1 CSFB

1.1 Overview
When a UE on an LTE network initiates a CS service, the CSFB feature migrates the UE to a UMTS
network so that the UE can perform the CS service on the UMTS network.
As specified in the 3GPP protocol, an LTE-to-UMTS CSFB can be performed through either a redirection
or PS handover:
During an LTE-to-UMTS CSFB through a redirection, the eNodeB sends an RRC CONNECTION
RELEASE message carrying the UARFCN of a UMTS cell to the UE. The UE accesses the
UMTS cell based on the UARFCN and initiates a voice service again in the UMTS cell.
During an LTE-to-UMTS CSFB through a PS handover, the RNC receives a PS handover request
and determines whether to reserve resources and admit the UE. If resources are reserved and
the UE is admitted successfully, the eNodeB sends a handover command to the UE. After
accessing the UMTS network, the UE initiates a voice service again on the UMTS network.
The RRC setup success rate of LTE-to-UMTS CSFB through redirections can be calculated using the
following formula:
VS.RRC.SuccConnEstab.CSFB(BSC6900,BSC6910)/VS.RRC.AttConnEstab.CSFB(BSC6900,BSC69
10)
The RAB setup success rate of LTE-to-UMTS CSFB through redirections can be calculated using the
following formula:
VS.RAB.SuccEstabCS.CSFB.Redir(BSC6900,BSC6910)/VS.RAB.AttEstabCS.CSFB.Redir(BSC6900,
BSC6910)
The RAB assignment success rate of LTE-to-UMTS CSFB through handovers can be calculated using
the following formula:
VS.RAB.SuccEstabCS.CSFB.PSHO(BSC6900,BSC6910)/VS.RAB.AttEstabCS.CSFB.PSHO(BSC690
0,BSC6910)
For details about LTE-to-UMTS CSFB, see the LTE document CS Fallback Feature Parameter
Description.
Based on the CSFB feature, Huawei provides the post-CSFB service processing solution and optimized
CSFB process.
Post-CSFB service processing mainly refers to the UMTS-to-LTE fast return function, which enables UEs
to quickly return to the LTE network after fall back to the UMTS network and finish CS services.
The CSFB process is optimized in the following aspects:
The CSFB guarantee function is introduced for LTE emergency calls and normal calls on the
UMTS side. By reducing the rate of PS services or allowing resource preemption, this function
reserves resources and ensures successful access for PS handovers, improving the call
success rate.
A series of CSFB delay reduction measures are introduced on the UMTS side to solve problems
of postponed voice service access and poor user experience, which is caused by procedures of
access, handover, and redirection on the LTE side.
RAN16.0 introduces Ultra-Flash CSFB, a proprietary CSFB procedure on the UMTS and LTE
sides. This process is applicable when an IMS is not deployed and the eNodeB, MME, MSC,
and RNC are all provided by Huawei. This process prepares CS resources in advance based on
an SRVCC process, thereby reducing CSFB delay.

1.2 UMTS-to-LTE Fast Return

This section describes the WRFD-140226 Fast Return from UMTS to LTE feature.

