Handover

Huawei Wireless Training Department

Contents
Summary of Handover(HO)
HO Algorithm Flow
HO Data Configuration
HO Signaling Flow
Summary of HO

Purpose of HO
Classification of HO
Summary of HO
Summary of HOPurpose of HO
Purpose of HO
To keep moving MS continuous communication
To improve network service performance
To reduce the call drop rate
To reduce the congestion rate

Classification of HO: according to different HO
triggering conditions

1.Emergency HO TA Emergency HO
Bad quality(BQ) Emergency HO
Rapid signal drop(RSD) Emergency HO
Interference Emergency HO
2.Load HO
3.Normal HO Margin HO
Hierarchical HO
PBGT HO
4.Speed-sensitive HO (Fast moving HO)
5.Over-layer/under-layer HO

Summary of HOClassification of HO
Summary of HOClassification of HO
Classification of HOsynchronization HO
asynchronism HO
Difference
In the process of
asynchronism HO,system
transmit physical message
to MS,but in the process of
synchronization HO not
the message

HO Algorithm Flow
HO Algorithm Flow
General HO flow
Measurement report preprocessing
Penalty processing
Basic sequencing of cells and adjustment of network
characteristics
HO judgement
General Flow of HO Algorithm
M.R.
preprocess
penalty
processing
Basicsequencing
Adjustment of
network
characteristics
HOjudgement
TAemergencyHO
BQemergencyHO
RSDemergency
HO
Interf. emergencyHO
LoadHO
MarginHO
Hierarchical HO
PBGTHO
Call control
program
OM forcedHO
Direct retry
Over-layer/under-layer
HO
Fast movingHO
HO Algorithm Flow
HO algorithm flow
General HO flow
Measurement report preprocessing
Penalty processing
Basic sequencing of cells and adjustment of
network characteristics
HO judgment
Measurement Report Preprocessing

Serving cell
Neighbour cell
The downlink
measurement report of the
neighbour cell (BCCH)
The downlink
measurement report
of the serving cell
The uplink
measurement report of
MS
MeasurementReport(MR)----Includingtwoparts:theuplinkmeasurementreportand
thedownlinkmeasurementreport
Uplink:themeasurementreportisobtained
fromBTSoftheservingcell, andincludestheuplinkreceivingsignal level (ULRxLev)
andtheuplinkreceivingsignal quality(ULRxQal)for MS, andBTS_power.
Downlink:themeasurementreportisobtainedfromMSandissenttoBTS, andincludes
thedownlinkreceivingsignal level (DLRxLev)andthedownlinkreceivingsignal quality
(DLRxQal)fortheservingcell, thedownlinkreceivingsignal levelsfortheneighbourcells
(NCellRxLev), andMS_power, aswell astheTimeadvance(TA), etc.
Measurement Report Preprocessing
Measurement Report Preprocessing
Period of measurement report
The measurement report is sent to BTS in SACCH uplink
1.The interval is 470ms/per time when MS is on SDCCH
2.The interval is 480ms/time when MS is on TCH
12TCH 12TCH 1SACCH
1 idle
480ms
4 TCH multi-frames
Measurement Report Preprocessing
Missing MR processing
Every time BSC receivesa measurement report,
there will be a update to the basic sequencing of cells.
As BTS may fail to receive the measurement report
from MS, so before the sequencing updating, BSC needs
to recover the missing measurement report according to
Filter Data Table. If the missing MR amount is within the
allowed range, then recover the missing MRs according
to the algorithm.

How to recover a MR?
MR
MR
MR
MR
MR
Measurement
report No. n
Measurement report
No. n+4
ContinuousMR
flow

Measurement Report Preprocessing
How to filter the measurement report?

Filter----Average several continuous MR.

MR
MR
MR
MR
MR
MR
Continuous MR
flow
Measurement Report Preprocessing
HO Algorithm Flow
General HO flow
Measurement report preprocessing
Penalty processing
Basic sequencing of cells and
adjustment of network
characteristics
HO judgment

HO Algorithm Flow
Penalty Processing
There are altogether four types of penalty processing
1. Penalty on the target cell when a HO fails.
2. Penalty on the original serving cell when an emergency HO is
performed.
3. Penalty on the other non-layer4 cells after a fast moving HO is
performed
4. A second HO is prohibited within the penalty time after a over-
layer/under-layer HO fails.

Penalty Processing
1. Penalty on the target cell:
Punish the target cell where a HO fails to avoid MS to select this cell again in
another HO judgment and fail again.
BTS
HO failure
BSC
Cell A
Cell D
BSC gives corresponding signal level penalty on cell D

2. Penalty on the serving cell:
Punish the original serving cell after TA\BQ HO, to avoid it to be handed over to the
original cell again and cause ping-pang HO.
BTS
BQ HO
BSC
Cell A
Cell D
In cases of HO from cell A to cell D due to poor quality,
punishing the original serving cell (cell A)
Penalty Processing
3. Give penalty to all non-layer4 neighbor cells after MS is
handed over to a layer4 cell(Umbrella cell) by fast moving HO,
to keep MS staying in the umbrella cell and avoid frequent HO.
Penalty Processing
Macro cell
Back? No way!
Umbrella
Micro cell
4. A second over-layer/under-layer HO is prohibited within the
penalty time after an over-layer/under-layer HO fails
Penalty Processing
Under-layer
Over-layer
No second
attempt
after a failed
HO!
HO Algorithm Flow
General HO flow
Measurement report preprocessing
Penalty processing
Basic sequencing of cells and adjustment
of network characteristics
HO judgment
HO Algorithm Flow
Basic Sequencing of Cells and Adjustment of
Network Characteristics
Basic sequencing of cells and adjustment of network characteristics
are major parts of the HO judgment. Sequencing is made by 16bits
algorithm. The serving cell and the candidate neighbor cells will be
listed in a cell list according to their 16bits value. The sequencing
process includes:
M rule
K rule
16bits sequencing

