Nokia Siemens Networks

GSM/EDGE BSS, rel.

RG10(BSS), operating
documentation, issue 03

Feature description

BSS21120: AMR unpacking optimization

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Table of Contents
This document has 14 pages.

Reason for update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.1 In general. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.2 Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

2 Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

3 Functional description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.1 Functional overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.2 Functional split . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.2.1 NetAct interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.2.2 BSC MMI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.2.3 Plan provisioning interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

4 System impacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

5 User interface . . . . . . . . . . ....... ...... ..................... 12

5.1 Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... ...... ..................... 12
5.2 MML commands . . . . . . . . ....... ...... ..................... 13
5.2.1 MML command EHB . . . . . ....... ...... ..................... 13
5.2.2 MML command EHO . . . . . ....... ...... ..................... 14
5.2.3 MML command EHC . . . . . ....... ...... ..................... 14

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List of Figures
Figure 1 Intra-cell HOs due to bad RX quality are prevented when RxQual = 7. . . 9

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List of Tables
Table 1 Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

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Reason for update

Issue history

Issue Date of issue Reason for update

number
01 12/2008 Approved draft of first issue for new release
1-1 03/2009 First issue for new release
1-2 06/2009 Correction to the ULLAMR AMR signal quality thresh-
old parameter in “MML command EHB”
1-3 08/2009 Editorial changes

Details

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BSS21120: AMR unpacking optimization Introduction

1 Introduction

1.1 In general
The “AMR unpacking optimization” (BSS21120) feature provides new AMR quality and
level based handover parameters to avoid unnecessary unpacking in intra-cell AMR
FR/HR handovers.
When the field strength drops rapidly, the quality of service also drops typically. This
triggers AMR unpacking handovers. If the field strength drop is high, quality is degraded.
The mobile cannot decode handover assignments and handover is not performed. Also,
when the MS moves round a corner, its own RX level is not changed, but the interfer-
ence becomes stronger. This can cause drops to “bad” quality levels in the MS. In a
“bad” quality level, SACCH decoding in the MS fails, and hence the MS cannot identify
any handover assignments.
Normally, the radio-link time-out timer controls the time for which the mobile can be
unreachable, before the TCH is deactivated and the call is regarded as a dropped call.
This can be e.g. 16 seconds. When a handover starts using a fixed 6 seconds timer to
control handover success, and if the MS does not answer during this time with either a
successful or a non-successful handover, then the BSC deactivates the target and
source channels. This is considered as a drop. Without an intra-cell handover start, the
MS could still have about 10 seconds to get out of the bad coverage.
When RX quality on the AMR HR channel is below the unpacking threshold, but RX level
conditions are good, it is reasonable to perform an intra-cell HO to a better HR channel
in the cell. This is achieved by preventing AMR unpacking handover when the RX level
is high enough.
Due to this feature, the HO algorithm prevents AMR unpacking and interference-based
intra-cell handovers, when the RX level and/or RX quality conditions are very bad. Also,
unnecessary AMR unpacking handovers are avoided when the RX level is good. With
this, the dropped call rate can be reduced.
Refer to the “Parameters” section for more details on the parameters and their effects.

1.2 Benefits
This feature saves capital expense and improves network quality by reducing the rate
of dropped calls.

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Requirements BSS21120: AMR unpacking optimization

2 Requirements
The BSC S14 software is required and there are no specific hardware requirements for
this feature.

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BSS21120: AMR unpacking optimization Functional description

3 Functional description
This feature provides new AMR quality and level based handover parameters to avoid
unnecessary unpacking in intra-cell FR / HR handovers.
This chapter is divided into the following sections:
• “Functional overview”
• “Functional split”
For more information on activating this feature, refer to “Activating and testing
BSS21120: AMR unpacking optimization”.

3.1 Functional overview

The “AMR unpacking optimization” feature is controlled by means of a license key.
When the feature is active, the HO algorithm uses new RX quality and RX level limits to
prevent AMR unpacking and interference-based intra-cell handovers when RX level
and/or RX quality conditions are very bad. Unnecessary AMR unpacking handovers are
prevented when RX level conditions are good. Also, packing is denied if the quality level
is bad.
In the example shown in “Figure 1”, the conditions for AMR unpacking HO are fulfilled
when the RX quality is 4 or worse, but if the average uplink or downlink RX quality
(RxQual) is 7, then AMR unpacking HO is not allowed because of the new “Intra HO
prevent threshold lower rx qual” parameter.
In this example, this new parameter is set to the default of 7, and the existing “Intra HO
threshold RX qual AMR HR” (IHRH) parameter is set to 4.

