015 WCDMA Handover Principle

WCDMA Handover Principle
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.

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WCDMA Handover Principle Confidentiality level: Customer
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Revision Record
Date Version Change description
Author
07-01-2008 1A Victor Toledo


Table of Contents
1 Introduction of Handover .................................................................................. 9

The basic concepts of handover .................................................................... 9
The categories of handover ......................................................................... 11
Soft handover .............................................................................................. 13
Softer handover ........................................................................................... 14
Hard handover ............................................................................................ 15
2 Measurement of handover .............................................................................. 17
Measurement control and measurement report ........................................... 17
Measurement events .................................................................................. 22
Intra-frequency measurement events .......................................................... 22
Inter-frequency measurement events ......................................................... 22
Inter-system measurement events .............................................................. 23
Compressed mode ..................................................................................... 25
3 The basic of handover...................................................................................... 26
Signaling flow for soft handover................................................................... 30
Add RL......................................................................................................... 30
Delete RL .................................................................................................... 32
Intra-frequency hard handover ..................................................................... 34
Inter-frequency hard handover ..................................................................... 39
Intersystem hard handover........................................................................... 45


Objectives
Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:
Explain the basic definitions of Handover
Understand and describe the algorithms of handover decision
Explain the handover flow
Manage and adjust the parameters of handover


1 Introduction of Handover
Why mobile systems need handover?

It is decided by the characters of mobile system:
− The mobility of UE
− The mobile system is composed by cells which the coverage
ability is limited.
− Providing the continuous service in mobile system is the
basic element in QoS.
Handovers are an inevitable issue where a mobile communication system is

concerned, and play a very important role in a WCDMA system. It is one of the most
important methods to implement a seamless coverage and improve the communication
quality.
In short, a handover is to transfer a UE connection from one radio link to another to

accommodate the change of radio link caused by UE’s crossing over cells, load
adjustment of network or other reasons.
The handover can be used for providing the continuous service, load control and
HCS.
The Basic Concepts of Handover
Active Set
Monitored Set
Detected set
Event reporting
Event reporting to Periodic reporting
Periodic reporting
Radio Link (RL)
Radio Link Set (RLS)

Combination way:
maximum ratio combination
selection combination
The soft handover gain
CPICH
Soft handover, softer handover, hard handover
Active set: Cells, which belong to the active set. User information is sent from all
these cells. In FDD, the cells in the active set are involved in soft handover. In TDD the
active set always comprises one cell only. The UE shall only consider active set cells
included in the variable CELL_INFO_LIST for measurement; i.e. active set cells not
included in the CELL_INFO_LIST shall not be considered in any event evaluation and
measurement reporting.
Monitored set: Cells, which are not included in the active set, but are included in the
CELL_INFO_LIST belong to the monitored set.
Detected set: Cells detected by the UE, which are neither in the CELL_INFO_LIST
nor in the active set, belong to the detected set. Reporting of measurements of the
detected set is only applicable to intra-frequency measurements made by UEs in
CELL_DCH state.
Event reporting: Event reporting and periodic reporting. Event reporting to periodic
reporting.
RL: Radio link between NodeB and UE.

RLS: Radio link set. The RLs from same NodeB.
Combination way: For soft handover, the uplink signals are combined in RNC. The
RNC will select one best signal to process. We call this selection combination. For softer
handover, the uplink signals are combined in the RAKE receiver of NodeB. It is
maximum ratio combination.

Soft handover gain: We have introduced in Coverage Planning.
CPICH: Common Pilot Channel. UE measure the signal strength of CPICH for
handover decision.
The Categories of Handover
According to the signaling characters:

Soft handover (softer handover)
Hard handover
According to the properties of source cell and target cell

Intra-frequency handover
Inter-frequency handover
Inter-system handover (UMTS <-> GSM)
According to the purpose of handover

Based on Coverage
Based on Load (Optional)
Based on mobility of UE (Optional)
Based on Service (Optional)
The unique signaling of soft handover is Active Set Update, and the unique signaling
of hard handover is Physical Channel Reconfiguration.
Soft handover include soft handover and softer handover. It is depended on if the
two RLs belong to one NodeB.
The handover based on load is load control algorithm. The handover based on
mobility of UE is for HCS handover.
The handover based on service: for example, the handover between R99 and
HSDPA.

The Characters of Different Handovers
Table 1. - Comparison between soft handover and hard handover.
The maximum number of RL is 3. This value can be changed. But this function
needs the UE to support. In some UE, the active set is fixed and can not be changed.
Comparison between soft handover and softer handover:

During softer handover, the uplink signaling is combined in NodeB
by maximum ratio combination, but during soft handover they are
combined in RNC by selection combination.
Compare to later one, the maximum ratio combination can get more
gain. So the performance of maximum ration combination is better.
Since softer handover is completed in NodeB, it does not consume
transport resource of Iub.
An SHO takes place when a UE receives data from more than one base station at
the same time. We need to make a distinction between the UE’s receiving information
from more than one transmitter and receiving information from a single base station
through two or more different antennas. The latter case is a special type of SHO, namely
the softer HO. The combination way and handover gain are different.

