LTE overview

Abdellah BOUIRIG / ORANGE

Agenda

1.Evolution towards LTE

2. LTE spectrum
3. What’s LTE?
4. Radio interface
5. EPC Architecture
6. Terminals
7. Features
De la 1G à la 4G

3
Aspects Architecture

4
Aspects Architecture

5
 Evolved packet system architecture
2G Circuit
GSM switched
Voice
GPRS BSC Core (voice)
channels BTS
EDGE
@email
IP channel NB RNC Packet
3G switched VPN
UMTS Core (data)
www.

Evolved Packet System based upon E2E all IP architecture :

 Every service delivered over IP
 Data plane clearly delineated from the control plane
 Simplified network architecture : from 2 to 1 core network

Voice
PCRF SMS/MMS
MME VoIP /
Evolved IMS Video
Packet PDN telephony
IP channel eNB SGW Core GW
@ email
(IP)
www.
VPN
IP video
 An unified IP based always-on and QoS-enabled network
Legacy infrastructure
Evolved Packet System

NB
Radio mobility intelligence placed in NB
eNB

TDM/ATM

Backhaul
backhaul

IP/Ethernet

Backhaul transition : From TDM to IP/Ethern.

RNC
SGW

RNC data bearer mobility collapse in SGW

MSC
Service aware and

MME

SGSN
IP packet network

SGSBN control collcapse into MME

mobile aware

MCS voice and SGSN packet

Circuit Switched
Packet switched

mobility managed by SGW

PCRF

core
core

CS and PS converged to an
Unified IP packet backbone
GW
PDN

GMSC
GGSN

Bearer establishment to PSDN / PCRF

services
Multimedia

PSTN
Internet

PSTN and Internet to Multimedia Services

Functional description
of Nodes
eNB functions :
 Radio control admission
 Scheduling of UL and DL data
 Scheduling and transmission of paging and
system broadcast
 IP header compression at PDCP level
 Outer ARQ (RLC)
Serving Gateway S-GW functions :
Local mobility anchor for inter-eNB
Handovers
Mobility anchoring for inter-systems HO
Idle mode DL packet buffering
Lawful legal interception
Packet routing and forwarding
Mobile Management Entity
MME functions :
Authentication
Tracking area list management TAI
Idle mode UE reachability
S-GW / PDN-GW selection
Inter core network node signaling for
mobility 2/3G and 4G
Bearer management functions
Policy and Charging Rules Function
 Network control of Service Data
Flow (SDF) detection, gating, QoS
and flow based charging
 Dynamic policy decision on service
data flow treatement
 QoS resources authorization
Packet Data Network Gateway
PDN-GW functions :
 IP anchor point for data bearers
 UE IP @address allocation
 Per-user based packet filtering
 Connectivity to packet data network
The race to higher throughput is open
Cat3

cat24
cat22 Cat3
cat10
cat8
Cat7
cat6
cat12 Cat5/cat6

cat3
The race to lower latency

10ms
40+ms in practise
UMTS FDD mode evolution

2003 2005 2010 2012

3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project)

– LTE (Long Term Evolution), a new radio interface (called erroneously 4G)
• standard frozen in March 09 (3GPP R8)
– LTE-A is the further evolution of LTE towards IMT advanced (called 4G+)
1. Evolution towards LTE
2.LTE spectrum
3. What’s LTE?
4. Radio interface
5. EPC Architecture
6. Terminals
7. Features
Migration to LTE covers all bands
Spectrum allocated in France by French regulator
ARCEP
Band VII

Band XX (Digital Dividend aka TNT)

 E-UTRA bands
• LTE will operate in wide range of spectrum with :
– flexible transmission bandwidths : 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 MHz
– simultaneous deployment in different E-UTRA bands
• Two possible LTE modes : FDD & TDD
FDD bands

TDD bands
LTE bandwidth

 Support Scalable BW : 1.4MHz, 3 MHz, 5 MHz, 10MHz, 15MHz, 20 MHz

Subcarrier = 15kHz
1. Evolution towards LTE
2. LTE Spectrum
3.What’s LTE?
4. Radio interface
5. EPC Architecture
6. Terminals
7. Features
What is LTE?
• LTE / EPC is Release 8 of 3GPP
– Perceived as the next step to enhance existing 3G networks.
– seen as 3.9G
– generally called 4G by operators and vendors

