Automatic

Neighbor List
Planning (ANP)
Guide

Version 3.10

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Documentation Version: ANP-v3.10, October 2008

Software Version: Actix Radioplan ANP v3.10

Actix Radioplan v3.10

The content of this manual is provided for information only, is subject to change without notice,
and should not be construed as a commitment by Actix. Actix assumes no responsibility or liability
for any errors or inaccuracies that appear in this documentation.

Copyright © 2001–2008 by Actix GmbH.

All rights reserved.

Trademark Notice
Radioplan is a registered trademark of Actix GmbH in the European Union.
Actix and the Actix logo are trademarks of Actix Ltd.
All other product or brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders.

Contact:
Actix GmbH Actix Ltd
Altmarkt 10 200, Hammersmith Road
D-01067 Dresden Hammersmith
Germany London, W6 7DL
tel.: +49 (0) 351 404 29 – 0 United Kingdom
fax: +49 (0) 351 404 29 – 50 www.actix.com
e-mail: sales@actix.com
www.actix.com

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 Contents

1 INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................5
1.1 AUTOMATIC NEIGHBOR LIST PLANNING MODULE OVERVIEW .......................................... 5
1.2 SUPPORTED RADIO TECHNOLOGIES ....................................................................... 5
1.3 IMPORT OF NEIGHBOR LISTS FROM A PLANNING TOOL ................................................. 5

2 WORKING WITH NEIGHBOR LISTS ...................................................................7

2.1 NEIGHBOR LIST STORAGE MODEL IN ACTIX RADIOPLAN ............................................... 7
2.2 MANUALLY CONFIGURE NEIGHBORS OF A SINGLE CELL ................................................. 8
2.3 NEIGHBOR LIST OVERVIEW DIALOG ...................................................................... 9

3 AUTOMATIC NEIGHBOR LIST OPTIMIZATION ..................................................... 11

3.1 INTRODUCTION TO LAYER GROUPS .......................................................................11
3.2 NEIGHBOR LIST OPTIMIZATION – LAYER GROUPS .....................................................11
3.3 NEIGHBOR LIST OPTIMIZATION – SETTINGS............................................................12
3.3.1 Intra-Layer Settings ............................................................................13
3.3.2 Inter-Layer Settings ............................................................................14
3.4 NEIGHBOR LIST OPTIMIZATION – RESULTS .............................................................16
3.5 DESCRIPTION OF THE ALGORITHM TO PRIORITIZE NEIGHBORS .......................................19

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Actix Radioplan Automatic Neighbor Planning (ANP) Guide Introduction 5

1 Introduction
1.1 Automatic Neighbor List Planning Module Overview
The Radioplan Automatic Neighbor List Planning (ANP) is part of the Actix Radioplan
software and it provides a powerful methodology to optimize intra- and inter-radio access
technology neighbor lists. By utilizing the Actix Radioplan network layer concept the
generation and optimization of neighbor lists for sector relations within one technology
layer, relations between hierarchical cell structures, and relations across all licensed radio
access network technologies are supported. The neighbor list allocation is performed based
on predictions and/or drive test surveys and therefore the best possible and most accurate
neighbors can be determined in a unified and single process. Counter data imported from a
performance management database can also be displayed for each detected relation in
order to provide the user a consistent view on the importance of this neighbor.

1.2 Supported Radio Technologies

The ANP module does support the following radio technologies:

• CDMA/EVDO

• GSM/GPRS/EDGE

• iDEN

• UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA

• WIMAX

1.3 Import of Neighbor Lists from a Planning Tool

Neighbor lists can be created from scratch in Actix Radioplan, but is it also possible to
import existing neighbor lists from a planning tool or from OSS network configuration files
in order to optimize neighbors incrementally. Neighbor lists can be imported from the
following planning tools:

• Forsk Atoll

• Aircom Asset

• Andrew Odyssey

• OSS network configuration files (XML)

The import of neighbors does require selecting a checkbox in the import settings, because
the import of neighbors is an optional feature in the planning tool interfaces.

