Asset ACP User Reference Guide.pdf

7/29/2019 Asset ACP User Reference Guide.pdf

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/asset-acp-user-reference-guidepdf 1/108

ASSET ACPUser Reference Guide

Software Version 7.0

Reference Guide Edition 1





© Copyright 2010 AIRCOM InternationalAll rights reserved

ASSET ACP, ARRAYWIZARD, ASSET, CONNECT, DATASAFE, DIRECT,ENTERPRISE, MYRIAD, AIRCOM OPTIMA, RANOPT and WEBWIZARD arerecognised trademarks of AIRCOM International. Other product names aretrademarks of their respective companies.

Microsoft Excel , .NET™, Microsoft Office, Outlook , Visual Basic Windows®,

Windows XP™, Windows Vista and Word are trademarks of the MicrosoftCorporation.

This documentation is protected by copyright and contains proprietary andconfidential information. No part of the contents of this documentation may bedisclosed, used or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without the priorwritten consent of AIRCOM International.

Although AIRCOM International has collated this documentation to reflect thefeatures and capabilities supported in the software products, the company makes nowarranty or representation, either expressed or implied, about this documentation, itsquality or fitness for particular customer purpose. Users are solely responsible for theproper use of ENTERPRISE software and the application of the results obtained.

An electronic version of this document exists.

This User Reference Guide finalised on 15 September 2010.

Refer to the Online Help for more information.

This User Reference Guide prepared by:

AIRCOM International LtdCassini CourtRandalls Research ParkRandalls WayLeatherheadSurreyKT22 7TW

Telephone: +44 (0) 1932 442000Support Hotline: +44 (0) 1932 442345Fax: +44 (0) 1932 442005

Web: www.aircominternational.com





About This Manual

Change History

This table shows the change history (if any) of this guide:

Edition Date Reason

1 15 September 2010 Commercial Release

Explanation of Symbols

Throughout this guide, where appropriate, some symbols are used to highlightparticular pieces of text. Three different symbols are in use, and are explained asfollows:

Symbol Brief Description Full Description

Note Signifies text that should be noted or carefully considered.

Tip Signifies text that may help you do something in an easier or quicker way.

Warning or Important Signifies text that is intended as a warning or something important.





ASSET ACP User Reference Guide 7.0 Page 7Contents

Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction 9 Obtaining User Assistance 10

Who is This User Reference Guide For? 11 About the ENTERPRISE User Reference Guides 11 Can You Improve Our User Assistance? 12 Obtaining Support 12 Obtaining Further Information and Services 14

Chapter 2 Using ASSET ACP 15

Using the ACP Workflow 16 Recommendations and Guidelines 16 Setting Up Thresholds and Parameters 18

Setting RF Array Thresholds 18 Setting the Strategy 23 Setting Traffic Options 25 Specifying the Settings 26 Globally Committing All Your Changes 27

Managing Plans 28 Using the Plan Manager 28

About the Concept of Plans in ASSET ACP 29 Viewing and Using Plans in the Plan Manager 30 Creating Plans for Optimisation or Analysis 31 Using the Context Menu 39 Viewing Plans in the Map View Window 41

About the Action-Constraints Dialog Box 44 Using the Action-Constraints Dialog Box 47

About Action-Constraints Templates 53 Assigning Action-Constraints Templates to Objects 64 Deleting a Plan 66

Applying a Plan to the Database 67 Applying a Plan Temporarily to the Database 68 Key Differences between Temp Apply and Apply to Database 69

Optimising a Network 70 Prerequisites for an Optimisation 70 Running an Optimisation 71 Monitoring an Optimisation 72

Analysing and Evaluating Plans 79 Information Generated by the Statistics 80 Prerequisites for Running an Analysis 80 Performing an Analysis for a Single Plan 81 Performing an Analysis to Compare Plans 83 Displaying Plan Comparison Results in the Map View 84

About Rollout Planning and Partial Plans 86 Setting Action-Constraints in ASSET ACP 90

About Action-Constraints 90



Page 8 ASSET ACP User Reference Guide 7.0Contents

About the Action-Constraints Available 91 Selecting Report Formats 104

Index 107



ASSET ACP User Reference Guide 7.0 Page 9Introduction

Introduction

ASSET ACP is ASSET's automatic cell planning and optimisation tool. Relying on thesame advanced algorithm used by ADVANTAGE, the tool searches for improvementsbased on user-specified criteria, and greatly speeds up the cell planning process.

ASSET ACP enables the automatic optimisation of the physical network configurationto maximise capacity for the desired range of services and traffic demands. It canoptimise design parameter settings (antenna, power) to meet the networkperformance objectives.

The technologies explicitly supported are:

GSM

UMTS FDD

CDMA2000

EV-DO

Fixed WiMAX

Mobile WiMAX

LTE

Occasionally in this guide, for simplicity, the term WiMAX is used to representFixed or Mobile WiMAX, and the term CDMA/EV-DO is used to representCDMA2000 or EV-DO.

C H A P T E R 1



Page 10 ASSET ACP User Reference Guide 7.0Introduction

Obtaining User Assistance

Using Online Help

ENTERPRISE products come with a complete system of online Help which you canaccess in three ways:

From the Help menu, click Help Contents. Scroll through the table of contents andchoose a relevant topic to display.

To search for something particular, from the Help menu, click Help Contents andusing the Index tab or Search tab, type in a letter or word to start searching forrelevant topics.

Press F1 in a dialog box to view context-sensitive help (available for most dialogboxes).

If you are using ENTERPRISE within a CITRIX environment, to ensure that theHelp graphics are displayed, set your display settings to support more than 256colours.

Using ENTERPRISE User Reference Guides

If you prefer to read printed content, we also provide User Reference Guides. To viewor print these as PDFs (Adobe Acrobat portable document format):

1 Make sure you have an appropriate PDF reader installed on your PC.

2 Click Start on the taskbar, point to Programs, then AIRCOM International, then

ENTERPRISE, then Docs.

- or -

Navigate to the Docs folder in the location where you installed the product.

If neither of these exists, please contact your administrator.

3 Double-click the PDF file that you want to view.

If you have a customer web account, you can also download the latest UserReference Guides from our website.

Checking Release Notes

Each release of the ENTERPRISE software is accompanied by Release Notes, givingimportant information on system requirements, installation, known issues, upgradesand so on. You can download these notes from our website.

For any further documentation, such as application notes and extra referenceinformation, please email the support team at the address described in ObtainingSupport on page 12.




Who is This User Reference Guide For?

The ENTERPRISE User Reference Guides are intended for different audiences,depending on the particular product. Typical prerequisites include a goodunderstanding of the following:

The appropriate telecoms technologies and the associated network planningmethods (for planning software)

Relational database management, and in particular Oracle database creation andadministration procedures (for administrative software)

The various parameters utilised for monitoring and optimising networks (for OSSsoftware)

Irrespective of the particular product, the following basic knowledge is required:

Microsoft Windows conceptsThe functions of the Microsoft Office suite of tools, in particular Excel

About the ENTERPRISE User Reference Guides

This table describes our range of User Reference Guides:

This Guide Contains Information On

What's New The main difference between the latest versions of the ENTERPRISEsuite.

ENTERPRISE Installation and Administration Installing and configuring ENTERPRISE, your network, and Oracle

databases. Using Administrator to create users and groups, and setpermissions.

Also contains information on software licensing.

ENTERPRISE Database Reference The relationships between tables in the database and the contents of eachtable.

ENTERPRISE User Reference Functionality that is common to most of the products in the ENTERPRISEsuite, including how to access, view, edit and store data.

ENTERPRISE Technical Reference File formats, as well as antenna and diffraction calculations.

ASSET ACP User Reference Using ASSET ACP to plan and optimise networks automatically, consider measured data in analysis/optimisation, analyse network performance,identify problematic areas/cells, and related tasks.

ARRAYWIZARD User Reference Using ARRAYWIZARD to automatically generate pathloss predictions andbest server arrays, which gives you instantaneous display of coverage andinterference information for pre-selected filters when loaded into ASSET.

ASSET User Reference Using ASSET, the network planning and analysis tool, to design a range of cellular networks.

Includes information on hierarchical network planning, propagationmodelling, service and bearer definition, coverage analysis, traffic planning,neighbour planning, measurement data analysis, detailed reporting,analysis arrays and simulation of network performance.

ASSET Technical Reference Array descriptions and information on some of the algorithms used in ASSET.

ASSET ACP User Reference Guide Using ASSET ACP to plan and optimise networks automatically, designed

as an aid for day-to-day planning.

(Optional add-on to ASSET.)




This Guide Contains Information On

CONNECT User Reference Using CONNECT, the network transmission and microwave link planningsoftware for full network physical link design and logical link design.

Also contains CONNECT-specific reference information.

DATASAFE User Reference Using DATASAFE, our network configuration tool to implement both smalland large scale changes to networks

DIRECT User Reference Using DIRECT to design telecommunications networks of different networklayers. Explains how to plan cellular, PSTN and data networks at a bothgeneral and strategic level.

Also contains DIRECT-specific reference information.

Financial Analysis User Reference Guide Using the Financial Analysis module to evaluate and plan for the revenuepotential of your network.

(Optional add-on to ASSET and ASSET ACP.)

ILSA User Reference Guide Using ILSA, ASSET's automatic 2g frequency planning tool.

AIRCOM OPTIMA User Reference Using AIRCOM OPTIMA to view performance data and statistics both withENTERPRISE and standalone.

RANOPT User Reference Using RANOPT to efficiently find faults in your network, optimise andvalidate its performance prior to commercial launch.

WEBWIZARD User Reference Using WEBWIZARD to display GIS and report information of network data,including creating layers, regions, nodes, layer types, administering andconfiguring the system and using the GIS view, explorer and reportviewers.

Can You Improve Our User Assistance?

We are always trying to improve the online Help and User Reference Guides.

If you cannot find the Help you were looking for, need more information, or have anysuggestions for improvements, we would be grateful for your feedback.

Also, if you are generally satisfied with these resources, we would appreciate anypositive feedback.

Online Questionnaire

You can help us by completing our brief online questionnaire(http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=RIRKLcrdvaCzRnUBNx5tcQ_3d_3d).

Alternatively, you can contact us directly at [email protected].

Obtaining Support

If you have a difficulty you cannot resolve yourself using the online Help orReference Guides, or you have found a possible fault in the software, you can log asupport request. You may also wish to contact us if you want to:

Register for a customer web account to access the Support area

Obtain further documentation, such as application notes and extra referenceinformation




Logging Support Requests Online

To log a support request online:

1 Go to the AIRCOM website, at www.aircominternational.com.2 Click the link for Product Support Login.

3 Log in, using your customer web account username and password.

4 In the Technical Support pane, click Online Helpdesk.

5 Click Log New UTS Call.

6 Type the details of your request, and then click Submit.

Contacting us via Telephone or Email

If you wish to contact us directly, here are the contact details of our regional offices:Location Regional Office Contact Details

Europe United Kingdom Tel : +44 1932 442000Fax :+44 1932 442005

[email protected]

Belgium [email protected]

France [email protected]

Germany [email protected]

Italy [email protected]

Sweden [email protected] East, Africa and Central Asia United Arab Emirates Tel : +971 4 391 2642

Fax :+971 4 391 8141

[email protected]

South Africa Tel : +27 11 745 1475Fax : +27 11 465 1517

[email protected]

Americas Mexico [email protected]

USA Tel : +1 214 576 2700Fax : +1 214 576 2794

[email protected] [email protected]

Asia and Oceania Singapore Tel: +65 6372 0548

Fax: +65 6372 0350

[email protected]

China Tel: +86 2162792779

Fax: +86 2162792855

[email protected]

India Tel: +91 124 4848200

Fax: +91 124 [email protected]




When contacting us with a support query, it would help us if you:

Give us as much information as possible about the problem and the context inwhich it occurred

State the version and build you are usingHave all the details of your query to hand

Are logged into the ENTERPRISE application

Can send extracts of your data sets if we need them to reproduce your problem

Obtaining Further Information and Services

As well as comprehensive online Help and User Reference Guides and dedicatedProduct Support, AIRCOM provides:

Online Knowledgebase of Articles

If you register for a customer web account, you can view our searchable technicaldatabase in the Product Support section of the AIRCOM website. ThisKnowledgebase contains articles created by our support professionals who haveresolved issues for our customers, and is constantly updated, expanded, and refinedto ensure that you have access to the very latest information and frequently askedquestions.

Power Tools

If you register for a customer web account, you can download from a selection ofuseful power tools, such as file conversion utilities.

Latest Copies of the User Reference Guides

If you register for a customer web account, you can download the latest UserReference Guides (PDFs) from our website. If you do this, please check the back of thereference guides for any additions or corrections.

Consultancy Services

AIRCOM also provide full radio consultancy services in Network Audits, BusinessPlanning Support, Licence Applications, Radio Network Planning,Telecommunications Research and System Modelling and Propagation Analysis andModelling.

Training

There is a wide variety of courses run by AIRCOM. These courses range from tooltraining to technology training. For details, contact Competence DevelopmentSolutions ([email protected]).



ASSET ACP User Reference Guide 7.0 Page 15Using ASSET ACP

Using ASSET ACP

ASSET ACP is ASSET's automatic cell planning and optimisation tool. Relying on thesame advanced algorithm used by ADVANTAGE, the tool searches for improvementsbased on user-specified criteria, and greatly speeds up the cell planning process.

ASSET ACP enables the automatic optimisation of the physical network configurationto maximise capacity for the desired range of services and traffic demands. It canoptimise design parameter settings (antenna, power) to meet the networkperformance objectives.

Notes:

The tool is designed to aid planners in their day-to-day planning activities.

The maximum number of cells that can be experimentally modified within anyone optimisation is 150. That is, when creating a plan, 150 cells is the maximumthat can be in the 'plan' state. There is no limit on the number that can be in the

'read-only' state.As an optional add-on to ASSET, the ASSET ACP tool is licensed separately.

If, in addition to ASSET ACP, you also have a Financial Analysis licence, these twomodules share the same dialog box (ACP & Financial Analysis).

The technologies explicitly supported are: GSM, UMTS FDD, CDMA2000, EV-DO,Fixed WiMAX, Mobile WiMAX and LTE.

C H A P T E R 2



Page 16 ASSET ACP User Reference Guide 7.0Using ASSET ACP

Using the ACP Workflow

The ACP Workflow enables you to perform all the tasks within ASSET ACPfrom a single dialog box. This incorporates the setting up of parameters, costs,

constraints and targets, and generation of optimisation plans.

Example of the ACP Workflow dialog box in ASSET ACP

The ACP Workflow comprises a number of main options in the left hand pane, andeach of these enables you to access a range of specific options that are displayed in theright-hand pane.

