iBwave V 6.5.3

Version 6.5.3

iBwave Solutions Inc.

© 2014 – All Rights Reserved

The information contained herein is the property of iBwave Solutions and is strictly confidential. Except as expressly authorized in writing by iBwave Solutions, the holder shall keep all information confidential, shall disclose it only to its employees with a need to know, and shall protect it, in whole or in part, from disclosure and dissemination to third parties with the same degree of care protect its own confidential information, but with no less than reasonable care. Except as expressly authorized in writing by iBwave Solutions, the holder is granted no rights to use the information herein. Information is subject to change without notice. iBwave Solutions reserves the right to make changes in design or components as progress in engineering and manufacturing may warrant.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

TABLE OF CONTENTS STREAMLINE INDOOR WIRELESS NETWORK PLANNING ................................................................... 1 WHAT’S NEW IN VERSION 6.5? ................................................................................................................ 1 Survey Data Management ........................................................................................................................ 2 Redundant DAS Architecture ................................................................................................................... 6 Carrier Aggregation with LTE Advanced ................................................................................................ 11 Passive Intermodulation (PIM) Calculations........................................................................................... 12 Improved Capacity Analysis ................................................................................................................... 15 New Propagation Model ......................................................................................................................... 19 Usability Improvements .......................................................................................................................... 22 Other Enhancements.............................................................................................................................. 24 Performance Improvements ................................................................................................................... 25 NEW FEATURES BY PRODUCT .............................................................................................................. 26 SERVICE RELEASES ................................................................................................................................ 27 VERSION 6.5.1 ...................................................................................................................................... 27 Improvements ......................................................................................................................................... 27 Resolved Issues ..................................................................................................................................... 28 VERSION 6.5.2 ...................................................................................................................................... 30 Resolved Issues ..................................................................................................................................... 30 VERSION 6.5.3 ...................................................................................................................................... 31 Resolved Issues ..................................................................................................................................... 31 NEXT STEPS .............................................................................................................................................. 32 CONTACTING CUSTOMER CARE ........................................................................................................... 32

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

STREAMLINE INDOOR WIRELESS NETWORK PLANNING

STREAMLINE INDOOR WIRELESS NETWORK PLANNING iBwave Design 6.5 is the most comprehensive software available for automated network design planning. Users can streamline the process of data collection, component selection, cost evaluation, design, validation, documentation, reporting and more. Significantly reduce the time spent on manual field work and increase cost savings.

WHAT’S NEW IN VERSION 6.5? iBwave Design Version 6.5 includes new and improved features aimed at increasing the efficiency and quality of your wireless designs. The highlighted features are: Survey Data Management Redundant DAS support Carrier Aggregation with LTE Advanced Passive Intermodulation Calculations Improved Capacity Analysis New Propagation Model Improved Calculations for Co-Channel Interference Uplink Maps for New Technologies Adjacent Wall Simplificatio n Usability Improvements Fiber Cable Replacement Performance Improvements

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iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3 1

Survey Data Management

SURVEY DATA MANAGEMENT 1) Survey data is associated with wireless services and survey types Survey data is now related to the wireless service or operator. When importing survey data you must assign the associated wireless service in order to establish a link used when creating output maps. A new survey type classifies the survey data i ndicating the stage of the project that the collected data is purposed for. The survey data types are: •

Pre-install; at the start of a design project, survey of macro environment before installation

•

Continuous wave (cw); for model calibration

•

Post-install; for validating design on all simulated antennas after installation

•

Legacy; survey data collected prior to Design version 6.5

Survey data is organized by the wireless services and the data types in the Survey panel:

Output maps and measured data reports are also organized and can be filtered by the associated wireless services and survey types. Survey types are also implemented in Calibration. 2) Granular mapping of imported data New improved technology-specific fields are added to map imported survey data, for example LTE RSRP, RSRQ, etc.


WHAT’S NEW IN VERSION 6.5?

