User Manual

RadioPlanner 3.0

Mobile and Broadcast Network Planning Software

Download in PDF format

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

From the Developers

We have made every effort to create a user-friendly and intuitive application. However, we recommend taking some time to read this User Manual to fully utilize RadioPlanner’s capabilities. Created by engineers with over 25 years of experience in designing radio communication and broadcasting networks, RadioPlanner is a full-featured yet simple and convenient planning tool.

Features

RadioPlanner 3.0 is a planning tool for various types of networks, including:

- Mobile networks: 5G (NR), LTE, UMTS, GSM, GSM-R, WCDMA. This is a great tool for planning private 5G/4G networks.
- Public safety land mobile networks: P25, TETRA, DMR, dPMR, NXDN
- Wireless IoT LPWAN networks: LoRa, SigFox, NB-Fi
- Precision agriculture systems
- Terrestrial television and radio broadcast networks: ATSC, DVB-T/T2, ISDB-T, DTMB, DAB+, HD Radio, FM
- Air-to-ground communication and radio navigation systems operating in VHF, UHF, and microwave frequencies: UAV (Drone) Control, Air-to-ground radio, ADS-B, VOR, DME

RadioPlanner 3.0 uses propagation models:

- ITU-R P.1812-6
- ITU-R P.1546-6
- Longley-Rice (ITM) v1.2.2
- Okumura-Hata
- 3GPP TR 38.901
- Combined ITU-R P.528-3 + P.526-14 (for Ground-to-Air Radio only)

RadioPlanner 3.0 performs various types of area studies for mobile networks:

- Received Power
- Best Server (Strongest Server)
- C/(I+N) Ratio
- Maximum Throughput
- Maximum aggregated Throughput
- Area with Signal above Both Base and Mobile Thresholds
- Number of Servers
- Coverage Probability
- RSRP for LTE and 5G
- RSRQ for LTE and 5G
- Simulcast Delay Spread
- Received Power with Simulcast Interference

- TalkOut and TalkBack
- Field Strength

Area studies for terrestrial radio and television broadcast transmitters include:

- Field Strength at Receiver Location
- Best Server

- Simulcast Delay Spread
- FCC contours
- ITU-R P.1546-6 contours
- Population coverage
- Generation of list of localities covered by broadcasting

Area studies for Air-to-Ground radio communication systems include:

- Received power Air-to-Ground link
- Received power Ground-to-Air link
- Best Server Air-to-Ground link

RadioPlanner offers the following features:

- Work with multiple networks within a single project and view aggregate coverage predictions for maximum throughput and number of servers.
- Plan radio network frequencies while considering co-channel and adjacent channel interference.
- Display of path profiles with path losses and levels of carrier and interference on the co-channel and adjacent channels.
- Perform multipoint study of a group of CPE or IoT sensors (end devices), each with their individual parameters (antenna height, antenna gain, transmitter power, cable loss, and penetration loss) under varying deployment conditions.
- Import measured signal power level results for comparison with calculated values and adjust propagation model parameters.
- Compare multiple coverage prediction results.
- Save coverage prediction results as an interactive web page, KMZ file, PNG image, GeoTiff file, CSV file or as MIF file.
- Flexibly adjust base map layers and display custom vector layers.

GIS features:

- Default digital terrain model (DTM) with 30m plane resolution, automatically loaded worldwide (see Appendix 2 for data source details).
- Option to use custom DTM in GeoTiff format.
- Default clutter model with nine clutter types, automatically loaded worldwide. Created from OpenStreetMap (www.openstreetmap.org) and Global Forest Change projects.
- Option to use custom clutter in GeoTiff format.
- Common (e.g., OpenStreetMap, OpenTopoMap, US Topo) and custom base maps.

Installation and Activation

RadioPlanner is compatible with 64-bit Windows 8/8.1/10/11. The minimum computer requirements include a 64-bit Windows operating system, Core i3 CPU, 4GB RAM, 200GB HDD, video card, and monitor with support for 1366x768 resolution. For optimal performance, it is recommended to use a computer with a 64-bit Windows operating system, Core i5 CPU, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, video card, and monitor with support for 1920x1080 resolution. Additionally, Microsoft Excel must be installed on the computer to use all RadioPlanner features.

