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Contents 1.0 Overview 1.1 Overview 1.2 Welcome Screen 1.3 Release Version 1.4 Supported Vendors and File Extensions

2.0 Basic Navigation 2.1 Navigation 2.2 Zooming 2.3 The Overview Tab

3.0 Loading Surveys 3.1 File Types & Loading Files 3.2 Mapping Fields 3.3 Colouring Fields 3.4 Managing Loaded Surveys

4.0 Survey Analysis 4.1 Survey Tab 4.2 Replaying Surveys 4.3 Survey Links 4.4 Height Tab 4.5 Active Survey Summary 4.6 Survey Filter 4.7 Survey Cell List 4.8 Layer 3 Tab 4.9 Calls Tab 4.10 Grids, Graphs & Histograms 4.11 SC/ BCCH Colours

5.0 Add-Ins 5.1 Configuring Add-Ins 5.2 ABCS Add-In 5.3 Cell Neighbours Add-In 5.4 Cell Interference Add-In 5.5 Cell Remover Add-In 5.6 Crossed Feeder Add-In

6.0 Displaying Networks 6.1 Default Networks 6.2 Tessellation 6.3 Display Filters 6.4 Search Tool

7.0 Report Generation 7.1 Optimisation Reporter Add-In 7.2 Printing

Appendix 1: Abbreviations & Definitions

Appendix 2: Quick Hints & Tips List

Appendix 3: Cell Neighbours Add-In Fields and Measurements

Appendix 4: Cell Interference Add-In Fields and Settings

Appendix 5: Crossed Feeder Add-In Fields and Default Thresholds

1.0 Overview Contents Page 1.1 Overview 1.2 Welcome Screen 1.3 Release Version 1.4 Supported Vendors and File Types

1.1 Overview Back to 1.0 (Overview)

Network Viewer is primarily a drive survey analysis tool. It can be used to display, replay and analyse measurements taken with both handsets and scanner kits, for both GSM and UMTS technologies. The application can show:

Signal strength and quality Layer 3 Messaging Call events – both Layer 3 and vendor specific events

There are various ways of viewing & displaying, arranging & analysing, reporting & summarising data obtained from survey files: Network Viewer is predominately a GIS tool, allowing survey data to be visualized on the map. The main window in Network Viewer by default shows the map, the network and the overview tab.

Figure 1.1.1 Network Viewer

1.2 Welcome Screen Back to 1.0 (Overview)

The Welcome Screen appears the first time that Network Viewer is opened after installation. It contains details of new features, updates, and bug fixes in the currently installed release of Network Viewer

The Welcome screen includes a link to Network Viewer support site (on Blarney), and a tick box that allows the user to see the welcome screen on following start-ups of Network Viewer The welcome screen can also be seen by selecting: ‘Help’�’Welcome Screen’

Figure 1.2.1

Figure 1.2.2 Welcome Screen

1.3 Release Version Back to 1.0 (Overview)

The ‘Help’¢’About’ menu contains the release details of the installed version of Network Viewer.

Figure 1.3.1 Help¢About

Figure 1.3.2 About Dialog

The current release of Network Viewer is 5.10 (as of 19/01/2010)

1.4 Supported Vendors and File Types Back to 1.0 (Overview)

Network Viewer supports the file formats shown below, from the following vendors:

Vendor File Types Supported

Rohde & Schwarz

.rscmd .asc .cmd

TEMS

,fmt Nemo

.dt(x) .fs(x)

Focus Infocom

.cvd Ascom

.qvd Figure 1.4.1 Supported File Table

2.0 Basic Navigation Contents Page 2.1 Navigation 2.2 Zooming 2.3 The Overview Tab

2.1 Navigation Back to 2.0 (Basic Navigation)

There are 3 main ways to navigate around the map in Network Viewer: In Pan-mode, click on the map and drag the mouse around. In Point-select mode, click on the map, press space-bar and drag the mouse around. Navigate using the Overview Tab Select Bar

Point-Select mode

The Select Bar is set to Point-Select mode by default. This mode allows one to select & de-select BTS objects on the map: To navigate around the map, select Pan-mode and click and drag the mouse to move around the map.

Pan-mode

One can also navigate around the map in Point -select mode by clicking on the map, pressing space-bar and dragging the mouse around.

2.2 Zooming Back to 2.0 (Basic Navigation)

Navigate Bar

The set of maps loaded by default in Network Viewer are OS 1:50000 scale maps. The ‘Select New Scale’ dropdown list can be used to zoom in or out:

The scales in the ‘Select New Scale’ drop-down list are multiples or factors of the map scale. It is best to stick to these scale factors where possible because the resolution of the map drawn will be more appropriate. The Zoom In and Zoom Out buttons

will automatically zoom in and out to these scales.

