Atoll Microwave Detailed Overview

Version 3.2.0

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 Summary

Introduction

Atoll Core features

Backhaul network planning and microwave engineering features

Backhaul capacity planning and optimisation features

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 Introduction

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 Introduction

Advanced backhaul planning and optimisation software

Comprehensive microwave engineering and planning features
Fully integrated with Atoll radio access technology modules

Windows-based native 64-bit application

More than 5500 active licenses installed with 300+ customers in 100 countries
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 Hardware and Software Environment

Hardware
Single- or multi-core standard Windows-based workstations and servers
Virtualisation machines using VMWare ESXi 4.x or 5.1

Supported operating systems

Atoll 64-bit:
Microsoft Windows 7 (64-bit)
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP1 (64-bit) and 2008 R2
Atoll 32-bit:
Microsoft Windows XP (32-bit and 64-bit), Vista (32-bit and 64-bit), and 7 (32-bit and 64-bit),
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 2008 (32-bit and 64-bit), and 2008 R2

Supported database management systems

Oracle 9i, 10g, and 11g
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and 2008
Microsoft Access
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 Deployment Scalability

Scalable installation configurations

Standalone installation
Multi-user, workstation-based installation
Multi-user, server-based installation (Citrix XenApp)
Hybrid environment including laptops, workstations, and servers

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 Modular Configuration

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 Atoll Core Features

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 Atoll Core

Atoll Core is the platform which interconnects all Atoll technology modules and extensions

All Atoll technology modules and extensions are based on Atoll Core and use its features

Atoll Core features

User interface
Geographic information system
Calculation and memory management
Data and user management
Licence management
Data exchange services
Task automation and development services

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 User Interface

Powerful and intuitive user interface designed for radio network planning and optimisation

Combines high performance GIS and object-oriented functions

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 Geographic Information System

High performance built-in GIS optimised for radio network planning and optimisation
Real-time zooming, locating, and panning experience using a unique dynamic sampling mechanism
Multi-resolution and multi-layer data
Supports large country-wide geo data

Supports all types of geo data

DTM (up to 1m resolution)
Clutter classes (up to 255 classes)
Clutter heights
Raster images
2D and 3D vector data
Online maps
Text data

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 Geographic Information System (2)

Supports multiple standard and proprietary formats and sources

BIL, TIFF, BMP, JPEG, JPEG 2000, ECW, PNG
Vertical Mapper GRD and GRC
MapInfo MIF and TAB
ArcView grid TXT and ASC
ArcView SHP and PRJ
Google Earth KML and KMZ
Erdas IMG
AutoCAD DXF
Planet
Raw binary data

Integration with MapInfo and ArcView

Integrated vector and raster cartography editors

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 Calculation and Memory Management

Includes efficient memory management algorithms

Incremental memory allocation and release during calculations
Dynamic subdivision of large calculation regions into smaller chunks

Atoll 64-bit is capable of accessing and efficiently utilising more than 4 GB of memory
2000 GB under Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter and Enterprise versions
Provides extensive computation capabilities in demanding tasks

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 Propagation Models

Integrated propagation model library

Microwave propagation model
1.5 to 55 GHz
Recommended for the calculation of useful signals
ITUR P.452 propagation model
1.5 to 55 GHz
Recommended for the calculation of interference
Eband propagation model
60 to 90 GHz

Open interface to external propagation models

Dedicated SDK API for propagation models
Integration of 3rd party propagation models

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 Data Management

Quick access to network data, geo data, and calculation results

Explorer windows
Fully customisable data tables and map display

Data import and export

Direct import of ASCII TXT or CSV files
Full database import/export using XML files
Calculation results (link budget reports, interference and
performance analyses reports, etc.) export to text,
CSV, MS Word, MS Excel, OpenOffice Writer,
OpenOffice Calc, and XML Spread Sheet files
Site and microwave link data export to Google Earth

Easy data filtering, sorting, grouping

Using standard and user-definable flags

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 Database and Multi-user Management

