To select coverage mapping measurement go to main menu and press MEASURE > MEASUREMENT > Coverage mapping. The coverage mapping measurements are set up using the SETUP Menu (LTE Coverage Mapping). Coverage Mapping (Option 431) provides signal strength mapping on the instrument display and will plot color-coded signal values at GNSS (GPS) coordinates for the following measurements:
• Channel Power: The total power within the set channel bandwidth.
• Spectral Density: The measure of the signal power content versus frequency.
• RSRP: Reference Signal Received Power measured in dBm
• RSRQ: Reference Signal Received Quality measured in dB
• SINR: Signal-to-noise and interference ratio measured in dB
.
Note
The Coverage Mapping option for outdoor signal mapping requires an active GPS antenna to be connected to the LTE. Offline maps will need to be uploaded to the instrument if an Internet connection is not available. Indoor coverage mapping does not require GNSS (GPS).
Refer to the previous sections in this chapter for details and menu overviews of general spectrum analysis measurements including setting up frequency and bandwidth parameters, sweep settings, trigger types, attenuator options, and preamp settings. Once the basic measurement is set up, select the coverage mapping measurement via MEASURE > MEASUREMENT > Coverage Mapping. Once coverage mapping is selected, start the mapping measurement via MEASURE > START MEAS.
With a valid GNSS (GPS) signal, the instrument identifies the current location on the displayed map with a location pin. As the location changes during a measurement, colored-coded dots corresponding to the received signal strength/power are placed at distance or time intervals. Using GNSS (GPS) for latitude, longitude, and altitude, data is automatically saved for each location. The instrument logs data automatically based on either a set time or distance interval. If there is no map available when making the measurements, it is still possible to save all of the data to a KML file and then combine the data with a map using other third party tools that can work with KML data. You may also recall a map after taking the data without having to save and recall the measurement data. See Figure: LTE Coverage Mapping (Outdoor) for an overview of the outdoor coverage mapping interface.
Note
When selecting outdoor coverage mapping and the GNSS (GPS) is off or is turned off, GNSS (GPS) will be enabled with a notification dialog. Aborting the GNSS (GPS) fix from the dialog allows the LTE to start a coverage mapping measurement.
When saving CSV and KML files map point measurement data, the saved data is cumulative of all data points on the map or measurements since the map points were last cleared.
LTE Coverage Mapping (Outdoor)
1. The coverage mapping status panel provides quick access to common settings and allows you to start and stop a coverage mapping measurement. A color-coded signal strength legend including the corresponding percentage values are also displayed. See Status Panel (LTE Coverage Mapping).
2. The map zoom tool is used to increase (+) or decrease (-) zoom level. You can also drag the zoom level indicator up or down, or you can pinch to change zoom level.
3. Tabular section displays the following three measurement sections:
• Current map measurement mode section includes selected map mode and its value in addition to total number of points, average, minimum and maximum values.
• Outdoor maps section lists the number of outdoor maps and an option to add more maps.
• Route replay section consists of current map mode, along with its value, PCI and quality. The section also includes the navigation controls displayed as arrow heads to either move up/down single point or in increments of five.
4. The map display area shows map data for the current area and color-coded dots corresponding to the signal colors that are set up for the recorded measurement data.
5. Map scale shows length for both imperial (miles) and metric (kilometers) units.
6. Re-centering tool to center map on current GNSS (GPS) position.
8. The trash can icon is used to delete a saved map.
9. The Pencil icon is used to edit or rename the saved name of the available map.
10. The ROUTE REPLAY tab plays back the measurement route covered during coverage mapping.
Indoor Coverage Mapping
Indoor coverage mapping does not use a GNSS (GPS) signal to identify the current location, but rather relies on the user to touch the location pin to where they are located on a building floor plan, or map, that is shown on the instrument display. As the location pin is moved from point to point during a measurement, the map is annotated with dots that are colored-coded to the received signal strength/power. The instrument logs data automatically based on either a set time or distance interval. You may save and recall the measurement as a PNG file or save just the measurement data. See Figure: LTE Coverage Mapping (Indoor) for an overview of the indoor coverage mapping interface.
LTE Coverage Mapping (Indoor)
1. The coverage mapping status panel provides quick access to common settings and allows you to start and stop a coverage mapping measurement. A color-coded signal-strength legend is shown at the bottom of the panel. See Status Panel (LTE Coverage Mapping).
2. Tabular measurement data shows the current measurement, measurement value in addition to list of saved maps and ROUTE REPLAY option.
3. The map display area shows map data for the current area and color-coded dots that correspond to the signal colors that are set up for the recorded measurement data.
The view MEASURE menu in coverage mapping measurement, go to main menu and press MEASURE. From measure menu you can access SETUP menu, START MEAS, CLEAR POINTS and SELECT POINTS options.
Initiates a coverage mapping measurement. Note that a GPS antenna must be connected and enabled before measurement data can be recorded.
SELECT POINTS
Toggle this button to view the value and signal quality of the current measurement.
CLEAR POINTS
Clears all measurement points from the map.
SETUP Menu (LTE Coverage Mapping)
The coverage mapping measurement SETUP menu is available via MEASURE > MEASUREMENT > Coverage Mapping > SETUP. Once the coverage mapping measurement is selected, the SETUP menu can be quickly accessed by tapping on the summary display area below the spectrum window.
