Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Optimization Methodology
for Dual Band Markets
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Table of Contents
1
Introduction .............................................................................................. 5
Project Workflow....................................................................................... 6
Creating MS Recordings............................................................................. 7
3.1
3.2
3.3
Recording Implementation............................................................................... 7
3.3.1 Recording Length ................................................................................. 7
3.3.2 Shadow-Breaking ................................................................................. 8
3.3.3 Conclusion........................................................................................... 9
5.2
5.3
5.4
Introduction ................................................................................................ 17
7.2
7.3
Alcatel ........................................................................................................ 20
7.3.1 Idle Mode Behavior ............................................................................. 20
7.3.2 Active Mode Behavior.......................................................................... 21
7.4
Siemens ..................................................................................................... 24
7.4.1 Idle Mode Behavior ............................................................................. 24
7.4.2 Active Mode Behavior.......................................................................... 25
7.5
Ericsson ...................................................................................................... 28
7.5.1 Idle Mode Behavior ............................................................................. 28
7.5.2 Active Mode Behavior.......................................................................... 30
7.6
Nokia ......................................................................................................... 30
7.6.1 Idle Mode Behavior ............................................................................. 30
7.6.2 Active Mode Behavior.......................................................................... 31
7.6.3 Common BCCH at 900......................................................................... 33
7.7
Nortel ......................................................................................................... 36
7.7.1 Idle Mode Behavior ............................................................................. 36
7.7.2 Active Mode Behavior.......................................................................... 37
7.8
Huawei ....................................................................................................... 38
7.8.1 Idle Mode Behavior ............................................................................. 38
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List of Figures
Figure 1: HO Cause 21................................................................................................. 22
Figure 2: Umbrella Handover and Handover Due to Level.................................................. 32
Figure 3: BTS Handling Command Group Parameters ....................................................... 34
Figure 4: Umbrella Handover and Handover Due to Level (2) ............................................ 40
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Introduction
The goal of the document is to present the methodology used to optimize dual band
markets (GSM900/DCS1800 or GSM850/PCS1900).
The idea is to implement a complete optimization cycle including:
Preliminary analysis
Recording set up
Neighbor optimization
Frequency planning
This document does not replace the existing vendor-specific documentation, but
instead, offers a general approach to the optimization process.
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Project Workflow
NEIGHBOR OPTIMIZATION
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Creating MS Recordings
The MS recording process must be performed carefully to minimize the length of the
project, especially with regard to Siemens, Alcatel, Motorola, Huawei, or Nortel, since
the user cannot modify the BA list, but can only create fake neighbors.
3.1
Before starting the MS recording, the neighbor list should be analyzed using Fort in
order to identify all cells with more than 25 neighbors.
Based on this analysis, a list should be created with neighbors to be deleted, using
only Handover Statistics, (as a model is not yet available) according to the following
workflow:
1. Identify all cells in the optimization set with more than 25 neighbors.
2. Rank each neighbor relation by descending number of handover
attempts.
3. Delete 6 of the last 12 neighbor relations by targeting inter-band HO
relations first (in dual band markets).
3.2
BSIC Check
Before beginning recording, the Fort BCCH-BSIC Reuse report should be checked to
ensure that the BSIC plan does not include any close BCCH/BSIC reuses.
Any reuse below 5 or 10 km (depending on the willingness of the customer to make
changes) should be corrected, and a new BSIC implemented, to avoid decoding
problems during the modeling phase.
3.3
Recording Implementation
3.3.1
Recording Length
The length of recordings varies for each band, based on the number of BCCHs to
measure and on the vendor.
Markets using free BCCH/TCH planning (with or without Base band hopping) may
require several recording sessions per cell when more than 30 BCCHs are used.
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The Ultima Fort Cross Band Measurements feature is available for dual band
networks. While it is possible and recommended to measure cross-band interference
in a dual band network, when more than one band is measured, the measurement
recording time increases. Therefore, this feature should only be used in one of the
circumstances described above.
Note than cross-band measurements are not available in Siemens, so the Fort Cross
Band Measurements feature is the only way to evaluate cross-band impacts (and
optimize cross-band Handover) for Siemens.
3.3.2
Shadow-Breaking
Recordings should provide the most accurate model possible. Because of shadowing
(blind spots), it may be useful to perform an initial retune and collect two sets of
recordings (before and after the initial retune). For example, two sectors using the
same BCCH will be considered shadowed. The interference between the two will only
be estimated except if measurements can be collected before and after the BCCH has
been changed.
Shadow breaking may be required when the number of BCCHs used is limited (below
20) In most cases, an initial retune is recommended for the 850/900 layer.
Check the following for shadowing:
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The BCCH reuse report before a project. A high number of close BCCH reuses
below 5 km may indicate poor BCCH planning and high shadowing
3.3.3
Conclusion
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Neighbor Optimization
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Frequency Planning
Frequency planning can be prepared for both bands separately in accordance with
the methodology normally used, as discussed in Section 3.3.2.
