Mastering GSM

Optimization
Chapter 5-Timer for optimization

Mobile Comm Professionals,Inc

 Agenda
Timers for Optimization

T7 timer
T10 timer 15 to 20
T11 timer
T200 timer
T3101 timer
T3103 timer
T3105 timer
T3107 timer 13
T3109 timer
T3111 timer
T3122 timer
T3124 timer
T3212 timer
N200 timer
RLT timer
T10 Supervision
Interpretation: ofT10
The timer the
supervisesMobileComm
the assignment
Professionals, Inc.

Assignment
procedure. Procedure
Timer start condition: The timer T10 starts before the BSC
sends a PHYSICAL_CONTEXT_REQUEST message to the BTS.
Timer stop condition: The timer T10 stops when the MS
sends either an ASSIGNMENT_COMPLETE or an
ASSIGNMENT_FAILURE message to the BSC.
Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T10
expires, the BSC sends an ASSIGNMENT_FAILURE message to
the MSC.
Appropriate value:
Min. = 4 s.Max. = 14 s.Def. = 8 s.Rule = T10 > T3103, T10
> T3107
NOTE: It is recommended that T10 be at least 2 seconds
longer than T3107.

Figure: T10 timer activation

 T3101 MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

I.Definition
T3101 is the BSC timer controlling time of immediate assignment
process.

II.Format
T3101 ranges from 0 to 255s. The recommended value is 3s.

III.Configuration and Influence

In an immediate assignment process, the BSC requires BTS to
provide SDCCH to set up signaling channel. When the BSC sends a
channel activation message, T3101 starts timing. When the BSC
receives the setup instruction sent by BTS, T3101 stops timing.
When T3101 expires, the system releases corresponding SDCCH
resources. Proper configuration of T3101 reduces congestion due to
dual assignment SDCCH effectively.
 T3101 Supervision of the Immediate
MobileComm Professionals, Inc.
Assignment Procedure
Interpretation: The timer T3101 supervises the immediate
assignment procedure.
Timer start condition: The timer T3101 starts when the BSC sends
an IMMEDIATE_ASSIGNMENT_CMD message to the BTS.
Timer stop condition: The timer T3101 stops when an
ESTABLISH_IND message is received from the MS.
Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T3101 expires,
the BSC sends an RF_CHANNEL_REL message to the BTS.
Appropriate value:
Min. = 1 s.Max. = 5 s.Def. = 3 s.Rule = -
Signalling diagram:

Figure: T3101 timer expiry

Figure: T3101 timer activation
 T3103 MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

I.Definition
In inter- and intra-BSS handover, the BSC determines the time for
keeping TCH both in handover-originated cell and target cell. When the
time receives handover completion (intra-BSC) or clearing (inter-BSC)
message, T3103 stops.

II.Format
T3103 ranges from 0 to 255s. The recommended value is 5s.

III.Configuration and Influence

The following paragraph is an example of inter-BSS handover.
When T3103 receives the handover command, it is reset and starts
timing. When it receives clearing command, it is reset. This means that
T3103 reserves two channels when it is timing, one channel for source
BSC, and one channel for target BSC. If it is over long, two channels are
occupied for a long time and resources might be wasted.
According to the tests, if the NSS timer is properly configured, the
handover process occurs within 5s. Therefore, the recommended value
is 5s.
T3103 Supervision of the internal MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

handover
Interpretation:procedure
The timer T3103 supervises the internal
handover procedure.
Timer start condition: The timer T3103 starts when the BSC
sends a HANDOVER_CMD message is sent to the MS (via a BTS).
Timer stop condition: The timer T3103 stops when the BSC
receives either a HANDOVER_CMPL message on the new channel
or HANDOVER_FAILURE message on the old channel from the
MS.
Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T3103
expires, a CLEAR_REQ message is sent to the MSC and the new
channel is released.
Appropriate value:
Min. = 3,5 s.Max. = 10 s.Def. = 6 s.Rule = T3103 < T10
Signalling diagram:

Figure: Successful handover with T3103 timer activation

T31 MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

03

Figure: Unsuccessful handover

Figure: T3103 timer expiry

 T3105 MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

I.Definition
See the protocol 0408 and 0858. When sending physical information, the
network starts T3105. If the timer expires before receiving any correct
frames from MS, the network resends physical information and restarts
the T3105. The maximum repeated times is Ny1.

