GSM Voice Quality Influence Factors Troubleshooting Methods and Tools Deliverables

Security Level:
2015/1/6
GSM Voice Quality:

Influence factors + Troubleshooting Methods and
Tools + Deliverables
Prepared by: Dong Xuan, Yang Chunjie

Reviewed by: Qi Haofeng
www.huawei.com
July 30, 2010
HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
Huawei Confidential
Abstract:
This document mainly discusses the main factors that affect the voice quality of
a GSM network, principles of improving the functions related to voice quality,
and suggested values of some key parameters. In addition, this document lists
the deliverables (see the attachments on page 33) that field engineers should
submit when reporting voice quality problems or evaluating the voice quality,
including drive test information, counter information, and guides to related
tools (see the operation guide). This document aims to quickly locate and solve
voice quality problems and to evaluate the voice quality and prevent voice
quality problems based on the collected information about the existing network.
R&D Support
For voice quality problems, we can provide trainings and 7x24 hour technical support.
List of R&D support engineers
Name
ID
Phone
Dong Xuan
103945
See the phone book.
Yang Chunjie
119951
See the phone book.
Huawei Confidential
Page 3
Contents
Statistics and Analysis of Factors Affecting the
Mean Opinion Score (MOS)

Voice-Related Key Parameters:
Quality Parameters
Coding Scheme Parameters
Handover Parameters
Statistics and Analysis of Factors Affecting the MOS

Voice
Voicequality
quality
Directly-related
Directly-related
factors
factors
Coding
Coding
schemes
schemes
drop
Calldrop
Call
Engineering
Engineering
network
network
optimization
optimization
Algorithms
Algorithms
Interference
Interference
Voice
Voice
version
version
DD VV
TT AA
XX DD
HO
HO
Frequent
FrequentHOs,
HOs,
PingPong
PingPongHOs,
HOs,
and
andunreasonable
unreasonable
HOs
HOs
CoBCCH Resident
CoBCCH Resident
Strategy
Strategy
HO Optimization Packet
HO Optimization Packet
Frame Theft of Physical
Frame Theft of Physical
Messages
Messages
Too Small HO Hysteresis
Too Small HO Hysteresis
Inappropriate
Inappropriate
Neighboring Cell
Neighboring Cell
Too low PN Rule
Too low PN Rule
Discarded Packets
Discarded Packets
Compensation
Compensation
Long Call Drop Timer
Long Call Drop Timer
TOP Optimization
TOP Optimization
3.5-Generation Power
3.5-Generation Power
Control
Control
Anti-Interference solution
Anti-Interference solution
Intermodulation
Intermodulation
Interference Quick
Interference Quick
Troubleshooter
Troubleshooter
Threshold Self-Adaptive
Threshold Self-Adaptive
Rate adjust Threshold

Rate adjust Threshold
Air Interface Quality
Air Interface Quality
Traffic
Traffic
Traffic Busy Threshold
F2H HO Threshold
F2H HO Threshold
Parameters,
Parameters,
algorithms,
algorithms,and
and
optimizing
optimizing
strategies
strategies
High/low
High/low
rate
codingrate
coding
Full/half
Full/half
rate
rate
IndirectlyIndirectlyrelated
relatedfactors
factors
Bit
Biterror
error(frame
(frame
erasure)
erasure)
The
Thechannel
channelisisnormal.
normal.
Huawei Confidential
The voice quality is mainly related

to three factors: coding scheme, bit
error, and handover (HO). The
coding factor benefits the voice
quality. The bit error and handover
factors, however, damage the voice
quality.
To optimize the voice quality, you
need to select reasonable coding
schemes and reduce the effect of
the bit error rate (BER) and
handovers on the voice quality.
The prerequisite is that the channel
is normal.
The methods for improving the call
drop rate and handover success
rate usually damage the voice
quality and the experience of
subscribers. Therefore, strategies
that optimize the voice quality may
affect the call drop rate and
handover success rate.
Page 5
Feedback Information About Counter Data Related to

Voice Problems
Good voice quality firstly depends on good network quality. The quality of the entire network,
however, should be evaluated by counters. For details, see the following table.
For more detailed feedback information, see the attachment Voice Data Feedback Checklist.
Huawei Confidential
Page 6
Feedback Information About Drive Test Data Related to Voice

