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2016-03-23
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2016-03-23
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Key words: MOS, interference, BER, C/I, power control, DTX, frequency hopping,
PESQ, PSQM /PSQM+, PAMS
Abstract: With the development of the radio network, mobile operators become more
focused on end users experience instead of key performance indicators (KPIs). The
improvement of the end users experience and the improvement of the network capacity
are regarded as KPIs. Therefore, Huawei must pay close attention to the improvement of
the soft capability of the network quality as well as the fulfillment of KPIs. At present,
there are three methods of evaluating the speech quality: subjective evaluation, objective
evaluation, and estimation. Among the three methods, objective evaluation is the most
accurate. The PESQ algorithm defined by the ITU can objectively evaluate the speech
quality of the communication network. This document uses the mean opinion score
(MOS) to label the speech quality after objective evaluation.
This document describes the factors of MOS, the impact of each factor on the MOS, and
the methods of improving the network QoS and then the speech quality. It also describes
the attention points during the test of speech quality of the existing network and the
device capability value of the lab test. In addition, this document introduces the
differences between the speech test tools. The methods and principles of using the test
tools are omitted. This document serves as a reference to the acceptance of network
KPIs and the marketing bidding.
References: ITU-T P.800\ ITU-T P.830\ ITU-T P.861\ ITU-T P.862\ITU-T P.853
List of acronyms:
Acronym
Expansion
MOS
PESQ
PSQM
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PAMS
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Contents
1
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Tables
TABLE 1 RELATIONS BETWEEN THE QUALITY GRADE, SCORE, AND LISTENING EFFECT SCALE .......... 9
TABLE 2 IMPACT OF DTX ON THE SPEECH QUALITY ........................................................................ 19
TABLE 3 MAPPING BETWEEN THE SPEECH CODING SCHEME AND THE MOS VALUE ......................... 20
TABLE 4 MAPPING BETWEEN SPEECH SAMPLE AND MOS................................................................ 23
TABLE 5 IMPACT OF TFO ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF SPEECH QUALITY (GSM REC. 06.85) ............. 28
TABLE 6 IDENTIFIED MOS PROBLEMS ............................................................................................. 34
TABLE 7 NETWORK CONFIGURATION PARAMETERS TO BE PROVIDED .............................................. 38
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Figures
FIGURE 1 PESQ PROCESS ................................................................................................................ 11
FIGURE 2 MAPPING BETWEEN P862 AND P862.1 ............................................................................. 12
FIGURE 3 OVERALL SPEECH QUALITY PREDICTION OF P.563 ........................................................... 13
FIGURE 4 TYPICAL MOS TEST PROCESS .......................................................................................... 14
FIGURE 5 SPEECH PROCESSING ON THE MS SIDE ............................................................................. 14
FIGURE 6 SPEECH PROCESSING ON THE BTS SIDE ........................................................................... 15
FIGURE 7 HANDLING PROCESS IN THE GTCS .................................................................................. 16
FIGURE 8 CODEC CASCADING .......................................................................................................... 17
FIGURE 9 FAULT LOCATION FLOW .................................................................................................... 23
FIGURE 10 SPEECH DATA TRANSMISSION ON THE UM INTERFACE (SCHEMATIC DRAWING) .............. 25
FIGURE 11 BSC6000 SPEECH PROCESS ............................................................................................ 33
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Quality Grade
Score
Very good
Good
The listener
attention.
should
pay
some
Average
The listener
attention.
should
pay
close
Poor
Very poor
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Although the formal subjective listening test is the most reliable evaluation method and
the network performance and any coding/decoding algorithm can be evaluated, the test
result varies from listener to listener. In addition, the factors such as the listening
environment, listeners, and speech materials should be strictly controlled during the test.
As a result, this method consumes a lot of time and money. Therefore, several objective
evaluation methods, such as PSQM, PESQ, and P862.1, are introduced. For details
about the objective evaluation methods, see the next section.
1.2
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delay, jitter, and filtering. The PESQ is the industrys best standard algorithm that has
been commercially used.
Figure 1 shows the PESQ process.
