01-16 Directed Retry Procedure

M900/M1800 Base Station Subsystem
Signaling Analysis Manual Contents

Issue 02 (2007-06-30) Huawei Technologies Proprietary i

Contents
16 Directed Retry Procedure .....................................................................................................16-1
16.1 Overview of Directed Retry ......................................................................................................................16-2
16.2 Procedure for a Directed Retry..................................................................................................................16-2
16.2.1 Intra-BSC Directed Retry.................................................................................................................16-2
16.2.2 Procedure for an Inter-BSC Directed Retry .....................................................................................16-4
16.2.3 Procedure for an Inter-MSC Directed Retry ....................................................................................16-6
16.3 Signaling Procedure in the BSC................................................................................................................16-7
16.3.1 Procedure Concerning Intra-BSC Directed Retry............................................................................16-7
16.3.2 Procedure Concerning Inter-BSC Directed Retry............................................................................16-8
16.4 Abnormal Cases and Troubleshooting.......................................................................................................16-9
16.4.1 Channel Unavailability in the Target Cell ........................................................................................16-9
16.4.2 Channel Activation Failure ............................................................................................................16-10

Figures
Signaling Analysis Manual

ii Huawei Technologies Proprietary Issue 02 (2007-06-30)

Figures
Figure 16-1 Signaling procedure for an intra-BSC directed retry ....................................................................16-3
Figure 16-2 Signaling procedure for an inter-BSC directed retry ....................................................................16-5
Figure 16-3 Signaling procedure for an inter-MSC directed retry....................................................................16-7

Signaling Analysis Manual 16 Directed Retry Procedure

Issue 02 (2007-06-30) Huawei Technologies Proprietary 16-1

16 Directed Retry Procedure
About This Chapter
The following table lists the contents of this chapter.
Section Describes
16.1 Overview of Directed Retry The definition of directed retry.
16.2 Procedure for a Directed Retry The procedure for a directed retry.
16.3 Signaling Procedure in the BSC The signaling procedure in the BSC.
16.4 Abnormal Cases and
Troubleshooting
The abnormal cases when the directed retry
procedure fails and how to troubleshoot them.


16-2 Huawei Technologies Proprietary Issue 02 (2007-06-30)

16.1 Overview of Directed Retry
Directed retry is a kind of special handover. It refers to the process of assigning a Mobile
Station (MS) to a TCH in a cell other than the serving cell when there is congestion in the
serving cell. Directed retry is triggered by the assignment procedure and incorporates internal
or external handover procedures.
For details of directed retry, refer to the specifications in GSM 0408.
16.2 Procedure for a Directed Retry
Directed retries can be categorized into three types:

Intra-BSC directed retry

Inter-BSC directed retry

Inter-MSC directed retry
16.2.1 Intra-BSC Directed Retry
Signaling Procedure
Figure 16-1 shows the signaling procedure for an intra-BSC directed retry.


Figure 16-1 Signaling procedure for an intra-BSC directed retry
MS MSC BSC BTS1
Assignment Request(14)
Channel Activation(15)
BTS2 MS
Handover
Command(17)
Handover Access(18)
Handover Detect(19)
PHY INFO(20)
PHY INFO(21)
SABM(22)
Establish Indication(23)
UA(24)
Handover Complete(25)
Assignment
Complete(26)
Channel Request(1)
Channel Required(2)
Channel Activation
Immediate
Assignment
Command(5)
UA(7)
SABM(6)
Establish Indication
(CM Service Request)(8) CR(Complete
L3 Information)(9)
CC(10)
CM Service Accepted(11)
Setup(12)
Call Proceeding(13)
Channel Activation
Acknowledge(16)
RACH
AGCH
SDCCH
SDCCH
SDCCH
SDCCH
SDCCH
start T3103
SDCCH
FACCH
FACCH
FACCH
FACCH
FACCH
FACCH
stop T3103
Acknowledge(4)

Procedure Explanation
The following part explains the signaling procedure for an intra-BSC directed retry:

Over the RACH, the MS sends the BTS a Channel Request message.

