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Atoll MW Planning Software - User Manual PDF
Atoll MW Planning Software - User Manual PDF
Atoll MW Planning Software - User Manual PDF
Microwave Links
v e r s i o n 2.8.3
AT283_UMM_E2
Atoll User Manual
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents.......................................................................................................................... 5
Toolbar
Workspace
Explorer window
(docked)
Panoramic window
(floating)
• Click the Maximise button ( ) near the corner of the window. Depending on the position of the window, this
button can be in the upper-left or upper-right corner.
To minimise a window in its docking area:
• Click the Minimise button ( ) near the corner of the window. Depending on the position of the window, this button
can be in the upper-left or upper-right corner.
You can leave a window in its docking area, or you can have it float over the working environment, allowing you to maxim-
ise the amount of area for document windows or other windows.
To float a window:
• Double-click the docking window title bar. The docking window leaves the docking area and floats over the working
environment.
Note: You can move the docking window by clicking the title bar and dragging it. To prevent the
window from docking as you move it, press CTRL as you drag the docking window.
To dock a window:
• To return the window to its previous docked location, double-click the docking window title bar.
Or
• Click the title bar of the docking window and drag the window to a different docking area.
Note: The window positions for docking windows are not associated with the current document;
they remain the same no matter which document you open.
• The Data tab: The Data tab allows you to manage radio data and calculations. Depending on the modules
installed with Atoll, the Data tab has the following folders:
- Sites
- Antennas
- Transmitters
- Predictions
- UMTS Parameters, CDMA2000 Parameters, GSM/GPRS Parameters, WiMAX 802.16d Parameters, WiMAX
802.16e Parameters, or LTE Parameters
- UMTS Simulations, CDMA2000 Simulations , WiMAX 802.16d Simulations, WiMAX 802.16e simulations, or
LTE Simulations
- Traffic analysis (GSM/GPRS/EDGE projects only)
- Hexagonal design
- Microwave links
- CW Measurements and Drive test data
• The Geo tab: The Geo tab allows you to manage geographic data. The number of folders depends on the
number and types of geographical data types (vector data, scanned images, etc.) you import or create:
- Clutter classes
- Clutter heights
- Digital Terrain Model
- Population data
- Any other geo data map
- Traffic (GSM/GPRS/EDGE/TDMA, UMTS HSPA, CDMA2000)
• The Modules tab: The Modules tab allows you to manage the propagation models and additional modules. It
contains:
- A Propagation Models folder with the following propagation models:
- Longley-Rice
- Okumura-Hata
- Cost-Hata
- Standard Propagation Model
- ITU 526-5
- ITU 370-7 (Vienna 93)
- ITU 1546
- WLL
- Microwave Propagation Model
- Erceg-Greenstein (SUI)
- The AFP models available in your Atoll installation.
- Any additional module created using the API.
Note: Hiding an object affects only its visibility in the map window; it will still be taken into
consideration during calculations.
2. Clear the check box ( ) immediately to the left of the object name. The check box appears cleared ( ) and the
object is no longer visible on the map.
Note: You can hide the contents of an entire folder by clearing the check box to the left of the
folder name. When the check box of a folder appears greyed ( ), it indicates that the
folder contains both visible and hidden objects.
Note: Before you print a map, you should pay attention to the arrangement of the layers. For
more information, see "Printing Recommendations" on page 53.
Note: In Atoll, objects such as sites are named with default prefixes. Individual objects are
distinguished from each other by the number added automatically to the default prefix.
You can change the default prefix for sites by editing the atoll.ini file. For more
information, see the Administrator Manual.
Tip: When you are selecting data objects on the map, it can be difficult to ensure that the
correct object has been selected. When a site is selected, the site (and its name) is
surrounded by a black frame ( ). When a transmitter is selected, both ends of its icon
have a green point ( ). When there is more than one microwave link with with the
same azimuth, clicking the transmitters in the map window opens a context menu
allowing you to select the transmitter you want (see "Selecting One of Several Microwave
Links" on page 19).
2. Select Properties from the context menu. The Properties dialogue appears.
You can switch between the Properties dialogues of items (antennas, sites, etc.) in the same folder or subfolder in the
Explorer window by using the browse buttons ( ) in the lower-left corner of each Properties dialogue:
- When you select a microwave link, both ends appear white and the link itself appears outlined ( ).
Tip: While this method allows you to place a site quickly, you can adjust the location more
precisely by editing the coordinates on the General tab of the Site Properties dialogue.
1. In the Data tab of the Explorer window, move the Microwave Radio Links
folder on top of the Sites folder as explained in "Working with Layers Using
the Explorer" on page 16.
2. On the map, click the link extremity whose azimuth you want to modify.
3. Move the pointer to the end of the antenna with a green circle ( ). An arc
with an arrow appears under the pointer.
4. Click the green circle and drag it to change the antenna’s azimuth.
The current azimuth of the antenna is displayed in the far left of the status
bar. It is defined in degrees, with 0° indicating north.
5. Release the mouse when you have set the azimuth to the desired angle.
The antenna’s azimuth relative to the link direction is modified on the Radio
tab of the Microwave Link Properties dialogue.
Note: If you make a mistake when changing the azimuth, you can undo your changes by using
Undo (by selecting Edit > Undo, by pressing CTRL+Z, or by clicking in the toolbar)
to undo the changes made.
1.3.2.5 Changing the Antenna Position Relative to the Site Using the Mouse
By default, antennas are placed on the site. However, antennas are occasionally not located directly on the site, but a short
distance away. In Atoll, you can change the position of the antenna relative to the site either by adjusting the Dx and Dy
parameters or by entering the coordinates of the antenna position on the General Tab of the Microwave link Property
dialogue. Dx and Dy are the distance in metres of the antenna from the site position. You can also modify the position of
the antenna on the map, using the mouse.
1. In the Data tab of the Explorer window, move the Microwave Radio Links
folder on the top of the Sites folder as explained in "Working with Layers
Using the Explorer" on page 16.
2. On the map, click the link extremity you want to move.
3. Move the pointer to the end of the antenna with a green rectangle ( ). A
cross appears under the pointer.
4. Click the green rectangle and drag it to change the antenna’s position relative
to the site.
The current coordinates (x and y) of the antenna are displayed in the far right
of the status bar.
5. Release the mouse when you have moved the selected link extremity to the
desired position.
The position of the selected link extremity is modified on the General tab of
the Microwave Link Properties dialogue.
Note: If you make a mistake when changing the position of the link extremity, you can undo your
changes by using Undo (by selecting Edit > Undo, by pressing CTRL+Z, or by clicking
in the toolbar) to undo the changes made.
1.3.2.6 Selecting Another Site for the Link Extremity Using the Mouse
In Atoll, you can change the link extremity and place it on another site using the mouse.
1. In the Data tab of the Explorer window, move the Microwave Radio Links
folder on the top of the Sites folder as explained in "Working with Layers
Using the Explorer" on page 16.
2. On the map, click the link extremity you want to move.
3. Move the pointer to the end of the antenna with a green rectangle ( ). A
cross appears under the pointer.
4. Click the green rectangle and drag it to the other site on the map.
5. Release the mouse when the frame appears around the site, indicating it is
selected.
The site for the selected link extremity is modified on the General tab of the
Microwave Link Properties dialogue and the link is renamed.
Note: If you make a mistake when changing the position of the link extremity, you can undo your
changes by using Undo (by selecting Edit > Undo, by pressing CTRL+Z, or by clicking
in the toolbar) to undo the changes made.
When you access the Properties dialogue of an individual object, the Display tab will only show the options applicable to
an individual object (see Figure 1.5).
5. Click OK.
Depending on the object selected, you can choose from the following display types: unique, discrete values, value inter-
vals, or automatic.
To change the display type:
1. Access the Display tab of the Properties dialogue as explained in "Display Properties of Objects" on page 21.
2. Select the display type from the Display Type list:
- Unique: defines the same symbol for all objects of this type. By defining a unique symbol for an object type,
objects of different types, for example, sites, are immediately identifiable.
i. To modify the appearance of the symbol, click the symbol in the table below. The Symbol Style dialogue
appears.
ii. Modify the symbol as desired.
iii. Click OK to close the Symbol Style dialogue.
- Discrete values: defines the display of each object according to the value of a selected field. This display type
can be used to distinguish objects of the same type by one characteristic. For example, you could use this
display type to distinguish transmitter by antenna type, or to distinguish inactive from active sites.
i. Select the name of the Field by which you want to display the objects.
ii. You can click the Actions button to access the Actions menu. For information on the commands availa-
ble, see "Using the Actions Button" on page 22.
iii. To modify the appearance of a symbol, click the symbol in the table below. The Symbol Style dialogue
appears.
iv. Modify the symbol as desired.
v. Click OK to close the Symbol Style dialogue.
- Value intervals: defines the display of each object according to set ranges of the value of a selected field.
This display type can be used, for example, to distinguish population density, signal strength, or the altitude
of sites.
i. Select the name of the Field by which you want to display the objects.
ii. Define the ranges directly in the table below. For an example, see Figure 1.7 on page 24.
iii. You can click the Actions button to access the Actions menu. For information on the commands availa-
ble, see "Using the Actions Button" on page 22.
iv. To modify the appearance of a symbol, click the symbol in the table. The Symbol Style dialogue appears.
v. Modify the symbol as desired.
vi. Click OK to close the Symbol Style dialogue.
Notes:
• When you create a new map object, for example, a new site, you must click the Refresh button
( ) for Atoll to assign a colour to newly created object according to the set display type.
• You can define the default symbol used for sites and how it is displayed by editing an option in
the atoll.ini file. For more information, see the Administrator Manual.
The Actions button on the Display tab of the Properties dialogue allows you to modify the display type as defined in
"Defining the Display Type" on page 22.
To access the Actions menu:
1. Access the Display tab of the Properties dialogue as explained in "Display Properties of Objects" on page 21.
2. Click the Actions button. The Actions menu gives you access to the following commands:
- Select all: Atoll selects all the values in the table.
- Delete: Atoll removes selected value from the table.
- Insert before: When the selected display type is value intervals, Atoll inserts a new threshold in the table
before the threshold selected in the table.
- Insert after: When the selected display type is value intervals, Atoll inserts a new threshold in the table after
the threshold selected in the table.
- Properties: Atoll opens the Display dialogue where you may change the colour and style.
- Shading: Atoll opens the Shading dialogue. When "Value Intervals" is the selected display type, you select
Shading to define the number of value intervals and configure their colour. Enter the upper and lower limits
of the value in the First Break and Last Break boxes respectively, and enter a value in the Interval box.
Define the colour shading by choosing a Start Colour and an End Colour. The value intervals will be deter-
mined by the set values and coloured by a shade going from the set start colour to the set end colour.
When "Discrete Values" is the selected display type, you select Shading to choose a Start Colour and an
End Colour.
- Configuration: Select Import if you want to import an existing display configuration. Select Export if you want
to export the display settings of the current object to a configuration file, so that you can share them with other
users or use them in other documents.
You can change the transparency of some objects, such as predictions, and some object types, such as clutter classes,
to allow objects on lower layers to be visible on the map.
To change the transparency:
1. Access the Display tab of the Properties dialogue as explained in "Display Properties of Objects" on page 21.
2. Move the Transparency slider to the right to make the object or object type more transparent or to the left to make
it less transparent.
You can define a visibility range for object types. An object is visible only if the scale, as displayed on the Map toolbar, is
within this range. This can be used to, for example, prevent the map from being cluttered with symbols when you are at a
certain scale.
Visibility ranges are taken into account for screen display, and for printing and previewing printing. They do not affect which
objects are considered during calculations.
To define an object visibility range:
1. Access the Display tab of the Properties dialogue as explained in "Display Properties of Objects" on page 21.
2. Enter a Visibility Scale minimum in the between 1: text box.
3. Enter a Visibility Scale maximum in the and 1: text box.
For most object types, such as sites, you can display information about each object in the form of a label that is displayed
with the object. You can display information from every field in that object type’s data table, including from fields that you
add.
To define a label for an object type:
1. Access the Display tab of the Properties dialogue as explained in "Display Properties of Objects" on page 21.
2. Click the Browse button ( ) beside the Label box. The Field Selection dialogue appears (see Figure 1.6).
c. To change the order of the fields, select a field and click or to move it up or down in the list. The objects
will be grouped in the order of the fields in the Selected Fields list, from top to bottom.
4. Click OK to close the Field Selection dialogue and click OK to close the Properties dialogue.
Note: For most object types, you can also display object information in the form of a tool tip that
is only visible when you move the pointer over the object. This option has the advantage
of not filling the map window with text. For more information on tool tips, see "Defining the
Object Type Tip Text" on page 24.
For most object types, such as sites and microwave links, you can display information about each object in the form of a
tool tip that is only visible when you move the pointer over the object. You can display information from every field in that
object type’s data table, including from fields that you add.
In the Explorer window, the tool tip displays the total numbers of elements present in the Sites, Links, Multi-Hops, and
Point to Multipoint folders, and their subfolders.
To define tip text for an object type:
1. Access the Display tab of the Properties dialogue as explained in "Display Properties of Objects" on page 21.
2. Click the Browse button ( ) beside the Tip Text box. The Field Selection dialogue appears (see Figure 1.6).
3. Select the fields which you want to display in the tool tip:
a. To select a field to be displayed in the tool tip for the object type, select the field in the Available Fields list
Note: For most object types, you can also display object information in the form of a label that is
displayed with the object. This option has the advantage of keep object-related
information permanently visible. For more information on tool tips, see "Defining the
Object Type Label" on page 23.
Once you have defined the tool tips, you must activate the tool tip function before they appear.
To activate the tool tip function:
• Click the Display Tips button ( ) on the toolbar. Tool tips will now appear when the pointer is over the object.
You can display the information defined by the display type (see "Defining the Display Type" on page 22) in your Atoll
document’s legend. Only visible objects appear in the Legend window. For information on displaying or hiding objects,
see "Displaying or Hiding Objects on the Map Using the Explorer" on page 16.
In Figure 1.7, on the Display tab of a signal level prediction, the intervals defined are:
• Signal level >= -65 red
• -65 > Signal level >= -105 shading from red to blue (9 intervals)
• Signal level < -105 not shown in the coverage.
The entries in the Legend column will appear in the Legend window.
With value intervals, you can enter information in the Legend column to be displayed on the legend. If there is no infor-
mation entered in this column, the maximum and minimum values are displayed instead.
1. Access the Display tab of the Properties dialogue as explained in "Display Properties of Objects" on page 21.
2. Check the Add to legend box. The defined display will appear on the legend.
To display the Legend window:
• Select View > Legend. The Legend window appears.
You can also display the comments defined in the properties of a coverage prediction in the Legend window by setting an
option in the atoll.ini file. For more information about setting options in the atoll.ini file, see the Administrator Manual.
When doing a best server prediction, Atoll calculates, for each pixel on the map, which server is best received. If the
selected display type for transmitters is "Automatic," Atoll colours each pixel on the map according to the colour of the
transmitter that is best received on that pixel. This way, you can identify immediately which transmitter is best received on
each pixel. The following two figures show the results of the same best server area and handover margin study.
In Figure 1.8, the transmitter display type is "Discrete Values," with the site name as the chosen value. The difference in
colour is insufficient to make clear which transmitter is best received on each pixel. In Figure 1.9, the transmitter display
type is "Automatic." Because Atoll ensures that each transmitter has a different colour than the transmitters surrounding
it, the study results are also immediately visible.
Figure 1.8: Value interval display type Figure 1.9: Automatic display type
To display the results of a server coverage study with the transmitters set to the Automatic display type:
1. Right-click the Transmitters folder in the Explorer window. The context menu appears.
2. Select Properties from the context menu. The Properties dialogue appears.
3. Select the Display tab.
4. Select "Automatic" as the Display Type.
5. Click OK.
6. Click the Refresh button ( ) to update the display of the study results.
Atoll displays the results of a signal level study as value intervals. On the map, these value intervals appear as differences
of shading. You can use the Shading command to define the appearance of these value intervals to make the results
easier to read or more relevant to your needs. For example, you can change the range of data displayed, the interval
between each break, or you can change the colours to make the intervals more visible.
In this example, Figure 1.10 shows the results of the best signal level plot from -60 dBm to -105 dBm. However, if you are
more interested in reception from -80 dBm to -105 dBm, you can change the shading to display only those values. The
result is visible in Figure 1.11.
Figure 1.10: Shading from -60 dBm to -105 dBm Figure 1.11: Shading from -80 dBm to -105 dBm
1. Click the Zoom icon ( ) on the Map toolbar (or press CTRL+Q).
2. Click the map where you want to zoom in.
Note: You can also zoom in by pressing CTRL++, by selecting Zoom In from the View menu, or
by holding down the CTRL key and rotating the mouse wheel button forward.
1. Click the Zoom icon ( ) on the Map toolbar (or press CTRL+Q).
2. Right-click the map where you want to zoom out.
Note: You can also zoom out by pressing CTRL+–, by selecting Zoom Out from the View
menu, or holding down the CTRL key and rotating the mouse wheel button backward.
1. Click the Zoom Area icon ( ) on the Map toolbar (or press CTRL+W).
2. Click in the map on one of the four corners of the area you want to select.
3. Drag to the opposite corner. When you release the mouse button, Atoll zooms in on the selected area.
1. Click the arrow next to the scale box ( ) on the Map toolbar.
2. Select the scale from the list.
If the scale value you want is not in the list:
• Click the Previous Zoom button ( ) to return to a zoom level you have already used (or press ALT + ←).
• Once you have returned to a previous zoom level, click the Next Zoom button ( ) to return to the latest zoom
level (or press ALT + →).
1. Click the Move Map Window button ( ) on the Map toolbar (or press CTRL + D).
2. Move the pointer over the map and drag the map in the desired direction.
Tip: If you want to quickly find an object, such as a site, on the map, you can select it in the
Explorer window and then select the Centre in the Map Window command.
3. Under Display rulers, select where you want the rulers to be displayed in the map window.
4. Click OK.
Important: Zones are taken into account whether or not they are visible. In other words, if you have
drawn a zone, it will be taken into account whether or not its visibility check box in the
Zones folder of the Geo tab in the Explorer window is selected.
For example, if you have filtered the sites using a filtering zone, the sites outside the
filtering zone will not be taken into consideration in coverage predictions, even if you have
cleared the filtering zone’s visibility check box. You will have to delete the zone if you no
longer want to select sites using a filtering zone.
The filtering zone is delimited by a blue line. The data objects outside of the selected zone are filtered out. On the
Data tab of the Explorer window, any folder whose content is affected by the filtering zone appears with a special
icon ( ), to indicate that the folder contents have been filtered.
• Vector Edition toolbar: You can use the New Polygon ( ) and New Rectangle ( ) buttons available in the
Vector Edition toolbar to draw the filtering zone.
• Existing polygon: You can use any existing polygon on the map as a filtering zone by right-clicking it and
selecting Use as > Filtering Zone from the context menu.
• Importing a polygon: If you have a file with an existing polygon, for example, a polygon describing an adminis-
trative area, you can import it and use it as a filtering zone. You can import it by right-clicking the Filtering Zone
folder on the Geo tab and selecting Import from the context menu.
• Fit to Map Window: You can create a filtering zone the size of the map window by selecting Fit to Map Window
from the context menu.
Once you have created a filtering zone, you can use Atoll’s polygon editing tools to edit it. For more information on the
polygon editing tools, see "Using Polygon Zone Editing Tools" on page 31.
Note: You can export the filtering zone as a polygon, so that you can use it in a different Atoll
document, by right-clicking the Filtering Zone folder on the Data tab of the Explorer
window and selecting Export from the context menu.
• Vector Edition toolbar: You can use the New Polygon ( ) and New Rectangle ( ) buttons available in the
Vector Edition toolbar to draw the computation zone.
• Existing polygon: You can use any existing polygon on the map as a computation zone by right-clicking it and
selecting Use as > Computation Zone from the context menu.
• Importing a polygon: If you have a file with an existing polygon, for example, a polygon describing an adminis-
trative area, you can import it and use it as a computation zone. You can import it by right-clicking the Computa-
tion Zone folder on the Geo tab and selecting Import from the context menu.
• Fit to Map Window: You can create a computation zone the size of the map window by selecting Fit to Map
Window from the context menu.
Once you have created a computation zone, you can use Atoll’s polygon editing tools to edit it. For more information on
the polygon editing tools, see"Using Polygon Zone Editing Tools" on page 31.
Note: You can save the computation zone, so that you can use it in a different Atoll document,
in the following ways:
- Saving the computation zone in the user configuration: For information on export-
ing the computation zone in the user configuration, see "Exporting a User Configura-
tion" on page 67.
- Exporting the computation zone: You can export the computation zone by right-
clicking the Computation Zone folder on the Data tab of the Explorer window and
selecting Export from the context menu.
Note: A focus zone can consist of more than one polygon. The polygons of a focus zone must not
intersect or overlap each other.
You can also create a focus zone in one of the following ways:
• Vector Edition toolbar: You can use the New Polygon ( ) and New Rectangle ( ) buttons available in the
Vector Edition toolbar to draw the focus zone.
• Existing polygon: You can use any existing polygon on the map as a focus zone by right-clicking it and selecting
Use as > Focus Zone from the context menu.
• Importing a polygon: If you have a file with an existing polygon, for example, a polygon describing an adminis-
trative area, you can import it and use it as a focus zone. You can import it by right-clicking the Focus Zone folder
on the Geo tab and selecting Import from the context menu.
• Fit to Map Window: You can create a focus zone the size of the map window by selecting Fit to Map Window
from the context menu.
Note: You can save the focus zone , so that you can use it in a different Atoll document, in the
following ways:
- Saving the focus zone in the user configuration: For information on exporting the
focus zone in the user configuration, see "Exporting a User Configuration" on page 67.
- Exporting the focus zone: You can export the focus zone by right-clicking the Focus
Zone folder on the Data tab of the Explorer window and selecting Export from the
context menu.
The computation and focuspolygons can contain holes. The holes within polygonal areas are differentiated from overlaying
polygons by the order of the coordinates of their vertices. The coordinates of the vertices of polygonal areas are in clock-
wise order, whereas the coordinates of the vertices of holes within polygonal areas are in counter-clockwise order.
In this section, the following are explained:
• "Editing Polygon Zones" on page 32
• "Removing a Polygon Zone" on page 33.
Tip: You can also activate the vector tools by selecting the polygon zone to edit from the
Vector Edition toolbar list.
You can now edit the polygon zone as explained in the following sections:
• "Editing the Points of a Polygon Zone" on page 32
• "Editing Polygon Zones Using the Toolbar" on page 32
• "Editing Polygon Zones Using the Context Menu" on page 33.
i. Position the pointer over the point you want to move. The pointer changes ( ).
ii. Drag the point to its new position.
- Adding a point to the polygon zone:
i. Position the pointer over the polygon zone border where you want to add a point. The pointer changes
( ).
ii. Right-click and select Insert Point from the context menu. A point is added to the polygon zone border at
the position of the pointer.
- Deleting a point from a polygon zone:
i. Position the pointer over the point you want to delete. The pointer changes ( ).
ii. Right-click and select Delete Point from the context menu. The point is deleted.
In Atoll, you can create complex polygon zones by using the tools on the Vector Edition toolbar. The filtering, computa-
tion, and focus zone polygons can contain holes. The holes within polygonal areas are differentiated from overlaying poly-
gons by the order of the coordinates of their vertices. The coordinates of the vertices of polygonal areas are in clockwise
order, whereas the coordinates of the vertices of holes within polygonal areas are in counter-clockwise order.
To edit a polygon zone using the icons on the Vector Edition toolbar:
1. Put the polygon zone in editing mode as explained in "Editing Polygon Zones" on page 32.
2. Click the contour to edit. The Vector Edition toolbar has the following buttons:
When you are editing polygon zones, you can access certain commands using the context menu.
To edit a polygon zone using the context menu:
1. Click the polygon zone you want to edit.
2. Right-click the polygon zone to display the context menu and select one of the following:
- Properties: Select Properties to open the Properties dialogue of the selected polygon zone. The Properties
dialogue gives the coordinates of each point that defines the position and shape of the polygon zone.
- Insert Point: Select Insert Point to add a point to the border of the contour at the position of the pointer.
- Move:
i. Select Move from the context menu to move the contour, line, or point on the map.
ii. Move the contour, line, or point.
iii. Click to place the contour, line, or point.
- Quit edition: Select Quit Edition to exit editing mode.
- Delete: Select Delete to remove the selected contour, line, or point from the map.
Tip: You can also delete it by right-clicking its border on the map and selecting Delete from
the context menu.
• Vector Edition toolbar: You can use the New Polygon ( ) and New Rectangle ( ) buttons available in the
Vector Edition toolbar to draw the geogaphic export zone.
• Existing polygon: You can use any existing polygon on the map as a geographic export zone by right-clicking it
and selecting Use as > Geographic Export Zone from the context menu.
• Importing a polygon: If you have a file with an existing polygon, you can import it and use it as a geographic
export zone. You can import it by right-clicking the Geographic Export Zone folder on the Geo tab and selecting
Import from the context menu.
• Fit to Map Window: You can create a geographic export zone the size of the map window by selecting Fit to Map
Window from the context menu.
Once you have created a geographic export zone, you can use Atoll’s polygon editing tools to edit it. For more information
on the polygon editing tools, see "Using Polygon Zone Editing Tools" on page 31.
Note: You can export the geographic export zone as a polygon, so that you can use it in a
different Atoll document, by right-clicking the Geographic Export Zone folder on the
Data tab of the Explorer window and selecting Export from the context menu.
Important: The geographic export zone can only export in raster format. You can not export in raster
format if the coverage prediction was made per transmitter (for example, coverage
predictions with the display type set by transmitter, by a transmitter attribute, by signal
level, by path loss, or by total losses). Only the coverage area of a single transmitter can
be exported in raster format.
• Click the New Vector Layer button ( ) ) on the Vector Edition toolbar.
Atoll creates a folder called "Vectors" on the Geo tab of the Explorer window.
For information on adding vector objects such as contours, lines, and points to the vector layer, see "Creating Polygons,
Lines, and Points" on page 35.
Tip: You can also make the vector tools available by selecting the vector layer to edit from the
Vector Edition toolbar list. Because Atoll names all new vector layers "Vectors" by
default, it might be difficult to know which Vectors folder you are selecting. By renaming
each vectors folder, you can ensure that you select the correct folder. For information on
renaming objects, see "Renaming an Object" on page 17.
If the Vector Edition toolbar is not visible, select View > Vector Edition Toolbar.
New Polygon:
a. Click once on the map where you want to begin drawing the contour.
b. Click each time you change angles on the border defining the outside of the contour.
c. Double-click to close the contour.
New Rectangle:
a. Click the point on the map that will be one corner of the rectangle.
b. Drag to the opposite corner of the rectangle.
c. Release the mouse to create the rectangle defined by the two corners.
