Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

BSSPAR1: Chapter 10
Multi-BCF and Common BCCH

Nokia Siemens Networks

RN20105EN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

Legal Notice
Intellectual Property Rights
All copyrights and intellectual property rights for Nokia Siemens Networks training documentation, product
documentation and slide presentation material, all of which are forthwith known as Nokia Siemens Networks
training material, are the exclusive property of Nokia Siemens Networks . Nokia Siemens Networks owns the
rights to copying, modification, translation, adaptation or derivatives including any improvements or
developments. Nokia Siemens Networks has the sole right to copy, distribute, amend, modify, develop,
license, sublicense, sell, transfer and assign the Nokia Siemens Networks training material.
Individuals can use the Nokia Siemens Networks training material for their own personal self-development
only, those same individuals cannot subsequently pass on that same Intellectual Property to others without
the prior written agreement of Nokia Siemens Networks .
The Nokia Siemens Networks training material cannot be used outside of an agreed Nokia Siemens Networks
training session for development of groups without the prior written agreement of Nokia Siemens Networks.

Nokia Siemens Networks

RN2010AEN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

Module Objectives
Give an overview of the common BCCH and Multi BCF feature
Explain the concept of segments and associated Common BCCH
parameters

Nokia Siemens Networks

RN2010AEN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

Common BCCH

Dual Band Operation

Common BCCH Control

Every BTS has its BCCH and SDCCH channels

BCCH freq. BTS

Cell 1
BCCH/SDCCH

BCCH/SDCCH

Cell 2
BCCH/SDCCH

Nokia Siemens Networks

Improved spectral efficiency (one BCCH)

Optimised use of signalling channels
Tighter reuse of non BCCH carriers
Better quality (decreased number of HOs)

Non BCCH freq. BTS

RN2010AEN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

Common BCCH
Allows integration of TRXs from different frequency bands into one
cell (segment)

Provides service to MSs in all frequency bands which they support

Improved spectral efficiency: different bands of a cell share the same
BCCH

BCCH is allowed in any of the supported frequency bands

Improved trunking gain
Base stations: Talk Family, Ultra, Flexi and Metrosite

Nokia Siemens Networks

RN2010AEN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

Common BCCH

BCCH Allocation mainly similar to the single band network

implementation
Adjacency information sent to the mobile station is based on the
BCCH frequency of a common BCCH segment
Other frequency layers in a segment are invisible to the mobile
stations
MS sees a segment as one BCCH frequency cell
MS sees many segments as a BCCH frequency network
Modified BA list to an MS on the non BCCH frequency layer of a
segment
the BCCH frequency of the segment itself is added among the BCCH
frequencies the MS measures

Nokia Siemens Networks

RN2010AEN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

SDCCH allocation in CBCCH

Initial SDCCH on the BCCH carrier band

the multiband capabilities of an accessing mobile station are not

known at the time of the initial SDCCH allocation

no way to define the usability of the non-BCCH layer of the segment
because the MS starts sending measurement reports only after it has
moved to a dedicated channel

While the MS is on an SDCCH the BSC receives

in Classmark Change message Mobile Station Classmark 3 indicating
the terminal's frequency capability of using other frequency bands
than BCCH frequency band

Nokia Siemens Networks

RN2010AEN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

Common BCCH
Initial SDCCH allocation

BCCH freq. layer

1. SYS INFO-1 (BCCH)

- CA list of BCCH frequency band
2. IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT COMMAND
(AGCH)
- MA list of BCCH frequency band (if FH)
SDCCH
SDCCH

Non BCCH freq. layer

Initial SDCCH allocation always from BCCH frequency band

Nokia Siemens Networks

RN2010AEN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

Segment and BTS objects

Segment
Segment = Telecom cell
A segment may consist of several
BTS objects.
BTSs of a segment are co-located
and synchronised.
The maximum number of BTSs in a
segment is 32.
The maximum number of TRXs in a
segment is 36.
BTS object in a segment must consist
of TRXs of the same frequency band
and base station type

Nokia Siemens Networks

This is an example only. It

is also possible to have
EGSM and PGSM
resources in the same BTS
object.

RN2010AEN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

Multi BCF
Allows combination of several BTSs into one logical cell
BSC supports Multi BCF Control for Talk family, UltraSite, Flexi and MetroSite

base stations (specific BTS combinations)

Allows the operator to increase the capacity of a cell to 24 TRX (Metro, Talk
Family) or to 36 TRXs (Ultra, Flexi)while maintaining the maximum spectral
efficiency (no extra BCCH)
Site expansion path from Talk Family to UltraSite/Metrosite (thus providing
EDGE support to the site)
In the case of MetroSite the BSC allows only MetroSite base stations in a multi
BCF segment
When Multi BCF Control and Common BCCH are combined you are allowed to
configure both BTSs of different frequency bands and BTSs of different base
station types to one segment.

