ISSN: 2277-3754 ISO 9001:2008 Certified

International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT) Volume 2, Issue 11, May 2013

Reducing Handover Failure Rate by RF Optimization

Syed Imran Basha, Idrish Shaik Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Bapatla Engineering College, Bapatla
Abstract: RF Optimization is a very critical set of activities in the life cycle of any GSM wireless network. The primary tool used by most service providers to solve network problems is a Drive-test tool system, with the goal of collecting measurement data as a function of location. Once the data has been collected, engineers can use the collection and postprocessing software tools to identify the causes of problems and determine how these problems can be solved effectively and efficiently. In this project, RF performance parameters such as the received signal strength, receive voice quality, carrier to interference ratio, etc., are defined for the efficient and effective functioning of the RF network. Also we will measure short-call and long-call control tests from the drive testing process. And this project requires us to work on various tools such as Agilent 15.2 Drive test tool, ACTIX Post processing tool. By analyzing the drive test results, the main motive is to identify the causes of handover failures in a BSNL service test area and necessitate steps to reduce the handover failure rate. How to optimize the BTS coverage area successfully is the real challenge. If the optimization is successfully performed, then the QOS, reliability and availability of RF Coverage area will be highly improved resulting in more customers and more profits to the mobile telecom service providers. Index terms: RF Optimization, Handover, Agilent Drive test tool, Actix Post processing tool.

I. INTRODUCTION The Indian telecommunication industry is the second largest telecommunication network in the world. The main drivers for this extraordinary growth are because of Governments Telecom reforms and the stupendous success of GSM standard. In this environment, high quality of service is a competitive advantage for a service provider. Service providers must continually strive to improve their quality of service if they want to keep customers. If too much time is spent simply reacting to customer complaints, there may not be enough time to improve overall service quality. Therefore, Service providers need the ability to fix complaint-producing problems quickly. Hence RF Optimization is a very important process in any service providers operating lifecycle. By gathering and analyzing network data and revising network parameters Cellular communication achieved by using proper RF Planning and Optimization. As we move further ahead the need for better technologies and reliability of services, integration and cost effective solutions have become a necessity for service providers. If the optimization is successfully performed means you achieve the QoS, reliability,

availability, more profit and more customers. The main motive is to reduce the Handover failure rate through RF optimization. In this project, RF performance parameters are considered for the efficient and effective functioning of the RF network. This project requires us to work on various tools such as Drive test tool and Post processing tool. II. RF OPTIMIZATION Every a live Network needs to be under continues control to maintain/improve the Performance. Optimization is basically the only way to keep track of the network by looking deep into statistics and collecting/analyzing drive test data. It is keeping an eye on its growth and modifying it for the future capacity enhancements. It also helps operation and maintenance for troubleshooting purposes. Successful Optimization requires: Recognition and understanding of common reasons for call failure Capture of RF and digital parameters of the call prior to drop Analysis of call flow, checking messages on both forward and reverse links to establish what happened, where, and why. Optimization will be more effective and successful if you are aware of what you are doing. The point is that you should now where to start, what to do and how to do. Optimization is an important step in the life cycle of a wireless network.

Fig 1: The Optimization Process. Drive-Testing is Performed to Verify that the Action Steps Taken to Solve Problems Were Effective

