Upon completions of this course you will be able to:
Use the ACTIX Analyzer to post process the drive test data, visualize the data and analyze the data. Have the knowledge of voice network optimization. Identify the problems and solutions found during the testing. Course Pre-requisite cdmaOne and CDMA2000 concepts and terminology Technical Background in Wireless Communication Systems Basic Call Processing in CDMA Course History It was aimed to be one of our commitments to transfer the knowledge and experiences about ACTIX Analyzer to PT. TELKOM. This course was designed based upon our technical knowledge that was gained from Qualcomm CDMA University as one of CDMA knowledge center. ACTIX Analyzer One of the best post processing tool that supports data from multiple data collection vendors as well as multiple technologies. Able to decode the call trace collection devices. Provide the flexibility for engineers to specify their own analyses based on parameters collected during testing. Using phone and scanner data for CDMA network analysis. Automated report generation such as call statistics, handoff states and many more. Latest news from ACTIX 8 of the world top 10 operators use ACTIX. ACTIX Analyzer (continued) Getting Started with ACTIX Launch the ACTIX Analyzer application. Configure the Analyzer. (Its only done once per optimization area/workspace) Setting up Maps Loading Cell Site Data Data Aggregation (Binning) General Settings Loading drive test data. Create Superstream. Export data to a file. Generate the automated reports. ACTIX data attributes most commonly export to a file. Start Running the ACTIX Launch the application by clicking the Analyzer Icon either on Desktop Windows or Start Menu Main Menu and Button Bars
Workspace Explorer
Data Viewing Windows
Setting up Map It is only required when we want to display the data on top of the background map. Open the map windows by clicking the View Menu -> Display new Map Setting up Map (continued) Add map files (MapInfo *.tab files) from the Map windows toolbar by clicking the Layers Button Setting up Map (continued) Map toolbar reference Loading Cell Site Data The network data input files should be in tab, space or comma separated files with one row of data per cell. Basic required fields: SiteID Latitude Longitude Sector_ID Azimuth Beamwitdh PN By using import wizard feature, a user may define the format of a network data input file and define how the source data is mapped to ACTIX fields. There are two types of data imported from input files which are categorized as cell and sites data. Loading Cell Site Data (continued) Use the Network Explorer to import, view and edit the network information. Loading Cell Site Data (continued) Configure the column settings of cell with minimum required fields as follows: SectorID Azimuth Beamwitdh PN Loading Cell Site Data (continued) Configure the column settings of site with mininum required fields as follows: Site_Name SiteID Latitude Longitude Loading Cell Site Data (continued) Using the current network information (CellRefs) that was just imported through the Tools Menu and Preferences. Data Aggregation (Binning) Binning is a method of grouping and averaging the data loaded from a log file. Binning criterion can be specified in terms of: Time Geographic Location Distance Traveled Message Number The Map, Chart and Table are binned views, means that they display binned data. The Message Browser and Protocol Stack Browser are message based views, means that they display data taken directly from the messages in the logfile. Currently, we are using the location binning mode for our data analysis purpose. Data Aggregation (Binning Continued) Some best practice recommendations for binning modes: Comparing my network to a competitors, or current location of my network to that of 3 months ago Use location binning, 100m or 200m square bin sizes. Creating bins only when there is a change in GPS coordinates Use distance binning at 50m or 100m intervals, is the best alternative. Examining a small section of a drive test to solve a very specific problem Use either message-based binning or time-based binning at 500ms. Data Aggregation (Binning continued) To set the default binning settings for the workspace, from the Tools menu, select Preferences. General Settings Make Distance Units into Kilometres Adjust the Mobile and Switch Time Offset to our local time zone which is GMT +7 Loading Drive Test Data From the Analyzer toolbar, click the Open Logfiles button, and this display the Open dialog window Select an appropriate file Loading Drive Test Data (continued) Navigate the workspace explorer to view the loaded data. The only objects that you actually need to recognize are filenames, data streams and data attributes. Data attributes will be used by map, chart and table windows. Data streams will be used by message browser and protocol stack browser windows. Loading Drive Test Data (continued) Filename
