3G Modulation Quality Measurement

Understanding 3G Modulation
Quality Measurements
Understanding 3G Modulation Quality Measurements
23 May 2002
Abstract:
There are many ways of characterizing transmitter performance for 3G systems.
This paper explores the significance of the key transmitter modulation quality
conformance measurements, such as rho, error vector magnitude (EVM), code
domain power (CDP) and peak code domain error (peak CDE), and the
relationships among them. Although not part of conformance testing, several
additional measurements that offer an extended understanding on transmitter
subsystem and system design will be analyzed.
The benefits of each measurement will be discussed from the perspectives of
baseband, RF, and particularly, systems integration engineers.
The content in this paper applies to both base transceiver stations (BTS) and mobile
stations (MS) or user equipment (UE).
4 -1
23 May 2002
The complexity of 3G systems demands sophisticated testing. The multi-rate

capability of 3G systems creates the need for additional measurement definitions to
evaluate the modulation quality for different sections of the transmitter design at
different design stages.
The reverse link (or uplink) structure, in particular, is very different from the reverse
link in 2G systems. One key difference, is that unlike 2G systems, the MS (or UE)
can transmit more than one code channel. The different channels are used for
control purposes or to send voice and/or high speed data. Thus, in some ways the
MS can be compared to a miniature BTS, and requires similar testing to that used
for 2G and 3G CDMA BTS evaluation, such as code domain analysis. The purpose
of this paper is to clarify the meaning of these measurements. The key differences
between them and the benefits they offer to development engineers will be
highlighted.
4 -2
Agenda
Modulation quality measurements for 3G transmitters
EVM and rho
QPSK EVM
Composite EVM and composite rho
Code Domain Analysis
Symbol power versus time
Symbol EVM
Demodulated bits
Peak code domain error
23 May 2002
During this presentation, we will take a look at all the modulation quality tests
available for 3G transmitters from the baseband, RF and systems perspective.
For each measurement, its meaning and measurement process will be described.
This will help clarify the differences between the measurements, who benefits from
them and in which applications they can be useful.
Further information about W-CDMA technology basics and UE testing can be
found in [1]. Information about W-CDMA BTS testing can be found in [2].
Information about cdma2000 technology and MS testing can be found in [3].
Information about cdma2000 BTS testing can be found in [4].
4 -3
Standards Committees
Perspective on Modulation Quality
3G specifications use four modulation quality
tests!
Difference
Single-Channel or MultiChannel EVM
Correlation (likeness)
Single-Pilot or MultiChannel Rho
Projection (receiver view)
Multi-Rate Code Domain

Power (CDP)
Projected Difference
Multi-Rate Code Domain

Error (CDE)
23 May 2002
CD
Wa
cdm
MA
200
0
200 A
a
cdm -CDM
&W
CD
W-
MA
The two in-channel modulation quality conformance tests defined in the Third
Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) W-CDMA specifications are EVM and Peak
CDE. Meanwhile, cdma2000 and its 2G predecessor cdmaOne use rho and CDP for
conformance testing. CDP is also used as the measurement method for some of the WCDMA power conformance tests, such as Output Dynamics in the Uplink or
Downlink.
EVM and rho are tests that provide essentially the same information. The difference
between them is that EVM is defined as the vector difference between the measured
and reference signals, while rho is defined as the correlation between the two signals.
CDP is defined as the projection of the signal power in multiple orthogonal axes that
represent the code channels. The codes are orthogonal, i.e. completely independent of
each other. CDP enables us to determine the power in each of the codes as if each code
was associated with one of a set of orthogonal axes. In 3G systems, this measurement
is complicated by the fact that the code channels have variable spreading factors (SFs).
In addition to CDP, associated in-depth code domain analysis tools, such as symbol
EVM, symbol power versus time and demodulated bits should be used extensively
during the evaluation and troubleshooting of a 3G transmitter design.
The code domain error (CDE) is the projection of the vector difference between the
measured and reference signals. Therefore, it can be understood as the CDP of the
error vector, i.e. a combination of EVM and CDP.
4 -4
Designers Perspective
33Main
Mainareas
areasof
ofDevelopment
Development
RF
RFDesigner
Designer
Baseband
BasebandDesigner
Designer
Getting
Gettingtotothe
theright
rightpoint
point
Compression
Compression
Crest
Crestfactor
factor
Band
BandLimiting
Limiting
Framing
Framingbits
bits
Pilot
Pilotsymbols
symbols
Digital
DigitalTiming
Timing
System
SystemIntegrator
Integrator
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
Capacity
CapacityPlanning
Planning
Monitor
Monitordifferent
differentchannel
channel
configurations
configurations
23 May 2002
From the designers point of view, the most useful modulation quality measurement
depends on the particular application, which is mainly determined by the designers
job function. The specified W-CDMA or cdma2000 measurements are important at
every stage to verify conformance. However, other measurements may provide
more appropriate or additional information to evaluate or troubleshoot a specific
section of the transmitter at a particular design stage.
Throughout the following sections, the modulation quality measurements will be
described in terms of their algorithms and the applications for which they are most
useful.
4 -5
Todays Abstraction: CDMA as an Onion

