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SDCCH Call Drop Rate
SDCCH Call Drop Rate
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GSM BSS Network KPI (SDCCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
(For internal use only)
2012-12-23
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GSM BSS Network KPI (SDCCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
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Contents
1 Overview of SDCCH Call Drop Rate.................................................6
1.1 Definition..................................................................................................................................................................6 1.1 Definition..................................................................................................................................................................6 1.2 Recommended Formula............................................................................................................................................6 1.2 Recommended Formula............................................................................................................................................6 1.3 Signaling Procedure and Measurement Points.........................................................................................................7 1.3 Signaling Procedure and Measurement Points.........................................................................................................7
GSM BSS Network KPI (SDCCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
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3.2.1 Checking the Hardware....................................................................................................................................14 3.2.2 Checking the Transmission...............................................................................................................................15 3.2.2 Checking the Transmission...............................................................................................................................15 3.2.3 Checking the BSC and BTS Version Upgrade.................................................................................................16 3.2.3 Checking the BSC and BTS Version Upgrade.................................................................................................16 3.2.4 Checking the Parameter Settings......................................................................................................................16 3.2.4 Checking the Parameter Settings......................................................................................................................16 3.2.5 Checking the Interference.................................................................................................................................18 3.2.5 Checking the Interference.................................................................................................................................18 3.2.6 Checking the Coverage, Antenna System, and Balance Between Uplink and Downlink................................18 3.2.6 Checking the Coverage, Antenna System, and Balance Between Uplink and Downlink................................18 3.2.7 Checking the Repeaters....................................................................................................................................19 3.2.7 Checking the Repeaters....................................................................................................................................19
4 Test Method................................................................................20 5 Remarks About the Signaling Analysis of the SDCCH Call Drop Rate .....................................................................................................21 6 Cases for SDCCH Call Drop Rate Optimization...............................23
6.1 Case 1: SDCCH Call Drop in a Synchronous Network.........................................................................................23 6.1 Case 1: SDCCH Call Drop in a Synchronous Network.........................................................................................23 6.2 Case 2: Call Drop Due to Imbalance Between Uplink and Downlink...................................................................23 6.2 Case 2: Call Drop Due to Imbalance Between Uplink and Downlink...................................................................23 6.3 Case 3: Call Drop Due to Antenna System Problem..............................................................................................24 6.3 Case 3: Call Drop Due to Antenna System Problem..............................................................................................24 6.4 Case 4: Call Drop Due to Transmission Problem...................................................................................................25 6.4 Case 4: Call Drop Due to Transmission Problem...................................................................................................25
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GSM BSS Network KPI (SDCCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
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Figures
Number of successful SDCCH seizures...............................................7 Number of successful SDCCH seizures in the signaling channel handover.........................................................................................7
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GSM BSS Network KPI (SDCCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
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Revision Record
Date 2008-8-25 Revision Version V1.0 Change Description Draft completed. Author Du Jian
References
SN 1 2 3 4 5 6 Document G-Guide to Eliminating Interference - 20050311-A-1.0 GSM BSS Network KPI (Network Coverage) Optimization Manual GSM BSS Network KPI (SDCCH Call Drop Rate) Baseline GSM BSS Network KPI (Uplink and Downlink Balance) Optimization Manual Guide to Solving Call Drop Problems GSM BSS Network KPI (TCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual Author Chen Baolin Xie Haibin Wu Zhen Yang Jixiang Yang Bin Su Shi Date 2005-3-11 2008-6-18 2007-6-22 2008-3-26 2002-3-7 2008-6-20
GSM BSS Network KPI (SDCCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
Keywords: SDCCH call drop rate, KPI Abstract: This document describes the definition, test method, and optimization method of the SDCCH call drop rate. Acronyms and Abbreviations: Acronym and Abbreviation SDCCH MS BSC KPI TCH Full Spelling Standalone Dedicated Control Channel Mobile Station Base Station Controller Key Performance Index Traffic Channel
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GSM BSS Network KPI (SDCCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
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1.1 Definition
The SDCCH call drop rate indicates the probability of call drops when the MS occupies the SDCCH. The SDCCH call drop rate is one of accessibility KPIs. This KPI reflects the seizure condition of signaling channels. If the value of this KPI is high, user experience is adversely affected.
