Radio Network

Chapter 6
This chapter is designed to provide the student with an overview of how the radio network functions. In addition, it gives an overview of the main cell parameters and the connection of the cell to a Transceiver Group (TG).

OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this chapter the student will be able to: Describe the cell patterns and cell data Describe and perform the connection of a cell to a Transceiver Group (TG)

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Table of Contents
Topic Page

INTRODUCTION TO THE CELL ....................................................... 121

THE CLUSTER ........................................................................................................ 122

CELL DATA ....................................................................................... 124

CELL DEFINITION................................................................................................... 124 DESCRIPTION DATA.............................................................................................. 124 DEFINITION OF SUBCELLS ................................................................................... 130 CHANNEL GROUPS ............................................................................................... 131 CONFIGURATION POWER DATA FOR CELL OR SUBCELL ................................ 131 FREQUENCY HOPPING DATA .............................................................................. 132 CONFIGURATION FREQUENCY DATA ................................................................. 132 CONFIGURATION CONTROL CHANNEL DATA .................................................... 133 HIERARCHICAL CELL STRUCTURES ................................................................... 134 MEASUREMENT FREQUENCIES .......................................................................... 139 NEIGHBOR RELATIONS ........................................................................................ 141

CONNECTION OF CELL TO TRANSCEIVER GROUP .................... 143

CELL STATE ........................................................................................................... 144 CONFIGURATION DATA CHECK ........................................................................... 145

RELATED COMMANDS .................................................................... 147

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INTRODUCTION TO THE CELL

A cell is an area where a Mobile Station (MS) receives a signal strength which is high enough to set up a radio connection on a dedicated channel, that is, the SDCCH or TCH and maintain it. The cell size (or the size of the coverage area) is mainly determined by four parameters: The output power (BSTXPWR) at the antenna of the BTS: the Effective Radiated Power (ERP) The minimum received level at the MS (this is MSRXMIN for MS in busy mode) The minimum received level at BTS (BSRXMIN) The Timing Advance (TA): The TA is a measure of the traveling time of the bursts between the MS and BTS; the maximum value of TA in a cell is defined by the parameter MAXTA (Maximum Timing Advance).

Figure 6-1 illustrates these relationships. A second cell criterion is the existence of a BCCH. A cell must have exactly one BCCH, due to the fact that the BCCH carries essential information which must be known to the MS before call set-up (See paragraph on System Information).

BTS

RXLEV

BS TXP WR

MS RXMIN
dis tance to BTS

ca lls pos s ible no cove ra ge no ca ll pos s ible

Figure 6-1 Cell Size

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Figure 6-1 presents a cell of circular shape which is called an omni-directional cell. In general, the cell shape depends on the antenna that is connected to the cell. Some antennas can also focus their power on a certain sector in the circle. This is called a sector-cell. It is up to the cell planner to select a suitable antenna. The cell shape may also depend on the geographical conditions. Each sector can have its own output power assigned. The BCCH frequencies must be different in all sectors. Figure 6-2 illustrates two types of sector-cells:

C B

3-sector site

cell in a shopping mall

Figure 6-2 Sector Cells

THE CLUSTER
The aim of the cell planning process is to provide maximum capacity with least interference. The cell pattern and frequency plan should be designed not only for the initial network, but also for gradual growth phases. An initial network must be planned to adapt successive demands on traffic growth. To prevent interference between cells, a cell pattern called a cluster is designed. In this cluster, a frequency is used only once. The aim of the cluster is to have a large frequency reuse distance. Ericsson uses three types of clusters: 7/21 4/12 3/9 (21 frequency groups in 7 sites) (12 frequency groups in 4 sites) (9 frequency groups in 3 sites)

If a 4/12 cluster is used for cell planning, the number of cells consisting of different channel numbers in the network are 12. To enable allocation of channels to cells without cochannel interference, a reuse pattern is utilized. The assignment is shown in Table 1.

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Freq. group Ch.

A1 1 13 25 . 121

B1 2 14 26 . 122

C1 3 15 27 . 123

D1 4 16 28 . 124

A2 5 17 29 .