10

Nokia Siemens Networks

RN2010AEN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

10

Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

Multi BCF, example

UltraSite 8+8+8 configuration

with separate BCCH (Dual
BCCH)

altogether 6 BCCH carriers

BTS-3, BCCH-3
- BB hopping
- 6 TRXs
BTS-4, BCCH-4
- RF hopping
- 6 freq, f1-f6
- 2 TRXs
BTS-1, BCCH-1
- BB hopping
- 6 TRXs
BTS-5, BCCH-5
- RF hopping
- 6 freq, f1-f6
- 2 TRXs

11

Nokia Siemens Networks

BTS-2, BCCH-2
- BB hopping
- 6 TRXs
BTS-6, BCCH-6
- RF hopping
- 6 freq, f1-f6
- 2 TRXs

UltraSite 8+8+8 configuration

with Multi BCF
improved spectral efficiency, 3
BCCH carriers
BTS-3, BCCH-3
- BB hopping
- 6 TRXs
BTS-4
- RF hopping
- 6 freq, f1-f6
- 2 TRXs
BTS-1, BCCH-1
- BB hopping
- 6 TRXs
BTS-5
- RF hopping
- 6 freq, f1-f6
- 2 TRXs

BTS-2, BCCH-2
- BB hopping
- 6 TRXs
BTS-6
- RF hopping
- 6 freq, f1-f6
- 2 TRXs

RN2010AEN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

11

Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

Common BCCH
Band Specific Power Control

GSM 900 signal tends to be stronger than GSM 1800

-> wider coverage for GSM than for GSM 1800
-> useless if BCCH is taken from GSM 1800
Band specific maximum output power of BTS
bsTxPwrMax used for GSM 800/900
bsTxPwrMax1x00 used for GSM 1800/1900

bsTxPwrMax = peak power - 0 dB

bsTxPwrMax1x00 = peak power - 0 dB

bsTxPwrMax = peak power - 6 dB

bsTxPwrMax1x00 = peak power - 0 dB

BCCH
GSM 1800

BTS1
BTS2

12

Nokia Siemens Networks

GSM 900

BCCH
GSM 1800

BTS1
BTS2

GSM 900

RN2010AEN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

12

Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

Common BCCH
MO
Class

Abbreviated
Name

Range And Step

Description

BTS

msTxPwrMaxCCH

5...39 dBm, step 2 dBm

The maximum transmission power an MS may use

when accessing a CCH in the cell for GSM 900/800
bands.

33 dBm

TXP1

BTS

msTxPwrMaxCCH
1x00

0...36 dBm, step 2 dBm

The maximum transmission power an MS may use

when accessing a CCH in the cell for GSM
1800/1900 bands.
Range:
GSM 1800: 0..36 dBm (step size 2)
GSM 1900: 0..32 dBm (step size 2) and 33 dBm

30 dBm

TXP2

13

Nokia Siemens Networks

Default
value

BSC - MML
Name

RN2010AEN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

13

Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

Common BCCH
Access to non-BCCH layer
MO
Class

Abbreviated
Name

Range And Step

Description

BTS

nonBCCHLayer
Offset

-40...40, step 1

Defines whether the predefined offset

margin is used when evaluating the signal
level of the non BCCH layer.

HOC

nonBcchLayerA
ccessThr

-110...-47 dBm,
step 1 dBm

Threshold value for the estimated downlink

signal level on non-BCCH layer for a
moving MS from BCCH layer to non-BCCH
layer.

14

Nokia Siemens Networks

Default
value

BSC - MML
Name
0

-90 dBm

NBL

LAR

RN2010AEN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

14

Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

Common BCCH
Call Setup

MS indicates its capabilities while on an SDCCH

=> BSC finds out if non BCCH frequency band resources could be included in
channel allocation for the terminal
MS reports the downlink signal level on the SDCCH
=> BSC finds out if radio conditions are good enough for the MS to use non
BCCH frequency resources of the segment with the criterion
RXLEV_DL NonBcchLayerOffset >= NonBCCHLayerAccessThreshold
Where: RXLEV_DL is last received signal strength on the serving channel

With the decisions above the BSC determines the applicable frequency bands of
a segment for an MS during call setup when the MS moves from an SDCCH to a
TCH

15

Nokia Siemens Networks

RN2010AEN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

15

Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

Common BCCH
Intercell Handover

In BSC internal handovers between separate cells the usability of BCCH frequency hand
resources in a target cell is defined using the BTS specific offset parameter and a
neighbour parameter defined for the target cell:
AV_RXLEVNCELL (n) >= rxLevMinCell (n)

In BSC internal handovers between separate cells the usability of non BCCH frequency

band resources in a target cell is defined using the BTS specific offset parameter and a new
threshold parameter defined for the target cell:
AV_RXLEVNCELL (n) NonBcchLayerOffset (n) >= NonBCCHLayerAccessThreshold (n)

Applies to both SDCCH and TCH allocation cases

16

Nokia Siemens Networks

RN2010AEN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

16

Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

Common BCCH
Intra cell handover

When the call is going on on a non-BCCH frequency band the usability of different

types of resources is defined based on the averaged BCCH measurement results.