The tab names and options within the ACP Workflow dialog box will vary slightly

according to the technology that you are using.To start the ACP Workflow:

From the Tools menu, click ASSET ACP.

Recommendations and Guidelines

There are some crucial factors which you should consider when using ASSETACP. It is strongly recommended that you consider the following factors carefully,otherwise you run the risk of optimisations taking much longer than necessary. If

these issues are considered properly, and the set-up is sensible, ASSET ACP canperform at its best in terms of speed, performance and efficiency.

Large Array Support

For performance reasons, it is strongly recommended to turn off Large ArraySupport (LAS) when running optimisations.

If the scenario (region size, map data resolution, terminal count, covering celldepth, and so on) means that there is not enough memory available toENTERPRISE without using LAS, it is better to reduce the memory demands ofthe scenario (such as splitting the scenario into multiple parts), rather than attemptto use LAS.




For information on the Large Array Support Settings, see the ENTERPRISEInstallation and Administration Guide.

Prediction Resolutions

For performance reasons, prediction resolutions for individual cells should be setso that they match the resolution at which the analysis or optimisation is beingperformed. Ideally, the predictions should already be available at the specifiedmap data resolution, before performing an analysis or optimisation.

You can use the following list of guidelines in order to maximise the ability of theoptimisation algorithm to find an optimised network configuration quickly:

Concentrate on the region and cells of interest. Use the Plan Wizard to specify theregion and cells of interest, and ignore areas or cells that should not be part of theoptimisation.

Restrict the optimisation calculations to vectors and/or drive test routes (if possible). Usethe option in the Plan Wizard (or the Edit Vectors right-click option) to restrict theoptimisation array and cost calculations to specific vectors and/or drive testroutes.

Do not use a higher array resolution than required . If you can get realistic networkperformance results by specifying a low resolution for the optimisation, there is nopoint in using a higher resolution.

Restrict the number of servers/cells considered for array generation. If you can getrealistic results (for example, with respect to interference) by specifying fewerservers/cells for the optimisation, there is no need to use more.

Limit the optimisation cost calculations to a lower number of servers/cells (if appropriate).Use the Servers/Cells per Pixel option on the Strategy page of the OptimiserWorkflow to do this.

Focus on problematic cells/areas. Use read-only filters (for network objects thatshould be considered, but not modified) and/or the Problem Cells options toensure that the Optimiser concentrates on cells that are performing badly.

Do not under- or over-constrain the optimisation problem. Make sure that the specifiedactions/constraints are reasonable, so that inappropriate configurations are notevaluated, but also flexible enough to allow the Optimiser to produce the bestpossible plan.

Fine-tune the algorithm. The nature of the algorithm is general enough to apply to awide range of optimisation problems. Although the algorithm can be fine-tunedper specific scenario to further maximise its efficiency (the algorithmic fine-tuningdepends on the setup and user permissions), it is not an easy task and must beapproached with caution.




Setting Up Thresholds and Parameters

The ACP Workflow enables you to perform all the tasks within ASSET ACP from asingle dialog box.

This section focuses on the thresholds, parameters and settings, which are crucial tothe optimisation engine.

These steps, in particular the ones related to the radio environment setup, areprobably not relevant to the general user, assuming that the administrator (or super-user) has already completed them. This is also true for optimisation scenarios thathave been set up by one user that can be shared with other users who access the sameproject.

To start the ACP Workflow:


Setting RF Array Thresholds

The RF (radio frequency) array thresholds in the ACP Workflow enable you tospecify:

RF array thresholds for clutter

RF array thresholds for vectors

These thresholds determine the required RF performance for your optimisations andanalyses.




Specifying RF Array Thresholds for Clutter

In the RF Array Thresholds, you can configure clutter-specific thresholds that definethe current or required performance of your network. This enables you to specify anduse minimum signal strength and signal quality targets for chosen clutter types.

These thresholds are evaluated when running optimisations and when performing ananalysis.

This picture shows an example of the Clutter Thresholds:

Example of Clutter Thresholds

To edit the Clutter Thresholds:

1 Within the left-hand pane of the ACP Workflow, double-click RF ArrayThresholds, and then double-click Clutter.

2 Click the required technology, as appropriate, depending on your licences.

3 Specify the threshold values as required in the columns for the appropriate cluttertypes. The following table describes them:

Technology Parameter Description

GSM

UMTS

CDMA/EV-DO

Fixed WiMAX

Mobile WiMAX

LTE

RSS

RSCP

RSCP

DL RSS

Preamble RSS

RSRP

The minimum signal level (dBm) that is required to provide coveragein the corresponding clutter type.

GSM

UMTS

CDMA/EV-DO

Fixed WiMAX

Mobile WiMAX

LTE

CINR

Pilot Ec/Io

Pilot Ec/Io

DL CINR

Preamble CINR

RSRQ

The minimum signal quality ratio (dB) that is required in thecorresponding clutter type.




All changes that you make on this page are automatically saved to the database inthe Applied state, and the changes will persist when you close the Workflowdialog box.

However, if appropriate, you can carry out one of the following actions:

If you want to restore the options on this page to the previous committed state(if such a state exists), click Restore

If you want to share the changes on this page with all other users of theproject, click Commit

Setting the General Clutter Parameters

If you want to use the sampling options, you can do this on the General ClutterParameters tab. To do this:

1 Within the left-hand pane of the ACP Workflow, select RF Array Thresholds, thendouble-click Clutter, and then click General.

2 On the General Clutter Parameters tab, specify the Sampling parameters, ifrequired, for the appropriate clutter types. The following table describes theparameter:

Parameter Description

Sample Determines whether cost function sampling is applied to the clutter type. Thissampling is a calculation process using only a subset of the total pixels during

optimisation. The process 'removes' neighbouring pixels of the same clutter type,and therefore makes the optimisation and analysis faster.

Sampling is only recommended if your mapping resolution is high (under 50m) andyou want to optimise a large area.

If required, you can change all values in a column by editing one row and thendouble-clicking on the column heading.




Specifying RF Array Thresholds for Vectors

In the RF Array Thresholds, you can configure vector-specific thresholds that definethe current or required performance of your network. This enables you to specify anduse minimum signal strength and signal quality targets for chosen vectors.

These thresholds are evaluated when running optimisations and when performing ananalysis.

The Override checkbox not only enables you to edit the values, but also activates the vector thresholds. Conversely, if unselected, the vector thresholds are not active.Therefore, you should always bear this in mind before you run an optimisation orperform an analysis.

When selected, vector thresholds will always have a higher priority than clutterthresholds (in the pixels that are intersected by your chosen vectors).

This picture shows an example of the Vector Thresholds:

Example of Vector Thresholds

To edit the Vector Thresholds:

1 Within the left-hand pane of the ACP Workflow, double-click RF ArrayThresholds, and then double-click Vector.

2 Click the required technology, as appropriate, depending on your licences.

3 Click the Select Vectors button, and in the dialog box that appears, choose thevectors for which you would like to configure parameters, then click OK.

4 Select the Overrride checkbox.




5 Specify the values as required in the columns for the appropriate vectors. Thefollowing tables describe the thresholds:

Technology Parameter Description

All Priority You can specify the relative priority of the chosen vectors. This willdetermine which parameters are to be used at locations with intersectingvectors. To raise the priority of a vector, select it, then drag and drop itto the required priority position.

GSM

UMTS

CDMA/EV-DO

Fixed WiMAX

Mobile WiMAX

LTE

RSS

RSCP

RSCP

DL RSS

Preamble RSS

RSRP

The minimum signal level (dBm) that is required to provide coverage inthe corresponding vector.

GSM

UMTS

CDMA/EV-DO

Fixed WiMAX

Mobile WiMAX

LTE

CINR

Pilot Ec/Io

Pilot Ec/Io

DL CINR

Preamble CINR

RSRQ

The minimum signal quality ratio (dB) that is required in thecorresponding vector.

You can copy and paste values from one edit box into one or more other boxes,by copying the value(s) you want to duplicate, selecting the target box(es), andthen pasting.

6 Leave the Override checkbox selected if you want these thresholds to be active foryour optimisations. You can deactivate them at any time, by deselecting thecheckbox.

All changes that you make on this page are automatically saved to the database inthe Applied state, and the changes will persist when you close the Workflowdialog box.


If you want to restore the options on this page to the previous committed state(if such a state exists), click Restore

If you want to share the changes on this page with all other users of theproject, click Commit




Setting the Strategy

The Strategy option in the ACP Workflow enables you to:

Select the metrics to be used in the optimisations, that is Coverage or Quality, or acombination of both

Select the mapping resolution to be used in the optimisation

Specify a Reference Terminal Type

Set the pixel weighting for Area vs. Traffic

Select the technology or technologies (depending on licences)

Set the maximum number of servers or number of covering cellsThis picture shows an example:

Example of Metrics Selection/Weights tab




To do this:

1 Within the left-hand pane of the ACP Workflow, select Strategy.

2 On the Metrics Selection/Weights tab, either specify exact percentages in the editboxes for Coverage or Quality, or use the slider control.

3 Select the mapping resolution to be used in the optimisation.

4 Specify a Reference Terminal Type (required to generate the arrays).

5 In the Pixel Weighting pane, specify whether the calculation of the optimisationcosts should consider area only, traffic only or both combined. To do this, type avalue in the % Traffic box to define the weighted importance of traffic-specificcalculations for the optimisation; the % Area value is then automatically updated.

6 In the Mechanism Technologies pane, select the technologies for which you wantthe metrics/weightings to be used. You can also specify, as appropriate:

Maximum number of servers (GSM) - the number of cells that are consideredas covering cells and interferers.

Number of covering cells (all other technologies) - the number of cells that areconsidered as primary covering cells, handover cells (if appropriate) andinterferers.

All changes that you make on this tab are automatically saved to the database inthe Applied state, and the changes will persist when you close the Workflow

dialog box.However, if appropriate, you can carry out one of the following actions:

If you want to restore the options on this tab to the previous committed state(if such a state exists), click Restore

If you want to share the changes on this tab with all other users of the project,click Commit




Setting Traffic Options

The Traffic option in the ACP Workflow enables you to specify the list of terminal

types to be used in an optimisation.This option is relevant if you want to consider traffic in your optimisations (it is notrequired for an analysis/optimisation that is area-based only).

Even if you do not consider traffic, you still need to specify a Reference Terminaltype. You can do this on the Metrics Selection/Weights tab of the Strategy page.

To do this:

1 Within the left-hand pane of the Workflow, select Traffic.

2 On the Terminal Types tab, you can select the required terminal type(s) from thelist displayed.

All changes that you make on this tab are automatically saved to the database in

the Applied state, and the changes will persist when you close the Workflowdialog box.



If you want to share the changes on this tab with all other users of the project,click Commit




Specifying the Settings

The Settings in the ACP Workflow enable you to specify the thresholds that relate to

the Auto Plan Setup method of creating an optimisation plan. These thresholds areinvoked by the cell identification algorithm which is used within the Auto Plan Setupprocess.

For information on this method, see Using the Auto Plan Setup Method to Create aPlan on page 36.

To define the thresholds:

1 Within the left-hand pane of the Workflow, select Settings.

2 On the Auto Plan Setup tab, set the required options for the appropriatetechnology, as described in the following section.

All changes that you make on this tab are automatically saved to the database inthe Applied state, and the changes will persist when you close the Workflowdialog box.



If you want to share the changes on this tab with all other users of the project,

click Commit

This table describes the available settings on the Auto Plan Setup tab:

Technology Threshold Description

GSM

UMTS

CDMA/EV-DO

Fixed WiMAX

Mobile WiMAX

LTE

RSS

RSCP

RSCP

DL RSS

Preamble RSS

RSRP

Only pixels containing values equal to or higher than the threshold willbe included.

All pixels below the threshold will be excluded.

The thresholds vary according to the technology that you are using.




Globally Committing All Your Changes

If you want to Commit all your changes in the Optimiser Workflow, you can use the

Global Commit All option from the main menu.This will Commit all the Applied parameters in the workflow, such as the RF ArrayThresholds, Settings and so on.

This action will also Commit all the Applied changes in the ASSET tool, not onlyin the Site Database, but also in all other dialog boxes.

To do this:

From the Database menu, click Global Commit All:

If other people are logged into the same database as you, it is possible that they haveCommitted changes to network element(s) that you are now trying to Commit. If thishappens, you are prompted either to cancel the Commit or to continue, overridingtheir Committed data with your own changes.




Managing Plans


This section focuses on how to use the Plan Manager, which controls the plans anddelta plans output by the optimisation engine.



Using the Plan Manager

The Plan Manager in the ACP Workflow enables you to perform a number of plan-related operations:

View and use existing plans

Create new plans

View and Edit Action-Constraints

Analyse the performance of any plan, or compare plans

Start/Run Optimisations

Delete plans

Temp Apply/UnApplyApply to Database

There is also a context menu, which you can access by right-clicking on theicon of the appropriate plan. This provides quick access to the same options as mostof the main buttons, but also provides extra options. For more information, see Usingthe Context Menu on page 39.

When you are using the ACP Workflow for the first time, you need to set up thegeneral parameters, strategy, settings, and so on, before you run any optimisations.These may include:

RF Array Thresholds (Clutter/Vectors)

Strategy

Traffic

Settings

However, this depends whether you have the appropriate user permissions. Parts ofthis process may not be relevant to the general user. Depending on the situation, it ispossible that the above options and parameters are centrally specified and committedwithin the user's organisation.




About the Concept of Plans in ASSET ACP

There are two 'categories' of plan in ASSET ACP:

Plan

Delta plan

However, in essence, the two types of plan, once created, can be considered to be thesame. This is because, in general terms, you can perform similar operations using aplan of either category, and you can choose to Apply any of these plans to thedatabase.

Here are some basic principles:

Before you can start an optimisation, you must have at least one plan created. Formore information, see Creating Plans for Optimisation or Analysis on page 31.

Plans are created by way of a 'snapshot' from the current Site Database (this is theonly way a 'new' plan can be created). During that process, you can choose torestrict the scope of the plan in terms of (i) region, (ii) sites/nodes/cells, and (iii)vectors/drive test routes, by using the options in the Plan Wizard. At the end ofthat process, the plan appears within the Plan Manager list.

Plans and delta plans are listed in the Plan Manager section of the Workflowdialog box.

Delta plans can only emanate from a plan, and they must always be 'parented' to aplan, since they represent changes to the starting plan.

When you run an optimisation for the plan, the delta plans appear as 'children' ofthe parent plan.

Plans are categorised by the icon. Delta plans are categorised by the icon.

This picture shows an example of how plans and delta plans are listed in the PlanManager:




Viewing and Using Plans in the Plan Manager

When you are viewing plans, there are three viewing options:

These options are visual 'filters' that help you to distinguish which plan(s) you areworking with.