B2 6 18 30 .

C2 7 19 31 .

D2 8 20 32 .

A3 9 21 33 .

B3 10 22 34 .

C3 11 23 35 .

D3 12 24 36 .

Table 1 Frequency Groups in a 4/12 - cluster

These frequency groups are then placed in the cluster, as shown in Figure 6-3. Groups containing adjacent frequencies, for example, D1 and A2, or D3 and A1 should not be placed as neighboring cells.

Figure 6-3 4/12 Cell Pattern

As a general rule, adjacent frequencies should have large geographical distances. Cells, which are geographical neighbors, should have a large frequency distance.

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CELL DATA
The following sections on cell data describe essential cell parameters and their commands. When defining a cell, the following Operational Instructions (OPI) must be observed: BSC, Internal Cells, Define BSC, Internal Cell Data, Change

CELL DEFINITION
RLDEI: CELL=cell, CSYSTYPE=csystype, EXT; A cell can be defined in the BSC as internal or external. Internal cells are fully controlled by their own BSC whereas external cells are not controlled by their own BSC. However, certain data must be known to carry out a handover from a cell in its own BSC to a cell, controlled by another BSC. CELL: Cell designation or cell name can constitute a maximum of seven characters. Using the name of the site plus one more character to identify the cell within the site; 1, 2, 3, or A, B, C is recommended, alternatively, identifying the aerial direction of the cell in a sector-site. CSYSTYPE: If the BSC global system type is mixed, CSYSTYPE must be used to define to which system the cell belongs, GSM900 and GSM1800, or GSM1900. EXT: External cell, the cell belongs to another BSC. Note: The global system type for the BSC is defined using the command RLTYI. This command must be given before the first cell is defined.

DESCRIPTION DATA
RLDEC: CELL=cell, CGI=cgi, BSIC=bsic, BCCHNO=bcchno, NEWNAME=newname, AGBLK=agblk, MFRMS=mfrms, BCCHTYPE=bcchtype, FNOFFSET=fnoffset, XRANGE=xrange; CGI: Cell global identity. Expressed as MCC-MNC-LAC-CI. Cell Identity (CI): Each cell is assigned a CI. This number is unique per Location Area (LA) and is part of the Cell Global Identity (CGI). The CGI uniquely identifies a cell within GSM.

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The CGI is sent to the idle MSs in system information messages. The combination MCC-MNC-LAC is also known as the Location Area Identity (LAI). It is important for the cellular network to know the location of a mobile, since paging signals are distributed in one LA only. A record in the MSC/VLR administrates a mobile location by means of the LAI. When the MS moves from one LA to another, it sends a location-updating request to the MSC/VLR.
LAI 1 LAI 2 LAI 3 LAI 1

CI=0001

LAI 3

LAI 2

CI=0001 CI=0001

Figure 6-4 Location Areas are Divided into Cells with Their Own Identities

BSIC: Base Station Identity Code. It is transmitted on the SCH and is expressed as: NCC = National Color Code of PLMN. Numeric 0 - 7. BCC = Base Station Color code. Numeric 0 - 7. Each operator in a country is assigned one NCC value n to ensure that the same NCC is not used in adjacent PLMNs. The purpose of the BSIC is to distinguish between cells with the same carrier frequency, but coming from different clusters. In addition, it can be used to distinguish between cells from different operators on the border between two countries. It is essential for the locating algorithm that the correct neighboring cells are evaluated. As seen in Figure 6-5, cells which are close to country borders are given different NCC values. The MS is in active mode, using a TCH on f15. The MS measures the neighboring frequencies, broadcast as system information. In this example, these are f1, f26, f29, and f33. In country C, f1 is reused too close to one of the neighbors with the same frequency. Thus, neighbor f1
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is subject to severe radio shadowing towards the MS. When the MS tries to measure f1, it picks up the wrong signal. However, it detects that the NCC is incorrect and the measurement is discarded.
Country A NCC =1