For both the PSQM and the PAMS, a speech reference signal should be transmitted on
the telephone network. At the other end of the network, the sample signal and the
received signal should be compared through the use of digit signal processing so that the
speech quality of the network can be estimated. The PESQ incorporates the advantages
of both the PSQM and the PAMS. It improves the VoIP and hybrid end-to-end
applications and modifies the MOS and MOS-LQ calculation methods. Initially, these
methods are used to measure the coding algorithm. Afterwards, they are also used to
measure the VoIP network system.
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P.862. The watershed is at the score of 3.4. Therefore, according to P.862.1, the
percentage of MOSs above 3.4 should be increased to enhance end users experience.
The following is the formula to translate P.862 scores into P.862.1 scores:
y 0.999
4.999 0.999
1 e 1.4945*x4.6607
5
4.5
4
Mapped P.862
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
1
2
P.862
5
P.862.1_F1
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1.3
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1.3.2 MS
Figure 5 shows the speech processing on the MS side.
Session
processing
A/D
and
conversions
D/A
Speech
coding/decoding, DTX
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1.3.3 BTS
On the BTS side, the TMU performs speech exchange with the BSC, and the DSP
performs speech coding/decoding. Figure 6 shows the speech processing on the BTS
side.
1.3.4 BSC
The BSC modules other than the GTCS perform transparent transmission on the speech
signals. Instead of participating in the speech coding/decoding, these modules are only
responsible for the establishment of the speech channel, wiring, and speech connection.
For the transparent transmission process, see the BSC6000 speech process figure.
1.3.4.1 FTC Processing on Speech
Coding/decoding is performed on the speech signals and rate adaptation is performed on
the data signals so that the communication between a GSM subscriber and a PSTN
subscriber is realized and the transparent transmission on the SS7 signaling over the A
interface is implemented.
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1.3.5 UMG
The UMG performs the coding/decoding conversion. Different coding/decoding
algorithms have different impacts on the speech quality. If the communication is
performed between different networks, if the MSs use different coding/decoding
algorithms, or if the same coding/decoding uses different rates to perform
communications, the coding/decoding conversion is required. Generally, the UMG8900
coding/decoding algorithm uses the codec cascading to perform speech conversions. As
shown in Figure 8, codec A is cascaded with codec B. First, the compressed code stream
is restored to the PCM linear code through the corresponding decoder. Then, the PCM
linear code is encoded through another coding/decoding algorithm. The codecs involve
lots of redundancy operations, so the speech quality is degraded to some extent.
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Decoder A
Encoder B
PCM
Encoder A
Decoder B
2.1
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than the predefined threshold. If a transmission alarm is generated, the related speech
transmission lines should be checked. If the speech quality is poor, a port BER test
should be conducted.
2.2
2.3
2.4
If the DTX is enabled for a radio network, comfort noise and voice activity detection (VAD) are
introduced. Affected by the background noise and system noise, the VAD cannot be totally exact.
This definitely leads to the clipping of speech signals. Thus, the loss of speech frames and the
distortion of speech may occur, and the speech quality and MOS test may be greatly affected.
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When the Comarco device marks a speech score, the statistics on the clipping are collected.
Generally, the value of the clipping has a positive correlation with the clipped portion of speech.
Therefore, if the intrusive algorithm is used, the MOS is definitely low.
Table 2 describes the result of the lab test.
Table 2 Impact of DTX on the speech quality
FR
1. If the uplink DTX of the FR is enabled, the PESQ decreases by about 0.053 on average.
Varying from sample to sample, the decrease of PESQ ranges from 0.03 to 0.08.
2. If the downlink DTX of the FR is enabled, the PESQ decreases by about 0.054 on
average. Varying from sample to sample, the decrease of PESQ ranges from 0.02 to 0.12.
FAMR12.2
1. If the uplink DTX of the FAMR12.2 is enabled, the PESQ decreases by about 0.05 on
average. Varying from sample to sample, the decrease of PESQ ranges from 0.01 to 0.33.
