandwidth) - 1
If you plan to keep the First Channel number = 0, for our example:
Last Channel = (15 MHz / 3 MHz) - 1 = 4
Excluded Channels: Enter the channel numbers which do not constitute the frequency band.
Start Frequencies (MHz): Enter the start frequency for TDD frequency bands, and the downlink and the
uplink start frequencies for FDD frequency bands.
Adjacent Channel Suppression Factor (dB): Enter the adjacent channel interference suppression factor in
dB. Interference received from adjacent channels is reduced by this factor during the calculations.
Sampling Frequency: Enter the sampling frequency used for the channel bandwidth.
Duplexing Method: Select the duplexing method used in the frequency band from the list.
Number of Resource Blocks: Enter the number of resource blocks used for the channel bandwidth.
0.4.2
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0.4.2.1
Default Cyclic Prefix: The total symbol duration in LTE comprises the useful part of the symbol, carrying the data
bits, and a cyclic prefix part, which is a portion of the useful data part repeated at the beginning of each symbol.
The cyclic prefix is the method used by LTE to counter inter-symbol interference (ISI). The cyclic prefix and the
orthogonality of subcarriers ensure that there is negligible intra-cell interference in LTE. LTE supports two cyclix
prefix types: normal and extended.
Fixed control channel overheads: The fixed control channel overheads in the downlink and uplink subframes
are used to model the PDCCH and PUCCH overheads, resepectively. The PDCCH can take up to 3 symbol durations in each resource block in the downlink. Whereas the PUCCH can take a number of resource blocks in the
uplink. This is the reason why the PDCCH overhead is available in terms of symbol duration (SD) and the PUCCH
overhead in terms of resource blocks. The PDCCH is considered to include the PFICH and PHICH as well.
The PBCH, P-SCH, S-SCH, and the downlink reference signals consume a fixed amount of resource elements in
the downlink. Similarly, the uplink demodulation and sounding reference signals consume a fixed amount of
resource elements in the uplink. These downlink and uplink overheads are hard-coded in Atoll and cannot be
changed.
Switching Point Periodicity (TDD only): For the TDD LTE frame, the switching point can either be after each
half-frame or each frame. You can select the frame configuration, i.e., the configuration of uplink and downlink
subframes in a frame, for each cell according to the selected switching point periodicity.
Uplink power control margin: The margin (in dB) that will be added to the bearer selection threshold of the
highest bearer for safety against fast fading when performing power control on the uplink.
Figure 0.52 and Figure 0.53 give examples of downlink and uplink FDD resource blocks for the single antenna case using
the normal cyclic prefix. an LTE frame with the described parameters marked.
0.4.2.2
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Frame Structure: In this section (see Figure 0.54), you can modify the following: the Default Cyclic Prefix
and the fixed overheads for the uplink and the downlink subframes, and, for TDD networks, the switching point
periodicity.
Power Control: In this section, you can enter the Uplink Power Control Margin.
0.4.3
In the Atoll LTE module, a "bearer" refers to a combination of MCS, i.e., modulation, and
coding schemes.
The LTE Bearers table lists the radio bearers available in Atoll by default. You can add, remove, and modify bearer properties, if you wish.
To define LTE bearers:
1. Click the Data tab of the Explorer window.
2. Right-click the Transmitters folder. The context menu appears.
3. Select Network Settings > LTE Bearers from the context menu. The LTE Bearers table appears.
4. In the table, enter one bearer per row. For information on working with data tables, see "Working with Data Tables"
on page 57. For each LTE bearer, enter:
-
Radio Bearer Index: Enter a bearer index. This bearer index is used to identify the bearer in other tables,
such as the bearer selection thresholds and the quality graphs in LTE reception equipment.
Name: Enter a name for the bearer, for example, "16QAM3/4." This name will appear in other dialogues and
results.
Modulation: Select a modulation from the list of available modulation types. This column is for information
and display purposes only.
Bearer Efficiency (bits/symbol): Enter the number of useful bits that the bearer can transfer in a symbol.
This information is used in throughput calculations.
