Idle Mode Parameters

Idle Mode Parameters
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Defining RRC Idle Mode 4
LTE IRAT Interactions 6
Idle Mode Functions 8
Cell Reselection 8
PLMN Reselection 8
Location Registration 8
PLMN Selection 10
Cell Selection 10
Cell Reselection 10
PLMN Selection Priorities 12
Initial Cell Selection 14
Femtocell Selection 16
Overall Reselection Process 18
LTE Measurement Rules 20
Detailed Reselection Criteria from an LTE Cell 22
Higher Priority Neighbours 22
Equal Priority Neighbours 22
Lower Priority Neighbours 22
Scaling Modifications for Mobility 24
Defining LTE Neighbours for UMTS 26
UMTS Measurement Rules with Priorities 28
Reselection from UMTS to LTE with Priorities 30
UMTS Measurement Rules without Priorities 32
Reselection from UMTS to LTE without Priorities 34
Defining LTE Neighbours for UMTS 36
GSM Measurement Rules 38
Reselection from GSM to LTE 40
PRACH Configuration Parameters 42
Preamble Formats 42
PRACH Resource Parameters 44
PRACH Procedure Control Parameters 46
PRACH Access Probe Procedure 48
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Defining RRC Idle Mode

The LTE RRC idle state is defined in TS 36.331 as shown in the diagram. This is essentially
the same description as would be used in any other digital terrestrial radio technology.
A UE in idle mode is one that is switched on, has performed PLMN and cell selection
and has registered successfully with a network. Once in this state it monitors broadcast
signalling as required by cell configuration and monitors neighbour cells for potential cell
reselection as determined by system information parameters.
A key characteristic of idle mode is that mobility is controlled by the UE. However, the UE’s
behaviour is driven by parameters and mode settings broadcast in system information that
are part of either manual or SON-based optimisation activities.
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E-UTRA RRC IDLE
3GPP TS 36.331 defines idle mode with

the following:
• A UE-specific DRX may be configured by upper layers
• UE-controlled mobility
• The UE:
– monitors a Paging channel to detect incoming calls,
system information change; for ETWS-capable UEs,
ETWS notification; and for CMAS-capable UEs,
CMAS notification
– performs neighbouring cell measurements
and cell (re-)selection
– acquires system information
– performs logging of available measurements together
with location and time for logged measurement
configured UEs
Fig. 1 – E-UTRA RRC Idle Mode
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LTE IRAT Interactions

LTE idle mode corresponds directly with UMTS idle mode, and transitions between the two
technologies for UEs in this mode are handled through cell reselection. All that is required
for this to function is the definition of appropriate neighbour information and measurement
rules for each respective technology.
One minor complication is that there are sub-states within UMTS connected mode that have
no equivalent in LTE; these being CELL_PCH and URA_PCH. UEs in this state are in connected
mode but perform mobility procedures as if they are in idle mode. In this case, return to LTE
is handled through cell reselection controlled with idle mode parameters.
Interaction with GSM/GPRS is a little more complex. For normal GSM operation there may
be direct reselection between the two technologies. However, for interactions between LTE
and GPRS there are a number of possibilities dependent on the specific activity in GPRS mode.
GPRS Packet_Idle maps to LTE idle mode. Even when a GPRS mobile is in packet transfer
mode, in some cases interaction may be by Cell Change Notification (CCN), which is a form
of cell reselection.

UMTS LTE GSM/GPRS
GSM
Connected
Handover E-UTRA RRC Handover
CELL_DCH
Connected
GPRS Packet
transfer mode
CELL_FACH CCO with
optional
NACC
CELL_PCH
URA_PCH
Connection
establishment/ Connection
release establishment/
Connection Reselection release
establishment/ CCO,
release reselection
Reselection GSM_Idle/
Reselection E-UTRA
Idle GPRS
RRC Idle
CCO, Packet_Idle
reselection
Fig. 2 – LTE IRAT Interactions

Idle Mode Functions

There are three main functions performed by the UE in idle mode: cell reselection, PLMN
reselection and location registration. These are common in terms of definition with other
3GPP technologies. Release 8 of the technical specifications adds behaviour in connection
with Closed Subscriber Groups (CSG), which relates to Home eNBs, i.e. femtocells.
Cell Reselection
While in idle mode the UE will work to ensure that it is always camped on the cell most likely
to offer the most reliable service should a move to connected mode be required. This process
involves evaluation in terms of radio signal quality assessment, but also service attributes such as
consideration of CSG cell availability and access to the home PLMN as opposed to visited PLMNs.
PLMN Reselection
When a UE is in idle mode on a visited network it is required periodically to search for its home
network. The periodicity of this search is controlled by a timer value written onto the SIM card.
Location Registration
Location registration, known as a Tracking Area Update (TAU) in LTE, is of itself a connected
mode procedure, but it is initiated as a result of idle mode cell reselection procedures.

