ETSI TS 138 133 V15.32.0 (2026-03)

5G; NR; Requirements for support of radio resource management (3GPP TS 38.133 version 15.32.0 Release 15)

RTS/TSGR-0438133vfw0

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Technical Committee: 3GPP RAN 4 - Specification for radio performance
• Current Stage: 12 - Citation in the OJ (auto-insert)
• Completion Date: 02-Mar-2026

Standards Content (Sample)

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
5G;
NR;
Requirements for support of radio resource management
(3GPP TS 38.133 version 15.32.0 Release 15)

3GPP TS 38.133 version 15.32.0 Release 15 1 ETSI TS 138 133 V15.32.0 (2026-03)

Reference
RTS/TSGR-0438133vfw0
Keywords
5G
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ETSI
3GPP TS 38.133 version 15.32.0 Release 15 2 ETSI TS 138 133 V15.32.0 (2026-03)
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ETSI
3GPP TS 38.133 version 15.32.0 Release 15 3 ETSI TS 138 133 V15.32.0 (2026-03)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights . 2
Legal Notice . 2
Modal verbs terminology . 2
Foreword . 31
1 Scope . 32
2 References . 32
3 Definitions, symbols and abbreviations . 33
3.1 Definitions . 33
3.2 Symbols . 34
3.3 Abbreviations . 35
3.4 Test tolerances . 37
3.5 Frequency bands grouping . 37
3.5.1 Introduction. 37
3.5.2 NR operating bands in FR1 . 37
3.5.3 NR operating bands in FR2 . 37
3.6 Applicability of requirements in this specification version . 38
3.6.1 RRC connected state requirements in DRX . 38
3.6.2 Number of serving carriers . 39
3.6.2.1 Number of serving carriers for SA . 39
3.6.2.2 Number of serving carriers for EN-DC . 39
3.6.2.3 Number of serving carriers for NE-DC . 39
3.6.2.4 Number of serving carriers for NR-DC . 39
3.6.3 Applicability for intra-band FR2 . 39
3.6.4 Applicability for FR2 UE power classes. 39
3.6.5 Applicability for SDL bands . 40
3.6.6 Applicability of requirements for NGEN-DC operation . 40
3.6.7 Applicability of QCL . 40
4 SA: RRC_IDLE state mobility . 40
4.1 Cell Selection . 40
4.2 Cell Re-selection . 40
4.2.1 Introduction. 40
4.2.2 Requirements . 40
4.2.2.1 UE measurement capability . 40
4.2.2.2 Measurement and evaluation of serving cell . 41
4.2.2.3 Measurements of intra-frequency NR cells . 41
4.2.2.4 Measurements of inter-frequency NR cells . 42
4.2.2.5 Measurements of inter-RAT E-UTRAN cells . 44
4.2.2.6 Maximum interruption in paging reception . 45
4.2.2.7 General requirements . 45
5 SA: RRC_INACTIVE state mobility . 46
5.1 Cell Re-selection . 46
5.1.1 Introduction. 46
5.1.2 Requirements . 46
5.1.2.1 UE measurement capability . 46
5.1.2.2 Measurement and evaluation of serving cell . 46
5.1.2.3 Measurements of intra-frequency NR cells . 46
5.1.2.4 Measurements of inter-frequency NR cells . 46
5.1.2.5 Measurements of inter-RAT E-UTRAN cells . 46
5.1.2.6 Maximum interruption in paging reception . 46
5.1.2.7 General requirements . 46
5.2 Void . 47
6 RRC_CONNECTED state mobility . 47
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3GPP TS 38.133 version 15.32.0 Release 15 4 ETSI TS 138 133 V15.32.0 (2026-03)
6.1 Handover . 47
6.1.1 NR Handover . 47
6.1.1.1 Introduction . 47
6.1.1.2 NR FR1 - NR FR1 Handover . 47
6.1.1.2.1 Handover delay . 47
6.1.1.2.2 Interruption time . 47
