What are the CA bands for LTE?
Carrier Aggregation is a key feature of LTE that allows mobile devices to combine multiple LTE carriers from different frequency bands to increase data throughput and overall network capacity.
Here is a table outlining the Carrier Aggregation (CA) bands for LTE:
| Band Combination | Frequency Bands (MHz) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 + Band 3 | 2100 (B1) + 1800 (B3) | Common combination in some regions |
| Band 1 + Band 5 | 2100 (B1) + 850 (B5) | Used in some countries for LTE-A |
| Band 1 + Band 8 | 2100 (B1) + 900 (B8) | Found in certain regions for CA |
| Band 3 + Band 5 | 1800 (B3) + 850 (B5) | Common combination in some regions |
| Band 3 + Band 7 | 1800 (B3) + 2600 (B7) | Used for high-capacity LTE-A networks |
| Band 3 + Band 8 | 1800 (B3) + 900 (B8) | Deployed in some countries for additional capacity |
| Band 3 + Band 20 | 1800 (B3) + 800 (B20) | Used for extended coverage in LTE-A networks |
| Band 5 + Band 7 | 850 (B5) + 2600 (B7) | Found in certain LTE-A networks |
| Band 7 + Band 20 | 2600 (B7) + 800 (B20) | Used for extended coverage and capacity |
| Band 38 + Band 40 | 2600 (B38) + 2300 (B40) | TDD LTE bands for CA in some regions |
| Band 41 + Band 41 | 2500 (B41) + 2500 (B41) | TDD LTE bands for intra-band CA |
| Band 1 + Band 3 + Band 5 | 2100 (B1) + 1800 (B3) + 850 (B5) | Tri-band CA for higher throughput |
| Band 3 + Band 7 + Band 20 | 1800 (B3) + 2600 (B7) + 800 (B20) | Tri-band CA for capacity and coverage |
| Band 1 + Band 3 + Band 7 | 2100 (B1) + 1800 (B3) + 2600 (B7) | Tri-band CA for a balanced approach |
| Band 3 + Band 5 + Band 8 | 1800 (B3) + 850 (B5) + 900 (B8) | Tri-band CA for increased capacity |
Note: These are just a few examples of LTE CA band combinations. The availability of specific band combinations can vary by region and depends on the LTE network’s configuration.
LTE Carrier Aggregation bands:
- Band Numbers: LTE frequency bands are numbered sequentially, such as Band 1, Band 3, Band 5, and so on. Each band corresponds to a specific range of radio frequencies.
- Frequency Bands: The table includes the frequency bands in megahertz (MHz) for each band combination. These frequencies represent the uplink (mobile device to the base station) and downlink (base station to the mobile device) channels used for data transmission.
- Description: The description column provides a brief overview of the common use or purpose of each band combination. This may include whether it’s used for capacity enhancement, extended coverage, or specific regional deployments.
- TDD Bands: Some bands, such as Band 38 and Band 40, are part of the TDD (Time Division Duplex) LTE spectrum. These bands are primarily used for regions where TDD technology is prevalent.
- Tri-band CA: Tri-band Carrier Aggregation involves aggregating three LTE bands to further increase data throughput and network capacity. It’s a strategy often used to achieve a balance between capacity, coverage, and speed.
LTE Carrier Aggregation is a crucial technology in modern cellular networks, as it allows for efficient use of available spectrum and enables faster data speeds. The specific band combinations used by network operators may vary based on their deployment strategies and regional spectrum allocations.