Filtered Samples
Scrambled Chips
Orthogonal Chips
Despread Symbols
Encoded Bits
or Symbols
23 May 2002
In order to understand what the different modulation quality tests are really
measuring, it is necessary to understand the baseband structure of 3G CDMA
transmitters. In most digital communication formats, the unit of data is defined as a
bit, a symbol or a filtered sample throughout the baseband chain. In CDMA
systems, an additional unit, a chip, is used. Therefore, there are multiple levels of
modulation that the baseband data goes through. A good analogy is that of an onion
with one layer for each baseband modulation stage. This is the abstraction that will
be used throughout this paper.
4 -6
3G transmitter structure
3G Transmitter (W-CDMA or cdma2000)
Coding
Framing
Interleaving
Encoding
(BPSK or
QPSK)
Spreading
(Walsh or
OVSF)
Scrambling
(complex or
HPSK)
Spreading
I
60 kbps
S -P
OVSF
Code
Gen
3840 kcps
10 ms segment
218
Complex
Scramble Code
Generator
Encoded bits
or symbols) Despread Symbols
Orthogonal Chips
23 May 2002
FIR
FIR
Complex
Scrambling
Qscramble
3840 kcps
Q 30 ksps
QPSK
MOD
Iscramble
30 ksps
SF=128
Data Coding
(Uncoded bits
FIR
(e.g. RRC)
3840 kcps
+
+
Iscramble
Scrambled Chips
Filtered Samples
7
The baseband structure of a 3G transmitter (a W-CDMA BTS example, in this case) is shown on the bottom
part of the slide.
The different colors or shades in the block diagram correspond to the transitions for the different units of
data. Bits are used throughout the coding of the channel (uncoded bits before the coding and encoded bits
after the coding). The data coding has all been integrated into a single block. The modulation quality
measurement algorithms do not perform any decoding, and therefore, more detail about the coding is not
needed for the purpose of the paper. This means that the modulation quality measurements may provide
information about the encoded bits, but never get to the uncoded bits level. In cdma2000, the uncoded bits are
called bits and the encoded bits are called symbols, but the concepts are essentially the same. In order to
avoid confusion between symbols (before I/Q mapping) and despread symbols (after I/Q mapping), the term
encoded bits will be used instead of symbols throughout this paper.
The encoded bits become symbols after the serial-to-parallel converter. This is essentially equivalent to
QPSK encoding, in which I/Q levels are assigned to pairs of bits. In the case of W-CDMA UE or cdma2000
MS, BPSK encoding is applied (instead of QPSK encoding) in both the I and the Q paths [5]. In any case, the
resulting symbols are then spread into sequences of chips that are orthogonal amongst all the code channels.
Once the chips are complex scrambled (or HPSK scrambling [5] for the cdma2000 MS or W-CDMA UE),
they go through an Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter. This results in multiple samples for each chip (the
number of samples depending on the oversample ratio used). The W-CDMA baseband FIR filter is a rootraised cosine (RRC) filter with a filter coefficient of 0.22 (an equivalent RRC filter is used at the receiver
side).
A simplified representation of a generic W-CDMA or cdma2000 transmitter is also shown on the top part of
this slide . Each stage is represented by a box and the connectors between boxes represent the units of data
(bits, symbols, chips) used. Throughout the paper, this simplified block diagram will be used as a
representation of a 3G transmitter.
4 -7
Modulation Quality Measurements on the Onion

Code Domain Power
Symbol power Vs. time
Filtered Samples
Scrambled Chips
Composite EVM
Code Domain
Error
QPSK
EVM
Orthogonal Chips
Despread Symbols
Encoded Bits
or Symbols
Symbol EVM
Demodulated bits
23 May 2002
These are the W-CDMA modulation quality measurements that will be discussed:
QPSK EVM, composite EVM, CDP, symbol power versus time, symbol EVM,
demodulated bits and CDE (or Peak CDE).
The measurement dynamic is intuitively explained through the onion diagram. The
tip of the arrow shows what kind of data is being measured. If the measurement
requires a reference, the loop of the arrow shows how far in the receiver chain the
measurement algorithm goes to calculate the reference.
For example, in the case of composite EVM, the EVM is measured on the
scrambled chips. In order to calculate the reference for this measurement, the
encoded bits (symbols) need to be recovered.
A detailed description about each measurement is provided in the following slides.
4 -8
Difference: Error Vector Magnitude

Q
Magnitude
Error
Error Vector (e)
Measured
Vector (m)
N 1
EVM =
Reference
Vector (r)
n =0
N 1
n =0
e( n)
100%
r (n)
Phase Error
23 May 2002
The accuracy of non-constant amplitude modulation schemes, such as Quadrature

Amplitude Modulation (QAM), or Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK), can be
assessed very effectively by looking at the constellation of the signal. Signal
impairment can be objectively assessed by taking the displacement of each measured
symbol from the reference position as an error phasor (or vector). Therefore the error
vector is the vector difference between the measured and the reference vectors.
The reference position is determined from a reference signal that is synthesized by
demodulating the data bits from the received signal and then re-modulating these bits
"perfectly".
The EVM result is defined as the square root of the ratio of the mean error vector
power to the mean reference power, expressed as a percentage. EVM is a common
modulation quality metric widely used in digital communication systems.
It is important to consider not only the standard EVM metric, but also all the byproducts or related parameters to this metric. For example, examining how the error
vector evolves over time, or just looking at metrics such as the peak EVM or phase
error might provide information on whether an impairment is present or might even
help determine what the cause of the error is.
4 -9
Correlation : Rho
(r (n) m(n) )
N 1
Measured
Signal (m)
=
t
n=0
N 1
N 1
r (n) m (n)
n =0
n=0
Reference
Signal (r)
t
Error
Vector (e)
Rho = 0.9998
Peak EVM = High
23 May 2002
10
In contrast to EVM, rho provides the correlation of the measured signal to the ideal
reference. While EVM is always a value larger than zero and should ideally be as
low as possible, rho is always a value smaller than 1 and should ideally be as close
to 1 as possible.
This graph explains that even though rho looks like a good number, there could be a
problem with the signal that may only be seen with an EVM measurement. Rho is a
measure of correlation and is therefore not as sensitive to errors across small time
scales. On the other hand, these kinds of errors can be detected by examining the
error vector versus time and peak EVM, which are provided as by-products of the
EVM measurement.
Therefore, even though rho might be the metric required for conformance testing, as
it is in cdma2000, it is always better to supplement it with an EVM measurement.
In addition to this general explanation of rho and EVM, it becomes evident that, for
CDMA signals, more elaboration is needed. Should rho and/or EVM be measured
for a single code channel (such as the pilot) or for any other channel configuration?
How should the reference be calculated? Should EVM be measured at the chip or at
the symbol level?
4 -10
QPSK EVM on the Onion

