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LTE Resources Guide
LTE Resources Guide
w w w. a n r i t s u . c o m
Introduction
Table of Contents
Abstract..................................................................................................................................................... 3
References................................................................................................................................................. 3
OFDMA..................................................................................................................................................... 5
SC-FDMA................................................................................................................................................... 5
Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC)..................................................... 6
Frame Structures.......................................................................................................................................................... 8
Paging.......................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Security......................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Handheld Test............................................................................................................................................................. 21
LTE IQproducer............................................................................................................................................................ 23
2 | LTE - Contents
Mobile/Wireless
Abstract
Many global wireless carriers have announced plans to deploy Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, with 3 operators
already providing commercial service as of this writing, and many more launches planned through 2010 and beyond. The
primary reason for the transition from 3G technology to LTE is the benefits that this technology provides to both the
consumer and carrier, including both increased bandwidth and lower network latency to the consumer as well as lower
cost per data bit to the carrier.
Incumbent with any new generation technology is a host of technical challenges, so these areas must be tested and
optimized before deployment. For LTE, a few of these challenges include optimizing and maximizing data rates under a
variety of conditions, ensuring seamless handovers to current 2G and 3G networks, and verifying that the devices roam to
the correct network when outside “home” conditions. Only after these and other parameters are tested and optimized
can quality of the LTE devices and network equipment be assured.
Anritsu is proud to offer a complete line of LTE test solutions to ensure the performance and quality of LTE devices and
network equipment. For LTE device-focused testing, the MD8430A LTE Signaling Tester is the first complete LTE network
simulator, with capability to simulate up to 6 cells on 4 RF channels (including 2x2 and 4x2 MIMO), and optional fading
using the MF6900A Baseband Fading Simulator. A variety of user interfaces are available for this instrument, including C-
scenarios, Testing and Test Control Notation (TTCN), and the unique device Rapid Test Designer graphical environment.
The MD8430A is used as a building block in turnkey LTE test systems including the ME7832L LTE Protocol Conformance
Test System, the ME7873L RF Conformance Test System, and various operator-focused test solutions. As an alternative to
full RF conformance testing, the MT8820C One-Box Tester is also available for LTE and 2G/3G testing, and is optimized
for a variety of applications from R&D to pre-conformance to manufacturing.
Anritsu also offers flexible test solutions which can be used for testing of either LTE devices or enhanced Node Bs (eNBs).
The MS269xA and MS2830A Vector Signal Analyzers provide both LTE uplink and downlink analysis as well as optional
signal generation, while the MG3700A Vector Signal Generator produces realistic LTE signals with available MIMO
configurations. For signal generation in any of these platforms, the PC-based LTE IQProducer software provides a
graphical interface, enabling the user to quickly and easily generate LTE-compliant waveforms, with options for either FDD
or TDD variants. For field and other portable applications, Anritsu also offers LTE analysis using the BTS Master, Cell
Master, and Spectrum Master series of products, with available vector signal generator capability in the MT8221B BTS
Master.
This LTE Resource Guide provides in-depth knowledge of LTE and Next Generation Networks and serves as an excellent
educational and reference tool on the technology. Areas covered include modulation formats, network components, frame
structures, and physical channels and signals.
References
All 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) TS 36 series standards are available at http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-
info/36-series.htm.
• 3GPP TS 36.101: User Equipment (WIRELESS DEVICE) Radio Transmission and Reception
• 3GPP TS 36.104: Base Station (BS) Radio Transmission and Reception
• 3GPP TS 36.141: BS Conformance Testing
• 3GPP TS 36.201: Physical Layer - General Description
• 3GPP TS 36.211: Physical Channels and Modulation
• 3GPP TS 36.212: Multiplexing and Channel Coding
• 3GPP TS 36.213: Physical Layer Procedures
• 3GPP TS 36.214: Physical Layer - Measurements
• 3GPP TS 36.300: Overall description
• 3GPP TS 36.508: Common Test Environments for UE Conformance Testing
• 3GPP TS 36.521-1: UE Conformance Specification; Radio Transmission and Reception; Part 1: Conformance Testing
• 3GPP TS 36.521-3: UE Conformance Specification; Radio Transmission and Reception; Part 3: Radio Resource
Management (RRM) Conformance Testing
• 3GPP TS 36.521-3: UE Conformance Specification; Part 1: Protocol Conformance Specification
w w w. a n r i t s u . c o m 3
LTE
Figure 1: LTE supports the Next generation Network by providing mobile access to an all-IP core.
