2G-3G Cell Reselection &

Handover
ZTE university

Learning goals

To know interworking between 2G-3G networks

To master strategies of reselection & handover
between 2G-3G networks
To know algorithms of cell reselection & handover
between 2G-3G networks

Contents

Conditions for 2G-3G interworking

2G-3G reselection & handover strategies
2G-3G reselection algorithms
2G-3G handover algorithms
2G-3G load-balance handover algorithms

Conditions for 2G-3G interworking

Definition of UTRAN

adjacent cells
Define cells out of BSC
Define adjacent cell for

cell reselection/ handover

2Quater system

message
MS reads system

2G covered
area

MS moves to
2G network
after originating
a call in 3G
network

3G covered
area

message
Measurement of UTRAN
systems

Setting of 2G-3G

interworking parameters
Handover & reselection

parameters

Make
measurement of
3G network at
the its edge area

Conditions for 2G-3G interworking

2quater message
z The precondition for system to send message is that data
configuration must meet one of the following criteria:
z The cell is configured with 3G adjacent cells;
z The cell supports NC2 function (network controls cell reselection);

2quater content
z
Description of FDD(TDD) at UTRAN side
z
Description of 3G measurement parameters
z
Description of GPRS 3G measurement parameters
z
Network control measurement parameters
z
Information of cells adjacent to UTRAN FDD(TDD)

Conditions for 2G-3G interworking (extended

functions of inter-working)

IUR-G interface
z
z

To realize wireless integration of 2G and 3G networks

To reach inter-system balance based on information of
GSM cell capacity and load
To select handover target cell based on information of
GSM cell capacity and load
To select target cell of RAB redirection based on
information of GSM cell capacity and load

Conditions for 2G-3G interworking (extended

functions of inter-working)

Enhanced IUR-G-based 2G-3G handover flow

(resource request)

Conditions for 2G-3G inter-working (extended

functions of inter-working)

Selection of target cell of RAB redirection based on information of

GSM cell capacity and load

Contents

Conditions for 2G-3G interworking

2G-3G reselection & handover strategies
2G-3G reselection algorithms
2G-3G handover algorithms
2G-3G load-balance handover algorithms

2G-3G interworking strategies

Reselection
PLMN selection/cell reselection
2G-3G interworking occurs when UE is in idle mode

Handover
CS handover/PS handover

When subscriber originates service, 2G-3G

interworking occurs during the service connection
between UE and mobile networks. The service falls
into two types:
z CS handoverCS
z PS handoverPS

2G-3G interworking strategies

GSM/GPRSCS service/ low-rate PS service
WCDMACS service/visual service/ medium-rate PS service

Areas of high value

Whole network coverage

Key areas

coverage

GSM covers the

whole area

WCDMA covers key areas

capacity

GSM faces heavy

capacity load

WCDMA is idle; need to

explore subscribers

Actual
capacity

Constructed
capacity

Actual
capacity

Constructed
capacity

Relation between GSM

and WCDMA at the initial
state:
WCDMA focuses on
coverage and tries to
form complete coverage
with the help of GSM;
GSM reduce its load
pressure with the help
of WCDMA.

2G-3G interworking strategies

In initial phase of network, 3G subscribers should choose 3G network preferably.

2G-3G interworking strategies:

z

Only when UE leaves 3G-covered area , will it perform 3G-2G

cell reselection; once it returns to 3G-covered area, it will start
2G-3G cell reselection.
z In order to ensure the continuity of speech, 3G-2G handover
should be supported.
z

CS service which is being performed in 2G network doesnt need

handover to 3G network, so as to reduce call drops due to UTRAN
handover (hard handover).

In order to guarantee PS subscribers satisfaction, bi-directional

handover of PS service is recommended.

Contents

Conditions for 2G-3G interworking

2G-3G reselection & handover strategies
2G-3G reselection algorithms
2G-3G handover algorithms
2G-3G load-balance handover algorithms

2G-3G Reselection algorithms-PLMN

selection/reselection

UE can select and roam between 2G and 3G networks through

selecting PLMNMCC+MNC , and there is no need to upgrade 2G
network.
Whether 3G and 2G adopt the same PLMN-ID, the strategy of
preferably selecting 3G network can be realized.
3G and 2G adopt different
PLMN-ID
Set 3G network to be home
networkHPLMN,UE
searches and makes
reselection periodically after
it switches to 2G network
VPLMN.

3G and 2G adopt the same

PLMN-ID

Set 3G network with the

preferred radio access technology

Access Technology, then UE
will preferably adopt 3G to make
radio access when it selects
PLMN.