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There is no gain, or a limited gain, for cells with a low number of TRXs
(2 or fewer).
5. The standard SFH (SFH1:1 or SFH1:3), involves splitting a spectrum into two
separate groups of frequencies for BCCH and TCH -- two blocks or a staggered
allocation (1 BCCH, 1 TCH). The disadvantages are:
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The main advantage of SFH is that it does not requires extensive planning, so that
TRX or new sites can easily be added to the network, which is especially good for
fast-growing markets. In addition, SFH brings the quality gain of hopping even to
cells with low number of TRXs, since the number of hoppers is much greater than the
number of TRXs.
3.
SFH Ad Hoc is a different version of SFH that allows planning a specific MAL
(with a different frequency and length) for each sector, instead of a fixed MAL used
by all sectors (SFH 1:1). MAL length is based on the number of TRXs in each cell.
Normally, a minimum of three or four hoppers is used for each cell with a MAL length
equal to the number of TRXs+1.
SFH Ad Hoc planning reintroduces frequency planning within SFH, and keeps SFH
quality gain even for cells with few TRXs. Random collisions are avoided through the
Interference matrix that Fort creates.
Example 1: available spectrum 1-24, channels 1-2 will be TCH, 3-4 BCCH
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Example 1
1 TCH
2 TCH
3 BCCH
4 BCCH
5 TCH
6 TCH
7 BCCH
8 BCCH
9 TCH
10 TCH
11 BCCH
12 BCCH
13 TCH
14 TCH
15 BCCH
16 BCCH
17 TCH
18 TCH
19 BCCH
20 BCCH
21 TCH
22 TCH
23 BCCH
24 BCCH
Example 2
1 TCH
2 BCCH
3 TCH
4 BCCH
5 TCH
6 BCCH
7 TCH
8 BCCH
9 TCH
10 BCCH
11 TCH
12 BCCH
13 TCH
14 BCCH
15 TCH
16 BCCH
17 TCH
18 BCCH
19 TCH
20 BCCH
21 TCH
22 BCCH
23 TCH
24 BCCH
Capacity: Along with SFH1:1 or SFH1:3, the staggered plan allows use of all
available MAIO, so that more TRXs can be planned.
Quality: The staggered plan increases frequency diversity more than does using
two blocks, especially when limited frequencies are available.
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Base band hopping for markets with many TRXs/ cells (3 or more TRX/cells),
including free BCCH/ TCH planning.
SFH Ad Hoc planning, preferably with dedicated BCCH and TCH channels (blocked
or staggered to increase frequency diversity) for markets with limited spectrum
or few TRX/cell (2 TRX/cells average).
Both methods have advantages and disadvantages, but also significantly increase
network performance and capacity.
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Optimization Activities
Project Preparation and Logistic
Kickoff meeting
NBR Clean-up
MS Statistics Collection (900 ) (*)
Network Modeling/Planning
Dual-band Parameters Optimization
Frequency plan implementation
MS Statistics Collection (1800 cross band ) (**)
MS Statistics Collection (900 and 1800 ) (***)
Network Modeling/Analysis
Neighbor list implementation
Frequency Plan Implementation
Fine tuning of fP and parameters
BB Hopping Activation
Performance collection/Analysis
Performance Benchmarking Before
Performance Benchmarking After
Final Report Preparation
N1 N2 N3
N1 N2
N1 N2 N3 N4 N5
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Day37
Day36
Day35
Day34
Day33
Day32
Day31
Day30
Day29
Day26
Day27
Day28
Day25
Day24
Day23
Day22
Day21
Day20
Day19
Day18
Day17
Day16
Day15
Day14
Day13
Day12
Day11
Day10
Day9
Day8
Day5
Day6
Day7
Day4
Day3
Day2
Project Planning
Day1
Parameter Optimization
7.1
Introduction
The goal of the parameter optimization is to maximize the amount of traffic that the DCS1800/
PCS1900 layer carries. The 1800/1900 layer may be defined as the capacity layer since its
spectrum is larger, while the 900/850 layer may be defined as the coverage/quality layer, since
it propagates better at 900MHz. The GSM layer is, on average, 10 dB better than the DCS
layer.
Traffic should be maintained, as much as possible, on the 1800/1900 layer (as long as there is
sufficient quality) in order to reserve the 900/850 layer for mobiles, which need it more (due to
low signal strength traffic).
Maintaining traffic on the 1800/1900 layer will achieve the following:
Network capacity is maximized, since the DCS layer is usually underused and the GSM layer
is usually congested.
Network quality is improved by reserving the GSM layer for calls that require it the most
(and which might have been previously denied due to GSM layer congestion).
Data throughput is improved, since only the 900/850 layer is used for GPRS cell reselection.
In Idle mode, each call should originate on the GSM layer (the 900/850 layer), and then hand
the call over to the to the 1800/1900 layer (active mode).
Advantages:
Less SDCCH TS will be needed on the DCS layer, making more voice capacity available.
Initially, the settings will be COMB SDCCH/4 for all 1800/1900 with 1 Dynamic SDCCH TS (if
failure of the 900 cell results in congestion).
