Data

Collection
Lesson #3
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1202 CDMA RF Optimization

Lesson Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson, the student will be able to:

Define the measurement basis behind key RF performance

indicators

Describe simulated loading techniques for the forward link.

Explain the basic concepts and procedures of mobile drive
testing.

Describe SBS logging concepts and strategies used during

drive testing.

Define an effective data collection strategy.

1202 CDMA RF Optimization - 2

Lesson Objectives (cont.)

Upon completion of this lesson, the student will be able to:

Create logging templates.

Start and suspend SBS logs.
Upload, copy, and terminate SBS logs.

1202 CDMA RF Optimization - 3

RF Performance Indicators
These are just a
few of the
measurements
that should be
taken during
data collection.

Certain CDMA measurements are basic

indicators of the condition of the RF
environment.
These 6 are primary gauges used to drive CDMA
RF Optimization:
Frame Error Rate (FER)
Mobile Receive Power
Pilot Strength (Ec/Io)
Mobile Transmit Power (TXPO)
Transmit Gain Adjust
Ew/No Setpoint

1202 CDMA RF Optimization - 4

RF Performance Indicators
Frame Error Rate

0 2 5

Expressed as a percentage

100

FER
%

Used as a call quality

statistic
Measured on both the
forward and reverse links

-40

Expressed in dBm
Derived from Mobiles AGC
Circuitry
Poor receive power normally
attributed to poor coverage

-90
-105

overload >>

Mobile Receive Power

RX Level

<< too weak

High FER normally attributed

to poor coverage or high interference

1202 CDMA RF Optimization - 5

RF Performance Indicators
Ec/Io values can
be collected for
one or multiple
pilots to include
composite Ec/Io
measurements

Pilot Strength (Ec/Io)

-25 -15 -10

The ratio of the average energy

per chip for the desired pilot signal
to total signal and interference.

EC/I0

dB

Expressed in dB.
Measures the cleanness of
the pilot which, in turn foretells
the readability of the associated
traffic channels

EC
I0

Average energy per chip

for the desired
pilot channel

Total received power

spectral density, including
signal and interference,
as measured at the
Mobile Station
antenna connector
1202 CDMA RF Optimization - 6

RF Performance Indicators
An increasing
TXPO causes
that mobile to
be a stronger
interferer to
other mobiles.

Mobile Transmit Power (TXPO)

Expressed in dBm

Typical TXPO:

+23 dBm in a coverage hole

Value includes initial
0 dBm near middle of cell
power value plus power
-50 dBm up close to BTS
increments associated
with closed-loop power control

An increasing TXPO normally

indicates the mobiles is working
harder to maintain the reverse
link
TXPO = -(RX) + C + TXGA
C = -73 for 800 MHz. systems
= -76 for 1900 MHz. systems

Transmit Gain Adjust (TXGA)

The sum of all closed loop
power control commands from
the BTS since the beginning
of the call

1202 CDMA RF Optimization - 7

Simulated Loading
OCNS is used to
simulate
planned traffic
loading during
drive testing.

Orthogonal Channel Noise Source

(OCNS)
Standard datafill reserves 2 channel elements per
sector for OCNS
Multiple users can be simulated on these 2
elements
It is recommended that one pass through the
network or cluster be performed without OCNS
loading.

1202 CDMA RF Optimization - 9

Drive Testing - Data Collection Tools

QualComm

MDM

Mobile
Diagnostic
Monitor
The oldest
mobile tool,
available
since early
trials
Uses
handset and
PC for data
collection
Postprocessing
tool ODA has
been long
available

Grayson
CDMA
Surveyor,
Analyzer

LCC

Comarco

Mobile tool Stand-alone

Mobile
collects data
mobile
collection
on PC with
collection unit
unit
realtime
provides
addition to
display and
real-time
existing
mapping
display on
AMPS/DAMPS
PC
Analyzer
RSAT product
collector
postline
processing Post-collection
tool provides
analysis
advanced
software exists
statistics,
event and
message map
display

SAFCO
OPAS32

Mobile
collection tool
expands
SmartSAM/
PROMAS
product line
OPAS32 postprocessing
software gives
advanced
stats, event
and message
map display

1202 CDMA RF Optimization - 10

Drive Testing - Qualcomm MDM

Qualcomms Mobile Diagnostic Monitor

was the first commercially-available CDMA

mobile data capture tool. It includes:
CDMA handset (customer provided)
Proprietary connecting cable
PC software for collection and field preanalysis
Temporal analyzer display mode
Various performance views

Strong Points:
Available; good basic features
Compatible with ODA post-processor;
defacto standard format for other tools

Weak Points:
Price
Inflexibility, user-friendliness issues

1202 CDMA RF Optimization - 11

Drive Testing - Grayson Surveyor

File outputs in a variety of formats
*.glf binary log form, allows call event
playback/review with live map display
*.mdm format for post-processing
Ascii format for message analysis

