3G Radio network performance data collection techniques .ppt

5/21/2018 3G Radio network performance data collection techniques .ppt

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G RADIO NETWORK PERFORMANCE DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES


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EIL/PM/W/M-10:0231 Uen 3G RADIO NETWORK PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS & ANALYSIS 2010-08-18

INTRODUCTION:

Network Performance data can be collected from a variety of points in the 3G radionetwork. Only by utilizing data from a combination of these sources can a full picture ofthe performance of the network be obtained. Each point offers different strengths andweaknesses in areas such as:

Type of information (e.g. radio link information, circuit call information, or packet datainformation).

Availability of data collection devices (delays in handset availability could limit theusefulness of this data source).

Granularity of data (ability to use data to solve specific problems) Ease / cost of data collection. Volume of data that can be collected.

Once collected, the data must be filtered and reduced before it can be used to make

decisions on improving network performance. In addition, collecting and analyzingvarious sources of data at the same time allows efficient utilization of resources.


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SOURCES OF NETWORK PERFORMANCE DATA

Performance data on the wireless transmission network can be gathered from manysources, but these are the most common:

Uu: Air-interface Iub: RNC-Node B interface Iu CS: RNC-MSC interface Iu PS: RNC-SGSN interface OMC: Performance Counters OMC: Measurement Programs


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SOURCES OF NETWORK PERFORMANCE DATA

Open standards are available for most of these interfaces; however, OMC performancecounters and measurement programs almost always utilize proprietary interfaces andoutput data formats. In addition, infrastructure vendors do not always implement allavailable open interfaces, particularly in the case of the Iub interface.


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OVERVIEW OF DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES

Drive Test Equipment

Using equipment available from a variety of vendors, operators can drive around theirnetwork measuring performance from the perspective of the subscriber. Equipmenttypically consists of a special test mobilephone and wideband scanner, connecteddirectly to a laptop, or indirectly through an intermediate hardware device.

Scanners passively measure desired and interfering RF signals from base stations faster

and with better accuracy than test mobiles, thereby complimenting the measurementsavailable from the phone. In many cases, scanners can detect the underlying RF causesof the performance problems detected by test mobiles.

Some vendors also offer drive test equipment that can be operated by remote control,allowing equipment to be placed in technicians' vehicles or fleet vehicles (such as taxicabs), for automatic data collection.


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Drive Test Equipment

Drive Test Strengths

Good source of RF data with detailed position information that can be used to identifyand resolve RF problems.

Drive Test Weaknesses

Can be time-consuming and expensive to perform measurements. Many operators look tominimize drive testing for this reason.

Measurements do not accurately represent the experience of pedestrian and in-buildingusers.

Measurements do not give performance information on all subscribers, only on anindividual call. As a result, performance is only measured for the network components

serving that specific call. There are many vendors with many different formats, which are usually proprietary.


7/13EIL/PM/W/M-10:0231 Uen 3G RADIO NETWORK PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS & ANALYSIS 2010-08-18


OMC Measurement Program

Using proprietary measurement programs which run on the switch or RNC, operatorscan collect performance data for specified mobile phone numbers. The log files areoften used to collect uplink performance metrics to complement the downlinkperformance measured during drive tests. Log files may be synchronized to drive testdata or used independently.




OMC Measurement Program

OMC Measurement Program- Strength

Good source of low-resolution RF data for both uplink performance metrics, anddownlink transmit parameters for a single call.

Ability to supervise uplink performance is key, since relative performance on uplinkand downlink in WCDMA varies according to traffic loading.

Cost to perform measurements is low and no additional hardware is necessary. Testing can be performed for any handset or user equipment.

OMC Measurement Program- Weaknesses

Often not available for initial infrastructure release of a new technology.Specialized knowledge required to run the application and retrieve the results, however,

the task itself is relatively straightforward.No positioning information, however OMC data can be synchronized to drive test data withposition information.Limited capability to monitor multiple calls at the same time (due to system performanceissues).Many vendors with many different formats, which are almost always proprietary.




PROTOCAL ANALYSER

Using protocol analyzers available from a number of vendors, operators can collectperformance data directly from key infrastructure interface points including the IuCS, Iu PS, and Iub interfaces. Because these interfaces are based on openstandards, the development of collection equipment and analysis software can becompleted during infrastructure development. It is then available for use during theplanning and lab/field trial phases prior to system launch. Protocol analyzers can

collect a wide range of data: from performance data on the packet and circuitinterfaces down to RF data as reported by the User Equipment.



OVERVIEW OF DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUESPROTOCAL ANALYSER

PROTOCAL ANALYSER-Strength Good source of low resolution RF data for both links as well as packet and circuit-link

performance data. Typically available in early stage trials before system launch, even for new technologies. Easy to compare and combine data across multiple vendors, since collected data is typically

based on open standards. Very useful for analyzing detailed RF usage of packet and circuit connections. Since data is based on actual subscribers, it accurately reflects indoor and pedestrian

performance issues. The cost to perform measurements, excluding hardware costs, is relatively low and a large

quantity of data can be collected very quickly for many network elements. The only limitation to how much data can be collected is the hardware configuration. Data for

all subscribers can be collected, reduced and analyzed.

PROTOCAL ANALYSER-Weaknesses

Equipment can be expensive, although less expensive alternatives are increasingly available.If there is no traffic on the network, no data is generated.Specialized knowledge is required for connecting and operating equipment, although the task itself isquite simple and fast once learned.No position information; however, location may be estimated using propagation delay information.Specific vendors may wrap open-interface protocol data into a proprietary interface, which must bedecoded before accessing the open interface data.




OMC Performance Counters

Performance counters are vendor-specific, proprietary statisticalcounts of key network events at a sector level of resolution.Operators have traditionally relied on performance counters tomonitor the high-level performance of their networks, either usingcollection software provided by the vendor, third party software, orbuilding in-house systems.




OMC Performance Counters

OMC Performance Counters-Strength

Good source of sector-level resolution performance metrics. Very large amounts of data can be collected quickly for all network

elements.

OMC Performance Counters-Weaknesses

For the initial infrastructure release of a new technology, generally only very basicfunctionality (if any) is available and systems by third-party vendors are rarely available atall.Compilation of overall system performance can be very difficult when using differentvendors for various network elements, due to lack of integration between elements, anddifferences in definitions of individual counters.

Very limited ability to drill-down into lower-level causes of problems: counters typicallyonly record what happened in a 5-15 minute block with no detailed data fortroubleshooting.No position information for data (other than sector level).Many vendors with many different formats, which are usually proprietary.

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3G Radio network performance data collection techniques .ppt