Concentriccells 12988229665882 Phpapp01 PDF

Concentric-Dual Band
Cells
Introduction
Definition
Why
Dual Band Cells?
Propagation
Overview
Fading Effect
Path loss and Link Budget Calculations
Alcatel/Motorola
Parameters and features
Introduction
Definition
Enables a single Network

Operator with licenses in two or
more frequency bands to support
the use of Multiband mobiles in
all bands of the licenses
The use of Layers to provide high

capacity
with
contiguous
coverage.
The
Outer
Zone
maintains contiguous coverage
and the Inner Zone provides
higher capacity. The layers
appear as being concentric due
to Inner Zone having a reduced
coverage area when compared
with the Outer Zone.
Prepared By - Faraz Husain
Concentric - Dual Band Cells
Definition (cont.)
The idea is to split the cell area of a

normal cell into an inner and an outer
zone by operating a certain number of
carriers (inner zone carriers) at a lower
transmission power (Fig). Mobile
stations situated in the outer zone
communicate on the outer carriers.
The mobiles which are closer to the
base station preferably communicate
on the inner carriers but they can use
the outer carriers if needed.
With this feature the operator may configure non-BCCH carriers within a cell to have
a smaller coverage area. The carriers equipped within a cell may be grouped into two
zones:
Zone 0: Also referred to as the "outer zone", is reserved for carriers that may broadcast
at the maximum transmit level defined for the cell.
Zone 1: Also referred to as the "inner zone", may be defined with non-BCCH carriers
transmitting lower power than the BCCH carrier, or having a tighter reuse pattern
that reduces the useful coverage area of the carrier.
Definition (Cont.)
Concentric Cells can be implemented using one of the three

different algorithms (this is vendor dependent):
Power Based Concentric Cells: Inner zone carriers transmit less power than
outer ones and the transitions between zones are based on absolute level thresholds.
Interference Based Concentric Cells:
Dual Band Cells: Support for the management of the cells operating in different bands
Inner and outer zone carriers transmit

all the same power within and the transitions between zones are based on some interference
conditions. These interference conditions are protection margins against potential interfering
neighbours.
by different single band BTSs or by the same dual band BTS. This is further divided into two
kinds
Coincident Multiband
Single BCCH for Dual Band cells
Since were using Dual Band Concentric Cells in our network, well
be concentrating more on them for the rest of the workshop!
Why Dual Band Cells?
Increasing Capacity
Improving Grade of Service
Relieving Congestion
Advanced Network Management Techniques
Efficient management of traffic required to exploit capacity gain

potential of concentric cells
Goals
Maximize handled capacity

Avoid congestion
Maintain good call quality
Avoid unnecessary handovers
Improved Multi-layer Network
Best system performance through optimal choice over
Call originations
Traffic movement between concentric cell layers
Generalized handover situations
Let us see how DCS is different from GSM!
Propagation Overview
Fading Effect
Higher pathloss at
1800 MHz
Serving
Site
Distant
Site
Reduced interference from

distant site at 1800MHz
More aggressive reuse pattern
can be achieved
Half wavelength l at 1800 MHz

Fading rate twice as fast as 900MHz
Diversity systems become more

important especially for slow
moving mobiles
1800 radio wave
Fading Effect
The wavelength of a radio signal
determines many of its propagation
characteristics
Antenna elements size are typically in the
order of 1/4 to wavelength
Objects bigger than a wavelength can reflect
or obstruct RF energy
RF energy can penetrate into a building or

vehicle if they have apertures a wavelength in
size, or larger
Antennas
Different Antenna Types
Different antenna for each Band
Dual antennas with four ports
Dual Antennas with 2 ports (900

and 1800 are multiplexed )
2 Ports Antennas
Extra Duplexers will be
needed to split 1800 signal
from 900 signal
Duplexers will be with
different polarization to
maintain diversity
Propagation Overview (cont.)

