UMTS Knowledge Acquisition

Presentation Overview
Advance / Live Network / Performance

Basic / Background / Theory

Measurement fundamentals
(Spreading and De-spreading,
Ec/No, RSCP, RSSI)

UE Access and
Idle Mode Behavior
Cell Selection + Reselection

Call Setup
RACH/Paging procedure

Handover Events
+ IRAT

Power Control

R99 Data +
HSDPA

Network design and planning

overview

FOA and Training network

test results

Admission Control
Radio Resource Management
Capacity management
Statistical Performance and
Fault analysis
KPIs, Counters
Parameters
(HO, Admission..)
Nokia OSS
CM Editor, KPI Monitor,
Optimizer
UMTS Optimization
Routine O&M Tasks

New
Completed
Draft

Drive Data Analysis

Cluster Acceptance

Cell Selection and

Reselection

Objectives
At the end of this module, you will be able to
Understand the cell syncronisation process
List the motivations for cell selection and reselection
Understand the cell selection criterion S
Outline the measurement rules
Explain the ranking criterion R

Cell Synchronisation
When a UE is switched on, it starts to monitor the radio interface to find a
suitable cell to camp on.
But it has to determine, whether there is a WCDMA cell nearby.
If a WCDMA cell is available, the UE has to be synchronised to the downlink
transmission of the system information transmitted on the physical
channel P-CCPCH before it can make a decision, in how far the available
cell is suitable to camp on.
Initial cell selection is not the only reason, why a UE wants to perform cell
synchronisation. This process is also required for cell re-selection and the
handover procedure.
Cell synchronisation is achieved with the Synchronisation Channel
(SCH).

Synchronisation Channel (SCH)

The Synchronisation Channel (SCH) is a downlink signal used for cell search. The SCH consists of
two sub channels, the Primary and Secondary SCH. The 10 ms radio frames of the Primary and
Secondary SCH are divided into 15 slots, each of length 2560 chips. Picture below illustrates the
structure of the SCH radio frame.
The Primary SCH consists of a modulated code of length 256 chips, the primary synchronization code
(PSC) is transmitted once every slot. The PSC is the same for every cell in the system.
The Secondary SCH consists of repeatedly transmitting a length 15 sequence of modulated codes of
length 256 chips, the Secondary Synchronisation Codes (SSC), transmitted in parallel with the Primary
SCH. The SSC is denoted csi,k in figure, where i = 0, 1, , 63 is the number of the scrambling code
group, and k = 0, 1, , 14 is the slot number. Each SSC is chosen from a set of 16 different codes of
length 256. This sequence on the Secondary SCH indicates which of the code groups the cell's downlink
scrambling code belongs to.

Cell search procedure: Step 1

During the cell search, the UE searches for a cell and

determines the downlink scrambling code and frame
synchronisation of that cell. The cell search is typically
carried out in three steps:
Slot synchronisation
During the first step of the cell search procedure the UE
uses the SCH's primary synchronisation code to acquire
slot synchronisation to a cell. This is typically done with a
single matched filter (or any similar device) matched to the
primary synchronisation code which is common to all cells.
The slot timing of the cell can be obtained by detecting
peaks in the matched filter output.

Cell search procedure: Step 2

Frame synchronisation and code-group

identification
During the second step of the cell search procedure, the
UE uses the SCH's secondary synchronisation code to
find frame synchronisation and identify the code group of
the cell found in the first step. This is done by correlating
the received signal with all possible secondary
synchronisation code sequences, and identifying the
maximum correlation value. Since the cyclic shifts of the
sequences are unique the code group as well as the
frame synchronisation is determined.

