Atoll 3.1.0 User Manual LTE

v e r s i o n 3.1.0

LTE

Forsk USA Office

200 South Wacker Drive Suite 3100 Chicago, IL 60606 USA sales_us@forsk.com +1 312 674 4846 +1 312 674 4847 support_us@forsk.com +1 888 GoAtoll (+1 888 462 8655) 8.00 am to 8.00 pm (EST) Monday - Friday

Forsk Head Office

7 rue des Briquetiers 31700 Blagnac France sales@forsk.com +33 (0) 562 747 210 +33 (0) 562 747 211 helpdesk@forsk.com +33 (0) 562 747 225 9.00 am to 6.00 pm (CET) Monday - Friday

Forsk China Office

Suite 302, 3/F, West Tower, Jiadu Commercial Building, No.66 Jianzhong Road, Tianhe Hi-Tech Industrial Zone, Guangzhou, 510665,

People’s Republic of China

enquiries@forsk.com.cn +86 20 8553 8938 +86 20 8553 8285 atollsupport@forsk.com.cn +86 20 8557 0016 9.00 am to 5.30 pm (GMT+8) Monday - Friday

& optimisation software

Atoll 3.1.0 User Manual Release AT310_UML_E0

©

The software described in this document is provided under a licence agreement. The software may only be used or copied under the terms and conditions of the licence agreement. No part of this document may be copied, reproduced or distributed in any form without prior authorisation from Forsk.

The product or brand names mentioned in this document are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective registering parties.

The Atoll user documentation is a guide and reference for users working with Atoll. Atoll is easy to use and offers a clear, self-explanatory user interface. The user documentation helps the user make effective and efficient use of all the features that Atoll offers. The user documentation aims to familiarise the user with the working environment of Atoll and enable him to use all of Atoll’s features and functions.

The Atoll user documentation is technology-specific. For each Atoll radio technology, the Atoll user manual contains instructions and information specific to that technology as well as chapters describing the Atoll working environment and the tools available.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