Path Losses in 900 vs. 1800
A little physics
Diffraction loss and Penetration loss higher in 1800 MHz band
6dB minimal theoretical difference
Path loss difference - on-street

Path loss at 1800MHz is typically 6 - 12 dB higher
Most probable difference in urban environment: 8 dB
Difference is nearly distance-independent (fixed), in typical urban cells (
i.e. constant offset in loss per length unit )
Actual difference depends on site configuration like antenna height and

antenna characteristics
Cell radius at 1800 MHz typically 25 - 50% less compared to 900 MHz

Path loss difference - in-building
Additional attenuation at 1800MHz when penetrating into buildings
High dependency of penetration loss on building structure, window size,
floor height, angle of incident waves and floor level
Difference can be compensated with a higher ERP at the 1800 band
Empirical measurement results

Building penetration loss at 900MHz:
5dB to 25dB
Average additional path loss at 1800MHz:
7dB, 4dB standard deviation

Receive level
(dB)
LOS dominates
Non-LOS dominates
~ 150m - 300m
6 - 8 dB
GSM 900
>8 dB
in typical urban cells:
difference is nearly distance-independent
prerequisite:
same ERP on both bands
equal antenna pattern
Log (Distance)
GSM 1800

Optimisation process:
Comparing predictions of appropriate GSM900 and GSM1800 cells for inbuilding coverage level
(e.g. -68 dBm at 900Mhz / -61 dBm at 1800MHz)
Adjusting GSM1800 antenna tilts to obtain similar footprint compared to

the appropriate GSM900 cell
Good overlapping needed to achieve efficient traffic relief on GSM900

Supports introduction of new multi-band features like coincident multi-band
handover or single BCCH
Same coverage conditions (except fairly fixed offset) can be achieved

easily with dual band antennas
Reducing Combining stages in the DCS cells to reduce the losses and use
air combining instead.

Link Budget & Path Loss
Free Space Path Loss

Link Budget Calculations
After having studied in detail the propagation

difference between GSM 900 and DCS 1800,
let us switch back to our original discussion of
Implementing the DCS in a Live network.
Lets look at some BSC and Cell Level
Parameters and then well move forward to
their details.
Database Parameters
BSC Level Parameters
MOTOROLA
------------
freq_types_allowed
mb_preference
early_classmark_sending
early_classmark_delay
phase2_classmark_allowed
ALCATEL
EN_INTERBAND_NEIGH
PREFERRED_BAND
GSM_PHASE
EN_SEND_CM3
EN_LOAD_OUTER
MSC:
Ensure phase2 signalling is enabled between BSCs and/or MSCs
(Phase 1 = Legacy MS, Phase 2 introduced around 1999 supporting features like
AMR and DCS)
Database Parameters (cont)

BSC Level Parameters Description
MOTOROLA
freq_types_allowed
Numeric value
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
pcs1900
Prepared By - Faraz
Husain
Text string
pgsm
egsm
pgsm,egsm
dcs1800
pgsm, dcs1800
egsm, dcs1800
pgsm, egsm, dcs1800
pcs1900
pgsm, pcs1900
egsm, pcs1900
pgsm, egsm, pcs1900
dcs1800, pcs1900
pgsm, dcs1800, pcs1900
egsm, dcs1800, pcs1900
pgsm, egsm, dcs1800,
mb_preference
The mb_preference parameter enables
or disables the Multiband Inter-cell
Handover feature.
Valid Range
0 = Disabled
1 = Enabled

MSC Requirements
To have a working Dual-Band capability, the MSC needs to have the capability to handle
Classmark 3 IE (info element)
CM3 info is sent by multiband MS and contains info about multiband capabilities and power
classes of the mobile in different bands
This info is present in the MSC for the duration of the call
In case a multiband handover needs to take place, the serving BSC needs to transmit this info to
the target BSC to inform the target BSS of the capabilities of the MS
CM3 is important message but is only sent by the MS when requested by the MSC
However, it is possible to send an early CM3 spontaneously using some BSS level parameters.
This will enable a multiband MS to spontaneously send CM3 info within some specific
time during Call initializing procedure and ALSO enables the MSs to handover a call to
target BSC (external Handover) by sending CM3 info in Handover Request Message

MOTOROLA
early_classmark_sending
The early_classmark_sending parameter specifies the following:

