Advanced Mobile

Phone Service (AMPS)

• Initially allocated 40 MHz of spectrum in the

800 MHz band.
• It contained 666 channels
• Channel spacing: 30 kHz
• Duplex spacing: 45 MHz (between transmit
and receive)
• 624 voice channels
• 42 signaling channels

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 AMPS SPECTRUM

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 Extended Advanced Mobile Phone
Service (E-AMPS)

• Additional 5 MHz of reserved spectrum

was allocated.
• Voice channels were added .
• To compensate the need to use
additional filtering equipment it was
allocated both side (A and B).
• 790 voice channels
• 42 signaling channels
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 E - AMPS SPECTRUM

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 A cellular system

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 Basic terminology

Channel Types
Both forward and
reverse voice and
signaling channels are
used.
Data or voice are sent.

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 Basic terminology

Supervisory Audio
Tone (SAT) • 5970 Hz
Is one of three tones in
the 6 kHz region. • 6000 Hz
Used to verify the
presence of the
• 6030 Hz
telephone's signal on
a designated channel

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 Basic terminology

SAT Color Code

(SCC) • 00 5970 Hz
A digital value • 01 6000 Hz
indicating the • 10 6030 Hz
subscriber the new • 11 not used
SAT to expect.

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 Basic terminology

Digital Color Code

(DCC) DCC Coded DCC
Allows signaling 00 0000000
channel reuse.
01 0011111
The subscriber
10 1100011
transponds a seven bit
"coded DCC" 11 1111100

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 Channels
• A radio channel used to transmit signaling
information from the land station to the mobile is
referred to as a “Forward Control Channel” (FOCC).

• Similarly, a radio channel used to transmit signaling

information from the mobile to the land station is
referred to as the “Reverse Control Channel”
(RECC).

• The system also has “Forward Voice Channels”

(FOVC) and “Reverse Voice Channels” (REVC

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 Mobile station
• Each mobile station EEPROM has two sections: the
Number Assignment Module (NAM) and the Serial
Number Module (SNM).
• NAM: mobile’s directory number, system parameter
information, options, features, and configuration
information.
• SNM: unique electronic serial number.
• SCM indicates the maximum transmitter power level
of the mobile station.
Class I..........................................6 dBW (4.0 watts)
Class II.........................................2 dBW (1.6 watts)
Class III.......................................-2 dBW (0.6 watts)

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 Data encoding and transmission

• The data is transmitted FSK

• Non-return to zero (NRZ) is used.
• The data speed, in both directions, is 10
KB/sec
• L-M data word contains 40 bits
• M-L data word contains 48 bits

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 Control channel functions

• A control channel is used to inform all mobiles of

system parameters and to communicate with an
individual mobile when it attempts to “access” the
system.
• Mobile access involves the mobile transmitting his
MIN on a reverse control channel (RECC).
 Forward control channels
messages

• Overhead message
• Mobile station control message
• Control-Filler message (Control-Filler
messages may be inserted between
messages and between word blocks of
a multi-word message)
 Overhead messages

• Are repeated every 0.8 seconds, and contain

information intended to be received by all mobiles
active in the system. This information includes:
– System Identification (SID)
– Whether or not the paging and access channels are
combined (Parameter CPA) on the same channel.
– The range of paging channels that the mobile must scan
(Parameter N).
– The number of access channels that the mobile must scan
(Parameter CMAX).
– Information regarding when each mobile should register.
 Mobile station control
messages

• Contain information directed to a specific mobile. This

information includes:
– Paging Data
– Mobile transmit power level control on the voice channel.
This parameter is referred to as the Voice Channel Mobile
Attenuation Code (VMAC).
– “Orders.” An order is a signal that causes a specific mobile
to respond. Orders are used to make the mobile alert,
generate ATB tone, release the mobile, and other functions.
 Control filler messages

• Part of the overhead message train and are sent

when there are no other messages to be sent on the
FOCC.
• This enables the FOCC to send a continuous data
stream.
• The control filler message can also be used to inform
all mobiles of the transmit power level is to be used
when transmitting on the RECC (Control Channel
Mobile Attenuation Code)
 Power Control Parameters

• Each Motorola cell uses parameters

to define a “power box”.
• The power box is a range of signal
strengths that define the mobile
power control from the base site.
• The CHANGE MOB SECPRM MMIs
contain the mobile power control
parameters.
Power Control Parameters

CMPFLG
• Indicates whether relative (REL) or absolute (ABS)
power value measurements will be used for
handoffs. Always use RELATIVE.
handoffs.
PSHO Power setting for handoffs
• Valid inputs are 1-255 (SSI units). The mobile’s RSSI
at which a handoff will be requested. When mobiles
are scanned below this threshold, the VCC will
increment the #IHO counter. To convert RF power
from dBm to SSI units, use:
SSI = (2.25 x dBm)
dBm) + 314.5 dBM = (SSI - 314.5) / 2.25
Power Control Parameters

#IHO Number of indications required for handoff.