f29

f33

f15

f6

f1

Country B NCC =2

f26

f1

Country C NCC =3

Figure 6-5 PLMN Color Code

In this case, the MS does not perform a call set-up in another country or a different PLMN, which means that the operator has saved signaling and the subscriber has saved money. This method can also be used inside a country to prevent signaling and handovers between different MSCs. If a call setup in another country or a different PLMN is permitted, the parameter NCCPERM supersedes NCC. BCC is used as protection against co-channel interference. For this purpose, BCC must be allocated as wisely as possible. It is recommended that all cells in a given cluster use the same BCC. In doing so the distance of a certain BCC is maximized. Suppose an MS is actively measuring neighboring cells (See Figure 6-6). Unfortunately, f15x is too close to neighbor f15y. In some MRs, the MS includes measurements from f15x instead of f15y. The only difference between the two is that one has BCC = 2 and the other has BCC = 3. The best result is sent to the BSC, even if the BCC is wrong. The locating algorithm in the BSC includes a filtering function which removes cells with an incorrect BCC. In this example, f15x with BCC = 3 is no longer evaluated.

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BCC =2

f28

f36

f15x

Country B BCC =3

f2 BCC =2 f10

f6

f25

f15y

BCC =2
Figure 6-6 Base Station Color Code

BCCHNO: Absolute RF channel number for BCCH. Numeral 1 - 124 in GSM900, 512 - 885 in GSM1800, 512-810 in GSM1900. NEWNAME: New cell designation. Symbolic name, maximum seven characters. At relocation of cells between BSCs, data must be redefined for the target cell in the target BSC and should be removed from the original cell in the original BSC. The cell cannot have the same name in both BSCs, especially when relocating a border cell that is defined in both BSCs, This parameter provides means to temporarily define cells and cell data in the target BSC. When the cell has been reallocated to the target BSC, it is possible to change the name back to the original cell name, used in the original BSC, to maintain consistency of the cell. AGBLK: The number of reserved access grant blocks. Numeric 0 - 7. Numeric 0 - 2 for SDCCH/4. The number of CCCH blocks reserved for the AGCH. The remaining CCCH blocks are used as PCHs. The parameter is valid only for internal cells, that is, cells belonging to the current BSC.

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Within Ericssons GSM system, access grant messages have priority over paging messages, but if Cell Broadcast or System Information type 7&8 are to be broadcast then AGBLK must be equal to 1. During this reserved CCCH block the MS is told to listen to the cell broadcast or it will receive System Information, type 7&8. Note : Ericsson RBS 200 and RBS 2000 can only support AGBLK=0 or 1.
DOWNLINK BCH51 - frame (235.4ms)

F C S C C BCCH HH

F S CCCH C CCCH CC B0 B1 HH

F S CCCH C CCCH CC B2 B3 HH

CCCH B4

F C S CCCH CC B5 HH

F S CCCH C CCCH CC B6 B7 HH

CCCH B8

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Figure 6-7 CCCH Location in a Multi-frame

MFRMS: Multi-frames period. Numeric 2 - 9. Defines the period of transmission for PAGING REQUEST messages to the same paging group. The parameter is expressed as the number of CCCH multi-frames. The parameter is valid only for internal cells. Each MS, according to its IMSI number, belongs to a specific paging group. Dependent on the IMSI-number, an MS is allocated one of the CCCH-blocks in a set of multi-frames. Paging signals to this MS are then exclusively sent in this CCCH-block. The set of multi-frames is determined by MFRMS. Since MFRMS can be set between 2 and 9, and the number of CCCH blocks within a multi-frame is 9, it is possible to have 18 to 81 paging groups. In idle mode, an MS listens to its paging group to detect a paging signal. In the gap between a certain paging group, the MS stays in a sleeping mode to minimize power consumption. If MFRMS is set to 2, the mobile listens to every 18 CCCH block which corresponds to 470.8ms (2 x 235.4ms).

