FAJ 122 289, Handover on SDCCH Feature identity: FAJ 122 289, R1, Rev. ACommercial attention: None.

Summary Handover is the procedure which takes place when a connection is moved toanother channel. This feature provides an extension of the handover feature(NF 209.1) i n order to also cover the case of handover between signalingchannels (SDCCH). Benefits Handover on SDCCH can limit the interference in the network (C/I ratio) anddecre ase the number of dropped calls.This feature increases the security ofSMS delive ry, since the average connection quality on the SDCCH isimproved. When the use o f SMS increases, so does the need for handover onSDCCH.Call set-up can also bene fit from this feature, due to better quality on thesignaling channels. Description A signaling channel Stand alone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH) is achannel th at can be used for signaling only, that is for example call set-up,location upda ting, or Short Message Service (SMS).The regular handover (NF 209.1) takes place between traffic channels. Thisfeature makes it possible to perform a handover b etween SDCCHs. Theparameters that control the regular handover also control the handover onSDCCH.If a call is initiated when the MS is close to the cell border and moving towardsit or if the MS has not chosen the best cell, a handover on SD CCH might benecessary.When the cellular systems mature, the SMS point-to-point t raffic will grow.SMS uses the SDCCH longer than the few seconds needed for call set-up andlocation updating. It will become increasingly important to use handov er notonly for traffic channels, but also for the signaling channels.