1

The Working Environment

1.1 The Atoll Work Area . . . 15

1.1.1 Working with Document Windows. . . 16

1.1.2 Docking or Floating an Atoll Window . . . 16

1.2 The Explorer Window . . . 17

1.2.1 Working with the Explorer Window Tabs . . . 17

1.2.2 Displaying or Hiding Objects on the Map Using the Explorer. . . 18

1.2.3 Working with Layers Using the Explorer . . . 19

1.3 Working with Objects . . . 19

1.3.1 Using the Object Context Menu . . . 19

1.3.1.1 Renaming an Object . . . 19

1.3.1.2 Deleting an Object . . . 20

1.3.1.3 Displaying the Properties of an Object . . . 20

1.3.2 Modifying Sites and Transmitters Directly on the Map . . . 21

1.3.2.1 Selecting One of Several Transmitters . . . 21

1.3.2.2 Moving a Site Using the Mouse . . . 21

1.3.2.3 Moving a Site to a Higher Location . . . 21

1.3.2.4 Changing the Azimuth of the Antenna Using the Mouse . . . 22

1.3.2.5 Changing the Antenna Position Relative to the Site Using the Mouse. . . 22

1.3.3 Display Properties of Objects . . . 23

1.3.3.1 Defining the Display Properties of Objects . . . 23

1.3.3.2 Examples of Using the Display Properties of Objects . . . 28

1.4 Working with Maps . . . 29

1.4.1 Changing the Map Scale . . . 29

1.4.1.1 Zooming In and Out . . . 29

1.4.1.2 Zooming In on a Specific Area . . . 30

1.4.1.3 Choosing a Scale . . . 30

1.4.1.4 Changing Between Previous Zoom Levels . . . 30

1.4.2 Moving the Map in the Document Window . . . 30

1.4.3 Using the Panoramic Window. . . 30

1.4.4 Centring the Map Window on an Object . . . 31

1.4.5 Centring the Map Window on a Table Record. . . 31

1.4.6 Adjusting the Map Window to a Selection. . . 31

1.4.7 Measuring Distances on the Map . . . 32

1.4.8 Displaying Rulers Around the Map . . . 32

1.4.9 Displaying the Map Legend . . . 32

1.4.10 Using Zones in the Map Window . . . 33

1.4.10.1 Using a Filtering Zone . . . 33

1.4.10.2 Using a Computation Zone. . . 34

1.4.10.3 Using a Focus Zone or Hot Spots . . . 35

1.4.10.4 Using Polygon Zone Editing Tools . . . 36

1.4.10.5 Using a Printing Zone . . . 38

1.4.10.6 Using a Geographic Export Zone . . . 38

1.4.11 Editing Polygons, Lines, and Points. . . 39

1.4.11.1 Adding a Vector Layer. . . 39

1.4.11.2 Creating Polygons, Lines, and Points. . . 39

1.4.11.3 Editing the Shape of Polygons and Lines. . . 40

1.4.11.4 Combining or Cropping Polygons Using the Toolbar . . . 41

1.5.4 Opening an Object’s Record Properties Dialogue from a Table . . . .50

1.5.5 Defining the Table Format . . . .50

1.5.6 Copying and Pasting in Tables . . . .54

1.5.6.1 Copying and Pasting a Table Element . . . .54

1.5.6.2 Pasting the Same Data into Several Cells . . . .54

1.5.7 Viewing a Statistical Analysis of Table Contents . . . .56

1.5.8 Exporting Tables to Text Files . . . .57

1.5.9 Importing Tables from Text Files . . . .58

1.5.10 Exporting Tables to XML Files . . . .59

1.5.11 Importing Tables from XML Files. . . .59

1.6 Printing in Atoll. . . .60

1.6.1 Printing Data Tables and Reports . . . .60

1.6.2 Printing a Map. . . .60

1.6.2.1 Printing Recommendations . . . .61

1.6.2.2 Defining the Printing Zone . . . .61

1.6.2.3 Defining the Print Layout . . . .62

1.6.3 Previewing Your Printing . . . .64

1.6.4 Printing a Docking Window . . . .64

1.6.5 Printing Antenna Patterns . . . .64

1.7 Grouping, Sorting, and Filtering Data. . . .65

1.7.1 Grouping Data Objects . . . .65

1.7.1.1 Grouping Data Objects by a Selected Property. . . .65

1.7.1.2 Configuring the Group By Submenu . . . .66

1.7.1.3 Advanced Grouping. . . .66

1.7.1.4 Examples of Grouping . . . .67

1.7.2 Sorting Data. . . .69

1.7.2.1 Sorting Data in Tables . . . .69

1.7.2.2 Advanced Sorting. . . .70

1.7.3 Filtering Data. . . .71

1.7.3.1 Filtering in Data Tables by Selection . . . .71

1.7.3.2 Advanced Data Filtering . . . .72

1.7.3.3 Restoring All Records . . . .73

1.7.3.4 Advanced Filtering: Examples. . . .73

1.7.4 User Configurations . . . .76

1.7.4.1 Saving a User Configuration . . . .76

1.7.4.2 Loading a User Configuration . . . .77

1.7.5 Site and Transmitter Lists. . . .77

1.7.5.1 Creating a Site or Transmitter List . . . .77

1.7.5.2 Adding a Site or Transmitter to a List from the Explorer Window . . . .78

1.7.5.3 Adding a Site or Transmitter to a List from the Map Window. . . .78

1.7.5.4 Adding Sites or Transmitters to a List Using a Zone . . . .79

1.7.5.5 Editing a Site or Transmitter List . . . .79

1.7.5.6 Filtering on a Site or Transmitter List. . . .79

1.7.6 Folder Configurations . . . .80

1.7.6.1 Creating a Folder Configuration . . . .80

1.7.6.2 Applying a Saved Folder Configuration . . . .80

1.7.6.3 Reapplying the Current Folder Configuration . . . .80

1.7.6.4 Saving a Folder Configuration in an External File . . . .81

1.7.6.5 Loading a Folder Configuration from an External File . . . .81

1.7.6.6 Deleting a Folder Configuration . . . .81

1.7.7 Creating and Comparing Views . . . .81

1.8 Tips and Tricks . . . 82

1.8.1 Undoing and Redoing. . . 83

1.8.2 Refreshing Maps and Folders . . . 83

1.8.3 Searching for Objects on the Map . . . 83

1.8.3.1 Searching for a Map Object by Its Name . . . 83

1.8.3.2 Searching for a Map Object using Any Text Property . . . 84

1.8.3.3 Searching for a Point on the Map . . . 84

1.8.4 Using the Status Bar to Get Information . . . 84

1.8.5 Saving Information Displayed in the Event Viewer . . . 85

1.8.6 Using Icons from the Toolbar . . . 85

1.8.7 Using Shortcuts in Atoll . . . 88

2

Starting an Atoll Project

2.1 Before Starting a Radio-Planning Project . . . 91

2.2 Creating an Atoll Document . . . 91

2.2.1 Creating a New Atoll Document from a Template . . . 91

2.2.1.1 Templates Available . . . 92

2.2.1.2 Creating a New Atoll Document from a Template . . . 92

2.2.1.3 Defining a New Atoll Document . . . 94

2.2.2 Working in a Multi-User Environment . . . 96

2.2.2.1 The Atoll Multi-User Environment . . . 96

2.2.2.2 Creating a New Atoll Document from a Database . . . 97

2.2.2.3 Working With a Document on a Database . . . 98

2.2.2.4 Refreshing an Atoll Document from the Database . . . 100

2.2.2.5 Archiving the Modifications of an Atoll Document in the Database . . . 100

2.3 Making a Backup of Your Document . . . 103

2.3.1 Configuring Automatic Backup . . . 104

2.3.2 Recovering a Backup . . . 104

2.4 Making and Sharing Portable Atoll Projects . . . 105

3

Geographic Data

3.1 Geographic Data Types . . . 109

3.2 Supported Geographic Data Formats . . . 111

3.3 Importing Geo Data Files . . . 111

3.3.1 Importing a Raster-format Geo Data File . . . 111

3.3.2 Importing a Vector-format Geo Data File . . . 113

3.3.3 Importing MSI Planet® Data . . . 114

3.3.3.1 Importing One MSI Planet® Data Type . . . 114

3.3.3.2 Importing a MSI Planet® Database . . . 115

3.3.4 Importing a WMS Raster-format Geo Data File. . . 115

3.3.5 Grouping Geo Data Files in Folders . . . 117

3.3.6 Embedding Geographic Data. . . 117

3.3.7 Repairing a Broken Link to a Geo Data File . . . 118

3.4 Digital Terrain Models. . . 118

3.5 Clutter Classes . . . 118

3.5.1 Assigning Names to Clutter Classes . . . 118

3.5.2 Defining Clutter Class Properties . . . 119

3.5.3 Adding a Clutter Class . . . 121

3.5.4 Refreshing the List of Clutter Classes . . . 121

3.5.5 Displaying Total Surface Area per Clutter Class. . . 122

3.6 Clutter Heights. . . 122

3.7 Contours, Lines, and Points . . . 122

3.7.1 Managing the Display of a Vector Layer. . . 123

3.7.2 Managing the Properties of the Vector Layer . . . 123

3.11.1 Setting the Display Priority of Geo Data . . . 129

3.11.2 Setting the Priority of Geo Data in Calculations. . . 130

3.11.2.1 Example 1: Two DTM Maps Representing Different Areas . . . 130

3.11.2.2 Example 2: Clutter Classes and DTM Maps Representing the Same Area . . . 131

3.11.2.3 Example 3: Two Clutter Class Maps Representing a Common Area . . . 131

3.12 Displaying Information About Geo Data . . . 132

3.13 Geographic Data Sets. . . 132

3.13.1 Exporting a Geo Data Set . . . 133

3.13.2 Loading a Geo Data Set . . . 133

3.14 Editing Geographic Data . . . 134

3.14.1 Editing Clutter Class Maps . . . 134

3.14.1.1 Creating a Clutter Polygon . . . 134

3.14.1.2 Editing Clutter Polygons . . . 134

