Ericsson introduces unique PC-based 3G radio network planning tools

date: 25th February 2001, source by: Ericsson

In order to help operators roll out new 3G networks quickly and smoothly, Ericsson has developed new intelligent radio network planning tools for its Tools for Radio Access Management (TRAM) software package. TRAM is a PC-based portfolio of software tools that supports the planning, testing and performance monitoring of WCDMA Radio Access Networks through innovations like this.

TRAM consists of four applications. WCDMA planner, a tool for cell planning and the design of expansion of the radio network. WCDMAtransporter helps in planning and expanding the transport network. WCDMA optimizer provides performance monitoring and network evaluation of both the radio and the transport networks. TEMSinvestigation WCDMA assists in drive testing during tuning, optimization and troubleshooting. On show at 3GSM World Congress are the WCDMA planner v3.0 and WCDMAtransporter v3.0, which offer new planning and design features. Together with the other TRAM tools they also enable operators to expand, prune and fine-tune their networks once they are built, to handle current or anticipated traffic load based on the latest network statistics. TRAM offers trend analysis and network evaluation features.

TRAM also supports the integration of GSM and WCDMA networks. It can import data relating to 2G systems, allowing co-siting information such as site locations and antenna heights to be incorporated into the WCDMA design. The available capacity of the 2G-transport network can also be imported into the WCDMA network design to help ensure maximum re-use of existing infrastructure.

The TRAM tools complement each other, and the transfer of data between them is quick and easy. All data is stored centrally in the TRAM common database, which multiple users can access to retrieve or store information.

TRAM interworks with Ericsson's Radio Network Operation and Support (RANOS) system, enabling performance and configuration data to be shared. For example, after planning with TRAM, configuration data can be downloaded via RANOS to the network nodes. This speeds up design and implementation, and reduces the risk of error. Data collected by RANOS can be used by TRAM as input for network performance evaluation and further planning.

The four tools in the TRAM toolbox may be purchased separately or as a package. The full package supports the complete WCDMA RAN engineering process, from planning and design, through performance monitoring, to optimization to expansion.

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