GSM V9R8C01 Cell Parameters PDF

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GSM Cell Parameters
GSM Cell Parameters
www.huawei.com
Copyright 2009 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
Confidential Information of Huawei. No Spreading Without Permission
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GSM Cell Parameters
Descriptions
1. Cell Parameters Overview
2. Cell Parameters Introduction
3. Case Study
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GSM Cell Parameters
Cell Parameters Overview

z
Cell Parameters include the most of radio network parameters

transmitted via Um interface.
Via receiving cell parameters, MS is able to exactly select,

access and coordinate with the network through which
different kinds of service is provided.
Via reasonably cell parameters, BTS can run in high point and
whole system can be effectively utilized to provide more and
better services although basing on limited resources.
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By reading cell parameters, MS can access the network, perform cell

selection and reselection, fully utilize various services provided by the
network, and achieve favorable cooperation with the network.
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GSM Cell Parameters
Cell Parameters Overview

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Cell Parameters can be sent through two kinds of logical channels
BCCH (in idle mode)
SACCH (in dedicated mode)
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Cell parameters can be divided into two parts:

Cell parameters is sent on BCCH, which are used in idle mode.
Cell parameters is sent on SACCH, which are used in dedicated mode.
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GSM Cell Parameters
Descriptions
3. Case Study
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GSM Cell Parameters
Introduction to Cell Parameters

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Huawei GSM cell parameters:
Network Identity Parameters
Idle Mode Parameters
Call Control Parameters
Cell Selection and Reselection Parameters
Other Parameters
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GSM Cell Parameters
Cell Data Mapping in Different Statuses of MS

Power on
Select Network
(Network Identity Para. )
Access Network
(Call Control Para.)
Dedicated Mode
Cell Selection
(Cell Selection Para.)
Cell Reselection Mode

(Cell Reselection Para.)
Paging Mode
(Idle Mode Para.)
Idle Mode
(Idle Mode Para.)
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GSM Cell Parameters
Network Identity Parameter CGI

z
Network identity parameters mainly include
Cell Global Identity (CGI)
Base Station Identity Code (BSIC)
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As a global cellular mobile communication system, GSM conducts strict coding for each
GSM network in every country, and even every location area, BTS, and cell, so as to
ensure that each cell corresponds to a unique number all over the world. The adoption of
this coding scheme can achieve the following objectives:
1. Ensure that MS can correctly identify the current network, so that MS can accurately
select the network expected by subscribers and operators.
2. Ensure that the network can know the real-time position of MS, so that the network can
provide various service requests from the MS.
3. Ensure that the MS can report correct neighbor cells information to the network during
conversation, so that network can perform handover when necessary to keep continuous
conversation for the mobile subscribers.
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GSM Cell Parameters
Network Identity Parameter CGI

z
CGI=MCC+MNC+LAC+CI
Once MS receives SYS INFO, it decodes the CGI information, and

decides whether it can stay in the cell according to the MCC and MNC
indicated by CGI.
At the same time, it judges whether the current location area is

changed, so as to decide whether to execute location update. During
the location update process, MS will report the new LAI to the network,
so that the network can know the LA in which MS is currently located.
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As a global cellular mobile communication system, GSM conducts strict coding for each
GSM network in every country, and even every location area, BTS, and cell, so as to
ensure that each cell corresponds to a unique number all over the world. The adoption of
this coding scheme can achieve the following objectives:
1. Ensure that MS can correctly identify the current network, so that MS can accurately
select the network expected by subscribers and operators.
2. Ensure that the network can know the real-time position of MS, so that the network can
provide various service requests from the MS.
3. Ensure that the MS can report correct neighbor cells information to the network during
conversation, so that network can perform handover when necessary to keep continuous
conversation for the mobile subscribers.
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GSM Cell Parameters
Mobile Country CodeMCC

z
Definition: MCC consists of 3 decimal numbers. It indicates the home

country of the mobile subscriber.
Format: MCC is composed of 3 decimal numbers. The coding range is

decimal 000~999.
Location: Cell Attributes
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MCC is used in international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) and

location area identity (LAI).
1. LAI. It is periodically transmitted in cell parameters of each cell.
MCC indicates the home country of GSM PLMN. MS uses the
received information as the important basis for network selection.
2. IMSI of MS. MSs IMSI also contains MCC. It shows the resident
country of the mobile subscriber. When MS logs on the network or
applies for a certain service, it must report its IMSI to the network
(When TMSI is unavailable.). The network uses the MCC in IMSI to
judge whether this subscriber is an international roaming subscriber.
As the unique country identity standard, MCCs are allocated and
managed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). ITU
Default Value E.212 (blue book) stipulated the MCC number for
every country. The MCC of China is 460 (decimal). Due to the
special meaning of MCC, modification is prohibited once it has been
set in the network.
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GSM Cell Parameters
Mobile Network CodeMNC

z
Definition: MNC is used to uniquely identify a specific GSM PLMN

network in a certain country (decided by MCC).
Format: MNC is composed of two decimal numbers. The coding range

is decimal 00~999.
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MNC is used in international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) and location area
identity (LAI).
LAI. It is periodically transmitted in each cell. Here, MNC indicates the network
number of GSM PLMN. MS uses the received information as an important basis
for network selection.
IMSI also contains MNC. It shows the home GSM PLMN network of the subscriber.
When MS logs on the network or applies for a certain service, it must report IMSI
to the network (When TMSI is unavailable.). The network judges whether this
subscriber is a roaming subscriber according to the MNC in IMSI, and uses it as
one of the important parameters for addressing to subscriber HLR.
If a country has more than one GSM PLMN, different networks must have different
MNC. MNC is allocated by relevant telecommunication management department
of the country. One operator can have one or more MNC (which regards to the
scale provided by the service, usually one operator has one MNC.). Different
operators can share the same MNC. Currently, China have two GSM networks,
which are operated by China Mobile and China Unicom. Their MNC are 00 and 01
respectively. Due to the special meaning of MNC, modification is prohibited once it
has been set in the network.
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GSM Cell Parameters
Location Area CodeLAC

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Definition: To locate the location of MS, the whole area covered by each
GSM PLMN is divided into different location areas. LAC is used to
identify different location areas.
Format: LAI contains LAC, which is composed of two bytes. LAC adopts
hexadecimal coding. The available range is from 0001H to FFFEH. The
code 0000H and FFFFH cannot be used (please refer to specification
GSM0303, 0408, and 1111). One location area can contain one or more
cells.
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When MS is powered on or LAC of current cell is found to be different from its originally
stored Descriptions, MS will inform network of the current location area via location update,
and the network uses the LAI for paging. Generally the allocation and coding of LAC is set
at the early stage of network construction, and seldom modified during the operation.
The size of location area (LA) is one of key factors in the system. If the LA coverage is too
small, the chances for MS to update location increase, and this will increase the signaling
load in the system. If the LA coverage is too large, when network conducts paging to the
MS, the same paging information will be transmitted in a large number of cells, and this will
lead to the heavy load on CCCH. The adjustment of LA size has no unified standard.
Operating departments can decide whether to adjust the size according to the currently
running network. If the CCCH signaling load is heavy because of too big LA coverage, then
reduce the size of LA, and vice versa. It is generally recommended to set the LA as large
as possible. The calculation of LA is related with the paging strategies of different
manufacturers. If Huawei equipment is employed, it is recommended to set the TRX
number within the range of 300 in one location area. In the early stage of network
construction, the traffic is not heavy, so the TRX number in one LA can be larger than this
value. It is necessary to monitor the PCH load and the increase of traffic in a long term. If
necessary, PCH capacity can be increased by adding one extended BCCH channel.
While making LA planning, try to make use of the geographical distribution and behaviors
of mobile subscribers to allocate the LA, so as to achieve the objective of reducing the
times of location update at the boundary between location areas. Please note that LAC in
cell parameters must be in consistent with that in MSC. Otherwise, call setup failure will
occur.
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GSM Cell Parameters
Cell IdentityCI
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Definition: To uniquely identify each cell in the GSM PLMN, the

network operator needs to allocate one code for each cell, which is
the cell identity (CI). Cell identity, together with LAI, is used for
identity of each cell in the world.
Format: CI is composed of 16 bits, The available range is 0~65535.
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Cell Identity (CI) is one part of Cell Global Identity (CGI), transmitted
in each cell.
There is generally no restriction for the allocation of CI. Value from 0
to 65535 (decimal) can be obtained. But it should be ensured that
one location area cannot have two cells with the same CI.
CI is usually determined in the network design. Except for some
special cases, CI value should not be changed during the operation
of the system.
Please note that one location area is not permitted to have two or
more cells using the same CI. CI on MSC should be the same as
that on BSC. Otherwise, MS cannot make calls in this cell.
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GSM Cell Parameters
Network Identity Parameter BSIC

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BSIC=NCC+BCC
In GSM system, each BTS is allocated with a color code, which is called
BSIC. MS can identify two cells with the same BCCH by the help of BSIC.
In network planning, make sure that BCCH of neighbor cells are

different from the serving cells BCCH to reduce the interference.
Practically it is still possible that a same BCCH is re-used in the

surrounding cells. For cells using the same BCCH in a relevant near
distance, their BSIC must be different so that MS can identify two
neighbor cells with same BCCH.
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BSIC is transmitted on Synchronous Channel (SCH) of each cell. Its functions are as
below:
1. If MS have read SCH, it is considered as being synchronous with that cell. However, to
correctly read the information on the downlink common signaling channel, MS must get
the TSC (Training Sequent Code) that is adopted by the common signaling channel.
According to GSM specification, TS (Training Sequent) has eight fixed formats, which are
represented by TSC ranged 0~7 respectively. TSC number adopted by common signaling
channel of each cell is just the BCC of the cell. So one of the functions of BSIC is to
inform MS of the TSC adopted by the common signaling channel of the cell.
2. Since BSIC attends the coding process of information bits in random access burst, it
can be used to prevent the BTS from accepting a RACH transmitted from MS in a
neighbor cell as the access signal from the MS of the serving cell.
3. When MS is in dedicated mode, it must measure the BCCH level of the neighbor cells
and report it to BTS according to BA2 that is sent on SACCH, including their respective
BSIC. In special circumstance, when there are two or more cells using the same BCCH in
the neighbor cells, BSC can use BSIC to distinguish these cells and avoid wrong
handover or even handover failure.
4. MS must measure the BCCH signals of neighbor cells in dedicated mode, and report
the results to the network. Since MS sends measurement report which contain the
Descriptions of a maximum of 6 neighbor cells each time, it is necessary to control MS to
report only the cells which have neighbor relationships with the serving cell. The NCC is
used for the above purpose. Network operators can use parameter NCC Permitted to
control MS to report the neighbor cells with NCC permitted in the serving cell only.
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GSM Cell Parameters
Network Color CodeNCC

z
Definition: NCC is a part of BSIC. MS uses it to distinguish adjacent

BTS that belong to different GSM PLMN.
Format: NCC is composed of 3 bits, with the range of 0 to 7.
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NCC and BCC together form the base station identity code (BSIC),
transmitted on synchronous channel of each cell.
In many cases, different GSM PLMNs have the identical coverage in
many But their network planning are independent from each other.
To ensure that adjacent BTSs have different BSICs, it is generally
regulated that adjacent GSM PLMN select different NCC.
Adjacent or close cells with the same BCCH frequency must have
different BSIC. Special attention should be paid to the configuration
of cells in boundary areas.
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GSM Cell Parameters
BTS Color CodeBCC