1.2.1 Overview
In an area jointly covered by UMTS and LTE networks, a UE accesses a UMTS cell due to CSFB. When
the UE finishes all services in the UMTS cell, it releases the RRC connection. In versions earlier than
RAN14.0, if the absolute priority of a neighboring LTE cell's frequency is higher than that of the UMTS
cell's frequency, the RRC CONNECTION RELEASE message does not contain the frequency information
about neighboring LTE cells. As a result, the UE camps on a UMTS cell. If a neighboring LTE cell fulfills
the cell reselection conditions, the UE reselects the neighboring LTE cell. Before initiating UMTS-to-LTE
cell reselection, a UE needs to perform the following operations, which consume much time:
Receiving system information (MIB/SIB1/SIB3/SIB5/SIB7/SIB19) of the UMTS cell
Performing decision on cell reselection based on certain criteria
The Fast Return from UMTS to LTE feature is introduced to reduce the time and improve user
experience.
This feature applies to the areas that are jointly covered by UMTS and LTE networks and where the LTE
network signal quality is satisfactory.
If the LTE network signal quality is poor, for example, when an RRC CONNECTION RELEASE message
contains information about n (a positive integer) LTE frequencies whose signal quality is poor:
UEs complying with a version earlier than 3GPP Release 10 select a suitable LTE cell from the
LTE cells using n LTE frequencies. The selection lasts for at most 10 seconds. If no suitable
LTE cell is found, these UEs select a suitable LTE cell from the LTE cells using frequencies
supported by these UEs. If a suitable LTE cell is still not found, these UEs randomly camp on a
suitable cell. For details, see section 8.5.2 Actions when entering idle mode from connected
mode in 3GPP TS 25.331 V10.8.0.
UEs complying with 3GPP Release 10 or later select a suitable LTE cell from the LTE cells using
n LTE frequencies. The selection lasts for at most n seconds. If no suitable LTE cell is found,
these UEs select a suitable LTE cell from the LTE cells using frequencies supported by these
UEs. The selection lasts for 4 seconds. If a suitable LTE cell is still not found, these UEs
randomly camp on a suitable cell. For details, see section 8.5.2 "Actions when entering idle
mode from connected mode" in 3GPP TS 25.331 V10.9.0.
Note that the UE cannot process CS or PS services or CS+PS combined services while searching for a
suitable LTE cell.
The Fast Return from UMTS to LTE feature enables a UE that moves from an LTE cell to a UMTS cell
through CSFB to quickly return to the LTE network after the CS service is finished.
UMTS-to-LTE Fast Return
Enhanced UMTS-to-LTE Fast Return
The UMTS-to-LTE Fast Return function and Enhanced UMTS-to-LTE Fast Return function are both
based on blind redirection. That is, neither UMTS-to-LTE Fast Return nor Enhanced UMTS-to-LTE Fast
Return requires measurement. After the UE finishes the CS service, the RNC immediately sends an RRC
release message to redirect the UE to the LTE network. Before enabling the Enhanced UMTS-to-LTE
Fast Return function, you must enable the UMTS-to-LTE Fast Return function. However, before enabling
the UMTS-to-LTE Fast Return function, you do not need to enable the Enhanced UMTS-to-LTE Fast
Return function.
The following figure shows how the RNC performs the procedure for UMTS-to-LTE fast return mode
selection.
Figure 5-1 Procedure for UMTS-to-LTE fast return mode selection

Table 5-1 describes the parameters associated with UMTS-to-LTE fast return function.
Table 5-1 Parameter list
 No. Parameter

1 Cell-level switch: HO_UMTS_TO_LTE_FAST_RETURN_SWITCH under

FastReturnToLTESwitch(BSC6900,BSC6910)
RNC-level switch: HO_UMTS_TO_LTE_FAST_RETURN_SWITCH under
HoSwitch(BSC6900,BSC6910)

2 Cell-level switch: HO_CSFB_BASED_RSCP_FAST_RETURN_SWITCH under

HoSwitch1(BSC6900,BSC6910)
RNC-level switch: HO_CSFB_BASED_RSCP_FAST_RETURN_SWITCH under
FastReturnToLTESwitch(BSC6900,BSC6910)

3 Cell-level switch: HO_CSFB_BASED_MEAS_FAST_RETURN_SWITCH under

FastReturnToLTESwitch(BSC6900,BSC6910)
RNC-level switch: HO_CSFB_BASED_MEAS_FAST_RETURN_SWITCH under
HoSwitch1(BSC6900,BSC6910)

4 Cell-level switch: PERFENH_PS_FAST_RETURN_LTE_SWITCH under

FastReturnToLTESwitch(BSC6900,BSC6910)
RNC-level switch: PERFENH_PS_FAST_RETURN_LTE_SWITCH under
PerfEnhanceSwitch3(BSC6900,BSC6910)

5 U2L_CSFB_FAST_RETURN_PROC_OPTI_SWITCH under
OptimizationSwitch6(BSC6900,BSC6910)

6 PERFENH_CS_ONLY_MEAS_FAST_RETURN_SWITCH under
PerfEnhanceSwitch7(BSC6900,BSC6910)

In the preceding figure, optimization of the UMTS-to-LTE fast return process and enhanced UMTS-to-LTE
fast return process refers to that the RNC delivers the RRC CONNECTION RELEASE message
immediately after receiving an IU RELEASE COMMAND message from the CS domain. For details, see
5.2.3 Enhanced UMTS-to-LTE Fast Return.