I. M judgment:
According to the min downlink receiving power and the min receiving level offset of
the reported
neighbor cell, judge whether the cell is qualified as a candidate neighbor cell to be put
into the cell list for handover.
M rule: only the cells with receiving signal level satisfy the following
conditions can be put into the candidate cell list.
For serving cell: RXLEV (o) >MSRXMIN(o) + MAX(0,Pa(o))
For neighbour cell: RXLEV(n) > MSRXMIN(n)+ MAX(0,Pa(n)) + OFFSET
Basic Sequencing of Cells and Adjustment of
Network Characteristics
II. K rule:
The cells surviving from M rule, including the serving cells
and candidate neighbor cells, are sequenced according to
their receiving signal level which is actually a part of 16bits
rule.
Basic Sequencing of Cells and Adjustment of
Network Characteristics


Basic Sequencing of Cells and Adjustment of
Network Characteristics
III. 16bits rule
Both the serving cell and the neighbor cell have their own 16bits value.
The smaller the value is, the higher the priority and the position is in
the cell list.




The 1st-3rd bits: bit value is decided according to the cell signal level.
The value result of max. 6 candidate cells and 1 serving cell according
to the level ranges from 000~110, the value for the cell with the
strongest signal level is 000.
16 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Basic Sequencing of Cells and Adjustment of
Network Characteristics
The 4th bit: bit value is decided by inter-cell HO hysteresis.
The 4
th
bit of the serving cell is always 0,
The receiving level of the neighbor cell > The receiving level of the
serving cell + Inter-cell HO hysteresis, set to 0.
The receiving level of the neighbor cell < The receiving level of the
serving cell + Inter-cell HO hysteresis, set to 1.
Note: In PBGT HO, if inter-cell hysteresis is larger than PBGT
threshold, then inter-cell hysteresis will replace PBGT threshold.
16 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Basic Sequencing of Cells and Adjustment of
Network Characteristics

before adding hysteresis after adding hysteresis
function of hysteresis
the neighbor cell
the neighbor cell
the serving cell
the serving cell

Basic Sequencing of Cells and Adjustment of
Network Characteristics
The 5th-10th bits: bit value is decided according to their
position in Huawei hierarchical network structure.
When the signal level of the neighbor cell or the serving cell
is lower than the hierarchical HO threshold(hysteresis),
shield it and set all bits to 0).
Huawei network can be divided into 4 layers and each layer
can be further divided into 16 different priorities. So there
are 64 different priorities in Huawei hierarchical network.

16 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Hierarchical network structure
GSM900
Cell
Micro Cell
Umbrella
Cell
GSM 900
GSM1800
GSM1800 GSM1800
GSM 900 GSM 900 GSM 900
GSM900 GSM900
GSM1800 GSM1800
GSM900 GSM900
GSM1800 GSM1800
GSM1800
Cell

Basic Sequencing of Cells and Adjustment of
Network Characteristics

Basic Sequencing of Cells and Adjustment of
Network Characteristics
The 11th bit: bit value is decided by cell load

Serving cell: if Load>= Start threshold of load HO, set to 1,
otherwise set to 0.

Neighbor cell: if Load>=receive threshold of load HO, set to 1,
otherwise set to 0.

Refer to Load HO Data Table for the start threshold and receive
threshold of load HO.

16 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Basic Sequencing of Cells and Adjustment of
Network Characteristics
The 12th and 13th bits: bit value is decided by co-BSC/MSC
adjustment
Serving cell: always 0
Neighbor cell: if co-BSC/MSC with the serving cell, set 12/13 to 0,
otherwise set to 1, 12th bit is for BSC, 13th bit is for MSC.

When the signal level from the neighbor cell or the serving cell is lower
than the hierarchical HO threshold( including hysteresis) or co-BSC/MSC
adjustment is not allowed, shield them and set 12/13 to 0.

16 9 10 11
12
13 14 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Basic Sequencing of Cells and Adjustment of
Network Characteristics
The 14th bit: Hierarchical HO threshold adjustment bit

Serving cell: The receiving level >= hierarchical HO threshold -
hierarchical HO hysteresis, set to 0. Otherwise set to 1, and
meanwhile, the 13
th
, 12
th
and 10
th
5
th
bits are set to 0

Neighbor cell: The receiving level >= hierarchical HO threshold +
hierarchical HO hysteresis, set to 0. Otherwise set it to 1, and
meanwhile, the 13
th
, 12
th
and 10
th
5
th
bits are set to 0

16 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Basic Sequencing of Cells and Adjustment of
Network Characteristics
The 15th bit: bit value is decided by cell type

No matter it is a serving cell or a neighbor cell:
For an extension cell, set to 1.
For a normal cell, set to 0.