• Full new system:

– new radio interface, new core network,
– full mobility from/to 2G/3G

• 3GPP evolution plan:

– Release 8 : initial LTE/EPC version frozen in March 2009
– Release 9 (2010): small enhancements
– Release 10: LTE-advanced as an evolution of LTE

• LTE/EPC is an all IP system → all the IP services will be supported

- Internet/ Web browsing
- FTP download/upload
- Video streaming,
- Real time services (gaming, social networking)
- Voice Over IP
First commercial rolle-out in the world
TeliaSonera TeliaSonera
(Olso, Huawei, (E///)
end of 2009)

NTT DoCoMo
(2010)

Verizon beg. 2010

(ALU & E///)
CMCC
(TD-LTE)

First LTE operators :

Verizon wireless for LTE FDD deployment
China Mobile for LTE TDD deployment
Today, each operator plans to go for LTE. Even the green field operator
New industry forums to promote LTE

• Aim :
– Better coherent operator view to standardization bodies
– Common view of operators requirements for first deployments

• Goal:
– demonstrate LTE capabilities,
– speed up LTE industrialization,
– reduce the risks of market introduction
Organisations & Forums

21
1. Evolution towards LTE
2. LTE Spectrum
3. What’s LTE?
4.Radio interface
5. EPC Architecture
6. Terminals
7. Features
LTE Requirements and Key performance Target

• Peak data rates (20 MHz spectrum)

• Downlink: 100 Mbps (2x2 MIMO)
• Uplink: 50 Mbps (1x2 MIMO)

• Mobility Support
• Up to 50 kmph
• Optimised for low speeds (0 to 15 kmph)

• Reduced latency with quick response time

• <100 ms control plane
• <5 ms user plane

• Co-existence with UMTS/GSM

• Interruption time < 500ms

• Packet Domain Only

• Simplified network architecture, IP based.
New division multiple access technique
LTE Downlink
Basic Resource element = (1subcarrier , 1symbol) = 15kHz x 71us

Basic Resource for one user = 180kHz x 1ms

 OFDM basis
Solutions to increase Bit rate ?
 reduce the symbol period
 Simultaneous transmission of symbols over several carriers

∆f=1/∆T
Use of orthogonal frequencies Use of Higher modulation
to avoid Intercarrier interference to increase #bits per symbol
ICI: inter carrier interference

27
 OFDM basis
Time dispersion

t t

ISI=Inter Symbol Interference  BLER

Solution to overcome ISI ?

Increase symbol duration with a gap and a copy
OFDM basis

X0
⊗
X1 f0
Xn ⊗
S/P
.. f1
.. x(t )
⊕
QAM
R b/s . .
RF
Time-Limited
Signals
X N −1  N −1 
(Block Processing)
⊗ x(t ) = Re   X n exp [ − jω n t ]
 n =0 
f N −1
 OFDM basis sn =
N −1


k =0
cke
2 jπ
kn
M

(client 1)

30
Block Diagram Transmitter
OFDM basis
Multiple Access
LTE employs OFDM as the basic modulation scheme And multiple access is achieved through:
• OFDMA in the Downlink • SC-OFDMA in the Uplink
 Most attractive multiple access scheme  Basic architecture is nearly identical to OFDMA
for future broadband systems  Offers the same degree of multipath protection
 Reduces the PAPR as the underlying waveform is
essentially single-carrier
frequency adaptive scheduling
– Choose best time frequency resources based on channel quality feedback
– Scheduling based on time and frequency
 Physical Channels
Downlink (e-NodeB Mobile)

• Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH)  Carriers cell-specific information during cell search (e.g.
system bandwidth, central frequency, and so on)
• Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH)  For DL scheduling grant, ACK/NACK
• Physical Control Format Indicator Channel (PCFICH)  indicates format of PDCCH, defines
#OFDMA symbols/frame (CFI = Control Format Indicator)
• Physical Hybrid ARQ Indicator Channel (PHICH)  Carries HARQ ACK/NACK for retransmission
feedback for Uplink data packets (HI = HARQ Indicator)
• Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH)  carriers DL traffic user data
• Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PMCH)  carriers MBMS user data

