Network Optimization

Ali Mustafa
 Introduction

• Varying traffic trends

• Increase in subscriber count
• Integration of new sites
• Other factors make optimization a continuous
process aimed at achieving best possible
QOS in given resources
 Optimization Process

(1) Isolate an area with degraded QOS through KPI analysis/customer

complaints.
(2) Analyze KPI trends for the effected area. (Sudden degradation is
generally caused by hardware failure or by a new site).
(3) Conduct a drive test for the effected area.
(4) In the light of drive test propose changes in optimization parameters,
carry out appropriate redesign activity, alter neighbor definitions etc
(5) Once proposed changes are implemented conduct a drive test of the
same area to look for any improvements. At the same time monitor the
KPIs of the cells serving the effected area and look for improvements.
(6) If no significant improvement is observed follow 4 & 5 until issue is
resolved.
 Common Tools Used in Network Optimization
Drive test tools:
• Drive test tools are meant to collect field observations such as field intensity
distribution, carrier to interference ration (C/I), call drops, handover failure and
blocked calls.
• The drive test equipment consists of the drive test software, mobile phones, GPS, cell
files and can support multimode test in idle mode, dedicated mode and scanning
mode at the same time. Agilent, ANT, Nemo, TEMS etc.
• Some drive test tools specialize in analyzing user perception of voice quality e.g
Qvoice.
Drive test analysis tools:
Though basic post processing can be carried out by drive test tools but
some tools provide detailed and in-depth analysis of drive test data (log
files). Actix, RANOPT etc

Network Design Tools:

– Some tools are used for evaluating network design including both
physical design and frequency plan.
– Such tools need antenna files, updated clutter and terrain (contour)
files for correct predictions. ‘Asset ‘and ‘Advantage’ are examples of
such tools.

Signaling Analyzers:
– Signaling analyzing tools are used to monitor signaling at Abis or A
interfaces.
– (Air interface signaling analysis is done through drive test tools)
Spectrum Analyzers:

Spectrum analyzers such as Willtek and Systek spectrum analyzers are meant to hunt
external interference. GSM900, EGSM and DCS1800 bands can be scanned through
such analyzers.
External interference on uplink and downlink can be traced.
Directional antennas are used which help in narrowing down the interfering source.
Following screenshot shows external interference.
 Coverage

Major factors affecting coverage are as follows:

I. Blind Zone for Signals

• A Blind Zone results from no overlapping between coverage areas of two base
stations or no overlapping caused by obstructions.
Should there are more subscribers in the non-overlapping area of two base stations,
or dimension of the area is relatively bigger, construction of a new base station is
expected. Increasing the coverage range of these two base stations (as the case
suggested by increasing transmission power, height of antenna). Meanwhile, care should
be taken to possible co-channel interference and adjacent channel interference caused
by coverage expansion.
• A Blind Zone caused by valley and back hillside can be recovered by constructing
new base stations and repeaters in those areas. Repeaters can effectively recover
Blind Zones in coverage area and expand the scope of coverage. On the other hand,
repeaters can also bring about, co-channel interference and adjacent channel
interference to other cells. Therefore, interference should be taken into consideration in
introduction of repeaters in application.
• Blind Zones within tunnels, underground garages, and tall buildings can be
recovered by introduction of repeaters, leak cables, or micro station technologies.
 Coverage

II. Cross Cell Coverage

• In actual networks, signals emitted from high base

stations can be transmitted on hilly landforms or along
roads to places far way. Hence the “island” problem was
created.
• When a call is connected into the “island” of a base
station, which is far from the base station, configuration
handover in this cell may immediately result in Call Drop
once the mobile station leaves this “island” area.
• To solve this problem, down tilt or gain of the antenna
should be modified. In coverage optimization, modification
to azimuth and down tilt is often used to change service
range of the cell.
 Capacity
I. Traffic Congestion
• It is also possible to judge the traffic congestion status by comparing the
busy hour traffic volume against calculation capacity of each base station
cell.
• For congested cells, it is recommended that more carriers be added or
construction of new base stations. It is also advisable to adopt new dual
frequency networks, micro cells, etc.

