LTE Events B1 and B2

Inter-system LTE events B1 and B2 are based upon CPICH RSCP or CPICH Ec/Io for UMTS
system, RSSI for GSM. In this article we’ll give a overview of the events and their practical use
cases that will better help to understand the requirement for both events.

LTE Event B2
The LTE Event B2 is triggered when the serving cell becomes worse than threshold-1 while a
neighbouring inter-system cell becomes better than threshold-2. The event is triggered when
both of the following conditions are fulfilled:

MEASserv + Hyst < Threshold-1

MEASneigh + Offneigh,freq - Hyst > Threshold-2

LTE Event B1
The LTE Event B1 is triggered when a neighbouring inter-system cell becomes better than a
threshold:

MEASneigh + Oneigh,freq - Hyst > Threshold

As you see, the UE needs to fulfil one more condition in order to trigger the event B2.

Complementing both of them may be useful considering a mobility scenario where LTE
network geographical coverage has not yet reached 3G or 3G coverage. If this is the case, the
operator will normally prefer the UE to stay in 4G. That could be achieved by parametrizing
the event B2, but it may produce high number of drops, mostly in the cell border where signal
levels are low. This is when the operator could use event B1 to easily release traffic towards
3G or 2G and reduce the number of drops.

B1 may also be used in cases where you want to implement load balancing in the area.

For more information about this or other 2G/3G/4G topics, get in contact with 3dB at: toomas.sarv@3dbconsult.com
For more information on LTE, UMTS, GSM or any Radio Network related question don’t
hesitate to contact 3DB CONSULT at: toomas.sarv@3dbconsult.com

Additional info
You might be interested in some other interesting topics concerning cellular networks
engineering, such as:

 Reducing the Cost per Gigabyte - a 3dB Consult White Paper

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 How UE calculates CQI value
 What is the purpose of deltaTib
 How to reduce drop in VOLTE Networks
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 Inter-PLMN Handover
 eNodeB Sleeping Algorithms
 PDCP Layer Average Throughput calculation in LTE
 CSFB to GSM/UMTS and related events
 APN mismatch
 How UE calculates CQI value
 VoLTE drops without LTE data degradation
 Understanding the LTE X2 interface

For more information about this or other 2G/3G/4G topics, get in contact with 3dB at: toomas.sarv@3dbconsult.com