4G - X2 Interface
Schwannden Kuo
NCTU CS
schwannden@gmail.com
X2 Protocol Stack
• X2 control plan • X2 data plan
X2 Protocol Stack
• X2 has exactly the same stack as S1,
simplifying data forwarding operation.
X2 Initiation
X2 initiation sets up the connection between two
eNodeB’s via X2 Interface
X2 Initiation
• X2 manages two functions: load or interference related function and handover related information.
• The two functions are independent of each other.
UE eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
User Equipment Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
Uu
S1-MME
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
UE
Uu
eNodeB
X-2
X2 Initiation
• A full mesh between all eNodeB’s is not mandated in an E-UTRAN network.
UE eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
User Equipment Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
Uu
S1-MME
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
UE
Uu
eNodeB
X-2
X2 Initiation
• Initialization begins with the identification of a suitable neighbor, either by configuration of ANRF
(Automatic Neighbor Relation Function).
• Once it decides to establish an X2 interface, it establishes a TLN (transport Layer Network)
connection by target’s IP (found via configuration or query over S1 interface).
UE eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
User Equipment Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
Uu
S1-MME
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
UE
User Equipment
Uu
eNodeB
X-2
X2 setup request
X2 Initiation
Information passed in X2 setup request
Mandatory
1. Physical Cell IDs for the cell it manages
2. Frequency Band
3. Tracking Area Identity and/or the
associated PLMN
Optional
1. Neighbor Information
2. Number of Antenna Ports
3. PRACH Configuration
4. MBSFN Subframe Info
5. CSG ID (mandatory if the eNB is CSG
Cell or Hybrid Cell)
6. MultibandInfoList
UE eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
User Equipment Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
Uu
S1-MME
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
UE
Uu
eNodeB
X-2
• Informations passed during X2 setup request facilitate automatic self-configuration of the Physical
Cell Identities (PCIs) and RACH self-optimization.
X2 setup request
X2 Initiation
• Once the X2 setup procedure has been completed by X2 Setup Response, the X2 interface is
operational.
UE eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
Uu
S1-MME
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
UE
Uu
eNodeB
X-2
X2 Setup Response
X2 Handover
X2 Handover (HO) handover a UE from one
eNodeB (source eNodeB) to the other (target
eNodeB).
X2 Handover
UE eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
PDN

(PSS, IME)
HSS
User Equipment Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Packet Data Network

