E3- E4 CM Rev date:18-03-11

CHAPTER – 5

BTS MINI LINK AND MAINTENANCE ISSUE

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BTS Minilink and Maintenance Issues

1. Mini link :-
Mini link is a microwave solution used to provide microwave link between BSC & BTS.
Minilink microwave radios provide an efficient and rapid way of developing wide-
converge telecommunication networks. The use of Minilink is particularly suited for
cellular applications because of its flexibility concerning capacities, configurations and
space required. It also offers fast deployment in all project phases for planning to
commission. Minilink is ideal for quickly providing medium capacity-links in temporary
or permanent, mobile or fixed communication networks. It can be used anywhere within
the network, where one to seventeen 2-Mbps transmission lines are required. As there is
no need for heavy masts or towers, it can quickly be mounted on existing building or
structures.

Figure :- Mini link ODU with Antenna

2. System Overview

A MINI-LINK Network Element (NE) can, from a hardware and installation point of
view, be divided into two parts:
• Indoor part,
• Outdoor part

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Outdoor Unit

• Radio Unit
• Compact antenna

Indoor Unit

• Modem unit (MMU)

• Traffic unit (TRU)
• Access Module Magazine(AMM)

3. Mini link Maintenance :-

The purpose of minilink maintenance is to prevent the occurrence of critical faults
of microwave systems, causing BTS outage, and to reduce the fault time of the
microwave equipments for reducing the down time of the BTS due to microwave
link failure and thus to ensure better network reliability and quality of service.

4. Mininink Maintenance Procedures :-

4.1 Procedure for detecting faults

The occurrence of fault is intimated through SMS alert by OMC-R to BSS

Incharge in case of critical faults, causing BTS outage, and the BSS team visits
the site and checks the faults.

The Major / Minor faults are detected by periodic site inspection of BSS team, by
using LCT (Local craft terminal), by monitoring physical alarms and by
measuring the RX level / voltage levels.

The fault is detected whether of IDU, ODU, Cable/connectors or alignments.

4.2 Procedure for handling equipment faults

If the fault is of IDU / ODU, replace the faulty unit with spare, subject to spare
availability.

The faulty unit is handed over to the AMC holder for repair.

If spare is not available, the fault is registered at OMC-R (web site)

OMC-R, in turn, intimates the concerned vendor / AMC holder for rectification.

Monitors the corrective action taken by the vendor / AMC holder and acts
accordingly.

If the vendor / AMC holder does not take prompt action, the case is escalated to
the higher ups for ensuring speedy restoration.

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4.3 Procedure for maintenance, if cable/connector faulty or alignment problem.

The fault, if confirmed, is of cable/ connectors, by monitoring with LCT, the

connectors at top and bottom are physically checked, re-adjusted or replaced for
rectifying the fault and intimated to OMC-R.

If IDU, ODU, Cable and connectors are OK, then by checking the RX level and
the voltage level, the problem in alignment can be detected. If alignment is not
OK, realignment is done for rectification of fault and the same is intimated to
OMC-R.

4.4 Procedure for closing the fault docket.

After rectifying the fault, the BSS Incharge intimates the same to OMC-R.

OMC-R checks the status of the system and closes the fault docket.

5. Earth -
Chassis Earth, Anteena earth are to be checked and loose contacts/ breaks etc if

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any may be rectified.
- Lightning spike earth,
- Tower earths,
- DG & Equipment earth to be checked.
Value to be less than 1 ohm for each earth.
To be checked once in 6 months.
Testing instrument required - Earth meggar (Digital)
Test results may be recorded in the logbook.
If the values exceed the limit, initiate the corrective action.

Questions

1. What is Mini link.

2. Write down the components of a Mini link.
3. What is the use of Mini link in Mobile network.
4. Write down the procedure for detecting faults of Mini link.
5. How the equipment fault of Mini link is handled.
6. How the cable/connector fault or alignment problem of Mini link is handled.
7. What is the procedure for closing the fault docket.

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