Traditionally, operators have built multiple networks to provide multiple services to customers such as fixed telephone
networks, cable TV networks, cellular telephone networks and data networks. The Next Generation Network (NGN) provides
all of these functions using a flat all-IP core that interconnects multiple access technologies and provides a consistent and
reliable user-experience regardless of the access method. The NGN core will provide Quality of Service (QoS) support and a
wide variety of applications and services. The NGN access network will provide mobility and routing management and ensure
that the core sees the mobile networks simply as another IP network. Mobile handover between access types will be seamless
as the IP access network controls security, authentication, and billing for the multiple access technologies.
LTE is the first technology designed explicitly for the NGN and is set to become the de-facto NGN mobile access network
standard. It takes advantage of the NGN's capabilities to provide an always-on mobile data experience comparable to wired
networks.
• LTE Release 8 supports peak data rates of up to 326 Mbps on the downlink and 86 Mbps on the uplink with a 20 MHz
channel and 4x4 MIMO. A more common configuration of 20 MHz and 2x2 MIMO supports peak rates of 173 Mbps on the
downlink and 58 Mbps on the uplink.
• LTE Rel. 8 allows for over four times the throughput on the downlink and over five times the throughput on the uplink
relative to HSPA Release 8 (HSPA+/DC-HSPA).
• LTE provides flexible duplex methods including both Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and Time Division Duplex (TDD).
This allows LTE technology to fit within either existing or new carrier spectrum allocations.
• LTE Rel. 8 supports scalable RF channel bandwidths from 1.4 MHz to 20 MHz.
• LTE interoperates with CDMA2K, W-CDMA and GSM systems. Multimode wireless devices will support handover to and
from these other systems.
• Legacy technologies such as CDMA2K, HSPA and GSM will continue to operate within the new data infrastructure.
OFDMA allows a network to flexibly assign bandwidth to a user based on bandwidth needs and fees paid on the user's data
plan. Unassigned subcarriers are switched off, thus reducing power consumption and interference. OFDMA uses OFDM;
however, it is the scheduling and assignment of radio resources that makes OFDMA distinctive. The OFDM diagram in Figure
2 shows a situation where the subcarriers assigned to a set of users are static for a period of time. In the OFDMA diagram,
multiple users flexibly share the subcarriers, with differing bandwidth available to each user versus time.
SC-FDMA
In the uplink, LTE uses a pre-coded version of OFDM called Single Carrier Frequency Domain Multiple Access (SC-FDMA).
SC-FDMA is used in place of OFDMA due to high current requirements for OFDMA-based power amplifiers and
correspondingly short battery life. Lower Peak-to-Average Power Ratio for SC-FDMA-based power amplifiers results in
extended battery life along with improved uplink performance.
In SC-FDMA, data is spread across multiple subcarriers. This differs from OFDMA, where each subcarrier transports unique
data. The need for a complex receiver makes SC-FDMA unacceptable for the downlink due to size and processing power
limitations in a wireless device.
w w w. a n r i t s u . c o m 5
Modulation
Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO)
Most modern wireless communication techniques use MIMO to increase data rate to the user as well as provide better
coverage at the cell edge. Various techniques are available, including transmission of separate data streams from each antenna
(spatial multiplexing), transmission of identical streams of data from each antenna (transmit diversity), reception on multiple
antennas (receive diversity), and various combinations thereof. These techniques can be generalized as Single Input Single
Output (SISO), Single Input Multiple Output (SIMO), Multiple Input Single Output (MISO), and Multiple Input Multiple Output
(MIMO) as shown in figure 4 on page 6.