Uplink (Mobile  e-NodeB)

• Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH)  For Call setup during initial access + UL timing
alignment
• Physical Uplink shared Channel (PUSCH)  traffic and channel sounding reference signal
• Physical Uplink control Channel (PUCCH)  HARQ feedback for DL + CQI reporting + UL
scheduling request for time synchronized users.
 Physical Signals
• Modelling of all Physical Signals is also supported. These signals are employed for
system synchronization, cell identification and radio channel estimation

Downlink

• Reference Signal/Pilot (RS)  for DL channel estimation.

• Primary Synchronization Channel (P-SCH)  for cell search and identification by the UE (Cell timing).
• Secondary Synchronization Channel (S-SCH)  for cell search and identification by the UE (Cell
identity).

Uplink

• Demodulation Reference Signal (DM-RS)  for synchronization to the UE and UL channel estimation
• Sounding Reference Signal (S-RS)  enables UL channel estimation in order to monitor propagation
conditions.
 Slot Structure and Physical Resources
 Resource Grid (RG)
 Transmitted signal in a slot is described by a resource
grid consisting of subcarriers and symbols in
frequency and time domain, respectively
 Resource Element (RE)
 Each element of resource grid and of dimensions = 1
subcarrier X 1 modulated symbol
 Resource Block (RB\PRB)
 N consecutive OFDMA symbols X M consecutive
subcarriers

Cyclic Subcarrier Link # of # of

Prefix Spacing Direction Subcarriers Symbols Bandwidth 1.4 3 5 10 15 20
Normal 15 DL 12 7 (MHz)
Extended 15 DL 12 6 # of RBs 6 15 25 50 75 100
Extended 7.5 DL 24 3
Normal 15 UL 12 7 Subcarriers 72 180 300 600 900 1200
Extended 15 UL 12 6
Frame Structures (1/7)
 LTE supports three frame structures
 Type 1-FDD
 Type 2-TDD
 M/B S-F N
 Type1-FDD (for both Half and full duplex )
 Frame Duration =20 slots, 10 msec
 Subframes= 2 consecutive slots, 1msec
 In each frame, 10 subframes are available for both uplink and
downlink transmission
 In half-duplex FDD operation, the UE cannot transmit and receive at
the same time
 No such restrictions in full-duplex FDD
Frame Structures (2/7)
 Type1-FDD- Downlink
 DL Reference Signal (DLRS)
 DLRS symbols exist within the 1st and the 3rd last OFDM
symbols of each slot and with a frequency-domain
spacing of six subcarriers
 There is a frequency-domain staggering of three
subcarriers between the 1st and 2nd RS symbols
 Number of REs per RB used for DLRS depend on the
transmit antennas, i.e. Tx1= 4, Tx2= 8 and Tx4= 24
 DL Control Channels (PDCCH, PCFICH, PHICH)
 PHICH carries the Hybrid ARQ ACK/NAKs where as
PCFICH carriers the information about the number of
OFDM symbols allocated for PDCCH in each subframe
 PDCCH is transmitted in the first n OFDM symbols of
each subframe, where n≤ 3
 REs reserved for DLRS cannot be used by PDCCH
Frame Structures (3/7)
 Type1-FDD-Downlink
 DL Broadcast & Synchronization Channels
 PBCH is transmitted on 4 OFDM symbols in the 1st
downlink subframe spanning over the central 6 RBs
 REs reserved for DLRS cannot be used by PBCH
 P-SCH and S-SCH are transmitted using a single OFDM
symbol each, in the 1st and 6th downlink subframe
spanning over the central 6 RBs
 P-SCH and S-SCH REs do not overlap with the REs
reserved for DLRS
 Transmission over central 6 RBs ensures detectability
without the UE\Terminal having the prior knowledge
of the whole system bandwidth
Frame Structure (4/7)

