WCDMA RF Optimization

ISSUE 1.0

Huawei Confidential. All Rights Reserved

 This

lecture introduces the various stages

involved in optimizing a 3G radio network
and focuses mainly on the RF Optimization
phase.
Step-by-step approach for the analysis of
drive survey data collected by Agilent
Scanner and test UE is presented. The
analysis is carried out using the post
processing tool Actix Analyzer.

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RF optimization will be an ongoing

activity and will need to be revisited as
traffic increases in the network and as
new sites are deployed.
In addition, as the network matures,
the optimization process should be
enhanced to take into account
statistical data and key performance
indicators collected throughout the
network.

Chapter 1 Optimization Phases

Chapter 2 RF Optimization
Chapter 3 RF Analysis Approaches
Chapter 4 Antenna Adjustment Example
Chapter 5 Drop Call Analysis Example

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Network Optimization Phases Flow Chart

New Site
Integrated

RF Optimization

Service Test and

Parameter Optimization
N

Single Site Verification

Y
Regular Reference Route
Testing and Stats Analysis
N

Cluster of Sites
Ready?

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Re-optimization
Needed?

Network Optimization Phases Step 1

Single

Site Verification
To verify the functionality of every new site.
Objectives
To ensure there are no faults related to site installation or
parameter settings.

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Network Optimization Phases Step 2

RF

Optimization
Once all the sites in a given area are integrated and
verified, RF (or Cluster) optimization could begin.
Objectives
To optimize coverage while in the same time keeping
interference and pilot pollution under control over the
target area. This phase also includes the verification and
optimization of the 3G neighbor lists.

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Network Optimization Phases Step 3

Services

Testing & Parameter Optimization

To be conducted in areas of good RF conditions in order
to exclude any coverage issues. Such testing does not
need to be performed for each cell but the drive route
must include different clutter types and environments.
Objectives
To assess the performance and identify any need for
specific parameter optimization.

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Network Optimization Phases Step 4

Regular Reference Route Testing & Stats Analysis

Constant monitoring and evaluation of the network
performance can be based on field testing as well as
network stats analysis.
Results of the regular analysis may necessitate re-visits
to the RF optimization and/or parameters tuning.
Objectives
To identify any new issues that could arise, for example,
as a result of increase in traffic or changes in the
environment.

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Chapter 1 Optimization Phases

Chapter 2 RF Optimization
Chapter 3 RF Analysis Approaches
Chapter 4 Antenna Adjustment Example
Chapter 5 Drop Call Analysis Example

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RF Optimization - Preparation

Clutters
RF optimization should be carried out for groups or
clusters of sites rather than on single site basis.
Drive Routes
Cluster drive surveys should include the coverage
areas of each cell and all the major roads and streets as
well as any other important locations.
Tools
Agilent scanner
Qualcomm UE in continuous AMR call
Actix Analyzer

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10

RF Optimization - Targets

Item
CPICH RSCP
CPICH Ec/Io
Active Set size
(estimated)

Requirements
Target

- 85 dBm

Minimum

-95 dBm

Target

-8 dB

Minimum

- 14 dB

Corresponds to outdoor
measurements.
Applicable for unloaded network.

Target

Max %

< 10 %

% of time a cell is seen as a pilot

polluter.

8 dB

Relative to best server when cell

is not in Active Set.

Pilot pollution
Threshold
UE Tx power

Max

SHO Success rate

Target

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Comments

<15 dBm

>95 %

Based on scanner data.

Assuming 21 dBm max.

For e1a, e1b & e1c

11

RF Optimization Flow Chart

Drive Test

Identify any RF Issues

Identify candidate
cells for changes

Identify nature of
required changes

Determine amount
of changes

Implement changes

Repeat Drive Test

Problem Resolved?
Finish

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12

RF Optimization - Solutions
Antenna

tilt

Antenna

azimuth

Antenna

location

Antenna

height

Antenna

type

Site

location

New

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site

13

Chapter 1 Optimization Phases

Chapter 2 RF Optimization
Chapter 3 RF Analysis Approaches
Chapter 4 Antenna Adjustment Example
Chapter 5 Drop Call Analysis Example

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14

RF Analysis Approaches Cell Dominance

Cells

with no dominance at all

A site was not radiating during the drive survey
Very poor dominance can also be caused by blocking of
the antenna. So a site visit must be made to verify the
antenna clearance.
Cells with either excessive or poor dominance
This could be due to a high site or non-optimum antenna
tilts.
Cells with too large dominance will be causing
interference to adjacent cells resulting in poor capacity.

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15

RF Analysis Approaches Cell Dominance

Areas of non-dominance:
Areas where there is not a single clear dominant cell and
where the best server changes too frequently.
Result: Excessive soft handover events reduce the
system efficiency and increas
the probability of call drops.
UE vs. Scanner Best Serving Cells:
Comparison between the UE and scanner SC plots.
Significant differences between the plots may indicate a
missing neighbor or failed soft handoff problem.

