Version 6.5.

iBwave Solutions Inc.

2014 All Rights Reserved

The information contained herein is the property of iBwave Solutions and is strictly confidential. Except as
expressly authorized in writing by iBwave Solutions, the holder shall keep all information confidential,
shall disclose it only to its employees with a need to know, and shall protect it, in whole or in part, from
disclosure and dissemination to third parties with the same degree of care protect its own confidential
information, but with no less than reasonable care. Except as expressly authorized in writing by iBwave
Solutions, the holder is granted no rights to use the information herein. Information is subject to change
without notice. iBwave Solutions reserves the right to make changes in design or components as
progress in engineering and manufacturing may warrant.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

TABLE OF CONTENTS
STREAMLINE INDOOR WIRELESS NETWORK PLANNING ................................................................... 1
WHATS NEW IN VERSION 6.5? ................................................................................................................ 1
Survey Data Management ........................................................................................................................ 2
Redundant DAS Architecture ................................................................................................................... 6
Carrier Aggregation with LTE Advanced ................................................................................................ 11
Passive Intermodulation (PIM) Calculations........................................................................................... 12
Improved Capacity Analysis ................................................................................................................... 15
New Propagation Model ......................................................................................................................... 19
Usability Improvements .......................................................................................................................... 22
Other Enhancements.............................................................................................................................. 24
Performance Improvements ................................................................................................................... 25
NEW FEATURES BY PRODUCT .............................................................................................................. 26
SERVICE RELEASES ................................................................................................................................ 27
VERSION 6.5.1 ...................................................................................................................................... 27
Improvements ......................................................................................................................................... 27
Resolved Issues ..................................................................................................................................... 28
VERSION 6.5.2 ...................................................................................................................................... 30
Resolved Issues ..................................................................................................................................... 30
VERSION 6.5.3 ...................................................................................................................................... 31
Resolved Issues ..................................................................................................................................... 31
NEXT STEPS.............................................................................................................................................. 32
CONTACTING CUSTOMER CARE ........................................................................................................... 32

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

STREAMLINE INDOOR WIRELESS NETWORK PLANNING

STREAMLINE INDOOR WIRELESS NETWORK PLANNING

iBwave Design 6.5 is the most comprehensive software available for automated network design planning.
Users can streamline the process of data collection, component selection, cost evaluation, design,
validation, documentation, reporting and more. Significantly reduce the time spent on manual field work
and increase cost savings.

WHATS NEW IN VERSION 6.5?

iBwave Design Version 6.5 includes new and improved features aimed at increasing the efficiency and
quality of your wireless designs. The highlighted features are:
Survey Data Management
Redundant DAS support
Carrier Aggregation with LTE Advanced
Passive Intermodulation Calculations
Improved Capacity Analysis
New Propagation Model
Improved Calculations for Co-Channel Interference
Uplink Maps for New Technologies
Adjacent Wall Simplification
Usability Improvements
Fiber Cable Replacement
Performance Improvements
.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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Survey Data Management

SURVEY DATA MANAGEMENT

1) Survey data is associated with wireless services and survey types
Survey data is now related to the wireless service or operator. When importing survey data you must
assign the associated wireless service in order to establish a link used when creating output maps.
A new survey type classifies the survey data indicating the stage of the project that the collected data
is purposed for. The survey data types are:

Pre-install; at the start of a design project, survey of macro environment before installation

Continuous wave (cw); for model calibration

Post-install; for validating design on all simulated antennas after installation

Legacy; survey data collected prior to Design version 6.5

Survey data is organized by the wireless services and the data types in the Survey panel:

Output maps and measured data reports are also organized and can be filtered by the associated
wireless services and survey types.
Survey types are also implemented in Calibration.
2) Granular mapping of imported data
New improved technology-specific fields are added to map imported survey data, for example LTE
RSRP, RSRQ, etc.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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WHATS NEW IN VERSION 6.5?