For information on the relation between bearer efficiency and spectral efficiency, see "Relation Between
Bearer Efficiency And Spectral Efficiency" on page 86.
0.4.4
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77
Name: Enter a name for the quality indicator, for example, "BLER" for Block Error Rate. This name will appear
in other dialogues and results.
Used for Data Services: Select this check box to indicate that this quality indicator can be used for data services.
Used for Voice Services: Select this check box to indicate that this quality indicator can be used for voice
services.
0.4.5
Bearer Selection Thresholds: In this tab (see Figure 0.55), you can modify the Bearer Selection Thresholds for different mobility types. A bearer is selected for data transfer at a given pixel if the received carrierto-interference-and-noise ratio is higher than its selection threshold. For more information on bearers and
mobility types, see "Defining LTE Radio Bearers" on page 77 and "Modelling Mobility Types" on page 38,
respectively.
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Quality Graphs: On this tab (see Figure 0.57), you can modify the Quality Indicator Graphs for different
bearers for different mobility types. These graphs depict the behaviour of various quality indicators under different radio conditions. For more information on bearers, quality indicators, and mobility types, see "Defining
LTE Radio Bearers" on page 77, "Defining LTE Quality Indicators" on page 77, and "Modelling Mobility Types"
on page 38, respectively.
0.4.6
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79
Proportional Fair: The proportional fair scheduling method allocates the same amount of resources to all the
users with a maximum throughput demand. Therefore, the resources allocated to each user are either the
resources it requires to achieve its maximum throughput demand or the total amount of resources divided by
the total number of users in the cell, which ever is smaller.
Proportional Demand: The proportional demand scheduling method allocates resources proportional to the
demands of users who have a maximum throughput demand. Therefore, users with higher maximum
throughput demands will have higher resulting throughputs than the users with lower maximum throughput
demands.
Max Aggregate Throughput: This scheduling method allocates the resources required by the users to
achieve their maximum throughput demands in the order of their C/(I+N). This means that users who are under
good radio conditions, high C/(I+N), will get all the resources they require. The end result of this scheduling
method is that the aggregate cell throughputs are maximised.
For all the scheduling methods, resources are allocated to support the maximum throughput demand until either
the maximum throughput demands of all the users are satisfied or the scheduler runs out of resources.
The Schedulers table lists the schedulers available in Atoll by default. You can add, remove, and modify scheduler properties, if you wish.
To define LTE schedulers:
1. Click the Data tab of the Explorer window.
2. Right-click the Transmitters folder. The context menu appears.
3. Select Network Settings > Schedulers from the context menu. The Schedulers table appears.
4. In the table, enter one scheduler per row. For information on working with data tables, see "Working with Data
Tables" on page 57. For each scheduler, enter:
-
Name: Enter a name for the scheduler. This name will appear in the cell properties.
Scheduling Method: Select the scheduling method used by the scheduler for allocating resources to support
the maximum throughput demands.
Target Throughput for Voice Services: Select the throughput that the scheduler will target to satisfy for all
voice-type services.
Target Throughput for Data Services: Select the throughput that the scheduler will target to satisfy for all
data-type services.
0.4.7
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RX
0.4.7.1
You can access the Max MIMO Gain Graph dialogue of each MIMO configuration by double-clicking the corresponding record in the MIMO Configurations table.
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81
N Ant
C
TX
RX
- ----------------- is the channel capacity at a given C/(I+N) for a MIMO
Where CC MIMO = Min ( N Ant, N Ant ) Log 2 1 + ----------TX
(
I
+
N )
N Ant
TX
RX
C
system using N Ant transmission and N Ant reception antennas. CC SISO = Log 2 1 + ----------------- is the channel capacity for
( I + N )
a single antenna system at a given C/(I+N). C/(I+N) is used as a ratio (not dB) in these formulas.
You can create and modify MIMO configurations using MIMO capacity gain graphs generated through MIMO simulators
or measurements from an existing network.
To create MIMO capacity gain graphs from measurement data:
TX
RX
3. Measure the SISO throughputs at different C/(I+N) levels, i.e., for N Ant = N Ant = 1 .
TX
RX
4. Measure the MIMO throughputs at the same C/(I+N) levels, i.e., for the numbers of antennas N Ant and N Ant
used.
