VAMOS Feature Handbook

VAMOS Feature Handbook

Huawei Technologies Co., LTD

All rights reserved

Release history
Date Version Description Author

26th May, 2014 V1.00 Issue Abdullah Saleh A00273328

 VAMOS Feature Handbook

A. Abstract

Content
VAMOS stands for Voice services over Adaptive Multi-user channels on One Slot. The idea here is to increase
the voice calls capacity supported by GSM network. It is possible to use one time slot for four voice
calls/services.
This document briefly described the needed theoretical information to understand VAMOS feature,
then it explained how to implement VAMOS feature on Huawei networks.

B. Background
GSM basic principles

C. Contents

I. Chapter 1: VAMOS Feature Basic Principles

Feature Theory Overview
Training Sequence
AQPSK Modulation
VAMOS DL Power Control
VAMOS MS Categories
Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying Modulation (GMSK)
Single Antenna Interference Cancellation (SAIC)
Joint Detection (JD)
Interference Rejection Combining (IRC)
Space Time Interference Rejection Combining (STIRC)
Successive Interference Cancellation (SIC) Receiver

II. Chapter 2: Huawei Implementation of VAMOS

Implementation Principles
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

I. Chapter 1: VAMOS Feature Basic Principles

Feature Theory Overview

The feature VAMOS is specified in 3GPP release 9.

VAMOS assign the same GSM physical channel (ARFCN-TDMA frame number-Time Slot) into
two users simultaneously.

The GSM channel could be:

 Full Rate Channel

 Two Half Rate Channels
 Two VAMOS Full Rate Channels
 Four VAMOS Half Rate Channels
 One Half Rate Channel and Two VAMOS Half Rate Channels
 One VAMOS Full Rate Channel and Two VAMOS Half Rate Channels.

VAMOS Advantages:

 Doubling of voice calls per transceiver

Increased call capacity per transceiver gives operators an efficient means to handle
voice traffic growth in their networks without adding more TRXs.

Avoiding additional TRX’s results in savings in BTS HW investments, energy

consumption and BTS foot print.

 Free up capacity for EDGE data services

VAMOS reduces the number of time slots needed for voice services. This allows more
time slots to be allocated for EDGE services.
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

Note: EDGE can carry a bandwidth up to 236.8 Kbit/s for 4 timeslots (theoretical
maximum is 473.6 Kbit/s for 8 timeslots) in packet mode.

 Free up spectrum for new technologies

For example UMTS900 (reframing 25 GSM 200 KHz frequency channel into 5 MHz
UMTS Carrier) or LTE which allow for flexible operations in different spectrum
bands.

VAMOS Disadvantage:

 The parallel signal transmission of the two multiplexed users causes interference for
one another, affecting speech quality if not properly controlled.
 Call Drop Rate increased due to multiplexing of different MSs types.

How VAMOS can differentiate between two users?

VAMOS transmits the combination of two signals at the same time over the same channel, each
with a different orthogonal TSC’s (Training Sequence Code).

Each of the two MSs that receive the data stream at the same time use their knowledge of their
individual TSC to reconstruct their own part of the signal, effectively filtering away the second
data stream as noise.

Up-Link Operation:

Transmitter (MS): use the existing GMSK modulation scheme. In other words, no new
transmitter elements are required in mobile devices.

Receiver (BTS): different receiver algorithms may be used, that is Space Time Interference
Rejection Combining (STIRC), Successive Interference Cancellation (SIC) or Joint Detection
(JD) to receive both orthogonal sub-channels distinguished by their individual training
sequences. Another option is to use two independent GMSK receivers for each sub-channel.

Down-Link Operation:

Transmitter (BTS): use AQPSK modulation technique to be able to transmit two calls at the same
time.

Receiver (MS): use 3GPP Downlink Advanced Receiver Performance (DARP) which is also
known as Single Antenna Interference Cancellation (SAIC) algorithm to correctly demodulate
downlink Signal.
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

Transmission and reception by MS and BTS in VAMOS

 VAMOS Feature Handbook

Training Sequences

The training sequence code (TSC) or Channel Sounding Bits is a known 26-bit pattern placed in
the middle of normal burst. TSC has eight fixed formats, which are represented by TSC ranged
0:7 respectively. The eight sequences are stored in all MS receivers to be used for Bit
Synchronization and for Channel Estimation.

Because of TSC at the middle of time slot it also called Midamble. By having TSC there, the
chances are better that the channel is not too different when it affects the training sequence
compared to when the information bits were affected. If TSC was at the start of a burst, the
channel might have changed by the end of the burst, and the same thing if it was at the end.

If MS have read SCH, it must get the TSC (Training Sequent Code) to correctly read the
information on the downlink common signaling channel. TSC number is linked to the Base
Station Color Code (BCC) of the cell. So one of the functions of BSIC is to inform MS of the
TSC adopted by the common signaling channel of the cell.

