Tempus Telcosys (P) Limited

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HANDOVER PROCESS
BSS Parameters S9

Contents
1. Overview
2. Handover Causes & Priorities
3. Threshold Comparison Process
4. Target Cell Evaluation Process
5. Handover Algorithms
Power Budget (PBGT)
Level & Quality (RXLEV & RXQUAL)
Umbrella (& Combined Umbrella/PBGT)
MS Speed (FMMS & MS_SPEED_DETECTION)
6. Imperative Handovers
Distance
Rapid Field Drop (RFD) & Enhanced Rapid
Field Drop (ERFD)
7. Handover Timers

Overview
Why are handovers needed?

Call continuity
- to ensure a call can be maintained as a MS moves
geographical
location from the coverage area of one cell to another
Call quality
- to ensure that if an MS moves into a poor
quality/coverage area
the call can be moved from the serving cell to
a neighbouring cell (with better quality) without dropping the call
Traffic Reasons - to ensure that the traffic within the network is
optimally
distributed between the different layers/bands of a network

Handover Causes
Uplink Quality

AV_RXQUAL_UL_HO

Downlink Quality

AV_RXQUAL_DL_HO

Uplink Level

AV_RXLEV_UL_HO

Downlink Level

AV_RXLEV_DL_HO

MS Speed

AV_MS_SPEED

Timing Advance

AV_RANGE_HO

QUALITY
QUALITY
&
&
INTERFERENCE
INTERFERENCE
LEVEL
LEVEL

THRESHOLD
COMPARISON

MS
MS SPEED
SPEED

DISTANCE
DISTANCE
RAPID
RAPID FIELD
FIELD DROP
DROP

Adjacent Cells

AV_RXLEV_NCELL(n)

Others causes;
- Intelligent Underlay/Overlay (IUO)
- Traffic Reason Handover (TrHO)
- Direct Access to Desired Layer/Band (DADL/B)

IMPERATIVE
CHANNEL
CHANNEL ADMINISTRATION
ADMINISTRATION HO
DIRECTED
DIRECTED RETRY
RETRY

POWER
POWER BUDGET
BUDGET
UMBRELLA
UMBRELLA

PERIODIC
CHECKS

Handover Priorities
If 2 or more handover (PC) criteria are satisfied simultaneously the following priority list
is used in determining which process is performed;
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Uplink and downlink Interference

Uplink quality
Downlink quality
e.g if downlink quality & slow
Uplink level
moving mobile criteria were
Downlink level
satisfied simultaneously
Distance
HO with cause downlink
Enhanced (RFD)
quality performed
Rapid Field Drop (RFD)
Slow moving MS
Better cell i.e. Periodic check (Power Budget HO or Umbrella HO)

11. PC: Lower quality/level thresholds (UL/DL)

12. PC: Upper quality/level thresholds (UL/DL)

Threshold Comparison Process

The Handover process may be triggered by:
Threshold comparison;
Quality
Level
Distance
Load
Periodic checks;
Power budget
Umbrella

Averaged value obtained from measurement

averaging process using
hoAveragingQualDL
IF
AV_RXQUAL_DL_HO < hoThresholdsQualDL
THEN
Downlink Quality HO is performed
Threshold level
based on nx &
px

IF
EnablePowerBudgetHO = Yes
THEN
PBGT comparison performed
every
hoPeriodPBGT sec

Target Cell Evaluation Process

Target Cell Evaluation (1/3)

Radio conditions

In all Handover cases

1.

For imperative handovers

only Eq. 1 has to be satisfied

AV_RXLEV_NCELL(n) > rxLevMinCell(n) + Max (0, A)

A = msTxPwrMax(n) - P
P = depending on MS Classmark

Except for Umbrella Handover

1.

AV_RXLEV_NCELL(n) > hoLevelUmbrella(n)

The additional condition

2.

2.

