Drive testing of 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G NR mobile networks

Nemo Outdoor is a laptop-based drive test tool for 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G NR mobile network
testing which supports over 300 devices and scanning receivers, from various vendors, all the
latest network technologies and latest smartphones. Nemo Outdoor offers a full drive test
solution for wireless network testing / mobile network testing, troubleshooting, and
optimization.

In mobile network testing Nemo Outdoor’s powerful software platform works with all
wireless technologies and with different protocol and application testing options. Nemo
Active Testing Application (NATA), the optional Keysight proprietary (patent pending)
communications interface, enables simple and productive deployment of smartphones in data
benchmarking and voice quality measurements. With a test terminal and/or a scanner you can
perform real-time missing neighbor detection, pilot pollution analysis, and GSM interference
analysis.

Ensuring wireless network quality for end-users

Nemo Outdoor enables measuring quality-of-experience (QoE) metrics for the services and
applications your customers are using, including advanced YouTube video testing, Facebook,
Twitter, Dropbox, Viber, BiP, and Instagram testing. With the optional NATA functionality,
the smartphone measurement results reflect the real end-user experience. This gives
customers the capability to understand wireless network quality from end consumer
perspective, troubleshoot and optimize the network based on the results, ultimately improving
customer satisfaction and reducing churn.

Nemo Outdoor for real 5G NR field measurements

Nemo Outdoor offers the widest range of 5G NR KPIs on the market. Nemo Outdoor
supports real 5G NR field measurements with Qualcomm X50/X55, Samsung Exynos 5100,
and HiSilicon Balong 5000 chipset-based devices and 3rd party scanning receivers. The
collected metrics include cell measurements, physical channel information, current cell
information (for each 5G subcarrier), extensive set of RACH parameters, MAC layer KPIs,
RLC/PDCP KPIs, and link adaptation (for each 5G subcarrier) KPIs. In addition, we collect
5G QoS measurements including throughput, and latency.

With scanning receivers, Nemo Outdoor can be used to perform 5G NR drive test
measurements with demodulation of the 5G NR reference signals and it enables simultaneous
2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G NR spectrum scan and frequency scan (CW) measurements. Coverage
and quality metrics, namely SS-RSRP, SS-RSRQ, SS-CINR, and RSSI, are reported per each
SSB reference beam of a cell.

Drive testing of 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G NR mobile networks

29 May 2020 Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT

Nemo Outdoor is a laptop-based drive test tool for 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G NR mobile network
testing which supports over 300 devices and scanning receivers, from various vendors, all the
latest network technologies and latest smartphones. Nemo Outdoor offers a full drive test
solution for wireless network testing/mobile network testing, troubleshooting and
optimisation.

In mobile network testing, Nemo Outdoor’s powerful software platform works with all
wireless technologies and with different protocol and application testing options. Nemo
Active Testing Application (NATA), the optional Keysight proprietary (patent pending)
communications interface, enables simple and productive deployment of smartphones, also
non-rooted commercial phones, in data benchmarking and voice quality measurements. With
a test terminal and/or a scanner you can perform real-time DSS measurements, missing
neighbour detection, pilot pollution analysis and GSM interference analysis.

Ensuring wireless network quality for end users

Nemo Outdoor enables you to measure quality-of-experience (QoE) metrics for the services
and applications your customers are using, including advanced YouTube video testing,
Facebook, Twitter, Dropbox, Viber, BiP and Instagram testing.

With the optional NATA functionality, the smartphone measurement results reflect the real
end-user experience. This gives customers the capability to understand wireless network
quality from end consumer perspective, troubleshoot and optimise the network based on the
results, ultimately improving customer satisfaction and reducing churn.

Nemo Outdoor for real 5G NR field measurements

Nemo Outdoor offers the widest range of 5G NR KPIs on the market. It supports real 5G NR
field measurements with Qualcomm X50/X55, Samsung Exynos 5100/5123 and HiSilicon
Balong 5000 chipset-based devices and third-party scanning receivers.

The collected metrics include cell measurements, physical channel information, current cell
information (for each 5G subcarrier), extensive set of RACH parameters, MAC layer KPIs,
RLC/PDCP KPIs and link adaptation (for each 5G subcarrier) KPIs. In addition, it collects
5G QoS measurements including throughput and latency.

With scanning receivers, Nemo Outdoor can be used to perform 5G NR drive test
measurements with the demodulation of the 5G NR reference signals and it enables
simultaneous 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G NR spectrum scan and frequency scan (CW)
measurements. Coverage and quality metrics, namely SS-RSRP, SS-RSRQ, SS-CINR and
RSSI, are reported per each SSB reference beam of a cell.

5G NR field measurement solution

5G NR is moving at an accelerated pace. Live network testing is needed to ensure beams are
transmitting accurately and that throughput per cell, throughput per device and quality-of-
experience metrics can be achieved. Device-based measurements are crucial when assessing
the achievable 5G NR quality-of-service, mobility and interoperability with the underlying
LTE network.

