Drive Test (DT) performing and analysis

1. Test preparation
Test preparations include the following four aspects:

 Deciding optimization goal

 Dividing clusters
 Deciding DT route
 Preparing tools and data
1.1 Deciding Optimization Goal
The key of RF optimization is to solve problems as below:

 Signal dead zone

 Coverage void
 Weak coverage
 Pilot pollution
 High SHO Factor based on DT

Make sure to define all required KPIs, target values and formula before DT and DT analysis.

Example list of RF optimization objectives in R99 networks

Index Reference Remarks

≥ 97% in urban area According to test result from the scanner, in unloaded and outdoor
CPICH Ec/Io ≥ –9dB conditions, in planning coverage areas, test in a grid-like route to
≥ 97% in suburban area cover all cells.

≥ 98% in urban area
CPICH RSCP ≥ –95dBm
≥ 95% in suburban area
SHO Factor based on DT 30%–40%
According to test result from the scanner, in unloaded and outdoor
conditions, in planning coverage areas, test in a grid-like route to
cover all cells. The coverage level request is basic. If operators have
penetration loss request, add the penetration loss to the coverage
level.
The SHO Factor based on DT should be 5% to 10% lower than the
goal, because the following optimizations cause the soft handover
factor to increase

Pilot pollution ratio ≤ 5% –

Check problem related to voice access including RRC and RAB
AMR accessibility 99%
phases.
Check problem related to data transfer including RRC and RAB
PS accessibility 98,5% phases. This item has no distinction between R99 and HSPA or
HSPA+ and includes all of them.

AMR Drop rate 1% Check abnormal releases of voice calls.

Check abnormal releases of data transfer. This item has no
PS Drop rate 2% distinction between R99 and HSPA or HSPA+ and includes all of
them.
This is not a KPI but an analysis item for CS IRAT HO location,
IRAT HO -
causes and eventual problems.
1.2 Dividing Clusters

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According to the features of UMTS technologies, the coverage and capacity are interactional and the frequency
reuse factor is 1. Therefore RF optimization must be performed on a group of or a cluster of NodeBs at the
same time instead of performing RF optimization on single site one by one. This ensures that interference from
intra-frequency neighbor cells are considered during optimization. Analyze the impact of the adjustment of an
index on other sites before adjustment.

The following factors must be considered upon dividing clusters:

 According to experiences, the number of NodeBs in a cluster depends on the actual situation. 15–25
NodeBs in a cluster is recommended. Too many or few NodeBs in a cluster is improper.
 A cluster must not cover different areas of test (planning) full coverage services.
 Landform factor Landforms affect signal propagation. Mountains block signal propagation, so they are
natural borders for dividing clusters. Rivers causes a longer propagation distance, so they affect
dividing clusters in various aspects. If a river is narrow, the signals along two banks will interact. If the
transportation between two banks allows, divide sites along the two banks in the same cluster. If a
river is wide, the upstream and downstream will interact. In this situation, the transportation between
two banks is inconvenient, dividing clusters by the bank according to actual situation.
 A cell-like cluster is much usual than a strip-like cluster.
 When the coverage area involves several administrative areas, divide clusters according to
administrative areas.
 DT workload The DT must be performed within a day for a cluster. A DT takes about four hours.
1.3 Deciding Test Route
The KPI DT acceptance route is the core route of RF optimization test routes. The KPI DT acceptance route must
cover major streets, important location, VIP, and VIC. The DT route should cover all cells as possible. The initial
test and final test must cover all cells. If time is enough, cover all streets in the planned area. Use the same DT
route in every test to compare performances more accurately. Round-trip DT is performed if possible.

Consider actual factors like lanes and left-turn restriction while deciding test route.

2. Data Collection
During RF optimization stage, the key is the optimization of radio signals distribution, with the major means of
DT and indoor test. Before test, confirm the following aspects:

 Whether the target NodeBs, RNCs, and related CN are abnormal due to being disabled, blocked,
congested, and transmission alarms.
 Whether the alarms have negative impact on the validity of test result data. If the alarms exist, solve
the problems before test.

DT is a major test. Collect scanner and UE data of radio signals by DT test. The data is applicable in analyzing
coverage, handover, and pilot pollution problems.

Indoor test involves the following areas:

 Indoor coverage areas: include inside buildings, department stores, and subways.
 Inside areas of important facilities: include gymnasiums and government offices.
 VIC and VIP areas.

Test the previous areas to locate, analyze, and solve the RF problems.

Indoor test also involves in optimizing handover of indoor and outdoor intra-frequency, inter-frequency, and
inter-system.

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3. Drive Test
3.1 Test plan according to KPIs
According to different full coverage services in the planned areas and the required KPIs for testing DT might be
one of the following:

 3G only continuous call test by using scanner (Coverage rate, PP)

 3G only continuous call test voice (SHO overhead, drop)
 3G Only short call test voice (CSSR)
 3G only continuous call test data (Drop, throughput)
 3G only short call test data (CSSR)
 3G/2G auto mode test mobile (IRAT HO)
4. Coverage Problem Analysis
Coverage problem analysis is key to RF optimization. It involves signal distribution.

4.1 Signal Dead Zone

4.1.1 Introduction
The signal dead zone refers to the coverage area whose pilot signal is lower than the minimum access
threshold of mobile phone (for example, RSCP threshold is -115dBm, and Ec/Io threshold -18dB), such as valley,
opposite of the sidehill, elevator well, tunnel, underground garage or basement and inside of the high
buildings.

