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LTE Advanced - eCCE/ePDCCH

Why eCCE/ePDCCH ?

eCCE/ePDCCH is a new type of resource allocation for contron channel information. In engineering, w
introduce anything new, usually we would have some reason (or motivation) on why we need the ne
Same thing applies to eCCE/ePDCCH. So our first question would be 'why we need this new type of r
allocation ?'.
Main reason (motivation) would be illustrated as below and we may have some additional advantage
adopting this new method.

By adopting this method, we may enjoy some additional advantage and followings are those advanta
decrease interference between control region from different cells

increase the reliability of reception by applying BeamForming


How can we descrease interference between control region from different cells ? With ePDDCH, we c
control information for each user in such a way that ePDCCH for different users locate far away from
to minimize the interference.
What does it mean by 'increase the reliability of reception by applying BeamForming' ? Since ePDCC
area where PDSCH is located and each ePDCCH is UE specific, we may apply BeamForming technolo
would increase the reliability of signal reception.
Can we complete remove the CFI overhead ?

If we can move the PDCCH data to PDSCH area, can we completely remove the overhead caused by
(or 1,2) ?

The answer is 'NO'. There are a couple of reason for this.


First, we still need the symbol 0 for PCFICH and PHICH. We don't have any new mechanism to move
other area.
Second, even with ePDCCH we cannot move the control information allocated in Common Search Sp
still need to allocate a certain amount of the space in conventional way.
Resource Allocation for ePDCCH

Following diagrams are from TDoc R-112517 Discussion on ePDCCH Design Issues (3GPP TSG-RAN1
meeting). This shows some possible idea of designing ePDCCH. It doesn't mean that all of these con
adopted by TS specification. But these can be a good reference for you to get general idea. Importan
notice is that ePDCCH is allocated in those symbols allocated for PDSCH for conventional LTE.

Eventuall 3GPP Rel 11 adopted ePDCCH. It seems that 3GPP adopted the (a) Pure FDM (Refere to 36
6.2.4A/6.8A and)

eREG to RE Mapping
36.211 6.2.4A describes as follows :

There are (1)16 EREGs, numbered from 0 to 15, per physical resource block pair. Number al
elements, except resource elements carrying DM-RS for antenna ports p = {107,108,109,110} for n
prefix or p = {107,108} for extended cyclic prefix, in a physical resource-block pair cyclically from 0

increasing order of first frequency, then time.


< eREG to RE Mapping for Normal Subframe >

There are two different ways of mapping eREG to RE. These mapping method are called Transmissio
is configured by IE transmissionType-r11. One is called 'localized' and the other is called 'distributed'
Following is one example that shows the 'Localized' transmission type. Even though the RE location f
is pretty much scrambled, you would recognize the pattern relatively easily and in this way you wou
the REs in the same eREG would clustered in the same frequency. It implies that this kind of RE map
be vulnerable noise or fading. Due to this, 3GPP defines another mapping algorithm called 'distribute
distributed mapping, REs in an eREG is scattered in much random fashion so that they can have mor
to noise and fading.

Following is an example of localized mapping (transmission type) for FDD and normal subframe of TD

Following is an example of localized mapping (transmission type) special subframe config 1 and 6 of
< eREG to RE Mapping for Special Subframe Config 1 and 6 >

RRC Aspect of eCCE/ePDCCH

Following is the overall RRC message structure to configure ePDCCH. Some of these are straightforw
of them would need a lot of effort to completely understand the concept down to the physical layer.
updating as I get more understanding on details.

EPDCCH-SetConfig : Provides EPDCCH configuration set. See TS 36.213 - 9.1.4. E-UTRAN configures

EPDCCHSetConfig when EPDCCH-Config is configured.


setConfigId : Indicates the identity of the EPDCCH configuration set.

subframePatternConfig : Configures the subframes which the UE shall monitor the UE-specific search
EPDCCH, except for predefined rules in TS 36.213 9.1.4. If the field is not configured when EPDCCH
the UE shall monitor the UE-specific search space on EPDCCH in all subframes except for pre-defined
36.213-9.1.4.
transmissionType : Indicates whether distributed or localized EPDCCH transmission mode is used as
36.211-6.8A.1.

< EPDCCH Starting Position : 36.213 9.1.4.1>

startSymbol : Indicates the OFDM starting symbol for any EPDCCH and PDSCH scheduled by EPDCCH
same cell, see TS 36.213-9.1.4.1. If not present, the UE shall release the configuration and shall der
starting OFDM symbol of EPDCCH and PDSCH scheduled by EPDCCH from PCFICH. Values 1, 2, and
applicable for dl-Bandwidth greater than 10 resource blocks. Values 2, 3, and 4 are applicable otherw
UTRAN does not configure the field
for UEs configured with tm10.

