Vodacom Network Quality Management Report

ACTIVATION OF SIB 4 FOR 3rd

CARRIER CELLS

06 AUG 2012

Fehmi Noyan ISI

Vodacom Network Quality Management Report

Table of Contents
1

INTRODUCTION

CURRENT NETWORK STRATEGY

RELATED PARAMETERS

CHANGE OBJECTIVE

RESULTS

CONCLUSION

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Vodacom Network Quality Management Report

1 Introduction
System Information Blocks (SIBs) are broadcasted by UTRAN to inform UEs about parameters for different processes (i.e cell selection,
reselection, neighbor lists etc) and information about current network situation (like RTWP of serving cell). Each SIB belongs to a
Scheduling Block and all Scheduling Blocks are structured under a Master Information Block (MIB). Below is the structure of SIBs in
UTRAN.

Each SIB has specific content depending on the purpose. For example, SIB 3 and SIB 4 are used to broadcast cell selection and
reselection parameters for Idle mode and Connected mode, respectively. There are several SIB messages numbered from 1 to 19
including different information.
Examples of SIB 3 and MIB messages are given below.

2 Current Network Strategy

In current network configuration, sites are configured at least with 2 RF carriers (there are a few exceptional sites having only one carrier,
though). Depending on the traffic demand and load, 3rd RF carrier is implemented where necessary.

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Vodacom Network Quality Management Report

First and Second RF Carriers (i.e F1 & F2, respectively) are set to be Unbarred for Idle UEs, meaning that any UE can camp on these
cells in Idle mode. On the other hand, F3 is designed to be a data carrying layer, i.e. traffic is shifted to F3 when F1 and F2 are not able to
handle it properly. F3 is barred for Idle UEs since it purpose is to share the load of other carriers, Idle UEs are not allowed to camp on F3.
To save system resources, CELL_FACH and CELL_PCH states have been deployed. CELL_DCH users are forced to change their states
as CELL_PCH / CELL_FACH after a certain period of inactivity. The idea of load sharing and inactivity state change is given below.

Inactiv
e User

Since SIB 4, which contains Connected mode cell selection and reselection parameters, is not broadcasted, SIB3 selection and
reselection policy is applied to CELL_FACH and CELL_PCH UEs in F3 cells. In SIB 3, F3 is broadcasted as barred for Idle Mode UEs,so
only way to be on F3 layer for any user is being pushed by load control algorithms where necessary.
Although CELL_FACH and CELL_PCH are classified as Connected Mode, in absence of SIB4, idle mode selection and reselection rules
are used for these states. Since F3 is considered as barred for CELL_PCH and CELL_FACH users, inactive users whose states are
CELL_FACH/CELL_PCH are forced to perform interfrequency transactions, which increases the probability of dropped calls.

3 Related Parameters
Below is the list of parameters related to proposed change for SIB 4 activation and state transition optimization. Details are provided for
each parameter including the meaning, unit, default/current value and the proposed value.
All parameters are cell level.

Parameters Related to SIB 4 Activation and State Transition Optimization (Changed Parameters):
SIB Switch
Meaning: Determine whether some system information blocks are broadcast in this cell. If the corresponding system information block is
selected, then send this system information block in this cell.
Unit: none
Recommended Value: none
Previous Value :
SIB Switch = SIB2::ON
= SIB4::OFF
= SIB12::OFF
= SIB18::OFF
= SIB19::ON
= SIB11BIS::OFF
Optimized Value : (F3 cells only)
SIB Switch = SIB2::ON
= SIB4::ON
= SIB12::OFF
= SIB18::OFF
= SIB19::ON
= SIB11BIS::OFF

Parameters Related to SIB 4 Activation and State Transition Optimization (Parameters to check):
Besides the SIB4 switch which is turned on, there are some other parameters whose values need to be verified before activation of SIB4.
Hysteresis 1 for connect mode:
Meaning: The hysteresis value of the serving FDD cells in connected mode in case the quality measurement for cell selection and
reselection is set to CPICH RSCP. It is related to the slow fading feature of the area where the cell is located. The greater the slow fading
variance is, the greater this parameter.
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Vodacom Network Quality Management Report

