Nortel Meridian Companion User manual

Companion Diagnostic Software
for PCI User Guide

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.

P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide 1
Contents
Companion Diagnostic Software basics 5
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
Remote access connections using a RAD external modem 13
Wireless system programming 15
Local access programming 16
Remote access programming using the RAD internal modem 16
Remote access programming using a RAD external modem 17
Make a working copy 17
Installing and using CDS on your hard drive 17
Using CDS from your floppy drive 18
Files needed by CDS 18
Site administration 19

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Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide P0886303 Issue 01 Standard
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 31
Selecting data 34
Automatic system configuration 35
Exiting CDS 36
Display screen components 37
A Typical CDS Session 38
Keyboard functions 39
Making menu selections 40
Files created when using CDS 40
Display screens 41
Command map 42
Main menu 43
Diagnosis Option 43
Monitor Option 44
Utilities Option 44
Diagnosis 45
Automatic System Diagnosis 45
Diagnosis Menu Options 49
Quality of Service 50
Quality of Service components 52
System Faults components 57
Radio Signals 64
Cell Signals 69
Interference 72
Traffic 74

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P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide
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 99
Equipment requirements 100
CDS software 100
PC 100
RAD 101
PC modem 101
RAD external modem 101
RS232 cable 102
RAD TCM cable 102
RS232 null modem cable 102
Public switch line cable 103
PC modem initialization string 103
Appendix B 105
Diagnosis Action Recommendations 106
How to report a problem 106
System Faults 106
Traffic 114
Interference 117
Radio Signals 118
Appendix C 121
CDS Error Messages 122
Appendix D 125
RUNCDS: Running CDS in Batch Mode 126
RUNCDS Command Line Syntax 128
The CDS Macro Language 129

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Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide P0886303 Issue 01 Standard
Macro Language Rules 129
CDS Macro Language Commands 129
Examples 132
Appendix E 137
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 145

P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide 5
Companion Diagnostic Software basics
• Introduction
• Checklists
• Connections
• Modem Access
• Installing CDS

6 Companion Diagnostic Software basics
Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide P0886303 Issue 01 Standard
About Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI
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 acustomer site. The CDSapplication runs ona personal
computer (PC). You can use it locally at the customer site or
remotely from another location. When you use remote access, the
PC interfaceswith thewireless systemindirectly viamodems. When
you use local access, the PC interfaces with the wireless system
directly without modems. CDS performs automatic system
configuration and automatic system diagnosis. It also presents on
your PC screen data derived from wireless operation. The displays
contain various levels of detail and are in the form of bar charts and
statistical tables, with accompanying commentaries.
The two radio transceivers in a Base Station operate in an allocated
frequency spectrum. Base Stations are grouped into cells, a cell may
have two or more radios in it depending upon the number of Base
Stations making up the cell. These cells overlap each otherto ensure
continuous radio coverage throughout the desired coverage area. In
each cell, at any one time, one radio may be used to provide a
commonsignallingchannel(CSC)whichlocatesandtracksportable
movements. Companion Diagnostic Software provides access to
information on the operating characteristics of both regular traffic
and CSC radios.
CDS package checklist
The CDS package includes the following:
• high density 3 1/2" CDS diskette
• Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide
Equipment checklist
The following isa checklist of equipment requirements for each type
of connection. For more detailed descriptions of the equipment
required, see Appendix A of this guide.

Companion Diagnostic Software basics 7
P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide
Local access equipment
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
• IBM compatible PC (386 processor or greater)
• RS232 cable, to connect the PC to the RAD
Remote access equipment using the RAD internal modem
To install and use CDS with remote access via the RAD internal
modem, you must have the following:
•RAD
• RAD TCM cable, to connect the RAD to the Controller
• IBM compatible PC (386 processor or greater)
• PC modem
• RS232 cable, to connect the PC to the PC modem
• Public switch line cable, to connect the PC modem to the public
switch