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Multiframe BCH 51 - frame (235.4ms ) DOWNLINK

Multiframe BCH 51 - frame (235.4ms ) DOWNLINK DOWNL INK

35 40

45 50 0

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45 50 0

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45 50 0

10

15

Period 470.8 ms (2 x 235.4ms )

Figure 6-8 An MS Listening for a Paging Request

BCCHTYPE: Identifies the type of BCCH to be used, this is only applicable to internal cells: COMB COMBC indicates that the cell has a combined BCCH and SDCCH/4. Combined with the CBCH. Indicates that the cell has a combined BCCH and SDCCH/4 with a CBCH sub-channel. Indicates that the cell does not have a combined BCCH and SDCCH/4.

NCOMB

FNOFFSET: Frame number offset. Numeral 0-1325. Indicates the time difference from the Frame Number (FN) generator in the BTS, expressed as a number of TDMA frames. This prevents all cells on a site from sending BCCH channels at the same time. By using FNOFFSET on a two or three sector site the time for decoding BSIC can be reduced. This parameter is valid only for internal cells. XRANGE: Extended range cell. It can support traffic at a distance of greater than 35 km between the MS and BTS (up to 72 km). This parameter is valid only for internal cells. Figure 6-9 shows a printout of the Cell Description Data using the RLDEP command.

Figure 6-9 Cell Description Data

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DEFINITION OF SUBCELLS
If a cell is configured with at least two frequencies, it can be split into two subcells - an overlaid subcell and an underlaid subcell. More than one frequency can be assigned to a subcell. In the BSC, subcells are denoted by the parameter SCTYPE. SCTYPE can be UL for underlaid or OL for overlaid subcell. The underlaid subcell covers the area from the center (BTS) to the outer border. In addition, the gray area is the coverage area of an overlaid subcell.

Underlaid BCCH, SDCCH, TCH Overlaid SDCCH,TCH BTS

Figure 6-10 Subcell structure

The overlaid subcell depends on the underlaid subcell, due to the fact that it cannot set up a call on its own. The overlaid subcell does not have a frequency carrying the BCCH. Call setup is performed by the underlaid subcell, but the call may then be handed over to the overlaid subcell (on the condition that the MS is in the gray area), or may be handed back from the overlaid subcell to the underlaid subcell. The advantage of the subcell concept is that a second cluster with a smaller frequency reuse distance can be installed on top of an existing cluster, for example, a new 3/9-cluster can be installed using overlaid subcells on top of an existing 4/12cluster of underlaid subcells. This contributes to the network capacity being increased without adding new frequencies, but stealing some frequencies from the underlaid cluster. Another benefit is that it is not necessary to install new hardware. If a place with high traffic load must be covered, an

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overlaid subcell may also be used. In this case, an overlaid subcell keeps interference low. See Appendix A for more details. Frequency administration of subcells is carried out using Channel Groups (CHGR), for example, the BSTXPWR must be specified separately for each subcell type, so it is done per CHGR.

CHANNEL GROUPS
RLDGI: CELL=cell, CHGR=chgr, SCTYPE=sctype; This command is used to specify channel groups for a cell or subcell. If a subcell structure is specified with the command RLDSI, the parameter SCTYPE must be included in this command. CHGR: Channel group. Numeral 0-15. Maximum 16 channel groups can be specified per cell. SCTYPE: subcell type UL= underlaid OL= overlaid

CONFIGURATION POWER DATA FOR CELL OR SUBCELL

RLCPC: CELL=cell, SCTYPE=sctype, MSTXPWR=mstxpwr, BSPWRB=bspwrb, BSPWRT=bspwrt; MSTXPWR: Maximum transmit power in dBm for an MS on a connection. BSPWRB: Base Station nominal output power in dBm, for the RF channel number, which has the BCCH. BSPWRT: Base Station nominal output power in dBm, for the RF channels, which do not have the BCCH. This step is used to define or change configuration power data in a cell or a subcell. The indicated power is the nominal power of the transmitter in the BTS, not the ERP. If a subcell structure exists, the parameters MSTXPWR and BSPWRT must be specified for each subcell. If the cell is external, only parameter MSTXPWR is valid with CELL. Figure 6-11 shows a printout of the Cell configuration power data using the RLCPP command.
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Figure 6-11 Cell Configuration Power Data