Soft Handover
Figure 1. - UE in Soft handover.
Soft handover is shown in figure 1. During the handover, two radio links are
connected with UE, and data in each RL are same. So the UE can combine the data in
RAKE receiver. But the control part is different for downlink.

Softer Handover
Figure 2. - UE in softer handover.
Figure 2 shows a UE in softer handover. The cells in active set belong to one NodeB.
The NodeB use the RAKE receiver to combine the data in HULP board. Then send the
data to RNC.

Hard Handover
Figure 3. - UE in Hard handover.
Figure 3 shows hard handover. The UE disconnect the original radio link, then
connect to the target cell. It happened in intra-frequency, inter-frequency and inter-RAT.
Figure 4. - The steps for handover.

Measurement
1. Measurement control
2. Measurement execution and the result processing
3. The measurement report
4. Mainly accomplished by UE
Decision
1. Based on Measurement
2. The application and distribution of resource
3. Mainly accomplished by RRM in RNC
Execution
1. The process of signaling
2. Support the failure drawback
3. Measurement control refresh

2 Measurement of Handover
Measurement control and measurement report
If the UE setup a RRC connection or trigger the 1D event, the UTRAN will send the
measurement control to UE. The measurement control includes the algorithm of
measurement and handover, for example, the intra-frequency handover criteria, and how
to report.
The latter message includes the following measurement control information:
1. Measurement identity: A reference number that should be used by the UTRAN

when setting up, modifying or releasing the measurement and by the UE in the
measurement report.
2. Measurement command: One out of three different measurement commands.

-Setup: Setup a new measurement.
-Modify: Modify a previously defined measurement, e.g. to change the reporting
criteria.
-Release: Stop a measurement and clear all information in the UE that are related to
that measurement.
3. Measurement type: One of the types listed above describing what the UE shall
measure. Presence or absence of the following control information depends on the
measurement type.
4. Measurement objects: The objects the UE shall measure, and corresponding

object information.
5. Measurement quantity: The quantity the UE shall measure. This also includes
the filtering of the measurements.

6. Reporting quantities: The quantities the UE shall include in the report in addition
to the quantities that are mandatory to report for the specific event.
7. Measurement reporting criteria: The triggering of the measurement report, e.g.

periodical or event-triggered reporting.
8. Measurement Validity: Defines in which UE states the measurement is valid.
9. Measurement reporting mode: This specifies whether the UE shall transmit the
measurement report using AM or UM RLC.
10. Additional measurement identities: A list of references to other

measurements. When this measurement triggers a measurement report, the UE shall
also include the reporting quantities for the measurements referenced by the additional
measurement identities.
Figure 5. - Measurement control message for handover.
The purpose of the measurement reporting procedure is to transfer measurement

results from the UE to UTRAN.

Based on the algorithm in measurement control, the UE will measure the signal
strength and check if it meets the requirement of all events. If it meets the requirement of
any event, UE will send the measurement report to UTRAN to trigger the handover. The
most important information elements in the measurement are the PSC and the CPICH
Ec/No of the target cell, and the triggered event.
The basic definitions of measurement
The measurement values of Handover

Soft handover and Intra-frequency hard handover: CPICH RSCP,
CPICH Ec/N0, Path loss.
Inter-frequency: CPICH RSCP, CPICH Ec/N0.
Inter-system: GSM Carrier RSSI, BSIC Identification, BSIC
Reconfirmation.
The reporting methods of measurement

Periodic reporting
Event reporting
The events of reporting

Intra-frequency events：1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1F.
Inter-frequency events ：2D, 2F, 2B, 2C.
Inter-system events ：3A, 3C.
In the actual network, we usually use the CPICH Ec/No for measurement value of
intra-frequency handover.

Measurement Model
Figure 6. - Measurement model for handover.
Before the pilot Ec/Io is used by the active set update algorithm in the UE, some
filtering is applied to make the results more reliable. The measurement is filtered both on
Layer 1 and on Layer 3. The Layer 3 filtering can be controlled by the network. The
WCDMA handover measurement filtering is described above.
Reporting Criterion
Reporting Criterion
Decision formula: for example, 1A event :
Path Loss
Other measurement ：
R: Relative threshold. These parameters define the difference between the quality of
a cell (currently it is evaluated with PCPICH Ec/No) and the overall quality of the active
set (if w=0, then it is the quality of the best cell). The relative threshold parameters for
soft handover include IntraRelThdFor1A (relative threshold for event 1A) and
IntraRelThdFor1B (relative threshold for event 1B).

