Course Learning Objectives

Upon completions of this course you will be able to:

Use the ACTIX Analyzer to post process the drive test data,
visualize the data and analyze the data.
Have the knowledge of voice network optimization.
Identify the problems and solutions found during the
testing.
Course Pre-requisite
cdmaOne and CDMA2000 concepts and
terminology
Technical Background in Wireless
Communication Systems
Basic Call Processing in CDMA
 Course History
It was aimed to be one of our
commitments to transfer the
knowledge and experiences
about ACTIX Analyzer to PT.
TELKOM.
This course was designed
based upon our technical
knowledge that was gained
from Qualcomm CDMA
University as one of CDMA
knowledge center.
ACTIX Analyzer
One of the best post processing tool that supports data
from multiple data collection vendors as well as multiple
technologies.
Able to decode the call trace collection devices.
Provide the flexibility for engineers to specify their own
analyses based on parameters collected during testing.
Using phone and scanner data for CDMA network analysis.
Automated report generation such as call statistics,
handoff states and many more.
Latest news from ACTIX 8 of the world top 10 operators
use ACTIX.
ACTIX Analyzer (continued)
Getting Started with ACTIX
Launch the ACTIX Analyzer application.
Configure the Analyzer. (Its only done once per
optimization area/workspace)
Setting up Maps
Loading Cell Site Data
Data Aggregation (Binning)
General Settings
Loading drive test data.
Create Superstream.
Export data to a file.
Generate the automated reports.
ACTIX data attributes most commonly export to a file.
Start Running the ACTIX
Launch the application by clicking the Analyzer Icon either on Desktop
Windows or Start Menu
Main Menu and
Button Bars

Workspace Explorer

Data Viewing Windows

Setting up Map
It is only required when we
want to display the data on top
of the background map.
Open the map windows by
clicking the View Menu ->
Display new Map
Setting up Map (continued)
Add map files
(MapInfo *.tab files)
from the Map windows
toolbar by clicking the
Layers Button
Setting up Map (continued)
Map toolbar reference
Loading Cell Site Data
The network data input files should be in tab, space or comma
separated files with one row of data per cell.
Basic required fields:
SiteID
Latitude
Longitude
Sector_ID
Azimuth
Beamwitdh
PN
By using import wizard feature, a user may define the format of a network
data input file and define how the source data is mapped to ACTIX
fields.
There are two types of data imported from input files which are
categorized as cell and sites data.
Loading Cell Site Data (continued)
Use the Network
Explorer to import,
view and edit the
network information.
Loading Cell Site Data (continued)
Configure the column
settings of cell with
minimum required
fields as follows:
SectorID
Azimuth
Beamwitdh
PN
Loading Cell Site Data (continued)
Configure the column
settings of site with
mininum required
fields as follows:
Site_Name
SiteID
Latitude
Longitude
Loading Cell Site Data (continued)
Using the current
network information
(CellRefs) that was just
imported through the
Tools Menu and
Preferences.
Data Aggregation (Binning)
Binning is a method of grouping and averaging the data
loaded from a log file.
Binning criterion can be specified in terms of:
Time
Geographic Location
Distance Traveled
Message Number
The Map, Chart and Table are binned views, means that
they display binned data.
The Message Browser and Protocol Stack Browser are
message based views, means that they display data taken
directly from the messages in the logfile.
Currently, we are using the location binning mode for our
data analysis purpose.
Data Aggregation (Binning Continued)
Some best practice recommendations for binning
modes:
Comparing my network to a competitors, or current
location of my network to that of 3 months ago Use
location binning, 100m or 200m square bin sizes.
Creating bins only when there is a change in GPS
coordinates Use distance binning at 50m or 100m
intervals, is the best alternative.
Examining a small section of a drive test to solve a very
specific problem Use either message-based binning or
time-based binning at 500ms.
Data Aggregation (Binning continued)
To set the default
binning settings for the
workspace, from the
Tools menu, select
Preferences.
General Settings
Make Distance Units
into Kilometres
Adjust the Mobile and
Switch Time Offset to
our local time zone
which is GMT +7
Loading Drive Test Data
From the Analyzer
toolbar, click the Open
Logfiles button, and
this display the Open
dialog window
Select an appropriate
file
Loading Drive Test Data (continued)
Navigate the workspace
explorer to view the loaded
data.
The only objects that you
actually need to recognize
are filenames, data streams
and data attributes.
Data attributes will be
used by map, chart and
table windows.
Data streams will be used
by message browser and
protocol stack browser
windows.
 Loading Drive Test Data (continued)
Filename

