ETSI TS 143 129 V13.0.0 (2016-01)

Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2+); Packet-switched handover for GERAN A/Gb mode; Stage 2 (3GPP TS 43.129 version 13.0.0 Release 13)

RTS/TSGG-0143129vd00

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 21-Jan-2016
• Technical Committee: 3GPP GERAN 1 - Radio aspects
• Current Stage: 12 - Completion
• Due Date: 19-Jan-2016
• Completion Date: 22-Jan-2016

Standards Content (Sample)

ETSI TS 1143 129 V13.0.0 (201616-01)

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONION
Digital cellular telecocommunications system (Phahase 2+);
Packet-switched h handover for GERAN A/Gb modem ;
Stage 2
(3GPP TS 43.1.129 version 13.0.0 Release 13 13)

R
GLOBAL SYSTTEME FOR
MOBILE COMMUUNNICATIONS
3GPP TS 43.129 version 13.0.0 Release 13 1 ETSI TS 143 129 V13.0.0 (2016-01)

Reference
RTS/TSGG-0143129vd00
Keywords
GSM
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ETSI
3GPP TS 43.129 version 13.0.0 Release 13 2 ETSI TS 143 129 V13.0.0 (2016-01)
Intellectual Property Rights
IPRs essential or potentially essential to the present document may have been declared to ETSI. The information
pertaining to these essential IPRs, if any, is publicly available for ETSI members and non-members, and can be found
in ETSI SR 000 314: "Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs); Essential, or potentially Essential, IPRs notified to ETSI in
respect of ETSI standards", which is available from the ETSI Secretariat. Latest updates are available on the ETSI Web
server (https://ipr.etsi.org/).
Pursuant to the ETSI IPR Policy, no investigation, including IPR searches, has been carried out by ETSI. No guarantee
can be given as to the existence of other IPRs not referenced in ETSI SR 000 314 (or the updates on the ETSI Web
server) which are, or may be, or may become, essential to the present document.
Foreword
This Technical Specification (TS) has been produced by ETSI 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).
The present document may refer to technical specifications or reports using their 3GPP identities, UMTS identities or
GSM identities. These should be interpreted as being references to the corresponding ETSI deliverables.
The cross reference between GSM, UMTS, 3GPP and ETSI identities can be found under
http://webapp.etsi.org/key/queryform.asp.
Modal verbs terminology
In the present document "shall", "shall not", "should", "should not", "may", "need not", "will", "will not", "can" and
"cannot" are to be interpreted as described in clause 3.2 of the ETSI Drafting Rules (Verbal forms for the expression of
provisions).
"must" and "must not" are NOT allowed in ETSI deliverables except when used in direct citation.
ETSI
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Contents
Intellectual Property Rights . 2
Foreword . 2
Modal verbs terminology . 2
Foreword . 7
Introduction . 7
1 Scope . 8
2 References . 8
3 Definitions and abbreviations . 9
