Lec 11 Mobile Communication

Handover in GSM
Handover is a key technology of mobile communication system and make continued conversation possible.
The MS measures the strength of the radio signal from the base station that serves the connection. In
addition, it measures the signal strength of the BCCH carrier frequency from the surrounding cells. This
information is sent to the system in the form of Measurement Reports (MRs). These measurements are
used in a comparison, in order to find the "best" server.

Handover is used to keep continuous communication with MS possible and it improves network service
performance

Reduces the call drop rate
Reduces the congestion rate



Types of Handover

Synchronous handover: Source and target cell belong the same BTS

Asynchronous handover: Source and target cell belong the different BTS



Measurement by the MS
The BSC sends a list to the MSs containing the Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (ARFCN) for the
handover candidates, the so called BCCH Allocation (BA) list. The maximum number of frequencies in this
list is 32.

Every 120 ms (once in a 26 frames multiframe) there is an idle frame in the TCH that allows the MS to tune
to the frequencies specified in the BA list and try to decode the synchronization bursts. This burst contains
the Base Station Identity Code (BSIC) that includes the Network Colour Code (NCC). Parameter NCCPERM
defines the permitted NCCs. If the MS can detect the synchronization burst and decode it, it checks if the
NCC is permitted.

The MS reports every SACCH period the six (or less for Multi-RAT MSs see Section 3.1.8) strongest
candidates for which it during the last 10 seconds has succeeded to decode the BSIC (containing a
permitted NCC).


Normal Handover

Usually based on RxLev (dBm) or Pathloss.


Emergency Handover
Timing advance (TA) Emergency Handover
Bad quality (BQ) Emergency Handover

Load based HO

Concentric cell HO

Types of Handover by Reason
Handover Procedure in the BSC
Filtering
Measured values (for signal strength, quality and timing advance) are filtered by
performing an averaging of a number of consecutive measurements.

Urgency Conditions
Two types of urgency conditions are evaluated: bad signal quality and excessive
timing advance. The signal quality is evaluated in the uplink as well as in the
downlink.

Basic Ranking
A basic ranking list of cell candidates is prepared usually based on received signal
level.

Auxiliary Radio Network Functions Evaluations
The criteria for Overlaid/Underlaid Subcell Change, Hierarchical Cell Structures, Intra-
cell Handover, Assignment to Another Cell, Extended Range and Cell Load Sharing are
evaluated.

Organizing the List
All cells are organized into one final candidate list according to rules that are defined
by the outcome of the urgency conditions and auxillary network features evaluation.

Sending the List
The candidate list is sent for further processing to be used for channel allocation.

Allocation Reply
The outcome of the channel allocation determines the action. At success, the
connection is transferred to another channel. At congestion or signalling failure, the
connection remains.
Intra-BSC Handover Process
Power control is a process run in the BSC for adjusting the transmitting power of BTS and MS when
needed and is based on measurement reports of BTS and MS

Purpose
Save the power of BTS and MS
Reduce the interference of the network
Increase the quality of the network


Power control includes uplink/MS power control and downlink/BTS power control, which are performed
independently

Uplink power control: Adjust TX power of MS to let BTS receive stable signal, reduce the uplink co-
channel and adjacent channel interference, reduce power consumption of MS

Downlink power control: Adjust BTS TX power to let MS receive stable signal, reduce the downlink
co-channel and adjacent channel interference, reduce power consumption of BTS. Power Control is
performed for TCHs and SDCCHs but NOT for any timeslots on the BCCH TRX (Because MS needs to
measure the receiving level of BCCH from the adjacent cell, and therefore power control on BCCH
TRX will generate in inaccuracies in the measurement by MS in other cells).


Power Control
MS Power Class
Phase 2 MS output Power Class and the exact power relations.













In GSM systems, the output power of the mobile stations is commanded by the base station, and changes
are within specified power levels in 2 dB intervals over 30 dB.



MS Power Control
The objective of the MS Power Control algorithm is to adjust the output power of the MSs so that a
desired signal strength is received in each BTS. The desired signal strength is however depending on the
pathloss and quality.

The power range, where regulation is possible, is limited by the transmitter of the MS.


Point 1: Is defined by the target value set
for RxLev (dBm) and RxQual.

Plane 2 regulates the MSs towards the
noise floor (low signal strength).

Plane 3 regulates towards quality.
Process of power control commands
It takes 3 measurement report periods(480ms/period) from command sending to execution.

MS Power Control Overview
The implementation procedure is as following:

1. According to the uplink receiving level and receiving quality reported by BTS, and considering the maximum
transmitting power of MS, BSC calculates the proper transmitting power for the MS.

2. Power control command and the TA value will be transmitted to MS at layer 1 header carried by each downlink
SACCH block.

3. MS receives the power control command carried by SACCH header at the end of each SACCH report period, Then
MS will carry out the command in the beginning of next report period. MS can change power 2dB per 13 frames
(60ms) maximum.

4. After MS executed the power control command, it will set the current power class at the layer 1 message header
of the next uplink SACCH, and transmit it to BTS in the measurement report. Therefore, it will take 3 measurement
Connection Release
Normal Connection Release










Abnormal Connection Release
A counter known as Radio Link Timeout (value range: 8 to 64 corresponding to 4 sec to 30 sec
respectiely) is used by
the MS to determine when to disconnect the call upon
repeated failure in decoding the SACCH.

A counter is started in the MS after the assignment
of a dedicated channel. Two units increase the count
if the SACCH data is successfully decoded.
One unit decreases it if it cannot be successfully decoded.
If the counter reaches the value zero, then the call
release is initiated.