GSM Handover Problems & Solutions

Contents
1 Handover types & algorithms ................................................................................................................... 1
2 Main causes of handover failure............................................................................................................... 5
3 Flows of problem handling........................................................................................................................ 7
4 Typical cases ............................................................................................................................................... 9
4.1 Low handover success rate due to frequency interference................................................................ 9
4.2 Low handover success rate due to hardware malfunction................................................................. 9
4.3 Low handover success rate due to hardware malfunction............................................................... 10

1 Handover types & algorithms

The most prominent feature of mobile communication is that the MS carried by
subscriber actually moves, while the BTSs are immobilized; plus the interferences
from surroundings, its possible for quality of communications deteriorate. One
effective method for improving call communications quality is handover. Handovers
can keep communications on the rails. Some handovers can even improve call quality.
Therefore, its of great importance to master various kinds of handover algorithms for
improving network quality.
The so-called handover is the change of channels happening in mainly two
circumstances: one is when MS moves from the coverage of one BTS to that of another;
the other is when call quality decreases due to interference. In these cases, the MS must
be reconnected to an idle TCH from the original one, so as to keep the call going on.
Handover aim falls into the following five:
1.

Retrieval handoverto retrieve the on-going call;

2.

Marginal handoverto improve the on-going call;

3.

Intra-cell handoverto reduce interference in the cell;

4.

Directed retryto improve the call establishment rate;

5.

Forced handoverto balance the traffic dispersion in the cell.

According to GSM regulations, there are four main patterns of handover:

1.

Intra-cell handover within a cell;

2.

Inter-cell handover within one BSC;

3.

Inter-cell handover between cells in different BSCs under the same MSC;
(inter-BSC handover)

4.

Inter-cell handover between cells under different MSCs. (inter-MSC handover)

If handover is between cells under the same BTS, there is no need to send TA
TimeAdvancevalue to BSC before of after the handover. This kind of handover is
referred as synchronous handover. All other handovers which require GSM system to
measure TA value before and after the handover are referred as asynchronous
1

GSM Handover Problems & Solutions

handover.
Main handover algorithms are as follows:
1.

UL/DL interference handover;

2.

UL/DL quality handover;

3.

UL/DL level handover;

4.

PBGT handover (for better cell)

5.

Too long (short) MS-BS distance handover;

6.

Directed retry;

7.

Fast-fading level;

8.

Macro-micro handover;

9.

Concentric circle handover;

10. Traffic handover.

TCH handover flow is shown bellow:

Fig 1-1 TCH handover flow

When MS receives Handover Command in original cell, it will try to access into the
target cell according to information carried by Handover Command. If the access
succeeds, MS will send Handover Complete message at target cell; if it fails, the MS
2

Chapter 1 Handover types & algorithms

will return to the original cell and send Handover Failure message; if the MS doesnt
return to the original cell, it means its disconnected with the network and call drop
happens due to handover failure.

2 Main causes of handover failure

Main causes of handover failure:
1.

Unreasonable parameter settings: co-channel & co-BSIC adjacent cells exist;

unreasonable handover threshold (too high, too low, or marginal handover
threshold is higher than power control threshold); unreasonable handover
priority; unreasonable P, N values of best cell; CGI, BCCH and BSIC in data
sheets described by external cell do not match up to the actual values; wrong
BSC destination signaling point in LA cell list in MSC;

2.

Coverage problem: if the coverage overlap between target cell and original cell
isnt large enough, handover may fail due to failing to occupy TCH in target cell.
In this case, its not probably for the MS return to the original cell;

3.

Interference: because of the high code error rate caused by interference, MS is

unable to set up level-2 link with BTS, which will result in handover failure;

4.

BTS hardware malfunction: CDU fault; carrier fault; clock generator fault;
internal communication cable fault;

5.

Antenna system malfunction: too large VSWR; reversed installation of antenna;

non-standard installation of antenna; unreasonable down-tilt and azimuth;
below-standard antenna insulation; twisted cables and loosened connectors;
wrong connections;

6.

Difference in signaling at interface A and interface E between ZTE and other

suppliers equipment during connection, like non-recognition or non-support
fault, including speech version, handover code, TUP circuit, which can result in
handover failure; addressing mode (CGI or LAI) etc..

3 Flows of problem handling

Its recommended to locate problem through checking radio parameters and hardware.
Besides, we can create handover observation task and analyze handover failure
situation of each cell.
Procedures of handling TCH handover failure problem:
1.

