Overview of AMR

AMR is an adaptive multi-rate voice coding/decoding, which is termed full-rate speech version 3 and
half-rate speech version 3 in GSM specifications. AMR enables the BTS and the MS to automatically
select an appropriate coding/decoding rate from the specified ACS according to the interference
level in the radio environment. This enhances the anti-interference capability and the speech quality
of the wireless communication system.
AMR is classified into AMR FR and AMR HR. AMR specifies eight speech coding rates. Table 2-
1 lists the speech coding rates supported by AMR FR and AMRHR.
Table 2-1 AMR speech coding rates

Coding Rate AMR FR AMR HR

4.75 kbit/s √ √
5.15 kbit/s √ √
5.90 kbit/s √ √

6.70 kbit/s √ √
7.40 kbit/s √ √

7.95 kbit/s √ √

10.2 kbit/s √ -
12.2 kbit/s √ -

NOTE
-: not supported
√: supported
Note: When Service Type of the BTS is set to IP or HDLC, Huawei BSS supports
the AMR coding rate of 7.95 kbit/s. When Service Mode of the BTS is set toTDM,
Huawei BSS does not support the AMR HR coding rate of 7.95 kbit/s.

As listed in Table 2-1, the coding rates of 12.2 kbit/s and 10.2 kbit/s are supported by only
the AMR FR channel. The other six types of coding rates are supported by both the AMR FR
channel and the AMR HR channel.
Each ACS contains a maximum of four codec modes. One codec mode corresponds to one speech
coding rate.
 For an AMR FR call, the ACS contains a maximum of four speech coding rates of the eight rates
listed in Table 2-1.
 For an AMR HR call, the ACS contains a maximum of four speech coding rates of the six rates
listed in Table 2-1.
 When AMR is enabled on the network, the BSC selects an ACS and then a codec mode from the
ACS during the call establishment or the handover procedure. Meanwhile, the MS and the BTS
continuously measure the receive level, receive quality, and C/I ratio. According to the
measurement results, the MS and the BTS continuously evaluate the interference level in the radio
 environment. The BTS then adjusts the speech coding rates of the MS and the BTS according to
the evaluated interference level through the inband signaling.

3 Technical Description
3.1 Inband Signaling
Inband signaling is a type of signaling through which user data and control information are
transmitted on the same channel. In this document, the inband signaling refers to the AMR control
information such as the CMR and CMI that is transmitted through certain bits in the header of the
Transcoder and Rate Adaptor Unit (TRAU) frame.
During a call, the MS and the BTS continuously measure the interference level experienced by the
signals and analyze the measurement results. Based on the measurement results, the AMR control
information is then exchanged through the inband signaling to enable the BTS to adjust the speech
coding rate involved in the ongoing speech service.
The AMR control information is transmitted through certain bits in the header of the TRAU frame.
The AMR control information can be classified into the following types:
Downlink Codec Mode Request (DL CMR): The DL CMR occupies two bits in the header of the
TRAU frame. It is used by the MS to send the recommended DL codec mode to the BTS.
Downlink Codec Mode Indication (DL CMI): The DL CMI occupies two bits in the header of the
TRAU frame. It is used by the BTS to send the current DL codec mode to the MS.
Uplink Codec Mode Command (UL CMC): The UL CMC occupies two bits in the header of the
TRAU frame. It is used by the BTS to send the UL codec mode that should be used by the MS to the
MS.
Uplink Codec Mode Indication (UL CMI): The UL CMI occupies two bits in the header of the TRAU
frame. It is used by the MS to send the current UL codec mode to the BTS.
Uplink Maximum Codec Mode Command (UL Max CMC): The UL Max CMC occupies three bits in
the header of the TRAU frame.
To implement AMR codec mode adaptation, a Mode Control Entity is used in both the MS and the
BTS, as shown in Figure 3-1.
Figure 3-1 AMR codec mode adaptation

As shown in Figure 3-1, the AMR codec mode adaptation procedure is as follows:
 Uplink direction
 The BTS measures the receive quality of the UL speech and generates the Uplink Measurement
(UL MEAS).
 The Mode Control Entity of the BTS updates the UL CMC based on the UL MEAS generated by
the BTS.
 The BTS instructs the MS to change the UL codec mode through the UL CMC.
 The MS changes the UL codec mode as indicated by the UL CMC and then sends the UL CMI to
the BTS to inform the BTS of the new UL codec mode.
 Downlink direction
 The MS measures the receive quality of the DL speech and generates the Downlink Measurement
(DL MEAS). The Mode Control Entity of the MS converts the DL MEAS into the recommended DL
codec mode. Then, the MS sends the recommended DL codec mode to the BTS through the DL
CMR.
 The Mode Control Entity of the BTS updates the DL speech codec mode based on the
recommended DL codec mode sent from the MS.
 The BTS instructs the MS to use the new DL codec mode through the DL CMI.

