Step-by-step guide for Cel-Fi QUATRA and the WAVE Portal
QUATRA Troubleshooting
Cel-Fi QUATRA systems are managed remotely using the Cel-Fi WAVE Portal. This cloud-based platform enables device management, data modeling, reporting, alarms, notifications and more. The Portal is mobile friendly which facilitates ease of use when on-site. The information in the WAVE Portal will be vital when you are troubleshooting Cel-Fi QUATRA Systems.
Check your System:
What’s the behavior of the Network Unit LED’s?
1. No Light on the NU
No light typically means there is no power on the Network Unit. The power supply located on the back of the Network Unit powers up the whole QUATRA system. Make sure that the power supply in the Network Unit is plugged-in properly, if you still have no power on the Network Unit try another outlet. If you continue to have problems with the Network Unit reach out to your point of sale for support.
Possible Causes:
- Check the outlet for power
- Check the NU power supply for damage and proper connection
- Try another QUATRA power supply if possible
2. Blinking Red NU Status Indicator
First, sign into the WAVE Portal and find your System. It will give your specific error code and troubleshooting assistance.
A blinking red indicator can mean:
- Incomplete registration – you must complete the registration process to proceeded
- Wrong donor signal “mode” selection – choose the correct donor signal mode for your donor source. The options are Internal Antenna, External Antenna or Small Cell
- Incoming signal too strong or too weak
- System disabled
3. Solid Red NU Status Indicator
Check the WAVE portal for your specific error code and troubleshooting assistance.
Check for:
- Clear vents
- Vertical/standing position
- Updated software
Try this:
- Make sure system has airflow and remove obstacles from vents
- Move to a cooler location if QUARTA is placed in extreme elements
- Restart NU
4. Blinking Green NU Status Indicator
Please wait… a blinking green status indicator is a notification that the system is thinking. During setup the NU status indicator will blink green while looking for the cellular signal.
Taking more than 5-10 minutes? Check your signal source:
4.1 Check the Signal Source: Small Cell
Check the NU to Small Cell connection:
- Listen for the click – make sure that your QMA connectors are securely snapped on
- Check the Small Cell, SCIF, and NU cables and ports for damage
- Swap cables. Only one small cell feed usually carries channel Sync info. Swap which cable feeds the EXA port on the NU and power cycle the NU
- Test the signal by unplugging the NU and attaching donor antenna directly to the Small Cell. Place a phone call to confirm the cellular device is picking up usable signal from the Small Cell. If no usable signal exists, please contact the Small Cell manufacturer for further assistance
4.2 Check the Signal Source: Off-Air
Internal NU Antenna:
- Make a test call (on the correct operator) at the location of your NU to confirm a usable donor signal exists
- Please wait… the system is attempting to learn new cellular channels that were not pre-programmed
External Antenna connected to NU:
- Make a test call (on the correct operator) at the location of your External Donor Antenna to confirm a usable donor signal exists
- Check cables and ports for damage
- Make sure all connectors are secured properly. QMA connectors “click” when properly applied. Make sure any threaded connectors are correct, not cross-threaded, or mis-gendered.
- Please wait… the system is attempting to learn new cellular channels that were not pre-programmed.
5. Solid Green NU Status Indicator
If the NU Status Indicator is solid green then your NU is up and running.
Proceed to the next set of questions below…
What’s the behavior of the Coverage Unit LED(s)?
6. No Power on CU Status Indicator
If the CU(s) status indicator has no light:
6.1 Check CU connections
6.2 Check CU equipment and cables
6.3 CU Hardware Error: Sometimes a hardware error can be resolved with a power cycle.
6.1 Check CU connections
Check the Cable:
- Cable must be gigabit 1000Base-T compliant
- Cable length must not exceed 100 meters, or 100 meters per cable if a QRE is used (or 150 meters per cable if 23 AWG Cat6 is used)
Check Cable connections:
- CU to NU
- NU to QRE and QRE to CU
Check QUATRA Range Extender:
- Check input and output Status Indicators for Solid Green and Amber lighting
- Test a different QRE is possible
Short Cable Test:
- To determine if cables or the units is the issue use a short LAN test cable and plug the CU directly into the NU. Test again with a direct connection to the QRE.
6.2 Check CU equipment & cables
Are you using dedicated CU equipment and cables?
- Cables used must be Gigabit 1,000 Base-T compliant
- Make sure that the LAN cabling to each Coverage Unit is dedicated (not combined with other active LAN hardware such as routers and switches)
- Passive connectors may be used (i.e. punch-down blocks) but the maximum cable distance may be reduced
7. Blinking Red CU Status Indicator
Check the WAVE Portal to determine which of the following issues QUATRA is experiencing:
- Too Many CU’s for selected donor signal mode
- CU Too Close to signal source
- CU Disabled by the Operator
8. Solid Red CU Status Indicator
If the NU is solid green, but the CU is solid red:
6.1 Check CU connections
6.2 Check CU equipment and cables
These are other possible issues:
- CU Hardware Error: Sometimes a hardware error can be resolved with a power cycle
- CU Overheating: Ensure all vents are clear and unblocked and move to a cooler location if needed
9. Blinking Green CU
Please wait… a Blinking green status indicator is a notification that the system is thinking. During set up the CU status indicator will blink green while the NU and CU are establishing a connection and setting up.
10. Solid Green CU Status Indicator
If all Status Indicators are solid green then your system is up and running.
If the system is still not operating correctly, these are possible scenarios:
10.1 Little to No Signal Improvement
10.2 Small Coverage Footprint per CU
10.1 Little or No Signal Improvement
When the CU and NU lights are solid green the QUATRA system is relaying, but there could be little or no signal improvement.
Try this:
- Confirm that you phone is compatible with the carrier that is being boosted, QUATRA is carrier specific
- Restart your mobile device at the location of the CU
- Test the signal source to confirm that the incoming signal is usable: Small Cell or Off-Air (internal or external antenna)
10.2 Small Coverage Footprint at each CU
Possible Causes:
- One of your CU’s is too close to the NU Donor Antenna. Unplug the closest CU and retest coverage at CUs. You may need to isolate your CU from the NU
- Too many CUs. Internal Antenna configurations will only support 1CU to 1NU
- CU Disabled. Check the WAVE Portal for more information
If you have attempted all other troubleshooting steps, and have not been able to resolve your issue, contact your vendor for further assistance and possible warranty replacement options.