LAB: 6 W-CDMA Downlink Signal Processing

Introduction
W-CDMA technology allows multiple users to share efficiently the same RF carrier frequency by
dynamically adjusting the data rates and wireless link to meet the demands of each user. It is a
technology based on code division multiple access (CDMA), thus all users transmit at the same
time as opposed to time division multiple access (TDMA). Each user’s information signal uses a
unique code for the communication purposes and appears to be noise to all with the exception to
the correct receiver; hence, the need to correlate the appropriate channelization code. The
following diagram illustrates the W-CDMA signal processing at the physical layer.

Figure1 – Physical Signal Processing

In W-CDMA, a scrambling code (SC) provides a unique identity to each UE and the Node B. The
channelization code (OVSF) provides a unique identity to each communication channel established
by a UE or Node B within a cell.

Figure2 – W-CDMA Scrambling Codes

Lab 6: W-CDMA DL W2020 Prof. Carl Hassanali and Imran Muhammad Page 1
The data channels in W-CDMA are segmented into time slots and frames. One W-CDMA frame
is 10 ms long and is the basic unit of time supplementary with a channel coding and interleaving
process.

Figure3 – W-CDMA Frame

Figures 3 shows the slot and frame structure for the W-CDMA Physical signaling and control
channels. Each Node B is identified by a scrambling code. The signaling channel CPICH provides
the identification to the Node B and as well, serve as a reference point for measurement purposes.
The primary common control physical channel (P-CCPCH), see Figure 4, is another important
channel used by the UE during the initial system acquisition. This channel is multiplexed with two
sub-channels, Primary Synchronization (P-SCH) and Secondary Synchronization Channel
(SSCH). These channels consist of two codes known as PSC and SSC. The codes are there to
establish if the Node B is present and establish the slot boundary timing.

Figure4 – W-CDMA Time Slot

The user data and signaling information is carried over the Dedicated Physical Channel (DPCH).
This channel is also used for the slot format and as well as for the UE power control. The user’s
data and layer 3 (Network) signaling data are carried on DPDCH. The DPDCH is multiplexed
with DPCCH, which contains the Transmit Power Control (TPC) bits and the Transport Format

Lab 6: W-CDMA DL W2020 Prof. Carl Hassanali and Imran Muhammad Page 2
Combination Indicator (TFCI) bits (it indicates the slot format and data rate). The Pilot bits are
used for short synchronization patterns embedded within each slot.

Figure5 – Dedicated Physical Channel (DPCH) Format

Equipment:

Agilent 89600 installed on a computer.

Procedure:

1. Preset the software Click File > Preset > Preset All

2. Recall the recording of a W-CDMA downlink signal

Click File > Recall > Recall Recording

3. Navigate to the directory and load the signal: (C:\Program Files\Keysight89600 Software
\Help\Signals\WCDMA-HSPA) 3GPPDown.sdf

4. Start the measurement: Click the restart button from the toolbar.

5. Auto scale the Spectrum and Main Time traces.

Auto scale Trace A Right click Trace A
Select Y Auto Scale
Auto scale Trace B Right click Trace B
Select Y Auto Scale

6. Set the spectral and time measurement parameters such as range, scaling, center frequency and
span if not already set in the signal analyzer
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Measuring Occupied Bandwidth

1. Display OBW marker: Right click the Trace A and select Show OBW

2. Activate OBW Summary table: Right click the Trace B title (B: Ch1 Main Time)
Select Marker from the Type menu on the left-hand side of the box Select
Obw Summary Trace A from the menu

3. Pause the measurement to read the table values

OBW 4.16MHz
Power -0.36dBm
Total Power -0.316dBm
Power Ratio 99%
Upper Freq 1002101391.2Hz
Lower Freq 997938307.01Hz

Table1 – OBW Measurements

Basic Digital Demodulation:

Once the signal is verified for spectral or time domain inconsistencies, configure the signal
analyzer to demodulate the recorded signal.

1. Select the demodulator: Click MeasSetup > Measurement Type > Cellular >
WCDMA(3GPP)/HSPA

2. Preset the demodulator parameters for downlink analysis: Click MeasSetup > WCDMA
(3GPP)/HSPA Demod Properties > Format (tab) > Preset to Standard > Direction:
Downlink Click Close

3. The digital demod Preset to Default feature automatically configure the analyzer for the
WCDMA demodulation format and the physical layer properties.

4. Change display layout to Grid 3x2: Click Window > Trace Layout > Grid 3x2
(Alternatively, you can click on the drop down menu near the top of the menu toolbar. Select
Grid 3x2 from the available options).