To access the full version of RadioPlanner, a license must be purchased. After successful purchase, an email will be sent containing a link to download the full version installation file and an Activation ID for the license. Follow the instructions in the installation file and enter the Activation ID when prompted to activate the fully functional version of RadioPlanner.

Software Update

We periodically release free updates to improve the functionality and stability of RadioPlanner. The software supports both manual and automatic checking for updates and will check for available updates every time it starts. To check for updates manually, click “Help - Check for updates.” If an update is available, a window will open with information about the current and available versions. You can download the update from the provided link and install it manually. Be sure to exit RadioPlanner before installing the update.

User Interface

After starting the program, the main panel will appear with the main menu on the left side and the base map on the right side. The size of the panels can be adjusted using the separator. The base map can display various layers, including sites, coverage, terrain and clutter layers, base map, and additional vector layers. You can choose to display one of the pre-installed base maps or customize your own base map as described in the Base map Settings section.

Navigation on the map is done using the mouse, with the mouse wheel used to zoom in and out. You can also select the desired zoom level from the drop-down list in the toolbar.

Toolbar and Main Menu

Toolbar

When you hover over each of the icons, a hint appears.

Standard tools for working with files: Create, Open, Save

Save project

The zoom of the base map

- The base map

The “ruler” tool allows you to measure the distance and azimuth between any two points on the map. To use this tool, click on the ruler icon and then click on any two points on the map. The distance between the points and the azimuth from the first to the second point will be displayed. To exit the tool, right-click anywhere on the map.

Repeat previous coverage prediction

Add the coverage to compare

Show / Hide Legend

Save the map as WEB page

Save the map as an image in PNG format

Save the map as KMZ file

Save the map as GeoTiff file

Save coverage in GIS format

Searh sites by the name

Run Noise-Adjusted Faded Performance Threshold Calculator

Help

For more detailed information about each tool, please refer to the corresponding sections in the User Manual.

Tree View interface

Project Information

A new project is automatically created when RadioPlanner is launched. The File menu contains standard buttons (New, Open, Save, Save As) for performing standard file operations. Project files can be saved with the *.rp3 extension and contain all information about the project.

General information about the project can be specified in the project information panel.

Project Information

Project name

Customer

Date

Logo

Exclude from Legend

Text field

Text field - When creating a new project, it records the date and time of the project creation

Your company logo. The recommended resolution is approximately 270 by 60 pixels.

Exclude corresponding lines from Legend

Settings

Before starting to work with the software, it is necessary to configure the settings.

Settings

Distance and Height Units

- Metric
- English

Coordinate Format

-   Decimal Degrees (N44.345678 W134.567893)
-   Degrees, Minutes, Seconds (N44 34' 23.7" W134 29' 23,4")
-   Degrees, Decimal Minutes (N4434.2356' W134 29.2354')

Path to Folder with Cache Files

The path to the folder where downloaded base map tiles will be saved for quick access can be specified in the settings. This folder is created automatically when the application is launched for the first time and can be changed if desired. The downloaded maps will remain on your computer and can be viewed even when you do not have an Internet connection.

Path to Folder with Data Files

The path to the folder where downloaded default Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and default clutter model files will be saved for quick access can be specified in the settings. This folder is created automatically when the application is launched for the first time and can be changed if desired. The downloaded files will remain on your computer and can be used by the application to create a terrain profile even when you do not have an Internet connection.

Proxy Settings

If you are using a proxy server to access the Internet, enter its IP address and port number in the Proxy Settings section. If the proxy server requires authentication, enter the username and password.

Base Map Settings

You can configure your own custom base map by specifying a tile server URL. This URL encapsulates a request format specific to the map provider and consists of a text string that begins with http:// and includes a domain name, possible parameters, and symbols that RadioPlanner substitutes with real-time tile request information when contacting the server.

The symbols that RadioPlanner accepts in the prototype URL are [X], [Y], and [Z] coordinates and zoom. Most map providers use tile coordinates of x and y, plus zoom to lookup map imagery in their database. For example, OpenStreetMap provides map imagery using x, y, and zoom. To fetch a map tile of a portion of North America, you can enter the following URL into a web browser: http://a.tile.openstreetmap.org/3/1/2.png. The numbers at the end of the URL represent zoom, x, and y respectively.