2G-3G Reselection algorithms-PLMN

selection/reselection
PLMN selection &
reselection

z3G

and 2G networks
are configured with
different IDs during
network planning;
zHPLMN

(home
network) of USIM is
set to be 3G when an
account is opened;
zSet

PLMN selection
RPLMN

PLMN selection after UE is

powered

HPLMN
User Controlled PLMN Selector
with Access Technology in USIM

Change of
PLMN ie.
reselection,
which occurs
during cell
reselection

Operator Controlled PLMN Selector

with Access Technology in USIM

USIM PLMN
PLMN with good signal quality (in random
reselection interval
order)
when an account is
Other PLMN [in order of signal quality (high-low)]
opened; note there is
an hysteresis of
6mins.
Histeresis of 6minsafter UE resides in GSM network, it has to wait for at least
6mins before it can return to 3G network.

2G-3G Reselection algorithms-cell

selection/reselection

Requirements for 2G network equipment

z

Cell reselection is dependent on subscribers satisfaction; as long

as the UE is within 3G network coverage, it can access 3G network
immediately.
This algorithm requires 2G-3G cell reselection in the whole network,
so 2G network needs to be upgraded to some extent.
Requirements for 2G network equipment

Wireless controllers at 2G sites

z

They should support the reselection

threshold parameters of cells configured
with broadcast UTRAN system.
They should support configuration of 3G
adjacent cells.

2G-3G Reselection algorithms-cell

selection/reselection

Cell selection: select the cell with the best signal in current network;
Cell reselection: as signals of the serving cell (in which UE resides)
and its adjacent cells change/deteriorate, UE needs to select a new
cell with better signal to reside.
S principle not satisfied, keep
searching cells

Reside in
original cell

Confirm primary
scrambling code of
cell

PLMA selection

Read broadcast
channel

Search cell

N
Y
S principle

Cell is non-HPLMN

N
Reside in cell at random
call barring
Keep
searching
cells

Normal
residence

2G-3G Reselection algorithms-cell

selection/reselection-S principle
S-principle

is used to judge whether a cells signal RxLev

and RxQual are suitable for UE to redside in the cell.

Formula:
Squal = Qqualmeas Qqualmin
zSrxlev = Qrxlevmeas Qrxlevmin Compansation
z

If
For FDD: Squal > 0 & Srxlev > 0
zFor TDD: Srxlev > 0
z

then UE will take the cell as a suitable one and reside in it.

2G-3G Reselection algorithms-cell selection/reselection

-reselection parameter 1
Cell

reselection flow in idle mode & key parameters:

Param
eter

Meaning

Qsearch Search for 3G cells if signal level is below (0-7) or

_I
above (8-15) threshold
0 = - 98 dBm, 1 = - 94 dBm, ,
6 = - 74 dBm, 7 = (always)
8 = - 78 dBm, 9 = - 74 dBm, ,
14 = - 54 dBm, 15 = (never).
Default value = (never).

Value
range
0-15

Location: 3G adjacent cell list and cell reselection parameters are described in system
broadcast message SI2quaterand SI2ter which is sent on BCCH or extended
BCCH.
Function: to control the adjacent cell measurement and reselection process under UE
idle mode.

2G-3G Reselection algorithms-cell

selection/reselection-reselection parameter 2

Cell reselection flow in idle mode & key

parameters:
Parameter

Meaning

Value
range

FDD_Qoffse Applies an offset to RLA_C for cell re-selection to access

t
technology/mode XXX (one or more)0 = - (always select a
cell if acceptable), 1 = -28 dB, 2 = -24 dB, , 15 = 28 dB.Default
value = 0 dB.

0-15

FDD_Qmin

0-7

A minimum threshold for Ec/No for UTRAN FDD cell reselection,0= -20dB,1=-6dB, 2= -18dB, 3= -8dB, 4= -16dB, 5= 10dB, 6= -14dB, 7= -12dB.Default
value= -12dB.

zFDD_RSCPmin

and FDD_Qmin_Offset are first added in version 3GPP

R6, currently they are not supported in system.

2G-3G Reselection algorithms-cell selection/reselection

-reselection parameter 2
Application

of FDD_Qoffset and FDD_Qmin

zThese

two parameters control inter-system cell reselection process. When

a UE satisfies all the following conditions, it can make reselection to
UTRAN adjacent cells.
RSCP >= FDD_Qoffset + RLA_C

RSCP >= FDD_Qoffset + RLA_n

Ec/No >= FDD_Qmin-FDD_Qmin_Offset
RSCP>= FDD_RSCP_threshold
Notes:
2G-3G cell reselection is not allowed within 5s after 3G-2G reselection; if
more than one 3G cell satisfies the conditions, UE shall select the cell with
the largest RSCP value.

