Pathloss tuning technology doubles accuracy of optimization processes and enables higher reliability in self-optimizing networks

London, 17 November 2008 – Actix, the recognized market leader in RF simulation and optimization solutions, revealed today it has been granted a key patent for a technology which doubles the accuracy of optimization processes. Patent protection for the invention, a technique known as pathloss tuning, makes Actix the only company worldwide able to offer this technology to network operators as part of its Radioplan and Actix One NSM systems.

“This is good news for customers using Actix solutions, and confirms once again our leadership in the development of innovative solutions,” said Richard Thompson, Actix CFO. “Actix’ Radioplan technology has been proven to deliver the most reliable and accurate network plans in numerous network operator trials and commercial deployments, and we’re pleased that a core element of this solution is now fully protected. Actix’ pathloss tuning functionality is a key building block towards the realization of a self-sufficient optimization system.”

Actix’ patented pathloss tuning technique improves the accuracy of data used in the optimization process by utilizing live measurement data in a unique way. The process typically doubles the accuracy and reliability of optimization results and in some cases has almost entirely removed error from the process.

“In countries where they drive test every last millimeter, it is staggering just how accurate and reliable our results have been – in some cases we have seen a difference of just 0.1dB between our tuned predictions and the measured results post-optimization, which in radio engineering terms is amazing,” said Joerg Schueler, Director of Automatic Optimization Products for Actix. “Pathloss tuning doesn’t replace traditional model tuning, it just makes the output of tuned models more accurate and reliable using an extra data source to adjust an idealized model to reality, and will be a key part of building various aspects of a self-optimizing network in the future.”

Pathloss tuning functionality is part of Actix’ Radioplan automatic optimization suite, and is also used to deliver better results for self-optimizing solutions. Radioplan solutions are now used by dozens of mobile operators worldwide, including 3 out of 4 of the US Tier 1 group, supporting hundreds of users and a wide variety of mobile technologies, including GSM, WCDMA, IDEN, HSxPA, CDMA2000-EVDO, WiMAX and most recently LTE.