Page 1 Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide...
Page 4 Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide P0886303 Issue 01 Standard November 1998 © 1998 Northern Telecom All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America Companion is a trademark of Northern Telecom.
Page 6: Table Of Contents
Companion Diagnostic Software basics CDS package checklist 6 Equipment checklist 6 Local access equipment 7 Remote access equipment using the RAD internal modem 7 Remote access equipment using a RAD external modem 8 Optional equipment 8 Connect the equipment 8 Local access connections 9 To connect the PC to the RAD 9 Remote access connections using the RAD internal modem 11...
Page 7 Setting up CDS for a new site 20 Local access 20 Remote access 22 Files created by setting up a new site 24 Changing the administration data of an existing site 24 Local access 25 Remote access 27 Using Companion Diagnostic Software Selecting data 34 Automatic system configuration 35 Exiting CDS 36...
Page 8 Monitor 82 Background RSSI 83 Reset RIM 86 Query BS Faults 89 Clear BS Faults 91 Clear Counters 92 Utilities 94 View System Configuration 95 Create Dataset 96 Delete Dataset 97 Appendix A Equipment requirements 100 CDS software 100 PC 100 RAD 101 PC modem 101 RAD external modem 101...
Page 9 Macro Language Rules 129 CDS Macro Language Commands 129 Examples 132 Appendix E CDS DOS Hard Drive Disk File Management 138 Files needed by CDS 138 Files created by administering a new site 138 Files created when using CDS 139 Saved Datasets 140 DOS File Summary 143 Index...
Page 10: Companion Diagnostic Software Basics
Companion Diagnostic Software basics • Introduction • Checklists • Connections • Modem Access • Installing CDS P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide 5...
Page 11: Cds Package Checklist
6 Companion Diagnostic Software basics About Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI CDS package checklist Equipment checklist Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide Companion Diagnostic Software (CDS) for Personal Communications Interface (PCI) allows you to examine the operating characteristics of a wireless system while the system is operating at a customer site.
Page 12: Local Access Equipment
Local access equipment Remote access equipment using the RAD internal modem P0886303 Issue 01 Standard To install and use CDS with local access, you must have the following: • Remote Access Device (RAD) • RAD Time Compression Multiplexing (TCM) cable, to connect the RAD to the Controller •...
Page 13: Remote Access Equipment Using A Rad External Modem
8 Companion Diagnostic Software basics Remote access equipment using a RAD external modem Optional equipment Connect the equipment Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide To install and use CDS with remote access via the RAD external modem, you must have the following: •...
Page 14: Local Access Connections
Local access connections Figure 1: Overview of CDS local connections and wireless system Companion 200 Meridian Companion Public Switch Controller Public Switch Access Lines To connect the PC to the RAD P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Figure 1 shows the connections that you must make to examine a wireless system using CDS at the customer site.
Page 15 10 Companion Diagnostic Software basics Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide 2. Place the RAD near the distribution block and within 100 feet (30 meters) of the Controller. Note: Place the RAD as close as possible to the distribution block. Make sure that the combined length of the RAD TCM cable and the TCM lines between the distribution block and the Controller is less than 100 feet (30 meters).
Page 16: Remote Access Connections Using The Rad Internal Modem
Access Device Installation Guide if you require more detail on RAD hardware connections or programming. If you require more detail on wireless system hardware connections, refer to the wireless system documentation. Companion 200 Meridian Companion Public Switch Controller Public Switch...
Page 17 12 Companion Diagnostic Software basics Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide On-site connections required for remote access (with internal modem) To connect the RAD to the Controller: 1. Connect one end of the RAD TCM cable to the RJ-11 port on the back of the RAD using the RJ-11 connector.
Page 18: Remote Access Connections Using A Rad External Modem
RAD external modem, no line into the controller is dedicated to the RAD. A line connects the RAD external modem directly to the public switch or Private Branch Exchange (PBX), bypassing the Controller. The PC dials the telephone number assigned to this line.
Page 19 RAD external modem using an appropriate connector. To connect a RAD external modem to the public switch or PBX: 1. Connect one end of the line cable to the RJ-11 port on the RAD external modem using an RJ-11 connector.
Page 20: Wireless System Programming
Wireless system programming P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Off-site connections required for remote access (with external modem) PC serial ports 1 and 2 are supported by CDS. To connect the PC to an external PC modem: 1. Connect one end of the RS232 cable to serial port 1 or 2 on the PC using a connector that matches your PC’s port.
Page 21: Local Access Programming
16 Companion Diagnostic Software basics Local access programming Remote access programming using the RAD internal modem Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide Note: Displayed data is referenced to the time and date of the system. To ensure accurate referencing, use the Administration Terminal to set the time correctly.
Page 22: Remote Access Programming Using A Rad External Modem
Remote access programming using a RAD external modem Make a working copy Installing and using CDS on your hard drive P0886303 Issue 01 Standard to initiate a diagnostic session, contact someone at that site and ask them to program RAD Auto Answer ‘on’, with the number of rings before Auto Answer to ‘1’.
Page 23: Using Cds From Your Floppy Drive
18 Companion Diagnostic Software basics Using CDS from your floppy drive Files needed by CDS Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide Note: The DOS commands in CD_SETUP and similar applications are not case-sensitive. A CDSPCI directory will be created containing all the files listed below (see ‘Files needed by CDS’...