FREQUENCY HOPPING DATA

RLCHC: CELL=cell, CHGR=chgr, HOP=hop, HSN=hsn; MAIO=maio; This command is used to change the frequency hopping status and hopping sequence number for a channel group. The CHGR parameter is mandatory, if channel groups other than 0 exist. The command is only valid for internal cells. CHGR: Channel group. Numeral 0-15. HOP: Frequency hopping status. On or off. HSN: Hopping sequence number. Numeral 0-63. HSN= 0 is cyclic hopping HSN= 1-63 identifies a pseudo-random sequence MAIO: Mobile allocation index offset Numeral 0 15, or DEFAULT Maximum 16 MAIOs per channel group. The MAIO(s) will form a list. All MAIOs in the list must be unique.

CONFIGURATION FREQUENCY DATA

RLCFI: CELL=cell, CHGR=chgr, DCHNO=dchno; If more frequencies than the BCCHNO must be added to the cell, these frequencies are defined separately. The cell in question can be ACTIVE or HALTED. If subcells exist, new frequencies are added to the channel group (CHGR). CHGR: Channel group. Numeral 0-15.

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DCHNO: ARFCN (Absolute RF channel number). Numeric 1 124 in GSM900, 512 - 810 in GSM1800, 512 - 885 in GSM1900. A maximum of 16 DCHNO per channel group is allowed except for channel group 0, which allows only 15. Overall: 31 DCHNO per cell. Figure 6-12 shows a printout of the Cell configuration frequency data using the RLCFP command.

Figure 6-12 Cell Configuration Frequency Data

CONFIGURATION CONTROL CHANNEL DATA

RLCCC: CELL=cell, TN=tn, CHGR=chgr, SDCCH=sdcch, CBCH=cbch, CCHPOS=cchpos; TN: Time slot Number. Numeral 0-3 for normal cell. Numeral 0 or 2 for an extended range cell. System default value = 2. CHGR: Channel group. Numeral 0-15. SDCCH: Required number of SDCCH/8. Numeral 0-16. Numeral 0-7 when parameter CCHPOS is set to BCCH. Numeral 0-3 when parameter CCHPOS is set to BCCH and the cell is an extended range cell. CBCH: Cell Broadcast Channel. CBCH = YES should be included in one of the SDCCH/8s for the cell or channel group. CBCH = NO indicates that no SDCCH/8 for the cell or channel group should include CBCH. Only one CBCH is allowed per cell. In case of the channel combination with CBCH (BCCHTYPE=COMBC), the CBCH is already integrated to TS0. Therefore, in control channel data, the CBCH must be set to NO (CBCH = NO).

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HIERARCHICAL CELL STRUCTURES

LOCATING HIERARCHICAL DATA
RLLHC:CELL=cell, LAYER = layer, LAYERTHR =layerthr, LAYERHYST = layerhyst, PSSTEMP=psstemp, PTIMTEMP=ptimtemp, FASTMSREG=fastmereg; RLHBC:CELL=cell, HCSBANDHYST =hcsbandhyst, HCSBAND = hcsband, LAYER= layer, HCSBANDTHR=hcsbandthr;

HCS Bands and Layers

The network can be divided into up to eight different HCS layers. The layers are grouped into HCS bands. An example of how layers can be grouped into bands is shown in Figure 6-13. Up to eight layers may be defined using HCS. The layers are distributed in ascending order in up to eight HCS bands. A lower HCS band, thus, only includes lower layers, compared to a higher HCS band. The layers can be distributed over the HCS bands in a variety of combinations. For example, all eight layers can be in one HCS band, or there can be one layer in each HCS band. The priority of a cell is given by associating a layer to the cell. Each layer also belongs to an HCS band. The lower the layer (and HCS band), the higher is the priority. The layer and band definition can be based on how much traffic the cells would capture with just basic ranking, how much traffic they, at maximum, can be dimensioned for, how much the cells interfere with the rest of the network, etc.