The 'Created By Me' option always lists the plans that you (the logged in User ID)have created.

The 'All Plans' option always lists all existing plans, regardless of who created them.

The 'Used' option requires a more detailed description:

The concept behind the 'Used' option is that, generally speaking, only one individual

would be working with a particular plan at any one time. This would avoid 'multi-user' problems if you are intending to work iteratively with a plan, makingprogressive changes toward a new plan which has the potential to improve thequality of your network.

However, it is possible, if required, for a plan to be 'used' by more than one person.When this is the situation, the Action-Constraints are viewable but not editable, andthe plan cannot be deleted.

When you create a plan, it automatically becomes 'used' by you. However, it ispossible to turn this status on/off, using the Toggle option in the context menu. In asimilar way, any user who did not create the plan, can use the Toggle option to

activate his/her 'used' status for that plan. The option can therefore be used to handover the 'use' of the plan to a different single user, or (if explicitly required) it can beused to share the 'use' of the plan amongst multiple users.

In situations where you may want multiple users to work on the same plan, but havethe freedom to edit the Action-Constraints for that plan, you can utilise the Duplicateoption. This enables different users to 'branch off' from the same original plan intopotentially different proposed network plans. It also enables you to work on a copy ofan existing plan, so that you can experiment with different Action-Constraints, whilestill retaining the original plan.

Creating a New Plan from a Delta Plan

In situations where you want to work with a plan that emanates from a delta plan,you can convert any delta plan into a (normal) plan. This enables you to work with aplan whose values are equivalent to how they stood at the latest stage of the deltaplan, and then you can edit the Action-Constraints (this is not possible in a deltaplan). You can then run a secondary optimisation from the point already reached inthe delta plan.

For more information on the context menu, including the Toggle and Duplicateoptions, see Using the Context Menu on page 39.




Creating Plans for Optimisation or Analysis

There are two basic methods of creating a plan in ASSET ACP.

Using the Plan Setup to create a plan

Using the Auto Plan Setup to create a 'recommended' plan

Here is a brief summary of each method:

The Plan Setup method enables you to specify the region and the filters (cells) forthe plan, and then manually assign the appropriate Action-Constraints templates.

It can be launched either from the Workflow, or directly from the Map View. Thelatter is quicker and easier if the Map View is already displaying the correct regionand filters.

This method is recommended for users who wish to create plans without anyrecommendations from the tool.

The Auto Plan Setup method can automatically recommend the grouping of cellsinto filters, and consequently facilitates the assigning of the appropriate Action-Constraints template to those filters. It can also automatically determine thegeographic area for the resultant plan, by creating a vector. The concept behindthis method is that it can automate some of the pre-optimisation tasks (whichwould be done manually when using the Plan Setup method).

This method is recommended for users who wish to create plans helped byrecommendations from the tool.

It can be launched either from the Workflow, or directly from the Map View. Thelatter is quicker and easier if the Map View is already displaying the correct regionand cell filters.

A fuller description of this method is included in Using the Auto Plan SetupMethod to Create a Plan on page 36.

If you launch either method directly from the Map View, you should ensure that thedisplay includes the region and the cells that you want to choose from when creatingthe plan.

If you launch either method from the Workflow (Plan Manager), you should ensurethat the display includes the region that you want to use when creating the plan. In

this case, it is possible to choose cells that are not displayed on the Map View, butthey must be located within the region.

Important :

When creating a plan, two of the steps are crucial in determining which cells willbe included: (i) specifying the region and (ii) selecting the site/cell filter(s).

A further (optional) step enables you to select specific vectors and/or drive testroutes, which can be useful if you want to precisely define the pixels that will beincluded in the metrics evaluation. This is an important way of focusing theoptimisation calculations, but it does not (for example, in the case of a polygon)

determine which cells are included.




Using the Plan Setup Method to Create a Plan

There are two basic methods of creating a plan in ASSET ACP. This section describesthe Plan Setup method.

To create a new plan for optimisation:

1 Check that you have a Map View window open that displays the region and cellsthat you want to include. (However, if you prefer to enter precise co-ordinates, anopen Map View is not essential.)

2 Open the Workflow by clicking the shortcut button on the main ASSET ACPtoolbar.

3 In the left-hand pane, select Plan Manager.

4 Click the Plan Setup button, then click the Plan Setup option.

5 In the Plan Wizard that appears, type a name for the plan.

If required, you can select an existing plan as a template. For information on this,see the following section.

Click Next.

6 Check that the region for the plan is correct. If necessary, you can modify theregion by entering precise co-ordinates.

Click Next.




7 Select one or more filters to determine which sites/nodes and cells are to beconsidered in the plan.

Click Next.

8 The next step of the wizard enables you to select the appropriate Action-Constraints templates on a filter basis.

Anything you edit here can be modified after creating the plan, using theAction-Constraints dialog box. In fact, if preferred, you can skip this step now, anddo it later, as described in Using the Action-Constraints Dialog Box on page 47.

Use the Add button to specify each filter-template combination. (You can delete a

row by clicking .) Here is an example:

Where appropriate, you can use the up and down arrows to set the filterpriorities. Only one template (per mechanism) can be assigned to a filter.Therefore, in cases where an object exists in more than one filter in this dialog box,the filter priority number is important in determining which template is assigned.

If required, you can check the contents of the relevant filter by clicking .

You can edit any of the filter selections and/or template assignments byclicking in any of the columns. You can also edit any of the Action-ConstraintsTemplates (in the normal way) by clicking the Manage Templates button.

Click Next.




9 If appropriate to your requirements, restricting optimisation calculations tovectors can make calculations faster and more focused, by focusing on theimprovement of specific areas and/or drive test routes.

If you want to restrict the optimisation to particular vectors, select the Use Vectorscheckbox and then specify the vectors under the System or User folders, asappropriate.

- and/or -

If you want to restrict the optimisation and/or analysis to a drive test route, selectthe appropriate vectors from the Measurements folder.

You can subsequently modify the restriction selections at any time, by right-clicking on the plan in the Plan Manager of the Workflow, and selecting Edit

Vectors.

10 Click the Finish button.

There is also a button on the main ASSET ACP toolbar which enables you to createa 'Quick Plan' based on an open Map View, enabling you to short-cut some of theprocesses. For more information on this, see Creating a Quick Plan from a Map Viewon page 35.




Using an Existing Plan as a Template

When you are creating a new plan for optimisation using the Plan Setup Method, youcan choose to select an existing plan as a template for the new plan.

If you do this, the cells to be included in the new plan are still determined by theregion and filters that you select within the Plan Wizard, but the key difference is thatall the action-constraints for cells that exist both in the original 'template' plan and inthe new plan are 'copied' into the new plan. In effect, it copies the action-constraintsfor such cells into the Action-Constraints dialog box, but takes a fresh snapshot of theparameters in the Site Database.

This option may therefore be useful if you have made changes in the Site Databasesince creating the original plan, and want to bring those changes into a new plan.

Any cells that were in the original 'template' plan, but not captured by the region

and filters for the new plan, are always excluded from the new plan. Conversely, ifthere are cells in the new plan that did not exist in the original 'template' plan, theywould need their action-constraints to be edited in the Action-Constraints dialog box(in the usual way).

Creating a Quick Plan from a Map View

There is a shortcut button on the Map View toolbar which enables you to create a planfrom a currently opened Map View window.

In effect, this shortcut method simplifies the process of creating a plan with the PlanSetup Wizard. It relies on the fact that, beforehand, you set up the Map View to showthe correct filters for the sites/nodes and cells, and (if appropriate) the requiredvectors/drive test routes.

To use this option:

1 Ensure you have the appropriate Map View open, so that it is displaying:

The region you want to include

The cells you want to include

If applicable, the vectors/drive test routes you want to include

2 In the horizontal toolbar of the Map View, click the 'Plan Setup' button(alternatively, click on the View and press Ctrl-U).

3 The Action-Constraints dialog box appears, so that you can edit the actions andconstraints for the new plan. For more information, see About the Action-Constraints Dialog Box on page 44.

4 In the Workflow dialog box, the new plan appears in the Plan Manager list. Theplan name is automatically set, but you can right-click on it and rename it, ifrequired.

When using this 'Quick Plan' method, any vectors that are visible within therelevant Map View will automatically be added to the resulting plan definition, but

these vector selections can then be amended.




Using the Auto Plan Setup Method to Create a Plan

There are two basic methods of creating a plan in ASSET ACP. This section describesthe Auto Plan Setup method.

The Auto Plan Setup method can be considered as an automatic plan-recommendation system. This method may of be of particular benefit when the interactions betweenthe cells to be planned are not well known at the time when you are creating the plan.

The concept behind the Auto Plan Setup method is that it can automatically identifysome of the pre-optimisation tasks which would be done manually when using thePlan Setup method.

In basic terms, you begin with a Map View window which contains your requiredregion and cells. You then need to specify which cells are your 'main focus'. Thisrequires that (a) those cells are already in one or more filters, or (b) that you create a

Selection Filter (exists only in memory) on the Map View, using the Selection Expert.At the stage where the Auto Plan Setup is aware of the 'main focus' cells, it canrecommend the grouping of other cells into 'tiered' filters (using an algorithm basedon user-defined settings). It is then simple to make the appropriate Action-Constraintstemplate assignments. For example:

Filter Action-Constraints Template selection

Main focus Template allowing significant changes

Recommended (tier 1) Template allowing some changes

Recommended (tier 2) Read-Only

Furthermore, the Auto Plan Setup can then automatically determine the geographicarea that should be taken into consideration during analysis and optimisation of theresultant plan. The algorithm builds a list of all cells contained within the plan thathave any 'non-Read-Only' Action-Constraints Templates associated with them. It thenfinds all pixels where any of these cells provides a signal strength above the relevantsignal threshold defined on the Auto Plan Setup tab of the Settings page in theWorkflow. An enclosed vector (polygon) is then created around all these pixels.

In summary, the main benefits of this method are:

The 'tiered' filters are recommended automatically (and they are independent ofcurrently existing filters). These tiered filters can be considered as a form of cell

'hierarchy' in terms of what can happen in the optimisation.

This is based on a cell identification algorithm that uses the settings under theAuto Plan Setup tab in the Settings page of the Workflow. For more information,see Configuring the Settings for Auto Plan Setup on page 26.

The templates in the Action-Constraints dialog box are assigned based on theprevious sequence of assignments in this dialog box, which creates consistency foriterative use of the Auto Plan Setup.

You can manually override these recommendations (if you have the relevantpermissions).

The geographic area for the eventual evaluation of the plan can be automaticallydetermined.




Depending on the planning region size, cell volumes, and map dataresolution, the running of the algorithms for the filters and the geographic areacan take some time.

To create a new auto plan for optimisation:1 If you intend to use the 'Create Restriction Polygon' option, a valid Reference

Terminal Type must have been specified on the Strategy page of the OptimiserWorkflow.

2 Ensure that you have a Map View window open that displays the region and cellsthat you want to include.

3 In the top-right corner of the Map View window, click the Auto Plan Setup button

(alternatively, click on the View and press Ctrl-V).

4 The Auto Plan Setup Wizard appears. Name the plan, and insert any comments.

Click Next.

5 Select one or more filters to define which cells should represent the 'main focus'.Click Next.

6 The 'Review Recommendations' step of the wizard shows the Focus filter and therecommended 'Tier 1' and 'Tier 2' filters, each associated with their appropriateAction-Constraints templates. Here is an example:

You can edit any of the filter selections and/or template assignments by clickingin the Filter column or in any of the planning mechanism columns. You can alsoedit any of the Action-Constraints Templates (in the normal way) by clicking theManage Templates button.

You can use the button if you need to specify more filter-templatecombination rows, and you can delete rows by clicking .

Where appropriate, you can use the up and down arrows to set the filterpriorities. Only one template (per mechanism) can be assigned to a filter.Therefore, in cases where an object might exist in more than one filter in thisdialog box, the filter priority order is important in determining which template isassigned.

You can check the contents of the relevant filter by clicking .




7 If you want the Auto Plan Setup to automatically determine the geographicarea that should be taken into consideration during evaluation of the resultantplan, select the 'Create Restriction Polygon' option.

You can only do this if a valid Reference Terminal Type has been specified onthe Strategy page of the Optimiser Workflow.

If you select this option, the Auto Plan Setup will run the restriction polygonalgorithm and store the associated vector.

The new vector subsequently appears in the ACP folder in the Vector Managerand in the Map View data types list (where it can be visualised).

Click Next.8 If required, you can restrict optimisation calculations to vectors to make

calculations faster and more focused, by concentrating on the improvement ofspecific areas and/or drive test routes.

If you want to restrict the optimisation to particular vectors, select the Use Vectorscheckbox and then specify the vectors under the System or User folders, asappropriate.

- and/or -

If you selected the 'Create Restriction Polygon' in the previous step, the 'UseRestriction Polygon' checkbox will be already selected, but you have the option todeselect it.

- and/or -

If you want to restrict the optimisation and/or analysis to a drive test route, selectthe appropriate vectors from the Measurements folder.

You can subsequently modify any of the restriction selections at any time, by

right-clicking on the plan in the Plan Manager of the Workflow, and selecting EditVectors.




9 Click the Finish button.

There is also an option to launch the Auto Plan Setup by clicking the Plan Setupbutton (and then the Auto Plan Setup option) on the Workflow dialog box. If you do

this, you need to confirm (or specify) the region and select the site/cell filters. The keydifference is that you can select filters not currently displayed on the Map View.

Using the Context Menu

When you are viewing the Plan Manager, there is also a context menu available,which you can access by right-clicking on the appropriate plan or delta plan. Here isan example:

Example of Context Menu for Plans or Delta Plans




This not only provides quick access to the same options as most of the main buttons,but also provides extra options:

Option Available for Description/Comments

Action-Constraints Plans See Using the Action-Constraints Dialog Box on page 47.

Edit Vectors Plans and delta plans Enables you to modify the vector selection for a plan.

Summary Plans Shows the included cells, the planning region (size, location,resolution).

It also provides an Update 2D View button, which can bevery useful.

Initial Report Plans Shows the current values, and the constraints, of the networkcontained in the plan, and the possible network parameter changes that may be considered in an optimisation (asappropriate).

Delta Report Delta plans The current values, and the constraints, of the network contained

in the delta plan, and the specific network parameter changes'proposed' by the Optimiser.

Final Report Delta plans A complete report of the state of the 'optimised' network.

In other words, the current values are replaced by the 'proposed'values (only in the report, not in the database).

Analysis Plans and delta plans This enables you to run an analysis, in order to evaluate any planconfiguration or compare any two configurations. You can outputassociated reports.