Page 24: Site Administration
Site administration • Location access • Administration data P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide 19...
Page 25: Setting Up Cds For A New Site
20 Site administration Setting up CDS for a new site Local access Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide To create new sites or change the administration data of an existing site, you must first access the CDS Administration Utility. CDS can be set up to investigate and store data for multiple sites.
Page 26 P0886303 Issue 01 Standard press Enter and go directly to step 5. If a site sub-directory by that name exists, the previous RAD password of the existing site is presented on your PC screen. A prompt will ask you to enter a new RAD password. If you do not want to change the value, you can press previous value.
Page 27: Remote Access
22 Site administration Remote access Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide When the new site sub-directory has been successfully created, CDS displays a message and exits the CDS Administration Utility. When you are setting up CDS for a new site with remote access, you must know some relevant wireless system values.
Page 28 P0886303 Issue 01 Standard To set up a new site with remote access: 1. Follow steps 1 to 5 under the ‘Local access’ heading. 2. When you are prompted for the connection type, type: and press Enter 3. When you are prompted for the number to dial, type the telephone number assigned to the line dedicated to the internal or external RAD modem and press: Enter...
Page 29: Files Created By Setting Up A New Site
24 Site administration Files created by setting up a new site Changing the administration data of an existing site Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide If the PC modem is Hayes compatible but does not default to the Hayes mode, you will need to change the modem initialization string.
Page 30: Local Access
Local access P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Note: Once you have opened the CDS Administration Utility for an existing site, you must follow all of the prompts before you are able to exit. If you do not want to change a value, you can press the key to get the previous value settings.
Page 31 26 Site administration Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide When you are prompted, type: and press Enter If you no longer want to attempt to change the administration data of an existing site, exit the CDS Administration Utility. When you are prompted, type: and press Enter 5.
Page 32: Remote Access
Remote access P0886303 Issue 01 Standard If the administration data of an existing site with remote access has changed, or you want to change an existing site from local access to remote access, you must know some relevant wireless system values.
Page 33 28 Site administration Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide 3. The previous number of the remote modem is displayed and you are asked if you want to change it. If you do not want to change the number, press: Enter Go directly to step 4.
Page 34 P0886303 Issue 01 Standard If you want to change the modem speed, when you are prompted for the new modem speed, type the new baud rate (300, 1200, 2400, 9600) for the PC modem and press: Enter Note: A baud rate of 300, 1200, and 2400 for the PC modem dictates the baud rate of the RAD internal modem.
Page 35 30 Site administration Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide identifies the serial port on the PC connected to the serial port on the PC modem. Press: Enter 8. When you are prompted for the cell edge RSSI, type the cell edge RSSI (default is -70 dBm).
Page 36: Using Companion Diagnostic Software
Using Companion Diagnostic Software • Getting started • Selecting data • Screen components • Keyboard functions P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide 31...
Page 37 32 Using Companion Diagnostic Software Starting CDS Figure 4: Site selection display screen Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide To start the application: 1. From the CDSPCI directory, type: and press Enter 2. At start up, CDS presents a site selection display screen. C o mp a nion Di ag nos t i c S o ft w ar e V e r s i o n 2 .
Page 38 Figure 5: List of Sites display screen P0886303 Issue 01 Standard 3. The site selection display screen prompts you for a site name. Type the name of the site you want to examine. Press: Enter To display the list of all possible sites, press: Enter Site name Site 1...
Page 39: Selecting Data
34 Using Companion Diagnostic Software Selecting data Figure 6: Saved datasets display screen Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide During a CDS session, you can examine data fetched directly from the wireless system or a dataset. A dataset is data fetched from the wireless system in a previous CDS session that was saved in a file on disk.
Page 40: Automatic System Configuration
Automatic system configuration P0886303 Issue 01 Standard 1. To select a saved dataset, type the dataset number and press: Enter To fetch data directly from the wireless system, press: Enter Note: You cannot examine both a saved dataset and data fetched directly from the wireless system during a single CDS session.
Page 41: Exiting Cds
36 Using Companion Diagnostic Software Figure 7: Configuration Change Notice Exiting CDS Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide **************************** **************************** The wireless system configuration has changed! Display or file the new configuration using the “View System Configuration” command in the UTILITIES Menu. ***Message Logged at Wed Mar 19 13:48:05 1998 064 CCV-I-AUTOVRFY Configuration was automatically verified for all cells.
Page 42: Display Screen Components
Display screen components Figure 8: Display screen components 1. Command Menu GoBack 5. Subcommand Menus P0886303 Issue 01 Standard The display screens have four basic components. They may have a fifth component, depending on the depth of analysis available on the current display screen.
Page 43: A Typical Cds Session
38 Using Companion Diagnostic Software A Typical CDS Session Start CDS—In the CDSPCI directory, type CDS and press Enter. CDS will display the Site Selection screen (Figure 4). Select Site—CDS will prompt you for the name of the Site. Type in the <sitename> and press Enter. CDS then displays the list of available datasets for the selected site.
Page 44: Keyboard Functions
Keyboard functions Table 1: Keyboard functions Cancel procedure pending disable command. Exit Companion Diagnostic Software. File displayed statistical information to disk. Disable a radio to monitor it. Diagnosis details or display. Scroll data up one page. Scroll data down one page. Select the next command.