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Definition: BCC is a part of BSIC. For its function, please refer to

above sections.
Format: BCC is composed of 3 bits. The available range is 0~7.
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BSIC includes BCC and NCC which is transmitted on SCH. BCC is a part of BSIC,
used to identify different cell with the same BCCH in the same GSM system.
According to the requirements of GSM specification, TSC of BCCH in each cell
should be the same with BCC of the cell. Generally this consistency must be
ensured by manufacturers. Adjacent or close cells using the same BCCH must
have different BSIC, otherwise, inter cell handover might be unsuccessful.
BCC planning has three solutions. All of them have taken distance principle into
consideration to avoid collisions of adjacent cells with the same BCCH and same
BSIC.
1. Based on the existing BCC set, select one of the BCC that has been used by
other cell, ensure at the same time that BCC selected will not cause BSIC/BCCH
collision with adjacent cells. The advantage of this solution is that it can ensure
BCC be evenly distributed in the whole network. However, if done manually, this
solution is time-consuming and troublesome, we can use automatic distribution
tools.
2. When defining BCC, try to assign the value from 0. When causes BSIC/BCCH
collision, expand the value range. The advantage is that the number of BCC used
is kept to the smallest. So when adding a new BTS, in order to avoid the
BSIC/BCCH collision, a new BCC can be selected without modifying the BCC of
original cells around.
3. Allocate BCC according to its reuse model. That is to use the same BCC within
one cluster. It means that adjacent cells cannot use the same BCCH with the
service cell. This solution is frequently used, and also the simplest one.
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GSM Cell Parameters
Idle Mode Parameters

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ATT
CCCH Conf
BS_AG_BLKS_RES
BS_PA_MFRAMES
Period of Periodic Location Update(T3212)
Neighbor Cell Description (BA Table)
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There are a lot of parameters in GSM system, they are usually

transmitted to MS from BTS via Um interface. It aims to maintain
favorable cooperation between MS and BTS. On the other hand, the
values of these parameters directly affect the traffic load and
signaling flow of each part of the system. Therefore, proper
configuration of these parameters is important to the favorable and
stable operation of the system. The following will elaborate on the
definitions, value ranges, and effects on the system of these system
control parameters.
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GSM Cell Parameters
ATT
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Value Range: Yes, No
Default ValueYes
Description: It is Attach-detach allowed. It is used to inform MS

whether IMSI attach-detach is allowed in this cell. If it is set to Yes,
the network will not process the connection to the called mobile
subscriber when MS is power-off. Thus network processing time and
radio resources are saved. Otherwise the network will process the
connection even though the MS has been powered off.
Location: Cell Attributes/Idle Mode/Basic Idle Parameters
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Detach process (IMSI) refers to the process that MS informs the network that it is shifting
from working state to non-working state (usually a power-off process), or the SIM card is
being taken out from MS. Upon receiving the notice from MS, the network knows that the
IMSI subscriber is in non-working state. Therefore, if the MS is called, the call connection
will be implemented.
IMSI attach process is opposite to detach process. It is the process that MS informs the
network it has entered the service area (usually a power-on process) or SIM card has
been inserted into MS. After entering service state again, MS will test whether the current
location area (LAI) is the same with the latest LAI recorded in MS. If yes, MS will start
IMSI attach process. Otherwise MS will start location update process, upon receiving the
location update or IMSI attach process, the network will indicate that this IMSI subscriber
is in working state.
Note that ATT configuration of different cells in the same LAI must be the same. It is
because IMSI detach process will be started when MS is power-off in the cell with ATT
set as yes. The network will record that this subscriber is in non-working state and reject
all the called connection requests to this subscriber. When MS is power-on again, if it is in
the same LAI as it was power-off (thus the LAI update process will not be started) but in
another cell, and ATT of the cell is set as no, then the MS will not start IMSI attach
process. In this case, this subscriber can not be called normally until the MS starts the
location update process.
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GSM Cell Parameters
CCCH Conf
z
Value Range: 1 Compounding CCCH , 1 Non-Compounding CCCH,
Non-Compounding CCCHs, 3 Non-compounding CCCHs, 4 Noncompounding CCCHs.

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Default Value: When there is one TRX in the cell, one combined CCCH is
recommended (in a system with few paging messages in location area). For
others, it is configured according to the number of TRX in the cell.
Description: It is Common Control Channel Configuration. CCCH

configuration determines the capacity of PCH, AGCH and RACH. This
parameter can be automatically configured by system according to the TRX
channel configuration.
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In GSM system, the downlink common control channel mainly includes Access Granted
Channel (AGCH) and Paging Channel (PCH). It serves to send the access granted
(immediate assignment) and paging messages. CCCH is shared. According to the
configuration of traffic channel and traffic model, CCCH can be carried by either one or
multiple physical channels. Moreover, CCCH and SDCCH can share one physical channel.
The MS needs to know how the CCCH(s) is/are configured, so that it can find and select
one to listen to. The CCCH Conf is just used to tell the MS about this matter.
When CCCH is a physical channel which combined with SDCCH, the capacity of CCCH is
the lowest. When CCCH is a physical channel which is not combined with SDCCH, the
capacity is higher. For other cases, the more the physical channels are used as CCCH, the
higher the CCCH capacity is.
Configuration of CCCH Conf is specified according to the traffic model. This model is
closely related to the cell location and environment. According to experiences, when TRX
quantity in the cell is 1 or 2, it is recommended to use a combined CCCH as the common
control channel. When TRX quantity in the cell is 3 or 4, it is recommended to use a noncombined CCCH as the common control channel.
Currently CCCH can be configured according to actual traffic load. If the paging load is
very heavy, the paging traffic of cell should be distributed via multiple CCCH physical
channels other way. Special attention should be paid to PCH in CCCH. Generally PCH
capacities of various cells under one LAC must be the same.
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GSM Cell Parameters
BS_AG_BLKS_RES
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Value Range: 0~7 (Non-Compounding CCCHs), 0~2 (1 combined

CCCH)
Unit: Block
Default Value: 2 (Non-combined CCCH), 1(1 combined CCCH)
Description: It is also called Access Granted Blocks Reserved. It is the

number of CCCH channel message blocks that are reserved in one
multi-frame for access granted channels (AGCH).
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As downlink CCCH includes both AGCH and PCH, it is necessary to set the number of
blocks, which are reserved for AGCH among CCCH message blocks. To let MS know
such configuration information, the cell parameter of each cell includes a configuration
parameter, which is the number of access granted blocks reserved (BS_AG_BLKS_RES).
This parameter actually assigns the proportion of AGCH and PCH on CCCH. It affects the
time of MSs response to the paging.
The network operator can adjust this parameter to balance the traffic of AGCH and PCH
by referring to the following principles:
1. Principle for BS_AG_BLKS_RES: make this parameter as small as possible without
causing overload of AGCH, so as to increase the capability of paging and improve the
system performance.
2. Generally it is recommended to select 1 (when CCCH Conf is 1 combined CCCH), 2 or
3 (when CCCH Conf is one of other values) for BS_AG_BLKS_RES.
3. During operation, observe the statistics of AGCH overload and adjust
BS_AG_BLKS_RES properly.
Note: In Huawei system, when AGCH has been all occupied, if PCH is free, it can be
used to send the immediate assignment command. If AGCH blocks reserved is set as 0,
the immediate assignment would be sent only when there is free PCH channel.
Therefore, a fixed capacity reserved for AGCH is necessary.
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GSM Cell Parameters
BS_PA_MFRAMES
z
Value Range: 2~9
Unit: Multi-frame period (51 frames)
Default Value: 2 Multi-frame period
Description: It is Paging Channel Multi-frames. It defines the number

of multi-frames used as a cycle of paging sub-channels.
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This parameter specifies the number of paging sub-channels that are assigned in a cell.
In the network, MS only monitors the paging sub-channel it belongs and ignores the
Description of the others. When this parameter is set larger, there will be more paging
sub-channels in the cell and accordingly there will be less MS in each paging sub-channel.
Therefore, the bearing capability of PCH will be more (theoretically the capacity of each
PCH does not increase, but the buffer that buffers paging message in each BTS is
increased, which makes the sending of paging messages more even in the time domain),
and the lifetime of MS battery will be longer. The value of this parameter should be as
small as possible under the condition that the overload on PCH does not occur. In the
operation, the PCH load should be measured regularly and the value of this parameter
should be adjusted properly according to the PCH load. In a location area, paging is sent
in all the cells. Therefore, all cells in the same location area should have the same or
nearly the same PCH capacity (number of paging sub-channels). In the area where the
PCH bears a medium or large load, it is suggested to be set as 6 or 7 (6 or 7 multi-frames
are used as a cycle of paging). For the area with a small load, it is set as 4 or 5. Besides,
it is often set as 2.
Note:
1. One CCCH block (four consecutive CCCH timeslots) can bear the information of two
IMSI pagings or four TMSI pagings or two AGCH immediate assignments.
2. In idle mode MS camps in a cell. The DSC is initialized to the integer part of 90/N (N
is BS_PA_MFARMES, with the value range: 2~9). when MS can successfully decode the
message on paging sub-channel, DSC will increase by 1, but it will not exceed initially
value. If decoding fails, DSC will decrease by 4. If DSC<=0, the downlink signaling link
fails, resulting in cell reselection.
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GSM Cell Parameters
Period of Periodic Location Update(T3212)

z
Value Range: 0~255
Unit: 6 minutes
Default Value: 20
Description: It is the Periodic Location Update Timer. It defines the

interval of periodic location update.
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MS will make location update when detecting the change of location. Besides, MS will make
periodic location update controlled by parameter T3212. Once MS read T3212 from cell
parameter, it will store it in SIM card. When the time reaches T3212 value, the location update
process will be triggered. The shorter the period is, the better the performance is. But it will
bring more signaling load for system. On setting of this parameter, the processing capability
of MSC and BSC, the flux of A interface, Abis interface and Um interface, the flux of HLR and
VLR should be considered. Generally this parameter is set as a larger value for urban area
and smaller for suburb, countryside or the place with poor coverage.
Large T3212( 16 hours 20 hours) is recommended for the area with heavy traffic, and small
T3212 (3 hours, 2 hours) for the area with normal traffic. For the area where the traffic
exceeds the system capacity, it is recommended to set T3212 as 0 (no periodic location
update). To set the value of T3212 properly, its necessary to conduct long-term
measurement on the processing capability and flux of each entity in the system. If any
overload occurs, increase the value T3212.
Note that this value should be smaller than the period by which the network queries the IMSI
attached subscriber. Otherwise, the following situation occurs: When MS has not done any
operation in a certain time, and it is not yet the time for periodic location update, the network
will set IMSI flag of MS as detached, because its query result shows that MS has not done
any operation. Thus, the network will not process the paging of this MS. So, before MS
initiates another round of periodic location update, once there is a call to the MS, the network
will voice the calling party that the called MS is has been powered off. As usual, the T3212 is
set smaller than one third of the MSCs check time.
When MS reselects a cell in a different location area, it will make a non-periodic location
update and reset T3212 in the new cell. If it reselects in the same location area, then the timer
value will be remainder of the original one divided by the new T3212.
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GSM Cell Parameters
Definition of Location Update