Whether the BSS suppresses the early sending of the Classmark Update message to the MSC.
Whether an MS is allowed to send an early Classmark Change message.
Valid Range
0 = Disabled across both the A-interface and the Air-interface
1 = Enabled on A-interface, disabled on Air-interface
2 = Disabled on A-interface, enabled on Air-interface
3 = Enabled across both the A-interface and the Air-interface
By Air Interface, Motorola means CM3 sending during Call Setup and by A-Interface, it means CM3
sending during External Handover
When early_classmark_sending is set to 2, the BSS does not forward classmark update messages to the MSC. This means
that the MSC does not obtain any information about the MS capabilities. However, the MSC can still make solicited requests
for classmark updates by sending a Classmark Request message to the BSS. If this is not done, the frequency capabilities of
the MS are based on the target cell frequency when multiband handovers are being performed. Therefore, after an external
handover, neighbours are reported by the BSS to the MS as follows:
Handover from GSM900 to GSM900 - only the GSM900 neighbours
Handover from GSM1800 to GSM1800 - only the GSM1800 neighbours.
External multiband capabilities will be limited, and subsequent handovers to GSM1800 cells are therefore not possible.

MOTOROLA
early_classmark_delay
The early_classmark_delay timer specifies how long the BSS delays sending the Classmark Update message to the
MSC during Early Classmark sending.
Valid Range
0 to 100000 milliseconds
phase2_classmark_allowed
The phase2_classmark_allowed parameter defines the format of the classmark parameter sent to the MSC based
on GSM phases.
Valid Range
0 = Formatted for Phase 1
1 = Formatted for Phase 2
2 = Formatted for Phase 2 with Multiband

ALCATEL
EN_INTERBAND_NEIGH (EN_INTERBAND_HO)
This flag enables / disables the multiband operation by filtering the sending of SYSTEM INFORMATION TYPE 2ter/5ter.
PREFERRED_BAND
Frequency band to which the multiband MS are preferentially directed.

Valid Range
0 = None
1 = GSM
2 = DCS
GSM_PHASE
This flag indicates the GSM Phase used by the BSC to format messages towards the MSC.
Valid Range
0 = GSM Phase 1
1 = GSM Phase 2

ALCATEL
EN_SEND_CM3
This flag enables/disables sending of "Classmark

3" IE to the MSC.
Valid Range
0 = Disabled
1 = Enabled

ALCATEL
EN_LOAD_OUTER
(Load computation in outer zone)
Flag to enable/disable the load computation on the outer zone of a Concentric/multiband cell instead of the load
computation on the whole cell.
Valid Range
0 = Disabled
1 = Enabled
When enabled, the values of the parameters FREElevel_1 to FREElevel_4 need to be updated to number of TRX
considered in the load computation. EN_LOAD_BALANCE & EN_LOAD_OUTER should not be both "Enabled".
Lets take a break. Id advise we all take

some deep breaths.How about a
joke?!?!??!
Lets head back to the Workshop!
Now well discuss the Cell Level Parameters

that are most commonly used in relation to
Dual band cells.

Cell Level Parameters
MOTOROLA
------------
EN_BETTER_ZONE_HO
frequency_type
interband_ho_allowed
Inner_zone_alg
CELL_TYPE
FREQUENCY_RANGE
EN_MULTIBAND_PBGT_HO
Thresholds:
Rxlev_dl_zone
Rxlev_ul_zone
Zone_ho_hyst
Dual_band_offset
Secondary_freq_type
EN_Bi-BAND_MS
Thresholds:
RXLEV_DL_ZONE
RXLEV_UL_ZONE
ZONE_HO_HYST_UL
ZONE_HO_HYST_DL
Ping_pong_Margin
Optional:
band_preference
band_preference_mode
multiband_reporting
Ms_txpwr_max_inner
Bts_txpwr_max_inner
Ho_pwr_level_inner
Outer_zone_usage_level
Pbgt_mode
sdcch_tch_assign_delay
ALCATEL
Optional:
EN_PREFERRED_BAND_HO
PREFERRED_BAND
EN_BETTER_ZONE_HO
BS_TXPWR_MAX_INNER
MS_TXPWR_MAX_INNER
MULTIBAND_REPORTING
Let us first discuss the parameters that

ENABLE the Dual-Band capability in both
vendors. Then well discuss one by one the
Call Assignment and Inter-Zone
Handovers in Motorola and Alcatel

--
MOTOROLA
frequency_type
The frequency_type parameter specifies the frequency type of a cell.

