Basic Troubleshooting Skill

Guide to troubleshooting techniques of Comba active products

Objective
To develop an understanding on some basic troubleshooting techniques that can be employed with simple test tools.

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Topics
1. Introduction i. Why the need for troubleshooting? ii. Fault Category iii. Test tools 2. Types of Troubleshooting Techniques i. Visual Inspection ii. Test & Measurement method iii. Comparison Method 3. Fault Tracing 4. Fault Symptoms 5. Alarm Check List

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Introduction
Troubleshooting is a problem solving technique that systematically seeks out the root of the problem so that it can be rectified. Why the need for troubleshooting? Identify genuine and bogus faults Reduce repair time & cost for return goods Reduce network coverage downtime

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Fault Category
Classification of Faults:
Hardware Usually associated with active modules such as PSU, PA, LNA and MCU Active modules are subjected high power and heat RF Interferences Interferences caused by radio environment High PIM interferences Software Software glitches appearing on OMT/OMC Can be resolve by applying software patches Mechanical Damaged parts such as broken pins/PCB/connectors Dry contact due to poor soldering or loose connector
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Test Tools
Spectrum Analyzer with tracking generator function Rhode & Schwarz, model FSH3 or equivalent 40dB Attenuator Signal Generator Rhode & Schwarz, model SML 03 or equivalent Digital Multimeter Flexible jumper cable with N-male connectors x2

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Techniques
Test & Measurement Method Measures the DL and UL output power at the MT and DT port respectively Check for abnormal or no output power level Measures the AC and DC voltages of the PSU Comparison Method Swap out the suspected faulty module with a new module and compare the before and after effect Use a spare unit as reference to determine which module is faulty

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Techniques
Visual Inspection Visually check for burnt mark, water seepage, corroded or broken parts, loose connectors and missing components Check LED indicators on MCU board and PSU for alarms or abnormal operation Determine type of alarms using OMT

Corrosion on PCB

Water near PSU

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Techniques
Signal Tracing Trace the input signal at the output port of each module to identify the faulty module 1

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Fault Symptoms
DL / UL PA module faulty : PA and PLL alarms activated No / poor network coverage in repeater/booster cell vicinity High call setup failure High drop calls LNA faulty LNA alarm activated High call setup failure No / poor network coverage in repeater/booster cell vicinity

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Fault Symptoms
Main Control Unit faulty Multiple alarms and corrupted data appearing on MCU Fail to connect to equipment via local and remote connections

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Fault Symptoms
Power Supply Unit faulty : Power Down and Power Failure alarms activated Red LED flashing, Green LED off, clicking sound Fail to connect to equipment via local and remote connections No / poor network coverage in repeater/booster cell vicinity

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Downlink PA Test
30dB

EUT

Set the signal generator to EUT inband DL Freq X and output power level to -70dBm Set the Spectrum Analyzer to monitor centre frequency at Freq X Measured peak signal level should be approx (-70dBm+Max Gain-30dB2dBm) after passing through the 30dB attenuator Repeat the test for other channels, if necessary
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Configure the EUT as follows: PA Switch = ON. Downlink CH No.1 = Freq X. Downlink Post-ATT 1 = 0. Downlink Pre-ATT 1 = 0.

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Uplink PA Test
30dB

EUT

Set the signal generator to EUT inband UL Freq X and output power level to 80dBm Set the Spectrum Analyzer to monitor centre frequency at Freq X Measured peak signal level should be approx (-80dBm+Max Gain-30dB-2dBm) after passing through the 30dB attenuator Repeat the test for other channels

Configure the EUT as follows: PA Switch = ON. Uplink CH No.1 = Freq X. Set all UL ATT = 0.

