LTE Troubleshooting

By: Narender Kumar

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

Scope and Objectives
Scope
› Basics Checks
› Important Radio Parameters
› Useful Tools
› Cases

Objectives

 Isolate problems into domains

 Pinpoint causes of degradations clearly
within domains through theory, traces
and practical examples

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 Basics Checks

1. Network changes & Basic Troubleshooting

2. eNodeB Key RF parameters and Features
3. Quality Class Indicators (QCI)
4. System Information Blocks (SIB)
5. UE categories
6. UE subscriber profile
7. PC/Server settings

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NW Changes and Basic Troubleshooting

 Network/node changes can affect KPIs

 Some common examples includes:
 Network configuration changes (e.g. Re-homing,Upgrades,adding/changing/removing hardware)
 RF parameter changes (recent parameters changes/feature changes)
 Transport Network changes (add/reduce capacity on TN)
 IP address plan changes (IP4 vs IP6,routing change)

 Basic troubleshooting checks include:

 Alarm, event, operations and system log checks
 MO health status(Cell status,S1/X2 Status,RRU status etc)

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eNodeB Key RF Parameters and Features

 Key parameters for Throughput(DL/UL)

 Key parameters for Call Drops
 Key parameters for Accessibility
 Key parameters for Handovers
 Key parameters for Inter-RAT
 Key parameters for Paging

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 Key parameters for Throughput(DL/UL)
Downlink Throughput Calculation:
From the 3gpp specification:
-1 Radio Frame = 10 Sub-frame
-1 Sub-frame = 2 Time-slots
-1 Time-slot = 0.5 ms (i.e 1 Sub-frame = 1 ms)
-1 Time-slot = 7 Modulation Symbols (when normal CP length is used)
-1 Modulation Symbols = 6 bits; if 64 QAM is used as modulation scheme

Radio resource is manage in LTE as resource grid....

-1 Resource Block (RB) = 12 Sub-carriers

Assume 10 MHz channel bandwidth (50 RBs), normal CP

Therefore, number of bits in a sub-frame

= 50RBs x 12 sub-carriers x 2 slots x 7 modulation symbols x 6 bits

= 50400 bits

Hence, data rate = 100800 bits / 1 ms = 50.4 Mbps

* If 2x2 MIMO is used, then the peak data rate would be 2 x 50.4 Mbps = 100.8 Mbps.

* If 3/4 coding is used to protect the data, we still get 0.75 x 100 Mbps = 75 Mbps as data rate.

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 Key parameters for Throughput(DL/UL)
Parameter id Parameter name Setting Discription
Meaning: Indicates the DL bandwidth of the cell, which is based on the number of resource blocks (RBs). The
dlbandwidth DOWNLINK BANDWIDTH value CELL_BW_N25 indicates a cell bandwidth of 25 RBs. The value CELL_BW_N50 indicates a cell
bandwidth of 50 RBs.
Meaning: Indicates the UL bandwidth of the cell, which is based on the number of resource blocks (RBs). The
ulbandwidth UPLINK BANDWIDTH value CELL_BW_N25 indicates a cell bandwidth of 25 RBs. The value CELL_BW_N50 indicates a cell
bandwidth of 50 RBs.
CELL TRANSMISSION AND RECEPTION Meaning: Indicates the transmission and reception mode of the cell i.e MIMO configuration of cell
txrxmode
MODE GUI Value Range: 1T1R, 1T2R, 2T2R, 2T4R, 4T4R, 8T8R
If the parameter value is too small, the cell supports dynamic adjustment on the number of OFDM symbols
occupied by the PDCCH but may impact the downlink throughput. If the parameter value is too large, the cell
InitPdcchSymNum PDCCH Initial Symbol Number
does not support dynamic adjustment of the number of OFDM symbols occupied by the PDCCH, which
impacts the downlink throughput.
Meaning: Indicates the length of the DL cyclic prefix of a cell. A DL cyclic prefix can be a common or extended
DOWNLINK CYCLIC PREFIX
dlcyclicprefix cyclic prefix. An extended cyclic prefix is generally used in a complex environment with a strong multi-path
LENGTH
effect and long delay. Recommended Value: Normal CP

Meaning: Indicates the target UE transmit power for the PUCCH expected by the eNodeB on condition that
normal demodulation can be performed.
P0NominalPUCCH P0 nominal PUCCH Impact on Radio Network Performance: If this parameter value is too large, the interference to neighboring
cells increases and the overall network throughput decreases. If this parameter value is too small, the
interference to neighboring cells decreases and the throughput of the local cell also decreases

Meaning: Indicates the nominal P0 value of the PUSCH. It is used in UL power control.
Impact on Radio Network Performance: If this parameter value is too large, the interference to neighboring
P0NominalPUSCH P0 nominal PUSCH
cells increases and the overall network throughput decreases. If this parameter value is too small, the
interference to neighboring cells decreases and the throughput of the local cell also decreases