A new Code legend is added. Color schemes in legends are now synchronized with the data type to
match those in output maps.
3) Additional data plotting and prediction options
Select between raw data, interpolation and at intervals when plotting data on layout plans. Moreover,
the calculated prediction data can be based on the original raw data or the selected plotted data on
the layout plans (interpolate or intervals). Plotted data formatting options are specific to user
preference for display.
Legends are simplified and are specific for survey. Legends for configured data types are the same
as output maps of the same type.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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Survey Data Management

Interference types can be selected where it is considered when calculating predictions at the preinstall stage for survey collection.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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WHATS NEW IN VERSION 6.5?

4) Updated Prediction Versus Measured Data report

Generate the Prediction Versus Measured Data report for a wireless service based on one of the
following survey data types:

Pre-Install

Continuous wave

Post-Install

Legacy

Select the required wireless service and filter by the survey type before selecting the appropriate
survey data.

The report outputs a comparison of the measured data, derived from a walk survey test with the
predicted values to indicate if any calibration is required.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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Redundant DAS Architecture

REDUNDANT DAS ARCHITECTURE

5) Redundant DAS ring model configuration
Redundant DAS architecture that ensures continuous service in the event of network failures is now
supported. This reliable communications setup compliant with TETRA-based specifications, is
necessary for emergency services that requires persistent communications even when network
infrastructure fails. This model is mainly used in tunnels.
Three types of redundant DAS architecture is supported:

Radiating cable loops

DAS loops

Remote unit loops

Components and cables can be fed from both directions with the Allow loop property that enables the
ring model configurations. Redundant DAS tool can be enabled in Project Properties > Calculations >
General > Redundant DAS tool

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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WHATS NEW IN VERSION 6.5?

6) Validate signal strength with cable probe and simulated failure point
Probe the signal passing through the loop to evaluate the signal level, displayed as a tooltip as you
mouse over the ring design. Permanent probes can also be defined at set points in the ring model
that provide:

Cable measurement at the probed point

Signal level

Location of the weakest point and its signal measurement

Simulate failure points in order to evaluate the robustness and the signal reliability. To do so activate
break points on any location in the looped cables and read the signal strength emanating at the break
points to ensure a continuous signal caused by the dual-feed support.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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Redundant DAS Architecture

7) Show a visual signal strength measurement of the model

Leverage the Signal Strength map to show the changes in the signal power as it is reduced at the
simulated break points and as it strengthened around the loop.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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WHATS NEW IN VERSION 6.5?

8) Generate link budgets for redundant DAS architecture

A list of probe points and weakest points are added to the Link Budget report.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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Redundant DAS Architecture

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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WHATS NEW IN VERSION 6.5?

CARRIER AGGREGATION WITH LTE ADVANCED

9) Enable Carrier Aggregation for LTE Advanced supported technology
The LTE Advanced technology is now supported and carrier aggregation can be leveraged to
aggregate multiple LTE channels configured to yield increased bandwidth. The following
aggregations are supported:

Intra-band contiguous aggregation

Intra-band non-contiguous aggregation

Inter-band aggregation

LTE sources are configured in the System Wizard where components are defined and combined.
10) New LTE Advanced Maximum Achievable Data Rate map
The LTE Advanced Maximum Achievable Data Rate map shows the indoor throughput for LTE
Advanced systems of multiple bands and provides the combined data rate of aggregated
components.

Notice the increased bandwidth when comparing results with the Maximum Achievable Rate map.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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Passive Intermodulation (PIM) Calculations

PASSIVE INTERMODULATION (PIM) CALCULATIONS

11) Calculated PIM rates and noise compliance
The new PIM rate feature is now supported. A basic PIM calculation method based on part
specifications worse-case scenario, provided by component ratings is implemented. PIM rates are
calculated to measure signal interference levels caused by the third-order intermodulation in the
design plans. PIM calculations are deemed high if values are found to exceed the set threshold of
acceptable rates, relative to the noise floor level. These thresholds are set in PIM properties and are
based on power de-rating and signal cushion parameters, defined in Properties > Calculations > PIM.
Elevated PIM rates trigger warning alerts for designers to expect high signal interference where low
PIM components must be used instead.

