Mean Square Error (MSE)

Agenda

Definition
Example
MSE & ACM
MSE values at 56MHz (case study)
MSE values at 28MHz (case study)
Troubleshooting examples

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Introduction

MSE - Definition

MSE is used to quantify the difference between an estimated (expected)

value and the true value of the quantity being estimated
MSE measures the average of the squared errors:
MSE is an aggregated error by which the expected value differs from the
quantity to be estimated.
The difference occurs because of randomness or because the receiver
does not account for information that could produce a more accurate
estimated RSL

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To simplify0.

Imagine a production line where a machine needs to insert one part

into the other
Both devices must perfectly match
Let us assume the width has to be 10mm wide
We took a few of parts and measured them to see how many can
fit in0.

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The Errors Histogram

(Gaussian probability distribution function)
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Quantity

Expected value

3
3

width
6mm 7mm 10mm 12mm

16mm

To evaluate how accurate our machine is, we need to know how many parts differ
from the expected value
9 parts were perfectly OK
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The difference from Expected value0

Quantity

Error = 0 mm

Error = + 2 mm
Error = - 3 mm
Error = + 6 mm

Error = - 4 mm

width
6mm 7mm

10mm 12mm

16mm

To evaluate the inaccuracy (how sever the situation is) we measure how much the
errors differ from expected value

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Giving bigger differences more weight than

smaller differences
Quantity

Error = 0 mm

+ 2 mm = 4
-3 mm = 9
- 4 mm = 16

+ 6 mm = 36
width
6mm 7mm 10mm 12mm

16mm

We convert all errors to absolute values and then we square them

The squared values give bigger differences more weight than smaller differences,
resulting in a more powerful statistics tool:
16cm parts are 36 units away than 2cm parts which are only 4 units away
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Calculating MSE
Error = 0 mm

Quantity

+ 2 mm = 4
-3 mm = 9
- 4 mm = 16

+ 6 mm = 36
width

To evaluate the total errors, we sum all the squared errors and take the average:
16 + 9 + 0 + 4 + 36 = 65, Average (MSE) = 13

The bigger the errors (differences) >> the bigger MSE becomes
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Calculating MSE
MSE determines how narrow / wide the Bell is
Quantity

width
10mm
When MSE is very small the Bell shaped histogram is closer to perfect
condition (straight line): errors = ~ 0
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MSE in digital modulation (Radios)

Let us use QPSK (4QAM) as an
example:

QPSK = 2 bits per symbol

01

00
2 possible states for I signal
2 possible states for Q signal

11

10

= 4 possible states for the

combined signal

The graph shows the expected

values (constellation) of the
received signal (RSL)

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MSE in digital modulation (Radios)

The black dots represent the
expected values (constellation)
of the received signal (RSL)

Q
01

00
The blue dots represent the
actual RSL

11

10

As indicated in the previous

example, we can say that the
bigger the errors are the
harder it becomes for the
receiver to detect & recover the
transmitted signal

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MSE in digital modulation (Radios)

Q
01

00

MSE would be the average

errors of e1 + e2 + e3 + e40.

e1
e2

I
e4

11

e3

When MSE is very small the

actual signal is very close to
the expected signal

10

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MSE in digital modulation (Radios)

Q
01

00

When MSE is too big, the

actual signal (amplitude &
phase) is too far from the
expected signal

e1
e2

I
e4

11

e3

10

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Using MSE

Commissioning with MSE in EMS

When you commission your

radio link, make sure your MSE
is small (-37dB)

Actual values may be read

-34dB to -35dB

Bigger values (-18dB) will

result in loss of signal

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MSE and ACM

When the errors is too big, we need
a stronger error correction
mechanism (FEC)
Therefore, we reduce the number
of bits per symbol allocated for data
and re-assign the extra bits for
correction instead
For example
256QAM has great capacity but
poor immune to noise
64QAM has less capacity but much
better immune for noise
ACM Adaptive Code Modulation
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Triggering ACM with MSE

When ACM is enabled, MSE values are analyzed on each side of the link
When MSE degrades or improves, the system applies the required
modulation per radio to maintain service
ACM 28MHz, MSE [-dB]:
Profile

Mod

QPSK

8PSK

16QAM

32QAM

64QAM

128QAM

256QAM

256QAM

Downgrade ACM Profile

10-6 Threshold when MSE reaches0

6.9
11
13.3
18
20
24.4
25
28

10.4
14.5
16.8
21.5
23.5
27.9
28.5
31.5

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Upgrade ACM Profile

when MSE reaches0

11.9
16
18.3
23
25
29.4
30
33

Optimal
>30
>30
>30
>30
>30
>33
>35
>35

Triggering ACM with MSE

When ACM is enabled, MSE values are analyzed on each side of the link
When MSE degrades or improves, the system applies the required
modulation per radio to maintain service
ACM 56MHz, MSE [-dB]:
Profile

Mod

QPSK

8PSK

16QAM

32QAM

64QAM

128QAM

256QAM

256QAM

Downgrade ACM Profile

10-6 Threshold when MSE reaches0

6.7
12
13.1
17.3
19.6
22.6
25
27.5

10.2
15.5
16.6
20.8
23.1
26.1
28.5
31

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Upgrade ACM Profile

when MSE reaches0

11.7
17
18.1
22.3
24.6
27.6
30
32.5

Optimal
>30
>30
>30
>30
>30
>33
>35
>35

Triggering ACM with MSE

Lets analyze the figures in the table below (we shall focus on the last line):
1.
2.
3.
4.

When the radio is in optimal conditions, MSE is near -35dB

When MSE drops below -27.5dB, we will experience high BER
To avoid High BER we change the profile when MSE reaches -31dB
Now that the radio is @ profile 6, the MSE must improve to -32.5 to recover
high capacity (profile 7)

Profile

Downgrade ACM Profile

Modulation 10-6 Threshold when MSE reaches0

QPSK

8PSK

16QAM

32QAM

64QAM

128QAM

256QAM

256QAM

6.7
12
13.1
17.3
19.6
22.6
25
27.5

Upgrade ACM Profile

when MSE reaches0

10.2
15.5
16.6
20.8
23.1
26.1
28.5
31

5 dB security window
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11.7
17
18.1
22.3
24.6
27.6
30
32.5

Optimal
>30
>30
>30
>30
>30
>33
>35

>35

ACM & MSE: Another approach0

In this graph we refer to a 56MHz channel. It is easier to observe the
hysteresis of changing the ACM profile with respect to measured MSE.
As you can see, the radio remains @ profile 6 till MSE improves to -32.5dB:
ACM
Profile
-32.5
-30

Profile 7

Profile 6

Profile 5

Profile 4

Profile 3

Profile 2

Profile 1

Profile 0

MSE
-31

-28.5

-26.1

-23.1

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-20.8

-16.6

- 15.5

-10 .2

ACM & MSE: Another approach0

When RF signal degrades and MSE passes the upgrade point (MSE @ red point), ACM will
switch back FASTER to a higher profile (closer to an upgrade point) when MSE improves.
When RF signal degrades and MSE does not pass the upgrade point (green point) ACM
waits till MSE improves to the point of next available upgrade point (takes longer time to
switch back to the higher profile).
ACM
Profile

-32.5

-30

Profile 7

Profile 6

-31

Profile 5

-28.5

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-26.1

MSE

Troubleshooting wrong modulation

When different settings of Modulation are set, MSE will be showing 99.99dB (Modulation Mismatch):

RSL = ~ (-45) dBm

MSE = -99.99 dB

RSL = ~ (-45) dBm

MSE = -99.99 dB

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Thank You