The ‘Free Zoom Mode’ button

can be used to zoom to a selected area. The magnification level will be set automatically to fit the area of the map selected onto the screen. This may result in reduced map quality. The’Zoom 1:1’ button

Zooms to the loaded map’s default reslotion (1:50000) and centres on the current map centre

2.3 The Overview Tab Back to 2.0 (Basic Navigation)

The Overview Tab can be used to quickly navigate to anywhere on the map. The red box shows the area of the map currently shown in the main map window. This will increase or decrease according to the zoom level in the main window The red box can be dragged to anywhere on the country

1.0 Figure 1.3.1 Overview Tab

Setting Up Views It is also possible to customise the Overview Tab with custom Overview windows, different Views:

• Click on the button at the top-right of the overview tab window. • Select ‘Pre-Sets’"’Define’"’View 1’ • This will set the current display in the main window to ‘View 1’

Figure 1.3.2 Setting Up Views

One can also edit and rename ‘View 1’ here, for example:

Once the view is set up it will appear in blue. One can also click on the view in the Overview Tab, and the map in the main window will automatically jump to that location and zoom level detailed in the view. Figure 1.3.3 Editing Views

It is also possible to select different Overviews. This will change the Overview display window itself. One can select fixed overviews, or define one’s own – in the same way as shown above for views (e.g. by selecting ‘Overviews’"’Define’"’Overview 1’ instead of ‘Pre-Sets’.

Figure 1.3.4 Fixed Overview of Ireland

3.0 Loading Surveys Contents Page 3.1 File Types & Loading Files 3.2 Mapping Fields 3.3 Colouring Fields 3.4 Managing Loaded Surveys

3.1 File Types & Loading Files Back to 3.0 (Loading Surveys)

To load a file in Network Viewer: Click on the icon and browse to the location of the survey. Remember to select the type of survey you wish to load, or select ‘All Files; Select the survey and load it If you have the survey file you can also drag it into Network Viewer and it will load.

3.2 Mapping Fields Back to 3.0 (Loading Surveys)

Survey Tab and Grids The survey tab can be used to map fields onto the map or onto a graph, and can also be used to analyse the values of the selected fields as the survey is replayed.

Figure 3.2.1 Survey Tab

The survey tree contains all of the fields for which there is data in the survey. These fields will vary according to the type of equipment that was used for the survey. It is possible to load surveys with measurements from various technologies (GSM or UMTS) - and in some cases multiple handsets - into Network Viewer. Any fields with measurements taken in the active survey will appear in the survey tree. The survey tree will show Handset and scanner data for 2G and/or 3G – depending on what data exists in the file. Figure 3.2.2 Survey Tree

3.3 Colouring Fields Back to 3.0 (Loading Surveys)

Certain fields are coloured by default in Network Viewer (such as EcIo, RSCP, RXLEV, RXQUAL etc). It is also possible however to modify colours, add new colour schemes, and save colour settings as they change. If a field is coloured then the field will appear in the Survey Tree in Green. Otherwise (i.e. if there is data in the survey file but the field has no colours set up) then the field will appear in Black.

Figure 3.3.1 Survey Tab with coloured fields in Green

To set up a field’s colours simply double-click the field. Colours can be set up by band (e.g. RSCP thresholds form bands of signal strength, from strong to poor):

Figure 3.3.2 Measurement banded colour settings

Or by event (i.e. measurements that have specific values – protocol events (layer 3 messages) or call events such as dropped calls are examples of these):

Figure 3.3.3 Call event colour settings

It is also possible to displace, or offset the drive survey measurements on the map in this window. This allows one to see measurements of different data on the map for the same drive survey (e.g. displaying EcIo and RSCP together): Figure 3.3.4 Displaying RSCP and EcIo values together

3.4 Managing Loaded Surveys Back to 3.0 (Loading Surveys)

Select ‘File’�’Maintain Surveys’ or press F4, to open the ‘Maintain Surveys’ dialog. From here one can see all of the surveys that are loaded, and can select which of the loaded surveys will be the ‘Active’ survey.

Figure 3.4.1 Maintain Surveys It is also possible to offset surveys, in the event that there are 2 surveys along the same route. See section 3.3 (Colouring Fields) for more about offsetting

Figure 3.4.2 Maintain Surveys Dialog

In the Maintain Surveys dialog:

• The Active survey is shown. By default, the last survey loaded is the active survey. • Surveys can be made invisible without deleting them entirely. Surveys are visible by

default. • Surveys can be removed if required. • Survey samples can be offset from their original position/ location using the ‘X

Correct’ and ‘Y Correct’ columns. These are measured in metres north and east of the original sample point.