8 Companion Diagnostic Software basics
Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide P0886303 Issue 01 Standard
Remote access equipment using a RAD external modem
To install and use CDS with remote access via the RAD external
modem, you must have the following:
•RAD
• RAD TCM cable, 32 in (80 cm), to connect the RAD to the
Controller
• IBM compatible PC (386 processor or greater)
• PC modem
• RS232 cable, to connect the PC to the PC modem
• Public switch line cable, to connect the PC modem to the public
switch
• RAD external modem
• RS232 null modem cable, to connect the RAD to the RAD
external modem
Optional equipment
You may want to have the following hardware:
• high density 3 1/2" diskette to make a working copy of the
application
• hard drive for storing large amounts of data
• portable computer with battery power supply for greater mobility
Connect the equipment
You can make two types of equipment connections to examine
wireless system operation using CDS. A local access connection
may be made using an RS232 cable at the customer site, or a remote
connection may be made through a PC modem to use CDS at a
location other than the customer site.
Note: The RAD cannot be programmed if an RS232 cable is
connected to its serial port. Ensure that the required RAD
programming has been done before connecting the RS232
cable to the RAD serial port.

Companion Diagnostic Software basics 9
P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide
Local access connections
Figure 1 shows the connections that you must make to examine a
wireless system usingCDS at the customer site.Refer to theRemote
Access Device Installation Guide if you require more detail on RAD
hardware connections or programming.
Figure 1: Overview of CDS local connections and wireless system
To connect the PC to the RAD
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.
2. Place the PC within 100 feet (30 meters) of the RAD.
3. Connect the other end of the RS232 cable to the serial porton the
RAD using a female 25-pin connector or 9-pin connector as
required.
To connect the RAD to the Controller:
1. Connect oneend of theRADTCM cable to theRJ-11 port onthe
back of the RAD using the RJ-11 connector.
Public
Switch
or
PBX
Controller
TCM
RAD PC
Keyboard
Companion
Diagnostic
Software
CDS Application
Administration
Terminal (M7310)
Distribution
Block
RS232 Cable
(max. 100 ft)
RAD
Base Stations
Public
Switch
or
PBX
Access
Lines
Portables
TCM
Cable
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Companion 200
Lines
Meridian Companion

10 Companion Diagnostic Software basics
Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide P0886303 Issue 01 Standard
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).
3. Connect the loose wires on the other end of the RAD TCM cable
to an allowable free port (one of the first five TCM ports) at the
distribution block.
Note: Although any of the first five TCM ports are allowable for the
purposes of CDS, if you also intend to use the backup/restore
feature in Companion Manager, you should use the first TCM
port.
Ensure that the RAD TCM cable is free of bridge-taps and loading
coils.

Companion Diagnostic Software basics 11
P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide
Remote access connections using the RAD internal modem
Figure 2 shows the connections that you must make to examine a
wireless system using CDS from a remote location via the RAD
internal modem. One of the lines into the Controller is dedicated to
the RAD. This line is not available for other devices. If a dedicated
line is not available through the Controller, the RAD can share a line
with another device, although this is not recommended.
The RAD must be programmed to answer the line automatically
when the PC dials in through the public switch. Refer to the Remote
Access Device Installation Guide if you require more detail on RAD
hardwareconnections orprogramming. Ifyourequire moredetailon
wireless system hardware connections, refer to the wireless system
documentation.
Figure 2: Overview of CDS remote connections using the RAD internal modem
Public
Switch
or
PBX
Controller
TCM
RAD
PC
Companion
Diagnostic
Software
CDS Application
Administration
Terminal
Distribution
Block
RS232
RAD
Base Stations
Public
Switch
or
PBX
Access
Lines
Portables
Lines
(M7310)
Cable
(max.
100 ft)
PC
modem
Public
Switch
Line
Keyboard
TCM
Cable
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Companion 200
Meridian Companion