The 16th bit: a reserved bit


16 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

HO Algorithm Flow
General HO flow
Measurement report
preprocessing
Penalty processing
Basic sequencing of cells and
adjustment of network
characteristics
HO judgment
HO Algorithm Flow
HO J udgment Order
Initializing
M rule
K rule
16bits rule
Emergency HO judgment
Load HO judgment
Normal HO
Fast moving HO
Hierarchical HO
PBGT HO
Send HO command
Send HO command
Send HO command
Over-layer/under-layer HO
Margin HO
Forced HO Direct re-try
HO J udgment
Types of HO Judgment:

Emergency HO----TA, BQ, Interf. RSD
Load HO
Normal HO----margin HO, hierarchical HO and PBGT
HO
Fast moving HO
Over-layer/under-layer HO
Emergency HO
TA HO:
TA of the serving cell is bigger than emergency HO TA limit
BQ HO:
1. The average value of the uplink quality of the serving cell is bigger than the
uplink quality limit of emergency HO
2. The average value of the downlink quality of the serving cell within is bigger than
the downlink quality limit of emergency HO
Requirements for the target cell (same for the two types of HO):
Select the neighbor cells with highest position(lowest 16bits value)
except the serving cell.
Emergency HO
RSD HO:
Triggered upon detecting rapid signal drop during the call:
Level
Time
MR1 MR2 MR3 MR4 MR5 MR6
{
{{
Requirements for the target cell: the target cell is in the highest
position in the cell list.


Emergency HO
Interference HO: also classified as emergency HO, and triggered
when the receiving level is bigger than a certain value but the
receiving quality is worse than the quality threshold of interference
HO.

Requirements for the target cell:
1. The target cell is in the near front position, unrequested before
the serving cell
2. The signal level of the target cell should be bigger than the
hierarchical HO threshold + the hierarchical HO hysteresis
If there is no candidate cell other than the serving cell in the cell list,
and intra-cell HO is allowed, then start intra-cell HO. Otherwise, no
HO is performed.
Load HO
Load HO
To trigger load HO, 3 pre-conditions should be satisfied at the same time:
The system signaling flow is less than load HO flow level threshold
The load of the cell needing HO is higher than load HO start threshold
The load of the cell receiving HO is lower than load HO receive threshold
Requirements for the target cell: the receiving level should be bigger than the
hierarchical HO threshold + hierarchical HO hysteresis. It should be in the highest
position except the serving cell in the cell list.
BTS
BSC
Normal HO
Margin HO:
1. The serving cell receiving signal level is already lower than the margin HO threshold
2. Within the margin HO statistics time, for example 5 seconds, the time in which the
signal level of the serving cell lower than the margin HO threshold is longer than
margin HO continuous time, for example 4 seconds
3. The target cell ranks the highest in the cell list

margin threshold
Normal HO
Hierarchical HO:

1. hierarchical HO only exists between different layers or different priorities at the same layer, and
there is no hierarchical HO between cells from the same layer and with the same priority.
2. The triggering condition is that the signal level of the neighbor cell is higher than the
hierarchical HO threshold + hysteresis, while there is no requirement for the level of the serving
cell.
3.The neighbor cell ranks higher than the serving cell and has higher priority than the serving cell
4. P/N judgment is satisfied, for example, within 5 seconds, the time that the cell is in the first
position of the cell list is longer than 4 seconds.
5. It can only choose one between margin HO and hierachical HO,it is first judging whether
triggering margin HO then judging whether triggering hierachical HO.
Attention: from low priorityhigh priority, emergency HO, margin HO and hierarchical HO are
possible
from high prioritylow priority, emergency HO and margin HO are possible, and
hierarchical HO is not.

PBGT HO
PBGT HO algorithm is based on path loss. PBGT HO algorithm looks
for whether there is a neighbor cell with lower path loss and
satisfying certain system requirements, and judges whether HO is
necessary. PBGT HO brings the following advantages:
Solution for problems of cross-cell coverage.
Less times of dual band HO.
More flexible method for traffic distribution control.
Always offer users with the best service currently available.
Reduce the overall network interference.
Attention: the largest difference between it and other HO algorithms is----
the triggering condition for PBGT is path loss instead of receiving power.
To avoid Ping-pang HO, PBGT only happens between cells from the same
layer and with the same priority.


PBGT HO
Triggering rule of PBGT HO:

The path loss of the neighbor cell is less than the serving cells by
certain value which is called the PBGT HO threshold
The neighbor cell ranks higher than the serving cell do in the cell
list
Meeting P/N rule in PBGT HO statistics time

Attention: PBGT is only available for TCH HO.

PBGT HO
Fast Moving HO
Criteria: Among the statistics cells, if the actual number of cells
the MS past fast is equal to or more than fast moving cell actual
number, then the MS will be handed over to the neighbor layer 4
cell.
Macro cell
Over-layer/Under-layer HO
Over-layer/under-layer cell: able to realize tight
frequency reuse in the under-layer subcell(inner circle)
and wide coverage in the over-layer subcell(outer circle)
Over-layer/Under-layer HO
Over-layer/under-layer cell: division of inner circle and
outer circle is decided by MS downlink receiving level and TA
value.
Summary of HO
HO Algorithm Flow
HO Data Configuration
HO Signaling Flow
Major HO parameter configuration
HO data lookup process
HO Parameter Configuration
1.[HO Control Data Table]
2.[Cell Description Data Table]
3.[Adjacent Cell Relation Table]
4.[Penalty Data Table]
5.[Emergency HO Data Table]
6.[Load HO Data Table]
7.[Normal HO Data Table]
8.[Fast Moving HO Data Table]
9.[Over-layer/under-layer HO Data Table]
1.[HO Control Data Table] -1