4.0 Survey Analysis Contents Page

4.1 Survey Tab 4.2 Replaying Surveys 4.3 Survey Links 4.4 Height Tab 4.5 Active Survey Summary 4.6 Survey Filter 4.7 Survey Cell List 4.8 Layer 3 Tab 4.9 Calls Tab 4.10 Grids, Graphs & Histograms 4.11 SC/ BCCH Colours

4.1 Survey Tab Back to 4.0 (Survey Analysis)

Figure 4.1.1 Survey Tab

4.2 Replaying Surveys Back to 4.0 (Survey Analysis)

Player Bar

Figure 4.2.1 Player Bar With the Player Bar one can:

• Step Forwards/ Backwards • Edit Record Number • Jump to Survey Time • Play Forwards/ Backwards • Adjust Playing Speed

As well as directly using the player bar to navigate through samples in a survey, you can select any point of a survey on the map and Network Viewer will jump to that survey point . Figure 4.2.2 Jumping to Survey Points

The Calls Tab and Layer 3 Tab also exhibit this behaviour; in that one can select a record or entry in the tab and Network Viewer will jump to the associated point in the Active Survey:

Figure 4.2.3 Jumping to survey points with the Layer 3 Tab

4.3 Survey Links Back to 4.0 (Survey Analysis)

Survey links are lines drawn by Network Viewer from a sample record that is displayed on the map to a cell in the loaded network file. Links to serving and neighbour cells can be drawn for surveys with UE data. Links to cells can be drawn for each recorded channel with Scanner data. The way in which Network Viewer derives which cell to link to depends on the type of link being drawn. It is worth noting that the integrity of the assumptions used in generating the survey links depends upon how recently the survey in question was carried out. If the survey is not recent,

then there are likely to have been changes to the network since the survey was carried out (e.g. scramble code changes) and survey links may therefore point to wrong cells. Links are setup in Configure" Surveys"Survey Cell Links

Figure 4.3.1 ‘Configure’� ’Surveys’

Figure 4.3.2 Configuring Survey Links

Link to Serving Cell

UMTS serving cell links are derived from the UARFCN and Scramble Code measured for the selected drive survey sample. Of the corresponding cells in the network file (i.e. with the same UARFCN & SC as that measured), the closest cell is chosen as the cell to link to.

Figure 4.3.3 UMTS Survey Links As stated above, the integrity of this assumption – and hence the links – will depend upon how recently the survey was carried out.

GSM serving cell links are derived from the CGI (MCC, MNC, LAC, CI) & the BCCH frequency measured for the selected drive survey sample. Again, the closest matching cell is chosen. Figure 4.3.4 GSM Survey Links

Link to Neighbour Cells With UMTS surveys it is possible to link to Monitored/ Detected Set cells, as well as the GSM Neighbour cells (associated with Inter-System Adjacencies), provided there are measurements for these fields in the drive survey. With GSM surveys it is possible to link to all of the measured neighbours in the BA list – again providing that there is data in these fields in the file.

Link to Cells with Scanner Data It is also possible to display links to the cells associated with the data for any of the recorded channels in a scanner file.

4.4 Height Tab Back to 4.0 (Survey Analysis)

Terrain Profiles can be viewed and analysed using the Height Tab. A clear picture of what the terrain surrounding a site looks like can be generated quickly and easily, using the <SHIFT> key.

Figure 4.4.1 Terrain Profiling with the Height Tab

You can hold the <SHIFT> key down and move the mouse between two points on the map to see a terrain profile. You can also first select a BTS, and then hold the <SHIFT> key down and move the mouse to your desired location, to see the terrain profile from that BTS. The Height Tab can be used in two different ways:

• 2D Rendering, for viewing the terrain profile of a site’s surrounding area, LOS (Line Of Sight) analysis, and showing height above sea-level.

• 3D Rendering, for land usage/ clutter - distinct ranges of values are set for different kinds of clutter.

It is possible to show Fresnel zones & Earth curvature in 2D mode: This will aid in optimising sites and highlighting potential transmission difficulties that might arise from these factors.

Figure 4.4.2 2D Terrain Profile with Fresnel zone

3D rendering shows the clutter of the area immediately surrounding a point chosen on the Network Viewer map.

Figure 4.4.3. 3D Rendering with Clutter Legend

To modify the rendering and various other options, select: ‘Configure’�’NetViewer’�‘Height’

Figure 4.4.4. Height Tab Display Options

4.5 Active Survey Summary Back to 4.0 (Survey Analysis)

Figure 4.5.1 Active Survey Summary Button

The Active Survey Summary outlines essential details about the current Active Survey, including:

• Date • Measurement System (i.e. R&S, Focus Infocom, Nemo etc) • Geographical area covered by survey • Speech & Data call summary (for UE/MS) • Equipment used in survey (i.e. UE/MS, Scanner)

Figure 4.5.2 Active Survey Summary Screen

4.6 Survey Filter Back to 4.0 (Survey Analysis)

The Survey Filter allows you to select specific combinations of BCCH/ BSIC or UARFCN/ SC and show where they have been measured on the map. The following example shows how one might plot the samples for which the UARFCN/ SC combination of 10588/ 320 was recorded in any one of the 4 strongest ECIO signals for a 3G Scanner drive:

Figure 4.4.1 Survey Filter

When the Survey Filter is applied, the icon changes; From blue: To red:

The Survey Tab’s ‘Maps’ Tab area also turns orange when the Survey Filter is active:

Figure 4.4.2 UMTS Scanner drive without Survey Filter applied

Figure 4.4.3 UMTS Scanner drive with Survey Filter applied on 10588/ 320

The Survey Filter allows one to filter over any number of channels for which there is data in the survey. The ‘Select All’ button configures the filter to show all measurements of the chosen UARFCN/ SC combinations found in the survey. It is also possible to set up more than one combination of BCCH/ BSIC or UARFCN/ SC, and also to set up the filter to accept a range of values:

If the Survey Filter is applied to the UMTS UE or GSM UE, the Serving Cell, Neighbours/ Active, Monitored & Detected Sets are able to be filtered (i.e. UE equivalents to scanner channels). GSM UE: UMTS UE:

4.7 Survey Cell List Back to 4.0 (Survey Analysis)

Figure 4.7.1 Survey Cell List Button

The Survey Cell List outlines all the cells that have featured as serving cell in the survey, and shows:

• UARFCN/ SC pairs for all 3G cells in survey • BCCH/BSIC pairs for all 2G cells in survey

The list can be used with both UE and scanner data

Figure 4.7.2 Survey Cell List

The Survey Filter can also be used in conjunction with the Survey Cell List.

4.8 Layer 3 Tab Back to 4.0 (Survey Analysis)

The Layer 3 Tab allows one to see all of the Layer 3 messages recorded on a UE during the active survey.

Figure 4.8.1 Layer 3 Tab

A brief summary of all L3 Messages for the drive survey are displayed in the lower section of the ‘Layer 3’ Tab. When a single L3 message is selected, the information it contains appears in the upper section of the tab dialogue.

A summary of the key data in the message is highlighted in blue in this section, and the ras Hexadecimal values for the reported messages appear in red. All of the message details can be obtained by drilling down through this top section. Any further manipulation of the L3 messages can be achieved using the drop down menu button:

Figure 4.8.2 Layer 3 Tab Drop-down Menu Button

Colouring Messages You can highlight individual Layer 3 messages to make them more visible, or choose to colour the text of entire Layer 3 protocols:

Figure 4.8.3 Choosing Layer 3 Message Colouring Options

Figure 4.8.4 Layer 3 Messages highlighted, and Protocols text coloured

Filtering Messages The Message Filter can be used to show certain messages recorded in the survey:

Figure 4.8.5 Layer 3 Filter Settings

Filter settings can be saved. Click ‘More…’�’Save as…’ and give the filter a name:

Figure 4.8.5 Saving Layer 3 Filters

4.9 Calls Tab UE Only Back to 4.0 (Survey Analysis)

The Calls Tab presents a summary of every call within a drive survey, providing a “success” or “fail” status to each, and highlighting areas of poor radio conditions. Calls are broken down into their constituent parts by the equipment manufacturer’s event markers. Manufacturer events include:

• Infocom events • TEMS events • Ascom events • Nemo events

The top section of the calls tab shows the calls and events associated with each call. The bottom section of the calls tab lists the areas of poor radio conditions encountered during the drive survey. Details of these conditions and their duration can be seen clearly on the map when one clicks on an entry in this list. Beginning of dropped call:

Failed/ problematic calls appear in red RSCP > -97dB and ECIO < -9.5dB for 250m (leading to dropped call):

Figure 4.9.1 Calls Tab

4.10 Grids, Graphs & Histograms Back to 4.0 (Survey Analysis)

The Survey Tab enables one to display survey data in many different ways.

Values & Map Tabs The ‘Values’ Tab allows users to see and analyse sample data as the survey is replayed. The ‘Map’ Tab allows users to plot survey data on the map.

Figure 4.10.1 Survey Tab with UMTS Channels Histogram and Data in ‘Values’ Tab

If any field is selected in the ‘Values’ Tab, all of the data in the active survey for that field will also appear in the ‘UMTS Grid’. This enables one to easily see all the data in a survey for any given kind of information. Data in the UMTS Grid can be saved into a text file, or copied - and pasted into an Excel spreadsheet for example.

Figure 4.10.2 Data from ‘Values’ Tab shown in ‘UMTS Grid’ Tab

Graph Tab The ‘Graph’ Tab can also be used to display data and analyse surveys. Fields with data in the survey can be dragged into the ‘Graph’ Tab in the same way as values or map data. The graph ranges and values can be set up as the user wishes using the Graph Settings button:

Histograms The UMTS Channels and GSM Channels histograms show RSCP or ECIO measurements for the Serving cell, Neighbours (GSM UE) or Active, Monitored and Detected sets (UMTS UE), or for any scanner channels for which there are measurements.

