Planet EV 3.1 Training Manual

3.1

Cover Page

Planet EV Training Manual

December 10, 2003

Copyright © 2002, 2003 Metapath Software International (US), Inc. A Marconi Company

Notice This document contains confidential and proprietary information of Metapath Software International (US), Inc., a Marconi company (“MSI” or “Marconi”) and may not be copied, transmitted, stored in a retrieval system, or reproduced in any format or media, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of Marconi. Information contained in this document supersedes that found in any previous manuals, guides, specifications data sheets, or other information that may have been provided or made available to the user. This document is provided for informational purposes only, and Marconi does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, quality, validity, completeness or suitability for any purpose the information contained in this document. Marconi may update, improve, and enhance this document and the products to which it relates at any time without prior notice to the user. MARCONI MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO THIS DOCUMENT OR THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. Trademark Acknowledgement Marconi, Metapath, Ceer, Planet NOVA, Ceos, Planet, and deciBel Planner are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Marconi group of wireless telecommunication companies which include MSI, Metapath Software International Limited, and Northwood Technologies, Inc. WaveSight is a trademark of WaveCall. This document may contain other trademarks, trade names, or service marks of other organizations, each of which is the property of its respective owner.

Contents Welcome

Planet EV training overview Course schedule Course format Using this training manual Planet EV data set Using the Planet EV documentation Online Help Resource Roadmap Printing Library Search Tutorials “How To” Help “What’s This?” Help User Guides Planet EV Documentation Library Notational conventions Textual conventions Icons

Introduction to Planet EV

3 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 6

Getting technical support

7

Course evaluation

8

Elements of the Planet EV user interface Project Explorer Menus

Planet EV basic terminology Planet EV predictions and network analysis Path loss and signal strength Coverage layer Interference layer

Establishing a Planet EV General Project Workflow

2 2 2 2 3 3

10 10 10

11 11 11 11 12

Grid and vector files Files and folder structure

12 12

Workflow for a Planet EV General project

16

Introduction Workflow for creating a project Creating a General project

20 21 22

Introduction Workflow for configuring and placing sites

32 33

LESSON 1 Creating a Project

LESSON 2 Configuring and Placing Sites

i

Contents Planet EV 3.1 Training DRAFT

Creating a site configuration Using antenna patterns Editing, moving, and deleting sites Creating a sector group Working with flags Global editing of site tables

34 39 41 42 44 46

Introduction

50

LESSON 3 Tuning the Predict Propagation Model

Filtering the survey data Averaging your survey data Understanding the Predict propagation model Factors affecting path loss and signal strength predictions Clutter Interpreting a CAL value

Workflow for tuning the Predict propagation model Tuning the Predict model with one set of survey data Setting the model parameters and editing the .cpa file Exploring the Propagation Model Editor The Settings tab The Clutter Properties tab The Rain Attenuation tab The Advanced tab

Understanding analysis parameters and associated files Setting up the CRC-Predict model and the .cpa file Analyzing the tuned Predict model Using delta surveys Getting information on analysis layers The Grid Info tool The Analysis Info tool

50 50 51 52 53 53

54 54 59 60 60 62 62 62

63 63 66 68 68 68 68

LESSON 4 Tuning the Planet General Propagation Model

Introduction Understanding the Model Tuning tool Automatic Model Tuner

Workflow for tuning the Planet General model Tuning the Planet General model Examining the General tab

Examining the Planet General Model path loss equation Sources of path loss

72 72 72

73 73 75

76 77

LESSON 5 Importing Network Data

ii

Introduction Workflow for using network data Importing Network Data to Planet EV Binding the data using binding rules Displaying the Network Data

82 82 83 84 86


LESSON 6 Creating Traffic Maps

Introduction Workflow for generating a traffic map Creating a traffic map based on regional subscriber data Adding roads to a traffic map Applying clutter weighting to a traffic map Scaling a traffic map for network growth Converting a traffic map

90 90 91 93 95 97 98

LESSON 7 Creating Interference Matrices

Introduction Workflow for generating an interference matrix Creating a merged interference matrix Creating a Modeled interference matrix based on a traffic map Creating a Network Data interference matrix Creating a Local Knowledge interference matrix

102 104 105 105 108 110

Merging the interference matrices by priority Merging network data matrices by weighted sum

112 115

Introduction Workflow for generating neighbor lists Generate a best server neighbor list Generating a neighbor list based on an interference matrix Setting handover priorities Comparing two neighbor lists Displaying a neighbor list in a Map window

118 118 119 120 123 124 124

Introduction Workflow for working with spatial data Using the Grid Calculator

128 128 128

LESSON 8 Generating Neighbor Lists

LESSON 9 Working with Spatial Data

Performing calculations on grids

129

Creating grid queries Determining the number of users located in a sector coverage area

130 133

Introduction Workflow for building a project area Trimming grids Splicing grids

138 138 139 140

LESSON 10 Building a Project Area

Merging grids

Reclassifying grids Converting a numeric grid to a classified grid Resizing grids Reprojecting grids

140

141 142 144 144

iii


LESSON 11 Working with Layout Windows

iv

Introduction Workflow for working with layout windows Creating a legend for the map Creating a legend for cartographic symbols Opening a graphics file Creating a layout Manipulating frames in the layout window Modifying layout window content

148 148 148 151 152 153 154 156

Welcome

Welcome to the Planet EV training course! This chapter presents an overview of the course schedule and format, and describes how to use this training manual and other user documentation.

1

Planet EV training overview Over the next few days, you will learn about the many features of Planet EV. Your instructor will guide you through an RF engineering workflow so that you can practice using Planet EV to perform network planning activities.

Course schedule During this course, you will learn about and practice the procedures that you need in order to use Planet EV effectively in your daily work. In order to meet the needs of each class, the schedule and the time spent on each topic may vary between courses. You will have a break every couple of hours and a one-hour lunch break around noon each day.

Course format The instructor will facilitate the following types of activities: ■ Lecture

■

to describe technical information to explain concepts to introduce activities Guided practice

■

to demonstrate the use of Planet EV features and functionality to provide suggestions for using Planet EV effectively Hands-on practice

■

■

■

■

■

■

to give you the opportunity to perform procedures at your own pace

Using this training manual This manual contains commonly used procedures as well as background information that explains when and why you would perform each procedure. Each lesson in this training manual contains the following types of information: ■ Learning objectives—what you will be able to do after completing the lesson ■

■

2

Process flow—a high-level view of the steps required to complete a task Background information—what you need to know about a Planet EV feature before you begin a related procedure

Planet EV 3.1 Training DRAFT

Welcome ■

■

Procedure introductions—the what, when, and why for each procedure Step-by-step procedures—how to perform a task and to obtain the expected results

Planet EV data set A data set has been installed on the computer that you will use during this course. Details about the data set appear in the relevant sections of the training manual.

Using the Planet EV documentation Before using the Planet EV documentation available from the Help menu, you should be familiar with the Windows environment. It is assumed that you know how to access ToolTips and shortcut menus; move and copy objects; resize dialog boxes; expand and collapse folder trees; and that you are familiar with the basic functions of MapInfo Professional. MapInfo Professional functions are not documented in the User Guides. For information about MapInfo Professional, see the MapInfo online Help and User Guide. All Planet EV product information is available through the online Help. You access online Help using the Help menu or context-sensitive Help from within a dialog box by pressing the F1 key. If you want to view the online Help for a specific panel or tab, click in a field or list box to activate the panel or tab before you press F1. The following sections describe the structure of the online Help.

Online Help From the Help menu, you can access online Help for Wireless Network Planning software and for MapInfo Professional. This section describes the structure of the Wireless Network Planning online Help. The online Help provides extensive help on all aspects of software use. It provides ■ help on all dialog boxes ■

procedures for using the software

■

an extensive documentation library in PDF format

■

■

basic exercises to familiarize you with the software, to be used in conjunction with the data set available from the Wireless Network Planning software download area User Guides

The following sections provide details about the resources available through the online Help.


3

Resource Roadmap

When you first use the online Help, start with the Resource Roadmap. It describes the types of resources available in the online Help and explains how best to use them. It includes a step-by-step guide that walks you through the available resources. Printing

You have two basic options for printing documents: ■ If you want a good quality print of a single procedure or section, you can print from the online Help window. Click Print in the Help Topics window. ■

If you want a high quality print of a complete User Guide, use Acrobat Reader to print the supplied print-ready PDF file contained in the documentation library. Open the PDF file and choose File ➤ Print.

Library Search

You can perform a full-text search on all PDF files contained in the Documentation Library if you are using the version of Adobe Acrobat Reader supplied with the software or if you have a version of Acrobat Reader that supports full-text searches. The first time you perform a search, you must choose which index to use. You can perform a search on all online Help files by clicking the Search tab in the Help Topics window. Clicking List Topics displays all help topics that contain the search string that you entered. The online Help duplicates the information found in the User Guide PDF files in order to provide more complete results. It does not duplicate the information in the Technical Notes, Release Notes, Glossary, or newsletters. Tutorials

Tutorials are designed to enable you to quickly explore product functionality and to familiarize you with the software interface. They come with a data set that enables you to work through each lesson. Tutorials are not available with all products. “How To” Help

“How To” Help provides detailed procedures for performing all required product functions. The organization of this section reflects a typical network planning workflow. The procedures in this section are also available in the User Guides. “What’s This?” Help

“What’s This?” Help provides detailed explanations of all dialog boxes.

4


Welcome

User Guides

All User Guides for the Wireless Network Planning software are easily accessible as part of the online Help.

Planet EV Documentation Library Planet EV comes with an extensive library of User Guides and Technical Notes in PDF format. Depending on which modules you have installed, the Planet EV Library may contain additional documents. The following table provides details about the documentation supplied with Planet EV and Planet EV modules. Planet EV

Planet EV User Guide

Plan and analyze simulated wireless communication networks.

Grid Analysis User Guide

Perform operations on spatial data that is stored in grids, and display, analyze, and export digital elevation models (DEM) and other grid-based data.

Data Manager User Guide

Learn how to configure and use the Data Manager. The Data Manager enables users to work with centralized Planet EV data stored in an Oracle or Microsoft SQL database.

Installation Guide

Install Wireless Network Planning software.

CRC-Predict Technical Note

Understand the CRC-Predict propagation model.

Planet General Model Technical Note

Understand the Planet General model and learn more about the parameters of the model.

Glossary

Search for commonly used technical terms.

Release Note

Learn about new features and known issues with the current release of software.

MapInfo Professional User Guide

Learn about the many features of MapInfo Professional, as well as basic and advanced mapping concepts.


5

Planet EV Modules

GSM User Guide

Plan and analyze GSM networks. This guide is only available if you have installed the GSM module.

cdma2000 User Guide

Plan and analyze cdma2000 networks. This guide is only available if you have installed the cdma2000 module.

Fixed Wireless User Guide

Plan and analyze Fixed Wireless networks. This guide is only available if you have installed the Fixed Wireless module.

Notational conventions This section describes the textual conventions and icons used throughout the training manual. Textual conventions

Special text formats are used to highlight different types of information. The following table lists and describes the special text conventions used in this training manual. bold text

Bold text is used in procedure steps to identify a user interface element such as a dialog box, a menu item, or a button. For example: In the Select Interpolation Method dialog box, choose the Inverse Distance Weighting option, and click Next.

italic text

Italic text is used in procedures to identify text that a user must type. For example: In the File Name box, type El eva t i on . g rd .

➤

Menu arrows are used in procedures to identify a sequence of menu items that you must follow. For example, if a step reads “Choose File ➤ Open,” you would first click File, and then click Open.

Icons

Throughout this training manual, icons are used to identify text that requires special attention. This icon identifies a workflow summary, which explains a series of actions that you will need to carry out in the specified order to complete a task.

6


Welcome

This icon identifies a cautionary statement, which contains information required to avoid potential loss of data, of time, or of resources. This icon identifies a tip, which contains shortcut information, alternative ways of performing a task, or methods that save time or resources. This icon identifies a note, which highlights important information or provides information that is useful but not essential.

Getting technical support You can get technical support by email, fax, phone, or through the Wireless Network Planning web pages at http://www.marconi.com/html/products/ wnpproductsupport.htm. Email is the best way of getting technical support. Marconi UK (UK and all other locations, other than those listed below) Email: [email protected] Hot-line: +44 (0)207 898 8811 Fax: +44 (0)207 898 8810 Marconi North America Email: [email protected] Hot-line: +1-877-777-7441 Fax: +1-972-669-6388 Marconi Latin America Email: [email protected] Hot-line: +55 11 5185 7409 Fax: +55 11 5185 7447 Marconi France Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Hot-line: +33 (0)1 55 38 80 50 Fax: +33 (0)1 55 38 80 51 Marconi Hong Kong Email: [email protected] Hot-line: +852 2919 8436 Fax: +852 2845 1997 Marconi China Email: [email protected] Hot-line: +86 21 5396 5516 ext. 11 Fax: +86 21 5396 5658


7

Web support is also available. A Technical Assistance Center (TAC) Analyst will provide you with information on participating in an online technical support session. When you call for technical support, ensure that you have your product ID number and know which version of the software you are running. You can obtain this information using the About command from the Help menu. When you request technical support outside of regular business hours, a TAC Analyst will respond the next working day by telephone or email, depending upon the nature of the request.

Course evaluation At Marconi Wireless, we are continuously striving to better meet our customers’ needs. Your questions, comments, and suggestions are an important part of this process. Please take a few minutes at the end of the training course to fill out the Training Evaluation form that you will find on the last page of this manual.

8


Introduction to Planet EV

In this Introduction, you are provided with information on ■

■ ■

■

This chapter provides an overview of the Planet EV software.

the elements of the Planet EV user interface the basic Planet EV terminology how Planet EV uses predictions to generate a network analysis the Planet EV files and folders required for a project

9

Elements of the Planet EV user interface As you work through the exercises in this training manual, you will use a variety of commands and of tools. This section briefly describes the Planet EV user interface.

Project Explorer The Project Explorer provides a way to view and modify your project data. You can open up to three data windows at a time and perform operations on selected data items.

Each Project data window displays a tree view of the selected data category. You will learn more about the Project Explorer later in this course.

Menus A menu is displayed just below the Planet EV title bar on the user interface. The menu options provide access to commands for files, tools, map objects, queries, tables, windows, and help. As you work through the exercises in this course, you will learn how to use the menus. You can also right-click on items in the Project Explorer tree view, Map windows, and toolbars to access special menus.

10


Introduction

Planet EV basic terminology The following terms are commonly used throughout this course: ■ Site—location and logical container for multiple sectors ■

Sector—equipment on a site that serves a coverage area

■

Grid—type of file that contains raster data

■

Predictions—collective term for path loss and signal strength

■

Digital Elevation Model (DEM)—elevation data (heights)

■

Clutter—information about the environment such as land use

■

Analysis layers—prediction files generated by the network analysis

■

Survey data—drive test data including carrier wave and scanner data

■

Table—flat file used to store data records such as site and sector information

You will learn more about the different file types as you proceed through the exercises in this course.

Planet EV predictions and network analysis Planet EV generates path loss and signal strength predictions, collectively known as predictions. Planet EV uses these predictions to generate a two types of analysis layers: coverage and interference.

Path loss and signal strength The term path loss refers to the reduction in signal strength as an electromagnetic wave travels through the environment from the transmitter to the receiver. The path loss depends on the physical properties of the environment through which the electromagnetic wave travels. Planet EV calculates path loss as follows: Predicted Path Loss = Free-space Loss + all losses due to terrain and clutter The predicted path loss is used to calculate the predicted signal strength at the location of the receiver: Predicted Signal Strength = Transmitted Signal Strength - Predicted Path Loss After calculating the prediction values, Planet EV generates the network analysis layers.

Coverage layer A coverage layer can depict the strength of a radio signal, the level of service provided, or the quality of service provided. A coverage layer can also indicate the total number of potential servers at a location. Planet EV 3.1 Training DRAFT

11

Interference layer An interference layer shows the interference on the best server or any other serving sector within a spread spectrum network. An interference layer displays information based on the type of network. For a cdma2000 network, for example, interference layers display Ec/Io values. For a GSM network, interference layers display C/I values.

Grid and vector files You will use two types of files as you work through the lessons in this course: grid and vector files. Grids, also known as raster files, store data for maps and images. The data is organized by rows and columns. Grids use pixels—a cell matrix—to represent geographic data. Every pixel represents a data value. Examples of grids include maps that contain demographic information, elevation, clutter, and signal strength. Grid files can be classified or numeric. A classified grid contains categories of information: in a clutter grid, each cell contains information about the type of land use. A numeric grid, such as an elevation grid, contains numeric values stored within each pixel. Vector files use points, lines, and polygons to represent geographic data. Vector objects are defined by a set of points in the form of x, y-coordinates. For example, a line is defined by two sets of points, and a rectangle by four sets of points. Each feature in a vector file can have multiple attributes assigned to it—the attributes are stored in a table that is linked to the map. Examples of vector files include site files, survey data files, census boundary files, and road files.

Files and folder structure Before you begin using Planet EV, create a folder in which you will store all of the files for a single project. When you create and save a project, Planet EV automatically adds the following items to your project folder: ■

■

BestServ folder—stores prediction files after you generate them

■

Config folder—contains saved site configuration files (.dsc files)

■

■

■

12

Antennas folder—contains antenna pattern files, including default.dpa and Omni.dpa

InterferenceMatrix folder—stores interference matrix files after you generate them Model folder—contains all the propagation model files and their clutter property associated (.cpa) files NeighborList folder—stores files generated using the Neighbor List tool


Introduction ■

■

Network_Data folder—stores information about switch statistics data Settings folder—stores information created by the Traffic Map Generator

■

project files (.dpl, .dbp)

■

workspace files (.wor)

Planet EV looks for certain project files when you reopen a project that you previously saved and closed. When you create a project, ■ the Project Wizard stores all of the files that it creates in the folder you specify as the project folder. You will learn more about the Project Wizard in Lesson 1. ■

■

■

if you rename, delete, or move any of the files created by the Project Wizard or any other files needed by the project, you cannot open the project if you move or rename the site file, you must change the file path name in the Project Settings dialog box before you can open the project if you move or delete the .TAB file associated with the DEM or the clutter file to a different folder, you cannot open the project


13

14


Chapter 3: Establishing a Planet EV General Project Workflow

Establishing a Planet EV General Project Workflow Consistently following a project workflow will help you streamline the work you have to do when you perform a network analysis using Planet EV. Should a problem occur in your analysis, following an established project workflow can also help you to identify in which phase of the process a problem may have occurred.

15

Workflow for a Planet EV General project We recommend that you follow the workflow outlined below or adapt it to match your special needs.

To perform a network analysis for a general project, you must Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Prepare and organize your data on a PC ■

organize your file structure within Windows Explorer

■

keep your data and output folders separate from your program files

Setup the Data Manager ■

coordinate the setup with your IT department

■

create and assign usernames and passwords

Create projects and workspaces ■

■

Step 4

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

16

create a workspace appropriate for your project

Build the project area ■

Step 5

create the type of project, which includes a DEM file, a clutter file, and a site table, appropriate for your needs

Trim, merge, stamp, resize, reproject, and/or reclassify your grids to suit your needs

Prepare the data prior to analysis ■

create a site table if required

■

import the antenna files that you need

■

save and load color profiles

Prepare your sites ■

place and configure the sites

■

global or locally edit, move, or delete your sites if necessary

Work with survey data ■

Add and import surveys

■

Assign surveys to sectors

■

average and filter survey data

Tune the model or the model of the environment (CRC-Predict or Planet General model) ■

create a Clutter Property Assignment file

■

assign Average Obstacle Height values to each clutter class


Establishing a Planet EV General Project Workflow

Step 9

Step 10

Generate analysis layers ■

choose the layers that you want to generate

■

view the layers

Visualize grid data and work with spatial data ■

Step 11

create a 3D view, cross sections, viewsheds, grid calculations, and/ or grid queries

Prepare a layout for presentation ■

create legends and other graphic items to add to a layout

■

print and save the layout


17

18


Lesson 1: Creating a Projectecial 1

Lesson

1.

In this lesson, you will ■

■ ■

■

use the Project Wizard to create a project define system settings save, open, and close project files work with map layers

Creating a Project

This lesson provides background information and instructions for setting up a General project using the Project Wizard.

19

Lesson 1

Introduction In order to use Planet EV to analyze your network, you must first set up a project. A project stores information about ■ heights or digital elevation model (DEM), clutter and site table files ■

display properties, such as color profiles, for the analysis layers that you will generate

■

system settings, such as power units, height, and distance

■

project type, such as General, cdma2000, GSM, and Fixed Wireless

The type of project that you create depends on the characteristics of your network. In this lesson, you will create a General project. You can use a General project to perform a basic network analysis that includes signal strength predictions for best and second best serving sectors, index classes, and total number of served sectors. You can use a General project when you need to compare the overlap of service contours and protected frequency reuse boundaries. If you have a cdma or a GSM network, Planet EV also enables you to perform complex interference analyses. The project type that you choose determines the Planet EV dialog boxes and prediction options that are available. You cannot change the project type after you have created a project—you have to create a new project and specify the project type. Planet EV can display only one project at a time. When you create a project, Planet EV creates folders for signal strength files, antenna pattern files, binary files, link budget files, and model files within the project folder. As you develop a project, Planet EV places files in the appropriate folders. Each project also stores file paths that point to the locations of the project data files. If you move or delete these files, you might not be able to open a project. If you rename, move, or delete files that are part of your project, such as the DEM and elevation files, you must change the file paths in the Project Settings dialog box to reflect these changes so that you can still open the project.