HO Parameter Configuration
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommen
ded value
Allow
common
BSC/MSC
adjustment
It means whether the 12
th
and 13
th
bits acts in the 16bit order.
Yes means handover in the same BSC/MSC is preferred.
No means that the 12
th
and 13
th
bits are shielded and set to
0.
Yes, No Yes
Allow
penalty
processing
It determines whether to punish the destination cell of
handover failure, or the original served cell of handover upon
too big TA or bad quality. The penalty measures can apply to
cells in or out of the same BSC.
Yes, No No
Allow load
handover
It determines whether to perform the handover to share traffic
load. Load sharing can lower the channel assignment failure
ratio caused by cell congestion, so as to make evener
allocation of the service in respective cells, and lower the cell
congestion ratio, and improve network performance. It only
applies in the same BSC or to cells at the same priority, with
respect to TCH.
Yes, No No
Allow fast
moving
micro cell
handover
algorithm
It determines whether to handle the fast moving MS with the
algorithm. This algorithm enables fast moving MS handover to
macro cell and lowers times of handover. It is only
recommended in special areas (such as a highway), to lower
CPU load. This algorithm should only be used in suitable
conditions, and usually it is not applied.
Yes, No No
1.[HO Control Data Table] -2
Major HO Parameter Configuration
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
RXLEV drop
HO algorithm
allowed
It means whether RSD emergency handover
algorithm is allowed, handover the MS which
receiving signal level is dropping quickly in advance to
avoid potential call drop. This algorithm should be
applied in suitable conditions, and usually it is not
used. To apply the handover algorithm, BSC must
have original measurement report.
Yes, No No
PBGT HO
algorithm
allowed
It means whether PBGT handover algorithm is
allowed. PBGT handover algorithm currently is
processed on LAPD board. To avoid Ping-pang
handover, PBGT handover is only performed between
cells at the same layer and with the same priority, and
meanwhile it is only triggered on TCH. PBGT
handover algorithm can effectively avoid co-frequency
or adjacent frequency interference.
Yes, No Yes
Post-HO PWR
pred. Alg.
allowed
It means after a handover whether MS is to use
proper predicted transmitting power to access the new
channel. This can reduce system interference and
improve service quality (this parameter acts in BSC).
Yes, No Yes
Major HO Parameter Configuration
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
BTS meas.
report pre-
processing
It means whether to perform measurement report
preprocessing on BTS. No means preprocessing on
BSC, when the two parameters of Send original
measurement report and Send BS/MS power level
do not act. Yes means decreasing of Abis interface
signaling and BSC load, and improvement of network
response time performance. The switch determines
where to perform power control. When it is set to
Yes, power control is performed at BTS side. When it
is set to No, power control is performed at BSC side.
When setting this parameter, first be clear whether
BTS supports the power control algorithm to set or
not.
Yes, No Yes

1.[HO Control Data Table] -3

Major HO Parameter Configuration
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
Transfer
original meas.
report
It means whether to send the original measurement
report to BSC after measurement report preprocessing
on BTS. When it is set to Yes, BTS sends not only
processed measurement report but also original
measurement report to BSC.
Yes, No No
Transfer
BS/MS power
level
It means whether to send BS/MS power level from BTS to
BSC. This function is used to view the effect of power
control on BTS. Meanwhile, when preprocessing is
available, if BS/MS power level is not reported, the uplink
and downlink balance measurements will be affected,
and handover types such as PBGT handover and over-
layer/under-layer handover needing power compensation
will be abnormal.
Yes, No Yes

1.[HO Control Data Table] -4
Major HO Parameter Configuration
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
Pre-
processing
meas. report
frequency
It indicates the time interval at which a measurement report
is preprocessed at BTS side and sent to BSC the Pre-
processing measurement report. This parameter acts only
when Measurement report pre-processing is open. For 15:1
link configuration, the report frequency should be as low as
once per second due to limited link resource. At this time, for
handover needing P/N judgment such as margin handover,
inter-level handover, PBGT handover and over-layer/under-
layer handover, it is necessary to shorten P/N judgment time,
because P/N judgment time is correspondingly twice the
number of measurement reports in the program, and when
the measurement report frequency is lowered, the actual
judgment time of BSC is lengthened.
Twice per
second, Once
per second
According to
concrete
conditions

1.[HO Control Data Table] -5
2.[Cell Description Data Table] -1

Major HO Parameter Configuration
Parameter
name
Meaning Value
range
Recommended
value
Layer of the
cell
Huwei hierarchical network structure is divided into 4 layers. 16
priorities can be set for each layer, which provides enough room
of network planning for the operator to adapt to various complex
networking environment. Normally, Macro layer is the major 900
layer, Micro layer is the major 1800 layer, Pico is the 900 and
1800 micro cell layer. The smaller layer value, the higher priority.
The
1
st
~4
th
layers
M900: the 3
rd
layer
M1800: the 2
nd
layer
Cell priority Each layer may have 16 priorities, used to control the handover
priority between cells at the same layer. Usually priorities of cells
at the same layer are set the same. For cells at the same layer,
the smaller the priority value, the higher the priority.
1~16
priorities
1
Hierarchical
handover
threshold
It affects the value of the 14th bit in the 16bit, and it is also the
level requirement on the target cell for interference handover,
hierarchical handover and load handover. Then such level
should be higher than hierarchical handover threshold +
hierarchical handover hysteresis. The hierarchical handover
threshold should be set >= Edge handover threshold + Inter-cell
handover hysteresis.
0~63dB 25
hierarchical
handover
hysteresis
Works together with the hierarchical handover threshold. 0~63dB 3
Major HO Parameter Configuration
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
Speed
penalty
value
It is valid when the fast moving handover algorithm is
open. It is the signal level penalty value on the non-
layer4 neighbor cells when MS moves fast and is
handed over to layer4 cell. The parameter is only valid
within the speed penalty time.
0~63dB 30
Speed
penalty
duration
It means that within this time, the penalty on the non-
layer4 neighbor cells will be exerted after MS is handed
over to layer4 cell by fast moving HO.
0~255
seconds
40
Min
downlink
power of
handover
candidate
cell
This is the min signal level requirement for all candidate
cells in M rule. Too low configuration may easily cause
call drops, while too high a configuration might turn
handover too hard to occur.
0~63db 15