Advanced database architecture

High performance internal database
Multi-user support using standard RDBMS
On-demand data synchronisation with conflict management
Data modification tracking
Support for regionalisation and multi-level databases
Customisable multi-technology database model

User management
User accounts and profiles
Access privileges for database tables, columns, and records,
as well as various components of the user interface

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 Calculation Reports and Statistics

Comprehensive reporting
Link budget, interference, performance, and other analyses reports
Customisable report layouts using keywords and templates
Custom reports using Atolls macro/scripting capabilities

Printing and publishing

User-definable page layout
Support for overlays and transparency
Printing up to A0
Plot export to MapInfo and ArcView
Plot export to web-friendly formats

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 Automation, Integration, and Development Tools

Open platform providing automation and data exchange services

Published and open data structure
Standard XML-based data exchange
Scripting capabilities for automating
calculations and import/export

Advanced import/export capabilities

Network data
Geo data
Radios
Analysis reports, etc.

Development tools
C++ resources for developers
Integration of external custom and 3rd party modules to Atoll
Dedicated training and support services for developers
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 Backhaul Network Planning and Microwave
Engineering Features

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 Backhaul Network Planning and Microwave Engineering

Network model
Network elements and equipment
Configuration parameters

Microwave site selection and link design

Visibility and line-of-sight analysis
Profile analysis

Microwave link engineering

Link budget and performance
Detailed profile and reflection analysis

Microwave link planning

Interference analysis and frequency planning
Channel arrangement, high/low configuration analysis
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 Network Model

Sites
Locations of antennas, link extremities, and backhaul nodes

Point-to-point links
Microwave links
Other links (DSL, cable, optical fibre, leased lines, etc.)

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 Network Model (2)

Microwave link parameters

Type: TDM, packet, hybrid
Main and diversity antennas
Frequency band, sub-bands and channels
Adaptive coding and modulation
Up to two passive repeaters
Radios and different branching configurations
Feeders, waveguides, cables
Geoclimatic parameters
Link class and objectives
Propagation models for signal and interference

Link creation
Directly on the map using the mouse
By converting a terrain section into a link
By importing data from external sources
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 Network Model (3)

Point-to-multipoint links
Sets of point-to-point microwave links
connected to the same hub

Multi-hop links
Series of inter-connected point-to-point links
Microwave or other link types

Repeaters
For microwave links without line of sight clearance
Reflector panels or back-to-back antennas
With frequency or space diversity

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 Network Configuration Parameters

Frequency bands
ITU as well as user-defined frequency bands and sub-bands

Modulations and operation modes

Adaptive coding and modulation (ACM)

Performance objectives
Error performance parameters: ESR, SESR, BBER
Based on ITU G.821, G.826, and G.828
User-definable objectives

Link classes
Access, short-haul, long-haul, etc.
User-definable classes

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 Network Configuration Parameters (2)

Link types
Support of microwave as well as other wired and wireless links
Support of TDM, packet, and hybrid links

Digital trunks
PDH, SDH/SONET, IP

Branching types
Active and standby channels
Hot standby support
Frequency and space diversity support
XPIC

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 Microwave Radio Equipment

Antennas and radomes

Radio series and equipment

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 Microwave Radio Equipment (2)

Feeders, cables, and waveguides

Compatibility assistants

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 Microwave Site Selection

Candidate site analysis

Line-of-sight and Fresnel zone clearance
Multiple k factors
Search for nearby higher site location

Line-of-sight analysis
Line of sight around a site or between candidate sites

Site visibility analysis

Visibility of a site with respect to other sites within its vicinity using the 360 view tool

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 Microwave Site Selection (2)

Terrain profile analysis

Between two sites
Between multiple sites

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 Microwave Link Design

Profile analysis
Fresnel zone clearance
Diffraction points

Antenna height optimisation

Automatic and manual
Multiple k factors

Link profile editor

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 Microwave Link Design (2)