The following formulas are used:

AV_BCCH_RXLEV_DL NonBcchLayerOffset >= rxLevAccessMin

AV_BCCH_RXLEV_DL NonBcchLayerOffset >= NonBCCHLayerAccessThreshold
The first formula is used to evaluate the usability of BCCH frequency resources of the
segment. The second formula is used to evaluate the usability of non-BCCH frequency
resources of the segment.

17

Nokia Siemens Networks

RN2010AEN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

17

Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

Common BCCH
External handover

In case of handover to a segment of another BSC, the non-BCCH layer of the segment
is usable if it is at least as strong as the BCCH layer.

The nonBCCHLayerOffset(n) on the target non-BCCH BTS must be equal to zero or

less than zero for the BTS to be used for incoming handover

Applies to both TCH and SDCCH cases

18

Nokia Siemens Networks

RN2010AEN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

18

Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

Common BCCH
SDCCH Handover based on duration of reservation
Since the allocation of the initial SDCCH takes place in the band where the BCCH is, a method is defined to
trigger SDCCH handovers to other band(s)

Based on the SDCCH reservation duration on the initial band

Guided by a parameter IntraSegSdcchHoGuard (ISS)
SDCCH reservation duration exceeds IntraSegSdcchHoGuard
There are resources outside the initial band in a cell and satisfy the following:
RXLEV_DL - non BCCH layer offset >= non BCCH layer access threshold

MS has the required support for the other resource types

MO
Class
BSC

Abbreviated
Name
intraSegSdcchHoG
uard

Range And Step

0...255 s, step 1 s
0: no time limit set for starting an SDCCH
handover attempt from the BCCH BTS
resource layer, attempt can be made as
soon as possible
1..254: time after which an SDCCH
handover from the BCCH BTS resource
layer is attempted
255: no SDCCH handover from the BCCH
BTS resource layer is attempted based on
SDCCH reservation duration

19

Nokia Siemens Networks

Description

guard time for attempting an

SDCCH handover from the
BCCH BTS resource layer to
another resource layer in a
segment.

Default
value
255 s

BSC - MML
Name
ISS

RN2010AEN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

19

Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

Common BCCH & Multi BCF

Handover for balancing load

BSC initiates an intra cell handover when TCH load in a some BTS of the

segment reaches a level defined with the BTS level parameter

BTSLoadInSEG.
Triggering level = BTSLoadInSEG +((100 - BTSLoadInSEG )/2)
BSC checks the load of the BTSs every time it receives a TCH request for the
segment
BSC accepts as target only the segment's BTSs
whose load is below the respective BTSLoadInSEG value
in which the radio conditions are good enough
which are not same resource type as the source BTS and the BCCH BTS

The handover is primarily used to move TCH load from the BCCH resource
type but handovers can also be made between other resource types

20

Nokia Siemens Networks

RN2010AEN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

20

Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

Common BCCH & Multi BCF

BTS Load in SEG

MO
Class
BTS

21

Abbreviated
Name
btsLoadInSeg

Nokia Siemens Networks

Range And Step

Description

0...100 %, step 1 %

Determines the load limit for a BTS.

It is used in controlling the load distribution
between BTSs in a segment.

Default
value
70%

BSC - MML
Name
LSEG

RN2010AEN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

21

Multi-BCF and Common CBCCH

Common BCCH
Intra cell handover from non BCCH layer based on signal level
BSC initiates an intra cell handover from non BCCH layer to BCCH layer when the averaged

downlink signal level on serving channel decreases below the threshold defined by
parameter NonBcchLayerExitThreshold (LER, Nx, Px)
This decreases the number of inter cell handovers from non BCCH layer
Handover is applicable in cells where BCCH layer has more coverage than non BCCH layer
BSC uses general Power Control and Handover Algorithm functions to trigger the handover
If intra cell handover fails then inter cell handover can be triggered
MO
Class

22

Abbreviated
Name

Range And Step

Description

Default
value

BSC - MML
Name

HOC

rxLevel

-110...-47 dBm, step 1

dBm

With this parameter you define a threshold value

for the measured downlink signal level on nonBCCH layer for a moving MS from non-BCCH layer
to BCCH layer

-95 dBm

LER

HOC

nonBcchLayerExit
Thr_nx

1...32, step 1

Nx value for the above threshold

LEN

HOC

nonBcchLayerExit
Thr_px

1...32, step 1

Px value for the above threshold

LEP

Nokia Siemens Networks

RN2010AEN14GLN0

RN2010AEN14GLN0

22