Atoll Getting Started-GSM Version 3.1.2 Forsk China Jun 2012 Forsk China April 09
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Atoll Getting Started-GSM Version 3.1.2
Table of Contents 1 2
3
Introduction......................................................................................................... 3 Installation ........................................................................................................... 4 2.1 32-bit version installation ........................................................................ 4 2.2 64-bit version installation ........................................................................ 6 Sequence of operations................................................................................... 7 3.1 New project ............................................................................................ 10 3.2 Setting a coordinate system ................................................................... 12 3.3 Import of 3D maps................................................................................. 16 3.3.1 3.3.2 3.3.3
3.4
Import of heights map .....................................................................................17 Import of clutter map .......................................................................................18 Import of vector map .......................................................................................22
Network data setting .............................................................................. 27 3.4.1 3.4.2 3.4.3 3.4.4 3.4.5 3.4.6 3.4.7 3.4.8
3.5
Import of the Sites table ..................................................................................27 Antenna parameters setting .............................................................................31 Network parameters setting .............................................................................36 Transmitters parameters setting .......................................................................46 Apply update of network parameter settings ...................................................54 Import and export to Access database .............................................................55 Import and export XML files...........................................................................58 Add new sites ..................................................................................................62
Propagation model................................................................................. 67 3.5.1 3.5.2
3.6
SPM propagation model ..................................................................................67 Cost–Hata model .............................................................................................85
Propagation matrix calculation ............................................................ 93 3.6.1 3.6.2
3.7
Preliminary work .............................................................................................93 Propagation calculation, interference matrix, and prediction plot creation .....99
Traffic calculation ................................................................................ 113 3.7.1 3.7.2 3.7.3
3.8
Traffic model ................................................................................................. 113 Create traffic map ..........................................................................................120 Running traffic analysis .................................................................................130
Neighbour allocation ........................................................................... 137 3.8.1 3.8.2 3.8.3
3.9
Allocate neighbour manually ........................................................................137 Allocate neighbour automatically..................................................................139 Calculate importance for existing neighbours ...............................................143
Frequency allocation ........................................................................... 145 3.9.1 3.9.2 3.9.3 3.9.4
3.10
Point analysis....................................................................................... 169
3.10.1 3.10.2 3.10.3 3.10.4
3.11
Manually input the frequency plan ................................................................145 Automatic frequency allocation model settings ............................................146 Perform an automatic frequency planning.....................................................154 Interactive frequency planning ......................................................................163 Profile ............................................................................................................169 Reception .......................................................................................................171 Interference ....................................................................................................172 Details............................................................................................................172
Another predictions ............................................................................. 173 3.11.1 3.11.2
3.12
GSM tools ............................................................................................ 180
3.12.1 3.12.2
3.13
Search Tool ....................................................................................................180 Tx-Tx Interference Tool ................................................................................182
The other function ............................................................................... 187
3.13.1 3.13.2 3.13.3 © Forsk 2012
How to create a prediction.............................................................................173 General prediction setting..............................................................................177
User configuration .........................................................................................187 Separate the path loss data.............................................................................189 Tips and tricks ...............................................................................................189 2/195
Atoll Getting Started-GSM Version 3.1.2
1 Introduction This document explains the entire process from the import of network data in Atoll to the production of prediction studies. The purpose of this document is to give an overall understanding for radio engineers, who never use Atoll. This document does not explain the algorithm and don’t give detailed explanation. The user may find in the “Technical Reference Guide” and “User Manual” the concrete algorithm and the detailed explanation of parameters. The user may find all projects and map data in the CD, which was provided with this document. This document describes how to get started using the Atoll version 3.1.2.
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2 Installation 2.1
32-bit version installation
The installation of Atoll is simple and needs an administrator profile. 1) The naming structure of the Atoll installation file is generally: “Atoll.language.version_number.build_number.exe”, as shown bellow: 2)
Before starting the installation of Atoll, the dongle has to be plugged in.
3)
Install Atoll by double clicking on the installation file.
4)
In the appeared dialog box, click on the “next” button and choose the installation directory (the default path is C:\Program File\Forsk\Atoll). The minimum requirement for the installation of Atoll is a disk space of 123.6MB.
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5)
In the 3rd window the user may choose “Full installation”, “Compact installation” or “Custom installation” and select the modules. The recommendation for a first installation of Atoll is “Full installation”. Two Add-ins of Atoll and Atoll Management console also can be selected for installation at the same time. If you are the first time to install Atoll, please select the option of “Driver for Fixed Licence Keys”, and your computer need to be restarted after the installation.
6)
In the 4th window, fill in the “Domain”, “Username” and “Password” fields. If the user don’t choose previously “Atoll calculation server”, then he doesn’t’t need to fill in any information.
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Click on the “Next” button to start the installation of Atoll. After the installation, the computer needs to be restarted. Atoll users need to pay attention for the following 3 points: (1) For parallel port dongle, it is recommended to insert or remove it only when the computer is turned off. (2) Please note when using Atoll, if it is not necessary, please do not change the data and time on computer. (3) For the stand-alone license, Windows XP, Windows 7 or Windows Vista is recommended. It is not supported in Windows 2000 and Windows sever system. For Windows sever system, it must be used in network lincese. (4) We already update the standalone license driver from Atoll 3.1.2, new license driver is Sentinel SuperPro 7.6.1 version. If you use standalone license and when you install Atoll 3.1.2 version, you need to do: Remove the dongle from computer. Select the option of “Dongle Driver for Fixed License ”on installation step. Restarted the computer after the instatllation. Insert the dongle to computer. After above steps, if you still can not accese license, you need to install Sentinel SuperPro driver software manually. The latest driver software is 7.6.5 version which can be downloaded from the following address : 7)
http://c3.safenet-inc.com/Display_Results.asp?DocId=19141 2.2
64-bit version installation
1. 2.
The operation steps are the same as 32-bit version intallation. The requirements of using Atoll in 64-bit version： The operation system should be 64-bit, such as Win7, Windows 2008 Sever, Windows 2008 Sever R2. 64-bit Office SP1 is requried，such as Office 2010 SP1. Then you can open Atoll successfully. If You have Office 32-bit installed -> You need to install Office 64-bit SP1 instead (requires the uninstallation of Office 32-bit).
If You don't have Office at all -> please contact us(Email:
[email protected]）
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3 Sequence of operations This following document presents how to establish an Atoll GSM/GPRS/EGPRS project and to carry out coverage predictions, traffic modelling and production of reports: （1） Start a new project. （2） Import of 3D maps. （3） Setting the coordinate system. （4） Import of network data. （5） Propagation model selection and calibration. （6） Path loss calculation. （7） Interference matrix calculation. （8） Traffic Modelling. （9） Telephone traffic analysis. （10） Neighbours allocation. （11） Frequency planning. （12） Calculation of prediction studies. （13） Production of reports. The operation flow chart is represented in the following figure (dashed line frames may be chosen or not).
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Start
Essential data collection
Propagation model selection
Import of 3D maps SPM model selected? N
Choice of coordinate system
Import of antenna patterns
Y
CW drive test Site table
Transmitter equipments (TMA, feeder, BTS) Transmitter table
Network parameters setting (HSN, BSIC, HCS, time slot)
Model calibration Equipments setting (GPRS/EGPRS, code, TRX)
Drawing of the computation zone
Pathloss and interference matrix calculation
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Traffic model adjustment Traffic modeling Environments User profile Terminals
GSM/GPRS/EGPRS parameters setting
Traffic map setting
Mobility types Services
Telephone traffic
Dimensioning model
Y Does the traffic model satisfy?
N
Commit traffic capture result and calculate traffic load
Neighbours allocation
Frequency planning
Prediction parameters setting
Calculation
N
Do the calculation results satisfy? Y Export the calculation results
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3.1 New project After opening Atoll, click on
or select File->New.
The project templates dialog box will appear. Choose “GSM/GPRS/EGPRS” template.
Atoll opens a blank “GSM/GPRS/EGPRS” project. The new project already includes the default antenna database.
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Explorer Window Map Window
The Atoll main window contains an Explorer Window and a Map Window, as seen in the figure above.
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3.2 Setting a coordinate system Select “Document->Properties”, as shown in the following figure.
In the appeared “Properties” dialog box, the “Projection” and “Display” can be defined in the “Coordinate systems” frame.
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First set the projection system (it can be known by reading the file “projection.txt” in the “heights” folder). For the demo project the projection system is “WGS 84 UTM zone 31N”. Click on the right side of the “Projection” field on , open “Coordinate systems” dialog box and choose WGS84 UTM zones in the “Find in” box.
Then choose WGS 84/UTM zone 31N and click “OK”.
After the setting of parameters, the following dialog box is displayed.
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Setting the “Display System”. The “Display system” function allows the user to choose the relative coordinates (X and Y, unit in meter) or the longitude and latitude for the Map Window. After having set the “Projection” system, Atoll automatically sets the “Display” system with the same system as the “Projection” system, as shown in the figure above. The windows map uses relative coordinate. The display has to be set for displaying the longitude and latitude. Click on the right side of the “Display” field on the button and open the “Coordinate Systems” dialog box. Select “WGS84 UTM zones” and choose the “WGS 84” system (with an ellipsoidal symbol).
After having set the “Coordinate” system, the Map Window displays the longitude and latitude (“d” © Forsk 2012
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is degree, “m” is minute and “s” is second), as shown in the following figure.
The user can choose the “Degree Format” among the “xx°xx'xx.xx”S", “xxdxxmxx.xxsS” format (minute and second), the “xx.xxxxx” format (decimal base) or the “-xx.xxxxx” format (decimal base and southern hemisphere expressed with the minus sign), as shown in the following figure.
Note: If the user wants to use another projection system and wants to display the longitude and latitude coordinates, then the display system has to be chosen according to the projection system name. Moreover there is an ellipsoid symbol in front of the display system.
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3.3 Import of 3D maps In the main tool bar, select “File->Import”.
In the appeared “Open” dialog box browse for the geographical map folder. These files can be found in \Atoll312 GSM demo projects and materials\ Geo_Data.
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sea level), clutter classes (type of land used) and vector (vector maps). The order of import is not important, but, for this document, the following order will be used: heights->clutter->vectors.
