What is difference between congestion and Blocking?

Congestion = time when all resources are occupied (no free TCH available) Blocking = rejected (blocked) attempts over all attempts in % !lso there is different formulas for TCH blocking "or e#ample in subscriber perceived TCH Blocking all successful directed retries to another cell are removed from the nominator !nswer$% Blocking dives &ou the non served calls congestion gives the time when no resource are available (it is possible that nobod& needs them so no blocks) there is a possibilit& to have high blocking and low congestion ' this means that &ou have a peak of the attempts

what is TCH Blocking and Drop?

TCH call Blocking ( it present how man& subscriber asks for TCH channel and network repl& with no available resource so it present how man& subscriber re)uest TCH channel to reject this re)uest TCH call drop after subscriber get TCH and start conversation during it the call is dropped for some reasons not related to the subscribers

What is GOS means?

*os grade of service (blocking) in radio part we design the network forcertian *os ( for e#ample *os in $%( b& erlang table B( there is a relation between number of channel ( blocking rate (and traffic so according to number of channel and *os we can know the desgin traffic

Handover failure due to protocol error

!nswer +%pl, check ur msc version !nswer$%Can &ou verif& the ciphering algo used in both -#ternal Cells. /ou can also confirm this via 0T (1n case of ciphering issue( handover from one side to other should be happening i e the side using higher ciphering algo will be able to transfer the call to cell with lower ciphering algo)

What is Optimum Value of T200?

we like to know the optimum value for T$22 on 3!40m !ll vendors have different default values (5iemens +67 ms( 8okia $$2 ms( 5atellite !bis 622 ms etc ) for this timer ' but which value is the best to reduce 50CCH drops and to keep the retransmissions at an acceptable level . -#ample% 50CCH9: 0uring a 7+er multiframe the 50CCH9: occupies four consecutive T0;! frames (four bursts are sent) Than the ;5 9 BT5 has to wait for the ne#t 7+er multiframe (i e $<7 ms) before the ne#t 3a&er $ frame could be sent +67 ms 9 $$2 ms are shorter than the 7+er multiframe ($<7 ms) so in case of an missing acknowledgement this is alwa&s a T$22 e#pir& The 50CCH drop will occur if T$22 e#pired 8$22=+ times 1f the T$22 is increased (for e#ample to 722 ms) we have two 7+er multiframe to get the acknowledgement and the 50CCH drops are reduced The >os 5tats show a clear ? strong corelation between the @41 and the parameter T$22 ThatAs ama,ing B Cegarding the !ck from the BT5( 1Am not sure (and 1Am tired to look in the <*44 specs %) ) Take the subchannel D2D from the 50CCH ts in 03 % the BT5 sends 50CCH92 on burst 2( +( $( < and the 5!CCH92 on burst <$( <<( <6( <7 in E3 % th ;5 sends 50CCH92 on burst +7( +F( +G( +: and the 5!CCH92 on 6G( 6:( 6H( 72 !nd 1 IIIbelieveIII that the 3apdm acknowledgments can be sent on either the 5!CCH or the 50CCH( since both of them are sent over the same 3ap0m link 1Am not sure at all about this though( but it sounds logical The value of the 50CCH 0rop due to Cadio failures (in !3E) is usuall& around +% in a fairl& good network The 50CCH 0rop due to Cadio "ailures is a counter that encompasses both the Cadio 3ink Timeout and the DT$22I8$22=+ timesD failures 1 am not able to test &our changes because 1 am not working on a live network (i am a gsm trainer( living in a world of theor& ) T$22 = $$2ms for s0CCH 5!412 = 672ms for 50CCH 5!41< = H22ms for 5!CCH associated to 50CCH 3ooking at those timers( 1 fear that the 3ap0m link for 50CCH is different than the 3ap0m link for the 5!CCH of the 50CCH 1All let &ou look it up though %)

KPI Introduction
+ C55C (C!33 5-TE4 5ECC-55 C!T-) 0efinition% Cate of calls going until TCH successful assignment $ 5CC (5ECC-55"E33 C!33 C!T-) 0efinition% Cate of calls going until normal release that is not interrupted b& 50CCH 0CJ4( neither b& assignment failures( and neither b& C!33 0CJ4 < C!33 0CJ4 C!T- (C0C) 0efinition% Cate of all losses of TCH connections during a call in relation to the number of successful Call 5etups 6 HJ5C (H!80 JK-C 5ECC-55 C!T-) 0efinition% 5uccessful internal and e#ternal outgoing handovers of total number of internal and e#ternal outgoing handover attempts 7 45C (4!*18* 5ECC-55 C!T-) 0efinition% Cate of successful paging attempts of total number of paging attempts The formula is based on 855 point of view (based on ;5C or 3!C) F 3JC!T1J8 E40!T- 5ECC-55 C!T0efinition% 5uccessful location update attempts of total number of location update attempts The formula is based on 855 point of view G 50CCH B3JC@ C!T0efinition% 50CCH congestion of total number of 50CCH sei,ure attempts : 50CCH 0CJ4 C!T0efinition% 0ropped 50CCH connections of total number of 50CCH connections without TCH congestion H TCH !551*8;-8T B3JC@ C!T0efinition% Cate of TCH unsuccessful sei,ures during assignment procedure due to congestion +2 TCH !ssignment "ailure Cate (e#clude blocking) 0efinition% Cate of CTCH sei,ure failed (s&stem = radio) during normal assignment procedure over the total amount of CTCH re)uest for normal assignment procedure ++ -;0 (-rlang ;inute per 0rop) 0efinition% Total of -rlang minutes (TCH occupation) in one period measurement per drop call (after TCH !ssignment) +$ TCH !vailabilit& 0efinition% !vailable TCH of total number of defined TCH +< C!CH 5uccess Cate 0efinition % Cate of 5uccessful C!CH over the total number of channel re)uired message received

