Post on 19-Jan-2023
Mentum Planet: Market
leading, state-of-the-art
planning and optimization
software solution for wireless
access networks
Wireless network planning and
optimization has evolved. Historically,
RF planning software was used primarily
for the design of new wireless networks
targeting mobile communication. Today,
in addition to wireless operators and
the vendors that support them, Mentum
Planet is increasingly used by utility
operators, spectrum regulators, military,
the aviation industry and broadcasters.
Today’s wireless operator must evolve its
network to offer advanced data services
cost-effectively — and stay one step ahead
of the competition. New technologies
such as WiMAX and LTE present new
opportunities, but their advanced features
also provide challenges that need to be
overcome through innovative design and
optimization software. In the case of LTE,
today’s challenges for all but a handful of
operators are investment case related:
where and when to deploy to achieve
maximum ROI. Accurate RF simulation
software provides the basis for assessing
various scenarios, including CAPEX
implications, in order to develop the best
achievable business strategy.
Who Needs Mentum Planet?• Networkoperators,system
integrators and RF consultants
• RFcoverage,capacityand performance engineers
Who Are Our Customers?Mentum has more than 250 customers who:
• Employallwirelesstechnologies• Utilizefrom1-500+softwarelicenses• Arelocatedin90countriesinevery
region of the world
Expanding Opportunities More than just a tool for traditional
wireless operators, utilities are using
Mentum Planet for planning AMR and
private networks, regulators for spectrum
auditing purposes, military for planning
battlefieldcommunications,aviationgroups for planning air-to-ground
communications and broadcasters for
unicast operations
Mentum Planet Supported Technologies• WCDMAandHSPA• CDMA2000and1xEV-DO
(Rel. O and Rev. A)
• WiMAX(mobileandfixed)and pre-WiMAX BWA technologies
• GSM/GPRS/EDGE• AMPS/TDMA,iDEN,DAB,DVB-H• 4Gtechnologies(LTE/WiMAX)
Mentum Planet® is an industry-leading
solution that delivers results. Mentum®
offers objective advice on how to
optimally deploy advanced wireless
networks using the Mentum Planet
planning and optimization toolset.
Mentumcombinesthefocus,flexibilityand responsiveness of a smaller company
with the resources, experience and
expertise of an industry leader. The
result: our customers get the results they
are looking for as quickly as they need
them.
Building On Our SuccessBuilding upon the world’s original
planningsolution,MSI’sPlanet,MentumPlanetistheresultofover15yearsoffeature development and several years of
strategicandtargetedR&Deffort.
Mentum Planet has evolved to become
the world’s most innovative network
planning, optimization and data
management platform, utilizing the most
advanced software architecture available.
Traditional Role
• Greenfield network planning• Site planning and acquisition• CAPEX planning• Coverage planning• Traffic planning• Manual optimization/scenario planning• Frequency planning• Visualization and reporting
Evolving Role
• New technology deployment/overlay• Convergence, merging networks• Optimization with ACP and measured data• Enabler for operational efficiencies as a centrally integrated and open data management system
Planning Expansion Optimization Evolution
Expanding Role For Planning Solutions
1
The Evolution Of Planet
areas that is extremely accurate and does
not require substantial tuning. Where
more survey data is available, the
MentumPlanetGeneralmodelisanexcellent choice with a decade-long track
record of proven accuracy.
TheMentumPlanetUniversalModelhasproven extremely accurate, is easy to
tune and delivers the industry’s fastest
predictions in built-up urban areas and
urban/suburbantransitionzones.UsedinconjunctionwithMentumGeodataanddrive test data, it provides simulations
with unparalleled accuracy, and models
thatcanbeconfidentlyre-appliedinareas with similar RF characteristics.
Superior PlatformMentum Planet 5 builds on the product’s
heritage as an enterprise-grade RF
planning software that is a leader in
propagation accuracy. The most recent
version of Mentum Planet includes an
improved platform capable of supporting
larger networks with improved
performance and support for advanced
Mentum Planet 5, the next generation
platformreleasedin2009,addressesadvancedOFDMAtechnologiesincludingWiMAX and LTE. This is the latest
demonstration of Mentum’s continuing
investment in the product line and
commitment to innovation.
