Handover is key technology of Mobile

communication system and make

continued conversation possible.
Handover algorithm in Huawei product
is flexible and powerful

Upon completion this course, you will be
able to:

Understand the type of handover.

Master handover judgment flow

Configure handover data

Master handover signaling flow
Chapter 1 Introduction of Handover

Chapter 2 HO Algorithm process

Chapter 3 HO Data Configuration

Chapter 4 HO Signaling process

Purposes of HO

To keep a continuous communication with a moving MS

To improve network service performance
− To reduce the call drop rate
− To reduce the congestion rate
Classification by Reason

Emergency HO

Timing Advance (TA) Emergency HO

Bad quality (BQ) Emergency HO

Rx_Level_Drop Emergency HO

Interference Emergency HO

load HO

Normal HO

Edge HO

Layer HO

Power Budget (PBGT) HO

Speed-sensitive HO (Fast moving MS HO)

Concentric Cell HO
Classification by Synchronization

Synchronous handover: source

and target cell belong the same
BTS

Asynchronous handover: source and

target cell belong the different BTS
Chapter 1 Introduction of Handover

Chapter 2 HO Algorithm process

Chapter 3 HO Data Configuration

Chapter 4 HO Signaling process

Chapter 2 HO Algorithm process

1.1 General HO process

1.2 Measurement report preprocessing

1.3 Penalty processing

1.4 Basic ranking and Secondary ranking

1.5 Condition of handover

General process of HO Algorithm

M.R. 1
preprocessing OM forced HO

Edge HO
Directed retry
Penalty
processing Layer HO
TA emergency HO

BQ emergency HO PBGT HO
Basic ranking

RSD emergency Fast moving MS

HO HO
Secondary
ranking Interf. emergency HO Overlaid/underlaid HO

Load Sharing HO
Processing
HO judgment program
1
Chapter 2 HO Algorithm process

1.1 General HO process

1.2 Measurement report preprocessing

1.3 Penalty processing

1.4 Basic ranking and Secondary ranking

1.5 Condition of handover

Measurement Report

Uplink MR includes uplink receiving level and quality.

Downlink MR includes downlink receiving level, downlink
receiving quality of the serving cell and other downlink
receiving levels from the neighbor cells.

Serving cell Neighbour cell

The downlink
measurement report
of the serving cell

The uplink measurement

The downlink measurement report
report of MS of the neighbour cell (BCCH)
Measurement Report
 Period of measurement report

The downlink MR is sent to BTS in SACCH uplink

The interval is 480ms/per time when MS is on TCH

The interval is 470ms/per time when MS is on SDCCH

480ms 4 TCH multi-frames

12TCH 1SACCH 12TCH 1 Idle

MR interpolation

Every time BSC receives a measurement report, there will

be an update to the basic rank of the cells.

BTS may fail to receive the measurement report from MS.
Before the rank-update, BSC needs to recover the lost
measurement reports according to Filter Table. If the lost
MR amount is within the allowed range, then recovers the
lost MR according to the algorithm.
 How to interpolate MR?

Continuous MR
flow

MR MR
MR MR MR

Measurement Measurement report

report No. n No. n+4
filtering

Continuous MR
flow

MR MR MR
MR MR
MR

Filter----Average several continuous MR.

Chapter 2 HO Algorithm process

1.1 General HO process

1.2 Measurement report preprocessing

1.3 Penalty processing

1.4 Basic ranking and Secondary ranking

1.5 Condition of handover

Penalty Processing

There are altogether four types of penalty process (second step of
HO algorithm process )

Penalty on the target cell when a HO fails.

Penalty on the original serving cell when an emergency HO
( base on BQ and TA ) is performed.

Penalty on other high priority layer cells after a fast moving HO
is performed.

A new HO attempt is prohibited within the penalty time after an
overlaid/underlaid HO fails.
Penalty on the Target Cell

Punish the target cell when a HO fails. This is to avoid the

MS to select this cell again in next HO judgment.

