LTE UE cell selection

Cell selection allows a LTE compliant UE to camp on a cell. There are three
types of cell selection:
Initial cell selection
Stored information cell selection
Cell selection when leaving RRC connected mode
All these types are depicted in the figure.
Initial Cell selection: It does not require any prior knowledge. The UE scans all
RF carriers while searching for a suitable cell.
Stored Information cell selection:uses RF carrier and cell parameter
informations to identify suitable cell. Initial cell selection procedure is initiated
when stored type fails.
The cell selection when leaving RRC CONNECTED mode applies to UE
making transition from RRC CONNECTED to RRC IDLE mode. The eNodeB can
direct UE towards a specific RF carrier by including 'redirected carrier
information' within RRC CONNECTION RELEASE MESSAGE; otherwise UE is
free to search any RF carrier.

All the three types of cell selection techniques involve UE searching for a suitable
cell. A suitable cell is defined as a cell which will have following characteristics.
Belongs to the selected PLMN, registered PLMN or an equivalent PLMN
It is not barred.
Belongs to at least one tracking area which is not forbidden
satisfies cell selection criteria
The cell selection criteria is defined as follows:
Srxlev > 0
Where,
Srxlev = Qrxlevmeas - (Qrxlevmin+Qrxlevminoffset) - Pcompensation
Qrxlevmeas = RSRP measured by UE in dBm
Qrxlevmin = min. required RSRP signalled within SIB-1
Qrxlevminoffset = usually included in SIB-1. If not included than value of zero is set.
Pcompensation Defined as MAX(PEMAX - PUMAX, 0)
Priorities between RF carriers and different RATs are not used during cell
selection.

REFERENCE: 3GPP TS 36.304

LTE UE cell reselection

UE is free to do cell reselection either the serving cell RF carrier strength is poor
or suitable high strength neighbour cell is available in the same RAT or different
RAT. RAT stands for Radio Access Technology. It can be GSM, UMTS or LTE.
UE only perform cell reselection evaluation for LTE RF carriers and inter-RAT RF
carriers which are defined within the SI and for which the UE has a priority.
Blacklisted cells are excluded from list of candidate cells for cell reselection.
Absolute priorities can be allocated to RF carriers belonging to both LTE and
other RATs.
REFERENCE: 3GPP TS 36.304, 3GPP TS 36.331

LTE RELATED LINKS

Difference between SC-FDMA and OFDMA
LTE Cyclic Delay Diversity
LTE eNodeB Physical Layer Measurements
LTE EPC Network Inerfaces
LTE UE Physical Layer Measurements
LTE RSRP vs RSRQ
LTE Bearer types
LTE Signalling radio bearers
LTE QoS
LTE EPS mobility management states
LTE EPS connection management states