Page 45: Making Menu Selections
40 Using Companion Diagnostic Software Making menu selections Files created when using CDS Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide To make a selection from a Command or Subcommand Menu: 1. Type the letter of the command highlighted. Press the Tab or arrow keys until the command you want is highlighted by the box outline, then press: Enter Commands and subcommands that are active on the current display...
Page 46: Display Screens
Display screens • Diagnosis • Monitor • Utilities P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide 41...
Page 47: Command Map
42 Display screens Command map Table 2: Command map Level 1 Commands Level 2 Commands Diagnosis Quality of Service System Faults Radio Signals Cell Signals Interference Traffic CSC Usage Monitor Background RSSI Reset RIM Query BS Faults Clear BS Faults Clear Counters Utilities View System Configuration...
Page 48: Main Menu
Main menu Figure 9: Main menu MAIN MENU iagnosis onitor tilities Diagnosis Option P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Exit After entering the target site name and selecting the data, the main menu display screen is presented. Select from the available first level command choices.
Page 49: Monitor Option
44 Display screens Monitor Option Utilities Option Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide recommended actions is made available to you through further display screens as well as being written to the site directory in the REPORT.TXT file (see “Automatic System Diagnosis” below).
Page 50: Diagnosis
Diagnosis Automatic System Diagnosis P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Select the diagnosis key whenever you want to diagnose problems on a wireless system. The Automatic System Diagnosis function is automatically invoked when you choose the diagnosis option from the main menu. Automatic System Diagnosis identifies problems in the wireless system and gives you explicit actions for these problems.
Page 51 46 Display screens Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide calculated threshold. The cause of a weak average radio RSSI in a cell may be high traffic in adjacent cells. b. The average radio RSSI is weak for a radio. This warning is issued for radios whose average RSSI is below a threshold.
Page 52 Figure 10: Diagnosis Display Screen DIAGNOSIS uality of Service ystem Faults adio Signals ell Signals nterference raffic sage GoBack P0886303 Issue 01 Standard c. Average radio traffic is high for a given radio, and another radio in the same cell has handled little or no traffic. When this situation occurs, there is a high probability that the radio that has handled a small percentage of the traffic is not functioning properly.
Page 53 48 Display screens Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide A textual explanation is generated if any bar on the graph crosses the warning or alarm threshold lines in the graph. If any alarms or warnings have been detected, you can see more details by pressing F6.
Page 54: Diagnosis Menu Options
Figure 11: Diagnosis Text DIAGNOSIS uality of Service ystem Faults adio Signals ell Signals nterference raffic sage GoBack Diagnosis Menu Options P0886303 Issue 01 Standard 1 Alarm(s) 0 Warning(s) System Faults ALARM C202 Evaluation: Base Station 0106 reset 1 time. The reset was softtrap 703.
Page 55: Quality Of Service
50 Display screens Quality of Service Figure 12: Quality of Service display screen QUALITY OF SERVICE ost Links oice Quality INTERVAL uto Interval Busiest 4 Hour Interval GoBack Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide Quality of Service (QOS) indicates overall wireless system status. Interval displayed is: May 15 between 15:00 and 17:00 hr.
Page 56 P0886303 Issue 01 Standard • Busiest Hour This interval is the busiest hour in the last 24 hours. • 24 Hour Interval This interval is the last 24 hours. The total QOS percentage over the selected time interval is currently calculated as follows: The dialogue window gives the total QOS percentage, the actual incidence for each component and the total number of links...
Page 57: Quality Of Service Components
52 Display screens Quality of Service components Lost Links Figure 13: Lost Links display screen QUALITY OF SERVICE ost Links oice Quality INTERVAL uto Interval Busiest 4 Hour Interval GoBack Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide You can view detailed information on any of the available QOS components by selecting from the level 3 commands under the QOS menu.
Page 58 Display screens 53 percentage of lost links for each radio is also presented. It is the total of lost links divided by the number of links established over the selected time interval. Radios are listed in order of the percentage of lost links, with the radio having the highest percentage of lost links placed first.
Page 59 54 Display screens Voice Quality Figure 14: Voice Quality display screen. QUALITY OF SERVICE ost Links oice Quality INTERVAL uto Interval Busiest 4 Hour Interval GoBack Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide Voice Quality is the ratio of the number of impure voice transmissions over the number of transmission samples taken.
Page 60 Display screens 55 The level of voice impurity increases with greater distance between the portable and the radio and higher radio traffic. Impure voice samples are categorized by level of severity as Type 1 or Type 2. These categories are described as follows: Type 1 Samples The human ear is just capable of discerning the lower levels of a Type 1 sample.
Page 61 56 Display screens Figure 15: System Faults display screen. SYSTEM FAULTS ase Station Resets adio Resets ynch Failure ost Integrity GoBack Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide System Faults System Faults is an overall view of detected system faults as indicated by the number of: •...
Page 62: System Faults Components
System Faults components P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Level 1 Level 1 indicates perfectly or near perfectly functioning hardware: • Base Station Resets • Radio Resets • Synch. Failure • Lost Integrity Level 2 Level 2 indicates that there have been two problem counts for an applicable component: •...
Page 63 58 Display screens Figure 16: Base Station Resets display screen SYSTEM FAULTS ase Station Resets adio Resets ynch Failure ost Integrity GoBack Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide Note: System fault counters can be reset to zero manually or by power interruptions.
