David Gundlegrd & Sara Modarres Razavi LiTH KTS

2011

Lab Exercise 1: TNK093 Mobile Communication

Exploring Cellular Networks using Ericsson TEMS Investigation
Preparation:

Introduction
Ericsson TEMS Investigation is a state-of-the-art tool when it comes to cellular network testing and troubleshooting. It is frequently used by network planners, network developers and researchers in order to get detailed information about the network performance. There are hundreds of possible functions to explore in TEMS Investigation, however, in this course we will start by getting familiar with the program and hopefully obtain a better understanding of cellular network design and characteristics. In the lab you will explore trace files from the GSM and UMTS networks. The trace files are collected by a Sony-Ericsson Z750i and a GPS receiver. The lab is divided into two parts; the first part relates to general information about the different networks and the second part focuses on network signaling.

Open logfile

Signaling Map

Figure 1: Data collection page in TEMS.

Opening and viewing the logfiles First, open the logfile, then press the play button and let the logfile finish. Expand the Presentation and Positioning folders to the left and double-click on the map icon in order to show the logged events on the map (Figure 1).

David Gundlegrd & Sara Modarres Razavi LiTH KTS

2011

Start by looking at the logfiles GSM_speech.log, UMTS_speech.log. If you click in the WCDMA/GSM Line Chart window, you can choose where in the file you want to look (use the arrow keys to move around). Expand the Signaling folder to the left, double-click on Layer 3 Messages and have a brief look at the signalling messages that are sent.

General
Look at the GSM_speech.log:
1.1 Where is the location where the logfile is taken from? 1.2 What happens in the logfile in terms of phone calls, SMS, updates, etc.? 1.3 What is the Mobile Country Code? 1.4 What is the Mobile Network Code? 1.5 What is the Location Area Code? 1.6 What is the Cell ID that is used when the MS is first connected to the network? 1.7 What is the RF channel number (ARFCN) that is used when the MS is first connected to the network? 1.8 Does the RF channel number change during the connection? 1.9 What frequency band is used? 1.10 Does it change during the connections?

Look at the UMTS_speech.log:

2.1 Where is the location where the logfile is taken from? 2.2 What happens in the logfile in terms of phone calls, SMS, updates, etc.? 2.3 What is the Mobile Country Code? 2.4 What is the Mobile Network Code? 2.5 What is the Location Area Code? 2.6 What is the Cell ID that is used when the MS is first connected to the network? 2.7 What is the RF channel number (ARFCN) that is used when the MS is first connected to the network? 2.8 Does the RF channel number change during the connection? 2.9 What frequency band is used? 2.10 Does it change during the connections? (Hint: use Google to solve the question)

In the Templates folder to the left, double click the Line Chart Template. Right click in the window and Properties to edit Chart 1. In this dialogue box you can add the information elements that you want to plot in the line chart diagram. This plot function can be used to solve coming lab exercises. In this case choose the information elements MS Tx-Power and TA.
3.1 Are these two variables correlated in theory? 3.2 Can you identify any correlation between them? 3.3 How would you explain that?

Network Signaling
Open and run the GSM_speech.log file again and switch to the signalling window using the lower signaling button (next to the overview button).
4.1 Determine the P-TMSI/TMSI- number of the cell phone.

Look at the broadcast messages sent by the base station.

5.1 What is the Cell ID? 5.2 What is the LA update RxLev hysteresis? 5.3 What is the purpose of the LA update RxLev hysteresis?

David Gundlegrd & Sara Modarres Razavi LiTH KTS

2011

The cell neighbour lists are sent by the BTS in the messages System Information Type 5 (GSM 900) and System Information Type 5ter (GSM 1800).
6.1 Determine the number of neighbours that are broadcast by the base station. 6.2 Determine the number of neighbours that the MS typically sends reports about. (Hint: Look at a number of Measurement Report messages) 6.3 Find the messages related to an LA update? 6.4 Describe the purpose of the channel request and immediate assignment messages. 6.5 What logical channels are used for those messages?

Look at the SMS.log:

7.1 Where is the location where the logfile is taken from? 7.2 What happens in the logfile in terms of phone calls, SMS, updates, etc.? 7.3 Are there any paging messages sent to our cell phone? 7.4 Are there any paging messages sent to other cell phones? 7.5 Are these cell phones necessarily in the same cell? 7.6 How does the cell phone distinguish which messages that it should respond to? 7.7 Can you find the text that is sent in the SMS messages? 7.8 Are there any measurement reports sent during the SMS reception? 7.9 In that case, which logical channel is used? 7.10 Is there any other SMS in the logfile?