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 Radio Analysis - Downlink

 Areas of analysis for Downlink:

 CQI (Channel Quality Index) and RI (Rank Indicator) reported from UE.
 Transmission Mode: MIMO (tm3) vs. TxD (tm2) vs. SIMO (tm1)
 MCS vs. number of assigned PRBs vs. assignable bits in scheduler
 UE Scheduling percentage of TTIs (how often is the UE scheduled)
 CFI (number of OFDM symbols for PDCCH) vs. MCS vs. % scheduling
 HARQ
 RLC retransmissions

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 Radio Analysis DL – CQI/RI and TM
 The eNB needs knowledge of the SINR conditions of downlink transmission to a UE in order to select the most efficient MCS/PRB combination for a
selected UE at any point in time.
 Channel Quality Index (CQI):
 Is a feedback mechanism from UE to eNB
 Informs eNB of current channel conditions as seen at UE
 Directly maps to 3GPP defined modulation/code rate
 Defined as the highest coding rate the UE could decode at 10% BLER on HARQ rv=0 transmission
 CQI 1-6 map to QPSK
 CQI 7-9 map to 16QAM
 CQI 10-15 map to 64QAM
 Rank Indicator (RI)
 Is a feedback mechanism from UE to eNB
 Informs eNB whether UE can successfully decode RS from 1 or 2 (or more) antennas.
 eNB scheduler uses this feedback to transmit with either:
 Rank 1: TxDiversity (transmission mode 2, tm2)
 Rank 2: MIMO (Open Loop Spatial Multiplexing (transmission mode 3, tm3)

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Radio Analysis – Uplink

 Areas of analysis for Uplink:

 BSR (Buffer Status Report)
 PHR (Power Headroom Report) – is the UE at maximum power?
 Cell bandwidth vs. maximum allowable PRBs
 Link Adaptation
 MCS available and 16QAM
 PDCCH SIB scheduling colliding with UL grant
 HARQ (less important, because we can measure SINR)

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Radio Analysis UL – BSR &PHR

 Buffer Status Report (BSR) is used to inform the eNB of the current data waiting for transmission in the UE
 Expect to see high values for maximum UL throughput. Low values indicate UE/laptop problem.

 Power Headroom Report (PHR) is used to inform the eNB of the remaining transmit power available at the UE.
 Defined as difference between configured maximum UE output power and estimated power used for PUSCH transmission
 Reports a index value similar to BSR with values between -23 up to 40 dB
 PH values are close to (or less than) 0 means the UE is power limited
 Ideally we look for positive values somewhat greater than 0
 When a UE is power limited, the eNB may schedule fewer PRBs in order to reduce the required output power of the UE, this can in
turn reduce throughput.

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 Key parameters for Call Drops
Reason for Call drops :

 Poor Coverage (Poor RSRP or SINR)

 HO Failures (Missing NBR relations, Incorrect Cell Radius)

 Alarm on nearby site (VSWR alarms, Link fault)

 High UL RSSI at target cell cause the call drop during HO

 UE Problem (chipset problem, sync issue)

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 Key parameters for Call Drops
Parameter id Parameter name Setting Descriptions

Meaning: Indicates the length of the UE inactivity timer. If the eNodeB detects that a UE has neither received
nor sent data for a duration exceeding the value of this parameter, the eNodeB releases the RRC connection
for the UE. If this parameter is set to 0, the UE inactivity timer is not used. This parameter imposes great
ueinactivetimer UE INACTIVE TIMER
influence on call drop rate. A large value indicate less call drop samples and higher call drop rate. A
smaller value indicates more signaling interactions as UE frequently enter into idle state.
Recommended value:20s
Meaning: Indicates the UE-specific maximum number of RLC ARQ retransmissions, namely the maximum
number of AM PDU retransmissions. When the number of retransmissions reaches the value of this
uemaxretxthreshol MAXRETXTHRESHOLD
parameter, RRC connection re-establishment is initiated. A large parameter value indicates stronger anti-
d FOR UE
interference capablities.If value is too large, latency increases and throughput decreases.
Recommended value:32
Meaning: Indicates the eNodeB-specific maximum number of RLC ARQ retransmissions, namely the
maximum number of AM PDU retransmissions. When the number of retransmissions reaches the value of this
enodebmaxretxthr MAXRETXTHRESHOLD
parameter, RRC connection re-establishment is initiated. A large parameter value indicates stronger anti-
eshold FOR ENODEB
interference capablities.If value is too large, latency increases and throughput decreases.
Recommended value:20s

s1messagewaitingti S1 MESSAGE WAITING Meaning: Indicates the timer governing the period the eNodeB will wait for a response message from the
mer TIMER MME. A large value indicates longer time to wait for response from MME. Recommended value:20s