H1a: Hysteresis for 1A event. For UEs entering the soft handover area, increase of
the hysteresis value means decrease of the soft handover range, while for UEs leaving
the soft handover area; it means increase of the soft handover range.
△T: Time to trigger
If the Mnew meet the requirement of above formula for △ T, 1A event will be
triggered.
Key Parameters
Figure 7. - Key parameters for handover.
The strength of CPICH 1 is decreasing and the strength of CPICH 2 is increasing. If

the strength difference between CPICH 1 and CPICH 2 is less than window (AS_TH -
AS_TH_Hyst) for △T, the 1A event will be triggered. The basic principle of 1C and 1B is
same with 1A event.
If the best serving cell changed, window will be changed and follow the current best
serving cell.

Measurement event
Intra-frequency Measurement Events
All intra-frequency measurement report events are identified with 1X :

1A: A primary pilot channel enters the reporting range. When the
active set of UE is full, UE stops reporting 1A event.
1B: A primary pilot channel leaves the reporting range.
1C: The primary pilot channel in a non active set is better than the
primary pilot channel in an active set.
1D: The best cell changes.
1E: The measurement value of a primary pilot channel exceeds the
absolute threshold.
Absolute threshold: These parameters correspond to the signal strength that

satisfies the basic QoS assurance. The soft handover absolute threshold parameters
include IntraAblThdFor1E (absolute threshold for event 1E) and IntraAblThdFor1F
(absolute threshold for event 1F).
Intra-frequency Measurement Events are for soft handover and Intra-frequency hard
handover.
Inter-frequency Measurement Events
Inter-frequency measurement events are identified with 2X

2B: The estimated quality value of the used frequency is lower than
a certain threshold, and that of the non-used frequency is higher than a
certain threshold.
2C: The estimated quality value of the non-used frequency is higher
than a certain threshold.
2D: The estimated quality value of the used frequency is lower than
a certain threshold.
2F: The estimated quality value of the used frequency is higher than
a certain threshold.

2D and 2F are to trigger compressed mode.

2B is for Inter-frequency hard handover based on coverage.
2C is for Inter-frequency hard handover based on non-coverage, that is load and
traffic.
Inter-system Measurement Events
Inter-system measurement events are identified with 3X

3A: The estimated quality value of the used UTRAN frequency is
lower than a certain threshold, and that of the other system is higher than a
certain threshold;
3C: The estimated quality value of the other system is higher than a
certain threshold ;
Inter-system hard handover also use 2D and 2F to initiate and stop compressed
mode.
3A is for Inter-system hard handover based on coverage.
3C is for Inter-system hard handover based on non-coverage that is load and traffic.

Compressed mode
Purpose
Measure the inter-frequency cell or inter-system cell under FDD
mode.
Categories
Downlink compressed.
Uplink compressed.
1. Downlink compressed:
Since one receiver only can work in one frequency, the UE has to stop working if it
is going to measure the signal from another frequency cell. To ensure the downlink
service unaffected, the remained data should be sent in the limited time.
1. Uplink compressed
UE should stop the uplink transmission when the uplink working frequency is very
close to the measured frequency, for example GSM 1800/1900 is very close to the
UMTS FDD uplink working frequency.
Figure 8. - Compressed Mode Sketch Map.

The compressed mode, often referred to as the slotted mode, is needed when
making measurements from another frequency in a CDMA system without a full dual
receiver terminal. The compressed mode means that transmission and reception are
halted for a short time, in the order of a few milliseconds, in order to perform
measurements on the other frequencies. The intention is not to lose data but to
compress the data transmission in the time domain.
Realization Methods
SF/2
Rate matching/puncturing
Higher layer scheduling
SF/2
1. Advantage: easy to handle for RNC
2. Disadvantage: occupied the resource of NodeB, decrease the
utilizing efficiency of OVSF, influenced the coverage.
Rate matching/puncturing
1. Decrease the coding redundancy
2. Advantage: easy to handle for RNC; the SF 4 can be used;
no influence to utilizing efficiency of OVSF
3. Disadvantage: limited to the property of channel coding;
decreased the coding gain
Higher layer scheduling

1. MAC can restrict TFCS to change the downlink data rate.
2. Advantage: the interference is lower
3. Disadvantage: complicated for higher layer, only fit for non-
timing data service.