Filtered Samples
QPSK EVM
Uncoded Chips
Scrambled Chips
Orthogonal Chips
Despread Symbols
Encoded Bits
or Symbols
23 May 2002
11
A typical 3G (W-CDMA or cdma2000) signal consists of several code channels. The

final constellation for a multi-channel signal does not usually look like QPSK or any
other known constellation.
However, a forward link (or downlink) signal with a single code channel does map onto a
45-degree rotated QPSK constellation. The rotation is caused by the complex scrambling.
Since the receiver does not care about the absolute phase rotation, it effectively sees a
QPSK constellation. In the reverse link (uplink), a signal with a single code channel also
maps onto a QPSK constellation. Therefore, in any case, the modulation quality of a
single-channel signal can be evaluated at the scrambled chip level with a QPSK EVM
measurement.
As indicated in the onion diagram, the QPSK EVM actually compares the measured
filtered samples with the filtered samples for an ideal QPSK reference. The filtered
sample reference signal is calculated by obtaining the ideal scrambled chips. The QPSK
EVM measurement does not descramble and despread the signal into symbols and then
back into chips to calculate the reference. Therefore, the ideal scrambled chips obtained
are really uncoded chips.The following slide shows more details about the measurement
algorithm.
4 -11
QPSK EVM on the Block Diagram

3G Transmitter
Coding
Framing
Interleaving
Encoding
(BPSK or
QPSK)
Spreading
Scrambling
FIR
(Tx)
QPSK
MOD
QPSK
QPSK
Decoding Ideal Encoding
I/Q
recovery
FIR
(Tx+Rx)
FIR
(Rx)
Meas. QPSK
EVM
Ref.
chips
Encoded bit (or symbol)
Despread symbol
Orthogonal chip
Scrambled chip
Filtered sample
23 May 2002
12
The signal under test is downconverted (the baseband I and Q signals are recovered
and sampled) and passed through an RRC receiver filter. In order to calculate what
the ideal chips are, the measurement algorithm assumes that they are going to map
onto a QPSK constellation. Therefore, the measured samples go through a decision
process that can be considered a QPSK decoder. This decision process takes
samples at the chip timing and decides to which QPSK state they correspond. This
is equivalent to obtaining the ideal chips. Like any other QPSK decoder, the
algorithm assumes that the error will be small enough for the sample to fall onto the
correct quadrant.
Once the ideal uncoded chips are obtained, they are QPSK encoded again
(assigned to the reference QPSK states) and passed through a raised cosine (RC)
filter that is equivalent to the filtering experienced by the measured signal.
4 -12
QPSK EVM: An RF Engineers Starting Point

RF Engineers want the Perfect Baseband Trajectory
(QPSK EVM can be used to reveal RF impairments)
Phase Modulation
Frequency Modulation
In-channel spurs
AM-PM Conversion
Compression
band limitations (big transitions)
Linear impairments
I/Q Errors
23 May 2002
13
The QPSK EVM measurement is the starting point for the RF engineer. Before all
the baseband algorithms are ready, the RF designer can evaluate the performance of
the RF section by analyzing the trajectory of the baseband samples. Errors such as
phase modulation or in-channel spurious can be detected by looking at displays such
as the constellation, the phase error versus time or the error vector spectrum. The
QPSK EVM measurement can also identify I/Q errors and linear impairments in the
baseband filtering. For example, the slide shows the QPSK EVM measurement and
constellation diagram of a W-CDMA downlink signal with a single code channel
and with an I/Q gain error.
The QPSK EVM measurement can also be used by the system integrator to
troubleshoot the design when other measurements are failing. This may occur, for
example, if the spreading and scrambling algorithms or the synchronization
algorithms are not working properly. A correct QPSK EVM measurement will
confirm that the problem does not occur in the RF section, so it must lie somewhere
in the spreading or scrambling algorithms.
4 -13
Composite EVM/rho on the Onion

Filtered Samples
Composite EVM/rho
Despread ALL Channels
and generate
Composite Reference
Scrambled Chips
Orthogonal Chips
Despread Symbols
Encoded Bits
or Symbols
23 May 2002
14
Although measuring EVM for a signal with a single code channel may be useful, in
general we are interested in the overall modulation quality of the transmitter for any
channel configuration. The constellation of this signal will vary depending on this
configuration.
The composite EVM (or composite rho) measurement evaluates the modulation
quality of the signal regardless of its channel configuration. To synthesize a
reference signal, the active channels need to be identified and despread to the
encoded bit level. The EVM is calculated for the scrambled chip samples only. The
following slide shows a more detailed diagram of the measuring algorithm.
4 -14
Composite EVM/rho on the Block Diagram

3G Transmitter
Encoding
(BPSK or
QPSK)
Coding
Framing
Interleaving
Descrambling
Spreading
Active
channel
ID
Despreading
Scrambling
FIR
(Tx)
Encoding
Decoding
(BPSK or
(BPSK or
QPSK) Ideal QPSK)
QPSK
MOD
Spreading
I/Q
recovery
FIR
(Rx)
Composite
EVM
Meas.
FIR
(Tx
+Rx) Ref.
Scrambling
bits

Despread symbol
Orthogonal chip
Meas.
Scrambled chip
Rho
Ref.
Filtered sample
23 May 2002
15
After the baseband I and Q signals are recovered and filtered, the signal is descrambled and the active
channels are identified, despread and QPSK decoded (or BPSK decoded in the case of the reverse link)
to bits (or symbols in cdma2000). The QPSK (or BPSK) decoding here just refers to the assignment of
0s and 1s depending on the symbol I/Q amplitude values obtained after the despreading. Therefore,
it really corresponds to a bit detection process. The composite EVM measurement algorithm does not
perform the complete decoding (deinterleaving, etc) of the encoded bits (or symbols). Instead, the
reference signal is built from these encoded bits that are assumed to be correct. Therefore, if errors
occur during the signal coding and interleaving, they will not be reflected in the measurement result.
Once the composite reference has been obtained, composite rho can also be calculated. Therefore, both
composite rho and EVM (and all the related metrics and displays) can easily be provided as part of the
same measurement.
Composite EVM corresponds to the EVM conformance test described in the 3GPP W-CDMA
specifications, in which the signal must be descrambled and despread in order to calculate the
reference. As for cdma2000, a pilot-only rho is the measurement required by the IS-2000 standard.
This test can be performed using the composite rho measurement, since it will evaluate any channel
configuration.
4 -15
Why Engineers use Composite EVM/rho Vs. QPSK EVM

