LTE-Advanced
Conformance & Standards
November 7th, 2013
CpQd – Ciclo de Eventos 2013
Juan A. Gómez
Business Development
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
Mobile Broadband Operation
Agilent Confidential
Agenda
The “Conformance Ecosystem”
- Concepts, 3GPP Specs, Validation, GCF/PTCRB,
Certification Database, etc.
LTE-Advanced – 3GPP Status and Certification
overview
- Intro, Carrier Aggregation types, 3GPP CA status, Rel.
11/12., etc.
Beyond conformance: Carrier Acceptance
2
Agilent Confidential
Certification: Conformance +
Regulatory
3
Conformance
e.g. GCF, PTCRB,
NFC/BT Logo
Regulatory
e.g. CE, FCC, Anatel
Certified Product
TD-SCDMA (China)
802.16e (Mobile WiMAX)
WiBRO (Korea)
802.16d (Fixed WiMAX)
802.11n
Wireless Evolution 1990 - 2012
GSM (Europe)
IS-136 (US TDMA)
PDC (Japan)
IS-95A (US CDMA)
HSCSD GPRS iMODE IS-95B (US CDMA)
W-CDMA (FDD & TDD)
E-GPRS (EDGE)
HSDPA HSUPA
EDGE Evolution
1x EV-DO 0 A B
HSPA+ / E-HSPA
LTE (R8/9 FDD & TDD)
LTE-Advanced (Release 10, 11, 12)
802.16m / WiMAX2 WirelessMAN-Advanced
802.11h
802.11ac 802.11ad
cdma2000 (1x RTT)
802.11a/g
802.11b 2G
W-LAN
2.5G
3G
3.5G
3.9G/ 4G
4G / IMT-Advanced
Market evolution
Technology evolution
Inc
rea
sin
g e
fficie
nc
y, ba
nd
wid
th a
nd
da
ta ra
tes
4
Agilent Confidential
What is “Conformance”?
Question: Does a certain (wireless) device meet the requirements
established by the applicable industry standards?
5
Conformance Test System Equipment Under Test
(EUT)
Conformance Test
Agilent Confidential When does Conformance
happen? System
Integration
R&D and Pre-Conformance
Components Development Certification
Operator Acceptance
Conformance
Regulatory
Performance & Usability
Conformance & Interoperability
Agilent Confidential Conformance Terminology
Device Certification
Program operated by different forums to increase global interoperability between
mobile devices and networks based on technical requirements developed by bodies
like 3GPP among others.
GCF/PTCRB
Groups formed by network operators, terminal manufacturers, test equipments, test
houses and other organizations responsible for running mobile terminals certification.
Validation
Process that enable test equipment vendors to qualify their test platforms as
approved for certitication.
RCT/PCT/RRM
Radio Frequency, Protocol and Radio Resource Management Conformante Test
Systems respectively, which implements the test specifications for UE defined by the
3GPP.
7
Agilent Confidential
Conformance pillars
8
Test Specs
- Test cases
- Includes bands
- Constantly evolves,
over
„releases‟
Test Platforms
- Approved test
systems/tools
/instruments
- RF, Protocol,
RRM…
- Must keep pace
with standards
- Proof validation for
a certain
percentage (e.g.
80%) to be
approved
Lab
Accreditation
- Lab must fulfill a
set of requirements
defined by a 3rd
party, e.g. ISO
17025.
- Must use validated
TPs.
- Might involve
auditing process.
Agilent Confidential
RAN Working Groups (WG)
RAN 1 – Layer1
RAN 2 – Layer 2 and RRM
RAN 3 – Overall architecture
RAN 4 – RF performance analysis
RAN 5 – Conformance requirements
How the
system works?
How to test the
system works?
- Device certification based on 3GPP standards
1)Select and prioritize test cases
2) Create WI/RFT for specific requirements
3) Validate Test Platforms/Test Cases
4) Lab accreditation
Operators
Develops TTCN code for PCT
testing
LTE Conformance Ecosystem
Agilent Confidential
3GPP Test Specs
10
Test spec Testing area
36.508 Common test environment
36.521-1 RF Conformance Test Cases
36.521-2 Applicability for RF & RRM (ICS)
36.521-3 RRM Conformance Test Cases
36.523-1 Protocol Conformance Test Cases
36.523-2 Applicability for Protocol (ICS)
36.523-3 TTCN for Protocol
Agilent Confidential
Frequency Bands – Release Independent
An important aspect of frequency bands when it comes to the 3GPP
releases is that they are “release independent”. This means that a
band defined in a later release can be applied to an earlier
release.
