GSM Measurements for Inter-RAT Cell Reselection & Handover

Objectives
At the end of this module, you will be able to Name the key parameters, which help the UE perform cell reselection from GSM to UMTS Outline the difference between the cell re-selection and handover in GSM

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Cell Reselection and Handover

In the idle mode, the mobile phone is responsible for cell selection and reselection. As soon as the MS has selected a cell and camps on it, it can access the network. A distinction is drawn between cs MSs and ps MSs. A cs MS has to be capable to detect and synchronise to a BCCH carrier. It has to read the BCCH data at reference sensitivity level and reference interference level. It measures the receive level for all monitored frequencies and calculate un-weighted average receive levels (RLA_C) in dBm. A packet switched MS performs cell reselection both in the packet idle mode and packet transfer mode! In the GPRS Standby and Ready state, the MS performs cell re-selection. There is one exception: A class A MS can be simultaneously in the GPRS Standby or Ready state and in the cs Connected mode. In this case, a new cell is determined by the network as part of the handover procedure. If the cs connection is released, the class A resumes cell re-selection. Cell selection and reselection of a packet switched MS can vary depending on the existence of PBCCH. A handover is only performed for a circuit switched call. The handover from GSM to UMTS is supported.

Cell Reselection and Handover

Cell Reselection
Done by MS in the (circuit switched) idle mode, and packet idle and packet transfer mode GSM cell re-selection to WCDMA may differ between non-GPRS capable mobiles, GPRS capable mobiles, and GPRS capable mobile with Packet BCCH Cell reselection to weaker WCDMA cells is possible

Handover
Handover from GSM is supported if the load of the serving GSM cell is above certain threshold and the measured quality (CPICH Ec/No) from adjacent WCDMA cell is above a minimum value. Different load threshold for speech calls and NonTransparent (CS) Data can be set.

Load Reason Algorithm in RAN 1.5

Speech calls can be served adequately both in GSM and UMTS. Consequently, only in a high load situations, multiple RAT phones are handed over from GSM to UMTS. The number of occupied traffic channels on the available transmission resources triggers the handover decision in the BSC. Circuit switched data calls may not surpass a capacity threshold before the BSC imitates the HO procedure. GPRS MS can be directly pushed to 3GPP cell reselection.

Load Reason Algorithm in RAN 1.5

Load of GSM cell (Occupation of TCHs in TRXes)
100% Load reason Speech to handovers only with hi h for speech D S load ore capacity for speech

80% Service based handovers for non-transparent data to provide maximum user bit rates Data to D re ardless of S

load

Hi her bit rates for data users

0%

Packet B to push

H parameters can be used PRS mobiles to D

Measurements Capabilities for Multi-Rat MSs

A multi-RAT MS is able to monitor 64 UTRAN cells, divided into (depending on the MS capability): FDD cells on up to 3 FDD frequencies, with a maximum of 32 cells per frequency; and/or TDD cells on up to 3 TDD frequencies with a maximum of 32 cells per frequency, and/or CDMA2000 cells. (TS 45.008 V5.8.0) In case of a conflict with GSM tasks, the GSM tasks take precedence. Measurement quantities in GSM for UTRAN FDD For UTRAN FDD cells, the measurement quantities to be used are CPICH Ec/No, CPICH RSCP and RSSI. RSCP must be used for the cell re-selection ranking criteria. Ec/No is used for a minimum quality requirement. On the BCCH, SACCH, PBCCH and/or PACCH, the reporting quantity parameter for the FDD mode FDD_REP_QUANT is transmitted. It informs the MS, whether the RSCP or the Ec/No is used for measurement reporting. It is also possible to add a frequency in the neighbour cell list, without adding a scrambling code. If this is the case, the Ms must report the RSSI for this UTRA carrier band. (The measured value will then replace the RXLEV in the measurement report.)

