iBwave Simplifies LTE Network Surveys with a New Seamless Solution

In the dynamic world of wireless network design, surveying LTE networks plays a crucial role in ensuring optimal performance and reliability. However, the existing tools often fall short in terms of complexity, affordability, and integration with the network design process. Recognizing this need, iBwave has introduced an innovative solution that revolutionizes LTE network surveys. By seamlessly integrating the iBwave Mobile app with Epiq Solutions’ PRiSM scanner, wireless engineers now have a comprehensive tool at their disposal. This integration allows for efficient data collection, real-time network insights, and a simplified end-to-end survey and design experience.

Why Survey LTE Networks?

LTE network surveys provide valuable information and play a crucial role in the wireless engineering ecosystem. Here are some key reasons why surveying LTE networks is essential:

  1. Network Performance Optimization: By conducting surveys, wireless engineers can gather data on signal strength, coverage areas, and potential interference. This information enables them to optimize network performance, identify areas for improvement, and ensure seamless connectivity for end-users.
  2. Troubleshooting and Maintenance: Regular surveys help identify and address network issues, such as signal degradation, interference sources, or coverage gaps. This allows for proactive troubleshooting and maintenance, minimizing downtime and maximizing network reliability.
  3. Capacity Planning: Survey data aids in determining network performance in areas where there’s potential high-capacity user density, data usage patterns, and traffic hotspots have been identified. This information is crucial for scaling networks and optimizing resources to meet growing demand.
  4. Network Design and Expansion: LTE network surveys provide valuable insights during the initial design phase, post-installation validation, and subsequent expansion projects. Accurate survey data ensures precise network planning, optimal antenna placement, and efficient use of resources.


Accelerate Network Surveying with iBwave

iBwave’s latest survey solution incorporates LTE survey capabilities into the renowned iBwave Mobile app. By collaborating with Epiq Solutions and their PRiSM scanner, iBwave has created a powerful and affordable tool that seamlessly integrates with the network design lifecycle. This integration not only simplifies the survey process but also enables wireless engineers to have a holistic approach, ensuring that the survey data seamlessly translates into optimized network designs.

Key Features for a Smoother Survey Experience:

The iBwave Mobile app, coupled with the handheld, lightweight yet powerful PRiSM scanner, delivers unparalleled functionality and ease of use. Here are some key features that set this solution apart from others in the market:

  1. Lightweight and Portable: The PRiSM scanner attaches magnetically to the back of a phone or tablet, providing wireless engineers with a convenient and portable solution for on-the-go surveys.
  2. Real-time Insights: Gain insights into the LTE network in real time, allowing for immediate adjustments and optimizations during the survey process.
  3. Efficient Data Collection: With minimal start-up time, the solution ensures fast and effective collection of survey data, minimizing post-processing efforts and saving valuable time and resources.
  4. Simplified End-to-End Experience: The solution streamlines the entire survey and design lifecycle, providing a seamless and cohesive experience for wireless engineers.
  5. Spectrum Analyzer: Detect active frequencies and interference easily with the built-in spectrum analyzer, enabling efficient troubleshooting and performance checks.

The iBwave survey solution brings a host of benefits to various stakeholders in the wireless industry. Mobile network operators, system integrators, and wireless enterprise experts can expect the following advantages:

  1. Reliability and Performance: Ensure that cellular wireless networks meet required performance standards with a comprehensive and easy-to-use survey solution.
  2. Cost Savings: iBwave’s solution is affordable, eliminating the need for expensive and complex tools that hinder efficiency and productivity.
  3. Versatility: The new LTE integration is not limited to public networks; it also caters to private LTE networks, making it a valuable tool for carriers and enterprises alike.

With iBwave’s latest LTE network survey solution, the days of struggling with complex, expensive, and disjointed survey tools are over. By seamlessly integrating the iBwave Mobile app with Epiq Solutions’ PRiSM scanner, wireless engineers can now survey LTE networks with ease and efficiency. With its lightweight design, real-time insights, simplified end-to-end experience, and spectrum analyzer, this solution sets a new standard in the industry. Mobile network operators, system integrators, and wireless enterprise experts can now confidently deploy high-performing and reliable cellular wireless networks, all thanks to iBwave’s innovative approach to LTE network surveys.

To learn more, visit our iBwave Mobile Survey product page.

Feature Spotlight: Beamforming in 5G Design

Have you downloaded the latest version of iBwave? In this article we’re going to put the spotlight on Beamforming in 5G design – one of the key new features in Release 13.

What is Beamforming?

In iBwave Release 13, users can configure multi-beam antennas to support beamforming for 5G NR. They can also add individual RF patterns to components, which can then be combined into a single pattern for prediction. Effectively, you’ll be able to trial and preview the effect of individual beam configurations while designing in-building 5G networks.

Beamforming will improve over time as OEMs add more components and beam configurations to the iBwave DB. Product managers are working closely with manufacturers to roll out new VEX files, and users can anticipate increased beamforming for 5G NR functionality in 2020 and beyond.

How does Beamforming work?

Beamforming in iBwave Design 13

Engineers can now configure multi-beam antennas (including sub-panels) and multi-beam small cells in the database editor and apply them to design projects. The DB Editor now allows users to view and filter RF patterns for beamforming antennas and small cells by beam type and beam index.

Predictions are calculated according to the beam-type associated with the output map when including a beamforming component in a 5G NR design. For example, SSB beam types will use an SS-RSRP map.

When the user defines PDSCH beam types, iBwave uses these to calculate MADR values. Users should note that the composite power values listed on tooltips represent the maximum gain value of the combined beam pattern. In predictions, coverage maps create a combined beam pattern.

Enabling or disabling individual beams will automatically update the output map using Beamforming with 5G NR antennas.

A 16×16 and 8×8 Multi-Beam Antenna

Want to learn more about Beamforming and 5G design?

Download this 5G NR quick reference poster to easily see beam measurements and SSB patterns while designing 5G networks.

Go in-depth on Beamforming with 5G expert Ali Jemmali in our webinar all about the topic.

Find out how to future-proof 5G for in-building design and convergence in our recent blog post.

What’s New in iBwave Wi-Fi Release 12

With iBwave Wi-Fi Release 12, we’ve added some key features to building modeling that will change the game when it comes to 3D modeling for large complex venues.

In this blog, we’ll be looking at three important enhancements to 3D modeling added in iBwave Wi-Fi Release 12. With diagonal drawing, curved walls in stadium design, and the ability to stop walls at an incline, you can save you up to 50% of the time it normally takes to model large complex venues like stadiums, airports, shopping malls, etc.

Diagonal Drawing

Easily design square sections of a building at an angle with the new diagonal drawing tool. You can now more efficiently model odd-shaped buildings as well as add a reference angle to be able to measure and relate antenna azimuth.

“My favourite new feature in iBwave R12 is diagonal drawing because it allows me to quickly and accurately draw walls not at 90 degree angles – no more guess work. Projects are now completed and ready for the engineer at a quicker rate than previous versions.”

— RF Engineer, iBwave User

Curved Walls

Benefit from significant time savings with the ability to design curved walls (especially useful for stadium modeling) making your 3D model that much more accurate to real-life and as a result, your predictions also more accurate.

Stop Walls at Incline

R12 brings simplified wall drawing under inclined surfaces – you now have the ability to easily draw walls and adjust their height against inclined surfaces, making your model and predictions more accurate.

We know these features have been requested by many of our users, especially those who model larger complex venues such as stadiums. We’re happy to be delivering these enhancements to answer those requests and simplify the overall Wi-Fi design process in larger complex venues.

Look for even more features that will enhance your modeling and design experience in the coming months!

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