Statistical Analysis of Interference in a Real LTE Access Network by Massive Collection of MDT Radio Measurement Data from Smartphones

A new paradigm for the analysis of radio coverage and quality of live 4G cellular radio access network (RAN) is reported. The 3GPP standard feature called minimization of drive test (MDT), is used to collect GPS coordinates together with radio measurements of large population of user equipment (UE) i.e., the smartphones. MDT does not require any additional software or App in the UE, it enable UE to report additional periodical measurements throughout signaling phase i.e., without any impact on customer costs. MDT data of Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM) RAN have been collected and statistically analyzed, from anonymous UEs. The analysis has been focused on the city of Ancona (Italy) where MDT allowed to deeply study an electromagnetic interference issue on LTE RAN in the port area of the city. MDT results have been overlapped to theoretical electromagnetic simulation of radio coverage and comparison have been discussed. MDT feature allows the GPS accuracy to the geospatial analysis of radio measurements thus offering a new perspective in cellular planning and radio network optimization. MDT data has been collected using Geosynthesis system.