Atoll Network Planner for Tarana
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTENDED AUDIENCE & ABSTRACT
2
ATOLL OVERVIEW
3
TECHNICAL REFERENCES AND RECOMMENDED READING
3
ATOLL CONFIGURATION CUSTOMIZATION
3
ASTER PROPAGATION MODEL DESCRIPTION
4
CONFIGURING YOUR ASTER MODEL
5
ASTER PREDEFINED MODELS
6
ADJUSTING CPE PARAMETERS
7
ASSIGNING CLUTTER CLASS
8
ADDING TARANA ANTENNA PATTERNS
9
ADJUSTING THRESHOLD SETTINGS FOR TARANA
9
5 GHZ
CREATING FREQUENCY BANDS
SUMMARY
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Atoll Network Planner for Tarana — 1
Intended Audience & Abstract
This document is intended for use by engineers interested in designing and deploying Tarana Gigabit
products. It is assumed that the reader has a good working knowledge of the Forsk Atoll software, RF,
fixed wireless access, and networking concepts.
This document describes guidelines for using the Atoll Network Planner to design broadband wireless
access with Tarana Gigabit products. This is intended to be a starting point for new Tarana deployments.
Aster is a high-performance propagation model for Atoll that supports macro, micro, and small cell
urban propagation scenarios. Aster is based on advanced ray-tracing propagation techniques and
combines high accuracy with superior calculation speed.
NOTE: A companion zip file is also provided that contains resource files described in this document.
This file is available in the resources library on the Tarana G1 portal:
https://learn.taranawireless.com.
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Atoll Overview
Forsk Atoll is a wireless network design and optimization platform that includes network planning using
both predictive and live network data. Atoll offers multiple propagation models and can be used with
Tarana’s product line.
The Atoll software offers multiple technology models, e.g., 5G NR, LTE/LTE-A, UMTS, Wi-Fi, etc. To
simulate Tarana’s Gigabit family of base nodes (BNs) and remote nodes (RNs), the LTE module should be
used.
Technical References and Recommended Reading
The Aster software includes four documents which are available on the Forsk support portal:
●
●
●
●
Release Notes
Technical Reference
User Manual
Features and Fixed Bugs
These documents explain in detail the Aster propagation model, how it works, and is configured. Forsk
also has a training slide deck titled “Using and Calibrating Aster”. All of these documents are highly
recommended before using the software.
Atoll Configuration Customization
The Atoll software configuration must be customized before the first use with Tarana. Specifically, the
software must be configured to use the best signal level (DL). Customization is done by modifying the
Atoll.ini file which is located in /Program Files/Forsk/Atoll/Atoll.ini.
To make the required configuration change, close the Atoll software and open the Atoll.ini file in a text
editor. Ensure the following lines are modified:
[Simulation]
Activate3Ddistribution = 0
[Studies]
EIRPfromMaxPower = 1
Once this file has been updated, open the Atoll software and begin modeling.
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Aster Propagation Model Description
The Aster propagation model is a high-performance advanced ray-tracing propagation model. It supports
all radio access technologies and especially suits urban and dense urban propagation environments with
small cells. Aster can provide highly accurate propagation results using high resolution raster-building
data for vertical and horizontal diffraction calculations in addition to vector-building data. In addition,
the Aster propagation model includes an integrated automatic calibration function where the user
imports continuous wave (CW) drive test data. The module can then be used to automatically calibrate
the propagation model.
Aster’s accuracy depends on the available geo data and resolution (resolution varies from a high
resolution of 1 m to 10 m), see below for a summary of the geo data needed and expected accuracy.
DTM
Not
Recommended
Minimum
Configuration
Accurate
Configuration
Optimum
Configuration
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Clutter Classes
Clutter Heights
X
Vector Layers
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Configuring Your Aster Model
In order to set up Aster, you will need to duplicate the original Aster model that has been installed. To do
this, navigate to the parameters tab and expand the propagation model menu.
Figure 1: Atoll Propagation Models
Right click the original Aster propagation model and choose Duplicate. Atoll will create a copy of the
model. Give the model a new name.
