Voice Quality Index

Contents
3.3.15 Voice Quality Index

GSM BSS
GBSS21.1
Voice Quality Index Feature Parameter
Description
Issue 02
Date 2020-08-05
 HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

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3.3.15 Contents
1 About This Document
1.1 Scope
1.2 General Statements
1.3 Change History

2 Overview
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Benefits
2.3 NEs Supporting the Feature

3 Technical Description
3.1 Basic Principles
3.1.1 Voice Quality Index (VQI)
3.1.2 Enhanced Voice Quality Index (EVQI)
3.2 Speech Quality Statistics

4 Related Features

5 Engineering Guidelines
5.1 Deployment
5.1.1 Requirements
5.1.2 Activation
5.1.3 Activation Observation
5.1.4 Deactivation

6 Parameters

7 Counters

8 Glossary

9 Reference Documents
1 About This Document

1.1 Scope

This document describes GBFD-116801 Voice Quality Index (VQI), including its technical
principles, related features, and engineering guidelines.
1.2 General Statements

Purpose

Feature Parameter Description documents are intended to acquaint readers with:

 The technical principles of features and their related parameters
 The scenarios where these features are used, the benefits they provide, and the impact
they have on networks and functions
 Requirements of the operating environment that must be met before feature activation
 Parameter configuration required for feature activation, verification of feature
activation, and monitoring of feature performance

This document only provides guidance for feature activation. Feature deployment and feature gains depend
on the specifics of the network scenario where the feature is deployed. To achieve the desired gains, contact
Huawei professional service engineers.

Software Interfaces

Any parameters, alarms, counters, or managed objects (MOs) described in Feature Parameter
Description documents apply only to the corresponding software release. For future software
releases, refer to the corresponding updated product documentation.
1.3 Change History

This section provides information about the changes in different document versions. There
are two types of changes:
 Feature change
Changes in features of a specific product version
 Editorial change
Changes in wording or addition of information that was not described in the earlier version

02 (2020-08-05)

This issue includes the following changes.

 Change Type Change Description Parameter
Change

Feature None None

change

Editorial Added the description about the IEs and fields used to None
change report VQI and EVQI in MRs with an interval of four. For
details, see 5.1.3 Activation Observation.

01 (2019-06-06)

This issue does not include any changes.

Draft A (2018-12-30)

Compared with Issue 01 (2018-04-10) of GBSS20.1, Draft A (2018-12-30) of GBSS21.1

includes the following changes.

Change Type Change Description Parameter Change

Feature change Changed the name of None

Huawei mobile element
management system from
U2000 to U2020.

Editorial change None None

2 Overview

2.1 Introduction

Voice Quality Index (VQI) provides a method for measuring voice quality on a radio
network. With this feature, the BSS automatically collects major factors that affect voice
quality and uses the VQI algorithm to calculate VQI values for ongoing calls. This facilitates
the real-time monitoring of voice quality on the entire network.
2.2 Benefits

VQI quickly and effectively measures voice quality on networks, facilitating network
optimization. Compared with traditional MOS tests, VQI has the following advantages:
 Enables users to easily monitor voice quality without requiring reference speech
frames.
 Reduces the number of individual drive tests, saving manpower and the costs of test
devices and improving the monitoring efficiency.
  Clearly reflects the impact of Um quality on voice quality because the VQI algorithm
focuses on the Um interface factors that significantly affect voice quality.
2.3 NEs Supporting the Feature

Table 2-1 NEs supporting the feature

Feature BSC6900 BSC6910 BTS eGBTS

Voice Quality √ √ √ √
Index (VQI)

√ indicates that the NE supports this feature. × indicates that the NE does not support this feature.

3 Technical Description

Voice Quality Index tracks different speech transmission processes across a GSM system,
collects and processes factors affecting speech quality, and uses counters to provide a speech
quality evaluation score. This feature includes the Voice Quality Index (VQI) and Enhanced
Voice Quality Index (EVQI) functions.
VQI
 The VQI algorithm is classified as the uplink VQI algorithm and downlink VQI
algorithm. Both of the algorithms are implemented by the BSS. The downlink VQI
algorithm has high accuracy if MSs support enhanced measurement reports.
 VQI scores are generated based on the Perceptual Evaluation of Speech Quality
(PESQ) standards and are similar to the mean opinion score (MOS) estimated based on the
PESQ standards. The VQI score ranges from 0 to 5 and is further classified as 11 levels
for subsequent speech quality fault locating and network optimization.
EVQI
 The EVQI algorithm is basically the same as the VQI algorithm. For details about
their differences, see 3.1.2 Enhanced Voice Quality Index (EVQI).
 EVQI scores are generated based on the Perceptual Objective Listening Quality
AssessmentSuper-Wideband (POLQA SWB) standards and are similar to the MOS
estimated based on the POLQA SWB standards. The EVQI score has the same value range
as the VQI score.

