Handovers

Handovers

Last updated: April 27, 2013

The following handovers are available in the test set:

The following table outlines the RAB reconfigurations that may be performed within a single test set while on a connection. For information on handovers available between two test sets ( lab application only ), see Two-Cell Test System .

Summary of RAB Reconfigurations Available in a Single Test Set

Originating Service Type

Destination Service Type
GSM Voice
( Fast Switching applications only )

RB Test Mode:
Symmetrical RMC

HSDPA
RB Test Mode:
FRC (CS Domain)

HSDPA
RB Test Mode:
FRC (PS Domain)

 HSDPA RB Test Mode:
FRC (CS/PS Domain)		 HSDPA RB Test Mode:
User Defined (CS Domain)		 HSDPA RB Test Mode:
User Defined (PS Domain)		 HSDPA RB Test Mode:
User Defined (CS/PS Domain)		 HSPA
RB Test
Mode

AMR Radio Access Bearer

 System Handover                

RB Test Mode:
Symmetrical RMC

 System Handover Transport Channel Reconfig              

HSDPA RB Test Mode:
FRC (CS Domain)

 System Handover Radio Bearer Reconfig Transport Channel Reconfig 2     Transport Channel Reconfig 2    

 

HSDPA RB Test Mode:
FRC (PS Domain)

       Transport Channel Reconfig 2     Transport Channel Reconfig 2    

HSDPA RB Test Mode:
FRC (CS/PS Domain)

 System Handover 1 Radio Bearer Reconfig     Transport Channel Reconfig 2     Transport Channel Reconfig 2  

HSDPA RB Test Mode:
User Defined (CS Domain)

 System Handover Radio Bearer Reconfig Transport Channel Reconfig 2     Transport Channel Reconfig      

HSDPA RB Test Mode:
User Defined (PS Domain)

       Transport Channel Reconfig 2     Transport Channel Reconfig    

HSDPA RB Test Mode:
User Defined (CS/PS Domain)

 System Handover 1 Radio Bearer Reconfig     Transport Channel Reconfig 2     Transport Channel Reconfig  

HSPA RB Test Mode

 System Handover Radio Bearer Reconfig              

1 You can perform a System Handover while on an CS/PS Domain HSDPA RB Test Mode connection. However, if you end the resulting GSM/GPRS/EGPRS connection and switch back to the W-CDMA format, your initial attempt to establish a CS Domain or CS/PS Domain HSDPA RB Test Mode connection may fail; you may need to initiate the connection attempt a second time.

2 This RAB reconfiguration cannot be performed when HS-DSCH Config Type = FRC , but the same effect can be realized by using the User Defined settings to simulate an FRC (see User Defined Settings to Configure the Downlink as an FRC ), then using a Transport Channel Reconfiguration to change the User Defined settings that can't be changed while on a connection.

Additional reconfiguration notes:

  • GPRS Radio Access Bearer cannot be changed while on a PS Data or HSPA PS Data connection.
  • AMR RAB cannot be changed while on an AMR Radio Access Bearer voice connection.
  • The only reconfiguration available while on an asymmetrical RMC is System Handover.

Physical Channel Reconfiguration

A Physical Channel Reconfiguration can be used for inter-frequency hard handovers and also to change power control algorithm and step size while on a connection (you cannot simply change the DL Channel and Uplink Channel or power control algorithm settings while on a call, you must perform a handover to change them).

You must be on a call to perform a Physical Channel Reconfiguration.

Before executing a Physical Channel Reconfiguration, you must first specify the settings you wish to change (for example, downlink and uplink UARFCNs to which to handover). You must then select Execute Handover ( F5 ) or send the CALL:HANDoff:PCReconfig[:IMMediate] command to initiate the reconfiguration.

Upon completion of the handover (successful or not, and regardless of any errors), the handover settings are copied to their corresponding non-handover parameters (for example, the DL Channel and Uplink Channel settings are set to the value of Handover Downlink Channel (UARFCN) and Handover Uplink Channel (UARFCN) upon completion of the Physical Channel Reconfiguration).

Physical Channel Reconfiguration Operating Considerations

  • In order for an inter-frequency hard handover to be successful, some UEs may require that you include the handover downlink channel in the SIB11 Inter-Freq Cell Info List (see Inter-frequency Cells ).
  • Any measurements that have been initiated are aborted when a Physical Channel Reconfiguration is initiated.
  • If the handover downlink and uplink channels result in an UL/DL offset of less than 30 MHz, the warning message "Performance not specified for UL/DL frequency offset <30 MHz" is issued.