z
Inform the system the LA (Location Area) where the MS is to be paged.
LA 1
LA 2
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GSM Cell Parameters
Condition of Location Update

z
Periodical location update
Moving into a new LA
LA 1
LA 2
LA 3
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GSM Cell Parameters
Procedure of Location Update
MSC
BSC
MS
1 Hour
1 Hour
1 Hour
++ +
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GSM Cell Parameters
Abnormal Occasion
The subscriber you
dialed has been
powered off
But I am always
powered on
LA 1
LA 2
LA 3
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GSM Cell Parameters
Reason1 of Abnormal Occasion
MSC
BSC
MS
1 Hour
1 Hour
1 Hour
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GSM Cell Parameters
Reason2 of Abnormal Occasion
MSC
BSC
MS
1 Hour
1 Hour
1 Hour
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GSM Cell Parameters
Application of T3212
LAC
Ping-pong Reselect
A
T3212=4
B
T3212=8
Even if T3212 setting is less than the system (MSC) query time, the system
will still sometimes voice The subscriber you dialed is powered off.
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Let us make the following assumption. The system query time is set to 1 hour, T3212
value of cell A is set to 4 (0.4 hour), and T3212 value of the adjacent cell B is set to 8 (0.8
hour), and they are in the same location area. MS reselects B when the periodic location
update status in A is 3/4, and the MS periodic location update status in B changes to 3/8.
If MS stays in B for some time and the location update status reaches 7/8, then MS
reselects A. At this time, it can be seen that in cell A, MS reselection status changes to
7/4, i.e. 3/4. If MS reselects to B at this time, the status will change to 3/8 instead of 7/8.
The above analysis shows that if the above case occurs (the probability is high), though
T3212 values of both cells are smaller than the system query time, the MSs frequent cell
reselection leads to the final equivalent time is greater than system query time. Thus the
subscriber will be considered as a power-off subscriber within certain time even it is in
normal idle mode.
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GSM Cell Parameters
Neighbor Cell Description

z
There are table BA1 and table BA2.
Table BA1 describes BCCH frequencies of the adjacent cells to be

measured when the MS is in idle mode.
Location: Cell Attributes/Idle Mode/Advanced
Table BA2 describes BCCH frequencies of the adjacent cells to be

measured when the MS is in dedicated mode.
Location: Cell Attributes/Handover data/Advanced
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MS keeps on measuring the BCCH signal level of the serving cell and the neighbor cells. In
order to know the adjacent cells, neighbor cell description information will be broadcast
periodically in cell parameter of each cell. This information lists the BCCH of all neighbor cells.
MS extracts the information from cell parameter and use it as basis for neighbor cell
measurement.
For GSM network, the neighbor relationship between cells is accomplished when designing
the network topology. During the network construction, the neighbor cell relationship must be
configured in accordance with the topology design that has been planned. Moreover, after the
commission of network, neighbor relationship should be modified according to the data of
drive test and traffic measurement. When the networks architecture is changed (e.g. adding
BTSs or changing the network frequency configuration.), the network operator must strictly
follow the changed-cell-neighbor-relationship, re-set and verify it. Improper neighbor cell
description is usually one of the main reasons of call drop. Besides, since the actual network
topology structure is often greatly different from the theoretical calculation result, and network
is in ever-changing environment, the network operator must configure the neighbor cell
description according to the actual situation.
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GSM Cell Parameters
Application of Neighbor Cell Description
B
A
A
D
Theoretical Neighbor Cells
C
D
Actual Neighbor Cells
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In theoretical calculated neighbor cell relationship, cell A and cell C are not adjacent cells.
Assume that one MS moves from cell A to cell C during the conversation, theoretically,
MS needs twice of inter-cell handovers. Assume that the interference in cell D is rather
serious, call drop is may occur during this period. But in fact, the coverage of A, B, C, and
D is not the case as the theory. A and C have overlapping coverage. If A and C are
regarded as adjacent cells here, that is to say, add the BCCH of C and A respectively to
the neighbor cell description of A and C, then when MS passes from A to C, only one
handover happens. Whats more, call drop could be avoided because of the good quality
of cell C.
N-32
GSM Cell Parameters
Application of Neighbor Cell Description
B
A
Page32
Part of the signals from cell A leaks out and covers some areas far away from this cell. It
is overshooting. If MS is in dedicated mode in the shady area and moves from this area
towards B and C, since there are no BCCH of cell B and C in cell As neighbor cell
description, call drop is unavoidable. If the antenna of BTS is located too high, or the
transmitting power is too large, overshooting will occur. BTSs built at the early stage of
GSM construction usually have this problem, because coverage is the major purpose at
that time and the antenna height is very high. The best solution for this phenomenon is to
adjust the location and downtilt of the antenna, or to adjust the transmitting power of the
BTS to eliminate the BTSs over-covered area. In real situation, it is hard or even
impossible to change the location of antenna. So one more simple and applicable method
is to add BCCH of B and C to the neighbor cell description of cell A (no need to add As
BCCH to B and C). But it must be ensured that there are no cells which are all neighbor
cells of cell A and using the same frequency and same BSIC with cell B and C. Generally,
this method is not recommended.
N-33
GSM Cell Parameters
Call Control Parameters

z
MS MAX Retrans
Common Access Control Class
TX-integer
Special Access Control Class
RACH Min. Access Level
MBR
NCC Allowed
ECSC
RLT
Emergent Call Disable
SACCH Multi-Frames
Page33
There are a lot of parameters in GSM system, they are usually

transmitted to MS from BTS via Um interface. It aims to maintain
favorable cooperation between MS and BTS. On the other hand, the
values of these parameters directly affect the traffic load and
signaling flow of each part of the system. Therefore, proper
configuration of these parameters is important to the favorable and
stable operation of the system. The following will elaborate on the
definitions, value ranges, and effects on the system of these system
control parameters.
N-34
GSM Cell Parameters
MS MAX Retrans
z
Value Range: 1, 2, 4, 7
Unit: Time(s)
Default Value: 4 Times
Description: It is one of the random access control parameters. MS MAX

Retrans is the upper limit of times that MS is allowed to send Channel
Request in one immediate assignment procedure.
Location: Cell Attributes/Call Control/Basic Call Control Parameters
Page34
After initiating immediate assignment process, MS keeps monitoring messages on BCCH and CCCH group it
belongs to. If the network does not send Immediate Assignment or Immediate Assignment Extend message, MS will
resend the channel request message at a certain time interval. The larger this parameter is, the higher the call
setup success rate is, but also the heavier the load of RACH and SDCCH is.
When MS initiates immediate assignment, it will send the channel request message to the network via RACH. As
RACH is an ALOHA channel, the network is incapable of controlling the access time of MS. Thus in heavy traffic
spot, it is unavoidable that several MSs may simultaneously make access request and cause collision which will
lead to two results: one is when one request signal level is obviously higher than the others access signals, the
access request with higher level will be handled; the other is the network can recognize none of them due to
mutual-interference. As the traffic is increasing, access request loss due to collision will increase, too. To make sure
that the system can correctly receive the access request and increase the access success rate, the network allows
MS to send several channel requests before receiving an immediate assignment message so as to achieve a higher
access success probability. MS will return to idle mode if it fails to receive an immediate assignment command after
the MAX Retrans exceeds. Once MS sends a channel request, it will start timer T3120 and wait on the downlink
CCCH. When T3120 times out and RACH resend times are not more than MAX Retrans., MS will resend channel
request message (containing one new random reference), and restart T3120 with a random value. When T3120 is
times out and MAX Retrans is reached, MS will start T3126. If MS still fails to receive a response from the network
after T3126 times out, it will give up the access. If MS receives the access rejection, it will stop T3120 and start
T3122. Within T3122, no new access attempt will be allowed.
Recommendation:
zSet
to 7 for areas with low traffic (suburban or rural area) and the cell radius more than 3 km.
zSet
to 4 for areas with ordinary traffic (non-busy area in the city) and the cell radius is less than 3km.
zSet
to 2 for micro-cell
zSet
to 1 for micro-cell with heavy traffic or with obvious congestion.
zSet
to 4 or 7 for satellite transmission BTS.
N-35
GSM Cell Parameters
TX-integer
z
Value Range: 3~12, 14, 16, 20, 25, 32, 50
Unit: RACH Timeslot (equals to a TDMA frame, 4.615ms)
Default Value: 32
Description: Used to calculate the number of timeslots in the interval

between multiple channel requests sent by MS.
Page35
It is set to reduce the collisions on RACH. It mainly affects the execution

efficiency of the immediate assignment process. The value of this
parameter is related to CCCH configuration mode, both of them together
determine the parameter S (see the next page). The MS sends the first
random access burst at a random TS in the set {0, 1, , MAX(T, 8)--1}.
And the TS number between any two adjacent channel request messages
is a random value in the set {S, S+1, , S+T-1}.
Generally, parameter T+S should be as small as possible (in order to
shorten the access time of MS), but AGCH and SDCCH must not be
overloaded. If AGCH or SDCCH of the cell is overloaded, then parameter
T can be changed to make parameter S larger, until AGCH or SDCCH of
the cell is not overloaded.
When the RACH collisions is serious, value T should be large. When the
number of RACH collisions is small, value T should be as small as
possible.
N-36
GSM Cell Parameters
Calculation of S
S
TX-integer
Non-Combined CCCH
Combined CCCH
3, 8, 14, 50
55
41
4, 9, 16
76
52
5, 10, 20
109
58
6, 11, 25
163
86
7, 12, 32
217
115
Page36
When T becomes larger, the interval range between channel request messages sent by
different MSs will increase and RACH collisions will be reduced. When value S becomes
larger, the interval between channel request messages sent by the same MS will increase,
collisions on RACH will be reduced and the availability of AGCH and SDCCH will
increase. But the increase of either will prolong the access duration of MS, resulting in
deterioration of access performance of the entire network. Generally, value T should be
selected to make S as small as possible (in order to shorten MS access time), but AGCH
and SDCCH must not be overloaded.
N-37
GSM Cell Parameters
RACH Min. Access Level

z
Value Range: -121~-47
Unit: dbm
Default Value: -115
Description: The parameter affects the access of an MS. That is to say, the
BTS determines the threshold of the level for the random access of the MS.
When the receive level of the RACH burst is lower than the threshold, the
BTS regards this access as an invalid access and no decoding is performed.
Only when the receive level for the burst timeslot of the random access is
greater than the threshold, the BTS regards that this timeslot has an access
request.
Location: Cell Attributes/Call Control/Advanced/Access Control
Page37
To avoid MS being unable to set up call even it is in the coverage area,

consideration should be given to BTS sensitivity and MS
RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN during the setting of this parameter.
A too small value for this parameter makes MSs easily to access but the
call drop rate may rise.
A too big value for this parameter may cause some MSs unable to make
calls.
N-38
GSM Cell Parameters
Radio Link Timeout

z
Value Range: 4~64, the step size is 4
Unit: SACCH period (480ms)
Default Value: 52
Description: This parameter is used for MS to decide downlink

disconnection in case of SACCH decoding failures.
Page38
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).
For area with little traffic (remote area), it is recommended to be between 52~64.
For area with light traffic and large coverage(suburb or countryside), it is recommended to
be between 36~48.
For area with heavy traffic (urban), it is recommended to be between 20~32.
For the area with very heavy traffic (area covered by microcell), it is recommended to be
between 4~16.
For the cell with obvious coverage hole or the area where the call drops is serious during
movement, this parameter can be increased appropriately in order to increase the
possibility to resume the conversation.
Note: Radio link timeout is the parameter used to judge the downlink failure. Likewise, the
uplink will be monitored at BTS, either based on the uplink SACCH error or based on the
receiving level and quality of the uplink.
N-39
GSM Cell Parameters
Application of Radio Link Timeout