• The minimum number of consecutive scan measurements
below PSHO to generate a handoff request. Valid inputs
are 1-15.
MAXSS
• Maximum signal strength required before reducing the
mobile’s transmit power. MAXSS defines the “top of the
power box”. When mobiles are scanned above this
threshold, the VCC increments the MAXRED counter.
Valid inputs are 1-255 (SSI units).
Power Control Parameters

MAXRED
• Number of scans above MAXSS required to power a
mobile down. Valid inputs are 1-15.
MINSS
• Minimum signal strength required before increasing the
mobile’s transmit power. MINSS defines the “bottom of
the power box.” When mobiles are scanned below this
threshold, the VCC increments the MINRED counter. Valid
inputs are 1-255 (SSI units).
Power Control Parameters

PWRVAL
• The relative power value (RPV) by which the signal
strength at the target cell must exceed the signal
strength at the source cell to be an acceptable handoff
candidate. (Target_RSSI > Source_RSSI + Target_RPV)
FCT
• Foreign Carrier Threshold is the signal strength threshold
above which an idle channel will taken out of service due
to the presence of an interference problem. Motorola SE
recommends setting the FCT approximately 10 dB lower
then MINSS. Valid inputs are 1-255 (SSI units).
 Power Control Parameters
LNAOFF
• Low Noise Amplifier Offset is used to compensate for “artificial”
differences in the signal strength measurements between cells in
various configurations. The standard value for the LNAO is 51. For
sites using low noise amplifiers, the standard value is 83. LNAOFF
only affects the reported signal strength,
strength, not the actual signal
strength.
strength. The valid inputs are 1-101.
NOMSS
• The optimal signal strength for a mobile to arrive at the target cell
site after a handoff. This value is used by the BSC to assign a
VMAC to the mobile.
• The target cell site calculates the lowest power level which will
bring the mobile’s RSSI in above NOMSS. Note: If NOMSS is set to a
value outside of the power box, the BSC will set it to a default value
equal to the middle of the power box. Valid inputs are 1-255 (SSI
units).
 Power Control Parameters
MAXPL
• Specifies the maximum transmit power level for
mobiles in the sector. Valid inputs are 0-7.
EHOTHR
• Emergency Handoff Threshold is the signal strength
used to initiate the emergency handoff algorithm. The
algorithm is initiated when a mobile is scanned once
below this threshold. Valid inputs are 1-255 (SSI units).
O/U MAXPL
• Specifies the maximum transmit power level for
mobiles in the inner group of the sector in a
Underlay/Overlay cell site. Valid inputs are 0-7.
(Prompt only appears if the O/U feature has been
loaded onto the EMX)
 Power Control Parameters
OUEHA
• Emergency Handoff Indicator is a flag which will
enable/disable emergency handoffs from the inner
group of channels in a Underlay/Overlay cell. (Prompt
only appears if the O/U feature has been loaded onto
the EMX)
SIGFCT
• The Foreign Carrier Threshold for the Signaling
channel. The signal strength threshold that will issue
an IPR when interference is detected on the signaling
channel. Valid inputs are 1-255 (SSI units).
 PRIORITY OF EVENTS (COUNTERS)

• The power box counters have been

prioritized into a hierarchy because
different mobile events may trigger
different counters at the same time.
Action Priority over Resets Type of Counter
Emergency All Depends on result One Scan reading
Port Change Power Change / Handoff Power Change / Handoff Consecutive
Power Change Handoff Handoff Increment/Decrement
Handoff None None Consecutive
 PRIORITY OF EVENTS (COUNTERS)

• The power control counters are increment/ decrement

counters. For example, three scans below MINSS and one
scan above MINSS gives the power-up counter a net value of
two.
• All counters are SAT/DSAT qualified. There must be a
positive SAT/DSAT reading on the scan job to increment the
counter.
• When calculating a new attenuation level (VMAC), after a
power change, the BSC attempts to place the mobile in the
middle of the power box.
• A power change or port change will reset the hand-off
counter.
 Handoff
• The scan receiver, periodically examines the RF
signal of each mobile active on a voice channel in the
cell.
• The scan receiver examines each mobile's signal
strength about once every 3.6 seconds
• If the received signal strength falls below a minimum
predetermined threshold level (Power Setting for
handoff) for a number of successive scans NIR
(Number of Indications Required), the GLI generates
a handoff request to the EMX
 Handoff types