Cell Reselection Measurements

Cell Reselection for Circuit Switched Services (Packet Switched Services) A multi-RAT mobile phone reads the (GPRS) 3G Cell Reselection list, which may hold other RATs. The network controls the cell reselection measurements by the parameter Qsearch_I (Qsearch_P), which is broadcasted on the BCCH (PBCCH). The two parameters define thresholds, which tell the UE whether measurements have to be performed when the RLA_C (RLA_P) of the serving cell is below or above the threshold. GSM cell measurements are often conducted more frequently then inter-frequency measurements to save battery power. The MS identifies and selects the best UTRAN cell, given in the (GPRS) 3G Cell Reselection list, within 30 seconds. This holds, too, when several UTRAN cells of the same frequency are listed. This time increases by 30 seconds for each additional UTRAN frequency band in the (GPRS) 3G Cell Reselection list. The time limits are only valid under good radio conditions. In the packet transfer mode, a MS must sent the first access to the best new UTRAN cell at latest 10+x seconds. x stands for the time required to read the relevant cell system information. The time holds only, when no new GSM cell is activated and good radio conditions. The time increases by 5 seconds for each additional UTRAN carrier band listed in the GPRS 3G Cell Reselection list.

Cell Reselection Cell Reselection Algorithm

Algorithm for cell re-selection from GSM (GPRS) to the FDD mode in UTRAN Pre-requisite for cell re-selection to UMTS is, that UTRAN carrier bands are included in the (GPRS) 3G Cell Reselection list. If so, the MS must update RLA_C (RLA_P) value for the serving cell and at least 6 strongest non serving GSM cells at least every 5 seconds. Thereafter, the MS can re-select a suitable UTRAN cell, based on the S-Criterion. If an FDD cell is suitable, following two conditions must have been met: For a period of 5 seconds, the measured RSCP value must exceed the PLA_C (RLA_P) of the serving GSM and of all non-serving GSM cells by the value FDD_Qoffset (FDD_GPRS_Qoffset). Did a cell re-selection occur within the previous 15 seconds, the FDD_Qoffset value is increased by 5 dB. The measured Ec/No value of the FDD cell must be greater or equal than the broadcasted value FDD_Qmin. If the UE as performed a cell re-selection to UTRAN within the previous 5 seconds, a cell re-selection back to UTRAN is not allowed, when a suitable cell can be found within GSM.

Cell Reselection Algorithm from GSM to FDD-WCDMA (c

WCDMA measurements, when: RLA_C  Qsearch_I (Non GPRS)

check

at least every 5 s

Measurement Updates: RLC_C value of the serving cell at least 6 strongest non serving GSM cel

If, for suitable UMTS cell & for a period of 5 s: no priorities CPICH RSCP > RLA_C + FDD_Qoffset between
WCDMA neighbours

and CPICH Ec/No u FDD_Qmin

WCDMA cell reselection

Example: cs Cell-Reselection to a Stronger WCDMA Cel

Serving GSM cell

Start WCDMA measurements

CPICH Ec/No u FDD_Qmin

Cell reselecti on

Suitable neighbour WCDMA cell

Qsearch_I (e.g. 98 dBm)

FDD_Qoffset (e.g. 8 dB)

Non serving neighbour GSM cell

5 seconds
time

Example: ps Cell-Reselection to a Weaker WCDMA Cell

CPICH Ec/No u FDD_Qmin Cell reselecti on

Start WCDMA measurements

Qsearch_P (e.g. 70 dBm)

Serving GSM cell FDD_GPRS_Qoffset (e.g. -8 dB) Suitable neighbour WCDMA cell 5 seconds

