amr-wb - feature implementation_pa1

AMR-WB / HD Voice STC, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Feature Implementation

Feature Implementation • AMR-WB / HD Voice • 0BIntroduction

8/195 83-FCP 5/FCP 130 2100 Uen Rev PA1 2012-04-18 Ericsson AB 2011 2 (28) Commercial in Confidence

© Ericsson AB 2011 All rights reserved. The information in this document is the property of Ericsson. Except as specifically authorized in writing by Ericsson, the receiver of this document shall keep the information contained herein confidential and shall protect the same in whole or in part from disclosure and dissemination to third parties. Disclosure and disseminations to the receiver's employees shall only be made on a strict need to know basis. The information in this document is designated as “Commercial in Confidence”. This is a Nondisclosure Agreement meaning it shall not be handed over to any other party than Ericsson and STC, Saudi.



CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................................... 5

1.1 SCOPE ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.2 PENDING ISSUES ....................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.3 REVISION HISTORY ................................................................................................................................................... 6

2 PROPOSED SOLUTION .............................................................................................................................................. 7 2.1 GENERAL ................................................................................................................................................................. 7

2.1.1 FAJ 121 727/2 (MSC Feature) and FAJ 121 0163/1 (MGW Feature) AMR-WB Speech ................................... 7 2.1.2 FAJ 121 0850/1 Enhanced User Equipment capability analysis for AMR-WB .................................................. 7

2.2 BENEFIT ................................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.2.1 AMR-WB Speech ................................................................................................................................................. 7 2.2.2 Enhanced User Equipment capability analysis for AMR-WB ............................................................................. 8

2.3 DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................................................................................... 9 2.3.1 AMR-WB Speech ................................................................................................................................................. 9 2.3.2 Enhanced User Equipment capability analysis for AMR-WB ........................................................................... 10

2.4 FUNCTION: AMR-WB ENHANCEMENTS TO OOBTC IN MSC SERVER ................................................................... 11 2.4.1 AMR-WB Codec Configurations ....................................................................................................................... 12 2.4.2 Building of Supported Codec Lists ................................................................................................................... 12 2.4.3 Codec Selection................................................................................................................................................. 12 2.4.4 Codec information towards the Media Gateway .............................................................................................. 15

3 CONFIGURATION ..................................................................................................................................................... 16 3.1 CHARGING ............................................................................................................................................................. 16 3.2 CAPABILITIES ......................................................................................................................................................... 16 3.3 FEATURE ACTIVATION ON THE MSCS ................................................................................................................... 16 3.4 IMEI SETTING FOR NON-COMPLIANT TERMINALS ................................................................................................ 17 3.5 MODIFYING THE RNC TO SUPPORT AMR-WB ...................................................................................................... 18 3.6 FEATURE DEACTIVATION ON THE MSCS ............................................................................................................... 18 3.7 FEATURE ACTIVATION ON THE MGW .................................................................................................................... 18

4 SOLUTION TESTING ................................................................................................................................................ 20 4.1 AMR-WB CAPABLE UES ...................................................................................................................................... 20 4.2 TEST CASES ........................................................................................................................................................... 21

4.2.1 AMR-WB for UMTS calls.................................................................................................................................. 21 4.2.2 RAB Establishment: AMR-WB Speech .............................................................................................................. 21 4.2.3 AMR-WB rate limitation (If FNI included the activation of 2 Cells) ................................................................ 22 4.2.4 AMR-WB call that is rejected by the RPC ........................................................................................................ 22

4.3 COUNTERS ............................................................................................................................................................. 23 4.3.1 MSCS ................................................................................................................................................................ 23 4.3.2 MGW ................................................................................................................................................................. 23

5 GLOSSARY AND REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................ 25 5.1 GLOSSARY ............................................................................................................................................................. 25

5.1.1 Concepts ........................................................................................................................................................... 25 5.1.2 Abbreviations .................................................................................................................................................... 28

5.2 REFERENCES .......................................................................................................................................................... 28

INDEX OF TABLES TABLE 1 - MSCS LICENSES ....................................................................................................................................................... 6



TABLE 2 - MGW LICENSES ....................................................................................................................................................... 6 TABLE 3 - CODEC SELECTION TABLE FOR A TERMINATING WCDMA CALL, ODCL + TDCL ................................................. 14 TABLE 4 - CODEC SELECTION FOR TERMINATING WCDMA CALLS, NO ODCL + TDCL ......................................................... 15 TABLE 5 - MSC-S OBJECT TYPES WITH AMR-WB RELATED COUNTERS ................................................................................ 23 INDEX OF FIGURES FIGURE 1 - DOUBLED AUDIO SPECTRUM IS CARRIED BY AMR-WB ........................................................................................... 9 FIGURE 2 - AMR-WB REQUIRES THE SAME RADIO SPECTRUM AND CORE NETWORK BANDWIDTH COMPARED TO AMR-NB .... 9 FIGURE 3 - AMR-WB WITH WCDMA OR GSM WITH AOIP ON BOTH ENDS ........................................................................... 10 FIGURE 4 – TAC PART OF IMEI & IMEISV IS USED TO COMPARE THE UE IMEI WITH THE ADMINISTERED VALUES .............. 11 FIGURE 5 - HD VOICE CAPABLE HANDSETS ............................................................................................................................ 20



1 Introduction

1.1 Scope This document describes the implementation of the feature: AMR-WB also known as HD Voice within STC’s network.

It is focused on the description of the feature, recommendations for its use and the actual implementation on the Ericsson MSC/MSC-S/MSC-S BC and MGW nodes.