PBGT > hoMarginPBGT(n)

where
PBGT = ((msTxPwrMax - msTxPwrMax(n))-(AV_RXLEV_DL_HO AV_RXLEV_NCELL(n))
- (btsTxPwrMax - BTS_TXPWR))
PBGT > hoMarginLev/Qual(n)
where
PBGT = (AV_RXLEV_NCELL(n) - AV_RXLEV_DL_HO)-(btsTxPwrMax - BTS_TXPWR)
(Note: enableHoMarginLevQual must = Yes) - for RxLev & RxQual handovers

Target Cell Evaluation (2/3)

Cell Preference based on Load conditions

Best candidates to RR Management:

intra BSC HO max 16 cells under the same BSC as the source
cell
inter BSC HO numberOfPreferredCells

Only for Adjacent Cells

of the same BSC
(intra-BSC) analysis

Load check of Candidates by btsLoadThreshold (0..100%)

1.
If overloaded priority decreased by hoLoadFactor (0...7)

2.

Comparison of priorities of Candidates (hoLevelPriority (0..7))

If two or more Adjacent cells with equal priorities

3.
-> Ranking based on radio properties (RxLev)

Target Cell Evaluation (3/3)

Load Evaluation Example

Case 1: All cells have equal priority Case 2 : One cell with higher priority
Cell
Cell aa

bb

cc

cell
cell

aa

bb

cc

Rx_Level
Rx_Level -75
-75 -80
-80 -83
-83
1.
1. Load
Load overl.
overl. overl.
overl. n.overl.
n.overl.
hoLoadFactor
11
11
11
hoLoadFactor
2.
33
33
33
2. Priority
Priority
New
22
33
New Priority
Priority22

Rx_Level
Rx_Level -75
-75
1.
1. Load
Load n./overl.
n./overl.
hoLoadFactor
hoLoadFactor
2.
44
2. Priority
Priority
New
New Priority
Priority 4/2
4/2

3.
3. Rx_Level
Rx_Level -75
-75 -80
-80 -83
-83

3.
3. Rx_Level
Rx_Level -75
-75 -80/-80
-80/-80

=>
=> cell
cell list
list

cc ,, aa ,b
,b

=>
=> cell
cell list
list
=>
=> cell
cell list
list

-80
-80 -83
-83
n.overl.
n.overl.
n.overl.
n.overl.
22
11
11
33
33
33
33
-83
-83

a,b,c
a,b,c (if
(if cell
cell aa isis not
not overload)
overload)
b,c,a
b,c,a

Power Budget Handover (1/2)

Process & Parameters

Trigger
Periodic Check ( hoPeriodPBGT )
Candidate Selection
Equation 1 & 2 used
Priority and Load Considered
When used in association with Umbrella HO (&
AdjCellLayer) PBGT handovers are only between cells of
the SAME layer
Parameter
Range

hoPeriodPBGT
enablePwrBudgetHandover

1 ... 63 (SACCH)
Y/N

rxLevMinCell(n)
msTxPwrMax(n)
hoMarginPBGT(n)

-110 -47 dBm

0 36 dBm
-24 63 dB

Power Budget Handover (2/2)

Example

Equations 1 and 2 are used

Serving Cell:

Best Adjacent Cell:

AV_RXLEV_DL_HO = -90 dBm

AV_RXLEV_NCELL(n) = -80 dBm
msTxPwrMax = 33 dBm (= 2W) rxLevMinCell(n) = -99 dBm
btsTxPwrMax = 42 dBm (= 16 W)
msTxPwrMax(n) = 33 dBm (= 2W)
BTS_TX_PWR = 42 dBm = (16 W) btsTxPwrMax = 42 dBm (= 16 W)
hoMarginPBGT(n) = 6 dB
1. AV_RXLEV_NCELL(n) > rxLevMinCell(n) + Max (0, msTxPwrMax(n) - msTxPwrMax)
-80 dBm > -99 dBm + (33 dBm - 33 dBm) = -99 dBm
2. PBGT = ((msTxPwrMax- msTxPwrMax(n)) - (AV_RXLEV_DL_HO-AV_RXLEV_NCELL(n))
- (btsTxPwrMax - BTS_TXPWR)
PBGT = ((33dBm-33dBm)-(-90 - -80)-(42dBm-42dBm)
= 10 dB
10 dB > 6 dB
OK !!!!