Cell search procedure: Step 3

Scrambling-code identification
During the third and last step of the cell search procedure,
the UE determines the exact primary scrambling code
used by the found cell. The primary scrambling code is
typically identified through symbol-by-symbol correlation
over the CPICH with all codes within the code group
identified in the second step. After the primary scrambling
code has been identified, the Primary CCPCH can be
detected and the system- and cell specific BCH
information can be read.
If the UE has received information about which scrambling
codes to search for, steps 2 and 3 above can be simplified

SSC Allocation for S-SCH

scrambling
code group

slot number
0

group 00 1
group 01 1
group 02 1
group 03 1

8
1
6
1

group 04 1

group 05 1

3
1
6
4

group 62

1
1
1
2

1
2
1
0

group 63 9

11

5
1

1
0
3

1
5
1
4
1

8
1
6
1

6
1
1
1

1
5
1
5

1
2
1
3

9
1
4

15

1
6
1
6
7

5
3
1
1
6

2
7

4
1
5
2

6
4
1
2
8

1
4
1
1

1
0
1
1

1
6
1
3

1
5
1
2

1
4
1
6

1
6
1
0

1
0
3

1
6
1
0
1

2
5
1
5
5

6
2
5

5
1
2
3

1
3
9

1
3
1
4

1
1
1
5

1
3

7
1
2
1

1
2
1
5
1
4
1

1
8
1

1
0

1
1

2
5
2

7
1
2
1

1
4
1
6
1
0
1

2
8

I
monitor
the SSCH

Summary of the process:

Cell Selection and Reselection: Motivation

The idle mode tasks were subdivided into three processes:

PLMN selection and reselection;

Cell selection and reselection; and
Location registration.

Cell Selection and Reselection: Motivation

radio
measurements
PLMN
selection
and
reselection

PLMN
selected

cell selection
and
reselection

PLMN
available

RRC tasks:
if the UE is in
the RRC idle
mode

PLMN selection
and reselection;

Cell selection
and reselection;

Location
registration.

location
registration
registrati
area changes
on
location
registration
response

Cell Selection and Reselection: Motivation

The mobile phone tries to find a suitable cell to camp on.

With a suitable cell, all network services are available.
If it is unable to find such a cell, it attempts to camp on any non-barred
cell. It enters an internal "limited service" state.
In this state, only emergency calls can be carried out.
The same state is given, when no USIM was inserted in the UE or the
location registration failed.

PLMN Selection
Switch on
Last
registered
PLMN
Home PLMN
User
controlled
PLMN list
Operator
controlled PLMN
list
HPLMN Search Period Timer
6 .. 480 minutes
Default: 60 minutes

Other PLMNs
with RATs the UE
is capable of

Cell Reservations and Cell Restrictions

The operator wants to restrict access to a cell or to set set cell
reservations. Two methods can be identified:
cell status and special reservations: This method is applied to
control the cell selection and reselection process. It informs the UE, if a
cell is suitable for cell selection and re-selection.
access control: In this method, a cell can be selected in the cell
selection and re-selection process. But a mobile phone is not allowed to
send an initial access message to the access network. This method is
normally applied for load control reasons. The subscribers access
class(es) are determined on cell basis from the IMSI and parameters,
broadcasted on the BCCH. The subscribers access class(es) is (are)
stored on the USIM.
Cell status and special reservations
acceptable cell is a cell, which offers limited services (i.e. the
origination of an emergency call) to the subscriber.
suitable cell is a cell, where the full service set can be offered to the
subscriber. This cell must fulfil a set of requirements, such as being part
of the selected PLMN. It must also fulfil the cell selection criterion S,
which is covered later on in this chapter.
barred cell is a cell, where the mobile phone is not allowed to camp on.
reserved cell is a cell, where ordinary mobile phones are not allowed
to camp on.

Cell Reservations and Cell Restrictions

BCCH: Cell Access Restriction

Cell
- acceptable
- suitable
- barred
- reserved

Access Class barred:

(UE access classes
0..9 and 11..15)

Class 0-9
Class 10
Class 11
Class 12
Class 13
Class 14
Class 15

Random Assignment to different users

Use to restrict emergency calls
For PLMN Use
Security Services;
Public Utilities (e.g. water/gas suppliers)
Emergency Services
PLMN Staff

