Spectrum Test and

Instructions for
YBT250
ISSUE1.0

Preface
The WCDMA system is a restricted
communication system by the interference.
The network quality, capacity and coverage
are all related to the background noise.
When design the radio network, we must
obtain the strength of the background
noise in the coverage area.
If strong interference exists within the
band, spectrum test need to be performed,
or the operator have to apply for new
frequency spectrum.

Page 3

Objectives
After studying this course,
you should be able to:

Page 4

Know the sources of electromagnetic background

interference.

Master the methods for electromagnetic

background test.

Know how to use YBT250 for spectrum test.

Contents
Chapter 1

Impact of Electromagnetic
Interference on the System

Chapter 2

Sources of Electromagnetic
Background Interference

Chapter 3

Introduction to
Interference Test Tools

Chapter 4

Methods for
Electromagnetic Background
Test

Chapter 5

Page 5

Instructions for YBT250

Contents
Chapter 1 Impact of Electromagnetic Interference
System

on the

1.1 Bands Used in the WCDMA System

1.2 Interference Requirements for UE
Reception
1.3 Interference Requirements for NodeB
Reception

Page 6

Bands used in the WCDMA system

Operating
Band

UpLink Band
UE transmit, Node B
receive

DownLink Band
UE receive, Node B
transmit

1920 - 1980 MHz

2110 -2170 MHz

II

1850 -1910 MHz

1930 -1990 MHz

III

1710-1785 MHz

1805-1880 MHz

IV

1710-1755 MHz

2110-2155 MHz

824 - 849MHz

869-894MHz

VI

830-840 MHz

875-885 MHz

VII

2500 - 2570 MHz

2620 - 2690 MHz

VIII

880 - 915 MHz

925 - 960 MHz

IX

1749.9 - 1784.9 MHz

1844.9 - 1879.9 MHz

Band I, II, V and VII are most popular used in the

world.
Band I is used in China.

Page 7

Impact of Electromagnetic Interference on the System

Determine the impact of interference on the system according to
experience, as shown in the following table (for UE).
Interference Band

Interference Level
Not Affecting
Receiver Sensitivity
(With the Sensitivity
Worsened by 0.1 dB)

Acceptable
Interference Level
(With the Sensitivity
Worsened by 3 dB)

Acceptable
Interference Level
(With the Sensitivity
Worsened by 6 dB)

Interference That Seriously

Effects Equipment Indexes
Instead of Equipment Running,
Lower Than the Maximum Signal
Strength (-25 dBm) the UE Can
Receive by 10 dB

2110-2170 MHz (cofrequency interference)

-117 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-101 dBm/ 3.84

MHz

-96 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-35 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

The required
sensitivity is -107
dBm/ 3.84 MHz.

-16 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-66 dBm/ 3.84

MHz (with the
sensitivity
worsened by 3 dB)

-6 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-56 dBm/ 3.84

MHz (with the
sensitivity
worsened by 3 dB)

6 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-44 dBm/ 3.84

MHz (with the
sensitivity
worsened by 3 dB)

6 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-44 dBm/ 3.84

MHz (with the
sensitivity
worsened by 3 dB)

2095-2185 MHz (adjacent

channel interference,
deviated from the carrier
by 5 MHz)
2095-2185 MHz (in-band
blocking, deviated from
the carrier by 10 MHz)
2095-2185 MHz (in-band
blocking, deviated from
the carrier by 15 MHz)
Other bands (out-of-band
blocking and spurious
response)

-82 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-72 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-60 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-60 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-66 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-56 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-44 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-44 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-61 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-51 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-39 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-39 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

Note:
dBm/Hz refers to the level unit of single-tone signals.
The reference port for measurement is the reception port of the UE antenna.
The reference requirements are based on the protocol TSG25.101.

Page 8

Protocol
Requirement

Impact of Electromagnetic Interference on the System

Determine the impact of interference on the system according
to experience, as shown in the following table (for NodeB).
Interference Level
Not Affecting
Receiver Sensitivity
(With the Sensitivity
Worsened by 0.1 dB)

Acceptable
Interference Level
(With the
Sensitivity
Worsened by 3 dB)

Acceptable
Interference Level
(With the
Sensitivity
Worsened by 6 dB)

Interference That Seriously

Effects Equipment Indexes
Instead of Equipment Running,
Lower Than the Maximum
Signal Strength (-70 dBm) the
UE Can Receive by 10 dB

1920-1980 MHz (cofrequency interference)

-121 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-105 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-100 dBm/ 3.84

MHz

-80 dBm/ 3.8 4MHz

The sensitivity specification

is -123 dBm/3.84MHz.

