ETSI TS 136 523-3 V18.11.0 (2026-04)

LTE; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) and Evolved Packet Core (EPC); User Equipment (UE) conformance specification; Part 3: Test suites (3GPP TS 36.523-3 version 18.11.0 Release 18)

RTS/TSGR-0536523-3vib0

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Technical Committee: 3GPP RAN 5 - Mobile Terminal Conformance Testing (formely T1)
• Current Stage: 12 - Citation in the OJ (auto-insert)
• Completion Date: 02-Apr-2026

Standards Content (Sample)

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
LTE;
Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) and
Evolved Packet Core (EPC);
User Equipment (UE) conformance specification;
Part 3: Test suites
(3GPP TS 36.523-3 version 18.11.0 Release 18)


3GPP TS 36.523-3 version 18.11.0 Release 18 1 ETSI TS 136 523-3 V18.11.0 (2026-04)

Reference
RTS/TSGR-0536523-3vib0
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LTE
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ETSI
3GPP TS 36.523-3 version 18.11.0 Release 18 2 ETSI TS 136 523-3 V18.11.0 (2026-04)
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ETSI
3GPP TS 36.523-3 version 18.11.0 Release 18 3 ETSI TS 136 523-3 V18.11.0 (2026-04)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights . 2
Legal Notice . 2
Modal verbs terminology . 2
Foreword . 15
Introduction . 15
1 Scope . 16
2 References . 16
3 Definitions and abbreviations . 19
3.1 Definitions . 19
3.2 Abbreviations . 19
4 E-UTRAN/SAE system architecture and test models . 20
4.1 Test system architecture . 20
4.1.1 General system architecture . 20
4.1.2 Component architecture . 21
4.2 E-UTRAN test models . 22
4.2.1 Layer 2 test models . 22
4.2.1.1 MAC test model . 22
4.2.1.2 RLC test model . 24
4.2.1.3 PDCP test model . 25
4.2.1.3.1 PDCP ROHC test model . 25
4.2.1.3.2 PDCP test model (Non ROHC) . 26
4.2.1.3.3 PDCP EHC test model . 26
4.2.2 RRC test model . 27
4.2.3 DRB test model . 28
4.2.4 IP Test Model . 29
4.2.4.1 IP user data . 29
4.2.4.2 Configuration of Sockets . 30
4.2.4.2.1 Socket Establishment . 30
4.2.4.2.2 Socket Release . 31
4.2.4.3 Handling of IP data . 31
4.2.4.4 Routing of IP Data . 32
4.2.4.5 Multiple PDNs . 32
4.2.4.6 IP Addresses Guidelines . 33
4.2.4.6.1 Common Structure of IP Addresses . 33
4.2.4.6.2 Common Requirements regarding IP Addresses . 34
4.2.4.6.3 Network Entities and their IP addresses . 34
4.2.4.7 User Plane Signalling for Address Allocation. 36
4.2.4.7.1 DHCP . 36
4.2.4.7.2 DHCPv6 . 38
4.2.4.7.3 ICMPv6 . 38
4.2.4.7.4 DNS . 39
4.2.4A LTE-Carrier Aggregation test Models . 41
4.2.4A.1 CA-MAC test model . 41
4.2.4A.2 CA-RRC test model . 43
4.2.4A.3 LAA-MAC test model. 44
4.2.4A.4 LAA-RRC test model . 45
4.2.4A.5 eLAA-MAC test model . 45
4.2.4B Dual Connectivity test models . 46
4.2.4B.1 DC MAC test model. 46
4.2.4B.2 DC PDCP test model . 47
4.2.4B.3 DC RRC test model . 48
4.2.5 IP model extension for IMS . 49
4.2.5.1 IPsec . 50
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4.2.5.1.1 Security Association . 50
4.2.5.1.2 SAD and SPD . 51
4.2.5.2 Signalling Compression (SigComp) . 52
4.2.5.3 SIP TTCN-3 Codec . 52
4.2.6 Support of DSMIPv6 . 52
4.2.7 MBMS test model . 53
4.2.8 OCNG test model . 53
4.2.9 Device-to-Device Proximity Services test model . 55
4.2.9.1 ProSe Function test model . 56
4.2.9.2 Direct Discovery test model . 56
4.2.9.3 Direct Communication test model . 57
4.2.10 SC-PTM test model . 58
4.2.11 V2X Services test model . 59
4.2.12 Aerial UE test model. 60
4.3 SAE Test Model . 61
4.3.1 NAS Test Model . 61
4.4 Inter RAT Test Model . 62
4.4.1 E-UTRAN-UTRAN Inter RAT Test Model . 62
4.4.1.1 User data over UTRAN . 62
4.4.1.1.1 Raw user data over UTRAN . 63
4.4.1.1.2 IP data over UTRAN . 63
4.4.1.1.3 Routing IP data . 64