Type1-FDD- Downlink
Frame Structures (5/7)
 Type1-FDD- Uplink
 UL Control Channel
 PUCCH transmission in one subframe is compromised of single PRB
at or near one edge of the system bandwidth followed by a second
PRB at or near the opposite edge of the bandwidth
 PUCCH regions depends on the system bandwidth. Typical values
are 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 for 1.4, 3, 5, 10 and 20 MHz
 UL Signals(S-RS & DM RS)
 S-RS estimates the channel quality required for the UL frequency-
selective scheduling and transmitted on 1 symbol in each subframe
 DM-RS is associated with the transmission of UL data on the PUSCH
and\or control signalling on the PUCCH
 mainly used for channel estimation for coherent demodulation
 transmitted on 2 symbols in each subframe
Frame Structure (6/7)

Type1-FDD- Uplink
 Config. S-Point Subframe Direction
Periodicity

0 5 ms D S U U U D S U U U

1 5 ms D S U U D D S U U D

Frame Structure (7/7) 2

3
5ms

10 ms
D

D
S

S
U

U
D

U
D

U
D

D
S

D
U

D
D

D
D

4 10 ms D S U U D D D D D D

5 10ms D S U D D D D D D D
 Type2-TDD 6 5 ms D S U U U D S U U D

 Frame, Subframe and slot durations\numbers same as Type-1 FDD

 Also, two half frames per frame of 5 ms
 Each half frame consists of 8 slots and 3 special fields (DwPTS, GP, UpPTS) employing 2 slots
 Two switching points (5 and 10 msec) representing 7 configurations.
 Subframe 1 in all configurations and subframes 6 in
configurations 0, 1, 2 and 6 consists to special fields (DwPTS, GP, UpPTS)
 Subframes 0 and 5 and DwPTS are always reserved
for downlink transmission
 Downlink Transmission Modes
 LTE Release 8 supports downlink transmission on 1, 2, or 4 cell specific
antenna ports corresponding to
 1, 2, or 4 cell-specific reference signals
 each reference signal corresponds to one antenna port
 Following DL transmission modes are defined for PDSCH (Data\Traffic)
 Single antenna port; port 0
 Transmit diversity
 Open loop Spatial multiplexing SU-MIMO
 Closed loop spatial multiplexing
 Multi user MIMO
 Closed-loop Rank=1 precoding
 Single antenna port; port 5 (Conventional beamforming)
SU-MIMO Vs MU-MIMO (1/2)
 SU-MIMO
 This includes conventional techniques such as
 Delay (cyclic for OFDM) Diversity,
 Transmit\Receive (spatial) diversity
 Spatial Multiplexing\ Precoded Spatial Multiplexing
 Can be implemented as Open (without feedback) and
Closed loop (with feedback)
 Diversity techniques improves the signal to interference
ratio by transmitting same stream of single user data from
multiple antennas
 Spatial multiplexing increases the per user data
rate\throughput by transmitting multiple streams of data
dedicated for a single user
SU-MIMO Vs MU-MIMO (2/2)
 MU-MIMO
 Multiple users (separated in the spatial domain in both UL
and DL) sharing the same time-frequency resources
 Uses multiple narrow beams to separate users in the spatial
domain and can be considered as a hybrid of beamforming
and spatial multiplexing.
 Serves more terminals by scheduling multiple terminals
using the same resources
 this increases the cell capacity and number of served
terminals
 Suitable for highly loaded cells and for scenarios where
number of served terminals is more important than peak
user data rates
 LTE SU-MIMO Modes (1/2)
 Downlink-Transmit Diversity
 Alamouti scheme in frequency domain, i.e. SFBC (Space Frequency
Block Codes) is employed for Tx = 2 Alamouti-SFBC for Tx=2