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Actix Radioplan Automatic Neighbor Planning (ANP) Guide Introduction 6

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Actix Radioplan Automatic Neighbor Planning (ANP) Guide Working with Neighbor Lists 7

2 Working with Neighbor Lists

2.1 Neighbor List Storage Model in Actix Radioplan
For each cell that is available in an Actix Radioplan project an unlimited number of
neighbor relations can be stored that describe a relationship to a foreign network element
(i.e. another cell). Since neighbor relations can also refer to cells that are not part of the
project, for example to cells located outside of the project area, the cell name (ID) is used
to refer to the foreign relation.

In general any relations in Actix Radioplan are internally

handled by primary keys. However, since neighbor
relations are defined by cell names in order to also allow to
refer to network elements that are not part of the project,
each cell in the project must have a unique cell name.

In the underlying database each neighbor relation is described by the following properties:

• Cell_ID: Primary key of the cell (network element) where the neighbor list is
belonging to.

• Priority: An internal index that is used to prioritize (or sort) neighbor relations per
cell to each other, where an index of 0 has highest priority and the higher the
index the lower the priority is.

• Neighbor Cell Name: The cell name that refers to the foreign neighbor relation.
If that cell name does exist in the project, the Radioplan ANP can automatically
determine in which network technology layer the foreign cell is stored and
therefore it can be determined if that relationship is an intra- or inter-frequency or
–technology relationship.

• Permanent Flag: This flag can be used to declare a relationship as permanent.

Permanent relationships will never be removed from an existing neighbor list.

• Neighbor Network Layer Reference ID: This ID is used internally to describe to

which network layer the foreign cell does belong to. If this parameter is set to a
valid network layer ID of the project it is used to define to which network layer the
foreign cell does belong to. If it is not set (default) the foreign network layer is
automatically determined for foreign cells that are available in the project.
Therefore, this reference is helpful for all foreign relations to cells that are not part
of the project, e.g. because the neighbor cell is located outside of the project area.
By using this concept it is possible to handle all relations of a cell to any intra- or inter-
frequency or –technology layer in a consistent way. Later on it is also described how
network layers can be grouped in order to tell the Radioplan ANP which sets of network
elements belong to the same network technology layer.

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Actix Radioplan Automatic Neighbor Planning (ANP) Guide Working with Neighbor Lists 8

2.2 Manually Configure Neighbors of a single Cell

In order to investigate and configure neighbor relations of a single cell, right click on the
respective cell symbol and select Neighbor List… from the context menu. In the Neighbor
Settings Dialog the user can delete, add, or change neighbors.

Fig. 2-1 Neighbor List Settings Dialog

The Network Layer column is automatically populated according to the following rules:
1 If a dedicated network layer for this neighbor cell is defined in the underlying
database, this network layer is shown and “Manual” is shown in the network layer
detection column.
2 If no dedicated network layer is defined in the database, the network layer is
automatically determined by the neighbor’s cell name and “Automatic” is shown in
the network layer detection column.
3 If no network element was found in the project, “Unknown” is shown in the
Network Layer field
The user can edit all fields shown in this dialog, e.g.

• Overwrite or select another neighbor cell from the selection of available cells in the
project.

• Change the priority of the neighbor relation. Note that the priority value is treated
as a relative number. Actix Radioplan does automatically re-index and re-sort
neighbors if OK is pressed.

• Set or reset the permanent flag. Permanent neighbors will never be removed from
an existing neighbor list.

• Manually choose a network layer where the neighbor cell does belong to. This is
helpful in particular if a foreign network element is referenced that is not part of
the project, e.g. located outside of the project area. Once a network layer is
chosen manually, “Manual” is shown in the network layer detection column.
It is also possible to delete a relationship by selecting the respective row and pressing the
DEL key.

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Actix Radioplan Automatic Neighbor Planning (ANP) Guide Working with Neighbor Lists 9

New neighbors can be manually added in the last column and the user can choose a
relating network element from the list or enter a user define cell name, define the relative
priority within the neighbor list, and optionally select a network layer where the foreign cell
does belong to.

