Setup GSM Network

Contents
1. Importing Antennas
2. Propagation model introduction
3. Adding propagation model
4. About GSM Carrier in ASSET
5. Using Carrier layer & cell layer
6. About templates
7. Create a new site on 2D map
8. Sub-cell parameter settings
9. View and editing antenna configuration
10.Create fields on database
11.Create filters
12.Introduction on XML import/export
13.Excel to XML power tool introduction
14.Create XML data and import to Enterprise
 1. Importing Antennas
• Antenna types data stores
the horizontal and vertical
radiation patterns
• The simplest way: import it
from a file supplied by the
antenna manufacturer
• Step 1: File menu -> Import
-> Project Data -> Planet/EET
 Importing Antennas
• Step2: Click the Antennas
tab and select the checkbox
at the top left to enable the
import

• If select the Add to all

projects checkbox, they are
available to all projects
within the database
 Importing Antennas
• Step 3: click Add

• Step 4: Choose planet format

antenna types & click Open

• Step 5: Click Import

 Importing Antennas
• The antennas now
appear in the
Equipment -> Cellular
Antennas dialog box

• Click Commit All to

commit the newly
imported antennas to
the database
2. Propagation model introduction
• Propagation models are mathematical
attempts to model the real radio environment
as closely as possible
• Most propagation models need to be tuned
(calibrated) by being compared to measured
propagation data
 Propagation model introduction
There are two extreme ways in which you can use
propagation models:
• A large number of models, each pertaining to a particular area
or city.
– Advantages : get accurate models for the areas or cities.
– Disadvantage :not be feasible or economical.
• A generic model which can be used for all areas.
– Advantage :simpler for the planner, more economical both
in terms of cost and time.
– Disadvantage: accuracy may be limited
 Propagation model introduction
A more realistic approach is to use a small number of different
models for generic environments, for example, urban, rural,..

The number of models will depend on:

• The resources available, in terms of time, finances, manpower and

skills
• The available mapping data: resolution, number of clutter classes,
building raster and building vector information
• The diversity of area or country to be modelled
• The accuracy required
Accuracy Required for a Propagation Model
About the Supplied Propagation Models
Model Brief Description Recommended Usage Mapping Data Needed

General Purpose macrocell model

that accounts for the different • Terrain DTM height - raster
elements of propagation in the •Sites in environments where the data
distance from the site is greater •
Terrain clutter - raster data
wireless channel.
Clutter and Height data
Can be typically calibrated to less than approximately 500m should be of the same
Standard Macroc than 7dB standard deviation. • Base station antenna heights in
ell 3 Models 1 and 2 are only supported the range of 15-200m resolution(s). Although
there is no minimum
for customers who still want to use • Receiver heights in the range of resolution, recommended
them, and upgrade from previous 1-10m
pixel sizes for this data are
versions of ENTERPRISE (these
between 20m and 200m.
models cannot be added).

In the pathloss calculation • It is advantageous to use this

parameters for this model, you can model in environments with hilly
specify the slope and intercept terrain
parameters (k1 and k2) • It has several further
Enhanced Macro independently for LOS and NLOS. advantages As above
cell over the Standard
These parameters are used Models, as described in
dynamically during the propagation About the Enhanced Macrocell
calculations. Model
.
 About the Supplied Propagation
Models
Model Brief Description Recommended Usage Mapping Data Needed

•Terrain DTM height - raster

The SUI (Stanford University • Cells with radius <10km data
Interim) model is one of the • Can be used for various terrain • Terrain clutter - raster data
and tree density types Clutter and Height data
recommended models for use in Base station antenna heights in should be of the same
SUI model analysing fixed wireless broadband •
the range of 15-40m resolution(s). Although
communication networks such as Directional antennas (2-10m) at
Fixed WiMAX (802.16d standard) • there is no minimum
the CPE receiver, installed on or resolution, recommended
at frequencies below 11GHz.
below rooftops or windows pixel sizes for this data are
between 20m and 200m.

