3G Neighbor Cell Planning and

Configuration at the 2G Side

R1.1

3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. I


LEGAL INFORMATION

By accepting this certain document of ZTE CORPORATION you agree to the following terms. If you do
not agree to the following terms, please notice that you are not allowed to use this document.

Copyright 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved. This
document contains proprietary information of ZTE CORPORATION. Any reproduction, transfer,
distribution, use or disclosure of this document or any portion of this document, in any form by any
means, without the prior written consent of ZTE CORPORATION is prohibited.

and are registered trademarks of ZTE CORPORATION. ZTEs company name, logo
and product names referenced herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of ZTE
CORPORATION. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks or trade
names of their respective owners. Without the prior written consent of ZTE CORPORATION or the
third party owner thereof, anyones access to this document should not be construed as granting, by
implication, estopped or otherwise, any license or right to use any marks appearing in the document.

The design of this product complies with requirements of environmental protection and personal
security. This product shall be stored, used or discarded in accordance with product manual, relevant
contract or laws and regulations in relevant country (countries).

This document is provided as is and as available. Information contained in this document is subject
to continuous update without further notice due to improvement and update of ZTE CORPORATIONs
products and technologies.
ZTE CORPORATION
Address: NO. 55
Hi-tech Road South
ShenZhen
P.R.China
518057
Website: http://dms.zte.com.cn (Technical Support)
Email: TSM.Aftersales@zte.com.cn



3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. II



Revision History

Product Version Document Version Serial Number Reason for Revision
R1.0 First published
R1.1
Add the
FDD_RSCPmin and
FDD_Qmin_Offset
parameters and
update the window to
iBSCv6.20.61.



Author

Date Document Version Prepared by Reviewed by Approved by
2009-06-20 R1.0 Guo
Hongchang
Chang Haijie
2011-05-10 R1.1 Zhang
Yongqing
Zheng Hao



Intended audience: GSM radio network optimization engineers


3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. III

About This Document
Summary
Chapter Description
1 Overview Describes the meaning of the neighbor cell planning and
configuration.
2 Configuration of Basic
Parameters Related to the Neighbor
Cell
Describes the basic parameter configuration of the neighbor
cell.
3 Principles of Neighbor Cell
Configuration
Describes the principles of the neighbor cell configuration.
4 Configuration of Interoperation
Control Parameters After the
Neighbor Cell Configuration
Describes the interoperation control parameter configuration
after the neighbor cell configuration.
5 Precautions Describes the precautions of the neighbor cell planning and
configuration.





3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. IV

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Overview ......................................................................................................... 1
2 Configuration of Basic Parameters Related to the Neighbor Cell ............... 2
2.1 General Principles of Adjacent Cell Configuration ............................................. 2
2.2 Preparation of Reselection and Handover Neighbor Cell Parameters ............... 2
2.3 Configuration Procedure of the UTRAN Neighbor Cell ...................................... 3
2.3.1 Configuring the UTRAN External Cell ............................................................... 3
2.3.2 Configuring the GSM UTRAN Reselection and Handover Cell ......................... 6
3 Principles of Neighbor Cell Configuration .................................................... 8
3.1 6.10 Version ..................................................................................................... 8
3.2 6.20 Version ..................................................................................................... 8
3.3 Number of Neighbor Cells Based on Measurement Parameters ....................... 8
4 Configuration of Interoperation Control Parameters After the Neighbor Cell
Configuration .................................................................................................................. 10
4.1 Configuring Cell Control Parameters .............................................................. 10
4.2 Configuring Handover Decision Parameters ................................................... 13
4.3 Configuring the Inter-RAT Directional Retry .................................................... 14
4.4 Configuring the Inter-RAT Traffic Handover .................................................... 15
5 Precautions ................................................................................................... 18
5.1 TDD A + B Scheme ........................................................................................ 18
5.2 Prohibiting Configuring the 3G Neighbor Cell to the 3G Handover and
Reselection Cell ............................................................................................. 18
5.3 Reselection in Idle Status (Configuring BCCHs Instead of SCs) ..................... 18
5.4 Number of Neighbor Cells............................................................................... 18
5.5 Minimum Number of AGCH Reserved Blocks Being 2 .................................... 19