For simplicity reasons, throughout this document either the monolithic MSC or classic MSC-S or MSC-S BC are going to be referred as “MSC-S”. Otherwise, in specific cases there will be a note specifying the correct understanding.

• Features (HD voice) activation and deployment in 3G MSC-S and MGW.

• WCDMA MSC-S nodes are configured in MSC Pool configuration consisting of Riyadh Pool with seven MSC-S and Jeddah Pool with four MSC-S nodes.

• Ericsson MSS nodes are connected to Ericsson RNC nodes only, therefore, no MVI is required.

• Deployment of HD Voice is only to 3G nodes only

Feature name FAJ Number Node name

Contracted node SCC

license Quantity of SCC for

AMR-WB

AMR-WB Speech Enhanced User Equipment Capability Analysis for AMR

FAJ 121 727/2 FAJ 121 0850/2 3MR1 13,500 3,000


FAJ 121 727/2 FAJ 121 0850/2 3MR2 13,500 3,000


FAJ 121 727/2 FAJ 121 0850/2 3MR3 13,500 3,000


FAJ 121 727/2 FAJ 121 0850/2 3MR4 15,000 3,000


FAJ 121 727/2 FAJ 121 0850/2 3MR5 13,500 3,000


FAJ 121 727/2 FAJ 121 0850/2 3MR6 13,500 3,000


FAJ 121 727/2 FAJ 121 0850/2 3MR7 13,500 3,000

AMR-WB Speech Enhanced User Equipment

FAJ 121 727/2 FAJ 121 0850/2 3MJ1 14,000 3,000



Capability Analysis for AMR AMR-WB Speech

Enhanced User Equipment Capability Analysis for AMR

FAJ 121 727/2 FAJ 121 0850/2 3MJ2 14,000 3,000


FAJ 121 727/2 FAJ 121 0850/2 3MJ3 14,000 3,000


FAJ 121 727/2 FAJ 121 0850/2 3MJ4 16,600 3,000

Table 1 - MSCS Licenses

Total MSC-S SCC for Riyadh Pool: 21,000 SCC (AMR-WB related features only)

Total MSC-S SCC for Jeddah Pool: 12,000 SCC (AMR-WB related features only)

MGW feature name: AMR-WB, FAJ 121 0163/1

Node name Contracted MGW SCC license

Quantity of SCC per node for AMR-WB

only 3GR1 7,300 1,500 3GR2 7,300 1,500 3GR3 7,300 1,500 3GR4 7,300 1,500 3GR5 7,300 1,500 3GR6 7,300 1,500 3GR7 7,400 1,500 3GR8 14,800 3,000 3GR9 14,800 3,000

3GR10 9,700 2,000 3GR11 9,700 2,000 3GJ1 9,900 2,000 3GJ2 9,900 2,000 3GJ3 14,100 3,000 3GJ4 14,100 3,000 3GJ5 8,400 2,000 3GJ6 8,400 2,000

Table 2 - MGW Licenses

1.2 Pending issues

1.3 Revision history

Rev Date Author Remarks

PA1 2012-05-01 Charbel Haddad E First version of this document

mailto:[email protected]

Feature Implementation • AMR-WB / HD Voice • 1BProposed Solution


2 Proposed Solution

2.1 General The solution consists of three features on the core nodes:

2.1.1 FAJ 121 727/2 (MSC Feature) and FAJ 121 0163/1 (MGW Feature) AMR-WB Speech

The AMR-WB Speech feature enables the use of Adaptive Multi-Rate Wide Band (AMR-WB) based speech connections in MSS. AMR-WB provides superior speech quality compared to any traditional narrow band codec known today. Wideband quality requires end-to-end delivery of coded speech using TrFO (Transcoder Free Operation), TFO (Tandem Free Operation) or TFO/TrFO Interworking.

2.1.2 FAJ 121 0850/1 Enhanced User Equipment capability analysis for AMR-WB This feature removes Adaptive Multi-Rate Wide Band (AMR-WB) codec from the supported codec list for User Equipment (UE) based on configured data in MSC-S by Operator. This feature is implemented as Rapid Product Change (RPC).

2.2 Benefit

2.2.1 AMR-WB Speech The End-user:

• For the end-user, the AMR-WB Speech feature provides superior speech quality which is perceived as being more natural and understandable.

The extended lower spectrum brings volume and quality while extended higher spectrum brings clarity and transparency to speech: Understandability, presence and naturalness with more low and high frequencies.

AMR-WB improves the speaker recognition with better differentiation of speech from background noise: A feeling of presence and closeness usually connected with wireline telephony. This is especially useful when calling in noisy surroundings.

AMR-WB is easy to use; only a new terminal is required: Just talk!



The Operator:

• For the operator, increased minute of use increases revenue and improves profit margins. Any additional minute use provides much higher profit margins compared to adding new subscribers, since new subscribers involves administration and terminal subsidization costs. This is due to effects such as:

Longer calls. Better speech quality leads to longer calls.

More calls. Important calls requiring high quality and previously made in the fixed network are now done in the mobile network,

One phone for all day. Mobile subscribers both corporate and private will use their mobiles more often, instead of taking the fixed phone at work or private.

Fixed to Mobile substitution. This process will be accelerated when the speech quality in the mobile network is better than in the fixed network.

Improved Speaker recognition could also be used to improve “automatic voice recognition” for automated services (e.g. instead of DTMF).

• In addition, AMR-WB strengthens operator quality brand and reduces churn. The operator can also reduce specific operational expenditures like subscriber acquisition costs and helpdesk costs.

• Similar to narrow band AMR, the adaptive nature of AMR-WB provides robustness for GSM access and flexible capacity usage for WCDMA access. Operators can use this robustness to tighten the frequency re-use in the radio network or provide further improved speech quality for GSM access. In case of WCDMA, UTRAN can reduce the rate to cope with cell load.

• AMR-WB is a high compression codec providing bandwidth efficient usage of transmission resources. The additional speech spectrum carried by AMR-WB requires the same or even less radio and core network bandwidth resources compared to narrow band AMR or EFR, due to a substantially enhanced coding algorithm

2.2.2 Enhanced User Equipment capability analysis for AMR-WB End-user

End Users with a faulty UE which falsely claim AMR-WB support can continue to use their terminal with existing codecs when AMR-WB is introduced in the network.

Operator



Operator can secure a trouble-free roll-out of AMR-WB in the network without risking end-user complains.

2.3 Description

2.3.1 AMR-WB Speech

AMR-WB provides superior speech quality compared to any other narrow band codec known today, while requiring same bandwidth on radio channels and core network transport. In order to achieve double analog bandwidth doubled sampling rate (16 kHz instead of 8 kHz) is used.

Figure 1 - Doubled audio spectrum is carried by AMR-WB

This feature supports AMR-WB (Set 0) which is the mandatory configuration with rates 12.65, 8.85 and 6.60. Set 0 is optimized for speech and provides superior speech quality without additional radio or transport bandwidth compared to narrow band AMR.

12.20 12.65

7.40 8.85

5.90 6.60 4.75

NB NB NB NB

WB WB WB

Figure 2 - AMR-WB requires the same radio spectrum and core network bandwidth compared to AMR-NB



AMR-WB is applicable for GSM and WCDMA circuit switched speech services, as well as for IMS and Wireline VoIP networks.

AMR-WB speech quality requires end-to-end delivery of WB coded speech using TFO, TrFO or a combination of those.

STC will implement only AMR-WB for WCDMA, this requires TrFO and AMR-WB support in MGw.

A few network scenarios are mentioned below as examples:

M-MGw M-MGw

MSC-S MSC-S

Iu3GOr

2G with AoIP

3Gor

2G with AoIPIu

BICC (OoBTC)

TrFO Connection, AMR-WB end-to-end

Compressed

speech on Nb

GCP GCP

AoIPAoIP

M-MGw M-MGw

MSC-SMSC-S MSC-SMSC-S

Iu3GOr

2G with AoIP

3GOr

2G with AoIP

3Gor

2G with AoIP

3Gor

2G with AoIPIu

BICC (OoBTC)

TrFO Connection, AMR-WB end-to-end

Compressed

speech on Nb

GCP GCP

AoIPAoIP

Figure 3 - AMR-WB with WCDMA or GSM with AoIP on both ends

WB quality is achieved using pure TrFO end-to-end

Bandwidth efficiency in the Core Network

Resource efficiency in MGws (no transcoding)

2.3.2 Enhanced User Equipment capability analysis for AMR-WB

MSC-S includes AMR-WB codec for codec negotiation when User Equipment (UE) indicates support of AMR-WB and RNC involved supports AMR-WB which is configuration data in MSC-S per RNC. MSC-S selects AMR-WB to achieve superior speech quality with Transcoder Free Operation (TrFO) when AMR-WB is possible end-to-end.

A number of faulty terminals are reported by Operators that falsely claim to support AMR-WB towards the network at all call set up yet if AMR-WB is selected they cannot handle the call with AMR-WB. As a result, when AMR-WB is selected with one of these terminals, the call fails.

Although the problem is in the UE, Operators have asked for network based solutions to secure trouble-free activation of AMR-WB in the network.



With this feature, MSC-S checks the Type Approval Code (TAC) part of the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of the UE against the operator administered list. When the UE value matches one of the administered values, MSC-S assumes that the UE is falsely claiming AMR-WB support and the AMR-WB codec will be ignored for this UE, even if it is received.

Figure 4 – TAC part of IMEI & IMEISV is used to compare the UE IMEI with the

administered values

This feature is applicable for mobile originating and terminating calls as well as mobile originating emergency calls. The analysis is only triggered when AMR-WB codec is received as supported codec from the UE. In case the IMEI is unknown or the analysis result fails for any other reason, then AMR-WB codec is removed from the supported codec list for this specific call.

New counters are introduced in the MSC to count the cases that AMR-WB codec is ignored from faulty terminals based on this analysis described above.

2.4 Function: AMR-WB Enhancements to OoBTC in MSC Server This chapter describes the enhancements to the function specification “Out of Band transcoder control in MSC server, GMSC server and TSC server” due to the support of AMR-WB speech codec in OoBTC.

The content of this chapter is applicable when OoBTC is activated.

Note that for all the tables in this chapter, only the black part of the table represents the additions due to support of AMR-WB speech codec function. The gray part of the table has already been supported in OoBTC function.



2.4.1 AMR-WB Codec Configurations

The following AMR-WB speech codec configurations are supported in MSC server:

• FR-AMR-WB (set 0) (for GSM access not applicable to STC case), and,

• UMTS-AMR-WB (set 0)

If other mode sets of UMTS-AMR-WB, i.e. set 1 or set 3 or set 5, is received in codec negotiation, it is mapped to UMTS-AMR-WB (set 0).

Any other AMR-WB codec type received with a different configuration is treated as unknown codec type.

2.4.2 Building of Supported Codec Lists

Originating WCDMA calls where PCM is not forced as codec for the call

If UMTS-AMR-WB (set 0) is activated for codec negotiation (controlled via AXE parameter),

• UMTS-AMR-WB (set 0) will be included in the DCL when following conditions are met:

o UE indicates support of UMTS-AMR-WB in ‘Supported Codec List’ IE; and,

o UMTS-AMR-WB (set 0) is included in “cRNC”.

• Otherwise, UMTS-AMR-WB (set 0) will be included in the ICL as part of dICL.

The order of the codecs in the DCL is determined as below:

• UMTS-AMR-WB (Set 0)

• UMTS-AMR2 (Set 1)

• UMTS-AMR2 (Set 7) • UMTS-AMR (Set 7)

Note: both UMTS-AMR-WB and FR-AMR-WB cannot be included in SCL.

2.4.3 Codec Selection

Enhancement to TSC codec selection

AMR-WB speech codec is not selected as the Selected Codec if the following conditions are met:



• codec negotiation is terminated because of an external trunk or access that does not support codec negotiation, and

• TMR/USI does not indicate “3.1 kHz Audio”.

In this case, the MSC server selects the codec from the received and validated codec list as below:

a) if the 1st codec in the list is AMR-WB speech codec, then this codec type is ignored and the list is re-processed;

b) if the 1st codec is not AMR-WB speech codec and not PCM, then this codec is selected;

c) if the 1st codec is PCM, and if the default codec (configured by the operator, may be AMR-WB speech codec) is contained in the list then the default codec is selected;

d) if none of b) and c) applies, PCM is selected.

Note, the call cases that AMR-WB speech codec is not selected, includes the scenarios as, e.g. inter-working to another node using ISUP, Chinese TUP, or BICC where OoBTC is not allowed, terminating PRA access.

Enhancement to mobile terminating access codec selection

The following additions are applied to the decision tables for mobile terminating access:

Direct Codecs in Both Received and Terminating SCL

terminating ► direct codec originating ▼ direct codec

UMTS-AMR-WB(set0) UMTS-AMR2(Set 1) UMTS-AMR2(set7) UMTS-AMR(set7)

FR-AMR-WB (set0) (Not in STC case)

transcoder free priority 2 FR-AMR-WB(set0)

transcoding priority 33 FR-AMR-WB(set0)



UMTS-AMR-WB (set0)

transcoder free priority 1 UMTS-AMR-WB(set0)

transcoding priority 34 UMTS-AMR-WB(set0)



FR-AMR (Set 1)

transcoding priority 27 FR-AMR(Set 1)

transcoder free priority 4 FR-AMR(Set 1)



UMTS-AMR2 (Set 1)

transcoding priority 28 UMTS-AMR2(Set 1)

transcoder free priority 3 UMTS-AMR2(Set 1)





HR-AMR (Set 1)

transcoding priority 29 1) FR-AMR(Set 1) 2) UMTS-AMR2(Set 1) 3) HR-AMR(Set 1)

compatible priority 11 1) UMTS-AMR2(Set 1) 2) FR-AMR(Set 1) 3) HR-AMR(Set 1)

transcoding priority 19 1) FR-AMR(Set 1) 2) UMTS-AMR2(Set 1) 3) UMTS-AMR2(set7) 4) UMTS-AMR(set7) 5) GSM-EFR 6) HR-AMR(Set 1)

transcoding priority 20 1) FR-AMR(Set 1) 2) UMTS-AMR2(Set 1) 3) UMTS-AMR(set7) 4) UMTS-AMR2(set7) 5) GSM-EFR 6) HR-AMR(Set 1)

GSM-EFR

transcoding priority 30 GSM-EFR

transcoding priority 16 1) UMTS-AMR2(Set 1) 2) FR-AMR(Set 1) 3) GSM-EFR

SID transcoding priority 9 1) UMTS-AMR2(set7) 2) UMTS-AMR(set7) 3) GSM-EFR

SID transcoding priority 10 1) UMTS-AMR(set7) 2) UMTS-AMR2(set7) 3) GSM-EFR

UMTS-AMR2 (set7)

transcoding priority 31 UMTS-AMR2(set7)

transcoding priority 17 1) UMTS-AMR2(Set 1) 2) FR-AMR(Set 1) 3) UMTS-AMR2(set7)

transcoder free priority 5 UMTS-AMR2(set7)

transcoder free priority 8 UMTS-AMR2(set7)

UMTS-AMR (set7)

transcoding priority 32 UMTS-AMR(set7)

transcoding priority 18 1)UMTS-AMR2(Set 1) 2) FR-AMR(Set 1) 3) MTS_AMR(set7)

transcoder free priority 7 UMTS-AMR(set7)

transcoder free priority 6 UMTS-AMR(set7)

GSM-FR

transcoding priority 30 GSM-FR

transcoding priority 21 1) UMTS-AMR2(GC) 2) FR-AMR(GC) 3) GSM-FR

transcoding priority 22 1) UMTS-AMR2(set7) 2) UMTS-AMR(set7) 3) GSM-EFR 4)GSM-FR

transcoding priority 23 ) UMTS-AMR2(set7) 2) UMTS-AMR(set7) 3) GSM-EFR 4)GSM-FR

GSM-HR

transcoding priority 40 GSM-HR

transcoding priority 24 1) UMTS-AMR2(GC) 2) FR-AMR(GC) 3) GSM-HR



Table 3 - Codec Selection Table for a Terminating WCDMA Call, oDCL + tDCL

No Direct Codecs in the Received SCL But Only in the Terminating SCL

terminating ► direct codec

originating

▼ indirect codec

UMTS-AMR-WB(set0) UMTS-AMR2(Set 1) UMTS-AMR2(set7) UMTS-AMR(set7)

FR-AMR-WB (set0)

priority 13 PCM

priority 10 PCM

priority 11 PCM

priority 12 PCM

UMTS-AMR-WB (set0)

priority 13 PCM

priority 10 PCM

priority 11 PCM

priority 12 PCM

FR-AMR (Set 1)

priority 13 PCM

transcoder free priority 2

FR-AMR(Set 1)

priority 11 PCM

priority 12 PCM

UMTS-AMR2

(Set 1)

priority 13 PCM


UMTS-AMR2(Set 1)

priority 11 PCM

priority 12 PCM

HR-AMR (Set 1)

priority 13 PCM

compatible priority 9

HR-AMR(Set 1)

priority 11 PCM

priority 12 PCM

GSM-EFR priority 13

PCM

priority 10 PCM

SID transcoding priority 7

GSM-EFR

SID transcoding priority 8

GSM-EFR



UMTS-AMR2 (set7)

priority 13 PCM

priority 10 PCM


UMTS-AMR2(set7)


UMTS-AMR2(set7) UMTS-AMR

(set7)

priority 13 PCM

priority 10 PCM


UMTS-AMR(set7)


UMTS-AMR(set7)

GSM-FR priority 13 PCM

ppprrr iii ooo rrr iii ttt yyy 111000 PCM



GSM-HR priority 13 PCM




Table 4 - Codec Selection for Terminating WCDMA Calls, no oDCL + tDCL

Direct Codecs in the Received SCL But Not in the Terminating SCL

If the tSCL does not contain any direct codecs (GSM terminating calls where cBSC is empty or TFO is not activated) but direct codecs in the received SCL are available, AMR-WB speech codec is not selected.

In this case, MSC server selects the codec from the received and validated codec list SCL as described in previous section ‘Enhancement to TSC codec selection’.

2.4.4 Codec information towards the Media Gateway

Nb UP version 2 and the codec selected during the codec negotiation is specified for Nb terminations when AMR-WB speech codec, i.e. UMTS-AMR-WB (set 0), is selected.

Iu UP version 2 and the selected UTRAN codec is specified for termination towards the WCDMA radio network when the selected UTRAN codec is UMTS-AMR-WB (set 0).

Feature Implementation • AMR-WB / HD Voice • 2BConfiguration


3 Configuration

3.1 Charging For WCDMA speech call, the value of UMTS-AMR-WB (set 0) is output for the charging parameter (element) “IuCodec” in the MSOriginating and MSTerminating CDRs, if UMTS-AMR-WB (set 0) is the Selected Codec for Iu.

3.2 Capabilities The following AMR-WB codecs are supported for OoBTC in core network, but can be removed via AXE parameter setting: UMTS-AMR-WB with the AMR mode 12.65, 8.85 and 6.60 kbps

Note that compatible UMTS AMR-WB codecs, i.e. set 1, 3, 5, are mapped to set 0.

The operator may choose the following AMR-WB codec configuration for the cRNC configuration: UMTS-AMR-WB (set 0)

3.3 Feature Activation on the MSCS Verify that IMEI check is activated in MSC.

DBTSP:TAB=AXEPARS,SETNAME=GSMMMSF,NAME=IMEICHECK;

Verify that IMEI fetching is active in MSC for non encrypted connections. SYPAC:ACCESS=ENABLED,PSW=PSW2PAR;

DBTRI;

DBTSC:TAB=AXEPARS,SETNAME=GSMMMSC,NAME=ANOENCRMDALL,VALUE=1;

DBTRE:COM;

SYPAC:ACCESS=DISABLED;

DBTSP:TAB=AXEPARS,SETNAME=GSMMMSC,NAME=ANOENCRMDALL;

Verify that Out Of Band Transcoder feature is activated. DBTSP:TAB=AXEPARS,SETNAME=GSMMSCF,NAME=OOBTCAVAIL;

DBTSP:TAB=AXEPARS,SETNAME=GSMMSCC,NAME=OOBTCACT;

Activate the AMR-WB feature in the MSCS. SYPAC:ACCESS=ENABLED,PSW=PSW2PAR;

DBTRI;



DBTSC:TAB=AXEPARS,SETNAME=GSMMSCF, NAME=AMRWBAVAIL, Value=1;

DBTRE:COM;


DBTSP:TAB=AXEPARS,SETNAME=GSMMSCF, NAME=AMRWBAVAIL; check if PROPERTY20 is set to 15, if not the RPC AMR-WB will not be triggered DBTSP:TAB=AXEPARS, SETNAME=AXENODECODECC, NAME=PROPERTY20;

SYPAC:ACCESS=ENABLED,PSW=PSW2PAR;

DBTRI;

DBTSC:TAB=AXEPARS, SETNAME=AXENODECODECC, NAME=PROPERTY20, VALUE=15;

DBTRE:COM;


DBTSP:TAB=AXEPARS, SETNAME=AXENODECODECC, NAME=PROPERTY20;

The “Enhanced User Equipment capability analysis for AMR-WB” feature is activated by an RPC, implementation procedure is included in the RPC package and must be executed by Ericsson engineers.

3.4 IMEI Setting for Non-Compliant Terminals In order to identify the non-compliant terminals, the TAC part of the stored IMEI or IMEISV will be used as input in a General Purpose Digit Analysis (GPDA) in new DSO-51.

The operator shall administer IMEIs (TAC part) of terminals that do not support the UMTS_AMR-WB speech codec, although this codec is included in the Supported Codec List IE.

In case the result of GPDA indicates a match between the extracted TAC value and one of the administered TAC values, then it will be assumed that the specific terminal is non-compliant and the received UMTS_AMR-WB speech codec will be ignored.

The procedure followed is the following, where 12345678 is the TAC of IMEI/IMEISV. ANGCI:DSO=51;

ANGSI:DSO=51,S=12345678,RES=CLS-1;

ANGAI:DSO=51;

ANGSP:DSO=51;

CLS-1 is the result code used to denote a non-compliant terminal.



CLS-0 is the result code used to denote a compliant terminal (Any terminal whose TAC is not found is still treated as compliant).

3.5 Modifying the RNC to support AMR-WB Verify that RNCx support AMR-WB codec. MGRIP:RNC=RNCx;

MGRIC:RNC=RNCx, RNCCODEC=UMTS_AMR_WB_SET0;

3.6 Feature Deactivation on the MSCS It is enough to remove the UMTS_AMR_WB_SET0 codec from the RNC configuration using the below command. MGRIC:RNC=RNCx, RRNCCODEC=UMTS_AMR_WB_SET0;

MGRIP:RNC=RNCx;

Optionally the codec can be set to the default value and the AMR-WB feature can be deactivated: SYPAC:ACCESS=ENABLED,PSW=PSW2PAR;

DBTRI;

DBTSC:TAB=AXEPARS, SETNAME=AXENODECODECC, NAME=PROPERTY20, VALUE=8;

DBTSC:TAB=AXEPARS,SETNAME=GSMMSCF, NAME=AMRWBAVAIL, Value=0;

DBTRE:COM;


DBTSP:TAB=AXEPARS, SETNAME=AXENODECODECC, NAME=PROPERTY20;

DBTSP:TAB=AXEPARS,SETNAME=GSMMSCF, NAME=AMRWBAVAIL;

For the RPC removal, refer to the fallback procedure in the RPC package. This must be done by Ericsson engineers.

3.7 Feature Activation on the MGW AMR-WB feature is supported in M-MGw if M-MGw uses GCP profile EP6 or higher and appropriate license keys for the optional AMR-WB feature are loaded and feature is active in the M-MGw. EP6 is already used on the 3G MGWs in STC, it is recommended to use GCP profile 7 since it will also support AoIP when STC decides to use a common core.



When the feature is activated by license, as a result, the following attributes can be seen in the MO MgwApplication:

amrWbHigherThresholdAlarm = true

Defines whether alarm is raised when the 100 % capacity limit of licensed capacity for AMR-WB is met. The threshold is given by the AMR-WB licensed capacity.

amrWbLowerThresholdAlarm = true

Defines whether alarm is raised when the 80 % capacity limit of licensed capacity for AMR-WB is met. The threshold is 80% of the AMR-WB licensed capacity.

And in MO AmrWbService the attribute licenseStateAmrWb Indicates whether the licensed state of the licensed capacity AMR-WB is ENABLED or DISABLED. That is, whether a valid license key is installed for the AMR-WB capacity or not.

No need for feature Deactivation on the MGW, it is sufficient to deactivate it from the MSC-S side.

Feature Implementation • AMR-WB / HD Voice • 3BSolution Testing


4 Solution Testing The scope of this trial is to demonstrate the feature capabilities and its benefits when it comes to promoting superior speech quality end-to-end than actually achieved today without AMR-WB.

AMR-WB scope will be confined to 3G radio access in STC. RNC must support UMTS-AMR-WB (set 0) speech codec.

AMR-WB Capable UEs must be secured before the FNI testing.

It is difficult to demonstrate the specific effect of a feature in this package considering the fact that many other factors influence the speech quality.

Hence, the best approach is to demo the feature in a controlled environment where other possible factors are not changing e.g. the impact from the radio access network shall be isolated as far as possible.

4.1 AMR-WB Capable UEs The following terminals are known to be AMR-WB capable as of last November 2011.

Figure 5 - HD Voice Capable Handsets



4.2 Test Cases

4.2.1 AMR-WB for UMTS calls

Objective: -

Pass/Fail Criteria: -

Execution:

Perform a LUP of UE1 and UE2 and check if both UEs are registered and located in the MSC-S under test.

Perform a Mobile-to-Mobile call from UE1 to UE2.

The call is successfully established. Try to record the call for speech quality comparison later.

Disconnect the call

Make AMR-WB Speech available with feature activation.


The call is successfully established. Try to record this call, disconnect and compare it to the one with AMR-WB being inactive.

The last call speech quality is much better as earlier.

Check the CDR for “IuCodec” field.

4.2.2 RAB Establishment: AMR-WB Speech

Objective: Demonstrate how to establish AMR-WB Speech.

Pass/Fail Criteria: AMR-WB Speech is established successfully.

Parameter Setting: -

Preconditions:

Radio Conditions should be good (signal strength between UE and RBS should be good)

IMSI Trace is active for the concerned subscribers.

Demo Execution:



Setup a speech call between two UEs: AMR-WB speech call is established.

Verify speech connection: Check the trace for the AMR-WB RAB.


4.2.3 AMR-WB rate limitation (If FNI included the activation of 2 Cells)

Objective: Demonstrate the rate limitation when originating UE is having 12.65kb/s and terminating UE is having 8.85kb/s.

Pass/Fail Criteria: AMR-WB speech call rate is limited to 8.85kb/s.

Parameter Setting: amrWbRateUlMax and amrWbRateDlMax are set 12.65 kb/s in Cell 1 and to 8.85 in Cell 2.

Preconditions:

UE1 should be located in Cell 1 and UE2 should be located in Cell 2.

Radio Conditions should be good (signal strength between UE and RBS should be good)

IMSI Trace is active for the concerned subscribers

Demo execution:

Setup a speech call from UE1 to UE2: AMR-WB speech call is established.

The rate is limited to 8.85 kb/s: Check the trace for the AMR-WB RAB.

4.2.4 AMR-WB call that is rejected by the RPC

Objective: Demonstrate that the call is not established if the IMEI is in the DSO-51

Pass/Fail Criteria: The call is established with narrow band codec

Execution:

Perform a LUP of UE1 and UE2 and check if both UEs are registered and located in the MSC-S under test.

Add one of the IMEI in the DSO-51 table with CLS=1


IMSI Trace is active for the concerned subscribers.

The call is successfully established.



Disconnect the call

Demo Execution: Setup a speech call between two UEs: narrow band speech call is established.

Verify speech connection: Check the trace


4.3 Counters

4.3.1 MSCS

Object Type Counter Description

OOBTCSTAT WBCPCLI Number of calls where OOBTC is successfully performed and speech compression using AMR-WB codecs is applied on incoming Nb side

WBCPCLO Number of calls where OOBTC is successfully performed and speech compression using AMR-WB codecs is applied on outgoing Nb side

RNCSTAT NRFMOWBAMR Number of RAB assignments for a mobile originating call with UMTS_AMR-WB as codec type.

NRTOWBAMR Number of RAB assignments for a mobile terminating call with UMTS_AMR-WB as codec type

Table 5 - MSC-S Object Types with AMR-WB related counters

4.3.2 MGW

Software Licensing, AMR-WB Channels Rejected Due to Exceeded Capacity License

The Software Licensing, AMR-WB Channels Rejected Due to Exceeded Capacity License measurement is used for calculating the amount of rejected channels, when licensed capacity limit for AMR-WB is exceeded. The measurement is made for physical M-MGw.

Formulas:

AMR-WB Channels Rejected Due to Exceeded Capacity License = MgwApplication.pmNrOfAmrWbUnitsRejectedDueToCapacity

A warning alarm 80% Capacity Limit Met for Adaptive Multi Rate Wideband is raised, when 80% of the licensed AMR-WB capacity is used. A major alarm 100% Capacity Limit Met for Adaptive Multi Rate Wideband is raised, when 100% of the licensed AMR-WB capacity is used.



Software Licensing, AMR-WB Media Stream Channel Utilization Rate

The Software Licensing, AMR-WB Media Stream Channel Utilization Rate measurement is used for calculating the utilization rate of licensed AMR-WB media stream channels. The measurement is made for physical M-MGw.

Formulas:

AMR-WB media stream channel utilization rate (in %) = ( MgwApplication.pmNrOfMediaStreamChsUsedAmrWb / AmrService.licenseCapacityAmrWb) * 100

Healthy value range: 0 - 80% (this is a snapshot value)

Possible reason for exceeding the healthy value range:

Maximum use of licensed software capacity

Possible consequence of exceeding the healthy value range:

Increased traffic rejection rate

Recommended actions when exceeding the healthy value range:

• Check if the warning alarm 80% Capacity Limit Met for Adaptive Multi Rate Wideband or the major alarm 100% Capacity Limit Met for Adaptive Multi Rate Wideband is raised.

• Check software capacity licenses.

More counters:

The counters on MO VMGW related to AMR-WB are the following:

• pmNoOfAmrWbOnAoIpConns

• pmNoOfAmrWbOnExtConns

• pmNoOfAmrWbOnIuConns

• pmNoOfAmrWbOnMbConns

• pmNoOfAmrWbOnNbConns

• pmNoOfAmrWbOnVoIpConns

Another MO called AmrWbService models the AMR-WB service in the node with the following counters:

• pmBusyUnitsAmrWb

• pmForcedRelease

• pmNormalRelease

• pmTotalSeizures

• pmUnsuccSeizures

Feature Implementation • AMR-WB / HD Voice • 4BGlossary and References


5 Glossary and References

5.1 Glossary

5.1.1 Concepts

5.1.1.1 Codec

The term codec is used for

• a device to encode information from its original representation into an encoded form and to decode information into its original representation.

• an algorithm, which is used to encode information from its original representation into an encoded form and to decode information into its original representation.

In this document “codec” always refers to the algorithm.

5.1.1.2 Compressed Speech

In this Function Specification compressed speech means speech encoded with a codec other than PCM.

5.1.1.3 cRNC

In this Function Specification, “cRNC” is a configurable codec list that contains the codecs and codec configurations supported by an RNC.

5.1.1.4 Default Codec

The default codec is the codec, which is used, when no information, about which compressed codecs that are supported by the accesses, is available.