II.Format
T3105 ranges from 0 to 255, with unit of 10ms.

III.Configuration and Influence

The physical information is sent on FACCH. The time for sending four
TDMA in a time on FACCH is about 18ms. If the next physical information
is just sent 18ms after the first one, probably the first physical
information is still being sent. The minimum time for sending physical
information continuously and most quickly is 20ms.

IV.Precautions
T3105 is related to the timer NY1. If T3105 is small, configure NY1 to a
greater value. If a handover trial fails and the T3105 of the target cell
expires for Ny times before the original cell receives the HANDOVER
FAILURE message, the target BTS sends the CONNECTION FAILURE
 T3107 MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

I.Definition
T3107 is a BSC timer, restricting the time for executing TCH assignment
instruction. It caters for TCH assignment of intracell handover and
channel assignment of calling.

II.Format
T3107 ranges form 0s to 255s. The recommended values are as follows:
10s when channel resources are enough.
5s when channel resources are limited.

III.Configuration and Influence

T3107 starts after the BSC sends the ASS_CMD message to BTS. It stops
after the BSC receives the ASS_CMP or ASS_FAIL message sent by BTS. If
T3107 expires, the system judges that the MS disconnects to the
network, so the occupied resource is released to other MSs. According to
the measured statistics result of network, the channel assignment is
complete within 2s. If the BSC does not receive ASS_CMP message after
2s, the assignment command fails.
 T3107 Supervision of the Assignment MobileComm Professionals, Inc.
Interpretation: The timer T3107 supervises the assignment
Procedure
procedure and the internal intracell handover.
Timer start condition: The timer T3107 starts when the BSC sends
an ASSIGNMENT_CMD message to the MS (via a BTS).
Timer stop condition: The timer T3107 stops when the BSC
receives either an ASSIGNMENT_CMPL or ASSIGNMENT_FAILURE
message from the MS.
Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T3107
expires, the new and the old channel are released, all the
appropriate MS connections are cleared, and an
ASSIGNMENT_FAILURE message is sent to the MSC. In the case of the
internal intracell handover, a CLEAR_REQUEST message is sent to
the MSC.
Appropriate value:
1.Min. = 3.5 s.Max. = 10 s.Def. = 6 s.Rule = T3107 < T10
NOTE: It is recommended that T10 be at least 2 seconds longer
than T3107.
T3107 MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

Figure: Successful
assignment with T3107
timer activation
 T31 MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

07

Figure: Unsuccessful assignment

Figure: T3107 timer expiry

 T3109 MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

I.Definition
The BSC restricts the releasing resource of SACCH by T3109.

II.Format
T3109 ranges from 3s to 34s. The recommended T3109 is as follows:
T3109 = a + RdioLinktimeOut x 0.480s, a = 1s or 2s.

III.Configuration and Influence

T3109 measures the time for channel releasing indicator after sending
MS clearing instructions. It starts after the BSC sends DEACT_SACCH
message to BTS. It stops after the BSC receives the REL_INC message
sent by BTS. When T3109 expires, the BSC sends the CLEAR REQUEST
message to MSC.

