COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

LTE
Roberto GARELLO, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
R. Garello. Communication systems LTE
Free download (for personal use only) at: Free download (for personal use only) at: www.tlc.polito.it/garello www.tlc.polito.it/garello
[2012 [2012--01 01--17] 17]
Author:
Roberto GARELLO, Ph.D.
Associate Professor in Communication Engineering
Dipartimento di Elettronica
Politecnico di Torino, Italy
R. Garello. Communication systems LTE 2
Politecnico di Torino, Italy
email: garello@polito.it
web: www.tlc.polito.it/garello
FIRST GENERATION TACS
SECOND GENERATION GSM GPRS EDGE
THIRD GENERATION (3G) UMTS HSPA
(PRE) FOURTH GENERATION (4G) LTE (LONG TERM EVOLUTION OF 3G
SYSTEMS)
MOBILE PHONE NETWORKS
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(Note: formally, LTE is not a new standard, since it is the result of an evolution study
for 3G standard (3GPP release 8). Anyway, it is so different from the previous
systems that it is often considered as a new standard.)
Large frequency channels (flexible amplitude, from 1.3 to 20 MHz)
(At the beginning) frequency channels in the 800, 1800 (2000) and 2600 MHz band (then,
possible refarming of 2G/3G bands)
High downlink (300 Mbps and higher) and uplink (100 Mbps and higher) user data rates
Small round trip time (10 ms)
New resource allocation every TTI =1 ms
Frequency reuse: 1 (in the middle of the cell. On cell edges: base stations coordination;
Preliminary presentation of main LTE characteristics
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Frequency reuse: 1 (in the middle of the cell. On cell edges: base stations coordination;
cancellation and other complex techniques also possible)
Multiple Access: OFDMA (downlink) [single carrier]-OFDMA (uplink)
Duplexing: FDD (Europe/USA) TDD (China)
Physical layer: OFDM (4/16/64 QAM), MIMO (up to 4x4), turbo coding
Distributed network intelligence (base-station more inter-connected)
All IP network (at the beginning: LTE used for data only, voice calls over 2G/3G)
A mobile phone network exists for permitting to mobile devices to
-make voice calls to other mobile devices and/or fixed phones
-send messages
-connect to the internet
MAIN SCOPE OF MOBILE PHONE NETWORKS
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The network must cover a wide region and serve the individual requests of a number
of mobile devices. To do this the Telco company has a number of frequency channels
to serve the entire region.
A number of different LTE frequency channels amplitudes are possible:
1.3 3 5 10 15 20 MHz
In Italy, we just had an auction sale to assign the available channels, with this result:
800 MHz: 10 MHz (DL)+10 MHz (UL) for Telecom Italia
10 MHz (DL)+10 MHz (UL) for Vodafone
10 MHz (DL)+10 MHz (UL) for Wind
1800 MHz 5 MHz (DL)+5 MHz (UL) for Telecom Italia
LTE FREQUENCY CHANNELS
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1800 MHz 5 MHz (DL)+5 MHz (UL) for Telecom Italia
5 MHz (DL)+5 MHz (UL) for Vodafone
5 MHz (DL)+5 MHz (UL) for H3G
2600 MHz 15 MHz (DL)+15 MHz (UL) for Telecom Italia
15 MHz (DL)+15 MHz (UL) for Vodafone
20 MHz (DL)+20 MHz (UL) for Wind
20 MHz (DL)+20 MHz (UL) for H3G
(Note: 2000 MHz bands have not been assigned.)
GSM uses 200 kHz frequency channels in the 900 and 1800 bands
UMTS uses 5 MHz frequency channels in the 1900 band
comparison with GSM/UMTS: frequency channels
R. Garello. Communication systems LTE
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Each Telco company has a number of frequency channels to serve the entire region.
First, the region is divided into smaller areas, called cells. (This is the reason why
mobile phone networks are also called cellular networks.) Within each cell there is a
base-station which is the interface between the Telco network infrastructure and the
mobile devices.
CELLULAR NETWORKS
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To any cell the Telco company assign a set of frequency channels (the choice of the
frequency channels allocated to a cell is strictly connected to the access technology,
see later). The problem of assigning the frequency channels to the cells is called
frequency planning (or frequency reuse).
Now, the base station must use the set of frequency channels assigned to his cell to
serve all the mobile devices inside the cell. Suppose that, within a frequency channel,
3 STEPS FOR RESOURCE ALLOCATION
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serve all the mobile devices inside the cell. Suppose that, within a frequency channel,
the base station must serve N devices together. The problem of sharing a frequency
channel among N users is called multiple access.
Finally, the user link is a two-way link: downlink (base-station to mobile device) and
uplink (mobile device to base-station). The problem of serving both the two
directions is called duplexing.
Note:
Since ADSL is a one-to-one link there is no need for frequency planning and for
multiple user allocation. Duplexing is achieved by frequency separation between
downlink and uplink.
For DVB-T there are many frequency channels, but the frequency planning problem
is highly simplified since, thank to the SFN approach, each MUX uses the same
Example
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is highly simplified since, thank to the SFN approach, each MUX uses the same
channel in each cell. Each MUX is composed by many TV programmes. Then
multiple access within the channel is achieved by time multiplexing. Since the system
