Principles and Methods of RF

Optimization
ZTE University

Content

Principle of Antenna
Antenna and Radio propagation Features
WCDMA RF Optimization Data Analysis and
Problem Locating
WCDMA RF Cases

Principles of Antenna (1)

What is antenna?
z

Antenna converts the electrical signals from the conductive

wire into radio wave and transmits it into the air

Antenna collects the radio wave and converts it into

electrical signals

Blah blah
blah bl ah

Principles of Antenna (2)

When the conductive wire has alternating current, it can form radiation
of electromagnetic wave, with the radioactive capacity related to the
length and form of the conductive wire.
When the length of the conductive wire increases to a degree
comparable to wavelength, the current on the conductive wire sharply
increases, forming strong radiation. Generally the straight conductive
wire above that can form noticeable radiation is called dipole .

Principles of Antenna (3)

A dipole with the two rods of the same length is called

symmetrical dipole, or 1/2 wavelength dipole. A single 1/2
wavelength symmetrical dipole can be used independently,
or multiple 1/2 wavelength symmetrical dipole can form an
antenna array.

Wavelength
1/4 Wavelength
1/2 Wavelength
1/4 Wavelength
1/2 Wavelength

dipole

Outer View of Antenna (1)

--- Outdoor NodeB patch directional antenna

Outer View of Antenna (2)

--- Indoor antenna
Indoor ceiling-mount
antenna

Indoor wall-mount antenna

Gain of Antenna
The high gain of the patch antenna is formed by the antenna array of multiple
basic dipoles

For example, 1 symmetrical dipole

Receiving power: 1mW

Antenna array of 4 symmetrical dipoles

Receiving power: 4 mW

GAIN= 10log(4mW/1mW) = 6dBd

Gain of Antenna

The definition of the gain of an antenna is related to the 1/2

wavelength dipole or the omni radiator.
The omni radiator assumes that the radiation powers in all directions
are equal. The gain of the antenna in a certain direction is a value of
the field strength generated in this direction over the intensity by the
omni radiator in this direction.
Generally the gain of the antenna has two units: dBd and dBi.
dBi indicates the field strength in the direction of the largest radiation
of the antenna, compared with the reference value of the omni
radiator.
The gain of the antenna compared with the 1/2 wavelength dipole is
indicated with dBd.
0dBd=2.15 dBi

Difference of dBd and dBi

Pattern radiation of a
single symmetrical dipole

2.15dB

A omni homogeneous
radiator has the same
radiation in all directions

Gain of an antenna compared with a

symmetrical dipole is indicated with dBd.
Gain of an antenna compared with an omni
homogeneous radiator is indicated with dBi.
For example: 3dBd = 5.15dBi

Gain of Antenna

EIRP

case

Antenna Gain
= + 18 dBi

EiRP = +39 + 18 = +57 dBm

jumper
-0.5dB
Ant Input
Power = + 39dBm
-3dB

Heliax
Cable

jumper

BaseStation
Transmitter
(20 watts)

-0.5dB

Convert to dBm
10Log(20) + 30 = +43 dBm

Antenna Direction

The antenna direction refers to the capability of

radiating electromagnetic wave in a certain direction.
For the receiving antenna, pattern means the
receiving capability of the wave promulgated from
different directions.
The characteristic curve of antenna direction is
usually indicated with pattern.
Pattern is employed to describe the capability of
transmitting/receiving electromagnetic wave in all
directions in the space.

Antenna Pattern

Top view

Beamwidth of Antenna
Horizontal
pattern

3dB beamwidth

10dB beamwidth

- 3dB point

- 10dB point
120
(eg)

Peak

60 (eg)

- 3dB point

Peak

- 10dB point

Vertical pattern
Peak - 3dB
15 (eg)

Peak

Peak - 3dB

Peak - 10dB

32 (eg)

Peak

Peak - 10dB

Radio parameter-Beamwidth

Horizontal Lobe 3dB Width

Vertical Lobe 3dB Width

Directional antenna

Omni antenna

Work Frequency Range of Antenna

In disregard of transmitting or receiving antenna, it

always works within a certain frequency range. With the
considerations of out-of-band anti-interference capacity,
the usual practice is to select the bandwidth of the
antenna that just meets the frequency requirements.

At 850MHz, the 1/2

wavelength is best

At
820
MHz

At
890
MHz

Antenna
dipole

Polarization of Antenna

Vertical
polarization

+ 45 tilted polarization

Horizontal
polarization

- 45 tilted polarization

Dual-polarization Antenna

The dual-polarization consists of two Antenna with orthogonal poles

within the same radome. The adoption of dual-polarization antenna can
sharply reduce the number of Antenna, streamline the installation
engineering of antenna, lower cost, and save space in antenna
installation.

V/H
(vertical/horizontal)

Tilt (+/- 45)

Antenna Beam Downtilt

Applied to suppress coverage and reduce crossmodulation

Two modes: Mechanical downtilt and electrical
downtilt

Impact of Down-tilt on Coverage

Beam Downtilt

The purpose of the downtilt technology is to tilt the main beam to

reduce the radiation level to the adjacent coverage cells. In the case,
though the frequency level at the edge of the cell is reduced, the
interference level is much lower than the frequency level.

