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04 GSM BSS Network KPI (TCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual - 2
04 GSM BSS Network KPI (TCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual - 2
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GSM BSS Network KPI (TCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
Contents
4 Test Methods..................................................................................................................2
5 Remarks About the Signaling Analysis of the TCH Call Drop Rate.................2
6 Cases for TCH Call Drop Rate Optimization..........................................................2
6.1 Case 1: Call Drop Due to Interference......................................................................................2
6.2 Case 2: Call Drop Due to Imbalance Between Uplink and Downlink...................................2
6.3 Case 3: Call Drop Due to Repeater Problem...........................................................................2
6.4 Case 4: Call Drop Due to Coverage..........................................................................................2
6.5 Case 5: Reduction of Call Drops by Optimizing Handover Parameters...............................2
6.6 Case 6: Call Drop Due to Inappropriate Parameter Setting...................................................2
GSM BSS Network KPI (TCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
Figures
Figure 3-1 Procedures for analyzing high TCH call drop rate..............................................................2
GSM BSS Network KPI (TCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
Revision Record
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GSM BSS Network KPI (TCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
Acronym Expansion
1.1 Meaning
The TCH call drop rate refers to the ratio of call drops to successful TCH seizures
after the BSC successfully assigns TCHs to MSs. The TCH call drop rate can be
measured from the following aspects:
TCH call drop rate (including handover)
TCH call drop rate (excluding handover)
The TCH call drop rate, one of the most significant KPIs for telecom operators, is
related to retainability. It indicates the probability of call drops due to various
reasons after MSs access TCHs. A too high TCH call drop rate adversely affects
the user's experience.
TCH call drop rate (excluding handover) = Number of call drops on TCH/Number
of successful TCH seizures (TCH) x 100%
Through the analysis of each pair of formulas, you can find out that the TCH call
drop rate (including handover) is lower than the TCH call drop rate (excluding
handover) irrespective of the BSC model (BSC32 or BSC6000). The following
takes the formulas for the BSC32 as an example. The number of call drops on TCH
is small during the very early assignment procedure. Therefore, the difference
between the numerator of the formula for the TCH call drop rate (including
handover) and that of the formula for the TCH call drop rate (excluding handover)
can be omitted. Including the TCH seizures in the case of handovers, the
denominator of the formula for the TCH call drop rate (including handover) is
greater than the denominator of the formula for the TCH call drop rate (excluding
handover). Therefore, the result of the formula for the TCH call drop rate
(including handover) is smaller than that of the formula for the TCH call drop rate
(excluding handover).
For details, refer to the GSM BSS Network KPI (TCH Call Drop Rate) Baseline.
GSM BSS Network KPI (TCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
The meanings of the measurement points in the these figures are as follows:
TCH-SUCC-A: indicates the number of successful TCH seizures.
TCH-SUCC-B: indicates the number of successful incoming internal inter-cell handovers
plus the number of successful internal intra-cell handovers.
GSM BSS Network KPI (TCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
level in the cell. Therefore, call drops are likely to occur at places far
away from the BTS.
34. If a directional cell has main and diversity antennas, the BCCH and
SDCCH of the cell may be transmitted from different antennas. If the
two antennas have different pitch angles or azimuths, the coverage
areas of the two antennas are different. In this case, the following
result may occur: An MS can receive the BCCH signals from one
antenna; when a call is made, the MS cannot seize the SDCCH
transmitted by the other antenna and thus a call drop occurs.
35. If the feeder is damaged, water leaks in the feeder, or the feeder and
the connector are not securely connected, both the transmit power and
receiver sensitivity of the antenna are reduced. Thus, call drops may
occur.
Figure 35.1 shows the procedures for analyzing high TCH call drop rate.
GSM BSS Network KPI (TCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
Figure 35.1 Procedures for analyzing high TCH call drop rate
GSM BSS Network KPI (TCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
Start
No
No
、
Incorrect data Yes Adjust parameters
configuration? related to handover
and power control
No Solve inter-network
No
interference
problem
Yes Intra-network
Interference?
interference?
