1.4 Main Changes in Ericsson GSM RAN G16B: Also Relation Attendance Level
1.4 Main Changes in Ericsson GSM RAN G16B: Also Relation Attendance Level
1.4 Main Changes in Ericsson GSM RAN G16B: Also Relation Attendance Level
The calculated changes of neighboring cell relations are implemented automatically. The user can view the chan
2 Capabilities
With ANR, an automatic frequency rotation is continuously ongoing in BSC, that logs information from measurement repo
During the rotation, each Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) frequency used by internal cells in BSC is periodically added t
Either internal or external cells are considered, it is possible for ANR to remove relation to both internal and external cells,
In Update mode, ANR continuously collects data, evaluates the results, and creates changes to be implemented
In the Collect mode, no frequency rotation takes place. Only statistics as input to ANR algorithm are collected.
3 Technical Description
3.1 General
but not if any specific relation should be added. One way to get such information is to add BCCH frequencies of potential n
nd observe how frequently the potential neighbors occur in MRs. The more frequently a potential neighbor is reported, th
If the measurement data about a cell relation is insufficient, ANR does not suggest an addition or removal of that cell rela
ANR takes into consideration not only radio environment quality (analyzed basing on MR) but also relation attendance l
The ANR initiates the continuous rotation of all BCCH frequencies used in BSC by active internal cells. One by one, each BC
Time needed to measure all BCCH frequencies is called measurement cycle.
When cell identification is correct, test handovers are performed. Test handover is a normal handover from network and M
Relation addition and removal are implemented in BSC every day between 01:00 and 03:00.
Add/remove orders are taken from Relation Update Queue one by one. ANR can introduce up to 256 changes per day in B
When the relation is added, ANR also updates active and idle BA Lists with neighboring cell BCCH frequency.
While removing relations, all mutual relations are considered as two separate single relations. Relation is removed only i
When the relation is removed, ANR also removes BCCH frequency of neighbor cell from active BA List.
Collect mode of ANR consists only of gathering handover statistics. This mode can be used for example, during network fr
Collect mode of ANR consists only of gathering handover statistics. This mode can be used for example, during
3.3 Algorithm
When cell relations are evaluated by ANR, the length of a cell's BA List is always considered. ANR decides if a cell's BA List
more likely to want to remove cell relations than with short BA Lists. Accordingly, when having short BA List, it is more like
Depending on whether a cell is considered to have a short or a long BA List, different thresholds are used for relation rem
The calculated changes of cell relations in the network must always comply with the exception list, inter PLMN relation ch
Discovery of relations for removal is based on relation use statistics. After defined number of days, all cells are being scan
At the beginning, all relations having no handover attempts for defined number of days are marked for removal.
If cell is considered to have short BA List, removal algorithm for this cell stops here.
Relations marked for addition/removal are put in the Relation Update Queue. The number of relations cannot be decrease
There are four additional inputs to the algorithm that are specified by the user:
Type of mode. The user can specify which one of two modes (Update or Collect) the algorithm will use
Exception list. The user can add cells and cell relations to the exception list to exclude them from ANR
Inter PLMN relation change indicator. The user can specify if addition of relations between cells from different
Relation preference type. The user can set neighbor relation to preferred or restricted for the Automat
. Execution of updates from the queue is triggered every day at 1:00 and may last for 2 hours. The period when i
3.4 Observability
3.4.1 Logging
ANR basic observability is provided by logging configuration changes performed by the functionality. All
Format of event log for ANR file is described in Event Log POD.
3.4.2 Counters
The number of test handover attempts from one cell to another considered as possible ANR neighbor
The number of successful test handovers made to the cell considered as possible ANR neighbor, ANR
The number of reversed handovers. This indicates the number of returns to old channel after a failure
Additionally to handover statistics, the counters for added or removed neighbor relations by ANR, respec
All above counters can be found in the following STS object type on cell level: CELLANR
Note:
If a cell is halted during relation adding or removal the counter will not be stepped
4 Engineering Guidelines
4.1 Applications
The cell identification algorithm is dependent on existing relations. ANR might fail to identify new neighbo
since the number of ARFCN/BSIC duplicates increases. In this case, unsuccessful test handovers may occur.