See Analysing and Evaluating Plans on page 79.

Financial Analysis Plans and delta plans Perform a financial analysis of your network. This is a licensedmodule that can help you make informed network planningdecisions. For more information, see the Financial Analysis User Reference Guide.

Optimise Plans and delta plans The automatic Optimiser can consider an extensive range of physical design and network parameter settings in order toimprove the performance of the radio network.

See Running an Optimisation on page 71.

Duplicate Plans This is a useful option in situations where you want to:

Work on a copy of an existing plan, so that you canexperiment with different Action-Constraints, while stillretaining the original plan.

Work on a copy of a plan that is being 'Used' by someoneelse, but want the freedom to edit the Action-Constraints for that plan.

For more information, see Viewing and Using Plans in the PlanManager on page 30.

Duplicate Delta plans This is a useful option in situations where you want to work on aplan which emanates from a delta plan. The key benefits are:

The plan values are equivalent to how they stood at thelatest stage of the delta plan

You can edit the Action-Constraints (this is not possible in adelta plan)

You can then run a secondary optimisation from the pointalready reached in the delta plan

For more information, see Viewing and Using Plans in the PlanManager on page 30.

Rename Plans and delta plans A quick way to rename a plan or delta plan. These names mustalways be unique within a project.




Option Available for Description/Comments

Delete Plans and delta plans When you delete a plan, its 'child' delta plans are also removed.However, a delta plan can be deleted individually.

Bookmark Plans and delta plans This simply acts as a 'bookmark', so that you can quickly identifythe plan you have been working on. It also appears as the defaultplan in the dialog boxes where you need to select a plan.

Toggle Use Plans and delta plans You can use this option to toggle the 'Used' status of a plan.

The option can be used, for example, to 'release your usage' of aplan. This may, for example, enable another user to 'obtain theusage' of that plan.

For more information, see Viewing Plans in the Plan Manager onpage 30.

Set Active Cells to SelectionFilter

Plans and delta plans This enables you to quickly update (overwrite) the contents of theSelection Filter with the 'active' cells that are in the selected plan.

For more information about the Selection Filter, see theENTERPRISE User Reference Guide.

Refresh Plans and delta plans Refreshes the page.

Viewing Plans in the Map View Window

In addition to viewing plans within the Plan Manager, there are also some viewingoptions in the Map View window.

When you have created plans, you can view that region in the Map View. To do this:

1 Ensure you have a Map View window open that will include the planning regionfor the plan.

2 Open the Map Information and Control, and select the required plan under thePlans heading in the Data Types:

3 Click the Apply button.




The planning region is displayed:

4 If required, you can double-click the plan name in the Map Information andControl, and select a different display colour.

The other items displayed (including the nodes or sites) depend on which otheritems are selected in the Data Types (this may also depend whether a Favourite Viewhas been initially displayed). This plan viewing option does not discriminate in termsof nodes/sites; it simply visualises the planning region.

About Plan Viewing Options

When you are viewing plans in the Map View, you can use some additional optionsin the Map View window.

To access these options:

1 In the Map Information and Control, right-click the required plan:




2 Click the required option. This table describes the options:

Option Description

Plan Summary A summary which lists the included cells, and the planning region (size,location, resolution).

The summary also includes an Update 2D View button, which can bevery useful.

Apply (or Remove) Sampling See About the Sampling Option on page 43.

Update Selection Filter Enables you to quickly update (overwrite) the contents of the Selection Filter with the cells that are in the selected plan.

For more information about the Selection Filter, see the ENTERPRISE User Reference Guide.

Properties (all options) In the same way as for other items in the Data Types, these options enableyou to manage the display properties of each item.

The Properties option can also be accessed by double-clicking the planname.

3 If you have modified one of the visual options (Apply Sampling, Properties), youneed to click the Redraw button to refresh the Map View.

About the Sampling Option

In the Clutter Parameters, on the General Parameters tab, it is possible to specify thatyou want to enable cost function sampling for specific clutter types, so that only asubset of the total pixels are used for an optimisation. This is described in Setting theGeneral Clutter Parameters on page 20.

If you have used sampling, whenever you are viewing plans in the Map View, youcan choose to modify the highlighted planning region so that it displays only theexact pixels that will be included in the optimisation calculations.

To do this:

1 In the Map Information and Control, right-click the required plan (under the Plansheading in the Data Types).

2 Click the 'Apply Sampling' option.

3 Click the Redraw button.

If some of the clutter parameters have been set to use sampling, only thecorresponding pixels will be displayed. Here is an example:




About the Action-Constraints Dialog Box

The ASSET ACP tool focuses on automatic optimisation of plans. The Action-Constraints dialog box plays a crucial part in this process.

Here is some key information about the important role it plays:

The concept of the Action-Constraints dialog box is that it not only sets theconstraints for the network optimisation, but, crucially, it also sets the possibleactions (namely, the network parameter changes) that can take place.

In the majority of cases, when you have created a new plan, you must set possiblechanges in the Action-Constraints dialog box, otherwise an optimisation will notrun.

For additional information about the action-constraints, see Setting Action-Constraints in ASSET ACP on page 90.

Example of Action-Constraints dialog box

The user interface of the Action-Constraints dialog box is designed to help you. Thetwo main guiding factors are the colour distinctions and the checking facility:

Colour BackgroundsThere are two colour backgrounds for columns in the dialog box:

The columns that cannot be edited (for example, those that show the currentvalues of the plan) are presented on a blue background.

The columns that can be edited (for example, those for which action-constraintscan be set for the plan optimisation) are presented on a green background.




Checking Facility

The Check button is extremely useful for automatically verifying that the plan'saction-constraints are valid, and ready for the optimisation to run.

For example, it can show you:

How many 'Degrees of Freedom' are in the plan, according to the current state ofthe Action-Constraints. This value emanates from the amount of variables in theplan. This picture represents a plan where fifteen of the antennas can eachundergo a possible azimuth change:

If there are no degrees of freedom, then the optimisation will not be allowed torun.

The feedback may display an error or a warning, for example:

Errors will not allow the optimisation to run; warnings will allow it to run, but themessage is aimed at making you aware of the situation.

It is recommended that you make full use of all these guiding factors to ensureeverything is set up correctly before optimising any plan.




About the Fixed Columns for the Action-Constraints

The Action-Constraints dialog box comprises many columns for the potential networkparameter changes. These sets of columns exist for each planning mechanism(Antenna/Power).

One of the most important columns for each group of action-constraints is the 'Fixed'column.

Some basic principles are:

If the Fixed checkbox for any action-constraint is selected:

That action-constraint (for the object in that row) can be considered ascompletely inactive.

The existing values - although inactive - remain in place just in case you want

to reuse them later, by removing the Fixed setting. Unless that happens, theystay inactive.

Here is an example:

In one of the rows, the Fixed checkbox for the Azimuth action-constraint isselected. Therefore, when the optimisation is run, no azimuth changes will beconsidered for that particular antenna in that row.

The above principles are true whether the Action-Constraints dialog box is editedmanually or by using Template Assignments. With specific regard to changesmade to the Action-Constraints values by assignment from Templates, you shouldnote the following:

For each planning mechanism (Antenna/Power), there is a Read Only template

available. When this is assigned to a filter, all the 'Fixed' checkboxes (for theobjects in the associated filter, and independently for each mechanism) becomeautomatically selected in the Action-Constraints dialog box.

When you create a template, it is likely that you will not have selected all thepotential action-constraints in that template. When you assign that template toa filter, the 'Fixed' checkboxes for the action-constraints that were unselected inthe template become automatically selected in the Action-Constraints dialogbox (for the objects in the associated filter and independently for eachmechanism).




For example, if a template has only Azimuth (Antenna mechanism) selected,the other action-constraints (Tilts, Heights, Device/Pattern) would all be set to'Fixed' in the Action-Constraints dialog box, after the template assignment.

For more information, see Assigning Action-Constraints Templates to Objects

on page 64.

Using the Action-Constraints Dialog Box

The Action-Constraints dialog box plays a crucial role in ASSET ACP, because itenables you to specify which parameters can be changed (for the cells that can beplanned) during optimisation. You can do this for any or all of the planningmechanisms.

The Action-Constraints dialog box presents a tabular display containing three tabs:

Summary

Antenna

Power

The Summary tab page displays how many Sites, Cells, and Antennas are in the Plan,itemised in terms of Total, Plan, Read-only values.

The other tabs (Antenna/Power) display the parameters relevant to each planningmechanism, which can be briefly described as:

The current values of the network contained in the Plan

The constraints, that is, the restrictions on what can be changed, in terms of

objects, ranges, limits and so on

The actions, that is, all the possible network parameter changes that may beconsidered in the optimisation

The action-constraints of any Plans which already have Delta Plans are always inRead-Only format.

If you are only intending to analyse a Plan, you may not need to edit the action-constraints.




You can edit the Action-Constraints for an optimisation Plan. To do this:

1 Open the Optimiser Workflow, by clicking ASSET ACP from the Tools menu.


3 Select the appropriate Plan, and click the Constraints button.

The Action-Constraints dialog box appears.

For the selected Plan, you can edit the constraints and/or the possible changes. Youcan do this:

Individually for each object, on a manual basis. You can employ functionalitysimilar to that in Microsoft® Excel® to do this, such as copying and pasting.

- or -

Using Action-Constraints Templates that you have created, which you can theneither:

Manually assign to objects in the Action-Constraints dialog box, under theTemplates column,

- or -

Assign to objects on a 'filter-specific' basis, by clicking the Assign Templatesbutton.

When you have finished making changes in the Action-Constraints dialog box,

you must always click 'Apply', in order to save the changes.




About the Viewing Options for Action-Constraints

You can perform many kinds of viewing operations similar to that in Microsoft®

Excel®, by clicking the appropriate within the dialog box.

There are two distinct 'levels' in the Action-Constraints dialog box, where theappears:

The section headings (ID, Current Values, Azimuth, Pilot Power, CandidatePlanning and so on)

The column headings (Property, Cell, Min, Max, Step, Fixed and so on)

Example of Heading levels in Action-Constraints dialog box

For the Section headings, when you click , you can perform this viewing option:

Show/hide columns (within the section)

For the Column headings, when you click , you can perform these viewing options:

Show/hide column

Sort ascending

Sort descending

Show all rows

Filter (gives option to show only the rows containing a chosen value in column)

In addition, if you prefer, you can perform similar viewing operations using theShow/Hide button:

Show/Hide button




About the Methods of Editing the Action-Constraints

The Action-Constraints dialog box is very flexible, and enables you to set up theaction-constraints for your optimisation plans in ways that suit your specificrequirements. As you gain experience in using the ASSET ACP tool, you will developyour own preferences in how you approach this important part of the optimisationprocess.

Whichever method(s) you use, you must always click 'Apply' in the Action-Constraints dialog box, when you have finished, in order to save the changes.

In summary, as previously described, you can take different approaches to editing

these values:

Individually for each object, on a manual basis

Using action-constraints templates

A combination of the above

In very simplified terms, here is some general advice on how you might use eachmethod:

Manually Editing the Action-Constraints Values

If you only want to set up or edit a single parameter, for example an Azimuth ChangeStep, it is probably easier and quicker to edit the value directly in the Action-Constraints dialog box:

Example of Azimuth values in the Action-Constraints dialog box

If you want to set up different values for different groups of cells, make full use ofthe filters when you edit the values.




Important :

These filters only display the cells included in the plan when it was created.Therefore, they are intrinsically 'subsets' of the corresponding filters that you

would view in the Site Database. Different filters can be selected for each planning mechanism.

Each time you open a project, the filters in this dialog box will always defaultto the filter specified on the Filters tab of the Preferences dialog box, under theFile menu.

You can employ functionality similar to that in Microsoft® Excel®, such as:

Copying and pasting single/multiple values within the dialog box

Copying and Pasting values directly to and from Excel

Pressing the Ctrl-Shift-DownArrow/UpArrow keys (as a quick method of

highlighting an active column)

Assigning Action-Constraints Templates to Cell Filters

If you want to set up or edit a variety of parameters, such as values for MechanicalDowntilt, Azimuth and Height, it is probably easier and quicker to set up Templates,and then use the Assign Templates button to assign the template values to the objects:

Example of Assigning Action-Constraints Templates to Cell Filters

For more information, see Assigning Action-Constraints Templates to Objects on page64.




About the Action-Constraints on the Antenna Tab

In the Action-Constraints dialog box, whilst the majority of column headings areintuitive, there are a few columns that need descriptions.

On the Antenna tab, there is a section heading named Constraints, and theseconstraints enable you to restrict the available options that can be used to optimise theantennas located on a Property.

Height Variation

If you want to use height variation, select the checkbox. This defines whether theheights for individual antennas may differ at a specific Property (for GSM, this optionis cell layer-specific).

If height variation is not selected, all antennas on the same cell layer (GSM) or allcarriers at this Property (all other technologies) must be at the same height. However,GSM cells for different cell layers, or cells of different technologies (for example, GSMand UMTS) can still have antennas with heights different from each other.

Minimum Azimuth Difference

This enables you to set a minimum separation (in degrees) that you are willing toaccept between antennas of the same height on a specific Property.

Antenna Co-location Enabled

This enables you to allow antenna devices to share co-location parameters (identicallocation co-ordinates, height and azimuth, and existing on the same Property).

If Antenna Co-location is not enabled for a Property, no antenna sharing or co-location configuration can be accepted as a valid starting configuration or examinedas a potential optimisation solution by the Optimiser. For more information, see Howthe Optimiser Considers Shared Antennas on page 57.

Forbidden Azimuth Min/Max

This enables you to select to define an orientation region (or range) which the

automatic optimisation cannot consider for azimuth changes. For this, the minimumrepresents a clockwise wall bearing angle (the starting azimuth for the forbiddenrange) and the maximum represents an anti-clockwise wall bearing angle (the finalazimuth for the forbidden range).

For example, for an original antenna azimuth of 100º, if the clockwise bearing angle isset to 120º and the anti-clockwise bearing angle to 80º, the antenna may be able tomove plus or minus 20º during the optimisation.




About the Action-Constraints on the Power Tab

In the Action-Constraints dialog box, whilst the majority of column headings are self-explanatory, there are a few columns that may need further explanation.

On the Power tab, there is an option to set a Uniform Power constraint. This enablesyou to specify groups of cells that you want to be adjusted uniformly by theOptimiser.

To do this:

In the Uniform Group ID column, specify a number (0 or greater) for the cells thatyou want to be grouped by the Uniform Power constraint. It is possible, ifrequired, to use different numbers to make separate groups.

If this option is inactive for a cell, the value shows as -1.