PIM rates are displayed at each connector and are color-coded to indicate passing or failing results.
12) Specify PIM specifications in database of parts
Part specifications provide the parameters for calculating the PIM rate at each connector based on:
IMD3
IMD3 Test Tones
These parameters are defined in the database of components.

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WHATS NEW IN VERSION 6.5?

13) Generate PIM compliance report

The PIM compliance report generates conformance results for the reported system. It indicates
whether PIM calculations for the active system complies or exceeds the set threshold levels.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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Passive Intermodulation (PIM) Calculations

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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WHATS NEW IN VERSION 6.5?

IMPROVED CAPACITY ANALYSIS

14) New capacity engine
The new capacity engine is now based on a statistical process that models call arrival following a
Poisson process and uses Erlang B behavior. Capacity analysis estimates the number of subscribers
a venue can support at all times or the required bandwidth to support a specific number of
subscribers, taking into account the blocking rate and interference factors.
Set subscriber and technology properties in Project Properties > Calculations > Capacity analysis.

Multiple capacity input is provided to calculate the capacity calculations:

Calculate supported number of users based on targeted blocking rate
Calculate blocking rate based on targeted number of users
Calculate supported number of users based on voice blocking rate
15) Pre-defined capacity zones
Capacity zones define traffic densities configured with user percentages. They can be added to the
layout plan according to the concentration level of users and the eventual traffic in the analyzed
venue. This has an impact on traffic analysis of the predicted areas.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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Improved Capacity Analysis

Simply draw the parameters of zone on the layout plan using the polygon tool and assign a predefined capacity zone that best describes the expected user concentration in the defined area.
If capacity zones are used, a warning is generated if more than 3% of the prediction area is not
covered by a capacity zone.

Capacity zones provide uneven user distribution in a venue by set percentages of the overall number
of users, with the remaining value distributed equally among other areas of the venue.
16) Enhanced capacity report based on new Eb/No service coverage map
Run the capacity prediction and view the results in the Capacity report that yields additional
information:

Total offered traffic

Carried traffic

Composite blocking rate

Duty cycle

Number of users

Data usage

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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WHATS NEW IN VERSION 6.5?

17) New Eb/No Achievable Service Coverage map

As part of the optimization module, the new Eb/No Achievable Service Coverage map depicts the
service coverage in a CDMA/WCDMA network that shows areas where certain service types (voice,
email, video telephony and multimedia) are available. Prediction results are used for capacity
analysis.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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Improved Capacity Analysis

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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WHATS NEW IN VERSION 6.5?

NEW PROPAGATION MODEL

18) Extended prediction algorithm
A new propagation model is added that accounts for multiple RF environment types. The prediction
algorithm is extended to integrate this new propagation model used as part of iBwave Mobile Planner
for quickly modeling buildings and RF environments without the use of 3D modeling.
The Variable Path Loss Exponent model resembles Path Loss Exponent without the requirement of
modeling walls, instead the propagation model uses RF environments for quick prediction runs used
in the field on iBwave Mobile devices.
19) New Variable Path Loss Exponent model
The new Variable Path Loss exponent model closely predicts signal loss and the effect on
propagation in various characteristics of indoor environments, by using pre-defined environment
types.

The prediction does not take into account any walls, but pre-defined environment characteristics.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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New Propagation Model

20) Assign predefined environment types on floor areas

Predefined environment types are provided by default and user-defined environments can be added
in the Project Properties > Propagation models > Variable Path Loss Exponent.

Assign environment types on layout plans that depict the physical environment based on the density
of the physical elements that can have an impact on prediction.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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WHATS NEW IN VERSION 6.5?

Run the signal strength map and notice the intensity of the signal strength in relation to the effects of
the various environment types.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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Usability Improvements

USABILITY IMPROVEMENTS
21) Lock/Unlock improvements for Server projects
Server projects are unlocked by default. Users are prompted to lock the project when attempting to
edit it. Users also have the ability to keep projects locked after on loading.
22) Organized area types
Environment types, Capacity zones and Zones are now organized inside Areas in the Layout panel.
One area type can be selected at a time, where the current layout plan is filtered per selection.
23) Cable type breakdown
Cable types are now available in the Layers panel.