3.1 Definitions . 9
3.2 Void . 10
3.3 Abbreviations . 10
4 Architecture and principles . 12
4.1 Reference architecture . 12
4.2 Handover principles . 12
4.2.1 General . 12
4.2.2 PS Handover preparation phase . 13
4.2.3 PS Handover execution phase . 14
4.2.4 PS Handover Network Node Responsibilities . 14
4.3 Protocol architecture. 14
4.3.1 User plane overview . 14
4.3.2 Control plane overview . 14
4.3.3 Physical Layer . 15
4.3.3.1 Shared Channels . 15
4.3.3.1.1 General . 15
4.3.4 RLC/MAC . 15
4.3.5 Radio Resource (RR) . 16
4.3.6 BSSGP . 16
4.3.7 Overview of PS Handover Signalling Messages . 16
4.3.7.1 PS handover signalling messages on the Um interface . 16
4.3.7.2 PS handover signalling messages on the Gb interface . 16
4.3.7.3 PS handover signalling messages on the Gn interface . 17
4.3.7.4 PS handover signalling messages on the Up interface . 18
4.4 Identifiers . 18
4.4.1 NSAPI, PFI, RAB ID relation during inter-RAT, inter-mode UTRAN/GERAN Iu PS handover . 19
4.4.2 NSAPI, PFI, EPS Bearer ID relation during inter-RAT GERAN / E-UTRAN PS handover . 20
5 Signalling procedures . 20
5.1 GERAN (A/Gb mode) GERAN (A/Gb mode) handover . 20
5.1.1 Intra Cell . 20
5.1.2 Intra BSS . 21
5.1.2.1 General . 21
5.1.2.2 Intra BSS HO; Preparation phase . 21
5.1.2.3 Intra BSS HO; Execution phase . 22
5.1.2.4 Intra BSS Handover - Optimised . 23
5.1.3 Intra SGSN. 25
5.1.3.1 Intra SGSN/Inter BSS HO, Preparation phase . 25
5.1.3.2 Intra SGSN/Inter BSS HO, Execution phase . 26
5.1.4 Inter SGSN. 28
5.1.4.1 Inter SGSN HO, Preparation phase . 28
5.1.4.2 Inter SGSN HO, Execution phase . 31
5.2 Inter-RAT/mode handover (GERAN A/Gb mode UTRAN/ GERAN Iu mode) . 35
5.2.1 Intra SGSN. 35
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5.2.1.1 Intra-SGSN GERAN A/Gb mode to UTRAN/GERAN Iu mode HO; Preparation phase . 35
5.2.1.2 Intra-SGSN GERAN A/Gb mode to UTRAN/GERAN Iu mode HO; Execution phase . 37
5.2.2 Inter SGSN. 40
5.2.2.1 Inter-SGSN GERAN A/Gb mode to UTRAN/GERAN Iu mode HO; Preparation phase . 40
5.2.2.2 Inter-SGSN GERAN A/Gb mode to UTRAN/GERAN Iu mode HO; Execution phase . 42
5.3 Inter-RAT/mode Handover (UTRAN/GERAN Iu mode GERAN A/Gb mode). 46
5.3.1 Intra SGSN. 46
5.3.1.1 Inter RAT/mode UTRAN/GERAN Iu mode to GERAN A/Gb mode PS HO; Preparation phase . 46
5.3.1.2 Inter RAT/mode UTRAN/GERAN Iu mode to GERAN A/Gb mode PS HO; Execution phase . 48
5.3.2 Inter SGSN. 51
5.3.2.1 Inter RAT/mode UTRAN/GERAN Iu mode to GERAN A/Gb mode PS HO; Preparation phase . 51
5.3.2.2 Inter RAT UTRAN/GERAN Iu mode to GERAN A/Gb mode PS HO; Execution phase . 53
5.3a Inter-RAT Handover (GERAN A/Gb mode to E-UTRAN) . 56
5.3a.1 General . 56
5.3a.2 Preparation phase . 56
5.3a.3 Execution phase . 57
5.3b Inter-RAT Handover (E-UTRAN to GERAN A/Gb mode) . 57
5.3b.1 General . 57
5.3b.2 Preparation phase . 57
5.3b.3 Execution phase . 57
5.4 Handover reject . 58
5.4.1 General . 58
5.4.2 Inter-SGSN HO Reject; Signalling procedure . 58
