HandoverWS Prague

RADIOMOBIL WORKSHOP
Handover Process
April 10 14, 2000
Prague
Overview
Handover Decision Procedure

Handover Types & Triggers
Flexible Neighbour Cell Processing
Handover Flow Charts
Handover Power Level
Intra-Cell Handovers
Handover Margin Per Cause
Specific SDCCH & TCH Placement
Separate RxQual Thresholds
Adaptive Handovers
April 2000
CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

Network Operations Engineering
Handover Process Schematic

BTS RSS (HDPC)
MR
BTS(UL)
RXLEV
RXQUAL
HREQAVE
THRESHOLDS
CRITERION 1
HREQT
N&P VOTING
CRITERION 2
NEIGH_JOURNAL
TA
INT.ON
IDLE
DISUSE_COUNT
SSM
MICRO CELL
HO CAUSES
BPM
D
E
C
I
S
I
O
N
HO
Required
MSC
(EXT.)
TARGET CANDIDATES
NCELL 1-6
C
E
L
L
BSC
HO CAUSE &
RXQUAL(S)
T
A
R
G
E
T
S
E
L
E
C
T
I
O
N
TARGET CANDIDATES
RXLEV(S)
T
R
I
G
G
E
R
I
N
G
A
V
E
R
A
G
I
N
G
HO CAUSE &
MS(DL)
HO
Performed
(INT.)
POWER CONTROL COMMANDS

April 2000

MS / BSS Handover & Power Control
UL & DL Measurements Taken

Averages Produced
A Number of Averages Compared Against Threshold
Threshold Exceeded
Power Output Adjusted / Handover Triggered
April 2000

Need for Handovers
Keep MS on best server cell

Seggregate & prefer users on different layers
Prevent dropped call
Maintain quality
React to congestion situation
April 2000

Handover Strategy Drivers
Cell density
Cell geometry and antennas
Network topology and range
Clutter
Multi-layer and multi-band system
Traffic carried
Subscriber and capacity distribution
April 2000

Handover Procedure
Purpose is to completely modify the channel allocated to the MS and is only

used when in RR connected mode i.e. cell changed, change in channel
configCell density
The handover procedure is always initiated from the network
Suspension of normal operation except for RR management (layer 3)
Disconnection of main signalling link and other links via local end release
(layer 2) and disconnection of TCHs, if any
Disconnection and deactivation of previously assigned chans. and their
release (layer1)
Activation of new channels, and their connection
Triggering of the establishment of data link connection for SAPI=0 on the
new channels
April 2000

Handover Command
Characteristics of new channels and exact ACCH channel to be used
Characteristics of new cell, necessary for communication i.e. arfcn, ncc, bcc
Indication of physical channel establishment procedure with channel details

e.g. type, timeslot, TSC, frequency and if hopping MAIO, HSN
Power command and handover reference (access id)
Optionally timing advance, cipher mode setting
April 2000

Handover Cause Priority

UL RXQUAL
(UL INTERFERENCE)
DL RXQUAL
(DL INTERFERENCE)
UL RXLEV
DL RXLEV
DISTANCE
POWER BUDGET
April 2000

Activity
Quality Handover
Link
Up
Down
Enable
ul_rxqual_ho_allowed
dl_rxqual_ho_allowed
Averaging
rxqual_ul_ho
rxqual_dl_ho
Decision
decision_1_ul_rxqual_av_h
decision_1_dl_rxqual_av_h
Threshold
l_rxqual_ul_h
l_rxqual_dl_h
Voting
P6, N6
P6, N6
Level Handover
Up
Down
ul_rxlev_ho_allowed
dl_rxlev_ho_allowed
rxlev_ul_ho
rxlev_dl_ho
decision_1_ul_rxlev_av_h
decision_1_dl_rxlev_av_h
l_rxlev_ul_h
l_rxlev_dl_h
P5, N5
P5, N5
Interference
Handover
Up
Down
interfer_ho_allowed
interfer_ho_allowed
rxlev_ul_ho
rxlev_dl_ho
decision_1_ul_rxlev_av_ih
decision_1_dl_rxlev_av_ih
u_rxlev_ul_ih
u_rxlev_dl_ih
P7, N7
P7, N7
ms_distance_allowed
rel_tim_adv
decision_1_tim_adv_av_alg
ms_max_range
P8, N8
Distance Handover
Power Budget
Handover
--
Source
pwr_handover_allowed
Neighbor
Up
Power Control due
to Level
Down
Power Control due

to Quality
Up
Down
Criteria 1
--
Criteria 2
--
April 2000
rxlev_dl_ho
decision_1_pbgt_rxlev_av_h
surround_cell/p
er neighbor
handover_margin
l_rxlev_ul_p
u_rxlev_ul_p
UL RxQual
HO
l_rxlev_dl_p
bts_power_control_allowed rxlev_dl_pc
decision_1_dl_rxlev_av_p
u_rxlev_dl_p
l_rxqual_ul_p
ms_power_control_allowed rxqual_ul_pc
decision_1_ul_rxqual_av_p
u_rxqual_ul_p
l_rxqual_dl_p
bts_power_control_allowed rxqual_dl_pc
decision_1_dl_rxqual_av_p
u_rxqual_dl_p
UL Interference
HO
-surround_cell
decision_1_ncell_rxlev_av_calc
-ms_power_control_allowed rxlev_ul_pc
--
rxlev_dl_ho
surround_cell
decision_1_ul_rxlev_av_p