Loaded Data Stream
Loaded Data Attributes
Create Superstream A superstream is a data stream that has been generated by correlating and merging data streams from different sources. Data from the superstream can be displayed in maps, charts and table. With ACTIX, it is possible to merge the drive test and call trace data by superstreaming. Create Superstream (continued) From the Tools menu, select Create Superstream to open the Superstreaming dialog window. This dialog shows all currently available data streams. Check each data stream that you want to combine as a superstream Create Superstream (continued) Merge Method Settings: Use Timestamps this uses timestamp data within each stream to synchronize the data. Correlated Parameters use specified data attributes to correlate the data streams. Time Offsets use this to apply a shift to the time value for one of the streams. It is a good option for superstreaming mobile and land- based log files collected using speech quality equipments Currently, we are using the timestamps method for our analysis purpose. Create Superstream (continued) Export Data to a File From the File menu, select Export Text File to open the Export Wizard. Select the data stream, one or more data attributes that are to be exported and lastly specify the export format using the options provided. This step is only required if we are going to use the 3rd party application such as MapInfo to produce the drive test plots or manipulate data within a MS Excel. Export Data to a File (continued) Generate The Automated Reports Most commonly reports produce by ACTIX such as: CDMA Summary Report that consist of the following reports: Call Statistics FER and EcIo Mtx and Mrx Handoff State CDMA Event Inspection that consist of the following reports: Call Dropped Window Stats: For every dropped call, this reports key performance metrics for a 5-second window before the drop. Setup Failure Window Stats: For every dropped call, this Generate The Automated Reports (continued) Sample of Call Statistics Summary Generate The Automated Reports (continued) Sample of Handoff State Report Generate The Automated Reports (continued) Sample of Call Dropped Window Stats Report Generate The Automated Reports (continued) Sample of Setup Failure Window Stats Generate The Automated Reports (continued) Sample of FER and EcIo Reports Generate The Automated Reports (continued) Sample of MS Rx and Tx Power ACTIX Data Attributes There are two types of Data Attributes: Handset Data Attributes that consist of: Downlink Measurements
Dedicated Radio Link
Pilot Measurements
Call Events
Scanner or Receiver Data Attributes that consist of:
Pilot Measurements
Event Data
Those ACTIX Data Attributes are most commonly
used for our data analysis purposes. CDMA RF Optimization Course Outlines: 3 Major Steps in Optimizing Network RF Optimization Process Key Performance Metrics Cluster and Drive Route Infrastructure Data Collection Post Processing and Analysis CDMA Handset States MS Call Processing Soft Handoff Process MS Timer Values CDMA Layer 3 Messages CDMA Event Technical Reference Originating Call Flows Paging Channel Messages Dropped Calls Outgoing Call Fail Network Tuning Three Major Steps in Optimizing Network RF Optimization is the process of measuring, analyzing, and tuning an existing network to Test meet network performance criteria. It usually occurs after the network planning is Tune Analyze completed It can be performed frequently, to respond to: Changes or growth in the network Customer Complaints such as coverage, dropped calls etc RF Optimization Process Key Performance Metrics It was defined to evaluate the network performance depend on what is important to the network operator. The specific metric may vary (not standardized) The key performance metrics can change over time. The primary key performance metrics are specified on most network. These include: Access Failure Rate (Mobile Origination and Termination Failures) Drop Call Rate Forward Frame Error Rate MS Receive Power MS Transmit Power Pilot Ec/Io Other