Introduction to 3G/UMTS

Performance

What is 3G?

UMTS Architecture
Base Station
Subsystem

Mobile Station

Network Subsystem

Other Networks

BTS

ME

SIM

MSC/
VLR

BSC

IuCS
Uu

ME

USIM

S
D

RNS
Node
B

UTRAN

EIR

Iu
b

SGSN

RNC

GMSC
PSTN

HLR

AUC

GGSN

PLMN

Internet

IuPS

Note: Interfaces have been omitted for clarity purposes.

UMTS network architecture

consists of three domains
Core Network (CN): Provide
switching, routing and
transit for user traffic
UMTS Terrestrial Radio
Access Network (UTRAN):
Provides the air interface
access method for user
equipment.
User Equipment (UE):
Terminals work as air
interface counterpart for
base stations. The various
identities are: IMSI, TMSI, PTMSI, TLLI, MSISDN, IMEI,
IMEISV

Key Performance Indicators (KPI)

For radio network optimization, it is necessary to have
decided on key performance indicators.
These KPIs are parameters that are to be observed closely
when the network monitoring is going on.
Mainly, the term KPI is used for parameters related to voice
and data channels, but network performance can be broadly
characterized into coverage, capacity and quality criteria
also that cover speech and data aspects.
KPIs are collected from network management system along
with field measurements such as drive tests.
For the field measurements, the tools used are ones that
can analyze the traffic, capacity and quality of the calls, and
the network as a whole.
Network Management system (NMS) can generate various
reports which can be analyzed, processed and used to found
problematic parameters in network.

Key Performance Indicators (KPI)

Following main KPIs are monitored for UMTS:
Accessibility (Setup Failures-RAB and RRC, CSSR)
Retainability ( Drops-RAB and RRC)
Mobility ( SHO,ISHO)
Throughput (UL/DL)
Usage (Resources)

Call Setup Failure Rate (AMR/HSDPA)

Call Setup Failure Rate, is the Percentage rate of calls to
any network provider that fails to get through.
failure rate is defined as the number of failures divided
by the total number of attempts.
The higher the failure rate the bad the network is.

3G Voice CSFR Formula : AMR CSFR = (Failures/Attempts)*100

Raw Counter:
(RRC.AttConnEstab.OrgConvCall+RRC.AttConnEstab.TmConvCall+RRC.AttConnEstab.EmgCallRRC.SuccConnEstab.OrgConvCall
-RRC.SuccConnEstab.TmConvCall-RRC.SuccConnEstab.EmgCall+VS.RAB.AttEstab.AMRVS.RAB.SuccEstabCS.AMR)
/
(RRC.AttConnEstab.OrgConvCall+RRC.AttConnEstab.TmConvCall+RRC.AttConnEstab.EmgCallRRC.SuccConnEstab.OrgConvCall-RRC.SuccConnEstab.TmConvCallRRC.SuccConnEstab.EmgCall+VS.RAB.AttEstab.AMR)

3G HSDPA CSFR Formula : HSDPA CSFR = (Failures/Attempts)*100

Raw Counter:
(RRC.AttConnEstab.OrgInterCall+RRC.AttConnEstab.TmInterCall+RRC.AttConnEstab.OrgBkgCall+RRC.Att
ConnEstab.TmBkgCall
+RRC.AttConnEstab.OrgHhPrSig+RRC.AttConnEstab.TmHhPrSig-RRC.SuccConnEstab.OrgInterCallRRC.SuccConnEstab.TmItrCall
-RRC.SuccConnEstab.OrgBkgCall-RRC.SuccConnEstab.TmBkgCall-RRC.SuccConnEstab.OrgHhPrSig-

Call Setup Failure

Possible Reason

Resolution

1: Power congestion

1: Check for RTWP issue or

Increase/Decrease the power

2: CE Congestion

2: Load Balancing/physical optimization or

add carrier.

3: Code Congestion

3: Load Balancing/physical optimization or

add carrier or play with HSDPA codes.

4: No Reply

4: This includes reasons like RF conditions

and UE issue

5. Dongle/UE issue

5. Cell Scenario analysis report and check

if the failures are interactive call failures

Dropped Call Rate (CS / PS)

A drop call is defined as a traffic channel that is released
by either the base station or the mobile without the
consent of the mobile.
the dropped call rate is defined as the total number of
dropped calls divided by the total number of
successful call completions during a specified period.
The Most Common reasons of a Call drop:
1. Bad Rx level
2. Bad Rx quality.
3G Voice DCR Formula: AMR DCR =
3. Over Shooting
(Drops/Attempts)*100
4. Cable Swapping.
5. Interference.
Raw Counter:
6. Electric & Mechanic tilts.
[VS.RAB.AbnormRel.AMR]/([VS.RAB.NormRel.AMR]+
7. Handover Failure.
8.Battery Down.
[VS.RAB.AbnormRel.AMR])*{100}

3G Voice HSDPA Formula: HSDPA DCR =

(Drops/Attempts)*100
Raw Counter:
(([VS.HSDPA.RAB.AbnormRel][VS.HSDPA.RAB.AbnormRel.H2P])/
([VS.HSDPA.RAB.NormRel]+[VS.HSDPA.RAB.AbnormRel]+
[VS.HSDPA.HHO.H2D.SuccOutIntraFreq]+

CS Call Drop
Possible Reason

Resolution

1: Poor coverage issue

1: Change physical antenna parameters (tilt,

Azimuth and height), If required Increase TCP
and CPICH power to increase coverage and
capacity.

2: Neighbor planning issue

2: check for Neighbor planning of the cells in

that area. (Missing neighbors)

3: RTWP issue (Receive Total wideband

power)

3: Check and resolve the issue by tracing the

source of external interference through YBT or
spectrum Analyzer or get the hardware
checked

4: Alarms

4: Forward alarms to BSS team for Rectification.

5: Overshooting issue

5: Check RF conditions in and check Source and

Target Cells to have a feel of overshoot. Make
physical changes on the basis of results.

6. PSC Clash- Same PSC in cells having

overlapping coverage

6. Re-plan the PSC of the cells

PS Call Drop
Possible Reason

Resolution

1. Poor RF conditions

1. change physical antenna changes or If

required Increase TCP and CPICH power to
increase coverage and capacity.

2: Missing Neighbour Issue

2: check for Neighbour planning of the cells in

that area. (Missing neighbours)

3: RTWP issue

3: Check and resolve the issue by tracing the

source of external interference through YBT or
spectrum Analyzer or get the hardware checked

4: Alarms

4: Forward alarms to BSS team for Rectification.

5: Tracing the particular UE.

5: Check CHR data and see if the drops are

taking place on one particular UE or different UE