Problems
Voice services are
key services in a
GSM network. The
quality of voice
services is
determined by many
factors. To report
MOS problems or
voice problems, you
need to report all
factors related to
voice during the
drive test.
Huawei Confidential
Page 7
Typical Case 1:
In a site, it is required that the average value of MS-MS MOS should be
greater than 3.50 according to the drive test result of the entire network after the
migration. The value, however, is only 3.35 according to the drive test result.
Therefore, the value of MOS fails to reach the standard.
According to the statistics and analysis of the drive test information, the ratio of half rate channels
reaches 75%. This is the main factor that affects the overall MOS. The details are as follows:
Through parameter configuration and counter

analysis, it is discovered that the problem is
caused by that the values of TCH Traffic Busy
Threshold of many cells are set to be too
small (30%). After adjusting the values of this
parameter and performing another drive test,
the ratio of occupied half rate channels is
reduced to 47% and the value of MOS
reaches 3.52, which exceeds the acceptance
standard.
Huawei Confidential
Page 8
Typical Case 2:
In a site, it is required that more than 95% MS-PSTN MOS values should be greater than 2.7 in the
drive test of the entire network after the migration. According to the drive test result, only 90% MS-PSTN
MOS values are greater than 2.7. Therefore, the MOS value fails to reach the standard.
A: According to the analysis, no known voice problem exists in the BSS after the migration. The reason that the
MOS value of the existing network fails to reach the standard is that the quality over the air interface is low,
many handovers occur, and the ratio of half rate channels is high.
B. After optimizing the concentric handover parameters, adjusting the Assign Optimum Layer and the Pref.
Subcell in HO of Intra-BSC parameters and their thresholds, and optimizing the number of handovers
reasonably, the ratio between traffic and number of successful handovers rises from 68.4 to 71.9. In addition,
the ratio between number of MOS values and number of handovers in the drive test rises from 1.86 to 2.76.
Therefore, the ratio of MOS values that are grater than 2.7 of the entire network rises about 4%.
C. After optimizing cells one by one and expanding the capacity of busy cells, the ratio of half rate channels in the
test is reduced from 46% to about 35% . This improves the overall MOS.
D. After optimizing problem sites one by one and take optimization measures at a low carrier-to-interference ratio,
the ratio of air interfaces whose quality is at level 0 to level 4 rises 2%.
After taking a series of optimization measures, the MOS value in the drive test is improved obviously. The ratio of
MOS values that are greater than 2.7 rises about 10% and reaches over 95%.
Huawei Confidential
Page 9
Contents
Statistics and Analysis of Factors Affecting the
MOS
Voice-Related Key Parameters
Quality Parameters
Handover Parameters
Huawei Confidential
Page 10
Quality Parameters
Parameters related to improving the voice quality at a low carrier-to-interference ratio
Parameters related to user experience
Parameters related to power control
Other quality-related parameters
Speech versions
Parameters related to VQE
Parameters related to channel allocation
Handover Parameters
Handover-related parameters
Huawei Confidential
Page 11
Voice-Related Key Parameters Summary of Quality

Parameters
Huawei Confidential
Page 12
Quality Parameters: Parameters Related to Improving the

Voice Quality at a Low C/I
Description of the Function of AMR Error Frame Filter:
This function mainly improves the decoding capability of the BTS at a low
C/I. This function improves the voice quality by adopting different filter
algorithms for different speech versions and coding schemes.
Suggested Parameter Settings:
BTS software parameter 53: 231.
Description of the Function of C/I Filter
This function improves the estimation precision of the C/I and thus
improving the voice quality by adopting the most suitable speech coding
schemes.
BTS software parameter 53: 231.
Huawei Confidential
Page 13
Quality Parameters: Parameters Related to Improving

the Voice Quality at a Low C/I
Description of the Function of Co-Channel and Adjacent-Channel Filter:
It is recommended to set a narrow (180 k) filter in the neighboring frequency interference scenario
and a broad (260 k) filter in the co-channel interference scenario. This function improves the
capability of the BTS in suppressing adjacent-channel and co-channel interference signals

and the decoding performance of the BTS.
BTS software parameter 53: 231 in the co-channel interference scenario, 39 in the
adjacent-channel interference scenario, and 103 in other scenarios.
Description of the Enhanced Interference Cancellation Combining (EICC) Function:
Among signals received by dual antennas, the interference is related to both the
space (between antennas) and the time. The EICC function considers both the
relation between interference and space and the relation between interference
and time. In this way, it suppresses interference more effectively and improves
the voice quality.

