UMTS Paging

Security Level:
UMTS Paging Principles +

Troubleshooting Methods +
Cases + Deliverables
First draft: UMTS Maintenance
Department/UMTS Design Department
www.huawei.com
Reviewed by: Qi Haofeng
September 11, 2012
HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential

Summary: UMTS access and paging
includes the following two topics
Topic Contents
This topic contains:

•Classification of UMTS access problems and the scenarios where they occur.
•Eleven factors that affect UMTS access.
•Concepts and 11 standard actions used to analyze these factors.
•Entry conditions for these 11 standard actions (Unconditional entry applies to some actions, while for other
UMTS access
actions, judge entry criteria based on the analysis results of the preceding step rather than perform all the 11
actions for handling a UMTS access problem).
•Used data sources (including traffic measurement, PCHR, and drive test data).
•Typical cases in relation to the 11 factors and deliverables including related analysis tools and analysis
templates.
This topic contains:

•Three major sources of UMTS paging problems (Paging KPI deterioration, excessive number of missed calls
and long connection duration on the CN).
•Identify three major entries of paging problems and analyze corresponding root causes (Entry 1: Paging
UMTS paging
KPIs of the CN are deteriorated. There are three root causes for this problem; entry 2: Paging KPIs of both
the CN and RNC are deteriorated. There are eight root causes for this problem; entry 3: Paging KPI of the CN
are normal, but paging KPIs of the RNC are deteriorated. There are three root causes for this problem).
•Typical cases and deliverables including related analysis tools and analysis templates.
HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 2

Contents
 Cause of Paging Problems and Value of Paging
 Analysis and Troubleshooting of Paging Problems in Various Scenarios
 Research on the Paging Success Rate Formula and Analysis of Call Duration Issues
 Paging Related Parameters and Deliverables

Causes of Paging Problems
Paging problems on the live network are caused by:
 Low or significant deterioration of paging success rate on the CN side

 Low paging success rate on the CN side
The customers of mature commercially networks reflected that the paging success rate of the CN or the new
or migrated network is low
=> you need to know the average value of this counter (namely paging success rate) .
If the paging success rate is low, an optimization solution must be developed.
 Significant deterioration of paging success rate on CN side

NE upgrade, feature activation, and misoperation on the UTRAN side result in deterioration of the paging success
rate on the CN side.
 Increase of missed calls

Although the paging KPIs on the CN side are normal, customers (especially VIP customers) complained about
missed calls. We need to check the radio environment of the involved cell and the terminal compatibility
 Long call connection time or call quality deterioration

Although the paging success rate on the CN side is normal, customers complained about long call
connection time. We need to check the settings of paging related parameters that may affect call connection
time and RRC connection time.

Status Quo on Paging Success Rate and
Values of Paging
Paging problems tackled by the
Maintenance Department Paging is extremely important
Paging Problems (UMTS)
2011
2012
 Challenges: Paging channel (PCH) will become our first bottleneck,

Paging problems: The maintenance
and PCH congestion will inevitably outbreak in a short time. User
department has tackled 164 paging
experience regarding intelligent terminals shall be one of our key
problems from 2011 to April 2012. concerns with the launch of new application services. However, the
As the UMTS network becomes heavy- existing PCHs cannot be expanded at all. The more we expand
load, it has been witnessing a growing Nodes, the more congested the PCH will be. In addition, the LAC or
trend of paging problems. RAC cannot be divided endlessly, because their division will lead to
increase of LAUs or RAUs, which will pose a great impact on the RNC
or CN. Paging problem will become a global issue.

Contents
 Analysis of Paging Problems in Various Scenarios
 Paging Success Rate Formula and Measurement Points in the Paging

Procedures, and Process-based Classification of Paging Problems
 Check Throughout the Procedure 1: Discarding of Paging Messages on the Iu

Interface and RNC Exception Lead to Paging Counter Deterioration on the CN
side
 Check Throughout the Procedure 2: Paging Failure on the Air Interface Leads
to Concurrent Deterioration of Paging Counters on CN and UTRAN sides
 Check All Processes 3: CN Paging Counters Are Normal, but UTRAN Paging
Counters Deteriorate
 Impact of Cell-PCH/EFD Feature Activation on Paging Success Rate

Analysis of Paging Problems in
Various Scenarios The paging success rates of migrated or new networks are lower than
those of the original networks. The following actions need to be
taken:
1. Check parameters (including the parameter mapping, parameters
Low paging related to the connection between the CN and the RNC, and paging
success rates on related parameters).
migrated or new 2. Check whether the LAC division changes after migration.
networks 3.Troubleshoot the paging success rate problem throughout the
procedure.
After taking the actions above, proceed to the optimization process.
The paging success rate deteriorates after a version upgrade of the

