Description
Reference Sensitivity (REFSENS) is a fundamental performance metric for User Equipment (UE) receivers in cellular networks, defined as the minimum received power level at the antenna connector required to achieve a specified bit error rate (BER) or block error rate (BLER). It is measured under ideal conditions with additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and specific reference measurement channels. REFSENS evaluates the receiver's ability to detect and decode weak signals, directly impacting network coverage and link budget calculations. The parameter is specified for various operating bands, modulation schemes, and channel bandwidths across 3GPP technologies including LTE and NR.
The measurement of REFSENS involves applying a test signal at the UE antenna port and gradually reducing the power until the target error rate is reached. This process ensures that the receiver meets minimum sensitivity requirements, which are essential for reliable operation at cell edges or in low-signal environments. Key factors influencing REFSENS include receiver noise figure, implementation losses, and the efficiency of baseband processing algorithms. The parameter is defined for different physical channels, such as PSS/SSS for synchronization and PDSCH for data reception, each with its own sensitivity thresholds.
REFSENS plays a crucial role in network planning and optimization by determining the maximum allowable path loss between the base station and UE. It is used in link budget calculations to estimate cell radius and ensure consistent service quality. By standardizing REFSENS, 3GPP ensures interoperability and performance consistency across devices from different manufacturers. It also drives advancements in receiver design, encouraging improvements in low-noise amplifiers, filters, and digital signal processing to achieve better sensitivity and extend coverage.
Purpose & Motivation
REFSENS was introduced to establish a standardized benchmark for receiver sensitivity, ensuring that all UEs meet minimum performance requirements for reliable network operation. Prior to standardization, variations in receiver design could lead to inconsistent coverage and user experience, particularly in weak signal conditions. 3GPP defined REFSENS to provide a common metric for testing and certification, enabling fair performance comparisons and guaranteeing baseline quality across devices.
The primary problem REFSENS addresses is ensuring that UEs can maintain communication links at the edge of cell coverage, where signal strength is minimal. It solves issues related to dropped calls, poor data rates, and unreliable service in challenging radio environments. Historical context includes the evolution from analog to digital cellular systems, where receiver sensitivity became increasingly critical for supporting higher data rates and complex modulation schemes.
REFSENS also supports network efficiency by enabling accurate link budget calculations, which optimize base station placement and transmit power settings. It motivates continuous improvement in receiver technology, leading to better energy efficiency and longer battery life for UEs. The creation of REFSENS was driven by the need for robust performance in diverse deployment scenarios, including rural areas, indoor environments, and high-interference situations, ensuring that cellular networks deliver consistent service quality worldwide.
Classification
Detected Changes Across Releases
from 3GPP Change RequestsSpecific changes extracted from the „Change history“ tables of 3GPP specifications (97 CRs across 5 releases). Complements the general historical overview above with the evidence-based evolution of this function.
Studied in Rel-4, normative work from Rel-15.
In Release 15, the REFSENS (Reference Sensitivity) function was refined with specific corrections and clarifications for Over-the-Air (OTA) testing. These included a correction to the definition of OTA reference sensitivity itself and improvements to the polarization wording for its measurement. Furthermore, the release introduced an additional reference angular step criteria for OTA reference sensitivity testing as detailed in Annex F.2.2.
- CR of test on BS REFSENS for subPRB feature TS 37.141CR0816
- CR to TS 37.145-2: Corrections on OTA Transmit ON/OFF power TS 37.145CR0042
- CR to TS 37.145-2 - polarisation wording improvements for OTA reference sensitivity TS 37.145CR0068
- Correction to definition of OTA reference sensitivity TS 37.145CR0073
- Correction to TDD OFF power requirement TS 37.145CR0075
- CR to TS 37.145-2: additional reference angular step criteria in Annex F.2.2 TS 37.145CR0082
+ 8 more changes
In Release 16, the REFSENS (Reference Sensitivity) function for NR (New Radio) was specifically corrected, as indicated by a dedicated Change Request. This correction was part of a broader set of updates to receiver requirements in TS 38.104, which also included clarifications for Over-the-Air (OTA) testing and corrections to interference levels for dynamic range.
- CR to TS 37.141 with addition of reference to data content for test models TS 37.141CR0884
- CR to TS 37.141: Correction of references for NB-IoT testing TS 37.141CR0899
- CR to TS 37.145-2 with addition of reference to data content for test models TS 37.145CR0169
- CR Modulation fallback for total power dynamic range in 37.145-2 clause 6.4.4.4.2.4 TS 37.145CR0210
- CR to 37.145-2: Correction on interference level of receiver dynamic range requirement TS 37.145CR0226
- CR to TS 37.145-2: internal TR references corrections (wrt. TR 37.941 for OTA BS testing), Rel-16 TS 37.145CR0228
+ 7 more changes
In Release 17, the REFSENS function saw updates related to clarifying its reference to Fixed Reference Channels (FRCs) in the core requirements specification. Furthermore, specific refinements were made for Railway communications (FRMCS), correcting deployment aspects and related output power limits for the n100 and n101 frequency bands. These changes ensured alignment with updated regulatory references, such as the EU Decision.
