GSM-To-UMTS Training Series - WCDMA Handover Fundamentals - V1 - 0

WCDMA Handover
Fundamentals
GSM-to-UMTS Training Series V1.0 www.huawei.com
HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. HUAWEI Confidential

Preface: Why the Handover is Required?
l A major characteristic in the mobile communications:
Mobility of the UE
l As a key component of the mobile communication

system, the cell has a limited coverage area.
l The primary function of the handover is to provide the

continuous service for the moving UEs in the coverage
of the network.
HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. HUAWEI Page 2

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Preface: Mobility Management on the RAN Side
l Handover and directed retry

[ Serving cell change for the UE in CELL_DCH state
l Cell selection and reselection

[ Camped cell change for the UE in IDLE, CELL_FACH, CELL_PCH, or
URA_PCH state
[ Also referred to as the forward handover

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Preface: UE Mode and State
UTRAN Connected Mode
UTRAN: GSM:
Inter-System Handover GSM
URA_PCH Cell_PCH Handover Connected
Mode
GPRS
Packet
Cell reselection Transfer
Cell_DCH Cell_FACH Mode
Release RR Establish RR
Connection Connection
Release of Initiation of
temporary temporary
Release RRC Establish RRC Release RRC Establish RRC block flow block flow
Connection Connection Connection Connection
GPRS Packet Idle Mode1
Camping on a UTRAN cell1 Camping on a GSM / GPRS cell1
Idle Mode

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Scope
After this course, you are able to:
l Learn about the differences between the GSM

handover and the WCDMA handover
l Grasp the WCDMA handover decision algorithm
l Grasp the WCDMA handover procedure
l Grasp the WCDMA handover parameters
l Grasp the WCDMA blind handover and directed retry

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Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction: GSM vs. WCDMA
Chapter 2 Handover Measurement
Chapter 3 Basic Handovers
Chapter 4 Blind Handover and Directed Retry
Training.huawei.com

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l Handover Purpose
l Handover Types
l Soft Handover and Hard
Handover
l Handover Procedure
l WCDMA Handover Concepts

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Handover Purposes in WCDMA and GSM
WCDMA HO Purpose GSM HO Purpose

lMain purpose: to provide the lMain purpose: to maintain the
continuous service for the moving continuity of the conversation for
UEs in the coverage of the network the moving mobile stations (MSs)
lLoad balancing: resource sharing lQoS improvement for the network

Ø Call drop rate reduction
lSpeed steering and service Ø Congestion rate reduction
steering (HSDPA): efficient
resource usage

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Handover Types in WCDMA and GSM
WCDMA HO Types GSM HO Types
l In terms of signaling:
Soft handover (softer handover) l In terms of triggering conditions:
Hard handover üEmergency handover
TA handover
l In terms of source cell and target cell Bad quality handover
attributes: Rapid Rx_level drop handover
Intra-frequency handover Interference handover
Inter-frequency handover üLoad handover
Inter-mode handover (FDD <-> TDD) üNormal handover
Inter-RAT handover (UMTS <-> Edge handover
GSM/CDMA2000) Hierarchical handover
PBGT handover
l In terms of handover purpose: üSpeed-sensitive handover (Fast
Coverage-based handover (primary moving handover)
function) üConcentric cell handover
Load balancing-based handover
(optional) l In terms of the time that the link
Service sharing-based handover configuration takes effect:
(optional) Synchronous handover
Speed estimation-based handover Asynchronous handover
(optional)

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Handover Types in WCDMA and GSM — WCDMA
Handovers
Intra-frequency handover
Soft/Softer handover
Hard handover
Based on coverage
Inter-RAT handover
Based on WCDMA Freq. 2
Load/ Based on
UE Speed Coverage
Based on
WCDMA Freq. 1
Coverage Based on
Load/Service
Inter-frequency handover
GSM/GPRS/EDGE

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Comparison Between Soft Handover and Hard
Handover
Comparison Soft Handover Hard Handover
Number of radio links in Multiple One

the active set after
handover
Service interruption due No Yes
to handover
Cell frequency before Cells of the same Cells of the same frequency,
and after handover frequency different frequencies, or
different systems.
l Differences between the soft handover and the softer handover:

[ In the softer handover, the maximum ratio combination is performed on the uplink
signals at the NodeB. In the soft handover, the selection combination is performed on
the uplink signals at the RNC. As the gain of maximum ratio combination is larger than
the gain of selection combination, the softer handover is better than the soft handover.
[ Because the combination of the softer handover is performed at the NodeB, the
transmission resources on the Iub interface are saved.

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Comparison Between the Soft Handover and the Hard
Handover
RNC RNC frame processing board RNC
NodeB
NodeB 1 NodeB 2 NodeB 1 NodeB 2
Soft handover Softer handover Hard handover

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Comparison Between WCDMA Handover
Procedure and GSM Handover Procedure
Three phases in the WCDMA handover: Measurement<—
>Decision<—>Execution
Measurement Decision Execution

Phase Phase Handover
Overall procedure of the GSM handover algorithm
MR Penalty Network characteristic

Basic queuing HO decision
preprocessing processing adjustment

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Primary WCDMA Handover Procedure — Three Phases of a
Handover
l Measurement
[ Measurement control
[ Measurement implementation and
result processing
[ Measurement report
Measurement Decision [ Mainly accomplished by the UE
l Decision
[ On the basis of measurement
[ Resource application and
assignment
[ Mainly accomplished by the network
Execution (RNC RRM)
l Execution
[ Signaling procedure
[ Failure rollback supported
[ Measurement control update

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Basic Concepts in the WCDMA Handover
l Active set
l Monitored set
l Detected set
l Event report
[ Event-to-period report
(1A, 1C)
l Periodical report
l Radio Link (RL)
l Radio Link Set (RLS)
l Combing mode: maximum ratio
combining and selection
combing
l Soft handover gain
l Pilot channel (CPICH)
l Soft HO, softer HO, and hard HO
l Blind handover

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Questions
l Differences between soft handover, softer

handover, and hard handover
l Typical scenarios of the WCDMA handover
l Basic concepts of the WCDMA handover

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Summary
l This chapter describes the handover purpose and the common

types of the WCDMA handover.