3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. V

FIGURES
Figure 2-1 Configuration Window of the 2G-3G Interoperation ............................................. 4
Figure 2-2 Configuring the UTRAN External Cell ................................................................. 5
Figure 2-3 Configuring the TDD External Cell ...................................................................... 6
Figure 2-4 Creating the UTRAN External Cell Reselection/Handover................................... 7
Figure 2-5 Configuring Interoperation Parameters................................................................ 7
Figure 4-1 Cell Control Parameters .................................................................................... 10
Figure 4-2 Configuring Handover Parameters 1 ................................................................. 13
Figure 4-3 Configuring Handover Parameters 2 ................................................................. 13
Figure 4-4 Configuring Handover Parameters 3 ................................................................. 14
Figure 4-5 Configuring Directional Retry Parameters 1 ...................................................... 15
Figure 4-6 Configuring Directional Retry Parameters 2 ...................................................... 15
Figure 4-7 Enabling the Allow Automatic Handover Based on Traffic Option ...................... 16
Figure 4-8 Setting the Threshold of Traffic for Handover .................................................... 16
Figure 4-9 Setting the Threshold of Inter-RAT Traffic Handover Decision .......................... 17
TABLES
Table 2-1 GSM Network Parameters.................................................................................... 2
Table 2-2 GSM Cells ............................................................................................................ 3
Table 2-3 3G Network Parameters ....................................................................................... 3
Table 2-4 TDD Cells ............................................................................................................. 3
Table 2-5 FDD Cells ............................................................................................................. 3

3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. 1

1 Overview
The neighbor cell configuration is the most basic configuration of the 2G-3G
interoperation. The purpose of configuring neighbor cells is to build communication
channels between different networks. On the basis of the above basic condition, the
cellphone can test the designated network or cell by reading the system message and
then it can reside or initiate service at various access sides by performing reselection or
handovers.
The neighbor cell configuration includes the basic cell information configuration and cell
control parameter configuration. The cell control parameter configurations are various for
different interoperation functions. The parameters corresponding to different
interoperation functions are described as follows.

3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. 2

2 Configuration of Basic Parameters
Related to the Neighbor Cell
2.1 General Principles of Adjacent Cell
Configuration
Cell information configuration
The cell information is configured so that the cellphone can identify different cell
signals and the tests of different cells can be performed.
Parameters related to cell control
The UTRAN cell control parameters are configured for the achievement of various
interoperation functions. For example, parameters of the reselection and handover
are different.
Neighbor cell optimization
The neighbor cell optimization method is relatively simple. From the single cell
perspective, there are two methods of neighbor cell optimization. One is adding
neighbor cells and the other is deleting neighbor cells. From the CN perspective,
besides the above two methods, the engineers should configure the
single/bidirectional neighbor cells on the basis of the network coverage and capacity
and re-allocate the incoming and outgoing handovers of the neighbor cell according
to different algorithms.
2.2 Preparation of Reselection and Handover
Neighbor Cell Parameters
In order to commission the 2G-3G interoperation, it is necessary for the 2G network
engineers to provide the following parameters of handover and reselection cells to the 3G
network engineers.
Table 2-1 GSM Network Parameters
MCC MNC


3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. 3

Table 2-2 GSM Cells
Cell CI NCC BCC LAC BCCH Band Indicator

Meanwhile, it is necessary for the 3G network engineers to provide the following
parameters of handover and reselection cells to the 2G network engineers.
Table 2-3 3G Network Parameters
MCC MNC

Table 2-4 TDD Cells
RN
C
ID
Ce
ll
ID
LA
C
ARF
CN
3G
Scrambl
ing
Code
Divers
ity
Bandwi
dth
3G
CCN
SUPPO
RT
CellTy
pe
3G
SyncC
ase
TSTD

Table 2-5 FDD Cells
RNC
ID
Cell
ID
LAC
ARFC
N
3G
Scrambling
Code
Diversity RAC
CellType
3G

The above is the basic cell information transferred during the interoperation.
2.3 Configuration Procedure of the UTRAN Neighbor
Cell
Configuration procedure:
1. Configuring the UTRAN external cell
2. Configuring the reselection and handover cell
2.3.1 Configuring the UTRAN External Cell
In the Configuration Resource Tree window, right click OMC > GERAN Subnetwork >
BSC Managed Element > BSC Function > External Cell Config > Create > UTRAN
External Cell, as shown in the following figure.