 VQI no longer takes effect if EVQI is enabled.

 VQI does not support speech quality monitoring in WB AMR mode.
  EVQI supports speech quality monitoring in different modes, such as FR, HR, EFR, FAMR, HAMR,
and WB AMR (6.6 kbit/s, 8.85 kbit/s, and 12.65 kbit/s).

3.1 Basic Principles

3.1.1 Voice Quality Index (VQI)

Voice quality index (VQI) evaluates the uplink and downlink voice quality separately. Figure
3-1 illustrates the entire evaluation process.

 The BTS calculates VQI values.

 The BTS reports the VQI values to the BSC.
 The BSC summarizes the VQI values.
Figure 3-1 Evaluation process of VQI

The BTS calculates VQI values.

The BTS calculates VQI values based on the BER, FER, codec, and whether handover and
DTX are enabled. The calculation formula is as follows:

where, VQICodei is calculated using the formula

, and indicates the impact of
handovers on voice quality.
A, B, and x are coefficients, and Const is a codec-related constant.
The BTS reports the VQI values to the BSC.
If RPTVOICE (BSC6900, BSC6910) is set to YES(Report) and RPTULEVQIALLOWED
(BSC6900, BSC6910) is set to NO(Not Report), the BTS reports uplink VQI values to the
BSC. If RPTDLVQIALLOWED (BSC6900, BSC6910) is set to ENABLE(Enable) and
RPTDLEVQIALLOWED (BSC6900, BSC6910) is set to DISABLE(Disable), the BTS reports
downlink VQI values to the BSC. The BTS can calculate and report the uplink and downlink
VQI values simultaneously.
 To report uplink or downlink VQI values, the BTS calculates uplink or downlink VQI values
every five measurement periods (2.4s) during a call and reports the VQI values to the BSC in
custom extended MRs.
The BSC summarizes the VQI values.
The BSC summarizes uplink and downlink VQI values on a per TRX basis.
The BSC logs abnormal VQI values in call history records (CHRs).
The BSC determines whether voice quality is normal based on the value of
AbnormalMosThreshold (BSC6900, BSC6910). If the uplink or downlink VQI value is
below this threshold, the BSC considers that the voice quality is abnormal and records the
abnormal VQI values in the CHRs.
3.1.2 Enhanced Voice Quality Index (EVQI)

EVQI differs from VQI as follows:

 EVQI calculation by the BTS
For the same encoding rate, EVQI and VQI use different coefficients A, B, and Const in the
following formula:

 EVQI reporting to the BSC by the BTS

If RPTVOICE (BSC6900, BSC6910) is set to YES(Report) and RPTULEVQIALLOWED
(BSC6900, BSC6910) is set to YES(Report), the BTS reports uplink EVQI values to the
BSC. If RPTDLVQIALLOWED (BSC6900, BSC6910) is set to ENABLE(Enable) and
RPTDLEVQIALLOWED (BSC6900, BSC6910) is set to ENABLE(Enable), the BTS
reports downlink EVQI values to the BSC.
3.2 Speech Quality Statistics

The EVQI and VQI functions use the same method to measure speech quality, and also the
same performance counters to evaluate speech quality. For details, see 7 Counters. However,
their performance counter measurement results about the speech quality score cannot be
directly compared because the two functions use different speech quality scoring standards.