If this is enabled, the respective initial power values for the associated cells mustbe the same in order for changes to be considered by the Optimiser. If the initialpower values are not the same, then this constraint will not be applicable and will beignored.

About Action-Constraints Templates

The Action-Constraints Templates provide you with a quick and easy way of settingup Action-Constraints so that they can be reused across all or some of your Plans.

This flexibility enables you to specify the action-constraints for either or both of the

planning mechanisms:Antenna

Power

You should make full use of these templates so that you avoid duplication ofconstraints that may be generic to all Plans. In other words, you should avoidspending time setting many constraints directly in the Action-Constraints dialog box,if there is a high chance that you will be using those action-constraints for other plans.

Example of the Actions Constraints Template Editor




When they are created, these templates can then be either:

Manually assigned to objects in the Action-Constraints dialog box, under theTemplates column

- or -Assigned to objects on a 'filter-specific' basis, by clicking the Assign Templatesbutton

If you subsequently modify any values directly in the Action-Constraints dialogbox after assigning a template, the Templates column (for the relevant object)automatically reverts to 'Custom'.

Creating and Editing Action-Constraints Templates

To create or edit Action-Constraints Templates:

1 Open the ACP Workflow, by clicking ASSET ACP from the Tools menu.


3 Select the appropriate plan, and click the Constraints button.

4 In the Action-Constraints dialog box, click the Manage Templates button.

5 You can now either add, remove, edit, or rename a template.

To add or edit a template in the Action-Constraints Template Manager dialog box:

1 If you are adding a template, click Add, name the template, click OK, and thenclick Edit.

- or -

If you are editing an existing template, select it and click Edit.

2 In the dialog box that appears, click the first action or constraint that you wish toconfigure, for example Antenna Planning - Electrical Downtilt.

For details on the different planning actions and constraints that you canconfigure, see one of the following sections:

Configuring Action-Constraints Templates for Antenna Planning on page 55

Configuring Action-Constraints Templates for Power Planning on page 58




3 In the right hand pane, edit the values for this action or constraint. For example:

4 Click the next action or constraint that you want to configure, and in the righthand pane edit the values as appropriate.

You can configure any combination of actions or constraints in the same template.For example, a template can contain both Antenna Planning and Power Planningactions or constraints.

5 When you have configured all of the actions and constraints that you require, click

OK, and then, in the Action-Constraints dialog box, click Close.

6 You can now assign this (or any other) template to objects on a 'filter-specific' basisin the Action-Constraints dialog box, as described in Assigning Action-ConstraintsTemplates to Objects on page 64.

Configuring Action-Constraints Templates for Antenna Planning

When creating or editing Action-Constraints Templates, you can configure antennaplanning optimisation actions and constraints. These can be used with either costmechanism to identify the optimum configuration of the antenna subsystem for a

network.The concept of antenna planning in ASSET ACP is to incorporate into theoptimisation the practical details of the site construction and the real environmentlimitations that affect the antenna subsystem.

The antenna optimisation can support all the main types of actions that are allowedfor the antenna subsystem. These include changes to the number of antennas, theantenna type (device and pattern), downtilt (electrical, mechanical and total), azimuthand height.

This picture shows an example of the actions and constraints for antenna heights:

Example of Action-Constraints Template for Antenna Height




This table describes the antenna planning action-constraints that you can configure:

Select To

Device/Pattern Enable the antenna devices/patterns to be changed.

Select the required antenna devices/patterns from the antenna database tree.

To locate a particular antenna device or pattern, type the name in the Find pane, and clickFind.

To restrict what is displayed to just the selected items, click Show Selected. To undo this, clickShow All.

Electrical Downtilt Enable the electrical downtilt of the antenna to be changed:

Change Step indicates the allowed step of change (in degrees).

Max Change defines the maximum permitted change from the respective original value in theSite Database (in degrees).

Total Downtilt must also be selected, unless Mechanical Downtilt is considered and the TotalDowntilt is to remain unchanged.

For an optimisation to consider electrical downtilt changes, the appropriate antenna patterns(for each antenna device) need to be set up in the Cellular Antennas dialog box.

Mechanical Downtilt Enable the mechanical downtilt of the antenna to be changed:

Min Value sets the minimum mechanical downtilt that is permitted (in degrees). Any downtiltsbelow the minimum will not be modified in the optimisation.

Max Value sets the maximum mechanical downtilt that is permitted (in degrees). Anydowntilts above the maximum will not be modified in the optimisation.


Max Change defines the maximum permitted change from the respective original value in theSite Database.

Total Downtilt must also be selected, unless Electrical Downtilt is considered and the TotalDowntilt is to remain unchanged.

Total Downtilt Enable the total downtilt (electrical plus mechanical) of the antenna to be changed:

Min Value sets the minimum total downtilt that is permitted (in degrees). Any downtilts belowthe minimum will not be modified in the optimisation.

Max Value sets the maximum total downtilt that is permitted (in degrees). Any downtiltsabove the maximum will not be modified in the optimisation.

Azimuth Enable the azimuth of the antenna to be changed:


Max Change defines the maximum permitted change (in degrees).

Min Diff at Same Height specifies the minimum permitted angular distance (in degrees) thathas to be maintained if antennas for the same technology and cell layer (if applicable) arepositioned at the same height.

Height Enable the height of the antenna to be changed:

Min Value sets the minimum antenna height that is permitted (in m). Any antennas below theminimum will not be modified in the optimisation.

Max Value sets the maximum antenna height that is permitted (in m). Any antennas abovethe maximum will not be modified in the optimisation.

Change Step indicates the allowed step of change (in m).

Max Change defines the maximum permitted change from the respective original value in theSite Database (in m).




When configuring antenna planning actions and constraints, you shouldremember the following:

The original parameter settings (for example, antenna types) are always included

in the optimisation.

Any antenna parameters with values outside the {min, max} range set in therespective constraints will not be changed during the optimisation.

The antenna type, electrical downtilt, mechanical downtilt and total downtiltactions/constraints are interdependent. For example, you cannot consider changesto the mechanical downtilt without enabling changes to the electrical and/or totaldowntilt as well.

How the Optimiser Considers Shared Antennas

This section provides definitions of the two types of shared antenna in ENTERPRISE,and summarises how they are considered when you run the Optimiser.

In ENTERPRISE, there are two definitions of shared antennas, described as follows:

Explicitly Shared Antennas:

In ENTERPRISE, this is defined as two or more logical antenna devices thatrepresent a single physical antenna device in a real network.

This can be configured in the Site Database by using the optionon the Antennas tab (at the cell level for GSM, and at the node level for all othertechnologies). This option uses shared antenna identities, and is explained fully in

the ENTERPRISE User Reference Guide).When this setting is used, the physical configuration of the shared antenna isforced to remain identical between the appropriate cells or nodes co-located on therespective Property.

Implicitly Shared Antennas:

In ENTERPRISE, this is defined as two or more antenna devices that are notexplicitly shared, but share the same co-location parameters (identical location co-ordinates, height and azimuth, and existing on the same Property).

If you want the Optimiser to consider a network configuration that allows antenna

sharing (implicit or explicit), you must ensure the option is enabledon the Antenna Constraints tab for the relevant Properties in the Site Database. Formore information, see Configuring Property Antenna Constraints on page 94. Thereare also options related to antenna sharing within the Settings. For more information,see Specifying the Settings on page 26.




Depending on the antenna planning actions and constraints that you have specifiedfor the considered cells:

In the case of any considered antennas that are 'explicitly' shared, theirconfiguration (for example, mechanical tilt) can be modified (jointly) during theoptimisation, but the respective antennas will remain explicitly shared.

In the case of any considered antennas that are 'implicitly' shared, their sharingstatus may change during the optimisation. For example, antennas that wereinitially shared may each end up having different configurations, and becomenon-shared.

In the case of all other considered antennas, their sharing status may changeduring the optimisation. For example, antennas that were not initially shared mayeach end up having the same configuration, and become implicitly shared.

Whenever antennas are shared, the number of actions and respective action costs

are considered appropriately, and are only counted once for the same physicalantenna object. For example, a mechanical tilt change to an antenna shared betweentwo cells would only be counted once.

Configuring Action-Constraints Templates for Power Planning

When creating or editing Action-Constraints Templates, you can configure powerplanning optimisation actions and constraints. These can be used with any costmechanism to identify the optimum power levels for individual base stations.

In addition, the optimum BTS Types (GSM) and Node Types (UMTS) can be

identified.When optimising power levels, there are key differences between technologies. Forexample, in UMTS - unlike in GSM - the physical channels can be transmitted atdifferent powers. The power in the node is shared between signalling and user traffic,and so, if less power can be allocated for signalling, more can be made available touser traffic, thus increasing the cell downlink capacity.

The ASSET ACP power optimisation is sufficiently advanced to handle the differingrequirements by offering technology-specific actions, such as GSM PA Output Power,UMTS Pilot Power, CDMA2000 Pilot Power, EV-DO Rated PA Power, WiMAX TXPower or LTE Max TX Power.

This picture shows an example of the action-constraints for GSM PA Output Power:

Example of Action-Constraints Template for GSM cell PA Output




About GSM Power Planning Action-Constraints

This table describes the GSM power planning actions you can activate for cells:

Select This Action To

PA Output Power Enable the power amplifier (PA) output to be changed.

BTS Type Enable the BTS equipment type to be changed on a site. j

If you have selected PA Output Power, the constraints described in this table becomeactive:

This Constraint Enables You To

Min Value (dBm) Set the minimum power that is permitted (in dBm).

Max Value (dBm) Set the maximum power that is permitted (in dBm).

Change Step (dB) Set the permitted step of power change (in dB).

Max Change (dB) Set the maximum permitted change from the current value in the cell (in dB).

Changes Allowed Define how the current value will be allowed to change within the set ranges:

'Any' allows both higher and lower values to be examined during the optimisation.

'Only decreases' just allows lower power settings to be examined.

'Only increases' just allows higher power settings to be examined.ff

When defining GSM power planning actions and constraints, you shouldremember the following:

The original parameter settings (for example, BTS equipment types) are alwaysincluded in the optimisation.

Any power parameters with values outside the {min, max} range set in therespective constraints will not be changed during the optimisation.

Certain actions/constraints depend on specified performance metrics and/or costmechanisms. For example, the BTS Type action and constraint may have an effecton the performance costs, providing that the PA Output Power option is alsoconsidered.




About UMTS Power Planning Action-Constraints

This table describes the UMTS power planning actions you can activate for cells:

Select This Action ToMax TX Power Enable the maximum transmit power to be changed.

Pilot Power Enable the pilot power (CPICH) to be changed.

HSDPA Power Enable the HSDPA power to be changed.

Max Power Per User Enable the maximum power per user to be changed.

Node Types Enable the Node equipment type to be changed on a node.

If you have selected any of the above power planning actions, the constraintsdescribed in this table become active:






Fixed % of Max TX Power Specify that the appropriate power (for all the cells associated with the template) is alwaysadjusted in proportion with the Max TX Power. This maintains the same ratio that exists inthe starting plan.

When this is selected, the Change Step and the Changes Allowed become read-only, and the values that you set for the Max TX Power are used instead.

Uniform Power Specify that all the cells associated with the template are adjusted together. If the initialpower values are not the same, then this constraint will not be applicable and will beignored.




'Only increases' just allows higher power settings to be examined.

When configuring UMTS power planning actions and constraints, you shouldremember the following:

The original parameter settings (for example, Node equipment types) are always

included in the optimisation.Any power parameters with values outside the {min, max} range set in therespective constraints will not be changed during the optimisation.

If the Uniform Power constraint has been enabled, the respective initial powervalues for the associated cells must be the same in order for changes to beconsidered by the Optimiser.




When you are using the Fixed % of Max TX Power checkbox (for Pilot Power,HSDPA Power or Max Power Per User):

You should ensure that all the values you set for the Max TX Power planningaction are compatible with your overall objectives

If optimising HSDPA Powers, cells will be considered for HSDPA poweroptimisation only if they are enabled for HSDPA (and have a Node Type thatsupports HSDPA)

If the Fixed Ratio and/or Uniform Power constraint has been enabled, theOptimiser will not change the Node Type from one that supports HSDPA to onethat does not, and vice versa.

If a cell considered by the Optimiser cannot support HSDPA (in other words, noneof its available Node Types support HSDPA or it is not supported on the cell), theOptimiser will not allow any changes to the HSDPA Power and will not consider

the HSDPA-specific Fixed Ratio and Uniform Power constraints for this cell.

About CDMA/EV-DO Power Planning Action-Constraints

This table describes the CDMA/EV-DO power planning actions you can activate forcells:

Select This Action To

CDMA2000 Pilot Power Enable the pilot power to be changed.

EV-DO Rated PA Power Enable the rated PA power to be changed.

If you have selected any of the above power planning actions, the constraintsdescribed in this table become active:










When configuring CDMA/EV-DO power planning actions and constraints, youshould remember the following:

The original parameter settings are always included in the optimisation.





About WiMAX Power Planning Action-Constraints

This table describes the WiMAX power planning actions you can activate for cells:

Select This Action ToTX Power (Fixed and Mobile)

Enable the transmit power to be changed.

If you have selected the above power planning action, the constraints described in thistable become active:





Max Change (dB) Set the maximum permitted change from the current value in the cell (in dB).Changes Allowed Define how the current value will be allowed to change within the set ranges:




When defining WiMAX power planning actions and constraints, you shouldremember the following:






About LTE Power Planning Action-Constraints

These are the LTE power planning actions that you can activate for cells:

Max TX Power (dBm)Traffic Offset (dB)

Control Offset (dB)

Synchronisation Offset (dB)

Broadcast Offset (dB)

Multicast Offset (dB)

Reference Signal SNR Threshold (dB)

Max TA Threshold (msec)

Max Range Threshold (km)

If you have selected any of the above options, the constraints described in this tablebecome active:


Min Value Set the minimum power that is permitted.

Max Value Set the maximum power that is permitted.

Change Step (dB) Set the permitted step of power change.

Max Change (dB) Set the maximum permitted change from the current value in the cell.





When configuring LTE power planning actions and constraints, you shouldremember the following:






Assigning Action-Constraints Templates to Objects

When you have created Action-Constraints Templates, you can assign them to objects

in the Action-Constraints dialog box.You can do this manually within the Action-Constraints dialog box, under theTemplates column. However, it will often be easier to make 'filter-specific'assignments by using the Action-Constraints Assignments dialog box.

To do this:

1 Within the left-hand pane of the Optimiser Workflow, select Plan Manager.

2 Select the appropriate Plan, and click the Constraints button.

3 In the Action-Constraints dialog box, click the Assign Templates button.

4 In the dialog box that appears, click Add.

If you have previously set up some filter-template combinations on this dialogbox (and clicked OK) you can retrieve them by clicking the Get Last button.