3 The Basic Handovers
Soft Handover
Characters of Soft Handover

During handover, UE has several RLs with different cells----active
set.
The handover among different cells which are in same RLS can be
softer handover.
− Soft handover:
▪ Selection combination in uplink
▪ Maximum combination in downlink
− Softer handover
▪ Maximum combination in uplink and downlink
RLS: radio link set. For UE, it is an access point of UTRAN. The RLs of different cell
for one NodeB are belonging to one RLS.
Advantages
Soft handover gain.
Load balance.
Decrease the possibility of call drop caused by ping-pong handover.
Disadvantages
More resource needed in downlink, especially for the code resource
of BE service.
Usually, the gain of downlink power is negative.
When the downlink power from different cells is not balanced, it will
bring side-effect.

Advantages
1. Soft handover gain:
• Multi-Cell gain: Multiple irrelated soft handover branches lower the
required margin for fading.
• Macro Diversity Combining gain: Gain for the link demodulation of
the soft handover.
2. Load balance: Different cells receive the signals from UE in uplink, which
can decrease the transmission power of UE. And UE receive signal from different
cells, which also can decrease the transmission power of base station.
3. Decrease the possibility of call drop caused by ping-pong handover.
Measurement of Soft Handover
The measurement of soft handover/softer handover

：
Measurement value CPICH RSCP 、CPICH Ec/No、Path loss.
Process of Measurement ：Layer 1 filter, Layer 3 filter.
Reporting way
− Periodic reporting.
− Event reporting.
▪ Event type 1A ：、1B、1C、1D、1F.
▪ UE measures the time difference between CFN and
SFN.
▪ Reporting rules: trigger condition, Relative threshold,
Absolute threshold, Hysteresis, Time to trigger.
− Event reporting to periodic reporting.

For soft handover, we are not using periodic reporting and just using event reporting.
Additional essential information for soft handover purposes is the relative timing
information between the cells. As in an asynchronous network, there is a need to adjust
the transmission timing in soft handover to allow coherent combining in the Rake
receiver, otherwise the transmissions from the different base stations would be difficult to
combine, and especially the power control operation in soft handover would suffer
additional delay. The new base station adjusts the downlink timing in steps of 256 chips
based on the information it receives from the RNC.
The Decision Algorithm of Soft Handover
Soft/softer handover decision

1A: Radio Link Addition.
1B: Radio Link Removal.
1C: Combined Radio Link Addition and Removal.
1D: change best cell.
If Pilot_Ec /I0 > Best_ Pilot_Ec /I0 Reporting_range t Hysteresis_event1A for a

period of T and the active set is not full, the cell is added to the active set. This event is
called Event 1A or Radio Link Addition.
If Pilot_Ec /I0 < Best_ Pilot_Ec /I0 Reporting_range Hysteresis_event1B for a

period of T, then the cell is removed from the active set. This event is called Event 1B or
Radio Link Removal.
If the active set is full and Best_candidate_Pilot_Ec /I0 > Worst_Old_Pilot_Ec /I0 t
Hysteresis_event1C for a period of T, then the weakest cell in the active set is replaced
by the strongest candidate cell (i.e. strongest cell in the monitored set). This event is
called Event 1C or Combined Radio Link Addition and Removal.

The Execution of Soft Handover
Soft handover execution

The update principal of measurement control
− Configure the neighbor cells and the parameters according to
best cell.
RLC mode
− AM mode is used for measurement control.
− UM mode is used for measurement report.
The compensation and restriction of soft handover.
− From event reporting to periodic reporting.
1. The update principal of measurement control.

• Configure the neighbor cells and the parameters according to best
cell. If the best cell is changed, the measurement control of the best cell will
be sent again.
2. RLC mode
• AM mode is used for measurement control.
• UM mode is used for measurement report. For periodic reporting,
UM mode is used. For event reporting, AM mode is used.
3. The compensation and restriction of soft handover.
Parameters of event reporting to periodic reporting:
• The time value for periodic reporting, the number for reporting times.

Signaling flow for soft handover
Add RL
Figure 8. - Signaling flow to add a RL in soft handover.
1. Having decided to set up a new radio link in a new cell under the control of
another RNC (DRNC), the SRNC sends a “Radio Link Setup Request” message to the
DRNC via RNSAP, requesting the later to prepare necessary radio resources. Because
the new radio link is the first one set up between the UE and DRNC, a new lur signaling
connection should be set up, which will bear the UE related RNSAP signaling messages.
Message “Radio Link Setup Request” contains the following parameters: Cell ID,
TFS, TFCS, frequency and uplink scrambling code.
2. The DRNC judges whether it can fulfill the request for radio resources, and if yes,
sends a NBAP message “Radio Link Setup Request” to the NodeB for it to activate the
uplink RX.
Message “Radio Link Setup Request” contains the following parameters: Cell ID,
TFS, TFCS, frequency and uplink scrambling code.
3. The NodeB assigns radio resources on request, and upon the successful
completion of the allocation, sends a NBAP message “Radio Link Setup Response” to
the DRNC.