5.5 Handover cancel . 58
5.5.1 General . 58
5.5.2 Signalling procedures . 59
5.5.2.1 Inter-SGSN case, GERAN A/Gb mode GERAN A/Gb mode . 59
5.5.2.2 Inter-SGSN case, GERAN A/Gb mode UTRAN/GERAN Iu mode . 60
5.5.2.3 Inter-SGSN case, UTRAN/GERAN Iu mode GERAN A/Gb mode . 61
5.5.2.4 Inter-SGSN, GERAN A/Gb mode E-UTRAN . 61
5.5.2.5 Inter-SGSN case, E - UTRAN GERAN A/Gb mode . 61
5.6 Container handling . 61
5.6.1 Contents of the containers . 63
5.6.1.1 Contents of the GERAN A/Gb mode or GAN mode → GERAN A/Gb mode Transparent
Containers . 64
5.6.1.1.1 Source BSS to Target BSS Transparent Container . 64
5.6.1.1.2 Target BSS to Source BSS Transparent Container . 64
5.6.1.2 Contents of the GERAN A/Gb mode or GAN mode → UTRAN Transparent Containers. 64
5.6.1.2.1 Source to Target Transparent Container . 64
5.6.1.2.2 Target to Source Transparent Container . 65
5.6.1.3 Contents of the UTRAN → GERAN A/Gb Mode or GAN mode Transparent Containers . 65
5.6.1.3.1 Source BSS to Target BSS Transparent Container . 65
5.6.1.3.2 Target BSS to Source BSS Transparent Container . 65
5.6.1.4 Contents of the GERAN A/Gb mode → GERAN Iu mode Transparent Containers . 66
5.6.1.4.1 Source to Target Transparent Container . 66
5.6.1.4.2 Target to Source Transparent Container . 66
5.6.1.5 Content of GERAN Iu mode → GERAN A/Gb mode Transparent Containers . 66
5.6.1.5.1 Source BSS to Target BSS Transparent Container . 66
5.6.1.5.2 Target BSS to Source BSS Transparent Container . 66
5.6.1.6 Contents of the GERAN A/Gb mode → GAN mode Transparent Containers . 67
5.6.1.6.1 Source BSS to Target BSS Transparent Container . 67
5.6.1.6.2 Target BSS to Source BSS Transparent Container . 67
5.6.1.7 Contents of the GERAN A/Gb mode → E-UTRAN Transparent Containers . 67
5.6.1.7.1 Source to Target Transparent Container . 67
5.6.1.7.2 Target to Source Transparent Container . 67
5.6.1.8 Contents of the E-UTRAN → GERAN A/Gb mode Transparent Containers . 68
5.6.1.8.1 Source BSS to Target BSS Transparent Container . 68
5.6.1.8.2 Target BSS to Source BSS Transparent Container . 68
5.7 PS Handover Failure . 68
5.7.1 Preparations Phase Failure Scenarios . 69
5.7.1.1 PS Handover preparation phase failure scenarios on the Um interface . 69
5.7.1.2 PS Handover preparation phase failure scenarios on the Gb interface . 69
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5.7.1.3 PS Handover preparation phase failure scenarios on the Gn interface . 69
5.7.1.4 PS Handover preparation phase failure scenarios on the Up interface . 69
5.7.2 Execution Phase Failure Scenarios . 70
5.7.2.1 Execution phase failures on the Um interface . 70
5.7.2.1.1 Initial Access Failure in the Target Cell during PS handover. 70
5.7.2.1.2 Radio contact with the MS is lost: . 71
5.7.2.2 Execution phase failures on the Gb interface . 73
5.7.2.3 Execution phase failures on the Gn interface . 74
5.8 GAN Handover . 74
5.8.1 Intra-SGSN Handover (GERAN A/Gb mode GAN mode handover) . 74