In the case that a cell coverage is larger than expected, ANR would want to add more remote relations o
This suggests coverage is larger than planned. (overshooting Cells) One reason of this problem could be that the cell is in
If a cell has swapped sectors, this problem might be found by analyzing the ANR log (for details see Section 3.4.1). In the A
. ANR can correct the neighbor relation problem caused by the swapped sectors but it is not recommended since there mi
If a cell has a high dropped call rate and a bad handover performance it can be worth a while to activate
A poor BSIC plan, that is not ANR-friendly, with too many ambiguous ARFCN/BSIC combinations within
ANR active BA List measurement performance is increased by the use of fewer BCCH frequencies since
However since the use of fewer BCCH frequencies reduces the number of possible ARFCN/BSIC combinations it is recomm
ANR does not consider NCC or NCCPERM settings when adding a new bidirectional relation. This me
A single GSM cell or a pair of cells can be added to exception list by command RLELC with the paramet
Exception list will exclude selected cells or relations from ANR adding and removing algorithms.
Cell relations marked as co-sited are not considered for removal by ANR algorithm.
Setting of parameter RELTYPE for cell relation to PREFER or RESTRICT causes that such a relation is
4.2.5 Co-sited Cells Handling
Cell relations marked as co-sited are not considered for removal by ANR algorithm.
Setting of parameter RELTYPE for cell relation to PREFER or RESTRICT causes that such a relation is
5 Parameters
ANRMODE sets operating mode of the ANR function. In UPDATE mode ANR is performing the full funct
Setting mode to COLLECT will prevent ANR from making any changes in the network. Only collection of
In case ANR is used in BSC serving cells of different PLMNs, it is possible to determine if ANR should cr
nternal and external cells, nonetheless it is not possible for ANR to add relations between cells from different BSCs.
also relation attendance level. Relations that are not frequently used are removed and relations that are predicted to be used frequ
ked for addition
d unneeded relations are marked for removal
cells. One by one, each BCCH frequency is added to the active BA List in all active cells.
dover from network and MS point of view. The only difference is that there is no defined relation between source and target cell.
sed for example, during network freeze periods to avoid configuration changes.
NR decides if a cell's BA List should be considered as short or long by ANR. When the BA List is considered as long, the ANR is
hort BA List, it is more likely that ANR wants to add cell relations than with long BA List.
ist, inter PLMN relation change indicator and relation preference type (for details see Section 5.1) in order to be implemented.
ys, all cells are being scanned for removal candidates. Scan is repeated each day.
ations cannot be decreased below the system defined minimum number of cell relations.
ect) the algorithm will use. Each of them is described in chapters: Section 3.2.1, and Section 3.2.2.
exclude them from ANR algorithm. ANR will not add nor remove relations from cells on exception list.
tween cells from different PLMNs is allowed or not. For details, see Section 5.1.
estricted for the Automatic Handover Optimization (AHO) functionality. ANR will not remove relations marked as preferred of
hours. The period when it is allowed for ANR to perform updates of relations is called update window. Updates are performe
by the functionality. All added and removed relations are logged together with the following data: source and target cell nam
more remote relations or more remote cells are reported in the measurement.
could be that the cell is in the wrong position from what was planned.
see Section 3.4.1). In the ANR log, ANR might recommend some changes that can point out this problem
ommended since there might be an interference problem as well caused by the swapped sectors.
worth a while to activate ANR. It might have problems due to a lack of neighboring cell relations.
SIC combinations within a certain distance from a measuring cell, increases the probability of doubtful decisions when ANR
BCCH frequencies since this requires fewer frequencies to be rotated. With fewer rotated frequencies, the rotated frequenc
combinations it is recommended to use more Network Color Codes (NCCs), preferably all.
ectional relation. This means that in some cells where NCCPERM is set a cell relation can be added resulting in zero hando
RLELC with the parameter ADD for ANR function with the parameter FUNC. The pair of cells is added to the ANR exception
termine if ANR should create neighboring relation between cells of different PLMNs.
ed neighboring cells to occur in MR.
different BSCs.
n order to be implemented.
elations marked as preferred of restricted for AHO.
window. Updates are performed one by one. If some updates do not fit into update window, they will wait in the queue for th
eighbor, ANRHORTTOCH.
becomes more difficult to find the correct neighbor
doubtful decisions when ANR tries to identify the most probable cells. This is because ANR also considers cells that are loc
quencies, the rotated frequencies can stay longer in the active list and more measurement samples can be collected for eac
added resulting in zero handovers in the reverse direction. Those relations will not cause any impact on statistics and will fi
is added to the ANR exception list with indication of the direction in which adding or deletion of neighboring cell relation by A
l wait in the queue for the next update window (next day).
nsiders cells that are located much farther away from the measuring cells than the normal handover candidates. While tryin
ct on statistics and will finally be removed by ANR when evaluating relations for removal.
