WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH

Paul Denisowski, Application Engineer

WCDMA Demodulation with the FSH4/8

Option FSH-K44 3GPP WCDMA BTS/Node B Pilot Channel and EVM Measurement Application enables the demodulation and analysis of 3GPP WCDMA BTS signals using the FSH4/8 handheld spectrum analyzer This option is enabled using a license key code : no additional hardware or separate software/firmware is required on the FSH.

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

Easy operation
Only two operating steps : Select the 3GPP WCDMA mode Set the center frequency

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

Setting the center frequency

FSH frequencies can be set either as frequencies (e.g. 1953.2 MHz) or as channels (e.g. 9766) Channels are defined in channel tables FSH has predefined channel tables for all wireless standards (GSM, WCDMA, LTE, WCDMA, CDMA2K, TD-SCDMA, etc.) and bands.

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

WCDMA channel tables

Custom tables can also be defined using the free FSH4View utility

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

Result Display
There are six modes available for analyzing WCDMA downlink signals : Spectrum Overview Code Domain Power Code Domain Channel Table Scrambling Codes Isotropic Antenna Result Summary The Code Domain Power / Channel Table and Isotropic Antenna measurements require the FSHK44E option.
WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

Spectrum Overview
Shows the measured WCDMA signal spectrum. Similar to spectrum analyzer mode. Allows the user to do basic spectrum measurements without switching back to Spectrum mode. Channel bandwidth limits are shown by vertical lines. Markers can be set to measure frequencies and levels.

If more detailed spectral analysis is needed, simply switch to the FSH Spectrum mode

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

Scrambling Codes
The primary and secondary scrambling codes are needed to demodulate a WCDMA signal. Scrambling code can be entered manually or can be automatically determined by the FSH.

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

Scrambling Code
For each BTS, primary and secondary scrambling code and CPICH power are displayed in both table form and as a bar chart 8 BTS signals can be displayed at the same time

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

CPICH
The Common Pilot Channel (CPICH) is a general reference channel for power and quality. CPICH is the most important channel for radio network planning. CPICH coverage determines the overall coverage of a WCDMA cell. It is also used by UEs for cell channel quality estimation, cell selection, and handover. More CPICH power means better coverage but increases pilot pollution in the network. No other code channels should be operated with a higher power level than CPICH.

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

Result Summary

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

General information
Frequency, band, transducer Analyzer settings (ref level, ref offset, attenuation, preamp, sweep type, etc.)

Primary and secondary scrambling code

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

Global results
Total downlink power in dBm Synchronization state (OK or NOT FOUND)

Impairment measurements : carrier frequency error, I-Q offset, gain imbalance and composite EVM

Number of active channels and scrambling code Code domain error measurements

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

Carrier Frequency Error / IQ Offset

Carrier frequency error is the deviation of the received frequency from the ideal frequency. If the carrier frequency error exceeds a certain amount, synchronization may not be possible. Carrier frequency error can be displayed in either Hz or ppm. IQ (origin) offset is also called carrier leakage, carrier feedthrough, or relative carrier leakage power (RCLP). IQ offset can be caused by local oscillator (carrier) leakage or a baseband DC offset and generates interference in the central part of the signal.

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

Gain Imbalance
The I and Q channel should be precisely 90 degrees apart. A gain imbalance causes these channels to have different amplitudes. Gain imbalance can result in asymmetric constellations. Expressed in dB, with the sign indicating the direction of imbalance

Positive imbalance

Negative imbalance

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

Peak CDE / Average RCDE

Both Peak CDE and Average RCDE are measurements of modulation quality. CDE (code domain error) is the ratio of the observed power in an unoccupied code channel to the power in an occupied code channel (e.g. CPICH). Peak CDE is the maximum error for all codes (i.e. the code channel subject to the greatest interference). It is used to discover and limit inter-code cross-talk. Average RCDE is the ratio of the mean power of the error projection onto that code to the mean power of the active code in the composite reference waveform. Only applicable to 64QAM modulated codes.

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

Channel results
CPICH information

P-CCPCH information

Primary and secondary sync channel power

These four channels : P-SCH, S-SCH, CPICH, and P-CCPCH are all critical components in the UE cell search procedure

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

Steps in WCDMA cell search

P-SCH (primary synchronization channel) is used to acquire slot synchronization. S-SCH (secondary synchronization channel) is used to acquire frame synchronization and identify the code group. CPICH (common pilot channel) is examined to find the primary scrambling code. P-CCPCH (primary common control physical channel) is detected and BCH (broadcast channel), which contains the system information in the form of MIB and SIBs, can now be read.

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

Ec/Io and EVM

Ec/Io is the strength of the serving pilot relative to the interference from its own cell and all other cells on the same frequency. Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) is a measure of how much a signal deviates from the idea modulation scheme. High EVM indicates distortions which limits the ability of the receiver to demodulate the signal properly. Often caused by poor RF conditions (interference).

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

Code Domain Power

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

Code Domain Channel Table

No code channel should have power higher than CPICH Symbol rates (data rates) are based on spreading factor (SF), e.g. SF 256 = 15 kbps. Pilot bits can be used for channel estimation

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

Signal Settings
By default, the FSH does measurements on base stations with one antenna. For base stations with two antennas, you have to specify which antenna the FSH should synchronize to.

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

Power Settings
Absolute Code Power shows the code powers for CPICH, P-CCPCH, P-SCH and S-SCH independently. Code Power Relative to CPICH shows the channel powers relative to CPICH ( N dB)

Here powers are shown relative (Rel) to CPICH power (-94.96 dBm)

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

GPS / Position Information

If an appropriate GPS receiver (HAZ240) is attached to the FSH, it can also display position information with all demodulation measurements.

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski

Questions / discussion

WCDMA Demodulation with the R&S FSH4/8 Version 1.1 by Paul Denisowski