Page 64 Figure 17: Radio Resets display screen SYSTEM FAULTS ase Station Resets adio Resets ynch Failure ost Integrity GoBack P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Both these causes of Base Station resets result in a Reset Reason 9C and a Softtrap Code 110. Note: When the 9C reason code is given and the reset did not result from either of these common causes, the RJ-11 connectors and TCM cable should be examined and replaced if...
Page 65 60 Display screens Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide data window also presents the most recent type of radio reset, and information necessary should the Base Station require servicing or replacement. The seven types of radio resets tracked by the Base Station, and their corresponding fault type codes, are as follows: RIM Reset A Radio Interface Module (RIM) Reset indicates that a spontaneous...
Page 66 P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Note: If the connection is not the problem, contact the wireless system supplier concerning a possible Controller malfunction. Download Failure A Download Failure indicates an intermittent hardware or software problem, which occurs only during Base Station or RIM initialization.
Page 67 62 Display screens Figure 18: Synch Failure display screen SYSTEM FAULTS ase Station Resets adio Resets ynch Failure ost Integrity GoBack Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide Synch. Failure Synch Failure (Synchronization Failure) occurs when a Base Station experiences a problem with digital frame synchronization on the TCM cable connecting it to the Controller.
Page 68 Figure 19: Lost Integrity display screen SYSTEM FAULTS ase Station Resets adio Resets ynch Failure ost Integrity GoBack P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Lost Integrity Lost Integrity occurs when corrupted data is received by the Base Station from the Controller. Lost integrity is transient and is usually caused by a problem with the connection between the Base Station and the Controller.
Page 69: Radio Signals
64 Display screens Radio Signals Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide Radio Signals display screens may be used to examine the performance of individual radios on the wireless system. When you select a level 3 command from the Radio Signals menu, RSSI measures for regular radio traffic collected since the last Base Station reset are displayed.
Page 70 Figure 20: Weakest Radio by System display screen RADIO SIGNALS eakest Radio ext Weakest Radio tatistics COMPARISON ersus System Versus GoBack P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Weakest Radio The Weakest Radio level 3 command shows the RSSI data collected for the radio with the weakest average RSSI measure since the last Base Station reset.
Page 71 66 Display screens Figure 21: Next Weakest Radio display screen RADIO SIGNALS eakest Radio ext Weakest Radio tatistics COMPARISON ersus System Versus GoBack Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide Next Weakest Radio The Next Weakest level 3 command, upon initial selection, shows the RSSI data collected for the radio with the second weakest average RSSI measure since the last Base Station reset.
Page 72 Figure 22: Radio Statistics display screen RADIO SIGNALS eakest Radio ext Weakest Radio tatistics COMPARISON Versus System Versus Cell GoBack P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Radio Statistics Radio Statistics shows the radio signal data collected for all radios on the wireless system. RADIO SIGNAL STATISTICS From Weakest RSSI to Strongest Radio...
Page 73 68 Display screens Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide This type of hand-off occurs when a portable user moves from one cell to another during an active call. A voice break is experienced for a fraction of a second before the link is reestablished on the same channel.
Page 74: Cell Signals
Cell Signals Figure 23: Weakest Cell display screen CELL SIGNALS eakest Cell ext Weakest Cell tatistics GoBack P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Weakest Cell The Weakest Cell level 3 command shows the RSSI data collected for the cell with the weakest average RSSI measure. Cell 01 compared to System Average RSSI Relative Frequency...
Page 75 70 Display screens Cell Statistics Figure 24: Cell Statistics display screen CELL SIGNALS eakest Cell ext Weakest Cell tatistics GoBack Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide Cell Statistics shows the cell signal data collected for all the cells on the wireless system.
Page 76 Display screens 71 This type of hand-off occurs when a portable user moves from one cell to another during an active call. The user experiences a voice break for a fraction of a second before the link is reestablished on the same channel.
Page 77: Interference
72 Display screens Interference Figure 25: Lost Link RSSI display screen INTERFERENCE ost Link RSSI GoBack Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide Interference may be external or internal to the wireless system. The level 3 commands available under the Interference menu aid in the identification of these types of interference.
Page 78 Display screens 73 negative numbers. The larger the RSSI measure, the stronger the radio signal (for example, -55 dBm is stronger than -80 dBm). Links lost in RSSI ranges stronger than the normal RSSI cell boundary value may indicate internal interference caused by links established on the same channel in nearby cells.
Page 79: Traffic
74 Display screens Traffic Figure 26: Radio Occupancy Bar Chart TRAFFIC adio Occupancy Cell ccupancy HOUR usiest Hour ext Busiest DISPLAY hart tatistics GoBack Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide Traffic measurements help identify problems with cell layout. If traffic is too high across all radios in a cell, the incidence of blocked calls will increase.
Page 80 Figure 27: Radio Occupancy Statistics TRAFFIC adio Occupancy Cell ccupancy HOUR usiest Hour ext Busiest DISPLAY hart tatistics GoBack P0886303 Issue 01 Standard interval. A radio occupancy measure of 1.0 Erlang indicates that the radio was in use for 100% of the selected time interval. The dialogue window identifies the busiest and least used radios over the selected time interval and gives their respective occupancies in Erlangs.
Page 81 76 Display screens Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide The following information is collected for each radio and is also presented in the data window. In Calls This column lists the number of calls received by portables from the radio listed.