3.3.1
Import of heights map
1、 In the “Open” dialog box, select the “\Atoll312 GSM demo projects and materials\Geo_Data\Brussels\Heights” folder in the CD ROM. Select the “index” document and click on “Open”.
2、 In the appeared “Data Type” dialog box, click on the “Altitudes” button and click “ok”.
3、 After the map import, the following figure appears. The “heights” map is automatically put on the left side in the explorer window under the “Geo” tab named “Digital Terrain Model”.
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3.3.2
Import of clutter map
1、 Select again “File->Import” in the main toolbar. In the “Open” dialog box, select the “\Atoll312 GSM demo projects and materials\Geo_Data\Brussels\Clutter” folder. Select the “index” document and click on “Open”.
2、 In the appeared “Data type” dialog box, click on the “Clutter Classes” button and click on “Ok”.
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3、 After the map is imported, the following figure appears. The clutter classes map is automatically put on the left side in the explorer window under the “Geo” tab named “Clutter Classes”.
4、 Double clicking on the “Clutter Classes” folder, open the ”Clutter Classes properties” dialog box for the setting of clutter parameters.
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Select the “Description” tab and click on the bottom right “Refresh” button. Atoll will filter the clutter classes, which are not included into the clutter map. The following figure shows the filtered tab of clutter classes.
These values have to be set according to the customer network, otherwise Atoll will use default values 7dB for clutter standard deviation.
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5、 In the “Display” tab, adjust the display color of each clutter type. Pay attention to the “Display type” and the “Field”. The following figure is the suggested setting of “Display tab”. Click on the color frame to change the color for each clutter type.
Select “Add to legend” to display information in the legend window. Use the “Transparency” function to adjust the transparency of the map. The display of each clutter may be disabling by unchecking the check-box. 6、 After settings the “Clutter Classes properties”, the clutter map will be displayed as below.
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3.3.3
Import of vector map
1、 Select again “File->Import” in the main toolbar. In the “Open” dialog box, select the “\Atoll312 GSM demo projects and materials\Geo_Data\Brussels\Vector” folder. Select the “index” document and click on “Open”.
2、 In the appeared “Data type” dialog box, click on the “Vector” button and click “OK”.
3、 In the appeared “Vector import” dialog box, use the default settings and click on the “Import” button to import the map.
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4、 After the map import, the following figure appears. The vector map is automatically put on the left side in the explorer window under the “Geo” tab named “Vectors”.
5、 Dragging the “Vectors” folder with the mouse to the top of the explorer window, the “vector” map will be placed as the uppermost layer, as seen in the following figure.
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6、 Double clicking on “Airport” in the “Vectors” folder, open the “airport properties” dialog box, and select the “Display” tab, as seen in the following figure.
7、 Clicking on the vector line to open the “Display” dialog box to set the color and style of the vector line.
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8、 As shown in the following figure, the color of the vector line is changed.
9、 You may modify other vector files with the same operations as for the “airport” vector file. The following figure shows all the imported digital maps.
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3.4 Network data setting The setting of a GSM project in Atoll can be done for two different cases: （1） The network is already deployed or the network data, including site location, antenna patterns and so on, already exist. （2） The network is not deployed and the user starts the network planning with site placement in the planning tool. The following part introduces the first case. All data have to be prepared in Excel, before importing them. Atoll needs an Excel document with network data including sites, antennas and transmitters. All necessary data for the setup of the Brussels project are in the “GSM_Brussels_Network.xls” document in the “\Atoll312 GSM demo projects and materials\Reference_Data\Network_Data” folder. The “GSM_Brussels_Network.xls” document has 11 worksheets. The network data are contained in the first 3 worksheets and the others will be introduced later.
The import of the network data must be done by a certain order. In Atoll, the order follows the explorer window order.
3.4.1
Import of the Sites table
1、 Open the “GSM_Brussels_Network.xls” document and select the “GSM network-Sites” sheet.
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2、 Copy the columns “Name”, “Longitude” and “Latitude” (except the title line). 3、 In the “Explorer/Network” window, double click on the “Sites” folder (or right click on the “Sites” folder and select “Open Table”) will open the “Sites” table, as shown in the following figure.
4、 In the “Sites” table, select the first cell and paste the data. Except for the columns “Name”, “X” and “Y”, the others are automatically filled in with default value. Atoll will transform automatically the longitude and latitude form decimal format to minutes and seconds system. The imported sites will be put in the “Sites” folder of the “Explorer/Network” window with an alphabetic order, as shown in the following figure.
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5、 If the user wants to delete one or several sites, he can delete them in the “Sites” table or directly in the “Explorer/Network” window.
In the “Sites” table, click on the left grey cell of the line, which contains the site you want to delete, select the entire line, and push the keyboard “delete” button.
In the “Explorer/Network” window, right click on the site you want to delete and select “delete” in the menu, as shown in the following figure.
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6、 After the input of “Sites” data, the Map Window is automatically updated with the new sites. In the following figure, a black circle represents a site.
7、 Open the “Sites” properties dialog box (right click on the “Sites” folder and select “properties”) to change the display attributes, as shown in the following figure.
Choosing “Unique” allows only a unique color for the display of sites. Choosing “Discrete values” © Forsk 2012
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or “Value intervals” allows colors selection according to certain characteristics. By default, a site is represented by a black circle. If necessary, the symbol and color of sites can be changed, by selecting “Properties” in the “Actions” dialog box. The appeared “Display” window allows the selection of color and symbol.
3.4.2
Antenna parameters setting
Atoll needs the following antenna’s data: antenna name, antenna gain, antenna horizontal and vertical patterns. Beamwidth, Fmin and Fmax are reference parameters and they are not used for calculation. Atoll calculates and displays the electrical down tilt from the vertical pattern. The calculated electrical down tilt is only given for information. 1、 Select the “GSM network-Antennas” sheet in the “GSM_Brussels_Network.xls” document. As seen in the following figure, the horizontal and vertical patterns are provided.
2、 In Atoll, right click on the Parameters tab “Antennas” folder in the Explorer Window and select “New” in the context menu, as shown in the following figure.
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3、 In the ”Antennas New element properties” dialog box, the following tabs are available: ”General”，”Horizontal pattern”，”Vertical pattern” and ”Other properties”.
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has no impact on the calculation. Antenna gain unit may be dBi or dBd. The unit can be selected in the “Documents—Properties—Units” dialog box.
In Atoll 3.1.2, a new feature for antenna modeling has been added. The name of the physical antenna to which the antenna model belongs. A physical antenna may have one or more antenna models (patterns), corresponding to different electrical downtilts. If you want to flag a physical antenna as obsolete, add the word "obsolete" (not case sensitive) to the name of the physical antenna. Physical antennas flagged as obsolete are not listed among available antennas in the Antenna Selector dialogue 5、 Copy the two columns corresponding to the horizontal pattern of the “GSM_Brussels_Network.xls” document, and paste it in the “Co-Polar section” of the “Horizontal pattern” tab in Atoll.
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6、 Do the same operation for the vertical pattern.
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7、 Other parameters can be set in the “Other properties” tab, but it is only reference information and it has no impact on the calculation.
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3.4.3
Network parameters setting
3.4.3.1 Units setting Select “Documents->Properties”, and then select the “Units” tab, as shown in the following figure.
In this tab the user can defined the units for the Radiated Power (EIRP or ERP), the Antenna Gain (dBi or dBd), the Transmission power (dBm, Watts or KWatts), the Reception power, the Distance and the Height. The temperature units also could be set to fit the climate definition.
3.4.3.2 Frequencies setting In the “Explorer/Parameters” tab and select “Network Settings->Frequencies->Bands”, as seen in the following figure.
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In the appeared dialogue define the Frequency Bands.
In the “Explorer/Parameters” window, select “Network Settings->Frequencies-> Domains”, as seen in the following figure.
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In the appeared dialogue the Frequency Domains can be defined. Double click on a Frequency Domain to set up its properties, as shown in the following figure. Define the “Min”, “Max” and “Step” of the Frequency Domain.
In the “Explorer/Parameters” window and select “Network Settings->Frequencies-> Groups”, as seen in the following figure. In the appeared dialogue define the Frequency Groups.
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A sample for Frequency domain could be found from \Atoll312 GSM demo projects and materials\Reference_Data\Network_Data\GSM_Brussels_Network.xls.
3.4.3.3 BSIC setting In the “Explorer/Parameters” window and select “Network Settings-> BSICs”, as seen in the following figure.
Define the BSIC’s Format (Decimal or Octal), as seen in the following figure.
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Define the BSIC’s Domains by selecting “Domains”.
Double click on a BSIC Domain to set up its properties, as shown in the following figure. Define the “Min”, “Max” and “Step” of the BSIC Domain.
In the “Explorer/Parameters” window and select “Network Settings-> BSICs ->Groups”. Double click on “Groups” to set up its properties, In the appeared dialogue define the BSIC Groups.
A sample for BSIC could be found from \Atoll312 GSM materials\Reference_Data\Network_Data\GSM_Brussels_Network.xls.
demo
projects
and
3.4.3.4 HSN setting In the “Explorer/Parameters” window and select “Network Settings-> HSNs, as seen in the following figure. © Forsk 2012
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Define the HSN’s Domains by selecting “Domains”.
Double click on a HSN Domain to set up its properties, as shown in the following figure. Define the “Min”, “Max” and “Step” of the HSN Domain.
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In the “Explorer/Parameters” window and select “Network Settings-> HSNs-> Groups”, In the appeared dialogue define the HSN Groups.
3.4.3.5 HCS Layer setting In the “Explorer/Parameters” window and select “Network Settings->HCS Layers”, as seen in the following figure.
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In the appeared “HCS Layers” dialogue define the properties corresponding to each layer, as shown in the following figure.
A sample for HCS layer could be found from \Atoll312 GSM demo projects and materials\Reference_Data\Network_Data\GSM_Brussels_Network.xls.
3.4.3.6 Timeslot setting In the “Explorer/Parameters” window and select “Network Settings->Timeslot Configurations”, as seen in the following figure.
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Double click on a Subcell or click on the “Properties” button to set up the Timeslot properties.
Define the “Number of Shared Timeslots”, the “Number of Circuit Timeslots” and the “Number of Packet Timeslots” for each Subcell.
