MASTER'S DEGREE IN

TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERING

RADIO ACCESS TECHNOLOGIES

PRACTICE 3:

MEASUREMENT OF LTE TERMINALS

Practice 3. Measurement of LTE Terminals P3.2

1 Initial considerations ................................................................................................ 3

2 Configuration ............................................................................................................ 4
2.1 Cell ..................................................................................................................... 4
2.2 RMC................................................................................................................... 5
2.3 HARQ ................................................................................................................ 6
2.4 Measurements .................................................................................................... 7
2.5 L1 Advanced ...................................................................................................... 8
2.6 L2 Advanced ...................................................................................................... 9
2.7 RRC/NAS ........................................................................................................ 10
2.8 Security ............................................................................................................ 11
2.9 System .............................................................................................................. 11
3 Terminal connection ............................................................................................... 12
4 Measurements of the terminal in transmission ....................................................... 13
4.1 Channel Power ................................................................................................. 13
4.2 Spectral Flatness .............................................................................................. 15
4.3 EVM Constellation .......................................................................................... 15
4.4 EVM vs. Symbol............................................................................................. 16
4.5 EVM vs. Carrier ............................................................................................... 16
4.6 Occupied bandwidth ........................................................................................ 16
4.7 CCDF ............................................................................................................... 17
5 Reception measurements ........................................................................................ 17
Practice 3. Measurement of LTE Terminals P3.3

1 Initial considerations
To carry out this laboratory practice, we will make use of the Broadband Wireless Test
Set E2010, developed by Keysight Technologies. This equipment emulates a mobile
communications base station that uses LTE technology. We thank Keysight
Technologies Spain for donating this equipment to this School.

Additionally, we will have an LTE terminal model tp-link Archer MR600. This fixed
terminal is used to provide connectivity to devices that connect to it via Wi-Fi, using its
connection to an LTE network. For the realization of this practice, this terminal has
been chosen for the ease it supposes to have accessible the antenna connectors. Carrying
out measurements with a mobile phone is also possible, but its connection with the
measuring equipment is more complicated.

At the beginning of the practice, the power supply of the LTE terminal must be plugged
in, but the terminal must be turned off (Power Off). One of its antenna connectors must
be connected via coaxial cable to the Tx/Rx1 connector in the E2010 A-suite, as shown
in Figure 3.1. The terminal must have a test SIM card inserted, which will be provided
by the professor.

Figure 3.1. Connection detail

The first thing we have to do is turning on the Broadband Wireless Test Set E2010.
Once turned on, we can see that it has a Windows 7 operating system. Before you begin
the measurements, verify that the two Hardware Sets on the Keysight equipment are in
Idle mode and in green, as shown in Figure 3.2. It is also important that you check that
the date that appears on the right bottom corner of the screen is the current or very close.
If not, consult with the teacher or laboratory staff.

We will be able to observe that on the desktop appears a set of applications, of which
we will only make use of the Keysight T4010S application – MTA LTE Mobile Test
Application. It is important to comment that this equipment has a touch screen, so we
can navigate through the different menus by pressing the screen or using a conventional
mouse.
Practice 3. Measurement of LTE Terminals P3.4

Figure 3.2. The status of the equipment after the boot is complete.

To save the results and be able to include them in the report there are two possibilities,
at the choice of the students of each group:

1. Take photos of your computer screen.

2. Use ImprPant to copy it and then paste it into Paint and save the file with a
name that identifies it. It is suggested that you create a folder on the desktop and
store in it the files that are generated. Use Alt+TAB to switch between the MTA
and Paint applications.

2 Configuration
Launch at this time the Keysight T4010S – MTA LTE Mobile Test Application, available
on the desktop. First of all, we will analyze in detail the various configuration options
offered by this application, so that the student can get the most out of laboratory
practice. Each configuration screen is accessed by clicking on its label, in the horizontal
bar that is at the bottom of the screen.

