17.1 WRFD-020303 Inter-RAT Handover Based on Coverage Availability This feature is available from RAN2.0. This feature is introduced in 3GPP R99. Summary This feature is related to inter-RAT handover based on coverage that is a basic function of interoperability. Benefits Inter-RAT handover improves flexibility in planning UMTS and GSM networks for the network operator. It can also save cost by utilizing the existing GSM network resources and provide coverage expansion, load sharing, and layered service. Enhancement of inter-RAT handover between multi frequency band cells can be used to support multi frequency band networking scenario. Description Inter-RAT handover from UMTS to GSM/GPRS Function is the procedure during which the WCDMA RAN initiates handover (for CS services) or UE initiates cell reselection (for PS services) to the GSM. The GSM/GPRS system cannot perform CS and PS services simultaneously. Therefore, when the handover for CS and PS domain combined services is determined, the CS service can be handed over from the WCDMA system to the GSM/GPRS system successfully, but the PS service will be suspended. After the CS call is finished, a resume request will be sent to the 2G SGSN to continue the PS service. Inter-RAT handover from UMTS to GSM applies to the CS services and can be triggered by the following causes:
Coverage-based
Optional Feature Description of Huawei UMTS RAN11.0 Issue V1.7 (2009-04-15) HuaweiProprietary and Confidential Copyright Huawei Technologies Co., LtdPage 115 of 281 This trigger condition is based on the quality measurement. The compressed mode for DL or UL will be triggered by event measurement report 2d for inter-frequency and inter-RAT handover and stopped by event measurement report 2f. When the compressed mode triggered, the RNC will start the inter-RAT measurement in UE to get the target cell to handover if inter-RAT neighboring cells are configured. The related measurement quantity can be either Ec/N0 or RSCP. Moreover, event 3A and period measurement report mode are supported and which measurement quantity and mode to use can be configured by operator. The measurement related parameters include threshold, hysteresis, and trigger delay time, etc. The inter-RAT neighboring cell number can be up to 32. The compressed mode includes two types, spreading factor reduction (SF/2) and high layer approaches. The usage of type of compressed mode is decided by the RNC automatically, according to the configurable spreading factor used in uplink and downlink. Another measurement report 1F can also trigger inter-RAT handover, but compressed mode will not be triggered in this scenario since such report means call drop may occur in any time and there is no time to implement measurement procedure. The target cell to handover will be selected based on the configurable parameter Blind Handover Priority in the neighboring inter RAT cells, Priority 0-15 indicates the handover successful rate can be guaranteed, such parameter will be certain as the result of network planning. Inter-RAT handover triggered by UE Tx power is available for PS BE, CS AMR services. This function can be switched on/off by operator.
Load-based This trigger condition is based on the cell load, and belongs to the optional feature WRFD-020306 Inter-RAT Handover Based on Load.
Service-based This trigger condition is based on the service assigned by CN node, and belongs to the optional feature WRFD-020305 Inter-RAT Handover Based on Service. The procedure of Inter-RAT handover from UMTS to GSM is executed by Relocation Preparation procedure at Iu interface and handover or cell change order command at Uu interface. When the UE is in CELL_FACH, CELL_PCH, or URA_PCH state, UMTS
GSM handover in PS domain is triggered through Inter-RAT Cell Re-selection from UMTS to GPRS procedure. This procedure is triggered by UE and realized by Routing Area Update procedure. The parameters for inter-RAT handover can be configured and are different for CS and PS services respectively. In multi frequency band networking scenario which is described in WRFD-020110 Multi Frequency Band Networking Management, the inter-RAT handover is enhanced to meet the networking requirements. That is, coverage based handover between different frequency band is supported and UE measurement capability will be considered to guarantee UE will not be handed over to the cell which UE has no the corresponding capability on that frequency band. When no enough UE capability can be acquired, whether to implement the handover can be configured by operator. Since the GSM/GPRS system cant perform CS and PS services simultaneously, Inter-RAT handover from GSM/GPRS to UMTS Function can be divided to CS and PS individually. On the UMTS side:
Optional Feature Description of Huawei UMTS RAN11.0 Issue V1.7 (2009-04-15) HuaweiProprietary and Confidential Copyright Huawei Technologies Co., LtdPage 116 of 281 For CS: inter-RAT handover from GSM/GPRS to UMTS is comprised of Relocation Resource Allocation, Relocation detect, Relocation complete procedure at Iu interface and HANDOVER TO UTRAN COMPLETE message processing at Uu interface. For PS: inter-RAT handover from GSM/GPRS to UMTS is the same as the setup of a PS service. Enhancement In RAN10.0, inter-RAT handover triggered by UE Tx power is available for PS BE and CS AMR services. Dependency Dependency on other NEs The UE should support the relevant measurements and the procedure of handover 17.2 WRFD-020309 Inter-RAT Handover Based on DL QoS Availability This feature is introduced in RAN10.0 Summary When the load of voice and PS BE services is higher in the cell and downlink QoS drops, this feature enables the UE to be handed over to an inter-RAT cell, thus guaranteeing QoS requirements. Benefits DL QoS based inter-RAT handover provides the method to prevent call drop and guarantee the QoS in inter-RAT networking, therefore, improving the network performance and enhancing the end user experience. Description In the scenarios of severe fading and high load, the call drop could take place due to the limitation of DL transmitted code power. In addition, coverage area is different for different services in network planning, thereby the system should take actions in order to guarantee the downlink QoS and keep the connection as could as possible. The evaluation of downlink QoS status is on the basis of TCP (Transmitted Code Power) or RLC retransmission (only for PS BE). Once the downlink QoS is detected in bad condition, inter-RAT handover could be triggered if in inter-system networking:
For AMR service, inter-RAT handover could be triggered based on TCP;
For PS BE service, inter-RAT handover could be triggered based on TCP and RLC retransmission. This feature can be switched on/off separately for AMR and PS BE services.
Optional Feature Description of Huawei UMTS RAN11.0 Issue V1.7 (2009-04-15) HuaweiProprietary and Confidential Copyright Huawei Technologies Co., LtdPage 117 of 281 Enhancement None. Dependency Dependency on other NEs The UE should support related measurement and handover procedures