2.3 Neighbor List Overview Dialog

The Neighbor List Overview Dialog can be opened by clicking on any cell and select
Neighbor List Overview… from the context menu.

Fig. 2-2. Neighbor List Settings Overview Dialog

In this dialog it is only possible to configure the “Permanent Relationship” and the neighbor
network layer column including its network layer detection method. The Neighbor Network
Layer column is also filled according to the rules as described in section 2.2
The button “Find Selected Cell” can be used in order to graphically detect the cell but not
the neighbor(s) on the screen.

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Actix Radioplan Automatic Neighbor Planning (ANP) Guide Working with Neighbor Lists 10

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Actix Radioplan Automatic Neighbor Planning (ANP) Guide Automatic Neighbor List Optimization 11

3 Automatic Neighbor List Optimization

3.1 Introduction to Layer Groups
The automatic neighbor list optimization module can perform automatic allocation of
neighbors within one layer group (Intra-Layer) and to a second layer group (Inter-Layer).
A layer group is defined by one or more network layers and it has been introduced to give
the user a maximum on flexibility on managing cells within multiple network technology
layers.
In a single process step, the Radioplan ANP can determine optimal neighbor settings within
one layer group and to another cross-layer group. All neighbors defined within the cross-
layer or defined to further network layer groups will not be changed. If the network does
contain multiple technologies, carriers etc, the user can perform multiple neighbor
allocation exercises in an incremental process, e.g.:
1 Optimize UMTS carrier 1 (intra layer) and GSM frequency band 1800 (cross layer)
2 Optimize GSM frequency band 1800 (intra-layer) and GSM frequency band 900
(cross layer)
3 Optimize GSM frequency band 900 (intra layer) without selecting a cross layer
This is clearly only an example but it demonstrates the idea of optimizing neighbors in
complex network topologies.

3.2 Neighbor List Optimization – Layer Groups

First the user has to configure certain parameters that tell the Radioplan ANP how to
allocate and optimize neighbors. The Neighbor List Optimization Settings Dialog can be
opened by using Tools->Neighbor Lists->Automatic Update…
In this dialog the user can select one or more network layers from all available network
layers that form an Intra-Layer group (upper list box). In the example as shown in Fig. 3-1
only UMTS Carrier 0 is selected as Intra-Layer group, i.e. the layer group is identical with
the network layer UMTS::0::Default.
Optionally the user can activate the check box “Enable Cross-Layer List Optimization” and
then one or more network layers can be selected that form a Cross-Layer group. In the
example above the cross layer is identical to UMTS::1::Default.
If the user selects network layers within one group that belong to different technologies,
an error message will inform the user that this grouping of network layers within one
group is not possible.
In the lower part of the dialog a filter polygon and a pixel resolution can be chosen. These
settings are used for the area and the resolution of the internally generated interference
matrices and drive survey analysis and they are valid for both intra- and inter-layer
neighbor list allocation algorithms.
If the checkbox “Keep Matrices in Memory for Plot Analysis” is activated (default), all
interference matrices generated in the network optimization processing are kept in
memory to allow a graphical analysis of the overlapping areas of respective neighbors in
the results analysis as described in Section 3.4.

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Actix Radioplan Automatic Neighbor Planning (ANP) Guide Automatic Neighbor List Optimization 12

Fig. 3-1. Neighbor List Optimization Dialog

3.3 Neighbor List Optimization – Settings

The Settings… button opens a further dialog that contains various options that define how
neighbors will be allocated.

Fig. 3-2. Neighbor List Optimization – Layer Settings Dialog

The dialog is divided into two sections, where the upper part contains all possible settings
for the intra-layer settings and the lower part contains further options for the inter-layer
neighbor allocation. The lower part is only active if network layers for inter-layer neighbor
optimization have been selected in the previous dialog.

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Actix Radioplan Automatic Neighbor Planning (ANP) Guide Automatic Neighbor List Optimization 13

Preferred settings can be stored in the Windows registry by using the “Save as Defaults”
button. Except the result set all parameters will be re-initialized from the default settings
then if the dialog is opened again.