1.2.2 UMTS-to-LTE Fast Return

At the cell level, this function is controlled by the HO_UMTS_TO_LTE_FAST_RETURN_SWITCH under
the FastReturnToLTESwitch(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter in the MOD UCELLHOCOMM command.
At the RNC level, this function is controlled by the HO_UMTS_TO_LTE_FAST_RETURN_SWITCH under
the HoSwitch(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter in the SET UCORRMALGOSWITCH command. When
this function is configured at both the RNC and cell levels, the cell-level configuration takes effect.
This function works as follows:
1. The RNC first determines that a UMTS/LTE UE is a CSFB UE if the UE meets either of the
following conditions:
When the UE is moving from an LTE cell to a UMTS cell through a PS handover, the
RELOCATION REQUEST message contains a "cause" information element (IE) whose
value is "CS Fallback triggered (268)" or a "CSFB Information" IE whose value is "CSFB"
or "CSFB High Priority."
When the UE is moving from an LTE cell to a UMTS cell through a redirection, the RRC
CONNECTION REQUEST message does not contain the "Pre-redirection info" IE. (For
details, see section 8.1.3.3 "RRC CONNECTION REQUEST message contents to set" in
 3GPP TS 25.331 V9.4.0.) The first service that the UE processes after accessing the
UMTS cell is a CS service.
2. If the UE is identified as a CSFB UE and the UE does not perform a PS service after finishing
the CS service in the UMTS cell, the RNC triggers the RRC connection release procedure.
3. The RNC includes the information about LTE frequencies in an RRC CONNECTION
RELEASE message. For the method of selecting LTE frequencies contained in the message,
see 5.2.4 Selecting Frequencies to Be Carried in the RRC CONNECTION RELEASE
Message. Upon receiving the message, the UE selects a target cell based on the information
and attempts to camp on this cell. (For details about suitable LTE cell selection, see section
8.5.2 Actions when entering idle mode from connected mode in 3GPP TS 25.331 V9.4.0. For
details about a suitable LTE cell, see section 4 Overall process structure in 3GPP TS 23.122
V11.4.0.)

