LTE Implementation Issues

Volkan Sevindik

19 Alpha Rd. Chelmsford, MA, USA, 01824

vsevindik@gmail.com

LTE Technology Highlights

LTE will become dominant wireless technology of the future, but rather to illustrate the inevitability that LTE must coexist with existing wireless technologies during its rise to pre-eminence. Operators will need to offer multi-technology devices with networks that allow mobility and service continuity between GSM, GPRS, UMTS and LTE. LTE deployment can be achieved through 3 different implementations: Data-only services on LTE Data-only services on LTE with 2G-3G voice Voice and data services on LTE Operators can start at any stage to upgrade their networks. But, it is highly recommend to deploy LTE for data-only services first; because operators can gain significant experience through this first deployment without dealing with complex requirements of voice traffic. Operators should use 3G and LTE capable ATs, and roaming between 3G and 4G (LTE) should be supported; because of the limited 4G coverage when it is first deployed. Devices downloading data in 4G coverage will be needing the same uninterrupted data rates when they roam to 3G coverage area, and this will increase the traffic in 3G network zone. Therefore, 3G network coverage footprint should be changed (smaller) before 4G deployment.

LTE Highlights !

As standards for voice services over LTE mature, such as VoLTE (Voice Over LTE), and as the migration of 2G-3G subscribers to LTE occurs, offering voice services on LTE alone may be deferred. Hybrid approaches involving interaction between LTE and 2G-3G systems are expected in short-term. ! Because standards for voice services over LTE using IMS

are still maturing and movement of 2G-3G subscribers to LTE will occur over time, offering voice services over LTE with full IMS architecture may come later than initial data offerings over LTE. Solutions such as CS-Fallback, hybrids of Voice over LTE and 2G-3G systems, or optimized-IMS solutions are expected in the interim. Voice over LTE via Generic Access (VoLGA) is intended to provide mobile operators with the ability to deliver voice and messaging services over LTE access networks based on existing 3GPP Generic Access Network (GAN) standard. VoLGA solution requires VoLGA access network controller be added to the existing GSM-UMTS voice core.

LTE Highlights !

In order to increase quality of experience (QoE) for user, LTE technology uses several techniques to increase spectral efficiency and reducing latency. These techniques: OFDM: Offers low latency connections as well as increased spectral efficiency. Advanced MIMO: 4x2 MIMO in critical areas will increase network capacity to support high QoS users.

Network MIMO: This is the same concept as soft hand-off in CDMA systems. Multiple BSs will be transmitting data in order to increase capacity via improvement in signal to interference ratio. Home NodeB and Femtocells: Smaller cells will increase capacity by reusing spectrum frequently in spatial domain. Higher-order modulation (with the support of smaller cells): This will increase data rates for a given user, but has strict interference requirements. Flexible spectrum carrier configurations: LTE supports a wide range of carrier, with BW of 1.4MHz, 3 MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz and 20 MHz.

Flatter Architecture: The network core for LTE (Evolved Packet Core-EPC) has been designed to minimize mobility-specific processing elements to lower the overhead and packet processing bottlenecks. Fewer hops will reduce end-to-end latency and simplify network operations.

Voice continues to be an essential wireless application. For basic voice services, LTE VoIP will be provided in a transparent way to existing GSM-UMTS circuit voice. There has been ongoing work to ensure that a larger set of voice services and mid-call services operate transparently between circuit voice and VoIP.

LTE Highlights !

Questions?
Please contact with me at vsevindik@gmail.com LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/volkansevindik

LTE Highlights !