www.ibwave.

com

THE iBWAVE
CERTIFICATION
PROGRAM
Student Manual

EXPERT

iBwave Design , iBwave Field , iBwave Plan, iBwave Assure, Propagation, Optimization,
Collection and Modelling Modules are trademarks of iBwave Solutions, Inc. All other
trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. In
recognition of its continued commitment to product improvement, iBwave Solutions,
Inc. reserves the right to change the information contained herein without notice.
MATERIAL USE RESTRICTIONS
The information contained in this document is the property of iBwave Solutions, Inc.
Except as specifically authorized in writing by iBwave Solutions, Inc., the holder of this
document shall keep the information contained herein confidential and shall protect
same in whole or in part from disclosure and dissemination to third parties and use
same for evaluation and training purposes only.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any
information storage or retrieval system, without prior written consent from iBwave
Solutions, Inc.

Should you have any questions or comments regarding this course,

please write to us at certification@ibwave.com

Printed in Canada
Copyright 2009 iBwave Solutions Incorporated. All rights reserved

iBwave Solutions Inc.

T +1 514 397 0606
F +1 514 409 2499
7075, Robert-Joncas, Suite 95
St-Laurent, Qc H4M 2Z2 Canada
info@ibwave.com
www.ibwave.com

Copyright 2009, iBwave Solutions Inc.

TABLEOFCONTENTS

CHAPTER1............................................................. 1
Course Introduction............................................................................................................................... 1

CHAPTER2.......................................................... 21
Radio Wave Propagation Basics ........................................................................................................ 2-1
Electromagnetic Theory Principles.................................................................................................... 2-3
The Uniform Plane Wave .................................................................................................................. 2-7
Effects of Materials.......................................................................................................................... 2-15
Propagation Mechanisms ................................................................................................................. 2-17
Reflection and Refraction ................................................................................................................ 2-21
Waveguiding .................................................................................................................................... 2-23
Scattering ......................................................................................................................................... 2-25

CHAPTER3.......................................................... 31
Basic Propagation Models ................................................................................................................. 3-1
Path Loss ............................................................................................................................................ 3-7
Free Space Loss (FSL)..................................................................................................................... 3-13

CHAPTER4.......................................................... 41
In-Building Propagation Models........................................................................................................ 4-1
Empirical and Physical Models.......................................................................................................... 4-3
Comparing Models: Measures of Accuracy....................................................................................... 4-7
Keenan & Motley Empirical Model................................................................................................. 4-15
Cost 231 Multi-Wall Empirical Model ............................................................................................ 4-19
In-Building Dominant Path Model .................................................................................................. 4-25
Challenging Environments............................................................................................................... 4-31

CHAPTER5.......................................................... 51
Building Modeling ............................................................................................................................. 5-1

iBwaveDesignExpertLevelCertificationRevision2

CHAPTER6.......................................................... 61
Propagation Workshop....................................................................................................................... 6-1
Part 1: Conducting a Propagation Prediction Study Using iBwave Design ...................................... 6-3
Color Schemes ................................................................................................................................. 6-15
Prediction Types .............................................................................................................................. 6-19
Compliancy Area ............................................................................................................................. 6-23
Areas can be defined using a polygon shape according to the following types: ............................. 6-23
Part 2: Accuracy of the Model Against Measurements ................................................................... 6-41

CHAPTER7.......................................................... 71
Antenna Characteristics ..................................................................................................................... 7-1
Antenna Basics................................................................................................................................... 7-3
Antenna Parameters ........................................................................................................................... 7-7
Radiation Patterns .............................................................................................................................. 7-9
Antenna Types Used for In-Building............................................................................................... 7-23
In-Building Antennas Cases............................................................................................................. 7-31
Radiating Cables .............................................................................................................................. 7-35