For LTE Rel. 8, MIMO configurations from SISO to 2x2 and 4x4 MIMO are supported, and the MIMO configuration changes
dynamically based on measurements reports from the wireless device. When a user is close to a base station and propagation
conditions are optimal, 2x2 MIMO may be used with a high data rate experienced by the user. When a user is at a cell edge,
one or both of the diversity modes may be used to increase Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio (SINR).
The modulation used to transport data on subcarriers can be QPSK, 16-QAM, or 64-QAM. This
is illustrated in the pictures below, showing the ideal constellation for each type of modulation
with each dot representing a symbol. In the QPSK case, there are four possible symbol states, and
each symbol carries two bits of information. In 16-QAM, there are 16 symbol states, with each
symbol carrying 4 bits of information. Lastly, in 64-QAM, there are 64 symbol states, and each
symbol carries 6 bits. Higher-order modulation is more sensitive to poor channel conditions than
lower-order modulation because the detector in the receiver must resolve smaller amplitude and
phase differences as the constellation becomes more dense. Based on this, the network would
set the modulation to a lower order if poor channel conditions are reported by the wireless
device.
Coding refers to various error-correction methodologies that add extra bits to the data stream to
allow for error detection and correction. Specified as fractions, Code Rates specify the number of
data bits in the numerator and the total number of bits in the denominator. Thus if the Code Rate
is 1/3, protection bits are added so one bit of data is sent as three bits. If errors are reported by
the wireless device, the network would increase the error correction to compensate.
6 | LTE - Modulation
LTE Network Components
Figure 5: TRadio Acccess Network S1 is the physical interface between the eNB and the MME.
• Access device for user. • Acts as the key control node for the LTE network.
• Provides measurements that indicate channel conditions • Responsible for idle mode UE tracking and paging
to the network. procedure including retransmissions.
• Controls bearer activation/deactivation process.
eNB (Enhanced Node B) • Chooses the Serving Gateway (S-GW) for a UE at initial
• Hosts the PHYsical (PHY), Medium Access Control (MAC), attachment and at the time of intra-LTE handover.
Radio Link Control (RLC), and Packet Data Convergence • Authenticates the user by interacting with the Home
Protocol (PDCP) layers. Subscriber Server (HSS) [Not shown in diagram].
• Controls user-plane header-compression and encryption. • Serves as the termination point for the Non-Access
• Provides Radio Resource Control (RRC) functionality for Stratum (NAS) signaling. NAS signaling is responsible for
the control plane. generation and allocation of temporary identities to UEs
• Functions include radio resource management, admission and checks the authorization of the UE to camp on the
control, scheduling, enforcement of negotiated uplink system.
QoS, cell information broadcast, ciphering/deciphering of • Serves as the termination point for ciphering and integrity
user and control plane data, and compression and protection for NAS signaling.
decompression of downlink and uplink user-plane packet • Handles security key management.
headers. • Provides control plane function for mobility between LTE
and other access networks.
PDN Gateway (P-GW)
• Provides connectivity between the UE and external packet Serving Gateway (S-GW)
data networks (PDNs) by being the point of exit and entry • Routes and forwards user data packets.
for UE traffic (A UE may have simultaneous connectivity • Acts as the mobility anchor for the user plane during inter-
with more than one P-GW for accessing multiple PDNs). eNB handovers and as the anchor for mobility between
• Performs policy enforcement, packet filtering for each LTE and other 3GPP technologies.
user, charging support, lawful Interception, and packet • Terminates the downlink data path for idle state UEs and
screening. triggers paging when DL data arrives for the UE.
• Acts as the anchor for mobility between 3GPP and non-
3GPP technologies such as WiMAX and 3GPP2 (CDMA 1X • Manages and stores UE contexts, e.g. parameters of the
and EvDO). IP bearer service and network internal routing information.
Two frame types are defined for LTE: Type 1, used in Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) and Type 2, used in Time Division
Duplexing (TDD). Type 1 frames consist of 20 slots with slot duration of 0.5 ms as discussed previously. Type 2 frames contain
two half frames, where at least one of the half frames contains a special subframe carrying three fields of switch information
including Downlink Pilot Time Slot (DwPTS), Guard Period (GP) and Uplink Pilot Time Slot (UpPTS). If the switch time is 10 ms,
the switch information occurs only in subframe one. If the switch time is 5 ms, the switch information occurs in both half frames,
first in subframe one, and again in subframe six. Subframes 0 and 5 and DwPTS are always reserved for downlink transmission.
