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DRIVE TESTING
Drive testing is the most common and maybe the best way to analyze Cellular Network performance by means of coverage evaluation, system availability, network capacity, network retainibility and call quality. Although it gives idea only on downlink side of the process, it provides huge perspective to the service provider about whats happening with a subscriber point of view. While statistics give an idea about the real behavior faced by all end users regardless of their geographical location, drive testing or walk testing bring a simulation of end user perception of the network on the eld from one call perspective. Drive tests give the feel of the designed network as it is experienced in the eld. The testing process starts with selection of the live region of the network where the tests need to be performed, and the drive testing path. Before starting the tests the engineer should have the appropriate kits that include mobile equipment (usually three mobiles), drive testing software (on a laptop), and a GPS (global positioning system) unit.
Where, GPS: collecting the data of latitude and longitude of each point / measurement data, time, speed, etc.. It is also useful as a guide for following the correct routes. MS: mobile data collection, such as signal strength, best server, etc . Thus, the main goal is to collect test data, but they can be viewed / analyzed in real time (Live) during the test, allowing a view of network performance on the field. Data from all units are grouped by collection software and stored in one or more output files.
GOOD PRACTICE IS TO TRACE THE ROUTE ON THE SAME USING THE EASY P PATHS OR POLYGONS.
Some software allows the image to be loaded as the software background (georeferenced). This makes it much easier to direct routes to be followed. It is advisable to check traffic conditions by tracing out the exact pathways through which the driver must pass. It is clear that the movement of vehicles is always subject to unforeseen events, such as congestion, interdicted roads, etc.. Therefore, one should always have on hand - know - alternate routes to be taken on these occasions. Avoid running the same roads multiple times during a Drive Test (use the Pause if needed). A route with several passages in the same way is more difficult to interpret.
A Drive Test during the day shows the actual condition of the network - especially in relation to Traffic loading aspect of it. Moreover, a drive test conducted at night allows you to make, for example, tests on transmitters without affecting most users. Typically takes place nightly Drive Test in activities such System Design, for example with the integration of new sites. And Daytime Drive Test apply to Performance Analysis and also Maintenance. Important: regardless of the time, always check with the responsible area which sites are with alarms or even out of service. Otherwise, your job may be in vain. Types of Calls The Drive Test is performed according to the need, and the types of test calls are the same that the network supports - calls can be voice, data, video, etc.. Everything depends on the technology (GSM, CDMA, UMTS, etc. ...), and the purpose of the test, as always. A typical Drive Test uses two phones. A mobile performing calls (CALL) for a specific number from time to time, configured in the Collecting Software. And the other, in free or IDLE mode, ie connected, but not on call. With this, we collect specific data in IDLE and CALL modes for the network. The calls test (CALL) can be of two types: long or short duration. Short calls should last the average of a user call - a good reference value is 180 seconds. Serve to check whether the calls are being established and successfully completed (being a good way to also check the network setup time).
Long calls serve to verify if the handovers (continuity between the cells) of the network are working, ie calls must not drop.
1. Performance Analysis
Tests for Analysis Performance is the most common, and usually made into clusters (grouping of cells), ie, an area with some sites of interest. They can also be performed in specific situations, as to answer a customer complaint.
3. Antenna Redesign
This activity perform mainly for those cells/sites which are overshooting that means providing coverage beyond there desired coverage limit. In this type of Drive Test Mobile Station first camp on the desired cell and locked itself with the BCCH frequency of that particular cell and than it start observing the coverage limit until its level completely diminished.
4. Benchmarking Tests
Benchmarking tests aims to compare the competing networks. If the result is better, can be used as an argument for new sales. If worse, it shows the points where the network should be improved.
2. Rx-Level
Rx-Level is define as The power level corresponding to the average received signal level of the downlink as measured by the mobile station. The range of Rx-level is between -55 to -110.It is been further classified as Rx-Level Sub and Rx-level Full. Where Rx-Level sub is based on the mandatory frames on the SACCH multi frame. These frames must always be transmitted which means that they carry intelligent signaling data. Whereas The FULL values are based upon all frames on the SACCH multi frame, whether they have been transmitted from the base station or not. This means that if DTX DL has been used, the FULL values will be invalid for that period since they include bit-error measurements at periods when nothing has been sent resulting in very high BER.
3. Rx-Qual
Rx-Qual is define as the level corresponding to the mobile station's perceived quality of the downlink signal. Rx Quality is a value between 0 and 7, where each value corresponds to an estimated number of bit errors in a number of bursts. The Rx Quality value presented in TEMS is calculated in the same way as values reported in the measurement report sent on the uplink channel to the GSM network. Each Rx Quality value corresponds to the estimated bit-error rate according to the following table, which is taken from GSM technical specification shown in BER table.
listening tests and the full information about the errors and their distributions, it is possible to produce the Speech Quality Index. The Speech Quality Index is available every 0.5 second in and predicts the instant speech quality in a phone call/radiolink in realtime.
channel number, hopping channel indication, mobile allocation index offset and hopping sequence number of the dedicated channel; and RxLev, RxQual, FER, DTX down link, TEMS Speech Quality Index (SQI), timing advance (TA), TX Power, radio link timeout counter and C/A parameters for the radio environment. The signal strength, Rx-Qual, C/A, TA, TX Power, TEMS SQI and FER of the serving cell and signal strength for two of the neighboring cells can also be displayed graphically in a window.