Handover t pe and Handover !ecision

Handover is a basic functionalit& of cellular networks Handovers can be distinguished as either intracell ( intercell or inter'B5C handovers Handovers within a single cell (i e changing timeslots and 9 or carrier fre)uencies) can be handled autonomousl& b& the controlling B5C Handovers between cells of the same B5C can also be handled b& the B5C Handovers between cells of different B5CLs must be handled b& the initiating ;5C 1ntracell same cell( other carrier or timeslot 1ntercell between cells (normal case) 1nter'B5C between B5C area 1nter';5C between ;5C area 1nter'43;8 (onl& when roaming) Handover 0ecision The HJ threshold comparison includes the evaluation of these following criteria% + 3evel (uplink 9 downlink) $ >ualit& (uplink 9 downlink) < 1nterference (uplink 9 downlink) 6 4ower budget

7 Embrella F ;5'B5 distance (ma#imum or minimum) G Turn'around'corner ;5 : Capid field drop H "ast95low'moving ;5 +2 Better cell i e periodic check (4ower budget or Embrella) ++ 4C due to 3ower )ualit& thresholds (uplink and downlink) +$ 4C due to 3ower level thresholds (uplink and downlink) +< 4C due to Epper )ualit& thresholds (uplink and downlink) +6 4C due to Epper level thresholds (uplink and downlink)

Pin" Pon" Handover

!s the cellular network growing( it re)uires addition of new sites to e#pand capacit& and or coverage services 8ew mobile operators were e#pecting to grow their network in e#ponential order to gain market share against mature competitors Mithout an& intensive network performance maintenance( common problem such ping pong handover would be degrade user e#perience like bad voice )ualit& ( 5>1 speech )ualit& inde#( ;J5 mean opinion score ) or even dropped call 4ing 4ong handover is shown from the successful handover back to old cell within pre'defined time of total handover( e g less than +2 seconds 5ince not all B55 vendors provide such performance counters it might be identified b& simple metric that shall be e#pressed as total successful handover over number of call or connection( e g more than $22% indicates ping pong handover The actual ping pong handover is easil& identified through drive test with sense of optimi,ation engineer without re)uire an& calculation Coverage holes might lead to 4ing'4ong handover especiall& for slow moving mobiles 1t ma& be cause b& shadowing b& high building 5everal possible e)ual signals from two or more base stations might lead to 4ing'4ong handover as well which is so called not optimi,ed cell dominance The following action items shall be used for optimi,ation solutions% Check the parameter setting such as h&steresis( offset( priorit& la&er in dual'band case( etc 1f poor parameters setting found( then correct the related parameters Compare to default parameters design Check the output power B54MC and B54MCT which normall& put on ma#imum value or compare to design Check path balance on transceiver link( e g loss in uplink and downlink chain 0efective C" modules might be the reason of imbalanced link Check the site location such as possible coverage holes or no dominant cells 4erform drive test on that particular area to check the signal strength( if the average of signal strength of the neighbors are the same( no dominant cell is found "or 3ong term action if no dominant cell shall be adding new site( while short term action shall be uptilt the most dominant cell as the serving cell for that area and reduce coverage for others

What is #$ and T$
The 40H (plesiochronous 0igital Hierarch&) has $ primar& communication s&stems as its foundation These are( T+ s&stem based on +766kbit9s that is recommended b& !851 ? -+ s&stem based on $26:kbit9s that is recommended b& 1TE'T Both are having 5ame 5ampling "re)uenc& i e :kH, 1n both (-+ ? T+) 8umber of samples9telephone signal = :2229sec 1n both (-+ ? T+) 3ength of 4C; "rame = +9:222s = +$7Ns 1n both (-+ ? T+) 8umber of Bits in each code word = : 1n both (-+ ? T+) Telephone Channel Bit Cate = :2229s # : Bit = F6 kbit9s 0iffering Characteristics %' 1n -+ -ncoding90ecoding is followed b& !'3aw while in T+ -ncoding90ecoding is followed b& N' 3aw

1n -+ ' +< 8umber of 5egments in Characteristics while in T+ ' +78umber of 5egments in Characteristics 1n -+ ' <$ 8umber of Timeslots 9 4C; "rame while in T+ ' $6 8umber of Timeslots 9 4C; "rame 1n -+ ' : # <$ = $7F number of bits 9 4C; "rame while in T+ ' : # $6 = +I = +H< number of bits 9 4C; "rame (I 5ignifies an additional bit) 1n -+ ' (+$7Ns # :)9$7F = appro# < HNs is the length of an :'bit Timeslot while in T+ ' (+$7Ns # :)9+H< = appro# 7 $Ns is the length of an :'bit Timeslot 1n -+ ' :2229s # $7F bits = $26:kbit9s is the Bit Cate of Time'0ivision ;ultiple#ed 5ignal while in T+ ' :2229s # +H< bits = +766kbit9s is the Bit Cate of Time'0ivision ;ultiple#ed 5ignal

