Resume of Surafel Kebede

             

 

SUMMARY

 

Senior Radio Frequency Engineer specialized in operators network support with the Design, Optimization, Performance and Tuning activities. Proficient in LTE, UMTS/HSPA, CDMA/EVDO, GSM/EDGE network optimization including RF parameter changes, monitoring Key Performance Indicator (KPIs), data post processes and trouble shooting performance issues, coverage & capacity analysis. Flexible to attempt alternate solutions to resolve complex issues as well as good reputations for working well with internal teams and external customers. 

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

 

Sprint, contract

LTE RF Design Engineer

2015 –

 

Performed LTE Radio Access Network (RAN) design by conducting system configuration and dimensioning through coverage and capacity analysis, link budget calculation, site selection, traffic analysis, cell site equipment selection and configuration of hardware and software parameters, neighbor generation & Physical Cell ID planning

·  Designed LTE RAN to provide subscribers a high quality of service targets on ARQ (Accessibility, Retainability, Quality) & Throughput targets across the entire LTE footprint

·  Performed RF cell coverage prediction study to evaluating coverage problems and traffic capacity analysis using Planet and ACP (Automatic Cell Planning) tools

·  Examined Monte Carlo simulation  results to resolve RF related failures and achieve LTE Key Performance Indicator (KPI) design targets (RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, Dominance, Throughput)

·  Created E-UTRAN Neighbor Relation Lists and Physical Cell ID Planning per PSS and SSS

·  Carried out Link budget calculation and evaluated system design & dimensioning

•                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Analyzed antenna parameter changes M-DT/ E-DT, AZ, TxHt where applicable and generate RF predication plots to show the RSRP, SINR, Best server plots analysis of the network

·  Conducted radio propagation model tuning and validation of propagation parameters for more accurate prediction

•                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Examined CIQ delivery to make sure neighbor list, PCI, RACH & eCSFB HO are set correctly 
•                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Verified RF related site Engineering drawings & engage in discussion w/ local RAN Engineers
•                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Generate RF Plumbing Diagrams with  different RF components (Antenna, duplexer, diplexer)
•                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Reviewed RFDSs for accuracy and make the necessary changes thru closely coordination with Site Development
•                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Implemented the recommended Antenna E-tilt configuration changes in OSS
•                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Assisted field Engineer in identifying site parameters via OSS during LTE ATP drive test
•                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Issued work orders to Commissioning for troubleshooting and Activation/Deactivation of sites
•                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Actualized Sweep test results for all newly installed Fiber optic cables, antenna systems (Coax Jumpers/Antenna) making sure that they are swept with approved test sets

 

American Tower, contract

Sr. RF Design & Optimization Engineer

2013 – 2015

 

Designed DAS and Small Cells to meet desired coverage objectives for multiple technologies (LTE, UMTS, HSPA, CDMA, EV-DO) by conducting system configuration and dimensioning through coverage / capacity analysis, link budget calculation and equipment selection

 

·   Evaluated customer design requirements and translate them into a layout of node antennas and radios connected via fiber to a central controller to be hooked up to the carrier’s base station

·   Designed DAS and Small Cell at high traffic venues to fill gaps where traditional macro tower signals cannot penetrate and/or  insufficient to handle highly concentrated traffic

·   Conducted propagation model tuning to increase accuracy of calculated path loss matrices in Atoll Cross-wave & standard modeling software utilizing drive test data & CW measurements

·   Optimized DAS and Small Cell to maintain dominance over outdoor macro network with antenna tilts (EDT/MDT), azimuth changes & power adjustments

·   Responsible for planning & coordination of walk/drive test rout selection intended for CW & benchmark data collection to measure existing macro network signal strength

·   Maximized system capacity by reducing the level and number of interferers through design optimization and provide recommendations for design performance enhancements

·   Communicated regularly with customers regarding system design modification requirements and work with equipment vendors to true up requirements for scoped services and materials

·   Worked with the equipment vendors and CAD (computer-aided design) group to ensure the design is translated accurately into a set of final construction drawings

·   Generated power link budget calculations and coordinate with the RF Performance team to ensure the design satisfies all the performance criteria laid out with the customer

 

 

Nielsen Mobile, contract

Senior Wireless Engineer

2012 – 2013

 

Carried out network performance drive test data analysis with RF engineering measurement tools designed for network benchmarking in support of current and emerging voice and data wireless technologies to the largest wireless carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, USCC, Cricket)

 

·               Analyzed Key Performance Indicators: Session Setup Success Rate, Session Abnormal Release rate, DL/UL Network/User Perceived Throughput, Round Trip Time including TCP/IP packet capturing data analysis and  MOS (Mean Opinion Score) for Mobile Voice data quality, Access Failure rate, Dropped call rate,

