UMTS KPI Optimization

Analysis Guide
V1.1

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Revision History
Product Version

Document Version

Serial Number

Reason for Revision

V1.0

First published

V1.1

Content modification

Author
Date

2007-12-28

2010-07-12

Document Version

V1.0

V1.1

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Prepared
by

Reviewed by

Approved by

Qin
Jianhan

Wang Zhenhai,
and Jin
Zhengtuan

Jin Zhengtuan

Wang
Cun

Wang Zhenhai,
and Jin
Zhengtuan

Jin Zhengtuan

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II

UMTS KPI Optimization Analysis Guide Internal Use Only

Key Words:
KPI (key performance indicator), indicator definition, formula, KPI monitoring
flow, KPI optimization, KPI classification

Abstract:
This guide mainly describes the formulae, KPI classification, KPI monitoring
methods and flows, and KPI optimization methods.

Abbreviations
Abbreviation

Full name

ATM

Asynchronous Transfer Mode

CDR

Call Drop Rate

CE

Channel Element

CN

Core Network

CPICH

Common Pilot Channel

CQI

Channel Quality Indicator

CQT

Call Quality Test

DT

Drive Test

E-DCH

Enhanced uplink Dedicated

Channel

HSDPA

High Speed Downlink Packet

Access

HS-DSCH

High Speed Downlink Shared

Channel

HS-SCCH

High Speed Shared Control

Channel

HSUPA

High Speed Uplink Packet Access

ICMP

Internet Control Message Protocol

IP

Internet Protocols

IPoA

Internet Protocols Over ATM

KPI

Key Performance Index

LAN

Local Area Network

MAC

Media Access Control

MBMS

Multimedia Broadcast and

Multicast Service

NodeB

Node B

OMC

Operation & maintenance Centre

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III

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Abbreviation

Full name

PDP

Packet data protocol

PI

Performance Index

PPP

Point to Point Protocol

PS

Packet-Switched domain

QoS

Quality of Service

RAB

Radio Access Bearer

RF

Radio Frequency

RNC

Radio Network Controller

RRC

Radio Resource Control

RRU

Radio Remote Unit

RSCP

Received Signal Code Power

RTWP

Received Total Wideband Power

SAAL

Signaling ATM Adaptation Layer

SCCP

Signaling Connection Control Part

SNR

Signal to Noise Ratio

TB

Transport Block

TCP

Transfer Control Protocol

UDP

User Datagram Protocol

UE

User Equipment

VIP

Very Important People

VP

Video Phone

WAN

Wide Area Network

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IV

UMTS KPI Optimization Analysis Guide Internal Use Only

About This Document

Summary
Chapter

Description

1 Overview

Brief introduction to KPI optimization

2 KPI Monitoring Process

KPI monitoring process

3 KPI Analysis Methods

Common KPI analysis methods, basic KPI analysis

skills, and general process for KPI optimization
analysis

4 KPI Optimization Analysis

KPI Optimization Analysis on CS call drops, PS call

drops, accessibility indicators, mobility indicators, and
resource indicators

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1

Overview ......................................................................................................... 1

2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5

KPI Monitoring Process ................................................................................. 2

KPI Monitoring Process .................................................................................... 2
Routine KPI Monitoring Process ....................................................................... 3
KPI Monitoring Process During Parameter Modification .................................... 5
KPI Monitoring During RNC or NodeB Version Upgrade ................................... 6
KPI Monitoring During Cutover ......................................................................... 7

3
3.1
3.1.1
3.2
3.2.1
3.2.2
3.3

KPI Analysis Methods .................................................................................... 7

KPI Analysis Methods ....................................................................................... 7
TOP N Worst Cells Method............................................................................... 8
Basic KPI Analysis Skills ................................................................................ 11
KPI Monitoring Tools ...................................................................................... 12
KPI Analysis Tools .......................................................................................... 12
General Process of KPI Optimization Analysis ................................................ 14

4
4.1
4.1.1
4.1.2
4.2
4.2.1
4.3
4.3.1
4.3.2
4.3.3
4.4
4.4.1
4.4.2
4.4.3
4.5
4.5.1
4.5.2
4.5.3
4.5.4
4.5.5
4.5.6
4.5.7
4.5.8

KPI Optimization Analysis ........................................................................... 18

CS Call Drop Optimization .............................................................................. 18
Definition of Call Drop ..................................................................................... 18
CS Call Drop Analysis Flowchart .................................................................... 19
PS Call Drop Optimization .............................................................................. 21
Optimization Flowchart ................................................................................... 21
Optimization of Accessibility Indicators ........................................................... 23
Definition of Access Failure ............................................................................ 23
Analysis on RRC Connection Failures ............................................................ 24
Analysis on RAB/RB Setup Failures ............................................................... 30
Optimization of Mobility Indicators .................................................................. 36
Optimization of Soft Handovers ...................................................................... 36
Optimization of Hard Handovers ..................................................................... 42
Optimization of Inter-RAT Handovers ............................................................. 47
Optimization of Resource Indicators ............................................................... 51
Resource Indicator Optimization Flowchart ..................................................... 52
Code Resource Optimization .......................................................................... 54
Monitoring CE Resource ................................................................................. 54
Optimization of Power Control ........................................................................ 55
Speeding up Rate Downgrade ........................................................................ 55
Monitoring and Optimizing Uplink Capacity ..................................................... 56
Optimization of Uplink Capacity at the Whole Network Level .......................... 56
Optimization of Uplink Capacity for a Single Cell ............................................ 56

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FIGURES
Figure 1-1 Joint KPI analysis ................................................................................................. 2
Figure 2-1 Routine KPI monitoring process............................................................................ 3
Figure 2-2 KPI monitoring process during parameter modification ......................................... 5
Figure 2-3 KPI monitoring workflow during RNC or NodeB version upgrade .......................... 6
Figure 3-1 RF configuration at HIC site ................................................................................ 10
Figure 3-2 Antenna energy distribution at HIC site ............................................................... 10
Figure 3-3 KPI optimization analysis process....................................................................... 17
Figure 4-1 CS call drop analysis flowchart ........................................................................... 19
Figure 4-2 PS call drop optimization flowchart ..................................................................... 21
Figure 4-3 Analysis flowchart of RRC connection setup failures .......................................... 26
Figure 4-4 Analysis flowchart of RAB setup failures ............................................................. 31
Figure 4-5 Soft handover optimization flowchart .................................................................. 37
Figure 4-6 Hard handover optimization flowchart ................................................................. 44
Figure 4-7 Inter-RAT handover optimization flowchart ......................................................... 49
Figure 4-8 Resource indicator optimization flowchart ........................................................... 52

TABLES
Table 3-1 List of CS TOP N Worst Cells ................................................................................ 9
Table 3-2 Indicators Related with CS Call Drop ................................................................... 11
Table 4-1 Parameters That 2G Shall Provide to 3G ............................................................. 47
Table 4-2 Parameters That 3G Shall Provide to 2G ............................................................. 47
Table 4-3 Resource KPIs and Alarm Thresholds ................................................................. 51
Table 4-4 Adjusting Code Resource Allocation .................................................................... 54
Table 4-5 Example of Parameter Modification for Rate Downgrade ..................................... 55
Table 4-6 Example of Power Control Parameter Modification .............................................. 56
Table 4-7 Example of Power Control Parameter Modification for Heavy-Traffic Cell ............ 57

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VII

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Overview
The radio network KPIs directly reflect the network quality, and KPI monitoring is
an important means to locate the faults. KPI monitoring and optimization are
mostly performed during the network operation and maintenance stage.
Abnormal events are supposed to be detected as early as possible and handled
with proper solutions so that sound voice and data services can be ensured for
the subscribers.
At the beginning of the network construction, the optimization team should put
more emphasis on the RF adjustment rather than the optimization of KPIs
except for CS call drop rate, the PS call drop rate, and the RTWP indicator.
During the network operation and maintenance stage, KPI optimization (also
called parameter optimization) plays the main role, that is, the optimization team
should optimize a certain indicator through integrated parameter adjustment to
meet the customers requirements.
KPI data comes from NetNumenT31, the network management system in the
operation and maintenance center (OMC). Based on the analysis on KPIs, the
current states of those indicators are learned and they are important reference
for assessing the network performance. The KPIs include the network service
retaining capacity, accessibility, mobility, system capacity, and so on. According
to the current values of these indicators, for example, some site has congestion,
some site has a call drop rate of 10%, or some RNC has a certain worst cell
proportion, busy cell proportion, cell code resource availability, access success
rate, call delay and handover success rate, the optimization team should judge
and locate the area, scope and severity of the fault.
KPIs are divided into service KPIs and network KPIs by the statistic sources.
Service KPIs are collected through field drive tests (DTs) while network KPIs are
collected from the unified network management system. This article mainly
discusses the analysis on network KPIs. Usually, the final solution is made
based on the joint analysis on the OMC KPI data, alarms, subscribers
complaints, and DT results.

