E N GIN EER ING S ERVICES G R OUP

C AS E ST U DY

INTER-RAT OPTIMIZATION IN OVERLAYS

Delivering services and technical evaluations for network operators worldwide

Qualcomm Engineering Services Group (ESG) accelerates the adoption of mobile technologies through initiatives, professional services and technical education. By analyzing and recommending technology evolution solutions, optimizing network design and deployments, educating via technical training and customized workshops, and collaborating with key industry groups, Qualcomm ESG enables operators to efficiently migrate to next-gen technologies. The following case study shows how Qualcomm ESG helped a Tier 1 operator develop a comprehensive, cost-and resourceefficient inter-RAT (Radio Access Technology) optimization process. AT ISSUE
Optimization of the WCDMA/HSPA network overlay
Throughout the world, WCDMA (UMTS) or HSPA networks overlay many existing GSM networks. GSM is traditionally a stronger network than WCDMA/ HSPA, a newer, less contiguous technology, deployed at higher frequency bands (1900/2100 MHz). Successful inter-RAT HOs (Radio Access Technology handovers) from WCDMA/ HSPA to GSM are critical to ensuring a positive end-user experience. However, in several networks, sub-optimal inter-RAT design degrades network capacity and negatively impacts end-user experience.

COMPANY
- Tier 1 operator - Nationwide deployment of HSPA - Solution benefits all markets

SITUATION
u igh inter-RAT handover failure rates H u 3G-2G handover problems and network

capacity degradation
u Poor end user experience caused by

dropped calls
u Field testing solutions required extensive

time and resources

SOLUTION
u Prioritized problem areas and isolated

root causes by evaluating operators network

u Developed process based on

performance counters and network probes

u Analyzed and identified root causes -

with network probes, RF, and neighbor list analysis - on high priority sites
u Designed specialized reports to regularly

monitor performance

THE CHALLENGE
Solving inter-RAT related capacity and performance issues
A Tier 1 operator in the Americas faced inter-RAT related performance issues in one of its large metropolitan areas. Their network was over utilized, and subscriber complaints were on the rise. The operators optimization process, based on drive testing, was inefficient and inaccurately captured inter-RAT failures. In addition, the operator was unable to identify the root cause of failures.

RESULTS
u Recommended that the operator reduce

its drive testing and isolate, and then repair, its inter-RAT problems
u Eliminated approximately 3% of inter-RAT

failures in one particular metropolitan area

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E N GIN EER ING S ERVICES G R OUP

INTER-RAT OPTIMIZATION IN OVERLAYS | CASE STUDY

THE SOLUTION
Applying best practices from Qualcomm experts
The execution of this project required access to performance data on the operators network and close coordination with the operators engineering team. To ensure smooth communication and efficient data collection and analysis, ESG subject matter experts (SME) worked onsite with the operator. To isolate the root causes, the Qualcomm ESG team drew upon internal best practices and past experiences to design a top-down process, which used Performance Management (PM) counters, network probe traces and field testing (see Figure 1). First, PM counters were identified to detect inter-RAT HO failures. Specialized reports were generated to locate the worst performing cells and assess the major failure causes for each cell. These specialized reports and analyses were used to create a list of high-priority cells, the largest contributors to inter-RAT HO failures. This step helped minimize the operators exposure to future interRAT HO issues. The PM counter reports specified that many failures were attributed to GSM channel setup. To confirm and further analyze the operators inter-RAT failures, Qualcomm ESG evaluated network probe traces for worst performing cells. This investigation verified that those particular cells were experiencing GSM channel setup failure. Performing this assessment helped narrow down the GSM network coverage analysis and better identify neighbor lists for cells with high GSM channel setup failure. As a final step, drive test logs were collected the around worst performing HSPA cells. An RF analysis showed that the target GSM cell had fragmented coverage and was overshooting, preventing other GSM cells from inter-RAT HOs. As a result, inter-RAT HOs were attempted from the incorrect GSM cell, increasing the risk of failure. Qualcomm ESG recommended that the operator remove its GSM cell from the worst performing HSPA (UMTS) cell neighbor list (see Figure 2). Figure 1: High-level inter-RAT Optimization Process

Analyze inter-RAT handover performance counters

Analyze message flow between network elements

Collect drive test data in target inter-RAT area

Prioritize problem areas Identify remaining call drop reasons

Analyze inter-RAT failures

Determine the cause of failures

No
Success?

Look for RF issues, NL issues, and other possible inter-RAT handover failure causes

Yes
Success?

No

Yes

Recommend Corrective Action

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT COUNTERS

PROBES

FIELD TESTING

Figure 2: Inter-RAT Optimization Results (example)

RESULTS
Qualcomm ESG delivered specialized PM counter reports and decision flow charts, suggesting network improvements. The process developed by Qualcomm ESG enabled the operator to reduce its OPEX. This was achieved by eliminating extensive drive testing requirements and reducing the amount of time to isolate and fix inter-RAT performance issues. The optimization process eliminated approximately 3% of inter-RAT failures in this particular metropolitan area.
The recommended action deleted GSM Cell C from inter-RAT neighbor list of HSPA Cell A LEGEND:

HSPA cells

GSM cells

www.qualcomm.com/esg
2010.05.V02