No PDCH (dedicated packet TS) will be required on the 1800/1900 cell, resulting in greater
voice capacity.
7.2
Some factors should be considered in order to define coverage and parameter settings for Dual
Band networks. To optimize network capacity, the load balance between the two bands should
be evaluated. This will prevent expensive procedures, such as LAC optimization (which leads to
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frequent location updates) or network topology (for inter-BSS handovers). Additional factors to
consider include the percentage of dual band handsets and the percentage of coverage for each
band.
Either adjacent coverage (one layer) or super-imposed coverage (at least, two layers), also
called C-BCCH or M-BCCH (Common vs. Multiple BCCH) may be applied.
The following section explains how to set parameters for a multi-layer network, a method that
resembles the method used for microcells.
7.2.1
The C1 of the selected cell becomes negative for more than 5 sec, or
The C2 of one of the neighbors becomes greater than the selected cell for more than 5 sec
(using Cell_Reselect_Hysteresis if belongs to a different LAC).
Cell Selection
A multiband MS (phase 2 MS) only selects an 1800 cell if no 900 cells are found with a positive
C1.
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To compute C1:
In both bands, Max (B, 0) is usually zero (0). The recommended value for rxLevAccessMin is 104 to -106 dBm for GSM 900, and -98 to -100 dBm for GSM 1800.
GSM900/850 is naturally favored by radio propagation conditions, and is always 10-12 dB
stronger than DCS1800/ PCS1900.
Cell Reselection
Multiband mobile stations are Phase 2 mobile stations. Cell reselection involves C2
computation, based on the following formula:
A cell reselect offset can be used to compute C2 criteria to give an advantage to one frequency
band. Two different cellReselectOffset values can be used, based on the cell frequency band.
The higher the cellReselectOffset value is, the greater the C2 value.
In order to always allow cell reselection on the best layer (the GSM900/850), the same value
should be used for cellReselectOffset on both bands.
Handovers
An offset must be considered in order to force traffic to go to the weakest layer (1800/1900), or
to avoid going back to another band because it is the best cell (GSM900/850),). Alternatively,
power budget handovers can be inhibited from a priority to a non-priority band.
The preferred band option is preferable to the HO margin whenever possible (for Ericsson,
Nokia, Alcatel and Nortel), since this allows one band (or a group of cells) to be favored
according to the priority definitions in various layers.
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SETTINGS
GSM 900
BAND
CellBarQualify
GSM1800
BAND
FALSE
TRUE
6 dB
6 dB
RxLevAccessMin
-106 dBm
-100 dBm
Layer Definition
Lower Priority
Higher Priority
CellReselectOffset
Multiband
Reporting
7.3
Alcatel
7.3.1
COMMENTS
Recommended Settings
On the cell level:
This parameter should equal 0 (-110 dBm) for all 900 cells in order to
capture all possible traffic.
This parameter should equal 6 (-104 dBm) for 1800 cells that are
collocated with 900 cells.
This parameter should equal 0 (-110 dBm) for standalone 1800 cells.
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BCCH type changed to BCCH COMB SDCCH/4 for all 1800 collocated cells
One Fixed SDCCH TS defined for all 900 cells (1 SDC) and 1800 only cells
One Fixed PDCH TS defined for all 900 cells (AgprsMinPdch = 1) and 1800- only cells
Additional Optimization
In order to further decrease SDCCH traffic, unnecessary registration at the LAC border can be
minimized by increasing the CellReselectHysteresis parameter from 3 to 5. This only impacts a
limited number of cells on the border between LACs.
7.3.2
Schema recommends use of the Preferred Band option to hand off traffic from the GSM to the
DCS layer after a TCH has been assigned to the 900 layer.
The system-preferred band is defined via a BSC parameter called the PREFERRED_BAND
(cell_band_type = preferred_band), which in this case, is 1800MHz (DCS1800).
The preferred band option triggers an HO Cause 21 to occur, based on a defined, fixed SS
threshold, which will be set to the same value for all adjacencies of each cell. Sometimes
carriers use HO Cause 13 (PBGT HO) to force traffic on 1800 through High HO Margin values
(typically 9 dB from 900 to 1800 and +18 from 1800 to 900)
Cause 21 HO occurs when the HO goes from any cell not in the preferred band to any cell in
the preferred band.
HO Cause 21 = High Level in the Neighboring Cell in the Preferred Band, as shown in the
following diagram:
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900MHz
900MHz
1800MHz
1800MHz
HO Cause 21
Figure 1: HO Cause 21
The HO trigger is defined by the signal level of the neighboring cells in 1800MHz (which is in
the preferred band) and by the traffic evaluation of the sectors involved (900MHz cell and
neighboring sectors in 1800MHz), via the following algorithm.