3.3.1 Intra-Layer Settings

In the intra-layer settings section, following options are available:

• Max. Neighbors: This is the maximum number of neighbors that can be added to
an intra-layer neighbor list. If the algorithm does detect more neighbors, these
neighbors will be presented in the results, but all neighbors that exceed this limit
are switched off automatically i.e. they will not be added to the neighbor list per
default.

• Max. Distance: This is the maximum distance of the area around the respective
cell given in meters that is considered to allocate neighbor relations. This threshold
is used for both intra- and inter-layer neighbor allocation.

• Force Symmetry: If this checkbox is active, the Radioplan ANP does

automatically add reverse neighbors in order to maintain symmetry between
neighbors within an intra-layer group. Any newly added neighbors allocated by
symmetry will exceed the Max. Neighbors threshold will be shown in the results
but will be switched off by default.

• Reset Neighbors: If this checkbox is active, any existing neighbors will be

highlighted by the “Remove” action, but they are still listed in the results. This
provides a better flexibility to manually validate by the user if an existing neighbor
relation shall be removed from the list. In summary this option does not hide
existing neighbors, but the recommendation for keeping it or removing it depends
on it.

• Predictions: If this checkbox is active, neighbors will be allocated by using

predictions. If it is inactive no predictions will be used for neighbor list allocation.
Some further parameters define how neighbors will be detected by using
predictions:
▫ Min. Rx Power Threshold [dBm]: All signal reception levels (GSM RxLev,
UMTS RSCP etc.) that are equal or above this threshold will be considered.
▫ Max. Cell Overlap Margin [dB]: All non-best cell reception levels detected
within this margin in the best serving cell area or the current cell will be
generally considered as neighbor candidates.
▫ Min. Cell Overlap Ratio [%]: This threshold defines how large the overlap
area within the Cell Overlap Margin needs to be in order to consider this
neighbor as a candidate. The cell overlap ratio is defined as the predicted
number of overlapping pixels within the best serving cell area (but limited
by the Max Distance threshold) divided by the predicted entire best serving
cell area multiplied by 100.

• Measurements: If this checkbox is active, neighbors will be allocated by using

drive test measurements. If it is inactive no measurements will be used for
neighbor list allocation. Some further parameters define how neighbors will be
detected by using measurements:
▫ Min. Rx Power Threshold [dBm]: All measured signal reception levels (GSM
RxLev, UMTS RSCP etc) that are equal or above this threshold will be
considered.

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Actix Radioplan Automatic Neighbor Planning (ANP) Guide Automatic Neighbor List Optimization 14

▫ Max. Cell Overlap Margin [dB]: All non-best cell reception levels detected
within this margin in the best serving cell area or the current cell will be
generally considered as neighbor candidates.
▫ Min. Cell Overlap Ratio [%]: This threshold defines how large the overlap
area within the Cell Overlap Margin needs to be in order to consider this
neighbor as a candidate. The cell overlap ratio is defined as the measured
number of overlapping pixels within the measured best serving cell area
(but limited by the Max Distance threshold) divided by the entire best
serving cell area multiplied by 100.
▫ Available Measurement Result Sets: The user can select one or more result
sets that contain drive test measurements for the respective network
technology (e.g. GSM measurements). It is also possible to pick results
sets from other projects in case they have been imported into another
project which is part of the same database.

• Counter (Info): In the counter section results from imported counter data can be
selected. Counters will not be used for neighbor list detection, however, the
selected counters will be shown as additional columns in the results dialog as
described in Section . It is possible to select multiple counters. The user has to
ensure that the counter information does contain values for cell to cell relations,
e.g. handover attempts etc. Counters can also be selected from foreign projects.
If both predictions and measurements are deactivated, the Radioplan ANP does only add
neighbors by symmetry (if activated). If all checkboxes are deactivated, the neighbors
within the intra-layer are not changed at all. This is helpful if only inter-layer relations shall
be determined.

