Intrafrequency Handover

3G RANSIG

Soc Classification level

1 © Nokia Siemens Networks 3GRANSIG/Phichet
 Intra-frequency handover
Mobile Evaluated Handover

Soft/er handover Hard handover

UE simultaneously connected to many cells

Arises when inter-RNC SHO is not possible:
(maximum 3):
Iur interface (between neighbouring RNCs)
• Cells belonging to same site (intra-BTS),
SOFTER HANDOVER
not implemented, or congested, or not
• Cells belonging to different sites (inter-BTS), supporting user plane, or due to whatever
SOFT HANDOVER reason inhibiting inter-RNC SHO

The group of serving cells is called ACTIVE SET

Soc Classification level

2 © Nokia Siemens Networks 3GRANSIG/Phichet
Soft Handover

1 UE enters the SHO area,

where coverage area of
cell 1 and 2 overlap

3
UE exits SHO area.
There’s no reason
2 3 for remaining
1 connected to cell 1.

Cell 1
Soc Classification level
3 © Nokia Siemens Networks
Cell 2
2
Cell 2 has available resources,
so it’s added to the AS. UE is
connected both to cell 1 and 2.
3GRANSIG/Phichet
Intra-frequency handover

1
SHO need detection (internal
(internal in UE)
(based on RNP parameters)

2
Measurement reporting (from UE to RNC)
(based on RNP parameters)

3
Active Set update
(commanded from RNC to UE)

Soc Classification level

4 © Nokia Siemens Networks 3GRANSIG/Phichet
Intra-frequency handover: Mobile Evaluated Handover

Intra-frequency handover is said to be mobile evaluated,

evaluated because it’s up to the mobile
to recognise the need to perform a soft-handover SHO events

The following SHO events are currently implemented:

EVENT 1A ADDITION

A monitored CPICH is good enough to be added in the active set

EVENT 1B DELETION
A serving CPICH is no more good enough to stay in the active set

EVENT 1C REPLACEMENT

AS is full, a monitored CPICH becomes better than a serving one

Soc Classification level

5 © Nokia Siemens Networks 3GRANSIG/Phichet
Intra-frequency handover: Measurements

The handover measurement is based on CPICH Ec/No.

CPICH Ec/No is the received energy per chip divided by the power density in the WCDMA
carrier band:
RSCP received signal code power
Ec / No =
RSSI received signal strenght indicator

The accuracy of pilot Ec/No measurements is important for handover performance.

Measurement accuracy depends on the filtering length and mobile speed.

When a UE moves slowly or is stationary, filtering length (in ms) has to be long just enough to
avoid fast fades leading to errors and causing unnecessary handovers within a short period.
On the other hand long filtering length will cause handover delays to fast moving UEs.

Soc Classification level

6 © Nokia Siemens Networks 3GRANSIG/Phichet
Intra-frequency handover: Events 1A and 1B

A monitored adjacent cell is ADDED to the Active Set

when it’s good enough to bring a gain.

A serving cell is DELETED from the Active Set when

it’s no more good enough.

What is meant by ‘good enough’?

Soc Classification level

7 © Nokia Siemens Networks 3GRANSIG/Phichet
Event 1A : Addition
Ec/No

Reporting Period
(RNP parameter, default 0.5s )

Initial cell=CPICH 1

Event 1A reporting range [dB]

(RNP parameter, default 4dB )

CPICH 2 is good enough!

Monitored cell=CPICH 2

Time
Soc Classification level
8 © Nokia Siemens Networks 3GRANSIG/Phichet
Event 1B : Deletion
Ec/No

Reference cell
CPICH 1

Event 1B reporting range [dB]

(RNP parameter, default 6dB )

CPICH 2
CPICH 1 is no more good enough!

Soc Classification level

9 © Nokia Siemens Networks 3GRANSIG/Phichet Time
Event 1C : Replacement

Ec/No

Active set is FULL

CPICH 1

CPICH 2

CPICH 3

Event 1C margin [dB]

(RNP parameter, default 4dB )
Monitored cell= CPICH 4

Soc Classification level

Time
10 © Nokia Siemens Networks 3GRANSIG/Phichet
Soft Handover: Radio Link Addition (1/3)
UE Node B Node B DRNC SRNC
(DRNC) (SRNC)

1. Measurement Report
RRC RRC
2. Radio Link
Setup Request
RNSAP RNSAP

3. Radio Link Setup Request

C-NBAP C-NBAP

4. Radio Link Setup Response

C-NBAP C-NBAP
5. Radio Link
Setup Response
RNSAP RNSAP
6. Establish
Request
AAL2SIG AAL2SIG

Soc Classification level

11 © Nokia Siemens Networks 3GRANSIG/Phichet
Soft Handover: Radio Link Addition (2/3)
UE Node B Node B DRNC SRNC
(DRNC) (SRNC)
7. Establish
Confirm
AAL2SIG AAL2SIG

8. Establish Request
AAL2SIG AAL2SIG

9. Establish Confirm
AAL2SIG AAL2SIG

10. Radio Link Restore Indication

D-NBAP D-NBAP
11. Radio Link Restore
Indication
RNSAP RNSAP

12. Downlink Synchronisation

DCH- FP DCH- FP

13. Uplink Synchronisation

DCH- FP DCH- FP

Soc Classification level

12 © Nokia Siemens Networks 3GRANSIG/Phichet
Soft Handover: Radio Link Addition (3/3)
UE Node B Node B DRNC SRNC
(DRNC) (SRNC)

14. Active Set Update

RRC RRC
15. Active Set Update Complete
RRC RRC

Soc Classification level

13 © Nokia Siemens Networks 3GRANSIG/Phichet
Soft Handover: Radio Link Deletion (1/2)
UE Node B Node B DRNC SRNC
(DRNC) (SRNC)
1. Active Set Update
RRC RRC
2. Active Set Update Complete
RRC RRC
3. Radio Link
Deletion Request
RNSAP RNSAP
4. Radio Link Deletion Request
D-NBAP D-NBAP

5. Radio Link Deletion Response

D-NBAP D-NBAP
6. Radio Link
Deletion Response
RNSAP RNSAP

Soc Classification level

14 © Nokia Siemens Networks 3GRANSIG/Phichet
Soft Handover: Radio Link Deletion (2/2)
UE Node B Node B DRNC SRNC
(DRNC) (SRNC)
7. Release
Request
AAL2SIG AAL2SIG
8. Release
Confirm
AAL2SIG AAL2SIG

9. Release Request
AAL2SIG AAL2SIG

10. Release Confirm

AAL2SIG AAL2SIG

Soc Classification level

15 © Nokia Siemens Networks 3GRANSIG/Phichet