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The 64 kbit/s Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) circuits from the MSC, if
transmitted on the air interface without modification, would occupy an
excessive amount of radio bandwidth.
This would use the available radio spectrum inefficiently. The required
bandwidth is therefore reduced by processing the 64 kbit/s circuits so
that the amount of information required to transmit digitized voice falls to
a gross rate of 16 kbit/s.
For data transmissions the data is not transcoded but data rate adapted
from 9.6 kbit/s (4.8 kbit/s or 2.4 kbit/s may also be used) up to a gross
rate of 16 kbit/s for transmission over the terrestrial interfaces, again this
16 kbit/s contains a 3 kbit/s TRAU.
Drive Testing
The Purpose of Drive Testing
Drive testing is principally applied in both the planning and optimisation stage of
development. However, there are other purposes for
network
which drive testing can be used:
•To provide path loss data for initial site survey work
•To verify the propagation prediction during the initial planning of the network.
•To verify the network system parameters, as defined in the EG8:
GSM/DCS System-Specific Parameters.
•To provide the initial test parameters used in Benchmarking (as defined in
“Analysis” section
the of the Network Performance and
Monitoring Guideline).
•To verify the performance of the network after changes have been made
e.g.When a new TRX is added; the removal or addition of a new
site; any power Adjustments or changes to the antenna; any
changes in clutter or traffic habits such as the addition of new
roads etc.
•To measure any interference problems such as coverage from
neighboring Countries.
•To locate any RF issues relating to traffic problems such as dropped or
blocked calls.
•To locate any poor coverage areas.
•To monitor the network against a slow degradation over time, as well
asMonitoring the network after sudden environmental
conditions, such as gales or electrical storms.
•To monitor the performance of a competitor’s network.
• Drive testing can take place during the day or at night and is dependant upon
the
Operator’s requirements and subscriber habits.
• Drive testing during the day will mimic the conditions as seen by subscribers,
but may
clog up the network if call analysis is being performed.
• Drive testing during the night will allow a greater area to be surveyed due to
the reduction
in vehicular congestion. It will also allow for certain test signals to be transmitted
and
tested, particularly when setting up a new site, without interrupting normal
operation.
• However, night-time testing does not mimic the conditions experienced by
subscribers.
• For planning purposes, drive testing is typically performed at night and for
maintenance
purposes, drive testing is performed during the day.
It is important that a drive test is documented. This is specified by the Operator and
can
either take the form of creating a new item of documentation or filling in an existing
document.
All documentation will be passed to Analysts and Engineers, who will need
Layer 1 Messages
Other Layer 1 criteria that is useful for field measurements include:
C1 criteria •
ARFCN of Serving Cell - (TCH in dedicated mode, BCCH in idle mode)) •
Time Slot (TS) •
Layer 3 Messages
All Layer 3 messages should be collected where possible. Layer 3 Messages are used
byAnalysts to determine more accurately the cause of a
problem within the network.
Some field test equipment can perform basic analysis of particular Layer 3
messagesduring data collection. This enables certain conditions
such as call classification or handovers to be flagged to the
survey technician.
Call Classification
In principle there are five call classifications, some of which can be sub-divided
further.
Good Calls: These are calls that are successfully placed on the network and
maintained for the required duration.
Dropped Calls: These are calls that are successfully placed on to the network
but terminated without authorisation. Using
are Layer 3
Messages, these calls can be sub-divided into:
End User Hang-up •
System Hang-up •
Other •
Blocked Calls: These are calls that cannot be placed on to the network. Again, using
Layer 3 messages, these can be sub-divided as follows:
System Busy •
End User Engaged •
No Service •
Other •
Roamed Calls: These are calls that are successfully placed on another
network. Roamed calls may also be good calls or dropped calls.
Noisy Calls: These are calls which have been successfully completed for the duration
ofthe call but which experienced a number of noise bursts that
a subscriber may find intolerable. The threshold for
determining the level of poor audio is programmed during the
set-up of the test.
In GSM, this particular classification is very difficult to determine with great
should be noted that it is not enough to monitor just
accuracy. It
the RxLEV and the RxQUAL.
Troubleshooting
No Data Collected
Occasionally, the equipment fails to trigger the collection device to save the data to
file.