--
--
P1, N1
(increase)
P2, N2
(decrease)
P3, N3
(increase)
P4, N4
(decrease)
---
Notes
Used by
interference
handover as
well
-Relevant
quality
handover must
trigger first
Uplink only
No voting as
lastest hreqt
used
--
--
---
10
Activity
Quality Handover
Link
Up
Down
Enable
Averaging
rxqual_ul_ho
rxqual_dl_ho
Decision
Threshold
l_rxqual_ul_h
l_rxqual_dl_h
Voting
P6, N6
P6, N6
Level Handover
Up
Down
ul_rxlev_ho_allowed
dl_rxlev_ho_allowed
rxlev_ul_ho
rxlev_dl_ho
l_rxlev_ul_h
l_rxlev_dl_h
P5, N5
P5, N5
Interference
Handover
Up
Down
interfer_ho_allowed
interfer_ho_allowed
rxlev_ul_ho
rxlev_dl_ho
u_rxlev_ul_ih
u_rxlev_dl_ih
P7, N7
P7, N7
ms_distance_allowed
rel_tim_adv
ms_max_range
P8, N8
Distance Handover
Power Budget
Handover
--
Source
Neighbor
Up
Power Control due
to Level
Down
Power Control due

to Quality
Up
Down
Criteria 1
--
Criteria 2
--
April 2000
rxlev_dl_ho
surround_cell/p
er neighbor
handover_margin
l_rxlev_ul_p
u_rxlev_ul_p
DL RxQual
HO
l_rxlev_dl_p
u_rxlev_dl_p
l_rxqual_ul_p
u_rxqual_ul_p
l_rxqual_dl_p
u_rxqual_dl_p
DL Interference
HO
-surround_cell
decision_1_ncell_rxlev_av_calc
--
rxlev_dl_ho
surround_cell

--
--
P1, N1
(increase)
P2, N2
(decrease)
P3, N3
(increase)
P4, N4
(decrease)
---
Notes
Used by
interference
handover as
well
-Relevant
quality
handover must
trigger first
Uplink only
No voting as
lastest hreqt
used
--
--
---
11
Activity
Quality Handover
Link
Up
Down
Enable
Averaging
rxqual_ul_ho
rxqual_dl_ho
Decision
Threshold
l_rxqual_ul_h
l_rxqual_dl_h
Voting
P6, N6
P6, N6
Level Handover
Up
Down
ul_rxlev_ho_allowed
dl_rxlev_ho_allowed
rxlev_ul_ho
rxlev_dl_ho
l_rxlev_ul_h
l_rxlev_dl_h
P5, N5
P5, N5
Interference
Handover
Up
Down
interfer_ho_allowed
interfer_ho_allowed
rxlev_ul_ho
rxlev_dl_ho
u_rxlev_ul_ih
u_rxlev_dl_ih
P7, N7
P7, N7
ms_distance_allowed
rel_tim_adv
ms_max_range
P8, N8
Distance Handover
Power Budget
Handover
--
Source
Neighbor
Up
Power Control due
to Level
Down
Power Control due

to Quality
Up
Down
Criteria 1
--
Criteria 2
--
April 2000
rxlev_dl_ho
surround_cell/p
er neighbor
handover_margin
l_rxlev_ul_p
u_rxlev_ul_p
UL decision_1_dl_rxlev_av_p
RxLev HO
l_rxlev_dl_p
u_rxlev_dl_p
l_rxqual_ul_p
u_rxqual_ul_p
l_rxqual_dl_p
u_rxqual_dl_p
-surround_cell decision_1_ncell_rxlev_av_calc
--
rxlev_dl_ho
surround_cell

--
--
P1, N1
(increase)
P2, N2
(decrease)
P3, N3
(increase)
P4, N4
(decrease)
---
Notes
Used by
interference
handover as
well
-Relevant
quality
handover must
trigger first
Uplink only
No voting as
lastest hreqt
used
--
--
---
12
Activity
Quality Handover
Link
Up
Down
Enable
Averaging
rxqual_ul_ho
rxqual_dl_ho
Decision
Threshold
l_rxqual_ul_h
l_rxqual_dl_h
Voting
P6, N6
P6, N6
Level Handover
Up
Down
ul_rxlev_ho_allowed
dl_rxlev_ho_allowed
rxlev_ul_ho
rxlev_dl_ho
l_rxlev_ul_h
l_rxlev_dl_h
P5, N5
P5, N5
Interference
Handover
Up
Down
interfer_ho_allowed
interfer_ho_allowed
rxlev_ul_ho
rxlev_dl_ho
u_rxlev_ul_ih
u_rxlev_dl_ih
P7, N7
P7, N7
ms_distance_allowed
rel_tim_adv
ms_max_range
P8, N8
Distance Handover
Power Budget
Handover
--
Source
Neighbor
Up
Power Control due
to Level
Down
Power Control due

to Quality
Up
Down
Criteria 1
--
Criteria 2
--
April 2000
rxlev_dl_ho
surround_cell/p
er neighbor
handover_margin
l_rxlev_ul_p
u_rxlev_ul_p
DL decision_1_dl_rxlev_av_p
RxLev HO
l_rxlev_dl_p
u_rxlev_dl_p
l_rxqual_ul_p
u_rxqual_ul_p
l_rxqual_dl_p
u_rxqual_dl_p
--
rxlev_dl_ho
surround_cell