Manual Indication Automatic
mode to user mode
Support for
PLMN selection manual CSG
ID selection
Selected Radio
PLMN measurements Available
(optional CSG ID CSG IDs
Location PLMNs
Service CSG ID) selected to NAS
registration available
requests response
Location registration
response
Cell selection NAS
Location registration and reselection control
Registration
area changes
Fig. 3 – Idle Mode Procedures

PLMN Selection
PLMN selection is performed by the Non Access Stratum (NAS). The Access Stratum (AS)
will scan according to a stored list or, if there is no stored information, it will scan the
complete UE band/RAT capability. Each PLMN/RAT combination that is found is presented
to NAS for consideration. The decision will be performed either in automatic mode or
manually by the subscriber.
Cell Selection
Once a PLMN has been selected by NAS and indication is given to the AS to scan for a
suitable cell to camp on, AS scans for the strongest corresponding cell and tests it for suitability.
Once the UE has camped on a suitable cell an indication is given to NAS, which will initiate
a registration process. This involves the use of connected mode, but, once complete, the UE
drops into idle mode.
Cell Reselection
Once in idle mode the UE performs neighbour cell measurements according to defined
measurement rules. Measured cells are then evaluated using defined offsets and timers
for reselection. Both measurement rules and neighbour cell evaluation parameters are
subject to optimisation activity.

PLMN selection Cell selection Cell reselection
Camped Normal
Idle Mode
NAS
NAS
NAS Performs registration
Indicates selected
Selects PLMN/RAT in conjunction with
PLMN/RAT to AS
either in automatic AS then supplies
and requests a
or manual modes required information
cell for registration
for idle mode
Results Selection Suitable cell Sys Info for idle mode
AS
AS AS
Scans neighbours
Scans to Scans to find a
and reads
find available suitable cell on the
broadcast signalling
PLMN/RAT selected PLMN/RAT
as required
Fig. 4 – Establishing Idle Mode

PLMN Selection Priorities

PLMN selection may be performed in either automatic or manual mode. In automatic mode
NAS makes the selection according to defined priorities. In manual mode NAS presents a
list of available PLMN/RAT combinations to the users as a list ordered according to the same
defined priorities.
Highest priority is the home PLMN. If the Home PLMN or an Equivalent PLMN is not available
then the UE checks first the user-controlled PLMN selector file and then the operator-controlled
PLMN selector file in the SIM. If a PLMN defined in this list is available it will be selected with
highest priority given to the user-controlled list.
If no PLMNs appearing in the user- and operator-defined lists on the SIM are available or if the
lists are not populated then the UE will randomly select a PLMN from those that are available
and that fulfil the high-quality criterion. For LTE the high-quality criterion is defined as an RSRP
greater than or equal to –110 dBm.
Only if there are no PLMNs meeting the high-quality criterion will the UE select a PLMN presenting
the strongest signal level.

PLMN Priority List
1. The HPLMN or the highest
eNB priority EHPLMN
2. Highest priority PLMN/RAT combination

listed in the user controlled PLMN
selector data file in the SIM
3. Highest priority PLMN/RAT combination

listed in the operator controlled PLMN
selector data file in the SIM
High-Quality Criterion
4. Other PLMN/RAT combinations meeting
LTE RSRP ≥ –110 dBm the high-quality criterion in random order
UMTS FDD RSCP ≥ –95 dBm
UMTS TDD RSCP ≥ –84 dBm
GSM/GPRS RSSI ≥ –85 dBm 5. Other PLMN/RAT combinations
in order of decreasing quality
Fig. 5 – PLMN Selection

Initial Cell Selection

Once the NAS has made a PLMN/RAT selection it will request that the AS finds a suitable cell.
This commences with a scan for the strongest cell measured in terms of RSRP. The strongest
cell is then tested for suitability. The criteria for suitability is as shown in the diagram and
involves checks for access rights and an assessment of radio usability. This latter part involves
the calculation of the value Srxlev. A cell is suitable if Srxlev is greater than zero. Note that the
outcome of Srxlev can be influenced by optimised parameters that are broadcast to the UE in
system Information.
The main parameter influencing Srxlev is Qrxlevmin such that a higher value would make a cell
less likely to be considered suitable. Qrxlevminoffset has no effect since it will be considered to
be zero during initial cell selection.
At present there is only one UE power class defined for LTE (Class 3), which means that
Pcompensation cannot be used to differentiate between different UE types.