Message “Radio Link Setup Response” contains the following parameters: Signaling
end and transport addressing information message includes the following parameters:
signaling end, transport layer addressing information (AAL2 addressing and AAL2
binding ID for the data bearer).
4. The DRNC sends a “Radio Link Setup Response” message to the SRNC via
RNSAP.
Message “Radio Link Setup Response” contains the following parameters:
Transport layer addressing information (AAL2 addressing and AAL2 binding ID for the
data bearer) and adjacent cell information.
5. The SRNC initiates the establishment of the lur/lub bearer via protocol ALCAP,
and includes in the request an AAL2 binding ID used to bind the lub bearer with a DCH.
6/7. The NodeB and SRNC exchange DCH FP frames “Downlink Synchronization”
and “Uplink Synchronization” to set up bearer synchronization. NodeB activates the
downlink TX.
8. The SRNC sends an “Active Set Update” message, which contains radio link
addition parameters, to the UE over the DCCH.
Parameters: Update type, cell ID, downlink scrambling code, power control
information and adjacent cell information.
9. After configuring the parameters based on the RRC message, the UE sends a
RRC message “Active Set Update Complete” to the SRNC.

Delete RL
Figure 9. - Signaling flow to delete a RL in soft handover.
1. Having decided to delete a radio link, the SRNC sends a RRC message “Active
Set Update”, which contains radio link deletion parameters, to the UE over the DCCH.
Parameters: Update type and cell ID.
2. UE deactivates the downlink RX of the radio link to be deleted and send a RRC
message “Active Set Update Complete” to the SRNC.
3. The SRNC sends a “Radio Link Deletion Request” message to the DRNC via
RNSAP.
Parameters: Cell ID and transport layer addressing information.
4. The DRNC sends a NBAP message “Radio Link Deletion Request” to NodeB for
it to stop the TX and RX.
Parameters: Cell ID and transport layer addressing information.
5. The NodeB deactivates radio resources and sends a NBAP message “Radio Link
Deletion Response” to the DRNC.
6. “Radio Link Deletion Response”. The DRNC sends a RNSAP message “Radio
Link Deletion Response” to the SRNC.
7. The SRNC initiates the release of the lur/lub bearer via protocol ALCAP.

Key Parameters
Relative threshold.
Time to trigger.
Layer 3 filter coefficient.
Absolute threshold of soft handover.
Relative threshold
Set 1A, 1B value separately.
1A < 1B ，which makes deleting RL is more difficult, and it can avoid ping-pong
handover.
Usually 1A: 3dB; 1B: 6dB.
Time to trigger
Each event can be set separately
Usually, 1B>1A ，which makes deleting RL is more difficult, and it can avoid ping-
pong handover.
Usually, 1A: 320ms, 1B: 640ms
Layer 3 filter coefficient

Only one value for all intra-frequency measurement.
Sensitive to the delay of event trigger and ping-pong handover.
Usually 3：
Absolute threshold of soft handover

Intra-frequency Hard Handover
The Characters of Intra-frequency Hard Handover
Characters
UE only has one RL with one cell in the process of handover.
Disconnect UE with the original cell, then hand it over to target cell.
The working frequency of source cell and target cell are same.
Advantages
Enhance the using efficiency of the OVSF code and hardware
resource.
Disadvantages
High call drop possibility because of the intra-frequency interference.
Application scenarios
Without Iur interface between two RNCs or the Iur interface jam
(only happened in inter-RNC handover).
The different strategies can be used for different conditions, such as
code resource condition, the QoS condition and so on.
The Measurement, Decision and Execution of Intra-frequency Hard Handover
Measurement
Similar to soft handover.
Decision
1D event.
Execution
UE reports CFN-SFN information
− Synchronization hard handover.
− Use the original DOFF value.
− Continuous CFN.

UE does not report CFN-SFN information

− The hard handover based on timing.
− Re-configure DOFF.
− Calculate CFN according to DOFF.
Timing re-initialized hard handover

The purpose of the timing re-initialized hard handover procedure is to remove all the
RL(s) in the active set and establish new RL(s) along with a change in the UL
transmission timing and the CFN in the UE according to the SFN of the target cell. This
procedure is initiated when UTRAN does not know the target SFN timing before hard
handover.
Timing re-initialized hard handover initiated by the UTRAN is normally performed by

using the procedure "Physical channel reconfiguration", but may also be performed by
using either one of the following procedures:
• "radio bearer establishment";
• "Radio bearer reconfiguration";
• "Radio bearer release"; or
• "Transport channel reconfiguration".
If IE "Timing indication" has the value "initialize", UE shall:

Execute the Timing Re-initialized hard handover procedure by following the
procedure indicated in the subclause relevant to the procedure chosen by the UTRAN.
Timing-maintained hard handover
The purpose of the Timing-maintained hard handover procedure is to remove all the
RL(s) in the active set and establish new RL(s) while maintaining the UL transmission
timing and the CFN in the UE. This procedure can be initiated only if UTRAN knows the
target SFN timing before hard handover. The target SFN timing can be known by
UTRAN in the following 2 cases:

-UE reads SFN when measuring "Cell synchronization information" and sends it to
the UTRAN in MEASUREMENT REPORT message.
-UTRAN internally knows the time difference between the cells.
Timing-maintained hard handover initiated by the network is normally performed by

using the procedure "Physical channel reconfiguration", but may also be performed by
using either one of the following procedures:
"Radio bearer establishment";
"Radio bearer reconfiguration”;
"Radio bearer release"; or
"Transport channel reconfiguration".
If IE "Timing indication" has the value "maintain", UE shall initiate the Timing-
maintained hard handover procedure by following the procedure indicated in the
subclause relevant to the procedure chosen by the UTRAN.
Figure 10. - Intra-frequency Hard Handover Flow.

1. SRNC sends a Radio Link Setup Request message to the target RNC.
Parameters: Target RNC identifier, s-RNTI, cell ID, TFS and TFCS.
2. The target RNC assigns RNTI and radio resources to the RRC and radio link and
then sends a NBAP message “Radio Link Setup Request” to the target NodeB.
Parameters: cell ID, TFS, TFCS, frequency, uplink scrambling code and power
control information, etc.
3. Setup the ALCAP. Same as intra frequency soft handover.
4. The SRNC sends a RRC message “Physical Channel Reconfiguration” to the UE.
5. After the UE switches from the old link to the new link, the source NodeB detects
a synchronization failure in the old link and sends a NBAP message “Radio Link Failure
Indication” to the source RNC.
6. The source RNC sends a RNSAP message “Radio Link Failure Indication” to the
SRNC.
7. After the RRC with the target RNC is set up and necessary radio resources are
assigned, the UE sends a RRC message “Physical Channel Reconfiguration Complete”
to the SRNC.
8. The SRNC sends a RNSAP message “Radio Link Deletion Request” to the
source RNC, requesting it to release the radio resources assigned to the old link.
9. The source RNC sends a NBAP message “Radio Link Deletion Request” to the
source NodeB. Parameters: Cell ID, transport layer addressing information.
10. The source RNC releases ALCAP.

Key Parameters
Handover decision threshold based on BE speed

UE should do soft handover when the speed of BE service is less
than the threshold.
UE should do intra-frequency hard handover when the speed of BE
service is greater than the threshold.
The parameters about 1D event:

Time to trigger, hysteresis.
The parameters should be set accord with the Qos.
It is the rate decision threshold deciding whether soft handover is to be implemented

for the BE service. When the maximum rate of the BE service transmission channel is
smaller than this threshold, the system will perform soft handover for the service user so
as to ensure the QoS for the user; when the maximum rate of the BE service
transmission channel exceeds this threshold, the system will implement intra-frequency
hard handover for the service user so as to prevent excessive influence on the system
capacity caused by soft handover.

Inter-frequency Hard Handover
Brief Introduction of Inter-frequency Hard Handover
Characters
The working frequency is different after handover.
The compressed mode needed if the UE only has one receiver.
Usually, the timing re-initiation hard handover is used for hard
handover.
Disconnected coverage.
Handover based on load.
Hierarchy cells.
Advantages
1. Compare to intra-frequency hard handover, the success possibility is
higher.
2. The load balance among cells with different frequencies.
3. Can realize the reasonable configuration for hierarchy cells.
Disadvantages
1. Compressed mode results in extra radio resource occupied.
2. The timing re-initiation hard handover increase the time of handover
and the risk of call drop.

Measurement Values and Events
The Inter-frequency hard handover measurement values

Measurement values:
− CPICH RSCP 、CPICH Ec/N0.
Different handover purpose for different measurement type:
− In the edge of carrier coverage: CPICH RSCP.
− In the center of carrier coverage: CPICH Ec/No.
When RSCP is used as the physical measurement quantity and the quality of the
measure cell is higher than this threshold, this cell can be used as the target cell for
inter-frequency hard handover. If this cell is located at the verge of carrier coverage, the
periodic reported RSCP measurement value will be used as the decision criterion for
inter-frequency hard handover. If this value is too big, call drop is likely to occur due to
failure of timely initiation of inter-frequency hard handover; if it is too small, it may result
in excessively frequent verge hard handover.
When Ec/No is used as the physical measurement quantity and the quality of the
measure cell is higher than this threshold, this cell can be used as the target cell for
inter-frequency hard handover. If this cell is located at the center of carrier coverage, the
Ec/No measurement value will be used as the decision criterion for inter-frequency hard
handover. If this value is too big, call drop is likely to occur due to failure of timely
initiation of inter-frequency hard handover; if it is too small, it may result in excessively
frequent verge hard handover or call drop after handover due to weak signals of the
target cell.