Non serving neighbour GSM cell

time

Cell Reselection Parameters

Qsearch_I and Qsearch_P define thresholds. The threshold value also indicates, when the measurements have to be initiated and performed. The measurements are either started, when the serving cells RLA is below or above the threshold value. The default value is 15. FDD_Qoffset and FDD_GPRS_Offset define offset values, which have to be added to the RLA of the serving and non-serving GSM cells. The result is compared with the RSCP value of the WCDMA cell. The default parameter is 0. FDD_Qmin defines a minimum CPICH Ec/No threshold for WCDMA cell for cell reselection. FDD_REP_QUANT defines the reporting quantity for UTRAN cell (1=Ec/No or 0=RSCP, default: 1). 3G_Search_PRIO is used to inidicate to the MS if 3G cells can be looked for when BSIC decoding is required. (0=no, 1=yes, default: 1) The 3G Cell Reselection list is only used by multi-RAT MSs. The system information SI2quater and SI2ter can be used to provide 3G cell information. If the two system information messages carry 3G cell information, than their lists have to be combined in the UEs 3G Cell Reselection list, which may then hold up to 96 UMTS cells. Up to 8 carrier frequency bands can be stored in this list, too.

Cell Reselection Parameters

Parameter for Parameter for Parameter for NON GPRS GPRS PBCCH GPRS Qsearch_X Qsearch_I Qsearch_P Qsearch_P FDD_QoffsetFDD_Qoffset FDD_Qoffset FDD_GPRS_Qoffset RLA_C RLA_P RLA_X RLA_P Parameter R_Below 0 dBm -98 Qsearch_I & Qsearch_P R_Upper 8 dBm -78 1 -94 9 -74 2 -90 10 -70 2 -24 10 8 2 -18 3 -86 11 -66 3 -20 11 12 3 -17 4 -82 12 -62 4 -16 12 16 4 -16 5 -78 13 -58 5 -12 13 20 5 -15 6 7 -74 Always 14 15 -54 Never 6 -8 14 24 6 -14 7 -4 15 28 7 -13

Range 0 1 dB Always -28 FDD_Qoffset & FDD_GPRS_Offset Range 8 9 dB 0 4 Range FDD_Qmin dB 0 -20 1 -19

FDD_(GPRS) FDD_REP_ 3G_search_ Parameter Qsearch_I Qsearch_PQsearch_P FDD_QMin Qoffset QUANT PRIO Name for 2(3)quarter 2quater 2quater 3quater 2ter 2quater 2ter Sys Info (SI) (PBCCH)

Handover Measurement
The Network controls the identification and the measurements of cells, which belong to other radio access technologies, by the parameter Qsearch_C. This parameter is sent on the SACCH. If this parameter is not made available there, the MS uses the parameter Qsearch_C_Initial, which is sent on the BCCH. The parameter Qsearch_C has the same meaning as the parameter Qsearch_I. The MS can use search frames, which are required for BSIC decoding, to perform the required measurements. The parameter 3G_SEARCH_PRIO indicates to the MS, whether is can use up to 25 search frames per 13 seconds without BSIC decoding in these frames. At latest 5 seconds after it had been activated, The MS must report the best UTRAN cell. The time only holds, when no new GSM cell is activated at the same time, and there are good radio conditions. The allowed reporting time increases by 5 seconds for each additional UTRAN carrier band. Then the MS has only a signalling connection on a SDCCH, the MS can use all TDMA frames for measurements, which are not allocated or used for GSM signal strength measurements. The MS then must report the best UTRAN cell within 1.7 seconds, given the same assumptions as above. Handover Parameters: Qsearch_C_Initial identifies the Qsearch value to be used in connected mode before Qsearch_C is received. 0 = use Qsearch_I, 1 = always. Default value = use Qsearch_I. Qsearch_C specifies the signal threshold to search for 3G cells (see Qsearch_I). Default value is 7. FDD_MULTIRAT_REPORTING gives the number of cells (0..3) from the access technology/mode FDD that the UE has to include in the list of strongest cells or in the

Handover Process incl. RAN 1.5

Handover Triggering Thresholds set in BSC Inter-RAT measurements when: The RXLEV of the serving cell is above or below the given threshold Qsearch_C MS reports best UTRAN cell based on measurement results
However in S10.5 MS is measuring the UTRAN cells continuously if they are defined as a neighbour, measurements are done during idle periods Latest after 5 s (one WCDMA band)