5.8.1.1 Intra SGSN PS Handover, Preparation phase . 74
5.8.1.2 Intra SGSN PS Handover, Execution phase . 75
5.8.2 Intra-SGSN Handover (GAN mode GERAN A/Gb mode handover). 75
5.8.2.1 Intra SGSN PS Handover, Preparation phase . 75
5.8.2.2 Intra SGSN PS Handover, Execution phase . 76
5.8.3 Inter-SGSN Handover (GERAN A/Gb mode GAN mode handover) . 76
5.8.3.1 Inter SGSN PS Handover, Preparation phase . 76
5.8.3.2 Inter SGSN PS Handover, Execution phase . 76
5.8.4 Inter-SGSN Handover (GAN mode GERAN A/Gb mode handover). 76
5.8.4.1 Inter SGSN PS Handover, Preparation phase . 76
5.8.4.2 Inter SGSN, Execution phase . 77
5.8.5 Inter RAT Handover; Intra SGSN (UTRAN GAN mode handover) . 77
5.8.5.1 Intra SGSN PS Handover, Preparation phase . 77
5.8.5.2 Intra SGSN PS Handover, Execution phase . 78
5.8.6 Inter RAT Handover; Intra SGSN (GAN mode UTRAN handover) . 78
5.8.6.1 Intra SGSN PS Handover, Preparation phase . 78
5.8.6.2 Intra SGSN, Execution phase . 78
5.8.7 Inter RAT Handover; Inter SGSN (UTRAN GAN mode handover) . 79
5.8.7.1 Inter SGSN PS Handover, Preparation phase . 79
5.8.7.2 Inter SGSN PS Handover, Execution phase . 79
5.8.8 Inter RAT Handover; Inter SGSN (GAN mode UTRAN handover) . 79
5.8.8.1 Inter SGSN PS Handover, Preparation phase . 79
5.8.8.2 Inter SGSN PS Handover, Execution phase . 79
6 Radio interface Signalling . 79
6.1 PS Handover Signalling (Um) . 79
6.1.1 General . 79
6.1.2 Overview of PS Handover messages . 80
6.1.2.1 GERAN A/Gb mode/GAN mode to GERAN A/Gb mode PS Handover . 80
6.1.2.2 UTRAN/GERAN Iu mode to GERAN A/Gb mode/GAN mode PS Handover . 80
6.1.2.3 GERAN A/Gb mode to GERAN Iu mode PS Handover . 81
6.1.2.4 GERAN A/Gb mode/GAN mode to UTRAN mode PS Handover . 82
6.1.2.5 GERAN A/Gb mode to GAN mode PS Handover . 82
6.1.2.6 GERAN A/Gb mode to E-UTRAN PS Handover . 82
6.1.2.7 E-UTRAN to GERAN A/Gb mode PS Handover . 83
6.1.3 RLC/MAC segmentation . 83
6.1.4 Inter RAT/mode PS Handover to GERAN A/Gb . 83
6.1.5 Inter RAT/mode PS Handover from GERAN A/Gb . 83
6.2 Mechanisms for Initial Access in the Target Cell . 83
6.2.1 General . 83
6.2.2 Synchronisation of handovers . 84
6.2.3 Option 1 - Downlink Data sent after performing access in the target cell . 84
6.2.3.1 Unsynchronised Networks Call Flow. 84
6.2.3.2 Synchronised Networks Call Flow . 85
6.2.4 Option 2 - Downlink Data sent before performing access in the target cell (Blind Transmission) . 85
6.2.4.1 Unsynchronised Networks Call Flow. 86
6.2.4.2 Synchronised Network Call Flow . 86
6.3 Methods for triggering PS Handover. 87
Annex A (normative): Agreed handover principles . 88
A.1 Agreed handover principles . 88
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Annex B (informative): PS Handover Primitives . 90
B.1 Overview . 90
B.2 Primitives in Source BSS . 90
B.3 Primitives in Old SGSN . 91
B.4 Primitives in New SGSN . 92
B.5 Primitives in Target BSS . 93
B.6 Primitives in MS . 93
Annex C (informative): Change history . 94
History . 96