Note: If the polygon or rectangle is on the vector layer of a geoclimatic map,, you must define
the value the polygon or rectangle represents and map the vector layer. For more
information, see "Editing Geoclimatic Maps" on page 115.
New Line:
a. Click once on the map where you want to begin the line.
b. Click each time you change angles on the line.
c. Double-click to end the line.
New Point: Click once on the map where you want to place the point.
4. Press ESC to deselect the currently selected button on the Vector Edition toolbar.
Tip: You can also activate the vector tools by selecting the vector layer to edit from the Vector
Edition toolbar list.
i. Position the pointer over the point you want to move. The pointer changes ( ).
i. Position the pointer over the point you want to delete. The pointer changes ( ).
ii. Right-click and select Delete Point from the context menu. The point is deleted.
Tip: You can also activate the vector tools by selecting the vector layer to edit from the Vector
Edition toolbar list.
3. Click the contour to edit. The Vector Edition toolbar has the following buttons:
Tip: You can also activate the vector tools by selecting the vector layer to edit from the Vector
Edition toolbar list.
1.4.9.6 Editing Contours, Lines, and Points Using the Context Menu
When you are editing contours, lines, and points, you can access certain commands using the context menu.
To edit a vector object using the context menu:
1. Click the vector object you want to edit.
2. Right-click the vector object to display the context menu and select one of the following:
- Delete: Select Delete to remove the selected contour, line, or point from the map.
- Convert to Line: Select Convert to Line to convert the selected contour to a line.
- Convert to Polygon: Select Convert to Polygon to convert the selected line to a contour.
- Open Line: Select Open Line to remove the segment between the last and the first point.
- Close Line: Select Close Line to add a segment between the last and the first point of the line.
- Insert Point: Select Insert Point to add a point to the border of the contour at the position of the pointer.
- Move:
i. Select Move from the context menu to move the contour, line, or point on the map.
ii. Move the contour, line, or point.
iii. Click to place the contour, line, or point.
- Quit edition: Select Quit Edition to exit editing mode.
- Properties: Select Properties to open the Properties dialogue of the selected contour, line, or point. The
Properties dialogue has two tabs:
- General: The General tab gives the name of the vector Layer, the Surface of the object, and any
Properties of the contour, line, or point.
- Geometry: This tab gives the coordinates of each point that defines the position and shape of the contour,
line, or point.
Note: Only the commands relevant to the selected contour, line, or point are displayed in the
context menu.
Note: The coverage prediction must be displayed in the map window before it can be exported.
For information on displaying objects in the map window, see "Displaying or Hiding
Objects on the Map Using the Explorer" on page 16.
3. Select Export the Coverage from the context menu. The Save As dialogue appears.
4. In the Save As dialogue, enter the File name and select the vector format from the Save as type list.
If you have chosen to export the prediction coverage in a vector format other than in AGD format:
a. If desired, under Coordinate Systems, change the reference coordinate system for the file being exported.
b. If desired, change the Resolution of the exported coverage. The default resolution is the resolution of the cov-
erage prediction results (as set in the coverage prediction Properties dialogue).
c. If desired, move the Smoothing slider, or enter the percentage in the text box, to define how much Atoll
smooths the exported coverage.
5. Click Save to export the coverage prediction results.
Note: The coverage prediction must be displayed in the map window before it can be exported.
For information on displaying objects in the map window, see "Displaying or Hiding
Objects on the Map Using the Explorer" on page 16.
3. You can export the entire coverage prediction, the geographic export zone, or part of the coverage prediction.
To export the entire coverage prediction:
- The Geographic Export Zone to export the rectangle defined by the geographic export zone.
b. If desired, move the Smoothing slider, or enter the percentage in the text box, to define how much Atoll
smooths the exported coverage.
c. Click OK to finish exporting the coverage prediction results.
Notes
• When selecting a coordinate system different than the one initially defined in Atoll, the file is
converted using the selected coordinate system.
• You can not export in raster format if the coverage prediction was made per transmitter (for
example, coverage predictions with the display type set by transmitter, by a transmitter
attribute, by signal level, by path loss, or by total losses). Only the coverage area of a single
transmitter can be exported in raster format.
( ) to navigate to it.
- Format: Select the vector file format you want Atoll to export the coverage predictions in.
- Time stamp: If you select the Time stamp check box, Atoll will add the date and time to the file name of each
exported coverage prediction.
- Resolution in metres: You can define a resolution for the exported coverage predictions.
6. Click Export to export the selected coverage predictions. The selected coverage predictions are saved in the
selected folder.
Note: When you export several coverage predictions at the same time, Atoll does not take the
geographic export zone into consideration. The geographic export zone is only taken into
consideration for raster file formats.
- Scale: If you wish to define the size by scale, select Scale, enter a scale in the text box and a Resolution. If
you wish to export the image with rulers, select Include Rulers.
- Pixel Size: If you wish to define the size by pixel size, select Pixel Size, and enter a pixel size in the text box.
Important: If you wish to use the exported file as a digital terrain model, you must define the size of
the exported image by pixel size. Atoll then creates a geo-reference file for the exported
image.
9. Click OK.
Note: You can also select Bitmap to paste the selection without rulers, or Text to paste the
upper left and lower right coordinates of the selection.
9. Click OK. The area of the map, including the rulers, is pasted as an image into the new document.
The polygon drawing pointer indicates you can draw a zone to filter either sites
or links, draw computation/focus/hot spot/filtering/printing/ eographic export
Polygon drawing
zones, or draw vector or raster polygons on the map. To draw a polygon, click
pointer once to start, and each time you change angles on the border defining the
outside of the polygon. Close the polygon by clicking twice.
Hand The hand pointer indicates you can move the visible part of the displayed map.
The zoom pointer indicates you can click to zoom in and right-click to zoom out
Zoom tool
at the location of the mouse pointer
The zoom area pointer indicates you can zoom in on an area of the by clicking
Zoom area
and dragging to define the area.
The pencil pointer indicates you can create a polygonal clutter zone, by clicking
Pencil once to start the polygon, once to create each corner, and by double-clicking to
close the polygon.
The position indicator pointer indicates you can select the border of a polygon.
Position
Right-clicking the polygon border opens a context menu allowing you to add a
indicator point, delete the polygon, or centre the map on the polygon.
The select/create points pointer indicates you can modify the polygon in the
map window. You can add a new point and modify the polygon contour by
Select/create
clicking on one of the edges and dragging. You can move an existing point by
points clicking and dragging an existing point. You can right-click to open a context
menu to delete a point, delete the polygon, or centre the map on the polygon.
Microwave link The microwave link pointer indicates you can click a point on the map to create
start the first point of a microwave link. Once you have created the first point, the
End microwave link pointer changes and the next click ends the link.
Multi-hop or The multihop and multipoint pointer indicates you can click once to create the
first point of a multi-hop link or the hub of a point-to-multipoint link. In the case
point-to-
of a multihop link, each subsequent click creates another point in the link. In the
multipoint case of a point-to-multipoint, each subsequent link creates anew point,
microwave link connected to the hub by a link.
Rotate hub
antenna of The rotate hub antenna pointer indicates you can click the hub antenna and
point-to- drag it to a new position to change the azimuth of the hub antenna.
multipoint link
The measurement pointer indicates you can click on the map to set the start
Measurements
point of your measurement. As you move the pointer, the distance between the
on the map first point and the pointer is displayed in the status bar.
The terrain section pointer indicates that you can create a terrain section by
clicking once on the map to create the first point and once more to create the
Terrain section
second point. The terrain profile between the two points is displayed in the
Point Analysis window and stored under Terrain Sections in the Geo tab.
Note: User or custom fields are for information only and are not taken into account in any
calculation. You can find these fields in the Other Properties tab of an object type’s
Properties dialogue.
Caution: All data stored in the field will be lost when you delete the field itself. Make sure that you
are not deleting important information.
1. Access the object type’s table fields as explained in "Accessing an Object Type’s Table Fields" on page 42.
2. Select the custom field that you want to delete.
Tip: Some fields can not be deleted. If you select a field and the Delete button remains
unavailable, the selected field is not a custom field and can not be deleted.
3. Click Delete. The field is deleted from the object type’s data table.
Tip: If a list of options has been defined for a field, you can select a value from the list (see
Figure 1.16) or enter a new value.
Note: You can also open the Record Properties dialogue by double-clicking the record. To
avoid editing the record when you double-click, double-click the left margin of the record
instead of the record itself.
1. Open the data table as explained in "Opening a Data Table" on page 41.
2. Select Format > Header Format. The Format dialogue appears.
3. The Format dialogue has the following tabs:
- Font: You can select the Font, Outline (the font style), font Size, Effects, and Text Colour.
- Colour: You can select the background colour (Interior) of the column headers, by selecting a Foreground
colour, a Background colour, and a pattern from the list box. You can also select a 3D Effect for the header.
- Borders: You can select the Border, the Type, and the Colour for each column header.
- Alignment: You can select both the Horizontal and Vertical alignment of the column header text.
4. Click OK.
1. Open the data table as explained in "Opening a Data Table" on page 41.
2. Select Format > Column Format. The Format dialogue appears.
3. The Format dialogue has the following tabs:
- Font: You can select the Font, Outline (the font style), font Size, Effects, and Text Colour.
- Colour: You can select the background colour (Interior) of the column headers, by selecting a Foreground
colour, a Background colour, and a pattern from the list box. You can also select a 3D Effect for the header.
- Borders: You can select the Border, the Type, and the Colour for each column header.
- Alignment: You can select both the Horizontal and Vertical alignment of the column header text.
4. Click OK.
You can change the column width and row height in a data table. When you change the column width, you change the
width only for the selected column. When you change the row height, however, you change the row height for every row
in the table.
To change the column width:
1. Open the data table as explained in "Opening a Data Table" on page 41.
2. Click the border separating two column headers and drag to change the column width (see Figure 1.17).
To change the row height:
1. Open the data table as explained in "Opening a Data Table" on page 41.
2. Click the border separating two rows and drag to change the row height (see Figure 1.18).
Tip: You can also hide a column by right-clicking on its header and selecting Hide Columns
from the context menu. You can hide more than one column by pressing CTRL while
selecting the columns and then selecting Hide Columns from the context menu.
5. Click Close.
Note: You can also right-click the data table and select the Display Columns or Hide Columns
command from the context menu.
In Atoll, you can freeze one or more columns of a data table so that they always remain visible as you scroll horizontally
through the table. For example, while scrolling through the Sites table, you might want to have the Name column always
visible. You can keep this column, or any other column visible, by freezing it.
To freeze a column:
1. Open the data table as explained in "Opening a Data Table" on page 41.
2. Select the header of the column you want to freeze. Click and drag over several headers to select more than one
column to freeze.
3. Right-click the selected header or headers and select Freeze columns from the context men.
To unfreeze columns:
• Select Format > Unfreeze columns.
Moving Columns
In Atoll, you can change the column order so that you can group similar columns or present data in a determined order.
To move a column:
1. Open the data table as explained in "Opening a Data Table" on page 41.
2. Select the header of the column you want to move. Click and drag over several headers to select more than one
column to move.
Note: You can only move several columns at the same time when they are adjacent.
3. Click again on the selected column and drag to the desired area. As you drag the column, the position the column
will occupy is indicated by a red line (see Figure 1.20).
Note: It may be necessary to click Refresh in the Map toolbar for your changes to appear.
4. Click in the left margin of the table row marked with the New Row icon ( ) to select the entire row.
5. Select Edit > Paste to paste the copied data into the new row. Atoll, creates a new element from the copied data.
The name of the new element is the same as that of the copied element, preceded by "Copy of." You can edit this
name.
- To copy the contents of the bottom cell of the selection into the other cells, select Edit > Fill > Up (see
Figure 1.23).
- Select the cells you want to analyse. You can select contiguous cells by clicking the first cell and dragging to
the last cell of the selection you want to analyse, or by clicking the first cell, pressing SHIFT and clicking the
last cell. You can select non-contiguous cells by pressing CTRL and clicking each cell in the column sepa-
rately.
Tip: In Atoll you can organise data in several different ways, allowing you to select only
certain data. For more information, see "Grouping, Sorting, and Filtering Data" on
page 56.
The statistics displayed depend on the type of numerical data selected. If you leave the Statistics dialogue open,
you can view the statistical analysis of other cells by selecting them in the table. The contents of the Statistics
dialogue are updated automatically.
4. Select the Header check box if you want to export the names of the columns with the data.
5. Select a Decimal Symbol from the list.
6. Select a Field Separator from the list.
7. Select the fields (displayed as columns in the table) you want to export. You can display all the fields belonging to
a table by clicking the Expand button ( ) to the left of the table name. You can select contiguous fields by clicking
the first field, pressing SHIFT and clicking the last field. You can select non-contiguous fields by pressing CTRL
and clicking each fields separately.
a. To select a field to be exported, select the field in the Available Fields box and click to move it
to the Exported Fields list. All fields in the Exported Fields list will be exported.
b. To remove a field from the list of Exported Fields, select the field in the Exported Fields list and click
to remove it.
c. To change the order of the fields, select a field and click or to move it up or down in the list. The fields
at the top of the Exported Fields appear at the left of the exported table.
Note: You can save the choices you have made in the Export dialogue as a configuration file by
clicking the Save button at the top of the dialogue and entering a name for the file in the
Save As dialogue that appears. The next time you export a data table, you can click Load
in the Export dialogue to open your configuration file with the same settings you used this
time.
3. Select Import from the context menu. The Open dialogue appears.
4. Select the ASCII text file you want to open and click Open. The Import dialogue appears (see Figure 1.26).
5. Enter the number of the first line of data in the 1st Data Line box.
6. Select a Decimal Symbol from the list.
7. Select a Field Separator from the list.
8. Select the Update Records check box if you want to replace the data of records already existing in the table.
Note: Atoll compares the values in the left-most column of the data to be imported with the
values in the same column of the data table to see if records already exist. The values of
these records are replaced when the Update Records check box is selected. If the
Update Records check box is not selected, these records are not imported.
Tip: You can change the width of the columns to make the contents easier to work with. See
"Changing Column Width or Row Height" on page 45.
Note: You can save the choices you have made in the Import dialogue as a configuration file by
clicking the Save button at the top of the dialogue and entering a name for the file in the
Save As dialogue that appears. The next time you export a data table, you can click Load
in the Import dialogue to open your configuration file with the same settings you used this
time.
10. Click Import. The contents are imported in the current Atoll data table.
You can import data from text files into the Sites, Links, Multi-Hops, and Point to Multipoint tables by selecting the folder
or a subfolder in the Explorer window and pressing CTRL+I.
For information on exporting the information in a data table into a text file, see "Exporting Tables to Text Files" on page 49.
Atoll creates one XML file for each exported data table, and an index.xml file that contains the mapping between the tables
that were exported and the XML files corresponding to each data table. The index.xml file also stores the information on
the system (GSM, UMTS, etc.), the technologyTDMA, CDMA, , etc., and the version of Atoll with which the XML files were
created. For more information about the formats of the XML files, see the Technical Reference Guide.
To export all the data tables in your document to XML files:
1. Select File > Data Exchange > XML File Export. The Browse for Folder dialogue appears.
2. Select the folder where the XML files are to be stored. Click the Make New Folder button if you want to create a
new folder to store the XML files.
3. Click OK. All the data tables in the document are exported to XML files.
For information on importing the data tables from XML files into your document, see "Importing Tables from XML Files" on
page 52.
Note: Tables are imported in the same order they appear in the index.xml file. Do not modify the
order of tables in the index.xml file because the order in which the data is imported is very
important; some data must be imported before other data. For example, antennas used
by transmitters must be imported before the transmitters themselves.
During the import procedure, existing data in the tables are overwritten by the data from the XML files. Once the import is
complete, Atoll performs a database integrity check, and a duplicate records check to ensure that the import did not create
database problems.
For information on exporting the data tables in your document to XML files, see "Exporting Tables to XML Files" on
page 51.
Important: Printing graphics is a memory-intensive operation and can make heavy demands on your
printer. Before printing for the first time, you should review the "Printing
Recommendations" on page 53 to avoid any memory-related problems.
To print a map:
1. Select the document window containing the map.
2. You now have the following options before printing the map:
- You can select a print area ("Defining the Printing Zone" on page 53) or create a focus zone ("Drawing a Focus
Zone" on page 31).
- You can modify the print layout ("Defining the Print Layout" on page 54).
- You can see how the map will appear once printed (see "Previewing Your Printing" on page 55).
3. Select File > Print.
4. Click OK.
• Vector Edition toolbar: You can use the New Polygon ( ) and New Rectangle ( ) buttons available in the
Vector Edition toolbar to draw the printing zone.
• Existing polygon: You can use any existing polygon on the map as a printing zone by right-clicking it and
selecting Use as > Printing Zone from the context menu.
• Importing a polygon: If you have a file with an existing polygon, you can import it and use it as a printing zone.
You can import it by right-clicking the Printing Zone folder on the Geo tab and selecting Import from the context
menu.
• Fit to Map Window: You can create a printing zone the size of the map window by selecting Fit to Map Window
from the context menu.
Once you have created a printing zone, you can change its size by dragging the edges of the zone displayed on the rulers
of the map window. You can also use Atoll’s polygon editing tools to edit the printing zone. For more information on the
polygon editing tools, see "Using Polygon Zone Editing Tools" on page 31.
Note: You can export the printing zone as a polygon, so that you can use it in a different Atoll
document, by right-clicking the Printing Zone folder on the Data tab of the Explorer
window and selecting Export from the context menu.
Note: If you have previously defined a configuration file containing all the necessary settings,
you can click the Import button under Configuration to import those settings.
2. Click the Page tab. On the Page tab, you can define the page size, margins, and orientation and the scale of the
printed map:
a. Under Orientation, select whether the page should be printed in Portrait or Landscape.
b. Under Paper, select the Size of the paper and, optionally, the Source of the paper.
c. Under Scaling, define the scale of the printed image either by selecting Fit to page, or by selecting Scale and
defining the scale.
d. Under Margins, set the margins of the page in millimetres.
3. Click the Components tab.
a. Under Map, you can define the appearance of the printed map:
- Select the Rulers check box if you want to print the map with a scale around it.
- Select the Area inside focus zone only check box if you only want to print the part of the map inside the
focus zone.
b. Under Legend, you can define the placement of the legend.
- Select the Legend check box if you want to print a legend with the map.
- Click a Font button to open the Font dialogue to define the font of the legend.
c. Select the Comments check box if you want to print a comment with the map and set its Position. Clicking
the Properties button opens a dialogue where you can enter text and set variables such as the current time
and date. If you want the comment to appear on the map (and not outside of it), select the On the map check
box.
4. Click the Header/Footer tab. On the Header/Footer tab, you can set the position of graphic elements.
a. Select the Map Title check box if you want to define a title for the map and set its Position. Clicking the Prop-
erties button opens a dialogue where you can enter text and set variables such as the current time and date.
If you want the title to appear on the map (and not outside of it), select the On the map check box.
b. Under Logo 1 and Logo 2, you can define graphics that appear for the map. The graphics can be a company
logo or other information, such as copyright information, in the form of a BMP graphic.
i. For the selected check box, click the Properties button. The Logo dialogue appears.
By default, Atoll searches for the header and footer logos in the Atoll’s installation folder. If a file named
logo.bmp is present in this folder, it is considered as the default header logo. However, you can select a
different file.
Note: Only BMP graphics can be used as logos. If your logo is in a different format, you must
first convert it using a graphics programme to the BMP format.
Note: You can save the current settings as a configuration file by clicking the Export button
under Configuration. This enables you to re-use the same settings the next time by
importing them.
Note: If the range of properties available in the Group By submenu has been configured as
explained in "Configuring the Group By Submenu" on page 57, you can select additional
properties by selecting More Fields from the Group By submenu. For information on
using the dialogue that appears, see "Configuring the Group By Submenu" on page 57.
6. Select the fields you want to appear in the Group By submenu. You can display all the fields belonging to a table
by clicking the Expand button ( ) to the left of the table name. You can select contiguous fields by clicking the
first field, pressing SHIFT and clicking the last field. You can select non-contiguous fields by pressing CTRL and
clicking each fields separately.
- To select a field to appear in the Group By submenu, select the field in the Available Fields list and click
to remove it.
- To change the order of the fields, select a field and click or to move it up or down in the list. The objects
will be grouped in the order of the fields in the Grouping Fields list, from top to bottom.
7. Click OK to close the Configuration dialogue and click OK to close the Properties dialogue. The Group By sub-
menu will now contain only the fields you selected.
6. Select the fields by which you want to group the objects. You can select contiguous fields by clicking the first field,
pressing SHIFT and clicking the last field. You can select non-contiguous fields by pressing CTRL and clicking
each fields separately.
- To select a field to be used to group the objects, select the field in the Available Fields list and click
- To change the order of the fields, select a field and click or to move it up or down in the list. The objects
will be grouped in the order of the fields in the Group these fields in this order list, from top to bottom.
7. Click OK to close the Group dialogue and click OK to close the Properties dialogue and group the objects.
To undo the grouping:
1. Click the Data tab in the Explorer window.
2. Right-click the folder or subfolder whose objects you have grouped.
3. From the context menu, select from the Group By > None.
You can also group objects by the computation or focus zone. You normally create a computation or focus zone when you
want to concentrate on a given subset of transmitters, for example, when you are working on a certain area of the network.
By grouping them by computation or focus zone, the transmitters you are working on are immediately visible under the
Transmitter folder.
By right-clicking the Transmitter folder and selecting Group By > Polygon > Focus Zone (Figure 1.31), you can group
the transmitters in the focus zone together.
The result of grouping can be seen in Figure 1.32. The transmitters are now in two groups: those inside the focus zone
and those outside the focus zone.
You can only sort in a table by adjacent columns. If you want to sort by columns that are not adjacent, you can move the
columns first as explained in "Moving Columns" on page 46.
Tip: If you want to sort data by several columns without moving the columns, you can use the
Sort function on the Properties dialogue. For information, see "Advanced Sorting" on
page 61.
Tip: You can also access the Filter dialogue by clicking the Filter button of the Properties
dialogue.
Note: Making selections on the Filter tab of the Filter dialogue is the equivalent of filtering by
selection as explained in "Filtering in Data Tables by Selection" on page 62.
b. Underneath each column name, enter the criteria on which the column will be filtered as explained in the fol-
lowing table:
5. Click OK to filter the data according to the criteria you have defined.
Filters are combined first horizontally, then vertically.
See "Advanced Filtering: Examples" on page 64.
The objective of this example is to use filter criteria to find antennas manufactured by Kathrein with a beamwidth between
50 and 100°. To do this, the following filter syntax is entered in the Advanced tab of the Filter dialogue (for information on
the Advanced tab, see "Advanced Data Filtering" on page 63):
• The first criterion, as shown in Figure 1.40, is all antennas made by a manufacturer with a name beginning with a
"K" ("=K*"). While you could write in the entire name ("=Kathrein"), it is not necessary because there is only one
manufacturer with a "K."
• The second criterion is all antennas with a beamwidth under 100°.
• The third criterion is all antennas with a beamwidth over 50°.
The combination of these criteria is all antennas from manufacturers with a name beginning with "K" and with a beamwidth
under 100° but over 50°.
The result of this advanced filter can be seen in the second pane of Figure 1.40.
As previously stated, the objective of this example was to use filter criteria to find antennas manufactured by Kathrein with
a beamwidth between 50 and 100°. However, because the second criterion (beamwidth under 100° and over 50°) is
malformed, with "> 50" placed under "< 100", it functioned as an OR condition and not as an AND condition. The resulting
filter searched for all antennas manufactured by Kathrein with a beamwidth under 100°, or all antennas over 50°; all anten-
nas are displayed.
As previously stated, the objective of this example was to use filter criteria to find antennas manufactured by Kathrein with
a beamwidth between 50 and 100°. However, because the second criterion is malformed, the filter only generates an error
message and no antennas are filtered out.
Important: If you export the geographic data set in a user configuration file, the coordinate system of
any vector geographic data must be the same as that of the raster geographic data.
• Computation and Focus Zones: The computation and focus zone in the current document.
• Folder configurations: Sorting, grouping and filtering settings (those saved by the user and the current settings,
even if not saved), the filtering zone, and the display settings of radio data folders (including measurement display
settings).
• Microwave Link Parameters: The settings of microwave links.
• Macros: The complete path of any macros. Because a macro is linked to an Atoll session, and not to a specific
Atoll document, you can export the macros in a user configuration even if you do not have an Atoll document
open.
For a detailed description of the user configuration file, see the Administrator Manual.
In this section, the following are explained:
• "Exporting a User Configuration" on page 67
• "Importing a User Configuration" on page 67.
2. Select the check boxes of the information you want to export as part of the user configuration.
3. Click OK. The Save As dialogue appears.
4. Enter a File name for the user configuration file and click Save. The folder configuration has been saved.
In a multi-user environment, site lists can be stored in the database. When you open a document from a database, you
can select the sites to load according to any defined site lists. In a large radio-planning project, this allows you to more
effectively manage your resources by reducing the unnecessary data you retrieve from the database.
In this section, the following are explained:
• "Creating a Site List" on page 68
• "Adding a Site to a List from the Explorer Window" on page 68
• "Adding a Site to a List from the Map Window" on page 68
• "Adding Sites to a List Using a Zone" on page 68
• "Editing a Site List" on page 69
• "Filtering on a Site List" on page 69.
3. Enter the name of the new list in the row marked with the New Row icon ( ).
- Select Add Site to a List from the context menu. A dialogue appears.
4. Select the name of the list from the dialogue.
Tip: You can create a new list by entering a name in the list instead of selecting the name
from the list. The selected site will be added to the new list.
Tip: You can quickly create a complete list by first filtering the contents of the Sites folder as
explained in "Filtering Data" on page 62. Then, by right-clicking the Sites folder and
selecting Site Lists > Add Sites to a List from the context menu, you can add the
filtered contents of folder to the list you select.
- Select Add Site to a List from the context menu. A dialogue appears.
2. Select the name of the list from the dialogue.
Tip: You can create a new list by entering a name in the list instead of selecting the name
from the list. The selected site will be added to the new list.
Tip: You can create a new list by entering a name in the list instead of selecting the name
from the list. The selected site will be added to the new list.
4. Click OK. The sites contained in the zone are added to the selected list.
- Select the name of the site in the row marked with the New Row icon ( ).
To delete a site from the list:
a. Click in the left margin of the row containing the site to select it.
b. Press DEL to delete the site from the list.
5. Click OK when you have finished editing the site list.
If you want to import other configurations at the same time, select those check boxes as well.
Caution: When you delete a folder configuration, Atoll will not ask for confirmation; it is deleted
immediately.
Tip: If you have created several subfolders, you can rename each one to give it a more
descriptive name. For information on renaming an object, see "Renaming an Object" on
page 17.