3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. 4

Figure 2-1 Configuration Window of the 2G-3G Interoperation

Click UTRAN External Cell, configure the following parameters in the Check UTRAN
External Cell dialog box:
User label
External UTRAN ID
UTRAN cell type: FDD/TDD
MCC
MNC
UTRAN cell frequency
LAC
RNC ID
C ID

3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. 5

Scrambling code or cell parameter
TX diversity indication
RAC
The dialog box is shown in the following figure.
Figure 2-2 Configuring the UTRAN External Cell

For the TDD cell, configure the following parameters:
User label
External UTRAN ID
UTRAN cell type: FDD
MCC
MNC
UTRAN cell frequency
LAC
RNC ID

3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. 6

C ID
Scrambling code or cell parameter
TX diversity indication
RAC
UTRAN cell band width
TSTD is used
Figure 2-3 Configuring the TDD External Cell

2.3.2 Configuring the GSM UTRAN Reselection and Handover Cell
Create the UTRAN adjacent cell reselection, UTRAN adjacent cell handover, or UTRAN
adjacent cell reselection and handover, as shown in the following figure.

3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. 7

Figure 2-4 Creating the UTRAN External Cell Reselection/Handover

Create the URTAN adjacent cell reselection, handover, or reselection and handover on
the basis of different interoperation strategies.
Figure 2-5 Configuring Interoperation Parameters


3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. 8

3 Principles of Neighbor Cell
Configuration
3.1 6.10 Version
The number of neighbor cells for a cell is limited as follows:
The maximum number of 3G neighbor cells is 64 in case only the 3G neighbor cells
are configured.
The maximum number of both 2G and 3G neighbor cells is 64.
3.2 6.20 Version
The number of neighbor cells for a cell is limited as follows:
The maximum number of 3G neighbor cells is 64 in case only the 3G neighbor cells
are configured.
The maximum number of both 2G and 3G neighbor cells is 96.
3.3 Number of Neighbor Cells Based on
Measurement Parameters
There are two measurement methods for the inter-RAT measurement. One is the
measurement report and the other is the enhanced measurement report.
For the measurement report, when the BCCH_FREQ_NCELL parameter is set to 31 for
the adjacent cell (the corresponding RXLEV_NECLL parameter refers to the
measurement result (RSCP or Ec/No) of a 3G adjacent cell), the corresponding BSIC is
the location of the 3G adjacent cell in the 3G adjacent cell list. Thus, the maximum
number of adjacent cells reported by the GSM adjacent cell is reduced from 32 to 31. And
the number of WCDMA neighbor cells is 62.
Four parameters (that is, RXLEV_VAL, MEAN_BEP, CV_BEP, and
NBR_RCVD_BLOCKS) are added to the measurement values about the serving cell in
the ENHANCED MEASUREMENT REPORT message. Besides, the GSM adjacent cells
with invalid BSIC (which are not described in the system message but are permitted by
NCC) are in the invalid_BSIC_information unit. The cells with valid BSIC and the 3G
quality are in the REPORTING_QUANTITIY (in bitmap format) unit. Only when at least
one BSIC is configured in each BCCH in the BA can this message be used. The

3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. 9

advantage is: If the cellphone is required not to report the cell with invalid BSIC, the
reported maximum 6 adjacent cells will be valid. After the EMR is used, the maximum
number of WCDMA neighbor cells supported by the BSS is increased to 64.
For the configuration of WCDMA neighbor cells, after the EMR is used, the limit
conditions of the iOMCR include:
The maximum number of neighbor cells (including GSM, WCDMA, and TD-SCDMA)
is 96.
The maximum number of WCDMA neighbor cells is 64.
The maximum number of WCDMA neighbor cells with the same frequency is 32.
The maximum number of WCDMA neighbor cell frequencies is 3.
If the WCDMA and TD-SCDMA neighbor cells co-exist, the engineers can control the
priority order between WCDMA and TD-SCDMA by means of the FDDTDDPrio
parameter at the iBSC side.

