HOW TO MITIGATE EXTERNAL RF INTERFERENCE

RF Interference
Is your wireless network suffering from inconsistent Quality of Service?
Are network upgrades and new deployments falling short of expected
improvements? In either case, there is a good chance that RF interference
is the cause. Any radio frequency signal that negatively affects a wireless
network is a source of RF interference. This Application Note will
teach you how to mitigate interference and deliver a better Quality
of Experience (QoE) for your customers.

Effects of RF Interference

While RF interference can appear at any time on any network, it most

often affects LTE networks on newly allocated or re-farmed spectrum.
Effects of interference on 4G and 5G networks may include:

Customer Carrier
· Low data throughput · Inconsistent Quality of Service

· Video pixilation · Poor user experience

· Poor voice quality · Customer churn

· Dropped calls · Lost revenue

· Latency

Types of interference

There are many types of interference. Internal interference comes from within the network.
Examples include inter-cell interference (ICI) and co-channel interference. External
interference can be caused by traditional modulated RF sources like unterminated cables,
passive intermodulation (PIM), and malfunctioning bi-directional amplifiers from other
networks. Unmodulated sources such as florescent lights, baby monitors, and electric
motors may also interfere with wireless networks.

Spectrum

Interference can occur in any network band. However, networks operating at lower
frequencies are more vulnerable to both internal and external interference. Lower
frequencies are more difficult to control because lower frequencies propagate farther.
This leads to coverage bleeding into neighboring cells, causing internal interference. The
greater range of lower-frequency signals also means that outside sources of interference
are more likely to negatively affect the network. Wireless networks broadcasting between
300 MHz and 900 MHz have the highest rate of customer complaints that have been
attributed to interference.

APPLICATION
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The vast majority of external interference that can hurt customer QoE occurs on the uplink (UL). This is due to the low
transmitting power of customer devices. External Downlink (DL) interference rarely affects a customer’s QoE, due to the
high power levels of the signal sent from the base station. However, these same high power levels mean that internal DL
interference is a significant threat to QoE, particularly at lower frequency ranges.

Interference Mitigation
A successful interference management program minimizes the effects of network interference through multiple
preventive, reactive, and proactive measures. One of the most crucial—and most difficult—components of an interference
management program is external interference mitigation. External interference mitigation is the process of finding and
eliminating individual sources of external interference.

Successful interference mitigation requires access to supporting network data, the right network testing tools, and user
skill and knowledge. There are four primary steps to mitigating external interference:

1. Identify the type of interference.

2. Detect the interfering frequency.
3. Locate the interference source.
4. Eliminate the interference source.

This application note will walk you through the external interference mitigation process from start to finish. In Steps 2 and
3, we will focus in detail on an example of external UL interference, using real-world data from the SeeWave® interference
locating system. By the end of this application note, you will understand the methods, tools, and strategies necessary for
successfully mitigating interference and improving network QoE.

Step 1: Identify

Interference mitigation begins by identifying the existence of an interference problem as well as its general location
and approximate frequency range. Indicators of both UL and DL interference are found in network statistics, customer
service records, and data from routine drive testing. Common red flags that indicate interference problems in a particular
portion of the network include:

Uplink:
• Clusters of customer complaints in specific sectors
• High Receiver Total Wideband Power (RTWP) At a Glance:
• Poor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Step 1 - Identify
Downlink: Identify the type of
• Clusters of customer complaints in specific sectors interference by investigat-
• Pilot pollution ing network issues. If it is
• Poor KPIs internal, take appropri-
• Low Carrier to Interference Noise Ratio (CINR) ate actions to correct the
• Low Received Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) problem. If there is strong
evidence that an external
Sometimes, networks have internal problems: interferer is disrupting an
• Radio Network Controller (RNC) configuration problems otherwise strong network,
• Outdated equipment testing tools are needed
• Firmware issues to detect and locate the
• Bad jumper cable source.
• Poor installation
• Voltage Standing Wave Radio (VSWR) errors

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These potential sources of internal interference should be eliminated before pursuing external interference mitigation.
Check internal equipment and settings to ensure everything is correct. If all is clear, but there are still active indicators
of interference, the problem is likely caused by external interference.

Step 1 should leave you with both a target geographical area and an approximate frequency range for the interference.
For this example, we have identified interference at approximately 780 MHz. Proceed to the affected portion of the
network to detect and locate the external interferer.

Step 2: Detect

Once external interference has been identified as the source of a problem in the network, the next step is to detect the
interferer in the field. For this step, an engineer should be equipped with equipment designed to detect the interfering signal.

While simple spectrum analyzers may suffice for the most experienced engineers, more advanced tools can make the
process more efficient. PCTEL’s SeeWave® builds on the SeeGull® scanner’s spectrum analysis capability with specialized
capabilities for both detecting and locating interference.