Cell Selection Criterion S

Which cells are suitable for (initial) cell selection and reselection, so that the UE
can camp on them?
This is determined by the UE based on the cell selection criterion S. It is
fulfilled, when
Srxlev > 0 AND Squal > 0
in the FDD mode, and
Srxlev > 0
in the TDD mode.
Squal delivers the cell Selection quality value (dB). The UE determines it according
to this formula:
Squal = Qqualmeas Qqualmin
The UE measures the received signal quality Qqualmeas of the cell. It is based on
CPICH Ec/N0 (dB) for FDD cells. (CPICH Ec/N0 is averaged.) The operator
determines for each cell the minimum required received level Qqualmin (dB) at
the UE. This value is the broadcasted. Its integer value can range between 24
and 0 dB. A cell is not suitable for cell selection and re-selection, if the measured
received signal quality level is below Qqualmin.
Srxlev stands for the cell selection receive level value (dB). The UE determines it
this way:
Srxlev = Qrxlevmeas - Qrxlevmin Pcompensation
Qrxlevmeas is the cell RX level measured by the UE, based on the CPICH RSCP for
FDD cells (dBm), and the averaged received signal level for GSM cells (dBm). (All
values get averaged!) The operator sets the value Qrxlevmin as minimum

Cell Selection Criterion S (in the FDD mod

Qqualmeas (dB)
(CPICH Ec/N0)

S-Criterion
fulfiled

Squal > 0

Squal >0 AND

Srxlev > 0

Qqualmin
(24...0)

Qrxlevmeas (dB
CPICH RSCP

Qrxlevmin
(115...25)
Pcompensation
suitabl
e
cell?

Srxlev > 0

Cell Selection Criterion S

If the UE determines the cells RX level value Q rxlevmeas and Qrxlevmin
calculated the Srxlev accordingly, it may have good RX level which
means, that a good DL connection can be established. But the UEs own
output power capability has to be taken under consideration. This is done
with
Pcompensation = max(UE_TXPWR_MAX_RACH P_MAX, 0)
(dB)
In order to access a cell, the UE has to use the common channel PRACH.
The operator determines the maximum cell radius by limiting the
maximum TX power level, a UE can use on the PRACH. This is the
UE_TXPWR_MAX_RACH (dBm). UE_TXPWR_MAX_RACH can range
according to the specifications - between 50 dBm and 33 dBm.
On the other hand, there is the UEs maximum RF output power, given by
P_MAX (dBm).

Cell Selection Criterion S

Cell size defining parameters:
Qrxlevmin
Qqualmin
I am
outsid
e

I am
inside,
but have
not
enough
power
Pcompensation
= max(UE_TXPWR_MAX_RACH P_MAX, 0)

(Initial) Cell Selection Process

There exist two cell selection procedures:
Initial Cell Selection
The UE has to find a suitable cell of the PLMN. To do so, the mobile phone scans all
radio frequency carriers of UTRA. Hereby, the UE focuses its cell search to the
strongest cell on each carriers. As soon as the mobile phone has found a suitable
cell, it selects it. In contrast to the initial cell selection procedure stored
information cell selection, this procedure does not require knowledge in advance,
which of the scanned radio frequency bands holds UTRA carriers.
Stored Information Cell Selection
To speed up the cell selection process for instance, when the UE is switched on
again information about UTRA carriers, even cell parameters such as cell
scrambling codes can be stored in the UE. The UE uses this information to find a
suitable cell of the PLMN, which was selected by the NAS. If the cell selection
based on stored information in the UE fails e.g. the selected PLMN cannot be
found the UE continues the cell selection process based on the Initial Cell
Selection procedure.
Both for Initial Cell Selection and Stored Information Cell Selection, a cell is only
suitable for the UE to camp on, if it fulfils the cell selection criterion S:
Srxlev > 0 AND Squal > 0
in the FDD mode, and
Srxlev > 0
in the TDD mode.

(Initial) Cell Selection Process

Once a suitable cell is found this cell is
selected
Squal = Qqualmeas Qqualmin > 0
Srxlev = Qrxlevmeas - Qrxlevmin Pcompensation >
0
Initial Cell
Selection
(scan RF
channel)

or

Stored
Information Cell
Selection

I have to
find a
suitable
cell

Nokia Parameters for Cell Selection

WCEL: QrxlevMin
The minimum required RX level in the cell. This parameter is
part of SIB 3.
[-115 ... 25] dBm, step 2 dBm; default: -115 dBm.
WCEL: QqualMin
The minimum required quality level in the cell (Ec/No). This
parameter is part of SIB 3.
[-24 ... 0] dB, step 1 dB, default: -18 dB.
WCEL: UEtxPowerMaxPRACH
This parameter defines the maximum transmission power
level a UE can use on PRACH. The value of the parameter also
effects the cell selection and reselection procedures. The
value of the parameter is sent to UE in the Cell selection and
re-selection of SIB 3 and 4 of the serving cell.
Default: 21 dBm
[..]