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Figure 6-13 An example of how the layers and HCS bands can be distributed.

With eight layers, it is possible to assign unique layers to indoor cells, micro cells, macro cells, and, possibly, umbrella cells of each system type. The first issue is to define the HCS bands and prioritize them in an efficient way with respect to capacity. The low loaded system type should have priority over the higher loaded system type. Dedicated sub bands for indoor or micro cells should have priority over larger cells within their own system type. Each HCS band may be further divided into indoor cell prioritized over micro cells prioritized over macro cells.

Layer Threshold
LAYERTHR =layerthr The layer threshold decides if the cell should be prioritized over stronger cells of the same HCS band. The layer threshold, LAYERTHR, is used to decide the tradeoff between getting maximum capacity from cells and acceptable levels of interference between cells within an HCS band.

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Hysteresis
LAYERHYST = layerhyst To prevent consecutive handovers, due to fluctuations in signal strength, a hysteresis is applied to each signal strength threshold. For the hysteresis, the default values LAYERHYST and HCSBANDHYST = 2 are recommended. If there are indications of an excessive number of handovers between layers, it is more likely to be the result of bad quality urgency handovers, rather than having a too low hysteresis.

An Example of a Layered Cell Structure with Three HCS Bands and Five Layers.
In Figure 6-14, the network is divided into three HCS bands. The 1800 frequencies are divided into two sub bands where one band does not interfere with the other, except for the two adjacent frequencies around the band split. One of the 1800 bands is dedicated for indoor cells. The third HCS band is the 900 MHz band. The 900 band contains micro cells in Layer 6 and macro cells in Layer 7. The 1800 main band contains micro cells in Layer 3 and macro cells in Layer 4. The 1800 sub band contains only Layer 2, used for indoor cells.

Figure 6-14 An example of a layered cell structure with three HCS Bands and five layers.
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Layer 3 may suffer from co- or adjacent channel interference from Layer 4. Therefore, a micro cell in Layer 3 should only be prioritized over a stronger 1800 MHz macro cell (layer 4) if its signal strength is high, for example, above a layer threshold of75 dBm. If the 1800 MHz micro cell in the aforementioned example is surrounded by strong 900 MHz cells but no (Layer 4) 1800 MHz macro cell, it can be prioritized over 900 MHz micro and macro cells down to a lower band threshold of, for example, -95 dBm. The lowest setting of the layer threshold depends on the interference situation within the band. A high threshold is preferable with respect to interference. The band will still be prioritized, due to the lower HCS band threshold.

Signal Strength Thresholds

There exist two signal strength thresholds that decide if the signal strength is sufficient for the cell to be prioritized.

Band Threshold
The band threshold decides if the cell should be prioritized over stronger cells from other HCS bands. The HCS band signal strength threshold, HCSBANDTHR , is used to determine if the HCS band in question is represented with sufficient signal strength to be prioritized at all. Between cells of different bands, there is no interference and the borders of the preferred band is limited by noise. If the load situation requires, the band threshold may, therefore, be set rather low. A margin is, however, required to delay handover by a few seconds in case the signal strength drastically falls. PSSTEMP: Signal strength penalty, temporary offset in dB. Numeral 0-63. PTIMTEMP: Penalty duration in seconds. Numeral 0-600. Since lower layer cells have priority over cells from higher layers, the system always tries to hand a busy MS down to a lower layer. This can cause a large amount of handovers. The following figure shows what happens if the MS moves fast along the black line through an area with two layer-1 cells, B and C (white area), and a layer-2 cell, A (gray area).
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Cell A: layer-2

Cell C: layer-1

Cell B: layer-1

HO

HO

HO

HO

HO

HO

Figure 6-15 Fast Moving MS

Four of the handovers shown, can be saved. This is accomplished as follows: The first time the cell reports cell B in the Measurement Report (MR), cell B is punished by subtracting a penalty signal strength, PSSTEMP, from the real value. The penalty is valid for an interval, PTIMTEMP. The penalty causes the neighbor to be shifted to a lower position in the ranking list. It is even excluded from evaluation, if the signal strength drops below MSRXMIN. If the MS loses sight of cell B before PTIMTEMP expires, no handover takes place.

