RFLTE System Information Blocks: MIB, SIB-1 to SIB-11
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System information is crucial in LTE and is broadcast by the eNB (evolved NodeB) over the BCCH (Broadcast Control Channel) logical channel. This information is then carried over either the BCH (Broadcast Channel) or DL-SCH (Downlink Shared Channel) transport channels.
The system information is divided into two main parts: static and dynamic.
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Static Part (MIB - Master Information Block): Transmitted using the BCH and carried by the PBCH (Physical Broadcast Channel) every 40ms. It contains essential information such as channel bandwidth, PHICH configuration details, transmit power, number of antennas, and SIB scheduling information.
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Dynamic Part (SIBs - System Information Blocks): Mapped onto RRC SI (System Information) messages (SI-1, SI-2, SI-3, etc.) over the DL-SCH and transmitted using the PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel) at periodic intervals. For example, SI-1 is transmitted every 80ms, SI-2 every 160ms, and SI-3 every 320ms.
SIBs are grouped into SI containers, with each SI often containing multiple SIBs. Each SI typically has a different transmission frequency and is sent in a single sub-frame. SIBs are transmitted using the BCCH, mapped onto the DL-SCH, which is then mapped onto the PDSCH. System information can be changed every BCCH modification period.
A signaling tester model like the MD8430A from Anritsu can be used as an LTE Base Station Emulator, emulating LTE MIBs and SIBs over corresponding LTE channels.
LTE System Information Blocks Description
| LTE system information blocks | Description |
|---|---|
| MIB | Carries physical layer information of the LTE cell, which in turn helps the UE (User Equipment) receive further SIs, i.e., system bandwidth. |
| SIB1 | Contains information regarding whether or not the UE is allowed to access the LTE cell. It also defines the scheduling of the other SIBs. Carries cell ID, MCC (Mobile Country Code), MNC (Mobile Network Code), TAC (Tracking Area Code), SIB mapping. |
| SIB2 | Carries common channel as well as shared channel information. It also carries RRC (Radio Resource Control) configuration details, uplink power control parameters, preamble power ramping, uplink Cyclic Prefix Length, sub-frame hopping information, and uplink EARFCN (E-UTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number). |
| SIB3 | Carries cell re-selection information, as well as intra-frequency cell re-selection information. |
| SIB4 | Carries Intra-Frequency Neighbors (on the same frequency). Carries serving cell and neighbor cell frequencies required for cell reselection, as well as handover between same RAT (Radio Access Technology) base stations (e.g., GSM BTS1 to GSM BTS2) and different RAT base stations (e.g., GSM to WCDMA, GSM to LTE, or WCDMA to LTE). Covers E-UTRA and other RATs as mentioned. |
| SIB5 | Carries Inter-Frequency Neighbors (on different frequencies). Carries E-UTRA LTE frequencies and other neighbor cell frequencies from other RATs. The purpose is cell reselection and handover. |
| SIB6 | Carries WCDMA neighbors information, i.e., carries serving UTRA (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access) and neighbor cell frequencies useful for cell re-selection. |
| SIB7 | Carries GSM neighbors information, i.e., carries GERAN (GSM EDGE Radio Access Network) frequencies as well as GERAN neighbor cell frequencies. It is used for cell re-selection as well as handover purposes. |
| SIB8 | Carries CDMA2000 EVDO (Evolution-Data Optimized) frequencies and CDMA2000 neighbor cell frequencies. |
| SIB9 | Carries HNBID (Home eNodeB Identifier). |
| SIB10 | Carries ETWS (Earthquake and Tsunami Warning System) primary notification. |
| SIB11 | Carries ETWS secondary notification. |
LTE System Information Block (SIB) Contents
The following dropdown menu will help one browse through all the LTE system information block contents. It covers LTE SIB-1, SIB-2, SIB-3, SIB-4, SIB-5, SIB-6, SIB-7, SIB-8, SIB-9, SIB-10 and LTE SIB-11.