Cell Reselection

After a mobile phone camps on a cell, it periodically look for a better cell to camp on.
But what is a better cell?
On the BCCH, parameters for cell reselection are broadcasted. If a cell meets the cell
selection criteria of these parameters, it is a better cell to camp on. The cell reselection may result in the change of the UTRA carrier or even the RAT.
If

the UE camps normally on a cell, it is responsible to

monitor the BCCH and to obtain the system information;
listen to its paging channel and its paging channel resource;
perform serving cell measurements periodically;
perform neighbouring cell measurements as far as this is required by the cell reselection evaluation procedure;
conduct the cell re-selection evaluation procedure, when BCCH information has
changed or internal threshold measures indicate it.;
execute a cell reselection, if a better cell has been found after the cell re-selection
evaluation process;
Move the UE to the internal state Any cell selection, if no suitable cell can be
found.
The UE performs its measurements based on the BCCH. The BCCH also delivers the
neighbourhood list to the UE. Given this information, the UE decides,
on which RATs and frequency bands it has to perform its measurements
which cells are candidate cells for measurements within one frequency band and
RAT (HCS), and

Cell Reselection: Measurement Rules

The operator has to determine the threshold values, which trigger the cell
re-selection process by the UE.
Intra-Frequency measurement threshold Sintrasearch
If this parameter is not sent in the serving cell, the UE must always
perform intra-frequency measurements. If it is transmitted and Sx >
Sintrasearch, the UE does not perform intra-frequency measurements. If Sx
<= Sintrasearch, it performs intra-frequency measurements.
Inter-Frequency measurement threshold Sintersearch
If this parameter is not sent in the serving cell, the UE must always
perform intra-frequency measurements. If it is transmitted and Sx >
Sintersearch, it must perform inter-frequency measurements, but if Sx <=
Sintersearch, there is no need to perform this type of measurement.
Inter-RAT measurement threshold SsearchRAT m
If this parameter is not sent in the serving cell, the UE must always
perform intra-frequency measurements. If it is transmitted and Sx >
SsearchRAT m, it wont conduct measurements on cells of radio access
technology "m". But if Sx <= SsearchRAT m, it has to do these
measurements.
Sintrasearch, Sintersearch, and SsearchRAT m can get integer values ranging from 32

Cell Reselection: Measurement Rules

SsearchRAT m
Intrafrequenc
y
Interfreqency
Inter-RAT

SintersearchSintrasearch

Sx=Squal (in
FDD mode)

No need
to
Intra-frequency
IntraInter-frequency frequency measure
neighbour
cells

Example: Nokia
Sintrasearch = 4dB,
Sintersearch = 2dB,
Ssearch_RAT = 0dB

Where to
perform
measurements
serving cell

Nokia Parameters for Cell Reselection (Par

WCEL: Sintrasearch
The threshold for intra-frequency measurements, and for the
HCS measurement rules. This parameter is part of SIB 3.
[0 ... 20] dB, step 2 dB, default: 4 dB.
WCEL: Sintersearch
The threshold for inter-frequency measurements, and for the
HCS measurement rules. This parameter is part of SIB 3.
[0 ... 20] dB, step 2 dB, default: 2 dB.
WCEL: Ssearch_RAT
The RAT-specific threshold for inter-RAT measurement rules.
This parameter is part of SIB 3.
[0 ... 20] dB, step 2 dB, default: 0 dB.