(a)
(b)
To perform conformance testing. (System integrator)

To evaluate the quality of the transmitter for a multi-channel signal.
(RF Engineer)
To analyze errors that cause high interference in the signal. (System
Integrator)
To detect spreading or scrambling errors. (Baseband Engineer and
System Integrator)
23 May 2002
16
A pilot-only rho measurement, as required by the IS-2000 standard, is shown above (a). In addition to rho, the
same measurement provides EVM and its related metrics. In addition to conformance testing, the following are
the main applications where the composite rho or EVM measurement (and its related displays and metrics)
would be used instead of a QPSK EVM measurement:
-To evaluate the quality of the transmitter for a multi-channel signal. This is particularly important for RF
designers, who need to test the RF section (or components) of the transmitter using realistic signals with
correct statistics. In general, the peak-to-average power ratio of the signal increases as the number of channels
increases. By measuring modulation quality on a multi-channel signal, the performance of the RF design for
signals with different loading can be evaluated. An example of a composite EVM measurement on a WCDMA downlink signal with 34 code channels is shown above (b).
-To analyze errors that cause high interference in the signal. If the interference is too high, the QPSK
EVM algorithm may not be able to determine the ideal reference. In this case, QPSK EVM is not accurate.
The composite EVM measurement descrambles and despreads the signal, so it takes advantage of its spreading
gain. The true reference is recovered even when the signal is well beyond the interference level that will cause
multiple chip errors. This allows system integrators to verify what the minimum modulation quality of the
BTS transmitter should be in order for the MS (signal analyzer) to demodulate the signal in realistic field
environments, or vice versa.
-To detect spreading or scrambling errors. Depending on the degree of the spreading or scrambling error
the test equipment may show an intermittent or permanent unlock condition for the composite EVM
measurement. When this problem occurs, the QPSK EVM measurement can be used to confirm that the rest of
the transmitter is working as expected. If the scrambling or spreading error does not cause an unlock
composite EVM measurement condition, the error vector versus time display can be used to find the
problematic chip. This is mainly useful to baseband engineers and system integrators.
4 -16
Code Domain Power is a Projection

So, what is a Projection?
Q
2D Projection
<V,I> = Vi how much of V is on I
<V,Q> = Vq how much of V is on Q
Note: I and Q are orthogonal.
Vq
Power on I does not appear on Q. And vise versa.
Vi
CDP is orthogonal power on for example 64 axes (64D space)
CDP = 2^N Dimension projection
23 May 2002
17
CDP is the projection of the signals energy in the code space. An easy way to think
about this, is to consider the projection of a vector on the I and Q axes. Since I and
Q are orthogonal, the power projected on I does not appear on Q, and vice versa. In
the case of CDP, the projection is not performed on the I and Q axes, but in the code
space. The number of axes where the energy is projected corresponds to the number
of code channels in the selected code set, which is equal to the length of the code,
for example 64. In general, the dimension of the CDP projection is always SF=2N,
where N is a whole number.
4 -17
Spreading Codes (Walsh or OVSF)

SF=2
SF=4
SF=16
SF=8
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1
1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 -1 -1 -1 -1
1 1
1 1 -1 -1 1 1 -1 -1
1 1 1 1 -1 -1 -1 -1 1 1 1 1 -1 -1 -1 -1
1 1 1 1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 1 1 1 1
1 1 -1 -1 1 1 -1 -1 1 1 -1 -1 1 1 -1 -1
1 1 -1 -1 1 1 -1 -1 -1 -1 1 1 -1 -1 1 1
1 1 -1 -1
1 1 -1 -1 -1 -1 1 1
1
1 -1 1 -1 1 -1 1 -1
1 1 -1 -1 -1 -1 1 1 1 1 -1 -1 -1 -1 1 1
1 1 -1 -1 -1 -1 1 1 -1 -1 1 1 1 1 -1 -1
1 -1 1 -1 1 -1 1 -1 1 -1 1 -1 1 -1 1 -1
1 -1 1 -1 1 -1 1 -1 -1 1 -1 1 -1 1 -1 1
1 -1 1 -1
1 -1 1 -1 -1 1 -1 1
1 -1 1 -1 -1 1 -1 1 1 -1 1 -1 -1 1 -1 1
1 -1 1 -1 -1 1 -1 1 -1 1 -1 1 1 -1 1 -1
1 -1 -1 1 1 -1 -1 1
1 -1 -1 1 1 -1 -1 1 1 -1 -1 1 1 -1 -1 1
1 -1
1 -1 -1 1 1 -1 -1 1 -1 1 1 -1 -1 1 1 -1
1 -1 -1 1
1 -1 -1 1 -1 1 1 -1
1 -1 -1 1 -1 1 1 -1 1 -1 -1 1 -1 1 1 -1
1 -1 -1 1 -1 1 1 -1 -1 1 1 -1 1 -1 -1 1
23 May 2002
18
In the case of 3G systems, the number of code channels depends on the SF used. The SF (or length of the
codes) varies to accommodate the different data rates. As the user data rate increases, the symbol period is
shorter. Since the final chip rate is constant, fewer code chips are accommodated within the symbol period
the SF is smaller.
The codes are called Walsh codes in cdma2000 and they are generated using the Hadamard method [3]. In
W-CDMA, the codes are called Orthogonal Variable Spreading Factor (OVSF) codes and they are generated
using the bit-reverse method. Walsh codes and OVSF codes are basically the same, just their code channel
number assignment is different. One set of spreading (Walsh or OVSF) codes is specified for each SF. The
codes can be allocated using the code tree in the slide.
One of the consequences of using variable SFs is that a shorter code precludes using all longer codes derived
from it. If a high data rate channel using a code of SF=4, e.g. 1, 1, -1, -1, is selected, all lower data rate
channels using longer codes that start with 1, 1, -1, -1 have to be inactive, because they are not orthogonal.
4 -18
CDP display code channels at different SFs