5.1.1.5 Direct Codecs and Direct Codec List (DCL)

Direct codecs means codecs that can be used towards the terminal (GSM or WCDMA) without any transcoding stage along the path or a codec that has already been selected for a preceding Nb path. The list of direct codecs is abbreviated as DCL.



5.1.1.6 Default Indirect Codec List (dICL)

The default ICL (dICL) specifies the codecs that are supported by the MGWs and that in any case will be present in the SCL when OoBTC is initiated.

5.1.1.7 Indirect Codecs and Indirect Codec List (ICL)

Indirect codecs are codecs that are supported by the MGW, but neither used by the terminal nor the radio access network (or both). Selection of an indirect codec requires transcoding in the MGW. The list of indirect codecs is abbreviated as ICL.

5.1.1.8 Inter-link Connection

An inter-link connection is a connection between two MGWs controlled by the same server excluding the bearer connection between a conference/multi-part context and conference part context.

5.1.1.9 Non-Anchor MSC

An MSC that does not act as anchor-MSC and is invoked due to handover is referred to as a non-anchor MSC. The non-anchor MSC controls the radio access after an inter-MSC handover or inter-MSC SRNS relocation from the anchor-MSC to a non-anchor-MSC. A subsequent handover back to the anchor MSC server or to a third MSC server results in a release of the call leg through the non-anchor MSC server.

5.1.1.10 Out of Band Transcoder Control

The function Out of Band Transcoder Control (OoBTC) consists of processes to negotiate the codec and to inform the media gateway(s) about the result of the negotiation. The result of the codec negotiation specifies the codec that is to be used in the core network.

The result of the codec negotiation is as well used to make decisions about the codec to be used on the radio access network (RAN). The result of codec negotiation is also used to select the codec for the interlink when one server controls 2 MGWs.

OoBTC supports codec negotiation during call set-up. The result of the codec negotiation during call set-up is valid for the rest of the call.

5.1.1.11 Preferred Codec

The preferred codec is the first codec in the supported codec list.



5.1.1.12 Selected Codec

The selected codec is the codec that is used for the current call. The selected codec is sent backward in the network within a BICC message (APM). The information is sent from the node, which terminates codec negotiation, towards the node, which initiated codec negotiation. The selected codec is sent in the IE named Single Codec.

5.1.1.13 Speech Call

As speech calls are considered:

• Calls where TMR(ETSI, TTC) or USI(ANSI) = “speech”

• Calls where TMR(ETSI, TTC) or USI(ANSI) = “3.1 kHz Audio” and the terminating mobile indicates that the call is a speech call.

5.1.1.14 Supported Codec List (SCL)

The supported codec list (SCL) contains codecs offered in codec negotiation. The codecs are listed in the order of preference. The supported codec list is sent forward in the network within a BICC message (IAM). The information is sent from the node, which initiates codec negotiation, towards the node, which terminates codec negotiation. The supported codec list is sent in the IE called Codec List.

5.1.1.15 Transcoder

A transcoder is a device that can translate information coded with one codec to information coded with another codec.

5.1.1.16 Transcoder Free Operation

From the perspective of an MSC server, an established speech call is said to run TrFO if the MGw nodes controlled by the MSC server do not insert any transcoder device into the call path.

5.1.1.17 Terminating Supported Codec List (tSCL)

The terminating Supported codec list (tSCL) shows the direct codecs supported by the terminating access plus the codec capabilities of the terminating node. It is a Supported Codec List created for the terminating side.



5.1.2 Abbreviations

AMR Adaptive Multi-Rate ISUP ISDN User Part

AMR-WB AMR Wide Band MGW Media Gateway ANSI American National Standards Institute MSC Mobile Service Switching Centre AoIP A-interface user plane over IP OM Optimisation Mode

AoTDM A-interface user plane over TDM OID Organization Identity APM Application Protocol Message OoBTC Out of Band Transcoder Control ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode PCM Pulse Code Modulation BICC Bearer Independent Call Control PSTN Public Switched Telephony Network BSC Base Station Controller RANAP Radio Access Network Application Protocol

BSSAP Base Station System Application Part RNC Radio Network Controller COID Codec Identity SCL Supported Codec List CTPS Channel Type for Pool Selection SCVL Speech Codec Version List DCL Direct Codec List SRNS Service Radio Network Subsystem dICL Default Indirect Codec List TC Transcoder EFR Extended Full Rate TFO Tandem Free Operation ETSI European Telecommunications Standards Institute TMR Transmission Medium Requirement FR Full Rate TRAU Transcoder and Rate Adaptation Unit

GCP Gateway Control Protocol TrFO Transcoder Free Operation GMSC Gateway MSC TSA Telephony Service Analysis GSM Global System for Mobile Communication TSC Transit Switching Center GTT Global Text Telephony t-SCL Terminating SCL HR Half Rate TTC Japanese Standard IAM Initial Address Message TUP Telephony User Part ICL Indirect Codec List UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunication System IE Information Element USI User Service Information

ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network WCDMA Wideband Code Division Multi Access

5.2 References

Ref Document Title 1 Optional Features in MSC and MSC Server Up to R14.1 2 MGW R6 FEATURE DESCRIPTION 3 SD CS Core HD Voice pA4 4 Function Specification: SUPPORT OF AMR-WB SPEECH CODEC

5 RPC implementation procedure: Enhanced User Equipment capability analysis for AMR-WB

amr-wb - feature implementation_pa1

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