Once you have performed the actions on each subfolder, you can compare the differences, by displaying in turn each
subfolder, with its grouping, sorting, or filtering settings, on the map. For more information on display properties, see
"Display Properties of Objects" on page 21.
To compare subfolders:
1. In the Data tab of the Explorer window, clear the check boxes to the left of each subfolder. The data objects are
not displayed on the map.
2. Select the check box of one of the subfolders, leaving the check boxes of the other subfolders cleared. The data
objects of the selected subfolder, with its associated grouping, sorting, or filtering settings, are displayed on the
map.
3. Clear this check box and select the check box of a different subfolder. How the objects are displayed on the map
will change, depending on the different grouping, sorting, or filtering settings of the selected subfolder.
You can remove subfolders by deleting them. When you delete a subfolder, the data contained are not deleted. When you
delete the last subfolder, the data reappear under the initial folder.
To delete a subfolder:
• Right-click the subfolder to be deleted and select Delete from the context menu.
Tip: If, after deleting the last subfolder, the data do not reappear under the initial folder, you
can refresh the display by right-clicking the folder and selecting Group By > None from
the context menu.
objects on the map clearer. You can select a pre-existing computation or focus zone as a filter zone or you can draw a
new filtering zone.
The data objects filtered by the polygon are reflected on the map and in the data tables. On the Data tab of the Explorer
window, any folder whose content is affected by the filtering zone appears with a special icon ( ), to indicate that the
folder contents have been filtered.
When you have applied a polygon filter, you can perform the following actions on the filtered data:
• Grouping (see "Grouping Data Objects" on page 56)
• Sorting (see "Sorting Data" on page 60)
• Filtering (see "Filtering Data" on page 62).
For more information on creating and editing a filtering zone, see "Using a Filtering Zone" on page 29.
Note: You can change the Find toolbar to a floating window by double-clicking it.
2. From the Find list, choose the map object you are searching for:
- Site
- Link
3. Enter the name of the object in the Named box. You can use an asterisk ("*")as a wild card in the following ways:
- *X* names which contain X
- X* names which start with X
- *X names which end with X
4. Press ENTER. Atoll selects the object and centres it in the map window.
Note: You can also search for a map object by its name by using the Location Finder. For
information, see "Searching for a Map Object using Any Text Property" on page 73.
1. Click the Location Finder button ( ) on the toolbar. The Location Finder dialogue appears.
2. From the Find list, choose the map object you are searching for:
- Site
- Link
- Vector
3. If you wish to search all the sites in the search, including sites that are presently filtered out, select the Include all
the sites in the search (filtered or not) check box.
4. Under Criteria, select a Field to be searched and enter the value of the field. You can use an asterisk as a wild
card in the following ways:
- *X* text objects which contain X
- X* text objects which start with X
5. Click OK. Atoll selects the site and centres it in the map window.
1. Click the Location Finder button ( ) on the toolbar. The Location Finder dialogue appears.
2. From the Find list, choose Point.
3. Enter the x and y coordinates of the point, using the same units as defined under Display on the Coordinates tab
of the Options dialogue (see "Projection and Display Coordinate Systems" on page 81).
4. Click OK. Atoll marks the point ( ) and centres it in the map window.
Note: To remove the point icon ( ), select it and then select Delete from the context menu.
Select area
Zoom in on the map and centre on the cursor location (CTRL+A) and zoom out on the map and centre on the
cursor location (CTRL+R)
Location finder
Create a new vector layer (in either the Geo or the Data tab)
Draw points
Note: When you place the cursor over an icon, a tool tip appears, giving a short description.
- CTRL++: Zoom in on the map (in the toolbar, click and click the map)
- CTRL+–: Zoom out on the map (in the toolbar, click and right-click the map)
- CTRL+A: Select all records in a table
- CTRL+N: Open the Project Templates dialogue (in the toolbar, click )
- CTRL+SHIFT+N: Create a new document from an existing database
- CTRL+S: Save the current active document (in the toolbar, click )
- CTRL+U: Copy the last cell of a selection up into all selected cells
- CTRL+V: Paste the content of the clipboard (in the toolbar, click )
- CTRL+W: Define a zoom area on the map (in the toolbar, click )
- CTRL+Y: Redo the previous undone modification (in the toolbar, click )
- ALT+ ←: Previous zoom and location on the map (in the toolbar, click )
- ALT+ →: Next zoom and location on the map (in the toolbar, click )
- ALT+F8: Open the Add-ins and Macros dialogue
• Using the Function Keys
- F3: Select the Find Site tool.
Tip: Menus and commands can be also accessed by pressing the ALT key and typing the
underlined letter in the menu or command name.
Figure 2.47: New Atoll document — Geo tab Figure 2.48: New Atoll document — Modules tab
When you create an Atoll document from a template, the document is not connected to a database.
To verify whether the document is connected to a database:
• Select File > Database > Connection Properties. The dialogue in Figure 2.49 appears.
1. Snyder, John. P., Map Projections Used by the US Geological Survey, 2nd Edition, United States Government
Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 313 pages, 1982.
Figure 2.50: NTF (Paris)/France II étendue system used with WGS 72 system
Notes: All imported raster geographic files must be use the same cartographic system. If not, you
must convert them to a single cartographic system.
2. On the Coordinates tab, click the Browse button ( ) to the right of the Projection field. The Coordinate Sys-
tems dialogue appears.
3. In the Coordinate Systems dialogue, select a catalogue from the Find in list. For the projection system, only car-
tographic systems (identified by the symbol) are available.
4. Select a coordinate system from the list.
Tip: If you frequently use a particular coordinate system you can add it to a catalogue of
favourites by clicking Add to Favourites.
5. Click OK. The selected coordinate system appears in the Projection field and, by default, in the Display field as
well.
6. If you wish to set a different coordinate system for the display, click the Browse button ( ) to the right of the
Display field and repeat step 3. to step 5. For the display system, both cartographic systems (identified by the
symbol) and geographic systems (identified by the symbol) are available.
Note: The degree format options apply only to the geographic coordinate systems.
Note: For information on creating and maintaining the database, see the Administrator Manual.
Note: Additional dialogues may open asking you to choose which project in the database to load
or which site list to load.
3. Click OK. The Data to Load dialogue appears, allowing you to select the data to load into Atoll as a new document
(see "Selecting the Data to Load From the Database" on page 85).
Note: The new document may open with no site displayed in the map window. This is because
the north-west point of the project is by default the axis origin. You can re-centre the
document on the data displayed in the Data tab by expanding the Sites folder, right-
clicking on any site, and selecting Centre in the map window from the context menu.
Figure 2.54: New Atoll document — Geo tab Figure 2.55: New Atoll document — Modules tab
When you create an Atoll document from a database, you can view the characteristics of the database connection.
To view the characteristics of the database connection:
1. Select File > Database > Connection Properties. The Database Connection dialogue appears (see
Figure 2.56).
2. You can now:
- Disconnect your document from the database.
Caution: If you disconnect your document from the database, it will be become a stand-alone
document and you will not be able to reconnect it to the database.
Notes:
• If you chose Refresh unmodified data only or Cancel your changes and reload database,
Atoll proceeds without asking for confirmation.
• If you chose Archive your changes in the database, the Archive dialogue appears. For infor-
mation on using the Archive dialogue, see "Archiving the Modifications of an Atoll Document
in the Database" on page 87.
3. Under Take into account, you can select the neighbour lists, Intra-technology Neighbours and Inter-tech-
nology Neighbours, to refresh.
4. Under Modifications Since the Last Refresh, you can generate a report for the refresh process.
5. Click OK. The document is refreshed according to the selected options.
If you selected to generate a report, Atoll creates a text file in CSV (Comma Separated Values) format in the temporary
files system folder, and opens it. You can then rename the file and save it where you wish. The report lists all the modifi-
cations (deletions, additions, and updates) that were stored in the database since the last time you refreshed or opened
your document.
3. If some of the data has been modified on the database since you last refreshed, Atoll stops the archiving process
and asks you to resolve the conflict. For information on managing conflicts, see "Resolving Data Conflicts" on
page 88.
4. When you are finished archiving, click Close.
- If you want to overwrite the database value with the value of the same field in your document, select the
check box next to the highlighted change and click Archive. Your modification will be written to the data-
base, overwriting the value there.
- If you want to accept the value of the field in the database, clear the check box next to the highlighted
change and click Archive. Your modification will be lost and the value in the database will remain un-
changed.
- On a deleted record: You are in the process of archiving your modifications on the database and another
user has deleted a record since you last archived or refreshed your data. For information, see "Resolving Data
Conflicts" on page 88.
Atoll displays a message explaining that the record you are trying to update has been deleted from the data-
base (see Figure 2.60). Select one of the following:
- Yes: Select Yes to store your modifications in the database, thereby recreating the deleted record.
- No: Select No to abandon your modifications to this record and delete this record from your document.
- Cancel: Select Cancel to cancel.
2. Click Close to close the Archive dialogue.
To resolve all the data conflicts:
1. In the Pending Changes pane of the Archive dialogue, select any conflict and click Resolve All. Atoll displays
a message explaining how Resolve All works (see Figure 2.61). Select one of the following:
- Yes: Select Yes to accept all the modifications made by other users in the database and update your docu-
ment with values from the database.
- No: Select No to overwrite the modifications made by other users in the database with the values from your
document.
- Cancel: Select Cancel to cancel.
2. Click Close to close the Archive dialogue.
Important: You should only resolve all the data conflicts when you are certain about the
modifications.
Note: It can take a long time to back up large documents. Therefore, you should set a
correspondingly larger interval between backups when working with large documents in
order to optimise the process.
5. Click OK.
If you selected the Prompt before starting automatic backup check box, Atoll prompts you each time before backing
up the document. If you click OK, Atoll proceeds to back up all open documents. If you click Cancel, Atoll skips the
backup once.
The automatic backup timer is stopped while the prompt is displayed. Atoll displays a message in the Event Viewer every
time a backup file is updated. If you are performing calculations, i.e., coverage predictions or simulations, the automatic
backup is delayed until the calculations have ended. The timer starts again once the calculations are over. If you save the
original document manually, the timer is reset to 0.
Important: If you just remove the BAK extension, your backup file will have the same file name as
the original file and Windows will not allow you to rename the file. Therefore, it is safer to
give a new name to the backup file and keep the original file until you are sure which
version is most recent.
3. Open the renamed backup document in Atoll. You will be able to recover all the work up to the last time the backup
was saved.
- A ".losses" folder containing a pathloss.dbf file and a LowRes subfolder which contains the pathloss.dbf file
corresponding to the extended path loss matrices.
Externally stored path loss matrices are not added to the archive because they are not necessary for making
a portable document because they can be recalculated based on the network and geographic data in the ATL
file. The pathloss.dbf files are stored in the archive because they are needed when reopening the archive in
Atoll.
- A "Geo" folder with all the linked geographic data available on the Geo tab of the Explorer window for the
Atoll document.
This folder contains subfolders with the same names as the folders on the Geo tab. Geographic data that are
found outside folders on the Geo tab are stored in files under the Geo folder, and data present within folders
on the Geo tab are stored inside their respective folders. If the geographic data files linked to the document
are located on a remote computer, such as a file server over a network, they are first copied to the local com-
puter in the Windows’ temporary files folder and then added to the archive.
Once the portable archive is created, you can open it directly from Atoll without first having to extract it using another tool.
To open an archive containing an ATL file and all linked geographic data files:
1. Select File > Open from Zip. The Open dialogue appears.
2. Select the ZIP file that contains the ATL file and linked geographic data files.
3. Click Open. The Browse For Folder dialogue appears.
4. Select the folder where you want to extract the contents of the ZIP file.
5. Click OK. Atoll extracts all the files from the archive to the selected folder. If necessary, it creates the subfolders
required for extracting the contents of the Geo folder. Once Atoll has finished extracting files from the archive, it
opens the extracted ATL file. Geographic data extracted from the archive are linked to the ATL file.
Notes:
• You do not need to have a compression utility, such as WinZip or WinRAR, installed on the
computer for this feature.
• The highest compression level is used when creating the archive.
The DTM describes the elevation of the ground over sea level. You can display the DTM in different ways: by single value,
discrete values, or by value intervals (see "Display Properties of Objects" on page 21).
The DTM is automatically taken into account by the propagation model during computations.
Clutter Classes
The clutter class geo data file describes land cover or land use. Clutter classes are taken into account by the propagation
model during computations.
Each pixel in a clutter class file contains a code (from a maximum of 256 possible classes) which corresponds to a clutter
class, or in other words to a certain type of ground use or cover. The height per class can be defined as part of the clutter
class, however, the height will be defined as an average height for each clutter class. For information on defining the height
per clutter class, see "Defining Clutter Class Properties" on page 104. Clutter heights can also be defined by a separate
clutter heights file (see "Clutter Heights" on page 96). A clutter height map can represent height much more accurately
because it allows a different height to be assigned for each pixel of the map.
Clutter Heights
Clutter height maps describe the altitude of clutter over the DTM with one altitude defined per pixel. Clutter height maps
can offer more precise information than defining an altitude per clutter class because, in a clutter height file, it is possible
to have different heights within a single clutter class.
When clutter altitude is defined both in clutter classes and in a clutter height map, clutter altitude is taken from the clutter
height map.
You can display the clutter height map in different ways: by single value, discrete values, or by value intervals (see "Display
Properties of Objects" on page 21).
Note: The only propagation models that can take clutter heights into account in calculations are
the Standard Propagation Model and WLL model.
Atoll supports contours, lines, and points to represent polygons such as regions, or lines such as roads or coastlines, or
points. They are used for display only and have no effect on computations. Contours can also be used to create filtering
polygons or computation or focus zones.
Scanned Images
Scanned images are geographic data files which represent the actual physical surroundings, for example, road maps or
satellite images. They are used to provide a precise background for other objects or for less precise maps and are used
only for display; they have no effect on calculations.
Geoclimatic Maps
Geoclimatic maps are vector files containing information on climatic conditions such as rain density, vapour density,
temperature, and refractivity. Geoclimatic maps are used in microwave link documents to calculate radio wave attenuation.
Traffic data maps contain information on capacity and service use per geographic area. Traffic data maps are used for
network capacity analyses.
Caution: All raster maps imported must have the same projection coordinate system.
embed geo data files in the Atoll document while you are importing them or afterwards (see "Embedding Geographic
Data" on page 102).
You can share the paths of imported maps and display settings with other users by using Atoll’s user configuration files.
For information on exporting the paths of your document’s files or to import the path from another document using user
configuration files, see "Geographic Data Sets" on page 112.
This section explains the following:
• "Importing a Raster-format Geo Data File" on page 97
• "Importing a Vector-format Geo Data File" on page 98
• "Importing MSI Planet® Geo Data" on page 99
• "Importing a WMS Raster-format Geo Data File" on page 101
• "Grouping Geo Data Files in Folders" on page 102
• "Embedding Geographic Data" on page 102.
Tip: You can use the drag-and-drop feature to import geo data files into a document. The
format is automatically recognized and Atoll presents you with the appropriate dialogue.
3. Click Open. The File Import dialogue appears (see Figure 3.64).
Note: If the Vector Import dialogue appears, go to "Importing a Vector-format Geo Data File"
on page 98.
Depending on the type of geo data file you are importing, choose one of the following options:
a. Under Terminals (%), enter the percentage of each type of terminal used in the map. The total percentages
must equal 100.
b. Under Mobilities (%), enter the percentage of each mobility type used in the map. The total percentages must
equal 100.
c. Under Services (%), enter the percentage of each service type used in the map. The total percentages must
equal 100.
d. Under Clutter Distribution, enter for each clutter class the percentage of indoor users.
An additional loss will be counted for indoor users during the Monte-Carlo simulations. You do not have to
define a clutter weighting for traffic density maps because the traffic is provided in terms of user density per
pixel.
e. For UMTS and CDMA, select whether the users are active in the Uplink/Downlink, only in the Downlink, or
only in the Uplink.
f. Click OK.
3. Click Open. The Vector Import dialogue appears (see Figure 3.67).
Note: If the File Import dialogue appears, go to "Importing a Raster-format Geo Data File" on
page 97.
Depending on the type of geo data file you are importing, choose one of the following options:
- Vector Data:
- Select Geo from the Import to list.
- Population:
i. Select Population from the Import to list.
ii. Under Fields to be imported, the first list contains the attributes of the population vector data file that you
are importing, and the second list lets you select whether the attribute corresponds to population density
or to a number of inhabitants.
iii. Select from the first list which field is to be imported and from the second list whether the imported field is
a Density (number of inhabitants per square kilometre for polygons, or number of inhabitants per kilome-
tre for lines) or a Value (number of inhabitants) (see Figure 3.65 and Figure 3.66).
- Geoclimatic File:
i. Select Geoclimatic Parameters from the Import to list.
ii. Under Fields to be imported, select from the first list which field is to be imported and select Value from
the second list.
4. By default, the imported file is linked to the Atoll document. To embed the data file in the Atoll document, select
the Embed in Document check box. For information on embedding files, see "Embedding Geographic Data" on
page 102.
5. Click Import. The geo data file is imported and listed in the Geo tab of the Explorer window.
Notes:
• You can import ellipses and arcs from MapInfo files (MIF and TAB). Rectangles are interpreted
as polygons.
• You can define mappings between the coordinate system used for the MapInfo/ESRI vector
files, defined in the corresponding MIF/PRJ files, and Atoll. This way, when you import a vector
file, Atoll can detect the correct coordinate system automatically. For more information about
defining the mapping between coordinate systems, please refer to the Administrator Manual.
3. Select the type of geo data you are importing and select the Embed check box if you want to embed the data in
the current Atoll document.
4. Click OK to import the geo data into the current Atoll document.
c. To locate the MSI Planet® index file, click . The Open dialogue appears.
d. Select the MSI Planet® index file and click Open. The path and name of the file appears in the corresponding
field of the Planet Data to Be Imported dialogue.
4. When you have selected all the types of data you want to import, click OK. The data is imported into the current
Atoll document.
Note: The list of WMS servers that appears in the Server URL list are defined by entries in the
atoll.ini file. For information on defining these entries, see the Administrator Manual.
4. Click the Connect button. Atoll connects to the URL of the WMS server and displays the information available
along with a description of the service (Figure 3.70 on page 101).
5. In the left pane of the Web Map Services Data Import dialogue, navigate to the item you want to import by clicking
the Expand button ( ) to open each level.
6. Select either the image you want to import, or the image group, i.e., a group preceded by an Expand button ( ).
7. Click for each image you want to import. The files you want to import appear in the right pane of the Web Map
Services Data Import dialogue.
Note: You can remove an image or group of images from the images to be imported by
selecting it in the right pane and clicking .
8. Arrange the order in which you want the images to appear by selecting each image in the right pane and clicking
to move it towards the top or to move it toward the bottom. The images will be imported as a single object
and their appearance will depend on the order you define here.
9. The Web Map Import dialogue appears. The following information is given about the imported WMS data:
- Data Types: "Image or Scan" is selected.
- Geographic Coordinates: The geographic coordinates are the WMS data are given.
10. The Name suggested is the name of the lowest layer to be imported. If desired, you can modify this name.
11. Click Import. The image is imported by reference into the Atoll document. You can not embed a WMS image in
your document.
If you had selected more than one image or an image group, Atoll imports the group as a single object. You can
not modify this object. If you want to remove one of the images or add another one you will go through the import
process again.
Note: If you want to import your file to the Data tab, you can select New folder in Data.
4. Enter a name for the folder in Folder Name box and click OK.
5. Click Import. Your file is imported into the newly created folder.
You can now import other geo data files into this folder by selecting it from the Data Type list (on the File Import dialogue)
or the Import To list (on the Vector Import dialogue) when you import.
Note: You can transfer geo data that has been imported from the Geo tab to the Data tab, or
vice versa. Right-click the data in the Explorer window and select Transfer to Data or
Transfer to Geo.
Important: If you are using distributed calculations, you must link your geo data files. Distributed
calculations can not work with embedded geo data files. For information, see the
Administrator Manual.
To embed a geo data file in the current Atoll document while you are importing:
• Select the Embed in Document check box on the File Import or Vector Import dialogue box.
To embed a geo data file that is already linked to the current Atoll document:
1. Click the Geo tab in the Explorer window.
2. Right-click the file you want to embed in the current document.
3. Select Properties from the context menu.
4. Click the General tab of the Properties dialogue.
5. Click Embed.
6. Click OK. The geo data file is now embedded in the current Atoll document.
You can also repair the link to the geo data file from within the Atoll document.
To repair a broken link from within the Atoll document:
1. Click the Geo tab in the Explorer window.
- If the geo data file is in a folder, such as the Clutter Classes, Traffic, or DTM folder, click to expand the
folder.
2. Right-click on the geo data file whose link you want to repair. The context menu appears.
3. Select Properties from the context menu.
4. On the General tab of the Properties dialogue, click the Find button.
5. Browse to the geo data file, select it and click OK.
Important: If the Height field is left blank, propagation models which use the height information of
clutter classes will assume a clutter height of "0" if there is no clutter height map.
6. If desired, you can enter a value for each of the following fields applicable to the current document:
- For all Atoll documents:
- Model Standard Deviation (dB): to calculate shadowing losses on the path loss, as related to a user-
defined cell edge coverage probability.
- Indoor Loss (dB): to be applied to the path loss and used in coverage predictions, point analysis, and
Monte Carlo simulations.
Note: Indoor penetration losses depend on the clutter types as well as the operating frequency.
You can define an additional indoor loss per frequency band used in the Frequency
bands table in GSM GPRS EGPRS, UMTS HSPA, CDMA2000 1xRTT 1xEV-DO, and
TD-SCDMA documents. This is an optional feature that must first be activated. For more
information, contact support.
- TD-SCDMA
7. Click the Default Values tab. Enter default values for each field. For information about each field, see the descrip-
tions in the previous step.
The values entered on the Default Values tab are used if no clutter map is available. Even if there is a clutter
classes map, you can select the Use default values only check box on the Default Values tab to make Atoll use
the values specified in this tab instead of the values defined per clutter class.
8. Click the Display tab to define the display properties for clutter classes. In addition to the Display tab options
described in "Display Properties of Objects" on page 21, each clutter class display type has a visibility check box.
By selecting or clearing the visibility check box, you can display or hide clutter class display types individually.
Note: Selecting white as the colour for a clutter class value or value interval will cause that
clutter class value or value interval to be displayed as transparent.
9. Click OK.
Tip: You can copy the description table into a new Atoll document after importing the clutter
classes file. To copy the description table, select the entire table by clicking the cell in the
upper-left corner of the table and press CTRL+C. On the Description tab of the clutter
classes Properties dialogue in the new Atoll document, press CTRL+V to paste the
values in the table.
5. In the blank row marked with at the bottom of the table, enter an unused number from 1 to 255 in the Code
column.
6. Fill in the remainder of the fields as described in step 5. and step 6. of "Defining Clutter Class Properties" on
page 104.
7. Click OK.
You can now use the new clutter class when modifying the clutter class map. For information on modifying the clutter class
map, see "Creating a Clutter Polygon" on page 114.
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The clutter height of the current pointer position as given in the clutter height file or in the clutter classes is displayed in the
status bar.
Note: You can manage the display of an individual vector object by right-clicking the vector
object in the vector layer folder and selecting Properties from the context menu.
All the vector objects of a vector layer and their attributes are listed in the vector table.
To open the vector layer table:
1. On the Explorer window tab containing the vector layer, right-click the vector layer folder. The context menu
appears.
2. Select Open Table from the context menu. The vector table appears.
You can edit the contents of this table using the commands from the context menu or from the Edit, Format, and Records
menus. For more information on editing tables in Atoll, see "Working with Data Tables" on page 41.
The vector layer Properties dialogue has three tabs: a General tab, a Table tab, and a Display tab.
To open the Properties dialogue of a vector layer:
1. On the Explorer window tab containing the vector layer, right-click the vector layer folder. The context menu
appears.
2. Select Properties from the context menu.
3. Click the General tab. The following options are available:
- Name: The name of the vector layer. You can rename the vector layer using this field.
- Source File: The complete path of the vector layer file if the file is linked to the Atoll document; otherwise the
file is described as embedded.
- Find: Click the Find button to redefine the path when the file’s location has changed.
- Embed: Click the Embed button to embed a linked vector layer file in the Atoll document.
- Coordinate System: When a vector layer is linked, the coordinate system used is the file’s, as specified when
the file was imported. When the a vector layer is embedded, the coordinate system used is document’s, as
specified when the file was embedded.
- Change: Click the Change button to change the coordinate system of the vector layer.
- Sort: Click the Sort button to sort the data contained in the vector layer. For information on sorting, see
"Advanced Sorting" on page 61.
- Filter: Click the Filter button to filter the data contained in the vector layer. For information on filtering, see
"Advanced Data Filtering" on page 63.
4. Click the Table tab. You can use the Table tab to manage the vector layer table content. For information on the
Table tab, see "Adding, Deleting, and Editing Data Table Fields" on page 42.
5. Click the Display tab. You can use the Display tab to manage the vector layer display. For information on the Table
tab, see "Display Properties of Objects" on page 21.
You can transfer the vector layer back to the Geo tab by right-clicking it in the Data tab and selecting Transfer to the Geo
tab from the context menu. For more information about display priority in Atoll, see "Setting the Priority of Geo Data" on
page 109.
• YMAX: The end Y coordinate, calculated as YMIN + (number of horizontal bins x bin width).
• 0: The zero character ends the sequence.
To import an index
1. Select File > Import.
2. Select the index file and click Open. The File Import dialogue appears (see Figure 3.64).
3. Select Image or Scan from the Data Type list.
4. Click Import. The image files imported and listed in the Geo tab of the Explorer window.
Note: Statistics are displayed only for visible data. See "Displaying or Hiding Objects on the
Map Using the Explorer" on page 16.
Note: All objects on the Data tab, such as transmitters, antennas, and predictions, are displayed
over all objects on the Geo tab. Vector geo data, however, can be transferred to the Data
tab, where they can be placed over data such as predictions. In this way, you can ensure
that certain vector geo data, for example, major geographical features, roads, etc., remain
visible in the map window For more information, see "Moving a Vector Layer to the Data
Tab" on page 107.
• The transparency of objects: You can change the transparency of some objects, such as predictions, and some
object types, such as clutter classes, to allow objects on lower layers to be visible on the map. For more informa-
tion, see "Defining the Transparency of Objects and Object Types" on page 23.
• The visibility range of objects: You can define a visibility range for object types. An object is visible only in the
map window if the scale, as displayed on the zoom toolbar, is within this range. For more information, see "Defining
the Visibility Scale" on page 23.
