FAKULTI TEKNOLOGI KEJURUTERAAN

UNIVERSITITEKNIKALMALAYSIAMELAKA

MOBILE COMMUNICATION

BEET 4813 SEMESTER 1 SESI 2019/2020

LAB 5 : 3G CHANNEL SCAN WITH PORTABLE

SPECTRUM ANALYZER

NAME OF GROUP 1.
MEMBERS &
MATRIX NUMBER
2.

3.

COURSE

DATE

NAME OF INSTRUCTOR 1. DR. ADAM WONG

2. DR. A K M ZAKIR HOSSAIN

EXAMINER’S COMMENT VERIFICATION STAMP

TOTAL MARKS
 JTKEK/ BEET 4813

OVERVIEW

Channel scanner allows users to make multiple channel power measurements simultaneously. It is
used to verify wireless network coverage, path loss and potential interference issues. It also can be
used to measure primary carriers and their inter-modulated products. Each instrument state can be
a custom set of frequencies with each frequency having a unique integrating bandwidth. Users can
record and playback the data with data logging. Using time interval logging along with geotagging,
files can be exported to Google Earth for network coverage analysis and signal hunting.

This lab will measure the local 3G Downlink Channels. The spectrum allocated for the 3G is divided to
12 different Channel for the local service provider. With the Channel Scanner, we can monitor all the
12 UMTS RF Downlink Channels in one screen. Each of the UMTS Downlink Channels has a 5MHz
bandwidth covering from 2110MHz up to 2170MHz

Objective
To analyze the spectrum for 3G Downlink RF Signal
To setup and analyze the Channel Scanner Measurement for 3G UMTS Downlink Channel

List of Item
Below is the list of item require for Channel Scanner Measurement
  1 Unit of Fieldfox with Channel Scanner Option (and accessories)
 1 Unit of GPS Antenna
 1 Unit of Omnidirectional Antenna
Spectrum Analysis of 3G Downlink Signal
Before we start the Channel Scanner, it is recommended to check the frequency spectrum first.
Please follow the step below in order to obtain the frequency spectrum.

ɣ Power on the FieldFox

ɣ Connect the Omnidirectional Antenna to RF Port2 (SA RF Input)
ɣ Activate the Spectrum Analyzer Measurement
Press Mode > SA
ɣ Set the Frequency Range between 2110MHz to 2170MHz
Press Freq/Dist
Press Stop. Use the numpad to key in 2170 MHz
Press Start. Use the numpad to key in 2110MHz
ɣ Set the Ref Level to -30dBm and activate the Preamp
Press Scale/Amptd
Press Ref Level. Use the numpad to key in -30dBm
Press More > Preamp > On
ɣ Set the RBW to 30KHz
Press BW (Numpad 2) > Res BW
Use the numpad to key in 30KHz

Lab Exercise 1
1. Verify the bandwidth for each channel by using Markers
i) Press Marker > Normal.
ii) Use the Knob to position the Marker 1 to one of the valley
iii) Press Marker > Delta
iv) Use the Knob to position the Delta Marker 1 to the adjacent valley
v) Verify that the Marker Measurement is around 5MHz
Channel Scanner Setup Procedure

1. Preset the Fieldfox.

Press Preset (Numpad (.) ) > Preset (Factory)
2. Connect the Omnidirectional Antenna to RF Port2 (SA RF Input) and the GPS Antenna to the
GPS Ant Port
3. Activate the Channel Scanner Measurement
Press Mode > More > Channel Scanner
4. Change the Scan Mode to Custom List
Press Scan Mode > Custom List
5. Edit the Custom List
Press Edit Custom List
Use the knob to highlight different column.
Press Edit to edit the Center and Integration Bandwidth (IBW).
Press Add Row to add another Row.
Complete the list by following the table below. This is the frequency for the
12 Channels of the 3G UMTS Downlink and press Done to finish

Center (MHz) IBW (MHz)

2112.5 5
2117.5 5
2122.5 5
2127.5 5
2132.5 5
2132.5 5
2142.5 5
2147.5 5
2152.5 5
2157.5 5
2162.5 5
2167.5 5

6. Change the Ref Level and turn on the Preamp

a. Press Scale/Amptd > Ref Level
b. Use the numpad to key in -30dBm
c. Press Scale/Amptd > More > Preamp > ON

d. And Press Back

Lab Exercise 2

Connect the omnidirectional antenna to Port 2.

a. Press Run/Hold to Restart and Press again to Pause the signal.
b. Complete the table below.

Center Measured Band Power Bar Color

(MHz)
2112.5

2117.5

2122.5

2127.5

2132.5

2132.5

2142.5

2147.5

2152.5

2157.5

2162.5

2167.5

c. Based on the readings, state the lowest Measured Band Power and its frequency

d. Based on the readings, state the highest Measured Band Power and its frequency

What is your verdict of these measurement?

Lab Exercise 3
Channel scanner can be used for signal hunting and network coverage. It has a datalog function
which enable user to save the scanned channel result over time. Coupled with the GPS Tag, the
scanned channel result will be displayed on a map via Google Earth.

 To hunt for the source of the signal, first we need to do a network coverage by using the
datalog function in the channel scanner testing over the area to find the highest measured
 band power for the designated signal that you would like to find.
 After a location with the highest band power is found, by using the channel scanner with a
directional antenna for the last mile scanning to locate the source of the signal.

3G Network Coverage Test Exercise

1. Connect the GPS Antenna to the GPSAnt Port.

2. Press System (Numpad 7) > System Configuration > GPS
3. Press GPS > Internal. Wait until the Lat/Long is established and displayed
4. Insert an USB device in the USB port (Right Side of the FieldFox Analyzer)
5. Press Save/Recall (Number Pad 9) > Device> USB.
6. Press Mode > SA > More > Channel Scanner (if cannot find/activate, than keep repeating step 5
until find/activated)

Repeat “Channel Scanner Setup Procedure” 4-5 to input your assigned channel.
And Done to finish.

7. Press Data logging > Record Setting. Make sure interval type Time and Time Interval is 1s
(Adjust with Number pads/Knob) and press Back
8. Press > Record. This will initiate the recording session
9. Drive around an area.
a. It is recommended to do a loop. So prepare the route before initiating the recording
session.
b. For signal hunting, make sure you only just set 1 Channel that is assigned for you
would like to locate.
10. Press Stop to stop recording. Once you stop recording the device will ask you to give a name to
the file to be saved. Give name and press Done. This will save the Map Log (KML) and the data
(CSV) in the USB device. It can be opened with Google Earth Pro for analysis.
11. Open the Map Log (KLM) file in the computer by double clicking. (Make sure the computer has
Google Earth Pro installed)

Discuss your finding

Conclusion