This significantly simplifies the specifications.
FDD TDD
Release 8 1 – 17 (excl. 15,16*) 32 - 40
Release 9 18 - 21
Release 10 22 - 25 41 - 43
Release 11 26 - 29 44
Release 12 30?, 31?, …
* Bands 15 and 16 are specified by ETSI only for use in Europe
Agilent Confidential
GCF
12
GCF (Global Certification Forum) Certification is defined and
maintained by GCF members collectively. The Conformance and
Interoperability Group (CAG) identifies the Certification Entry
Criteria (CEC) through laboratory testing.
WI-090
LTE Rel-8 RF & RRM
WI-080
WI-081082
LTE Rel-8 Protocol WI-091 092
WI-162
Rel-9 & CA
WI-150
Conformanc
e Test Cases
GCF CEC for WIs
TPAC
Agilent Confidential
PTCRB Certification
13
PTCRB (PCS Type Certification Review Board) framework for
GSM, UMTS and LTE UE certification services for North American
operators.
RFT 076
LTE Release 8
RFT 099 LTE Rel.9
Enhancements
RFT 103
Carrier Aggregation
Conformance
Test Cases
Agilent Confidential
Validation of Test Platforms/ Test Cases
14
Each certification body SELECTS a group of TEST
CASES and DEFINES PRIORITY based on operators‟
plans
Test system vendors DEVELOP TEST CASES
on their test platforms
Each test system vendor selects an ACCREDITED
LAB to VALIDATE their test cases using reference
UEs
The lab submits a validation report to the specific
certification body for approval, ENABLING the
TEST SYSTEM and TEST CASE FOR
CERTIFICATION
Certification bodies do not
adopt the entire 3GPP test
specs
GCF: Work Items (WI)
PTCRB: Request For Testing (RFT)
Agilent Confidential
Certification database
15
When is a test case mandatory for Certification?... Does it apply to my
device? Has it been validated? …In which Test Platforms?
Agilent Confidential
Test Cases - Categories
A: Test case mandatory for
Certification.
B: Test case validated with
exceptions.
C: Test case validated but not
applicable for certification yet (due
to WI not active or frequency band
not active).
D: Test case downgraded.
P: Test case not validated in any
platform. It can only be validated at
a CAG meeting.
N: Test case not applicable.
16
Test Cases - Applicability
Dec. 1, 2011
Agilent Profile
17
PTCRB and GCF define a special field for every
test case in order to indicate whether the test case
has to be executed in all supported bands or
only in the „main band‟ supported.
In GCF:
• RF test cases (Sec. 6 and 7) and RRM test
cases from Sec. 9 shall be run for each band
supported by the Device.
• All other RF and RRM TCs, plus all protocol test
cases except for few exceptions, shall be run
only once in a band chosen by the Device
Manufacturer.
Agilent Confidential
Conformance Test Systems
(LTE)
Technologies RCT (RF) RRM PCT
RF
3GPP TS 36.521-1
RRM
3GPP TS 36.521-3
Signaling (PCT)
3GPP TS 36.523-1 T4010S
TP 95
T4020S
TP 112
T4110S
TP 94
18
Agilent Confidential
Agenda
The “Conformance Ecosystem”
- Concepts, LTE Ecosystem, 3GPP Specs, Validation,
GCF/PTCRB, Certification Database, etc.
LTE-Advanced – 3GPP Status and Certification
overview
- Intro, Carrier Aggregation types, 3GPP CA status, Rel.
11/12., etc.
Beyond Conformance: Carrier Acceptance
19
Agilent Confidential
LTE: “Industry Snapshot”
20
222 commercial LTE networks launched (260 forecast by the
end of 2013)
o 10% are TDD networks
o Less than 10% of those using 20 MHz (most using 10MHz)
www.gsacom.com
126 million LTE subscribers (100 million in 12 months)
o More than half in North America (64 million)
Over 1,000 LTE capable devices available
o 40% can operate in Band 3 and 7
o 20% support TDD bands
LTE is the fastest growing mobile technology ever…
but it is not 4G!
Agilent Confidential
Why LTE-Advanced?
