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Course Objective: Duration:

By the end of the course, you will be able to use Mentum Planet to complete GSM network planning and optimization tasks. 1.5 days

Prerequisite Knowledge: You should be able to: Use a computer and a mouse. Use standard Windows functionality such as browsing, copy and paste as well as how to access shortcut menus. Use basic Microsoft Excel functions. Use basic MapInfo functions (not required, but strongly recommended).

You should also have an understanding of basic RF concepts and the GSM technology.

Since some discussions about Mentum Planet can consume class time, your instructor will create a parking lot of discussion topics to address at a later time. Your questions are important, and your instructor is committed to addressing them appropriately. The activities you will complete as part of this class use a sample project and dataset. The dataset is for a fictitious city, named Glenville Springs. The dataset includes: High-resolution geodata (heights and clutter) Major and minor street vectors Sites modeled for best coverage and interference reduction

Your involvement in class is critical for you and others to benefit most from this course. Please maintain the appropriate classroom etiquette.

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When you obtained your Mentum Planet license, you also gained access to multiple sources of help. You can find help about using Mentum Planet features from: Mentum Planet User Guides, Application Notes, and Technical Notes Context-sensitive online Help with access to the Customer Care Knowledge Base Customer Care Self-Serve Portal The Customer Care Centers, a staff of experts in Mentum Planet use.

The MapInfo Professional User Guide is also available in the MapInfo\Documentation folder. The MapInfo online Help system can be accessed by choosing Help Help Topics MapInfo. MapInfo functionality, however, is not part of the Mentum Planet online Help system and must be searched separately.

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The workflow you follow will depend on your requirements and your work practices. The workflow illustrated is intended to be a general high-level workflow. Steps in the workflow covered in this class are displayed in yellow.

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The MP501 class is part of the Mentum Planet curriculum and is intended to be followed by the MP507 class, which covers steps 11 to 19 of the workflow. Time permitting, the MP502 class will also cover how to customize Mentum Planet using extensions.

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Mentum Planet includes the Network overlay tool which allow for users to build overlay networks of different technologies based on an existing dataset, i.e. LTE from an existing cdma2000 network, this can be useful for saving much time and simplifying new network design from current infrastructure. The Network Tool is accessed through the tool menu within Planet Menu>Tools>Network overlay Tool The Tool is a wizard based tool that will guide you through importing the site data from previous versions of Planet including Planet 3.3 and Planet 4.5 as well as the current version for the 5.x platform.

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Traffic maps provide data about the geographical distribution of subscriber traffic in a network. You can generate a traffic map from demographic data, such as population census data, or from network data. When planning a network, you can use demographic data to estimate subscriber numbers. The variation in subscriber density across the network coverage area is likely to be similar to the variation in population density. When optimizing an existing network, you can base your traffic map on network data that reflects the actual usage patterns in the network. To create a traffic map 1.In the Operation Data category, right-click Traffic Maps and choose New. For more information, see Working with Traffic Maps in the Mentum Planet User Guide.

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Using the Network Data Import Wizard, you can import data collected from network switching equipment, which contains information about the network configuration and performance. Using network data gives you the opportunity to get an up-to-date picture of how the network is performing. The Wizard takes you through the steps required to create a connection between the data gathered by the switches and the sectors in your project. You can bind network data on any field associated with a sector provided that the field is unique. Before you can create a traffic map from network data, you must generate signal strength predictions for the sectors specified in the network data. You can display the network data in a Map window and generate a reports. Network Data can be used as an input to the sector display scheme engine in Mentum Planet to visualize the data graphically within the Map window. Because subscribers use services differently in different places, you must create a traffic map for each service type. Traffic maps help the simulation tool determine where to place subscribers. The following slides will show you one method for generating a traffic map.

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Using the Network Data Import Wizard, you can import data collected from network switching equipment, which contains information about the network configuration and performance. Using network data gives you the opportunity to get an up-to-date picture of how the network is performing. The Wizard takes you through the steps required to create a connection between the data gathered by the switches and the sectors in your project. You can bind network data on any field associated with a sector provided that the field is unique. Before you can create a traffic map from network data, you must generate signal strength predictions for the sectors specified in the network data. You can display the network data in a Map window and generate a reports. Network Data can be used as an input to the sector display scheme engine in Mentum Planet to visualize the data graphically within the Map window. Because subscribers use services differently in different places, you must create a traffic map for each service type. Traffic maps help the simulation tool determine where to place subscribers. The following slides will show you one method for generating a traffic map.

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Sector Display Schemes can be built for imported data to be visualized within the Planet interface.

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Network Data is available for most operators and can be used by Mentum Planet for traffic studies and loading for Monte Carlo Simulations many other methods and data sources can be used by Planet, the Traffic Map generation wizard is designed to guide the user in traffic map generation and the function is similar no mater what the input source to the data. Traffic map generation is accessed via the Project Data Category Right Clicking on Traffic Map and choose New. NOTE: Before generating a traffic map, ensure you have defined penetration losses in the Environment Editor. Signals considered in traffic map generation are attenuated using the defined penetration losses, the frequency band of the sector and the clutter class of each bin. In 5.3 the Traffic Map Generator has been redesigned: * New user interface and workflows * Support for an indoor/outdoor ratio (including support for 3D geodata) * Support for service probability algorithm (the algorithms available in previous versions of Mentum Planet can still be used)

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Options for Data source input include:-

Regions Vectors Existing Classified Grid (MapInfo Grid file) Network imported data file (Excel or CSV) Weighting When you merge a vector file with a clutter grid, you can include significant sources of traffic represented by vectors, such as major roads, in your clutter weighting. Input Data Unit Erlangs Subscribers Kbps (Kilobytes per second) Output Data Unit Erlangs/km Subscribers/km Kbps/km

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Use Pre-Bound Network Data Traffic Data Columnchoose from this list the column in the chosen pre-bound network data table that contains the traffic count data. Traffic-Spreading Algorithm Best Serving Coverage Gridchoose this option to define a classified grid that contains the BSC grid with which to generate a traffic map. On-The-Fly Best Server Coverage Grid Generationchoose this option to generate a best server coverage grid. The generated best server grid will be used to distribute traffic data. Sector Service Probabilitieschoose this option to generate the traffic map using sector service probabilities.

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Sector Service Probabilities algorithm is to delineate the area over which signal coverage probabilities are to be calculated by specifying the sectors to include in the traffic map generation and the thresholds to respect. Use the Band Filtering section to choose the bands upon which you want to create a subset of sites.

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If you choose to Apply Clutter Weighting you can also redistribute traffic values according to the type of clutter in each region. The result is a more realistic prediction of where your traffic loading will occur.

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Resultant traffic maps can be used in Monte Carlo simulations and Analysis. Also as part of statistical analysis.

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Using an area grid can help with analysis and statistics by targeting the area of interest.

Using the embedded MapInfo. GIS system allows for many enhancements within Planet.

Planet includes an Areas Tool to create GRC files from MapInfo polygons in one simple operation. These GRC files can be used to define areas of interest for simulation, analysis and statistics. They are also used by some 3rd Party tools to define areas (Optimization region by Capesso for instance)

By generating and examining the outputs, you can estimate the coverage, quality, and capacity of your network.

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To streamline your workflow when you use the same settings for a number of analyses, you can define default analysis settings. To generate a network analysis 1. In category Network Analyses, right-click TDMA-FDMA Analyses and choose New, 2. Right-click the analysis node youve just created and choose Generate, 3. Input the name and description of the Network Analysis,

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To generate a Network Analysis 1. In the Network Analysis Setup Wizard select the site/sectors that will be modeled in this Network Analysis 2. Click Next select the Frequency Band to be modeled

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GSM Network Analyses generation options include: Best Server options -additional Nth Best Server layer computation, - Best Server Limits reference Interference computation options -Interference thresholds definition, - Carriers to take into account. BER/FER options - BER reference curve and C/I layer used as input, - FER reference curve and C/I layer used as input.

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GSM Network Analyses generation options include: Traffic selection options Coverage computation options - coverage probability layer computation inputs, - GPRS/E-GPRS reference C/I layer used for CS/MCS allocation, - Service coverage layers options, - required mobile power layer computation method. analysis area selection

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Planet GSM has many specialized layers for analyzing network performance.

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To streamline your workflow when you use the same settings for a number of analyses, you can define default analysis settings.

To view network analysis results

1. In the Network Analyses category, select the computed Analysis and select the result that is to be viewed. For more information, see Generating TDMA-FDMA Analyses in the TDMA-FDMA User Guide. For a description of all analysis layers available, see Understanding TDMA-FDMA analysis layers in the TDMA-FDMA User Guide or in the online Help.

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The Mentum Planet toolset includes many features that facilitate post-processing of analysis data. One of these tools is the Layer Statistics Analysis feature. By examining simulation results in detail, you can better evaluate the accuracy of the simulation results and, if necessary make adjustments to the project. To generate layer statistics 1. In the Network Analyses category, right-click an analysis layer, and choose Statistics.

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The workflow you follow will depend on your requirements and your work practices. The workflow illustrated is intended to be a general high-level workflow.

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Network Settings store information related to Frequency Planning: total number of available channels in the Spectrum Allocation, various Carrier Types and their corresponding channels. For more information, see the TDMA-FDMA User Guide.

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The AFP and IFP modules are taking part of their input and constraints (i.e. number and type of channels requested, FH type, forbidden channels, separation constraints, etc) in the GSM Sector settings. For more information, see the TDMA-FDMA User Guide.

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To create an interference matrix 1. In the Project Explorer, in the RF Tools category, right-click Interference Matrices, and choose New. For more information, see Working with Interference Matrices in the Mentum Planet User Guide.

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An interference matrix quantifies how a sector affects every other sector within its prediction distance, in terms of area and traffic. It can provide early visibility of problem areas and is a required input for some tools (e.g., neighbor lists). In Mentum Planet 5, you can only generate a histogram interference matrix, which is based on signal strength predictions (from the propagation model and/or drive test data). It compares C/I values on a bin-by-bin basis using the best server area that is independent of the current serving area. During the histogram generation process, a weighting value is assigned to non best serving areas. Histogram interference matrices account for C/I only at the ground level and do not account for mobile use in buildings. Further, the histogram generation process approximates subscriber traffic locations, unless it is based on a traffic map. For more information, see Working with Interference Matrices in the Mentum Planet User Guide.

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Because sector relationships impact quality and coverage, the details contained in a neighbor list can provide important information about how sites and sectors influence each other. Once you have generated a neighbor list, you can view neighbor relationships graphically in the Map window. You can create multiple neighbor lists for different areas and then compare them or merge them together. To create a neighbor list 1.In the Project Explorer, in the RF Tools category, right-click Neighbor Lists, and choose New. For more information, see Working with Neighbor Lists in the Mentum Planet User Guide.

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Planet 5 allows for Neighbor list handling and creation on one RAN or Multiple RANs Neighbors can be displayed in the map window or in tabular formats.

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The Mentum Planet RF toolset includes an AFP tool. You can choose to save the current plan , make new plans and store them for comparison purposes before applying them. AFP uses Interference Matrix Neighbour and optionally Lists to improve Planning performance and quality. To generate Frequency Plans 1. In the Project Explorer, in the RF Tools category, right-click on GSM Frequency and Color Code Plans and select Automatic Frequency Planning.

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The Mentum Planet RF toolset also includes an Color Code planning tool. This tool takes its input on previously generated Frequency Plans. Soft and Hard constraints may be used to allocate the BSICs. To generate Frequency Plans 1. In the Project Explorer, in the RF Tools category, right-click on GSM Frequency and Color Code Plans and select Color Code Planning.

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The Mentum Planet RF toolset includes an Interactive Frequency Planning module. You can use IFP to manually edit and modify previously generated Frequency Plans. IFP uses stored Frequency Plans, Interference Matrix Neighbour and optionally Lists to improve Planning performance and quality. Frequency allocation costs and violations are displayed in real time according to the selection and choices performed by the user. To generate Frequency Plans 1. In the Project Explorer, in the RF Tools category, right-click on GSM Frequency and Color Code Plans and select Interactive Frequency Planning.

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Any of the stored Frequency Plans may be used to completely or partially update the channel allocation of the Sectors. Update options are broken down per Carrier Type and BSIC update is treated separately.

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Planets also has very advanced Raster engine analysis options using Grid Manager (Vertical Mapper form MapInfo.) there are many tasks that can be done with Grid Manager like: Grid Calculator (allows you to perform mathematical functions on grids) Grid Queries (many SQL style queries can be run to extract specific information form a grid or multiple grids) Grid Maintenance Tools: Splicer, Trimmer, re-projection etc.

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Sometimes, you need to modify the original grid in order for work to progress more efficiently. For example, if you have a grid that covers a geographically large city, but you need to generate a network analysis for only a small area of that city, you can trim the city grid, and create a new grid containing only the relevant area. This is useful when you want to focus an analysis on a particular area. Trimming a grid also reduces the size of a file and, therefore, the time it takes to open a project. To trim a grid 1. Using the Polygon tool, draw a polygon around the area upon which you want to focus. 2. In the Map window, select the area. 3. In the Grid Manager, choose Tools Trimmer. For more information, see Working with the Grid Manager, in the Grid Analysis User Guide.

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Once you have generated network analysis grids, you can use the grid analysis tools available to obtain a more complete picture of what is happening in the network. For example, you can use: The Grid Info tool to query and return grid values from selected The Grid Manager Info feature

locations in the grid file and view the results in a Grid Info dialog box
For more information, see Working with the Grid Manager in the Grid Analysis User Guide.

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In Mentum Planet, there are many ways to obtain information about grids. From the Grid Manager, you can access the Inspection tools and the Grid Calculator. You can also create grid queries.

vector representations of geographic information. For example, Is that group of buildings visible from this tower?.
You can also use the Grid Manager Calculator to apply mathematical functions to grid files. The grid calculator is designed to look and operate like a scientific

You can use these tools to solve problems that are difficult to answer using only

calculator, applying mathematical expressions to one or more grids. Calculations are performed on a bin-by-bin basis for each grid entered in the expression. Generally, this function is used to prepare data for other types of analysis. For example, you can use the grid calculator to produce a composite field strength grid from a series of transmitters relating to one site. This would provide an average value coverage grid for the whole serving area. For more information, see Working with the Grid Manager in the Grid Analysis User Guide.

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How a signal travels over the terrain and is attenuated by obstructions within the Fresnel zone can have important ramifications on the overall performance of your network. You can visualize the path the signal is taking using the Pointto-Point dialog box. You can customize the look and feel of the graph window displayed in the Point-to-Point Profile dialog box and display a legend if required.

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Visualizing network coverage is key to understanding where problems exist in your network. Bringing this information together in a meaningful format is important because many groups within an organization are involved in network deployment and optimization. Mentum Planet enables you to produce many different types of

maps, including coverage maps. Once you have generated output grids, you can organize the grids in a report, which you can print. To do this, you use the Layout features available in MapInfo Professional. To create a print layout

1. Open each file that you want to include in the layout in the Map window. 2. Choose Window New Layout Window. 3. In the New Window Layout dialog box, choose one of the frame options, and click OK. For more information, see Generating Reports in the Mentum Planet User Guide or Opening a Map in a Layout Window in the MapInfo Professional User Guide.

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You can customize Mentum Planet in order to facilitate your everyday work. For example, you could add a command to the Tools menu in Mentum Planet to open a commonly-used reference file or display a web page containing useful information. Using the Extension Manager, you add and organize Planet extension (.pex) files. A .pex file is a zipped folder with a .pex extension. The .pex file must contain the source files along with a structured .xml file. For more information, see the Customizing Mentum Planet Using Extensions Application Note and Customizing Mentum Planet Using the Extension Manager in the Mentum Planet User Guide. Both are available in the Help folder within the Mentum Planet installation folder.

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