SECTION A

What is LTE?
LTEi (Long Term Evolution) is initiated by 3GPPi to improve the mobile phone standard to cope
with future technology evolutions and needs.

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What is goal of LTE?

The goals for LTE include improving spectral efficiency, lowering costs, improving services,
making use of new spectrum and reformed spectrum opportunities, and better integration with
other open standards.

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What speed LTE offers?

LTE provides downlink peak rates of at least 100Mbit/s, 50 Mbit/s in the uplink and RAN
(Radio Access Network) round-trip times of less than 10 ms.

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What is LTE Advanced?

LTE standards are in matured state now with release 8 frozen. While LTE Advanced is still
under works. Often the LTE standard is seen as 4G standard which is not true. 3.9G is more
acceptable for LTE. So why it is not 4G? Answer is quite simple - LTE does not fulfill all
requirements of ITU 4G definition.
Brief History of LTE Advanced: The ITU has introduced the term IMT Advanced to identify
mobile systems whose capabilities go beyond those of IMT 2000. The IMT Advanced systems
shall provide best-in-class performance attributes such as peak and sustained data rates and
corresponding spectral efficiencies, capacity, latency, overall network complexity and quality-ofservice management. The new capabilities of these IMT-Advanced systems are envisaged to
handle a wide range of supported data rates with target peak data rates of up to approximately
100 Mbit/s for high mobility and up to approximately 1 Gbit/s for low mobility.
See LTE Advanced: Evolution of LTE for more details.

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What is LTE architecture?

The evolved architecture comprises E-UTRAN (Evolved UTRAN) on the access side and EPC
(Evolved Packet Core) on the core side.
The figure below shows the evolved system architecture

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What is EUTRAN?
The E-UTRAN (Evolved UTRAN) consists of eNBs, providing the E-UTRA user plane
(PDCP/RLC/MAC/PHY) and control plane (RRC) protocol terminations towards the UE. The
eNBs are interconnected with each other by means of the X2 interface. The eNBs are also
connected by means of the S1 interface to the EPC (Evolved Packet Core), more specifically to
the MME (Mobility Management Entity) by means of the S1-MME and to the Serving Gateway
(S-GW) by means of the S1-U.

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What are LTE Interfaces?

The following are LTE Interfaces : (Ref: TS 23.401 v 841)

S1-MME :- Reference point for the control plane protocol between E-UTRAN and
MME.
S1-U:- Reference point between E-UTRAN and Serving GW for the per bearer user
plane tunnelling and inter eNodeB path switching during handover.
S3:- It enables user and bearer information exchange for inter 3GPP access network
mobility in idle and/or active state.
S4:- It provides related control and mobility support between GPRS Core and the 3GPP
Anchor function of Serving GW. In addition, if Direct Tunnel is not established, it
provides the user plane tunnelling.
S5:- It provides user plane tunnelling and tunnel management between Serving GW and
PDN GW. It is used for Serving GW relocation due to UE mobility and if the Serving
GW needs to connect to a non-collocated PDN GW for the required PDN connectivity.
S6a:- It enables transfer of subscription and authentication data for
authenticating/authorizing user access to the evolved system (AAA interface) between
MME and HSS.
Gx:- It provides transfer of (QoS) policy and charging rules from PCRF to Policy and
Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) in the PDN GW.
S8:- Inter-PLMN reference point providing user and control plane between the Serving
GW in the VPLMN and the PDN GW in the HPLMN. S8 is the inter PLMN variant of
S5.
S9:- It provides transfer of (QoS) policy and charging control information between the
Home PCRF and the Visited PCRF in order to support local breakout function.
S10:- Reference point between MMEs for MME relocation and MME to MME
information transfer.
S11:- Reference point between MME and Serving GW.
S12:- Reference point between UTRAN and Serving GW for user plane tunnelling when
Direct Tunnel is established. It is based on the Iu-u/Gn-u reference point using the GTPU protocol as defined between SGSN and UTRAN or respectively between SGSN and
GGSN. Usage of S12 is an operator configuration option.
S13:- It enables UE identity check procedure between MME and EIR.
SGi:- It is the reference point between the PDN GW and the packet data network. Packet
data network may be an operator external public or private packet data network or an
intra operator packet data network, e.g. for provision of IMS services. This reference
point corresponds to Gi for 3GPP accesses.
Rx:- The Rx reference point resides between the AF and the PCRF in the TS 23.203.
SBc:- Reference point between CBC and MME for warning message delivery and control
functions.
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What are LTE Network elements?

