ASTRIX

Advanced SysTem for Radio Interface eXploration

Last edited 05. august 2003

What is ASTRIX?

ASTRIX is a program system for predicting GSM radio coverage (present version only macro cells) using digitised maps, and maintaining all necessary information for running and maintaining a GSM network. It is build for professional installation and maintenance by professional GSM mobile network operators.

ASTRIX is made as an "client-server" application, thus enabling the operator to have only one powerful workstation doing the coverage predictions, while using "smaller" workstations as the MMIs (Man Machine Interface), based on X-Window under UNIX. The RPC protocol standard is used for communication between the clients and the server. The user may run several servers if he/she wants.

• ASTRIX Server: performs the radio coverage predictions (both direct and reflected), contour generation, and frequency assignment.
• ASTRIX Client: is the GIS client, incorporating the MMI GUI (user interface), and Oracle database administration.

Who made ASTRIX?

ASTRIX is a product of a co-operation between

• Teleplan AS (Norconsult Telematics), who made the ASTRIX Client
• SINTEF Telecom and Informatics ("SINTEF Tele og data" in Norwegian, former SINTEF DELAB), who made the ASTRIX Server
• NetCom GSM as, the Norwegian first private telecom operator, was the (paying!) client.

ASTRIX features

• Powerful and user friendly graphical user interface (X-Window)
• Radio coverage predictions including both 2D and 3D predictions
  1. direct predictions
  2. reflection predictions, giving Q15 indications
  3. Path loss models: Okumura-Hata, Blomquist-Ladell, Walfisch-Bertoni, and an optimised GSM General Model
  4. Diffraction loss models: Deygout, Modified Deygout, and Epstein-Peterson
  5. Effective antenna height algorithms: Physical, difference, Lee slope, average difference
  6. Clutter loss correction terms
  7. Post-modification of antenna type and position
  8. Prediction accuracy 4-10dB std.
  9. Reflection prediction add-on module works with Blomquist-Ladell or General model, enhances the std in shadowed areas illuminated by reflections
• Interference analyses
• Frequency assignment
• Contouring of terrain maps and coverage maps
• Runs on latitude-longitude raster maps, current resolution 90x90 meters
• Oracle database connection with professional forms for information administration
• Map system accuracy 1 meter UTM and 15cm geographic co-ordinates

System Requirements

The ASTRIX system runs as a client-server program on SunOS, Sun Solaris, and HP-UX UNIX platforms.

• The ASTRIX Server takes care of the "heavy" calculations, and should be a machine equipped with 64MB RAM and 100-200MB swap disc.
• The ASTRIX Client can run on a "price-friendly" workstation with only 16MB RAM

More information

• PowerPoint presentation of ASTRIX Total System (in English, made by Teleplan AS)
• PowerPoint presentation of ASTRIX Server (in Norwegian, made by SINTEF Telecom and Informatics)

If you have installed the ActiveX PowerPoint Animation Player (plug-in compatible for Netscape 2.x and IE3.x and above, goto section "Installing the PowerPoint Animation Player"), try these animated versions instead:

• ASTRIX Total System, by Teleplan AS (in English)
• ASTRIX Server, by SINTEF Telecom and Informatics (in Norwegian)

Publications

ASTRIX reflection propagation model was presented at Vehicular Technology Conference '97 in Phoenix 6th of May 1997. The paper can be viewed here in Acrobat format, and we send our poster regards to Dr. Henry L. Bertoni.at Polytechnic University, NY!

Some screen-shots

Example of a Q15 plot at Florø.

Example of coverage map around Tretten:

Working on radio propagation I, with some menus teared-off:

Working on radio propagation II:

For more information

contact:

Njaal Vikdal, Teleplan AS, Oslo, NORWAY
e-mail: njal.vikdal@teleplan.no,
to get total product and price information, system requirements, latest version info, User Interface

Geir Løvnes, NetCom GSM as, Oslo, NORWAY
e-mail: GEL@netcom-gsm.no
to get an ASTRIX users experience

Arne Lie, SINTEF Telecom and Informatics, N-7034 Trondheim, NORWAY
e-mail: arne.lie@informatics.sintef.no
to get more open information about the radio prediction algorithms.

Web page author: Arne Lie

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