3.14.1.3 Displaying the Coordinates of Clutter Polygons . . . 135

3.14.1.4 Deleting Clutter Polygons . . . 135

3.14.2 Editing Population or Custom Data Maps. . . 135

3.15 Saving Geographic Data. . . 136

3.15.1 Saving Modifications to an External File . . . 137

3.15.1.1 Exporting an Edited Clutter Class Map in a Raster-Format File . . . 137

3.15.1.2 Exporting an Edited Vector Layer in Vector-Format File . . . 138

3.15.2 Updating the Source File . . . 138

3.15.3 Combining Several Raster Files into One File . . . 138

3.15.4 Exporting an Embedded File . . . 139

3.15.5 Creating a New File from a Larger File . . . 140

4

Antennas and Equipment

4.1 Working With Antennas . . . 143

4.1.1 Creating an Antenna. . . 143

4.1.2 Importing Planet-Format Antennas . . . 144

4.1.3 Importing 3-D Antenna Patterns . . . 145

4.1.4 Smoothing an Antenna Pattern . . . 147

4.1.5 Printing an Antenna Pattern . . . 147

4.2 Working With Equipment . . . 147

4.2.1 Defining TMA Equipment . . . 148

4.2.2 Defining Feeder Cables. . . 148

4.2.3 Defining Transmitter Equipment . . . 148

4.2.4 Updating the Values for Total Losses and the Transmitter Equipment Noise Figure . . . 149

4.2.5 . . . 150

4.2.6 Creating or Modifying a Radio . . . 151

4.2.7 . . . 151

4.2.8 Creating or Modifying Waveguides and Cables . . . 152

5

Working with Calculations in Atoll

5.1 Working with Propagation Models. . . 155

5.1.1 Propagation Model Characteristics: Overview. . . 155

5.1.2 The Standard Propagation Model . . . 156

5.1.2.1 Recommendations for Working with the Standard Propagation Model . . . 157

5.1.2.2 Calculating Diffraction With the SPM . . . 158

5.1.2.3 Sample Values for SPM Formulas. . . 158

5.1.2.5 Modelling Fixed Receivers . . . 160

5.1.2.6 Defining the Parameters of the Standard Propagation Model . . . 160

5.1.3 The Okumura-Hata Propagation Model . . . 163

5.1.3.1 Defining General Settings (Okumura-Hata) . . . 163

5.1.3.2 Selecting an Environment Formula (Okumura-Hata). . . 163

5.1.3.3 Creating or Modifying Environment Formulas (Okumura-Hata) . . . 164

5.1.4 The Cost-Hata Propagation Model . . . 164

5.1.4.1 Defining General Settings (Cost-Hata) . . . 165

5.1.4.2 Selecting an Environment Formula (Cost-Hata) . . . 165

5.1.4.3 Creating or Modifying Environment Formulas (Cost-Hata). . . 165

5.1.5 The ITU 529-3 Propagation Model . . . 166

5.1.5.1 Defining General Settings (ITU 529-3). . . 166

5.1.5.2 Selecting an Environment Formula (ITU 529-3) . . . 166

5.1.5.3 Creating or Modifying Environment Formulas (ITU 529-3) . . . 167

5.1.6 The ITU 370-7 Propagation Model . . . 167

5.1.7 The Erceg-Greenstein Propagation Model. . . 167

5.1.7.1 Defining General Settings (Erceg-Greenstein (SUI)). . . 168

5.1.7.2 Selecting an Environment Formula (Erceg-Greenstein (SUI)) . . . 168

5.1.7.3 Creating or Modifying Environment Formulas (Erceg-Greenstein (SUI)) . . . 168

5.1.8 The ITU 526-5 Propagation Model . . . 169

5.1.9 The WLL Propagation Model . . . 169

5.1.10 The Longley-Rice Propagation Model. . . 170

5.1.11 The ITU 1546 Propagation Model . . . 170

5.1.12 The Sakagami Extended Propagation Model . . . 171

5.1.13 CrossWave Model . . . 171

5.1.14 Managing Propagation Models . . . 172

5.2 Defining Calculation Parameters . . . 173

5.2.1 Defining Calculation Parameters for One Transmitter . . . 173

5.2.2 Defining the Same Calculation Parameters for a Group of Transmitters . . . 174

5.2.3 Defining the Same Calculation Parameters for All Transmitters . . . 174

5.2.4 Defining a Default Propagation Model. . . 175

5.2.5 Defining a Default Resolution . . . 175

5.3 Managing Path Loss Matrices. . . 175

5.3.1 Calculating Path Loss Matrices . . . 176

5.3.2 Stopping Path Loss Matrix Calculation . . . 176

5.3.3 Setting the Storage Location of Path Loss Matrices . . . 176

5.3.4 Using Centralised Path Loss Matrices. . . 177

5.3.5 Checking the Validity of Path Loss Matrices . . . 177

5.3.6 Optimising Path Loss Matrix Storage . . . 178

5.3.7 Tuning Path Loss Matrices Using Measurement Data . . . 179

5.3.7.1 Defining the Area to be Tuned. . . 179

5.3.7.2 Defining Maximum Corrections and Thresholds on Path Loss Tuning . . . 180

5.3.7.3 Tuning Path Loss Matrices Using CW Measurements . . . 181

5.3.7.4 Tuning Path Loss Matrices Using Drive Test Data . . . 182

5.3.7.5 Managing the Path Loss Tuning Points . . . 183

5.3.8 Exporting Path Loss Matrices . . . 185

5.4 Predictions Available in Atoll . . . 186

5.4.1 Making Point Predictions. . . 186

5.4.1.1 Starting a Point Analysis . . . 186

5.4.1.2 The Views of the Point Analysis Tool. . . 186

5.4.1.3 Moving the Receiver on the Map . . . 188

5.4.1.4 Taking Indoor Losses into Account . . . 188

5.4.1.5 Taking Shadowing into Account in Point Analyses. . . 188

5.4.2 Making Coverage Predictions . . . 189

5.4.2.1 Creating Coverage Predictions. . . 189

5.4.2.2 Defining the Storage Location of Coverage Prediction Results. . . 190

5.4.2.3 Calculating Coverage Predictions . . . 191

5.4.2.4 Saving Defined Coverage Predictions . . . 193

5.4.2.5 Calculating Indoor Coverage . . . 194

6.2.2 Creating a Group of Base Stations. . . 216

6.2.3 Modifying Sites and Transmitters Directly on the Map. . . 216

6.2.4 Display Tips for Base Stations . . . 217

6.2.5 Creating a Multi-band LTE Network . . . 217

6.2.6 Creating a Repeater . . . 217

6.2.6.1 Opening the Repeaters Table . . . 218

6.2.6.2 Creating and Modifying Repeater Equipment . . . 218

6.2.6.3 Placing a Repeater on the Map Using the Mouse. . . 218

6.2.6.4 Creating Several Repeaters. . . 219

6.2.6.5 Defining the Properties of a Repeater . . . 219

6.2.6.6 Tips for Updating Repeater Parameters . . . 221

6.2.7 Creating a Remote Antenna. . . 221

6.2.7.1 Opening the Remote Antennas Table . . . 221

6.2.7.2 Placing a Remote Antenna on the Map Using the Mouse . . . 222

6.2.7.3 Creating Several Remote Antennas . . . 222

6.2.7.4 Defining the Properties of a Remote Antenna . . . 222

6.2.7.5 Tips for Updating Remote Antenna Parameters. . . 224

6.2.8 Setting the Working Area of an Atoll Document . . . 224

6.2.9 Studying a Single Base Station . . . 224

6.2.9.1 Making a Point Analysis to Study the Profile. . . 225

6.2.9.2 Studying Signal Level Coverage . . . 226

6.2.10 Studying Base Stations . . . 228

6.2.10.1 Path Loss Matrices. . . 229

6.2.10.2 Assigning a Propagation Model . . . 230

6.2.10.3 The Calculation Process . . . 232

6.2.10.4 Creating a Computation Zone . . . 233

6.2.10.5 Setting Transmitters or Cells as Active . . . 233

6.2.10.6 Signal Level Coverage Predictions . . . 234

6.2.10.7 Analysing a Coverage Prediction . . . 239

6.2.10.8 LTE Coverage Predictions . . . 248

6.2.10.9 Printing and Exporting Coverage Prediction Results . . . 266

6.2.11 Planning Neighbours. . . 266

6.2.11.1 Importing Neighbours . . . 267

6.2.11.2 Defining Exceptional Pairs . . . 267

6.2.11.3 Configuring Importance Factors for Neighbours . . . 267

6.2.11.4 Allocating Neighbours Automatically. . . 268

6.2.11.5 Checking Automatic Allocation Results . . . 270

6.2.11.6 Allocating and Deleting Neighbours per Cell. . . 273

6.2.11.7 Calculating the Importance of Existing Neighbours . . . 275

6.2.11.8 Checking the Consistency of the Neighbour Plan . . . 276

6.2.11.9 Exporting Neighbours . . . 277

6.3 Configuring Network Parameters Using the AFP. . . 278

6.3.1 AFP Prerequisites . . . 278

6.3.1.1 Interference Matrices . . . 278

6.3.1.2 Neighbour Importance . . . 280

6.3.1.3 Resources Available for Allocation. . . 280

6.3.2 Planning Frequencies . . . 280

6.3.3 Planning Physical Cell IDs . . . 281

6.3.4 Displaying and Analysing the AFP Results. . . 282

6.3.4.1 Using the Find on Map Tool to Display AFP Results . . . 283

6.3.4.2 Displaying AFP Results Using Transmitter Display Settings . . . 284

6.3.4.3 Grouping Transmitters by Channels or Physical Cell IDs . . . 284

6.3.4.4 Analysing the Frequency Allocation Using Coverage Predictions . . . 285

6.3.4.5 Checking the Consistency of the Physical Cell ID Plan . . . 285

6.4 Studying Network Capacity. . . 285

6.4.1 Defining Multi-service Traffic Data . . . 286

6.4.2 Creating a Traffic Map . . . 286

6.4.2.1 Creating a Sector Traffic Map . . . 287

