Troubleshooting guide for RSSI, RX level and

VSWR alarms.

Flexi Multiradio
 Items needed
Test phone with test software.
7/16 Torque wrench (25 Nm -18.5 ft-lb).
Laptop with latest BTS manager.
Dummy loads if available

Note: For detailed antenna system

troubleshooting sweep gear is needed.
(2G) RSSI Alarms
Understanding RSSI Values

BSS10063 Rx Antenna Supervision by Comparing RSSI

The purpose of Rx Antenna Supervision is to monitor the Rx antenna condition. Rx antennas can be monitored for major problems by
taking a long-term average of the difference between the Main Rx RSSI and the Div Rx RSSI.
The monitoring is based on the principle that all received bursts where the Rx level of main or diversity branch is above the defined limit
value (-100 dBm) are accepted as samples and used in the averaging process. A minimum of 160000 samples in one hour must be
collected for the BTS to assume that the results are reliable and therefore could be used to raise an alarm.
The differences of the TRXs connected to the same antennas are counted up, and the average difference for main and diversity antennas
is calculated. If the difference is above the threshold (default value 10 dB), and the number of samples indicate that the results should
be reliable, an alarm is activated. The threshold default value of 10 dB can be changed by a parameter at the BSC between 3 and 64.
The functionality of the feature can be disabled.
It is still possible that both antennas are damaged simultaneously and the samples from both antennas remain below -100 dBm limit
value. Therefore, the difference algorithm cannot detect the fault. For this reason, the BSC also observes the assignment and handover
success rate.
Settable RSSI sample limit
The number of received signal strength indicator (RSSI) samples, needed for a valid RSSI calculation, can be configured using the Element
Manager according to the traffic density. The RSSI sample can be configured to values: 80000, 160000 (default), 350000 and 750000.
The value 80000 is preferred when the BTS is located in a rural area and when the traffic density is low. The values 350000 or 750000
are preferred when the BTS is located in an urban area and has high capacity utilization. In areas with intermediate traffic density it is
preferred to use the default value 160000.
The RSSI sample value may also be configured during the commissioning phase.
Alarm Start and Cancel
The BTS estimates the number of samples it would receive for high/medium traffic profiles by setting an internal threshold value, which is
a multiple of the user defined RSSI sample count. This value is an internal value and is not visible to the user.
The RSSI alarm is raised when:
In the first hour, the received sample count is greater than the internal threshold and the RSSI alarm conditions are valid.
In the first hour the received sample count is greater than the user configured RSSI sample threshold, but less than the internal RSSI
alarm threshold. Then, the BTS software waits for the next hour to determine whether the RSSI alarm is to be raised.
In the consecutive second hour the received sample count is greater than the internal RSSI alarm threshold or the user configured RSSI
sample threshold and the RSSI alarm conditions are valid. If the user configurable sample count is changed during this hour then the
monitoring is reset and the process restarts from the first hour.
The alarm is cancelled automatically in the next hour if the sample count is greater than the user configured sample count and the alarm
condition has been cleared.
How the RSSI values are calculate
Depending on how the sample count is set in BTS manager will determine how
many samples are
needed for the calculation . For example 160000 valid sample readings for
each TRX in a
sector. (This equates to about 2.4% usage over the 1 hour period). One sample
equals one TDMA
frame and one TDMA frame is 4.615ms.
Therefore, one continuous call for one hour will generate 780,065 samples.
(12.3minutes). This means that 1TSL needs to be active for a total of
12.3minutes.
Real world situations normally have more time slots (TSL) active. If all 8 TSL
are being
used each TSL only needs to be active for 115.4 seconds to trigger the
feature. This
approximately equals to 2.4% usage of the TRX. The system still needs the
complete 1
hour testing period before the RSSI Values are calculated and displayed.
Check RSSI from BTS
manager
Troubleshooting RSSI Related
Alarms:

1. Determine the faulty sector by checking RSSI values in BTS

manager. Any difference greater than 10 should be checked.
2. Swap the main and diversity line at the RF module. Be sure the
connectors are properly torque (25 Nm / 18.5 ft-lb) after the swap.
An alternative to swapping the main and diversity lines could be
to use dummy loads if available. Matching dummy loads should be
used. Lastly if both lines are suspected to be faulty a sector swap
can be completed during the maintenance window. RESET the
module after the swap then monitor!!
3. The sample value can be changed to the lowest value 80000 so
that less test calls are needed to generate the alarm. Note: Once
troubleshooting is complete the value should be changed back to
correct value. 160000 for rural area and 750000 for urban area.
4. Perform test calls. Note: you will need a test phone so that you
can verify you are camping on the correct sector. Make the
needed test calls based on the sample rate that is set in the BTS.
NOTE: For RSSI sample to generate traffic is needed. Perform test
calls as needed.
5. If the issue follows the antenna line then additional antenna
system troubleshooting is needed. (sweeps!) If the fault stays on
 Fault Example
The weakest signal (Ant 2 -119) should be
investigated. If after swapping the antenna line and
the -119 moves to antenna one the antenna system
should be checked. If the issue stays on antenna 2
(port 2) then the RF module should be replaced.
NED Product documentation
 (3G)Rx levels differ too
much
between main and diversity
antennas

Flexi Multiradio Troubleshooting Guide

Understanding RX level Alarms

RAN119: Antenna Alarm with Receiver Signal Comparison

This feature is used for monitoring the performance of the antenna

line. The antenna alarm gives information to the operator if, for
example, an antenna is broken.
By comparing the signal levels in both receiver antennas, an alarm
is raised if there is > 7 dB difference in the received wideband
noise between the main and diversity branches. If both main and
diversity branches are under -112 dBm, a cell fault and an alarm is
raised for both branches.

BTS RX level output is prx noise when site has no calls, below is the description from NED.
Uplink noise (also known as system noise) is the sum of all stationary noise, not just thermal noise. It is very
important that the uplink noise is estimated accurately, as it has a direct effect on the capacity of the cell in
question. Uplink noise can either be set to a fixed value at the radio network planning stage, or allowed to
fluctuate according to the current conditions, with the help of an autotuning algorithm. The autotuning algorithm
of Uplink noise level (PrxNoise) can be switched on or off on a cell-by-cell basis using the management
parameter PrxNoise autotuning allowed (PrxNoiseAutotuning).
Naturally, the uplink noise level can only be measured when the cell is unloaded, or under a very low load.
Therefore, the updating of uplink noise is dependent on PrxUnloaded measurements. When the cell is unloaded,
PrxTotal is the same as PrxUnloaded. The cell is considered to be unloaded when the following conditions
controlled with a PRFILE parameter are met:
 NED Product documentation information
Fault name
Rx signal level failure

Meaning
The RX signal level is less than -112dBm or the difference between the maximum and minimum power levels of all RX
antennas in the same cell and sector is more than the limit (Flexi 7dB).

Cell capacity is decreased.

Reported alarms
7654 CELL OPERATION DEGRADED

LED display
Blinking red (7654)

Instructions
Check BTS Site Manager for the received signal levels to find out which RX is causing the problem. 2. If an MHA is
alarming, replace the MHA unit and check if the RX signal level failure alarm is canceled. 3. Check the antenna cables.
The radio module, antenna feeder, or antenna is faulty on the antenna line which has the inadequate RX level. Check
and replace the faulty equipment. Note: The RX value in BTS Site Manager is refreshed at one minute intervals.
Checks from BTS manager
Troubleshooting RX level Alarms:

1. Determine the faulty sector by checking RX levels from BTS

manager. Any difference greater than 7dB or any line lower than
-112dBm should be checked.
2. Swap the main and diversity line at the RF module. Be sure the
connectors are properly torque (25 Nm / 18.5 ft-lb) after the swap.
An alternative to swapping the main and diversity lines could be
to use dummy loads if available. Matching dummy loads should be
used. Lastly if both lines are suspected to be faulty a sector swap
can be completed during the maintenance window. RESET the RF
module after the swap then monitor!!
3. After the swap recheck the level from BTS Manager.
4. If the issue follows the antenna line then additional antenna
system troubleshooting is needed.