2G-3G Reselection algorithms-suggestions

Principle of field strength

z

Principle of time efficiency

z

Only when the field strength of 3G network is guaranteed, will

reselection to 3G occur. Normally, in 3G covered areas with weak
field strength and the marginal areas overlapped by 3G and GSM
networks,this principle shall be considered first.
On condition that the principle of field strength is satisfied, selection
to WCDMA should be as soon as possible, so as to provide
subscribers with high-end services. In areas continuouly covered
by WCDMA network, this principle shall be considered first.

Principle of electricity efficiency

z

Dual-mode terminal consumes more power in performing intersystem signal measurement, so this principle shall be fully
considered when we deploy networks with overlapped coverage
areas.

2G-3G Reselection algorithms-cell reselection

PS

PBCCH supported in BSS

z

PSI3quarter sends parameters related to inter-system cell reselection (3G

adjacent cell information, measurement and control parameters of cell
reselection) to MS.

PBCCH not supported in BSS / PBCCH not configured

z

Packet Cell Change Order or Packet Measurement Order send

parameters related to inter-system cell reselection (3G adjacent cell
information, measurement and control parameters of cell reselection) to
MS; these parameters will be used in PS cell reselection process.

parameter

Meaning

Value
range

Qsearch_P

Search for 3G cells if signal level below threshold (0-7):

- 98, - 94, , - 74 dBm, (always) or above threshold
(8-15):- 78, - 74, , - 54 dBm, (never). Default value
= (never).

0-15

FDD_
GPRS_
Qoffset

Applies an offset to RLA_P for cell re-selection to

access technology/mode XXX (one or more), 0 = -
(always select a cell if acceptable), 1 = -28 dB, 2 = -24
dB, , 15 = 28 dB. Default value = 0 dBm.

0-15

2G-3G Reselection algorithms -NCCR

Explanation of NC2/NCCR
z

It supports different cell reselection parameters in PS service to realize cell

reselection of packet idle mode and packet transmission mode.
Advantage: it makes full use of available network information to make
reasonable judgment and realize optimized distribution of network services;
it reduces the useless cell reselection performed by MS, and improves
TBF transmission efficiency.

Network_ControlOrder

Meaning of
value

MS operations

NC0

Controlled by
normal MS

MS executes autonomous cell reselection

NC1

Controlled by
MS which
reports MRs

MS sends MRs to network; MS continues cell reselection.

NC2

Controlled by
network

MS sends MRs to network, and realizes cell reselection only

based on the reselection order from network. Only when cell
reselection is triggered by failure of sending downlink signalling or
random access, will MS execute autonomous cell reselection.

2G-3G Reselection algorithms -NACC

Explanation of NC2/NCCR
z

3GPP R5 stipulates NACCs ability to support inter-BSC and UTRAN

services.

Realization ofNC2/NCCR
z

BSC and RNC can collect information of external cells through Gb (lur-g)
interface and RIM process. (Currently we can only realize external NACC
through Gb interface and RIM process.)
BSC/RNC 1

CN

BSC/RNC 2

RAN Information Request

Master BSC enables external cells to start RAN Information Send process through
RAN Information Request, so as to transmit the system information of external
cells to the serving cell.

Contents

Conditions for 2G-3G inter-working

2G-3G reselection & handover strategies
2G-3G reselection algorithms
2G-3G handover algorithms
2G-3G load-balance handover algorithms

2G-3G handover algorithms-3G->GSM

For 3G-GSM CS handover, main requirements stay with

3G network; for GSM network, attention should be paid to
the following:
z

z
z

BSSAP signaling Handover Request at A interface should at least

support R99 (version), which means it should adapt to the changes
of coding mode of Cell Identifier (Serving) which carries 3G serving
cell ID;
Ignore the RF value (6 , 7) in classmark2 which is carried in
BSSAP signaling Handover Request;
For the encrypted algorithm sent by GSM MSC, even the
encryption function is not enabled in BSS, it can also ignore the
encrypted algorithm and perform the following handover process.
When BSS sends HANDOVER REQUEST ACK to GSM MSC,
Chosen Encryption Algorithm IE must contain the specific
encryption mode, whether encryption function is enabled or not.
Currently GSM-WCDMA and WCDMA-GSM PS handover is not
supported in iBSC.

2G-3G handover algorithms--3G->GSM

Signaling flow of 3G-GSM CS handover

2G-3G handover algorithms-GSM >3G

GSM cell collects information of 3G adjacent cells and measurement

parameters.
z
z

BSC broadcasts SI 2quater on BCCH or extended BCCH;

MS may receive Measurement Information in downlink SACCH sent by
BSC during a call.