Pro%a%le &easons of 'ad Handover Performance

8eighboring Cell Celation !ction%!dd neighbor cell relation ;issed measurement fre)uencies in B!'list !ction%Check measurement fre)uencies list 4ermitted 8etwork Color Code problem !ction%Check 8CC 4ermitted HM faults !ction% Check BT5 error log Blocking on Target Cell !ction%Cemove Blocking on Tager Cell Congestion ! high congestion might lead to dragged calls (handover performed at a not intended location) and a lot of unsuccessful handovers !ction% Check TCH congestion Timer -#pire !fter ;5 is 3ost The ;5 never answers the base station !ction% Check coverage Check interference 3ink Connection or HM "ailure !ction% Check BT5 error log 4erform site visit 4erform link performance measurements Bad !ntenna 1nstallation !ction% 4erform site surve& and check antenna installation Check antenna cabling ;an& 8eighbors 0efined ;an& defined measurement fre)uencies defined (O+F) will decrease the accurac& of the mobile measurements to locate the best si# servers ;an& measurement fre)uencies mean few samples per fre)uenc& and problem for mobiles to decode the B51C !ction% Check number of definitions 0ela&ed Handover 0ecision ! dela&ed handover decision can be due to congestion in the target cell !ction% Check handover parameters Mrong 3ocating 4arameter 5etting !ction% Check locating parameters Bad Cadio Coverage !ction% Check coverage plots High 1nterference( Co'Channel or !djacent The potential handover candidate is disturbed b& interference Jutgoing handover due to bad uplink )ualit& ma& indicate interference from co'channel another ;5 Jn the border( the )ualit& ma& be rather bad and the signal strength low Bad downlink )ualit& ma& indicate interference from another co'channel base station !ction% Check interference Check if man& handovers are performed due to downlink or uplink bad )ualit& Ceceiver !ntenna 4roblem or CB5 HM problems (in candidate cell) !ction% Check antenna installation Check CB5 HM and -rror log of the target cell 4oor 1nter';5C9B5C Handover 4erformance "or outer or e#ternal cell( wrong definitions in either ;5C or B5C ma& be reason for the problem !ction% Check inter';5C9B5C handover performance

1ncorrect 0own Tilt !ction% 4erform site surve& and check antenna installation 5olution% Correct antenna tilting

Pro%a%le &easons of S!((H (on"estion

3ow !vailabilit& !ction% Check 50CCH !vailabilit& Check if the channels are manual( control or automatic blocked 1ncreasing Traffic 0emand The high traffic could be related to an occasional event or due to a long term growth !ction% Check if short term traffic growth ;ake trend comparisons Check if combined 50CCH is used Check 50CCH dimensioning Bad use of !daptive configuration of 3ogical Channels B& using the !daptive configuration of logical channels feature( the basic 50CCH configuration in a cell will be under'dimensioned 1f this feature is not used correctl&( it will cause 50CCH congestion !ction% Check if !C5T!T- is on Check parameters related to !daptive configuration of logical channels 3ong ;ean Holding Time 1f the mean holding time is long( this generates a higher traffic load !ction% Check 50CCH ;ean Holding Time Too "re)uent 4eriodic Cegistration !ction% Check Candom !ccess 0istribution Check the timer T<$+$ in the B5C and the parameters BT0; and *T0; in the ;5C 5olution% 0ecrease the periodic registration 3ocation !rea Border Cell 1f the cell is situated on a misplaced 3ocation !rea border( this means that unnecessar& man& normal 3Es are performed !ction% Check site position and location area border Check 3ocation Epdate 4erformance Check parameter CCH etc -#tensive 5;5 Esage -#tensive 5;5 usage increases the 50CCH traffic and could cause congestion if badl& dimensioned 50CCH channels !ction% Check 5;5 activit& Cell Broadcast Esed !ction% Check if Cell Broadcast is active 1f active( check if it is used b& the operator 1;51 !ttach90etach in Ese !n introduction of 1;51 attach9detach will increase the traffic on 50CCH However( the benefits are that the paging success rate will increase The recommendation is to use !ttach90etach Cell 5oftware "ile Congestion !ction% Check 5!- setting High Catio of Candom !ccesses !ction% Check Candom !ccess performance

S!((H drop reasons

+)High intreference of fre) (like co'channel $)50CCH time slot fault& <)4oor TCP 03 )ualit& 6)Hardware fault like antenna or duple#er malfunction 7);a& be feeder cable and connectors are fault& F)5ite taking calls from a ver& far distance

!ropped (all due to Sudden !rop

Jn circuit switch service( when a call is abnormall& disconnected( a Clear ;essage with cause code Call Control be treated as normal 0isconnection is sent to the ;5C Q named Clear Ce)uest ;essage

Cefer to -ricsson s&stem( the following Ergenc& condition is checked at that time and the relevant counter is incremented as a conse)uence% + -#cessive T! $ 3ow 5ignal 5trength < Bad >ualit& 6 5udden 0rop !s named( stright forward meaning for the dropped call is described for the first three items However( 5udden 0rop is )uite not eas& to understand 5udden 3oss are drops that have not been registered as bad )ualit&( signal strength( timing advance The term 5udden 3oss is used because if the network cannot establish a connection with the lost ;5 after a pre'defined period( the sudden loss counter is incremented if the last reported measurement from the ;5 does not fulfill an& of the reasons mentioned ! connection is marked as 5udden loss if none of the three t&pes of urgenc& states (that is e#cessive T!( low signal strength or bad )ualit&) are indicated and the locating procedure indicates missing measurement results from the ;5 0rops due to RJtherL reasons are generall& associated with hardware problems and disturbances( number of drops due to RJtherL reasons is obtained b& subtracting the drops with known reasons from the total number of drops ;ain contributors in sudden and other TCH drop% Ker& sudden and severe drop in signal strength( such as when subscribers enter into buildings( elevators( parking garages( etc Ker& sudden and severe occurrence of interference or bad )ualit& ;5 running out of batter& during conversation Handover 3ost BT5 HM faults 5&nchroni,ation or !bis link fault (transmission faults) ;5 "aults