AV_RXLEV_NCELL(n)>L_RXLEV_CPT_HO(0,n)+Max(0,[MS_TXPWR_MAX(n)-P])
And
Traffic_load(0) = MULTIBAND_TRAFFIC_CONDITION
and
Traffic_load(n) HIGH
and
EN_PREFERRED_BAND_HO = ENABLE
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Where:
L_RXLEV_CPT_HO = Minimum signal level of the 1800MHz cell (single) for HO cause 21 to
occur.
LOW_TRAFFIC_LOAD = Threshold used to verify if the read traffic in the target sector is low.
EN_MULTIBAND_PBGT_HO = Enables the HO for power budget (cause 12) between cells of
different bands.
To prevent handing over PB to the 900 cell, immediately after a HO cause 21 occurs:
Modify the specific HO relation HoMargin (1800, 900) to a value that totally prevents a
handover to any 900 cell (e.g,, HM = 127dB).
Recommended Settings
BSC level :
For all 1800 cells HoThresholdLevParam - rxLevelDL = 17, meaning 93dB (should be
lower than L_RXLEV_CPT_HO for at least 5 dB)
For all collocated 1800 cells - EN_MULTIBAND_PBGT_HO = FALSE cells (this parameter
disables the handover PB between cells of different bands).
HIGH_TRAFFIC_LOAD = 90%
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Adjacency level:
All HO relations from 900 to 1800 (1800 cells are collocated) - L_RXLEV_CPT_HO = 20
(meaning90 dBm)
All HO relations from 900 to 1800 (1800 cells are standalone) - L_RXLEV_CPT_HO = 63
(meaning 47 dBm): disabled.
Initial settings may not push enough traffic on the DCS layer for some cells, resulting in the
need to lower the L_RXLEV_CPT_HO threshold in order to achieve the correct balance between
traffic and quality.
While the 90 dBm (L_RXLEV_CPT_HO=20) should be appropriate, this depends on the site
cluster. An appropriate value in the middle of the city may be 90 or 93, while in a rural area,
it may be 93/ -95.
This optimization requires fine-tuning, since each site may benefit from different
L_RXLEV_CPT_HO settings. Any sign of congestion should be closely monitored. Traffic based
HO optimization, RxLev, and the Urgency HO threshold should also be tested.
7.4
Siemens
7.4.1
Recommended Settings
On the Cell level:
For all 900 cells, this parameter should equal 0 (-110 dBm), in order to
capture all possible traffic.
For 1800 cells collocated with 900 cells, this parameter should equal 6 (104 dBm).
For standalone 1800 cells, this parameter should equal 0 (-110 dBm)
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CRESOFF: Cell Reselect Offset. Schema recommends 3 (6 dB) for all cells.
CBQ: Set to 1 for 1800 cells (0 for 900 cells) so that GSM cells are given higher priority in
the cell selection process (not reselection).
One Fixed SDCCH TS (at least) defined for all 900 cells (CREATE
CHAN:NAME=BTSM:0/BTS:0/TRX:0/CHAN:1, CHTYPE=SCBCH or SDCCH) and 1800-only
cells
No more than one Fixed SDCCH TS defined for 1800 collocated cells (Siemens requirement)
One Dynamic SDCCH TS defined for all cells via Smooth Channel Allocation (CREATE
CHAN:NAME=BTSM:0/BTS:0/TRX:0/CHAN:2, CHTYP=TCHSD, CHPOOLTYP=TCHSDPOOL)
GPRS TS defined on 900, with CHAN 4 to 7 used for data on demand (CREATE
CHAN:NAME=BTSM:0/BTS:0/TRX:0/CHAN:3,CHTYP=TCH or TCH_HALF, GDCH=<NULL>,
CHPOOLTYP=TCHPOOL)
More Dynamic SDCCH TS may be defined on 900 if necessary (CHAN 3). GPRS on-Demand TS
may be defined on 1800 for security purposes, if the 900 cell is down.
Additional Optimization
In order to further decrease SDCCH traffic, unnecessary registration at the LAC border can be
minimized by increasing the Cell Reselection Hysteresis parameter (CELLRESH) from 3 to 5.
This only impacts a limited number of cells on the border between LACs.
7.4.2
HCS (Hierarchical Cell Structure) should be activated to ensure that calls are served by the DCS
station.
Theoritical Background
The Siemens handover algorithm always performs the handover decision for imperative
handovers before a decision regarding a power budget handover is made. Assuming that no
imperative handover is required beforehand, an inter-cell handover (power budget) is
performed if all of the following conditions are met:
A) A neighbor cell is considered a suitable target cell, and is placed in the target cell list of the
HANDOVER CONDITION INDICATION if
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RXLEVMIN(n) = RXLEVMIN (CREATE ADJC) = minimum receive level of the neighbor cell (n)
and
C2. PBGT(n) > HO_MARGIN(n)
where PBGT(n) = RXLEV_NCELL(n) - (RXLEV_DL + PWR_C_D) +
Min(MS_TXPWR_MAX, P) - Min(MS_TXPWR_MAX(n),P)
HO_MARGIN(n) = HOM (CREATE ADJC) = handover margin of the neighbor cell (n)
and
C3. PRIO_NCELL(n) <= PRIO_SCELL
PRIO_NCELL = PLNC (CREATE ADJC) = priority layer assigned to the neighbor cell
Note: The lower the value of the parameters PL and PLNC, the higher the priority level!