A new Code legend is added. Color schemes in legends are now synchronized with the data type to match those in output maps. 3) Additional data plotting and prediction options Select between raw data, interpolation and at intervals when plotting data on layout plans. Moreover, the calculated prediction data can be based on the original raw data or the selected plotted data on the layout plans (interpolate or intervals). Plotted data formatting options are specific to user preference for display. Legends are simplified and are specific for survey. Legends for configured data types are the same as output maps of the same type.


Survey Data Management

Interference types can be selected where it is considered when calculating predictions at the preinstall stage for survey collection.



4) Updated Prediction Versus Measured Data report Generate the Prediction Versus Measured Data report for a wireless service based on one of the following survey data types: •

Pre-Install

•

Continuous wave

Post-Install

Legacy

•

•

Select the required wireless service and filter by the survey type before selecting the appropriate survey data.

The report outputs a comparison of the measured data, derived from a walk survey test with the predicted values to indicate if any calibration is required.


Redundant DAS Architecture

REDUNDANT DAS ARCHITECTURE 5) Redundant DAS ring model configuration Redundant DAS architecture that ensures continuous service in the event of network failures is now supported. This reliable communications setup compliant with TETRA-based specifications, is necessary for emergency services that requires persistent communications even when network infrastructure fails. This model is mainly used in tunnels. Three types of redundant DAS architecture is supported: •

Radiating cable loops

•

DAS loops

•

Remote unit loops

Components and cables can be fed from both directions with the Allow loop property that enables the ring model configurations. Redundant DAS tool can be enabled in Project Properties > Calculations > General > Redundant DAS tool



6) Validate signal strength with cable probe and simulated failure point Probe the signal passing through the loop to evaluate the signal level, displayed as a tooltip as you mouse over the ring design. Permanent probes can also be defined at set points in the ring model that provide: •

Cable measurement at the probed point

•

Signal level

•

Location of the weakest point and its signal measurement

Simulate failure points in order to evaluate the robustness and the signal reliability. To do so activate break points on any location in the looped cables and read the signal strength emanating at the break points to ensure a continuous signal caused by the dual-feed support.



7) Show a visual signal strength measurement of the model Leverage the Signal Strength map to show the changes in the signal power as it is reduced at the simulated break points and as it strengthened around the loop.



8) Generate link budgets for redundant DAS architecture A list of probe points and w eakest points are added to the Link Budget r eport.





CARRIER AGGREGATION WITH LTE ADVANCED 9) Enable Carrier Aggregation for LTE Advanced supported technology The LTE Advanced technology is now supported and carrier aggregation can be leveraged to aggregate multiple LTE channels configured to yield increased bandwidth. The following aggregations are supported: •

Intra-band contiguous aggregation

•

Intra-band non-contiguous aggregation

•

Inter-band aggregation

LTE sources are configured in the System Wizard where components are defined and combined. 10) New LTE Advanced Maximum Achievable Data Rate map The LTE Advanced Maximum Achievable Data Rate map shows the indoor throughput for LTE Advanced systems of multiple bands and provides the combined data rate of aggregated components.

Notice the increased bandwidth when comparing results with the Maximum Achievable Rate map.


Passive Intermodulation (PIM) Calculations

PASSIVE INTERMODULATION (PIM) CALCULATIONS 11) Calculated PIM rates and noise compliance The new PIM rate feature is now supported. A basic PIM calculation method based on part specifications worse-case scenario, provided by component ratings is implemented. PIM rates are calculated to measure signal interference levels caused by the third-order intermodulation in the design plans. PIM calculations are deemed high if values are found to exceed the set threshold of acceptable rates, relative to the noise floor level. These thresholds are set in PIM properties and are based on power de-rating and signal cushion parameters, defined in Properties > Calculations > PIM . Elevated PIM rates trigger warning alerts for designers to expect high signal interference where low PIM components must be used instead.