metrics are specified on some, but not all networks. These include: Average Call Setup Time Soft Handoff Percentage Area Availability Cluster and Drive Route Network should be divided into cluster if it consist of more than 10 sites and the network coverage area is bigger. Clustering will make it easily to identify the problems and determine the causes. Drive route should be defined and meet the following criteria: The route should go through all the sectors and extend to the cell boundary. The route should include the points of interests such as stadiums, arenas, location with high wireless usage and trouble spots/hot spots. Infrastructure Data Collection OMCR Data MIB Database. CDL Logs for the ESN that were used during the test. Daily/Hourly Reports such as PM Sum, XCAT and CEM Reports. MSC Data Call Trace Data (if required). Site Audit Data Antenna Checklist. BTS Pilot Power Output. Physical Installation Checklist. Antenna Sweep Test Result. Post Processing and Analysis Use ACTIX to post process the mobile log files based upon location and time. The drive test plots are produced during the post processing base upon the following ACTIX handset data attributes: MS Receive Power Ec/Io 1st Best Mobile Transmit Power Forward FER PN 1st Best Ec/Io Handoff State Post Processing and Analysis (continued) This step also produce the call statistics such as: Call Setup Time Dropped Call Rate Origination and Termination Failure Rate Use ACTIX to identify the problems and solutions through layer 3 messages (message browser and protocol stack browser) CDMA Handset States Idle States This is the state that the phone is in, before a call is originated or received. After a call is terminated through normal or abnormal means, it returns to the Idle States. Origination State This is the state that the phone is in after an Origination or Page Response is sent on the access channel, but before the forward and reverse traffic channels are active. Dedicated State (Conversation) This is the state that the phone is in, after transmission has started on both link (forward and reverse traffic channels). MS Call Processing MS Call Processing (continued) Soft Handoff Process Soft Handoff Process (continued) 1. Pilot strength exceed T_ADD. MS sends a Pilot Strength Measurement Message and transfers pilot to the Candidate Set. 2. BS sends an Extended Handoff Direction Message, a General Handoff Direction Message or a Universal Handoff Direction Message. 3. MS transfers pilot to the Active Set and sends a Handoff Completion Message. 4. Pilot strength drops below T_DROP. MS starts the handoff drop timer TT_DROP. 5. Handoff drop timer expires. MS sends a Pilot Strength Measurement Message. 6. BS sends an Extended Handoff Direction Message, a General Handoff Direction Message or a Universal Handoff Direction Message. 7. MS moves pilot from the Active Set to the Neighbor Set and sends a Handoff Completion Message.
This Soft Handoff Process will occur if
P_REV_IN_USEs is 3 or SOFT_SLOPEs = 000000 MS Timer Values CDMA Layer 3 Messages Synch Channel Messages (Forward Link) Paging Channel Messages (Forward Link) General Page Message Access Parameter System Parameter Extended System Parameter CDMA Channel List Extended CDMA Channel List Extended Channel Assignment Neighbor List Access Channel Messages (Reverse Link) Origination Message Paging Response Message CDMA Layer 3 Messages (continued) Forward Traffic Channel Messages (Forward Link) Universal Handoff Direction Message BS Acknowledgement Service Connect In Traffic System Parameter Update In Traffic Neighbor List Update Service Request Reverse Traffic Channel Messages (Reverse Link) Pilot Strength Measurement Messages Power Measurement Report Messages Service Connect Completion Handoff Completion MS Acknowledgment Service Response CDMA Layer 3 Messages (continued) Use ACTIX Protocol Stack Browser to view the signaling messages. CDMA Layer 3 Messages (continued) Message Browser combines an event panel (sequentially listing call events) with a panel of Layer 3 Messages, allowing you to pinpoint the root causes of problems. CDMA Event Technical Reference Call Completed: This attribute indicates successful outgoing call initiations triggered by the following sequence of messages: Origination or Enhanced Origination Messagee Followed by a Service Connect or a Service Connect Completion Message Call Dropped: This attribute indicates abnormal call terminations triggered by the following sequence of events: Outgoing Call Setup OK or