Cell A

BTS
HO failure

BSC

Cell B
Penalty on the Source Cell

Punish the original serving cell when an emergency HO

( due to BQ and TA) occurs.

Cell A

BTS
BQ& TA HO

BSC

Cell B
penalty on Non-umbrella Layer

Giving penalty on the other three layers after MS handovers to

Umbrella cell by fast-moving-HO. This is to keep MS staying in
the umbrella cell and avoid frequent HO.

Back? No way!

Umbrella

Micro cell
Penalty on Overlaid/underlaid Cell

A new Overlaid/underlaid HO is prohibited within a penalty time

after an Overlaid/Underlaid HO failure.

Overlaid Do not
attempt
again after a
Underlaid failed HO!
Chapter 2 HO Algorithm process

1.1 General HO process

1.2 Measurement report preprocessing

1.3 Penalty processing

1.4 Basic ranking and Secondary ranking

1.5 Condition of handover

Procedure of Ranking

Basic ranking and secondary ranking of cells are major parts of

the HO judgment. Ranking is made through 16bits-algorithm.
The serving cell and the neighbor cells will be listed in a cell list
according to their 16bits value. The ranking processes include:

M rule

K rule

16bits ranking
M rule

Only the cells with received signal level satisfy the following conditions
can be put into the candidate cell list.

For serving cell

RX_LEV (o) >MSRXMIN(o) + MAX(0,Pa(o))

For Neighbor cell

RX_LEV (n) > MSRXMIN(n)+ MAX(0,Pa(n))+ OFFSET

Pa(0) : MS_TXPWR_MAX(0) – P

Pa(n) : MS_TXPWR_MAX(n) – P

MS_TXPWR_MAX( ) : The appointed MS transmitting power by the
BSS.

P : Max_Power_of_MS

Max_Power_of_MS : MS maximum transmitting power
 K rule Criterion

After the M rule , the serving cell and candidate neighbor cells are
ranked in descending order according to the receiving level only

Both the serving cell and the neighbor cells have their own 16bits value.
The smaller the value is, the higher the priority and position the cell is in
the cell list.

The 1st-3rd bits: bit value is decided according to the cell signal level
and the penalty process taking place beforehand.

The values come from max. 6 candidate cells and 1 serving cell
according to the level ranges from 000~110. The value for the cell
with the strongest signal level is 000.

16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
 The 4th bit: determined by HO hysteresis

The 4th bit: bit value is determined by inter-cell HO ( of the same layer )
hysteresis.

The 4th bit of the serving cell is always 0,

The receiving signal level of the neighbor cell >= The receiving level of the
serving cell + Inter-cell HO ( of the same layer ) hysteresis, bit 4th is set to 0.

The receiving level of the neighbor cell < The receiving level of the serving
cell + Inter-cell HO ( of the same layer ) hysteresis, bit 4th is set to 1.

Note: In PBGT HO, whichever the greater of the inter-cell ( of the same
layer ) hysteresis and PBGT threshold, that value will be used in the
PBGT HO.

16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
 The 5th—10th bit: determined by Layer

The 5th-10th bits: bit value is decided according to their position in
Huawei hierarchical network structure.

When the signal level of the neighbor cells or the serving cell is lower
than the layer HO threshold and hysteresis, this function is turned off
and all bits are set to 0.

That is to say only when the above criterions are met, then this
function take effect.

Huawei cell layers can be divided into 4 layers and each layer can be
further divided into 16 different priorities. So there are 64 different
priorities in Huawei hierarchical cell structure.

16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
 Hierarchical cell structure

Umbrella
Cell GSM 900

GSM900
GSM 900 GSM 900 GSM 900
Cell

GSM1800 GSM1800 GSM1800 GSM1800

Cell

GSM900 GSM900 GSM900 GSM900

Micro Cell
GSM1800 GSM1800 GSM1800 GSM1800
 The 11th bit: determined by load

The 11th bit: bit value is decided by cell-load-sharing criterion.

