CelPlanner
CelPlanner Suite consists of software prediction tools, databases and subscriber data, such as demographics, that combine to produce highly accurate RF propagation reports. CelPlanner's elements are:
Databases
CelPlanner uses several key databases to provide pertinent data to enable the accurate prediction of RF. These databases are: topography, morphology (clutter), image (satellite, aerial photography or maps), linear networks, demographics and antennas. They can be obtained from our extensive archives or can be generated specifically for the individual requirements of each customer. CelData can be used to edit changes to the databases. CelPlanner uses an open database format allowing easy access for customers.
Project Data Base
The Project Data Base holds global system parameters, prediction parameters, directories and presentation thresholds-colors. Individual parameters for each Service Class to be analyzed and for the Radio Base Stations designed are easily input.
Integrated Link Budget
All the elements that compose a link budget are presented on a sector basis, providing the user with the information required to do a proper link balance.
Propagation Analysis
CelPlanner provides a choice of two very advanced and powerful RF propagation models.
A Lee-Picquenard based model (model I) optimized by CelPlan provides fast predictions for the most common applications. This model considers a 1 mile attenuation parameter and a slope per decade for each morphology.
A Korowajczuk-Picquenard model (model II), exclusive to CelPlan, provides the best results in the industry, for the wide range of applications of today's wireless systems. This model considers the unobstructed propagation factor, the propagation over morphology factor and the morphology penetration factor.
These models provide the best deviations between predictions and measurements. Average deviations of 0dB and standard deviations in the range of 6dB are typical.
Measurement Integration
CelPlan eliminates the guess work in obtaining the prediction factors for the propagation models, by providing the tools required to extract those parameters automatically from the measurements. EXTRACT software provides this powerful method of obtaining the prediction parameters. Up to 32 parameter tables are supported in one project.
Demographic analysis
The geographical distribution of the population is an essential piece of information for predicting the performance of a CDMA system. CelPlanner has created the concept of Regions, that are geographical areas with an attribute (much like the tracts used in the Census).
CelPlanner considers information such as residential data (number of persons), vehicular data (number of cars), commercial data (persons in an office or shopping area) and special events data (football stadiums or conventions). Different scenarios can even be analyzed by day of the week and hour of the day.
This capability is an essential tool for the marketing department of an operator, as the system's goals can be precisely specified, verified and corrected prior to actual deployment of equipment. It is also essential for precise CDMA predictions.
Traffic/Load analysis
CelPlanner can acquire information from different sources, and distribute it according to the demographic regions. CelPlanner accepts multiple demographic data, represented as residential, commercial, vehicular and special events. To determine the positioning of the calls, the distribution of subscribers must be known.
Traffic grids can be created with different resolutions, and data can be input in a number of different ways. A fixed amount of traffic can be distributed across the database. It can be obtained directly from the demographic data or in operational systems, the traffic data can be obtained from the switching equipment. Furthermore, the demographic data can be distributed according to the morphological types, providing a much more thorough distribution.
The manipulation of this traffic data is a unique feature within CelPlanner. The MIMIC software can be used to generate either statistical random or regular call patterns, simulating the real systems. This is a unique and powerful combination that results in an unprecedented capability in predicting wireless systems. As such, MIMIC can determine the precise number of traffic channels required in each sector for ANALOG and TDMA systems.
CelPlanner has incorporated the MIMIC module to implement the most advanced CDMA predictions in the market. A CDMA prediction is affected not only by RF propagation factors, but also by the geographical distribution of the calls. Several factors are interrelated in a CDMA prediction including the positioning of the cell sites, the interference generated by each call, the hand off parameters, the number and location of calls. These and several other elements affect the outcome of the system performance. MIMIC provides the precise calculation of the load levels (total interference power) and the number of soft hand offs, so critical in CDMA systems, in order to obtain precise and correct predictions.
Predictions
Precise predictions can be obtained from CelPlanner for the different technologies. Some of them are listed below:
- Individual Forward Traffic
- Individual Reverse Traffic
- Individual Forward Pilot (dBm, Ec/Io)
- Composite Forward Traffic
- Composite Forward Pilot
- Composite Reverse Traffic
- Best Server Traffic
- Best Server Pilot
- Service classes
- Bit Error Rate
- Number of servers
- Handoff (soft2, soft3, softer, soft softer)
- Co-Channel Interference
- Adjacent Channel Interference
- Total Interference
- Pilot Offset Conflict
- Frequency and code planning
Microcell
The same tools used for a macrocell propagation study can be used for a microcell RF study, resulting in very precise predictions and allowing for different techniques of interworking.
Graphics capability
CelPlanner has a unique capability in its ability to display coverage and background images simultaneously. The translucent feature allows the display and plotting of background and foreground information one on top of the other. This avoids clumsy usage of multiple sheets of transparent paper. Plots can be generated in any paper size or at any scale.
Graphical User Interface
The Windows based GUI, makes CelPlanner an easy tool to use. It does not require extensive training or complex operations. It is intuitive and fast.
Platform
CelPlanner Suite works on a PC based platform, with a Windows (95 or NT) operating system. This provides many advantages over other platforms as it does not require specialized system administrators, is easy to use and there is a wide availability of people fully proficient in these operating systems. In addition, it provides portability, as it can be used in laptops. It is economical and benefits from the continuous evolution of PC based hardware and software.
Network
CelPlanner tools can be used in networks with Windows NT. Data transfer can be done at speeds of up to 100 Mbit/s using networks switches. The following features can be used:
CelPlan Technologies, Inc., 1835 Alexander Bell Drive, Suite 200, Reston, VA 20191. Tel: 703-259-4020; Fax: 703-476-8964.