5 In the row that appears, select a filter.

6 Select the required template(s) to assign to that filter.

Depending on your optimisation planning approach, you can either assign the

same template to all the planning mechanisms, or you can assign differenttemplates to each. This allows flexibility if you want to experiment with differentcombinations of templates.

7 Continue with the Add button until you have specified all the required filter-template combinations. (You can delete a row by clicking .) Here is an example:

Where appropriate, you can use the up and down arrows to set the filterpriorities. Only one template can be assigned to an object. Therefore, in caseswhere an object might exist in more than one filter in this dialog box, the filterpriority number is important in determining which template is assigned.

You can check the contents of the relevant filter by clicking .




8 Click OK. The assignments you have made now appear in the Action-Constraintsdialog box.

9 To save these assignments, click Apply.

When you have finished making changes in the Action-Constraints dialogbox, you must always click 'Apply', in order to save the changes.

When you have finished, you can close the Action-Constraints dialog box.

There are three points you should note regarding template assignments. Two ofthese points relate to default templates that are always available to you (these are inaddition to the templates that are user-defined):

Read Only template - when this is assigned to a filter, all the 'Fixed' checkboxes (forthe objects in the associated filter) become automatically selected in the Action-Constraints dialog box.

Unchanged template - when this is assigned to a filter, nothing is changed (for theobjects in the associated filter) in the Action-Constraints dialog box. This option isnecessary because you may want, for example, to assign a template for just one ortwo planning mechanisms, and leave the other(s) unchanged.

When you create a template, it is likely that you will not have selected all thepotential action-constraints in that template. When you assign that template to a

filter, the 'Fixed' checkboxes for the action-constraints that were unselected in thetemplate become automatically selected in the Action-Constraints dialog box, forthe objects in the associated filter.

For example, if a template has only Azimuth (Antenna mechanism) selected, theother action-constraints (Tilts, Heights, Device/Pattern) would all be set to 'Fixed'in the Action-Constraints dialog box, after the template assignment.

All templates (read only, leave unchanged and user-defined) are assignedseparately to each individual planning mechanism. Therefore, the above points arevalid independently for each mechanism.

For more specific information about the 'Fixed' columns, see About the Fixed

Columns for the Action-Constraints on page 46.




Modifying Templates after Assigning them to Objects

In situations where you modify an Action-Constraints Template that is already assigned to various objects, those changes will not be made retrospectively in theAction-Constraints dialog box for those objects.

However, you can explicitly choose to make those changes in the Action-Constraintsdialog box by either:

Manually reassigning the template to objects in the Action-Constraints dialog box,under the Templates column

Reassigning the template to objects on a 'filter-specific' basis, by clicking theAssign Templates button

Using the 'Reassigning All Templates' option

Reassigning All Templates

This method represents a quick way of implementing changes from modifiedTemplates (as described in the first paragraph) into the Action-Constraints dialog box.

This special option re-applies all the modified (that is, current) settings from alltemplates that are currently assigned to objects in the Action-Constraints dialog box.This operation is applicable to all three planning mechanisms.

To do this:

Click the 'Reassign All Templates' button.

If you want to reassign some of your currently assigned templates, but not all, youcan change the template selection in the Action-Constraints dialog box to 'Custom' onthe objects that you don't want to modify, before pressing the above button.

Deleting a Plan

To delete an optimisation plan:

1 Within the left-hand pane of the Workflow, select Plan Manager.

2 Select the appropriate plan.3 Click the Delete Plan button.

4 Click Yes to proceed.

The plan is now removed.

You cannot delete a plan if it is 'in use' by more than one user.




Applying a Plan to the Database

The Apply to Database option enables you to Apply any of your plans or delta plansto the database. It is equivalent to a normal manual Apply in the Site Database. Itenables you to use the complete functionality within ASSET ACP and ASSET. Forexample, you can analyse the performance of the plan (using arrays and reports)

within ASSET, and make any necessary subsequent manual changes to the Site

Database. As is the normal case for all Applied data, you can choose to subsequentlyCommit the data.

There is also a 'Temp Apply' option, described in the following section.

There are some key differences between the Temp Apply/UnApply and the Applyto Database options. For more information, see Key Differences between Temp Applyand DB Apply on page 69.

In the normal way, if required, you can use the Restore All option after usingApply to Database, but please note that this will restore the database back to the lastCommitted configuration, which may lead to:

Any previously Applied changes in the Site Database being lost (in the normalway)

A configuration in the Site Database that is different from the plan that youcreated to start with (because the plan, once created in the Plan Manager, isindependent of subsequent database changes)

To apply a plan:1 Within the left-hand pane of the Workflow, select Plan Manager.

2 Select the appropriate plan.

3 Click the Apply Plan button.

4 Click the Apply to Database option.

The plan is now applied to the database.




Applying a Plan Temporarily to the Database

This option enables you to 'Temporarily Apply' of one of your plans to the database,

so that you can analyse the performance of the plan (using arrays and reports) withinASSET. The main benefit of this is that you can experiment with the potential benefitsof the plan, and subsequently revert to the previous configuration in the database.

There is also a normal 'Apply to Database' option, described in the previoussection.

There are some key differences between the Temp Apply/UnApply and the Applyto Database options. For more information, see the following section.

To temporarily apply a plan:

1 In the left-hand pane of the Workflow, select Plan Manager.


3 Click the Apply Plan button.

4 Click the Temp Apply option.

The plan is now temporarily applied to the database.

You will see the appropriate cell parameters temporarily modified in the SiteDatabase window, but the whole Site Database is in a read-only state.

The read-only state will remain in place until you decide to revert to the previousconfiguration in the database. To do this:


2 Click the Temp UnApply button.

The database is now reverted to its previous configuration, and the Site Databasewindow is active again.




Key Differences between Temp Apply and Apply to Database

There are some key differences between the Temp Apply/UnApply and the Apply to

Database options, as summarised here:

Summary of Temp Apply

When you click Temp Apply, you can view the temporary changes in the SiteDatabase window, which, at this point, appears in a read-only state. This operation isfundamentally different from the normal Apply operation used in the rest ofENTERPRISE, because it does not overwrite any changes you might have made in theSite Database since you created the plan. In other words, when you subsequentlyrevert it from its 'temporary' state (by clicking Temp UnApply), nothing will havechanged from the configuration that was in place immediately before you clickedTemp Apply.

You cannot make any manual changes to the Site Database while it is in this'temporary' restrictive state.

The operation does not affect other users who are sharing the project.

You cannot close a session (that is, close the project) while the Site Database is inthe 'temporary' state. It is obligatory to revert it by clicking Temp UnApply beforeyou close your session.

The Temp Apply operation is independent of your user-specific objectpermissions (since no values are written to the database).

Summary of Apply to Database

This is equivalent to a normal (manual) Apply, which means that it will overwrite anychanges you might have made in the Site Database since you created and optimisedthe plan. In other words, if you had made some changes to the relevant cells since thattime, it will overwrite those changes with the new values when you click the Apply toDatabase option.

You can make further manual changes to the Site Database, in the normal way,after this operation.

You will be able to use the Restore option in the Site Database, if necessary, to

restore to the previous committed state (assuming the network elements had atsome stage been previously committed).

The operation may subsequently affect other users who are sharing the project, inthe normal way, if you choose to Commit the changes.

You can close a session (that is, close the project) in the normal way, if required,with some changes in the Applied state.

The Apply to Database operation is always dependent on your user-specific objectpermissions.




Optimising a Network


This section focuses on how to run an optimisation, and how to interpret thefeedback.



Prerequisites for an Optimisation

The principal feature of ASSET ACP is the automatic Optimiser, which can consideran extensive number of physical design and network parameter settings that affect theperformance of the radio network.

You can set up and start the automatic optimisation of a network configurationaccording to a choice of one or both metrics (Coverage/Quality), various actions andconstraints, and using either or both of the planning mechanisms (Antenna/Power).

Before you start optimising your network, ensure that you, or your administrator,have (where appropriate):

Set up a project with the necessary planning data, including traffic (if applicable).

Defined the RF Array Thresholds.

Created a plan (defining the area, cell filters, and, optionally, vectors), using thePlan Manager. For more information, see Using the Plan Manager on page 28.

Defined the appropriate parameters or options on the Strategy, Traffic andSettings tabs. The Strategy tab governs the selection of which Metrics are to beused. The Traffic tab governs the selection of terminal types. The Settings tabincludes thresholds for the Auto Plan Setup method.

Configured the Action-Constraints for the optimisation.

Created/loaded traffic arrays, if applicable. For traffic-based optimisations, atraffic array must be available.

This then enables you to Start an Optimisation.




Running an Optimisation

Before you can run an optimisation, you must have created at least one plan.

(If appropriate, you can also choose to optimise a delta plan.)

For a full list of the prerequisites, see Prerequisites for an Optimisation on page 70.

To start an optimisation:

1 Open the Workflow by clicking the shortcut button on the main ASSET ACPtoolbar.


3 Select the appropriate plan, and click the Optimise button. The Optimiser dialogbox appears:

4 Set the minimum time interval for the 'best cost value' plan to be saved (at eachtime interval, a new delta plan is saved only if the best cost value is less than theprevious saved value). To do this, in the Delta Plan Writing Interval edit box, typethe number of minutes and click Set.

At the point where you stop the optimisation, an additional delta plan is saved

(according to the same criteria above), as if the next time interval had beenreached.

5 If you want to view statistics information using the Statistics Graph, StatisticsDetails or Report buttons, ensure that the Calculate Statistics checkbox is selected.

6 To start the Optimiser, click Start.

The Optimiser starts running, and can be monitored.




Monitoring an Optimisation

When you have started an optimisation, the Optimiser runs. This picture shows anexample of a running scenario:

Example of the Optimiser dialog box

The following values are displayed in the Optimiser dialog box:

Value Description

Starting configuration The name of the plan or delta plan.

Modif ication strategy The modificat ion strategy specif ied in the Sett ings.

Starting cost value The cost for the starting configuration.

Best cost value The cost for the best configuration that the Optimiser has found so far.Current cost value The current optimisation cost.

Generated cost value The cost for a generated optimisation state.

Cost value gain; absolute; relative The absolute gain value represented by the difference between the startingand best cost values; this gain expressed as a relative percentage.

Cost function cal ls The total number of i terat ions that have taken place up to this point in theoptimisation. This includes the iteration required for optimisation initialisationand (if applicable) any iterations rejected based on the Max Objects/Actions or Max Degradation criteria.

Iterations: accepted; generated; A/G Accepted: The number of iterations that have been accepted by theOptimiser's search algorithms as the correct "path" to take to the optimalsolution. These may or may not decrease the best plan cost at any particular point in an optimisation, depending on the search algorithm in use at the time.

Generated: The number of performed iterations (this is the same as thenumber of accepted states).

A/G: The 'Accepted to Generated' ratio.

States: accepted; generated; A/G Accepted: The number of states that have been accepted by the Optimiser asvalid (that is, a state that has broken no hard constraints such as MaxDegradation, Max Objects/Actions, Min/Max Inter-Site Distance).

Generated: The number of performed states.

A/G: The 'Accepted to Generated' ratio.

Start Time, Stop Time, Elapsed Time The time the Optimiser was started, the time it was stopped, and the elapsed

time.




While the optimisation is running, you can view a variety of useful feedbackinformation, by clicking any of the following buttons:

Cost Graph - for a graphical representation of the best, current and generated costvalues for each iteration

Statistics Graph(s) - for the initial and best plan values for the selected series

Cost Details - for a variety of information about the costs related to theoptimisation

Statistics Details - for the statistics for the initial iteration and the most recent bestplan

Optimisation Report - for complete details of the generated optimisation plans

To stop the Optimiser at any point:

Click Stop (you cannot resume the optimisation once it has been stopped)

After stopping the Optimiser, you can still view the data it displays and thefeedback graphs. This data and the graphs are available until you close the Optimiserdialog box. The data in the Optimisation Report, on the other hand, is still availableuntil you start another optimisation.

About the Cost Graph

When you are running the Optimiser, you can choose to display the Cost Graph, byclicking the appropriate button.

This displays a graphical representation of the best, current and generated cost valueat or up to (as applicable) each optimisation iteration.

This picture shows an example:

Example of a Cost Graph




You can use this feedback to assess whether a satisfactory cost value has beenachieved, and also to see the pattern of values generated by the Optimiser.

To zoom in on a particular section of the graph:

1 Click and hold down the left mouse button on the graph where one corner of therequired section will be and drag the mouse to create a box.

2 Release the mouse button.

To zoom back out, right-click.

About the Statistics Graph(s)

When you are running the Optimiser, you can choose to display the StatisticsGraph(s), by clicking the appropriate button.

This displays a graphical representation of the initial and best plan values for a

selected (Metric) series.


Example of a Statistics Graph

To select what information is shown on the graph, click Series, and in the dialog boxthat appears, select the required categories of information. Then click OK.

To zoom in on a particular section of the graph:

1 Click and hold down the left mouse button on the graph where one corner of therequired section will be and drag the mouse to create a box.

2 Release the mouse button.

To zoom back out, right-click.

To create another graph, click New Graph.

If you are starting from a delta plan, you can view statistics from the previousoptimisation by clicking Show History.




About the Cost Details

When you are running the Optimiser, you can choose to display the Cost Details, byclicking the appropriate button.

This displays the following information:

The number of independent optimisation variables (Degrees of Freedom, or DOF)

The number of pixels in the area that will be considered by the Optimiser

The contribution of each considered cost category (and its components) to thestarting, best, current and generated optimisation cost (the relevant metricselection/weights and multiplier coefficients are also displayed)

The number of considered optimisation actions on a starting, best, current andgenerated optimisation plan basis

The examined optimisation states (or iterations) and the respectively generatedoptimisation cost (the best and current cost values are also displayed)

To get details of different cost values besides the current ones, ensure that the Logstates option is selected.


Example of Cost Details

You can also use this information to check the entire optimisation setup after anoptimisation has started. For example, you can ensure that the weights and multipliercoefficients are correctly configured and that the optimisation targets are realistic andcan be met.




About the Statistics Details

When you are running the Optimiser, you can choose to display the Statistics Details,by clicking the appropriate button.

This displays the statistics relevant to the performance metrics for the optimisation,depending on the type of optimisation that you are running. You can view statisticsper technology, for traffic and/or area.


Example of Statistics Details

About the Optimisation Reports

When you are running the Optimiser, you can choose to display the OptimisationReport, by clicking the Report button.