Optimize coverage
Yes
according to the
Insufficient coverage?
network coverage
optimization guide
No
Yes
Faulty antenna system? Adjust the
antenna system
No
Yes
Solve the imbalance
Imbalance between uplink problem according to
and downlink? the guide
No
Yes
Solve the
Faulty repeater?
repeater problem
No
Yes
End
GSM BSS Network KPI (TCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
The following sections describe the solutions to high TCH call drop rates.
The traffic measurement counters and KPIs in this document are the same
as those in the BSC6000V9R8C01B051 version.
You can check whether hardware is faulty by viewing BTS alarms or viewing
the hardware state on the Site Device Panel of the LMT. Table 1.1 lists the
major BSC alarms related to hardware failures.
In addition, you can locate the fault by checking the traffic measurement
related to hardware failures.
In addition, you can locate the fault by checking the traffic measurement
related to transmission failures.
link failure, you can infer that the radio propagation conditions are poor. In
this case, you can set this parameter to a greater value.
37. Radio Link Timeout
This parameter determines whether a downlink radio link is faulty. Each
time the BTS fails to decode the measurement report sent over the SACCH
by the MS, the counter decreases by 1. Each time the BTS successfully
decodes the measurement report sent over 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
(M3101A) 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.
38. 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 TCH call drop rate. The counters
such as call setup success rate and the counters related to traffic volume,
however, are accordingly affected.
39. 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 TCH call drop rate. The counters
such as call setup success rate and paging success rate, however, are
affected.
40. 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.
41. Timer T3103 series
Timer T3101 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 (CM331: 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.
42. Timer T3109
GSM BSS Network KPI (TCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
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 TCH call drop
rate. It is recommended that timer T3109 be set to 1–2 seconds longer than
timer Radio Link Timeout.
43. Timer T3111
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, call drops increase.
44. 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
TCH call drop rate is significantly affected.
45. TCH Traffic Busy Threshold
If the current channel seizure ratio exceeds the value of this parameter, the
BSC preferentially assigns a half-rate channel to a dualrate-enabled call.
Otherwise, the BSC assigns a full-rate channel to the dualrate-enabled call.
Compared with a full-rate channel, a half-rate channel has weak anti-
interference capabilities. Therefore, if a large number of half-rate channels
are assigned, the TCH call drop rate increases. It is recommended that this
parameter should not be set to a too small value if congestion is unlikely to
occur.
46. Call Reestablishment Forbidden
This parameter specifies whether to allow call reestablishment. In case of
burst interference or radio link failure due to blind areas caused by high
buildings, call drops occur. In this case, MSs can initiate the call
reestablishment procedure to restore communication. To reduce the TCH
call drop rate, you can set this parameter to No to allow call
reestablishment. In certain conditions, allowing call reestablishment greatly
reduces the TCH call drop rate. Call reestablishment lasts for a long time, and
therefore some subscribers cannot wait and hang up. This affects user experience.
47. Parameters related to edge handover
When the receive level drops greatly, an edge handover cannot be
performed in time in any of the following conditions: The parameter Edge
HO UL RX_LEV Threshold or Edge HO DL RX_LEV Threshold is set to a
small value; the parameter Inter-cell HO Hysteresis is set to a great value;
the parameters Edge HO Watch Time and Edge HO AdjCell Watch Time
GSM BSS Network KPI (TCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
are set to great values; the parameters Edge HO Valid Time and Edge HO
AdjCell Valid Time are set to great values. As a result, a call drop occurs.
To reduce the TCH call drop rate, you can appropriately set these
parameters so that edge handovers can be performed in time to avoid call
drops.
48. Parameters related to BQ handover
When the signal quality deteriorates, a BQ handover cannot be performed
in time in any of the following conditions: The parameters
ULQuaLimitAMRFR, ULQuaLimitAMRHR, UL Qual. Threshold,
DLQuaLimitAMRFR, DLQuaLimitAMRHR, and DL Qual. Threshold are
set to great values; the parameter BQ HO Margin is set to a small value;
the parameter Inter-cell HO Hysteresis is set to a great value. As a result,
call drops occur. To reduce the TCH call drop rate, you should appropriately
set these parameters so that BQ handovers can be performed in time to
avoid call drops.
49. Parameters related to interference handover
If the parameters RXQUAL1 to RXQUAL12 are set to great values or if the
RXLEVOff parameter is set to a great value, strong interference may occur.