NE (BSC or BTS). The following actions need to be taken:
1. Check parameter inheritance.
Paging
Paging success 2. Compare the differences between the old and new versions (refer
success rate
rate deterioration to warnings, notifications, and version descriptions).
problems
due to NE upgrade 3. Check whether the LAC region division changes after migration.
4. Troubleshoot the paging success rate problem throughout the
procedure.
After taking the actions above, proceed to the optimization process.
Network sharing features include Iu-Flex, Multiple Operator Core

Network (MOCN), and RAN-Sharing. These features become
Paging success complicated in the scenarios with multi-carrier networking and GSM
rate problems network.
caused by network It is recommended that the paging success rate problem be
sharing features troubleshoot throughout the procedure and check the paging failure
cases that we have known in network sharing scenarios.
Improvement of the
paging success rate Improve the paging success rate on the live network through
on the live network optimization.

Contents

Procedure, and Process-based Classification of Paging Problems
 Procedure 1: Check Discarding of Paging Messages on the Iu Interface and

RNC Exception Lead to Paging Counter Deterioration on the CN side
 Procedure 2: Check Paging Failure on the Air Interface Leads to Concurrent

Deterioration of Paging Counters on CN and UTRAN sides
 Processes 3: Check Normal CN Paging Counters, but UTRAN Paging Counters

Deteriorated

Paging Success Rate and Measurement
Points in the Paging Procedure
 LAC, the measurement object of

paging success rate on Huawei CN
side, is defined as follows:
Initial paging response count + Repetitive paging response count
HW CN paging
=
success rate
Initial paging count
 The success rate of HW RNC-originated paging

for an IDLE mode UE can be expressed by the
following equation:
The success rate of HW

RNC-originated pagings
for an IDLE UE
A: CN paging request count (Still counted as one even if the paging

request is retransmitted)
D: CN paging response count
B: UTRAN paging attempt

C: UTRAN paging success

Process-based Classification of
Paging Problems (I)
Troubleshooting the paging success rate
problem throughout the procedure
involves four steps :
 Check whether the paging messages on
the downlink Iu interface are discarded.
 Identify the possible causes of paging
message broadcast failure and RRC
request transfer failure on the air
interface. The paging message
broadcast failure may caused by
internal problems of the RNC, such as,
paging congestion (air interface
capability restricted), weak coverage,
and paging black hole.
 Check whether the RRC connection is
successfully set up after transmission of
the terminating RRC connection request.
 Check whether the RANAP layer on the
CN side receives the paging response.
If any problems occur in steps 1, 3, or 4

above, the CN paging success rate will
drop greatly, but the UTRAN paging
success rate will remain normal.
If any problems occur in step 2, the

paging success rates on both CN and
UTRAN sides will drop.

Process-based Classification of
Paging Problems (II)
CN paging success rate drops
Check Throughout the Procedure 1:
greatly.
Discarding of paging messages on the Iu
The success rate of RNC-
interface and RNC exception lead to
originated paging for an IDLE
paging counter deterioration on the CN
mode UE remains unchanged.
side
CN paging success rate drops. Check Throughout the Procedure 2:

The success rate of RNC- Paging failure on the air interface leads to
originated paging for an IDLE concurrent deterioration of paging
mode UE drops. counters on CN and UTRAN sides
CN paging success rate remains

unchanged. Check Throughout the Procedure 3: CN
The success rate of RNC-
originated paging for an IDLE paging counters are normal, but UTRAN
mode UE drops greatly. paging counters deteriorate

Contents




Deteriorated

Procedure 1: Check discarding of Paging Messages on the Iu Interface and
RNC Exception Lead to Paging Counter Deterioration on the CN Side
Features:
According to the measurement point
diagram, the paging requests and
responses on the air interface are
normal, so the problem is caused by
a Iu interface interaction exception.
Classification:
 The Iu interface paging messages
are discarded.
 The success rate of terminating
RRC connection setup drops.
 The terminating RRC connection
is successfully set up, but the CN
service layer does not receive the
initial direct transfer message
(paging response).
Handling principle:
This kind of problems is usually
caused by the exceptions on the
internal modules of the RNC. We
need to collect relevant logs for
analysis. Air interface paging
optimization is not a key to solving
such problems.
CR (Connection Request)
1. The Iu interface paging messages are discarded.