This report includes coverage statistics based on the RF Array Thresholds that youset, as defined in the following categories:

For this technology Statistics on the Report tabs

GSM RSS, CINR, Quality

UMTS RSCP, Pilot Ec/Io, Quality

CDMA2000 RSCP, Pilot Ec/Io, Quality

EV-DO RSCP, Pilot Ec/Io, Quality

Fixed WiMAX DL RSS, DL CINR, Quality

Mobile WiMAX Preamble RSS, Preamble CINR, Quality

LTE RSRP, RSRQ, Quality




You can view these details in terms of overall coverage, per clutter threshold and/orper vector threshold. You can also view action information, and cost information.

If appropriate, you can choose to optimise a delta plan. If you begin a new

optimisation, the statistics information for the previous one will be deleted. However,if you continue optimisation from the last generated delta plan, the statisticsinformation for the last optimisation will still be available.

The optimisation report provides details of the actions, statistics and costs for thestarting plan and each subsequent best plan. This picture shows an example:

Example of Part of an Optimisation Report

You can produce a similar report (for a specific delta plan) after you have stoppedthe Optimiser, by selecting the appropriate plan in the Plan Manager section of theWorkflow, and clicking the Analysis button.

You may be able to choose which customised report format you want to use forthis report type. For more information, see Selecting Report Formats on page 104.




About Alternative Optimisation Scenarios

When you have finished running the Optimiser, you can investigate alternativeoptimisation scenarios, such as:

Modifying the optimisation strategy

Using a different traffic array

Examining different types of actions and/or the impact of limiting the number ofactions further

Considering drive test measurements in the pathloss predictions and/or running adrive test route-based optimisation

Using a generated delta plan as the starting configuration

Any combination of the above scenarios

Applying a Plan to the Database

When a plan has been optimised, it becomes a delta plan. At any time, you can Applya plan or a delta plan to the Site Database. This also enables you to analyse theperformance of the plan (using arrays and reports) within ASSET.

For more information on this, see:

Applying a Plan to the Database on page 67.

Applying a Plan Temporarily to the Database on page 68.




Analysing and Evaluating Plans

The analysis functionality in ASSET ACP enables you to analyse your network planagainst your chosen optimisation strategy.

More specifically, it enables you to:

Analyse and evaluate a current plan configuration or an optimised delta planconfiguration

Compare any two plan configurations, whether current or optimised

Access the Ranking functionality, in order to assess and sequence the potentialnetwork changes for a delta plan

You can evaluate a single plan, or compare two plans, in terms of their performance(with respect to measurements and optimisation metrics).

As part of the network evaluation, statistics similar to those available in ASSET canalso be generated. The statistics include the coverage and interference metrics(presented per clutter type and/or per vector). In addition, feedback based on thespecified optimisation metrics can be provided.

The performance achieved for each configuration is presented (in terms of absoluteand/or relative values) on a traffic and area basis.

The analysis report generated can include:

Actions

StatisticsCosts

You can use the produced reports and/or graphical information to determine howgood a plan is, or the number/cost of the required optimisation actions (if applicable).

You can also use the Analysis dialog box to access the Ranking functionality, in orderto assess and sequence the potential network changes for a delta plan. For moreinformation, see About Rollout Planning and Partial Plans on page 86.




Information Generated by the Statistics

You can use the generated statistics to analyse (or compare) your plan configurations

in terms of the following types of information.The report generated can include (as appropriate):

Actions

Statistics

Costs

Information Description Type

Actions The number of changes that theOptimiser has considered. These aredivided into antenna, power, andcombined actions.

Antenna - antenna unit, device, pattern (remote and siteadjustable electrical downtilt), mechanical downtilt, azimuth,height

Power - GSM PA output power, GSM BTS type, UMTS maxTX power, UMTS pilot power, UMTS HSDPA power, UMTSmax power per user, All UMTS power settings, UMTS Nodetype, WiMAX (Fixed and Mobile) TX power, CDMA2000pilot power, EV-DO Rated PA power.

Statistics The statistics for the metrics used in theoptimisation calculations.

Coverage, quality.

Optimisation Costs All costs relating to the optimisationmetrics.

Optimisation metrics as specified above.

Prerequisites for Running an Analysis

Before performing an analysis, ensure that you (or your administrator) have:

Set up a project with the necessary planning data, including traffic (if applicable).For more information, see the ENTERPRISE and ASSET User Reference Guides.

Defined the RF Array Thresholds.

Defined the appropriate parameters or options on the Strategy, Traffic andSettings tabs.

Created (or have access to) a plan. For more information, see Using and ManagingPlans on page 28.

Created/loaded traffic arrays, if applicable. For traffic-based optimisations, atraffic array must be available.




Performing an Analysis for a Single Plan

Using the analysis functionality, you can analyse the performance of a network plan

or compare any two plans. Analysing the performance of a single plan enables you toevaluate either a starting (new) plan or a delta (optimised) plan.

For information about the metrics used, see Analysing and Evaluating Plans on page79.

To analyse a single plan:

1 Ensure you have performed the required preparation steps, as described inPrerequisites for Running an Analysis on page 80.


3 Select the appropriate plan, and click the Analysis button.

4 In the Analysis dialog box, the selected plan appears as the Base Plan.

(If you want to select a different plan, you can do this by clicking the browse

button .)

5 Select the reporting level you require (Property, Site or Cell).

6 Click Analyse to perform the analysis.

When the analysis has finished running, the Report button will become active.

7 To generate the report, click the Report button, then select the format for yourreport, and click OK.

This report is similar to the Optimisation report (available from the Optimiser).The difference is that this report focuses on a specific plan or delta plan.




Here is an example:

8 When you have finished, in the Analysis dialog box, you can either click Reset toanalyse or compare other plans, or you can click Close.

You may be able to choose which customised report format you want to use for

this report type. For more information, see Selecting Report Formats on page 104.




Performing an Analysis to Compare Plans

Using the analysis functionality, you can evaluate the performance of a network plan

or compare any two plans. Comparing the performance of two plans enables you toassess one against the other, and evaluate any differences or improvements.

For information about the metrics used, see Analysing and Evaluating Plans on page79.

You can analyse and compare the performance between any two plans according toyour needs, whether they are plans or delta plans. You can also compare any twodelta plans, even if they originated from different starting plans.

To compare any two plans:

1 Ensure you have performed the required preparation steps, as described inPrerequisites for Running an Analysis on page 80.


3 Select one of the two plans you want to compare, and click the Analysis button.

4 In the Analysis dialog box, the selected plan appears as the Base Plan.

(If you want to select a different plan, you can do this by clicking the browse

button .)

5 In the Analysis dialog box, for the Compare Plan, click the browse button,

and select the other required plan.

6 Select the reporting level you require (Property, Site or Cell).

7 If required, click the Compare Options button if you want to set default values forcomparing array pixels where one has a server and one does not.

8 Click Analyse to perform the comparison analysis. When the analysis has finishedrunning, the Report button will become active.

9 To generate the reports, click the Report button, then select the format for yourreports, and click OK.

10 When you have finished, in the Analysis dialog box, you can either click Reset toanalyse or compare other plans, or you can click Close.




You can also view the comparison analysis results in the Map View window. Forinformation on how to do this, see Displaying Plan Comparison Results in the MapView on page 84.

Displaying Plan Comparison Results in the Map View

After you have performed an analysis to compare two plans, you can display yourresults in the Map View window.

To do this:

1 Ensure you have a Map View window showing the considered networkconfiguration(s). If not, you can select the region(s) for the plans using the Plansheading in the Data Types list:

2 On the Map View toolbar, click the Show Data Types button , or click the Map

Information & Control button and then click the Data Types tab.

3 To display plan comparison results (which show the coverage/interference arraysfor the chosen plans), expand the Delta Plan Analysis heading, and then expandthe required plan (or the 'Diff' category).

4 From the list that appears, select the array type that you want to view and clickRedraw to view the related analysis results:




5 To define how the array is displayed, double-click the required array and edit thedisplay properties in the dialog box that appears. You can set the followingdisplay options:

Which layers are displayed

The colour used for the level of improvement

The level of improvement you want to display

6 Click OK and then click OK and Redraw.

This picture shows an example of plan comparison analysis information displayedon the Map View window. The values show the improvement between plans 2and 1 for the Nth Pilot Server.




About Rollout Planning and Partial Plans

The Rollout Planning functionality provides a very useful way of determining the

order in which to make changes to a network.You can sequence the changes (grouped by cell, site or Property) according to anyuser-selected metric value (such as coverage or quality), and then assess the potentialcumulative improvement in the chosen metric (or any other chosen metric) as thechanges are implemented one by one.

In basic terms, this functionality asks the question: Which is the best (user-subjective)sequence to perform the potential network changes, and how many of those changes are reallyneeded to achieve the required benefits?

The Rollout Planning functionality can be used for delta plans, and is particularlyrelevant to labour-intensive changes requiring site visits, such as antenna azimuth or

height changes.For example, you might have a plan that proposes antenna changes on 30 sites. Afterthe initial analysis, the ranking functionality enables you to sequence the changes andevaluate their progressive or cumulative effect. You could then choose a modifiedsequence for the deployment of those changes. Then, after running a new analysisand report, you could re-evaluate the changes, and specify a new sequence. Whenyou are finally satisfied, you may decide that the changes on only 15 of those sites areworth deploying, and create a partial plan.

The Rollout Planning functionality is accessible from the Analysis dialog box. TheAnalysis dialog box, in its normal usage, provides the ability to analyse your network

configurations based on any user-selected metric, and then generate analysis reportsthat contain single columns per metric. However, the added benefit of the RolloutPlanning functionality is that it enables you to sort, re-analyse and produce acumulative report with multiple columns per metric.

In summary, after performing an analysis, you can use this functionality to:

1 Set the ranking level to Property, Site or Cell.

2 Re-sequence the rows of potential network element changes according to any oftheir analysed metric values.

3 Re-analyse.

4 Choose a reporting level.

5 Produce a cumulative report based on your chosen sequence.

In addition, if required, you can create a partial plan.




Partial Plans

From your original plan, you can create a "Partial Plan", which is a plan that willconsider making changes only for the elements that you choose.

The benefit is that, having re-sequenced the potential changes, you can decide whichones are really beneficial (based on the chosen metric) to the improvement of yournetwork.

Using the Rollout Planning Dialog Box

When you are using the Analysis dialog box, you can use the Rollout Planningfunctionality in order to assess and sequence the potential network changes for a deltaplan. You can also choose to create a partial plan.

To do this:

1 Run the Analysis in the normal way.

2 Wait until the analysis has finished running.

3 Click the Rollout Planning button.

The Rollout Planning dialog box appears, as in this example:pp

You can:

List the elements by their Ranking level: Property, Site or Cell

Show the columns for Absolute Values and/or Additional Improvement in thedialog box (this has no impact on the report, which always includes both typesof information).

Sort the rows by clicking on any of the column headings

Promote or demote any elements by selectively highlighting the row(s) andusing the Up/Down arrow buttons




4 To generate a fresh analysis of your changes (taking the new sequence intoaccount), click Analyse.

When the analysis has finished running, the Report button will become active.

5 Select the reporting level you require.6 Click the Report button, then select the format for your report, and click OK.

This report enables you to view and assess the cumulative statistics (relating to thechosen metrics) for each cell, site or Property. Here is an example of a report, afterranking the above results by coverage:

This example report has been simplified (rows have been removed) for clarity.

In this example, the 'partial plan' values in the columns (when read left to right)illustrate how the overall coverage value increases as each additional site/node inthe sequence is considered for inclusion in the plan. Obviously, at the same time asthe summed value increases, the individual coverage value for each site/nodetends to diminish.

A separate report will be generated for each of the metrics that you specifiedwhen setting up the analysis. For example, if you selected Coverage and Quality,

two separate reports would be presented.7 In the Rollout Planning dialog box, if you want to change the element sequence

and re-analyse, you can now click the Reset button.




Creating a Partial Plan

In the Rollout Planning dialog box, when you have finished re-sequencing thepotential changes, you can optionally create a 'partial plan'. This means that you candecide which changes are really beneficial (based on the chosen metric) to theimprovement of your network, and create a new reduced plan.

If appropriate to your requirements, you can then Apply (or Temp Apply) the partialplan to the database, or use it in an optimisation.

To do this:

1 Check that you have finished re-sequencing and analysing your changes in theRollout Planning dialog box.

2 Decide which items you want to include in the partial plan (sequence 1 to n).

3 Click on the row that relates to Sequence n (that is, the lowest ranked item in yourproposed partial plan).

4 In the example shown here, clicking the row relating to Sequence 6 would create aplan that includes the items in the top six rows (1 to 6 inclusive):

5 Click the Partial Plan button.

A new partial plan is automatically created, and listed in the Workflow dialog box,under the plan from which it was created. Here is an example:

Example of Partial Plan appearing in Workflow dialog box




Setting Action-Constraints in ASSET ACP

The purpose of action-constraints in ASSET ACP is to allow certain networkparameter changes to be considered in a network optimisation, but at the same time

impose meaningful limitations and restrictions on those changes, in order toaccurately represent the real-world environment.

Why the term 'action-constraint'?

An example of an 'action' may be that you want to allow the azimuth of the antennasof a group of cells to be changed, but, at the same time, you might want to specify a'constraint' for one of those cells, which could be a forbidden azimuth range due to toa nearby school.

The ASSET ACP tool focuses on automatic optimisation of plans, and the action-constraints play a crucial part in this process. It is important that you read the relevant

topics in the Plan Manager section, in particular About the Action-Constraints DialogBox on page 44.

About Action-Constraints

In ASSET ACP, there are two separate 'sources' of action-constraints:

Action-constraints that you can set up and edit within the ACP Workflow

Action-constraints that you can set for specific network elements directly withinthe Site Database

In both cases, these action-constraints can be configured on an object-by-object basis,

or to groups of objects through the use of filters. There is nothing you can set up in theSite Database that you cannot also set up in the Action-Constraints dialog box.

Action-constraints that are set in the Site Database are always auto-populatedinto the Action-Constraints dialog box when you create a plan. You then have thefreedom to modify those action-constraints at that stage, if required. When you run anoptimisation, the Optimiser reads the action-constraints exclusively from the Action-Constraints dialog box, regardless of their original 'source'.

When you run an optimisation, there are two planning mechanisms you can use:

Antenna

Power

ASSET ACP provides the flexibility to run optimisations based on any singlemechanism, or both of them.




This flexibility enables you to, for example:

1 Set specific action-constraints in the Site Database.

2 Edit these action-constraints (if required) and set up further action-constraints (if

required) in the Action-Constraints dialog box.- or -

Set up action-constraints exclusively in the Action-Constraints dialog box.

3 Select one or both of the planning mechanisms, according to your optimisationstrategy.

The action-constraints of any plans which already have delta plans are always inRead-Only format.

For more detailed information about the action-constraints within the ACP Workflow,see About the Action-Constraints Dialog Box on page 44 and Using the Action-Constraints Dialog Box on page 47.