5. Restart the measurement: Click the Restart button

6. Auto scale Traces A, B and C: Right click on Trace A and Select Y Auto Scale. Repeat the
same procedure for Trace B and C
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7. Pause the measurement using (||) button on the toolbar to read the table results and analyze the
demodulated signal

8. Identify the physical layer parameters that are used to demodulate the WCDMA recorded
signal. Click MeasSetup > WCDMA (3GPP)/HSPA Demod Properties

Under the Format (tab), Record: Direction:

downlink
Scrambling Code: 0
Chip Rate: 3.84MHz
Alpha: 0.22
Synchronization Type: CPICH
Sync. Start Slot: Automatic

Under the Channel/Layer (tab), Record:

Despread Channel: Spread Code Length: 256(15ksym/s)
CDP Layer: Spread Code Length: 256(15ksym/s)

Under the Time (tab), Record:

Result Length: 15slots
Measurement Offset: 0slots
Measurement Interval: 1 slots

9. Copy and Paste the composite CDP plot and place the markers indicating the signaling and
data channels on your diagram.

Record the x-axis units: codes

Record the y-axis units: dB
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10. Right click on the very first channel and add the marker and place it on top the first orange
bar – This is a Common Pilot Channel (CPICH) in channel 0. .

Record the value of Trace A marker:

Symbol rate: 15ksymb/s
Spreading Factor, SF = 256
Code (value in the bracket): 0
Power level: -10.026 dB

Why is the CPICH Channel the very first channel in the Composite CDP plot?

The CPICH (Common Pilot Channel) is typically the first channel in the Composite CDP
(Code Domain Power) plot because it serves as a reference point for measurement purposes

What is the relationship between the CPICH Channel Power Level compared to the Total
Transmit Power?

In WCDMA FDD cellular systems, CPICH is a downlink channel broadcast by Node Bs

with constant power and of a known bit sequence. Its power is usually between 5% and
15% of the total Node B transmit power. Commonly, the CPICH power is 10% of the
typical total transmit power of 43 dBm.

11. Move the marker to code 1 which is the second yellow bar from the left side. This is a
Primary Common Control Physical Channel (P-CCPCH) transmission from Node B.

Record the values associated with this new marker.

Symbol rate: 15ksym/s
Spreading Factor, SF = 256
Code (value in the bracket): 1
Power level: -10.014dB

What are the purposes of the P-CCPCH?

The P-CCPCH facilitates downlink communication between the base station (Node B) and
user equipment (UE). It carries control information for multiple users and serves various
purposes, including initial access, synchronization, and other control functions.

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12. Now, move the marker to code 16 which is the third orange bar from the left side. This is a
fixed rate SF = 256 Paging Indicator Channel (PICH) and carries paging indicators on the
physical channel.

Record the values associated with this new marker.

Symbol rate: 15Ksym/s
Spreading Factor, SF = 256
Code (value in the bracket): 0
Power level: -15.009

13. Finally, move the marker to any of the other channel with blue bars in the CDP plot. These
are Dedicated Physical Data Channel (DPDCH) carrying data and voice load in the downlink
direction.

Record the values associated with this new marker.

Symbol rate: 30ksym/s
Spreading Factor, SF = 126
Code (value in the bracket): 23
Power level: -14.019

14. Pause the running signal and Record the additional information of demodulated downlink
signal.
i) What type of modulation scheme is used for the downlink?

QPSK

ii) How many possible states are there for each RF symbol?

iii) How many bits are encoded per symbol?

iv) What are the total numbers of Dedicated Data Channels in the downlink direction?

16

v) What is the composite EVM value and what does it represent?

Composite EVM value is 1.4849 and it represent the error vector magnitude

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 vi) What is the Peak Active CDE and what does it represent?

-55.734

vii) How many slots are there in W-CDMA frame?

15

15. Move the marker on the Dedicated Physical Data Channel (DPDCH) to have a more in-depth
investigation.

a) Place markers on the IQ Meas Time traces.

b) Click on the composite CDP to make it active.
c) Couple all the markers: Markers → Coupled Markers
d) Now despread the marker: Markers → Copy Marker to → Copy Marker to Despread
Channel

What is the Mod. Format? QPSK

List the despread bits?

Using the despread bits, explain what you see on the IQ constellation diagram.

16. Now, let’s have a look CPICH channel in more depth.

a) Using the marker to select code zero and place marker on the Composite CDP plot
b) Place a marker on the IQ Meas Time trace
c) Click on the Composite CDP to make it active
d) Couple all the markers: Markers → Couple Markers
e) Now despread the marker: Markers → Copy Marker to → Copy Marker to Despread
Channel

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Describe your observations about the CPICH channel?

The graph shows multiple spikes, which correspond to the frequency components of the
CPICH. This regular pattern is due to the spreading and modulation used in WCDMA.

How many symbols are there in CPICH channel?

150Sym/frame

Why are all the bits for the CPICH channel zeros?

The constant zero sequence provides a stable reference for channel estimation, essential for
coherent demodulation of other data channels.

Why is there no change in the state on the IQ diagram for the CPICH Channel?

The CPICH transmits a constant signal with a fixed amplitude and phase, resulting in a
stationary point in the IQ diagram.

Reference:

http://literature.agilent. com/litweb/pdf/5980-1239E.pdf
www.sharetechnote.com

Lab 6: W-CDMA DL W2020 Prof. Carl Hassanali and Imran Muhammad Page 9