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Contents
Training.huawei.com

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l Measurement Control and
Measurement Report
l Basic Concepts of Measurement
l Intra-Frequency Measurement Event
l Inter-Frequency and Inter-RAT
Measurement Event
l UE-Internal Measurement

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Measurement Control and Measurement Report
Measurement control:
UE UTRAN
The RNC informs the UE of
measurement objects, neighboring
MEASUREMENT CONTROL
cell list, reporting mode, and event
parameters.
When the measurement conditions
change, the RNC informs the UE of
Measurement control, normal case the new measurement conditions.
Measurement report:
UE UTRAN
The UE sends the measurement
MEASUREMENT REPORT report to the RNC when the
triggering conditions are satisfied.
Measurement report, normal case

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Basic Concepts of Measurement
l Measurement quantities of the handover
[ Intra-frequency and inter-frequency: CPICH RSCP, CPICH Ec/N0, Pathloss
[ Inter-frequency: CPICH RSCP, CPICH Ec/N0
[ Inter-RAT: GSM Carrier RSSI, BSIC Identification, BSIC Reconfirmation
l Reporting mode of the MR
[ Periodical report (event-to-period report)
[ Event report
l Events indicating the report mode
[ Intra-frequency events: 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1F
[ Inter-frequency events: 2D, 2F, 2B, 2C
[ Inter-RAT events: 3A, 3C
[ Others: 6G, 6F

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Measurement Model
parameters parameters
Layer 1 Layer 3
A filtering B filtering C Evaluation D
of reporting
C' criteria

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Basic Concepts of Measurement
l Measurement ID
l Measurement command: create, modify, and delete
l Measurement event ID
l Measurement object list: neighboring cells
l Filtering coefficient
l Report hysteresis
l Trigger delay time

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Descriptions of Key Parameters
A △ T △ T △ T
CPICH
Ec/No Reporting
Range
Hyst
1A Event 1B Event Not

triggered

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Intra-Frequency Measurement Events
l The intra-frequency measurement event is identified by 1X where X is A, B, C….
− Event 1A: Relative threshold addition event. A primary CPICH enters the
reporting range (FDD only), indicating that the quality of a cell reaches the
quality of the best cell or active set quality. When the active set of the UE is
full, the event 1A reporting stops.
− Event 1B: Relative threshold deletion event. A primary CPICH leaves the
reporting range (FDD only), indicating that the quality of a cell is far lower
than the quality of the best cell or active set quality.
− Event 1C: Replacement event. A non-active primary CPICH becomes better
than an active primary CPICH (FDD only).
− Event 1D: Change of the best cell (FDD only).
− Event 1F: A primary CPICH becomes worse than an absolute threshold
(FDD only).

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Inter-Frequency and Inter-RAT Measurement
Events
l The inter-frequency measurement event is identified by 2X.
Ø Event 2B: The estimated quality of the currently used frequency is below a certain
threshold and the estimated quality of a non-used frequency is above a certain threshold.
Ø Event 2C: The estimated quality of a non-used frequency is above a certain threshold.
Ø Event 2D: The estimated quality of the currently used frequency is below a certain
threshold. Used to enable the compressed mode.
Ø Event 2F: The estimated quality of the currently used frequency is above a certain
threshold. Used to disable the compressed mode.
l The inter-RAT measurement event is identified by 3X.

Ø Event 3A: The estimated quality of the currently used UTRAN frequency is below a
certain threshold and the estimated quality of the GSM cell is above a certain threshold.
Ø Event 3C: The estimated quality of the GSM cell is above a certain threshold.

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Questions
l Which events do the intra-frequency

measurements involve?
l Which events do the UE-internal measurements
involve?
l Which events do the inter-frequency
measurements involve?

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Summary
l This chapter details the meaning and applications of intra-

frequency measurements, inter-frequency measurements, and
inter-RAT measurements.

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Contents
Training.huawei.com

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l Soft Handover
l Intra-Frequency Hard Handover
l Inter-Frequency Hard Handover
l Inter-RAT Hard Handover
l HSDPA Handover
l Compressed Mode

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Soft Handover
l Overview
l Measurement
l Algorithm
l Procedure
l Execution
l Common Parameters

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Overview
l Characteristics
[ RLs between the UE and multiple cells in the UTRAN after the handover—Active set
[ Softer handover can be implemented between multiple cells in a RLS.
− Soft handover. Selection combination on the uplink and maximum ratio combination on the
downlink.
− Softer handover. Maximum ratio combination on the uplink and downlink.
l Advantages
[ Soft handover gain, which involves
− Multi-cell gain: Multiple unrelated branches in the soft handover reduce the requirements on
shadow fading margin.
− Macro diversity combining gain: The improvement on the link demodulation performance
brings the power gain against the fast fading.
[ Load sharing: On the uplink, multiple cells receive the UE signals, which reduces the transmit
power of the UE. On the downlink, multiple cells transmit the RF signals, which reduces the
transmit power of each cell.
[ Number of call drops due to ping-pong handovers is reduced.
l Disadvantages
[ The downlink resource consumption is large, especially the code resources consumed by the
high-speed BE services.
[ The downlink power gain is usually negative.
[ In case of power imbalance, side effect occurs.