2.1 Cell
In this configuration window, we find the highest-level parameters that define an LTE
cell. All these parameters must be configured prior to network emulation, and any
modification of these parameters requires stopping the simulation and restarting it so
that the changes are reflected.

In Figure 3.3 this configuration window is shown:

Practice 3. Measurement of LTE Terminals P3.5

Figure 3.3 - Cell Configuration Window

As we can see, we have the possibility to configure the duplexing mode, the frequency
band and the working channels, the power transmitted by the base station by subcarrier,
the bandwidths of the uplink (UL) and downlink channels, the propagation losses, or the
type of cyclic prefix.

Apply the following settings: band 7 with FDD (frequency division duplex) and 20
MHz bandwidth in both downlink (DL) and uplink (UL). The signal level of the cell
should be set at -60 dBm/15 kHz, which is a relatively high level of power received at
the terminal.

Calculate the received power value by considering the entire bandwidth of the LTE
signal, which for the 20 MHz nominal channel includes 100 resource blocks, each with
12 subcarriers.

The other parameters should not be modified. Verify that the configured cyclic prefix is
Normal.

2.2 RMC
This configuration window contains the modulation and channel coding formats for the
reference measurement channel to be used when establishing uplink or downlink
connections.

All these parameters must be configured before network emulation. However, they can
be modified during the connection, as we will see later.

In the following figure we can see this configuration window:

Practice 3. Measurement of LTE Terminals P3.6

Figure 3.4 – RMC Configuration Window

Each row represents a subframe (SF), and each column an RMC configuration
parameter. Select Configure all subframes at once, and MCS 18 in the top row (SF = 0)
in both DL 1st Codeword and Uplink. Set the number of uplink RB (resource blocks) to
50. Leave the default value on all other parameters.

2.3 HARQ
This configuration window contains several parameters that allow you to modify the
HARQ operation of the MTA LTE Mobile Test Application during the measurement
period, for both uplink and downlink. These parameters must be modified before
emulation begins. If we want to modify them, we must stop the emulation and then
restart it.

HARQ is the use of conventional ARQ in conjunction with an error correction

technique called Soft Combining. This technique does not discard the wrong blocks, but
rather they are stored and combined with the retransmitted blocks.

In the following figure we can see this window:

Practice 3. Measurement of LTE Terminals P3.7

Figure 3.5- HARQ Configuration Window

As we see in the figure above, we can modify the maximum number of HARQ
transmissions allowed for the downlink and uplink. Obviously, a value equal to 1 in
either of these two fields disables the HARQ technique. The other two configuration
parameters, TDD Feedback Mode and Redundancy Version List will not be used. The
student must not modify the default settings of this tab.

2.4 Measurements
This window allows users to modify parameters related to the configuration of the
measurement channel-state reports transmitted by the terminal under test. These
measurements on the level of signal received and the quality of the communication are
made by the terminal and are used to configure its own transmissions and to support the
network in cell handovers and other processes.

We can see this configuration window in Figure 3.6 below. As we can see, it allows us
to modify parameters related to the evaluation reports of the downstream channel and
the possible use of MIMO, such as the CQI (Channel Quality Indicator), the PMI (Pre-
coding Matrix Indicator), and the RI (Rank Indicator). It also allows us to modify the
configuration of the RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power) and RSRQ (Reference
Signal Received Quality) measurements, in which the level and quality of the signal
received from the own cell and from other neighbor cells is evaluated.

The student should not modify the settings of this tab.

Practice 3. Measurement of LTE Terminals P3.8

Figure 3.6 - Measurements Configuration Window

2.5 L1 Advanced
In this configuration tab we have the possibility to modify various parameters related to
the Layer 1 or physical layer, which is the one that establishes the radio communication
between the base station and the terminal, managing the modulation and demodulation,
channel encoding and decoding, adaptation of the binary rate, power control and the
realization of measurements, among other functions.