The SLR model in ASSET is partly Point-to-Area model that can be

used to make predictions for •
Terrain DTM height - raster
based on the ITU-R P1546-2 data
recommendation. The model can terrestrial services in the
SLR model be used for DVB-H planning or for frequency range of 100 to 2000 • Terrain clutter - raster data
Clutter and Height data
other applications that require MHz.
should be of the same
long-range calculations (1- Restricted to 50% time
resolution(s).
1000km). variability and to a land path.
 3. Adding an Enhanced Macrocell
Model
• Choose Configuration -> Propagation Models
• Click Add -> Choose Enhanced Macrocell -> click Add
 Adding an Enhanced Macrocell Model
• Name the Propagation Model
• Check Smooth height data when predicting :useful if you sometimes
predict at a resolution for which height data is not available
• Click View/Edit Model Parameters
 Adding an Enhanced Macrocell Model
• On the General tab, set up the general parameters, including the
frequency and effective earth radius
• The Std Deviation of Interference can be used when running the
Interference Table wizard (dynamic method), and also when using the
Neighbour Planner wizard. The default value is 7.5dB
Adding an Enhanced Macrocell Model
• On the Path Loss tab, set the various model parameters
• See next slides for Suggested value
Adding an Enhanced Macrocell Model
• Recommended value for starting parameters
 Adding an Enhanced Macrocell Model
• On the Eff Ant Height tab, choose the effective site antenna
height calculation method to be used. Recommended : Relative
 Adding an Enhanced Macrocell Model
• On the Diffraction tab, choose the diffraction loss calculation
method to be used
 Adding an Enhanced Macrocell Model
• On the Clutter tab, you can specify Correction values to allow for
different pathloss characteristics in different clutter environments
• Leave unaltered (0.00)
• Click OK
• Apply and commit your
change then click Close
 Exercise: import antenna &
propgation model
• Ronald
 4. About GSM Carrier in ASSET
• You should ensure that all the carriers licensed
to your network are added as available for use
within your ASSET project
• This is done using the Configuration menu,
where you can add the appropriate GSM
carriers
• ASSET allows carriers to be intelligently used
throughout the network to reduce interference
and improve perceived quality
Concepts of Carrier layers and Cell layers
 Defining GSM and GPRS Carriers
• Choose Configuration ->
Carriers -> GSM +GPRS…
• To add an individual carrier or a
range of carrier values, enter
the number(s) in thetext boxes
and click Add
• Select the checkboxes for
whole default bands to add
their carriers automatically
• Choose carrier -> Click Remove
to remove carrier
• After finished, click OK
 Setting a BCCH Allocation Rule for TCH
Allocation
• File menu -> Preference -> Check
Prevent TCH or MA List allocation
before BCCH allocation

• When allocating a TCH carrier layer (or

assigning an MA List), there must be a BCCH
carrier layer already allocated.

• When de-allocating a BCCH carrier layer

(assuming it is the only one), there must not
be any TCH carrier layers still allocated (or
MA Lists still assigned).
 About GSM Frequency Bands
• In ASSET, the GSM carriers are based
on individual carrier numbers, known
as ARFCNs