--
--
P1, N1
(increase)
P2, N2
(decrease)
P3, N3
(increase)
P4, N4
(decrease)
---
Notes
Used by
interference
handover as
well
-Relevant
quality
handover must
trigger first
Uplink only
No voting as
lastest hreqt
used
--
--
---
13
Activity
Quality Handover
Link
Up
Down
Enable
Averaging
rxqual_ul_ho
rxqual_dl_ho
Decision
Threshold
l_rxqual_ul_h
l_rxqual_dl_h
Voting
P6, N6
P6, N6
Level Handover
Up
Down
ul_rxlev_ho_allowed
dl_rxlev_ho_allowed
rxlev_ul_ho
rxlev_dl_ho
l_rxlev_ul_h
l_rxlev_dl_h
P5, N5
P5, N5
Interference
Handover
Up
Down
interfer_ho_allowed
interfer_ho_allowed
rxlev_ul_ho
rxlev_dl_ho
u_rxlev_ul_ih
u_rxlev_dl_ih
P7, N7
P7, N7
ms_distance_allowed
rel_tim_adv
ms_max_range
P8, N8
Distance Handover
Power Budget
Handover
--
Source
Neighbor
Up
Power Control due
to Level
Down
Power Control due

to Quality
Up
Down
Criteria 1
--
Criteria 2
--
April 2000
rxlev_dl_ho
surround_cell/p
er neighbor
handover_margin
l_rxlev_ul_p
u_rxlev_ul_p
l_rxlev_dl_p
u_rxlev_dl_p
l_rxqual_ul_p
u_rxqual_ul_p
Distance HO
l_rxqual_dl_p
u_rxqual_dl_p
--
rxlev_dl_ho
surround_cell

--
--
P1, N1
(increase)
P2, N2
(decrease)
P3, N3
(increase)
P4, N4
(decrease)
---
Notes
Used by
interference
handover as
well
-Relevant
quality
handover must
trigger first
Uplink only
No voting as
lastest hreqt
used
--
--
---
14
Activity
Quality Handover
Link
Up
Down
Enable
Averaging
rxqual_ul_ho
rxqual_dl_ho
Decision
Threshold
l_rxqual_ul_h
l_rxqual_dl_h
Voting
P6, N6
P6, N6
Level Handover
Up
Down
ul_rxlev_ho_allowed
dl_rxlev_ho_allowed
rxlev_ul_ho
rxlev_dl_ho
l_rxlev_ul_h
l_rxlev_dl_h
P5, N5
P5, N5
Interference
Handover
Up
Down
interfer_ho_allowed
interfer_ho_allowed
rxlev_ul_ho
rxlev_dl_ho
u_rxlev_ul_ih
u_rxlev_dl_ih
P7, N7
P7, N7
ms_distance_allowed
rel_tim_adv
ms_max_range
P8, N8
Distance Handover
Power Budget
Handover
--
Source
Neighbor
Up
Power Control due
to Level
Down
Power Control due

to Quality
Up
Down
Criteria 1
--
Criteria 2
--
April 2000
rxlev_dl_ho
surround_cell/p
er neighbor
handover_margin
l_rxlev_ul_p
u_rxlev_ul_p
l_rxlev_dl_p
u_rxlev_dl_p
l_rxqual_ul_p
u_rxqual_ul_p
PBGT HO
l_rxqual_dl_p
u_rxqual_dl_p
--
rxlev_dl_ho
surround_cell

--
--
P1, N1
(increase)
P2, N2
(decrease)
P3, N3
(increase)
P4, N4
(decrease)
---
Notes
Used by
interference
handover as
well
-Relevant
quality
handover must
trigger first
Uplink only
No voting as
lastest hreqt
used
--
--
---
15
HO
RXLEV_NCELL(n) > RXLEV_MIN(n) + Max(0,Pa)

Evaluate criterion 1
for all neighbours
num_ho_cand = number
of neighbours passing
Evaluate criterion 2
for all neighbours
passing criteria 1
where : Pa = ms_txpwr_max(n) - P
P = max power of mobile
PBGT(n) Ho_margin
Execute the
appropriate
Motorola handover
procedure
April 2000

16
Flexible Neighbour Cell Processing
Prior to GSR4, the ncell_proc flag simultaneously

enabled/disabled 4 separate functionalities
Management of unreported neighbours and missing MR

Qualify neighbours with lower levels than the serving cell
Level and Quality handovers at maximum power
Permits no warm up period for neighbours
Separate flags introduced to control each function

individually
April 2000

17
Sporadic Neighbour Cell Reporting
A neighbour reported sporadically (some times does not fall

into the top 6) may be considered as qualified for criteria 1 and
2 processing
disuse_cnt_hreqave: Number of consecutive MR not reported
by a mobile and relating to a previously reported neighbour
0: The maximum disuse count is set to 8
1: The maximum disuse count is defined by the surrounding
cell hreqave
If the neighbour is reported before the maximum disuse count
is reached, it is reset to 0
If the disuse count reaches the maximum, the previous reports
for the neighbour are deleted and the averaging mechanism
reset neighbour no longer considered to be a valid handover
candidate
April 2000

18
Sporadic Neighbour Cell Reporting
Each time a neighbour is not reported a disuse counter is

increased
neighbour_journal: Way of managing unreported neighbours
0: Only neighbours with disuse counter equal to 0 are
qualified
1: Qualified neighbours are those having a disuse counter

less than the value disuse_cnt_hreqave
April 2000
A neighbour will only be qualified if reported in the last MR

The value used to average and compute HREQT for that missing
report is repeated from the last reported value
The value used to average and compute hreqt for that missing report
is set to -110 dBm
No warm up period for neighbours (padded with -110 dBm for
averaging)
19
Neighbour Journal
WARM UP PERIOD
Neighbour_journal = 0
R
Disuse
0
Count
Q
NR
NR
0
Q
2
NQ
1
NQ
0
Q
0
Q
0
Q
0
Q
0
Q
0
Q
RXLEV -80
-82
-81
-81
-81
-79
-82
-83
-81
-79
First MREP
hreqave = 4
LEGEND:
NR - Not Reported
R - Reported
Q - Qualified
NQ - Not Qualified
HO cannot be performed
hreqt=1
Neighbour_journal = 1
First MREP NO WARM UP
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
Disuse
0
Count
Q
0
Q
2
Q
1
Q
0
Q
0
Q
0
Q
0
Q
0
Q
0
Q
3
NQ
2
NQ
1
NQ
RXLEV -80
-82
-110
-110
-81
-79
-82
-83
-81
-79
-110
-110
-110
hreqave = 4
LEGEND:
NR - Not Reported
R - Reported
April 2000
Q - Qualified
NQ - Not Qualified
HO can be performed
hreqt=1