Walsh 8 (SF=8) code channel
spread over SF=64 code space
BIT REVERSE GENERATION
HADAMARD GENERATION
(a)
(b)
23 May 2002
19
In terms of code capacity, channels with higher data rates (lower SF) occupy more
code space. For example, figure a above shows the CDP for a cdma2000 forward
link signal with a pilot, a sync, and a paging channels and 1 Walsh 8 (SF=8) traffic
channel. This traffic channel occupies the code space equivalent to 8 traffic
channels at Walsh 64 (SF=64). Figure b shows the CDP for the same signal. In this
case, the Walsh codes have been re-arranged to match the bit-reverse generation
method, so that codes that start with the same sequence are adjacent to each other.
So, the Walsh 8 channel in this case looks wider than the Walsh 64 channels and it
is easier to recognize it as a single code channel since it is not spread across the
code space.
Since W-CDMA uses the bit-reverse generation method, a code channel with a
lower SF (higher data rate) will always be represented as a wider bar in the CDP
display. For cdma2000, as it has just been shown, higher data rate codes will be
spread across the code space, unless they are re-arranged to match the bit-reverse
codes.
In any case, if the channel configuration of the signal is not known, the projection
must be performed for all possible codes for every SF. Since the energy for a wide
code channel is also projected on all the non-orthogonal narrower code channels,
and vice versa, the analyzer must be able to determine the SF of the active code
channels.
The CDP measurement is necessary to verify that each code channel is operating at
its proper level. The CDP measurement also helps system integrators detect
problems throughout the transmitter chain from the coding to the RF section.
4 -19
Code domain analysis on the Onion

Code Domain Power
Symbol power Vs. time
Filtered Samples
Demodulated bits
Scrambled Chips
Orthogonal Chips
Despread Symbols
Encoded Bits
or Symbols
Symbol EVM
23 May 2002
20
This is the onion representation of the different code domain analysis tools. In
addition to CDP, there are several measurements that provide in-depth analysis of a
specific code channel. These measurements are: symbol power versus time, symbol
EVM, and demodulated bits. Both CDP and symbol power versus time project the
signal power on the different code channels. The power computation is performed at
the despread symbol level.
To perform a symbol EVM measurement, the signals energy is first projected onto
the code space. Then, for a specific code channel, the result is compared to an ideal
reference. Therefore, first a projection and then a difference are performed. The
measurement is performed at the despread symbol level. The encoded bits (symbols
for cdma2000) are obtained and used to calculate the ideal symbol reference.
The demodulated bits measurement provides the encoded bits (symbols) for a
particular code channel.
More detail about these measurements will be provided in the following slides.
4 -20
Code domain analysis on the

Block Diagram
Composite
chip power
Vs. time
Symbol
power
Vs. time
3G Transmitter
Coding
Framing
Interleav.
Encoding
(BPSK or
QPSK)
Spreading.
Scrambling
I/Q
recovery
FIR
(Tx)
FIR
(Rx)
QPSK
MOD
Code
domain
power
Descrambling
Active
channel
ID
Symbol
DeMeas. EVM
spread.

Despread symbol
Decoding
(BPSK or
QPSK)
Orthogonal chip
Scrambled chip
Encoding
(BPSK or
Ideal QPSK)
Ref.
bits
Filtered sample
Demodulated
bits
23 May 2002
21
This slide provides the block diagram representation for the same code domain
analysis measurements. In order to separate the different channels, the signal has to
be despread (after being descrambled). That is why the CDP analysis is performed
at the despread symbol level. As with composite EVM, the measurement must be
synchronized and the active channels must be identified.
The composite chip power versus time measurement is often performed in
combination with the symbol power versus time measurement. Since the composite
chip power represents the total power of the signal, it is computed before the signal
is despread into code channels.
4 -21
Measuring Power Vs. Time:

There are TWO units of time:
and Symbol
Chip
Composite
chip power
Vs. time
Chip rate is constant

Symbol rate depends upon SF
Symbol power Vs. time:
Symbol power versus

time for a code channel
1 timeslot
Monitor response of power control system
Verify accuracy of power offsets for a code channel

Analyze interference in a code channel
Symbol power Vs. time and composite chip power Vs. time
Monitor amplifier response under power control.
Monitor code channel power Vs. signal power.
23 May 2002
22
In terms of code channel power, it is important not only to evaluate the power for
each code channel, but also to analyze how this power changes over time. The two
units of time are the chip and the symbol. Composite chip power versus time
provides a representation of the total power of the composite signal versus chip
time. Symbol power versus time provides a representation of the power for a
specific code channel versus symbol time. While the chip rate is constant for WCDMA and cdma2000, the symbol rate depends on the SF.
The symbol power versus time measurement allows monitoring of the code channel
power within one or more slots. The most important application of this
measurement is monitoring the power and response of the power control system.
Other applications are the analysis of interference in a code channel and the
verification of the accuracy of the power offsets for a code channel (for W-CDMA
downlink channels). For example, the slide shows the symbol power versus time for
a W-CDMA downlink code channel with fields at different power offsets.
By combining the symbol power versus time measurement with the composite chip
power versus time, the power amplifier response to a power control command can
also be analyzed. In general, power changes in a code channel can be evaluated
against changes in the total power of the signal. This is of special interest to system
integrators when troubleshooting problems.
4 -22
Symbol EVM
I
Q
Orthogonal chips (composite signal)