 A combination of SFBC and Frequency Switching Transmit Diversity

(FSTD) is employed for Tx =4
 Downlink-Precoded Spatial Multiplexing
 Precoding can be considered as a special case of channel SFBC + FSTD for Tx=4

coding with rate of 1, i.e. no loss of spectral efficiency

Spatial Multiplexing-Codeword to Layer
 Closed loop precoded spatial multiplexing employs variable # of
Mapping
# of # of Tx
precoding matrices being dependent on spatial layers N and Layers codewords Antennas
1 1 ≥1
transmit antenna M where M≥ N 2 2 ≥2
2 1 ≥2
3 2 ≥3
 Open loop precoded spatial multiplexing employs fixed 4 2 ≥4
precoding matrices in conjunction with large delay CDD;
also dependent on spatial layers and transmit antennas
LTE SU-MIMO Modes (2/2)
 Downlink-Closed loop Rank 1 Precoding
 Improved data coverage without relying on the UE-specific reference signal
 Only Rank 1 precoding matrices are allowed
 Downlink control signalling overhead is smaller than the case of closed-loop
SU-MIMO of which control signalling allows full freedom of rank selection
 Uplink: MIMO Support
 Transmit diversity
 Receive Diversity
 MU-MIMO
Quality, Precoding & Rank Indicators (1/2)
Following Indicators are reported by UE
CQI Modulation Efficiency Actual Required
coding rate SINR
• Channel Quality Indicator (CQI): 1 QPSK 0.1523 0.07618 -4.46
2 QPSK 0.2344 0.11719 -3.75
• A 4 bit index into a table of 16 3 QPSK 0.3770 0.18848 -2.55
different modulation and coding 4 QPSK 0.6016 308/1024 -1.15
5 QPSK 0.8770 449/1024 1.75
schemes 6 QPSK 1.1758 602/1024 3.65
7 16QAM 1.4766 378/1024 5.2
• Indicates a combination of 8 16QAM 1.9141 490/1024 6.1
9 16QAM 2.4063 616/1024 7.55
modulation and coding scheme 10 64QAM 2.7305 466/1024 10.85
that the eNodeB should use to 11 64QAM 3.3223 567/1024 11.55
12 64QAM 3.9023 666/1024 12.75
ensure that the BLER experienced 13 64QAM 4.5234 772/1024 14.55
by the UE remains < 10% 14 64QAM 5.1152 873/1024 18.15
15 64QAM 5.5547 948/1024 19.25
Quality, Precoding & Rank Indicators (2/2)
 Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI):
 Ensures that the correct spatial domain precoding matrix is applied by eNodeB so that the
transmitted signal matches with the spatial channel experienced by the UE
 Denoted by transmit precoding matrix indication (TPMI)
 3 and 6 bit information field for 2 and 4 transmit antennas, respectively
 Compulsory for closed loop spatial multiplexing
 Rank Indicator (RI):
 Indicates the number of spatial layers which can be supported by the UE based on the
channel conditions
 Transmission rank dependent on RI as well as other factors such as traffic pattern,
available transmission power, etc.
 Compulsory for both open and closed loop spatial multiplexing
 RI =1 indicates Transmit diversity else both Diversity and Multiplexing
LTE Services and QoS Parameters (1/2)
 LTE QoS Characteristics can be explained by the following two parameters
 QCI (QoS Class Indicator)
 It is a scalar and used as a reference to node specific parameters that control packet
forwarding treatment
 Pre-configured by the operator owning the eNodeB; parameters include
 scheduling weights, admission, queue management thresholds and etc.
 APR (Allocation and Retention Priority)
 It is also a scalar and provides information about the priority level, the pre-emption
capability and vulnerability
 Primarily used to accept\reject bearer establishment\modification requests in case
of resource limitations
 Ensures that the request of the bearer with the higher priority level is preferred
LTE Services and QoS Parameters (2/2)
 Standardized QCI parameters are
 Resource Type-(Guaranteed Bit rate (GBR) and Non-GBR)
 Differentiates between Real time (GBR) and Non-Real Time (Non-GBR) services
 In addition to GBR, Real time Service have an associated Maximum Bit rate (MBR) demand

 Priority
 Same as APR, and describes the packet forwarding treatment

 Packet Delay Budget

 Defines the delay sensitivity. Real time services are more delay sensitive than Non-Real time