3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. 10

4 Configuration of Interoperation Control
Parameters After the Neighbor Cell
Configuration
The configurations of interoperation control parameters are various on the basis of
different neighbor cell functions. Besides the basic measurement parameters, the cell
control parameters of the reselection neighbor cell, handover neighbor cell, reselection
and handover neighbor cell are described as follows.
4.1 Configuring Cell Control Parameters
The key parameters are described as follows.
Figure 4-1 Cell Control Parameters

The correlations among key measurement parameters, protocol fields, and iBSC fields
are listed in the following table when the cellphone is in idle and handover status.
Parameter in
3GPP Protocols
Description
and Default
Value
Valu
e
Rang
e
Parameter on
the iOMCR
Recommend
ed Value
Chann
el
Qsearch_I
Search for 3G
cells if signal
level is below
0-15
Measurement
threshold of UE
performing
7
BCCH
D/L

3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. 11

Parameter in
3GPP Protocols
Description
and Default
Value
Valu
e
Rang
e
Parameter on
the iOMCR
Recommend
ed Value
Chann
el
(07) or above
(815)
threshold
0 = 98 dBm,
1 = 94
dBm, ,
6 = 74 dBm,
7 = (always)
8 = 78 dBm,
9 = 74
dBm, ,
14 = 54 dBm,
15 = (never).
Default value
= (never).
UTRAN cell
reselection
(Qsearch_I)
Qsearch_C_Initi
al
Indicates the
Qsearch value
to be used in
connected
mode before
Qsearch_C is
received,
0 = use
Qsearch_I, 1
= always).
Default value
= use
Qsearch_I.
0/1
Initial
parameter
instead of
qsearch_c
before UE
receiving
qsearch_C
(QsearchCInit)
0
BCCH
D/L
XXX_Qoffset
Applies an
offset to
RLA_C for cell
re-selection to
access
technology/m
ode XXX (one
or more)
0 = (always
select a cell if
acceptable),
1 = 28 dB, 2
= 24 dB, ,
15 = 28 dB.
Default value
= 0 dB.
0-15
FDD
reselection
offset
(FDD_Qoffset)
and
TDD
reselection
offset
(TDD_Qoffset)
0
BCCH
D/L
FDD_Qmin
A minimum
threshold for
Ec/No for
UTRAN FDD
cell
re-selection,
0= 20 dB, 1 =
0-7
Min Ec/No of
UTRAN
reselecting cell
(FDD_Qmin)
7
BCCH
D/L

3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. 12

Parameter in
3GPP Protocols
Description
and Default
Value
Valu
e
Rang
e
Parameter on
the iOMCR
Recommend
ed Value
Chann
el
6 dB, 2 = 18
dB, 3 = 8 dB,
4 = 16 dB, 5
= 10 dB, 6 =
14 dB, 7 =
12 dB.
Default value
= 12 dB.
Qsearch_C
Search for 3G
cells if signal
level below
threshold
(07):
98, 94, ,
74 dBm,
(always)
or above
threshold
(815):
78, 74, ,
54 dBm,
(never)
015
Threshold
when UE
performs
search under
specialized
mode
(Qsearch_C)
7
SACC
H D/L
REPORT_TYPE
Indicates
which report
type the MS
shall use,
0 = enhanced,
1 = normal
Default value
= normal
0/1
CS
measurement
type reported
by UE
(ReportTypeCS
)

BCCH
D/L
SACC
H D/L
FDD_REP_QUA
NT
Indicates the
reporting
quantity for
UTRAN FDD
cells,
0 = RSCP, 1 =
Ec/No
0/1
CS class of
reported
quantities of
UTRAN
adjacent cells
(FDDrepQntCS
)

BCCH
D/L
SACC
H D/L
3G_SEARCH_P
RIO
Indicates if 3G
cells may be
searched
when BSIC
decoding is
required,
0 = no, 1 =
yes
Default value
= yes
0/1
CS UE search
UTRAN
adjacent cell in
BSIC decoding
frame indication
(SearchPrioCS
3G)

SACC
H D/L

3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. 13

Among the above parameters, the Qsearch_I, XXX_Qoffset, and FDD_Qmin
parameters are combined to achieve the 2G-to-3G reselection. (In the versions later than
iBSCv6.20.200f (included), the FDD_RSCPmin and FDD_Qmin_Offset parameters are
added and the reselection algorithm is updated.)
4.2 Configuring Handover Decision Parameters
Enable the inter-RAT handover, as shown in Figure 4-2. These three thresholds are
corresponding to the FDD RSCP, FDD Ec/No, and TDD handover decision threshold.
That is to say, if the FDD_REP_QUANT parameter is set to 0 (that is, the cellphone of
FDD uses the RSCP value to report the measurement report), the iBSC will use the FDD
RSCP threshold to perform the handover decision. For the TDD, only the TDD RSCP
threshold is used.
Figure 4-2 Configuring Handover Parameters 1