No downtilt

Electrical
downtilt

Mechanical
downtilt

Principle of Electrical Downtilt

Phase Shifter

Electrical Downtilt and Mechanical Downtilt

Front-to-Back Ratio

In the antenna pattern, the ratio of max. value of front and

back lobes is called front-to-back ratio . The front-to-back
ratio of the outdoor NodeB antenna is preferably generally
larger than 25dB.

Rear power

Front power

Input Impedance of Antenna

The ratio of the signal voltage and the signal current of

the antenna and the feeder connection points, or the two
ends of the feeding points, is called impedance of
antenna.
Input impedance has resistance component and
reactance component. For any antenna, within the
required work frequency range, we can make adjustment
of the antenna impedance, make the imaginary part of
impedance is very small and real part is very close to 50
, so that the antenna impedance is Zin = Rin = 50 .
This is necessary to ensure the impedance of antenna
and that of feeder to be well matched.

VSWR

The generation of VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio) : As the

incident wave power is transmitted to the antenna input end and is not
completely absorbed. Reflection wave is generated and stacked to
generate VSWR.
The value of VSWR is between 1 and infinite. VSWR is 1, indicating
full match. VSWR is infinite, indicating full reflection and full mismatch.

Forward: 10W

50 ohms
Backward: 0.5W

80
ohms

9.5 W

VSWR

Reflection coefficient :
||=|(Za-Zo)/(Za+Zo)|
Za: Input impedance
Zo: Antenna standard input impedance
VSWR=(1+||)/(1-||).
RL=-20lg||,
( Reflection Loss)
eg:
if VSWR=1.5, then RL=-13.98dB.

Principles of Antenna

Side Lobe Suppression and Null Fill-in

Side Lobe Suppression and Null Fill-in

Content

Principle of Antenna
Antenna and Radio propagation Features
WCDMA RF Optimization Data Analysis and
Problem Locating
WCDMA RF Cases

Antenna

There are multi kinds of antenna down-tilt such as mechanical down-tilt, fixed
electrical adjustment down-tilt, adjustable electrical adjustment down-tilt and
remote control adjustable electrical adjustment down-tilt. Mechanical down-tilt
is to tilt antenna when setting up it. So the price of it is cheaper. It is usually
used for the down-tilt with the angle less than 10 degrees. When further
increasing the angle of antenna down-tilt, there appears obvious concave
pit right in the front of coverage area. The two sides of coverage area are also
pressed flat. The antenna pattern distortion causes that the front of antenna is
not sufficiently covered and the scrambling to the base stations on the side of it
increases. The other defect of mechanical down-tilt is that the antenna back
lobe will turns up which make scrambling to neighbor sector. That will cause
the call drop of the high floor user in the nearby cells.

The Style of Antenna Down-tilt

The principle of electrical adjustment down-tilt is to change the amplitude of

vertical component and horizontal component, change the
electromagnetic field intensity of composition component in order to make the
vertical direction figure of antenna tilted. Because the antennas
electromagnetic field intensity of various directions increases or decrease at
the same time, we should guarantee that the direction figure of antenna
changes a little after changing the tilt angle in order to make the main lobe
direction coverage distance shortened and the direction figure reduce the area
of coverage in serving cell sector without scrambling.
The price of electrical adjustment down-tilt antenna is a little expensive. But its
down-tilt angle scope is bigger (> 10). Its direction figure of antenna has no
obvious distortion. And the back lobe of antenna will down tilt at the same time.
That will not make the scrambling to the nearby high floor users.
We can choose the style of antenna down-tilt including fixed electrical
adjustment down-tilt, adjustable electrical adjustment down-tilt or remote
control adjustable electrical adjustment down-tilt, through the detailed
requirement of the customs and the coverage. The plan of choosing the minor
angle fixed electrical adjustment down-tilt antenna with the mechanical downtilt at opening scene has the advantage of performance and costs. However,
remote control adjustable electrical adjustment down-tilt antenna has better
effect to solve the coverage and scrambling problem in dense urban areas.

The Relationship between Antenna Down-tilt and

Cell Coverage Radius in Heavy Traffic Area

The heavy traffic area mentioned here is mainly the urban areas,
especially the dense urban areas. The distribution of base stations in
these areas is intensive. And the scrambling is easy to form between
the base stations. In order to let the most of the energy radiate in the
covered area and reduce the scrambling to neighbor cells, we should
make the half-power points on the main lobe of the antenna aimed at
the border of the covered area.

The Relationship between Antenna Down-tilt and

Cell Coverage Radius in Heavy Traffic Area

The formula of down-tilt is shown below:

H
= arctg ( ) + e _
L
2

Where,
a
is the initial mechanical down-tilt of antenna;
H is the effective height of the site which means the
different between the hung height of antenna and the average
height of surrounding coverage areas;
L is the distance between the antenna of the site and the
border of the sector needed to be covered;
??? is the vertical beam width of the antenna;
??? is the angle of antenna down-tilt.