The BTS sends the BSC a Channel Request message.

On receipt of the Channel Request message, the BSC assigns a channel and sends the
BTS a Channel Activation message.


On receipt of the Channel Activation message, the BTS enables the power amplifier (PA)
on the assigned channel and sends the BSC a Channel Activation Acknowledge message
if a desired channel is assigned for the MS.

On receipt of the Channel Activation Acknowledge message, the BSC sends the MS an
IMM ASS CMD message over the assigned channel (AGCH), indicating that the MS is
allowed to access the network.

After the MS accesses the network, the MSC sends the BSC an Assignment Request
message for TCH radio resource assignment. If a terrestrial circuit is required between
the MSC and the BSC, the information on the circuit is carried in the Assignment
Request message. If no desired TCH is available in the serving cell, the BSC initiates a
handover to hand over the MS to a neighboring cell that provides voice services. If the
target cell and the serving cell are controlled by the same BSC, such a process is called
intra-BSC directed retry.
Remarks

In Figure 16-1, steps 1 to 8 illustrate the random access and immediate assignment
procedure.
During this procedure, the BSS assigns a signaling channel to the MS.

In Figure 16-1, steps 14 to 24 illustrate the TCH directed retry procedure.
During this procedure, the BSS assigns a voice channel and an A interface circuit to the
MS.
16.2.2 Procedure for an Inter-BSC Directed Retry
Signaling Procedure
Figure 16-2 shows the signaling procedure for an inter-BSC directed retry.


Figure 16-2 Signaling procedure for an inter-BSC directed retry
MS MSC BSC1 BTS1
Assignment
Request(14)
Handover
Required(15)
BSC2 MS
Handover
Request(16)
Channel
Activation(17)
Channel Activation
Handover
Request
Handover
Command(20)
Handover
Command(21)
Handover
Access(22)
Handover
Detect(23)
PHY INFO(26)
SABM(27)
Establish
Indication(28)
UA(29)
Handover
Complete(30)
Handover
Complete(31)
Clear
Command(32)
Clear
Complete(33)
Channel
Request(1)
Channel Required(2)
Channel Activation
Immediate
Assignment
Command(5)
UA(7)
SABM6) Establish
Indication
(CM Service
Request)(8)
CR (Complete
Layer3
Information)(9)
CC(10) CM Service
Accepted(11)
Setup(12)
Call Proceeding(13)
RACH
start T3107
AGCH
SDCCH
SDCCH
SDCCH
SDCCH
SDCCH
Start T10
Start T8
FACCH
Handover
Detect(24)
PHY INFO(25)
FACCH
FACCH
FACCH
FACCH
FACCH
Stop T10
Stop T8
SDCCH
BTS2
Acknowledge(4)
Acknowledge(19)
Acknowledge(18)

Compared with the procedure for an intra-BSC directed retry, the procedure for an inter-BSC
directed retry involves a few more A interface signaling messages. This section illustrates
only the signaling messages that are not involved in the intra-BSC directed retry.
For details of other signaling messages, refer to 16.2.1 "Intra-BSC Directed Retry."


Procedure Explanation
The following part explains the signaling procedure for an inter-BSC directed retry:

When the MS needs to be handed over to a cell of BSC2, BSC1 sends the MSC a
Handover Required message for an outgoing inter-BSC handover.

On receipt of the Handover Required message, the MSC sends BSC2 a Handover
Request message.

On activating a new channel, BSC2 sends the MSC a Handover REQ ACK message,
indicating that the requested channel is available.

On receipt of the Handover REQ ACK message, the MSC sends BSC1 a Handover CMD
message, which is sent to the MS over the TCH and is used to notify the MS of the new
channel.

On receipt of the Handover CMP message from BSC2, the MSC sends BSC1 a Clear
CMD message that requests BSC1 to release the serving channel. After the channel is
released, BSC1 also sends the MSC a Clear CMP message.
16.2.3 Procedure for an Inter-MSC Directed Retry
Figure 16-3 shows the signaling procedure for an inter-MSC directed retry.