2. If the downlink DTX of the FAMR12.2 is enabled, the PESQ decreases by about 0.08 on
average. Varying from sample to sample, the decrease of PESQ ranges from 0.02 to 0.20.
HAMR5.9
1. If the uplink DTX of the HAMR5.9 is enabled, the PESQ decreases by about 0.018 on
average. Varying from sample to sample, the decrease of PESQ ranges from 0.01 to 0.07.
2. If the downlink DTX of the HAMR5.9 is enabled, the PESQ decreases by about 0.079 on
average. Varying from sample to sample, the decrease of PESQ ranges from 0.05 to 0.11.
2.5
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and 20 is also only 40%. The distribution of the highest SQIs is sparser than that (about
90%) with the same speech quality at a low speed. Therefore, high speed greatly affects
the speech quality. Ensure that the speed is stable during acceptance tests or comparative
tests.
2.6
2.7
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equivalent to the loss of some speech frames. If the speech frames are lost, the speech
quality deteriorates greatly.
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Start
End
1. Test MS
Whether related to
coverage or
interference?
3. BTS check
Whether the
uplink/downlink DTX
function is enabled and
whether related to software
version or hardware
4. Abis interface
check
2. Um interface
check
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6. A interface
check
Whether intermittence
occurs on A interface
transmission?
7. MGW check
Whether speech
damage occurs
between MGWs?
8. Miscellaneous
(comparison of MOS
before and after
network replacement)
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3.2
If the test samples are different, the test results differ irrespective of whether the
environment (for example, shielded cabinet in non-interference environment), MS,
wireless equipment, core network equipment, and parameter setting are the same.
Therefore, the speech samples for the speech tests before and after the network
replacement must be the same. The following table lists the mapping between the speech
sample and the MOS. According to Table 4, the MOS varies according to the speech
sample. The tests of a large number of speech samples show that American English has
the highest MOS, German has the second highest MOS, and Spanish has the third
highest MOS.
Table 4 Mapping between speech sample and MOS
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Network
Type
Speech
Sample
900M
French
3.4
900M
Italian
3.46
900M
Arabic
3.5
MOS
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900M
Russian
3.54
900M
Japanese
3.54
900M
Greek
3.57
900M
Spanish
3.59
900M
German
3.61
900M
American
English
3.64
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Sub-stream
A
CRC
Sub-stream C
Sub-stream B
1/2 coding
Sub-stream C
Sub-stream C
TDMA frame
Figure 10 Speech data transmission on the Um interface (schematic
drawing)
Like the CDMA2000, the GSM also uses the frame stealing method to transmit some
signaling. The frame stealing method has an impact on the speech quality. If continuous
frame stealing occurs, the speech quality is greatly affected.
In the GSM system, if the full-rate speech coding is used, the CRC of sub-stream A
checks only three bits and the error check capability is limited. The errors that cannot be
detected through the CRC also affect the speech quality. Hence, the speech quality can be
reflected only when the measurement of the remaining bit error rate (RBER) is
performed.
The RBER cannot be measured, but the GSM system provides an alternative method,
that is, to measure the demodulation BER. In other words, first, perform error correction
on the demodulation result; second, encode the obtained result; third, compare the
demodulation result with the encoded result. Thus, the BER in the radio transmission can
be reflected indirectly. The standard measuring value that corresponds to BER is
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RXQUAL. Therefore, for high speech quality, the BER must be reduced and the
receive quality on the Um interface must be improved.
For the enhanced full rate (EFR), the statistics of FER can basically reflect the speech
quality because the 10-bit CRC is used.
From the perspective of the Um interface, the factors that affect the speech quality are
sub-stream A, BER (or RXQual), and frame stealing. Only RxQual, however, can solve
the problem of poor speech quality through network optimization.
3.2.2.2 Coverage- and Interference-Related Problem Check
If the network coverage is poor, it is definite that many areas in the network have poor
receive quality. Therefore, the speech quality is affected.
The interference leads to an increase of BER on the radio link. The increase may exceed
the demodulation capacity of the BTS so that speech frames cannot be identified. Thus,
the speech frames may be lost and thus the speech is discontinuous.
