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IRAT handover basics
This page describes RAT, IRAT and IRAT handover basics with example of WCDMA to GSM Inter RAT
handover.
IRAT
IRAT stands for Inter Radio Access Technology. RAT can be either GSM,CDMA,WiMAX,LTE,TD-SCDMA or
any other wireless technology used to provide air interface to mobile to obtain various
services(voice,email,internet,VOIP).
IRAT handover from WCDMA to GSM
IRAT is mainly used for handover between different RAT. Mobile terminal while in one RAT performs
neighbour cell measurements and sends measurement report to the network. Based on this measurement report
provided by mobile terminal, network can initiate handover from one RAT to the other RAT. This is called IRAT
handover.
IRAT handover | WCDMA to GSM Inter RAT handover http://www.rfwireless-world.com/Terminology/Inter-RAT-handover.html
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Following figure depicts typical message flow between mobile terminal and network for handover from
WCDMA to GSM. The same way handover from GSM to WCDMA network is also performed. The difference
here is that measurement report is sent by GSM mobile terminal to the GSM network(BTS). The information
reaches to the core network.
As core network is interconnected between both the RATs(GSM and WCDMA), it plays a vital role to perform
handover between RATs. Once the handover with the new RAT is completed previous RAT channels are
released.
Based on the measurements made by UE (in WCDMA Mode) decision for handover is taken. Handover is
possible even without UE performing measurements. This is based on inputs from CN and BSS. The procedure
IRAT handover | WCDMA to GSM Inter RAT handover http://www.rfwireless-world.com/Terminology/Inter-RAT-handover.html
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is outlined stepwise below.
1. HANDOVER FROM UTRAN command is initiated at UTRAN and sent to UE. The command includes all
the information needed by mobile to complete handover with GSM cell.
2. The RRC layer sends the message contents to GSM RR layer.
3. At this step, UMTS radio resources will get released.
4. Now, Mobile sends GSM HO Access message to BSS of GSM as it is now in GSM RAT.
5. BSS transmits PHYSICAL INFORMATION message to Mobile with timing information.
6. Mobile sends the HANDOVER COMPLETE message.
7. At this step other UMTS resources are also released.
HANDOVER FROM UTRAN consists of integrity check information, activation time, RAB information and
GSM message. GSM HANDOVER COMMAND consists of cell description, channel description, handover
reference, multi-slot configuration, time information and codec information.
For IRAT handover inter RAT measurements is very important as even while mobile (UE) is active in one
mode(or RAT), it will continuously does measurements for other RATs for handover decision. Network also
keep measuring received signal strength from the mobile for commanding UE(mobile) to perform handover.
Refer IRAT MEASUREMENTS for more.
RELATED LINKS
CDMA Tutorial
GSM Tutorial
GSM mobile originated call flow
GSM Mobile Terminated Call flow
GSM protocol stack
GSM physical layer
GPRS protocol stack
GPRS tutorial
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0
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GSM Physical layer
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GPRS protocol stack
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WCDMA-GSM Handover
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AMR Concept in GSM
MSK/GMSK modulation
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GSM Tutorial
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GSM RF Planning
GPRS Tutorial
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WLAN 802.11ac tutorial
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GPRS Tutorial
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GSM Cell Phone
GSM Mobile Network
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