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Measurement
l Measurement on soft handover/softer handover
[ Measurement type: CPICH RSCP, CPICH Ec/N0, and Pathloss
[ Measurement processing: Layer 1 filtering and layer 3 filtering
[ Measurement reporting mode
− Periodical reporting
− Event reporting
▪ Report type: 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1F
▪ UE observed CFN-SFN time difference
▪ Reporting criteria: Triggering conditions, reporting range,
threshold, hysteresis, and trigger delay time.
▪ Event-to-period report

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Measurement Events
l Measurement events of soft handover/softer handover
[ Intra-frequency measurement event types
− Event 1A: Relative threshold addition event. The quality of a cell reaches the
quality of the best cell or active set quality. When the active set of the UE is
full, the event 1A reporting stops.
− Event 1B: Relative threshold deletion event. The quality of a cell is far lower
than the quality of the best cell or active set quality.
− Event 1C: Replacement event. A non-active primary CPICH becomes better
than an active primary CPICH.
− Event 1D: Change of the best cell.
− Event 1F: A primary CPICH becomes worse than an absolute threshold.

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Decision Algorithm
l Decision algorithm of the soft handover/softer handover (using the relative
threshold handover algorithm under the condition that the minimum quality
threshold of the soft handover is satisfied)
[ Event 1A: Soft handover branch addition
[ Event 1B: Soft handover branch deletion
[ Event 1C: Cell replacement in the active set
[ Event 1D: In the case of a cell in the active set, replace the best cell. In the
case of a cell in the monitored set, add the cell to the active set and replace
the best cell. Meanwhile, change the measurement control, and set the
algorithm parameters based on the best cell configuration.

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Execution
l Execution
[ Updating principle of the measurement control

− Set the neighboring cell and algorithm parameters according to
the best cell configuration
[ RLC mode
− AM mode
[ Compensation and limit of the soft handover failure
− Event-to-period report (Event 1A and 1C): leading to directed
retry
▪ Controllable parameters: reporting period and number of
reports

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Procedure_RL Addition
l Execution (RL addition)

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Procedure_RL Deletion
l Execution (RL deletion)

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Intra-Frequency Handover Parameter
Configuration
lEvent Parameters
lEvent 1A
[IntraRelThdFor1ACS,IntraRelThdFor1APS 6 (3
dB)
[Hystfor1A 0
[TrigTime1A D320 (320 ms)
lEvent 1B
[IntraRelThdFor1BCS, IntraRelThdFor1BPS 10
( 5 dB)
[Hystfor1B 0
E1A E1B
[TrigTime1B D640 (640ms)
lEvent 1C
[ Hystfor1C 4 (2 dB)
[TrigTime1C D640 (640ms)
lEvent 1D
[TrigTime1D D640 (640ms)

[Hystfor1D 8 (4 dB)
ØOther
lCell Offset 0
lINTRAFREQMEASQUANTITY E1C E1D

CPICH_EC/NO
lMAXCELLINACTIVESET 3

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l Soft Handover
l Intra-
Intra-Frequency Hard Handover
l HSDPA Handover
l Compressed Mode

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Intra-Frequency Hard Handover
l Overview
l Measurement and Decision
l Procedure
l Common Parameters

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Overview

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Characteristics
l Characteristics
[ After the handover, the UE is connected to only one cell.
[ Disconnect the original RRC connection first, and then perform the handover.
[ The original cell and the target cell have the same frequency.
[ Generally, the hard handover with synchronization is adopted.
l Advantages
[ The code resources and hardware resource consumption is reduced.
l Disadvantages
[ High call drop rate due to co-frequency interference
l Application scenarios
[ No Iur-interface or Iur-interface congestion (mandatory)
[ The specific strategy can be based on code resources or signal quality, subject to
the practical applications.

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Measurement Decision and Execution
l Measurement
[ Similar to the soft handover
l Decision
[ Event 1D
l Execution
[ The UE reports the CFN-SFN message
− Synchronized hard handover
− Use the existing DOFF
− Continuous CFNs
[ The UE does not report the CFN-SFN message
− Hard handover with the re-establishment timer
− Reconfigure the DOFF
− Calculate the CFNs according to DOFF

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Procedure
l Signaling Procedure
UE 目标NODEB
Target 原 NODEB
Source SRNC
1.RADIO LINK SETUP REQUEST
2. RADIO LINK SETUP RESPONSE
3. ALCAP SETUP
3.ALCAP建立
4. PHYSICAL CHANNEL RECONFIGURATION
5. RADIO LINK
FAILURE INDICATION
6. PHYSICAL CHANNEL RECONFIGURATION COMPLETE
7. RADIO LINK
DELETION REQUEST
8. RADIO LINK
DELETION RESPONSE
9. ALCAP RELEASE
9.ALCAP释放

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Common Parameters
l BEBITRATETHD: Decision threshold of the BE services handover rate
[ When the maximum rate of the transmission channel of the BE
services is less than or equal to this threshold, the system performs the
soft handover on the UEs that are using the BE services.
[ When the maximum rate of the transmission channel of the BE
services is larger than this threshold, the system performs the intra-
frequency hard handover on the UEs that are using the BE services.
l Parameters related to Event 1D
[ Trigger delay time and hysteresis
[ Trace the cell changes to accomplish the handover in time, and reduce
the number of ping-pong handovers.