About the Action-Constraints Available

This section describes the various action-constraints that can be specified in ASSETACP. They are summarised in this table, listed against the specific network elementsto which they relate.

Although these action-constraints are described here specifically in terms ofsetting them in the Site Database, the concept of the action-constraints is the same ifyou set them within the ACP Workflow. If you are setting them within the ACP

Workflow, you should also refer to About the Action-Constraints Dialog Box on page44.

Network Element Constraints

Property Antenna

Equipment Mast, BTS Type

GSM Site Installation

GSM Cell Antenna

GSM Subcell Power

UMTS Node Antenna, Resource

UMTS Cell Power, Power Control

CDMA2000/EV-DO Site Antenna

WiMAX Node Antenna

WiMAX Cell Power

LTE Node Antenna

LTE Cell Power

You can also edit a number of constraints in the Site Database simultaneously, asdescribed in Configuring Constraints in the Site Database Global Editor on page 102.




Configuring Equipment Constraints

You can specify constraints for masts and BTS equipment, so that the constraints areused when these objects are assigned to a network element in the Site Database. Mastscan be used to constrain the antenna heights of Properties (all technologies). BTStypes can be used to constrain the output power of GSM subcells.

To configure equipment-specific constraints for masts:

1 From the Equipment menu, select Masts.

2 In the dialog box that appears, select the mast that you want to constrain.

3 Click the Dimensions tab, and:

Specify the structure height

Select the required mount option - if you select Rooftop, the building height of

the Property will be added to the mast height to give the antenna height

4 Click the Constraints tab, and specify the mast heights that you want to makeavailable:

In the Available Masts Height pane, type in a height value and click Add

To change a value, select it and enter a new value in the box and click Update

To remove a value, select it and click Remove

5 Click Apply to save the changes, and Commit if appropriate.




To configure equipment-specific constraints for BTS types:

1 From the Equipment menu, select BTS Equipment.

2 In the dialog box that appears, select the BTS type that you want to constrain.

3 Click the Parameters tab, and in the PA Output Power pane, select a cell layer andenter the minimum and maximum PA Output power values that the BTS canprovide. This picture shows an example:


These constraints are only used if these equipment types are assigned to therelevant network elements in the Site Database. For example, masts are assigned toProperties (all technologies), and BTS equipment types are assigned to GSM sites.






To manually define a series of allowable antenna height values within theminimum-maximum range:

Select the Manual option, and then select the Constrain checkbox.

In the value box above the Add button, type the first value in metres. Click Add.

Add further values as required - to delete a value, select it and click Remove.To edit a value, select it, change the value and then click Update.

To define a series of allowable antenna height values within the minimum-maximum range based on the mast associated with the Property (which is definedon the General tab of a Property in the Site Database):

Select the Mast option, and then select the Constrain checkbox.

The constraint values that you have defined for this mast appear. For more

information on this, see Configuring Equipment Constraints on page 92.

To define a series of allowable antenna height values within the minimum-maximum range based on a particular step size:

Select the Step option, and then type a value in metres for the step.

Select the Constrain checkbox.

A series of allowable antenna height values appear, starting with the definedminimum height, then moving upwards in steps (according to the size youdefined) to the defined maximum height.

For example, the allowable height values for a minimum height of 20m and a

maximum of 30m with a step size of 2m would be 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30m.

4 In the Height Variation pane, you can determine whether the heights forindividual antennas may differ at a specific Property (this option is cell layer-specific for GSM). To do this, select the Allowed checkbox.

If this is not selected, all antennas on the same cell layer (GSM) or on allcarriers (UMTS) at this Property must be at the same height. However, GSM cellsfor different cell layers, or cells of different technologies (for example, GSM andUMTS) can still have antennas with heights different from each other.

5 In the Antennas at Same Height pane, you can specify a minimum azimuth

difference. This is the minimum separation (in degrees) that you are willing toaccept between antennas of the same height on this Property. To do this, select theConstrain checkbox and type a value.

6 In the Antenna Co-location pane, select the Enable Co-location checkbox if youwant to enable antenna devices to be able to share co-location parameters(identical location co-ordinates, height and azimuth, and on the same Property).

If Antenna Co-location is not enabled for a Property, no antenna sharing orco-location configuration can be accepted as a valid starting configuration orexamined as a potential optimisation solution by the Optimiser. For moreinformation, see How the Optimiser Considers Shared Antennas on page 57.





Configuring GSM Site Installation Constraints

GSM site installation constraints can be configured to restrict the options that can beused during GSM cell power optimisation.

To configure GSM site installation constraints:

1 From the Database menu, click Sites.

2 Select a GSM site, and click on the Installation tab.

3 In the ACP Constraint pane, select the Fix Site Equipment checkbox if you wantthe specified BTS equipment type to stay unchanged during a GSM poweroptimisation.


Configuring GSM Cell Antenna Constraints

GSM cell antenna constraints are configured per antenna, as opposed to constraintsconfigured per Property, which relate to all antennas on the Property. For informationon how to configure these, see Configuring Property Antenna Constraints on page 94.

To configure GSM cell antenna constraints:


2 Select a cell, and click the Antenna Constraints tab.

3 Ensure that you select the appropriate antenna by selecting the required slot fromthe Antenna Configuration pane:

In most cases, there will only be one antenna slot per cell, but it is possible thatmultiple slots have been configured.




4 In the Wall or Other Bearing Constraints pane, select to use a Forbidden AzimuthRange. This enables you to define an orientation region (or range) which theautomatic optimisation cannot consider for azimuth changes.

5 To set the range, type a clockwise wall bearing angle (in other words, the startingazimuth for the forbidden range) and an anti-clockwise wall bearing angle (inother words, the final azimuth for the forbidden range).

This picture shows an example for an original antenna azimuth of 100 degrees.The clockwise bearing angle is set to 120 degrees and the anti-clockwise bearingangle to 80 degrees, meaning that, depending on the considered antennaactions/constraints, the antenna may be able to move plus or minus 20 degreesduring the optimisation:

6 In the Misc Constraints pane, you can set the following constraints per antennaslot:

Select this checkbox To

Antenna Device Fixed Prevent changes to the antenna device during optimisation.

Antenna Pattern Fixed Prevent changes to the antenna pattern during optimisation.

If you select this, Antenna Device Fixed will be selected automatically.Mechanical Downtilt Fixed Prevent changes to the mechanical downtilt during optimisation.

Azimuth Fixed Prevent changes to the azimuth during optimisation.

Height Fixed Prevent changes to the antenna height during optimisation.

Constrain Max Main Lobe Tilt Prevent changes to the electrical and/or mechanical downtilt that violate this constraintduring optimisation.





Configuring GSM Subcell Power Constraints

GSM subcell antenna/TRX constraints can be configured to fix the PA output duringthe GSM cell power optimisation.

To configure GSM subcell antenna/TRX constraints:


2 Select a GSM subcell, and click the Antenna/TRX tab.

3 In the ACP Constraint pane, select the Fixed PA Output checkbox if you want toprevent changes to the PA output by the Optimiser during optimisation.


Configuring UMTS Node Resource Constraints

Node constraints can be configured to restrict the node to a particular node typeduring a power optimisation.

To configure node resource constraints:

1 From the Database menu, click Sites.2 Select a node and click the Resource tab.

3 In the ACP Constraint pane, select the Fix Node Type checkbox if you want thespecified Node type to stay unchanged during a power optimisation.





Configuring UMTS, CDMA/EV-DO, WiMAX or LTE Antenna Constraints

Antenna constraints are related to the antenna optimisation, and enable you to restrictthe available options that can be used to optimise the antennas associated with a nodecell.

To configure antenna constraints:


2 Select a node and click the Antenna Constraints tab.

3 Ensure that you select the appropriate antenna by selecting the required antennanumber from the Antenna Configuration pane:

These numbers correspond to the antennas listed on the Antennas tab. Theconstraints are always antenna-specific.

4 In the Wall or Other Bearing Constraints pane, select to use a Forbidden AzimuthRange. This enables you to define an orientation region (or range) which theautomatic optimisation cannot consider for antenna azimuth changes.

5 To set the range, type a clockwise wall bearing angle (in other words, the starting

azimuth for the forbidden range) and an anti-clockwise wall bearing angle (inother words, the final azimuth for the forbidden range).

This picture shows an example for an azimuth of 100 degrees. The clockwisebearing angle is set to 120 degrees and the anti-clockwise bearing angle to 80degrees, meaning that the antenna is able to move plus or minus 20 degreesduring the optimisation:






Configuring UMTS Cell Power Control Constraints

UMTS cell power control constraints can be configured to restrict the maximumdownlink power per connection that can be used to optimise the UMTS cell.

To do this:

1 From the Site Database, click Sites.

2 Select a UMTS cell, and click the Load&Power Ctrl tab.

3 In the TX Power Limits pane, under ACP Constraint, select the Fixed checkbox.


Configuring WiMAX Cell Power Constraints

WiMAX cell constraints can be set to restrict the power settings that can be used tooptimise the cell. Selection of this constraint will prevent the relevant power frombeing changed during an optimisation.

These constraints are applicable to both Fixed WiMAX and Mobile WiMAX.

To configure WiMAX cell power constraints:


2 Select a cell, and click the WiMAX Params tab.

3 In the ACP Constraints pane, select the Fix TX Power checkbox.


Configuring LTE Cell Power Constraints

LTE cell constraints can be set to restrict the power settings that can be used to

optimise the cell. Selection of this constraint will prevent the relevant power frombeing changed during an optimisation.

To configure LTE cell power constraints:


2 Select an LTE cell, and click the LTE Params tab.

3 In the ACP Constraints pane, select the Fix TX Power checkbox.





Configuring Constraints in the Site Database Global Editor

Changing information for a large number of Properties, sites and cells can be a verylengthy process when performed manually. To avoid this, you can use the GlobalEditor to define constraints for objects identified by a filter.

The Global Editor is used on a per filter basis - you cannot specify a different filterfor different tabs.

To use the Global Editor:


2 In the Site Database window, click Global Edit.

3 Select the appropriate filter.

4 Select the items that you want to change for the network elements in this filter. For

a list of the ASSET ACP-specific constraints, see ASSET ACP-specific Constraintsin the Global Editor on page 103.

Here is an example of the constraints in the Global Editor:

Where a parameter has two checkboxes, ensure you select both if you want toset the relevant constraint. However, if you want to disable (previously set)constraints, you can select the first checkbox, and deselect the second checkbox. Insimple terms, the first checkbox determines whether the change is to be made, and

the second checkbox determines what is to be changed. For example:

To set the constraint To unset the constraint (if previously set)


http://0.0.0.0/

http://0.0.0.0/




ASSET ACP-specific Constraints in the Global Editor

This table describes the ASSET ACP-specific constraints:

On this tab You can set these constraintsCell Constraints Antenna Device Fixed

Antenna Pattern Fixed

Mechanical Downtilt Fixed

Azimuth Fixed

Height Fixed

Constrain Max Main Lobe Tilt

Property Constraints Antennas:

Allow Co-location

Allow Height Variation

Same Height Min Azimuth Diff Antenna Height Rules:

Manual, Mast or Step Height

Min Height

Max Height

Installation (GSM) Fixed Site/BTS Equipment

Cell Layer (GSM) Fixed PA Output

Node Config (UMTS) Fixed Node Type

Cell Params (UMTS) Fixed Max TX Power

Fixed UMTS Channels Power

Fixed HSDPA Power

Load & Power Ctrl (UMTS) Fixed Max DL Power per Connection

WiMAX Cell Params Fixed TX Power

LTE Cell Params Fixed TX Power




Selecting Report Formats

ASSET ACP enables an organisation to configure its own presentation styles for thefollowing reports:

Analysis report

Optimiser report

Rollout Planning report

Financial Analysis report

Financial Analysis (Difference Method) report

The last two report types depend on a Financial Analysis licence.

This can be done using report formats that can be configured and managed by youradministrator. For information on this, see the ENTERPRISE Installation andAdministration Guide.

If such formats have been configured, an individual user can determine the 'mapping'of the required report format to each ASSET ACP report type.

A default set of formats already exists in any new project. These formats arealready mapped to each report type, so if you are satisfied with the default reports,you do not need to do anything.

If you need to view or modify the mapping relationships, you can use the ACP &Financial Analysis Reports Assignment dialog box.

To open this dialog box:From the Reports menu, click ACP & Financial Analysis Reports Assignment.




The ACP & Financial Analysis Reports Assignment dialog box appears:

To change the mapping relationship for a report type:

1 For the appropriate report type, click in the Report Name column.

2 In the drop-down list, select the required report name (this is only meaningful ifmultiple formats have been made available for the report type).

3 Repeat the steps if you want to modify any other mapping relationships.

4 Click Close.

The reports will automatically be output in the chosen format when they are nextgenerated.

You can check the basic details of the currently mapped report formats by selectingthe report type and clicking the 'Info' button.





ASSET ACP User Reference Guide 7.0 Page 107Index

Index

A Action-Constraints

about • 90 antenna planning • 47, 55 dialog box • 44, 47 power planning • 47, 58 setting • 90 templates • 53

ADVANTAGEworkflow • 15

Analysing and evaluating plans • 79 Analysis

for a single plan • 81 network improvement • 83 network performance • 81 to compare plans • 83

Antennassharing • 57

ASSET ACPworkflow • 16

Auto Plan Setup, using • 36

C Clutter/Vector parameters • 18 Constraints

about • 90 Action-Constraints dialog box • 49 BTS equipment and mast • 92 GSM cell antenna • 96 GSM site installation • 96 GSM subcell antenna/TRX • 98 in Site Database • 90 metric degradation • 23

Property antenna • 94 UMTS cell load and power ctrl • 101 UMTS cell params • 100 UMTS node antenna • 99 UMTS node resource • 98

D Delta Plans • 29

G Global Editor

setting constraints in site database • 102

N Network Improvement Analysis • 83 Network Performance Analysis • 81

O Optimisation

Action-Constraints templates • 53 antenna • 47, 55 parameters • 16 power planning • 58 prerequisites • 70 reports • 72, 76 running the optimiser • 72 starting the optimiser • 71 strategy • 23 thresholds • 18

Optimiser Workflow

using • 16

P Plan Manager, using • 28 Plans

concept • 29 creating • 31 Traffic Options • 25 using the Plan Manager • 28 viewing and using • 30

R RF Thresholds • 18

S Sampling, for clutter • 19 Shared antennas

how considered • 57 Statistics

graphs • 74 reports • 74, 76

T Thresholds

setting • 18



Date post:	14-Apr-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	cepillo
View:	219 times
Download:	0 times

Asset ACP User Reference Guide.pdf

Documents