To create custom map types in RadioPlanner for OpenStreetMap, you can mix the known specific URLs with the symbols representing x, y, and zoom to form a custom map prototype URL. For example: http://a.tile.openstreetmap.org/[Z]/[X]/[Y].png. When RadioPlanner needs to fetch a map tile from a provider, it will replace the [X], [Y], and [Z] symbols with the actual coordinates and zoom for the required tile and use the resulting URL to contact the map provider’s server to fetch the map tile.

To use custom maps, enter the Map Server’s URL of the desired map. You can search online for local map providers’ map servers’ URLs. If you have more relevant or detailed cartographic data for the desired territory in the form of an image or vector map, you can create your own tile server using specialized GIS software such as MapInfo, QGIS or Global Mapper.

Download latest base map settings

Apply base map settings

Update basemap settings from our server. User tile server addresses will be removed

Apply basemap settings after entering custom tile server address

Geo Data

This menu allows you to specify the geodata (DTM and clutters) that will be used in calculations.

Geo Data Parameters

Digital Terrain Model (DTM)

The Digital Terrain Model (DTM) is a geographic data file (or files) representing the elevation of the ground above sea level. In RadioPlanner 3, you can use the default DTM that is automatically downloaded from our server when predicting coverage. This DTM is compiled from open geodata sources and is available worldwide. It is sufficient for most use cases.

Alternatively, you can use custom DTMs in GeoTiff format. GeoTIFF is an open format that can be used to convert elevation data from a LiDAR survey or any other DTM. This conversion can be performed using specialized GIS applications such as QGIS, Global Mapper, ArcGis, MapInfo, and others.

Use default DTM

Use custom DTM

Use default DTM

Use custom elevation DTM. Import the DTM file(s) in Geotiff format.

Custom DTM GeoTIFF files(s) must have the following format:

File Type: Int16 (Sixteen-bit signed integer)
Compression: No/LZW/Deflate (ZIP)
Projection: Geographic (Latitude/Longitude)
Datum: WGS84
Planar Units: ARC Degrees
Vertical Units: Meters

An example of exporting to a DEM Geo TIFF file in the Global Mapper with a resolution of 1/5 arc second (0.00005555 arc degree):

An example of configuring DTM export settings to a Geotiff.png

An example of configuring DTM export settings to Geotiff

Max Width x Height: 100 000 x 100 000 points (for 64 GB RAM and powerful CPU). For comfortable work on a computer of average performance, we do not recommend making the DEM size larger than 50,000 by 50,000 points.

Some custom DTM samples in GeoTIFF format can be found in the installation folder.

On our YouTube channel, we have posted a video on preparing custom DTM: https://youtu.be/yS2dQreh3Cs

Custom DTM

Clutter Data

The clutter data describes land cover or land use and is used by RadioPlanner to calculate signal power loss on local obstacles surrounding the mobile unit.

In RadioPlanner 3, you can use the default clutter data that is automatically downloaded from our server when predicting coverage. This data is compiled from open geodata sources (OpenStreetMap and Global Forest Change projects) and is available worldwide. It is sufficient for most use cases.

The clutter model used in RadioPlanner has 9 types of clutters:

Clutter Type

Color

Open / Rural

Water

Trees / Forest

Suburban

Urban

Dense Urban

Open areas in forest

Open areas in suburban

Open areas in uburban

Description

Open and rural area

Water area

Forest area

Suburban area

Urban area

Dense urban area

Forest roads

Highways, wide roads

Highways, avenues, wide roads

For each clutter type, you can specify an average height (used to calculate clutter loss in the ITU-R P. 1812-6 propagation model) or directly enter the loss value (see the Propagation Model menu).

Clutter heights

The typical clutter height. This value is used in the ITU-R P.1812 and ITU-R P.1546 recommendations to calculate clutter loss.

Use default clutter data

Use custom clutter data

Use default clutter

Import the clutter file(s) in Geotiff format.

You can also use custom clutter data in GeoTiff 8-bit Palette Image file format. Each pixel of this file can contain up to 256 possible clutter classes (commonly used up to 30), representing specific types of land use or landcover. Custom clutter files can be prepared from a land use database (e.g., NLCD, CORINE, ESA Global Land Cover) using specialized software (Global Mapper, QGIS, MapInfo, etc.).