20
MR Processing Example
If neighbour_journal flag
is set to 0, the last
recieved RxLev for the
unreported neighbour is
used and a negative HO
may be triggered
April 2000

21
Neighbour Journal Results
Improved Outgoing Inter-Cell HO Success Rate
April 2000

22
Handover to Worse Neighbours
It is possible to qualify neighbours with RxLev lower

than the serving cell as candidates for RxLev
Handovers
worse_neighbor_ho
0: Disable handovers to a neighbour with lower RxLev than

the serving cell
1: Enable handovers to a neighbour with lower RxLev than
the serving cell
This parameter is not used in the Uplink Level

handover procedure. The RSS does not remove weaker
candidates from the handover recognised message
April 2000

23
Handover at Maximum Power
It is possible to configure that RxQual and RxLev handovers

are only performed when MS / BTS are at full power
ho_only_max_pwr
0: Disable handovers at full power
1: Enable handovers at full power
All candidates for interference handovers are removed until MS
/ BTS is at full power
It is required that decision_alg_num = 1 with this functionality
to allow the MS / BTS to reach full power for quality cases
(PC)
If ho_only_max_pwr enabled, qual_margin will be bypassed
and HO to weaker cells may occur!
April 2000

24
Neighbour Cell Processing

ncell_proc setting =0
For dl_rxlev handovers, neighbor must
be >server
For imperative handovers, bts power
status ignored
Neighbors require hreqave period for
candidature
Previously reported but now missing

neighbor ceases to be valid after 8sacch
April 2000
Equivalent GSR4 parameter

Worse_ngbr_ho = 0
Disable handover to neighbor to cell with
rxlev less than server
Ho_only_max_pwr = 0
i.e bts power status ignored
Neighbor_journal = 0
Neighbors require hreqave period for
candidature
Only neighbors reported in last sacch are
qualified
i.e. disuse_count = 0
disuse_count incremented every time
neighbor not reported
For averaging, use last reported value of
neighbor for missing report
If disuse_count reaches value defined by
disuse_cnt_hreqave then delete previous
neighbor measurement reports and reset
averaging mechanism
disuse_count_hreqave = 0
i.e neighbor ceases to be valid after
disuse_count reaches value = 8

25
Neighbour Cell Processing

ncell_proc setting = 1
For dl_rxlev handovers, neighbor may be
<server
For imperative handovers, bts power
must be at maximum for handover to be
allowed
Equivalent GSR4 parameter

W orse_ngbr_ho = 1
Enable handover to neighbor to cell with
rxlev less than server
H o_only_max_pwr = 1
i.e. bts power must be at maximum for
handover to be allowed
Neighbor averaging is im mediate,

missing neighbor average = -110dBm
Neighbor averaging is im mediate, initially
all neighbor information is padded with
value
-110dBm.
Previously reported but now

missing neighbor = -110dBm
For averaging, use -110dB m as value of
neighbor, for missing neighbor report
If disuse_count reaches value defined by
disuse_cnt_hreqave then delete previous
neighbor measurement reports and reset
averaging mechanism
disuse_count_hreqave = 1
i.e neighbor ceases to be valid after
disuse_count reches value defined in
surround_cell hreqave
Previously reported but now missing

neighbor ceases to be valid after
surroud_cell hreqave
April 2000

26
UL/DL RxQual HO Process

Uplink/Downlink
ho_process
num_ho_ cand = 0
Note: decision_ alg_num=1 must be used

with ho_only_max_ pwr and qual _pwr_flag
YES
Abort handover
NO
NO
ho_only_max_
pwr =1
MS/ bts
ul/dl
Full Power
YES
NO
qual_pwr _flag
set?
YES
YES
NO
qual_margin_flag
set?
YES
YES
MS/ bts
ul/dl
Full Power
For each candidate:
pwr_bgt + adj_qual_margin < 0
if yes remove neighbour from
cand list and decrement num_ho_ cand
NO
send ho_ rec message with
num_ho_ cand cells ordered
best to worse by criterion 2 result
(only if num_ho_ cand >0
April 2000

27
UL/DL Interference HO Process
Abort handover
Uplink/Downlink
ho_process
NO
ho_only_max_
pwr=1
NO
NO
qual_pwr_flag
set?
YES
YES
YES
MS/bts
ul/dl
Full Power
YES
NO
qual_margin_flag
set?
MS/bts
ul/dl
Full Power
YES
For each candidate:

pwr_bgt + adj_qual_margin < 0
if yes remove neighbour from
cand list and decrement num_ho_cand
NO
send ho_rec message with
num_ho_cand cells ordered
best to worse by criterion 2 result
April 2000
Note: decision_alg_num=1 must be used

with ho_only_max_pwr and qual_pwr_flag

28
DL Level HO Process
Downlink level
ho_process
worse_neighbor_ho
=1
NO
Remove candidates with

lower RXLEV than the server
from candidate list decrement
num_ho_cand
YES
Abort
YES
NO
BTS on full power
YES
num_ho_cand = 0
NO
YES
ho_only_max_pwr
=1
NO
SEND ho_recognised message

with num_ho_card cells ordered
best to worst by criterion 2 result
(only if num_ho_cand > 0)
April 2000
Note: decision_alg _num= 1, must be used

if ho_only max_pwr is to be enabled.