Valid Range
1 = PGSM
2 = EGSM
3 = DCS 1800
4 = PCS 1900
BEWARE!!!!
intra_cell_handover_allowed
This database parameter youll see every now and once which youll confuse with enabling of Inter
Zone Handovers. This parameter has nothing to do with Inter Zone handovers. However, if a
Zone attempt to Inner Zone fails due to some reason and you really need to make a handover,
you cant initiate an emergency (Quality, Interference) Handover if intra_cell_handover_allwd is
disabled

--
MOTOROLA
interband_ho_allowed
Changes or sets the allowable frequencies which a cell may handover to.
This parameter must include, at a minimum, the frequency type for the cell. For example, if the cell has a
frequency_type of pgsm, then the interband_ho_allowed parameter must include pgsm as a possible
destination frequency band for handovers
Valid Range : 1 to 11
1 = PGSM
2 = EGSM
3 = PGSM and EGSM
4 = DCS1800
5 = PGSM and DCS1800
6 = EGSM and DCS1800
7 = PGSM, EGSM and DCS1800
8 = PCS1900
9 = PGSM and PCS1900
10 = EGSM and PCS1900
11 = PGSM, EGSM and PCS1900

--
MOTOROLA
Inner_zone_alg
The inner_zone_alg parameter specifies the use algorithm and the associated parameters for the inner zone of the cell.
Valid Range
0 = Disable inner zone
1 = Power based use algorithm.
The system displays prompts for:
ms_txpwr_max_inner
Zone_ho_hyst
Rxlev_ul_zone
Rxlev_dl_zone
2 = Interference based use algorithm.

The system prompts for:
neighbor_report_timer
3 = Dual Band Cell use

The system prompts for:
Secondary_freq_type
Bts_txpwr_max_inner
ms_txpwr_max_inner
Ho_pwr_level_inner
Zone_ho_hyst
Rxlev_ul_zone
Rxlev_dl_zone
Dual_band_offset

--
MOTOROLA
multiband_reporting
Every MS reports 6 best neighbors in measurement reports when in dedicated mode.

However, in a multiband environment, to ensure that each band gets its share of MS selecting the
target bands cell, it is possible that we reserve some positions of neighbors in the measurement
report for a particular band
This is done using the parameter multiband_reporting
Valid Range:
0 = Normal reporting of 6 strongest neighbors
1 = Report One strongest neighbour cell, in each of the frequency bands in the neighbour cell list,
excluding the frequency band of the serving cell. The remaining positions in the measurement
report shall be used for reporting Cells in the band of the serving Cell.
2 = Report the two strongest cells, in each of the frequency bands in the neighbour cell list,
report shall be used for reporting Cells in the band of the serving Cell
3 = Report the three strongest cell, in each of the frequency bands in the neighbour cell list,
report shall be used for reporting Cells in the band of the serving Cell

--
ALCATEL
CELL_TYPE
Combination of CELL_DIMENSION_TYPE, CELL_LAYER_TYPE, CELL_PARTITION_TYPE, CELL_RANGE. Used for cell

default parameter template.
Valid values
CELL_DIMENSION_TYPE
CELL_LAYER_TYPE
CELL_PARTITION_TYPE
CELL_RANGE
Single (0), Concentric (1)

Umbrella (2), Micro (3), Umbrella, Concentric (4), Mini (5)
Mini Concentric (8), Micro Concentric (9), Indoor (10), Indoor, Concentric(11)
Extended Inner (6), Extended Outer (7)
EN_BETTER_ZONE_HO
This flag enables/disables the detection of "too high level in outer zone" handover cause (cause 13).
Valid Range
0 = Disabled
1 = Enabled

--
ALCATEL
FREQUENCY_RANGE
This parameter indicates the frequency range of the cell.

Valid Range: Coded over 8 bits
0: PGSM (GSM 900), 1: DCS 1800, 2: EGSM, 3: DCS 1900, 4: PGSM-DCS1800, 5: EGSM-DCS1800, 6: GSM 850, 7..255:
for future use. The parameter shall be coded over 8 bits as a provision for future frequency bands support.