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GSM BSS Network KPI (SDCCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
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Figure 1.2 Number of successful SDCCH seizures in the signaling channel handover
The measurement points illustrated in Figure 2 are described as follows: A indicates the number of successful SDCCH seizures. B indicates the number of successful SDCCH seizures in the signaling channel handover
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2.2 Transmission
The SDCCH call drop rate increases in any of the following conditions: (1) The transmission quality is poor on the A or Abis interface due to various reasons. (2) Transmission links are unstable.
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Handover parameters:
SDCCH HO Allowed is set to Yes. T3103A(ms) and T3103C(ms) are set to too small values. T3109(ms) is set to a too small value. T3111(ms) is set to a too small value. The length of timer T305/T308 is set to an invalid or too great value. Disconnect Handover Protect Timer is set to a too small value. The network planning is improper after the Um interface is synchronized. Software Parameter 13 and MAX TA are set to too small values.
GSM BSS Network KPI (SDCCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
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If the signal from an antenna is blocked or the BCCH TRX is faulty, call drops may occur.
2.
3.
2.9 Repeater
If a cell is installed with a repeater, BTS coverage problems may occur in the case that the repeater is faulty or that the uplink and downlink gain is inappropriately set. Therefore, the call drop rate increases. If a wide-frequency repeater is used and the gain is set to a great value, strong interference may be caused. As a result, the network quality is adversely affected and the call drop rate increases.
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GSM BSS Network KPI (SDCCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
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GSM BSS Network KPI (SDCCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
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BU G
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Call Drops due to Abis Terrestrial Link Failure Call Drops Due to Equipment Failure Call Drops due to Forced Handover Call Drops due to Resource Check Clear Requests Sent on the A Interface
According to the traffic statistics, you can obtain the distribution of SDCCH call drops due to Um and non Um causes. For Um causes, you need to check configuration parameters and network interference. For hardware causes, you need to check hardware, transmission, and equipment failure. If no obvious causes are found, you can perform the procedures shown in
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GSM BSS Network KPI (SDCCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
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the preceding figure. The following table lists the mapping between the traffic measurement counters and the troubleshooting procedures. Traffic Measurement Counter M3000A (T200 expired) M3001A (radio link failure) Troubleshooting Procedure 3.2.4 (check whether the T200 and N200 are set properly) 3.2.4 (check whether the radio link failure counter and the number of SACCH multi-frames are set properly) 3.2.1 (check hardware failure) 3.2.2 (check the transmission) 3.2.1 (check hardware failure)
M3001D (radio resource unavailable) M303 (Abis terrestrial link failure) M304 (equipment failure)
The following sections describe the solutions to high SDCCH call drop rates. The traffic measurement counters and parameters in this document are the same as those in the BSC6000V9R8C01B051 version.
In addition, you can locate the fault by checking the traffic measurement related to hardware failures.
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GSM BSS Network KPI (SDCCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual Cause Equipment Faults BSC-Level BSC Measurement -> Access measurement per BSC -> Congestion Ratio on SDCCH per BSC Call Drop Ratio on SDCCH per BSC SDCCH Availability per BSC Cell-Level Channel Measurement ->
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Analyzed Measurement of Available Channels (SDCCH) Call Drop Measurement per Cell in Call Measurement: Call Drops due to Equipment Failure (Signaling Channel)
In addition, you can locate the fault by checking the traffic measurement related to transmission failures. Cause Transmis sion failure BSC-Level BSC Measurement -> LAPD Measurement Cell-Level Call Measurement: -> Channel Activation Measurement per Cell CHAN ACTIV NACK Messages Sent by BTS Channel Activation Timeouts Call Measurement -> :Call Drop Measurement per Cell Measurement of Call Drops Due to Abis Terrestrial Link Failure
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SACCH Multi-Frames (SACCH period (480 ms)) This parameter determines whether an uplink radio link is faulty. Each time the BTS fails to decode the measurement report on the SACCH from the MS, the counter decreases by 1. Each time the BTS successfully decodes the measurement report on the SACCH, the counter increases by 2. When the value of this parameter is 0, the BTS regards the radio link as faulty. In the traffic measurement, if there are many call drops (M3001A) related to radio link failure, you can infer that the radio propagation conditions are poor. In this case, you can set this parameter to a greater value.