eNB
eNB interfaces with the UE and hosts the PHYsical (PHY), Medium Access
Control (MAC), Radio Link Control (RLC), and Packet Data Control

Protocol (PDCP) layers. It also hosts Radio Resource Control (RRC)

functionality corresponding to the control plane. It performs many
functions including radio resource management, admission control,
scheduling, enforcement of negotiated UL QoS, cell information
broadcast, ciphering/deciphering of user and control plane data, and
compression/decompression of DL/UL user plane packet headers.
Mobility Management Entity
manages and stores UE context (for idle state: UE/user identities, UE mobility state, user security
parameters). It generates temporary identities and allocates them to UEs. It checks the
authorization whether the UE may camp on the TA or on the PLMN. It also authenticates the
user.
Serving Gateway
The SGW routes and forwards user data packets, while also acting as the mobility anchor for the
user plane during inter-eNB handovers and as the anchor for mobility between LTE and other
3GPP technologies (terminating S4 interface and relaying the traffic between 2G/3G systems and
PDN GW).
Packet Data Network Gateway
The PDN GW provides connectivity to the UE to external packet data networks by being the
point of exit and entry of traffic for the UE. A UE may have simultaneous connectivity with
more than one PDN GW for accessing multiple PDNs. The PDN GW performs policy
enforcement, packet filtering for each user, charging support, lawful Interception
and packet screening.

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What are LTE protocols & specifications?

In LTE architecture, core network includes Mobility Management Entity (MME), Serving
Gateway (SGW), Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN GW) where as E-UTRAN has EUTRAN NodeB (eNB).
See LTE protocols & specifications for specification mappings.
Protocol links are as below

Air Interface Physical Layer

GPRS Tunnelling Protocol User Plane (GTP-U)
GTP-U Transport
Medium Access Control (MAC)
Non-Access-Stratum (NAS) Protocol
Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP)
Radio Link Control (RLC)

Radio Resource Control (RRC)

S1 Application Protocol (S1AP)
S1 layer 1
S1 Signalling Transport
X2 Application Protocol (X2AP)
X2 layer 1
X2 Signalling Transport

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What is VoLGA?
VoLGA stands for "Voice over LTE via Generic Access". The VoLGA service resembles the
3GPP Generic Access Network (GAN). GAN provides a controller node - the GAN controller
(GANC) - inserted between the IP access network (i.e., the EPS) and the 3GPP core network.
The GAN provides an overlay access between the terminal and the CS core without requiring
specific enhancements or support in the network it traverses. This provides a terminal with a
'virtual' connection to the core network already deployed by an operator. The terminal and
network thus reuse most of the existing mechanisms, deployment and operational aspects.
see VoLGA - Voice over LTE via Generic Access for more details.

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What is CS Fallback in LTE?

LTE technology supports packet based services only, however 3GPP does specifies fallback for
circuit switched services as well. To achieve this LTE architecture and network nodes require
additional functionality, this blog is an attempt to provide overview for same.
In LTE architecture, the circuit switched (CS) fallback in EPS enables the provisioning of voice
and traditional CS-domain services (e.g. CS UDI video/ SMS/ LCS/ USSD). To provide these
services LTE reuses CS infrastructure when the UE is served by E UTRAN.
See Understanding CS Fallback in LTE for more details.

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How does LTE Security works?

The following are some of the principles of 3GPP E-UTRAN security based on 3GPP Release 8
specifications:

The keys used for NAS and AS protection shall be dependent on the algorithm with
which they are used.
The eNB keys are cryptographically separated from the EPC keys used for NAS
protection (making it impossible to use the eNB key to figure out an EPC key).
The AS (RRC and UP) and NAS keys are derived in the EPC/UE from key material that
was generated by a NAS (EPC/UE) level AKA procedure (KASME) and identified with
a key identifier (KSIASME).
The eNB key (KeNB) is sent from the EPC to the eNB when the UE is entering ECMCONNECTED state (i.e. during RRC connection or S1 context setup).

See LTE Security Principles for more details.

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What is IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)?