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Aster Predefined Models
Aster comes with 5 predefined models. To select a model, right click on the duplicate model created in
the previous section and select Configuration > Configuration List. The best predefined model for
Tarana CBRS and sub-6 GHz frequencies is the Macro_3.5GHz model. Select this model and click Apply.
Figure 2: Aster Propagation Model Selection
In order to get better accuracy for the predicted signal level, calibration of the selected model is
recommended. For example, CW drive test data may be used for calibration and improved accuracy.
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Adjusting CPE Parameters
If the customer premise equipment (remote node) will be installed on the roof of the building, the CPE
height parameter should be adjusted. Right click on the propagation model and select Properties >
Settings. In the pop-up window, uncheck the “Activate indoor calculations” checkbox.
Figure 3: Advanced Settings
Under the Advanced settings, check “Receiver on top of building”. Click the Parameters button. In the
parameters dialogue box, adjust the “Receiver height above top of building” parameter to the correct
height, e.g., 1.5 m.
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Figure 4: Advanced Settings - Receiver Height
Click OK to save the parameter changes.
Assigning Clutter Class
The next step is to assign a propagation class to the clutter class parameters. This assignment will depend
on the clutter classes and geo data purchased. To make an assignment, select Clutter from the left-hand
side and assign the correct clutter class parameters to the propagation class.
Figure 5: Clutter Classes and Propagation Class Settings
Click OK to save the settings.
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Adding Tarana Antenna Patterns
Tarana Wireless has created antenna patterns suitable for use in Atoll. The supported antenna files are
included with the resources file available from the Tarana website: https://learn.taranawireless.com.
Supported antenna files include:
●
●
Atoll_Tarana_BN_3GHz_Compact_R0_Antenna_Pattern.csv
Atoll_Tarana_BN_5GHz_R0_Antenna_Pattern.csv
To import Tarana antenna patterns, select the Parameters tab for the model and right click on Antennas
under Radio Network Equipment. Select Import. Browse to the appropriate antenna file and select it for
import.
Figure 6: Import New Antenna Pattern Files
Adjusting Threshold Settings for Tarana
Once imported, the antenna threshold settings should be adjusted further to reflect the correct RSSI
values. To adjust the threshold settings, select the Network tab. The correct RSSI values can be retrieved
from the Maximum Allowed Path Loss Mapping guide on the Tarana support portal.
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Figure 7: Opening the Network Tab
Right click on Predictions and select New Predictions.
Figure 8: Open Predictions Dialogue
Select Coverage by Signal Level.
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Figure 9: Select Coverage by Signal Level
This will open the Coverage by Signal Level properties dialogue box.
Figure 10: Coverage by Signal Level Properties
You can select whether a margin should be included in the predictions under the Conditions tab.
In the Display tab, adjust the signal level threshold settings.
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Figure 11: Adjust Signal Threshold Values and Save Configuration
In this tab do the following:
Select the Value Intervals from the Display Type and set the field to Best Signal Level (dBm).
Next, change the thresholds and colors for each threshold. These values will differ depending on the
band (e.g., 5 GHz versus CBRS) and network profile setting. See the Maximum Allowed Path Loss
Mapping guide for specific values.
To save the configuration settings, click the Action dropdown box and select Display Configuration to
save the configuration. Click Apply and Save. Note, if you give the configuration a unique name it can be
used later for other Tarana projects.
Creating Frequency Bands
Before modeling a Tarana network, Atoll requires the creation of the intended frequency bands. For
Tarana networks, this includes:
●
Band 47 (UNII-3)
●
Band 48 (CBRS)
●
Band N96 (UNII-5)
●
Band N96 (UNII-7)
Band definition includes carrier center frequencies, absolute radio frequency channel number (ARFCN),
station templates, and terminals.
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Figure 12: Create Frequency Bands
To create the required bands for this prediction, select the Parameter tab and expand 4G/5G Network
Settings.