·               Conducted Voice & Data network performance  testing to identify service quality across competing major US cell operators by analyzing drive test data collected extensively

·               Examined Layer 3 Physical/MAC information and higher layer protocol messages, RAN data (CINR, RSCP, Ec/Io, RSRP, RSRQ, Tx / Rx power, etc)

·               Tested RF data collection tools and software programs to conduct accurate data gathering,  post-processing and benchmark reporting of wireless networks at the fix & mobile end

·               Investigated the wireless carrier network for any engineering design issues to improve RF link, activate/deactivate PDP,  task accessibility, task  retainability, throughput and ping delay

·               Analyzed system engineering performance improvement of LTE technology with MIMO, scalable bandwidth, low latency for video streaming applications and other standard user web browsing activities

 

AT&T, contract

Sr. RF Design & Optimization Engineer

2009 – 2012

 

Led a team of RF engineers for system configuration design and dimensioning through coverage and capacity analysis, site evaluation, link budget study, scrambling code planning and interference analysis to meet all design Key Performance Indicator (KPI) targets

 

·               Designed LTE & UMTS Macro/Micro network and examined Monte Carlo simulation results to provide subscribers a high quality of service targets on ARQ (Accessibility, Retainability, Quality) & Throughput targets with a consistent user experience across the entire LTE footprint

·               Optimized and suggested changes in various network system performance enhancements including antenna tilts (EDT/MDT) & Azimuth changes with the aid of Atoll/ACP and drive test data results

·               Generated RFDSs for LTE, UMTS carrier (F1-F4) adds as well as Split Sector adds  using various site configurations (DNB/ RRUS/RRUW/OBIF/Macro) along with different RF components (RX-AIT, MCPA/SCPA, LLC, duplexer, diplexer, TMA/GMA, RET Antenna, DAS Interface Tray, etc)

·               Prepared & issued RND-CIQ database with all variable parameters and physical site configurations for integration scripts loads which is required for new site/cell and all carrier additions

·               Added Intra Frequency Utran relations, Inter Frequency neighbor (IFHO) & UTRAN->GSM IRAT relations ensuring the number of neighbour relations are not exceeding the maximum limit

·               Conducted a sanity check for duplicate neighbours, missing mutual relations and ensuring that all UMTS targets are located in the LAC/SAC/RAC tab & all GSM targets in GSM Nbr Cell tab

·               Examined parameter changes in various network system performance enhancements for coverage, interference, pilot pollution, hand over and  load balancing between multiple carriers related issue

·               Implemented Field Guide Alert parameter changes as well as identified & Fixed incorrect threshold settings by thoroughly inspecting RF databases and study its impacts

·               Analyzed  inter-Frequency/Inter-RAT handovers through (qQualMin/qRxLevMin & sRat/sIntra/sInter) parameter changes to allow some UEs to move to 3G

 

 

T-Mobile, contract

Sr. RF Optimization Engineer                            

2008 – 2009

 

Optimized clusters drive test data for RF coverage issues with antenna tilt and azimuth fine tuning to optimal coverage overlap and reduction of pilot pollution, handoff failures analysis and recommended solutions

·               Analyzed a number of cluster drive test data using Actix Spotlight and TEMS Investigation post processing tools to identify and troubleshot coverage holes, pilot pollution, tilt change requirements to extensively improved CS/PS Drop Rate & RRC/ RAB/ IRAT Success

·               Implemented cell interference analysis and down tilted (EDT/MDT) several over shooting sites at the base stations which resulted in a key reductions of drop call due to pilot pollution as well as lack of dominancy

·               Examined layer 3 Message analysis of voice, PS, 3G-2G IRATHO for identification and rectification of network problems which significantly reduced the number of access failures and dropped calls

·               Fine-tuned soft handoff analysis with various SHO trigger events e1a, e1b to e1f for optimum soft HO performance and cell reselection using data collection and post processing tools

·               Developed neighbor lists for new 3G sites, intra & inter frequency missing neighbors as well as 2G IRATH neighbors to maintain call completion success rate

Marconi Wireless / Ericsson

Radio Frequency Engineer

2000 ─ 2008

 

 

CDMA/EVDO_ RF Design & Optimization Engineer

Performed system design and dimensioning with Planet EV network design and optimization software for coverage and capacity, site identification/ evaluation, spectrum planning and interference analysis as well as resolving a variety of complex performance issues to enhance the CDMA/EVDO network

 