• However, if required, you can decide

to use frequency bands (that is, the
absolute frequencies) in a project

• Choose File menu -> Preference ->

check Frequency Bands Use
 Defining Frequency Bands
• Choose Configuration -> Frequency
Bands
• You can add, modify or remove a
frequency band
• Specify values for the constants A, B, X
and Y and the Uplink-Downlink
frequency separation. You are
calculating the frequency for each
carrier on the uplink to see whether
you are in the correct range
• Click Apply then Close
 5. Using Carrier layer & Cell layer
• A carrier layer is a sub-set of the total list of available
carriers, grouped together under a common name
For example, for a 900 MHz network:
• Carriers to be used as control channels could be grouped
into a carrier layer called 900BCCH.
The maximum allocation per cell would be set to 1.
• Carriers to be used as traffic channels could be grouped
into a carrier layer called 900TCH.
The maximum allocation per cell would be set to a value
greater than 1
 Defining Carrier Layers
• Ensure you defined 2G Carrier
• Configuration menu -> Layers -> Carrier Layers
• Click Add to have new layer and name it
• If the carrier layer being defined is a control layer (BCCH), select the Control Layer
checkbox.
 Defining Carrier Layers
• If you wish to make this layer into a 'pre-defined' MA list for use by the MA List
Planner, select the MA List checkbox.
• This option should only be used for 'pre-defined' MA lists, and is only relevant to
Synthesised or Site Hopping networks.
• If you have chosen to use frequency bands to consider intermodulation, you need
to select the appropriate band
 Defining Carrier Layers
• On the Carriers tab, associate the required carriers with the carrier layer by moving
them from the Available list into the Assigned list.
• In the Maximum Allocable Carriers box, specify a limit on the number of carriers
from this carrier layer that can be allocated on any one cell. For example, the limit
for a BCCH or control layer in GSM would be 1
 Defining Carrier Layers
• The Group tab options are not relevant unless you wish to use frequency re-use
patterns
• Apply any changes that you make, and, if you want other users to see them,
commit the changes
 About Cell Layers
• Cell layers define logical groups of transceivers on a cell. Using
cell layers means you can distinguish between micro cells and
macro cells or between carriers of different frequency bands.
• When a cell layer is associated with a cell, together with all
the other RF details, it is referred to as a sub-cell
• Sub-cells differ from cell layers because they define the
physical radiating properties, whereas cell layers are abstract
concepts. In other words, the term sub-cell defines the
'instance' of a cell layer in the network
• In ASSET, cell layers can have any number of carrier layers
associated with them
 About Cell Layers
• In the simplest scenario, you would normally need to have at
least two carrier layers per cell layer, one containing carriers
required for control (BCCH and so on) and one for carriers of
traffic (TCH)
• In general terms, each cell layer should have one (and only
one) control carrier layer assigned to it.
• If you have more than one cell layer, you need to set their
respective priorities, with the highest priority being 1
 Defining Cell Layers
• Ensure carrier layers existed
• Choose Configuration -> Layers -> Cells Layers
• Click Add to have new Cell layer and name it
• Choose + or – to modify layer priority
 Defining Cell Layers
• On the Coverage Type tab, choose the C/I Threshold, which
dictates the point at which the connection quality begins to
suffer, the C/A Offset, and channel to transceiver map to be
associated with the cell layer
 Defining Cell Layers
• On the Carrier Layers tab, specify which carrier layers are to
associate with the cell layer, by moving them to the Allocated
pane, then order the layers using the arrow buttons
 Defining Cell Layers
• On the Coverage Thresholds tab, select the coverage schema
you require and double-click a category to set its level
properties. You can also add your own coverage schemas
• Apply any changes that you make and Commit if you want
other users to see them.
Making Carrier Layers Usable on a Sub-Cell
• Each sub-cell has one or more cell layers assigned to it. The
cell layer, in turn, determines which carrier layers are available
to the sub-cell
• However, it is possible to configure the carrier layers as
'usable' or not usable on the sub-cell
• In the Site Database window, select the required sub-cell
Making Carrier Layers Usable on a Sub-Cell
• In the Carrier Layers pane, select a carrier layer and select the
Allocated checkbox.
• A carrier layer needs to be allocated to a cell before you can
view and edit the frequency allocations in the Carriers pane.
 Allocating, Fixing and Forbidding Carriers
• In the Carriers pane, select the required carrier
• Select the relevant checkbox(es) to change the status. You can
choose
Exercise: create a pre-define configuration
site
 6. About templates
• When planning a network, it is very likely that many sites or
nodes will have the same characteristics.
• You can create and define templates, then select one of these
templates as a basis for adding new sites. The new sites will
then contain the default characteristics of the template
• Only one template of each network element type can be
active at any one time
 Project Defaults
In order to make an ASSET project easy to use right from the start,
the following default objects, with pre-set parameters, are provided:
• Antenna default
• Propagation model defaults (450, 900, 1800 and 2100MHz)
• Template defaults (for each technology)
• Terminal type default (for each technology)

The default templates include sites (or nodes) and cells (or sectors)
that in turn make use of the default propagation models and antenna
 Adding a Template for a Site or Node
• From Database menu click
Templates
or

• In the Site Database window, from

the View menu, click Templates

• Right-click to choose template you

want to add
 Adding a Template for a Site or Node
• From Database menu click Templates
or

• In the Site Database window, from the View menu, click

Templates

• Right-click to choose template you want to add

 Adding a Template for a Site or Node
• Right click to choose Add Cell Site
• Right click on Cell Site -> Choose Add Cell
• Right click on Cell -> Choose Add Cell Carrier
 Modifying Templates
• Adjust parameters in right tabs to modify templates such as : used
antennas, used propagation model,…
 7. Create a new site on 2D map
• You can add network elements (such as sites
or nodes) to your project in several ways. For
example, you can add elements directly in the
Site Database window, or you can import
them from a file

• Alternatively, you can add network elements

by using the appropriate toolbox in thesite
design toolbar of the Map View window

• This picture shows the buttons available in the

Add Network Elements toolbox, which is part
of the site design toolbar
 Create a new site on 2D map
• Before add a new site, you need at least 1 MSC and 1 BSC
• Can view new created sites in
Database also
 8. Sub-cell parameter settings
On the General tab for a sub-cell in
the Site Database, you can

• View and edit the CS traffic

• Set the appropriate signal strength or

pathloss parameters, to restrict the
coverage of the cell.

