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Troubleshooting in wireless telecom is a critical skill—diagnosing and resolving network performance, coverage, and connectivity issues requires a structured approach. Here’s a breakdown of common issues and their solutions!
1️⃣ Coverage Issues
Symptoms:
- Low RSRP, RSRQ
- High call drops, weak/no signal
Fixes:
- Check antenna alignment & tilt
- Verify power levels of RRU & antenna
- Identify physical obstructions
- Optimize antenna height & direction
- Perform drive tests to analyze gaps
2️⃣ Interference Issues
Symptoms:
- High noise floor
- Poor SINR, increased packet loss
Fixes:
- Identify & eliminate external interference
- Adjust neighbor list configuration
- Optimize PCI planning
- Use spectrum analysis tools
3️⃣ Handover Failures
Symptoms:
- Ping-pong handovers
- High drop rate during handovers
Fixes:
- Check neighbor relations (X2/S1)
- Optimize handover thresholds
- Confirm PCI & TAC configurations
- Analyze failure logs
4️⃣ Call Drops
Symptoms:
- High call drop rate
- Voice/data continuity issues
Fixes:
- Check for hardware alarms (RRU, BB, antenna)
- Ensure proper load balancing
- Optimize RRC timers
- Analyze logs for drop causes
5️⃣ Throughput Issues
Symptoms:
- Slow internet speeds
- High packet loss
Fixes:
- Analyze PRB utilization
- Check for backhaul congestion
- Verify MIMO & Carrier Aggregation
- Optimize scheduler settings
6️⃣ RRC Connection Failures
Symptoms:
- High RRC setup failure rate
- Frequent re-establishments
Fixes:
- Verify S1 connection & MME availability
- Check UE-eNodeB-Core signaling path
- Optimize RACH parameters
- Ensure UE compatibility
7️⃣ Synchronization Issues
Symptoms:
- Frequent cell outages
- Poor handover success
Fixes:
- Check GPS sync status
- Verify fiber & transmission timing
- Ensure PTP & SyncE configurations
8️⃣ Hardware & Alarms
Symptoms:
- RRU/BB module alarms
- VSWR, transmission link failures
Fixes:
- Replace faulty hardware
- Clean & reseat connectors
- Check for water ingress
9️⃣ Parameter Mismatch
Symptoms:
- Cell unavailability
- UE registration failures
Fixes:
- Verify neighbor & cell parameters
- Check TAC, PCI, EARFCN settings
- Update configuration parameters
🔟 Capacity Overload
Symptoms:
- High drop rate during peak hours
- Low throughput despite strong signal
Fixes:
- Add more carriers/expand capacity
- Enable load balancing
- Optimize scheduler settings
🎯 Tools for RAN Troubleshooting
- Drive Test: TEMS, NEMO, XCAL
- OSS: NetAct, U2020
- Spectrum Analysis: Interference detection
- Network Logs: RRC, S1, Handover logs
You Should Know:
Essential Linux & Windows Commands for Telecom Troubleshooting
Network Analysis (Linux)
ping <IP> -c 4 # Check connectivity traceroute <IP> # Trace network path mtr <IP> # Real-time traceroute with stats ifconfig # Check network interfaces iwconfig # Check wireless interfaces netstat -tuln # List active connections tcpdump -i eth0 -w capture.pcap # Capture packets
#### **Log Analysis (Linux)**
grep "error" /var/log/syslog # Filter logs for errors journalctl -u NetworkManager # Check network service logs dmesg | grep -i "fail" # Kernel logs for hardware issues
#### **Windows Network Diagnostics**
ping <IP> -n 4 tracert <IP> ipconfig /all netsh wlan show interfaces netsh wlan show networks pathping <IP>
#### **Spectrum Analysis (Linux Tools)**
sudo apt install gqrx # SDR spectrum analyzer sudo apt install kismet # Wireless monitoring
#### **Automating Drive Tests**
<h1>Use Python for automated signal logging</h1> import subprocess subprocess.run(["iwconfig", "wlan0"])
## **What Undercode Say**
Telecom troubleshooting requires a mix of hardware checks, signal analysis, and log forensics. Engineers must master spectrum analyzers, OSS tools, and scripting (Bash/Python) to automate diagnostics. Always verify GPS sync, antenna alignment, and neighbor cell parameters before deep diving into logs.
### **Expected Output:**
A structured troubleshooting workflow with real-time monitoring, automated scripts, and hardware validation ensures minimal downtime in wireless networks.
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References:
Reported By: Shamseer Siddiqui – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