Serving cell: if Cell Load>= Start threshold of load HO, bit 11th is set to 1,
otherwise is set to 0.

Neighbor cell: if Cell Load>=Receive threshold of load HO, bit 11th is set to 1,
otherwise is set to 0.

Refer to Load HO Table for the load HO threshold and load req. on
candidate cell.

Clue : When the cell load is higher than the threshold, then the bit 11th is
set to 1.This is done in order to put the cell in a lower part of the cell list.

16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
 The 12th/13th bit: determined by co-BSC/MSC

12th bit: bit value is decided by co-BSC criterion.

Serving cell: is always set to 0.

Neighbor cell: if co-BSC with the serving cell, 12th bit is set to 0,
otherwise is set to 1.

When the signal level from the neighbor cell or the serving cell is lower
than layer HO threshold and hysteresis. This function is turned off and
the value is set to 0.

If the parameter – “Co-BSC/MSC Adj.” in the HO control table is set to
“No”, then this function is turned off and the value is 0.

13th bit : Bit value is decided by Co-MSC parameter, having the same
concept as the 12th bit.

16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
 The 14th bit: determined by Layer HO

The 14th bit: Layer HO threshold adjustment bit

Serving cell criterion

Receive level >= layer HO threshold – layer HO hysteresis, bit 14th
is set to 0. At the same time, bit 13th, 12th and 10th—5th bits are
set to 0.

If the above criterion is not met, then bit 14th is set to 1.

Example : 20-5 = 15 ( -95 dBm )

16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
 The 14th bit: determined by Layer HO

Neighbor cell criterion

Receive level >=layer HO threshold + layer HO hysteresis, bit 14th is set
to 0. At the same time, bit 13th, 12th and 10th—5th bits are set to 0

If the above criterion is not met, then bit 14th is set to 1.

Example : 20+5 = 25 ( -85 dBm )

note

The layer HO threshold and hierarchical hysteresis correspond to the
value of that individual cell’s value.

Usual situation : When the neighbor cells are of the same layer, each of
the neighbor cell’s layer HO threshold value will be the same. Same
concept goes for the layer HO hysteresis. This can maintain the entire
hierarchical layers of the cell.

16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
 The 15th bit: determined by Cell Type

The 15th bit: Bit value is decided by cell type

− Serving cell or Neighbor cells:
− When cell type is extension cell 1.
− When cell type is normal cell 0.

The 16th bit: Reserved bit

16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Chapter 2 HO Algorithm process

1.1 General HO process

1.2 Measurement report preprocessing

1.3 Penalty processing

1.4 Basic ranking and Secondary ranking

1.5 Condition of handover

Types of HO

Emergency HO

TA HO

BQ HO

interference HO

Rx_Level_Drop HO

Load HO

Normal HO

Edge HO, layer cell HO and PBGT HO

Fast moving HO

Overlaid/underlaid HO
TA&Bad Quality HO

TA HO criterion :

TA of the serving cell > TA Thrsh.

BQ HO criterion :

The average value of the uplink quality of the serving cell >

UL Qual. Thrsh.

The average value of the downlink quality of the serving cell >
DL Qual. Thrsh.

Requirements on the target cell (same as the above two types of
HO)

Select the first cell in the neighbor cell list i.e. lowest 16bits
value.
Rx_Level_Drop HO

Rx_Level_Drop HO

Due to downlink signal level drop

Triggered upon detecting rapid level drop during MS busy
mode.

Requirements for the target cell:

The target cell is the first cell in the neighbor cell list.
Interference HO

Interference HO (DL&UL) :

When the receiving level > receiving threshold level. But
Receiving quality < threshold of quality interference.