If there are many users in the non-overlapped coverage areas of two neighbor NodeBs or the non-overlapped
coverage area is relatively larger, construct a new NodeB or add the coverage range of peripheral NodeBs
(increase the pilot transmit power and antenna height at the risk of capacity) to ensure about 0.27R (R is the
cell radius) of overlapped coverage depth and the soft handover area and concern the same-neighbor
frequency interference caused because the coverage range increases.

4.1.2 Solution
When the dead zone caused in the valley and the opposite of sideill is present, add the NodeB or adopt the
repeater to compensate effectively the dead zone and extension coverage range in the coverage areas. In
addition, the RF repeater may generate intermodulation interference. Therefore, the engineering
implementation must consider the interference.

When the dead zone caused in the elevator well, tunnel, underground garage or basement, and inside of high
buildings is present, adopt the repeater, indoor distribution system, leakage cable, or directional antenna.

4.2 Coverage Void

4.2.1 Introduction
The coverage void refers to the coverage area whose pilot signal is lower than the minimum requirement of
full-coverage services (such as Voice, VP and PS64K) but higher than the minimum access threshold of mobile
phone. For example, when the traffic distribution is relatively balanced, no RSCP in some areas can satisfy the
minimum requirement for full-coverage service due to the NodeB distribution imbalance. In addition, all the
RSCPs of pilot signal in some areas can satisfy the requirement, but the pilot channel Ec/Io cannot satisfy the
minimum requirement for full-coverage service because of intra-frequency interference increase. For example,
the cell breathing effect generated due to the increase of the capacity of peripheral cells in the soft handover
area results in the decrease of coverage quality in the soft handover areas, that is, the coverage void.

The coverage void is from the perspective of the mobile phone services, different from the signal dead zone,
where the mobile phone fails to camp on the cell and originates the location update and registration and the
network drop are present.

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4.2.2 Solution
During the network planning phase, the site distribution should be rational and an appropriate site can ensure
that:

 The pilot RSCP strength of network is up to certain level (such as, the dense city: -65dBm and common
city: -80dBm).
 The pilot Ec/Io of network under certain load should not be lower than the minimum requirement for
full-coverage service.

Out of the consideration of the restrictions of logistics and device installation, unideal site is inevitable. When
the coverage void is present, construct a new micro-NodeB or repeater to strengthen the coverage. If the
coverage void is not very critical, select the high gain antenna, increase the antenna mounted height or reduce
the tilt of antenna to optimize the coverage. If the RF adjustment does not effectively improve pilot Ec/Io
coverage, adjust the pilot power (increase the strongest power and reduce others) to generate the primary cell.

4.3 Pilot Pollution

4.3.1 Introduction
The pilot pollution means that too pilots are received in one point but there is no stronger primary pilot. This
document introduces the following method to judge whether the pilot pollution exists:

There are more than three pilots satisfying the condition and ∆(𝑅𝑆𝐶𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 , 𝑅𝑆𝐶𝑃𝑛 ) ≤ 5 𝑑𝐵.

Where, the absolute threshold judgement of pilot RSCP is to differentiate the coverage void and no primary cell
at the target coverage cell edge. Whatever the micro-cellular or macro-cellular coverage area, if the pilot
pollution is present, the interference to the useful signal is generated due to many strong pilots to increase
BLER, reduce Ec/Io and easily form the ping-pong handover resulting in call drop.

4.3.2 Solution
The pilot pollution is contributed by:

 Irrational cell layout

 Too high site or antenna mounted height
 Irrational setting of antenna direction angle
 Antenna back lobe effect
 Irrational setting of pilot power
 Peripheral environment effect

Where, the peripheral environment effect can summarized as the block to the signal from high buildings or
mountains, relatively far propagation extension of signal from the streets or the reflection of signal from high
glass buildings. Therefore, besides adjusting the layout and antenna parameter and reducing the pilot power,
combining the NodeB sectors or deleting redundant sectors also can reduce the pilot pollution if the capacity is
not affected. The pilot pollution should be avoided at the planning design phase to facilitate the later network
optimization.

4.4 Weak coverage

4.4.1 Introduction
Weak coverage refer to that the RSCP of pilot signals in a coverage area is smaller than –95 dBm. It might be in:

 Valley areas
 Hillside back
 Elevator well

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  Tunnel
 Underground garage
 Basement
 Areas inside high buildings

If the pilot signals are weaker than that required by full coverage services (such as VP and PS64K), or just meet
the requirements, if the PICH Ec/Io cannot meets the lowest requirements on full coverage services due to
increased intra-frequency interference, problems like difficult access of full coverage services will occur.

If the RSCP of pilot signals is weaker than that of minimum access threshold in a coverage area, the UE cannot
camp on the cell, so the UE drops off the network due to failing in location updating and location registration.

4.4.2 Solutions
For previous problems, use the following methods:

 Increase pilot transmit power, adjust antenna down tilt and azimuth, increase antenna height, use
antennas with higher gain to optimize coverage.
 If subscribers are abundant in the non-overlapped areas of neighbor NodeBs or the non-overlapped
areas are great, construct new NodeBs or expand the coverage range of neighbor NodeBs. This
ensures a software handover area with enough great size. Pay attention to that increasing of coverage
areas might cause intra-frequency and inter-frequency interference.
 Construct new NodeBs in valley and hillside back areas with weak coverage to expand coverage range.
 Use indoor distributed system, leakage cable, and directional antenna to solve problems in signal dead
zone like elevator well, tunnel, underground garage, basement, areas inside buildings.
4.5 Cross-cell Coverage
4.5.1 Introduction
Cross-cell coverage refers to that the coverage range of some NodeBs is beyond the planned range and
discontinuous primary pilot coverage areas form in coverage areas of other NodeBs.

