RF&WirelessBlog

Industrial wireless network planning tool allows engineers to visualise the network

SoftDEL has launched Aerodel Designer, a multi-vendor multi-protocol industrial wireless network planning tool. SoftDEL says that Aerodel Designer is aimed at providing SI and OEM planning and field engineers with a solution to make wireless site surveys easy and efficient. The tool allows OEM and SI sales force engineers to visualise the network, plan heterogeneous networks, model multiple scenarios, customise device parameters and quickly estimate requirements.

Cell planning and optimisation in the spotlight for Mobile World Congress

With the growing pressure on operators to manage their networks effectively to improve efficiency and capacity, automatic tools for cell planning and optimisation are becoming increasingly important. A number of vendors have made recent announcements both about products and about partnerships with operators and vendors, and among others they are expected to make their mark at next week's Mobile World Congress. LTE has brought new design challenges, which include features such as MIMO, multiple frequency bands, variable bandwidths and adaptive coding and modulation, which all have a significant impact on the business case for LTE deployment.

Basestation market up 10% in 2009, says In-Stat

The number of newly deployed macro cellular basestations worldwide has grown by over 10% during 2009, according to a newly published report by analysts In-Stat. The basestation market is thriving despite the poor state of the worldwide economy, and is being driven by demand for mobile phones, especially smartphones, and wireless broadband services. macro cellular basestations will grow over 10% in 2009.

Operators turn to CEM software to help reduce churn

With the market for cellular customers now saturated across most of the developed world, minimising churn and retaining existing customers is becoming even more of a major priority for wireless operators. This is because it is demonstrably more cost-effective to retain existing customers than to attempt to win new ones from their competitors.

Cherrypiq Telecom launches customised planning and optimisation services for WiMAX, LTE and other networks

Cherrypiq Telecom, a telecommunications consultancy based in Bristol, UK, has announced the launch of a portfolio of network planning and management capabilities that enable designers of networks worldwide to meet technical requirements such as data rate, coverage, capacity and quality of service (QoS) while still satisfying or exceeding business objectives.

The range of wireless consulting services offered by Cherrypiq Telecom is independent of any equipment vendor, and includes: network design; site selection; planning and optimisation; engineering process automation; and end to end project management. Cherrypiq also has a number of strategic technical and distribution agreements in place for relevant state-of-the-art software tools.

Although currently finding themselves busiest in helping to design new WiMAX networks around the world, Cherrypiq's technical capabilities are equally strong in LTE, UMTS/HSPA, CDMA, GSM(-R), VoIP, WiFi and TETRA.

"Many existing consultancies have their main expertise either in the engineering aspects of designing networks or in putting together a financial and business case for the network," said Leon Hardwick, Managing Director of Cherrypiq Telecom. "At Cherrypiq Telecom we believe in a holistic approach, and it is our view that an effective network can only be realised by making sound engineering decisions that are informed by a clear understanding of the business constraints."

"As air interface access technologies become more complex, it is increasingly important to make sure all the parameters are right before roll-out," commented Alberto Loreto, Director of Services Delivery at Cherrypiq Telecom. "A number of the early WiMAX operators failed to optimise their networks adequately, and this has resulted in some bad press for the technology. Applying rigorous and robust planning and optimisation techniques at the earliest stage could have avoided costly reworks further down the line, and the complexity of the technology even means that some weaknesses may be impossible to eliminate after roll-out."

"The recession has forced some telecom equipment vendors to rationalise their in-house design teams," added Leon Hardwick. "This means that they need to outsource their network engineering function to a consultancy they can trust, and this is exactly where Cherrypiq can help. We provide a full service that includes optimisation of network roll-outs, and also assisting with the delivery of automation for ongoing optimisation of both radio and core networks. We can equally help operators with design and planning of networks, vendor selection and pre- and post-launch optimisation."

Started in 2008, Cherrypiq Telecom has recently moved into new premises in the Aztec Park business district of Bristol, one of the UK's hotspot areas for wireless innovation. It has also just launched a new Website to present the full extent of its consultancy service to network operators, telecom vendors, system integrators and Government and enterprise customers.

European fund invests in spectral monitoring vendor CRFS

CRFS has announced an investment by Succès Europe, a Sophia Antipolis based European investment holding created by and for entrepreneurs. The Cambridge, UK, company develops and manufactures real-time spectral monitoring and management tools under the trade name RFeye.

The RFeye system is based on distributed networks of low cost, broadband, fixed or mobile, autonomous, intelligent nodes. Each RFeye node is a robust, GPS-equipped real-time spectrum analyser, which can be linked via any fixed or wireless IP-based backhaul network to provide a full set of contextual information. The system also includes a range of sophisticated data management and visualisation tools, and can be used for applications that include interference detection, spectrum license enforcement, military and intelligence uses, cell planning, RF environment checks and remote site monitoring.

 

According to Alistair Massarella, CEO of CRFS, the RFeye systems are finding worldwide acceptance amongst telecoms regulators and users of spectrum, and the company is also seeing increased interest in its products from military and homeland security customers.

 

"Succès Europe is delighted to be one of the first major investors in CRFS," said Candace Johnson, President Succès Europe. "CRFS was one of 21 companies chosen for investment out of more than 200 possible investment candidates across Europe in the fields of CleanTech, MedTech, ICT, and B2B. The company's management, business plan, innovation, technology, progress to date and addressable market thoroughly convinced us of their potential and ability to become a world-class company."

David Cleevely, Chairman of CRFS added, “The investment from Succès Europe shows how Angel investing can be truly international. Cambridge and Sophia Antipolis have been working together now for some time, and this outcome establishes CRFS as a truly European company. In addition to the funding, Angel investors are invaluable sources of advice and contacts, and we look forward to working with all our investors to ensure the growth and success of the company."