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3.4.3.7 Cell Type setting In the “Explorer/Parameters” window and select “Network Settings->Cell Types”, as seen in the following figure.
Double click on a Cell Type or click on the “Properties” button to set up the Cell Type properties.
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Define the Cell Type properties in the appeared dialogue, as shown in the following figure.
A sample for Cell Type could be found from \Atoll312 GSM demo projects and materials\Reference_Data\Network_Data\GSM_Brussels_Network.xls.
3.4.4
Transmitters parameters setting
1、 Because there are some new transmitter equipments should be added in this case at first, please select “Radio Network Equipments->Transmitter Equipments” to open the Transmitter equipments table, as shown in the following figure.
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Input the BTS equipments into the table.
2、 Open the “GSM_Brussels_Network.xls” network-Transmitters” sheet.
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3、 Double click on the “Transmitters” folder in “Explorer/Network” (or right click on “Transmitters” and select “Open Table”) to open the “Transmitters” tab, as shown in the following figure.
4、 After opening the “Transmitters” table in Atoll, you will discover that the number of fields is larger than in the Excel file. It is because some of the parameters in Atoll don’t need the input from the user but Atoll will automatically fill in default values. The fields listed in the Excel © Forsk 2012
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document are those necessary parameters for the transmitters. Before copy/paste the Excel table in Atoll, the unnecessary columns have to be hidden. If the user try to paste the data and that don’t match with the “Transmitters” tab, an error message will be displayed. The following figure shows that the “Columns to be displayed” tab can be accessed under Tools Bar -> Display Columns
In the “Columns to be displayed” tab, the unnecessary fields has to be unchecked for hiding the corresponding column, as shown in the following chart. Finally the “Transmitters” tab and the Excel tab have exactly the same columns.
5、 Copy the transmitter’s data of the “GSM network-Transmitters” sheet of the Excel document (except the title line) and paste it in the “Transmitters” table in Atoll, as shown in the following © Forsk 2012
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figure.
6、 After the import of data in the “Transmitters” table, the Map Window will be automatically updated, without refresh or saving the document.
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7、 The toolbar’s button may zoom in or zoom out the Map Window (left click will zoom in and right click will zoom out). The toolbar’s button
allows the user to choose one region to be zoomed in.
8、 Pushing the toolbar’s button assigns automatically different colors for each transmitter in order to differentiate them, as shown in the following figure.
9、 Right click on “Transmitter” and select “Properties”. 1)
Select “Automatic” in the “Display” tab, as shown in the following figure.
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2)
Double click the arrow icon, as shown in the following figure.
3)
Select a fan, and click OK to confirm, press OK to exit the Properties dialog box. At this point all of the antennas in the network are using this fan. Angle Presented by the fan is the angle of beamwidth. As shown in the following figure.
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4)
In Atoll 3.1.2 version Multi-Band networks is supported, according to the actual situation of the network user can set up a Transmitter with different band settings:
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As shown above, user can set the Transmitter to TRX using 900 as the BCCH Subcell, TRX using 1800 as the TCH Subcell. And also set the properties for a variety of Subcells with different types of bands in detail, such as transmitters with several propagation settings, which depends on the frequency bandwidth of the transmitter launch:
Each band is allowed to have different antenna.
Each band is allowed to use different propagation models, each model has its own pathloss matrix.
This feature needs adding the following parameters in the document Atoll.ini and restart Atoll: [Studies] MultiBandManagement=1
3.4.5
Apply update of network parameter settings
After setting up the network parameters, the transmitter or Subcell table may need to be updated, example as Transmitters Advanced Settings are applied in “Atoll312 GSM demo projects and materials\Reference_Data\Network_Data\GSM_Brussels_Network.xls” table . © Forsk 2012
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Parameter set in the Network Parameters Setting are applied to transmitter tables and subcell table, so users need to select the corresponding network parameters in these two forms. In addition, after completion of setting, because of other reasons, the network configuration parameters are modified; Atoll will notify the user whether the changes should be updated from the Cell Type and applied to the corresponding transmitter table. Users can also complete the update by selecting the Subcell ->Update From Cell Type. As seen in the following figure.
Setting of Cell Type corresponds to all subcell choosing the set of such Cell Type. If user only need to change the corresponding attributes of individual subcell, please update carefully after the modifying as above.
3.4.6
Import and export to Access database
The stand-alone mode does not need to connect any external database, but it can be convenient to import/export network data from/to a database.
3.4.6.1 Import Access database 1、 Please find in the following document the Access database file in “\Atoll312 GSM demo projects and materials\Reference_Data\Access_Database”, containing the Brussels network data (but it does not contain the map data). © Forsk 2012
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2、 In Atoll, select “File->New->From an Existing Database”, as shown in the following figure.
3、 In the browsing window select the “Brussels_GSM.mdb” document.
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4、 After clicking on “Open”, Atoll automatically import all network data from the database to the Atoll project. 5、 Using “Centre in the Map Window” to lets the sites appear in the center of the window.
Note: The database does not include the map data, therefore the map data has to be imported separately.
3.4.6.2 Export to Access database When all network data are set in Atoll, the data may be exported to a database file, so the network data can be easily shared and transferred. 1、 Select Menu “Document->Database-> Export”, and in the appeared “Export to a database” dialog box, type the file name and then export the engineering data into the “.mdb” file.
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3.4.7
Import and export XML files
XML files can be imported and exported in Atoll. This function is different from import and export Access database function, when using XML files, every table in Atoll will be imported or exported © Forsk 2012
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to a XML file separately. Using .mdb can only creat a new project. The existed project will be updated while using XML function. Please note that, if the existed project data does not match with the imported XML file, then Atoll will retain the existed data. That is, using XML function can only complement the not existed part of the original data but not modify. This function relatively more suitable for other users to creat some new sites, it need to updata this part of imformation in others’ project.
3.4.7.1 Import XML file 1、 Select Document->Data Exchange-> XML File Import
2、 In the appeared dialog box select the storage path of XML file. XML file is available in “\Atoll312 GSM demo projects and materials\Reference_Data\Exchange XML Files”
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3、 Click OK, Atoll will automatically complete the XML file import process. If the import process successfully, Atoll will display the following tips:
If there is no duplicate record, Atoll will display the following tips. If not, Atoll will remind duplicate record automatically.
3.4.7.2 Export XML file 1、 Select Document->Data Exchange-> XML File Export
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2、 In the appeared dialog box select the storage path of XML file. Click OK,
3、 Atoll will automatically complete the XML file export process.
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3.4.8
Add new sites
The steps for importing the network data into Atoll have been introduced above. Atoll provides also another method to add new sites directly in the Map Window.
3.4.8.1 Add new sites one by one Clicking on the Atoll toolbar button following figure.
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, turn the mouse into a honeycombs shape, as shown in the
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In the Map Window, a new site (including 3 transmitters) can be added directly with a click on the appropriate position. Simultaneously, Atoll adds the corresponding information into the data sheets. Press the “Ctrl” key to lay continuously sites in the Map Window. When the laying of sites is finished, press the “Esc” key to withdraw from the current status.
3.4.8.2 Add a group of sites Click on the Atoll toolbar button
, then a polygonal symbol will be added behind the cursor.
Then draw a polygon in the Map Window to add a new group of sites inside the selected region. Sites will be automatically layed inside the region according to a certain inter-site distance, as seen in the following figure.
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After drawing the polygon, the following figure will appear.
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Atoll will add the corresponding information to the new sites into the data sheets. If the user wants to delete a group of sites, it can be done in the “Site” table as explain above or more quickly through the following operations: Right click on a group of the “Hexagonal Design” folder and select “Delete”, then the entire group of sites will be deleted.
3.4.8.3 Template management In the previous sections, a new group of sites have been added by selecting a template and by drawing a polygon. Atoll allows the user to choose among different templates and to edit a specific template. The templates are available in the Atoll Parameters Tab, Network Setting -> Station Templates, as shown in the following figure.
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Double click on “Station Templates” Folder to open table.
The user may also add a new template or delete an existing one. The user can edit the template’s parameters by double clicking on a Station template. In the appeared dialog box, the template’s properties (for example, the number of sectors, the antenna model, the azimuth, the tilt, the height and so on) can be edited.
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3.5 Propagation model Atoll integrates many propagation models including Okuruma-Hata，Cost-Hata，SPM，ITU370， ITU526，ITU 529，Longley-Rice and WLL models.
3.5.1
SPM propagation model
SPM (Standard Propagation Model) is a model originating from Planet and using K parameters. The SPM model has also a relation with the Hata model. The SPM model may be calibrated with CW measurements.
3.5.1.1 Import of CW measurements Note: the CW measurements used by this document are just for the purpose of helping the user to be familiar with the use of the software. The detailed requirements for CW measurements (including data quantity) are described in the SPM model calibration document, which can be provided upon request. To import the measurements, there are 2 methods: Copy/Paste and import. 1、 Copy/Paste method （1） Open the “Site46_2 survey” worksheet in the “GSM_Brussels_Network.xls” document. This worksheet provides the measurements corresponding to the “Site46_2” cell with the longitude, the latitude and the received signal level for each sampling point.
（2） In Atoll, right click on the “CW measurements” folder in the “Explorer\Network” window, and select “New” in the context menu, as shown in the following figure. © Forsk 2012
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（3） In “New CW measurement path” dialog box, fill in the file name, the corresponding transmitter, the receiver height. Then paste the Excel table data into the table, as shown in the following figure. Note: Set the coordinate system with “WGS84” corresponding to the projection system as stated in the Excel tab.
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After clicking on “OK”, the test data are immediately displayed on the Map Window. Each point represents a measurement sampling.
2、 Import method （1） Atoll supports the formats .dat, .txt, .csv and .hd (PlaNET). （2） Please find 3 .txt documents inside the “\Atoll312 GSM demo projects and materials\Reference _Data\Measurement_Surveys” folder of the CD ROM. © Forsk 2012
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（3） In Atoll, right click on “CW measurements” in the “Explorer\Network” window and select “Import” as shown in the following figure.
（4） In the appeared “Open” dialog box, browse for the document to be imported. Atoll supports the multi selection of files. Several measurements corresponding to the same transmitter can be imported at the same time, but if the measurements belong to different transmitters, then each measurement has to be imported separately. Provided test data corresponding to different transmitters, the measurements have to be imported one by one.