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Foreword
rd
This Technical Specification has been produced by the 3 Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).
The contents of the present document are subject to continuing work within the TSG and may change following formal
TSG approval. Should the TSG modify the contents of the present document, it will be re-released by the TSG with an
identifying change of release date and an increase in version number as follows:
Version x.y.z
where:
x the first digit:
1 presented to TSG for information;
2 presented to TSG for approval;
3 or greater indicates TSG approved document under change control.
y the second digit is incremented for all changes of substance, i.e. technical enhancements, corrections,
updates, etc.
z the third digit is incremented when editorial only changes have been incorporated in the document.
Introduction
Packet Switched (PS) handover is introduced in order to support real-time packet-switched with strict QoS requirements
on low latency and packet loss. Packet switched handover reduces the service interruption of the user plane information
at cell change compared to the cell-reselection and enables methods to improve buffer handling of user plane data in
order to reduce packet loss at cell-change.
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1 Scope
The present document defines the stage-2 service description for packet switched handover in GERAN A/Gb mode and
GAN mode. ITU-T Recommendation I.130 [8] describes a three-stage method for characterisation of
telecommunication services, and ITU-T Recommendation Q.65 [9] defines stage 2 of the method. The present
document refers to packet switched handover in GERAN A/Gb mode/GAN mode, and therefore focuses on the
corresponding radio protocol enhancements to the packet switched domain only i.e. when services are provided through
the Gb interface.
2 References
The following documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of the present
document.
• References are either specific (identified by date of publication, edition number, version number, etc.) or
non-specific.
• For a specific reference, subsequent revisions do not apply.
• For a non-specific reference, the latest version applies. In the case of a reference to a 3GPP document (including
a GSM document), a non-specific reference implicitly refers to the latest version of that document in the same
Release as the present document.
[1] 3GPP TR 21.905: "Vocabulary for 3GPP Specifications".
[2] 3GPP TS 22.105: "Services and service capabilities".
[3] 3GPP TS 22.060: "General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); Service description; Stage 1".
[4] 3GPP TS 43.064: "Overall description of the GPRS radio interface; Stage 2".
[5] 3GPP TS 25.922: "Radio Resource Management strategies".
[6] 3GPP TS 23.107: "Quality of Service (QoS) concept and architecture".
[7] 3GPP TS 44.060: "General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); Mobile Station (MS) - Base Station
System (BSS) interface; Radio Link Control/Medium Access Control (RLC/MAC) protocol".
[8] ITU-T Recommendations I.130: "Method for the characterization of telecommunication services
supported by an ISDN and network capabilities of an ISDN".
[9] ITU-T Recommendation Q.65: "The unified functional methodology for the characterization of
services and network capabilities".
[10] 3GPP TS 48.018: "General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); Base Station System (BSS) - Serving
GPRS Support Node (SGSN); BSS GPRS Protocol".
[11] 3GPP TS 29.060: "General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); GPRS Tunnelling Protocol (GTP)
across the Gn and Gp interface".
[12] 3GPP TS 23.003: "Numbering, addressing and identification".
[13] 3GPP TS 25.401: "UTRAN overall description".
[14] 3GPP TS 43.051: "GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN) overall description; Stage 2".
[15] 3GPP TS 24.008: "Mobile radio interface Layer 3 specification; Core network protocols; Stage 3".
[16] 3GPP TS 44.118: "Mobile radio interface layer 3 specification, Radio Resource Control (RRC)
protocol; Iu mode".
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[17] 3GPP TS 25.331: "Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol specification".
[18] 3GPP TS 24.007: "Mobile radio interface signalling layer 3; General Aspects".
[19] 3GPP TS 23.060: "General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); Service description; Stage 2".
[20] 3GPP TS 23.108: "Mobile radio interface layer 3 specification core network protocols; Stage 2
(structured procedures)".
[21] 3GPP TS 44.064: "Mobile Station - Serving GPRS Support Node (MS-SGSN) Logical Link
Control (LLC) Layer Specification".
[22] 3GPP TS 23.236: "Intra-domain connection of Radio Access Network (RAN) nodes to multiple
Core Network (CN) nodes".
[23] 3GPP TS 25.413: "UTRAN Iu interface Radio Access Network Application Part (RANAP)
signalling".
[24] Void.
[25] 3GPP TS 44.018: "Mobile radio interface layer 3 specification; Radio Resource Control (RRC)
protocol".
[26] 3GPP TS 45.010: "Radio subsystem synchronization".
[27] 3GPP TS 33.102: 'Security architecture'.
[28] 3GPP TS 44.318: 'Generic access to the A/Gb interface; Mobile GA interface layer 3
specification'.
[29] 3GPP TS 43.318: 'Generic access to the A/Gb interface; Stage 2'.
[30] 3GPP TS 36.300: 'Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) and Evolved Universal
Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRAN); Overall description; Stage 2'.