Poor coverage
Q
B
Impact of radio link timeout
Page39
If cell A and B are adjacent to each other, assume that one MS moves from point P to
point Q during a conversation, usually an outgoing cell handover will occur. If the value of
parameter radio link timeout is too small and the quality of signal at the edge of cells A
and B is poor, the radio link will time out before the handover occurs, thus resulting in call
drops.
N-40
GSM Cell Parameters
Radio Link Timeout

z
To increase the robustness of the SACCH channel, to improve the AMR

network coverage performance, and to lower the call drop rate, in practice
the AMR FR/HR RLT should be set higher.
Call Type
Parameter
Default Value
Normal Call
Radio Link Timeout (SACCH period(480ms))
52
AMR FR
AFR Radio Link Timeout (SACCH period(480ms))
64
AMR HR
AHR Radio Link Timeout (SACCH period(480ms))
52
Page40
Because the robustness of the AMR voice frames is not at the same
level with that of SACCH frames, the GSM specification only
improves the robustness of the AMR voice frames but not that of the
SACCH frames. Therefore, the actual coverage capability of AMR is
determined by the coverage capability of the SACCH.
In application, the data[RLT] and [SACCH Multi-Frames]
should be set to higher values for AMR channels to increase the
robustness of the SACCH. Thus the network coverage performance
of AMR is improved and the call drop rate is reduced.
"Robustness" indicates the anti-interference capability. Protocols in
3GPP R6 version provide several new technologies to enhance the
robustness of the SACCH. The problem about low robustness of the
SACCH is expected to be solved with the evolution of technologies.
N-41
GSM Cell Parameters
SACCH Multi-Frames
z
Value Range: 0~63
Unit: SACCH period (480ms)
Default Value: 31
Description: It is a timer used to determine whether the uplink radio link

connection fails. BSS judges the uplink radio link failure according to uplink
SACCH BER.
Every time BTS fails to decode the MR sent from MS, this timer decreases by 1;
Every time BTS succeeds to decode the MR, this timer increases by 2.
When this timer reaches 0, BTS judges that the uplink radio connection fails, then
BTS sends a radio connection failure message to BSC.
This parameter and the radio link timeout (RLT) are used to judge the
uplink/downlink radio connection failure.
Page41
N-42
GSM Cell Parameters
SACCH Multi-Frames
z
To increase the robustness of the SACCH channel, to improve the AMR

network coverage performance, and to lower the call drop rate, in practice
the AMR FR/HR SACCH Multi-Frames should be set higher.
Parameter
Default Value
SACCH Multi-Frames (SACCH period(480ms))
31
AMR FR
AFR SACCH Multi-Frames (SACCH period(480ms))
48
AMR HR
AHR SACCH Multi-Frames (SACCH period(480ms))
32
Call Type
Normal Call
Page42
N-43
GSM Cell Parameters
NCC Permitted
z
Value Range: Selection of 0~7 Perm.
Default Value: 11111111
Description: Network Color Code. It lists NCC that need be measured

by MS. If a neighbor cells NCC is permitted, MS will report MRs of it
to the network.
Page43
In working status, MS needs to measure adjacent cells BCCH signals and

report them to network. But each report can only include a maximum of six
adjacent cells. Thus it is necessary to make MS only report the potential
target cells for handover, instead of reporting all according to the signal
level (usually MS does not report the signals of cells from other GSM
PLMN). The above function can be implemented by making MS only
measure the cells whose NCC are selected. Parameter NCC Permitted
lists the NCCs of the cells that the MS needs to measure.
BSIC is transmitted continuously on SCH of each cell and the higher three
bits of BSIC are NCC. MS only needs to compare the measured NCC of
the adjacent cell with parameter NCC Allowed. If it is allowed, MS will
report it to BTS, otherwise it will discard the measurement result.
Note: Improper setting of this parameter will lead to lots of call drops.
N-44
GSM Cell Parameters
Common Access Control Class

z
Value Range: Level 0~9 Forbidden
Description: One of the parameters of random access control information.

It is used for load control of ordinary subscribers, to permit or forbid the
network access of some common level users. 1 stands for forbidden
and 0 for permitted.
Page44
In some special case, the operator expects to prohibit all or part of the MSs from sending
access requests or paging response. For example, emergency status occurs or a serious
fault occurs to a GSM PLMN. Therefore, GSM specification 0211 requires to assign an
access level for each common GSM subscriber. The common access level is divided into
level 0~9, which is stored in the SIM card of MS, and has nothing to do with access
priority.
Some cells with extremely heavy traffic may be congested during busy hour, resulting in a
large number of RACH collisions, AGCH overload, Abis interface overload, etc. GSM
specifications provide a variety of ways for dealing with the overload and congestion, but
most of them will lower the availability of equipment resources. The network operator can
set the access control parameter (C0-C9) properly to control the traffic inside the cell. For
example, when the cell suffers traffic overload or congestion, Ci can be set as 0 to
prohibit MS with this access level from accessing this cell (change of Ci will not affect MS
in dedicated mode), thus reducing the traffic of the cell. To solve this problem, values of
C0-C9 in the cell can be changed periodically. For example, at intervals of five minutes,
alternatively allow the access of MS with odd access levels and those with even access
levels.
For example, 1000000000 indicates to allow the access of subscribers with the levels
other than 0. During installation and commissioning of BTS or during maintenance test for
some cells, they all can be set to 1 to prohibit the access of subscribers.
N-45
GSM Cell Parameters
Special Access Control Class

z
Value Range: Level 10~14 Forbidden
Description: It is used for load control, permitting or forbidding the

network access of some special level users. 1 stands for forbidden and
0 for permitted.
Page45
For some special subscribers, GSM specifications have reserved five special access levels 11-15,
which usually have higher access priority. A special subscriber can have one or multiple access
levels (between 11 and 15) at the same time, which are also stored in the SIM card of the
subscriber.
Class15PLMN Staff;
Class14Emergency Services;
Class13Public Utilities (e.g. water/gas suppliers);
Class12Security Services;
Class11For PLMN Use.
For subscribers with the access levels 0~9, their access right is also applicable to the home PLMN
and visit PLMN. For subscribers with the access levels 11-15, their access right is only applicable
to the home PLMN. For subscribers with the access levels 12, 13 and 14, their access right is
applicable to the area of the country to which the PLMN belongs.
Subscribers with the access level 11~15 have a higher access priority than those with the access
levels 0~9.
The access level control parameter consists of 16 bits: C0-C15, which respectively corresponds to
15 access levels in bit mapping mode (C10 is used for permitting emergency call). When a bit is 1,
it indicates not to allow MS with the corresponding level to access then cell. Otherwise it indicates
to allow the access.
N-46
GSM Cell Parameters
MBR
z
Value Range: 0~3
Default Value: 0
Description: Multi-Band Reporting. It is used to inform MS to report the

adjacent cells in a controllable way.
Page46
When the value is 0, MS will report measurement results of six strongest adjacent cells
no matter which band they are in. When it is X(X<=3), MS will report measurement
results of X strongest adjacent cells in each band other than the serving band, and the
remaining positions are used to report the strongest ones in the serving band. If there are
still some position left, MS will use them to report the left strongest cells no matter what
band they are. If there are no special requirements on different bands and the traffics in
the various bands are basically the same, 0 is recommended. When the traffics on
various bands are obviously different from each other and MS is expected to enter a band
preferably, 3 is preferred. When traffics on various bands are slightly different from
each other, 1 or 2 is recommended.
In the initial stage of dual-band network, the traffic of GSM1800 system is very light,
usually dual-band MS are expected to work on this band preferably. Therefore, the priority
of GSM1800 cells for HO should be higher than that of GSM900 cells, and 3 is
recommended for MBR.
Note: In the single-band system, the MBR parameter does not exist.
N-47
GSM Cell Parameters
Application of MBR
GSM1800
A -92dBm
B -82dBm
S
H -84dBm
GSM900
C -68dBm
D -90dBm
E -78dBm
F -88dBm
G -96dBm
Page47
S is a GSM900 cell, cells A~H are adjacent to cell S. Of them, A and B are GSM1800
cells and others are GSM900 cells. The above diagram shows the influences of different
MBR parameters as follows:
1)When MBR = 0, MS will report six adjacent cells with strongest signals without
considering the bands, the report result is: C, E, B, H, F, D.
2)When MBR = 1, the result is: C, B, E, H, F, D.
3)When MBR = 2, the result is: C, E, B, A, H, F.
4)When MBR = 3, the result is: C, E, H, B, A, F (3 GSM1800 cells should be reported. But
there are only 2 currently, so 2 GSM1800 cells are reported. For the rest, GSM900 cells
will be reported).
N-48
GSM Cell Parameters
ECSC
z
Default Value: No
Description: Early Classmark Sending Control. It indicates if an MS in the

cell is allowed to use early Classmark sending.
Yes: The MS reports Classmark3 to the network immediately after

link setup.
No: The MS is forbidden to report its Classmark3 to network

initiatively.
Page48
In GSM network, MSs service capability, supported band, power capability,

encryption capability and so on are described by classmarks. There are three
classmarks which are classmark1, classmark2 and classmark3. The network can
know the MSs capability by checking the classmarks of the MS. After receiving
the class mark enquiry message, MS will send classmark change message to the
network as soon as possible. CM3 (Classmark 3) includes the information about
MS power, multiband and/or multislot capability. To perform handover between
different bands, the power level must be described correctly. In the process of
paging and sending of the BA2 information between different bands, the CM3
message must be known.
Note:
1) ECSC is invalid for single-band MS. For dual-band MS, when ECSC is not
used, after the MS sends EST IND , MSC will still send the CLASSMARK
REQUEST message, and MS will response with the CLASSMARK UPDATE
message, and other functions are not affected. For the dual-band MS, when this
parameter is set to Yes, the connection time between different MS will be
obviously shortened.
2) When
the encryption
function
is enable,
The parameter
must be set to "Yes".
Confidential
Information
of Huawei.
No Spreading
Without Permission
3) M900/M1800 hybrid cells sharing BCCH are advised to be configured as "yes",
N-49
GSM Cell Parameters
Definition of Classmark
z
In GSM system, the abilities that MS supports, such as service ability, band
ability, power ability, encryption ability, is described by the classmark. BSC
decodes the information according to the requirement of network and
transfer to the network.
There are 3 kinds of classmark:Classmark1Classmark2Classmark3.
Network knows about abilities of MS either via inquiring for MSs CLASSMARK
or via requiring MS to report CLASSMARK3 immediately by itself after link
setup.
Page49
N-50
GSM Cell Parameters
Classmark Update Flow

z
For dual-band MS, after the SCCP

connection is established and before
receiving message "CM Service
Accepted" there will be a class mark
update flow.
MS
BSS
MSC
Classmark Request
Classmark Enquiry
CR message reports the information of

Classmrk 2. And in the class mark
Classmark Change
Classmark Update
update flow, MS will report Classmark 3

information which is related to the dualband capability.
Page50
Class mark update flow.