Custom clutter indices

Clutter file palette indices to clutter type correspondence table

CLC - CORINE Land Cover https://land.copernicus.eu/pan-european/corine-land-cover

UA – CORINE Urban Atlas https://land.copernicus.eu/local/urban-atlas/urban-atlas-2018

NLCD - National Land Cover Database https://www.usgs.gov/centers/eros/science/national-land-cover-database

Default - Deafaul clutter indices (0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8)

Number of Pal Idx

Number of indexes in custom palette

After importing a custom clutter file into RadioPlanner, it is necessary to establish a correspondence between its palette indexes and the 9 clutter types used in the program. We have made lookup table presets for some standard land cover types (NLCD, CORINE Land Cover, CORINE Urban Atlas). To use these presets correctly, you need to use a special standard (for NLCD and CORINE Land Cover) or custom (for CORINE Urban Atlas) palette when exporting to GeoTiff. Some custom clutter data file samples in GeoTiff format can be found in the installation folder.

On our YouTube channel, we have posted a video on preparing custom clutter from several common landcover types:

https://youtu.be/5QWYYGhGEdY How to make custom clutter from National Land Cover Database (NLCD)

https://youtu.be/pmY6YNy3eIo How to make custom clutter from CORINE Land Cover

https://youtu.be/DwBRa2g2VIA How to make custom clutter from Urban Atlas

Custom clutter GeoTIFF file(s) must have the following format:

File Type: 8-bit Pallete Image

Compression: No/LZW/Deflate (ZIP)

Projection: Geographic (Latitude/Longitude)

Datum: WGS84

Planar Units: ARC Degrees

Max Width x Height: 100 000 x 100 000 points (for 64 GB RAM and powerful CPU). For comfortable work on a computer of average performance, we do not recommend making the clutter size larger than 50,000 by 50,000 points.

An example of exporting to a clutter Geo TIFF file in the Global Mapper:

An example of configuring clutter export settings to Geotiff

Custom Clutter

Map Layers

In the Map Layers menu, you can control which layers are displayed on the map. The order of the layers in the menu corresponds to their order on the map, with the base map at the bottom and sites at the top of all layers.

Map Layers

Sites

Sites are Base Stations or transmitters for TV and radio broadcasting.

Show layer

Show only active sites

Show site names

Show sector directions

Site marker

Site font style

Show/hide site layer

Show only active sites

Show site names

Show sector direction according to antenna azimuth

Choose marker for sites

Change font type for sites

Custom Layers (KML, CSV)

You can load and display point or linear vector objects in KML format as a layer on the map. This can include objects such as power lines, piping, and etc. Custom layers are saved in the project file.

Name

Show

Marker

Line width

Line color

Load a custom layer (KML, CSV file)

Save points from the selected layer to a CSV file

Delete selected custom layer

Position the map on the first point of the selected layer

The name of the user layer. Initially corresponds to the file name, but can be changed

Show/hide custom map layer

Select a marker for the item (only for point objects)

Specify line width (only for line)

Specify line color (only for line)

Point objects can also be downloaded from a CSV file (text format with a semicolon separator).
Each point object must have the required fields of Parameter, Latitude, and Longitude. Coordinates can be formatted as HEMISPHERE degrees minutes seconds (N35 23.8 36) or HEMISPHERE decimal degrees (N12.34567). The parameter can be any text that appears at the specified coordinates, such as a measurement result or the name of an object.

Sample CSV file with Antenna Towers

Custom Layer on the map

You can also quickly create point objects directly on the map. To do this, right-click on the desired location and select “Add a new point to the ‘Custom Points’ layer” from the context menu. Then specify the point name and it will appear on the map and be added to the “Custom Points” layer, which is automatically created when you create the first point object. You can also delete created point objects by right-clicking on the point and selecting “Delete the nearest point in the ‘Custom Points’ layer” from the context menu.

Adding a point feature to a map

Routs for Route Study

Routs layer control. For more details, see the section on Miscellaneous Studies - Route Study.

Show layer

Show/hide Routs layer

Line width

CPEs

CPE map layer control. CPE is customer premises equipment for fixed wireless access (FWA) applications or Sensors for IoT networks such as LoRaWAN, SigFox and others.

Show layer

Show/hide CPE layer

Select marker

Choose marker for CPEs

Show links

Show link to the assigned BS sector

Line width

Area Study Boundary

The area study boundary map layer control.

Show layer

Show/hide layer

Line width

Coverage

The coverage prediction map layer control.

Show layer

Transparency

Show/hide layer

Set layer opacity in the range from 0 (fully transparent) to 10 (not transparent)

Clutter

The clutter map layer control.