- CR to TS 38.104 on reference to FRCs TS 38.104CR0411
- CR to TS 38.108: removal of NTN SAN output power accuracy requirements for the extreme test conditions, Rel-17 TS 38.108CR0011
- Correction to IAB-MT timing reference point in TS 38.174 TS 38.174CR0042
- (NR_RAIL_EU_1900MHz_TDD-Core) CR to TR 38.852 on correction of reference to EU Decision TS 38.852CR0007
- (NR_RAIL_EU_1900MHz_TDD-Core) CR to TR 38.852: Corrections on FRMCS n101 deployment aspects and related output power limits, Rel-17 TS 38.852CR0008
- (NR_RAIL_EU_900MHz-Core) CR to TR 38.853 on correction of reference to EU Decision TS 38.853CR0007
+ 1 more changes
In Release 18, the REFSENS (Reference Sensitivity) function was updated to include new operating bands, specifically adding bands 253 and 254 into the relevant test case (7.3A) for UE category M1. The release also introduced updates to complete reference sensitivity test cases with variable Tx-Rx spacing specifically for NB-IoT operating in NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) bands.
- CR to add B54/n54 as protected band and correct reference clause in 6.5B.4.3 TS 36.102CR0009
- (LTE_NBIoT_eMTC_NTN_req-Core) Correction of reference to Suspended version of ITU-R SM.329 Recommendation TS 36.102CR0061
- CR on output power dynamic range for IoT NTN TS 36.108CR0010
- (LTE_Relay-Core) Correction of reference to Suspended version of ITU-R SM.329 Recommendation TS 36.116CR0020
- CR to 36.181: Test model correction for total power dynamic range requirements TS 36.181CR0004
- Update of reference measurement channels in Annex A.3.12 TS 36.521CR0006
+ 35 more changes
In Release 19, the REFSENS function was updated with specific corrections and clarifications for reference sensitivity levels, particularly for NB-IoT operation in NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) and in-band NR scenarios. The enhancements included defining reference sensitivity requirements for Base Stations (BS) and Standalone NR (SAN) nodes, including the addition of a new SAN type 1-H for Over-The-Air (OTA) sensitivity testing. Furthermore, corrections were made to the application of these levels for 3 MHz channel bandwidths and to the associated reference measurement channel numbering.
- (IoT_NTN_FDD_LS_band-Core) Correction of the IoT NTN band 254 NS flag references to the sub-clauses with additional requirements TS 36.102CR0080
- Addition of power class 1 and power class 2 in test case 6.2B.1 UE maximum output power for category NB1 and NB2 TS 36.521CR0119
- IoT NTN power density tests - MU and TT update TS 36.521CR0126
- Duplicated reference TS 36.521CR0136
- CR to TS 38.141-2 on clarification of LP-WUS power boosting TS 38.141CR0674
- CR to TR 38.774 on BS rated carrier output power and rated total output power TS 38.774CR0001
+ 16 more changes
Explore further
Broader topics and technologies where REFSENS plays a role.
Defining Specifications
3GPP specifications that define or reference REFSENS, with the latest known release. Sourced from the 3GPP document catalog — see methodology.
| Specification | Title | Release |
|---|---|---|
| TS 25.142 vj00 | UTRA TDD Base Station RF Test Methods | Rel-19 |
| TS 36.101 vj30 | LTE UE Radio Transmission & Reception Requirements | Rel-19 |
| TS 36.102 vj10 | E-UTRA UE Satellite Access RF Requirements | Rel-19 |
| TS 36.108 vj10 | Satellite Access Node RF Requirements | Rel-19 |
| TS 36.116 vj00 | E-UTRA Relay RF Requirements | Rel-19 |
| TS 36.117 vj00 | E-UTRA Relay RF Test Methods & Requirements | Rel-19 |
| TS 36.181 vj30 | E-UTRA RF Test Methods for Satellite Access Node | Rel-19 |
| TS 36.521 vj00 | E-UTRA UE Conformance ICS Proforma | Rel-19 |
| TS 36.714 | 3GPP TR 36.714 | Rel-4 |
| TS 36.715 | 3GPP TR 36.715 | Rel-4 |
| TS 36.716 | 3GPP TR 36.716 | Rel-4 |
| TS 36.744 ve00 | CBRS 3.5GHz Band Specification for US | Rel-14 |
| TS 36.755 vf00 | US 600 MHz LTE Band 71 Technical Report | Rel-15 |
| TS 36.761 vf00 | Extended-Band 12 Study Report | Rel-15 |
| TR 36.770 vi00 | Technical Report for High Power UE in LTE Band 14 | Rel-18 |
| TS 36.790 vf00 | LAA/eLAA for CBRS 3.5GHz Band in US | Rel-15 |
| TS 36.833 | 3GPP TR 36.833 | Rel-4 |
| TS 36.852 | 3GPP TR 36.852 | Rel-4 |
| TS 36.858 ve00 | LTE 2.6 GHz SDL Band Technical Report | Rel-14 |
| TS 36.860 | 3GPP TR 36.860 | Rel-4 |
| TS 36.899 | 3GPP TR 36.899 | Rel-4 |
| TS 37.141 vj10 | RF Test Methods for Multi-Standard Radio Base Stations | Rel-19 |