The ANR initiates the continuous rotation of all BCCH frequencies used in BSC by active internal cells. One by one, each BCCH f
Time needed to measure all BCCH frequencies is called measurement cycle.
Relation addition and removal are implemented in BSC every day between 01:00 and 03:00.
When the relation is added, ANR also updates active and idle BA Lists with neighboring cell BCCH frequency.
Collect mode of ANR consists only of gathering handover statistics. This mode can be used for example, during network freeze
Depending on whether a cell is considered to have a short or a long BA List, different thresholds are used for relation removal
The calculated changes of cell relations in the network must always comply with the exception list, inter PLMN relation chang
Relations marked for addition/removal are put in the Relation Update Queue. The number of relations cannot be decreased b
Exception list. The user can add cells and cell relations to the exception list to exclude them from ANR al
Inter PLMN relation change indicator. The user can specify if addition of relations between cells from different PLM
Relation preference type. The user can set neighbor relation to preferred or restricted for the Automatic H
Check no any duplicates between Cells BCCH/BSIC ( 88 Cells ) / per side by side Area Groups
Cell name resolving is used to identify cell based on ARFCN/BSIC combination.
CR >> ON 00:00 AM
Execution of updates from the queue is triggered every day at 1:00 and may last for 2 hours. The period when it is a
Updates are performed one by one. If some updates do not fit into update window, they will wait in the queue for the next up
Format of event log for ANR file is described in Event Log POD.
ANR does not consider NCC or NCCPERM settings when adding a new bidirectional relation. This means that in some cells whe
Setting of parameter RELTYPE for cell relation to PREFER or RESTRICT causes that such a relation is not
In case ANR is used in BSC serving cells of different PLMNs, it is possible to determine if ANR should creat
cells. One by one, each BCCH frequency is added to the active BA List in all active cells.
H frequency.
ist, inter PLMN relation change indicator and relation preference type (for details see Section 5.1) in order to be implemented.
ations cannot be decreased below the system defined minimum number of cell relations.
exclude them from ANR algorithm. ANR will not add nor remove relations from cells on exception list.
tween cells from different PLMNs is allowed or not. For details, see Section 5.1.
estricted for the Automatic Handover Optimization (AHO) functionality. ANR will not remove relations marked as preferred of res
ours. The period when it is allowed for ANR to perform updates of relations is called update window.
it in the queue for the next update window (next day).
means that in some cells where NCCPERM is set a cell relation can be added resulting in zero handovers in the reverse direction. Those re
RLELC with the parameter ADD for ANR function with the parameter FUNC. The pair of cells is added to the ANR exception list
termine if ANR should create neighboring relation between cells of different PLMNs.
predicted to be used frequently are added.
to be implemented.
he reverse direction. Those relations will not cause any impact on statistics and will finally be removed by ANR when evaluating relations f
ed to the ANR exception list with indication of the direction in which adding or deletion of neighboring cell relation by ANR is forb
NR when evaluating relations for removal.
g cell relation by ANR is forbidden.
Discovery of relations for removal is based on relation use statistics. After defined number of days, all cells are being scan
At the beginning, all relations having no handover attempts for defined number of days are marked for removal.
A single GSM cell or a pair of cells can be added to exception list by command RLELC with the paramet
Setting of parameter RELTYPE for cell relation to PREFER or RESTRICT causes that such a relation is
ys, all cells are being scanned for removal candidates. Scan is repeated each day.