Radio Link Timeout (SACCH period(480ms)) This parameter determines whether a downlink radio link is faulty. Each time the BTS fails to decode the measurement report on the SACCH from the MS, the counter decreases by 1. Each time the BTS successfully decodes the measurement report on the SACCH, the counter increases by 2. When the value of this parameter is 0, the BTS regards the radio link as faulty. In the traffic measurement, if there are many call drops (M3001A) related to radio link failure, you can infer that the radio propagation conditions are poor. In this case, you can set this parameter to a greater value.
RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN This parameter specifies the minimum receive level of an MS to access the BSS. If this parameter is set to a too small value, some MSs with low receive levels may access the network and call drops are likely to occur. You can set this parameter to a great value to reduce the SDCCH call drop rate. The counters related to traffic volume, however, are accordingly affected.
RACH Min.Access Level This parameter determines whether an MS can access the network over the RACH. If this parameter is set to a too small value, some MSs with low signal levels may access the network and call drops are likely to occur. You can set this parameter to a great value to reduce the SDCCH call drop rate. The counters such as call setup success rate and paging success rate, however, are affected.
Min DL Power on HO Candidate Cell and Min Access Level Offset The sum of the values of the two parameters specifies the minimum downlink receive level of a candidate neighboring cell for a handover. If this parameter is set to a too great value, some desired cells may be excluded from the candidate cells; if this parameter is set to a too small value, an unwanted cell may become the candidate cell. Both conditions may lead to the increase of call drops.
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T3103A(ms) and T3103C(ms) Timer T3103 series consists of T3103A, T3103C, and T8. These timers are started to wait for a handover complete message. If the lengths of the timers are set to small values, probably no message is received when timer T3103 series expires. In this case, the BSC considers that the radio link in the originating cell is faulty. Then, the BSC releases the channel in the originating cell. Thus, call drops occur. In the traffic measurement, if many call drops are related to handovers (CM361: Call Drops on Radio Interface in Handover State), you can set this parameter to a greater value. If this parameter is set to a too great value, channel resources are wasted and TCH congestion occurs.
T3109(ms) This parameter specifies the period for waiting for a Release Indication message after the BSC sends a Channel Release message to the BTS. If this parameter is set to a too small value, the link may be released before the Release Indication message is received. As a result, a call drop occurs. You can set this parameter to a greater value to reduce the SDCCH call drop rate. It is recommended that timer T3109 be set to 12 seconds longer than timer Radio Link Timeout.
T3111(ms) This parameter specifies the interval between the time that the main signaling link is disconnected and the time that a channel is deactivated. The purpose is to reserve a period of time for repeated link disconnections. If this timer is set to a too small value, a channel may be deactivated too early. Thus, the call drop rate increases.
Timers T305 and T308 Timers T305 and T308 are used on the MSC side. Timer T305 specifies the period during which the MSC monitors the on-hook procedure. Timer T308 specifies the period during which the MSC monitors the resource release procedure. You should set the two parameters when adding BSC data. Note that the modification of the data in the timer table does not take effect. If timers T305 and T308 are set to invalid or great values, the MSC clears the call a long time after the MS hangs up. After the T3103 and Radio Link Timeout timers expire, the number of call drops is increased and thus the call drop rate is significantly affected.
T200 SDCCH(5ms) and N200 of SDCCH If T200 SDCCH(5ms) and N200 of SDCCH are set to too small values, data links are disconnected too early. Thus, call drops are likely to occur. If call drops occur because of T200 expiry (M3400A), you can increase the values of T200 and N200 properly. Neighboring relationship (affecting call drops in SDCCH handover when the signaling channel handover is enabled) If the neighboring cells configured in the BA2 table are incomplete, call drops are likely to occur in the case of no suitable neighboring cell for handover and progressive deterioration in the voice quality. Neighboring relationships should be configured completely on the basis of the drive test data and electronic map (for example, Nastar) to minimize the call drops due to no available neighboring cells.