Meaning: Indicates the timer governing the period the eNodeB will wait for a response message from the
x2messagewaitingti X2 MESSAGE WAITING
neighboring eNodeB.A large value indicates longer time to wait for response from eNodeB.
mer TIMER
Recommended value:20s

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 Key parameters for Call Drops
Parameter id Parameter name Setting Descriptions
This timer is started when the UE detects any fault at the physical layer. The timer is stopped if the UE detects one of the
following before the timer expires: (1) The physical-layer fault is rectified; (2) A handover is triggered; (3) The UE initiates an
RRC connection reestablishment procedure.
t310 TIMER 310
After the timer expires, the UE enters the RRC_IDLE mode if the security mode is not activated. If the security mode is activated,
the UE initiates an RRC connection reestablishment procedure. A large value of this parameters indicates higher
probability of UE synchronization success at physical layer fault. Recommended value:1000ms
Meaning: Indicates the maximum number of successive "out of sync" indications received from L1. A smaller value of this
n310 CONSTANT N310
parameters indicates higher probablity of triggering out of synchronisation. Recommended value:10
This timer is started when the UE starts the RRC connection reestablishment procedure.The timer is stopped if, before the timer
t311 TIMER 311 expires, the UE selects an E-UTRAN or inter-RAT cell to camp on.After the timer expires, the UE enters the RRC_IDLE mode. A
large value of this parameters indicate higher re-establishement success rate. Recommended value:1000ms
Meaning: Indicates the maximum number of successive "in sync" indications received from L1. A large value of this
n310 CONSTANT N310
parameters indicates lower probability of out of synchronisation state. Recommended value:10

Meaning: Indicates the timer used to govern the period in which the eNodeB maintains uplink synchronization for a UE. After this
timer expires, the eNodeB does not send Timing Advance Command to the UE. This parameter does not take effect if it is set to
0. That is, the eNodeB will constantly send Timing Advance Command to the UE to maintain uplink synchronization for the UE.
A smaller value of this parameter results in a higher probability that UEs enter the out-of-synchronization state when
ulsyntimer UPLINK SYNC TIMER they should not and, therefore, a larger number of random access procedures triggered for maintaining uplink
synchronization.
A larger value of this parameter results in less prompt changes of UE state from synchronized to out-of-
synchronization, more power consumption of UEs, and more occupied PUCCH and SRS resources

This parameter values depends upon antenna configurations.When multiple antenna are used,it is advised to set it to -3.When
PA FOR EVEN POWER
papcoff single antenna is used,it is set to 0. If the RS power is fixed, setting this parameter to a large value increases the transmit power
DISTRIBUTION
and MCS for all UEs in the cell, which results in power limitation and affects throughput

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 Key parameters for Accessibility

Reason for Access Failures :

 Poor Coverage
 UL RSSI
 Unavailability of Resources Block
 No of user crossing the License Limit

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 Key parameters for Accessibility
Parameter id Parameter name Setting Descriptions
Set this parameter based on maximum actual RRU power. A large value indicates large coverage and stronger
referencesignalpwr REFERENCE SIGNAL POWER interference to neighboring cells causing UL/Dl unbalance. Small value indicate smaller coverage, causing coverage
holes. Recommeded value- 182 for 10 MHZ
Meaning: Indicates the minimum required RX level for the cell to become a candidate for cell selection. This value is
included in criteria S and used in the evaluation of cell selection. A larger value of this parameter leads to a lower
probability of the cell meeting criteria S and becoming a suitable cell for cell selection. A smaller value of this
qrxlevmin MINIMUM REQUIRED RX LEVEL
parameter results in a higher probability. Set this parameter properly so that the selected cells can provide signals
that meet the quality requirement of basic services. Recommeded value -64 (-128dBm)

Meaning: Indicates the minimum required RX signal quality for the cell to become a candidate for cell selection, which
corresponds to the IE q-QualMin in SIB1. This value is included in criteria S and used in the evaluation of cell selection.A
MINIMUM REQUIRED RX QUALITY
qqualmin larger parameter value for a cell leads to lower probabilities of the cell meeting criteria S and becoming a suitable cell for
LEVEL
cell selection. A smaller value of this parameter leads to higher probabilities. Set this parameter properly so that the
selected cell can provide signals that meet the quality requirement of basic. Recommended Value: -18