1.2.3 Enhanced UMTS-to-LTE Fast Return

At the cell level, this function is controlled by PERFENH_PS_FAST_RETURN_LTE_SWITCH under the
FastReturnToLTESwitch(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter in the ADD UCELLHOCOMM command. At
the RNC level, this function is controlled by PERFENH_PS_FAST_RETURN_LTE_SWITCH under the
PerfEnhanceSwitch3(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter in the SET UCORRMPARA command. When this
function is configured at both the RNC and cell levels, the cell-level configuration takes effect.
The RNC first determines that a UMTS/LTE UE is a CSFB UE if the UE meets any of the following
conditions:
When the UE is moving from an LTE cell to a UMTS cell through a PS handover, the
RELOCATION REQUEST message contains a "cause" IE whose value is "CS Fallback
triggered (268)" or a "CSFB Information" IE whose value is "CSFB" or "CSFB High Priority."
When the UE is moving from an LTE cell to a UMTS cell through a redirection, the RRC
CONNECTION REQUEST message does not contain a "Pre-redirection info" IE. (For details,
see section 8.1.3.3 "RRC CONNECTION REQUEST message contents to set" in 3GPP TS
25.331 V9.4.0.) After the RNC receives an RRC Connection Setup Complete message, the UE
successfully sets up a CS service within 10 seconds.
When the UE is moving from an LTE cell to a UMTS cell through a redirection, the RRC
CONNECTION REQUEST message contains a "CSFB Indication" IE. (For details, see section
8.1.3.3 "RRC CONNECTION REQUEST message contents to set" in 3GPP TS 25.331
V9.10.0.)
After the UE finishes its CS service in a UMTS cell, an IU RELEASE COMMAND message from
the CN to the RNC contains an "End Of CSFB" IE. (For details, see section 8.5.2 "Successful
Operation" in 3GPP TS 25.413 V10.4.0.)
After the UE is identified as a CSFB UE and the UE finishes its CS service in the UMTS cell, the RNC
triggers the RRC connection release procedure regardless of whether or not the UE has a PS service
ongoing. The RNC includes the information about LTE frequencies in an RRC CONNECTION RELEASE
message. For the method of selecting LTE frequencies to be carried in the RRC CONNECTION
RELEASE message, see 5.2.4 Selecting Frequencies to Be Carried in the RRC CONNECTION
RELEASE Message. Upon receiving the message, the UE selects a suitable LTE cell based on the
carried LTE frequency information and attempts to camp on this cell. (For details about suitable LTE cell
selection, see section 8.5.2 Actions when entering idle mode from connected mode in 3GPP TS25.331
V9.4.0. For details about a suitable LTE cell, see section 4 Overall process structure in 3GPP TS 23.122
V11.4.0.)
NOTE:
When a UE that has performed a CSFB procedure moves to another RNC and the target RNC becomes
the SRNC, the target RNC determines that the UE has performed a CSFB process and this function can
take effect in one of the following circumstances:
1. An "End Of CSFB" IE is carried in the IU RELEASE COMMAND message sent by the MSC
when the CS service is released.
2.
In most cases, if there is a PS service ongoing when the UE finishes its CS service, the RNC does not
deliver the RRC Connection Release message until the CS RB is released. To shorten the time taken by
the fast return of a CSFB UE to LTE, a mechanism is introduced so that the RNC delivers the RRC
Connection Release message immediately after receiving an IU RELEASE COMMAND message from
the CS domain. This mechanism takes effect when RESERVED_SWITCH_12_BIT12 under the
RsvSwitch12(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter is selected.

1.2.4 Selecting Frequencies to Be Carried in the RRC CONNECTION RELEASE

Message
The method for selecting frequencies that are to be included in an RRC CONNECTION RELEASE
message is as follows:
1. Select the initial frequency set.
Set A contains all LTE frequencies that are specified by EARFCN(BSC6900,BSC6910) with in
the ADD UCELLNFREQPRIOINFO command.
2. Filter the initial frequency set.
When RESERVED_SWITCH_9_BIT28 under the RsvSwitch9(BSC6900,BSC6910)
parameter in the SET UALGORSVPARA command is set to 1, frequencies in set A are filtered
and the remaining frequencies are regarded as set B. When RESERVED_SWITCH_9_BIT28
under the RsvSwitch9(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter is set to 0, frequencies in set A are not
filtered and set A is equal to set B.
3. Filter frequencies according to information about the operator providing services to the UE.
When the UE is in the CELL_DCH state, the RNC does not filter frequencies in set B and set C
equals set B if any of the following conditions is met:
PERFENH_FAST_RETURN_DCH_OP_SEL_SWITCH under the
PerfEnhanceSwitch4(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter in the MML command SET
UCORRMPARA is set to OFF.
Both PERFENH_FAST_RETURN_DCH_OP_SEL_SWITCH under the
PerfEnhanceSwitch4(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter in the MML command SET
UOPERATORSHARINGMODE and InterPlmnHoAllowedInterRat(BSC6900,BSC6910)
in the MML command SET UOPERATORSHARINGMODE are set to ON.
When the UE is in the CELL_DCH state, the RNC obtains set C by collecting all frequencies of
the operator that provide services to the UE from set B if the following conditions are met.
PERFENH_FAST_RETURN_DCH_OP_SEL_SWITCH under the
PerfEnhanceSwitch4(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter in the MML command SET
UCORRMPARA is set to ON.
The InterPlmnHoAllowedInterRat(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter in the MML
command SET UOPERATORSHARINGMODE is set to OFF.
When the UE is in the CCH (CELL_FACH, CELL_PCH, or URA_PCH) state, the RNC does not
filter frequencies in set B and set C equals set B if any of the following conditions is met:
 PERFENH_FAST_RETURN_CCH_OP_SEL_SWITCH under the
PerfEnhanceSwitch4(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter in the MML command SET
UCORRMPARA is set to OFF.
In the MML command SET UOPERATORSHARINGMODE, both the
InterPlmnHoAllowedInterRat(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter and
PERFENH_FAST_RETURN_CCH_OP_SEL_SWITCH under the
PerfEnhanceSwitch4(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter are set to ON.
When the UE is in the CCH (CELL_FACH, CELL_PCH, or URA_PCH) state, the RNC obtains
set C by collecting all LTE frequencies of the operator that provide services to the UE from set
B if all the following conditions are met.
PERFENH_FAST_RETURN_CCH_OP_SEL_SWITCH under the
PerfEnhanceSwitch4(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter in the MML command SET
UCORRMPARA is set to ON.
InterPlmnHoAllowedInterRat(BSC6900,BSC6910) in the MML command SET
UOPERATORSHARINGMODE is set to OFF.
4. Determine whether to filter LTE frequencies based on the SPID-based dedicated frequency
priority:
If HO_SPID_MM_SWITCH under HoSwitch1(BSC6900,BSC6910) is selected and the RNC
has obtained SPID information of the UE, the RNC filters LTE frequencies according to the
SPID-based dedicated priority of the LTE frequencies by performing 5. If not, the RNC
performs 6:
5. Select LTE frequencies according to SPID-based dedicated frequency priorities.
The RNC first filters out LTE frequencies with SPID-based dedicated priorities lower than the
priority of the serving UMTS cell from set C. Among the remaining frequencies, the RNC
selects a maximum of four LTE FDD frequencies and four LTE TDD frequencies according to
the SPID-based dedicated priorities. Then the RNC sends the selected frequencies to the UE
through an RRC CONNECTION RELEASE message.
The SPID-based dedicated priority of an LTE frequency is specified by the
DediPriority(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter.