Cause Judgment Method Solution
The SPU is overloaded. 1. There is a flow control alarm for Iu Allocate part of the Iu interface
interface paging. load to the SPU (see the
attachment: Iu Interface Signaling
2. Observe the traffic measurement of Plane Configuration Guide.doc).
VS.Paging.FC.Disc.Num.CPUS if # 0 If the SPU has been already
heavily loaded, expand the SPU.
In *Iu-Flex networking in the CS Method 1: Check the SPU which is not Modify the MSC function settings
domain, when the MSC initiates an overloaded. Then observe the counter (Note: This problem does not exist
IMSI paging, the paging message VS.RANAP.CsPaging.Loss if # 0 in PS domains)
does not carry Global CN-ID.
Method 2: Observe the Iu interface
paging messages. The IMSI paging
message does not carry Global CN-ID.
The internal module of the RNC is Check the RNC paging success rate. Switch over the SPU where the Iu
abnormal. Trace the signaling on Iu and Uu interface link is deployed. If the
interfaces. problem still exists, contact the
Paging messages are broadcast over Maintenance Department.
the Iu interface, but no corresponding
paging messages are broadcast over
the Uu interface
* Iu Flex (WRFD-021302 Iu Flex): "Intra-domain Connection of Radio Access Network (RAN) Nodes to Multiple Core Network Nodes.“
The Iu Flex enables a RAN node to route information to different CN nodes, implementing the load balance among MSCs or SGSNs

Case 1 - Paging Flow Control Caused by SPU Overload
 [Office I of country M] SPU load sharing is not enabled, which results in over-high load of some
SPUs and paging flow control.
Problem description: The RNC has often generated flow control alarms since August 18, 2012,
leading paging discard.
Because the SPU load sharing switch is not enabled, the load of some SPUs becomes over-high,
resulting in paging flow control.
Problem identification:
1. View alarm logs. Massive paging messages

of some SPUs are discarded.
2. Perform traffic measurement. The SPU load

sharing is uneven.
3. View scripts. The load sharing switch is not

enabled.
Solution: Enable the load sharing switch:

SET URRCTRLSWITCH: PROCESSSWITCH=RNC_SHARE_SWITCH-1;
If the CPU usage is higher than this threshold and lower than the overload threshold, new calls will be assigned to other SPUs

2. The success rate of terminating RRC connection setup drops.
Principle Judgment Method Solution

 The UTRAN paging for an IDLE mode UE Check whether the Refer to the access failure
over the air interface succeeds when the success rate of troubleshooting method.
RRC CONNECT REQ message is
terminating or cause-
received.
 The UE cannot send any paging unknown RRC
response to the CN if the terminating connection setup
RRC connection setup fails. drop
Typical Case:
In an RNC swap scenario, the cause-unknown RRC connection is set up on the 13.6K DCH
before swap and on the FACH after swap by default.
According to the CHR/PCHR, the cause value of some CS terminated calls is UNKNOWN.
Therefore, the success rate of RRC connection setup drops after RNC swap.

3. The terminating RRC connection is successfully set up, but the CN service layer does not receive
the initial direct transfer message (paging response).

The RNC does not send the SCCP Select SCCP when tracing the Iu interface Switch over the SPU where the Iu interface
Connect Request (CR) message to the CN. signaling on the RNC side. The RNC does link is deployed. If the problem still exists,
not send any CR (Connection Request) contact the Maintenance Department.
message.
The RNC sends the SCCP CR message to a  Trace the Iu interface signaling on the Locate the problem on the CN side, and
CN, but the CN cannot resolve this CR RNC side. The RNC send a CR message. contact the Maintenance Department.
(paging response) message.  The CN SCCP receives the CR message
but the CN service layer cannot trace
the paging response message.
In IU-FLEX networking, the mapping Trace the Iu interface signaling on the The frontline personnel check the Iu-Flex
between NRIs and CNIDs differs on the RNC side. The paging response is sent to deployment negotiation data table.
RNC and CN, and therefore the paging another CN instead of the CN to which the
response is sent to another CN. paging request is sent.
The Network Resource Identifier (NRI) identifies the CN node that serves a pool area
Fill Data on the BSC Side Fill Data on the CN Side Based on N7DPC
NRI CNID N7DPC OPC CNID NRI
ADD UNRIGLBCNIDMAP ADD UCNNODE ADD N7DPC ADD SCCPSSN
5 10 9010
6 20 9020

Case 2 - Low Paging Success Rates of New RNCs in Guatemala
 The paging success rates of new RNCs is low.

Problem description:
Two newly built GU SRANs have low CS paging and 3G paging success rates.
When subscribers under CN node A call subscribers under CN node B, over 20% of calls are
directly forwarded to the voice mailbox, and CN node B is in IDLE mode. The paging success
rate is only 70%–80%.
Root cause: The Iu-Flex function is enabled, but the mapping between NRIs and CN nodes is not
configured. Therefore, the paging responses of CN node A were sent to CN node B involve paging
failure.
Problem identification:
1. Iu-Flex is enabled: SET UOPERATORCFGPARA:CNOPINDEX=0,
CSNRICFGMODE=SUPP_IUFLEX;
2. The mapping between CN nodes and NRIs is not configured: ADD UNRIGLBCNIDMAP:
CnOpIndex=x, CNId=x, NRI=x;
Solution: Run ADD UNRIGLBCNIDMAP to configure the mapping between NRIs and CN nodes.

Contents




Deteriorated

Procedure 2: Check paging Failure on the Air Interface leads to
deterioration of paging counters on CN and UTRAN Sides
Features: The UE is covered by the RNC.

