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Author Date, Version

AMR-WB - Adaptive Multi-Rate Wideband speech code

 NPO/WBAMR/TTSL-KTK Date: 09.06.2011
3G WABMR Implementation (RU20) Version 1.0

Table of Contents

Introduction
Benefits
Description of the feature
Requirements for using the feature
Parameter settings
Restriction
Test cases carried out in Circle

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 NPO/WBAMR/TTSL-KTK Date: 09.06.2011
3G WABMR Implementation (RU20) Version 1.0

1 Introduction
The wideband adaptive multi-rate speech codec (AMR-WB) is the only 3GPP standard wideband
codec in 2G, 3G, IMS and LTE mobile networks. It can be supported also by some SIP clients in
addition to G.711 and VoIP codecs such as iLBC. AMR-WB requires an end-to-end wideband
connection because transcoding with a narrowband codec decreases quality to narrowband level in
both terminals. An end-to-end connection can be achieved with TFO and TrFO features that are
mandatory for AMR-WB calls in the network. TFO is used with TDM-based 2G A or Ater interface and
TrFO with 3G Iu-CS, 2G AoIP with TC in MGW, and Mb/IMS/LTE SIP interworking. AMR-WB
conference calls and announcements are planned to be supported in a future MSS System release.
Nokia Siemens Networks MSC Server supports the enhanced voice activity detection (eVAD) feature
for 3GPP mobile codecs. This feature provides a better on-line music experience also with AMR-WB
calls. AMR-WB offers a possibility to use HD (High Density) Voice Service.

2 Benefits
Improvement of quality of service

AMR-WB provides superior speech quality compared to narrowband mobile codecs and even better
speech quality than fixed networks with the G.711 codec. Subscriber satisfaction can also be
increased by better speech intelligibility because of the wideband frequency used (50 - 7000 Hz
compared to 200 - 3400 Hz with narrowband codecs).

Improvement of resource management

AMR-WB requires more MGW processing capacity compared to narrowband codecs. However, the
TrFO feature provides optimized MGW capacity usage both for narrowband and AMR-WB
calls.Operators interested in AMR-WB in the 2G network may find it useful to invest in AoIP with TC in
MGW architecture and TrFO instead of TFO with a legacy TDM network. In this case the TrFO
functionality can be used in 2G, 3G networks and SIP networks, when TFO/TrFO interworking is
needed for 2G-3G.The AoIP with TC in MGW provides additional CAPEX and OPEX savings by an
optimized architecture because separate TC elements are not needed, and IP bandwidth savings by
transporting a compressed mobile codec over IP.

HD Voice Service

High Density (HD) Voice service will be a business opportunity for operators enabling differentiation in
competition and additional charging. MSC Server support AMR-WB specific subscriptions and Call
data record (CDR) data

Subscriber benefits

AMR-WB provides enhanced speech quality. This provides more natural speech, pleasantness and
feeling of presence and transparency, as well as better speaker recognition and intelligibility.

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3G WABMR Implementation (RU20) Version 1.0

3 Description of the feature

AMR-WB is a wideband codec standardized by 3GPP, and supports 50-7000 Hz audio frequency with
16 kHz sampling compared to 200-3400 Hz and 8 kHz used in narrowband codecs. AMR-WB
consists of nine speech codec modes with bit rates of 6.6, 8.85,12.65, 14.25, 15.85, 18.25, 19.85,
23.05, and 23.85 kbit/s. The lowest bit rate that provides excellent speech quality in a clean
environment is 12.65 kbit/s. Higher bit rates are useful for music and in conditions with background
noise. Also lower bit rates of 6.60 and 8.85 kbit/s provide a reasonable quality, especially compared to
narrowband codecs.

3GPP has specified three different AMR-WB configurations to simplify the negotiation of used bitrate
between the handset, RAN, and core network:

Configuration A: 6.6, 8.85, and 12.65 kbit/s (mandatory multi-rate configuration)

Configuration B: 6.6, 8.85, 12.65, and 15.85 kbit/s

Configuration C: 6.6, 8.85, 12.65, and 23.85 kbit/s

The MSC Server system supports all 3GPP configurations, but Nokia Siemens
Networks 2G BSS and 3G RAN currently only support Configuration A.