Compressed Mode Initiation
Conditions for measurement initiated

2D event: The estimated quality value of the used frequency is lower
than a certain threshold.
Conditions for Measurement stopping

2F event: The estimated quality value of the used frequency is
higher than a certain threshold.
Cells Hierarchy Algorithm Based on UE Moving Speed
When UE is in one of the hierarchy cells, the moving speed estimation

algorithm is initiated
Handover events in a while decide whether the speed of UE
satisfies the current cell hierarchy condition.
UE’s moving speed decided the result.
Handover events in a while decide whether the speed of UE satisfies the current cell
hierarchy condition.
• UE is remained in the current cell if the speed is medium.
• If the speed is very high, it will be handed over to higher hierarchy
cell. And if not, hand it over to lower hierarchy cell.
UE’s moving speed decided the result.
• If the hierarchy is configured by different frequencies, the inter-
frequency blind handover or inter-frequency measurement handover can
be initiated.
• If the hierarchy is configured by one frequency, the intra-frequency
handover can be initiated.

Decision Algorithm
The inter-frequency hard handover decision

The coverage triggers the handover
− 2B event:
▪ The quality in the used frequency is lower than
absolute threshold, but the quality in another non-used
frequency is higher than another absolute threshold.
The load triggers handover
− 2C event:
▪ The quality in another frequency is higher than an
absolute threshold.
SET INTERFREQHOCOV: Configure the parameters of coverage triggered

handover. 2B event.
SET INTERFREQHONCOV: Configure the parameters of load triggered handover.

2C event.

Signaling
Figure 11. - Inter-frequency Hard Handover Signaling Flow.
The signaling flow is same with intra-frequency hard handover.
Key Parameters
Inter-frequency coverage handover parameters:

Inter-frequency measurement reporting: periodic reporting or event
reporting.
Inter-frequency measurement values: CPICH Ec/No or CPICH
RSCP.
Inter-frequency measurement layer 3 filter coefficient, delay trigger
time and hysteresis.

Inter-frequency initiated and stopped threshold: Considering the

different demands of CPICH Ec/No and CPICH RSCP for PS domain and
CS domain, the different 2D and 2F parameters are configured.
Inter-frequency handover based on coverage: the quality threshold
of target cell.
Using frequency quality threshold in inter-frequency hard handover.
The minimum access threshold for inter-frequency handover.
SET INTERFREQHOCOV: Configure the parameters of coverage triggered

handover.
Inter-frequency handover parameters caused by non-coverage ability

Inter-frequency measurement layer 3 filter coefficient, delay trigger
time and hysteresis.
Inter-frequency handover based on non-coverage ability.
SET INTERFREQHONCOV: Configure the parameters of load triggered handover.

Inter-system Hard Handover
Brief Introduction of Inter-system Hard Handover
WCDMA FDD < >GSM. －
Characters
Different radio access technology is used after handover.
Usually, compressed mode should be used to help the
measurement.
Advantages
For coverage, it can solve the problems from one system to another
system.
For capacity, it can enhance the utilizing efficiency of old
equipments (2G->3G).
Disadvantages
The flow is complicated, and it demands higher compatibility for
equipments.
Demands more complicated UE.
Compressed Mode Initiated
The inter-system measurement (GSM measurement)

Measurement type:
− GSM Carrier RSSI.
− BSIC Identification.
− BSIC Reconfirmation.
The process of measurement: layer 1 filter, layer 3 filter.
Measurement reporting.
− Event reporting
▪ 2D Event: initiate GSM measurement.
▪ 2F Event: stop GSM measurement.

Measurement type:
• GSM Carrier RSSI (Mandatory).
• BSIC Identification (Mandatory).
• BSIC Reconfirmation (Optional).
Whatever inter-frequency and inter-RAT, we all use 2D and 2F event to initiate and
stop measurement. Before measurement, the UE did not know if the other frequency is
the frequency of WCDMA or GSM.
Decision Algorithm
Inter-system handover caused by coverage

Event reporting:
− 3A event ：The estimated quality value of the used UTRAN
frequency is lower than a certain threshold, and that of the other
system is higher than a certain threshold.
Periodic reporting:
− Evaluation ： According to the periodic reported GSM RSSI
measurement value and the BSIC confirming state of target cell of
GSM system, and meanwhile the UE evaluates the GSM RSSI of
target cell is greater than the absolute threshold, then consider the
cell confirmed by BSIC.
SET INTERRATHOCOV: Configure the parameters of Inter-system handover
caused by coverage
Decision Algorithm
Inter-system handover caused by non-coverage

Event reporting
3C event: The estimated quality value of the other system is higher
than a absolute threshold.
SET INTERRATHONCOV: Configure the parameters of Inter-system handover
caused by non-coverage.

