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RF Optimization Scenarios
This is a brief description of the common scenarios that the RF team experience
during optimization. Also described are the databases that needs checking.
Problem

Dropped Calls

Parameters
1. Wrong parameter settings (perform
consistency checks on adjcell/adjres,
hoctrl, pwrctrl, and bts objects.)

Physical
1. Wrong azimuth orientation
(check site/antenna config
database, also MapInfo maps)

2. Verify if default parameters matches

with the current database of omc or check 2. Wrong antenna/feeder cable
for mismatches between customer
connections (requires site visit)
settings and omc settings.
3. Analyze drive data using TEMS
4. Verify the neighbor list (this falls on
consistency checks)
5. In case of interference, check BCCH
database or design data
1. Wrong parameter settings (perform
Handover Failures consistency checks on adjcell/adjres,
hoctrl, pwrctrl, and bts objects.)
2. Check LAC assignment on the
release_omc or perform consistency
checks on lac listings.

Multiple Handovers

3. Faulty hardware installation

(see site documentation)
4. Site down (check omc site
alarms and status)
5. Analyze data, look for
interference
1. Investigate coverage plots
(verify coverage holes)

2. Check antenna
configuration/orientation database

3. Check Pwrctrl parameters (check

mismatches between default and omc
settings)

3. Analyze drive test data.

1. Verify Hoctrl parameters, Pwr Bgt Ave

Period, HO_Margin etc.
2. Check Adjcell list (verify RxLev Min
Access and HO_Margin values)

1. Investigate coverage plots

(verify coverage holes)
2. Check antenna
configuration/orientation database
3. Analyze drive test data.

1. Check BCCH listings

Interference
2. Check cluster listings and verify cells
with co-channel and adjacent channel
3. Check antenna hight data base
Wrong (Invalid)
Handovers

Blocking

1. Check the neighbor list and verify

mutuality between adjacent cells.

1. Check site reports for possible

hardware problems
2. Use TEMS/other tools to
analyze and distinguish internal
and external interference
3. Check maps and locate sites
with interfering BCCHs
1. Check antenna azimuths and
tilts

1. Check PMS statistics (daily and weekly 1. Add RTs

reports)
2. Check site database and verify number .
of RTs

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Methods and Tools:

Cluster Testing is done to fine tune the fixed network and identify coverage issues.
Identifying what type of cluster methodology is used.
Data Analysis and Sorting (Radio Link and Cluster Performance Test)
Drive Test Data indicates the status of the cluster before, and after, the addition of
sites. Also indicates coverage issues.
Customer Complaints (Trouble Tickets) are collected from the Customer Service
Department and RF related issues are sent to the Network Planning department.
The complaints are sorted into clusters and are given to the RF engineers to work
on.
PMS (Performance Measurement Sub-system) monitors network performance
and creates reports that are then analyzed by the RF engineers during the
performance testing.
OMC Data is accessed and used to assess current network status information
Cluster Drive Testing involves:
1. Defining Drive Routes
2. Drive Test Scheduling:
Night Drive (off-peak time testing)
Day Drive (peak-time testing)
3. Data Analysis and Recommendations
Analysis concentrates on coverage and quality issues. The drive test data
analyzed is RXLevel, RXQual, MSTxPWR, and intra-Cluster connectivity.
4. Fine Tuning:
Changes in parameters after analysis have been made.
5. Determining RF Coverage holes
6. Post- Processing of Drive Test Data using MapInfo and GIMS
7. Analysis using TEMS
8. Site visits if necessary
9. Printing and analyzing drive test plots for analysis and presentation
Main Issues of Concern:
Dropped calls
Call setup failures
Poor coverage
Handover Failures
Transmission and Synchronization
Interference
Blocking, etc.
Actions:
Workorders are produced for implementation of new services, and changes to the
existing networks.

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Drive Test and Analysis Tools:

MapInfo desktop/pc mapping software
GIMS TEMS post processing software in MapInfo
Ericsson TEMS mobile phone (1 or 2)
GPS and external antennas
Notebook computer and accessories
Switch Terminal/AUI/GUI real time switch terminal necessary for retrieving current
network status information, cell parameters, BSS parameters, etc.
Initial Optimization
The purpose is to verify the basic performance of the radio-network and
identify severe RF problems and possible hardware problems.
Responsibilities of the RF engineering group:
Preparation phase:
Reviewing frequency plan
Preparing and checking of RF related OSS BSS data
Handover performance
Handover order
Inter BCE Handover
Inter MSC handovers
Coverage
Service quality
In contrast, ongoing RF optimization can cover issues such as resolving the
main reasons of the degradation of the radio-network performance, which are the
following:
Congestion
Oscillating Handovers
Actual network reconfiguration
Interference caused by increasing traffic

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A summary of Radio Performance Test and RF Optimization Tasks:

Task

Call setup possibility

Radio Performance Test

Checking the feasibility(possibility) of
setting up
MS originated calls and MS
terminated calls

Handover performance Verification of proper handover

function for each defined neighbor
relationships

Handover order

RF Optimization
During RF optimization it is
possible to keep track of call setup
performance, because sufficient
number of network statistics data
and drive test data will be available.
- identifying handover areas
between all neighboring site(s)
- identify and prioritize all abnormal
handovers
- adjustments for the elimination
of oscillating handovers
- the handover areas are identified
on a map for future optimization

check correct handover sequence

Shifting or reducing the traffic from
congested site(s) to its neighboring
sites and optimize traffic flow in the
network, handle hot-spot areas

Traffic distribution

Frequency plan
adjustment

When new site is going to be

integrated into network the initial
frequency plan will be reviewed and
readjusted if necessary

Due to the sufficient amount of

network statistics data and drive
test data more efficient frequency
will be possible to be implemented
and achieve higher capacity of the
network

Coverage

During each site testing it will be

possible to check correct per cell
coverage distribution and identifyresolve general service degrading
coverage problems

Due to the more extensive drive

tests detailed mapping of the coverage will be available. In this case
collected data will be sufficient for
fine tune of antenna configuration in
order to achieve evenly distributed
coverage along clusters of sites

Service Quality

Increasing traffic and capacity upgrades of the network will result in

Any potential or identified interference new interference issues that can be
issues, during the site tests,
identified and resolved only by regular
are analyzed and minimized
monitoring of the network from
network statistics and drive test
Data inputs.
By:

ZAHOOR UL HAQ
RF Engineer
HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES Ltd.

END

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