Atoll 2.8.0 General Features Radio Public Course

ATOLL GENERAL FEATURES

Training Program

1. General Introduction

2. Working Environment

3. Creating an Atoll Document

4. Managing Geographic Data

5. Managing Radio Data

6. Managing Computations

7. Project Outputs

© Forsk 2009 Slide 2 of 61Confidential – Do not share without prior permission


Training Overview

Atoll General Concepts


Training Overview

Theoretical PartsGeneral features

Specific technology features

Hands-on Exercises

Focus on Practical Training

Training Class Schedule9.30 am to 5.00 pm

15 minute breaks (morning & afternoon)

1 hour break at lunch time

Please: no emails, nor phone calls during the class


Atoll General Concepts (1/2)

Multi-technology tool2G (GSM/GPRS/EDGE), 3G (W-CDMA/UMTS HSPA, CDMA2000 1xRTT 1xEV-DO, TD-SCDMA), 4G (LTE), WiMAX 802.16d and 802.16e, microwave links

Co-planning studies

Open, scalable and flexible architecture

Largest third-party product offering available on the marketACP, AFP, dynamic simulators, propagation models, etc.

Ergonomic and user-friendly GUIWindows-based tool

Copy/paste and export/import of radio/geo data in/from standard applications

Flexibility in data managementDisplay, sorts, filters


Atoll General Concepts (2/2)

Working Environments

Stand-alone environment (Data are saved in the atl file)

Multi-user environment (Data are saved in the atl file and in the database)• Atoll documents are linked to database (Access, Oracle, SQL Server…)

.atl

Refresh

.atl

.atl

Archive

User 1

User 2

User i

.atl

Database


Training Program







7. Project Outputs



Atoll General GUI

Working with Toolbars and Status Bar

Atoll Main Window


Atoll General GUI

Status bar

Point analysis

Map

Table

Explorer

Event viewer

Panoramic

Workspace

Toolbar

Menu bar


Working with Toolbars and Status Bar

Toolbars

Status bar

Potential user add-ins

Standard file menu commands

Selection tool (export, print)

Refresh maps and folders (same as F5)

Moving map

Zoom and scale functions

Bubble tips available on the pointed objects

Running/ stopping

calculations functions

Distances on the map

Point analysis

activation

Neighbour display on the map

Repeater creation tool

Base station quick dropping

Gazetteer functions to display any site, point or

vector on the map

Real-time site search tool

Height profile display

Unselection tool


Atoll Main Window

Explorer Window3 tabs

• Data (radio data, predictions and simulations, measurements, ACP tools...)• Geo (raster, vector, traffic maps, etc...)• Modules

• Propagation models

Made of folders and items• Selection • Visibility• Order

Use of contextual menus (right click)• Access to properties dialogues• Access to tables• Additional functions (e.g. Centre map feature)

Easy generic management• Structure management• Custom fields• Standard shortcuts and handy tools (copy/paste, fill down/up, copy of records, import/export of ASCII

tables, access to property dialogues, etc…)


Training Program







7. Project Outputs



Creation From a Template

Creation From a Database


Creation From a Template

Procedure

Command ‘New > From a Document Template…’ in the file menu

Choose a technology

Creation of a Stand-alone Atoll document

Available technologies


Creation From a Database

Procedure

Command ‘New > From an Existing Database…’ in the file menu

Choose a database and/or enter your credentials

Creation of an Atoll document Linked to a Database

Archive and Refresh functionalities are then available


Training Program







7. Project Outputs



Data Types

Importing Raster Maps

Importing Vector Maps

Geo Data Properties


Data Types

Geo Data types used in Propagation CalculationsDTM (Digital Terrain Model): altitudes above the sea

Clutter Classes : environments of signal propagation (e.g.: ‘Urban’, ‘Dense Urban’, ‘Rural’, ‘Open’...)

Clutter Heights : altitudes above the DTM

Geo Data types used Only for DisplayScanned maps

Vector data• Roads, railways, regions…

NotesScanned maps with any resolution can be imported.

For other geographic raster maps, the maximum supported resolution is 1 m.