AnalyzerTM post-processing software

provides linked map, call event, and

message browsing
provides statistics for call events,
parameters, performance indications
displays results in map or chart format

Strong Points:
Price, features, availability, general
quality

Weak Points:
No major functional complaints; typical
minor bugs and glitches in early versions
1202 CDMA RF Optimization - 12

Drive Test Tools - Hewlett Packard E7452A

HP E7452A
One of the new kids on the
block
Windows based
Very user friendly

1202 CDMA RF Optimization - 13

Drive Testing - Other tools

LCC:
an enhancement of existing mobile
data collection packages
Post-Processing Software adapted for
CDMA

SAFCO (no photo available)

SMARTSAM CDMA extension, possible
adaptation of PROMAS collection tool
OPAS analysis software enhancements
to add CDMA message functions

COMARCO:
new module for existing mobile data
collection packages
Post-Processing Software adapted for
CDMA

1202 CDMA RF Optimization - 14

Drive Testing - Route Selection

Drive routes
should be
selected based
on expected
customer traffic
patterns.

Selecting Drive Routes

Identify the maximum expected coverage area
identified using a propagation prediction plot.
Divide the coverage area into regions or clusters
if necessary.
Select drive routes with the emphasis on main
streets and highways where customer traffic is
expected to be high.
Annotate the route on a map and/or log. Make
sure to mark any deviations from this route.

1202 CDMA RF Optimization - 17

Drive Testing
The benchmark
route needs to
be driven any
time there is a
change to the
network.

Benchmark Route
Used as a means of determining network
performance and consistency without the need for
a full network drive.
This drive route should include at least a single
loop within the coverage area.
Care should be taken to include different clutter
types and traffic densities.
This route should always be driven in the same
direction and any deviations should be annotated.

1202 CDMA RF Optimization - 18

Drive Testing - Test calls

Markov Calls
A test call in which full, half,
quarter, and eighth rate frames
are generated in a psuedorandom
manner
By using this Markov algorithm,
the SBS and the Mobile can
anticipate what each new
incoming frame should contain,
and can therefore calculate FER
for both directions.
Should be used for all testing
except for hard handoff
boundaries

Markov calls are available for 8 kb

Rate Set 1 and 13 kb Rate Set 2.
Markov calls can be initiated directly
from the handset keypad or by
most data collection software.

1202 CDMA RF Optimization - 19

Drive Testing - Data Collection Strategy

Normally two mobiles are used
One mobile performs long Markov calls approximately 12 minutes in
duration
The second mobile performs short Markov calls approximately 2
minutes in duration.
To prevent large data losses, data collection should stop and restart
every 25 minutes.
BSM/SBS

Collect Data

Handset 1

Long Markov Call

Handset 2

SH OR T

Mobile Log
Time,
Minutes

QFTP, restart

Long Markov Call

M AR KO V

C AL LS

Collect Data
0

10

tidy up, restart

15

20

25

30

1202 CDMA RF Optimization - 20

Data Collection Strategy

Each selector
element is
restricted to .
5Mbytes or
about 16
minutes of
logging on each
element.

At the BSC:
Start logging on the hour.
Stop logging at 25 minutes after the hour.
Upload logs and place file in the appropriate
date/run directory.
Resume logging at half past the hour.
Stop logging at 55 minutes past the hour.
Upload logs and place file in the appropriate
date/run directory.
Repeat these steps until drive test is complete.

1202 CDMA RF Optimization - 21

Data Collection Strategy

To prevent
overflow of the
SBS element
data buffer,
mobile calls
should be
limited to 12 to
15 minutes.

In the test vans:

On the hour, begin logging a long Markov call on one
mobile and short Markov calls on a second mobile.
At 12 minutes past the hour, terminate the long call
and reestablish (do not stop logging).
At 24 minutes past the hour, terminate calls on both
mobiles. Stop log at 25 minutes past the hour.
Save logs and prepare to restart logging.
Start logging at half past the hour; begin both long and
short Markov calls.
At 42 minutes past the hour, terminate the long call
and reestablish (do not stop logging).
At 54 minutes past the hour, terminate calls on both
mobiles. Stop log at 55 minutes past the hour.
Save logs and prepare to restart logging.
Repeat these steps until the drive test is completed.
1202 CDMA RF Optimization - 22

Lesson 3 - Summary
During this lesson, we have:

Defined the measurement basis behind key RF performance

indicators

Described simulated loading techniques for both the

forward and reverse links.

Explained the basic concepts and procedures of mobile

drive testing.

Described SBS logging concepts and strategies used during

drive testing.

Defined an effective data collection strategy.

Calculated the quantity of data and duration of time
associated with SBS logging.
1202 CDMA RF Optimization - 29

Lesson 3 - Summary
During this lesson, we have:

Created logging templates.

Started and suspended SBS logs.
Uploaded, copied, and terminated SBS logs.
Obtained a pilot database dump.

1202 CDMA RF Optimization - 30