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（5） The appeared dialog box contains two tabs, “General” and “Setup”. In the “General” tab, define the corresponding reference transmitter, the frequency and receiver height, as shown in the following figure.
（6） In the “Setup” tab, fill in the “1st Measurement Row” field with 2 (because the drive test document has a title line and the data start at the second line). Then click on the “Setup” button.
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（7） After clicking on the “Setup” button, the “CW Measurement Setup” dialog box appears, as shown in the following figure. Define “X-Coordinates” and “Y-Coordinates” fields with respectively the longitude and latitude.
（8） Click on the “Import” button in the import main window and then the measurement data will be imported into the project. After the import, the measurement data will be automatically put in the “CW measurements” folder of the Explorer Window. Use “Centre in the Map Window” function to display the imported measurements in the center of the map.
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Import also the “Measures_Site4_2_Street.txt” and the “Measures_Site4_3_Street.txt” documents into the project by the similar operations above. Please note that the 3 measurements files correspond to different transmitters. （9） Setting of the CW measurements display —— double click on the “CW measurement” folder and open the “CW measurements properties” dialog box. In the “Display” tab, define the “Display type” as “Value Intervals” and “Field” as “M(dBm)”.
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（10） Right click on the CW measurement data file and select the Filtering Assistant, a new dialog window “Filtering Assistant on CW Measurement points” will be opened. Based © Forsk 2012
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on this tool, CW measurement data can be filtered by user.
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3.5.1.2 Automatic calibration of the SPM model A good propagation model calibration requires having enough data, filtering them and carrying a careful tuning of each factor of the model. The tuning steps are quite complex, which is not described in details in this document. A document of specific SPM model calibration can be provided upon request. Bellow the SPM model basic operations are introduced. The SPM automatic calibration may help the user to find the best K parameters, the “Effective antenna height” method, the “Diffraction” method and the clutter losses. (1)
Duplicate the existing standard propagation model and make the calibration for the duplicated model. This method has the advantage to preserve the existing model and to allow a calibration of the SPM for each kind of environments.
(2)
Right click on the new SPM model and select “Automatic Calibration”.
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(3)
Select the CW measurement(s) and click on the “Next” button.
(4)
In the appeared dialog box, select the K parameters that will be used for the calibration. It is recommended not to select the K6 parameter.
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Double click on a K parameter or select a K parameter and click on “Define Range”, will open the “Define Domain” dialog box, where the range of the K parameter can be defined, as shown in the following figure. But generally it is recommended to keep the default values defined above.
After choosing the range, click on “OK”. (5)
According to the selected CW measurements and the tuning parameters, Atoll calibrates automatically the SPM propagation model.
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(6)
After the computation, Atoll provides in the same dialog box the results and the statistics concerning the model, as the average error and the standard deviation. According to the results, the user may choose to commit the K parameters list by clicking on the “Commit” button.
(7)
If the results are not satisfactory and the K parameters have been already committed, the propagation model can be deleted by right clicking on it and selecting “Delete” (or by pressing the “Delete” key on the keyboard).
(8)
If after the calibration, the model has to be used in other projects, copy it by with
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CTRL+C and paste it with CTRL+V in the “Modules” tab of another project. Note: the automatic model calibration is only a mathematical computation method. The result depends on the quality of the CW measurements. Therefore a high quality of CW measurements is required.
3.5.1.3 Verified model by using CW measurement data To judge if a model fits an area (at least fits the CW data), the most direct way is to check the standard deviation after calibration. The smaller the standard deviation is, the better result will be. In general, the standard deviation required to be less than 8dB after calibration. In most case, users will use automatic calibration as mentioned above. If needed, they can use another method to verify their models that is to check the chart showing difference between measured values and predicted values. The verification process is: （1） Right click a measurement path in Explorer/Network tab, choose Properties.
In Parameter tab of properties dialogue window, choose you propagation model in Parameter tab like below:
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（2） Right click a measurement path in Explorer/Network tab, choose Refresh geo data command.
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（3） Right click a measurement path in Explorer/Network tab, choose Calculations-> Calculate Signal Level.
（4） Atoll will calculate predicted values on all the points on the path by chosen model. If you need to look the statistic report, you can right click the measurement path in Explorer/Network tab and choose Display statistics. Atoll will prompt the report as in below picture, you can check the standard deviation of model on this path.
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（5） Right click a measurement path, choose Open the Analysis tool command, then a CW measurements window will pop up as below:
CW measurement window.
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（6） Click in the CW measurement window, you will simultaneously have a receiver in the map window and its measured value (M) and predicted value (P). You can choose other display option in the roll down menu, e.g. Error for the difference between M and P.
Note: It can be used for other model like Cost-Hata and Okumura-Hata.
3.5.1.4 Define models for transmitters After calibration, you need to define for each transmitter which propagation model would be used. You can use shortcut Ctrl + D.
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If all transmitters use the same model, the most efficient way is to define in Transmitters properties window. In Propagation tab, choose a model you want to use, and give it a radius and resolution (generally the resolution is the same as digital map). Note: If you do not want to use one propagation model for all of the transmitters, do not use this feature.
3.5.2
Cost–Hata model
Okuruma-Hata and Cost-Hata use both the standard Hata formula. The Okuruma-Hata is suitable © Forsk 2012
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for a frequency smaller than 1500MHz and Cost-Hata is suitable for a frequency bigger than 1500MHz. So Cost-Hata will be used for a GSM network. Both Okuruma-Hata and Cost-Hata can be calibrated. The following paragraph introduces only the calibration of the Cost-Hata model, but the calibration of the Okuruma-Hata model is similar.
3.5.2.1 Import of CW measurements Please refer to the paragraph 3.5.1.1.
3.5.2.2 Automatic calibration of the Cost-Hata model The following paragraph does not make an exhaustive introduction of the automatic calibration of the Cost-Hata model. Automatic calibration is quite complex because of the detailed adjustment steps. Please contact the Atoll Support Team for more information. Firstly, the CW measurements must be in a sufficient number and of good quality, in order to calibrate accurately the Cost-Hata model.
The Cost-Hata calibration tool might help the user to find the best A1, B1, Diffraction Factor and Formula Correction for each type of clutter. 1、 Right click the Cost-Hata model and select “Duplicate” will duplicate the Cost-Hata model. So, the calibration will not affect the parameters of the existing Cost-Hata model.
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2、 Double click on the folder “Copy of Cost-Hata” will open the properties dialogue. The Cost-Hata propagation model can use an environment formula appropriate to each clutter class when calculating. Furthermore, Cost-Hata propagation model can “add diffraction loss” and take into account “limitation to free space loss”.
Add diffraction loss: The Cost-Hata propagation model can take into account losses due to diffraction, using a 1-knife-edge Deygout method, and using the ground altitude given in the DTM. The diffraction can be weighted for each Hata environment formula.
Limitation to free space loss: When using a Hata-based propagation model, it is possible to calculate a theoretical path loss that ends up being lower than the free space loss. In Atoll, you can define any Hata-based propagation model to never calculate a path loss that is lower than the calculated free space loss per pixel. 3、 Right click on the folder “Copy of Cost-Hata” and select “Calibration” will open the calibration wizard. Select one or several CW measurement(s) and click “Next”, as shown in the following figure.
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4、 In the appeared dialogue select the parameters that Atoll will calibrate and click “Next”, as shown in the following figure.
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5、 Atoll automatically calibrates the Cost-Hata model and displays the parameters before and after the calibration. Atoll provides also the root mean square, the average and the standard deviation before and after the calibration. According to the results the user can choose to commit the result by clicking on the “Commit” button.
6、 If a propagation model is not useful, it’s easy to delete it by right clicking on the Cost-Hata model and select “Delete” or use the “Delete” key on the keyboard. 7、 If the user wants to use the propagation model in another Atoll project, just copy the existing propagation model with CTRL+C and then paste it in the new project with CTRL+V.
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3.5.2.3 Cost-Hata model properties 1、 Double click on “Cost-Hata” in “Explorer/Parameters -> Propagation Models” (or right click on the “Cost-Hata” icon and select “Properties”) will open the “Cost-Hata properties” dialog box.
2、 In the “Cost-Hata properties” dialog box, the propagation formula has to be set for each kind of clutter. Click on the “Formulas” button on the bottom left for checking “Cost-Hata” formulas and default values. The propagation parameters have to be set according to the user experience.
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3、 Set the appropriate formula for each kind of clutter in the “Cost-Hata” properties dialog box. The following figure is an example of the “Cost-Hata” properties setting (the properties dialog box has to be set according to the user’s network environment).
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4、 The next step is to set up the “Cost-Hata” model for all transmitters. Right click on the “Explorer ->Network -> Transmitter” folder, select “Properties”, and open the “Transmitters properties” dialog box. In the appeared dialog box, select the “Propagation” tab and select “Cost-Hata” for the propagation model, as shown in the following figure.
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3.6 Propagation matrix calculation 3.6.1
Preliminary work
Before launching the calculation of the pathloss matrices, the following preliminary work has to be done.
3.6.1.1 Resolution of predictions and receiver height The user needs also to set the resolution for coverage studies. This resolution may be equal or lower than the map’s accuracy. The higher the resolution is, the longer the processing time is. （1） Right click on the “Predictions” folder of the “Explorer/Network” window and select “Properties” (or double click directly on the “Prediction” folder).
（2） In the “Predictions properties” dialog box, set the “Default resolution” value to 20m (this will be the resolution for the following prediction studies). Clicking on “Private Directory” allows the user to select the path loss document, which will be used to store the pathloss matrices. The user can either select the “Embedded” option to store the pathloss matrices in the current Atoll project, or select the “.\xxxxx.losses” option to store the pathloss matrices in the external “.losses” folder which in the same directory © Forsk 2012
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of the ATL file, or use the “Browse” option to select a folder to store the pathloss matrices externally.
（3） In the “Parameters” tab, right click on Network Setting folder and select Properties command, from the dialog box, set 1.5m for the receiver height (Height of handset).
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3.6.1.2 Setting the Computation Zone If there is no computation zone defined, the pathloss matrices for all transmitters will be calculated, based on the calculation radius and the signal threshold. If the user wants to calculate the pathloss matrices only for a specific region, a Computation Zone can either be imported or directly drawn in the Map Window.