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Figure 1-1 Joint KPI analysis

KPI Monitoring Process

The purpose of KPI monitoring is to find out abnormal events that affect services
as well as subscribers perception and solve the problems as early as possible.
For instance, if the call drop rate at a certain site goes over 50%, we need to find
the problem and work out the solution in the earliest time.
As it is very urgent and important to locate KPI problems, we need a whole set
of scientific KPI monitoring mechanism and problem shooting process, as well
as appropriate monitoring tool and analysis tool to help us find the call drops
caused by transmission problems, resource congestion, cells service
interruption, serious interference, hardware fault with NodeB, wrong
configuration of RNC parameters in time.
We classify KPI monitoring into four categories: routine KPI monitoring, KPI
monitoring during the process of parameter modification, KPI monitoring during
the RNC or NodeB version upgrade, and KPI monitoring during the process of
cutover. Routine KPI monitoring should be performed every day and be
recorded in a KPI daily report, which should involve the worst CS cell, the worst
PS cell, the cell with the lowest RRC connection rate, the cell with the most
serious resource limit, and so on.

2.1

KPI Monitoring Process

KPI monitoring falls into four categories: routine KPI monitoring, KPI monitoring
during the process of parameter modification, KPI monitoring during the version
upgrade of RNC or NodeB, and KPI monitoring during the process of cutover.
Each type of monitoring has its own monitoring items and output form. For
instance, the output of the routine KPI monitoring should be a daily report, while

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the output of other KPI monitoring types should be a KPI comparison report.
Different types of KPI monitoring should have different time granularities
according to the requirement of problem location.
Routine KPI monitoring should be done persistently and be recorded in a daily
report, which should include a collection of the cells worst in different aspects,
and be sent to relevant person by email.

2.2

Routine KPI Monitoring Process

Figure 2-1 Routine KPI monitoring process

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EMS exports the

one-day
granularity of the
whole network
cell

Screen out the

worst cells with
KPI tool

Output KPI daily

report in Excel

Send email in
fixed format to
relevant
personnel

Problem handling
team classifies,
collects and locates
the worst cells

Hand to the
network
optimization
personnel

Coverage problem

Hand to
R&D dept.
or customer
service
dept.
Equipment/

version
problem

Classification
of the worst
cells
Parameter problem

Hand to the planning

personnel

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2.3

KPI Monitoring Process During Parameter

Modification
Figure 2-2 KPI monitoring process during parameter modification

Old parameter
configuration

Yes

Rollback or
not?

Configure data
according to the
worksheet

Notify the person

in charge by mail
or phone

No

Locate the worst

cells, and check if
they are caused
by the parameter
modification.

Network KPI
monitoring (15minute granularity)

No

Whether the
KPIs at the
RNC level are
normal.

Yes
Keep on
monitoring (15minute granularity)

Output a report in
Word (hourly
granularity KPIs
before and after
the parameter
modification)

End

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2.4

KPI Monitoring During RNC or NodeB Version

Upgrade
Figure 2-3 KPI monitoring workflow during RNC or NodeB version upgrade
Current version
Yes
No
Rollback or
not
Execute the
worksheet to
upgrade version
Send mail to or
call the person
in charge

Network KPI
monitoring
15 minutes time
granularity

Locate the worst

cells. Determine
whether they are
related with the
version update.
No

Whether the
RNC-level KPI
is normal

Yes

Keep on monitoring
(15 minutes
granularity)

Output formal Word report

(Compare the hourly
granularity KPIs before and
after the parameter
modification, and output the
result every hour.)

End

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2.5

KPI Monitoring During Cutover

For the network on which the equipment needs to be replaced (for instance,
HongKong CSL network, for which we replaced Nokias equipment with ZTEs),
after the network optimization is completed, the subscribers on the existing
network should be cut over to our network gradually. During the cutover, there
will be subscribers registering on our network constantly, which will cause load
increase on the network. In this case, we should watch KPI changes closely.
The monitoring process, items, method and report are the same as those
described in section 2.4, KPI Monitoring During RNC or NodeB Version
Upgrade. Please read it for reference.

KPI Analysis Methods

3.1

KPI Analysis Methods

Different network problems require different performance analysis methods.
Choose one or more appropriate methods after learning the running state of the
existing network and the problems with it. Common analysis methods are as
follows:
TOP N worst cells method: Based on the traffic statistics indicators we care
about (such as the call drop rate, connection rate, and soft handoff failure rate),
choose N worst cells whose average indicator values in the peak hours or of the
whole day are the lowest as the target of fault analysis and optimization. Or
prioritize objects of optimization against these indicator values.
Time tendency chart method: Tendency chart of indicator change is commonly
used in the traffic analysis. The analysis engineer can work out an hourly, daily
or weekly tendency chart of one or more indicators of the whole network, a
cluster, or a single cell, and find out the change rule of traffic statistics indicators.
Regional location method: The change of network performance indicators often
occurs in some regions. The indicators in these regions may be worsened by
traffic increase, traffic mode change, radio environment change, faults with a
small number of stations, or uplink/downlink interference, which will therefore
affect the performance indicators of the whole network. By comparing the
network performance indicators before and after the change, we can mark out
the station or the sector with the greatest indicator change on an electronic map,
and take these problem regions as the analysis focus.

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Comparison method: A single traffic statistics indicator may be affected by many

factors. While some factors change, others may not. Choose a proper object for
comparison to confirm the existence of problems, and then analyze the causes
of the problems. When examining an indicator, do not care whether the absolute
indicator value is high or low only, pay more attention to whether the value is
high or low compared to other indicators instead.

3.1.1

TOP N Worst Cells Method

During the whole process of KPI optimization analysis, TOP N worst cells
analysis method is the most effective one, which can be used throughout the
whole optimization phase. By focusing on the TOP N worst cells, you can solve
the major problems with the network. Abnormal call drop events may happen
every day, and these events may represent problems of a kind. After solving the
problems with TOP N cells, you can solve the problems of the same kind.
Therefore, focusing on TOP N cells is one of the most effective ways to solve
problems.
TOP N worst cells analysis method is applicable to the optimization analysis of
all the indicators. Choose TOP N worst cells according to a certain threshold,
which varies depending on different indicators. N stands for the number of the
worst cells. When the worst cells are too many to be worked on, the number of
the worst cells can be decreased so that you can focus on them. TOP N cells
analysis method includes the following steps:
Step 1: Screen out TOP N cells according to the condition of the indicators you
care about.
Step 2: Conduct a health check for TOP N cells. Check whether there are any
problems with transmission or boards, and check whether the worst cells are
caused by external abrupt incidents, such as terrible weather, gatherings, or
holiday (because during gatherings and holidays the traffic is usually heavy).
Step 3: Check the radio parameters configuration of these cells, the radius of
these cells and their neighboring cells, and compare them with the normal cells.
Step 4: Export the indicator relevant most closely with the indicators you care
about and analyze it to find the problem indirectly.
For instance, one day, CS call drop rate of a whole network was high. We
analyzed the problem by the TOP N cells analysis method.
Step 1: Screen out TOP N cells according to the condition of the indicators you
care about.

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We used the CNO KPI analysis function to screen out TOP N cells (other tools
can be also used), and selected 10 cells with the highest CS call drop rate.

Table 3-1 List of CS TOP N Worst Cells

Index

Cell

RNS subnet ID

Cell ID

Call drop
rate, CS AMR

Number of call
drop, voice

ZBL1U-AI1

(201)

12911

41.58%

553

ZBL1U-AI3

(201)

12913

39.55%

545

HKE1U5H-1

(203)

30461

15.56%

370

HKE1U5H-3

(203)

30463

15.81%

360

LAK1U9M-3

(202)

11063

3.39%

282

HIC1U-9R1

RNC101(101)

10891

2.26%

216

LAK1U9M-1

(202)

11061

2.49%

215

EBP1U9R-3

RNC101(101)

12823

2.30%

205

SRS1U5H-1

RNC102CSL(102)

12091

3.92%

169

10

HRM1U6R-1

RNC102CSL(102)

20671

3.41%

167

Step 2: Check the transmission and hardware of the TOP N cells and check
whether they are caused by external abrupt incidents, such as terrible whether,
gatherings, or holidays when traffic is usually heavy.
And then, we conducted a health check for each cell and paid attention to
routine alarms and BPC board problems. We found there were broken
associations in some HKE sites.
Step 3: Check the radio parameters configuration of these cells, the radius of
these cells and their neighboring cells, and compare them with the normal cells.
(1)Problem with the cell radius: After the check, we found the cell radius of the
LAK site was 2.5 km. Because the LAK site was situated by the sea and the
antenna was placed very high, the radius of 2.5 km was far from enough. So we
changed the cell radius to 10 km, and the problem of high call drop rate was
thus solved.

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(2)Problem with configuration: HIC site is an indoor POI site. The RRU RxTx
port and the RRU Rx port were configured reversely, which is the cause of high
call drop rate. After modifying HIC, we found that signals of the second RRU
were received by the Rx port. So we changed the configuration of the RxTx port
and the Rx port, the problem of high call drop rate was thus solved.
Figure 3-1 RF configuration at HIC site

Figure 3-2 Antenna energy distribution at HIC site

Step 4: Export the indicator relevant most closely with the indicators you care
about and analyze it to find the problem indirectly.

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Table 3-2 Indicators Related with CS Call Drop

Index

Cell

RAB release
number for Iu
connection
release request
by UTRAN for
CS domain in
cell, radio
connection
with UE lost

RAB release
number for Iu
connection
release request
by UTRAN for
CS domain in
cell, failure in
the radio
Interface
procedure

RAB release
number for Iu
connection
release
request by
UTRAN for
CS domain in
cell, release
due to
overload
control

RAB release
number for Iu
connection
release
request by
UTRAN for
CS domain in
cell,
unspecified
failure

Average
cell freq
RTWP
(dbm)

ZBL1UAI-1

482

43

29

-104.177

ZBL1UAI-3

473

40

33

-104.125

HKE1U
-5H-1

346

16

-105.908

HKE1U
-5H-3

330

18

13

106.0777

LAK1U9M-3

69

196

18

103.1906

HIC1U9R-1

100

100

16

101.5404

LAK1U9M-1

64

131

20

103.1934

EBP1U
-9R-3

98

90

17

-101.413

SRS1U
-5H-1

87

59

22

104.3528

10

HRM1
U-6R-1

42

111

13

102.7697

3.2

Basic KPI Analysis Skills

Be able to use the KPI statistics tool and the analysis tool

Use tools to learn about the running state of the whole network quickly, and
screen out TOP N worst cells quickly.