The 3GPP IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) technology provides an architectural framework for
delivering IP based multimedia services. IMS enables telecom service providers to offer a new
generation of rich multimedia services across both circuit switched and packet switched
networks. IMS offers access to IP based services independent of the access network e.g. wireless
access (GPRS, 3GPPs UMTS, LTE, 3GPP2s CDMA2000) and fixed networks (TISPANs
NGN)
IMS defines a architecture of logical elements using SIP for call signaling between network
elements and Provides a layered approach with defined service, control, and transport planes.
Some of IMS high level requirements are noted below:
The application plane provides an infrastructure for the provision and management of services,
subscriber configuration and identity management and defines standard interfaces to common
functionality.
The IMS control plane handles the call related signaling and controls transport plane. Major
element of control plane is the Call Session Control Function (CSCF) , which comprises ProxyCSCF (P-CSCF), Interrogating-CSCF (I-CSCF) and Serving-CSCF (S-CSCF). The CSCF
(Call/Session Control Function) is essentially a SIP server.
The IMS transport plane provides a core IP network with access from subscriber device over
wireless or wireline networks.

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How does measurements work in LTE?

In LTE E-UTRAN measurements to be performed by a UE for mobility are classified as below

Intra-frequency E-UTRAN measurements

Inter-frequency E-UTRAN measurements
Inter-RAT measurements for UTRAN and GERAN
Inter-RAT measurements of CDMA2000 HRPD or 1xRTT frequencies

See Measurements in LTE E-UTRAN for details.

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What is Automatic Neighbour Relation?

According to 3GPP specifications, the purpose of the Automatic Neighbour Relation (ANR)
functionality is to relieve the operator from the burden of manually managing Neighbor
Relations (NRs). This feature would operators effort to provision.
Read Automatic Neighbour Relation in LTE for more details.

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How does Intra E-UTRAN Handover is performed?

Intra E-UTRAN Handover is used to hand over a UE from a source eNodeB to a target eNodeB
using X2 when the MME is unchanged. In the scenario described here Serving GW is also
unchanged. The presence of IP connectivity between the Serving GW and the source eNodeB, as
well as between the Serving GW and the target eNodeB is assumed.
The intra E-UTRAN HO in RRC_CONNECTED state is UE assisted NW controlled HO, with
HO preparation signalling in E-UTRAN.
Read LTE Handovers - Intra E-UTRAN Handover for more details.

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How does policy control and charging works in LTE?

A important component in LTE network is the policy and charging control (PCC) function that
brings together and enhances capabilities from earlier 3GPP releases to deliver dynamic control
of policy and charging on a per subscriber and per IP flow basis.
LTE Evolved Packet Core (EPC) EPC includes a PCC architecture that provides support for finegrained QoS and enables application servers to dynamically control the QoS and charging
requirements of the services they deliver. It also provides improved support for roaming.
Dynamic control over QoS and

charging will help operators monetize their LTE investment by providing customers with a
variety of QoS and charging options when choosing a service.
The LTE PCC functions include:

PCRF (policy and charging rules function) provides policy control and flow based
charging control decisions.
PCEF (policy and charging enforcement function) implemented in the serving gateway,
this enforces gating and QoS for individual IP flows on the behalf of
the PCRF. It also provides usage measurement to support charging
OCS (online charging system) provides credit management and grants credit to the PCEF
based on time, traffic volume or chargeable events.
OFCS (off-line charging system) receives events from the PCEF and generates charging
data records (CDRs) for the billing system.

Refer following whitepapers for more details.

Introduction to Evolved Packet Core
Policy control and charging for LTE networks
Quality of Service (QoS) and Policy Management in Mobile Data Networks

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What is SON & how does it work in LTE?

Self-configuring, self-optimizing wireless networks is not a new concept but as the mobile
networks are evolving towards 4G LTE networks, introduction of self configuring and self
optimizing mechanisms is needed to minimize operational efforts. A self optimizing function
would increase network performance and quality reacting to dynamic processes in the network.
This would minimize the life cycle cost of running a network by eliminating manual
configuration of equipment at the time of deployment, right through to dynamically optimizing
radio network performance during operation. Ultimately it will reduce the unit cost and retail
price of wireless data services.
See Self-configuring and self-optimizing Networks in LTE for details.

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How does Network Sharing works in LTE?

3GPP network sharing architecture allows different core network operators to connect to a
shared radio access network. The operators do not only share the radio network elements, but
may also share the radio resources themselves.

Read Network Sharing in LTE for more.