CHAPTER8.......................................................... 81
In-Building Propagation Measurement Guidelines............................................................................ 8-1
Propagation Measurement Basics ...................................................................................................... 8-3
Equipment ........................................................................................................................................ 8-15
Walk Routes Guidelines................................................................................................................... 8-25
Calibration and Validation ............................................................................................................... 8-31

CHAPTER9.......................................................... 91
Collection Module.............................................................................................................................. 9-1

CHAPTER10...................................................... 101
Tuning and Validation ..................................................................................................................... 10-1
Introduction...................................................................................................................................... 10-3
Importing Survey Data..................................................................................................................... 10-5
Measurements for Model Tuning..................................................................................................... 10-7
Identification of Disputable Survey Data....................................................................................... 10-11
Walls, Floors, and Model Tuning in iBwave Design..................................................................... 10-21
Propagation Model Validation Example........................................................................................ 10-27
Calibration Model in iBwave Design ............................................................................................ 10-35

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CHAPTER11...................................................... 111
Importing Outdoor Prediction.......................................................................................................... 11-1

CHAPTER12...................................................... 121
Optimization Module ....................................................................................................................... 12-1
Creating SNIR Ec/Nt Map .......................................................................................................... 12-17

CHAPTER13...................................................... 131
Appendix 1 : Defining Project Requirements .................................................................................. 13-1
Project Requirements ....................................................................................................................... 13-3
RF Technical Requirements............................................................................................................. 13-7
Health and Safety Requirements.................................................................................................... 13-15
Physical Requirements................................................................................................................... 13-17

CHAPTER14...................................................... 141
Appendix 2 : Antenna Characteristics ............................................................................................. 14-1

CHAPTER15...................................................... 151
Appendix 3 : Planning a Measurement Campaign........................................................................... 15-1
Planning a Measurement Campaign ................................................................................................ 15-1

CHAPTER16...................................................... 161
150H

Glossary ........................................................................................................................................... 16-1

75H

15H

iBwaveDesignExpertLevelCertificationRevision2

Chapter 1
Course Introduction

iBwaveDesignExpertLevelCertificationRevision2

Course Introduction

Welcome
Welcome to the iBwave Design Expert Level Certification Program. Following all the
knowledge acquired in the Professional Level, the Expert Level brings new concepts and
tools for you to enhance your skills in designing an in-building project using iBwave Design.
Lets examine in detail what outcomes and objectives are expected for the Expert Level.

Certification Roadmap
After completing the Professional Level Certification, you gained the knowledge to create and
design in-building systems using iBwave Design to meet given requirements. Now for the
Expert Level, it is expected that you can develop your knowledge of in-building radio
propagation, and in consequence improve your skills on propagation-related issues to
enhance your in-building design abilities to more complex and critical design projects. In
addition, you will gain expertise in the iBwave Design modules: Collection Module,
Propagation Module, and an overview of the Optimization Module.

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 Course Introduction

Welcome

You are here:

Course Introduction

Engineering is the professional and systematic application of

science to the efficient utilization of natural resources to produce
wealth.
T. J. Hoover and J. C. L. Fish, 1941

Engineering is the art of doing for 10 shillings what any fool can do
for a pound
Duke of Wellington Arthur Wellesley

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Certification Roadmap

You are here:

Course Introduction

In the Professional level, we have acquired the knowledge

necessary to create and design in-building systems to meet
given requirements using iBwave Design
In the Expert level, we aim to
Develop our knowledge of in-building radio propagation
Improve our skills on issues related to propagation
Enhance our in-building design abilities using these skills
Gain expertise in the iBwave Design modules
Collection Module
Propagation Module
Optimization Module

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Additional Notes:

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Course Introduction

In-Building Project Deployment Process

The in-building design process consists of the following 3 phases, with documentation as a
key activity in every phase.
1. Collecting Information
2. Design, Engineering, and Equipment Selection
3. Solution Implementation
While the same generic process is followed for all projects, those which are larger, more
complex or more critical need an enhanced approach which will give greater confidence in the
design result and enable the performance/cost trade-off to be further optimized compared to
the methods in the Professional Level.
In particular, each of the arrows highlights areas where the Expert Level will introduce
techniques which will improve the performance and reliability of the system at a given cost,
focused on increasing the matching of the information used in the design to reality, thereby
reducing the margins / overdesign which have to be introduced to overcome the uncertainties
inherent in the simper versions of the process.