Handover Decision is done in case of Load of the serving cell > Load_Threshold and CPICH Ec/No> min Ec/No Threshold

Handover command is send to MSC

Example: Handover to a Weaker WCDMA Cell

Serving GSM cell

CPICH Ec/No u FDD_Qmin

Qsearch_C

Cell reselecti on

Non serving neighbour GSM cell

FDD_Qoffset (< 0)

Suitable neighbour WCDMA cell

5 seconds

ISHO and Cell Reselection in RAN1.5

The maximum number of reported cells is BSS10.5 is 6, the number of WCDMA cells depends on the parameter FDD_MULTIRAT_REPORTING. Then the number of GSM neighbour reported could be 3-6 depending on the set value of parameter FDD_MULTIRAT_REPORTING. With Enhanced Measurement report (in BSS11) the maximum number of reported cells is 12 adjacent cells in case MS is reporting more than 6 neighbours ! In RAN1.5 the target WCDMA cell is identified by the MCC + MNC + LAC + RNC + Cell ID + SAC. Because the MCC + MNC are included, handover from the BSC in the PLMN_1 to the RNC in the PLMN_2 is possible, i.e. an inter-PLMN handover from GSM to WCDMA is supported. Load threshold parameters are defined for Speech Calls & Transparent Data Non-Transparent Data The load is measured in the cell level by comparing the occupied TCHs to the available TCHs (20 s interval used) Parameters & defaults LOAD_THRESHOLD_FOR_SC_IS_HO (range 0-100% , default 80%) LOAD_THRESHOLD_FOR_NON_TPC_IS_HO (range, 0-100% default 0%) After a successful handover new handover for the same connection is not allowed in 30 seconds. After an unsuccessful handover attempt it is not allowed to initiate a new handover attempt to the same cell within time defined by the parameter MIN_INTERVAL_BETWEEN_UNSUCC_ISHO_ATTEMPT. The Network Controlled Cell Re-Selection (NCCRS) is done from GPRS, to WCDMA with Packet Cell Change Order message. For NCCRS load thresholds for following classes in GPRS cells exist: Interactive 1 traffic class, Interactive 2 traffic class, Interactive 3 traffic

GSM ISHO in RAN1.5: Example

Handover example (speech/Transparent data) Load Threshold for Speech Calls inter-RAT Handover LOAD_THRESHOLD_FOR_SC_IS_HO= 80% Min Ec/No threshold for a handover to the UTRAN adjacent cell MIN_ECNO_THRSHOLD = -15 dB Qsearch_c = 15 (if Qsearch_c = 15, the mobile is not allowed to measure UTRAN adjacent cells and therefore the BSS does not send the Measurement Information message to the mobile at all)

1 Load of the serving cell = 45% and the measured Ec/No = - 20 dB 2

--> Handover to the UTRAN not possible due to low load and low Ec/No Load of the serving cell = 45% and the measured Ec/No = - 10 dB --> Handover to the UTRAN not possible due to low load --> Handover to the UTRAN possible

3 Load of the serving cell = 95% and the measured Ec/No = -10 dB

GSM ISHO in RAN1.5: Example

Handover example (Non Transparent data)y Load Threshold for Non-Transparent Data inter-RAT Handover y LOAD_THRESHOLD_FOR_NON_TPC_IS_HO =0% (default) y Min Ec/No threshold for a handover to the UTRAN adjacent cell y MIN_ECNO_THRSHOLD= -15 dB y Qsearch_c = 15 (if Qsearch_c = 15, the mobile is not allowed to measure UTRAN adjacent cells and therefore the BSS does not send the Measurement Information message to the mobile at all)

1 Load of the serving cell = 0% and the measured Ec/No = - 20 dB 2

--> Handover to the UTRAN not possible due to low Ec/No Load of the serving cell =0% and the measured Ec/No = - 10 dB --> Handover to the UTRAN possible

References
For this course module, following ETSI specifications were used: TS 45.008 V5.8.0