• There are three basic kinds of handoff:

– The inter-cell handoff which is the handoff between two cells

controlled by the same EMX
– The inter-EMX handoff which is the handoff between two
cells controlled by two different EMXs
– The inter-sector handoff which is the handoff between two
sectors of the same cell.
 Handoff types

• There are also four other special kinds of handoff:

– The inter-vendor handoff which is based on the IS -41 feature and

is the handoff between two cells controlled by switching systems of
different vendors
– The interference driven handoff which is based on the MRI and the
C/I features, and which is performed within the same sector of a
cell
– The emergency handoff which is based on the emergency handoff
feature, and which is an inter-cell handoff
– The inter-tier handoff which is based on the overlay/underlay
feature, and which is the handoff between the inner and the outer
tiers of the same sector.
 Emergency HO
• If the mobile signal strength is below
the emergency re-scan is scheduled.
• If the average of the two scans is still
below the emergency threshold, action
will be taken so that the mobile is
powered up, if possible, or handed off
to the first acceptable candidate.
• If a hand-off request is made, the EMX
does not wait for a second response
after the first one arrives.
HANDOFF- HOLDOFF TIMER
• Suspends any non- Handoff activity
(such as power changes or port
changes) on a mobile for a period of
time after a handoff request is
issued for that mobile.
• All counters still increment and
decrement accordingly, but no
action will be taken until the first
scan after the expiration of the
Handoff- Holdoff timer.
 System Failures

• RF Losses
• HO Failures
• Access Failures
RF LOSS DECLARATION (WIDE)
• Uplink: With DTX disabled, an RF Loss is
declared after 10 seconds of no SAT on
voice transceiver or 7 scans with no SAT.
• The base station reports the dropped call
as an ‘Uplink RF Loss’. The transceiver will
report to the VCC after 2 seconds of no
SAT from the mobile. An RF loss is
declared after 12 seconds total (2 seconds
from xcvr + 10 second timer).
RF LOSS DECLARATION (WIDE)
• Downlink: If the mobile does not detect
SAT for 5 seconds, it de-keys and retunes
to the signalling channel.
• Note: the base station cannot discern an
uplink RF Loss from a downlink RF Loss!
Because there is no communication from
the mobile before de-keying, all RF losses
appear as uplink losses from the base
station’s perspective.
RF LOSS DECLARATION (NAMPS)

• Uplink: With DTX disabled, an RF Loss is

declared after 10 seconds of no DSAT on
voice transceiver or 7 scans with no DSAT.
The base station reports the dropped call
as an ‘Uplink RF Loss’.
• Downlink: If mobile does not detect DSAT
for 5 seconds, the mobile sends a “Fade
Release” order to base station before de-
keying. The base station reports the
dropped call as a ‘Downlink RF Loss’.
HO Failures
Access Failures
 SCANNING
DUAL MODE SCAN RECEIVER
• Tunable receiver
• Capable of scanning AMPS,
EAMPS and NAMPS channels.
• Supports voice SAT rely
• The mobile’s signal strength will
be measured every 3.6 seconds
• The scan also process HOMRS.
 LOCAL SCAN JOBS
• Are periodic scans of active
mobiles to ascertain their SSI,
antenna position, and whether
or not SAT (or DSAT) can be
detected.
• The report information is used
to update the power control
parameters.
 HOMR JOBS
• Hand-Off Measurement Requests,
are scans of neighboring
cells’mobiles to determine if a hand-
off is appropriate.
• The job records the mobile’s SSI,
strongest antennas, and whether
SAT/DSAT is present.
• HOMRs are processed in a “Round-
Robin” order by one of the idle scan
receivers in the site.
FOREIGN CARRIER JOBS

• Foreign carrier jobs are scans of

idle channels to determine if an
interferer is present.
• If interference is present above
a user-defined threshold, the
channel will be taken out of
service and a MCON-374 IPR
will be generated at the EMX.
 SCAN LOADING

• With the default scan rate of 3.6 seconds, each

SC9600 scan transceiver can support up to 15 client
TCHs.
• Increasing the scan rate (shorter Interval) will lower
the number of client TCHs that a scan could handle
at the desired scan rate.
• client TCHs = 30 / [(7.2 sec)/(scan rate)]
(rounded up It remainder exists).

scan rate = 2.8 secs

client TCHs = 30 / [7.2/2.8] = 11.67 (rounded up) = 12
 Registrations

• A process in which a mobile makes his

whereabouts known to the system.
• When a mobile registers, the system will
update the subscriber record of the
mobile.
 How many kinds of
Registration are there?
Supposedly "Different" types of Registration

1) Fixed Registration
2) Incremental Registration
3) Forced Registration
4) Home/Roam Registration
5) Implicit Registration
6) Power-on Registration
7) Sysid Registration
8) Originating Cell origination
9) Terminating Cell origination
 How many kinds of
Registration are there?