24) Fiber cable replacement

The cable replacement tool now supports optical fiber cable replacement. Cable types and fiber
strands are compared and replace if they are found matching.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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WHATS NEW IN VERSION 6.5?

25) Cable probe extended for all cables

Originally created for redundant DAS model, this feature is now supported for all design models.
26) Improved Usability in Survey
The following designs are implemented in the Survey module to enhance user experience:

Mapping and filtering data is now intuitive

Color schemes are related to data types to match prediction color schemes

Other usability improvements are implemented throughout the application.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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Other Enhancements

OTHER ENHANCEMENTS
27) Extended technology support for Uplink
The following uplink output maps now support additional technologies:
Mobile Tx Power (voice)
Mobile Tx Composite Power
Mobile SNR Power
In addition to CDMA, WCDMA, LTE, the following technologies are now supported for Uplink maps:
GSM, HSPA, HSPA Plus and WiFi .
28) Combine adjacent walls is extended to FRT with additional enhancements
Combining adjacent walls is now supported for FRT model. The feature is enhanced to include user
configuration for distance between walls.
Users can now set a threshold limit for the distance between two adjacent walls. If distance is less or
equal to the set limit then Design combines the walls into one; to be considered one wall during
prediction measurements.
The feature is also useful when importing AutoCAD plans with double lined walls.
29) WiFi Co-Channel interference
Partial channel interference is modeled to accurately calculate the co-channel interference for WiFi.
30) Enabled signal saturation and selection for components in the DB Editor
Components in the database of components can be enabled to saturate. Signals coming out of a
given port will have a maximum value. This can allow the remote to saturate on the RF/Antenna port
and pass the full signal to the cascaded remote.
Components can be enabled for selection. This filtering mechanism can be enabled on a given port
where only some of the systems coming into the part will go out by the given port. This is supported
per port basis.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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WHATS NEW IN VERSION 6.5?

PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS
31) Improved prediction performance
Prediction performance is improved by cache streaming. The first time you run prediction the results
are stored in cache for faster retrieval, the all subsequent prediction runs are noticeably faster.
32) Optimized cores
The usage of cores has been optimized and new improved file format has been implemented.
33) New file format
Improved open/close and loading saved predictions.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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NEW FEATURES BY PRODUCT

NEW FEATURES BY PRODUCT

Product Feature
Survey Data Import and
Management
Redundant DAS

LTE Advanced

Design Enterprise

Propagation
Module

Collection
Module

Variable Path Loss Exponent

Design Lite

Propagation Lite
Module

Passive Intermodulation

Capacity Analysis

Optimization
Module

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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SERVICE RELEASES

SERVICE RELEASES
VERSION 6.5.1
IMPROVEMENTS
The following enhancements are included in iBwave Design Version 6.5.1.
The Horizontal Link Budget report now includes Reference Signal Power at the system. The Sys.
Out. Reference Signal Pwr [dBm] and the Sys. Out. Reference Signal Pwr [mW] are added to
the report summary columns:

The report can output Reference Signal Power at the antenna and the system.
The Wall Simplification tool is now available for the Field version of iBwave Design with Modeling.
To access the Wall simplification option, click the Tools menu.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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SERVICE RELEASES

RESOLVED ISSUES
The following issues were resolved in iBwave Design Version 6.5.1.
ISSUE NUMBER

DESCRIPTION

DSGN-4823

The LTE Reference Signal SNIR map produces wrong results when outdoor signal is
considered.

DSGN-4820

An error is encountered after running prediction using the VPLE propagation model.
The error is caused by two superimposed points in an environment zone.

DSGN-4791

A null exception message is encountered when running network optimization maps.

DSGN-4788

Enable the cable probe tooltip on all types of cables.

DSGN-4778

Encountered a SQLite connection timeout.

DSGN-4749

Improve the default survey selection for Best Server and Soft Handoff maps.

DSGN-4747

The DB Editor crashes when upgrading from version 6.3 to version 6.5.

DSGN-4742

Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number data type disappears when changing
wireless services.

DSGN-4734

The RSCP/Pilot data type should not be displayed for HSPA< HSPA Plus, WCDMA,
CDMA technologies.