6.1.1.3 NR FR2- NR FR1 Handover . 48
6.1.1.3.1 Handover delay . 48
6.1.1.3.2 Interruption time . 48
6.1.1.4 NR FR2- NR FR2 Handover . 49
6.1.1.4.1 Handover delay . 49
6.1.1.4.2 Interruption time . 49
6.1.1.5 NR FR1- NR FR2 Handover . 50
6.1.1.5.1 Handover delay . 50
6.1.1.5.2 Interruption time . 50
6.1.2 NR Handover to other RATs . 51
6.1.2.1 NR – E-UTRAN Handover . 51
6.1.2.1.1 Introduction . 51
6.1.2.1.2 Handover delay . 51
6.1.2.1.3 Interruption time . 51
6.2 RRC Connection Mobility Control. 52
6.2.1 SA: RRC Re-establishment . 52
6.2.1.1 Introduction . 52
6.2.1.2 Requirements . 52
6.2.1.2.1 UE Re-establishment delay requirement . 52
6.2.2 Random access . 53
6.2.2.1 Introduction . 53
6.2.2.2 Requirements . 53
6.2.2.2.1 Contention based random access . 54
6.2.2.2.2 Non-Contention based random access . 55
6.2.2.2.3 UE behaviour when configured with supplementary UL . 56
6.2.3 SA: RRC Connection Release with Redirection . 56
6.2.3.1 Introduction . 56
6.2.3.2 Requirements . 56
6.2.3.2.1 RRC connection release with redirection to NR . 56
6.2.3.2.2 RRC connection release with redirection to E-UTRAN . 57
7 Timing . 57
7.1 UE transmit timing . 57
7.1.1 Introduction. 57
7.1.2 Requirements . 57
7.1.2.1 Gradual timing adjustment . 58
7.1.2.2 Void. 59
7.2 UE timer accuracy . 59
7.2.1 Introduction. 59
7.2.2 Requirements . 59
7.3 Timing advance . 59
7.3.1 Introduction. 59
7.3.2 Requirements . 60
7.3.2.1 Timing Advance adjustment delay . 60
7.3.2.2 Timing Advance adjustment accuracy . 60
7.4 Cell phase synchronization accuracy . 60
7.4.1 Definition . 60
7.4.2 Minimum requirements . 60
7.5 Maximum Transmission Timing Difference . 60
7.5.1 Introduction. 60
7.5.2 Minimum Requirements for inter-band EN-DC . 60
7.5.2.1 Minimum Requirements for inter-band synchronous EN-DC . 61
7.5.3 Minimum Requirements for intra-band EN-DC . 61
7.5.4 Minimum Requirements for NR Carrier Aggregation . 62
7.5.5 Minimum Requirements for inter-band NE-DC . 62
7.5.5.1 Minimum Requirements for inter-band synchronous NE-DC . 62
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3GPP TS 38.133 version 15.32.0 Release 15 5 ETSI TS 138 133 V15.32.0 (2026-03)
7.5.6 Minimum Requirements for inter-band NR DC . 63
7.6 Maximum Receive Timing Difference . 63
7.6.1 Introduction. 63
7.6.2 Minimum Requirements for inter-band EN-DC . 63
7.6.2.1 Minimum Requirements for inter-band synchronous EN-DC . 64
7.6.3 Minimum Requirements for intra-band EN-DC . 64
7.6.4 Minimum Requirements for NR Carrier Aggregation . 64
7.6.5 Minimum Requirements for inter-band NE-DC . 65
7.6.5.1 Minimum Requirements for inter-band synchronous NE-DC . 65
7.6.6 Minimum Requirements for inter-band NR DC . 66
7.7 deriveSSB-IndexFromCell tolerance . 66
7.7.1 Minimum requirements . 66
7.8 Void . 66
8 Signalling characteristics . 66
8.1 Radio Link Monitoring . 66
8.1.1 Introduction. 66
8.1.2 Requirements for SSB based radio link monitoring . 67
8.1.2.1 Introduction . 67
8.1.2.2 Minimum requirement . 68
8.1.2.3 Measurement restrictions for SSB based RLM . 69
8.1.3 Requirements for CSI-RS based radio link monitoring . 70
8.1.3.1 Introduction . 70
8.1.3.2 Minimum requirement . 71
8.1.3.3 Measurement restrictions for CSI-RS based RLM . 73
8.1.4 Minimum requirement at transitions . 73
