X2 Signalling Transport

in Specification, LTE, X2

X2 signalling bearer provides the following functions:

Provision of reliable transfer of X2-AP message over X2 interface. Provision of networking and routeing function Provision of redundancy in the signalling network Support for flow control and congestion control

L2 - Data link layer Support of any suitable data link layer protocol, e.g. PPP, Ethernet IP layer

The eNB supports IPv6 and/or IPv4 The IP layer of eNB-eNB only supports point-to-point transmission for delivering X2-AP message. The eNB supports the Diffserv Code Point marking

Transport layer SCTP is supported as the transport layer of eNB-eNB signalling bearer.

SCTP refers to the Stream Control Transmission Protocol developed by the Sigtran working group of the IETF for the purpose of transporting various signalling protocols over IP network. There is only one SCTP association established between eNB pairs. The eNB establishes the SCTP association. The SCTP Destination Port number value assigned by IANA to be used for X2AP is 36422.

Protocol specification 3GPP TS 36.420 - Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN); X2 general aspects and principles 3GPP TS 36.421 - Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN); X2 layer 1 3GPP TS 36.422 - Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN); X2 signalling transport IETF RFC 2460: "Internet Protocol, Version 6 (IPv6) Specification"

IETF RFC 791 (September,1981): "Internet Protocol" IETF RFC 2474 (December 1998): "Definition of the Differentiated Services Field (DS Field) in the IPv4 and IPv6 Headers"

X2 layer 1
in Specification, LTE, X2

The main functions of X2 interface layer 1 are as following:

Interface to physical medium; Frame delineation; Line clock extraction capability; Layer 1 alarms extraction and generation; Transmission quality control.

Protocol specification 3GPP TS 36.421 - Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN); X2 layer 1

X2 Application Protocol (X2AP)

in eNodeB, Specification, E-UTRAN, LTE, X2, X2AP

The X2AP protocol is used to handle the UE mobility within E-UTRAN and provides the following functions:

Mobility Management Load Management Reporting of General Error Situations Resetting the X2 Setting up the X2 eNB Configuration Update

Protocol specification 3GPP TS 36.423 - Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN); X2 Application Protocol (X2AP)