Disconnect Handover Protect Timer This parameter is a software parameter of the BSC. After receiving a DISCONNECT message from an MS, the BSC cannot hand over the MS within the period specified by this parameter. Therefore, the following case can be avoided: After being handed over to the target cell, the MS cannot be put on hook because it does not receive a release acknowledgement message. You are advised to set this parameter properly.
MA and TSC settings in Um synchronization The settings involve the AISS function. If the TSC is planned improperly for a cell in the synchronous network, a great error decoding probability occurs in the area covered by
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the cells with the same BCCH or MA. When the multi-frame link is set up or the signaling is transmitted at layer 2, the error decoding causes ERR_IND reporting by the BTS. In this case, call drops occur. If the value of "Call Drops due to ERR IND Received on SDCCH in Stable State" is great, you need to optimize TOP cells.
MAIO If FH is used in a cell, and MAIO is set improperly (for example, the FH offsets of different TRXs in a cell are set to the same value), the frequencies collide during the FH. In this case, the call drop rate increases.
Software Parameter 13 and MAX TA When Software Parameter 13 is enabled and MAX TA is set to a too small value, the channel is released when the TA of a call exceeds the value of MAX TA. In this case, call drops occur. It is recommended that Software Parameter 13 should not be enabled.
3.2.6 Checking the Coverage, Antenna System, and Balance Between Uplink and Downlink
For a cell with a high SDCCH call drop rate, you can check its coverage by the DT and CQT. If the cases (such as too low DL receive level, great difference between the UL and DL levels, poor level quality, lost DL measurement reports, and long call access time) occur, it indicates that the problems with the coverage and imbalance between uplink and downlink occur in the cell. For the problematic cell, the call setup success rate and handover success rate slightly fall and the receive quality becomes poor. In addition, you can analyze the cell coverage according to the DT route and geographical conditions and then check the antenna system. Some problems with the coverage and imbalance between uplink and downlink are caused by the reasons such as the antenna coverage direction, down tilt, damaged feeder, water running into the feeder,
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GSM BSS Network KPI (SDCCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual and insecurely connected connector.
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For solutions for the problems, see the GSM BSS Network KPI (Network Coverage) Optimization Manual and the GSM BSS Network KPI (Uplink and Downlink Balance) Optimization Manual.
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Test Method
The SDCCH call drop rate is one of accessibility KPIs, which can be measured through registration or reporting of the related traffic measurement KPIs. Currently, vendors and mobile operators use different formulas to calculate the SDCCH call drop rate, thus leading to different values of this counter. In actual measurement, you should register the specific counters and use an appropriate formula to calculate the value of this counter.
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Then, right-click a piece of signaling of a call and choose Show Chart from the shortcut menu, as shown in the following figure.
From the following figure, you can view such information as the uplink and downlink receive
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GSM BSS Network KPI (SDCCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
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level of the serving cell, uplink and downlink signal quality of the serving cell, downlink receive level of neighboring cells, TA, MS power, and BTS power. Based on the information, you can find out the causes for call drops, such as insufficient downlink coverage and interference.
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6.2 Case 2: Call Drop Due to Imbalance Between Uplink and Downlink
Description: The following symptoms occur during the DT: After the test MS camps on a cell, it cannot make calls; the MS can only receive calls; call drops occur frequently at a certain distance from the antenna. Cause analysis and handling: When the uplink signal level is much lower than the downlink signal level, the power may not be balanced. In this case, the authentication or assignment procedure cannot be completed.
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GSM BSS Network KPI (SDCCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
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The tracing result (as shown in the previous figure) shows that the uplink signal level is much lower than the downlink signal level. Therefore, call drops occur.
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7
Check Item Software version Data configuration Alarm information Traffic measurement Traffic measurement Signaling DT data Others
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