According to the R regulation, the current serving cell involves in cell selection after the measurement value is added with the hysteresis
value. The measurement hysteresis aims to prevent the ping-pong effect of the cell reselection, which is caused by the slow fading when
the UE is on the edge of the cell. The ping-pong effect may trigger frequent location updates (idle mode), URA updates (URA_PCH), or
cell updates (CELL_FACH, CELL_PCH), and thus increase the load of network signaling and the consumption of UE batteries. Set a
proper measurement hysteresis to reduce as much as possible effect of the slow fading as well as ensuring timely cell updates of the UE.
According to the CPICH RSCP emulation report of inter-frequency hard handovers, the measurement hysteresis ranges 4 dBm to 5 dBm
and is set to 4 dBm by default when the slow fading variance is 8 dB and the relative distance is 20 m. In the cells where the slow fading
variance is low and the average moving speed of UEs is high, for example the suburbs and countryside, reduce the measurement
hysteresis to guarantee timely location updates of UEs. The higher the measurement hysteresis is, the less likely it is for various types of
cell reselections to occur, and the better the slow fading resistance capability is, but the slower the system reacts to the environment
changes. For detailed information of this parameter, refer to 3GPP TS 25.304.
Unit: 2 dB
Recommended Value: 2
Previous Value : 2
Optimized Value : 2
Hysteresis 2 for connect mode :
Meaning: The hysteresis value of the serving FDD cells in connected mode in case the quality measurement for cell selection and
reselection is set to CPICH Ec/No. It is related to the slow fading feature of the area where the cell is located. The greater the slow fading
variance is, the greater this parameter. This parameter is not configured when its value is 255.
According to the R regulation, the current serving cell involves in cell selection after the measurement value is added with the hysteresis
value. The measurement hysteresis aims to prevent the ping-pong effect of the cell reselection, which is caused by the slow fading when
the UE is on the edge of the cell. The ping-pong effect may trigger frequent location updates (idle mode), URA updates (URA_PCH), or
cell updates (CELL_FACH, CELL_PCH), and thus increase the load of network signaling and the consumption of UE batteries. Set a
proper measurement hysteresis to reduce as much as possible effect of the slow fading as well as ensuring timely cell updates of the UE.
According to the CPICH RSCP emulation report of inter-frequency hard handovers, the measurement hysteresis ranges 4 dBm to 5 dBm
and is set to 4 dBm by default when the slow fading variance is 8 dB and the relative distance is 20 m. In the cells where the slow fading
variance is low and the average moving speed of UEs is high, for example the suburbs and countryside, reduce the measurement
hysteresis to guarantee timely location updates of UEs. The higher the measurement hysteresis is, the less likely it is for various types of
cell reselections to occur, and the better the slow fading resistance capability is, but the slower the system reacts to the environment
changes. For detailed information of this parameter, refer to 3GPP TS 25.304.
Unit: 2 dB
Recommended Value: 1
Previous Value : 1
Optimized Value : 1
Intra-freq cell reselection threshold for connect mode :
Meaning: Threshold for intra-frequency cell reselection in connected mode. When the quality (CPICH Ec/No measured by the UE) of the
serving cell is lower than this threshold plus the [Qqualmin] of the cell, the intra-frequency cell reselection procedure will be started. This
parameter is not configured when its value is 127. The intra-frequency cell reselection has a priority higher than the inter-frequency cell
reselection and inter-RAT cell reselection, the intra-frequency cell reselection start threshold should be higher than the inter-frequency cell
reselection start threshold and inter-RAT cell reselection start threshold. If the cell reselection threshold is set to a comparatively high
value, the UE may frequently start cell reselections, and the battery of the UE may be largely consumed. If the cell reselection threshold is
set to a comparatively low value, it is difficult for cell reselections to be started, and the UE may not timely reside in the cells with good
quality, affecting the quality of communication between the UTRAN and the UE. For detailed information, refer to 3GPP TS 25.304.
Unit: 2 dB
Recommended Value: 5
Previous Value : 5
Optimized Value : 5
Inter-freq cell reselection threshold for connect mode
Meaning: Threshold for inter-frequency cell reselection in connected mode. When the quality (CPICH Ec/No measured by UE) of the
serving cell is lower than this threshold plus the [Qqualmin] of the cell, the inter-frequency cell reselection procedure will be started. This
parameter is not configured when its value is 127. The intra-frequency cell reselection has a priority higher than the inter-frequency cell
reselection and inter-RAT cell reselection, the intra-frequency cell reselection start threshold should be higher than the inter-frequency cell
reselection start threshold and inter-RAT cell reselection start threshold. If the cell reselection threshold is set to a comparatively high
value, the UE may frequently start cell reselections, and the battery of the UE may be largely consumed. If the cell reselection threshold is
set to a comparatively low value, it is difficult for cell reselections to be started, and the UE may not timely reside in the cells with good
quality, affecting the quality of communication between the UTRAN and the UE. For detailed information, refer to 3GPP TS 25.304.
Unit: 2 dB
Recommended Value: 4
Previous Value : 4
Optimized Value : 4
Cell barred indicator for SIB4
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Vodacom Network Quality Management Report

