Extended Uplink TBF Mode

August2005

All rights reserved 2005, Alcatel

EXTENDED UPLINK TBF MODE

Introduction
Page 2

The aim of this feature is to extend the duration of the UL TBF in order:
To quickly restart data transmission in UL if higher layers in the MS deliver new data, without having to re-establish a new UL TBF, after the countdown procedure has started To maintain the UL TBF established, some time after the last block (CV=0) has been acknowledged by the network
This feature allows improving access time to the GPRS network. It also improves the throughput in some cases. The feature is described in 3GPP TS 44.060 - V4.18.0. It applies for R4 MS

Extended UL TBF mode / July2005

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EXTENDED UPLINK TBF MODE

Functional description
Page 3

The BSS shall:

1. 2. Enable or disable the Extended uplink TBF mode through an O&M parameter, EN_EXTENDED_UL_TBF. And configure an inactivity period as duration of extended uplink TBF mode, T_MAX_EXTENDED_UL. Indicate to MS that the network supports the extended uplink TBF mode. The MS is aware of the BSS capability by the NW_EXT_UTBF parameter that is broadcast on either BCCH (SI13)or PBCCH (PSI1). So the MS is always aware of the BSS capability before establishing an Uplink TBF. On the contrary the BSS does not always know the MS capability when the first Uplink TBF is established at the beginning of a session. Detect whether or not a given MS supports the Extended Uplink TBF Mode. The MS radio access capability is received at downlink TBF establishment in the first downlink PDU. In case of cell reselection for an uplink transfer, some time TBF may elapse before a Downlink PDU is received. Radio Access Capability Update procedure is used to obtain the information. Apply the Normal release mode (with delayed final PUAN) if the MS does not support the Extended Uplink TBF Mode or if the BSS does not know MS capability. Switch to Extended Uplink TBF Mode when a MS is detected to support the feature, when the Radio Access Capabilities are received during the UL transfer. Maintain to USF scheduling an uplink TBF during the inactivity period, while the MS has no data to transmit, and maintain the reception of uplink RLC data block as long as the uplink TBF is in extended phase. Release the uplink TBF upon timer T_max_extended_UL expiry

3.

4.

5.
6.

Extended UL TBF mode / July2005

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EXTENDED UPLINK TBF MODE

Acquiring MS capability
Page 4

Radio Access Capability Update

Enable or disable the Radio Access Capability update on Gb by flag, EN_RA_CAP _UPDATE. Recommend to enable this flag if EN_EXTENDED_UL_TBF is enabled and Radio Access Capability update is supported by SGSN. At UL TBF establishment, immediately after the contention resolution procedure, the radio access capability update procedure is triggered in the BSS. The BSS request an MSs current Radio Access capability and/or its IMSI by sending to an SGSN a RA_CAPABILITY_UPDATE, which includes the TLLI of the MS and a Tag. Then starts timer T5_RA_CAPABILITY_UPDATE. In case of the timer expiry, BSS shall repeat the request up to RA_CAPABILITY_UPDATE_RETRIES times (value = 3). The SGSN shall respond by sending a RA_CAPABILITY_UPDATE_ACK, which includes the TLLI of the MS, the Tag received in the corresponding RA_CAPABILITY_UPDATE. When the SGSN answers, the MS Radio Access capability is updated and the Extended UL feature can be used if the GERAN Feature Package 1 bit is set. Otherwise, the MS does not support the extended uplink feature.

Extended UL TBF mode / July2005

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EXTENDED UPLINK TBF MODE

MS capability is not know at UL TBF establishment (1/2)

Page 5

If the MS RA capabilities are received before the T_delayed_Final_PUAN timer expires and if the MS supports the GERAN Feature Package 1, then the TBF extended mode shall be entered MS capabilities updated in the BSS
When the BSS receives the information that the MS supports the extended UL mode, the BSS stops the timer T_delayed_final_PUAN and starts the timer T_max_extended_UL. The BSS sends a PUAN, FAI=0, SSN=n+1 and polling, so that the MS switches to UL TBF extended phase. USF are scheduled. The MS will repeat once the last UL block sent, because SSN = last BSN was sent when T_delayed_final_PUAN was started. If the MS has no new data to send, it will send uplink dummy blocks. If it has new data to send, it will transmit new radio data block and increment BSN.