is broadcast (many to one) there is no duplexing problem.
For LTE we must solve all the three problems.
Duplexing can be achieved by:
-FDD (Frequency Division Duplexing): Users perform downlink and uplink on
separated frequency channels (often, at a fixed frequency distance)
-TDD (Time Division Duplexing): Users perform downlink and uplink on the same
frequency channel, but on different time slots
DUPLEXING
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For cellular networks, the preferred solution for Duplexing is FDD (Frequency
Division Duplexing). Downlink and uplink are performed on different frequency
channels (typically, at a given frequency separation).
LTE will use FDD in Europe/USA.
TDD will probably be used in China
As listed before, the available frequency channels are paired: one for Downlink and
one for Uplink:
800 MHz: 10 MHz(DL)+10MHz(UL)
1800 MHz: 5 MHz (DL) + 5 MHz (UL)
2600 MHz: 15 MHz (DL) + 15 MHz (DL)
EXAMPLE OF LTE FDD FREQUENCY CHANNELS
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2600 MHz: 15 MHz (DL) + 15 MHz (DL)
GSM: FDD
UMTS: both FDD and TDD are possible, but FDD is much more used
comparison with GSM and UMTS: DUPLEXING
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Consider FDD and focus on downlink.
Suppose that the base station must serve N users within a given frequency channel.
First of all, resource allocation is time-slotted.
In fact, for obvious reasons, mobile networks cannot use a fix allocation: the users are
constantly changing, as their request.
[Note that, for DVB-T, multiple access is very simplified since a MUX always
MULTIPLE ACCESS: time slot
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[Note that, for DVB-T, multiple access is very simplified since a MUX always
contains the same TV programmes.]
For cellular networks there is an elementary time slot called TTI transmission
time interval. Every slot, resource allocation can be changed.
For LTE, TTI = 1 ms
LTE uses OFDM with frequency separation = 15 kHz
The nominal symbol rate is 15 kHz nominal symbol time is 67 s
A cyclic prefix of 5 s (covering up to 1500 m of delay spread) is used true
symbol time = 72 s
14 consecutive OFDM symbols = 1 TTI = 1 ms
LTE TTI
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14 consecutive OFDM symbols = 1 TTI = 1 ms
2G: GSM TTI = 20 ms EDGE TTI = 10 ms
3G: UMTS TTI = 10 ms HSPA TTI = 2 ms
comparison with GSM AND UMTS
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Fixed a frequency channel and a given TTI, how to serve N users?
Three possible approaches:
FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access)
TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access)
CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)
MULTIPLE ACCESS
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To each user is assigned a set of frequencies within the frequency channel.
It can transmit for all the TTI within this set of frequencies.
FDMA
f
U
1
U
2
U
N
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frequency channel
f
TTI
t
U
1
U
2
U
N
A good frequency synchronization is necessary otherwise the signal spectrums
overlap in frequency and interference arises.
For FDMA, small frequency guard intervals are used to separate adjacent frequency
subsets, thus reducing the available band then the total capacity
FDMA problems
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frequency channel
f
U
1
U
2
U
N
The multiple access scheme used by LTE is FDMA
Since LTE uses OFDM modulation we talk about OFDMA
The frequency channel is divided into bins (=15 kHz).
Bins are grouped in multiple of 12 bins = 180 kHz which are called resource blocks.
To each user x are assigned M
x
blocks (typically continuous).
LTE OFDMA
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To each user is assigned a time slot within the TTI.
It can transmit over all the frequency channel, within its time slot.
TDMA
f
U
1
U
2
U
N
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frequency channel
f
U
1
U
2
U
N
TTI
t
A good time synchronization is necessary between the mobile devices otherwise their
signals overlap in time and interference arises.
For TDMA, small time guard intervals are used to separate the time slots, thus
reducing the available band then the total capacity
TDMA problems
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TTI
t
U
1
U
2
U
N
The multiple access scheme used by GSM is TDMA
The frequency channel amplitude is 200 kHz.
The TTI is 20 ms and it is divided into 8 slots which are distributed among the users.
GSM TDMA
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Each user can use the entire frequency channel and the entire TTI, but to each user is
assigned a spreading code making its bit sequences orthogonal to the other users
bit sequences.
CDMA
f
U
1
U
2
U
N
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frequency channel
f
TTI
t
U
1
U
2
U
N
Suppose that two users (U1 and U2) must share the same frequency channel.
Each of them uses a 2-PAM constellation.
Introduction to CDMA
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Suppose that the basis signal is rectangular: p(t)=P
T
(t)
T is the symbol time that, for 2-PAM is equal to the bit time
p(t)
Each of them must transmit a binary sequence.
Without CDMA, the transmitted waveform is of this kind:
t
T
s
1
(t)
2T
1
0
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t
2T
t
T
s
2
(t)
2T
1
1
To each user is assigned an orthogonal signal of time duration T.
Then U1 receives p
1
(t), U2 receives p
2
(t) such that
1 2
0
( ) ( ) 0
T
p t p t dt =