Page 82 Figure 28: Cell Occupancy Bar Chart TRAFFIC adio Occupancy Cell ccupancy HOUR usiest Hour ext Busiest DISPLAY hart tatistics GoBack P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Cell Occupancy The Cell Occupancy Bar Chart measures how well radio traffic is distributed across the wireless system at the cell level. Interval displayed is: May 16 between 15:00 and 16:00 hr.
Page 83 78 Display screens Figure 29: Cell Occupancy Statistics TRAFFIC adio Occupancy Cell ccupancy HOUR usiest Hour ext Busiest DISPLAY hart tatistics GoBack Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide Cell Occupancy Statistics provide traffic measures for each cell. The total cell occupancy is the total radio occupancy in that cell. The Cell Occupancy average is the total cell occupancy divided by the total number of radios in the cell.
Page 84 Display screens 79 reestablished by portables due to interference or mobility hand-off (for radios in the cell indicated). Lost Links This column lists the total number of established links that were lost. The dialogue window gives the number of incoming calls and the number of portable-originated call sessions for the system over the selected time interval.
Page 85 80 Display screens Figure 30: CSC Usage Cell Statistics Display Screen CSC USAGE ell Statistics adio Statistics HOUR usiest Hour ext Busiest GoBack Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide CSC Usage The CSC usage menu displays the CSC radio usage in terms of either cell statistics or radio statistics.
Page 86 Figure 31: CSC Usage Radio Statistics Display Screen CSC USAGE ell Statistics adio Statistics HOUR usiest Hour ext Busiest GoBack P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Radio Statistics shows the percentage of time each radio serves as a CSC radio. RADIO CSC USAGE STATISTICS Interval displayed is June 2 between 13:00 and 14:00 hr.
Page 87: Monitor
82 Display screens Monitor Figure 32: Monitor display screen MONITOR ackground RSSI eset RIM uery BS Faults Clear BS aults lear Counters GoBack Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide The Monitor display screen offers a choice of five different level 2 command paths.
Page 88: Background Rssi
Background RSSI Figure 33: Background RSSI radio selection M O N IT O R ackground RSSI eset RIM uery BS Faults Clear BS aults lear Counters GoBack P0886303 Issue 01 Standard After you select Background RSSI from the Monitor menu, a screen prompts you to select the radio you wish to monitor.
Page 89 84 Display screens Figure 34: Background RSSI radio disable warning M O N IT O R ackground RSSI eset RIM uery BS Faults Clear BS aults lear Counters Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide The radio you specify must be taken out of service to be monitored. A screen prompts you to confirm your request.
Page 90 Figure 35: Background RSSI display screen BACKGROUND RSSI ackground RSSI eset RIM uery BS Faults Clear BS aults lear Counters P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Background RSSI allows you to monitor the RSSI readings of channels 1–99 from the perspective of the radio selected. BACKGROUND CHANNEL RSSI Radio 0101-2 is currently being monitored.
Page 91: Reset Rim
86 Display screens Reset RIM Figure 36: Reset RIM radio selection M O N IT O R ackground RSSI eset RIM uery BS Faults Clear BS aults lear Counters GoBack Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide monitoring a call on radio 0101-2 and there is also an active call on radio 0101-1, the RSSI level of the channel currently being used by radio 0101-1 is displayed as -35 dBm.
Page 92 Figure 37: Reset RIM radio disable warning M O N IT O R ackground RSSI eset RIM uery BS Faults Clear BS aults lear Counters P0886303 Issue 01 Standard The radio you specify must be taken out of service to be reset. A screen prompts you to confirm your request.
Page 93 88 Display screens Figure 38: Reset RIM display screen M O N IT O R ackground RSSI eset RIM uery BS Faults Clear BS aults lear Counters GoBack Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide The Reset RIM command resets the RIM of the selected radio. RIM reset successful! RIM of radio 0109-1 is being reset.
Page 94: Query Bs Faults
Query BS Faults Figure 39: Query BS Faults Base Station selection M O N IT O R ackground RSSI eset RIM uery BS Faults Clear BS aults lear Counters GoBack P0886303 Issue 01 Standard After you select Query Base Station (BS) Faults from the Monitor menu, a screen prompts you to select the Base Station you wish to monitor.
Page 95 90 Display screens Figure 40: Query BS Faults display screen M O N IT O R ackground RSSI eset RIM uery BS Faults Clear BS aults lear Counters Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide Query BS Faults summarizes the detected system faults for the selected Base Station.
Page 96: Clear Bs Faults
Clear BS Faults Figure 41: Clear BS Faults display screen M O N IT O R ackground RSSI eset RIM uery BS Faults Clear BS aults lear Counters P0886303 Issue 01 Standard If you require more detailed data on a system fault experienced by the selected Base Station, select the corresponding display screen from the System Faults menu.
Page 97: Clear Counters
92 Display screens Warning All Base Station fault data are permanently cleared. Clear Counters Figure 42: Clear Counters display screen M O N IT O R ackground RSSI eset RIM uery BS Faults Clear BS aults lear Counters Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide The data window displays a message when all Base Station fault data has been cleared, after which you are automatically returned to the Monitor display screen.
Page 98 Display screens 93 To cancel your request and return to the Monitor display screen, press: While the system counters are being cleared, the dialogue window displays a message indicating that the process of clearing all operation and maintenance data is in progress. The data window displays a message when all operation and maintenance data has been cleared, after which you are automatically returned to the Monitor display screen.