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l Soft Handover
l Inter-
Inter-Frequency Hard Handover
l HSDPA Handover
l Compressed Mode

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l Overview
l Measurement and Decision
l Procedure
l Common Parameters

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Overview
l Characteristics
[ Different frequencies before and after the handover
[ For the UEs with only one set of receivers, the auxiliary measurements in compressed mode
are required.
[ Generally use the hard handover with the re-establishment timer
l Advantages
[ The handover success rate is higher than that of the intra-frequency hard handover.
[ The load balance is maintained among the carriers.
[ For hierarchical cells, a proper configuration of different data rates can be implemented.
l Disadvantages
[ The extra radio resources are consumed due to the compressed mode.
[ The hard handover with the re-establishment timer prolongs the handover duration and
introduces the risk of call drops.
l Applications
[ Discontinuous coverage of carriers (coverage-based handover)
[ Non-coverage handover

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Inter-frequency Hard Handover Measurement Quantities
and Measurement Events
l Measurement of the inter-frequency hard handover
[ Measurement quantities:
− CPICH RSCP and CPICH Ec/N0
[ Select the measurement type based on the specific handover purpose:
− Edge of the cell covered by carriers: CPICH RSCP
− Center of the cell covered by carriers: CPICH Ec/No
l Measurement report
[ Event report
− Event 2D: The estimated quality of the currently used frequency is below a certain
threshold. Used to enable the compressed mode.
− Event 2F: The estimated quality of the currently used frequency is above a certain
threshold. Used to disable the compressed mode.
− Event 2B: The estimated quality of the currently used frequency is below a certain
threshold and the estimated quality of a non-used frequency is above a certain
threshold. Used to trigger the coverage-based handover.
− Event 2C: The estimated quality of a non-used frequency is above a certain threshold.
Used to trigger the speed estimation inter-layer handover.
[ Periodical report

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Compressed Mode Enabling Algorithm in the
l Measurement enabling criteria
[ Event 2D: The estimated quality of the currently used frequency is
below a certain threshold. Used to enable the compressed mode.
[ The speed estimation algorithm enables the inter-frequency
measurement.
l Measurement disabling criteria
[ Event 2F: The estimated quality of the currently used frequency is
above a certain threshold. Used to disable the compressed mode.
[ After the best cell changes, the neighboring cells of the best cell do not
involve the inter-frequency neighboring cells.
[ The timer for inter-frequency measurement expires.
[ If the UE estimated speed changes, the hierarchical cell algorithm
disables the corresponding inter-frequency measurements.
[ The handover is stopped in the case of a hard handover based on
coverage.

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Speed Estimation Algorithm for Hierarchical
Cells (Not Considered Currently)
l When the UE is in coverage of the hierarchical cells, the speed

estimation algorithm is enabled.
[ According to the measurement events in a period, determine
whether the UE speed meets the requirements of the current
layer.
− If the estimation result is medium speed, maintain the UE in
the current layer.
− If the estimation result is high speed, hand over the UE to
higher layers. If the estimation result is low speed, hand over
the UE to lower layers.
[ According to the estimation result, initiate the inter-frequency blind
handover or inter-frequency measurement handover procedure if
the inter-frequency hierarchical structure is used, and initiate the
intra-frequency hard handover if the intra-frequency hierarchical
structure is used.

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Decision Algorithm
l Decision of the inter-frequency hard handover

[ Triggering conditions of the coverage-based handover
− Event 2B: The estimated quality of the currently used
frequency is below a certain threshold and the estimated
quality of a non-used frequency is above a certain
threshold.
[ Triggering conditions of the speed estimation handover
− Event 2C: The estimated quality of a non-used frequency
is above a certain threshold.

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Execution
l Execution of the inter-frequency hard handover
[ The UE reports the timing information.
− The compressed mode may not be used on the UE with two transceivers.
− Synchronized hard handover
− Use the existing DOFF
− Continuous CFNs
[ The UE does not report the timing information.
− The compressed mode must be used on the UE with only one transceiver.
− In the case that the target cell and the cells in the active set do not belong to one
NodeB,
▪ Hard handover with the re-establishment timer
▪ Reconfigure the DOFF
▪ Calculate the CFN according to the DOFF
− In the case that the target cell and the cells in the active set belong to one
NodeB (not considered currently)
▪ Internally calculate the timing relation of the target cell
▪ Synchronized hard handover
▪ Use the existing DOFF
▪ Continuous CFNs
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Procedure
l Signaling procedure
UE 目标NODEB 原 NODEB SRNC
1.RADIO LINK SETUP REQUEST
2. RADIO LINK SETUP RESPONSE
3.ALCAP建立
4. PHYSICAL CHANNEL RECONFIGURATION
5. RADIO LINK
FAILURE INDICATION
6. PHYSICAL CHANNEL RECONFIGURATION COMPLETE
7. RADIO LINK
DELETION REQUEST
8. RADIO LINK
DELETION RESPONSE
9.ALCAP释放