2.[Cell Description Data Table] -2
3.[Adjacent Cell Relation Table] -1
Major HO Parameter Configuration
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
Adjacent
cell ID
The index value of the adjacent cell. Case 1, if the adjacent
cell module number is not the outer-BSC cell, then the
adjacent cell ID value ranges 0~255. Case 2, if the adjacent
cell module number is the outer-BSC cell, then the adjacent
cell ID value ranges 0~799.
Min access
level offset
This offset is based on Min downlink power of handover
candidate cell. Different offsets can be defined for different
adjacent cells, and to enter the candidate cell list, the
corresponding adjacent cell receiving signal level must be
bigger than the sum of Min downlink power of handover
candidate cell and Min. Access level offset.
0~63db 0
Major HO Parameter Configuration
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
PBGT
handover
threshold
It means that PBGT handover is performed when the
difference between the target cell downlink path loss and the
serving cell downlink path loss is bigger than PBGT handover
threshold. When PBGT handover is open, and Inter-cell
handover hysteresis > PBGT handover threshold
(corresponding dB value), Inter-cell handover hysteresis
takes place of PBGT handover threshold to act. . PBGT
handover threshold also needs to be adjusted according to
handover performance statistics result and live network.
0~127,corresp
onding to --
64~63dB
It is around 68 in the
densely populated
downtown, and
around 72 on the
outskirts.
Inter-cell
handover
hysteresis
Handover hysteresis between an adjacent cell and the serving
cell at the same layer. It is set to reduce Ping-pang HO. The
hysteresis value also needs to be adjusted according to the
handover performance statistics result and live network.
Flexible configuration of the value can effectively lead
handover and traffic between two adjacent cells.
0~63db It is around 4 in the
densely populated
downtown, and
around 8 on the
outskirts.

3.[Adjacent Cell Relation Table] -2
Major HO Parameter Configuration

4.[Penalty Data Table] -1
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
HO failure cell
strenth
penalty
The signal level value in dB, to punish the target cell
which has caused a HO failure due to problems such as
congestion , to prevent MS from a handover re-attempt
to that cell again. This value is only valid within the
penalty time for handover failure.
0~63db 30
HO failure
penalty
duration
Penalty time on the corresponding target cell after
handover failure
0~60 seconds 10
BQ HO
strength
penalty
The signal level penalty value for the original serving
cell, to avoid Ping-pang handover after emergency
handover upon bad quality. It is only valid within the
penalty time for BQ HO.
0~63db 63
BQ HO
penalty
duration
Penalty time for the original serving cell after BQ HO. 0~60 seconds 10
Major HO Parameter Configuration

4.[Penalty Data Table] -2
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
TA HO
strength
penalty
The signal strength penalty value for the original serving cell,
to avoid Ping-pang handover after TA emergency
handover, it is only valid within the penalty time for TA
handover.
0~63db 63
TA HO
penalty
duration
Penalty time for the original serving cell after TA emergency
handover.
0~60Seconds 10
Under-
layer/over-
layer HO
penalty
duration
After a under-layer/overlayer handover failure (big circle
hands over to small circle or vice versa), within certain time
(this parameter configuration value) under-layer/over-layer
handover is forbidden for the same call.
0~16Seconds 10
Major HO Parameter Configuration

5.[Emergency HO Data Table] -1
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
Emergency
TA HO
threshold
When TAthis value, emergency handover is triggered 0~63 bit period 63
Emergency
HO DL qual.
threshold
The downlink receiving quality threshold for BQ
emergency handover. When frequency hopping or DTX
is open, RQ becomes worse (normal phenomenon), this
value should be set to 70. The adjustment should also
base on the current network quality and handover
statistics. When triggering emergency handover, the
first to select is the inter-cell handover, the intra-cell
handover is only triggered when there is no candidate
cell and the intra-cell handover is allowed in the serving
cell.
0~70,
corresponding
to BQ levels of
0~7
60
Emergency
HO UL qual.
threshold
The uplink receiving quality threshold for BQ
emergency HO.
corresponding
to BQ levels of
0~7
60
Major HO Parameter Configuration

5.[Emergency HO Data Table] -2
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
Interf. HO
UL quality
threshold
Uplink receiving quality threshold in the serving cell for
interference handover. When frequency hopping or DTX is
open, RQ becomes worse (normal phenomenon), this value
should be set to 60. The adjustment should also base on the
current network quality and handover statistics. When
triggering interference handover. If the serving cell is in the
first position and intra-cell handover is permitted, perform
intra-cell handover. Otherwise select the second candidate
cell to perform inter-cell handover.
corresponding
to BQ levels of
0~7
50, interference
quality threshold
must be better than
the emergency
quality threshold
Interf. HO
DL quality
threshold
Downlink receiving quality threshold in the serving cell for
interference handover.
0~70,
corresponding
to BQ levels of
0~7
50
Major HO Parameter Configuration

5.[Emergency HO Data Table] -3
Paramete
r name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
Interf. HO
UL Rx
PWR
threshold
Min uplink receiving power threshold from the serving cell
required for interf. HO, when interference handover is
triggered if the uplink quality is worse than quality threshold
and at this time the uplink signal level is higher than the signal
threshold. When triggering interference handover, If the
serving cell is in the first position in the cell list, and opens
intra-cell handover, then start intra-cell HO. Otherwise select
the second cell to perform intr-cell HO.
0~63db 25
Interf. HO
DL Rx
PWR
threshold
Min downlink receiving power threshold from the serving cell
required for interf. HO.
0~63db 30
Major HO Parameter Configuration