3.2 Speech Rate Adjustment

AMR speech rate adjustment is the process that the AMR codec mode of a call on a channel
frequently changes to adapt to the variations of the interference level in the radio environment.
Each AMR codec mode has an adjustment threshold, which is used to select the codec mode that is
best suited to the C/I ratio of the interference level in the radio environment. To avoid the constant
changes of the codec mode, the process of hysteresis is introduced. The value of the threshold
ranges from 0 to 63. Value 1 indicates 0.5 dB, and value 2 indicates 1 dB. The rest may be deduced
by analogy. The value of the hysteresis ranges from 0 to 15. The hysteresis value complements the
threshold.
Figure 3-2 shows the procedure for AMR codec mode adjustment.
Figure 3-2 Procedure for AMR codec mode adjustment

THR_N: AMR Coding Rate adj.thN
(1≤N≤3)
CODEC_MODE_1: indicates the
lowest-bit-rate codec mode
CODEC_MODE_3: indicates the
codec mode whose bit rate is the
second highest in the ACS (assume
that there are more than two codec
modes in the ACS)
HYST_N: AMR Coding Rate adj.hystN
(1≤N≤3)
CODEC_MODE_2: indicates the codec
mode whose bit rate is higher than only
that of CODEC_MODE_1 (assume that
there is more than one codec mode in
the ACS)
CODEC_MODE_4: indicates the codec
mode whose bit rate is the highest in the
ACS (assume that there are four codec
modes in the ACS)

Assume that the currently used codec mode is CODEC_MODE_3. As shown in Figure 3-2, when the
C/I ratio is greater than THR_3 plus HYST_3, the codec mode is changed to CODEC_MODE_4;
when the C/I ratio is smaller than THR_2, the codec mode is changed to CODEC_MODE_2.
The procedure for AMR UL speech rate adjustment is similar to the procedure for AMR DL speech
rate adjustment. The AMR UL codec mode is adjusted by the BTS, and the AMR DL codec mode is
adjusted by the MS. Figure 3-3 shows the procedure through which the BTS adjusts the AMR UL
codec mode.
Figure 3-3 Procedure through which the BTS adjusts the AMR UL codec mode

THR_N: AMR UL Coding Rate adj.thN HYST_N: AMR UL Coding Rate adj.hystN
(1≤N≤3) (1≤N≤3)

The procedure through which the BTS adjusts the AMR UL codec mode shown in Figure 3-3 is
described as follows:
1. During AMR FR call establishment, AMR Starting Mode[F] specifies which codec mode
in AMR ACS[F] should be used to make a call. During AMR HR call establishment, AMR Starting
Mode[H] specifies which codec mode in AMR ACS[H] should be used to make a call.
2. The AMR Rate Control Switch parameter specifies whether the AMR speech rate is adjusted.
The setting of this parameter is described as follows:
 − When this parameter is set to Algorithm I, it indicates that the BSC adjusts the AMR speech
rate based on the C/I ratio.
− When this parameter is set to Algorithm II, it indicates that the BSC adjusts the AMR speech
rate based on the Bit Error Rate (BER).
− When this parameter is set to None, it indicates that the AMR rate adjustment is disabled.
3. If the AMR Rate Control Switch parameter is set to Algorithm I or Algorithm II, the AMR codec
mode adapts to the change of the radio environment during the call according to the configured
threshold and hysteresis.
The following description takes the adjustment of the AMR FR codec mode as an example.
− The currently used codec mode is CODEC_MODE_1.
− If the filter value is greater than AMR UL Coding Rate adj.th1[F] plus AMR UL Coding Rate
adj.hyst1[F], the peer end needs to adjust the codec mode to CODEC_MODE_2.
− In other cases, the codec mode remains unchanged.
− The currently used codec mode is CODEC_MODE_2.
− If the filter value is greater than AMR UL Coding Rate adj.th2[F] plus AMR UL Coding Rate
adj.hyst2[F], the peer end needs to adjust the codec mode to CODEC_MODE_3.
− If the filter value is smaller than AMR UL Coding Rate adj.th1[F], the peer end needs to adjust
the codec mode to CODEC_MODE_1.
− In other cases, the codec mode remains unchanged.
− The currently used codec mode is CODEC_MODE_3.
− If the filter value is greater than AMR UL Coding Rate adj.th3[F] plus AMR UL Coding Rate
adj.hyst3[F], the peer end needs to adjust the codec mode to CODEC_MODE_4.
− If the filter value is smaller than AMR UL Coding Rate adj.th2[F], the peer end needs to adjust
the codec mode to CODEC_MODE_2.
− In other cases, the codec mode remains unchanged.
− The currently used codec mode is CODEC_MODE_4.
− If the filter value is smaller than AMR UL Coding Rate adj.th3[F], the peer end needs to adjust
the codec mode to CODEC_MODE_3.
− In other cases, the codec mode remains unchanged.
4. If the codec mode is to be adjusted, the BTS sends a UL CMC to the MS. The procedure for
adjusting the UL codec mode by the BTS is complete.