Check all cables •
Ensure the Processing Unit is powered •
Re-start the laptop computer •
Re-start the equipment •
Re-drive the test. •
Dropped Calls
Dropped calls can be caused by either RF environments or incorrect system
parameters.
The following data should be checked to ensure that it has been collected properly.
Layer 3 Messages •
Neighbour Cell List (BA Table) •
RxLEV (Server • & Neighbour)
RxQUAL (Server • & Neighbour)
Finally, ensure that the automatic setting for the call length is not shorter than that
timer monitoring for unauthorised call drop-outs. The
for the
setting should be a minimum of 30 seconds.
Handover Problems
Handover problems are generally caused by inaccurate settings of the handover
boundary.
This can cause ping-ponging, where the server will keep changing, and congestion at
the
switch. Check the following.
The transceiver antenna is fitted correctly •
Collection of Layer 3 Messages •
Collection of Neighbour Cell List (BA Table) •
Collection of Scanning Information •
Collection of Cell Identities •
Collection of T.Adv for the Serving Cell •
Also, ensure that the collection of data from the new serving cell immediately after
thehandover has occurred (particularly RxLEV and RxQUAL) is
not timed to occur prior to the-synchronisation of the
transceiver itself.
If a particular serving cell can be isolated as a potential cause of handover
slowly drive around the cell in a radius of around 500m
problems,
- 1km, checking when handovers occur.
Blocked Calls / System Busy
If calls are repeatedly classified as blocked, it is recommended that the drive test
is temporarily halted in order to try and locate the cause.
Check that the number called is fully functional •
Check that there is adequate coverage from the expected serving BTS •
Check the equipment transceiver is functioning correctly by using an ordinary •
mobile to call the office
If all appears functional, try to place calls through an alternative BTS. If this •
succeeds, inform the office immediately and re-suspend the drive test.
Dropped Call(TCH Drop-SDCCH Drop)-TCH
Drop Analysis
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Step to check TCH Drop Analysis.
Every time a SACCH message can not be decoded the radio link time-out
counter is decreased by 1. If the message can be decoded the counter is
incremented by 2. However, the value can not exceed the initial value. The
initial value is set by the parameter RLINKT for radio link time-out in the
mobile station and by RLINKUP for timeout in the BSC. If the mobile
moves out of coverage and no measurement reports are received in the
BSC, there will be a radio link time-out and the message Channel Release
(cause: abnormal release, unspecified) is sent to the mobile station and
the SACCH is deactivated in the BTS. A Clear Request message is sent to
the MSC. To be sure that the mobile has stopped transmitting, the BSC
now waits RLINKT SACCH periods before the timeslot is released and a
new call can be established on the channel.
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2. Layer 2 Time-Out
If the BTS never get an acknowledge on a Layer 2 message after the time
T200XN200, the BTS will send Error Indication (cause: T200 expired) to
the BSC, which will send Channel Release (cause: abnormal release,
timer expired) to the mobile station and a Clear Request to the MSC. The
SACCH is deactivated and the BSC waits RLINKT SACCH periods before
the timeslot is released and a new call can use the channel. This is only
valid if the call is in steady state, i.e. not during handover or assignment.
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3. Release Indication
When the BTS received a layer 2 DISC frame from the mobile it replies
with a Layer 2 UA frame to the mobile station and a Release Indication to
the BSC. The system does only react on Release Indication if it is received
during a normal disconnection situation. If such a message is received
unexpectedly this will usually cause radio link time-out or timer T200
expiration as the mobile station stops the transmitting of measurement
reports. It is also possible that the release will be normal depending on
when the Release Indication is received.
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4. MSC Time-Out
Normal Release:
If the MSC never received a response on a message (e.g. Identity
Request) and there is no radio link time-out or layer 2 time-out, the MSC
will send a Clear Command to the BSC. The time-out is depending on the
message. When receiving Clear Command, the BSC will send a Channel
Release (cause: normal release) and then deactivates the SACCH.
Reject (only SDCCH):
If the MSC never receives a response on the first message after Establish
Indication, the MSC will send a reject message. If the connection was a
Location Update it will be a Location Update Reject (cause: network
failure) and if the connection was a mobile originating call (CM Service
Request) a CM Service Reject (cause: network failure) will be sent. The
MSC will then send a Clear Command to the BSC and the call is cleared
by Channel Release (cause: normal release).
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5. Assignment to TCH
Before sending an Assignment Command from the BSC at TCH
assignment, the following two criterion have to be fulfilled:
a. There must be a TCH channel available, i.e. no congestion
b. The locating algorithm must have received at least one valid
measurement report.
If either of the criterion is not fulfilled, Assignment Command will not be
sent and a Channel Release (cause: abnormal release, unspecified) will be
sent to the mobile station and a Clear Request to the MSC.
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TCH Drop reason (1)
The classification of TCH Drop Reasons are arranged in the order of
priority:
1.Excessive Timing Advance
2.Low Signal Strength
3.Bad Quality
4.Sudden Loss of Connection
5.Other Reasons
Action:
Check coverage plots.
Check output power.
Check power balance and link budget.
Check if Omni site.
Check antenna configuration & type.
Check antenna installation.
Perform drive tests & site survey.
Check TRX/TS with high CONERRCNT.
Solution:
Add a repeater to increase coverage in for example a tunnel.
Change to a better antenna (with higher gain) for the base station.
Add a new base station if there are large coverage holes.
Block/Deblock TRX
Solution:
Change BCCH frequency.
Change BSIC.
Change MAIO, HOP, HSN.
Change FHOP.
Record RIR or on-site Frequency Scanning to identify source of
interference.
Use available radio features.
Action:
Check BTS Error Logs, Alarms and Fault Codes.
Check CONERRCNT per TRX and TS.
Check Transmission Link (A-bis).
Check for DIP Slips.
Check LAPD Congestion.
Correlate Handover Lost to Drops due to Sudden Loss
Solution:
Fix Hardware Faults and Alarms.
Reset TRX with high CONERRCNT.
Ensure that Synchronization and A-bis Link are stable.
Change RBLT with high DIP Slips.
Change CONFACT or increase Transmission Capacity
Investigate HO Lost Problem
Action:
Check BTS Error Logs.
Check Alarms and Fault Codes.
Check CONERRCNT per TRX and TS.
Check Transmission Link (A-bis).
Check for DIP Slips.
Correlate Handover Lost to Drops due to Other Reasons
Solution:
Fix Hardware Faults and Alarms.
Reset TRX with high CONERRCNT.
Ensure that Synchronization and A-bis Link are stable.
Change RBLT with high DIP Slips.
Investigate HO Lost Problem
Problem reason of drop in SDCCH
Mobile Error
Some old mobiles may cause dropped calls if certain radio network
features are used. Another reason is that the MS is damaged and not
working properly.
Action: Check MS fleet.
Solution: Inform operator.
Subscriber Behavior
Poorly educated subscribers could use their handsets incorrectly by not
raising antennas, choosing illadvised locations to attempt calls, etc.
Action: Check customer complaints and their MS.
Battery Flaw
When a subscriber runs out of battery during a conversation, the call will
be registered as dropped call due to low signal strength or others.
Action: Check if MS power regulation is used. Check if DTX uplink is
used.
Congestion on TCH
The SDCCH is dropped when congestion on TCH.
Action: Check TCH congestion
Solution: Increase capacity on TCH or using features like Assignment to
another cell, Cell Load Sharing, HCS, Dynamic Half-Rate Allocation and
FR-HR Mode Adaptation etc
GSM IDENTITY
NUMBERS(IMSI,TMSI,CGI,MSRN,IMEI)
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GSM identities
The GSM network is complex and consists of the Switching System (SS)
and the Base Station System (BSS). The switching system, which consists
of HLR, MSC, VLR, AUC and EIR, interfaces both the Base Station
System and also other networks like PSTN/ISDN, data networks or other
PLMNs.
In order to switch a call to a mobile subscriber, the right entities need to be
involved. It is therefore important to address them correctly. The numbers
used to identify the identities in a GSM/PLMN network is described in this
chapter. See also Figure 56.
Numbering plans are used to identify different networks. For a telephone
number in the PSTN/ISDN network, numbering plans E.164 is used.