| TS 37.145 vj10 | AAS Base Station Conducted Conformance Testing | Rel-19 |
| TS 37.716 | 3GPP TR 37.716 | Rel-4 |
| TS 37.717 | 3GPP TR 37.717 | Rel-4 |
| TS 37.718 | 3GPP TR 37.718 | Rel-4 |
| TS 37.719 vj00 | 3GPP TR 37.719: Dual Connectivity Band Combinations | Rel-19 |
| TS 37.814 vc00 | L-band Supplemental Downlink for UTRA/E-UTRA | Rel-12 |
| TS 37.825 vg00 | High Power UE (PC2) for EN-DC TDD-TDD | Rel-16 |
| TS 37.862 vj00 | Adding channel bandwidth in existing NR bands | Rel-19 |
| TS 37.863 | 3GPP TR 37.863 | Rel-4 |
| TS 37.872 vf10 | Technical Report on SUL & LTE-NR DC with SUL | Rel-15 |
| TR 37.878 vi00 | Technical Report on Rel-18 NR V2X Band Combinations | Rel-18 |
| TR 37.880 vh20 | High-power UE for fixed-wireless/vehicle use | Rel-17 |
| TS 37.898 vj00 | Rel-19 HPUE for EN-DC Band Combinations | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.101 vj31 | NR User Equipment Radio Transmissions | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.104 vj20 | NR Base Station RF Requirements | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.108 vj20 | NTN NR Satellite Access Node RF Requirements | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.115 vj20 | NR Repeater RF Conformance Testing Part 1 | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.141 vj20 | NR Base Station RF Conformance Testing Part 1 | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.174 vj10 | NR Integrated Access and Backhaul Radio Spec | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.176 vj20 | IAB Conformance Testing Specification | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.181 vj10 | NR Satellite Access Node RF Testing | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.191 vj00 | NR Ambient IoT RF Characteristics | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.194 vj00 | Ambient IoT Base Station RF Spec | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.521 vj20 | NR Physical Layer UE Conformance Testing | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.716 | 3GPP TR 38.716 | Rel-4 |
| TS 38.717 | 3GPP TR 38.717 | Rel-4 |
| TS 38.718 | 3GPP TR 38.718 | Rel-4 |
| TS 38.719 vj00 | Rel-19 NR SUL Configurations and CA Band Combinations | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.741 vj00 | NTN L-/S-band for NR Technical Specification | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.746 vj00 | High Power UE for NR Inter-band CA/DC | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.750 vj00 | High Power UE for NR Inter-band CA/DC | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.755 vj10 | NR FR1 DL Fragmented Carriers Study | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.774 vj00 | Rel-19 LP-WUS/WUR RF Requirements TR | Rel-19 |
| TR 38.785 vh00 | UE radio transmission for enhanced NR sidelink | Rel-17 |
| TR 38.786 vi20 | Technical Report for NR Sidelink Evolution | Rel-18 |
| TS 38.787 vj00 | UE Radio Transmission for Sidelink CA in ITS Band | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.793 vj00 | Simultaneous Rx/Tx Band Combinations TR | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.796 vj00 | Rel-19 High Power UE for NR FR1 | Rel-19 |
| TS 38.809 vg60 | IAB Radio Transmission & Reception Background | Rel-16 |
| TS 38.817 | 3GPP TR 38.817 | Rel-4 |
| TS 38.826 vg00 | NR Vehicle UE 2Rx Exception Study | Rel-16 |
| TR 38.839 vh00 | Simultaneous Rx/Tx band combinations | Rel-17 |
| TR 38.841 vh00 | High power UE for NR inter-band CA | Rel-17 |
| TR 38.842 vh00 | High Power UE for NR CA with Multiple Bands | Rel-17 |
| TR 38.850 vi10 | Technical Report for Rel-18 High Power UE | Rel-18 |
| TR 38.852 vh50 | 1900MHz NR band for European Rail Mobile Radio | Rel-17 |
| TR 38.853 vh50 | 900MHz NR Band for European Rail Mobile Radio | Rel-17 |
| TR 38.860 vh00 | NR; Study on Extended 600 MHz NR band | Rel-17 |
| TS 38.863 vj10 | NR NTN RF and Co-existence Spec | Rel-19 |
| TR 38.868 vh00 | Optimizations of pi/2 BPSK uplink power in NR | Rel-17 |
| TS 38.873 vg00 | NR Band n48 Technical Report | Rel-16 |
| TR 38.881 vi00 | Technical Report on Lower MSD for Inter-band CA/EN-DC/DC | Rel-18 |
| TR 38.886 vg30 | NR V2X UE Radio Transmission & Reception | Rel-16 |
| TR 38.892 vi00 | Technical Report | Rel-18 |
| TR 38.894 vi00 | Technical Report | Rel-18 |
| TR 38.896 vi00 | Technical Report for High Power UE (Power Class 2) for NR FR1 FDD | Rel-18 |
| TR 38.899 vi00 | Technical Report for High Power UE | Rel-18 |