II. Traffic Balance

For some base stations with congestions, measures to ease the congestion are
as
follows:

(1) Modify the antenna height, down-tilt, transmission power of base stations.
(2) Modify the configuration for part of parameters In overloaded areas, the
minimum access level may be suitably increased and handover threshold
may be appropriately decreased to reduce traffic. Accordingly, the minimum
access level may be properly reduced and handover threshold may be
appropriately increased to increase traffic.

(3) Start-up Load Handover and Directed Retry

 Interference
• GSM is a dual system with a difference of 45MHz between uplink frequency and
downlink frequency. There might be interferences in both uplink and downlink.

• Downlink interference can be measured with instrument for drive test in dedicated
mode. Voice quality are of 7 levels. Corresponding bit error rates are listed in Table 3-
1. General requirement of voice quality shall not be lower than 3, i.e. the code error
rate shall be less than 1.6%. However for strong downlink external interference
spectrum analyzer is more efficient tool.
 Interference

Interference band is an indication of idle TCH levels of 5 grades in all.

Level ranges can be set through Data Configuration Terminal. Look
at the following example:

Generally, shall idle channel fall into Interference Band 4 and

Interference Band 5 continuously, it can be determined that there
exists interference.
 Interference

Ways to reduce interference

(1) Increase the distance between two adjacent cells of the

same or neighboring frequencies.
(2) Decrease transmission power of base stations.
(3) Modify antenna height.
(4) Modify azimuth (coordinates) of the antenna.
(5) Modify down tilt of the antenna.
(6) Optimization of frequency configuration.
(7) Start-up of anti-interference techniques used in GSM as
Power Control,
Discontinuous Transmission, Frequency Hopping, etc.
 Handover
When a mobile subscriber moves from one cell into another, handover must
be implemented. Otherwise, voice quality may be greatly reduced.

In some cases, even Call Drop may occur. Frequent handover problems
include voice quality declination or Call Drop caused by handover failure
and handover delay, voice quality declination and system load increase
caused by frequent handovers.

Drive test equipment can be used in testing of continuous connection, tracking

of handover failures, handover delays or frequent handovers, etc. With
traffic statistical data, handover completion ratio, incoming and outgoing
handover ratio of the cell can be analyzed.

Causes and resolution of abnormal handover are as follows:

(1) Handover threshold configured too low

(2) Congestion in adjacent cells, no idle channel available
(3) Missing neighbors cells.
(4) Configuration for the best statistical time (watch-valid time).
(5) In case of BSC & MSC boundaries, appropriate definition of external cells.
 KPI Trouble Shooting

• TCH Call Drop rate

• TCH Congestion rate
• SDCCH drop rate
• SDCCH congestion rate
• Handover success rate
• Call Setup success rate

SDCCH: Stand-alone Dedicated Control Channel

 KPI Trouble Shooting

Call Drop:
• In GSM network operation, Call Drop has been the hot spot of complaint from customers.
• Call Drop here refers to TCH drop. There are various causes of Call Drop with the direct
ones as field intensity, interference, and inappropriate configuration for parameters.

There are two critical parameters affecting Call Drop.

– One is radio link timer failure for downlinks.

– Other is the number of SACCH multi-frames for uplinks. These two parameters shall
be suitably configured according to traffic volume and coverage.

TCH call drop rate (CDR):

(1) Interference (internal interference/external interference)

(2) Bad coverage (Blind Zones)
(3) Island effect caused by overshooting cells.
(4) Inappropriate handover parameter settings(planning of adjacent cells, handover
parameters.)
(5) Imbalance between uplinks and downlinks paths
(6) Inappropriate Parameter configuration (Counter for radio link failure, SACCH multi-frames)
(7) Equipment problem (Carrier board, Power Amplifier, Tower Amplifier)
(8) Call drops of lower priority users to free TCH for higher priority users.
(9) Call drops due to transmission issues. Abis or A interface failure.
 TCH call drop rate (CDR)
I. Interference (network internal interference, external interference) :

(1) With more than one idle channel presented in interference band three, four,
and five, a judgment can be passed that there is interference in a general
sense. Shall the interference be an internal one, it generally increases with the
increase of traffic. Usually, an external interference bears no relations with
traffic volume.