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Common Parameters (1)
Parameters related to the inter-frequency coverage handover:
[ Inter-frequency measurement report mode: periodical reporting or event trigger
[ Inter-frequency measurement quantities: CPICH Ec/No or CPICH RSCP
[ Inter-frequency measurement layer 3 filter coefficient, trigger delay time, and
hysteresis
[ Inter-frequency measurement start/stop threshold: configured specific to CPICH
Ec/No and CPICH RSCP, or CS and PS, or 2D and 2F
[ Inter-frequency coverage handover threshold: target cell quality threshold
[ Inter-frequency hard handover used frequency quality threshold
[ Inter-frequency handover min. access threshold
MML command: ADD CELLINTERFREQHOCOV

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l Parameters related to the inter-frequency non-coverage handover:
[ Inter-frequency measurement layer 3 filter coefficient, trigger delay time, and
hysteresis
[ Inter-frequency non-coverage handover threshold

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Parameters Related to Inter-Frequency Handover
l Event 2D/2F l Event 2B lINTERFREQREPORTMODE EVENT_TRIGGER

InterFreqCSThd2FEcN0,InterFreq
l InterFreqCovHOCSTh lINTERFREQMEASQUANTITY CPICH_Ec/No
R99PsThd2FEcN0,InterFreqHT
hd2FEcN0“ -9 dEcN0,TargetFreqHTh
InterFreqCSThd2FRSCP,InterFreq
dEcN0,TargetFreqR99
R99PsThd2FRSCP,InterFreqHT PsThdEcN0 -13
hd2FRSCP -99
l "InterFreqCovHOCST
HYSTFOR2F 0
hdRSCP,TargetFreqH
TrigTime2F 1280
ThdRSCP,TargetFreq
InterFreqCSThd2DEcN0,InterFreq
R99PsThd2DEcN0,InterFreqHT
R99PsThdRSCP" -
hd2DEcN0 -12 105
InterFreqCSThd2DRSCP,InterFreq l HYSTFOR2B 1 db
R99PsThd2DRSCP,InterFreqHT
hd2DRSCP -102 l TRIGTIME2B 100ms
Hystfor2D 0
TRIGTIME2D 200ms
Decision
Handover Measurement
Phase
Trigger Phase

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l Soft Handover
l Inter-
Inter-RAT Hard Handover
l HSDPA Handover
l Compressed Mode

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Inter-RAT Hard Handover
l Overview
l Inter-frequency measurement: compressed mode start/stop
l Algorithm
l Procedure
l Common Parameters

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Overview
l Scope
[ WCDMA FDD <—> GSM
[ WCDMA FDD <—> WCDMA TDD
[ WCDMA FDD <—> CDMA2000
l Characteristics
[ Different Radio Access Technologies (RATs) before and after the
handover
[ Auxiliary measurement in compressed mode generally required
l Advantages
[ Coverage: solve the transition between different RATs
[ Capacity: leverage the existing equipment to a maximum extent (2G->3G)
l Disadvantages
[ The procedure is complex and has the high requirements on the
equipment compatibility.
[ The UE is complex.

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Inter-RAT Measurement: Compressed Mode
Start/Stop
l Inter-RAT handover measurement (GSM measurement)
[ Measurement type
− GSM Carrier RSSI
− BSIC Identification
− BSIC Reconfirmation
[ Measurement processing: layer 1 filtering and layer 3 filtering
− Event report
▪ Event 2D: start the GSM measurement
▪ Event 2F: stop the GSM measurement

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Decision Algorithm
l Inter-RAT handover decision
[ Inter-RAT coverage handover
− Event mode
▪ Event 3A: The estimated quality of the currently used UTRAN frequency
is below a certain threshold and the estimated quality of the GSM cell is
above a certain threshold.
− Periodical mode
▪ Estimation: According to the periodically reported GSM RSSI
measurements and the BSIC confirmation state of the GSM target cell,
estimate the cells of which the GSM RSSI exceeds the absolute
threshold. If multiple cells meet this requirement, preferentially select
the cell confirmed by the BSIC.
[ Inter-RAT non-coverage handover
− Event mode
▪ Event 3C: The estimated quality of the GSM cell is above a certain
threshold.

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Procedure
l Execution
UE N o de B SR N C CN M SC B SC
1 . R elo catio n
R equ ired 2 . P repare
H ando ver
3 . H ando ver
R equ est
4 . H ando ver
R e qu est Ac k
5 . P re pare
6 . R elo catio n H ando ver
C o m m and R espo nse
7 . D C C H : H ando ver
fro m U T R A N C o m m and
8 . H ando ver
D ete ct
9 . H ando ver C o m plete
1 0 . H ando ver
C o m plete
1 2 . Iu R e lea se 1 1 . Send
C o m m and E nd
1 3 . Iu R elease
C o m plete 1 4 . Send E nd
Signal R espo nse

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l Inter-RAT coverage handover parameters
[ Inter-RAT measurement start/stop threshold: Set the event 2D and 2F
thresholds. The related measurement quantities are CPICH Ec/No and
CPICH RSCP. One set for CS services and PS services respectively.
[ Inter-RAT 2D/2F measurement quantities: CPICH Ec/No or CPICH
RSCP
[ BSIC verify switch
[ Inter-RAT coverage handover threshold: the GSM RSSI threshold of the
inter-RAT coverage handover, specific to CS or PS services.
[ Inter-RAT handover used frequency quality threshold
[ Trigger delay time and hysteresis: one set for each event
l MML command: ADD CELLINTERRATHOCOV