UpPTS and the subframe immediately following UpPTS are reserved for uplink transmission. Other subframes can be used for
either uplink or downlink. Frame Type 2 is illustrated in Figure 7.
Figure 6: Type 1 frame type, timing and symbol allocations shown for FDD with normal cyclic prefix (CP)
Figure 7: Type 2 frame. Special fields are shown in Subframes 1 and 6. Guard period separates the Downlink and Up-
link. This TDD example represents a 5 ms switch point. A 10 ms switch point would not have the special fields
in subframe 6.
8 | LTE
RF and
- Frame
Microwave
Structures
Testing Solutions
Frame Structures
Physically, channel bandwidth is the width of the channel in frequency as measured from the lowest channel edge to the highest
channel edge. In unpaired spectrum, channel bandwidth is simply the width of the channel in frequency. In paired spectrum,
channel bandwidth is the width of the uplink or downlink in frequency (typically the same).
The number of RBs that can fit within a given channel bandwidth varies proportionally to the bandwidth. Logically, as the
channel bandwidth increases, the number of RBs can increase. The Transmission Bandwidth Configuration is the maximum
number of Resource Blocks that can fit within the channel bandwidth with some guard band. Given a channel bandwidth at the
maximum channel bandwidth of 20 MHz for LTE Rel. 8, 100 RBs can fit within this bandwidth. These concepts are shown in
Figure 9.
w w w. a n r i t s u . c o m 9
Physical Channels & Signals
Figure 11: This diagram of a downlink frame using FDD and normal CP shows the relative location of the various physical
channels. Frames in systems using extended CP or TDD would be slightly different.
Uplink user data is carried by the PUSCH. Resources for the PUSCH are allocated on a sub-frame basis by the UL scheduler.
Subcarriers are allocated in units of RB’s, and may be hopped from sub-frame to sub-frame. The PUSCH may employ QPSK,
16-QAM, or 64-QAM modulation.
w w w. a n r i t s u . c o m 11
LTE Bands
LTE Operating Bands indicates the carrier frequency to be used. Not all LTE frequency bands support all bandwidths. The chart
includes both FDD and TDD bands.
12 | LTE Bands
Radio Protocol Architecture
Interface
UE
Air
Inter Cell RRM
RB Control
MME
Connection Mobility Ctrl
w w w. a n r i t s u . c o m 13
RRC States
CELL_FACH CCO
with NACC CCO,
Reselection
CELL_FACH Connection
Establishment/ Connection
URA_PCH Establishment/
Release
Release
Re
se
Connection
lec
Establishment/
tio
Release
n
Reselection Reselection
E-UTRA GSM_Idle/GPRS
UTRA_Idle
RRC IDLE Packet_Idle
CCO, Reselection
RRC Messages
• RRCConnectionReconfiguration • SystemInformation
• RRCConnectionReconfigurationComplete • MasterInformationBlock
• SystemInformationBlockType1
• RRCConnectionReestablishment
• RRCConnectionReestablishmentComplete • UECapabilityEnquiry
• RRCConnectionReestablishmentReject • UECapabilityInformation
• RRCConnectionReestablishmentRequest
• DLInformationTransfer
• RRCConnectionReject • ULInformationTransfer
• RRCConnectionRelease
• RRCConnectionRequest • CounterCheck
• RRCConnectionSetup • ConuterCheckResponse
• RRCConnectionSetupComplete
• MobilityFromEUTRACommand
• SecurityModeCommand • HandoverFromEUTRAPreparationRequest (C2K)
• SecurityModeComplete • ULHandoverPreparationTransfer (C2K)
• SecurityModeFailure • CSFBParametersRequestCDMA2000
• CSFBParametersResponseCDMA2000
• MeasurementReport
• Paging
RF and
14 | LTE Microwave
- RRC Testing
States and Solutions
Inter-RAT Mobility Procedures (3GPP)
System Information
• Transmitted periodically on BCCH.