29
UL Level HO Process
Uplink level
ho_process
num_ho_cand = 0
YES
NO
ho_only_max_pwr =1
YES
NO
MS on full power
YES
NO
Abort ho
Send ho_rec message with
best to worse by Criteria 2 result
Note: decision_alg_num=1 must be used if ho_only_max_pwr is to be enabled
April 2000

30
Distance HO Process
Distance
ho_process
YES
num_ho_cand = 0
Abort ho
NO
Send ho_rec message with

April 2000

31
PBGT HO Process
Power Budget
ho_process
YES
num_ho_cand = 0
Abort ho
NO
Any cells satisfy

Criterion 2
NO
YES
Num_ho_cand= number
Of cells with positive
Criterion 2 result
Send ho_ rec message with
April 2000

32
Handover Parameter Look-up
April 2000

33
Handover Power Level Calculation

Feature Overview
Command the Mobile Station on inter-cell intra-BSS handovers

with an optimal handover power level
Handover power level is derived from path loss calculation with

respect to the target cell
The calculation aims at instructing the MS to access the target

cell at the middle of the database defined power box
(u_rxlev_ul_p + l_rxlev_ul_p) / 2
Benefits:
April 2000
Promotes battery conservation

Reduces interference
Eliminates unnecessary MS power control after a handover
34
Before GSR3
Database defined parameter handover_power_level was

used to instruct the MS on inter-cell handovers
From GSR3
The handover power level is derived as follows:
Handover Power Level = MIN(C + ((A - B), D, P)

where:
A
max_tx_bts of the target cell
B
rxlev reported by the MS for the target cell
C
middle of the target cell power box:
(u_rxlev_ul_p + l_rxlev_ul_p)/2
D
max_tx_ms of the target cell
P
maximum power capability of the MS
April 2000

35

Example:
An inter-cell handover orders the MS to access the
target cell with power level 7.
target cell:
rxlev_dl
max_tx_bts
max_tx_ms
handover_power_level
l_rxlev_ul_p
u_rxlev_ul_p
Power Class 2 MS
= 37
= 2 (39 dBm)
= 5 (33 dBm)
= 5 (33 dBm)
= 30
= 40
= 39 dBm
derived handover power level:

= MIN((40 + 30)/2 + ((31 - 37), 33, 33)
= MIN(29, 39, 39)
= 29 dBm (power level 7)
April 2000

36
Feature Limitations
To enable/disable the MS handover power level based on path

loss calculation:
use_derived_ho_power
0: feature disabled (default)

1: feature enabled
Provided only for inter-cell intra-BSS handovers due to the

target cell needing the power level information on initial
downlink SACCH. The information is included in the
Handover Command
Currently, GSM TS 08.08 does not provide a means to convey
power information to the target cell for an external handover
For incoming external handovers, the BSS instructs the MS to
use the database defined handover_power_level
April 2000

37
Different Power Levels in GSM900 &

GSM1800
April 2000

38
Inter/Intra-Cell Handovers
intra_cell_handover_allowed
0: Not performed by BSS (controlled by the MSC). Handover required

message may contain server as potential candidate along with other
targets
1: Performed by BSS if applicable. Intra-cell HO may be attempted

only if ho_recognised message specifies cause value quality or
interference
April 2000
Cause quality intra-cell attempt only if other targets are exhausted

Cause interference intra-cell first, if fails try other targets
2: Not permitted

39
Inter/Intra-Cell Handovers
inter_cell_handover_allowed
0: Not performed by BSS (controlled by the MSC). Handover required

message will be sent to MSC for both internal & external HO.
1: Performed by BSS if applicable. Internal inter-cell HO controlled by

BSC
2: Internal disabled & external enabled. Internal HO will not be

executed by MSC either.
3: Internal & external disabled. HO will not be executed by MSC

either.
April 2000

40
Prefer Different Carrier for Intra-cell

Handover
A carrier change within a cell is in the best interest of a

mobile experiencing interference
This functionality will select the best channel on a
different carrier if possible for uplink or downlink
interference handovers
Interference bands used to classify channels within the
cell
Different carriers have priority as targets:
BCCH Carrier (non-hopping)

Non-BCCH Carrier (hopping)
Functionality always enabled
April 2000

41

Handover
Compile a list A with channels in the best interference band
From list A, select any channels on a carrier other than the

current carrier and in a different hopping system if
applicable and make list B. If none, select best from list A
If non-hopping cell: From list B, select the best channel of

the BCCH carrier. If none, select best from list B
If hopping cell: From list B, select best channel on nonBCCH carrier. If none, select best from list B
April 2000

42

Handover
NON HOPPING CELL
BCCH
April 2000
TCH1
TCH2
HOPPING CELL
BCCH

TCH1
TCH2
43

Handover
List A
List B
TCH Carrier 0
TCH Carrier 0
TCH Carrier 1
TCH Carrier 2
TCH Carrier 2
TCH Carrier 1
TCH Carrier 0
List C
TCH Carrier 0
TCH Carrier 0
PRIORITY
PRIORITY
PRIORITY
1. 3 carrier non-hopping cell. Carrier 0 is BCCH

2. Current call on Carrier 1 and interference handover is detected
3. TCH from Carrier 0 (BCCH) will be chosen
April 2000

44
Interference Averaging
INTAVE
One rolling average produced every 480 ms i.e. HREQT =

1 by default
Each idle timeslot sampled by HDPC for noise interference

and categorised into one of the interferer bands
One such category for each idle slot is passed to CRM in

RF resource indication message sent every
rf_res_ind_period (1-127 SACCH MF)
April 2000

45
Time Limitation for Excessive Intra-cell

Handovers
If a cell has bad interference for all timeslots,

intra-cell handovers can be continuously done
This functionality will limit the number of

intra-cell handovers due to interference which
can occur in a specified amount of time by
escalating the handover to an RXQUAL
handover
This type of RXQUAL handover can be

subjected to the re-ordering described for
Micro-Micro and Timed Offset
April 2000