--
ALCATEL
EN_MULTIBAND_PBGT_HO
This flag enables/disables the power budget handovers Cause 12 and the traffic handovers Cause 23 between cells
belonging to different frequency bands.
Valid Range
0 = Disabled
1 = Enabled
EN_Bi-BAND_MS
This flag enables/disables the incoming handovers of bi-band MSs from the preferred band
Valid Range
0 = Disabled
1 = Enabled
.

--
ALCATEL
EN_PREFERRED_BAND_HO:
This flag enables/disables the detection of handover cause 21 (high level in neighbour cell in the preferred band).
HO Cause 21 : high level in neighbour cell in the preferred band
Traffic load is taken into account for serving and target cell. Mostly used in parallel to capturing towards preferred
band and discussion would be OOS (here S=Scope) of this workshop.
Concentric Cells Implementation

After listing all the relevant parameters for Concentric cells, lets
switch our discussion to Channel Allocation Rules for
TCH Assignment
Handovers
It should be clear to you that TCH Assignments to DCS or Inner zone are always
made using the same thresholds as used for Inter-Zone (IntraCell) Handovers.
Think of TCH assignment to Inner zone as a sort of Directed Retry to Inner
Zone. We all know about Directed Retry nowdont we? :P
Concentric Cells
Database Parameters
TCH Assignment
---
Motorola
The BSS always selects an outer zone channel for an Immediate Assignment. If there are no resources available
in the outer zone, the BSS sends an Immediate Assignment Reject. (WE Cannot AVOID SD Blocking!)
In order to decide to assign the call to Outer zone or Inner Zone, following parameters are checked:
Band_preference
Band_preference_mode
Inner_zone_alg
If band_preference = DCS and band_preference_mode is programmed so that SD to TCH assignment is towards
Inner Zone, the decision is taken by the same algorithms used for Outer to Inner Zone Handovers.
outer_zone usage_level: allows the operator to specify the level of traffic channel congestion which must be
reached in the outer zone prior to the use of the inner zone resources. If the operator chooses to use inner zone
resources whenever a MS is qualified, regardless of outer usage, the database parameter
outer_zone_usage_level can be set to 0.
Valid Range: 0 to 100 (Indicating the percentage of outer zone TCH usage)
Concentric Cells
Database Parameters
TCH Assignment
---
Motorola
Band_preference: In Motorola BSS, after having set interband_ho_allowed = 1, it may be useful to utilize our
DCS resources once the immediate assignment is completed. A preference for a particular BAND is set by the
parameter band_preference. parameter displays the frequency bands that the cell prefers to use for handovers
and specifies the destination frequency band for inter-cell handovers.
Valid range
1 (PGSM),
2 (EGSM),
4 (DCS1800),
8 (PCS1900)
16 (GSM850)
Band_preference_mode: parameter specifies the method the system uses to program a Multiband MS with the
preferred frequency band for a given cell in the BSS. This parameter plays role for both Inner Zone Assignment
of the calls (From SD to TCH) and the Handover of the call to Inner zone.
Concentric Cells
Database Parameters
TCH Assignment
---
Motorola
Band_preference_mode:
VALID Ranges:
Band_preference_mode = 0
The BSS attempts to hand a Multiband MS over to the strongest neighbour that the MS reported when a
handover is required for normal radio resource reasons.
Attempt handover to strongest preferred band neighbour on SDCCH - TCH assignment
This is where SD_TCH_ASSIG_BAND_DELAY is used just in case one wants a delay before Preferred band
neighbors are reported for Inner Zone Assignments
If unable to handover to preferred band TCH, cancel band preference bias for the lifetime of the current
connection
Multiband handovers due to normal radio reasons may still occur
The algorithm used for Assignment to Inner Zone is actually the one used for Handover to Inner Zone (will be
discussed later in the Handover part)
Do not invoke band changes on SDCCH - TCH assignment
Go to strongest preferred band neighbour when normal radio reason (or congestion relief) handover required
Preferred band neighbours take priority in the neighbour list
Concentric Cells
Database Parameters
TCH Assignment
---
Motorola
This value combines the functions of values 1 and 2.
This would mean to prioritise preferred band at SDCCH-TCH assignment AND when radio reason
handovers are required
Do not invoke band changes on SDCCH - TCH assignment
As soon as possible after TCH assignment, attempt to handover to a preferred band channel
For normal radio reason handover, also prioritise preferred band neighbours
This value combines the functions of values 1, 2, and 4.
Attempt to hand to preferred band at SDCCH - TCH assignment
As soon as possible after TCH assignment, attempt to handover to a preferred band channel
For normal radio reason handover, also prioritise preferred band neighbours
This value functions identically to value 5, except it is only triggered when the cell is congested.
Concentric Cells
Database Parameters
TCH Assignment
---
Motorola
Concentric Cells
Database Parameters
HANDOVERS
---
Motorola
The inner zone use algorithm must adjust for values being from two different frequency bands and convert the
primary band receive levels to an estimated value for the secondary band. This is done using the dual band offset
parameter.
RXLEVINNER = RXLEVOUTER + dual_band_offset
This offset is applied to both uplink and downlink receive levels