8.1.5 Minimum requirement for UE turning off the transmitter . 74
8.1.6 Minimum requirement for L1 indication . 74
8.1.7 Scheduling availability of UE during radio link monitoring . 74
8.1.7.1 Scheduling availability of UE performing radio link monitoring with a same subcarrier spacing
as PDSCH/PDCCH on FR1 . 74
8.1.7.2 Scheduling availability of UE performing radio link monitoring with a different subcarrier
spacing than PDSCH/PDCCH on FR1 . 74
8.1.7.3 Scheduling availability of UE performing radio link monitoring on FR2 . 75
8.1.7.4 Scheduling availability of UE performing radio link monitoring on FR1 or FR2 in case of FR1-
FR2 inter-band CA and NR-DC . 75
8.2 Interruption . 75
8.2.1 EN-DC Interruption . 75
8.2.1.1 Introduction . 75
8.2.1.2 Requirements . 76
8.2.1.2.1 Interruptions at transitions between active and non-active during DRX . 76
8.2.1.2.2 Interruptions at transitions from non-DRX to DRX . 76
8.2.1.2.3 Interruptions at SCell addition/release . 76
8.2.1.2.4 Interruptions at SCell activation/deactivation. 77
8.2.1.2.5 Interruptions during measurements on SCC . 78
8.2.1.2.6 Interruptions at UL carrier RRC reconfiguration . 79
8.2.1.2.7 Interruptions due to Active BWP switching Requirement . 79
8.2.2 SA: Interruptions with Standalone NR Carrier Aggregation . 80
8.2.2.1 Introduction . 80
8.2.2.2 Requirements . 81
8.2.2.2.1 Interruptions at SCell addition/release . 81
8.2.2.2.2 Interruptions at SCell activation/deactivation. 81
8.2.2.2.3 Interruptions during measurements on deactivated SCC . 82
8.2.2.2.4 Interruptions at UL carrier RRC reconfiguration . 83
8.2.2.2.5 Interruptions due to Active BWP switching Requirement . 83
8.2.2.2.6 Interruptions at inter-frequency SFTD measurement . 84
8.2.3 NE-DC Interruptions. 85
8.2.3.1 Introduction . 85
8.2.3.2 Requirements . 85
8.2.3.2.1 Interruptions at transitions between active and non-active during DRX . 85
8.2.3.2.2 Interruptions at transitions from non-DRX to DRX . 86
8.2.3.2.3 Interruptions at PSCell/SCell addition/release . 86
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3GPP TS 38.133 version 15.32.0 Release 15 6 ETSI TS 138 133 V15.32.0 (2026-03)
8.2.3.2.4 Interruptions at SCell activation/deactivation. 87
8.2.3.2.5 Interruptions during measurements on SCC . 88
8.2.3.2.6 Interruptions at UL carrier RRC reconfiguration . 89
8.2.3.2.7 Interruptions due to Active BWP switching Requirement . 89
8.2.4 NR-DC: Interruptions . 89
8.2.4.1 Introduction . 89
8.2.4.2 Requirements . 90
8.2.4.2.1 Interruptions at PSCell/SCell addition/release . 90
8.2.4.2.2 Interruptions at SCell activation/deactivation. 90
8.2.4.2.3 Interruptions during measurements on SCC . 91
8.2.4.2.4 Interruptions at UL carrier RRC reconfiguration . 91
8.2.4.2.5 Interruptions due to Active BWP switching Requirement . 92
8.2.4.2.6 Interruptions at transitions between active and non-active during DRX . 92
8.2.4.2.7 Interruptions at transitions from non-DRX to DRX . 92
8.3 SCell Activation and Deactivation Delay . 92
8.3.1 Introduction. 92
8.3.2 SCell Activation Delay Requirement for Deactivated SCell . 93
8.3.3 SCell Deactivation Delay Requirement for Activated SCell . 96
8.4 UE UL carrier RRC reconfiguration delay . 97
8.4.1 Introduction. 97
8.4.2 UE UL carrier configuration delay requirement . 97