We can see this window in the following figure:

Practice 3. Measurement of LTE Terminals P3.9

Figure 3.7 - L1 Advanced Configuration Window

As we can see in the figure above, we can modify parameters related to the physical
channels PDCCH, PHICH and PRACH; as well as other parameters that are related to
the reference signals. The student should not modify the settings of this tab.

2.6 L2 Advanced
In this window we can modify various parameters that are related to the Layer 2 or data
link layer, which manages the MAC sublayer (Medium Access Control), the RLC
sublayer (Radio Link Control), and the PDCP sublayer (Packet Data Convergence
Control). The student must not modify any of the parameters of this window.

In the following figure we see this window:

Practice 3. Measurement of LTE Terminals P3.10

Figure 3.8- L2 Advanced Configuration Window

2.7 RRC/NAS
This window offers us the possibility of modifying parameters of the Layer 3 or
network layer, mainly of the RRC (Radio Resource Control) and NAS (Non-Access
Stratum) sublayers. It may be necessary to modify these parameters to achieve a
satisfactory connection with the DUT (Device Under Test).

We can see this window in the following image:

Figure 3.9- RRC/NAS Configuration Window

Practice 3. Measurement of LTE Terminals P3.11

It is of special importance for the development of the practice that the student has
marked the Signalling Mode option. You should also check the Radio Link Failure
Detection option.

2.8 Security
This window allows users to configure parameters related to connection security. The
student must not modify the default configuration, which is shown in the following
figure:

Figure 3.10 - Security Configuration Window

2.9 System
In this tab we can configure the basic parameters of the connection between the
measuring equipment and the terminal.

In the following figure we can observe this configuration window:

Practice 3. Measurement of LTE Terminals P3.12

Figure 3.11- System Configuration Window

As we can see, it allows us to select the number of antennas (being the possible options
1×1, 1×2, 2×2 and 2×4) of which we will use the SISO configuration (1×1) to test the
terminal; as well as the losses that are estimated in the connection cable. Set the losses
in the cable (Cable Loss) to 2 dB, both for transmission and reception.

The measuring equipment shall take these losses into account. For example, if the
power it receives from the terminal is 10 dBm, it will interpret that the terminal
transmits 12 dBm and this will be the value that it shows us on the screen. In the
downlink, to deliver to the terminal a power level of –60 dBm/15 kHz will generate in
its output connector a higher level in 2 dB, that is, –58 dBm/15 kHz, assuming that 2 dB
will be lost in the cable.

3 Terminal connection
Once the necessary configuration for the measurements has been applied, we are in a
position to start up the emulation environment. We return to the initial screen (Cell)

On the right side of the screen, we have a menu with various options. At this time only
three are activated: Connect, Configuration and Exit. The latter will help us to exit the
application at the end of the practice.

Press Connect, and a submenu will be displayed on its left. Click on Broadcast ON.
Once we have done the above, after a short time it will indicate to the left, in the Cell
Status window, that we have gone from the CELL OFF state to CELL ON. This means
that the Broadband Wireless Test Set E2010 is emulating the LTE-technology base
station and transmitting the signaling and control signals necessary for the terminals to
Practice 3. Measurement of LTE Terminals P3.13

discover the presence of the cell. We can see that the base station symbol that appears at
the bottom right of the screen has changed to orange.

We now proceed to turn on the LTE terminal by pressing its Power On switch. After
the short period of time, it takes for the terminal to turn on and be operational, it will try
to register in a network. The terminal will detect the presence of LTE coverage
emulated by the Broadband Wireless Test Set E2010 and will be registered in your
network.