STIRC Allowed: Yes when serious interference exists.
Huawei Confidential
Page 14
Quality Parameters: User Experience-Related Parameters

VQE: mainly includes four sub-features, such as AEC, ALC, ANR, and ANC.
Description of the Acoustic Echo Cancellation (AEC) Function
This function cancels the acoustic echo generated during the call. It determines
whether the signals input by the local and remote ends are echo to the local end. If
the signals received by the local end are echo from the remote end, this function
attenuates the echo and replaces the echo with comfortable noise. If the signals
received by the local end are voice of the speaker, this function keeps the voice
unchanged.
Huawei Confidential
Page 15

Description of the Adaptive Level Control (ALC) Function:
This function controls the level automatically. It evaluates the voice level of the input signals and controls
the gain of the input signals. Specifically, it adjusts the outputvoice signals to the target level and ensures
that the level of the signals is stable and the signals can be understood. Thus, the hearer thinks that the
volume is proper and has a good experience to the voice.
Description of the Adaptive Noise Reduction (ANR) Function:

This function is mainly used to reduce the background noise in the voice without damaging the voice. In
this way, it makes the voice acceptable to
the hearer.
Huawei Confidential
Page 16

Description of the Automatic Noise Compensation (ANC) Function:
This function compensates the noise automatically. It evaluates the level of
the background noise at the local end and the voice level at the remote end.
When the background nose at the local end is great, this function turns up
the volume of the voice input by the remote end. This improves the signal-tonoise ratio between the voice at the remote end and the background noise at
the local end. Therefore, the hearer at the local end can hear the voice of the
speaker at the remote end clearly.
Huawei Confidential
Page 17
Quality Parameters: Parameters Related to Power Control
Parameters Related to Power Control:
III Power Control Algorithm Switch
III Power Control Optimization Algorithm Switch
Basic Principle:
Power control: When the uplink and downlink signals are strong, reduce the
uplink and downlink transmitting power to reduce the interference of the entire
network.
Remarks: The principle of 3.5-generation power control algorithm is advanced in

the industry. This algorithm implements power control based on the quality.
Currently, 3.5-generation power control algorithm is widely promoted globally. It

is required to enable both III power control algorithm switch and III power control
optimization algorithm switch. The 3rd-generation power control algorithm,
however, is not recommended.
Huawei Confidential
Page 18
Quality Parameters: Other Related Parameters
Description of the Counter Function:
Radio Link Timeout: This counter defines the time of radio ink connection failure for downlink links. The criterion is
that whether the SACCH measurement report can be correctly decoded.
SACCH Multi-Frames: This counter defines the time of radio link connection failure for uplink links. The criterion is
that whether the SACCH measurement report can be correctly decoded.
TC CRC Check:
According to GSM specifications, the BSC performs CRC check for each uplink data (TRAU frame) from the BTS.
If the TRAU frame fails to pass the CRC check, the BSC regards it as an invalid frame and smoothens it. This
avoids the noise caused by parameter transmission errors and improves the voice quality.
TC CRC Allowed: ON
Huawei Confidential
Page 19
Quality Parameters
Speech versions
Handover Parameters
Huawei Confidential
Page 20
Voice-Related Key Parameters Summary of Coding Scheme

Parameters
Huawei Confidential
Page 21
Coding Scheme Parameters: Speech Versions

Due to coding differences, different speech versions have different voice quality MOS values. The
following table lists the MOS values at different encoding rates and at different C/Is. Overall, the
MOS in FAMR is greater than that in EFR, the MOS in EFR is greater than that in HAMR, the MOS
in EFR is greater than that in FR, and the MOS in FR is greater than that in HR.
Huawei Confidential
Page 22
Coding Scheme Parameters: Speech Versions