6.4.2.2 Creating a User Profile Traffic Map . . . 288

6.4.2.3 Creating User Density Traffic Maps (No. Users/km2) . . . 293

6.4.2.4 Converting 2G Network Traffic . . . 295

6.4.2.5 Exporting Cumulated Traffic . . . 295

6.4.3 Exporting a Traffic Map . . . 296

6.4.4 Working with a Subscriber Database . . . 296

6.4.4.1 Creating a Subscriber List . . . 296

6.4.4.2 Performing Calculations on Subscriber lists . . . 300

6.4.5 Calculating and Displaying Traffic Simulations . . . 301

6.4.5.1 LTE Traffic Simulation Algorithm . . . 301

6.4.5.2 Creating Simulations. . . 303

6.4.5.3 Displaying the Traffic Distribution on the Map . . . 304

6.4.5.4 Displaying the Results of a Single Simulation . . . 307

6.4.5.5 Displaying the Average Results of a Group of Simulations . . . 311

6.4.5.6 Updating Cell Load Values With Simulation Results . . . 314

6.4.5.7 Estimating a Traffic Increase . . . 314

6.4.6 Making Coverage Predictions Using Simulation Results . . . 315

6.5 Optimising Network Parameters Using the ACP . . . 315

6.5.1 The ACP Module and Atoll. . . 316

6.5.1.1 Using Zones with ACP . . . 316

6.5.1.2 Using Traffic Maps with ACP . . . 317

6.5.1.3 Shadowing Margin and Indoor Coverage . . . 317

6.5.1.4 ACP and Antenna Masking . . . 318

6.5.1.5 EMF Exposure . . . 319

6.5.2 Configuring the ACP Module . . . 320

6.5.2.1 Defining the Storage Location of ACP Settings. . . 320

6.5.2.2 Defining the Antenna Masking Method . . . 320

6.5.2.3 Configuring the Default Settings . . . 322

6.5.2.4 Configuring Setup-specific Settings . . . 322

6.5.3 Optimising Cell Planning with the ACP . . . 323

6.5.3.1 Creating an Optimisation Setup. . . 323

6.5.3.2 Defining Optimisation Parameters . . . 324

6.5.4 Running an Optimisation Setup . . . 347

6.5.5 Working with Optimisations in the Explorer Window . . . 349

6.5.6 Viewing Optimisation Results . . . 350

6.5.6.1 Viewing Optimisation Results in the Properties Dialogue . . . 350

6.5.6.2 Viewing Optimisation Results in the Map Window . . . 357

6.5.6.3 Viewing Optimisation Results Using the Histogram. . . 363

6.6 Verifying Network Capacity . . . 363

6.6.1 Importing a Drive Test Data Path . . . 363

6.6.2 Displaying Drive Test Data. . . 366

6.6.3 Defining the Display of a Drive Test Data Path . . . 366

6.6.4 Network Verification . . . 367

6.6.4.1 Filtering Measurement Points Along Drive Test Data Paths . . . 367

6.6.4.2 Creating Coverage Predictions on Drive Test Data Paths . . . 368

6.6.4.3 Displaying Statistics Over a Drive Test Data Path. . . 368

6.6.4.4 Extracting a Field From a Drive Test Data Path for a Transmitter. . . 369

6.6.4.5 Analysing Measurement Variations Along the Path . . . 369

6.6.5 Exporting a Drive Test Data Path . . . 371

6.6.6 Extracting CW Measurements from Drive Test Data . . . 371

6.6.7 Printing and Exporting the Drive Test Data Window . . . 371

6.7 Co-planning LTE Networks with Other Networks . . . 372

6.7.1 Switching to Co-planning Mode . . . 372

6.7.2 Working with Coverage Predictions in an Co-Planning Project . . . 374

6.7.2.1 Updating Coverage Predictions . . . 374

6.7.2.2 Analysing Coverage Predictions. . . 375

6.8.2.1 The Options on the Global Parameters Tab . . . 392

6.8.2.2 The Options on the Calculation Parameters Tab . . . 394

6.8.2.3 Modifying Global Network Settings . . . 394

6.8.3 Defining LTE Radio Bearers . . . 395

6.8.4 Defining LTE Quality Indicators . . . 396

6.8.5 Defining LTE Reception Equipment . . . 396

6.8.6 Defining LTE Schedulers . . . 399

6.8.7 Defining LTE UE Categories . . . 400

6.8.8 Smart Antenna Systems . . . 401

6.8.8.1 Defining Smart Antenna Equipment . . . 401

6.8.9 Multiple Input Multiple Output Systems . . . 402

6.8.10 Defining ICIC Configurations . . . 403

6.8.11 Modelling Shadowing . . . 404

6.8.11.1 Displaying the Shadowing Margins per Clutter Class . . . 404

6.8.12 Modelling Inter-technology Interference . . . 405

6.9 Tips and Tricks . . . 406

6.10 Glossary of LTE Terms . . . 410

Chapter 1

The Working

Environment

This chapter presents the Atoll working environment and explains the tools and shortcuts available.

In this chapter, the following are explained: • "The Atoll Work Area" on page 15 • "The Explorer Window" on page 17 • "Working with Objects" on page 19 • "Working with Maps" on page 29 • "Working with Data Tables" on page 47 • "Printing in Atoll" on page 60

• "Grouping, Sorting, and Filtering Data" on page 65 • "Tips and Tricks" on page 82

1 The Working Environment

The Atoll working environment is both powerful and flexible. It provides a comprehensive and integrated set of tools and features that allow you to create and define your radio-planning project in a single application. Atoll includes advanced multi-technology network planning features (e.g., CDMA/LTE), and a combined single-RAN, multi-RAT GSM/UMTS/LTE Monte Carlo simulator and traffic model. You can save the entire project as a single file, or you can link your project to external files. The Atoll working environment uses familiar Windows interface elements, with the ability to have several document windows open at the same time, support for drag-and-drop, context menus, and support for standard Windows shortcuts, for example, for cutting and pasting. Atoll not only enables you to create and work on your planning project, but also offers you a wide range of options for creating and exporting results based on your project. The working environment provides a wide selection of tools to facilitate radio-planning, such as a search tool to locate either a site, a point on the map, or a vector.

The Explorer window plays a central role in Atoll. The Explorer window contains most of the objects in a document arranged in folders.

Using the Explorer window, you can manage all objects in the Atoll document: sites, transmitters, calculations, etc., as well as geographic data such as the Digital Terrain Model (DTM), traffic maps, and clutter classes. You can, for example, define vari-ous coverage predictions or configure the parameters or display of data objects.

The content of the folders in the Explorer window can be displayed in tables, allowing you to manage large amounts of data. You can sort and filter the data in a table, or change how the data is displayed. You can also use the table feature to enter large amounts of information by importing data or by cutting and pasting the information from any Windows spreadsheet into the table.

The map is the working area for your document and Atoll provides many tools for working with the map. You can change the view by moving or zooming in or out and you can choose which objects are displayed and how they are displayed. You can also export the current display definition, or configuration, to use it in other documents.

This chapter provides an overview of the Atoll working environment. This chapter explains the following topics:

• "The Atoll Work Area" on page 15 • "The Explorer Window" on page 17 • "Working with Objects" on page 19 • "Printing in Atoll" on page 60 • "Working with Maps" on page 29 • "Working with Data Tables" on page 47

• "Grouping, Sorting, and Filtering Data" on page 65 • "Tips and Tricks" on page 82.

1.1 The Atoll Work Area

The Atoll work area, shown in Figure 1.1 on page 16, consists of the main window where the map window and data tables and reports are displayed and the Explorer window. The Explorer window contains the data and objects of a document, arranged in folders. It is presented in detail in "The Explorer Window" on page 17.

Atoll offers a variety of tools to help you plan a network. The tools open in separate windows, some of which can be docked into the work area or floated over the work area (see Figure 1.1 on page 16).

1.1.1 Working with Document Windows

When you have one Atoll document open, you can have several document windows open at the same time. You can resize, maximise, and minimise document windows as you can in any Windows-based application.

As well, you can tile document windows, in order to display all of them at the same time, or cascade them, in order to display the title bar of each document window.

To tile document windows: • Select Window > Tile. To cascade document windows:

• Select Window > Cascade.