4.4.2 E-UTRAN-GERAN Inter RAT Test Model . 65
4.4.2.1 User data over GERAN . 65
4.4.2.1.1 Raw user data over GERAN . 66
4.4.2.1.2 IP data over GERAN . 66
4.4.2.1.3 Routing IP data . 67
4.4.3 E-UTRAN-CDMA2000 Inter RAT Test Model . 68
4.4.3.1 E-UTRAN-CDMA2000 HRPD Inter RAT Test Model . 68
4.4.3.2 E-UTRAN-CDMA2000 1xRTT Inter RAT test model . 70
4.4.4 E-UTRAN FDD-TDD Inter RAT Test Model . 73
4.4.5 E-UTRAN-UTRAN-GERAN Inter RAT Test Model . 74
4.4.6 3GPP-WLAN Inter working Test Model . 75
4.4.6.1 E-UTRAN-WLAN Inter working Test Model . 75
4.4.6.2 UTRAN-WLAN Inter working Test Model . 77
4.5 Generic WLAN Test Model . 78
4.5.1 WLAN Access Point . 78
4.5.2 ePDG/AAA-Server Emulation. 78
4A NB-IoT system architecture and test models . 82
4A.1 Test system architecture . 82
4A.2 NB-IoT test models . 82
4A.2.1 Layer 2 test models . 82
4A.2.1.1 Layer 2 loopback mode for CP mode . 82
4A.2.1.2 MAC test model (CP mode) . 84
4A.2.1.3 RLC test model (CP mode) . 85
4A.2.1.3A RLC test model (UP mode) . 86
4A.2.1.4 PDCP test model . 87
4A.2.2 RRC / NAS test model . 88
4A.3 NTN test models . 89
5 Upper Tester Interface . 89
5.1 Definitions . 89
5.2 Upper Tester ASPs . 90
6 ASP specifications . 94
6.1 General Requirements and Assumptions . 94
6.1.1 IP ASP requirements . 94
6.1.2 Enhancement of IP ASP for handling IMS signalling . 94
6.2 E-UTRAN ASP Definitions . 95
6.2.1 Configuration Primitives . 95
6.2.2 Signalling Primitives. 95
6.2.3 Co-ordination Messages between NAS Emulation PTC and EUTRA PTC . 95
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6.3 UTRAN ASP Definitions . 97
6.3.1 Void . 97
6.3.2 ASPs for Data Transmission and Reception . 97
6.4 GERAN ASP Definitions . 98
6.4.1 ASPs for Control Primitive Transmission . 98
6.4.2 ASPs for Data Transmission and Reception . 100
6.5 NB-IoT ASP Definitions . 103
6.5.1 Configuration Primitives . 103
6.5.2 Signalling Primitives. 103
6.5.3 Co-ordination Messages between NAS Emulation PTC and NBIOT PTC . 103
7 E-UTRAN/SAE Test Methods and Design Considerations . 105
7.1 Channel Mapping . 105
7.1.1 PDCCH Candidate Selection . 105
7.1.1.1 FDD candidates selection . 106
7.1.1.2 TDD candidates selection . 109
7.1.1.2.1 TDD candidates selection in special subframes . 112
7.1.2 ePDCCH Candidate Selection . 113
7.1.2.1 FDD candidates selection . 113
7.1.2.2 TDD candidates selection . 113
7.1.3 MPDCCH Candidate Selection. 114
7.1.4 LAA Considerations . 115
7.2 Uplink Grant . 115
7.2.0 UL Sync and Grant Allocation Types . 115
7.2.1 Exception test case list . 117
7.3 Downlink Resource Allocation . 118
7.3.1 PDCCH DCI default formats . 118
7.3.1.1 Default DCI Format to be used in test cases configuring MIMO. 119
7.3.2 Radio parameters configured . 119
7.3.2.1 HARQ Retransmission when MIMO is configured . 119
7.3.3 General DL scheduling scheme . 120
7.3.3.1 Additional rules for BCCH scheduling scheme . 120
7.3.3.1.1 BCCH with DCI combination 1 . 120
7.3.3.1.2 BCCH with DCI combination 2 . 121
7.3.3.2 Additional rules for PCCH specific scheduling scheme . 121
7.3.3.2.1 PCCH with DCI combination 1 . 121
7.3.3.2.2 PCCH with DCI combination 2 . 121
7.3.3.3 Additional rules for RAR specific scheduling scheme . 122
7.3.3.3.1 RAR with DCI combination 1 . 122
7.3.3.3.2 RAR with DCI combination 2 . 122
7.3.3.4 Additional rules for UE-dedicated scheduling scheme in normal mode . 122
7.3.3.5 DL Resource allocation bitmaps . 124
7.3.3.5.1 DCI combination 1 . 124
7.3.3.5.2 DCI combination 2 . 126
7.3.3.6 UE-dedicated scheduling scheme in explicit mode . 129
7.3.3.6.1 DL Scheduling in Transport Block Size Selection Test Cases . 131
7.3.3.7 Resource allocation sheets . 131
7.3.3.8 MPDCCH DL DCI formats . 132
7.3.3.8.1 BCCH . 132
7.3.3.8.2 PCCH . 132
7.3.3.8.3 RAR . 133
7.3.3.8.4 UE-dedicated scheduling . 133