Use different analysis tools to find problems from different aspects and locate
the problem quickly.

Understand the signaling process and basic principle

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In the process of abnormity location, keep a clear aim in mind, and be able to
apply the process and basic principle to check the other relevant indicators
rapidly to facilitate the analysis.
Be familiar with the process and basic principle and be able to make logical
association between abnormal KPI problems and network problems (such as the
coverage problem and the interference problem). Be able to determine the
problem nature according to the abnormal KPI, and then choose the appropriate
tool to analyze the problem in depth.
Performance analysis requires engineers to understand basic signaling process,
be familiar with the protocol stacks of standard interfaces, and know relevant
algorithms to realize the product functions. Engineers should at least have a
concept about the various algorithms. If the analysis of a commercial network
involves some algorithms, engineers should study these algorithms in depth.

3.2.1

3.2.2

KPI Monitoring Tools

Network management tool NetNumenT31: count KPI original data,

alarm data, radio parameter configuration in cells, and parameter
configuration on the earth.

KPI daily report generating tool: classify key indicators according to a

certain condition, and screen out the worst cells.

KPI Analysis Tools

CNO Tool: CNO tool has the KPI analysis function. So using it, you
can screen out the worst cells according to various conditions, and
point out the corresponding counter of an indicator.

SignalTrace: Trace the signaling (RNL signaling and RNL signaling) of

RNC interfaces, which includes the Iu interface, the Iur interface, the
Iub interface and the Uu interface (the signaling flow between RNC and
UE at RRC layer). And RNL signaling trace is a common way for
locating the KPI problem. Being able to trace the RNC signaling is a
basic requirement for the on-site KPI optimization engineers and the
network optimization and maintenance engineers. This signaling
tracing tool is very powerful, which can trace signaling according to the
UE cell and IMSI in the KPI analysis. According to the UE cell, it can
trace the signaling of multiple subscribers, while according to IMSI, it
can trace the signaling of only one subscriber. However, if the RRC
connection is not established yet, signaling cannot be traced. That is

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because only when RRC connection has been established, can the
RNC obtain the subscribers IMSI from the CN.

RNC ASS Log: ASS log is usually applied when there is abnormity
and RNC signaling is out of trace. In this case, use ASS log to analyze
the signaling before and after the abnormity occurs. Abnormity can be
queried according to IMSI or cell ID. ASS log can be also used to
collect various abnormities.

NodeB LMT: NodeB local operation and maintenance tool. Apart from
all the operation functions of the OMCB, this tool can collect more
detailed information about cells and UE. NodeB local maintenance
terminals include: EOMS, EFMS, DMS, and PMS.

NodeB Abnormity Probe: On the site of WCDMA commercial office,

NodeB abnormity probe is an effective tool to monitor the running state
of the NodeB. Every module of NodeB can record the abnormal
information automatically, which makes it easy to locate problems.
However this method requires professional knowledge, such as
knowledge about the function and interface of each module or board. If
the on-site engineers cannot make the simple analysis, they can just
obtain the abnormity probe and send it to the R&D engineers at the
rear side. The abnormities reported on the NodeB will be stored at the
OMCB server according to different RNCs. To conduct NodeB
abnormity probe analysis, you need to download abnormity probe files
from different OMCB servers and then use the abnormity probe tool to
make a comprehensive analysis.

CTS Tool: CTS is a tool developed by the CN department, which can

trace signaling in depth according to IMSI, and trace signaling across
RNCs. So this is particularly suitable to trace VIP subscribers. In this
case, CTS is easier to use than SignalTrace, which can only trace
signaling of RNCs one by one. CTS can trace the interactive signaling
between network elements (NEs) within the CN, as well as the
signaling of the Iu interface and the Uu interface. This kind of signaling
tracing is what we called in-depth tracing. The work principle of CTS is
to set up an IMSI task on the CTS server and send it to the CN front
side, which will then send this task to each CN module via the
interfaces dedicated to the CN modules and the RNC, and then each
module, after receiving the signaling related to the IMSI task, will send
the signaling back to the CTS server via the CN front side. The
interfaces mentioned above are private interfaces, so this tool can only
support our own CN and RNC. CTS signaling can be checked and

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analyzed with an offline tool, but the offline tool does not work very well
because of the lack of continuous optimization and perfection.

3.3

UE log: DT test is also an important auxiliary way in analyzing KPI

indicators. There are many problems that cannot be located by tracing
signaling at the network side, and can only be located by the use of UE
log. The commonly used drive test software includes: QXDM/APEX
(QCAT), CNT/CAN and TEMS. CNT/CAN and TEMS are often used
for network optimization. For the use of CNT/CAN, please refer to the
corresponding help file and the instruction document publicly released
by the Network Optimization Tool Department. QXDM and the analysis
tool APEX (QCAT) provided by Qualcomm is very powerful, which
have contributed a lot for the stability and maturity of our system for
many years.

General Process of KPI Optimization Analysis

Basic analyzing ideas:
KPI optimization is a process to find and solve problems. KPI optimization during
the operation and maintenance stage is mainly to pick out the performance data
that needs special attention from the OMC, classify these performance data, and
then compare the value of these data with that required by the operator. If the
value of an indicator is lower than the operators requirement, analyze this
indicator and find out the factor that affect the indicator, and then propose a
solution to the operator. If the values are higher than the operators requirement,
theres no need to pay special attention to them.
KPI analysis is a process from the whole to the part.
Step 1: Check the key indicators from the view of the whole network. If there is
not any problem, just ignore them. Otherwise, try to locate the RNC NE that has
the problem.
Step 2: Analyze the indicators of the corresponding RNC to find out the RNC
whose indicators have the problem.
Step 3: Analyze the indicators of the cell under the problem RNC to find out the
worst cells or TOP N cells. If the indicators of all the cells under the RNC are
tend to be low, it is a common problem probably caused by parameter
configuration. And then check whether the radio parameter configuration in the
cells under this RNC is the same as that in the cells under the normal RNCs.

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Step 4: Make a comprehensive analysis on the KPIs, alarms, DT test data, and
customer complains of the worst cells to find out a solution.
Analysis method:
After learning the KPI analysis ideas, we must know some common KPI analysis
methods to rule out causes of problems from the obvious ones to the hidden
ones.
For example, we found that the TCP code words were strictly limited at eight
sites near a park, and the call drop rate rose suddenly. How to solve this
problem?
Method one: First, we checked whether the alarms, transmission, and boards of
these sites were normal. After they are proved all normal, we sent some
engineers to the site to do test. And meanwhile, we traced the RNC signaling at
the OMC. It turned out that the test result was normal, and the indicators of
these sites of that day did not have any problem and code words were not
limited. And later we knew from the news that there was a big gathering of about
one million people at the park at that moment. Until then we came to know that
the congestion was caused by too many users using the network at the same
time.
Method two: First, because the eight sites went worse all of a sudden, it was
unlikely that the problem lied in the hardware. Then we checked whether the
radio parameters had been modified the day before. The result is no worksheet
had been issued to modify those parameters, and no alarm was found at those
sites. Therefore, we excluded the possibility of hardware problem. Then we
checked the traffic trend graph of the last few days (over seven days) and found
that the high call drop rate might be caused by high traffic. The graph showed
that traffic of each site rose suddenly on the day before. Thus we came to the
conclusion that this was an abnormal abrupt event, which may have been
caused by a gathering. And later we were told that there was a big gathering at
the park. So we were assured the code words limitation and high call drop rate
at the eight sites were caused by too many subscribers using the network at the
same time.
By comparing the two methods above, we can find that although the first one
(sending engineers to the site, without the consideration of abnormal events) is
commonly used, it is inefficient and costs more resource. The second method
(analyzing the problem by the means of exclusion and association) is more
efficient. From this case, we would like to emphasize that KPI analysis is a
process of problem exclusion. Using the comprehensive methods (like Method
One) at the first brush may be making a detour.

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Exclusion method: Check the alarms on the OMC to learn about the
state of the RNC, NodeB, BPC board, and the transmission. If there
are obvious broken link in transmission or hardware problem, the
cause of the problem is easy to locate.

Incident association: If the problem is with a great number of sites, take

abrupt incidents into account, such as large-scale gathering, terrible
weather of incorrect operation. These incidents will put influence of
different levels and ranges on the network indicators.

Comparison of radio parameters: If some site goes wrong in a sudden,

check whether the radio parameter configuration of this site is
consistent with that of other normal sites. If not, change it as that of the
normal sites, because the indicator decrease may be caused by an
incorrect modification of radio parameters.

Relevant indicators association: If a certain indicator is in poor

condition, check its relevant indicators and find the common problem
from these relevant indicators.

Comprehensive problem location: When the above reasons are

excluded, use DT data, KPI data, RNC signaling analysis data to locate
the problem with indicators comprehensively.