DSGN-4729

Display the wireless service information as a tooltip in survey legend.

DSGN-4719

Omni-Directional small cells are incorrectly displayed as Directional.

DSGN-4714

Different throughput prediction results for HSPA technology when running in iBwave
Mobile and iBwave Design.

DSGN-4713

Missing survey trace information when inserting a trace point.

DSGN-4712

Text is misaligned in the Survey panel.

DSGN-4706

The text box font changes after exporting layout plans.

DSGN-4703

The PredData file is still created even when the setting is disabled.

DSGN-4696

Capacity report displays inconsistent unit of measure.

DSGN-4665

Add an option to enable/disable tooltips.

DSGN-4629

Add an Auto Set button to automatically set antenna patterns.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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SERVICE RELEASES

ISSUE NUMBER

DESCRIPTION

DSGN-4391

Improve the user interface for the Calibration model form.

DSGN-4051

HPI interpolation does not show expected results.

DSGN-3816

Auto Placement crashes for parts with overlapping connectors.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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SERVICE RELEASES

VERSION 6.5.2
RESOLVED ISSUES
The following issues were resolved in iBwave Design Version 6.5.2.
ISSUE NUMBER

DESCRIPTION

DSGN-4931

Incorrect error message is triggered for fiber connectors with defined frequencies.

DSGN-4930

The File Name value in the exported XML file is not relevant. The value should indicate
the project file name instead.

DSGN-4929

An incorrect count of connectors for multi-strand cables is reported in the Equipment

List report.

DSGN-4918

Added improvements to fiber modeling.

DSGN-4903

LTE SNIR map results appear different in Design 6.5 than in previous versions due to
different interpolation calculations.

DSGN-4885

Unexpected errors are caused by an interruption during the loading of calculations.

DSGN-4879

The noise power calculation is not available on the uplink port of Fiber BDA Hub where
optical output ports are connected to the remotes.

DSGN-4864

Incorrect power reading at remote units.

DSGN-4853

Imported antenna patterns are not automatically saved. Users must edit and then save
the applied changes.

DSGN-4838

Added the option to enable/disable the right-click close tabs, as well as the ability to
close any other tabs other than the current one.

DSGN-4837

Exporting Cable Routing report to XML adds txt in front of all labels.

DSGN-4749

Adjusted the default survey data types for Best server and Soft Hand-off output maps.

DSGN-4734

Wrong data types are displayed for unrelated technologies in prediction survey
selection causing prediction to fail.

DSGN-3581

Imported survey trace route appears different from the actual survey route.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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SERVICE RELEASES

VERSION 6.5.3
RESOLVED ISSUES
The following issues were resolved in iBwave Design Version 6.5.3.
ISSUE NUMBER

DESCRIPTION

DSGN-5040

For HSPA Plus, change the SNIR threshold value to achieve 21 Mbps with default
settings.

DSGN-5039

Add a Reset License button in the Failure Report message.

DSGN-5038

Include the effect of the second antenna of the MIMO antenna pair in Electromagnetic
Field report.

DSGN-4993

Unexpected error occurred when creating a project in iBwave Design Lite 64.

DSGN-4973

Soft Handoff prediction failed due to invalid operation.

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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NEXT STEPS

NEXT STEPS
Attend a Live iBwave Product Suite Demo
Buy Version 6.5
Upgrade to Version 6.5
Download the Free iBwave Viewer

CONTACTING CUSTOMER CARE

If you encounter any problems during the installation or configuration of iBwave Design, or if you have
any questions, please send your inquiries to Customer Care:
Email: support@ibwave.com
Phone:

Americas:

1 855 442 9283 or 1 855 4 iBwave

Europe:

+212 6 00545552

MEA:

+212 6 00545552

APAC:

+63 2-661-9635

You can also:

Log into the iBwave Customer Portal, and create a request in the My Cases section:
http://www.ibwave.com/language/en-US/MyiBwave.aspx
Check if your questions are answered in the Knowledge Base section of the iBwave Customer
Portal

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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Performance Improvements

iBwave Design Release Notes / Version 6.5.3

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