ZGB-02-02-005 Double BCCH

Allocation List
Feature Guide
 ZGB-02-02-005 Double BCCH Allocation List

ZGB-02-02-005 Double BCCH Allocation List

Version Date Author Reviewer Notes

GU Commercial
V1.0 2013/03/11 Zhang Junbo System Not open to the third party
Supporting Dept.

© 2013 ZTE Corporation. All rights reserved.

ZTE CONFIDENTIAL: This document contains proprietary information of ZTE and is not to be disclosed or used
without the prior written permission of ZTE.
Due to update and improvement of ZTE products and technologies, information in this document is subjected to
change without notice.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Feature Attribute ............................................................................................... 4

2 Overview ............................................................................................................ 4
2.1 Feature Introduction ............................................................................................. 4
2.2 License Control .................................................................................................... 5
2.3 Correlation with Other Features ........................................................................... 5

3 Technical Description ....................................................................................... 5

4 Parameters and Configurations ....................................................................... 6

4.1 Parameter List ..................................................................................................... 6
4.2 Parameter Configuration ...................................................................................... 6
4.2.1 Parent DN ............................................................................................................ 6
4.2.2 DN of source Gsmcell .......................................................................................... 7
4.2.3 DN of source ExternalGsmcell ............................................................................. 7
4.2.4 Relation type ........................................................................................................ 7

5 Related Counters and Alarms .......................................................................... 8

5.1 Related Counters ................................................................................................. 8
5.2 Related Alarms .................................................................................................... 8

6 Engineering Guide ............................................................................................ 8

6.1 Application Scenario ............................................................................................ 8
6.2 Configuration Description ..................................................................................... 9
6.3 Feature Validation .............................................................................................. 12
6.3.1 Double BCCH Allocation List ............................................................................. 12
6.4 Feature Turn off ................................................................................................. 13
6.5 Network Impact .................................................................................................. 13

7 Abbreviation .................................................................................................... 14

8 Reference Document....................................................................................... 14

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FIGURES

Figure 6-1 [Adjacent GSM Cell Configuration – Table Mode] interface ............................... 9
Figure 6-2 Create a “Handover and reselect” adjacent GSM cell .......................................10
Figure 6-3 Create a “Reselect” adjacent GSM cell .............................................................11
Figure 6-4 Create a “Handover” adjacent GSM cell ...........................................................11

TABLES

Table 4-1 Parameter List ....................................................................................................... 6

Table 4-2 Configuration rule of Parent DN ............................................................................. 6
Table 4-3 Configuration rule of DN of source Gsmcell ........................................................... 7
Table 4-4 Configuration rule of DN of source ExternalGsmcell .............................................. 7
Table 4-5 Configuration rule of Relation type ......................................................................... 7

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1 Feature Attribute
BSC Version: [ZXG10-iBSC GSM (V6.30.102)]

BTS Version: [Not related with BTS hardware platform]

Property: [Basic]

Related Network Element:

NE Name Related or Not Special Requirements

MS -
BTS -
BSC √
MSC -
MGW -
SGSN -
GGSN -
HLR -

Dependent Function: [None]

Exclusive Function: [None]

Note: [None]

2 Overview

2.1 Feature Introduction

The BCCH Allocation (BA) list is a list of frequencies that is broadcast on the
network and used by the MS. The function is that the MS provides double BA list so
that the MS can use different BA list in the events of handover (in dedicated mode)
and cell reselection (in idle mode).

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2.2 License Control

None license control for this feature in UR12 Release.

2.3 Correlation with Other Features

Correlation with ZGO-06-01-001 Automatic Adjusting of BA list:

“Automatic Adjusting of BA list” describes the MR data-based automtic frequency

planning and neighbor cell optimization through automatic adjustment of BA list.

3 Technical Description
According to 3GPP TS 44.018, there are two ways to transmit BA list to the MS.
When the transmission is made over BCCH, the BA list is contained in the system
information type2, type 2bis and type 2ter. When the transmission is made over
SACCH, the BA list is contained in the system information type5, type 5bis and type
5ter.

The content of the BA list between the two different ways can be either the same or
different, hence the flexible network optimization configuration is available.

The system generates two types of BA list according to the configuration of

reselection neighbor cell and handover neighbor cell. In the iBSC, if the neighbor cell
is configured to be the reselection cell, then the BCCH frequency point of the
neighbor cell will be shown in the BA list that is transmitted over BCCH. If the
neighbor cell is configured to be the handover cell, then the BCCH frequency point of
the neighbor cell will be shown in the BA list that is transmitted over SACCH. If the
neighbor cell is configured to be the handover + reselction cell, then the BCCH
frequency point of the neighbor cell will be shown in both BA lists of BCCH and
SACCH.

To configure the same BA list, simply configure all neighbor cells to be the handover
+ reselection cells.