Handover due to Level (1/2)

Process

Trigger
Threshold Comparison (hoThresholdsLevUL/DL with px / nx )
Candidate Selection
Equation 1 used
Equation 2 used if enableHoMarginLevQual = N
Equation 2' used if enableHoMarginLevQual = Y
Priority and Load Considered

Parameter
hoThresholdLevUL/DL
px
nx
rxLevMinCell(n)
msTxPwrMax(n)
hoMarginLev(n)

Value
-110 -47 dBm
1 32
1 32
-110 -47 dBm
0 36 dBm
-24 24 dB

Handover due to Level (2/2)

Example

Equations 1 and 2 are used if parameter enableHoMarginLevQual is set Yes

hoMarginLev = 4dB
Trigger for Handover due to Level
Cell A
(RxLev) Threshold
defined by;
hoThresholdLevUL
/DL
= -92 / -95 dBm

2 dB
Cell B

Cell B is not selected as candidate for

HO due to level since 2dB < 4 dB

Handover due to Quality (1/2)

Process

Trigger
Threshold Comparison (hoThresholdsQualUL/DL with px / nx)
Candidate Selection
Equation 1 used
Equation 2 used if enableHoMarginLevQual = N
Equation 2' used if enableHoMarginLevQual = Y
Priority and Load Considered

Parameter

Value

hoThresholdQualUL/DL
px
nx
rxLevMinCell(n)
msTxPwrMax(n)
hoMarginQual(n)

07
1 32
1 32
-110 -47 dBm
0 36 dBm
-24 24 dB

Handover due to Quality (2/2)

Example

Equations 1 and 2 are used if parameter enableHoMarginLevQual is set Yes

hoMarginQual = 0 dB
Trigger for Handover HO due to Quality
A
2 dB
B
Cell B is selected as potential candidate
for
HO due to Quality since 2 dB > 0 dB

Handover due to Interference (1/3)

Process

Trigger:
Threshold Comparison for Quality (hoThresholdsQualUL/DL with px / nx)
Threshold Comparison for Level
(hoThresholdsInterferenceUL/DL with px
/ nx)
Candidate Selection
Priority for InterCell / Intracell HO selected at BSC independently for UL / DL
Priority InterCell HO

Quality HO if any candidate

If not IntraCell HO
Priority IntraCell HO

Parameter
hoThresholdInterferenceUL/DL
px
nx
enableIntraHoInterfUL/DL
hoPreferenceOrderInterfUL/DL

Value
-110 -47 dBm
1 32
1 32
Y/N
INTER / INTRA

Handover due to Interference (3/3)

Example

Equations 1 and 2 are used if parameter enableHandoverMarginQual is set Yes

Field strength higher than threshold
hoThresholdQual
=5
hoThresholdInterferenceDL
= -85 dBm (AV_RXLEV_DL_HO >
hoThresholdsInterferenceDL
hoPreferenceOrderInterfDL = intra
Bad quality
(AV_RXQUAL_DL
hoThresholdsQualDL
Handover due to DL interference
intra cell handover !!
Trigger for Handover due to Interference

Cell A
Threshold (Interference Lev)
-85 dBm
Cell B

RXLEV
0

RXQUAL
5

Umbrella Handover (1/3)

Process

Used in multi-layer/band networks (better for bands - no speed criterion)

Typically used in association with PBGT (Combined PBGT/Umbrella feature)
Trigger
Periodic Check (hoPeriodUmbrella)
Candidate Selection
Equation 1' used
Consistency between MS classmark and target cell power constraints
Priority and Load Considered