The Relationship between Antenna Down-tilt and

Cell Coverage Radius in Low Traffic Area

For low traffic areas such as suburbs, rural areas, highways,

sea surface and so on, reducing the initial down-tilt to make the
biggest gain point of main lobe aimed at the border of coverage
area can make the coverage far as possible. The formula of
down-tilt is shown below:

H
= arctg( ) e _
L

Antenna Down-tilt Angle

When adjusting the antenna direction angle, the horizontal half-power

beam width of the antenna should be taken into consideration. If the
angle of two directions of sector is too small, the coverage overlaps
will be larger. This may cause frequent handover and be difficult to
guarantee the well coverage around the base station. However, bigger
angle may cause the signal quality of handover area worse. The
common suggested direction angle is between 90 to 140 degrees.
When adjusting the antenna down-tilt angle, the vertical half-power
beam width of the antenna should be taken into consideration. For
adjusting mechanical down-tilt, 1 to 5 degrees is the usual value
because the beam distortion is not very large with this value. 6 to 9
degrees is suggested to used for large station height and dense
station distance. 10 to 12 degrees is usually only used for high station
in urban area.
For antenna hung height, beyond the average height of the buildings
around the station with 5 to 10 meters is the best value. Besides, the
antenna hung height of the neighbor stations should not be different
too much. The base stations obviously unsatisfied with the above two
points need significant attention.

The Characteristics of Land Mobile Communication

Environment

Complex radio transmitting environment

z Radio spread environment is affected by geographic and
geomorphic and artificial environment. A large amount of
receiving signals is the overlay signals of refraction, reflection and
scattering.
Mobility of MS
z MS is always on the state of movements. Although the MS doesnt
move, the environment around it keeps change continuously such
as the movements of people and vehicles, Wind blowing leaves
and son on, This make continuous changes of spread route
between base stations and MS. Besides the above reasons, the
MS movement direction to base station and the speed all can
cause the changes of signal electric level.
Random variation of signal electric level
z Signal electric level changes with the time and location which can
be described by probability distributions of random process.
Serious signal scrambling
z The scrambling of disorder and scattering, blocking,
intermodulation and adjacent channel between different
equipments is a little more large. It should be controlled strictly.

The Characteristics of Land Mobile Communication

Environment

Waveguide effects exists in the urban environment

The transmitting Forms of Radio Wave

NLOS

LOS
d
A

D
B

RFD

Multipath transmitting
Pass-through of buildings and cars

The main transmitting forms of radio wave includes direct wave,

reflected wave, diffracted wave and scattered wave.
Sight distance and non-sight distance transmitting; Complex
multipath environment .
Pass-through losses of buildings and cars

Received Power Attenuation

On the condition of multipath transmitting, with the increasing distance

between the transmitter and receiver, the received power attenuates
much more faster than in free space. In general, in the dense urban
areas and indoors, received power is not in inverse proportion to the
square of distance, but about the fourth power of distance. However,
in suburbs, received power is in inverse proportion to the square of
distance.

Reflection

Diffraction
transillumination

Indoor Loss
Material

Dielectric constant

Material

Dielectric constant

Wood

-2

Plasterboard

Bakelite board

Class

410

Marble

12

Cement

46

Floor

530

Water

80

Content

Principle of Antenna
Antenna and Radio propagation Features
WCDMA RF Optimization Data Analysis and
Problem Locating
WCDMA RF Cases

The Purpose of RF Optimization

RF optimization is an important stage of WCDMA

radio network optimization. It is the optimization of
RF.
Its purpose is to control the pilot frequency pollution
and soft handover rate with the optimization of
signal coverage and guarantee that the distribution
of radio signals is normal before the next step of
parameter optimization.
Its data analysis is mainly based on drive test data.
The problem need to be solved is about coverage
and scrambling.
The method of optimization is mainly based on
adjusting base station engineering parameters. All
the aboves are the characterastic of RF optimization.

The Main Contents of RF Optimization Work

Single station check before optimization. The

purpose is to guarantee that every sector of base
station runs normally.
Pilot frequency signal coverage optimization
Pilot frequency pollution optimization. Pilot
frequency pollution can bring a serials of problems
such as the increasing of downlink scrambling, call
drop caused by handover frequently and the reduce
of network capacity. These problems need to be
solved by adjusting the engineering parameters.
Handover problem optimization.

The Flow of RF Optimization

RF optimization includes
preparation of test, single
station check, data
collection, data analysis,
problem analysis and plan
establishment and plan
carrying out. The steps of
data collection, problem
analysis and plan
establishment and plan
carrying out, should be
executed repeatedly
according to the
optimization target and
current optimization status
untill the situation of the
network reaches the
optimization target.

Single Station Check

Confirm site information

z Longitude and latitude, configuration, height above sea
level and peripheral environments;
Confirm antenna feeder information
z Antenna type, azimuth, down-tile angle and height and so
on;
Check antenna feeder link
z Standing wave ratio, primary set and diversity RSSI check,
primary set and diversity lock balance and so on;
Confirm system parameters
z List of adjacent areas, overhead channel transmitting power,
SC configuration, switching parameters;
Check and test basic functions
z Basic call process, soft switching, softer switching;
Check single station coverage

Data Collection

Collecting data by SCANNER

z

Collect all the pilot frequency signal coverage data in

the optimization area by SCANNER. The data
includes the total received power of carrier wave (lo),
Ec and Ec/lo of pilot frequency and so on.

