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Cellular Expert 4.

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Release Notes

Release is dedicated to multi-user environment (accessing SDE database connection), Radio


Links Predictions, improvements of coverage prediction performance working with high amount of
data and network optimization.

Copyright © 1999-2014 Cellular-Expert. All rights reserved. Cellular Expert and Cellular Expert logo are registered trademarks, @cellular-expert.lt and www.cellular-expert.lt are
service marks of Cellular Expert in Lithuania and some other countries. In the United States and in some countries ArcGIS, Spatial Analyst, 3D Analyst, ArcSDE are registered
trademarks of Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. The names of other products herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners.
Table of Contents

1 Main improvements _________________________________________________ 3


1.1 PCI Assignment _______________________________________________________ 3
1.2 3D Coverage Predictions ________________________________________________ 5
1.3 Best Server Overlap Tool ________________________________________________ 7
1.3.1 User Interface ______________________________________________________________ 7
1.3.2 Prediction Results ___________________________________________________________ 8
1.4 Satellite _____________________________________________________________ 11
1.5 File Geodatabase _____________________________________________________ 14
1.6 Share Prediction Path For Multiple Users ___________________________________ 15
1.7 Neighborhood/Impact Matrix _____________________________________________ 16
1.8 Process large extent calculations up to 70% faster ___________________________ 16
2 New functionality and updated tools __________________________________ 19
2.1 Radio Links Predictions ________________________________________________ 19
2.2 Save Time With Renewed Radio Properties Dialog __________________________ 23
2.3 Prediction Model Manager ______________________________________________ 23
2.4 Validate Geographical Data Before starting Calculations _______________________ 25
2.5 Update Workspace in Remote Server Easier ________________________________ 26
2.6 SDE Database without Cellular Expert SDE Connector ________________________ 27
2.7 Start/Stop preferred Jobs in Task Scheduler ________________________________ 27
2.8 Opened Project Even With the Invalid Workspace Paths _______________________ 28
2.9 Error log button _______________________________________________________ 29
2.10 Sector Direction ______________________________________________________ 29
2.11 Power Flux Density ____________________________________________________ 30
2.12 Draw Field Strength for Transmission Sectors _______________________________ 31
2.13 Signal Information _____________________________________________________ 31

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1 MAIN IMPROVEMENTS

1.1 PCI ASSIGNMENT


For endlessly growing Long Term Evolution (LTE) network appears a question how to determine
optimal LTE network parameters to ensure continuous and high quality connection? For that
topical task, Cellular Expert 4.3 version has new optimization tool named PCI Assignment.

We designed Cellular Expert PCI Assignment tool for LTE network Physical Cell Identity (PCI)
planning tasks like:
• Current PCI plan analysis;
• Optimal PCI assessment for the new sites;
• Whole network PCI reallocation/optimization.

Analysis and optimization takes into account:


• First-and second-order neighbors to find/avoid collisions and confusions;
• PSS ID and Frequency Shift (MOD3 and MOD6 rules) for smooth downlink connection
establishment;
• Sequence Shift (MOD30 rule) for smooth uplink connection establishment.

PCI Assignment tool is located in Cellular Expert Optimization toolbar.

Figure 1. PCI Assignment dialog

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Note: sectors must be unique before PCI Assignment calculation. For that use Create Unique cell
tool.

Neighbors list

It is important to locate table with Neighborhood information about selected objects. This table
(typically named SectorNI) should be prepared before starting PCI Assignment tool.

Check

Choosing this option you will check all selected sectors for collisions and confusions.

Note: from the first table you can see retune objectives collisions amount and area information
and confusions amount and area information. From the second table you can see sectors among
which these collisions and confusions occur. As you can see, there are two sources and related
neighbor information in PCI Assignment dialog box.

Figure 2. PCI Assignment dialog. Check options calculation

Retune

Retune is an option that optimizes whole network. Figure below are showing Retune option
calculations. There are several calculated values. Values in brackets is from Check calculation
option and others near them – new values from Retune calculation option.

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Note: for example after Check calculation was 256 collisions and 1734 confusions and after
retune calculation – 0 collisions and 0 confusions.