Figure 16-3 Signaling procedure for an inter-MSC directed retry
MS MSC1 BSC1 BTS1
Assignment
Request(1)
Handover
Required(2)
MSC2 BSC2 BTS2 MS
Perform
Handover(3)
Handover
Request(4)
Channel
Activation(5)
Channel
Activation
Handover
Request
Radio Channel
Acknowledge(8)
IAM(9)
ACM(10)
Handover
Command(11)
Handover
Access(13)
Handover
Detect(14)
Handover
Detect(17)
PHY INFO(15)
PHY INFO(16)
SABM(18)
Establish
Indication(19)
UA(20)
Handover
Complete(21)
Handover
Complete(22)
Send End
Signal(23)
Clear
Command(24)
Clear
Complete(25)
Start T8
SDCCH
Handover
Command(12)
Start T10
FACCH
FACCH
FACCH
FACCH
FACCH
FACCH
Stop T10
Stop T8
Acknowledge(7)
Acknowledge(6)

For details of the signaling messages, refer to 16.2.2 "Procedure for an Inter-BSC Directed
Retry."
16.3 Signaling Procedure in the BSC
16.3.1 Procedure Concerning Intra-BSC Directed Retry
On receipt of an Assignment Request message from the MSC, the BSC initiates a directed
retry if no TCH is available in the serving cell and directed retry is allowed.
A directed retry is performed if the LAPD reports an HO_IND message to the GMPU before
the 8-second timer expires and that the GMPU initiates a forced handover procedure.
When a directed retry is performed, the signaling procedure in the BSC is as follows:
Step 1 The GMPU sends the LAPD a Forced HANDOVER COMMAND message to initiate a
forced handover procedure.


Step 2 The LAPD sends the BSC a HO_IND message that contains a CGI list of the candidate cells.
On receipt of the message, the BSC stops the 8-second timer.
Step 3 Based on cell priority (from high to low), the BSC selects a neighboring cell from the CGI list.
If the selected cell is managed by the same BSC but a channel is not available, the BSC
selects the next candidate cell. If the CGI and the cell module information table show that the
selected cell is managed by another BSC, the BSC initiates an inter-BSC directed retry, which
is described in the next section. If the CGI and the cell module information table show that the
selected cell is managed by the same BSC and a channel is available, the BSC initiates an
intra-BSC directed retry and the selected cell is the target cell. The serving cell sends an
Internal HANDOVER REQUEST message to the target cell and starts a 2-second timer for
the handover preparations.
Step 4 On receipt of the Internal HANDOVER REQUEST message, the target cell allocates a
channel and notifies the target BTS (BTS2) to activate the allocated channel.
Step 5 On channel activation, the target cell sends the serving cell a CHANNEL ACTIVATION
ACKNOWLEDGE message, indicating that the handover preparations are complete. Then the
target cell starts timer T3103B1 (see the Cell Control Parameter Table) for waiting for a
HANDOVER DETECT message.
Step 6 On receipt of the CHANNEL ACTIVATION ACKNOWLEDGE message, the serving cell
sends BTS1 a HANDOVER CMD message, stops the 2-second timer, and starts timer
T3103A (see the Cell Control Parameter Table).
Step 7 On receipt of the HANDOVER DET message, the target cell stops timer T3103B1 and starts
timer T3103B2 (see the Cell Control Parameter Table) for waiting for a HANDOVER
COMPLETE message.
Step 8 On receipt of the HANDOVER COMPLETE message from the MS, the target cell stops timer
T3103B2 and requests relevant modules such as the AIE and AIR to update the RR
connection number. At the same time, the target cell sends an Internal Handover Success
message to the serving cell.
Step 9 The target cell sends the MSC an ASSIGNMENT CMP message that informs the MSC of a
successful channel assignment. The message carries the information on the target cell.
Step 10 On receipt of an Internal Clear Message, the serving cell initiates a local release to release
relevant resources.
----End
16.3.2 Procedure Concerning Inter-BSC Directed Retry
On receipt of an Assignment Request message from the MSC, the BSC initiates a directed
retry if a TCH is not available in the serving cell and directed retry is allowed.
A directed retry is performed if the LAPD reports an HO_IND message to the GMPU before
the 8-second timer expires and the GMPU initiates a forced handover procedure.
When a directed retry is performed, the signaling procedure in the BSC is as follows:
Step 1 The GMPU sends the LAPD a Forced HANDOVER CMD message to initiate a forced
handover procedure.
Step 2 The LAPD sends the BSC a HO_IND message that contains a CGI list of the candidate cells.
On receipt of the message, the BSC stops the 8-second timer.