5.[Emergency HO Data Table] -4
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
Filter
parameters
A1~A8
Used for configuration of filter for rapid signal
drop judgment, and together with filter parameter
B, they are 9 parameters for a filter. The
corresponding formula is (in the program, A1~A8
is configuration value minus 10 and B is the
negative configuration value):
C1(nt)=A1C(nt)+A2C(nt-t)+A3C(nt 2t)+
+A8C(nt-7t)
Where, C (nt) is the receiving signal level in the
uplink measurement report of the serving cell
sent at the time of nt. If C1 (nt) < B, and C (nt) is
below the edge handover threshold, then the
signal level is considered to be of rapid drop.
0~20 10
Filter
parameter B
Used for configuration of filter for rapid signal
drop judgment. Please refer to the explanation
for A1~A8 of filter.
0~255 0
Major HO Parameter Configuration

6.[Load HO Data Table] -1
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
Load HO flow
level
threshold
The pre-condition for load HO is that the system flow (signaling
flow) is lower the threshold. This value can not be set too high
because load handover upon max threshold may cause
unexpected effect to the system.
0, 8~11 system
flow levels,
corresponding
to 0, 70, 80, 90
and 95.
10
Load HO start
threshold
Load handover is triggered when the serving cell load is higher
than the threshold, i.e. TCH occupied in the cell has reaching
the corresponding percentage.
0~7 cell load
levels,
corresponding
to 0, 50, 60, 70,
75, 80, 85, 90
5
Load HO Rx
threshold
The Load threshold for the target cells that can accept users
from serving cell in load HO, i.e. when the TCHs under Idle
mode in the neighbor cell is lower than the corresponding
percentage, the cell refuses to accept MSs from serving cell
handed over due to the load reason.
0~7,
corresponding
to 0, 50, 60, 70,
75, 80, 85, 90
2
Major HO Parameter Configuration

6.[Load HO Data Table] -2
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
Load
handover
bandwidth
This configuration is related to the margin handover
threshold. Load handover is only allowed when the MS
receiving level from the serving cell is within the range of
margin handover threshold, margin handover threshold +
load handover bandwidth.
0~63db 25
Graded load
HO cycle
When a cell is up to conditions for load handover, all calls
within the serving cell will send handover request at the
same time, this will cause abrupt increase on processor
load, and under certain conditions this will cause the
target cell congestion and result in call drops. Thereby,
step by step load handover algorithm is used to control
handover. The cycle is the time needed for handovers of
each step.
1~60 seconds 10
Graded load
HO cycle
The whold load HO bandwidth will be divided into several
subbands by this parameter.
1~63db 5
Major HO Parameter Configuration

7.[Normal HO Data Table] -1
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended value
Margin HO
uplink
threshold
During the statistics time, if the time in which the uplink
receiving level is lower than the value is higher than
certain time called continuous time, margin handover
will be performed. If PBGT handover is open,
corresponding margin handover threshold will be set
lower.
0~63db 25 (without PBGT
handover, downtown),
15 (single station on
outskirts), 15 (with
PBGT handover,
downtown)
Margin HO
downlink
threshold
Downlink consideration for margin HO. 63db 30 (without PBGT
handover, downtown),
20 (single station on
outskirts), 20 (with
PBGT handover,
downtown)
Major HO Parameter Configuration

7.[Normal HO Data Table] -2
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
Margin
handover
statistics time
It means that within the time statistics, if the
time in which the signal level is lower than
threshold is higher than the continuous time,
then margin HO is to be triggered.
1~16 seconds 5
Margin
handover
continuous
time
See the above. 1~16 seconds 4
Major HO Parameter Configuration

7.[Normal HO Data Table] -3
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
PBGT
handover
statistics time
Statistics time for PBGT HO signal level judgment. 1~16 seconds 5
PBGT
handover
continuous
time
Continuous time for PBGT HO signal level judgment. 1~16 seconds 4
Major HO Parameter Configuration

7.[Normal HO Data Table] -4
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
Hierarchical
handover
statistics time
Statistics time for Hierarchical HO judgment 1~16 seconds 5
Hierarchical
handover
continuous
time
Continuous time for Hierarchical HO
judgment.
1~16 seconds 4
Major HO Parameter Configuration

8.[Fast Moving HO Data Table]
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
Fast moving
cell meas.
number
The cell sum P for judge whether MS is fast moving.
The value, if too large, may cause abrupt increase of
system flow, while too small value may cause
inaccurate judgment for fast moving MS.
1~10 3
Fast moving
cell actual
number
The cell sum N by which MS actually quickly passes. If
within P cells that MS continuously past, the number of
cells by which the MS is judged to pass quickly is equal
to or more than N, then the MS will be judged as a fast
moving MS.
1~10 2
Fast moving
time threshold
The time threshold (2r/v) determined by the cell radius
(r) and moving speed (v). If the time in which MS
passes the cell is smaller than the threshold, then MS is
judged to quickly pass the cell.
0~255
seconds
15
Major HO Parameter Configuration

9.[Over-layer/under-layer HO Data Table] -1
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended value
U/O intensity
difference
BTS transmitting Power difference between inner
circle and outer circle may cause MS receiving
signal intensity difference in inner circle and outer
circle. The parameter indicates power compensation
value for the inner circle, and it is usually antenna
output power difference in dB between inner circle
and outer circle. According to field measurement,
multi-point measurement is necessary if the inner
circle and outer circle use different antenna.
0~63db Set according to actual
conditions
Major HO Parameter Configuration