Under Frequencies, double-click Bands. Add the bands using the following table:
Name
Reference Frequency (MHz)
TD 5855 – B47
TD 3600 – B48
TD 6165 - N96
TD 6685 - N96
5855
3550
6165
6685
Under Frequencies, double-click Carriers. And add the following:
●
●
Carriers – B47
Carriers – B48
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Carriers – N96 (UNII-5)
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Carriers – N96 (UNII-7)
Use the following table to set the values for each band. Note that this table only contains 10 MHz
channels. This is due to the fact that the standard Atoll LTE model does not support 40 MHz channels.
The Tarana equipment, however, requires the use of 40 MHz channels. To work around this, we have
adjusted the RSSI values in the coverage maps to reflect 40 MHz channel width. This change allows the
use of Atoll with the standard LTE model for coverage planning but invalidates any frequency planning
result. This has been determined as a reasonable compromise given that Tarana equipment supports k=1
frequency reuse.
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Center Frequency (TDD Center Frequency
or FDD DL) (MHz)
(FDD UL) (MHz)
Total Width
Total Width (TDD
(FDD UL)
or FDD DL) (MHz)
(MHz)
ARFCN
TD 5855 - B47 TDD
5860
5860
10
10
54590
TD 5855 - B47 TDD
5870
5870
10
10
54690
TD 5855 - B47 TDD
5880
5880
10
10
54790
TD 5855 - B47 TDD
5890
5890
10
10
54890
TD 5855 - B47 TDD
5900
5900
10
10
54990
TD 5855 - B47 TDD
5910
5910
10
10
55090
TD 5855 - B47 TDD
5920
5920
10
10
55190
TD 3600 - B48 TDD
3555
3555
10
10
55290
TD 3600 - B48 TDD
3565
3565
10
10
55390
TD 3600 - B48 TDD
3575
3575
10
10
55490
TD 3600 - B48 TDD
3585
3585
10
10
55590
TD 3600 - B48 TDD
3595
3595
10
10
55690
TD 3600 - B48 TDD
3605
3605
10
10
55790
TD 3600 - B48 TDD
3615
3615
10
10
55890
TD 3600 - B48 TDD
3625
3625
10
10
55990
TD 3600 - B48 TDD
3635
3635
10
10
56090
TD 3600 - B48 TDD
3645
3645
10
10
56190
TD 3600 - B48 TDD
3655
3655
10
10
56290
TD 3600 - B48 TDD
3665
3665
10
10
56390
TD 3600 - B48 TDD
3675
3675
10
10
56490
TD 3600 - B48 TDD
3685
3685
10
10
56590
TD 3600 - B48 TDD
3695
3695
10
10
56690
10 MHz - NRARFCN 81100
n96 61456185
TDD
6165
6165
10
10
811100
10 MHz - NRARFCN 845667
n96 66656705
TDD
6685
6685
10
10
845667
Name
10 MHz EARFCN54590
10 MHz EARFCN54690
10 MHz EARFCN54790
10 MHz EARFCN54890
10 MHz EARFCN54990
10 MHz EARFCN55090
10 MHz EARFCN55190
10 MHz EARFCN55290
10 MHz EARFCN55390
10 MHz EARFCN55490
10 MHz EARFCN55590
10 MHz EARFCN55690
10 MHz EARFCN55790
10 MHz EARFCN55890
10 MHz EARFCN55990
10 MHz EARFCN56090
10 MHz EARFCN56190
10 MHz EARFCN56290
10 MHz EARFCN56390
10 MHz EARFCN56490
10 MHz EARFCN56590
10 MHz EARFCN56690
Frequency
Band
Duplexing
Method
Figure 13: Band Frequency and Values Table
Click Terminals under Traffic Parameters and add the appropriate values.
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Figure 14: Add a New Terminal
Right click on Terminals and select New to add a new terminal.
Summary
Once the steps covered in this document have been performed, the final Tarana propagation model is
ready for analysis and use. The final project should have Tarana antennas, all sites and sectors,
frequencies, and the correct heat map settings as shown below.
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