A3 Intra-Frequency

Handover in LTE

Intra-Frequency Handover means mobility in connected mode between two different cells, but
within same LTE frequency, This topic will be assigned for Event A3 which is used for LTE Intra-
Frequency handover. This event type can also be used for Inter-Frequency handover and it is
configurable in eNodeB side to choose the event type for Inter-Frequency. It is recommended to
have a look HO Events in LTE before reading this topic.

Details:

• LTE Event A3 is triggered when a neighboring cell becomes better than the serving cell by an offset
which is shown as “**Tuned Mneigh” in the graph. The event is triggered when the following
condition is met:

Mneigh + Oneigh,freq + Oneigh,cell – Hyst > Mserv + Oserv,freq + Oserv,cell + Offset

• LTE Event A3 is cancelled (not triggered yet) when a neighboring cell becomes worse than the
serving cell by an offset during “time to trigger” which is shown as “Tuned Mneigh” in the graph:
Mneigh + Oneigh,freq + Oneigh,cell + Hyst < Mserv + Oserv,freq + Oserv,cell + Offset

Mserv: signal level or quality of the serving cell (RSRP or RSRQ).

Mneigh: signal level or quality of the neighbor cell (RSRP or RSRQ).

Hyst: hysteresis, it is defined in eNodeB and used to avoid ping-pong handover.

Oneigh, cell: cell individual offset for the intra-frequency neighboring cell.

Oserv, cell: cell specific offset for the serving cell.

Offset: if the parameter is set to a large value, an intra-frequency handover is performed only when
the signal of the neighboring cell is significantly better than that of the serving cell.

*Oneigh, freq: indicates the frequency-specific offset for the inter-frequency neighboring cell.

*Oserv, freq: indicates the frequency-specific offset for the inter-frequency serving cell.

Time to Trigger: this timer helps to avoid irregular measurement and handover.

* Note: Oneigh, freq & Oserv, freq are used when the Event A3 is configured for Inter-Frequency
Handover. In Intra-Frequency handover case these are not used.

** Note: Tuned Mneigh & Tuned Mserv are combination of signals and other related parameters
which was described above formulas.

*** Note: all types of triggers is evaluated during Time to Trigger period and occur if the condition
stays stable during the period, otherwise the event will be cancelled without triggering.

Conclusion:

Unlike Inter-Frequency and Inter-RAT handover, UE always measures Intra-Frequency neighboring

cells but only sends measurement reports to eNodeB when neighboring cell signal becomes better
than serving cell signal. Based on measurement reports, eNodeB makes decision and sends
handover command to UE for handing over to the neighbor cell. This procedure is called Event A3 for
Intra-Frequency handover.