• MIB contains crucial cell information (e.g. bandwidth) and is transmitted on a fixed schedule, i.e. every 40 ms
• Dynamic scheduling: SIB1 (80 ms periodicity) contains information about scheduling of other SIBs
• SIBs are grouped in SI (System Information) “containers”
UE E-UTRAN
• Each SI can contain several SIBs.
• Each SI can have a different schedule (transmission
MasterInformationBlock
frequency).
• Each SI has to be sent in a single subframe.
• Only one SI can be sent in a subframe. SystemInformationBlockType1
• Both in RRC_IDLE and RRC_CONNECTED a Paging message containing systemInfoModification is used to inform
the UE about SI change
• If an SI-RNTI is discovered on PDCCH, the UE reads SIB1 at the next modification message boundary
• SIB1 contains a value tag indicating that content of other SIBs (except MIB and SIB1) has changed. No information
is provided regarding which SIB has changed.
w w w. a n r i t s u . c o m 15
Paging
Paging
• Transmit paging information to a UE in RRC_IDLE.
• Inform UEs in RRC_IDLE and RRC_CONNECTED about a system information change.
• Inform UEs in RRC_IDLE and RRC_CONNECTED about an ETWS primary notification.
UE E-UTRAN
Paging
Connection Control
• The UE and eNB start connection establishment over SRB0, which has default configuration.
• E-UTRAN completes RRC connection establishment prior to completing the establishment of the S1 connection
• Upon receiving the UE context from the EPC, E-UTRAN activates AS security (both ciphering and integrity protection) using
the initial RRC-based security activation procedure.
• Next, E-UTRAN initiates the establishment of SRB2 and of radio bearers carrying user data (DRBs)
• E-UTRAN may do this prior to receiving the confirmation of the initial security activation from the UE
• A Default Bearer is always established
16 | RF
LTEand
- Paging and Security
Microwave Testing Solutions
Security
Security Establishment
UE E-UTRAN
• The purpose is to configure and activate AS security
SecurityModeCommand
• Prerequisites to activating AS security:
• AS security activation must be performed after setting up SRB0 and SRB1 and before setting up SRB2 and any DRBs.
• eNB sends an integrity protected SecurityModeCommand (SMC), containing information on selected algorithms
for AS integrity protection and ciphering
• UE calculates keys, checks MAC (Message Authentication Code) of SMC and if correct, sends back an integrity
protected and ciphered Security Mode Complete message
• If SMC integrity protection fails (or there is any other activation failure), the UE sends back a SecurityModeFailure
message.
• SRB0 cannot be used after security activation
Security
• As a result of the RRC security activation procedure, the AS applies three different security keys:
KASME
UE / MME
NCC
Key Hierarchy
KUP enc KRRC enc KRRC int KeNB*
NAS Signalling Required and terminated in MME Required and terminated in MME
U-Plane Data Required and terminated in eNB Not required and not supported
RRC Signalling (AS) Required and terminated in eNB Required and terminated in eNB
w w w. a n r i t s u . c o m 17
Base Station Emulator
Anritsu’s LTE Signaling Tester (MD8430A) allows the user to test any of the LTE
UE layers from PHY to NAS. In addition, applications can be tested under real-
world conditions using an external server. The MD8430A's built-in baseband
capability allows for FPGA-based prototype testing at either sub-speed or real-
time, and helps speed time to market for LTE wireless devices.
The LTE Signaling Tester (MD8430A) can be automated with the user's choice of 3 PC-based user interfaces (UIs) including the
graphical Rapid Test Designer (RTD) software, C-Scenarios, or TTCNbased Protocol Conformance Test (PCT) software. Inter-
RAT handover between technologies is enabled using a system including the MD8480C GSM/W-CDMA Signaling Tester or
MD8470A CDMA2K Signaling Tester as well the appropriate UI software.