"Real" types of Registration

1) SYSID Induced Registration - - SYSID changes

2) REGID Induced Registration - - REGID is out - of-
bounds
 SYSID and REGID

• REGID and SYSID are numbers which are

periodically transmitted over the signaling channels of
cells sites
• Mobiles monitor these numbers and compare them to
numbers in their own memory.
• If a SYSID is different than a number stored in the
mobile's memory, the mobile will register.
• If a REGID is larger than an upper limit stored in the
mobile's memory (NXTREG), the mobile will register
REGID
 NXTREG

• In addition to the REGID messages transmitted

over the signaling channel, messages containing
a value called REGINC (seconds)
• Every time a mobile receives a REGINC
message, it copies the number into a location
called REGINC
• Whenever a mobile registers, it adds REGID and
REGINC to determine a new NXTREG value.
REGINC+REGID=NEXTREG

• When REGID becomes greater than

or equal to NXTREG, or when REGID
becomes less than or equal to the
quantity NXTREG minus the
Registration Increment minus 5, the
mobile unit will reregister.
 DISPLAY MOB REGDAT

DISPLAY MOB REGDAT

PAGING AREA: /
Enter the cellular paging area.
(Range and multiple entries are not
allowed.)
[1-10]
: 1
PAGING REGISTRATIONS ENABLED REGID REGID REGISTRATION REGISTRATION
AREA (HOME/ROAM) MODE PERIOD ZONE NUMBER INCREMENT
------ -------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ---------------------- ----------------------
1 HOME/ROAM INCREMENT 5 240 2820
IMPLICIT DEREGISTRATION

• Provides the EMX with the means to block

pages to mobiles who have been considered
inactive for a given length of time.
• Implicit DeRegistration (IDR) will reduce the
paging load on the system.
• The IDR time out should be set to a time
interval greater than the registration
expiration interval
 DISP CP IMDREG

DISP CP IMDREG
IMPLICIT EXPIRATION INTERVAL
DEREGISTRATION -----------------------------------
ENABLED DAYS HOURS MINUTES
-------------- -------- ---------- --------------
Y 0 8 0
Electronic Mobile Exchange
(EMX)

• It is the controlling device of

the cellular system.
• It is connected to the cell sites.
• It is the interface between the
subscriber and the Public
Switched Telephone Network
(PSTN)
 EMX Overview
There are 7 main functional subsystems
within the EMX:
•Admin Subsystem
•Call Proccessing Subsystem
•Cellular Networks Subsystems
•Common channel signaling subsystem
•Matrix Subsystem
•Mobile Control subsystem
•Trunk manager subsystem
 Admin Subsystem
•Collects and store Billing and Stats.
•Download program and database information.
•Stores databases and configurations of the EMX.
•Provide access to terminal, modems and high
speed data links.
•Manages the Alarm and Trunk Test Subsystems.
•Process commands.
 Call Proccessing Subsystem
•Responsible for dialed digits translation.
•Selecting trunking routes and mantaining their idle
status.
•Mantaining a mobile busy list.
•Collecting and distributing CDR for billing
purpouses.
•Download programs to the line/trunk managers and
processors.
•Collects statistics and send them each 30 minutes to
the Admin.
 Cellular Networks
Subsystems

•Manages inter-EMX communications.

 Common channel signaling subsystem

•Manages SS7 or C7 signaling capability.

•C7 and SS7 are structured so signaling
information for a voice circuit is carried over a
different circuit than the voice itself.
 Matrix Subsystem
•Operates the switch matrix hardware.
•Operates the Service Circuits.
 Mobile Control subsystem
•Provides a interface between EMX and
cellsites.
•Monitors the status of cellsites.
•Performs HO managements.
•Generates pages.
 Trunk Manager subsystem
•Controls the flow of a call through the switch.
•Controls the processing status.
•Manage the signaling and supervisory
control of line/trunk ports.