Requirements for the target cell:

The target cell is in the cell list.
Cell Load HO

Cell Load HO Criterions :

System load of BSC < Permissible load of HO threshold

Load of serving cell > Load HO threshold

Requirements for the target cell

Load of target cell < Load HO threshold

BTS

BSC
Edge HO

Edge HO Criterion:

In N seconds, when there are P seconds that neighbor
cell’s DL or MS’s UL signal level is lower than the Edge HO
threshold. Then the criterion is met and Edge HO occurs.
This method utilizes the P/N rule.

Requirements for the target cell:

The target cell should be ranked in front of the serving cell.
Layer HO

Layer HO criterions:

Serving cell :
− No requirement.

Target cell :
− Layer of the target cell is lower than the serving cell.
− Receive level of the target cell > layer cell threshold +
layer cell hysteresis.
− Target cell should be ranked in front of the serving cell.
The priority of target cell should be higher than the
serving cell’s.
PBGT HO

PBGT HO Criterions :

Target cell’s path loss is smaller than the serving cell’s path
loss by the PBGT threshold value.

Satisfying the P/N rule.

Target cell should be ranked in front of the serving cell.

Note :

PBGT HO can only occur between same-priority cell. If the
system permits PBGT HO for the cell, PBGT HO can occur
in either inter-BSC or inter-MSC.
Fast-Moving HO

When the serving cell is micro cell :

When the MS has traveled through P numbers of cell, and
there are Q (=<P) numbers of cell that the MS has traveled
in high speed, the criteria is satisfied. MS will be handed
over to umbrella cell.

When the serving cell is umbrella cell :

When the MS is traveling high speed in umbrella cell, a
greater penalty can be given to the micro cell for a duration
of time (penalty time). In this way, the MS will not use the
micro cell. Note :In this case, the micro cell is only used
under urgency conditions( Poor TA and BQ ).
Overlaid/Underlaid Cell
Assume, 6TRX in one cell, one CDU and one SCU are adopted
Where can we configure BCCH CH? CDU or SCU?
SCU

TRX
TRX
TRX
Antenna
TRX

TRX
Antenna
TRX

CDU
Overlaid/Underlaid Cell

Purpose

Maximize coverage area

Reduce interference and improve frequency reuse density

Construct method

Different combiner loss

Decrease the power of TRX

By HO parameter, it is called IUO

Classify

Normal Underlaid/Overlaid

IUO: Enhance Underlaid/Overlaid
How to Allocate SDCCH/TCH?

SDCCH

SDCCH are always allocated in Underlaid

Layer is allocated according the transmission delay of
access burst

TCH

The receiving level

TA

They are included in MR of SDCCH CH on uplink reported
by BTS
Factor of Handover between Under/Overlaid

Normal Underlaid/Overlaid

Receiving level

Time Advance

Quality

Enhanced Underlaid/Overlaid

Receiving level

Time Advance

Quality

Traffic Load of Underlaid
Normal Overlaid/Underlaid HO

:
Division of underlaid and overlaid is decided by MS
downlink receive level ,TA value and quality.

underlaid

overlaid

The quality boundary is elided in this figure

Normal Overlaid/Underlaid HO

Criterion for HO from overlaid to underlaid:

TA value => TA threshold + TA hysteresis OR

RX_LEV <= RX_LEV threshold －RX_LEV hysteresis OR

Qua. =>Qua. threshold

Satisfying P/N rule

Criterion for HO from underlaid to overlaid:

TA value =< TA threshold － TA hysteresis AND

RX_LEV >=RX_LEV threshold + RX_LEV hysteresis AND

Qua. =<Qua. threshold

Satisfying P/N rule
 Enhance Overlaid/Underlaid HO

Criterion for HO from overlaid to underlaid:

TA value => TA threshold + TA hysteresis OR

RX_LEV <= O to U level OR

Qua. =>Qua. threshold

Satisfying P/N rule

Criterion for HO from underlaid to overlaid:

TA value =< TA threshold － TA hysteresis AND

RX_LEV >= U to O level AND

Qua. =<Qua. Threshold

If the box “U to O HO traffic threshold” is checked, just in the condition
that underlaid load is more than this threshold, U to O handover based
on previous conditions can be triggered

