CellMap

Overview

ZK Celltest, Inc
3180 De La Cruz Blvd., Suite 201
Santa Clara, California, 95054
(Tel) 408.986.8080 (Fax) 408.986.8178
Web site: www.zk.com
Email: sales@zk.com
Release Date: 27-Jun-00
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ZK CELLMAP...................................................................................................................3
STRONGEST SERVER ..........................................................................................................4
CALL PROCESSING .............................................................................................................5
VOICE CHANNEL SET MAP ................................................................................................7
GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS .......................................................................................................8
TABULAR ANALYSIS ..........................................................................................................9
PHONE AND STRONGEST NEIGHBOR RSSI .......................................................................10
FER PLOT OF CDMA DATA ............................................................................................11
CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................12

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ZK CellMap

ZK CellMap is a post-processing software utility that imports data collected with the DX,
DX836, DX136 and DXC products. It allows the user to perform detailed analysis on the
collected data with MapInfo. Tabular, graphical and geographical analysis can be
performed on the collected data.

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Strongest Server
The map below is a representation of the strongest serving control channel for the A
band. The color of the circles represents the signal strength of the strongest control and
the labels represent the actual strongest control channel and their DCC.

This map clearly shows which channel is the dominant server in the area. It is the most
likely channel that calls will originate. The engineer will compare the strongest control
channel with the cell site it corresponds to and determine if the area is being covered by
the appropriate cell. If it is not being covered by the appropriate cell then system
problems can occur such as co-channel interference or dropped calls.

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Call Processing
The following map shows an overview of the entire phone data file. The signal strength
ranges are shown in different colors and the channel set changes are labeled with their
corresponding sets. The engineer can start with this map and view the entire area for
potential problem areas. Using the zoom tool the engineer can zoom into the problem
area and diagnose the problem.

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With the following map, the engineer has zoomed into a particular area and can analyze
the handoff locations and determine if handoffs are working properly. In the map below
we see that there are a series of handoffs within a short distance. This creates
inefficiencies in the system and increases the potential for dropped calls. The handoff
parameters should be checked and optimized to reduce the number of handoffs. By
looking at the channel set labels the engineer can determine which cell sites the phone is
communicating with to make sure that the proper cell site is being utilized. If the proper
cell site is not being utilized then changes in the network are required such as antenna
down tilting or power or changes at the cell.

Channel Set

Handoff

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Voice Channel Set Map

Displays the signal strength range with colors and text labels with the strongest voice
channel set. In addition, the user can click on any point and get detailed information as
shown in the Info Tool window.

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Graphical Analysis
Graphs can also be created with CellMap. The user can graph any of the data parameters
collected with the DX. The graph below shows the signal strengths of the three strongest
control channels. In peak usage times the nearest cell site may not have any voice
channels available for initiating a phone call. In these cases the network will direct the
phone user to another cell site which may be the next best server. This graph shows the
signal strength of the next best servers. If the signal is strong enough then the phone has a
good chance of initiating a phone call. If the next best server has a poor signal strength
then the user may not be able to initiate a call onto it and may get a blocked call, or they
may be able to initiate but the signal strength may be to poor to hold the call and it will
drop. In the map below the green points are the strongest server and the blue points are
the next best. There seems to be some areas that may be of concern.

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Tabular Analysis
Tabular analysis can also be performed with CellMap. In the display below a table of the
phone data is shown with each row representing a different geographic position and each
column representing a different data parameter. The Query function can be used to
quickly identify problems in the network. In the example shown below, the user enters a
Boolean logic expression that will identify points where coverage for portable phones
will be poor. This typically happens when the received signal strength is less than -
80dBm. By entering a Boolean expression we can search for all data points that are below
-80dBm. The points selected are shown by filling in the box on the left side of the table.
The user can then switch to the map view and the selected points will be reverse video
highlighted, showing the exact geographic location where this occurs.

There is much more capability with this program. Other types of analysis can be
performed such as interference analysis, system balancing analysis, BER analysis and
much more. This tool utilizes the power of MapInfo with the customization of CellMap.
The user gets the benefit of upgraded features from MapInfo and upgrades for CellMap. It
is designed to be able to rapidly add new features, ensuring that users are not left with an
obsolete product. This product also is very flexible and has extremely open architecture.
Files can be transferred to Excel for spreadsheet analysis. Alternate data base files can be

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imported. AutoCAD DXF road maps can be imported. It provides power, flexibility and
open architecture in a low cost and portable solution.

Phone and Strongest Neighbor RSSI

The following map shows the result of using the Query feature in MapInfo. TDMA IS136
data was collected. Using the Query function only the points where the strongest neighbor
channel is stronger in received signal strength than the serving channel are plotted. In
addition, the handoff locations were also plotted.

The points are labeled with the DVCC to indicate the cell site of the serving channel. It is
interesting to note that in some areas it takes a rather long time to hand off to a new
channel.

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FER Plot of CDMA Data

Using data collected with the DXC the user can plot various parameters. The following
plot shows the Frame Error Rate (FER) of a CDMA call. This information can be used to
measure voice quality. Additional CDMA parameters can be plotted including but not
limited to Receive AGC, Transmit Power, Ec/Io, IS-95 messages and others.

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Conclusion
ZK Celltest offers a complete solution for measuring, analyzing and identifying network
problems for cellular networks.

ZK CellMap is a MapInfo based analysis software package that allows the user to create
maps, tables and graphs of the data to quickly and easily diagnose network problems.
Output plots can be customized by the user for management reports and for
communicating problems with other engineers.

ZK Celltest is focused on delivering small, lightweight, powerful, reliable and cost-

effective solutions to our customers. Our support staff is dedicated to ensure that your
questions are answered to your satisfaction. Thank you for taking time to read this
document and familiarize yourself with our company and products.

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