The UE does not initiate the terminating RRC connection
request due to an internal exception of the RNC or the
air interface coverage.
Classification:
1. Paging messages are not broadcast over the air
interface due to RNC exceptions.
2. Paging messages are not broadcast due to paging
congestion (air interface capability restricted).
3. The UE cannot receive the paging message from the air
interface or the RNC cannot receive the terminating RRC
connection request due to weak coverage, paging
black hole, or BTS hardware failures.
4. The RRC connection setup for registration has a low
success rate, or the UE makes frequent cell updates.
5. The IDLE mode UE makes frequent cell updates or
inter-RAT cell reselection. The UE in CELL PCH state
makes frequent cell reselection.
6. Some UEs do not respond to the air interface paging on
a complicated shared network.
Handling: Check whether the problem is caused due to
RNC exceptions. If not, focus on the air interface paging
optimization.

1. Paging messages are not broadcast over the air interface due to RNC exceptions. (This problem
has a low probability and is difficult to locate. Software version upgrade is suggested.)
The internal module of the SPU is Switch over the SPU. If the
abnormal.  There is no flow control alarm problem persists, reset the active
for Iu interface paging. and standby SPUs. If the problem
cannot be resolved, collect relevant
data and report to the Maintenance
 Observe the traffic Department.
measurement of
VS.Paging.FC.Disc.Num.CPUS
The software or hardware of the Take the following actions one by one
which has a value of zero.
SCU is abnormal. until services are restored: Switch
over the SCU, reset the SCU,
 Trace the signaling on Iu and Uu remove and insert the SCU, reset
interfaces. Paging messages are the subrack, and reset the RNC.
The software or hardware of the broadcast over the Iu interface, Take the following actions one by one
DPU is abnormal. but no corresponding paging until services are restored:
messages are broadcast over
the Uu interface at the same Reset the faulty DSP or DPU,
time. remove and insert the DPU, collect
data and report to the R&D
Department.

2. Paging congestion (air interface capability restricted) VS.RRC.Paging1.Loss.PCHCong.Cell
1. PCH transfer format (1 X 240 bit format is in current use)

2. When transfer format is fixed, the max nb of UEs for paging in a paging message varies with the length of the UE
paging record (by using the CN_ID or UTRAN_ID structure). Currently Huawei product supports a maximum of eight
paging messages. Messages in excess of this limit will be discarded directly.
Q: How many UE count in one paging type 1 message?

A: One Paging Type 1 message length is 240 bits, One TMSI/p-TMSI paging record length is 5 bytes.
One IMSI paging record length is 9 bytes. So, i.e. 30 byte
 if only TMSI/p-TMSI is included in Paging message, the maximum UE count is 6.
 if one IMSI is included in Paging message, the maximum UE count is 5.
 if two IMSIs are included in Paging message, the maximum UE count is 4.
 if three IMSIs are included in Paging message, the maximum UE count is 3.

22:30–23:40: Paging
2. Paging congestion (air interface capability restricted) message per
22:00–23:00: message (paging
Paging occasion)
utilization of
cell
The air interface sends a PDU at

TTI (10 ms), and each PDU has a
fixed length of 240 bits. If only
one TMSI paging message is
sent, the messages will be
padded with spaces.
22:30–23:40:
Paging count
per message Physical PCH utilization (based
on TMSIs) = Nb of Paging
Type1 / (SP * 100 * 6)
Note:
SP indicates the measurement

cycle. Eg. half an hour equals to
1800 seconds.
100 = 1000 ms / 10 ms(PCH TTI).
6 indicates that six TMSI/P-TMSI

paging messages can be sent at
each TTI.
Actual paging utilization = PCH utilization X 30/35.

Note: The data comes from an office on the live network.

Procedure 2: Check paging Failure on the Air Interface leads
to deterioration of paging counters on CN and UTRAN Sides
2. Paging congestion (air interface capability restricted)

 Paging congestion decision
 Paging discard rate > 1% (IU.Paging.Congestion.Cell.Ratio)
 Paging utilization > 80% (after modification) & Physical utilization > 25%
Note:
After optimizing, the ratio of PS Tm/Org decreased.
More smart phones bring more PS Tm calls.
PCH is becoming more congested day by day.

 Optimization 1: Change the paging method in CN from IMSI paging into TMSI
paging for CN paging (depend on the CN vendor)
IMSI paging: 9 bytes/message; TMSI paging: 5 bytes/message

Effect: Paging capacity could be doubled.