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RF Analysis Approaches Cell Dominance

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17

RF Analysis Approaches CPICH Coverage

Check

areas of poor coverage, suggestion value as below:

Good: RSCP -85 dBm
Fair: -95 dBm RSCP < -85 dBm
Poor: RSCP < - 95 dBm
Examine the RSCP coverage on per cell bases in order to
highlight any cells that have too large a footprint.

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RF Analysis Approaches CPICH Coverage

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19

RF Analysis Approaches Interference

CPICH

Ec/Io Plot
Good: Ec/Io -8 dB
Fair: -14 dB Ec/Io < -8 dB
Poor: Ec/Io < - 14 dB

The -8 dB threshold takes into account the expected future

interference increase as a result of increased traffic.

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RF Analysis Approaches Interference

-14
-15

-90

Whats the
problem?

-95

-15.5

-16

-100
-104

-17

-105

-18

-110

-19

-115

-20

-120
Ec/Io

RSCP

Because the RSCP Level is poor, and

the fundamental cause of low Ec/Io is
poor coverage

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21

RF Analysis Approaches Interference

-14
-15

-63

-60
-65

-15.5

-16

-70

-17

-75

-18

-80

-19

-85

-20

Whats the
problem?

-90
Ec/Io

RSCP

RSCP level is good, and this will

imply strong system interference

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22

RF Analysis Approaches Interference

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23

RF Analysis Approaches UL Coverage

Uplink

Coverage (UE Tx Power)

High UE Tx power means possible poor uplink coverage.
Areas of high Tx power should be compared to the CPICH pilots
to verify if the problem only exists on the uplink.

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24

RF Analysis Approaches UL Coverage

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25

RF Analysis Approaches Pilot Pollution

Pilot

Pollution Point Define:

Not all points in the active set
Within a certain margin of the best server( the margin is
set to 8dB)
Cells which are frequently seen as polluters (e.g. >8% time)
should be marked and investigated.
Pilot Pollution results should be used in conjunction with the
Estimated Active Set Size

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26

RF Analysis Approaches Pilot Pollution

-60

RSCP (dBm)

-65

Margin

-70
-75

-62

-64

-80

-66

-68

-69

-85

-81

-90
SC1

SC2

Active Set

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SC3

SC4

SC5

Pilot Pollution

SC6
Not
Pilot Pollution

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RF Analysis Approaches Pilot Pollution

SC
8
9
10
11
12
13
16
17
18
19
20
21
32
35
37
43
48
53
67
80
130

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Count
206
165
157
156
148
135
95
94
76
74
73
56
54
39
33
19
8
7
3
2
2

% in Pollution Set
12.9%
10.3%
9.8%
9.7%
9.2%
8.4%
5.9%
5.9%
4.7%
4.6%
4.6%
3.5%
3.4%
2.4%
2.1%
1.2%
0.5%
0.4%
0.2%
0.1%
0.1%

Should be investigated

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RF Analysis Approaches Pilot Pollution

Estimated Active Set Size

Another useful measure of pilot pollution is by looking at
the estimated active set based on the scanner data.
This plot is obtained by modeling the network soft
handoff parameters within Actix.
In order to see areas of excessive SHO candidates, the
estimated active set size is allowed to exceed maximum
of 3.
This can be done in conjunction with the Pilot pollution
analysis.

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RF Analysis Approaches Pilot Pollution

Estimated

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Active Set Size Example

30

RF Analysis Approaches Neighbor List

Neighbor List Verification

The neighbor list could be verified and optimized using
the Neighbor List Verification tool within Actix.
Recommendations for Each Cell:
Retain: This indicates that those neighbors have been
confirmed from the drive survey data.
Add: Missing neighbors
Remove: These neighbors that were not measured but
are in the neighbor list.
Careful consideration is needed prior to removing neighbours
since the Actix results are drive route dependent.

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31

RF Analysis Approaches Neighbor List

Neighbor List Verification Example

SC

Cell

Site

Latitude

Longitude

009

70548

Ajman Central

25.41204

55.447

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Sample
Sample
Action Nbr SC
Count
Count
576

Retain
Retain
Retain
Retain
Retain
Add
Retain
Retain
Retain
Retain
Retain
Remove
Remove
Remove
Remove
Remove
Remove

018
010
016
032
011
130
021
008
020
012
017
053
019
034
037
013
051

82
46
31
20
18
17
17
12
6
5
2
0
0
0
0
0
0

%
14.2%
8.0%
5.4%
3.5%
3.1%
3.0%
3.0%
2.1%
1.0%
0.9%
0.3%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%

32

RF Analysis Approaches SHO

UE

SHO Performance
The success rates for event 1a, 1b & 1c and can be
obtained from Actix
Number of Active Set Updates
Event
Count
Event 1a - Cell Addition
328
Event 1b - Cell Removal
306
Event 1c - Cell Replacement
64