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Power Supply Unit Test

Measures main supply AC voltages 110/220V Measures DC voltages +5V,+9V and +25V

+9V +5V +25V GND

PSU

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Remote Connection Failure

Symptom 1: Modem LED is not flashing LED indicator L4/H3 on MCU board is on Possible Causes: SIM card does not have circuit switch data Modem antenna is not connected Remedy Actions: Activate circuit switch data for SIM card Connect an antenna to the DT port or to the modem antenna port of the equipment

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Remote Connection Failure

Symptom 2: Number dialed is not in use or not available Busy tone Possible Causes: Modem failed to log on to cellular network SIM card does not have circuit switch data Modem antenna is not connected High network traffic Remedy Actions: Activate circuit switch data for SIM card Ensure L4(Red)/H3(Red) indicator on MCU board is off after MCU completes initialization. If L4/H3 remains on, press the reset button on the MCU board to re-initialize modem

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Remote Connection Failure

LED indicators layout on older generation MCU board
Distribution Board MCU Modem MT Coupler

PSU
DT Coupler ON/OFF Switch

DT

MT

LED indicators layout on new generation MCU board

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Remote Connection Failure

Symptom 3: Connection via wireless modem is fine but fail to connect via PSTN modem Possible Causes: Telephone line does not support circuit switch data SIM card has data feature enabled only Remedy Actions: Configure the SIM card to accept voice call Ensure telephone line supports circuit switch data

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Remote Connection Failure

Symptom 4: Error message Read parameters failed (for CSP3 model) Possible Causes: SIM card number not added to Phone No. Check List

Authorize users phone nos.

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Remote Connection Failure

Remedy Actions: Add SIM card no into the list Disable the Phone No. Checking feature

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Safety Precautions
Remove power plug from socket before replacing the PSU Switch off PSU before changing out any electrical parts such as MCU board, PA and LNA Use proper tools to remove any parts/modules Label the cables or connectors, if necessary, before removing any faulty module Ensure that the correct spare module is used for replacement Ensure all connectors and cables are correctly connected before turning on the equipment Apply a fresh layer of heat transfer silicon beneath the new module to achieve optimum heat transfer via chassis body.

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Component Layout (RA-2100)

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ALARMS CHECK LIST

Alarm Check List

Type of Alarm Power Down / AC Power Failure Possible Cause - AC breaker tripped - Mains power failure - Power Supply Unit (PSU) faulty Remedy Action - Reset breaker - Restore mains power supply - Replace blown fuse / PSU

Power Failed / DC Power Fault

- PSU faulty or fuse blown

- Replace blown fuse / PSU

MCU Battery Fault / Li-ion Battery Fault

- Batteries are over-discharged - Batteries are damaged

- Connect batteries to PSU for charging - Replace batteries - Increase DL ATT value - Replace PA module

DL PA

- Over drive of PA module - DL PA module is faulty

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Alarm Check List

Type of Alarm Li-ion Battery Low Possible Cause - Battery voltage is below threshold setting - PA modules over heated due to high input power - PA module may be faulty DL VSWR - RF cable is not properly connected to MT port - RF cable is damaged - Check connection between cable and MT port - Sweep feeder cable and DAS with Site Analyzer. - Replace Optical transceiver module - Replace fiber optical cable Remedy Action - Connect batteries to PSU for charging

PA Over-Temperature

- Reduce input power level - Replace faulty PA module

Optical Tx/Rx

- Optical transceiver is faulty - Fiber optical cable is damaged

UL LNA Fault

- Damaged by high input power - LNA is faulty

- Replace LNA

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Alarm Check List

Type of Alarm DL Working Channel PLL 1 Possible Cause - DL PLL circuit is faulty Remedy Action - Replace DL PA module

UL Working Channel PLL 1

- UL PLL circuit is faulty

- Replace UL PA module

DL Output Power Low

- Downlink output signal is below Power Low Threshold (DL out) - Weak/No DL signal received - Low gain setting for DL PA

- Adjust Power Low Threshold (DL out) to a suitable value - Ensure BTS is transmitting - Reduce Master ATT (DL) to increase output power

DL Input Power Overload

- DL Input power level exceeds threshold value - DL input power too strong

- Reduce input power level - Adjust DL Input Power Overload Threshold value

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Alarm Check List

Type of Alarm Master/Slave Unit Link Possible Cause - No connection between Master and Slave unit Remedy Action - Check cable connection between Master and Slave unit.

Chassis Lock/ Door Open

- Chassis door is open - Micro switch has dry contact

-Close chassis door - Ensure micro switch is not obstructed. - Clear external alarms

External

- One or more of external alarms are triggered

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The End
Thank you