Figure 4.10.4 GSM Channels Histogram

Figure 4.10.3 Graph showing GSM UE RXLEV vs Scanner RXLEV

Scanner Groups Scanner Groups allow the user to set up how Network Viewer displays data from different scanner channels. Scanner groups can be accessed, set up and modified in: ‘Configure’�’Surveys’�’General’

Figure 4.10. 5 ‘Configure’� ’Surveys’� ’General’

Selecting the ‘Default’ button will set up the scanner groups as follows. UMTS Defaults:

Figure 4.10.6 UMTS Scanner Group Default Settings

Figure 4.10. 7 UMTS Scanner Group Default Setup GSM Defaults:

Figure 4.10.8 GSM Scanner Group Default Settings

The ‘UMTS Channels’ Histogram will show the RSCP or ECIO for the channels in the groups selected. This can be configured to show the scanner channels as the user wishes:

Figure 4.10. 9 UMTS Channels histogram showing All Scanner Groups

Figure 4.10. 10 UMTS Channels histogram showing measurements on All channels, grouped

together and ordered by signal strength

Figure 4.10.11 UMTS Channels histogram showing ONLY T-Mobile and 3 Scanner Groups

4.11 SC/ BCCH Colours Back to 4.0 (Survey Analysis)

Both measurement values and the cells in the network can be coloured by SC/ BCCH. The network cell colours can be easily configured to use the same colour scheme as that of the scanner or UE measurement colours for SC/ BCCH. Drive survey scrambling code colours are set up in the same way as any other field, with the addition of the ‘Options’ button in the ‘Event’ Tab:

Figure 4.11.1 UMTS Scanner Scramble Code Colours

Figure 4.11. 2 UMTS Scanner sample colouring by SC Options

The option button allows you to choose between allocating unique colours for each SC, or allocating repeated blocks of 16 colours. It is still possible to set up colours for individual scramble codes, as you might with any other field.

Figure 4.11. 3 UMTS Scanner sample colouring by SC

Colouring the cells in the network by SC can be achieved in ‘Configure’�’netViewer’�’Network’ By choosing the same colour scheme as that chosen for the drive survey SC colours, one can more easily analyse drive surveys with reference to SC:

Figure 4.11.4 ‘Configure’� ’netViewer’� ’Network’

e Figure 4.11.5 Colouring Cells by SC Figure 4.11.6 Samples and Cells coloured by SC

This principle can also be applied for BCCH colouring in 2G:

Figure 4.11.7 Colouring by BCCH

5.0 Add-Ins Contents Page

5.1 Configuring Add-Ins 5.2 ABCS Add-In 5.3 Cell Neighbours Add-In 5.4 Cell Interference Add-In 5.5 Cell Remover Add-In 5.6 Crossed Feeder Add-In

5.1 Configuring Add-Ins Back to 5.0 (Add-Ins)

Many Network Viewer features are supported via the Addin infrastructure

To load an Addin: Configure ¢ Add-Ins Click ‘New’ Select the AddIn you wish to Load (e.g. Cell Interference Addin) Click ‘Open’ Figure 5.1.1 Loading add-Ins

Addins can be removed & reloaded as required It is important for some Addins to be removed when not in use, as they may make Network Viewer unresponsive (e.g. The ABCS Add-in, which connects Network Viewer to the ABCS Configuration Database, will slow Network Viewer down) It may be necessary to reload an Addin e. g. If the Network Viewer settings change or a new version of the application is rolled out.

5.2 ABCS Add-In Back to 5.0 (Add-Ins)

The ABCS Add-In connects to the ABCS database to show full cell parameter settings for 2G & 3G (depending on the cell selected on the map)

The connection to ABCS times out after short period of inactive use, and re-connects again when a cell is re-selected. The full parameter sets for 2G and 3G cells are supported, including: § FMC, ADJ & HOP parameters § 3G neighbours now defined by ADJ type (i.e. ADJS, ADJI, ADJG) and are coloured in

different colours to 2G neighbours

Figure 5.2.1 2G Parameter Data in ABCS Add-In

The ABCS Addin should be removed once finished with (to prevent background connections to ABCS whenever cells are selected)

The ABCS Add-In can be also be configured to highlight defined internal/external neighbour relationships for selected cell in ABCS (using the ‘Colour Neighbours check box). 2G Neighbours are coloured:

n Light Green for Internal Neighbours

n Dark Green for External Neighbours 3G Adjacencies are coloured:

n Orange for 3G-3G Adjacencies

n Pink for 3G-2G Adjacencies

Figure 5.2.2 ABCS Add-In showing UMTS cells

5.3 Cell Neighbours Add-In Back to 5.0 (Add-Ins)

The Neighbours Add-In is a tool that enables the automated analysis of UMTS scanner files to identify missing neighbour relationships, based upon:

• Serving & neighbour ECIO levels. • Distance between server & potential neighbour.