 Optimization 2: LAC/RAC division
• More LACs/RACs will bring more RRC attempt after UE moving from one
LAC/RAC to another, so LAC/RAC division is limited.
LAC division precautions:
1. Location area boarder selection needs to
consider geographical features and user
distribution in order to reduce the location
update frequency. Generally the areas with RAC1 RAC2
less UEs or small handover probabilities are
selected as location area boundaries.
2. Avoid setting location area boundaries in RNC
the areas where group users or VIP users
are located. Consider the impact of load
increase during location area planning.
3. Multi-carrier BTSs need to be deployed in the
same location area.
4. The BTSs with the same LAC need to be
deployed in contiguous areas. RRC connect request
Advantage of LAC/RAC division: The paging traffic on the air interface decreases.
Disadvantage: LAC/RAC division leads to increase of the location area or
routing area updates and system load, and decrease of the paging success
rate of boarder users.

Case 2 - Paging Congestion Caused by
Overlarge Location Area
 [Office T] PCH congestion leads to a soaring increase of RNC paging loss.
 Problem description: The paging loss of an RNC on the live network increases sharply.
This RNC covers seven location areas (LAs). According to traffic statistics and scripts, only
one of the LAs has paging losses and this LA is much larger than others.
 Solution: LAC division

 Optimization 3: Disable the L2 retransmission switch MACCPAGEREPEATTIMES
Implementation of Huawei
CN current product:
• Current status: Paging 640 ms, K=6 Regardless of whether the UE
receives or responds to paging
messages, the paging
RNC messages will be re-sent
according to the preset
retransmission count, which
Paging type1 results in extremely low
channel utilization.
Paging response/RRC connect request
• After optimizing: CN 3s(if paging no response, CN

Paging CN will repeat 3~5 times) Paging re-send
RNC
Paging type1 High success rate (like RRC)
Paging response/RRC connect request

MACCPAGEREPEATTIMESThis parameter defines the times of retransmission of paging messages. If the times of retransmission exceed the value of this parameter,
retransmission stops.) Page 28
HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential
 Optimization 4: Enable the Cell-PCH state to add online users and reduce invalid
air interface paging.
 Increasing online users
CN
CN
RNC RNC
Cell Cell Cell Cell

LAC/RAC
UE in idle UE in PCH
Principle:
The UE in Cell-PCH state knows the cell to camp on, so paging messages only need to be
broadcast to a single cell instead of the LA or RA, thereby greatly reducing paging traffic.

 Optimization 5: Enable CS paging priority to improve the CS paging success rate.
 CS paging has a higher priority than PS paging.
CS paging CS paging CS paging CS paging PS paging
CS guarantee
240 bits
In each PCH PDU:
Fill PS paging message only if no any more CS paging at this moment.
Command: SET UDPUCFGDATA: PagingSwitch=ON;

 Optimization 6: PCH expansion (unavailable now pre-research phrase)
 The PCH is not extendable, even through site expansion. Paging messages are transmitted based on
the LAC, so the paging traffic in each cell is related to the number of user in the LA instead of the
number of BTSs or cells.
 Each PDU sent through PCH is 240 bits long. This is a protocol recommended value, and also
adopted by E\\\ and NSN. Setting PDU length to a larger value will bring UE compatibility risks.
 The PCH is not extendable due to UE capability constraints.
 Paging:
• For TMSI paging, the network broadcasts paging messages based on TMSI mod K
• For IMSI paging, the network broadcasts paging messages based on IMSI mod K
• For U-RNTI paging, the network broadcasts paging messages based on U-RNTI mod K
K indicate number of SCCPCHs which carry one PCH each
• Some UEs intercept the first PCH only. If multiple PCHs are set, these UEs will never receive
paging messages.
Conclusion: Reply to customer requirements for PCH expansion by clarifying the

preceding reasons.

3. Weak coverage, paging black hole, BTS hardware failure, and frequent out of cell service
 Tool (to be developed)

Input data: Iu interface tracing (only trace paging related messages) + PCHR data
 Advantage
The Top Cells with paging failures can be approximately identified and optimized.
 Algorithm principle
Use the xx tool to record the IMSIs of the UEs with no paging response, and search for the active cells (short
message, call, location update, paging) in the latest few minutes to locate the cells with paging black holes. Output
cloud cover images by using OMstar for analysis.
 Analysis procedure
1. Locate the cells with paging black holes by using XX tool (to be developed).
2. Output cloud cover images by using Omstar.
3. Locate the weak coverage spots of paging cells, and identify the paging failure causes through boarder drive test
and onsite wireless environment survey. Optimize these cells accordingly.
 Causes
Parameter settings, feeder orientation, capacity, hardware failure, weak coverage, and out of cell service.
 Solution
Parameter setting adjustment, feeder adjustment, capacity expansion, hardware swap, site deployment in weak
coverage spots, and prevention of out of cell service.

4. The success rate of the RRC connection setup for registration decreases.
Principle Judgment Solution

Method
Low success rate of the RRC connection Check whether the Refer to the access
setup for registration may lead to extension success rate of the failure
of UE registration. When a UE registers with RRC connection troubleshooting
the UMTS network, it will not respond even if setup for registration method.
having received paging messages over the decreases.
air interface.

5. RRC connection setup for registration succeeds, but Iu interface paging fails which
leads to LAU/RAU failures.
The RRC connection setup for registration usually 1. Observe the LAU success Generally
aims for LAU or RAU. After an RRC connection is rate (which is possibly not the problem
successfully setting up, the NAS signaling accurate) on the MSC. needs to be
interaction on the Iu interface starts. If any solved by
exception occurs during NAS signaling 2. Analyze relevant error MSC
interaction, the LAU or RAU of the UE fails. codes in RNC logs. engineers.
Paging messages are broadcast in the original
LA, leading to paging failures.

6. The IDLE mode UE makes frequent cell updates or inter-RAT cell reselection.
The UE in CELL PCH state makes frequent cell reselection.

If an Idle mode UE is paged when initiating an Evaluate whether LAUs are LAC planning needs to consider the
LAU in a new LA, the CN paging message will too frequent based on the LA capacity and boarder
carry the old LAC. When an RNC broadcasts a traffic volume. reasonableness. Set CN software
paging message over the air interface to all cells parameters to ensure that the CN does
in the old LA, the UE probably cannot receive this not broadcast paging messages to the
message or respond even if receiving this UE after receiving an LAU request but
message. before finishing the LAU.
Inappropriate parameter settings lead to frequent Evaluate whether the inter- Check cell selection and reselection
cell reselection between 2G and 3G networks of RAT reselection is too related parameters to avoid ping-
the IDLE mode UE. frequent based on the traffic pong reselection.
volume.
If a UE in Cell-PCH state is paged when it is Evaluate whether the cell 1. Check cell selection and
being redirected from one cell to another, the reselection of Cell-PCH UEs reselection related parameters to
network will broadcast to the old cell. Because is too frequent based on the avoid ping-pong reselection.
the UE has already selected a new cell, paging number of Cell-PCH UEs.
will fail. Usually paging interruption (about 50 ms) 2. Reduce the cell reselection times
occurs during cell reselection. by shifting the UE state from Cell-
PCH to URA-PCH. (If the network is
not congested, there are bugs when
the RNC pages a URA-PCH UE.
Therefore, enabling URA-PCH will
not be considered until in versions
later than R14.)

7. Some UEs do not respond to the air interface paging on a complicated shared
network.

Some UEs can receive paging Trace and analyze Iu interface Update UE software
messages but cannot respond paging messages by using the versions or modify
when a 3G network sharing UTRAN paging tool (OMStar, networking policies on
feature (for example, MOCN and PRS) There are TOP IMSIs. the network side.
RAN-Sharing) is enabled, According to the data on the
especially when 2G and 3G Home Location Register (HLR),
networks co-exist. almost all these TOP IMSIs
belong to the same IMSI-TAC. It
means that the UEs with these
TOP IMSIs are of the same type.
Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) feature can enable operators to share the radio access network while keeping
individual core networks. WRFD-02131104 MOCN Load Balance . The MOCN feature can save investments in site
leasing, site construction, transmission equipment, and RAN equipment. It allows operators to have independent
CNs, services, and billing. Compared with RAN sharing, MOCN can improve usage of network resources. The
difference between MOCN and RAN sharing is that MOCN uses common carrier resources and RAN sharing uses
independent carriers

8. Inappropriate parameter settings lead to UE paging response failure in a period of
time.
Principle Judgment Solution

Method
In multi-carrier networking, the UE camps on SET Enable
F1, and F2 is barred. When a connection is URRCTRLSWITCH: SET URRCTRLSWITCH:
set up, the call is directed to F2 through PROCESSSWITCH2= PROCESSSWITCH2=R
DRD. The RB Setup Failure message of RNC_RBRECFG_DRD NC_RBRECFG_DRD_FA
the UE is sent in F1. if the rollback switch _FAIL_ROLLBACK_S IL_ROLLBACK_SWITCH
at the RNC side is not enabled, the WITCH- -
channel in F1 will be deleted and the RB 0&RNC_RBSETUP_D 1&RNC_RBSETUP_DRD
SETUP FAIL message cannot be received. RD_FAIL_ROLLBACK_ _FAIL_ROLLBACK_SWI
The UE detects downlink out-of-syn in F1, SWITCH-0; TCH-1;
initiates Cell Update for call re-
connection and re-sends the message.
When frontline Engineer set T302 to 2s and
N302 to three times, the UE uses at least 8s.
The downlink out-of-syn detection time
(T313) is set to 6s. The UE cannot respond
to paging messages for at least 14s in the
whole procedure.

Contents




Deteriorated

Procedure 3: Check CN Paging Counters Are Normal, but
UTRAN Paging Counters Deteriorate
1. UE is beyond the RNC scope.
Multiple NEs are configured Identify the problem by Perform appropriate LAC
with the same LAC. For viewing the configurations planning for NEs and Avoid
example, 2G and 3G networks on the CN side. different NEs shares the
share the same LA. same LAC unless under
special circumstances.
If the configurations on the CN
side cannot be modified, tell
the customer that the paging
success rate on the CN side
represents the capability of
UEs being paged, and explain
why the paging success rate
on the RNC side is low.
The LAC not belonging to the Perform signaling tracing Modify the configurations on
RNC is configured on the CN on the Iu interface. The the CN side.
side. LAC in the paging
message is not configured
on the RNC.

Case 5 - Paging Failure Caused by Incorrect
LAC/RAC Configurations on the CN Side
 [Office X of country I] Incorrect LAC/RAC configurations on the CN side leads to a low paging
success rate on the RNC side.
Problem description:
One of the two RNCs has a paging success rate of only about 50%. The paging success rate in the LA on the
RNC side is around 90%.
Root cause:
(1) The number of LACs configured on the MSC side is larger than that on the RNC side. Therefore, the
RNC receives the paging messages that are not intended for it and the number of paging attempts is
excessive.
(2) The number of RACs configured on the SGSN side is larger than that on the RNC side. Therefore, the
RNC receives the paging messages that are not intended for it and the number of paging attempts is
excessive. The paging count in the surplus LAs or RAs is quite large, so the paging success rate on the RNC
side is very low. However, the paging success rate on the MSC or SGSN side is normal.
Solution: Configure an appropriate number of LACs or RACs on the MSC or SGSN side.

Check Throughout the Procedure 3: CN Paging Counters Are
Normal, but UTRAN Paging Counters Deteriorate
3. Activate the Cell-PCH/FD feature on the RNC.
After Cell-PCH/EFD is activated, more UEs Check whether the Tell the customer that the CN
in IDLE mode are likely to be on the RNC number of CELL- paging success rate represents
boarder, leading to decrease of the PCH/EFD UEs increases. the capability of UEs being paged,
success rate of paging for idle UEs on and explain why the paging
UTRAN. This problem is a normal success rate on the RNC side
phenomenon and does not affect the decreases slowly with increase of
paging success rate on the CN side. the CELL-PCH/FD UEs.
To understand the principle, we can assume a limit state scenario where all UEs are in Cell-PCH mode after the Cell-
PCH feature is activated.
The IUR interface does not support Cell-PCH, so the Cell-PCH UEs on the boarder can easily transit to the IDLE mode.
As shown in the following figure, the IDLE mode UEs are basically on the RNC boarder, and therefore the success rate
of paging for IDLE mode UEs on the RNC side decreases. The total number of UEs on the RNC boarder is not
changed, so the paging success rate on the CN side will not change.
IDLE UE RNC border

area
IDLE UE CELL-PCH
IDLE UE
UE

Contents


side

Impact of Cell_PCH/EFD Activation on Paging Success Rate
Activating the Cell-PCH/EFD feature brings massive gains to the network. For example, it saves
signaling, reduces SPU load, and improves the CS RAB setup success rate. More offices plan to
active this feature. The Cell-PCH/EFD feature has the following impacts on the paging success rate:
Principle Impact on Paging Solution
When a UE is in Cell-PCH mode, the RNC Reduce the paging load For the offices with serious
can broadcast paging messages to the on the air interface, paging discard due to PCH
cell where the UE is located instead of to reduce paging discard paging congestion, activation of
the LA. This can greatly reduce the air caused by PCH paging the Cell-PCH feature helps
interface PCH load of the cell. congestion, and improve alleviate the paging load of the air
the paging success rates interface.
on CN and RNC sides.
After cell reselection, the UE in Cell-PCH Have a minor effect on In most offices, the cell updates
mode still needs to originate a cell update the paging success rates of Cell-PCH UEs do not involve
even if the LAC is unchanged. Usually on CN and RNC sides. the Iu interface and therefore take
paging interruption (about 50 ms) occurs a very short time and almost have
during cell reselection. no impact on paging.
After cell reselection, the UE in IDLE mode
does not need to perform signaling
interaction with the wireless network if the
LAC is unchanged.
After the Cell-PCH/EFD feature is activated, Affect the paging Communicate with the customer
the success rate of paging for IDLE mode success rate on the RNC to clarify that the CN paging
UEs on the RNC side decreases gradually side only. success rate represents the
with increase of Cell-PCH UEs. capability of UEs being paged.

Contents


side

Research on Paging Success Rate Formula
 The paging success rate on HW MSC side is given by the following equation (The
measurement object is LAC):
Initial paging response count + Repetitive paging response count

HW MSC paging success rate =
 The paging success rate on Ericsson MSC side is given by the following equation:
Paging failure count

E///MSC paging success rate = 1 -
HW MSC engineers think that HW MSC does not have the original counter — paging failure count
which theoretically is given by the following equation:
Paging failure count = Initial paging count – (Initial paging response count + Repetitive paging
response count)
However, according to the statistics of Ericsson MSC, the paging failure count is much less than the
right-hand side of the equation. Therefore, the paging success rate will be very high.
HW MSC engineers need to consider this condition carefully.

