20th November - ProVision Communications has announced the launch of ProPhecy 4G, the world’s first advanced network planning and optimising tool suite designed for use with both 3GPP-LTE and the recently issued 3GPP2 Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) air interface specification. ProPhecy 4G will substantially improve return on investment (ROI) for 4G operators by reducing their capital investment and operating costs, and at the same time improving the network quality of service (QoS) and maximising the data throughput per user.

Traditional network planning methods are based on rudimentary planning tools that have not been designed for use with non line of sight (NLOS) systems, and result in a solution that is expensive and can suffer from low capacity and serious post-build interference. New 4G systems need a more sophisticated approach to network planning and optimisation that will allow planners achieve the right balance between technical and commercial constraints.

The ProPhecy 4G propagation prediction engine is one of the most advanced and accurate network planning tools currently available, offering full 3D planning with GIS database resolutions greater than 5m. It is equally capable of modelling both urban environments and less dense rural environments.

“The release of ProPhecy 4G will give operators planning LTE or UMB networks a head start in choosing the most efficient sites for their basestations, which will allow them to achieve optimum coverage and capacity with a minimum of capital outlay”, said David Sykes, CEO of ProVision Communications.

The ProPhecy 4G toolset includes a site location tool that takes account of economic factors as well as technical performance criteria in order to optimise the number and locations of basestations. The tools also include spatial diversity information, frequency planning, and support for sectorised and multi-element antennas (MIMO).

The ProVision ProPhecy 4G prediction engine utilises the latest low-cost LIDAR geographic data for terrain, building, foliage, and ground-usage. A unique feature is the capability for detailed modelling of antenna field patterns in full 3D space, allowing for arbitrary complex antenna patterns, orientations – including downtilt and sectorisation – and polarisation states to be supported. The tool can predict in-building coverage, and also accounts for signal attenuation due to foliage such as trees and hedges, which has been shown to be critical to the planning of networks.

ProPhecy 4G can be used to generate solutions for large and small networks, providing optimisation over several dimensions, using flexible user-definable QoL (Quality of Link) metrics. The user interface has been designed to be intuitive for a new or occasional user, while providing advanced functionality for more experienced users. Data input is achieved using a range of templates and menus, and the solutions are displayed in three-dimensional space using the visualisation tool.