The calculated receive level inner value is then used in the dual band inner zone algorithm for both uplink and
downlink
RXLEV_DLINNER > rxlev_dl_zone + zone_ho_hyst + (bts_txpwr - bts_txpwr_max_inner)
RXLEV_ULINNER > rxlev_ul_zone + zone_ho_hyst + (ms_txpwr - min(ms_txpwr_max_inner,P)
Within this algorithm are database parameters that are set per cell after the
inner_zone_alg = 3 (dual band use)
rxlev_dl/ul_zone = <*> *= Range 0 to 63
zone_ho_hysteresis = <*> *= Range as defined for max_tx_bts (0 to 21)
bts_txpwr_max_inner = <*> *= Range -63 to 63
ms_txpwr_max_inner = <*> *= Range as defined for max_tx_ms (5 to 39 PGSM and
EGSM 0 to 36 DCS 1800)
P = maximum capability of the mobile in the inner zone frequency band.
Concentric Cells
Database Parameters
TCH Assignment
---
Alcatel
All SDCCH channels are in the outer zone.

The BSC can allocate a TCH in the inner zone or in the outer zone.
Cause 13 is checked to determine the MS location (Outer to Inner Zone Handover)
Zone Assignment:
The 900 SDCCH is always allocated to the MS (SDCCH channels are on the 900 TRX).
Then according to the MS location (outer zone or inner zone), a TCH is allocated in the 900 band (outer zone) or in
the 1800 band (inner zone).
To determine the location of the mobile, cause 13 (outer zone to inner zone HO) is checked.
If the cell is congested, it is possible to allocate the TCH in a neighboring cell (Directed Retry or Forced Directed
Retry).
Then, according to the location of the mobile, the value of the parameter EN_BETTER_ZONE_HO, the serving
BSC of the serving and the neighboring cells the TCH is allocated in :
The 900 band if the two cells belong to two different BSC,
the 900 band if the two cells belong to the same BSC and EN_BETTER_ZONE_HO =disable for the neighboring cell
The 900 band if the two cells belong to the same BSC,EN_BETTER_ZONE_HO = enable for the neighboring cell and the
MS is located in the outer zone of the neighboring cell,
The 1800 band if the two cells belong to the same BSC, EN_BETTER_ZONE_HO = enable for the neighboring cell and
the MS is located in the inner zone of the neighboring cell.
Concentric Cells
Database Parameters
TCH Assignment
---
Alcatel
Cause 13 (too high level on UL/DL in outer zone)
Better condition Intra-cell Handover

Maybe Triggered from OUTER Zone of a concentric Cell TOWARDS inners zone of the same cell
Concentric Cells
Database Parameters
TCH Assignment
---
Alcatel
Cause 13 (too high level on UL/DL in outer zone)
RXLEV_UL_ZONE: Uplink level threshold for inner to outer zone handover.

Valid Range:
0 to 63 (0 = -110dBm, 63 = -47dBm)
RXLEV_DL_ZONE: Downlink level threshold for inner to outer zone handover.