[31] 3GPP TS 36.331:' Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Radio Resource
Control (RRC); Protocol specification'.
[32] 3GPP TS 36.401: 'Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN); Architecture
description'.
[33] 3GPP TS 23.401: 'General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) enhancements for Evolved Universal
Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) access'.
[34] 3GPP TS 36.413: "Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); S1 Application
Protocol (S1AP)".
[35] 3GPP TS 24.301: 'Non-Access-Stratum (NAS) protocol for Evolved Packet System (EPS); Stage
3'.
[36] 3GPP TS 22.220: "Service requirements for Home NodeBs and Home eNodeBs".
3 Definitions and abbreviations
3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of the present document, the terms and definitions given in 3GPP TR 21.905 [1] and the following
apply:
Active PFCs: that subset of the PFCs to be handed over, for which the source BSS has determined that resources
should be allocated in the target cell during the PS Handover preparation phase.
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A/Gb mode: MS mode operation where the MS is connected to the Core Network via GERAN and the A and/or Gb
interfaces.
Blind Transmission: refers to the decision made by the SGSN to start the transmission of downlink N-PDUs or by the
target BSS/GANC to start the transmission of downlink LLC PDUs for a given mobile station before receiving
confirmation that the PS handover procedure has been successfully completed.
GAN Mode: MS mode of operation where the MS is connected to the Core Network via a GANC and the A and/or Gb
interfaces.
PFC subject to handover: refers to an MS"s PFC for which the packet switched handover procedure is to be initiated
when a cell change is required. Whether a PFC needs handover or not is decided by the BSS. This decision criteria is
not standardized.
Source to Target Transparent Container: This container is encoded as "Source RNC to Target RNC transparent
container" in case of PS handover to UTRAN and as "Source eNB to Target eNB transparent container" in case of PS
handover to E-UTRAN. It replaces the "Source RNC to Target RNC Transparent container" used in previous releases.
Target to Source Transparent Container: This container is encoded as "Target RNC to Source RNC transparent
container" in case of PS handover to UTRAN and as "Target eNB to Source eNB transparent container" in case of PS
handover to E-UTRAN. It replaces the "Target RNC to Source RNC Transparent container" used in previous releases.
CSG Cell: A UTRAN or E-UTRAN cell for which the reported access mode indicates "Closed access mode" (see [36]).
Hybrid Cell: A UTRAN or E-UTRAN cell for which the reported access mode indicates "Hybrid access mode" (see
[36]).
3.2 Void
3.3 Abbreviations
For the purposes of the present document, the following abbreviations apply:
ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode
BSC Base Station Controller
BSS Base Station Sub-system
BSSGP Base Station Subsystem GPRS Protocol
BTS Base Transceiver Station
CN part Core Network part
CN Core Network
CS Circuit Switched
CSG Closed Subscriber Group
DTI Direct Tunnel Indicator
DTM Dual Transfer Mode
EDGE Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution
eNB E-UTRAN NodeB
EPC Evolved Packet Core
EPS Evolved Packet System
E-UTRA Evolved UTRA
E-UTRAN Evolved UTRAN
FLO Flexible Layer One
GAN Generic Access Network
GANC Generic Access Network Controller
GboIP Gb over IP
GCSI GPRS CAMEL Subscriber information indicator
GERAN GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network
GPRS General Packet Radio Service
GSM Global System for Mobile communications
GTP GPRS Tunnelling Protocol
IMS IP Multimedia Subsystem
IP Internet Protocol
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LLC Logical Link Control
MAC Medium Access Control
MME Mobility Management Entity
MS Mobile Station
MSC Mobile Switching Centre
MTU Maximum Transfer Unit
PDP Packet Data Protocol
PDTCH Packet Data Traffic CHannel
PFC Packet Flow Context
PFM Packet Flow Management
PS Packet Switched
PTCCH Packet Timing advance Control CHannel
QoS Quality of Service
RAB Radio Access Bearer
RAN Radio Access Network
RAT Radio Access Technology
RAU Routeing Area Update
RLC Radio Link Control
RN part Radio Network part
RNC Radio Network Controller
RNS Radio Network Subsystem
ROHC RObust Header Compression
RRM Radio Resource Management
RTP Real Time Protocol
SABM Set Asynchronous Balanced Mode
SACCH Standalone Associated Control CHannel
SAPI Service Access Point Identifier
SGSN Serving GPRS Support Node
S-GW Serving Gateway
SIP Session Initiated Protocol
SNDCP Sub-Network Dependent Convergence Protocol
TBF Temporary Block Flow
TF Transport Format
TFC Transport Format Combination
TFCI Transport Format Combination Indicator
TR Technical Report
TS Technical Specification
UA Unnumbered Acknowledgement
UDP User Datagram Protocol
UE User Equipment
UMTS Universal Mobile Telephony System
UTRAN UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network
VoIP Voice over IP
XID eXchange IDentification
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4 Architecture and principles
4.1 Reference architecture
CN
Gn/Gp
S5/S8
S4
S-GW
PSTN
S4
S12
Gn/Gp
S11
Gs
S3
MSC
SGSN
SGSN
MME
Gn or S1 6
S1- Uu
S3
A
Gb S1- MME
IuCS
IuPS
A
Gb
BSS/GERAN
E-UTRAN
UTRAN
BSC
eNB
RNC (or BSC)
Abis
GANC Iubis
BTS BTS Uu
Node B Node B
cell
Um Up
Uu
MS
Bold lines: interfaces supporting user traffic;