For example, if the NodeBs with a height much higher that the average height of adjacent buildings transmit
signals along upland or roads over far, a primary pilot coverage area form in the coverage area of other
NodeBs, an "island" forms. Therefore, if a call accesses the "island" and the nearby cells of the "island" is not
configured as the neighbor cells, call drops once the UE leaves the island. Though the nearby cells of the
"island" is configured as the neighbor cells, the "island" is over small, call also drops due to delayed handover.

4.5.2 Solutions
For the previous problems, use the following methods:

 For cross-cell coverage, prevent antennas from transmitting signals straightforward along roads or
reduce cross-cell coverage areas by using sheltering effect of adjacent buildings. Meanwhile you must
avoid intra-frequency interference to other NodeBs.
 For over high NodeBs, change the site. You might have difficulties in finding new sites due to property
and equipment installation. In addition, too large mechanism down tilt causes aberration of antenna
direction maps. Therefore you can eliminate the "island" effect and reduce NodeB coverage areas by
adjusting pilot transmit power and using down tilt.
4.6 Unbalanced Uplink and Downlink
4.6.1 Introduction
Unbalanced uplink and downlink refers to the following situations in uplink and downlink symmetric services:

 The downlink coverage is good but the uplink coverage is restricted. More specific, the UE transmit
power reaches the maximum which still cannot meet uplink BLER requirements.

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  The downlink coverage is restricted. More specific, the downlink DCH transmit power reaches the
maximum which still cannot meet downlink BLER requirements.

If the uplink and downlink are unbalanced, call drops easily. The probable cause is restricted uplink coverage.

4.6.2 Solutions
For the unbalanced uplink and downlink problems, check for interference by monitoring RTWP alarms of
NodeB. For the method, see WCDMA Interference Solution Guide.

Other causes may lead to unbalanced uplink and downlink, such as:

 Uplink and downlink gain of repeaters and interference amplifier are faulty.
 In an Rx/Tx detach system, the Rx diversity antenna-feeder system is faulty.
 NodeB problems, such as power amplifier failure

For previous problems, check the work state whether there are alarms, whether it is normal. Solve the problem
by replacing NEs, isolating faulty NEs, and adjust NEs.

4.7 No Primary Pilot

4.7.1 Introduction
No primary pilot areas refer to the areas where no primary pilot is or the primary cell changes frequently. In no
primary pilot areas, UE hands over frequently, so the system efficiency is lowered and probability of call drop
increases.

4.7.2 Solutions
In no primary pilot areas, you can enhance the coverage by strong signals of a cell (or near cells) and reduce the
coverage by weak signals of other cells (or far cells) by adjusting antenna down tilt and azimuth.

5. Coverage Analysis Processes

5.1 Downlink Coverage Analysis
Downlink coverage analysis involves analyzing CPICH RSCP obtained by drive test.

The quality standard of CPICH RSCP must be combined with the optimization standard. Assume that the
optimization standard is as below:

CPICH_RSCP ≥ –95 dBm >= 95% Scanner test result in outdoor unloaded conditions
The corresponding quality standard is:

 Good if CPICH_RSCP ≥ –85 dBm

 Fair if –95 dBm ≤ CPICH_RSCP < –85 dBm
 Poor if CPICH_RSCP < –95 dBm

Mark the areas with weak coverage or common seamless coverage of large areas for further analysis. Mark the
areas with downlink coverage voids, analyze the distance relations with neighbor NodeBs and environments,
and check the following:

 Whether the CPICH RSCP of neighbor sites is normal

 Whether coverage can be enhanced by adjusting antenna down tilt and azimuth.

During adjusting antennas, avoid new coverage voids while eliminating some coverage voids. If the coverage
voids cannot be eliminated by adjusting antennas, construct sites to solve it.

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 5.1.1 Analyzing Primary Pilot Cell
Cell primary pilot analysis is analyzing cell scramble information obtained in DT. The content to be checked
include (by log analysis tool):

 Weak coverage cell: Analyze scanner-based RSCP for SC, and you can obtain the signal distribution of
each cell (scramble). According to DT data, if the scramble signals of a cell are not present, probably
some sites cannot transmit signals during test. If a cell cannot transmit signals during DT, the DT of
relative areas must be re-performed. Very weak coverage might be result of blocked antennas, so you
must check the survey report of the site and check installation of on-site antennas. No (poor) coverage
cell might be due to that the DT route does not cover the cell coverage area. In this case, reevaluate
the DT route for the rationality and perform DT again.
 Cross-cell coverage cell: Analyze scanner-based RSCP for SC, and you can obtain the signal distribution
of each cell (scramble). If the signals of a cell are widely distributed, even in the neighbor cells and the
cells next to its neighbor cells, the signals of the cell is present, the cell encounters a cross-cell
coverage which might be due to over high site or improper down tilt of antenna. The cross-cell
coverage cells interferes neighbor cells, so the capacity declines. You can solve the problem by
increasing the down tilt of antenna or lowering the height of antenna. Avoid forming new weak
coverage areas while solving cross-coverage problems. Pay special
 No primary pilot cell: Analyze scanner-based SC for 1st Best ServiceCell, and you can obtain the
scramble distribution of the best cell. If multiple best cells changes frequently in an cell, the cell is a no
primary pilot cell, as shown in 0 No primary pilot cell forms due to the following causes:
 Cross-cell non-seamless coverage due to over high site
 Pilot pollution in some areas
 Coverage voids at edges of coverage areas

Therefore intra-frequency interferences forms which causes ping-pong handover and affects performances of
service coverage.

