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For UMTS the following types of handover are specified: Handover 3G -3G (i.e. between UMTS and other 3G systems) FDD soft/softer handover FDD inter-frequency hard handover FDD/TDD handover (change of cell) TDD/FDD handover (change of cell) TDD/TDD handover Handover 3G - 2G (e.g. handover to GSM) Handover 2G - 3G (e.g. handover from GSM)
The most obvious cause for performing a handover is that due to its movement a user can be served in another cell more efficiently (like less power emission, less interference). It may however also be performed for other reasons such as system load control. Active Set is defined as the set of Node-Bs the UE is simultaneously connected to (i.e., the UTRA cells currently assigning a downlink DPCH to the UE constitute the active set). Cells, which are not included in the active set, but are included in the CELL_INFO_LIST belong to the Monitored Set. Cells detected by the UE, which are neither in the CELL_INFO_LIST nor in the active set belong to the Detected Set. Reporting of measurements of the detected set is only applicable to intra-frequency measurements made by UEs in CELL_DCH state. The different types of air interface measurements are: Intra-frequency measurements: measurements on downlink physical channels at the same frequency as the active set. A measurement object corresponds to one cell. Inter-frequency measurements: measurements on downlink physical channels at frequencies that differ from the frequency of the active set. A measurement object corresponds to one cell. Inter-RAT measurements: measurements on downlink physical channels belonging to another radio access technology than UTRAN, e.g. GSM. A measurement object corresponds to one cell. Traffic volume measurements: measurements on uplink traffic volume. A measurement object corresponds to one cell. Quality measurements: Measurements of downlink quality parameters, e.g. downlink transport block error rate. A measurement object corresponds to one
transport channel in case of BLER. A measurement object corresponds to one timeslot in case of SIR (TDD only). UE-internal measurements: Measurements of UE transmission power and UE received signal level. UE positioning measurements: Measurements of UE position. The UE supports a number of measurements running in parallel. The UE also supports that each measurement is controlled and reported independently of every other measurement.
Eb and No
To begin, we define the basic concepts of Eb and No. They are basic for any digital communication system, and generally we talk about it when we deal with Bit Error Rate and also Modulation techniques. Simply put:
Eb: Bit Energy. o It represents the amount of energy per bit. No: Noise Spectral Density. o Unit: Watts/Hz (or mWatts/Hz)
It did not help much, does it? Do not worry. Indeed, only with the theoretical definition is still very difficult to see how this ratio is used, or how it can be measured. But okay, let's walk a little further.
The ratio Eb/No is measured at the receiver, and serves to indicate how strong the signal is. Depending on the modulation technique used (BPSK, QPSK, etc.) we have different curves for Bit Error Rate x Eb/No. These curves are used as follows: for a certain RF signal, which is the bit errors rate that I have? Is this bit error rate acceptable for my system? Whereas the gain that digital has, then we can set a minimum criterion of signal to noise ratio, in order to have each service (Voice/Data) operating acceptably.
In other words, we can theoretically determine how the performance would be for the digital link. Note: it is worth remembering here that this is a very complex subject. As always, we try to introduce to you the most simplified possible through the use of examples and simple concepts. Okay? For example, a concept that could be explored here - since we are talking about digital communication system - is the Noise Figure. But we do not want to repeat here all the theory explained in the University. Nor was it to have mentioned the noise figure here, but as we talked about it, just understand as a noise level that every receiver has, and that it is due to the process of amplification and processing of signal. Concepts like this, and other even more complex, can be studied, if you wish. But now, let's continue with our signal to noise ratio.
Note: all the technology uses signal-interference ratio. For example, in GSM, we use C/I. As we are speaking of codes, it becomes easier to understand the concepts by observing a simplified diagram of Spread Spectrum Modulation. In red, in transmitter have a narrowband signal with data or voice modulated. This signal is spread and transmitted. And spreads through the middle (air). In the receiver, the signal is despread - using the same sequence that was spread - and thus recovering the base narrowband signal.
To proceed, we must know some more definitions. However, this point is quite delicate, as we enter a conceptual area where we have differences between authors, differences in translations/countries, where differences in technologies are applied, etc.. Let's try to define in a generic way, and only the main.
No: Spectral Density of Noise; o Noise generated by the RF components of the system, the air, among others. Io: Interference is the Broadband; Interfering co-channel, including yourself setor. E: is the signal (average) energy - do not confuse it with the sinal (average) power. b, c, s. ..: Energy are the power points in time, therefore related to the measure or 'length' of the time (the average power is independent of time ). o Hence it comes Eb, Ec and Es, respectively relating to Bit Chip and Symbol in different times.