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Figure 3-3 KPI optimization analysis process

Start

Pick out
performance
indexes

RNC index
abnormal?
Y
Analyze and
record causes

Climate change,
holidays, assembly,
transmission
interruption, power
fault, and so on

Abrupt and
self-curable
abnormality?

N
Equipment
alarms exist?

Suggestion about
improvement

Y
Deal with
equipment alarms
N
RNC index
recovers?

N
Show TOPN
abnormal cells
and their locations

Transmission,
software/hardware
version, wireless
parameter configuration

Common
problem with the
worst cells?
Y

CN/RNC

Transmi
Hardware Software
ssion

Interfere Wireless
nce
parameters

Time
range

Common
problems analysis
N
Problem
resolved?

N
Abnormal indexes
analysis in one cell

Successful
Soft
Call drop
call
handover
N

2/3G
alternate
operation

PS rate

Deal with the

relevant problem

Indexes
normal?

If the problem is proved to

be equipment bug or
system problem after
several attempts, feed it
back to R&D dept.

Y
End

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KPI Optimization Analysis

This chapter mainly demonstrates how to analyze the indicator problems from
the aspect of OMC data, and provides flowcharts for KPI optimization. The
detailed analyzing method and cases of every special subject can be checked in
the optimization guides of all the subjects.

4.1

CS Call Drop Optimization

The CS call drop rate is the most important indicator in KPI optimization.

4.1.1

Definition of Call Drop

After checking the signaling on the Uu interface at the UE side, the engineer can
judge the situation a call drop if the Uu interface message satisfies one of the
following three conditions during the calling process (in connection).
RNC Release is not received, but the UE condition changes from CELL_DCH to
IDLE.
RRC Release is received and the released cause value is Not Normal.
One of the following three messages CC Disconnect, CC Release Complete,
and CC Release is received, and the released cause value is Not Normal
Clearing or Not Normal, Unspecified.
In a board sense, the call drop includes the call drop rates of CN and UTRAN.
The call drop of UTRAN includes the following two aspects:
After the successful service establishment, RNC sends the RAB Release
Request to CN.
After the successful service establishment, RNC sends the IU Release Request
to CN. Later, RNC receives the IU Release Command from CN.
Note that RAN call drop statistics, which is defined from the aspect of lu
interface signaling, means the launching times of RAB Release Request and lu
Release Request of RNC. And the DT call drop statistics is defined from the
aspects of the Uu interface message, non-access stratum message and cause
value. RAN call drop statistics and DT call drop statistics are not exactly the
same.

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4.1.2

CS Call Drop Analysis Flowchart

Figure 4-1 CS call drop analysis flowchart

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Extract
performance data

CS TOP N
cell filtering

Analyze a single
cell

1. Check NE
alarms

Exist or
not?
Yes

3. Compare
parameter
configurations

2. Associate
emergencies

Exist or
not?

No

Yes

No

Exist or
not

No

No

Yes

Handle alarms

Handle
emergencies

Correct wrong
parameter
configurations

Solved or
not?

Solved or
not?

Solved or
not

Yes

Call-droprelated
counters

Call-droprelated
counters

Yes

C301230362
C301230363
C301230365
C301230315
C301230316
C301230318
C301230319
C301230322
C301230323

4. Associate
indicators

5. Locate the
fault
comprehensively

List related
indicator counters

Drive Test+
RNC signaling
trace

No

No

Yes

RTWP

Handover
success rate

Traffic
volume

Check&
analysis of
interference

Optimization
analysis of
handover failures

Optimization
analysis of
resource limit

Resource limit
indicators

No

Solved or
not?

Yes

End

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4.2

PS Call Drop Optimization

4.2.1

Optimization Flowchart
Figure 4-2 PS call drop optimization flowchart

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Extract performance
data

PS TOP N
cell filtering

Analyze a single
cell

1. Check NE
alarms

Exist or
not
Yes

3. Compare
parameter
configurations

2. Associate
emergencies

Exist or
not

No

Yes

No

Exist or
not

No

No

Yes

Handle alarms

Handle
emergencies

Correct wrong
parameter
configurations

Solved or
not

Solved or
not

Solved or
not

Yes

Call-droprelated
counters

Call-droprelated
counters
C301230372
C301230373
C301230375
C301230330
C301230332
C301230333
C301230334
C301230337
C301230338

4. Associate
indicators

5. Locate the
fault
comprehensively

List related
indicator counters

Drive Test+
RNC signaling
trace

No

No

Yes

RTWP

Handover
success rate

Traffic
volume

Check&
analysis of
interference

Optimization
analysis of
handover failures

Optimization
analysis of
resource limit

Resource limit
indicators

No

Solved or
not?

Yes
Yes

End

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4.3

Optimization of Accessibility Indicators

Accessibility performance includes the success rate of RRC connection setup
and the success rate of CS/PS RAB assignment. These two kinds of KPIs play
important roles in the network optimization and directly influence the success
rate of CS/PS service establishment. In this document, this kind of problems are
found from the aspect of OMC data, and solved through parameter optimization.

4.3.1

Definition of Access Failure

For the mobile originated call in the CS domain, the access failure event means
that the UE sends RRC REQUEST, and IE establish cause is Originating
Conversational Call, but alerting of the direct transfer message is not received.
The relevant events are defined as follows in the access failure stage.
RRC connection setup failure: After considering the resending times and the
waiting time, the UE sends RRC CONNECTION REQUEST, and does not
receive the response from RNC or RRC CONNECTION REJECT delivered by
RNC.
Initial direct transfer and security mode establishment failure: After sending RRC
CONNECTION SETUP COMPLETE, the UE does not send NAS SETUP.
RAB assignment failure: After receiving CALL PROCEEDING, the UE does not
receive RB SETUP delivered by RNC. Or the UE replies with RB SETUP FAIL
after receiving RB SETUP. Or the UE receives DISCONNECT with the cause
value not being Normal Release after receiving RB SETUP. At this time, the UE
has not reported RB SETUP CMP.
Failure after RAB assignment: After the UE sends RB SETUP COMPLETE, the
originating UE receives DISCONNECT/RELEASE from CN. Or the UE waits
CONNECT or ALERTING overtime, and launches the Call Clearing process; Or
the UE becomes IDLE before receiving Alerting, and starts to receive the system
message.
For the mobile terminated in the CS domain, the access failure event means that
the terminating UE receives the paging of paging type 1, and does not send
RRC CONNECTION REQUEST with the cause value being Terminating
Conversational Call. Or the UE does not send the alerting of direct transfer
message to CN after sending RRC CONNECTION REQUEST.
The relevant events are defined as follows in the access failure stage.

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RRC connection setup failure: After sending RRC CONNECTION REQUEST,

the UE does not receive the response from RNC or RRC CONNECTION
REJECT delivered by RNC.
Initial direct transfer and security mode establishment failure: After sending RRC
CONNECTION SETUP COMPLETE, the UE does not receive the SETUP direct
transfer message. Or the UE sends RELEASE COMPLETE. Or the UE receives
DISCONNECT from CN.
RAB assignment failure: The UE does not receive RB SETUP delivered by RNC
after sending CALL CONFIRM. Or the UE replies with RB SETUP FAIL after
receiving RB SETUP. Or the UE receives DISCONNECT with the cause value
not being Normal Release after receiving RB SETUP. At this time, the UE has
not reported RB SETUP CMP.
Failure after RAB assignment: After the UE sends RB SETUP COMPLETE, the
terminating UE receives DISCONNECT/RELEASE from CN.

4.3.2

Analysis on RRC Connection Failures

The problem of RRC connection setup failure can be analyzed through the UE
signaling flow and RNC single-user tracing. The RRC connection setup includes
the following steps:
The UE sends RRC Connection Request through the RACH channel.
RNC sends RRC Connection Setup through the FACH channel.
The UE sends RRC Connection Setup Complete through the dedicated uplink
channel after the downlink dedicated channel is established and synchronized.
RRC connection setup failures are always caused by following issues:
Uplink RACH problem
Problem about downlink FACH power allocation proportion
Parameter reselection problem of the cell
Low downlink dedicated initial transmitting power
Uplink initial power control problem
Congestion

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Equipment malfunctions
Among these issues, the problems of uplink RACH, downlink FACH power
allocation proportion, parameter reselection of the cell and equipment
malfunctions appear more frequently.

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4.3.2.1

Analysis Flowchart of RRC Connection Setup Failures

Figure 4-3 Analysis flowchart of RRC connection setup failures

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Extract
performance data

TOP N
cell filtering

Analyze a single
cell

1. Check NE
alarms

Exist or
not
Yes

3. Compare
parameter
configurations

2. Associate
emergencies

Exist or
not

No

Yes

No

Exist or
not

No

Yes

No

Handle alarms

Handle
emergencies

Correct wrong
parameter
configurations

Solved or
not

Solved or
not

Solved or
not

Yes

Counters related
to RRC setup
failures

Counters related
to RRC setup
failures

Yes

C301480485
C301480486
C301480487
C301480489
C301480490
C301480491
C301481288
C301481289
C301481337
C301481338
C301481339
C301481407
C301481408

4. Associate
indicators

5. Locate the
fault
comprehensively

List related
indicator counters

Drive Test+
RNC signaling
trace

No

No

Yes

RTWP

Resource
limit
indicators

Check&
analysis of
interference

Optimization
analysis of
resource limit

No

Solved or
not

Yes

End

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4.3.2.2

4.3.2.3

UE sends RRC Connection Request, but RNC does not receive it

If the Ec/Io of downlink CPICH is relatively low, it is the problem of coverage.

