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M. Sobhi H. Ghali
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Network Optimization Methods General Test specification IDDL-PCS, ISC Manager, BR Operation Manager
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Abstract: The aim of this document is to present the tests that may be carried out during an Adaptive Multi Rate field trial. For a better understanding, the document starts with a presentation of the feature that will be studied on the field.
F. Jarreau
N. George
F. Colin
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Table of Contents
1 2 3 3.1 3.2 4 4.1 4.2 5 5.1 5.2 5.3 6 6.1 6.2 A. B. 6.3 A. B. 6.4 6.5 A. B. 6.6 INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................................4 AMR FEATURE OVERVIEW..........................................................................................................................5 AMR FEATURE DESCRIPTION ....................................................................................................................8 CODEC MODE ADAPTATION ..................................................................................................................................8 CHANNEL MODE ADAPTATION ............................................................................................................................11 PARAMETERS AND COUNTERS ................................................................................................................17 PARAMETERS .......................................................................................................................................................17 PM COUNTERS ....................................................................................................................................................24 INTER-OPERABILITY AND LIMITATIONS.............................................................................................26 HARDWARE COVERAGE .......................................................................................................................................26 FIRMWARE COVERAGE ........................................................................................................................................27 LIMITATIONS AND AMR MOBILES .......................................................................................................................27 TEST PLAN ......................................................................................................................................................28 AIM OF THE TEST .................................................................................................................................................28 TOOLS ..................................................................................................................................................................28 Available Tools ...................................................................................................................................................28 Use of VoiceTool for AMR tests ..........................................................................................................................29 MEASUREMENTS STRATEGY ................................................................................................................................30 Measurements preparation .................................................................................................................................30 Post-processing...................................................................................................................................................30 RESULTS OF PREVIOUS PLATFORM TESTS .............................................................................................................31 TESTS DESCRIPTION.............................................................................................................................................32 AMR-FR [VQAMR001].......................................................................................................................................32 AMR-HR [VQAMR002] ......................................................................................................................................32 MAIN ACTIVITIES AND MANPOWER .....................................................................................................................33
Alcatel
File AMR_SQ_Field_Trial_Guidelines
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History: Edition Draft 1.0 Date 06-10-03 29-10-03 Originators M.Sobhi , H.Ghali M.Sobhi , H.Ghali Comments Draft for Cegetel Released for approval
Edition changes:
References:
3BK 10204 0479 DTZZA 3BK 10204 0470 DTZZA 3BK 11203 0062 DSZZA 3DF 01906 2712 VAZZA
SFD : Adaptive Multi-Rate Speech Codec (AMR) SFD : B7 counters improvements BSS Telecom Parameter catalogue Release B7 Voice Quality in Release B7
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Introduction
This document is dedicated to provide the basic guidelines for the field trials of the GSM B7 feature: Adaptive Multi Rate represented as AMR throughout the document.
This document is organized as follows: Part Two is dedicated to the presentation of the mechanism and algorithm of AMR. Part Three describes the impact of such feature on the telecom functions. Part Four presents the set of parameters and counters impacted with the AMR. Part Five presents the inter-operability and limitations in terms of HW, FW or external equipments. Part Six presents the test plan that is proposed to be carried out on field.
Alcatel
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The AMR principle is to have a set of codecs and, for any radio conditions, to use the one with the best speech quality. Under good radio conditions, a codec with a high bit-rate is used. Speech is encoded with more information so the quality is better. In the channel coding, only little place is left for redundancy. Under poor radio conditions, a codec with a low bit-rate is chosen. Speech is encoded with less information, but this information can be well protected due to redundancy in the channel coding. The BSS adapts dynamically the codec in uplink direction and in downlink direction, taking into account the C/I measured by the BTS (for uplink adaptation) and by the MS (for downlink adaptation). The codec used in uplink and used in downlink can be different: the adaptation is independent in each direction. This permits to use an optimal codec for each C/I value of each direction.
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The following figure illustrates the concept behind the AMR improvement of the Voice Quality.
Speech Quality [dBQ] or [MOS] High bit rate (for example 12.2 kbit/s: EFR) Medium bit rate (for example 7.95 kbit/s) Low bit rate (for example 5.90 kbit/s) AMR-FR with codec subset (12.2, 7.95, 5.90)
C/I [dB]
List of AMR codecs Codec bit-rate 12.2 kbit/s (EFR) 10.2 kbit/s 7.95 kbit/s 7.40 kbit/s (IS641) 6.70 kbit/s 5.90 kbit/s 5.15 kbit/s 4.75 kbit/s Full Rate X X X X X X X X X (*) X X X X X (EFR codec for D-AMPS standard) Half Rate
(*) : Not supported by the Alcatel BSS. During a call, a subset of 1 to 4 codecs is used, configured by O&M on a per BSS basis. A different number of codecs and different subsets may be defined for FR (1 to 4 codecs out of the 8 codecs available) and for HR (1 to 4 codecs out of the 5 codecs available).