1.1.2 Docking or Floating an Atoll Window

Only document windows are part of an individual Atoll document. Other windows and tools, such as the Explorer window, display the content of the active document. They are not part of the individual Atoll document, but part of the working envi-ronment and, when you switch to a different document, they will display the content of the active document.

You can change how these windows and tools are displayed. You can also remove them from their position and float them over the Atoll working environment.

To display a window:

• On the View menu, select the name of the window. To display a tool window:

• On the Tool menu, select the name of the window. To close a window or tool:

• Click the Close button ( ) in the corner of the window. Depending on the position of the docking window, this button can be in the upper-left or upper-right corner.

You can change how much room a window takes if it shares a docking area with other windows by maximising or minimising the window.

Figure 1.1: Atoll user interface

Explorer window (docked)

Panoramic window (floating)

Find on Map window (docked)

To maximise a window in its docking area:

• Click the Maximise button ( ) near the corner of the window. Depending on the position of the window, this button can be in the upper-left or upper-right corner.

To minimise a window in its docking area:

• Click the Minimise button ( ) near the corner of the window. Depending on the position of the window, this button can be in the upper-left or upper-right corner.

You can leave a window in its docking area, or you can have it float over the working environment, allowing you to maximise the amount of area for document windows or other windows.

To float a window:

• Double-click the docking window title bar. The docking window leaves the docking area and floats over the working environment.

To dock a window:

• To return the window to its previous docked location, double-click the docking window title bar. Or

• Click the title bar of the docking window and drag the window to a different docking area.

1.2 The Explorer Window

The Explorer window plays a central role in Atoll. The Explorer window contains the data and objects of a document, arranged in folders. Each object and folder has a context-specific menu that you can access by right-clicking. You can modify items at the folder level, with changes affecting all items in the folder, or you can access and edit items individually. As well, most folder contents can also be accessed in a table, allowing you to easily manage large amounts of information. For information on working with tables, see "Working with Data Tables" on page 47.

In this section, the following are described:

• "Working with the Explorer Window Tabs" on page 17

• "Displaying or Hiding Objects on the Map Using the Explorer" on page 18 • "Working with Layers Using the Explorer" on page 19.

1.2.1 Working with the Explorer Window Tabs

The Explorer window has three tabs; each tab has objects and folders containing objects. To move from one tab to another:

• Click the tab at the bottom of the Explorer window.

You can open a folder on a tab to view its contents. Each folder containing at least one object has an Expand ( ) or Contract button ( ) to the left of its name.

To expand a folder to display its contents:

• Click the Expand button ( ) to the left of its name. The tabs in the Explorer window are:

• The Network tab: The Network tab allows you to manage radio data and calculations. Depending on the modules installed with Atoll, the Network tab has the following folders:

- Sites

You can move the docking window by clicking the title bar and dragging it. To prevent the window from docking as you move it, press CTRL as you drag the docking window.

The window positions for docking windows are not associated with the current document; they remain the same no matter which document you open.

- Clutter heights - Digital terrain model - Population data - Geoclimatic parameters - Any other geo data map

- Traffic maps (GSM/GPRS/EDGE/TDMA, UMTS HSPA, CDMA2000, LTE, and WiMAX)

• The Parameters tab: The Parameters tab allows you to manage the propagation models and additional modules. It contains:

- Propagation Models: The Parameters tab has a Propagation Models folder with the following propagation models: - Cost-Hata - Erceg-Greenstein (SUI) - ITU 1546 - ITU 370-7 (Vienna 93) - ITU 526-5 - ITU 529 - Longley-Rice

- Microwave ITU-R P.452 Model - Microwave Propagation Model - Okumura-Hata

- Standard Propagation Model - WLL

- Radio Network Equipment: The Radio Network Equipment folder contains antenna models, transmitter models, repeater and smart antenna equipment, and waveguides, cables, and feeders.

- Traffic Parameters: The Traffic Parameters folder contains services, mobility types, terminals, user profiles, and environments.

- Network Settings: The Network Settings folder contains station templates, frequencies and frequency bands, bearers, reception equipment, quality indicators, etc.

- Microwave link network settings and equipment - The AFP models available in your Atoll installation. - Any additional module created using the API.

1.2.2 Displaying or Hiding Objects on the Map Using the Explorer

You can use the Explorer to display or hide objects on the map. This allows you to hide one type of object so that another type of object is more plainly visible. For example, you could hide all predictions but one, so that the results of one prediction are more clearly displayed.

To hide an object on the map:

1. Select the tab of the Explorer window that contains that object.

2. Clear the check box ( ) immediately to the left of the object name. The check box appears cleared ( ) and the object is no longer visible on the map.

Hiding an object affects only its visibility in the map window; it will still be taken into consideration during calculations.

You can hide the contents of an entire folder by clearing the check box to the left of the folder name. When the check box of a folder appears greyed ( ), it indicates that the folder contains both visible and hidden objects.

1.2.3 Working with Layers Using the Explorer

In Atoll, the map is made of objects arranged in layers. The layers on the top (as arranged on the Network and Geo tabs) are the most visible on the screen and in print. The visibility of the lower layers depends on which layers are above and visible (see

"Displaying or Hiding Objects on the Map Using the Explorer" on page 18) and on the transparency of these layers (see "Defin-ing the Transparency of Objects and Object Types" on page 25).

To move a layer up or down:

1. Select the tab of the Explorer window that contains that object.

2. Click and drag the object to its new position. As you drag the object, a horizontal black line indicates where the object will remain when you release the mouse button (see Figure 1.2).

1.3 Working with Objects

In Atoll, the items found in the Explorer window and displayed on the map are referred to as objects. Most objects in Atoll belong to an object type. For example, a transmitter is an object of the type transmitter.

Atoll enables you to carry out many operations on objects by clicking the object directly or by right-clicking the object and selecting the operation from the context menu.

In this section, the following are explained:

• "Using the Object Context Menu" on page 19

• "Modifying Sites and Transmitters Directly on the Map" on page 21 • "Display Properties of Objects" on page 23.

1.3.1 Using the Object Context Menu

In Atoll, an object’s context menu gives you access to commands specific to that object as well as to commands that are common to most objects. In this section, the following context menu commands common to all objects types are explained:

• Rename: "Renaming an Object" on page 19. • Delete: "Deleting an Object" on page 20.

• Properties: "Displaying the Properties of an Object" on page 20.

1.3.1.1 Renaming an Object

You can change the name of an object in Atoll. To rename an object:

1. Right-click the object either in the Explorer window or on the map. The context menu appears.

Figure 1.2: Moving a layer

Before you print a map, you should pay attention to the arrangement of the layers. For more information, see "Printing Recommendations" on page 61.

1. Right-click the object either in the Explorer window or on the map. The context menu appears. 2. Select Delete from the context menu. The selected object is deleted.

1.3.1.3 Displaying the Properties of an Object

You can modify the properties of an object in the Properties dialogue. To open the Properties dialogue of a data object:

1. Right-click the object either in the Explorer window or on the map. The context menu appears.

2. Select Properties from the context menu. The Properties dialogue appears.

Switching Between Property Dialogues

You can switch between the Properties dialogues of items (transmitters, antennas, sites, services, user profiles, etc.) in the same folder or defined view in the Explorer window by using the browse buttons ( ) in the lower-left corner of each Properties dialogue:

• : jump to the first item in the list • : jump to the previous item in the list • : jump to the next item in the list • : jump to the last item in the list

If you have made any changes to the properties of an item, Atoll prompts you to confirm these changes before switching to the next Properties dialogue.

You can use this feature, for example, to access the properties of co-site transmitters without closing and reopening the Prop-erties dialogue. Switching is performed within the folder or, if you have created a view, within the view. For example:

• If transmitters are grouped by site, you can switch only within one site (co-site transmitters). • If transmitters are grouped by a flag, you can switch only within this group.

