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LTE FDD, TDD, TD-

LTE Duplex
Schemes
LTE is able to utilise both
frequency division and time
division, FDD & TDD (TD-LTE)
forms of duplex to
accommodate the uplink and
downlink.

4G LTE includes:
What is LTE LTE OFDMA / SCFDMA
MIMO LTE Duplex LTE frame &
subframe LTE data channels LTE
frequency bands LTE EARFCN UE
categories / classes LTE-M (Machine to
Machine) LTE-LAA / LTE-U VoLTE
SRVCC

LTE Advanced topics: LTE Advanced

introduction Carrier aggregation
Coordinated multipoint LTE relay
Device to device, D2D

LTE can utilise both FDD - frequency division

duplex and TDD - time division duplex, often
referred to as TD-LTE.

Both forms of duplex, FDD and TDD have

their advantages and the areas where their
deployment is advantageous.

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For most normal LTE deployments the

frequency division duplex, FDD is used, and
paired spectrum with equal bandwidth in up
and downlinks is utilised.

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LTE FDD using the paired spectrum was

considered to be the migration path for the
UMTS 3G services which typically utilised
paired spectrum.

However there was considerable

development placed on the time divison
duplex form of LTE: TDD LTE or TD-LTE
which was seen as the upgrade path for TD-
SCDMA that was developed and introduced
by the Chinese as a 3G technology.

LTE Duplex schemes

It is essential that any cellular
communications system must be able to
transmit in both directions simultaneously.
This enables conversations to be made, with
either end being able to talk and listen as
required. Additionally when exchanging data
it is necessary to be able to undertake
virtually simultaneous or completely
simultaneous communications in both
directions.

It is necessary to be able to specify the

different direction of transmission so that it is
possible to easily identify in which direction
the transmission is being made. There are a
variety of differences between the two links
ranging from the amount of data carried to
the transmission format, and the channels
implemented. The two links are defined:

Uplink: the transmission from the UE or

user equipment to the eNodeB or base
station.

Downlink the transmission from the

eNodeB or base station to the UE or user
equipment.

Up
link
Do
wn
link

Uplink and downlink

directions

In order to be able to be able to transmit in

both directions, a user equipment or base
station must have a duplex scheme. There
are two forms of duplex that are commonly
used, namely FDD, frequency division
duplex and TDD time division duplex..

Both FDD and TDD have their own

advantages and disadvantages. Accordingly
they may be used for different applications,
or where the bias of the communications is
different.

LTE TDD / LTE FDD

comparison
There are a number of the advantages and
disadvantages of TDD and FDD LTE that are
of particular interest to mobile or cellular
telecommunications operators. These are
naturally reflected into LTE.

COMPARISON OF TDD LTE AND FDD LTE

DUPLEX FORMATS

TDD & FDD LTE ADVANTAGES &

DISADVANTAGES

PARAMETER LTE-TDD LTE-FDD

Paired Does not Requires paired
spectrum require paired spectrum with
spectrum as sufficient
both transmit frequency
and receive separation to allow
occur on the simultaneous
same channel transmission and
reception
Hardware cost Lower cost as Diplexer is needed
no diplexer is and cost is higher.
needed to
isolate the
transmitter and
receiver. As
cost of the UEs
is of major
importance
because of the
vast numbers
that are
produced, this
is a key aspect.
Channel Channel Channel
reciprocity propagation is characteristics
the same in different in both
both directions directions as a
which enables result of the use of
transmit and different
receive to use frequencies
on set of
parameters
UL / DL It is possible to UL / DL capacity
asymmetry dynamically determined by
change the UL frequency
and DL capacity allocation set out
ratio to match by the regulatory
demand authorities. It is
therefore not
possible to make
dynamic changes
to match capacity.
Regulatory
changes would
normally be
required and
capacity is
normally allocated
so that it is the
same in either
direction.
Guard period / Guard period Guard band
guard band required to required to provide
ensure uplink sufficient isolation
and downlink between uplink
transmissions and downlink.
do not clash. Large guard band
Large guard does not impact
period will limit capacity.
capacity. Larger
guard period
normally
required if
distances are
increased to
accommodate
larger
propagation
times.
Discontinuous Discontinuous Continuous
transmission transmission is transmission is
required to required.
allow both
uplink and
downlink
transmissions.
This can
degrade the
performance of
the RF power
amplifier in the
transmitter.
Cross slot Base stations Not applicable
interference need to be
synchronised
with respect to
the uplink and
downlink
transmission
times. If
neighbouring
base stations
use different
uplink and
downlink
assignments
and share the
same channel,
then
interference
may occur
between cells.

LTE TDD / TD-LTE and

TD-SCDMA
Apart from the technical reasons and
advantages for using LTE TDD / TD-LTE,
there are market drivers as well. With TD-
SCDMA now well established in China, there
needs to be a 3.9G and later a 4G successor
to the technology. With unpaired spectrum
allocated for TD-SCDMA as well as UMTS
TDD, it is natural to see many operators
wanting an upgrade path for their
technologies to benefit from the vastly
increased speeds and improved facilities of
LTE. Accordingly there is a considerable
interest in the development of LTE TDD,
which is also known in China as TD-LTE.

With the considerable interest from the

supporters of TD-SCDMA, a number of
features to make the mode of operation of
TD-LTE more of an upgrade path for TD-
SCDMA have been incorporated. One
example of this is the subframe structure that
has been adopted within LTE TDD / TD-LTE.

Of the two versions of LTE, the frequency

division duplex, FDD version is more widely
used than the time division, TDD version
also known as TD-LTE.

Although it is possible in TD-LTE to change

the percentage of time that is occupied by
the up and downlink, this is not as easy as it
may appear at first sight. Nevertheless LTE
TDD does have its place within the family of
LTE technologies, FDD and TDD.

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