• Set the load thresholds (if you are

using the GSM Simulator) in terms of
percentage of TS (Timeslots) allocated
 Setting Signal Strength or Pathloss
Parameters
• In ASSET, the signal thresholds and related parameters can be used to
determine the minimum service level of individual cells
 About the Signal Threshold and Pathloss
Prediction Radius
• The purpose of the Signal Threshold value is to limit a cell's service
area. But when pathloss predictions are made, the downlink signal
(received power) will be limited by the chosen Prediction Radius. The
signal will NOT radiate beyond the perimeter of the specified radius
(even if the Signal Threshold has not yet been reached)
9. View and editing antenna configuration
• In ASSET, there are various antenna-related options available
when using the Map View or Height Profile window
• To move antennas for a cell in the Map View window: From
the Move/Edit Network Element toolbox, click the Move
Antenna button then select antenna and new position
 Reorientating Antennas in the Map View
• From the Move/Edit Network Element toolbox, click the
Reorientate Antenna button
• Select the appropriate cell
• Hold down the mouse button to move the antenna to the
required position
 Using Antenna Slots
• In ENTERPRISE, an antenna slot is a logical grouping of
antennas. Sub-cells (which represent groups of transceivers)
are mapped to particular slots, enabling you to define cell
configurations where transceivers are connected to different
antenna systems
 Quickly Viewing and Editing Site or Cell
Information
• You can quickly view and edit site or cell information in a
summary dialog box in the Map View window, rather than
having to use the Site Database
• In the Map View window, from the Move/Edit Network
Element toolbox, click the Site Quick Edit button, or the Cell
Quick Edit button -> Click Site/ Cell on map
 Quickly Viewing and Editing Site or Cell
Information
• The Quick Edit dialog box for this site/cell appears -> Edit the
required parameters
• For GSM Non-Sim, the coverage
calculation displays the coverage for
a single site or single cell, and does
not update any existing displayed
arrays.

• For GSM Sim, the coverage

calculation updates any
existing displayed coverage array,
and any other related displayed
arrays.
 10. Create fields on database
• ENTERPRISE enables you to set up any number of fields in your
project, so that they can provide information about individual
network elements

• Fields may be used for a variety of reasons, for example, to track

the rollout phase of a site, or record its equipment, or its region,
or perhaps the name of the planner in charge

• It is generally advised that fields be set up as early in the project

as possible, so that they are available for the planner to assign
the relevant option to the relevant network elements in the Site
or Link Database, or in the Templates
Examples of Field Definitions
 Define a field
• Go to Start menu ->
AIRCOM International ->
Misc -> Administrator
 Define a field
• In Administrator dialog, go
to Utilities -> Field Definer
• Then choose project you
want to define a field
 Define a field
• On tab Field of Field Definer, Click on Add Field
then Add Pick List Options as below
 Define a field
• On Association tab, choose Object types you want to add
field, then Commit, example: after this, Cell Site has new field
Site Status
 Define a field
• You can see new field in Database or Template
 11. Create filters
• Filters provide a logical grouping of network elements according to their
characteristics or functions. They enable you to sub-divide the network into
more manageable sections for analysis, diagnosis and display, and they
therefore represent a powerful way of selecting a subset of items such as
Properties, sites, links or cells, from the ENTERPRISE database.

