RF and network planning
The development of multi-mode networks, and the anticipation of HetNet and small cell deployments have meant that planning and design has moved from a static process, developed by trial and error and manual fixes at macro sites to something more automated and complex.
RF and capacity planning solutions can simulate complex network environments such as stadia, shopping malls or transport hubs, or urban “canyons”. Some tools are developed in association with backhaul and transmission link planning, so that radio networks and backhaul can be designed in a co-ordinated manner.
In recent years design and planning tools have started to model usage, as well as the topology and geography of networks. By analysing actual usage data by location, type and time, these tools can build up a predictive picture of where a network needs to provide optimum capacities and coverage. This geo-tagged data is similar to that used by optimisation tools, and that is why you will often find companies in this space with products across, design, planning and then optimisation.
Most of the major vendors have their own planning software, usually used by their services teams. Often these are white-labelled versions of independent software providers’ products.