Attention to the adjustment of engineering parameters which might cause coverage voids. Be conservative that
cross-cell coverage is better than coverage voids if no other choices are available.

5.1.2 Analyzing comparison of UE and Scanner Coverage

Missing neighbor cells, improper parameters of soft handover, cell selection and reselection cause the
consistent between scanner primary pilot cell and camped cell in idle mode or Best ServiceCell in the active set
in connection mode of UE. After optimization, the Ec/Io for 1st Best ServiceCell of UE and scanner should be
consistent.

5.2 Uplink Coverage Analysis

The corresponding quality standard is:

 Good if CPICH_RSCP ≥ –85 dBm

 Fair if –95 dBm ≤ CPICH_RSCP < –85 dBm
 Poor if CPICH_RSCP < –95 dBm

Uplink coverage analysis is analyzing UE transmit power obtained in DT.

The quality standards of UE transmit power must be combined with optimization standards. Assume the
optimization indexes of UE transmit power as below:

UE_Tx_Power ≤ 10 dBm >= 95% The test result of voice service by test handset. Assume the maximum transmit
power of UE is 21 dBm.

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The defined corresponding quality standards are:

 Good if UE_Tx_Power ≤ 0 dBm

 Fair if 0 dBm<UE_Tx_Power ≤ 10 dBm
 Poor if UE_Tx_Power> 10 dBm

For areas with poor index, judge whether the increasing of UE transmit power is due to call drop or poor uplink
coverage. Geographically displayed on the map,the former is as a point of sudden increment with call drop
while the latter is an area with seamless coverage unnecessarily with call drop.

Mark the areas with weak coverage or large common seamless coverage for further analysis. Check whether
downlink CPICH RSCP coverage voids exist in the areas with uplink coverage voids. Solve the problem with both
uplink and downlink weak coverage by analyzing downlink coverage analysis. If only the uplink coverage is poor
without uplink interference (see WCDMA Interference Solution Guide), solve the problems by adjusting down
tilt and azimuth of antenna, and adding TMAs.

5.2.1 Analyzing Uplink Interference

Check for uplink interference by tracing and analyzing RTWP data.

5.2.2 Distribution of UE Transmit Power

The distribution of UE transmit power reflects the distribution of uplink interference and uplink path loss. In 0,
UE transmit power is lower than 10 dBm normally. Only when uplink interference and coverage area edge exist
will the UE transmit power increase sharply to 21 dBm (Some UEs that support HSDPA, such as E620, with a
power class of 3, the maximum transmit power is 24 dBm), and the uplink is restricted. Comparatively
restricted uplink coverage occurs much easily in macro cells than in micro cells.

6. Configuration Parameters Adjustment

The following lists the adjusted radio configuration parameters aiming to solve the coverage problems:

6.1 CPICH TX Power

This parameter defines the transmit power of intra-cell PCPICH. Setting the parameter should consider the
actual system environment, such as cell coverage range (radius) and geographical environment.

In the cell where the coverage is required, setting the parameter aims to ensure the downlink coverage. In the
cell where the soft handover cell is required, setting the parameter aims to ensure the soft handover area ratio
required by the network planning. In general, the parameter value is 10% of the cell downlink total transmit
power.

6.2 MaxFACHPower
This parameter defines the maximum transmit power of FACH (the maximum transmit powers of two FACHs in
the MOD SCCPCH are FACH1MaxPower and FACH2MaxPower respectively), corresponding to the transmit
power of PCPICH. If the transmit power of FACH is too low, UE probably fails to receive the data packet of FACH
or receives an error data packet. If the transmit power of FACH is too large, the power waste is present. Setting
the maximum transmit power of FACH can ensure target BLER. When the Ec/Io accessed at the edge cell is -
12dB, set the parameter to -1dB (corresponding to the pilot).

6.3 Sintrasearch, Sintersearch, and Ssearchrat

The parameters contain intra-frequency cell reselection start threshold (Sintrasearch), inter-frequency cell
reselection start threshold (Sintersearch), and inter-RAT cell reselection start threshold (Ssearchrat).

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When UE detects that serving cell quality (CPICH Ec/N0 measured by the UE) is lower than “minimum quality
standard (that is, Qqualmin) of serving cell + the threshold”, start the intra-frequency/inter-frequency/inter-
system cell reselection process.

Intra-frequency cell reselection should precede the inter-frequency/inter-system cell reselection. When setting
the three parameters, the Sintrasearch must be larger than Sintersearch and Ssearchrat.

Sintrasearch, Sintersearch and Ssearchrat are defaulted to 5 (that is, 10dB), 4 (that is, 8dB) and 2 (that is, 4dB)
respectively. Set the parameters based on different scenarios. For example, in the area with dense cellular, set
the Sintrasearch to 7.