Exceptional Accuracy The value of any simulation-based
planning tool is its ability to emulate
real-world conditions. Mentum Planet
excels at accurately modeling changes
prior to implementation so customers
benefitfromaccuratebudgeting,efficientplanningandoptimalreturnoninvestment in their deployed networks.
In addition to industry-standard
propagation models, Mentum Planet
offers several remarkably accurate and
unique models. CRC-Predict, developed
in conjunction with strategic partner
Communications Research Centre
Canada,istheresultofmorethan15years of research. It is a unique macro
model for use in suburban and rural
MSI Marconi Ericsson Mentum
1992: MSI’s first RF planning software – Planet
1999: Planet DMS, first enterprise-grade planning tool
2000: MSI acquired by Marconi
2001: Marconi acquires Northwood Technologies and deciBel Planner
2003: Marconi launches Planet EV with .NET Windows Platform
2006: Ericsson acquires Marconi, including the Planet group
2006: Improved integration with other Ericsson TEMS tools
2006: Further development of next- generation technologies: HSPA, EV-DO and WiMAX
2007: CTS International acquires the Planet assets from Ericsson and creates its new identity: Mentum
2008: Mentum Planet 5 released targeting OFDMA requirements of WiMAX and LTE operators
What Sets Mentum Apart?
FocusMentumisdedicatedspecificallytodeveloping wireless planning and
optimization solutions. It does not use
these products to sell network equipment
or consulting services. We work directly
for the customer
DependabilityMentum is committed to the long-term
success of Mentum Planet through
best-of-class services and after-sales
support
LeadershipMentum anticipates and participates
in the evolution of wireless and software
technologiestoofferthemostbenefit to our customers — both today and
tomorrow
(TheMentumPlanetUniversalModelhasprovenextremelyaccurate,
is easy to tune and delivers the industry’s fastest predictions
in built-up urban areas )
2
antenna modeling requirements found
in wireless broadband networks. The
software includes an improved simulation
engine that can be adapted for new
technologies, as well as improved
propagation capabilities that take
advantage of the latest in computer
processor evolution. Finally, Mentum
Planet 5 delivers an updated set of
application programming interfaces
(APIs) that allow the software, a critical
component of a wireless service provider’s
operations support system, to integrate
more closely with other applications.
Enterprise-grade Database ManagementWhile traditional RF planning tools have
been independent solutions isolated
from other important data sources such
asoperationssupportsystems(OSS),Mentum Planet seamlessly integrates
network solutions and enterprise IT
environments. With this innovative
solution, operators’ RF and performance
engineers are able to manage, access
and utilize data more effectively.
The Mentum Planet integrated data
management system facilitates
multi-user project collaboration and
can provide a centralized database for
all RF planning projects. Maintaining
applications and data on central servers
makes upgrades, redundancy and
workflowseasiertomanage—andhelpscustomers to better plan and optimize
their networks.
MentumPlanetDataManagerisextremelyflexible,fullysupportingthin-client architecture deployments based on
Citrix®aswellasstandardclient/serverarchitecture. It has been successfully
deployed to support more than 500
concurrent users and allows each to
share key data and to pull down, edit and
only “check back in” the data they need to
a central database.
Administrators can set access privileges
for users, ensuring corporate design
standards are maintained and the
network database is not corrupted by
an unauthorized user. Because data
can be easily pulled using a scriptable
dataimport/exportfunctioninotherapplications (including Mentum Ellipse®),
Mentum Planet integrates easily within
thecomplexOSSecosystemofwirelessoperators.
Advanced Traffic ModelingPrecise modeling of subscriber
distributions is the key to simulating
both interference and actual network
performance. Mentum Planet’s advanced
modeling helps illustrate how different
user types will impact the network
and facilitates the delivery of detailed
trafficmapsforuseinplanningorotheroptimization activities, such as automatic
frequency or cell planning.
Mentum Planet’s unique approach to
subscriber settings enables simulation
of real-world end-user behaviour. It
includes support for subscriber location,
operating environment, mobility and
services used (e.g., voice, e-mail, web
browsing).