For dual-band MS, after the SCCP connection is established and
before receiving message CM service Accepted, there will be a
classmark update flow. Classmark is originated by MSC. MSC will
send one Classmark Request message, then BSC will convert this
message into Classmark Enquiry. This is classmark request. Then
MS will send one Classmark Change, and convert it into
Classmark Update at BSS. MSC can get the MS Classmark 3 via
this message. Here the Classmark Update is to make MSC get MS
Classmark 3. CR message reports the information of Classmark 2.
And in the classmark update flow, MS will report Classmark 3
information which is related to the dual-band capability. Therefore,
MSC needs classmark update to get the MS Classmark 3.
N-51
GSM Cell Parameters
Information about Classmark 2/3
Page51
N-52
GSM Cell Parameters
Emergent Call Disable

z
Default Value: No
Description: Emergence Call Disable. When EC Disable is set to No, it

means emergency call is permitted. Otherwise it is prohibited.
Page52
For MS with common access control class 0~9, when Emergent Call Disable is Yes, it
indicates not to allow an emergency call.
For MS with access levels 11~15, the emergency call will not be allowed only when the
corresponding access control class bit is set to 0 and Emergent Call Disable is set to
Yes at the same time.
N-53
GSM Cell Parameters
Cell Selection/Reselection Parameters

z
RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN
MS_TXPWR_MAX_CCH
CBQ (Cell_Bar_Qualify)
CBA (Cell_Bar_Access)
CRO (Cell Reselection Offset)
TO (Temporary Offset)
PT (Penalty Time)
PI (Cell Reselect Parameters Indication)
CRH ( Cell Reselection Hysteresis)
Page53
When MS is powered on, it will try to find a GSM PLMN. MS will select an appropriate cell
and read cell parameter. This process is called cell selection. The appropriate cell is
restricted by many factors. For example, whether this cell belongs to the selected network
(under manual network selection mode), whether the cell is barred, the cell selection priority
of the cell, whether the access level of MS is prohibited by the cell, whether the quality of
radio channel meets the requirement of communication, etc. Among them, the quality of
radio channel is one important factor of cell selection. GSM specification stipulates one
parameter called path loss principle C1. The appropriate cell must ensure the C1>0. C1 is
obtained by the calculation of receiving level and the cell selection parameters.
After MS selects cell, MS will settle in the selected cell. At the same time it begins to
measure the signal level of BCCH of neighbor cells. It records six neighbor cells with the
strongest signals (refresh at least every 60s), extracts various cell parameter and control
information of each neighbor cell. (MS must conduct data block decoding for all the six
strongest BCCH of neighbor cells within 5 minutes, including parameters affecting cell
reselection. When MS regards a new neighbor BCCH as one of the six strongest BCCHs, it
will conduct data block decoding for this new BCCH at least every 30s). Moreover, MS must
check one of the six strongest at least every 30s. If BSIC has any changes, it will be
regarded as a new BCCH and data decoding will be conducted again. During this process,
MS will not stop monitoring PCH. When a certain condition is satisfied, MS will move from
current cell to anther cell. This process is called cell reselection. The condition includes
many factors, and they are all related to the quality of radio channels. When a neighbor
cells radio channel quality is better than current cells, cell reselection occurs. The channel
quality standard for cell reselection is C2. C2 is obtained by calculation of the receiving level
and a number of parameters.
N-54
GSM Cell Parameters
Cell Selection Process

z
There are two kinds of cell selection
Stored list cell selection
Normal cell selection
In fact, the process might be different for different MSs
Page54
If the SIM card of MS has not stored any BCCH (usually it is a new SIM card), it will search all the 124
RF channels and 374 more GSM1800 channels for dual-band MS, and measures the receiving signal
level of each. The whole process lasts about 3s to 5s. During this period, MS obtains at least 5
measurement samples from each RF channel. Then MS tunes to the carrier with strongest receiving
level, and judge whether it is BCCH (by searching for FCCH). If yes, MS tries to decode SCH and
makes itself synchronous with that BCCH, then the MS reads cell parameter on it. If MS can correctly
read the cell parameter and verify this cell belongs to the selected PLMN and its C1 is larger than 0,
and also its cell selection priority is normal, then MS conducts location update. After passing, MS
resides in that cell. Otherwise, MS will tune to second strongest BCCH and go on with the same
procedure. If after trying the strongest 30 (single-band) or 40 (dual-band) carriers it still cant find a
suitable cell to reside in, the MS will try to access the cells with low cell selection priority. If still
unsuccessful, the MS will try the cells of other PLMNs which are allowed by the SIM card. If failed
again, MS will stay at a cell (signal is the strongest, C1 is larger than 0, cell selection priority is not
prohibited.) without considering the PLMN and enter the emergency call mode (service bar mode).
Meanwhile, the MS keeps on monitoring all RF channels.
Note:
1. When MS access level is prohibited by this cell, cell selection algorithm is not affected. If the
condition is fulfilled, MS will still try to reside in this cell.
2. MS belongs to the PLMN selected, but is prohibited from access, or C1<0, then MS will obtain the
BA table from this cell and search those BCCHs according to this BA.
When MS is powered off, it will store some BCCH carrier information. When MS is powered on, it will
first search the BCCHs which have been stored. If MS can decode the BCCH data of this cell but
cannot reside, it will check the BA table of this cell and try these BCCHs. If it still cannot pass, MS will
start the cell selection process without BCCH list.
N-55
GSM Cell Parameters
Stored List Cell Selection

Search the BCCH
which have been stored
Can decode
any frequency?
No
Normal cell selection
Yes
Can reside in
any cell ?
No
Try to reside in its

neighbor cell?
Yes
No
Yes
Come into
idle mode
Page55
When MS is powered off, it will store some BCCH carrier information. When MS is powered
on, it will first search the BCCHs which have been stored. If MS can decode the BCCH data of
this cell but cannot reside, it will check the BA table of this cell and try these BCCHs. If it still
cannot pass, MS will start the cell selection process without BCCH list.
N-56
GSM Cell Parameters
Normal Cell Selection

Search all
frequency
Rank according to
receiving level
Select the frequency with
the highest Rx_level
Select the next frequency
with the higher Rx_level
No
Is it a BCCH carrier?
YES
YES
Right PLMN&C1>0&
priority is Normal ?
All frequency not satisfy
Come into
idle mode
YES
Right PLMN&C1>0&
priority is Low ?
All frequency not satisfy
No
YES
Stay in a cell(RX-LEV is strongest, C1>0 ,

cell priority is not prohibited) without
considering the PLMN
Decode SCH, read

cell para. on BCCH
No
Emergency call
mode
No
Try the cell of other PLMN

allowed in the SIM card
No
Page56
Search all frequency

Judge whether it is BCCH
If MS can correctly read the cell parameter and verify this cell belongs to the selected
PLMN and its C1 is larger than 0, and also its cell selection priority is normal, then MS
conducts location update. After passing, MS resides in that cell.
Otherwise, MS will tune to second strongest BCCH and go on with the same procedure.
If after trying the strongest 30 (single-band) or 40 (dual-band) carriers it still cant find a
suitable cell to reside in, the MS will try to access the cells with low cell selection
priority.
If still unsuccessful, the MS will try the cells of other PLMNs which are allowed by the
SIM card.
If failed again, MS will stay at a cell (signal is the strongest, C1 is larger than 0, cell
selection priority is not prohibited.) without considering the PLMN and enter the
emergency call mode (service bar mode).
N-57
GSM Cell Parameters
Cell Selection Parameter

C1=RLA_C-RXLEV_ACCESS_MINMAX((MS_TXPWR_MAX_CCH - P), 0)
RLA_C: Receiving level of MS

RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN: Minimum receiving level of MS permitted to access
MS_TXPWR_MAX_CCH: Maximum transmit power level of MSs
P: Maximum Physical supported transmitting power of MS.
Page57
N-58
GSM Cell Parameters
RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN
z
Value Range: 0~63 (-110 dBm ~ -47 dBm)
Default Value: 8
Description: It means the minimum receive signal level

required for MS to access a cell.
Page58
To prevent MS from accessing the system when the receiving signal level is
very low (this will make unsatisfactory communication quality and waste the
radio resources of the network), GSM specifications require that the MSs
receiving level must be greater than a threshold when it needs to register in
the network. The threshold is the RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN.
For some cells with high traffic, this parameter can be increased
appropriately to lower the values of C1 and C2 of this cell. Accordingly the
effective coverage range of the cell will be reduced. But the value of
RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN should not be too big, otherwise coverage hole (with
regard to idle mode MS) will be created at the edge of the cell. When this
method is used to balance the traffic, the value of RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN is
recommended to be no more than 20.
Except for the areas with densely distributed BTS and good coverage,
generally it is not recommended to use RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN to adjust the
traffic of the cell. For isolated BTS or BTS with poor coverage, this value
should be set properly, otherwise the call drop rate may increase and QoS
will be affected.
N-59
GSM Cell Parameters
MS_TXPWR_MAX_CCH
z
Value Range: 0~19
Unit: level
Default Value: 5 (900MHz cell),0 (1800/1900MHz cell)
Description: This parameter determines the maximum transmit

power level of the MS when it begins to access a cell and has not
yet received power control command.
Location: Cell Attributes/Other Attributes/Advanced/Public Channel

Control
Page59
During MSs communication with BTS, its transmitting power is controlled by the network
via power control command. This command is transmit in SACCH (There are two head
bytes. One is power control byte, the other is time advance). MS must get the power
control head from the downlink SACCH, and output the power as is indicated in the in the
power control header. If the MS cannot support the power level in the power control
header, it will use the nearest power level it supports.
Since SACCH is associated signaling channel, it must be combined with other channels,
such as SDCCH or TCH. Therefore, the control of MSs power begins after MS receives
SACCH. While the power level used by MS before it receives SACCH (power used when
RACH is sent) is determined by the MS TXPWR_MAX_CCH (maximum power level of
control channel).
This parameter will affect cell selection and cell reselection.
C1 = RLA_C - RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN - MAX((MS_TXPWR_MAX_CCH - P), 0)
RLA_C: mean receiving level of MS
RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN: minimum receiving level of MS permitted to access
P: maximum physical supported transmitting power of MS.
N-60
GSM Cell Parameters
CBA
z
Value Range: No, Yes
Default Value: No
Description: Cell_Bar_Access, worked together with CBQ to set the

priority status of the cell in idle mode for cell selection and reselection.
Page60
The network operator can set the cell access is permitted or not by the parameter.
Usually all cells allow MS to access, thus it is set as No. But in the special cases, the
operator may want a cell to be used for handover service only, which can be realized by
setting the parameter as Yes (CBQ should be No in this case).
N-61
GSM Cell Parameters
CBQ
z
Value Range: No, Yes
Default Value: No
Description: Cell_Bar_Qualify. CBQ only affects the cell selection,

but is not related to cell reselection. It works with CBA to define the
access priorities of cells.
Page61
For the area overlapped by cells, the operator often wants MS to

preferably select certain cell during cell selection according to the cell
capacity, traffic and cell functions, i.e. setting the cell priority. This function
can be implemented by setting parameter cell bar quality. It works with
parameters cell bar access together to determine the cell selection and
cell reselection priority of the cell.
Usually the priorities of all cells should be set as Normal. But in some
special cases such as micro-cell and dual-band network, the operator may
expect MS to preferably enter the cells of a certain type. In this case, the
network operator can set the priority of this type of cell as Normal while
setting the other cells as Low. MS will select the cell with lower priority
only when there is no appropriate cell with the priority as Normal. During
the network optimization by means of cell priority, it is necessary to note
that CBQ only influences the cell selection. Therefore, in order to achieve
the target, C2 (cell reselection parameter) must be taken into
consideration.
N-62
GSM Cell Parameters
Application of CBA and CBQ