21
IMT-Advanced Requirements
Based on an all-IP packet switch network
Scalable channel bandwidth between 5 and 20 MHz
Interoperability with existing wireless standards
Enhanced peak data rates to support advanced services
and applications -- 1 Gbps for low mobility
Agilent Confidential
Why LTE-Advanced?
22
IMT-Advanced Requirements
“Enhanced peak data rates to support advanced services and
applications (100 Mbit/s for high and 1 Gbit/s for low
mobility)”
Item Subcategory IMT-Adv LTE
Spectral
efficiency
(b/s/Hz)
Downlink 15
(4x4 MIMO)
16.3 (4x4 MIMO)
Uplink 6.75
(2x4 MIMO)
4.32 (64QAM)
Data rate
(Mbps)
Downlink 1000 300
Uplink 100 75
Agilent Confidential
LTE-Advanced features
23
Carrier Aggregation Enhanced MIMO
Het Nets
Higher data rates
(bps) Higher spectral
effiency
(bps/Hz)
Higher spectral
effiency
per coverage area
(bps/Hz/Km2)
Agilent Confidential
LTE-Advanced data rates
24
IMT-Advanced Requirements
“Enhanced peak data rates to support advanced services and
applications (100 Mbit/s for high and 1 Gbit/s for low
mobility)”
Item Subcategory IMT-Adv LTE
Spectral
efficiency
(b/s/Hz)
Downlink 15
(4x4 MIMO)
16.3 (4x4 MIMO)
Uplink 6.75
(2x4 MIMO)
4.32 (64QAM)
Data rate
(Mbps)
Downlink 1000 300
Uplink 100 75
LTE Rel.10
30 (8x8 MIMO)
15 (4x4 MIMO)
3000
1500
Agilent Confidential
LTE-A: UE Categories
25
UE
Category
Data Rate DL/UL
(Mbps)
Downlink Uplink
Max number
of layers
Max number
of layers
Support for
64QAM
1 10 / 5 1 1 No
2 50 / 25 2 1 No
3 100 / 50 2 1 No
4 150 / 50 2 1 No
5 300 / 75 4 1 Yes
6 300 / 50 2 or 4 1 or 2 No
7 300 / 100 2 or 4 1 or 2 No
8 3000 / 1500 8 4 Yes
LT
E
LT
E-A
Release Evolution
1999
2013
Release Stage 3: Core
specs complete
Main feature of Release
Rel-99 March 2000 UMTS 3.84 Mcps (W-CDMA FDD & TDD)
Rel-4 March 2001 1.28 Mcps TDD (aka TD-SCDMA)
Rel-5 June 2002 HSDPA
Rel-6 March 2005 HSUPA (E-DCH)
Rel-7 Dec 2007 HSPA+ (64QAM DL, MIMO, 16QAM UL). LTE & SAE
Feasibility Study, Edge Evolution
Rel-8 Dec 2008 LTE Work item – OFDMA air interface
SAE Work item – New IP core network
UMTS Femtocells, Dual Carrier HSDPA
Rel-9 Dec 2009 Multi-standard Radio (MSR), Dual Carrier HSUPA,
Dual Band HSDPA, SON, LTE Femtocells (HeNB)
LTE-Advanced feasibility study, MBSFN
Rel-10 March 2011 LTE-Advanced (4G) work item, CoMP Study
Four carrier HSDPA
Rel-11 Sept 2012 CoMP, eDL MIMO, eCA, MIMO OTA, HSUPA TxD &
64QAM MIMO, HSDPA 8C & 4x4 MIMO, MB MSR
Rel-12 March 2013 stage 1 New carrier type, LTE-Direct, Active Antenna Systems
26
Agilent Confidential
3GPP Status: (PCT) Release 8/9 Test Cases
27
TS 36.523-1 Protocol Conformance Rel. 8/9
Chapter 6 – Idle mode operations
Chapter 7 – Layer 2
Chapter 8 – RRC
Chapter 9 – EPS mobility management
Chapter 10 – EPS session management
Chapter 11 – General
Chapter 12 – E-UTRA radio bearer
Chapter 13 – Multi layer procedures
Chapter 14 – ETWS
≈ FDD: +400
TCs
TDD: +400
TCs
Agilent Confidential
3GPP Status: (RCT/RRM) Release 8/9 Test
Cases
28
TS 36.521-1 Radio transmission and reception
Rel. 8/9
Chapter 6 – Transmitter Characteristics
Chapter 7 – Receiver Characteristics
Chapter 8 – Performance Requirements
Chapter 9 – Reporting of CSI
TS 36.521-3 Radio Resource Management Rel.