Meaning: Indicates the offset of the PBCH transmit power relative to the reference signal power.Increase in the value of
pbchpwr PBCH POWER
this parameters extend te coverage and interference to other cells. Recommended Value: -600
Meaning: Indicates the index of the SRS subframe configuration for the cell.The number of configured SRS subframes
affects the uplink UE throughput and cell throughput. A larger number of SRS subframes results in a larger decrease in the
srssubframecfg SRS SUBFRAME CONFIGURATION
uplink cell throughput and resources.A large value may cause resource limitation and causing access failures when
a large no of UE intiates acess. Recommended value- SC3 for FDD
Meaning: Indicates the offset of the PCFICH transmit power relative to the reference signal power.A larger value leads to
pcfichpwr PCFICH POWER a larger coverage of the PCFICH but less available power for the PDCCH and PHICH. A smaller value leads to
opposite effects. Recommended Value: -600
cellradius CELL RADIUS Meaning: Indicates the radius of the cell.Need to design as preamble format,speed flag and Root Sequence index.
This parameter determines the starting position in the time domain and appearnce period of PRACH. A longer PRACH
prachconfigindexcf INDICATION OF PRACH
period associated with this parameter value results in a smaller number of UEs that can access the network and less
gind CONFIGURATION INDEX
occupied uplink resources. A shorter PRACH period associated with this parameter value leads to the opposite effects

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 Key parameters for Handovers (Events in LTE)
Event Definition Formula Usage

A1-1(Entering): Ms-Hys>Thresh A1 used to terminate the Inter-Freq or Inter-

A1 S-cell signal becomes better than threshold
A1-2(Leaving): Ms+Hys<Thresh RAT measurement

A2-1(Entering): Ms+Hys<Thresh A2 used to trigger the Inter-Freq or Inter-

A2 S-cell signal becomes worse than threshold
A2-2(Leaving): Ms-Hys>Thresh RAT measurement

A3-1(Entering):
N-cell signal becomes better than S-cell signal with pre- Mn+Ofn+Ocn-Hys>Ms+Ofs+Ocs+Off A3 used to handle Intra-Freq or Inter-Freq
A3
defined offset of “Off” A3-2(Leaving): handover
Mn+Ofn+Ocn+Hys<Ms+Ofs+Ocs+Off

A4-1(Entering):
Mn+Ofn+Ocn-Hys>Thresh
A4 N-cell signal becomes better than threshold A4 used to handle Inter-Freq handover
A4-2(Leaving):
Mn+Ofn+Ocn+Hys<Thresh
B1-1(Entering):
Mn+Ofn-Hys>Thresh
B1 Inter RAT N-cell signal becomes better than threshold B1 used to handle Inter-RAT handover
B1-2(Leaving):
Mn+Ofn+Hys<Thresh

S-cell signal becomes worse than threshold1 and N-cell

A5 A2 + A4 A5 used to handle Inter-Freq handover
signal becomes better than threshold2

S-cell signal becomes worse than threshold1 and inter

B2 A2 + B1 B2 used to handle Inter-RAT handover
RAT N-cell signal becomes better than threshold2

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 Key parameters for Handovers
Paramet
Parameter id Parameter name Setting Descriptions
er Type
Meaning: Indicates the length of timer T304 for intra-RAT handover. If the UE does not
complete the handover before this timer expires, the UE reverts back to the associated
Timer t304foreutran TIMER304 FOR EUTRAN
configuration and initiates an RRC connection reestablishment procedure. Recommended
value-500ms
Meaning: Indicates the cell individual offset for the intra-frequency neighboring cell, which is
used in evaluation for handovers. It affects the probability of triggering intra-frequency
cellindividualoffset CELL INDIVIDUAL OFFSET measurement reports. A larger value of this parameter indicates a higher probability.It can be
modified to delay or fasten the handover between two cells specially when there are ping pong
handovers
Meaning: Indicates the hysteresis for intra-frequency handover event A3. A larger value of this
parameter makes it more difficult to trigger event A3, which delays handovers and affects user
intrafreqhoa3hyst INTRAFREQ HANDOVER HYSTERESIS
experience. A smaller value of this parameter makes it easier to trigger event A3, which
increases handover decision errors and ping-pong handovers
IntraFreq Meaning: Indicates the offset for event A3. If the parameter is set to a large value, an intra-
HO intrafreqhoa3offset INTRAFREQ HANDOVER OFFSET frequency handover is performed only when the signal quality of the neighboring cell is
significantly better than that of the serving cell and other triggering conditions are met
Meaning: Indicates the time-to-trigger for intra-frequency handover event A3.This parameter
helps reduce the average number of handovers and the number of unexpected handovers,
intrafreqhoa3timetotrig INTRAFREQ HANDOVER TIME TO TRIGGER and hence prevents unnecessary handovers. A larger value of this parameter results in a
smaller average number of handovers, but it also leads to a higher risk of call drops.