Valid Range:
0 to 63 (0 = -110dBm, 63 = -47dBm)
Concentric Cells
Database Parameters
TCH Assignment
Cause
---
Alcatel
13 (too high level on UL/DL in outer zone)
ZONE_HO_HYST_UL
UL static hysteresis for interzone HO from outer to inner In case of multi-band cell, should take into
account the difference of propagation between GSM and DCS (difference in Propagation between
two bands is countered in Motorola by dual_band_offset)
Valid Range
-40 to 40 dB
ZONE_HO_HYST_DL
DL static hysteresis for interzone HO from outer to inner In case of multi-band cell, should take into
account the difference of propagation between GSM and DCS and the difference of BTS
transmission power in the two bands
Valid Range
-40 to 40 dB
Concentric Cells
Database Parameters
TCH Assignment
Cause
---
Alcatel
13 (too high level on UL/DL in outer zone)
PING_PONG_MARGIN(0,call_ref)
Its a penalty put on cause 13 if :
The immediately precedent zone on which the call has been is the inner zone of the serving cell
and less than T_HCP seconds have elapsed since the last handover. In this case
PING_PONG_MARGIN(0,call_ref) = PING_PONG_HCP.
If the call was not precedently on the serving cells inner zone (case of intercell or intrazone
handover), or if the timer T_HCP has expired, then PING_PONG_MARGIN(0,call_ref) = 0
PING_PONG_HCP
Valid Range:
0 to 127 dB
T_HCP
Time during which PING_PONG_HCP is applied after handover.
Valid Range:
0 to 240 Seconds
Concentric Cells
Database Parameters
HANDOVERS
And now Dual Band Handovers.!
Concentric Cells
Database Parameters
HANDOVERS
---
Motorola
During add_cell command, when inner_zone_alg = 3 (dual band), a series of parameters are given
as inputs which will now follow along with their descriptions
Secondary_freq_type:
If for example, frequency_type= DCS1800, the secondary_freq_type has to be any of the other types.
Valid range
1 (PGSM),
2 (EGSM),
4 (DCS1800),
8 (PCS1900)
DUAL_BAND_OFFSET:
The inner_zone_alg has to consider other factors in order to handover multiband MSs between different frequency
bands. The factors are:
Due to different level of combining the loss of power between the radio unit and the top of the antenna may not
be consistent across all radio units within the cell. The power difference is calculated by subtracting the secondary
band power loss from the primary band power loss.
Due to the radio frequency propagation being weaker at 1800 MHz than at 900 MHz, propagation loss over the air
interface has got to be taken into consideration.
These factors are accounted for in the database parameter dual_band_offset

Concentric Cells
Database Parameters
HANDOVERS
---
Motorola
The inner zone use algorithm must adjust for values being from two different frequency bands and convert the
primary band receive levels to an estimated value for the secondary band. This is done using the dual band offset
parameter.
RXLEVINNER = RXLEVOUTER + dual_band_offset
This offset is applied to both uplink and downlink receive levels

The calculated receive level inner value is then used in the dual band inner zone algorithm for both uplink and
downlink
RXLEV_DLINNER > rxlev_dl_zone + zone_ho_hyst + (bts_txpwr - bts_txpwr_max_inner)
RXLEV_ULINNER > rxlev_ul_zone + zone_ho_hyst + (ms_txpwr - min(ms_txpwr_max_inner,P)
Within this algorithm are database parameters that are set per cell after the
inner_zone_alg = 3 (dual band use)
rxlev_dl/ul_zone = <*> *= Range 0 to 63
zone_ho_hysteresis = <*> *= Range as defined for max_tx_bts (0 to 21)
bts_txpwr_max_inner = <*> *= Range -63 to 63
ms_txpwr_max_inner = <*> *= Range as defined for max_tx_ms (5 to 39 PGSM and
EGSM 0 to 36 DCS 1800)
P = maximum capability of the mobile in the inner zone frequency band.
Concentric Cells
Database Parameters
HANDOVERS
---
Motorola
rxlev_dl_zone parameter specifies the downlink receive level threshold that must be crossed
for a handover to take place between the outer zone and the inner zone.
Valid Range:
0 to 63 (0 = -110 dBm)
rxlev_ul_zone parameter specifies the uplink receive level threshold that must be crossed for
a handover to take place between the outer zone and the inner zone.
Valid Range:
0 to 63 (0 = -110 dBm)
Zone_ho_hyst parameter specifies the margin for the inner zone handover hysteresis.
Valid Range:
-63 to 63
Bts_txpwr_max_inner parameter specifies the maximum transmit power BTS inner zone for
Dual Band cells.
Valid range -1 to 21 for PGSM, EGSM, and DCS1800. 1 step = 2dBm
-1 = 44 dBm, 0 = 42dBm, 21 = 0 dBm
Ms_txpwr_max_inner parameter specifies the maximum power an MS can use in the inner
zone of a concentric cell.
Valid range: Depends on the system:
5 to 39 dBm (odd values only) PGSM/EGSM
0 to 30 dBm (even values only) DCS1800
0 to 30 dBm (even values only) PCS1900
Concentric Cells
Database Parameters
HANDOVERS
---
Motorola
Dual Band Inner Zone Use Algorithms