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The channel mode adaptation The Channel Mode in AMR could be AMR FR or AMR HR. Two new-defined causes for intracell handover (Causes 26 and 27) ensure the channel mode adaptation for AMR calls. Depending on the quality averages, flags and the type of the channel (Changes must be allowed), an intracell handover is triggered to change an AMR HR into an AMR FR channel or vice versa.
The codec mode adaptation The codec mode in AMR could be 1 of 8 codecs in AMR FR or 1 of 5 codecs in AMR HR. During a call, a subset of 1 to 4 AMR codecs is used. They are configured by O&M on a per BSS basis. Depending on the quality of the link, the codec is adapted. A different codec can be used in uplink and downlink. BTS and MS measure the quality of the link and compare it to thresholds given by O&M. A certain hysteresis is built in and is also configured by O&M.
BTS MS Codec adaptation BSC Channel mode adaptation
A Short description of impact on the BSC due to codec mode adaptation is given below: After checking the MS and cell capability for AMR the same AMR-related information must be delivered towards the BTS and the MS to make the codec adaptation possible. This information consists out of: The subset of codecs for FR/HR configured by O&M on a BSS basis; the threshold values and the hysteresis values to allow codec mode changes The initial codec or start mode used at the beginning of an AMR call Other than that, the BSC does not interfere in the process of codec mode adaptation. It is the MS (DL) and BTS (UL) who take the codec mode adaptation decision while it is the MS (UL) and TC (DL) who actually perform the adaptation.
A Short description of impact on the BSC due to channel mode adaptation is given below:
For the intra-cell handovers, two new causes will be defined to check the possibility of adapting HR to FR (Cause 26) and FR to HR (Cause 27) for AMR calls. Also, two existing intracell handovers (Cause 15 for UL interference and Cause 16 for DL interference) get specific parameters for AMR calls.
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3
3.1
MS
- Codec Mode Request - Codec Mode Indication
TC
- Codec Mode Request - Codec Mode Indication
(1) When TFO is not active, Codec Mode Request from the TC to the BTS contains no valid information and is ignored by the BTS. Codec Mode Indication (uplink and downlink): indicates the codec of the codec subset that has been used to encode the current speech frame and the next speech frame. Code Mode Command (downlink): after analysis of the uplink radio link, the BTS commands the more optimal codec of the codec subset. The MS shall apply this command for the next uplink speech frame containing Codec Mode Indication. Codec Mode Request (uplink): after having analyzed the downlink quality of the radio link, the MS requests the more optimal codec of the codec subset. The BTS may apply this request for the next downlink speech frame containing Codec Mode Indication. The BTS may also override the request from the mobile considering possible constraints from network control or BTS hardware. In this case, the BTS keeps unchanged the Codec Mode Indication in the next downlink frame.
Link quality estimation The quality of the radio link is estimated by evaluating the carrier to interference ratio C/I. The normalized value of the metric is called C/Inorm. The C/I is estimated in the demodulator by comparing the received Training sequence with the expected Training sequence. When uplink DTX is active, - the C/Inorm computation is stopped, - it resumes upon reception of a valid frame, by filling in the missing samples with the C/Iest of the received frame. With uplink DTX active, the MS sends: - for FR, one SID_UPDATE every 8th frame, - for HR, one SID_UPDATE every 8th frame. This allows the BTS to update the C/Iest regularly.
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Threshold comparison For each pair of adjacent codecs, a threshold and an hysteresis is given by O&M. The figure below shows the case where four codecs are included in the subset.
C/Inorm High
AMR_THR_3 + AMR_HYST AMR_THR_3 CODEC_MODE_3 AMR_THR_2 + AMR_HYST AMR_THR_2 CODEC_MODE_2 AMR_THR_1 + AMR_HYST AMR_THR_1 CODEC_MODE_1 (most robust) CODEC_MODE_4 (less robust)
Low
If only three codecs are present in the subset, then CODEC_MODE_4 is not used and AMR_(FR/HR)_THR_3 is not defined. If only two codecs are present, then CODEC_MODE_3 is also not used and AMR_(FR/HR)_THR_2 is also not defined. If only one codec is present in the subset, then no threshold is defined because no adaptation is possible. The codec remains fixed. For more details, please refer to the parameters section.
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Uplink Codec mode adaptation The BTS evaluates the C/Inorm and compares it to the thresholds sent by the BSS in the layer 3 message CHANNEL ACTIVATION. If the BTS evaluates that the uplink codec shall be changed, then the BTS sends a Codec Mode Command to the MS in the in-band signaling. The TC receives a frame with the new codec indicated in Codec Mode Indication field and is able to decode the speech.
MS
BTS
C/I evaluation & thresholds comparison Codec Mode Command (new codec mode) Codec Mode Indication (new codec mode)
TC
Downlink Codec Mode Adaptation The MS evaluates C/Inorm and compares it to the thresholds sent by the BSC to the BTS in the layer 3 messages Assignment Command or Handover Command. If the MS evaluates that the downlink codec shall be changed, then the MS sends a Codec Mode Request to the BTS in the in-band signaling. If the BTS agrees to change the downlink codec (no errors in CMI/CMR, the requested codec is present in the codec subset and is adjacent to the current codec), then the BTS forwards immediately the Codec Mode Request to the TC. The TC changes its downlink codec at the next TRAU frame containing a Codec Mode Indication.