9.[Over-layer/under-layer HO Data Table] -2
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
Rx level
threshold
Rx level hysteresis, TA threshold and TA hysteresis
land this threshold jointly define inner circle area and
outer circle area. It must be bigger than margin
handover threshold, and the recommended value is:
margin handover threshold + signal intensity
difference between inner circle and outer circle.
0~63db 25
Rx level
hysteresis
Works with Rx threshold. 0~63db 5
TA threshold It must be bigger than TA emergency handover
threshold.
0~63 bit period,
with 1 bit period
corresponding to
0.55km
TA hysteresis Works with TA threshold. 0~63 bit period
Major HO Parameter Configuration

9.[Over-layer/under-layer HO Data Table] -3
Parameter name Meaning Value
range
Recommended
value
U/O handover
statistics time
P/N judgment statistics time for U/O HO judgment. 0~16
seconds
5
U/O handover
continuous time
P/N judgment continuous time for U/O HO judgment. 0~16
seconds
4
Major HO Parameter Configuration

9.[Over-layer/under-layer HO Data Table] -4
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
Assign
optimum
layer
In U/O cells, the following selection are available for TCH
assignment: (1) The system judges according to the
measurement report on SDCCH and assign to the best cell.
(2) Select the outer circle first for TCH assignment. (3)
Select the inner circle first for TCH assignment. (4) Do not
give extra priority.
System
optimization,
over-layer subcell,
under-layer
subcell, no
preferential
System optimization
Assign-
optimum
level
threshold
If system optimization is selected, estimate (interpolate,
filter) current SDCCH level value through uplink
measurement value in the former SDCCH measurement
report, and compare with Assign-optimum Level
threshold, so as to assign outer or inner circle channel.
If SDCCH is in the outer circle: margin handover threshold
+ signal intensity difference between inner circle and outer
circle + uplink and downlink balance allowance + SDCCH
and TCH difference allowance. If SDCCH is in the inner
circle: margin handover threshold + uplink and downlink
balance allowance + SDCCH and TCH difference
allowance, for the time being. 25 is recommended for the
time being.
0~63dbm
Major HO Parameter Configuration

9.[Over-layer/under-layer HO Data Table] -5
Parameter
name
Meaning Value range Recommended
value
Intra-BSC
intercell HO
optimum
algorithm
When the cell is configured into a U/O cell, there are two
processing methods for incoming handover request in BSC:
(1) No special processing for channel assignment. (2) Add
BCCH signal level value of the target cell in inter-cell
handover request message to BSC to make BSC allocate
optimum channel for MS from inner cell or outer cell.
Yes, No Yes
Incoming
BSC HO
optimum layer
If there is a incoming BSC HO, and the target cell is a U/O
cell, then, this parameter will show which layer is prefered to
provide service fro the MS.
Outer circle,
inner circle,
none
None
HO Data Configuration

Major HO data configuration
HO data lookup process

1.[HO Control Data Table]
2.[Cell Description Data Table
3.[Adjacent cell Relation Table]
4.[Penalty Data Table]
5.[Emergency HO Data Table]
6.[Load HO Data Table]
7.[Normal HO Data Table]
8.[Fast Moving HO Data Table]
9.[Over-layer/under-layer HO Data Table]
1.BA2 table defines BCCH carriers of all defined neighbor cells, and they are sent to MS
by system message 5 on SACCH.
2.MS reports BCCH carriers,BSICs and signal levels of the max. 6 neighbor cells which
have highest signal levels out of all the defined neighbor cells, and of the serving cell to
BSS (through measurement reports)
3.After pre-processing of measurement reports, BSC ascertains module numbers, cell
number and CGI of all neighbor cells through Adjacent cell Relation Table and Cell
Description Data Table (or Outer Cell Description Data Table) by the aid of BCCH carrier
and BSIC.
4.BSC performs HO judgment processes such as basic sequencing of cells (completed in
LAPD board),and it sends HO request messages carrying target cell CGI to MPU of BSC
once finds suitable target.Then according to CGI, MPU ascertains the module number of
the cell in Cell Module Information Table.
5.MPU sends a HO request message to the module and counts Outgoing HO request
one time.


The process to Look for HO Data
Summary of HO
HO Algorithm Flow
HO Data Configuration
HO Signaling Flow


HO Signaling Flow
HO in BSC
HO in MSC
HO between MSCs
HO in BSC
Signaling Flow
Precautions
For the asynchronous HO, if MS still could not access the new
channel after the target cell sends PHY INFO up to max times,
the target cell reports CONN FAIL IND to BSC, with the reason:
HO access failure. After receiving the message, BSC starts the
release flow for the new channel in the target cell .

Attention: Max resending times of physical information*Radio link
connection timer > Time interval of EST IND~HO DETECT (120~180ms),
to make full use of the physical information in case the link is unstable.
HO in BSC
Statistics counter points
MS BTS(Source) BSC BTS(Target) MSC
Measurement Report
Measurement Report
T09++
Handover algorithm judges outgoing handover request (incoming handover request reaches) T12++
Channel Activation
Channel Activation ACK
Handover Command (Old FACCH)
Handover Access (New FACCH)
Handover Complete (New FACCH) T10++ T13++
RF Channel Release
Handover Performed
Incoming handover request times in BSC
Outgoing handover request
times in BSC
Successful outgoing handover times
In BSC
Successful incoming handover times
In BSC
HO in BSC
HO formula
HO success rate in BSC= *100%

Times of success inter-cell HO in BSC
Times of inter-cell HO request in BSC
Wireless HO success rate in BSC
Wireless HO success rate >= HO
success rate
HO in BSC
Times of success inter-cell HO in BSC
*100%
Times of inter-cell HO in BSC
HO in MSC
HO Signaling Flow
HO in BSC
HO in MSC
HO between MSCs
S
i
g
n
a
l
i
n
g