CBA
CBQ
Cell Selection
Priority
Cell Reselection
Priority
No
No
Normal
Normal
Yes
No
Forbidden
Forbidden
No
Yes
Low
Normal
Yes
Yes
Low
Normal
Page62
N-63
GSM Cell Parameters
Application of CBQ
The traffic of cell A and B is heavy. Set these two cells with
CBA=Yes, CBQ=No.
Page63
Each circle in the diagram indicates a cell. For some causes, the traffic in cell A and that
of cell B are obviously higher than those of the adjacent cells. To make the traffic of the
entire area distributed on average, set the priorities of cell A and cell B as Prohibited
and those of other cells as Normal. In this way, the services in the shadow areas in the
diagram will be shared by the adjacent cells. It must be pointed out that this setting will
reduce the actual coverage areas of cell A and cell B, which is different from decreasing
the transmitting powers of cell A and cell B.
N-64
GSM Cell Parameters
Application of CBA
A
B
B is a micro cell. Set B to Normal and A to Low.
Page64
Assume that micro-cell B and macro-cell A together cover an area. In order to make
micro-cell B share more traffic of macro-cell A, the priority of cell B can be set as Normal
and that of cell A as Low. Thus in the coverage area of cell B, MS will select cell B as
long as the level of cell B reaches the RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN, no matter cell B has a
lower signal level than cell As or not. And then reselection parameters can be set
appropriately to make MS not to reselect cell A.
N-65
GSM Cell Parameters
Cell Reselection Process

z
Cell reselection for cells in the same location area
Cell reselection for cells in different location areas
If the C2 value of the target cell is higher than that of the serving cell for longer
than 5 seconds, a cell reselection process will be performed and the MS tunes to
the new cell.
If the C2 value of the target cell is higher than that of the serving cell by at least
the value of CRH for longer than 5 seconds, a location update process and the cell
reselection process will be performed.
Two consecutive cell reselections caused by C2 have a time interval of 15 seconds.

In other words to say, if because of C2 a MS reselected to a cell, then the MS
cannot reselect to another cell by the cause of C2 within 15 seconds.
If current serving cell is prohibited, or down link fails, or C1 is less than 0
continuously for 5s, cell reselection will also be triggered.
MS starts a cell reselection if the access times exceed the MAX retrans.
Page65
N-66
GSM Cell Parameters
Cell Reselection Parameter

C2=C1+CRO-TO*H(PT-T)
When PT is not equal to 31
C2=C1-CRO
When PT is equal to 31
For neighbor cell:

H(PT-T)=0, when PT-T<0
H(PT-T)=1, when PT-T 0
For serving cell:

H(PT-T) = 0
Page66
C2=C1+CRO-TO*H(PT-T) When PT is not equal to 31:

C2=C1-CRO When PT is equal to 31.
Wherein:
1. Function H(x)=0, when x<0; H(x)=1, when x>0.
2. T is a timer with initial value 0. When a certain cell becomes one
of the six strongest neighbor cells, T corresponding to this cell
begins to count. When the cell is out of the six strongest neighbor
cells, the corresponding timer is reset.
3. CRO is used to revise the C2 intentionally.
4. The function of TO is to reduce the value of C2 from T begins to T
reaches the stipulated PENALTY_TIME.
5. PT is the time that TO functions on C2. But if PT=31, the C2
formula is changed as C2=C1-CRO.
N-67
GSM Cell Parameters
CRO
z
Value Range: 0~63( the corresponding level value: 0~126dB,

stepped every 2dB).
Unit: 2dB
Default Value: 0
Description: Cell Reselect Offset. It is a parameter in C2 calculation

to give an intentional modification in MS cell reselection.
Page67
After cell selection, MS will reselect another better cell in idle mode. It is C2 parameter
that determines cell reselection. The principle for MS reselection is: select the cell with
the maximum C2 as the serving cell. C2 is determined by the following factors:
C2=C1+CRO-TO*H(PT-T) (PT <31)
C2=C1-CRO
H(x)=0
if x<0
H(x)=1
if x0
(PT = 31)
As shown above, C1 indicates the quality of radio channel. The larger C1 is, the better the
channel is. C2 value is based on C1, through CRO, C2 of various cells can be adjusted.
Thus C2 value can be calculated according to CRO, TO and PT in order to prefer
selecting the cell in reselection process. That is, in dual-band network,several parameters
that influence C2 value can be set to make C2 value of GSM1800 larger than that of
GSM900. Therefore, even though the signal strength of GSM1800 cell is weaker than that
of GSM900 cell, MS can still reside in GSM1800 by the aid of these parameters. Besides
CRO, there are another two parameters influencing C2:TEMPORARY_OFFSET(TO) and
PENALTY_TIME(PT).
CRO is a artificial modification on C2. Reasonable setting of this parameter can reduce
handover times and realize assignment to a better cell. Usually it is not set as larger than
25dB. Generally the cells with the same priority in the network have basically the same
CRO. Setting of this parameter only affects MS of GSM Phase II and above.
N-68
GSM Cell Parameters
TO
z
Value Range: 0~7 (the corresponding value is 0~60dB, 7 corresponds

to Infinite).
Default Value: 0
Description: Cell Reselect Temporary Offset. It is a parameter in C2

criterion to give a temporary modification within PT time.
Location: Cell Attributes/Idle Mode/Advanced/Idle Parameter
Page68
TO indicates the temporary modification on C2. Temporary means that it functions for C2
only within a duration which is determined by PT parameter. Setting of this parameter
only affects MS of GSM Phase II and above.
N-69
GSM Cell Parameters
PT
z
Value Range: 0~30(the corresponding time is 20~620s), 31(reserved for

changing the effect of CRO on C2)
Unit: Second
Default Value: 0
Description: Cell Reselect Penalty Time. It is used to ensure the safety and
validity of cell reselection because it helps to avoid frequent cell reselection.
Location: Cell Attributes/Idle Mode/Advanced/Idle Parameter
Page69
If the communication in a cell is affected due to very heavy traffic or some other reasons,
this cell should not be the preferable cell that MS works in (a repulse should be made for
this cell). In this case, PT can be set as 31, which causes TO invalid and C2=C1 CRO.
Therefore, C2 value of this cell is decreased. MS will reselect this cell with little possibility.
Besides, the network operator can set CRO according to the repulse degree to this cell. The
higher the repulse degree, the larger CRO.
For the cell with very low traffic, MS should prefer to work in this cell. In this case, CRO is
recommended to be between 0-20dB. It can be set according to the preference degree to
this cell. The higher the preference degree and the larger CRO. Generally TO is
recommended to be the same as or a little more than CRO. PT is mainly used to prevent
MSs too frequent cell reselections. Generally it is recommended to be 0 (20s) or 1 (40s).
For the cell with medium traffic, generally CRO is recommended to be 0 and PT be 31 as a
result of C2=C1.
Setting of PT can effectively prevent the fast moving MS from accessing the micro-cell. This
parameter can be set according to the size of micro-cell. And it is recommended to be 20s
for the ordinary micro-cells. When PT is set as 31, it is used to change the direction of CRO.
N-70
GSM Cell Parameters
PI
z
Value Range: Yes , No
Default Value: Yes
Description: Cell Reselect Parameters Indication, sent on the

broadcast channel of the cell. It is an indication to the existence of
Cell Reselect Offset(CRO), Temporary Offset(TO) and Penalty
Time(PT).
Page70
This parameter is to inform MS whether C2 is used as the standard for cell reselection.
The minimum interval between cell reselections caused by C2 parameter is 15s to avoid
too frequent cell reselection.
If PI=Yes, C2 is used for cell reselection standard; if PI=No, C1 is used for cell reselection.
N-71
GSM Cell Parameters
CRH
z
Value Range: 0~14, the step size is 2dB
Unit: dB
Default Value: 6
Description: Cell Reselection Hysteresis. It is the parameter used when

cell reselection happens between two location areas.
Page71
This parameter aims to prevent the frequent location update that may increase the network
signaling flow and to reduce the possibility of paging message loss. If the value of this
parameter is too small, the location update will have ping-pong effect and the signaling
load on SDCCH will increase. Moreover, the call setup successful rate of the system will
become lower because MS will not respond paging during location update. When it is too
large, the cell where MS resides for a long time may not be the best when MS enters a new
location area. When MS reselects a cell from a different location, MS will start a location
update. Due to the fading of radio channel, C2 values of two cells at the their edges will
fluctuate, which causes MS to reselect frequently. To reduce the influence, GSM
specifications define a parameter called cell reselection hysteresis. It is required that MS
start cell reselection only when C2 value of the adjacent cell (in a different location area) is
greater than that of serving cell and their difference is greater than the value of reselection
hysteresis.
Appropriate cell reselection hysteresis is important for network optimization. Usually it is
recommended to be 8~10dB and can be adjusted in the following cases:
When the traffic of an area is very heavy and the signaling overload often occurs, it is
recommended to increase the value of cell reselection hysteresis of the adjacent cells
belonging to different LACs.
When the overlapping coverage of the adjacent cells belonging to different LAC are wide, it
is recommended to increase the value of cell reselection hysteresis.
N-72
GSM Cell Parameters
Other Parameters
z
Call Reestablishment Forbidden
PWRC
TCH Immediate Assignment
Cell Extension Type
Immediate Assignment Optimization
Max TA
Direct Retry
Interference Band Threshold
Assignment Cell Load Judge Enable
Interference Calculation Period
Cell Direct Try Forbidden Threshold
UL DTX
Directed Retry Load Access Threshold
DL DTX
Min Power Level for Direct Try
T200 and N200
Max Resend Times of Phy. Info.
Use LAPDm N200
T3105
Page72
N-73
GSM Cell Parameters
Call Reestablishment Forbidden

z
Default Value: Yes
Description: Informing MS whether call reestablishment is

allowed or not.
Page73
In case of call drop, MS can start call re-establish process to resume the conversation.
The network has the right to decide whether to re-establish or not. This function is
achieved by setting Call Reestablishment Forbidden.
In some special cases (e.g. the cell has a dead zone at a fixed position), call drop will
occur if MS passes through the dead zone during the conversation. If call reestablishment is permitted, the dropped call be resumed. However, call re-establishment
takes relatively long time. Most of the subscribers have already released manually before
the re-establishment is completed. Therefore, the re-establish of call not only fails to
achieve the target, but also waste a lot of radio resources. So it is recommended that
except for some special cells, it is not permitted to re-establish the call on the network.
N-74
GSM Cell Parameters
TCH Immediate Assignment

z
Default Value : No
Description: Option "Yes" means that TCH channel can be

immediately assigned as signaling and traffic channel when SDCCH
has no available resource. The option "No" means that only SDCCH
can be assigned.
Page74
N-75
GSM Cell Parameters
Immediate Assignment Optimization

z
Default Value : No
Description: This parameter is mainly used for satellite transmission, i.e.,

to reduce the impact of satellite transmission delay.
Yes: when the Transmission Mode of the BTS is Satellite transmission
No: when the Transmission Mode of the BTS is Terrestrial transmission
Location: Cell Attributes/Call Control/Advanced/Call Control
Page75
This parameter is used to concurrently deliver the channel activation message

and immediate assignment command message to quicken the processing of
signaling. Thus the response speed of the network is ensured.
This function is used in satellite transmission mode. In satellite transmission
mode, the Immediate Assignment Opt parameter must be set to Yes to
minimize the effect of the satellite transmission on time delay. In terrestrial
transmission mode, the default value of this parameter is No.
N-76
GSM Cell Parameters
Signaling Flow of Immediate