OSS SystemData Manager
Mentum Planet
Server
ClientAPI
Data Exchange
• Site Configuration• Frequency Plan• Neighbour List• Interference Matrix• Etc.
M
Performance Tools
Drive Test
3
Integration With Operations Support Systems
For nominal analysis, or where known
orestimatedtrafficloadsareavailable,Mentum Planet can quickly perform
advancedtrafficmodelingonsingleor multi-technology networks. For the
latter, the software models off-loading
trafficfromonelayertotheother.
Withdetailedtrafficinput,MentumPlanetuses sophisticated network parameter
modeling and algorithms to replicate
actual network behaviour. The analysis
provides detailed reports and maps
illustrating how the radio network will
performundervariousconfigurationsand
loading scenarios, helping operators to
understand how to cope with the increase
in demand — and how to spend wisely to
address it.
Automated Cell Planning*
Automated Frequency Planning
Network Simulation
Core Package
Extensions to CorePackage
Measurement Data Package
Mentum Planet
Universal Model
Indoor/Outdoor Integration – iBwave RF-vu
3GPP 3GPP2 WiMAX
}
Network-basedFrequencyOptimizer
Capesso
Greenfield
AURAD
Rollout Planner
HSPA
WCDMA
EV-DO
CDMA
Renaissance
* ACP modules are purchased by technology
LTE WiMAX
(MentumPlanetcanquicklyperformadvancedtraffic
modeling on single or multi-technology networks )
4
Mentum Planet Product Structure
MapInfo Location IntelligenceA network operator’s primary asset is its
network coverage and capacity. Mentum
PlanetoffersunparalleledGeographicInformationSystem(GIS)featuresthrough its OEM version of MapInfo
Professional®. As the only RF planning
and optimization tool with native MapInfo
filesupport,MentumPlanetusershaveeasy access to worldwide data and an
advancedGIStoolsetthatprovidesafoundation for managing all geographic
data in the planning environment.
Widely used throughout the telecom
sector, MapInfo Professional allows
users to easily import and map data such
astrafficpatterns,measurementdataand site locations and share outputs
with other MapInfo® users — without
laboriousimport/exporttranslationprocedures. Mentum Planet data formats
areopenandbasedonGISstandards,making them easily created and accessed
through other applications.
The ability to pull in marketing data and
share engineering data using MapBasic®
scripts across the operator’s organization
promotes the full potential of Mentum
Planet.TheMapInfoGISfoundationfacilitates map data creation and editing,
spatial data visualization, query and
analysis,mapplotting,GoogleEarth™exports, access to web-enabled
GISdatarepositoriesandreporting.
Flexible Deployment ModelsMentum Planet supports a variety of
deployment models through its unique
software design and licensing system.
A network administrator can opt for
standalone workstation deployments,
withorwithoutaDataManagertoshareproject data. Or, alternatively, they can
employ a centralized model supported
through Citrix or Windows® Terminal
Servicesorsomecombinationofboth.
MentumPlanetalsooffersaflexiblelicensing system that allows software
licenses to be acquired on a named end-
user basis or a pool shared for multiple
users. The licensing system also offers
a cost-effective commuter license option
that supports disconnected operation of
the software for use when away from the
office.
Full Support For Advanced GSM/GPRS/EDGE Networks Mentum Planet provides comprehensive
supportfor2G+technologyandsupportsadvancedGSMfeaturessuchasadaptivemulti-rate coding (AMR) and advanced
frequency-hopping planning methods.
It also generates advanced interference
matrices (IMs) based on histograms and
provides an interference matrix manager
to merge IMs from multiple sources (e.g.,
network measured, survey, modeled
coverage and local knowledge).
Mentum offers two frequency planning
solutions. The optional Renaissance
automatic frequency planning (AFP)
solution is a simulation-based best-
in-class application that lets the user
optimize spectrum utilization. The
optional Network-based Frequency
Optimizer uses mobile measurements
(real-time data generated from
subscribers handsets) to improve an
existing frequency plan.
MentumPlanetprovidesaGSM/GPRS/EDGEperformanceanalysistoolbasedonpowerful and rapid simulation techniques.