AMR FR
RxLev -47dBm to -48dBm -49dBm to -100dBm -101dBm to -110dBm
0
Packing HO Packing not allowed due to poor signal strength
1
2
RxQual

3
4 No action
5
6
7

AMR HR
RxLev -47dBm to -48dBm -49dBm to -100dBm -101dBm to -110dBm
0
1
2 No action
RxQual

3
4
5 Unpacking not allowed due to very good level Unpacking Unpacking not allowed due to poor signal strength

6
7 Unpacking not allowed Unpacking not allowed due to very bad quality Unpacking not allowed

Figure 1 Intra-cell HOs due to bad RX quality are prevented when RxQual = 7
In “Figure 1”:
• For AMR FR:
– Packing is allowed due to good quality (RXQual = 0 or 1) when signal strength
is between -47 dBm and -100 dBm.

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– Packing and interference HO are not allowed with RXQual = 0 or 1 when signal
strength is poor, below -100 dBm
– Packing is not allowed with RXQual = 2 to 7
• For AMR HR:
– Unpacking is allowed with RXQual = 4 to 6 when signal strength is between - 49
dBm and -100 dBm
– Unpacking is not allowed with RXQual = 4 to 6 when signal strength is very
good, above -49 dBm
– Unpacking and interference HO are not allowed with RXQual = 4 to 6 when
signal strength is poor, below - 100 dBm
– Unpacking and interference HO are not allowed due to very bad quality, with
RXQual = 7
– Unpacking is not allowed with RXQual = 0 to 3.
The interference-based intra-cell handovers are prevented if the new “Intra HO prevent
threshold lower rx qual” parameter is set to 7, and the average uplink or downlink RX
quality is also 7.
For the lower RX level limit ( defined by the new “Intra HO prevent threshold lower RX
level AMR HR” parameter), the RX level is checked instead of the RX quality. If condi-
tions for AMR unpacking HO are fulfilled, but the average uplink or downlink RX level is
lower than defined by this new parameter, then AMR unpacking HO is not triggered.
There is also a new parameter to define the upper limit (“Intra HO prevent threshold
upper rx level AMR HR”). AMR unpacking HOs are avoided if the uplink or downlink RX
level is better than defined by this new parameter.
Refer to “Parameters” for more information on the new parameters of this feature.

3.2 Functional split

This feature is controlled by means of a license key. The state (OFF/CONF/ON) of the
feature is displayed and can be changed using the platform feature management MML.
When the license expires, the BSC automatically stops using this feature. However, the
values of the new parameters remain unchanged even when the license key has
expired.

3.2.1 NetAct interface

NetAct supports the “AMR unpacking optimization” license key control, as well as the
associated new HOC parameters.

3.2.2 BSC MMI

The BSC MMI supports the “AMR unpacking optimization” license key control, as well
as the associated new HOC parameters.

3.2.3 Plan provisioning interface

The plan provisioning interface supports the new HOC parameters.

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BSS21120: AMR unpacking optimization System impacts

4 System impacts
The handover algorithm functionality is already implemented in the DFCA context. For
more information, refer to the “Dynamic frequency and channel allocation” (BSS11052)
feature description.
The UTPFIL parameters (for RX quality and RX level limits) implemented are replaced
by new HOC parameters. The “AMR unpacking optimization” feature includes MML
support for the new parameters. The functionality of the feature is controlled by means
of a license key.

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5 User interface
The impacts of the “AMR unpacking optimization” feature on the user interface are
described in this chapter.
The chapter is divided into the following two sections:
• “Parameters”
• “MML commands”

5.1 Parameters
The new parameters for “AMR unpacking optimization” are described in “Table 1”.

Name Level Description Range Default

value
Intra HO lower HOC This parameter defines the -110 .... -47 -100
RX level limit limit for the average uplink dBm dBm
AMR HR and downlink signal level. If
the average uplink or
downlink signal level is worse
than this parameter, then
quality-based intra-cell han-
dovers are not allowed.
This parameter is displayed if
the feature state is CONF or
ON.
Intra HO upper HOC This parameter defines the -110 .... -47 -47
RX level limit limit for the average uplink dBm dBm
AMR HR and downlink signal level. If
the average uplink or
downlink signal level is better
than this parameter, then
quality-based intra-cell han-
dovers are not allowed.
This parameter is displayed if
the feature state is CONF or
ON.