Thin lines: interfaces supporting signalling.

NOTE 1: The Iu interface is also supported by a GERAN BSS supporting Iu mode.

NOTE 2: If both SGSNs support S4 interface then it is S16 otherwise Gn

Figure 1: Reference Architecture for PS handover in GERAN A/Gb mode
4.2 Handover principles
4.2.1 General
The PS Handover procedure is used to handover an MS with one or more packet flows from a source cell to a target
cell. The source and target cells can be located within either the same BSS (Intra BSS HO), different BSSs within the
same SGSN (Intra SGSN HO) or belonging to different SGSNs (Inter SGSN HO), or systems with different radio
access types (Inter RAT HO, Inter mode HO). In addition, PS handover may occur between a GAN cell and a GERAN
A/Gb mode cell or between a GAN cell and a UTRAN cell.
ETSI
3GPP TS 43.129 version 13.0.0 Release 13 13 ETSI TS 143 129 V13.0.0 (2016-01)
While the MS is still in the source cell:
• Radio resources in the target cell are allocated and signalled to the MS.
• System information of the target cell needed for access in the target cell is signalled to the MS.
For each scenario (Intra BSS HO, Intra SGSN HO, Inter SGSN HO, Inter RAT HO/Inter mode HO) the PS handover
procedure is divided into:
• a preparation phase; and
• an execution phase.
By using the Gs interface (together with NMO1) the interruption time for the PS Handover procedure would be
shortened since using a combined LAU/RAU procedure would be possible.
The scenarios described in the remainder of sub-clause 4.2 are limited to the case where an MS is being served by a
BSS in GERAN A/Gb mode when a PS handover becomes necessary.
4.2.2 PS Handover preparation phase
The PS handover preparation phase consists of the following consecutive steps:
• the decision by the source BSS to request a PS handover for an MS with one or more PFCs subject to handover:
- the request from the source BSS to the old SGSN for the PS handover;
- if the target BSS/GANC is not connected to the same SGSN the request from the old SGSN to the new SGSN
to reserve resources;
• the reservation of resources in the target network nodes prior to ordering the MS to move to the target cell. This
involves:
- in case of Inter SGSN handover, the new SGSN reserving SNDCP/LLC resources and establishing Packet
Flow Contexts;
- in case of RA change the S
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