The algos below show what conditions must exist in order to handover a call from Inner
to Outer Zone
BTS Power Control on

rxlev_dl < rxlev_dl_zone and bts_txpwr = bts_txpwr_max_inner
Or if Power Control is off
rxlev_dl < rxlev_dl_zone
MS Power Control
rxlev_ul < rxlev_ul_zone & ms_txpwr = min(ms_txpwr_max_inner,P)
Or if MS_PC is off
rxlev_ul < rxlev_ul_zone
pbgt(n) > ho_margin if neighbour qualifies inter-cell handover

If no neighbour qualifies handover MS to outer zone
Concentric Cells
Database Parameters
HANDOVERS & PC
---
Motorola
A network where Power Control is enabled, the power budget equation determines
the need for an inter-cell handover by essentially comparing the serving cell BCCH
signal strength to the neighbour cell BCCH signal strength.
This means the signal strength in a dual band cell must come from the primary zone.
When the call is in the secondary zone, the signal strength reported by the mobile
cannot be used in the power budget equation, because
frequencies in the secondary band have a different propagation than frequencies in the primary
band.
In a Power Control enabled network, the serving cell will always have the signal strength
between the PC window whereas the neighbour would report a much better level of its BCCH
(Full Power)
Concentric Cells
Database Parameters
HANDOVERS
---
Motorola
To solve this problem, we have been provided with a smart

parameter by Motorola!
Pbgt_mode
If pdgt_mode = 0
If the mobile is assigned to a resource on the secondary band, the mobile will use the
serving channel measurements and then subtract the dual_band_offset. This estimated
value is then inserted into the power budget equation.
If the pbgt_mode = 1
The serving cell BCCH is included in the ba_sacch neighbour cell list of the serving cell.
The mobile will then report the serving cell signal strength for the primary band, which can
be used in the calculation of power budget for neighbours with the same frequency band.
The actual number of neighbour frequencies that can be reported on is reduced by one,
also the number of true neighbours that the MS can report on is reduced from six to five. If
pbgt_mode = 1 then the server is auto equipped as a neighbour.
Concentric Cells
Database Parameters
HANDOVERS
---
Alcatel
Cause 10, 11: UL or DL level too low in the inner zone

Emergency HO
Intracell handovers from inner to outer zone
cause 10: too low level on the uplink in inner zone
cause 11: too low level on the downlink in inner zone
Cause 10:
AV_RXLEV_UL_HO < RXLEV_UL_ZONE
and MS_TXPWR = min (P, MS_TXPWR_MAX_INNER)
Cause 11:
AV_RXLEV_DL_HO < RXLEV_DL_ZONE
and BS_TXPWR = BS_TXPWR_MAX_INNER
Further Reading
Motorola
SYS12 (Directed Retry, Congestion Relief, Power and Interference

based Concentric Cells)
BSS Command Reference GSR 7
Alcatel
RFT B9 (Cause 13,10,11,21,23 Handovers and their descriptions)

Concentric Cells Alcatel Official Document
Telecom Parameter Dictionary Alcatel

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