Set the inter-RAT handover priority strategy, as shown in the following figure.
Figure 4-3 Configuring Handover Parameters 2


3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. 14

Set the RSCP and Ec/No offsets, as shown in the following figure.
Figure 4-4 Configuring Handover Parameters 3

4.3 Configuring the Inter-RAT Directional Retry
This function is used when the GSM channels are all occupied. The CS service initiated
by a new cellphone will be evenly set up on the adjacent UTRAN cell by means of
directional retry. Therefore, the users perception can be improved.
Enable the Outer redirection enable option in the Operation Control Parameters tab.

3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. 15

Figure 4-5 Configuring Directional Retry Parameters 1

And then enable the Directed retry to UTRAN cell allowed option.
Figure 4-6 Configuring Directional Retry Parameters 2

4.4 Configuring the Inter-RAT Traffic Handover
In the area covered by both the 3G and GSM networks, the engineers can balance or
control the inter-RAT service type and load by means of the inter-RAT handover, so that
the users demanding will be fulfilled, the network will be optimized, and the network
capacity will be expanded.

3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. 16

For the inter-RAT traffic handover, the engineers should enable the Allow automatic
handover based on traffic option and set the threshold of traffic for handover and the
threshold of inter-RAT traffic handover decision.
Figure 4-7 Enabling the Allow Automatic Handover Based on Traffic Option

Figure 4-8 Setting the Threshold of Traffic for Handover


3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. 17

Figure 4-9 Setting the Threshold of Inter-RAT Traffic Handover Decision

Only when the loads of the 2G and 3G networks are extremely unbalanced (for example,
the 2G users are few but the 3G users are many) is the inter-RAT load balance algorithm
used. If only the load of the 3G network is unbalanced, the engineers can make full use of
other means of the 3G network to make adjustments. It is not recommended to perform
the load handover to affect the stable 2G network.

3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. 18

5 Precautions
The following conditions should be checked and prevented.
5.1 TDD A + B Scheme
Some TDD cellphones crash due to the cellphone defects in the decoding system
message of SI 2QUATER and measurement information. In order to avoid this condition,
the engineers should modify the system message of SI 2QUATER and measurement
information, which is called A + B scheme. The engineers should disable the TDD cell
handover enable option to use the A + B scheme. When the engineers merely modify
this option, they should unblock all the cells and the system message will be generated
again.
5.2 Prohibiting Configuring the 3G Neighbor Cell to
the 3G Handover and Reselection Cell
During the interoperation with the WCDMA network, because some cellphones like
cloned cellphones and Samsung cellphones have defects, they fail to decode the
measurement information sent by the SACCH in special mode. Thus, the black screen
will happen and the call will automatically restart or drop during the conversion.
The engineers should configure the reselection neighbor cell instead of the handover
neighbor cell to avoid the problem.
5.3 Reselection in Idle Status (Configuring BCCHs
Instead of SCs)
Currently, only the BCCH is configured for the reselection in idle status. The SC is not
configured. Only the cellphones with Qualcomm chips can perform the reselection. Nokia
cellphones cannot perform the reselection. This function is under developing.
5.4 Number of Neighbor Cells
The number of neighbor cells should meet the actual requirement. The engineers should
not configure too many neighbor cells.

3G Neighbor Cell Planning and Configuration at the 2G Side Internal Use Only

ZTE Confidential Proprietary 2014 ZTE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. 19

5.5 Minimum Number of AGCH Reserved Blocks
Being 2
Make sure that the number of AGCH reserved blocks should no less than 2, so as to
avoid the condition that the cellphones of some models do not read the SI2QUATER
message in the Um interface system messages.
If the problem happens, the engineers should observe the messages in the SIB3 and
check whether this message indicates that the sending location of the SI2QUATER
message is BCCH ext. The solutions to this problem are simple. One is to set the
number of AGCH reserved blocks. The other is to set the sending location of the
SI2QUATER message. Set the SI2quaterPos parameter to 1, so that the 2QUATER
message is broadcast on the expanded BCCH.