RLELC with the parameter ADD for ANR function with the parameter FUNC. The pair of cells is added to the ANR exception
ANR and BAR functions can be active and carry out their regular tasks concurrently. ANR is able to add
A single GSM cell or a pair of cells can be added to exception list by command RLELC with the paramet
ntly. ANR is able to add and remove cell relations as well as modify BA Lists due to Frequency Rotation Procedure even wh
RLELC with the parameter ADD for ANR function with the parameter FUNC. The pair of cells is added to the ANR exception
ation Procedure even when BAR recording is running. Since ANR and BAR can process in parallel, relations created by ANR
ed to the ANR exception list with indication of the direction in which adding or deletion of neighboring cell relation by ANR is
ghbor Relations.
relations created by ANR during recording will be reported to BAR functionality as existing for the whole recording period an
Dependencies BSC
X
5.1.1 Description
Automatic Handover Optimization (AHO) provides automation of the locating functionality. This will ensure th
The feature does not require any operator configuration, except on/off, instead approximately 50 parameters
In the BSC G16B IP-A2 package the following enhancements to this feature have been included:
Traffic load between cells with AHO enabled will be evened out by a new active load control inter cell mec
Administration of urgency condition parameters and quality filters have been simplified.
The following enhancements have been introduced to this feature in BSC G16B IP-A3:
Simplified administration of the locating functionality. The following parameters TINIT, TAAVELEN, MISS
Default values introduced for signal strength and power parameters: MSTXPWR, CCHPWR, BSRXSUFF
Improved handling of intra cell and inter cell handover. The decision about handover is based on continuo
Improved handover efficiency. Handover Power Boost will automatically be activated in all cells where AH
Reduced number of dropped connections due to lost HANDOVER COMMAND. Feature Enhanced Hando
Improved call setup time. Fast Assignment will automatically be activated if AHO is activated in at least o
5.1.2 Operations
5.1.2.1 Commands and Printouts
Commands:
Printouts:
Automatic Handover Optimization introduce new counters in the following existing Object Types:
Two new counters in OT NICELASS
Two new counters in OT NICELHO
The following legacy counters will not be stepped in cells where Automatic Handover Optimization is active:
When Automatic Handover Optimization is activated it replaces the existing Ericsson1 and Ericsson3 locatin
5.1.4 Characteristics
The activation of BSC G16B IP-A3 Automatic Handover Optimization feature may result in increased numbe
Implementation Operations
X
SC BTS STN
ctionality. This will ensure that a call is handled by the best suitable cell in the network during the life-time of the call. The featu
e been included:
ve load control inter cell mechanism. This new mechanism will replace the Cell Load Sharing functionality.
s TINIT, TAAVELEN, MISSNM, PSSHF, PTIMHF and TMAXIHO will no longer be considered during network configuration
WR, CCHPWR, BSRXSUFF, MSRXSUFF, BSRXMIN, MSRXMIN, BSPWR and BSTXPWR
ndover is based on continuous measurements and no measurement history is lost during MS transition from cell to cell.
ctivated in all cells where AHO is activated
D. Feature Enhanced Handover Success Rate will automatically be activated in all cells where AHO is activated
HO is activated in at least one cell in the BSC
of cell parameters will not be used by the locating algorithm in that cell.
of cell parameters will not be used by the locating algorithm in that cell.
of cell parameters will not be used by the locating algorithm in that cell.
parameters
arameters have no default values. The Function description has also been updated; if AHO is activated in a specified cell a num
AHO is active in at least one internal cell. Fault code 434 added
is not activated
g Object Types:
over Optimization is active:
sson1 and Ericsson3 locating algorithms and the Cell Load Sharing feature. The impact to the Assignment to Another Cell funct
y result in increased number of handovers and a higher CP processor load. The retainability handover success rate performan
Characteristics Interfac
X
STN OSS
e-time of the call. The feature will minimize unnecessary interference caused by delayed handover. This is achieved by optimiz
g network configuration
is activated
ted in a specified cell a number of cell parameters will not be used by the locating algorithm in that cell.
nment to Another Cell functionality is such that assignment to a TCH in better (stronger) cell is always active and assignment to
ver success rate performance indicator can be seen as slightly degraded, however it shall have no negative impact for the end
Interface Compatibility
Other
Other Network Elements
Dependencies
X
This is achieved by optimizing the thresholds to move to a new cell and by prioritizing handover compared to call set-up when t
ays active and assignment to a TCH in worse (weaker) cell is disabled. For the Call Queuing feature handover is given priority o
ther
ndencies
X
mpared to call set-up when the handover target cell is congested. To reduce the risk of handover oscillation in areas with cell ov
handover is given priority over call set-up and prevents handover triggered by HCS (Hierarchical Cell Structures) from being qu
cillation in areas with cell overlap the feature contains a mechanism to avoid so called ping-pong handover.
ell Structures) from being queued in cells with congestion.