6.4 PreambleRetransMax
This parameter defines the maximum retransmission times of preamble in a preamble ascending cycle. If this
parameter is too small, preamble power is not the required one and UE access fails. If the parameter is too
large, UE increase the power continuously and performs the access repeatedly to interfere with other users.
This parameter is defaulted to 8. If the connection ratio is worse, increase the parameter.

6.5 Intra-FILTERCOEF
This parameter means the measurement smooth coefficient adopted when layer-3 intra-frequency
measurement report filters. The layer-3 filter must filter the random impact capability to ensure the filtered
measurement value reflects basic change trend of actual measurement.

The measurement value of layer-3 filter has passed the layer-1 filter to eliminate basically the fast fading effect.
Therefore, layer-3 shall perform the smooth filter to shadow fading and seldom fast fading burr to provide
better measurement data for the event decision. The protocol recommends that the filter coefficient value be
set to 0, 1, 2,3,4,5, or 6.

The bigger the filter coefficient is, the stronger for the smooth capability of burr and the weaker the capacity of
tracing the signal is. The smooth capability and signal tracing capability should be balanced. This parameter is
defaulted to 5. Set the parameter based on difference scenarios. For example, in the area with dense cellular,
set the parameter to 2.

6.6 Intra-CellIndividualOffset
This parameter means cell CPICH measurement value offset of intra-frequency handover. Adding this offset to
actual value is used for event evaluation of UE. UE adds the original measurement value of the cell to this offset
as the final measurement result, which is used for intra-frequency handover decision of UE. In the handover
algorithm, it aims to move the cell edge. Set the parameter based on actual environment of network planning.
In the case of adjacent cell configuration, to trigger the handover easily, set a positive value, otherwise, set a
negative value. The larger the parameter, the easier the soft handover and the more the UE located in soft
handover status but occupying many forward resources. The smaller the parameter, the more difficult the soft
handover is. The receiving quality also may be affected. This parameter is defaulted to 0, that is, neglect the
effect of the parameter.

6.7 RLMaxDLPwr and RLMinDLPwr (oriented to the service)

The parameters indicate the maximum transmit power and minimum transmit power of downlink DPDCH
symbol, represented by relative value to CPICH. The power control dynamic adjustment range exists between
the maximum transmit power and minimum transmit power, and it can be set to 15dB.

If the RLMinDLPwr is too small, the transmit power is too lower due to SIR estimation erro.If the RLMinDLPwr is
too large, the downlink power contorl may be affected.

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Consider RLMaxDLPwr from the persepective of the capacity. If the full-coverage service is not required, set
and adjust the parameter based on actual Signal-Interference Ratio target value required by capacity design
and actual traffic measurement indexes.

7. HSDPA DT Problems
The RF optimization of HSDPA services aims to improve the distribution of UE CQI.

According to theoretical analysis, the CQI reported by UE and PCPICH Ec/Nt have relationship as below:

CQIUE = Ec/NtPCPICH + MPO + 10log16 + 4.5dB

Wherein,

 Nt = (1- a) * Ior + Ioc + No

 a is the orthogonal factor
 lor is the signals of serving cell
 loc is the interference signals from neighbor cells
 No is the thermal noise
 Io = Ior + Ioc + No

Therefore, PCPICH Ec/Nt is approximately equal to PCPICH Ec/Io.

MPO = Min (13,CellMaxPower –PcpichPower – MPOConstant)

The maximum transmit power of a cell is usually 43 dBm, and the pilot channel power is 33 dBm. When
MPOConstant is 2.5 dB, the default configuration by RNC, the MPO is 7.5 dB.

The 4.5 dB is obtained according to the linear relationship between the SNR of all the subscriber's HS-PDSCHs
and the corresponding CQIs. Namely, SNR = –4.5dB + CQIUE, and SNR = Ec/NtHS-PDSCH + 10log16.

When calculating CQIUE at UE side, the UE assumes that the total transmit power of HS-PDSCH is PHS-DSCH =
PPCPICH + MPO. Wherein, PPCPICH is the transmit power of PCPICH. Therefore, Ec/NtHS-PDSCH = Ec/NtPCPICH
+ MPO. As a result, the CQI reported by UE is as below:

CQIUE = Ec/NtPCPICH + MPO + 10log16 + 4.5dB

According to previous analysis, the offset between CQIUE and PCPICH Ec/Io is 24 dB. Therefore, in terms of
actual optimization, to optimize CQI is to optimize Ec/Io.

Assume that the cell power is dynamically distributed between R99 and HSDPA networks. After receiving CQIUE
from UE, the NodeB adjust the CQI as below:

The CQI adjusted by NodeB, CQINodeB = ( Pcell - Pcommon – PR99 – PHS-SCCH – (PPCPICH + MPO ) + CQIUE.

Wherein,

 Pcell is the maximum transmit power of cell

 Pcommon is the CCH power of cell
 PR99 is the power of downlink associated DPCH for R99 or HSDPA subscribers.
 PHS-SCCH is the HS-SCCH power.

Assume:

 Pcell = 43 dBm

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  Pcommon is 20% of total power of cell
 No R99 subscribers are in the cell
 PR99 is too low to neglect
 PHS-SCCH is 5% of total power of cell

Therefore,

CQINodeB = 1 + CQIUE

According to experience in actual test, based on the difference between the Ec/Io from scanner and the Ec/Io
from UE, reserve a margin of 1 dB. At the edge of cell, an HSDPA subscriber may occupy total power of cell, so
the throughput rate at cell edge is equivalent to the throughput rate at cell edge for the single subscriber.

