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The problem
Extensive drive-tests are typically used to check the
validity and quality of a GSM network design or
frequency plan. The advantage here lies in indicating
the precise geographical location of problems when
they occur. However, the main disadvantage of drivetests is that they give a snapshot view of the network
at a very specific point in time (while the network may
not be operating at its normal usage level), and give
no indication of the reproducibility of a problem.
Suppose the drive test shows an area with very low
coverage: is this problem significant in terms of traffic
affected, or do only one or two customers encounter
this problem? If a quality problem has been detected
while drive-testing a cell, is it because the wrong cell
was selected due to particular conditions during the
drive-test (temporary congestion, for example) or do
all customers experience similar problems in the cell?
Moreover, drive-test data only provides detailed
information on the downlink. Uplink data is limited to
some information as sent by the mobile, but no
information is available to indicate how the base
station receives this information.
The solution
It would not be a wise engineering practice to start
adjusting cell and HO parameters based on a specific
drive test. It is vital that a specific problem be
reproducible and statistically representative before
any network action is taken. Adjusting network
parameters on a sporadic problem, while bringing a
possible local solution, may degrade the overall
quality of the network. Only a more global approach
can help the engineer validate a problem encountered
during a drive-test and identify its cause.
Quality Distribution
Counts of uplink and downlink quality, and graphs of
downlink quality vs. downlink level and uplink quality
vs. uplink level.
The quality distribution histogram gives an overview
of the cell behavior and helps validate frequency
planning. A sane cell should show a distribution of
quality samples smoothly decreasing while quality
decreases.
The bubble charts showing quality against receive
level can help identify interference problems.
Typically, interference will appear as a peak of bad
quality with a relatively high level (above 90 or 85
dBm). A sane cell would normally show good quality
until the level becomes quite low (depending on the
environment and network design, but usually 100
dBm), then rapidly yet regularly degrading quality at
lower levels.