7.3.3.9 DL Resource allocation bitmaps for BL/CE UE . 133
7.3.3.9.1 DCI combination 1 . 133
7.4 Cell Configurations . 136
7.4.1 Cell Configuration Types . 136
7.4.2 Cell Power Change . 136
7.4.3 E-UTRAN cell identity . 137
7.4.3.1 Timing parameters of cells . 137
7.4.4 Cell configurations for NAS test cases . 138
7.4.5 Configuration of Multi-Cell Environment . 139
7.5 TDD Considerations . 139
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7.5.1 FDD vs. TDD implementation . 139
7.5.2 Guideline for FDD vs. TDD verification . 139
7.6 Special RLC Modes. 140
7.6.1 Suppression of RLC Acknowledgements . 140
7.6.2 Modification of VT(S) . 140
7.7 System information . 140
7.7.1 System information broadcasting . 140
7.7.2 Scheduling information . 141
7.7.2a Scheduling information for BR System information . 144
7.7.3 System information modification . 155
7.7.3.1 Non-PWS System Information modification . 155
7.7.3.1.1 UE in Idle_mode. 155
7.7.3.1.2 UE in connected mode . 156
7.7.3.2 PWS System Information modification . 157
7.8 Timers and Timing Considerations . 157
7.8.1 Auxiliary timers . 157
7.8.2 RRC timers reconfiguration . 158
7.8.3 MAC TA timer reconfiguration . 158
7.8.4 Non-protocol timers . 158
7.8.5 Timing information . 158
7.9 Error Indication . 158
7.10 Race Conditions . 159
7.11 Radio Link Failure. 159
7.12 Test method for RRC signalling latency . 159
7.12.0 General . 159
7.12.1 Procedure delays in PUCCH synchronized state . 159
7.12.2 Procedure delays when RACH procedure required . 161
7.13 RLC test method for scheduled data. 162
7.14 IP packets for Loopback Mode . 163
7.14.1 IP packets used for Loopback Mode A . 163
7.14.2 IP packets used for Loopback Mode B . 163
7.15 Connected Mode DRX . 164
7.16 Handover Sequences . 165
7.16.1 Sequence of inter-cell handover . 165
7.16.1a Sequence of inter-cell CA handover (more than one CC before and after handover) . 166
7.16.2 Sequence of intra-cell handover . 167
7.16.3 UL Grants used in RA procedure during handover . 168
7.17 Simulation of PDCP MAC-I Failure in UE . 168
7.17.1 Integrity and ciphering not yet activated. 168
7.17.2 Integrity and/or ciphering already activated . 169
7.18 RRC Connection Release Sequence . 169
7.18a RRC Connection Release Sequence for BL/CE UE . 169
7.19 DL CCCH Message and UE Contention Resolution Identity MAC CE transmission in one MAC PDU
or in separate MAC PDUs . 170
7.20 RRC Connection Reconfiguration Sequence (Measurement Control) . 170
7.21 Inter-RAT - GERAN special issues. 171
7.21.1 Timeslot assigned for GERAN CS traffic . 171
7.21.2 Subchannel used in GERAN L2 access message . 171
7.21.3 Paging in GERAN . 171
7.22 E-UTRAN RSRQ Calculations . 171
7.22.1 Assumptions . 171
7.22.2 The Ideal Calculation . 171
7.22.3 Additional RSRQ Calculations For Fixing Boundary Values . 172
7.23 Test method for eICIC and feICIC . 172
7.24 Carrier Aggregation Signalling Sequences . 173
7.24.1 Initial configuration of Pcell . 173
7.24.2 Initial configuration of SCell . 173
7.24.3 Scell Addition and/or release . 174
7.25 Test method for MBMS . 174
7.25.1 Schedule transmission of MCCH messages . 174
7.25.2 MCCH change notification . 175
7.25.3 MTCH data scheduling . 175
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7.26 Type B FDD Half-Duplex Considerations . 175
7.27 Test method for Device-to-Device Proximity Services . 176
7.27.1 Direct Discovery test method. 176
7.27.2 Direct Communication test method . 177
7.27.2.1 Synchronisation and SBCCH transmission . 177
7.27.2.2 Sidelink data transmission/reception . 177
7.28 Test method for SC-PTM . 178
7.28.1 Schedule transmission of SC-MCCH messages . 178
7.28.2 SC-MCCH information change . 178
7.28.3 SC-MTCH data scheduling . 178
7.29 Test method for V2X Services .
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