Signaling
Figure 12. - Inter-system Handover Flow.
1. The SRNC sends a RANAP message “Relocation Required” to CN.

2. The UMTS CN forwards the Relocation Required message to the GSM MSC via
the MAP/E interface.
3. Normal GSM signaling procedure; the MSC sends a BSSMAP message
“Handover Request” to the BSC.
4. Normal GSM signaling procedure; the BSC sends a BSSMAP message
“Handover Request Ack” to the MSC.
5. The GSM MSC/BSS completes the initialization procedure, and the MSC sends a
MAP/E message “Prepare Handover Response” to the CN.
6. The CN sends a RANPA message “Relocation Command” to the SRNC.
7. The SRNC sends a RRC message “HANDOVER FROM UTRAN COMMAND” to
the UE over the existing RRC to perform the inter-RAT handover.
“Handover Detect” the MSC.
9. Normal GSM signaling procedure; the UE sends a “Handover Complete”
message to the BSC.
“Handover Complete” to the MSC.

11. When the GSM detects the UE, the MSC sends a MAP/E message “Send End
Signal Request” to the CN.
12. The CN sends a RANAP message “lu Release Command” to the SRNC for it to
initiate the release of the resources assigned by the SRNC to the old link.
13. The SRNC releases the bearer resources and sends an “Iu Release Complete”
message to the CN.
14. The CN sends a MAP/E message “Send End Signal Response” to the MSC.
Key Parameters
Inter-system handover caused by coverage parameters

Inter-system measurement initiated and stopped threshold:
Considering the different demands of CPICH Ec/No and CPICH RSCP for
PS domain and CS domain, the different 2D and 2F parameters are
configured.
Inter-system measurement values (2D, 2F)
− CPICH Ec/No.
− CPICH RSCP.
BSIC confirmed (Optional).
Inter-system handover caused by coverage parameters
− Configure the GSM RSSI threshold of CS domain and PS
domain separately.
Using inter-system frequency quality handover threshold.
Configure the delay trigger time, hysteresis for each event.
SET INTERRATHOCOV: Configure the parameters of Inter-system handover

caused by coverage.

Inter-system handover caused by non-coverage parameters

The period of inter-system measurement report.
The decision threshold for inter-system handover: configure the CS,
PS, signaling separately.
Time delay trigger: configure BSIC with acknowledged and
unacknowledged mode.
Inter-frequency measurement layer 3 filter coefficient and hysteresis.
Penalty time.
SET INTERRATHONCOV: Configure the parameters of Inter-system handover

caused by non-coverage.
Summary
This chapter focuses on the basic handovers in WCDMA: soft handover,

softer handover, intra-frequency hard handover, inter-frequency hard handover
and inter-system hard handover. It also introduced the application scenarios for
these different handovers.
Compressed mode was introduced in this chapter too.


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WCDMA Handover Principle

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.

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1 Introduction of Handover .................................................................................. 9

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Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

Explain the basic definitions of Handover

Understand and describe the algorithms of handover decision

Explain the handover flow

Manage and adjust the parameters of handover

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Why mobile systems need handover?

Handovers are an inevitable issue where a mobile communication system is

In short, a handover is to transfer a UE connection from one radio link to another to

The Basic Concepts of Handover

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RL: Radio link between NodeB and UE.

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Soft handover gain: We have introduced in Coverage Planning.

The Categories of Handover

According to the signaling characters:

According to the properties of source cell and target cell

According to the purpose of handover

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The Characters of Different Handovers

Table 1. - Comparison between soft handover and hard handover.

Comparison between soft handover and softer handover:

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Figure 1. - UE in Soft handover.

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Figure 2. - UE in softer handover.

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Figure 3. - UE in Hard handover.

Figure 4. - The steps for handover.

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Measurement control and measurement report

The latter message includes the following measurement control information:

1. Measurement identity: A reference number that should be used by the UTRAN

2. Measurement command: One out of three different measurement commands.

4. Measurement objects: The objects the UE shall measure, and corresponding

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7. Measurement reporting criteria: The triggering of the measurement report, e.g.

8. Measurement Validity: Defines in which UE states the measurement is valid.

10. Additional measurement identities: A list of references to other

Figure 5. - Measurement control message for handover.

The purpose of the measurement reporting procedure is to transfer measurement

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The basic definitions of measurement

The measurement values of Handover

The reporting methods of measurement

The events of reporting

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Figure 6. - Measurement model for handover.