2. Idle Mode
A drive test activity in which, the MS is ON but no call occur. A powered on mobile station (MS) that does not have a dedicated channel allocated is defined as being in idle mode (see Figure 3). While in idle mode it is important that the mobile is both able to access and be reached by the system. The idle mode behavior is managed by the MS. It can be controlled by parameters which the MS receives from the base station on the Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH). All of the main controlling parameters for idle mode behavior are transmitted on the BCCH carrier in each cell. These parameters can be controlled on a per cell basis. Moreover, to be able to access the system from anywhere in the network, regardless of where the MS was powered on/off, it has to be able to select a specific GSM base station, tune to its frequency and listen to the system information messages transmitted in that
cell. It must also be able to register its current location to the network so that the network knows where to route incoming calls.
3. SCAN Mode
one of TEMS feature scan all or selected frequencies on the selected spot or route to find the clearest frequency
Its main application in frequency plan Application of frequency plan is to find the best frequency to be use in the site and to identify interference adjacent channel and co channel.
The scanning can be performed by a TEMS mobile station or by a dedicated frequency scanner mobile (TEMS Scanner). The mobiles supported in this version of TEMS investigation are capable of all scanning tasks handled by TEMS Scanners, including CW scanning. As measurement devices, Network Scanners are rigorously designed for the challenges in network optimisation and trouble shooting. They include a high-end RF front-end and sophisticated algorithms to quickly and accurately scan the air interface and reliably detect all base stations and their signal components. In contrast to mobile phones, they do not face the limitations of a consumer product in precision, processing power and size. In trouble shooting scenarios, Network Scanners come into play when a mobile phone for example cannot register to the network, drops the call or faces degradations in its voice or data quality. The Network Scanner can provide network information in situations which are beyond the capabilities of a mobile phone.
3.1 Frequency Scan Using TEMS at a Glance: The Tems MS as an input device for detecting frequencies can reach 50x higher measurement speed than test mobiles can deliver. The measurements are independent from the network and the operator. Spectrum analysis function and Channel Impulse Response (CIR) provide additional information. Higher level and timing accuracy compared to mobile based measurements. Higher sensitivity and dynamic range than test mobiles. Use of only one unit for multiple networks and technologies. No costs and no capacity will be allocated. It can also perform Neighborhood frequency Analysis. Detection of RF problems in base stations like faulty clock, missing synchronization or intermodulation.
1. Coverage Problems
Low signal level is one of the biggest problems in a Network. The coverage that a network operator can offer to customers mostly depends on efficiency of network design and investment plans. This problem usually pops up when building a new Network or as the number of subscribers increases by the time resulting in new coverage demands. Low signal level can result in unwanted situations that could directly lower the network performance. Poor coverage problems are such problems that are really hard to solve, because it is impossible to increase coverage by optimizing network parameters. Any hardware configuration changes might improve the coverage a little. This is mainly effect mainly by problems as shown in mentioned figure.
It may then happen that these exceptional conditions suddenly drop and the link is lost, which would not have happened if the mobile had been connected to the closest cell. So for these reasons, this cause does not wait for the power control to react.
and another is closer and should be the one the mobile should be connected to if the conditions were normal. It may then happen that these exceptional conditions suddenly drop and the link is lost, which would not have happened if the mobile had been connected to the closest cell.
NFZ0378F
NFZ0378E
Figure 14 Drive Test results showing cross sector b/w two Cells
As can be observed from above snap that on the coverage area of sector F of NFZ0378 its adjacent cell NFZ0378 of Sector E is serving whereas same condition applies for Sector E where NFZ0378F is serving instead of Sector E of NFZ0378. As mentioned earlier that because of sector
swap increase in call drop at radio end with sharp rise in Handover drops observed because the cells are serving in opposite direction of there coverage.
Serving Cell
Defined Neighbor Missing Neighbor
Figure 15 Drive Test results showing cross sector b/w two Cells
As can be observed from above snap that on the coverage area of sector F of NFZ0378 its adjacent cell NFZ0378 of Sector E is serving whereas same condition applies for Sector E where
NFZ0378F is serving instead of Sector E of NFZ0378. As mentioned earlier that because of sector swap increase in call drop at radio end with sharp rise in Handover drops observed because the cells are serving in opposite direction of there coverage.
Solutions for Problems Concerning Cell Coverage, Lack of Dominant Server and Sudden Decrease on Signal Level
Possible solution ways can be listed as below: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. New Site Proposal Sector Addition Repeater Site Configuration Change (Antenna Type, height, azimuth, tilt changes) Loss or Attenuation Check ( Feeders, Connectors, Jumpers, etc..)
The best thing to do in case of low signal strength could be recommending new site additions. A prediction tool with correct and detailed height and clutter data supported with a reasonable propagation model could be used to identify the best locations to put new sites. If client is not eager to put new sites because of high costs to the budget or finds it unnecessary because of low demand on traffic, then appropriate repeaters could be used to repeat signals and improve the coverage. Adding repeaters always needs extra attention because they can bring extra interference load to the network. The received level in the repeater should be above 80dBm (or desired limits) so that it can be amplified and transmitted again. The mobile should not receive both the original and the repeated signals at the same area, cause signal from the repeater is always delayed and it will interfere with the original signal. A repeater should not amplify frequencies outside the wanted band. If none of the above recommendations are accepted by the client, then cheaper and easier ways should be followed. First things to be checked would be possible attenuation on the cells. Faulty feedersjumpersconnectors or other faulty equipment, high combiner loss, reduced EIRP, decreased output power, the orientations and types of antennas, unnecessary down tilts, existence of diversity and height of the site should be deeply investigated. Putting higher gain antennas, increasing output power, removing attenuations, changing antenna orientations towards desired area, reducing down tilts, replacing faulty equipment or usage of diversity gain could improve the coverage.