• If transmitters are grouped by activity and by a flag, you can switch only within transmitters having the same activity and the same flag.

The browse buttons are not available: • When creating a new item.

• When opening an item’s Properties dialogue by double-clicking its record in a table. • For repeater properties.

• For propagation model properties.

The Display tab of the Properties dialogue is explained in "Display Properties of Objects" on page 23.

When you are selecting data objects on the map, it can be difficult to ensure that the correct object has been selected. When a site is selected, the site (and its name) is surrounded by a black frame ( ). When a transmitter is selected, both ends of its icon have a green point ( ). When there is more than one transmitter with with the same azimuth, clicking the transmitters in the map window opens a context menu allowing you to select the transmitter you want (see "Selecting One of Several Transmitters" on page 21).

1.3.2 Modifying Sites and Transmitters Directly on the Map

In a complex radio-planning project, it can be difficult to find the data object on the Network tab, although it might be visible in the map window. Atoll lets you access the Properties dialogue of sitesand transmitters directly from the map. You can also change the position of a site by dragging it, or by letting Atoll find a higher location for it.

In this section, the following are explained:

• "Selecting One of Several Transmitters" on page 21 • "Moving a Site Using the Mouse" on page 21 • "Moving a Site to a Higher Location" on page 21

• "Changing the Azimuth of the Antenna Using the Mouse" on page 22

• "Changing the Antenna Position Relative to the Site Using the Mouse" on page 22.

1.3.2.1 Selecting One of Several Transmitters

If there is more than one transmitter with the same azimuth, Atoll enables you to select a specific transmitter. To select one of several transmitter with the same azimuth:

1. In the map window, click the transmitters. A context menu appears with a list of the transmitterswith the same azimuth (see Figure 1.3).

2. Select the transmitter from the context menu.

- When you select a transmitter, it appears with a green point at both ends of the icon ( ).

1.3.2.2 Moving a Site Using the Mouse

You can move a site by editing the coordinates on the General tab of the Site Properties dialogue, or by using the mouse. To move a site using the mouse:

1. Click and drag the site to the desired position. As you drag the site, the exact coordinates of the pointer’s current loca-tion are visible in the Status bar.

2. Release the site where you would like to place it. By default, Atoll locks the position of a site. When the position of a site is locked, Atoll asks you to confirm that you want to move the site.

3. Click Yes to confirm.

1.3.2.3 Moving a Site to a Higher Location

If you want to improve the location of a site, in terms of reception and transmission, Atoll can find a higher location within a specified radius from the current location of the site.

To have Atoll move a site to a higher location:

Figure 1.3: Selecting one transmitter

While this method allows you to place a site quickly, you can adjust the location more precisely by editing the coordinates on the General tab of the Site Properties dialogue.

• 0.1 degree when the pointer is moved outside this area. To modify the azimuth of the antenna using the mouse:

You can also modify the azimuth on the map for all the antennas on a base station using the mouse. To modify the azimuth of all the antennas on a base station using the mouse:

1.3.2.5 Changing the Antenna Position Relative to the Site Using the Mouse

By default, antennas are placed on the site. However, antennas are occasionally not located directly on the site, but a short distance away. In Atoll, you can change the position of the antenna relative to the site either by adjusting the Dx and Dy parameters or by entering the coordinates of the antenna position on the General Tab of the Transmitter Property dialogue. Dx and Dy are the distance in metres of the antenna from the site position. You can also modify the position of the antenna on the map, using the mouse.

To move a transmitter using the mouse:

1. On the map, click the antenna whose azimuth you want to modify.

2. Move the pointer to the end of the antenna with a green circle ( ). An arc with an arrow appears under the pointer.

3. Click the green circle and drag it to change the antenna’s azimuth.

The current azimuth of the antenna is displayed in the far left of the status bar. 4. Release the mouse when you have set the azimuth to the desired angle.

The antenna’s azimuth is modified on the Transmitter tab of the Transmitter Properties dialogue.

1. On the map, click one of the antennas whose azimuth you want to modify.

2. Move the pointer to the end of the antenna with a green circle ( ). An arc with an arrow appears under the pointer.

3. Hold CTRL and, on the map, click the green circle and drag it to change the antenna’s azimuth. The current azimuth of the antenna is displayed in the far left of the status bar.

4. Release the mouse when you have set the azimuth of the selected antenna to the desired angle.

The azimuth of the selected antenna is modified on the Transmitter tab of the Transmitter Properties dialogue. The azimuth of the other antennas on the base station is offset by the same amount as the azimuth of the selected antenna.

If you make a mistake when changing the azimuth, you can undo your changes by using Undo (by selecting Edit > Undo, by pressing CTRL+Z, or by clicking in the toolbar) to undo the changes made.

1. On the map, click the transmitter you want to move.

2. Move the pointer to the end of the antenna with a green rectangle ( ). A cross appears under the pointer.

3. Click the green rectangle and drag it to change the antenna’s position relative to the site. The current coordinates (x and y) of the antenna are displayed in the far right of the status bar.

4. Release the mouse when you have moved the selected transmitter to the desired position. The position of the selected transmitter is modified on the General tab of the Transmitter Properties dialogue.

1.3.3 Display Properties of Objects

In Atoll, most objects, such as sites or transmitters, belong to an object type. How an individual object appears on the map depends on the settings on the Display tab of the object type’s Properties dialogue. The Display tab is similar for all object types whose appearance can be configured. Options that are inapplicable for a particular object type are unavailable on the Display tab of its Properties dialogue (see Figure 1.4).

In this section, the display options are explained, followed by a few examples of how you can use them while working on your Atoll document (see "Examples of Using the Display Properties of Objects" on page 28).

In this section, the following are explained:

• "Defining the Display Properties of Objects" on page 23

• "Examples of Using the Display Properties of Objects" on page 28.

1.3.3.1 Defining the Display Properties of Objects

When you access the Properties dialogue of a group of objects, for example, when you access the Properties dialogue of the Sites folder, the Display tab will show options applicable to all objects in that group (see Figure 1.4).

When you access the Properties dialogue of an individual object, the Display tab will only show the options applicable to an individual object (see Figure 1.5).

If you make a mistake when changing the position of the transmitter, you can undo your changes by using Undo (by selecting Edit > Undo, by pressing CTRL+Z, or by clicking in the toolbar) to undo the changes made.

To define the display properties of an object type:

1. Right-click the object type folder in the Explorer window. The context menu appears. 2. Select Properties from the context menu. The Properties dialogue appears.

3. Select the Display tab. Depending on the object type, the following options are available: - "Defining the Display Type" on page 24

- "Defining the Transparency of Objects and Object Types" on page 25 - "Defining the Visibility Scale" on page 25

- "Defining the Object Type Label" on page 26 - "Defining the Object Type Tip Text" on page 26 - "Adding an Object Type to the Legend" on page 27 4. Set the display parameters.

5. Click OK.

Defining the Display Type

Depending on the object selected, you can choose from the following display types: unique, discrete values, value intervals, or automatic.

To change the display type:

1. Access the Display tab of the Properties dialogue as explained in "Display Properties of Objects" on page 23. 2. Select the display type from the Display Type list:

- Unique: defines the same symbol for all objects of this type. By defining a unique symbol for an object type, objects of different types, for example, sites or transmitters, are immediately identifiable.

i. To modify the appearance of the symbol, click the symbol in the table below. The Symbol Style dialogue ap-pears.

ii. Modify the symbol as desired.

iii. Click OK to close the Symbol Style dialogue.