To solve the two types of problems, refer to the corresponding guide:
G-Guide to Eliminating Interference - 20050311-A-1.0
G-Guide to Analyzing Network Coverage - 20020430-A-1.0
3.2.2.3 Low MOS due to Handovers
Low MOS is caused by not only frequent handovers but also the following factors.
1. The GSM network uses hard handovers, so a handover from a source channel to a
target channel definitely causes loss of downlink speech frames on the Abis interface. As
a consequence, audio discontinuity caused by handovers is inevitable during a call.
Therefore, the handover-related parameters must be checked to avoid frequent
handovers.
2. The handover is not reasonable. For example, a call is handed over to a cell with poor
quality because of configurations, and thus the MOS is low.
3. The parameter settings are improper, so the handover is slow. If the QoS of the
serving cell is poor for a long time, the speech call cannot be handed over to a better
neighboring cell in time. Thus, the speech quality is always poor, leading to low MOS,
handover failure, and call drops.
4. Some networks disable the bad quality handover, so the MOS is low.
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EP0
EP1
EP2
HR
.85
.68
.39
FR
.53
.53
.35
EFR
.32
.46
.19
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Ater interface and Abis interface transmission resources are saved. When the BSC local
switching is used, the TC coding/decoding is not required if the transcoding function is
implemented in the core network, thus improving the speech quality. When the BTS
local switching is used, the TC coding/decoding is not required because the speech
signals do not pass the BSC. This also improves the speech quality.
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frequency reuse degree, however, definitely brings about large network interference. If
the frequency reuse degree is high, the interference is strong. Thus, the network quality
is poor and the speech quality is poor. This may adversely affect the user experience.
Therefore, the speech quality of the mobile operators with different frequency reuse
degrees cannot be compared directly. For example, China Unicom adopts a plan with
high frequency reuse degree to reach the same cell configuration of BTSs for China
Mobile, so the speech quality of China Unicom is definitely lower than that of China
Mobile. In a word, if the frequency reuse degree is high, the test MOS is low.
3.2.8.4 Engineering Installation Quality Issues
According to the experience, check that the connector (on the DDF) on each
transmission segment is properly connected and that there are no exposed stubs. For
optical transmission, check that optical connector is clean and that the transmission BER
is not high.
The poor engineering quality in the antenna system also causes the MOS to decrease.
The speech quality may deteriorate because of errors in engineering installation, for
example, loose connector, misconnection, or poor coverage.
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4.2
It is recommended that you use short call samples as the test samples to avoid some
blind areas or poor-coverage areas. For the network that has good coverage and that
does not require frequent handovers, long call samples are recommended.
2.
Both Nokia6680 and Samsung zx10 can be used as the test MSs. Note that
Nokia6680 does not support half rate and has outdoor antenna (no vehicle body
loss) and that Samsung zx10 supports half rate and does not have outdoor antenna.
In the case of outdoor antenna (vehicle body loss should be considered), it is
recommended that Nokia6680 be used as the test MS.
3.
The areas with good coverage and only a few handovers should be selected as the
test routes.
4.
During the test, it is recommended that you use an MS to call a fixed-line phone.
Thus, the MOS is high.
5.
6.
7.
It is recommended that the idle hours be selected as the test time. Thus, the network
C/I is high.
8.
During the test, it is recommended that the channels with good speech coding
quality be occupied, for example, EFR and AMR full-rate channels.
9.
The TFO function should be enabled if the version is correct. Note that the TFO
function is valid only for the call from an MS to another.
5 MOS Cases
5.1
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5.2
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of the existing network is low and if the problem of low MOS cannot be solved after
optimization, you can refer to the Problem Description column in the following table to
check whether the version is incorrect.
Table 6 lists only the problem-solved versions. To check whether the onsite version is
correct, consult the product maintenance department.
Table 6 Identified MOS problems
Problem
Number
Problem
Problem Description
Related
Product
Affected
Channel
Problem-Solved
Version
In the case of
FAMR/HAMR and
FR, one frame is lost
and then the frame
is retransmitted.