The UE scans for the strongest cell first and then tests for suitability.
A cell is suitable if:
• The cell is in the selected PLMN or Equivalent PLMN

• The cell is not barred
• The cell is in at least one TA that is not part of ‘forbidden TAs for roaming’
• For CSG, the cell is part of the UE’s CSG white list
• Srxlev > 0 (dB)
where:
Srxlev = Qrxlevmeas – (Qrxlevmin + Qrxlevminoffset) – Pcompensation
Pcompensation = max(PEMAX_H – PPowerClass, 0)
Qrxlevmeas = measured cell downlink RSRP in dBm

Qrxlevmin = minimum required cell downlink RSRP in dBm
Qrxlevminoffset = offset for Qrxlevmin in dB (set to 0 for initial cell selection)
PEMAX_H = max permitted UL TX power in the cell in dBm
PPowerClass = max UE TX power in dBm (from power class)
Fig. 6 – Initial Cell Selection

Femtocell Selection
The NAS may additionally request that the AS scans for Closed Subscriber Group Identities
(CSG ID). These are used to identify cells that are HeNBs (femtocells). In this case the AS will
report the CSG ID to the NAS along with the HeNB name if present. If the NAS indicates that
a reported CSG ID is selected then the suitability test includes the requirement that the cell
belongs to the selected CSG.

NAS
Requests AS to
scan for CSG IDs
Scan Scan
Request Results
• CSG ID in
SystemInformationBlockType1
AS • HeNB name in SIB 9
Reports CSG ID +
HeNB name and
modifies suitability
criteria if selected
by NAS
eNB Home eNB
eNB
eNB eNB
Fig. 7 – Femtocell Selection

Overall Reselection Process

The overall cell reselection process broadly follows the strategy first used by 3GPP for UMTS.
A UE in idle mode will apply measurement rules to determine whether or not neighbour cell
measurements should be taken. This involves the use of quality thresholds and a quality
measurement taken only on the currently camped on cell. As for UMTS the application of
measurement rules is not mandatory.
Cells that are measured after the application of measurement rules are evaluated. In effect this
is a check for suitability as applied for initial cell selection. However, the parameter values used
can be modified and, optionally, account can be taken of the UE’s self-assessed mobility state.
If layer priority levels are applied to frequency layers, reselection can be triggered directly for
neighbours that are suitable if they are in a higher priority layer than the current selected cell.
If priority levels are not applied to frequency layers, or if an evaluated neighbour is not in a higher
priority layer, then ranking is used to assess the need for reselection.
Ranking is used to compare the quality measure of an evaluated neighbour with that of the
current selected cell. Offsets and hysteresis values are used to influence ranking, and these
can be layer-specific, cell-specific, or both. The UE’s mobility state can also be accounted for.

Measurement
Evaluation Ranking Reselection
rules
• Based on • Based on • Used only • 1 sec since
priority of priority of when neighbour last reselection
RAT/Frequency RAT/Frequency cell is the same • Cell is suitable
layers layers priority as the
• Measurement • Thresholds can current serving
thresholds can be set globally, cell
be set for each per priority • Thresholds can
priority layer layer or, in be set per
some cases, priority layer or
per neighbour per neighbour
cell cell or both
• Calculation can • Calculation can
be modified be modified
according to the according to the
UE-determined UE-determined
mobility state mobility state
(normal, (normal,
medium, high) medium, high)
Rs = Qmeas,s + Qhysts
Rn = Qmeas,n + Qoffsets,n
Fig. 8 – LTE Reselection Overview

LTE Measurement Rules

Intra-Frequency Rules
Intra-frequency measurements are controlled by the parameter Sintrasearch. If SServingCell is evaluated
as higher than Sintrasearch then the UE is not required to make measurements on intra-frequency
neighbour cells.
Inter-frequency and IRAT Rules

Both inter-frequency and IRAT measurements are controlled by the same parameter Snonintrasearch.
In this case account is also taken of the relative priority of the layer containing the potential
measured neighbour cells. In the case where neighbours are in a higher priority layer, they must
always be measured. In the case where they are in an equal or lower priority layer they may not
be measured when SServingCell is evaluated as higher than Snonintrasearch.
Parameter Values
Both Sintrasearch and Snonintrasearch are broadcast in SIB 3 and are variable in the range 0–31 dB.

Serving IRAT
LTE cell Inter- neighbour
(SServingCell Intra- frequency GSM/GPRS
= Srxlev) frequency LTE neighbour UMTS/HSPA
LTE neighbour 1x/1xEV
Intra-frequency Measurement Rules

If SServingCell > Sintrasearch UE may not measure neighbours
If SServingCell ≤ Sintrasearch
or UE must measure neighbours
Sintrasearch not sent
Inter-frequency and IRAT Measurement Rules

Higher priority layer UE must measure neighbours
If SServingCell > Snonintrasearch UE may not measure neighbours
Equal or lower priority layer If SServingCell ≤ Snonintrasearch
or UE must measure neighbours
Snonintrasearch not sent
Fig. 9 – LTE Measurement Rules

Detailed Reselection Criteria from an LTE Cell

The criteria outlined in the diagram apply to any reselection carried out from a current
selected cell that is LTE. Thus it includes intra-frequency LTE reselections, inter-frequency
LTE reselections and IRAT reselections. It assumes that priority levels have been set for
frequency layers. If priority has not been set for a frequency layer then resection evaluation
will not be performed for that layer.
Higher Priority Neighbours