If multiple users require access to the same files (such as DEM, clutter, road, and census data files), you can store these files in the Data Manager. This allows multiple users to access the files without having to redesignate the file paths. For more information about the Data Manager, see the Planet EV user documentation.

Within a project, clutter and DEM files must be in the same projection. Planet EV generates files such as path loss and signal strength at the same 20


Creating a Project

resolution and in the same projection as the DEM file. For more information about how to reproject a grid see Lesson 10, Building a Project Area, on page 144. In this lesson, you will use the Project Wizard to create a project. The Project Wizard creates a default workspace, which saves information about the files that are open and how they are displayed in Map windows on your desktop. You can also set up a project without using the Project Wizard. Once you have defined a project and generated analysis layers, you can create new projects by saving the existing project with a new name. In this way, you can make changes to the new project while retaining the original data. You can create one project for one network, or you can create multiple projects for one network in order to see the effects of changing the network configuration. For example, you could create a project that includes only sites for a network that covers a particular geographic area. Then you could create a second project that uses the same DEM, clutter files, and sector settings but that covers a network that is geographically adjacent to the first one.

Workflow for creating a project To set up a Planet EV project, you will typically complete the following tasks.

Step 1

Create a project.

Step 2

Define system settings.

Step 3

Customize your view of the map layers.

Step 4

Save the project.

For more information on creating a project by using the Project Wizard or by doing it manually, refer to the Planet EV User Guide, accessible from the Help menu of Planet EV 3.1.


21

Lesson 1

Creating a General project This exercise shows you how to begin working with Planet EV. Throughout this course, you will work with a General project as you plan a wireless network and generate network analyses. Planet EV provides a Project Wizard that simplifies the process of creating a project. You can use the Project Wizard to create a project for any of the Planet EV modules. The Project Wizard guides you through the steps required to create a project, as shown in the following diagram.

Choose project type

Choose project folder

Choose DEM

Have clutter file? No

Yes

Have site table? No

Yes

Choose clutter file

Choose site table

Type the site table name

Select coordinate system for site table Finish

The Project Wizard prompts you for a project type, a project folder, a DEM file, a clutter file, and a site table. If you choose not to use a clutter file, you can still create a network analysis, but you cannot tune the prediction model. Once you have completed all the steps required to create a project, the Project Explorer opens. The Project Explorer consists of a docking dialog

22


Creating a Project

box and up to three project data windows, and provides you with an easy way to manipulate the data associated with a project.

You will use the Project Explorer throughout this course to configure sites, to generate predictions, and to view grid files in Map windows. In this exercise, you will use the Project Wizard to create and to set up a new General project, to change system settings, and to save the project. When you save a project, the Project Explorer and Map windows will open automatically. The data set for this training course is located in the Planet EV Training\General folder on your C drive. This data set is based on actual network data obtained for the New York area. To create a project using the Project Wizard 1

Do one of the following: ■

■

2

If the Project Wizard is not open, choose File ➤ New Project Using Wizard. If the Project Wizard is open, continue with step 2 below.

In the Project Wizard dialog box, click Next.


23

Lesson 1

3

From the Project Type list, choose General if it is not already displayed.

4

Click Next.

5

Click Browse. The Select Project Directory dialog box opens.

6

Choose the Planet EV Training\General folder, and click OK.

7

Click Next.

8

Click Browse, choose the Planet EV Training\MappingData\Heights folder, then choose the Height_Resolution30_NY.grd file, and click Select. This height file contains the terrain height information for the project area.

9

Click Next.

10 When prompted for clutter data, choose the Yes option.

You have a clutter file. 11 Click Next. 12 Click Browse, choose the Planet EV Training\MappingData\Clutter

folder, then choose the Clutter_Resolution30_NY.grc file, and click Select. This clutter file contains land use and land classification information for the project area. 13 Click Next. 14 Choose the Yes, I Have a Site Table option if it is not already chosen,

and click Next. 15 Click Browse, choose the Planet EV Training\General\Sites folder,

then choose the NY_TrainingSites.tab file, and click Select. This site file has the same projection as the DEM and the clutter files. Using the same projection for all of your project files prevents problems that could occur later when you generate predictions, perform model tuning, or display data.

16 Click Next.

24


Creating a Project

17 Click Finish.

The Project Settings dialog box opens and displays the file and the path names that you chose using the Project Wizard.

The Project Settings dialog box contains the following tabs: ■

■ ■

■

■

Files tab—shows the paths and the file names of the required and optional files used for your predictions Colors tab—shows the color profiles for the analysis layers System Settings tab—shows the global settings for your project. This tab lets you define the advanced and override options and the system units for signal strength, power, height, and distance. Network Analysis Files tab—lists the analyses that are generated with a project. The analysis list remains empty until you perform a network analysis for the newly created project. Advanced Options tab—provides access to advanced options for analysis layers, colors, contours, and system settings

To define system settings for the project 1

In the Project Settings dialog box, click the System Settings tab.

2

In the Override Options section, enable the Disable Integrity Check on Elevation and Clutter Files check box. Enabling the Disable Integrity Check on Elevation and Clutter Files option reduces processing time.


25

Lesson 1

3

In the System Units section, do all of the following: ■

from the Signal Strength/Received Power list, choose dBm

■

from the Transmitted Power list, choose, EIRP (dBm)

■

from the Height list, choose m

■

from the Distance list, choose km

To save the project 1

In the Project Settings dialog box, click OK.

2

In the Save Project As dialog box, change the file name to G en er al . d P B if it is not already displayed.

3

Click Save. The Project Explorer opens and displays the project data. The site, the clutter, and the height files open in a Map window.

To close the project 1

Choose File ➤ Close Project.

2

In the Planet EV dialog box, click Yes. The Project Explorer and the project and its associated files close. A project can only be closed by using the above procedure. Closing a Map window closes neither the project nor its associated files.

To open a project 1

Choose File ➤ Open Project.

2

In the Open Planet EV Project dialog box, choose General.dBP, and click Open. The Project Explorer, the project, and the Map window open. You can now continue with the next exercise.

To arrange the map layers 1


■

2

26

If only one data window is open, in the Project Explorer, click the Add a Data Window button. If two data windows are open, continue with step 2.

In the Project Explorer, from the Category list, choose Windows if it is not already chosen.


Creating a Project

3

In the Windows data window, expand Map Windows, right-click NY_Training_Sites,...,, and choose Layer Control. The Layer Control dialog box opens. Enables you to make the file visible in the Map window

Enables you to select objects for further processing

Enables you to make changes to the file

Enables you to assign labels to sites automatically

4

Clear the Visible check box for NY_Training_Sites.

5

Click OK. The site file is no longer displayed in the Map window.

6

In the Windows data window, expand NY_Training_Sites,...,, right-click NY_Training_Sites, and choose Visible. The site file is now displayed in the Map window.

To edit and to view the site labels Planet EV can automatically label the sites for you. 1

In the Windows data window, right-click NY_Training_Sites,...,, and choose Layer Control.

2

In the Layer Control dialog box, enable the Visible check box for NY_Training_Sites.

3

From the Layer list, choose NY_Training_Sites, and click Label. The NY_Training_Sites Label Options dialog box opens.

4

In the Visibility section, choose the On option.


27

Lesson 1

The Visibility is turned off if the zoom is outside the visibility range specified. 5

In the Styles section, click Aa. The Text Style dialog box opens.

6

In the Effects section, enable the Bold check box, and click OK.

7

In the NY_Training_Sites Label Options dialog box, click OK.

8

In the Layer Control dialog box, click OK. The sites are automatically labeled using the names contained in the Site_Id column of the site table. On the Main toolbar, you can click the Zoom-in button view of the site symbols.

to get a better

To open and to close a table 1

Choose File ➤ Open Table. The Open dialog box opens.

2

Choose the Planet EV Training\MappingData\Vectors folder, then choose the Primary_Road_Merged.tab file, and click Open. You can now see the roads displayed in the Map window on top of the other layers.

3

In the Windows data window, expand NY_Training_Sites,...,. A new reference named Primary_Road_Merged is displayed in the Project Explorer tree view.

4

Right-click Primary_Road_Merged, and choose Close. From the Project Explorer, you can remove, close, or delete files. Remove: removes a file from a Map window but does not close it. Choosing Remove does not remove the file from any other Map window in which it is also displayed. Close: closes a file. When you close a file that is displayed in more than one Map window, it will also close it in every other Map window in which it is displayed. Delete: deletes a file from your project folder.

28


Creating a Project

Summary In this lesson, you have learned to ■ use the Project Wizard to create a new Planet EV General project ■

change system settings

■

open and close projects

■

■

use the Project Explorer Windows feature to change the layers displayed in the Map windows open files and tables


29

Lesson 1

30


Lesson 2: Configuring and Placing Sitesecial 1

Lesson

2.

In this lesson, you will ■ ■ ■ ■

■

■

■

create a site configuration define site and sector properties place sites add an antenna pattern to the antenna library define sector groups and flags for use in analyzing network performance during the phased deployment of a wireless network recognize the capabilities and limitations of performing a global edit use a global edit to change the height of a group of sectors

Configuring and Placing Sites

This lesson provides background information and instructions for site configuration and placement. This lesson also explains how to work with antenna files and how to perform global editing.

31

Lesson 2

Introduction In Lesson 1 you created a Planet EV General project. In this lesson, you will place sites. In Planet EV, ■ a site is a geographical location that has one or more sectors ■

a sector is equipment on a site that serves a defined coverage area. The equipment can consist of one or more antennas.

The settings for a site and its sector(s) are contained in a site configuration file (.dsc). When you place a site, you can configure the new site using a new configuration file, or you can load an existing site configuration file and apply the existing configuration to the new site, as shown in the flowchart below. New Config Configure Site

Place Site Existing Config Load Configuration Project Folder

Save Configuration

When you place more than one site with the same site and sector properties, you can save time by using a single site configuration. You can save a site configuration file for a particular antenna type or for a configuration that is specific to a particular stage in the network design process.

The following site and sector properties that influence path loss calculations are stored in the .dsc file: ■ site properties such as number of radials, the propagation distance, the height of the sector(s) used at the site, and the site elevation ■ ■

■

the propagation model type sector properties, including the number of sectors for the site, the power, the antenna type, the azimuth, the antenna tilt, and the antenna twist information such as the site name and the index identifiers, the number of sectors for a site, and the symbol for each sector

After you have defined your site and sector property settings, you can place sites.

32



Workflow for configuring and placing sites To configure and to place sites, you will typically complete the following tasks.

Step 1

Create a site configuration.

Step 2

Choose site properties.

Step 3

Choose sector properties.

Step 4

Save the site configuration.

Step 5

Choose a propagation model.

Step 6

Place sites.

Step 7

Add an antenna pattern.

Step 8

Edit, move, and delete sites.

Step 9

Create a sector group.

Step 10

Create flags and conditions.

Step 11

Perform global edits.

For more information on configuring and placing sites, refer to the Planet EV User Guide, accessible from the Help menu of Planet EV 3.1.


33

Lesson 2

Creating a site configuration When you create a site configuration, Planet EV saves a .dsc file in the General folder within your project folder. The .dsc file acts as a template that you can use to configure and to place new sites. You can create as many site configuration files as you require for a project. You must, however, use different site configurations files for different project types. For example, a site configuration file used for a General project cannot be used for a GSM project. You can also modify any of the values in a configuration and continue to place new sites using the new values. After modifying a previously saved configuration file, however, the values will revert to the previous settings when you close the Site Properties dialog box. If you want to use the new settings again later, save the changed configuration with a new file name.

After you have defined your site and sector property settings, you can place sites on the map. The site table stores all your site and sector information. You can edit site properties using the global edit feature (you will learn about global editing later in this lesson). If you are using a DEM, the DEM and the site file must be in the same projection. When you edit the configuration of a site using the Site Properties dialog box, the information in the site table is updated accordingly. In this exercise, you will create a site configuration. As part of the configuration process, you will ■ add sectors to the site ■

define sector properties

■

choose an antenna

■

define power settings

■

set the azimuth for each sector

■

change the colors for the sector symbols

■

set up a user defined column to display a cell ID

■

save the site configuration

To create a site configuration 1

In the Project Explorer, in the second data window, from the Category list, choose Sites if it is not already chosen.

2

In the Sites data window, right-click Sites, and choose New. The Site Configuration dialog box opens.

34



3

In the Site Configuration dialog box, choose the Create a New Configuration option, and click Continue. The Site Properties dialog box opens.

To index a sector ■

In the Site Properties dialog box, in the Start Index From box, type 1 . Each site that you add is indexed with a number that is 1 greater than the previously added site.

To choose an antenna pattern 1

In the Site Properties dialog box, click the Sectors tab.

2

In the Antenna row, click default.dpa, and then click the ellipsis (...). The Select Antenna Pattern dialog box opens.

3

In the Select Antenna Pattern dialog box, from the Antenna list, choose TGA-1448.dpa, and click OK.

To calculate link budget values 1

In the Link Budget row, click Disabled, the click the down arrow, and choose Enabled from the list.

2

In the Power EIRP row, click the cell, and then click the ellipsis (...). The Link Budget Calculator dialog box opens.


35

Lesson 2

3

In the System Gains section, from the Power list, choose Amplifier Output Power if it is not already chosen.

4

For Amplifier Output Power, double-click the Value box, and type 10 .

5

From the Units list, choose Watts if it is not already chosen.

6

In the System Losses section, click Add.

7

In the Add Loss dialog box, in the Enter Description box, type Cable , and click OK.

8

Double-click the Value box for Cable, and type 2.5 .

9

Click Calculate (located at the bottom of the dialog box). Calculated power values are displayed in the Amplifier Output Power and Radiated Output Power sections.

10 Click Update & Exit.

The power value is updated using calculated values from the Link Budget calculator. You defined the units for the Power field in the Project Settings dialog box when you created the project. To set the azimuth 1

In the Azimuth row, click the cell, and type 18 0 . An antenna with an azimuth value of 0 degrees points due north, one with 90 degrees points east, one with 180 degrees points south, and one with 270 degrees points west. The azimuth increases in a clockwise direction.

2

Double-click the Color/Symbol cell. The Symbol Style dialog box opens.

3

In the Symbol Style dialog box, click the down arrow for the Color box, and choose a blue swatch from the color palette.

4

Click OK.

To set the properties for sector 2 1

In the Site Properties dialog box, click Add Sector. A new column is displayed. All of the values are by default the same as those in the first column, except for the azimuth setting.

2

In the Azimuth row, click the cell, and type 27 0 .

3

Double-click the Color/Symbol box for column 2. The Symbol Style dialog box opens.

36



4

In the Symbol Style dialog box, click the down arrow for the Color box, and choose a red swatch from the color palette.

5

Click OK.

To save the site configuration 1

In the Site Properties dialog box, choose File ➤ Save Configuration As. The Save Configuration As dialog box opens.

2

In the Save Configuration As dialog box, in the File Name box, type Specific_2_sec tor.

3

Click Save. Now that you have saved the new site configuration, you can use it to configure and place other sites.

To place a site 1

In the Site Properties dialog box, click the Site tab.

2

In the Location section, enable the Manual Entry check box if it is not already enabled. Once you enable the Manual Entry check box, you can enter the x- and y-coordinates for the new site.

3

In the Location section, from the Units list, choose Degrees if it is not already chosen.

4

Double-click the X/Long box, and type -7 4. 5 .

5

Double-click the Y/Lat box, and type 4 1. 5 .

6

Click Place Site. The new site, Site_1, is displayed in the Map window.

To save the site file You will now save the site table file that has been updated with information about the site you placed. 1

From the Planet EV menu, choose File ➤ Save Table. The Save Table dialog box opens.

2

In the Save Table dialog box, from the Save Tables list, choose NY_Training_Sites if it is not already chosen.

3

Click Save.

4

In the Site Properties dialog box, click Close.

5

In the Planet EV dialog box, click No. Planet EV 3.1 Training DRAFT

37

Lesson 2

To assign a propagation model to a site You can assign the same propagation model to all of your sites using the Global Edit feature. 1

In the Sites data window, right-click Sites, and choose Global Edit. The Global Edit dialog box opens.

38

2

In the Global Edit dialog box, choose the Site Table option if it is not already chosen.

3

From the Selection list, choose NY_Training_Sites if it is not already chosen.

4

From the Group list, choose All if it is not already chosen.

5

In the Data Field column, enable the check box for Propagation Model.

6

Click the cell next to Propagation Model, click the down arrow, and choose predict.dpm if it is not already chosen.

7

Click Apply.

8

In the Confirm dialog box, click Yes.

9

Click OK.



Using antenna patterns Antenna pattern file formats vary depending on the manufacturer. Planet EV supports many formats; however, you have to ensure that your antenna patterns are valid and correctly formatted. Planet EV creates a folder called Antennas in your main project folder when you create a project. Some antenna patterns are placed automatically in this folder, including default.dpa and Omni.dpa. In this exercise you will work with antenna patterns. If you want to add an antenna pattern to your project, you can ■ choose it from your own antenna library and copy and paste it into your project Antennas folder ■

■

use the Antenna Editor to edit an existing antenna pattern, to rename it, and to save it to the Antennas folder use the Select Antenna Pattern dialog box to combine antenna patterns to create a quasi-omnidirectional cell

After you add an antenna pattern file to your project Antenna folder, that pattern becomes available for use in site configuration. To view an antenna pattern 1

In the Project Explorer, from the Category list, choose Project Data.

2

In the Project Data data window, expand Antennas.

3

Scroll to the bottom of the data window.

4

Right-click TGA-1472, and choose Edit. The Antenna Editor dialog box opens and displays the horizontal and vertical antenna patterns.

5

In the Antenna Editor dialog box, choose File ➤ Exit.

To delete an antenna pattern Deleting an antenna pattern removes the file from a project’s Antennas folder. You can always add the pattern back into the project folder later. 1

In the Project Data data window, right-click TGA-1472, and choose Delete.

2

In the Planet EV dialog box, click Yes. The antenna pattern is removed from the Antenna Patterns list and from the project Antennas folder.


39

Lesson 2

To add an antenna pattern 1

In the Project Data data window, right-click Antennas, and choose Add.

2

In the Open dialog box, choose the Planet EV Training\General\Antennas folder, then choose the Marconi_PCS090_12.dpa file, and click Open. The antenna pattern file name is displayed in the Project Data data window.

To combine antenna patterns in a quasi-omnidirectional pattern 1

In the Project Explorer, in the Sites category, right-click NJ1 and choose Edit.

2


3

Click the Antenna field for Sector 1, and then click the Browse (...) button at the right of the field. The Select Antenna Pattern dialog box opens.

4

Choose the Combined (Quasi-omni cell) option.

5

In the Combined Antenna Pattern section, choose MarconiPCS090_12.dpa from the Name list.

6

For MarconiPCS090_12.dpa, do the following: ■

Click in the Azimuth field and type 90 .

■

Click in the Tilt (-Down, + Up) field and type 2 .

■

Enable the Specify EIRP/IRP Per Antenna check box, click in the EIRP field and type 53 .

7

Click Add.

8

From the Name list, choose ASPP2936.dpa.

9

For ASPP2936.dpa, do the following: ■

Click in the Azimuth field and type 18 0 .

■

Click in the Tilt (-Down, + Up) field and type 1 .

■

Enable the Specify EIRP/IRP Per Antenna check box, click in the EIRP field and type 51 if it is not already displayed.

10 Click Combine.

When the antenna patterns are combined, the Information box updates to display the Boresight Gain, the Front-to-Back, H Beamwidth, and D Beamwidth values of the new antenna pattern. The horizontal and vertical antenna patterns are also displayed on the right of the dialog box.

40



11 Click OK to close the Select Antenna Pattern dialog box. 12 In the Site Properties dialog box, click Apply and then click Close. The quasi-omnidirectional cell data is saved as an antenna file in the Antennas folder of the project, with the naming convention of Combined_NJ1_1.dpa.

Editing, moving, and deleting sites For each site, you can edit the properties of each sector, add or delete sectors, or load a more suitable site configuration. There are three ways that you can change the configuration of sites: ■ by using the Edit Site button on the Site toolbar for a single site ■

by using the Project Explorer for a single site

■

by using the Global Edit function for all sites or a group of sites

In this exercise, you will edit, move, and delete sites. To edit a site 1

In the Project Explorer, from the Category list, choose Sites.

2

In the Sites data window, expand Sites.

3

Scroll to the bottom of the data window.

4

Right-click Site_1, and choose Edit. The Site Properties dialog box opens.

5


6

Click the Azimuth box for the sector 1 column, type 9 0 , and click Apply.

To move a site to a location with known coordinates 1

In the Site Properties dialog box, click the Site tab.

2

In the Location section, double-click the X/Long box, type - 74 . 4 , and click Apply. The symbol for the Site_1 site moves to the updated location.

3

In the Site Properties dialog box, click Close.

To move a site to a location with unspecified coordinates using the Site toolbar 1

On the Main toolbar, click the Zoom-in button.

2

Click the Map window near site Site_1. A smaller area of the Map layer is now visible, and the symbols on the Map layer are larger.


41

Lesson 2

3

From the Planet EV menu, choose View ➤ Toolbars.

4

In the Toolbar Options dialog box, enable the Show check box next to the Site toolbar if it is not already enabled, and click OK.

5

On the Site toolbar, click the Edit Site button.

6

Press the S key to activate the Snap function.