Listof the relationship among the CQI reported by UE, pilot Ec/Io, and throughput rate at MAC-HS layer (MPO =
7.5 dB).

9 > CQI 15 > CQI ≥ 9 CQI ≥ 15

Subscribers' feeling Poor Fair Good

throughput rate at MAC-HS layer for single subscriber 0–320 kpbs 320 kbps to1.39 Mbps > 1.39 Mbps

Ec/Io > –15dB –15dB to –9dB ≥ – 9dB

The throughput rate provided in table above is based on the test in the following conditions:

 The codes and lub are not restricted.

 The category 12 UE has a subscribed rate of 2 Mpbs.
 The subscribed type is background or interactive service
 Power is dynamically distributed. Namely, without R99 subscribers, all the power is used by the HSDPA
subscriber to guarantee rate as high as possible.
 According to the requirements on RF optimization of unloaded R99 network, the CPICH Ec/Io ≥ –9 dB.
After HSDPA is introduced, power is dynamically distributed, and the single HSDPA subscriber at cell
edge uses all the power. Meanwhile, the downlink load reaches 90%, and CPICH Ec/Io ≥ 15.5dB.

Table below shows relation between HSDPA Catogory12 (as example) UE CQI and TB size. The CQIs that is
larger than 13 or smaller than 5 are excluded. The rate at MAC-HS layer for the subscriber is (TBsize / 2ms) * (1
– BLER), wherein, the BLER is 10%.

Mapping relationship of HSDPA Catogory12 UE CQI and TB size CQI TB Size

5 365

6 365
7 365
8 711
9 711
10 1055

NOVATEL_IT_Algeria_Internal_Document_V032016 RNO_Departement
11 1405
12 1742

13 2083
As previously mentioned, to optimize HSDPA is to optimize Ec/Io of target networks. Therefore, in terms of
optimization method, the HSDPA and R99 networks are consistent. The following optimization flow will not
distinguish HSDPA networks from R99 networks.

If a problem is confirmed in a single cell or at a single site, identify the problem by testing based on the process
of identifying stationary test-based HSDPA data transmission problems. If a fault is confirmed on many sites,
(for example, an RNC-level site), collect the RNC and NodeB performance measurement data and make analysis
of the problem accordingly.

Step Evaluation Item Evaluation Result and Handling Suggestion

High Low
(1) Bit error rate (BER) on the air interface Optimize the coverage. Go to step (2).
in the cell
(2) Power usage of the cell Perform the following operations based on the CQI: Go to step (3).
 If the CQI is poor, optimize the coverage.
 If the CQI is normal, add carriers.
(3) Usage of the Iub transmission bandwidth Expand the Iub transmission bandwidth. Go to step (4).
(4) RLC retransmission rate Perform the following operations based on the IP path Go to step (5).
transmission quality on the Iub interface:
 If the transmission quality is poor, optimize
transmission.
 If the transmission quality is normal, check the
residual bit errors on the air interface. For the cells
with many bit errors on the air interface, check
power control parameters.
(5) Code resource usage Add code resources. Check whether
the theoretical
rate of the cell
meets the
requirement. If
the theoretical
rate meets the
requirement,
the upper-layer
data sources are
insufficient.

7.1 Operation Procedure

7.1.1 Check the CQI.
Check the CQI (the average value of 200 ms) of the UE in DT tool.

Generally, when the MPO is 7.5 dB in the default system configuration:

NOVATEL_IT_Algeria_Internal_Document_V032016 RNO_Departement
  The rate of CAT8 must be at least 6.5 Mbit/s and the CQI reported by the UE must be greater than 25.
 The rate of CAT10 must be at least 12 Mbit/s and the CQI reported by the UE must be fixed to 30.
 The rate of CAT14 must be at least 17 Mbit/s and the CQI reported by the UE must be fixed to 30.
 The rate of CAT16/18 must be at least 20 Mbit/s and the Single CQI reported by the UE is generally
fixed to 30. The Dual Stream CQI1and Dual Stream CQI2, must be fixed to more than 9. In addition, the
Dual Stream CQI1 must possibly equal to the Dual Stream CQI2.

When the original UE log or NodeB CDT is analyzed, if the CQI values of the primary and secondary streams are
within the value range of TypeA CQI stated in the protocol, the number of TypeA CQI is calculated as follows:
15 x Dual Stream CQI1 + Dual Stream CQI2 + 31 = TypeA CQI. If TypeA CQI is equal to or greater than 31, dual-
stream CQI is used; if TypeA CQI is smaller than 31, single-stream CQI is used. If only NodeB CDT is available,
identify the radio environment in MIMO mode using the preceding formula instead of calculating an average
TypeA CQI directly.

The rate of CAT22 and CAT24 must be at least 20 Mbit/s and the CQI of the anchor carrier reported by the UE is
generally fixed to 30. The CQI of the anchor carrier is usually equivalent to the CQI of the secondary carrier. If
the CQI reported by the UE is low, change a better test location or optimize the test environment. (You can also
change an UE to identify the problem. The detection and demodulation capabilities vary with different UEs. The
probability of this problem is relatively low.)