Once it has been registered, we will appreciate that the following message appears in
Cell Status: UE Attach: RRC Connection. Reconfiguration Complete. We will also
notice that the base station symbol at the bottom has become green, and that two options
have been activated in the Connect submenu (deploy it, if you had closed it before):
Connect DL and Connect UL. With these two options, we will establish communication
between the Broadband Wireless Test Set E2010 and the terminal under testing, either
in downlink (BroadbandWireless Test Set E2010 -> Mobile Terminal) and / or uplink
(Mobile Terminal -> Broadband Wireless Test Set E2010).

Verify that you can independently connect and disconnect the uplink and downlink.
When you connect one of them, in the submenu the corresponding option changes to
Disconnect DL/UL.

4 Measurements of the terminal in transmission

The laboratory practice will be divided into two phases: in the first of them we will
analyze the performance of the mobile terminal as a transmitter, and in the second part
we will analyze its performance in reception. Measurements will be made in frequency
band 7, also known as the 2600 MHz band, with the following frequency ranges: 2500–
2570 MHz for uplink and 2620-2690 MHz for downlink. The duplex separation is 120
MHz, and the allowed bandwidths are 5, 10, 15 or 20 MHz.

To begin to perform the measurements corresponding to the transmission made by the

terminal, we must establish communication in the upward direction. To do this, click on
Connect -> Connect UL. To make sure that the communication has been established in
the uplink, we can see that in Cell Status the following message has appeared: UE UL
Connected. In turn, we can see that in the symbol of the base station has appeared an
upward flow in pink. Press Back to close the connection menu. All the measurements
that we will do using the terminal as a transmitter will be made from the TX
Measurements facility, which will deploy a submenu with multiple functionalities that
will be discussed below.

You can enter each measurement, perform it, and press Back when finished, which will
return to the initial menu. You will need to press TX Measurements again to access the
next measurement.

4.1 Channel Power

Once we access this functionality, we will be able to observe the transmission power
density of the terminal under test. We can also observe, just below the graph, the
transmission power of the terminal.
Practice 3. Measurement of LTE Terminals P3.14

During these measurements, you have the possibility to modify two things: The number
of RB transmitted by the terminal, opening RMC Config and the power it transmits, in
the submenu that is deployed with Power Control.

Try varying the bandwidth used in the upstream channel. Make measurements for three
uplink RB number values: 10, 50 and 100. To modify it, open the RMC Config menu,
modify the value in the top row (SF=0), and press Apply to apply it. Comment on the
differences between the three cases.

Why is the number of subframes that appears on the configuration screen equal to 10?

As the student knows from theory, having selected an upstream channel bandwidth of
20 MHz the maximum number of RBs will be 100. However, terminals do not usually
use this theoretical limit, and transmit with less RB, according to the assignment
indicated by the base station scheduler.

Leave the number of RB back at its initial value. Now, we are going to vary the
transmission power of the terminal between its minimum and maximum values. To do
this, we will use the Power Control option that appears on the right.

As we can see, this option is divided into two parts: DL Power Control and UL Power
Control, which allow you to configure the power with which the base station (the
measuring equipment in this case) and the mobile terminal transmit, respectively.

We will start with the maximum power. The maximum transmission power of a
terminal is around 200 mW or 23 dBm. To force the terminal to transmit its maximum
power, we access Power Control, and within UL Power Control we press Set Max.

Have you managed to reach the theoretical limit of 23 dBm? If not, has it stayed above,
or below this limit? Which configuration parameter may be especially relevant for this
measurement to be performed correctly?

Now let us analyze the minimum transmission power of the terminal. To do this, we
access Power Control, and within UL Power Control we press Set Min.

What is the minimum transmission power of the terminal? Once you force the terminal
to work with this power, what effects do you see in the channel?

We now set an intermediate value of –10 dBm as UL Target Power. By pressing Set,
the terminal will transmit with a value close to that target.