3. Enterprise, Centrally Hosted Client-server Solution
1. Stand-alone Thick-client Workstation
2. Thick-client Workgroup With Centralized Data
Region A
Region B
Mentum Planet ClientsMentum Planet Workstations
Mentum Planet Workstations
MentumPlanet Server
MentumPlanet Server
MentumPlanet Server
merver
merver
DatabaseServers
(Oracle orMS SQL)
5
Mentum Planet Deployment Scenarios
Automatic
Channel
Assignment
Interference
Analysis
Transport
Data
Management
4G
LTE
WiMAX
ACP
Renaissance
AFP
Network-based
Frequency
Optimizer
It allows engineers to predict not only
QoSformixedvoice/datanetworks,butalso establishes benchmarks for various
frequencyplansandtheirrelativeQoSimpact on the network.
Finally, Mentum Planet offers full multi-
technology support. A single network can
becomposedofWCDMA,HSPAandLTE,alongwithGSM/GPRS/EDGE—allowingengineers to analyze the interaction
between these layers and performance
of one layer against another. Mentum
Planet is the ideal solution to meet the
engineering and marketing requirements
ofa3G/4Gnetworkoverlayoveranexisting2Gnetwork.
Full Support for WCDMA/HSPAMentum Planet offers comprehensive
analysiscapabilitiesforWCDMAandHSPA.DetailedinputsarepossiblethroughtheSubscriberSettingsandafastandefficientMonteCarloengine,while quick analyses can be generated
through a unique rapid planning analysis
engine.
Mentum Planet allows operators to
predict network performance by using
all data available, whether collected
through drive test or gathered in the form
ofOSSstatistics.Itsinteractiveplanningfeatures, including the CPICH pollution
analysis tool, a spatial statistics engine
and extensive reporting capabilities,
provide a comprehensive toolset for all
RF engineering tasks.
The intelligent system capabilities
oftheHSPAradioaccesslayeraremainly implemented through adaptive
scheduling and selection of Transport
Format and Resource Combinations
(TFRCs) as a function of radio conditions
and resource usage. Mentum Planet can
help improve the performance levels of
new and existing networks with accurate
modeling characteristics that add value,
minimize interference and enable the use
of high throughput TFRCs.
MentumPlanethasHSPAcapabilitiessupportingalldeploymentconfigurationsincludingRel.99,HSDPAandHSUPA,andHSPAorRel.99exclusively.Withongoingdevelopmentinsupportoffuture3GPPreleaseevolutionsuchasHSPA+andLTE, Mentum continues its commitment
to leading-edge support for the most
advanced wireless technologies.
A Leader in LTEKey to the anticipated success of LTE are
two major and entirely new components
ontheradioaccessnetwork:theOFDMairinterfaceoftheevolvedUTRAN(eUTRAN)andtheintroductionofmultipleantenna techniques. Both components
aremajordeparturesfromGSM/UMTSandCDMAnetworkarchitectures.While the use of RF planning tools for
overlaying a new wireless technology is
nothing new, it is clear that the level of
technologyimprovementsandflexibilityoffered by LTE makes an accurate
network planning tool essential.
(Itisclearthattheleveloftechnologyimprovementsandflexibilityoffered
by LTE makes an accurate network planning tool essential )
6
Mentum Software Portfolio
From an operator’s perspective today,
LTE introduces both business planning
and RF engineering challenges. Armed
with advanced simulation software that
can accurately reproduce the operating
access network, RF engineers can
provide their corporate strategists with
the best information to build their LTE
business case and deployment plan.
Once a budget is assigned, RF engineers
can use the application for its traditional
RF engineering role. Mentum Planet for
LTE, including the network simulation
module as well as advanced propagation
models and ACPs, provides the critical
toolset required for RF engineers tasked
with network dimensioning exercises
(e.g., number of sites, required spectrum)
andnominaldesigns.Asthefirstmajorplanning tool to demonstrate LTE
capabilities in 2008 and as a leader in
WiMAX,userscanconfidentlyselectMentum Planet 5 knowing it will evolve
with their own requirements and their
technology’s roadmap.
