Actix Presentation

The Actix Analyzer/Spotlight Benefits

Post Process Drive Test Data and Core Network data (A,Abis,Iu,Iub) for Performance Engineering, Troubleshooting, Optimization Analysis and Benchmarking. Multi-Technology (GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA) Multi-Format (Tems,Auto,Nemo,Agilent,Ascom e.t.c) Automated Troubleshooting, Reports, Analysis Efficiency Gains with extensive Automation capabilities. Process Automation by making Analysis Reports and procedures (ex: Cluster Acceptance, Specific problem analysis, benchmarking, etc.) Troubleshoot and Analyze the most difficult problems very quickly and correctly. Extensive Toolkit for different ways and methods of looking into data. Results: Save Time Save Money

Solving common UMTS network problems with Analyzer Classic

UMTS Optimisation - from site integration to launch
Site integration Cluster phase 1 Cluster phase 2

Site KPIs:

RF KPIs:
Coverage pilot pollution SHO

Service KPIs:
Dropped connections Connection failures Handover failures Excessive Call Setup

2
Dashboard

Coverage

Basic call function

RF KPIs: 1 Test network

Coverage pilot pollution SHO

3
Investigation pages

Identify faults: Poor coverage (- Site down)

First pass to quickly identify: Poor coverage Pilot pollution Interference (TDMA) Missing/excess neighbours

Detailed investigation to identify: Poor coverage Pilot pollution Interference (TDMA) Missing/excess neighbours Incorrect settings System faults (HW, SW)

5 Implement changes Possible solutions: Equipment fix/change Amplifiers Antenna change Possible solutions: Neighbour list change Antenna change Possible solutions: Neighbour list change Antenna change Other parameter change

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Drilldown

What do we troubleshoot? Event Detection & Drive Test Analysis

Dropped Call Call Setup Failure Coverage Problem Handover Problem Pilot Pollution

Poor Signal Strength Poor Voice Quality Too Many Servers Missing neighbours Cross Feeder

Course Structure
Getting Started With Analyzer Classic Configuring Analyzer (Preference & Thresholds Settings) Exploring the Workspace Viewing Data in Analyzer (Maps, Charts, Tables, Message Browser, Protocol Stack Browser, Replay Tool and Workbook) StateForm

Course Structure continued

Superstream (Merging Data) (UL/DL Superstream, Drive Test Superstream)

Network Image
Application Packs

Pre-defined Report
Query

Analyzer Classic
Toolbar

Main Menu

workspace

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Choose a Scenario
Scenario is a collection of load time queries that are designed for use when loading protocol data in minimal load. Tools Choose a Scenario

Load Time Queries

Queries that are automatically evaluated when data is loaded. When data is loaded in minimal mode, the load time queries provide a summary view of the data and a means of drilling down into the raw message data.

This is very useful when you are loading a huge protocol link data which contains multiplexed and interleaved messages from many (sometimes thousands) of different mobile devices.

Thresholds

Thresholds
User-definable values that are used as constants in event detection and the calculation of KPIs. For example, the Uu_ActiveSet_RSCP_Threshold indicates the CPICH RSCP value of the cells in the active set. Any value below this is considered to be poor received signal. This threshold is used in the calculation of Troubleshooter KPIs. It has a default value of -95 dBm, but you can change this to any other value.
Using a threshold (rather than a hard-coded value) in queries and KPIs makes it is easy to adjust them for individual requirements.

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When do changes of thresholds take effect?

For Event Detection, effect takes place on next load data For Reports and Queries, effect takes place when you next run the report or query

Preference Settings
Tools Preferences
Most of the settings take effect when you next load a file or restart the related feature. However, a few of the settings take effect immediately. Use the links below for information on each setting and when it takes effect.

Restart Actix Software after youve changed your cellref!

Binning
A method of grouping and averaging the data loaded from a log file. The data to be binned can be partitioned according to one of several criteria: 1. 2. 3. 4. Time Location Distance Message number
Default value

How Data is aggregated within a bin?

Measurement Parameter UTRA Carrier RSSI and UE_ Transmistted Power are binned by averaging all component measurements into one data point Network State Parameter such as Scrambling Codes, a bin is given the most frequently occurring value (mode) in the component measurements. Dropped calls and Handovers are binned by the number of events occurring (count) within the component measurements
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Time Binning
Based on user-specified duration, i.e. one-second intervals, data values are sorted into one-second bins according to the time at which they were logged. The speed of travel during logging will affect how many log files you see in certain area This is also the default or recommended binning method

Location Binning
Location binning puts drive test data in a geographical grid and then creates an average for the values in each square in the grid. Most suitable binning method to use when you are aggregating data from multiple drive tests (for example in a network image), because in the other binning methods the bins are calculated relative to the start of the log file.