1、 Drawing the Computation Zone （1） Right click on “Computation Zone” in the “Geo” tab of Explorer Window and select “Draw” in the context menu.
（2） Then draw a polygon with the mouse to delimitate the region, for which the propagation will be calculated.
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2、 Import of the Computation Zone （1） Right click on “Computation Zone” in the “Geo” tab of the Explorer Window and select “Import” in the context menu.
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（2） In the appeared dialog box, browse for the “\Atoll312 GSM demo projects and materials\Reference_Data\Computation_Zone” folder in the CD ROM and open the “Brussels_Computation_Zone.mif” document.
（3） After opening the document, the “Vector import” dialog box will appear, as shown in the following figure. Press the “Import” button to import the computation zone.
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figure.
（5） Right click on “Computation Zone” in the “Geo” tab and select “Export”. Then export the computation zone with .MIF, .agd (Atoll map format) or .shp format. This computation zone can be imported in other projects.
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3.6.2
Propagation
calculation,
interference
matrix,
and
prediction plot creation Calculation in Atoll includes two parts, one is propagation calculation and interference matrix, the other is to calculate prediction plot.
3.6.2.1 Propagation calculation and interference matrix 1、 Propagation calculation Propagation calculation – calculate path loss for each bin in calculation area. The results are stored in path loss matrix. The size of a bin is the calculation resolution of a transmitter. Right click Transmitters folder, choose Calculations-> Calculate Path Loss Matrices to start calculation. As shown in below picture:
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2、 Interference matrix （1） Calculate interference matrix – calculate probability of C/I for each transmitter pair. The principle is to set a frequency for all TRXs and calculate interference probabilities between each pair by considering their location, antennas, power and digital map etc.
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（2） In the pop-up window, define a service zone and handover margin. If you want to take into account shadowing margin, you need to check this option and define a cell edge coverage probability. You also need to choose a method to spread traffic. As shown below:
（3） For the generated interference matrix, you can right click Interference Matrix folder to access properties window. As shown below:
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（5） If you get your interference matrix by other source and import it to Atoll, then you can define where it is from and other settings in Advanced tab of interference matrix properties. This definition will be used in interference matrices combination.
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3.6.2.2 Prediction study creation Prediction study creation – that is what we call coverage prediction. Atoll reads data from path loss matrix, then calculate prediction results and display them on the map. After path loss matrix calculation, Atoll will keep their path loss if no change applied to radio parameters of transmitters (e.g. location, antenna type, azimuths). If you change these parameters of a transmitter, Atoll will recalculate its path loss before calculate prediction. Interference matrix will be used in automatic frequency allocation. If you change radio parameters of transmitters (e.g. location, antenna type, azimuths), then you need to recalculate the interference matrix. Right click Prediction folder in Explorer/Network tab, choose New command. As shown below:
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In the Study types dialogue window, 8 default prediction items are listed. The former 3 items only consider downlink power. You can calculate them before traffic capture and frequency allocation.
1、 Best cell coverage plot generation （1） Choose Coverage by transmitters, click OK button to open the properties window of that prediction. Define the resolution of the plot in General tab.
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（2） In Condition tab, define a bottom threshold for received power, e.g. -120dBm, and a Server as Best signal level per HCS layer. Reception from TRXs is BCCH.
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In 3.1.2 version, the Cell Edge Coverage Probability is 90% by default, that’s to say, if you define in Clutter classes a model std. deviation for each clutter, then each plot you generate will have a shadowing margin. Atoll support a cell edge coverage probability lower than 50% as well. （3） Set display properties in Display tab, such as transparency of the plot.
（4） Click OK button to close the window. You can now right click Coverage by Transmitter under Prediction folder and choose Calculate command, or click icon in tool bar (shortcut F7), Atoll will start running. An Event Viewer window will pop up. You can see the process of calculation.
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After Propagation calculation (as mentioned above) finished, Atoll will create the coverage plot. The result is shown as below. Every prediction plot generated by user will be saved under Predictions folder.
The generated prediction plots will be locked automatically. They will not be changed even you change radio parameters. So if you want to recalculate a prediction plot, you need to unlock it first (to uncheck Study locked on the right click menu).
2、 Signal level coverage plot （1） In Study type dialogue window, choose Coverage by signal level. （2） In Condition tab, set a bottom threshold for received power as -120dBm. The Server is All.
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（3） Set display properties in Display tab, such as intervals and colors of legends. In legend column, you can change Min and Max values and their colors, or click Actions->Shading, set start break, last break and interval.
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（4） After that, click
icon on tool bar (or F7) to start calculating.
Note: since you have completed propagation calculation when creating Coverage by transmitter plot and no parameter has been changed, so Atoll calculates prediction only. The generated signal level plot is shown as below.
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3、 Overlapping zone coverage （1） In Study type dialogue window, choose Overlapping zones. （2） In Condition tab, set a bottom threshold for received power as -120dBm, the Server is Best signal level per HCS layer, with a margin 4dB. Reception form TRX is BCCH.
（3） The generated coverage plot is shown as below:
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Number of servers >=2 represents there are two cells with a difference of signal level in 4 dB in this area. Number of servers >=3 represents there are three cells with a difference of signal level in 4 dB. And so on.
3.6.2.3 Force calculation As mentioned before, if no parameter has been changed, Atoll will not recalculate path losses for cells. But Atoll provides you a Force calculation feature to rerun path losses for all cells. Click
icon on tool bar to force recalculate the whole path loss matrix.
3.6.2.4 Save template The default setting of legend provided by Atoll may be not what you like. So Atoll provides you a feature to save the settings you changed as a template. （1） Right click a prediction you need to save, choose Save as Customised Prediction command.
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（2） The saved prediction template can be found in Study type window.
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3.7 Traffic calculation 3.7.1
Traffic model
The GSM/GPRS/EGPRS traffic model depends of the GSM/GPRS/EGPRS parameters which can be found from the “Explorer/Paramters ->Traffic Paramters” folder, there are “Environments”, “User profiles”, ”Terminals”, ”Mobility Types” and “Services”.
3.7.1.1 Services 1、 By default, Atoll provides 4 kinds of service types. Double clicking on the “Voice” type will open the “Voice properties” dialog box.
2、 Voice In the “General” tab, set the Service Type and “Max Probability of Blocking（or Delay）”. © Forsk 2012
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3、 Data service In the “General” tab, set the Service Type , “Max Probability of Blocking（or Delay）”, “Max Packet Delay”, “Min Throughput (per user)”, “Required availability for Min Throughput”, “Max Number of Timeslots”, “Scaling Factor” and “Offset”.
4、 New type of service, just like VoIP, which is using constant bit rate, the value for guaranteed bit rate must be enter during the service definition.
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5、 The user can specify a new type of Service —— Right click on the “Services” folder, select “New” and set up all the parameters in the appeared dialog box.
3.7.1.2 Mobility types Atoll provides by default 3 Mobility Types (the name depends of the speed). Double clicking on the “50km/h” mobility opens the “50 km/h properties” dialog box.
1、 The user can specify a new type of Mobility —— Right click on the “Mobility Types” folder, select “New” and set up all the parameters in the appeared dialog box.
3.7.1.3 Terminals 1、 Atoll provides 5 kinds of Terminals by default. Double click on “GPRS 900 1800” and open the “GPRS 900 1800” properties dialog box.
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2、 In the “General” tab, define the Main and Secondary Band, the Technology, the Max CS and the Noise Figure. 3、 The user can specify a new type of Terminal —— Right click on the “Terminals” folder, select “New” and set up all the parameters in the appeared dialog box.
3.7.1.4 User profile 1、 Atoll provides by default 2 kinds of user profiles. Double click one “Business User” to open the open the “Business User properties” dialog box.
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Duration. 3、 The user can specify a new type of User Profiles —— Right click on the “User Profiles” folder, select “New” and set up all the parameters in the appeared dialog box.
3.7.1.5 Environments 1、 Atoll provides by default 4 kinds of Environments (classify by clutter name). Double click on “Dense Urban” and open the “Dense Urban properties” dialog box.
2、 In the “General” tab, define for each service the associated Terminal, the Calls/Hours and the Duration. 3、 The user can specify a new type of User Profiles —— Right click on the “User Profiles” folder, select “New” and set up all the parameters in the appeared dialog box.
4、 If different clutter class will be consider with different importance and percentage of indoor users, following parameters must be defined:
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3.7.1.6 Dimensioning model 1、 Atoll provides user a Dimensioning Model to calculate capacity after traffic capture (for how to do traffic capture and capacity calculation, please refer to 3.7.3 Running traffic analysis). In Parameters tab, you can define max number of TRXs per transmitter. For CS you can choose Erlang B to compute traffic. For PS you can define min number of packet dedicated timeslots per transmitter and max number of TRXs to add for PS.
2、 You can define the default model for dimensioning also for KPI calculation. In KPI calculation you can define min throughput, max blocking rate and max delay.
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3、 In Quality Graphs tab you can check function chart, delay chart and blocking chart.
4、 Below is blocking chart as available connection is 1:
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3.7.2
Create traffic map
Atoll provides you 3 ways to create traffic map: （1） （2） （3）
User profile traffic map User profile environments User profile densities Sector traffic map Amount of traffic Traffic maps per user density (No. Users/km2)
Right click on “Traffic” in the “Explorer/ Geo” tab and select “New map”, as seen in the following figure.
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In the appeared “New traffic Map” dialog box, the above 3 methods for traffic map creation can be selected, as shown in the following figure.
For each category, the user can choose between different options:
User profile traffic map
User profile environments
User profile densities
Sector traffic map
Amount of traffic
Traffic map per user density (No. Users/km2)
User density
In the following paragraphs, 3 methods for traffic map creation will be introduced with the Reference Data\Traffic from the CD ROM.
3.7.2.1 User profile traffic map (based on environment) 1、 Draw manually (1)
In the “New Traffic Map” dialog box, select “Based on environments” and click on “Create Map”
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(2)
Atoll will display the “Environment map editor” on the top of the Map Window.
(3)
In the “Environment map editor”, the user can choose one kind of environment, like “Suburban”
(4)
Then click on the button to draw a polygon in the desired area corresponding to a “Suburban” environment, as shown in the following figure.