Satisfying P/N rule
Chapter 1 Introduction of Handover

Chapter 2 HO Algorithm process

Chapter 3 HO Data Configuration

Chapter 4 HO Signaling process

Chapter 4 HO Signaling process

1.1 Intra BSC Handover

1.2 Intra MSC Handover

1.3 Inter MSC Handover
Intra-BSC Handover Signaling process

MS BTS1 BSC BTS2 MS MSC

Measurement Report from MS

Channel_Active

Channel_Active ACK
HANDOVER COMMAND
Handover Access
Handover_Detect
PHY INFO
PHY INFO
First SABM
Establish_IND
Handover Complete
Handover_Performed
Intra-BSC Handover Signaling process

Attention

In asynchronous HO, if MS could not reach the new TCH
channel after the target cell has sent PHY INFO up to max
times, the target cell reports CONN FAIL IND to BSC with
the reason: HO access failure.

After the above message is received, BSC release the
assigned TCH channel in the target cell .

Max resend times of physical information*Radio link
connection timer > Time interval between EST IND and HO
DETECT (120~180ms). This is to make sure that the
physical information reach MS.
Intra-BSC Handover Signaling process
MS BTS (Original) BSC BTS (Target) MSC
Measurement Report
Measurement Report
Attempted outgoing internal inter cell handovers Channel_Activate
T12++
Attempted incoming internal inter cell handoversT09++

Channel_Activate ACK

Handover Command (Old FACCH)

Handover Access (New FACCH)

Handover Complete (New FACCH) T10++ Successful incoming internal inter cell handovers
T13++ Successful outgoing internal inter cell handovers
RF Channel Release
Handover Performed
Measurement Points of Intra BSC Handover

Handover formula definition

Internal inter cell radio handover success rate

=(Successful incoming internal inter cell handovers +
Successful outgoing internal inter cell handovers) /
(Incoming internal inter cell handovers + Outgoing internal
inter cell handovers )

Internal inter cell handover success rate

=(Successful incoming internal inter cell handovers +
Successful outgoing internal inter cell handovers) /
(Attempted incoming internal inter cell handovers +
Attempted outgoing internal inter cell handovers)

Internal inter cell radio handover success rate >= Internal inter
cell handover success rate
Chapter 4 HO Signaling process

1.1 Intra BSC Handover

1.2 Intra MSC Handover

1.3 Inter MSC Handover
Intra-MSC HO Signaling process

MS BTS(original) BSC1 MSC BSC2 BTS (Target)

Measurement Report
Measurement Report Attempted outgoing interBSC inter cell handovers
Handover Required
Handover Request
Attempted incoming interBSC inter cell handovers Channel_Active
Channel_Active_ACK
Handover_Request_ACK
Handover Command
Handover Access

Handover Detect
Handover Complete

Successful incoming inter BSC handovers Handover Complete

Successful outgoing interBSC inter cell handovers Clear Command (HO Successful)
RF Channel Release
Clear Complete
Channel Release process
MS BTS BSC MSC
Disconnect
Release
Release Complete

Clear_CMD
Clear_CMP
Channel Release
Deactive_SACCH
First DISC
Release_IND
UA
RF_Release_REQ

RF_Release_REQ_ACK
Chapter 4 HO Signaling process

1.1 Intra BSC Handover

1.2 Intra MSC Handover

1.3 Inter MSC Handover
 Signaling process between MSC

MS BSC-A MSC-A MSC-B VLR-B BSC-B MS

HO-REQUIRED MAP_Prepare_HO MAP_Allocate_HO_NUM

MAP_Send_HO_Repor
t

MAP_Send_HO_Report_ACK
HO-REQUEST

MAP_Prepare_HO_ACK HO-REQUEST-ACK
IAI
HO-Command ACM
HO-Access
MAP_Process_Access_Signalling
Some intermediate steps are omitted
HO-Complete
MAP_Send_End_Signal
Clear-Command
Clear-Complete
MAP_Send_End_Signal_ACK
 Signaling process between MSC