(2) Proportion of bad Quality Handovers. More handovers caused by bad uplink
quality suggests uplink interference. More handovers caused by bad downlink
quality suggests downlink interference.

(3) Measurement of receiving quality performance. Specifically for carriers, the

statistical data of average receiving quality will be made for reference.

(4) Measurement of Call Drop performance . The average level and quality of Call
Drop is recorded for reference.

(5) Too many handover failures together with too many recovery failures. It is very
possible that there is interference within the cell.
 TCH call drop rate (CDR)

II. Bad Coverage :

Measurement of receiving level performance, the ratio of low receiving level is
detected too high.

(1) In Call Drop Performance measurement, level at Call Drop is too low.

(2) Performance measurement of defined adjacent cells. Average receiving level of

defined adjacent cells is detected too high (excessive coverage).

(3) Modify network parameter according to drive test. (transmission power of base
station, tilts and height of the antenna, maximum access level of handset)

(4) Increase base stations.

 TCH call drop rate (CDR)

III. Island Effect

(1) In Call Drop Performance measurement, too high TA before Call Drop is
detected.

(2) Analyze TA report.

(3)The average level of a undefined adjacent cells is too high. There are too
many such cells (lonely islands).

(4) Island effect can be avoided by down tilting of overshooting cell.

TA : Traffic Analysis
IV. Inappropriate Handover parameter settings:

(1) Too high quality threshold for quality handovers.

(2) In appropriate parameter settings for interference handovers.
(3) Logical neighboring cells not defined as neighbors.
(4) Too high intercel handover hysteresis can result in intracel emergency handovers which
can result in intracel handover failures and call drop.

V. Path balance issues:

Too much difference in uplink and downlink signal strength can result in radio link timer expiry.

VI. Inappropriate Parameter Configuiration:

Too small values for RLT or SACCH multiframes can cause increase in call drops.

VII. TCH release in favor of higher priority user:

Enabled/Disabled by the operator.
 TCH Congestion Rate

Main reasons of high TCH congestion rate are as follows:

(1) Inadequate system capacity
(2) Interference on neighboring cells.
(3) Coverage (overshooting cells)
(4) Handover reason (too much difference between incoming and outgoing
handovers)
(5) Inappropriate parameter configuration (Half rate disabled, traffic/load
handovers disabled, system information: Access min, CRO)
(6) Neighboring cells are down.
(7) TCH availability is low.

Solution:
Modify high rate thresholds, implement directed retry and traffic handovers.
If congestion persists cell expansion is required (dual band if required). If
expansion not possible than new site is recommended.

SDCCH drop rate

For SDCCH Call Drop Rate, refer to analysis for TCH Call Drop Rate.
 SDCCH Congestion Rate
Main factors causing high SDCCH congestion rate are as follows:

(1) Inappropriate parameter configuration such as RACH access min,

dynamic SDCCH configuration, system information: reselect parameters,
T3212.
(2) In appropriate LAC boundaries
(3) Interference on LAC borders.
(4) Neighboring cells are fluctuating.
(5) Phantom RACH effect.
(6) TCH queuing time.
(7) Inadequate system capacity

Note: SDCCH congestion can be reduced by defining SDCCH timeslots.