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B) The cells in the target cell list of the HANDOVER CONDITION INDICATION message are ordered by
priority (not by their level).
Cells with the same priority level are ordered according to the value of PBGT(n) HO_MARGIN(n).
Feature Activation
To activate the feature, the cell parameter HIERC must be set to TRUE for all cells; this flag
enables the hierarchical cell structures feature. If it is set to TRUE, the target cell list generation
process in the BTS considers the priority levels of the serving cell (see parameter PL, which is
only relevant for power budget and traffic handovers) and the neighbor cells (see parameters
PLNC and PPLNC in the ADJC object, which is only relevant for all imperative handovers, except
for the fast uplink handover).
The PL parameter defines the priority layer of each cell, while the PLNC parameter defines the
priority of neighbor cells.
RXLEVMIN is used to set the desired Level threshold to access an 1800 cell. All handovers from
1800 to 900 will be handled via an urgency condition (Level and Quality). Traffic HO will be
allowed between 1800 cells.
Recommended Settings
Cell level (HAND):
PL=5 for 1800 cells and 9 for 900 cells. Priority layer, if hierarchical cell handover is enabled
(HIERC=TRUE) this parameter determines the priority layer of the cell, and is only
evaluated for the Power Budget handover decision and the traffic handover decision (see
parameter TRFKPRI).
TRFKPRI=TRUE: HO Traffic priority; this parameter determines which neighbor cells are
allowed as target cells for traffic handovers if the hierarchical cell structure feature is
enabled (parameter HIERC=TRUE).
o
HOLTHLVDL=12 (-98 dBm) for 1800 cells and 5 (-105) for 900 cells: Handover lower
threshold level downlink, defines the receive signal level threshold on the downlink for intercell level handover decisions. This parameter is only relevant if inter-cell handover due to
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NMULBAC: Number of reported Multi Band cells. Currently set to 0. Schema recommends a
setting of 2 in order to report at least 2 cells from the opposite band for collocated cells.
PLNC (Priority layer of neighbor cell) = 5 for 900 to 1800 neighbor relations, and 9 for all
neighbor relations; this parameter determines the priority layer of the adjacent cell.
HO margin
RXLEVMIN= 6 (-104 dBm) for 900 and 17 (93 dBm) for 1800
7.5
Ericsson
7.5.1
Generally, path loss and clutter result in the GSM cell being stronger than a co-located DCS cell.
However, the settings noted in the following paragraphs will improve the likelihood of MS
operating on the GSM channels.
Recommended Settings
On the cell level:
For all 900 cells this parameter should equal -110 (dBm) in order to
capture all possible traffic.
For 1800 cells, collocated with 900 cells, this parameter should equal 104.
For standalone 1800 cells this parameter should equal -110 dBm.
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CRO: Cell Reselect Offset. Schema recommends 3 (6 dB) for all cells (PT should also be set
to 0).
CBQ= HIGH for GSM cells and LOW for DCS to favor GSM cells in the cell selection process
(not reselection).
BCCH type changes to BCCH COMB SDCCH/4 for all 1800 collocated cells
One fixed SDCCH TS (at least) defined for all 900 cells
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Additional Optimization
To further decrease unnecessary SDCCH traffic, unnecessary registration should be minimized
on the LAC border by setting the Cell Reselection Hysteresis parameter (CRH) to 5 (10dB). This
only impacts a limited number of cells on the BSC borders (1LAC= 1BSC).
7.5.2
The HCS Hierarchical Cell Structure should be activated to ensure that calls are served by the
DCS station.
The Hierarchical Cell Structure (HCS) feature can be used to force traffic onto 1800 MHz
channels when calls are active by setting the 1800 MHz cells to a higher priority than the 900
MHz cells (i.e., by setting the HCSBAND parameter to 2 for the 1800 MHz cells and to 3 for the
900 MHz cells, with layer 1 reserved for micro-cells).
By forcing traffic onto the 1800 MHz cells, 1800 MHz candidate cells are always evaluated
before the 900 MHz cells.
Cell level (HAND):
LAYERTHR= -95 (dBm) for GSM cells and 85 for DCS cells.
MBCR: Number of reported Multi-Band cells. Schema recommends 2 for GSM cells and 3 for
DCS cells to report at least 2 cells from opposite bands for collocated cells.
7.6
Nokia
7.6.1
Generally, path loss and clutter make the GSM cell stronger than a co-located DCS cell.
However, the settings noted in the following paragraphs should further improve the likelihood
of MS operating on the GSM channels.
Recommended Settings
On the Cell level:
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For all 900 cells, this parameter should equal -110 (dBm), in order to
capture all possible traffic.
For 1800 cells that are collocated with 900 cells, this parameter should
equal 104 dBm.
For standalone 1800 cells, this parameter should equal -110 dBm.