Collecting data by UE
z

Besides collecting the basic information of the first

level including Rx, Ec, Ec/Io and Tx, collecting data by
UE can also collect the BLER and PDU information of
the second level and the signal message data of the
third level. The data is richer than those collected by
SCANNER.

Parameter Analysis

SCANNER data analysis

z

SCANNER data analysis is mainly used to analyze

the problems of pilot frequency coverage such as less
coverage, over area coverage and pilot frequency
pollution and so on.

UE data analysis
z

Besides the pilot frequency coverage analysis, UE

data analysis is used to analyze the service KPI,
signal flow, radio parameter setting, statistics data
and so on. The means is great rich.

RF Optimization Policy

Adjust the antenna directional angle

Adjust the antenna down-tilt angle
Adjust the antenna height
Adjust the antenna location
Adjust the antenna feeder information
Use characteristic antenna
Adjust the accessories such as tower amplification

The Effects of RF Optimization

RF optimization changes downlink WCDMA signal

coverage distribution by adjusting the engineering
parameters of antenna. It fatherly changes the valid
coverage area, network handover area and the pilot
frequency pollution area distribution. At the same
time, increasing tower amplifications is an important
means of RF optimization for increasing coverage
areas and reducing the scrambling among users.
Improving the downlink coverage quality
Changing handover area
Changing pilot frequency pollution area
Improving the performance of base station
Changing uplink coverage area

The Effects of RF Optimization

The parameter characteristics of antenna determines that the maximum

directional gain (17dbi) can only be obtained on the direction of main lobe of
directional antenna and the gains on the horizontal and vertical directions
outside the main lobe will reduce. So adjusting the direction angle and down-tilt
angle of antenna may affect the downlink signal quality received in different
areas. As well, changing the position and hung height of antenna can affect
downlink signal quality.
After changing the downlink coverage quality of certain stations, the
corresponding Ec/lo receiving signals will change. Because the judgment of
network handover is based on Ec/lo receiving signal, the handover area of
network will change on the condition of keeping the handover algorithm
basically unchanging.
Pilot frequency usually occurs when there are many signals with closely Ec/lo
in a certain area, or there is a certain strong signal out of the planning. So
changing downlink coverage quality by adjusting engineering parameters of
antenna can remove some of the pilot frequency pollution areas.
Adjusting feeder line connection can avoid the condition of abnormally
transmitting and receiving signal of base station caused by feeder line
connection reversed. At the same time, standing-wave ratio being normal is
also the pre-condition that the base station runs normally.
Increasing tower amplification can increase the valid coverage distance of
base station. Generally the reason of the limitation of base station uplink is that
the uplink transmitting power of WCDMA mobile phone is only 21dBm. Tower
amplification can cancel out the loss of uplink signal on feeder line.

Feeder Line Problems

To check and really test whether the coverage signals in the areas are the
same as planning according to the result of single station test. To analyze
whether there is the condition of error feeder line connection.
The reason of the problem:
Generally for the three cells under a directional station, we use two feeder lines
for each antenna of the cells. One of them is used for receiving and
transmitting. The other is only used for receiving. On the station, the feeder line
connects to jumper and than connects to the NODE B cabinet. During the
works of engineering team, this series of connecting may bring mistakes.
Perhaps the two feeder lines connecting to one antenna are connected to
random two cells. So the appearance of feeder line connection error is that the
signals transmitted from three cells are from one or two of them.
Problem analysis:
During the optimization, we should check station one by one whether the test
coverage signals of every area is the same as planning. The normal situation is
that the strongest signal on the direction near each antenna is the cell
corresponding to the antenna. If strong signal of the other cells appears in this
cell, we should check whether there is feeder line connection errors firstly.
Solving method:
We should contact the equipment engineer to go up to the station to check the
feeder line connection if we find feeder line connection error.

Problems of Antenna and Environment

According to the result of the whole network test, we can check whether there
is the situation of signal of over area coverage or the coverage being less than
expectation obviously among the real test coverage signal in every area. For
the cell with problems, we should go up to the station to check whether the
direction angle, down-tilt angle and hung height of the antenna are the same
as design. In additional, we can check whether there is any block on the main
lobe direction of the antenna, whether the pole direction is vertical and so on.
The reason of the problem:
The main reason of wrong direction angle, down-tilt angle different with the
design is that the engineer team doesnt work completely according to the
blueprint and planning data. On the other hand, the precision of equipments
such as the compass can also bring some errors. Generally the direction angle
of 5 degrees can be accepted. But if the error of down-tilt is beyond 2 degrees,
it will bring more obvious effects to coverage.
Sometimes we find that there is obvious block on the direction of main lobe of
the antenna when optimizing. This result will bring some blind coverage areas.
Properly adjusting the direction angle of the antenna can improve this kind of
situation. Sometimes the real down-tilt angle of antenna may be different with
the design because the pole of the antenna is not vertical with ground or the
measurement is not exact.