In case a cell is suffering from SDCCH congestion and no TCH
congestion the dynamic SDCCH feature is very effective.
 Rate of Handover Completion (HSR)

a. HSR including congestion (Handover complete/Handover required)

b. HSR excluding congestion (Handover complete/Handover command)

(1) Incoming HSR

(2) Outgoing HSR

Main reasons of HSR:

(1) Inappropriate handover

(2) Equipment failure (damage in certain carrier boards, etc.)
(3) Congestion
(4) Interference
(5) Coverage
(6) Imbalance between uplinks and downlinks
(7) Clock/synchronization problem
Solution:

I. Inappropriate handover

(1) Check to see if the configuration for handover thresholds of TA and

BQ are appropriate.
(2) Performance measurement of undefined adjacent cells: level and
the number of measurement reports of undefined adjacent cells
exceed standard. Adjacent cells shall be suitably added.
(3) In defining the Performance measurement of adjacent cells, defined
adjacent cells with few handovers can be spotted. These cells can
be recommended to be deleted.
(4) Times of handover is not in proportion to that of TCH call occupation
completion. With handover/call>3, there might be ping-pong
handovers. In this case, handover parameters shall be inspected
and modified. (Handover parameters include configuration of layers,
inter layer handover hysteresis, inter cell handover hysteresis,
PBGT threshold, etc).
II. Equipment problem

(1) There are channels being activated in target cells but

NACK, TIMEOUT.
(2) Faulty TRX/TRXs in target cell.
(3) Unsatisfactory VSWR of target cell.
(4) Unsatisfactory path balance or target cell.
(4) Survey the transmission and board alarm
(synchronization loss alarm, LAPD broken link, TRX
Alarm) According to alarm data, see if there is a
transmission failure or a malfunctioning board.
III. Congestion

After the problem of inappropriate parameter configuration and

equipment failure being solved, if there are

(1) Too many incoming handover failures (caused by congestion) in

measurement of incoming handover performance.

(2) Times of outgoing handover required - times of outgoing handover

is too great in measurement of handover performance between
cells.

– It suggests that there is no channel available to be applied. There might

be congestion in the target cell. With phenomenon mentioned above,
the maximum number of TCH in all busy, the time of all busy shall be
studied to confirm the existence of congestion. Congestion shall be
solved as follows.
Solution:

(1) Modify cell coverage

(2) Modify major parameters of the cell (modify CRO, load handover, modify
cell priority and handover parameter of the cell.)
(3) Capacity expansion or modification to configuration of carriers of the cell.

After the problems of parameter configuration, equipment failure, and

congestion being solved, with reference to TCH Call Drop analysis, the
problem of cells with low rate for incoming handover completion and
adjacent cells with low rate incoming handover completion can be solved by
interference, coverage, balance for uplink and downlink analysis.

Note:
In most of the vendors TCH timeslot can be reserved only for incoming
handovers in order to avoid timely handovers to the best neighbor thus
improving HSR and CDR. However this can potentially increase call setup
TCH blocking.
 Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR)

Factors affecting user perceived CSSR are as follows:

(1) Congestion (TCH & SDCCH)

(2) Immediate assignment success rate (SDCCH siezure success rate)
(3) SDCCH drop rate
(4) Assignment failure rate

Solution:
(1) Congestion and SDCCH drop rate already discussed.
(2) Immediate assignment success rate:
a. Avoid Co-BCCH scenarios to avoid phantom RACH effect.
b. Appropriate setting of T3101.
c. Removing interference external or internal.
d. Ensuring good path balance.

(3) Assignment failure can be reduced:

a. Ensuring good path balance.
b. Replacing faulty TRX.
c. Removing interference external or internal.

At times resetting zero efficient TRXs can also solve the issue.
 Traffic Analysis

Calculate traffic volume of the specific area to see if it is necessary to implement capacity
expansion. Make out a list of super busy cells and super idle cells. Traffic trend based on
historic traffic data, estimate the future trend of traffic.

Make traffic predictions for festivals, religious occasions, cricket matches etc and carry
Out expansion on cells. COWs are usually deployed in such areas.

Traffic Balancing:
In dual band cells it is important to balance traffic between underlaid and overlaid sub
cells for optimum capacity utilization.