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l Inter-RAT non-coverage handover parameters
[ Inter-RAT measurement report period
[ Inter-RAT handover decision threshold: CS, PS, and individually configured
signaling
[ Trigger delay time: configured on the basis of verified BSIC and non-verified
BSIC
[ Inter-RAT measurement layer 3 filtering coefficient and hysteresis
[ Penalty time
l MML command: ADD CELLINTERRATHONCOV

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Inter-RAT Handover Key Parameters
l Event 2D l Event 3A l2D2FMeasQuantity CPICH_RSCP

InterRATCSThd2DEcN0,InterRATR
IRHOUsedFreqCSThdEcN lINTERRATREPORTMODE EVENT_TRIGGER
99PsThd2DEcN0,InterRATHThd
2DEcN0 -12 0,UsedFreqR99PsThdE
lBSICVERIFY REQUIRE
"InterRATCSThd2DRSCP,InterRAT
cN0,UsedFreqHThdEcN
R99PsThd2DRSCP,InterRATHTh 0 -10
d2DRSCP -102
"IRHOUsedFreqCSThdRS
HYSTFOR2D 0 CP,UsedFreqR99PsThd
TRIGTIME2D 200ms RSCP,UsedFreqHThdR
l Event 2F SCP -100
InterRATCSThd2FEcN0,InterRATR9 "InterRATCovHOCSThd,T
9PsThd2FEcN0,InterRATHThd2
argetRatR99PsThd,Targ
FEcN0 -9
etRatHThd -
"InterRATCSThd2FRSCP,InterRAT
95
R99PsThd2FRSCP,InterRATHTh
d2FRSCP -97 HYSTFOR3A 0
HYSTFOR2F 2(1db)
TRIGTIME3A 60ms
TRIGTIME2F 1280ms
Measurement Decision
Handover
Phase Phase
Trigger

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l Soft Handover
l HSDPA Handover
l Compressed Mode

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HSDPA Handover
l Overview
l HSDPA Handover Measurement
l Serving Cell Change Algorithm
l HSDPA Directed Retry Algorithm
l Serving Cell Update Process
l Common Parameters

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Overview of the HSDPA Handover
l Scope
[ HS-DSCH handover related to HSDPA
− HSDPA serving cell update
− Handover between HSDPA and DCH
l Principle
[ For services meeting the threshold, the HSDPA resources are
used. To maximize the throughput, the HS-DSCH serving cell
follows the best cell in the active set.

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HSDPA Handover Measurement
l HSDPA handover measurement

[ Measurement type: CPICH RSCP, CPICH Ec/N0, and Pathloss
[ Measurement processing: Layer 1 filtering and Layer 3 filtering
− Periodic report
− Event-triggered report
▪ Report type: 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D
▪ Event-triggered to periodic report

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Serving Cell Change Algorithm
l For the serving cell of which the HS-PDSCH is changed in the active set
[ The best cell is decided according to 1D event, and the handover is
performed in time.
[ The handover protection timer is started after the handover to avoid
ping-pong handover.
l For the serving cell of which the HS-PDSCH is changed in hard handover
[ The HSDPA channel is established in the target cell while the hard
handover is performed.
[ If the target cell does not support the HSDPA, the DCH is established.
l For the serving cell of which the HS-PDSCH is changed in soft handover
[ If the best cell does not support the HSDPA, and the currently serving
HSDPA cell is deleted, the data services are preferred to be established
on the HSDPA channel.

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HSDPA Directed Retry Algorithm
l For newly-established services

[ When the UE establishing only signaling connection initially establishes the PS
services, the conditions for mapping to the HSDPA are met according to the
mapping principle of the channel type. The current cell, however, does not
support the HSDPA or supports the HSDPA but has insufficient resources. In
this case, the directed retry to the non-emergency blind handover cell which
supports the HSDPA and has available resources is triggered.
l For traffic volume
[ When the UE starts the handover from common channel to dedicated channel
in CELL-FACH state due to the traffic volume, the conditions for mapping to
the HSDPA are met. The current cell, however, does not support the HSDPA
or supports the HSDPA but has insufficient resources. In this case, the
directed retry to the non-emergency blind handover cell which supports the
HSDPA and has available resources is triggered.

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Serving Cell Update Process

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Common Parameters
l HSDPA handover protection duration
[ To avoid the impact of the ping-pong handover on data services, the
handover protection timer T-hsdpa is set. When the timer is active, the
change of the serving cell in the HSDPA active set is not performed.
[ Value range: 0 to 1,024 seconds

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l Soft Handover and Softer Handover
l Inter-RAT Handover
l HSDPA Handover
l Compressed Mode

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Compressed Mode
l Purpose
l Figure
l Implementation
l HSDPA Directed Retry Algorithm
l Limitations of the Sequences in Compressed Mode
l Common Parameters

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Purpose
l Purpose
[ Inter-frequency or inter-RAT measurement can be performed in FDD.
l Causes
[ Downlink compression: one transceiver can work with only one TRX frequency.
If the transceiver needs to measure the signals of other frequencies, the
transceiver must stop working and switch the working frequency over to the
target frequency for measurement. To ensure that the downlink signals can be
properly transmitted, the transceiver must transmit the original signals in the
remaining transmitting duration.
[ Uplink compression: When the measurement frequency is close to the uplink
transmit frequency, that is, the operating frequencies of GSM 1800 or GSM
1900 is close to the uplink working frequencies in FDD, the transceiver must
stop transmitting the uplink signals to guarantee the quality of the
measurement.