Let's take the opportunity to establish a more moderate value of the power received in
the terminal from the base station transmission. To do this, we access Power Control,
DL Power Control, and set a fair value of base station power of –90 dBm. Enter this
value, which refers to a bandwidth of 15 kHz, and press Set to set it.
Practice 3. Measurement of LTE Terminals P3.15

4.2 Spectral Flatness

With this functionality we can appreciate the variation of the transmission power of the
terminal depending on the number of subcarriers. In the graphic representation we
obtain the power with which each one is transmitted. In this configuration, with 50 RB,
we have a total of 600 subcarriers.

Below the representation, we find information about the maximum and minimum
variation of the transmission power along the existing subcarriers. As we can see, they
tell us about two slots: slot 0 and slot 1. Also, if we zoom in on the graph with the
option of the magnifying glass and the “+”, we can see that there are two
representations: one red and one black, corresponding to the two slots.

Why is the number of slots represented two?

Try varying the number of RB in the uplink in the RMC Config menu, applying the
values 10, 50, and 100 again. At the end of this measurement, return to the initial value
of 50 RB.

How does the number of RB relate to the number of subcarriers represented? Comment
on the results you get in all three cases. Are the power variations greater or lesser as
the number of RB increases?

4.3 EVM Constellation

With this functionality we will analyze the constellation of the modulation used by the
terminal in transmission. As we can see, again references appear to two time intervals,
which graphically are represented with blue and black dots (you can zoom in on one of
the symbols to observe it clearly).

It will be of special relevance in this section the MCS configured for the uplink, which
we can modify in the RMC Config menu. Perform this measurement twice: once with
the initial configuration, corresponding to 16-QAM, and the second with a QPSK
modulation, returning to the initial value at the end of the measurement.

The most important parameter analyzed in this functionality is the EVM (Magnitude
Vector Error). The EVM value for the PUSCH and the DMRS reference signal is
presented on the screen. With reference to Figure 3.12, the error vector tells us the
difference between the ideal vector and the vector of the measured constellation. The
EVM parameter tells us the magnitude of the error vector, as a percentage of the
amplitude of the ideal modulation. The figure shows a QPSK constellation, but the
concept can be applied to any QAM modulation.

Additionally, we have the Frequency Offset, or difference between the central

frequency of the transmission and its nominal value, and the IQ Offset, which indicates
the displacement of the center of the constellation over the ideal point (0, 0), in dB
relative to the total power of the signal.
Practice 3. Measurement of LTE Terminals P3.16

Figure 3.12. Ideal () and measured () QPSK constellation.

Comment on the results obtained for the two configurations. Note that the 3GPP
specifies that the average EVM must not exceed 17.5% for QPSK and 12.5% for 16-
QAM.

4.4 EVM vs. Symbol

Through this functionality we can analyze the variation of the EVM depending on the
symbol number.

Why is the number of symbols represented equal to 14?

As you can see, below the graph are options for representing the maximum, minimum,
average, and scattering values of the DMRS signal. The student is recommended to
compare the average and maximum values, to obtain the maximum information.

Comment on the results

4.5 EVM vs. Carrier

With this functionality we will have the ability to analyze the variation of the EVM
based on the subcarrier number. As we can see (more easily by zooming) again, two-
point measurements appear in red and black, corresponding to two time intervals.

Below the graph are options for representing the maximum, minimum, average, and
scatter values of the EVM. The student is recommended to obtain results of average and
maximum values separately.

Comment on the results

4.6 Occupied bandwidth

The bandwidth occupied by a radio signal is, by definition, that which contains 99% of
the transmitted power, with the remaining 1% distributed equally in frequencies above
and below those indicated.
Practice 3. Measurement of LTE Terminals P3.17

Perform the measurement for three transmission RB values: 10, 50, and 100. Remember
that you can modify them in RMC Config.

Comment in detail on the results, both graphical and numerical, you get with the three
RB configurations.

4.7 CCDF
In this functionality we will analyze the complementary cumulative distribution
function of the transmission power. That is, the probability that the power levels
indicated on the horizontal axis, relative to the average power and expressed in dB, will
be exceeded. It also represents the curve that would be obtained with a pure OFDM
modulation. The measured curve incorporates the effects of the pre-coding applied to
reduce the PAPR in the uplink transmission (SC-FDMA format).