(packet Switch Stream,
IP Multimedia System)
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
Downlink Data
Uu
S1-MME
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
UE
Uu
eNodeB
X-2
Uplink Data
Recall the normal data flow:
X2 Handover
• The network sets the measurement thresholds for sending measurement reports.
UE
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
Uu
S1-MME
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeB
X-2
RRC Measurement ControlRRC Measurement Report S1-U
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 Handover
• Neighboring cell signal quality is now better than the serving cell.
• The RRC uses the latest measurement to decide if a handover is needed to another cell. The target
cell is selected. The eNodeB for the target cell is identified.
UE
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
Uu
S1-MME
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeB
X-2
R
R
C
M
easurem
entC
ontrol
R
R
C
M
easurem
entR
eport
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 Handover
• The Source eNodeB initiates the handover with the Handover Request message, including
information about active E-RABs. Some UE historical information (UE/Cell RRM related information,
list of visited cells) is passed in Handover Request message.
UE
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
S1-MME
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeB
X2AP Handover Request
Uu
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 Handover
• GTP connect for the uplink side is established between the Target eNodeB and the serving SGW.
UE
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
Uu
S1-MME
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeB
Uplink S1 Bearer Establishment
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 Handover
• Meanwhile Target eNodeB allocates resources, assigns RACH preamble and new C-RNTI to UE.
UE
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
S1-MME
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeB
Uplink S1 Bearer Establishment
Uu
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 Handover
• The Target eNodeB responds back to the source eNodeB with a Handover Request Acknowledge
message. This message carries the Handover Command message (RRC Connection
Reconfiguration Request) in a transparent container (including the RACH preamble and C-RNTI
generated previously).
UE
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
S1-MME
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeB
X2AP Handover Request Ack.
Uu
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 Handover
• An X2 GTP connection is established between the Source and the Target eNodeBs. This channel
will carry the user data during the handover.
• UE is ready to buffer downlink data from this point on.
UE
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
S1-MME
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeB
X2 TEID
X2 TEID
Uu
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 Handover
• Source eNodeB initiates HO commands to UE in RRC Reconfiguration Request. The messages
contain the new RACH preamble and C-RNTI of UE.
• PDCP Sequence Number (SN) are sent from source eNodeB to target eNodeB.
UE
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeBSNTransferStatus
RRC
Reconfiguration
Request
Uu
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 Handover
UE
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeB
Downlink Data
Uplink Data
Data flow during handover preparation:
Downlink data
is buffered
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 Handover
• During SN Transfer Status, source eNodeB freeze its
transmitter/receiver status.
• Mean while UE is switching to target eNodeB.
UE
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeBSNTransferStatus
Detach from source eNodeB
RRC IDLE
UE status
Uu
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 Handover
• Mean while UE is switching to target eNodeB.
UE
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeBSNTransferStatus
RACH Preamble
RRC IDLE
UE status
Uu
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 Handover
• Mean while UE is switching to target eNodeB.
UE
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeBSNTransferStatus
Random Access Response
RRC IDLE
UE status
Uu
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 Handover
• Mean while UE is switching to target eNodeB.
UE
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeBSNTransferStatusUu
RRC Connection
Reconfiguration Complete
RRC CONNECTED
UE status
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 Handover
UE
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeBUu
Downlink Data
Uplink Data
Data flow during handover execution (after ho preparation):
Buffered downlink
data is delivered
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 Handover
• Path switch
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeB
RRC CONNECTED
UE status
S1AP Path Switch Req.
UE
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 Handover
• Path switch
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeB
RRC CONNECTED
UE status
S1AP Path Switch Req.
Modify Bearer Req .

(EPS Bearer ID, S1 TEID, ECGI, TAI)
UE
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 Handover
• Path switch
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeB
RRC CONNECTED
UE status
S1AP Path Switch Req.
Modify Bearer Req .

(EPS Bearer ID, S1 TEID, ECGI, TAI)
Modify Bearer Req .

(EPS Bearer ID, ECGI, TAI)
UuUEUE
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 Handover
• Path switch
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeB
RRC CONNECTED
UE status
S1AP Path Switch Req.
Modify Bearer Req .

(EPS Bearer ID, S1 TEID, ECGI, TAI)
Modify Bearer Res.
UuUE
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 Handover
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeB
RRC CONNECTED
UE status
S1AP Path Switch Req.
Modify Bearer Res.
Modify Bearer Res.
• Path switch
UuUE
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 Handover
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeB
RRC CONNECTED
UE status
Uu
S1AP Path Switch Res.
• When path switch is complete, downlink data is sent directly from S-GW to target eNodeB. And an
end marker is inserted from S-GW to source eNodeB indicate the last frame from old path.
Downlink data
EndMarker
End Marker
UE
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 Handover
UE
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeBUu
Downlink Data
Uplink Data
Data flow after hand over (after path switch complete):
Buffered downlink
data is delivered
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 Handover
• The Source eNodeB initiates the handover with the Handover
Request message, including information about active E-RABs.
UE
eNodeB
MME
S-GW P-GW
HSS
Evolved NodeB
Serving Gateway PDN Gateway
Mobility

Management
Entity
Home

Subscriber

Server
S1-MME
S1-U
E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC)
eNodeB
X2AP Path Switch Req. Ack.
Uu
Uu
X1AP UE Context Release
Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
X2 HO modes
1. Seamless HO
2. Lossless HO
3. Selective Retransmission
4. Multiple Preparation
• Mobility Robustness Handling (more in later presentation)
• Mobility towards Home eNodeBs via X2 (more in later
presentation)
X2 Feature on HO
• Seamless or lost less mode are set during X2AP
HO Req., and acknowledged by the corresponding
response. The mode is set on a per EPS bearer
basis.
X2 Feature on HO
• Selective Retransmission: Do not retransmit
1. Downlink packets already received by UE before
handover.
2. Uplink packets already received by source
eNodeB.
X2 Feature on HO
• Multiple Preparation
• Trigger handover preparation to 

multiple eNobeB's concurrently.
• Note the source receive only 

one RELEASE RESOURCE 

from selected 

target eNodeB. 

And is recommended to send cancel procedure to
unselected eNodeB’s.
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X2 Management
X2 Load and Interference Management
MMEMME
X2 Management
• Interference Management: Frequency domain and
time domain interference.
• Informations are exchanged in the order of tens of
milliseconds to optimize RRM process.
X2 Management
• Load Balancing: X2 facilitates the exchange of load
information.
• In Release 10, partial reporting is allowed per cell
and per measurement. Therefore, if a serving
eNodeB does not support some measurements, it
will still report the other measurements that it does
support.
References
1. LTE: the UMTS long term evolution. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2009.
2. LTE X2 handover sequence diagram: https://www.eventhelix.com/lte/
handover/x2/lte-x2-handover-sequence-diagram.htm#.VQOlCELfK-I
3. TE X2 Handover Messaging: http://www.eventhelix.com/lte/handover/
LTE-X2-Handover-Messaging.pdf
4. summary of LTE Identifiers: http://www.nmcgroups.com/en/expertise/lte/
identifiers.asp
5. Random Access Procedure in LTE: http://4g-lte-world.blogspot.tw/
2013/04/random-access-procedure-rach-in-lte.html
6. 4G introduction: http://www.slideshare.net/schwannden/4g-intriduction

LTE: X2 interface

  • 1.
    4G - X2Interface Schwannden Kuo NCTU CS schwannden@gmail.com
  • 2.
    X2 Protocol Stack •X2 control plan • X2 data plan
  • 3.
    X2 Protocol Stack •X2 has exactly the same stack as S1, simplifying data forwarding operation.
  • 4.
    X2 Initiation X2 initiationsets up the connection between two eNodeB’s via X2 Interface
  • 5.
    X2 Initiation • X2manages two functions: load or interference related function and handover related information. • The two functions are independent of each other. UE eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS User Equipment Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server Uu S1-MME S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) UE Uu eNodeB X-2
  • 6.
    X2 Initiation • Afull mesh between all eNodeB’s is not mandated in an E-UTRAN network. UE eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS User Equipment Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server Uu S1-MME S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) UE Uu eNodeB X-2
  • 7.
    X2 Initiation • Initializationbegins with the identification of a suitable neighbor, either by configuration of ANRF (Automatic Neighbor Relation Function). • Once it decides to establish an X2 interface, it establishes a TLN (transport Layer Network) connection by target’s IP (found via configuration or query over S1 interface). UE eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS User Equipment Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server Uu S1-MME S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) UE User Equipment Uu eNodeB X-2 X2 setup request
  • 8.
    X2 Initiation Information passedin X2 setup request Mandatory 1. Physical Cell IDs for the cell it manages 2. Frequency Band 3. Tracking Area Identity and/or the associated PLMN Optional 1. Neighbor Information 2. Number of Antenna Ports 3. PRACH Configuration 4. MBSFN Subframe Info 5. CSG ID (mandatory if the eNB is CSG Cell or Hybrid Cell) 6. MultibandInfoList UE eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS User Equipment Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server Uu S1-MME S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) UE Uu eNodeB X-2 • Informations passed during X2 setup request facilitate automatic self-configuration of the Physical Cell Identities (PCIs) and RACH self-optimization. X2 setup request
  • 9.
    X2 Initiation • Oncethe X2 setup procedure has been completed by X2 Setup Response, the X2 interface is operational. UE eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server Uu S1-MME S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) UE Uu eNodeB X-2 X2 Setup Response
  • 10.
    X2 Handover X2 Handover(HO) handover a UE from one eNodeB (source eNodeB) to the other (target eNodeB).
  • 11.
    X2 Handover UE eNodeB MME S-GWP-GW PDN
 (PSS, IME) HSS User Equipment Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Packet Data Network
 (packet Switch Stream, IP Multimedia System) Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server Downlink Data Uu S1-MME S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) UE Uu eNodeB X-2 Uplink Data Recall the normal data flow:
  • 12.
    X2 Handover • Thenetwork sets the measurement thresholds for sending measurement reports. UE eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server Uu S1-MME E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeB X-2 RRC Measurement ControlRRC Measurement Report S1-U Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 13.
