Analysis
o There are two types of call drop : TCH call drop and SDCCH call drop
TCH call drop means TCH channel is released abnormally after it is occupied
successfully.
SDCCH call drop means SDCCH channel is released abnormally after it is
occupied successfully
o TCH serves as traffic channel, BSC receives ERROR INDICATION message from BTS
o TCH serves as traffic channel, incoming BSC handover initiated and the timer for the
target cell to wait for HANDOVER COMPLETE message expires
o TCH serves as traffic channel, outgoing BSC handover initiated and the timer for the
source cell to wait for CLEAR COMMAND message from MSC expires (T8 expires)
o In intra-BSC handover procedure, the target cell sends Inter Clear Request to the
source cell when the timer for the target cell to wait for HANDOVER COMPLETE from
MS expires, in this case, this item is measured in the source cell
o In Intra-BSC handover procedure, the source cell, excluding the source cell for
directed retry, measures the item when the timer for the source cell to wait for Inter
Clear Request with cause value HANDOVER COMPLETE from the target cell expires.
o In Intra-BSC handover procedure, when the target cell AM/CM net-drive fails (due to
timeout or negative acknowledgement), the target cell sends Inter Clear Request to
source cell, in this case, this item is measured in the source cell
o In the case that MS reverses to the original channel after intra BSC handover fails, the
source cell first releases the terrestrial connection but the AM/CM re-net-drive fails
(due to timeout or negative acknowledgement). In this case this item is measured in
the source cell.
o The resource of the lower priority call will be preempted by the higher priority call if
MSC and BSC both supports pre emption, which will cause call drop.
o This item is measured when the RSL link of the TRX that the call is using disconnects,
which will cause call drop.
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CH ACT ACK
HANDOVER COMMAND
HANDOVER ACCESS
HANDOVER DETECT
SABM
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CONNECTION FAILURE INDICATION
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In the case the target cell of directed retry is located in other BSC and directed retry
succeeds, MSC sends CLEAR COMMAND message to the originating BSC to release the
original connection. This item is measured when the originating BSC receives this
message
In the case the directed retry target cell is located in the same BSC and the directed
retry succeeds, target cell sends Inter Clear Request message to the source cell to
request to release the resource and the original connection. This item is measured
when the source cell receives this message.
In the process of incoming internal inter cell handover and intra-cell handover in BSC,
MS sends HANDOVER ACCESS message to BSC. BSC measures this item in the target
cell when receiving HANDOVER DETECTION message from BTS
o Assignment process
ASS_CMD
ASS_CMD
EST_IND
Channel_Active ACK
HANDOVER COMMAND
HO_ Access
HO_Detect
PHY INFO
PHY INFO
First SABM
Establish_IND
UA
HO_Required
HO_Request
CH_ACT
CH_ACT_ACK
HO_Request_ACK
HO_CMD
Handover Command HO_Access
HO_Detect
HO_Detect
PHY INFO
PHY INFO
SDCCH call drop rate = SDCCH call drops/ successful SDCCH seizures*100%
Connection Failure
Or:
Or: Error Indication
Abis Failure
Cell SDCCH Call Drop
(Subject to different cases)
o Content are :
T3109 : starting from sending CHAN REL and ending at receiving REL IND
Connection Failure
o Judgment process :
System information data
Cell data
Error indication
Connection failure
Internal interference
External interference
Equipment interference
Poor coverage
Coverage hole
Isolated island
Uplink/downlink imbalance
Handover parameters
Clock problem
Transmission problem
o Category :
Co-channel interference
Adjacent-channel interference
o Judgment Process :
Analyze the occurrence regularity of interference band in the traffic measurement
Observe whether there are many handover failures and reversion failures
o Solution :
First check equipment problems
Make an drive test, check the interference area and distribution of signal quality. Find
the interference frequency
Further search for the interference source with the spectrum analyzer
Activate hopping, DTX and power control functions to lower the internal
interference of the system
o Coverage :
Overshooting
Coverage hole
Signal attenuation
Imbalance of uplink/downlink
o Judgment Process :
Power control measurement function
o Solution :
Adjust network parameters
Add BTS
NCC permitted
o Handover process
MS BTS1 BTS2 BSC MSC
Handover Indication
CH_ACT
CH_ACT_ACK
Handover Command
Handover Command Set T3103
Handover Access HO_Detect
Physical Information (TA)
SABM
EST_IND
UA
Handover Complete
Handover Complete
Reset T3103
o Judgment process :
In inter-cell handover measurement function, it occurs frequently that the handover
fails and the reversion also fails
In undefined adjacent cell measurement function, observe the receiving level of the
undefined adjacent cells and number of the measurement reports
o Judgment process :
In outgoing inter-cell handover measurement function, the outgoing inter-cell
handover success rate is low (for a certain cell). Find the adjacent cell to which the
handover success rate is low and find the cause.
Incoming inter-cell handover success rate is low. The handover judgment parameter
setting of the target cell may be improper.