The value of MPO directly affects the CQI reported by the UE. In the same radio environment, the greater the
MPO (instead of MPOconst, MPO = Maximum cell power - Pilot power - MPOconst), the greater the reported
CQI. The default value of MPO is 7.5 dB = 43 dB - 33 dB - 2.5 dB.

7.1.2 Check the SBLER.

The value of the SBLER is displayed in the DT tool.

When the near-the-cell CQI is fine, the SBLER is normally less than 10%.

When the middle-of-cell or edge-of-cell CQI is low, the SBLER may be 20% or even 30%.

For the middle-of-cell or edge-of-cell drive test, the SBLER is between 10% and 20% (depending on the
coverage). In the case of weak coverage, the average SBLER may be higher than 20% but less than 30%.

The SBLER follows the fluctuation of radio environment. If the SBLER is high, adjust the UE location or optimize
the radio environment. The 64QAM UE adopting the higher-order modulation mode, especially, is much more
sensitive to the slight fluctuation of radio environment. Therefore, in places where the CQI is fine, the SBLER
may be still high. In this case, try to move the UE position slightly to change the quality of the channel received
by the UE.

If the SBLER is always around 10% no matter how you move the position, it may results from enabling the
function of channel adjustment. Run SET MACHSPARA on the NodeB to check the CQIADJALGOFNONCON
parameter. If CQIADJALGOFNONCON is set to CQI_ADJ_BY_IBLER, modify the value to NO_CQI_ADJ.

7.1.3 Check the RBLER.

The method of checking the RBLER is similar to checking the SBLER.

Ideally, the RBLER is 0. In the case where the radio environment fluctuates greatly, such as poor coverage, the
RBLER is small. Generally, if the RBLER is greater than 1%, an error may occur on the UE or NodeB. For this case
trigger cooperation of the provider in order to solve hardware problem.

8. HSUPA DT Problems

NOVATEL_IT_Algeria_Internal_Document_V032016 RNO_Departement
Step Evaluation Item Evaluation Result and Handling Suggestion

Yes No
(1) Whether the UE is in the Happy state Data sources are insufficient. Go to step (2).
(2) Whether the uplink load is limited The RTWP is limited. Go to step (3).
(3) Whether CE resources are limited Add CEs, enable the dynamic CE feature, and Go to step (4).
optimize the GBR.
(4) Whether the BLER of the air interface is Check whether MultiACK is abnormal. Go to step (5).
high  Yes: Check whether the power control of the
control channel or the UE is abnormal.
 No: Check whether power control parameters
are correct.
(5) Check whether the RLC retransmission Perform the following operations based on the Go to step (6).
ratio is high residual BLER:
 If the residual BLER is high, out-loop power
control is abnormal.
 If the residual BLER is not high, check whether
the transmit power of the UE is limited. If yes,
the uplink RTWP is high or the UE is far away
from the cell center. If no, check the quality of
Iub transmission. If the quality of Iub
transmission is poor, optimize the transmission
quality.
(6) Whether Iub resources are limited Expand the Iub transmission bandwidth. Check whether
other problems
occur.

8.1 Checking UE Transmission Power

The UE calculates the transmitted TBS based on the current available transmission power. Then, the UE select a
smaller value from the TBS supported by the transmission power and the TBS supported by the SG as the TBS
of the actual transmission. Therefore, the UE transmission power restriction affects the throughput.

8.2 Checking UE Traffic Volume

Observe and record the DT tool tracing in real time when the UE performs the FTP upload.

View the Buffer Limited Rate in the HSUPA link statistics item in DT tool tracing. If the Buffer Limited Rate is
greater than 0%, the UE traffic volume is restricted within the statistics duration.

Alternatively, analyze the UE log by using the log analysis tool to check the Buffer Limited Rate reported by the
UE, the meaning of which is the same as that of the DT tool.

If the data volume is restricted, check the problem cause.

Using TESTPING to Create Data Stream

The basic principle of TESTPING is to transmit ICMP packets to the server based on the set transmission rate
without requiring the ACK packets from the peer end. (The RLC layer still requires the ACK packets.) Therefore,

NOVATEL_IT_Algeria_Internal_Document_V032016 RNO_Departement
you can see whether data source insufficiency occurs below the RLC layer or above the RLC layer by using
TESTPING.

Directly install and use the HSUPA service on the laptop computer (by pinging the FTP server address).

 Host address: FTP address.

 Packet size: in byte. Generally, the MTU packet site is 1500 bytes. Therefore, the smaller value 1400 is
used here.
 Sending period: in ms. Enter the value as required, for example, 8 ms.
 Repeat times: Enter this value as required, for example, 1.
 Do not select other check boxes.

Transmission rate (kbit/s) = Packet size * 8/Transmission period * Repeat times

The source rate is 1400 * 8/8 * 1 = 1400 kbit/s. To obtain higher ping rate, improve the value of Repeat times.

Click Start to start the ping test.

If the ping rate of the TESTPING tool is always around the set value, a problem may occur on the TCP layer or
the application layer, therefore resulting in the rate restriction.

If no error is found after the previous check, use Ethereal to capture packets on the UE and FTP server, collect
the RNC CDT information with the user plane for further analysis.

If the ping rate is still abnormal by using the TESTPING tool, the problem occurs on the RAN.

Check whether the retransmission rate at the RLC layer is high. Check the RLC PDU Retransmission Rate UL of
the DT tool. Generally, RLC PDU Retransmission Rate UL is 0% for the HSUPA BE service and is 1% for the R99
service.