Meaning: Indicating whether the UE in connected mode is allowed to access the cell. When the cell status is BARRED, it indicates that
the UEs in connected mode are barred to select/reselect the cell even in the case of emergency calls. For detailed information of this
parameter, refer to 3GPP TS 25.331.It is recommended that UEs in connected mode not be allowed to access a DSS cell.
Unit: none
Recommended Value : none
Previous Value : NOT_BARRED
Optimized Value : NOT_BARRED

4 Change Objective
The objective of the change is to keep users on the same RF carrier in CELL_FACH and CELL_PCH where they used to be in
CELL_DCH and prevent interfrequency transactions, so to avoid any possible dropped calls. To do so, SIB 4 has been activated for F3
cells with cell Barred Indicator set to NOT_BARRED, so F3 cells will be Barred for Idle users (since it is broadcasted as barred in SIB 3)
and Unbarred for connected mode users (i.e. CELL_FACH and CELL_PCH UEs).
RNC MT05 was chosen for the parameter fine tuning since MT05 had the high call drop rate with high number of drops. Also, the F3
deployment percentage is one of the highest for MT05 among all RNC in SGC region. The parameter changes have been implemented on
27 July.
Number of CS Drops for SGC RNCs

CS Call Drop Rate for SGC RNCs

,
Number of PS Drops for SGC RNCs

CS Call Drop Rate for SGC RNCs

5 Results

The changes have been implemented for MT05 on 27 July for 196 F3 cells.
The KPI benchmarking is done for each RF layer separately.
There is an increase in call drop rate after 19 July, because of outages.
There were transmission outages on 30th July causing degradation in retention performance.

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Vodacom Network Quality Management Report

Increasing number
of outages causing
high CDR
High number of
outages caused KPI
degradation

Stats for F1 Layer:

CS Call Drop Rate

PS Call Drop Rate

MultiRAB Service Call Drop Rate

Traffic Distribution

The CS call drop rate is constant before and after the change with an average of 0.46%. Please note, if the spike on 30 Jul is excluded
from the stats, an improvement of 13% will be achieved, from 0.46% to 0.4%.
MultiRAB CS drop rate has been improved 2%, from 0.49% to 0.48% average. Please note, if the spike on 30 Jul is excluded from the
stats, an improvement of 6% will be achieved, from 0.49% to 0.46%.
PS service retention performance has been improved from 3.69% to 3.25% of average call drop rate, that corresponds to an improvement
of 11%. Again, if the 30 Jul stat is excluded, the average PS call drop rate will be calculated as 3.1% after the change, that makes an
improvement of 15%.
Since more FACH and PCH users are retained in F3 longer, there is a decrease in number of CELL_FACH and CELL_PCH users for F1
layer.
Stats for F2 Layer:
CS Call Drop Rate