IV.Precautions
The sum of T3111 and T3109 must be greater than RadioLinkTimeOut. If
T3109 is over small, the corresponding radio resources are re-allocated
before RadioLinkTimeOut is due (radio link is not released).
 T3109 Supervision of the Channel MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

Release Procedure
Interpretation: The timer T3109 supervises the channel
release procedure.
Timer start condition: The timer T3109 starts when the BSC
sends a CHANNEL_REL message to the MS (via a BTS).
Timer stop condition: The timer T3109 stops when the BTS
sends a RELEASE_INDICATION message. This is done after the
BTS has received a DISC-frame from the MS.
Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T3109
expires, the BSC sends an RF_CHANNEL_REL message to the
BTS.
Appropriate value:
Min. = 8 s.Max. = 15 s.Def. = 12 s.
 T3109 MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

Figure: T3109 timer activation Figure: T3109 timer expiry

 T3111 MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

I.Definition
T3111 is a connection release delay timer, used in deactivation of
delayed channel after disconnection of major signaling link. T3111 aims
to spare some time for repeated disconnections. When BSC receives the
REL_IND message sent by BTS, T3111 starts. For time protection, T3111
stops until expiration and the BSC sends the RF_CHAN_REL message to
BTS.

II.Format
T3111 ranges from 0s to 5s.
The recommended value is 2s.

III.Configuration and Influence

After the disconnection of major signaling link, T3111 delays the release
of channels. It allows the base station to retransmit the instruction for
releasing radio channels to MS within delayed time. After the base
station sends a release request massage, the radio resources remain for
T3111 time.
If the system capacity is small, configure T3111 as short as possible.
The minimum value of T3111 is 2s, over five multiples of the time for
resending MS the instruction for releasing radio channel resources. A
 Parameter T3212 MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

I.Definition
In a GSM network, the causes to location updating are as follows:
The MS attach.
The MS detects that its location area changes.
The network forces MS to update location periodically.
The network controls how frequent the MS updates location, and the
period for location updating is determined by the parameter T3212.

II.Format
T3212 ranges from 0 to 255, with unit of 6 minutes (1/10 hour). If T3212 =
1, it means that T3212 is 6 minutes. If T3212 = 255, it means that T3212
is 25 hours and 30 minutes. If T3212 = 0, it means that MS is not required
for periodical location updating in the cell. The recommended T3212 is
240.

III.Configuration and Influence

As an important means, the periodical location updating enables network
to connect to MSs closely. Therefore, the short the period is, the overall
service performance of the network is.
T3212 Periodic Location Update TimerInc.
MobileComm Professionals,

This is call periodic location update timer.

This parameter is sent to MS via system information 3.
This timer should be less than the value set in MSC.
Default Value is 10. That is one hour.

T3212 Time in minutes

0 No need for periodic location update.

1 6

2 12

..

255 1530
 T3122 MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

I.Definition
T3122 defines the period that the MS must wait for before the second trial
calling if the first trial calling fails. It aims to avoid congestion of SDCCH
due to repeated trial calling by MS and to relieve system load.

II.Format
T3122 ranges from 0s to 255s. The recommended value is 10s.

III.Configuration and Influence

The value of T3122 is included in the immediate assignment reject
message. After the MS receives the immediate assignment reject message
(no channels for signaling, A interface failure, overload of central
processing unit, namely, CPU), it can send new trial calling request after
T3122. T3122 aims to relieve radio signaling and voice channel resources.
T3122 also help avoid systematic overload. When the CPU is overloaded,
the system multiplies T3122 by a factor (determined by
processorLoadSupconf) to increase T3122 through overload control. In
peak load time, you can manage network access by increasing T3122.
Namely, you can increase the interval between two continuous trial
callings to relieve network load.
 T3122 Instant Assignment MobileComm RejectionProfessionals, Inc.

Timer
When the network receives the channel request sent from MS, if
there is no proper channel to be assigned to MS, the network
sends the instant assignment rejection message to MS. To avoid
the further congestion of radio channels caused by constant
channel requests from MS, the timer parameter T3122 is
included in the instant assignment rejection message, i.e., the
so called wait-for indication message unit. After MS receives the
instant assignment rejection message, the new call can be made
only after the time indicated by T3122.
Note that this parameter is not broad cast in system
information.
Default Value is 10. That is ten seconds.
T3212 Time in seconds

0 0

1 1

2 2

..

255 255
 T3124 MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

I.Definition
T3124 is used in occupation process in asynchronous handover. It is
the time for MS to receive the physical information send by network
side.