!ropped (all)T(H !rop*S!((H !rop+

1. Cadio 3ink Time'Jut
-ver& time a 5!CCH message can not be decoded the radio link time'out counter is decreased b& + 1f the message can be decoded the counter is incremented b& $ However( the value can not e#ceed the initial value The initial value is set b& the parameter C318@T for radio link time'out in the mobile station and b& C318@E4 for timeout in the B5C 1f the mobile moves out of coverage and no measurement reports are received in the B5C( there will be a radio link time'out and the message Channel Celease (cause% abnormal release( unspecified) is sent to the mobile station and the 5!CCH is deactivated in the BT5 ! Clear Ce)uest message is sent to the ;5C To be sure that the mobile has stopped transmitting( the B5C now waits C318@T 5!CCH periods before the timeslot is released and a new call can be established on the channel

$ 3a&er $ Time'Jut 1f the BT5 never get an acknowledge on a 3a&er $ message after the time T$22P8$22( the BT5 will send -rror 1ndication (cause% T$22 e#pired) to the B5C( which will send Channel Celease (cause% abnormal release( timer e#pired) to the mobile station and a Clear Ce)uest to the ;5C The 5!CCH is deactivated and the B5C waits C318@T 5!CCH periods before the timeslot is released and a new call can use the channel This is onl& valid if the call is in stead& state( i e not during handover or assignment Mhen the BT5 received a la&er $ 015C frame from the mobile it replies with a 3a&er $ E! frame to the mobile station and a Celease 1ndication to the B5C The s&stem does onl& react on Celease 1ndication if it is received during a normal disconnection situation 1f such a message is received une#pectedl& this will usuall& cause radio link time'out or timer T$22 e#piration as the mobile station stops the transmitting of

, Celease 1ndication

measurement reports 1t is also possible that the release will be normal depending on when the Celease 1ndication is received

-. /S( Time Out

8ormal Celease% 1f the ;5C never received a response on a message (e g 1dentit& Ce)uest) and there is no radio link time'out or la&er $ time'out( the ;5C will send a Clear Command to the B5C The time'out is depending on the message Mhen receiving Clear Command( the B5C will send a Channel Celease (cause% normal release) and then deactivates the 5!CCH Ceject (onl& 50CCH)% 1f the ;5C never receives a response on the first message after -stablish 1ndication( the ;5C will send a reject message 1f the connection was a 3ocation Epdate it will be a 3ocation Epdate Ceject (cause% network failure) and if the connection was a mobile originating call (C; 5ervice Ce)uest) a C; 5ervice Ceject (cause% network failure) will be sent The ;5C will then send a Clear Command to the B5C and the call is cleared b& Channel Celease (cause% normal release)

0. 1ssi"nment to T(H
Before sending an !ssignment Command from the B5C at TCH assignment( the following two criterion have to be fulfilled% a There must be a TCH channel available( i e no congestion b The locating algorithm must have received at least one valid measurement report 1f either of the criterion is not fulfilled( !ssignment Command will not be sent and a Channel Celease (cause% abnormal release( unspecified) will be sent to the mobile station and a Clear Ce)uest to the ;5C

T(H !rop reason )$+

The classification of TCH 0rop Ceasons are arranged in the order of priorit&% -#cessive Timing !dvance 3ow 5ignal 5trength Bad >ualit& 5udden 3oss of Connection Jther Ceasons

#2cessive Timin" 1dvance

The TCH 0rop counters due to -#cessive Timing !dvance will pegged when the during the time of disconnection( the last Timing !dvance value recorded was higher than the T!31; 4arameter This drop reason is commonl& apparent to isolated or island sites with a wide coverage area

1ction3
Check if the cell parameter T!31; is S DF<D

Solution3
5et T!31; to a value close to F< Tilt antenna9reduce antenna height9output power( etc for co'channel cells

T(H !rop &easons )2+ 4o5 Si"nal Stren"th on !o5n or 6plin7 or 'oth 4in7s
The drops counters due to 3ow 5ignal 5trength will be pegged when the 5ignal 5trength during the last ;easurement Ceport before the call dropped is below the 3JM5503 and9or 3JM55E3 Thresholds 3JM5503 and 3JM55E3 are B5C -#change 4ropert& parameters which is used onl& for statistics purposes and does not affect the behavior of calls 1f both E3 and 03 5ignal 5trength are below the thresholds( onl& 0rop due to 3ow 55 B3 will pegged 8ormall& a call is dropped at the border of large rural cell with insufficient coverage Bad tunnel coverage cause

man& dropped calls as well as so called coverage holes Bad indoor coverage will result in dropped calls Building shadowing could be another reason

1ction3
Check coverage 4lot Check output power Check power balance and link budget Check if Jmni site Check antenna configuration ? t&pe Check antenna installation 4erform drive tests ? site surve& Check TCP9T5 with high CJ8-CCC8T

Solution3
!dd a Cepeater To 1ncrease Coverage 1n "or -#ample ! tunnel Change To ! Better !ntenna (with Higher gain) "or The Base station !dd a 8ew Base station if there are large coverage holes Block9 0eblock TCP

T(H !rop &easons ),+ Poor 8ualit on !o5n or 6plin7 or 'oth 4in7s
The drops counters due to Bad >ualit& will be pegged when the 5ignal 5trength during the last ;easurement Ceport before the call dropped is above the B!0>03 and9or B!0>E3 Thresholds B!0>03 and B!0>E3 (e#pressed in 0T>E) are B5C -#change 4ropert& parameters which is used onl& for statistics purposes and does not affect the behavior of calls 1f both E3 and 03 >ualit& are above the thresholds( onl& 0rop due to B!0 >ualit& B3 will pegged 4roblem on Bad >ualit& is usuall& associated with Co'channel 1nterference on BCCH or TCH "ault& ;!1J assignment can cause fre)uenc& collisions on co'sited cells especiall& on +#+ Ceuse -#ternal interference is also one possible cause of problem on )ualit&