3.3 Rate Adjustment Threshold Adaptation

Generally, network planning engineers set the ACS, threshold parameters, and hysteresis
parameters for a cell according to the evaluation of the radio channel quality. When the radio
channel quality keeps changing or the quality evaluation is inaccurate, the parameter settings do not
meet the requirements of the speech services in the cell. In this case, the appropriate AMR codec
mode cannot be selected for a call, and the quality of the speech services is affected.
The AMR rate adjustment threshold adaptation function enables the BSC to monitor the speech
quality in real time and to adaptively modify the threshold parameters. Thus, an
appropriate AMR codec mode can always be selected for the call.
The principle for uplink adaptive adjustment of the threshold is the same as that for
downlink adaptive adjustment of the threshold.
When the BSC sends the BTS a channel activation or a speech codec mode modification message,
the channel activation or the speech codec mode modification message carries Uplink Long-term
FER Upper Threshold, Uplink Long-term FER Lower Threshold, Uplink Long-term FER Target,
andUplink Threshold Adjust Factor, if AMR Uplink Adaptive Threshold Allowed in the cell is set
to Yes and the call is an AMR call. On receiving the message, the BTS adaptively adjusts
the AMR codec mode for the call.
When the BSC sends the BTS a channel activation or a speech codec mode modification message,
the channel activation or the speech codec mode modification message carries Downlink Long-
term FER Upper Threshold, Downlink Long-term FER Lower Threshold, Downlink Long-term
FER Target, and Downlink Threshold Adjust Factor, if AMR Downlink Adaptive Threshold
Allowed in the cell is set to Yes and the call is an AMR call. On receiving the message, the BTS
adaptively adjusts the AMR codec mode for the call.

3.4 AMR Power Control

The procedure of power control for AMR calls is similar to that for non-AMR calls.
In Huawei II power control algorithm and Huawei III power control algorithm, parameters related
to AMR power control are configured separately from those related to non-AMR power control.
The AMR calls and non-AMR calls can adopt different power control strategies. For details, see
Power Control Parameter Description.

3.5 DTX
The Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) feature used for AMR calls is the same as that used for non-
AMR calls. For details on DTX, see the DTX and DRX feature.
 When AMR is enabled on the network, you can set FR Use Downlink DTX to Yes and FR
Uplink DTX to Shall Use to enable DTX for AMR FR calls.
 When AMR is enabled on the network, you can set FR Uplink DTX to Yes and HR Uplink DTX to
Shall Use to enable DTX for AMR HR calls.

3.6 TFO
TFO can be enabled together with AMR. When TFO Switch is set to on, the BSC sends the BTS the
channel activation or speech codec mode modification message, instructing the BTS to or not to
enable AMR TFO. For details on TFO, see the TFO feature.

3.7 Handover
The Intra-cell AMR TCHF-TCHH handover algorithm is introduced in both handover algorithm I and
handover algorithm II. For details, see the Handover feature.
Through the dynamic conversion between AMR HR channels and AMR FR channels, the speech
quality and the system capacity are optimally balanced.

Before implementing the intra-cell AMR TCHF-TCHH handover algorithm, you must enable the half-rate service
and AMR HR.

3.8 Impact on KPI

The use of AMR has an impact on the KPIs related to the call drop rate, congestion rate, traffic
volume, and handover.
Impact on Call Drop Rate
AMR improves the robustness of the AMR speech frame but not the robustness of the SACCH
frame (robustness indicates the anti-interference capability of theAMR). Theoretically
therefore, AMR does not affect the TCH call drop rate. In practice, however, when AMR is enabled,
the TCH call drop rate increases because of the following causes:
 As for EFR/FR/HR, the difference between the robustness of the SACCH frame and that of the
speech frame is not great. A user in a weak coverage area may hang up the phone because of the
poor speech quality. Such a situation is not counted as a call drop.
 When AMR is enabled, the robustness of the AMR FR speech frame is higher than that of the
SACCH frame. Thus, the speech frame in a weak coverage area can be appropriately decoded,
and the user will not hang up the phone. The SACCH frame, however, cannot be appropriately
decoded. Thus, RadioLink Timeout expires, and a call drop occurs. In this way, the TCH call drop
rate increases.
AMR introduces parameters such as AFR Radio Link Timeout, AHR Radio Link Timeout, AFR
SACCH Multi-Frames, and AHR SACCH Multi-Frames. You can adjust the values of these
parameters to improve the robustness of the SACCH frame, enhance the network coverage
performance of AMR, and decrease the call drop rate.

Impact on Congestion Rate

AMR increases the system capacity by decreasing the TCH congestion rate. AMR improves the
capacity of the TCHs but not the capacity of the SDCCHs. Thus,AMR cannot decrease the SDCCH
congestion rate.

Impact on Traffic Volume

AMR has a strong anti-interference capability. Users in some weak coverage areas where calls fail
to be made can make calls after AMR is enabled. The possibility of hangup is reduced. Therefore,
the traffic volume is increased.

Impact on Handover
AMR optimizes the speech codec but not the signaling codec. Theoretically therefore, AMR does not
significantly affect handover. AMR can, however, expand the radio coverage of the network;
therefore, users in weak coverage areas can make calls. As a result, the receive quality carried in
the measurement report is poor, and the bad quality handover is triggered. In other words, the
number of bad quality handovers may increase after AMR is enabled.