The Add-In can show all the samples in a drive survey where the neighbour measurements met the threshold requirements, and can also be used to determine where an existing neighbour relationship may be unnecessary. The Add-In:

• Uses configurable thresholds to find suggested neighbours. • Gives a geographic display of suggestions. • Displays locations of samples in survey where neighbour was measured. • Allows exporting to file. • Checks ABCS configuration management database to filter already defined

neighbours and to suggest a list of missing neighbours. Cells are identified by:

• Scramble code at the date of the drive survey. • Distance between the suggested neighbours.

UMTS cells are estimated - based on Scramble codes. The system uses ABCS configuration data to check scramble codes at the date of the survey (in case of SC changes) GSM cells are estimated based on BCCH. To load a drive survey file into the Add-In:

• Click File->Load Survey. • Select the Scanner file to be analyzed • Go to the Neighbours tab and click on the ellipsis button (…) to select the same

Scanner file. • Click the process button. • Select the relationship in the list. • Click the ‘centre cell’ button. • Click the ‘Select Cell’ and the ‘Sel. Neigh’ buttons • Click the ‘All Samples’ button to show the samples where the neighbour was

measured. • Hide those neighbours already defined in ABCS by checking the ‘Defined off’ box. • Sort the results by any column by clicking the column header

Figure 5.3.1 Cell Neighbours Add-In

5.4 Cell Interference Add-In Back to 5.0 (Add-Ins)

The Cell Interference AddIn: • Can be loaded in conjunction with a survey containing UMTS Scanner data. • Is only to be used with EcIo measurements. • Gives information about:

o Serving Cell o Soft Handover Cells o Interfering Cell(s)

• Can be used to analyse Network Performance in terms of interference from Intra-Network UMTS cell-sites.

• Can be used to simulate how changes to an antenna’s Electrical Tilt might benefit Network Performance.

• Can only show electrical tilt changes where drive survey data is present. • Is NOT a standalone Cell I/F modelling tool; it will ONLY show changes on the area

driven. Predictions should always be re-calculated using PegaPlan. The Cell I/F Add-In allows the analysis of results of UMTS drive surveys with respect to interfering cells. It can process Drive Survey results and display:

• The serving cell for any given measurement. • The two most likely soft handover cells. • All other interfering cells.

The Add-in can then simulate the effects of changes in Electrical Tilt upon interfering cells within a drive survey. The Cell I/F Add-In can be used with respect to Drive Tests carried out with Scanners ONLY, The channel with the strongest EcIo value will be the channel corresponding to the SC associated with the serving cell. i.e. The cell with the highest EcIo is the serving cell. To Load the AddIn:

• Click ‘Configure’"‘Add-Ins’"‘New’ • Select ‘CellInterference.nva’ from C:\Program Files\Network Viewer\AddIns • Click ‘Open’

To Use the AddIn:

• Load a survey file containing scanner data into Network Viewer • Load the same survey into the Cell Interference AddIn • Click the ‘Process’ button.

The Cell I/F results are shown in two sections:

Blue columns show EcIo values for each bin area, including: The serving cell & primary interfering cell and the distance between them. The soft handover cells. Specific samples in the bin are viewed by double-clicking on the entry.

The Black columns show tilt values and antenna part numbers, as well as showing the number of samples for which any given cell is recorded as being the interfering cell. The samples can be ordered by any column in ascending or descending order by clicking the appropriate tab. The triangle shows how the results are ordered.

The Electrical Tilt field can be modified between the integer values 0-8 for each cell. These values represent the different levels of Electrical Tilt available.

The modified value will show up red in the Cell I/F results table. The original value will be marked by an asterisk* in the drop down list.

Once the appropriate value is chosen, click ‘Process Tilt’ to apply the simulated change. Once processed, modified-Electrical-Tilt results appear offset from the actual Drive Survey results. The processed results show how changes in antenna’s electrical tilts can improve interference.

If antenna tilts are changed & processed again, the new changes will be shown against the original Drive Survey results Specific cell’s tilt changes can be vi ewed using the SC Filter.

5.5 Cell Remover Add-In Back to 5.0 (Add-Ins)

Cell Remover Add-In § The Cell Remover Addin is a Consolidation Tool, designed to provide an estimate of

the reduction in EcIo that a drive survey would have experienced, had certain cells been removed

2. § The addin works in a similar way to the Cell Interference Addin, in that it generates a

new drive survey based on the recalculated values, offset from the original results § The addin will work for any survey with 3G scanner measurements

Figure 5.5.1 Cell Remover Add-In

Figure 5.5.2 Loading Cell Remover Add-In

Figure 5.5.3 Cell Remover Add-In Screenshot

5.6 Crossed Feeder Add-In Back to 5.0 (Add-Ins)

The Crossed Feeder Add-In: • Is an analysis tool for detecting unexpected Rx power levels • Analyses scanner data in order to determine sites with potentially crossed downlink

feeders • Checks ABCS for SC config at time of survey • Enables the export of lists of potentially crossed feeders to file • Uses adjustable thresholds to include measurements according to power levels: Both

ECIO and RSCP levels. The Crossed Feeder Add-In gives information about the antenna azimuth & the most common bearing, and the difference between them The Add-In requires representative surveys with many samples - throughout the radiating area of the entire cell site – in order to ensure a higher probability that crossed feeder sites are accurately determined. To use the AddIn:

• Load the drive survey file • Ensure all the thresholds are set to the correct levels: • Click the Process button

Suspected crossed feeder sites are shown in red When ‘Only suspected’ is checked, only suspects are listed by the add-in. The SC Filter can be applied to view potential Crossed Feeder sites.

