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Roaming

Mobility management • How to locate the users during the call initiation
• Mainly fixed network issue
• Broadcasting the initialization messages
• Roaming • Central database - Location register
– Tracking inactive terminals • How much radio resource should be used for transmitting
the location updates in order to save time and complexity
• Handover for connection setup
– Providing seamless service for active moving
Basic roaming activity
user • When a terminal moves around it sends update messages
• Connecting the active terminal to BS reporting their location.
• Moving user to other operator service area • Inactive users monitor the signal levels received from
neighboring BS
• Make the list of likely candidates for locating the terminal

Handover Handover resource assignment


Handover decision/detection
• decision to initiate handoff is based on • Are there resources available at the new BS
– measurements of current link quality – Is there an available channel
– prediction of the future link quality – How the interference conditions are changed
• measurements can be made by the terminal • In dynamic channel allocation the interference
or by the BS level is estimated
• Decision can be made by mobile or by – The handover may be denied despite the
network availability of free channel
– MAHO Mobile assisted handover
– MCHO (DECT) mobile controlled handover
Handover execution Handover quality measures
• Protocols for signaling the handover data • Dropping probability
– Make before the brake – How often a handoff fails.
– Soft handover – A failure – signal quality is under required level over
• Informing terminal and new BS certain time.
– Delay properties of the handover procedure
• Synchronization of the data streams
• Handoff probability/rate
– How often the handover is made
• Too many handoffs overload signalling channels
• Too few handoffs increase probability of outage
• Handover latency

Handover decision algorithm Example


• Most current cellular systems rely on MAHO
The user moves between with constant speed 20 m/s.
Two BS are separated 1000 m signal level decay
– Measurements can be made by mobile or by BS
α= 4
• Define the list of received signal strengths S1 ( tk )
• Handover algorithm is a function At the midpoint the received signal level is 5 and 10
dB higher than minimum required receive level
Yi (tk ) = fi ( S1( tk ) ,S1( tk−1) ,…,S2 ( tk ) ,S2 ( tk−1) ,...,SB ( tk ) ,SB ( tk−1) )
The shadow fading has std 8 dB and correlation
• Handover algorithm is called separable if distance is 50 m
Yi (tk ) = fi ( Si (tk ),Si (tk−1),…) Signal level samples are available at every 0.5 s
B(tk ) = fi (Y1(tk ),Y2(tk ),…,YB(tk ))
1. Find the outage probability
2. The expected number of handovers
• Handover algorithm is separable and log linear 1. Instantaneous handoff
Yi (tk ) = H × A T
2. Averaging over 10 samples
Aik = 10lg ( Si (t ) ) 3. Ideal averaging – use the true mean signal value
Simulated solution to the example
• Received signal levels are A1 ( r ) = X1 ( r ) + C − 40lg ( r )
A2 ( r ) = X 2 ( r ) + C − 40lg (1000 − r )
Algorithm Pout ∆ = 10dB Pout ∆ = 5dB Pout ∆ = 0dB RHO
• Where X are independent Gaussian random
i

processes describing the lognormal fading I 0.3% 2.4% 9% 7.6


C = Amin + 40lg(500) + ∆ (dB) II 1.4% 5% 13% 1.8
• The algorithm I works as selection combining III 20% 6% 14% 1
• Algorithm II has a lag compared to I

• Importance of signal processing


– utilization of the knowledge of the channel Reasons for HO in GSM
– prediction filter
• the model must fit well to the real conditions
• many parameters of channel should be known
• Quality
• Hysteresis for avoiding flip-flops – channel quality is too bad
– the handover decision threshold changes after making the • Received level
decision – received signal is too low
• no direct flipping back
• Difficulties if handover is based only on the level • MS to BS distance too large
– Interference might be significant – maximum radius of GSM cell is about 35 km
– In practice in handover decision both signal level and • Better cell
interference level are used
• In GSM RXQUAL and RXLEV
– Power budget in some other cell is more
faworable
MS measurements in GSM
These measurements are transmitted to the BS in
each SACCH multiframe
• RXQUAL – quality of reception
• RXLEV – received power level from “home” BS
• RXLEV NCELL(n) received power level from neighbour
cells defined on home cell BCCH

BS measurements in GSM
These measurements are made at BS
• MS_BS_DIST – distance between MS and BS
– calculated based on timing advance
• Interference level – measured in unallocated time slots
– Impacts only channel allocations not HO triggering

