Optimi

The RF design of a cellular network is determined by the antenna configuration at every sector (antenna type, height, azimuth, mechanical tilt and electrical tilt), together with the set of sites identified to be part of the network. In addition, power settings, neighbour definitions and UMTS scrambling code allocations are also an essential part of the design.

In order to deal with the huge set of possible solutions, Optimi features an accurate and fast optimization engine that takes into account all relevant factors, such as coverage, capacity, quality, CapEx, OpEx, traffic distribution, service profiles, clutter maps and clutter properties. In order to overcome limitations derived from inaccurate inputs, Optimi has developed a comprehensive set of techniques in order to incorporate drive test data and also OSS counters, which are blended with propagation predictions that can also be generated internally. By using Optimi’s OSS based ACP module, the need for drive tests and external predictions is mitigated and the resulting RF design is better adapted to the real end user experience, in terms of radio conditions, indoor losses and traffic distributions, resulting in a network of superior quality.

Use cases

• Greenfield design of GSM, UMTS/HSPA, WiMAX and LTE networks.
• RF optimization in a live operational network.
• Gradual network expansion.
• Network consolidation after the merger of two different network operators.
• Site selection for shared networks.

Benefits

• Better network performance with a reduction of locations with bad signal quality of ~ 20% (real field reference).
• More rationalized network layouts with a reduction of sites after network consolidation of ~ 25% (real field reference).
• Larger footprint for the 3G layer, carrying more traffic with the same quality levels and therefore improving the business case for 3G infrastructure.
• Drastic OpEx reduction through automation.