Meaning: Indicates the cell specific offset for the serving cell. It affects the probability of
cellspecificoffset CELL SPECIFIC OFFSET triggering handovers from the serving cell to its neighboring cells. A smaller value of this
parameter leads to a higher probability

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 Key parameters for Handovers
Parameter
Parameter id Parameter name Setting Descriptions
Type

Meaning: Indicates the time-to-trigger for inter-frequency measurement event A1 or A2.When detecting that the signal quality in the serving cell
meets the triggering condition, the UE does not send a measurement report to the eNodeB immediately. Instead, the UE sends a report only when
the signal quality continuously meets the entering condition during the time-to-trigger. This parameter helps decrease the number of occasionally
INTERFREQ A1A2 TIME TO triggered event reports, the average number of handovers, and the number of wrong handovers. In summary, it helps prevent unnecessary
interfreqhoa1a2timetotrig
TRIGGER handovers.The larger the value of this parameter, the smaller the average number of inter-frequency measurements, and the higher the
probability of call drops

Meaning: Indicates the hysteresis for inter-frequency measurement events A1 and A2. This parameter is used to prevent frequent triggering of event
INTERFREQ A1A2
interfreqhoa1a2hyst evaluation caused by radio signal fluctuation. In this way, the probability of ping-pong handovers or handover decision errors is reduced.The
HYSTERESIS
InterFreq triggering condition of event A1 is as follows: Ms - Hys > Thresh.The triggering condition of event A2 is as follows: Ms + Hys < Thresh
HO
Meaning: Indicates the RSRP threshold for inter-frequency measurement event A1.When the measured RSRP value exceeds this threshold, a
INTERFREQ A1 RSRP
interfreqhoa1thdrsrp measurement report will be sent
THRESHOLD
Meaning: Indicates the RSRP threshold for inter-frequency measurement event A2.When the measured RSRP value is below the threshold, a
INTERFREQ A2 RSRP
interfreqhoa2thdrsrp measurement report will be sent
THRESHOLD

Meaning: Indicates the time-to-trigger for event A4 for the inter-frequency handover. When detecting that the signal quality in at least one
neighboring cell meets the entering condition, the UE does not send a measurement report to the eNodeB immediately. Instead, the UE sends a
INTERFREQ HANDOVER
interfreqhoa4timetotrig report only when the signal quality continuously meets the entering condition during the time-to-trigger.
TIME TO TRIGGER

Meaning: Indicates the hysteresis for event A4. This parameter is used to prevent frequent triggering of event evaluation caused by radio signal
fluctuation. In this way, the probability of ping-pong handovers or handover decision errors is reduced. A larger value of this parameter results in a
INTERFREQ HANDOVER
interfreqhoa4hyst lower probability.
HYSTERESIS

Meaning: Indicates the RSRP threshold for event A4 related to coverage-based inter-frequency handover. When the measured RSRP value exceeds
COVERAGEBASED this threshold, an inter-frequency measurement report will be sent.A larger value of this parameter results in a lower probability of triggering event A4
interfreqhoa4thdrsrp INTERFREQ RSRP and hence causes a lower probability of handover. A large value may affect user experience. A smaller value of this parameter leads to a higher
THRESHOLD probability of triggering event A4. A small value may cause handover decision errors and ping-pong handovers.

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 Key parameters for Inter-RAT
Parame
Parameter id Parameter name Setting Descriptions
ter Type
Meaning: Indicates the measurement triggering threshold for cell reselection to inter-frequency
THRESHOLD FOR NON-INTRA FREQUENCY
snonintrasearch or inter-RAT cells. If the cell reselection priority of a frequency or RAT is higher than that of the
MEASUREMENTS
serving frequency, the UE always starts inter-frequency or inter-RAT measurement
Meaning: Indicates the threshold used in the evaluation of reselection to a cell on a lower priority
E-UTRAN frequency or on an inter-RAT frequency. Cell reselection to a cell on a lower priority E-
Cell thrshservlow SERVING FREQUENCY LOWER PRIORITY THRESHOLD UTRAN frequency or on an inter-RAT frequency is performed if no cell on the serving frequency
Reselect or on a higher priority E-UTRAN frequency fulfills criteria 1 for inter-frequency and inter-RAT
ion reselections
For Eutran-Utran interoperations or Eutran-Geran interoperations. With other conditions
threshxlow INTER FREQUENCY LOWER PRIORITY THRESHOLD unchanged, a large value indicates lower probability to reselect to a cell on high priority
frequency
For Eutran-Utran interoperations or Eutran-Geran interoperations. With other conditions
threshxhigh INTER FREQUENCY HIGH PRIORITY THRESHOLD unchanged, a large value indicates lower probability to reselect to a cell on low priority
frequency
Meaning: Indicates the hysteresis for inter-RAT measurement events A1 and A2. This parameter
interrathoa1a2hyst INTERRAT A1A2 HYSTERESIS is used to prevent frequent triggering of event evaluation caused by radio signal fluctuation. A
larger value indicates higher probability of triggering event A1/A2.
Inter
Rat HO Meaning: Indicates the RSRP threshold for inter-RAT measurement event A2.When the measured
Thresho RSRP value of the serving cell is below this threshold, an event A2 report will be sent. A larger
lds interrathoa2thdrsrp INTERRAT A2 RSRP TRIGGER THRESHOLD
value of Thresh results in a higher probability of triggering event A2 and therefore a higher
probability of starting inter-RAT measurements

interrathoa1a2timetotrig INTERRAT A1A2 TIME TO TRIGGER Meaning: Indicates the time-to-trigger for inter-RAT measurement event A1 or A2