Comprehensive 3GPP2 Capabilities Ininterference-limitedCDMAenvironments, it is important to
understand the performance of every
cell in the network and its interaction
withothercells.Withadvancedtrafficmodeling, detailed PN analysis planning
andPNconflictanalysis,pluspilotpollution inspection and support for
repeaters, Mentum Planet continues
to lead the way in planning capabilities
forCDMA2000networks.WiththeoptionalCDMA2000module,MentumPlanet delivers high accuracy in a
comprehensive yet easy to-use feature
set,makingitthetopchoiceofCDMAoperators around the world.
Planning and managing high-speed
data services poses unique challenges
to RF engineers. The optional Mentum
PlanetEV-DOextensionallowsuserstodefineandanalyzeEV-DOcarriersindetail, providing a variety of outputs to
assessachievableforward/reverselinkdata rates and coverage probability, and
tofindtheoptimalbalanceofcoverage,qualityandcapacity.TheEV-DOmodelingand simulation capabilities are fully
integratedintheMentumPlanet3GMonte Carlo engine, thus allowing users
to analyze data-only carriers in concert
withothernon-EV-DO-basedcarriers.
Severalreportsandstatisticalanalysesprovide insight into the network
performance, allowing assessment of
capacity challenges (e.g., reasons for
blocked calls), network coverage (e.g.,
pilot coverage) and network quality
(e.g.,EV-DOdatarates)allinthesameproject — and all using today’s network
ortomorrow’sforecastedtrafficandexpectednetworkconfiguration.
Worldwide WiMAX LeaderMentum Planet is the leading WiMAX
planning solution used by the largest
operators employing this technology.
This means the solution’s feature set for
WiMAX planning and optimization has
been tested like no other. It also ensures
compatibility with leading equipment
vendors in the WiMAX technology
ecosystem.
Mentum Planet 5 delivers comprehensive
modeling of WiMAX radio technology,
includingOFDM/OFDMAandmultipleantennasystems.OFDM/OFDMAmodelingisachievedthroughdetailed modeling of sub-carriers,
sub-channelizationandotherspecifictechnology parameters. It includes
innovative algorithms that can
evaluate the impact of collision-based
interference, power control, adaptive
modulation and other advanced
parameters on the performance of the
network — all while accounting for radio
propagationandtrafficloading.
End-user data rate analysis for an LTE network which utilizes spatial multiplexing
(MIMO) within Mentum Planet 5.
7
Mentum Planet also supports all the
performance-enhancement options of
WiMAX when it comes to the antenna
system. MIMO-A and MIMO-B are
supported within the product, as well as
spatial multiplexing and beamforming
antennas. Fixed and mobile subscribers
are equally supported together through
theflexiblesubscriberequipmentmodeling.Userscaninvestigatemobility by assessing handoff areas and
neighbour lists for different sectors.
Mentum Planet can automatically
optimizenetworkuplink/downlinkresource allocations taking coverage,
interference,trafficdistributionandavailability of various adaptive modulation
schemes into consideration — resulting
inmaximizationofARPU/deployment.
Mentum Planet also includes an
automated frequency and preamble
planning capability for WiMAX, allowing
engineers to manage the integration of
new sites without being limited to simple
patterns which are sub-optimal.
Mentum Planet continues to invest in
its WiMAX capabilities through custom
developments for operators, algorithm
design and feature implementations in
conjunction with leading vendors and
operators as it continues to pave the way
to4G.
Automatic Cell PlanningMentum offers customers a series
of automatic cell planning (ACP)
applications developed in conjunction
withpartnersSymenaandOrangeLabs,which address optimization problems
related to site numbers required for
targetedcoverage/QoS/capacity,antennaconfigurationsandpowersettings.
Offered solutions include:
• Capesso™–afullyfeaturedACPthataddresses all wireless technologies
• AURAD™–acost-effectiveACPthatsolves single-technology problems
• Greenfield™–anetworkoverlaydimensioning application for all
major wireless technologies
• RolloutPlanner–anACPforGSM/WCDMA/HSPAwithuniqueinteractiveoptimization to make minor
adjustments after an optimization run
MentumACPsbuildontheworkflowsand information available from Mentum
Planet,includinggeodata,trafficmapsand propagation predictions. Optimization
criteria are mathematically balanced
against the cost, feasibility and value of
potential changes to the network and
the recommended plan is seamlessly
used within Mentum Planet for analysis
and further action. While Mentum offers
a series of options for automated cell
planning, integrations also exist with
other vendors’ products.