In this case, if interference handovers are not performed in time, call drops
occur. To reduce the TCH call drop rate, you can appropriately set these
parameters so that interference handovers can be performed in time to
avoid call drops. If the parameters RXQUAL1 to RXQUAL12 are set to
small values, the number of handovers due to other causes increases
greatly, thus affecting the handover success rate.
50. Parameters related to concentric cell handover
A call at the edge of the overlaid subcell cannot be handed over to the
underlaid subcell in any of the following conditions: In the case of a normal
concentric cell, the parameters RX_LEV Threshold and RX_LEV
Hysteresis are set to great values; in the case of an enhanced concentric
cell, the parameter OtoU HO Received Level Threshold is set to a great
value. As a result, a call drop is likely to occur. If the Call Drop Ratio on TCH
on the TRX in the OverLaid Subcell (RM330a) is high, you can
appropriately set these parameters so that calls at the edge of the overlaid
subcell can be handed over to the underlaid subcell in time.
When a call in the underlaid subcell has interference, the call cannot be
handed over to the overlaid subcell if the RX_QUAL for UO HO Allowed
parameter is set to Yes and the RX_QUAL Threshold parameter is set to a
great value. Thus, a call drop occurs. If the Call Drop Ratio on TCH on the
TRX in the Underlaid Subcell (RM330) is high, you can set these
parameters properly so that the call can be handed over to the overlaid
subcell at the earliest.
51. Parameters related to power control
If the power control level and quality threshold are set to small values, call
drops are likely to occur because of low signal level or bad voice quality.
52. T200 and N200
If the parameters T200 FACCH/F, T200 FACCH/H, N200 of FACCH/Full
rate, and N200 of FACCH/Half rate are set to small values, data links are
GSM BSS Network KPI (TCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
disconnected too early. Thus, all drops are likely to occur. If call drops occur
because of T200 expiry, you can increase the values of T200 and N200
properly.
53. Neighboring cell relations
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 cell
relations 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.
54. MAIO
If frequency hopping (FH) is applied in a cell and the MAIO is set
inappropriately (for example, different TRXs serving the same cell have the
same MAIO), frequency collision may occur during FH. Thus, the TCH call
drop rate increases.
55. 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.
56. TR1N
This parameter should be set on the MSC side. It is used to avoid the
retransmission of short messages. When this parameter is set to a too great
value, the MSC does not send a CLEAR CMD message if the MS receives
a short message during link disconnection. As a result, the MS sends the
BTS a DISC message to disconnect layer 2 connection. After receiving the
DISC message, the BTS sends a REL_IND message to the BSC. Then, the
BSC sends a CLEAR REQ message to the MSC and the number of call
drops is incremented by one.
57. Software Parameter 13 and MAX TA
When the parameter Software Parameter 13 is enabled and the parameter MAX
TA is set to a too small value, the channel is released when the TA of a call exceeds
the MAX TA. In this case, call drops occur. It is recommended that the
parameter Software Parameter 13 should not be enabled.
58. Directly Magnifier Site Flag
If a BTS is installed with repeaters, the handover between repeaters can only
be asynchronous because the distance between repeaters is long. If
synchronous handovers are performed, the handovers may fail and thus many
call drops occur. Therefore, when a BTS is installed with repeaters, the
parameter Directly Magnifier Site Flag should be set to Yes to avoid
synchronous handovers between cells under the same BTS.
GSM BSS Network KPI (TCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
You can check whether the data configuration is correct by viewing the
traffic measurement results.
If a coverage problem exists, you can solve the problem through the
following methods: adjusting the tilt of the antenna, increasing the transmit
power, adding repeaters, or changing the combining mode. For details,
refer to the GSM BSS Network Performance KPI (Coverage) Optimization
Manual.
result, call drops may occur at the edge of the BTS coverage area. See
Case 2: Call Drop Due to Imbalance Between Uplink and Downlink.
To analyze the balance between the uplink and the downlink, check
whether the transmit power of the BTS is too high. Then, you should check
whether such components as the TMA, BTS amplifier, and antenna port
that affect downlink receive level have problems. For details, refer to the
GSM BSS Network Performance KPI (Uplink and Downlink Balance)
Optimization Manual.