5. Calculate the MIMO capacity gains for the C/(I+N) levels, at which you measured the throughputs, by taking the
ratio between the MIMO and the SISO throughputs.
6. Create a new MIMO configuration in Atoll for the number of transmission and reception antennas, and enter the
graph of MIMO capacity gain vs. C/(I+N).
0.4.8
Modelling Shadowing
Shadowing, or slow fading, is signal loss along a path that is caused by obstructions not taken into consideration by the
propagation model. Even when a receiver remains in the same location or in the same clutter class, there are variations
in reception due to the surrounding environment.
Normally, the signal received at any given point is spread on a gaussian curve around an average value and a specific
standard deviation. If the propagation model is correctly calibrated, the average of the results it gives should be correct.
In other words, in 50% of the measured cases, the result will be better and in 50% of the measured cases, the result will
be worse.
Atoll uses a model standard deviation for the clutter class with the defined cell edge coverage probability to model the
effect of shadowing and thereby create coverage predictions that are reliable more than fifty percent of the time. The additional losses or gains caused by shadowing are known as the shadowing margin. The shadowing margin is added to the
path losses calculated by the propagation model.
For example, a properly calibrated propagation model calculates a loss leading to a signal level of -70 dBm. You have set
a cell edge coverage probability of 85%. If the calculated shadowing margin is 7 dB for a specific point, the target signal
will be equal to or greater than -77 dBm 85% of the time.
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A point analysis (see "Making a Point Analysis to Study the Profile" on page 16)
A coverage prediction (see "Studying Signal Level Coverage" on page 17).
Atoll always takes shadowing into consideration when calculating a Monte Carlo-based LTE simulation. Atoll uses the
values defined for the Model Standard Deviations per clutter class when calculating the signal level coverage predictions.
Atoll uses the values defined for the C/I Standard Deviations per clutter class when calculating the LTE coverage predictions.
You can display the shadowing margins per clutter class. For information, see "Displaying the Shadowing Margins per
Clutter Class" on page 83.
0.4.8.1
Cell Edge Coverage Probability: Enter the probability of coverage at the edge of the cell. The value you enter
in this dialogue is for information only.
Standard Deviation: Select the type of standard deviation to be used to calculate the shadowing margin:
-
From Model: The model standard deviation. Atoll will display the shadowing margin of the signal level.
C/I: The C/I standard deviation. Atoll will display the C/I shadowing margin.
0.5
"Obtaining User Throughputs for All the Subscribers of a Subscriber List" on page 83.
"Working With User Densities Instead of User Profiles" on page 84.
"Limiting the Coverage Range of Transmitters in Order to Avoid Uplink-to-Downlink Interference in TDD Networks"
on page 84.
"Bearer Selection Thresholds" on page 85.
"Calculating Bearer Selection Thresholds From Receiver Sensitivity Values" on page 85.
"Relation Between Bearer Efficiency And Spectral Efficiency" on page 86.
"Displaying Coverage by Bearer Names" on page 86.
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Calls/Hour = 1.
Duration (sec.) = 3600.
Calls/Hour = 1.
UL Volume (KBytes) = UL Average Throughput x 3600 / 8.
DL Volume (KBytes) = DL Average Throughput x 3600 / 8.
Where the UL Average Throughput and the DL Average Throughput are the uplink and downlink average
requested throughputs, respectively, of the service mentioned in the user profile.
Calls/Hour = 1.
Duration (sec.) = 3600.
Calls/Hour = 1.
UL Volume (KBytes) = UL Average Throughput x 3600 / 8.
DL Volume (KBytes) = DL Average Throughput x 3600 / 8.
Where the UL Average Throughput and the DL Average Throughput are the uplink and downlink average
requested throughputs, respectively, of the service defined in the user profile.
The above settings will set the user connection probabilities to 100 %. If you create a traffic map based on environment
classes, the user density values that you define in your environment classes will be the actual user densities. This means
that, for X users/km defined in the environment class for a given user profile, the Monte Carlo simulator will generate
exactly X users/km for each service of the user profile.