- Discrete values: defines the display of each object according to the value of a selected field. This display type can be used to distinguish objects of the same type by one characteristic. For example, you could use this display type to distinguish transmitter by antenna type, or to distinguish inactive from active sites.

i. Select the name of the Field by which you want to display the objects.

ii. You can click the Actions button to access the Actions menu. For information on the commands available, see

"Using the Actions Button" on page 25.

iii. To modify the appearance of a symbol, click the symbol in the table below. The Display Parameters dialogue appears.

iv. Modify the symbol as desired.

v. Click OK to close the Display Parameters dialogue.

- Value intervals: defines the display of each object according to set ranges of the value of a selected field. This dis-play type can be used, for example, to distinguish population density, signal strength, or the altitude of sites. i. Select the name of the Field by which you want to display the objects.

ii. Define the ranges directly in the table below. For an example, see Figure 1.7 on page 27.

iii. You can click the Actions button to access the Actions menu. For information on the commands available, see

"Using the Actions Button" on page 25.

iv. To modify the appearance of a symbol, click the symbol in the table. The Display Parameters dialogue appears. v. Modify the symbol as desired.

vi. Click OK to close the Display Parameters dialogue.

- Automatic: only available for transmitters; Atoll automatically assigns a colour to each transmitter, ensuring that each transmitter has a different colour than the transmitters surrounding it.

i. Click the symbol in the table below. The Display Parameters dialogue appears. ii. Modify the symbol as desired.

iii. Click OK to close the Display Parameters dialogue.

Using the Actions Button

The Actions button on the Display tab of the Properties dialogue allows you to modify the display type as defined in "Defining the Display Type" on page 24.

To access the Actions menu:

1. Access the Display tab of the Properties dialogue as explained in "Display Properties of Objects" on page 23. 2. Click the Actions button. The Actions menu gives you access to the following commands:

- Properties: Atoll displays the Display Parameters dialogue, enabling you to define the appearance of the selected symbol in the table.

- Select all: Atoll selects all the values in the table. - Delete: Atoll removes the selected value from the table.

- Insert before: When the selected display type is value intervals, Atoll inserts a new threshold in the table before the threshold selected in the table.

- Insert after: When the selected display type is value intervals, Atoll inserts a new threshold in the table after the threshold selected in the table.

- Shading: Atoll opens the Shading dialogue. When "Value Intervals" is the selected display type, you select Shading to define the number of value intervals and configure their colour. Enter the upper and lower limits of the value in the First Break and Last Break boxes respectively, and enter a value in the Interval box. Define the colour shading by choosing a Start Colour and an End Colour. The value intervals will be determined by the set values and coloured by a shade going from the set start colour to the set end colour.

When "Discrete Values" is the selected display type, you select Shading to choose a Start Colour and an End Col-our.

- Display Configuration: Select Load if you want to import an existing display configuration. Select Save if you want to save the display settings of the current object in a display configuration file, so that you can share them with other users or use them in other documents.

Defining the Transparency of Objects and Object Types

You can change the transparency of some objects, such as predictions, and some object types, such as clutter classes, to allow objects on lower layers to be visible on the map.

To change the transparency:

1. Access the Display tab of the Properties dialogue as explained in "Display Properties of Objects" on page 23. 2. Move the Transparency slider to the right to make the object or object type more transparent or to the left to make

it less transparent.

Defining the Visibility Scale

• When you create a new map object, for example, a new site or a new transmitter, you must click the Refresh button ( ) for Atoll to assign a colour to newly cre-ated object according to the set display type.

• You can define the default symbol used for sites and how it is displayed by editing an option in the atoll.ini file. For more information, see the Administrator Manual.

is displayed with the object. You can display information from every field in that object type’s data table, including from fields that you add.

To define a label for an object type:

1. Access the Display tab of the Properties dialogue as explained in "Display Properties of Objects" on page 23. 2. Click the Browse button ( ) beside the Label box. The Field Selection dialogue appears (see Figure 1.6).

3. Select the fields which you want to display in the label:

a. To select a field to be displayed in the label for the object type, select the field in the Available Fields list and click to move it to the Selected Fields list.

b. To remove a field from the Selected Fields list, select the field in the Selected Fields list and click to remove it.

c. To change the order of the fields, select a field and click or to move it up or down in the list. The objects will be grouped in the order of the fields in the Selected Fields list, from top to bottom.

4. Click OK to close the Field Selection dialogue and click OK to close the Properties dialogue.

Defining the Object Type Tip Text

For most object types, such as sites and transmitters, you can display information about each object in the form of tip text that is only visible when you move the pointer over the object. You can display information from every field in that object type’s data table, including from fields that you add.

In the Explorer window, the tip text displays the total numbers of elements present in the Sites and Transmitters folders, and the view.

Figure 1.6: Defining a label

For most object types, you can also display object information in the form of tip text that is only visible when you move the pointer over the object. This option has the advantage of not filling the map window with text. For more information on tip text, see "Defining the Object Type Tip Text" on page 26.

To define tip text for an object type:

1. Access the Display tab of the Properties dialogue as explained in "Display Properties of Objects" on page 23. 2. Click the Browse button ( ) beside the Tip Text box. The Field Selection dialogue appears (see Figure 1.6). 3. Select the fields which you want to display in the tip text:

a. To select a field to be displayed in the tip text for the object type, select the field in the Available Fields list and click to move it to the Selected Fields list.

b. To remove a field from the the Selected Fields list, select the field in the Selected Fields list and click to remove it.

Once you have defined the tip text, you must activate the tip text function before it appears. To display tip text:

• Click the Display Tips button ( ) on the toolbar. Tip text will now appear when the pointer is over the object. If you have more than one coverage prediction displayed on the map, the tip text displays the tip text for all the coverage predictions available on a pixel up to a maximum of 30 lines. You can change this default maximum using an option in the atoll.ini file. For more information, see the Administrator Manual.

Adding an Object Type to the Legend

You can display the information defined by the display type (see "Defining the Display Type" on page 24) in your Atoll docu-ment’s legend. Only visible objects appear in the Legend window. For information on displaying or hiding objects, see

"Displaying or Hiding Objects on the Map Using the Explorer" on page 18.

In Figure 1.7, on the Display tab of a signal level prediction, the intervals defined are: • Signal level >= -65 red

• -65 > Signal level >= -105 shading from red to blue (9 intervals) • Signal level < -105 not shown in the coverage.

The entries in the Legend column will appear in the Legend window.

With value intervals, you can enter information in the Legend column to be displayed on the legend. If there is no information entered in this column, the maximum and minimum values are displayed instead.

1. Access the Display tab of the Properties dialogue as explained in "Display Properties of Objects" on page 23. 2. Select the Add to legend check box. The defined display will appear on the legend.

To display the Legend window:

• Select View > Legend Window. The Legend window appears.

You can also display the comments defined in the properties of a coverage prediction in the Legend window by setting an option in the atoll.ini file. For more information about setting options in the atoll.ini file, see the Administrator Manual.

For most object types, you can also display object information in the form of a label that is displayed with the object. This option has the advantage of keep object-related informa-tion permanently visible. For more informainforma-tion on tip text, see "Defining the Object Type Label" on page 26.

pixel. The following two figures show the results of the same best server area and handover margin coverage prediction. In Figure 1.8, the transmitter display type is "Discrete Values," with the site name as the chosen value. The difference in colour is insufficient to make clear which transmitter is best received on each pixel. In Figure 1.9, the transmitter display type is "Automatic." Because Atoll ensures that each transmitter has a different colour than the transmitters surrounding it, the prediction results are also immediately visible.

To display the results of a server coverage prediction with the transmitters set to the automatic display type: 1. Right-click the Transmitters folder in the Explorer window. The context menu appears.