Figure 3. PCI Assignment dialog. Retune options calculation

1.2 3D COVERAGE PREDICTIONS


Nowadays there is a need to ensure that all network information is defined accurately and
visualize network performance in 3D to see in-building coverage (predict and visualize network
coverage on different floor levels). Cellular Expert 3D coverage prediction tools are designed for
vertical planning in urban environment with high buildings. Unique 3D capabilities enhance
precise radio network planning and optimization accuracy.

3D Coverage prediction calculation results are loaded into table of contents in a sequence from
highest receiver height on the top to the lowest at the bottom of the list. 3D calculation results’
visualization parameters are configured in a Cellular Expert Workspace properties dialog by
defining proper symbology file.

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Figure 4. Workspace Properties dialog Visualization tab

For a three dimensional view calculations results are loaded in ArcScene using Load 3D
Coverage tool. To load coverage predictions you need to set results database and custom data
visualization parameters:
 Extrusion value or expression. Coverage calculation results are extruded vertically to
create signal strength, serving cell or other three dimensional coverage views. Extrusion
level is defined by adding extrusion value or expression. Leaving the textbox empty
coverage layer Z value will be set to 0.

Figure 5. Coverage results with different extrusion values

 Floating on a custom surface. Three dimensional coverage views could be analyzed on a


flat surface or using elevation raster height values. Depending on analysis preferences
tool allows you to set coverage preview parameters accordingly:
o Leave floating value field empty for a flat surface;
o Define floating surface by selecting elevation layers in a textbox or setting the path
to elevation raster.

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Figure 6. Coverage results shown using flat surface (on the left) and
floating on an elevation surface (on the right) parameters

1.3 BEST SERVER OVERLAP TOOL


Best Server Overlap tool allows predicting overlap areas between several serving sectors. It
can be used to plan radio frequency resources more efficiently and reduce interference in the
network by controlling areas served by too many sectors.

To use the tool, first calculate N best servers up to required number N for overlap analysis. Store
N best servers in the results folder. Open Best Server Overlap tool, define criteria for area
overlap and run calculations. In the result, area percentages will be generated as table fields for
supplied territory polygons layer.

1.3.1 User Interface


The tool opens dialog allowing to define the following parameters:
- Territory polygons: the shapefile denoting area boundaries in the form of polygons for
which overlap statistics will be generated.
- N best servers folder: the results folder where N bets server predictions are stored.
- Best server overlap table: defines allowable limits for best server overlap, including Nth
best server number (comparing signal level to the first strongest best server), signal
difference in dB between Nth and first sectors and maximum allowable area overlap
percentage.

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After defining parameters in the table, click OK to run predictions.

Figure 7. Input data in the geoprocessing form

1.3.2 Prediction Results

Prediction results are stored in the fields NBS2, NBS4, … , HIGH_VAL in the territory polygons
feature class.
NBS2, NBS4, … - contains area overlap percentage for the corresponding N best server signals
HIGH_VAL – indicator if area overlap percentage is out of allowable limits.

Figure 8. Calculated results in the form of polygon feature class

Predicted results in the form of area polygons are loaded on the map in the following group layer
structure.

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Figure 9. BS overlap layers loaded into ArcMap Table Of Contents

Figure 10. Areas marked with red have higher percentage of BS overlap than allowed

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Figure 11. Percentage of area overlap between two servers within signal difference of 5 dB
(according to given tabular data in NBS_OVERLAP)

Best server of each sector is added as a different visualization of the same polygon feature class.
The detailed analysis can be performed using Identify command showing for which particular best
server number overlap percentage is out of allowable limit.

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Figure 12. Analysis of overlapping best servers using Identify command

1.4 SATELLITE
When you are rather far from civilization and radio communications fall out of reach, you need
satellite communications to stay in touch - with your next port of call, with your loved ones at
home, with your business partners and maybe you need help or come to the aid of someone.

Satellite communication simulations is a functionality that is in high demand among Cellular


Expert users. This is the reason we have decided to implement three new Satellite tools into
Cellular Expert 4.3:
 GeoSatellite Manager for creating satellites,
 Satellite tool for determining terminal antenna parameters
 Satellite Footprint Prediction for creating satellite coverage predictions.