Show layer

Show / Hide the сlutter map layer. The default clutter is shown only for zoom 11 and higher. A сustom clutter is shown for any zoom.

Transparency

Layer opacity in the range from 0 (fully transparent) to 10 (not transparent)

Terrain

The Terrain map layer control.

Show layer

Show / Hide the terrain map layer. The default terrain is shown only for zoom 9 and higher. A сustom terrain is shown for any zoom.

Transparency

Min (Max) Elevation

Layer opacity in the range from 0 (fully transparent) to 10 (not transparent)

Elevation legend range. All heights below the minimum (including the minimum) will be fully transparent. All heights above the maximum will be in maroon.

Set the minimum and maximum height on the screen. Sets the height range within the minimum and maximum heights found within the screen.

Base Map

Base map layer control.

Show layer

Show/hide the layer

Show in grayscale

Show base map in grayscale

Grayscale level

Brightness from the range 0 (darker) - 3 (lighter)

RF Planning for Mobile Networks

RadioPlanner 3.0 allows you to work with multiple networks in one project. When creating a new project, the first network is created by default.

Networks menu

Add a new network

Calculate Coverage (See Coverage predictions for multiple networks section)

Area Study Type

Coverage predictions for multiple networks:
- Number of Networks (DL)
- Number of Networks (UL)
- Maximum Aggregated (DL) Throughput
- Maximum Aggregated (UL) Throughput
See Coverage predictions for multiple networks section

Area Study Resolution for all study types

Coverage prediction resolution. Specifies the details of both aggregated calculations and calculations for each of the networks.
- Low
- Medium
- High
The resolution corresponds to one pixel of the screen for zoom = 11 (low detail), zoom = 12 (medium), and zoom = 13 (high). For a geographic latitude of 55 degrees, this is approximately 40, 20, and 10 meters, respectively.
The higher the resolution, the longer the calculation time.

Mobile Unit (UE) №1/№2

Select the mobile device for which the calculation will be made

Network

The “Network” menu is used to set all parameters for the selected network, including mobile station parameters and calculation parameters. You can also perform calculations for the network using this menu.

Network menu

Add a new network with the same parameters (copy the network)

Check/Uncheck all sectors for current network

Move the Network up

Move the Network down

Delete the network

System parameters

Calculate Coverage

Calculate FWA Coverage taking into account the parameters of each CPE. See section "Fixed Wireless Access network"

Calculate coverage for each active sector and save the map as a KMZ file

Load network parameters from a template

Save network parameters as a template

Network name

System type

Downlink

Uplink

Downlink Rx threshold

Uplink Rx threshold

Study radius

Name of network, text field

System type options:
- Generic TRX
- LTE
- 5G
- Terrestrial Broadcasting
- Air-to-Ground Radio
The selected system type will determine the set of additional system parameters, as well as the types of coverage predictions available.

Average downlink frequency, MHz

Average uplink frequency, MHz

This threshold value will limit the coverage prediction display based on whether the signal received at the mobile unit from the base station is above or below this threshold, dBm

This threshold value will limit the coverage prediction display based on whether the signal received at the base station from the mobile unit is above or below this threshold, dBm

Maximum study radius, km The larger the radius, the longer the computation time. Do not set an unnecessarily large calculation radius.

Mobile Units

Type

TX Power

Cable and Connector Loss

Antenna Height

Antenna Gain

Use directional antenna pattern for Mobile Unit (UE)

Name (model) of Mobile Unit, text field

Transmitter power, W

Loss in cable and connectors, dB

Antenna height relative to ground level, m

Antenna gain, dBi

By default, the mobile units' (UE) antenna pattern is assumed to be isotropic. If you are designing a fixed wireless access (FWA) network with directional CPE antennas, you should download the antenna pattern in MSI format. It is assumed that the CPE antennas are aimed at the BS sector with the strongest signal at the CPE location.
The use of directional antennas on the CPE significantly reduces interference from neighboring cells and, as a result, increases CPE throughput.

RadioPlanner allows you to predict coverage for two types of mobile devices. This is used in professional mobile radio networks, where portable and mobile stations are often used, since they differ in both power characteristics and antenna height relative to ground level. Also, coverage prediction for several types of mobile devices with different antenna heights is often necessary in fixed wireless access (FWA) networks.