The key idea of speech version 3 (AMR) is
achieving the best balance between the
voice quality and system capacity by
continuously adjusting the uplink and
downlink voice coding schemes according
to the quality changes of the uplink and
downlink signals on the GSM air interface.
For the recommended settings of AMR
parameters, see the table on the right.
Note: A bad quality cell indicates a cell where
over 5% of the uplink and downlink receiving

qualities are at levels 5, 6, and 7 according to
the counters or a cell where over 5%
interference bands are interference band 4 and
interference band 5 according to the
interference band statistics.
Huawei Confidential
Page 23
Coding Scheme Parameters: Parameters

Related to VQE
Description of the Tandem Free Operation (TFO) Function:
During an MS-MS call, this function reduces one voice coding/decoding session. This
reduces the effect of voice coding on the voice quality and thus improves the voice
quality.
TFO Switch: Enable (it is recommended to set this parameter to enable in the
versions listed in the following table and to disable in other versions. Setting this
parameter to Enable needs the support of the license.)
Measure Link Delay Switch: Disable
Support TFO Codec Optimize: No
Is RATSCCH Function Enabled: Disable
Huawei Confidential
Page 24
Coding Scheme Parameters: Parameters Related to

Enhancement of Voice Quality
Description of the Enhance Packet Loss Concealment (EPLC) Function:
If packet loss occurs during the transmission of voice packets in the network, the voice quality may drop sharply.
This function ensures that the sound effect after the decoding is similar to that before the decoding by hiding
and reducing the effect of packet loss on the voice quality when decoding the received voice packets.
EPLC Switch: Off
Description of the AMR Adaptive Threshold Function:
This function reduces the effect of incorrect estimation of the C/I or changes of the channel conditions with time on
the AMR performance. You do not need to estimate the value of this parameter. The value of this parameter at
various rates are adjusted automatically according to the fluctuation of the C/I. In this way, the AMR
performance will not be affected by incorrect estimation of the C/I or by changes of the channel conditions with
time.
AMR Uplink Adaptive Threshold Allowed: Yes
AMR Downlink Adaptive Threshold Allowed: No
Huawei Confidential
Page 25

Related to VQE
Description of the Mute Detection Function:
In the TDM scenario, you can set the Mute Detect Class1 Switch parameter to flexibly adjust the detection
conditions and to increase the chance of detecting mute. Then, you can configure the Detect Class2 Switch
parameter to confirm the mutes detected by Mute Detect Class1 Switch to improve the correctness of the mute
report. This function provides additional information for locating problems, preliminarily determines the problem
devices, and narrows the scope of problem devices.
Huawei Confidential
Page 26

Related to VQE
Description of the Voice Quality Index (VQI) Function
This algorithm evaluates the voice quality through parameters that calculate the radio transmission quality over the
air interface. The value of VQI is calculated after the air interface link parameters are measured. The value of
VQI can correctly reflect the end-to-end quality of voice calls. Thus, the network operator can monitor the voice
quality of the network in real time without knowing the experience of end users.
Report Speech Quality: Report

Report Downlink VQI Allowed: Disable
Description of the Transcoder Free Operation (TrFO) Function
This function prevents the TC from processing voice signals when a voice or multimedia call is established in the A
over IP scenario. As the TC does not exist in physical links for transmitting voice signals when the TrFO
function is enabled, this function reduces the damages to the voice quality by the TC and improves the voice
quality.

This function is defined in 3GPP R4 and needs the support of CN equipment.
Huawei Confidential
Page 27
Coding Scheme Parameters: Parameters Related to

Channel Allocation
Parameters Related to Channel Allocation:
Basic Principles:
Channel Allocate Strategy

Tch Traffic Busy Overlay/Underlay Threshold
The channel allocation strategy helps to allocate high-quality channels and to improve the voice quality.
A full-rate channel is better than a half-rate channel in improving the voice quality. Therefore, increasing
the ratio of full-rate channels helps to improve the overall MOS.
Note: When allocating channels, be sure to consider whether congestion exists in the cell. If no
congestion exists, you can set the traffic busy threshold to a greater value.
Channel Allocate Strategy : Quality preferred