4 -2 -2 4 4 -2 -2 4 4 -2 -2 4 4 -2 -2 4 -2 4 4 -2 -2 4 4 -2 -2 4 4 -2 -2 4 4 -2
4 -2 -2 3 4 -2 -2 4 -2 4 4 -2 -2 4 4 -2 4 -2 -2 4 4 -2 -2 4 -2 4 4 -2 -2 4 4 -2
despread by 1 -1 -1 1 1 -1 -1 1
noise added
(8 chips per symbol)
I
Q
3 3 -3 -3
2.9 -3 3 -3
Symbol Constellation
Includes Spreading Gain
Shows effects of chip errors on
channels at different SFs
Enables analysis over longer period
of time
23 May 2002
Symbol EVM
23
Symbol EVM provides the constellation and EVM for a specific code channel at the symbol level,
even in the presence of multiple codes. An impairment that affects symbol EVM will also affect the
composite EVM. For example, an amplifier compression problem will appear both in the composite
EVM and in the symbol EVM measurement. However, because of the spreading gain, symbol EVM
will attenuate the impairment. So, why use symbol EVM?
Symbol EVM provides the bridge between RF and the demodulated bits. Since it includes the
spreading gain, it provides a measure of modulation quality that determines the error rate for that code
channel.
The relationship between symbol EVM and chip EVM depends on the SF. At low SFs (high data rates)
chip modulation errors have a significant effect on symbol EVM, but at high SFs chip modulation
errors have very little effect on symbol EVM. In that sense, it is particularly useful to baseband
engineers, to evaluate symbol quality and analyze how specific impairments affect the quality of code
channels at different data rates.
Another advantage of symbol EVM versus composite EVM is that the former typically provides
analysis over longer periods of time. For the same amount of measurement points, the symbol EVM
measurement covers longer periods of time than the composite EVM conformance measurement.
4 -23
Demodulated bits
I
Q
Orthogonal chips (composite signal)

4 -2 -2 4 4 -2 -2 4 4 -2 -2 4 4 -2 -2 4 -2 4 4 -2 -2 4 4 -2 -2 4 4 -2 -2 4 4 -2
4 -2 -2 3 4 -2 -2 4 -2 4 4 -2 -2 4 4 -2 4 -2 -2 4 4 -2 -2 4 -2 4 4 -2 -2 4 4 -2
despread by 1 -1 -1 1 1 -1 -1 1
noise added
(8 chips per symbol)
I
Q
3 3 -3 -3
2.9 -3 3 -3
Bit detection
I
Q
0 0 1 1
0 1 0 1
Verify correct bit patterns

Identify coding and interleaving
errors.
23 May 2002
24
Once the symbol I or Q amplitude values have been obtained, bit detection is a
fairly straightforward process. The bits obtained through the demodulated bits
measurement are not deinterleaved or decoded. They are still encoded bits.
As with any digital communications system, bits can be detected accurately even in
the presence of symbol I/Q amplitude errors, unless the error is so large that the
symbol point falls out of the decision area. In CDMA systems, the error margin for
the chips is increased by the spreading gain.
By obtaining the demodulated (encoded) bits after descrambling and despreading
for each code channel, the correct symbol patterns can be verified.
The demodulated bits measurement is an important troubleshooting tool for
baseband engineers to identify coding and interleaving errors. In many cases, it can
help clarify situations where the BTS and MS are having problems communicating
with each other. For example, analyzing the demodulated bits may help verify
whether the error is coming from the BTS coding and interleaving, or the MS (or
UE) deinterleaving and decoding process.
4 -24
Code domain analysis summary

- Engineers Perspective
Baseband Engineer Verify coding
Look at demodulated (encoded) bits
Verify system bit patterns
Verify actual modulation quality for a code channel
System Integrator
Detect impairment
Characterize root cause of impairment
23 May 2002
25
From an engineers perspective, the code domain analysis measurements are mainly
useful to baseband engineers and system integrators.
Baseband engineers benefit mainly from the demodulated bits and the symbol EVM
measurements. These measurements allow them to verify bit patterns and ensure
that the baseband algorithms are working properly.
The system integrator benefits mainly from the CDP, symbol and composite chip
power versus time and symbol EVM measurements. The CDP mainly allows them
to detect problems in the transmitter. The symbol power versus time is the main tool
used to monitor and measure the response of the power control system. Symbol
EVM is mainly used as a troubleshooting tool to identify analog impairments.
4 -25
Projected Difference: Code Domain Error

Required by the W-CDMA specifications
Tx error >> channel error
CDE from Tx impairments >> CDE from Gaussian noise
power
Peak CDE
occurs here
because of Tx
impairments
Gaussian noise
+ Tx impairment
Code Channel
23 May 2002
26
In the CDP measurement the levels of the inactive channels can provide useful
information about specific impairments. Ideally, the level for the inactive channels would
be zero. In reality, signal and system imperfections compromise the code orthogonality
and result in a certain amount of the signal power projecting onto inactive codes. A real
signal will also have a certain noise level which, being random, will project more or less
evenly onto all codes.
The projection of the error is interesting because it enables us to see how the error power
is distributed in the code domain. In general, Gaussian noise is distributed evenly
throughout the code domain (both in active and inactive channels). Instead, transmitter
impairments cause an uneven CDE distribution, where the larger errors concentrate on
active channels, or in the case of a few specific impairments, in certain inactive channels.
We would like the error power to be evenly distributed throughout the code domain (as
Gaussian noise), rather than concentrated in a few codes to avoid code-dependent channel
quality variations.
In W-CDMA, the composite EVM measurement has been supplemented by another test
called peak CDE, which specifies a limit for the error power in any one code. Although
this measurement is not specified in the IS-2000 standard, it is an additional tool to verify
the health of a cdma2000 transmitter.
4 -26
Code Domain Error on the Onion

Filtered Samples
Scrambled Chips
Composite EVM
measures
Composite Error
Code Domain
Error
Orthogonal Chips
Despread Symbols
Encoded Bits
or Symbols
23 May 2002
27
The algorithm to calculate the CDE goes first through the composite EVM
measurement. As part of this measurement, the error vector at the scrambled chip
level is generated. This error vector is a composite error. In order to get the error
energy for each code channel the composite error must be projected onto the code
domain.
4 -27
Code Domain Error on the Block Diagram

3G Transmitter
Coding
Framing
Interleaving
Descrambling
Encoding
(BPSK or
QPSK)
Spreading
Active
channel
ID
Despreading
Scrambling
FIR
(Tx)
Decoding
Encoding
(BPSK or
(BPSK or
QPSK) Ideal QPSK)
QPSK
MOD
Spreading
I/Q
recovery
Scrambling
bits
FIR
(Rx)
Composite
EVM
Meas.
FIR
(Tx+
Rx) Ref.