LTE System Parameters

LTE System Parameters

Mode

LTE duplex mode:
- FDD
- TDD

Bandwidth

Cyclic Prefix

TDD UL/DL Ratio

R1/R3 FDD Ratio

TDD R1 Ratio

FFR SINR Threshold

Cell Load

Downlink and Uplink 3GPP Tables

LTE bandwidth: 1.4 MHz; 3 MHz; 5 MHz; 10MHz; 15 MHz; 20 MHz

LTE Cyclic Prefix:
- 4.7 µs (Normal)
- 16.7 µs (Extended)

TDD configurations in 3GPP LTE specification:

TDD Configuration # UL/total ratio DL/total ratio

0 0.7 0.3

1 0.5 0.5

2 0.3 0.7

3 0.35 0.65

4 0.25 0.75

5 0.15 0.85

6 0.6 0.4

Type of Fractional Frequency Reuse (FFR) plan that is being used in LTE project in the R1/R3 zone Resource Blocks drop-down list

Part (from 0.1 to 1) the R1 zone subcarriers of physical resource blocks (PRB) for TDD

SINR threshold for switching between R1 and R3 zones in FFR, dB

Cell Load, 0-100 % Cell Loading is considered uniform. The possibility of different cell loading by sectors and the use of subscriber density maps will be added in the future.

These tables contain the MCS Index, modulation type, and transport block size (TBS) specified in the tables of 3GPP TS 36.213. Minimum C/(I+N) values for 1% SER (dB) can be specified separately for both uplink and downlink. The theoretical defaults shown in this table are from published MATLAB simulations of LTE radio link performance. The throughput for each modulation index is determined from the 3GPP tables, taking into account the transport block size. This throughput does not take into account the MIMO multiplier.

Network Channel Plan

In the channel table, specify all possible uplink and downlink frequencies (channels) that will be used in the network. For TDD, enter the same frequency. If the network operates on a single channel, then the frequencies in the Network Channel Plan may not be specified.

LTE Network Channel Plan

MIMO Configuration

The MIMO table is fully configurable for all downlink and uplink scenarios.

LTE MIMO Configuration

Noise and Interference

The receiver parameters in this tab are used for noise and interference calculations.

LTE Noise and Interference

Rx equivalent noise bandwidth

Receiver Equivalent Noise Bandwidth, MHz
In LTE systems, when using all resource blocks, the following noise bandwidths are obtained:
1.08 MHz (1.4 MHz Bandwidth)
2.7 MHz (3 MHz Bandwidth)
4.5 MHz (5 MHz Bandwidth)
9 MHz (10 MHz Bandwidth)
13.5 MHz (15 MHz Bandwidth)
18 MHz (20 MHz Bandwidth)

Rx noise figure

Rx noise level

Adjacent channel rejection

Receiver noise figure, dB Typically 3-4 dB for eNodB and 6 dB for UE

Receiver noise level, dB This value is used to estimate the noise on the receiving path when calculating all types of interference.

Adjacent channel rejection, dB It is assumed that the receiver has a rectangular “brick wall” bandpass shape with a width equal to the equivalent noise bandwidth. Under these conditions, you can set the amount of attenuation on adjacent channels (one bandwidth above and below the desired bandwidth) by entering a value here for adjacent channel rejection.

5G (NR) System Parameters

5G Parameters

Mode

Duplex mode:
- FDD
- TDD

Configuration

Downlink and Uplink 3GPP Tables

Choice from bandwidth (BW) and Subсarrier Spacing (SCS) configurations.

These tables contain the MCS Index, modulation type, and Target code rate specified in the tables of 3GPP TS 36.214. Minimum C/(I+N) values for 1% SER (dB) can be specified separately for both uplink and downlink. The theoretical defaults shown in this table are from published MATLAB simulations of 5G radio link performance. The throughput for each modulation index is determined from the 3GPP tables. This throughput does not take into account the MIMO multiplier.

DL symbols part in TDD slot (0..1)

Part of the TDD resource that is intended for downlink

Cell Load

Cell Load, 0-100 % Cell Loading is considered uniform. The possibility of different cell loading by sectors and the use of subscriber density maps will be added in the future.

Network Channel Plan

5G Network Channel Plan

MIMO Configuration

The MIMO table is fully configurable for all downlink and uplink scenarios.

5G MIMO Configuration

Noise and Interference

The receiver parameters in this tab are used for noise and interference calculations.

