Understanding RF Network Design for Long Term Evolution (LTE)™

Training Format: ILT
Course Code: RFLTE

For a Class Schedule Contact TRA a 800.872.4736

Description

This is a Hands-on course, designed to provide the student with an in-depth understanding of the technical aspects of design, analysis and deployment of an LTE RF system. Throughout this course, the student will gain in-depth knowledge through calculator exercises and detailed analysis using provided spreadsheets. Each module of this course builds upon the previous modules, culminating in the use of a propagation modeling tool to estimate the performance of an LTE network, based on equipment specifications, system configuration and environmental variables.

Expected Outcome

At the end of this course, the student should be able to:

Compare LTE to 3G (CDMA) and 4G (WiMAX) technologies
Describe the basic LTE frame structure and function
Discuss the benefits and limits of MIMO and Adaptive Arrays for LTE
Perform an LTE link budget using equipment specifications
Estimate path loss using both physical and empirical models
Explain the use of SC-FDMA to improve amplifier efficiency on the uplink
Describe Fractional Frequency Reuse (FFR) for LTE
Describe the timing options available for LTE deployments
Compare different approaches for backhauling LTE
Compare the use of oversubscription to traffic engineering rules

Course Outline

LTE Technology Overview

LTE Technology Variations
The LTE Radio Access Network
The LTE Evolved Core Network
LTE vs. Mobile WiMAX for 4G

Review of RF Fundamentals

Basic Radio Link Considerations
Basics of Information Transfer for Radio
Working with Decibels
Digital Modulation and Error Correction Techniques for LTE

Antenna Considerations for LTE

General Antenna Types
Antenna Characteristics
Antenna Diversity Techniques
Advanced Antenna Systems for LTE

RF Network Design Considerations

Operating Frequency and Bandwidth
Sources of Noise and Interference
Limiting Factors in Cellular Deployments

LTE Link Budget Analysis

Equipment: Parameters and Configuration
Link Margins and Service Objectives
Receive System Performance Analysis
Co-location Issues for LTE
Performing a Link Budget

Path Loss Modeling: LOS and NLOS

Radio Propagation Mechanisms
Free Space Path Loss Analysis for Line-of Sight
Modeling Non-Line-of-Sight Path Loss

LTE and the NLOS Environment

Impairments due to Multipath in the NLOS Environment
The Wide-band Channel and Inter-symbol Interference (ISI)
Mitigating ISI with OFDM
S-OFDMA: Balancing ISI and Doppler
The LTE Downlink: S-OFDMA
Reducing PAPR using SC-FDMA for the LTE Uplink

Frequency Reuse Techniques for LTE

Overview of Frequency Reuse
LTE and Fractional Frequency Reuse (FFR)

Timing and Synchronization for LTE Networks

Overview of Network Timing Systems
Clocking in Asynchronous Networks

The "Flat Earth" Model: Engineering and Business

Balancing Engineering and Business Needs
Capacity Sites vs. Coverage Sites
Dimensioning an LTE Network: CAPEX/OPEX Considerations
"Flat Earth" to Real World
High Bit Rate Backhaul Options for LTE

Oversubscription and Traffic Engineering

Simplifying Capacity Design with Oversubscription
Utilization and Delay in Single-server and Multi-server Systems
Modeling a Single-server System: An LTE Backhaul
Modeling a Multi-server System: An LTE Sector

Modeling an LTE Deployment Environment

Real-world Deployment Considerations
Empirical vs. Physical Propagation Models
Equipment Selection Considerations
Modeling the Propagation Environment
Modeling System Performance Based on C/I+N
Performing a Coverage Study with a Modeling Tool