In-Building Stakeholders
Different parts of the deployment process involve liaisons with different stakeholders. It is
important that all buy-in to the process which is being used and that all can share and jointly
work on the same underlying data as the system evolves from requirements through to
implementation. Different reports and views on the data need to be adapted to the different
stakeholders to maximize synergy and efficiency in the process.

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 Course Introduction

In-building Project Deployment Process

You are here:

Course Introduction

In Level 2 we work on enhancements to elements of the design process

which will give greater accuracy, precision and reliability, enabling larger,
more complex and more critical projects to be tackled with confidence
Building geometry
Propagation prediction
suitable for prediction
Detailed performance
Propagation
Propagation modelling
evaluation
measurements

1
Collecting
Information

2
Design, Engineering &
Equipment Selection

Verification
measurements

3
Solution
Implementation

Documentation

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In-Building Design and Planning

You are here:

Course Introduction

Inbuildingstakeholders
CollectingInformation

Design,EngineeringandEquipmentSelection

Preparation
SiteVisit
SiteSurvey
DataCollection
forCalibration

Architecture/VendorSelection
CostOptimization
PreliminaryDesign
DesignandBudgetValidation
FinalDesign

SolutionImplementation

Procurement
Implementation
Commissioning
Acceptance&
Signoff

Designinganinbuildingsysteminvolvesseveralstakeholdersthatallhaveaspecificrole
fromtheinitialsitevisitpreparationtothefinalsystemacceptancetests.Theinbuilding
systemdesignerproducesadesignalongwithdocumentationthatwillguideall
contributors.

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Additional Notes:

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Course Introduction

Course Objectives
By the end of this level, you will be able to:

Acquire basic understanding of propagation modeling issues including propagation

mechanisms and material characteristics

Understand the characteristics and applicability of the main in-building propagation models

Appreciate the key characteristics of antennas for in-building designs

Create building geometries to a standard suitable for propagation prediction using

advanced AutoCAD and floor plan features

Conduct propagation predictions using the Propagation Module in iBwave Design

Configure and characterize a measurement system suitable for in-building design

Furthermore, you will be able to:

Plan and execute an in-building RF measurement campaign suitable for design and model
tuning purposes

Import and process measurement data using the Collection Module in iBwave Design

Tune in-building propagation models using measurements to produce designs with higher
accuracy than that available from measurements or models alone.

Create efficient in-building designs using iBwave Design for projects containing multiple
buildings, irregular morphology, multi-band (but single operator) requirements, 100s to
1000s of occupants, significant interference constraints and specific coverage
requirements.

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 Course Introduction

Course Objectives

You are here:

Course Introduction

By the end of this level, you will be able to:

Acquire basic understanding of propagation modeling issues including
propagation mechanisms and material characteristics
Understand the characteristics and applicability of the main in-building
propagation models
Appreciate the key characteristics of antennas for in-building designs
Create building geometries to a standard suitable for propagation
prediction using advanced AutoCAD and floor plan features
Conduct propagation predictions using the Propagation and Optimization
Modules in iBwave Design
Configure and characterize a measurement system suitable for inbuilding design

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Course Objectives

You are here:

Course Introduction

Furthermore, you will be able to:

Plan and execute an in-building RF measurement campaign suitable for
design and model tuning purposes
Import and process measurement data using the Collection Module in iBwave
Design
Tune in-building propagation models using measurements to produce
designs with higher accuracy than that available from measurements or
models alone.
Create efficient in-building designs using iBwave Design for projects
containing multiple buildings, irregular morphology, multi-band (but single
operator) requirements, 100s to 1000s of occupants, significant interference
constraints and specific coverage requirements.