Problems of Antenna and Environment

Problem analysis:
A simple method of measuring down-tilt angle is to use the paper with scale stuck on the
antenna applied by the manufacturer. With this method, we need stick the correct paper
with scale on the antenna, and then adjust it exactly according to the scale. Another more
exact method measuring down-tilt is to use gradienter to measure it. Both of the premises
of these two methods are that the pole and support of the antenna are installed vertical to
ground. Only this can guarantee that the down-tilt angle measured from antenna is just
the down-tilt angle to ground. For some antennas installed on the iron tower or installed on
the wall through pole, we must check whether the pole is vertical with the ground.
Solving method:
The above problems can be found through special measurement tools. If we find those
kinds of problems, we should notify the engineering team to modify them. For the situation
that there is block or pole cannot be vertical with ground, we can improve it by adjusting
the direction angle and down-tilt angle. The reduction of down-tilt angle may easily cause
over area coverage and scrambling increasing. Increasing down-tilt angle may easily
cause blind coverage area. At the same time, too large down-tilt angle may cause wave
beam distortion and bring new scrambling. So adjusting the down-tilt properly is very
important for guaranteeing performance of the whole network.
Generally, adjusting direction angle can help to solve the problem of weak coverage over
large areas. And adjusting down-tilt angle can help to solve the problem of coverage
distance. Engineering team constructs according to the flow strictly is the premise of
quality assurance. The check of equipment engineer after installation is also very
important.

Coverage Problem Analysis and Optimization

Coverage Test

Collecting data through scanner and UE is usually

used for coverage test. The sensitivity and sampling
rate of scanner is better than that of UE. It can
obtain more sampling point; Scanner can only test
Ec and Ec/Io index. However UE can test Ec, Ec/Io
and transmitting power of BLER and UE. It has
complete signal messages. The test indexes of UE
are more completely. Scanner is used for collecting
the completely coverage information of radio
network, completing pilot frequency analysis test,
spectrum analysis test and so on.

Coverage Problem Analysis and Optimization Pilot

Frequency Strength Analysis

Weak
coverage area

Pilot frequency strength analysis

Generally, the strongest

RSCP received by scanner in
the coverage area need to be
above -95dBm. Entering
WiNOM RNA, analyzing
Best Ec in PNscanner and
Best Ec/Io in PNscanner
based on scanner can obtain
the distribution of weak
coverage area. Ec of pilot
frequency can be seen on both
scanner and UE. During
coverage analysis, we suggest
to use the data of Scanner.
This can avoid incompletely
pilot frequency information
measured by UE because of
the neighbor cell missing.

Coverage Problem Analysis and Optimization

Dominant Cell Analysis

Antenna
feeder
reverse

Over
covera
ge
Having no
dominant
cell

Dominate cell analysis

Dominant cell analysis is to

analyze the cell coverage
information obtained by DT which
is Best SC in PNscanner
based on scanner. The
emphases of the analysis is
shown below:
z
Weak coverage
z
Antenna feeder problem
z
Over area coverage
z
Without dominant cell

Coverage Problem Analysis and Optimization

Comparison between UE and Scanner Coverage

Comparison of coverage between UE and Scanner

If the neighbor cell

configuration is missing or the
parameter of soft handover,
cell selection and reselection
is not reasonable, the Best
SC in the active set when UE
is on the mode of connection
and the resident cell on idle
mode will be different with the
dominant cell of scanner.

Coverage Problem Analysis and Optimization Uplink/downlink Coverage Balance Analysis

High
transmitting
power

Uplink/downlink Coverage
Balance Analysis

Uplink/downlink coverage
balance analysis needs to
combine the Tx Power
andBest EcIo in NBlistof
of UE. The analysis
combining uplink/downlink
coverage can determine
whether the problem is
uplink/downlink coverage or
uplink scrambling. On the
condition of uplink/downlink
coverage unbalance, we
should determine whether
there is uplink scrambling
such as PHS scrambling. If
there is no uplink scrambling,
we should solve the problem
by adjusting the direction and
down-tilt angles of antenna
and increasing tower
amplification.

Common Coverage Problem and Its Solutions

Coverage Standard

Network coverage is the key element of WCDMA

network quality. The situation of network coverage
reflects in not only Ec received by UE, but also Ec/lo
and Tx power. The coverage is valid only when all of
them meet the pre-defined conditions.

Standard for normal

urban area

Standard for Suburb

Ec/Io>=-12db

Ec/Io>=-15db

Ec>= -85dBm

Ec>= -95dBm

Tx power<= 10dBm

Tx power<= 10dBm

Common Coverage Problem and Its Solutions

Weak Coverage

Phenomenon: Ec and Ec/Io are all lower.

Possible reasons: Cell coverage borders or
engineering parameters of cell are set illogically.
The antenna is blocked. The setting of power
parameter is illogically.
Solutions: Check the parameter settings of base
station, determine whether the antenna is blocked
on the spot, adjust the engineering parameters of
antenna (direction angle, down-tilt angle, hung
height of antenna , installation of antenna and so
on), use high gain antenna, use coverage
enhancement technique, add new base stations.