Figure 5.6.1 Crossed Feeder Add-In Map View

Figure 5.6.2 Crossed Feeder Add-In Dialog

6.0 Displaying Networks Contents Page

6.1 Default Networks 6.2 Tesselation 6.3 Display Filters 6.4 Search Tool

6.1 Default Networks Back to 6.0 (Displaying Networks)

Network data is displayed using Network Files (text files). Networks are displayed with cells represented by wedges, oriented around the BTS location.

The default networks loaded in Network Viewer are: • Network 1: T-MobileGSM • Network 2: T-MobileUMTS • Network 3: H3UK_UMTS

Figure 6.1.1 Default Network s represented as wedges

The loaded networks configuration can be viewed and modified in ‘Configure’�’Networks’:

Figure 6.1.2 Configuring Networks

Network appearance (colour, labels, BTS radius) can also be modified, in ‘Configure’ " ‘netViewer’�’Network’:

Figure 6.1.3 Modify Network Colours and Labels

6.2 Tessellation Back to 6.0 (Displaying Networks)

By default networks are displayed with cells represented by wedges, oriented around the BTS location. It is also possible to display networks as a Voronoi diagram, with cells represented by tesselated shapes based on the theoretical cell distance:

Figure 6.2.1 Tesselated GSM Network (also coloured by LAC)

Figure 6.2.2 Displaying a Tessellated Network

6.3 Display Filters Back to 6.0 (Displaying Networks)

It is possible to create display filters to colour the cells in the loaded network(s) by any kind of data. It is easy to set up display filters based on any data in the network file:

Select the filed you wish to display by, and name the Display Filter. Once created, you can ‘SELECT’ the query and load the Network data with the new display filter into Network Viewer.

Figure 6.3.1 Setting up a simple Display Filter

Figure 6.3.2 GSM network coloured by BCCH It is also possible to create one’s own Display Filters by creating user-generated text files from other data.

6.4 Search Tool Back to 6.0 (Displaying Networks)

The Find Tool in Network Viewer allows the user to search by any field in the currently loaded network file This is particularly useful, for example, with the new T-MobileGSM network where one can now search by TCH_CHANNELS:

Figure 6.3.1 Searching by TCH_CHANNELS The search results will show which cells use the TCH Channel searched for, and will also show the distance from the BTS selected at the time of the search:

Figure 6.3.2 TCH_CHANNELS search results, by distance from selected BTS

If no BTS was selected the Distance will not be shown The Find Dialog works in this way for any (or all) of the fields in the appropriate Network File

7.0 Report Generation Contents Page

7.1 Optimisation Reporter Add-In 7.2 Printing

7.1 Optimisation Reporter Add-In Back to 7.0 (Report Generation)

The Optimisation Reporter Add-In allows one to automatically generate an Excel based report of one or multiple surveys.

Figure 7.1.1 Optimisation Reporter Tab Screen

It is possible to generate the following kinds of report: • UMTS 3G Report • GSM 2G Report • Combined 2G/3G Report

The appropriate Excel Template for the report style chosen will be loaded. It is also possible to select scanner groups for 3G and 2G (if applicable, and if the user wishes) One can also add ‘Before and After’ Drive Survey files to be processed by the reporter Add-in, and do before and after analyses of surveys taken before and after some optimisation work on a cell or cluster of cells. The generated report will include a summary page of the data in the survey(s), such as length of the survey and time spent on 2G/ 3G, as well as call successes and failures.

Figure 7.1.2 Example report Summary page There are also Charts, Events, and Layer 3 message sections of the report.

Figure 7.1.3 Charts page of Optimisation Reporter report

7.2 Printing Back to 7.0 (Report Generation)

Network Viewer has a printing setup and options section. Select ‘File’�’Print Preview’ to setup and modify printing options: Figure 7.2.1 Print Dialog

Apply Comments & Legend as required. Set scale to WYSIWYG to print what is shown on the Network Viewer screen Figure 7.2.2 Print Scale Options

Figure 7.2.3 Print Preview using WYSIWYG scale Highest resolution

Select the lowest resolution when previewing print (faster) and highest when finally printing (slowest)

Figure 7.2.4 Print Resolution Dialog

Appendix 1: Abbreviations & Definitions Contents Page

Abbreviations RSCP = Received Signal Carrier Power RSSI = Received Signal Strength Indicator SC = Scrambling Code UARFCN = UMTS Absolute Radio Frequency Number UMTS = Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems

Definitions EcIo = Effective Channel power/ Total Signal Power

Appendix 2: List of Quick Hints & Tips Contents Page

F4 = Maintain Surveys Easy configuration & deletion of surveys; Including Active Survey selection, visibility toggle-switch, East/North drive survey offsetting.