Parameter

enableUmbrellaHandover
hoPeriodUmbrella
(SACCH)
hoLevelUmbrella
gsmMicrocellThreshold
gsmMacrocellThreshold

Value

Y/N
0 63
-110 -47 dBm
0 36 dBm
0 36 dBm

Umbrella Handover (2/3)

MS Classmark & Target Cell Power Comparison

Max power capability of MS >= gsmMacrocellThreshold

HO allowed only to a macrocell ( MS_TXPWR_MAX(n) >= gsmMacrocellThreshold )
gsmMicrocellThreshold < Max power capability of MS < gsmMacrocellThreshold
HO only to middle size cell ( gsmMicrocellThreshold < MS_TXPWR_MAX(n) < gsmMacrocellThreshold )

Max power capability of MS <= gsm MicrocellThreshold

HO allowed only to microcell ( MS_TXPWR_MAX(n) <= gsmMicrocellThreshold )

Umbrella Handover (3/3)

Example

Example - Priority microcells

hoLevelUmbrella macro macro = -47 dBm
(prevents Umbrella HOs between adjacent macrocells)
hoLevelUmbrella

macro micro

PBGT Handover
between SAME
layer cells

= -85 dBm

hoThresholdLevDL = -90 dBm

GSM MS class 4 (33 dBm)
gsmMacrocellThreshold = 35 dBm
gsmMicrocellThreshold = 33 dBm
msTxPwrMax(n) = 33 dBm

1800 Macro
Umbrella Handover
down to micro layer
1800 Micro
hoLevelUmbrella = -85dBm

RR
Handover
out of
micros

-85 dBm
-90 dBm

B
Umbrella
Handover

Handover due
to Level

Combined Umbrella & Power Budget

When enablePowerBudgetHo = Yes & enableUmbrellaHo =

Yes

Power Budget Handover to cells of the same layer

Umbrella Handover to cells of different layer
Based on
gsmMacrocellThreshold, gsmMicrocellThreshold
msTxPwrMax, msTxPwrMax(n)
UMB
RR
MS classmark

PBGT

umbrella HO
radio reason HO
power budget HO

macrocells

PBGT,RR
UMB,RR

UMB,RR
PBGT,RR
microcells

AdjCellLayer
Three layers visible to serving cell (relative
to serving cell)
Used in target cell evaluation for;
Fast moving MS handling in macro cell
HOs based on MS speed (BSS6)
Combined umbrella and power budget

Parameter
AdjCellLayer

UPPER layer (e.g.

900 macro)
SAME layer
(serving layer)
LOWER layer
(micro)
N (not in use)

MS Speed based Handovers

Overview

Mobile distribution in multi-layer networks based on speed of mobile

Slow moving MS lower layer (micro) cells
Fast moving MS upper layer (macro) cells
Two proprietary Nokia features;
Fast Moving Mobile Support (FMMS)
Estimation of MS speed based on duration of stay in target cell
used to move MSs from UPPER (macro) to LOWER (micro) cells
MS_SPEED_DETECTION
Measurement of MS speed based on zero crossing detection process
Used to move slow MS from macro micro & fast MS from micro macro

Fast Moving Mobile Support (FMMS)

Process

FMMS used in macrocell layer to 'estimate' the speed of a mobile based on measurement
reports on adjacent microcells
Macro cells parameters
for each adjacent micro cell:

Counter for each adjacent micro cell

+2
measurement and over rxLevMinCell
-1
no meas. or bad level

fastMovingThreshold 0 .. 255
RxLevMinCell
hoLevelUmbrella

Target cell selection based on adjacent

cell RX_LEVEL and on hoLevelUmbrella

macrocells

hoLevelUmbrella = -85 dBm

time t

RxLevMinCell = -85 dBm

HO
FMT Counter

FMT Threshold = 40

FMMS HO
initiated
microcells

time t

MS_SPEED_DETECTION
Process

3 BSC averages speed

indications using
msSpeedAveraging
AV_MS_SPEED

BSC ignores indications if;