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(5)
With the same method draw the “Dense Urban” zone.
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(6)
If the drawing polygon is not good, it can be deleted with the
button.
5、 Import a traffic map In the “Atoll312 GSM demo projects and materials\Reference_Data\Traffic\Raster_Traffic” folder of the CD ROM, a traffic map is prepared. It is the same map as the clutter map. Note: The clutter map can be used as a traffic map, especially for complex environments, because it is difficult to draw manually this kind of map. (1)
Select “Based on environments” in the “New traffic Map” dialog box and then click on the “Import a file” button.
(2)
In the appeared dialog box, select the “Atoll312 GSM demo materials\Reference_Data\Traffic\Raster_Traffic\ Map_Per_Environment_Of_User_Profiles.bil” in the CD and import it.
(3)
Atoll will automatically open the “Environment map properties” dialog box where the user can define the display color, the legend and the code for each environment.
projects
6、 Export a traffic map A traffic map can be exported from the Atoll document. Right click on the “Environment map” folder and select “Save As” to export the traffic map.
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3.7.2.2 User profile traffic map (based on densities) This kind of traffic map may also be drawn manually or imported from external files. The drawing method is the same of the method introduced for the traffic map “based on environments”. In the following part, the method for importing a traffic map from the CD is introduced. 1)
Select “Map based on user profile (vector)” in the “Create a traffic map” dialog box and then click on the “Import a file” button.
2)
In the appeared dialog box, select the “\Atoll312 GSM demo projects and materials\Reference_Data\Traffic\Vector_Traffic\Airport\Airport_Building.mif” file from the CD and import it.
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Confirm your traffic map’s coordinate system:
3)
In the appeared dialog box, select the “Traffic” tab to define the indoor percentage and the weight for each clutter.
4)
Import with the same method the other vector traffic maps located in the “\Atoll312 GSM demo projects and materials\Reference_Data\Traffic\Vector_Traffic” folder.
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3.7.2.3 Sector traffic map Traffic map per sector can be either generated by input data manually or imported from external files. The input parameters for each serving cell and each service are either the uplink and downlink throughput or the number of users.
1、 Input the data manually （1） Open \Atoll312 GSM demo projects and materials\Reference_Data\Traffic\Cell_Traffic\ Trafficmap_Service_Transmitter(Brussels).xls file, copy all data (except headline). （2） Choose Traffic map per sector in Create a traffic map window, click Amount of traffic option, then click Create map. （3） In Traffic per transmitter window, you can import txt or csv files by Action. In this case, you paste all the data then you get the result as below:
（4） Click OK to quit, then you can define percentage for terminals (Terminals (%)), mobilities (Mobilities (%)), clutter weighting and indoor users in Traffic tab.
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（5） Set display properties in Display tab.
（6） You may see in the map window the traffic map has the same border lines as Coverage by transmitter plot.
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2、 Import a traffic map （1） Choose Traffic map per sector in Create a traffic map window, click Amount of traffic option, then click Import a file button. （2） In Open window, choose Traffic\Cell_Traffic/ Live_Traffic.agd in the CD to import. （3） Set traffic parameters in traffic map properties window.
3.7.2.4 Traffic map per user density (no. of users/km2) You can create this kind of map by manually drawing or importing an existing vector map. （1） Choose “User density” on “Traffic map per user density(no. of users/km 2)”, then click Create map button. （2） Set percentage for Terminals, Mobilities, and Services in Traffic tab. Please note that for voice and data service, you need to set separately, i.e. you need to create at least two densities map if you want to do planning for both voice and data at the same time.
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3.7.3
Running traffic analysis
You can run traffic analysis after you establish your traffic model and traffic map. It is composed by two parts: traffic capture and capacity calculation. Traffic analysis is first to capture traffic in each transmitter according to traffic map and traffic model then calculate required number of TRXs according to captured traffic. By that you can make planning for capacity and frequency allocation later.
3.7.3.1 Traffic capture Traffic capture calculates traffic spreading in each transmitter. Calculation result will be displayed in two ways, per transmitter or per Subcell. 1、 Right click Traffic Analysis folder in Explorer/Network tab, choose New command.
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3、 Configure coverage condition and calculation parameters for GPRS/EGPRS in Condition tab. Since calculation based on C/I or C/(I+N) takes into account interference condition which highly depends on frequency allocation, please note that you should choose calculation based on C if you have not allocated frequency yet and increase Global Scaling Factor in Source Traffic tab to model a high traffic and interfered environment.
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4、 Click Calculate button, Atoll start to run traffic analysis. You can check the simulation process in Event viewer window.
5、 Traffic analysis results are displayed by transmitter and Subcell.
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You can base your traffic capture on different settings, but only one traffic capture can be used as default. You can right click a traffic capture and check the option Default. There would be a small tick on the icon.
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3.7.3.2 Capacity calculation You can calculate capacity according to captured traffic. 1、 Select Traffic->Dimensioning and KPI Calculation to calculate capacity.
2、 Choose Calculate to run after checking Dimensioning model parameters.
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3、 Click Commit button to commit results to Subcell.
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4、 You can use your own Subcell parameters which can be imported like transmitter parameters. You can double click a record in Subcell table and open its properties window to edit. As shown below:
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3.8 Neighbour allocation Atoll has automatic neighbour allocation feature. Since neighbour relationships are considered in automatic frequency planning, you need to allocate neighbour manually or automatically. This chapter will describe how to allocate neighbour manually and automatically.
3.8.1
Allocate neighbour manually
There are two ways to allocate neighbour manually.
3.8.1.1 Import neighbour list 1、 Right click Transmitter folder in Explorer/Network tab, choose Neighbours->Intra-Technology->Open table to open GSM neighbour table.
Transmitters->
2、 Open Atoll312 GSM demo projects and materials\ Reference_Data \Network_Data\ GSM_Brussels_Network.xls and find Transmitter and Neighbour lists, copy all data except the headline.
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3、 Paste them to neighbour table in Atoll.
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3.8.1.2 Adding neighbours in map window 1、 Click roll down bar next to
icon, choose Neighbours then click
icon.
2、 Click a source Transmitter then press Ctrl button and click a transmitter you want to add as a neighbour to source transmitter. This transmitter will be added in neighbour list of source transmitter. Note: click a transmitter with pressing Ctrl button, non-symmetry Neighbour will be added; click a transmitter with pressing Shift buttom, symmetry Neighbour will be added
3.8.2
Allocate neighbour automatically
1、 Right click Transmitter folder in Explorer/Network tab, choose Transmitters->Intra-technology -> Automatic allocation.
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2、 Set parameters in properties window and clickCalculate button.
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3、 The result of allocation will be displayed as below. Click Commit button to commit result to neighbour table.
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And the neighbours will be signed with marking in source column for different source.
4、 Click icon on the tool bar, and click a transmitter on the map, all the neighbours of this transmitter will be displayed with a line linking to it.
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3.8.3
Calculate importance for existing neighbours
Importance of neighbours will be used in AFP. 1、 Right click Transmitter folder in Explorer/Network tab, choose Transmitters-> Neighbours-> Intra-technology->Calculate Importance.
2、 Parameter settings are the same as automatic allocation.
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3、 Click Run to calculate and the result will be committed to neighbours table automatically.
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3.9 Frequency allocation You can input manually the frequency solution in Atoll. You may input frequency numbers (including the BCCH channel and the other channel) separated by space in Channel column when you import transmitter (just for non-hopping/base band Hopping mode). If you import the frequency plan into the transmitter table, the BCCH column must be filled at the same time. But import the data into the TRX table is the best way for frequency plan importing because you can not import a frequency plan with Synthesized Hopping mode. Atoll also provides you automatic frequency allocation feature, but you need you have a license with AFP module activated. Besides, Atoll provides you a semi-automatic frequency planning so that you can optimize your solution by adjusting some frequencies. You need to calculate an interference matrix, capacity and neighbour relationships before you start an automatic frequency planning. The aim of AFP is to get the lowest cost. It will stop if the cost is 0. (Note: Atoll AFP module is a part of GSM module but an extra module. Before you run the AFP in Atoll, please confirm there is an AFP license in your dongle)
3.9.1
Manually input the frequency plan
Right click on “Transmitters” and select “Subcells->TRXs Table” to open the TRX table, as shown in the following figure.
Import your frequency plan into TRX table.
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You can find a demo sheet from “GSM_Brussels_Network.xls” document TRX tab.
3.9.2
Automatic frequency allocation model settings
In Explorer/Parameters tab, right click Atoll AFP Module->Propertie to open its settings. Below is description on how to configure an AFP module.
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3.9.2.1 Cost setting In the Cost tab, you can define parameters in cost function. Atoll will consider interfered traffic due to all kinds of reasons. In Cost tab, you can define how to consider all possible reasons.
3.9.2.2 Separations Weights settings In the Separations Weights tab, you can define the weights for different separation situations.
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3.9.2.3 Interference Matrixes settings In the Interference Matrices tab, you can define combination weights for different source of interference matrices.
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3.9.2.4 HSN settings You can choose an allocation strategy in HSN tab.
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3.9.2.5 MAL settings You can choose planning strategies for MAL in MAL tab when it is a synchronized hopping in the network.
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3.9.2.6 Finalsation settings You can define how to consider target computation time and result assignment in Finalisation tab.
3.9.2.7 Reuse settings You can define a pattern in Reuse tab which will be repeated on each site during AFP, and also allocation strategies for BSIC, MAIO and frequency.
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3.9.2.8 Protections setting In the Protection tab, you can define the Additional Protection against the Adjacent Channel Reuse and Inerference definition according to the required quality threshold.
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3.9.2.9 Advanced setting In the Advanced tab, you can define interferer diversity gain and frequency diversity gain according to different MAL length. Also you can choose whether to consider impact of DTX and additional adjacent channel protection in the interference cost. Experience obtained during the model internal calibration can be conserved to accelerate speed of AFP the next time you use in a similar network.
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3.9.3
Perform an automatic frequency planning
Automatic frequency planning is based on user resources. You need to configure those kinds of parameters before you perform an automatic frequency planning. (See 3.4.4 Network parameters setting) The other pre requirements would be a valid interference matrix and number of required TRXs available in Subcell. Neighbour relationships will impact automatic frequency planning. It is recommended to have neighbour allocated before AFP. The steps of network planning are given in chapter 3 Operation steps. Below are the steps of AFP only.