< PRB-pair indication for EPDCCH : 36.213 9.1.4.4>

numberPRB-Pairs : Indicates the number of physical resource-block pairs used for the EPDCCH set. V
corresponds to 2 physical resource-block pairs; n4 corresponds to 4 physical resource-block pairs an
Value n8 is not supported if dl-Bandwidth is set to 6 resource blocks.

resourceBlockAssignment : Indicates the index to a specific combination of physical resource-block p


EPDCCH set. See TS 36.213 - 9.1.4.4. The size of resourceBlockAssignment is specified in TS 36.213
based on numberPRB-Pairs and the signalled value of dl-Bandwidth.

Heterogeneous Networks in LTE

by Jeanette Wannstrom, masterltefaster.com and Keith Mallin


WiseHarbor

Effective network planning is essential to cope with the increasing number of mobile broadband data subscriber
bandwidth-intensive services competing for limited radio resources. Operators have met this challenge by incre
with new radio spectrum, adding multi-antenna techniques and implementing more efficient modulation and co

However, these measures alone are insufficient in the most crowded environments and at cell edges where perf
significantly degrade. Operators are also adding small cells and tightly-integrating these with their macro netwo
traffic loads, widely maintain performance and service quality while reusing spectrum most efficiently.

One way to expand an existing macro-network, while maintaining it as a homogeneous network, is to densify
more sectors per eNB or deploying more macro-eNBs. However, reducing the site-to-site distance in the macro-n
only be pursued to a certain extent because finding new macro-sites becomes increasingly difficult and can be e
especially in city centres. An alternative is to introduce small cells through the addition of low-power base statio
HeNBs or Relay Nodes (RNs)) or Remote Radio Heads (RRH) to existing macro-eNBs. Site acquisition is easier an
this equipment which is also correspondingly smaller.

Small cells are primarily added to increase capacity in hot spots with high user demand and to fill in areas not c
macro network both outdoors and indoors. They also improve network performance and service quality by offl
large macro-cells. The result is a heterogeneous network with large macro-cells in combination with small cells p
increased bitrates per unit area. See Figure 1.

Heterogeneous network planning was already used in GSM. The large and small cells in GSM are separated thro
different frequencies. This solution is still possible in LTE. However, LTE networks mainly use a frequency reuse o
maximize utilization of the licensed bandwidth.

In heterogeneous networks the cells of different sizes are referred to as macro-, micro-, pico- and femto-cells; lis
decreasing base station power. The actual cell size depends not only on the eNB power but also on antenna pos
the location environment; e.g. rural or city, indoor or outdoor . The HeNB (Home eNB) was introduced in LTE Rele
is a low power eNB which is mainly used to provide indoor coverage, femto-cells, for Closed Subscriber Groups (
example, in office premises. See Figure 2.

Specific to HeNBs, is that they are privately owned and deployed without coordination with the macro-network.
used in the femto-cell is the same as the frequency used in the macro-cells, and the femto-cell is only used for C
is a risk of interference between the femto-cell and the surrounding network.

The Relay Node (RN) is another type of low-power base station added to the LTE R10 specifications. The RN is co
Donor eNB (DeNB) via the Un radio interface, which is based on the LTE Uu interface. See Figure 2. When the fre
on Uu and Un for the RN are the same, there is a risk of self interference in the RN. From the UE perspective the
an eNB, and from the DeNBs view the RN will be seen as a UE. As also mentioned, RRHs connected to an eNB v
used to provide small cell coverage.

Introducing a mix of cell sizes and generating a heterogeneous network adds to the complexity of network plann
network with a frequency reuse of one, the UE normally camps on the cell with the strongest received DL signal
the border between two cells is located at the point where SSDL is the same in both cells. In homogeneous netw
typically coincides with the point of equal path loss for the UL (PLUL) in both cells. In a heterogeneous network,
power nodes in the large cells and low-power nodes in the small cells, the point of equal SSDL will not necessari
as that of equal PLUL. See Figure 3.

A major issue in heterogeneous network planning is to ensure that the small cells actually serve enough users. O
that is to increase the area served by the small cell, which can be done through the use of a positive cell selecti
SSDL of the small cell. This is called Cell Range Extension (CRE). See Figure 4.

A negative effect of this is the increased interference on the DL experienced by the UE located in the CRE region
the base station in the small cell. This may impact the reception of the DL control channels in particular.

A number of features added to the 3GPP LTE specification can be used to mitigate the above-mentioned interfer
in heterogeneous networks with small cells:

Inter-cell Interference Coordination: ICIC

ICIC was introduced in R8. The eNBs can communicate using ICIC via the X2 interface to mitigate inter-cell inter
at the cell edge. The X2AP message used for this is called Load Information. See Figure 5. Through the Load I
message an eNB can inform neighbouring eNBs about: UL interference level per Physical Resource Block (PRB);
are allocated to cell edge UEs, and hence are sensitive to UL interference; and if DL Tx power is higher or lower
threshold value. The eNBs receiving these messages can use the received information to optimize scheduling fo
edges.