Appendix 3: Cell Neighbours Add-In Fields and Measurements

Contents Page

Fields Cell Name/ Neighbour: Displays cellname and scramble code for server and

neighbour. Defined: Indicates if neighbour is already defined in ABCS. Distance (km): Distance between server & neighbour. Count: No. of samples where neighbour is suggested. Nbr Count: No. of defined neighbours for cell. Index: Gives first record in survey where neighbour is suggested

Measurement Definitions: EcIo: Default 0 – (-15)dBm ECIO level required of serving cell for acceptable measurements. RSCP: Default = 0 – (-111)dBm Signal power level range for acceptable measurements. Threshold (dB): Default = 5dB The ECIO addition window for neighbours. (i.e. max power diff between suggested neighbour’s ECIO and serving cell ECIO) Any out of range data is discarded. For more information about the default settings for the Thresholds see CDOC 1468.

Appendix 4: Cell Interference Add-In Fields and Settings Contents Page

Fields The EcIo field sets the first requirement for cells to be classified as interfering cells. At the CI add-in default value then, any cell with an EcIo < -15dBm will not be considered as an interferer. The EcIo Threshold field sets the second requirement for interfering cells. The default value of 6dBm means that only those cells with an EcIo value within 6dBm of the serving cell‘s EcIo value will be considered to be interfering cells. The Addition Window field sets the requirements for soft handover cells. The default value of 4dBm means that only those cells with an EcIo value within 4dBm of the serving cell‘s EcIo value will be considered as candidates for soft handover cell classification. A maximum of two cells can be classified as soft handover cells. So for example:

• If there is only one cell with EcIo values within 4dBm of the serving cell‘s EcIo value, then there will only be one soft handover cell.

• If there are three or more cells with EcIo values within 4dBm of the serving cell‘s EcIo value, then the two with the highest EcIo values will be selected as the soft handover cells and the others classified as interfering cells.

The Power/ RSSI per SC field sets an additional requirement for interfering cells. Each cell has a SC associated with it, and the RSSI of these channels corresponding to the SCs must be greater than the Power/ RSSI per SC for the cell to be considered as an interfering cell. The Bin Size field refers to the size of the area in which samples are measured. The smaller the bin size, the more accurate the results – because there will be a serving cell and (possibly) soft handover cells and interfering cells for each smaller bin, as opposed to these same results being averaged out over a larger bin area. The Ignore SC per Bin field is used mainly to exclude ‘stationary‘ samples (where the Drive Test van is not moving). The additional criteria are: Minimum Records per SC field; Dictates the amount of acceptable EcIo measurements required. i.e. The amount of measurements pertaining to a SC for it to be included as an interferer in the results for that bin. The SC/Record value; Dictates the percentage of total bin sample measurements that must be linked to an SC in order that the cell be included in the bin results. These fields allow the Cell Interference add-in to exclude erroneous data that would otherwise skew the bin‘s results

Settings EcIo: 0 (-10)dBm <= EcIo <= (-1)-(-33)dBm Default: 0 <= EcIo <= (-15)dBm EcIo Threshold: 1 – 10dBm Default 6dBm Addition Window: 1 – 8dBm Default: 4dBm Power/RSSI per SC : (-40) – (-110)dBm Default: (-100)dBm Bin Size: None, 10, 50, 100, 200m Default: 10m Ignore SC per Bin: Min Rec per SC: 1-20 Default: 1 SC/Rec: 2-99% Default: 20%

Appendix 5: Crossed Feeder Add-In Fields and Default Thresholds

Contents Page

Fields Cell Name [SC]: cellid and scramble code of server Samples count: number of samples meeting criteria Azimuth: azimuth of serving cell Mode Bear: most common bearing Mode Bear diff: delta of azimuth and most common bearing Mode Bear cnt: count of the most common bearing Samples time: total duration that the criteria are met Max Bearing diff: maximum delta between bearing and azimuth Avg bearing diff: average delta between bearing and azimuth

Thresholds EcIo: Default = -7dB RSCP: Default = -110dB Distance: Default = 1000m i.e. The minimum distance required between the place where the measurement was taken and the cell site. The Add-in takes into account Antenna back-lobes and severe multipath/ reflection close to sites. Time: Default = 100ms i.e. The minimum duration of a measurement for it to be used in the add-in. Bearing: Default = 105° i.e. The minimum difference between the azimuth and the mode bearing.