It is very important when we talk about LTE Planning frequency band selection and Cyclic Prefix planning here I write basic background of it.
Frequency Band Selection
As many Operators worldwide possess spectrum in various frequency bands, choosing which band to use for LTE is always an important consideration. Parameters that will affect the overall cell coverage I will write next. However, it is important to remember many components on the radio path will have slightly different properties at different frequency bands which will modify the final cell coverage radius.
For example, antenna gain, feeder loss, power amplifier output, propagation characteristics, cell edge user throughput and penetration loss are all dependent on the operating frequency chosen.
Results shown below are typical comparison in coverage radius between different frequency bands. Final results are highly dependent on the actual parameters used for customer design.
Cyclic Prefix Planning
Although Cyclic Prefix is not directly related to frequency or spectrum allocation, it will impact the actual cell range that can be served from a logical and signal processing perspective. By carrying a smaller number of symbols (6), a bigger cyclic prefix is configured per cell to allow a bigger delay in propagation. This is also known as long CP.
The figure below shows the difference in symbol configurations between the normal, 7 symbols configuration (norma lCP) against 6 symbols (long CP configuration)
Placing Multiple Technologies @ Multiple Frequency Band
Choosing which technologies for which spectrum is a major challenge for many Operators worldwide. It is highly dependent on what the Operator already owned and what is their future business plan.
Typically, higher frequency bands are likely to deploy more data centric services for high density area .As a result, LTE is more likely the technology of choice for most Operators looking at launching data services in the higher frequency band.
The figure below just some 1 example of what customer may do with multiple technologies and their evolution in different frequency band. It is the responsibility of the radio planner and account managers to work with customer to determine the best combination to meet their interest.
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