Chapter 14
LTE/SAE Measurements
14.1 Introduction
The same principles that were applied in the 2G and 3G networks can be used in LTE/SAE measurements. Nevertheless, the special characteristics of the evolved network, the more advanced performance, and the more complicated signal processing, require new capabilities from the measurement equipment.
14.2 General
LTE/SAE measurements are needed both in the core (EPC) and the radio (LTE) parts of the evolved packet system as shown in Figure 14.1. LTE terminals also need special attention, particularly in the development phase of the equipment. Field and network measurements are essential but the operational phase of the LTE/SAE network requires regular performance revisions. This can be done with field test equipment as well as by using the new LTE/SAE-specific network statistics measurements directly from the network elements. Network equipment providers tend to add these measurements for basically all of the required types of statistics, including the call-drop rate, blocking rate, and radio resource error rate. Furthermore, the key performance indicators are an essential part of the performance monitoring of the networks, with the possibility to create operator-specific formulas for special measurements [1].
Figure 14.1 The main points for the interface measurements between the core network, the radio network and the air interface.
14.2.1 Measurement Points
The possible measurement ...
