Huawei has signed a global license agreement with Ranplan for planning small cell wireless networks. Ranplan's iBuildNet will replace a series of software tools, currently used by Huawei, to provide an all-in-one solution for small cell design, simulation and optimisation.

Using advanced 3D building modelling, a fast and accurate 3D ray-tracing propagation engine and powerful data analysis, iBuildNet is able to predict user quality of experience for complex indoor and outdoor/indoor small cell and HetNet deployments. The software automatically optimises Access Point (AP) locations, antenna type, and power and channel assignment, it said.

"Huawei's decision to standardise on iBuildNet reflects the exponential increase in demand for data services and the need for a new generation of tools that can speed up the design and reduce the cost of deploying ultra-dense outdoor/indoor wireless networks," said Graham Peel, CEO at Ranplan.

"Over 80% of traffic is currently consumed indoors, yet poor performance and user experience are often commonplace. In addition to dealing with complex structures, terrains and materials, radio planning for outdoor/ indoor environments also has to take into account issues such as interference with macro cells and support for multiple-system technologies," he added.

Last year China Mobile also selected iBuildNet to evaluate third-party network design and deployment as well as for the frequency planning of small cell and heterogeneous networks. – TradeArabia News Service