46

Handovers
A per cell parameter hop_count, determines

the number of intra-cell hops one mobile will
do before doing the inter-cell handover
When the first intra-cell handover occurs, start

a timer for hop_count_timer SACCH periods
If the number of intra-cell hops exceeds

hop_count before hop_count_timer expires, a
RXQUAL handover will be done to another
cell
April 2000

47
Time Limitation for Excessive Intracell Handovers
April 2000

48

Handovers
Element Name
Min Max Default Type
hop_count
0
hop_count_timer 0
hop_count
hop_count
255 255
255 0
per cell
per cell
0
1-255
: Results in disabling intracell handovers

: Number of interference handovers allowed
within hop_count_timer
hop_count_timer 0
: Disables Functionality
hop_count_timer 1-255: Number of SACCH periods before
hop_count value is reset
Both elements are not prompted for in the add_cell command, but are modifiable via the
chg_cell_element or chg_element
commands
CUSTOMER
SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
April 2000
49
Handover Margin per Cause
More parameters needed to optimize or fine-tune

handovers in a network
Two new handover margins per neighbor specific to

the cause of the handover being detected
Uplink/Downlink RXQUAL - ho_margin_rxqual[n]
Uplink/Downlink RXLEV - ho_margin_rxlev[n]
April 2000

50

Handover
margins always
used for the candidate
exclusion procedure
Handover Detected
Per cell flag
Exclusion Procedure
ho_margin_usage_flag will use

the per cause handover margins
for the candidate sorting
procedure, otherwise ho_margin
is used
Sorting Procedure
Handover Generated
April 2000

51
Exclusion Procedure - Remove neighbor from

candidate list if:
Better Cell HO: PBGT-ho_margin[n]<0
UL/DL RXQUAL HO: PBGT-ho_margin_rxqual[n]<0
UL/DL RXLEV HO: PBGT-ho_margin_rxlev[n]<0
April 2000

52
Sorting Procedure
If ho_margin_usage_flag = 0
All Handover Causes: PBGT - ho_margin[n]
If ho_margin_usage_flag = 1
UL/DL RXQUAL HO: PBGT-ho_margin_rxqual[n]
UL/DL RXLEV HO: PBGT - ho_margin_rxlev[n]
All other Handover causes: PBGT - ho_margin[n]
April 2000

53
Element
Min
ho_margin_usage_flag 0
Max
1
Default
0
Type
per cell
ho_margin_rxqual[n]
-63
63
-63
per
neighbor
ho_margin_rxlev[n]
-63
63
-63
per
neighbor
Notes: ho_margin_usage element is not prompted for in the add_cell command, but
is modifiable via the chg_cell_element and chg_element commands
Per cause handover
margins are not prompted for in the add_neighbor
April 2000 but are modifiable via the modify_neighbor command
54
command,

Candidate list
ho_margin_rxqual(n)
ho_margin_rxlev(n) Excluded?
Serving cell Rxlev: 15, Rxlev_min(n): 10

N 1: 44 rxlev
8
N 2: 42 rxlev
8
N 3: 24 rxlev
10
N 4: 14 rxlev
8
N 5: 8 rxlev
8
12
6
8
8
8
No/No
No/No
Yes/No
Yes/Yes
Yes/Yes
PBGT(n)
21 / 17
19 / 21
-1 / 1
-9 / -9
-15 / -15
RXQUAL Handover:
If ho_margin_usage=0, candidate list is : N1, N2
If ho_margin_usage=1, candidate list is: N1, N2
RXLEV Handover:
If ho_margin_usage=0, candidate list is: N1, N2, N3
If ho_margin_usage=1, candidate list is: N2, N1, N3
April 2000

55
Handover Reporting
HDPC
SSM
Handover_recognised message
contains:
Cause value
Qualified neighbours
When timer
(handover_recognised_period) is
running further handover decision
process is inhibited
Another message for the same

connection can not be generated
April 2000
handover_recognised
handover_recognised

56
Handover Evaluating
handover_recognised
MSC
SSM determines if internal or

external HO is needed
SSM
Cause value
Qualified neighbours
handover_required
When timer (GSM timer T7) is

running no more
handover_required message is
sent
handover_recognised
Another message for the same

connection can only be generated
after expiry of timer if another
handover_recognised message
was recieved
April 2000
handover_recognised

57
Handover Rejection
Handover_required_reject_switch
1: BSS expects to receive a "handover required reject"

message from the MSC. Any internal cells that are
candidates for the handover will not be included in the
"Handover Required" message. On receipt of the
"Handover Required Reject" message the BSS will perform
an internal handover if there are valid candidates.
0: BSS will not expect to receive a "Handover Required

Reject" message from the switch and will include internal
candidates in the "HO Required" message.
April 2000

58
Preferred Target Cells
April 2000

59
Improved SDCCH and TCH Control
Explicit SDCCH Assignment

Flexibility to designate the carrier on which the
SDCCH/8 channels will be configured
Maximum 2 Timeslots (16 SDCCHs) per carrier
Two parameters per RTF (Carrier)
April 2000
sd_load: Maximum number of SDCCH/8 timeslots

configurable per carrier (0, 1 or 2). Not prompted for inner
zone carriers
sd_priority: Priority of the carrier to configure SDCCHs (0 highest, 1, 2, , 250). Only prompted if sd_load is higher
than 0
60
SDCCH Placement Results
DEFAULT
Distributed over all the carriers on TS 0. The feature was disabled.
SDCCH on BCCH
All the SDCCHs allocated on the BCCH carrier
SDCCH on TCH1
All the SDCCHs allocated on the same TCH carrier (TCH1 has been
selected)
SETUP & CALL SUCCESS
89,46%
90,00%
89,00%
87,97%
87,14%
88,00%
85,83%
87,00%
86,37%
85,11%
86,00%
CALL_SETUP_SUC
85,00%
CALL_SUCCESS
84,00%
83,00%
82,00%
81,00%
80,00%
SDCCHBCCH
April 2000
SDCCHTCH1
DEFAULT