MS
C/I evaluation & thresholds comparison Codec Mode Request (new codec mode)
BTS
TC
Codec Mode Request (new codec mode) Codec Mode Indication (new codec mode)
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3.2
Order 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
HO family Emergency HO Emergency HO Emergency HO Emergency HO Emergency HO Emergency HO Emergency HO Emergency HO Emergency HO Emergency HO Emergency HO Channel adapt. HO Emergency HO Emergency HO Better conditions HO Better conditions HO Better conditions HO Better conditions HO Better conditions HO Better conditions HO Channel adaptation Better conditions HO Better conditions HO
File AMR_SQ_Field_Trial_Guidelines
HO cause - Consecutive bad SACCH frames - Level uplink microcell - high threshold - Level downlink microcell - high threshold - Too low quality Uplink - Too low quality Downlink - Too low level Uplink - Too low level Downlink - Too long MS-BS distance - Too short MS-BS distance - Inner zone too low level Uplink - Inner zone too low level Downlink - HR-to-FR channel adaptation due to bad quality - Too high interference intracell Uplink - Too high interference intracell Downlink - high level in neighbor cell in the preferred band - high level in neighbor lower layer cell for slow MS - General capture handover - Power budget - Traffic handover - Outer zone level Uplink & Downlink - FR-to-HR channel adaptation due to good quality - Forced Directed Retry - Fast traffic handover
Reference 3DF019062712QTZZA Date 3/11/2003
16 17 18 19
Alcatel
HO cause reference Cause = 7 Cause = 17 Cause = 18 Cause = 2 Cause = 4 Cause = 3 Cause = 5 Cause = 6 Cause = 22 Cause = 10 Cause = 11 Cause = 26 Cause = 15 Cause = 16 Cause = 21 Cause = 14 Cause = 24 Cause = 12 Cause = 23 Cause = 13 Cause = 27 Cause = 20 Cause = 28
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There are two ways to trigger Cause 26. The first way consists in triggering Cause 26 only if a previous intracell handover Cause 15 or 16 has been previously detected in the serving cell for the current MS. This way is intended to non-hopping channels for which an intracell handover Cause 15 or 16 is sometimes sufficient to improve the quality of the call. If the quality is not sufficient after an intracell HO cause 15 or 16 due to a too high interference level, instead of continuing triggering intracell handover Cause 15 or 16, a HR-to-FR channel adaptation is triggered thanks to Cause 26. The second way applies when the intracell handover Causes 15 and 16 are both disabled for AMR calls (EN_INTRA_DL_AMR = EN_INTRA_UL_AMR = DISABLE). If a too high level of interference is detected in the serving cell for the current MS, Cause 26 is then triggered directly. This second way intends to improve the quality of hopping channels which quality is generally not much improved after an intracell handover Cause 15 or 16. Since AMR is performing well in interference conditions, the thresholds for cause 15 & 16 are replaced especially for AMR (L_RXQUAL_UL/DL_H replaced by L_RXQUAL_UL/DL_H_AMR) , see parameter section. The Cause 27 channel adaptation handover aims to reduce the number of busy FR TCH when the radio quality is very good and the serving cell becomes loaded. The channel adaptation consists in changing the current full rate TCH (AMR FR) to a half rate TCH (AMR HR).
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Detailed trigger of channel adaptation cause 26 / 27 If the following cause is true, then an intra-cell handover from HR to FR is triggered. CAUSE = 26 (HR-to-FR channel adaptation due to bad radio quality) Current rate is Half Rate (HO-27) AND AND AND { {AV_RXQUAL_UL_CA_HR_FR > THR_RXQUAL_CA+ OFFSET_CA + OFFSET_RXQUAL_FH and AV_RXLEV_UL_HO > RXLEV_UL_IH } OR {AV_RXQUAL_DL_CA_HR_FR > THR_RXQUAL_CA + OFFSET_CA + OFFSET_RXQUAL_FH and AV_RXLEV_DL_HO > RXLEV_DL_IH } } AND AND { (a previous intracell HO Cause 15 or 16 has been raised for this call in the serving cell) OR (EN_INTRA_UL_AMR = disable and EN_INTRA_DL_AMR = disable) } On A interface, this handover cause is mapped to "Uplink quality". If the following cause is true, then an intra-cell handover from FR to HR is triggered. Cause = 27 (FR to HR channel adaptation due to good radio quality) Current channel is Full Rate and EN_AMR_HR = enabled Channel type is dual rate, changes allowed AV_RXQUAL_UL_CA_FR_HR <= THR_RXQUAL_CA + OFFSET_RXQUAL_FH AV_RXQUAL_DL_CA_FR_HR <= THR_RXQUAL_CA + OFFSET_RXQUAL_FH EN_AMR_CA = enabled EN_AMR_CA = enable The current channel is dual rate and changes allowed EN_AMR_FR = enable
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AV_RXQUAL_UL_CA_HR_FR and AV_RXQUAL_DL_CA_HR_FR are the averages of, respectively, the uplink and downlink RxQual measured by the MS/BTS, averaged over A_QUAL_CA_HR_FR measurements (Default:8). Similarly, AV_RXQUAL_UL_CA_FR_HR and AV_RXQUAL_DL_CA_FR_HR are the averages of, respectively, the uplink and downlink RxQual measured by the MS/BTS, averaged over A_QUAL_CA_FR_HR measurements (Default:61). Having 2 different averaging window parameters for causes 26 and 27 makes the algorithm more dynamic and makes it possible to facilitate the Quality HO cause 26 while delaying the Better Cell HO cause 27 to avoid a ping pong of channel modes. According to the load of the serving cell, the variables THR_RXQUAL_CA and OFFSET_CA are set as follows: If LOAD_SV3(0) = false THR_RXQUAL_CA = THR_RXQUAL_CA_NORMAL OFFSET_CA = OFFSET_CA_NORMAL If LOAD_SV3(0) = true THR_RXQUAL_CA = THR_RXQUAL_CA_HIGH OFFSET_CA = OFFSET_CA_HIGH The following figure illustrates the Channel Mode Adaptation algorithm.