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Figure
l Figure
One frame
(10 ms) Transmission gap available for
inter-frequency measurements

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Implementation
l Implementation
[ Halving the spreading factor
− The spreading factor of the compressed frame is used as a half and is replaced by the
scrambling code if necessary.
− Advantage: The processing of the RNC is simple, and relatively greater TGL can be
provided.
− Disadvantage: The NodeB processing capability is occupied, and the code resource usage
is decreased. It cannot be used in the case of SF = 4. In addition, it has a significant
impact on the coverage, and the replacement of the scrambling code brings about
relatively greater interference.
[ Hole-drilling mode (protocol cancellation)
− The encoding redundancy can be decreased.
− Advantage: The higher layer is simple. In addition, it can be used in the case of SF = 4,
and the code resource usage is not affected.
− Disadvantage: It is restricted by the channel encoding feature. The encoding gains are
reduced.
[ Higher layer scheduling
− By restricting the TFCS, the Mac layer changes the data transmission rate.
− Advantage: The introduced interference is relatively low.
− Disadvantage: The processing of the higher layer (layer 2) is complicated and can be used
only in non-real-time data services.

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Compressed Mode
l Key points
[ FDD cell search capability and complementary format queue
Frame#1 Frame#2 Frame#3 Frame#4
Slot#1 #7 #15 #1 #9
Frame#1 #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #15
Frame#3 #1 #9 #10 #11 #12 #13 #14 #15

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Compressed Mode
[ Power control performance
− Power TX after the timeslot is compressed: possibly in line with the radio channel
− Recovery period power control process: speeding the power control process towards target
− ITP: Initial Transmit Power (the uplink power control method to be used to compute the initial
transmit power after the compressed mode gap)
− Recovery period power control: RPP
− Power control compensation: DeltaSIR and DeltaSIRAfter
[ Tracing performance
− There exists clock drift. Therefore, the TGPL cannot be large to reduce the cell synchronization
loss during the frequency handover. (Duration of step loss is around 300 ms.)
[ Interference control
− Compressed mode method selection
[ Synchronization of compressed mode
− Activation synchronization
▪ CFN takes 256 chips as the cycling period.
▪ The UE and NodeB have different delays for receiving signaling.
▪ The start time of the UE and NodeB is not more than 256 chips.
− Soft handover synchronization
▪ After the compressed mode is started, the handover is still preferably soft handover.
▪ Soft handover can possibly occur in different NodeBs.
▪ The synchronization of the newly-added compressed frame in radio link and original link
must be guaranteed.

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Limitations of the Compressed Mode Pattern
Sequences
l Limitations
[ Overlap of gap pattern sequences cannot be created, that is, two or
more gap pattern sequences cannot be created in the same frame.
[ Only seven timeslots can be compressed in each frame.
[ Three consecutive compressed frames cannot co-exist.
[ When multiple compressed modes run simultaneously, the above
conditions must be met.
[ TGPL1 must equal TGPL2.
[ Each compressed mode pattern sequence is used for only one kind of
measurement.
[ The uplink and downlink compressed mode pattern sequence
parameters cannot be separately set.

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Compressed Mode Sequence Parameters

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l TGCFN: Connection Frame Number of the first frame of the first pattern within the Transmission
Gap Pattern Sequence
l TGSN: Transmission Gap Starting Slot Number (slot number of the first transmission gap slot within
the TGCFN)
l TGL1: length of the first Transmission Gap within the transmission gap pattern expressed in number
of slots
l TGL2: length of the second Transmission Gap within the transmission gap pattern
l TGD: transmission gap distance indicating the number of slots between starting slots of two
consecutive transmission gaps within a transmission gap pattern
l TGPL1: duration of transmission gap pattern 1
l TGPL2: duration of transmission gap pattern 2
l Frame mode
[ Single frame mode: one complete compressed gap in one frame
[ Double frame mode: one complete compressed gap in two frames
l Frame type
[ Frame Type A: obtaining the maximum compressed gap
[ Frame Type B: The TPC bit is inserted into a fixed position in the compressed gap so that the
medium-to-high rate power control performance can be improved. It works with the ITP.

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l Power control parameters
[ RPP: Recovery Period Power control mode during the frame after the transmission gap within
the compressed frame
[ ITP: Initial Transmit Power (uplink power control method to be used to compute the initial
transmit power after the compressed mode gap)
[ DeltaSIR: Delta in DL SIR target value to be set in the UE during the frame containing the start
of the first transmission gap in the transmission gap pattern (without including the effect of the
bit-rate increase)
[ DeltaAfterSIR1: Delta in DL SIR target value to be set in the UE one frame after the frame
containing the start of the first transmission gap in the transmission gap pattern
[ DeltaSIR2: Delta in DL SIR target value to be set in the UE during the frame containing the
start of the second transmission gap in the transmission gap pattern (without including the
effect of the bit-rate increase)
[ DeltaAfterSIR2: Delta in DL SIR target value to be set in the UE one frame after the frame
containing the start of the second transmission gap in the transmission gap pattern

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Questions
l What are the differences between soft handover

and softer handover?
l What is compressed mode?
l Can you illustrate the signaling flows for hard

handover?

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Summary
l This chapter describes the basic handovers in the WCDMA system. The
basic concepts, differences, scenarios, and signaling flows of soft
handover, softer handover, intra-frequency hard handover, inter-
frequency hard handover, and inter-RAT handover are provided.
l In addition, this chapter describes the compressed mode.