When used with the MD8430A or other available signaling testers, the RTD software provides fast, interactive creation and
Signal Generat
execution of tests. The RTD software hides the complexity of testing 3GPP protocols and allows the user to test specific
functions and protocols within the UE without being an expert on all protocol layers. The intuitive graphical interface removes
the need to learn a highly specialized test language like TTCN.
Built upon Anritsu's years of experience in testing 3GPP protocols with the leading wireless device vendors, RTD provides a
broad array of configurable building blocks for designing tests, a catalog of common network settings, interactive error
checking, and an integrated protocol analyzer. Applications include operator acceptance testing, integration testing,
interoperability testing, regression testing, and application testing.
18 | LTE
RF and
- Base
Microwave
Station Emulator
Testing Solutions
Conformance Test
ME7873L LTE RF Conformance Test System
Digital baseband processing in the Fading Simulator (MF6900A) assures reproducible fading profiles. As there are no analog
or RF circuits, periodic calibration is eliminated, making the MF6900A as easy to maintain as it is to use. In inter-RAT systems
including both the MD8480C GSM/W-CDMA Signaling Tester and the MD8430A LTE Signaling Tester, included fading profiles
allow rapid test setup since the fading profiles are pre-configured and ready to use immediately. The MF6900A is expandable
to accommodate four input ports and four output ports. Software updates add functionality such as 4x2 MIMO.
w w w. a n r i t s u . c o m 19
Testers, Analyzers & Generators
The MT8820C makes testing of LTE physical layer parameters easy and simple, including measurement of both TX and RX
parameters. Parameter setups and pass/fail limits for tests defined in 3GPP 36.521-1 are pre-programmed, including easy setup
of uplink and downlink RB allocations. Options are available for 2x2 MIMO including IP-layer throughput at 100 MB/s downlink
data rates.
Both Vector Signal Analyzers (MS269xA and MS2830A) support one-button spectrum analysis including Channel Power,
Occupied Bandwidth, Adjacent Channel Leakage Ratio, and Spectrum Emission Mask, all with wide dynamic range. In addition,
vector analysis is available including EVM and power by symbol, subcarrier, RB, RE, and many other variations. Users can create
a One-Box LTE tester (without signaling) by adding the optional signal generator to the base package. For eNB testing, built-
in test model configurations allow rapid test setup.
The MG3700A produces signals up to 3 GHz or, optionally, up to 6 GHz. Boasting a 256 Msample/channel memory, the
MG3700A has the largest standard memory size on the market today. If needed, increase the memory to 512 Msamples. The
MG3700A has the largest standard modulation bandwidth on the market today: 120 MHz when using the internal baseband
generator and 150 MHz when using the external I/Q inputs. The MG3700A includes a 20 Mbps Bit Error Rate (BER) tester on-
board with an option that allows the speed to increase to 120 Mbps.
20 | LTE
RF and
- Testers,
Microwave
Analyzers
Testing
andSolutions
Generators
Handhelds
• RF Measurements
• Modulation Measurements
• Over-the Air Measurements (OTA)
Frequency Error
Frequency Error is a check to see that the carrier frequency is precisely
correct. The BTS Master can accurately measure Carrier Frequency Error OTA
if the instrument is GPS enabled or in GPS holdover. Calls will drop when
mobiles travel at higher speed. In some cases, cell phones cannot hand off
into, or out of the cell when the base station frequency error is excessive.
w w w. a n r i t s u . c o m 21
Master Simulator
Fading Series Handhelds
22 | RF
LTEand Microwave Testing Solutions
- Handhelds w w w. a n r i t s u . c o m 22
IQProducer
LTE IQproducer
MX269908A LTE IQproducer is PC application software with a graphical user interface (GUI) for generating waveform patterns
in compliance with the 3GPP TS36.211, TS36.212, and TS25.814 standards. This Windows-based software creates waveforms
for the MG3700A and the signal generator option of the MS269xA. The GUI allows a user to quickly set signal parameters for
LTE waveforms. Built-in simulation tools allow the user to examine these waveforms in the time domain, as a CCDF plot, or as
an FFT spectrum. It's easy to generate test patterns by allocating the physical channels in resource block units.
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