    X2 Handover • Neighboringcell signal quality is now better than the serving cell. • The RRC uses the latest measurement to decide if a handover is needed to another cell. The target cell is selected. The eNodeB for the target cell is identified. UE eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server Uu S1-MME S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeB X-2 R R C M easurem entC ontrol R R C M easurem entR eport Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 14.
    X2 Handover • TheSource eNodeB initiates the handover with the Handover Request message, including information about active E-RABs. Some UE historical information (UE/Cell RRM related information, list of visited cells) is passed in Handover Request message. UE eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server S1-MME S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeB X2AP Handover Request Uu Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 15.
    X2 Handover • GTPconnect for the uplink side is established between the Target eNodeB and the serving SGW. UE eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server Uu S1-MME S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeB Uplink S1 Bearer Establishment Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 16.
    X2 Handover • MeanwhileTarget eNodeB allocates resources, assigns RACH preamble and new C-RNTI to UE. UE eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server S1-MME S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeB Uplink S1 Bearer Establishment Uu Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 17.
    X2 Handover • TheTarget eNodeB responds back to the source eNodeB with a Handover Request Acknowledge message. This message carries the Handover Command message (RRC Connection Reconfiguration Request) in a transparent container (including the RACH preamble and C-RNTI generated previously). UE eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server S1-MME S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeB X2AP Handover Request Ack. Uu Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 18.
    X2 Handover • AnX2 GTP connection is established between the Source and the Target eNodeBs. This channel will carry the user data during the handover. • UE is ready to buffer downlink data from this point on. UE eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server S1-MME S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeB X2 TEID X2 TEID Uu Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 19.
    X2 Handover • SourceeNodeB initiates HO commands to UE in RRC Reconfiguration Request. The messages contain the new RACH preamble and C-RNTI of UE. • PDCP Sequence Number (SN) are sent from source eNodeB to target eNodeB. UE eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeBSNTransferStatus RRC Reconfiguration Request Uu Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 20.
    X2 Handover UE eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS EvolvedNodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeB Downlink Data Uplink Data Data flow during handover preparation: Downlink data is buffered Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 21.
    X2 Handover • DuringSN Transfer Status, source eNodeB freeze its transmitter/receiver status. • Mean while UE is switching to target eNodeB. UE eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeBSNTransferStatus Detach from source eNodeB RRC IDLE UE status Uu Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 22.
    X2 Handover • Meanwhile UE is switching to target eNodeB. UE eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeBSNTransferStatus RACH Preamble RRC IDLE UE status Uu Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 23.
    X2 Handover • Meanwhile UE is switching to target eNodeB. UE eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeBSNTransferStatus Random Access Response RRC IDLE UE status Uu Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 24.
    X2 Handover • Meanwhile UE is switching to target eNodeB. UE eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeBSNTransferStatusUu RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete RRC CONNECTED UE status Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 25.
    X2 Handover UE eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS EvolvedNodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeBUu Downlink Data Uplink Data Data flow during handover execution (after ho preparation): Buffered downlink data is delivered Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 26.