Traffic Busy Threshold: 60
Tch Traffic Busy Overlay Threshold: 70
Tch Traffic Busy Underlay Threshold: 60
Huawei Confidential
Page 28
Quality Parameters
Speech versions
Handover Parameters
Huawei Confidential
Page 29
Voice-Related Key Parameters Summary of Handover

Parameters
Huawei Confidential
Page 30
Handover Parameters: Handover-Related Parameters
Handover-Related Parameters:
HO Algorithm Selection Switch
PN Rule of PBGT
Timer for UL Data Forward
Basic Principle
When other KPIs are not affected, it is recommended to increase the PN of

PBGT handover and to delay triggering a handover. This improves the voice
quality.
Uplink data smooth timer: This timer delays releasing old channels and thus
reduce the number of lost frames during the handover.
HO Algorithm Selection Switch: HO I Algorithm
PBGT Valid Time (s): 5; PBGT Watch time (s): 4
Timer for UL Data Forward (ms): 180
Huawei Confidential
Page 31
Handover Parameters: Handover-Related Parameters

Description of the Intracell F-H HO Function:
For AMR calls, it is allowed to perform AMR full/half rate handover according to the C/I value of the current call.
When the C/I value is great, you can switch full rate to half rate to increase the traffic capacity. When the C/I
value is small, you can switch half rate to full rate to improve the experience of subscribers.
Intracell F-H HO Allowed: Yes
TCH F-H Threshold: 20
Intracell F-H HO Stat. Time (s): 5
Intracell F-H HO Last Time (s): 4
Description of the CoBCCH Access Strategy Function:

To reduce unnecessary handovers between the UL and OL in a concentric cell and to avoid the damage to voice
caused by unnecessary handovers, you need to reasonably set the Assign Optimum Layer and Pref. Subcell in
HO of Intra-BSC parameters.
Assign Optimum Layer: System optimization
Subcell in HO of Intra-BSC : System optimization
Incoming-to-BSC HO Optimum Layer: Underlaid subcell
Huawei Confidential
Page 32
Thank you
www.huawei.com

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Security Level:

GSM Voice Quality:

Prepared by: Dong Xuan, Yang Chunjie

July 30, 2010

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

List of R&D support engineers

See the phone book.

See the phone book.

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

Mean Opinion Score (MOS)

Coding Scheme Parameters

Statistics and Analysis of Factors Affecting the MOS

Rate adjust Threshold

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

The voice quality is mainly related

Feedback Information About Counter Data Related to

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

Feedback Information About Drive Test Data Related to Voice

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

Through parameter configuration and counter

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

Statistics and Analysis of Factors Affecting the

Voice-Related Key Parameters

Coding Scheme Parameters

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

Voice-Related Key Parameters:

Parameters related to improving the voice quality at a low carrier-to-interference ratio

Parameters related to user experience

Parameters related to power control

Other quality-related parameters

Coding Scheme Parameters

Parameters related to VQE

Parameters related to channel allocation

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

Voice-Related Key Parameters Summary of Quality

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

Quality Parameters: Parameters Related to Improving the

Description of the Function of AMR Error Frame Filter:

Suggested Parameter Settings:

BTS software parameter 53: 231.

Description of the Function of C/I Filter

Suggested Parameter Settings:

BTS software parameter 53: 231.

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

Quality Parameters: Parameters Related to Improving

Description of the Function of Co-Channel and Adjacent-Channel Filter:

capability of the BTS in suppressing adjacent-channel and co-channel interference signals

Description of the Enhanced Interference Cancellation Combining (EICC) Function:

the voice quality.

STIRC Allowed: Yes when serious interference exists.

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

Quality Parameters: User Experience-Related Parameters

Suggested Parameter Settings:

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

Quality Parameters: User Experience-Related Parameters

Suggested Parameter Settings:

Description of the Adaptive Noise Reduction (ANR) Function:

Suggested Parameter Settings:

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

Quality Parameters: User Experience-Related Parameters

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.

Quality Parameters: Parameters Related to Power Control

Parameters Related to Power Control: