Content for  TS 23.009  Word version:  18.0.0

The procedure used for successful Inter-3G_MSC Handover from GSM to UMTS is shown in Figure 24. Initiation of the GSM to UMTS handover procedure is described in clause 5. The procedure described in this clause makes use of messages from the TS 48.008, TS 25.413 and of the transport mechanism from the Mobile Application Part (MAP) (TS 29.002). After an Inter-3G_MSC handover further Intra-3G_MSC handovers may occur on 3G_MSC-B, these handovers will follow the procedures specified in the previous clauses.

The GSM to UMTS handover is initiated as described in subclause 6.2.2. (This is represented by A-HO-REQUIRED in Figure 24). Upon receipt of the A-HO-REQUIRED from BSS-A, MSC-A shall send a MAP-PREPARE-HANDOVER request to 3G_MSC-B including a complete A-HO-REQUEST message. The MAP-PREPARE-HANDOVER request shall carry in the A HO-REQUEST all information needed by 3G_MSC-B for allocating radio resources in RNS-B, see TS 48.008. The MAP-PREPARE-HANDOVER request shall also carry the identity of the target RNS to which the call is to be handed over, see TS 29.002. If MSC-A supports inter-system handover to a CSG cell and BSS-A includes a CSG ID for the target cell in the A-HANDOVER-REQUIRED message, then MSC-A shall check the CSG membership of the UE for the target cell as described in subclause 4.1.1 before generating the MAP-PREPARE-HANDOVER request. If the UE fails the CSG membership check and the target cell is a CSG cell, MSC-A shall send an A-HANDOVER-REQUIRED-REJECT to BSS-A. If MSC-A supports inter-system handover to a CSG cell, the target cell belongs to the registered PLMN or an equivalent PLMN, and the HLR or the CSS provided CSG subscription data, MSC-A shall include the CSG subscription data for the registered PLMN and, if available, for the equivalent PLMNs in the MAP-PREPARE-HANDOVER request. 3G_MSC-B will return the MAP-PREPARE-HANDOVER response after having retrieved a Handover Number from its associated VLR (exchange of the messages MAP-allocate-handover-number request and MAP-send-handover-report request). The Handover Number shall be used for routing the connection of the call from MSC-A to 3G_MSC-B. For speech calls, if 3G_MSC-B supports the selection of codec based on the Iu-Supported Codecs List, 3G_MSC-B shall select an Iu Selected codec from the Iu Supported Codecs List, generate associated RAB parameters and connect a transcoder. If the Iu Supported Codecs List was not received or 3G_MSC-B does not support the selection of codec based on the Iu-Supported Codecs List, 3G_MSC-B shall select the appropriate default speech codec. For handover to UTRAN Iu mode, 3G_MSC-B shall also generate a NAS Synch Indicator for the Iu-RELOCATION-REQUEST message. If the Iu Supported Codecs List was received by 3G_MSC-B and 3G_MSC-B supports the selection of codec based on the Iu-Supported Codecs List, then the Iu Selected codec shall be indicated in the MAP-PREPARE-HANDOVER response, sent from 3G_MSC-B to MSC-A. If A over IP is supported by MSC-A, then for speech calls MSC-A may include the AoIP-Supported Codecs List (Anchor) in the MAP-PREPARE-HANDOVER request to be used by 3G_MSC-B for subsequent intra-MSC-B intersystem handover to A over IP capable BSC. For a detailed description of the handling of this codec list by MSC-A and 3G_MSC-B see TS 23.153. If radio resources are available in RNS-B the MAP-PREPARE-HANDOVER response will contain the complete A-HO-REQUEST-ACK message generated from the Iu-RELOCATION-REQUEST-ACK received from RNS-B, containing the radio resources definition to be sent by BSS-A to the UE/MS. If the radio resource allocation is not possible, the MAP-PREPARE-HANDOVER response containing an A-HO-FAILURE will be sent to MSC-A. 3G_MSC-B will do the same if a fault is detected on the identity of the cell where the call has to be handed over. 3G_MSC-B simply reports the events related to the dialogue. It is up to MSC-A to decide the action to perform if it receives negative responses or the operation fails due to the expiry of the MAP-PREPARE-HANDOVER timer. If an error related to the TCAP dialogue or to the MAP-PREPARE-HANDOVER request is returned from 3G_MSC-B, this will be indicated to MSC-A and MSC-A will terminate the handover attempt. MSC-A shall reject the handover attempt towards BSS-A. The existing connection to the UE/MS shall not be cleared. When the A-HO-REQUEST-ACK has been received, MSC-A shall establish a circuit between MSC-A and 3G_MSC-B by signalling procedures supported by the network. In Figure 24 this is illustrated by the messages IAM (Initial Address Message) and ACM (Address Complete Message) of Signalling System no 7. 3G_MSC-B awaits the capturing of the UE/MS (subclause 6.2.2) on the radio path when the ACM is sent and MSC-A initiates the handover execution when ACM is received (illustrated by the A-HO-COMMAND and described in subclause 6.2.2). If the BSS-A was connected via an A interface over IP and no transcoding performed in the BSS then MSC-A shall remove the transcoder between the MSC and the other party. 3G_MSC-B transfers to MSC-A the acknowledgement received from the correct UE/MS (A-HO-DETECT/A-HO-COMPLETE). The Iu-RELOCATION-DETECT, if received, is converted to A-HO-DETECT and transferred to MSC-A using the MAP-PROCESS-ACCESS-SIGNALLING request. The Iu-RELOCATION-COMPLETE, when received from the correct UE/MS, is converted to A-HO-COMPLETE and included in the MAP-SEND-END-SIGNAL request and sent back to MSC-A. The circuit is through-connected in MSC-A when the A-HO-DETECT or the A HO COMPLETE is received from 3G_MSC-B. The old radio channel is released when the A-HO-COMPLETE message is received from 3G_MSC-B. The sending of the MAP-SEND-END-SIGNAL request starts the MAP supervision timer for the MAP dialogue between MSC-A and 3G_MSC-B. When the MAP-SEND-END-SIGNAL request including the A-HO-COMPLETE message is received in MSC-A the resources in BSS-A shall be cleared. In order not to conflict with the PSTN/ISDN signalling system(s) used between MSC-A and 3G_MSC-B, 3G_MSC-B must generate an answer signal when Iu-RELOCATION-DETECT/COMPLETE is received. 3G_MSC-B shall release the Handover Number when the circuit between MSC-A and 3G_MSC-B has been established. If the circuit between MSC-A and 3G_MSC-B cannot be established (e.g. an unsuccessful backward message is received instead of ACM). MSC-A terminates the inter3G_MSC handover attempt by sending an appropriate MAP message, for example an ABORT. MSC-A shall retain overall call control until the call is cleared by the fixed subscriber or the UE/MS and there is no further call control functions to be performed (e.g. servicing waiting calls, echo cancellers). When MSC-A clears the call to the UE/MS it also clears the call control functions in MSC-A and sends the MAP-SEND-END-SIGNAL response to release the MAP resources in 3G_MSC-B. MSC-A may terminate the procedure at any time by sending an appropriate MAP message to 3G_MSC-B. If establishment of the circuit between MSC-A and 3G_MSC-B has been initiated, the circuit must also be cleared. The GSM to UMTS handover will be aborted by MSC-A if it detects clearing or interruption of the radio path before the call has been established on 3G_MSC-B.