Higher priority neighbours are reselected if they exceed the defined quality threshold Threshx,high
for TreselectionRAT seconds. This is done without ranking against the current selected cell.
Note that if more than one neighbour meets this criteria then ranking is used to determine
the best neighbour.
Equal Priority Neighbours

Equal priority neighbours are reselected if they meet the suitability criteria Srxlev > 0 and if they
are ranked higher than the current selected cell for TreselectionRAT seconds. If this condition is
true for more than one neighbour cell then ranking is also used to determine the best neighbour.
Note that this case will never be applicable for IRAT neighbours because IRAT frequency layers
cannot be allocated equal priority to LTE frequency layers.
Lower Priority Neighbours

Lower priority neighbours are reselected only if no other type of suitable cell is available while
the current serving cell’s quality measure (Srxlev) is below the quality threshold Threshserving,low
for TreselectionRAT seconds. In this case a lower priority neighbour could be either LTE or IRAT
as defined by priority allocations. However, to be reselected a neighbour’s quality measure still
has to exceed the quality threshold Threshx,low for TreselectionRAT seconds.

Higher Priority Neighbour Cells
Criteria 1:
• SnonServingCell,x (Srxlev) > Threshx,high for TreselectionRAT
• Camped on current selected cell for more than 1 second
Equal Priority Neighbour Cells

Criteria S:
• SnonServingCell,x (Srxlev) > 0
• Ranking criterion Rn > Rs for TreselectionRAT
Lower Priority Neighbour Cells

• No higher priority cell fulfils Criteria 1
• No equal priority cell fulfils the Ranking Criteria
• SServingCell,x (Srxlev) < Threshserving,low for TreselectionRAT
• Lower priority n-cell SnonServingCell,x (Srxlev) > Threshx,low
for TreselectionRAT
Fig. 10 – LTE Reselection Criteria

Scaling Modifications for Mobility

The UE determines its mobility state in terms of the frequency at which cell reselections
are being performed. This assessment is based on the broadcast parameters TCR and NCR
as shown in the diagram. These parameters are set through the optimisation process.
In the Normal mobility state no changes are made to any parameters relating to the standard
cell reselection evaluation and ranking processes.
When a UE determines that it is the Medium mobility state then the value QHyst used in the
ranking process and TreselectionRAT, used in both the evaluation and ranking processes are
modified. QHyst is reduced through the addition of q-HystSF-Medium, which has a negative value
(–6, –4, –2, 0). TreselectionRAT is scaled through multiplication with TreselectionRAT-SF-Medium,
which has a value between 0 and 1 (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1). The net effect of this is to speed up the
reselection decision-making process.
When a UE determines that it is the High mobility state then the value QHyst used in the ranking
process and TreselectionRAT, used in both the evaluation and ranking processes are modified.
QHyst is reduced through the addition of q-HystSF-High, which has a negative value (–6, –4, –2, 0).
TreselectionRAT is scaled through multiplication with TreselectionRAT-SF-High, which has a value
between 0 and 1 (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1). The net effect of this is to speed up the reselection
decision making process.
Both q-HystSF-Medium/High and TreselectionRAT-SF-Medium/High are frequency-layer specific

and as such are transmitted in the SIB relevant to the layer of interest.

Normal Mobility Medium Mobility High Mobility
Number of reselections in Number of reselections in Number of reselections in
TCRmax seconds ≤ NCR_M TCRmax seconds > NCR_M and ≤ NCR_H TCRmax seconds > NCR_H
Return to Normal mobility state if not Medium and not High for TCRmaxHyst seconds
No action • Add q-HystSF-Medium to QHyst • Add q-HystSF-High to QHyst

• Multiply TreselectionRAT by • Multiply TreselectionRAT by
TreselectionRAT-SF-Medium TreselectionRAT-SF-High
Fig. 11 – Modifications for Mobility State

Defining LTE Neighbours for UMTS

The standard message in UMTS for the definition of neighbour lists is SIB 11. However, although
this message does contain a field identified as IRAT neighbours, it is only specified for GSM/
GPRS neighbour cell descriptions. Therefore, in order to define LTE neighbour relations a new
message is defined, SIB 19. This message is only used for LTE neighbour descriptions.
It should be noted that SIB 19 does not make any provision for the description of specific LTE cells.
Instead, the message simply identifies an LTE frequency layer along with its priority. There is, however,
the option to include a field containing an black cell list, i.e. specific LTE cells that are not to be
considered for reselection.

Serving IRAT
UMTS cell IRAT neighbour
Inter- neighbour LTE
Intra- frequency GSM/GPRS
frequency UMTS
UMTS neighbour
neighbour
Sys Info SIB Type 11
Sys Info SIB Type 19
LTE frequency layer

• EARFCN
• Priority
• Reselection
parameters
• Black cell list
Fig. 12 – LTE Neighbours from UMTS

UMTS Measurement Rules with Priorities

When frequency layer priorities are used for neighbour cell definitions in UMTS the way in which
measurement rules are applied is very similar to LTE.
For neighbour cells in higher priority frequency layers measurements must always be taken.
Thus if an operator chooses to make LTE a higher priority than UMTS, the UE will always
be scanning for and measuring LTE neighbours.
Alternatively, an operator may choose to define LTE frequency layers as a lower priority than
UMTS. In this case neighbour cell measurements are not mandatory while quality measures of
the current selected cell, defined in terms of Srxlev and Srxqual, are both above the respective
thresholds Sprioritysearch1 and Sprioritysearch2.
Note that an LTE frequency layer cannot be defined as equal in priority to a UMTS frequency layer.