Classification of VQI-based Speech Quality Scores

The VQI function determines a speech quality score based on the mean opinion score (MOS)
analysis method, which is a subjective method for evaluating speech quality. The MOS score
ranges from 1 to 5.
 5: Excellent
 4: Good
 3: Fair
 2: Poor
 1: Unsatisfactory

VQI-based Speech Quality Statistics

 To prevent floating-point operations during VQI-based speech quality statistics, the VQI
value is preferentially multiplied by 50, and the calculated value is converted into an integer
and then sent to the BSC. When the BSC receives the VQI value, it sends the value to the
U2020. Then, the U2020 divides the received value by 50 to generate a short-term average
VQI score. The VQI-based speech quality statistics method is as follows:
Speech quality is classified into 11 levels for performance statistics based on the MOS
analysis method, as described in Table 3-1.
Table 3-1 Speech quality classification

Level Description

Initial level Speech quality < 0.5

Level 1 0.5 < Speech quality < 1.0

Level 2 1.0 < Speech quality < 1.5

Level 3 1.5 < Speech quality < 2.0

Level 4 2.0 < Speech quality < 2.5

Level 5 2.5 < Speech quality < 3.0

Level 6 3.0 < Speech quality < 3.5

Level 7 3.5 < Speech quality < 4.0

Level 8 4.0 < Speech quality < 4.5

Level 9 4.5 < Speech quality < 5.0

Level 10 Speech quality > 5.0

4 Related Features

Prerequisite Features

None

Mutually Exclusive Features

None

Impacted Features
 Feature ID Feature Name/Function Description
Name

GBFD-191201 Uplink CoMP (Joint RX) EVQI does not take effect when this
feature is enabled.

5 Engineering Guidelines

5.1 Deployment

5.1.1 Requirements

Table 5-1 Deployment requirements

Aspect Requirement

Related None
features

BSC None

BTS None

GSM None
networking

MS None

MSC None

License The required license has been activated. For details on how to activate the
license, see License Management Feature Parameter Description. For details about
license items, see License Control Item Description.

Others None

5.1.2 Activation

Using MML Commands

 Activating downlink VQI

 Run the BSC MML command SET GCELLSOFT with Report Downlink
VQI Allowed set to ENABLE(Enable) and Report Downlink Enhanced EVQI
Allowed set to DISABLE(Disable).


 After RPTDLVQIALLOWED is set to ENABLE(Enable), VQI data will be reported in MRs as long
as MSs are performing services.

 Activating uplink VQI

 Run the BSC MML command SET GCELLOTHBASIC with Report
Speech Quality set to YES(Report) to enable uplink VQI and Report Uplink
Enhanced EVQI Allowed set to NO(Not Report) to disable uplink EVQI.
 Activating downlink EVQI
 Run the BSC MML command SET GCELLSOFT with Report Downlink
VQI Allowed set to ENABLE(Enable) to enable downlink VQI and Report
Downlink Enhanced VQI Allowed set to ENABLE(Enable) to enable downlink
EVQI.
 Activating uplink EVQI
 Run the BSC MML command SET GCELLOTHBASIC with Report
Speech Quality set to YES(Report) to enable uplink VQI and Report Uplink
Enhanced VQI Allowed set to YES(Report) to enable uplink EVQI.

MML Command Examples

//Activating downlink VQI

SET GCELLSOFT: IDTYPE=BYID, CELLID=1, RPTDLVQIALLOWED=ENABLE,
RPTDLEVQIALLOWED=DISABLE;
//Activating uplink VQI
SET GCELLOTHBASIC: IDTYPE=BYID, CELLID=1, RPTVOICE=YES,
RPTULEVQIALLOWED=NO;
//Activating downlink EVQI
SET GCELLSOFT: IDTYPE=BYID, CELLID=1, RPTDLVQIALLOWED=ENABLE,
RPTDLEVQIALLOWED=ENABLE;
//Activating uplink EVQI
SET GCELLOTHBASIC: IDTYPE=BYID, CELLID=1, RPTVOICE=YES,
RPTULEVQIALLOWED=YES;

Using the CME

When configuring the VQI feature on the CME, you must perform a single configuration first, and then perform
batch modifications if required. You must perform a single configuration for a parameter before batch
modifications of the parameter. You are advised to perform batch modifications before logging out of the
parameter setting interface.

1. Configure a single object on the CME. (CME single configuration)

Set parameters on the CME configuration interface according to the operation sequence
described in Table 5-2.
For detailed operations, see CME-based Feature Configuration.
 2. (Optional) Modify objects in batches on the CME. (CME batch modification center)
To modify objects, such as BTSs, cells, TRXs, BSCs, and external cells in batches, click
the icon on the CME configuration interface to start the batch modification wizard.

