Creating a New Atoll Document from a Template

You can create a new Atoll document from a template. Atoll has a template for each technology you will be planning for. Each template provides data and a data structure suitable for the technology. For example, the tables and fields for transmitters as well as the radio parameters available differ according to the project. As well, the objects that are available are appropriate for the technology. For example, UMTS cells are only available in UMTS documents and TRX are only available in GSM-TDMA documents.

If you create a multi-RAT document, Atoll enables you to select the multiple radio technologies you will be planning for. In a multi-RAT document, the data and data structures for each radio technology planned for are made available in the new Atoll document.

Once you have selected the appropriate template for your radio-planning project, you configure the basic parameters of the Atoll document (see "Defining a New Atoll Document" on page 94).

- EDGE (Enhanced Data for Global Evolution): EDGE is an advancement for GSM/GPRS networks that triples data rates. Because it is based on existing GSM technology, it allows for a smooth upgrade for GSM operators, giving them capabilities approaching those of a 3G network, while remaining with the existing 2G system. Two types of EDGE are considered: standard EDGE (also called EGPRS) and EDGE Evolution (EGPRS2).

• CDMA2000 1xRTT 1xEV-DO: This template can be used to model third generation (3G) mobile telecommunications based on CDMA2000 technology. CDMA2000 is an evolution of CDMA, or code division multiple access. This template can be used to model the following technologies:

- 1xRTT (1 Radio Transmission Technology): 1xRTT is sometimes considered not as 3G but as 2.5G in terms of mobile telecommunications. It offers increased voice capacity as compared to 2G technologies, but not as much as pure 3G solutions.

- 1xEV-DO (1x Evolution - Data Only): 1xEV-DO is an evolution of CDMA2000 that provides data transfer rates of over 10 times those of 1xRTT. It is considered a 3G solution and addresses, as its name suggests, data only. • UMTS HSPA: UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) and HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access)

and HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access), collectively referred to as HSPA, are third generation (3G) mobile tel- ecommunication systems based on WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) technology. Although WCDMA is similar in implementation to CDMA, the two technologies are incompatible. UMTS and HSPA are usually imple- mented in place and over GSM networks.

• TD-SCDMA: TD-SCDMA (Time Division Synchronous CDMA) is a 3G mobile telecommunication system based on Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode. TD-SCDMA transmits uplink and downlink traffic in the same frame in different time slots.

• WiMAX: Atoll WiMAX is a state-of-the-art WiMAX and Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) network planning tool developed in cooperation with world-leading WiMAX equipment suppliers. Atoll WiMAX supports IEEE 802.16e. • LTE: This template can be used to model the new fourth generation (4G) networks based on the UTRAN LTE (UMTS

Terrestrial Radio Access Networks’ Long Term Evolution) specifications proposed by the 3GPP. Atoll LTE is strictly fol- lows the latest 3GPP LTE specifications, and has been developed in collaboration with the market-leading equipment manufacturers. Atoll LTE is the first and most comprehensive LTE network planning tool available on the market. • 3GPP Multi-RAT: This template can be used to model the most common multi-technology multiple technology

projects. When starting a new 3GPP multi-RAT project, Atoll allows you to select which radio technologies will be mod- elled in the same project: GSM, UMTS, and LTE.

2.2.1.2 Creating a New Atoll Document from a Template

To create a new document from a template:

1. Select File > New > From a Document Template. The Project Templates dialogue appears.

2. Select the template on which you want to base your document and click OK. Atoll creates a new document based on the template selected.

- If the template you selected was "Multi-RAT," Atoll displays a dialogue enabling you to select the radio technolo- gies you want to model in the new document: GSM, UMTS, or LTE.

Figure 2.1 shows a new Atoll document based on the UMTS HSPA template. The Network tab of the Explorer window now has a folder structure suitable for a UMTS HSPA radio-planning project, with, among other UMTS-specific elements, UMTS HSPA HSPA simulations. Figure 2.2 shows the contents of the Geo tab of the new document. Figure 2.3 shows the contents of the Parameters tab, with other UMTS HSPA parameters. The Antennas folder is expanded to show the UMTS-compatible antennas suggested by Atoll. These can be modified or replaced.

The multi-RAT template can also be used to create a GSM, UMTS, or LTE single-RAT document. By using the multi-RAT template to create a single-RAT document, you will have the flexibility of being able to add additional technologies to the document in the future.