Transmission problem
Other causes
o Fault Description :
The BTS distribution of an area is as illustrated in the diagram (red numbers stand for
BCCH frequencies. No hopping, no DTX). Some subscribers complain that call drop in
second sector of base station C is serious. Hardware fault has been ruled out.
o Analysis :
From the analysis of BTS topology, it can be concluded that the frequencies are well
planned
o Analysis :
09:00-10:00 IB1 IB2 IB3 IB4 IB5
cell 1 2.85 14.25 1.14 0.27 0.54
o Troubleshooting :
Conducting a drive tests, it is found that the quality is bad when the receiving
strength is high.
Check traffic statistic and it is found that when the call drop rate is high, handovers
are mostly caused by quality reasons, and channel assignment failure rate is also
high.
The conclusion is that there is interference from the analysis of comprehensive traffic
statistic and drive test.
o Troubleshooting :
A site investigation shows that the operator has a repeater. It is a broadband
repeater. It transmits the signals from a remote TACS site. TACS signals are amplified
and then there is interference in second sector of base station C.
Finally, lower the power of the repeater. The interference band reduce to IB1. Now
the high call drop rate problem at site C is solved.
Drive test
Check whether DTX, frequency hopping technology and power control application
are reasonable
o Fault Description :
The call drop rate in cell 3 of a BTS is 10% accompanied with high congestion rate,
but call drop rate and congestion rate in cell 1 and cell 2 are normal.
o Analysis :
Check the related traffic statistic.
Drive test.
o Troubleshooting :
Block TRX in turn and the congestion rate is always quite high no matter which TRX is
blocked.
Check and analyze the traffic statistic, interference band and traffic volume and call
drop rate, and it is found that the interference becomes more serious as the traffic
gets high.
Change frequency. The frequency of cell 3 is changed to 1MHz away from the original
value. But the problem persists.
o Troubleshooting :
Make a scanning test with a spectrum analyzer.
At the distributor output port of cell 3, the signal strength is 27dBm. cell 2 is
40dBm, cell 1 is 60dBm. It accords with the degree of interference.
o Fault Description :
Subscribers complain that call drops often happen from on the 5th floor and above in
a building
o Analysis :
Perform on-site test
The test mobile phone shows that before the call drop the serving cell is BTS-B. But
this building should be covered by BTS-A.
BTS-B is about 9 kilometers away from this building. It is determined that the BTS-B
signal received in this area is coming from some obstacles reflection. Thus an
isolated island coverage is formed in this area.
o Analysis :
Check data configuration
When the MS uses the signal of cell 2 of BTS-B in this area, the signal of cell 3 of
BTS-A is strong. But cell 2 of BTS-B and cell 3 of BTS-A are not adjacent, therefore,
handover cannot happen.
The signal in cell 2 of BTS-B is the result of multiple reflections. When the signal of
BTS-B received by the mobile phone gets weak suddenly, an emergency handover
is needed. But there is no adjacent cell of BTS-B, so call drops will occur.
o Troubleshooting :
Modify the data in BA1 table, BA2 table and add adjacent cell relationship, set cell 3
of BTS-A as an adjacent cell of cell 2 of BTS-B.
The test results show that the call drop problem is solved.
o Fault Description :
In a drive test from A to B, it is found that there are many call drops at entrance of a
tunnel near a BTS due to slow handover.
o Analysis :
The tunnel is near the BTS. When the MS enters the tunnel, the power of the target
cell is -80dBm. But the signal of source cell goes down quickly to less than -100dBm.
Before the MS enters the tunnel, the downlink power of the two cells is good and no
handover is triggered. When the MS enters the tunnel, the level of the source cell
goes down rapidly. The call drop occurs before any handover is triggered.
o Troubleshooting :
The adjusted parameters are listed below
PBGT HO threshold 72 68
Set emergency handover thresholds properly, and make sure the emergency
handover can be triggered in time before the call drop so as to reduce call drops.
o Fault Description :
In the dial test, many call drops are found in cell 2
o Analysis :
Check the traffic statistic and find out that TCH congestion rate of this cell is over 10%
and internal inter-cell handover failure rate is high. It is found that one TRX board of
this cell is abnormal in OMC. A preliminary conclusion is that TRX board problem
causes the call drop.
o Troubleshooting :
Lock the frequency with a test mobile phone and perform dial test for many times. It
is found that call drops only happen in timeslots 1, 3, 5, 7 while communications in
timeslots 2, 4, 6, 8 are normal.
Move this board to another slot, and the problem still exists.
Move another good board to this slot, and the communication is normal.
o Conclusion :
The BTS test should guarantee that communication should be successful not only in
each TRX but also in each timeslot of the TRX.
It must be ensured that each TCH channel provides bidirectional high quality
communication.
o Fault Description :
In dual-band network, when a call is setup in a GSM1800 cell and being handed over
to a GSM900 cell in the same site, the call drops in the GSM900 cell in 2 to 5 seconds.
The call drop rate in the GSM900 cell is quite high.
o Analysis :
In the test it is found that the clock of GSM900 cell and GSM1800 cell are not
synchronized.
When a call set up in a GSM1800 cell and is handed over to a GSM900 cell, the drive
test tool shows that FER increases to the maximum value suddenly and then it goes
down to zero gradually.
o Troubleshooting :
After adjusting GSM900 clock system, the abnormal call drop problem is solved
o Conclusion :
Clocks of GSM900 and GSM1800 should be exactly synchronized with each other in a
dual band network, otherwise there will be call drops and handover failures.