• You can create your filters according to many different criteria, including
element type, hierarchy, fields and polygons, as well as attributes such as
antenna type, frequency band, carried traffic, and so on. For example, you
could create a filter to display all operational sites within a geographical region
which are using a particular vendor‟s equipment
 Type of fielters
• Filters can be defined as either Static or Dynamic, and there is
an additional Selection Expert filter. This table summarises
each type
 Creating a Dynamic Filter using the Filter
Wizard
• From the Database menu, click Filters
 Creating a Dynamic Filter using the Filter
Wizard
• The Filter Database appears, displaying any folders and filters which
have already been set up
• Select the folder in which you want to store the new filter and then
click Add
 Creating a Dynamic Filter using the Filter
Wizard
• Step 1 of the Filter Wizard prompts you to give the filter a meaningful
name
• If your new filter has similar selection criteria as an existing filter, you
can choose the option to use an existing filter as a template and
select it from the drop-down menu.
• Click Next
 Creating a Dynamic Filter using the Filter
Wizard
• Step 2 of the Filter Wizard displays a list of Available Attributes. Move each
required element type to the Selected Attributes pane by double-clicking it,
dragging it, or selecting it and using the right arrow button. This will define which
objects are to be considered in the filter
 Creating a Dynamic Filter using the Filter
Wizard
• Step 3 of the Filter Wizard prompts you to set the definitive rules and criteria for
the filter and enables you to modify the logical operators using the associated radio
buttons
• In this example, click the 'Values' button, and tick the ON AIR option
 Creating a Dynamic Filter using the Filter
Wizard
• Step 4 of the Filter Wizard displays the list of elements currently included in your
filter. The filter will be 'Dynamic'
 Creating a Dynamic Filter using the Filter
Wizard
• Step 5 of the Filter Wizard enables you to set up the customised display settings for
the items which are included in your filter
 Creating a Dynamic Filter using the Filter
Wizard
• Step 6 of the Filter Wizard (the final step) enables you to modify the name of the
filter, and also to establish which other users, if any, will be able to modify this filter
in the future
• When satisfied, click the Finish button to complete the Filter creation process
 Creating a Dynamic Filter using the Filter
Wizard
• The newly created filter appears in the Filters Database, in the folder you selected
at the start of the process. As a Dynamic filter, it will appear with a BLUE symbol, as
in this example
 Creating a Static Filter using the Filter Wizard
• The process to create static filters is exactly the same as for dynamic filters, except
that:
• You ignore Steps 2 and 3, by clicking Next each time
• In Step 4, you need to select the Static option
Static option
Creating a Static Filter using the Filter Wizard
• All newly created filters appear in the Filters Database, in the folder you
selected at the start of the process. Static filters appear with a RED
symbol, as in this example
 About the Selection Expert and Selection
Filter
The Selection Expert:

• Is a powerful way of creating a filter. Using it, you can select any subset of
items by choosing them individually in the Site Database or Map View

• Acts as a handy clipboard - to easily allow you to cut and paste network
elements between different parents, cells between sites and so on.

• Acts as a viewing window for all filters - you can quickly review all filters,
(static, dynamic and Selection) and edit the static and election filters
 About the Selection Expert and Selection
Filter
The Selection Filter:

• Is a static filter that exists only in memory. It is not stored in

the database and therefore cannot be Applied or Committed.

• Can be renamed and saved as a normal static filter.

• Can be used as the basis for creating a static filter in the Filter
Wizard.
 Adding to the Selection Filter Using the Map
View Window
• From the Database menu, click Selection Expert
• In an open Map View window, ensure you are displaying the area and elements
from which you will be selecting
• Click the down arrow on the Selection filter toolbox to see the options, hold Shift
and select
Adding Items to the Selection Filter by
Right-clicking
• In the Site or Link Database, right-click the
network element that you want to add to
the Selection filter and from the menu that
appears, click Add to Selection Filter
 Adding Items to the Selection Filter
using the Filters tab
• On Filters tab, click Display then Change to choose Selection
Filter
 Adding Items to the Selection Filter
on the Hierarchy tab
• In the Site Database, select the parent of the item that you want to add to the
Selection filter.
• On the Hierarchy tab for that element, click the Display button
• Select one or more of the network elements shown on the tab and click the Add
button to add them to the Selection filter
 Exercise: creating filters
• Ronald
12. Introduction on XML import/export

• In addition to importing antenna files using the

PlaNet format, or setting up your propagation
models, it is also possible to use the XML
import/export.
• This is a powerful and flexible way of importing
a wide variety of project
elements,configuration settings and templates.
It is especially useful for exporting/importing
between projects
 Import XML data
• From the File menu, point to Import, and click
XML
 Import XML data
• Click the Browse button and locate the *.xml
file(s) that you want to import
 Import XML data
• When you have located the folder containing the required files,
select the Index file and click Open.
• In the XML Import dialog box, on each tab, select the items you
want to import.
• Select how you want conflicts to be
handled during the import. You can be
prompted on an individual basis, or merge
the data, or or leave the existing data as it
is, or replace the data in the project with
the imported data

• Click Import
 Export XML data
• From the File menu, point to Export, and click
XML
 Export XML data
• Choose Folder to store xml files and Check on
what you want to export -> Click Export
13. Excel to XML power tool introduction
14. Create XML data and import to Enterprise