Messages

to be collected

by MS
Description of 3G
adjacent cell parameters
zConfiguration of 3G
adjacent cells
zParameters of adjacent
cell measurement
zHandover parameters
z

HO due to
coverage

3G initial
stage

Network resource
optimization

Network resource
optimization

HO due to service

HO due to service

HO due to
coverage

HO due to
coverage

3G expansion
stage

3G mature
stage

2G-3G handover algorithms-GSM ->3G HO

parameters
Parameter

Meaning

Value range

Qsearch_C

Search for 3G cells if signal level below threshold (0-7):

- 98, - 94, , - 74 dBm, (always)
or above threshold (8-15):
- 78, - 74, , - 54 dBm, (never)

0-15

Qsearch_C_Ini
tial

Indicates the Qsearch value to be used in connected mode before

Qsearch_C is received,
0 = use Qsearch_I, 1 = (always).
Default value = use Qsearch_I.

0/1

3G_SEARCH_
PRIO

Indicates if 3G cells may be searched when BSIC decoding is

required,
0 = no, 1 = yes
Default value = yes

0/1

Besides the important parameters listed above, some other parameters are also sent to MS in the system
messages, such as:
FDD_REP_QUANT measurement of quantity, RSCP or Ec/No
REPORT_TYPEtype of MR, MR or EMR;

2G-3G handover algorithms- GSM ->3G

HO parameters

Signaling flow of GSM-3G CS handover

2G-3G handover algorithms-strategy of network

selection priority
The strategy is to decide which network shall be prioritized for handover.

To decide target cell through processing of MRs and the strategy of network
selection priority :
z

MSC controls strategy of network selection priority

HANDOVER REQUEST carries Service Handover field, which is used to indicate

handover strategy for BSC in the following handover process.
z

BSC controls the strategy of network selection priority

Based on the configuration principles set in OMCR, BSC decides which network shall
be prioritized for handover according to the strategy of network selection priority,
which can be set in OMCR as well.

Both ways can be adopted:

z

Prioritize WCDMA cells

Prioritize GSM cells

Whats more, if both WCDMA and TD-SCDMA adjacent cells are available at
the same time, the priority of WCDMA and TD-SCDMA can be decided
through parameter FDD/TDD handoverFDDTDDPrio at iBSC side.

Contents

Conditions for 2G-3G interworking

2G-3G reselection & handover strategies
2G-3G reselection algorithms
2G-3G handover algorithms
2G-3G load-balance handover algorithms

Load-balance handover algorithms- directedretry handover process

Signaling connection establishment request

UE

UTRAN
Signaling connection establishment reject

Signaling establishment fails due to lack of

resource in 3G network; 3G is redirected to be
2G network; UE starts access again in 2G
network without target cell defined.

To support directed-retry, the switch DrInd shall be open at iBSC OMCR.

Load-balance handover algorithms- traffic

handover process
Assignment request
Success response to
assignment request

CN

Handover request

UTRAN

When RNC receives RAB assignment message, if CN

requires handover of corresponding services to 2G system,
UTRAN handover process will be started, which is 3G-2G
handover, thus 3G network performance will be optimized.

For 3G-GSM CS handoverrequirements stay with WCDMA network.

Load-balance handover algorithms- handover

due to serving cell load
Assignment request

UTRAN

Assignment failure

CN

Service establishment fails due to lack of resource in 3G

network; if its 2G-supported CS service or low-rate PS
service, 3G will appoint suitable 2G cell, and CN will start
handover to the appointed 2G cell.

iBSC sends LOAD INDICATION BSSAPto MSC periodically.

Load-balance handover algorithmscomparative analysis of handover algorithms

Methods

Voice
histeresis

Success
rate

Influence to 3G
network

Application scenario

Directed-retry

Long

Low

Light

Signalling establishment
failure

Service
handover

Short

High

Serious

CN requests handover of
service to 2G network after
service establishment
success.

Handover for
load balance

Short

High

Serious

Cell with light congestion

Others avoidance of problems

Solution A+B of TDD

z

There are two solutions to the above problem:

z

When GSM cells are configured with TD adjacent cells, halt or restart may
occur to MS due to flaws in some terminal chips.
Solution Aconfigure a GSM cell with an FDD adjacent cell and a TDD
adjacent cell at the same time; when MS discovers there is FDD adjacent
cell in SI2quater, it will not read the information of TDD adjacent cell, so
that abnormal phenomena will not occur to MS when it receives
information of TDD adjacent cell.
Solution Bset parameter NR_OF_TDD_CELLS=31 in SI2quater to
prevent MS entering endless-loop when it reads SI2quater message, so as
to avoid abnormal phenomena of MS.

Solution A and solution B are directed at MS chips with different flaws,

but they can exist mutually, so they can be used together to solve chip
problems. We call this solution A+B
Method: change TDD handover allowed to Not allowed at iBSC.