In this way, you can know the exact number of connected users and their services generated during the simulations beforehand.
This procedure should only be used when appropriate traffic data is not available.
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Bearer
1%
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
BLER
2%
5%
10 %
1.4
0.8
0.5
4.7
4.3
3.9
3.7
7.9
7.8
7.2
6.9
10.3
9.9
9.6
9.1
14.7
14.2
13.9
13.6
18.9
18.5
17.8
17.3
18.7
18.3
17.7
17.2
20.2
19.9
19.3
18.7
23.8
23.7
23.2
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bps Hz
Where BLER is the Block Error Rate, r is the coding rate for the bearer, and M is the number of modulation states. For
simplification, we set BLER = 0, and use QPSK1/2, i.e., four modulation states and r = 0.5. With these values, we get a
spectral efficiency of 1 bps/Hz for QPSK1/2. In other words, a communication channel using QPSK1/2 modulation and
coding scheme can send 1 bps of useful data per unit bandwidth.
In order to compare the bearer efficiency and spectral efficiency of QPSK1/2, lets say that QPSK1/2 has a bearer efficiency of 1 bits/symbol. Here as well, the number of bits refers to useful data bits. The width of a symbol in LTE is
1
F = 15 kHz , from which we can calculate the useful symbol duration as well: T U = ------- = 66.67 sec . In one
F
second, there can be 1 sec 66.67 sec = 15000 symbol durations. If 15000 symbols are transmitted using QPSK1/2,
this gives us a data rate of 15000 Symbols/sec 1 bits/Symbol = 15000 bps , which is the data rate achievable using
one subcarrier of 15 kHz. We can find the spectral efficiency by normalizing the data rate to unit bandwidth. This gives:
15000 bps/subcarrier 15 kHz/subcarrier = 1 bps/Hz
In order to compare similar quantities, we have ignored the system parameters such as the cyclic prefix, TTG, RTG, and
have considered that the entire frame is transmitted in one direction, uplink or downlink.
Create a coverage prediction by best LTE bearer as explained in "Making a Coverage by Best Bearer" on page 43,
except for the following differences:
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User: A general term that can also designate a subscriber, mobile, and receiver.
Mobile: Users generated and distributed during simulations. These users have, among other parameters, defined
services, terminal types, and mobility types assigned for the duration of the simulations.
Receiver: A probe mobile, with the minimum required parameters needed for the calculation of path loss, used
for propagation loss and raster coverage predictions.
Bearer: A Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) used to carry data over the channel.
Peak RLC Throughput: The maximum RLC layer throughput (user or channel) that can be achieved at a given
location using the highest LTE bearer. This throughput is the raw data rate without considering the effects of
retransmission due to errors and higher layer coding and encryption.
Effective RLC Throughput: The net RLC layer throughput (user or channel) that can be achieved at a given location using the highest LTE bearer computed taking into account the reduction of throughput due to retransmission
due to errors.
Application Throughput: The application layer throughput (user or channel) that can be achieved at a given location using the highest LTE bearer computed taking into account the reduction of throughput due to PDU/SDU
header information, padding, encryption, coding, and other types of overhead.
Channel Throughputs: Peak RLC, effective RLC or application level throughputs achieved at a given location
using the highest LTE bearer with the entire channel resources.
User Throughputs: Peak RLC, effective RLC or application level throughputs achieved at a given location using
the highest LTE bearer with the amount of resources allocated to a user by the scheduler.
Traffic Loads: The uplink and downlink traffic loads are the percentages of the uplink and the downlink subframes
in use (allocated) to the traffic (mobiles) in the uplink and in the downlink, respectively.
Uplink Noise Rise: Uplink noise rise is the measurement of uplink interference with respect to the uplink noise.
I UL + N UL
NR UL = -----------------------N UL
Resources: In Atoll, the term "resource" is used to refer to the average number of resource units, which is
expressed in % (as traffic loads, when the average is performed over a considerably long duration) of the total
number of resource units in a superframe of 1 sec.
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