CW –Data Collection

Process
MODEL TUNING
 CW Data Collection Process
CW drive test process can be divided into three parts

TEST PREPARATION

PROPAGATION TEST

DATA COLLECTION
AND PROCESSING
 CW – Test
Preparation
The test equipment required for the CW drive testing :-
• Receiver with fast scanner
Example : HP7475A, EXP2000 (LCC) etc.
The receiver scanner rate should conform to the Lee Criteria of 36 to 50 sample per 40 wavelength
• CW Transmitter
Example : Gator Transmitter (BVS), LMW Series Transmitter (CHASE), TX-1500 (LCC) etc.
• Base Station test antenna
DB806Y (Decibel-GSM900), 7640 (Jaybeam-GSM1800) etc.
• Accessories
Including flexible coaxial cable/jumper, Power meter, extended powercord, GPS, compass, altimeter
 CW – Test Preparation
Base Station Antenna Selection
The selection depends on the purpose of the test
• For propagation model tuning, an omni-directional antenna is preferred
• For candidate site testing or verification, the choice of antenna depends on the type of BTS site that the test
is trying to simulate.
• For Omni BTS :Omni antennas with similar vertical beamwidth
• For sectorised BTS: Utilising the same type of antenna is preferred
Omni antenna can also be used, together with the special feature in the post processing software like CMA
(LCC) where different antenna pattern can be masked on over the measurement datafrom an omni
antenna
 CW – Test Preparation
Drive Route Determination
• The drive route of the data collection is planned prior to the drive test using a detail road map
• Eliminate duplicate route to reduce the testing time
• For propagation model tuning, each clutter is tested individually and the drive route for each test site is planned to
map the clutter under-study for the respective sites.
• It is important to collect a statistically significant amount of data, typically a minimum of 300 to 400 data points are
required for each clutter category
• The data should be evenly distributed with respect to distance from the transmitter
• In practice, the actual drive route will be modified according to the latest development which was not shown on the
map. The actual drive route taken should be marked on a map for record purposes.
Scanning Receiver Setup
• The scanning rate of the receiver should always be set to allow at least 36 sample per 40 wavelength to average out
the Rayleigh Fading effect.
• For example: scanning rate = 100 sample/s, test frequency = 1800 MHz
Therefore, to achieve 36 sample/40 wavelength, the max. speed is =
(40 *0.1667)/ (36/100) = 18.52m/s= 66.67 km/h
CW – Propagation Test
Transmitter Equipment Setup
• Test antenna location
• Free from any nearby obstacle, to ensure free propagation in both horizontal and vertical dimension
• For sites with existing antennas, precaution should be taken to avoid possible interference and/or inter-
modulation
• Transmitter installation

• Scanning Receiver Setup - HP 7475A Receiver Example

 CW – Data Collection and
Processing
Drive Test
• Initiate a file to record the measurement with an agreed naming convention
• Maintain the drive test vehicle speed according to the pre-set scanning rate
• Follow the pre-plan drive route as closely as possible
• Insert marker wherever necessary during the test to indicate special locations such as perceived hot spot, potential
interferer etc.
• Monitor the GPS signal and field strength level throughout the test, any extraordinary reading should be inspected
before resuming the test.

Data Averaging
• This can be done during the drive testing or during the data processing stage, depending on the scanner receiver and the
associated post-processing software
• The bin size of the distance averaging depends on the size decided in the test environment
• For propagation model tuning, the measurement data is exported into the planning tool.