CRO: Cell Reselect Offset. Schema recommends 3 (6 dB) for all cells.
CellBarQualify (CBQ)= HIGH for GSM cells and LOW for DCS to favor GSM cells in the cell
selection process (not reselection).
BCCH type changes to BCCH COMB SDCCH/4 for all 1800 collocated cells
One Fixed SDCCH TS (at least) defined for all 900 cells
Additional Optimization
To further decrease SDCCH traffic, unnecessary registration can be minimized on the LAC
border by setting the cellReselectHysteresis (CRH) to 5 (10dB). This only impacts a limited
number of cells on the BSC borders (1LAC= 1BSC).
7.6.2
The Umbrella structure should be activated to ensure that calls are served by the DCS station.
This feature can be used to force traffic into the 1800 MHz channels in active mode by setting
the 1800 MHz cells at a higher priority than the 900 MHz cells (i.e., by setting the
enable_umbrella_HO parameter to 2 for the 1800 MHz cells and to 3 for the 900 MHz cells, with
layer 1 reserved for micro-cells).
By forcing traffic onto the 1800 MHz cells, 1800 MHz candidate cells will always be evaluated
before 900 MHz cells.
Theoretical Background
Umbrella Handover can be used in multilayer networks to push traffic from macro cells to micro
cells or from GSM cells to DCS cells (with combined umbrella and power budget handovers.).
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Power Budget Handover takes place only among cells in the same layer
Based on the AdjCellLayer parameter setting, either the adjacent cell layer or the conventional
method may be used.
Implementation
On the Cell level (HAND):
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HoLevelUmbrella= -95 (dBm) for GSM cells and 85 for DCS cells; this parameter defines
the minimum signal level of an adjacent cell when a handover is allowed in an adjacent
umbrella cell.
7.6.3
The new S10 features, Common BCCH Control and Multi BCF Control are optional and
introduce a new architecture and radio network object, called a segment. Up to S9, a
segment is used in the same sense as a telecom cell, which consists of only one BTS. In BSC
S10, a cell can be configured for different BTS objects, and the BTSs of a segment are colocated and synchronized.
The TRXs inside a BTS-object must have capabilities that are common to both features. For
instance, they must be both EDGE-capable and non-EDGE-capable. TRXs must be configured as
separate BTS-objects. (E)GPRS territory can be defined separately for each BTS-object.
A Segment can have BTS objects that differ in frequency bands (GSM850 and GSM 1900),
power levels (Talk-family and UltraSite BTSs), regular and super-reuse frequencies, normal and
extended cell radius frequencies, and EDGE capabilities.
Common BCCH parameters are defined in several command groups, required to control the
Common BCCH Control feature. The groups are BSC Parameter Handling in BSC, BTS Handling
in BSC, Adjacent Cell Handling, Handover Control Parameter Handling, and Power Control
Parameter Handling.
Some parameters are required to handle the segment environment in general, while others are
required to handle the resources of different frequency bands in a segment. The most important
general parameters of the segment environment are the segment identification and the
segment name (provided on PRFILE/FIFILE level). These general parameters are available in all
command groups with specific cell parameters that are common to all the BTSs of a segment.
Most of the parameters related to the Common BCCH Control are defined per segment object.
Parameters related to the feature in Adjacent Cell Handling, Handover Control Parameter
Handling and Power Control Parameter Handling are all defined as common values for the BTSs
of one segment. In the BTS Handling command group, most of the parameters are segment
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level parameters, but there are also BTS-specific parameters, used to define separate values for
the different BTS objects in a segment.
In the BTS Handling command group, two BTS-specific parameters have been introduced, along
with the Common BCCH Control feature.
NonBcchLayerOffset is used to estimate the signal level of the non- BCCH layer resources.
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However, since the BSC must decide which handovers are made for an MS on the GSM1900
layer of a segment, the BCCH frequency of the segment, itself, is added to the BCCH
frequencies that the MS measures when it is on the GSM1900 band. A modified BA list is sent
to an MS on the GSM1900 layer in an SI 5 message on the SACCH.
When the Common BCCH Control feature is enabled there can be only 31 frequencies in
adjacent cell and BA lists. Only five of the strongest neighbors are included in the adjacent cell
measurements in a multi-band segment since the BCCH of the serving segment is added to the
measured frequencies.
7.6.3.1
When the BSC has determined that a mobile accessing the SDCCH is capable of dual band
operation, it determines whether to send the call to the 850 or 1900 MHz BTS by applying the
BTS-specific parameter, NonBcchLayerOffset, to the 850 BCCH measurements to estimate what
the signal level would be at 1900. A single value is used even though it may actually vary,
based on the MS location relative to the cell.
When a call is on a GSM1900 frequency band TCH channel, the BSC defines the usability of the
GSM850 band, based on the measurement of the serving GSM1900 TCH. The BTS-specific
offset parameter, NonBcchLayerOffset, is used to determine whether a call should be handed
over to a particular BTS. The criterion for accepting a resource type to be used in channel
allocation is
RXLEV_DL - NonBcchLayerOffset>= SuperReuseGoodRxLevThreshold.