They are all related with each other and you can find them using ArcGIS Customize menu.

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Figure 13. ArcGIS Customize menu

Open GeoSatellite Manager . With this tool you can create new satellite.

Figure 14. GeoSatellite Manager dialog

Beam
Each satellite may have multibeam antenna to cover specific selected areas on Earth’s surface.
For this purpose a number of beam center positions can be entered to represent focused areas.

Each beam may have assigned frequency band.

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Figure 15. New beam creation

Footprint zones
Satellite footprint zones define areas on Earth surface from which satellite is visible above
horizon at each location (i.e. terminal station antenna’s elevation is greater than zero). Usually
several footprint zones are drawn on the map for elevation angles 0, 5 and 10 degrees.

Open Satellite tool for choosing antenna location coordinates and orientation angles.

Figure 16. Satellite dialog

To calculate satellite terminal antenna orientation angles and satellite footprint coverage rasters,
use Satellite footprint prediction tool.

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Figure 17. Satellite footprint prediction

1.5 FILE GEODATABASE


Now you are able to save your workspace and predictions in File Geodatabase (.gdb directory). If
you want to create workspace with File Geodatabase, add .gdb prefix near your new workspace
project name.

Figure 18. Creating File Geodatabase workspace

If you want to have predictions in File Geodatabase, you have to change Calculation Result
Database Type to .gdb in your Workspace Properties dialog.

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Figure 19. Workspace Properties. Calculation database type

1.6 SHARE PREDICTION PATH FOR MULTIPLE USERS


Cellular Expert 4.3 is the first version, which implements strategy to stop using database for
prediction results (active workspace locks the database and it cannot be edited from other
sources).

Currently changes are made for Point-to-Area calculations: data from Predictions.mdb is moved
to .xml files.

Figure 20. Workspace properties

Management of .xml files and prediction grids is fully automatic: when something is missing or
corrupted, new files are generated.

This new functionality allows to share the same Prediction Path for multiple users and run
predictions at the same time. One of the examples: planners work with dedicated to them network
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objects, have different network databases and projects, but the predictions can be stored in one
location for the country scale calculations, merging all the data.

1.7 NEIGHBORHOOD/IMPACT MATRIX


Previous Neighborhood/Impact Matrix was dedicated for GSM/TETRA interference calculations.
Innovations in mobile network forced us to react to these changes and add new functionality
dedicated for LTE and UMTS/HSDPA interference calculations to our existing tools. Now in
Cellular Expert 4.3 we have Neighborhood/Impact Matrix for different technologies.

Figure 21. Neighborhood/Impact Matrix Calculation

Radio networks need to handle non-unique local physical identifiers of cells to support efficient
measurement and reporting procedures. For example, in LTE a mobile is required to measure the
reference signal received power (RSRP) (i.e. the received power of the signature sequence
symbols associated with a particular PCI) of candidate cells and report to the serving cell (the cell
serving the mobile at the moment). It is important to detect and resolve local PCI conflicts, i.e.
when two cells in the vicinity of each other uses the same PCI, to avoid ambiguities in the
measurement reports.

1.8 PROCESS LARGE EXTENT CALCULATIONS UP TO 70% FASTER


Cellular Expert 4.3 version beside typical prediction calculation process has an optimized
algorithm, which speeds up data processing for country scale point-to-area networks. This covers
Fields Strength, Best server and other primary results generation.

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Entire extent is divided into parts in accordance with Grid Cell Size parameter and at the end –
they are merged. Grid Cell Size represents the size of parts in kilometers and can be adjusted via
Workspace Properties dialog. For example value 120 means, that the calculation extent will be
divided into 120km x 120km parts.

Figure 22. Workspace Properties dialog and calculations

Influence of Grid Cell Size value is presented in the demo project (next page).

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Territory for the analysis: Iceland, 360km x 520km. With 40m resolution – 117 million points.
Network: 500 sites, each with 2 sectors. Total number of sectors – 1000.
Prediction model radius: 35km, cell size 40m.
Site predictions: calculated in advance.
Testing environment: 64-bit Windows 7; Intel® Xeon® CPU E3-1225 V2 @ 3.20GHz; RAM 8
GB. HDD 150MB/s 7200RPM.