Common Coverage Problem and Its SolutionsOver

Area Coverage

Phenomenon: The expression of over area

coverage is that the pilot frequency signal of some
cells is too strong. The coverage area is out of the
range of planning. It forms discontinuous dominant
areas in the coverage area of other cells.
Possible reasons: the station is too high,
engineering parameters of antenna are
unreasonable, canyon effect and so on.
Solutions: increase the antenna down-tilt angle, use
adjustable electrical adjustment down-tilt antenna if
necessary, make use of the blocks of surrounding
buildings properly, lower the antenna installation
position, even adjust the site.

Common Coverage Problem and Its Solutions

Without Dominant Cell

Phenomenon: In a certain area, the cell signals are

almost the same. This causes the dominant cell
changing frequently. Ec is normal, but Ec/lo is very
low. This may cause frequently handover in these
areas.
Possible reasons: Loop distribution of base station,
coverage border
Solutions: Strengthen the coverage of a strong
signal cell and weaken the coverage of the other
poor signal cell by adjusting the engineering
parameters of antenna such as down-tilt angle,
direction angle and so on. Adding base stations or
adjust the distribution of base stations.

Common Coverage Problem and Its Solutions

Uplink/downlink Unbalance

Phenomenon: Downlink Ec and Ec/Io are all correct,

but Tx power of UE is very high.
Possible reasons: There is uplink scrambling such
as PHS scrambling. Uplink coverage are limited
because of too much loss of feeder line.
Solutions: realize the uplink/downlink balance by
checking scrambling sources outside, increasing
tower amplification and adjusting the power of base
station.

Common Coverage Problem and Its Solutions

Optimization Cases

Coverage
area
is
different
with
planning,
over
coverage

Before optimization
The coverage areas of cell (353) of
Xinya Hotel is different with planning
coverage areas. The antenna feeder
between cell (353) and cell (337) is
wrong. Its signal has over area
coverage which brings scrambling to
cell (267).

After optimization

Analysis and Optimization of Pilot Frequency

Pollution Definition of Pilot Frequency Pollution

Definition of pilot frequency pollution:

z

Pilot frequency pollution forms when the difference

between a certain pilot frequency signal and the best
cell signal is within a certain range (generally equal to
5dB) and the signal is not in the active set. The typical
appearance is that Ec is high, but Ec/lo is very low.

Two key points: difference, not in the active set

Pilot Frequency Pollution

On the stage of optimization after new site launched, the overlaps of sectors
are usually a little large and the signals are complex because of the light load
of network. This may cause pilot frequency pollution.
Forms of pilot frequency pollution:
z

Over area coverage of high station. If the space link loss of antenna pilot
frequency signal from far and high station to the test point is the same as that
from near and low station to the same test point, it has much possibility to
cause several pilot frequency pollution areas with nearby Ec/lo at the test point.
Otherwise, because of the existence of high station, the down-tilt angle of the
antenna is usually a little large. This can make the antenna beam distortion.
The coverage wave form is pressed to the direction of minor lobe. This can
cause the pilot frequency pollution of minor lobe coverage area.
Loop distribution of base stations. Because of the loop distribution of base
station, on the central of the loop, several nearby pilot frequency signals can be
received, and pilot frequency Ec/lo of them is closed.
Signal distortion cause by canyon effect, strong reflector and so on. Because of
the transmitting characteristics nearby the downlink 2000M frequency of
WCDMA, the reflecting power of downlink signal is stronger. Far pilot frequency
signal transmits along the street looks like a tube. This may forms scrambling to
the coverage areas of other cells. Otherwise, some buildings and walls also
has strong reflection to signals which can bring pollution to nearby pilot
frequency.

Pilot Frequency Pollution

Access difficultly and increase call failure rate: Before UE originates a call, it keeps doing
the operation of cell reselection. Because of the existence of pilot frequency with similar
Ec/lo and reselection delay, UE cannot reselect the cell with best Ec/lo. Especially on the
condition of rapid movement, UE generally originates calls in the cell with worse Ec/lo of
pilot frequency. At the beginning of the call, UE originates uplink random access firstly and
waits the ACK message. If success, UE will originates the RRC signal interaction with
UTRAN. Because there is no measurement control and report, UE will not do the operation
of handover. After the RRC interaction, RNC can send measurement control message and
wait the measurement report of UE. Thats to say during the above period until the
measurement report of UE, UE does operation with UTRAN in the same cell with the
originating call. The movement of UE can cause the signal of the cell becoming worse and
the following signals can not be received and transmitted. So it causes call failure.
(2) Call failure rate of high-speed data service increases obviously. In general, high-speed
data service need higher pilot frequency Ec/lo and more stable radio environment. On the
condition of pilot frequency, it is difficult to find a stable pilot frequency keeping the
strongest position. This is very harmful for high-speed call access.
(3) Handover failure. When MS moves in the area, more strong pilot frequency signals
and rapidly changing may cause MS to handover frequently. When MS is on the status of
this soft handover, it needs to communicate with multiple base stations at the same time.
Although the dieversity gain can improve the quality of connection of that MS, the
handover gain is negative at the moment of handover according to the research of ZTE.
Thats to say there is no gain on this condition and the possibility of handover failure is
also increased.
(4) Capacity loss: Frequent handover may cause the system capacity dropped. Especially
the downlink capacity is limited. One UE communicating with multiple cells increases the
downlink load of base station and decreases system capacity.