3.3.2 Inter-Layer Settings

In addition to intra-layer neighbor allocation, the Radioplan ANP does support the
detection of potential inter-layer neighbors. In order to enable this cross-layer neighbor
optimization option, the checkbox “Enable Cross-Layer Neighbor Optimization” must be
active and at least one cross-layer must be selected in the dialog as shown in Fig. 3-1.
In the inter-layer settings section, following options are available:

• Max. Neighbors: This is the maximum number of neighbors that can be added to
an intra-layer neighbor list. If the algorithm does detect more neighbors, these
neighbors will be presented in the results, but all neighbors that exceed this limit
are switched off automatically i.e. they will not be added to the neighbor list per
default.

• Reset Neighbors: If this checkbox is active, any existing neighbors will be

highlighted by the “Remove” action, but they are still listed in the results. This
provides a better flexibility to manually validate by the user if an existing neighbor
relation shall be removed from the list. In summary this option does not hide
existing neighbors, but the recommendation for keeping it or removing it depends
on it.

• Predictions: If this checkbox is active, neighbors will be allocated by using

predictions of the inter-layer. The algorithm creates an interference matrix grid,
where for each pixel all neighbor candidates are added that meet the criteria as
detailed below. Finally, all detected neighbor candidates will be evaluated as
potential inter-layer neighbors by using the predicted best serving cell areas of the
intra layer. Predictions of the intra-layer will always be compared against
predictions of the inter-layer. If it check box is inactive or no predictions are
calculated for the intra-layer, no predictions will be used for inter-neighbor list
allocation. Some further parameters define how neighbors will be detected by
using predictions within the inter-layer:

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Actix Radioplan Automatic Neighbor Planning (ANP) Guide Automatic Neighbor List Optimization 15

▫ Min. Rx Power Threshold [dBm]: All signal reception levels (GSM RxLev,
UMTS RSCP etc) that are equal or above this threshold will be considered.
▫ Max. Cell Overlap Margin [dB]: All non-best cell reception levels detected
within this margin in the best serving cell area or the current cell will be
generally considered as inter-layer neighbor candidates.
▫ Min. Cell Overlap Ratio [%]: This threshold defines how large the overlap
area within the Cell Overlap Margin needs to be in order to consider this
neighbor as a candidate. The cell overlap ratio is defined as the predicted
number of overlapping pixels within the best serving cell area (but limited
by the Max Distance threshold) divided by the predicted entire best serving
cell area multiplied by 100. The Cell Overlap Margin is always calculated
based on the best serving cell’s coverage within the inter-layer.

• Measurements: If this checkbox is active, neighbors will be allocated by using

drive test measurements. Drive test measurements of the inter-layer will always
be compared against best serving cells based on drive tests calculated for the
intra-layer. If this check box is inactive or no measurements are taken into account
for the intra-layer, no measurements will be used for neighbor list allocation. Some
further parameters define how neighbors will be detected by using measurements:
▫ Min. Rx Power Threshold [dBm]: All measured signal reception levels (GSM
RxLev, UMTS RSCP etc) that are equal or above this threshold will be
considered.
▫ Max. Cell Overlap Margin [dB]: All non-best cell reception levels detected
within this margin in the best serving cell area or the current cell will be
generally considered as neighbor candidates.
▫ Min. Cell Overlap Ratio [%]: This threshold defines how large the overlap
area within the Cell Overlap Margin needs to be in order to consider this
neighbor as a candidate. The cell overlap ratio is defined as the measured
number of overlapping pixels within the measured best serving cell area
(but limited by the Max Distance threshold) divided by the entire best
serving cell area multiplied by 100.
▫ Available Measurement Result Sets: The user can select one or more result
sets that contain drive test measurements for the respective network
technology (e.g. GSM measurements). It is also possible to pick results
sets from other projects in case they have been imported into another
project which is part of the same database.

• Counter (Info): In the counter section results from imported counter data can be
selected similar to the intra-layer section. Counters will not be used for neighbor
list detection, however, the selected counters will be shown as additional columns
in the results dialog as described in Section .
If both predictions and measurements are deactivated, the Radioplan ANP does only add
neighbors by symmetry (if activated). If all checkboxes are deactivated, the neighbors
within the intra-layer are not changed at all. This is helpful if only inter-layer relations shall
be determined.

