Preparing cell footprint analysis evidence

This topic describes how to run a Cell footprint analysis using the information in the drive data file to prepare evidence.

Running a cell footprint analysis requires option E3 Drive data/analytics. If you do not have this option, you cannot select to run a cell footprint analysis from the ESPA analysis center screen.

For further information on the results available from a Cell footprint analysis refer to The different types of cell coverage maps and their uses.

How to run a Cell footprint analysis to prepare evidence

After you have viewed your case data as described in Getting started with investigating case data visually set the map to display the geographical area of interest.

NOTE: It is important that you ensure the geographical map shows the area of interest as this determines what drive data files are available to you in the following steps. If the area you have selected is too large then an error is displayed advising you to zoom to a smaller area of interest.
On the WNF analysis center

In Analysis select Cell footprint analysis then click Run analysis.
On the ESPA analysis center
1. Hover over on the top-right of the map.
2. Click then select Cell footprint analysis from the menu.
The Cell footprint analysis dialog box opens.
On the Inputs tab enter the Technology, Device type, Start date and End date to filter the drive test devices that are available to select in the applicable drive data files then click Get devices. All available drive data files are displayed. For further information on the settings on this tab refer to Inputs tab.
Select the devices you want to use. For example, if the drive took place over multiple days you may need to select multiple devices.

NOTE: If there are no drive test devices available within the acceptable time period you must do a drive test and upload the file into OSS-ESPA. For further information on uploading drive test files refer to Managing drive data files.
If you have done a drive test and uploaded the files but they are not appearing ensure that you have approved the drive data files. For further information refer to To approve a drive data file.
In Operator select the operator used by the phone to filter the selections available in System.
In Tower data select the cell tower data file you want used in the analysis. This cell tower data file must be for the operator used by the phone user's phone, cover the location of the incident and be applicable to the date of the incident. This cell tower data file is used to display the cell tower locations and sectors on maps for visual correlation purposes.
In Report name enter a name for your analysis.
Click the Advanced tab if you want to edit settings associated with the output grids, signal coverage threshold and bands, or to correlate layer 3 data gathered during the drive with the cell name or cell ID from the tower data file or to generate a downloadable Google Earth output. For further information on the settings on this tab refer to Advanced tab.
Click Run to start the analysis.

Your analysis report is listed in the Case analyses tab of the Analysis results view. Once the analysis is completed the state is updated. You can use the analysis results if the state is either Success or Warning.

When your analysis is complete you are automatically notified by email and then you can view the analysis results. For further information refer to Viewing cell footprint analysis results.