PIM rates are displayed at each connector and are color-coded to indicate passing or failing results. 12) Specify PIM specifications in database of parts Part specifications provide the parameters for calculating the PIM rate at each connector based on: IMD3 IMD3 Test Tones These parameters are defined in the database of components. • •



13) Generate PIM compliance report The PIM compliance report generates conformance results for the reported system. It indicates whether PIM calculations for the active system complies or exceeds the set threshold levels.


Passive Intermodulation (PIM) Calculations



IMPROVED CAPACITY ANALYSIS 14) New capacity engine The new capacity engine is now based on a statistical process that models call arrival following a Poisson process and uses Erlang B behavior. Capacity analysis estimates the number of subscribers a venue can support at all times or the required bandwidth to support a specific number of subscribers, taking into account the blocking rate and interference factors. Set subscriber and technology properties in Project Properties > Calculations > Capacity analysis.

Multiple capacity input is provided to calculate the capacity calculations: Calculate supported number of users based on targeted blocking rate Calculate blocking rate based on targeted number of users Calculate supported number of users based on voice blocking rate • • •

15) Pre-defined capacity zones Capacity zones define traffic densities configured with user percentages. They can be added to the layout plan according to the concentration level of users and the eventual traffic in the analyzed venue. This has an impact on traffic analysis of the predicted areas.


Improved Capacity Analysis

Simply draw the parameters of zone on the layout plan using the polygon tool and assign a predefined capacity zone that best describes the expected user concentration in the defined area. If capacity zones are used, a warning is generated if more than 3% of the prediction area is not covered by a capacity zone.

Capacity zones provide uneven user distribution in a venue by set percentages of the overall number of users, with the remaining value distributed equally among other areas of the venue. 16) Enhanced capacity report based on new Eb/No service coverage map Run the capacity prediction and view the results in the Capacity report that yields additional information: •

Total offered traffic

•

Carried traffic

•

Composite blocking rate

•

Duty cycle

•

Number of users

•

Data usage



17) New Eb/No Achievable Service Coverage map As part of the optimi zation module, the new Eb/No Achievable Service Coverage map depicts the service coverage in a CDMA/WCDMA network that shows areas where certain service types (voice, email, video telephony and multimedia) are available. Prediction results are used for capacity analysis.


Improved Capacity Analysis



NEW PROPAGATION MODEL 18) Extended prediction algorithm A new propagation model is added t hat accounts for multiple RF environment types. The prediction algorithm is extended to integrate this new propagation model used as part of iBwave Mobile Planner for quickly modeling buildings and RF environments without the use of 3D modeling. The Variable Path Loss Exponent model resembles Path Loss Exponent without the requirement of modeling walls, instead the propagation model uses RF environments for quick prediction runs used in the field on iBwave Mobile devices. 19) New Variable Path Loss Exponent model The new Variable Path Loss exponent model closely predicts signal loss and the effect on propagation in various characteristics of indoor environments, by using pre-defined environment types.

The prediction does not take into account any walls, but pre-defined environment characteristics.


New Propagation Model

20) Assign predefined environment types on floor areas Predefined environment types are provided by default and user-defined environments can be added in the Project Properties > Propagation models > Variable Path Loss Exponent .

Assign environment types on layout plans that depict the physical environment based on the densit y of the physical elements that can have an impact on prediction.



Run the signal strength map and notice the intensity of the signal strength in relation to the effects of the various environment types.


Usability Improvements

USABILITY IMPROVEMENTS 21) Lock/Unlock improvements for Server projects Server projects are unlocked by default. Users are prompted to lock the project when attempting to edit it. Users also have the ability to keep projects locked after on loading. 22) Organized area types Environment types, Capacity zones and Zones are now organized inside Areas in the Layout panel. One area type can be selected at a time, where the current layout plan is filtered per selection. 23) Cable type breakdown Cable types are now available in the Layers panel.

24) Fiber cable replacement The cable replacement tool now supports optical fiber cable replacement. Cable types and fiber strands are compared and replace if they are found matching.