Standard Import Clutter Classes

Altitudes

Image

Importing Raster Maps


Standard Import Vectors

Importing Vector Maps


Geo Data Properties (1/6)

Multi-resolution Management

Highest resolution maps on top in order to be considered for calculation



Vector MapsAttributes available in a table



Vector MapsGeneric display dialogue

Attributes to be permanently displayed on

map

Attributes to display in the tip tool



Clutter Classes MapsMap description and display settings

Clutter codes contained in the

file(s)

Average height per clutter class

Mapping clutter code - name

Field selection

(name, code, height)

Clutter colouring per discrete or numeric value

Transparency level



DTM MapsGeneric display dialogue

Relief appearance

DTM map displayed

between 1:500 and 1:20 000

000Check box to display the DTM details in the legend window

Threshold management



User Configuration file (Geographic Data Set option)Possibility to import/export paths and complete description of geo data using user configurations files (.Geo)


Training Program







7. Project Outputs



Atoll Radio data

Site

Antenna

Transmitter

Cell

Station

Filtering & Grouping


Atoll Radio Data (1/2)

Definitions

Site• Geographical location

Antenna• Physical equipment used to radiate and receive signals

Transmitter• A sector on a site that generate generates and process signals

Cell• A carrier on a transmitter

Station• One or several transmitters on a site


Atoll Radio Data (2/2)

Creation modes

‘New’ command in the context menu (folder level)

and/or

Copy/paste or Edition within a table (from Excel or another Atoll Document)

and

Import of data from a text file into table


Site

Properties

Coordinates : (X,Y) or (Lat/Lon)

Altitudes


Altitude read in the DTM map

Custom fields

Antenna

Additional Creation Mode

Import of planet antenna files

PropertiesAntenna Gain

Horizontal and Vertical patterns• Copy-paste available from Excel

Angular attenuation


Antenna Gain

Transmitter


‘New transmitter’ command in the site context menu

PropertiesSite location

Transmission/Reception Losses

Antenna


Site Location

Transmission/Reception Losses

Antenna Settings

Cell


Cell tab on a transmitter properties• Accessible from ‘Transmitters > Cells > Open Table’ in the Explorer

PropertiesFrequency Band

Carrier

Cell ID

Channel Powers

Signal Threshold

Radio Equipment

Diversity Mode

Cell Loads

Simulation Parameters

Neighbours


Station (1/3)

Graphical creation on the map using the radio toolbar (Drag and Drop Mode)

In the tool bar• Select a station template• Click the button

On the map• Drop the station

Graphical creation on the map using an existing station (Copy/Paste Mode)


Station (2/3)

Parameters that can be set on the mapSite position

Transmitter azimuth

Transmitter offset from site


Station (3/3)

PropertiesSite

Antenna

Transmitters

Cells


Filtering & Grouping (1/2)

FilteringTakes into account in calculations only the remaining sites and transmitters

• Specific symbol on folders where a filter is applied

Main Types of Filters• Graphical (Filtering Zone)

• By Selection (General tab in folder properties)


Filtering & Grouping (2/2)

GroupingCreates subfolders according to one or several attributes

• Grouping based on one attribute from the folder context menu• Grouping based on several attributes in the general tab of folder properties


Training Program







7. Project Outputs



Propagation Models

Point Analysis Tool

Computation Zone

Coverage Predictions Settings

Creating Coverage Predictions

Running Coverage Predictions

Coverage Predictions Analysis

Prediction Lists


Propagation Models

Calculation of losses on the Tx-Rx path (path loss)Prediction of signal level received at a given point

Choice of Propagation Model (Propagation Tab)Globally for all the TXs (transmitter folder property)

Per Tx (transmitter property)


Path loss matrix settings

Point Analysis Tool

Profile analysis between a transmitter and a receiver that can be moved on the map

Diffraction losses

Diffraction peaks (depending on the

considered propagation model)

Angle of the los read in the antenna vertical

pattern

Clutter representation (if taken into account by the

model)

Los

Computed shadowing margin and cell edge coverage probability

Tx-Rx distance

Model used

Signal level at receiver ( path

loss or total losses)