Use of Training sequence in Equalizers:

 As the information will be distorted due to time dispersion problem in air interface, the
TSC will be distorted too.
 The channel estimator correlates the stored TSC with the received TSC to estimate the
channel impulse response.
 The signal generator generates versions of all possible data sequences that could come
from the transmitter.
 The generated signal then pass to a channel model which is a simulation of air interface
to calculate the expected received data of the estimated transmitting data.
 The Viterbi algorithm will compare the actually received data with the output of channel
model, if the received distorted data has matched the simulated distorted received data,
then the locally generated data is the same as the data that was actually transmitted. And
if not the process will repeated with different signal generator sequence of data.
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

Use of Training sequence in VAMOS:

TSCs should preferably be orthogonal to each other to guarantee the quality of the channel
estimates.

 As cross-correlation properties of the existing (legacy) eight TSCs are not ideal, this leads
to additional interference experienced by the MS. The legacy TSC set is referred to as
“TSC set 1”.
 In order to improve the correlation properties a new improved set of training sequences
“TSC set 2” was specified. The new set of training sequences has been found based on
computational simulation work in order to obtain the best possible result with respect to
cross correlation properties between existing and new training sequences.
 When using “TSC set 1” the TSC must exhibit low cross-correlation and good auto-
correlation in the presence of the other sub channel.
 When using “TSC set 2” the multiplexing is done by taking two TSC with the same
index in both sets.
VAMOS Feature Handbook
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

Adaptive QPSK (AQPSK) Modulation

In 1986 P. Laurent showed that Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK) phase modulation
could be approximated by Binary Phase Shift Keying amplitude modulated pulse.

VAMOS extends Laurent’s approximation method to represent the superposition of two GMSK
signals as a single AQPSK modulated signal.

Symbol Rotation:

The modulating symbols are continuously rotated with � radians per symbol to avoid transitions
through the origin (ensure that the envelope of the signal does not go instantaneously close to
zero). This minimizes the variations in the modulating signal which in turn minimizes the
linearity requirements of the amplifier.

(i.e. each phase modulated symbol is additionally phase shifted by � radians per symbol).
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

Symbol rotation φ depending on modulation:

AQPSK use π/2 symbol rotation to imitate GMSK, so legacy GMSK SAIC handsets can receive
them separately.

Pulse Shaping:

The process of changing the waveform of transmitted pulses; its purpose is to make the
transmitted signal better suited to its purpose or the communication channel, typically by limiting
the effective bandwidth of the transmission.

By filtering the transmitted pulses this way, the inter-symbol interference caused by the channel
can be kept in control. In RF communication, pulse shaping is essential for making the signal fit
in its frequency band.
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

VAMOS DL Power Control

VAMOS Sub-channel Power Control feature adapts the AQPSK modulation constellation to
distribute the downlink transmit power between the two sub-channels of the AQPSK modulated
carrier. Extra power can be distributed to one of the sub-channels, at the expense of the paired
sub-channel. This mechanism is important since it allows legacy mobiles to operate in VAMOS
mode.

The position of the AQPSK symbols, and thus the power distribution between the sub-channels,
defined by the Sub-channel Power Imbalance Ratio (SCPIR), are controlled by the VAMOS Sub-
channel Power Control.

Power Control in downlink for VAMOS is done in two successive stages:

 Determination of the required transmit power levels for both mobile stations MS-A and
MS-B according to the radio link measurement reports (RXLEV and RXQUAL) received
from these mobiles. The BSS determines the power level P MSA required for MS-A in
the first sub-channel and P MSB for MS-B in the second sub-channel.
 Determination of the corresponding AQPSK signal constellation and output power for the
AQPSK signal. A control unit in the BTS computes a combination of output power P and
α that gives the required combination of P MSA and P MSB in downlink based on the
following relationship: P = P MSA + P MSB = P × cos2 α + P × sin2 α
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

VAMOS MS Categories:

For several years now, many mobiles have been equipped with SAIC receivers to improve their
resistance against inter-cell interference, i.e. not even with VAMOS in mind.

In other words, when VAMOS gets deployed one does not have to wait for special VAMOS
capable devices to reach a critical mass before the benefits can be seen. However terminals that
support VAMOS feature increase performance of the BSS VAMOS feature.

Legacy Non-SAIC:

 Don’t support SAIC algorithm or TSC Set 2

 Can’t be paired with a legacy non-SAIC MS or legacy SAIC MS.
 May be multiplexed on the VAMOS sub-channel in the case of much power offset.

Legacy SAIC:

 Support SAIC algorithm but not support TSC Set 2

 Does not require much power offset.

VAMOS level I:

 Support SAIC algorithm and TSC Set 2

VAMOS level II:

 VAMOS II user devices must cope with strong negative SCIPR values, which will likely
require implementation of joint detection techniques in the receiver. Therefore VAMOS I
and II requirements will differ by verifying voice performance at different SCPIR proof
points. VAMOS I user devices will be tested at SCPIR = -4dB, 0dB and 4dB, whereas
VAMOS II user devices will need to fulfill reference performance additionally at SCPIR
= -8dB and SCPIR = -10dB.

The VAMOS-aware mobiles are expected to be served on the weaker sub-channels when being
multiplexed with legacy mobiles.

Sub-channel Power Imbalance Ratio (SCPIR) is defined by;

Assuming that MS-B receives the quadrature component and MS-A the in-phase component of
the AQPSK signal.
VAMOS Feature Handbook
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying Modulation (GMSK)

GMSK is a continuous-phase frequency-shift keying modulation scheme. It is similar to standard

minimum-shift keying (MSK); however the digital data stream is first shaped with a Gaussian
filter before being applied to a frequency modulator. This has the advantage of reducing sideband
power, which in turn reduces out-of-band interference between signal carriers in adjacent
frequency channels.

There are two commonly used methods to generate GMSK;

1- Frequency shift keyed modulation:

, but this is not suitable for coherent demodulation due to component tolerance problems.

2- Quadrature phase shift keyed modulation:

The steps followed in the modulator are as:

 Create the NRZ (-1, 1) sequence from the binary (0,1) input sequence.
 Create N samples per symbols.
 Integrate the NRZ sequence.
 Convolute with a Gaussian function then compute the corresponding I and Q components
(at this stage, we have the quadrature components of the baseband GMSK equivalent
signal).
 n n
Multiply the I and Q components by the corresponding Cos(nt)and Sin( nt)carriers.
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

 Add the two signals

Single Antenna Interference Cancellation (SAIC)

SAIC techniques can considerably improve the receiver performance with minimum software
upgrade in a communications device. SAIC was introduced by 3GPP in Release 6.

Advantages of using the SAIC technique:

 Requires one antenna only, so, easier to fit into a mobile.

 For a given number of mobile terminals in a network, SAIC mobile terminals experience
more user satisfaction in terms of frame error rate than conventional mobile terminals.
 BTSs serving SAIC terminals can transmit at lower power levels. This reduces the overall
level of interference in the network.

SAIC Working Principle

GSM uses GMSK modulation, which has I and Q channels and carries the same information in
both channels. The (I channel) and (Q channel) data are considered as if they are coming from
two separate antennas “Space Diversity” and then use diversity combining algorithms to
suppress interference.

The received signal is over sampled at 2 and treat the I and Q parts for the on-time and delayed
samples as four virtual channels, space (I & Q channels), and time diversity (2 Over sampled).

It then estimates the interference in the Midamble (training sequence) part and applies the
inverse of this correlation matrix to suppress the interference in the data part.

 The timing estimation block corrects the burst timing with respect to burst reception.
 Unfold the complex signal into a real-valued vector signal with twice as many samples by
multiplexing I and Q parts. The correlation matrix of this unfolded signal fully captures
the I–Q correlation.
 The basic idea of I–Q whitening is to remove I–Q correlation (ideally I and Q correlation
is zero) of the received signal based on an estimate of the interference signal.
 The channel is re-estimated from the whitened signal.
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

 The pre-filter down-samples to 1 oversampling and converts the channel estimate into its
minimum phase equivalent, thus moving the energy towards the first channel taps.
 The equalizer detects the received soft-bits.

Basic Knowledge:

Diversity refers to a method for improving the reliability of a message signal by using two or
more communication channels with different characteristics.

Time diversity implies that the same data is transmitted multiple times, the multiple replicas of
the signal will be uncorrelated if the time separation among the samples is sufficiently large.

Space diversity is relies on the fact that the data coming to the receiver are from sufficiently
separated antennas and independent of each other.

Diversity combining is the technique applied to combine the multiple received signals
“branches” of a diversity reception device into a single improved signal

De-correlation is a general term for any process that is used to reduce autocorrelation within a
signal, or cross-correlation within a set of signals, while preserving other aspects of the signal.
Since the minimum possible autocorrelation for a given signal energy is achieved by equalizing
the power spectrum of the signal to be similar to that of a white noise signal, this is often referred
to as “signal whitening”.

Sampling process is to modulate an input signal by a sampling signal. This reflects the original
signal spectrum at multiples of the sampling frequency (𝑓�). These reflections are called aliases.
In the diagram below, the original spectrum is shown in green, and the first two sets of aliases are
shown in a light grey-blue.

The original spectrum must be limited to less than half of the sampling rate. Ideally this would be
done with a rectangular low pass filter. Without an appropriate filter, the original spectrum could
extend past 𝑓�/2, as shown in the following diagram.
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

Oversampling is the process of sampling a signal with a sampling frequency significantly higher
than twice the bandwidth or highest frequency of the signal being sampled. Oversampling helps
avoid aliasing, improves resolution and reduces noise.

An oversampled signal is said to be oversampled by a factor of β, defined as

Where:

 𝑓� is the sampling frequency

 B is the bandwidth or highest frequency of the signal; the Nyquist rate is 2B.

If multiple samples are taken of the same quantity with uncorrelated noise added to each sample,
then averaging N samples reduces the noise power by a factor of 1/N.
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

Joint Detection (JD)

Multiuser detection (joint detection) is one of the receiver design technology for The
simultaneous detection of the desired and the interfering signal.

In order to do this, JD methods rely on the identification of Training Sequence Code (TSC) of the
interferer and its offset from the TSC of the desired signal.

On this basis, a joint channel estimation is conducted using the 26 known bits from the
interfering TSC and the corresponding bits from the desired signal. The resulting refined channel
estimate takes into account the effect of the interfering burst, which improves the accuracy of the
estimate and thereby decreases the BER.

The two channel estimates are then used in a joint detector, which simultaneously detects the
desired and the interfering signal.

The basic difference between JD and blind interference cancellation (BIC) such as SAIC is that
the JD receivers attempt to jointly process (demodulate) both the desired signal and one or more
of the interferers, while BIC receivers only process (demodulate) the desired signal while
canceling or suppressing the interference.

Interference Rejection Combining (IRC)

Interference Rejection Combining (IRC) is an interference suppression algorithm which

significantly improves the uplink radio quality. This can increase radio network capacity and
improve both speech quality and data throughput.

Simulations show that IRC can provide a C/I gain of up to 11 dB, with a value in typical urban
environments of around 5-6 dB, compared to the currently used receive algorithm.
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

A prerequisite for IRC is that two receive antennas (receive antenna diversity) are used. This
means that there are two versions of the signal available in the transceiver that are slightly
different due to the antenna diversity.

IRC also uses Training Sequence Code by comparing the received signal with the training
sequence to estimate the characteristics of the interfering signal. The IRC algorithm can utilize
this information to efficiently remove interference from the wanted signal.

IRC performs best when the desired signal and the interfering signal are synchronized in time,
since then the interfering signal is the same during the whole burst and the interference
characteristics estimated during the training sequence are more likely to be valid for the whole
burst

Space Time Interference Rejection Combining (STIRC)

In a multiple-antenna receiver, there is a strong correlation (statistical relationship) in the

interference between different branches (normal and diversity) and samples for each symbol
period. Usually, the interference correlation is different from the correlation of the wanted signal.

IRC is a set of diversity combining, digital signal processing methods that removes interference
by taking these cross correlations into account.

These methods can be considered as whitening the interference (there is no correlation) between
the individual branches and samples of each symbol which, if done perfectly, optimizes the
performance of the receiver, in particular the bit detection (the process that decides the
probability that a 1 or 0 was transmitted).

In the IRC algorithm, the interference correlation between normal and diversity branches and
between two samples per symbol in each branch are considered and treated separately. This is
not an optimal approach, as not all the cross correlations between the branches and samples per
symbol are considered fully.

STIRC considers all these cross correlations at the same time and, in this way, can improve the
interference rejection properties of the receiver. STIRC works best when there is a single
dominant interferer and it is best suited for urban areas.

Successive Interference Cancellation (SIC) Receiver

The receiver decodes the information of both the users in two stages:

 In the first stage, it decodes the data of user 1, treating the signal from user 2 as Gaussian
interference.
 Once the receiver decodes the data of user 1, it can reconstruct user 1’s signal and
subtract it from the aggregate received signal. The receiver can then decode the data of
user 2.
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

II. VAMOS Feature Basic Principles

VAMOS Full Rate Channel is not supported by Huawei GBSS13.0

Implementation Principles

VAMOS Channel Multiplexing:

 VAMOS multiplexing multiplexes two suitable users onto one HR channel by using
channel assignment or intra-cell handover.
 In normal cases, when user A and user B access the network independently, each occupies
one half-rate channel. If user A and user B meet the multiplexing conditions, the BSC
hands user B over to the channel occupied by user A.
 If user B is accessing the network and meets the multiplexing conditions, the BSC
directly assigns user B to the channel occupied by user A.

VAMOS Channel Demultiplexing:

 The BSC hands user B over to another half-rate channel.

 VAMOS channel demultiplexing can be performed based on load or quality.

VAMOS Mute SAIC MS Identification:

 In the live network, some MSs support SAIC but the reported value of CLASSMARK3 is
Non-SAIC. These MSs are Mute SAIC MSs. At present, there is no commercial MS that
supports VAMOS-1 or VAMOS-2. These non-SAIC MSs can only occupy channels with
MSs that support VAMOS-2. To enhance VAMOS multiplexing, the BSC provides an
effective testing mechanism to identify Mute SAIC MSs.
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

 The BSC sets up an MS SAIC database to record whether an MS is a Mute SAIC MS.
During channel multiplexing, the BSC queries the records in the MS SAIC database to
identify Mute SAIC MSs and non-SAIC MSs. Then the BSC selects proper MSs to pair
with these MSs.

VAMOS Problem SAIC MS Identification (VAMOS Call Drop Solution):

A database is created at the BSC to record whether the MSs under the BSC have defects in
SAIC. All the MSs under the BSC are classified into three types: defective SAIC-capable MSs
that cannot use VAMOS, defective SAIC-capable MSs that can use VAMOS but require alpha
hopping modulation, and normal SAIC-capable MSs that can use VAMOS but require alpha-
QPSK modulation. Before allocating a channel to an MS, the BSC determines the MS type and
the required modulation scheme by checking the records in the database.

 Call drops may occur on some SAIC MSs during channel multiplexing. To ensure
VAMOS capacity gains, the BSC provides a testing mechanism to identify these problem
SAIC MSs.
 During channel multiplexing, the BSC selects proper MSs to pair with the problem MSs
and uses corresponding power control strategy to ensure the speech quality of VAMOS
calls.
 The BSC uses an MS SAIC database to record the SAIC flags of various MSs. The SAIC
flag indicates whether an MS supports VAMOS multiplexing and the modulation method
that the MS uses.
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

 During channel multiplexing, the BSC checks the MS SAIC database to identify problem
SAIC MSs that do not support multiplexing, problem SAIC MSs that support
multiplexing by using hopping alpha modulation, and non-problem SAIC MSs that
support multiplexing by using Alpha-QPSK modulation.
 Then the BSC selects proper MSs to pair with these MSs. The BSC also uses
corresponding power control strategies to ensure the speech quality of VAMOS calls

MS Compatibility

Before enabling VAMOS on a newly deployed BSC, you are advised to enable Mute SAIC MS
Identification and VAMOS Call Drop Solution. The MS identification should be enabled for one
month and disabled afterwards. The period can be adjusted based on MS SAIC database and
SAIC Ratio.

Based on results from SAIC MS identification, SAIC MSs are categorized into three types:

 White SAIC MSs: This type of MSs can completely support VAMOS multiplexing.
 Gray SAIC MSs: The performance of this type of MSs varies with the TSC combination.
The hop-Alpha QPSK modulation mode, however, can be used to upgrade the MS
performance.
 Black SAIC MSs: are problem SAIC MSs that do not support multiplexing.

If MS compatibility is not considered, the BSC implements multiplexing based on the VAMOS
support capability reported by the MS by using the Classmark.

If VAMOS is enabled on one of the operator's BSCs, the MS SAIC database can be shared with
other BSCs that need to enable VAMOS.

If MS compatibility is considered, the BSC obtains the MS type and then implements
multiplexing based on the MS compatibility stored in the MS type database.

Multiplexing priorities for MSs:

 VAMOS Feature Handbook

For the last two conditions with the lowest priorities, whether multiplexing can be performed is
controlled by a switch. The switch is turned off by default. You are advised not to turn on this
switch.

VAMOS Acceptance:

VAMOS Implementation Steps:

1. Choose cells with high congestion rate and no VAMOS Limitation.

2. Calculate the expected VAMOS Gain.
3. TSC Re-planning.
4. Open Detection.
5. Activation of VAMOS.
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

6. Calculate actual VAMOS Gain.

7. Assigned complex command (if VAMOS Gain is low and need to be improved).
8. Reported IMEI
9. Monitor VAMOS Cells KPIs.

Steps in Detail:

1- VAMOS Cell Screening (VAMOS Limitation):

 BTS Version after BSC6900V900R013C00

 VAMOS Supported Boards: MFRU, MRRU, DRFU, DRRU, DTRU.
 MFRU ≤ 4 TRXs
 Don't use Dual times slot
 DL/UL DTX = YES
 Open Power Control 3.5
 FLEXMAIO = OFF
 DLFREQADJ = DISABLE
 Need DOUBLEDOUBLE_ANTENNA
 MEASURETYPE don't use EnhMeasReport
 FIX_16K_ABIS = YES (Flex Abis only) [LST BTS ---> to check fix 16K_abis]
 NBAMRTFOSWITCH = DISABLE (deactivate tandem free operation)
 TCH2SDPREEN = OFF

2- Expected VAMOS Gain: How many VAMOS calls from the total traffic.

3- TSC Re-planning: Avoid Co-BCCH/Co-BCC in serving area of VAMOS Cell.

4- Open Detection:

 Import MS data base

 Open SAIC PWR Control for cell
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

 SAIC MS detection for BSC

 SAIC MS detection for Cell

5- Activation of VAMOS:

 VAMOS activation for Cell.

 VAMOS PWR Control setting for cell.
 More settings in case of concentric cells.
 Opening Mute SAIC switch for cell (if VAMOS Gain is low)

6- Calculate actual VAMOS Gain

7- Assigned Complex Command:

 Opening VAMOS assignment switch for cell

 Open SDCCH-WAIT MEASUREMENT switch for cell

8- Reported IMEI: Report IMEI switch for BSC

1- VAMOS Cell Screening (VAMOS Limitation):

 MFRU ≤ 4 TRXs:
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

After VAMOS is enabled, more BTS destination signaling point (DSP) processing resources are
required (the number of channels to be processed concurrently increases and new modulation
algorithms need to be used), and the service processing capability of the BTS deteriorates.

 Don't use Dual time slot:

The Cell Extension Type must be Normal_cell. Because VAMOS feature couldn’t recognize that
the other TCH can’t be used.

One of the two adjacent TCHs with the same TRX number is not displayed

 DL/UL DTX = YES

DTX reduces the data to be transmitted during inactive speech periods, thus reducing the system
interference and saving system resources. In addition, DTX reduces the workload of the TX
module of the MS, thus enabling the MS to enjoy a longer call duration and standby time.

VAMOS Operation in Discontinuous Transmission

If DTX is activated in the downlink and one of the sub-channels enters DTX mode (due to e.g. a
silent period), only the active sub-channel is transmitted.

This allows the use of GMSK modulation with linearized GMSK pulse shape as for legacy
channels.

This has the advantage that the power of the GMSK transmission compared to AQPSK can be
reduced during this period by for example 3 dB, since the signal energy for the remaining active
user doubles compared to ordinary QPSK transmission when both users are active.

Once the sub-channel in DTX mode needs to transmit a silence indicator description (SID
FIRST, SID-UPDATE, ONSET, NODATA) or re-enters the next speech activity period, the
AQPSK modulation scheme is selected.

 Open Power Control 3.5

The MRs of two VAMOS multiplexed users are preprocessed separately. In downlink alpha-
QPSK power control, or uplink SIC power control the optimized Huawei power control
algorithm III must be enabled. Since, MR preprocessing procedures, such as interpolating and
filtering, are the same as that in the optimized Huawei power control algorithm III
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

 FLEXMAIO = OFF

In a site with large capacity, inter-frequency or intra-frequency interference may easily occur
among channels because of the limited frequency resources and the aggressive frequency reuse.

For example, when the MA has some neighbor frequencies, inter-frequency interference may
occur among the channels if the channels that carry the same number of the timeslot on different
TRXs use neighbor MAIOs and the channels are seized.

If the Flex MAIO function is performed so that an MAIO is assigned to a certain channel under
activation, the MAIO value is dynamically adjusted based on the interference on the current
channel.

The MAIO value is assigned to the channel so that the interference for the call is minimized from
the perspective of the entire network. The Huawei BSS equipment records the interference
conditions in each timeslot and updates the timeslot interference record upon channel activation
or channel release.

 DLFREQADJ = DISABLE

Deactivate Automatic Frequency Correction (AFC) feature:

 VAMOS Feature Handbook

AFC is a frequency correction algorithm used on the base station side for fast-moving MSs. It
ensures reliability of radio links carrying high-quality speech services for MSs moving at 500
km/h and also ensures service continuity.

The “DL Frequency Adjust Switch” parameter must set to “NO”

The parameter determines whether to enable the automatic frequency adjustment function in the
downlink for the BTS. When the parameter is set to YES, the BTS starts the automatic frequency
adjustment algorithm in the downlink to compensate the fast-moving MS for the frequency offset
caused by the Doppler Effect. While enabling the automatic frequency adjustment in the
downlink, enable the automatic frequency adjustment in the uplink simultaneously.

 DOUBLEDOUBLE_ANTENNA

LST BTSRXUBP: to check Need DOUBLESINGLE_ANTENNA

Sending and Receiving mode of the BTS3900E board

SGL_ANTENNA(Single Feeder[1TX + 1RX]), DOUBLESINGLE_ANTENNA(Double

Feeder[1TX + 1RX]), DOUBLEDOUBLE_ANTENNA(Double Feeder[1TX + 2RX])

VAMOS feature required 2RX as per IRC algorithm.

 MEASURETYPE don't use EnhMeasReport

Measurement Report Type:

 ComMeasReport (Common Measurement Report)

 EnhMeasReport (Enhanced Measurement Report)

The Enhanced Measurement Report supports the measurement of 3G neighboring cells to

implement the interoperability between the 2G system and 3G system, and thus ensures the
service continuity.

The Enhanced Measurement Report also provides the system with information such as Downlink
Frame Erasure Rate (DL FER), the usage of Bit Error Probability (BEP)instead of RX Quality
during the DTX frames.

 NBAMRTFOSWITCH = DISABLE
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

A mobile to mobile GSM call will always have two PCM links in the connection, one to and
from each transcoder and thus a GSM call is always established using the G.711 codec. The two
transcoders of the connection are also called a tandem.

If both transcoder units support at least a single common codec like AMR 12.2 or an AMR-WB
codec, the 64 kbit/s G.711 connection is used to tunnel the compressed and encoded voice
stream. As the audio stream is compressed most of the bits of the transparent 64 kbit/s stream are
not used. This effectively removes the transcoder tandem from the voice connection and is thus
called Tandem Free Operation.
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

2- Expected VAMOS Gain:

The capacity gain provided by VAMOS is dependent on several factors, for example the number
and type of terminals supporting VAMOS, frequency load in the network, cell size and cell plan.

VAMOS Gain (%) = VAMOS Area (%) × SAIC Ratio (%) × AHS Ratio (%)

VAMOS Area: the no. of MRs that achieve the quality threshold of VAMOS.

[Number of MRs on Downlink TCHH (Receive Level Rank 4 to 7 and Receive Quality Rank 0
and 1) + Number of MRs on Downlink TCHF (Receive Level Rank 4 to 7 and Receive Quality
Rank 0 and 1)] / Number of MRs on Downlink TCHF and TCHH (Receive Level Rank 0 to 7
and Receive Quality Rank 0 and 7)

SAIC Ratio: the Calls penetration that originated or terminated using SAIC Supported MSs.

A03628: Number of Calls Originated or Terminated by MSs Supporting SAIC/A03640: Number

of Calls

AHS (Adaptive Half-rate Speech): the half-rate penetration of the cell

K3034: TCHH Traffic Volume/K3014: Traffic Volume on TCH

3- TSC Re-planning:

After VAMOS is enabled, two MSs use the same TCHH and different Training Sequence Codes
(TSCs). Currently, no VAMOS I or VAMOS II MS that support new TSCs is available, and only
TSCs 0 to 7 can be used.

If all cells are enabled with VAMOS, two TSCs are needed for each cell. As a result, TSCs are
more tightly reused and the cells that use the same TSC become closer.

To avoid the situation that the MSs in different cells use the same frequency and the same TSC,
you need to re-plan TSCs to expand the distance between cells that use the same TSC.

So that the cells must avoid any Co-BCC Co-BCCH for the two orthogonal TSCs (BCCs):

BCC Planning (avoid Co-BCC of these pairs):

 0-2 & 2-0

 1-7 & 7-1
 3-4 & 4-3
 5-6 & 6-5
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

(Note: if we use 1-7, we have to set {SaicAlphaJumpValue=4})

Faulty SAIC MS Alpha Hop Modulate Value: Alpha value used for Alpha hopping modulation
during VAMOS multiplexing on a SAIC-capable MS with AFC defects or during the
identification of such MSs.

4- Open detection:

 Import MS data base:

Run ADD GMSSAICCAP to set the MS type database on the BSC, that is, add MSs in the white
list and gray list manually.
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

Notes:

 You can configure up to 20,000 records in the white list and gray list in total.
 If ADD it means New TAC and if MOD it was a blacklist in other network or other
country and it is not in our network

 Importing MS data base will be done for each BSC containing VAMOS Cell.

 Open SAIC PWR Control for cell:

If the MS support SAIC, the system can decrease the DL expected receive quality level
automatically.

 SAICALLOWED = YES
 Power Control Threshold Adjust for SAIC = 3

 SAIC MS detection for BSC

 Required Auto Mute SAIC Identify Times = 100

 Required Times for Identifying Mute SAIC = 70

 Times for Identify Problem SAIC Terminal = 200

 Problem SAIC Terminal Identify Threshold = 60

 Upper Alpha Thres for Mute SAIC Identify = 16

 Lower Alpha Thres for Mute SAIC Identify = 10

 SAIC MS detection for Cell

 VAMOS Switch = ON

 Primary TSC in VAMOS = 4 & Secondary TSC in VAMOS = 3

 Mute SAIC Terminal Processing Switch = ON

 VAMOS Feature Handbook

 Auto Mute SAIC Identification Switch = ON

 Problem SAIC Terminal Processing Switch = ON

 Problem SAIC Terminal Identify Switch = ON

 Max Calls in Terminal Identification = 15

 LO Thresh upon Terminal Identify Request = 40

 UL RX Qual Thres of Terminal Identify= 10

 DL RX Qual Thres of Terminal Identify = 10

 ATCB Thres of Terminal Identify = 68

 Watch Time for Terminal Identify = 3

 Satisfy Time for Terminal Identify = 3

 Periods for Auto Mute SAIC Identify = 1

 MRs in a Auto Mute SAIC Identify Period = 10

 Average RX Qual Difference Threshold = 32

 Abnormal Average RX Qual Times Threshold = 1

 Auto Identify Periods for Faulty SAIC MS = 1

 Faulty SAIC MS Auto Identify Period = 10

 Faulty SAIC MS Mean RX Qual Differ Thres = 32

 Faulty SAIC MS Mean RX Qual Abnor Thres = 1

 Faulty SAIC MS Alpha Hop Modulate Period = 2

 Faulty SAIC MS Alpha Hop Modulate Value = 2

5- Activation of VAMOS:

 VAMOS activation for Cell:

 VAMOS Switch = ON

 Allow Channel Multiplex in Assignment = OFF

 Channel Multiplex Load Thres = 0

 Allow Channel Multiplex via In-Cell HO = ON

 VAMOS Feature Handbook

 ATCB Thres. of Established Non-SAIC Calls = 82

 ATCB Thres. of Established SAIC Calls = 66

 ATCB Thres. of Established VAMOS-1 Calls = 76

 ATCB Thres. of Established VAMOS-2 Calls = 74

 UL Rx Qual. Thres. of Established Calls = 10

 DL Rx Qual. Thres. of Established Calls = 10

 Watch Time of Candidate Calls = 3

 Duration of Satisfying Candidate VAMOS Call = 2

 Allow VAMOS-1&NonSAIC and SAIC&NonSAIC = OFF

 Path Loss Offset Thres. of VAMOS Call = 20

 Channel Demultiplex on Low Cell Load = OFF

 Channel Demultiplex on Bad Qual. = ON

 DL RX Bad Qual. Demultiplex Thres. = 55

 UL RX Bad Qual. Demultiplex Thres. = 55

 Watch Time of Bad Qual. for Demultiplex = 1

 Bad Qual. Duration for Demultiplex = 1

 Mute SAIC Terminal Processing Switch = ON

 Problem SAIC Terminal Processing Switch = ON

 VAMOS PWR Control setting for cell:

After VAMOS is enabled, power control is performed to mitigate the interference of multiplexed
users to each other and to the entire network. Otherwise, the speech quality of the multiplexed
users and the entire network decreases. Power control performed in VAMOS consists of Uplink
SIC power control and Downlink alpha-QPSK power control.

 Allow alpha-QPSK Power Control = ON

 Rx Qual. Thres. in alpha-QPSK PC of HR = 2

 Rx Qual. Thres. in alpha-QPSK PC of AMR HR = 2

 VAMOS Feature Handbook

 RX Level Thres. in alpha-QPSK PC = 20

 RX Level Protect Factor in alpha-QPSK PC = 20

 RX Qual. Protect Factor in alpha-QPSK PC = 60

 RX Level Adjust Factor in alpha-QPSK PC = 30

 RX Qual. Adjust Factor in alpha-QPSK PC = 40

 Alpha Adjust Range in alpha-QPSK PC = 2

 Allow SIC Power Control = ON

 Rx Qual. Thres. in SIC PC of HR = 15

 Rx Qual. Thres. in SIC PC of AMR HR = 15

 RX Level Thres. in SIC PC = 20

 RX Level Protect Factor in SIC PC = 30

 RX Qual. Protect. Factor in SIC PC = 75

 RX Level Adjust Factor in SIC PC = 30

 RX Qual. Adjust Factor in SIC PC = 40

 SIC Offset Up Thres. in SIC PC = 15

 More settings in case of Concentric cells.

 Cell Optimized Reserved Parameter 11 = 32768

Reserved Parameter 11 (Bits 0-7): Threshold of the downlink receive level of an established call
to be selected as a VAMOS candidate call. The decision on an established call can be triggered
successfully only when the following conditions are met:

 The downlink receive level of an established call is ≥ to this threshold.

 The uplink and downlink receive quality as well as the Adaptive to Cell Boarder
(ATCB) meet relevant requirements. If the decision conditions are met for Duration of
Satisfying Candidate VAMOS Call within Watch Time of Candidate Calls, this call can
be selected as a VAMOS candidate call.

Reserved Parameter 11 (Bits 8-15): Offset of the downlink receive level of a new call from the
level threshold of established calls if the new call is to be selected as a VAMOS candidate call
during assignment. A new call can be selected as a VAMOS candidate call only when the
following conditions are met:
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

 The downlink receive level of the new call is greater than or equal to the sum of DL
Rx Lev. Thres. of VAMOS Calls and this parameter.
 The uplink and downlink receive quality as well as the ATCB meet relevant
requirements.

 Cell Optimized Reserved Parameter 12 = 133

Reserved Parameter 12 (Bits 0-7): Offset of the ATCB of a new call in the overlaid subcell from
the ATCB threshold of a new call in the underlaid subcell if the new call in the overlaid subcell is
to be selected as a VAMOS candidate call during allocation.

Reserved Parameter 12 (Bits 8-15): Load threshold for channel multiplexing in an overlaid
subcell.

 Opening Mute SAIC switch for cell (if VAMOS Gain is low):

 VamosSwitch=ON,

 SaicProMsSwitch=ON,

 UnkownSaicMultSwitch=ON;

6- Calculate actual VAMOS Gain

VAMOS traffic = 2 x R3501:Mean Number of Busy Channels (VAMOS TCHH)

This counter provides the number of VAMOS TCHHs in a cell. If the value of this counter is low,
you can adjust the cell load threshold in VAMOS channel multiplexing, relax the decision
conditions of selecting a VAMOS candidate call, or lower the thresholds such as path loss offset
threshold in the decision of VAMOS channel multiplexing.

Total traffic = K3014: Traffic Volume on TCH

7- Assigned Complex Command:

 Opening VAMOS assignment switch for cell

 VamosSwitch=ON,

 VamosAssSwitch=ON;

 Open SDCCH-WAIT MEASUREMENT switch for cell

 VAMOS Feature Handbook

 SDCCHWaitMREn=ON;

8- Reported IMEI (Mute-SAIC MS identification):

The BSC records the MS type (TAC in the IMEI) based on the BTS test result and periodically
exports the records to the OMU.

SET
IDRQTEST:IDRQSWITCH=ON,IDRQDURATION=65535,UserIDTraceMode=SNDONEIDR
Q,UserIDTraceType=IMEI;

You can run EXP MSSAICCAPMML to convert the BSC detection result into a man-machine
language (MML) script and save it in \bam\version_x\ftp \ms_saic_cap on the OMU. Here, x
refers to the specific version number.

You can use the file manager on the Web LMT to export the generated MML script to a local
path. Then, run the MML script to import the automatic detection result into the MS database.
 VAMOS Feature Handbook

Sample MML Commands for CDR & Mute SAIC detection;

CDR & Mute SAIC

detection.txt

Sample MML Commands foe VAMOS activation;

VAMOS
Activation.txt

Handset Database;

Handset
Database.txt