Quality good quality: 0 Half Rate
HO cause 27
THR_RXQUAL_CA_NORM THR_RXQUAL_CA_NORM + OFFSET_CA_NORM
Half Rate
HO cause 26
THR_RXQUAL_CA_HIGH
HO cause 27
THR_RXQUAL_CA_HIGH + OFFSET_CA_HIGH
Full Rate
HO cause 26
Full Rate
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Interaction with intracell quality handover (causes 15 & 16) To control the interaction between causes 15/16 and channel adaptation, specific flags are introduced to activate separately causes 15 and 16 for AMR calls. To take into account AMR specific robustness to interference, specific thresholds are introduced for causes 15 & 16. CAUSE = 15 (too high interference level on the uplink) AV_RXQUAL_UL_HO > THR_RXQUAL_CAUSE_15 + OFFSET_RXQUAL_FH and AV_RXLEV_UL_HO > RXLEV_UL_IH and EN_CAUSE_15 = ENABLE and (no previous intracell handover for this connection failed or EN_INTRACELL_REPEATED = ENABLE ) Two sets of parameters are defined to control Cause 15 whether the current call is AMR or not: If the current call is not an AMR call, EN_CAUSE_15 = EN_INTRA_UL, THR_RXQUAL_CAUSE_15 = L_RXQUAL_UL_H. If the current call is an AMR call, EN_CAUSE_15 = EN_INTRA_UL_AMR, THR_RXQUAL_CAUSE_15 = L_RXQUAL_UL_H_AMR. CAUSE = 16 (too high interference level on the downlink) AV_RXQUAL_DL_HO > THR_RXQUAL_CAUSE_16 + OFFSET_RXQUAL_FH and AV_RXLEV_DL_HO > RXLEV_DL_IH and EN_CAUSE_16 = ENABLE and (no previous intracell handover for this connection failed or EN_INTRACELL_REPEATED = ENABLE ) Two sets of parameters are defined to control Cause 16 whether the current call is AMR or not: If the current call is not an AMR call, EN_CAUSE_16 = EN_INTRA_DL, THR_RXQUAL_CAUSE_16 = L_RXQUAL_DL_H. If the current call is an AMR call, EN_CAUSE_16 = EN_INTRA_DL_AMR, THR_RXQUAL_CAUSE_16 = L_RXQUAL_DL_H_AMR. Note: EN_CAUSE_15, EN_CAUSE_16, THR_RXQUAL_CAUSE_15 and THR_RXQUAL_CAUSE_16 are HOP internal parameters. They take their values according to whether the call is AMR or not. They are not Omc-R changeable parameters.
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Interaction with inter-cell handover The cause 26 is checked after cause 2 (too low quality on the uplink) and cause 4 (too low quality on the downlink). That means that in case of bad quality and bad level, if an adjacent cell is available then an inter-cell handover will be triggered before any channel mode adaptation.
Interaction with power control The cause 26 is triggered even if the MS or the BTS does not transmit at maximum power. If the quality decreases, power control may be increasing the transmit power of the MS or the BTS just when the handover cause 26 (HR to FR) is triggered. The causes 26/27 are triggered independently from the power control algorithm. However, the quality thresholds permit the synchronization between the two algorithms.
Examples of configurations An operator who wants to have: Under normal load, only AMR FR calls, Under high load, AMR HR calls for qualities 0 to 3, with an hysteresis of 1, will set: THR_RXQUAL_CA_NORMAL = 0.0 THR_RXQUAL_CA_HIGH = 2.0 OFFSET_CA_NORMAL = 0.0 OFFSET_CA_HIGH = 1.0 An operator who wants to have: Under normal load, AMR HR calls for qualities 0 and 1, with an hysteresis of 1, Under high load, AMR HR calls for qualities 0 to 4, with an hysteresis of 2, will set: THR_RXQUAL_CA_NORMAL = 0.0 THR_RXQUAL_CA_HIGH = 2.0 OFFSET_CA_NORMAL = 1.0 OFFSET_CA_HIGH = 2.0
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4
4.1
These 2 flags control whether AMR full rate or AMR half rate are allowed in the cell. Enable Disable Notes To obtain the same behavior as in B6, this parameter should be disabled. For AMR activation, this parameter should be enabled. Allows AMR full rate/half rate in the cell. Forbids AMR full rate/half rate in the cell.
EN_INTRA_UL_AMR EN_INTRA_DL_AMR
These flags enable / disable the detection of intracell uplink HO (cause 15) and intracell downlink HO (cause 16) respectively for AMR calls. They replace the parameters EN_INTRA_UL and EN_INTRA_DL only for AMR calls. Enable Disable Notes These parameters are put in place specifically to be able to have different intracell handover strategies for AMR and non AMR calls [E.g. Allow intracell handover causes 15 and 16 for non AMR calls and Disable them for AMR calls]. Enable the detection of intracell UL/DL handover (Causes 15/16). Disable the detection of intracell UL/DL handover (Causes 15/16).
L_RXQUAL_UL_H_AMR L_RXQUAL_DL_H_AMR
Uplink [Downlink] quality thresholds for handover cause 15 [16]. They are used instead of the parameters L_RXQUAL_UL_H and L_RXQUAL_DL_H only for Handover causes 15 and 16 and strictly for AMR calls. These parameters do not affect the algorithms of quality handover causes 2 and 4. 0 7 [Step size 0.1] Default value: 4.5 Notes These parameters are put in place in order to have the freedom of setting different intracell handover strategies for AMR and non AMR calls.
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Downlink_DTX_enable_AMR_FR Downlink_DTX_enable_AMR_HR
This flag Enables / disables the use of downlink DTX for AMR FR (or HR respectively) speech calls. Enable Disable Notes ___ Enables the use of downlink DTX for AMR FR (or HR respectively) speech calls. Disables the use of downlink DTX for AMR FR (or HR respectively) speech calls.
DTX_INDICATOR_FR_AMR DTX_INDICATOR_HR_AMR
This flag Controls uplink DTX usage for GSM phase 2 MS. Applies only to AMR FR and AMR HR respectively. It replaces the parameter DTX_INDICATOR_FR / DTX_INDICATOR_HR for AMR calls.
0 MAY use DTX 1 SHALL use DTX 2 SHALL NOT use DTX Default value: 2 Notes The following combinations between DTX_INDICATOR_FR / DTX_INDICATOR_HR are possible (FR/HR): may/shall, may/shall not, may/may, shall/shall, shall/shall not, shall/may, shall not/shall and shall not/shall not. The only combination that is NOT allowed is: DTX_INDICATOR_FR = shall not and DTX_INDICATOR_HR = may, I.e. shall not/may.
FORBID_AMR_NS
Enable/Disable Noise Suppression in the MS with the AMR codec Enable Disable Notes ___
The MS can use AMR NS [Default] The MS can not use AMR NS
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AMR_FR_SUBSET
Bitmap (8 bits) defining the codec subset that shall be used for AMR FR calls (1 to 4 codecs to be specified from 8 available codecs in AMR FR). Bit 8 (most significant)=1: 12,2 kbit/s is part of the subset; Bit 7=1: 10.2 kbit/s is part of the subset; Bit 6=1: 7,95 kbit/s is part of the subset; Bit 5=1: 7,40 kbit/s is part of the subset; Bit 4=1: 6,70 kbit/s is part of the subset; Bit 3=1: 5,90 kbit/s is part of the subset; Bit 2=1: 5,15 kbit/s is part of the subset; Bit 1 (least significant)=1: 4,75 kbit/s is part of the subset A minimum of 1 codec and a maximum of 4 codecs must be set mandatory. Notes The default values of the codec subset should depend on the best speech quality performance viewed under all radio conditions. As viewed in Voice Quality platform tests, the default value is [12.2 kbit/s , 7.95 kbit/s , 5.90 kbit/s]
AMR_HR_SUBSET
Bitmap (6 bits) defining the codec subset that shall be used for AMR HR calls (1 to 4 codecs to be specified from 5 available codecs in AMR HR). Bit 8 = Bit 7=0; Bit 6=1: 7,95 kbit/s is part of the subset; [7.95 kbit/s is not supported by Alcatel] Bit 5=1: 7,40 kbit/s is part of the subset; Bit 4=1: 6,70 kbit/s is part of the subset; Bit 3=1: 5,90 kbit/s is part of the subset; Bit 2=1: 5,15 kbit/s is part of the subset; Bit 1 (least significant)=1: 4,75 kbit/s is part of the subset A minimum of 1 codec and a maximum of 4 codecs must be set mandatory. Notes Mandatory rule: the list should not contain only the 7.40 kbit/s codec mode alone, other codecs should be added in order to have more robust alternatives in case of degraded radio conditions. The default value of the codec subset should depend on the best speech quality performance viewed under all radio conditions. Default value: [7.40 kbit/s , 5.90 kbit/s , 4.75 kbit/s]
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AMR_START_MODE_FR AMR_START_MODE_HR
This parameter indicates the codec used at the beginning of a FR (respectively HR) AMR call, until codec mode adaptation is started by the BTS. 0 1 2 3 4 Notes By lowest codec mode, it is meant the lowest in terms of speech coding bitrate (e.g. the 5.90 kbit/s codec is lower than the 12.2 kbit/s codec) For AMR_START_MODE_HR, 7.40 kbit/s is not permitted as a start codec mode, also 6.7 kbit/s should be avoided as a start codec mode. [3] The implicit rule is defined as follows: If the Active Codec Set contains: 1 mode, then this shall be the Initial Codec Mode; 2 or 3 modes, then the Initial Codec mode shall be the most robust mode of the set (lowest bit rate); 4 modes, then the Initial Codec Mode shall be the second most robust mode of the set (with second lowest bit rate). Implicit rule is used for initial codec mode Lowest codec mode of the subset Second lowest codec mode (used only if the subset contains more than one codec mode) Third lowest codec mode (used only if the subset contains more than two codec modes) Highest codec mode (used only if the subset contains four codec modes)
Thresholds for AMR FR codec mode adaptation These thresholds are in C/I (the C/I is estimated in the demodulator by comparing the received Training sequence with the expected Training sequence) 0 - 31.5 dB (step size 0.5 dB) Default value: corresponds to the optimal voice quality performance for each codec mode in the FR codec subset. From conducted platform tests, with the default FR codec subset [12.2, 7.95, 5.90 kbit/s] the optimum thresholds were found to be [AMR_FR_THR_2 = 7.5 dB , AMR_FR_THR_1 = 5.5 dB]. Please refer to section 6.4 for more details. Notes Mandatory rule: AMR_FR_THR_1 <= AMR_FR_THR_2 <= AMR_FR_THR_3 AMR_FR_THR_1 is used between the lowest and the second lowest codec modes (ex: 5.90 and 7.40 kbit/s). It is not used if the number of codec modes in the FR codec subset < 2 AMR_FR_THR_2 is used between the second lowest and the third lowest codec modes (ex: 7.40 and 7.95 kbit/s). It is not used if the number of codec modes in the FR codec subset < 3 AMR_FR_THR_3 is used between the third lowest and the fourth lowest codec modes (ex: 7.95 and 12.2 kbit/s). It is not used if the number of codec modes in the FR codec subset < 4
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Thresholds for AMR HR codec mode adaptation These thresholds are in C/I (the C/I is estimated in the demodulator by comparing the received Training sequence with the expected Training sequence) 0 - 31.5 dB (step size 0.5 dB) Default value: corresponds to the optimal voice quality performance for each codec mode in the HR codec subset. The setting of the AMR HR thresholds based on Voice Quality performance requires further tests. Notes Mandatory rule: AMR_HR_THR_1 <= AMR_HR_THR_2 <= AMR_HR_THR_3 AMR_HR_THR_1 is used between the lowest and the second lowest codec modes (example: 4.75 and 5.15 kbit/s). It is not used if the number of codec modes in the HR codec subset < 2. AMR_HR_THR_2 is used between the second lowest and the third lowest codec modes (example: 5.15 and 5.90 kbit/s). It is not used if the number of codec modes in the HR codec subset < 3. AMR_HR_THR_3 is used between the third lowest and the fourth lowest codec modes (example: 5.90 and 7.40 kbit/s). It is not used if the number of codec modes in the HR codec subset < 4.
AMR_FR_HYST AMR_HR_HYST
0 7.5 dB [step size 0.5 dB] Default value: 2 dB Notes These hysteresis are only applied when adapting from the lower codec mode (more robust) to the higher codec mode (less robust). [E.g. when adapting the codec mode from 5.15 kbit/s to 5.90 kbit/s the hysteresis is added]. That is to avoid fluctuating back and forth between 2 codecs when the calculated C/I is close to the threshold separating them.
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This flag Enables/Disables intracell HO for AMR channel adaptation (Handover Causes 26, 27). Enables intracell HO for AMR channel adaptation. Handover Causes 26, 27 are checked by HOP (HO Preparation process). Disables intracell HO for AMR channel adaptation. Handover Causes 26, 27 are not checked by HOP.
This parameter can only be enabled if both EN_AMR_FR and EN_AMR_HR are enabled. Handover causes 26 and 27 (AMR HR-AMR FR and AMR FR-AMR HR) are only valid for AMR calls.
A_QUAL_CA_HR_FR A_QUAL_CA_FR_HR
These two parameters are the Quality Averaging window sizes for HR-FR (and FR-HR respectively) channel adaptation. These parameters are used to calculate the AV_RXQUAL_UL/DL_CA in Handover causes 26 and 27. 1 61. Unit: SACCH multi frame. Default: A_QUAL_CA_HR_FR = 8 , A_QUAL_CA_FR_HR = 61 according to Ref [3] Notes Mandatory rule: A_QUAL_CA_FR_HR >= A_QUAL_CA_HR_FR. The averaging window size A_QUAL_CA_HR_FR shouldnt be greater than the averaging window size for quality handover (A_QUAL_CA_HR_FR > A_QUAL_HO) in order to avoid the inhibition of channel mode adaptation in case of activation of the intra-cell Handovers. The proposed value is to have A_QUAL_CA_HR_FR = A_QUAL_HO The value of 61 (~29 sec) for A_QUAL_CA_FR_HR is a relatively high value and could be optimized during field trials according to the required aggressiveness of usage of HR.
W_QUAL_CA
Averaging weight applicable for Full Quality for channel adaptation. 13 Notes The averaging weighting algorithm works the same as for other weighting factors (E.g. W_LEV_HO , W_QUAL_HO , W_PBGT_HO,). Default value: 1
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THR_RXQUAL_CA_NORMAL THR_RXQUAL_CA_HIGH Threshold for channel adaptation under normal/High load. 0 7 (step size 0.1) Default: 0 Notes
Mandatory rule: THR_RXQUAL_CA_HIGH >= THR_RXQUAL_CA_NORMAL THR_RXQUAL_CA_XX is used for FR to HR (Cause 27) adaptation. While THR_RXQUAL_CA_XX + OFFSET_CA_XX is used for HR to FR (Cause 26) adaptation.
OFFSET_CA_NORMAL OFFSET_CA_HIGH
Offset for channel adaptation hysteresis under normal/high load (cause 26). 0 7 (step size 0.1) Default: 4.5 Notes Mandatory rule: OFFSET_CA_HIGH >= OFFSET_CA_NORMAL
THR_FR_LOAD_L_SV3 THR_FR_LOAD_U_SV3
Load thresholds for allocation policy of (Speech Version 3) AMR HR in a dual rate cell supporting AMR HR. 0 100% Default value: Depends on the required degree of HR usage and the number of TRX Notes Mandatory rules: THR_FR_LOAD_L_SV3 <= THR_FR_LOAD_U_SV3 , THR_FR_LOAD_L_SV3 <= THR_FR_LOAD_L_SV1. The load evaluation algorithm for SV3 works the same way as for the load evaluation algorithm for SV1, only with these different thresholds.
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4.2
PM Counters
C701d NB_TCH_AMR_REQ Measurement Type 1 Traffic Measurements. [Not in Measurement type 110]
Counter definition: Number of TCH normal assignment requests from AMR mobiles. Trigger condition: Receipt of 08.08 ASSIGNMENT REQUEST from the MSC for speech call with GSM speech coding algorithm version 3 full rate or half rate allowed. History: New in B7
C704a NB_TCH_NOR_AMR_FR_ALLOC
Counter definition: Number of TCH normal assignment/mode modify in FR AMR usage - whose channel is allocated in the BSC. Trigger condition: 08.58 CHANNEL ACTIVATION/ MODE MODIFY about to be sent to the BTS, indicating a FR channel with GSM speech coding algorithm version 3, not related to handover. History: New in B7 C704b NB_TCH_NOR_AMR_HR_ALLOC Measurement Type 1 Traffic Measurements.
Counter definition: Number of TCH normal assignment/mode modify in HR AMR usage - whose channel is allocated in the BSC. Trigger condition: 08.58 CHANNEL ACTIVATION/ MODE MODIFY about to be sent to the BTS, indicating a HR channel with GSM speech coding algorithm version 3, not related to handover. History: New in B7
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C447 NB_TCH_HO_ATPT_26_BadQualHR
Counter definition: Number of intracell handover attempts, with the cause 26: "HR to FR channel adaptation due to bad radio quality" on a TCH channel. Trigger condition: Whenever 04.08 ASSIGNMENT COMMAND is sent to the MS via the BTS because of cause 26 on TCH. History: New in B7 C448 NB_TCH_HO_ATPT_27_GoodQualFR Measurement type 6. TCH handover measurements
Counter definition: Number of intracell handover attempts, with the cause 27: "FR to HR channel adaptation due to good radio quality" on a TCH channel. Trigger condition: Whenever 04.08 ASSIGNMENT COMMAND is sent to the MS via the BTS because of cause 27 on TCH. History: New in B7 MC447 NB_TCH_HO_ATPT_QUAL_AMR Counter definition: MC447 = C447 + C448 History: New in B7
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5
5.1
Supported (Y/N) BTS Generation: BTS Mk1 BTS Mk2 with FUMO BTS Mk2 with DRFU BTS G2 with FUMO BTS G2 with DRFU Micro-BTS BTS G3 Evolution N N Y N Y Y Y Y
BSC Generation:
N Y Y
Transcoder:
N Y Y
MSC:
MSC E10-R6
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5.2
Firmware Coverage
BSS Release B7.2 MR1 onwards Only TC with B7 firmware (ATxx) e.g. ATI8 (Alcatel) MSC E10-R6 onwards
5.3
AMR requires that the Mobile Station supports the AMR codec. Hence, AMR will only work with AMR supporting mobiles. Here are some examples on the AMR supporting mobiles in the market:
- Phillips. Fisio 120, 620 and 820 onwards. - Motorola 720 onwards. - Alcatel OT 535, 735 onwards - Siemens SL55 onwards. - Nokia 1100 and 2300 onwards. - Sony Ericsson. Up till the P800, AMR is not supported.