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 NPO/WBAMR/TTSL-KTK Date: 09.06.2011
3G WABMR Implementation (RU20) Version 1.0

Parameters
MGW parameters:
AMR-WB has to be included in MGW codec pool. In MGW based on IPA2800, the Configurable
Dynamic Signal Processing Platform (CDSP) plug-in units CDSP-C and CDSP-D require a dedicated
wideband pool. CDSP-DT (introduced in U4.2) supports common pool for all codecs when codec
specific configuration is needed.

In Open MGW, the DSP blade (ADSP) supports common pool for all codecs when codec specific
configuration is needed.

MSS parameters:

WB-AMR License parameter:This is the license parameter for AMR-WB.

Success and answer traffic in TCAT measurement If FIFILE parameter is active, counters
SUCC_TR and ANSW_TR appear in Traffic category measurement.
WBAMR capability in route selection :-This MSS level parameter determines, whether the
AMR-WB capability of the route is checked at route selection phase.
Priority of WB-AMR and LBCU in route selection:- This MSS level parameter determines
which route parameter (LBCU or AMR-WB) has priority at route selection phase, if both are
available.
Transcoder Free Operation functionality :-This MSS level parameter determines whether the
MSC server TrFOfunctionality is in use or not

If FR_AMR_WB support is needed towards legacy BSC or towards an AoIP capable BSC with TDM
transport type on A interface, then the eTFO feature is needed as well: Enhanced eTFO and TrFO
Improvements parameter.

Software Requirement

The AMR-WB speech codec is a licensed optional feature in MGW and MSS. Licenses need to be
purchased before feature can be used.

Availability of AMR-WB is also required in BSS and RAN.In addition, licenses for TFO and TrFO need
to be purchased. The TFO and TrFO features must also be available in BSS and RAN.AMR-WB
subscription and CDR data are optional features in MSS.

Hardware

There are no additional hardware requirements for using this feature, but MGW capacity must be
dimensioned according to the estimated number of AMR-WB calls.

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3G WABMR Implementation (RU20) Version 1.0

Handset requirement

In order to achieve AMR-WB voice quality, AMR-WB codec support is required in mobile handsets,
BSS, RAN, MSS, and MGW. Some AMR-WB capable terminals are already available in the market.
AMR-WB will be supported in most future Nokia terminals, but will require request from Nokia to be
activated in required mobiles. It is expected that also other terminal vendors will introduce AMR-WB-
capable terminals.

Capacity

AMR-WB codec requires additional processing in MGW and lower capacity compared to narrowband
AMR calls with TrFO. However, MGW capacity for AMR-WB with TrFO is higher than with transcoded
narrowband AMR calls.

Restrictions

MSC Server system supports all 3GPP configurations but Nokia Siemens Networks RAN only
supports Configuration A up to 12.65 kbit/s.

Wide band AMR Implementation in Live Network

Location :- banglore KTK

No of Sites :- Cluster of 10 sites enabled with WBAMR

Software Version required for W Amr Implementation. Along with RNC License for WAMR support

SW REQUIREMENT
NODE-B 3.0 or later versions
RNC PP2.1 or MP3

Parameter Changes required for W amr implementation

Parameter changes
MSS Trfo = Enabled , with configuration done at MSS for WB amr
Node-B CSAMRModeSETWB

No other parameter changes required apart from the above , only additional parameter required will
be Handover parameter which will be used during Inter System handovers.

Steps required for WAMR Implementation and testing

1. Open the RNW Measurement Management application.

2. Open the RNW Measurement Management application
3. Activate M1002 Traffic measurement.( Wait until the measurement data collection starts, for
example, wait 15 full minutes if 15-minute interval is used.)

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3G WABMR Implementation (RU20) Version 1.0

4. Make one UE to UE call (using Wideband AMR capable UEs) with the following parameter
settings
5. Make one UE to UE call (using Wideband AMR capable UEs) with the following parameter
settings
6. Wait until the measurement data gets collected, for example, wait 15 full minutes if 15-minute
interval is used.
7. Open the RNW Measurement Presentation application and check the following counters of
M1002 Traffic measurement:
8. Open the RNW Measurement Presentation application and check the following counters of
M1002 Traffic measurement: :- M1002C487 M1002C500