Page 99: Utilities
94 Display screens Utilities Figure 43: Utilities display screen UTILITIES iew System Configuration reate Dataset elete Dataset GoBack Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide The Utilities display screen offers a choice of three different level 2 commands. The Utilities display screens manage the data examined on the Diagnosis display screens.
Page 100: View System Configuration
View System Configuration Figure 44: View system configuration display screen UTILITIES iew System Configuration reate Dataset elete Dataset GoBack P0886303 Issue 01 Standard The System Configuration display summarizes data that has been fetched from a live system during Automatic System Configuration. SYSTEM CONFIGURATION For Site CARLETON3 Cell...
Page 101: Create Dataset
96 Display screens Create Dataset Figure 45: Create Dataset display screen UT I LI T IE S iew System Configuration reate Dataset elete Dataset GoBack Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide A dataset is data fetched from the wireless system and saved in a file on disk by using the Create Dataset command under the Utilities menu.
Page 102: Delete Dataset
Delete Dataset Figure 46: Delete Dataset display screen UT IL I TI ES iew System Configuration reate Dataset elete Dataset GoBack P0886303 Issue 01 Standard For more information on datasets, see “Files created when using CDS'”. To create a dataset: 1.
Page 103 98 Display screens Warning The dataset or datasets are permanently deleted once you escape from the Delete Dataset display screen. Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide To permanently delete a dataset or datasets: 1. Change the Dataset Status to DELETE. To do this, type the dataset number and press: Enter 2.
Page 104: Appendix A
Appendix A • Equipment requirements P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide 99...
Page 105: Equipment Requirements
100 Appendix A Equipment requirements CDS software 600K 575K Free DOS 550K memory required to 525K run CDS 500K 475K Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide • Version 1.1 or later • IBM compatible PC (386 processor or greater) •...
Page 106: Rad
PC modem RAD external modem P0886303 Issue 01 Standard • Currently, CDS PCI is fully compatible with RAD product codes NT8B80AL. • Hayes compatible command set • configured by CDS software If using the RAD internal modem under Bell specifications: •...
Page 107: Rs232 Cable
102 Appendix A RS232 cable RAD TCM cable RS232 null modem cable Serial Port on RAD Signal Transmit Data (TXD) Receive Data (RXD) Data Set Ready (DSR) Data Terminal Ready (DTR) Signal Ground (SGND) Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide It is recommended that the RAD external modem also be configured as follows: •...
Page 108: Public Switch Line Cable
Public switch line cable PC modem initialization string P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Note: The pin numbers above assume there is a 25-pin connector in the RAD external modem. • to connect the PC modem and the RAD external modem to the public switch •...
Page 109 104 Appendix A Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide Note: Refer to the Hayes compatible PC modem documentation to determine the initialization string required to program a Hayes compatible PC modem for Hayes mode. P0886303 Issue 01 Standard...
Page 110: Appendix B
Appendix B • System fault alarms and warnings • Traffic warnings • Interference warnings • Radio Signal warnings P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide 105...
Page 111: Diagnosis Action Recommendations
106 Appendix B Diagnosis Action Recommendations How to report a problem System Faults Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide 1. Note the alarm or warning code. 2. Note the exact evaluation text from the display. 3. Make sure that you have a saved dataset corresponding to this CDS session.
Page 112 Appendix B 107 ALARM C203 Evaluation Base Station <Base Station number> reset <count> time(s). The last reason was FC: <function code>, AA: <access address>, IR: <instruction reg>, SR: <status reg>, PC: <program counter> Description A hardware problem has occurred in this Base Station. It could be caused by power fluctuations on the line, static discharge, or faulty Base Station hardware.
Page 113 108 Appendix B Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide Alarm C220 actions R:<RIM reset count> RIM Reset — A spontaneous reset of the radio's RIM has occurred. Power fluctuations, high static discharges or intermittent hardware failure may be responsible. If power supply voltage is steady, and this type of radio reset alarm occurs, replace the Base Station.
Page 114 P0886303 Issue 01 Standard your convenience. If this type of radio reset alarm is severe enough to cause a problem, it will be identified as a Halt Count (see below). Hlt:<halt count> Persistent Download Failures or complete hardware failures have caused the Base Station to go out of service.
Page 115 110 Appendix B Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide Station and the Controller. Lost integrity can be caused by faulty RJ- 11 connectors, a TCM cable that is faulty, too long, or bridge-tapped, or a hardware problem in the Base Station. Action 1.
Page 116 Appendix B 111 Description This warning occurs when a radio resets fewer then four times. If the reset count is greater than four, an alarm is generated. The six types of radio resets that produce this warning are described below. Action The action taken depends on the source of the radio reset.
Page 117 112 Appendix B Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide Integrity areas (Alarms C240 and C250, and Warnings C241 and C251). If this is the source of the problem, replace the TCM cable and RJ-11 connectors. If this problem persists, an alarm will be generated, signifying a problem that should be fixed at that time.
Page 118 P0886303 Issue 01 Standard WARNING C251 Evaluation Base Station <Base Station number> has lost integrity <count> time(s). Description This warning occurs when integrity has been lost fewer than four times. Lost Integrity occurs when corrupted data is received by the Base Station from the Controller. Lost Integrity is transient and is usually caused by a problem with the connection between the Base Station and the Controller.