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 Key parameters for Inter-RAT
Paramet
Parameter id Parameter name Setting Descriptions
er Type
Meaning: Indicates the RSCP threshold for event B1 related to coverage-based inter-RAT handover to
UTRAN.This parameter specifies the requirement for RSCP of the target UTRAN cell.When the measurement
interrathoutranb1thdrscp COVERAGEBASED UTRAN RSCP TRIGGER THRESHOLD value exceeds this threshold, a measurement report will be sent. A larger value of this parameter results in a
lower probability of handovers to UTRAN and a higher risk of service drops

Meaning: Indicates the hysteresis for event B1 related to inter-RAT handover to UTRAN. This parameter is
used to prevent frequent triggering of event evaluation caused by radio signal fluctuation. In this way, the
Utran interrathoutranb1hyst UTRAN HANDOVER HYSTERESIS probability of ping-pong handovers or handover decision errors is reduced.A larger value of Hys results in a
Config lower probability of triggering event B1 and therefore a lower probability of handover. A large value may
affect user experience
Meaning: Indicates the time-to-trigger for event B1 related to inter-RAT handover to UTRAN. When detecting
that the signal quality in at least one neighboring cell meets the entering condition, the UE does not send a
interrathoutranb1timetotrig UTRAN TIME TO TRIGGER measurement report to the eNodeB immediately. Instead, the UE sends a report only when the signal quality
continuously meets the entering condition during the time-to-trigger.

Meaning: Indicates the hysteresis for event B1 related to inter-RAT handover to GERAN. This parameter is
interrathogeranb1hyst GERAN HANDOVER HYSTERESIS used to prevent frequent triggering of event evaluation caused by radio signal fluctuation. In this way, the
probability of ping-pong handovers or handover decision errors is reduced
Meaning: Indicates the RSSI threshold for event B1 related to coverage-based inter-RAT handover to GERAN.A
Geran interrathogeranb1thd COVERAGEBASED GERAN TRIGGER THRESHOLD UE sends a measurement report related to event B1 to the eNodeB when the RSSI in at least one GERAN cell
Config exceeds this threshold and other triggering conditions are met

Meaning: Indicates the time-to-trigger for event B1 related to inter-RAT handover to GERAN. When detecting
interrathogeranb1timetotrig GERAN TIME TO TRIGGER that the signal quality in at least one neighboring cell meets the entering condition, the UE does not send a
measurement report to the eNodeB immediately. Instead, the UE sends a report only when the signal quality
continuously meets the entering condition during the time-to-trigger

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Key parameters for Inter-RAT

Name Function Discription

Capabilities supported Check INTIAL CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST MSG in S1 Interface tracing result to obtain the UE
UE Capability
by UE capabilities,incuding frequency band,RAT,Inter_RAT policies and inter-RAT/inter Frequencies supported by UE.

Combined How UE register with Check attach or TAU msg to check weather registration modes is combined attach. If not Inter-RAT
Authentication EPC interoperations can not be performed.

UE Capable Voice Voice Domain This parameter is contained in the Attach request or TAU msg and specifies the Voice mechanism (CS voice or
services perferences IMS Voice i.e VOLTE) used by UE and weather UE is voice centric or data centric.

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 Key parameters for Paging
Parameter id Parameter name Setting Descriptions

Meaning: Indicates the default paging period for the cell. It is also called the discontinuous reception (DRX) period. If the EPC
specifies a DRX period for a UE, the UE compares this period with the value of this parameter and uses the smaller one as its
defaultpagingcy DRX period. If the EPC does not specify a DRX period, the UE uses the value of this parameter, which is delivered in the
DEFAULT PAGING CYCLE
cle system information, as its DRX period.A larger value of this parameter may lead to a longer delay in paging a UE but help
reduce the power consumption of the UE. A smaller value of this parameter may lead to a shorter delay in paging a UE but
cause more power consumption of the UE

Meaning: Indicates the number of paging occasions (a type of subframe) within a paging period. This parameter value also
nb NB
indicates the number of paging groups within a paging period

Meaning: Indicates the modification period coefficient for the BCCH. BCCH modification period is equal to Modification
modifyperiodco MODIFICATION PERIOD
period coefficient multiplies Default paging cycle, where the BCCH modification period and default paging cycle are
eff COEFFICIENT
measured in unit of radio frames, and the modification period coefficient is specified by this parameter.