Loaded Data Stream

Loaded Data Attributes

Create Superstream
A superstream is a data stream that has been
generated by correlating and merging data streams
from different sources.
Data from the superstream can be displayed in maps,
charts and table.
With ACTIX, it is possible to merge the drive test and
call trace data by superstreaming.
Create Superstream
(continued)
From the Tools menu,
select Create
Superstream to open
the Superstreaming
dialog window. This
dialog shows all
currently available data
streams.
Check each data
stream that you want
to combine as a
superstream
Create Superstream
(continued)
Merge Method Settings:
Use Timestamps this uses timestamp data within each stream to
synchronize the data.
Correlated Parameters use specified data attributes to correlate
the data streams.
Time Offsets use this to apply a shift to the time value for one of
the streams. It is a good option for superstreaming mobile and land-
based log files collected using speech quality equipments
Currently, we are using the timestamps method for our
analysis purpose.
Create Superstream
(continued)
Export Data to a File
From the File menu, select
Export Text File to open the
Export Wizard.
Select the data stream, one or
more data attributes that are to
be exported and lastly specify
the export format using the
options provided.
This step is only required if we
are going to use the 3rd party
application such as MapInfo to
produce the drive test plots or
manipulate data within a MS
Excel.
Export Data to a File
(continued)
Generate The Automated Reports
Most commonly reports produce by ACTIX such
as:
CDMA Summary Report that consist of the following
reports:
Call Statistics
FER and EcIo
Mtx and Mrx
Handoff State
CDMA Event Inspection that consist of the following
reports:
Call Dropped Window Stats: For every dropped call, this
reports key performance metrics for a 5-second window before
the drop.
Setup Failure Window Stats: For every dropped call, this
Generate The Automated Reports (continued)
Sample of Call
Statistics
Summary
Generate The Automated Reports (continued)
Sample of Handoff
State Report
Generate The Automated Reports (continued)
Sample of Call
Dropped Window
Stats Report
Generate The Automated Reports (continued)
Sample of
Setup Failure
Window Stats
Generate The Automated Reports (continued)
Sample of FER and
EcIo Reports
Generate The Automated Reports (continued)
Sample of MS Rx and
Tx Power
ACTIX Data Attributes
There are two types of Data Attributes:
Handset Data Attributes that consist of:
Downlink Measurements

Dedicated Radio Link

Pilot Measurements

Call Events

Scanner or Receiver Data Attributes that consist of:

Pilot Measurements

Event Data

Those ACTIX Data Attributes are most commonly

used for our data analysis purposes.
CDMA RF Optimization
Course Outlines:
3 Major Steps in Optimizing Network
RF Optimization Process
Key Performance Metrics
Cluster and Drive Route
Infrastructure Data Collection
Post Processing and Analysis
CDMA Handset States
MS Call Processing
Soft Handoff Process
MS Timer Values
CDMA Layer 3 Messages
CDMA Event Technical Reference
Originating Call Flows
Paging Channel Messages
Dropped Calls
Outgoing Call Fail
Network Tuning
Three Major Steps in Optimizing Network
RF Optimization is the process
of measuring, analyzing, and
tuning an existing network to
Test
meet network performance
criteria.
It usually occurs after the
network planning is
Tune Analyze
completed
It can be performed
frequently, to respond to:
Changes or growth in the
network
Customer Complaints such as
coverage, dropped calls etc
RF Optimization Process
Key Performance Metrics
It was defined to evaluate the network performance depend on what is
important to the network operator.
The specific metric may vary (not standardized)
The key performance metrics can change over time.
The primary key performance metrics are specified on most network.
These include:
Access Failure Rate (Mobile Origination and Termination Failures)
Drop Call Rate
Forward Frame Error Rate
MS Receive Power
MS Transmit Power
Pilot Ec/Io
Other metrics are specified on some, but not all networks. These
include:
Average Call Setup Time
Soft Handoff Percentage
Area Availability
Cluster and Drive Route
Network should be divided into cluster if it consist of more
than 10 sites and the network coverage area is bigger.
Clustering will make it easily to identify the problems and
determine the causes.
Drive route should be defined and meet the following
criteria:
The route should go through all the sectors and extend to the cell
boundary.
The route should include the points of interests such as stadiums,
arenas, location with high wireless usage and trouble spots/hot
spots.
Infrastructure Data Collection
OMCR Data
MIB Database.
CDL Logs for the ESN that were used during the test.
Daily/Hourly Reports such as PM Sum, XCAT and CEM
Reports.
MSC Data
Call Trace Data (if required).
Site Audit Data
Antenna Checklist.
BTS Pilot Power Output.
Physical Installation Checklist.
Antenna Sweep Test Result.
Post Processing and Analysis
Use ACTIX to post process the mobile log files
based upon location and time.
The drive test plots are produced during the post
processing base upon the following ACTIX
handset data attributes:
MS Receive Power
Ec/Io 1st Best
Mobile Transmit Power
Forward FER
PN 1st Best Ec/Io
Handoff State
Post Processing and Analysis (continued)
This step also produce the call statistics such as:
Call Setup Time
Dropped Call Rate
Origination and Termination Failure Rate
Use ACTIX to identify the problems and solutions
through layer 3 messages (message browser and
protocol stack browser)
CDMA Handset States
Idle States This is the state that the phone is in,
before a call is originated or received. After a call is
terminated through normal or abnormal means, it
returns to the Idle States.
Origination State This is the state that the
phone is in after an Origination or Page Response
is sent on the access channel, but before the
forward and reverse traffic channels are active.
Dedicated State (Conversation) This is the
state that the phone is in, after transmission has
started on both link (forward and reverse traffic
channels).
MS Call Processing
MS Call Processing (continued)
Soft Handoff Process
Soft Handoff Process
(continued)
1. Pilot strength exceed T_ADD. MS sends a Pilot Strength
Measurement Message and transfers pilot to the Candidate Set.
2. BS sends an Extended Handoff Direction Message, a General Handoff
Direction Message or a Universal Handoff Direction Message.
3. MS transfers pilot to the Active Set and sends a Handoff Completion
Message.
4. Pilot strength drops below T_DROP. MS starts the handoff drop
timer TT_DROP.
5. Handoff drop timer expires. MS sends a Pilot Strength Measurement
Message.
6. BS sends an Extended Handoff Direction Message, a General Handoff
Direction Message or a Universal Handoff Direction Message.
7. MS moves pilot from the Active Set to the Neighbor Set and sends a
Handoff Completion Message.