MS
U SF
RLC bloc k, BSN=n ,

BSS

CV=0

0 N=n, FAI= PUAN, SS

Start T_delayed_final_PUAN

PUAN, SS
USF

N=n+1, FA

I=0

Extended UL TBF mode supported stop T_delayed_final_PUAN enter TBF extended phase SSN=n+1

USF

T_max_extended_UL

USF

Extended UL TBF mode / July2005

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EXTENDED UPLINK TBF MODE

MS capability is not know at UL TBF establishment (2/2)

Page 6

When T_delayed_final_PUAN is running, the BSS shall not schedule USF to the MS. However MS may received some USF, sent before T_delayed_final_PUAN was started in the BSS, and BSS received RLC block when the timer is already started in the BSS. BSS behavior if RLC blocks received while T_delayed_final_PUAN running
If the MS is a R99, it will repeat the last BSN for these USF. The BSS discard this block, but does not count any protocol error. If the MS is a R4, it will repeat the last BSN once and send a few dummy blocks, or it may try to sent blocks with BSN>n+2 if it has new data to transfer. Dummy blocks and data blocks, received by the BSS while T_delayed_PUAN is running shall be discarded, but shall not increment any counter for protocol error.
MS BSS MS radio access capability NOT known yet

RLC b lock, B SN=n, CV=2 RLC b lock, B SN=n+ 1, CV= RLC b 1 lock, B SN=n +2, CV =0
New data

USF Data block Start T_delayed_final_PUAN

RLC b lo

ck, BS N

=n+3, C

V=m

Extended UL TBF mode / July2005

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EXTENDED UPLINK TBF MODE

MS capability is know (1/4)

Page 7

If MS support Extended UL TBF mode is known.

Entering the Extended uplink phase
When the MS begins to run out of LLC data, it begins the countdown normally. When the BSS receives the last RLC block (CV =0), and if all the previous blocks have been correctly received, the BSS sends a Packet Uplink Ack/Nack with Final_Ack_Indicator set to 0, with the SSN incremented like for an active TBF (SSN = last received BSN +1). All RLC numbering variables are kept as TBF was still active. The uplink TBF is now extended and will not be released by the mobile. The BSS starts the timer T_max_extended_UL to monitor the maximum duration of the extended phase.
MS BSS

RLC block, BSN=n, CV =0 I= =n+1, FA 0 PUAN, SSN

Enter TBF extended phase. Start T_max_extended_UL

Extended UL TBF mode / July2005

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EXTENDED UPLINK TBF MODE

MS capability is know (2/4)

Page 8

BSS behavior during the Extended uplink phase

The BSS continues to schedule USF, so that the MS is able to resume an uplink transfer when required. While the UL TBF is in extended phase, the reception of an uplink dummy block from the MS, shall not cause the N3101 counter to be incremented in the BSS. Only invalid block reception increments N3101. While the UL TBF is in extended phase, the reception of an uplink dummy block from the MS shall not cause the N_UL_dummy counter to be incremented.
MS BSS

U SF
RLC block, BSN=n, CV =0
Start T_max_extended_UL

PU AN

FAI=0 , SSN=n+1,

U SF
Dummy bloc k

U SF
Dummy bloc k

Extended UL TBF mode / July2005

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EXTENDED UPLINK TBF MODE

MS capability is know (3/4)

Page 9

Transfer resumption while UL TBF is in extended phase

If the RLC layer in the MS receives new LLC data from the upper layer, it begins to transmit RLC data blocks and the TBF is active again. The BSS considers that the transfer has resumed upon following events:
When receiving a valid RLC data block with a BSN, which is greater than the last BSN received before switching to the extended phase. When receiving a radio block, with a correctly decoded header but an invalid data field. In this case the block is not correctly decoded, N3101 shall be incremented.

When the transfer resumes, the BSS stops the timer T_max_extended_UL, the TBF is now in transfer phase. Depending on the CS_MAX_IDLE_PERIOD expiry, the same coding scheme can be reused or not (same principle as for DL).

Reception of Packet Resource Request in extended phase

The MS may transmit a Packet Resource Request (in order to request another RLC mode, ACK/NACK) or another RLC/MAC control message (e.g. Packet Measurement Report for NC2). If the MS requests a change of RLC mode when the UL TBF is in extended phase, then the UL TBF shall be released and the TBF will be reestablished by the MS as specified by 3GPP 44.060. For other RLC/MAC control messages, the normal behavior applies.

Extended UL TBF mode / July2005

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EXTENDED UPLINK TBF MODE

MS capability is know (4/4)

Page 10

T_max_extended_UL expiry
The network ends the TBF permanently by sending a Packet Uplink Ack/Nack with FAI = 1 and polling. When receiving PUAN with FAI=1 and polling, the MS sends the Packet Control Ack in response to polling, and then aborts the uplink TBF. When the timer T_max_extended_UL expires, the BSS shall wait for all the radio blocks corresponding to already transmitted USF, before transmitting FAI =1.
MS BSS

If the radio blocks corresponding to the last scheduled USF carry RLC data block, then the BSS shall restart the uplink TBF.