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International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT) Volume 2, Issue 11, May 2013 The optimization process is illustrated in below figure. B. DRIVE TEST PROCEDURE After collecting the required information form the BTS Drive-testing is the first step in the process, with the goal and the OMC-R, the drive test is started. The equipment of collecting measurement data as a function of location. is set up in a vehicle and long calls as well as short calls Once the data has been collected over the desired RF are generated. A long call is a call which is generated as coverage area, it is output to post-processing software. well as terminated by the user himself. A short call is a Engineers can use the collection and post-processing pre programmed call generated by the system for a very software to identify the causes of RF coverage or small duration, say 10 seconds or more. A long call is interference problems and determine how these problems used to measure the handover success rate as well as the can be solved. When the problems, causes and solutions Rx quality, while CSR and Rx level are measured on a have been identified, steps are performed to solve the short call. The drive test is done over a distance of 3 km problems. Figure 1 show that optimization is an ongoing or more from the starting point. Various parameters are process. The goals are to improve quality of service, observed and recorded during the drive test. The retain existing subscribers and attract new ones while following shots have been taken while conducting the continually expanding the network. drive test: III. DRIVE TEST The quality of the network is ultimately determined by the satisfaction of the users of the network, the subscribers. Drive tests give the 'feel' of the designed network as it is experienced in the field. The testing process starts with selection of the 'live' region of the network where the tests need to be performed, and the drive testing path. Before starting the tests the engineer should have the appropriate kits that include mobile equipment (usually three mobiles), drive testing software (on a laptop), and a GPS (global positioning system) unit. When the drive testing starts, two mobiles are used to generate calls with a gap of few seconds (usually 15-20 s). The third mobile is usually used for testing the coverage. It makes one continuous call, and if this call Fig 2: Drive Test route map drops it will attempt another call. The purpose of this testing to collect enough samples at a reasonable speed The drive test procedure is as follows: and in a reasonable time. If there are lots of dropped calls, the problem is analyzed to find a solution for it and to Tool may be setup for two mobiles One for Long propose changes. call and another for short calls (2 minutes). A. DRIVE TEST TOOL: JDSU E6474A v15.2 In the route map following are to be enabled for Agilent technologies have introduced the industrys Analysis. first integrated test solution that in a single protocol 1. Rx Level analysis tool, seamlessly combines mobile device data 2. RX Quality captured from a RF interface and from a mobile terrestrial 3. Survey Markers (like H/O, DCR & H/O network. Troubleshooting and optimizing todays networks requires a broad understanding of the network symbols) performance over multiple interfaces. Rapid growth in the 4. Cell site Database. number of subscribers and in-data network usage has Call statistics for the Calls in the Point -1 to be challenged the radio access network in both RF capacity enabled. and data throughput performance measuring across the Conduct the Drive Test covering all sectors by last hop from the base station to the mobile device is observing the following essential for troubleshooting and optimization and Parameters: without visibility to the air interface, network operators 1. Rx Level must manually correlate data from independent drive test 2. Rx Quality and protocol analysis tools. Agilents E6474A drive test tool has revolutionized and simplified end to end 3. Interference on BCCH & Hopping Frequencies. troubleshooting. The software allows users to correlate 4. Handovers & Drop Calls signaling procedures from the air interface and radio 5. Observe whether the nearest sector is serving or access network interfaces in a single view to detect and not. troubleshoot problems from the mobile phone to the The data, as per the requirements are observed and network. recorded. The data is analyzed for performance.

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International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT) Volume 2, Issue 11, May 2013 IV. POST PROCESSING B. ANALYSIS A. Introducing Actix Analyzer GSM DT DESIGN VALIDATION AND QUICK Actix Analyzer is a software application running under ANLYSIS Microsoft Windows on a PC that provides a series of analysis tools for post-processing cellular network data. The set of reports contained in this application gives a The tools are designed to address applications such as: summary of voice traffic performance and allows a Network performance optimization verification of the radio network design. Feature testing 1 Call details Service validation Problem diagnosis and analysis Network bench-marking Competitive analysis2 The platform for Actix Solutions, Analyzer, can load network performance data from many different sources: Short Call: Drive Test Call Details report: This report provides a complete overview of the content of the drive test in terms of performed calls, call duration, performance indicators (call setup success rate, call completion rate, handover success rate and location update success rate) and a detailed list of the procedural messages. Various attributes of the file decoded from specific messages or sequences of messages can be counted or combined to give general indications, such as number of call setup procedures, call setup success rate and call completion success rate, or Location Update.
Table 1: Drive Test calls details Short Call Handover Command Handover complete Fig 3: Handover Failure during Short Call Drive 44 43 1 14 14 0 197 192 5 0 0 0 187 Long Call 49 48 1 3 3 0 5 4 1 0 0 0 -

These data sources could include field-test equipment and switch call traces, and could be from a one-off test, or part of a planned series of samples to build up an image of overall network performance. Once the data is loaded, a variety of analysis tools and displays provide a clear view of network performance for engineers, technicians or operations management staff. Long Call:

Handover Failure Location Updating Request Location Updating Accept Location Updating Reject Outgoing Starts Outgoing Setup Ok Call Call

Outgoing Call Setup Failure Incoming Starts Incoming Setup Ok Call Call

Incoming call Setup Failure Call Fig 4: Handover Failure during Long Call Drive Completed