Figure 1 – SeeWave with IBflex®

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In our example, Step 1 indicated that an external interference issue is suspected in uplink of E-UTRA band 13, ranging from
777 to 787 MHz. To search for an interfering signal in this range using SeeWave, set the Center, Start, Stop frequencies in
the Setup tab as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 – Scan Parameters

SeeWave will automatically select the optimal Resolution Bandwidth (RBW) for the frequency range.

Once setup is complete, SeeWave will display a visual representation of RF activity within the chosen range in the Charts tab.

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An interfering signal will register as an unusual blip or spike in the data. In Figure 3, we can see a possible source of
interference at approximately 783.00 MHz.

Figure 3 – Initial Scan

To focus on a smaller portion of the frequency range, pinch the SeeWave display. This will show a clearer view of the
interfering signal.

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Figure 4 – Zoom in on Suspected Interferer

After zooming in the source of interference will be clearer. The blip at 783.00 MHz is
not a normal cellular signal.

If you are unable to find a clear source of interference, slowly rotate SeeWave’s directional At a Glance:
antenna 360 degrees. An interferer’s power level will spike when the antenna is pointed Step 2 - Detect
toward the source.
Use SeeWave’s spectrum
charts to detect the
interfering frequency.

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Step 3: Locate

Once the interference has been detected and its frequency determined, you are ready to locate the interferer. Triangulation
eliminates a great deal of guesswork at this stage and speeds up the process.

To prep for triangulation, make sure that SeeWave’s compass and GPS have been calibrated. Next, point SeeWave in the
direction in the interferer’s power spikes the highest. Finally, using SeeWave’s proprietary algorithms, move the primary
marker to the frequency where power spikes the highest -93.38 dBm at 783.00 MHz as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5 – Primary Marker Set for Triangulation

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To triangulate, select the Maps tab. Taking environment factors (roads, buildings, topography, accessibility, etc.) into
account, take bearings in a circular pattern around the suspected interference location. The walking path can be adjusted
on the go if the suspected location of the signal changes based on early bearing results.

Figure 6 – Suspected Area of Interference

Taking and selecting accurate bearings is crucial for successful triangulation. A mix of expertise and trial and error may
be necessary to overcome challenges such as multipath and noisy spectrum. See our Tips for Overcoming Multipath for
more details.

Fortunately, SeeWave’s specialized features make taking and selecting bearings a bit easier. First, SeeWave offers two
triangulation modes: Automatic mode for constant signals, and manual mode for varying signals. Automatic mode makes
it much easier to take bearings—simply walk all the way around the source as SeeWave takes bearings. Second, SeeWave
allows users to compare bearings in real time. Users should select the strongest bearings for use in triangulation.

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Figure 7 – Triangulation of Interference Location Area

Once bearings have been taken and selected, SeeWave creates a

polygon zone indicating the area in which the signal is located, along At a Glance:
with a dot on the most likely location, as shown in Figure 7. Depending
on the accuracy of the bearings and size of the polygon, a second Step 3 - Locate
round of triangulation may be useful. Use SeeWave’s triangulation and audio
cues to find the exact location of the
Once the signal has been successfully triangulated, proceed to the interference. Identify the source visually.
area indicated by the polygon and dot. SeeWave’s power reading and
audio cue options can be used to help visually identify the source.

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Step 4: Eliminate

Once you have located the source of interference, take note of both what it is and where it is located. You may want to
take a photograph of the interferer. You can now take appropriate steps to eliminate the interferer, which may include
contacting the property owner or the appropriate authorities.

Tips for Overcoming

Multipath:
1. Take a set of four power readings at an
intersection—one from each direction.
Move toward the strongest reading.

2. When possible, take bearings from higher

ground, above obstructions that could be
reflecting signals.

Figure 8 – Visually Identify the Interference Source

SeeWave Tips:
1. Confirm compass is calibrated and
accurate by pointing down a street
or at a landmark and checking the
indicated direction against a map.

2. Set the primary marker to the

interfering frequency on the spectrum
chart before moving to the map to
triangulate.

3. Complete a full sweep back and forth

to take a bearing in automatic mode.

4. Take multiple bearings at each

location and only include the
strongest to triangulate.

5. Turn on the amplifier for low power

interference.

6. Turn on the attenuator when close to

a high power interferer.

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 Figure 9 – Interference Located

Conclusion
External RF interference mitigation is a crucial part of an overall interference mitigation program. There are four primary
steps to interference mitigation:

1. Identify the type of interference.

2. Detect the interfering frequency.
3. Locate the interference source.
4. Eliminate the interference source.

SeeWave interference locating system simplifies interference mitigation resulting in mitigation efficiency and the delivery
of better customer experience.

seewave@pctel.com for more information

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