Page 1
43130 Amberwood Plaza ● South Riding ● Virginia 20152 Direct: (703) 714-1965 ● Fax: (703) 995-4643
Page 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCING WINDCATCHER PLUS---3
2. TECHNICAL SUPPORT CONTACTS---3
3. USING WINDCATCHER PLUS- BASICS---4
A. CONFIGURE WINDCATCHER PLUS---4
B. DATASET CREATION AND MANAGEMENT---32vender C. USER-INTERFACE OVERVIEW---36 D. METRIC PLOTS---43 E. TIME-SERIES PLOTS---44 F. TABLES---46 G. PRINTING/PLOTTING---48 H. PDF/CDF CHARTS---50
I. USER DEFINED METRICS AND REPORTS---51
4. WINDCATCHER PLUS – ADVANCED---58
A. IN-BUILDING PROFILER---58 B. BATCH PRINTING---60 C. OFFSET METRICS---62 D. LAYER CONTROL---64 E. MULTIPLE PHONES---67 F. ON SCREEN MENUS---69 G. POLYGON CREATION---70
H. EXPORTING REPORTS AND MAPS---74
I. EXPORTING TABLES---75 5. ANALYSIS FEATURES---84 A. EVENTS ANALYSIS---84 B. DELTA PLOTS---87 C. LINK TO BIN---90 D. GEO/DISTANCE BINNING---92 E. REPLAY---93
F. NEIGHBOR LIST ANALYSIS---94
G. RF ANALYSIS---95
H. REPORTS---96
6. PROJECT MANAGER---100
A. INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT MANAGER MODULE---100
B. iBWAVE CELL SITES---102
Page 3
1. Introducing Windcatcher Plus
WindCatcher is a PC-based, drive-test post-processing tool developed by Xceed Technologies, Inc. The product provides a complete solution to post-process, analyze and report data, and brings several advanced analysis and productivity features and functionalities to the engineer, packaged in a user-interface that is both powerful and intuitive.
Multiple data files from multiple phones, multiple frequencies and multiple sources (including reverse link) may be processed together in one step and saved as datasets to be recalled later. This adds great efficiency because all data files need only be processed once. Tremendous efficiency gains are also achieved with value-added productivity features such as batch printing (which includes PN and PCI batch printing).
WindCatcher provides multiple views like maps, charts, tables, phone data, event and message browsers for detailed drill-down analysis of problem areas. These views are fully synchronized to maximize the effectiveness and coherency of the data presented. Complementing these views are additional, advanced features like automated event analysis, problem area identification queries, delta plots, PN and PCI analysis that greatly reduce the time taken to identify and analyze problem areas and events.
The functionality of WindCatcher is designed to maximize the productivity and efficiency of engineers in their day-to-day work of evaluating drive test data, isolating problems and recommending solutions to network problems. WindCatcher provides a comprehensive list of all problems seen on the drive. Intelligent algorithms and innovative metrics are applied to these problems to arrive at suggested root causes and ideas for possible fixes.
This user manual provides detailed information on how to use this product. The simple yet powerful user interface combined with the strong engineering focus of the product should make learning WindCatcher a quick, fun and easy process for engineers and managers at all levels.
2. Technical Support Contacts
For technical support questions please call, email or write to Xceed Technologies at:
Telephone: (703) 714-1966 Email: [email protected] Address: Xceed Technologies, Inc.
43130 Amberwood Plaza, Suite 200 South Riding, Virginia 20152
Page 4
3. Using Windcatcher Plus– Basics
The basic steps to use WindCatcher are as follows:
Configure WindCatcher settings – this step need only be performed once, and only needs to be revisited if the usually rare situations when the configuration needs to be changed.
Create datasets out of drive test data to be processed. A dataset is a collection of data files that form a single logical drive for analysis. A single dataset may consist of multiple phones, devices, and/or multiple frequencies.
Plot metrics and charts to view and analyze the datasets.
Use in-built, powerful analysis features to greatly improve the efficiency and increase the quality of the analysis.
Print maps and generate/export reports for offline analysis and documentation purposes. These topics are discussed below. The analysis features are discussed separately under the section on Analysis Features.
A. Configure Windcatcher Plus
WindCatcher provides the flexibility to set a default configuration for data processing and display. The default configuration includes Processing Defaults, Background Defaults, Symbol and Thresholds.
Note: The default configuration, once set, will be saved until it is explicitly changed by the user.
a) Processing Defaults
Page 5 The following screen will be displayed:
Each of the options is discussed below. PROCESSING
Under the Processing tab the following options are present: Average Type
Page 6
asynchronous manner. It is therefore necessary to bin the data in order to display data efficiently. This field sets the binning interval over which all data is averaged. During the process of Appending data to a saved dataset, users should only append a binned mode to dataset with same binned mode.
Time/Distance Binning
Data can be averaged by time, distance or Area (Geo). To change the size and/or type of bins, make sure the desired averaging type is selected and change the values for Time (second) and Distance (Meter) in the user entry box appropriately.
The time interval can be set only in discrete units and the minimum interval is 1 second. The distance interval cal also be set only in discrete units, and the minimum interval is 5 meters. Note:
The Layer 3 and Log data in the message browser will never be binned no matter what the selection since each individual message must be displayed as their occur.
Import Log Data
Layer 3 and Log data can be imported in the following two ways:
By checking the Import Layer3 Data and/or Import Log Data options and leaving the event filter option unchecked, all Layer 3 and Log messages can be viewed in the message browser. If this data is not desired than it can be deselected.
By checking the Import Layer3 Data and/or Import Log Data options and the event filter option. In this option only log and Layer 3 data before and after failure events in a user defined window will be displayed in the event browser.
Note:
The processing will be significantly faster if the event filter for Log data is used to filter the data or if the Log data option is not checked.