Serving LTE
UMTS neighbour
cell
IRAT to LTE Measurement Rules

Higher priority layer UE must measure neighbours
If SrxlevServingCell > Sprioritysearch1 UE may not measure neighbours
and if SrxqualServingCell > Sprioritysearch2
Lower priority layer
If SrxlevServingCell ≤ Sprioritysearch1
UE must measure neighbours
or if SrxqualServingCell ≤ Sprioritysearch2
SrxlevServingCell = Srxlev
SrxqualServingCell = Srxqual
Sprioritysearch1 = 0-62 dB in steps of 2
Sprioritysearch2 = 0-7 dB in steps of 1 } Sys Info SIB Type 19
Fig. 13 – UMTS Measurement Rules (with Absolute Priorities)

Reselection from UMTS to LTE with Priorities

When frequency layer priorities are used for neighbour cell definitions in UMTS the way in which
reselection criteria are applied is very similar to LTE.

Higher priority neighbours are reselected if they exceed the defined quality threshold Threshx,high
for TreselectionRAT seconds. This is done without ranking against the current selected cell.
Note that if more than one neighbour meets this criteria, ranking is used to determine the
best neighbour.

This never applies to LTE neighbours because an LTE frequency layer cannot be defined
as equal in priority to a UMTS frequency layer.

Lower priority neighbours are reselected only if either the current serving cell’s Srxlev quality
measure is below the quality threshold Threshserving,low for TreselectionRAT seconds,
or the current serving cell’s Srxlev quality measure is below zero. However, to be reselected
a neighbour’s quality measure still has to exceed the quality threshold Threshx,low for
TreselectionRAT seconds.

Criteria 1:
• SrxlevnonServingCell,x (Srxlev) > Threshx,high for TreselectionRAT
Equal Priority Neighbour Cells (Never applies to LTE Neighbours)

Criteria 2:
• SrxlevServingCell,x (Srxlev) > Threshserving,low for TreselectionRAT
or SrxlevServingCell,x (Srxlev) > 0 for TreselectionRAT
• Lower priority n-cell SnonServingCell,x (Srxlev) > Threshx,low
for TreselectionRAT

Criteria 3:
• SrxlevServingCell,x (Srxlev) < Threshserving,low for TreselectionRAT
or SqualServingCell,x (Srxqual) < 0 for TreselectionRAT
• Lower priority n-cell SrxlevnonServingCell,x (Srxlev) > Threshx,low
for TreselectionRAT
These parameters are carried in SIB Type 19
Fig. 14 – UMTS Reselection Criteria (with Absolute Priorities)

UMTS Measurement Rules without Priorities

If priorities are not applied for frequency layers then the standard UMTS measurement rules
are applied. There are two variants for this that are referred to as either ‘with’ or ‘without’ HSC
rules. Since most operators use the version without HCS rules this is the variant described
here as an example.
In this case, separate thresholds are defined for each type of frequency layer, intra-frequency,
inter-frequency and IRAT. Thus the thresholds that apply to LTE neighbours are SsearchRATm and
SHCS,RATm. They are applied as indicated in the table on the left of the diagram.
It is important to note that most operators will also need to consider reselection from UMTS
to GSM and measurement rules for this scenario also use SsearchRATm and SHCS,RATm. However,
these parameters are set per RAT, so a separate pair of values for SsearchRATm and SHCS,RATm can
be defined for use with GSM neighbours.

Qqualmeas
(–25 to 0)
Serving Calculate Intra- Inter- IRAT IRAT

UMTS cell Squal frequency frequency neighbour neighbour
(1 to 25) UMTS UMTS GSM/GPRS LTE
neighbour neighbour
Intra UMTS and IRAT Compare Parameter Value

Measurement Rules Sintrasearch –321. to 20 in steps of 2
Squal ≤ Sintrasearch UE must perform Sintersearch –321. to 20 in steps of 2
intra-frequency SsearchHCS –1051. to 91 in steps of 2
measurements
SsearchRATm2. –321. to 20 in steps of 2
Squal ≤ Sintersearch or UE must perform
SHCS,RATm2. –1051. to 91 in steps of 2
Srxlev ≤ SsearchHCS inter-frequency
measurements Qqualmin Ec/No (dB) –25 to 0 in steps
of 1
Squal ≤ SsearchRATm UE must perform
or Srxlev ≤ SHCS,RATm inter-RAT Qrxlevmin RSCP (dBm) –115 to –25 in
measurements steps of 2
1.
Negative values are considered to be 0
2.
Parameter defined per RAT
Squal = Qqualmeas – Qqualmin
Srxlev = Q
rxlevmeas
– Qrxlevmin – Pcompensation Sys Info SIB Type 3
Pcompensation = max(UE_TXPWR_MAX_RACH – P_MAX, 0)
Fig. 15 – UMTS Measurement Rules (without Absolute Priorities)