NOTE:
For the frequency of the serving UMTS cell, the SPID-based dedicated priority is used if
the SPID-based dedicated priority is configured, or the absolute priority is used if the
SPID-based dedicated priority is not configured. For a UMTS frequency, the SPID-based
dedicated priority is specified by the DediPriority(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter and
the absolute priority is specified by the SPriority(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter.
For an LTE frequency, the SPID-based dedicated priority is used if the SPID-based
dedicated priority is configured. If the SPID-based dedicated priority is not configured, the
priority to be used depends on the setting of HO_U2L_CONN_PRIO_SWITCH under
HoSwitch1(BSC6900,BSC6910): When this switch is turned on, the connected mode
priority is used. When this switch is turned off, the absolute priority is used. For an LTE
frequency, the SPID-based dedicated priority is specified by the
DediPriority(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter; the connected mode priority is specified by
the NPriorityConnect(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter; the absolute priority is specified
by the NPriority(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter.
The SPID-based dedicated priority is not used during cross-Iur handover or redirection.
6. If the set still contains more than four frequencies:
 The RNC first filters out LTE frequencies whose absolute priorities are lower than the absolute
priority of the serving cell and then selects a maximum of four LTE FDD frequencies and four
LTE TDD frequencies according to the absolute priorities of the LTE frequencies. The selected
frequencies are to be measured. The absolute priority of a frequency is specified by the
NPriority(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter.