If RLC PDU Retransmission Rate UL is not 0, the possible cause is:

 Uplink packet loss on the air interface: The uplink transmission quality of the air interface is controlled
by the uplink out-loop power control. If uplink packet losses occur on the air interface, a problem
occurs in the uplink out-loop power control.Check the following in turn:
o Target value configuration of the power control
o Uplink SIRtarget
o Whether the actual SIR value is converged to the target value
 Uplink packet loss on the Iub interface
8.3 Checking Whether the UE Is in the Happy State
Check whether a cell is in the Unhappy state based on the status reported in the DT tool.

8.4 Checking Whether the BLER of a UE Is High

The target 2 ms BLER is 10% and the target 10 ms BLER is 1%.

The 2 ms UE and 10 ms UE may coexist in the cell. Therefore, the target 2 ms BLER is adopted.

When the uplink BLER is equal to or greater than 30%, the BLER is not converged due to air interface factors or
the UE is not correctly demodulated. In this case, optimize the environment.

If the BLER is high, out-loop power control is not converged usually because the transmit power of the UE is
limited. In this case, check whether the cell RTWP is high and perform the corresponding operation.

NOVATEL_IT_Algeria_Internal_Document_V032016 RNO_Departement
  If the cell RTWP is high, make RTWP improvement actions as mentioned in relative document.
 If the cell RTWP is normal, the uplink coverage of the cell is poor. In this case, add sites to improve
coverage.
9. Drive test Call Drop analysis
Obtain the call drop location: Adopt the drive test software, such as the Analyzer to obtain the call drop
time and location, pilot frequency data collected by the Scanner before and after the call drop, information
about the active set and monitored set collected by the UE, and signaling process.

Analyze changes of the primary cell of the Scanner: If the primary cell is relatively stable, perform further
analysis on the RSCP and EcIo. If the primary cell changes frequently, analyze causes. If there is no primary
cell, perform the cause analysis on the call drop occurring during the ping-pong handover.

Analyze the RSCP and EcIo of the primary cell of the Scanner: Check the RSCP and EcNo of the best cell of
the Scanner and take appropriate measures accordingly.

If both the RSCP and EcNo are poor, the coverage problem leads to the call drop.

1. If the RSCP is normal, and the EcNo is poor, the call drop is caused by the pilot frequency
interference problem rather than untimely handover and inter-frequency neighbor cell.
2. If both the RSCP and the EcNo are normal and the cells of the active set of the UE are inconsistent
with the best cell of the Scanner, the call drop may be caused by the neighbor cell missing or
untimely handover. If the cell of the active set of the UE is consistent with the best cell of the
Scanner, the uplink interference may result in call drop or an abnormal call drop occurs.

Carry out the drive test repeatedly: A drive test may not collect all the information required by call drop
location. Therefore, you need to carry out the drive test for several times to collect data and check
whether the call drop location is random or fixed. Generally, take related measures to eliminate call drops
occurring on the fixed location and check whether to eliminate call drops occurring on random locations
based on the occurrence probability.

NOVATEL_IT_Algeria_Internal_Document_V032016 RNO_Departement
 Figure 1: Drive Test Call Drop Analysis flow
10. Diagrams:

NOVATEL_IT_Algeria_Internal_Document_V032016 RNO_Departement
 Make sure that this check list is all OK before beginning DT

Item n° Item name Status

1 Cluster isdefined OK NOK
2 NodeB/Cells involved in DT defined OK NOK
3 Alarms Status OK NOK
4 Cell configuration data updated OK NOK
5 Drive test route fixed OK NOK
6 Optimizationtargetfixed OK NOK
7 Test methodologyfixed OK NOK
8 Tools list OK NOK
Number Name OK NOK
8-1 1 ……………………………………………………………… OK NOK
8-2 2 ……………………………………………………………… OK NOK
8-3 3 ……………………………………………………………… OK NOK
8-4 4 ……………………………………………………………… OK NOK
8-5 5 ……………………………………………………………… OK NOK
9 Test plan prepared OK NOK

Start

Is False False Are tools False

False False Is Drive test Is DT route Is test plan
Optimizatio ready and
area prepared? configured
n goal tested?
defined? ?
fixed?

True True True True True

Make needed preparation

Go to drive test

Drive test
False Make corrective actions.
objectives
reached?

True

End

NOVATEL_IT_Algeria_Internal_Document_V032016 RNO_Departement
 Start

Check other RF actions

Low
Coverage False
problem Solve hardware alarm cause. Neighboring check (check
detected?
related document)

False False
True

Check if abnormal hardware True Check handover algorithm,

Is OK? Is OK?
behavior or alarmed parameters and configuration

True

Pilot External Coverage

Is linked to False
Pollution? interference problem
load? ? due to low
RSCP?

True

Make load relief actions (check Solve PP (check related Solve external interference
related document) document) (check related document)

False Is corner
Check if a cell can effect or True
Cell
take/improve coverage. indoor
available?
coverage

True
Uptil cell or change CPICH Change RLMaxDLPwr
power according to situation.

Is coverage
Change RLMinDLPwr Change intraFilterCoef in order void or dead True
to make shorter time for SHO. zone or week
coverage?

Change RLMaxDLPwr Change CIO or CIOOffset for the

problem cell or relation.

False
Coverage
Add site. problem
solved?

True

End

NOVATEL_IT_Algeria_Internal_Document_V032016 RNO_Departement