Analysis and Optimization of Pilot Frequency

Pollution - Solutions

The core principle of solving pilot frequency is to form main

pilot frequency in the areas with pilot frequency pollution. The
usual optimization method is shown below:
z Adjust the engineering parameter of antenna such as
direction angle, down-tilt angle, antenna hung height and
installation position.
z Adjust the pilot frequency transmitting power of the cell
such as increasing the power of a certain cell and
decreasing the others.
z Adjust the distribution of base stations. Lead strong main
signal into the cell by adding new signal source in the area
with pilot frequency pollution.
z If necessary, the parameters of cell selection and
reselection can be adjusted in order to improve call
connection rate.

Handover Problem

Cause of problem :
The cause of handover is usually the length of handover region
and the strong and weak changing of signals in the handover
region. If the handover region is too small and the car speed is
too fast, UE may have not enough time to complete the
handover flow. That will cause handover failure. However, too
large handover region may occupy too many system resources.
Besides, if signals in handover region change frequently which
is not the universal changing as one signal turning weak and
the other turning strong, handover will happen frequently. That
will bring ping-pong effect which occupies too many system
resources on the one hand and increases the probability of call
drop on the other hand.

Handover Problem

Analysis of problem:
The key method solving handover problem is to control the position and length
of handover areas and to guarantee the signal intensity in the handover area
can change smoothly as far as possible. The position and length of handover
area should be considered during planning and be adjusted according to the
real environment during optimization. We should determine the length of
handover area by the average time for completing one handover and the
general speed of a motor vehicle in the area. We should try to avoid to choose
the corner to be the position of handover area because the block of corner
brings additional transmitting loss, causes the rapid attenuation of signal, and
then shortens the length of handover area. If we cannot avoid this kind of
situation, we also should guarantee to remain enough allowance of signal
intensity for the corner to deal with the loss. We also should not take the
crossroad, heavy traffic area and VIP service area as the handover area.
Please refer to chapter 5.3 to see the relationship between the antenna downtilt angle and coverage distance.
Solutions:
We can change the position and the signal distribution of handover area by
adjusting the direction angle and down-tilt angle of the antenna. If the handover
area is too small, we can decrease the down-tilt angle or adjust antenna
direction properly. If the signals change frequently in the handover area, we
can consider to adjust down-tilt angle and direction angle properly to guarantee
the signal strength of single cell to change smoothly.

Analysis and Optimization of HandoverNeighbor

Cell Optimization

Use the data of scanner and the neighbor cell configuration data of
RNC to analyze. We can import the data of scanner and neighbor cell
configuration data into WiNOM RNA. The neighbor analysis tool of
WiNOM RNA can generate neighbor cell configuration report
automatically. The report includes one-way neighbor configuration and
the neighbor cell configuration need to be added.
Analyze the UE test data generated by WiNOM RNT. Firstly by
comparing the active set Ec/lo distribution figure of UE and scanner,
we can find the areas in which the Ec/lo of UE is much worse but the
Ec/lo of scanner is very nice or the areas in which call drop occurs
when handover. And then we combine the signals and the data
playback of these areas with the above data to determine the missed
configuration of neighbor cells.
If we have no data of scanner, we can firstly determine all the cell
scrambling of active set and monitoring set tested by mobile phone
before call drop. And then we can determine the cell scrambling of the
new cell in witch the mobile phone stay in after call drop. We can
compare the above two kinds of data. If the latter cell is not included in
the former cells, that cell may be a missing neighbor cell.

Analysis and Optimization of HandoverNeighbor

Cell Optimization Case
Monitor set 267&283 arestrong

Call drop

Analysis and Optimization of Handover Analysis

and Optimization of Soft Handover Rate

The definition of DT soft handover rate: DT soft

handover rate can be defined as the rate between
the number of sample points with the number of
cells bigger than 1 in the active set and the total
number of sample points. It can be obtained by the
analyzingActive pilot path countof UE test data
through WiNOM RNA.

Analysis and Optimization of HandoverSoft

Handover Principle and Method

The soft handover optimization on the stage of RF optimization

is used to control the handover position and the length of
handover area.
Try to avoid to put the position of handover on the corner or

crossroad.
Can be solved by adjusting handover parameters if necessary.
If the soft handover rate is too high, we should decrease or
change soft handover areas by increasing down-tilt angle,
adjusting direction angle, lower the height of antenna, lower
pilot frequency power and so on which are the method of
decreasing the coverage area range. The premise of adjusting
is not to bring new blind coverage areas and pilot frequency
pollution.

Summarize

RF optimization is an important part of network optimization

comparative to parameter optimization. The division between them is
based on the optimization principles. RF optimization concentrates on
the improvement of the coverage situation of radio frequency and
applies fine radio signal environment to the following work of network
optimization.