R. Garello. Communication systems LTE

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Example:
t
0
T
p
1
(t)
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t
0
T
p
2
(t)
Given its binary information sequence, each user multiplies the waveform
corresponding to its bit sequence by its orthogonal sequence
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t
p
1
(t)
T
s
1
(t)
2T
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0
T
t
0
T
s
1
(t)
t
2T
2T
t
p
2
(t)
T
s
2
(t)
2T
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0
T
t
s
2
(t)
t
2T
2T
0
T
Suppose the two waveforms s
1
(t) and s
2
(t) are transmitted over the same channel.
We can introduce an equivalent 2D constellation, since the two users are using two
orthogonal basis signals: p(t)p
1
(t) and p(t)p
2
(t)
U1 transmits over the horizontal axis and U2 over the vertical axis (not so different
from 4-PSK but in this case two different users transmit over the orthogonal
constellations)
Signal space equivalence
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p
1
(t)p (t)
p
2
(t)p (t)
p
2
(t)p (t)
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p
1
(t)p (t)
Focus on the information bit.
The received waveform is of this kind (where n(t) is the noise)
At the RX side, each user projects the received signal on its basis signal.
CDMA receiver
1 1 2 2
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) r t p t p t p t p t n t = + +
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At the RX side, each user projects the received signal on its basis signal.
Since the signal transmitted by the other user is orthogonal, it is completely removed
by this operation.
As an example, for U1
1 1 1
0
( ) ( ) ( )
T
r r t p t p t dt n = = +