HO type Decision criteria


RXQUAL HO RXQUAL_XX > L_RXQUAL_XX_H
RXLEV_XX < L_RXLEV_XX_IH HO regions for RXLEV and RXQUAL
XX_TXPWR = min(XX_TXPWR_MAX, P)
RXLEV HO RXLEV_XX < L_RXLEV_XX_H
XX_TXPWR = min(XX_TXPWR_MAX, P)
DIST HO MS_BS_DIST > MS_RANGE_MAX

PBGT HO RXLEV_NCELL(n) > RXLEV_MIN(n) +


max(0,MS_TXPWR_MAX(n) – P)
PBGT(n) > HOMARGIN(n)
RXQUAL HO RXQUAL_XX > L_RXQUAL_XX_H

RXLEV_XX > L_RXLEV_XX_IH

XX = UL or DL (uplink or downlink)
MS_TX_PWR_MAX = Maximum allowed TX power of the MS in the serving cell
MS_TX_PWR_MAX(n) = Maximum allowed TX power of the MS in the adjacent cell n
P [dBm] = Maximum power capability of the MS
Speed sensitivity of HO algorithms
• Employed in Hierarchical cells
– Overlayer macro cell
• intended for fast moving user
– Underlayer micro cell
• Serves slowly moving pedestrian users
• HO algorithm is initiated when
PBGT ( n ) > HO _ MARGIN _ TIME (n )
L_RXLEV_XX_IH • The time dependency
RXLEV_MIN
when T < DELAY_TIME
HO _ MARGIN _ TIME ( n ) = HO _ MARGIN ( n ) + HO _ STATIC _ OFFSET ( n )
L_RXLEV_XX_H
T > DELAY_TIME
receiver sensitivity
HO _ MARGIN _ TIME(n) = HO _ MARGIN (n) + HO _ STATIC _ OFFSET (n)
−HO _ DYNAMIC _ OFFSET (n)

Channel Reservation Example


Handover resource Management
• Resource checking at the BS N channels are reserved for the handover
– Enough radio resources – channels available traffic. No new call can use can be admitted
– Quality requirements to these channels. New calls and handover
• Interference level control
• Protecting already connected users
calls arrivals are modeled as poisson
– quality of neighbouring channels is not deteriorated processes λN and λ . Call lifetime in a cell is
h

• Handover user competes for the same resources as exponentially distributed with mean 1/µ.
new users initiating a call Calculate blocking and dropping probability
– The handovered call can be considered more important
when 50 % of calls arriving to the cell are
that new call.
– Some resources allocated only for handover calls.
handovers and in the cell are 12 channels.
• Total number of calls in progress in cell at time t ,
N(t). Due to the memory-less property the call
n = η − η0
arrivals and departures form a Markov chain.
λ N + λH λ N + λH λH λH

n
µ 2µ η0 µ (η0 + 1) µ ηµ

• The stationary state probability


η0 p(k) = Pr[N(t) = k]
• Is solutions to the set of equations
( λN + λH ) pk −1 = k µ pk 1 ≤ k ≤ η0
λH pk −1 = k µ pk η0 ≤ k ≤ η

• Solution to these equations is • The blocking and dropping probabilities are


 (λ + λ )
k η


pk = 
p0 N k H
µ k!
 ( λN + λH ) ( λH )
k k −η0
k ≤ η0
Pblock = ∑p
k =η0
k

 p0 η < k ≤ η0
 µ k!
k

Pdrop = pη
• The sum of p is one and using notation
k

ρTOT =
λ N + λH • The relative mobility
µ
λH
ρH =
µ λH
a=
( ρTOT )
λ N + λH
 k


• The solution is 
 η0 ( ρ TOT )
k!
η j −η
( ρTOT ) 0 ( ρ H ) 0
k ≤ η0
∑ ∑
j η

 +
 j = 0 j ! j =η +1 j !
pk = 
0

η j −η
 ( ρTOT ) 0 ( ρ H ) 0

 η0
j!
η j −η
η0 < k ≤ η • Figures 5.9 – 5.11
 ( ρ TOT ) + ( ρTOT ) 0 ( ρ H ) 0
∑ ∑
j η

