Expanding

Bryant Solutions

Expanding on Expectations

Case Study

RF Engineering & Training Services

Evaluating the System Uplink

Between RTWP/RSSI Reference Points
for an Ericsson UMTS 1900 System

RTWP Reference Point

RSSI Reference Point

UMTS System
Radio Unit

Filter Unit

Dual TMA
Diplexer

Antenna

Feeder
LNATMA

LNAFU

Antenna System Loss (ULAttenuation)

Net UL Gain

Date: June 2012

Document Number: 1801-00201-EN

By Jim Bryant
Bryant Solutions, Inc.
+1.925.968.9265
jim@bryantsolutions.com
www.bryantsolutions.com

INTRODUCTION
This case study examines the uplink (UL) path between the Receive Total Wideband Power (RTWP)
and Receive Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) reference points for an Ericsson UMTS 1900 system with
a tower mounted amplifier (TMA). Existing system UL parameters are used to determine if the actual
RTWP (RTWPACT) is equal to the system calculated RTWP (RTWPCALC) using the measured RSSI.
Uplink parameters will be changed (as necessary) to ensure the calculated RTWP value is accurate.
Impact on mobiles, system performance and site statistics will be considered.

ANALYSIS OF EXISTING PARAMETERS AND THEIR IMPACT

The diagram of the SUT below illustrates the RSSI/RTWP reference points and loss/gain definitions.
RTWP Reference Point

RSSI Reference Point

UMTS System
Radio Unit

Dual TMA
Filter Unit

Diplexer

Antenna

Feeder
LNATMA

LNAFU

Antenna System Loss (ULAttenuation)

Net UL Gain

The following UL parameters are defined for the SUT:

ULGain: 12 dB (Set by User)

ULAttentuation: 3.5 dB (Set by User)
Filter Unit Gain (FU_Gain): Automatically Set by System to Achieve Net UL Gain Below.
Net UL Gain: Defined by System Manufacturer for Carrier.

For the SUT, ULGain represents the gain for the low noise amplifier (LNA) in the TMA, and
ULAttenuation should represent the defined system loss and additional external system gains between
the RTWP reference point and the input to the UMTS system. Based on the ULGain and ULAttenuation
settings, the UMTS system will automatically attempt to set the gain of the LNA in the filter unit (FU) to
achieve a pre-defined net UL gain between the RTWP and RSSI reference points.
The first step is to verify the parameter ULAttenuation accurately reflects the actual system loss. A
system loss of 6.7 dB was calculated for the SUT using the following:

Connections: 7 * 0.07 dB 0.50 dB

Feeder: 1.13 dB/100 *330 = 3.7 dB (Based on an antenna height of 300)
Jumpers: 3.25 dB/100 * 30 1 dB (Based on 10 jumpers)
Filters: ~1.5 dB

Bryant Solutions, Inc, Part Number: 1801-00201-EN, Rev. 2

Page 2 of 4

The system can now be analyzed. To do this, an arbitrary value of -104 dBm will be selected for
RTWPACT. Based on RTWPACT, RSSI can be calculated using the actual system losses and gains. The
system then uses the measured RSSI value to calculate RTWPCALC. The actual and calculated RTWP
should be equal.
RTWPACT RSSI Calculation
RSSI = RTWPACT + LNATMA - SysLoss + LNAFU
= -104 dBm + 12 dB 6.7 dB + LNAFU = -98.7 dBm + LNAFU
RSSI RTWPCALC Calculation
RTWPCALC = RSSI - LNAFU + ULAttenuation - ULGain
= (-98.7 dBm + LNAFU) - LNAFU + 3.5 dB - 12 dB = -107.2 dBm
Therefore RTWPACT > RTWPCALC.

IMPACT OF AN IMBALANCED UPLINK

The proof below shows that having RTWPACT > RTWPCALC causes mobiles to initially power up too low.
Though it is desirable to have a mobile initially power up low, this should be achieved with the
parameter constantValueCprach, while having RTWPACT equal to RTWPCALC. In addition, the reported
RTWP will always be 3 dB lower than it should be, potentially masking problems.
L_PCPICH
MOBILE
RSCP
P_PRACH

BASE STATION
RTWP
CPICH
constantValueCprach

CPICH - L_PCPICH = RSCP

P_PRACH - L_PCPICH = RTWP + constantValueCprach
Therefore P_PRACH = RTWP + constantValueCprach + CPICH - RSCP
Givens: CPICH = +33 dBm
RSCP = -90 dBm
constantValueCprach = -22 dB
If RTWP = -104 dBm then P_PRACH = -104 dBm - 22 dB + 33 dBm - (-90 dBm) = -3 dBm
If RTWP = -107 dBm then P_PRACH = -107 dBm - 22 dB + 33 dBm - (-90 dBm) = -6 dBm

RTWPACT = RTWPCALC
The goal is to achieve a net uplink gain where RTWPACT is equal to RTWPCALC. This can be obtained by
changing the parameter ULAttenuation to reflect the actual system loss of 6.7 dB as shown below.
RTWPCALC = -98.7 dBm + 6.7 dB - 12 dB = -104.0 dBm
Bryant Solutions, Inc, Part Number: 1801-00201-EN, Rev. 2

Page 3 of 4

CONCLUSION
The uplink path between the RTWP and RSSI reference points for an Ericsson UMTS 1900 system
was analyzed. The goal was to verify whether the actual RTWP (RTWPACT) was equaled to the RTWP
calculated by the system (RTWPCALC). For the system analyzed in this case study, RTWPACT was
greater than RTWPCALC, which could cause a mobiles initial power level (P_PRACH) to be too low;
however, in this case, there will more than likely be no measureable impact to network performance
given only one or two power steps are required for the site to hear the mobile; however, this would also
depend on the setting for the parameter constanValueCprach. This scenario will cause RTWP to be
inaccurately reported by 3 dB, which could mask interference issues.
In general, a mobiles initial power level will be impacted as follows:

RTWPACT = RTWPCALC:
o Best scenario.
o Minimum number of preambles given constantValueCprach set properly.
RTWPACT > RTWPCALC:
o P_PRACH may be too low.
o May require too many preamble steps.
o Reported RTWP inaccurate.
RTWPACT < RTWPCALC:
o P_PRACH will be high.
o Mobiles may need to ratchet down power.
o Could cause runaway situation during a special event.
o Reported RTWP inaccurate.

A Receive Antenna Interface Tray (RXAIT) or Remote Radio Unit (RRU) can be compensated for in the
ULAttenuation parameter, which is why it is sometimes a negative number. In addition, the RTWP
reference point will change when a system does not have a TMA.
Overall, it is important to ensure the calculated and actual RTWP values are equal.

ABOUT BRYANT SOLUTIONS

Bryant Solutions offers technical training, accredited certifications, and a wide range of solutions and
services designed to drive higher Quality of Service and increased revenue for our clients in the
Telecommunications Industry. Our company also designs and develops proprietary systems to
augment its training courses in solidifying the learning experience. These proprietary systems simulate
various real world conditions and problems students will encounter on the job.
Since 2002, Bryant Solutions has focused on developing training courses for wireless carriers, tower
contractors, local government agencies and the military. For more information visit
www.bryantsolutions.com.

Bryant Solutions, Inc, Part Number: 1801-00201-EN, Rev. 2

Page 4 of 4