1ction3
Check C91 and C9! plots Check "re)uenc& 4lan (Co'BCCH or Co'B51C 4roblem) Check ;!1J( HJ4( H58 parameters Check "HJ4 if correctl& configured (BB or 5/) Check for -#ternal 1nterference 4erform drive tests

Solution3
Change BCCH fre)uenc& Change B51C Change ;!1J( HJ4( H58 Change "HJ4 Cecord C1C or on'site "re)uenc& 5canning to identif& source of interference Ese available radio features

T(H !rop &easons )-+Sudden 4oss of (onnection

0rops due to 5udden 3oss are drops that have not been registered as low signal strength( e#cessive timing advance( bad )ualit& or hardware (other) reasons( and the locating procedure indicates missing measurement results from the ;5

There are some common scenarios that could lead to 5udden 3oss of connections such as ver& sudden and severe drops in signal strength( such as when subscribers enter into buildings( elevators( parking garages( etc ( ver& sudden and severe occurrence of interference( ;5 runs out of batter& during conversation( Handover 3ost( BT5 HM faults( 5&nchroni,ation or !'bis link fault (transmission faults)( and

MS Faults.

1ction3
Check BT5 -rror 3ogs( !larms and "ault Codes Check CJ8-CCC8T per TCP and T5 Check Transmission 3ink (!'bis) Check for 014 5lips Check 3!40 Congestion Correlate Handover 3ost to 0rops due to 5udden 3oss

Solution3
"i# Hardware "aults and !larms Ceset TCP with high CJ8-CCC8T -nsure that 5&nchroni,ation and !'bis 3ink are stable Change CB3T with high 014 5lips Change CJ8"!CT or increase Transmission Capacit& 1nvestigate HJ 3ost 4roblem

T(H !rop &easons )0+ T(H !rops due to Other &easons

TCH drops due to Jther Ceasons are computed b& subtracting the sum of drops due to -#cessive T!( 3ow 55( Bad >ualit& and 5udden 3oss from the Total TCH 0rop Counts 0rops due to Jther Ceasons are generall& associated with hardware problems( transmission link problems on !'bis( !ter or !interfaces( and sometimes Handover 3ost

1ction3
Check BT5 -rror 3ogs Check !larms and "ault Codes Check CJ8-CCC8T per TCP and T5 Check Transmission 3ink (!'bis) Check for 014 5lips Correlate Handover 3ost to 0rops due to Jther Ceasons

Solution3
"i# Hardware "aults and !larms Ceset TCP with high CJ8-CCC8T -nsure that 5&nchroni,ation and !'bis 3ink are stable Change CB3T with high 014 5lips 1nvestigate HJ 3ost 4roblem

Pro%lem reason of drop in S!((H 4o5 Si"nal Stren"th on !o5n or 6plin7

The reason for poor coverage could be too few sites( wrong output power( shadowing( no

indoor coverage or network e)uipment failure

1ction Check coverage plots Check output power 4erform drive tests Check BT5 error log Solution !dd new sites 1ncrease output power Cepair fault& e)uipment Poor 8ualit on !o5n or 6plin7 1ction Check C91 and C9! plots Check fre)uenc& plan 4erform drive tests Solution Change fre)uenc& Ese available radio features Too Hi"h Timin" 1dvance 1ction Check if the cell parameter T!31; is S st&le=Dfont'weight% boldTDO5olution% 5et T!31;
to a value close to F< Tilt antenna9reduce antenna height9output power( etc for cochannel cells

/o%ile #rror
5ome old mobiles ma& cause dropped calls if certain radio network features are used !nother reason is that the ;5 is damaged and not working properl&

1ction Check ;5 fleet. Solution 1nform operator. Su%scri%er 'ehavior

4oorl& educated subscribers could use their handsets incorrectl& b& not raising antennas( choosing illadvised locations to attempt calls( etc

1ction Check customer complaints and their ;5 'atter 9la5

Mhen a subscriber runs out of batter& during a conversation( the call will be registered as dropped call due to low signal strength or others !ction% Check if ;5 power regulation is used Check if 0TP uplink is used

(on"estion on T(H
The 50CCH is dropped when congestion on TCH !ction% Check TCH congestion 5olution% 1ncrease capacit& on TCH or using features like !ssignment to another cell( Cell 3oad 5haring( HC5( 0&namic Half'Cate !llocation and "C'HC ;ode !daptation etc

!rive Testin" The Purpose of !rive Testin"

0rive testing is principall& applied in both the planning and optimisation stage of network development However( there are other purposes for which drive testing can be used% UTo provide path loss data for initial site surve& work UTo verif& the propagation prediction during the initial planning of the network UTo verif& the network s&stem parameters( as defined in the -*:% *5;90C5 5&stem'5pecific 4arameters UTo provide the initial test parameters used in Benchmarking (as defined in the V!nal&sisW section of the 8etwork 4erformance and ;onitoring *uideline) UTo verif& the performance of the network after changes have been made e g Mhen a new TCP is addedT the removal or addition of a new siteT an& power !djustments or changes to the antennaT an& changes in clutter or traffic habits such as the addition of new roads etc UTo measure an& interference problems such as coverage from neighboring Countries

UTo locate an& C" issues relating to traffic problems such as dropped or blocked calls UTo locate an& poor coverage areas UTo monitor the network against a slow degradation over time( as well as ;onitoring the network after sudden environmental conditions( such as gales or electrical storms UTo monitor the performance of a competitorLs network