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How does Timing Advance (TA) works in LTE?

In LTE, when UE wish to establish RRC connection with eNB, it transmits a Random Access
Preamble, eNB estimates the transmission timing of the terminal based on this. Now eNB
transmits a Random Access Response which consists of timing advance command, based on that
UE adjusts the terminal transmit timing.
The timing advance is initiated from E-UTRAN with MAC message that implies and adjustment
of the timing advance.
See Timing Advance (TA) in LTE for further details.

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How does LTE UE positioning works in E-UTRAN?

UE Positioning function is required to provide the mechanisms to support or assist the
calculation of the geographical position of a UE. UE position knowledge can be used, for
example, in support of Radio Resource Management functions, as well as location-based services
for operators, subscribers, and third-party service providers.
See LTE UE positioning in E-UTRAN for more details.

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How many operators have committed for LTE?

List of operators committed for LTE has been compiled by 3GAmericas from Informa Telecoms
& Media and public announcements. It includes a variety of commitment levels including
intentions to trial, deploy, migrate, etc.
For latest info visit http://ltemaps.org/

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What is Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC)?

Along with LTE introduction, 3GPP also standardized Single Radio Voice Call Continuity
(SRVCC) in Release 8 specifications to provide seamless continuity when an UE handovers
from LTE coverage (E-UTRAN) to UMTS/GSM coverage (UTRAN/GERAN). With SRVCC,
calls are anchored in IMS network while UE is capable of transmitting/receiving on only one of
those access networks at a given time.
See Evolution of Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC) for more details.

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How does Location Service (LCS) work in LTE network?

In the LCS architecture, an Evolved SMLC is directly attached to the MME. The objectives of
this evolution is to support location of an IMS emergency call, avoid impacts to a location
session due to an inter-eNodeB handover, make use of an Evolved and support Mobile
originated location request (MO-LR) and mobile terminated location request MT-LR services.
Release 9 LCS solution introduces new interfaces in the EPC:

SLg between the GMLC and the MME

SLs between the E-SMLC and the MME
Diameter-based SLh between the HSS and the HGMLC

For details read LCS Architecture for LTE EPS and LTE UE positioning in E-UTRAN

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How does Lawful Interception works in LTE Evolved Packet System?

3GPP Evolved Packet System (EPS) provides IP based services. Hence, EPS is responsible only
for IP layer interception of Content of Communication (CC) data. In addition to CC data, the
Lawful Interception (LI) solution for EPS offers generation of Intercept Related Information
(IRI) records from respective control plane (signalling) messages as well.
See Lawful Interception Architecture for LTE Evolved Packet System for more details.

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What is carrier aggregation in LTE-Advanced?

To meet LTE-Advanced requirements, support of wider transmission bandwidths is required than
the 20 MHz bandwidth specified in 3GPP Release 8/9. The preferred solution to this is carrier
aggregation.

It is of the most distinct features of 4G LTE-Advanced. Carrier aggregation allows expansion of

effective bandwidth delivered to a user terminal through concurrent utilization of radio resources
across multiple carriers. Multiple component carriers are aggregated to form a larger overall
transmission bandwidth.
See Carrier Aggregation for LTE-Advanced for more details.

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What is Relay Node and how does Relaying works in LTE-Advanced?

For efficient heterogeneous network planning, 3GPP LTE-Advanced has introduced concept of
Relay Nodes (RNs). The Relay Nodes are low power eNodeBs that provide enhanced coverage
and capacity at cell edges. One of the main benefits of relaying is to provide extended LTE
coverage in targeted areas at low cost.
The Relay Node is connected to the Donor eNB (DeNB) via radio interface, Un, a modified
version of E-UTRAN air interface Uu. Donor eNB also srves its own UE as usual, in addition to
sharing its radio resources for Relay Nodes.