Nemo Outdoor drive test solution, combined with Nemo Analyze or Nemo WindCatcher,
form the 5G NR field measurement solution from Keysight Technologies. It provides a
complete measurement system for sub 6 GHz and millimetre-wave frequency spectrum. The
solution includes all the necessary software and hardware to collect, post-process, analyse
and visualise the data and to generate statistical information that can easily be shared
throughout the organisation.

Features of the system include the following:

• Perform real 5G NR field measurements with Qualcomm X50-based devices and scanning
receivers.

• Measure and verify sub 6 GHz and mm-wave frequency spectrum, reflection and
penetration for indoor and outdoor environments.

• Perform 5G NR measurements with demodulation of the 5G NR reference signals.

• Easily align the transmitter and receiving directional antenna.

• Measure accurate total channel power level over the measured bandwidth.

• Visualise the measurement results with maps.

• Easily generate statistical reports and coverage plots with data analytic tools.

Redefining 5G NR drive testing

Massive MIMO (mMIMO) with beamforming will be used to achieve higher network
capacity and higher data throughputs in the new 5G NR frequency bands. Using these
technologies, however, changes the radio access from cell coverage to beam coverage,
representing a significant change from 4G networks.
5G NR will change the testing methodologies, requiring both scanning receivers and test UEs
(user equipment) for field verification. A scanner is a good tool for SSB reference beam
coverage measurements and UE-based active field testing (drive testing) is needed for the
verification of the rest of the 5G NR functionalities.

Measure and analyse signal power levels from 5G NR base stations

Keysight’s 5G NR field measurement solution provides a complete measurement system for

sub 6 GHz and mm-wave propagation and coverage measurements in different radio
environments, both indoors and out in the field. The solution combines Keysight’s powerful
drive test tool Nemo Outdoor with Qualcomm X50 chipset-based devices, third-party
scanning receivers and a FieldFox handheld spectrum analyser.

The collected metrics include RACH information, Tx power, rank (MIMO mode),
modulation, MAC throughput and BLER, signal strength and quality metrics of the SSB
beams. In addition, it collects QoS measurements including throughput and latency. The
5G NR test system can be used to perform real 5G NR measurements with demodulation of
the 5G NR reference signals and it enables simultaneous 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G NR spectrum
scan and frequency scan (CW) measurements.

Visualise 5G NR beam coverage and quality

Nemo Analyze supports the analysis of 5G NR scanning receiver measurements collected

with Nemo Outdoor. Nemo Analyze can be used to visualise 5G NR beam coverage and
quality metrics on a map and to identify coverage gaps and locations with high interference.
All metrics recorded with the scanners are available for post-processing, including SS-RSRP,
SS-RSRQ, SS-SINR, for each distinct SSB beam. A ready-made playback template with all
the key metrics and KPIs is available for quick analysis and an automated routine for plotting
the SSB beam footprints of all beams is also included.