Cell Reselection: R-Criterion

After checking the measurement thresholds, the UE has detected suitable

cells to camp on. But which of the candidate cells is the best one for cell
re-selection? For that, a cell-ranking criterion R was specified:
(for the serving cell)
Rs = Qmeas,s + Qhysts
Rn = Qmeas,n - Qoffsets,n (for candidate neighbouring cells for cell
reselection)
The serving cell and the candidate cells are ranked according to criterion
R. The cell ranked with the highest value R is the best cell for the UE to
camp on.
Qhysts gives a hysteresis value to make the serving cell more attractive
and thus delay the cell re-selection. It exists in two versions: If the
quality measure is based on CPICH Ec/No, Qhyst2s is used in (FDD cell
only); otherwise the hysteresis value Qhyst1s is used (if the quality
measure for FDD cells is based on CPICH RSCP, for TDD cells and GSM
cells). It ranges between 0 and 40 (step size 2).

Cell Reselection: R-Criterion

If a neighbouring cell was ranked with the highest value R, will the UE
start the cell re-selection?
If it is a GSM or TDD cell, then indeed the UE performs the cell re-selection process
to this cell.
If it is an FDD cell, it depends on the used quality measure. There are two options:
CPICH RSCP or CPICH Ec/No. The UE learns from the system information, which
quality measure to use. If the quality measure CPICH RSCP is used, the UE perform
the cell re-selection. If the quality measure Ec/No is used, the UE has to make a
second ranking based on the same measurement quantity. The UE performs cell
re-selection to the FDD cell, which was ranked best in the second ranking process.

Is the cell re-selection initiated immediately after the UE ranks a

neighbouring cell to be the best?
If so, we could face a ping-pong effect a UE often performing cell reselection
between two neighbouring cells. To avoid this, the operator uses the time interval
value Treselection, whose value ranges between 0 and 31 seconds. Only when a
cell was ranked Treselection seconds better then the serving cell, a cell reselection
to this cell takes place. In addition to this, a UE must camp at least 1 second on a
serving cell, before the next cell re-selection may take place.
.

Cell Reselection: R-Criterion

Qmeas

Rs = Qmeas,s + Qhysts
Rn = Qmeas,n - Qoffsets,n

Rn > Rs =>
cell reselection
Qmeas,n

Rn

Qmeas,s
Qhysts

Rs

Qoffsets,n
Treselection

Cell Reselection Process Summary

Neighbor cell
measurements
( based on
measurement
rules)

UE applies cell selection criterion S

Squal > 0 and Srxlev > 0 where:
Squal = Qqualmeas Qqualmin
Srxlev = Qrxlevmeas Qrxlevmin - Pcompensation

S-Criterion
fulfilled
The cells are ranked using the ranking criterion R
Rs = Qmeas,s + Qhysts
Rn = Qmeas,n - Qoffsets,n

A
neighbor
cell is
selected
if

It is ranked higher than the serving cell for a time greater than Treselection
The UE has been camped on the current serving cell for atleast one second

Nokia Parameters for Cell Reselection

WCEL: Qhyst1 (Qhyst2)

Qhyst1 is used for TDD and GSM cells, and for FDD cells when cell selection and
re-selection quality measure is set to CPICH RSCP (CPICH Ec/No) (Qhyst1s/
Qhyst2s). This parameter is part of SIB 3.
[0 ... 40] dB, step 2 dB, default: 4 dB.
HOPS: AdjsQoffset1 (AdjsQoffset2)
This parameter is used in the cell re-selection and ranking between WCDMA cells.
The value of this parameter is subtracted from the measured CPICH RSCP (CPICH
Ec/No) of the intra-frequency neighbour cell before the UE compares the quality
measure with the cell re-selection/ranking criteria.
[-50 ... 50] dB, default: 0 dB.
HOPG: AdjgQoffset1
This parameter is used in the cell re-selection and ranking between WCDMA and
GSM cells. The value of this parameter is subtracted from the measured GSM
carrier RSSI of the neighbouring cell before the UE compares the quality measure
with the cell re-selection/ranking criteria.
This parameter is part of System Information Block 11&12.
50...50 dB, step 1 dB Default: 7 dB
WCELL: Treselection
The UE triggers the reselection of a new cell if the cell reselection criteria are
fulfilled during the time interval Treselection. This parameter is part of SIB 3.
[0 ... 31] seconds, default: 2 seconds. (Note: For highways consider 0s)