Note: With these concepts, several formulas can be derived with different numerators and denominators. For example, Es = Eb * k, where k = number of bits per symbol. In QPSK modulation, where k = 2, Es = 2 * Eb. And the derivations of formulas can reach far more complex equations, such as the definitions of capacity of an AWGN channel, and further deductions for equivalences (Ec/No, Eb/Nt, etc. ...). Again, it is not our purpose here today. We only mention a few concepts, related. Then come back to the practical level - noting that theoretical approaches can be done more easily later, after the basics are understood. So let's keep today in ratios most common: Eb/No and Ec/Io.
As we defined Eb/No is the Average Energy of a bit signal, on the Spectral Density of Noise. It is primarily a parameter related to the manufacturer for different bearers (based on the channel model). But it can also vary with the environment (urban, rural, suburban), speed, diversity, use of power control, application type, etc.. And now we can begin to define Ec/Io, one of the most important systems in CDMA and UMTS. Note: An important observation is that often when we refer to Ec/Io, we are actually referring to Ec/(Io + No). What happens is that for practical purposes, we only have Ec/Io, because the interference is much stronger and the noise can be neglected. Otherwise: for CDMA interference is like a noise, then both can be considered the same thing. Okay, let's stop with the issues and concepts, and talk a little about the values of these indicators and their use in practice.
The Ec/Io varies with several factors, such as the Traffic Load and and RF Scenario. Of course, the Ec/Io is the final composition of all these factors simultaneously (Composite Ec/Io), but it's easier to understand talking about each one separately.
Thus we have: Ec = 2 W Io = 0 + 2 + 2 = 4 W Ec/Io = (2/4) = 0.5 = -3 dB Now assume that several traffic channels are busy (eg use 6 W for traffic channels). This is a situation of traffic load, we'll see how is Ec/Io.
Ec = 2 W Io = 2 + 2 + 6 = 10 W Ec/Io = (2/10) = 0.2 = -7 dB Conclusion: As the traffic load in the sector increases, the Ec/Io worsens.
Ec/Io = (2/8) = 0.25 = -6 dB Whereas a signal coming from this sector in the mobile at level of -90 dBm (Io = -90 dBm), we have Ec = 90 dBm + (- 6 db) = -96 dBm.
Let us now consider another situation. Instead of one, we have five sectors signal arriving at the mobile (for simplicity, all with the same level of -90 dBm).
Now have Io = -83 dBm (which is the sum of five signals of -90 dBm). And the power of our pilot channel remains the same (Ec = -96 dBm). Thus: Ec/Io = -96 - (-83) = -13 dB Conclusion: As many more sectors serves the mobile, the Ec/Io worsens.
This situation where we have many overlapping sectors, and with the same level of signal is known as Pilot Pollution - the mobile sees them all at once - each acting as interferer to each other. The solution in such cases is to eliminate unwanted signals, by setting power parameters or physical adjustments (tilt, azimuth), leaving just dominant signals which should exist at this problematic place.
A composite Ec/Io > - 10 db is a reasonable value to consider as good. Note: See we are talking about negative values, and considering them 'good'. In other words, we are saying that energy is below the Noise (and still have a good situation). This is a characteristic of the system itself, and Ec/Io 'most negative' or 'less negative' is going to allow assessment of the communication. In situations where Ec/Io is very low (high negative number), and the signal level too (also high negative number), first we need to worry in enhancing the weak signal. Another typical situation: if the measured Ec/Io is very low, even if you have a good signal level, you can not connect, or the call will drop constantly. I hope you've managed to understand how the Ec/Io is important for CDMA and UMTS. Note, however, that this matter is very complex, and supplementary reading - books and internet - can further help you become an expert on the subject. Anyway, the content displayed serves as an excellent reference, especially if you're not familiar with the concept of signal over noise for CDMA and UMTS.
But the concepts understood here to CDMA and UMTS are very similar - apply - for any technology, eg GSM, where we use the C/I. Anyway, this is a topic for another tutorial, we saw today Ec/Io.
Conclusion
Today we had a brief introduction on the Ec/Io ratio, a measurement for decisions in CDMA and UMTS, and used togheter with the measured Signal Strength. We have seen that it represents the ratio of signal energy within the duration of a chip of the pilot channel, on the Spectral Density of Noise + Interference. This is a very important measure, which somehow ignores the overall strength of the signal, and focuses on how best to evaluate the pilot channel signal is desired, in relation to noise that interferes with it. Returning to our original question: A strong signal level does not necessarily indicate an strong Ec/Io: it depends on the level of interference.