NOTE:
If some LTE cells are configured as blacklisted cells using the ADD UCELLNFREQPRIOINFO command
and PERFENH_U2L_REDIR_WITH_BLACK_CELL_SWITCH under the
PerfEnhanceSwitch3(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter in the SET UCORRMPARA command is set to
ON, the RRC CONNECTION RELEASE message contains not only an LTE frequency but also those
blacklisted cells working in the LTE frequency so that UEs cannot be handed over to the blacklisted cells
based on fast return. If no LTE cells are configured as blacklisted cells or
PERFENH_U2L_REDIR_WITH_BLACK_CELL_SWITCH is set to OFF, the RRC CONNECTION
RELEASE message does not contain blacklisted cells working in the LTE frequency.
During cross-Iur handover or redirection:
HO_UMTS_TO_LTE_FAST_RETURN_SWITCH under the HoSwitch(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter in
the SRNC's MML command SET UCORRMALGOSWITCH is set to ON.
HO_IUR_U2L_FAST_RETURN_SWITCH under the HoSwitch1(BSC6900,BSC6910) parameter in the
MML command SET UCORRMALGOSWITCH is set to 1. A DRNC cell is configured with neighboring
LTE cells and information about frequencies of neighboring LTE cells according to the following rules:
Frequencies of neighboring LTE cells are specified by the LTEArfcn(BSC6900,BSC6910)
parameter in the MML command ADD ULTECELL.
Neighboring LTE cells are configured using the MML command ADD ULTENCELL.
Among frequencies of all neighboring LTE cells for a DRNC cell, a maximum of four LTE FDD
frequencies and four LTE TDD frequencies are selected and delivered to the UE.

1.2.5 Fast Return for Supplementary CSFB Services

When Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) and Location Service (LCS) are not supported
in an LTE network, UEs can fall back to a UMTS network and use these supplementary services.
USSD enables subscribers to interact with GSM/UMTS networks proactively. It features simple
operation and excellent service scalability. The USSD provides information for subscribers in an
interactive way. In addition to query of their international mobile subscriber identities (IMSIs) and
mobile station international ISDN numbers (MSISDNs), subscribers can query information such
as stock exchange and weather forecast and play interactive games.
The LCS allows mobile network operators to locate mobile stations by using the specific mobile
positioning technology and provides location-related services for mobile subscribers. The LCS
falls into four categories: Commercial LCS, Internal LCS, Emergency LCS, Other LCS.
Fast return for supplementary CSFB services are performed as shown in Figure 5-2.
Figure 5-2 Procedure of fast return for supplementary CSFB services

1. CSFB UE identification
Procedures of CSFB supplementary services and voice services are the same during the LTE-
to-UMTS fallback, whereas CS RABs is not set up for supplementary services after UEs
access the UMTS network. Identification procedure of supplementary services is the same as
Method 1 in section 5.2.2 UMTS-to-LTE Fast Return and Method 1, 3, and 4 in section 5.2.3
Enhanced UMTS-to-LTE Fast Return for voice services.
2. Supplementary service identification
Fast return for CSFB services only applies to UEs that start services after falling back to the
UMTS network. After the RNC identifies the CSFB UEs, if is turned on, the RNC identifies
supplementary CS services established through the NAS message.
Fast return for CSFB services requires certain UE and CN versions to perform CSFB UE
identification. After the switch for supplementary service identification is turned on, if a UL
Release-8 UE is redirected to the UMTS cell, the RRC CONNECTION REQUEST message
does not carry Pre-redirection info, and the RNC establishes supplementary CS services within
10s after receiving RRC Connection Setup Complete, the RNC identifies the UE as a
supplementary CSFB service UE.
3. Enabling fast return
After the related switches for fast return are turned on, the implementation procedures for
CSFB supplementary services and voice services are the same. 5.2.4 Selecting Frequencies
to Be Carried in the RRC CONNECTION RELEASE Message show the frequency selection
procedure.

NOTE:
The execution duration for supplementary services lasts only about 3s. Therefore, UEs will not
quickly leave the LTE coverage after a CSFB and UMTS-to-LTE fast return can only be
performed based on blind redirection. As a result, the impact of measurements in compressed
mode on network performance can be avoided. However, UEs may be disconnected from the
network due to blind redirection if they have left the LTE coverage.
For a UE that performs PS services in the LTE network and initiates supplementary CS services
within 10s after a coverage-based redirection to the UMTS network, if the supplementary
service identification switch is turned on, supplementary service identification is performed
according to step 2. The UE may be mistaken for a supplementary CSFB service UE. The UE
performs the fast return after supplementary services are completed. Therefore, it is
recommended that the supplementary service identification switch not be turned on in
overlapped UMTS and LTE coverage areas.