7

Click site Site_1 in the Map window.

8

On the Site toolbar, click the Place Site button.

9

Click the Map window slightly to the northeast of site Site_1. The x- and y-coordinates in the Location section of the Site Properties dialog box are updated to show the coordinates where you clicked.

10 In the Site Properties dialog box, click Apply.

In the Map window, site Site_1 moves to the new location. 11 In the Site Properties dialog box, click Close.

To delete a site using the Project Explorer 1

In the Sites data window, right-click Site_1, and choose Delete.

2

In the Planet EV dialog box, click Yes.

Creating a sector group You can create a sector group in order to classify sectors that share a common property, such as service status or deployment phase. Once you have created sector groups, you can then create project filters. These filters facilitate ■ planning for a phased network deployment ■

visualizing the impact a series of sectors would have on a network if they were out of service for maintenance purposes

In this exercise, you will create and label a sector group.

42



To create a sector group You will create the sector group using the original site file. 1

In the Project Explorer, from the Category list, choose Sites if it is not already displayed.

2

In the Sites data window, right-click Groups, and choose New.

3

In the Add New Group dialog box, in the Enter Group Name box, type Tr ain i n g , and click OK. The file name can contain alphanumeric symbols only. A space and other symbols are not permitted.

4


5

In the Sites data window, expand Groups, and then expand Sites. You need to make the site labels visible.

6

Click Model_Tuning_21, press and hold the SHIFT key, and then click Model_Tuning_4. You have now selected Model_Tuning_21, Model_Tuning_22, Model_Tuning_34, and Model_Tuning_4.

7

Drag the sites to Training. The selected sites are displayed in the Project Explorer as part of the Training group that you just created.

To display the sectors belonging to a group 1

Right-click in the Map window and choose View Entire Layer. The map window will refocus.

2

In the Sites data window, right-click Training, and choose View. The sites that belong to the Training group are displayed in the Map window.

3

In the second Project Explorer data window, from the Category list, choose Windows.

4

In the Windows data window, expand Map Windows,...,.

5

In the Windows data window, expand TrainingMap,..., right-click TrainingMap, and choose Remove.

6

Right-click NY_Training_Sites, and choose Visible. All of the sites in the site file are displayed in the Map window.


43

Lesson 2

You may need to make the site labels visible.

Working with flags Flags are used to identify characteristics (conditions) of selected sites and sectors. You can filter sectors and sector groups based on the flag settings, which can be useful for network planning tasks such as visualizing the stages of network deployment. Once you have defined a flag and specified conditions for it, you can set the flag to a selected condition for each sector. In this exercise, you will create a flag called Status and another called Phases. For the Status flag, you will define two conditions: Approved and Installed. For the Phases flag, you will also define two conditions: Phase 1 and Phase 2. After you have set the flags for the selected sectors to a particular condition, you will identify the sites in Phase 1 that are installed or approved by simply selecting the appropriate flags and conditions and displaying the results. To create a flag 1

In the Sites data window, right-click Flags, and choose New. The Add New Flag dialog box opens.

2

In the Enter Flag Name box, type Sta t u s , and click OK.

3


To add conditions 1

Expand Flags, right-click Status, and choose New Condition. The Add New Condition dialog box opens.

2

In the Enter Condition Name box, type Installed .

3

Click OK.

4

Repeat steps 1 to 3 again, but in the Enter New Condition Name box, type A pp ro v e d .

To create a second flag 1

In the Sites data window, right-click Flags, and choose New. The Add New Flag dialog box opens.

44

2

In the Flag Name box, type Ph as es , and click OK.

3

Right-click Phases, and choose New Condition.



The Add New Condition dialog box opens. 4

In the Enter Condition Name dialog box, type Ph as e1 .

5

Click OK.

6

In the Sites data window, right-click Phases, and choose New Condition.

7

In the Enter Condition Name box, type Phase2 .

8

Click OK. You have now created two flags, each with two conditions. Flag

Condition 1

Condition 2

Status

Installed

Approved

Phases

Phase1

Phase2

To define the condition of a flag for a group of sectors Once you have defined a flag and specified the conditions for it, you can set the flag to a specific condition for each sector using the Sites data window in the Project Explorer. 1

In the Sites data window, expand Sites so that you can see all of the sites listed.

2

Expand NJ1.

3

Right-click sector 1, and choose Set Flags. The Flags dialog box opens.

4

In the Status row, click the Condition box.

5

Click the click the down arrow, and choose Approved from the list.

6

In the Phases row, click the Condition box.

7

Click the click the down arrow, and choose Phase2 from the list.

8

Click OK.

9

Repeat steps 3 through 8 for sector 2, but assign the flag conditions Installed and Phase1.

To display flag-specific information You can quickly locate sectors identified with specific flags and conditions. If you want to view the sites approved but not yet installed for Phase 2, you can filter on the flag sets. 1

In the Sites data window, expand Flags if it is not already expanded.

2

Expand both Status and Phases. Planet EV 3.1 Training DRAFT

45

Lesson 2

3

Enable the check boxes for Approved and for Phase2.

4

Right-click Flags, and choose View. The site and sector that is approved for Phase 2 is displayed in the Map window.

5

In the Windows data window, expand Map Windows, and then expand FlagsMap,....

6

Right-click FlagsMap, and choose Close.

7

Expand NY_Training_Sites, right-click NY_Training_Sites, and choose Visible. All of the sites in the site file are displayed in the Map window.

Global editing of site tables You can change site and sector properties for all sites in your project or for a particular group of sites using the Global editing function. Performing a global edit saves you time and ensures that a setting is changed for all sectors of interest. In this exercise, you will use the Global Edit feature to change the sector height for all sectors within the Training group. To perform a global edit 1

In the Sites data window, expand Groups if it is not already expanded.

2

Right-click Training, and choose Global Edit.

3

In the Global Edit dialog box, choose the Site Table option if it is not already chosen.

4

From the Selection list, choose NY_Training_Sites if it is not already chosen.

5

From the Group list, choose Training if it is not already chosen. The global edits that you are about to perform will apply only to the Training group. The value -999 in a data field means that the actual number is taken from the DEM.

46

6

In the Data Field column, enable the check box for Transmitter Height.

7

Click the box in the Value column, and type 37 .

8

In the Data Field column, enable the check box for Antenna Pattern.

9

Click the down arrow in the Value cell, and choose db844h90-xy.dpa.



10 Click Apply. 11 In the Confirm dialog box, click Yes. 12 Click OK.

The sector height is updated with a value of 37 for all sectors in the Training group. If you wanted to save the updated values, you would now save the site table. In this lesson, you do not want to save the modified site table.

Summary In this lesson, you have learned to ■ place and configure sites using the Project Explorer ■

modify site properties in the Site Properties dialog box

■

edit and move sites

■

create sector groups to facilitate phasing of a network plan

■

flag sectors to help you visualize different conditions of a network

■

globally edit site and sector properties


47

Lesson 2

48


Lesson 3: Tuning the Predict Propagation Model

Lesson

3.

In this lesson, you will ■ ■ ■

■

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

import survey data average and filter survey data explore the Propagation Model Editor edit the Predict model parameters create a .cpa file tune the Predict model generate analysis layers view analysis layers view a sector prediction display a grid legend work with delta surveys view the analyis layer information using the Analysis Info tool and the Grid Info tool

Tuning the Predict Propagation Model

You will tune the Predict propagation model using one set of survey data. To tune the model with survey data, you will create a clutter property assignment (.cpa) file that stores data for ground type, average obstacle height, and clutter loss absorption (CAL) values. The CAL values are calculated using the survey data. You will also view the best server analysis layer and the prediction for a sector.

49

Lesson 3

Introduction The term model tuning applies generally to the process of adjusting the parameters of a propagation model in order to produce predictions that are as accurate and realistic as possible. Model tuning is usually performed using measured signal strength data collected during surveying. This survey data is used to change clutter absorption loss values in the propagation model. In Planet EV 3.1, you perform model tuning by using the Survey Manager, accessible through the Project Explorer. The Model Tuning tool enables you to tune any model.

Filtering the survey data Usually, you will have to filter your survey data using the Survey Manager to improve the accuracy of the calculated CAL values. Averaging your survey data

Two parameters that affect the calculation of the CAL values are Rayleigh fading and distance to median signal strength. The Rayleigh Fading value, which is the phase-interference caused by multipath, is a variable dependent on frequency. Planet EV calculates the Distance to get Median Signal Strength value using a forward stepping aggregation technique, which averages points that fall within a defined radius. You can average your raw survey data using these two parameters. You need to average your data when ■ the measured signal strength data is collected at every meter or less, because you cannot accurately predict the signal strength at this resolution ■

the resolution of the DEM grid is much coarser (commonly 30 - 100 meters) than the survey data sampling resolution

Removing extraneous survey points

Before you generate a prediction, it is recommended that you examine your survey data to identify anomalous points and remove them. These anomalous points may be measurements made in tunnels, on bridges, on elevated roadways, and so on, and they can adversely skew your CAL values. You can set the filter parameters to determine which survey data points to remove using the Survey Manager. You can then view the effect of your settings on your survey data in a regression graph. Examining the survey data points in the regression graph helps you to determine if points have been correctly removed and which points still need to be removed. When you remove survey data points, use the following guidelines.

50



■ ■

■

■

■

■

Remove only data points that are statistically unacceptable. Remove or correct survey data points with incorrect coordinates, e.g., where the GPS was unavailable or inaccurate Retain a clutter class that is only sparsely represented in the area for which you want to provide coverage as it does not need to have a large number of survey data points. Retain data points at the edge of your coverage area. Since survey measurement equipment is more sensitive than a mobile, trim all data points that lie more than 5 to 10 dBm below the sensitivity of the survey measurement equipment but below the saturation of the survey equipment. For example, if the survey receiver is sensitive to -130 dBm, you should trim data points that are below -120 dBm. Expect a few points to approach the free space line (green line above the regression line); this is acceptable. Remove data points that do not lie within the clutter grid.

If a large number of your survey data points are located above the free space line (green line above the regression line), then you potentially have a problem with your survey data.

Understanding the Predict propagation model The predictions created by the Predict model are based on a detailed simulation of diffraction over terrain and an estimate of local clutter attenuation. You should use the Predict model in most circumstances, regardless of the kind of terrain, if detailed terrain and/or clutter information is available. The following cases are exceptions: ■ for very short paths, for example, micro-cellular paths, in which the locations of individual buildings are important ■

when you need a very rapid calculation, because Predict is more computational intensive than most models

The Predict propagation algorithm is based on physical optics and simulates the diffraction over terrain, which includes an estimate of local clutter attenuation. The diffraction is calculated using the Fresnel-Kirchhoff theory, which can be expressed in terms of the Huygen's principle of physical optics. This principle states that points in space experiencing a wave field can be considered secondary sources of radiation, the amplitude of which is proportional to the amplitude of the field. More specifically, the diffraction calculation is based on the wave path profile, which is expressed as ground elevation as a function of distance Planet EV 3.1 Training DRAFT

51

Lesson 3

from the transmitter. The path profile is a series of points of elevations at distances x0, x1, x2, etc. These points are joined by straight lines, as shown in the following figure.

The distance between each point is equivalent to the size of a grid cell (or BIN) of the digital elevation model used. Because not all users will be at ground level, diffraction calculations are performed vertically into the space above the terrain as well as horizontally along the terrain. Furthermore, because predictions of coverage gaps and interference are based on the terrain over which the wave propagates, the more accurate the terrain and clutter data, the more accurate the prediction. Survey data is still required to improve the accuracy of the path loss and signal strength, but this data is used to compensate for the incompleteness of clutter data rather than as the primary data for the prediction. For more detailed information on the diffraction calculation, please refer to the Predict technical notes available from the Planet EV user documentation. Factors affecting path loss and signal strength predictions

With the Predict model, path loss is calculated based on the physical optics influencing the wave propagation only. Hence, path loss calculations do not take antenna gain into consideration. In contrast, signal strength calculations include the properties of the antenna. Therefore, if you change the antenna, ■ the path loss prediction does not need to be regenerated between network analyses ■

the signal strength prediction needs to be regenerated between network analyses If you move the location of the sector, path loss and signal strength predictions need to be regenerated.

For more information on the Predict model, please refer to the Predict technical notes available from the Planet EV user documentation.

52



Clutter

For the Predict model, adjusting clutter properties is known as model tuning. To understand how the Predict model accounts for environmental factors, you have to understand the term clutter. Clutter refers to the use of the land that makes up the environment through which radio waves propagate. Areas with similar surface features are grouped into clutter classes, such as Urban/Residential or Forest. Areas with the same classification, however, can have very different properties. For example, areas classified as Forest on the west coast of America can have very different physical properties than areas classified as Forest on the east coast of America. Estimating the wave attenuation due to buildings and trees is limited by the incomplete knowledge of the dimensions and distributions of these obstacles. Because highly detailed terrain data is expensive, engineers frequently rely on less detailed clutter data. To compensate for the less detailed clutter data, you can assign several physical properties (clutter properties) to each clutter class. This data is stored in a clutter property assignment (.cpa) file, which is based on a clutter file. You can perform an analysis using the default values assigned to each physical property, or you can assign a value to a property that more closely approaches the actual value. The properties to which you can assign values are ■ Ground Type (Residential, Industrial, Dense Urban, Core Urban, Forest, User Defined)—set by the user ■

■

Average obstacle height—automatically set when you choose a ground type; however, you can override the value Clutter absorption loss—calculated from survey data

Interpreting a CAL value

A CAL value that is ■ positive means the predicted signal strength values are higher than the survey data values for the corresponding clutter class ■

■

negative means the predicted signal strength values are lower than the survey data values high and negative may indicate that you have set the average obstacle height too high for that clutter class. In this situation, set all CAL values to zero in your .cpa file, lower the average obstacle height for the affected clutter class, and re-tune the model. If your Average Obstacle Heights are correct and your CAL values are still high and negative, you should examine the accuracy of your survey data.


53

Lesson 3

Workflow for tuning the Predict propagation model Use this workflow when you tune the Predict propagation model for CAL values. You can perform all model tuning by using the Survey Manager.

Step 1

Import the survey data by using the Survey Manager accessible from the Project Explorer.

Step 2

Modify survey properties.

Step 3

Assign this propagation model to the sites for which you have a survey.

Step 4

Assign one or more surveys to one or more sectors.

Step 5

Set the filters that remove extraneous data points.

Step 6

Edit the model that you want to tune, and fill in the .cpa file for obstacle height and ground type.

Step 7

Tune the Predict model using the Clutter Absorption Loss tuner.

Step 8

Apply the tuned propagation model to your group or sites.

Step 9

Generate analysis layers.

Step 10

View the analysis layers.

Step 11

Evaluate the analysis data

Tuning the Predict model with one set of survey data To create a new project ID 1

Choose Analysis ➤ Project Settings.

2

Double-click the Project ID box, and type P r j - 1 .

3


To add a survey If you are importing long/lat survey data from an Excel spreadsheet, remove all headers from the columns.

54



1

In the Project Explorer, from the Category list, choose Operational Data if it is not already chosen.

2

In the Operational Data data window, right-click Survey Manager, and choose Import ➤ Excel. The Open dialog box opens.

3

Choose the Planet EV Training\General\Surveys folder, and then choose the DTA_Model_Tuning_34_1.xls file.

4

Click Open.

5

In the Excel Import Parameters dialog box, click OK.

To set the antenna properties 1

In the Operational Data data window, right-click DTA_Model_Tuning_34, and choose Properties. The Properties dialog box opens.

2

In the General section, from the Type list, choose RSSI if it is not already chosen.

3

In the Survey Date box, type 12 .1 0. 03 .

4

In the Antenna Information section, in the Name box, type de fa ul t .

5

In the X/Long box, type -7 4. 65 47 5 .

6

In the Y/Lat box, type 4 1. 29 24 16 .

7

In the Height box, type 1 0 .

8

In the Azimuth box, type 13 0.

9

In the Tilt box, type 0 .

10 In the Power box, type 2 5 . 11 Click OK. You need to input the above information only for text or Excel files. If you are working with DMS files, the antenna information will automatically be imported.

To assign a survey to a sector 1


■

2

In the Project Explorer, click the Open a Data Window button if two data windows are not already open. If two data windows are open, continue with the next step.

In the second data window, from the Category list, choose Sites.


55

Lesson 3

3

In the Sites data window, expand Groups, then expand Training, then expand Model_Tuning_34.

4

In the Operational Data data window, click DTA_Model_Tuning_34, and drag it to sector 1 in Model_Tuning_34.

5

In the Sites data window, expand Groups, then expand Training, then expand Model_Tuning_34.

6

Right-click the sector 1, and choose Assigned Surveys. The DTA_Model_Tuning_34 check box is enabled.

7

In the Assigned Surveys dialog box, click OK. Once you assign a survey to a site, the survey node moves from the Survey RSSI (Invalid Header) to the Survey RSSI node.

If you want to filter your survey data by antenna discrimination or degrees from boresight, (see To filter the survey data, page 57) you must include values for Azimuth and Tilt.

To view the cumulative histogram of survey data points The data in this dialog box is not editable. 1

Right-click DTA_Model_Tuning_34 and choose Analyze ➤ Histogram.

2

Enable the Show Points check box.

3

Click Close.

To view the clutter distribution The data in this dialog box is not editable. 1

Right-click DTSite34_2, and choose Analyze ➤ Clutter Distribution. The Survey Clutter Distribution dialog box opens.

2

56

Click Close.



To view the RSSI - distance regression curve The data in this dialog box is not editable. 1

Right-click DTA_Model_Tuning_34, and choose Analyze ➤ Regression.

2

Click Close.

To average the survey data 1

In the Operational Data data window, expand Survey Manager, then expand Surveys RSSI, right-click DTA_Model_Tuning_34 and choose Analyze ➤ Average. The Survey Averaging dialog box opens.

2

In the Averaging Method section, choose Area if it is not already chosen.

3

In the Rayleigh Fading box, type 6. 1 .

4

In the Averaging Distance box, type 15 .

5

In the Survey Name box, type DTA34_1 .

6

Click OK.

To filter the survey data Planet EV provides you with a number of filters to remove outliers from your survey data that can skew your analysis results. You can choose to apply as many of the filters as you need. You can also define two different ranges for a filter: for example, the RSSI filter, to view how the choice of filter range affects the number of points retained and removed. Filter Type

Range

Description

Distance from FSL Coordinate X (Latitude)

-90 to +90

Distance

0.4 km to 80 km (0.25 miles to 50 miles)

Retain points that fall within the distance from transmitter

RSSI

-120 dBm to -40 dBm

Retain points that fall within the RSSI range specified

Coordinate Y (Longitude)

-180 to +180


57

Lesson 3

Filter Type

Range

Description

Antenna Discrimination

- 6 dB to 0 dB

Retain points that fall within the antenna discrimination specified

Dist.from Regression Line (dB)

-40 dB to +40 dB

Retain points that fall within the distance from regression line specified

Deg. from Boresight

-90 deg to +90 deg

Retain points that fall within the boresight specified

Line of Sight Clutter class

# of Stds from Mean

Remove or include a clutter class from the survey -3 sigma to +3 sigma

Retain points that fall within the standard deviation specified

In this exercise, you will filter for RSSI and Dist. from Regression Line. 1

Right-click DTA34_1, and choose Analyze ➤ Filter.

2

In the Survey Filtering dialog box, from the Graph Display list, choose Histogram if it is not already chosen.

3

In the Filter Type column, click the down arrow, and choose RSSI (dBm) from the list.

4

In the Minimum cell, type -11 8 .

5

In the Maximum cell, type -5 0 .

6

In the Filter Type column, click the down arrow, and choose Distance (km) from the list.

7

In the Minimum cell, type 0. 5 .

8

In the Maximum cell, type 9 .

9

In the Filter Type column, click the down arrow, and choose Distance from Regression Line (km) from the list.

10 In the Minimum cell, type 0 . 11 In the Maximum cell, type 15 . 12 Click Apply.

The histogram shows the remaining data points and those that have been removed. 13 Click Save.

58



The Filtered Survey Name dialog box opens. 14 In the Survey Name box, type DTA34_2 , and click OK. 15 In the Survey Filtering dialog box, click Close. If you want to use the statistical tools available for other data, such as dropped calls, you can do so using Surveys Other Your data must have the longitude, latitude, measured data format.

To choose the Predict propagation model 1

In the Operational Data window, expand Survey Manager, then expand Surveys RSSI, right-click DTA34_2, and choose Model Tuning.

2

In the New Model Name box, type Predict2 .

3

From the Model to Tune list, choose Predict .

4

Click Edit Tuner.

5

In the Clutter Absorption Loss Properties dialog box, from the Number of Iterations list, choose 2, and click OK.

6

Click Edit Model. The Propagation Model Editor dialog box opens.

Setting the model parameters and editing the .cpa file When you want to perform a network analysis in Planet EV 3.1, you can choose from a number of propagation models. The two most common types of models are deterministic, such as the CRC-Predict model, and slope-based, such as the Hata model. Each type of model produces different analysis results. Deterministic and slope-based models differ in the way that they use clutter properties to model the propagation environment. The term clutter refers to land use and land classification, such as urban areas or forested areas, which make up the environment through which a radio wave propagates. Basically, slope-based models use a generalized clutter environment whereas deterministic models use specific clutter properties.


