Monitoring Frequency and Cell Relations: The Foundation of Mobile Network Operations
In mobile networks, monitoring the relationships between frequencies and cells is critical to ensure that the system operates efficiently, especially during the activation process of new sites. These configurations directly impact the networkโs ability to perform handovers, maintain connectivity, and provide a seamless user experience. In this article, we will explore the role of the formulas used to monitor and configure these relationships and provide detailed explanations of their outputs and differences.
The Importance of Monitoring in Mobile Networks
Monitoring frequency and cell relations in a telecom network plays a critical role in the systemโs operation and performance. These relationships dictate how LTE (4G) and UTRAN (3G) cells interact and which frequencies are used by each cell at any given time. In a mobility scenario, where users move between different coverage areas, keeping these relationships properly configured is essential for service continuity, avoiding call drops, and data transmission interruptions.
The following commands are used during site activation to validate and configure these relationships, ensuring interoperability between the various technologies and frequencies involved.
Monitoring Commands and Their Functions
1. get . ^utranFrequencyId
This command retrieves the UTRAN (3G) frequencies configured in the network. It searches for all frequencies associated with a UTRAN ID, allowing network engineers to verify that the correct 3G frequencies are configured.
Output:
The output is a list of UTRAN frequencies with their corresponding IDs. For example:
UtraNetwork=1, UtranFrequency=WCDMA_10688 utranFrequencyId WCDMA_10688
UtraNetwork=1, UtranFrequency=WCDMA_10713 utranFrequencyId WCDMA_10713
In this case, the WCDMA frequencies used by the network are displayed. This command is essential to confirm that the 3G frequencies are correctly configured and associated with the site during the activation process.
2. pr ,UtranFreqRelation
This command prints UTRAN frequency relations, which indicate the interaction between 3G frequencies and LTE (4G) cells. These relations are critical for inter-technology handovers, where users are transferred from a 4G cell to a 3G one when necessary.
Output:
The output shows a table of relations between LTE cells and UTRAN frequencies:
ENodeBFunction=1, EUtranCellFDD=U###11, UtranFreqRelation=WCDMA_10688
ENodeBFunction=1, EUtranCellFDD=U###11, UtranFreqRelation=WCDMA_10713
Here, we see that the LTE cell โU###11โ is associated with UTRAN frequencies 10688 and 10713. This data is used to ensure that the transition between 3G and 4G occurs smoothly without service interruptions.
3. get . ^eutranFrequencyId
This command retrieves all EUTRAN (LTE/4G) frequencies configured on the site. It lists the LTE frequency IDs associated with the cells, allowing validation that the LTE spectrum is correctly configured during the activation process.
Output:
Example of output:
ENodeBFunction=1, EUtraNetwork=1, EUtranFrequency=LTE_1800 eUtranFrequencyId LTE_1800
ENodeBFunction=1, EUtraNetwork=1, EUtranFrequency=LTE_3200 eUtranFrequencyId LTE_3200
In this case, the LTE_1800 and LTE_3200 frequencies are active and associated with the networkโs cells. Proper monitoring of these frequencies is crucial to ensure the performance and coverage of the LTE site.
4. pr ,EUtranFreqRelation
This command prints the LTE frequency relations with the associated cells. It is used to validate how LTE cells interact within the configured spectrum.
Output:
The output shows the relationship between LTE cells and their frequencies:
ENodeBFunction=1, EUtranCellFDD=U###11, EUtranFreqRelation=LTE_1800
ENodeBFunction=1, EUtranCellFDD=U###11, EUtranFreqRelation=LTE_3200
In this example, LTE cell โU###11โ operates with the LTE_1800 and LTE_3200 frequencies. These relations must be verified to ensure that cells can perform handovers between different LTE frequencies smoothly.
5. pr cellrelation=[WCQTUVYZPOL].*
This command prints the cell relations within the system, allowing engineers to see how different cells, both UTRAN and EUTRAN, are interconnected. This includes handover and interoperability relations.
Output:
Example of output:
ENodeBFunction=1, EUtranCellFDD=U###11, EUtranFreqRelation=LTE_425, EUtranCellRelation=U###12
ENodeBFunction=1, EUtranCellFDD=U###11, EUtranFreqRelation=LTE_9510, EUtranCellRelation=Z###11
Here, cells โU###11โ and โU###12โ have a handover relation on LTE_425 frequency. This configuration is vital to enable smooth user transitions between cells without service interruption.
Differences Between the Commands
While all the commands deal with frequency and cell relations, each serves a specific purpose:
-
get . ^utranFrequencyIdandget . ^eutranFrequencyId: These two commands are used to check the configured frequencies in the system. The first is specific to UTRAN (3G), while the second targets EUTRAN (LTE/4G). -
pr ,UtranFreqRelationandpr ,EUtranFreqRelation: Both print frequency relations, but the former deals with UTRAN frequencies (3G) and their connections to LTE cells, while the latter focuses on LTE frequency relations with their corresponding cells. -
pr cellrelation=[WCQTUVYZPOL].*: This command provides a broader view of cell relations across different technologies and frequencies, including both UTRAN and EUTRAN.
Each command serves a specific role in network monitoring, but all contribute to the overall goal of maintaining connectivity and service quality.
Application of commands
get . ^utranFrequencyId
pr ,UtranFreqRelation
get . ^eutranFrequencyId
pr ,EUtranFreqRelation
pr cellrelation=[WCQTUVYZPOL].*
Conclusion: The Importance of Monitoring Relations in Mobile Networks
In mobile networks, the success of site activation and operation depends on the correct configuration and monitoring of frequency and cell relations. The commands discussed here are essential tools for ensuring that the frequencies are correctly configured and that cells can communicate efficiently, both within the same technology and between different technologies, such as 3G and 4G. Applying these commands helps ensure service continuity, handover efficiency, and, most importantly, a high-quality user experience.
Activating a telecommunications site involves many technical aspects, and proper monitoring of these relationships is one of the most critical to ensure a robust and reliable network.
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