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International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT) Volume 2, Issue 11, May 2013 Call Dropped 3 2 before the old channels are released (maximum 2 seconds). If the timer expires, then the channels are released from the old cell. Here the timer expires and Call Setup Success Rate 97.461% thereby having low coverage in the old cell. Moreover, the network has not received the MS, and then the newly Drop Call Rate 1.595% allocated channels are released. Hence it cant able to take place the Handover to the target cell. TCH Blocking Rate 0.981% Action steps: SDCCH Blocking Rate 0.326% Tilt the antenna direction. Increase the signal Level. Rx Quality(0-5) 93.785% Place the new tower. Handover Failures occurred in overall drive are two, and Handover Success Rate 97.727% they are as follows. Table 4: Handover failure occurrence at different Location Update rate 100%
parameters Table 2: Drive Test analysis Report for TRAI Event Handover Failure 1 48151 17:16:45 17.41876 78.40263 Handover Failure 2 48131 17:00:51 17.41969 78.35316

V. HANDOVER ANALYSIS Reasons for handover failure could be unavailable time slots because of high traffic, congestion, low signal strength or bad quality on target cell. Handover can be failed because of hardware problems in target cells more likely TRX or time slot problems. If handover attempt fails, MS tries to return to old channel. If it cannot, call drops. Handover attempt is repeated after a penalty time. Short Call: Issues Observed: Problem occurred due to abnormal case, Unspecified. Problem Description: Here Handover failure causes due to the interference of same frequencies of two different BSICs. Same frequencies serving in same direction. Here the problem can be seen clearly as follows.
Table 3: Handover failure at two different BSICs Cell ID BCCH BSIC 48132 47291 67 67 21 36

Cell ID Time Latitude Longitude

So, here 21 and 36 BSICs serving same frequencies then the interference occurred and thereby Handover failure happened. Action Steps: Re-orient the sectors. Change the frequency planning. Long Call: Issues Observed: Problem occurred due to abnormal case, Timer expired. Problem Description: MS is lost after Timer T3103 expired. MS didnt answer the Base station within 2 seconds. T3103, Handover timer is the time the network waits after transmitting a HANDOVER COMMAND message until receiving HANDOVER COMPLETE or HANDOVERFAILURE or the MS re-establishes the call

VI. CONCLUSION The overall objectives of any RF design depend on a number of factors that are determined by the needs and expectations of the customer and the resources made available to the customer. Due to the mobility of subscribers and complexity of the radio wave propagation, most of the network problems are caused by increasing subscribers and the changing environment. Radio Network Optimization is a continuous process that is required as the network evolves. Radio network optimization is carried out in order to improve the network performance with the existing resources. The main purpose is to increase the utilization of the network resources, solve the existing and potential problems on the network and identify the probable solutions for future network planning. Through Radio Network Optimization, the service quality and resources usage of the network are greatly improved and the balance among coverage, capacity and quality is achieved. VII. FUTURE SCOPE At present Drive Testing in GSM RF Optimization is being performing manually for the improvement of performance of the network. Instead of doing drive testing manually, there may be a scope of ANMS (Automatic Network Management System) process. In this system, Drive Testing equipment can be attached to moving vehicle to serve in BSNL test area and it can be monitored by the server or clients. By using the internet, all the drive data can be simultaneously collected up to date to the server.

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International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT) Volume 2, Issue 11, May 2013 REFERENCES
[1] Halonen T., Romero J., melero J.: GSM, GPRS and EDGE performance. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2003. [2] ITU-T recommendation G. 1000 (2001), Communication quality of service: A framework and definition. [3] Jens Zander. Radio Resource Management for Wireless Networks. Artech House Inc., 2001. [4] Bilal Haider, M Zafrullah Khan, M.K.Islam: Radio Frequency Optimization and QOS in operational GSM network. [5] S. Kyriazakos, G. Karetsos, E. Gkroustiotis, C. Kechagias, P. Fournogerakis Congestion Study and Resource Management in Cellular Networks of present and Future Generation, IST Mobile summit 2001, Barcelona, Spain, 9-12 september 2001. [6] Wireless Communications, Principles and Practice, 2nd edition, Theodore S. Rappaport, Pearson publications. [7] Kechagias, S.Papaoulakis, N.Nikitopoulos, D. Karambalis: A Comprehensive Study on performance Evaluation of Operational GSM and GPRS Systems under Varying Traffic Conditions. IST Mobile and Wireless telecommunications Summit, 2002, Greece.

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