If the Ec/Io of downlink CPICH is not very low (for example, the value is larger than 14 dB). Usually, it is the problem of RACH, and the following issues may cause the
problem:

The power of Preamble does not rise to a required value, and the rising
times of Preamble should be increased.

The output power of UE is lower than the required value, which is

caused by poor UE performance. In this case, the UE should be
changed.

The NodeB equipment has a standing wave and the engineer should
check whether NodeB has any SWR alarm.

The radius of the cell is set improperly. If the radius parameter of the
cell is set too small, the NodeB can not synchronize the UE beyond the
range of the radius, and the access fails. This problem often happens
in the places with large coverage, such as the rural areas and the
suburbs.

RNC delivers RRC Connection Reject after receiving RRC Setup Request.
When RRC Connection Reject appears, the engineer should check the specific
reject cause value. Usually, there are two kinds of causes:
The CPU load of RNC control plane board is too heavy and more boards should
be added.
DCH and FACH admission is rejected. However, this situation does not always
happen.

4.3.2.4

UE does not receive RRC Connection Setup delivered by RNC

This problem may be caused by the following reasons:
Poor coverage
Improper parameters of cell selection and reselection
Checking method: The engineer should check the Ec/Io of CPICH. If the value is
lower than -12 dB (Ec/Io is -12 dB by default), and there is no cell of better

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quality in the monitor set, the cause of this problem is poor coverage. If there is
better cell in the monitor set, cell reselection may cause this problem.
Poor coverage can be improved by coverage enhancement, such as adding
some sites to cover the places without signal coverage and adjusting the
engineering parameters. If the coverage can not be improved, the engineer can
enhance the FACH power according to the PCPICH Ec/Io coverage of the
current network. For example, if all the pilot Ec/Io values are larger than -12 dB
in the coverage area, the power proportion of the common channel should be
configured on the basis of the situation that the Ec/Io value is larger than -12 dB.
And so, the success rate of the idle UE assessment can be ensured.
As for the access problem caused by cell selection and reselection, the engineer
can speed up the cell selection and reselection by adjusting the cell selection
and reselection parameters, and the problem of RRC connection setup failure
caused by improper cell selection and reselection parameters can be solved.

Note:
The RRC Connection Setup message is borne by FACH. RRC Connection Request sent
by the UE is received by UTRAN at the preamble of PRACH, and then it is sent from the
RACH channel based on the current preamble power. And the transmit power of
preamble can rise all the time until the response is received (There is a limitation for the
maximum number of preamble retransmissions). Therefore, in the areas with poor
coverage, the RACH coverage and FACH coverage may become unbalanced, and as a
result, UTRAN can receive RRC Connection Request sent by the UE but the UE can not
receive RRC Connection Setup sent by RNC.

4.3.2.5

UE receives RRC Connection Setup and does not send RRC Setup
Complete
If the downlink signal quality is normal, this problem may be caused by the
abnormal condition of the cell phone.
Another reason of this problem may be the downlink synchronization failure
caused by the low initial power of downlink dedicated channel. You can solve
this problem by adjusting the service downlink Eb/No.

4.3.2.6

RNC does not receive RRC Setup Complete sent by UE

Because the uplink initial power control may increase the UE transmit power,
this kind of problem seldom appears. If it appears, the engineer can increase the

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Constant Value of the dedicated channel properly to raise the uplink DPCCH
initial transmission power of the UE.
At the same time, this problem is also relevant with the uplink SIR initial target
value configuration because this value may affect the uplink initial
synchronization at the initial stage of link setup. If the value of the parameter is
set too large, there will be too much uplink inference brought by the initial setup
of the link. If the value is set too small, the uplink synchronization will take longer
time, and the initial synchronization may even fail. This parameter is an RNClevel parameter, which has a great influence on network performance.
Therefore, the engineer should be cautious while adjusting this parameter.

Note:

RRC Connection Setup Complete is sent through uplink DPCH, and the UE
calculates the initial power of uplink DPCCH according to the received
IEDPCCH_Power_offset and the measured CPICH_RSCP value.
DPCCH_Initial_power = DPCCH_Power_offset - CPICH_RSCP
DPCCH_Power_offset = Primary CPICH DL TX Power + UL Interference + Constant
Value. The Constant Value can be configured in the OMC. If this value is set too small,
the UE may not have enough power to send RRC Connection Setup Complete.

4.3.3

Analysis on RAB/RB Setup Failures

When RAB or RB setup fails, RNC will send RAB Assignment Fail in the RAB
Assignment Response signaling. The engineer can find out the specific failure
reason from the failure cause value carried in relevant cells. The reasons for
common RAB/RB setup failures include:

RNC directly rejecting RAB Setup Request because of wrong parameter

configuration

Admission reject

RAB setup failure because the UE fails to respond to RB Setup Request

RAB setup failure because the Uu interface fails to set up RB

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4.3.3.1

Analysis Flowchart of RAB Setup Failures

Figure 4-4 Analysis flowchart of RAB setup failures

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Extract
performance data

TOP N
cell filtering

Analyze a single
cell

1. Check NE
alarms

Exist or
not

Exist or
not

No

Yes

3. Compare
parameter
configurations

2. Associate
emergencies

No

Exist or
not

No

Yes

No

Yes

Handle alarms

Handle
emergencies

Correct wrong
parameter
configurations

Solved or
not

Solved or
not

Solved or
not

Yes

5. Locate the
fault
comprehensively

List related
indicator counters

Drive Test+
RNC signaling
trace

No

No

Yes

Counters related to
RAB setup failures

Yes

4. Associate
indicators

Counters related to RAB setup

failures
CS domain
PS domain
C301230290
C301230302
C301230291
C301230303
C301230292
C301230304
C301230293
C301230305
C301230294
C301230306
C301230295
C301230307
C301230296
C301230308
C301230297
C301230309
C301230298
C301230310
C301230299
C301230311
C301230300
C301230312
C301230301
C301230313

RTWP

Resource
limit
indicators

Check&
analysis of
interference

Optimization
analysis of
resource limit

No

Solved or
not

Yes

End

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4.3.3.2

RNC Directly Rejecting RAB Setup Request Because Of Wrong Parameter

Configuration
The case that RNC responds with RAB Setup Failure directly is seldom caused
by invalid parameter configuration in the business network. Usually, this case is
caused by special operations of the special users.
The main scenario is that the subscription information of the users PS service is
beyond the capability of the UE, which leads to the direct refusal from RNC. For
example, a special users subscription rates of uplink and downlink are 384 K,
but the maximum uplink rate of the UE is only 64 K. The maximum uplink and
downlink rates of the QoS message used for activating PDP set by the AT
command or mobile terminal software used by the user are 384 K, so the RNC
will find the maximum uplink rate is beyond the UEs capability, directly reply
with RAB Setup Failure and will not launch the RB setup process, when it
receives RAB Assignment Request.
After the RAB setup fails because the parameter configuration is beyond the
UEs capability, SGSN will negotiate again to launch the new RAB assignment
until the UE has the capability to support the assignment, and the RAB
assignment is finished. For the users, the PDP activation is still successful, and
the actual maximum rate is the maximum rate the UE can support.
However, if the minimum guaranteed bit rate required by the QoS setting in the
UEs PDP activation request is beyond the UEs capability, though the network
negotiates a lower rate to accept the UEs PDP activation request, the UE will
launch the request of deactivating PDP when it finds that the rate negotiated by
the network in PDP activation accept request is lower than the minimum
guaranteed bit rate, and finally the PDP activation can not be completed.

4.3.3.3

Admission Reject
For the non-HSDPA user, if there are insufficient system resources (including
power, channel code, lub transmission resource and CE), the call establishment
failure will be caused by the admission reject. At this time, it is necessary to
check the network load, code resource, lub transmission resource and CE
resource occupation to make sure the congestion is caused by the limitation of a
certain kind of resource. What is more, the engineer should plan the
corresponding expansion method.
If the cell does not support the HSDPA service, the R99 user admission is
judged according to the fixed R99 admission threshold. If the cell supports the
HSDPA service, and the HSDPA and R99 dynamic power is allocated, the

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uplink admission of non-HSDPA is judged based on RTWP or the equivalent

user number. If the uplink load is too heavy, the non-HSDPA user admission will
also fail.
If the bandwidth configuration on the lub interface is insufficient, the lub interface
will reject the R99 data service activation because of limited bandwidth.
The admission control of the NodeB Credit resource is similar to the power
admission control. Whether the remaining Credit can support the currently
requested service or not can be judged according to the spectrum spreading
factor of the new access user. According to the condition of the RAB Downsizing
Switch, RNC will deal with the issue in the corresponding way.
For the HSDPA user, in the dynamic power allocation mode, besides the
mentioned system resources such as the power, channel code, lub transmission
resource and CE, the admission reject should take into consideration whether
the number of H users supported by NodeB and the number of H users
supported by the cell are over the regulated threshold or not into consideration.
For the HSDPA user, when the bandwidth configuration on lub interface is
insufficient, the admission reject will not happen, but the rate will be reduced.
What is more, the AAL2PATHs of HSDPA and R99 are configured respectively,
and the HSDPA AAL2PATH must be configured to the HSDPA_RT or
HSDPA_NRT type. If the HSDPA AAL2PATH is configured to RT or NRT of R99
AAL2PATH type, the RAB assignment failure will not happen, but RNC will
establish the HSDPA service as R99 384 Kbps.
For the downlink power admission,
Besides whether the R99 service load is over the non-HSDPA service threshold,
DCH service should take into consideration whether non-HSDPA power and
HSDPA GBP (the minimum power needed for the guaranteed bit rate) are over
the general power threshold of the cell.
For the HSDPA service, it is necessary to check whether the throughput rate
provided by the cell is over the sum of all the users GBR thresholds, or whether
the GBPs of the stream service and the background service are over the
HSDPA power of the cell. At the same time, whether the non-HSDPA power and
the HSDPA GBP (the minimum power needed for the guaranteed bit rate) are
over the overall power threshold of the cell should be also taken into
consideration.
For the lub admission,

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For the DCH service, the admission is made according to the multiplication of
the peak rate and the service activation factor.
For HSDPA service, the admission is made according to the GBR.
If the lub exceeds the congestion threshold, the DCCC rate reduction will be
triggered. And if the RLC_AM retransmission rate is over a certain threshold, the
Iub Overbooking switch can be opened to trigger the TF which limits R99 or to
reduce the rate of HSDPA service by a certain factor.