Assignment Optimization
MS
BTS
Channel_req
BSC
MSC
Channel_Required
MS
Channel_Active
BTS
BSC
CHAN_ACT
Channel_Active_Ack
IMMEDIATE ASSIGN COMMAND
First SABM
Establish_IND (CM Service Req)
UA
CR(Complete_L3_
information)
IMM_ASS_CMD
CHAN_ACT_ACK
CC
(NOTE 1)
CM Service Accepted
Page76
N-77
GSM Cell Parameters
Direct Retry
z
Default Value : Yes
Description: This parameter indicates the whether the directed retry

on the TCH is allowed. If this parameter is set to Yes, the handover
procedure is used and the MS is handed over to the neighboring cell.
Page77
In TCH assignment process, if there is no TCH available, hand over can take
place instead of assignment, and this is called direct retry.
Direct retry is not a main measure to solve traffic congestion. Instead, it is only
an emergency operation during traffic peak in local radio network.
If direct retry takes place frequently in a certain part of the radio network, it is
necessary to adjust BTS TRX configuration and even the network layout.
N-78
GSM Cell Parameters
Assignment Cell Load Judge Enable

z
Value Range: Enable, Disable
Default Value: Disable
Description: When the Assignment Cell Load Judge Enabled is set

to Yes, the direct try flow is allowed if the following two conditions
are met:
The cell supports the direct retry function.
The load of the cell is larger than or equal to the Cell Direct Try
Forbidden Threshold.
Page78
In TCH assignment process, if there is no TCH available, hand over can take
place instead of assignment, and this is called direct retry. Direct retry is not a
main measure to solve traffic congestion. Instead, it is only an emergency
operation during traffic peak in local radio network. If direct retry takes place
frequently in a certain part of the radio network, it is necessary to adjust BTS
TRX configuration and even the network layout.
N-79
GSM Cell Parameters
Cell Direct Try Forbidden Threshold

z
Value Range: 0~100(%)
Unit: None
Default Value: 50
Description: If the parameter Assignment Cell Load Judge Enabled

is set to Yes, the direct retry process is started and channels are
assigned when the cell supports direct retry and the load of the
current cell is equal to or greater than the value of Cell Direct Try
Forbidden Threshold during channel assignment.
Location: Cell Attributes/Other Attributes/Advanced/Other Parameters
Page79
N-80
GSM Cell Parameters
Directed Retry Load Access Threshold

z
Value Range: 0~100(%)
Unit: None
Default Value : 85
Description: This parameter is used to adjust the candidate target

cells during direct retry.
When target cells are selected during direct retry, only the cells whose
loads are smaller than or equal to the Directed Retry Load Access
Threshold are selected as candidate target cells.
Page80
N-81
GSM Cell Parameters
Min Power Level for Direct Try

z
Value Range: 0~63 (-110dBm~-47dBm)
Default Value :16
Description: This parameter indicates the selection of candidate cell for

direct try. If the receiving level of the cell exceeds the value of this
parameter, this cell can be selected as candidate target cell.
Location: Cell Attributes/ Handover Data/Advanced/HO Control
Page81
N-82
GSM Cell Parameters
Max Resend Times of Phy. Info.

z
Range Value :1~255
Unit: Times
Default Value :30
Description: This parameter specifies the maximum times Ny1 for re-sending
physical information.
If the number of resending times exceeds Ny1 and BTS still has not received any
correct SAMB frame from MS, BTS will send BSC the connection failure message
and handover failure message.
After BSC receives the messages, it will release the newly assigned dedicated
channel and stop timer T3105.
Location: Cell Attributes/Handover Data/Advanced/Cell HO Data
Page82
During the asynchronous handover, MS constantly sends the

handover access Burst to BTS. When BTS detects the Burst, BTS
send physical information to the MS on the main DCCH/FACCH,
and starts timer T3105. At the same time, it sends the
MSG_ABIS_HO_DETECT message to BSC. The physical
information contains related information of different physical layers
so as to guarantee the correct access of MS. If the timer T3105
times out before receiving the SAMB frame from MS, BTS re-sends
physical information to MS.
N-83
GSM Cell Parameters
T3105
z
Range Value : 0~255
Unit: 10ms
Default Value : 7
Description: When BTS sends physical information to the MS, the BTS
starts the timer T3105. If the timer T3105 times out before receive
the SABM frame from MS, BTS re-sends physical information to MS
and restarts the timer T3105.
Location: Cell Attributes/Handover Data/Advanced/Cell HO Data
Page83
When BTS sends physical information to the MS, the BTS starts the timer
T3105. If the timer T3105 times out before receive the SAMB frame from
MS, BTS re-sends physical information to MS and restarts the timer T3105.
The maximum times for re-sending physical information is Ny1.
The physical information is sent through FACCH, which is sent every four
TDMA frames and takes 18 ms. If the value of T3105 is smaller than or
equal to 18 ms, then BTS should re-send the physical information to the
MS when the timer T3105 times out for the first time. This timeout is
meaningless if the physical information sent at the previous time is not sent
on the FACCH because the time is shorter than a FACCH period.
Considering the previous factors, 20 ms is the reasonable minimum value
for this parameter. At present, the default value of this parameter is 70 ms.
N-84
GSM Cell Parameters
Intra-BSC Handover Signaling Flow

MS
BTS1
BSC
BTS2
MS
MSC
Measure Report from MS

Channel_Active
Channel_Active_Ack
HANDOVER COMMAND
Handover Access
Handover_Detect
PHYINFO
PHYINFO
First SABM
UA
Establish_IND
HANDOVER COMPLETE
Handover_Performed
Page84
N-85
GSM Cell Parameters
PWRC
z
Value range: Yes, No.
Default Value: Yes
Description: It is used to indicate MS whether to delete received level value

obtained from the timeslots of BCCH when MS measures receiving level during
base band hopping mode.
When it is set to No, it means the influence of receiving level on BCCH is in

consideration.
If it is set to Yes, process it in the way mentioned above.
Location: Cell Attributes/Other Attributes/Advanced/Public Channel Control
Page85
In order to monitor the communication quality of radio link and conduct

power control, both MS and BTS must have measuring function. But the
measurement will encounter some problems when several independent
functions of GSM specification are combined for use. First, GSM
specification allows BCCH frequency to attend frequency hopping
(excluding the BCCH timeslot); secondly, GSM specification allows to
conduct downlink power control for the frequency hopping channel; lastly,
the power of BCCH frequency is not allow to be changed because MS
needs to measure the signal level of the adjacent cells. In the above
conditions, the downlink power control of a channel can only be applicable
to a subassembly of the frequency assembly that the channel is using,
that is, the BCCH frequency during the frequency hopping process cannot
be power-controlled. If MS measures the downlink channel level in
ordinary mode, the measurement result involving the BCCH frequency will
be inaccurate for the power control. To reduce the influence of this
problem upon power control, MS is required to deduct the receiving level
value obtained from the timeslot of BCCH carrier when calculating the
average value of receiving level during frequency hopping. To make MS
execute the above operation, the parameter PWRC should be set as
yes in the system.
N-86
GSM Cell Parameters
Cell Extension Type

z
Value Range: Normal cell, Double TS Ext cell
Default Value: Configure this parameter according to the practical

situation.
Description: It indicates whether a cell is an extended cell and the

extended cell mode.
Page86
The dual timeslot extended cell combines two timeslots to provide sufficient
delay. Theoretically, a maximum TA value of 219 (63+156) is supported, i.e.,
the maximum coverage radius can be 120km theoretically. Dual timeslot
extended cell can be divided into two types: Cell level and TRX level. Versions
after 03.1120A (BTS 00.1130A and latter) support TRX level dual timeslot
extended cell.
For dual timeslot extended cell, MAX TA should be set as 219, or calls may
fail even there are good signals. For the TRX where the main
BCCH/SDCCH/GPRS are located, the concentric circle (HW_IUO Property)
must be set as overlaid subcell, or a prompt of error is displayed. For dual
timeslot TRXs in the dual timeslot extended cell, only the even timeslots are
effective, while the normal TRXs in the dual timeslot extended cell are the
same with the TRXs in normal cell, i.e. eight timeslots are all effective. The RF
hopping of dual timeslot extended cell is similar to that of normal cell. But if
the hopping mode of the dual timeslot extended cell is baseband hopping, the
identical MA group should be applied to TRXs of the same type (either all dual
timeslot TRXs or all normal TRXs), or a prompt of error is displayed.
N-87
GSM Cell Parameters
Max TA
z
Value Range:
0~63 (Normal cell)
0~255 (Double TS Ext cell)
Unit: Bit period (1 bit = 0.55km)
Default Value
62 for normal cell
219 for dual TS extended cell
Description: Maximum Time Advance. It determines the actual coverage area of

BTS. When BTS receives the channel request message, it determines whether
channel assignment should take place in the current cell by comparing the TA
with the value of this parameter.
Page87
N-88
GSM Cell Parameters
Interference Band Threshold 0~5

z
Value Range: 110~85
Unit: -dBm
Default Values
110 ( Interference band threshold 0)
98 ( Interference band threshold 2 )
Description: It decides the corresponding value for each interference band