This Soft Handoff Process will occur if

P_REV_IN_USEs is 3 or SOFT_SLOPEs = 000000
MS Timer Values
CDMA Layer 3 Messages
Synch Channel Messages (Forward Link)
Paging Channel Messages (Forward Link)
General Page Message
Access Parameter
System Parameter
Extended System Parameter
CDMA Channel List
Extended CDMA Channel List
Extended Channel Assignment
Neighbor List
Access Channel Messages (Reverse Link)
Origination Message
Paging Response Message
CDMA Layer 3 Messages (continued)
Forward Traffic Channel Messages (Forward Link)
Universal Handoff Direction Message
BS Acknowledgement
Service Connect
In Traffic System Parameter Update
In Traffic Neighbor List Update
Service Request
Reverse Traffic Channel Messages (Reverse Link)
Pilot Strength Measurement Messages
Power Measurement Report Messages
Service Connect Completion
Handoff Completion
MS Acknowledgment
Service Response
CDMA Layer 3 Messages (continued)
Use ACTIX Protocol Stack Browser to view the signaling
messages.
CDMA Layer 3 Messages (continued)
Message Browser
combines an event
panel (sequentially
listing call events)
with a panel of
Layer 3 Messages,
allowing you to
pinpoint the root
causes of problems.
CDMA Event Technical Reference
Call Completed: This attribute indicates successful
outgoing call initiations triggered by the following
sequence of messages:
Origination or Enhanced Origination Messagee
Followed by a Service Connect or a Service Connect Completion Message
Call Dropped: This attribute indicates abnormal call
terminations triggered by the following sequence of events:
Outgoing Call Setup OK or Incoming Call Setup OK (defined below)
Not followed by a Forward Release Order
Followed by a return to the Sync Channel
Call Setup Time: It provides the difference in time
between the Service Connect Completion message and the
associated Origination, Enhance Origination, or Page
Response Message.
CDMA Event Technical Reference (continued)
CDMA Call Type: It provides a description for
each call in a log file:
0 Outgoing Call Successfully Terminated
1 Incoming Call Successfully Terminated
2 Outgoing Call Failed Initiation
3 Incoming Call Failed Initiation
4 Outgoing Call Dropped
5 Incoming Call Dropped
Handoff OK: This attribute indicates handoff
events for mobiles handing off within the same
carrier of a CDMA system. This attribute is
triggered by the following sequence of messages:
CDMA Event Technical Reference (continued)
Extended Handoff Direction, Universal Handoff
Direction, or General Handoff Direction messages.
Followed by a Handoff Completion or Extended
Handoff Completion messages.
Incoming Call Fail: This attribute indicates failed
incoming call attempts triggered by the following
sequence of messages:
Page Response message.
Not followed by a Service Connect Completion.
Followed by another Page Response message or a
transition back to Idle mode.
CDMA Event Technical Reference (continued)
Incoming Call OK: This attribute indicates
successful incoming call initiations triggered by
the following sequence of messages:
Page Response message.
Followed by a either a Service Connect or Service
Connect Completion message.
Outgoing Call Fail: This attribute indicates failed
outgoing call initiations triggered by the following
sequence of messages:
Origination or Enhanced Origination messages.
Not followed by a Service Connect Completion message.
CDMA Event Technical Reference (continued)
Followed by an Origination message or a transition back
to idle mode.
Outgoing Call OK: This attribute indicates successful
outgoing call initiations triggered by the following
sequence of messages:
Origination or Enhanced Origination messages.
Followed by a Service Connect or a Service Connect
Completion message.
Paging Channel Messages
(General Page Message)
Paging Channel Messages
(Access Parameter)
Paging Channel Messages
(CDMA Channel List)
Paging Channel Messages
(Neighbor List)
Paging Channel Messages
(System Parameters)
Paging Channel Messages
(Extended System Parameter)
Paging Channel Messages
(Extended CDMA Channel List)
Dropped Calls
Dropped Calls are caused by the inability to maintain a
closed loop path for signaling and traffic between the
mobile and the base station once the call is established.
Key Observations:
Drive Test Plots produced by ACTIX Handset Data Attributes such
as MS Rx Power, MS Tx Power, Forward FER and 1st Best Ec/Io.
Call Drop Window Stats 5 Secs Before Drop (ACTIX CDMA Event
Inspections).
Infrastructure Logs (CDL and MSC Call Trace Data).
CDMA Layer 3 Messages and Mobile Diagnostic Messages that are
viewed by protocol stack browser and message browser.
Most Probably Causes: System Release, RF Loss, MS/BS
Bad Frames, MS Fade Timer, Forward FER Too High, Weak
Ec/Io and Missing Potential Neighbor.
Sample of Dropped Calls

Drive test plot shows too high

Forward FER but good RSSI and
Ec/Io. This is indication of weak
traffic channel.
CDL logs shows CFC=26 (System
Release).
MSC logs shows Fail Reason (System
Failure).
Outgoing Call Fail
Key Observations:
Drive Test Plots produced by ACTIX Handset Data
Attributes such as MS Rx Power, MS Tx Power, Forward
FER and 1st Best Ec/Io.
Setup Failure Window Stats 5 secs. Before Event
Outgoing Failures (ACTIX CDMA Event Inspection
Report).
Infrastructure Logs (CDL and MSC Call Trace Data).
CDMA Layer 3 Messages and Mobile Diagnostic
Messages that are viewed by protocol stack browser and
message browser.
Most probably causes: link imbalance, access
failure, repeater problems and communicates with
distant site.
Sample of Outgoing Call Fail
MS communicates with
distant sites which was
shown by searcher and
finger info messages.
Max number of access
probe sequences were
reached (num_step=3
and max_rsp_seq=3)
Network Tuning
After a network has been tested and the test data
has been analyzed, the network is tuned to bring
it up its defined performance specifications.
Hardware Changes:
Antenna Adjustments (Orientation, Tilt and Height)
Software Changes:
Neighbor List Add/Delete
BTS Pilot Power
MAHO Parameter
Search Windows Parameter
Access Parameter
Cell Radius
Thank You Very Much for Your Attention