 Packet Error Loss Rate

 The acceptable error rate for a given service

Name QCI Resourc Priorit Packet Packet Example Services

e y Delay Error
Type Budget Loss Rate
VoIP 1 GBR 2 100 ms 10-2 Conversational Voice
Video Call 2 GBR 4 150 ms 10-3 Conversational Video (Live Streaming)
Gaming 3 GBR 3 50 ms 10-3 Real Time Gaming
Streaming 4 GBR 5 300 ms 10-6 Non-Convers.Video (Buff. Streaming)
Signalling 5 Non-GBR 1 100 ms 10-6 IMS Signalling
E-mail 6 Non-GBR 6 300 ms 10-6 Video (Buffered Streaming),
Web browsing 7 Non-GBR 6 100 ms 10-3 TCP-based (www, e-mail, chat, ftp,
P2P File 8 Non-GBR 8 300 ms 10-6 p2p sharing, Progressive video, etc.)
Sharing Voice, Video (Live Streaming)
Chat 9 Non-GBR 9 300 ms 10-6 Interactive Gaming
LTE Device\UE Categories
Parameters Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Category 5
Peak Data Rate (DL) 10 Mbps 50 Mbps 100 Mbps 150 Mbps 300 Mbps
Peak Data Rate (UL) 5 Mbps 25 Mbps 50 Mbps 50 Mbps 75 Mbps
Block Size (DL) 10296 51024 102048 149776 299552
Block Size (UL) 5160 25456 51024 51024 75376
Max. Modulation (DL) 64QAM 64QAM 64QAM 64QAM 64QAM
Max. Modulation (UL) 16QAM 16QAM 16QAM 16QAM 64QAM
RF Bandwidth 20 MHz 20 MHz 20 MHz 20 MHz 20 MHz
Transmit Diversity 1-4 Tx 1-4 Tx 1-4 Tx 1-4 Tx 1-4 Tx
Receive Diversity Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Spatial Multiplexing (DL) Optional 2X2 2X2 2X2 4X4
Spatial Multiplexing (UL) No No No No No
MU-MIMO (DL) Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional
MU-MIMO (UL) Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional
Physical Layer Measurements
 eNodeB
 Consumed power for the REs that are used to transmit DLRS from the eNodeB in
the system bandwidth
 Received interference power per PRB (physical resource block)
 Thermal noise power over the system bandwidth
 UE
 Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP): The power measured (average
between receiver branches) of the REs that contain DLRS
 Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ): is the ratio of the RSRP and the E-
UTRA Carrier Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) for the DLRS
 E-UTRA RSSI: The total received wideband power on a given frequency
Future-LTE Advanced
 LTE Advanced is the name given to the 3GPP release 10 and
onwards standards
 Considerations for LTE Advanced
 Worldwide functionality, roaming and compatibility of services
 Interworking with other radio systems
 Enhanced peak data rates (100 Mbps for high and 1 Gbps for
low mobility)
 Wider channel bandwidths, up to 100 MHz
 Advanced Beamforming and MIMO architecture
 Dual Stream Beamforming
 MIMO ( both Diversity and Multiplexing) support for 8
transmit Antennas
 SU-MIMO (Spatial Multiplexing) support in UL
1. Evolution towards LTE
2. LTE Spectrum
3. What’s LTE?
4. Radio interface
5.EPC Architecture
6. Terminals
7. Features
 System Architecture
• Evolved UTRAN • S-GW
• Introduction of eNodeBs • Routing and forwarding user data packets
• X2 interface for communication between • Mobility anchoring during inter eNB handover
eNodeBs • Mobility anchoring between LTE and other
3GPP technologies
• S1 interface for communication between
eNodeBs and EPC

• MME
• Responsible for idle mode UE tracking and
paging procedure
2G/2G+/3G/3G+ architecture
Evolution to Evolved packet core

PDN
GW

IP
1. Evolution towards LTE
2. LTE Spectrum
3. What’s LTE?
4. Radio interface
5. EPC Architecture
6.Terminals
7. Features
LTE terminals categories
1. Evolution towards LTE
2. LTE Spectrum
3. What’s LTE?
4. Radio interface
5. EPC Architecture
6. Terminals
7.Features
MIMO states
MIMO details
Interference Coordination IC
Fractional frequency reuse vs soft reuse
Fractional Freq. reuse Soft reuse
PSD