Cell Reselection: Measurement Requireme

How often are measurements conducted for cell re-selection evaluation?
What happens, if the criterion S is no longer fulfilled for the cell, the UE
camps on?
Serving Cell
At least once every DRX cycle, the UE must
- measure the CPICH Ec/Io and CPICH RSCP level of the serving cell and
- evaluate the S criterion.
If the serving cell is not fulfilling the cell selection criterion S for Nserv
consecutive DRX cycles, the UE has to start measurements on all
neighbouring cells. The Nserv is known by the UE with the DRX cycle
length. The UE has to find a suitable cell within 12 seconds. If it fails, and
the UE is in the RRC idle mode, it initiates the cell selection procedures
for the selected PLMN. If it fails to find a suitable cell within 12 seconds,
it is considered to be out of service area.

Cell Reselection: Measurement Requirements

Serving Cell
DRX
cycle

start measurement on

all neighbouring cells

Nserv
12 seconds

DRX cycle

At least one

CPICH Ec/Io
measurement
CPICH RSCP
measurement
S criterion

if UE RRC idle
UE initiates cell selection
procedures for the
selected PLMN

if still no suitable cells UE out of service

area

Cell Reselection: Measurement Requireme

inter-RAT GSM cells
If inter-GSM measurements are required according the the measurement
rules, the UE measures the RSSI of GSM BCCH carriers. These
measurements are conducted at least every TmeasureGSM. A running
average of 4 measurements for each GSC BCCH carrier is calculated by
the UE.
In addition to that, the UE must determine the BSIC which is carried on
the SCH of each GSM BCCH carrier at least every 30 seconds for the
four strongest GSM neighbouring cells. Also ranking in accordance to the
cell re-selection rules must be done for these cells every 30 seconds.
But what happens, if the UE detects a BSIC, which was not named in the
neighbourhood list of the serving cell? Then, this cell is not considered as
candidate cell for cell re-selection.
And what does the UE with a neighbouring cell, where it is not capable to
gain the BSIC value? This cell, too, is not regarded as candidate for cell
re-selection.

Exercise Cell reselection scenarios

Figure shows a cell and the associated broadcast parameter values for
Qqualmin, Qrxlevmin and UE_TXPWR_MAX_RACH. It also shows
values for Qqualmeas and Qrxlevmeas for three positions in the cell, A, B
and C.

1.

For position A, B and C calculate whether the cell selection criteria are
fulfilled for a power class 4 UE(21 dBm)

2.

For position A, B and C calculate whether the cell selection criteria are
fulfilled for a power class 3 UE(24 dBm)

3.

What might you adjust to ensure that the cell appears suitable for both
types of UE in all locations?

Qqualmin = -12 dB
Qrxlevmin = -95 dBm
UE_TXPWR_MAX_RACH = 24 dBm

Pcompensation

Class 3 UE = 24 24 = 0
Class 4 UE = 24 21 = 3

Qqualmeas = -9 dB
Qrxlevmeas = -74 dBm

C
B

C3 Squal = -9 - - 12 = 3
Srxlev = -74 - - 95 = 21
C4 Squal = -9 - - 12 = 3
Srxlev = -74 - - 95 - 3 = 18

Qqualmeas = -10 dB
Qrxlevmeas = -89 dBm
C3 Squal = -10 - - 12 = 2
Srxlev = -89 - - 95 = 6
C4 Squal = -10 - - 12 = 2
Srxlev = -89 - - 95 - 3 = 3

Qqualmeas = -11 dB
Qrxlevmeas = -93 dBm
C3 Squal = -11 - - 12 = 1
Srxlev = -93 - - 95 = 2
C4 Squal = -11 - - 12 = 1
Srxlev = -93 - - 95 - 3 = -1

References
For this module, following 3GPP specifications were used:
TS
TS
TS
TS

23.122
25.133
25 304
25.331

V3.08.0
V3.11.0
V3.11.0
V3.12.0

Nokia WCDMA RAN2.2 Parameter Dictionary (refer to NED or NOLS)