 j =0 j ! j !
 j =η0 +1
Handovers
• Intrasystem HO. WCDMA handovers
– Intrafrequency HO.
– Interfrequency HO.
• Avoidance of near far situation for circuit switched
• Intersystem HO.
connections
• Hard HO (HHO).
– for high mobility users shadow fading + (slow) hard handovers
– All the old radio links of an MS are released before the new radio links are established.
would create near far situations.
• Real time bearers: short disconnection in transmission. • Soft/Softer handovers will improve cell capacity (around
• Non real time bearers HHO is lossless.
• Soft HO (SHO).
40-60 %)
– MS always keeps at least one radio link to UTRAN. • Soft/Softer provide macrodiversity gain: compared the
– Soft HO: MS is simultaneously controlled by two or more cells belonging to diffetrent BTS of hard handover larger cell range.
the same RNC or to different RNC.
– Softer HO. MS is controlled by at least two cells under one BTS.
– Gain against shadow fading ( 1 -3 dB).
• Mobile evaluated handover (MEHO). – Gains against fast fading, typically 0.5 - 2 dB assumed.
– The UE mainly prepares the handover decision. The final decision is made by SRNC. • Soft/Softer essential interference mitigating tool.
• Network evaluated handover (NEHO).
– The SRNC makes the handover decision.

Softer handover Soft handover


• User has at the same time connection to more than one BS.
• MS in overlapping cell coverage • Except PC bits exactly the same information is sent via air interface.
area of two adjacent sectors of a BS. • Soft handover probability 20-40 %.
• Communication between MS and • UL/DL processing different.
BS is via two air interface channels – MS: At Rake Maximal Ratio Combining of signals from different BS.
(one for each separate sector). – BS: Frame selection. Extra transmission across Iub.
• Different sectors have different
scrambling codes.
• UL: MS tunes the RAKE fingers to info
lity
abi
different sectors and combines the reli
rame Radio tower
F
outputs. CN
Radio tower
• DL: BS receives signals with Fra
me
different antennas and decodes and RNC reli
abil
ity
combines them. i nfo

Radio tower
Handover procedure Parameter in the handover algorithm
• Strength of the A becomes equal to
Signal Strength

Handover margin defined lower threshold. The • Upper threshold: the level at which the signal strength of the connection is at
Summed Signal
neighbouring signal has adequate the maximum acceptable level in respect with the requested QoS.
strength. B is added to active set. • Lower threshold: is the level at which the signal strength of the connection is
• Quality of signal B starts to become at the minimum acceptable level to satisfied the required QoS. Thus the signal
better than signal A. The RNC keeps strength of the connection should not fall below it.
that point as starting point for • Handover margin: is a predefined parameter, which is set at the point where
Signal A Signal B handover margin calculation. the signal strength of the neighbouring cell (B) has started to exceed the signal
• The strength of signal B becomes strength of current cell (A) by a certain amount and/or for a certain time.
equal or better than the defined lower • Active Set: is a set of signal branches (Cells) through which the MS has
Time threshold. Thus its strength is simultaneously connection to the UTRAN.
Cell A
Cell B adequate to satisfy the required QoS
• Candidate Set: is a list of cells that are not presently used in the soft handover
of the connection.
Radio tower Radio tower
connection, but whose pilot E/I are strong enough to be added to the active set.
• The strength of the summed signal – Candidate set is not used in WCDMA handover algorithm.
exceeds the predefined upper
• Neighbour Set: The neighbour set or monitored set is the list of cells that the
threshold, causing additional
mobile station continuously measures, but whose pilot E/I are not stron enough
interference to the system. As a
to be added to the active set.
result, RNC deletes signal A from
the Active Set.

Intrasystem intra-frequency HO
Handover impact to capacity Objectives of soft/softer HO.
Attenuation in the channels • Optimum fast closed loop PC as the terminal is always linked with the strongest cells.
H a n d o ff • Seamless handover with no disconnection of the radio access bearer.
P w in d o w
[d b ] • Diversity gain by combining the received signals from different cells. Better coverage. Less
transmission power.