5G Noise and Interference

Rx equivalent noise bandwidth

Receiver Equivalent Noise Bandwidth, MHz
In 5G, the noise band can be obtained from the formula:
Rx equivalent noise BW= 12*SCS*Resource Blocks.
For example, for BW=100 MHz, SCS=30 kHz
Rx equivalent noise BW=12*0.03*273=98.28 MHz

Rx noise figure

Rx noise level

Adjacent channel rejection

Receiver noise figure, dB Typically 3-4 dB for eNodB and 6 dB for UE

Receiver noise level, dB This value is used to estimate the noise on the receiving path when calculating all types of interference.

Generic TRX System Parameters

Generic TRX in RadioPlanner includes all mobile communication systems except for LTE and 5G:

- UMTS / GSM / GSM-R / WCDMA mobile networks
- P25 / TETRA / DMR / dPMR / NXDN land mobile radio networks
- Networks based on wireless IoT LPWAN technologies: LoRa, SigFox, and others

Adaptive Modulation Table

The adaptive modulation table is filled with SINR values and their respective throughput. This table is used to predict downlink and uplink throughput in Generic TRX. Note that LTE and 5G have separate adaptive modulation tables tied to 3GPP specifications.

LoRaWAN Adaptive Modulation Table

Modulation Type

DL Throughput (kbps)

DL SINR (dB)

UL Throughput (kbps)

UL SINR (dB)

Modulation Type (text field)

Downlink Throughput, kbps

Downlink SINR,dB

Uplink Throughput, kbps

Uplink SINR,dB

Network Channel Plan

Generic TRX Network Channel Plan

Sort frequencies in ascending order

Autofill downlink frequencies

Autofill uplink frequencies

If your network has a large frequency grid, then you can use the autofill feature:

Channel Autofill

MIMO Configuration

The MIMO table is fully configurable for all downlink and uplink scenarios.

Generic TRX MIMO Configuration

Noise and Interference

The receiver parameters in this tab are used for noise and interference calculations.

Generic TRX Noise and Interference

Rx equivalent noise bandwidth

Rx noise figure

Rx noise level

Adjacent channel rejection

Receiver Equivalent Noise Bandwidth, MHz

Receiver noise figure, dB Typically 3-4 dB for base station and 6 dB for Mobile Unit

Receiver noise level, dB This value is used to estimate the noise on the receiving path when calculating all types of interference.

Sites

Sites

Add a new site

Add a new site group

Import a site list from *.csv file

Sort sites in alphabetical order

Collapse of site nodes

Collapse all network nodes

Epand all site nodes

Delete all selected sites

Import site parameters from Microsoft Excel document

To create a new site, click on Sites in the Tree View interface, then click the "Add a new site" button in the panel that opens.

Import sites from *.CSV file

You can also import sites from CSV files (text format with a semicolon separator). This is a universal format that can be used to save a spreadsheet from any spreadsheet editor (Excel, LibreOffice Calc, etc.) or database. Each point object must have required fields including site name, Latitude, and Longitude. Coordinates can be formatted as HEMISPHERE degrees minutes seconds (N35 23.8 36) or HEMISPHERE decimal degrees (N12.34567).

To import sites, click on the button "Import sites from *.CSV" and select a CSV file.

Example of a CSV file with the imported sites

Site Details

When clicking on a created site in the Tree View interface panel, the Site Details panel will open where you can edit details such as name, coordinates and additional text information about the site and view elevation relative to sea level.

Site Details

Add a new site as a copy of this site

Move site up or down

Delete the site

Load sectors of the selected network from a template

Save the sectors of the selected network as a template

Position the map with the site at the center of the screen

Copy Site Parameters to all active sites

Name

Site name, text field

Latitude

The geographical latitude of the site in the format specified by the user in Settings

Longitude

Geographical longitude of the site in the format specified by the user in Settings

Site Elevation

Site elevation relative to sea level, m

Notes

Text box for any additional site information

Group name

Select site group. Sites can be combined into groups (clusters), allowing you to quickly include/exclude large site groups of from calculations.

Sector Parameters

When creating a site, at least one sector of this site is automatically created. There is an activity icon next to each site and sector in the Tree View interface panel. For a sector to be calculated, it must be marked as active (a dot in the center). Clicking on the site sector will open a panel with the sector parameters.