How to Estimate PTIMTEMP

The black line represents a road with a speed limit of 60 km/h. The operator tries to avoid frequent handovers. PTIMTEMP can then be estimated as follows: Measurements from test drives show that the distance, s, between the first report of cell B in the MR and the disappearance of cell B from the MR is 1 km. The car has a speed of v=60 km/h. The time between the two points is thus: t = s/v = 1/60 h = 1 minute So PTIMTEMP must be greater than 1 minute. If the MS remains longer in the area of cell B, cell B joins the candidate list as a non-penalized Layer-1 cell. FASTMSREG: Handling of fast moving mobiles switch. On or off.

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To enhance the use of parameters PSSTEMP and PTIMTEMP specifically for fast moving mobiles, the parameter FASTMSREG can be used. A fast moving mobile can be identified by counting the number of inter cell handovers during a certain time. If the handover intensity increases above a threshold value, and the function handling of fast moving mobiles' is switched on in the new cell, the mobile will not use the HCS structure when ranking cells in locating. Instead, the ranking is based on best signal strength until the next inter cell handover has occurred. The handover intensity algorithm is then nulled and normal ranking with HCS is used again. New deviations from HCS locating may occur only if the handover intensity increases again during the call. The rate of handovers for a mobile is monitored, regardless of whether the function is switched on or off in a cell, since later on, a handover to a cell where the function is switched on might occur. The parameter FASTMSREG is used to switch the function on and off. It has the value range ON, OFF with default OFF, and can be set per cell. Two new parameters, THO, defining the time interval for measuring the number of handovers, and NHO (See command RLLBC), defining the number of handovers during THO that are allowed before ranking without HCS ranking are used, and set per BSC.

MEASUREMENT FREQUENCIES
RLMFC:CELL=cell, MBCCHNO=mbcchno, LISTTYPE=listtype, MRNIC; MBCCHNO: Is the Absolute RF Channel Number (ARFCN) for measurement on the BCCH. Numeric 1 - 124 in GSM 900, 512 - 885 in GSM 1800 and 512 - 810 in GSM 1900. It represents the BCCH frequencies to be measured on by the MSs in the cell. In dual mode systems, frequencies from both systems can be used simultaneously. LISTTYPE: Indicates if the list of measurement frequencies is to be used by the MS for measurements in idle mode or for measurements in active mode.

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MRNIC: Measurement Reports Not Interpreted Correctly. If MRNIC is used, the change of frequencies is executed immediately. As a consequence, the MS delivers incorrect measurements until it has read the complete list from system information. The BSC takes this into account when evaluating the MRs. If MRNIC is excluded, the list is updated as soon as there is a suitable point of time. To measure the signal strength of neighboring cells, the MS must know the frequencies of the neighboring cells BCCHcarriers. Up to 32 measurement frequencies can be defined in one cell. The indicated MBCCHNO must correspond to the BCCH-carriers of the cells, indicated in the neighbor relationship. If a new cell is added to the network, the new cell must know the number of its own BCCH-carrier (BCCHNO) and the BCCHNO of the neighboring cells. The neighboring cells must also know the BCCHNO of the new cell. The BCCHNOs of these cells are transmitted to the MS via system information in the BCCH allocation list (BA-list). When the measurement frequencies are changed, the internally controlled parameter BAIND (BCCH allocation sequence number indication) toggles. Thus, the BSC knows if the MS has used the new or the old list of measurement frequencies. This parameter synchronizes the use of a new measurement frequency allocation list in the mobile and the BSC. Figure 6-16 shows a printout of the Cell measurement frequencies using the RLMFP command.