Reselection from UMTS to LTE without Priorities

After the application of measurement rules those neighbour cells that are measured are
submitted for evaluation. Although the standard process involves the calculation of both Srxlev
and Srxqual, for LTE neighbours only Srxlev is calculated. The values of Qrxlevmin and P_MAX
are specific to the LTE frequency layer and are broadcast in SIB19.
All the evaluated cells that are evaluated as meeting the cell selection criterion are submitted
for ranking. The value of Qoffset is specific to the LTE frequency layer and is broadcast in SIB19.
An LTE cell will be reselected if it is the highest ranked cell for Treselection seconds. The value
of Treselection is specific to the LTE frequency layer and is broadcast in SIB19.

Measurement
Evaluation Ranking Reselection
rules
• Based on • Squal > 0 • Calculate • Rn must be
measurement • Srxlev > 0 Rs for the greater than Rs
rules without serving cell for Treselection
priorities • Calculate seconds
Rn for the • 1 sec since last
considered reselection
neighbour cell • Cell is suitable
Squal = Qqualmeas – Qqualmin Rs = Qmeas,s + Qhysts

Srxlev =rxlevmeas – Qrxlevmin – Pcompensation Rn = Qmeas,n + Qoffsets,n
Pcompensation = max(UE_TXPWR_MAX_RACH – P_MAX, 0)
Fig. 16 – UMTS Reselection Criteria (without Absolute Priorities)

Defining LTE Neighbours for UMTS

LTE neighbour information is broadcast in System Information Type 2quater messages.
Since the information field may be quite large and the overall size of a single system information
message in GSM is restricted by the physical layer structure, the information field may be
fragmented and mapped into more than one occurrence of the message. Thus an MS may
need to read several copies of Type 2quater before it has stored all the required neighbour
information, particularly where an operator has multiple GSM bands, UMTS and LTE.
Fragmentation is indicated to the MS through the inclusion of Start/Stop bits in the information
field.
It should be noted that System Information Type 2quater does not make any provision for the
description of specific LTE cells; instead the message simply identifies an LTE frequency layer
along with its priority and other reselection parameters. There is, however, the option to include a
field containing not-allowed cells, i.e. specific LTE cells that are not to be considered for reselection.
Note that it is mandatory to use layer priorities to control the GSM to LTE reselection process.

Serving LTE
GSM/GPRS UMTS neighbour
cell neighbour
Sys Info Type Selected

UMTS LTE
2quater Cell
MS Calculates S_GSM = C1
S_non-serving_E-UTRAN =
RSRP – E-UTRAN_QRXLEVMIN
• GERAN_PRIORITY Reselection parametersv

• THRESH_Priority_Search • E-UTRAN Neighbour Cells
• T_reselection • EARFCN
• H_PRIO • Measurement Bandwidth
• THRESH_GSM_low • E-UTRAN_PRIORITY
• THRESH_E-UTRAN_high
• THRESH_E-UTRAN_low
• E-UTRAN_RXLEVMIN
• E-UTRAN Not Allowed Cells
• E-UTRAN PCID to TA Mapping
Fig. 17 – LTE Cell Information in GSM/GPRS

GSM Measurement Rules

Normal idle mode behaviour is substantially modified for Release 8 and this new mode of
operation is mandatory for reselection to LTE. Instead of continuous neighbour cell monitoring,
the concept of measurement rules is introduced into GSM. This works in a very similar way
to UMTS and LTE.
For neighbour cells in higher priority frequency layers, measurements must be taken of each
higher priority layer at least once every 60 seconds. Thus if an operator chooses to make LTE a
higher priority than GSM, then the UE will always be scanning for and measuring LTE
neighbours.
Alternatively, an operator may choose to define LTE frequency layers as a lower priority than GSM.
In this case neighbour cell measurements are not mandatory while quality measure of the current
selected cell, defined in terms of RLA_C (RSSI), is above the threshold THRESH_Priority_Search.
Note that an LTE frequency layer cannot be defined as equal in priority to a GSM frequency layer.

Serving LTE
GSM/GPRS neighbour
cell
IRAT to LTE Measurement Rules

Higher priority layer MS must measure at least once every 60 x Nhpf seconds
If RLA_C ≥ UE may not measure neighbours
THRESH_Priority_Search
Lower priority layer
If RLA_C <
UE must measure neighbours
THRESH_Priority_Search
RLA_C = RSSI
THRESH_Priority_Search = –98… –56 dB in steps of 4 (value 15 = ∞)
Nhpf = the number of higher priority IRAT frequency layers
Fig. 18 – GSM/GPRS Measurement Rules

Reselection from GSM to LTE

Frequency layer priorities are mandatorily used for LTE neighbour cell definitions in GSM
and the way in which reselection criteria are applied is very similar to LTE. Note that once
this procedure is applied for LTE neighbour cell reselection it will also be used for reselection
of UMTS cells from GSM.

