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Sunday, February 26, 2017

RF Optimization

Once all the sites are installed and verification is complete, RF optimization starts. In some situations for a tight schedule, RF optimization might start after the construction of partial sites is complete. RF optimization is usually performed after 80% of total sites in a cluster are constructed.
RF optimization stage is one major stage of RNO. It aims at the following aspects:
l   Optimizing signal coverage
l   Control pilot pollution
l   Control SHO Factor based on DT
RF optimization also involves optimizing list of neighbor cells.
When the indexes like DT and traffic measurement after RF adjustment meets KPI requirements, RF optimization stage ends. Otherwise you must reanalyze data and adjust parameters repeatedly until all KPI requirements are met. After RF optimization, RNO comes to parameter optimization stage.

Process of RF Optimization

RF optimization includes the following four parts:
l   Test preparations
l   Data collection
l   Problem analysis
l   Parameter adjustment

Deciding Optimization Goal

The key of RF optimization is to solve problems as below:
l   Weak coverage
l   Pilot pollution
l   High SHO Factor based on DT
Actually, different operators might have different standards on KPI requirements, index definition, and attention. Therefore the RF optimization goal is to meet the coverage and handover KPI requirements in the contract (commercial deployment offices) or planning report (trial offices).
Define the indexes as required by contract as below:
The index definition is the percentage ratio of the sampling points with the index (such as CPICH Ec/Io) greater than the reference value in all sampling points.

Index
Reference
Remarks
Coverage rate
≥ 95%
Test on the acceptance route
The planned continuous coverage service:
l  CPICH Ec/Io ≥ –12 dB
l  CPICH RSCP ≥ –95 dBm
CPICH Ec/Io ≥ –12dB
≥ 95%
Test result by scanner in outdoor unloaded conditions
CPICH RSCP ≥ –95dBm
≥ 95%
Test result by scanner in outdoor unloaded conditions
SHO Factor based on DT
30%–40%
The SHO Factor based on DT should be 5% to 10% lower than the goal, because the following optimizations cause the soft handover factor to increase
Pilot pollution ratio
≤ 5%


1.2  Dividing Clusters

According to the features of UMTS technologies, the coverage and capacity are interactional and the frequency reuse factor is 1. Therefore RF optimization must be performed on a group of or a cluster of NodeBs at the same time instead of performing RF optimization on single site one by one. This ensures that interference from intra-frequency neighbor cells are considered during optimization. Analyze the impact of the adjustment of an index on other sites before adjustment.
Dividing clusters involves approval by the operator. The following factors must be considered upon dividing clusters:
l   According to experiences, the number of NodeBs in a cluster depends on the actual situation. 15–25 NodeBs in a cluster is recommended. Too many or few NodeBs in a cluster is improper.
l   A cluster must not cover different areas of test (planning) full coverage services.
l   Refer to the divided clusters for network project maintenance of the operator.
l   Landform factor
Landforms affect signal propagation. Mountains block signal propagation, so they are natural borders for dividing clusters. Rivers causes a longer propagation distance, so they affect dividing clusters in various aspects. If a river is narrow, the signals along two banks will interact. If the transportation between two banks allows, divide sites along the two banks in the same cluster. If a river is wide, the upstream and downstream will interact. In this situation, the transportation between two banks is inconvenient, dividing clusters by the bank according to actual situation.
l   A cell-like cluster is much usual than a strip-like cluster.
l   Administrative areas
When the coverage area involves several administrative areas, divide clusters according to administrative areas. This is easily acceptable by the operator.
l   DT workload
The DT must be performed within a day for a cluster. A DT takes about four hours.

Deciding Test Route

Confirm the KPI DT acceptance route with the operator before DT. If the operator already has a decided DT acceptance route, you must consider this upon deciding the KPI DT acceptance route. If the objective factors like network layout cannot fully meet the coverage requirements of decided test route by the operator, you must point this out.
The KPI DT acceptance route is the core route of RF optimization test routes. Its optimization is the core of RF optimization. The following tasks, such as parameter optimization and acceptance, is based on KPI DT acceptance route. The KPI DT acceptance route must cover major streets, important location, VIP, and VIC. The DT route should cover all cells as possible. The initial test and final test must cover all cells. If time is enough, cover all streets in the planned area. Use the same DT route in every test to compare performances more accurately. Round-trip DT is performed if possible.
Consider actual factors like lanes and left-turn restriction while deciding test route. Before negotiating with the operator, communicate these factors with local drivers for whether the route is acceptable.

1.4  Preparing Tools and Data

Prepare necessary software (listed in Table 3-2), hardware (listed in Table 3-3), and various data (listed in Table 3-4), because the following test and analysis are based on them.