In Figure 3.74, vector data (including the linear vectors HIGHWAYS, COASTLINE, RIVERLAKE, MAJORROADS,
MAJORSTREETS, RAILWAYS and AIRPORT), clutter classes, DTM and scanned image have been imported and a
UMTS environment traffic map has been edited inside the computation zone. In the map window, the linear objects
(ROADS, RIVERLAKE, etc.) are visible both inside and outside the computation zone. The clutter class layer is visible in
the area where there is no traffic data (outside the computation zone). On the other hand, the DTM layer which is beneath
the clutter class layer and the scanned map which is beneath the DTM layer, are not visible.
Note: The visibility in the context of calculations must not be confused with the display check
box ( ). Even if the display check box of an object is cleared ( ), so that the object is
not displayed on the map, it will still be taken into consideration for calculations. The only
cases where clearing the display check box means that the data will not be used are for
population data in reports, and for custom geo data maps.
Object folders, for example, the DTM, clutter classes, clutter heights, and traffic density folders, can contain more than one
data object. These objects can represent different areas of the map or the same parts of the map with the same or different
resolutions. Therefore for each folder, you should place the objects with the best data at the top. These are normally the
objects which cover the least area but have the highest resolution. For example, when calculating coverage in an urban
area, you might have two clutter class files: one with a higher resolution for the downtown core, where the density of users
is higher, and one with a lower resolution but covering the entire area. In this case, by placing the clutter class file for the
downtown core over the file with the lower resolution, Atoll can base its calculations for the downtown core on the clutter
class file with the higher resolution, using the second file for all other calculations.
Population maps and custom geo data maps, both of which can be used in prediction reports follow the same rules of
calculation priority.
The following sections give several examples to better illustrate how data are used in Atoll:
• "Example 1: Two DTM Maps Representing Different Areas" on page 111
• "Example 2: Clutter Classes and DTM Maps Representing the Same Area" on page 111
• "Example 3: Two Clutter Class Maps Representing a Common Area" on page 111.
Case 1
DTM
• DTM 2 (20m)
• DTM 1 (50m)
Case 2
DTM
• DTM 1 (50m)
• DTM 2 (20m)
Figure 3.75: Multi-layer management in calculations – two DTM maps representing different areas
3.10.2.2 Example 2: Clutter Classes and DTM Maps Representing the Same Area
In this example, there are two imported maps:
• A clutter class map called “Clutter.”
• A DTM map called “DTM”.
Independently of the order of the two maps in the Explorer window, Atoll uses both the clutter and DTM data in calcula-
tions. In Case 1, the clutter class map is on top of the DTM map. In Case 2, the DTM map is on top of the clutter class
map. In both Case 1 and Case 2, Atoll will use both the clutter and DTM data in calculations.
Clutter classes
• Clutter
DTM
• DTM
Case 2
DTM
• DTM
Clutter classes
• Clutter
Figure 3.76: Multi-layer management in calculations – Clutter and DTM maps representing the same area
"Clutter 2." In Case 2, "Clutter 1" is on top and completely covers "Clutter 2." Therefore, Atoll will only use the data from
"Clutter 1."
Case 1
Clutter classes
• Clutter 2 (20m)
• Clutter 1 (50m)
Case 2
Clutter classes
• Clutter 2 (50m)
• Clutter 1 (20m)
Figure 3.77: Multi-layer management in calculations – two clutter maps representing the same area
Note: Tool tips only appear when the Display Tips button ( ) on the toolbar has been
selected.
Note: You can export and import other types of information with user configuration files as well.
For information, see the Administrator Manual.
Important: Vectors must be in the same coordinate system as the raster maps.
4. In the User Configuration dialogue, select the check boxes of the items you want to import.
5. If you already have geographic data in your current Atoll document and would like to replace it with any imported
data, select the Delete existing geo data check box.
If you do not want to replace existing geo data with imported data, clear the Delete existing geo data check box.
6. Click OK.
Note: You can automatically start Atoll with a user configuration file by naming the file "atoll.cfg"
and placing it in the same folder as the Atoll executable. You can also edit the Windows
shortcut to Atoll and add "-cfg <.cfg_file>" where is the complete path to the user
configuration file.
4. From the list, select the clutter class for the polygon you want to create.
Note: Clutter classes are defined on the Descriptions tab of the clutter classes Properties
dialogue.
Note: You can copy the exact coordinates of a closed polygon by right-clicking it on the map and
selecting Properties from the context menu.
i. Position the pointer over the point you want to move. The pointer changes ( ).
ii. Drag the point to its new position.
- Adding a point:
i. Position the pointer over the polygon border where you want to add a point. The pointer changes ( ).
ii. Right-click and select Insert Point from the context menu. A point is added to the border at the position
of the pointer.
- Deleting a point:
i. Position the pointer over the point you want to delete. The pointer changes ( ).
ii. Right-click and select Delete Point from the context menu. The point is deleted.
Note: You can select and copy the coordinates displayed in the Properties dialogue of the
polygon.
Tip: You can also activate the vector tools by selecting the vector layer to edit from the Vector
Edition toolbar list. Because Atoll names all new vector layers "Vectors" by default, it
might be difficult to know which Vectors folder you are selecting. By renaming each
vectors folder, you can ensure that you select the correct folder. For information on
renaming objects, see "Renaming an Object" on page 17.
6. To draw a polygon, click the New Polygon button ( ) on the Vector Edition toolbar:
a. Click once on the map where you want to begin drawing the contour.
b. Click each time you change angles on the border defining the outside of the contour.
c. Double-click to close the contour.
7. To draw a rectangle, click the New Rectangle button ( ) on the Vector Edition toolbar:
a. Click the point on the map that will be one corner of the rectangle.
b. Drag to the opposite corner of the rectangle.
c. Release the mouse to create the rectangle defined by the two corners.
8. Right-click the new polygon or rectangle and select Properties from the context menu.
9. Enter a value:
- Geoclimatic Parameters: Enter a value in the Rain Intensity field to indicate the intensity of rainfall for the
polygon.
10. Press ESC to deselect the New Polygon ( ) or the New Rectangle ( ) button on the Vector Edition toolbar.
11. For Atoll to consider the new vector layer as part of the data map, you must map the vector layer. Right-click the
the Geoclimatic Parameters, folder. The context menu appears.
12. Select Properties from the context menu. The Properties dialogue appears.
13. Click the Data Mapping tab. For the following geo data:
- Geoclimatic Parameters:
- In the Field column, "Rain" is selected by default.
You can edit the vector objects as explained in "Editing Polygons, Lines, and Points" on page 34.
Caution: You will not be warned that you are replacing the current file. Therefore, ensure that you
want to replace the current file before proceeding to the following step. If you do not want
to replace the current file, you can save your changes to an external file ("Exporting an
Edited Vector Layer in Vector-Format File" on page 117).
a. The Vector Export dialogue displays the coordinate system of the file. To change the coordinate system used
for the exported file, click Change. The Coordinate Systems dialogue appears. For information on the Co-
ordinate Systems dialogue, see "Setting a Coordinate System" on page 82.
b. Click Export. The geo data file is exported with the selected coordinate system.
If the geo data file is a raster file, the Export dialogue appears (see Figure 3.82).
6. Under Region, select The Computation Zone. This option allows you to export the geo data contained by a rec-
tangle encompassing the computation zone, whether or not the computation zone is visible. The exported geo
data file will be added as a new object to the selected geo data folder.
7. Define a Resolution in Metres. The resolution must be an integer and the minimum resolution allowed is 1.
8. Click OK. The selected data is saved as a new file.
Tip: When you create a new antenna, you can copy the horizontal and vertical antenna
patterns from a spreadsheet or word processor.
To create an antenna:
1. Click the Data tab in the Explorer window.
2. Click the Expand button ( ) to the left of the Microwave Radio Links folder to expand the folder.
3. Right-click the Links folder. The context menu appears.
4. Select Antennas > New from the context menu. The MW Antennas New Element Properties dialogue appears.
5. Click the General tab. You can enter information in the following fields:
- Name: Atoll automatically enters a default name for each new antenna. You can modify the name Atoll enters
if you wish.
- Manufacturer: The name of the antenna manufacturer.
- Frequency Band: The frequency band that this antenna will be used with.
- Gain: The antenna’s isotropic gain.
- Diameter: The diameter of the antenna.
- Under Cross Polar Discrimination (XPD), displays the cross polar discriminations for horizontal and vertical
polarisations.
- Horizontal: The ratio of power received in the cross-polar section to the power received in the co-polar
section, for the horizontal polarisation.
- Vertical: The ratio of power received in the cross-polar section to the power received in the co-polar
section, for the vertical polarisation.
- Comments: Any additional information on the antenna.
6. Define the co-polar and cross-polar sections for each plane of the antenna.
A microwave antenna is defined by 8 radiation patterns. On each of the four tabs of the antenna properties
dialogue, you can define the co-polar and cross-polar sections for each plane of the antenna:
d. Switch to Atoll.
e. Click the upper-left cell of the horizontal pattern.
f. Paste the data in the table.
- If there are some blank rows in the data sheet, Atoll will interpolate the values in order to obtain a complete
and realistic pattern.
- When performing a calculation along an angle for which no data is available, Atoll calculates a linear inter-
polation from the existing pattern values.
g. Click Apply to display the pattern.
7. Click OK.
If some values are missing in the data sheet, Atoll interpolates the values in order to obtain a complete and realistic pattern
around the antenna. When you paste the data into the MW Antennas New Element Properties dialogue, Atoll removes
blank rows in the pattern table when you press the Apply button. When you calculate along an angle for which no data is
available, Atoll calculates a linear interpolation from existing pattern values.
6. Click the Browse button ( ) to navigate to the file or the folder to be imported.
7. Select the file or folder to be imported and click Open.
8. Click Import. The file or folders are imported.
Atoll does not stop the import process if an error occurs. Atoll continues until all files are imported and then displays how
many files have been successfully and unsuccessfully imported in the Events viewer.
Atoll automatically calculates the antenna diameter from the antenna gain and average operating frequency. The average
operating frequency is calculated as (Maximum Frequency - Minimum Frequency)/2. The antenna diameter is calculated
using the following equation for a radiation efficiency of 55 %:
Note: You can display antenna patterns with either linear or logarithmic axes. You can define
the display by right-clicking the pattern window and choosing the either Linear display or
Logarithmic display from the context menu.
1. For further information about the standard NSMA format (recommendation WG16.99.050), see the following web
site:
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/software/nsma/nsma-intrp.html.
Atoll enables you to copy antenna patterns in the MW Antennas table. By copying and pasting patterns in the MW Anten-
nas table you can assign the antenna patterns of one antenna to another.
To open the MW Antennas table:
1. Click the Data tab in the Explorer window.
2. Click the Expand button ( ) to the left of the Microwave Radio Links folder to expand the folder.
3. Right-click the Links folder. The context menu appears.
4. Select Antennas > Open Table from the context menu. The MW Antennas table appears.
By resizing row height and column width, you can view all antenna patterns in order to be able to compare them
(see Figure 4.84).
5. In the row of the antenna with the pattern you want to copy, select the cell with the pattern.
6. Select Edit > Copy to copy the cell.
7. In the row of the antenna you want to copy the pattern to, select the cell with the pattern.
8. Select Edit > Paste to paste the antenna pattern.
Atoll replaces the old pattern with the new one in the MW Antennas table.
Notes:
• You can also copy an antenna pattern by right-clicking the pattern on the tab of the antenna’s
Properties dialogue and selecting Copy from the context menu.
• Patterns are displayed in the MW Antennas table with either linear or logarithmic axes as
defined in the Properties dialogue of an individual antenna. You can define the display by
right-clicking the pattern of an antenna and choosing either Linear display or Logarithmic
display from the context menu.
9. Right-click the antenna pattern and select Print from the context menu.
The IDU is the termination point of the end-user equipment that generates the data to be carried by the microwave link. It
consists of the following components:
• The radio modem that converts the digital signal into a form suitable for modulation on the radio carrier signal
• The power supply for the Outdoor Unit (ODU)
The ODU converts the modulated signal from its low frequency form to a high frequency radio signal in the appropriate
radio band and channel for radio transmission.
Antenna
The antenna is the part of the microwave link that transmits electromagnetic energy from transmission lines into the air
and receives transmitted electromagnetic energy from the air to be then sent on transmission lines. The antenna can be
in one of many different shapes (for example, horn, parabolic, flat or planar, lens, yagi, or array) to achieve its specific
objectives.
The main characteristics of the microwave antenna are the following:
• Directivity: In practical terms, directivity is defined as:
- The ability to send the transmitted power in only the desired direction
- The ability to reject undesired signals coming from other directions.
• Gain: The gain is the amount of power radiated in a given direction using only the RF power at the input terminals
of the antenna.
• Front-to-Back Ratio (FBR): The FBR is the ratio of the power radiated in the desired direction to the power radi-
ated in the opposite direction, typically between 35 and 50 dB. In general, the higher the gain of the antenna, the
higher the FBR.
• Radiation pattern: The radiation pattern is a diagram showing the direction of the radiated power. The portion of
the pattern where the maximum gain occurs is often referred to as the main lobe of the pattern
• Polarisation: Polarisation is the ability to transmit only one of the two electromagnetic vector components of the
wave (either the horizontal component or the vertical component). Using polarisation enables the same radio fre-
quency to be used by different radio systems in physical proximity to one another.
• Cross Polarisation Discrimination (XPD): The XPD is the ratio of power received in the desired polarisation to
the power received in undesired polarisation. XPD is a design parameter that is maximized in the main lobe of the
antenna pattern.
For more information on antennas, see "Defining Antennas" on page 123.
In this section, the following are explained:
• "Modelling the IDU and ODU in Atoll" on page 128
• "Importing Microwave Equipment" on page 132
• "Advanced Configuration" on page 132.
- Enter the maximum power (Max Power) and the Noise Figure.
- Enter the power range reserved for Adaptive Transmission Power Control (Max ATPC) and the maximum
improvement factor reserved for cross-polarisation reduction (XPIF).
The Max ATPC is used by the transmitter to adjust power by increasing or reducing it in order to maintain sig-
nal quality in case of multipath or rain fading that temporarily attenuates the received signal. Max ATPC also
enables the transmitter to respond to increased interference levels resulting from ATPC on other links. The
Max ATPC can be optionally taken into consideration during calculations.
The maximum improvement factor reserved for cross-polarisation reduction (XPIF) is used only when an XPIC
(cross-polarized interference canceller) is present. It is used to reduce the scattering of interference from the
undesired polarisation into the desired polarisation due to rain fading by increasing the cross-polarisation dis-
crimination factor (XPD). XPIF is generally within the range of 15-20 dB.
- Specify the System Configuration (i.e., the equipment protection configuration). The system configuration is
defined in the form of "n + m" where "n" is the number of active channels and "m" is the number of standby
channels. Standby channels are inactive and used only when active channels fail. Switching to the standby
channel in case of failure can be automatic and is then referred to a "hot" standby system. If the system must
be manually switched to the standby channel, the system is called a "cold" standby system. If a hot standby
system is available, you must select the Hot Standby Available check box. For a hot standby system, the
standby channel frequency must be the same as one of the active channels. For cold standby systems, the
standby channel frequency can be different from active channels. Frequencies allocated to active and standby
channels are defined in the microwave link properties dialogue.
1 + 1 redundancy mode is modelled as shown below:
In this system configuration, only the main equipment is active and on. The other equipment, which will serve
as a back-up in case the main equipment fails, is not turned on.
1 + 1 redundancy mode with monitored hot standby (Hot Standby Available) is modelled as shown below:
In this system configuration, both the main and standby equipment are on, but only the main equipment is ac-
tive. The standby equipment will be automatically put into service immediately if the main equipment fails.
- Under Radio Signature, choose the method to be used to predict outage times (dispersive fade margin) due
to multipath fading.
Note: The radio signature parameters are not used by all types of receiver equipment.
This method will characterise the ability of a receiving equipment to perform successfully (i.e., produce accept-
able errors rates) in the presence of frequency-selective fading.
- Normalised: For a normalised signature, select Normalised and enter a value for the Kn Parameter. The
Kn parameter is mostly dependant on the modulation used.
Modulation Kn
64-QAM 15.4
16-QAM 5.5
8-PSK 7
4-PSK 1
- Rummler Model: If you want to use the Rummler model to predict outage times, select Rummler model,
and define the frequency shift (Width) and Depth for both minimum and non-minimum phases. For more
information, see studies by C.W. Lundgren and W.D. Rummler2 and the ITU P.530 recommendation.
6. On the Hierarchy and Rate tab of Properties dialogue, set the following parameters:
- Under Digital Hierarchy, select the digital hierarchy type (SDH/SONET or PDH).
- Under Rate, select the Capacity (i.e., the number of trunks) and the trunk type from the list.
2. C.W. Lundgren and W.D. Rummler, "Digital radio outage due to selective fading- observation vs. prediction from
laboratory simulations," Bell System Technical Journal, pp. 1073-1100, May-June 1979.
W.D. Rummler, "Characterizing the effects of multipath dispersion on digital radios," IEEE Globecom Proceedings, pp.
1727-1732, 1988.
The rate is calculated by the capacity per trunk multiplied by the number of trunks:
The minimal and standardised channel bandwidth resulting from the parameters defined on the Hierarchy and
Rate tab is displayed under Channel Bandwidth. You can enter the channel bandwidth defined by the man-
ufacturer in the From manufacturer text box.
- User-defined C/I min.: If you want to define a minimum C⁄I, select User-defined C/I min., and define an
interference margin in the For a Margin Against Interference Of text box, as well as the quality required
for a BER of 10-3 and 10-6 in the For a BER of 1e-3 and the For a BER of 1e-3 text boxes.
- For each circulator present on this piece of equipment, set the Port it is attached to, and define the losses on
Transmission and Reception.
Commutation Delay is used only if Hot Standby Available is selected on the General tab of this Properties
dialogue. Furthermore, when you define the properties for a link, you must indicate which channel will be used
as a backup in case of main equipment failure. For more information on defining link properties, see "Definition
of a Microwave Link" on page 185.
10. On the Transmitter Mask tab of Properties dialogue, define the transmitter spectral mask either by clicking the
Initialise from standard graphs button, to let Atoll create the mask from standard values, or by defining an atten-
uation in dB (Att.) for each frequency shift in MHz (Delta F). This information is provided by the equipment man-
ufacturer.
The resulting transmitter mask is displayed in the graph window on the right.
11. On the Receiver Mask tab of Properties dialogue, define a receiver mask either by clicking the Initialise from
standard graphs button, to let Atoll create the mask from standard values, or by defining an attenuation in dB
(Att.) for each frequency shift in MHz (Delta F). This information is provided by the equipment manufacturer.
The resulting receiver mask is displayed in the graph window on the right.
12. On the T⁄I Graph tab of Properties dialogue, define a threshold-to-interference (T⁄I) graph either by clicking the
Initialise from standard graphs button, to let Atoll create the graph from standard values, or by defining an atten-
uation in dB (Att.) for each frequency shift in MHz (Delta F). This information is provided by the equipment man-
ufacturer.
The threshold-to-interference (T/I) ratio is used to calculate the interference fade margin (IFM) which defines the
vulnerability to co-channel and adjacent channel interference. It is provided by the manufacturer. The T/I graph
defines the graph of maximum interfering power levels for different frequency separations between the transmitter
and victim receivers. For each interfering transmitter, the received power level in dB is compared to the maximum
power level to determine whether the interference is acceptable. This is done instead of calculating C/I values and
comparing them to the published objectives.
The resulting T⁄I graph is displayed in the graph window on the right.
13. Click OK to create the new piece of equipment.
You can edit the properties of microwave transceiver equipment through the properties dialogues.
To edit the properties of microwave transceiver equipment:
1. Click the Data tab in the Explorer window.
2. Click the Expand button ( ) to the left of the Microwave Radio Links folder to expand the folder.
3. Right-click the Links folder. The context menu appears.
4. Select Equipment > Open Table from the context menu. The Equipment table appears.
5. Right-click the record whose properties you want to edit. The context menu appears.
6. Select Record Properties from the context menu. The microwave transceiver equipment’s Properties dialogue
appears.
7. Edit the properties as previously explained in this section.
6. Click the Browse button ( ) to navigate to the file or the folder to be imported.
7. Select the file or folder to be imported and click Open.
8. Click Import. The file or folders are imported.
Notes: Atoll does not stop the import process when an error occurs. It continues until all the files
have been imported and then displays in the Events viewer how many files have been
successfully and unsuccessfully imported.
Atoll has a set of default trunk type definitions available, but you can create new trunk types and set their parameters.
Note: If you are creating a large number of different trunk types from manufacturers data, it can
take a long time. However, if you have the data available in tabular format, you can copy it
from the spreadsheet or word processor and paste the data into the Trunk Type table.
5. For each trunk type you define, add the following data:
- Trunk Type: The name of the trunk type that will model the digital hierarchy.
- SDH/SONET: If the check box is selected ( ), the digital hierarchy being modelled is SDH or SONET. If the
check box is not selected ( ), the digital hierarchy being modelled is PDH.
- Binary Rate (Mbit/s): The binary rate is the gross data rate of the frame if all the bits are used for traffic.
- Binary Rate Supported (Mbit/s): The binary rate supported is the payload rate (i.e., the rate of the useful bits
not including the overheads bits).
- No. Bits/Block: The number of bits per block corresponds to the number of bits per frame (i.e., the useful bits
plus the overheads bits).
- BERses: BERses corresponds to Bit Error Rate (BER) as documented in Annex 2, Table 2) of the ITU-R
P.530-8 recommendation.
You can also define the properties of a trunk type in its Properties dialogue.
To open a trunk type’s Properties dialogue:
• Double-click the trunk type in the left margin of the Trunk Types table. The trunk type’s Properties dialogue
appears (see Figure 4.89).
The IRF graphs defined in the IRF table are used during the calculation of interference. When studying the interference
between transmission equipment and reception equipment, Atoll first verifies whether an IRF graph is defined for the
transmission equipment-reception equipment pair in the IRF table. If so, Atoll uses it. Otherwise, Atoll determines the IRF
graph during the process of calculating interference. Atoll proceeds as follows:
1. Atoll verifies that the transmission equipment and the reception equipment have the same manufacturer, capacity
and modulation. If so, Atoll uses T⁄I graphs to determine the IRF graph. Atoll uses either the graphs defined for
the equipment if available, or the theoretical "T⁄I" graphs if not (for more information on the theoretical graphs, see
"Theoretical Graphs" on page 136).
2. If the equipment manufacturer, capacity, or modulation are not the same, Atoll merges the transmitter mask and
the receiver mask of equipment in order to determine the IRF graph. Atoll uses either the graphs defined for the
equipment if available, or the theoretical graphs if not.
In this section, the following are explained:
• "Defining IRF Graphs Manually" on page 134
• "Defining IRF Graphs with the Assistant" on page 135.
The following sections describe the modelling of IRF in Atoll.
You can define IRF graphs using the IRF table. These IRF graphs will be used to reduce the interference between victim
and interferer microwave equipment when calculating interference.
To create or modify an IRF graph:
1. Click the Data tab in the Explorer window.
2. Click the Expand button ( ) to expand the Microwave Radio Links folder
3. Right-click on the Links folder. The context menu appears.
4. Select Equipment > IRF > Open Table from the context menu. The Trunk Types table appears (see
Figure 4.90).
Note: If you are creating a new IRF graph, use the row marked with the New Row icon ( )
7. Double-click in the left margin of the record to open its Properties dialogue (see Figure 4.91).
8. Under Protection values in the Properties dialogue, enter a protection level (in dB) for each delta frequency (in
MHz). The resulting graph is displayed on the right of the Properties dialogue.
9. Click OK.
Atoll provides an assistant to allow you to define IRFs between transmission and reception transceiver equipment. When
you select a frequency band and the equipment manufacturers with equipment that operate in the same frequency band,
Atoll presents the entries where the transmission and reception equipment present the possibility of interference.
To use the assistant to define IRFs:
1. Click the Data tab in the Explorer window.
2. Click the Expand button ( ) to expand the Microwave Radio Links folder
3. Right-click on the Links folder. The context menu appears.
4. Select Equipment > IRF > Edit Grid from the context menu. The IRF Setting dialogue appears (see Figure 4.90).
5. Select the Frequency Band from the menu. Only equipment operating in the selected frequency band is displayed
in the grid.
6. Select the TX Equipment Manufacturer from the menu. Only equipment manufactured by the selected manufac-
turer are displayed in the grid.
7. Select the RX Equipment Manufacturer from the menu. Only equipment manufactured by the selected manufac-
turer are displayed in the grid.
8. You can now define an IRF graph, delete an IRF graph, or create an IRF graph using equipment graphs or theo-
retical graphs:
a. Right-click on the cell of the grid that coincides with both entries. The context menu appears.
b. Select Add Record from the context menu. A dialogue appears.
c. Under Enter graph values, enter a protection level (in dB) for each delta frequency (in MHz). The resulting
graph is displayed on the right of the dialogue.
d. Click OK.
To delete an IRF graph between the transmission and reception equipment:
a. Right-click on the cell of the grid that coincides with both entries. The context menu appears.
b. Select Delete from the context menu.
To create an IRF graph between the transmission and reception equipment using equipment graphs or theoretical
graphs:
a. Right-click on the cell of the grid that coincides with both entries. The context menu appears.
b. Select Calculate from Masks from the context menu. The IRF Calculation dialogue appears.
c. Under Transmitter Filter, select either "As Equipment" to use the transmission spectrum graph defined for
the equipment, or select a theoretical "transmission spectrum" graph compatible with the operating frequency
band of the transmission equipment.
d. Under Reception Filter, select either "As Equipment" to use the receiver selectivity graph defined for the
equipment, or select a theoretical "receiver selectivity" graph compatible with the operating frequency band of
the reception equipment.
e. Define the calculation step stated in frequency spacing (MHz).
f. Click Run to calculate the IRF graph.
g. Click OK.
9. Click OK to close the IRF Setting dialogue.
A theoretical graph contains information on the behaviour of microwave transceiver equipment under different conditions
of C/I. It represents the changes in the Bit Error Rate as a function of the level of interference.
To create a theoretical graph:
1. Click the Data tab in the Explorer window.
2. Click the Expand button ( ) to expand the Microwave Radio Links folder.
3. Right-click the Links folder. The context menu appears.
4. Select Equipment > Theoretical Graphs from the context menu. The Theoretical Graphs table appears.
5. Right-click the theoretical graph you want to modify. The context menu appears.
6. Select Record Properties from the context menu. The theoretical graph’s Properties dialogue appears.
Note: You can create a new theoretical graph by entering a name in the row marked with the
New Row icon ( ) and pressing ENTER.
3. T/I graphs have been found at the web address http://www.radio.gov.uk and transmitter and receiver masks have
been found at http:\\www.ero.dk.
Note: If you are creating a large number of waveguides and cables based on manufacturers
data, it can take a long time. However, if you have the data available in tabular format, you
can copy it from the spreadsheet or word processor and paste the data into the
MWGuides table. For information on the MWGuides table, see "Modifying a Microwave
Waveguide or Cable" on page 138.
