Athena contains several special features for planning CDMA networks. Starting with a solid and very accurate RF prediction using the CRC-PREDICTTM, and then using tried and true statistical interference analysis techniques, Athena is capable of computing Ec/Io at EVERY point in the prediction area for EVERY site. This is possible because Athena predicts every site at every point in the desired prediction area and it does so without a dramitic decrease in prediction time over other methods. Other tools typically limit predictions around each site to within a few kilometers of the site severely limiting the accuracy and validity of any interference calculations made. Using the values obtained for Ec/Io, Athena can then accurately simulate a CDMA network using user defined traffic loading scenarios on either a system wide basis or on a per-sector basis. Athena can also compute dominant pilots, sectors/user on both a loaded and unloaded network, and can show a list of ALL pilots (and their Ec/Io levels) at every point, in additon to showing true sector boundries (not just equal power boundries), and handoff regions for both soft and softer handoffs. Using Athena and the tools availble for CDMA network design, an RF Engineer can pre-optimize his new network or identify potential trouble spots in an existing network before they become a major problem and before sending out one drive team to collect data saving thousands of dollars in man-hours and equipment/crane rental or set up.