If the uplink and downlink are imbalanced, the following conditions may
occur: The difference between the mean uplink receive level and the mean
downlink receive level is great; the uplink and downlink balance level is
high; the immediate assignment success rate and the assignment success
rate are low. The following table lists the traffic measurement counters
related to the balance between the uplink and the downlink.
In addition, you should check whether a repeater is faulty and whether the
uplink/downlink gain is set to a too great/small value. If such problems
exist, the coverage area of the BTS changes. Thus, the TCH call drop rate
increases. See Case 3: Call Drop Due to Repeater Problem.
If repeater problems exist in a cell, the TA distribution varies greatly in the
traffic measurement results. The following table lists the traffic
measurement counters related to repeaters.
4 Test Methods
The TCH call drop rate is one of retainability KPIs, which can be obtained
through registration of or reporting of the related traffic measurement
counters. In addition, the TCH call drop rate is one of key drive test
counters and it can be obtained through drive tests.
At present, the formula for the TCH call drop rate varies with device
manufacturer and with telecom operator, thus affecting the value of the
TCH call drop rate. During actual tests, you should register the specific
counters and use an appropriate formula to calculate the value of the TCH
call drop rate.
GSM BSS Network KPI (TCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
Trace the RSL signaling on the Abis interface. Then, generate the signaling
tracing file on the LMT or through the Signal Analyze Tool. Obtain the
CONN_FAIL and ERROR_INC signaling from the file. Then, right-click a
piece of signaling and choose Call Trace from the shortcut menu, as
shown in the following figure.
Then, right-click the 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 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 of call drops, such as insufficient downlink coverage and
interference.
GSM BSS Network KPI (TCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
GSM BSS Network KPI (TCH Call Drop Rate) Optimization Manual
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.
level. The traffic volume in daytime is greater than that at night, and thus
the probability of intermodulation is high. It can be concluded that the 904.14
MHz frequency is the interference source. When a spectrum analyzer is
used to perform drive tests, the interference source cannot be located.
When tests are performed on a rooftop, it is found that the interference is
generated by a small antenna of a repeater. If the signal from the antenna
is blocked, all the test results are normal. Therefore, the interference signal
is generated by the antenna.
You can adjust the handover parameters to reduce call drops in the
following ways:
1. If there is no frequent audio discontinuity or ping-pong handover, set the
parameters properly so that PBGT handovers can be easily performed,
thus minimizing the interference and reducing the call drop rate.
2. Set the emergency handover threshold properly so that emergency
handovers are triggered before call drops occur.
Check the hardware on site. It is found that making a call is difficult on site.
In addition, some subscribers complained that it was difficult to make calls
after the replacement. After obtaining the consent from the customer, the
onsite engineers power off the BTS and load the data again. During the
initialization of the BTS, a message is displayed, indicating that the process
is disrupted and that the communication is timed out. Some parameters of
the BTS cannot be initialized. The BTS hardware is normal and the cable
connections are proper.
Before the replacement, the transmission is normal. After the replacement,
most of the transmission cables are the original ones. Huawei engineers
replace only the transmission cable between the transmission equipment
room and the Huawei BSC and use a new E1 connector to fix the DDF
transmission cable to the E1 port on top of the BTS cabinet. Therefore, the
E1 connector may be made improperly so that the transmission bit error
rate is high and that the BTS cannot be completely initialized. As a result,
when a subscriber makes a call, assigning a TCH is difficult. A detailed
check shows that the E1 connector on top of the BTS cabinet is made
improperly. After a proper E1 connector is used, the problem is solved.
After a replacement was performed in Hainan Mobile project, the TCH call
drop rate increased. In urban areas, the TCH call drop rate increased from
0.4% to 0.7%; in suburban areas, it increased from 0.7% to 1.1%.
Cause analysis and handling:
Analyze the A interface signaling and the version change. A version change
is found, that is, timers T305 and T308 must be set during the addition of
the BSC data, and the data modification in the timer table does not take
effect. Timer T305 and T308 are inactive; therefore, the MSC does not
initiate the call release procedure. As a result, the number of call drops
increases greatly. After the settings of the two parameters are modified, the
call drop rate becomes lower than that in the original network. The problem
is solved.
If the TCH call drop rate is high and technical support is required, fill in the
following form.