- Manufacturer: Select the manufacturer from the list. Clicking the Browse button ( ) opens the Properties
dialogue of the selected manufacturer.
- Signal Loss: Enter the signal loss in dB per 100 m.
- Type: Select the type of waveguide or cable. You can select from Cable, Circular, Elliptic, Other, or Rectan-
gular.
6. Click OK.
4. Select Compatibility > Antenna/Waveguide > Open Table from the context menu. The Antenna/Guides Com-
patibility table appears.
5. Create a new antenna/waveguide compatibility pair by selecting an Antenna and a Guide from the lists in the row
marked with the New Row icon ( ). The values in the Antenna and Guide lists are taken from the MW
Antennas table and the MWGuides table, respectively. You can also, if desired, enter a Comment by double-
clicking the Comment field to open the record’s Properties dialogue.
Note: If you have a large number of antenna/equipment compatibility pairs to enter, you can
import them by right-clicking on the table and selecting Import from the context menu, or
you can paste them into the Antenna/Guides Compatibility table.
Note: If you have a large number of antenna/equipment compatibility pairs to enter, you can
import them by right-clicking on the table and selecting Import from the context menu, or
you can paste them into the Antenna/Equipment Compatibility table.
8. You can now define the compatibility between an antenna and a waveguide or delete a defined compatible
antenna-waveguide pair:
a. Right-click on the cell of the grid that coincides with both entries. The context menu appears.
b. Select Add Record from the context menu. The cell is marked in green to indicate that the antenna and
waveguide are compatible.
To delete a defined compatible antenna-waveguide pair:
a. Right-click on the cell of the grid that coincides with both entries. The context menu appears.
b. Select Delete from the context menu. The cell is no longer marked in green.
9. Click OK.
You can use the Fill (Up, Down, Right, Left) and the Copy and Paste commands to create or delete compatible antenna-
waveguide pairs.
8. You can now define the compatibility between an antenna and equipment, delete a defined compatible antenna-
equipment pair, or define compatibility with an antenna, a piece of equipment, and waveguides:
a. Right-click on the cell of the grid that coincides with both entries. The context menu appears.
b. Select Add Record from the context menu. The cell is marked in green to indicate that the antenna and equip-
ment are compatible.
To delete a defined compatible antenna-equipment pair:
a. Right-click on the cell of the grid that coincides with both entries. The context menu appears.
b. Select Delete from the context menu. The cell is no longer marked in green.
To define compatibility with an antenna, a piece of equipment, and waveguides:
a. Right-click on the cell of the grid that coincides with the entries for the antenna and the equipment. The context
menu appears.
b. Select Add Record from the context menu. The cell is marked in green to indicate that the antenna and equip-
ment are compatible.
c. Right-click on the square and select Record Properties from the context menu. The properties dialogue
opens.
d. In the properties dialogue, under List of the Compatible Guides, select the waveguides that you want to
make compatible with this antenna/equipment pair. If you have previously defined compatible antenna/
waveguide pairs, these are taken into account and, by default, the waveguides compatible with the corre-
sponding antenna are selected.
e. Click OK to close the properties dialogue.
9. Click OK.
You can use the Fill (Up, Down, Right, Left) and the Copy and Paste commands to create or delete compatible antenna-
equipment pairs.
Frequency
Maximum Path Attenuation Antenna Diameters and Gain Polarization Used
Band
7 GHz 50 km Multipath fading Up to 370 cm for a 46.8 dB gain Horizontal and vertical
10 GHz 45 km Multipath fading From 60 to 120 cm for a 34-40 dB gain Horizontal and vertical
Frequency
Maximum Path Attenuation Antenna Diameters and Gain Polarization Used
Band
15 GHz 35 km Multipath fading From 60-120 cm for a gain of 38-44 dB Horizontal and vertical
a. At 18 GHz, the frequency band experiences atmospheric attenuation of 0.1 dB per km. and attenuation due
to rain of approximately 1 dB per km. for rain of 20 mm per hour as well as multipath fading.
Frequency
Maximum Path Attenuation Antenna Diameters and Gain Polarization Used
Band
26 GHz and
15 km Rain fading From 30 to 60 cm Horizontal and vertical
27 GHza
a. At 23 GHz, 26 GHz, and 27 GHz, there is atmospheric attenuation of 0.1 dB per km. and attenuation due
to rain of approximately 3 dB per km. for rain of 20 mm per hour. At 23 GHz, there is multipath fading as
well.
b. At 38 GHz, there is atmospheric attenuation of 0.1 dB per km. and attenuation due to rain of approximately
3 dB per km. for rain of 20 mm per hour.
c. At 55 GHz, there is atmospheric attenuation of 5 dB per km. and attenuation due to rain of approximately
7 dB per km. for rain of 20 mm per hour.
d. At 58 GHz, there is atmospheric attenuation of 12 dB per km. and attenuation due to rain of approximately
7 dB per km. for rain of 20 mm per hour.
4. To create a frequency band, enter the following in the row marked with the New Row icon ( ):
- Name: The name of the frequency band.
- Min. Frequency (MHz): The minimum frequency of the frequency band (in MHz).
- Max. Frequency (MHz): The maximum frequency of the frequency band (in MHz).
- Comments: Any comments.
Note: The information necessary to define a frequency band can be found in the F-series ITU-R
recommendations.
5. To modify a frequency band, modify any of the entries in the corresponding row.
4. To create a frequency sub-band, enter the following in the row marked with the New Row icon ( ):
- Name: The name of the frequency sub-band.
- Frequency band: The name of the frequency band to which the sub-band belongs.
- Reference Frequency (MHz): The reference frequency (in MHz).
- Lower Half-Band Shift (MHz): The lower half-band shift of the sub-band (in MHz).
- Upper Half-Band Shift (MHz): The upper half-band shift of the sub-band (in MHz).
- First Channel: The first channel of the sub-band.
- Last Channel: The last channel of the sub-band.
- Step: The step between channels.
Note: The information necessary to define a frequency sub-band can be found in the F-series
ITU-R recommendations.
5. To modify a frequency sub-band, modify any of the entries in the corresponding row.
The information on page 2 of Recommendation ITU-R F.747 gives you the following values:
• Reference Frequency (MHz): 11 701 MHz (the reference frequency is the central frequency of the sub-band).
• Lower Half-Band Shift (MHz): -1204 MHz
• Upper Half-Band Shift (MHz): -1113 MHz
Important: Remember to include the negative sign ("-") when defining the lower and upper half-band
shifts.
- K1, K2, and K3: Enter the K1, K2, and K3 values that will be used to calculate free space losses.
Under Diffraction, you can set the following parameters:
- Deygout
- Epstein-Peterson
- Deygout with correction
- Millington
- ITU 452-11
- Full Deygout
- K4: Enter the K4 value that will be used to calculate diffraction.
Under Tropospheric Scatter, you can set the following parameters:
- Method: Select the method that will be used to calculate tropospheric scattering:
- No attenuation: No attenuation will be calculated.
- ITU-R P617-1: Attenuation will be calculated according to the ITU-R P617-1 recommendations for 50%,
90%, or 99.99% of the time.
- ITU-R P452: Attenuation will be calculated according to the ITU-R P452 recommendations.
- Simplified Method: Attenuation will be estimated using an Atoll-specific equation.
- N0: Enter the value for N0, which is the surface refractivity of the centre of the path.
- Ktropo: Enter the value for the weight factor. Atoll multiplies the loss given by the selected method to calcu-
late the tropospheric scatter loss.
Under Vegetation, you can set the following parameters:
- Method: Select the method that will be used to calculate attenuation due to vegetation:
- No attenuation: No attenuation will be calculated.
- ITU-R P.833-4: Attenuation will be calculated according to ITU-R P.833-4 recommendations.
- A1: Enter the value of the A1 coefficient.
- Alpha: Enter the value of the Alpha coefficient. A1 and Alpha coefficients are used to calculate the maximum
attenuation experienced by a transmitter or a receiver site located within a vegetation area. The maximum
attenuation is taken into consideration to calculate the attenuation due to vegetation.
The attenuation due to vegetation is calculated and displayed in link budget and interference reports for informa-
tion only. It is not taken into account when calculating the total attenuation.
Under Clutter Consideration, you can set the following parameters for each clutter class:
- Clearance per clutter class: Define a clearance (in metres) around each transmitter and each receiver site
for each clutter class. The clearance information is used when clutter is taken into account in diffraction. Both
ground altitude and clutter height are considered along the whole profile except over a specific distance
around the transmitter and the receiver sites (i.e., the clearance), where Atoll bases its calculations only on
the DTM.
7. Clutter categories: Select a clutter category for each clutter class. Clutter categories are taken into consideration
when studying reflections and must be defined in order to analyse reflections along the profile. Clutter categories
are ITU-standardised clutter classes. For information on clutter categories, see "Global Parameters" on
page 156.Click OK.
For more information on the parameters of the Microwave Propagation Model, see the Technical Reference Guide.
- Required Time Percentage: Enter the percentage of time during which the global attenuation is not
exceeded.
Under Rec. ITU-R P452 version, you can set the following parameter:
- Method: Select the method that will be used to calculate the global attenuation (dB) between an interfering
transmitter and an interfered (victim) receiver:
- ITU-R P.452-12
- Simplified ITU-R P.452-8
6. Click the Clutter tab (see Figure 6.101).
Under Clutter Consideration, you can set the following parameters for each clutter class:
- Clearance per clutter class: Define a clearance (in metres) around each transmitter and each receiver site
for each clutter class. The clearance information is used when clutter is taken into account in diffraction. Both
ground altitude and clutter height are considered along the whole profile except over a specific distance
around the transmitter and the receiver sites (i.e., the clearance), where Atoll bases its calculations only on
the DTM.
7. Click OK.
For more information on the parameters of the Microwave ITU-R P.452 Model, see the Technical Reference Guide.
performance events are applicable to both while others are specific to the path or connection. These microwave error
performance parameters are fully modelled in Atoll and include:
• ESR
• SESR
• BBER
These error performance parameters are based on measurements of microwave error performance events. Error perform-
ance events and error performance parameters are briefly described in the following sections:
• "Microwave Error Performance Events" on page 155
• "Microwave Error Performance Parameters" on page 155
• "The Purpose of Microwave Error Performance Objectives" on page 155.
Note: Consecutive Severely Errored Seconds can result in periods of unavailability, especially
when there are no backup or standby procedures. Periods of consecutive Severely
Errored Seconds persisting for T seconds, where 2 = T < 10 (sometimes referred to as
"failures"), can have a severe impact on service, leading to the disconnection of switched
services. The frequency of these events can be limited by limiting the SESR.
• Background Block Error (BBE): The BBE is an errored block not occurring as part of an SES.
The total observation time (Stotal) is split into two parts, namely, the time for which the connection is deemed to be available
(Savail) and the time when it is unavailable (Sunavail). Error performance should only be evaluated while the connection is
in the available state. The parameters are:
• Errored Second Ratio (ESR): The ESR is the ratio of ES to total seconds in available time during a fixed meas-
urement interval.
• Severely Errored Second Ratio (SESR): The SESR is the ratio of SES to total seconds in available time during
a fixed measurement interval.
• Background Block Error Ratio (BBER): The BBER is the ratio of Background Block Errors (BBE) to total blocks
in available time during a fixed measurement interval. The count of total blocks excludes all blocks during SESs.
In Atoll, you can define microwave link classes and performance objectives based on these error performance parame-
ters. Atoll also includes default lists of microwave link classes and performance objectives based on the ITU G.821 and
G.826 recommendations.
3. Select Performance Targets > Quality from the context menu. The Quality Objectives dialogue appears.
You can either edit a default ITU G.821 and ITU G.826 quality objective or create a new quality objective.
- To edit a ITU G.821 or ITU G.826 quality objective: Select the appropriate tab (ITU G.821 or ITU G.826)
and modify the properties of the quality objective.
- To create a new customised quality objective: Select the Customised tab and enter the parameters in the
row marked with the New Row icon ( ).
4. Click OK.
Note: The availability objectives are global objectives. They consist of three partial objectives as
microwave link unavailability can be either due to rain, due to equipment failure, or
random.
Atoll includes by default the availability objectives defined in the ITU G.821 and ITU G.826 recommendations. You can
also define customised availability objectives.
To modify pre-defined ITU G.821 and ITU G.826 availability objectives or to create a new availability objective:
1. Click the Data tab in the Explorer window.
2. Right-click the Microwave Radio Links folder. The context menu appears.
3. Select Performance Targets > Availability from the context menu. The Availability Objectives dialogue
appears.
You can either edit a default ITU G.821 and ITU G.826 availability objective or create a new availability objective.
- To edit a ITU G.821 and ITU G.826 availability objective: Select the appropriate tab (ITU G.821 or ITU
G.826) and modify the properties of the availability objective.
- To create a new customised quality objective: Select the Customised tab and enter the parameters in the
row marked with the New Row icon ( ).
4. Click OK.
4. Click the General tab. On the General tab, the parameters you define are valid for all types of analyses: quality
and availability analysis, objective selection, and interference calculation.
Under Calculation Parameters, you can define the following parameters:
- K factor: Select the K factor (the earth curvature factor) to be used in link analyses:
- Median value for each link: If you select this option, a median value for the K factor will be used for each
link in link analyses.
- Same value for all links: If you select this option, the value you enter will be used as the K factor for all
links in link analyses.
- Power control on the useful signal: Select the Power control on the useful signal check box if power control
on the transmitted signal is to be considered.
Under Results, you can define the following parameters:
- The link direction to be analysed: Select the link direction to be analysed: either A >> B, B >> A, or both.
- Calculated Port: Under Calculated Port, select which channel should be displayed the results of a link
analysis:
- All: If you select All, Atoll performs the link analysis and displays the results for all channels.
- Worst channel engineering: If you select Worst channel engineering, Atoll performs the link analysis
for each channel and displays the results for the worst channel in terms of margin (i.e., the channel with
the lowest margin).
- Specific port engineering: If you select Specific port engineering, Atoll performs the link analysis and
displays the result for the channel specified individually for Site A and Site B.
Under BER, you can define the following options:
- Calculate BER1: Select Calculate BER1 if you want Atoll to perform link analysis for the BER1 value.
- Calculate BER2: Select Calculate BER2 if you want Atoll to perform link analysis for the BER2 value.
- Values defined for each link: If you select Values defined for each link, Atoll performs the link analysis
using the values for BER1 and BER2 defined in the properties of each link.
- Same value for all links: If you select Same value for all links, you can define a value for BER 1 and BER 2
that Atoll will use for all links.
5. Click the Interference tab. On the Interference tab, the parameters you define will be used for interference calcu-
lation.
Under Interferer Filtering, you can define the following parameters:
- Max. Distance: Enter the maximum distance in metres that Atoll will search around each site to find poten-
tially interfering sites.
- Interfered Bandwidth: Define which sites are to be considered as interferers. You can choose from the fol-
lowing options:
- Co-channel Only: Only co-channel sites are considered as interferer sites. Atoll considers co-channel
interference when the difference between the interfering and interfered frequencies does not exceed the
interfered bandwidth.
- User-defined Percentage: If you select this option, you can enter the percentage of the interfered band-
width that Atoll should consider when searching for interferers. Therefore, if you keep the default value of
250%, a site will be considered as an interferer when the difference between the interfering and interfered
frequencies does not exceed 2.5 times the interfered bandwidth.
- No Filter: There is no filter and all sites within the maximum distance are considered as interferers.
Note: No IRF graph is taken into account when the Co-channel Only option is selected.
- Interference via repeaters: Select how interference caused by repeaters should be taken into consideration.
- Ignore interference between channels of a same link: Select this option if you want Atoll to ignore inter-
ference generated by channels of the same link on each other. This option is useful if you have links with 2+0
configuration (i.e., links with two channels). It also applies to parallel links. In this context, parallel links are
referred to as links sharing the same link extremities (e.g., two links between the same two sites).
Under Calculation Parameters, you can define the following parameters:
- Power Control: Define whether automatic transmission power control is to be considered always on, always
off or is to be calculated according to geometric correlation.
- Correlation Area: Enter the surface in km2 of the correlation area.
- Ignore decoupling reduction when cross polarisation is not defined at the receiver: Select this option if
you want Atoll to ignore decoupling reduction when cross polarisation is not defined at the receiver.
Under Result filtering, you can define the following parameters:
- Min. Threshold Degradation: Enter the minimum degradation threshold. Results that do not meet the
threshold will not be displayed.
- Calculation Details: Select the interference to be displayed in the results: none, on the uplink or downlink, or
on both the uplink and downlink.
6. Click the Models tab. On the Models tab, the parameters you define will be used for quality and availability
analysis.
- Method: Select the method to be used to calculate availability. Six availability analysis methods (Crane and
those based on different implemented ITU recommendations, 530-5, 530-8, 530-10, 530-11 and 530-12) are
available.
- Rain Model: Select the model to be used to calculate rain attentuation. Two attenuation models for rain (ITU
recommendations, 838-1 and 838-3) are available.
Under Quality, you can define the following parameters:
- Method: Select the method to be used to calculate quality: Vigants-Barnett, K.Q factor, ITU-R P.530-5, ITU-R
P.530-8, ITU-R P.530-10, ITU-R P.530-11, or ITU-R P.530-12.
If you select a method based on one of the ITU-R P.530 recommendations, you can set further parameters
under ITU-R P.530.
- Multipath Occurence: If you select recommendation ITU-R P.530-10, ITU-R P.530-11, or ITU-R P.530-12,
you can use either a simplified method or a method taking roughness into account to calculate the geoclimatic
factor (K). If you select Vigants-Barnett, you can either enter the geoclimatic factor (K) value or use a simplified
method or use a method taking roughness into account to calculate the geoclimatic factor (K).
- ITU-R P.530: If you selected a method based on one of the ITU-R P.530 recommendations under Method,
you can set the following parameters:
Multi-Path Propagation: Under Multi-Path Propagation, select the Ignore Signal Enhancements check
box if you want to ignore signal enhancements and XPD reduction in multi-path propagation. Reduction of
XPD is taken into consideration when calculating unavailability due to multi-path and unavailability due to rain
whereas signal enhancements have an impact on unavailability due to multi-path only.
Selective Fadings: Under Selective Fadings you can define reference delay values for the secondary signal
t (tau) for minimum and non minimum phase conditions.
Erroneous Blocks: Under Erroneous Blocks you can define athe network level consideration values for the
Residual Bit Error Rate (RBER), number of errors per burst for Bit Error Rate between 10-3 and BERSES and
for Bit Error Rate between BERSES and RBER.
- K.Q. Method: If you selected K.Q. method based under Method, you can set the following parameters:
Frequency Exponent: Under K.Q. Method, define the exponent of the frequency.
Distance: Under K.Q. Method, define the distance.
7. Click the Objectives tab. On the Objectives tab, the parameters you define will select objectives.
Under Performance Objectives Selection, you can define how quality and availability objectives are selected.
The objectives can be selected according to the microwave link rate and the type of the objective (from ITU-T
G.821 or ITU-T G.826 recommendations or a customised objective). Clicking the Browse button ( ) beside
the Quality or Availability field opens a dialogue where you can define a priority for each selection criterion.
Under Availability Objectives Apportionment, you can define the ratio between the different objectives consid-
ered in the global availability objective. Microwave link unavailability can be due either to rain (with its impact on
propagation), to equipment failure, or it can be random. Therefore, the global availability objective consists of three
partial objectives for which you can define a weight. These weights are taken into consideration when calculating
the performance objectives to be considered when analysing the microwave link unavailability due to rain and the
unavailability due to equipment failures.
8. Click the Clutter Categories tab. On the Clutter Categories tab, the parameters you define will be used to analyse
reflection and calculate vegetation losses.
This tab lists all clutter categories defined in Rec. ITU-R P.1058-2 and their characteristics. For each clutter cate-
gory, you can define the following parameters:
- Reflective: Select the Reflective check box if you want Atoll to consider all clutter classes with this clutter
category as relection areas.
- Vegetation with leaves: Select the Vegetation with leaves check box if you want Atoll to consider all clutter
classes with this clutter category as vegetation zones with foliage.
- Vegetation without leaves: Select the Vegetation without leaves check box if you want Atoll to consider
all clutter classes with this clutter category as vegetation zones without foliage.
- Soil type: Select the type of ground as defined in Rec. ITU-R P. 527-3. The type of ground is used to deter-
mine permittivity and conductivity values taken into account in reflection analysis. The following are the avail-
able types of ground:
- A: sea water (average salinity), 20°C
- B: wet ground
- C: fresh water, 20°C
- D: medium dry ground
- E: very dry ground
- F: pure water, 20°C
- G: ice (fresh water)
9. Click OK.
Note: You can also access a link’s Properties dialogue by right-clicking the transmitter on the
map and selecting Properties from the context menu.
The microwave link Properties dialogue has several tabs: General, Radio, Connections, Geoclimatic, Reliability,
Propagation, and Display. The link settings that affect calculations are on the Geoclimatic, Reliability, and Propa-
gation tabs and are described here. For an explanation of the options available on the General, Radio, Connec-
tions, and Display tabs, see "Chapter 7: Microwave Link Project Management".
7. On the Geoclimatic tab, you can define climate-related settings affecting the microwave link:
Current Methods: Under Current Methods, you can see the calculation methods used to analyse the micro-
wave link quality and availability. The methods displayed are those set on the Models tab of the Microwave
Radio Links Properties dialogue. The geoclimatic parameters available depend on the selected quality and
availability methods. To access all geoclimatic parameters independently of the methods you have selected,
click the Display All button under Current Methods.
- Atmospheric and Climatic Conditions: Under Atmospheric and Climatic Conditions, you can define the
conditions under which the microwave operates:
- Climatic Zone: Select the climatic zone that best describes the climate in which the microwave link oper-
ates. The climatic zones available depend on the calculation methods selected on the Models tab of the
Microwave Radio Links Properties dialogue.
When using Crane as the availability calculation method, you can select the following climatic zones:
When using Vigants-Barnett as quality calculation method, you can choose between Warm and Humid,
Temperate and Dry.
- Temperature: Set the average temperature of the zone in which the microwave link operates. Clicking the
button ( ) beside the Temperature text box opens a dialogue where you can select the temperature
based on Rec. ITU-R P.1510-0, ITU-R P.835-3 (and select a season), or the temperature set in the geocli-
matic file.
- Rec. ITU-R P.530: The parameters found under Rec. ITU-R P.530 are those recommended by ITU-R
P.530 to calculate the quality of the microwave link:
Water Vapour Density: Set the water vapour density in grams per cubic metre. Clicking the button ( )
beside the Water Vapour Density text box opens a dialogue where you can select the water vapour den-
sity based on Rec. ITU-R P.836-3 (and select the percentage of the average year where the defined water
vapour density is exceeded), or based on Rec. ITU-R P.835-3 (and select a season), or the water vapour
density set in the geoclimatic file. The dialogue also displays the water vapour pressure in hectopascals
(hPa) calculated using your data and based on Rec. ITU-R P.836-3.
Rainfall exceeded 0.01% of the average year: Set the rainfall exceeded 0.01% of the average year (or,
in other words, the rainfall observed 99.99% of the average year). Clicking the button ( ) beside the
Rainfall exceeded 0.01% of the average year text box opens a dialogue where you can select the rainfall
exceeded 0.01% of the average year based on Rec. ITU-R P.837-4 or the rainfall exceeded 0.01% of the
average year set in the geoclimatic file.
Atmospheric Pressure: Set the atmospheric pressure in grams per cubic metre. Clicking the button
( ) beside the Atmospheric Pressure text box opens a dialogue where you can select the atmospher-
ic pressure based on Rec. ITU-R P.835-3 (and select a season), or the atmospheric pressure set in the
geoclimatic file.
Relative Humidity: The Relative Humidity displayed is calculated using the defined water vapour den-
sity.
Rec. ITU-R P.530-12: Under ITU-R P.530-12, you can enter the Rain Height (0°C Isotherm) in metres.
The rain height is the height of the top of the rain column above mean sea level from the 0°C isotherm.
Clicking the button ( ) beside the Rain Height text box opens a dialogue where you can select the rain
height based on Rec. ITU-R P.839-3 (and select a season), or the rain height set in the geoclimatic file.
- Refractivity: Under Refractivity, you can define the Refractivity gradient near the earth’s surface in
N-units per km. Clicking the button ( ) beside the Refractivity gradient near the earth’s surface text box
opens a dialogue where you can select the refractivity gradient based on Rec. ITU-R P.453-9, using a user-
defined reference altitude, or the refractivity gradient for less than 65 m., as well as the percentage of the year
that N is not exceeded, or the refractivity gradient set in the geoclimatic file.
Under Refractivity, the k factor median value, calculated using the set parameters, is displayed.
- Geoclimatic Factor: The parameters under Geoclimatic Factor are used to calculate the quality of the
microwave link and are broken down by calculation method. Under Geoclimatic Factor, you can set the fol-
lowing parameters:
- ITU-R P.530-5, -8 and Vigants-Barnett: Under ITU-R P.530-5, -8 and Vigants-Barnett, you can select
the Terrain Type. The terrain types available depend on the calculation methods selected on the Models
tab of the Microwave Radio Links Properties dialogue. If you are using ITU-R P.530-5 or 530-8 meth-
ods, you can choose between "Plain Zone" for terrestrial microwave links where the height of the lowest
antenna in the link is lower than 700 m; "Mountain" for terrestrial microwave links where the height of the
lowest antenna in the link is higher than 700 m; "Lake" for microwave links over an expanse of water; or
"Overwater" for microwave links over an extended expanse of water. If you are using using the Vigants-
Barnett method, you can choose between "Flat Terrain", "Average Terrain" and "Montainous Terrain".
- ITU-R P.530-5, -8: Under ITU-R P.530-5, -8, you can define the PL factor. PL is the percent of time the
relative refractivity gradient is less than -100 N⁄Km. The PL factor can be found on the ITU-R maps.
This parameter is taken into account when using ITU-R P.530-5 and ITU-R P.530-8 calculation methods.
- K.Q. Method: Under K.Q. Method, you can define K.Q. for the K.Q method. K models geo-climatic and
terrain effects on climate while Q is the factor for variables other than those dependent on distance and
frequency.
- ITU-R P.530: Under ITU-R P.530, you can define the K factor. K models geo-climatic and terrain effects
on climate. Clicking the button ( ) beside the K text box opens a dialogue where you can select the K
factor based on Rec. ITU-R P. 530-5 or Rec. ITU-R P. 530-8 (and select a terrain type and enter a value
for C0 and for the percentage of time the refractivity gradient (< 100 m.) is less than -100 N-units⁄km for
the worst average month) or based on Rec. ITU-R P. 530-10 and above (and select the simplified method
where you also define the refractivity gradient (< 65 m.) not exceeded during 1% of the average year or
select the method with terrain roughness taken into account where you define the refractivity gradient and
the terrain roughness).