Counters to be checked post WAMR for functionality

Counter Counter Name

M1002C487 DCH ALLO FOR WAMR 12.65 KBPS IN SRNC
M1002C488 DCH ALLO FOR WAMR 6.6 KBPS IN SRNC
M1002C489 DCH ALLO DURA FOR WAMR 12.65 KBPS IN SRNC
M1002C490 DCH ALLO DURA FOR WAMR 6.6 KBPS IN SRNC
M1002C491 DCH ALLO FOR WAMR 12.65 KBPS IN DRNC
M1002C492 DCH ALLO FOR WAMR 8.85 KBPS IN DRNC
M1002C493 DCH ALLO FOR WAMR 6.6 KBPS IN DRNC
M1002C494 DCH ALLO DURA FOR WAMR 12.65 KBPS IN DRNC
M1002C495 DCH ALLO DURA FOR WAMR 8.85 KBPS IN DRNC
M1002C496 DCH ALLO DURA FOR WAMR 6.6 KBPS IN DRNC
M1002C497 DCH MOD DUE TO SWITCHING FROM WAMR TO NAMR IN SRNC
M1002C498 DCH MOD DUE TO SWITCHING FROM NAMR TO WAMR IN SRNC
M1002C499 DCH MOD DUE TO SWITCHING FROM WAMR TO NAMR IN DRNC
M1002C500 DCH MOD DUE TO SWITCHING FROM NAMR TO WAMR IN DRNC

Test cases performed during Drive test

S
N Statu
o Test Cases Date s Remarks
WB-AMR 3G to 2G calls
success. A number using
Verify CS Voice Call MO-MT between
codec is UMTS AMR WB ( 6.60
one WB-AMR UE in 3G and another
7/3/201 SUCCE ) and B number G711 A.
1 WB-AMR capable UE in 2G Coverage
1 SS WB-AMR 2G to 3G calls
when RNC and BSC are connected to
success. A number using
same MSS
codec is G711 A and B
number UMTS AMR ( 4.75 ).
WB-AMR 3G to NB-AMR 2G
calls success. A number using
Verify CS Voice Call MO-MT between codec is UMTS AMR WB ( 6.60
one WB-AMR UE in 3G and one NB- 7/3/201 SUCCE ) and B number G711 A.
2
AMR UE in 2G coverage when RNC 1 SS NB-AMR 2G to WB-AMR 3G
and BSC are connected to same MSS calls success. A number using
codec is G711 A and B
number UMTS AMR ( 4.75 ).

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 NPO/WBAMR/TTSL-KTK Date: 09.06.2011
3G WABMR Implementation (RU20) Version 1.0

Verify Initial Codec Rate selection - 7/3/201 SUCCE Initial Codec rate is coming as
3
WB-AMR Single Rate (6.6 kbps) 1 SS 6.60kbps
Verify WB-AMR Code Mode control
7/3/201 SUCCE No change in codec while
4 (dynamic allocation of rate w.r.t.
1 SS roaming in coverage area
coverage conditions)
Verify WB-AMR CS Voice Call 3G to 2G
WB-AMR 3G call handover to
Inter RAT Handover (2G RAN does not 7/3/201 SUCCE
5 2G network is successful with
support WB-AMR); verify that other 1 SS
changing codec G711 A .
codec is selected in GSM
Verify WB-AMR CS Voice Call 2G (GSM Ho was happening ,
AMR / EFR / FR / HR) to 3G Inter RAT 7/3/201 SUCCE parameter to be changed in
6
Handover (2G RAN does not support 1 SS order to trigger GSM to UMTS
WB-AMR) ho on load conditions

Logs captured during WB AMR

IMSI : 405034030109180

IMEI : 3537550495227303

RADIO SYSTEM : UMTS -

CGR/BSC/PCM-TSL : / / - 1381/ /4048-08

MCC/MNC : 405 /034 /

LAC/CI/CELL BAND : 10005/22246/WCDMA / /

RNC ID : 00005

ROUTING CATEGORY : 11

MGW INDEX : 25 25

MGW NAME : VMGW0426 VMGW0426

BNC CHAR : IPv4 TDM

UPD INDEX/NAME : 10 /UPDRNC05MGW03 /

SPTD CODEC LIST : UMTS AMR / UMTS AMR 2

UMTS AMR WB

RAB ID :1

MAX BIT RATE : 12.65

GRTD BIT RATE : 6.60

A LOCAL IP ADDRESS: 10.122.180.81

PORT : 63426

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 NPO/WBAMR/TTSL-KTK Date: 09.06.2011
3G WABMR Implementation (RU20) Version 1.0

TDM TERMID : 3360-8

NORMAL CTX ID : 89081167 89081167

USED CODEC : UMTS AMR WB G711 A

MODES LIST : 6.60 8.85 12.65

Terminals used during testing

Nokia C7

Nokia N8

Nokia N85

Codec Mode Set Available in MSS

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