II.Format
Configure it to 675ms when the channel type of assigned channel for
HANDOVER COMMAND message is SDCCH (+ SACCH). Configure it to
320ms in other situations.

III.Configuration and Influence

When the MS sends the HANDOVER ACCESS message on the primary
DCCH, T3124 starts. When the MS receives a PHYSICAL
INFORMATION message, the MS stops T3124, stops sending access
burst, activates the PCH in sending and receiving mode, and
connects to the channel if necessary.
 T7 BSS Handover Timer
MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

T7 monitors the frequency of the BSSAP HANDOVER REQUIRED

message, the time of the COMMAND message. The long time to
await from when BSC sends out "BSSAP HANDOVER REQIURED"
to when MSC sends back "BSSAP HANDOVER COMMAND"
In failure case, if MSC sends BSC the BSSAP HANDOVER Time in
REQUIRED T7 seconds
REJECT message, it will also enable BSC to stop the T7 timer
Conditions of ceasing a timer 50 5.0
When BSC sends the BSSAP HANDOVER REQIURED message to
MSC, T7 is initiated.
Conditions of ceasing a timer 51 5.1
Receive the BSSAP HANDOVER COMMAND or BSSAP
HANDOVER
REQUIRED REJECT messages from MSC. When receiving the
52 5.2
BSSAP
HANDOVER REQUIRED REJECT message,
BSC can send other BSSAP HANDOVER REQIURED messages to
..
MSC.
Time-out action
If T7 times out and external handover conditions are still 300 30
satisfied,
BSC will instantly epeat the HANDOVER REQUIRED process.
Default value -200 ( Means 20sec)
 T11 MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

I.Definition
T11 is an assignment request queue timer.

II.Format
T11 is determined by equipment room operators. It indicates the
maximum queuing delay for assignment request.

III.Configuration and Influence

When the BSC is sending the ASSIGNMENT REQUEST message, no TCHs
are available. The ASSIGNMENT REQUEST message must be put to a queue
and the BSC sends the QUEUING INDICATION message to MSC. Meanwhile,
T11 starts timing.
When the BSC sends the ASSIGNMENT COMPLETE message (TCH is
successfully assigned) or the ASSIGNMENT FAILURE message (TCH is not
assigned) to MSC, T11 stops timing.
If T11 expires, the corresponding ASSIGNMENT REQUEST message is
removed from queue and the BSC sends a CLEAR REQUEST message with
the cause ofno radio resource availableto MSC to clear calling.
Assignment queuing helps reduce service rejection times due to
congestion, so enabling it is recommended in a network. Anyhow, T11
cannot be over great and it must be configured according to customer
 T200 MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

I.Definition
T200 is important (both the MS and base station have T200) at Um
interface in data link layer LAPDm. LAPDm has different channels, such as
SDCCH, FACCH, and SACCH, and the transmission rate of different channel
is different, so T 200 must be configured with different values. The type of
the channels corresponding to T200 is the value of the T200.

II.Format
Different channels corresponds different values of T200. According to the
protocol, when SAPI = 0 and SAPI = 3, the T200 of corresponding data link
is dependently implemented, depending on delay of synchronous
processing mechanism and process in layer 1 and layer 2.

III.Configuration and Influence

T200 avoids deadlock in sending data in data link layer. The data link
layer changes the physical link in which error occurs easily to data link
with no errors. At the two ends of the data link communication system, a
confirm-to-resend mechanism is used. Namely, receiving a message by
the receiver must be confirmed by the sender.


MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

Minim Maxi
T200 Default
um mum

60;/* = 60 * 5
T200_SDCCH_SAPI0 50 100
ms */
T200_FACCH_Full_R 50;/* = 50 * 5
40 100
ate ms */
T200_FACCH_Half_ 50;/* = 50 * 5
40 100
Rate ms */
T200_SACCH_TCH 150;/* = 150 * 10
120 200
SAPI0 ms */
T200_SACCH_TCH 150;/* = 150 * 10
120 200
SAPI3 ms */
T200_SACCH_SDCC 60;/* = 60 * 10
50 100
H ms */
60;/* = 60 * 5
T200_SDCCH_SAPI3 50 100
ms */
 N200 MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

I.Definition
N200 is the resending times after expiration of T200.