- Vigants-Barnett: Factor C: Parameters available under Vigants-Barnett depend on the option selected
on the Models tab of the Microwave Radio Links Properties dialogue. If you select User-defined under
Multipath Occurence, you can enter the C factor value, the propagation condition factor for the Vigants-
Barnett method. If you select Simplified Method, Atoll displays the C factor value corresponding to the
defined climate zone. Finally, if you select Terrain-based Method, Atoll displays the C factor value cor-
responding to the defined climate zone and lets you select whether you want to take the terrain rough-
ness into account.
Clicking the Browse button ( ) opens the Properties dialogue of the selected link class.
Clicking the Objectives button opens a dialogue where you can view and modify the performance objectives
of the selected link class.
- Bit Error Rate: Under Bit Error Rate, you can set the values for BER 1 and BER 2. Atolldisplays the resulting
sensitivity for each BER.
If the value for BER that you enter is not defined in the properties of the equipment, Atoll will interpolate to
determine the corresponding sensitivity.
- Availability: Under Availability, you can set the MTTR (mean time to repair). The MTTR is taken into account
when calculating unavailability due to failures if the microwave link is not equipped with a hot standby channel
system.
10. Click the Propagation tab (see Figure 6.104).
- Geoclimatic tab:
- Environment Type
- R001 (mm/h)
- Geoclimatic Factor (K)
- PL (%)
- Water Vapour (g/m3)
- Temperature (°C)
- Factor K.Q
- Rain Height (m)
- Atmospheric Pressure (hPa)
- Refractivity
- Factor C
- Climatic Zone
- Reliability tab:
- Class (EPO)
- Hot Standby
- BER
- 2nd BER
- MTTR (h)
- Propagation tab:
- Propagation Model
- Interference Model
6. For each cell with a calculation parameter that you have already modified, copy the values into all cells above the
modified cell:
b. Drag upwards to select the cells into which you want to copy the data.
The contents of the modified cell are copied into all cells selected.
7. Repeat the procedure to copy the modified values into the remaining cells above the modified microwave link.
8. For each cell with a calculation parameter that you have already modified, copy the values into the cells below the
modified cell:
b. Drag downwards to select the cells into which you want to copy the
data.
The contents of the modified cell are copied into all cells selected.
9. Repeat the procedure to copy the modified values into the remaining cells below the modified microwave link.
To select the microwave links to which you want to copy the calculation parameters by grouping:
1. Click the Data tab of the Explorer window.
2. Click the Expand button ( ) to expand the Microwave Radio Links folder.
3. Right-click the Links folder. The context menu appears.
4. From the Group By submenu, select the property by which you want to group the microwave links. Ensure that
you chose a property that all the microwave links you want to modify and the link with the modified calculation
parameters have in common.
The microwave links in the folder are grouped in separate folders by that property.
Note: If the range of properties available in the Group By submenu has been configured as
explained in "Configuring the Group By Submenu" on page 57, you can select additional
properties by selecting More Fields from the Group By submenu. For information on
using the dialogue that appears, see "Configuring the Group By Submenu" on page 57.
5. Right-click the folder with the grouped microwave links. The context menu appears.
6. Select Open Table from the context menu. The Links Table appears.
7. Copy the calculation parameters from the modified microwave link to the other microwave links in the group as
explained in "Defining Calculation Parameters for All Microwave Links" on page 163.
Once you have finished copying the calculation parameters, you can ungroup the links by right-clicking the Links folder
and selecting Group By > None from the context menu.
To sort the microwave links to which you want to copy the calculation parameters:
1. Click the Data tab of the Explorer window.
2. Click the Expand button ( ) to expand the Microwave Radio Links folder.
3. Right-click the Links folder. The context menu appears.
4. Select Open Table from the context menu. The Links Table appears.
5. Right-click the table column with the parameter you want to sort on. The context menu appears.
6. Select either Sort Ascending or Sort Descending from the context menu.
7. Locate the row in the Links Table with the microwave link whose calculation parameters you just updated.
In the Links Table, the column names corresponding to the calculation parameters on the tabs of the microwave
link’s Properties dialogue are:
- Geoclimatic tab:
- Environment Type
- R001 (mm/h)
- Geoclimatic Factor (K)
- PL (%)
- Water Vapour (g/m3)
- Temperature (°C)
- Factor K.Q
- Rain Height (m)
- Atmospheric Pressure (hPa)
- Refractivity
- Factor C
- Climatic Zone
- Reliability tab:
- Class (EPO)
- Hot Standby
- BER
- 2nd BER
- MTTR (h)
- Propagation tab:
- Propagation Model
- Interference Model
8. For each cell with a calculation parameter that you have already modified, copy the values into all cells in the group
above the modified cell:
b. Drag upwards to select the cells into which you want to copy the data.
Important: Ensure that you only select the cells of the microwave links you want to modify.
The contents of the modified cell are copied into all cells selected.
9. Repeat the procedure to copy the modified values into the remaining cells in the group above the modified micro-
wave link.
10. For each cell with a calculation parameter that you have already modified, copy the values into the cells in the
group below the modified cell:
b. Drag downwards to select the cells into which you want to copy the data.
Important: Ensure that you only select the cells of the microwave links you want to modify.
c. Drag downwards to select the cells into which you want to copy the
data.
The contents of the modified cell are copied into all cells selected.
To filter the microwave links to which you want to copy the calculation parameters:
1. Click the Data tab of the Explorer window.
2. Click the Expand button ( ) to expand the Microwave Radio Links folder.
3. Right-click the Links folder. The context menu appears.
4. Select Open Table from the context menu. The Links Table appears.
You can now filter on a value in the table. You can either use a value that all microwave links to which you want
to copy calculation parameters have in common with the microwave link you previously modified, or you can use
a value these microwave links do not have.
5. Select the value to filter on. To select more than one value, press CTRL as you click the other values.
6. Right-click the cell and select one of the following from the context menu:
- Filter by Selection: All microwave links with the selected value or values are displayed. You can now modify
these microwave links as you would normally do with the entire Links table (see Figure 6.105 on page 168).
- Filter Excluding Selection: All microwave links without the selected value or values are displayed. You can
now modify these records or make calculations on them as you would normally do with the entire Links
table(see Figure 6.106 on page 169).
Figure 6.106: Filtering excluding selection (Sub-Band A>> B: 18 GHz, 220 MHz)
Note: You can use advanced data filtering to combine several criteria in different fields to create
complex filters. For more information on advanced filtering, see "Advanced Data Filtering"
on page 63.
7. Copy the calculation parameters from the modified microwave link to the other microwave links in the group as
explained in "Defining Calculation Parameters for All Microwave Links" on page 163.
7. If necessary, modify network parameters to study the network with a different frequency plan ( 10 ). After modifying
the network’s frequency plan, you must perform steps 7 and 8 again.
- Name: Atoll enters a default name for each new site. You can modify the default name. If you want to
change the default name that Atoll gives to new sites, see the Administrator Manual.
- Position: By default, Atoll places the new site at the centre of the map window. You can modify the loca-
tion of the site.
- Altitude: The altitude, as defined by the DTM for the location specified under Position, is given here. You
can specify the actual altitude under Real, if you want. If an altitude is specified here, Atoll will use this
value for calculations.
- Comments: You can enter comments in this field if you want.
- The Pylon tab:
- Pylon Height: You can define the height of the structure on which you can install antennas. Atoll can use
this height in several analyses (site analysis, antenna height optimisation, etc.).
- Support Type: You can describe the nature of site. This field is for information only.
Tip: If you are creating several sites at the same time, or modifying several existing sites, you
can do it quickly by editing or pasting the data directly in the Sites table. You can open
the Sites table by right-clicking the Sites folder on the Data tab of the Explorer window
and selecting Open Table from the context menu. For information on copying and
pasting data, see "Copying and Pasting in Tables" on page 47.
Figure 7.109: Setting the calculation parameters for a line of sight report
to remove it.
- To change the order of the fields, select a field and click or to move it up or down in the list. The
objects will be displayed in the order of the fields in the Selected Fields list, from top to bottom.
c. Click OK to return to the Table tab.
10. Click OK. Atoll displays the selected results in the Line of Sight Report table for each site in the focus zone if
available and computation zone if there is no focus zone. As well, Atoll displays a terrain section on the map
between each pair of sites (see "Displaying the Terrain Profile Between Candidate Sites" on page 180).
The Line of Sight Report table contains the following default information for each pair of sites. Site1 is the studied site
and Site2 a candidate site within the focus zone if available and computation zone if there is no focus zone.
- Site1: Site1 is the transmitting site of the pair of sites.
- Site2: Site2 is the receiving site of the pair of sites.
- Distance (m): The distance between the sites.
- Line of Sight (k1) (%): The clearance or penetration of the Fresnel ellipsoid in percentage for the first k factor
value. The result can be between -100 and 100%. A value from -100 to 0% corresponds to the percentage of
penetration of the upper half of the Fresnel ellipsoid. A value from 0 to 100% corresponds to the percentage
of clearance of the lower half of the Fresnel ellipsoid (see Figure 7.110).
- Line of Sight (k2) (%): The clearance or penetration of the Fresnel ellipsoid in percentage for the second k
factor value.
- Antenna 1 Height (m): The height of the transmitting antenna.
- Antenna 2 Height (m):The height of the receiving antenna.
- Frequency (MHz): The mean frequency used to calculate the line of sight between the transmitting site and
the receiving site.
- Direction (°): The angle from Site1 to Site2 in the horizontal plane.
Tip: If you double-click one terrain section in the Line of Sight Report table, Atoll will
automatically center it in the map and will display its profile in the Terrain Section tab of
the Microwave Link Analysis Tool window.
You can remove the line-of-sight sections by selecting Delete Line of Sight Lines from the site’s context menu.
To calculate a LOS report for all sites:
1. Click the Data tab in the Explorer window.
2. Right-click the Sites folder. The context menu appears.
3. Select Line of Sight Report from the context menu. The Line of Sight Parameters dialogue appears.
4. Click the Calculation Parameters tab.
5. Under Height - Transmitter Side and Height - Receiver Side you can select how pylon height will be defined on
the transmitter and receiver side of the microwave link, respectively. Select one of the following to define the pylon
height for the transmitter and the receiver:
- Use the pylon height defined by site: If you select Use the pylon height defined by site, Atoll will use the
pylon height defined by site for each line of sight.
- Use the default height: If you select Use the default height, Atoll will use the pylon height you define in the
Default Height box.
6. Define the Maximum Distance around the selected site to be considered in the line-of-sight analysis.
7. Under Earth Curvature Factors, define two k factor values.
8. Under Penetration Condition, define the following parameters:
- Take clutter into account in diffraction: Select the Take clutter into account in diffraction check box if
you want to use clutter information when calculating diffraction in the line of sight.
- Frequency Band: Select the frequency band to be used when calculating the line of sight from the list. The
average frequency of the selected frequency band is displayed in the Frequency box.
9. Click the Clutter tab. On the Clutter tab you can set clutter-related parameters that will be used to calculate the
line of sight. The settings on the Clutter tab are independent from any clutter parameters you might have set for
the propagation model. For each clutter class, you can set the following:
- Receiver Height: You can define a receiver height for each clutter class. It is not used when calculating the
line of sight between sites.
- Clearance: If you want, you can define a clearance around each site for each clutter class. The clearance is
used when calculating diffraction. Both ground altitude and clutter height are considered along the whole pro-
file except over a specific distance around the sites (clearance), where Atoll bases its calculations only on the
DTM.
10. Click the Table tab. On the Table tab you can define the content of the report. Atoll displays a default set of fields
and lets you select other information to be included in the report.
a. Click Add. The Field Selection dialogue appears.
b. In the Field Selection dialogue, select the fields that you want to display in the report. You can select contig-
uous fields by clicking the first field, pressing SHIFT and clicking the last field. You can select non-contiguous
fields by pressing CTRL and clicking each fields separately.
- To select a field to be included in the report, select the field in the Available Fields list and click
to remove it.
- To change the order of the fields, select a field and click or to move it up or down in the list. The
objects will be displayed in the order of the fields in the Selected Fields list, from top to bottom.
c. Click OK to return to the Table tab.
11. Click OK. Atoll displays the results in the Line of Sight Report table for each site in the focus zone if available
and computation zone if there is no focus zone. As well, Atoll displays a terrain section on the map between each
pair of sites (see "Displaying the Terrain Profile Between Candidate Sites" on page 180).
The Line of Sight Report table contains the following default information for each pair of sites. Site1 is the studied site
and Site2 a candidate site within the focus zone if available and computation zone if there is no focus zone.
- Site1: Site1 is the transmitting site of the pair of sites.
- Site2: Site2 is the receiving site of the pair of sites.
- Distance: The distance between the sites.
- Line of Sight (k1) (%): The clearance or penetration of the Fresnel ellipsoid in percentage for the first k factor
value. The result can be between -100 and 100%. A value from -100 to 0% corresponds to the percentage of
penetration of the upper half of the Fresnel ellipsoid. A value from 0 to 100% corresponds to the percentage
of clearance of the lower half of the Fresnel ellipsoid (see Figure 7.110).
- Line of Sight (k2) (%): The clearance or penetration of the Fresnel ellipsoid in percentage for the second k
factor value.
- Antenna 1 Height: The height of the transmitting antenna.
- Antenna 2 Height: The height of the receiving antenna.
- Frequency: The mean frequency used to calculate the line of sight between the transmitting site and the
receiving site.
You can remove the line-of-sight lines by selecting Delete Line of Sight Lines from the context menu of the Sites folder
of the Explorer window’s Data tab.
- Node1: The name of the source site selected in the Routing Options tab.
- Node#: The name of sites been through by the route and the name of the target site.
- Distance: The length of the route.
The number of columns named "Node#" displayed in the Routing to Site table depends on the maximum number
of hops defined in the Routing Options tab.
In addition, Atoll displays terrain sections on the map between each site of routes (see "Displaying the Terrain
Profile Between Candidate Sites" on page 180). You can remove the line of sight lines by selecting Delete Line
of Sight Lines from the context menu of the Sites folder of the Explorer window’s Data tab.
Note: You can set further options using the Line of Sight Parameters dialogue. You can open
the Line of Sight Parameters dialogue by clicking the arrow next to the Height Profile
button ( ) on the toolbar and selecting Properties. For a description of the options
available in the Line of Sight Parameters dialogue, see "Analysing the Line of Sight
Between Candidate Sites" on page 176.
The 360° View tab shows the points of highest elevations in every direction around the selected site. The altitude
(in metres) is reported on the vertical axis and the direction (in °) on the horizontal axis. The height of the studied
site is indicated by a blue dotted line. Two purple markers on both sides of the 360° View tab show the pylon height
(i.e. the maximum height not to be exceeded if you install an antenna on the site) defined for the studied site.
Neighbour sites around the studied one are displayed according to their directions. Each neighbour site is indi-
cated by a vertical red line and its symbol. The line position on the vertical axis depends on the site altitude which
includes the Earth curvature. The line lengths and the symbol position on the line depend on the receiver height
defined in the 360° View Properties dialogue. If the site is entirely visible from the studied site, the line is solid. If
it is entirely hidden by an obstable, the line is dotted. Finally, if a site is partly visible from the studied site, the visible
part is represented by a solid line whereas the hidden part is indicated by a dotted line. This representation helps
you select a receiver site among neighbours and determine at which height you should install an antenna on the
receiver site. Atoll displays the terrain height along the profile as well as clutter classes and clutter heights when
the visibility box of the Clutter Classes folder on the Geo tab is selected.
Note: The 360° View tab does not display any depth of field.
The 360° View tab provides you with the following options:
- To center the receiver site in the map window: Click the site in the 360° View tab. The site is automatically
selected and centered in the map window.
- To get information about a receiver site: Place the mouse cursor on the site in the 360° View tab. Atoll
displays a tool tip with the following information:
- The site coordinates (in the display coordinate system),
- Its distance from the studied site (in m),
- The direction (in °),
- The altitude (in m),
- The curvature of the Earth (in m),
- The pylon height (in m).
- To display the terrain profile between the studied site and the receiver site: Right-click the site in the
360° View tab and select See Terrain Section from the context menu. The Terrain Section tab of the Micro-
wave Link Analysis Tool window opens.
- To return from the Terrain Section tab to the 360° View tab: Click the 360° View tab in the Microwave
Link Analysis Tool window.
- To view the exact location of a high elevation point in the map window: Click a point on the line indicating
the highest elevation points in the 360° View tab. A special pointer ( ) pinpoints the location of the current
point in the map window.
- To get information about a high elevation point: Place the mouse cursor on a point on the line indicating
the highest elevation points in the 360° View tab. Atoll displays a tool tip with the following information:
- The point coordinates (in the display coordinate system),
- The distance from the studied site (in m),
- The direction (in °),
Atoll allows you to calculate the line-of-sight areas for several sites and display their intersection. The intersection of line-
of-sight areas will be calculated for sites in the computation zone (for information on the computation zone, see "Using a
Computation Zone" on page 30).
To display the line-of-sight areas of several sites and display their intersection:
1. Click the Data tab in the Explorer window.
2. Right-click the Sites folder. The context menu appears.
3. Select Line of Sight Report from the context menu. The Line of Sight Parameters dialogue appears.
4. Click the Calculation Parameters tab.
5. Under Height - Transmitter Side, you can select how pylon height will be defined on the transmitter side of each
microwave link:
- Use the pylon height defined by site: If you select Use the pylon height defined by site, Atoll will use the
pylon height defined by site.
- Use the default height: If you select Use the default height, Atoll will use the pylon height you define in the
Default Height box.
6. Under Height - Receiver Side, you can select how receiver height will be defined at the far edge of the LOS area:
- Use heights defined per clutter class: If you select Use heights defined per clutter class, Atoll will use
the receiver height defined per clutter class on the Clutter tab of the Line of Sight Parameters dialogue.
- Use the default height: If you select Use the default height, Atoll will use the receiver height you define in
the Default Height box.
7. Define the Maximum Distance around the selected site to be considered in the line-of-sight analysis.
8. Under Earth Curvature Factors, define the first k factor value.
9. Under Penetration Condition, define the following parameters:
a. Take clutter into account in diffraction: Select the Take clutter into account in diffraction check box if
you want to use clutter information when calculating diffraction in the line of sight.
b. Define the type of clearance that will be calculated by selecting one of the following:
- Line of Sight Clearance: Select Line of Sight Clearance if you want to study the line of sight between
the transmitter and receiver sites.
- Ellipsoid Clearance: Select Ellipsoid Clearance if you want to study the percentage of clearance of the
Fresnel ellipsoid and enter the percentage of clearance of the lower half of the Fresnel ellipsoid.
c. Frequency Band: Select the frequency band to be used when calculating the line of sight from the list. The
average frequency of the selected frequency band is displayed in the Frequency box.
10. Click the Clutter tab. On the Clutter tab you can set clutter-related parameters that will be used to calculate the
line-of-sight area. The settings on the Clutter tab are independent from any clutter parameters you might have set
for the propagation model. For each clutter class, you can set the following:
- Receiver Height: If you want, you can define a receiver height for each clutter class. This is the value that will
be taken into consideration if you selected Use heights defined per clutter class under Height - Receiver
Side on the Calculation Parameters tab.
- Clearance: If you want, you can define a clearance around each site for each clutter class. The clearance is
used when calculating diffraction. Both ground altitude and clutter height are considered along the whole pro-
file except over a specific distance around the sites (clearance), where Atoll bases its calculations only on the
DTM.
11. Click the Display tab. On the Display tab, you can define how the line-of-sight areas will be displayed on the map.
You can select one of the following display options:
- One Area per Site: Select One Area per Site to display a line-of-sight area for each site and then define the
colour the line-of-sight areas will be displayed in:
- Automatic Colour: If you select Automatic Colour, Atoll will automatically assign a different colour to
each line-of-sight area, and you will be able to distinguish the line-of-sight areas for each site.
- Unique Colour: If you select Unique Colour, selecting a colour from the palette, Atoll with display all
line-of-sight areas in the same colour, and the resulting display will show the cumulative line-of-sight
areas.
Set the transparency of the displayed line-of-sight area, by moving the slider.
- Overlapping: Select Overlapping to display the line-of-sight areas with coverage from the defined number
of sites:
- Areas covered by at least 2 sites: Check the Areas covered by at least 2 sites check box if you want
Atoll to display all areas covered by at least 2 sites in the colour selected from the palette.
- Areas covered by at least 3 sites: Check the Areas covered by at least 3 sites check box if you want
Atoll to display all areas covered by at least 3 sites in the colour selected from the palette.
- Areas covered by all sites: Check the Areas covered by all sites check box if you want Atoll to display
all areas covered by all sites in the colour selected from the palette.
12. Select the Add to Legend check box to add the options defined on the Display tab to the Legend. For information
on the Legend window, see "Displaying the Map Legend" on page 29.
13. Click OK. Atoll displays results on the map.
To delete the line-of-sight areas:
1. Right-click the Sites folder of the Explorer window’s Data tab. The context menu appears.
2. Select Delete Line of Sight Areas from the context menu.
- A>>B and B>>A: The direction of the microwave link (A>>B: transmission from Site A to Site B, B>>A: trans-
mission from Site B to Site A). Select both options to make the microwave link bidirectional (i.e., to allow com-
munication in both ways).
- Under Antennas, you can define antennas and characteristics for the both sites of the link
- Model: The antenna model. By default, Atoll lists antennas that operate in the frequency band defined for
the microwave link. If you want, you can apply an additional filter by clicking the button ( ) beside the
antenna model field. When the filter is active, the appearance of the button changes ( ). In this case,
Atoll proposes in the list antennas compatible with the selected equipment as defined in the Antenna/
Equipment Compatibility table.
- Height/Ground: The antenna height with respect to the ground (in metres).
- Polarisation: The polarisation of the antenna to be used. This parameter helps Atoll determine which
antenna pattern diagrams to use for calculations.
- Az./Direct Ray: The azimuth with respect to the direct ray between the both extremities.
- Tilt./Direct Ray: The tilt with respect to the direct ray between the both extremities.
- Diversity Ant: You can define if a diversity antenna is used at either site to improve reception.
- Separation: The distance between the main and the diversity antennas when space diversity is used on
the site.
- Under Equipment, you can define equipment related parameters for the both sites of the link:
- Model: You can select a piece of equipment. By default, Atoll lists equipment that operates in the frequen-
cy band defined for the microwave link. If you want, you can apply an additional filter by clicking the button
( ) beside the antenna model field. When the filter is active, the appearance of the button changes
( ). In this case, Atoll proposes in the list equipment compatible with the selected antenna as defined
in the Antenna/Equipment Compatibility table.
- Maximum Power: The maximum power that the equipment can transmit. This parameter is taken from
the equipment properties.
- Tuning: Define a value different from 0 dB if you do not want to transmit at maximum power.
- Nominal power: The output power after tuning.
- ATPC: The power reserve used to increase the transmitted signal when it rains. This parameter can be
defined for biderectional links only. The value cannot exceed the Max ATPC value defined for the equip-
ment. ATPC value is considered in reliability and interference analysis only if power control is on. For infor-
mation on taking power control into consideration, see "Global Parameters" on page 156.
- Coordinated Power: The output power taken into account in calculations when power control is on.
- XPIC System: Select this option if the microwave link uses XPIC (Cross Polarisation Interference Cancel-
ler).
- Under Frequencies, you can define the following parameters:
- Sub-Band: The frequency sub-band. By default, Atoll lists all frequency sub-bands available for the mi-
crowave link frequency band. If you want, you can apply an additional filter by clicking the button ( )
beside the frequency sub-band field. When the filter is active, the appearance of the button changes
( ). In this case, Atoll provides in the list the sub-band, whose frequency spacing corresponds to the
standardised channel bandwidth calculated for the installed equipment.
- Frequency: The frequency on which the signal is transmitted. This value is used when no sub-band is
defined. By default, it equals the central frequency of the frequency band.
- Half-band: Define which half-band (either the upper or the lower half-band) is assigned to the site.
- Channels: The channel(s) allocated to the site. The corresponding frequency is indicated in brackets.
Channel(s) can be selected only after choosing a frequency sub-band.
- Port Settings: Click the Port Settings button to configure channel(s) in detail. The Ports Definition
dialogue appears. You can configure the channels, transmission and reception port numbers, values for
transmission and reception attenuation, the polarisation and the channel port status. The number of ports
you can define depends on the system configuration of the selected equipment and cannot exceed n+m
(where "n" is the number of channels in normal use and "m" is the number of channels available as
standby channels).
For further information on port settings, see "Defining Port Parameters" on page 189.
Note: Ports have to be configured if you use dual polarized antennas, radio equipment with 1+1
configuration and hot standby, or frequency diversity. For other configurations, port
settings is not mandatory; you can define either the frequency or the sub-band and
channels.
microwave link. If you want, you can apply an additional filter by clicking the button ( ) beside the antenna
model field. When the filter is active, the appearance of the button changes ( ). In this case, Atoll proposes
in the list, waveguides compatible with the selected antenna and equipment as defined in the Antenna/
Waveguide Compatibility and Antenna/Equipment Compatibility tables. You can also enter the length of
each waveguide. Atoll displays the attenuation.
- Under Connection Losses, you can define additional losses to be taken into account on transmission, recep-
tion, or on both transmission and reception. You can also add a Shielding Factor.
• The Geoclimatic tab:
- Current Methods: Under Current Methods, you can see the calculation methods used to analyse the micro-
wave link quality and availability. The methods displayed are those set on the Models tab of the Microwave
Radio Links Properties dialogue. For more information, see "Global Parameters" on page 156.
The geoclimatic parameters available depend on the selected quality and availability methods. To access all
geoclimatic parameters whatever the methods you have selected, click the Display All button available under
Current Methods.
- Atmospheric and Climatic Conditions: Under Atmospheric and Climatic Conditions, you can define the
conditions under which the microwave operates:
- Climatic Zone: Select the climatic zone that best describes the climate in which the microwave link oper-
ates. The climatic zones available depend on the calculation methods selected in the Models tab of the
Microwave Radio Links Properties dialogue.
When using Crane as the availability calculation method, you can select the following climatic zones:
When using Vigants-Barnett as the quality calculation method, you can choose between Warm and Hu-
mid, Temperate and Dry.
- Temperature: Set the average temperature of the zone in which the microwave link operates. Clicking the
button ( ) beside the Temperature text box opens a dialogue where you can select the temperature
based on Rec. ITU-R P.1510-0, ITU-R P.835-3 (and select a season), or the temperature set in the geocli-
matic file. For more information on the geoclimatic file, see "Geoclimatic Maps" on page 108.