59

Lesson 3

When you create a project, Planet EV creates a Model folder within your project folder that contains standard propagation models. These include ■ AMT ■

Cost231

■

diffraction NLOS

■

Free Space

■

Hata

■

Lee

■

Longley Rice

■

Planet General Model

■

Recommendation 370

■

Predict

The Propagation Model Editor provides a way to select and edit the model that you want to use. In this lesson, you will learn more about the Predict model, the role of clutter properties in the tuning process, and how to tune the model using clutter properties. Much of this process is automated, and you can use the default clutter property values that Planet EV provides.

Exploring the Propagation Model Editor The Propagation Model Editor provides a way for you to edit the propagation models that are provided with Planet EV 3.1. You can create a custom model by editing the parameters of any standard model and then saving it with a different name. The Settings tab

The Propagation Model Editor displays a number of parameters that you can modify to suit your analyses. ■ Propagation Model Type—The name of the selected model is displayed at the top of the dialog box. ■

60

Frequency—This is the carrier frequency, in megahertz (MHz), of the transmitted frequency for the model. Because the carrier frequency can be different for every sector, you can assign a model to each sector to reflect the assigned frequency. Generally, this is not



required, however, because a frequency variation of up to five percent has little impact on an analysis. ■

■

■

■

Receiver Height—The receiver height is the distance above the ground of the average receiver. For many applications, this value is 1.5 meters, which is the average height of a mobile phone user. Polarization—The site polarization can be vertical or horizontal. Not all models use this parameter. Earth Curvature—The Earth curvature options are 4/3 Earth Curvature, Normal Earth Curvature, No Earth Curvature, and User Defined. In general, you should choose the 4/3 Earth Curvature setting. Model Parameters—These parameters are specific to each type of model and can be adjusted by clicking Edit.


61

Lesson 3

The Clutter Properties tab

The Clutter Properties tab provides a way for you to change the model parameters by editing the clutter properties. The following illustration shows the Clutter Properties tab. ■

Click the Clutter Properties tab.

■

■

The Dependent on Project Settings option—This option sets up Planet EV to use a specified clutter grid file. The clutter property assignment file contains information about each clutter class. Some propagation models use a .cpa file to adjust their predictions. The Use Single Clutter Property (Clutter Grid Not Used) option— This option sets up Planet EV to generate predictions that do not take clutter into account.

The Clutter Property Assignment File displayed on the Clutter Properties tab is the default .cpa file for the chosen propagation model. Each model has a default .cpa file. The Rain Attenuation tab ■

Click the Rain Attenuation tab. The Rain Attenuation tab enables you to include rain attenuation in the path loss calculations. If you choose to include rain attenuation, you can define an attenuation rate or a rate of rainfall.

The Advanced tab ■

Click the Advanced tab.

The Advance tab enables you to define DEM and clutter files specific to a prediction model.

62



Understanding analysis parameters and associated files When you set up the parameters for your analysis, you will work with ■ a site configuration file (.dsc) that contains information about which propagation model the site uses to generate predictions ■

■

a propagation model file (.dpm) that contains information about the model that is used to generate predictions a clutter property assignment file (.cpa) that contains information about the clutter file (.grc) that is used to generate predictions

The following diagram shows the relationship between the files required to generate predictions.

Setting up the CRC-Predict model and the .cpa file In this lesson, you will adjust the clutter properties for the CRC-Predict model. In this exercise, you will ■ set model parameters for the CRC-Predict model in the Propagation Model Editor ■

■ ■

create a .cpa file that contains the same clutter classes as the Clutter_Resolution30_NY.grc file change the Average Obstacle Height values for each clutter class generate the best server signal strength analysis layer using the Project Explorer

■

view the best server signal strength using the Project Explorer

■

view individual sector signal strengths using the Site toolbar

This lesson assumes that you have opened the Propagation Model Editor from the Model Tuning Tool dialog box.


63

Lesson 3

To edit the CRC-Predict model 1

In the Propagation Model Editor, in the Frequency box, type 85 0 if it is not already displayed.

2

Double-click the Receiver Height box, and type 1.5 if it is not already displayed.

.

If you change the receiver height after you have generated a prediction, you must regenerate the path loss files.

3

From the Earth Curvature list, choose 4/3 Earth Curvature if it is not already displayed.

4

From the Polarization list, choose Vertical if it is not already displayed.

To edit the .cpa file 1

Click the Clutter Properties tab.

2

Choose the Dependent on Project Settings option if it is not already chosen.

3

Click Edit CPA. The Clutter Property Assignment dialog box opens.

4

64

Type the values shown in the table below in the Average Obstacle Height column of the .cpa file, and choose the ground type as shown below. Reference Name

Average Obstacle Height (m)

Ground Type

dBP_Unknown

0

User Defined

High Density Urban

25.0

Dense Urban

Industrial - Commercial

7.0

Industrial

Residential with Trees

4.5

Residential

Residential with few Trees

4.5

Residential

Paved

0.0

Dry ground

Agricultural - Grass

2.5

Forest

Open - Bare

1.0

Dry ground

Forested - Dense Vegetation

10.0

Forest

Water

0.0

Fresh water



Reference Name

Average Obstacle Height (m)

Ground Type

Airport

0.5

Dry ground

5

Click Save, and then click Close.

6

In the Propagation Model Editor dialog box, choose File ➤ Save As. The Save As dialog box opens.

7

In the File Name box, type Pr edi ct 2. dp m , and click Save.

8

In the Propagation Model Editor dialog box, click Close.

To tune the model 1

From the Model Tuner list, choose Clutter Absorption Loss.

2

Click OK. The model tuning process begins. The Model Tuning dialog box opens and provides a progress report about the process. A temporary path loss file is generated.

When you have survey data for more than one site, you can tune a propagation model as follows: set the filters for each model, then press the SHIFT key, and select the surveys you wish to tune with. Right-click the selected surveys, and execute the above two steps.

3

In the Model Tuning dialog box, click Close.

4

In the Planet EV dialog box, click Yes. The ModelTuningReport.txt file opens in Notepad.

5

Close the text file.

To apply the tuned model to the group 1

In the Project Explorer, from the Category list, choose Sites.

2

In the Sites data window, expand Groups, right-click Training, and choose Global Edit. The Global Edit dialog box opens.

3

Enable the Propagation Model check box, and choose Predict 2 from the list.

4

Click Apply.

5

In the Confirm dialog box, click Yes.

6

In the Global Edit dialog box, click OK.


65

Lesson 3

Analyzing the tuned Predict model Now that all the settings have been configured for the network analysis and all the sites have been configured, you will generate a network analysis using the tuned Predict model. To choose the analysis layer to be generated 1

In the Project Explorer, from the Category list, choose Network Analyses if it is not already chosen.

2

In the Network Analyses data window, right-click Network Analyses, and choose New. The Network Analysis dialog box opens.

3

In the Analysis Name box, type Tu ne dPre di ct.

4

Click OK.

5

Right-click TunedPredict, and choose Layers. The Analysis Layers dialog box opens.

6

Click Remove All.

7

Enable the Best Server Signal Strength check box.

8

Click OK.

To choose advanced layers to be generated 1


2

Click the Advanced Options tab.

3

In the Output Options section, enable the check box for Maintain Maximum Inclination if it is not already enabled.

4

In the Additional Layers section, enable the check boxes for Azimuth and Transmit Distance.

5

Click OK.

To generate analysis layers 1

In the Network Analyses data window, right-click TunedPredict, and choose Generate. The Generator dialog box opens.

66

2

Click Check Files.

3

Click Run.

4

When the analysis is complete, click Close.



To view the best server analysis layer ■

In the Network Analyses data window, expand TunedPredict, right-click Best Server Signal Strength, and choose View.

To view the Azimuth layer The advanced layers that you chose in the Project Settings dialog box cannot be opened using the Project Explorer. 1

Choose File ➤ Open Table.

2

Navigate to the Planet EV Training\General\Azimuth folder and choose the AZ_Prj-1_Model_Tuning_34_1_P.tab file. This is the Azimuth layer for the Model_Tuning_21 site.

3

Click Open.

To view individual sector predictions 1

Right-click the NY_Training_Sites Map window, and choose Clone View.

2

In the Project Explorer, click the Add a Data Window button to open a third data window.

3

In the Project Explorer, from the Category list, choose Windows.

4

In the Windows data window, expand the second NY_Training_Sites,..., node, right-click BestServFS_Prj-1_TunedPredict for the cloned window, and click Remove.

5

Press the S key if the Snap function is not already active.

6

On the Site toolbar, click the View Predictions button.

7

Click site Model_Tuning_34 in the Map window. The View Predictions dialog box opens. If you open multiple sector prediction grids, they overlap and are not combined as a composite layer in the Map window.

8

Click View.

9

Click Close.

To display the grid legend 1

From the Planet EV main menu, choose View ➤ Show Grid Legend. The Grid Legend dialog box opens.


67

Lesson 3

2

Choose FS_Prj-1_Model_Tuning_34_1_P.grd from the list at the bottom of the Grid Legend dialog box. The units for the grid file are displayed at the bottom of the Grid Legends dialog box. In this case, the units are dBm.

3

Close the Grid Legend dialog box.

4

On the Main toolbar, click the Unselect All button.

Using delta surveys Delta surveys measure differences, such as those you create when comparing surveys. Delta surveys are organized in the Surveys Delta node in the Survey Manager. To compare a delta survey with a numeric grid 1

In the Operational Data window, right-click DTA34_2, and choose Analyze ➤ Compare to Grid. The Compare Survey to Grid dialog box opens.

2

Choose the BestServ folder, then choose the BestServFS_Prj-1_TunedPredict.grd file, and click Open. The Survey to Grid Comparison dialog box opens.

3

Click Save.

4

In the Survey Name dialog box, in the Survey Name box, type DTA34_3 , and click OK.

5

In the Survey to Grid Comparison dialog box, click Close. The DTA34_3 survey is displayed under the Surveys Delta node.

Getting information on analysis layers The Grid Info tool The Grid Info tool provides you with information contained in classified and in numeric grids. You can also use the Grid Info tool to view information about grids that are currently open in the project.

The Analysis Info tool Using the Analysis Info tool, you can view information on any grid file used in or generated from the project you currently have open. This includes elevation files, clutter files, and network analysis layer files. You do not need to open the files to use the Analysis Info tool. Using Analysis Info Setup, you can save a configuration for customized display of analysis information. In your configuration, you can define

68



graph display settings, the nth best server settings, and the graph color settings. In the Analysis Info tool, you can then view up to two graphs using these settings. To use the Grid Info tool 1

On the Analysis toolbar, click the Grid Info button.

2

Close the Grid Info dialog box.

To configure the Analysis Info tool 1

Choose Analysis ➤ Analysis Info Setup.

2

In the Analysis Info Graph Configuration dialog box, click the Network Analysis tab.

3

Click Add New to define a new graph display.

4

On the first page of the Network Analysis Graph Wizard, type Mod el Tun in gAna lys is in the Graph Name box, and click Next. The configuration will be identified by this name in the Analysis Info tool.

5

On the second page of the wizard, choose Second Best Server Signal Strength from the First Analysis Layer Grid list.

6

Click Next.

7

In the Grc Analysis Layer List, choose Second Best Server Signal Strength. This file contains the appropriate labels for the layer grids to be displayed in the graph window.

8

Click Next.

9

Choose the Yes option to enable thresholds to appear in the graph display. A threshold is a vertical line marking the graph display at the values you choose.

10 In the Threshold Number box, type 4. 11 Click Next, and then click Next again. 12 On the default range page of the wizard, type 1 in the Minimum Value

box, and type 3 in the Maximum Value box. The values on the graph will begin at the minimum value you specify and will end at the maximum value. 13 Click Finish. 14 Click OK to close the Network Analysis Graph Settings dialog box.


69

Lesson 3

15 Click OK.

To display information in the graph windows Using the Analysis Info tool, you can quickly update the display with information on a specific point by clicking in a Map window. You can choose to view information in a graphical format or a tabular format or both. The upper part of the window can contain up to two graph displays. Each graph can contain information on several grids depending on how you configure the Analysis Info tool. 1

Choose Analysis ➤ Analysis Info and click anywhere in the Map window. The Analysis Info dialog box opens.

70

2

Choose View ➤ Graph 1 and then choose ModelTuningAnalysis.

3

Click a different location in the Map window to update information in the Analysis Info window for a new location.

4

If the Grid Info table does not appear in the bottom half of the dialog box, choose View ➤ Grid Info ➤ Disabled.

5

When you have finished inspecting information, choose File ➤ Exit.


Lesson 4: Tuning the Planet General Propagation Model

Lesson

4.

In this lesson, you will ■ ■

■ ■

assign the model to a site view the model propertied in the Propagation Model Editor tune the model using the AMT view the best server analysis layer

Tuning the Planet General Propagation Model You can use the Automatic Model Tuner (AMT) to tune the Planet General model (PGM). In this lesson, you will use the survey data you imported, averaged, and filtered in the previous lesson to tune the PGM.

71

Lesson 4

Introduction The term model tuning applies generally to the process of adjusting the parameters of a propagation model in order to produce predictions that are as accurate and realistic as possible. Model tuning is usually performed using measured signal strength data collected during surveying. This survey data is used to change clutter absorption loss values and other parameters in the propagation model.

Understanding the Model Tuning tool In Planet EV, model tuning is performed using the Survey Manager. The Survey Manager tool enables you to tune the Planet General model. Automatic Model Tuner

You can use Automatic Model Tuner (AMT) to automatically optimize components of the Planet General model using measurement data from one or more sites. In addition to optimizing the general properties of the Planet General model, including clutter absorption values, AMT enables you to optimize the K1 to K5 and clutter offset factors. Using AMT is useful in the modeling process because it reduces the processing time required for modeling and provides you with detailed information about the performance of the Planet General model. In addition, AMT enables you to ■ Produce an optimized model for a single site ■

Determine the effective antenna algorithm for your region

■

Produce an optimized regional model using data from many sites

■

Determine the best optimized values for K1 and K2

■

Build a model using Hata components

For a detailed description of how the AMT optimizes components of the Planet General model, see the Planet General Model Technical Note available in the Planet EV Library, accessible from the online Help.

72


Tuning the Planet General Propagation Model

Workflow for tuning the Planet General model Use the process below to tune the Planet General model using Automatic Model Tuning tool. If you have to tune the Planet General model for clutter absorption loss, follow the process outlined in the previous lesson.

Step 1

Import the survey data by using the Survey Manager accessible from the Project Explorer.

Step 2

Assign one or more surveys to one or more sectors.

Step 3

Define the Planet General model parameters if necessary.

Step 4

Tune the Planet General model using the Automatic Model Tuner.

Step 5

Apply the survey tuned Planet General Model to your group or sites.

Step 6

Generate analysis layers.

Step 7

View the analysis layers.

Step 8

Evaluate your analysis.

Tuning the Planet General model To create a new project ID 1


2

Double-click the Project ID box, and type P r j - 2 .

3


To tune the PGM model 1

Right-click DTA_Model_Tuning_34_1, and choose Model Tuning. The Model Tuning dialog box opens.

2

In the Model Tuning dialog box, in the Model Name box, type PGMTun ed 1 .

3

From the Model Type list, choose default_PlanetGeneralModel.

4

From the Model Tuner list, choose Automatic Model Tuner Version 1.0.


73

Lesson 4

To edit the Planet General model parameters 1

Click Edit Model. The Propagation Model Editor dialog box opens.

2

Click Edit. The Planet General Model Parameters dialog box opens.

74



To choose a Planet model type for the propagation 1

Click the General tab.

2

In the Model section of the Planet General Model Parameters dialogue, enable the 1 piece option. A one piece model uses a single value for the intercept K1 and a single value for the slope K2. This model is most frequently used and is valid in most situations.

Examining the General tab The General tab enables you to control model constants (K factors), which are frequency dependent. The values shown in the dialogue are valid for a frequency of 900 MHz. ■ The Intercept, K1 (near)—determines the starting point for the solution equation along the y-axis. ■

■

■

■

■

■

The Slope, K2 (near)—is a grid cell independent value that defines the empirically based slope of the solution. The Effective Antenna Height Gain, K3—compensates for gain due to antenna height. This factor is usually set to a value between -6 and -5. The Diffraction Factor, K4—is a value between 0 and 1. A value of zero means that diffraction in the environment is not taken into account. This value is usually tuned with empirical results. It is common to see values between 0.4 to 0.6 for this factor. The Log(Heff)*Log(d) Factor, K5—adjusts both the solution equation along the y-axis and the slope of the equation. This is an Okumura-Hata type multiplying factor and is determined empirically. The Mobile Antenna Height Factor, K6—is a correction factor that is applied to compensate for the gain due to the mobile’s effective antenna height. The Knife Edge Merging Distance box— sets the Knife edge parameter.


75

Lesson 4

For a knife edge merging distance of 200 meters, the diffraction calculations do not include diffraction caused by obstacles less than 200 meters apart. The diffraction cause by obstacle B in the above diagram, for example, would not be included in the calculations. ■

The Receiver Height Definition Global option—all mobiles are assumed to have the same height.

To view the remaining model parameters 1

Click the Path Clutter tab. The Path Clutter tab enables you to include the computation of path loss due to the clutter effect and to adjust the clutter effect using one of four weighting functions. When you choose the Path Clutter option, you can change the effect of the clutter factor with a weighting function. The default distance is set to the last 1000 meters of the propagation distance.

2

Click the Troposcatter Effect tab. The Troposcatter Effect tab enables you to specify that a troposcatter model be used to enable accurate modeling of radio wave propagation over the horizon as a result of the earth's atmosphere. The troposcatter model takes into account the spreading of radio waves in the troposphere. This option is used for propagation distances of greater than 50 km. You can set both a climate type and a confidence level in this section.

3

Click the Okumura tab. The Okumura tab enables you to specify various Okumura correction factors.

4

Click the Effective Antenna Height tab. The Effective Antenna Height tab enables you to choose one of several algorithms to compute effective antenna height. Six effective antenna height model algorithms are available from the Type list. The Spot Height algorithm has been selected from the Type list.

5

In the Planet General Model Parameters dialog box, click OK.

Examining the Planet General Model path loss equation The basis of the Planet General model, which is a slope-based model, is the following equation for received power: PRX = PTX + K1 + K2log(d) + K3log(Heff) + K4Diffraction + K5log(Heff)log(d) +K6(Hmeff) + KClutter

where

76



PRX—received power in dBm PTX—transmit power (ERP) in dBm K1—constant offset in dB K2—multiplying factor for log (d) K3—multiplying factor for log(Heff) which accounts for gain due to base-station antenna height K4—multiplying factor for diffraction calculations K5—multiplying factor log(Heff)log(d) K6—correction factor for the mobile effective antenna height gain K6(Heff) d—distance in metres, of the receiver from the transmitter Heff—effective base-station antenna height Diffraction—value calculated for loss due to diffraction over an obstructed path KClutter—gain in dB due to clutter type Hmeff—mobile effective antenna height

Sources of path loss The Planet General model accounts for the effects of a variety of physical factors, such as free space attenuation, presence of line of sight, and clutter, that contribute to path loss. Some of these factors are described in the table below. For reference purposes, the manner in which the Predict propagation model accounts for these path losses is also shown. Planet General model parameters

CRC-Predict model parameters

Free Space Attenuation

K1, K2, and K5 K1 is the intercept for the curve and is frequency dependant. K2 is the slope of the curve. K5 is an Okumura-type multiplying factor. It incorporates effective antenna height.

Free space attenuation calculations are performed using the following standard equation (ITU-R Recommendation P.525): L(bf) = 32.45 + 20 log(f) + 20 log(d) where L(bf)—free space loss in dB f—frequency in MHz d—distance in Km Neither terrain nor clutter effects are considered in this equation. These parameters are calculated separately.


77

Lesson 4

Planet General model parameters


Effective Antenna Height Gain

K3 modifies the term that accounts for the effective base station antenna height.

The real antenna height is used, and the effects of ground elevation changes are calculated point-by-point along the terrain profile.

Diffraction

The factor K4 is used as a multiplier for diffraction attenuation when the line of sight is obstructed by terrain or clutter.

In CRC-Predict, the average clutter obstacle height and the terrain elevation are used to calculate diffraction loss on a point-by-point basis along radials.

Clutter Height

It determines if there is line of sight between the transmitter and the receiver. It is evaluated on a grid cell by grid cell basis for the Planet general model. If there is not line of sight, then a diffraction factor is applied to the solution equation.

For the diffraction calculation along a radial, clutter height is added to ground elevation. Clutter height is also used locally to estimate clutter attenuation.

Clutter Separation (Planet)/Clear Distance (CRC-Predict)

This is the distance from last effective diffracting clutter obstruction to receiving antenna.

The distance from last effective diffracting clutter obstruction to receiving antenna. The CRC-Predict field strength increases as this value increases.

Mobile Antenna Height Gain

The K6 is a correction factor that is applied to compensate for the gain due to the mobile’s effective antenna height.

Receiver height is taken into account in a deterministic fashion with the CRC-Predict model.

Clutter Factor

The KClutter accounts for the effect of clutter. You have the option of changing the weighting of the clutter effect in the last 1000 metres to the receiver.

The Local Absorption Power Loss is equivalent to the Planet Clutter Factor except that it is applied only locally.

Receiver Height

A different values for receiver height is assigned for each clutter class.

78


All mobiles have the same height regardless of which clutter class they are located in.


Planet General model parameters


Clutter Separation (Planet)/Clear Distance (CRC-Predict)

This is the distance from last effective diffracting clutter obstruction to receiving antenna.

The distance from last effective diffracting clutter obstruction to receiving antenna. The CRC-Predict field strength increases as this value increases.