When to Dri!e Test

0rive testing can take place during the da& or at night and is dependant upon the JperatorLs re)uirements and subscriber habits 0rive testing during the da& will mimic the conditions as seen b& subscribers( but ma& clog up the network if call anal&sis is being performed 0rive testing during the night will allow a greater area to be surve&ed due to the reduction in vehicular congestion 1t will also allow for certain test signals to be transmitted and tested( particularl& when setting up a new site( without interrupting normal operation However( night'time testing does not mimic the conditions e#perienced b& subscribers "or planning purposes( drive testing is t&picall& performed at night and for maintenance purposes( drive testing is performed during the da&

Where to Dri!e Test

5ome areas of a network will have greater performance problems than others 0rive testing should not be uniform throughout the whole network( but should be weighted towards areas where there are significant C" problems There ma& be other areas of the network that re)uire temporar& coverage during a certain time of the &ear e g an e#hibition centre or a sports stadium These areas should be e#amined and planned in greater detail 1t is important that a drive test is documented This is specified b& the Jperator and can either take the form of creating a new item of documentation or filling in an e#isting document !ll documentation will be passed to !nal&sts and -ngineers( who will need accurate records of an& test work carried out Coute 4lans The area to be drive tested is ascertained before leaving the office There are three levels of drive testing depending on the purpose of the test% 4rimar& Coute% This includes all major roads( highwa&s and throughfares and should be given priorit& to all other roads when conducting a coverage test( unless a new site is put into service for a specific objective 5econdar& Coute% This includes all streets( b&'streets and compounds( where accessible( such as a Eniversit& Campus 5econdar& routes are used in areas where problems have been located during a primar& route test and further investigation is needed ;iscellaneous Coutes% This includes in'building and non'access routes to vehicles such as shopping malls( golf courses( airports( hotels( conference centres etc ! route is prepared b& photocop&ing a map and highlighting the route to be driven "or primar& routes( a map of scale no less than +%$2(222 should be used( and a map of scale +%+2(222 is recommended for secondar& routes 1t is recommended that the route is marked in a contiguous circuit( taking account of one'wa& streets at this stage

! drive test should be planned in both directions( where possible( and at the same speed This minimises an& errors and checks the point of handovers and cell dimensioning "or new sites that are being tested( it is recommended that the transceiver is forced to camp onto the cell (forbidding an& handovers) in order to ascertain the full coverage of the cell The test should be re'driven with an& forced handovers removed

"a#er $ Messages
Jther 3a&er + criteria that is useful for field measurements include% C+ U criteria !C"C8 of 5erving Cell ' U (TCH in dedicated mode( BCCH in idle mode)) Time U 5lot (T5)

"a#er % Messages
!ll 3a&er < messages should be collected where possible 3a&er < ;essages are used b& !nal&sts to determine more accuratel& the cause of a problem within the network 5ome field test e)uipment can perform basic anal&sis of particular 3a&er < messages during data collection This enables certain conditions such as call classification or handovers to be flagged to the surve& technician

Call Classification
1n principle there are five call classifications( some of which can be sub'divided further

&ood Calls:
These are calls that are successfull& placed on the network and maintained for the re)uired duration

Dropped Calls These are calls that are successfull& placed on to the network but are
terminated without authorisation Esing 3a&er < ;essages( these calls can be sub'divided

into
-nd U Eser Hang'up 5&stem Hang'up U Jther U

Blocked Calls These are calls that cannot be placed on to the network !gain( using
3a&er < messages( these can be sub'divided as follows% 5&stem U Bus& -nd Eser -ngaged U 8o U 5ervice Jther U

'oa(ed Calls These are calls that are successfull& placed on another network Coamed
calls ma& also be good calls or dropped calls 8ois& Calls% These are calls which have been successfull& completed for the duration of the call but which e#perienced a number of noise bursts that a subscriber ma& find intolerable The threshold for determining the level of poor audio is programmed during the set'up of the test 1n *5;( this particular classification is ver& difficult to determine with great accurac& 1t should be noted that it is not enough to monitor just the C#3-K and the C#>E!3

Troubleshooting )o Data Collected

Jccasionall&( the e)uipment fails to trigger the collection device to save the data to file Check all cables U -nsure U the 4rocessing Enit is powered Ce'start U the laptop computer Ce'start the e)uipment U Ce'drive U the test

)o *ositional +nfor(ation Collected

1f data is collected using *45 onl&( it ma& be possible that satellite reception was lost during a drive through a tunnel etc 1t is important that back'up e)uipment is used( such as a 0ead'Ceckoning device( since a *45 receiver will re'transmit the last known position until it receives an update 1f the vehicle moves without *45 cover( the data will be inaccurate and cannot be anal&sed Check the *45 antenna U cable to the receiver 0rive to an open area U and ensure that the *45 s&stem is working correctl& 1f U re)uired( install a back'up positional device to safeguard against lost *45 Coverage Holes 1f there are patches of poor coverage in une#pected areas( it ma& indicate the fringes of a coverage hole 1t is important to re'drive this particular area Complete U a route plan using secondar& roads as far as possible ;ake U notes of an& buildings 9 obstructions that ma& cause shadowing Take U note of pedestrian 9 vehicular habits in the area

Dropped Calls
0ropped calls can be caused b& either C" environments or incorrect s&stem parameters The following data should be checked to ensure that it has been collected properl& 3a&er < ;essages U 8eighbour U Cell 3ist (B! Table) C#3-K (5erver U ? 8eighbour) C#>E!3 (5erver U ? 8eighbour) "inall&( ensure that the automatic setting for the call length is not shorter than that for the timer monitoring for unauthorised call drop'outs The setting should be a minimum of <2 seconds