Duration of Field Strength together with Best Server calculation:

Grid Cell Size Cell Size for results


(pred. model radius and Parts 40m 80m 160m
kilometers)
(117 mln points) (29 mln points) (7,3 mln points)

35x5714=200000 1 4hours15mins 1hour47mins 55mins

35x8=280 4 2hours16mins 1hour04mins 35mins

35x7=245 6 2hours23mins 1hour00mins 34mins

35x6=210 6 1hours42mins 59mins 38mins

35x5=175 9 1hours27mins 47mins 32mins

35x4=140 12 1hours23mins 48mins 42mins

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35x3=105 20 1hours14mins 51mins 53mins
1hours16mins
35x2=70 48 1hours14mins 1hours08mins
(3mln.)
Improvement in
70% 57% 42%
percent

Note: Improvement in percent is calculated using equation 100%-(ShortestTime*100/


LongestTime)

The advantage of dividing calculations into parts appears in country scale networks, when the
extent covers 100 square kilometers or more and the size of the parts is three-five times larger
than used prediction model radius.

There is no optimal grid cell size value suitable for all cases. It depends on the extent size,
number of points (prediction model radius, cell size), sites locations (coverage overlapping), etc.
Until the self-tuning mechanism is developed, grid cell size value should be tuned manually.

2 NEW FUNCTIONALITY AND UPDATED TOOLS

2.1 RADIO LINKS PREDICTIONS


Compared to Cellular Expert 4.2 and previous versions, Wanted Signal and Interference
calculations are now combined and managed from one tool – Radio Links Predictions. With
previous functionality you needed to calculate Wanted Signal, then Interference and after that –
recalculate Wanted Signal to include interference results. Now you are able to perform both
calculations at once and get Wanted signal with evaluated interference influence without any
manual recalculations.

Prediction calculation is based on wizard type dialog, in which you have to select preferred
calculation and fill needed parameters depending on selected calculations. Radio Links
Predictions tool is located in Cellular Expert Radio Links toolbar.

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Figure 23. Radio Links Predictions dialog. First step - Main parameters

Selected/From query
You can include into prediction all selected objects (use Selected option), or you can pick objects
using SQL query (From query option). In current case, write query directly into the field or use
Build… button to open SQL query dialog.

Note: You can use From query functionality to select links with preferred StatusID values.

Check data
Select this option before starting calculation to activate input data checking. This will check
selected objects and will inform you, if any attributes‘ values are invalid. If calculation with existing
data is impossible, it will not let you to start calculation, until you correct the data.

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Figure 24. Radio Links Predictions dialog. Second step - calculations

Path loss
Select to calculate path loss or use values from previous calculations.

Note: Path loss is calculated based on propagation model which is specified in sector properties
inside Object Inspector tool for each sector at the both ends of radio link. Therefore, for path loss
calculations, propagation prediction models should be created in advance.

Re-predict
If Repredict checkbox is checked, profile is re-predicted each time procedure is executed.
Otherwise, the profile is calculated only once for a particular path.

Wanted Signal
Select this option to perform wanted signal prediction, which calculates:
 Power budget, including receiver signal level, thermal fade margin, composite fade margin
and bit error ratio;
 Multipath, rain and cross-polarization fading percentages;
 Performance and availability, including individual and common objectives.

Interference
Select to perform interference prediction, which includes path loss and power budget
calculations. Click Next button to define/adjust calculation parameters.

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Figure 25. Radio Links Predictions dialog, Interference parameters

You can establish interference links between From and To object groups:
 Selected-Selected – interference is evaluated only between selected links;
 Selected-all – interference is evaluated from selected to all other links in the active
Cellular Expert workspace. If you choose Both direction option, then additionally
interference from all to selected ones are calculated;
 All-selected – interference is evaluated from all to selected links. If you choose Both
direction option, then additionally interference from selected to all other links in the
Cellular Expert workspace is calculated;
 All-all – interference between all links in the current Cellular Expert workspace is
calculated.
Note: Wanted signal is always calculated only for the selected/queried links. If you do not have
calculated Wanted signal for all other links, in some Selected-All or All-selected cases you may
get interfered links SIR values with no data, because of not calculated wanted signal. To solve
that, you should run Wanted signal calculation for these links.