SETUP Menu (Coverage Mapping)
MAP TYPE
Selects indoor or outdoor coverage mapping.
MAP MODE
Selects the measurement type for the map:
• Channel Power: The total power within the set channel bandwidth (SPAN).
• Spectral Density: The measure of the signal power content versus frequency.
• RSRP: Reference signal received power indicates the average power received from a single Reference signal or the level of the received signal from the base station.
• RSRQ: Reference signal received quality indicates the quality of the received signal.
• SINR: Signal interference and noise ratio is the ratio of the signal level to the noise level. Higher the value, the better is the signal quality.
Note that field strength measurements can be selected from the Amplitude menu. When field strength is enabled, each measurement is adjusted per m^2 based on antenna factors.
INDOOR MAP
When indoor map type is selected above, this button is available and is used to select the image/map for mapping from the instrument File system. This image is usually a building floor plan or campus layout drawing.
SPAN
Sets the current frequency span. For channel power and spectral density measurements, the span is equal to the integration bandwidth. This setting is not available in the RSSI map mode.
PSD UNITS
Selects the spectral density units as either Hz or MHz. This option is enabled only if Map Mode is set to Spectral Density and Field Strength option is enabled in Amplitude menu.
REPEAT TYPE
Selects when a map data point is recorded. The repeat type can be set to a time interval or distance interval. For indoor coverage mapping, time interval will evenly distribute measurement points between two selected positions; distance interval will plot a single point for every position selected by the user.
TIME
When the repeat type is Time, sets the time duration for recording map data points.
DISTANCE
When the repeat type is Distance, sets the distance between recording map data points. When using an indoor map type, the distance mode only marks the data points to where the user drags the location pin.
DISTANCE UNIT
Selects distance units of Meters or Feet.
MAP SOURCE
Selects Any PCI or Defined PCI. If multiple PCIs are detected, then best value of PCI is mapped. But if a Defined PCI option is selected, then the user selected PCI value is mapped.
AVAILABLE PCI FLTR
Selects a PCI filter from the list of base station PCIs detected after completing the coverage mapping measurement.
MANUAL PCI FLTR
Allows to enter the PCI of a specific base station.
Sets all coverage mapping setup parameters to default, including color setup.
COLOR SETUP Menu (Coverage Mapping)
The coverage mapping measurement COLOR SETUP menu is available in MEASURE > MEASUREMENT > Coverage Mapping > SETUP > COLOR SETUP. Once the coverage mapping measurement is selected, the SETUP menu can be quickly accessed by tapping on the summary display area below the spectrum window.
COLOR SETUP Menu (Coverage Mapping)
EXCELLENT
Sets the power level threshold for the EXCELLENT color.
VERY GOOD
Sets the power level threshold for the VERY GOOD color.
GOOD
Sets the power level threshold for the GOOD color.
POOR
Sets the power level threshold for the POOR color.
STATUS Panel with Minimized Status Panel Icons (Coverage Mapping)
START MEAS
Initiates a coverage mapping measurement. A valid GPS antenna must be connected to the LTE and enabled for a measurement data to be recorded. Note that the START MEAS button also appears on the MEASURE Menu (Coverage Mapping) and provides the same functionality.
SELECT POINTS
Toggle this button to view the value and signal quality of the current measurement. This button appears only in indoor coverage mapping.
Color-Coded Legend
This legend shows the colors that are assigned for each power level threshold. Note that at the end of coverage mapping drive, the legend shows the percentage of breadcrumbs for each of the defined power levels. The power levels can be set using the COLOR SETUP Menu (Coverage Mapping).
For example, if the power threshold value of the received signal is greater than or equal to -75 dBm, it is indicated in blue color (excellent). If there is no signal reception it is indicated in gray color (no sync).
MIMO ANTENNAS: Toggles the current MIMO antenna setting between AUTO or to select one of the available antennas. When a single antenna is selected, a blue underscore will appear below the antenna icon. The antenna icon is highlighted green when receiving a signal.
SWEEP
Provides controls for sweep behaviors, number of measurement points, and gated sweep settings (with Option 90).
SWEEP ONCE
When sweep is set to single sweep, SWEEP ONCE triggers a single measurement sweep.
REF LEVEL
Sets the reference level of the top graticule line in the selected units. If the reference level offset is not zero, OFFSET REF LEVEL is displayed at this location. Refer to Setting Amplitude.
SCALE/DIV
Sets the graticule scale/division for log-based units. This setting does not apply to linear units.
CHANNEL BW
Sets the measurement channel bandwidth. The available bandwidth settings depend on the selected band and bandwidth option installed in the instrument.
CENTER FREQUENCY
Sets the center frequency of the sweep range. The current span setting will remain constant or will be adjusted to accommodate the start and stop frequency range of the instrument. The center frequency can also be dragged on the display when gestures are not toggled off.
ATTEN LEVEL
When auto attenuation is off, sets input attenuation.
PRE AMP
Toggles the low-noise front-end preamplifier on or off. Refer to Setting Amplitude.
FREQ REFERENCE
Indicates the current frequency reference source of Internal, External, or GNSS (GPS) Hi Accuracy (requires GPS). The instrument automatically selects the frequency reference in the following order of priority: external, GNSS (GPS), then the internal time base.