When you create an Atoll document from a template, the document is not connected to a database. To verify whether the document is connected to a database:

• Select Document > Database > Connection Properties. The dialogue in Figure 2.4 appears.

Figure 2.1: New Atoll document based on a template

Figure 2.2: New Atoll document — Geo Tab Figure 2.3: New Atoll document — Parameters tab

2.2.1.3.1

Projection and Display Coordinate Systems

In Atoll, you define the two coordinate systems for each Atoll document: the projection coordinate system and the display coordinate system. By default, the same coordinate system is used for both.

A projection is a method for producing all or part of a round body on a flat sheet. This projection cannot be done without distortion, thus the cartographer must choose the characteristic (distance, direction, scale, area or shape) which is to be shown appropriately at the expense of the other characteristics, or he must compromise on several characteristics1. The projected zones are referenced using cartographic coordinates (meter, yard, etc.).

Two projection systems are widely used:

• The Lambert Conformal-Conic projection: a portion of the earth is mathematically projected on a cone conceptually secant at one or two standard parallels. This projection type is useful for representing countries or regions that lay primarily east to west.

• The Universal Transverse Mercator projection (UTM): a portion of the earth is mathematically projected on a cylinder tangent to a meridian (which is transverse or crosswise to the equator). This projection type is useful for mapping large areas that are oriented north-south.

A geographic system is not a projection, but a representation of a location on the earth's surface from geographic coordinates (degree-minute-second or grade) giving the latitude and longitude in relation to the origin meridian (Paris for the NTF system and Greenwich for the ED50 system). The locations in the geographic system can be converted into other projections. Atoll has databases including more than 980 international coordinate system references, a database based on the European Petroleum Survey Group and another one regrouping only France's coordinate systems. Atoll uses the cartographic coordi- nate systems for projection and either cartographic or geographic coordinate systems for display.

The maps displayed in the workspace are referenced with the same projection system as the imported geographic data files; thus, the projection system depends on the imported geographic file. By choosing a specific display system, you can see (using the rulers or status bars) the location of sites on the map in a coordinate system different from the projection coordinate system. You can also position on the map sites referenced in the display system: the coordinates are automatically converted from the projection system to the display system and the site is displayed on the map.

In Figure 2.5, the Brussels geographic data file has been imported. The map shows Brussels projected using the cartographic UTM system (coordinates in metres). On the other hand, site coordinates are stated in the geographic WGS 84 system (coor- dinates in degrees-minutes-seconds).

1. Snyder, John. P., Map Projections Used by the US Geological Survey, 2nd Edition, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 313 pages, 1982.

2.2.1.3.2

Setting a Coordinate System

Because you are working with maps, you must set a coordinate system for your Atoll document. By default, projection and display coordinate systems are the same, but you can choose a different display coordinate system if you want.

To define the coordinate system:

1. Select Document > Properties. The Properties dialogue appears.

2. On the Coordinates tab, click the Browse button ( ) to the right of the Projection field. The Coordinate Systems dialogue appears.

3. In the Coordinate Systems dialogue, select a catalogue from the Find in list. For the projection system, only carto- graphic systems ( ) are available.

4. Select a coordinate system from the list.

5. Click OK. The selected coordinate system appears in the Projection field and, by default, in the Display field as well. 6. If you wish to set a different coordinate system for the display, click the Browse button ( ) to the right of the

Display field and repeat step 3. to step 5. For the display system, both cartographic systems (identified by the symbol) and geographic systems ( ) are available.

2.2.1.3.3

Selecting the Degree Display Format

Atoll can display longitude and latitude in four different formats. For example: • 26°56’29.9’’N

• 26d56m29.9sN • 26.93914N • +26.93914

To change the degree display format:

1. Select Document > Properties. The Properties dialogue appears.

Figure 2.5: UTM system used with WGS 84 system

All imported raster geographic files must be use the same cartographic system. If not, you must convert them to a single cartographic system.

If you frequently use a particular coordinate system you can add it to a catalogue of favourites by clicking Add to Favourites.

1. Select Document > Properties. The Properties dialogue appears. 2. On the Units tab, select the desired unit for the following measurements:

- Antenna Gain - Transmission - Reception - Distance - Height and Offset - Temperature 3. Click OK.