Despread symbol
Orthogonal chip
Scrambled chip
Filtered sample
De-
Composite scrambling
error
23 May 2002
Despreading
by Fixed SF
Absolute
CDE
Absolute
Peak
CDE
.
__
.
Peak
CDE
28
This slide shows the block diagram representation of the same measurement. As
with CDP, the projection of the composite error involves descrambling and
despreading onto the code domain. As requested by the W-CDMA specifications,
the projection is only performed for a certain SF (SF=256 for the BTS and SF=4 for
the UE). Therefore, the error will be projected onto all the code channels at that SF,
regardless of whether they are active or not. The peak CDE is then calculated from
the code at that SF that returns the largest error power relative to the composite
reference signal. The peak CDE measurement is expressed (in dB) relative to the
power of the composite reference.
4 -28
Uneven distribution of CDE

Example: amplifier distortion
(a)
Energy in the
code space for
Cch,32,6 (SF=32,
code number=6)
Peak CDE in channel

(Cch,256,48). This channel
maps onto the code
space for (Cch,32,6)
(b)
SF=32
Code number=8
(Cch,32,8)
SF=32
Code number=14
(Cch,32,14)
23 May 2002
Peak active CDE in

channel (Cch,32,14).
29
For example, one cause of unequal distribution of error power is power amplifier non-linearity.
Signal compression causes code mixing. This effect can be predicted mathematically. In essence,
energy is lost from the active channels and appears in those channels with codes that are the
exclusive-OR of the active channel codes. Figure a above shows a W-CDMA downlink signal with
an amplifier compression problem. In W-CDMA, each code is denoted by Cch,SF,n, where n is the
code number. The compression causes energy leakage from the 2 active channels at SF=32 (Cch,32,8
and Cch,32,14) onto the code space that would be occupied by Cch,32,6.
Figure b shows the peak CDE measurement for the same example. The peak CDE in this case
corresponds to an inactive channel that is one of the channels at SF=256 that map onto the code
space for (Cch,32,6).
This measurement also reports the Peak CDE in an active channel (peak active CDE). While the
peak CDE is the maximum CDE on both active and inactive channels at a certain SF, the peak
active CDE is the peak error on an active channel, regardless of the SF. There are more chances
for the peak active CDE to fall on active channels at lower SFs, since those accumulate more error
energy. This is why the reading for the peak active CDE may be higher than the peak CDE.
For example, there may be cases where the peak CDE corresponds to an active channel, and the
peak active CDE also belongs to the same channel, but the reading in the latter is higher due to the
fact that it may be calculated at a lower SF. Also, it is worth noting that there are times when the
peak CDE and the peak active CDE are the same.
Peak active CDE is useful for understanding the impact of CDE on the actual channels present in
the signal rather than reporting the error at a fixed SF. This helps identify code-related error
mechanisms.
4 -29
CDE Engineers Perspective

System Engineer & Baseband Engineers
Perform conformance testing
Optimize channel configuration
Baseband - troubleshoot module impairments
23 May 2002
30
The CDE and peak CDE are mainly of interest to system engineers. In addition to
being one of the specified conformance tests, it can be used to optimize the channel
configuration.
Baseband engineers can also use this measurement to troubleshoot module
impairments, for example, to identify the code channel where the error occurs.
4 -30
System integrator- where is the problem?

Start
CDP
FAIL
QPSK
EVM
SUCCEED
Symbol
EVM
FAIL
RF problems
SUCCEED
Digital Errors:
Scrambling and/or
Spreading
Composite
rho/EVM
Search for Analog

Impairments
23 May 2002
31
This paper has gone through the individual measurements that can be used by RF,
baseband, and system integrators to verify specific aspects of the modulation quality
of their design. So, how do these measurements fit into the bigger picture? This
slide shows an example of how the specific measurements could be used by the
system integrator engineer during the design troubleshooting process. The ultimate
goal is to identify what the cause of the error is, or at least determine whether the
problem belongs to the baseband or RF sections.
As a system integrator, CDP is a good measurement to use as a starting point. Since
the CDP measurement needs to descramble and despread the signal, it is sensitive to
any baseband errors in the scrambling or spreading. Therefore, if the measurement
fails, a QPSK measurement should be performed. If the QPSK measurement
succeeds, it is very possible that scrambling and or spreading errors are the cause of
the problem. If the QPSK measurement fails, the problem belongs to the RF section.
In this case, depending on the magnitude and nature of the error, it can be analyzed
using the QPSK EVM related displays and tools available (constellation, phase error
versus time, equalization, etc).
If the CDP measurement succeeds, the system integrator can use both the symbol
EVM and the composite rho/EVM measurement to verify the modulation accuracy
of the signal and/or search for analog impairment if any errors are detected. In this
case, the multiple displays associated with these EVM measurements (constellation,
phase noise versus time, etc) can also be used to identify any analog impairments.
4 -31
Summary
RF engineer:
QPSK EVM: analyze signal trajectory
Composite EVM: analyze transmitter response for multi-channel signal
Baseband Engineer:
Code domain analysis
Look at demodulated (encoded) bits (pilot, power control)
Verify system bit patterns
Verify actual modulation quality for a code channel
System Integrator:
Composite EVM or rho, CDP and Peak CDE: test for conformance
Code domain analysis:
Detect impairment
Characterize root cause of impairment
23 May 2002
32
This paper has reviewed the different modulation quality measurements available
for 3G systems. The main benefits of each measurement have been discussed from
the baseband engineers, the RF engineers, and the system integrators perspective.
RF engineers primarily use QPSK EVM and composite EVM measurements. The
QPSK EVM measurement is the starting point for RF engineers to verify their
design using a single-channel signal as a stimulus. At this stage the main concern is
analog impairments that affect the signal trajectory. Composite EVM is necessary to
evaluate the transmitter behavior (the power amplifier section in particular) for
multi-channel signals.
Baseband engineers benefit mainly from code domain analysis. The demodulated
bits measurement allows them to verify the encoded bit patterns for the different
fields. The symbol EVM measurement provides an estimate of modulation accuracy
closer to the actual quality that a particular code channel (user) will experience.
System integrators use the composite rho or EVM, CDP or Peak CDE
measurements for conformance testing. They also use any of the other
measurements, particularly the code domain analysis tools, to troubleshoot
impairments. The symbol power versus time measurement and the composite chip
power versus time allow them to monitor the response of the power control system.
4 -32
Agilent Connected Solutions

