RF Drive Test (Testing) Engr. Mehran Mamonai

Introduction Every good RF design, after its implantation should be evaluated. There are few ways to do this – Analysis of KPI (Key Performance Indicator) – Prediction tools and signal interference – Conducting a Drive Test

What is RF Drive Test (Testing)? As the name suggests: Take a drive and test The Drive Test is a test performed in cellular networks regardless of technology (GSM, CDMA, UMTS, LTE, etc. Means collecting data on vehicle movement Its variation is Walk Test i.e, collect data by walking areas of interest.

Analysis of KPI's we can identify problems such as dropped calls, among others, The drive tests allow a deeper analysis in field. Identifying areas of each sector of coverage, interference, evaluation of network changes and various other parameters

The Analysis Of Drive Test Comprising two phases: Data collection Data analysis

What is a Drive Test? the procedure to perform a test while driving. The vehicle does not really matter, (car, motorcycle or bicycle) What matters is the hardware and software used in the test

Hardware Equipment Required A Notebook (other similar device) Data collecting Software (installed) A Security Key Dongle – (common to these types of software) One Mobile Phone One GPS and RF Scanner (optional)

A Notebook A laptop, also called a notebook, is a personal computer for mobile use. A laptop integrates most of the typical components of a desktop computer,

Data collecting Software

Software protection dongle A software protection dongle is a small piece of hardware that connects to a laptop, desktop or server computer. dongles mostly appear as two-interface security tokens with transient data flow and a pull communication that reads security data from the dongle. Without the dongle, the software may run only in a restricted mode. _

Mobile Phone

GPS

RF Scanner

Must Devices The minimum required to conduct a drive test, simplifying, is a mobile device with a software to collect data and a GPS. Currently, there are already cell phones that do everything. They have a GPS, as well as a collection of specific software. They are very practical, but are still quite expensive. Data from all units are grouped by collection software and stored in one or more output files

Drive Test Routes Indicate where testing will occur A program of a lot of help in this area is Google Earth. A good practice is to trace the route on the same using the easy paths or polygons. The final image can then be brought to the driver. Check traffic conditions. Avoid running the same roads multiple times.

Drive Test Schedule The test can be performed at different times - day or night. Day: – Shows the actual condition of the network, especially in relation to loading aspect of it. – Performance Analysis and also Maintenance Night: – Allows you to make tests on transmitters without affecting most users. – System Design such as New Site Installation

Types of Drive Test The main types of Drive Test are : – Performance Analysis – Integration of New Sites and change parameters of Existing Sites – Marketing – Benchmarking

Performance Analysis Tests for Analysis Performance is the most common, and usually made into clusters (grouping of cells), i.e., an area with some sites of interest. They can also be performed in specific situations, as to answer a customer complaint.

Integration of New or Existing Sites In integration testing of new sites, it is recommended to perform two tests: one with the site without handover permission - not being able to handover to another site - thus obtaining a total visualization of the coverage area. The other, later, with normal handover, which is the final state of the site. Depending on the type of alteration of the site (if any change in EIRP) both tests are also recommended. Otherwise, just perform the normal test.

Marketing Marketing tests are usually requested by the marketing area of the company, for example showing the coverage along a highway, or at a specific region/location.

Benchmarking Benchmarking tests aims to compare the competing networks. If the result is better, can be used as an argument for new sales. If worse, it shows the points where the network should be improved.

Data Collecting Flawless To avoid, always make a checklist before starting the Drive Test. It is very frustrating to run a route, and only in order to realize that the data were not collected properly. So before you start, – The connections should be tight and will not drop with vehicle movements, – Make sure that all equipment is properly energized. – Also make sure the equipment is tied, – maintain a distance of at least a foot between each antenna

Annotations Always make notes. Information related to the test should be recorded for future aid in the analysis.

And what is collected? A typical file size of Drive Test is from 30 minutes to an hour. Do not open or use other programs when you are collecting data only when strictly necessary. A typical Drive Test uses two phones. – One mobile performing calls (CALL) for a specific number. – the other, in free or IDLE mode, ie connected, but not on call The calls test (CALL) can be of two types: – long duration – short duration (180 sec)

Typical example of data output is shown below.

Hunter GE Drive Test tool

Conclusion One advantage of working with the data this way is that no matter how they were collected. if a team has run half the route and another team of drive test shot the rest, we can plot the data from our network on a single desktop. – The generic geo-referenced analyzing softwares enters, such as Mapinfo and Google Earth. – Since they are more familiar to most professionals Today we had an overview of Drive Test, with the goal of maximizing Quality, Capacity and Coverage in the Network.