MS BSC-A MSC-A MSC-B VLR-B BSC-B MS

HO-REQUIRED MAP_Prepare_HO MAP_Allocate_HO_NUM

MAP_Send_HO_Repor
t

MAP_Send_HO_Report_ACK
HO-REQUEST

MAP_Prepare_HO_ACK HO-REQUEST-ACK
IAI
HO-Command ACM
HO-Access
MAP_Process_Access_Signalling
Some intermediate steps are omitted
HO-Complete
MAP_Send_End_Signal
Clear-Command
Clear-Complete
MAP_Send_End_Signal_ACK
Inter-MSC HO Signaling process

Signaling process – Abnormal conditions

The following conditions will cause HO failure
− MSC-B fails to identify the target cell.
− MSC-B does not allow HO to the indicated target cell.
− The target cell has no channel available.
− VLR-B has no HO number available.
− HO error or unsuitable data.
Inter MSC HO—Subsequent HO process
Roaming
MS MS
E MSCb' VLRb'
MSCa MSCb VLRb BSS2'
BSS2

Radio transmission signal measurement

HO REQUIRED (target cell table)

Perform subsequent HO(MAP) (target cell ID, serving cell ID, MSC number)
Perform HO
HO REQUEST (PCM&Channel type)
(target cell ID, serving cell ID, channel type)
HO REQUEST ACKNOWLmargin (including New TCH number and HO number)

Allocate HO number

Send HO report(HON)
Radio channel ack. (MAP) (includes New TCH number and HON)
IAI

ACM
Subsequent HO ack.
HO COMMAND HO DETECT
HO COMPLETE
Send end signal (MAP)
ANS
End signal (MAP)
Release HO report Release HON
CLEAR COMMAND
CLEAR COMPLETE
Release (TUP)
Cut physical connection between MSCa and MSCb
~~ End signal (MAP) ~
~ Release HO report Release HON
Release (TUP/ISUP) Cut physical connection between MSCAa and MSCb'
Inter MSC HO—Subsequent HO process

Subsequent HO

MSC-A MSC-B MSC-C

MSC-C

Highway
Inter MSC HO Signaling process

Statistics counter—same as Intra MSC HO, Statistics is

handled by BSC

HO formula-- same as Intra MSC HO
Major differences

There is no “HO request” information for intra-BSC HO, and all of the HO are analyzed
and processed in BSC. Once the target cell as required is found in the BSC, “Channel
activation” information is sent to it directly.

When the target cell is not in the same BSC, BSC reports CGI numbers of the serving
cell and target cell, and HO cause to MSC through “Ho-Required”. When MSC finds
the LAC of the target cell is in the MSC, it sends “Ho-Request” to the BSC of the target
cell, and the target BSC activates the target cell channel to complete the following
procedure.

When MSC finds that the target cell LAC does not belong to the MSC, it will query its
“LAI and GCI Table” (including LAC and router address of the adjacent MSC), and
send “Prepare-HO” message to the target MSC-B according to the router address.
The message includes CGI of the target cell and indication whether or not to allocate
HO number, etc. According to the message, the target MSC-B sends “HO-Request”
message to the target BSC-B after demanding HO number (unless it is not required in
the indication) from VLR-B, and sends “Prepare-HO acknowledgement” to serving
MSC after received “HO-Request acknowledgement”, to execute the next procedure.
Major differences

Inter BSC HO transfers “HO-REQ” message through MSC,

with CGI of the serving cell and target cell carried in the
message.

Intra BSC HO does not have any CGI in any messages, it is
handled inside BSC.

Intra BSC HO only sends “HO-Performed” to MSC upon
completion of HO, and MSC is not involved before that time.

In inter BSC HO, MSC is involved since the HO request .
Summary

In this course, we have learned:

Summary
Classify of handover

Judgment and Ranking step

Handover Data Configuration

Handover signaling Flow