The orthogonal signals are obtained from orthogonal binary sequences, i.e., binary
sequences such that, given their bipolar representation
We have zero cross-correlation:
CDMA spreading sequences
{ }
1
... ... 1, 1
i N i
a a a a a = +
{ }
1
... ... 1, 1
i N i
b b b b b = +
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We have zero cross-correlation:
( )
1
, 0
N
ab i i
i
R a b a b
=
= = =

Note that, since the time duration of the orthogonal binary sequences is T, each of
their bits have time duration of T/N.
The orthogonal binary sequences are also called spreading sequences (for a reason
that will be clear soon)
Their bits are also called chips
chips
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T
c
=T/N is also called the chip time
R
c
=1/T
c
is also called the chip rate
What is the spectrum of the transmitted signal?
Each user multiply its bit sequence which has bit rate R and bit time T=1/R by its
orthogonal sequence, which is composed by chips of time duration Tc=T/N.
This is equivalent to transmit a binary sequence with bit rate Rc=1/Tc=NR
Then, the spectrum of the transmitted waveform is multiplied by N (the number of
Spread spectrum
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Then, the spectrum of the transmitted waveform is multiplied by N (the number of
chips of the spreading sequences).
This is the reason why this technique is also called spreading (the spectrum of the
transmitted waveform is much larger than the original one) and the length N of the
orthogonal binary sequences is called spreading factor.
Fixed an available band B, suppose that for each user uses a coding/modulation
scheme that allows to transmit an information sequence with bit rate R
b
within this
band.
If CDMA is used to allocate N users in the same band, and to each of them we assign
a spreading sequence of length N, the individual information bit rate must be divided
by N to stay within the available band.
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In ideal conditions, the total bit rate distributed to N users is then the same for the
three systems.
Given a TTI and a band B, think to the Shannons theorem
FDMA TDMA CDMA
2
log 1
RX
b
N
P
R B
P
| |
+
|
\
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For FDMA the band B is divided by N.
For TDMA the band B is given to all the users but the TTI is divided by N then the
true individual bit rate is divided by N
For CDMA the band B and the TTI are entirely used by all the users but the true
information bit rate is divided by the spreading factor N
If the sequences are not perfectly synchronized, the cross-correlation is not exactly
zero there is cross-interference between the users.
This is especially important when one of the two users is near to the base station and
the other is far (near-far problem).
The power of the near user must be reduced, otherwise the interference produced on
the far user is too high power control is necessary.
CDMA drawback
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the far user is too high power control is necessary.
base station
near user
far user
UMTS uses CDMA
Frequency channels are allocated in the 1900 MHz band and have 5 MHz amplitude.
A 4-PSK constellation with roll-off coefficient 0.2 is used than the symbol rate is
3.84 Mbps.
Within each 5 MHZ channel, a number up to 512 spreading sequences of length up to
UMTS CDMA
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Within each 5 MHZ channel, a number up to 512 spreading sequences of length up to
512 can be assigned to different users.
The spreading sequences used are Walsh codes obtained from the Hadamard matrix
UMTS Walsh codes
[ ]
1
1 H
H H
=
(
[ ]
1
1 1
1 0
1 1 1 1
1 0 1 0
1 1 0 0
1 0 0 1
(
(

(
(
(
(
(

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1 1
1 1
2 2
2
2 2
n n
n
n n
H H
H
H H


(
=
(

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0
1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0
1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1
1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1
1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1
1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0
...

(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(

It is interesting to note that the three digital cellular systems (GSM, UMTS, LTE)
uses three different access schemes (TDMA, CDMA, FDMA). This is the reason why
we usually refer to LTE as an independents system instead of the evolution of 3G.
LTE GSM UMTS
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