UMTS

Cellular Expert has a co-planning capability for 3G/3.5G/4G with the earlier generation networks. Network planning capabilities include support of multiple carriers and a capability to use flexible sector modifications like active, passive repeaters, quasi and TMA sectors.

Nominal planning is performed using Dimensioning Calculator. It has a capability of calculating cell size based on specified targets like the required coverage area, a number of users, traffic demand throughput and number of sites. Dimensioning Calculator allows evaluation of both cell loading and range according to the traffic demand profile. The calculations are based on the power budget for downlink and uplink. As a result, the required network equipment configuration and cell dimensions for predefined traffic can be obtained. Different cell placement patterns are available.

Implemented prediction algorithms for outdoor and indoor penetration, pedestrian, vehicular test environments. Walfish-Ikegami model can be used for planning of the third generation networks. The comprehensive Walfish-Ikegami algorithm supports detailed buildings data and can be used for microcells and picocells planning in dense urban environment. Walfish-Ikegami model can be combined with line-of-sight model and include correction factors due to diffraction, clutter and building penetration loss. The following calculation results are generated:

• Received signal strength and serving areas for best and following servers
• Ec/Io, Ec/No, pilot polution, soft and softer handover
• Cell loading, throughput for DL and UL, number of users per cell
• Traffic service areas for DL and UL, received Eb/No and required power of user equipment, total noise and noise rise, HSDPA SINR and data rate

Monte Carlo traffic simulation method is implemented for UMTS, HSDPA and LTE networks. Simulations are based on statistical performance analysis of randomly generated mobile users. Monte Carlo snapshots are generated according to given scenario parameters and performance and throughput of each individual mobile user are analyzed. Based on this analysis, graphical output in the form of loading curves per cell and per user are provided. In addition, traffic rasters showing average throughput per user are generated to illustrate the influence of user location on throughput.

Automated cell planning allows users to calculate optimal number of sites and sectors, sector height, transmitting power, antenna type and orientation for required serving area.

Automated Task Processing tool is dedicated for large volume 3G network calculations. It allows you to create calculation tasks and use them for batch processing. Each task can use different prediction model or any other settings used for calculation.