UL DTx used during SACCH
MS changing power during SACCH

BTS
BSC

Adjacent cell
measurements

AV_MS_SPEED is compared with

thresholds;
LowerSpeedLimit (slow MS)
UpperSpeedLimit (fast MS)
to direct MS to appropriate layer
(cell priorities used)

BTS
2
1 BTS 'measures' MS speed based
on zero cross rate algorithm providing
call is on non-hoping TCH
MS_SPEED_DETECTION not suitable
for use with frequency hopping networks

BTS sends MS speed

measurements to BSC
every SACCH period
(~480ms)

Candidate Selection
Fast-moving to upper /
Slow-moving to lower layer
adjacent cells

Equation 1' used

Priority considered

Parameters
FMMS & MS_SPEED_DETECTION
Parameter

Value

adjCellLayer (ACL)
hoLevelUmbrella (AUCL)
FastMovingThreshold (FMT)

N / Same / Upper / Lower

-110 ... -47 dBm
0 255 (SACCH frames) FMMS

0 means "Not Used"

msSpeedAveraging (MSA)
lowerSpeedLimit (LSL)
upperSpeedLimit (USL)

1 ... 32 (SACCH frames)

0 255 (1 step 2km/h)
0 255 (1 step

2km/h)

msSpeedThresholdNx
msSpeedThresholdPx
adjCellLayer (ACL)
hoLevelUmbrella (AUCL)

1 32
1 32
N / Same / Upper / Lower
-110 ... -47 dBm

MS Speed
Detection

Imperative Handover

Handover considered to be imperative:

Handover due to Distance

Order to empty a cell ( from O&M )
Directed Retry and IDR
Rapid Field Drop (RFD)
Enhanced Rapid Field Drop (ERFD)

Imperative Handover: Distance

Distance Process
Distance Process ---> msDistanceBehaviour (0,1..60,255) in BSC
0
: Release immediately
1 - 60 : Release after certain time 1 - 60 s, try handover
during that time
255
: No release, only imperative Handover attempt
Parameter
enableMsDistanceProcess
msDistanceHoThresholdParam
px
nx
msDistanceBehaviour
255

Value
Y
0
1
1

/N
63
32
32
0, 1 60,

Rapid Field Drop (1/2)

Process

Trigger
Threshold Comparison
( HoThresholdRapidLevUl (px)

Serving
Cell

Chained
Cell

Rx_Lev_UL (Not averaged / Only UL)

Candidate Selection
Only Chained adjacent cell
Equation 1 only / no priority
Multi-Layered Network

Parameter

Value

hoThresholdLevULforRapidFieldDrop
hoThresholdRapidLevUIN

-110 ... -47 dBm

0 ... 32

chainedAdjacentCell

Y/N

Rapid Field Drop (2/2)

Example

MS
Serving
Cell

Chained
Cell

Example
hoThresholdRapidLevUl = - 93 dBm
hoThresholdRapidLevUIN (px) = 2
chainedAdjacentCell = Yes

Serving
Cell
-93 dBm
.
.
Rapid Field Drop Handover
1st

2nd

Enhanced Rapid Field Drop (1/5)

Process

In case of DDE (Deep Dropping Edge), the averaging

window sizes and power budget period are reduced
level downlink window size
level uplink window size
adjacent cell averaging window size
handover period power budget
Parameter
erfdEnabled

Value
DIS, UL, DL or UDL

ddeThresholdLev
0 63 dB
Nx
1 32
Px
1 32
ddeWindow
1 32 SACCH
modifiedAveWinNcell
1 32
modifiedNOZ
1 32
erfdOver
1 64 sec

Enhanced Rapid Field Drop (2/5)