    X2 Handover • Pathswitch eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeB RRC CONNECTED UE status S1AP Path Switch Req. UE Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 27.
    X2 Handover • Pathswitch eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeB RRC CONNECTED UE status S1AP Path Switch Req. Modify Bearer Req .
 (EPS Bearer ID, S1 TEID, ECGI, TAI) UE Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 28.
    X2 Handover • Pathswitch eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeB RRC CONNECTED UE status S1AP Path Switch Req. Modify Bearer Req .
 (EPS Bearer ID, S1 TEID, ECGI, TAI) Modify Bearer Req .
 (EPS Bearer ID, ECGI, TAI) UuUEUE Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 29.
    X2 Handover • Pathswitch eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeB RRC CONNECTED UE status S1AP Path Switch Req. Modify Bearer Req .
 (EPS Bearer ID, S1 TEID, ECGI, TAI) Modify Bearer Res. UuUE Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 30.
    X2 Handover eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS EvolvedNodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeB RRC CONNECTED UE status S1AP Path Switch Req. Modify Bearer Res. Modify Bearer Res. • Path switch UuUE Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 31.
    X2 Handover eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS EvolvedNodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeB RRC CONNECTED UE status Uu S1AP Path Switch Res. • When path switch is complete, downlink data is sent directly from S-GW to target eNodeB. And an end marker is inserted from S-GW to source eNodeB indicate the last frame from old path. Downlink data EndMarker End Marker UE Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 32.
    X2 Handover UE eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS EvolvedNodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeBUu Downlink Data Uplink Data Data flow after hand over (after path switch complete): Buffered downlink data is delivered Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 33.
    X2 Handover • TheSource eNodeB initiates the handover with the Handover Request message, including information about active E-RABs. UE eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW HSS Evolved NodeB Serving Gateway PDN Gateway Mobility
 Management Entity Home
 Subscriber
 Server S1-MME S1-U E-UTRAN Core Network (EPC) eNodeB X2AP Path Switch Req. Ack. Uu Uu X1AP UE Context Release Decision Request Preparation Path Switch Complete
  • 34.
    X2 HO modes 1.Seamless HO 2. Lossless HO 3. Selective Retransmission 4. Multiple Preparation • Mobility Robustness Handling (more in later presentation) • Mobility towards Home eNodeBs via X2 (more in later presentation)
  • 35.
    X2 Feature onHO • Seamless or lost less mode are set during X2AP HO Req., and acknowledged by the corresponding response. The mode is set on a per EPS bearer basis.
  • 36.
    X2 Feature onHO • Selective Retransmission: Do not retransmit 1. Downlink packets already received by UE before handover. 2. Uplink packets already received by source eNodeB.
  • 37.
    X2 Feature onHO • Multiple Preparation • Trigger handover preparation to 
 multiple eNobeB's concurrently. • Note the source receive only 
 one RELEASE RESOURCE 
 from selected 
 target eNodeB. 
 And is recommended to send cancel procedure to unselected eNodeB’s. http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.understandingrelationships.com%2Fdating- multiple-women%2F10254&ei=8jkFVfv5DIzc8AXAuIHwAg&bvm=bv.88198703,d.dGc&psig=AFQjCNGPJ7XPg-HlhqlDQho2qLs8iXARsQ&ust=1426492166316130
  • 38.
    X2 Management X2 Loadand Interference Management MMEMME
  • 39.
    X2 Management • InterferenceManagement: Frequency domain and time domain interference. • Informations are exchanged in the order of tens of milliseconds to optimize RRM process.
  • 40.
    X2 Management • LoadBalancing: X2 facilitates the exchange of load information. • In Release 10, partial reporting is allowed per cell and per measurement. Therefore, if a serving eNodeB does not support some measurements, it will still report the other measurements that it does support.
  • 41.
    References 1. LTE: theUMTS long term evolution. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2009. 2. LTE X2 handover sequence diagram: https://www.eventhelix.com/lte/ handover/x2/lte-x2-handover-sequence-diagram.htm#.VQOlCELfK-I 3. TE X2 Handover Messaging: http://www.eventhelix.com/lte/handover/ LTE-X2-Handover-Messaging.pdf 4. summary of LTE Identifiers: http://www.nmcgroups.com/en/expertise/lte/ identifiers.asp 5. Random Access Procedure in LTE: http://4g-lte-world.blogspot.tw/ 2013/04/random-access-procedure-rach-in-lte.html 6. 4G introduction: http://www.slideshare.net/schwannden/4g-intriduction