Page 119: Traffic
114 Appendix B Traffic Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide WARNING C401 Evaluation Total cell traffic is high in cell <cell number>(<xx> Erlangs), on <time and date>. Description This warning occurs when the total traffic in the cell for any hour exceeds the recommended threshold. The number of channels available in the cell, or the number of radios available in the cell, are too low, causing a high probability of call blocking.
Page 120 P0886303 Issue 01 Standard WARNING C402 Evaluation Average radio traffic is high in cell <cell number>(<xx>Erlangs), on <time and date>. Description This warning occurs when the average radio traffic in the cell for any hour exceeds the recommended threshold. In this case, the number of radios available in the cell is reduced, causing a high probability of call blocking.
Page 121 116 Appendix B Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide WARNING C403 Evaluation Radio <radio number> in cell <cell number> has handled a small percentage of the traffic in cell <cell number> over 24 hours, starting from <time and date>. Description This warning occurs when the traffic on a radio is greater than the recommended threshold, the radio is not in a high traffic cell and another radio in the same cell has handled little or no...
Page 122: Interference
Interference P0886303 Issue 01 Standard WARNING C501 Evaluation Channel(s) <channel number(s)> are under- utilized. Interference is suspected. Description This warning occurs when the spectrum has more channels occupied in the upper segments than in the lower segments. Normally the lower segments are occupied before the upper segments, but interference can cause this not to occur.
Page 123: Radio Signals
118 Appendix B Radio Signals Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide WARNING C601 Evaluation Cell <cell number>has a low average RSSI (<-nn>dBm), and there are no high traffic cells. Description This warning occurs when the radios in a cell have a low average RSSI, and there are no high traffic cells in the system.
Page 124 Appendix B 119 Action If the cell with the low average RSSI is adjacent to a high traffic cell (check the Provisioning Record), then disregard this warning and solve the problem associated with the high traffic cell warning. Otherwise, check deployment for inadequate cell coverage by looking for cells placed too far apart, or areas where users are roaming outside the coverage area.
Page 125 120 Appendix B Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide P0886303 Issue 01 Standard...
Page 126: Appendix C
Appendix C • CDS error messages P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide 121...
Page 127: Cds Error Messages
122 Appendix C CDS Error Messages Code Group Message Tag XXX- -XXXXXXXX ENV- -OPEN_FIL ENV- -WRITE_RC ENV- -MSNGFONT ENV- -READFAIL ENV- -RIM_BUSY ENV- -DISKFULL ENV- -INCMPADM CFG- -ZERO_CEL CFG- -BAD_PORT CFG- -BAD_DSPL CFG- -MISNGRAD CFG- -INVL_ID CFG- -BLANK_ID CFG- -NO_RADIO CFG- -MSNG_OBJ CFG-...
Page 128 Code Group Message Tag COM- -INVRXMSG COM- -INVTXMSG COM- -COMCHOKE COM- -COMFAILR COM- -MODMFAIL DAT- -OUTRANGE DAT- -WRONGID DAT- -WRONGCEL DAT- -VOIDCELL MOD- - NOCONNCT MOD- - NODIALTN MOD- - NOCARIER MOD- - NOANSWER MOD- - LINEBUSY CCV- - NOCVFILE CCV- - CVCELNOT CCV-...
Page 129 124 Appendix C Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide • Environment (ENV) • Configuration (CFG) • Miscellaneous (MSC) • Communication (COM) • Data (DAT) • Modem communication (MOD) • Site Dataset Management (PDM) Severity codes are assigned to all error messages and indicate how the error manifests itself to the CDS user.
Page 130: Appendix D
Appendix D • Batch mode • Macro language P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide 125...
Page 131: Runcds: Running Cds In Batch Mode
126 Appendix D RUNCDS: Running CDS in Batch Mode Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide RUNCDS is a program that executes CDS commands in batch mode without the need for an interactive session. Using RUNCDS, you can execute sets of CDS commands on live wireless systems, saved datasets, or both.
Page 132 P0886303 Issue 01 Standard macro file is created using a standard text editor (e.g., edit on DOS 5.0 or a later versions), and entering one CDS macro language command per line. Macro commands must start in column one. The batch CDS commands are defined later in this section.
Page 133: Runcds Command Line Syntax
128 Appendix D RUNCDS Command Line Syntax Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide <valid CDS macro language command> <valid CDS macro language command> The last command in the file must be the CDS macro language command Exit. Type: Exit 3.
Page 134: The Cds Macro Language
The CDS Macro Language Macro Language Rules CDS Macro Language Commands P0886303 Issue 01 Standard The CDS macro language is comprised of syntax rules and CDS macro language commands. 1. Start the macro language command on the first character of the line.
Page 135 130 Appendix D Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide $parameter2 exit On the command line, you can type: RUNCDS -s1 macro1 March151994 RUNCDS replaces the $parameter2 in the macro file with the second parameter on the command line, March151994, thus naming the dataset created during this batch run as March151994.
Page 136 Level 1 Level 2 Commands Commands Diagnosis Quality of Service System Faults Radio Signals Cell Signals Interference Traffic CSC Usage Monitor Clear BsFaults Clear Counters Utilities View System Configuration Create Dataset Delete Dataset P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Menu Commands You enter menu choices in a macro file by omitting the spaces between the CDS menu commands, as shown below.