Distance Binning
Distance binning combines data into bins corresponding to the distance travelled by the test mobile (along the drive test route) and then breaks them up into bins of the specified distance (50m, 100m, 150m or 200m)
Use to see data points at regular intervals on maps, especially when stuck in traffic

Message Binning
Message binning is used for detailed analysis requiring knowledge of each individual measurement Drawback is that message binning decreases performance

View Cell Site Information

Display a Map Cells Display Cell Data Tile the Map and Display Cell Data windows Click on the sector wedge or site dot on the map to see the cell data.

Handset Data group in Actix Software

Downlink Measurements contains Uu interface measurements reported by the mobile, such as UTRA_UE_Carrier_RSSI, Uu_ActiveSet_EcNo, UE_TxPow etc.
Pilot Measurements contains signal strength measurements for individual SCs detected within the logfile, such as Uu_Pilot_DownlinkBER Dedicated Radio Link Once a call has been established, parameters that are associated with the SCs serving the call, such as Handoff State, are contained 11/5/2013 here.

Handset Data group in Actix Software (Continued)

Uu_RRC Radio Resource Control is the protocol layer governing air interface communication within the UMTS network. Parameters associated with protocol messaging can be found in this group, i.e.: BCCH_BCH, DL_DCCH, UL_DCCH, Uu_RRC_MsgType Event Data Call events triggered by the current state of the UMTS mobile. If an event is not present in the tree, it did not occur in the file (i.e. If no call drop, it will not show). This group also contains events with user-definable thresholds, such as Uu_PilotPollution and Uu_CoverageLimited. Statistics Data contains statistics calculated based on UMTS protocol messaging, including Call Duration and timing components of Call Setup Time.

Handset Data group in Actix Software (Continued)

Vendor Specific contains parameters unique to a specific type of data collection equipment, such as TEMS, NEMO Rake Finger Measurements (Qualcomm chipset handsets only) provides individual finger measurements, including multi-path measurements for the same SC.

Other contains scanner measurements concerning RSSI, Chip Offset, Carrier Error and the Scan Code Group. Nth Best This node contains ranked measurements for EcNo, RSCP, SC and PathLoss. Within each group, the 0 element contains the best performing data. For example, CPICH_Scan_EcIo_SortedBy_EcNo_0 gives the strongest EcNo of all SCs scanned. Ec/Io contains the interference-to-chip-energy measurements organized by various dimensions. RSCP contains the Received Signal Code Power organized by various dimensions.
11/5/2013 Delay Find the CPICH Scan Delay Spread for each SC in this group.

Scanner Data group in Actix Software

Scanner Data group in Actix Softwar (Continued)

Pilot Measurements Find the CPICH Path Loss for each SC in this group. Active Set contains simulated Active Set measurements based on scanner data and the userdefined WCDMA settings Monitored Set contains simulated Monitored Set measurements based on scanner data and the userdefined WCDMA settings Event Data are based on the simulated Active Set and Monitored Set SCs based on scanner data and user defined thresholds

Technology-Independent Data
1. GPS Data contains mobile longitude, latitude, distance travelled, and speed. 2. Message Info The date and time for the start of the data stream can be found in this group. This information is useful when building report templates. 3. Site Data Node If a cell site database is being used in the Analyzer, the software will automatically calculate these measurements that take both the drive and the cell site information into account. Some of the measurements contained here are: Serving Cell DistanceDistance, in meters, to the serving sector Neighbor Cell DistanceDistance, in meters, to non-primary serving sectors

Technology-Independent Data (Continued)

File Info contains label and timestamp information for the log file under investigation.
Device Info contains settings for the mobile device on which data is logged.

How to find/search attributes?

Tools Find attributes or Press Ctrl-Shift-F

CPICH_Scan_EcIoSortedBy_EcIo_0

Favorites Group
Add and save your most frequently use attributes in a Favorites Group by right click on the attribute name Add to Favorites Your favorite.dat file is saved in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Actix\Analyzer\Bin\XMLFiles To share your favourite file, copy the favorite.dat to the same directory on the desired machine

Exercise: Create a Favorites Group

Load UMTS Voice 1.dt1 log file Right click on the attribute name Add to Favorites See results on the right!

Viewing Data in Actix Software

Map (to see an overview or an overall picture) Chart (to see the trend) Table (to see the exact value) You can synchronize them to obtain more information of the data

Viewing Data in Actix Software Continued

Message Browser (to see all messaging seen from the phone, i.e. event derived from Layer 3 messaging, searching, and filtering operation of the data) Protocol Stack Browser (to browse through messages quickly by examining the header only)
Workbook (to customize the result of the output using Microsoft Excel)

Map

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Map Toolbar

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Replay Tool

Allows you to sequentially view data points in the file you are analyzing Can move through data on a map, chart or table. You may choose which stream to watch

State Form
Allows you to view multiple performance metrics simultaneously
With other visualization methods, you can quickly identify the problem

Pre-defined StateForm (continued)

View Forms UMTS select the stateform you want to view or Right click on the stream name Display Form select the stateform you want to view The 1st method displays the StateForms under different technology (more organized) Right click on the StateForm and select Stream Selector (to select the stream name)

Customize StateForm
To create a new StateForm, select Tools StateForm Editor Right click on the blank StateForm and select Stream Selector Right click on the blank StateForm and select Sheet Selector Right click on the blank StateForm and select Design Mode Note: StateForm editor is pure Visual Basic

Exercise Create Your Own StateForm

Load UMTS Voice 1.dt1 log file Select Tools StateForm Editor Right click on the blank StateForm and select Design Mode Follow instructions in page 64-68

Need a Break?