Reflection analysis
Space diversity analysis
Frequency diversity analysis

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 Microwave Link Engineering

Quality and availability analysis

ITU G-821, G-826, and G-828 recommendations
User-defined requirements

Performance analysis
ITU recommendations (530-8, 530-10, 530-11, 530-12, and 530-13)
Crane, Vigants, and K-Q methods
Standard ITU or user-defined geoclimatic parameters
Atmospheric gaseous attenuation calculated based on the ITU-R P.676-6 and P.676-7 recommendations
Standard as well as user-definable propagation models
Calculation results include detailed reports with multipath, rain, and obstruction fading figures

End-to-end analysis of multi-hop links

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 Microwave Link Engineering (2)

Link design summary

Summarised report of link performance

Link budget analysis

Precise and thorough report
on the link performance

Performance requirements analysis

End-to-end multi-hop link analysis

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 Microwave Link Planning

Interference analysis
Based on ITU 452-11 and 452-12

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 Microwave Link Planning (2)

Frequency planning
Semi-automatic frequency allocation tool
High/low configuration analysis
Spectrum usage analysis
Channel search tool
Intermodulation interference analysis

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 Backhaul Capacity Planning and Optimisation
Features

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 Backhaul Capacity Planning and Optimisation Features

New backhaul capacity planning module (option)

Logical backhaul network modelling

Traffic routing

Capacity planning and dimensioning

Capacity analysis

Breakdown analysis

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 Backhaul Network Model

Logical backhaul network elements

Nodes: Source or destination of backhaul traffic
Segments: Logical connections between nodes

Network topology
Source and destination nodes

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 Backhaul Nodes

Source or destination of backhaul traffic

A node can be a source of traffic towards another node or a destination of traffic from other nodes
A node may generate TDM as well as Ethernet traffic
Traffic statistics and data may be generated using Monte Carlo simulations in Atoll radio access technology
modules

A radio site can house one or more logical backhaul node

Example: Co-located base stations of different radio access technologies

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 Backhaul Segments

Logical connections between source and destination nodes

Outline the backhaul network hierarchy (topology) by defining interlinked source and destination nodes
May carry TDM and Ethernet (circuit and packet) traffic with support for IP overbooking

Segment-to-link mapping
A segment may be relayed on one link or on several links (e.g., two parallel leased lines)
A link may relay more than one segment (e.g., two segments carrying traffic from different access
technologies using the same link)

Segment bandwidth
Data transfer bandwidth between nodes depends on the underlying link(s)

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 Backhaul Traffic Routing

Calculation of optimum traffic routes between two selected nodes

Calculation based on
Line-of-sight clearance
Bandwidths of existing routes (segments)

Traffic routing analysis

Detailed routing results with dynamic evaluation on the map
Possibility for the user to choose the ideal route

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 Backhaul Subnetwork Building

Calculation of the optimum traffic routes from multiple source nodes to a destination node

Calculation based on
Distance between source and destination nodes
Line-of-sight clearance between nodes
Number of hops between source and destination nodes
Existing routes, segments, and links

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 Backhaul Capacity Planning

Analysis of current backhaul network capacity

Identifying bottlenecks within an entire network, in a subnetwork, along a selected route

Backhaul network dimensioning

Capacity analysis with under different traffic forecasts

Calculations based on
All elements of the tree under a destination node
Traffic demands of each node
Traffic aggregation at subsequent nodes
Traffic scaling (forecast)
IP overbooking

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 Backhaul Capacity Analysis

Analysis of capacity and compatibility between segments and links

Means to assess consistency between logical and physical backhaul network elements
Identifies segments/links that require upgrades

Analysis of complex backhaul scenarios

A segment relayed over more than one link
More than one segments relayed over a single link

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 Backhaul Breakdown Analysis

Analysis of backhaul network behaviour under breakdowns

Radio equipment breakdown simulation
Link failure simulation

Analysis enables you to design a robust network by

Anticipating unforeseen events and assessing possible intermediate solutions
Evaluating the consequences of the breakdown of one network element on another
Analysing possible alternate traffic routes for maintaining quality of service

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 Thank you

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