12 Companion Diagnostic Software basics
Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide P0886303 Issue 01 Standard
On-site connections required for remote access (with internal
modem)
To connect the RAD to the Controller:
1. Connect oneend of theRADTCM cable to theRJ-11 port onthe
back of the RAD using the RJ-11 connector.
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).
3. Connect the loose wires on the other end of the RAD TCM cable
to an allowable free port (one of the first five TCM ports) at the
distribution block.
Note: While any of the first five TCM ports are allowable for the
purposes of CDS, if you also intend to use the backup/restore
feature in Companion Manager, you should use the first TCM
port.
Ensure that the RAD TCM cable is free of bridge-taps and
loading coils.
Off-site connections required for remote access (with internal
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.
2. Connect the other end of the RS232 cable to the serial porton the
PC modem using a connector that matches the modem serial
port.
Note: The maximum length of an RS232 cable is 100 feet
(30 meters).
To connect the PC modem to the public switch:
1. Connect one end of the publicswitch line cable to the RJ-11 port
on the PC modem using an RJ-11 connector.
2. Connect the other end of the public switch line cable to the
public switch network.

Companion Diagnostic Software basics 13
P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide
Remote access connections using a RAD external modem
To examine a wireless system using CDS from a remote location via
aRADexternalmodem,no line into the controllerisdedicatedto 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.
The external modem is connected to the RAD by an RS232 null
modem cable. See Figure 3 for the connections you must make to
examine a wireless system using CDS from a remote location using
a RAD external modem.
Note: Only 9600 baud can be supported with the external modem.
Figure 3: Overview of CDS remote connections using a RAD external modem
Public
Switch
or
PBX
Controller
TCM
RAD
PC
Companion
Diagnostic
Software
CDS Application
Administration
Terminal
Distribution
Block
RS232
RAD
Base Stations
Public
Switch
or
PBX
Access
Lines
Portables
lines
TCM
(M7310)
Cable
(max.
100 ft)
PC
modem
Public
Switch
Line
Keyboard
Public Switch
RAD
RS232 Null
Modem Cable
or PBX Line
External
Modem
Cable
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Companion 200
Meridian Companion

14 Companion Diagnostic Software basics
Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide P0886303 Issue 01 Standard
On-site connections required for remote access (with external
modem)
To connect a RAD to the Controller:
1. Connect one end of a RAD TCM cable to the RJ-11 port on the
back of a RAD using the RJ-11 connector.
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 (a
32 inch (80 centimeter) cable has been provided). 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).
3. Connect the loose wires on the other end of the RAD TCM cable
to an allowable free port (one of the first five TCM ports) (refer
to the Remote Access Device Installation Guide) at the
distribution block.
Note: Although any of the first five TCM ports are allowable for the
purposes of CDS, if you also intend to use the backup/restore
feature in Companion Manager, you should use the first TCM
port.
Ensure that the RAD TCM cable is free of bridge-taps and loading
coils.
To connect a RAD to a RAD external modem:
1. Connect one end of the RS232 null modem cable to the serial
port on the RAD using a female 25-pin connector.
2. Connect the other end of the RS232 null modem cable to the
serial port on the 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.
2. Connect the other end of the line cable to the public switch or
PBX.
Note: Only 9600 baud can be supported with the external modem.

Companion Diagnostic Software basics 15
P0886303 Issue 01 Standard Companion Diagnostic Software for PCI User Guide
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.
2. Connect the other end of the RS232 cable to the serial porton the
PC modem using an appropriate connector.
Note: The maximum length of an RS232 cable is 100 feet
(30 meters).
To connect the PC modem to the public switch:
1. Connect one end of the publicswitch line cable to the RJ-11 port
on the PC modem using an RJ-11 connector.
2. Connect the other end of the public switch line cable to the
public switch network.
Wireless system programming
The following is a summary of the wireless system programming
required for a local or remote connection. This programming is
performed on the wireless system’s Administration Terminal, and
should be recorded in the Programming Record of the Remote
Access Device Installation Guide. Programming must be completed
at the customer site before you can use CDS. Refer to the Remote
Access Device Installation Guide if you require more detail on RAD
programming. Refer to the wireless system documentation if you
require more detail on wireless system programming.
Note:A RAD cannot be programmed if anRS232 cable is connected
to its serial port. Ensure that the required RAD programming
has beendone before connecting the RS232 cable to the RAD
serial port.
Note: The System ID must be programmed for the RAD before you
can proceed. Refer to the Remote Access Device Installation
Guide for instructions on how to program the System ID for
the RAD. The RAD password defaults to the System ID.