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start
Import map data
Import network data（Site/Transmitter/Antenna）
Set Frequencies/BSICs in Network settings. Set parameters for AFP Module (no HSN/MAL/MAIO)
Frequency hopping?
N Y Set Frequencies/BSICs/HSNs in Network Settings Set hopping parameters in Cell Types, update Transmitter table. Set parameters for AFP Module.
Set GSM/GPRS/EGPRS Parameters
Define computation zone, calculation path loss and interference Matrix
Create traffic map, traffic capture and network dimensioning
Neighbour allocation
Freeze Transmitter/Subcell/TRX if needed
AFP parameter setting
Launch AFP
Satisfy?
Commit result N
Y Stop AFP and commit 1、 Right click Transmitters folder in Explorer/Network, choose Frequency plan->Automatic © Forsk 2012
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Allocation.
2、 Choose Atoll AFP Module in AFP module selection and resources to allocate. AFP Rank can be allocated to show the interference level of a Subcell.
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Click Next button to continue. Note: If it is a non-hopping in the network, please don’t choose MAL, MAIO and HSN. If you choose to allocate hopping parameters in a non-hopping network, it may lead to a malfunction for AFP.
3、 Set separation rules for each combinations of different types of Subcell. Here is the same as 3.9.1.2 Separations Weights. If these rules are violated in AFP, they will add violation costs to cost function.
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Click Next button to continue.
4、 Choose which kind of TRX to be frozen in Global Parameters. Once froze, they will not be re-allocated. However, the influence will still be taken into account. Define how to consider traffic load and DTX in AFP.
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Click OK button to continue.
5、 You need to set a target computation time before AFP. AFP will learn the network and allocate frequency according to the time you set, so if you want to get a better result, you need to set a longer time. Generator Initialization is computation mode. 0 represents random mode. If you choose other number, then you will get the same result with same parameters setting, same computation time and Generator Initialization.
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Click Calculate button to compute.
6、 AFP progress window you will see 3 tab. From the General tab, you can find TCT , elapsed time and solutions information:
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From the Quality Indication tab, the detail of cost calculation results could be found:
From the Distributions tab, the frequenies distribution could be found:
7、 You can click Pause/Stop to stop AFP.
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8、 Click Commit button to commit result to TRX table.
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3.9.4
Interactive frequency planning
In Atoll 3.1.2, you can use an interactive allocation tool to adjust frequencies for some TRXs. You can right click Transmitter folder, choose Frequency Plan->Interactive Allocation.
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There are two selection in the Interactive Allocation tool interface.
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One is Allocation and Channel Analysis, the other is Interference Matrix Analysis. Below is Allocation and Channel Analysis:
You can choose a module in roll down menu of AFP Module to compute the cost. In Parameters you can define different settings (same as AFP parameters described before).
3.9.4.1 Interference matrix analysis You can display IM situation for any Subcell on the map by Interference Matrix Analysis feature of Interactive Allocation toll. You just need to choose a transmitter and TRX and click Run button, then you will get below result about IM showing interference situations on the map.
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You can also choose different items in Status, Frequency Reuse and Filtering column to get different interference situations.
3.9.4.2 Frequency allocation and analysis You can still use Allocation and Channel Analysis tool to choose the best frequency. The operations are the same as IM analysis, you need to choose a transmitter and TRX, click Run button then you get the result.
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After calculation, Atoll can provide the cost value on current frequency (if there are existing frequencies). Also users can check components of cost function and display on the map and in the Probability window. Considering users may not want to use the original frequency, Atoll provides two buttons. You can either click Delete to remove the frequency or click Replace button to replace the frequency.
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Cost value will change if you change a frequency.
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3.10 Point analysis Atoll provides a point analysis feature for you to analyse the network performance. Click
icon on the tool bar or choose Tools->Point analysis to open the PA window.
Now the mouse pointer become a target, which is the receiver. Put it on the map.
There are 4 selections for uer: Profile, Reception, Interferenc and Details
3.10.1 Profile In the “Profile” selection, the user may analyze the terrain profile between the transmitter and the receiver, the received signal level, the link budget and other information. The desired transmitter (for the profile analysis) can be selected in the “Profile” window or directly on the map. Atoll automatically displays the terrain profile between the selected transmitter and © Forsk 2012
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the receiver. In the “Profile” tab, the point to point signal power is real-time calculated.
Clicking on the “Link budget” button from tools bar to open the “Link Budget” window, with the information about the link budget between the transmitter and the receiver.
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3.10.2 Reception In the “Reception” selection, the received signal level values for the strongest transmitters are given with bars. The received power values are calculated according with the stored path loss matrices.
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3.10.3 Interference You can see in this tab the interference situation. The first line is interference of current transmitter. The hole in the bar represents adjacent channel protect level. This value can be defined by right clicking Prediction folder and change it in Receiver tab in Properties window. (Note: This value is important)
3.10.4 Details You can see signal strength, total interference and C/I (or C/(I+N)) from all transmitter in Results tab.
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3.11 Another predictions There are 8 prediction type templates in Atoll for GSM module. There are 5 predictions in Atoll template need the frequency planning except the Coverage by Transmitter, Coverage by Signal Level and Overlapping Zones. All of the predictions have got similar setting. The prediction named Coverage by C/I level will be used as the example to introduce the 5 types of predictions generation.
3.11.1 How to create a prediction 1、 Right click the Prediction folder, choose New menu, choose Coverage by C/I level from the dialog box.
2、 Set the prediction name and the calculation resolution in the General Tab of properties dialog box.
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3、 In the Condition Tab, you can find following setting options. All of the options can be separated as two parts: Part one: Signal Condition setting － Set the display threshold through the reception signal level － Choose the HCS layer which you want to make the prediction.( Server) － Set the Margin.( With a Margin) － Consider the shadowing or not. (Shadowing taken into account) － Set the cell edge coverage probability.(Cell Edge Coverage Probability) － Consider the indoor coverage or not. (Indoor Coverage) Part two: Interference Condition － Which part of interference have been taken into account © Forsk 2012
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－ Select using the C/I or C/(I+N) during the calculation and set their range － Select the satisfied standard( at least one TRX or the worst TRX).(Satisfied by) － Noise Figure can be set to based on terminal or a fixed value.(Noise Figure) － Consider the DTX or not. If yes, the Voice Activity Factor need to be set. － Using the max load or the average load as the traffic load.(Traffic Load) － Consider the co-channel or not.(Co-Channel) － Consider the adjacent channel or not.( Adjacent Channels) － If you want to get the calculation result for every transmitter, every non-hopping TRX, every TRX-MAL based on BBH, every MAL-MAIO base on SFH,choose Detailed results.(Detailed Results)
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5、 Press “OK”, then click the Calculate button from the tools bar of press F7 to run the calculation. C/I prediction result on map showed as following picture:
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3.11.2
General prediction setting
Atoll can creat hundreds of predictions by setting study type and display type. There are several general predictions as follows： Prediction types Best server coverage(not consider HCS layer)
Study types
Display type
Field
Coverage by transmitter (Condition tab select Best signal level per HCS layer)
Discrete values
Transmitter
Discrete values
Transmitter
Value intervals
Best signal level(dB)
Value intervals
path loss(dB)
Value intervals
total losses(dB)
Coverage by transmitter Best server coverage(not consider HCS layer)
Best signal level coverage(DL)
Path loss coverage
Total loss coverage
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(Condition tab select Best signal level of the highest priority HCS layer) Coverage by signal level (Condition tab select Best signal level per HCS layer) Coverage by signal level (Condition tab select Best signal level per HCS layer) Coverage by signal level
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Value intervals
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BER
Value intervals
MOS
Value intervals
FER
Value intervals
C/I level (dB)
Value intervals
Drop Call Rate
Discrete values
Transmitter
Value intervals
Coding Schemes
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Throughput/Timeslot (kbps)
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BLER (%)
Value intervals
Throughput/Timeslot (kbps)
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BLER (%)
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Coverage by C/I level Coverage by C/I level
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Interference Zones
GPRS/EGPRS Coding Schemes
RLC/MAC Throughput/Timeslot
RLC/MAC BLER Coverage
Application Throughput/Timeslot
Application BLER Coverage
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(Condition tab select Best signal level per HCS layer) GPRS/EGPRS Coding Schemes (Condition tab select Best signal level per HCS layer) RLC/MAC Throughput/Timeslot (Condition tab select Best signal level per HCS layer) RLC/MAC Throughput/Timeslot (Condition tab select Best signal level per HCS layer) Application Throughput/Timeslot (Condition tab select Best signal level per HCS layer) Application Throughput/Timeslot
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Note：HCS is a specific hierarchical layer structure in GSM, the user terminal based on priority for access. Therefore, if the user should consider the specific site, such as the impact of micro cell. It needs to select Best signal level of the highest priority HCS layer on condition tab.
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3.12 GSM tools 3.12.1 Search Tool Atoll have got a search tool to display the appointment channel, BSIC, HSN and MAIO in order to help the planner check and change the Channel, BSIC, HSN and MAIO. 1、 Click the be found.
button from Tools bar, choose Search Tool. There are several selections could
2、 Select GSM channel, you can type the appointment channel and click Search button. Atoll will use different colour to display the appointment channel and adjacent channels on the map base on transmitter. If you do not care the adjacent channel, the Co-Channel Only option can be used.
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3、 From Channel-BSIC pairs selection, Type the BCCH channel and BSIC and click the Search button, Atoll will display the appointment BCCH-BSIC pair with colour base on transmitter. Of course you can use the tool to check different combines of Channel/BSIC(NCC/BCC) on the map.
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Note: After you finished using the Search Tool, click the Reset Display button in order to restore the colors of transmitter, otherwise, checking result will affect a wrong colour display in the prediction.
3.12.2 Tx-Tx Interference Tool Atoll has got a 3.12.2 Tx-Tx Interference tool to check the interference between two sectors. 1、 Click theTx-Tx Interference from tools menu，choose Sector to Sector Interference Tool.
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2、 Click the button from the dialog box, then the mouse arrowhead will be changed as a arrowhead logo with C.