This parameter is determined by network planning and optimization team.More eNodeBs in Tracking Area (TA) indicates
TA and TAL TA and TAL Planning
more TA in Tracking Area List(TAL) and more paging message that an eNodeb process.

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 23

SIB information
SIBs require PDCCH
resources.

Typically
SIBs consume 4 or 8
CCEs of PDCCH resources

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 24

Quality Class Indicators
 A Quality Class Indicator (QCI) is used to signal the QoS requirements of a bearer
 23.401 defines 9 standard QCIs, each one with specific characteristics
 Operators may define proprietary QCIs to introduce new services( We are using QCI6 in our nw)

QCI Resource Type Priority Packet Delay Budget Packet Loss Rate Example Services

1 2 100 ms 10-2 Conversational Voice

2 4 150 ms 10-3 Conversational Video (Live Streaming)

GBR
3 3 50 ms 10-3 Real Time Gaming

4 5 300 ms 10-6 Non-Conversational Video (Buffered Streaming)

5 1 100 ms 10-6 IMS Signaling

- Video (Buffered Streaming)

6 6 300 ms 10-6 - TCP-based (e.g., www, e-mail, chat, ftp, p2p file sharing,
progressive video, etc.)

Non-GBR - Voice,
7 7 100 ms 10-3 - Video (Live Streaming)
- Interactive Gaming

8 8
- Video (Buffered Streaming)
300 ms 10-6 - TCP-based (e.g., www, e-mail, chat, ftp, p2p file sharing, progressive
9 9 video, etc.)

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 25

 UE Categories
› The UE Category limits throughput possibilities.

› The UE-Cat is sent in the UE Capability Transfer

procedure (RRC UECapabilityInformation) Msg.

3GPP has now defined UE Category 6 also which supports Carrier aggregation
(CA) and VOLTE. Huawei M7 is Category 6 UE.

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 26

 UE Subscriber profile
 End User (EPS User) subscription data is stored in the HSS
 The profile consists of:
 MSISDN/IMSI number
 Operator Determined Barring (ODB)
 Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate (AMBR)
 Max requested bandwidth in Downlink
 Max requested bandwidth in Uplink
 RAT frequency selection priority
 APN configuration profile:
 Default Context Identifier (default APN for the EPS User)
 APN Configuration (every APN associated to the EPS User)

Check AMBR for Max Throughput possible. AMBR can be checked in RRC
reconfiguration message sent by eNodeB to UE

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 27

 PC/Server Settings
 Determine the applications or tools used in testing/monitoring throughput
 Confirm the end user PC settings:
 Laptop specification can impact throughput (processors, memory, USB bus, HDD speed, plugged into AC power, etc)
 MTU settings in Laptop (1500)
 Throughput monitors (e.g. Netpersec, only good for downlink UDP measurements, uplink must be measured at receiving side for
UDP)
 TCP enhancements in Vista (experimental), Vista should “auto-tune”.
 Confirm server settings:
 FTP server configuration
 Linux TCP setting/guide
 iperf (UDP & TCP) – be sure to use packet size 1360 for UDP (not default 1470).
 Always check first with UDP rather than TCP, as UDP is less prone to display problems as a result of jitter variations and packet loss.

Better to have same MTU value in all nodes. Mismatching MTU values may
cause fragmentation or Concatenation leading to packet loss.

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 28

Useful Tools

1. M2000 (OSS)
2. PRS (For KPIs)
3. OMSTAR (Audit Tool)
4. FMA (Assistant in Troubleshooting )

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 29

TEST Cases
1. High Attach Time Delay issue
2. Access Issue due to incorrect TAC
3. MOD3 PCI conflict
4. HO failure due to smaller Cell Radius
5. DL Thpt issue due to Limited Transmission
6. Ping Delay

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 30

 Cases -High Attach Time Delay issue
Problem Description: Attach Time delay for CT should be <550ms as agreed with Customer. But all of
sudden attach time delay time was increased upto 650ms.

Analysis: Upon analysis we found this problem is not limited to one CT/SD or area but across
the network. During L3 msg analysis, we found that most of high case were caused between the
two L3 message “ULInformationTransfer”, “UECapabilityEnquiry”.it is about 345ms, half of the
whole procure time. This message is related to EPC network. Also RF team has not done any
changes in network. So we concludes that this problem is caused by any change in EPC network.

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 31

Cases -High Attach Time Delay issue
Issue was escalated to core network engineers and customer was also informed. Upon investigation by
Core nw engineer, it was found that most of duration was occupied between UGW <<>>DRA(PCRF) and
UGW<<>>OCS

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 32

 Cases -High Attach Time Delay issue
To confirm this, we did two test with help of core Engineers. First Test including OCRF and OCS and in
second test OCS and PCRF was bypassed. Test results confirmed that delay was due to Core nodes
DRA and OCS.