- Rec. ITU-R P.530: The parameters found under Rec. ITU-R P.530 are those recommended by ITU-R
P.530 to calculate the quality of the microwave link:
Water Vapour Density: Set the water vapour density in grams per cubic metre. Clicking the button ( )
beside the Water Vapour Density text box opens a dialogue where you can select the water vapour den-
sity based on Rec. ITU-R P.836-3 (and select the percentage of the average year where the defined water
vapour density is exceeded), or based on Rec. ITU-R P.835-3 (and select a season), or the water vapour
density set in the geoclimatic file. For more information on the geoclimatic file, see "Geoclimatic Maps" on
page 108. The dialogue also displays the water vapour pressure in hectopascals (hPa) calculated using
your data and based on Rec. ITU-R P.836-3.
Rainfall exceeded 0.01% of the average year: Set the rainfall exceeded 0.01% of the average year (or,
in other words, the rainfall observed 99.99% of the average year). Clicking the button ( ) beside the
Rainfall exceeded 0.01% of the average year text box opens a dialogue where you can select the rainfall
exceeded 0.01% of the average year based on Rec. ITU-R P.837-4 or the rainfall exceeded 0.01% of the
average year set in the geoclimatic file. For more information on the geoclimatic file, see "Geoclimatic
Maps" on page 108.
Atmospheric Pressure: Set the atmospheric pressure in grams per cubic metre. Clicking the button
( ) beside the Atmospheric Pressure text box opens a dialogue where you can select the atmospher-
ic pressure based on Rec. ITU-R P.835-3 (and select a season), or the atmospheric pressure set in the
geoclimatic file. For more information on the geoclimatic file, see "Geoclimatic Maps" on page 108.
Relative Humidity: The Relative Humidity displayed is calculated using the defined water vapour den-
sity.
Rec. ITU-R P.530-12: Under ITU-R P.530-12, you can enter the Rain Height (0°C Isotherm) in metres.
The rain height is the height of the top of the rain column above mean sea level from the 0°C isotherm.
Clicking the button ( ) beside the Rain Height text box opens a dialogue where you can select the rain
height based on Rec. ITU-R P.839-3 (and select a season), or the rain height set in the geoclimatic file.
For more information on the geoclimatic file, see "Geoclimatic Maps" on page 108.
- Refractivity: Under Refractivity, you can define the Refractivity gradient near the earth’s surface in
N-units per km. Clicking the button ( ) beside the Refractivity gradient near the earth’s surface text box
opens a dialogue where you can select the refractivity gradient based on Rec. ITU-R P.453-9, using a user-
defined reference altitude, or the refractivity gradient for less than 65 m., as well as the percentage of the year
that N is not exceeded, or the refractivity gradient set in the geoclimatic file. For more information on the geo-
climatic file, see "Geoclimatic Maps" on page 108.
Under Refractivity, the k factor median value, calculated using the set parameters, is displayed.
- Geoclimatic Factor: The parameters under Geoclimatic Factor are used to calculate the quality of the
microwave link and are broken down by calculation method. Under Geoclimatic Factor, you can set the fol-
lowing parameters:
- ITU-R P.530-5, -8 and Vigants-Barnett: Under ITU-R P.530-5, -8 and Vigants-Barnett, you can select
the Terrain Type. The terrain types available depend on the calculation methods selected on the Models
tab of the Microwave Radio Links Properties dialogue. If you are using ITU-R P.530-5 or 530-8 meth-
ods, you can choose between "Open Areas" for terrestrial microwave links where the height of the lowest
antenna in the link is lower than 700 m, "Mountain" for terrestrial microwave links where the height of the
lowest antenna in the link is higher than 700 m, "Lake" for microwave links over an expanse of water and
"Overwater" for microwave links over an extended expanse of water. If you are using using the Vigants-
Barnett method, you can choose between "Flat Terrain", "Average Terrain" and "Montainous Terrain".
- ITU-R P.530-5, -8: Under ITU-R P.530-5, -8, you can define the PL factor. PL is the percent of time the
relative refractivity gradient is less than -100 N⁄Km. The PL factor can be found on the ITU-R maps.
- K.Q. Method: Under K.Q. Method, you can define K.Q. for the K.Q method. K models geo-climatic and
terrain effects on climate while Q is the factor for variables other than those dependent on distance and
frequency.
- ITU-R P.530: Under ITU-R P.530, you can define the K factor. K models geo-climatic and terrain effects
on climate. Clicking the button ( ) beside the K text box opens a dialogue where you can select the K
factor based on Rec. ITU-R P. 530-5 or Rec. ITU-R P. 530-8 (and select a terrain type and enter a value
for C0 and for the percentage of time the refractivity gradient (< 100 m.) is less than -100 N-units⁄km for
the worst average month) or based on Rec. ITU-R P. 530-10 and above (and select the simplified method
where you also define the refractivity gradient (< 65 m.) not exceeded during 1% of the average year or
select the method with terrain roughness taken into account where you define the refractivity gradient and
the terrain roughness).
- Vigants-Barnett: Parameters available under Vigants-Barnett depend on the option selected on the
Models tab of the Microwave Radio Links Properties dialogue. If you select the User-defined option
under Multipath Occurence, you can enter the C factor value, the propagation condition factor for Vi-
gants-Barnett method. If you select the Simplified Method option, Atolldisplays the C factor value corre-
sponding to the defined climate zone. If you select the Terrain-based Method option, Atoll displays the
C factor value corresponding to the defined climate zone and lets you define whether you want to take the
terrain roughness into account.
• The Reliability tab:
- Link Class: Under Link Class, you can select the link class. Each link class can have different performance
objectives. By assigning the link class with the appropriate performance objectives, you assign the perform-
ance objectives to the link. For information on creating a link class, see "Microwave Link Classes" on
page 154.
Clicking the Browse button ( ) opens the Properties dialogue of the selected link class.
Clicking the Objectives button opens a dialogue where you can view and modify the performance objectives
of the selected link class.
- Bit Error Rate: Under Bit Error Rate, you can set the values for BER 1 and BER 2. Atoll displays the
resulting sensitivity for each BER.
• The Propagation tab, you can define propagation-related parameters:
- Model used for the useful signal: Under Model used for the useful signal, you can select the propagation
model that will be used to calculate the path loss as well as the margin required for quality and availability for
the microwave link. If no propagation model is selected, the quality and availability of the link will be defined
by the respective target values defined in the link class.
- Model used for the interfering signal: Under Model used for the interfering signal, you can select the
propagation model that will be used to calculate interference.
• The Display tab, you can define the appearance of the microwave link and its extremities.
dialogue. How you access the Properties dialogue depends on whether you are creating a new microwave link or modi-
fying an existing microwave link.
To create or modify a microwave link:
1. If you are creating a new microwave link:
a. Click the Data tab in the Explorer window.
b. Click the Expand button ( ) to expand the Microwave Radio Links folder.
c. Right-click the Links folder. The context menu appears.
d. Select New from the context menu. The Links New Element Properties dialogue appears.
2. If you are modifying the properties of an existing site:
a. Click the Data tab in the Explorer window.
b. Click the Expand button ( ) to expand the Microwave Radio Links folder.
c. Click the Expand button ( ) to expand the Links folder.
d. Right-click the microwave link you want to modify. The context menu appears.
e. Select Properties from the context menu. The microwave link’s Properties dialogue appears.
3. Modify the parameters described in "Definition of a Microwave Link" on page 185.
4. Click OK.
After defining the configuration for one direction, you can define the opposite direction by clicking the Initialise
Symmetrically button.
2. Click the arrow next to New Link button ( ) on the Microwave toolbar.
3. Select Using The Mouse On The Map from the menu. The pointer changes ( ).
The sites that define the extremities of a microwave link can be already existing sites or Atoll will create new sites
automatically at the location you clicked on the map. Each site in Atoll can support several microwave links, trans-
mitters, and passive repeaters.
a. Click once on the map to indicate the location of the first end of the link. The pointer now changes ( ).
b. Click again on the map to indicate the location of the other end of the link.
5. If you are placing a new microwave link on two existing sites:
a. In the map window, click the site that you would like to use as one extremity of the microwave link. The site is
now one extremity of the microwave link. The pointer now changes ( ).
b. Move the pointer to the site that you would like to use as the other extremity of the microwave link and click it.
The microwave link is now created between the two sites.
To create a microwave link on two existing sites using a link template:
1. In the Microwave toolbar, select a link template from the list.
2. Click the arrow next to New Link button ( ) on the Microwave toolbar.
3. Select Between Sites from the menu. The Link Creation dialogue appears.
4. In the Link Creation dialogue, define the following parameters:
- Model: the link template you want to use in order to create the microwave link.
- Site A: the name of the site defining one extremity of the link.
- Site B: the name of the site defining the other extremity of the link.
5. Click OK.
By default, Atoll names the newly created microwave links in the following manner: SiteX – SiteY, where SiteX is the name
of the start site (existing or newly created) and SiteY is the name of the end site (existing or newly created).
You can also create a link template based on a link template selected in the Link Template Properties dialogue. The new
link template has the same parameters as the one it is based on. Therefore, by selecting the existing link template that
most closely resembles the link template you want to create, you can create a new template by only modifying the param-
eters that differ.
As well, you can modify the properties of any link template.
To create a link template based on an existing link template or modify a link template:
1. In the Microwave toolbar, click the arrow to the right of the list.
2. Select Manage Templates from the list. The Link Template Properties dialogue appears.
3. You can now create a new link template or modify an existing one:
- To create a new link template: Under Available Templates, select the link template that most closely resem-
bles the link template you want to create and click Add. The Properties dialogue appears.
- To modify an existing link template: Under Available Templates, select the link template whose properties
you want to modify and click Properties. The Properties dialogue appears.
4. For information on the fields available in the open window, see "Modifying Microwave Sites and Microwave Links
Directly on the Map" on page 191.
5. Click OK.
The new link template will be available in the template menu.
Note: If you add a field to the link templates, you must add an equivalent field to the Sites table
or the field will not be taken into account.
Modifying sites and links directly on the map is explained in detail in "Chapter 1: The Working Environment":
• "Displaying the Properties of an Object" on page 18
• "Selecting One of Several Microwave Links" on page 19
• "Moving a Site Using the Mouse" on page 19
• "Moving a Site to a Higher Location" on page 19
• "Changing the Azimuth of the Antenna Using the Mouse" on page 19
• "Changing the Antenna Position Relative to the Site Using the Mouse" on page 20
• "Selecting Another Site for the Link Extremity Using the Mouse" on page 20.
engineering and interference studies to the sites and microwave links that you are interested in and generate only the
results you need.
In Atoll, there are two ways of restricting the number of sites and microwave links studied, each with its own advantages:
• Filtering the desired sites and microwave links
You can simplify the selection of sites and microwave links to be studied by using a filter. You can filter sites and
microwave links according to one or more fields, or you can create an advanced filter by combining several criteria
in several fields. You can create a graphic filter by either using an existing vector polygon or creating a new vector
polygon. For information on graphic filters, see "Filtering Data Using a Filtering Zone" on page 71. This enables
you to keep only the sites and microwave links with the characteristics you want to study.
For information on computation zones, see "Using a Computation Zone" on page 30.
You can combine a computation zone and a filter, in order to create a very precise selection of the sites and microwave
links to be studied.
In addition, it is possible to set a focus zone in order to filter the results displayed in reports (link budgets, interference).
For information on focus zones, see "Using a Focus Zone" on page 31.
You can also open Profile tab of the Microwave Link Analysis Tool window using the Profile Analysis button ( ) in
the toolbar.
The Profile tab provides an interactive real-time display of the microwave link profile from site A to site B or vice versa. It
includes any passive repeaters composing the link. The altitude (in metres) is reported on the vertical axis and the distance
on the horizontal axis. A blue ellipsoid indicates the Fresnel zone between the transmitter and the receiver sites, with a
green line indicating the line of sight (LOS). Atoll displays the terrain height along the profile as well as clutter classes and
clutter heights when the visibility check box of the Clutter Classes folder on the Geo tab is selected. If you do not want to
display the clutter along the profile, you can clear the visibility check box of the Clutter Classes folder on the Geo tab.
Along the profile, if the signal meets an obstacle, this causes attenuation with diffraction displayed by a black vertical line
(if the propagation model used takes diffraction into account). The main peak is the one that intersects the Fresnel ellipsoid
the most. The diffraction attenuation is displayed above the peak.
When a repeater is inserted on the link, it is displayed in the profile tab by a vertical line in the profile. At the top of the
Microwave Link Analysis Tool window, you can select which part of the profile you want to display:
• Site A ==> Site P
• Site P ==> Site B
• Site B ==> Site P
be set through the advanced options available by clicking the button ( ) opposite the Link list. Atoll displays the clear-
ance (%) and the penetration of the Fresnel zone for each value of k. In addition, it indicates the tilts/direct ray, the
azimuths, and the angles of incidence for both antennas.
The first Fresnel ellipsoid corresponding to the first k value is shown in blue, while the second related to the second k value
is shown in red. You can also display another Fresnel ellipsoid when a secondary antenna is installed at the receiver. If
there are obstructions in the path of the microwave link that introduce losses, a green coloured line is drawn from the trans-
mitter to the first obstacle’s highest point. A perpendicular from the horizontal axis is also drawn to mark the obstacle that
introduces the highest loss in the link, and the loss from this obstacle is displayed on the top of this perpendicular.
A common mode of operation would be to display the first Fresnel zone at 100% and the second at 60% so as to depict
the minimum clearance requirement directly on the profile. To manage the display of Fresnel ellipsoids, both first and
second, you have to access the Display options dialogue for the profile and modify these parameters.
Here, it is also possible to modify the antenna heights at both extremities manually and automatically, this feature is
described in detail in the Optimising microwave link antenna heights section.
Note: When 100% of the Fresnel ellipsoid is displayed, the clearance is referred to as F, F1 for
the first k factor value and F2 for the second one. When the percentage of the Fresnel
ellipsoid is different from 100%, the clearance is referred to as F’, F’1 for the first k factor
value and F’2 for the second one.
As as you drag the pointer along the profile in the Microwave Link Analysis window, the pointer changes ( )
to indicate the location of the current point along the profile in the map window. When you place the pointer on this
special cursor, the following information appears in a tool tip:
The Values tab of the Microwave Link Analysis Tool window displays the following values for each point along the
profile:
2. Click the antenna height pointer ( ) (the pointer changes ) and drag it up or down to modify the antenna
height.
3. Right-click the antenna height pointer ( ). The context menu appears.
4. Select Save Hx and Tilt, where "x" is either "a" or "b" depending on the site, from the context menu. Atoll saves
the current antenna height and tilt in the microwave link.
Note: You can specify a maximum pylon height for the receiving and transmitting sites not to be
exceeded. This parameter can be defined on the Other Properties tab of the Properties
dialogue for each site. When defined, these height limits are displayed on the Profile tab.
2. Click the button beside the microwave links list ( ) and enter the exact antenna height.
3. Right-click the antenna height pointer ( ). The context menu appears.
4. Select Save Hx and Tilt, where "x" is either "a" or "b" depending on the site, from the context menu. Atoll saves
the current antenna height and tilt in the microwave link.
Note: You can specify a maximum pylon height for the receiving and transmitting sites not to be
exceeded. This parameter can be defined on the Other Properties tab of the Properties
dialogue for each site. When defined, these height limits are displayed on the Profile tab.
If you have out-of-date clutter class maps, you can estimate the growth of vegetation (Projected tree or foli-
age growth). Atoll takes this value into account for clutter categories from 6 to 14 and adds it to the clutter
height.
- Minimum Diffraction Loss Method: Atoll determines antenna heights to minimise diffraction losses due to
the main obstacle (i.e., it calculates antenna heights to get a clearance of 60% of the first Fresnel zone).
5. Select the Take into account the reflection areas check box and define the range of k factor values (kmin and
kmax) to be used during the antenna height optimisation if you want to take reflection into consideration.
6. Click OK.
7. Right-click the the antenna height pointer ( ) for the site whose antenna height you want to optimise.The context
menu appears.
8. Choose Optimise to calculate the optimum antenna heights for both extremities.
You can also use the context menu to lock the antenna height. This enables you to prevent the antenna height
from being modified during the optimisation process. Only the height of the other antenna (assuming it is not loced
as well) will be calculated to optimise the link. Furthermore, you can always restore the last antenna height value
by selecting Restore from the same menu.
Note: You can specify a maximum pylon height for the receiving and transmitting sites not to be
exceeded. This parameter can be defined in each site properties dialogue (Other
Properties tab). If defined, these height limits are represented on the Profile tab.
- Frequency Band: The operating frequency band of the passive repeater and its position relative to the site.
You can access the Properties of the selected site and frequency band by clicking the Browse button ( ) next
to the corresponding item.
You can click the Calculate button ( ) to automatically calculate azimuth and tilt angles.
- For a back-to-back antenna type repeater, define the following parameters:
- Under Antenna1, you can choose the antenna, define the antenna height, the azimuth and tilt angles to-
wards the site of transmission.
- Under Antenna2, you can choose the antenna, define the antenna height, the azimuth and tilt angles to-
wards the site of reception, and specify whether the antennas have a crossed polarisation.
- Under Waveguide, you can choose the waveguide and define the length. By default, Atoll lists
waveguides that operate in the frequency band defined for the repeater. If you want, you can apply an
additional filter by clicking the button ( ) beside the model field. When the filter is active, the appear-
ance of the button changes ( ). In this case, Atoll proposes in the list waveguides compatible with the
selected antennas as defined in the Antenna/Guides Compatibility table.
You can click the Calculate button ( ) to automatically calculate azimuth and tilt angles.
Tip: If you are creating several passive repeaters at the same time, or modifying several
existing passive repeaters, you can do it quickly by editing or pasting the data directly in
the Passive Repeaters table. You can open the Passive Repeaters table by right-
clicking the Links folder on the Data tab of the Explorer window and selecting Passive
Repeaters > Open Table from the context menu. For information on copying and pasting
data, see "Copying and Pasting in Tables" on page 47.
7.4.3.3 Placing a Passive Microwave Repeater on the Map Using the Mouse
In Atoll, you can create a passive microwave repeater and place it using the mouse. When you create a passive micro-
wave repeater, you can add it to an existing site, or have Atoll automatically create a new site.
Atoll permits a maximum of 2 passive repeaters in a single microwave link. The following terms are used in Atoll for
passive repeaters and related parameters:
• Passive repeaters (maximum 2) along a microwave link are named repeater P and repeater Q respectively.
• A part of the link is called a "Section." A section can be:
- One of the directions of a bi-directional link.
- One of the trajectories towards a repeater (if any).
- For example:
- Unidirectional link without repeater: 1 section, Site A Site B
- Bi-directional link without repeater: 2 sections, Site A Site B and Site B Site A
- Bi-directional link with 2 repeaters: 6 sections, Site A Site P, Site P Site Q, Site Q Site B, Site B Site Q,
Site Q Site P, Site P Site A.
To create a passive microwave repeater and place it using the mouse:
1. Select the microwave link. You can select it from the Links folder of the Explorer window’s Data tab, or directly
on the map.
2. Click the arrow next to New Repeater button ( ) on the Microwave toolbar.
3. Select Panel Reflector or Back-to-back Antennas from the menu according to the type of passive repeater you
want to create.
4. Click the map to place the repeater. The repeater is placed on the map, represented by the site symbol ( ).
Atoll automatically creates a new repeater in the Passive Repeaters table and a new site in the Sites table that
is assigned to the newly created repeater. The operating frequency band of the repeater is the frequency band
assigned to the microwave link and azimuth(s) for the repeater antenna(s) are calculated according to the direc-
tions of the two sections of the microwave link.
For information on defining the properties of the new microwave passive repeater, see "Description of a Passive
Repeater" on page 201.
Note: You can also insert a repeater in a microwave link by selecting Insert Repeater from the
microwave link’s context menu and then clicking on the microwave link where you want to
insert the repeater.
connection losses, shared losses, shielding losses, port connection losses, and waveguides and cable losses,
polarisation at both sites, and the port and the channel for which the calculations have been performed (maybe
the central frequency of the microwave link’s operating frequency band).
• Port Configuration: Port configuration related parameters for both directions, the channel, the corresponding fre-
quency, the polarisation, if it is a main channel or a standby channel or a channel for frequency diversity, the trans-
mission and reception port numbers, the port circulator and attenuator losses.
• Reception parameters: Reception related parameters for both ends of the microwave link including the bit error
ratios and sensitivities at the receivers, overflow thresholds, thermal noise, the required C/I and total losses at
reception comprising filter losses, connection losses, shared losses, shielding losses, port connection losses, and
waveguides and cable losses.
• Geoclimatic parameters: Information about the type of environment and the climatic zone in which the link is
operating, climatic factor, rain intensity (exceeding 0.01% of time), PL percentage, temperature, water vapour den-
sity, earth curvature factor (k), effective earth curvature factor (ke) and the geoclimatic factor K.
• Calculation parameters: Parameters according to which the calculations for the link budget have been performed
such as the calculation methods used (propagation model, quality model, availability model, interference, if
enhancements and discrimination reduction are ignored, space diversity and frequency diversity), quality objec-
tives (SESR, ESR, BBER), and availability objectives (SESR, ESR, BBER).
• Propagation: the nominal received signal level, propagation results for both directions of the microwave link
including total attenuation, free space loss, losses due to dry air, losses due to water vapour, diffraction losses,
vegetation attenuation (displayed for information only because it is taken into consideration in total attenuation),
antenna losses and tropospheric scattering, epsilon and the type of path (LOS or NLOS).
• Non-quality due to multi-path (Clear-Air): Results depicting the quality of the microwave link in both directions,
for specified BER values and when interference is not taken into account. These results include the outage prob-
ability, the non-outage probability and the outage period for the worst month, the outage probability, the non-
outage probability and the outage period for the average year, performance objectives (probabilities of SESR
(required), ESR (required), BBER (required)), details for the worst month (dispersive fading, selective fading,
fading due to discrimination reduction, enhancement forecast).
• Unavailability due to rain: Results depicting the unavailability of the microwave link due to rain in both direction,
for specified BER values and when interference is not taken into account. These results include the outage prob-
ability, the non-outage probability and the outage period for the worst month, the outage probability, the non-
outage probability and the outage period for the average year, performance objectives (probabilities of SESR
(required), ESR (required), BBER (required)), details for the average year (rain fading, rain attenuation, fading due
to discrimination reduction).
• Unavailability due to faults: Results depicting the unavailability of the microwave link due to equipment failure.
These results include availability of hot standby, outage probability due to faults for the average year and the
outage period for the average year and the performance objective.
This is a comprehensive report and can be configured as described in "Configuring the Link Budget Report Display" on
page 206.
Note: You can save the choices you have made in the Report Configuration dialogue as a
configuration file by clicking the Save As button at the top of the dialogue and entering a
name for the file in the Save As dialogue that appears. The next time you configure a
reflection analysis report, you can click Open in the Report Configuration dialogue to
open your configuration file with the same settings you used this time.
4. Click OK.
microwave links). In the Explorer window, active microwave links are displayed in red ( ) in the Links folder; inactive
links are displayed in grey ( ).
You can set an individual microwave link as active from its context menu or you can set more than one microwave link as
active by activating them from the Links context menu.
To set an individual microwave link as active:
1. Click the Data tab of the Explorer window.
2. Click the Expand button ( ) to expand the Microwave Radio Links folder.
3. Click the Expand button ( ) to expand the Links folder.
4. Right-click the microwave link you want to activate. The context menu appears.
5. Select Active Link from the context menu. The transmitter is now active.
To set more than one microwave link as active using the Links context menu:
1. Click the Data tab of the Explorer window.
2. Select the microwave links you want to set as active:
- To set all microwave links as active, right-click the Links folder. The context menu appears.
- To set a group of microwave links as active, click the Expand button ( ) to expand the Links folder and right-
click the group of microwave links you want to set as active. The context menu appears.
3. Select Activate Links from the context menu. The selected microwave links are set as active.
To set more than one microwave link as active using the Links table:
1. Click the Data tab of the Explorer window.
2. Right-click the Links folder. The context menu appears.
3. Select Open Table. The Links table appears with each microwave link’s parameters in a second row.
4. For each microwave link that you want to set as active, select the check box in the Activate column.
Once you have ensured that all microwave links are active, you can set the propagation model and other calculation
parameters. For information on choosing and configuring a propagation model and calculation parameters, see "Chapter
6: Managing Calculations in Atoll".
to remove it.
- To change the order of the fields, select a field and click or to move it up or down in the list. The
objects will be displayed in the order of the fields in the Selected Fields list, from top to bottom.
c. Click OK to return to the Properties dialogue.
Note: You can save the choices you have made in the Field Selection dialogue as a
configuration file by clicking the Save As button at the top of the dialogue and entering a
name for the file in the Save As dialogue that appears. The next time you configure a
report, you can click Open in the Properties dialogue to open your configuration file with
the same settings you used this time.
Notes
• You can stop any calculations in progress by clicking the Stop Calculations button ( ) in
the toolbar.
• You can access each microwave link’s properties by double clicking the corresponding record
in the report.
7. Click the Expand button ( ) to expand the Multi-hops folder. The Multi-hops folder opens.
8. Right-click the new multi-hop link and select Properties from the context menu. The Properties dialogue appears.
9. Select the Links tab.
10. Assign links to the multi-hop:
a. Select a link from the Link column.
b. Enter a number in the Order column to set the position of this link in the multi-hop.
11. Click OK.
Note: The Other Properties tab will appear if you have defined additional fields in the Multi-
hops table.
a. In the map, click the line of the multi-hop link to which you want to add a microwave link.
b. Right-click on the multi-hop link. The context menu appears.
2. Select Add a Link from the context menu. The pointer shape changes to in the map window.
3. On the map, click the microwave link you want to add to the multi-hop link.
The microwave link is added to the list of links forming the multi-hop link and assigned an order automatically.
The sites that define the extremities of a multi-hop link can be already existing sites. If no site exists, Atoll will create new
sites automatically at the location you click. Each site in Atoll can support several microwave links, transmitters, and
passive repeaters.
Note: Links within a network that are part of multi-hop links but are based on other technologies, such
as optic fibre links, are also supported in the calculation.
Clutter categories are taken into account in the reflection study and must be assigned to clutter classes in the microwave
propagation model properties before analysing reflections along the profile. For information on assigning clutter categor-
ries to clutter classes in the propagation model properties, see "Working with the Microwave Propagation Model" on
page 151
Reflection point can have different locations as the k factor vary during the day. Therefore, the reflection analysis has to
be performed for different k factor values. For information on defining the range of k factor values, see "Modifying Reflec-
tion Analysis Parameters" on page 214.
In this section, the following are explained:
• "Displaying Reflection" on page 211.
• "Analysing Reflections" on page 212.
• "Solutions Against Reflections" on page 215.
Note: Reflection paths and reflective surfaces can only be visualised and analysed over unbroken
microwave link profiles, i.e., the profile should not include repeaters.
- Summary: The Summary part provides information on the impact of the reflection on the direct signal. If
required, Atoll recommends some solutions to minimise the reflection effects such as changing the receiver
antenna tilt or implementing diversity techniques.