61
Improved SDCCH and TCH Control

Carrier Priority
Implements a radio channel (SDCCH/TCH) allocation
algorithm based on priorities
Priorities assigned per carrier
Interference On Idle is the first criterion
Consider carrier priority for intra-cell handovers
1 parameter per RTF (Carrier)
April 2000
Chan_alloc_priority: Priority of the carrier when using the

radio channel allocation algorithm (0 - highest, 1, 2, , 250)

62
Separate Rxqual Thresholds
Optimize quality handovers and power control for

both situations simultaneously on the same cell
Yes
RxQual
Thresholds
for Hopping
Hopping
Call ?
No
April 2000
RxQual
Thresholds
for NonHopping
HANDOVER &
POWER
CONTROL
PROCESSES
63
Quality HO/PC Thresholds for Hopping

hop_qual_enabled: Enable/Disable alternative thresholds
Prompts for the following parameters:
l_rxqual_dl_h_hopping
l_rxqual_ul_h_hopping
l_rxqual_dl_p_hopping
l_rxqual_ul_p_hopping
Quality thresholds can be set in:
BER: 0 - 1810 (1 step = 0.01% BER)

RxQual: 0 7
Depending on the value of alt_qual_proc (0 / 1)
Similar parameters are available for data: data_qual_enabled, ...
April 2000

64
Adaptive Handovers
Normal
handovers operate based on either

absolute average or a voting mechanism
Adaptive
handovers operate by maintaining a

cumulative total:
Cumulative
value is maintained and updated

every measurement report
April 2000

65
Adaptive Handovers
Handover speed adapts to the scenario:
Conditions deteriorate rapidly Fast handover

Conditions marginally poor Slow handover
A cumulative value is maintained and updated at each

measurement with the difference between the value
reported and a certain handover threshold
Adaptive handover algorithm for:
April 2000
Power Budget
Uplink and Downlink Quality
Uplink and Downlink Level
66
Adaptive Handovers
Selective activation per cell
adapt_ho_pbgt: Enable/Disable adaptive power budget handovers

adapt_ho_rxlev: Enable/Disable adaptive level handovers (UL and DL)
adapt_ho_rxqual: Enable/Disable adaptive quality handovers (UL and
DL)
Select BER or RxQual
Trigger adaptive quality handovers based on either BER or RxQual

values. Dependant on the value of alt_qual_proc as for standard quality
handovers
April 2000

67
Adaptive Handovers
Trigger value per cell
adapt_trigger_pbgt: Adaptive power budget handovers trigger

adapt_trigger_rxlev_ul: Adaptive Uplink receive level handovers trigger
adapt_trigger_rxlev_dl: Adaptive Downlink receive level handovers trigger
adapt_trigger_ rxqual _ul: Adaptive Uplink receive quality handovers trigger
adapt_trigger_ rxqual _dl: Adaptive Downlink receive quality handovers
trigger
Separate quality threshold for hopping
adapt_ho_alt_trigger_rxqual: Enable/Disable the use of alternative quality

thresholds for hopping calls to trigger adaptive quality handovers
adapt_trigger_ hop_rxqual _ul: Adaptive UL receive quality handovers trigger
adapt_trigger_ hop_rxqual _dl: Adaptive DL receive quality handovers trigger
April 2000

68
Adaptive handovers
Adaptive power budget handover

If
then
PBGT(n) >HO_margin
PBGT_cumulative value=
PBGT_cumulative value + (PBGT(n) - HO_margin)
If
then
PBGT_cumulative value > PBGT_trigger

generate handover
If
then
PBGT(n) < HO_margin

PBGT_cumulative value= 0 (i.e reset)
April 2000

69
Adaptive handovers
Adaptive Handover With Ho_Margin = 0
RxLev
Server
Cumulative
Area
Neighbour
HO Point
Time
April 2000

70
Adaptive handovers
Adaptive Handover With HO_Margin > 0

RxLev
Cumulative
Area
Server
Neighbour
HO. Point
HO. Margin
Time
April 2000

71
Adaptive handovers
Adaptive level handover

If
then
rxlev_xx < l_rxlev_xx_ho, where xx=UL/DL

rxlev_cumulative value= rxlev_cumulative value +
(l_rxlev_xx_ho - rxlev_xx)
If
then
rxlev_cumlative value> rxlev_trigger

generate handover
If
then
rxlev_xx > l_rxlev_xx_h

rxlev_cumulative value= 0
April 2000

72
Adaptive handovers
IMPERATIVE HANDOVER
BY RXLEV
RxLev
60
40
Level
Threshold
20
Time
4
8
Cumulative
Trigger
12
HO Point
Cumulative
Area
April 2000

73
Adaptive Handovers
Adaptive Quality Handover

If
then
rxqual_xx > l_rxqual_xx_h, where xx= UL/DL

rxqual_cumulative value= rxqual_cumulative value +
(rxqual_xx - l_rxqual_xx_h)
If
and
then
adap_ho_alt_trigger_rxqual is disabled
rxqual_cumulative value> adap_trigger_rxqual_xx
generate handover
or if
hopping is enabled and adap_ho_alt_trigger_rxqual is

enabled
rxqual_cumulative value > adap_trigger_hop_rxqual_xx
generate handover
and
then
April 2000

74
Adaptive Handovers
CURRENT IMPERATIVE HO
RxQual
6
Dropped
Call
Quality
Threshold
4
2
Time
Cumulated
Area
12
Cumulative
Trigger
8
4
Time
April 2000

