Primary and secondary

synchronization signals (PSS & SSS)

in LTE
Cell synchronization is the very first step when UE wants to camp on any cell. From
this, UE acquires physical cell id (PCI), time slot and frame synchronization, which
will enable UE to read system information blocks from a particular network.
UE will tune it radio turn by turning to different frequency channels depending
upon which bands it is supporting. Assuming that it is currently tuned to a specific
band / channel, UE first finds the primary synchronization signal (PSS) which is
located in the last OFDM symbol of first time slot of the first subframe (subframe
0) of radio frame as shown in figure (green squares). This enables UE to be
synchronized on subframe level. The PSS is repeated in subframe 5 which means
UE is synchronized on 5ms basis since each subframe is 1ms. From PSS, UE is also
able to obtain physical layer identity (0 to 2).
In the next step UE finds the secondary synchronization signal (SSS). SSS symbols
are also located in the same subframe of PSS but in the symbol before PSS as
shown in the figure(yellow squares). From SSS, UE is able to obtain physical layer
cell identity group number (0 to 167).
Using physical layer identity and cell identity group number, UE knows the PCI for
this cell now. In LTE 504 physical layer cell identities (PCI) are allowed and are
divided into unique 168 cell layer identity groups where each group consist of
three physical layer identity. As mentioned earlier, UE detects physical layer
identity from PSS and physical layer cell identity group from SSS. Assuming physical
layer identity = 1 and cell identity group=2 then the PCI for given cell is


PCI = 3*(Physical layer cell identity group)+ physical layer identity = 3*2+1 = 7


Once UE knows the PCI for a given cell, it also knows the location of cell Reference
signals as shown in figure (red and black squares). Reference signals are used in
channel estimation, cell selection / reselection and handover procedures.