Incoming Call Setup OK (defined below) Not followed by a Forward Release Order Followed by a return to the Sync Channel Call Setup Time: It provides the difference in time between the Service Connect Completion message and the associated Origination, Enhance Origination, or Page Response Message. CDMA Event Technical Reference (continued) CDMA Call Type: It provides a description for each call in a log file: 0 Outgoing Call Successfully Terminated 1 Incoming Call Successfully Terminated 2 Outgoing Call Failed Initiation 3 Incoming Call Failed Initiation 4 Outgoing Call Dropped 5 Incoming Call Dropped Handoff OK: This attribute indicates handoff events for mobiles handing off within the same carrier of a CDMA system. This attribute is triggered by the following sequence of messages: CDMA Event Technical Reference (continued) Extended Handoff Direction, Universal Handoff Direction, or General Handoff Direction messages. Followed by a Handoff Completion or Extended Handoff Completion messages. Incoming Call Fail: This attribute indicates failed incoming call attempts triggered by the following sequence of messages: Page Response message. Not followed by a Service Connect Completion. Followed by another Page Response message or a transition back to Idle mode. CDMA Event Technical Reference (continued) Incoming Call OK: This attribute indicates successful incoming call initiations triggered by the following sequence of messages: Page Response message. Followed by a either a Service Connect or Service Connect Completion message. Outgoing Call Fail: This attribute indicates failed outgoing call initiations triggered by the following sequence of messages: Origination or Enhanced Origination messages. Not followed by a Service Connect Completion message. CDMA Event Technical Reference (continued) Followed by an Origination message or a transition back to idle mode. Outgoing Call OK: This attribute indicates successful outgoing call initiations triggered by the following sequence of messages: Origination or Enhanced Origination messages. Followed by a Service Connect or a Service Connect Completion message. Paging Channel Messages (General Page Message) Paging Channel Messages (Access Parameter) Paging Channel Messages (CDMA Channel List) Paging Channel Messages (Neighbor List) Paging Channel Messages (System Parameters) Paging Channel Messages (Extended System Parameter) Paging Channel Messages (Extended CDMA Channel List) Dropped Calls Dropped Calls are caused by the inability to maintain a closed loop path for signaling and traffic between the mobile and the base station once the call is established. Key Observations: Drive Test Plots produced by ACTIX Handset Data Attributes such as MS Rx Power, MS Tx Power, Forward FER and 1st Best Ec/Io. Call Drop Window Stats 5 Secs Before Drop (ACTIX CDMA Event Inspections). Infrastructure Logs (CDL and MSC Call Trace Data). CDMA Layer 3 Messages and Mobile Diagnostic Messages that are viewed by protocol stack browser and message browser. Most Probably Causes: System Release, RF Loss, MS/BS Bad Frames, MS Fade Timer, Forward FER Too High, Weak Ec/Io and Missing Potential Neighbor. Sample of Dropped Calls
Drive test plot shows too high
Forward FER but good RSSI and Ec/Io. This is indication of weak traffic channel. CDL logs shows CFC=26 (System Release). MSC logs shows Fail Reason (System Failure). Outgoing Call Fail Key Observations: Drive Test Plots produced by ACTIX Handset Data Attributes such as MS Rx Power, MS Tx Power, Forward FER and 1st Best Ec/Io. Setup Failure Window Stats 5 secs. Before Event Outgoing Failures (ACTIX CDMA Event Inspection Report). Infrastructure Logs (CDL and MSC Call Trace Data). CDMA Layer 3 Messages and Mobile Diagnostic Messages that are viewed by protocol stack browser and message browser. Most probably causes: link imbalance, access failure, repeater problems and communicates with distant site. Sample of Outgoing Call Fail MS communicates with distant sites which was shown by searcher and finger info messages. Max number of access probe sequences were reached (num_step=3 and max_rsp_seq=3) Network Tuning After a network has been tested and the test data has been analyzed, the network is tuned to bring it up its defined performance specifications. Hardware Changes: Antenna Adjustments (Orientation, Tilt and Height) Software Changes: Neighbor List Add/Delete BTS Pilot Power MAHO Parameter Search Windows Parameter Access Parameter Cell Radius Thank You Very Much for Your Attention