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6
6.1
Test plan
Aim of the Test
The aim of the tests is to assess the improvement in Voice Quality brought by the introduction of the AMR feature for the end user. This improvement should especially be assessed in the case of bad radio conditions in order to be able to see the advantage brought by the codec adaptation.
6.2
Tools
This section describes the different tools to be used in order to make the required measurements.
A. Available Tools
Up till present day, there are no commercial tools available capable of measuring the Speech quality for AMR.
1.
The PESQ/PSQM Alcatel VoiceTool from Evolium. It calculates the PESQ and PSQM Voice Quality evaluation notes and is mobile independent. It was already configured to work with the Philips AMR mobile. However, measurements performed with this tool should be complemented with any other air interface tool (TEMS, Agilent) because this tool does not provide GPS information nor any information on the radio conditions (RxLev, RxQual). Moreover it is a lab tool not really intended for field tests and is really difficult to get out of Evolium. ASCOM QVoice tool. It calculates the PACE notes. However, ASCOM does not have an AMR capable MS configured with the QVoice to date, although it should be introduced in the very near future.
2.
Because the ASCOM QVoice tool is not available yet with AMR mobiles, the Alcatel VoiceTool will be used in the current release of this document. A new release of this document is foreseen with the introduction of the QVoice AMR tool chain.
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The VoiceTool is composed of a PC installable software and an impedance adaptation device or attenuator. The MS to be used in this case should be an AMR capable MS preferably the Philips MS since it was already used for AMR testing in the platform and validated with the VoiceTool. The measurements configuration used above is used for DownLink speech quality testing. The DownLink is more interesting to us because we can correlate the DL speech quality with the other DL radio measurements. (RxLev, RxQual, serving cell). The VoiceTool does not provide any information about the air interface (RxLev, RxQual, serving cell). Hence, it should be used in parallel with another air interface tool. Synchronization between the two tools is essential in order to provide a reliable correlation between the radio conditions and the speech quality. This synchronization will be manually performed by noting the exact time of the launch of the measurements. Since the synchronization accuracy is required only to be within the limit of 1 sec, manual synchronization should be sufficient. VoiceTool transmits a speech sample between the source and the target PCs. This speech sample is continuously repeated in order to have a continuous assessment of the speech quality. An example of the VoiceTool text output is shown below.
This output is further processed with Excel macros in order to obtain the statistics required and the correlation with the radio conditions obtained from other tools.
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6.3
B. Post-processing
The synchronized measurements will be treated by Excel macros along with the other radio measurements. The final report should include the following: o o o Average PESQ/PSQM note and standard deviation. Repartition of the PESQ/PSQM notes. Other radio measurements (RxQual, RxLev) and their correlation with the speech quality.
Below are examples of the output of the Voice Quality evaluation. [Figures below are just examples and not actual values for AMR.]
Average Speech Quality
3.8 3.7 3.6 3.5 3.4 3.3 3.2 3.1 3 PESQ PSQM EFR AMR
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6.4
3.2 3.1 3 2.9 2.8 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.2 20 8.5 7.5 7 6 5
Estimated C/I
PESQ
AMR Performance
3.3 3.1 2.9 2.7 2.5 2.3 2.1 1.9 1.7 1.5 20 8.5 7.5 7 6 5 Estimated C/I
PESQ
EFR AMR
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6.5
B. AMR-HR [VQAMR002]
Title: Assessment of the VQ gain brought by AMR-HR. Description: Comparison between AMR-HR and HR speech quality performances using the VoiceTool. Preparation: !!! THIS TEST MAY BE HARD TO PERFORM FOR SOME OPERATORS!!! A small measurement route should be defined. During the first campaign (HR) all cells should have HR enabled. THR_FR_LOAD_L_SV1 and THR_FR_LOAD_U_SV1 set to 0% hence forcing all mobiles to acquire HR channels! This should be done during the measurements duration only. In the second campaign (AMR-HR), AMR-HR should be enabled with THR_FR_LOAD_L_SV3 and THR_FR_LOAD_U_SV3 set to 0% hence forcing all AMR mobiles to acquire AMR-HR channels. Output: Comparison of the average PESQ/PSQM values for both campaigns. Comparison of the PESQ/PSQM histogram. Comparison of samples with/without handover for the above 2 aspects. Comparison of the average radio conditions. Comparison of the map representation of the Good/Bad areas regarding Voice Quality.
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6.6
Activity 1 2 3 4 5 Measurements preparation and route definition Speech Quality measurements EFR/HR without AMR Speech Quality measurements with AMR-FR/AMR-HR Post processing Generating a Report
Manpower 1 Radio Engineer 1 Measurements Technician 1 Measurements Technician 1 Radio Engineer 1 Radio Engineer
Tools
Duration 1 day
1 day
N.B For Voice Quality measurements a car, driver and SIM cards are needed.
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END OF DOCUMENT
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