SuperStream
A superstream is a virtual (logical) stream that has been created by merging two or more separate streams.

When do we superstream?
To correlate and combine sequential message data that has been logged simultaneously for the same calls at different points in the network. Example: Combining a drive test stream with a call trace stream that has been captured higher up the network and relates to the same calls. Superstreaming in this scenario enables you to analyze the downlink parameters captured in the drive test with the uplink parameters captured by the call trace.

When do we superstream?
To combine a few drive test data that was logged sequentially using the same equipment. (Back-to-back log files) Example: When conducting a day-long drive test, typically you would write out a log file at the end of each hour. The Superstream feature would enable you to combine the streams from each file so that the whole day's data can be analyzed together.

How to Superstream?
Tools Create Superstream, or Ctrl-U Merge Method Use timestamps (default) Correlated Parameters Time Offsets

Superstream Handset and Scanner Data

The superstream weve just created

Downlink Info from DT

Uplink Info from Call Trace

SuperStream

The superstream weve just created

Downlink Info from DT

Uplink Info from Call Trace

Superstream and distance binning

Distance binning is not suitable for use with drive test files that have been Super streamed (even DT is not overlap in time) It is because distance binning is calculated using the distance from the start of the drive test as recorded in the Distance attribute and these values are not recalculated when you create the Superstream.

No binning

Distance binning

You want to look at a complete network overview or perform a benchmark. This means you need to process a large number of log files, but are only interested in specific data parameters.

What to do?

Network Image
A Network Image that extracts the most commonly used network parameter and store in an external data file (.dat) It contains the results of a series of queries run on a set of logfiles. Very useful when performing a system-wide analysis or benchmarking activity Network Image populated with data is smaller than original logfile Network Image data differs from normal log files because it contains only the specified parameter and binned according to the image definition

Create New Network Image using Pre-Configured Template

Network Image Create Network Image

Right Click on the Network Image youve just created and select Batch Load Files Select log files to be loaded

Load/Batch Log Files into Network Image

Click Open to begin procesing the files

Detach and Attach Network Image

To detach network image, right click on the network image name, and select Detach Network Image
To retrieve/attach a network image, select Network Image Attach Network Image. Network Image File dialog box appears and select the .dat that you want to attach

Create New Network Image Using Network Image Template Wizard

Network Image Network Image Template Wizard and follow the 6 easy steps Network Image only supports Drive Test data

Exercise: Create New Network Image Using Network Image Template Wizard
Network Image Network Image Template Wizard Follow the steps to create a network image using the network image template wizard For step by step instructions, goto Help Index type in Network Image Templates

Application Packages (Pre-defined analysis & reports)

A technology-specific series of reports that are installed automatically with every Actix Software installation. Example: UMTS Cluster Acceptance App Pack, UMTS Handoff Analysis APs are used to obtain high-level information of call statistic Professional formatted output Requires Actix Software to be pointing to a valid cellrefs file in order to function properly Can only run on single stream Cant customize

Available Application Packets (pre-defined analysis & reports)

UMTS Drive Test Summary UMTS CPICH Level Analysis UMTS Call Statistics UMTS Call Setup Analysis UMTS Handoff Analysis UMTS Quality Analysis UMTS Accelerated Network Rollout (Scanner data)

Handset

Open an Application Packages

From Menu bar, click on Analysis and select the AP you want to view, or Right click on the streamname, and select the AP you want to view Click on the pre-defined report you want to view

Actix Pre-defined Report/Summary

Reports (User-defined analysis & reports)

User-defined formatted output integrated with MS Excel Allows for formatted outputs of multiple streams of data Professional formatted output Can custom formatted template from Scratch

How to run a Pre-Defined Report?

Workbook Open Workbook/Report Choose a pre-defined report weve created, i.e. UMTSGPRS Coverage Report.xls Load EGPRS Drive Test 1.dt1 and UMTS Data 1.sd5 Select EGPRS and UMTS streams from the relevant logfiles to launch the report.

Exercise: Create a Custom Report

Load Drive Test log file

Query
Way of searching and filtering data based on events and thresholds you define Queries operate on binned data Queries are written using Boolean expressions and Arithmetic operations containing data parameter from one or more stream.

6 types of Queries
Filter Binned (Time-Series ) Crosstab (Multi-Dimensional Statistics ) Histogram Statistic Event (Event-Triggered Window Statistics )

Analysis Manager
Central point for managing queries Allows new query to be written, edited can deleted

Allows existing queries to be imported and exported

Tool Analysis Manager, or press Ctrl-A to go to Analysis Manager

Good Luck Troubleshooting Your Network with Actix Software!