1.4.1  Preparing Software

Table 3-2 lists the recommended software for RF optimization
No.
Software
Function
Remarks
1
Genex Probe
DT
2
Genex Assistant
Analyzing DT data and checking neighbor cells
3
Genex Nastar
Analyzing performance, checking health, and locating problems
4
Mapinfo
Displaying maps and generating route data

Preparing Hardware

list of the recommended hardware for RF optimization

Recommended hardware for RF optimization
No.
Device
Specification
Remarks
1
Scanner
DTI Scanner
2
Test terminal and data line
U626, Qualcomm, and so on
At least two test terminals
3
Laptop computer
PM1.3G/512M/20G/USB/COM/PRN
4
Vehicle mounted inverter
DC to AC, over 300W

Preparing Data

lists the data to be collected before optimization
Data to be collected before optimization
No.
Needed data
Whether is necessary
Remarks
1
List of engineering parameters
Yes
2
Map
Yes
By Mapinfo or in paper
3
KPI requirements
Yes
4
Network configuration parameters
Yes
5
Survey report
No
6
Single site verification checklist
No
7
Floor plan of the target buildings
Yes
For indoor test



Data Collection

During RF optimization stage, the key is the optimization of radio signals distribution, with the major means of DT and indoor test. Before test, confirm with the customer care engineers the following aspects:
l   Whether the target NodeBs, RNCs, and related CN are abnormal due to being disabled, blocked, congested, and transmission alarms.
l   Whether the alarms have negative impact on the validity of test result data.
If the alarms exist, solve the problems before test.
DT is a major test. Collect scanner and UE data of radio signals by DT test. The data is applicable in analyzing coverage, handover, and pilot pollution problems.
Indoor test involves the following areas:
l   Indoor coverage areas
Indoor coverage areas include inside buildings, department stores, and subways.
l   Inside areas of important facilities
Inside areas of important facilities include gymnasiums and government offices.
l   Areas required by the operator
Areas required by the operator include VIC and VIP.
Test the previous areas to locate, analyze, and solve the RF problems.
Indoor test also involves in optimizing handover of indoor and outdoor intra-frequency, inter-frequency, and inter-system.
The DT and indoor test during RF optimization stage is based on VP service. According to the contract (commercial deployment offices) and planning report (trial offices), if seamless coverage by VP service is impossible in areas, such as, suburban areas and rural areas, the test is based on voice services. For areas with seamless coverage by PS384K service required by the contract (commercial deployment office) or planning report (trial office), such as office buildings, press centers, and hot spot areas, the test is based on PS384K service.

Drive Test

DT Types

According to different full coverage services in the planned areas, DT might be one of the following:
l   3G ONLY continuous talk test by using scanner + unloaded VP
According to simulation result and experiences, if the test result meets requirements on VP service coverage, the test result will also meet identical coverage requirements of PS144K, PS128K, and PS64K services.
l   3G ONLY continuous talk test by using scanner + unloaded voice service
l   3G ONLY continuous talk test by using scanner + unloaded PS384K

Setting DT Indexes

The following paragraphs take VP service for example.
Setting DT indexes proceeds as below:
1)      Start Genex Probe 1.3 software
2)      Select Configuration > System Config > Test Plan

For setting DT, see the following table.
Index
Meaning
Enable
Whether to implement this index. True for implementation. False for non-implementation. The recommended value is True.
Call Number
Called number. Whether the called terminal supports VP must be confirmed.
Setup Time (s)
The maximum time for setting up calls. It ranges from 20–30s. The recommended value is 25s.
Calling Time (s)
The time for a single call from call start to normal end of call. Set it great enough according to actual DT route. The recommended value is 99999s.
Idle Time (s)
Call internal time. The recommended value is 10s.
Call Count
Total call times. Set it great enough according to actual DT route. The recommended value is 999 times.

Collect call data tracing at RNC side while performing drive test. This help to locate and analyze problems.
Data to be collected includes:
l   Traced signaling messages of single subscriber

Indoor Test

GPS signals are unobtainable in door test. Obtain the plan of the target area before test.
Indoor test consists of walking test and vertical test. Perform walking test to obtain horizontal signals distribution inside buildings by selecting Indoor Measurement > Walking Test. Perform vertical test to obtain vertical signals distribution by selecting Indoor Measurement > Vertical Test. For the detailed method, see WCDMA Test Guide 3.0.
Indoor test services are services by seamless coverage required in the contract (commercial deployment office) or planning report (trial office). The method for indoor test and requirements on collecting call tracing data are the same as DT.

Collecting RNC Configuration Data

During RF optimization stage, collect neighbor cell data of network optimization and other data configured in RNC database. In addition, check whether the configured data is consistent with the previously checked/planned data.
While checking configured data, feed back the improperly configured data (if found) to product support engineers. During checking, pay special attention to handover reselection parameters and power setting parameters, as listed in Table 4-1.
Configured parameters to be checked
Type
Content to be checked
Handover reselection parameter
IntraFreqNCell (intra-frequency neighbor cell)
InterFreqNCell (inter-frequency neighbor cell)
InterRATNCell (inter-system neighbor cell)
Power configuration parameter
MaxAllowedULTxPower (maximum uplink transmit power of UE)
PCPICHPower (PCPICH transmit power)

For handover reselection parameters, check list of neighbor cells, including intra-frequency, inter-frequency, and inter-system neighbor cells.
Output an updated Radio Parameter Configuration Data Table and parameter revision records. This is useful in problem analysis and following optimization stages.
Collecting data proceeds as below:
4)      Start RNC LMT
5)      Collect MML scripts
6)      Convert neighbor cell configuration data in MML scripts to Excel files by using Nastar
7)      Save the data in the format in which the data can be imported to Assistant.


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