8/9
Chapter 4 – RRC-IDLE Mobility
Chapter 5 – RRC-CONNECTED Mobility
Chapter 6 – Mobility Control
Chapter 7 – Timing Characteristics
Chapter 8 – UE measurement procedures
Chapter 9 – Measurements performance
Requirements
≈ FDD: +70
TCs
TDD: +70
TCs
≈ FDD: +60
TCs
TDD: +60
TCs
Agilent Confidential
Challenges of LTE UE Testing (I)
29
Many different LTE bands defined
Represent additional test requirements besides the inclusion of both
Frequency Division (FDD) and Time Division Duplex (TDD) modes.
Agilent Confidential
Challenges of LTE UE Testing (II)
30
OFDM and more bandwidths
The use of multiple subcarriers and the amount of BWs defined
dramatically increases the number of combinations under test.
Agilent Confidential
Challenges of LTE UE Testing (&
III)
31
Fading & AWGN simulators are required
Fading simulators and AWGN generators are
required tools for testing robustness due to
multipath reception and noise interference
effects.
Inter-RAT requirements
Testing LTE UEs require exercising other
radio access technologies (RAT) supported,
as well as new inter-RAT tests required by
the addition of LTE.
Testing time
The number of combinations to be tested is
enormous, thus the testing time required to
execute them.
Agilent Confidential
LTE Rel. 10 CA: 3GPP Status
32
Carrier Aggregation Enhanced MIMO
Het Nets
Higher data rates
(bps) Higher spectral
effiency
(bps/Hz)
Higher spectral
effiency
per coverage area
(bps/Hz/Km2)
Agilent Confidential
What is CA?
33
Carrier Aggregation is the first step of LTE
Advanced
Allows aggregation of fragmented
spectrum to create a fatter data pipe
Easily enables 150 Mbps (Category 4) in typical 10 MHz +
10 MHz deployments
Why?
Already being deployed by some
Network Operators worldwide
How?
When?
Agilent Confidential
What is CA?
34
Bandwidth extension by aggregating LTE component
carriers (CC)
o Up to 5 CC can be allocated in both DL and UL – 100 MHz
aggregated
o Components carriers are backwards compatible with Release 8
terminals
o Symmetric or asymmetric DL/UL CA configurations Motivation
o Achieve wider bandwidth transmissions (higher peak data rates)
o Facilitate efficient use of fragmented spectrum
Agilent Confidential
Carrier Aggregation - Types
35
Intra-Band
Easier types to improve TTM
RAN4
Operator
s
Inter-Band
Intra-Band non-
contiguous
Agilent Confidential
Carrier Aggregation – Types
36
Q3 2012 Q3 2013 Future
24 9 Inter-
band
Intra-
band
35 14 Inter-
band
Intra-
band
9 3 CC
33 58 70+
o UL carrier
aggregation
o TDD + FDD
aggregation
o More spectrum
FDD 1 or 2 CC
3 CC DL Only DL/UL
Inter 33 1 7
Intra 8 2 0
Inter-Intra -- -- 2
TDD 1 or 2 CC
DL Only DL/UL
Inter 1 0
Intra 3 1
CA Band
Combinations
CA Band
Combinations
CA Band
Combinations
Agilent Confidential
Carrier Aggregation – Who is driving the
Market?