for 3G Design Simulation and Verification
Agilent ADS
Communications Systems Designer and
W-CDMA Design Library
Agilent 89600 Vector Signal Analysis Software
DUT
Agilent ESG-C E4438C Vector Signal
Generator
Agilent E4440 PSA Spectrum Analyzer (or

89600 Vector Signal Analysis hardware)
23 May 2002
33
This slide shows the recommended process for verifying modulation quality on a 3G system design, in
this case, for a W-CDMA UE transmitter. First, the whole system is created and simulated using the
Agilent ADS Communications Systems Designer and W-CDMA Design Library. The simulated signal is
analyzed using the Agilent 89600 Vector Signal Analysis Software, which is dynamically linked with the
ADS simulation tool on the PC platform, and the design parameters are adjusted accordingly. Once the
simulation measurements provide results within the expected value range, the different hardware
prototype sections can be built. The signal that is used as a stimulus for each section in the simulation is
transferred to an Agilent ESG E4438C Vector Signal Generator. This generator can then provide a
stimulus signal for the hardware prototype on the bench with the same characteristics as the one used in
the simulation. Each prototype section is verified using the Agilent E4440 PSA Spectrum Analyzer. The
D.U.T. output test signal can also be read from the PSA back into the ADS simulation environment using
the Agilent 89600 Vector Signal Analyzer (VSA) software, which also offers signal source capability, to
read signals from the testbench/PSA back into ADS. This means that the effects of the DUT hardware
prototype in the overall system can be assessed even before all the sections are built, which simplifies the
design rework cycles. Once all the hardware prototype sections have been through this cycle, they are
physically integrated and the whole transmitter system is verified on the bench using the Agilent E4440A.
The 89600 VSA software runs inside of ADS with the same powerful post-processing algorithms used by
the PSA on the bench, so results between simulated and test correlate. The 89600 VSA hardware or the
Agilent E4406A Vector Signal Analyzer can also be used in place of the E4440A PSA. The E4440A
PSA, the 89600 VSA, and the E4406A VSA (which is mostly used in manufacturing), can perform all the
3G modulation quality measurements explained during this presentation. They all use the same algorithms
to perform these measurements. The ESG E4438C provides the appropriate stimulus for 2.5/3G
component and receiver testing. ADS provides design libraries with behavioral sources, receivers, and
other components for 2.5/3G systems.
4 -33
Bibliography
[1] Designing and Testing 3GPP W-CDMA User Equipment, Agilent
Technologies Application Note 1356, literature number 5980-1238E.
[2] Designing and Testing 3GPP W-CDMA Base Stations, Agilent
[3] Designing and Testing cdma2000 Mobile Stations, Agilent
[4] Designing and Testing cdma2000 Base Stations, Agilent
[5] HPSK Spreading for 3G, Agilent Technologies Application Note
1335, literature number 5968-8438E.
23 May 2002
34
4 -34

3G Modulation Quality Measurement

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3G Modulation Quality Measurement

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Understanding 3G Modulation

Understanding 3G Modulation Quality Measurements

The complexity of 3G systems demands sophisticated testing. The multi-rate

Single-Channel or MultiChannel EVM

Single-Pilot or MultiChannel Rho

Projection (receiver view)

Multi-Rate Code Domain

Multi-Rate Code Domain

Todays Abstraction: CDMA as an Onion

Modulation Quality Measurements on the Onion

Difference: Error Vector Magnitude

Error Vector (e)

The accuracy of non-constant amplitude modulation schemes, such as Quadrature

QPSK EVM on the Onion

A typical 3G (W-CDMA or cdma2000) signal consists of several code channels. The

QPSK EVM on the Block Diagram

QPSK EVM: An RF Engineers Starting Point

Composite EVM/rho on the Onion

Composite EVM/rho on the Block Diagram

Encoded bit (or symbol)

Why Engineers use Composite EVM/rho Vs. QPSK EVM

To perform conformance testing. (System integrator)

Code Domain Power is a Projection

Power on I does not appear on Q. And vise versa.

CDP is orthogonal power on for example 64 axes (64D space)

CDP = 2^N Dimension projection

Spreading Codes (Walsh or OVSF)

CDP display code channels at different SFs

BIT REVERSE GENERATION

Code domain analysis on the Onion

Code domain analysis on the

Encoded bit (or symbol)

Measuring Power Vs. Time:

Chip rate is constant

Symbol power versus

Monitor response of power control system

Verify accuracy of power offsets for a code channel

Orthogonal chips (composite signal)

Orthogonal chips (composite signal)

Verify correct bit patterns

Code domain analysis summary

Projected Difference: Code Domain Error

Code Domain Error on the Onion

Code Domain Error on the Block Diagram

Encoded bit (or symbol)

Uneven distribution of CDE

Peak CDE in channel

Peak active CDE in

CDE Engineers Perspective

System integrator- where is the problem?

Search for Analog

Agilent Connected Solutions

Agilent 89600 Vector Signal Analysis Software

Agilent E4440 PSA Spectrum Analyzer (or

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