Step 3 Based on cell priority (from high to low), the BSC selects a neighboring cell from the CGI list.
If the selected cell is managed by the same BSC but a channel is not available, the BSC
selects the next candidate cell. If the CGI and the cell module information table show that the
selected cell is managed by another BSC, the BSC initiates an inter-BSC directed retry. On
handover initiation, the serving cell sends the MSC a HANDOVER REQUIRED message and
starts the 10-second timer (T17) for waiting for a HANDOVER CMD message.
Step 4 On receipt of the HANDOVER REQUEST message from the MSC, the target BSC allocates
and activates a target channel based on the target cell identity. Then the target cell sends the
MSC a HANDOVER REQ ACK message that carries the HANDOVER CMD message. In
this case, the target cell starts timer T3103B1 (see the Cell Control Parameter Table) for
waiting for a HANDOVER DET message.
Step 5 When BSC1 receives the HANDOVER CMD message from the MSC, the serving cell sends
BTS1 the HANDOVER CMD message, which is then transferred to the MS by BTS1. At the
same time, the serving cell starts timer T3103A for the handover. BSC1 considers the
handover as successful if it receives a CLEAR CMD message with cause of Handover
Success or Call Control before timer T3103A (see the Cell Control Parameter Table) expires.
If the MS returns to the serving channel before timer T3103A expires, BSC1 stops the timer
and sends a HANDOVER FAILURE message to the MSC. If timer T3103A expires, BSC1
considers the call as dropped out and sends the MSC a Clear REQ message for releasing the
call.
Step 6 On receipt of the HANDOVER DET message, the target cell stops timer T3103B1 and starts
timer T3103B2 (see the Cell Control Parameter Table) for waiting for a HANDOVER
COMPLETE message.
Step 7 On receipt of the HANDOVER COMPLETE message from the MS, the target cell stops timer
T3103B2 and sends the MSC the HANDOVER COMPLETE message, indicating that the
handover is successful.
Step 8 If the serving cell receives the CLEAR CMD message from the MSC before timer T3103A
expires, the serving cell releases the local channel and sends the MSC a response.
----End
16.4 Abnormal Cases and Troubleshooting
Due to various reasons, such as radio interface message loss, call dropout, user on-hook,
transmission failure, or NSS/BSS operation failure, the directed retry procedure may fail to
proceed normally.
This section illustrates only the most frequent causes of handover failures.
16.4.1 Channel Unavailability in the Target Cell
Case Description
When a channel is not available in the target cell, the target BSC sends the serving BSC a
handover failure message, and the serving BSC sends the MSC an Assignment Failure
message.


Probable Causes
If the cause of the failure is "terrestrial circuit already allocated", the desired trunk circuit has
already been allocated.
If the cause of the failure is "requested terrestrial resource unavailable", the desired trunk
circuit has already been blocked.
Troubleshooting
If the cause of the failure is "terrestrial circuit already allocated", data consistency should be
checked for the trunk circuits based on the assignment message.
If the cause of the failure is "requested terrestrial resource unavailable", the desired trunk
circuit should be unblocked.
16.4.2 Channel Activation Failure
Case Description
When channel activation in the target cell fails, the serving BSC sends the MSC an
Assignment Failure message.
Probable Causes
The desired channel in the target cell fails to be activated and the corresponding TRX may
fail.
Troubleshooting
Locate the channel number based on the Channel Activation Negative Acknowledge message,
and check whether the corresponding TRX fails. If the TRX fails, replace it.

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