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To configure different BA lists, configure reselection cells and handover cells

separately.

4 Parameters and Configurations

4.1 Parameter List

Table 4-1 Parameter List

SN Name Figure

1 Parent DN Figure 6-2

2 DN of source Gsmcell Figure 6-2
3 DN of source ExternalGsmCell Figure 6-2
4 Relation type Figure 6-2

4.2 Parameter Configuration

4.2.1 Parent DN

Table 4-2 Configuration rule of Parent DN

Full name Parent DN

Abbreviation Parent DN

Description The DN of the serving cell

Managed object Cell
Value range NA
Unit NA
Default value NA

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4.2.2 DN of source Gsmcell

Table 4-3 Configuration rule of DN of source Gsmcell

Full name DN of source Gsmcell

Abbreviation refGGsmCell
Description The DN of the intra-BSC adjacent GSM cell
Managed object Cell
Value range NA
Unit NA
Default value NA

4.2.3 DN of source ExternalGsmcell

Table 4-4 Configuration rule of DN of source ExternalGsmcell

Full name DN of source ExternalGsmcell

Abbreviation refGExternalGsmCell
Description The DN of the external adjacent GSM cell
Managed object Cell
Value range NA
Unit NA
Default value NA

4.2.4 Relation type

Table 4-5 Configuration rule of Relation type

Full name Relation type

Abbreviation RelationType

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The type of the adjacent GSM cells, including 3 types,

“Handover”, “Reselect”, and “Handover and reselect”.
“Handover and reselect”: The adjacent GSM cell will be used as
the adjacent cell both in dedicated mode and in idle mode.
Description
“Reselect”: The adjacent GSM cell will be only used as the
adjacent cell in idle mode.
“Handover”: The adjacent GSM cell will be only used as the
adjacent cell in dedicated mode.
Managed object Cell
Value range Handover and reselect[0], Reselect[1], Handover[2]
Unit NA
Default value Handover and reselect[0]

5 Related Counters and Alarms

5.1 Related Counters

This feature has no related counters.

5.2 Related Alarms

This feature has no related alarms.

6 Engineering Guide

6.1 Application Scenario

The feature can be applied to most scenarios.

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6.2 Configuration Description

Do the following steps to configure the BA list used for cell reselection and cell
handover as the same BA list.

1. In [Configuration Management] interface, select [GSM Logical Configuration→

Cell Information Configuration→ Adjacent Relation Configuration→ Adjacent GSM
Cell Configuration] to open the [Adjacent GSM Cell Configuration-Table Mode]
interface. In the [Adjacent GSM Cell Configuration-Table Mode] interface, click the
[New] button to open the [Adjacent GSM Cell Configuration] interface to create a
new adjacent GSM cell. Figure 6-1 shows the [Adjacent GSM Cell
Configuration-Table Mode] interface.

Figure 6-1 [Adjacent GSM Cell Configuration – Table Mode] interface

2. In the [Adjacent GSM Cell Configuration] interface, select the “Parent DN” as the
DN of the serving cell. Select the “DN of source Gsmcell” (if the adjacent GSM cell is
an intra-BSC adjacent cell) or “DN of source ExternalGsmCell” (if the adjacent GSM
cell is an external adjacent cell) as the DN of the adjacent GSM cell. Select the value
of “Relation type” as “Handover and reselect[0]”. Figure 6-2 shows an example.

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Figure 6-2 Create a “Handover and reselect” adjacent GSM cell

Do the following steps to configure the BA list for cell reselection and handover as
different BA list, that is, double BA list.

1. In [Configuration Management] interface, select [GSM Logical Configuration→

Cell Information Configuration→ Adjacent Relation Configuration→ Adjacent GSM
Cell Configuration] to open the [Adjacent GSM Cell Configuration-Table Mode]
interface. In the [Adjacent GSM Cell Configuration-Table Mode] interface, click the
[New] button to open the [Adjacent GSM Cell Configuration] interface to create a
new adjacent GSM cell. The [Adjacent GSM Cell Configuration-Table Mode]
interface is shown in Figure 6-1.

2. In the [Adjacent GSM Cell Configuration] interface, select the “Parent DN” as the
DN of the serving cell. Select the “DN of source Gsmcell” (if the adjacent GSM cell is
an intra-BSC adjacent cell) or “DN of source ExternalGsmCell” (if the adjacent GSM
cell is an external adjacent cell) as the DN of the adjacent GSM cell.

If select the value of “Relation type” as “Reselect[1]”, the neighbor cell only for cell
reselection is configured and the neighbor cell information is broadcast over BCCH
(system information 2, or 2bis, or 2ter). Figure 6-3 shows an example.