To tune the model 1

Click Edit Tuner. The Planet Automatic Model Tuner dialog box opens.

2

3

In the Model Parameters section, do the following: ■

for K1, choose Optimize if it is not already chosen

■

for K2, choose Optimize if it is not already chosen

■

for K3, choose Hata value if it is not already chosen

■

for K4, choose User Defined if it is not already chosen

■

for Clutter Offsets, choose Optimize if it is not already chosen

Click OK.


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Lesson 4

4

In the Model Tuning dialog box, click OK. The Model Tuning dialog box opens and provides a progress report about the tuning process.

5

In the Model Tuning dialog box, click Close.

6

In the Planet EV dialog box, click No.

To choose the analysis layer to be generated 1

In the Project Explorer, from the Category list, choose Network Analyses if it is not already chosen.

2

In the Network Analyses data window, right-click Network Analyses, and choose New. The Network Analysis dialog box opens.

3

In the Analysis Name box, type P G M Tu ne d.

4

Click OK.

5

Right-click PGMTuned, and choose Layers. The Analysis Layers dialog box opens.

6

Click Remove All.

7

Enable the Best Server Signal Strength check box.

8

Click OK.

To generate the best server analysis layer 1

In the Network Analyses data window, right-click PGMTuned, and choose Generate. The Generator dialog box opens.

2

Click Check Files.

3

Click Run.

4

When the analysis is complete, click Close.

To view the best server analysis layer ■

80

In the Network Analyses data window, expand PGMTuned, right-click Best Server Signal Strength, and choose View.


Lesson 5:

Lesson

5.


■

■

import network data from an external source bind imported network data to the data within Planet EV 3.1 display network data in a Map window

Importing Network Data

This lesson provides background information and instructions for using the data collected from a switch. Planet EV provides a way for you to use network data to generate more realistic predictions based on actual measurements.

81

Lesson 5

Introduction The Planet EV Network Data Tool provides a way for you to utilize a wide range of data from sources such as wireless technologies, network infrastructures and performance monitoring software applications. You can use the Network Data Tool to import network performance data from switches and display the information graphically on a map of your network coverage area. Data can be collected at several aggregation levels: sector, site, and carrier. The Network Data Tool does not connect directly with switches, but uses the information gathered from switches by software. The Network Data Tool has importing and mapping functionality—you can load network data from either text files or spreadsheets, and create graphical representations or queries of the network data. You can display color-coded network performance data in the best server coverage region, or display sector information in a user-defined region. You can use the imported network data to generate interference matrices and traffic maps—you will learn more about these later in this course. Using the network data results in a more realistic visualization of actual network usage and the traffic affected by interfering sectors.

Workflow for using network data To use the Network Data Tool for network analysis, you will typically complete the following tasks:

Step 1

Import the data into Planet EV.

Step 2

Create data binding rules.

Step 3

Bind the data to sites and sectors in your project.

Step 4

Display the data graphically in a Map window.


82



Importing Network Data to Planet EV To import your network data from an external data source, the information must be in either a spreadsheet (MS Excel) or in an ASCII tab-delimited file with an .ssd extension. The Network Data Tool supports both one-to-one and one-to-many relationships, which makes the imported network data available for use with traffic maps, interference matrices, and neighbor lists. A one-to-one relationship means that the network data contains one row for each sector in the site table. For example, the network data might contain metrics such as traffic data and dropped calls for a sector. You can import this type of network data for use in generating a traffic map. A one-to-many relationship means that the network data contains more than one row for each sector in the site table. If the network data contains information about interfering sectors, for example, each sector in the site table will have multiple rows that contain interfering site and sector IDs rather than metrics. This one-to-many capability enables you to use network data when generating interference matrices and neighbor lists. In this exercise, the spreadsheet contains one field named “CellId”, which includes site and sector identifiers. The Network Data Tool will automatically break this field into Site and Sector fields that correspond to your project site table. Ensure that the project General.dBP is open. To import network data to Planet EV 1

In the Project Explorer, from the Category list, choose Operational Data.

2

Right-click Network Data, and choose New. The Network Data dialog box opens.

3

In the External Data Source section, click Browse.

4

In the Planet EV Training\General\Network_Data\XLS folder, choose the NY_Switch.xls file, and click Open.

5

In the Planet EV dialog box, click Yes. The CellID data field is converted into SiteId and SectorId fields. The Network Data Tool automatically converts the Network Data field CellID into the Planet EV table fields SiteId and SectorId, so that the data can be mapped to your site table. The spreadsheet data set is automatically copied into the Network_Data\XLS folder of your project.


83

Lesson 5

Binding the data using binding rules The data from an external source must be bound to Planet EV objects, such as sectors and sites, in data tables. To do this, you must first create binding rules for the external network data. You can specify any field or fields to bind network data to Planet EV objects.

To create data binding rules 1

2

In the External Data column, enable the check box for ■

SiteId (Converted)

■

SectorId (Converted)

■

BH_ATTEMPTS

■

BH_SEIZURES

For each External Data cell shown in the table below, click the down arrow for the adjacent cell in the Planet EV Data column, and choose the item shown below in the Planet EV Data column. External Data cell

Planet EV Data

BH_%BLOCK

Blocked Call Rate

BH_%DROP

Dropped Call Rate

BH_TRAFFIC

Carried Erlangs

3

Click Save As, and type NY _BindRul es in the File Name box.

4

Click Save. You can now reuse the binding rules you just created with other network data sets.

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To bind the data 1

Click the Results tab.

2

Enable the Generate Display Info When Saving Results check box in the lower left corner if it is not already enabled.

3

Click Fetch.

4

When the results are displayed, click Save.

5

In the Generate Display Info dialog box, enable all the check boxes in the Generate Display Info column.

6

Click OK. The network data you imported is now in a Planet EV format data table. The key performance indicators appear as new nodes under the NY_Switch.xls node in the Project Explorer data window.

7

In the Network Data dialog box, click Close.

8

In the Microsoft Excel dialog box, click No.


85

Lesson 5

Displaying the Network Data You can create graphical representations of the network data for analysis or display purposes. You can also create database queries using the network data set. To display the network data 1

In the Operational Data data window, expand Excel Format, then expand NY_Switch.xls, and right-click Dropped Call Rate, and choose Options.

2

In the Metric Display Options dialog box, change the Radius to 5 .

3

Add inflection points to the Data Histogram by double-clicking 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 along the slider bar at the bottom.

4

Click Colors.

5

Double-click the first box in the Color Scheme List, and in the Color dialog box, choose a light green color.

6

Click OK.

7

Double-click the next box in the Color Scheme List, and in the Color dialog box, choose a dark green color.

8

Click OK.

9

Repeat steps 7 and 8 until a color has been assigned to all ranges.

10 In the Metric Display Options dialog box, click OK. 11 In the Operational Data data window, right-click Dropped Call Rate,

and choose View. A graphical representation of the Dropped Call Rate per sector is displayed in the Map window. 12 Repeat steps 1 through 11 for Carried Erlangs using a radius of 4 ,

inflection points of 5, 10, and 15, and a different color scheme. 13 Repeat Steps 1 to 11 for BH_ATTEMPTS using a radius of 2 ,

inflection points of 500, 1000, and 1500, and a different color scheme. 14 In the Operational Data data window, right-click BH_ATTEMPTS,

and choose Hide. 15 Repeat step 13 for Dropped Call Rate and Carried Erlangs.

86



Summary In this lesson, you have learned to ■ import network data from an MS Excel file into Planet EV ■

create data binding rules

■

bind the network data to sites and sectors in your project

■

display the network data in a Map window


87

Lesson 5

88


Lesson 6

Lesson

6.


■

■

■

■

create a traffic map based on regional subscriber data modify the traffic map using clutter weighting add roads as a new clutter category, and update the traffic map with the new information scale the existing traffic map based on future market growth projections convert a traffic map into different units by specifying a conversion factor

Creating Traffic Maps

You will create a traffic map required for creating the Modeled interference matrix and for generating the neighbor list.

89

Lesson 6

Introduction Planet EV provides you with a Traffic Map Generator that helps you plan your wireless network based on actual mobile usage. You can use the Traffic Map Generator to create and to display traffic maps expressed in the following units: ■

■

■

Erlang density (Erlangs/km2)—density of simultaneous calls at a given location within the network Subscriber density (Subscribers/km2)—density of subscribers at a given location within the network Throughput density (Kbps/km2)—data transfer density of a given service

You can generate traffic maps based on population and subscriber data or on network data obtained from a switch. You can also distribute users within the network based on clutter class to more accurately reflect mobile usage. For example, although few subscribers live in a commercialindustrial area, many subscribers will use their mobile units while working there during the day. Subscribers also use their mobile units while traveling; hence, Planet EV enables you to stamp roads onto the traffic map and assign weightings based on roads as a clutter class.

Workflow for generating a traffic map To create a traffic map that provides a realistic picture of actual network usage, you will typically complete the following tasks.

90

Step 1

Generate a traffic map.

Step 2

Add roads to the traffic map.

Step 3

Apply clutter weighting.

Step 4

Scale the traffic map as needed.

Step 5

Convert the traffic map units as needed.



Step 6

Combine traffic maps to cover a larger area

Step 7

Edit traffic map properties


Creating a traffic map based on regional subscriber data A traffic map provides information about the geographical distribution of subscriber traffic in a network. You can generate a traffic map from demographic data, such as population census data, or from network data, such as switch statistics. In this lesson, you will create a traffic map by ■ using a regions file containing demographic data, where the regional subscriber data is derived from population density values ■

changing traffic units from Subscribers/km2 to Erlangs/km2. The latter unit better reflects actual mobile usage

■

adding primary and secondary roads to the traffic map

■

applying clutter weighting to reflect actual traffic load

■

scaling the traffic map by clutter to plan for network growth

To create a traffic map based on regional data 1

In the Project Explorer, from the Category list, choose Tools.

2

Right-click Traffic Maps, and choose New.

3

In the Traffic Map Generator: General dialog box, in the Name box, type Subscriber_Data .

4

In the Traffic Data Input Format section, choose the Regions option if it is not already chosen.

5

From the Input Data Unit list, choose Subscribers.

6

From the Output Data Unit list, choose Erlangs/km2. By choosing Erlangs/km2, you can produce a traffic map that shows the number of subscribers in each region who are actually using the network at a given point in time.


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Lesson 6

7

In the Conversion Factor box, type 1 . The default value of 0.025 is commonly used for mature networks in Europe and North America. The conversion factor in this dialog box applies a uniform distribution of users within each region, regardless of clutter properties. You will set the conversion factors later in this lesson when you assign relative weightings for each clutter class.

8

In the Description box, type We ighted .

9

Click Next.

10 In the Traffic Map Generator: Traffic Data dialog box, click

Open Table. 11 In the Open dialog box, choose the

Planet EV Training\General\Pop Stats folder, then choose the Census Tracts NYNJ.tab file, and click Open. The Name Column and Data Column boxes are automatically populated based on the table that you opened. The Name Column box displays the first column that contains character data, while the Data Column box displays the first column (alphabetically sorted) that contains numeric data. 12 From the Name Column list, choose REGION if it is not already

displayed. This column contains the region identifiers. Regions that do not share a border, but that have the same identifier, are treated as a combined region. The demographic data is summed for the combined region.

13 From the Data Column list, choose SUBSCRIBERS.

This column contains the number of subscribers for each region. 14 Click Next.

92



The Traffic Map Generator: Clutter Weighting dialog box opens. You will apply a clutter weighting later in this lesson. 15 In the Traffic Map Resolution box, type 30 if it is not already

displayed. 16 Click Finish.

The traffic map is displayed in the Map window. Each region is colorcoded to indicate a different traffic density. Because you did not apply clutter weightings, the traffic map shows the number of subscribers distributed evenly throughout each region. To view the subscriber distribution legend 1

Choose View ➤ Show Grid Legend. In the Grid Legend dialog box, you can see the values assigned to each color displayed in the Map window.

2

In the Grid Legend dialog box, click the down arrow, and choose TM_Subscriner_Data.grd.

3

Close the Grid Legends dialog box.

Adding roads to a traffic map Wireless network traffic is often concentrated along roads. You can include roads on the clutter grid and assign a clutter class for each road type. Planet EV converts the vector objects to bins in the clutter grid file. In this exercise, you will add primary and secondary roads to the clutter grid. The road clutter type replaces the underlying clutter type. To add roads to a traffic map 1

In the Tools data window, expand Traffic Maps, and right-click Subscriber_Data, and choose Properties.

2

In the Traffic Map Properties dialog box, choose Clutter Weighting in the tree view.

3

Enable the Apply Clutter Weighting check box.

4

Click New Clutter From Vectors. The Vector and Clutter Merging dialog box opens.

5

Next to the New Clutter File Name box, click Save. The Save As dialog box opens.

6

Choose the Planet EV Training\MappingData\Clutter folder.

7

In the File Name box, type C l u t t er _w i t h _Ro ad s , and click Save.

8

Next to the Vector Layer box, click Open. Planet EV 3.1 Training DRAFT

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Lesson 6

9

In the Planet EV Training\MappingData\Vectors folder, choose the Primary_Road_Merged.tab file.

10 Click Open. 11 From the Vector Layer list, choose Primary_Road_Merged.tab if it is

not already displayed. 12 Choose TYPE_NAME from the Name Column list.

This is the column that contains the vector object names. 13 Next to the Base Clutter File box, click Browse. 14 In the Planet EV Training\MappingData\Clutter folder, choose the

Clutter_Resolution30_NY.grc file. 15 Click Open. 16 Clear the Create Combined Clutter Types check box if it is not

already cleared. With this check box cleared, the vector objects will replace underlying clutter types. 17 Click the Buffer Settings tab.

You will specify the buffering parameters used for converting the vector objects to grid cells. 18 Choose the Value option to use the same buffer setting for all objects. 19 In the Value box, type 25 .0 0 . 20 Clear the Include Regions check box if it is not already cleared.

You will not create a buffer for region objects. 21 From the Units list, choose Meters if it is not already chosen.

94



22 Click Generate.

The Vector and Clutter Merging dialog box closes and the Clutter Property Assignment dialog box opens.

Applying clutter weighting to a traffic map The subscriber data that you used in a previous exercise reflects the number of subscribers who live in a geographical region. Actual mobile usage, however, can occur in areas other than where the subscribers live. Clutter weighting allows you to obtain a more realistic view of traffic density. For example, there are more subscribers in the Urban clutter class using their mobile units than are indicated by the census data—people might not live in the Urban area, but many will use their mobile units while at work there. You can set relative densities for each clutter class in order to show realistic usage patterns. When you generated the Subscriber_Data traffic map, you chose to apply a uniform conversion factor of 1 to convert subscribers/km2 to Erlangs/km2. In this exercise, you will set the relative weights and unit conversion factors for each clutter class to reflect actual usage, regardless of where subscribers live. The new traffic map will reflect both subscriber density by clutter class and by predicted usage. To apply clutter weighting to a traffic map 1

In the Vector and Clutter Merging dialog box, for each reference name shown in the table below, click the Relative Weighting cell, and type the corresponding value. For each reference name shown in the table below, click the Unit Conversion Factor cell, and type the corresponding value.


95

Lesson 6

Using Erlangs/km2 to describe the user traffic better reflects actual mobile usage Reference Name

Relative Weighting

Unit Conversion Factor

Secondary

2

0.025

Primary

5

0.025

High Density Urban

10

0.030

Industrial-Commercial

15

0.050


1

0.020

Residential with Few Trees

1

0.020

Paved

7

0.025

Agricultural-Grass

1

0.010

Open-Bare

1

0.005

Forested-Dense Vegetation

1

0.005

Water

1

0.005

Airport

5

0.030

The Secondary clutter class represents the secondary roads that you converted in the previous exercise. The Primary clutter class represents the primary roads that you converted in the previous exercise The High Density Urban clutter class with a relative weighting of 10 has 10 times the number of subscribers as, for example, the Residential with Trees clutter class with a relative weighting of 1. 2

Click Save.

3

Click Close.

To change the color profile for the TM_Subscriber_Data file 1

In the Traffic Map Properties dialog box, click Update. The modified traffic map is displayed in the Map window. You can see that traffic is now distributed by clutter class within each polygonal region.

96

2

Choose View ➤ Show Grid Manager.

3

In the Grid Manager dialog box, click TM_Subscriber_Data.grd.



4

Click Color.

5

In the Grid Color Tool dialog box, in the Color Profile section, click Load.

6

In the Load Color Profile dialog box, click TM_Traffic_Map_erlangs.vcp, and then click Open.

7

Click OK. You can see that traffic is now distributed by clutter class within each polygonal region.

8

Close the Grid Manager dialog box.

Scaling a traffic map for network growth In this exercise, you will scale the traffic map by clutter class in order to visualize network growth based on market projections for each clutter class. To scale a traffic map 1

Right-click the Map window, and choose Clone View.

2

In the Tools data window, expand Traffic Maps, right-click Subscriber_Data, and choose Scale. The Scale Traffic Map dialog box opens.

3

From the Scaling Method list, choose Clutter.

4

Click Browse.

5

In the Planet EV Training\MappingData\Clutter folder, choose the Clutter_with_Roads.grc file, and click Open.

6

Click the Scaling Factor cell for each row in the Properties table, and type the values shown in the following table. Reference Name

Scaling Factor

Secondary

1.150

Primary

1.300

High Density Urban

1.300


1.350


1.050


1.050

Paved

1.100


97

Lesson 6

Reference Name

Scaling Factor

Agricultural-Grass

1.000

Open-Bare

1.000

Forested-Dense Vegetation

1.000

Water

1.000

Airport

1.250

A scaling factor of 1.300 represents 30% growth. Values must be positive and between 0.001 and 10,000, inclusive.

7

Click Save.

8

Click Close.

9

In the Scale Traffic Map dialog box, click Scale.

To view the data in the Map window 1

In the Tools data window, right-click Subscriber_Data_CScaled, and choose View.

2

On the Analysis toolbar, click the Grid Info button.

3

Click an area of the new traffic map. The traffic load value shown in the Grid Info dialog box.

4

Click an orange area of the original traffic map, and compare the original and the new values.

5


Converting a traffic map You can convert a traffic map to a different traffic unit and save it with a new name. In this exercise, you will convert the scaled traffic map from Erlangs/km2 to Subscribers/km2. To convert a traffic map 1

In the Tools data window, right-click Subscriber_Data, and choose Convert. The Convert Traffic Map dialog box opens.

2

From the Converted Traffic Map Unit list, choose Subscribers/km2. The default Conversion Factor of 40 represents current industry standards.

98



3

In the Converted Traffic Map Name box, type S ub s c r i be r _Data _C o nve r t e d if it is not already displayed.

4

Click Convert.

5

Right-click Traffic Maps: Subscriber_Data_Converted, and choose View. The converted traffic map is displayed in the Map window.

To view the data 1

Click the Map window anywhere on the converted traffic map. In the Grid Info dialog box, you can see the value for the grid cell expressed as Subscribers/Km2.

2


3

Close the second Map window

4

In the Windows data window, expand DT_Site21,...,, right-click TM_Subscriber_Data, and choose Remove.

Summary In this lesson, you have learned to ■ create a traffic map based on subscriber data ■

add roads to a traffic map

■

apply clutter weightings to distribute subscribers by clutter class

■

scale a traffic map based on growth projections for each clutter class

■

convert a traffic map into different units


99

Lesson 6

100


zLesson 7: Creating Interference Matricesecial 1

Lesson

7.


■

■

■

■

generate a Modeled interference matrix generate a Network Data interference matrix create a Local Knowledge interference matrix merge the different types of matrices use the weighted sum option to merge Network Data matrices

Creating Interference Matrices

You will create a merged interference matrix by merging a Modeled interference matrix, a Network Data interference matrix, and a Local Knowledge interference matrix by priority. Merging different types of interference matrices allows you to compensate for the disadvantages of each matrix type and to obtain more accurate interference data.

101

Lesson 7

Introduction An interference matrix describes the cell-to-cell environment in terms of co-channel and adjacent channel interference between sectors. You require this information to plan frequency reuse within your network. Using Planet EV, you can create the following types of interference matrices: ■ Modeled—if the interference matrix is based on best server information only, the matrix shows the area (in km2) affected by co-channel and the area affected by adjacent channel interference. If the matrix is also based on a traffic map, it also shows the amount of traffic affected by co-channel and by adjacent interference. ■

■

Network Data—this matrix is based on network data collected from wireless switching equipment and shows the sources of co-channel interference and the percentage of traffic they affect. This type of interference matrix does not provide adjacent channel interference data. Local Knowledge—the RF engineer creates the interference matrix by identifying the adjacent channel interfering sectors for a sector and assigns a percent value to a sector’s traffic affected by those sectors.

The attributes of each type of interference matrix are shown in the table below. Interference matrix type

Modeled

Description ■

■

■

■

■

102


Based on actual network performance from switch data Provides C/I statistics from all the subscriber calls of the network Indirectly accounts for subscribers in buildings that the Modeled interference matrix cannot account for Accounts for the true traffic distribution that the Modeled interference matrix uses a best guess based on clutter weights Can be converted to a Modeled interference matrix. This is useful for using the Network Data as the only input for frequency planning and for creating a neighbor list


Interference matrix type

Network Data

Description ■

■

■

■

Local Knowledge

■

■

Based on signal strength predictions (from propagation model and/or drive test data) and a best server grid for the selected sites Looks at C/I between sectors using the best server area that is independent of the current serving area Provides statistical C/I information for sectors that are far away. Provides statistical interference information between any combination of two sectors Based on the RF engineer’s categorical assessment of the level of interference from each potential server, so the RF engineer can use his local knowledge and overwrite the previous interference matrices Allows the Frequency Planner to determine the validity of reuse so it does not rely on interference statistics

■

Allows storage of the local knowledge

■

Provides a fine-tuning of the interference matrix

■

Can be converted to a Modeled interference matrix

By merging different types of interference matrices, you can compensate for the disadvantages of each type and produce a more accurate traffic and interference information.