Studied transmitter or repeater

DTMPossibility to display the geographic profile instead of the default radio profile

Fresnel ellipsoid


Computation Zone (1/2)

Polygonal Area (s)

One computation zone per Atoll Document• Note that a computation zone can be made of several polygons

Applications

Limits the transmitters within an area that need to be considered for calculation

Clips the display of coverage predictions

Impacts on path loss matrix validity


Computation Zone (2/2)

Creation Mode

Using an existing polygon of a vector map

Drawing directly on the map

Importing a vector file as a computation zone • DXF, MIF, TAB, AGD or Planet format

Copying coordinates of the vector’s points


Coverage Predictions Settings

Requirements for a Transmitter to be Taken into Account in CalculationsActive

Filtered (transmitter or site folder)

Calculation area intersecting the rectangle including the computation zone

Coverage prediction process1st step: propagation

• Path loss matrix calculation for each transmitter (and repeater)

On each bin :

2nd step: prediction study calculation

Possibility to calculate two path loss matrices per transmitterA main matrix over a near radius computed with a high resolution and a propagation model

An optional extended matrix over a far radius computed with a lower resolution and another propagation model


antenna_Txmodel += LLLpath

Creating Coverage Predictions (1/2)

Graphical Process

User-defined studies

Specific studies dedicated to different

technologies

Templates for standard common studies


Creating Coverage Predictions (2/2)

Graphical Process

GUI• General tab

• Plot resolution independent from matrix resolutions • Default resolution in the Predictions folder properties

• Advanced filtering on display• Grouping according to any site, antenna or Tx attribute

• Condition tab to filter signals to be considered and predefine areas where Atoll will display coverage• Signal level, path loss or total losses• Lower and upper thresholds• Server selection and related margins

• Display tab to select how to colour the coverage areas• Per transmitter, per signal level, per best signal level, per number of servers, per any transmitter

attribute...


Running Coverage Predictions

Calculate Coverage Predictions

Commands to run calculations

• Using the ‘Calculate’ command in the tools menu or in the context menu of the predictions folder

• By clicking on in the toolbar

• Using F7 as shortcut

Prediction study calculation with matrix validity control

• 1st step: path loss matrix calculation if unavailable or invalid

• 2nd step: prediction study calculation(s)• Only the unlocked studies

Note : computed studies can be locked in order not to be recomputed


Coverage Predictions Analysis

Analysis of Coverage PredictionsDisplay of each plot

• Possibility to display legend and tip texts

Reception details in Point Analysis Tool (Reception tab and Results tab)• Path loss matrices needed


Predictions Lists

Prediction List and SettingsPossibility to save study definitions in user configurations files (.cfg)


Training Program







7. Project Outputs


7. Project Outputs

Prediction Reports

Creating a Plot

Export of Covered Projects


Prediction Reports

Define Focus Zone

Generate Report


Creating a Plot (1/2)

Define Printing Zone

Setting up the Page LayoutLegend

Header and footer logos

Rulers

Scale

Paper settings

Etc.


Creating a Plot (2/2)

PrintClick the print icon ( ) from the tool bar


Export of Covered Projects (1/4)

Exporting Maps

Copying/pasting a map in another application

Creating a standard format image



Exporting Coverage Plots

Raster format : BMP, TIFF, BIL, GRD/GRC, ARCVIEW GRID (.TXT)

• Available for any study having only one information per pixel, e.g. Coverage by best signal strength (not supported in coverage per Tx or related attribute)

• Can be done over a coverage export zone which can be built like the printing zone



Exporting Coverage PlotsRaster format : BMP, TIFF, BIL, GRD/GRC, ARCVIEW GRID (.TXT)

Possibility to filter the exported coverage in order to clear holes and islands in the

produced plot© Forsk 2009 Slide 59 of 61Confidential – Do not share without prior permission


Exporting Coverage Plots

Vector format : MIF, SHP, AGD, TAB

• Available for any study having one or several information per pixel, e.g. Coverage by best signal strength, coverage by transmitter, etc.

• Coverage attributes are saved in the exported file


THANK YOU!


Documents

Atoll 2.8.0 General Features Radio Public Course