25) Cable probe extended for all cables Originally created for redundant DAS model, this feature is now supported for all design models.

26) Improved Usability in Survey The following designs are implemented in the Survey module to enhance user experience: •

Mapping and filtering data is now intuitive

•

Color schemes are related to data types to match prediction color schemes

Other usability improvements are implemented throughout the application.


Other Enhancements

OTHER ENHANCEMENTS 27) Extended technology support for Uplink The following uplink output maps now support additional technologies: Mobile Tx Power (voice) Mobile Tx Composite Power Mobile SNR Power In addition to CDMA, WCDMA, LTE, the following technologies are now supported for Uplink maps: GSM, HSPA, HSPA Plus and WiFi . • • •

28) Combine adjacent walls is extended to FRT with additional enhancements Combining adjacent walls is now supported for FRT model. The feature is enhanced to include user configuration for distance between walls. Users can now set a threshold limit for the distance between two adjacent walls. If distance is less or equal to the set limit then Design combines the walls into one; to be considered one wall during prediction measurements. The feature is also useful when importing AutoCAD plans with double lined walls. 29) WiFi Co-Channel interference Partial channel interference is modeled to accurately calculate the co-channel interference for WiFi. 30) Enabled signal saturation and selection for components in the DB Editor Components in the database of components can be enabled to saturate. Signals coming out of a given port will have a maximum value. This can allow the remote to saturate on the RF/Antenna port and pass the full signal to the cascaded remote. Components can be enabled for selection. This filtering mechanism can be enabled on a given port where only some of the systems coming into the part will go out by the given port. This is supported per port basis.



PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS 31) Improved prediction performance Prediction performance is improved by cache streaming. The first time you run prediction the results are stored in cache for faster retrieval, the all subsequent prediction runs are noticeably faster. 32) Optimized cores The usage of cores has been optimized and new improved file format has been implemented. 33) New file format Improved open/close and loading saved predictions.

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NEW FEATURES BY PRODUCT

NEW FEATURES BY PRODUCT Product Feature

Survey Data Import and Management

Design Enterprise

Propagation Module

Collection Module

√

Optimization Module

Design Lite

Propagation Lite Module

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√

√

Redundant DAS √

√

LTE Advanced √

√

√

Passive Intermodulation √

Capacity Analysis √

√

Variable Path Loss Exponent √

√

√


√

SERVICE RELEASES

SERVICE RELEASES VERSION 6.5.1 IMPROVEMENTS The following enhancements are included in iBwave Design Version 6.5.1. The Horizontal Link Budget report now includes Reference Signal Power at the system. The Sys. Out. Reference Signal Pwr [dBm] and the Sys. Out. Reference Signal Pwr [mW] are added to the report summary columns:

The report can output Reference Signal Power at the antenna and the system. The Wall Simplification tool is now available for the Field version of iBwave Design with Modeling. To access the Wall simplification option, click the Tools menu.


SERVICE RELEASES

RESOLVED ISSUES The following issues were resolved in iBwave Design Version 6.5.1. ISSUE NUMBER

DESCRIPTION

DSGN-4823

The LTE Reference Signal SNIR map produces wrong results when outdoor signal is considered.

DSGN-4820

An error is encountered after running prediction using the VPLE propagation model. The error is caused by two superimposed points in an environment zone.

DSGN-4791

A null exception message is encountered when running network optimization maps.

DSGN-4788

Enable the cable probe tooltip on all types of cables.

DSGN-4778

Encountered a SQLite connection timeout.

DSGN-4749

Improve the default survey selection for Best Server and Soft Handoff maps.

DSGN-4747

The DB Editor crashes when upgrading from version 6.3 to version 6.5.

DSGN-4742

Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number data type disappears when changing wireless services.

DSGN-4734

The RSCP/Pilot data type should not be displayed for HSPA< HSPA Plus, WCDMA, CDMA technologies.

DSGN-4729

Display the wireless service information as a tooltip in survey legend.