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Figure 6-16 Cell Measurement Frequencies

NEIGHBOR RELATIONS
RLNRI: CELL=cell, CELLR=cellr, SINGLE; CELLR: Related cell. Max. seven characters. SINGLE: Defines the relationship between cells. The parameter SINGLE is only given if the relation is one-way from CELL - CELLR. This means that handover can be made from CELL to CELLR. Default is mutual, which means that handovers are allowed in both directions. It is mandatory to define neighbor relationships. These relationships control the handover between cells. The type of relationship between the cells can be either mutual or one-way. Handovers in both directions are permitted when the relationship is mutual. The relationship to an external cell must be SINGLE. The handover from an internal to an external cell is initiated and controlled by its own BSC. The handover back is controlled by the other BSC. Up to 64 neighbors can be defined per cell. Thirty-two mutual neighbors can be defined for a cell. Figure 6-17 shows a printout of the Neighbour relation data using the RLNRP command.

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Figure 6-17 Neighbour Relation Data

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CONNECTION OF CELL TO TRANSCEIVER GROUP

RXTCI: MO=mo, CELL=cell, CHGR=chgr; On completion of the OPI: BSC, Internal Cell, Define, the BSC knows the cell as a set of data. However, the cell does not have a connection to a BTS. No BTS is configured yet according to the parameters, as defined in configuration power data, control channel data, or frequency data. Therefore, the cell must be connected to a TG before it is activated. A TG is indicated to the cell as an MO and a CHGR. See Figure 6-18:

Figure 6-18 Connection of Channel Groups to Transceiver Groups

The connection is carried out via the CHGR. A normal cell (no subcell structure) is always connected via CHGR=0. In the case of subcells, the underlaid subcell is always CHGR=0 whereas the overlaid subcell is CHGR=1. Figure 6-19 shows a printout of the TG to Channel group connection data using the RXTCP command.

Figure 6-19 TG to Channel Group Connection Data

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CELL STATE
RLSTC: CELL=cell, CHGR=chgr, STATE=state; CHGR: Channel group. Numeral 0-15 STATE: The state of the cell. Active or halted. When defining cell data, the state of a cell is HALTED (off air). After cell data definition, the state of the cell must be changed to ACTIVE (on air). Alternatively, an individual CHGR can be activated. During cell activation, the cell data for description and configuration is downloaded to the connected TG. The purpose of the cell state is to control the input of data to the cell to minimize the effect on ongoing traffic. Very important data can only be changed in the HALTED state, for example, cell description data (CGI, BCCHNO, etc.).

Cell State Transition from HALTED to ACTIVE

The defined cell configuration data is used for configuration. Logical channels are created and the BCCH for the cell is activated. System information messages are distributed to the MSs.

From ACTIVE to HALTED

Ongoing calls are disconnected. All logical channels are deleted and the BCCH for the cell is de-activated. ACTIVE HALTED The cell is in operation BCCH is de-activated and no further connections are allowed. All active connections are released

Figure 6-20 shows a printout of the Cell status using the RLSTP command.

Figure 6-20 Cell Status

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CONFIGURATION DATA CHECK

To check which cell resources the cell has, use the RLCRP command. This is shown in Figure 6-21.

Figure 6-21 Cell Resources

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To check how the TG is configured, use the RXCDP command, represented in Figure 6-22

Figure 6-22 Managed Object Configuration Data

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RELATED COMMANDS
RLLBP - Radio Control Cell BSC Locating Data, Print RLDEP - Radio Control Cell Description Data, Print RLCFP - Radio Control Cell Configuration Frequency Data, Print RLCPP - Radio Control Cell Configuration Power Data, Print RLLOP - Radio Control Cell Locating Data, Print RLLUP - Radio Control Cell Locating Urgency Data, Print RLLDP - Radio Control Cell Locating Disconnect Data, Print RLLPP - Radio Control Cell Locating Penalty Data, Print RLMFP - Radio Control Cell Measurement Frequencies, Print RLNRP - Radio Control Cell Neighbor Relation, Print RLSTP - Radio Control Cell State, Print RLSTC - Radio Control Cell State, Change RXTCI Radio X-ceiver Administration TG to Channel Group, Initiate RXTCP - Radio X-ceiver Administration TG to Channel Group, Print RLTYP - Radio Control Cell System Type, Print

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