E1-E2 UPGRADATION COURSE –CONSUMER

MOBILITY RF Planning and Drive
Test
E1-E2 Consumer Mobility Rev date:17-03-11 P a g e2for Internal
Circulation Only CHAPTER-THREE RF Planning
and Drive TestA cell can be defined as the area covered by
one sector. A practical network will have cells of no geometric
shapes.Main elements involved in radio Network are Mobile station
and base transceiver station. Process of Radio Network
planning:•Collection of the input parameters like requirement of
capacity, coverage and quality •Pre planning is done (which
involves calculation of no. of BTS’s with the objective to obtain
maximum coverage at minimum cost.) •Site survey involves
selection of candidate sites based on feasibility study of
constructing by Civil engineers •Frequency allocation is done on the
basis of Cell to Cell channel to interference ratio(C/I) •Parameter
planning is done which involves channel configurations, power
control and network specific parameters •The final radio network
plan involves rest of the parameters like power budget calculations
and considering path loss calculations. Radio Network planning and
optimization: Optimization involves monitoring, verifying and
improving the performance of the radio network. •Study of methods
required for optimization: •Traffic estimation in terms of erlangs
•Configuration of Time slots of TRX •Calculation of frequency re use
factor •Application of suitable propagation model •Methods to
improve signal received by MS •Study of RRM ( Radio resource
management) •Study of KPI’s( Key performance parameters)
E1-E2 Consumer Mobility Rev date:17-03-11 P a g e3for Internal
Circulation OnlyTraffic in the network is given in terms of erlangs.
One erlang ( Erl) is defined as the amount of traffic generated by
the user when he or she uses one traffic channel for one
hour.Commonly used Erlang tables are Erlang B and Erlang
C.Erlang B assumes that if calls cannot go through then they get
dropped (i.e. no queuing possible). Erlang C considers that if a call
does not get through then it will wait in a queue. These tables give
information about the traffic generated by X No. of TRXs.Blocking
describes the situation when a user is trying to make a call and is
not able to reach a dialed subscriber owing to lack of resources.By
observing this parameter, resources will be enhanced.
Configuration of Time slots of TRX: Generally, two transceivers
(TRX) would have 15 TCH and one SCH (signalling channel).In a
single TRX, first TS is meant for signalling and rest of the TSs for
traffic. According to the requirement, TRX’s will be
configured.Calculation of frequency re use factor: •Frequency re-
use basically means how often a frequency can be re-used in the
network. If the average number of the transceivers and the total
number of frequencies are known, the frequency re-use factor can
be calculated. •Calculation of frequency re use factor:If there are 3
TRX that are used per base station and the total number of
frequencies available is 27.The total number of frequencies
available for re-use is 27/3 = 9 Application of suitable propagation
model By studying the radio propagation conditions at a given
place, either their own propagation models or any one of the
available existing available propagation model is used. Propagation
models:OKAmura-Hata model( for Macro Cell) and Walfish-ikegami
model( for Micro Cell). Study of methods required for optimisation
Power amplifiers are located near the transmission antennas while
the boosters are located near the base station. Diversity is the most
common way to improve the reception power of the receiving
antenna. Major diversity techniques are space diversity. frequency
diversity. and polarization diversity(In our field polarisation diversity
is being used)
E1-E2 Consumer Mobility Rev date:17-03-11 P a g e4for Internal
Circulation OnlyStudy of RRM: The management of radio resources,
functions related to mobile location update, communication
management issues such as handover and roaming procedure
handling, come under radio resource management (RRM). For
these management functions to happen, information flow (traffic
and signalling) takes place via three protocols, known as link
protocols .LAPDm is present over the MS-BTS connection and
LAPD over the BTS-BSC connection. MTP (message transfer
protocol) is used for signalling transport over the SS7 network.
Study of KPI’s(key performance indicators): Once a radio network is
designed and operational, its performance is monitored. The per-
formance is compared against chosen key performance indicators
(KPIs). After fine-tuning, the results (parameters) are then applied
to the network to get the desired performance. KPls can be
subdivided according to the areas of functioning, such as area level,
cell level (including the adjacent level), and TRX level.Area-level
KPls can include SDCCH requests, the dropped SDCCH total,
dropped SDCCH Abis failures, outgoing MSC control handover
(HO) attempts, outgoing BSC control HO attempts, intra-cell HO
attempts, etc. Drive Test: The testing process starts with selection
of the 'live' region of the network where the tests need to be
performed, and the drive testing path. Before starting the tests the
engineer should have the appropriate kits that include mobile
equipment (usually three mobiles), drive testing software (on a
laptop), and a GPS (global positioning system) unit. Procedure of
Drive Test: When the drive testing starts, two mobiles are used to
generate calls with a gap of few seconds (usually 15-20 s). The
third mobile is usually used for testing the coverage. It makes one
continuous call, and if this call drops it will attempt another call. The
purpose of this testing to collect enough samples at a reasonable
speed and in a reasonable time. If there are lots of dropped calls,
the problem is analysed to find a solution for it and to propose
changes. Optimisation solution : Moving antenna locations •Altering
antenna heights
E1-E2 Consumer Mobility Rev date:17-03-11 P a g e5for Internal
Circulation Only•Changing ARFCNs •Antenna orientation
adjustment •Rectifying the faults in the steps followed before
finalisation of Radio network planning. DRIVE TEST TOOL (TEMS
PRODUCTS) TEMS Optimization Solutions offers solutions to
problems associated with wireless network optimization.
Regardless of network technology, the TEMS Optimization
Solutions product family helps during every stage of the network life
cycle, making the network perform at the high level expected by the
subscribers. TEMS offers solutions for planning, development,
optimizing, troubleshooting and expanding mobile networks. TEMS
Optimization Solutions provides every tool needed in order to
maximize the Quality of Service and get the most out of the network
investment. Optimized networks also mean lower operational costs.
As the network evolves through their lifecycles and into new
technologies, TEMS products will support these changes. TEMS
products increase network quality by helping operators plan and
implement the best network configuration possible. They also
enable engineers to troubleshoot problems quickly. Further TEMS
products allow efficient monitoring, diagnosing and benchmarking in
order to make best use of available resources. The products’
interoperability makes it possible to share data between different
tools, further increasing the benefit of using TEMS products. TEMS
CELLPLANNER UNIVERSAL:TEMS Cell Planner Universal is
Ericsson ́s tool for mobile radio network planning. It is a highly
graphical, easy-to-use, PC-based tool for design, realization, and
optimization of mobile radio networks. TEMS CellPlanner Universal
helps the user to roll out and expand mobile radio networks, and
optimize radio network regarding service availability and service
quality. It assists the user in a number of complex tasks, including
network dimensioning, traffic planning, site configuration, and
frequency planning. TEMS CellPlanner Universal is the key to
successfully competing in the market place.TEMS CellPlanner
Universal provides support for WCDMA, GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM
1800, GSM 1900, iDEN, CDMA, CDMA2000 1xRTT, TDMA/AMPS,
NMT 450, NMT 900, TACS, and E-TACS. TEMS CellPlanner
Universal also provides support for GPRS and EGPRS (EDGE),
implemented in GSM system.