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Figure 6-3 Create a “Reselect” adjacent GSM cell

If select the value of “Relation type” as “Handover[2]”, the neighbor cell only for cell
handover is configured and the neighbor cell information is broadcast over SACCH
(system information 5, or 5bis, or 5ter). Figure 6-4 shows an example.

Figure 6-4 Create a “Handover” adjacent GSM cell

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6.3 Feature Validation

6.3.1 Double BCCH Allocation List

Test Item Double BCCH Allocation List
Precondition 1. check CN is healthy;
2. check BSC is healthy;
3. check BTS is healthy;
4. MSs are ready;
5. ensure good radio environment;
Test Steps 1. Use the RCT tool to trace the RSLCS signaling of the
testing cell;
2. In the “Adjacent GSM Cell Configuration” interface of
the testing cell, configure cell 1 as the “Reselect”
adjacent cell of the testing cell;
3. In “Adjacent GSM Cell Configuration” interface of the
testing cell, configure cell 2 as the “Handover”
adjacent cell of the testing cell;
4. In “Adjacent GSM Cell Configuration” interface of the
testing cell, configure cell 3 as the “Handover and
reselect” adjacent cell of the testing cell;
5. Synchornize the data to BSC;
6. Check the system information 2, 2bis,2ter in RSLCS
signaling trace;
7. Check the system information 5, 5bis,5ter in RSLCS
signaling trace;
Anticipative Result 1. The ARFCNs of “Reselect” adjacent cells should be
included in the “Neighbour Cells Description” of
system information 2/2bis/2ter;
2. The ARFCNs of “Handover” adjacent cells should be
included in the “Neighbour Cells Description” of
system information 5/5bis/5ter;
3. The ARFCNs of “Handover and reselect” adjacent
cells should be included in the “Neighbour Cells
Description” of system information 2/2bis/2ter and
system information 5/5bis/5ter.
Test Result 1. ARFCNs in System Information are correct
according to Reselect/Handover/ Handover and
reselect neighbor cell.
Parameters Setting Default parameters

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6.4 Feature Turn off

Configuring all neighbor cells of the serving cell as “Handover and reselect” cell, the
BA list over BCCH and the BA list over SACCH are same and the double BA list
function is closed.

6.5 Network Impact

Whether the double BA list function is enabled has some impacts on the network
performance.

When the MS is active, the BA list is transmitted over SACCH and used for cell
handover of the MS. When the MS is idle, the BA list is broadcast in BCCH and
mainly used for the cell selection and reselection of the MS.

The MS performs signal strength measurement by a certain period of time. If there

are not many frequencies for the measurement, more frequency sample values will
be obtained and thus the higher precision of average value and in turn better
measurement report result in the location algorithm.

MS in active mode: A short BA list is better in handover implementation than a long

BA list. If a long BA list is applied, there will be comparatively few measurement
sample values for every cell, hence the lower measurement precision and in turn the
MS will take longer time to translate the BSIC code for unrelated cells. Besides, if
now the decoding fails, the MS will take extra time to try decoding the BSIC code for
the cell again and also the MS will wait longer before it can begin to decode the BSIC
code for other cells.

MS in idle mode: When an MS powers on, it scans the most recently received BA list.
If the MS moves, it is possible that the MS measures the signal of a cell with very
weak signal strength and locks on the cell. If the list is very short and it does not
contain the best cell of the place where the MS is located, the MS continues to lock
on the “bad” cell. Such environment is in fact not good for setting up a call. Such
situation can be avoided if an idle BA list contains many frequencies. Many
frequencies existing in an idle BA list means that there is few measurement sample

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values for each frequency, hence the low measurement precision in idle mode. This
is also a serious problem worth consideration.

We’ve looked at the impact of enabling double BA list over handover and cell
selection/reselection. The enabled double BA list function has no impact over the
iBSC capacity and BTS capacity.

It’s suggested that in an urban area with densely distributed BTS and population, the
double BA list function should be enabled so that a short BA list is used for the cell
handover in active mode and a long BA list is used for cell selection and reselection
in idle mode. Please note that a short BA list used for cell handover does not mean
that the list is too short. In fact, the list should at least contain the frequencies of
neighbor cell that might be involved in a handover, otherwise degradation of network
handover indexes and call indexes will be unavoidable.

7 Abbreviation
Abbreviations Full Characteristics
rd
3GPP 3 Generation Partnership Project

BA BCCH Allocation

BCCH Broadcast Control Channel

BSC Base Station Controller

BTS Base Transceiver Station

CN Core Network

DN Distinguished Name

GSM Global System of Mobile Communication

MS Mobile Station

SACCH Slow Associated Control Channel

8 Reference Document
3GPP TS 44.018, 3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group
GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network; Mobile radio interface layer 3 specification; Radio
Resource Control (RRC) protocol

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ZXG10 iBSC (V6.30.10) Base Station Controller Radio Parameter Reference

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