37
Name Acronym Release WI_rapporteur Mode Carrier Aggregation of Band 1 and Band 21 LTE_CA_B1_B21 Rel-11 NTT DoCoMo FDD Inter-band Carrier Aggregation of Band 1 and Band 19 LTE_CA_B1_B19 Rel-11 NTT DoCoMo FDD Inter-band Carrier Aggregation of Band 4 and Band 7 LTE_CA_B4_B7 Rel-11 Rogers Wireless FDD Inter-band Carrier Aggregation of Band 3 and Band 5 LTE_CA_B3_B5 Rel-11 SK Telecom FDD Inter-band Carrier Aggregation of Band 5 and Band 17 LTE_CA_B5_B17 Rel-11 AT&T FDD Inter-band Carrier Aggregation of Band 4 and Band 5 LTE_CA_B4_B5 Rel-11 AT&T FDD Inter-band
Carrier Aggregation of Band 2 and Band 17 LTE_CA_B2_B17 Rel-11 AT&T FDD Inter-band Carrier Aggregation of Band 5 and Band 12 LTE_CA_B5_B12 Rel-11 US Cellular FDD Inter-band Carrier Aggregation of Band 4 and Band 17 LTE_CA_B4_B17 Rel-11 AT&T FDD Inter-band Intra-band non-contiguous Carrier Aggregation in Band 3 LTE_CA_NC_B3 Rel-12 SK Telecom FDD Intra-band Carrier Aggregation of Band 2 and Band 12 LTE_CA_B2_B12 Rel-12 US Cellular FDD Inter-band Carrier Aggregation of Band 39 and Band 41 LTE_CA_B39_B41 Rel-12 China Mobile TDD Inter-band Carrier Aggregation of Band 1 and Band 8 LTE_CA_B1_B8 Rel-12 Softbank Mobile FDD Inter-band Carrier Aggregation of Band 3 and Band 19 LTE_CA_B3_B19 Rel-12 NTT DOCOMO FDD Inter-band Carrier Aggregation of Band 23 and Band 29 LTE_CA_B23_B29 Rel-12 Dish Network FDD Inter-band Carrier Aggregation of Band 3 and Band 5 with 2UL LTE_CA_B3_B5_2UL Rel-12 SK Telecom FDD Inter-band Intra-band non-contiguous Carrier Aggregation in Band 4 LTE_CA_NC_B4 Rel-12 T-Mobile USA FDD Intra-band
Example of Band combinations defined by RAN4
Deployment in 2013!
Agilent Confidential LTE-CA: Certification Status
You are here
3GPP – RAN
PTCRB
2012 2013 2014
May
CA validation
Q2-2012
RFT103
Introduced
Sept-2012
Rel.11 WI
Intra/Inter band
GCF
PVG#57 PVG#61
Sept-2013
Rel.11 WI
closed
RAN#57 RAN#61 RAN5#59
CAG#34 CAG#35
April
CA WI
created
June
CA WI-162
Val
triggered
CAG#36
Oct-2013
CA
validation
PVG#62
August
May-2013
NEW Rel.11 WI
LTE CA
Enhancements
June-2014
Rel.11 WI
LTE-CA Enh
closed
38
PVG#63
Novembe
r
Agilent Confidential
LTE-CA: Certification Status (PTCRB)
40
PTCRB RFT (RFT-103) for Carrier Aggregation:
o Date of creation: PVG#57, March 2012
o First validations: PVG#61, June 2013
o Rapporteur: Jeff Narducci (Motorola)
o Scope: To cover certification requirements for devices supporting Rel.10 and Rel. 11
Carrier Aggregation essential requirements.
o Active Band combinations:
FDD CA_4_17
FDD CA_2_17
FDD CA_4_7
FDD CA_4_29
FDD CA_2_29
FDD CA_4_5
FDD CA_4_4 (non-contiguous)
FDD CA_5_17
FDD CA_2_4
FDD CA_5_29
FDD CA_2_5
Agilent Confidential
LTE-CA: Certification Status (GCF)
41
GCF Work Item (WI-162) for Carrier Aggregation:
o Date of creation: CAG#34, April 2013
o First validations: CAG#36, October 2013
o Rapporteur: Jussi Kuusisto (Nokia Corporation)
o Scope: Restricted to Carrier Aggregation for LTE (Release 10 and later) test
coverage.
