A standard single-site field test starts before arriving on location. The route should be planned in advance and the test sites confirmed so the work can proceed efficiently once the team is in the field.
After reaching the site, the first step is to verify that the engineering parameters match the design. This includes checking whether the azimuth and downtilt are consistent with the plan, confirming the cell site ID, and making sure TAC and PCI are configured as expected. It is also necessary to check whether any cells have been connected incorrectly.
CQT service testing
Once the basic site information has been validated, CQT service testing can be carried out. The expected throughput targets are as follows:
-
FDD 900, 10 MHz bandwidth
Uplink peak: 22.5 Mbps, average: 20 Mbps
Downlink peak: 60 Mbps, average: 40 Mbps -
FDD 1800, 20 MHz bandwidth
Uplink peak: 45 Mbps, average: 40 Mbps
Downlink peak: 100 Mbps, average: 90 Mbps -
TDD, 10 MHz bandwidth
Uplink peak: 5 Mbps, average: 4 Mbps
Downlink peak: 40 Mbps, average: 30 Mbps -
TDD, 20 MHz bandwidth
Uplink peak: 8 Mbps, average: 7 Mbps
Downlink peak: 80 Mbps, average: 70 Mbps
On-site documentation
Photos should be taken on site and collected according to the required documentation standard.
Common issues found during testing
Overshooting coverage
If coverage extends too far beyond the intended area, the usual corrective actions are:
- Adjust the cell downtilt, either mechanical or electrical, typically in 2° steps
- Reduce cell transmit power
Weak coverage
When coverage is insufficient, possible adjustments include:
- Adjust the cell downtilt, mechanical or electrical, usually in 2° steps
- Reduce cell transmit power
- Adjust the cell azimuth, generally in 5° to 10° steps
Mod 3 interference
Typical handling methods include:
- Change the PCI
- Adjust azimuth
- Adjust downtilt
- Adjust power
Reversed cell connection
If a cell is found to be connected incorrectly, the issue should be reported to the project manager. The project manager then passes it to the engineering supervisor, who coordinates with the construction team for rectification. After the correction is completed, the site needs to be retested.
Poor handover performance
This should be reported to the network management team so that neighbor relations can be checked and the neighbor configuration can be confirmed as correct.