Hando!er *roble(s
Handover problems are generall& caused b& inaccurate settings of the handover boundar& This can cause ping'ponging( where the server will keep changing( and congestion at the switch Check the following The transceiver antenna U is fitted correctl& Collection of 3a&er < U ;essages Collection of 8eighbour U Cell 3ist (B! Table) Collection of 5canning U 1nformation

Collection of Cell U 1dentities Collection of T !dv for U the 5erving Cell !lso( ensure that the collection of data from the new serving cell immediatel& after the handover has occurred (particularl& C#3-K and C#>E!3) is not timed to occur prior to the's&nchronisation of the transceiver itself 1f a particular serving cell can be isolated as a potential cause of handover problems( slowl& drive around the cell in a radius of around 722m ' +km( checking when handovers occur Blocked Calls 9 5&stem Bus& 1f calls are repeatedl& classified as blocked( it is recommended that the drive test is temporaril& halted in order to tr& and locate the cause Check U that the number called is full& functional Check U that there is ade)uate coverage from the e#pected serving BT5 Check U the e)uipment transceiver is functioning correctl& b& using an ordinar& mobile to call the office 1f all appears U functional( tr& to place calls through an alternative BT5 1f this succeeds( inform the office immediatel& and re'suspend the drive test

&SM Mobile Ter(inated Call , The 45T8 subscriber dials the ;5Ls telephone number (;51508)( the ;51508 is anal&,ed in
the 45T8( which identifies that this is a call to a mobile network subscriber ! connection is established to the ;5Ls home *;5C The 45T8 sends an 1nitial !ddress message (1!;) to the *;5C X The *;5C anal&,es the ;51508 to find out which H3C( the ;5 is registered in( and )ueries the H3C for information about how to route the call to the serving ;5C9K3C The H3C looks up the ;51508 and determines the 1;51 and the 55G address for the ;5C9K3C that is servicing the ;5 The H3C also checks if theservice( Vcall forwarding to C'numberW is activated( if so( the call is rerouted b& the *;5C to that number X The H3C then contacts the servicing ;5C9K3C and asks it to assign a ;5C8 to the call Y;5C8 ' ;obile 5tation Couting 8umberZ The ;5C9K3C returns an ;5C8 via H3C to the *;5C X The *;5C sends an 1nitial !ddressing message (1!;) to the servicing ;5C9K3C and uses the ;5C8 to route the call to the ;5C9K3C Jnce the servicing ;5C9K3C receives the call( the ;5C8 can be released and ma& be made available for reassignment X The ;5C9K3C then orders all of its B5Cs and BT5s to page the ;5 5ince the ;5C9K3C does not know e#actl& which B5C and BT5 the ;5 is monitoring( the page will be sent out across the entire3ocation !rea(3!) X Mhen the ;5 detects the paging message to the BT5Ls in the desired 3! The BT5Ls transmit the message over the air interface using 4CH To page the ;5( the network uses an 1;51 or T;51 valid onl& in the current ;5C9K3C service area X Mhen the ;5 detects the paging message( it sends a re)uest on C!CH for a 50CCH X The B5C provides a 50CCH( using !*CH X 50CCH is used for the call set'up procedures Jver 50CCH all signaling preceding a call takes place This includes% ;arking the ;5 as VactiveW in the K3C !uthentication procedure (5tart ciphering( -)uipment identification) X The ;5C9K3C instructs the B5C9TCC to allocate an idle TCH The BT5 and ;5 are told to tune to the TCH The mobile phone rings 1f the subscriber answers( the connection is established

&SM Mobile -riginating Call Flow Mobile .ser calling a "and "ine Subscriber.
;5 after dialing a number ? pressing 5-80 ke&( sends Channel Ce)uest(Chan[Ce)) message on C!CH to ask for a signalingchannel (Cadio Cesources) YC!CH ' Candom !ccess channelZ The B5C allocates a Traffic Channel(TCH) using !*CH TCH allocation assigns a specific "re)uenc& ? a Timeslot on that fre)uenc& Y!*CH ' !ccess *rant ChannelZ The ;5 sends a call setup re)uest through 50CCH( to the ;5C9K3C Y50CCH ' slow dedicated control channelZ Jver 50CCH( all signaling takes place This includes% marking the ;5 status as active in the K3C Then comes !uthentication 4rocedure which includes Ciphering (The channel is ciphered so as to protect the call)( -)uipment 1dentification( etc The ;5C9K3C instructs the B5C to allocate an 1dle TCH (this message contains the dialed digits and other information needed for call establishment) The BT5 and ;5 are told to tune to the TCH The ;5C allocates a voice circuit on one the digital trunks between the ;5C and the B55 ;5C informs the B55 about the allocated voice circuit The call is also switched from signaling to voice The B55 notifies the ;obile about the changeover to voice mode The ;5C routes the call and sends the call towards the called subscriber The 45T8 indicates to the ;5C that it has received all the digits and the called subscriber is being rung The ;5C informs the mobile that the called subscriber is beingalerted via a ring The called subscriber answers the call

&SM +D/)T+T0 ).MB/'S1+MS+2TMS+2C&+2MS')2+M/+3 &SM identities

The *5; network is comple# and consists of the 5witching 5&stem (55) and the Base 5tation 5&stem (B55) The switching s&stem( which consists of H3C( ;5C( K3C( !EC and -1C( interfaces both the Base 5tation 5&stem and also other networks like 45T891508( data networks or other 43;8s 1n order to switch a call to a mobile subscriber( the right entities need to be involved 1t is therefore important to address them correctl& The numbers used to identif& the identities in a *5;943;8 network is described in this chapter 5ee also "igure 7F 8umbering plans are used to identif& different networks "or a telephone number in the 45T891508 network( numbering plans - +F6 is used