MS

BSS

USF
Dummy blo ck
T_max_extended _UL expiry

USF
Radio block , BSN=n+1
T_max_extended _UL expiry TBF is active again

1, S/P=1 PUAN, FAI= PCA

TBF is release Nominal case

USF
Radio block , BSN=n+2, e tc

Transfer resumption after timer expiry

Extended UL TBF mode / July2005

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EXTENDED UPLINK TBF MODE

Scheduling USF
Page 11

Principle to design USF scheduling

USF for extended mode are scheduled only on the PDCH, which carries PACCH. IF the PDCH supports uplink TBF, which all are in extended mode, Then,
if flag EN_FAST_USF_UL_EXTENDED = enable then the throughput in radio blocks is equally shared between MS (round robin of one RLC block per MS). So USF are scheduled as follows: One MS in extended mode on PACCH: USF scheduled every 20ms Two MS in extended mode on PACCH: USF scheduled every 40ms n MS in extended mode on PACCH: USF scheduled every n x 20m ELSE (if the flag EN_FAST_USF_UL_EXTENDED is disabled or if the PDCH supports at least one MS which is in UL transfer) A polling period T_extended_UL_TBF_POL, is used for all MS in extended phase. A default value is 200ms. The remaining bandwidth is used for MS in transfer.

RRBP mechanism has priority above USF scheduling. This means the USF scheduling may be shifted if RRBP request from RLC.

Extended UL TBF mode / July2005

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EXTENDED UPLINK TBF MODE

Interaction with concurrent DL TBF (1/2)

Page 12

UL transfer stops when DL is still in transfer

If timer T_max_extended_UL expires while the DL TBF is still in transfer, then the UL TBF is released with no impact on the downlink TBF.
DL UL T_max_extended_UL In transfer Extended mode T_max_extended_UL expires, then UL TBF is released while DL goes on

If the DL transfer stops while the uplink TBF has switched to extended state, then the timer T_Network_response time is started to supervise the maximum duration of the delayed downlink TBF.
(1) Last UL data block: the UL TBF switches to extended mode. Timer T_max_extended_UL is started
DL UL T_NW_response_time T_max_extended_UL T3192 event (1) (2) (3) In transfer delayed Extended mode T_NW_response_time expires still running T3192 expires T3192

(2) Last DL LLC PDU; DL TBF enters delayed mode. The timer T_network response time is started. The polling policy is exactly the same as for a delayed DL TBF with a concurrent UL in transfer (T_delayed_DL_TBF_poll_UL). (3) T_network_response time expires, then the release of the DL TBF is initiated and T3192 is started. The uplink TBF in extended mode is released when either T3192 expires or T_max_extended_UL expires.

Extended UL TBF mode / July2005

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EXTENDED UPLINK TBF MODE

Interaction with concurrent DL TBF (2/2)

Page 13

DL transfer stops when UL still in transfer

(1)
(2) (3)

(4)

If the DL transfer enters delayed mode, while the uplink is still in transfer, no timer is started. the last UL block is received, while the downlink is in delayed mode. Timer T_network_response time and T_max_extended_UL are started. T_network_response time expires, then the release of the DL TBF is initiated and T3192 is started. The uplink TBF in extended mode is released when either T3192 expires or T_max_extended_UL expires
DL UL T_NW_response_time T_max_extended_UL T3192 event (1) (2) (3) T3192 expires => release extended UL In transfer delayed T3192 Extended mode T_NW_response_time expires

Extended UL TBF mode / July2005

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EXTENDED UPLINK TBF MODE

OMC-R parameters
Page 14

HMI name EN_EXTENDED_UL_TBF

Definition Flag to disable/enable the extended TBF mode feature on the uplink Maximum duration of the extended uplink TBF phase Flag to disable/enable the transmission of USF every 20ms in extended mode Flag to enable/disable the Radio Access Capability update on Gb Maximum number of repetition of Radio Access capability in case of no answer from SGSN at T5 expiry. To control the USF scheduling on the uplink when a TBF is in extended TBF mode Timer to supervise the reception of the MSs current Radio Access capability from the SGSN on Gb.