With DRA and OCS

Without DRA and OCS

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 33

 Cases -High Attach Time Delay issue
Root Cause:

1. Adding the OCS and PCRF lead to the increasing of the attach time
2. The transmission shaking between UGW and OCS cause the attach time that not steady

•After changes 04/08/2015: TAR-C1 cluster(Attach delay Ok)

•Before Changes 03/08/2015: TAR-C1 cluster (High attach delay )

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 34

 Access Issue due to incorrect TAC
Problem Description
• UE having attach issue in some new LTE sites.
•No alarm was present on site/cells.
•Ruled out any issue in DT setup, SIM card and terminal as these were working fine on other sites.
•In L3 massage analysis, UE was getting released with cause code-other.

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 35

 Access Issue due to incorrect TAC
Analysis
•It was decided to setup S1 Interface Trace on problematic site as RRC L3 massage
analysis was not giving much info about root cause of the problem.
•In S1 interface trace analysis, MME was doing attach reject with cause code “no-
Suitable-Cells-In-tracking-area” as shown below.

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 36

 Access Issue due to incorrect TAC
•As indicated by S1 interface trace, TAC audit was done for problematic sites.
•In audit TAC value was not correctly defined in EnodeB as per planned. Attach issue resolved after correcting the
TAC values in problematic sites

Root Cause
Incorrect TAC values were defined in EnodeBs. Intially the network was rolled out with TAC value 70 in problematic sites.But later TAC
values were changed to 1126. TAC values was updated in MME but not in EnodeBs, resulting attach issue.

Solution
We need to do perform parameter audit for key parameters on regular basis to avoid parameter
inconsistency

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 37

 MOD3 PCI Conflict
PCI Basics
PCI Formula 3 *SSS +PSS
SSS is Secondary Synchronization Signal and its value is from 1 to 168. .. It is used for Frame Synchronization
PSS is primary Synchronization Signal and its value if from (0,1,2) .. It is used for Slot Synchronization
So total no of PCI in N/w will be = 168*3 = 504

To avoid Downlink Reference Signaling interference Avoid

 PCI MOD3 (if we use 2T2R) >two cells facing each other should not have same PSS value
 PCI MOD6 (if we use 1T1R)
To avoid Neighboring SRS interference in UL avoid
 PCI MOD 30
Collision Free PCI : Two adjacent cells should not have same PCI
Confusion Free PCI : Cell should not have neighbor relation with same PCI cell.

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 38

 MOD3 PCI Conflict
Good RSRP BAD SINR MOD3 PLOT

PCI MOD3 As we can see from Plots, we have good RSRP in the are but bad SINR. After checking
383 2
It was found that there are MOD3 PCI conflicts in this area.
62 2
311 2
We need to replan PCIs this area in order to have minimize MOD3 PCI conflicts effects.
60 0
381 0
We can completely avoid the MOD3 PCI conflict but only can minimize its impact.

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 39

 HO failure due to smaller Cell Radius
Problem Description: High ERAB Drop rate in one cluster in average RF conditions.

Analysis: Upon L3 MSG analysis, it was found

that most of ERAB drop were caused by HO
failures in ok RF conditions. Cluster terrain was
hilly, so there were lot off over shooters in the
problem area with good RSRP.

Upon Deep investigation, It was found that HO are

failing due to small Cell radius. Value of cell radius
is configured 4k for all sites in the NW. HO can be
performed if UE is 4K away from target sites.

For trial purpose, we have decided to increase the

cell radius and PRACH for this clusters sites.

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 40

 HO failure due to smaller Cell Radius
Analysis: After increasing the cell radius from 4km to 10 km for this clusters,
HO OSS KPIs were improved lot.

Cell Radius changed on 14th Aug

Root Cause: Small Cell Radius was causing HO failures. Need to Plan Cell radius again for clusters where intersite distance
is more or terrain is hilly.

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 41

DL Thpt issue due to Limited Transmission
Problem Description: Low DL throughput in Good RF conditions in various
sites.

Analysis: DL Throughput target for SD is 50 mbps in our network. But for some sites DL
throughput target was not reaching in spite of good RF conditions. It was suspected that there
may be some issue in Transmission. To prove our point we performed different test between UE
and eNodeB and UE and FTP server.
Test result proved that there is no issue in UU interface. DL throughput was limited due to
Transmission capacity. Please go through attached slides for detailed explanation.

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 42

 Ping Delay
Problem Description: Customer reports that the Ping test Delay is too long sometimes
even the wireless quality is good. In this case the ping test time is 37ms

Analysis: Ping test was done separately for part A and Part B. Results showed that ping delay is
ok in part A i.e UU interface means no problem from RF side. High ping delay was observed in
part B which is related to core network elements. Please go through attached documents for more
details.

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 43

Thank you
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