8.4.3 UE UL carrier deconfiguration delay requirement . 97
8.5 Link Recovery Procedures . 97
8.5.1 Introduction. 97
8.5.2 Requirements for SSB based beam failure detection . 98
8.5.2.1 Introduction . 98
8.5.2.2 Minimum requirement . 98
8.5.2.3 Measurement restriction for SSB based beam failure detection . 100
8.5.3 Requirements for CSI-RS based beam failure detection . 100
8.5.3.1 Introduction . 100
8.5.3.2 Minimum requirement . 101
8.5.3.3 Measurement restrictions for CSI-RS beam failure detection . 102
8.5.4 Minimum requirement for L1 indication . 103
8.5.5 Requirements for SSB based candidate beam detection . 104
8.5.5.1 Introduction . 104
8.5.5.2 Minimum requirement . 104
8.5.5.3 Measurement restriction for SSB based candidate beam detection . 105
8.5.6 Requirements for CSI-RS based candidate beam detection . 106
8.5.6.1 Introduction . 106
8.5.6.2 Minimum requirement . 106
8.5.6.3 Measurement restriction for CSI-RS based candidate beam detection . 108
8.5.7 Scheduling availability of UE during beam failure detection . 108
8.5.7.1 Scheduling availability of UE performing beam failure detection with a same subcarrier spacing
as PDSCH/PDCCH on FR1 . 108
8.5.7.2 Scheduling availability of UE performing beam failure detection with a different subcarrier
spacing than PDSCH/PDCCH on FR1 . 108
8.5.7.3 Scheduling availability of UE performing beam failure detection on FR2 . 109
8.5.7.4 Scheduling availability of UE performing beam failure detection on FR1 or FR2 in case of FR1-
FR2 inter-band CA and NR DC . 109
8.5.8 Scheduling availability of UE during candidate beam detection . 109
8.5.8.1 Scheduling availability of UE performing L1-RSRP measurement with a same subcarrier spacing
as PDSCH/PDCCH on FR1 . 109
8.5.8.2 Scheduling availability of UE performing L1-RSRP measurement with a different subcarrier
spacing than PDSCH/PDCCH on FR1 . 109
8.5.8.3 Scheduling availability of UE performing L1-RSRP measurement on FR2 . 110
8.5.8.4 Scheduling availability of UE performing L1-RSRP measurement on FR1 or FR2 in case of
FR1-FR2 inter-band CA and NR-DC . 110
8.5.9 Minimum requirement at transitions for beam failure detection . 110
8.6 Active BWP switch delay . 111
8.6.1 Introduction. 111
8.6.2 DCI and timer based BWP switch delay . 111
8.6.3 RRC based BWP switch delay . 112
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3GPP TS 38.133 version 15.32.0 Release 15 7 ETSI TS 138 133 V15.32.0 (2026-03)
8.7 Void . 112
8.8 NE-DC: E-UTRAN PSCell Addition and Release Delay . 112
8.8.1 Introduction. 112
8.8.2 E-UTRAN PSCell Addition Delay Requirement . 112
8.8.3 E-UTRAN PSCell Release Delay Requirement . 113
8.9 NR-DC: PSCell Addition and Release Delay . 113
8.9.1 Introduction. 113
8.9.2 PSCell Addition Delay Requirement . 113
8.9.3 PSCell Release Delay Requirement . 114
8.10 Active TCI state switching delay . 114
8.10.6 Active TCI state list update delay . 117
8.11 PSCell Change . 117
9 Measurement Procedure . 117
9.1 General measurement requirement . 117
9.1.1 Introduction. 117
9.1.2 Measurement gap . 118
9.1.2.1 EN-DC: Measurement Gap Sharing . 125
9.1.2.1a SA: Measurement Gap Sharing . 126
9.1.2.1b NE-DC: Measurement Gap Sharing
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