CASI FY99 Wireless Information Network PLANning (WINPLAN) Project

Sponsored by CASI (Colorado Advanced Software Institute)
                and Omnipoint Technologies

Goal:

The proposed research deals with the development of efficient algorithms and simulation tools for Wireless Information Network Planning and Management.A software design system called Wireless Information Network Planning (WINPLAN) will be built to facilitate the design and evolution of wireless information networks with realistic user traffic modeling, efficient dynamic channel assignment algorithms, and flexible cell layout tool. The WINPLAN system will assist the network administrators in their network planning and management tasks. It will facilitate the network designers to improve the network efficiency and reliability.

    Participating Company Representative: Dean Angelico,
                                                            Omnipoint Technologies

Current Results:

• A Java-based WINMAP tool was built for reading in GIS dem terrain data and Tiger Highway data, creating the corresponding VRML models, placing antenna in user-specified location, and generating timed 3D user traffic data along the highway with certain speed and travelling direction.
• A C-based AntennaPlacer tool was built with heuristic and optimal algorithms for placing the antenna on the VRML models generated by the WINMAP tool.  We consider the  desired coverage area in the map and rule out antenna placement in certain zone using bitmaps.
• A Java-based Virtual Reality User Traffic Modeling and Simulation Tool was built for displaying the antenna placement results generated by the AntennaPlacer using VRML.  It is very effective in verifying the results the the following Figure and VRML files demonstrated.  It also animtates the mobile user traffic across the terrain with a light beam simulating the antenna assignments.  It is very effective in illustrating the handover.
• This set of tools can be used for research, education and training purposes.

VUTMOST and AntennaPlacer Results:

 


Figure 4-15. VRML for Verifying  Antenna Placement Results

In order to test our AntennaPlacer, we have created three cone shap mountains with its based shaved into a square, i.e., the four sides near the foot hill are cliff and can not receive the signal from the mountain top. With three antennae on the mountain tops, we found the color patterns correctly match the signal reception condition in the terrain.  We have found VRML very useful in help verifying the results generated by the  AntennaPlacer.  To facilitate the view and understand the orientation, we draw the axis with their label.Click on the map in Figure 4.15 for the test33.wrl file with animation of mobil traffic.

Figure 4-16a shows the antenna placement result of pueblo-east area with reduced 200x200 grid points generated by the VUTMOST. The bright gold light small sticks represent the antenna towers.  Figure 4-16b shows the top angle view of the whole area with a clear picture of the antenna coverage patterns. There are 231 antennae. Figure 4-16c shows the close up view on the upper left corner of the map. Click the map of Figure4-16a  for viewing the actual VRML file, Be aware it is 2.54MB!


Figure 4-16a. Front View of Antenna Placement Results


Figure 4-16b. Top view of Antenna Placement Results.


Figure 4-16c. Close UP View of Antenna Placement Results


Figure 4-17. Mobile Traffic Animation.

Figure 4-17 shows the mobile traffic animation in a simple 16x16 area. Click the map of Figure 4-17 to see the VRML file, 22kB.  The ball represents the mobile user should be gold color and there is a beam connecting the mobile user to the assigned attenna. There are 4 antennae powers in the picture. The left side has a tall mountain.  The right edge has small hill. The mobile user traverses diagonally across the 16x16 area. The file is in  out16bmsH3.wrl.
 

Status of the Project:
Phase 1 (Literature Search):  Here are related info:
    Previous UCCS Project:

• RACEWIN: Resource Allocation and Admission Control Evaluator for Wireless Information Networks Project with Java-based User Traffic Modeling and Simulation Tool (UTMOST) and Power and Cell Site Assignment Tool (POCAT).  Here is the final report.

• Bringing radio planning out of the back room, by Turvey, D., Proceedings of Conference on Products and Services Relating to Geographical Information Systems, Birmingham, UK; 7-9 Oct. 1997.
• Geometrical computation of cell coverage areas in planning of outdoor urban microcellular systems, by  Kishi, Y.; Mizuike, T.; Watanabe, F., ISAP 1996. Proceedings of the 1996 International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation, p. 4 vol. (vi+x+vii+x+1292), 597-600 vol.2.

• Digital Elevation Models (.dem file) and Road/Highway data (old digital link graph)
• USGS is converting these data in new SDTS format.
• Can be obtained from usgs or other commercial venders
• USGS ftp site: http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/doc/edchome/ndcdb/ndcdb.html

• RIS' Landform GIS package (read .dem data, overlay with geotiff image, export VRML file, easy specification of flight track)
• Micropath's GIS+EM UHF/VHF/Microwave Point-to-Point Link Analysis Package
• Esri's ArcInfo Arcview a very popular GIS package we may be able to get a copy for the project.
• Idrisi : raster-based GIS tool.
• Better description of GIS 3D Visualization.

http://www.geoplace.com/print/gw/1998/0798/798frm.htm
• 3D Visualization from GIS output demo

http://www.esri.com/base/products/arcinfo/3dtin/tin.html
• GPS + GIS in real time.

http://www.mgs-mobile.com/

• Web based 3D modeling tool with DEM support.
• Can interface with Javascript or Java or External API.
• An excellent tutorial, VRML 97, by Dave Nadeau at  http://vrml.ucsd.edu
• A good text is VRML 2.0 Sourcebook  by Andrea L. Ames, Dave Nadeau, John Moreland.

• Siemens' Tornado D Cellular Planning Tool
• Micropath's GIS+EM UHF/VHF/Microwave Point-to-Point Link Analysis Package

• 1) Visualization should be emphasized over simulation model research. It

will be a far more useful tool if we can swap different models into a
visualization framework. This is not to imply that simulation models are
not important; just that we will likely need to be able to select
different models, and the real value that WINPLAN will bring is in the
area of visualizing the results.

2) Third generation cellular systems will be heavily reliant upon packet
switching technology. More emphasis should be placed on packet switching
traffic than simple voice circuits. Both are important; a hybrid traffic
source should be considered.

3) System capacity and network efficiency should be emphasized over
customer QoS requirements, primarily because of the difficulty in
quantifying QoS.

4) Urban models are desirable, but we might want to start with less
challenging suburban models.

5) MultiPath fading modeling should be emphasized over power control &
CCI

6) Mobility modeling is more important than blind spot analysis

7) Studying long term population changes and their effect on capacity is
not important as part of this tool. PCS operators usually deploy
relative to very near term population coverage to maximize revenues.
Besides they will likely be better connected with developers and zoning
changes than any GIS CD.
 

• Integrating an existing GIS package with signal path model and user traffic modeling/simulation tool.
• Extract GIS data as VRML models and integrate with enhanced Java-based Race win/WINPLAN tools.