Higher priority neighbours are reselected if they exceed the defined quality threshold
THRESH_E-UTRAN for T_reselection seconds. This is done without ranking against the
current selected cell. Note that if more than one neighbour meets this criteria then ranking
is used to determine the best neighbour.

This never applies to LTE neighbours because an LTE frequency layer cannot be defined
as equal in priority to a GSM frequency layer.

The diagram shows the reselection criteria for reselection to cells in a lower priority layer.
In general it will only occur if the quality of the current serving cell is poor, the quality of the
target neighbour cell is good and there are no other acceptable GSM cells. This condition
must be maintained for T_reselection seconds.

• S_non-serving_E-UTRAN > THRESH_E-UTRAN_high
for T_reselection

• S_GSM < THRESH_GSM_low for T_reselection
• S_non-serving_E-UTRAN > THRESH_E-UTRAN_low for T_reselection
• S-GSM < C1 for all other measured GSM cells for T_reselection
Else if
• S_non-serving_E-UTRAN > S-GSM by H_PRIO for T_reselection
• S-GSM < C1 for all other measured GSM cells for T_reselection
Fig. 19 – GSM/GPRS Reselection Criteria

PRACH Configuration Parameters

The random access process must be used before any kind of transaction can be performed
between the UE and the eNB. It may also be used while a UE is in RRC connected mode for
resource requests. It is therefore important that it works reliably and with minimal unnecessary
interference contribution. In this regard there are a significant number of PRACH-related
parameters that may be part of the optimisation process.
Preamble Formats
There are four preamble formats that may be used. They differ in terms of the relative durations
of the cyclic prefix, preamble and guard period. In total they may have a duration of either one,
two or three slot periods, as shown. The preamble format to be used is indicated to the UE as
part of the parameter prach_ConfigIndex, which is transmitted in SystemInformationBlockType2.
The choice of CP length will be based on expected cell time dispersion conditions, and the
guard period is selected according to the expected maximum cell radius. Note that the
maximum cell radius is 100 km.

Subframe 1ms
3168 Ts 2976 Ts
Format CP Preamble GT
0 3168 Ts 24576 Ts 2976 Ts
Format CP Preamble CP
1 21024 Ts 24576 Ts 15840 Ts
2 6240 Ts 49152 Ts 6048 Ts
3 21024 Ts 49152 Ts 21984 Ts
Set by prach_ConfigIndex found in SIB Type 2
Fig. 20 – PRACH Physical Layer Formats

PRACH Resource Parameters

The single parameter prach_ConfigIndex controls three time domain aspects of PRACH resource
configuration. The first of these is the preamble format. In addition it indicates what is referred
to as the PRACH burst period. This is described in terms of a list of subframes in which PRACH
may start and how frequently frames containing PRACH may occur. This is achieved by making
the numerical value of prach_ConfigIndex (0–63) reference a table listing all possible combination
in the standards (TS 36.211, 5.7.1). The example shown in the diagram is for value 9. The table
indicates that this means preamble format 0, starting subframes 1, 4 and 7 and every frame
available for PRACH use.
The frequency domain definition of the space allocated for PRACH transmission is provided by
prach_FreqOffset. The parameter indicates the first RB to be used, but in all cases a total of six
RBs are allocated. The example shows the allocation when the parameter is set to the value 6.
The range of preamble sequences available for use on a cell must also be defined. As shown
there are three parameters with the information element prach-Config that influence this.

SIB Type 2
RadioResourceConfigSIB
prach-Config
Define the set of rootSequenceIndex 0…837
Index references a position preamble sequences
within a table that defines that can be used prach-ConfigInfo
the preamble format to be prach_ConfigIndex 0…63
used and also the starting High-speed-flag 1/0
subframes within the frame
zeroCorrelationZoneConfig 0…15
Sets lowest RB index
prach_FreqOffset 0…94
in set of six RBs
E.g. prach-ConfigIndex = 9, prach-FreqOffset = 6
Frame Frame
SF1 SF4 SF7 SF1 SF4 SF7
NRB
Fig. 21 – PRACH Resource Parameters

PRACH Procedure Control Parameters

The PRACH procedure itself is also subject to optimisation. The diagram shows the contents
of the information element rach-Config. It can be seen that this contains the four key parameters
that are used to control the transmission procedure. Between them they control power and
power steps along with retransmission timings and numbers.
Note that this information element also contains more parameters that define the available
preamble sequences. One aspect of this is the option to associate sub-ranges of preamble
sequences (A and B) to different random access causes. A UE will use a preamble from Group
B according to two thresholds. The first relates to the size of the layer 3 message that will be
transmitted and the other relates to the power offset between the last successful preamble
and the message transmission itself.