If the MS uses a GSM1900 TCH, the RXLEV_DL is the downlink signal level of the BCCH carrier
of the segment.
7.6.3.2
When the BSC has defined a need for an inter-cell handover based on the measurements of the
serving TCH channel, the usability of the different resource types of each candidate segment
are determined on the basis of the BCCH measurement results for the segment and the values
of NonBcchLayerOffset parameter for different resource types in the segment. The resulting
level is compared to an existing threshold parameter RxLevMinCell(n):
AV_RXLEV_NCELL(n) - NonBcchLayerOffset>= RxLevMinCell(n).
The signal level in the adjacent segment must exceed the RxLevMinCell(n) level to perform the
handover to the adjacent segment.
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7.6.3.3
It is not possible to define the usability of the GSM1900 resources on the target side of a
handover between two BSCs. The radio link measurements related to the target segment are
only available on the source side BSC. The TCH allocation on the target side of a BSC external
handover is limited to the GSM850 frequencies of the segment.
7.7
Nortel
7.7.1
Generally, path loss and clutter result in a GSM cell being stronger than a co-located DCS cell.
However, the settings outlined in the following paragraphs will improve the likelihood of MS
operating on the GSM channels.
Recommended Settings
On the cell level:
For all 900 cells, this parameter should equal -110 (dBm), to capture all
possible traffic.
For 1800 cells, collocated with 900 cells, this parameter should equal 104.
For standalone 1800 cells, this parameter should equal -110 dBm.
CellReselectOffset: Schema recommends 3 (6 dB) for all cells (PT set to 0).
CellBarQualify= FALSE for GSM cells and TRUE for DCS to favor GSM cells in the cell
selection process (not reselection)
BCCH type changed to BCCH COMB SDCCH/4 for all 1800 collocated cells
One Fixed SDCCH TS (at least) defined for all 900 cells
Additional Optimization
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In order to further decrease SDCCH traffic, unnecessary registration can be minimized on the
LAC border by setting the cellReselectHysteresis parameter to 5 (10dB), which only impacts a
limited number of cells at the BSC borders (1LAC= 1BSC).
7.7.2
To ensure that calls are served by the DCS station, it is best to activate the handover decision
based on adjacent cell Priorities and the load (from v12).
This feature helps optimize traffic distribution between layers (based on cell priorities) and cells
on the same layer (based on overload conditions).
Traffic can be forced to the 1800 MHz channels when calls are active by setting the 1800 MHz
cells to a higher priority than the 900 MHz cells (that is, by setting the offsetPriority parameter
to 2 for 1800 MHz cells and to 3 for 900 MHz cells, layer 1 being reserved for micro-cells).
By forcing traffic to the 1800 MHz cells, 1800 MHz candidate cells will always be evaluated
before the 900 MHz cells.
In the selection phase, the BSC places cells in descending priority order (offsetPriority), but for
same priority cells, the order in the Handover Indication message is maintained. The BSC
calculates the following for those cells:
EXP4(n) = EXPi(n) [offset_load(n) * state_load(n)] where EXPi(n) = EXP1(n) For handover
causes, capture, or directed retries in distant mode, EXPi(n) = EXP2(n) for other causes ; EXP1
or EXP2 are added to the handover indication message from V12 ; offset_load is a neighbor
cell parameter in dB and state_load is an overload status parameter ; state_load=1 for an intra
BSS neighbor cell which is overloaded and 0 otherwise including an inter-BSS neighbor cell
overloaded ; the BSC sorts same priority cells by decreasing the EXP4 values before reducing
the preferred cell list from six to three.
Overload detection relies on the handover for traffic reasons principle. If the overload
detection is not activated, priority is the only criterion considered.
Priority is important in a multi-layer network, and overload is important in a network containing
same-priority cells.
A problem may occur in multi-layer networks when the higher priority cell (which captures
traffic) is overloaded, and induces HOs for traffic in adjacent cells.
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multiband reporting: Number of reported Multi Band cells. Schema recommends two for
GSM cells and three for DCS cells in order to report at least two cells from opposite band for
collocated cells.
rxLevMinCell= 6 (-104 dBm) for 900 and 17 (93 dBm) for 1800. Minimum received signals
for neighbor to be eligible for Handover.
LRxLevDLH: Urgency Handover threshold due to poor SS DL. LRxLevDLH = 12 (-98 dBm)
for 1800 cells and 5 (-105) for 900 cells: Handover lower threshold level downlink defines
the receive signal level threshold on the downlink for the inter-cell level handover decision.
The actual threshold value in [dBm] is calculated as follows:
Handover Threshold (dBm) = -110dBm + LRxLevDLH.
7.8
Huawei
7.8.1
Generally, path loss and clutter result in a GSM cell being stronger than a co-located DCS cell.
However, the settings listed in the following paragraphs improve the likelihood of MS operating
on GSM channels.