DSGN-4719

Omni-Directional small cells are incorrectly displayed as Directional.

DSGN-4714

Different throughput prediction results for HSPA technology when running in iBwave Mobile and iBwave Design.

DSGN-4713

Missing survey trace information when inserting a trace point.

DSGN-4712

Text is misaligned in the Survey panel.

DSGN-4706

The text box font changes after exporting layout plans.

DSGN-4703

The PredData file is still created even when the setting is disabled.

DSGN-4696

Capacity report displays inconsistent unit of measure.

DSGN-4665

Add an option to enable/disable tooltips.

DSGN-4629

Add an Auto Set button to automatically set antenna patterns.


SERVICE RELEASES

ISSUE NUMBER

DESCRIPTION

DSGN-4391

Improve the user interface for the Calibration model form.

DSGN-4051

HPI interpolation does not show expected results.

DSGN-3816

Auto Placement crashes for parts with overlapping connectors.


SERVICE RELEASES

VERSION 6.5.2 RESOLVED ISSUES The following issues were resolved in iBwave Design Version 6.5.2. ISSUE NUMBER

DESCRIPTION

DSGN-4931

Incorrect error message is triggered for fiber connectors with defined frequencies.

DSGN-4930

The File Name value in the exported XML file is not relevant. The value should indicate the project file name instead.

DSGN-4929

An incorrect count of connectors for multi-strand cables is reported in the Equipment List report.

DSGN-4918

Added improvements to fiber modeling.

DSGN-4903

LTE SNIR map results appear different in Design 6.5 than in previous versions due to different interpolation calculations.

DSGN-4885

Unexpected errors are caused by an interruption during the loading of calculations.

DSGN-4879

The noise power calculation is not available on the uplink port of Fiber BDA Hub where optical output ports are connected to the remotes.

DSGN-4864

Incorrect power reading at remote units.

DSGN-4853

Imported antenna patterns are not automatically saved. Users must edit and then save the applied changes.

DSGN-4838

Added the option to enable/disable the right-click close tabs, as well as the ability to close any other tabs other than the current one.

DSGN-4837

Exporting Cable Routing report to XML adds ‘txt’ in front of all labels.

DSGN-4749

Adjusted the default survey data types for Best server and Soft Hand-off output maps.

DSGN-4734

Wrong data types are displayed for unrelated technologies in prediction survey selection causing prediction to fail.

DSGN-3581

Imported survey trace route appears different from the actual survey route.


SERVICE RELEASES

VERSION 6.5.3 RESOLVED ISSUES The following issues were resolved in iBwave Design Version 6.5.3. ISSUE NUMBER

DESCRIPTION

DSGN-5040

For HSPA Plus, change the SNIR threshold value to achieve 21 Mbps with default settings.

DSGN-5039

Add a ‘Reset License’ button in the ‘Failure Report’ message.

DSGN-5038

Include the effect of the second antenna of the MIMO antenna pair in “Electromagnetic Field” report.

DSGN-4993

Unexpected error occurred when creating a project in iBwave Design Lite 64.

DSGN-4973

Soft Handoff prediction failed due to invalid operation.


NEXT STEPS

NEXT STEPS Attend a Live iBwave Product Suite Dem o Buy Version 6.5 Upgrade to Version 6.5 Download the Free iBwave Viewer

CONTACTING CUSTOMER CARE If you encounter any problems during the installation or configuration of iBwave Design, or if you have any questions, please send your inquiries to Customer Care:

Email: [email protected] Phone: •

Americas:

1 855 442 9283 or 1 855 4 iBwave

•

Europe:

+212 6 00545552

•

MEA:

+212 6 00545552

•

APAC:

+63 2-661-9635

You can also:

Log into the iBwave Customer Portal, and create a request in the My Cases section: http://www.ibwave.com/language/en-US/MyiBwave.aspx Check if your questions are answered in the Knowledge Base section of the iBwave Customer Portal


iBwave V 6.5.3

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