103

Lesson 7

Workflow for generating an interference matrix To generate an interference matrix, you will typically complete the following tasks.

Step 1

Generate a traffic map.

Step 2

Create a Modeled interference matrix by using either ■

a best serving sector grid that you generated

or ■

the interference matrix generator to create a best serving sector grid

Usually, you will use the best serving sector grid in conjunction with the traffic map as inputs for the modeled interference matrix. You can create a Modeled interference matrix based only on a best serving sector grid, or you can use a best serving sector grid and a traffic map. The latter gives you the better results.

Step 3

Create a Network Data interference matrix if you have switch data available.

Step 4

Create a Local Knowledge interference matrix.

Step 5

Merge the Local Knowledge matrix with other matrices to obtain a more accurate list of interferers.


104



Creating a merged interference matrix In this exercise, you will generate data for the area affected by co-channel and by adjacent channel interference; and the amount of traffic affected by co-channel and by adjacent channel interference. In this exercise, you will ■

create a Modeled interference matrix based on a traffic map

■

create a Network Data interference matrix

■

create a Local Knowledge interference matrix

■

merge the interference matrices in order to maximize the advantages of each type

Creating a Modeled interference matrix based on a traffic map A Modeled interference matrix is based on the best serving sector and signal strength predictions. The Modeled interference matrix relies on C/I Weights tables to determine the probability of interference from a competing signal, based on the difference in strength between the serving and interfering sectors. There are two C/I Weights tables, one for co-channel interference and one for adjacent channel interference. These tables define the inflection points of a C/I curve, which you can edit. In this exercise, you will generate a Modeled interference matrix based on a traffic map, and you will edit the C/I curve. To create a Modeled interference matrix 1

In the Project Explorer, from the Category list, choose Tools.

2

In the Tools data window, right-click Interference Matrices, and choose New ➤ Modeled.

3

In the Select Sectors dialog box, from the Groups list, choose Training, and click Continue. The Interference Matrix Generator dialog box opens.

4

In the Traffic section, enable the Use a Traffic Map check box.

5

From the Traffic Map list, choose Subscriber_Data if it is not already displayed.

6

In the C/I Weights Tables section, click New below the Co-channel list. The Curve Editor dialog box opens. The default settings for the C/I curve are based on realistic probabilities of the percent of interference for each C/I value. You can modify the curve as necessary, increasing or decreasing the overall percentage of modeled interference in order to determine the effects on the network.


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7

In the Points table, scroll down to point number 22, double-click the Interference cell, and type 9 0 .

8

For point number 23, double-click the Interference cell, and type 88 .

9

For point number 24, double-click the Interference cell, and type 85 .

10 For point number 25, double-click the Interference cell, and type 84 .

The shape of the curve changes slightly as you modify the values in the Points table. 11 From the Curve Editor menu, choose File ➤ Save. 12 In the Curve Editor dialog box, click Yes. 13 In the Curve Editor dialog box, click OK. 14 In the Interference Matrix Generator dialog box, in the

C/I Weights Tables section, click New below the Adjacent Channel list. The Curve Editor dialog box opens. 15 Click OK to accept the default values for the Adjacent Channel

interference C/I weights table. 16 In the Curve Editor dialog box, click Yes. 17 In the Interference Matrix Generator dialog box, in the

Non Best Server Calculation section, in the Include Servers Within box, type 3 . Any server with a signal strength within 3 dB of the best server signal will be considered a non-best server. 18 In the Non Best Server Weighting box, type 5 .

This sets a value of 5% for the amount of interference from areas where the server is a non-best server. 19 Click OK.

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20 In the Save As dialog box, in the File Name box, type I M _Mo de l ed . i m x ,

and click Save.

21 When the interference matrix is generated, click Close.

To display the results of the Interference Matrix analysis 1

In the Tools data window, expand Modeled, right-click IM_Modeled, and choose View. The Interference Matrix dialog box opens.

2

In the tree view, expand Model_Tuning_4.

3

Click sector 1.

4

In the Interference Display section, choose the Co-channel option if it is not already chosen. The Interferers section displays the sectors that contribute to cochannel interference for the selected server. It also displays the affected area and the affected traffic.

5

In the Interference Display section, choose the Adjacent Channel option. The Interferers section now displays information about sectors that contribute to adjacent channel interference.

6

Click Close.


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Lesson 7

Creating a Network Data interference matrix A Network Data interference matrix is based on switch statistics that represent actual network performance. The data for this exercise is in the form of an Excel spreadsheet and includes the sources of interference for each sector and the percentage of affected traffic. To create an interference matrix, your network data must contain the following fields, which you will need to map to Product name data: ■ the Site ID of the serving sector ■

the Sector ID of the serving sector

■

the Site ID of the interfering sector

■

the Sector ID of the interfering sector

■

the affected traffic

In this exercise, you will ■ map network data to Planet EV data for

■

Serving_Sector_ID IntNeighbor_Site_ID IntNeighbor_Sector_ID Affected Traffic % view the fetched data

■

create a network data interference matrix

■

■

■

■

For more information about converting NCS switch data, refer to the Planet EV user documentation.

To map network data to Planet EV data Network data collected from wireless network switching equipment contains information about network configuration and performance. You have to map the network data to Planet EV data. The mapping process is referred to as binding. 1

In the Project Explorer, from the Category list, choose Tools if it is not already chosen.

2

In the Tools data window, right-click Interference Matrices, and choose New ➤ From Network Data.

3

In the Import Network Data dialog box, click Open Network Data. The Network Data dialog box opens.

108

4

Click Browse.

5

In the Planet EV Training\General\Network_Data\XLS folder, choose the NY_Interference.xls file, and click Open.



6

For the Serving_Site_ID row, click the down arrow in the Planet EV Data column.

7

Choose Site_ID from the list.

8

Repeat steps 6 and 7 for the following rows:

9

Row

Planet EV Data

Serving_Sector_ID

Antenna_ID

IntNeighbor_Site_ID

Interfering Site

IntNeighbor_Sector_ID

Interfering Sector

Affected Traffic %

Affected Traffic

Clear all other check boxes if they are not already cleared.

10 Click Save As.

The Save As dialog box opens. 11 In the File Name box, type Tr affi c_BindRules . 12 Click Save.

The bind rules file is saved as an XML file in the BindRules folder. You can now reuse the binding rules you just created with other network data sets. To view the fetched network data You can examine the fetched data in the table. The table rows are shaded for sites in the site table that have network data, unshaded for sites that have no data. You can also use the Filter Options list to list only sites with data or only sites without data. 1

Click the Results tab.

2

Enable the Generate Display Info When Saving Results box in the lower left corner if it is not already enabled.

3

Click Fetch.

4

When the results are displayed, enable the Generate Display Info When Saving Results box in the lower left corner if it is not already enabled.

5

Click Save.

6


7

In the Generate Display Info dialog box, enable all the check boxes in the Generate Display Info column. When you generate display information, you can display values graphically in a Map window.


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Lesson 7

8

Click OK. The network data you imported is now in a Planet EV format data table.

9

In the Network Data dialog box, click Close.

To create the network data interference matrix 1

In the Import Network Data dialog box, from the Network Data list, choose NY_Interference.xls.

2

Click Select Sectors.

3

In the Select Sectors dialog box, choose Training, and click Continue.

4

In the Import Network Data dialog box, click OK.

5

In the Save As dialog box, type I M _Ne t w o rk_ D ata in the File Name box, and click Save. The Interference Matrix dialog box opens and displays the interference matrix.

6

In the tree view, expand Model_Tuning_4.

7

Click sector 1. The sites and sectors that contribute to interference are displayed in the Interferers section of the dialog box. You can also see the percentage of affected traffic for each interfering sector.

8

Click Close.

Creating a Local Knowledge interference matrix A Local Knowledge interference matrix is based on your categorical assessment of the level of interference from each potential interferer— high, moderate, low, or none. You can define the traffic threshold and interference weighting values for each of the four categories, or you can use default values. Use a Local Knowledge interference matrix when you know of interferers that do not appear in the Modeled or Network Data matrices, such as indoor interferers and other local issues. In this exercise, you will create a Local Knowledge interference matrix and specify two interfering sectors.

110



To create a Local Knowledge interference matrix 1

In the Tools data window, right-click Interference Matrices, and choose New ➤ From Local Knowledge.

2

In the Select Sectors dialog box, from the Groups list, choose Training, and click Continue. The Local Knowledge Interference Matrix-New dialog box opens. You will now add interferers based on your knowledge of the network.

3

In the Server tree view, expand Model_Tuning_21, and click sector 1.

4

Click Add.

5

From the Site list, choose Model_Tuning_34 as the interfering site.

6

From the Sector list, choose sector 1 as the interfering sector.

7

From the Interference list, choose Moderate. The default weightings for the interference levels are listed in the table below. Interference weighting

Default value

Interference calculation (using 5% default traffic threshold)

High

10

10(5%)=50% affected traffic

Moderate

2

2(5%)=10% affected traffic

Low

1.1

1.1(5%)=5.5% affected traffic

None

0.0

0% affected traffic

8

To identify another interferer, click Add.

9

From the Site list, choose Model_Tuning_22 as the interfering site.

10 From the Sector list, choose sector 1 as the interfering sector if it is not

already chosen.


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Lesson 7

11 From the Interference list, choose High.

To define Local Knowledge interference weightings 1

In the Local Knowledge Interference Matrix dialog box, click Interference Thresholds. The Interference Thresholds dialog box opens.

2

Click in the Moderate field and type 8. 5 .

3

Click OK.

4

In the Local Knowledge Interference Matrix dialog box, click OK.

5

In the Update Interference Matrix dialog box, click Yes.

6

In the Save As dialog box, type I M _ Lo c al . i m x in the File Name box, and click Save. The interference matrix is stored in the InterferenceMatrix folder.

Merging the interference matrices by priority Now that you have generated different types of interference matrices, you will merge them by priority into one combined matrix. By merging matrices of different types by priority, you can create a more realistic estimate of the percentage of traffic affected by interference. In this exercise you will ■ change the priority order of the interference matrices to the following order: ■

■

■

112

Local knowledge Network data Modeled


Creating Interference Matrices ■

merge the matrices in the above priority order. For each sector-interferer pair, Planet EV uses the interference value from the highest priority matrix. The merged matrix will contain values for co-channel affected traffic from the Local Knowledge matrix values for measured affected traffic for sectors that have this data available from the Network Data matrix values for co-channel affected area, for adjacent channel affected area, and for adjacent channel affected traffic from the Modeled data matrix display the results of the merged matrix ■

■

■

■

To merge interference matrices 1

In the Tools data window, expand the Modeled, Network, and Local nodes.

2

Press CTRL, and click IM_Modeled, IM_Network_Data, and IM_Local. All three matrices are chosen.

3

Right-click the chosen matrices, and choose Merge. The Merge Interference Matrices dialog box opens. You will now change the priority order so that the Local Knowledge interference matrix data takes precedence over the other data.

4

Click the row that contains the Local Knowledge interference matrix type, and then click Up twice. The Local Knowledge interference matrix moves to the top of the list.

5

Click the row that contains the Network Data interference matrix type, and then click Up. The Network Data interference matrix moves up one level in the list.

6

In the Options section of the Merge Interference Matrices dialog box, choose the Highest Priority option if it is not already chosen. Choosing Highest Priority means that for each sector-interferer pair, Planet EV uses the value from the highest priority matrix.

7

Click OK.

8

In the Save As dialog box, type I M_M er ge d in the File Name box, and click Save. The merge algorithm used depends on the matrix types and priority settings. In this case, the Modeled co-channel affected area, adjacent channel affected area, and adjacent channel affected traffic values are


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Lesson 7

used, while the Local Knowledge values for co-channel affected traffic are used. 9

In the Interference Matrix dialog box, click OK.

To display the results of the merged matrix analysis 1

In the Tools data window, right-click IM_Merged, and choose View. The Interference Matrix dialog box opens.

2

In the tree view, expand Model_Tuning_21, and click 1.

3

In the Interference Display section, choose Co-channel if it is not already chosen. The Interferers section displays the sectors that contribute to co-channel interference for the chosen sector.

4

In the Interference Display section, choose the Adjacent Channel option. The Interferers section now displays information about sectors that contribute to adjacent channel interference.

5

114

Click Close.



Merging network data matrices by weighted sum Normally, you will have your network data stored in more than one file, in which case you will create an interference matrix for each file. You will then merge the network data matrices using the weighted sum method. Next, you will merge the merged network data matrix, the modeled interference matrix, and the local knowledge interference matrix using the merging by priority method.

Step 1

Import the network data and then merge Network Data interference matrices using the Weighted Sum option (specify a Weighting Factor of 100%). This weights the values of each interference matrix equally so that average interference values are obtained for the merged matrix. You will need to use weighted sum merging, for example, when your network data includes measured interference values for each day of the week. In a large network, this network data is stored in multiple files.

Step 2

Create a Modeled interference matrix in order to account for interference that might not be included in the measured network data.

Step 3

Create a Local Knowledge interference matrix based on known interferers that do not appear in the Network Data or Modeled matrices.

Step 4

Merge the combined Network Data, Modeled, and Local Knowledge matrices using the Highest Priority option with the matrices in the following order: ■

Local Knowledge

■

Network Data

■

Modeled

The process of merging interference matrices using both the Weighted Sum and the Highest Priority option is graphically depicted in Figure 7.1 below.


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Lesson 7

Figure 7.1 Merging interference matrices using weighted sum and priority

1

Import and merge (use weighted sum)

Network Data IM, averaged values

Network data Generate Modeled IM 2

Modeled IM

Signal strength predictions Create Local Knowledge IM 3

Local Knowledge IM

Local knowledge data

Merge 4

Merged IM

(use highest priority) Three types of matrices

Summary In this lesson, you have learned to ■ generate a Modeled interference matrix

116

■

edit a C/I curve

■

generate a Network Data interference matrix

■

create a Local Knowledge interference matrix

■

reset the traffic threshold and interference weighting values

■

merge the matrices

■

use the weighted sum option to obtain a merged traffic matrix


Lesson 8: 1

Lesson

8.


■

■

■ ■

generate a neighbor list based on a best server analysis generate a neighbor list based on an interference matrix set the handover priority for specific sectors by editing the neighbor list compare two neighbor lists display a neighbor list in a Map window

Generating Neighbor Lists

Each sector in a wireless network coordinates with its neighbors to maintain good quality coverage to mobile users. As a mobile user reaches the margins of the current sector’s coverage, stronger signals are available from other sectors. Through a process called handover, the network re-routes the user’s call through one of the neighbor sectors to maintain the connection. If sectors have more neighbors than are required for reliable service, the result can be inefficient use of the available spectrum.

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Lesson 8

Introduction The Planet EV Neighbor List tool helps you plan for successful handover as a mobile unit travels through the coverage area. You can either import a neighbor list from existing network data, or you can generate a neighbor list based on ■ best server—Planet EV bases the list on a best serving sector classified grid, using a common border coverage area to identify neighboring sectors ■

an interference matrix—Planet EV bases the list on factors that can include best serving sector information, traffic and network data, and local RF engineering knowledge

The two different methods of determining neighbors have different input parameters that affect which sectors qualify as neighbors.

Workflow for generating neighbor lists To use a neighbor list for network planning, you will typically complete the following tasks.

Step 1

If you have network data available, import the neighbor list.

Step 2

Generate a neighbor list based on an interference matrix.

Step 3

Generate a neighbor list based on best server information.

Step 4

Set handover priorities, edit the neighbor list as required.

Step 5

Compare neighbor lists.

Step 6

Display the neighbor list for a sector in a Map window.

Step 7

Copy and delete neighbor lists as required.

Step 8

Export a neighbor list to a text file for use in network programming.


118



Generate a best server neighbor list When you use the best server method to generate a neighbor list, you begin with a classified grid such as one of the best serving sector grids that you generated earlier in this course. With the best server method, you can set the following length requirements for the border between the best server coverage areas to determine which sites qualify as neighbors: ■ the minimum common border length (km). You can specify any value from 0.1 to 100 km. ■

the minimum common border length relative to the total border length of the sector for which potential neighbors are being evaluated. This is enabled by default and has a default value of 0.5 percent. You can specify any value from 0.1 to 100 percent.

In this exercise, you will generate a neighbor list using absolute border length threshold as a qualification criterion. Ensure that the General.dBP project is open. To generate a best server neighbor list 1


2

In the Tools data window, right-click Neighbor Lists, and choose New From ➤ Best Server.

3

In the Select Sectors dialog box, from the Groups list, choose Training, and click Continue. The Neighbor List Generator dialog box opens.

4

Click Browse next to the Best Serving Sector Layer box.

5

In the Planet EV Training\General\BestServ folder, choose BestServTx_Predict_noClutterPredict.grc, and click Open.

6

Enable the Use Absolute Border Length Threshold check box if it is not already enabled.

7

Type 0. 25 if it is not already displayed. For sectors to be neighbors sectors that must share a border length of at least 0.25 km.


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Lesson 8

8

Clear the Use Relative Border Length Threshold check box.

9

Click OK.

10 In the Save As dialog box, navigate to the Planet EV

Training\General\NeighborList folder. 11 In the Neighbor List File Name box, type Cel lAdjacency, and click

Save. The Neighbor List Generation dialog box shows the progress of neighbor list generation, including error messages. 12 In the Neighbor List Generation dialog box, click Close when

processing is complete. The saved list appears under the Neighbor Lists node in the Project Explorer.

Generating a neighbor list based on an interference matrix Creating a neighbor list from an interference matrix is a more sophisticated technique than the Best Server method. An interference matrix calculates the effect of sectors upon each other, both as interferers and as potential neighbors. The more information you can include in the creation of your neighbor list, the better suited it will be to your network’s environment. When you create a neighbor list based on an interference matrix, you can specify these additional requirements for prospective neighbors: ■ the maximum distance between neighbors. You can specify any value from 0.1 to 200 km. ■

■

■

120

the maximum number of neighbors. You can specify any value from 1 to 100. The sorting of sectors for inclusion in the list can be based on absolute area (the default), relative area, absolute traffic, or relative traffic. the absolute area. This is the minimum overlapping coverage area. You can specify any value from 0 to 100 km2. the relative area. This is the minimum overlapping coverage area, relative to the coverage area of the sector for which potential



neighbors are being evaluated. You can specify any value from 0 to 100 percent. ■

■

the minimum absolute traffic level in the overlapping area of the two sectors. You can specify any value from 0.1 to 5000 milliErlangs. You can use this setting only if your interference matrix contains traffic information. the minimum traffic level in the overlapping area of the two sectors, relative to the traffic in the sector for which potential neighbors are being evaluated. You can specify values from 0 to 100 percent. You can use this setting only if your interference matrix contains traffic information.

In this exercise, you will ■ generate a neighbor list using the Merged interference matrix that you created in the previous lesson based on the relative area criterion. To generate a neighbor list based on an interference matrix 1


2

In the Tools data window, right-click Neighbor Lists, and choose New From ➤ Interference Matrix.

3

In the Select Sectors dialog box, from the Groups list, choose Training, and click Continue. The Neighbor List Generator dialog box opens.

4

From the Interference Matrix list, choose IM_Merged.imx.

5

Enable the Enforce Mutual Neighbors check box.


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Lesson 8

This makes neighbor relationships reciprocal—if the Neighbor List tool identifies sector A as a neighbor of sector B, then it will also identify sector B as a neighbor of sector A. 6

Enable the Use Maximum Distance Between Neighbors check box.

7

Type 35 in the distance box. Only sectors within 35 kilometers of each other will be considered neighbors.

8

Enable the Use Maximum Neighbors check box.

9

In the Neighbors box, type 32 if it is not already displayed. Each sector can have a maximum of 32 neighbors.

10 From the Based On list, choose Relative Area if it is not already

chosen. The neighbor list will be sorted based on the Relative Area criterion, which is the percent value of interfering area between two sectors. 11 In the Thresholds section, enable the Use Relative Area check box. 12 In the Relative Area box, type 0 . 5 0 if it is not already displayed.

Sectors that have an interfering area of at least 0.50% will be considered neighbors. You can specify any or all of the threshold criteria - Planet EV will evaluate each potential neighbor against all of the criteria that you specify. For details about the threshold and other input parameters, refer to the Planet EV user documentation.

13 Clear the other check boxes if they are not already cleared. 14 Click OK. 15 In the Save As dialog box, type I nt er f e r enc eMe t h od in the

File Name box, and click Save. The Neighbor List Generation dialog box shows the progress of neighbor list generation, including error messages. 16 In the Neighbor List Generation dialog box, click Close when

processing is complete. The saved list appears under Neighbor Lists in the Tools tree view.

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To edit the interference matrix ■

Expand Neighbor Lists, and right-click InterferenceMethod, and choose Edit. You can now edit the neighbor list results. Leave this dialog box open for the next exercise.

If you have to generate a neighbor list for a group of sectors that all use a specific technology, you can group the sectors and then generate the list for that group. To filter the graphic display of the neighbor lists, you can flag the sectors. For information about how to use groups and flags, see Lesson 2.