Table 1 Parameters

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Name Level Description Range Default

value
Intra HO lower HOC This parameter defines the < 0.2% (0), > 12.8%
RX qual limit limit of the average uplink and 0.2% - 0.4% (1), (7)
AMR downlink signal quality. If the
0.4% - 0.8% (2),
average uplink or downlink
signal quality is worse than 0.8% - 1.6% (3),
this parameter, then quality- 1.6% - 3.2% (4),
based intra-cell handovers
3.2% - 6.4% (5),
are not allowed.
6.4% - 12.8% (6),
This parameter is displayed if
the feature state is CONF or > 12.8% (7)
ON.

Table 1 Parameters (Cont.)

5.2 MML commands

This section descibes the changes to the MML commands due to the “AMR unpacking
optimization” feature.

5.2.1 MML command EHB

1. SEG and SEGNAME parameter support is included in the EHB command. These
paremeters are used only with the new AMR signal quality threshold parameters:
– LQLAMR = intra HO lower rx quality limit AMR
– LLLAMR = intra HO lower rx level limit AMR HR
– ULLAMR = intra HO upper rx level limit AMR HR
2. If the SEG or SEGNAME parameter is used, only the new segment level AMR signal
quality threshold parameters LLLAMR, ULLAMR and LQLAMR can be entered, and
only these are printed out. See the example given below.
3. The functionality of old parameters does not change. These old parameters can not
be used with the SEG or SEGNAME parameters. If the SEG or SEGNAME parameter
is given, then the old parameters are hidden in the second block.
4. The BTS and NAME can be used with these new parameters when the segment has
only one BTS. If the segment has more than one BTS, the LLLAMR, ULLAMR and
LQLAMR parameters are hidden in the second block.
The new functionality is marked in bold and the old in normal font:

Syntax EHB: ( BTS = <BTS identification> |

NAME = <BTS name> |
SEG = <SEG identification> <option> |
SEGNAME = <SEG name> <option> );
( QDRF = <threshold dl Rx qual AMR FR> <option> |
QURF = <threshold ul Rx qual AMR FR> <option> |
QDRH = <threshold dl Rx qual AMR HR> <option> |

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QURH = <threshold ul Rx qual AMR HR> <option> |

IHRF = <intra HO threshold Rx qual AMR FR> <option> |
IHRH = <intra HO threshold Rx qual AMR HR> <option> |
GCIF = <super reuse good C/I threshold AMR FR>
<option> |
BCIF = <super reuse bad C/I threshold AMR FR> <option>
|
GCIH = <super reuse good C/I threshold AMR HR>
<option> |
BCIH = <super reuse bad C/I threshold AMR HR> <option>
|
LLLAMR = <intra HO lower Rx level limit AMR HR> <option> |
ULLAMR = <intra HO upper Rx level limit AMR HR> <option> |
LQLAMR = <intra HO lower Rx qual limit AMR HR> <option> ) ...;
Output example: modifying the AMR signal quality threshold parameters of SEG-1

ZEHB:SEG=1:LLLAMR=-80,ULLAMR=-90,LQLAMR=6;
BSC3i BSC-LAB 2007-12-18 13:20:02
HANDOVER CONTROL AMR SIGNAL QUALITY THRESHOLD PARAMETERS OF SEG-
0001 TESTLAB

INTRA HO LOWER RX LEVEL LIMIT AMR HR ........ - 80 dBm

INTRA HO UPPER RX LEVEL LIMIT AMR HR ........ - 90 dBm
INTRA HO LOWER RX QUAL LIMIT AMR ........ 6.4% - 12.8 %
COMMAND EXECUTED

5.2.2 MML command EHO

The new HOC parameters are added to the EHO command output.

5.2.3 MML command EHC

The new HOC parameters are added to the EHC command output.

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