Optimization means changes

ten thousand times without
departing from the original
aim or stand. But pay
attention to the priority

Content

Principle of Antenna
Antenna and Radio propagation Features
WCDMA RF Optimization Data Analysis and
Problem Locating
WCDMA RF Cases

Case of Feeder Line Connection Error

Test the new launched site. Collect signals by SCANNER or

High Pass. Compare the coverage areas of test signals with
the designed coverage areas of cells in the base station. The
coverage area scrambling of the 2nd sector and 3rd sector
under the base station, BERIBI, is different with planning.

Case of Feeder Line Connection Error

Problem location:
Under the left and below base station, Beribi_Industri, the
coverage towards the direction of southeast should be the
range of the 2nd cell (112). But during the test, the scrambling
of the area is the signal of the 3rd cell (120). And in the
coverage area of the 3rd cell, the scrambling is the signal of
the 2nd cell (112). So we can take the conclusion that the
feeder lines of the two cells are connected on the contrary
completely. After entering the base station to check, the
condition is the same as analysis before.
Solutions:
Notify equipment engineer to ask engineering team to check
the antenna feeder and modify the connection.

Case of Feeder Line Connection Error

Execute the test when the base station, Seameo

Votech, was launched. Use SCANNER or test
mobile phone to collect signals. After analysis using
RNA, we found the condition that the signals of two
sectors (183, 191) in the same base station
appeared in the same sheet of track points.

Case of Feeder Line Connection Error

Problem location:
This phenomenon explained that the signals of two
cells were transmitted from the same antenna. All
the antennas of cell (183) transmitted the signals of
cell (183) and cell (191). So we made the conclusion
that the connections of the antenna feeder lines of
cell (183) and cell (191) were wrong. Perhaps the
cell (183) connected two transmit-receive antennas
and cell (191) connected two receive. This caused
that there were the signals of two cells in one sector.

Case of Adjusting Antenna Down-tilt Angle

The signal of the 2nd cell (206) in GADONG PROP could be received in the
rooms on the 5th floor of CENTREPOINT hotel near the station of Brunei,
CETTREPOINT. The strength of the signal was similar with that of cells in
CENTREPOINT. So there was frequent handover between cells in the room
which affected the performance a lot. The rooms of the hotel located on the
back direction of the cell (206). The lower floor couldnt receive the signal of
cell (206). In front of cell (206), there was a building with about 10 floors.

Case of Adjusting Antenna Down-tilt Angle

Problem location:

Because the lower floor couldnt receive the signal of cell (206),
and the point was on the back direction of the antenna, we
doubted that it was caused by the reflection of the building in
front of cell (206). Through querying the base station
information table, we knew the planning mechanical down-tilt
angle of the antenna was 1 degree and the electronic down-tilt
angle was 2 degrees. During the scene check, we found that
the wall hanging the antenna pole of cell (206) tilt inwardly for 2
degrees. So the mechanical tilted angle was up-tilt for 1 degree
in fact. That caused the reflection seriously . We increased the
down-tilt angle to 3 degrees which is 2 degrees in fact.

Solutions:

Increase the mechanical down-tilt angle to 3 degrees which is

2 degrees in fact.
Effect evaluation:
The scrambling of cell (206) in the higher floor of the hotel had
been cleaned up.

Case of Call Completion Rate Optimization

Problem description:
During the test of call completion rate of the Shenzhen test network,
we called failed for ten times at the corner of the Taolin Road and
Nanhai Road in the area of Shenzhen University. If we didnt consider
the effect of coverage, the call completion rate should be above 99%.
This corner is the softer handover area of cell (356) and cell (324).
Problem analysis:
Ec distribution figure of best scrambling code generated by Scanner:

Case of Call Completion Rate Optimization

The figure shows that the handover area between the cell (324) in the area of dorm of
Shenzhen University and the cell (356) in the area of Shenzhen University is too small.
The distance is only 10 meters. The system of ZTE doesnt support signal handover
currently. Mobile phone can start handover only after completing RB assignment. However,
during the 4 to 5 seconds from the mobile phone starting call to RB assignment completing,
the mobile phone will stay in the original cell. Take the test as an example, although the
speed of test car is kept at 30km/h, it will run 40 meters. On most conditions, the strongest
cell signal within 40 meters can support the mobile phone completing various services
although it becomes worse. But on the corner, the strongest cell signal will become worse
rapidly (see the following figure). So if the mobile phone begins to set up call near the
handover area, it will stay in the cell (356) for 5 seconds. The receiving signal will become
worse rapidly. So call drop will occur before completing RB assignment because the
quality of signal is too bad. On this condition, the signal of cell (356) changes too fast and
the handover area is too small is key reason to affect the call completion rate. Increasing
the signal strength of cell (356) in handover area and extending the handover can make
the call completing the signal process smoothly and then handover to the new cell. The
signal of cell (356) has the characteristics of becoming worse rapidly in the handover area.
This causes the quality of signal for call flow of reselection in cell (356) becoming worse.
The flow can not be completed the call failed. This usually appears with radiobearer setup
complete.
Solutions:
Decrease the antenna direction angle of cell (356) for 10 degrees to improve the signal
strength of cell (356) in handover area.