Min interference power level


Choose minimum power level for interference link creation. Links which power is below this level
are not created.
Note: to change value, click button to open Radio Links Options dialog.

Do not limit interference level (for automated frequency assignment)


Use this option when you want to calculate interference for automated frequency assignment tool.
It switches off all filtering that depend on frequency and interference level, and leave only
distance filter thus including all possible interference propagation paths.

Note: with this option interference links are created even between carries from totally different
frequencies. Without this option – only between overlapping carriers.

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Filter links by:
 Distance – define Min and Max radius for the transmitter’s potential interference
distance;
 Frequency – include only transmitters with carriers from Min to Max frequency range;
 Interference margin – define interference margin level in dB and use C/I or BER(SNR)
criteria, BER-06 or BER-03 error level;
 FML – define fade margin loss threshold;
 Channel – evaluate interference only from/to the same channel as signal links or from
selected channels list;
 Carrier – select only co-channel interference evaluation or up to nine adjacent channels.

2.2 SAVE TIME WITH RENEWED RADIO PROPERTIES DIALOG


Previous Radio Properties dialog design consists of separate tabs for transmitter and receiver.
Now information from both tabs is merged into one view.

Figure 26. Radio Properties

Changing radio system now is simplified: user selects new radio and all parameters are
automatically loaded for both - transmitter and receiver. There is no need to click Use Radio
Model Data button.

2.3 PREDICTION MODEL MANAGER


With intention to save your time, we improved Prediction Model Manager allowing you to see list
of existing models, their parameters and create new ones from one view. You do not need to
open additional dialogs to preview each parameter anymore.

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Figure 27. New Prediction Model Manager

All created models are listed in the left part of the dialog and grouped by prediction model type.
Selected model’s parameters are displayed in the right part of the dialog.

Additionally Description field for each prediction model was created and now you can write down
your notes and comments:

Figure 28. Description field in Prediction Models

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2.4 VALIDATE GEOGRAPHICAL DATA BEFORE STARTING
CALCULATIONS
Prediction Model Manager now has a functionality to check input data referred in the prediction
model.

Figure 29. Prediction Model manager. Validate

Information about missing data is displayed in the appeared message.

This ensures, that all needed references are valid and there are no possible issues due to no
longer existing input data.

Validation from Prediction Model Manager is initiated for the selected prediction model. Path
validation for all the models in the project can be done using updated Workspace Integrity tool.

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Figure 30. Database Integrity

Integrity tool generates log file where all missing input data is listed for each existing prediction
model, regardless of whether the data paths lead to local disk, shared file directory on the intranet
or SQL, Oracle server.

2.5 UPDATE WORKSPACE IN REMOTE SERVER EASIER


To simplify Cellular Expert workspace upgrade when it is located in a remote server (SQL,
Oracle), a new tool was developed: .

It can be added to preferred toolbar from the Customize menu and used to create a copy of the
remote workspace.

Figure 31. Copy to local

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All data related to Cellular Expert Workspace is copied to chosen location, including prediction
database and prediction grids. Made copy can be upgraded with standard Cellular Expert
Upgrade tool and copied back to the server.

Also Copy to Local functionality can be used as a backup to store server side information locally.

2.6 SDE DATABASE WITHOUT CELLULAR EXPERT SDE CONNECTOR


From now, working in multiple user environment becomes easier. A new functionality enables you
to access SDE database connection directly – without Cellular Expert SDE Connector. This also
means that all settings and values in dialogs become common to all users.

Figure 32. An example of Cellular Expert project when accessing SDE workspace
with Cellular Expert SDE Connector database (SDE_Project_1) and without it (SDE_Project_2)

How to upload your local project to SDE:


1. Copy all tables from Cellular Expert network database to SDE using ArcGIS tools. Save
them as versioned.
2. Remove local database file.
3. No additional settings are required.