For instructions on how to perform a batch modification, click on the wizard

interface to obtain online help.
Table 5-2 Configuring parameters on the CME

SN MO NE Parameter Parameter ID Configurable

Name in CME Batch
Modification
Center

1 GCELLSOFT BSC6900/BS Report RPTDLVQIAL Yes

NOTE: C6910 Downlink VQI LOWED
Allowed
Configure this
MO when
activating
downlink VQI.

GCELLOTHB BSC6900/BS Report RPTVOICE Yes

ASIC C6910 Speech
NOTE: Quality
Configure this
MO when
activating uplink
VQI.

2 GCELLSOFT BSC6900/BS Report RPTDLEVQI Yes

NOTE: C6910 Downlink ALLOWED
EVQI Allowed
Configure this
MO when
activating
downlink EVQI.

GCELLOTHB BSC6900/BS Report Uplink RPTULEVQI Yes

ASIC C6910 EVQI Allowed ALLOWED
NOTE:
Configure this
MO when
activating uplink
EVQI.

5.1.3 Activation Observation

 Verifying downlink VQI

1. Run the BSC MML command SET GCELLSOFT with CELLID set to the index of
the test cell and RPTDLVQIALLOWED set to ENABLE(Enable). Then, perform a
voice service test and check the reporting of the downlink VQI value in MRs.
 Expected result: The downlink VQI value is reported.
2. Run the BSC MML command SET GCELLCCACCESS with VOICEVER set to
FULL_RATE_VER1(Full-rate VER 1), FULL_RATE_VER2(Full-rate VER 2),
FULL_RATE_VER3(Full-rate VER 3), HALF_RATE_VER1(Half-rate VER 1), or
HALF_RATE_VER3(Half-rate VER 3) based on channel types. Then, perform a voice
service test and check the reporting of the downlink VQI value in MRs.
Expected result: The downlink VQI value is reported.
 Verifying uplink VQI
1. On the LMT, start a Single User CS Trace for the test cell. Then, perform a voice
service test and check the reporting of the uplink VQI value in MRs.
Expected result: The uplink VQI value is reported.
 Verifying downlink EVQI
1. Run the BSC MML command SET GCELLSOFT with Cell Index set to the index
of the test cell, Report Downlink VQI Allowed set to ENABLE(Enable) to enable
downlink VQI, and Report Downlink Enhanced VQI Allowed set to
ENABLE(Enable) to enable downlink EVQI.
2. On the LMT, start a Single User CS Trace for the test cell. Then, perform a voice
service test and check the reporting of the downlink EVQI value in MRs.
Expected result: The downlink EVQI value is reported.
 Verifying uplink EVQI
1. Run the BSC MML command with SET GCELLOTHBASIC with Cell Index set to
the index of the test cell, Report Speech Quality set to YES(Report) to enable uplink
VQI, and Report Uplink Enhanced VQI Allowed set to YES(Report) to enable uplink
EVQI.
2. On the LMT, start a Single User CS Trace for the test cell. Then, perform a voice
service test and check the reporting of the uplink EVQI value in MRs.
Expected result: The uplink EVQI value is reported.

In MRs with an interval of four, the uplink VQI and uplink EVQI are reported using the field vqi-value in the
supplementary-measurement-information IE and the downlink VQI and downlink EVQI are reported using the
field down-link-vqi in the supplementary-measurement-information IE.

5.1.4 Deactivation

Using MML Commands

 Deactivating downlink VQI

Run the BSC MML command SET GCELLSOFT with Report Downlink VQI Allowed
set to DISABLE(Disable).
 Deactivating uplink VQI
 Run the BSC MML command SET GCELLOTHBASIC with Report Speech Quality
set to NO(Not report).
 Deactivating downlink EVQI
Run the BSC MML command SET GCELLSOFT with Report Downlink Enhanced
VQI Allowed set to DISABLE(Disable).
 Deactivating uplink EVQI
Run the BSC MML command SET GCELLOTHBASIC with Report Uplink Enhanced
VQI Allowed set to NO(Not Report).