Sector Parameters

Add a new sector with the same parameters

Move the sector up or down. These buttons are active for site Tree view structures "Sectors Only" and "Network | Sector"

Delete the sector

Global Active Sector parameters change. You can replace the selected parameters for all active sectors as the current sector.

Position the map with the site at the center of the screen

Advanced sector parameters

Analysis of measurements along the route. See more details in the "Measurement Results Analysis and Propagation Model Tuning" section.

Network

MIMO

Name

Radio Equipment

Set Rx Antenna and Transmission System to be the Same as Tx

Tx Power

Cable Type

Cable Length

Cable Loss

Additional Loss

Total Loss

Antenna Height

Antenna Gain

Azimuth

Beam Tilt

Antenna Model

The network to which the sector belongs, select from the drop-down list of networks.

MIMO type for the sector, selection from a drop-down list of all possible MIMO configurations specified in the system parameters of this network.

The name of the sector, the text field. You can specify the name of the sector in the text field. If left blank, the name “Sector azimuth” with the azimuth value specified in the sector parameters panel will be automatically displayed in the tree view panel on the left. If you specify a name in this field, it will be displayed in the tree view.

Name (model) of Radio equipment, text field

Copying parameters' antenna-feeder transmitter path to the receive path

Transmitter power, W. Same value in dBm for control

Type of the main cable for transmission or reception path. If the required cable is not in the list, then the user can add it himself - see Appendix 1.1

Main cable length, m

Loss in cable, dB. Calculated value

Additional losses, dB - combining losses, losses in jumpers, and connectors. Any additional losses.

Total loss, dB. The calculated value.

The antenna radiation center height relative to ground level, m

Antenna gain relative to isotropic radiator, dB

The azimuth of the antenna in degrees

Tilt the antenna in degrees. Down is negative; up is positive.

Antenna name, text field. Automatically filled with the antenna pattern file name when selecting a pattern.

Load MSI antenna pattern file. An antenna pattern file is a standard MSI file that can be downloaded from the antenna manufacturer's website. Antenna patterns are integrated into the project file.

Global Active Sector parameters change

Global Active Sector parameters change is a feature that allows you to instantly change the parameters of any active sectors to match those of the current sector. To perform group parameter changes, mark the sectors whose parameters need to be changed as active, set the required parameter values in the current sector, click on the Global Active Sector parameters change button, select the parameters that need to be changed in the previously marked active sectors from the list, and click on the OK button.

Advanced Sector Parameters

Advanced Sector Parameters include the channel plan and other parameters that differ for different types of systems.

Sector Channel Plan

In the Sector Channel Plan, you can select specific frequencies (or channel numbers) from the entire frequency grid specified in the System Parameters of this network.

Sector Channel Plan

LTE/5G Additional Options

Additional options for LTE and 5G networks include using a special antenna pattern (single column antenna pattern beam) for calculating RSRP and RSRQ.

LTE/5G Additional Options

Generic TRX Additional Options (Simulcast parameters)

Advanced parameters for Generic TRX include only entering the Sector simulcast delay offset, which applies only to simulcast systems where multiple transmitters share the same frequency.

Sector Simulcast Parameters

Simulcast delay offset (µs) Sector simulcast delay offset, µs

Context menu on the base map

When right-clicking on the base map, a context menu appears with options to create a new site at that point, move a selected site, or open the parameters of the nearest site by selecting “Select Site.”

Context menu on the base map

Import Sita Data from MS Excel Spreadsheet

In the Sites menu of RadioPlanner 3.0 there is an option to import sites with a full configuration from an Excel table. This table has the same format as the exported table in the Reports Menu - Base Stations/Transmitters Report. That is, to get a table in the required format for further filling at your discretion, you should first export it from the project with the system you need from the Reports Menu - Base Stations/Transmitters Report.

Rules for importing sites from an Excel table:

1. If a site with such a name already exists in the project, then new imported sectors will be added to this site, otherwise a new site will be created.
2. If a group is specified for the site and if the project already has a group with such a name, then the site will be added to this group. If there is no group, then this group will be created.
3. If the group of sites is not specified, then the site will be created outside the groups.
4. If the folder with the Excel document contains an antenna pattern file *.msi with a name that matches the name of the antenna of the imported sector, then the antenna pattern from this file will be loaded, otherwise the antenna pattern will remain OMNI.

Excel spreadsheet with site parameters