Subsystem MFS

Insta nce cell

OMC-R access Changeable

Type Flag

Def value 0

Range [0,1]

Unit None

T_MAX_EXTENDED_UL

MFS

cell

Changeable

Timer

2000

[100,40 00] [0,1]

ms

EN_FAST_USF_UL_EXT ENDED EN_RA_CAP_UPDATE

MFS

BSS

Changeable

Flag

None

MFS

BSS

Changeable

Flag

[0,1]

None

RA_CAPABILITY_UPDAT E_RETRIES

MFS

MFS

None (DLS)

Number

None

T_EXTENDED_UL_TBF_ POL

MFS

MFS

None (DLS)

Timer

200

[120,50 0]

ms

T5_RA_CAP_UPDATE

MFS

MFS

None (DLS)

Timer

[1,30]

sec

Extended UL TBF mode / July2005

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EXTENDED UPLINK TBF MODE

MFS counters (1/2)

Page 15
Counter number P129a Name CUMULATED_ACTIVE_UL_CONNECTED_TIM E_GPRS_ACK Definition Cumulated time duration of all active UL TBFs established in GPRS mode and RLC acknowledged mode. Note: An active UL TBF connection is an UL TBF not in extended phase. P129b CUMULATED_ACTIVE_UL_CONNECTED_TIM E_GPRS_NACK Cumulated time duration of all active UL TBFs established in GPRS mode and RLC unacknowledged mode. Note: An active UL TBF connection is an UL TBF not in extended phase. P129c CUMULATED_ACTIVE_UL_CONNECTED_TIM E_EGPRS_ACK Cumulated time duration of all active UL TBFs established in EGPRS mode and RLC acknowledged mode. Note: An active UL TBF connection is an UL TBF not in extended phase. P129d CUMULATED_ACTIVE_UL_CONNECTED_TIM E_EGPRS_NACK Cumulated time duration of all active UL TBFs established in EGPRS mode and RLC unacknowledged mode. Note: An active UL TBF connection is an UL TBF not in extended phase. P461 P462 CUMULATED_ACT_EXT_UL_CONNECTION_T IME NB_DUMMY_UL_BLOCKS Cumulated overall time of UL TBF connections (in active state or extended phase). Number of Packet Uplink Dummy Control blocks received on the radio interface. Note: This counter applies to both GPRS and EGPRS TBFs.

Extended UL TBF mode / July2005

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EXTENDED UPLINK TBF MODE

MFS counters (2/2)

Page 16

Counter number

Name

Definition

P29a
P29b P29c P29d

CUMULATED_OVERALL_UL_CONN ECTION_TIME_GPRS_ACK
CUMULATED_OVERALL_UL_CONN ECTION_TIME_GPRS_NACK CUMULATED_OVERALL_UL_CONN ECTION_TIME_EGPRS_ACK CUMULATED_OVERALL_UL_CONN ECTION_TIME_EGPRS_NACK Name NB_UL_RLC_BLOCK_PDTCH_R ETRANS_CSx NB_UL_RLC_BYTES_PDTCH_L OST_CS (MCS) NB_USEFUL_UL_RLC_BLOCK_ PDTCH_(M)CSx NB_UL_RADIO_BLOCK_PDTCH

Cumulated time duration of all UL TBFs established in GPRS mode and RLC acknowledged mode.
Cumulated time duration of all UL TBFs established in GPRS mode and RLC unacknowledged mode. Cumulated time duration of all UL TBFs established in EGPRS mode and RLC acknowledged mode. Cumulated time duration of all UL TBFs established in EGPRS mode and RLC unacknowledged mode. Definition Retransmission counters should not be incremented by the Packet Uplink Dummy Control Blocks Lost RLC data block corresponding to the USFs scheduled during the extension phase shall NOT increment P73c nor P73d. Useful blocks shall not take into account the Packet Uplink Dummy Control Blocks. Total number of radio blocks shall not take into account the Packet Uplink Dummy Control Blocks.

Counter number P21a, b,c,d,e P73c, P73d

P57a,b,c,.u p to MCS9 P350b

Extended UL TBF mode / July2005

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EXTENDED UPLINK TBF MODE

NPA indicators (1/2)

Page 17

Ref. name ARUTBACEAT ARUTBACENT ARUTBACGAT ARUTBACGNT QRPDUDUN QRPDUDUR QRUDTNRT

Name TIME_UL_TBF_ACTIVE_CONNECT_EGPR S_ACK_OCCUPANCY TIME_UL_TBF_ACTIVE_CONNECT_EGPR S_NACK_OCCUPANCY TIME_UL_TBF_ACTIVE_CONNECT_GPRS _ACK_OCCUPANCY TIME_UL_TBF_ACTIVE_CONNECT_GPRS _NACK_OCCUPANCY UL_RLC_BLOCK_PDTCH_DUMMY_NUMB ER UL_RLC_BLOCKS_PDTCH_DUMMY_RAT E TIME_UL_TBF_OVERALL_CONNECTION_ OCCUPANCY