SECTION B

1. Which type of cell provides the best level of service for average subscribers?
A. Acceptable cell
B. Barred Cell
C. Reserved Cell
D. Suitable Cell
2. Why is a Cyclic Prefix required in OFDMA?
A. The Metropolitan museum of art
B. Boston Smithsonian
C. NASA
D. Washington Smithsonian institution museum of fine art
3. Which UE categories support 64QAM on the uplink?
A. Only category 5
B. Categories 3, 4 and 5
C. None of them
D. All of them
4. What types of handover are supported in LTE?
A. Hard handover only
B. Hard and soft handovers
C. Hard, soft and softer handovers
D. Handover is not supported
5. What does the DC subcarrier indicate?
A. The identity of the cell
B. The antenna configuration
C. The center of the OFDM channel
D. The format of the data channel
6. What processing step combines multiple OFDM subcarriers into a single signal for
transmission?
A. FFT
B. IFFT
C. RF Combining
D. Channel Mapping
7. What is the minimum amount of RF spectrum needed for an FDD LTE radio channel?
A. 1.4 MHz
B. 2.8 MHz
C. 5 MHz
D. 20 MHz
8. In MIMO, which factor has the greatest influence on data rates?
A. The size of the antenna
B. The height of the antenna
C. The number of transmit antennas
D. The number of receive antennas
9. What organization is responsible for developing LTE standards?
A. UMTS

B.
C.
D.

3GPP
3GPP2
ISO

10. Which channel indicates the number of symbols used by the PDCCH?
A. PHICH
B. PDCCH
C. PBCH
D. PCFICH
11. How often can resources be allocated to a UE?
A. Every symbol
B. Every slot
C. Every subframe
D. Every frame
12. What property of OFDMA systems allows adjacent subcarriers to be used without
interference?
A. Orthogonality
B. Orthodoxy
C. Octagonality
D. Originality
13. With the normal Cyclic Prefix, how many symbols are contained in 1 frame?
A. 7
B. 12
C. 20
D. 140
14. What is the largest channel bandwidth a UE is required to support in LTE?
A. 20 MHz
B. 10 MHz
C. 5 MHz
D. 1.4 MHz
15. In OFDM, what is the relationship between the subcarrier spacing f and the symbol time t?
A. There is no fixed relation
B. f = t
C. f x t = 2048
D. f = 1/t
16. What is the PBCH scrambled with?
A. The physical cell ID
B. The current frame number
C. The UE's C-RNTI
D. The PBCH is not scrambled
17. Why is the Cyclic Prefix a copy of the tail end of the symbol?
A. It ensures a continuous time domain signal
B. It maintains an integer number of cycles
C. It reduces the Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR)
D. It increases the useful symbol time

18. In LTE, what is the benefit of PAPR reduction in the uplink?

A. Improved uplink coverage
B. Lower UE power consumption
C. Reduced equalizer complexity
D. All of the above
19. Approximately what portion of a subframe in a 1.4 MHz channel is available for carrying the
PDSCH?
A. 1/2
B. 1/4
C. 3/4
D. 1/6
20. If the UE detects primary synchronization sequence x and secondary synchronization
sequence y, what is the physical cell ID?
A. The physical cell ID cannot be determined from the synchronization signals
B. x+y
C. 3x+y
D. x+3y
21. Which RLC mode adds the least amount of delay to user traffic?
A. Acknowledged Mode (AM)
B. Unacknowledged Mode (UM)
C. Transparent Mode (TM)
D. Low Latency Mode (LM)
22. What coding scheme is used for the DL-SCH and UL-SCH?
A. 1/3 tail-biting convolutional code
B. 1/3 turbo code
C. Variable-rate block code
D. 1/3 repetition code
23. How much bandwidth is required to transmit the primary and secondary synchronization
signals?
A. 1.4 MHz
B. 1.08 MHz
C. 930 kHz
D. up to 20 MHz
24. What is the length of the shortest possible PDCCH, in bits?
A. 72
B. 144
C. 288
D. 576
25. With PRACH configuration 14, what are the odds that two UE's will collide during their
random accesses?
A. 1 in 10
B. 1 in 64
C. 1 in 640
D. It is impossible to collide on the PRACH

