Troubleshooting Base Station And User Equipment Interactions In W-CDMA Networks

Summary
The increased capacity and performance of 3rd generation telecommunication systems has spawned a growing array of mobile user equipment (UE) for voice, data and multimedia traffic. The dependable interaction of UE/BTS equipment is a prerequisite for customer satisfaction and efficient mobile network system operation, so verification of performance is important. This application note describes 3GPP uplink and downlink signals on the W-CDMA radio interface and demonstrates how Tektronix Wireless Communication Analyzer provide clear and comprehensive insight into these complex systems in multiple domains simultaneously.

Field trials are needed to ensure reliable connections of the wide variety of UE devices and base stations in today's real-world environment. The connections consist of complex modulated RF signals that carry user voice and data traffic over the W-CDMA radio interface and perform a number of vital protocol functions for UE/BTS interaction. Signal quality and time correlations are essential to the establishment of reliable connections to the network. Even though a UE is carefully designed in accordance with 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications, slight differences in timing or power management can affect its ability to connect with different base stations.