Import command/Response Data, selecting this function will allow the import of diagnostic response messages during processing.
The Apply Log Message filter allows the user to apply a filter to the log messages that will be displayed in the message browser. The specific messages to filter and display can be selected using the Select Log Messages button.
Note:
By selecting this option the processing time will get extended, in order to get warning message regarding the extended processing time you can select the Enable warning Message for import log data option.
Packet Trace Data
Packet trace data can be imported in the following two ways:
By checking the Import packet trace Data PCAP Log messages can be viewed in the message browser. If this data is not desired than it can be deselected.
Page 7
By checking the Enable Packet Trace Analysis, all of PCAP related Metrics & Event will be enabled & available for analysis.
Note: once the above mentioned option is checked before processing, following „Packet Trace‟ Metric set will be available to user under map tab.
Merge Phone and Data Device
This option is checked to ensure that the Trace and Dialup devices in JDSU AOD format are merged into a single device.
Settings
Merge Devices by Label- Enables WindCatcher Plus to merge devices across files with the same device label, if not selected devices across the files with the same label will not be merged.
Remember previous settings in data table- It will populate the same set of parameters selected in the Datatable view each time when a dataset is open and the user selects view Datatable.
Enhanced GPS Search- This feature can be utilized if any enhanced GPS data was recorded during data collection.
Show progress bar- The user can enable and disable the visibility of the progress bar window.
Database Settings
Page 8 PROCESSING OFFSET
Time Offset
The option enables the processing of data in-line with the time-zone that the data was collected in. The data is processed with the GMT time zone when this option is not selected. User can apply custom time offset by entering any desired timing.
UETR Offset
The option allows user to process Ericsson call trace data with the exact time offset defined in „hours, minutes, and seconds‟ along with the drive test data
PCAP Offset
The option allows user to add a time offset for PCAP file if the timestamps on PCAP file is not aligned with drive test file.
Page 9 INTERFACE
Map co-ordinate System/ Distance Unit
The map unit provides the option to select Mile or Kilometer in addition to selection of co-ordinate system for display in different views.
Map Offset for Multiple Phones/Frequencies
This option sets the offset between maps for different phones. To change the offset distance, enter the Latitude and Longitude Offset. If the offset is not desired, then unselect the checkbox labeled Enable Map Offset in Degrees.
Enable In-Building Device Offset
Page 10
This selection can be used to apply a fixed latitude and longitude offset to the driven route. Link to bin settings
This Maximum Sector Coverage Distance field sets the coverage range for individual sectors.
Enable Link to Bin Labels
This option allows user to turn on or off the link to bin labels on map interface. Drive Route Display
Hide Bins with no GPS: this option will allow the user to hide bins that display no lat/long values
Hide Bins with no data: If a metric is plotted and the driven bin has no value available for that bin then the bin would be hidden. If the option is not selected the bins without the metric value will come with gray color.
dB offset for receivers: This settings allows the user to apply the 6dB (by default) offset for receiver devices
Show percentage in legends
This selection allows the user to view the percentage distribution for metrics plotted in addition to the bin distribution.
Page 11 RF CONFIGURATION
WCDMA Scanner Settings
This option enables selection of minimum values for Received Power before processing the data to filter out any PSC‟s below that value.
WCDMA Call Block versus Drop Trigger
This option enables the user to select the call block trigger message. This is set to „Alerting CC message‟ as a default.
Avg Method in Bin
This option enables selection of the value displayed in a bin i.e. average over all the values in a bin or the best values in a bin
Page 12 iDEN
For iDEN link to Bin feature, this option allows user either to choose Cell ID, PCCH, or Sector Label for link to Bin. The „Sector Label‟ option for iDEN sites uses PCCH and TCH information. The user would need to follow the procedure below while using the „link to bin‟ feature:
1. Browse onto Home>processing default>RF Configuration>idem menu, select „Sector Label‟ and „Save‟
2. Add the cell site layer
3. Browse onto Home and select „Map sites to Route‟ CDMA Tooltip
This option enables the user to view the „sector name‟ for a PN
CDMA Phone Analysis
This option enables the user to select the „window size‟ in addition to allow for PNs of value 0 to be included in the data processed in WindCatcher Plus
CDMA PN Scanner Settings
This option enables the user to set Value for PN Increment from Scanner Data.
Scanner Processing
This option enables the user define a minimum Ec/Io level for scanner data processing to filter out any PN below this threshold. This feature is particularly useful in areas with poor coverage.
Receiver Data
This option must be selected before processing a receiver device. It allows the user to populate metrics from the „Receiver‟ menu in the „Map‟ tab after data is processed.
Page 13
VENDOR SPECIFIC
This option provides vendor specific settings for different formats.
Comarco
Display Comarco time- if the option is selected the messages in the message windown will display the vendor time.
Data Pro
Use standalone GPS if available- this option will use GPS information from standalone GPS and bypass the scanner GPS information
Split receiver device by different scans- if the reciever device is a scanning multiple
frequencies then by having this option checked separate devices will be created for different frequencies.
Page 14
Auto adjust scanner threshold for correlation length- This option will allow users to ignore the “default minimum accepted Ec/Io level” and will use new threshold for the minimum level based on correlation lengths.
Accuver
Merge GPS from SCN files to DRM files- by checking this option WindCatcher Plus will extract GPS information from the scanner devices and merge it automatically into the UE devices. (Only required if UE devices does not contain GPS information)
TEMS
Set GPS interpolation- Interpolation is the method of constructing new data points. Having checked this option WindCatcher Plus decodes correctly the ping point information and performs interpolation between lat/long and thus solves the problem of sparse GPS point. Swissqual
Flip GPS- This option can be used to report corrected latitude and longitude for Swissqual inbuiding data files which switch lat/lon.
Page 15 BACKGROUND PROCESS
Multi-Process
This option allows the user to use multiple CPUs for processing. WindCatcher Process Control Task
This option is applicable only to the „batch process module‟ license where the user can select the number of messages to be exported for each file processed.
Page 16
minimum size for the files processed in WindCatcher Plus.
b) Create Workspace
The „Workspace‟ feature is provided to enable to user to reuse/share the layout of the different views in WindCatcher Plus. The „workspace‟ created by a user is saved as an XML file and maybe shared between users.
Concept of a Workspace:
After selection of the window views, the user may browse onto Workspaces>Save option and save the view as an XML file on his machine.
Page 17 Open a Workspace:
These XML files maybe opened using the Workspaces>Open option and browsing onto the saved/shared XML file on the machine:
c) Cell site creation
Page 18
This option allows the user to create cell site files from „.csv‟ or „.txt‟ files containing cell site information.
The following information must be entered correctly:
Separator: e.g.: „Comma‟ for a csv file, „Tab‟ for a text file. Column Names: Select „First row has column names‟ Encoding; options include ANSI, Unicode, and OEM.
Map the „Available fields‟ onto the appropriate „Base Station‟ fields by dragging the values, select a location to save the output MapInfo tab files and select OK.
Page 19
If the user wants to use the same cell site information format every time, the user can save the mappings in a template. The next time user won‟t have to map these fields again. After completing mapping click on “save as” option & choose a name for future use. The next time after importing cell site information file, the user can simply select the saved template from the drop down menu which will map all fields automatically.
Page 20
The Options tab enables users to change the visible size of the sectors, the transparency of the colors and the color of the sector. The color of the sectors can be colored by Sector ID or by Azimuth Direction.
Choose the “store location” for output cell site files by clicking on “Save” button. Browse for desired folder location where user wants to store these files.
d) Default Cell Sites.
This option will allow user to choose default cell site i.e. every time user process data or open a database, these cell sites will appear automatically as default cell sites.
Page 21
Browse for already created cell sites to save them as default.
e) Sector Display
Easy access to Sector Display Options is now available by selecting a sector and then right-clicking on the Sector and Link to Bin Selections. This will enable to user to change the sector display properties „on the fly‟ after cell site creation. Site and sector label options maybe modified within this display
Page 22 Site and Sector Label options can be modified
Page 23
f) Remove Cell Sites
This option will enable user to remove the imported cell sites from the background.
Page 24
Page 25
Once the selections are made, select „Apply‟ and then „OK‟ and a preview of the processed GST will be displayed:
h) Background
This option will let you import the created GeoSet into your current map. A pop up window will appear to let you browse to the saved GeoSet file to choose.
Page 26
i) Bin Style
Page 27
The „Style‟ column enables the user to select the symbol, color, background and effects displayed on the map for the corresponding device:
Page 28
This option allows the user to select the symbols, colors, etc for the various events and metrics displayed in WindCatcher.
k) Favorites Menu
This feature allows a user to select a range of metrics to be accessed later by hovering over the top of the Map in WindCatcher when a database is opened.
The user may select the metric by browsing onto it through the Map>metric menu and a right click on the metric to select „Add to favorites Menu‟
In order to unselect a metric from the „favorites menu‟, the user would need to browse onto the metric under the map tab, right click on the metric and select „Remove from Favorites menu‟
Page 29
Event Settings
The „Event Symbol Selection‟ enables a user to select/modify an event to be displayed on the map, chart, and/or the Event Tree.
WindCatcher provides a comprehensive set of call events right from handset registration and call access through call end. These events can be viewed either in the event browser, map view or both. The symbols and colors are user definable.
From Home Tab click Event Settings, The following window will appear:
The events are categorized on the left pane under separate tabs forming logical groupings of events (such as LTE Call Setup, LTE Registration, etc.). The events are further collected into sub-categories within each category (such as LTE Authentication Failure, LTE AS Security Failure, etc.).
There are three checkboxes for each event selection, as shown. The first selection selects whether to display the event on the event browser docked window or not. The second selection is for display on the map. Note that these selections apply to all opened datasets, and will be remembered the next time the application is opened.
The Third selection is the Show on Chart Option- Support for „events‟ in the time-series charts. Users may browse onto Home>Event Settings to select the event to „Show on Chart‟ and select „Apply‟
Page 30
menu and making the requisite changes in the window displayed below:
Threshold Settings
Thresholds may be user-defined for every metric available in WindCatcher according to the analysis requirements.
To set a threshold, select Threshold Settings from the Home tab. This will display a list of metric groups. Select the metric group of interest & change the threshold as desired.
Page 31
A sample threshold specification window is shown below for the LTE Dominant RSRP metric (under the LTE Dominant RF… metric group).
The following may be done:
To change the individual threshold values, select the desired row, then select the Threshold column. The value may then be changed to a valid, user-defined value.
To change the individual threshold colors, select the desired row, and then click on the down arrow to see a list of available colors.
To change the number of threshold entries, select the “+” or “-” symbols repeatedly until the number of entries are displayed.
Select OK when complete & apply to save the changes. Select Cancel to abort without saving the changes.
Note:
Any changes made to threshold settings will only take effect the next time the corresponding metric is plotted. The new settings will not apply to any metrics that are already displayed on the map(s).
Page 32
Exporting Thresholds and Events
WindCatcher allows users to export threshold and event settings to CFG files. These files can be shared across users as well as users can create multiple settings for different analysis using the „Settings‟ menu:
B. Dataset Creation and Management
The first step in viewing data in WindCatcher will be to create a dataset from the data files to be analyzed.
WindCatcher provides the powerful option to save the datasets once they are processed. Therefore, this process of creating the dataset need only be performed once for each unique set of drive data. These datasets may subsequently be opened immediately without needing to go through the processing step again.
Create New Dataset
From the main menu, select File, then New Dataset… or select the New Dataset … icon:
Page 33
Click on the Add button next to select the Drive Test Files and select all files that you wish to process. Note that more than one file may be selected for processing, and these files may be of any supported mobile phones.
Click on the Browse under the save Database section to select a directory and name to save the processed data.
Notes:
You may choose not to save the processed data, in which case the last step needs not to be performed. However, in this case, you will need to repeat this process to view the data the next time the application is loaded.
If a dataset has already been created, then this dataset may be reopened by selecting the Open Dataset…icon that is next to the New Dataset…icon above.
Open Existing Dataset
To open a previously processed and saved dataset, select File, then Open Dataset… or select the Open Dataset … icon:
Page 34
Browse to the directory that the dataset was saved and select the .mdb dataset database file. The selected dataset will be loaded into WindCatcher as a new map window.
Close Dataset
To close a dataset, select File, then Close Dataset and select the appropriate dataset to close.
Merge Datasets
This option allows the user to merge more than 1 datasets in WindCatcher Plus. When the option is selected, a „Merge Datasets‟ window opens up allowing the user to „Add Datasets‟ to be merged. Once the datasets are added, a location for the final merged dataset is selected (under „Browse‟ highlighted below) and „OK‟ selected, WindCatcher will merge the datasets and open the final, merged dataset on the interface:
Page 35
Merge Devices
This option allows the user to merge devices within a dataset:
Manual Merge: This option allows the user to select the devices that need to be merged. User will select the devices as per the snapshot below (note the two devices selected have unique „Phone ID‟)
Once the „merge‟ option is selected, the two devices are assigned the same Phone ID and the user selects „Accept‟:
Page 36
WindCatcher will merge the two devices and re-open the dataset on the interface.
The Auto Merge option will search for similar devices (in case of phones similar MIN ESN) and automatically merge the devices.
C. User-Interface Overview
Docked Windows
Key information about the dataset associated with the active map window is contained within windows along the sides of the application. This key information includes: Layer 3 and phone log messages, events, binned phone data, legends and dataset information.
The default view is with all windows in the Collapsed Mode. This maximizes the map viewing area.
Any window can be expanded by just moving the mouse over the desired window on the side-bar window selection. This window may be temporarily fixed for display by clicking on this side-bar window selection, as shown.
Page 37
This window may also be resized as required. To collapse the window again, just select any point outside this window.
This window may also be Docked so that it is permanently expanded on the screen. In this docked mode, the other windows in the application will be resized so that all windows are visible. To dock the window, just select the push pin as shown:
Just select the push pin again to get this window out of the Docked state, and revert back to the collapsible state.
Docked Windows may be changed to floating windows by just dragging it out from side bar. To reinstate a docked window, double click window header & it will re positioned to side bar.
Page 38 e
Windows View
Under the View tab Windows View option will allow the user to retrieve any specific docked window if it has been closed from the main interface.
Legend Window
Legend window shows user all the events and metrics that are currently selected on the map interface.
Page 39
Thresholds for metrics can be adjusted on the fly by double clicking on the metric legend and the Modify Ranged Theme page will open as shown below:
Page 40
Tabbed Windows
WindCatcher supports multiple datasets to be loaded into the application at the same time. Each dataset is opened as a new tabbed window.
You may move between windows by just selecting the appropriate tab. The tabbed window title will be modified appropriately to reflect any metric that is currently displayed on each map.
Multiple Maps
Additional Map and/or Time-Series windows may be opened for any of the loaded datasets by selecting the appropriate dataset under the Views tab.
Page 41
You may place windows side-by-side by selecting and dragging the desired window to the right or below. Just Click on the icon below for the location selection i.e. left, right, top or bottom
An example of a vertically split window using the above-mentioned technique is shown below:
Page 42
All windows of the same dataset are synchronized, so this makes comparison between metrics very convenient and powerful. The synchronization extends to between Map and Time-Series windows as well.
Synchronization
WindCatcher implements complete synchronization of all possible views in any direction for maximum effectiveness and efficiency in performing drill-down analyses of problems.
The following views are all synchronized with each other (from the same dataset): Maps (including multiple map windows for the same dataset)
Time-series charts (including multiple time-series chart windows for the same dataset) Dropped Call Event Analysis Window
High BLER/RxQual Analysis Window Message Window
Event Window Phone Data Browser Tables
Page 43
D.
Metric Plots
Any opened dataset in WindCatcher will begin with the Map view. The initial Map view will show the drive route without any metrics plotted. The various events that appeared on the drive will also be displayed.
To display any metric on the map, just click on following icons and select the desired metric to plot.
You may also select any of the Metrics to display by right-clicking anywhere within the Map window. See section „On Screen Menus‟ for more details.
Page 44
E.
Time-Series Plots
You may view any dataset metric as a time-series by selecting Window, then New Time Series Chart from the main menu, or by selecting the New Time Series Chart icon as follows:
If there are multiple datasets loaded, then select the desired dataset from the list.
The chart will open with the default metrics displayed. Select the Chart Metrics icon to change the metrics displayed on the chart and/or to change the default metrics to be displayed the next time any chart is selected.
You may also scroll or change the zoom on the chart through the controls on the Chart Control docked window on the right.
Page 45
To scroll along the horizontal axis, select Time-Axis scroll, then rotate the knob in the appropriate direction (clockwise to scroll to the right and vice versa).
In order to change the zoom setting (timescale width) you can select Time-Axis zoom and rotate the knob appropriately (clockwise to zoom in and vice versa).
The Sync to Selected Phone selects the phone that the rest of the maps and browsers will be synchronized to when a selection is made on the time chart. This setting has an impact when there are multiple phones in the dataset.
Events on Chart
In order to show „events‟ in the time-series chart, ensure that the „events on chart‟ option is selected in the „Chart‟ tab:
Page 46
F.
Tables
This feature provides an alternative view of data by displaying it in the tabular form. Select the Tables icon to display the table for the current dataset.
Given below is a sample table:
Page 47
Fields can be added to (or removed from) the column display on the right by expanding the appropriate tree in the Field Name: section and selecting (unselecting) the desired metrics. The table displayed on the right can be exported to an Excel spreadsheet or directly to a
MapInfo tab file by selecting the appropriate icons on the top of the window. Note that a separate MapInfo tab file will be created for each phone in the dataset.
The Field Name: column may be hidden or shown by toggling the Show/Hide Field Name icon on the top. It is sometimes useful to hide this column so that more of the Tabular Data fields may be viewed.
All displayed fields in the Tabular Data section may be removed by selecting the Unselect All Fields icon at the top of the table‟s window. Note that the first 5 columns are permanently on the table, and will not be removed with this button.
Notes:
The table is fully synchronized with the rest of the browsers, maps and time-series plots associated with the same dataset.
Once certain fields are selected for display on the Tabular Data window, these selections will be remembered for every dataset opened after making these selections.
Page 48
G.
Printing / Plotting
To print/plot the current map, select FilePrint Map/Chart…
Or
From the Map view, Click on
Page 49
Select the Printer Setup from the icons if a non-default printer / settings need to be configured. Plotters are also supported, including most paper sizes such as A, B, C, D and E-sizes.
Once configured, the printout may either be printed on the selected printer by selecting Print or to a PDF file by selecting Save as PDF.
Page 50
H.
PDF/CDF Charts
PDF/CDF charts of selected metrics may be seen by selecting Views tab then PDF/CDF, or by doing right click on map & by selecting Current Metric PDF/CDF.
Page 51
The following screen will appear, allowing the user to select desired metrics for the PDF or CDF charts, the resulting window will display multiple metrics on single chart as seen below
These PDF/CDF charts may be exported to excel file by selecting the Save to Excel icon. Also these charts can exported into following formats by using Export button.
Page 52
I.
User Defined Metrics and Reports
Both of these features are available through the User Query docked window on the right side of the interface, as shown below:
These features allow the user to create any metric or report based on any combination of existing metrics and events in WindCatcher. Conditions may be applied to these metrics and reports before generation.
Page 53 General Usage
These two features are fundamentally used in the same way. The interface is divided into 6 sections, as shown below
1. User Defined Metric/Report Selection Tabs: The user may select to either use the User Defined Metrics (UDM) or the User Defined Report (UDR) feature by selecting the appropriate tab.
2. Metric/Report Item Definition: One or more items may be selected for the UDM/UDR. 3. Conditions: One or more conditions may be applied to the selected UDM/UDR items. 4. Icon Selections: The definition may be saved by selecting the icon.
5. Previously defined Metrics/Reports: The defined UDM/UDR will now appear in the left pane. This UDM/UDR may now be run by double-clicking the appropriate query on this left pane or by selecting the Execute Query icon .
6. Results: The results may be viewed on the results section on the right. These results may be exported to an Excel .csv file by selecting the Export to CSV… icon . In the case of UDM, the selected user defined metric will also appear on the map, color coded by the legend defined.
Page 54 see sections below for detail.
Create a Custom Legend
In addition to the predefine legends for the user queries, a custom legend may be defined by selecting the Setup Customized Metrics Threshold . The following window will appear:
Select Create new threshold group icon , choose a name for threshold and define the desired threshold, as shown below:
Page 55
Create a Custom Field
In order to facilitate the process of creating user queries, the user query section consists of a custom filed option. To create a custom field, select the Create Customized Field icon . The following window will appear:
The field may be defined by selecting the appropriate existing fields and operators. Note previously defined custom fields may be used to create new custom fields, making this feature have virtually limitless possibilities to create very complex custom fields.
Once created, enter an Expression Name (to be used to select the field) and an Expression Result Alias (which will be the column heading in the results section). Select the Save Expression to User Defined Field icon to save this custom field.
Creating User Defined Metrics
For ease of illustration, the implementation will be explained using an example.
Example:
Objective: Create a User Query Metric displaying the Dominant RSRP for a specific Dominant RSRP (Value > -85).
Define the Metric Item
Page 56 (dBm) metric from the LTE Dominant Data group. Select the appropriate threshold from the third box list. The final definition should look as follows:
Define the Conditions
The conditions are defined in the third section.
The first step is to create a new condition by selecting on the arrow and selecting Add a new connection, as shown below.
Select the appropriate metrics and conditions. For this example, the Dominant RSRP (dBm) and the corresponding value (>-85). Note that the list of available values in the current dataset for any selected metric may be viewed by selecting the drop-down box, as shown below:
Additional conditions may be defined by left-clicking on the arrow again and selecting Add a new condition.
Creating User Defined Report
Page 57 Example:
Objective: Create a User Query Metric displaying the Dominant RSRP (dBm) for a specific LTE UE RSRP.
Define the Report Item
The report items may be selected from the second box in section 2, as shown below:
Select the appropriate metric from the second box. Then, select the appropriate aggregation method from the first box. Select the desired sorting if required from the third box.
Additional report items may be defined by left-clicking the green arrow and then selecting Add a new field.
The final report item definition should appear as follows:
Define the Conditions
The conditions are defined in section 3.
The first step is to create a new condition by selecting on the arrow and selecting Add a new connection, as shown below.
Select the appropriate metrics and conditions. For this example, the Dominant RSRP (dBm) value (>-85). Note that the list of available values in the current dataset for any selected metric may be viewed by selecting the drop-down box, as shown below:
Page 58
4. Using WindCatcher – Advanced
A. In-Building Profiler
In building profiler feature will allow user to map the in building background file (jpg, bmp etc) to exact location on map by selecting 4 reference points.
To create an in building profile, click button available under “Home” tab. Once the profiler is launched, import the background file using tab.
Using the below “Anchor Points” option map the jpg lat/longs to actual lat/longs on the available map.
Page 59
Click on “P1” and click on jpg to get the pixel position, now click on the map for the actual lat/longs on the Map available in the left window. Follow the same procedure to map all 4 points
and then hit “Apply” followed by .
Once the profiler MapInfo file is generated, start processing the in building data and import the
Page 60
B. Batch Printing
Windcatcher can be configured to print several plots at the same time. To do so, select MapFrom Print Menu, Click on Drop down Menu & then Batch Print….
Page 61 Select the desired metrics to plot.
Once the metrics have been selected, user has the option to „Clear Selection‟, „Print Preview‟, „Print‟ or „Save‟ the metric selection as a template that may be selected at a later date:
Page 62
C. Offset Metrics
It is sometimes useful to compare the performance of two or more metrics in conjunction to understand possible correlations between these metrics. One of the ways to do this in WindCatcher is through the use of this Offset Metrics feature.
To use this feature, click on the Metrics Offset icon
Page 63
A maximum of six offset metrics can be selected at any one time.
The offset distance between each metric offset can be set using the settings provided under the Option Default Offset section.
Then offset Pan can be used to create offset b/w multiple layers. Click on the center button to reset the offset.
If the Selections on Map button is selected in the Map Selection Option, then there must have been selections on the map prior to opening this offset metrics configuration window. To make selections on the map, change the mouse pointer to one of the map selection pointers (see options below) and select the desired drive test points prior to calling this configuration window.
Any offset metrics on the map may be subsequently cleared by clicking on the center button in Offset Pan.
Page 64
D. Layer Control
The purpose of the layer control is to control what gets displayed on the maps and how they are displayed. WindCatcher utilizes the MapX software to display the maps, which is based on the popular MapInfo format. Layers may be added, deleted and labeled just like how they are done in MapInfo.
There are nine tabs in the layer control, these tabs are discussed below.
Metrics
In This tab all of metrics which are currently plotted will be displayed, you select/unselect them to make them visible or removed from the map. In addition, this tab allows the user to display labels for the metric:
Page 65 Selection:
Each device is associated with a „route‟ and „Event‟ layer. The user may select the layers that he wishes to view on the map:
In addition to this, the user may simply select the layer from the „layer‟ tree and choose its visibility options
Page 66 Editing
In this tab Default styles for drawing tools can be selected.
Background Maps
Additional Map layers can be added using the Add option under Layers and map layers can be reordered using the Up and Down options under Reorder. The controls are identical to those used in MapInfo.
Page 67
E. Multiple Phones
WindCatcher will automatically handle multiple phones within the same dataset. If the collections of files that comprise a dataset contain information from more than one phone, then WindCatcher automatically offsets the map plots for each phone. The offset separation may be set by selecting Home, then Processing Default>Interface and then specifying the desired offset in the Map Offset for Multiple Phones/Frequencies section.
Page 68
layer control dialog window that is available by selecting the Layer Control icon.
Select or unselect the phones as desired by selecting device data layer in the Layer Control. Only the selected phones will be displayed on the map upon selecting the OK button. See section on Layer Control for more details.
Note:
The Dataset Info docked window on the left bar contains information on each phone such as the type of phone, IMEI number, etc.
Page 69
F.
On Screen Menus
WindCatcher provides access to menus and bin information on the screen. There are two different types of on screen menus, as described below.
No Selection Menu
The following menu is displayed when the mouse right-click button is pressed while there is no selection on the active map:
Basic Metrics or Advanced Metrics
Any of the Metrics or Advanced Metrics may then be plotted on the map by making the appropriate selection on this menu.
Export Metrics/Events to Excel/MapInfo/Google Earth format
By pressing mouse right-click button on Map, and then by choosing Export Metrics/Event option user may export Metrics or Events in Excel, Map info or Google Earth (.kml) compatible formats.
Page 70
G.
Polygon creation
The following procedure is used to create and import polygons into:
a. Browse onto Map>Map Tools and select the „arrow „ on the lower right corner b. Select the „polygon‟ icon
Page 71
d. The area will be highlighted once selected. Now, right click on the map to „create a polygon‟
Page 72 Polygon/Boundary Import:
You may import the boundary through Map>Import Boundary menu:
Browse and select the MapInfo file, select the value for MapInfo field, select „Custom 1‟ for „mapped field‟ and provide a name under „mapped name‟ for the boundary and select „Process‟:
Page 73 Report Generation:
The mapped field above can be from Custom1 to Custom10. For reports theses Custom fields are available in KPI Mapping as shown below:
In the Custom Report if a user wants to exclude the area outside the polygon following condition should be added in the condition‟s tab.
In the example above Polygon is mapped to Custom1 field. When this condition “conditioncovered” is applied o any metric in “Metric Data” table to Custom Report the result for that metric with be generated after applying the exclusion.
Page 74
H.
Exporting Reports and Maps
The active map and various reports may be exported from WindCatcher for further analysis and display purposes. The export functionality is as follows:
Export Message Data
The purpose of this report is to export the Layer 3 and Log messages to a text file for further analysis. There are two options when this type of export is selected:
All Messages… Selected Messages…
The All Messages… option will save all the messages that are available on the message browser docked window in text format.
Warning: The All Messages… option could take a long time to export and result in very large text output file, and should be used with care.
The Selected Messages… option will only export the messages that are selected on this message browser. To use this option, first open the message browser docked window and select the range of rows to export. Then select this Selected Messages option to perform the actual export.
There will be a window presented to specify the location and name of the exported file for both these options.
Page 75
I. Exporting Tables
The table export feature provides a powerful method to export a wide variety of metrics and bin counts to either an Excel spreadsheet or directly as a MapInfo tab file. This export is available through the Data Tables feature under Views tab.
The following window will appear; this window can docked on screen by double clicking the menu bar on it.
Selected metric & events can be exported in Excel, MapInfo & Google compatible KML formats.
Page 76
The attribute manager enables the user to create and define new metrics that maybe used for plots within WindCatcher and for the Event analysis which will be detailed later in the manual. An attribute is defined as an engine entity that aggregates values over a certain user defined window size or bin interval.
Page 77 An attribute maybe created using the steps below:
1. Select the technology using the technology menu:
2. Selection of the attribute: The user may select the attribute from the groups defined under the „Attributes‟ tree or Add a new attribute
The “data type‟ allows the user to define the type of output expected i.e. double, string, long, ulong, short, ushort, byte, character.
Page 78 The following binning options are available:
Average: provides the average value of the attribute for the entire bin Current: provides the instantaneous value for the attribute
Last_val: provides the last, valid value observed for the attribute for the bin. First_val: provides the first, valid value observed for the attribute for the bin. Second_val: provides the second, valid value observed for the attribute for the bin Minimum: provides the minimum value observed for the attribute for the bin Maximum: provides the maximum value observed for the attribute for the bin Accumulate: Adds all the values observed for the attribute within the bin
The „Add Database Column Mapping‟ allows the user to define an attribute that would be added to the processed database in WindCatcher. Here the user can define the binning, select the table and the column, define the ranking. The „Raw output‟ option maybe selected for receiver devices.
Page 79 Event Diagram
The Event Diagram may be used to model call state, create events and statistics. The following window is displayed when this option is selected from the „Tools‟ tab:
The user must select the „technology‟ and „Format‟ before creation/modification of an event diagram. Each event diagram is comprised of several states and transitions. The user may „double click‟ on a state to define the expressions that evaluate when a state is entered or exited.
Page 80
The user may „double click‟ on a transition to define the expressions that trigger the transition from one state to the other:
Page 81
The „expression editor‟ maybe used to define/modify the expression for the states and transitions:
The attribute selected from the „Attributes‟ tree appears on the „KPI‟ column. A function maybe selected from the „Functions menu‟. The „Join‟ menu allows the user to select „and‟ and „or‟ conditions. Once, all the information is entered select „Insert‟ to add the condition. The user may manually type in the information too.
Page 82
The Event Analysis option enables the user to configure a set of KPIs for a given window size (in ms) before and after an event. This information is stored as an XML file which is used by the engine to process the drive test files. The following window is displayed when the „Event analysis‟ option is selected on the „Tool‟ menu. The user must select the „technology‟ before creation of an event analysis.
The „root causes‟ may be defined as per the steps below: Step 1: Name the cause and „add‟ it to the list
Page 83
Page 84
5. Analysis Features
A. Event Analysis
The automated event analysis features is one of the most powerful features in WindCatcher. This feature provides the user with the ability to list all occurrences of the most critical customer-perceived problems in one location.
Furthermore, the conditions before and after these problem events occurred are presented for each event. This dramatically reduces the time taken to analyze the problem because the laborious and non-value-added work of gathering this before/after data is automatically done. Finally, a possible root cause is provided whenever possible using proprietary Xceed algorithms.
There are three types of event analysis available under this feature, namely: Dropped Calls Analysis
High BLER/RxQual Analysis Blocked Calls Analysis Access Failure
To perform any of these analysis, execute the following steps:
Page 85
All occurrences of the selected event in the currently active dataset will be listed. An example for Dropped Calls is shown below:
Click on the desired row to view details on that event below. The details include the conditions before and after the drop, as well as a suggested root cause (if able to be automatically determined from acquired data).
All maps and associated docked windows will be synchronized to the event selected. This makes it very powerful and convenient for drill down analysis of the problem.
Note:
The Event Analysis window may also be docked by double-clicking on the top bar or clicking once on the top bar and dragging the mouse to either the left, right or bottom edge of the application.
Similarly to the Event Drop Call Analysis, the Event Block Call Analysis is also available and it synchronize block calls with the event, layer III, table, replay, and time axis function.
Page 87
B. Delta Plots
Delta plot is a powerful feature that provides the flexibility to compare two dataset collected on the same route either by two handsets or collected by the same hand separately. Using this option, engineers can compare datasets on the same route under different load condition as well as comparing the multiple carrier coverage.
To use this feature, execute the following steps:
Select the Delta Plot icon from Views menu, and select New Delta Plot.
Page 88 corresponding drop-down lists.
Specify the geographic bin size or the Time binning method to use. The entire drive test area based on the selected data will be sectioned into square bins of the specified size. Subsequently, all points from each set of data will be linearly averaged in each of these bins to be used for the delta (difference) plot.
Select Run. The resulting plot will display the difference between the first set of data and the second (i.e. Baseline Metrics – Compared Metrics). The units will correspond to the metric selected for comparison. Statistics will also be presented in the legend that summarizes the differences calculated between the two sets of data.
The delta map provides the user the ability to export the data as an Excel sheet or create a PDF/CDF chart. These option will be displayed after a „right click‟ on the map
Page 89
Once the delta plot window is opened, the metric being compared may be changed for the same two sets of data by merely selecting the appropriate metric from the Delta Plot icon. The delta plot will be recreated on the same map for this new metric.
The user may also create another delta plot window by following steps 1 to 5. There is no limit to the number of such windows that can be opened, subject to system RAM constraints.
Note that since each data to be compared is specified as a combination of the dataset and phone id, therefore this supports two types of comparisons, namely, Dataset Deltas and Handset Deltas. These logical types of comparisons are described in more detail below.