1900-2000 MHz
(adjacent channel
interference, deviated
from the carrier by 5
MHz)

-63 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-47 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-42 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-22 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-42 dBm/ 3.84 MHz (with the

sensitivity worsened by 6
dB)

1900-2000 MHz (inband blocking)

-51 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-35 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-30 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-10 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-30 dBm/ 3.84 MHz (with the

sensitivity worsened by 6
dB)

1900-2000 MHz (out-ofband blocking)

-46 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-30 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-25 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-5 dBm/ 3.84 MHz

-25 dBm/ 3.84 MHz (with the

sensitivity worsened by 6
dB)

935-960 MHz
1805-1880 MHz (out-ofband blocking)

-5 dBm/Hz

11 dBm/Hz

16 dBm/Hz

36 dBm/Hz

16 dBm/Hz (with the

sensitivity worsened by 6
dB)

Other bands (out-ofband blocking)

-26 dBm/Hz

-10 dBm/Hz

-5 dBm/Hz

15 dBm/Hz

-5 dBm/Hz (with the

sensitivity worsened by 6
dB)

Interference Band

Specification for NodeB

Indexes

Note:
dBm/Hz refers to the level unit of single-tone signals.
The reference port for measurement is the reception port of the NodeB antenna.
The reference requirements are based on the protocol TSG25.101.
During analysis, the index for adjacent channel interference and in-band blocking is 10 dB better than that specified in the protocol. This is the RF index the NodeB
can ensure.

Page 9

Impact of Electromagnetic Interference on the System

Interference requirements for UE

reception (taking the band 2110 - 2170
MHz as an example)

Interference band: 2110 - 2170 MHz

Interference level not affecting receiver sensitivity: -117 dBm/3.84 MHz, with the
sensitivity worsened by 0.1 dB

Acceptable interference: -101 dBm/3.84 MHz, with the sensitivity worsened by 3

dB

Acceptable interference: -96 dBm/3.84 MHz, with the sensitivity worsened by 6 dB

Interference that seriously effects equipment indexes instead of equipment

running:
-35dBm/3.84MHz, lower than the maximum signal strength (-25 dBm) the UE can
receive by 10 dB

Sensitivity: at least -107 dBm/3.84 MHz as required in the protocol

Page 10

Impact of Electromagnetic Interference on the System

Interference requirements for NodeB

reception (taking the band 1920 -1980
MHz as example)

Interference band: 1920 - 1980 MHz

Interference level not affecting receiver sensitivity: -121 dBm/3.84 MHz, with the
sensitivity worsened by 0.1 dB

Acceptable interference: - 105 dBm/3.84 MHz, with the sensitivity worsened by 3 dB

Acceptable interference: - 100 dBm/3.84 MHz, with the sensitivity worsened by 6 dB

Interference that seriously effects equipment indexes instead of equipment running:

-80 dBm/3.84MHz

Sensitivity: at least -123 dBm/3.84 MHz as required in the protocol

Page 11

Contents
Chapter 1

Chapter

Chapter
Chapter

Chapter
Page 12

Impact of
Electromagnetic
Interference on the
System
2
Sources of
Electromagnetic
Background Interference
3
Introduction to
Interference Test Tools
4
Methods for
Electromagnetic
Background Test
5
Instructions for YBT250

Contents
Chapter 2
Sources of Electromagnetic Background
Interference

2.1 2G Band Allocation

2.2 Analysis on Interference Sources

Page 13

2G Band Allocation
In china, 2G bands are allocated as follows:
Planning of Bands 1.8 GHz and 1.9 GHz in China
Band (MHz)

Page 14

Occupation

1710~1720/1805~1815

GSM1800 for China Mobile

1745~1755/1840~1850

GSM1800 for China Unicom

1800~1805

SCDMA (Beijing Xinwei)

1850~1865/1920~1945

Reserved

1865~1880/1954~1960

PCS1900 (not occupied)

1880~1900/1960~1980

FDD WIL (used by China Telecom and China

Unicom in some cities by the end of 2002)

1900~1920

TDD WLL (PHS/DECT)

Contents
Chapter 2 Sources of
Electromagnetic
Background Interference

2.1

2G Band
Allocation

2.2

Analysis on
Interference
Sources
TDD WLL
FDD WLL

Page 15

Microwave transmission

Analysis of Interference Sources

TDD WLL (PHS/DECT)

The system occupies the 1900 -1920 MHz band.