SIB Type 2
RadioResourceConfigCommon
rach-Config
preambleInfo
numberOfRA-Preambles 4, 8, ...64 steps of 4
preambleGroupAConfig
Determines the
specific preamble sizeOfRAPreambleGroupA 4, 8, ...60 steps of 4
for the transmission messageSizeGroupA 56, 144, 208, 256
messagePower –inf, 0, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 18 dB
OffsetGroupB
powerRampingParameters
powerRampingStep 0, 2, 4, 6 dB steps of 2
Determines the preambleInitialReceived –120, –118, ...–90 dBm
TargetPower steps of 2
physical layer preamble
transmission procedure ra-SupervisionInfo
preambleTransMax 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 20,
Determines the 50, 100, 200
behaviour with respect ra-responseWindowSize 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 subframes
to the subsequent
mac-ContentionresolutionTimer 8, 16, ...64 steps of 8 subframes
transmission of the
Layer 3 message macHARQ-Msg3Tx 1, 2, ...8
Fig. 22 – PRACH Procedure Control Parameters

PRACH Access Probe Procedure

The probing process is controlled using four key parameters that may be part of the optimisation
process. The first, preambleInitialReceivedTargetPower is used by the UE to calculate an initial
power for the first preamble transmission attempt. Subsequent preamble transmissions are then
stepped up in power by an amount determined by the setting of the parameter powerRampingStep.
Once a preamble has been transmitted the UE will wait for a response in the form of a resource
allocation in PDCCH identified with a corresponding RA-RNTI. The wait time is determined by
the parameter ra-responseWindowSize. Finally, the total number of preamble attempts before
the procedure would be abandoned in the event that no response is received as set by the
parameter preambleTransMax.

preamble
TransMax
power
RampingStep
power
RampingStep
Preamble
power
PRACH
RampingStep
Preamble
PRACH
Wait for
Preamble
PRACH
response
PPRACH
(RAR
in DPCCH)
ra-responseWindowSize
PPRACH = min{PCMAX, PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER + PL} dBm

where:
PL = Path loss estimated by the UE
PCMAX = Max power allowed or power class of the UE
PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER = preambleInitialReceivedTargetPower +
DELTA_PREAMBLE + (PREAMBLE_TRANSMISSION_COUNTER – 1)*powerRampingStep
where:
DELTA_PREAMBLE = 0 dB for formats 0 and 1, –3 dB for formats 2 and 3
RA-RNTI used in the RAR = 1 + t_id + 10*f_id

where:
t_id = the index of the first subframe used
f_id = the index of the RB used
Fig. 23 – PRACH Access Probe Procedure

Idle Mode Parameters

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Idle Mode Parameters

Idle Mode Parameters

© Informa Telecoms & Media

Idle Mode Parameters

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Defining RRC Idle Mode

4 © Informa Telecoms & Media

3GPP TS 36.331 defines idle mode with

Fig. 1 – E-UTRA RRC Idle Mode

© Informa Telecoms & Media 5

LTE IRAT Interactions

6 © Informa Telecoms & Media

Fig. 2 – LTE IRAT Interactions

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Idle Mode Functions

8 © Informa Telecoms & Media

Fig. 3 – Idle Mode Procedures

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10 © Informa Telecoms & Media

Results Selection Suitable cell Sys Info for idle mode

Fig. 4 – Establishing Idle Mode

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PLMN Selection Priorities

12 © Informa Telecoms & Media

2. Highest priority PLMN/RAT combination

3. Highest priority PLMN/RAT combination

Fig. 5 – PLMN Selection

© Informa Telecoms & Media 13

Initial Cell Selection

14 © Informa Telecoms & Media

A cell is suitable if:

• The cell is in the selected PLMN or Equivalent PLMN

Srxlev = Qrxlevmeas – (Qrxlevmin + Qrxlevminoffset) – Pcompensation

Pcompensation = max(PEMAX_H – PPowerClass, 0)

Qrxlevmeas = measured cell downlink RSRP in dBm

Fig. 6 – Initial Cell Selection

© Informa Telecoms & Media 15

16 © Informa Telecoms & Media

eNB Home eNB

Fig. 7 – Femtocell Selection

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Overall Reselection Process

18 © Informa Telecoms & Media

Fig. 8 – LTE Reselection Overview

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LTE Measurement Rules

Inter-frequency and IRAT Rules

20 © Informa Telecoms & Media

Intra-frequency Measurement Rules

Inter-frequency and IRAT Measurement Rules

Fig. 9 – LTE Measurement Rules

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Detailed Reselection Criteria from an LTE Cell

Higher Priority Neighbours

Equal Priority Neighbours

Lower Priority Neighbours

22 © Informa Telecoms & Media

Equal Priority Neighbour Cells

Lower Priority Neighbour Cells