Plans developed with Mentum ACP
applications are demonstrably better,
delivered faster, and are more useful than
plans developed any other way. These
optimizedplansdeliversignificantlyimproved coverage, capacity and quality
over manually-developed plans with
production-timereducedbyupto90%.
Incorporating Measurement DataAll wireless operators base their planning
processes on a range of prediction and
network-derived data. In addition to a
series of features related to simulation-
based activities, Mentum Planet provides
solutions addressing all aspects of this
continuum, including support of CW,
scanner,testmobile,aswellasOSSdataintheoptionalMeasurementDataPackage.
UserscancalibratepredictionsusingMentum Planet’s Automated Model
Tuning features in combination with
measurement data. Processing and
analysis of measurement data is
provided through the extensive survey
management features.
With the Test Mobile Tool, users can
import, analyze and post-process test
mobile and scanner data to better
leverage its value. CW and drive test
data can be used within Mentum Planet
to augment predictions through merged
predictions functionality. This feature
inserts measured path-loss values where
they are available (e.g., on a survey route)
and interpolates neighboring values
based on specialized algorithms. The
result is startlingly accurate predictions
for Mentum Planet analyses rendered
evenmoreaccuratebytheefficientreuseof collected data.
( Mentum Planet also supports all the performance-enhancement
options of WiMAX )
8
Integrated Indoor/Outdoor PlanningMentum Planet is integrated with
the global leader in indoor planning
solutions, iBwave’s RF-vu. The combined
offering enables visualization of indoor
systems (distributed antenna systems
or others) from within Mentum Planet
in order to understand the possible
challenges to the outdoor radio access
network.
The integrated solution also provides
operators with new ways to identify,
understand and manage the business
case for indoor systems. For buildings
where the return on investment makes
sense, the joint solution enables the
calculationofindoor/outdoorinterferenceand allows users to analyze the impact
of indoor systems on reverse-link
interference — as well as the impact
of outdoor cells on indoor network
performance. Integrated with Mentum
Planet’sDataManager,thejointsolutionalso supports enterprise-level data
management of indoor layouts, plans
and coverage that enables complete data
editing, versioning and data reporting.
Optimized Mentum GeodataMentumGeodataoffersasuiteofgeodataproducts including clutter (land use),
terrain, and vectors tailored for use in
Mentum Planet. Mentum’s distinct product
lines address the niche requirements of
today’s wireless operators.
MentumGeodataincludes:
• Landscapes–designedforlargeareaplanning or bid preparation. These
data sets cover entire countries
or large regions and are typically
suppliedata30-100meterpixelresolution
• Cityscapes–usedforplanningmetropolitanareas.Datasetsrangein resolutions from 20 to 30 meters
and include high-resolution satellite
derived clutter and high-resolution
DTM(DigitalTerrainModels)• Skylines–3Dbuildingmodelsused
for dense urban planning. These
data sets are typically used with
sophisticated urban models and offer
betterthanfivemeterresolutionwithvectoraccuracyof1-2metersonthehorizontalplaneand1-3metersonthe vertical plane
As the single point of contact for the
customer, Mentum can provide technical
advice on the most appropriate data for
the customer’s proposed application and
minimize costs through subscription
offers. Mentum also has a substantial
inventory that includes hundreds of
Cityscapes databases with 2007 vintage
data or better and overall geodata
productscovering90%oftheworld’slandmasses.
Specialized Services and Differentiated Customer CareThe services Mentum delivers are
focused exclusively around Mentum
products, where the company’s in-depth
knowledge provides unique and distinct
advantages. Our team of highly trained
professionals have years of experience
delivering specialized solutions to the
wireless industry.
Mentum Planet allows for a combination
of predictive data with real-world
measurements to provide network
planners and optimization engineers
with the most accurate representation of
their network.
9
Predictions
Measurements
Merged Predictions