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Contents

APPENDIX A

Array and Report Descriptions

This section describes the different types of arrays and reports available in ASSET. The ranges of outputs available may vary according to which technology you are using, which licences you have, and which processes you have chosen to run. The following types of array are described: x x Non-Simulation Coverage/Interference Arrays (2g, 2.5g) Simulation Arrays for GSM, UMTS, CDMA2000, EV-DO, LTE, Fixed WiMAX and Mobile WiMAX

For information on creating, managing and displaying arrays, and generating reports, see the ASSET User Reference Guide. In addition to this section, there are specialist documents containing more detailed descriptions of the array outputs and algorithms used in the Simulator. For information on how you can obtain these documents, please see Static Simulation Algorithms and Outputs on page 115.

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2g and 2.5g (Non-Sim) Arrays

There are a number of different Coverage/Interference arrays that can be generated for 2g and 2.5g, using the Array Creation wizard.

Coverage and Interference Arrays (2g + 2.5g) (Non-Sim)

The 2g and 2.5g arrays, generated using the Array Creation wizard, are listed within the Coverage heading in the Map View Data Types.

Example of the 2g/2.5g Arrays under the Coverage heading in the Data Types list

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Best Server Array

This array displays the signal strength of the best serving cell at each pixel on the Map View. This decision is based on parameters specified in the Site Database window and in the Array Settings dialog box. As with all the arrays, you can change the display settings in the Map View by double-clicking the array in the list of Data Types. For details of how to modify or set up schemas for this array, see the ASSET User Reference Guide.

This picture shows an example of the Best Server array:

Best Server array

Best Server (GPRS) Array

For each pixel, ASSET determines which serving cell layer will be the most likely server of a mobile in that pixel. This decision is based on parameters specified in the Site Database window and in the Array Settings dialog box. The Best Server (GPRS) array is identical to the Best Server array, except that it will exclude non-GPRS sub-cells from the calculation.

Best Server (EGPRS GMSK) Array

A subset of the GPRS Best Server array, which only includes EGPRS cells. The EGPRS GMSK array displays the pathloss from the server to that pixel of a signal using Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK) modulation.

Best Server (EGPRS 8-PSK) Array

Covers the same sub-cells as the EGPRS GMSK array, but applies the APD to the subcells, making the service area of each sub-cell generally smaller. If the APD is set to 0, then both Best Server EGPRS arrays will be identical. The EGPRS 8-PSK array displays the pathloss from the server to that pixel of a signal using 8-PSK modulation.
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Nth Best Server Array

For each pixel on the selected cell layer, ASSET determines which serving cell layer will be the most likely server of a mobile in that pixel, plus the next most likely until N. This decision is based on parameters specified in the Site Database window and in the Array Settings dialog box. The difference between Best Server arrays and Nth Best Server arrays is that when creating an Nth Best Server Array, the number of layers is the same as the number of GSM covering cells. You then choose which layer you wish to view.

Interference Arrays
When creating one of the Interference arrays, ASSET requires a Best Server array in memory. If this is not the case, a Best Server array will be automatically created. However, if you later create subsequent Interference arrays after making changes to the network, ASSET does not automatically create a fresh Best Server array. Therefore, in cases where you suspect the Best Server array in memory has become out of date for any reason, you should explicitly create both the Best Server array and the required Interference array when running the Array Creation wizard. For example:

Example of creating Best Server array and required Interference array in the Coverage/Interference wizard

Per Carrier Interference Array

For all the interference calculations, ASSET generates an intermediate internal array called a 'per carrier interference array'. For each pixel in the array, the serving sub-cell is determined, and for each carrier of the serving sub-cell the worst carrier to interference (C/I) (lowest numerical value) and the total C/I is calculated, taking into consideration all co- and adjacent carriers from all interfering sub-cells. The total C/I is determined by summing the interfering signals in watts and then later converting back to dB. The result is an array such that for each pixel, a list is obtained of serving carriers plus the worst and total C/I for each carrier. You cannot currently visualise this intermediate array, which no longer exists when all the other selected arrays have been created.

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Worst Connection Array

For each pixel, the serving sub-cell is determined, and for each hopping carrier group the average carrier to interference (C/I) is calculated from the corresponding pixel in the 'per carrier interference array', by converting total C/I to BER and calculating the mean. The mean Bit Error Rate is converted back to dB and the hopping carrier group with the lowest resultant C/I is presented, that is, it corresponds to the worst of the mean connection C/I values. For information on the algorithm used for the calculation of this array, see Worst Connection Array Calculation Method on page 84. Worst connection arrays require a Best Server array, which is generated automatically if one does not already exist in memory. If a Best Server array already exists but its contents are out of date, you will need to recreate it by explicitly selecting to create both the Best Server and Worst Connection arrays in the Array Creation wizard. This interference array type was designed for networks using frequency hopping, although it also works for non-hopping networks. In a non-hopping network, the carrier group can be considered to contain just a single carrier in the above description.

Average Connection Array

For each pixel, the serving sub-cell is determined, and for each hopping carrier group the average carrier to interference (C/I) is calculated from the corresponding pixel in the 'per carrier interference array' by converting total C/I to BER and calculating the mean. The mean BER is converted back to dB and the average value for all hopping carrier groups is presented. For information on the algorithm used for the calculation of this array, see Average Connection Array Calculation Method on page 84. Average Connection arrays require a Best Server array, which is generated automatically if one does not already exist in memory. If a Best Server array already exists but its contents are out of date, you will need to recreate it by explicitly selecting to create both the Best Server and Average Connection arrays in the Array Creation wizard. This interference array type was designed for networks using frequency hopping, although it also works for non-hopping networks. In a non-hopping network, the carrier group can be considered to contain just a single carrier in the above description.

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