ICIC has evolved to better support heterogeneous network deployments -- especially interference control for DL
channels. Enhanced ICIC (eICIC) was introduced in LTE R10. The major change is the addition of time domain ICI
through use of Almost Blank Subframes (ABS). ABS includes only control channels and cell-specific reference sig
data, and is transmitted with reduced power. When eICIC is used, the macro-eNB will transmit ABS according to
pattern. During these subframes, UEs at the edge, typically in the CRE region of small cells, can receive DL infor
control and user data. The macro-eNB will inform the eNB in the small cell about the ABS pattern. See Figure 6.

ICIC is evolved in LTE R11 to further enhanced ICIC (feICIC). The focus here is interference handling by the UE th
interference cancellation for control signals, enabling even further cell range extension.
eICIC and feICIC are especially important when Carrier Aggregation (CA) is not used.

Carrier Aggregation with cross-carrier scheduling

Carrier Aggregation (CA) is introduced in R10, with backward compatibility to R8, to increase the total bandwidth
UEs and hence their maximum bitrates. When CA is used a number of R8 carriers, referred to as Component Car
aggregated and any CA-capable UE can be allocated resources on all CCs, while R8/R9 UEs can only be allocated
one CC. Cross-carrier scheduling is an important feature in heterogeneous networks. Using cross-carrier schedul
possible to map the Physical DL control channels (PDCCH) on different CCs in the large and small cells. See Figu
PDCCH, carrying DL Control Information (DCI) with scheduling information, must be received by the UEs at the c
PDCCH may be transmitted with higher power than the traffic channels. Hence, using different carriers for the P
large and small cells reduces the risk of PDCCH interference.

From LTE R11 onwards it is possible to handle CA with CCs requiring different timing advance (TA); for example,
from eNBs with CCs from RRHs. See Figure 8.

CoMP Coordinated Multi Point

One way to ensure that a UE is using both the best DL and the best UL carrier in a heterogeneous network is to
introduced in LTE R11. With CoMP a number of transmission/reception points (i.e. eNBs, RNs or RRHs) can be coo
provide service to a UE for example, data can be transmitted at the same time in the same PRBs from more th
transmission point to one UE, or data can be received from one transmission point in one subframe and from an
transmission point in the next subframe. CoMP can be used both in DL and UL. When CoMP is used in a heteroge
a number of macro-cells and small cells can be involved in data transmission to and from one UE. Especially use
heterogeneous networks is the possibility for a UE in the cell range extension region to utilize the best UL in the

the best DL in the macro-cell. See Figure 9. This, however, requires that the macro-eNB and the base station in t
are synchronized, and most likely it will require a combination of macro-eNB with RRHs in the small cell.

Further enhancements regarding heterogeneous network and small cells are coming in future 3GPP Releases. At
writing, Release 12 is still in the process of being formulated with some features in the study phase and others,
on interference management for neighbour TDD cells, dual connectivity between the macro cell and small cells,
planning within hyper-dense environments and advances in carrier aggregation combinations already in the nor
(specifications).

Future updates to this paper will include what has been achieved with the completion of Release 12 during the s
2014.

Further reading
A new HetNet paper by Keith Mallinson, WiseHarbor; August 18, 2014

"...Coordinating the low-power layer of small cells with the macro network improves performance across th
network while also further boosting efficiencies in spectrum use and power consumption, automating netw
configuration and optimization. The upcoming 3GPP Release 12 (due to be frozen September 2014) standa
capabilities in these developments including dual connectivity, small cell on/off and 256 QAM..." ...Read th

TR 36.806 Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Relay architectures for E-UTRA (LTE-Advanced)

TR 36.808 Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Carrier Aggregation; Base Station (BS) radio tr
reception

TR 36.814 Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Further advancements for E-UTRA physical lay
TR 36.815 Further Advancements for E-UTRA; LTE-Advanced feasibility studies in RAN WG4

TR 36.823 Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Carrier Aggregation Enhancements; UE and BS
transmission and reception
TR 36.826 Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Relay radio transmission and reception

TS 22.220 Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects; Service requirements for Home Node B
Home eNode B (HeNB)

TS 36.101 Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); User Equipment (UE) radio transmission and re
TS 36.212 Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Multiplexing and channel coding
TS 36.213 Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Physical layer procedures
TS 36.216 Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Physical layer for relaying operation
TS 36.300 Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) and Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access
UTRAN); Overall description; Stage 2 (R8, R10, R11)

TS 36.423 Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN); X2 Application Protocol (X2AP) (R8, R

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