Transport Channel Reconfiguration

The Transport Channel Reconfiguration provides three main functions:

Before executing a Transport Channel Reconfiguration, you must first specify the settings you wish to change (for example, RMC to which to handover). You must then select Execute Handover ( F5 ) or send the CALL:HANDoff:TCReconfig[:IMMediate] command to initiate the reconfiguration.

Upon completion of the Transport Channel Reconfiguration (successful or not, and regardless of any errors), the handover settings are copied to their corresponding non-handover parameters (for example, the Channel Type setting is set to the value of the RB Test Mode TCR RAB setting).

Switching Between Symmetrical RMCs while on an RB Test Mode Connection

The Transport Channel Reconfiguration operation allows you to handover between Symmetrical RMCs while on a Radio Bearer Test Mode call. You must be on a (non-HSDPA/non-HSPA) RB test mode symmetrical RMC connection to perform a Transport Channel Reconfiguration between RMCs.

Changing Parameters that Require Cell Off Operating Mode or Idle Connection Status while on a Connection

Some Cell Parameters and Uplink Parameters cannot be changed when in Active Cell Operating Mode or while on a connection. The Transport Channel Reconfiguration operation allows you to change some of the key cell and uplink settings while on a connection. The Transport Channel Reconfiguration also allows you to perform an inter-frequency hard handover.

You must be on an RB test mode symmetrical RMC connection (non-HSDPA, HSDPA or HSPA) to change these settings.

Changing HSPA Parameters that Require Idle Connection Status while on a Connection

This section is only applicable to the lab application or feature-licensed test application.

Some of the HSPA parameters cannot be changed while on a connection. The Transport Channel Reconfiguration operation allows you to change these parameters while on a connection.

You must be on an HSDPA or HSPA RB Test Mode connection to change these settings using a Transport Channel Reconfiguration.

The following parameters are only available while on a User Defined HSDPA or HSPA RB Test Mode connection.

The following parameters are only available while on an HSPA RB Test Mode connection:

Transport Channel Reconfiguration Operating Considerations

  • The Transport Channel Reconfiguration operation in the test set includes opening and closing the UE test loop (see the Transport Channel Reconfiguration ladder diagram). After the Transport Channel Reconfiguration is executed:
    • If the test set does not receive the Open UE Test Loop Complete message from the UE within 6 seconds, an error is posted, but the test set continues the procedure.
    • If the test set does not receive the Transport Channel Reconfiguration Complete message from the UE within 6 seconds, an error is posted and the test set drops the connection (to avoid the test set and UE having different transport channel configurations).
    • If the test set does not receive the Close UE Test Loop Complete message from the UE within 6 seconds, an error is posted, and the test set ends the procedure.
  • In order for an inter-frequency hard handover to be successful, some UEs may require that you include the handover downlink channel in the SIB11 Inter-Freq Cell Info List (see Inter-frequency Cells ).
  • If the handover downlink and uplink channels result in an UL/DL offset of less than 30 MHz, the warning message "Performance not specified for UL/DL frequency offset <30 MHz" is issued.

System Handover

This functionality is only available in GSM/GPRS_W-CDMA fast switching test and lab applications.

The System Handover functionality allows you to handover to a GSM voice call from any of the following connection types:

You must be on one of these types of connections to perform a System Handover.

Before executing a System Handover you must specify the characteristics of the target GSM cell. You must also ensure that the GSM/GPRS format is set to Active Cell operating mode. You must then select Execute Handover ( F5 ) or send the CALL:HANDoff:SYSTem[:GSM][:IMMediate] command to initiate the handover.

Changing any of the GSM cell settings while operating in the W-CDMA format changes the corresponding parameter settings in the GSM/GPRS format of the fast switching application. Presetting the test set while operating in the W-CDMA format will not reset these parameters to their default settings. Presetting the test set while operating in the GSM/GPRS format will reset these parameters to their default values. When operating in the W-CDMA format, these settings are not saved when using the SAVE REGISTERS utility.

Soft Handover

This functionality is only available in the lab application. See Soft Handover .

Radio Bearer Reconfiguration

This section is only applicable to the lab application or feature-licensed test application.

The Radio Bearer Reconfiguration allows you to handover from a CS Domain or CS/PS Domain HSDPA RB Test Mode connection or HSPA RB Test Mode connection to a (non-HSDPA/non-HSPA) symmetrical RMC. See CN Domain and the following ladder diagram: Radio Bearer Reconfiguration from CS Domain or CS/PS Domain HSDPA RB Test Mode Connection or HSPA RB Test Mode Connection . The Radio Bearer Reconfiguration also allows you to change many other parameters as part of the reconfiguration.