Mobile Station +SD) )u(ber 1MS+SD)3

The ;51508 is a number which uni)uel& identifies a mobile telephone subscription in the public switched telephone network numbering plan !ccording to the CC1TT recommendations( the mobile telephone number or catalogue number to be dialled is composed in the following wa&% ;51508 = CC = 80C = 58 CC = Countr& Code 80C = 8ational 0estination Code 58 = 5ubscriber 8umber

! 8ational 0estination Code is allocated to each *5; 43;8 1n some countries( more than one 80C ma& be re)uired for each *5; 43;8 The international ;51508 number ma& be of variable length The ma#imum length shall be +7 digits( prefi#es not included -ach subscription is connected to one Home 3ocation Cegister (H3C) The length of the ;51508 depends on the structure and numbering plan of each operator( as an application of CC1TT recommendation - +F6 The following is an e#ample of dialling a *5; subscriber

+nternational Mobile Subscriber +dentit# 1+MS+3

The 1;51 is the information which uni)uel& identifies a subscriber in a *5;943;8 "or a correct identification over the radio path and through the *5; 43;8 network( a specific identit& is allocated to each subscriber This identit& is called the 1nternational ;obile 5ubscriber 1dentit& (1;51) and is used for all signalling in the 43;8 1t will be stored in the 5ubscriber 1dentit& ;odule (51;)( as well as in the Home 3ocation Cegister (H3C) and in the serving Kisitor 3ocation Cegister (K3C) The 1;51 consists of three different parts% 1;51 = ;CC = ;8C = ;518 ;CC = ;obile Countr& Code (< digits) ;8C = ;obile 8etwork Code ($ digits) ;518 = ;obile 5ubscriber 1dentification 8umber (ma# +2 digits) !ccording to the *5; recommendations( the 1;51 will have a length of ma#imum +7 digits !ll networkQrelated subscriber information is connected to the 1;51 5ee also "igure 7F

Mobile Station 'oa(ing )u(ber 1MS')3

H3C knows in what ;5C9K3C 5ervice !rea the subscriber is located 1n order to provide a temporar& number to be used for routing( the H3C re)uests the current ;5C9K3C to allocate and return a ;obile 5tation Coaming 8umber (;5C8) for the called subscriber( see "igure 7F !t reception of the ;5C8( H3C sends it to the *;5C( which can now route the call to the ;5C9K3C e#change where the called subscriber is currentl& registered The interrogation call routing function (re)uest for an ;5C8) is part of the ;obile !pplication 4art (;!4) !ll data e#changed between the *;5C ' H3C ' ;5C9K3C for the purpose of interrogation is sent over the 8o G signalling network The ;obile 5tation Coaming 8umber (;5C8)( according to the *5; recommendations( consists of three parts% ;5C8 = CC = 80C = 58 CC = Countr& Code 80C = 8ational 0estination Code 58 = 5ubscriber 8umber 8ote% 1n this case( 58 is the address to the serving ;5C

Te(porar# Mobile Subscriber +dentit# 1TMS+3

The T;51 is a temporar& number used instead of the 1;51 to identif& an ;5 1t raises the subscriberLs confidentialit& and is known within the serving ;5C9K3C'area and changed at certain events or time intervals The structure of the T;51 ma& be chosen b& each administration but should have a ma#imum length of four octets (: digits)

+nternational Mobile station /4uip(ent +dentit# 1+M/+3

The 1;-1 is used for e)uipment identification !n 1;-1 uni)uel& identifies a mobile station as a piece or assembl& of e)uipment (5ee 1;-1( chapter 7 ) 1;-1 = T!C = "!C = 58C = sp T!C = T&pe !pproval Code (F digits)( determined b& a central *5; bod& "!C = "inal !ssembl& Code ($ digits)( identifies the manufacturer 58C = 5erial 8umber (F digits)( an individual serial number of si# digits uni)uel& identif&ing all e)uipment within each T!C and "!C sp = spare for future use (+ digit) !ccording to the *5; specification( 1;-1 has the length of +7 digits

"ocation 5rea +dentit# 1"5+3

3!1 is used for location updating of mobile subscribers 3!1 = ;CC = ;8C = 3!C ;CC = ;obile Countr& Code (< digits)( identifies the countr& 1t follows the same numbering plan as ;CC in 1;51 ;8C = ;obile 8etwork Code ($ digits)( identifies the *5;943;8 in that countr& and follows the same numbering plan as the ;8C in 1;51 3!C = 3ocation !rea Code( identifies a location area within a *5; 43;8 network The ma#imum length of 3!C is +F bits( enabling F7 7<F different location areas to be defined in one *5; 43;8

Cell &lobal +dentit# 1C&+3

C*1 is used for cell identification within the *5; network This is done b& adding a Cell 1dentit& (C1) to the location area identit& C*1 = ;CC = ;8C = 3!C = C1 C1 = Cell 1dentit&( identifies a cell within a location area( ma#imum +F bits

Base Station +dentit# Code 1BS+C3

B51C allows a mobile station to distinguish between different neighboring base stations B51C = 8CC = BCC 8CC = 8etwork Colour Code (< bits)( identifies the *5; 43;8 8ote that it does not uni)uel& identif& the operator 8CC is primaril& used to distinguish between operators on each side of border BCC = Base 5tation Colour Code (< bits)( identifies the Base 5tation to help distinguish between BT5 using the same BCCH fre)uencies

"ocation )u(ber 1")3

3ocation 8umber is a number related to a certain geographical area( as specified b& the network operator b& Wt&ingW the location numbers to cells( location areas( or ;5C9K3C service areas The 3ocation 8umber is used to implement features like Cegional 93ocal subscription and *eographical differentiated charging