75
Adaptive Handovers
ADAPTIVE IMPERATIVE HO
RxQual
6
HO Point
Quality
Threshold
4
2
Time
Cumulated
Area
12
Cumulative
Trigger
8
4
Time
April 2000

76
Adaptive Handovers Trial
One BSC under test
Adaptive Handovers in Macro cells with

SFH 1x1 (6 sites, 15 cells)
April 2000
Adaptive Handovers in Micro cells (5 sites)

77
Macro cell parameters
RxQual Adaptive Handovers
RxLev Adaptive Handovers
l_rxlevl_xx_h=15
Cumulative_area=20
hreqave=1 for UL and DL
Power Budget
April 2000
l_rxqual_xx_h=3
Cumulative_area=12 for non hopping
Cumulative_area=15 for hopping
hreqave=1 for UL and DL
Cumulative_area=36
hreqave=1 for all the neighbours
ho_margin=0 for all macro neighbours
ho_margin=-24 for all micro neighbours
78
11,5% Reduction in RF Losses

16% Reduction in drop call rate
DROPPED CALLS
DROPPED CALLS PER ERLANG

1,66%
1,80%
0,17%
1,39%
0,18%
1,60%
0,15%
0,17%
1,40%
0,16%
1,20%
1,00%
0,54%
0,61%
0,80%
TCH_RF_LOSS_RATE (%)
0,15%
DROP_CALL_RATE
0,14%
0,60%
0,13%
0,40%
0,12%
0,20%
0,11%
0,10%
0,00%
HOADAPT2
April 2000
DEFAULT
HOADAPT2

DEFAULT
79
20% Reduction in Handover fails

More PBGT Handovers
HANDOVER CAUSE DISTRIBUTION
HANDOVER FAILURE RATE

1,77%
1,90%
1,41%
1,70%
100%
90%
1,50%
UPLINK_QUALITY
80%
UPLINK_LEVEL
70%
1,30%
POWER_BUDGET
60%
1,10%
DOWNLINK_QUALITY
50%
DOWNLINK_LEVEL
40%
0,90%
30%
20%
0,70%
10%
0,50%
0%
HOADAPT2
April 2000
DEFAULT
HOADAPT2

DEFAULT
80
CALL SUCCESS
86,47%
87,00%
85,11%
86,00%
85,00%
84,00%
83,00%
82,00%
81,00%
80,00%
HOADAPT2
April 2000
DEFAULT

81
Micro cell parameters
RxQual Adaptive Handovers
RxLev Adaptive Handovers
l_rxlevl_dl_h=15
Cumulative_area= 25
hreqave=1
Power Budget
April 2000
l_rxqual_dl_h=3
Cumulative_area= 10 for micros without fast mobiles
Cumulative_area= 8 for micros with fast mobiles
hreqave=1
Cumulative_area=30
hreqave=1 for all the neighbours
ho_margin=0 for all neighbours

82
10% Reduction in RF Losses

12% Reduction in drop call rate
DROP_CALL & TCH_LOSSES
DROP_CALL PER ERLANG
0,8148
0,9
0,8
0,7
0,6
0,5
0,4
0,3
0,2
0,1
0
0,4016
0,7155
0,5
0,4589
0,4132
0,3260
0,4
Drop-Call
0,3
TCH-loss
0,2
0,1
0
HO - Adap
April 2000
DEFAULT
HO - Adap

DEFAULT
83
4% Reduction in Handover Fails

8% Increase in traffic
HO_FAILURE_MICROS
TRAFFIC IN MICROS
2,1947
1,2448
1,3
2,2
1,1907
2,0286
2,1
1,2
1,1
1,9
HO - Adap
April 2000
DEFAULT
HO - Adap

DEFAULT
84
CONCLUSIONS
Adaptive Handovers:
Decrease TCH RF Loss, HO_Failure & Dropped calls
Increase traffic carried in micros
Good behaviour with hopping
Easy to configure (less parameters and unique values)
April 2000

85

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RADIOMOBIL WORKSHOP

Handover Decision Procedure

CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

Handover Process Schematic

POWER CONTROL COMMANDS

CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

MS / BSS Handover & Power Control

UL & DL Measurements Taken

Power Output Adjusted / Handover Triggered

CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

Need for Handovers

Keep MS on best server cell

CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

Handover Strategy Drivers

CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

Purpose is to completely modify the channel allocated to the MS and is only

CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

Characteristics of new channels and exact ACCH channel to be used

Indication of physical channel establishment procedure with channel details

Power command and handover reference (access id)

Optionally timing advance, cipher mode setting

CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

Handover Cause Priority

CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

Handover Decision Procedure

Power Control due

CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

Handover Decision Procedure

Power Control due

CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

Handover Decision Procedure

Power Control due

CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

Handover Decision Procedure

Power Control due

CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

Handover Decision Procedure

Power Control due

CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

Handover Decision Procedure

Power Control due

CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

Handover Decision Procedure

RXLEV_NCELL(n) > RXLEV_MIN(n) + Max(0,Pa)

CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

Flexible Neighbour Cell Processing

Prior to GSR4, the ncell_proc flag simultaneously

Management of unreported neighbours and missing MR

Separate flags introduced to control each function

CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

Sporadic Neighbour Cell Reporting

A neighbour reported sporadically (some times does not fall

CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

Sporadic Neighbour Cell Reporting

Each time a neighbour is not reported a disuse counter is

1: Qualified neighbours are those having a disuse counter

A neighbour will only be qualified if reported in the last MR

First MREP NO WARM UP

CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

Neighbour Journal Results

Improved Outgoing Inter-Cell HO Success Rate

CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

Handover to Worse Neighbours