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Additional Notes:

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Course Introduction

Expert Level Course Agenda

This is the agenda for the three-day Expert Level certification. We will have presentations of
specialized topics, quizzes, workshops, hands-on assessments and written exams. For some
of the topics, there will also be demos and presentations of equipment. Please do not hesitate
to contact your instructor should you have any queries about the overall agenda.

By the end of Day 1, we should have:

An understanding of the basic theory behind radio propagation

Knowledge of the functionality and use of the various in-building path loss
models

Advanced skills in building modeling in iBwave Design

Experience in the use of the iBwave Design Propagation Module

By the end of Day 2, we should have:

Sufficient theoretical background to conduct in-building propagation

measurements for use in iBwave Design

Ability for planning a measurement campaign

Practical skills in the import and use of radio measurements in iBwave Design
using the Collection module

Understanding of cost-benefit implications in the use of accurate propagation

modeling for in-building design

At the end of Day 3, we should have:

A clear understating of how propagation mechanisms and models are

represented in the iBwave Design environment

The ability to tune the iBwave Design propagation model to our in-building
measurements

Sufficient practical hands-on skills to perform propagation predictions using

iBwave Design

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 Course Introduction

3 Day Schedule
Refer to the following tables for the schedule of the Expert Level Certification Program.
Day 1 Schedule

You are here:

Course Introduction

Day 1
A) Introduction

8:30 9:00

B) Radio Wave Propagation Basics

9:00 9:45

C) Basic Propagation Models

9:45 10:30

Break

10:30 10:45

D) In-Building Propagation Models

10:45 12:00

Lunch

12:00 1:00

E) Building Modeling

1:00 2:45

Break

2:45 3:00

F) Prediction Panel & Configuration

3:00 4:00

G) Propagation Workshop

4:00 5:00

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Day 2 Schedule

You are here:

Course Introduction

Day 2
H) Antenna Characteristics

8:30 9:30

K) In-Building Propagation Measurement Guidelines

9:30 10:30

Break

10:30 10:45

L) Data Collection Module and Workshop

10:45 12:00

Lunch

12:00 1:00

M) Tuning and Validation

1:00 2:30

Break

2:30 2:45

N) Importing Outdoor Prediction

2:45 3:45

O) Introduction to Optimization Module

3:45 4:30

Q&A

4:30 5:00

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Course Introduction

Day 3 Schedule

You are here:

Course Introduction

Day 3
O) Optimization Module

8:30 10:00

Break

10:00 10:15

P) Multiple Choice Exam

10:15 11:15

Q) Introduction to iBwave Mobile, Unity, and Field

11:15 12:00

Lunch

12:00 1:00

R) Practical Exam

1:00 3:00

Conclusion

3:00 3:30

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References

You are here:

Course Introduction

Many of the diagrams in Level 2 are adapted with permission from:

S.R. Saunders, A. Aragon-Zavala, "Antennas and Propagation for Wireless
Communication Systems - Second Edition", published by John Wiley, 2007.

Other references:
S. R. Saunders et al. Femtocells: Opportunities and Challenges for
Business and Technology, published by John Wiley, 2009.
Morten Tolstrup, " Indoor Radio Planning: A Practical Guide for GSM, DCS,
UMTS and HSPA ", published by John Wiley, 2008
iBwave Design Version 5.0 User Manual

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iBwaveDesignExpertLevelCertificationRevision2
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Should you have any questions or comments regarding this course,

please write to us at certification@ibwave.com

iBwave Solutions Inc.

T +1 514 397 0606
F +1 514 409 2499
7075, Robert-Joncas, Suite 95
St-Laurent, Qc H4M 2Z2 Canada
info@ibwave.com
www.ibwave.com