17

Inter-RAT Mobility Management

Solution


17.1 WRFD-020303 Inter-RAT
Handover Based on Coverage
Availability
This feature is available from RAN2.0. This feature is introduced in 3GPP R99.
Summary
This feature is related to inter-RAT handover based on coverage that is a basic
function of interoperability.
Benefits
Inter-RAT handover improves flexibility in planning UMTS and GSM networks
for the network operator. It can also save cost by utilizing the existing GSM
network resources and provide coverage expansion, load sharing, and layered
service. Enhancement of inter-RAT handover between multi frequency band cells
can be used to support multi frequency band networking scenario.
Description
Inter-RAT handover from UMTS to GSM/GPRS Function is the procedure during
which the WCDMA RAN initiates handover (for CS services) or UE initiates cell
reselection (for PS services) to the GSM. The GSM/GPRS system cannot perform
CS and PS services simultaneously. Therefore, when the handover for CS and PS
domain combined services is determined, the CS service can be handed over from
the WCDMA system to the GSM/GPRS system successfully, but the PS service
will be suspended. After the CS call is finished, a resume request will be sent to the
2G SGSN to continue the PS service. Inter-RAT handover from UMTS to GSM
applies to the CS services and can be triggered by the following causes:

Coverage-based

Optional Feature Description of Huawei UMTS RAN11.0 Issue V1.7 (2009-04-15)
HuaweiProprietary and Confidential Copyright Huawei Technologies Co.,
LtdPage 115 of 281
This trigger condition is based on the quality measurement. The compressed mode
for DL or UL will be triggered by event measurement report 2d for inter-frequency
and inter-RAT handover and stopped by event measurement report 2f. When the
compressed mode triggered, the RNC will start the inter-RAT measurement in UE
to get the target cell to handover if inter-RAT neighboring cells are configured. The related
measurement quantity can be either Ec/N0 or RSCP. Moreover, event 3A and period
measurement report mode are supported and which measurement quantity and
mode to use can be configured by operator. The measurement related parameters
include threshold, hysteresis, and trigger delay time, etc. The inter-RAT
neighboring cell number can be up to 32. The compressed mode includes two
types, spreading factor reduction (SF/2) and high layer approaches. The usage of
type of compressed mode is decided by the RNC automatically, according to the
configurable spreading factor used in uplink and downlink. Another measurement
report 1F can also trigger inter-RAT handover, but compressed mode will not be triggered in
this scenario since such report means call drop may occur in any time and there is
no time to implement measurement procedure. The target cell to handover will be
selected based on the configurable parameter Blind Handover Priority in the
neighboring inter RAT cells, Priority 0-15 indicates the handover successful rate
can be guaranteed, such parameter will be certain as the result of network planning.
Inter-RAT handover triggered by UE Tx power is available for PS BE, CS AMR services. This
function can be switched on/off by operator.

Load-based This trigger condition is based on the cell load, and belongs to the
optional feature WRFD-020306 Inter-RAT Handover Based on Load.

Service-based This trigger condition is based on the service assigned by CN node,
and belongs to the optional feature WRFD-020305 Inter-RAT Handover Based on Service.
The procedure of Inter-RAT handover from UMTS to GSM is executed by Relocation
Preparation procedure at Iu interface and handover or cell change order command
at Uu interface. When the UE is in CELL_FACH, CELL_PCH, or URA_PCH
state, UMTS

GSM handover in PS domain is triggered through Inter-RAT Cell Re-selection
from UMTS to GPRS procedure. This procedure is triggered by UE and realized
by Routing Area Update procedure. The parameters for inter-RAT handover can be
configured and are different for CS and PS services respectively. In multi frequency band
networking scenario which is described in WRFD-020110 Multi Frequency Band
Networking Management, the inter-RAT handover is enhanced to meet the
networking requirements. That is, coverage based handover between different
frequency band is supported and UE measurement capability will be considered to
guarantee UE will not be handed over to the cell which UE has no the
corresponding capability on that frequency band. When no enough UE capability
can be acquired, whether to implement the handover can be configured by operator.
Since the GSM/GPRS system cant perform CS and PS services simultaneously, Inter-RAT
handover from GSM/GPRS to UMTS Function can be divided to CS and PS
individually. On the UMTS side:

Optional Feature Description of Huawei UMTS RAN11.0 Issue V1.7 (2009-04-15)
HuaweiProprietary and Confidential Copyright Huawei Technologies Co.,
LtdPage 116 of 281
For CS: inter-RAT handover from GSM/GPRS to UMTS is comprised of
Relocation Resource Allocation, Relocation detect, Relocation complete procedure
at Iu interface and HANDOVER TO UTRAN COMPLETE message processing at
Uu interface. For PS: inter-RAT handover from GSM/GPRS to UMTS is the same as the
setup of a PS service.
Enhancement
In RAN10.0, inter-RAT handover triggered by UE Tx power is available for PS
BE and CS AMR services.
Dependency
Dependency on other NEs The UE should support the relevant measurements and
the procedure of handover
17.2 WRFD-020309 Inter-RAT
Handover Based on DL QoS
Availability
This feature is introduced in RAN10.0
Summary
When the load of voice and PS BE services is higher in the cell and downlink QoS
drops, this feature enables the UE to be handed over to an inter-RAT cell, thus
guaranteeing QoS requirements.
Benefits
DL QoS based inter-RAT handover provides the method to prevent call drop and guarantee the
QoS in inter-RAT networking, therefore, improving the network performance and
enhancing the end user experience.
Description
In the scenarios of severe fading and high load, the call drop could take place due
to the limitation of DL transmitted code power. In addition, coverage area is
different for different services in network planning, thereby the system should take
actions in order to guarantee the downlink QoS and keep the connection as could
as possible. The evaluation of downlink QoS status is on the basis of TCP
(Transmitted Code Power) or RLC retransmission (only for PS BE). Once the
downlink QoS is detected in bad condition, inter-RAT handover could be triggered
if in inter-system networking:

For AMR service, inter-RAT handover could be triggered based on TCP;

For PS BE service, inter-RAT handover could be triggered based on TCP and RLC
retransmission. This feature can be switched on/off separately for AMR and PS BE
services.

Optional Feature Description of Huawei UMTS RAN11.0 Issue V1.7 (2009-04-15)
HuaweiProprietary and Confidential Copyright Huawei Technologies Co.,
LtdPage 117 of 281
Enhancement
None.
Dependency
Dependency on other NEs The UE should support related measurement and
handover procedures