Number of Active Set Update Completes

Event
Count
Event 1a - Cell Addition
326
Event 1b - Cell Removal
305
Event 1c - Cell Replacement
62

Soft-Handover Success Rate

Event
Rate
Event 1a - Cell Addition
99.4
Event 1b - Cell Removal
99.7
Event 1c - Cell Replacement
96.9

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33

RF Analysis Approaches Call Drop

Drop

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Call Analysis - RF related issues :

Poor coverage (RSCP & Ec/Io)
High interference and hence poor Ec/Io
Poor uplink coverage (insufficient UE Tx power)
Poor dominance (best cell changes too frequently
resulting in too many SHO events)
Pilot pollution (too many cells present)
Missing neighbors
Fast change of RF conditions (e.g. turning a corner)

34

RF Analysis Approaches Call Drop

Drop

Call Analysis Example 1

RSCP & Ec/Io degrades

BOTH for scanner and UE

Check for Coverage problems

Call Drop

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35

RF Analysis Approaches Call Drop

Drop

Call Analysis Example 2

Ec/Io (and RSCP) degrades for UE

ONLY while scanner shows no degradation

UE camp on new cell immediately

after drop, and UE did not
measure this cell before Drop
Call Drop
Check the Neighbor

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36

RF Analysis Approaches Call Drop

Drop

Call Analysis Example 3

Too many and too quick changes

of best server

UE to perform measurements
and SHO in time difficultly

Ping-Pong Handover, need to

improve cell dominance
Call Drop

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Chapter 1 Optimization Phases

Chapter 2 RF Optimization
Chapter 3 RF Analysis Approaches
Chapter 4 Antenna Adjustment Example
Chapter 5 Drop Call Analysis Example

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38

Antenna Adjustment Example

RSCP

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Coverage before Adjustment

39

Antenna Adjustment Example

RSCP

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Coverage after Adjustment

40

Antenna Adjustment Example

RSCP

Distribution
CPICH RSCP Distribution

40.00%
35.00%
30.00%

0.00%

5
-10

-95
to

-9

85
ot
5

-8

75
ot
5

Before Adjustment

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30.27%
31.04%

25.98%

18.65%

0.02%

5.00%

1.44%

10.00%

5.47%

20.31%

15.00%

29.33%

20.00%

37.48%

25.00%

-7

65
ot
5

>

-65

After Adjustment

41

Antenna Adjustment Example

Down

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Tilt from 4 to 6 Result

42

Antenna Adjustment Example

Down

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Tilt from 4 to 8 Result

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Chapter 1 Optimization Phases

Chapter 2 RF Optimization
Chapter 3 RF Analysis Approaches
Chapter 4 Antenna Adjustment Example
Chapter 5 Drop Call Analysis Example

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44

Call Drop Analysis Example

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Call Drop Distribution

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Call Drop Analysis Example

There

are total 5 drop calls in the plot.

The

example of drop call 1 is analyzed to show the process of

analysis in the following.

Call

drop 1 occurred at an area of frequent change of best

server as shown by the scanner scrambling code plot

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46

Call Drop Analysis Example

CPICH

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RSCP and Ec/Io before the Call Drop

47

Call Drop Analysis Example

Compare

Ec/Io from both scanner and UE at the time of the drop as

shown in Figure. This clearly shows the UE Ec/Io to drop to < -21 dB
while the scanner remained above -11 dB.

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Call Drop Analysis Example

Best

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server before and after the Call Drop

49

Call Drop Analysis Example

Comparing

the best servers from the UE and the scanner at

the time of drop:
Call Drop 1 (UE vs. scanner best server) shows that
SC008 is the best server before call drop in both UE and
scanner. However, about 30 seconds before the drop, the
scanner selected SC018 as the best server while the UE
continued to have only SC009 in its active set resulting in
the drop call. Immediately after the drop, the UE camps
on SC018.

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50

Call Drop Analysis Example

UE

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Active Set and Monitor Set Before and After the Call Drop

51

Call Drop Analysis Example

Conclusion

Examining the UE Active and Monitored set, Figure does not

show SC018 to be measured by the UE prior to the drop.
This scenario resembles a missing neighbor problem

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Call Drop Analysis Example

Coverage

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of Call Drop Point

53

Call Drop Analysis Example

Solution:

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Looking at call drop Figure clearly shows that at the

location of the drop, SC018 should not be the best server.
Cell SC018 clearly requires some down tilting to control
its interference into the area of Drop 1. To illustrate this,
RSCP coverage of SC018 shows clearly that the cells is
extending into a large area. E.g. around the location of
drop call, SC018 RSCP is > -75dBm.
Add the Missing Neighbors

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Huawei Confidential. All Rights Reserved