o Active Band combinations:
FDD CA_1_29 (NTT Docomo)
FDD CA_1_21 (NTT Docomo)
FDD CA_3_8 (KT)
FDD CA_1_5 (LGU+)
FDD CA_1_18 (KDDI)
TDD CA_38 (CTTL)
TDD CA_40 (CTTL)
TDD CA_41 (Clearwire)
Agilent Confidential
LTE-CA: 3GPP Status
• RF: 62 test cases
• RRM: 16 test cases
• PCT: 36 test cases
Most of the CA test cases and procedures defined in Rel-10 for:
INTER-BAND (w/o UL CA) and
INTRA-BAND CONTIGUOUS (with & w/o UL CA)
42
Ongoing! CA TCs in Rel-11 new WI
INTRA-BAND NON-CONTIGUOUS
• RF: 13 test cases
• RRM: TBD
• PCT: 18 test cases
Outlook! New CA TCs expected in Rel-12
INTER-BAND 2 UL
LTE-CA 3GPP Status: RF Test Case Count
Intra-band Inter-band
Contiguous Non-Contiguous 3CC 2CC
2CC
TDD DL/UL
FDD DL
FDD DL/UL
TDD DL
13 14 13 (in progress) 0
10 13
29 0
0
0
0
29
0
0
43
Agilent Confidential
LTE-CA: RF Test Cases
44
TS 36.521-1 Radio transmission and reception
Rel. 10
Chapter 6 – Transmitter Characteristics
Output power
Transmitter in-channel (frequency error, EVM, IQ-offset)
Transmitter out-of-channel (ACLR, OBW, SEM)
Chapter 7 – Receiver Characteristics
Reference sensitivity and maximum input
Blocking and IM (ACS, blocking, intermodulation)
Chapter 8 – Performance Requirements
Single antenna
Open Loop SM 2x2
Closed Loop SM 4x2
Chapter 9 – Reporting of CSI
CQI reporting under AWGN
Agilent Confidential
LTE-CA: RF Test Cases
45
TS 36.521-1 Radio transmission and reception
Rel. 10
Chapter 6 – Transmitter Characteristics
Output power
Transmitter in-channel (frequency error, EVM, IQ-offset)
Transmitter out-of-channel (ACLR, OBW, SEM)
Chapter 7 – Receiver Characteristics
Reference sensitivity and maximum input
Blocking and IM (ACS, blocking, intermodulation)
Chapter 8 – Performance Requirements
Single antenna
Open Loop SM 2x2
Closed Loop SM 4x2
Chapter 9 – Reporting of CSI
CQI reporting under AWGN
Intra-Band DL/UL CA
21
8
4
1
Agilent Confidential
LTE-CA: RF Test Cases
46
TS 36.521-1 Radio transmission and reception
Rel. 10
Chapter 6 – Transmitter Characteristics
Output power
Transmitter in-channel (frequency error, EVM, IQ-offset)
Transmitter out-of-channel (ACLR, OBW, SEM)
Chapter 7 – Receiver Characteristics
Reference sensitivity and maximum input
Blocking and IM (ACS, blocking, intermodulation)
Chapter 8 – Performance Requirements
Single antenna
Open Loop SM 2x2
Closed Loop SM 4x2
Chapter 9 – Reporting of CSI
CQI reporting under AWGN
Inter-Band DL CA only
1
8
4
1
20 TCs
less
Agilent Confidential
LTE-CA: RF Inter-Band Test Cases
Number Name
Section 6: Transmitter Characteristics
6.2.5A.2 Configured UE transmitted Output Power for CA (inter-band DL CA without UL CA)
Section 7: Receiver Characteristics
7.3A.3 Reference sensitivity level for CA (inter-band DL CA without UL CA)
7.4A.3 Maximum input level for CA (inter-band DL CA without UL CA)
7.5A.3 Adjacent Channel Selectivity (ACS) for CA (inter-band DL CA without UL CA)
7.6.1A.3 In-band blocking for CA (inter-band DL CA without UL CA)
7.6.2A.3 Out-of-band blocking for CA (inter-band DL CA without UL CA)
7.6.3A.3 Narrow band blocking for CA (inter-band DL CA without UL CA)
7.7A.3 Spurious response for CA (inter-band DL CA without UL CA)
7.8.1A.3 Wideband intermodulation for CA (inter-band DL CA without UL CA)
Section 8: Performance Requirement
8.2.1.1.1_A.2 FDD PDSCH Single Antenna Port Performance for CA (inter band DL CA)
8.2.1.3.1_A.2 FDD PDSCH Open Loop Spatial Multiplexing 2x2 for CA (inter-band DL CA)
8.2.1.4.2_A.2 FDD PDSCH Closed Loop Multi Layer Spatial Multiplexing 4 x 2 for CA (inter band DL CA)
8.7.1.1_A.2 FDD sustained data rate performance for CA (inter-band DL CA)
Section 9: Performance Requirement
9.6.1.1_A.2 FDD CQI Reporting under AWGN conditions – PUCCH 1-0 for CA (inter band DL CA)
Inter-Band without UL CA Test Cases (14)
47
Agilent Confidential
LTE-CA: Categorization of requirements
48
Additional Test Requirements:
o Suffix A: Additional requirements to support Carrier Aggregation
o Suffix B: Additional requirements to support UL-MIMO
o Suffix C: TBD
o Suffix D: Additional requirements to support eDL-MIMO
Examples:
7.3A.1 Reference sensitivity level for CA (intra-band contiguous DL CA and UL CA)
7.3A.2 Reference sensitivity level for CA (intra-band contiguous DL CA without UL CA)
7.3A.3 Reference sensitivity level for CA (inter-band DL CA without UL CA)
7.3A.4 Reference sensitivity level for CA (intra-band non-contiguous DL CA without UL CA)
Agilent Confidential
LTE-CA: Testing challenges (I)
49
• CA testing requires emulating
multiple cells and
combination of bands.