SECTION C

LTE and LTE advanced technology is fast evolving in cellular arena and demand in the
industries have been increased for LTE skilled engineers. These top 12 LTE interview questions
and answers help engineers seeking LTE technology job to crack the interview with ease. One
can refer page links mentioned on left side panel to learn more about LTE.
Question-1: What is the difference between LTE FDD and LTE TDD?
Answer-1:The difference lies in the LTE frame structure in both the FDD and TDD versions of
the LTE. In FDD there will be pair of frequencies assigned in the downlink and uplink directions
and hence transmissions from multiple subscribes can happen at the same time but on different
frequencies as mentioned. In TDD, one single frequency will be used at different time instants by
multiple subscriber terminals (UEs). Both frame versions of LTE will have 1 ms sub-frame
duration and 0.5 ms slot duration. Read more.
Question-2: What is resource block in LTE?
Answer-2:LTE frame is divided based on time slots on time axis and frequency subcarrier on
frequency axis. Resource block is the smallest unit of resource allocation in LTE system. It is of
about 0.5ms duration and composed of 12 subcarriers in 1 OFDM symbol. One time slot is equal
to 7 OFDM symbols in normal cyclic prefix and 6 OFDM symbols in extended cyclic prefix.
One full resource block is equal to 12 subcarriers by 7 symbols in normal CP. Hence it consists
of total 84 time/frequency elements referred as resource elements in LTE network. Refer LTE
Terminology
.
Question-3: What are the LTE logical, transport and physical channels? Answer-3:All these
channels help LTE UE establish the connection with the eNodeB, maintain the connection and
terminate the same. Logical channels are characterized by the information that is transferred.
Transport channels are characterized by how the data are transferred over the radio interface.
Physical channel corresponds to a set of resource elements used by the physical layer. Channels
are further divided into control channel and traffic channel at logical channel stage. Read more.
Question-4: Explain the difference between Reference signal (RS) and synchronization signal
(SS) in the LTE? Also mention types of RS and SS.
Answer-4:Reference signal (RS) is used as pilot subcarrier in LTE similar to other broadband
wireless technologies such as WLAN, WIMAX etc. Synchronization signal is used as preamble
sequence in LTE for synchronization purpose. RS is used for channel estimation and tracking. SS
are of two types viz. P-SS and S-SS. P-SS is used for initial synchronization. S-SS is used for
frame boundary determination. RS are of two types viz. Demodulation RS (DRS) and Sounding
RS (SRS). DRS is used for sync and channel estimation purpose. SRS is used for channel quality
estimation purpose. DRS is used in both the uplink and downlink, while SRS is used only in the
uplink. Refer LTE PSS SSS
and LTE RS DMRS SRS
pages to know insight concepts of synchronization signal and reference signal.

Question-5: Explain LTE cell search procedure followed by UE.

Answer-5:LTE cell search procedure is used by UE to camp onto the LTE cell i.e. eNodeB.
Refer LTE UE cell search procedure and network entry procedure.
Question-6: What is the function of LTE physical broadcast channel i.e. PBCH?
Answer-6:After initial cell synchronization is completed, UE reads MIB (Master information
block) on PBCH (Physical channel). Broadcast channel is referred as BCH at transport level and
BCCH at logical level. MIB composed of downlink channel bandwidth in units of RBs, PHICH
duration, PHICH resource and system frame number. Read more.
Question-7: What is the advantage of using SC-FDMA in the LTE uplink?
Answer-7:The main advantage of SC-FDMA is low PAPR compare to OFDMA used in LTE
downlink. This increases the efficiency of power amplifier and hence increases the battery life.
Read more.
Question-8: What is RSSI?
Answer-8:RSSI stands for Received Signal Strength Indication. It is used almost in all the RATs
to identify power received from the cell in idle as well as connected/dedicated modes. This helps
UE always camped on to the best cell all the time. In case of drop in power measured using
RSSI, either UE or network initiates the handover or cell re-selection is carried out. Read more.
Question-9: Explain Circuit Switch Fall Back i.e. CSFB with respect to LTE and GSM.
Answer-9:Framework allowing the provisioning of voice services by reuse of legacy GSM
served CS infrastructure when the UE is served by E-UTRAN (LTE).To provide voice call
support, Circuit Switch Fall Back is carried out to GSM RAT from LTE RAT to facilitate the
voice over LTE (VoLTE) feature. Read more.

Question-10: Explain LTE network architecture and various interfaces.

Answer-10:There are various entities forming the LTE network architecture, the main interfaces
are Uu between UE and eNB, X2 interface between eNBs and S1 interface between eNB and
EPC(Evolved Packet Core). Read more.

Question-11: What is SRVCC?