MML Command Examples

//Deactivating downlink VQI

SET GCELLSOFT: IDTYPE=BYID, CELLID=1, RPTDLVQIALLOWED=DISABLE;
//Deactivating uplink VQI
SET GCELLOTHBASIC: IDTYPE=BYID, CELLID=1, RPTVOICE=NO;
//Deactivating downlink EVQI
SET GCELLSOFT: IDTYPE=BYID, CELLID=1, RPTDLEVQIALLOWED=DISABLE;
//Deactivating uplink EVQI
SET GCELLOTHBASIC: IDTYPE=BYID, CELLID=1, RPTULEVQIALLOWED=NO;

Using the CME

When configuring the VQI feature on the CME, you must perform a single configuration first, and then perform
batch modifications if required. You must perform a single configuration for a parameter before batch
modifications of the parameter. You are advised to perform batch modifications before logging out of the
parameter setting interface.

1. Configure a single object on the CME. (CME single configuration)

Set parameters on the CME configuration interface according to the operation sequence
described in Table 5-3.
For detailed operations, see CME-based Feature Configuration.
Table 5-3 Configuring parameters on the CME

SN MO NE Parameter Parameter ID Configurable

Name in CME Batch
Modification
Center

1 GCELLSOFT BSC6900/BS Report RPTDLVQIAL Yes

NOTE: C6910 Downlink VQI LOWED
Allowed
Configure this
MO when
 SN MO NE Parameter Parameter ID Configurable
Name in CME Batch
Modification
Center

activating
downlink VQI.

GCELLOTHB BSC6900/BS Report RPTVOICE Yes

ASIC C6910 Speech
NOTE: Quality
Configure this
MO when
activating uplink
VQI.

2 GCELLSOFT BSC6900/BS Report RPTDLEVQI Yes

NOTE: C6910 Downlink ALLOWED
Enhanced
Configure this
VQI Allowed
MO when
activating
downlink EVQI.

GCELLOTHB BSC6900/BS Report Uplink RPTULEVQI Yes

ASIC C6910 Enhanced ALLOWED
NOTE: VQI Allowed
Configure this
MO when
activating uplink
EVQI.

6 Parameters

The following hyperlinked EXCEL files of parameter reference match the software version
with which this document is released.
Base station controller parameter reference
 BSC6900 GSM Parameter Reference:contains the parameters related to the BSC6900
equipment, transport, and radio access functions.
 BSC6910 GSM Parameter Reference: contains the parameters related to the BSC6910
equipment, transport, and radio access functions.
eGBTS Parameter reference
 Node Parameter Reference: contains base station equipment and transport parameters.
 GBTSFunction Parameter Reference:
contains all parameters related to radio access
functions, including air interface management, access control, mobility control, and radio
resource management.

You can find the EXCEL files of parameter reference for the software version on the live network from the
product documentation delivered with that version.

FAQ: How do I find the parameters related to a certain feature from parameter
reference?
Step 1: Open the EXCEL file of parameter reference.
Step 2: On the Parameter List sheet, filter the Feature ID column. Click Text Filters and
choose Contains. Enter the feature ID, for example, GBFD-200201.
Step 3: Click OK. All parameters related to the feature are displayed.

7 Counters

The following hyperlinked EXCEL files of performance counter reference match the
software version with which this document is released.
Base station controller performance counter reference
 BSC6900 GSM Performance Counter Reference: contains the counters related to the
BSC6900 equipment, transport, and radio access functions.
 BSC6910 GSM Performance Counter Reference:
contains the counters related to the
BSC6910 equipment, transport, and radio access functions.
eGBTS performance counter reference
 Node Performance Counter Summary: contains base station equipment and transport
counters.
 GBTSFunction Performance Counter Summary:
contains all counters related to radio access
functions, including air interface management, access control, mobility control, and radio
resource management.

You can find the EXCEL files of performance counter reference for the software version used on the live
network from the product documentation delivered with that version.

FAQ: How do I find the counters related to a certain feature from performance counter
reference?
Step 1: Open the EXCEL file of performance counter reference.
Step 2: On the Counter Summary(En) sheet, filter the Feature ID column. Click Text
Filters and choose Contains. Enter the feature ID, for example, GBFD-200201.
Step 3: Click OK. All counters related to the feature are displayed.

8 Glossary

For the acronyms, abbreviations, terms, and definitions, see Glossary.

9 Reference Documents

There are no specific reference documents associated with this feature.