4.3.3.4

RAB Setup Failure Because the UE Fails to Respond to RB Setup

The UE fails to respond to RB setup mainly because of the users operation.
Take the following cases as examples:

4.3.3.5

When the user already has had the downlink 12 K data service, he receives RB
Setup Request of the VP service (either the originated call in the VP domain or the
terminated call in the VP domain). Because the UE does not support the VP and
high-speed PS service in the downlink at the same time, it directly replies with RB
Setup Failure, and the cause value is unsupported configuration.

Compared with the WCDMA subscriber originating the VP service, the terminating
subscriber resides in the GSM network, and so it does not support the VP service.
After RNC receives RAB Assignment Request, the core network will deliver the
Disconnect command right after call proceeding, and the cause value is Bearer
capability not authorized. At this time, the UE has just received the RB SETUP
command and has no enough time to finish the RB setup. So the UE will reply with
RB Setup Failure after it receives the Disconnect command, and the RNC will reply
with RAB Setup Failure, with the cause value being failure in radio interface
procedure.

RAB Setup Failure Because the Uu Interface Fails to Set Up RB

RNC sends the Radio Bearer Setup command to the UE but fails to receive
Radio Bearer Setup Compete. This kind of situation (RB setup failure) often
appears in the cells with weak signals. There are two causes of weak signals:
one is that the UE does not reside in the best server to launch the access, and
the other is poor coverage.

If the UE does not reside in the best server to launch the access, it will hope to
enter the best server through active set update in the RB setup process (At the
same time, the fast signal change will drastically weaken the signals in the cell), but
the active set update can only be processed after the RB setup is completed,
because the procedures can not be processed alternately (Neither the network nor
the terminal supports it). Therefore, RB can only be set up in the cell with weak

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signals, and the setup is easy to fail. As for this situation, the starting threshold and
speed of co-frequency cell reselection should be increased to make the UE reside
in the best server and launch the access as soon as possible.

4.4

RB setup failure may be caused by the poor downlink/uplink coverage. If the failure
is caused by downlink coverage, the UE can not receive the Radio Bearer Setup
command, which may be caused by the uplink interference, and this can be fixed
through checking RTWP. The poor downlink coverage is partly caused by the bad
UE demodulation performance, and other causes should be solved by RF
optimization.

Optimization of Mobility Indicators

Mobility indicators mainly fall into three categories soft handovers, hard
handovers and inter-RAT handovers. The handover problems usually happen in
the following cases.

The best server changes too fast or there is no best server due to pilot pollution.

The handover is not prompt or there are pingpong handovers due to improper
parameter configuration.

Adjust the engineering parameters for antennas in areas with severe pilot
pollution. And adjust the handover parameters, such as the values of 1A, 1B,
CIO, TTT (time to trigger), Hysteresis and so on, to solve the problem that the
handover is not prompt or there are pingpong handovers. This section tries to
solve this kind of problems through OMC data analysis and parameter
optimization.

4.4.1

Optimization of Soft Handovers

Missed neighboring cell configuration, pilot pollution, improper soft handover
parameter configuration, and equipment malfunctions are the major causes of
soft handover failures. To confirm the problems, the field DTs are required.

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4.4.1.1

Soft Handover Optimization Flowchart

Figure 4-5 Soft handover optimization flowchart

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Extract
performance data

TOP N
cell filtering

Analyze a single
cell

1. Check NE
alarms

Exist or
not

Exist or
not

No

Yes

3. Compare
parameter
configurations

2. Associate
emergencies

No

Exist or
not

No

Yes

Yes

No

Handle alarms

Handle
emergencies

Correct wrong
parameter
configurations

Solved or
not

Solved or
not

Solved or
not

Yes

5. Locate the
fault
comprehensively

List related
indicator counters

Drive Test+
RNC signaling
trace

No

No

Yes

Counters related to
soft handover
failures

Cell hand-in/handout indicators

Counters related to intra-frequency

handover failures
C301391101
C301391102
C301391103
C301390586
C301390587
C301390588
C301390589
C301390590
C301390591
C301390592

4. Associate
indicators

C301390593
C301390594
C301390595
C301390596
C301390597
C301390598
C301390599
C301390600
C301390601
C301390602

30055
30057
30059
30061

30056
30058
30060
30062

RTWP

Resource
limit
indicators

Check&
analysis of
interference

Optimization
analysis of
resource limit

No

Solved or
not

Yes
Yes

End

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4.4.1.2

Checking Missed Neighboring Cell Configuration

Generally speaking, most of the call drops at the beginning of the optimization
are caused by missed neighboring cell configuration. The following methods are
often used to judge whether the call drops are caused by missed configuration
of co-frequency neighboring cells.

4.4.1.3

Observe the active set Ec/Io information recorded by the UE and the Best Server
Ec/Io information recorded by the Scanner before the call drop. If the former record
is very bad but the latter record is very good, then check whether the Best Server
scrambling code recorded by the Scanner appears in the latest list of the
neighboring cells under intra-frequency measurement control. If it does not, then
the call drop is caused by missed neighboring cell configuration.

If the UE re-accesses immediately after the call drop and the cell scrambling codes
during the UE reaccess and those during the call drop are different, then the call
drop may also be caused by missed neighboring cell configuration. You can
confirm it through measurement control (look backwards from the message of the
call drop event for the latest intra-frequency measurement control message and
check the neighboring cell list of this message).

Some UE may report the Detected Set information. If the corresponding scrambling
code appears in the Detected Set information before the call drop, then the call
drop is caused by missed neighboring cell configuration.

Checking Pilot Pollution

Definition of pilot pollution: Excessive strong pilot signals exist at a certain
point, but none of them is strong enough to be the best server. To form pilot
pollution, the following points in this definition should be satisfied.

Strong pilot signal: The absolute pilot signal strength is used to judge whether the
pilot signal is a strong one. The pilot signal strength can be evaluated through the
pilot RSCP. If the pilot RSCP exceeds a threshold, it is considered a strong pilot
signal. The formula is:

CPICH _ RSCP ThRSCP _ Absolute

Excessive: The number of pilot signals is used to judge whether there are
excessive pilot signals at a certain point. If the number exceeds a threshold, it is
regarded that excessive pilot signals exist at this point. The formula is:

CPICH _ Number ThN

None of them is strong enough to be the best server: The relative strength of a
pilot signal is a key factor in judging whether the pilot signal is strong enough.
Based on the above definition and formulae, if the difference between the strength

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of the strongest pilot signal and that of the (ThN 1) strongest pilot signal at this
point is less than a threshold, it is regarded that there is no pilot signal strong
enough to be the best server at this point. The formula is:

(CPICH _ RSCPbest CPICH _ RSCP(ThN 1)th ) ThRSCP _ Relative

According to the above description, it is regarded that pilot pollution exists if the
following conditions are both satisfied.

The

number

of

pilot

signals

CPICH _ RSCP ThRSCP _ Absolute

is more than

that

meet

the

condition

ThN .

(CPICH _ RSCPbest CPICH _ RSCP(ThN 1)th ) ThRSCP _ Relative

For example, during the network optimization, suppose:

ThRSCP _ Absolute 95dBm , ThN 3 , and ThRSCP_ Relative 5dB , if the following
conditions are both satisfied, then it is regarded that pilot pollution exists.

The

number

of

the

pilot

signals

that

meet

the

condition

CPICH _ RSCP 95dBm is more than 3.

4.4.1.4

(CPICH _ RSCPbest CPICH _ RSCP4th ) 5dB

Adjusting Soft Handover Algorithm Parameters

You can solve the following kinds of problems by adjusting handover algorithm
parameters:
1.

The handover is not prompt.

From the perspective of the CS service signaling flow, the symptom of this problem
is that the UE cannot receive Active Set Update (physical channel reallocation in
the case of the intra-frequency hard handover) because after the UE reports the
measurement report, the source cell has a fast reduction in Ec/Io. When the RNC
sends Active Set Update, the UE has closed the transmitter due to the loss of
downlink synchronization. Viewed from the UE side, it cannot receive Active Set
Update. In the PS services, if the UE cannot receive Active Set Update or TRB
resets before the handover, the handover will also fail.

From the perspective of signals, the following phenomena may accompany this
problem.

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Corner effect: Ec/Io of the source cell decreases drastically, and Ec/Io
of the target cell increases sharply (very high when it appears).

Fast fading: Ec/Io of the source cell decreases quickly for a while and
then increases, and Ec/Io of the target cell increases for a short while.

2.

Pingpong handovers. The following phenomena may accompany this problem.

The best server changes quickly: Two or more cells take turns to be the best
server. But as the best server, none of the cells can last long though they has good
RSCPs and Ec/Ios.

There is no best server: There are multiple cells. Their RSCPs are normal and
similar to each other. But Ec/Io of every cell is very bad.

From the perspective of the signaling flow, Event 1A is reported immediately

after one cell is deleted. Because the UE cannot receive Active Set Update from
the RNC, the handover fails.

4.4.1.5

Equipment Malfunctions
First check the alarm console to see whether there are abnormal alarms, and
analyze the message traces at the same time. Find out in which step the soft
handover fails. Check the failure message, and contact the local product
maintaining engineer to confirm whether the equipment has malfunctions.

4.4.1.6

Solutions
Corresponding adjustments should be taken for the confirmed problems.

Handover failures caused by pilot pollution: Adjust the engineering parameters of a

certain antenna to set this antenna as the best server in this interfered location. If
the power of one of its sectors is reduced, then Io of the pilot pollution area will
decrease; even if the powers of other pilots are not adjusted, Ec/Io will also
increase. Thereby the Ec/Io differences with other scrambling codes in the active
set will become larger and pilot pollution will be eliminated. Through a lot of
research, ZTE has proved that the reduction in the pilot transmit power will not
change cell capacity greatly. If condition allows, new base stations can be added to
cover this area.

Equipment malfunctions: Consult the customer service engineers, and ask them to
help check whether there are alarms and whether the transport layer is abnormal. If
there are alarms, coordinate with the customer service engineers and the
engineering personnel to solve the problems.

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Call drops because the handovers are not prompt:

Adjust the antenna to expand the handover zone.

Configure the Event 1A handover parameters to make the handover

easier to happen.

Increase CIO to make the handover happen earlier in the target cell.
The sum of CIO and the actually measured value is used for judging
the UE events, including the UE intra-frequency handover. CIO helps
shift the cell border in the handover algorithm. If CIO is configured with
a larger value, the handover will be easier to happen and there will be
more UE in the soft-handover status, but more resources will be
occupied. If CIO is configured with a smaller value, the soft handover
will be more difficult to happen and the receiving quality may be
impaired. A CIO of about 5dB is quite good for eliminating the fast
fading and the corner effect, but this configuration has some side
effects, such as the increase of handover proportion.

Call drops caused by pingpong handovers: Adjust the antenna to form a best
server in its coverage zone or set the Event 1B handover parameters (increase the
threshold of Event 1B, the Event 1B hysteresis or the time to trigger Event 1B) to
increase the difficulty in deleting the active set.

4.4.2

Optimization of Hard Handovers

4.4.2.1

Classification of Hard handovers

Hard handovers mainly fall into two classifications:

Intra-frequency hard handovers: The intra-frequency hard handover is triggered

only when the intra-frequency soft/softer handover cannot be performed, and it is
applicable to the following circumstances.

Inter-RNC intra-frequency cell handovers when there is no Iur

interface.

Insufficient Iur interface resources though there is the Iur interface.

Handovers controlled by the threshold of the PS service rate in the

handover cell.

The intra-frequency soft/softer handovers can not be performed (intrafrequency hard handover should be triggered) in the following scenarios.

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When the intra-frequency handover happens, the UE is using the

transmit diversity in the active set cell but the target cell does not
support the transmit diversity.

The intra-frequency measurement report does not contain OFF and TM

of the target cell.

When the intra-frequency handover happens between RNCs, the Iur

interface is unavailable.

The UE performs the multiuser detection in the active set cell, but the
target cell does not support the multiuser detection.

The target cell and the original cell belong to different classifications
(The cells of R99, R5+R99, and R6+R5+R99 belong to the same
classification while the cells of R5 and R6+R5 belong to another
classification).

Inter-frequency hard handovers: The inter-frequency hard handover means a UE

connection is handed over from a cell of a UTRAN frequency to a cell of another
frequency. Many factors, including the radio quality, the load, and the speed of the
moving UE, may trigger inter-frequency hard handovers.

For example, the radio quality triggers the inter-frequency hard handover in
the following way:
When the quality of the UE radio frequency becomes lower, the interfrequency measurement will be triggered, and according to the
measurement result, the UE connection will be handed over to a better
frequency.

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4.4.2.2

Hard Handover Optimization Flowchart

Figure 4-6 Hard handover optimization flowchart

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Extract
performance data

TOP N
cell filtering

Analyze a single
cell

1. Check NE
alarms

Exist or
not
Yes

3. Compare
parameter
configurations

2. Associate
emergencies

Exist or
not

No
No

Exist or
not

No

Yes

Yes

No

Handle alarms

Handle
emergencies

Correct wrong
parameter
configurations

Solved or
not

Solved or
not

Solved or
not

Cell hand-in/
hand-out
indicators

Counters related to
hard handover
failures

30041
30043
30045
30047

Counters related to interfrequency handover failures

Yes

5. Locate the
fault
comprehensively

List related
indicator counters

Drive Test+
RNC signaling
trace

No

No

Yes

Yes

C301110489
C301110499
C301110500
C301110501
C301110502
C301110503
C301110504
C301110505

4. Associate
indicators

C301110516
C301110517
C301110518
C301110519
C301110520
C301110521
C301110522
C301110523

30042
30044
30046
30048

RTWP

Resource
limit
indicators

Check&
analysis of
interference

Optimization
analysis of
resource limit

No

Solved or
not

Yes

End

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4.4.2.3

Hard Handover Optimization Methods

The optimization flow for the hard handover is similar to that of the soft
handover. The major differences are in the parameter optimization. To optimize
intra-frequency hard handovers, you can properly reduce the Event 1D
hysteresis and the time to trigger Event 1D according to the real radio
environment to ensure timely handovers.
Inter-frequency coverage is often applied to some special scenarios such as
indoor coverage and tested through CQT. The method of judging whether there
is missed configuration of the inter-frequency neighboring cell is almost the
same as that of the co-frequency neighboring cell: when a call drop occurs, the
UE fails to measure or report the inter-frequency neighboring cell; after the call
drop, the UE resides in the inter-frequency neighboring cell again.
The common hard handover problems are:
1.

The handover is not prompt. The common symptoms are frequent call drops in the
hard handovers when the UE moves.

Solutions:

Increase the threshold of activating the compressing mode. The compressing mode
is usually activated before the inter-frequency handover or the inter-RAT handover,
and it is used to measure the quality of the inter-frequency or inter-RAT cell. You
can set a threshold of the CPICH RSCP or Ec/Io to activate the compressing mode.
And the RSCP is widely used.

Requirements on setting the threshold of activating the compressing

mode: Before the cell quality becomes low enough to cause a call
drop, the signal of the target cell should be measured and reported,
and the handover should be performed.

Requirement on setting the threshold of deactivating the compression

mode: Frequent activation/deactivation of the compression mode
should be avoided.

Increase CIOs of the inter-frequency cell pair.

Reduce the threshold of triggering the target frequency handover under the
inter-frequency coverage.
2.

There are pingpong handovers.

Solution: Increase the hard handover hysteresis and the time to trigger the
event.

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4.4.3

Optimization of Inter-RAT Handovers

4.4.3.1

Configuring Basic Inter-RAT Parameters

Most of the inter-RAT handover failures are caused by incomplete parameter
configuration. The following parameters need special attention.

Complete RNC parameter configuration for the GSM neighboring cell: The 2G
system shall provide the 3G system with the correct radio parameters based on
negotiation MCC, MNC, LAC, ID (CI), NCC, BCC, frequency band indicator (900
or 1800), and BCCH.

Table 4-1 Parameters That 2G Shall Provide to 3G

MCC

MNC

LAC

ID
CI

NCC

BCC

202

193

460

Frequency
band
indicator
900

BCCH
102

Complete GSM BSC parameter configuration for the WCDMA neighboring cell: The
3G system shall provide the 2G system with the correct radio parameters based on
negotiation MCC, MNC, LAC, RNC ID, cell ID (C_ID), downlink frequency,
scrambling code, and RAC.

Table 4-2 Parameters That 3G Shall Provide to 2G

MCC

MNC

LAC

460

20

RNC
ID
18

Cell ID
C_ID
51

Downlink
frequency
10787

Scrambling
code
51

RAC
20

According to the current strategy of one-way inter-RAT handovers, if the

parameter configuration is complete, one probable cause of the inter-RAT
handover failure is that the handover is not prompt. The common parameter
adjustment is to increase CIO, the threshold to activate/deactivate the
compressing mode, and the threshold to trigger the WCDMA-to-GSM handover
at the same time.
Call drops during the inter-RAT handovers between WCDMA and GSM may be
caused by:

Inconsistent data configuration at the GSM side and the WCDMA side
after GSM modifies the configuration data but does not inform
WCDMA.

Missed configuration of neighboring cells, which can be solved by the

correct configuration of neighboring cells.

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Too fast signal changes.

Pingpong reselection.

Faults with the UE, for example, the UE fails to respond to the
handover or report the inter-RAT measurement report.

Changes of the best server during the physical channel reallocation.

Wrong LAC configuration, which can be located through data

configuration check.