2. Select Properties from the context menu. The Properties dialogue appears. 3. Select the Display tab.

4. Select "Automatic" as the Display Type. 5. Click OK.

6. Click the Refresh button ( ) to update the display of the prediction results.

Shading - Signal Level Coverage Prediction

Atoll displays the results of a signal level prediction as value intervals. On the map, these value intervals appear as differences of shading. You can use the Shading command to define the appearance of these value intervals to make the results easier to read or more relevant to your needs. For example, you can change the range of data displayed, the interval between each break, or you can change the colours to make the intervals more visible.

In this example, Figure 1.10 shows the results of the best signal level plot from -60 dBm to -105 dBm. However, if you are more interested in reception from -80 dBm to -105 dBm, you can change the shading to display only those values. The result is visi-ble in Figure 1.11.

To change how the results of a signal level coverage prediction are displayed:

1. Expand the Predictions folder in the Explorer window and right-click the signal level prediction. The context menu appears.

2. Select Properties from the context menu. The Properties dialogue appears. 3. Select the Display tab.

4. Click Actions to display the menu and select Shading. The Shading dialogue appears. 5. Change the value of the First Break to "-80". Leave the value of the Last Break at "-105." 6. Click OK to close the Shading dialogue.

7. Click OK to close the Properties dialogue and apply your changes.

1.4 Working with Maps

Atoll has the following functions to help you work with maps: • "Changing the Map Scale" on page 29

• "Moving the Map in the Document Window" on page 30 • "Using the Panoramic Window" on page 30

• "Centring the Map Window on an Object" on page 31 • "Centring the Map Window on a Table Record" on page 31 • "Adjusting the Map Window to a Selection" on page 31 • "Measuring Distances on the Map" on page 32 • "Displaying Rulers Around the Map" on page 32 • "Displaying the Map Legend" on page 32 • "Using Zones in the Map Window" on page 33 • "Editing Polygons, Lines, and Points" on page 39 • "Saving a Map as a Graphic Image" on page 45 • "Copying a Map to Another Application" on page 45. • "Map Window Pointers" on page 46.

1.4.1 Changing the Map Scale

You can change the scale of the map by zooming in or out, by zooming in on a specific area of the map, or by choosing a scale. Atoll also allows you to define a zoom range outside of which certain objects are not displayed (see "Defining the Visibility Scale" on page 25).

1.4.1.1 Zooming In and Out

Atoll offers several tools for zooming in and out on the map. When you zoom in or out on the map, you do so based on the position of the cursor on the map.

To zoom in on the map:

1.4.1.2 Zooming In on a Specific Area

To zoom in on a specific area of the map:

1. Click the Zoom Area icon ( ) on the Map toolbar (or press CTRL+W). 2. Click in the map on one of the four corners of the area you want to select.

3. Drag to the opposite corner. When you release the mouse button, Atoll zooms in on the selected area.

1.4.1.3 Choosing a Scale

To choose a scale:

1. Click the arrow next to the scale box ( ) on the Map toolbar. 2. Select the scale from the list.

If the scale value you want is not in the list:

1. Click in the scale box ( ) on the Map toolbar. 2. Enter the desired scale.

3. Press ENTER. Atoll zooms the map to the entered scale.

1.4.1.4 Changing Between Previous Zoom Levels

Atoll saves the last five zoom levels, allowing you to move quickly between previous zoom levels and zoomed areas. To move between zoom levels:

• Click the Previous Zoom button ( ) to return to a zoom level you have already used (or press ALT +

←

• Once you have returned to a previous zoom level, click the Next Zoom button ( ) to return to the latest zoom level (or press ALT +

→

1.4.2 Moving the Map in the Document Window

You can move the map in the document window using the mouse. To move the map in the document window:

1. Click the Move Map Window button ( ) on the Map toolbar (or press CTRL + D). 2. Move the pointer over the map and drag the map in the desired direction.

1.4.3 Using the Panoramic Window

The Panoramic window displays the entire map with all of the imported geographic data. A dark rectangle indicates what part of the geographic data is presently displayed in a document window, helping you situate the displayed area in relation to the entire map.

You can use the Panoramic window to: • Zoom in on a specific area of the map • Resize the displayed map area

• Move around the map.

To zoom in on a specific area of the map:

1. Click in the Panoramic window on one of the four corners of the area you want to zoom in on. 2. Drag to the opposite corner. When you release the mouse button, Atoll zooms in on the selected area. To resize the displayed map area:

1. Click in the Panoramic window on a corner or border of the zoom area (i.e., the dark rectangle). 2. Drag the border to its new position.

To move around the map:

1. Click in the zoom area (i.e., the dark rectangle) in the Panoramic window. 2. Drag the rectangle to its new position.

1.4.4 Centring the Map Window on an Object

You can centre the map on any selected object, for example, a transmitter, a site, or on any zone in the Zones folder on the Geo tab of the Explorer window. When centring the Map window on an object the current scale is kept.

You can select the object in the map window or in the Explorer window. To centre the map window on a selected object:

1. Right-click the object in the map window or in the Explorer window. 2. Select Centre in Map Window from the context menu.

1.4.5 Centring the Map Window on a Table Record

You can centre the map on any record in the following tables: • Sites table

• Transmitters table • Any vector table.

When centring the Map window on an object the current scale is kept. To centre the map window on a table record:

1. Open the table.

2. Right-click the record. The context menu appears. 3. Select Centre in Map Window from the context menu.

1.4.6 Adjusting the Map Window to a Selection

You can adjust the Map window to display the contents of the Sites folder (or of a view), or a set of measurement data points or any object or zone on the Geo tab of the Explorer window. When you adjust the Map window to display a selection, Atoll optimises the display by changing the scale and position so that the selection (for example, the sites) is completely displayed in the Map window.

To adjust the map window to a folder an object on the Geo tab of the Explorer window: 1. Right-click the folder or object in the Explorer window. The context menu appears. 2. Select Adjust Map Window from the context menu.

If you want to quickly find an object, such as a site, on the map, you can select it in the

Explorer window and then select the Centre in Map Window command.

You can also adjust the Map window to a record (polygon or line) in a vector table. The Map window is then adjusted so that the polygon (or line) entirely occupies the displayed map.

As you move the pointer away from the first point, Atoll marks the initial position and connects it to the pointer with a line.

3. Place the pointer over the second point on the map. The status bar displays the following (see Figure 1.12): - The distance between the two points

- The azimuth between the two points.

To measure the total distance on the map on a line over a series of points: 1. Click the Distance Measurement button ( ) on the toolbar. 2. Click the first point on the map once.

As you move the pointer away from the first point, Atoll marks the initial position and connects it to the pointer with a line.

3. Click once on the map at each point on the line between the first point and the final point, where you will have to change direction on the line.

4. When you reach the last point on the line, the status bar displays the following (see Figure 1.12): - The total distance between the first point and the last point

- The distance between the second-last point and the last point - The azimuth between the last two points.

1.4.8 Displaying Rulers Around the Map

You can display rulers around the map in the document window. To display rulers:

1. Select Document > Preferences. The Preferences dialogue appears. 2. In the Preferences dialogue, click the Coordinates tab.

3. Under Display rulers, select where you want the rulers to be displayed in the map window. 4. Click OK.

1.4.9 Displaying the Map Legend

You can display a map legend. The legend will contain the information on the object types that you have added to it. For infor-mation on adding object types to the legend, see "Adding an Object Type to the Legend" on page 27.

To display the legend:

• Select View > Legend Window.

Figure 1.12: Measurement data in the status bar

Total distance between first and last point

Azimuth between second-last and second-last point Distance between second-last and last point