F
l
o
w

HO in MSC
Channel Release Flow
HO in MSC
MS BTS(Source) BSC MSC BSC BTS(Target)
Measurement Report
Measurement Report
Handover Required T17++
Handover Request T14++
Channel ACT
Channel ACT ACK
Handover Request ACK
Handover Command
Handover Access
Handover Detect
Handover Complete
Handover Complete T15++
Clear Command (HO successful) T18++
RF Channel Release
Clear Complete
Times of outgoing handover
request between BSCs
Times of incoming
handover request between BSCs
Times of successful
incoming handover between BSCs
Times of successful
outgoing handover between BSCs
S
t
a
t
i
s
t
i
c
s

c
o
u
n
t
e
r
s

o
f

H
O

i
n

M
S
C

HO in MSC
HO formula
HO success rate in MSC= *100%

Times of success outgoing BSC HOs +
Times of success incoming BSC HOs
Times of outgoing BSC HO requests+
Times of incoming BSC HO requests
Wireless HO success rate in MSC*100%
Times of success outgoing BSC HOs +
Times of success incoming BSC HOs
Times of outgoing BSC HOs +
Times of incoming BSC HOs
HO in MSC
HO Between MSCs
HO signaling flow
HO in BSC
HO in MSC
HO between MSCs
HO Between MSCs
~
~
~ ~
MS MS
BSS1 MSCa MSCb
BSS2
VLRb
Radio transmission
signal measurement
HO REQ.
Perform HO(MAP)
(Global target cell
list)
(Global target cell ID
global service cell ID
channel type)
HO REQUEST (PCM&Channel type)
HO REQUEST
ACKNOWLmargin
Incl. New TCH and HON
Allocation HO number
Send HO report (HON.)
Radio channel ack.(MAP)
Incl. New TCH and HON
IAM
ACM
HO COMMAND
HO CMD
Hnadover MS to
new channel via
original BSS
HO test HO DETECT
HO finish HO COMPLETE
BSS2 selects TCH to connect
to PCM circuit
MS enter target cell
Send end signal
Send end signal(MAP)
CLEAR COMMAND
Release PCMD
CLEAR COMPLETE
ANS
Release (TUP/ISUP)
End signal(MAP)
Disconnect MSCa and MSCb
HO report
Mobile
Um
A E B
A Um
HO Between MSCs
Signaling flow Abnormal
conditions

The following conditions will cause HO
failure----

MSC-B fails to identify the target cell
MSC-B does not allow HO to the indicated
target cell
The target cell has no channel available in it
VLR-B has no HO number available
HO error or unsuitable data
HO Between MSCsSubsequent HO Flow
Roaming
E
MS
MSCa MSCb
MSCb'
VLRb
VLRb'
BSS2
BSS2'
Radio transmission signal measurement
HO REQUIRED (target cell table)
Perform subsequent HO(MAP) (target cell ID, serving cell ID, MSC number)
Perform HO
(target cell ID, serving cell ID, channel type)
HO REQUEST (PCM&Channel type)
HO REQUEST ACKNOWLmargin (including New TCH number and HO number)
Allocate HO number
Send HO report(HON)
Radio channnel ack. (MAP) (includes New TCH number and HON)
IAM
ACM
Subsequent HO ack.
HO COMMAND
HO DETECT
HO COMPLETE
Send end signal (MAP)
ANS
End signal (MAP)
Release HO report
Release HON
CLEAR COMMAND
CLEAR COMPLETE
Release (TUP)
Cut physical connection between MSCa and MSCb
End signal (MAP)
Release (TUP/ISUP)
Release HO report
Release HON
Cut physical connection between MSCAa and MSCb'
~
~
~
~
MS
HO Between MSCsSubsequent HO Flow
Highway
MSC-A
MSC-C
MSC-B
MSC-C
Subsequent HO
HO Between MSCs

Statistics countersame as HO in MSC,
statistics is made by BSC
HO formula-- same as HO in MSC
1. There is no HO request information for HO in BSC, and all of the HO is analyzed
and processed in BSC. Once the target cell as required is found in the BSC, Channel
activation information is sent directly.
2. When the target cell is not in the BSC, BSC reports CGI numbers of the serving cell
and target cell, and HO cause to MSC through Ho-Required. When MSC finds that
LAC of the target cell is in the MSC, it sends Ho-Request to the BSC of the target cell,
and the target BSC activates the target cell channel to complete the following
procedure.
3.When MSC finds that the target cell LAC does not belong to the MSC, it will query its
REMOTLAC Table (including LAC and router address of the adjacent MSC), and send
Prepare-HO message to the target MSC-B according to the router address. The
message includes CGI of the target cell and indication whether to allocate HO number,
etc. According to the message, the target MSC-B sends HO-Request message to the
target BSC-B after demanding HO number (unless it is not required in the indication)
from VLR-B, and sends Prepare-HO acknowledgement to serving MSC after receiving
HO-Request acknowledgement, to execute the following procedure.
Basic Flow of HO Signaling
Main differences:
1. Inter-BSC HO transfers HO-REQ message through MSC,
with CGI of the serving cell and target cell carried in the
message.
Intra-BSC HO does not have any CGI in any message, it is
handled inside BSC.
2. Intra-BSC HO only sends HO-Performed to MSC upon
completion of HO, and MSC is not involved before that time.
But in the inter-BSC HO, MSC is involved ever since the HO
request .
HO in BSC and Inter-BSC HO
Thanks