Page 137: Examples
132 Appendix D Examples Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide The examples below show how to use RUNCDS to do the following: • Create saved datasets • Access saved datasets • Automatic System Diagnosis • Clear Base Station faults The examples contain comment statements explaining the macro language program statements preceding them.
Page 138 Sitename # Equivalent to the interactive CDS prompt for the site name. RUNCDS will provide # itself with site names by looping through the site names in SITE001.TXT (the # site name file in this example). Systemaccess # Data will be fetched directly from the Controller rather than from a saved dataset. Utilities # Access the Main Menu option ‘Utilities’.
Page 139 134 Appendix D Sitename # Equivalent to the interactive CDS prompt for the site name. RUNCDS will provide # itself with site names by looping through the site names in the site file # SITE001.TXT in this example. Systemaccess # Data will be fetched directly from the Controller rather than from a saved dataset. Utilities # Access the Main Menu option ‘Utilities’.
Page 140 Sitename # Equivalent to the interactive CDS prompt for the site name. RUNCDS will provide # itself with site names by looping through the site names in SITE001.TXT. $Dataset1 # Open dataset number one for the sitename (i.e. use the first stored dataset). Diagnosis # Access Main Menu option “Diagnosis”.
Page 141 136 Appendix D Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide P0886303 Issue 01 Standard...
Page 142: Appendix E
Appendix E • File management P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide 137...
Page 143: Cds Dos Hard Drive Disk File Management
138 Appendix E CDS DOS Hard Drive Disk File Management Files needed by CDS Files created by administering a new site Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide The CDS application provides a directory called CDSPCI at the highest level on the drive that you have chosen. The following files are in the CDSPCI directory and are required to use the application: CDS.EXE This file is the main CDS program.
Page 144: Files Created When Using Cds
Files created when using CDS Figure 47: Example of ***** New Session Started on - Thu Jun 04 16:12:36 1998 SITE : ABC *** Message logged at Thu Jun 04 0102-1 019 CFG-L-LOST_ENT Entity did not respond; assumed absent/defective. Message logged at Thu Jun 04 0103-1 019 CFG-L-LOST_ENT Entity did not respond;...
Page 145: Saved Datasets
140 Appendix E Figure 48: Example of ****** ****** ****** FAULTS FOR BASE STATION 0104. RESET COUNT _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Radio 1 Reset Types 0 - RIM Reset Count 0 - SCL Fault Count...
Page 146 P0886303 Issue 01 Standard examining the data. This reduces connection time when accessing remote sites, and preserves the data for future reference. A dataset file has an extension of ‘.PDM’ and is stored in the sub- directory of the site for which it was created. Many datasets can be saved for a single site.
Page 147 142 Appendix E Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide RADIOS.CEL The RADIOS.CEL file is created when you first run CDS Automatic System Diagnosis for a new site. This file contains the assignment of radios to cells as detected by a CDS scan of the current hardware state.
Page 148: Dos File Summary
DOS File Summary File CDS.EXE RADIOS.CEL CDS_ADM.EXE RUNCDS.EXE HELVB.FON CDS_ADM.DAT CDS_ERR.LOG R_RESULT.LOG <filename>.PDM REPORT.TXT SITE<nnn>.TXT <macro-filename>.TXT LNG_MSG.DAT P0886303 Issue 01 Standard The table below summarizes the CDS disk files under the MS-DOS operating system. Table 3: Directory keep CDSPCI keep .SIT keep CDSPCI...
Page 149 144 Appendix E Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide P0886303 Issue 01 Standard...
Page 150: Index
Active calls Automatic system configuration automatic system diagnosis alarm area diagnosis results limitations pass area quality indicators reporting text screen controls warning area Background Background RSSI – Base Station disable initialization replace Base Station Resets Data Window Display screens Query Function System Faults Graph Base Station selection Blocked calls...
Page 151 146 Index malfunction Counters Base Station Data RIM Reset System Faults defined Cyclic Redundancy Check (see CRC) data corrupt transmission of fetched once historical real time Data Window dataset – Diagnosis Cell Signals Interference Radio Signals system faults Traffic Dialogue Window Digital frames Display Bar Chart...
Page 152 cancel disable disable radio file keyboard functions Control key highlighted letters highlighted outlined Line Interface Module (see LIM) Lost Integrity Data window Display screen Lost Link RSSI Lost Links Data Window Dialogue Window display screen percentage radio lost link Total QOS formula Main menu Display screen Memory Fault...
Page 153 148 Index Real time REPORT.TXT Reset RIM – initialization SCL Fault RIM Reset defined RSSI Background cell defined next weakest cell Next weakest radio radio system average weakest cell weakest radio weakest radio vs cell weakest radio vs system RSSI Measurement Units Sample inferring meaning Next weakest radio...
Page 154 Weakest Radio Data window Display screen Symbols 24hr Links Established 24hr Links Reestablished 24hr Lost Links P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide Index 149...
Page 155 150 Index Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide P0886303 Issue 01 Standard...

Nortel Meridian Companion PCI User Manual

Companion Diagnostic Software Basics

Site Administration

Using Companion Diagnostic Software

Display Screens

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

Appendix D

Appendix E

Index

Quick Links

Related Manuals for Nortel Meridian Companion PCI

Summary of Contents for Nortel Meridian Companion PCI

Table of Contents