• Analyze multiple Tx/Rx
chains simultaneously in
multiple bands.
• CA performance test setups
are complex (multiple cells,
faders, AWGN generators and
combination circuitry).
• Complex connections with
test systems due to different
UE antenna configurations.
Agilent Confidential
50
Test Challenge #1 : Demodulating Inter-Band aggregated
signals require signal analyzer with bandwidth that spans
multiple frequency bands.
Test Challenge #2 : Intermodulation and cross-modulation
within the UE. Need to design front-end components that help
reduce harmonics and other intermodulation products.
Test Challenge #3 : When Inter-Band aggregation and
MIMO spatial multiplexing is combined, test set-ups may
become very complex.
LTE-CA: Testing challenges (II)
Agilent Confidential
…to remember…
Carrier aggregation is the first step of LTE
Advanced.
Carrier aggregation is a huge topic in 3GPP.
3GPP Conformance definition is still in progress.
Validation has started. Certification will follow soon...
also in Band 31!
2CC Inter-Band DL (only) is the most demanded CA
flavor today.
Intermodulation and self-blocking is one of the major
RF test challenges.
51
Agilent Confidential
Agenda
The “Conformance Ecosystem”
- Concepts, LTE Ecosystem, 3GPP Specs, Validation,
GCF/PTCRB, Certification Database, etc.
LTE-Advanced – 3GPP Status and Certification
overview
- Intro, Carrier Aggregation types, 3GPP CA status, Rel.
11/12., etc.
Beyond Conformance: Carrier Acceptance
Q&A
52
53
LTE Device Acceptance
Based on the work of the “Conformance Ecosystem”
some Network Operators design their own “Acceptance Test Plans”
Agilent Confidential
Device Acceptance Test Plans
54
Designed around specific characteristics and conditions of the
wireless network to cover a multitude of scenarios that stress both
network and UEs.
Details of an operator‟s acceptance tests are usually confidential and
differ in specifications tested, measurement limits and
implementation.
Operator‟s technical requirements usually are:
• Regulatory: RF/EMC/Safety tests according to country standards
• Conformance: Tests against specific standards RF/protocol/SIM
• Interoperability: Tests compatibility between devices and devices to
network.
• Functional Tests: Verification of functionalities and features.
• User Experience: Quality tests according to users expectations.
• Reliability: Endurance, extreme tests considering usage and different
climatic conditions.
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55
Ready for CA Testing
2 CCs, up to MIMO 4x2 each
Combined or independent
TX/RX
3GPP Fading Profiles
Integrated channel
emulator
and
AWGN generator
Test Set Configuration
with 2 independent LTE
cells.
Covers RF, RRM and
Protocol conformance &
Network Operator Test
Plans
+ accuracy as required by 3GPP test standards
+ UL measurements Sensitivity and Receiver Performance
in a One Box solution
Agilent´s T2010A LTE Test Set
Beyond Conformance
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Agilent Confidential
56
H05 H06
Yes Yes
No Partial
Yes Yes
Partial Partial
Yes Yes
Partial Partial
Partial Partial
Partial Partial
Beyond Conformance (II)
H01 H02 H10 H11
Release 8 in-channel Yes Yes Yes Yes
out-of-channel No Partial Yes Yes
Release 9 Yes Yes Yes Yes
Carrier Aggregation No No Partial Yes
CAT
T-Mobile Yes Yes Yes Yes
AT&T Partial Partial Partial Yes
Verizon B13 Partial Partial Partial Yes
Sprint B25 Partial Partial Partial Yes
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Agilent Confidential
Thank you!
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