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4.4.3.2

Inter-RAT Handover Optimization Flowchart

Figure 4-7 Inter-RAT handover optimization flowchart

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UMTS KPI Optimization Analysis Guide Internal Use Only

Extract
performance data

TOP N
cell filtering

Analyze a single
cell

1. Check NE
alarms

3. Compare
parameter
configurations

2. Associate
emergencies

Exist or
not

Exist or
not

No

Yes

No

Yes

Exist or
not

No

Yes

No

Handle alarms

Handle
emergencies

Correct wrong
parameter
configurations

Solved or
not

Solved or
not

Solved or
not

Yes

Counters related to
inter-RAT handover
failures

Counters related to inter-RAT

handover failures

Yes

C301130667
C301130681
C301130668
C301130682
C301130669
C301130690
C301130670
C301130691
C301130671
C301130692
C301130672
C301130693
C301130673
C301130694
C301130674
C301130696
C301130675
C301130697
C301130677
C301130698
C301130678
C301130699
C301130679
C301130700
C301130680

4. Associate
indicators

5. Locate the
fault
comprehensively

List related
indicator counters

Drive Test+
RNC signaling
trace

No

No

Yes

Cell hand-in/
hand-out
indicators

30049 30050
30051 30052
30053 30054

RTWP

Resource
limit
indicators

Check&
analysis of
interference

Optimization
analysis of
resource limit

No

Solved or
not

Yes

End

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4.5

Optimization of Resource Indicators

The resource indicators directly reflect the system capacity. Increasing
subscribers will consume more system resources and some resources may be
limited; for example, the code resource may be limited, the TCP access request
may be rejected, and the CE resource usage rate may exceed the threshold.
Limited system resources have a negative influence on the whole-network
indicators and the subscribers perception; for example, call drops may
frequently happen and more TCP access requests may be rejected during the
voice services.

Table 4-3 Resource KPIs and Alarm Thresholds

Resource type

TCP

UL Traffic

Code

CE

ZTE Confidential Proprietary

KPI No. and name

Alarm
threshold

C301320150 Number of rejected services,

DCH downlink TCP limit

50

PI30167 Average non-HSDPA TCP

40%

PI30092 Maximum Cell TCP (%)

100%

PI30093 Average Cell TCP

70%

PI30029 Handover Blocking Rate

0.5%

KPI RTWP (in busy hour)

-98 dBm

C301320153 Number of rejected services,

DCH no code

50

PI30205 Average Cell HSUPA Users

12

PI30172 Cell Average HSDPA Users

16

PI301830006 Maximum use Ratio of Uplink

NodeB CE

60%

PI301830010 Maximum use Ratio of

Downlink NodeB CE

60%

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UMTS KPI Optimization Analysis Guide Internal Use Only

4.5.1

Resource Indicator Optimization Flowchart

Figure 4-8 Resource indicator optimization flowchart

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UMTS KPI Optimization Analysis Guide Internal Use Only

Extract
performance data

TOP N
cell filtering

Analyze a single
cell

1. Check NE
alarms

Exist or
not
Yes

3. Compare
parameter
configurations

2. Associate
emergencies

Exist or
not

No

Yes

No

Exist or
not

No

Handle alarms

Correct wrong
parameter
configurations

Solved or
not

Solved or
not

Solved or
not

Counter
related to
TCP limit

List related
indicator counters

Drive Test+
RNC signaling
trace

No

Handle
emergencies

Yes

5. Locate the
fault
comprehensively

No

Yes

No

4. Associate
indicators

Yes

Cell TX
power
indicators

Code
resource
indicators

CE resource
indicators
No

TCP
admission
reject
counter

30090
30092
30166
30168
30170

30163
30164
30165
30075

30091
30093
30167
30169
30171

30223
30224
30450
30451

C301320150

Yes
Yes

Solved or
not

Yes

End

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UMTS KPI Optimization Analysis Guide Internal Use Only

4.5.2

Code Resource Optimization

The statistics of Number of rejected services and DCH no code, the average
code resource usage rate and the number of the HSDPA subscribers can be
used to judge whether the code resource in a cell is limited. If the code resource
is limited, you can adjust the code resource allocation to alleviate the situation.
Based on the system algorithm, when Formula 1 is satisfied, you can add an
HS-PDSCH; when Formula 2 is satisfied, then an HS-PDSCH is deleted.
Formula 1: OcuRateNoHspdsch + OcuRateHspdsch + DpchCodeHy + 32
<= 512
Formula 2: OcuRateNoHspdsch + OcuRateHspdsch + CodeUptHyA > 512
OcuRateHspdschHSPDSCH means the number of the codes of SF=512
blocked by the HS-PDSCH, OcuRateNoHspdsch means the number of codes of
SF=512 blocked by other channels, DpchCodeHy means the number of codes
of SF=512 reserved for the DPCH, and CodeUptHyA is the threshold to decide
whether to delete the HSPDSCH.
Therefore, to ensure the access of the R99 subscribers, you can make some
adjustment according to Table 4-4 when the code resource is limited, though the
HSDPA rate may decrease.

Table 4-4 Adjusting Code Resource Allocation

4.5.3

Abbreviation

Parameter
name

DpchCodeH
y

DPCH
Code
Hysteresis

CodeUptHy
A

Code
Update
Hysteresis
A

Range
and
step

0..512

0..512

Current
value

16

16

Update
value

Remark

28

To decrease the
number of
rejected services
for DCH no code

28

To decrease the
number of
rejected services
for DCH no code

Monitoring CE Resource
The CE resource is mainly monitored through the maximum UE uplink/downlink
usage rate. If there is any problem, you can solve it by controlling the load or
adding more boards.

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4.5.4

Optimization of Power Control

4.5.4.1

Monitoring and Optimizing Downlink Power Control

Limited TCP in busy hours will not only increase access failures and call drops
in the local cell but also increase soft handover failures and call drops in the
neighboring cells. Number of rejected services and DCH downlink TCP limit are
intuitive KPIs to judge whether TCP is limited. Although limited uplink capacity
and massive UE moves in the rush hours may also cause call drops, the limited
TCP is absolutely a key factor.
Based on the system algorithm MinHsdpaPower (MinHspaPwrRto) +
NoHsPower >Node B, if the safety threshold is used (MinHsdpaPower means
the power reserved for HSPA), then it will activate the downlink rate downgrade
algorithm flow for the congestion (lower the downlink DCH rate). Although the
rate downgrade can ensure access of some subscribers, it is an irregular action
and will degrade the performance.

4.5.5

Speeding up Rate Downgrade

Considering that the cells with heavy load reject more access requests, you can
speed up the rate downgrade during the resource congestion to release the
resources as soon as possible and avoid call drops caused by access failures
(this method is only applicable to the cells with many PS service users but not
those with only CS service users). Table 4-5 is an example of the parameter
modification for the rate downgrade.

Table 4-5 Example of Parameter Modification for Rate Downgrade

Abbreviation

Parameter name

Range and
step

Current
value

Update
value

Remark

UlDnMaxStg

Maximum
Number of
Degraded
Uplink Load
Steps Every
Time

[1, 8]

Downgrade
from 384
Kbps to 16
Kbps

DlDnMaxStg

Maximum
Number of
Degraded
Downlink Load
Steps Every
Time

[1, 8]

Downgrade
from 384
Kbps to 8
Kbps

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4.5.6

Monitoring and Optimizing Uplink Capacity

Handover Blocking Rate and RTWP can reflect the uplink capacity of the cell.
Because interference may also increase RTWP, this factor should be
distinguished during the RTWP monitoring. Another effective indicator is the
voice service erl. If a cell has over 20 erls in busy hours, you should pay special
attention to it.

4.5.7

Optimization of Uplink Capacity at the Whole Network Level

Case: The uplink capacity was limited in a large number of sites after the
cutover, and the symptoms are a sharp rise of RTWP and a high call drop rate
during the rush hours.
After the following parameters were modified as shown in Table 4-6, the
problem was solved.

Table 4-6 Example of Power Control Parameter Modification

Abbreviation

4.5.8

Parameter
name

Range

Current
value

Update
value

ULINITSIR

Uplink Initial
SIR target (dB)

UL 3.4 K/13.6 K
signaling, UL 12.2
K AMR

4-5

3.5

ULMAXSIR

Maximum
Uplink SIR
target (dB)

UL 3.4 K/13.6 K
signaling, UL 12.2
K AMR

15

10

UlSirTargDnStep

Uplink SIR
Target Down
Step Size (dB)

UL 3.4 K/13.6 K
signaling, UL 12.2
K AMR

0.1

0.2

Optimization of Uplink Capacity for a Single Cell

A lot of optimization measures can be taken to bring down the rising RTWP.
However, with increasing subscribers, the capacity may still be limited in some
area while further modification of SirTarget will obviously degrade the call quality
of the whole network and undermine the subscribers perception. In this case,
you can adjust the power control parameters for a single site that has heavy
traffic in the following way: add one set of DivPc parameters and use this set of
parameters only for this site.
Case: Table 4-7 shows an example of the power control parameter modification.
After this modification, the call drop rate in the site with heavy traffic decreased
to one quarter of the original one.

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Table 4-7 Example of Power Control Parameter Modification for Heavy-Traffic Cell
SRVTYPE

ULINITSIR

ULMAXSIR

ULMINSIR

3.5->1.5

10.0->3.5

2.0->1.0

104

4.0->2.0

15.0->5.0

0.5->0

28

3.5->1.5

10.0->3.5

0.5->0

50

6.0->2.0

15.0->5.0

2.0->0

54

6.0->2.0

15.0->5.0

2.0->0

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