II.Format
To configure N200, follow rules below:
When SAPI = 0 or 3, N200 depends on the state and the channel
used.
When multiframe operation is set up, it ensures a common time
value for layer 2 link failure in all channels. For layer 2 link
establishment and release, configure N200 to 5.
In timer recovery state, configure N200 as below:
o5 (SACCH)
o23 (SDCCH)
o34 (FACCH of full rate)
o 29 (FACCH of half rate)
When SAPI is unequal to 0 or 3, configure N200 to 5, as shown
inTable.
 MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

Minimum
Valid response Maximum resending
SAPI Channel resending
delay delay
delay
Tresp Trmin TrmaxNote 3
0 SDCCH MS:11 51 51
BSS: 32
0 FACCH/Full rate 9 26 39
0 FACCH/Half rate 10 34 44
3 SDCCH MS:11 51 51Note 1
BSS: 32
3 SACCH(with TCH) 25/129Note 2 312 416Note 2
The TDMA frame is the measurement unit of values in this table, equal to
120/26ms (approximately 4.615ms)
Note 1: It caters for the process without SAPI 0 transmission. Otherwise,
it does not have a upper limit due to the priority of SAPI 0 transmission.

Note 2: You can configure it to a greater value only when PCH is

unavailable due to SAPI frame transmission if SAPI = 3.
Note 3: It caters only for sending monitoring frames that are available
and without F equal to 1.
 T3111 Timer MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

After releasing the service channel, the delay to the deactivation of

RF channel intends to spare a period of time to repeat the possible
channel disconnection.
(Time the network waits after disconnecting the signaling link
before deactivating the channel)
Conditions of starting a timer:
If it is unnecessary to release the A interface connection, when
BSC receives the RELEASE INDICATION message, the timer T3111
is initiated. If it is unnecessary to release the A interface
connection, when BSC receives the BSSAP CLEAR COMMAND
message from MS, the timer T3111 is initiated.
Conditions of ceasing a timer
T3111 often times out.
Time-out action
When T3111 times out, the RF CHANNEL RELEASE message is
sent to BTS.
 T3126 MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

This timer is started either after sending the maximum allowed number
of CHANNEL REQUEST messages during an immediate assignment
procedure. Or on receipt of an IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT REJECT
message, whichever occurs first.

It is stopped at receipt of an IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT message, or an

IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT EXTENDED message. At its expiry, the
immediate assignment procedure is aborted.

The minimum value of this timer is equal to the time taken by T+2S
slots of the mobile station's RACH.

The maximum value of this timer is 5 seconds.

 Radio Link Timeout MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

Value range:4~64, the step size is 4

Unit:SACCH period (480ms)

Content:This parameter is used for MS to decide down-link

disconnection in case of SACCH decoding failures.

Recommendation:20~56

Once assigned with a dedicated channel, MS will start counter S.

From then on, S will decrease by 1 when a SACCH message fails to
be decoded, and will increase by 2 when decoded correctly. When S
decreases to 0, there will be a radio link failure. This allows either re-
establishment or release of the connection. If the value of this
parameter is too small, the radio link will easily get failed which will
result in call drops. If it is too large, MS will not release for a long
time which will lower the availability of resources (this parameter
functions for the downlink).
MobileComm Professionals, Inc.
MobileComm Professionals, Inc.
Summary MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

Timers for Optimization

T7 timer
T10 timer
T11 timer
T200 timer
T3101 timer
T3103 timer
T3105 timer
T3107 timer
T3109 timer
T3111 timer
T3122 timer
T3124 timer
T3212 timer
N200 timer
RLT timer
 MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

HAPPY LEARNING

MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

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