(from band 1 to band 5) and used to measure the uplink interference during
the SDCCH/TCH(F)/TCH(H) timeslot is in idle mode.
Page88
When the TCH is idle mode, BTS measures the uplink signal strength and sort
the results into different interference bands and then sends them to BSC. BSC
will use these data as a basic criteria to allocate the channels. Interference can
be divided into six grades according to the interference signal strength. The
signal level used to define the grades is called inference band threshold. Based
on these interference band thresholds, BTS can know which band the current
interference belongs to, and send it to BSC via radio resources indication
messages.
In the traffic statistics system, we can register interference band in cell
measurement function. Interference band 1 to 5 are supported. The definition of
the interference bands are listed below.
Interference band 1 means the interference intensity is below interference band
threshold 1;
Interference band 2 means the interference intensity is between interference
band threshold 1 and 2;
Interference band 5 means the interference intensity is above interference band

threshold 4.
N-89
GSM Cell Parameters
Interference Calculation Period

z
Value range: 1~31
Unit: SACCH period (480 ms)
Default Values: 20
Description: Before the BTS transmits the radio resource indication message to
the BSC, the interference levels measured on idle channels in the period defined
by this parameter are averaged. The average interference level is used to
classify the interference levels on idle channels into five interference bands. A
too big value of this parameter cannot reflect the change of interference. A too
small value of this parameter wastes the resources.
Page89
N-90
GSM Cell Parameters
UL DTX
z
Value Range: May use, Shall use, Shall not use
Default Value: Shall use
Description: It is used to indicate whether MS uses DTX function. It

shows the DTX state of the MS in the previous measurement period.
Page90
DTX has very limited influence on the conversation quality. But its application has two
advantages: one is that the interference on radio channel is effectively reduced and a
better average conversation quality can be achieved; the other is that DTX can
considerably reduce the power consumption of MS. Therefore DTX is recommended on
the network.
According to the protocol, MS reports BTS with two kinds of measurement report. One is
called full measurement report. It will average the levels and qualities of 100 timeslots in
the whole measurement cycle (one measurement cycle involves 4 TCH-multi-frames
except idle frames). The other is called sub measurement. It averages the levels and
qualities of 12 timeslots, including eight consecutive TCH bursts and four SACCH bursts.
According to GSM specification, both BTS and MS should conduct this two kind of
measurement (FULL and SUB) no matter whether the uplink/downlink DTX of the system
is activated or not. Each measurement report of SACCH indicates whether DTX is active
or not. According to this indication, BTS can make the right selection, either FULL or SUB.
N-91
GSM Cell Parameters
DL DTX
z
Value range: Yes, No
Default Value: Yes
Description: This parameter indicates whether downlink DTX is

used in a cell. The use of downlink DTX is also controlled by the
DTX switch in the MSC. If downlink DTX is forbidden in the MSC,
downlink DTX is not used regardless of the setting of this
parameter. If downlink DTX is allowed in the MSC, the setting of
this parameter can determine whether downlink DTX is used in
the cell.
Page91
N-92
GSM Cell Parameters
T200 and N200

z
T200 :
T200 timers are used to avoid deadlock during data transfer on the data link layer.
On the LAPDm layer, every time a message is sent, the opposite end is requested to
acknowledge the reception. If this message is lost for unknown reasons, it will occur
that both ends keep waiting, leading to system deadlock.
Therefore, a timer should be started when the sender sends a message. If the timer
times out, the sender will regard that the receiver has not received the message and
will resend the message.
N200
The maximum resend times are determined by N200.

Different timer values should be set for different LAPDm channels such as SDCCH,
FACCH and SACCH. This is because these channels have different transmission rate.
Location: Cell Attributes/Call Control/Advanced/Timer
Page92
N-93
GSM Cell Parameters
Use LAPDm N200

z
Range: Yes, No
Default Value : No
Description: Determines whether BSC delivers LAPDm N200

parameters to BTS. If it configured as Yes, then LPADm N200
parameters will be delivered to BTS, otherwise not.
Location: Cell Attributes/Call Control/Advanced/Timer
Page93
N-94
GSM Cell Parameters
Cell Data Mapping in Different Statuses of MS

Power on
Dedicated Mode
BA2 / RLT / MBR
NCC Allowed / PWRC
Emergent Call Disabled
Call Re-establishment
Forbidden
UL DTX / DL DTX
SACCH Multi-Frames
Max Resend Times of
Phy. Info. / T3105
Max TA
T200 and N200
Use LAPDm N200
TCH immediate
assignment
Immediate assignment
optimization
Direct Retry Para.
Select Network
(Network
Identity Para. )
CGI
BSIC
Cell Selection
(Cell Selection
Para.)
C1(RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN/
MS TXPWR_MAX_CCH)
CBA, CBQ
Cell Reselection Mode

(Cell Reselection Para.)
C2 (CRO,TO,PT,PI)
CRH
DSC
Access Network
MS MAX Retrans
ECSC
Common/Special
Access Control
Class
TX-integer / RACH
Idle Mode
(Idle Mode Para.)
BA1
Interference
Band Threshold/
Interference
Calculation
Period
Paging Mode
(Idle Mode Para.)
ATT
T3212
CCCH Conf
BS_AG_BLKS_RES
BS_PA_MFRAMES
Min. Access Level
Page94
N-95
GSM Cell Parameters
Descriptions
3. Case Study
Page95
N-96
GSM Cell Parameters
Case 1: Island Effect

z
Case Description
During the process of optimization in a certain area, it is found out

that the signal is poor in a certain section of suburban highway.
The signal strength measured is less than -95dBm.
Handling Procedure
Modify the data in BSC. Add neighbor relationship to Cell A and B

for each other. The coverage problem is thus solved.
-80
-95
-92
C
Page96
Procedure analysis:
The place is located in a highway section in suburb and is about three kilometers away
from downtown. The terrain structure does not fluctuate seriously. Theoretically, the
signal strength should be about -80dBm, which is very different from the actual value
measured. After conducting frequency scanning here, we find that cell A, B and C are
covering here. Their frequencies are Fa, Fb, Fc and signal strength is -95, -80dBm, 92dBm respectively. After checking the data, it is found that cell B is not configured as cell
As neighbor, thus an island is formed between cell A and B. When MS comes from cell A
goes towards B, it cannot have cell reselection or handover to B and this leads to as if
the coverage near cell B is not good.
N-97
GSM Cell Parameters
Case 2: Incorrect CGI Causes MS

Unable to Register on the Network
z
Case description
Cause analysis
The subscriber complained that MS could not register to the network, or it

was difficult to register to the network between BTS A and B, or no
network mark was displayed on the MS, but MS indicated that the signal
was very good. Some subscribers also complained that MS could make MTC
could not make MOC.
CGI of the cell was modified. So the network register flow was not normal.
Although the signal was very good, MS could not get registered in the
network.
Default Value and summary
CGI is a very important parameter and should be configured correctly, thus to

ensured that the CGI data in BSC and MSC are the same.
Page97
Procedure analysis:
This BTS site originally worked normally. The problem arose recently. Since the subscriber
complained that the problem were most serious near BTS A and B, we decided to check
these two BTS first. First we checked the alarm on BTS A and B, it was normal. Then we
checked the traffic statistics data and found out that the SDCCH requests in cell 2 of BTS A
rose from about 3000 in 17th May to about 6000 in 18th May. The obvious change began
from 7:00 AM on 18th May. At the same time, SDCCH attempt failures rose suddenly to
more than 3000. It was obviously abnormal. And SDCCH congestion rate in cell 3 of BTS A
was about 30%. But the traffic volume, congestion rate, and call drop rate of BTS A is
normal. No abnormal situation is found in BTS Bs traffic measurement. After checking the
SDCCH traffic measurement of all the adjacent cell of BTS A, we found a cell in which times
of SDCCH attempt decreased dramatically. The SDCCH statistics result showed the
problem should exist in cell2 and 3 of BTS A.
Where did the 3000 times of SDCCH requests come from? Analyzed from the failure, we
suspected that the data was modified, so we checked the BSC data operation log. Using
MA10 to trace the network access flow of MS, and we found a lot of LOCATION UPDATE
REJECTED messages. Since there was no record of modification of BSC data, we checked
MSCs related cell parameters, and found that CGI of cell 2 and 3 of BTS A were modified.
All the three cells in BTS A were using exactly the same CGI. After correcting the CGI of cell
2 and 3, everything was back to normal.
N-98
GSM Cell Parameters
Case 3: RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN Causes

Signal Fluctuation
z
Case description
Handling procedure
Subscribers complain that the signal fluctuates in a certain area. On-site

test shows that this phenomenon does exist. From the testing mobile, we
can see that there are a lot of cells signals in this area. Some frequencies
are the suburb BTS signals far away from this area. The cell reselection of
MS is rather frequent.
Modify parameter RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN of all cells in urban area and
make them consistent with each other. The problem of signal fluctuation
is solved.
Default Value and summary
In area with complicated coverage, the RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN of each

cell should be kept same.
Page98
Cause analysis
We check the parameter RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN in data management
system, and find out that RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN of correlative cells are
not consistent, and some even have great differences. Then in this area,
MS is quite likely to reselect the cell with poor signals. And subscribers will
feel the obvious fluctuation of signals.
N-99
GSM Cell Parameters
Case 4Too Small T3212 Causes MS

Lose Connection with Network
z
Case description
A local GSM network has more than 6000 subscribers. There are four
BTSs. The network has been working properly. But from sometime on,
some MS often lost connection with network suddenly. The complaint
from subscribers in urban area increased.
Handling procedure
Modify T3212 to 10, i.e. 60 minutes. Modify the corresponding time of

MSC to 180 minutes. Two days observation shows no subscriber
complaint and the problem is solved.
Page99
Cause analysis:
Recently, no modification is conducted on the BSC. The current network only differs from
original network in the number of subscribers. In VLR, there are more than 4000 local
subscribers and 5000 roaming subscribers. Therefore, the problem might be caused by
the sudden increase of subscribers.
The pressure brought by subscriber increase on network is mainly shown in two aspects:
(1) TCH (traffic channel) congestion rate increases; (2) SDCCH (signaling channel)
congestion rate increases. MS maybe cannot make MOC or MTC, and at the same time
cannot conduct location updating successfully. The direct result of location update failure
is MS loses connection with the network. Check BSC cell parameter data table. It is found
that T3212 is set to 2 (unit: 6 minutes), i.e. 12 minutes, and MSC corresponding time is
set to 30 minuets. This kind of configuration will cause the result that all activated MS will
originate a periodic location update every 12 minutes. When the number of subscriber
reaches a certain limit, SDCCH will be fully seized. If at this time some MS originates
periodic location update, it will fail because there is no spare SDCCH available. Thus MS
loses the connection with the network.
N-100
GSM Cell Parameters
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GSM Cell Parameters

GSM Cell Parameters

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GSM Cell Parameters

Copyright 2009 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Confidential Information of Huawei. No Spreading Without Permission

GSM Cell Parameters

Cell Parameters Overview

Cell Parameters include the most of radio network parameters

Via receiving cell parameters, MS is able to exactly select,

Copyright 2009 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

By reading cell parameters, MS can access the network, perform cell

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GSM Cell Parameters

Cell Parameters Overview

Cell Parameters can be sent through two kinds of logical channels

BCCH (in idle mode)

SACCH (in dedicated mode)

Copyright 2009 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cell parameters can be divided into two parts:

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GSM Cell Parameters

Copyright 2009 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Confidential Information of Huawei. No Spreading Without Permission

GSM Cell Parameters

Introduction to Cell Parameters

Huawei GSM cell parameters:

Network Identity Parameters

Idle Mode Parameters

Call Control Parameters

Cell Selection and Reselection Parameters

Copyright 2009 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Confidential Information of Huawei. No Spreading Without Permission

GSM Cell Parameters

Cell Data Mapping in Different Statuses of MS

Cell Reselection Mode

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GSM Cell Parameters

Network Identity Parameter CGI

Network identity parameters mainly include

Cell Global Identity (CGI)

Base Station Identity Code (BSIC)

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GSM Cell Parameters

Network Identity Parameter CGI

Once MS receives SYS INFO, it decodes the CGI information, and

At the same time, it judges whether the current location area is

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GSM Cell Parameters

Mobile Country CodeMCC

Definition: MCC consists of 3 decimal numbers. It indicates the home

Format: MCC is composed of 3 decimal numbers. The coding range is

Location: Cell Attributes

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MCC is used in international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) and

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GSM Cell Parameters

Mobile Network CodeMNC