Note that the probability (the vertical axis) is presented on a logarithmic scale.

Comment on the differences between the curve of pure OFDM (in black) and the
measurement (in red), as well as the values obtained of Average Power, Peak Power
and the relationship between the two: PAPR (Peak to Average Power Ratio).

5 Reception measurements
To begin to analyze the performance of the mobile terminal at reception, we must
establish communication in the downlink direction. To do this, click on Connect ->
Connect DL. Although it is not essential to perform these measurements, it is suggested
that you disconnect the uplink, by pressing Disconnect UL.

To make sure that the communication has been established in the downlink, we can see
that in Cell Status the following message has appeared: UE DL Connected. In turn, we
can see that in the symbol of the base station a blue downward flow has appeared. All
the measurements that we will do using the terminal as a receiver will be made from the
RX Measurements facility, which will take us to a single window, unlike what happened
in transmission, where we had several different measurements.

On the reception measurements screen, shown in the figure below, we have parameters
that refer to the two links, uplink and downlink. To evaluate the performance of the
terminal as a receiver, let us look at the downlink parameters (DL), located on the left.
Practice 3. Measurement of LTE Terminals P3.18

Figure 3.13. Reception measurements

Specifically, we can see results on three parameters:

1. DL HARQ Feedback. It tells us the percentage of accepted (ACK) and

rejected (NACL) blocks. Although not used in this practice, the equipment
allows the reception of two signals, Primary Component Carrier (PCC) and
Secondary Component Carrier (SCC) in Carrier Aggregation configuration.
2. DL BLER: Percentage of blocks rejected for being received with errors. This
measurement is given for the physical channels PDSCH and PDCCH.
3. HL Throughput (kbit/s). Net binary flow that is obtained in the transmission.

The results depend on the selected configuration, and in particular on two parameters:
The downlink power level, which can be modified in the Power Control menu, and the
downlink MCS channel modulation/encoding format, which is configured in the RMC
Config menu.

It is important to comment that, whenever we make any modification in the

configuration, it is advisable to press Stop, and then Start, so that the results shown refer
exclusively to the measurements made after having applied these changes.

First, select a relatively high value of –80 dBm/15 kHz for the power received in the
terminal from the base station. Next, we will dynamically vary the modulation and
coding format throughout its range, starting with the MCS format = 1 and then taking a
value of every three, until concluding at the MCS = 28 value. Remember that, to modify
it on the fly, you must access RMC Config, stopping the measurement each time and
restarting it after modifying the configuration.

For each selected MCS value, note the throughput measured. Also note the number of
RBs selected in the downlink on the RMC Config menu. Calculate the spectral efficiency
Practice 3. Measurement of LTE Terminals P3.19

you get in each case, as the quotient between throughput and bandwidth used (which
depends on the number of RB selected). Analyze the results, explaining the dependence
of throughput on the selected MCS.

Secondly, we will perform the different measurements with a fixed MCS, varying on
the fly the power received from the base station using Power Control. We will select an
MCS with 16-QAM modulation. We will start with a power level of –100 dBm/ 15 kHz
and we will lower the power in steps of 2 or 3 dB, to the point where we begin to detect
errors. At that point we will return to the previous power level (2 or 3 dB above) and
lower the power again now in steps of 1 dB.

For each power value, note the results obtained in the three parameters: ACK and
NACK of the HARQ, BLER of the two measured physical channels and average
throughput. Don't forget to stop and restart the measurement every time you make a
power change. Analyze the results, trying to understand how the different parameters
change as the power level is reduced.

Repeat the previous measurement by now configuring an MCS corresponding to a 64-

QAM modulation.

To shut down the equipment, click Shutdown in the control window shown in Figure
3.2.