Dataset Delta
To perform this type of delta plot analysis, load each dataset separately into WindCatcher. Perform the delta plot configuration as described earlier, and select the appropriate datasets under Data 1 and Data 2. The phone ID will be the same for both data definitions.
Handset Delta
To perform this type of delta plot analysis, load the dataset that contains information on the multiple phones / devices. Perform the delta plot configuration as described earlier, and select the appropriate Phone IDs under Data 1 and Data 2. The dataset will be the same for both data definitions.
Page 90
C. Link to Bin
The Link Bin to Sector feature provides the ability to view the pilots serving each point along the drive through lines drawn to the corresponding sectors. Note that this feature can only be utilized if there are already cells displayed on the map. To use this feature, follow the steps below:
To activate the feature, browse onto Map>To Sector menu and select the option required e.g.: active sector
Now select the bin on the map and Windcatcher will display the link to the Active Sector:
Each subsequent point selected will result in the lines being redrawn to correspond to the new point until the feature is turned off.
Page 91
The user may select a sector and right click to view the „link sector to‟ options:
The lines may be removed in a number of ways:
a. Reselect one or more of the previous selections. This will toggle the lines off for those selections, and the corresponding lines will be removed from the map.
b. Select Remove Link. This will turn off the lines, but the line selections will still be active. This means that fresh lines will be drawn the next time a selection is made on the map.
Page 92
D. Geo/Distance Binning
Geo & Distance Binning Maps can be generated on the fly as well after processing data with Time binning. The options are available under ‘Views’ tab
From the drop down menu of desired binning method, users have to choose the database on which binning method suppose to be applied
Once the database selected, the user interface will take the input for desired distance in meters
Click OK after entering desired distance for Area or Distance binning & new map window will open with desired Area or Distance binned output for analysis.
Users can also select binning method for metric display from the following menu under ‘map’ tab.
This will allow users to change the binning method e.g. Average, Minimum or Maximum value for that particular Bin period.
Page 93
E. Replay
The Replay feature automatically makes a selection move along the map. The Link Bin to Sector feature need not be activated to use this feature, but is very powerful when combined to visually capture distant pilot interferers which may otherwise be difficult to capture via other traditional troubleshooting methods.
The replay is controlled by the Replay icons as shown:
Select the Start replay button to start the replay. Similarly, select the Stop replay, Step forward and Step backward buttons to stop the replay and manually perform the replay respectively. Notes:
The data can be replayed with or without cell site information.
The replay function is fully synchronized with all docked windows and browsers, including the Phone Data Browser, Message Window, Event Window and any opened time-series windows for the same dataset.
Replay Option
The Replay Speed function may be employed to adjust the Replay speed.
The Synchronization function allows the user to select synchronization of the Replay function with the Message Data, Event Data Tree, Time Series Chart and Tabular Data. Just click on all mentioned Data options, once the option becomes highlighted, it will be synchronized with the replay.
Page 94
F. Neighbor List Analysis
Neighbor list analysis can be launched from „Tools‟ tab. This feature can be used to determine missing neighbors from the collected data.
This tool can be used with or without cell file in the background. Once the user clicks on above icon, an analysis window will appear as below. If the cell file is already in the background then it will appear in the sector field automatically & in case UE it will be used for missing neighbor analysis as well. If the cell site file is not in the background then sector field will remain blank & analysis will be performed based on collected information only.
Default criteria can be modified by user such as serving CINR & neighbor CINR threshold values for example in case of LTE neighbor analysis. Once the values are set, User needs to click on Run Analysis & a detailed report will be generated which can be exported in Excel as well.
Page 95
G.
RF Analysis
RF analysis can be launched from „Tools‟ tab. This feature can be used to summarize RF data for a dataset
RF analysis displays the window below where the user observes data for each serving PN/PSC/PCI
Page 96 on the map
H.
Reports
The reports menu allows user to run an array of pre-defined reports and custom reports. WindCatcher Plus provides pre-defined reports for CDMA, GSM/UMTS, and iDEN technologies. In addition various custom reports are available for CDMA, GSM/UMTS, iDEN and LTE. The most commonly used custom report is the „Pre-post‟ report (CDMA/EVDO/LTE) which is created as per the procedure defined below:
The Pre-post template is located under Start> My Documents>Xceed Technologies, Inc folder. Consider the example below for pre-post report creation:
1. Create a pre dataset:
Process the pre-drive data in WindCatcher plus and save the database e.g.: Pre.mdb. Note the „Device Id‟ of the pre devices by browsing onto the „DatasetInfo‟ tab on the left side of the map:
Page 97 2. Create a post dataset:
Process the pre-drive data in WindCatcher plus and save the database e.g.: Post.mdb. note the device ID of the post device by browsing onto the „DatasetInfo‟ tab.
3. Template Update:
Open the report template and browse onto the „Device Mapping‟ tab. Enter the „Dataset‟ and „Device ID‟ information from steps 1 and 2 Save and close the Template
For every new creation of the pre-post report, the user would need to enter information in the „device mapping‟ tab of the template.
Page 98
4. Open the two (pre and post) datasets in WindCatcher plus. Browse onto Reports>Open Custom Report and browse onto the template that was saved in Step 3
Page 99
Zoom Option in Reports
For a specific zoom that would be uniform throughout the report for image plots, open that particular custom report before generating and select IMAGE DATA tab:
1. Image data: cell A1, type in „zoom‟. This will pick up the zoom from the current opened dataset. This works similarly for custom report utility. This does not work for WPCM
2. Option 2: A1: type in „zoom:200:meters‟ . This will allow user to define the zoom level. This will pick up the narrower width and zoom it. This works for all options of custom reports. Currently, we support only meter, miles and kilometer.