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3、 Choose the target transmitter on the map as the C, then the arrowhead logo with C will be changed as a arrowhead logo with I, choose the target transmitter on the map as the I.
4、 You can click the the calculate button.
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button to choose the interferer. Once you finish choose C and I, click
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5、 The C/I condition will display on the map.
6、 If you want to change C and I, click the will be calculated.
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button. Then click the calculate button, new C/I
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7、 Click the Histogram button, you can get the C/I histogram.
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3.13 The other function 3.13.1 User configuration A user configuration file is including the setting of map files, computation zone, the setting of folder, the setting of predictions and the Macros setting which imported into the project. The user configuration file can be reuse by another project in order to save the setting time on conform projects. 1、 Export the configuration file: Choose the menu Tools->user configuration->Save，
2、 select the information you want to export. A configuration file with postfix .cfg will be saved after file name and path had been set.
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3、 Import the configuration file: Choose the menuTools->User configuration->Load. Choose and import the exiting .cfg file.
Choose the information you want to import.
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There are same predictions in the project; Atoll will ask you whether you want to reset the exiting prediction setting. If you choose Yes, the exiting predictions will be deleted, otherwise, the exiting predictions will be held.
3.13.2 Separate the path loss data Because the path loss data have been saved backstage by Atoll, with the default condition, the data will be placed into the project file (.atl file). The operation may cause a very large project (depending on the calculation radius/resolution and the computation zone). The time of saving/loading will be prolonged. The user can separate the path loss data to a single folder in order to reduce the size of the project. The folder also can be shared to other users. Double click the Predictions folder to open the Prediction properties dialog box, click the menu named Private directory by the button on the right site, then choose the option in the middle, Atoll will export all of the path loss data to a folder which is named ”project name.losses”. This folder will be placed in same path with the project file. Note: If the project has been moved with another path, the folder of losses should be move together in order to prevent the path loss recalculation by Atoll during any calculation process. The user can choose the option “Bower” to type the user-defined path. Move the path losses folder with the project file would be avoided.
3.13.3 Tips and tricks Keyboard shortcuts •
Using Ctrl++ and Ctrl+–Keyboard shortcuts can make the zoom in and zoom out feature
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available on the map window. •
On the map window, a new interface(Alt+←) and (Alt+→) have been added.
•
The keyboard shortcuts ”Alt+F8” could be used to open Add-ins and Macros.
•
Keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+N could be used to create a new project.
How to define Auto Backup configuration? From Tools-> Auto Backup Configuration, the auto backup configuration feature could be defined. User can activate the feature, and set the interval for backup.
If user activate the backup feature, a file with .bak postfix could be found in same path of current project. Remove .bak postfix, the backup project could be open with Atoll.
How to import geo data easily? Drag and drop feature is available for any geo data object to import in ATOLL. To do this, just select the accurate geo data file in your file explorer and drag it to ATOLL. The format will be automatically detected by the tool. This can also be made on PlaNET® index data file.
How to change globally a value for all the transmitters? The right way to make global changes is to open the Transmitter table, modify the contents in the first cell, select all the columns and then use the fill-down feature, available in the Edit menu or with the shortcut ctrlD. To select all the cells of the column, the easiest way is to select the first one, then select the last one holding the Shift button.
How to find easily a site on the map? A search bar is available to find the location of sites on the map. The Search bar can be opened or closed by selecting the Search bar command in the View menu. In the Search bar, type the first characters of the site name in the Find site box. ATOLL displays a scrolling list containing all the sites, which the name begins with this string of characters. Then, either select the site in the list, or go on typing the site name to reduce the number of sites in the list. After choosing the site in the list, ATOLL automatically centers the map on the selected site. As in advanced filters, it is possible to use the “contains” (*string*) and “begins with” (string*) criteria to search for sites which name contains or begins with the given string.
How to be automatically placed in the Find site box?
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Use the F3 shortcut to be automatically placed in the Find site box of the Search bar.
How to delete all sites and their transmitters in one shot (or a set of sites and transmitters)? The right way to delete all sites and their transmitters is to open the Sites table, select the first one and the last one holding the Shift button and use Suppr keyboard button. It is recommended to close the Sites and Transmitters folders before deleting a large number of sites and transmitters; otherwise the refresh of the explorer could take a long time.
How to access the properties of any object or group of objects? In ATOLL, the properties of any object (geo data, sites, transmitters, measurements, etc…) can be accessed from the associated context menu. This is reachable by right-clicking on the considered object/group and choosing the properties command.
How to filter data rapidly? The easiest way is to perform directly filters within the tables (popup menu available by right-clicking in the table). OR and AND criteria can be easily handled: • Selecting cells in several columns and the option "Filtering by selection" in the popup menu performs a AND filtering criterion Example: keeping transmitters with azimuth 120°and pilot power equal to 33 dBm • Selecting cells in several rows and the option "Filtering by selection" in the popup menu performs a OR filtering criterion Example: keeping transmitters with pilot power equal to 33 dBm or 35 dBm
To check which kind of dynamic criterion has been used by ATOLL, you can open Transmitters/Properties/General tab and look at the advanced filter.
How to work only on "live" sites? Let's assume there is a flag (user field) in Site table dedicated to the status of the site ("live", "on-built", "planned",…). Filtering sites directly in the table with the popup menu ("Filtering by selection") allows to keep just "live" sites. Filters on site are automatically performed on transmitters ("As site folder" is the default configuration for Transmitter folder). Further simulations or predictions will be achieved only on "live" sites.
How to use wildcard characters to filter text-format fields? Wildcard characters such as “*” can be used when defining advanced filter criteria on fields with text format. Entering *string* enables you to filter objects which the chosen field contains the string of characters. Entering string* enables you filter objects which the chosen field begins with the string of characters.
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Example: How to display transmitters which are allocated a channel XX? In the Transmitter table structure, there is a field "Channels" which contains a flat list of the channels allocated to the transmitter. It is possible to define an advanced filter as follows: Use the Advanced filter tab of the Filter dialog (Transmitters/Properties.../General/Filter/Advanced filter): Columns: select "Channels" in the list Criteria: =* XX * (which means CONTAINS) Only the transmitters with the channel XX are displayed. The same filter can be managed at the level of any study by transmitter.
How to change globally the names of all the sites? There is a Find/Replace feature in the Edit menu available when a table is opened. To prefix all the sites with your name for example, select the first cell of the "name" column in the Site table and use the Edit/Replace feature.
How to find easily an object by its name in a folder? Open the folder and type the first letters of the object's name.
How to open or close rapidly a folder? Shortcuts, available in standard Windows applications are available within ATOLL to open or close the selected folder with shortcuts. "Right arrow" and "Left arrow" respectively open and close the selected folder just like "+" and "-" on the numeric keyboard. "*" on the numeric keyboard opens all the subfolders of the selected folder. [Alt F4] may be used to quit Atoll rapidly when no modifications were made. If there are modifications, you will be asked to save them anyway.
How to find easily an object in a table? A Find feature is available in the Edit menu when a table is opened. To find an object in a table, open the table and use the Find feature.
How to find easily an object on the map? The “Centre map” feature allows the user to find on the map any object located into a folder (site, transmitter, etc…). When choosing this command in the associated context menu, the considered object is automatically displayed in the centre of the current workspace. How to customize the columns displayed in a table? When a table is opened, you may use the "Display columns…" feature available in the Format menu to choose which columns you want to keep within the table. This is useful to customize reports on transmitters or import Excel-format data by matching columns on both sides and copying-pasting into the table.
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How to customize the table style? When a table is opened, you may use features available in the Format menu in order to customize the table style. •
To change the title style, choose the Format title feature.
• To modify the column style, select a column and use the Format columns feature. You may also use the Align Left, Centre, Align Right, Bold and Italic features.
How to change globally display properties of objects (sites, vectors, measurement points…)? In the Display tab, select the whole table describing the display configuration and click on the Modify button. In the Display window, you can choose a unique symbol for all the objects.
How to predict signal level (received from a transmitter) on a road? The easiest way consists in using measurement features. Let’s assume you have previously imported a vector file. The procedure is divided into three steps: • Right click on a linear object and select the Element properties feature. In the Geometry tab, copy the list of coordinates (ctrl-C). • Right click on the Measurement folder and select the New feature. Give a name to the path, specify measurement unit, transmitter and receiver properties and finally click on the Paste button. Then, click on OK to validate the path creation. • Open the path properties window. Choose a propagation model, click on Actions and choose Calculate predictions. The signal level calculated on the path is displayed in a related table (P(dBm) column). You may use the Measurements window to visualize the signal level received from the selected transmitter on the path.
How to work on a set of sites selected by a polygon? Let's assume polygons are available within ATOLL. Right-clicking on the polygon, you can use it as the working zone or as a filtering polygon. Sites, transmitters and future calculations are filtered with this polygon. You can save the polygon filter as a configuration of the Site folder, and repeat this operation with as many polygons as you wish. Then, directly right-clicking on the Site folder, you will get all the available configurations for the folder and be able to rapidly switch from one to another. Configurations are saved in the ATL file but possibly also in database. How to obtain a link budget? Right-click anywhere in the Profile window to open a context menu. This menu allows you to change receiver properties, gives the choice between signal level, pathloss or total losses display, and offers a link budget. If the propagation model used by the selected transmitter is a Standard Propagation Model, there is an additional feature, useful for validation, called "Model details" providing detailed results along the profile.
How is it possible to display city points and their names on the map? With a vector format providing for each point an attribute containing the name (e.g. "name"). Import the vector file within ATOLL and choose the field "name" as label (you can use any field or list of fields in the same way). © Forsk 2012
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Where can you define the default server for distributed computing? In the Atoll.ini file: [RemoteCalculation] Servers=Workstation_1; Workstation_2 If the list is empty, computations are run locally. You can display different areas or view different scales of the same document at the same time thanks to the "Window->New" command. When selecting this command, a new Map Window is created with exactly the same view as the current one. You can then modify area and scale of both windows independently. For instance, with this feature you can zoom in very close on two faraway sites without having to display everything between them. You can also display an overview of the whole network and a small part of it with two different scales.
Note: Items displayed in all map views depend on the explorer settings and are the same in all windows, except if you have different scales for the windows and some visibility settings according to scales.
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