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Factors That Affect The TCH Call Drop Rate: Meaning
Factors That Affect The TCH Call Drop Rate: Meaning
The TCH call drop rate refers to the ratio of call drops to successful TCH seizures after the BSC
successfully assigns TCHs to MSs. The TCH call drop rate can be measured from the following aspects:
The TCH call drop rate, one of the most significant KPIs for telecom operators, is related to retainability. It
indicates the probability of call drops due to various reasons after MSs access TCHs. A too high TCH call
drop rate adversely affects the user's experience.
Recommended Formulas
TCH call drop rate (including handover) = Number of call drops on TCH/(Number of successful TCH
seizures (signaling channel) + Number of successful TCH seizures (TCH) + Number of successful TCH
Seizures in TCH handovers (TCH)) x 100%
TCH call drop rate (excluding handover) = Number of call drops on TCH/Number of successful TCH
seizures (TCH) x 100%
Hardware failure
Transmission problem
Version upgrade
Parameter setting
Coverage problem
Repeater problem
The transmission quality on the A or Abis interface is poor for various reasons.
1. The parameters SACCH Multi-Frames and Radio Link Timeout are set to too small values.
4. The parameters Min DL Power on HO Candidate Cell and Min Access Level Offset are
inappropriately set.
5. The length of timer T3103 (this timer is set to wait for a Handover Complete message) is set
to a too small value.
6. The length of timer T3109 (this timer is set to wait for a Release Indication message) is set to
a too small value.
7. The length of timer T3111 (this timer specifies the connection release delay) is set to a too
small value.
9. The parameter TCH Traffic Busy Threshold is set to a too small value.
14. The parameters related to concentric cell handover are inappropriately set.
15. The parameters related to power control are inappropriately set.
19. The parameter Disconnect Handover Protect Timer is set to a too small value.
21. The parameters Software Parameter 13 and MAX TA are set to too small
values.
22. If a repeater is used, the parameter Directly Magnifier Site Flag is set to No.
3. Repeater interference
The voice quality at the edge of an isolated BTS is poor and calls cannot be
handed over to other cells. In this case, call drops may occur.
In complex terrains such as mountainous regions, the signals are blocked and thus the
transmission is discontinuous, leading to call drops.
Densely distributed buildings and thick walls cause great attenuation and low indoor signal
level, which causes call drops.
4. Insufficient coverage
If the signal from an antenna is blocked or the BCCH TRX is faulty, call drops may occur
because of discontinuous coverage.
1. If the transmit antennas of two cells are improperly connected, the uplink signal level in each
cell is much lower than the downlink signal level in the cell. Therefore, call drops are likely to occur
at places far away from the BTS.
2. If a directional cell has main and diversity antennas, the BCCH and SDCCH of the cell may
be transmitted from different antennas. If the two antennas have different pitch angles or azimuths,
the coverage areas of the two antennas are different. In this case, the following result may occur:
An MS can receive the BCCH signals from one antenna; when a call is made, the MS cannot
seize the SDCCH transmitted by the other antenna and thus a call drop occurs.
3. If the feeder is damaged, water leaks in the feeder, or the feeder and the connector are not
securely connected, both the transmit power and receiver sensitivity of the antenna are reduced.
Thus, call drops may occur.
The tower mounted amplifier (TMA) or BTS amplifier does not work properly.
As a result, call drops may occur at the edge of the BTS coverage area.
If a wide-frequency repeater is used and the gain is set to a great value, strong interference may
be caused. As a result, the network quality is adversely affected and the TCH call drop rate
increases.