For the PHS system, the bandwidth occupied by the

channel is smaller than or equal to 288 KHz.

For the DECT system, the bandwidth occupied by the

channel is smaller than or equal to 1533 KHz.

FDD WLL

Uplink band: 1880 -1900 MHz

Downlink band: 1960 -1980 MHz

The bandwidth occupied by the system is 1.25 MHz.

The EiRP of a typical NodeB is about 25 dBm.

Page 16

Analysis of Interference Sources

Microwave transmission

Occupied bandwidth: usually over several MHz.

Normal reception level of microwave is about -60 dBm, imposing a

great impact on the WCDMA system.

Repeater

Nonstandard installation results in insufficient antenna isolation, thus

self-excitation. This affects normal running of the NodeB where the
repeater is installed.

The repeater is a wide-band non-linear amplifier. Its intermodulation

index exceeds the one specified in the protocol. The repeater easily
causes interference to nearby NodeBs when its power is too large.

Others

Page 17

Some communication devices occupy WCDM bands. Unreasonable

installation and isolation result in high harmonic signals and thus
cause interference to the WCDMA system. In addition, radar is also a
common interference source.

Contents
Chapter 1

Impact of
Electromagnetic
Interference on the
System

Chapter 2

Sources of
Electromagnetic
Background Interference

Chapter 3

Introduction to
Interference Test Tools

Chapter 4

Methods for
Electromagnetic
Background Test

Chapter 5

Page 18

Instructions for

Contents
Chapter 3
Test Tools

Page 19

Introduction to Interference

1.1

Spectrum Analyzer

1.2

Antenna

1.3

Low Noise Amplifier

Interference Test Tools

Spectrum analyzer

A spectrum analyzer is used to test frequency domain features

of signals, covering spectrum, adjacent channel power, fast time
domain scanning, spurious radiation and intermodulation
attenuation.

Key indexes

Page 20

Resolution bandwidth (RBW)

Input frequency and central frequency (F0)

Sensitivity

Span

Reference level (RefLvl)

Video filter bandwidth (VBW)

Input signal attenuation (ATT)

Detection mode (RMS)

Sweep time

Interference Test Tools

Main technical indexes of

Minimum Resolution
various
spectrum
analyzers
Model
Working
Band
Sensitivity
(1 Hz)
Bandwidth

Page 21

HP8591E

30 - 1.8 GHz

-145 dBm

30 Hz

HP8594E

30 - 2.9 GHz

-142 dBm

30 Hz

HP8595E

30 - 6.5 GHz

-142 dBm

30 Hz

HP8561E

30 - 6.5 GHz

-145 dBm

1 Hz

YBT250

30 - 2500 MHz

-132 dBm

1 KHz

Interference Test Tools

Antenna

Omnidirectional antenna: It facilitates interference

measurement instead of interference location.

Directional antenna: It is used to search interference

sources. The more distinct the directivity is and the
higher the gain is, the stronger the searching capability
is.

Common directional antennas:

Page 22

Panel antenna

Yagi antenna

Log periodic antenna

Interference Test Tools

Low noise amplifier (LNA)

Used to improve the receiver sensitivity of the testing

instrument.

During a test, we can select the LNA with 30 dB gain and 5

dB noise coefficient.

Additional power supply needs to be considered for the

LNA. Some testing instruments (like YBT250 ) are
configured a built-in LNA.

For a cascade network, the noise coefficient of the system

depends on level-1 noise coefficient when a high gain
amplifier is configured at the front end of the system.

Page 23

Contents
Chapter 1

Impact of
Electromagnetic
Interference on the
System

Chapter 2

Sources of
Electromagnetic
Background Interference

Chapter 3

Introduction to
Interference Test Tools

Chapter 4

Methods for
Electromagnetic
Background Test

Chapter 5

Page 24

Instructions for

Contents
Chapter 4

Methods for Electromagnetic

Background Test

4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4

Page 25

Preparations
Setting Basic Parameters
Measurement Procedure
Data Processing

Preparations

Master local radio band

planning and the usage of radio
equipment by enterprises

For pilot networks

For commercial networks

Page 26

No available frequency is determined and the testing frequency is

allocated temporarily. During a spectrum test, you need to scan
the entire band or select several 5 MHz bands for test according
to the local frequency resources for use at the later phase.
Frequency resources are determined. The test focuses on the
bands used by the operator and is intended to eliminate
interference at the bands in use.