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Contents
Training.huawei.com

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Scope and Triggering Conditions
l RRC Directed Retry
[ The initial signaling connection is established, and the cell request is
rejected.
l RRC Redirection
[ The initial signaling connection is established, the cell request is
rejected, and the RRC directed retry fails. (Directed retry has a higher
priority than redirection. When the directed retry fails, redirection is
triggered after the cell request is rejected.)
l RAB Directed Retry
[ The signaling connection is successful, but services fail to be
established.
l Blind Handover
[ Inter-frequency load balancing (blind handover to inter-frequency cells)
[ RRC Directed Retry
[ RAB Directed Retry

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RRC Directed Retry (1)
l Scenario (1)
[ Between inter-frequency overlapped coverage cells
cell1 UE initial camping cell
1 2
cell2 Inter-frequency overlapped
coverage cell of Cell1
3
Signaling process:
1 RRC CONNECTION REQUEST
2 RRC CONNECTION SETUP
3 RRC CONNETION SETUP COMPLETE

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RRC Directed Retry (2)
l Scenario (2)
[ Between intra-frequency cells, and the UE is in the soft handover area
UE initial camping cell Soft handover area Intra-frequency neighboring cell of Cell1
cell1 cell2
2
Signaling process:
1 3 1 RRC CONNECTION REQUEST
2 RRC CONNECTION SETUP
3 RRC CONNETION SETUP COMPLETE

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Common Parameters Related to RRC Directed Retry
ADD CELLDRD
l DRMAXUMTSNUM: maximum number of times for inter-frequency directed retry
l MaxRelatingTime: maximum time for continuously using the RACH measurement
report
l LinearFactor: linear coefficient of selecting the candidate set compared with the
threshold and time interval
l CSTHRESHOLD: absolute threshold for the candidate set
[ Directed retry candidate set absolute threshold: basic threshold for a cell entering
the candidate set in the RACH measurement report. The threshold is the smallest
Ec/N0 value required by the UE for normal communication.
l INTRAFDRMAXNUM: maximum number of times for intra-frequency directed retry
ADD INTERFREQNCELL
l BLINDHOPRIO: blind handover priority

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RRC Redirection
l Scenario
[ The UE fails to initiate signaling connection, and the RRC directed retry
fails.
GSM cell
Inter-freq cell 1’’ Signaling process:

1 RRC CONNECTION REQUEST
1’ 2 RRC CONNECTION REJECT
cell1 1’ The UE initiates access to the
2 specified cell of other frequencies after
cell reselection.
UE initial camping cell 1 1’’ The UE initiates access to the
specified GSM cell after inter-RAT cell
reselection

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More Information About the RRC Directed Retry
and Redirection
l The triggering condition is that the signaling access grant fails.
[ If no access grant is performed (directly accepted) for the signaling,
the algorithm fails. The algorithm is effective during congestion.
[ If access grant is performed for the signaling, the possibility for
triggering the RRC directed retry and redirection is low. Only when
cell congestion occurs, the possibility is high.
l Comparison of advantages and disadvantages
[ For the RRC directed retry, subscribes feel shorter delay.
[ RRC redirection is more flexible and can be used to reselected to
the GSM cell. Subscribers, however, feel longer delay.

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RAB Directed Retry
l Scenario
GSM CELL
UTRAN CELL
1 3
2
Signaling process:
CN 1 RAB Assignment (from CN)
2 SRNS relocation (to CN)
3 Handover from UTRAN ( Inform UE
access to GSM system)
4 Handover Complete (GSM message)

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Questions
l What are the differences between the processes

of the RRC directed retry and RRC redirection?
l What are the triggering conditions for the RRC
directed retry and RRC redirection?

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Summary
l This chapter describes the triggering scenarios for the RRC directed retry,
RRC redirection, and RAB directed retry, as well as the application of
blind handover.

Confidential
Confidential

GSM-To-UMTS Training Series - WCDMA Handover Fundamentals - V1 - 0

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WCDMA Handover

GSM-to-UMTS Training Series V1.0 www.huawei.com

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. HUAWEI Confidential

l As a key component of the mobile communication

l The primary function of the handover is to provide the

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l Handover and directed retry

l Cell selection and reselection

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GPRS Packet Idle Mode1

Camping on a UTRAN cell1 Camping on a GSM / GPRS cell1

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After this course, you are able to:

l Learn about the differences between the GSM

l Grasp the WCDMA handover procedure

l Grasp the WCDMA handover parameters

l Grasp the WCDMA blind handover and directed retry

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Chapter 1 Introduction: GSM vs. WCDMA

Chapter 2 Handover Measurement

Chapter 3 Basic Handovers

Chapter 4 Blind Handover and Directed Retry

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l Soft Handover and Hard

l WCDMA Handover Concepts

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WCDMA HO Purpose GSM HO Purpose

lLoad balancing: resource sharing lQoS improvement for the network

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Number of radio links in Multiple One

l Differences between the soft handover and the softer handover:

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RNC RNC frame processing board RNC

NodeB 1 NodeB 2 NodeB 1 NodeB 2

Soft handover Softer handover Hard handover

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Measurement Decision Execution

Overall procedure of the GSM handover algorithm

MR Penalty Network characteristic

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l Differences between soft handover, softer

l Basic concepts of the WCDMA handover

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l This chapter describes the handover purpose and the common

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Chapter 1 Introduction: GSM vs. WCDMA

Chapter 2 Handover Measurement

Chapter 3 Basic Handovers

Chapter 4 Blind Handover and Directed Retry

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l Measurement Control and

l Basic Concepts of Measurement

l Intra-Frequency Measurement Event

l Inter-Frequency and Inter-RAT

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Measurement report, normal case

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