Connecting to existing SDE workspace:


 Be sure you have all local files (Calculation, Result and Prediction directories with
Predictions.mdb) in the right locations, as set in CE_WORKSPACE table.
 If you do not have needed set of files, check the paths in CE_WORKSPACE table and
corresponding to them, create a new default workspace with default parameters, taking
spatial reference and extent from SDE objects. Then delete local network database and
open workspace from SDE.

2.7 START/STOP PREFERRED JOBS IN TASK SCHEDULER


Improved Task Scheduler (for Point-to-Area and Radio Links) allows to manage new jobs while
others are proceeded and append them to the task list.

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Figure 33. Task Scheduler. Append

The main advantage compared to the older version appears, when one of the jobs fails. In this
case there is no need to cancel the rest of the jobs: failed one can be edited (even new sites and
sectors can be selected) and appended for the implementation.

Note: that asynchronous mode exploits the advantages of multicore processors and allows to
process two or more jobs at the same time - shorten the total calculation time twice or even more.

2.8 OPENED PROJECT EVEN WITH THE INVALID WORKSPACE PATHS


Starting project (.mxd) or loading Cellular Expert Workspace in the existing one initiates validation
procedure, where workspace paths are checked.

This includes Prediction path, Results path, Elevation and References. After the message, all this
data can be accessed and corrected via Workspace Properties dialog.

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Figure 34. Workspace Properties

This functionality saves users time (previous versions do not allow to load workspace with
missing data at all) by identifying incorrect data locations and allowing to fix that directly from
Cellular Expert interface.

2.9 ERROR LOG BUTTON


From Cellular Expert 4.3 error log can be called from Cellular Expert toolbar, Workspace menu.

Figure 35. Error log button in Workspace menu

2.10 SECTOR DIRECTION


Sector Direction is used to calculate optimal antenna direction (tilt and azimuth) for a single
sector. In earlier Cellular Expert versions, you got an error message with request to select only
one, in case you selected more than one object.

We improved this feature and now you can select more than one sector. In this case Select
Sectors dialog will appear and you will be able to choose one sector from the selection by SiteID
and SectorID:

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Figure 36. Sector Direction, Select Sectors dialog

Select row with preferred SiteID and SectorID and continue using this tool.

2.11 POWER FLUX DENSITY


To make Power Flux Density Analysis tool more informative, we’ve made some adjustments.
Selected links are displayed in the left corner of the dialog and identified by From/To sector
labels, Channel name with carrier number and polarization.

Figure 37. Power flux density dialog

When calculation is done, read-only Link field will represent the link, with calculation results
displayed in the table and chart. So you always know, what was calculated.

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2.12 DRAW FIELD STRENGTH FOR TRANSMISSION SECTORS
Standard Cellular Expert Draw Field Strength tool works with Cellular type sectors. Since some of
our customers use Radio Links with sector antennas and predict them not only with Radio Links
tools, but also with Cellular prediction, we made a new tool specially for this case.

You can find this tool from Customize menu:

Figure 38. Draw Field Strength tool for Transmission sectors

2.13 SIGNAL INFORMATION


From now, there is no need to search information about sectors signal power in attribute table or
use ArcGIS identify tool by clicking on map, because Cellular Expert 4.3 has a signal information
tool to show sectors signal power in one location. You have to find and add it to preferred
toolbar. To do that, use ArcGIS Customize menu.

Figure 39. Customize menu

Open Signal Information tool and place a point on the map. Signal Information tool will be filled
with information about every sector signal power, which was calculated before. This information
comes out from your project prediction catalog.

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Figure 40. Signal Information

Location
Shows chosen point coordinates. You can define this location in Meters, Decimal Degrees,
Degrees Minutes Seconds or MGRS by pressing button

We are thankful to everyone who contributed to this release by giving feedback with suggestions
about improvements and for letting us know the real needs of a daily user.

If you have any suggestions on, what you would like to see in future releases, do not hesitate to
contact us by email or by our support system.

info@cellular-expert.com
www.cellular-expert.com
http://support.cellular-expert.com/helpdesk/index.php
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