A MS moves away from cell site,

the signal is dropping gradually

A MS turns a corner,
the signal drops rapidly

Figure 7 Signal Strength of a Fast Moving MS

Time

Signal Level

Signal Level

Scenarios for Fast & Slow MSs

MS moves away from cell site,

the signal is dropping gradually
MS turns a corner, the
signal drops faster than
moving in straight line

Figure 8 Signal Strength of a Slow Moving MS

Time

Enhanced Rapid Field Drop (4/5)

Handover

Process

A handover due to Enhanced Rapid Field Drop is defined by the following

parameters;
ERFD Detection
ErfdEnabled - Enables ERFD Handovers
DdeThresholdLev - Defines the drop in
signal level that must be observed before
ERFD detection. Uses voting nx : px
DdeWindow - Sets the window size over
which ERFD is to be monitored
ModifiedAveWinNcell - Defines the modified

25dB > 20dB

DdeThreshold
Serving cell
Ncell #1

ERFD HO

hoThresholdLevXL
XL = DL or UL

ERFD HO initiated
to Ncell #1

DdeWindow =
2 n(1):p(1)

averaging window size to be used for

-60 -60 -61 -63 -83
Ncells during period ErfdOver
ModifiedNOZ - Modified # of zero results
averagingWindowSizeAdjCell = 4
used during period ErfdOver
ErfdOver - Time period over which parameters
,
ModifiedAveWinNcell and ModifiedNOZ are used to monitor Ncells

ErfdOver
-87

-89

-91

-94

modifiedAveWinNcell = 2

-89

-89

Enhanced Rapid Field Drop (5/5)

Example

ddeWindow = 3 SACCH (n = 3)
ddeThresholdLev = 10, px = 2 and nx =3

the BSC compares the most recent measurement sample 8

(multiframe k) with the measurement sample 5 (multiframe k-n).

Sample
Signal
level

1
-71
dBm

2
-68
dBm

3
-70
dBm

4
-71
dBm

5
-69
dBm

6
-70
dBm

7
-75
dBm

8
-83
dBm

DDE_LEVEL = RXLEV(k- ddeWindow) RXLEV(k) = -69 dBm (-83

dBm) = 14 dB

Handover Timers (1/3)

Minimum time between consecutive handovers related to the same

connections
MinIntBetweenHoReq
Minimum time between handover attempts after a failure
MinIntBetweenUnsuccHoAttempt
Applied differently in Intercell / Intracell handovers
Additional Guard Periods are used for Back-handovers
Quality
Distance
Traffic reason
Interference

Parameter
minIntBetweenUnsuccHoAttempt
minIntBetweenHoReq

Value
0 ... 30 sec
0 ... 30 sec

Handover Timers (2/3)

After a HO Failure

Reversion to old channel

( 1 + NUMBER_OF_HO_FAIL ) *
MinIntBetweenUnsuccHoAttempt applied to
handover attempts to the same target cell

No Radio Resource Available

MinIntBetweenUnsuccHoAttempt applied to
handover attempts to the same target cells ( all those in
the list )

Other Failure Cases

MinIntBetweenUnsuccHoAttempt applied to all types of
handover attempts

Handover Timers (3/3)

Guard period for back HO

After a HO due to quality (UL/DL) and interference (UL/DL):

a Power Budget HO back is not allowed during
GUARD_TIME = 2 * HoPeriodPBGT
an Umbrella HO back is not allowed during
GUARD_TIME = 2 * HoPeriodUmbrella

After an inter-cell HO due to MS-BS distance:

a HO back to the source cell is not allowed during
GUARD_TIME = 20sec + MinIntBetweenHOReq

After a Traffic Reason HO:

Power Budget HO and Umbrella HO back to the source are not allowed during
GUARD_TIME = 20sec + MinIntBetweenHOReq

Repetitive Intra Cell HO not allower during

GUARD_TIME = 4 * MinIntBetweenUnsuccHoAttempt