The Radioplan ANP does always compare intra-layer

predictions versus inter-layer predictions and intra-layer
measurements versus inter-layer measurements. Therefore
this methodology can be used to determine neighbors just
based on predictions, or just based on measurements, or
by a combination of both.

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Actix Radioplan Automatic Neighbor Planning (ANP) Guide Automatic Neighbor List Optimization 16

In particular the determination of neighbors only by using

drive test measurements is important for exercises where
the network configuration is imported from switch data and
no predictions imported from a planning tool are available.

3.4 Neighbor List Optimization – Results

After pressing OK in the dialog as shown in Fig. 3-1 the neighbor list allocation processing
is started. Depending on the area size, settings, and number of network elements this
process can take several minutes.
The user can interrupt the calculations by pressing ESC.
Once the neighbor list allocation has been completed, a dialog is shown that provides the
results of the neighbor list allocation.

Fig. 3-3. Neighbor List Results Dialog

The results are shown in a single spread sheet that can be easily copied into Excel in order
to perform some further post-processing. However, the dialog contains various helpful
functions and information in order to investigate the results in more detail.
The following columns shown in this dialog:

• NB Index: This is an index (or priority) beginning with zero for each cell and
neighbor type. Neighbors are sorted according to their priority while the candidates
with highest priority are shown on the top of each list.

• Cell: This is the reference cell.

• Neighbor Count: This is the number of neighbors that have been detected. If the
number of neighbors does exceed the max. neighbors limit, this number

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Actix Radioplan Automatic Neighbor Planning (ANP) Guide Automatic Neighbor List Optimization 17

represents the maximum possible number of neighbors but further neighbor

candidates are shown in the list highlighted with the “DO NOT ADD” action.

• Neighbor Cell: This is the neighbor cell.

• Neighbor Type: This is the type of the neighbor which can be INTRA (within an
intra layer group), INTER (relation between intra and cross-layer), or UNKNOWN in
case where the neighbor cell does not belong to any network layer of the project.
The user can edit this column.

• ACTION: This column defines how the relation is handled if the user confirms the
new neighbor list. The following options are available and the user can edit this
column:
▫ RETAIN: The neighbor was available in the original neighbor list and the
algorithm recommends to retain this neighbor. Note that neighbors that
refer to a foreign cell that is not part of the project e.g. it is located outside
of the project area will always be maintained. The user has to manually
change the action to “REMOVE” to remove this candidate from the list.
▫ REMOVE: The neighbor was available in the original neighbor list and the
algorithm recommends to remove this neighbor. This recommendation is
only shown if the “Reset Neighbors” option was selected in the Neighbor
List Layer Settings, see Fig. 3-2.
▫ ADD: A new neighbor is detected and it is recommended to add this
neighbor.
▫ DO NOT ADD: A new neighbor is detected but the maximum number of
possible neighbors does not allow to add this further neighbor to the list.
The user can manually set the “REMOVE” action to existing neighbors and
change the action to “ADD” for this relationship if required.

• Permanent: This checkbox is activated for all neighbors declared as permanent in

the database.

• Colocated: The neighbor is a co-located cell on the same site.

• In Predictions: If this checkbox is active, the neighbor has been detected using
predictions.

• Overlap in Predictions [%]: This is the overlap ratio given in percent as

determined by analyzing predictions.

• Overlap in Predictions [Bins]: This is the overlap ratio given in bins (pixels) as
determined by analyzing predictions.

• In Measurements: If this checkbox is active, the neighbor has been detected

using measurements.

• Overlap in Measurements [%]: This is the overlap ratio given in percent as

determined by analyzing measurements.

• Overlap in Measurements [Bins]: This is the overlap ratio given in bins (pixels)
as determined by analyzing measurements.

• Symmetry: This checkbox indicated if the neighbor relation is symmetrical.