• MEHO: MS continuously measures serving and neighbouring cells on the current carrier.
Transmitted power in UL • The RAN can perform soft and softer HO simultaneously.
P in c re a s e o f General HO activities.
tra n sm itte d p o w e r
[d b ]
• Reporting of the MS measurements.
– Compares measurement results with the HO threshold.
– MS sends reports to BTS when the criteria is met.
• Threshold is provided by the RNC.
Transmitted power in DL • Comparison result is transmitted to RNC.
P • HO decision.
[d b ]
– SRNC orders MS to add or remove cells from/to Active set.
• Measurement reporting criteria.
– Definition of event that triggers the measurement report.
C e ll – Parameters are defined on cell bases.
C e ll s ite 1 C e ll s ite 2
b o u n d a ry
RRM functions in HO process Measurements reporting
RRM functions
HC: processes the measurements made by terminal and makes decisions. Updates
reference transmission powers. • The measurements based on Eb/Io.
AC: DL admission decision: acceptance and queuing. DL power allocation. May initiate a • The MS constantly monitors the CPICH Eb/Io of the cells defined by the
forced call release of IF-HO IS-HO. neighbouring list.
RM: Activates/deactivates HO brances. Allocates/releases DL spreading codes. • If the reporting criteria is fulfilled MS sends a event triggered measurement
report
LC: Updates DL load information when new HO link is admitted.
• The CPICH Eb/Io is the received energy per chip divided by the power density
PS: Releases codes for HO brances of NRT. Schedules HO additions requests for NRT
in the band.
• The accuracy of pilot Eb/Io important for HO performance.
• DL channelisation codes are allocated separately for each soft(er) HO branch.
– The accuracy depends on the filtering length and mobile speed.
• UL channelisation code is the same for each soft(er) HO branch.

HO measurements reporting can be divided as:


• Neighbouring cell definitions.
• Measurement reporting criteria.
• Reporting of measurement results.

Neighbouring cells Reporting Intrafrequency measurments


For each cell in the radio network configuration database are defined a list of neighbouring
cells. Can be either event-triggered or periodic.
• Intrafrequency neighbouring list. The UE must be able to monitor at least 32 cells on Reporting criteria for intrafrequency measurements are:
the same WCDMA carrier frequency as the serving cell. • Event 1a: A p-CPICH enters the reporting range.
• Interfrequency neighbouring list. The UE must be able to monitor at least 32 cells on • Event 1b: A P-CPICH leaves the reporting range.
the two other WCDMA carrier frequencies compared to the serving cell. • Event 1c: A non-active P-CPICH becomes better than an active one.
• Intersystem neighbouring list. For each neighbouring PLMN a separate list is • Event 1d: Change of best cell. Reporting event is triggered when any P-CPICH in the
maintained. reporting range becomes better than thet current best one plus an optional hysteresis
value.
Measurement reporting criteria
Depending on the hondover type (MEHO, NEHO) different measurement reporting criteria can P-CPICH 1 • Event 1e: A P-CPICH becomes
P-CPICH

be used.
Ec/Io better than an absolute threshold
P-CPICH 2
Addition Drop
plus an optional hysteresis value.
• Intrafrequency measurements.(MEHO). window window

– HO measurements. The RAN broadcast the measurements reporting criteria (measuremetns • Event 1f: A P-CPICH becomes
parameters on the BCCH. Replacement
window
worse than an absolute minus an
P-CPICH 3 optional hysteresis value.
• Interfrequency and Intersystem measurements.
– Made only when requested by RNC. P-CPICH 4

– When once initiated MS periodically reports the measurement results to RNC


Reporting of: Event 1a Event 1e Event 1C Event 1d Event 1b Event 1c
• UE internal measurements.
– Controlled cell by cell bases. Info transmitted to MS in DCCH.
Intrafrequency measurements (2)
NA
 
• Event 1a. 10 ⋅ log10 ( M new ) ≥ W ⋅ 10 ⋅ log10  ∑ M i  + (1 − W ) ⋅ M Best − ( R1a − H1a 2 )
 i =1 
NA
• Event 1b. 10 ⋅ log10 ( M Old ) ≤ W ⋅ 10 ⋅ log10  ∑ M i  + (1 − W ) ⋅ M Best − ( R1b + H1b 2 )
 
 i =1 

M new the measurement result of the cell entering R1a the reporting range for Event 1a sent
the reporting range. from RNC to UE.
Mi a measurement result of a cell in the active H 1a the hysteresis parameter for Event 1a.
set. R1b the reporting range constant for Event
NA the number of cells in the current active set. 1b sent from RNC.
M Best the measurement result of the strongest cell M Old the measurement result of the cell
in the active set. leaving the reporting range.
W a weighting parameter sent from RNC to UE. H 1b the hysteresis parameter for Event 1B.

Time to trigger mechanism.


• To protect the network from excessive signalling in case of frequent reports.
– The reporting events could have a timer.
• If the measuring criteria is fulfilled during the whole period the event is reported.

Periodic Reporting.
• If the operation (AS update) can not occur because lack of HW the MS continues to send
periodic reports.

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