In addition, it displays optimal antenna and frequency separations to be used with diversity techniques for the
k factor defined in the Profile tab.
- Link Specifications: You will find data on the studied microwave link:
- Longitude: The site position on the x-axis.
- Latitude: The site position on the y-axis.
- Height: The site altitude.
- Coordinate System: The display coordinate system set in the .atl document.
- Frequency Band: The operating frequency band selected in the microwave link properties.
- Length: The microwave link length.
- Geoclimatic Parameters: You will find geoclimatic parameters defined for the studied microwave link:
- Temparature: The average temperature (in °C) of the zone in which the microwave link operates.
- Water Vapour Density: The water vapour density in grams per cubic metre.
- Relative Humidity: The relative humidity in %.
- Earth Curvature Factor (k): The k factor defined in the Profile tab.
- Geoclimatic factor (K): The K factor which models geo-climatic and terrain effects on climate.
- Rainfall Rate (exceeded during 0.01% of the average year): The rainfall observed 99.99% of the aver-
age year in millimetre per hour.
- Ground Characteristics: The Ground Characteristics part contains the following information:
- Ground Type: It can be either scattering, or reflecting, or intermediate. It depends on the roughness, the
length of the link and the transmitter antenna height above the reflection area. For more information on
how the ground type is determined, see the Technical Reference Guide.
- Humidity Type: The humidity type depends on the clutter category. "Water or very wet" is considered for
wet terrains, fresh and sea water clutter categories. "Slightly wet or moderatly dry" is used for rural open,
tree covered and cryosphere clutter categories. "Very dry" is considered for built-up area and dry ground
clutter categories.
- Terrain Roughness Factor: The terrain roughness factor.
- Effective Coefficient Reflection: The reflection coefficient of the reflection area.
- Reflection area geometry: The Reflection area geometry part contains the following information:
- Total Reflection Area Length: The length of the selected reflection zone and the total length including
all reflection zones into brackets.
- Critical specular reflection point: This indicates if there is a reflection point for the selected reflection
zone.
- Grazing angle of reflected ray: The grazing angle and the incidence angle of the reflected path on the
reflection slope plane are complementary angles.
- Angle at A between direct and reflected ray: The angle between the direct and the reflected paths at
Site A.
- Angle at B between direct and reflected ray: The angle between the direct and the reflected paths at
Site B.
- Attenuations: The Attenuations part contains the following results calculated for the k factor value defined
in the Profile tab:
- Reflected Signal Attenuation: The attenuation of the reflected signal at the receiver side. The signal is
attenuated by the receiver antenna (Attenuation due to antenna discrimination) and because it is re-
flected by the ground (Attenuation due to ground reflection).
- Total Attenuation: The total attenuation of the reflected signal at the receiver side. This is the sum of the
attenuation due to antenna discrimination and the attenuation due to ground reflection.
- Direct Signal Attenuation: The attenuation of the direct signal at the receiver side. The signal attenuation
is due to the receiver antenna (Attenuation due to antenna discrimination) and refractivity (Attenua-
tion due to refractivity).
- Maximum Possible Attenuation: The strongest attenuation experienced by the direct signal at the
receiver side.
Additional results appear if, when configuring the report as explained in "Configuring the Reflection Analysis
Report" on page 214, you select the corresponding check boxes:
Note: You can save the choices you have made in the Report Configuration dialogue as a
configuration file by clicking the Save As button at the top of the dialogue and entering a
name for the file in the Save As dialogue that appears. The next time you configure a
reflection analysis report, you can click Open in the Report Configuration dialogue to
open your configuration file with the same settings you used this time.
5. Click OK.
- Calculation on the selected reflection area: If you select this option, Atoll makes the reflection analysis on
the selected reflection area.
- Global Calculation on all reflection areas: If you select this option, Atoll takes into account all reflection
areas along the profile in the reflection analysis.
4. Under Antenna heights above the reflection plan, select the method to be used to calculate antenna heights
above the reflection plan. You can choose between the Simplified Method and the Method with linear regres-
sion on the area. For more information on these calculation methods, see the Technical Reference Guide.
5. Under Terrain Height Irregularity, select the method to be used to calculate terrain height irregularity. You can
choose between the Root Mean Square method, the Standard Deviation method and the Interdecile Range
method. For more information on these calculation methods, see the Technical Reference Guide.
6. Under Refractivity, select the range of k factor values:
- kmin Factor: the lowest k factor value to be considered in the reflection analysis.
- kmax Factor: the highest k factor value to be considered in the reflection analysis.
7. Under Effect due to tide level above sea water, select the Take into account height variations of check box
and define the corresponding height.
8. Under Amplitude calculation of the indirect ray, select the method to be used to calculate the indirect signal
amplitude. You can choose between the Simplified Method and the Method with equivalent reflection coeffi-
cient. For more information on these calculation methods, see the Technical Reference Guide.
9. Click OK.
To access the global calculation parameters:
1. Display the reflection analysis report as explained in "Displaying the Reflection Analysis Report" on page 212.
2. Click the Actions button and select Calculation Parameters.
To access the microwave link parameters:
1. Display the reflection analysis report as explained in "Displaying the Reflection Analysis Report" on page 212.
2. Click the Actions button and select Link Properties.
- The k factor, for different receiver antenna heights and transmission frequencies.
- The transmission frequency, for different k factor values (kmin, kmax and the kavg) and receiver antenna
heights.
Atoll
The idea is to basically allow frequency assignments to be made in pairs, with each pair having minimum separations.
When an assignment is made, the transmitter and receiver get assignments in opposite segments. If the transmitter
frequency is in the high block, the receiver frequency will be in the low block and vice versa.
In this section, the following are explained:
• "Checking Microwave Link Site Parities" on page 217.
• "Using the Search Tool to Display Channel Reuse" on page 218.
• "Performing Semi-automatic Channel Search" on page 218.
• "Working with the Frequency Spectrum Analyser" on page 219.
• "Displaying Third-order Intermodulation Products" on page 220
You can also open the Channel Distribution dialogue using the toolbar by clicking the Channel Arrangement ( )
button. Once the site parities are displayed on the map, you can hide them by clicking the Channel Arrangement ( )
button again. You can also hide the site parities using the context menu.
To hide the site parities using the context menu:
1. Click on the Data tab of the Explorer window.
2. Click the Expand ( ) button to expand the Microwave Radio Links folder.
3. Right-click the Links folder. The context menu appears.
4. Select Interference and Hide Channel Distribution from the context menu.
If you selected the Same Sub-band Only check box, links using the selected channel in the same sub-band are
displayed in red; links using an adjacent channel to the selected channel in the same sub-band are displayed in
blue and all others are displayed in grey.
If you selected the Co-channel Only check box, links using the selected channel in the same sub-band are
displayed in red; links using a channel which completely covers the selected channel are displayed in orange; links
using a channel which is completely covered by the selected channel are displayed in purple; links using a channel
which overlaps the selected channel (i.e., partially covers the selected channel) are displayed in green and all
other links are displayed in grey.
The Search Tool window provides you with the following options:
- To restore the initial microwave link colours: Click the Reset Display button in the window.
- To display all channel arrangements available for the selected frequency band: Click the Frequency
Plans button and resize the Search Tool window by dragging the lower border of the window.
- Frequency Sub-Band: Select the frequency sub-band from the list of available frequency sub-bands from to
the frequency band of the microwave link being studied.
- Site A Half-Band: Select the frequency half-band to calculate (lower or upper) for the transmission site (the
opposite half-band is assigned to the reception site).
- The channels to be analysed:
- Select Use all the channels of the sub-band if all the channels can be allocated.
- If only some channels of the frequency sub-band can be allocated, select Restrict the list of potential
channels and define the channels available. You can enter or paste a list of channels; the values must
be separated with either a comma, or a semi-colon, or a space. You can also enter a range of channels
available, by entering the first and last channel of the range separated by a hyphen. For example, entering
20-22 corresponds to entering 20 21and 22.
- The link polarisation to be considered in the calculation. Atoll calculates a cost for each channel and each
defined polarisation (either horizontal, or vertical, or horizontal and vertical).
- Under Channel Weightings, use the slider to define the weight given to the interferer and victim channels.
4. Click the Parameters tab and define:
- The earth curvature factor (k factor).
- The maximum distance around the studied site to find potential interfering sites.
- The interfered useful bandwidth (%): The parameter enables Atoll to filter the interferers; this is the per-
centage of the bandwidth to be considered when searching for interferers. In order to take into account all the
potential interferers, set the parameter to 3000%.
- The minimum threshold degradation.
- Whether automatic transmission power control is to be considered on the useful signal.
- Whether automatic transmission power control on interfering signals is to be considered always on, always off
or taken into consideration according to geometric correlation.
5. Click Calculate to launch the calculations.
The results window displays the list of channels sorted in increasing order with respect to their corresponding costs. This
implies that the best available channels, in terms of the related costs, are the ones listed on top of the list. It is then possible
through this results window to allocate the best channels to the link by selecting the channels to assign and clicking the
Commit button.
Figure 7.121: The I Level on the Band tab - Received Interference Levels Option
Atoll calculates the interference levels on each channel of the frequency half-band (lower or upper) of the micro-
wave link and represents them as vertical lines on the graph. The red line shows the total noise level received on
the interfered channel and each blue line represents the signal level transmitted on each interfering channel.
You can locate the channels on which there is the least or no interference and allocate these "free" channels where
required.
Note: Each vertical line representing the interference level received at any channel depicts the
peak signal value. If there are more than one interfering signals, only the peak value is
displayed on the graph.
You can change the following options at the top of the I Levels on the Band tab:
- Hop: Select the hop to be studied, i.e., Site A Site B or vice versa.
- Intermodulations: Select the Intermodulations option in order to display third-order intermodulation prod-
ucts. For information on displaying the third-order intermodulation products, see “Displaying Third-order Inter-
modulation Products” on page 220.
- Actions > Properties: Click Actions and then select Properties from the menu in order to open the Proper-
ties dialogue of the studied microwave link.
- Actions > Calculation Parameters: Click Actions and then select Calculation Parameters from the menu
in order to define global calculation parameters. For information on global parameters, see “Global Parame-
ters” on page 156.
- Actions > Print: Click Actions and then select Print from the menu in order to print the content of the I Levels
on the Band tab.
Atoll can calculate third-order intermodulation products. They are important because they fall within the vicinity of the
original frequency components, and can therefore interfere with the desired behaviour.
Atoll shows the transmission and reception frequencies used by the studied site (i.e., Site A if you selected Site
A - Site B or Site B if you selected Site B - Site A) and calculates the third-order intermodulation products for each
transmission channel of the frequency half-band of the microwave link. Frequencies are represented by vertical
lines and reported on the horizontal axis. Only frequenies within the frequency band of the studied microwave link
are represented. The blue lines indicate the frequencies used for transmission; green lines show the frequencies
used for reception and red lines represent the third-order intermodulation products. Atoll displays a tool tip when
you place the mouse cursor on each vertical line.
You can change the following options at the top of the I Levels on the Band tab:
- Hop: Select the hop to be studied, i.e., Site A Site B or vice versa.
- Received interference levels: Select the Received interference levels option in order to display channels
used along with the interference levels received on each channel of a half band. For information on displaying
the received interference levels, see “Working with the Frequency Spectrum Analyser” on page 219.
- Actions > Properties: Click Actions and then select Properties from the menu in order to open the Proper-
ties dialogue of the studied microwave link.
- Actions > Calculation Parameters: Click Actions and then select Calculation Parameters from the menu
in order to define global calculation parameters. For information on global parameters, see “Global Parame-
ters” on page 156.
- Actions > Report: Click Actions and then select Report from the menu in order to display a detailed report
on the calculated intermodulation products. The report contains the following information:
- The studied microwave link and the selected hop.
- The studied site, i.e., Site A if you selected Site A - Site B or Site B if you selected Site B - Site A.
- The transmission frequencies used by the site.
- The reception frequencies used by the site.
- The third-order intermodulation products belonging to the studied frequency band.
- A snapshot of the I Levels on the Band tab.
- Actions > Print: Click Actions and then select Print from the menu in order to print the content of the I Levels
on the Band tab.
4. Select Equipment > IRF > Open Table from the context menu. The Trunk Types table appears (see
Figure 7.123).
Note: If you are creating a new IRF graph, use the row marked with the New Row icon ( )
7. Double-click in the left margin of the record to open its Properties dialogue (see Figure 7.124).
8. Under Protection values in the Properties dialogue, enter a protection level (in dB) for each delta frequency (in
MHz). The resulting graph is displayed on the right of the Properties dialogue.
9. Click OK.
5. Select the Frequency Band from the menu. Only equipment operating in the selected frequency band is displayed
in the grid.
6. Select the TX Equipment Manufacturer from the menu. Only equipment manufactured by the selected manufac-
turer are displayed in the grid.
7. Select the RX Equipment Manufacturer from the menu. Only equipment manufactured by the selected manufac-
turer are displayed in the grid.
8. You can now define an IRF graph, delete an IRF graph, or create an IRF graph using equipment graphs or theo-
retical graphs:
a. Right-click on the cell of the grid that coincides with both entries. The context menu appears.
b. Select Add Record from the context menu. A dialogue appears.
c. Under Enter graph values, enter a protection level (in dB) for each delta frequency (in MHz). The resulting
graph is displayed on the right of the dialogue.
d. Click OK.
To delete an IRF graph between the transmission and reception equipment:
a. Right-click on the cell of the grid that coincides with both entries. The context menu appears.
b. Select Delete from the context menu.
To create an IRF graph between the transmission and reception equipment using equipment graphs or theoretical
graphs:
a. Right-click on the cell of the grid that coincides with both entries. The context menu appears.
b. Select Calculate from Masks from the context menu. The IRF Calculation dialogue appears.
c. Under Transmitter Filter, select either "As Equipment" to use the transmission spectrum graph defined for
the equipment, or select a theoretical "transmission spectrum" graph compatible with the operating frequency
band of the transmission equipment.
d. Under Reception Filter, select either "As Equipment" to use the receiver selectivity graph defined for the
equipment, or select a theoretical "receiver selectivity" graph compatible with the operating frequency band of
the reception equipment.
e. Define the calculation step stated in frequency spacing (MHz).
f. Click Run to calculate the IRF graph.
g. Click OK.
9. Click OK to close the IRF Setting dialogue.
interference, whether enhancements and discrimination reduction are ignored, space diversity and
frequency diversity), quality objectives (SESR, ESR, BBER), and availability objectives (SESR, ESR,
BBER).
- Interference: Calculation parameters taken into consideration for the interference study (power control,
minimum threshold degradation, maximum distance, correlation area, interfered useful bandwidth) and
results of interference calculations over the microwave link (threshold degradation, nominal received
carrier power level, total interference in clear-air, threshold degradation for rain, total interference in rain
and C/I).
- Propagation: The nominal received signal level, propagation results for both directions of the microwave
link including total attenuation, free space loss, losses due to dry air, losses due to water vapour, diffrac-
tion losses, vegetation attenuation (displayed for information only because it is not considered in the total
attenuation), antenna losses and tropospheric scattering, epsilon and the type of path (LOS or NLOS).
- Non-quality due to multi-path (Clear-Air): Results depicting the quality of the microwave link in both
directions, for the specified BER values and whether interference is taken into account. These results
include the outage probability, the non-outage probability and the outage period for the worst month, the
outage probability, the non-outage probability and the outage period for the average year, performance
objectives (probabilities of SESR (required), ESR (required), BBER (required)), details for the worst month
(dispersive fading, selective fading, fadings due to discrimination reduction, enhancement forecast), if
space and frequency diversities are used.
- Unavailability due to rain: Results depicting the unavailability of the microwave link due to rain in both
directions, for the specified BER values and whether interference is taken into account. These results
include the outage probability, the non-outage probability and the outage period for the worst month, the
outage probability, the non-outage probability and the outage period for the average year, performance
objectives (probabilities of SESR (required), ESR (required), BBER (required)), details for the average
year (rain fading, rain attenuation, fading due to discrimination reduction).
- Unavailability due to failures: Results depicting the unavailability of the microwave link due to equip-
ment failure. These results include availability of hot standby, outage probability due to failures for the
average year, the outage period for the average year and the performance objective.
- Interference Details: List the microwave links that interfere the given extremity of the microwave link
being studied and the microwave links interfered by the given extremity of the microwave link being stud-
ied.
- Victim tabs: List the microwave links that interfere the given extremity of the microwave link being studied
along with relevant details of the interference study.
- Interferer tabs: List the microwave links that are interfered by the given extremity of the microwave link being
studied along with relevant details of the interference study.
to remove it.
- To change the order of the fields, select a field and click or to move it up or down in the list. The
objects will be displayed in the order of the fields in the Selected Fields list, from top to bottom.
Note: You can save the choices you have made in the Field Selection dialogue as a
configuration file by clicking the Save As button at the top of the dialogue and entering a
name for the file in the Save As dialogue that appears. The next time you configure an
interference report, you can click Open in the Properties dialogue to open your
configuration file with the same settings you used this time.
5. Click OK.
Notes:
• You can stop any calculations in progress by clicking the Stop Calculations button ( ) in
the toolbar.
• You can access each microwave link’s properties by double-clicking the corresponding record
in the Victim/Interferer tabs.
The interferer and victim connections between the studied microwave link and its interferers and victims are displayed on
the map. Atoll displays these interferers and victims for both extremities of the studied microwave link by inwards and
outwards pointing arrows respectively. This feature helps you in easily locating the microwave transmitters that are neither
interfering with the link nor being interfered by it. You can hide them by clicking the Victims and Interferers Links button
( ) again.
When the interference connections are displayed on the map, you can use the tool tip to show further information about
each interference connection by placing the cursor on it.
You can define the ways in which interferer and interfered link extremities will be displayed on the map.
1. Click the Data tab of the Explorer window.
2. Click the Expand button ( ) to expand the Microwave Radio Links folder.
3. Right-click on the Links folder. The context menu appears.
4. Select Interference and Display Options from the context menu. The Interference dialogue opens.
You can choose different types of lines and colours to depict the interference connections on the map and select
if you want to make them visible.
1. Click the New PMP button ( ) on the toolbar. The pointer changes to ( ).
2. Click on the map to create the hub of the point-to-multipoint link.
3. Click the map at each place you want to insert a new link. If you do not click an existing site, Atoll creates a new
site where you click.
4. Double-click when adding the last link to complete the point-to-multipoint link.
To create a new point-to-multipoint link using the Point-to-Multipoint folder:
1. Select the Data tab of the Explorer window.
2. Click the Expand button ( ) to expand the Microwave Radio Links folder.
3. Right-click on the Point-to-Multipoint folder. The context menu appears.
4. Select New from the context menu. The Point to Multipoint New Element Properties dialogue appears.
5. Enter or modify the following fields on the General tab:
- Name: The Name field is filled automatically by Atoll, but can be modified.
- Frequency Band: You must select a frequency band when you create a point-to-multipoint link. Once you
have selected a frequency band, you can view and modify its properties by clicking the browse button ( ).
- Nodal Site: You must select the site that will be the hub of the point-to-multipoint link. Once you have selected
the hub site, you can view and modify its properties by clicking the browse button ( ).
- Type: Select the type: TDMA or FDMA.
- Antenna: Select the antenna and its parameters.
- Comments: Enter any comments for this new point-to-multipoint link.
6. Click OK. Atoll creates an empty point-to-multipoint link item in the Point-to-Multipoint folder.
To add microwave links to the created point-to-multipoint link, see "Adding a Microwave Link to a Point-to-
Multipoint Link Using the Mouse" on page 230
5. In the row marked with the new row icon ( ), enter the details of the new point-to-multipoint link. The following
fields must be filled: Name, Frequency Band, and Site.
6. To add microwave links to the created point-to-multipoint link, see "Adding a Microwave Link to a Point-to-
Multipoint Link Using the Mouse" on page 230.
By default, Atoll names the newly point-to-multipoint link "PMP HubX", where "X" increments with the creation of each
new point-to-multipoint link.
On the map:
a. Select the antenna icon of the point-to-multipoint link hub whose properties you wish to change. The point-to-
Note: Be sure to select the antenna icon of the point-to-multipoint link hub. Do not select the site
icon ( ).
5. Select Add a Link from the context menu. The pointer shape changes ( ).
6. On the map, click the microwave link you want to add to the point-to-multipoint link. The microwave link is added
to the list of links forming the point-to-multipoint link.
Note: Deleting a microwave link in this manner does not delete the corresponding sites even if
there are no other links or transmitters related to that site.
a. On the map, select the line of the point-to-multipoint link you want to delete.
b. Right-click on the point-to-multipoint link. The context menu appears.
When selecting a point-to-multipoint link, be careful to select the line representing the point-to-multipoint link.
2. Select Delete from the context menu. The point-to-multipoint link is deleted.
You can also delete a point-to-multipoint link by deleting the row associated with it in the Point-to-Multipoint table. Delet-
ing a point-to-multipoint link from the table does not delete the corresponding sites even if there are no other links or trans-
mitters relating to that site.
5. Select Properties from the context menu. The Properties dialogue appears.
6. Select the General tab of the Properties dialogue.
7. In the "Antenna" subsection, click the Calculate button ( ) to the right of the Tilt field. A dialogue appears with
the recalculated height, azimuth, and tilt values for the point-to-multipoint hub antenna.
8. When the values for the point-to-multipoint hub antenna are recalculated, the point-to-multipoint link antennas may
need to be adjusted accordingly. If you want Atoll calculate the effect of the recalculated values for the hub
antenna on the link antennas, select the Transfer the misalignments to links check box.
9. Click OK to update the values for the point-to-multipoint antennas.
7.9.1.10 Adjusting the Antenna of the Point-to-Multipoint Hub Using the Mouse
To use the mouse to adjust the azimuth of the point-to-multipoint hub antenna:
1. Select the antenna icon of the point-to-multipoint hub. The point-to-multipoint icon changes ( ) and you can
now rotate it manually.
2. Click the antenna icon (the point changes: ) and rotate it to its new azimuth.
Index
A unfreezing 46
antenna computation zone
antenna patterns, copying (MW) 126 drawing 30
antenna patterns, printing (MW) 126 editing 34
antennas, importing (MW) 125, 132 Fit to Map Window 30
changing relative position on the map 20 importing 30
compatibility with equipment (MW) 138, 139 polygon, creating from 30
compatibility with equipment, assistant (MW) 139, 140 Connection Properties 85
heights, adjusting (MW) 200 context menu 17
heights, adjusting automatically (MW) 200 renaming objects 17
heights, optimising (MW) 200 coordinate system 81
microwave 123 setting 82
microwave antenna properties 125 coordinates, searching by 73
microwave, creating 123 coverage prediction
point-to-multipoint link, adjusting 230 exporting results 37
point-to-multipoint link, adjusting with the mouse 231 geogrphic export zone, defining 33
single antenna patterns, editing (MW) 125 report, displaying using focus zone 31
archiving report, displaying using hot spot zone 31
all modifications to the database 87 coverage predictions
only site data to the database 87 restricting sites studied (MW) 192
automatic backup 90 cursors 40
configuring 90 CW Measurement Analysis Tool
recovering a backup 91 printing data 56
availability objectives
D
microwave links, defining 156
Data tab 15
B data tables
backup 90 adding a field 42
configuring 90 changing column width 45
recovering a backup 91 changing row height 45
BER graphs copying data 47
creating (MW) 136 deleting a field 43
budget displaying columns 46
configuring report (MW) 206 editing 43
multiple microwave links, calculating for 206, 225 exporting data 49
single microwave link, calculating for 204 filtering 60
filtering by selection 62
C filtering by several criteria 63
cables filtering, examples 64
creating (MW) 137 formatting column headers 45
microwave 137 formatting table columns 45
channel search, semi-automatic (MW) 218 freezing columns 46
clearance, displaying for microwave links 194 hiding columns 46
column headers importing data 50
formatting 45 moving columns 46
columns opening 41
changing width 45 opening record properties from table 44
displaying 46 pasting data 47
freezing 46 printing 52
hiding 46 restoring after filtering 64
moving 46 sorting 60
E G
equipment Geo tab 15
compatibility with antennas (MW) 138, 139 geographic export zone
compatibility with antennas, assistant (MW) 139, 140 creating 33
importing (MW) 132 Fit to Map Window 34
transceiver, properties of (MW) 131 importing 34
Explorer window 15 polygon, creating from 34
Data tab 15 grouping 56
Geo tab 15 by a property 56, 57
layers 16 by several properties 58
Modules tab 15 examples 59
using tabs 15 with subfolders 71
F H
field hot spot zone
adding to a table 42 creating 31
deleting from a table 43 editing 34
filter explanation 31
site list, using for 69 Fit to Map Window 31
transmitter list, using for 69 importing 31
filtering using to display coverage prediction report 31
data tables by selection 62
Q T
quality objectives table columns
microwave links, defining 155 formatting 45
tables, see "data tables"
R templates 79
redo 72 deleting (MW) 191
reflection analysis report field, adding (MW) 191
display (MW) 214 field, deleting (MW) 191
reflections field, modifying (MW) 191
studying (MW) 210 microwave radio links 79
refresh 72 Test Mobile Data Analysis Tool
from the database 86 printing 56
reliability analysis (MW) 203 tip text 24
renaming 17 tool tips, see "tip text"
default object names 17 toolbar
repeaters icons 74
passive repeater (MW) 201 Map 74
passive repeater, inserting (MW) 203 Microwave Link 75
reports Search 75
printing 52 Standard 74
required margins, calculating (MW) 204 Vector Edition 75
row height transceiver equipment
changing 45 properties of (MW) 131
rulers transmitter list 67
displaying 28 adding 68
adding transmitter 68
S
creating 68
scale level, choosing 27
editing 69
Search toolbar 75
editing filter 69
searching for map objects 72, 73
transparency, changing 23
short-haul frequency bands (MW) 146
trunk types, microwave
site
creating 132
moving on the map 19
moving to a higher location 19 U
properties, accessing from the Explorer window 18 undo 72
properties, accessing from the map 18 Universal Transverse Mercator projection 81
site list 67 user configuration 66
adding 68 creating 67
adding site 68 exporting 67
creating 68 importing 67
editing 69
filter, using as 69 V
site parity, microwave link 217 Vector Edition toolbar 75
creating a report 217 visibility scale 23
displaying on the map 217
sorting W
sorting tables by one column 61 waveguides
sorting tables by several columns 61 creating (MW) 137
with subfolders 71 waveguides and cables, microwave
spectrum analyser (MW) 219 creating 137
Standard toolbar 74 waveguides, microwave 137
station template windows
creating (MW) 191 cascading 14
modifying (MW) 191 docking 14
subfolders floating 14
creating 71
X
XML
version 2.8.3
AT283_UMM_E2
December 2010
Head Office
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Tel: +33 562 747 210
Fax: +33 562 747 211
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www.forsk.com