·               Utilized Planet EV software to Design the CDMA/EVDO network for major markets in the United States according to project Managers guidance & planning

·               Performed RF cell coverage prediction study to evaluating the coverage problems as well as traffic capacity analysis using Planet and ACP (Capesso/Ariso), Radio network planning tools

·               Selected new cell sites locations based on network design needs along with population consideration and performed cell coverage & pilot pollution analyses

·               Conducted optimization activities using drive test data post processing tool to evaluate the PN planning, Neighbor list and interference reports

·               Recommended  CDMA/EVDO parameter changes including antenna tilts (EDT/MDT), Azimuth, antenna rad center as well as power setting changes resulted significant improvement in network performance KPIs

·               Carried out site Survey, data collection set-up, calibration and data processing utilizing various data collection equipment & software (TEMS Invex3G, Agilent/HP, Grayson, DTI )

·               Monitored and provided statistical reports, users served/dropped, sector blocking, RSSI level and the pilot Ec/Io using Agilent wireless network measurement software

·               Provided customer a detailed overview of problems in the field which significantly reduced the number of access failures, connection drops, blocks, Throughput issues, etc to satisfy all service level agreements

 

 

RF Performance Engineer (UMTS)

              Monitored & Analyzed the UMTS Network Key Performance Indicators:  Access Failure rate, Dropped call rate, Setup failures, BLER, Throughput, MOU/Drop, and IRAT to improve network statistics

 

·               Optimized and recommended changes in various network system performance enhancements including antenna tilts, Azimuth changes, CPICH power setting by utilizing Asset RF planning tool

·               Carried out UTRAN OSS Alarm monitoring of RNC,RBS, RXI

·               Performed UETR, CTR, MRR and GPEH recordings for specific trouble shooting

·               Recorded WNCS to catch missing neighbors and maintain call completion success rate

·               Build CIQ data base for integration scripts load required for Greenfield, expansion & carrier adds

·               Adjusted cell parameter values to increase efficacy & allow high traffic demand for special events

·               Examined issue related to interfaces Iub, Iur, IuCS, IuPS and optimize system parameters

·               Reviewed OSS parameters and analyze parameter change impacts with RAN manager & RF engineers

·               Investigated and recommended RAX-Board & T1 additions to addressed high admission rejection rate due to lack of hardware resources, and increased call success rate significantly

·               Generated KPI summary reports to show pre and post network performance improvements

 

 

 

 

 

E911 Lead RF Optimization Engineer (All US Operators)

Led a team of field engineers performing cell site audits to ensure accuracy when building the enhanced 911 Base Station Almanac to include recording site coordinates, antenna height, azimuths & PN information as well as final PSAP testing

·               Carried out site Survey, data collection, calibration / validation post processing data analysis and matching field log files with PDE

·               Training a team of field engineers to accomplish E911 PSAP testing efficiently in a timely manner

·               Conducted PSAP accuracy pass/fail test data analysis, LMU locating and supporting activities

·               Used Planet EV software to input the most up-to-date Base Station Almanac cell site information

 

RF Design & Optimization Engineer (GSM)

Analyzed optimization of propagation model based on drive tests results and made recommendations for RF configuration and parameter changes. Diagnosed coverage, capacity and quality related problems

·               Reviewed & signed off search rings, submitted candidates and delivered final RF site designs

·               Premeditated MPE, Inter-modulation, isolation checklist

·               Conducted environmental, antennae deviation, and commissioning studies

·               Carried out optimization activities using drive test data and recommended parameter changes (Antenna Tilts, Azimuth, ACL) resulted in significant improvement in the  network performance

 

EDUCATION

 

BSEET, University of Texas at Dallas, May 2000

 

SKILLS

 

Atoll, Planet, ACP (Capesso/Ariso), GeoPlan, Asset

Actix1, Spotlight, TEMS, iBwave, XPM

OSS, NetAct, Business Objects, Prospect

Invex3G, Agilent/HP, Grayson, WindCatcher, DTI

Accuver XCAL-MO/ XCAP-X, LCG, API, OIDX

MapInfo, Visio, Gladiator Innovation, Polaris

RND-CIQ, RFDS Auto-Forms, Savvion, Siterra

Xynergy, Cockpit, Flux, Glance, ClearVision, NTM

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

 

Atoll Network Design & Optimization

Planet RF Design & Planning Solution

DAS Network Design & Optimization

Small Cell Design Process & Guidelines

LTE Network Design & Optimization Guidelines

WCDMA Air Interface & Ran Protocols / Procedures

WCDMA Ran Functionality & Configuration

 

WORK STATUS

 

U.S. Citizen