Check if radio parameters are set reasonably: if Co-BCCH and BSIC exist
among adjacent cells; if handover parameters are reasonably set; if external cell
data configured right; adjust the unreasonably-set parameters;

2.

Check indicators like BER, idle interference band etc. to reduce or eliminate
radio interference;

3.

Check coverage through DT. For bad coverage or areas without enough
overlapped coverage between original cell and target cell, checking of hardware
malfunction is very necessary for improving coverage; transceiver, clock
generator,

4.

Check cell hardware, including CDU, RF connection lines between boards, and
change hardware with faults;

5.

Check antenna system, including VSWR, direction of antennas in the same cell,
wrong installation or reversed installation of antenna feeders, make necessary
adjustment and changes.

Flow of handling TCH handover problem:

GSM Handover Problems & Solutions

Fig 3-1 Flow of handling TCH handover problem

4 Typical cases
4.1 Low handover success rate due to frequency interference
Problem description
The data in performance report shows Cell2 under a BTS suffer from low handover
success rate.
Problem analysis
Check radio parameters, its discovered that CI 29992 and 16953 in the cell share
channel and BSIC, and they are close to each other.
Problem solution
Change BCCH of 29992. After parameter adjustment, indicators are improved, and the
problem is solved.
Total
Date

BTS name

Cell LAC(LAC-CI)

Total

number of number of
handover

handover

request

success

Handover
success
rate (%)

2005-05-28 18:00-19:00

SITE1_DV2

LAC8412-CI29992

70

27

38.57

2005-05-29 18:00-19:00

SITE1_DV2

LAC8412-CI29992

43

18

41.86

2005-05-30 18:00-19:00

SITE1_DV2

LAC8412-CI29992

66

18

27.27

2005-06-15 18:00-19:00

SITE1_DV2

LAC8412-CI29992

25

24

96

2005-06-16 18:00-19:00

SITE1_DV2

LAC8412-CI29992

25

25

100

After parameter adjustment

4.2 Low handover success rate due to hardware malfunction

Problem description
The data in performance report shows Cell 1 under a BTS suffers from low handover
success rate.
Problem analysis
Check radio parameters, no problem is found. From OMCR dynamic management, its
discovered that a carrier in the cell cant be occupied. The carrier is decided to have
bug. Submit notice to require for checking of hardware malfunction.
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GSM Handover Problems & Solutions

Problem solution
After the carrier is replaced, indicators are apparently improved and the problem is
solved.
Total
Date

Site name

Cell LAC(LAC-CI)

number of
handover
request

Total
number Handover
of

success

handover rate (%)

success

2005-06-10 18:00-19:00

SITE2_D1A

LAC8415-CI25023

345

52

15.1

2005-06-11 18:00-19:00

SITE2_D1A

LAC8415-CI25023

221

64

29

2005-06-12 18:00-19:00

SITE2_D1A

LAC8415-CI25023

266

28

10.5

2005-06-14 18:00-19:00

SITE2_D1A

LAC8415-CI25023

160

152

95

2005-06-15 18:00-19:00

SITE2_D1A

LAC8415-CI25023

160

154

96.3

After the carrier is replaced

4.3 Low handover success rate due to hardware malfunction

Problem description
The data in performance report shows Cell 1 under a BTS suffers from low handover
success rate.
Problem analysis
Check radio parameters, no problem is found. From signaling trace analysis in OMCR,
its discovered that the signal strength on frequency points 728, 726, 699 is extremely
weak (Ta is 1.1 KM), thus its decided that hardware in the cell, like divider unit, has
bug. Submit notice to require for hardware checking.
Problem solution
After checking of hardware on site, its discovered that equipment connection lines are
disordered. When the order of lines is adjusted, the cell continues operation normally.
Total
Date

Site name

Cell LAC (LAC-CI)

Total

number of number of
handover

handover

request

success

Handover
success
rate (%)

2005-06-02 18:00-19:00 SITE3_D1

LAC8416-CI25405

520

113

21.73

2005-06-03 18:00-19:00 SITE3_D1

LAC8416-CI25405

517

102

19.72

2005-06-04 18:00-19:00 SITE3_D1

LAC8416-CI25405

576

97

16.84

10

Chapter 4

Typical cases

After the problem is solved

2005-06-09 18:00-19:00 SITE3_D1

LAC8416-CI25405

277

272

98.19

2005-06-10 18:00-19:00 SITE3_D1

LAC8416-CI25405

297

261

87.87

11