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PS Call Drop Rate

Vodacom Network Quality Management Report

MultiRAB Service Call Drop Rate

Traffic Distribution

CS service retention performance for F2 cells has been improved 10%, with an average of 0.49% to 0.44%. If the 30 Jul excluded
because of excessive cell outages, the average call drop performance will be calculated as 0.39%, which corresponds to 20%
improvement.
The MultiRAB CS service call drop rate has been improved from 0.52% to 0.46%, which corresponds to 11% improvement. Excluding the
30 Jul, the average is calculated as 0.45%, corresponding an improvement of 13%.
The PS Service performance from retention point of view has also been improved after the change. There is 23% improvement in service
quality with PS call drop rate improved from 3.29% to 2.66%. Excluding the outages on 30 Jul, the calculated average becomes 2.53%,
which makes an improvement of 28%.
Number of CELL_PCH and CELL_FACH UEs have been decreased since these users are being hosted by F3 now.
Stats for F3 Layer:
CS Call Drop Rate

PS Call Drop Rate

MultiRAB Service Call Drop Rate

Traffic Distribution

Since the changes have been implemented for F3 layer, majority of improvements were observed in this RF carriers performance figures.
The AMR voice service retention performance has been improved 53%, with an average of CS CDR 0.7% after the change and 1.5%
before the change. Excluding effects of outages on 30 Jul, the calculated average of 0.67%, corresponding an improvement of 55%.
Retention performance for MultiRAB CS service improved from 1.38% to 0.62%, which corresponds to 55% improvement. Excluding
outage effect of 30 Jul, the calculated after change average becomes 0.6% with improvement percentage of 0.56%
The PS service call drop rate has been improved from 7.13% to 7%, which corresponds to an improvement of 1%. If the effect of outages
on 30 Jul excluded from the stats, the calculated after change average becomes 6.75% and the improvement is 5%.

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Vodacom Network Quality Management Report

The number of CELL_PCH and CELL_FACH users have been increased significantly, since UEs are able to stay on F3 in CELL_FCH and
CELL_PCH states now. Retaining more CELL_FACH/CELL_PCH users lead an increase in CS traffic, mostly contributed by MultiRAB
users.

Overall RNC Stats:

CS Call Drop Rate

PS Call Drop Rate

MultiRAB Service Call Drop Rate

Traffic Distribution

The CS call drop rate for RNC MT05 has been improved by 7%, from 0.51% to 0.47%. Again, if the effect of outages is excluded from the
stats, 15% improvement will be achieved with an average of 0.43%.
MultiRAB CS performance has also been improved by 10%, call drop rate from 0.56% to 0.5%. Excluding the effect of outages on 30 Jul,
the improvement is 14% with an average call drop rate of 0.48%.
PS performance has also been improved for overall RNC from 4% call drop rate to 3.5% call drop rate, with an improvement of 12.5%.
Excluding the 30 Jul stats, the improvement calculated is 16% and average call drop rate for CS service is 3.36%.
The number of CELL_DCH, CELL_FACH and CELL_PCH users are the same, and there is no big change after the change. However,
there is a slightly increasing trend for number of CELL_PCH users for a long time which was not initiated by parameter change.

6 Conclusion
The main aim of the optimization study is to decrease the mobility of UEs because of Connected Mode State transitions, so to avoid any
possible dropped calls and improve retainability performance.
After implementation of changes, there has been no degradation or side effect observed in quality figures. Majority of improvement has
been observed for F3 layer.
Below table gives a brief of KPIs for Before Change/After Change cases along with the percentage of improvement achieved by
optimization study.
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Vodacom Network Quality Management Report

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Vodacom Network Quality Management Report

END OF REPORT

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