DPU(T
C)
FAMR/HAM
R/FR
V9R8C01B048SP
01
DPU(T
C)
EFR/HR
V9R8C01B048SP
01
DPU(T
C)
EFR/FR/HR
V9R8C01B048SP
01
Permanent loss of
one frame during
handover to half rate
and permanent loss
of one frame during
activation
under
HAMR 7.4k
DPU(T
C)
HAMR7.4
V9R8C01B048SP
01
DPU(T
C)
EFR/HARM6.
7/HARM7.4
V9R8C01B048SP
01
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Damage
is
introduced on the
TC side.
SID_FIRST
for FAMR
frame
DPU(T
C)
V100R008C02B2
01
or
V100R001C07B4
15
FAMR
SID_FIRST_INH
frame for HAMR
11
Frequent adjustment
to downlink rate
when uplink DTX
enabled
DSP
(BTS)
HARM
12
Reporting
of
HO_DET ahead of
time
during
synchronous
handover
During
the
synchronous
handover, the HO_DET is
reported ahead of time. Thus, the
uplink speech frames on the old
channel are lost and the handover
disruption
is
long.
The
occurrence possibility of this
DSP
(BTS)
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V9R8C01B048SP
01
V100R008C02B2
01
or
V100R001C07B4
15
HARM
V100R008C02B2
01
or
V100R001C07B4
15
V100R008C02B2
01
or
V100R001C07B4
15
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13
During
the
intra-BSC
asynchronous handover, one
frame out of the uplink speech
frames is lost. This problem
occurs on the three types of MSs.
The occurrence possibility of this
problem during the lab test is
about 30%-50%.
DSP
(BTS)
V100R008C02B2
01
or
V100R001C07B4
15
6.1
Test Requirements
1. Test time and periods: The test must be conducted at 9:00-12:00 and 17:00-20:00 on
workdays (Monday through Friday).
2. The test routes must evenly cover the trunk roads in the urban areas without repeated
coverage. The round-the-city express ways, viaducts, and roads between the urban
areas and the air port must be tested.
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3. In the urban areas, the test speed should equal the normal drive speed. No limitation
is set on the test speed.
4. Irrespective of the traffic, the city with a population of more than 500 thousand
should be tested for three days and the city with a population of more than 200
thousand should be tested for two days. The test should last six hours for each test
day.
5. Dialing requirements:
The test MSs should be located inside the vehicle and both the calling MS and
called MS should be connected to the test instruments. The GPS receiver
should be connected to conduct the test.
Both the GSM calling MS and called MS for the test should be of auto
dualband.
The MSs should be dialed mutually. The dialing, answering, and onhook of the
MSs should be automatic. Each call should last 180 seconds with a call
interval of 20 seconds. If call failure or call drop occurs, another call attempt
should be made after 20 seconds. The call interval is set according to the
requirements of the mobile operator.
6. Daemon data analysis: All the tests must use the same test instruments and Daemon
data processing software.
7. Normally, the test tools are selected according to the requirements of the mobile
operators. At present, China Mobile accepts the PESQ as the evaluation standard of
the existing network and Hua Xing as the test tool. The overseas mobile operators
use different evaluation standards and use such test tools as SwissQual, QVoice, and
Cormarco.
8. The evaluation of the Um interface on the existing network should be complete and
the statistics on RxQual, C/I, and SQI should be provided. The three counters should
have the mean values, peak values, mean square errors in different periods, and
distribution interval list of different values. During the test, the GPS should be
dotted and the log files of the TEMS test should be archived.
9. When the network of several cities is replaced, the speech problems should be
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reported. For different cities, the test should be conducted according to the different
requirements mentioned in this chapter. The test reports should be archived. The dot
information about the local e-map should be provided for the future network
optimization of the areas with poor quality.
During each test, the mean speed per hour should be recorded and archived. Dot
statistics can be performed on the GPS.
6.2
Network Configuration
Test Result
Uplink/downlink DTX
UL PC Allowed
DL PC Allowed
Radio frequency hopping
Baseband frequency hopping
Transmit diversity
TFO
EC
Whether the core network uses IP bearing
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