Setting handover priorities When you generate a neighbor list, the handover priority for each sector default is 0. The priority values relate to the PCS and GSM concepts of preferred, regular, and non-preferred cells. A neighboring sector with a 0 priority is the most preferred for handover, and a sector with a priority of 10 is the least preferred. By setting handover priorities, you can choose which neighbors are most preferred, even if their signal strength is less than other neighboring sectors. You can also choose to disallow a neighboring sector. You can disallow ■ “false” neighbors that do not share a reasonable border area with a particular sector ■

neighboring sectors that carry an extremely heavy traffic load

In this exercise, you will edit the neighbor list in order to set a handover priority, and to disallow a neighboring sector. To set handover priorities for specific sectors 1

Click the Priority cell for Model_Tuning_21_1 with a neighbor of Model_Tuning_34_1.

2

Click the down arrow, and choose 4. Sector 1 is now a low priority neighbor. A value of 0 indicates the highest priority (most preferred), and 10 indicates the lowest priority (least preferred).

3

Disable the Allowed check box for Model_Tuning_21_1 with a neighbor of Model_Tuning_4_1. Choosing this option does not remove the data from the table; it only disallows the sector as a neighbor.

4

Click OK.


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Lesson 8

5

In the Confirm Neighbor List Save dialog box, click Yes. Planet EV saves the edited table. You will display the results later in this lesson.

Comparing two neighbor lists You can compare two neighbor lists to determine which neighboring sectors are specific to each list. In this exercise, you will compare the two neighbor lists that you generated in previous exercises. To compare two neighbor lists 1


2

In the Tools data window, expand Neighbor Lists, and choose InterferenceMethod.

3

Press and hold the CTRL key, and then click CellAdjacency.

4

Right-click either highlighted node, and choose Compare. The Neighbor Lists Comparison table opens.

5

Enable the Show Differences Only check box. The table displays the sectors for each neighbor list that are not contained in the other neighbor list.

6

Click Close.

Displaying a neighbor list in a Map window You can display neighbor relationships graphically in a Map window. Although you can display the entire neighbor list, it is recommended that you display only one site or sector at a time. In this exercise, you will display the neighbor list for one sector. To display a neighbor list in a Map window 1

In the Tools data window, right-click InterferenceMethod, and choose Active. The active neighbor list is the one that will be displayed in the Map window.

124

2

In the Project Explorer, from the Category list, choose Sites if it is not already chosen.

3

In the Sites data window, expand Groups, and then expand Training.

4

Expand Model_Tuning_21.



5

Right-click Model_Tuning_21: 1 (sector 1) and choose Neighbors ➤ View. In the Map window, you can see lines that originate at Model_Tuning_21 and connect to neighboring sectors. Solid lines indicate neighboring sectors, while broken lines indicate disallowed neighbors (exceptions). The neighbors displayed are derived from the active neighbor list.

6

Choose File ➤ Close Table.

7

In the Close Table dialog box, choose NeighborList_Display, and click Close.

8

In the MapInfo dialog box, click Save. Keep the project open.

Summary In this lesson, you have learned to ■ generate a neighbor list based on an interference matrix ■

define parameters for generating a neighbor list

■

set handover priorities and disallow neighbors

■

generate a neighbor list based on best server information

■

compare two neighbor lists

■

display a neighbor list in a Map window


125

Lesson 8

126


Lesson 9: Working with Spatial Data

Lesson

9.

In this lesson, you will ■ ■ ■

use the grid calculator create grid queries calculate the number of users located in a sector coverage area

Working with Spatial Data

This lesson provides background information and instructions for using Planet EV to obtain a variety of spatial data from grids.

127

Lesson 9

Introduction In this lesson, you will use Planet EV to obtain a variety of spatial data from grids. You can use the Grid Calculator to perform mathematical operations on a single grid and on multiple grids. You can enter expressions, save expressions, and change alias names. You can use the Grid Query tool to construct grid queries and build new grids from existing grids, where the new grid values meet the conditions placed on reference grids. The Demographic Analysis tool calculates demographic information on a per cell basis for a region. You can, for example, determine the number of subscribers in a specified region that are served by a sector. You can view the results in a Browser, a vector contour grid, or a numeric grid.

Workflow for working with spatial data To work with spatial data to obtain information, you will typically complete one or both of the following tasks.

Step 1

Use the Grid Calculator to create mathematical expressions that reference one or more grids.

Step 2

Create grid queries using multiple grids to identify areas that meet specified conditions.


Using the Grid Calculator You can use the Grid Calculator to create mathematical expressions using an unlimited number of grids. Grid Calculator operations can be divided into two categories: operations performed using one grid only and operations performed using two or more girds. Converting the elevation units of a grid from meters to feet, which requires dividing each grid cell value by 3.28, is an example of an operation that uses only one grid. Creating a grid that shows the difference, on a cell by cell basis, between overlapping cells from two grids is an example of an operation that uses two or more grids. Whether you mathematically manipulate one or many grids, the value is calculated on a cell by cell basis for every cell, and the resulting values are stored in a new grid.

128



The Grid Calculator looks and operates like a scientific calculator. At the top of the dialog box is a list of all open grid files from which to build an expression. At the bottom is the edit box in which the expression is built.

Performing calculations on grids In this exercise, you will create a grid showing the difference between modeled and measured signal strength values. This expression uses aliases that are not found in the grid list at the top of the Calculator. You will modify the alias names of the grids so that they can be used in the expression. Ensure that the General.dBP project is open. To open the files 1


2

Choose the Planet EV Training\General\Grid Calculations folder, press the CTRL key, and then choose the MeasureSignal.tab and ModelSignal.tab files.

3

Click Open.

To perform calculations on multiple grids 4

Choose View ➤ Show Grid Manager, if the Grid Manager is not already open.

5

In the Grid Manager dialog box, click Analysis, and choose Calculator.

6

From the Grid/Value list, choose MeasureSignal.grd, and click Modify.

7

In the Variable Editor dialog box, in the Alias box, type M e asu re d , and click OK.

8

In the Grid/Value list, right-click ModelSignal.grd, and click Modify.

9

In the Alias box, type Model ed , and click OK. You will now create and save a Grid Calculator expression.

10 From the Grid/Value list double-click ModelSignal.grd.

The alias Modeled is entered into the Expression box. 11 Click the subtract (-) button in the Calculator. 12 In the Grid/Value list, double-click MeasureSignal.grd.

The alias Measured is entered into the Expression box, and the expression Modeled - Measured is displayed.


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Lesson 9

13 Click Save As. 14 In the Save Expression As dialog box, in the File Name box, and type ModvsMeas.exp .

15 Choose the Planet EV Training\General\Grid Calculations folder, and

click Save. You can now reuse this expression for other calculations. 16 In the Calculator, click OK. 17 In the Grid Calculator-Save dialog box, in the Save the New Grid As

box, change the name of the grid to ModVSMeas.tab , and click OK. To view the mathematical difference between the grids 1

On the Analysis toolbar, click the Grid Info button, and then click the ModVSMeas Map window. The Grid Info dialog box shows the mathematical difference between the modeled and the measured grid values.

2

In the Windows data window, expand Map Windows, and expand GridModvsMeas Map, right-click GridModvsMeas, and choose Close.

3

Expand NY_Training_Sites,..,, right-click MeasureSignal, and choose Close.

4

Expand NY_Training_Sites,..,, right-click ModelSignal, and choose Close.

5

Close the Grid Info dialog box. Ensure that these tables are closed before you proceed with the next exercise.

Creating grid queries You can construct conditional queries based on one or more grids. There is no limit to the number of grids that you can use in a grid query expression. To obtain meaningful results from a query, however, all grids must be in the same coordinate system and must at least partially overlap. A query is controlled by the grid with the smallest cell size. When you create a conditional query, you must first build a query expression from a selection of open grid files, as a series of individual conditional clauses. You must then assign values, cell by cell, to the new grid according to whether the query conditions are met (true) or not met (false) for overlying cells.

130



The real power of a grid query lies in its ability to perform complex, conditional selection processes using grids that are thematically distinct. In this exercise, you will identify target areas that are within 10 kilometers of the broadcasting signal, have a signal strength of at least -75 dB, and are classified as Commercial/Industrial. Any businesses for which these three conditions are true could be targeted by your marketing department. To open the file 1


2

Choose the Planet EV Training\General\Grid Calculations folder, then choose the BestServFS_Prj_NY18.tab, and click Open.

To sequence the files 1

In the Windows data window, expand Map Windows, then expand NY_Training_Sites,...,.

2

Drag the files so that they are listed in the following order: ■

NY_Training_Sites

■

BestServFS_Prj_NY18

■

Clutter_Resolution30_NY

■

Height_Resolution30_NY

3

Use the Zoom buttons on the Main toolbar to create a clear view of the data in the Map window.

4


5

In the Planet EV Training\General\Grid Calculations folder, choose the TxDistance.tab file.

6

From the Preferred View list, choose New Mapper, and click Open.

7

In the Grid Manager, click Analysis, and choose Grid Query. The Enter Query Conditions dialog box opens.


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8

From the Grid Name list, choose Clutter_Resolution30_NY.grc.

9

Click New, and in the Select Condition dialog box, choose Open/Bare from the Value list, and click OK.

To choose an area within 10 km of the sector 1

From the Grid Name list, choose TxDistance.grd.

2

Click New.

3

In the Select Condition dialog box, from the Operator list, choose the <= operator.

4

In the Value box, type 10 .

5

Click OK.

To choose areas with signal strength values of at least -75 dBm 1

From the Grid Name list, choose BestServFS_Prj_NY18.grd.

2

Click New.

3

From the Operator list, choose the >= operator.

4

In the Value box, type - 75 .

5

Click OK. The AND operator connects all query conditions.

6

Click Next.

7

In the Output Results dialog box, choose the Numeric (GRD) option if it is not already chosen.

8

In the When True section, choose the Get Value From option, and from the True list, choose Height_Resolution30m_NY.grd.

9

In the When False section, choose the Use Null option.

10 In the File Name box, change the file name to Potential Clients.tab .

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11 Click Finish.

The PotentialClients map window opens. To make the white area of the PotentialClients map invisible 1

Choose GIS ➤ Table ➤ Raster ➤ Adjust Image Styles.

2

From the Raster Table list, choose PotentialClients, and click OK.

3

In the Adjust Image Styles dialog box, enable the Transparent check box, and click Select Color.

4

Click a blue area in the image in the dialog box.

5

Click OK.

To view the potential client areas in the Height_Resolution30_NY Map window 1

In the Windows data window, expand Map Windows, and right-click PotentialClients Map, and choose Add Layer.

2

In the Add Layer dialog box, choose Height_Resolution30_NY, and click OK.

3

In the Windows data window, move PotentialClients above Height_Resolution30_NY.

4

Click OK. You can now see the PotentialClients coverage area.

To close tables 1

In the Windows data window, expand TxDistance Map, right-click TxDistance, and choose Close.

2

Expand PotentialClients, right-click PotentialClients and choose Close.

3

Expand PotentialClients, right-click Height_Resolution30_NY, and choose Remove. Ensure that these tables are closed before you proceed with the next exercise.

Determining the number of users located in a sector coverage area You will determine the number of potential users located in a second best server sector coverage area by using the Demographic Analysis tool. You can then use this information to adjust your sector characteristics according to the location and number of users you want to service. Using the


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Demographic Analysis tool, you will generate a contour map (a vector grid) of the areas, from which you can obtain the number of potential users in each area. This contour map is based on population distribution by census region (a vector file) and on best server sector areas (a classified grid). The calculation to determine number of users in a sector area assumes a uniform distribution of users in a census region. When the census region size is smaller than the cell size, the cell takes on the value of the region. The resulting data for numeric grids is calculated as a value per number of cells. Calculating the result in this manner minimizes data loss due to the analysis. A project must be open for the Demographic Analysis tool to be available.

To open the census file 1

Choose File ➤ Open Table. The Open Table dialog box opens.

2

Choose the Planet EV Training\General\Pop Stats folder, click the CTRL button, then choose the BestServFS_Prj_NY18_reclass.tab and Census Tracts NYNJ.tab files.

3

Click Open.

To perform a demographic analysis 1

Choose Tools ➤ Demographic Analysis Tool. The Demographic Analysis Tool dialog box opens.

134

2

Click Browse next to the Classified Grid box.

3

In the Choose A Classified Grid dialog box, choose Planet EV Training\General\Pop Stats folder, choose the BestServFS_Prj_NY18_reclass.grc file, and click Open.

4

Click Browse next to the MapInfo Table box.

5

In the Choose A MapInfo Table dialog box, choose Planet EV Training\General\Pop Stats folder, choose the Census Tracts NYNJ.tab file, and click Open.

6

In the Demographic Analysis Tool dialog box, click Next.

7

From the Demographic Data Column list, choose POP_ALL, and click Next.

8

In the Output Format section, enable the check boxes for Table and Contour.



9

In the Output Data Type section, choose the Distribution option, and click Next.

10 In the Demographic Analysis Tool dialog box, choose the

Planet EV Training\General\Pop Stats folder, and click Generate. A browser table and the contour map window open. To view the contour in the Map window 1

In the Windows data window, expand NY_Training_Sites,...,, right-click Census Tracts NYNJ, choose Remove.

2

Right-click NY_Training_Sites,..., and choose Add Layer.

3

In the Add Layer dialog box, from the Open Layers list, choose DMG_C_Dis_Census Tracts NYNJ_P, and click OK.

4

Right-click the NY_Training_Sites Map window, and choose Layer Control.

5

In the Layer Control dialog box, choose DMG_C_Dis_Census Tracts NYNJ_P, and click Display.

6

In the Display Options dialog box, enable the Style Override check box, and click the polygonal region.

7

In the Fill section of the Region Style dialog box, click the down arrow next to the Pattern box, and choose N.

8

In the Border section, click the down arrow next to the Color box, and choose a red color swatch.

9

In the Width section, click the down arrow next to the Pixels box, and choose a line thickness of 2.

10 Click OK. 11 Click OK. 12 In the Layer Control dialog box, click OK.

To view the population in a sector ■

On the Main toolbar, click the Info button, and click a contour region. The Info Tool dialog box opens, showing the name of the sector and the population in its coverage area.

To close all tables 1

In the Windows data window, expand DMG_C_Dis_Census_Tracts_NYNJ_P, and choose Close.

2

In the Windows data window, right-click NY_Training_Sites,...,, right-click BestServFS_Prj_NY18_reclass, and choose Close.


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Keep the project open.

Summary In this lesson, you have learned to ■ mathematically manipulate grids ■

perform calculations on multiple grids

■

use grid queries to show all cells that have the same value

■

query one grid or multiple grids

■

136

use the Demographic Analysis tool to determine the number of customers a sector serves


Lesson

10.

In this lesson, you will ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

trim grids splice grids stamp roads onto a clutter file resize grids reproject grids reclassify grids

Building a Project Area

This lesson provides background information and instructions for manipulating the data contained within project grid files.

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Lesson 10

Introduction Planet EV provides you with a variety of tools that you can use to manipulate grids. You can trim a grid to produce a grid that is a section of the original one. You can also splice a grid either by merging or stamping. Merging is often used when several grid files cover a study area that needs to be combined into a single grid, or when you want to create a grid that has the highest/lowest value of all the input grids. Stamping is usually performed when you need to update areas of a grid, for example, updating an elevation grid with building heights. You can resize a grid when you need to reduce its size and complexity. Resizing changes the resolution of a grid. To apply a different coordinate system to your grid, use the Reproject tool. Reprojecting uses interpolation to generate new values for each new grid cell. You can also reclassify a numeric grid as a classified grid to make it more suitable for analysis.

Workflow for building a project area To build a customized project area, you will typically complete one or more of the following tasks.

Step 1

Trim grids to the required size.

Step 2

Splice grids to combine data from a number of different grids by merging or stamping.

Step 3

Convert a classified grid to a numeric grid.

Step 4

Change the resolution of a grid by resizing.

Step 5

Change the projection system of a grid by reprojecting.

Step 6

Change numeric values in a grid to character values by reclassifying.


138



Trimming grids You can use the Trimmer tool to create a new grid by trimming portions of a larger grid. For example, if you have a grid that covers a geographically large city, but you need to generate a prediction for only a small area of that city, you can trim your file to contain the relevant area. Working with a smaller grid reduces the processing time for generating prediction files. In this exercise, you will trim the Height_Resolution30_NY grid to create two grids, each of which shows a section of the original height grid. Ensure that the General.dbp project is open. To create an object 1

In the Windows data window, expand NY_Training_Sites,...,, rightclick Cosmetic, and choose Editable.

2

On the Drawing toolbar, click the Rectangle button, and draw a rectangle that covers slightly more than half of the left side of the grid.

To convert an object to a region Because you can only trim regions, you must convert the rectangle object to a region. 1

On the Main toolbar, click the Select button, and then click the rectangle.

2

Choose GIS ➤ Objects ➤ Convert to Regions.

To use a region to trim a grid 1

On the Grid Analysis toolbar, click the Grid Trim button.

2

Click the region that you created. The Save Trimmed Grid As dialog box opens.

3

In the File Name box, type H ei gh t _ R eso l u t i o n3 0_ N Y _le ft . tab .

4

Click Save. The Height_Resolution30_NY_left Map window opens.

To create the second trimmed grid 1

On the Main toolbar, click the Select button.

2

In the first Map window, click the region, and drag the region to the right side of the Height_Resolution30_NY grid.

3

Repeat steps 1 and 2 from the previous procedure.


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Lesson 10

4

In the File Name box, type Heig ht _Re sol ut io n3 0_NY_ ri gh t. tab .

5

Click Save. You now have two maps—each map is a section of the Height_Resolution30_NY grid. Keep the project open.

Splicing grids The Grid Splicer is a powerful tool that enables you to combine data from a number of grids to create a new grid by merging or by stamping.

Merging grids When the area for which you need to generate a prediction is split between two grids, you can merge the grids to form one grid. When you merge grids, the new grid contains all of the cells of the grids that were merged and covers the combined area of those grids. A new value is calculated for cells that overlap. In the Grid Splicer dialog box, you can choose how to calculate the value for overlapping cells. The value of cells that do not overlap remains unchanged. The resulting grid has the same cell size as the reference grid. Only numeric grids can be merged. You can perform a network analysis on merged grids.

In this exercise, you will merge the Height_Resolution30_NY _left and the Height_Resolution30_NY_right grids. The value for overlapping cells will be the average value for the two cells. To merge grids

140

1


2

In the Grid Manager, click Tools, and choose Splicer.

3

From the Begin Splicing With list, choose Height_Resolution30_NY_left.grd.

4

From the Spliceable Grids list, choose Height_Resolution30_NY_right.grd.

5

Click Add.

6

Click the down arrow next to Merge, and choose Average from the list.

7

Choose the Planet EV Training\Mapping Data\Heights folder, and in the File Name box, type NYMergedGrids.grd .



8

Click OK. The NYSplicedGrid Map window opens.

To close the tables 1

In the Windows data window, right-click NYMergedGrids Map and choose Close.

2

In the Windows data window, expand NY_Height_Resolution30_NY_left Map, right-click NY_Height_Resolution30_NY_left, and choose Close.

3

Expand NY_Height_Resolution30_NY_right Map, right-click NY_Height_Resolution30_NY_right, and choose Close.

4

Expand NYMergedGrid Map, right-click NYMergedGrid, and choose Close.

5

In the NY_Training_Sites Map window, right-click the region, and press the DELETE button. Keep the project open.

Reclassifying grids You can convert a classified grid to a numeric grid in order to perform math calculations on the grid, such as giving clutter classes a weighting factor for traffic analysis. For example, you would create a binary mask for the clutter grid and assign a weighting factor of 1 to clutter classes where traffic analysis is critical, such as urban or dense residential areas. You would then assign a 0 where particular clutter classes are noncritical to traffic calculations, such as forests, oceans or rural areas. When you reclassify a classified grid, you generate a new numeric grid. To convert a classified grid to a numeric grid 1

In the Grid Manager, choose the Clutter_Resolution30_NY.grc file.

2

In the Grid Manager, click Tools, and choose Reclass ➤ To Numeric. The Classified to Numeric Grid Converter dialog box opens.

3

From the Grid list, choose Clutter_Resolution30_NY.grc if it is not already displayed.


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Lesson 10

4

For the following clutter classes, change the number in the Class Value field to 1, and change the color to green: ■

High Density Urban

■


■


■


■

Paved

■

Airport

These clutter classes are critical for traffic analysis calculations as they account for most of the traffic. 5

For the remaining clutter classes, change the number in the Class Value field to 0 and the color to red. These clutter classes are considered noncritical for traffic analysis calculations as they account for a minor amount of traffic.

6

In the File Name box, type NYClutter_Numeric.tab if it is not already displayed.

7

Click OK. The numeric grid is displayed in the Map window.

To close the tables ■

In the Windows data window, expand NYClutter_Numeric Map, right-click NYClutter_Numeric, and choose Close. Keep the project open.

Converting a numeric grid to a classified grid You can reclassify the values in a numeric grid to correspond to a character value. You will identify areas of excellent, good, and poor signal strength values, assign a color to each area type, and create a classified grid that shows these regions. To open the file

142

1


2

In the Open dialog box, choose the Planet EV Training\General\Pop Stats folder, then choose the BestServFS_Prj_NY18.tab file, and click Open.