Answer-11:SRVCC is the short form of Single-Radio Voice Call Continuity. SRVCC handover
is supported from E-UTRAN (i.e. LTE) to UTRAN/GERAN (WCDMA/GSM). SRVCC
procedure is used for transferring an on-going PS voice call (IMS) in LTE to a CS voice call via
Handover from LTE to GERAN/UTRAN. Read more.
Question-12:What is the difference between LTE and LTE Advanced?
Answer-12:LTE is specified in 3GPP release 8 and release 9. LTE advanced is specified in 3GPP
release 10. The main difference between them is carrier aggregation is introduced in LTE
advanced. Number of antennas supported by MIMO has been increased to 8 in LTE
advanced,Read more.
SECTION D
LTE Interview Questions?
1) What happens when a LTE UE is powered on? From PHY Layer Point of view & NAS Point of
view?
2)

Explain attach procedure in LTE?

3)

Why there is two types of security in LTE?

4)

What are the measurement events in LTE?

Ans:
Intra/Inter Frequency Events:

Event A1 (Serving becomes better than threshold)

Event A2 (Serving becomes worse than threshold)
Event A3 (Neighbour becomes offset better than PCell)
Event A4 (Neighbour becomes better than threshold)
Event A5 (PCell becomes worse than threshold1 and neighbour becomes better than threshold2)
Event A6 (Neighbour becomes offset better than SCell)

Inter RAT Events:

Event B1 (Inter RAT neighbour becomes better than threshold)

Event B2 (PCell becomes worse than threshold1 and inter RAT neighbour becomes better than
threshold2)
5)

What is DCI?

6)

What are the contents of DCI?

7)

What are the main difference between DCI0 and DCI1a?

8)

What is contention resolution?

9)

When Radio Link Failure is detected?

Ans:
Radio link failure to be detected:
1) upon T310 expiry
2) upon random access problem indication from MAC while neither T300, T301, T304 nor
T311 is running
3) upon indication from RLC that the maximum number of re-transmissions has been reached

10) What is SRS used for?

Ans: UL reference signal used to measure the channel quality over a section of the bandwidth.
Node B use this information for frequency selective scheduling and link adaptation decisions.
11) What is DMRS/DRS?
Ans: DMRS/DRS is uplink reference signal.
Used for : 1)Channel Estimation and synchronization in UL
2)EnodeB can use DMRS for calculating TA command for each UE.
Two Types: 1) PUSCH DMRS.
2) PUCCH DMRS.
PUSCH DMRS:
1) Included in every resource block allocated to UE for PUSCH transmission.
2) Distributed only in Frequency domain to preserve the PAPR characteristic of SCFDMA.
3) 12 Resource element per resource block allocated to PUSCH DMRS.
PUCCH DMRS:
1) Included in every resource block allocated to UE for PUCCH transmission(if
transmitted).PUCCH occupies 2 resource block per 1 ms subframe when transmitted.
2) No of REs used for PUCCH DMRS depends on a) PUCCH format to be transmitted
and whether b) normal or extended cyclic prefix used.
3) PUCCH DRMS used more no of bits in case of format 1,1a,1b and less no of bits in
caseof format 2, 2a, 2b.

12) What is SPS? Explain SPS?

Ans: http://howltestuffworks.blogspot.in/2013/10/semi-persistent-scheduling.html
13) What is DRX?
14) Explain Connected mode DRX and Idle mode DRX?
15) Why PHICH configuration is mentioned in MIB?
16) In what are the scenario RACH is triggered?
17) What is RACH Procedure?
18) How UE come to know which RACH Preamble to USE?
19) Why there is no SOFT HO in LTE?
20) What PLMN Selection Order UE follows during Automatic PLMN selection and Manual
PLMN Selection?
21) What is Timing Advance? What happens if Timing Advance Timer Expires?
Ans: The timing of UL radio frame is relative to DL radio frame. EnB provides timing advance
command to each UE such that all UL transmissions arrive at the eNodeB in synchronous
manner.
If TA timer expires UE goes of reestablishment procedure or move to idle.
22) What is SR? What is the use of SR?
23) What is MAC CE?
24) What is BackOff Indicator? What is the use of Backoff indicator?
Ans :
Backoff Indicator is a special MAC subheader that carries the parameter indicating the time delay
between a PRACH and the next PRACH.

if the Random Access Response contains a Backoff Indicator subheader

set the backoff parameter value in the UE as indicated by the BI field of the Backoff Indicator
subheader
else,
set the backoff parameter value in the UE to 0 ms.

25) What is BSR?

Ans: The Buffer Status reporting procedure is used to provide the serving eNB with
information about the amount of data available for transmission in the UL buffers of the UE.

26) At what scenario UE triggers BSR?

Ans:

UL data, for a logical channel which belongs to a LCG, becomes available for
transmission in the RLC entity or in the PDCP entity and either the data belongs to a
logical channel with higher priority than the priorities of the logical channels which
belong to any LCG and for which data is already available for transmission, or there is no
data available for transmission for any of the logical channels which belong to a LCG, in
which case the BSR is referred below to as "Regular BSR";
UL resources are allocated and number of padding bits is equal to or larger than the size
of the Buffer Status Report MAC control element plus its subheader, in which case the
BSR is referred below to as "Padding BSR"
retxBSR-Timer expires and the UE has data available for transmission for any of the
logical channels which belong to a LCG, in which case the BSR is referred below to as
"Regular BSR"
periodicBSR-Timer expires, in which case the BSR is referred below to as "Periodic
BSR".

27) When different types of BSR are Triggered?

Ans:
For Regular and Periodic BSR:

if more than one LCG has data available for transmission in the TTI where the BSR is
transmitted
report Long BSR
else,
report Short BSR.

For Padding BSR:

if the number of padding bits is equal to or larger than the size of the Short BSR plus its
subheader but smaller than the size of the Long BSR plus its subheader:
if more than one LCG has data available for transmission in the TTI where the BSR is
transmitted: report Truncated BSR of the LCG with the highest priority logical channel with
data available for transmission;
else
report Short BSR.
else if the number of padding bits is equal to or larger than the size of the Long BSR plus its
subheader,
report Long BSR.

28) What is the use of system info modification period?

29) What is the content of RAR?
Ans:
A MAC RAR consists of the four fields

R
Timing Advance Command
UL Grant
Temporary C-RNTI

30) What is the USE of UE specific Reference signal?

31) What is Cell Specific Reference Signal?
32) In what are the scenario UE Triggers RRC Connection Reestablishment?
Ans:
UE Triggers RRC Connection Reestablishment procedure on following condition:
Upon detecting Radio Link Failure
Handover Failure
Mobility From E-UTRA Failure
Integrity Failure Indication Received From Lower Layers
RRC Connection Reconfiguration Failure
33) What is GUTI?

34) What is the significance of S-TMSI?

35) What is the content of Paging Message?
36) When UE activates integrity and ciphering?
Ans:

The SECURITY MODE COMMAND message is used to command the UE for the
activation of AS security. E-UTRAN always initiates this procedure prior to the
establishment of Signalling Radio Bearer2 (SRB2) and Data Radio Bearers (DRBs).
AS security comprises of the integrity protection of RRC signalling (SRBs) as well as the
ciphering of RRC signalling (SRBs) and user plane data (DRBs). The integrity protection
algorithm is common for signalling radio bearers SRB1 and SRB2. The ciphering
algorithm is common for all radio bearers (i.e. SRB1, SRB2 andDRBs). Neither integrity
protection nor ciphering applies for SRB0.
The eNodeB sends integrity protected SECURITY MODE COMMAND message to the
UE. The UE shall derive KeNB and KRRCint which is associated with integrity protection
algorithm indicated in the SECURITY MODE COMMAND. Then, UE verifies the
Integrity of the received SECURITY MODE COMMAND by checking the Message
Authentication Code (MAC) in the SECURITY MODE COMMAND message. If
the SECURITY MODE COMMANDmessage fails the integrity protection check, then the
UE sends SECURITY MODE FAILURE to the eNodeB.
If the SECURITY MODE COMMAND passes the integrity protection check, then the UE
shall derive the encryption keys KRRCenc key and the KUPenc keys associated with the
ciphering algorithm indicated in theSECURITY MODE COMMAND.
The UE shall apply integrity protection using the indicated algorithm (EIA) and the
integrity key, KRRCintimmediately, i.e. integrity protection shall be applied to all
subsequent messages received and sent by the UE, including the SECURITY MODE
COMPLETE message.
The UE shall apply ciphering using the indicated algorithm (EEA), KRRCenc key and
the KUPenc key after completing the procedure, i.e. ciphering shall be applied to all
subsequent messages received and sent by the UE, except for the SECURITY MODE
COMPLETE message which is sent un-ciphered.

36) How many default and dedicated bearer possible in lte?

37) Can there be multiple default bearer to same PDN?
38) How the position of each SIB is calculated in LTE?
39) How measurement GAP calculation happens in LTE?