Recommended Settings
On the cell level:
For all 900 cells this parameter should equal -110 dBm (0), to capture all possible
traffic.
For 1800 cells that are collocated with 900 cells, this parameter should equal104 (6).
For standalone 1800 cells this parameter should equal -110 dBm (0).
CRO: Cell Reselect Offset. Schema recommends 3 (6 dB) for all cells.
CellBarQualify (CBQ)= YES (HIGH) for GSM cells and NO (LOW) for DCS to favor GSM cells
in the cell selection process (not reselection).
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BCCH type changed to BCCH COMB SDCCH/4 for all 1800 collocated cells
One Fixed SDCCH TS (at least) defined for all 900 cells
Dynamic SDCCH Allocation active on all cells (SD Dynamic Allocation Allowed= YES)
Additional Optimization
In order to further decrease SDCCH traffic, unnecessary registration can be minimized on the
LAC border by setting the cellReselectHysteresis (CRH) to 5 (10dB), which only impacts a
limited number of cells on the BSC borders (1LAC= 1BSC).
7.8.2
To ensure that calls are served by the DCS station, it is best to activate the Umbrella structure,
which forces traffic to 1800 MHz channels in active mode. The 1800 MHz cells are set to a
higher priority than the 900 MHz cells (that is, the enable_umbrella_HO parameter is set to two
for the 1800 MHz cells and to three for the 900 MHz cells, layer 1 being reserved for microcells).
By forcing traffic to the 1800 MHz cells, 1800 MHz candidate cells are always evaluated before
the 900 MHz cells.
Theoretical Background
The Umbrella Handover can be used in multilayer networks to push traffic from macro cells to
micro cells or from GSM cells to DCS cells (with combined umbrella and power budget
handovers).
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The AdjCellLayer parameter is set to either the Adjacent Cell Layer method or to the
Conventional Method.
Implementation
Cell level (HAND):
Layer of the cell (Range: 1~4), 2 for 1800 and 3 for 900; The smaller the layer value, the
higher the priority.
Inter-layer HO Thrsh = -95 (dBm) for GSM cells and 85 for DCS cells. The threshold for the
inter-layer Hierarchical Handover should satisfy: Inter-layer HO Thrsh. Edge HO RX_LEV
Thrsh. + Inter-cell HO hysteresis to ensure that the receiving level of the destination cell is
higher than inter-layer HO threshold in hierarchical handover or load handover. Otherwise,
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MS hands over from a large load high level cell (high priority cell) to a small load low level
cell (low priority cell), and the MS may be disconnected.
Rx_Level_Drop HO allowed (Yes) on 1800; the parameter decides whether to use the
emergency handover algorithm when the receiving level drops quickly.
The PBGT HO allowed for both bands parameter determines whether to use the PBGT
handover algorithm, which is based on path loss. To avoid Ping-Pong handover, the PBGT
handover occurs only between cells of the same layer.
The Load HO allowed set to Yes on DCS1800 determines whether Traffic load-sharing
handover is allowed. Load-sharing reduces cell congestion and balances the traffic load for
each cell to improve network performance. This works only within the same BSC or for cells
in the same layer, and is only used for TCH.
7.9
MotorolaHello Moto!
7.9.1
Generally, the difference in path loss results in the GSM cell being stronger than a co-located
DCS cell. However, the settings in the following paragraphs improve the likelihood that MS
operates on the GSM channels.
Recommended Settings
Access
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cell_bar_access_switc
Not barred
cell_bar_qualify
1/0
cell_bar_access_class
Deactivated
emergency_class_swit
Immediate Assignmen
mode
Option emergency
Preempt
4 / 12
Cell_reselect_hysteresis
8 dB
Cell_reselect_offset
0/4
0 dB / 8 dB
Cell_reselect_param_ind
1/1
Penalty_time
Temporary_offset
0 dB
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BCCH type changed to BCCH COMB SDCCH/4 for all 1800 collocated cells
One Fixed SDCCH TS (at least) defined for all 900 cells
Additional Optimization
In order to further decrease SDCCH traffic, unnecessary registration can be minimized on the
LAC border.
To do so, the Cell_reselect_hysteresis (CRH) can be reset to 5 (10dB). This will only impact a
limited number of cells at the BSC borders (1LAC= 1BSC).
7.9.2
HO cause capture on PBGT (type 5) can be used to ensure that calls are served by the DCS
station by forcing traffic to 1800 MHz channels in active mode, using a different HO-margin for
type 5 HO only, and setting the specific Rxlev min to control traffic on 1800.
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Theoretical Background
Serving cell:
900 non collocated
PBGT (normal)
Distance: urgency
Congestion: urgency
PBGT
Congestion
Equation
Neighbor SS must meet the requirement for qualify_delay_time_type_5
PBGT(n) > ho_margin_cell (n)
and
rlev_dl ( n ) > rxlev_ncell_h(n) during qualify_delay_time_type_5
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Implementation
Cell level:
Handover:
The ho_margin_type5 parameter sets the power budget type 5 handover margin.
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