Preparations

Determine the test time and place

Page 27

Uplink electromagnetic interference test

Test place: the place where the NodeB antenna is installed.

Conduct the test in three directions (0, 120 and 240).

Use a portable antenna or the NodeBs antenna.

Downlink electromagnetic interference test

Select a certain quantity of typical points within the cell coverage for
test.

Conduct the test in three directions (0, 120 and 240).

Use a portable antenna.

Perform a drive test, drive the vehicle slowly along the main streets
covered by a cell and then stop the vehicle for further test when
detecting the interference.

Preparations

Prepare tools
and make sure
that they are
available:

Page 28

Spectrum analyzer

GPS receiver

Compass

Testing antenna

Vehicle

Preparations

Prepare tools and make them

available:

Connect an LNA to the spectrum

analyzer with low receiver
sensitivity.
During system connection, check
whether connectors are matched
and ensure continuous power
supply for the instruments.
Yaqi antenna
Filter
LNA
Cable

Page 29

YBT250
spectrum
analyzer

Device

Connector Model

Yagi antenna

N (female)

Bandpass filter

N (female)

YBT250 spectrum
analyzer

N (female)

LNA

SMA (male)

Feeder

N (male)

Feeder

N (male)/SMA (male)

50 ohm matched
load

N (male)

Contents
Chapter 4
Methods for Electromagnetic
Background Test

Page 30

4.1

Preparations

4.2

Setting Basic Parameters

4.3

Measurement Procedure

4.4

Data Processing

Setting Basic Parameters

Set the following basic

Parameter
Parameter Value
parameters

Page 31

Remarks

Fo

Uplink: Fo=1950; downlink: Fo=2140

(MHz)

Central frequency of the

spectrum under test

SPAN

For example, SPAN=100 MHz

Span of the testable

spectrum

MaxHold
/Average

Select MaxHold or Average according

to occurrent or continuous interference
respectively.

Display the maximum

value/the average value

RefLvl

Do not select AutoLevel. Set the

reference level according to the testing
signal and try to display the signal in the
middle of the spectrum analyzer.

Reference level

Vertical
Scale

10 dB/div (default)

Vertical scale

Contents
Chapter 4 Methods for Electromagnetic
Background Test

Page 32

4.1

Preparations

4.2

Setting Basic Parameters

4.3

Measurement Procedure

4.4

Data Processing

Measurement Procedure

Determining the test azimuth

Select the position where the NodeB antenna is installed for test.
Usually, you need to conduct the test in three directions. If the
direction of the NodeB antenna is determined, make the testing
antenna be in the same direction as the NodeB antenna.

Searching interference

Search interference within the uplink band and then within the
downlink band.

Specific operations:
Enter the YBT250 spectrum test interface and set Fo and Span.
Fill in the record table, save data files, and check whether there is
interference.

Judge rule: whether there is interference waveform higher than the

noise floor.

Page 33

Measurement Procedure

Interference confirmation

During interference search, if there is interference, conduct a

interference confirmation test. Specific steps are as follows:

Enter the interface for measuring YBT250 NodeB test information, and
set Fo to a central frequency point near interference, Span to 3
interference bandwidth, and Channel Bandwidth to 4 M.

Read the in-band interference power, fill in the record table, and save
the data file.

In-band test

Page 34

For the customer pilot, test the in-band power for all the candidate
channels. For commercial offices, focus on testing the in-band
power for the available channels. Specific steps are as follows:

Enter the interface for measuring YBT250 NodeB test

information, and set Fo to a central frequency point of the
testing channel, Channel Bandwidth to 5 M, and Span to 3
interference bandwidth.

Read the in-band power, fill in the record table, and save the
data file.

Measurement Procedure

Downlink drive test

Downlink drive test means driving a vehicle slowly along the
main streets covered by a cell and conducting a point test
after discovering large interference.
Specific operations:

Enter the YBT250 spectrum test interface.

Set Fo to 2140 MHz and Span to 60 MHz. Search interference

when the vehicle moves at a speed lower than 15 km/h.

Point test items include:

Set Fo to a central frequency point near the interference, Channel

Bandwidth to 4 MHz, and Span to 3 interference
bandwidth. Record the in-band interference power.

Or set Fo to a central frequency point of the testing channel,

Channel Bandwidth to 5 MHz, and Span to 3 channel
bandwidth. Record the in-band power.