Analysis of Call Connection Duration (1/2)
Currently the live network has a large delay in paging of UEs and this will directly affect
user experience.

The initial paging success rate is 1. Query the initial 1. Improve the initial paging
not high (for example, lower than paging success rate of success rate by taking the
96%). The paging interval is quite the CN. actions mentioned above.
long (longer than 3s). The paging 2. Query the paging 2. Reduce the paging
delay of some UEs (with initial retransmission interval. retransmission interval.
paging failure) prolongs.
When a Cell-PCH UE originates a 1. The security mode The current product does not
CS call setup request, Security reject failure procedure support this overlap
Mode and Cell Reselection accompanies cell update. procedure. Enable the CS
overlap each other, which Restore security mode P2D function to mitigate this
increases paging delay. reject. problem.

Analysis of Call Connection Duration (2/2)
 Case (call delay)
 Problem description: In an office in Mexico, the call delay increases after the Cell-
PCH feature is activated. The following figure shows the CS call setup procedure of a
UE in PCH state.
UE RNC CN
Paging Type1
Cell update(trigger by CS voice)

Cell update confirm(state transmit to FACH)
RB reconfiguration complete
Initial UE Message
Security Mode
Cell Update(Cell Re-Selection)
Security Mode Reject
Cell Update Confirm
RNC implemented the overlap
procedure, so the Call Setup Failure.
Scenario: This problem often occurs in the offices where Cell-PCH is activated.

Contents
 Paging Success Rate Formula and Measurement Points in Paging Procedure,

and Process-based Classification of Paging Problems

side

Paging Related Parameters
Command Baseline Parameter Check Rules
Target Value (Reasonableness)

Paging Related Deliverables

Thank you
www.huawei.com

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UMTS Paging Principles +

September 11, 2012

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential

This topic contains:

This topic contains:

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 2

 Cause of Paging Problems and Value of Paging

 Analysis and Troubleshooting of Paging Problems in Various Scenarios

 Paging Related Parameters and Deliverables

 Low or significant deterioration of paging success rate on the CN side

 Significant deterioration of paging success rate on CN side

 Increase of missed calls

 Long call connection time or call quality deterioration

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 4

Paging Problems (UMTS)

 Challenges: Paging channel (PCH) will become our first bottleneck,

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 5

 Analysis and Troubleshooting of Paging Problems in Various Scenarios

 Analysis of Paging Problems in Various Scenarios

 Paging Success Rate Formula and Measurement Points in the Paging

 Check Throughout the Procedure 1: Discarding of Paging Messages on the Iu

 Impact of Cell-PCH/EFD Feature Activation on Paging Success Rate

 Paging Related Parameters and Deliverables

The paging success rate deteriorates after a version upgrade of the

Network sharing features include Iu-Flex, Multiple Operator Core

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 7

 Analysis and Troubleshooting of Paging Problems in Various Scenarios

 Analysis of Paging Problems in Various Scenarios

 Paging Success Rate Formula and Measurement Points in the Paging

 Procedure 1: Check Discarding of Paging Messages on the Iu Interface and

 Procedure 2: Check Paging Failure on the Air Interface Leads to Concurrent

 Processes 3: Check Normal CN Paging Counters, but UTRAN Paging Counters

 Impact of Cell-PCH/EFD Feature Activation on Paging Success Rate

 Paging Related Parameters and Deliverables

 LAC, the measurement object of

 The success rate of HW RNC-originated paging

The success rate of HW

A: CN paging request count (Still counted as one even if the paging

B: UTRAN paging attempt

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 9

If any problems occur in steps 1, 3, or 4

If any problems occur in step 2, the

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 10

CN paging success rate drops. Check Throughout the Procedure 2:

CN paging success rate remains

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 11

 Analysis and Troubleshooting of Paging Problems in Various Scenarios

 Analysis of Paging Problems in Various Scenarios

 Paging Success Rate Formula and Measurement Points in the Paging

 Procedure 1: Check Discarding of Paging Messages on the Iu Interface and

 Procedure 2: Check Paging Failure on the Air Interface Leads to Concurrent

 Processes 3: Check Normal CN Paging Counters, but UTRAN Paging Counters

 Impact of Cell-PCH/EFD Feature Activation on Paging Success Rate

 Paging Related Parameters and Deliverables

1. The Iu interface paging messages are discarded.

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 14

1. View alarm logs. Massive paging messages

2. Perform traffic measurement. The SPU load

3. View scripts. The load sharing switch is not

Solution: Enable the load sharing switch:

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD. Huawei Confidential Page 15

2. The success rate of terminating RRC connection setup drops.

Principle Judgment Method Solution