• Distance: This is the distance between the reference cell and the neighbor cell.

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Actix Radioplan Automatic Neighbor Planning (ANP) Guide Automatic Neighbor List Optimization 18

• Additional Columns: If counter data has been selected for further analysis, the
SUM of the values for each relation and counter are shown in the dialog. The
values have no impact on the detected neighbors, but they shall help the user to
make informed adjustments on the neighbors that shall be added, kept, or
potentially removed.
The Analysis Plots menu button has 3 options:

• Plot Neighbors: The neighbors of the currently selected cell are plotted on the
map. Changes made by the user will have immediate effect on the neighbor plot:

Fig. 3-4. Neighbor relations as detected by the algorithm are shown on the map.

• Plot Interference (Predictions): The interference area of the currently selected

neighbor relation based on predictions detected by the algorithm is plotted on the
map. This graphical analysis settings is only available if the option “Keep
Interference Matrices in Memory” was selected, see Section 3.2.

Fig. 3-5. Predicted Overlap Area for a Neighbor Relation

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Actix Radioplan Automatic Neighbor Planning (ANP) Guide Automatic Neighbor List Optimization 19

• Plot Interference (Measurements): The interference area of the currently

selected neighbor relation based on drive test measurements detected by the
algorithm is plotted on the map. This graphical analysis settings is only available if
the option “Keep Interference Matrices in Memory” was selected, see Section 3.2:

Fig. 3-6. Measured Overlap Area for a Neighbor Relation

The optimized neighbor lists can be stored into the database by using the OK button. If the
user presses Cancel, no changes in the database will be made and all results are
discarded.

3.5 Description of the Algorithm to Prioritize Neighbors

In this section the algorithm is described that is used to prioritize neighbors in relation to
each other. The following list shows how neighbors are prioritized, where Priority 1 has the
highest priority:

• Intra-Layer neighbor allocation:

▫ Priority 1: Neighbors detected as colocated neighbors, i.e. cells located on
the same site.
▫ Priority 2: Unknown neighbors i.e. where no cell is found in the project.
▫ Priority 3: Permanent neighbors.
▫ Priority 4: Existing neighbors that shall be retained, i.e. the Reset
Neighbors option is not set.
▫ Priority 5: Neighbors detected by predictions and where the overlap ratio is
above the given threshold. The overlap ratio is also used to sort neighbors
having this priority.
▫ Priority 6: Neighbors detected by measurements and where the overlap
ratio is above the given threshold. The overlap ratio is also used to sort
neighbors having this priority.
▫ Priority 7: Neighbors added to maintain symmetrical (i.e. two way)
relationships.
▫ Priority 8: Distance to a neighbor.

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• Inter-Layer neighbor allocation

▫ Priority 1: Neighbors detected as collocated neighbors, i.e. cells located on
the same site.
▫ Priority 2: Unknown neighbors i.e. where no cell is found in the project.
▫ Priority 3: Permanent neighbors.
▫ Priority 4: Existing neighbors that shall be retained, i.e. the Reset
Neighbors option is not set.
▫ Priority 5: Neighbor candidates detected by predictions within the inter-
layer interference matrix limited by minimum Rx power threshold, overlap
margin, and overlap ratio. Those neighbor candidates will be evaluated
within the predicted best serving cell area of the respective cell given by
the predicted intra-layer interference matrix.
▫ Priority 6: Neighbor candidates detected by measurements within the
inter-layer interference matrix limited by minimum Rx power threshold,
overlap margin, and overlap ratio. Those neighbor candidates will be
evaluated within the measured best serving cell area of the respective cell
given by the measured intra-layer interference matrix. The overlap ratio is
also used to sort neighbors having this priority.
▫ Priority 7: Distance to a neighbor.
A higher priority always supersedes lower priorities. For example, if a co-located neighbor
relation is detected, all non co-located neighbors having a lower priority. Subsequent
priorities are used to sort neighbors that have the same priority. For example, if neighbors
are detected by symmetry, the distance to the neighboring cell is used to sort these
neighbors.

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