Before executing the Radio Bearer Reconfiguration, you must specify to which symmetrical RMC you wish to handover, and set any other reconfiguration parameters as desired. You must then select Execute Handover ( F5 ) or send the CALL:HANDoff:RBReconfig[:IMMediate] command to initiate the reconfiguration.

Upon completion of the Radio Bearer Reconfiguration (successful or not, and regardless of any errors), the handover settings are copied to their corresponding non-handover parameters (for example, the Channel Type setting is set to the value of the RB Test Mode RBR RAB setting).

Radio Bearer Reconfiguration Operating Considerations

  • The Radio Bearer Reconfiguration operation in the test set includes opening and closing the UE test loop (see the Radio Bearer Reconfiguration from CS Domain or CS/PS Domain HSDPA RB Test Mode Connection or HSPA RB Test Mode Connection ladder diagram). After the Radio Bearer Reconfiguration is executed:
    • If the test set does not receive the Open UE Test Loop Complete message from the UE within 6 seconds, an error is posted, but the test set continues the procedure.
    • If the test set does not receive the Radio Bearer Release Complete message from the UE within 6 seconds, an error is posted, but the test set continues the procedure. Note that it is possible that the UE and test set may be in different channel configurations if this error occurs.
    • If the test set does not receive the Radio Bearer Setup Complete message from the UE within 6 seconds, an error is posted, but the test set continues the procedure. Note that it is possible that the UE and test set may be in different channel configurations if this error occurs.
    • If the test set does not receive the Close UE Test Loop Complete message from the UE within 6 seconds, an error is posted, and the test set ends the procedure.
  • In order for an inter-frequency hard handover to be successful, some UEs may require that you include the handover downlink channel in the SIB11 Inter-Freq Cell Info List (see Inter-frequency Cells ).
  • If the handover downlink and uplink channels result in an UL/DL offset of less than 30 MHz, the warning message "Performance not specified for UL/DL frequency offset <30 MHz" is issued.

External 8960 Handover

This section is only applicable to the lab application.

You can connect two test sets using an External Device Connection to create a Two-Cell Test System for testing your UE's ability to transition between cells while in idle mode and while actively transferring data.

You must have an External Device Connection between the two test sets to perform the Execute External 8960 Handover immediate action. Also, your UE must have an active PDP context (or simply be attached if your test set is emulating a GSM/GPRS/EGPRS cell), or be actively transferring data (voice, PS data, HSDPA, etc.) before initiating the external 8960 handover.

When the Execute External 8960 Handover action is performed, the originating test set queries the configuration of the destination test set to determine what type of handover/cell reselection to order. Note that while strictly speaking, a handover is the process by which a mobile transitions from one cell to another while maintaining a circuit-switched call, the same Execute External 8960 Handover action is used both to initiate a handover and to perform a network-initiated cell reselection, depending upon the configuration of the two test sets and the UE's current connection state.







 
Note that the contents of the Handover command (circuit-switched connections) or Cell Change Order (packet-switched connections) sent by the originating test set during an external 8960 handover are not based on the information in its neighbor cell lists; it is strictly based on the configuration of the destination test set. However, it is recommended that you configure the 
SIB11 Cell Info List
 to contain the other test set's information. This enables the mobile to measure the other test set before transitioning to it (some mobiles will not perform a "blind" handover) and allows you to view the mobile's measurement reports for the test set.




 
See 
Two-Cell Test System
 for more information on the external 8960 handover.




 
When performing a circuit-switched handover, you can specify the following setting in the Handover from UTRAN message:







 

 



 
RRC Release with Redirect




 

This section is only applicable to the lab application.





 
When a UE performs a Circuit Switched Fallback (CSFB), it is moved from E-UTRAN to WCDMA network for the CS services (the AMR voice call) using an LTE RRC Release message. When the AMR voice call is ended, a RRC release message will redirect the UE back to E-UTRAN.




 
Note that when simultaneous services {AMR voice call and PSD (packet switched data) }are activated, the AMR voice will not be released with a redirect to E-UTRAN. In this case, you need to terminates AMR call first before using the RRC release to perform the redirection, because the AMR service is terminated with a Radio Bearer Release instead of the RRC Release message. 




 
You can use the test set as a WCDMA network simulator to test the RRC Release with Redirect capabilities of your UE, by setting up a connection between the test set and the Keysight E6621A PXT. See 
E-UTRAN / WCDMA Interworking
 on how to set up the connections.




 
For RRC Release with Redirect, you can specify the following parameters and actions:




 









 

 


Related Topics




 



How Do I Perform a Handover?





 

Step 6: Reconfigure Test Set and UE Connection Parameters





 

CALL:SETup





 

CALL:HANDoff





 

Channel (UARFCN) Information





 

Handover Ladder Diagrams





 

Troubleshooting Handovers