To reclassify the grid 1

In the Grid Manager, click Tools, and choose Reclass. The Numeric Grid Reclassification Tool dialog box opens.

2

In the Numeric Grid Reclassification Tool dialog box, from the Grid list, choose BestServFS_Prj_NY18.grd if it is not already displayed.

3

Click Classified.

4

Click Intervals.

5

In the Minimum box, type -11 0 , and in the Maximum box, type - 40 .

6

Choose the Number option, in the Value box, type 3 and click OK.

7

In the Ranges table, do the following: >= Value

< Value

Class

Color

type - 11 0

type - 90

type Excellent

choose a red color

type - 90

type - 80

type Good

Choose a yellow color

type - 80

type - 40

type P o o r

Choose a blue color

8

In the File Name box, change the file name to S i gn al Str en gt h_ re c l a s s . tab if it is not already displayed.

9

Click OK. The reclassified grid opens in a Map window.

To view the legend 1

Choose View ➤ Show Grid Legend.

2

Click the down arrow at the bottom of the Grid Legends dialog box, and choose SignalStrength_reclass.grd from the list.

To close all tables ■

■

■

In the Windows data window, expand BestServFS_Prj_NY18 Map, choose BestServFS_Prj_NY18, and drag it to NY_Training_Sites,...,. Expand BestServFS_Prj_NY18 Map, choose BestServFS_Prj_NY18, and choose Remove. Expand SignalStrength_reclass Map, right-click SignalStrength, and choose Close. Keep the project open.


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Lesson 10

Resizing grids You can adjust the resolution of a grid, which is the smallest level of detail within a DEM or Land Clutter data set. Although differentiating between levels of resolution is arbitrary, a good guide is as follows: ■ High Resolution—1 to 5 meters ■

Medium Resolution—10 to 30 meters

■

Coarse Resolution—greater than 30 meters

While a very high resolution grid file is suitable for modeling and high quality predictions, a lower resolution version of the same file is adequate for generating contour lines or regions. When the bin size of an existing grid is increased (that is, resolution is decreased), a new value must be interpolated for every bin in the new grid. You can visualize the original smaller bin grid as a network of nodes with an overlay of new, more widely spaced nodes. The value at the new grid node is calculated using a bilinear interpolation (rectangular interpolation) of the four nearest nodes of the underlying, more closely spaced grid. To resize a grid 1

In the Grid Manager, click Tools, and choose Resizer.

2

In the Resizer dialog box, choose Height_Resolution30_NY.grd from the Grid list if it is not already chosen.

3

In the New Bin Size box, type 8 0 , and click OK.

4

When the new grid opens, click the Grid Info button on the Grid Manager.

5

In the Grid Manager, click the resized grid name, then click the original grid name. The resized grid has an 80-meter bin size, while the original grid has a 30-meter bin size. Keep the project open.

Reprojecting grids A projection is a mathematical means of transferring information from the Earth's three-dimensional curved surface to a two-dimensional surface. Different projections are used for different types of maps because each projection has specific uses. For example, a projection that accurately represents the shapes of the continents will distort their relative sizes. Since much of the information in a Geographic Information System (GIS) comes

144



from existing maps, a GIS uses the processing power of the computer to transform digital information to a common projection. Occasionally, you might need to change a grid’s geographic projection. Most elevation and clutter data is delivered to North American users in either the UTM NAD 83 (Universal Transverse Mercator – North American Datum) or the Regional Conformal projection, but this may not match the specifications for a particular project or company. To change the projection of a grid 1

In the Grid Manager, choose Height_Resolution30_NY.grd if it is not already chosen.

2

Click the Info button if the Grid Info section is not already displayed in the Grid Manager. The coordinate system used for this grid is listed at the bottom of the information page as UTM Zone 18, Northern Hemisphere (WGS 84) p32618.

3

Click Tools, and choose Reproject.

4

In the Reproject Grid dialog box, click Projection.

5

In the Choose Projection dialog box, from the Category list, choose Regional Conformal Projections.

6

From the Category Members list, choose Conformal Projection (North America).

7

Click OK.

8

In the Planet EV dialog box, click OK.

9

In the File Name box, change the file name to Heig ht _Re so lut io n3 0_ NY_ Rep ro jec t. tab

if it is not already

displayed. 10 Click OK.

A new Map window opens and displays the reprojected grid. To close the tables ■

In the Windows data window, expand Height_Resolution30_NY_Reproj Map, right-click Height_Resolution30_NY_Reproj, and choose Close. Keep the project open.


145

Lesson 10

Summary In this lesson, you have learned to ■ trim a grid. You first have to draw the area that you want to trim, convert it to a region, and then use the Grid Trim function on the Grid Analysis toolbar to trim the grid. ■

use the Grid Splicer to combine data from grids to create a new grid

■

merge grids to calculate a new value for cells

■

■ ■

■

146

recognize that you cannot perform model tuning with survey data once roads have been stamped into the file resize grids to change the resolution change the projection of a grid using the Reproject command from the Tools menu in the Grid Manager use the Numeric Grid Reclassification tool to reclassify the values contained in a numeric grid so that it will be more suitable for analysis


Lesson 11: Working with Layout Windows

Lesson

11.

In this lesson, you will ■ ■

■ ■ ■

■

create a legend for a map create a legend of cartographic symbols open a graphics file create a layout manipulate frames in a layout window modify layout content

Working with Layout Windows

This lesson provides background information and instructions for using layout windows to arrange and modify maps, legends, graphics, and text. You can print the contents of a layout window.

147

Lesson 11

Introduction In this lesson, you will create a layout that includes a signal strength map, a legend for the map, a legend for cartographic symbols, and a company logo. You will then modify the appearance of some of these objects.

Workflow for working with layout windows To use layout windows to create a customized report, you will typically complete the following tasks.

Step 1

Create a map legend.

Step 2

Create a legend for cartographic symbols (vector objects).

Step 3

Import graphics (such as a company logo).

Step 4

Create a layout view.

Step 5

Manipulate elements of the layout.

Step 6

Modify the layout window content.


Creating a legend for the map Grids use gradients of color to indicate continuous data values. You need to create a legend in order to interpret the color gradients. It is important to produce at least one legend for your map before you print it from the layout window. This enables the reader to understand what the map is communicating. In this exercise, you will learn how to create a grid legend. In the next exercise, you will create a legend for vector objects (roads). To order the layers 1


2

148

Choose the Planet EV Training\MappingData\Vectors folder, then choose the Primary_Road_Merged.tab file, and click Open.



3

In the Windows data window, expand NY_Training_Sites,...,, and drag the files to arrange them in the following order: ■

NY_Training_Sites

■

Primary_Road_Merged

■

BestServFS_Prj_NY18

■

Height_Resolution30_NY

■

Clutter_Resoltion30_NY The Cosmetic layer cannot be moved.

To choose colors for the legend 1


2

In the Grid Manager, choose BestServFS_Prj_NY18.grd, and click the Color button. The Grid Color Tool dialog box opens.

3

In the Grid Color Tool dialog box, click Legend.

4

Clear the check box for Show Pct if it is not already cleared. This clears the show percent check boxes for all the legend categories.

5

Clear the first and alternating check boxes in the Show Value column.

6

In the File Name box, change the file name to M y L eg en d. tab . Check what is acutally displayed.

7

Click OK.


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Lesson 11

8

In the Grid Color Tool dialog box, click OK.

To format the legend 1

Click the Select button on the Main toolbar.

2

In the MyLegend Map window, double-click the title ‘Best’ Field Strength. The Text Object dialog box opens.

3

Click the Style button. The Text Style dialog box opens.

4

Choose 12 from the font size list.

5

Enable the check boxes for Bold, Shadow, and Expanded.

6

Click OK.

7

In the Text Object dialog box, click OK.

8

Drag the title to the center of the Map window.

9

In the MyLegend Map window, click Z-units:dBm, and drag it to just below the last number.

10 In the Windows data window, expand Map Windows, right-click

MyLegend Map, and choose View ➤ Change View. The Change View dialog box opens. 11 In the Map Scale box, type 3 5 , and click OK.

150



Creating a legend for cartographic symbols To create a legend for cartographic symbols 1

In the Windows data window, right-click Legend Windows, and choose New. The Create Legend - Step 1 of 3 dialog box opens.

2

Click Next. The Create Legend - Step 2 of 3 dialog box opens.

3

In the Window Title box, type NY Network .

4

Click Next. The Create Legend - Step 3 of 3 dialog box opens.

5

Choose NY_Training_Sites from the Legend Frames list if it is not already chosen.

6

Type NY S i t es in the Title box.

7

Type An te nn a Azimu t h in the Subtitle box.

8

Choose the Unique Map Styles option if it is not already chosen.

9

From the Label Styles With list, choose Antenna_Azimuth.

10 Click Finish.

The NY Network legend opens in a new window. To edit the NY Network legend 1

In the NY Network window, double-click Primary_Road_Merged_Legend. The Legend Frame Properties dialog box opens.

2

Press the DELETE key to clear the Title box.

3

In the Edit Selected Text Here box, type Main Roads .

4

In the Styles section, click the Font button. The Text Style dialog box opens.

5

Choose 10 from the font size list.

6

Click OK.

7

In the Legend Frame Properties dialog box, click OK.

8

Double-click the NY Sites entry.

9

Click the Font button.

10 Choose 12 from the font size list. 11 Enable the check boxes for Bold, Shadow, and Expanded. Planet EV 3.1 Training DRAFT

151

Lesson 11

12 In the Text Style dialog box, click OK. 13 In the Legend Frame Properties dialog box, click OK. 14 Resize the NY Network window as shown.

Opening a graphics file You can add a company logo or other graphics file to the layout. To add a logo to your layout, you must first open the graphics file in its own Map window. The following file types can be opened: ■ Graphics Interchange Format (.gif) ■

JPEG Format (.jpg)

■

Tagged Image File Format (.tif)

■

PC Paintbrush Format (.pcx)

■

Windows Bitmap Format (.bmp)

■

Targa Format (.tga)

■

SPOT Satellite Images (.bil)

■

MrSID Format (.sid)

To open a company logo in a Map window 1


152

2

From the Files of Type list, choose Raster Image.

3

Choose the Planet EV Training\General\Logo folder, then choose the MarconiLogo.gif file.

4

From the Preferred View list, choose New Mapper, and click Open.

5

In the MapInfo dialog box, click OK.

6

In the MapInfo dialog box, click Display.



The MarconiLogo Map window opens. 7

Reduce the size of the Map window to the size of the following graphic.

8

Arrange the windows so that they do not overlap.

Creating a layout In this exercise, you will create a layout. You will incorporate the four windows into the layout window. You will also set up a page size in the layout window. To create a layout 1

In the Windows data window, double-click Layout Windows. The New Layout Window dialog box opens.

2

Choose the Frames for All Currently Open Windows option.

3

Click OK. The Layout window opens.

4

Choose File ➤ Page Setup.

5

From the Size list, choose 9 x 11 or Letter.

6

Choose the Landscape option, and click OK.

7

Drag all frames onto one page in the Layout window if they are not already on the same page.

8

In the Windows data window, expand Layout Windows, right-click Layout, and choose Options. The Layout Display Options dialog box opens.

9

In the Layout Size section, in the Width box, type 1.0 if it is not already displayed.

10 In the Height box, type 1. 0 if it is not already displayed, and click OK. 11 Maximize the Layout window. 12 In the Windows data window, expand Layout Windows, right-click

Layout, and choose View ➤ Change View.


153

Lesson 11

13 In the Layout Zoom dialog box, in the Zoom box, type 7 0 . 14 Click OK.

Manipulating frames in the layout window Frames are like picture frames that hold the contents of an open window. The frames are linked to the contents of the windows, so that if something changes in the window, the contents of the associated frame will reflect the change in the layout window. It is important to be able to resize and move legend frames so that you can create an attractive layout. When designing your layout, try to achieve visual balance among all the elements (frames) in the layout. To resize the frames You will increase the size of the signal strength map and decrease the size of the other frames. 1

On the Main toolbar, click the Select button.

2

In the Layout window, click the signal strength map.

3

Drag the editing box to increase the size of the signal strength map.

4

Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the logo and the signal strength legend, but reduce the frame size.

To align the map You will align the signal strength map in the center of the window. 1

Click the Layout window to activate it.

2

Choose Layout ➤ Align Objects. The Align Objects dialog box opens.

3

In the Horizontal section, from the Selected Objects list, choose Align Center Of.

4

From the With Respect to list, choose Entire Layout.

5

In the Vertical section, from the Selected Objects list, choose Align Center Of.

6

From the With Respect to list, choose Entire Layout.

7

Click OK.

To move a frame

154

1

Move the signal strength map to the left side of the layout window.

2

Move the logo below the map.

3

Move the other two frames to the right side of the layout window.



To remove the frame border 1

Click the logo to choose it.

2

Choose GIS ➤ Options ➤ Region Style. The Region Style dialog box opens.

3

In the Border section, choose N from the Style list.

4

Click OK.

5

Repeat steps 1 through 4 for the NY Sites frame and the legend frame.

To add a title to the layout You can add a title to the Layout window. 1

Choose View ➤ Toolbars.

2

Enable the Drawing check box, and click OK.

3

On the Drawing toolbar, click the Text button.

4

Click the Layout window above the signal strength map, and type Can did at e Sit es .

5

On the Main toolbar, click the Select button, and then click the title.

6

On the Drawing toolbar, click the Text Style button. The Text Style dialog box opens.

7

Enable the check boxes for Bold, Shadow, and Expanded if they are not already enabled.

8

From the font size list, choose 18.

9

Click OK.


155

Lesson 11

10 On the Main toolbar, click the Select button, and align the title with the

left edge of the map. Your layout window should look similar to the one below.

11 Minimize the Layout window.

To save and print the layout 1

Choose File ➤ Save Workspace. The Save Workspace dialog box opens.

2

Choose the Planet EV Training\General folder, and in the File Name box type La you t .wor .

3

Click Save.

4

Choose File ➤ Page Setup.

5

Choose a Letter paper size and a Landscape orientation, and click OK.

6

Choose File ➤ Print.

7

Click OK.

Modifying layout window content You can add a drop shadow to a frame using the Layout menu. Using the Drawing toolbar, you can add text, lines, regions, and symbols to the layout. You can reorder objects in order to see the frames that are hidden by overlapping frames. You can also add a scale to the map window using the Tools toolbar.

156



To create a drop shadow 1

Maximize the layout window.

2

On the Main toolbar, click the Select button, and then click the signal strength map.

3

Choose Layout ➤ Create Drop Shadows.

4

In the Horizontal box, type 0.2 .

5

Click OK.

To delete a drop shadow ■

Click the drop shadow, and press the DELETE key.

To add a border to a frame 1

Double-click the signal strength map in the Layout window. The Frame Object dialog box opens.

2

Write down the values shown in the ■

Center X box

■

Y box

■

Width box

■

Height box

3

Click OK.

4

On the Drawing toolbar, click the Rectangle button, and draw a rectangle of any size.

5

On the Main toolbar, click the Select button, and double-click the rectangle. The Rectangle Object dialog box opens.

6

Change the values in the Center X and Y boxes to match those of the map.

7

Change the values in the Width and Height boxes to be 0.4 cm larger than those for the map. This creates a rectangle that is 0.2 cm larger on either side of the frame.

8

Click OK.

9

On the Drawing toolbar, click the Region Style button. The Region Style dialog box opens.

10 Click the down arrow for Style, and choose a solid line. 11 Click the down arrow for Pixels, and choose a line width of 2.


157

Lesson 11

12 Click OK. 13 Choose Layout ➤ Send to Back.

To create a scale bar for the map 1

Minimize the Layout window.

2

Choose View ➤ Toolbars. The Toolbar Options dialog box opens.

3

Enable the Show and Floating check boxes for Tools, and click OK. The Tools toolbar opens.

4

Click the Run MapBasic Program button.

5

In the Run MapBasic Program dialog box, choose the Program Files\Planet EV\Mapinfo\Tools folder, then choose the Scalebar.mbx file, and click Open. The Draw Scale Bar button is displayed on the Tools toolbar.

6

Click the Draw Scale Bar button.

7

Click the title bar of the signal strength Map window to activate it.

8

Click the map where you want the scale bar to appear. The Draw Distance Scale in Mapper dialog box opens.

9

In the Width of Scale Bar box, type 50 00 .

10 Choose meters from the units list. 11 Click OK. 12 Maximize the layout window.

The scale bar is visible on the map. 13 Choose File ➤ Save Workspace. 14 In the Save Workspace dialog box, click Save. 15 Click Yes.

To close all tables and the project

158

1

Choose File ➤ Close All Tables.

2

In the Save Modified Table Data dialog box, click Save All.

3

Choose File ➤ Close Project.

4

Click Yes.



Summary In this lesson, you have learned to ■ use the Legend Generator to create legends for your grids ■

create legends for vector map objects, such as roads

■

add graphics files to a layout

■

change the layout of a map

■

manipulate frames from a Layout window


159

Lesson 11

160


Index ■

editing 39

Customer support 7

A

D

AMT. See Automatic Model Tuner (AMT) Analysis Info tool configuring and using 68 Analysis layers types 11 Antenna patterns 39 adding 40 deleting 39 editing 39 viewing 39 Automatic Model Tuner (AMT) overview 72 using 54

Data using the training data set 3 Demographic analysis performing 134 tool 133 Documentation using 3 F

Files clutter property assignment 62, 63 network analysis parameters 63 opening 28 opening graphics 152 propagation models 63 C site configuration 32, 63 CAL values structure 12 interpreting 53 Flags 44 Clutter adding conditions 44 interpreting CAL values 53 creating 44 property assignment 62 defining conditions for a sector 45 selecting a .cpa file 64 displaying 45 using to tune the CRC-Predict model 53 Frames Clutter absorption loss (CAL) values adding a border 157 interpreting 53 aligning 154 Clutter property assignment file 62 deleting drop shadow 157 Configurations manipulating in a layout window 154 defining for Analysis Info tool 68 moving 154 Coverage layers 11 removing border 155 CRC-Predict model resizing 154 description 51 setting up a .cpa file 63

161

Index Planet EV 3.1 Training DRAFT

G

Global edit editing sites 46 Graphic file opening 152 Grid calculations for multiple grids 129 calculator 128 classified 12 creating queries 130 customizing for a project 137 merging 140 numeric 12 reclassifying 142 reprojecting 144 resizing 144 splicing 140 trimming 139 using a region to trim 139 view legend 143 Grid files 12 Grid legend displaying 67 H

Help accessing 3 getting technical support 7 HTML Help 3 I

Information on grids 68

162

Interference layer 12 Interference matrix creating a Local Knowledge IM 110 creating a Modeled IM 105 creating a Network Data IM 108 displaying 107 generating 101 Local Knowledge 102 merging 112 Modeled 102 Network Data 102 types 102 L

Layer Control 26 Layers arranging 26 Layout windows 147 adding a title 155 cartographic symbols 151 creating a layout 153 creating a legend 148 manipulating frames 154 modifying content 156 printing 156 vector objects 151 M

Map windows changing the view 26 creating a legend 148 creating a scale bar 158 Model tuning overview 50, 72


Online Help 3

Predictions 11 factors affecting 52 generating 66, 80 viewing individual sectors 67 Project building a project area 137 closing 26 creating 19, 22 creating a new ID 54, 73 creating with the Project Wizard 23 General 22 opening 26 saving 26 types 20 Project Explorer 10 Project settings defining 25 dialog box 25 Project Wizard 21 using 23 Propagation Model Editor exploring 60 Propagation models CRC-Predict 51, 63 tuning 50, 72

P

S

N

Neighbor list based on interference matrix 120 comparing 124 displaying in a Map window 124 generating 117 generating a best server list 119 setting handover priorities 123 Neighbor list tool 118 Neighbor lists description 117 Network analysis 11 choosing analysis layers 66, 80 Network analysis layers getting information on 68 Network data binding 84 creating binding rules 84 displaying 86 importing 81, 83 using 81 Network data tool 82 O

Path Loss Planet model 77 Path loss 11 factors affecting 52 Planet EV terminology 11 Planet General model automatically tuning 54 Planet Model path loss equation 76 path loss sources 77 Planet model settings 75

Scale bar creating 158 Sector creating a group 42 defining flag conditions 45 definition 32 displaying a group 43 displaying flag conditions 45 setting properties 35, 36 Sector group creating 42 displaying 43

163


Settings for Analysis Info tool 68 Signal strength 11 Signal strength predictions factors affecting 52 Site configuration 34 configuration file 32 creating a configuration 34 definition 32 deleting 41, 42 editing 41 global editing 46 moving 41 placing 37 saving a configuration 37 setting properties 35, 36 Site table global editing 46 Sites configuring and placing 31 Spatial data working with 127 Splicing grids 140 Survey data aggregating 50 filtering 50 removing extraneous points 50 System settings defining 25 T

Table opening 28 Technical support 7 Tools Analysis Info 68

164

Traffic map adding roads 93 applying clutter weighting 95 converting 98 creating based on regional subscriber data 91 generating 89 scaling 97 Traffic Map Generator 90 Tuning models overview 50, 72 U

User interface 10 menus 10 Project Explorer 10 V

Vector files 12 W

Workflow building a project area 138 configuring and placing sites 33 creating a project 21 generating a traffic map 90 generating an interference matrix 104 generating neighbor lists 118 streamlining 15 tuning Predict propagation model 54 tuning the Planet General model 73 using network data 82 working with layout windows 148 working with spatial data 128

Planet EV 3.1 Training Manual

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