Formula P129c P129d P129a P129b P462 tdiv ( P462, P350b, 0, 1) P461

Unit seconds seconds seconds seconds number % seconds

Table Name GPTRLA GPTRLA GPTRLA GPTRLA GPQOS1 GPTRLA

Extended UL TBF mode / July2005

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EXTENDED UPLINK TBF MODE

NPA indicators (2/2)

Page 18

Ref. name QRUDTNREAT QRUDTNRENT QRUDTNRGAT QRUDTNRGNT TRPDUTBEAA TRPDUTBENA TRPDUTBGAA

Name TIME_UL_TBF_OVERALL_CONNECT_EG PRS_ACK_OCCUPANCY TIME_UL_TBF_OVERALL_CONNECT_EG PRS_NACK_OCCUPANCY TIME_UL_TBF_OVERALL_CONNECT_GP RS_ACK_OCCUPANCY TIME_UL_TBF_OVERALL_CONNECT_GP RS_NACK_OCCUPANCY USEFUL_THROUGHPUT_TBF_UL_RADIO _EGPRS_ACK_AVERAGE USEFUL_THROUGHPUT_TBF_UL_RADIO _EGPRS_NACK_AVERAGE USEFUL_THROUGHPUT_TBF_UL_RADIO _GPRS_ACK_AVERAGE

Formula P29c P29d P29a P29b B8: tdiv (P44c,P29c* 1000, 0, 0) B8: tdiv (P44d,P29d* 1000, 0, 0) B8: tdiv (P44a,P29a* 1000, 0, 0)

Unit seconds seconds seconds seconds kb/s kb/s kb/s

Table Name GPTRLA GPTRLA GPTRLA GPTRLA -

TRPDUTBGNA

USEFUL_THROUGHPUT_TBF_UL_RADIO _GPRS_NACK_AVERAGE

B8: tdiv (P44b,P29b* 1000, 0, 0)

kb/s

Extended UL TBF mode / July2005

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EXTENDED UPLINK TBF MODE

RNO indicators
Page 19

Ref. name ARUTBACEAT ARUTBACENT

Name GPRS_UL_active_connection_EGPRS_ack_ti me GPRS_UL_active_connection_EGPRS_nack_t ime

Formula P129c P129d

Unit seconds seconds

ARUTBACGAT
ARUTBACGNT ARUTBACT ARUTBACP

GPRS_UL_active_connection_GPRS_ack_tim e
GPRS_UL_active_connection_GPRS_nack_ti me GPRS_UL_active_connection_time GPRS_UL_active_connection_percent

P129a
P129b P129a + P129b + P129c + P129d (P129a + P129b + P129c + P129d) / P461 P462 P462 / P350b P461

seconds
seconds seconds %

QRPDUDUN QRPDUDUR QRUDTNRT

GPRS_UL_RLC_block_PDTCH_dummy GPRS_UL_RLC_block_PDTCH_dummy_rate GPRS_UL_connection_time

number % seconds

Extended UL TBF mode / July2005

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EXTENDED UPLINK TBF MODE

RNO indicators (2/2)

Page 20

Ref. name QRUDTNREAT QRUDTNRENT QRUDTNRGAT QRUDTNRGNT

Name GPRS_UL_connection_EGPRS_ack_time GPRS_UL_connection_EGPRS_nack_time GPRS_UL_connection_GPRS_ack_time GPRS_UL_connection_GPRS_nack_time

Formula P29c P29d P29a P29b

Unit seconds seconds seconds seconds

Extended UL TBF mode / July2005

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Availability of Mobile and Tools

Page 21

Extended UL TBF mode requires R4 mobiles.

In Alcatel plateform, Philips MS Wave E is used
Results obtained with this mobile on plateform :
GPRS: < 300ms for ping 0s , 32 Bytes, target was 350ms EDGE: < 250ms

On the field, Nokia trace mobiles compliant with R4 are :

Nokia 5140 Nokia 6230i

Alcatel DT tool chain (Nitro tool chain from Agilent) is not provided with Nokia 6230i and it is not compliant with Extended UL TBF mode.
Need of a viable business case to pay the fee and devote the resources to qualify the phone and add new features(quoted from Agilent)
Extended UL TBF mode / July2005
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Page 22

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Extended UL TBF mode / July2005
All rights reserved 2005, Alcatel