ProVision
Communications plays key role in the roll out of WiMax in London
ProVision Communications
May 5, 2006
BRISTOL, UK -- Wireless propagation specialist ProVision
Communications is playing a leading role in the introduction of WiMax
into the UK. ProVision's advanced PrOphecy network planning tool is
being used to design the first WiMax networks to be installed in
London, starting off this summer in Westminster.
ProVision was selected by network operator, Urban Wimax, because of
the unique ability of its PrOphecy tool to accurately model
non-line-of-sight wireless propagation in complex urban environments.
WiMax is a very appropriate wireless technology for use in cities,
since it does not require line-of-sight between antennas, and takes
advantage of radio signals being reflected and scattered off
buildings. However, this makes network planning much more difficult.
ProVision's PrOphecy is designed specifically to deal with this, and
greatly simplifies the task of selecting good base site locations. The
tool can accurately determine the RF signal level and the expected
user data rate for a given customer roof-top.
Professor Andrew Nix, Director of wireless technology at ProVision
Communications, said "This project sets a new milestone in the field
of urban propagation modelling. We are using more than 150 square
kilometers of detailed 3D building, foliage and terrain data to
support the initial roll-out. London provides exactly the sort of
complex urban wireless environment that PrOphecy excels at modelling
in great accuracy."
The PrOphecy software is built around a world leading propagation
engine, which enables accurate wireless propagation data to be
generated for point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and mesh
configurations. It uses a unique building and terrain scatter model
which scales to enable areas of up to 50km by 50km to be analysed in
true 3D, and incorporates foliage loss modelling to quantify the
impact of trees, which are critical in the planning of urban networks.
It is also capable of modelling 802.16e mobility configurations, where
issues such as specific street canyons, corner and rooftop
diffractions and multiple building scatter components all have to be
taken into consideration. With ever increasing competition in the
delivery of wireless services, the outstanding predictive accuracy of
the PrOphecy system is key to evaluating network performance, and
hence the long term profitability of wireless service providers.
About ProVision Communications
ProVision Communications (www.provision-com.com)
is one of the UK's leading consultancies specialising in digital video
and wireless technology; it has particular expertise in delivering
high quality video reliably over wireless bearers. Founded in 2001 as
a spin-off from the University of Bristol, the company has established
an impressive reputation as a provider of innovative design and
consultancy services. Its clients include many major companies in
broadcasting, telecommunications, IT and consumer products. The
company is based in Bristol, UK.
About PrOphecy
PrOphecy is ProVision Communications' state-of-the-art suite of tools
for modelling wireless propagation in urban and semi-urban areas.
Unlike previous generations of wireless planning tools, it provides
highly accurate predictions for non-line-of-sight wireless
propagation, making it particularly suitable for the planning OFDM
systems such as WiFi hotspots, WiMax networks, and DVB-T/H television
networks. PrOphecy uses a unique building and terrain scatter model,
including foliage loss modelling, which scales to enable areas of up
to 50km x 50km to be analysed in true 3D. Designed to work with low
cost LIDAR geographic data, it is much less expensive to operate than
traditional systems that require vector data. PrOphecy is based on
more than ten years research and development at the University of
Bristol.
About WiMAX
WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a new
standards-based wireless technology designed to deliver carrier-class
wireless wide area network (WWAN) services. The WiMAX standard (IEEE
802.16d 2004) is a complementary technology to the 802.11 wireless
local area network (WLAN) standard, commonly referred to as WiFi, and
now used in public wireless hotspots and in home/office networks.
Relative to WiFi, WiMAX offers significantly stronger Quality of
Service (QoS) with a typical service range of up to 10 kilometres
under OFCOM regulations.
Media contact
ProVision Communications:
Dr Nicolas Lodge
tel: 0117 971 1120
email: nick.lodge@provision-comm.com
ProVision Communications,
3 Chapel Way,
Avon Valley Business Park,
St Anne's, Bristol, UK BS4 4EU
www.provision-com.com
Amy Lancastle
Assistant to CEO
ProVision Communication Technologies Ltd
3 Chapel Way
Avon Valley Business Park
St Anne's, Bristol UK BS4 4EU
Tel: +44 (0) 117 9 71 11 20
Fax: +44 (0) 117 9 72 33 67
Email: amy.lancastle@provision-comm.com
info@provision-comm.com
Web: www.provision-comm.com
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