Page 35

Contents
Chapter 4 Methods for Electromagnetic
Background Test

Page 36

4.1

Preparations

4.2

Setting Basic Parameters

4.3

Measurement Procedure

4.4

Data Processing

Data Processing
After completing measurement, perform
data processing.

After completing
measurement for the test
area, output
WCDMA Electromagnetic
Interference Test Form
After completing
measurement for the entire
local network, output
Report on WCDMA
Electromagnetic

Page 37

Question

Is the
interference
level obtained
from the
electromagnetic
interference
test equal to the
level of the
interference
signals at the

Page 38

Answer

The testing
system and
WCDMA system
adopt different
antennas and
feeders.
Therefore, you
need to
calculate the
level of the

Page 39

Answer

Testing system

Antenna gain: 3 dBi

Feeder loss: 1 dB

Measured interference level: -90 dBm

WCDMA system

Gain of the NodeB antenna: 10 dBi

Feeder loss: 2 dB

Interference level at the NodeB: 90 - (3 -1) + (10 - 2) 84 dBm

Page 40

Question

How to estimate
the power of the
interference
level within the
channel
bandwidth
according to the
interference
level within the
RBW?

Page 41

Answer

The WCDMA system is

a broadband system.
Therefore, you need to
calculate the integral
power of the
interference level
within the channel
bandwidth.

RBW of the testing system: 10 KHz

Interference level within the RBW: -80
dBm
Channel bandwidth: 3.84 MHz
Page
42Integral power within the channel:

Contents
Chapter 1

Impact of
Electromagnetic
Interference on the
System

Chapter 2

Sources of
Electromagnetic
Background Interference

Chapter 3

Introduction to
Interference Test Tools

Chapter 4

Methods for
Electromagnetic
Background Test

Chapter 5

Instructions for
YBT250

Page 43

Contents
Chapter 5

Instructions for
YBT250
System connection
Power-on
Measurement
Measurement setting
Measurement result

Page 44

Instructions for YBT250

Before site survey, you

need to conduct a
spectrum test and find
proper frequency test
instruments.
Tektronix YBT250 is
recommended.
Features of YBT250

Portable, easy to carry

System integration, with a built-in LNA

Page 45

Instructions for YBT250

System connection

The matched antenna of YBT250 is

Yagi directional antenna.

A portable small antenna can be used

for electromagnetic background test.

YBT250 can use the battery delivered

together or can be externally

LNA

connected to the power supply.

Cable

Power-on

Press Power and enter the Windows

CE operating system.

Enter the measurement interface

through the touch screen of YBT250.

Page 46

Yaqi antenna

Filter

YBT250
spectrum
analyzer

Instructions for YBT250

Measurement

Page 47

YBT250 supports the following three

measurement functions:

NodeB information measurement

Spectrum test

Interference source search

Spectrum test supports the

following two display modes:

Spectrum mode

Spectrogrum mode

Instructions for YBT250

Measurement

The spectrum mode is used for real-time measurement.

Determine the band to be tested and set Fo.

Modify the span.

Observe the spectrum diagram, adjust the Fo and span, and view
whether there is interference.

The Trace menu includes the following options:

Normal, Max Hold, Min Hold and Max/Min Hold

Save the current spectrum diagram.

Note: You need to set RefLvl correctly to make the measured

signal level range from RefLvl to (RefLvl-70dB). The difference of
the maximum level and minimum of level that the YBT250 can
correctly display is 70 dB.

Page 48

Instructions for YBT250

Measurement
The spectrogrum mode is used to check
whether there is interference at a certain
band in a specified time. The horizontal
axis stands for the band and the vertical
axis for the time.
Specific operations:

Set the automatic storage option and a file

name.

Set the band (Fo and span).

Open the saved file and view interference.

To view the exact interference, you can

export the file as:

A picture

Data (.txt,.csv)

Export the data from YBT250 using the U

disk or network cable.

Page 49

Instructions for YBT250

Measurement setting

Fo: the central frequency of the testing signal (unit: MHz)

Span: It can be set to 100 MHz, 10 MHz or 5 MHz.

RBW: It is automatically set by the instrument according to the

span.

MaxHold/Average: display the maximum value and the average

value.

RefLvl: set according to the interference level.

Measurement result
WCDMA Electromagnetic Interference Test Form and Report on
WCDMA Electromagnetic Interference Test

Page 50

Instructions for YBT250

A spectrum trail in the interference window

Page 51

Instance of displaying signal strength

Conclusion

Page 52

This course
describes
possible
interference
sources at the
WCDMA band,
methods for
electromagnetic
background test,