LTE TDD as Capacity Expansion for Existing

LTE FDD
Theres been discussion in the industry about two variants of LTE: FDD-LTE
(Frequency Division Duplexing LTE) and TDD-LTE (Time Division Duplexing LTE).
Historically, global spectrum has been allocated in both paired (FDD) and unpaired
(TDD) configurations. Older 1G, 2G and 3G wireless technologies were all rooted in
voice services, which required paired spectrum. Newer generations of wireless
technologies, which focus exclusively on packet data services, tend to used
unpaired spectrum. LTE was designed from inception to combine FDD and TDD into
a single technology solution for 4G and beyond: The LTE network architecture,
protocol stack, radio management, and MAC layers are identical, and there are only
minor differences in about 15 percent of the physical layer 1. All of the key features
of LTE and LTEAdvanced are identical for both FDD and TDD.
For most operators, deciding which variant to use is simply a function of the
regulatory rules associated with their spectrum and the legacy technologies they
already support in their network. FDD-LTE is the natural choice for most operators
around the world, since they are adopting 4G by transforming their existing 2G and
3G FDD networks. In contrast, newer operators who deploy Greenfield 4G networks
(or whose networks have evolved from earlier 3G/4G technologies which used TDD
spectrum) will naturally gravitate to TDD-LTE.

LTE TDD and LTE FDD Differences

From a technical standpoint, few significant differences exist between FDD and TDD
on the physical layer and, in particular, with the frame structure. On the higher
layers, the differences are limited to configurability of the physical layer and
negligible timing relations due to the discontinuous nature of uplink and downlink.
Some of the major advantages of TDD follow:

Frame structure. TD-LTE supports a special subframe for switching from DL

to UL and to ensure coexistence with other TDD systems.
Random access. Additional short random access format and multiple
random access channels are available in special subframes.
Scheduling. Multi-subframe scheduling is supported for the uplink flow.
ACK/NACK. Bundling of acknowledgements or multiple acknowledgements
are allowed on the uplink control channel.
H-ARQ process number. Variable number of H-ARQ processes is possible,
depending on UL/DL allocation.

Overall, the biggest benefit of TD-LTE is the flexibility it offers to operators in

adjusting the DL/UL ratio. This feature allows operators to configure the DL/UL ratio
to suit the traffic ratio on their network.

Figure 1. LTE TDD Performance Flexibility

A common perception in the industry is that LTE TDD does not match LTE FDD for
coverage. It is true that FDD systems transmit data over half the bandwidth, for
twice as long as TDD Systems. For example a 2x5MHz FDD system transmits data
over 5MHz bandwidth for the entire frame; by comparison, a 10 MHz TDD system
will transmit data over a 10 MHz bandwidth for about half of the frame. If both
systems transmit at 200 mW, power is more concentrated for FDD (40mW/MHz for
FDD, 20mW/MHz for TDD), so the range of an FDD system will be larger than TDDs.
To achieve identical range, the power at the antenna of a TDD system needs to be
2x (3dB) higher than the power at the antenna of an FDD system. However, an FDD
system transmits 2x longer than a TDD system, so the net energy (Power x Time)
transmitted from the antenna is identical for both cases. Neglecting component
losses, FDD and TDD systems are identical in terms of energy consumption.
Additionally, in an FDD system, as the UL and DL operate in separate frequencies,
there is a need for a Duplexer Filter to protect the sensitive receiver from Tx Noises.
Nonetheless, the duplexer module, based on the duplex spacing, will add to the
power consumption of the power amplifier (PA). As there is no need for a duplexer in
TDD Systems, typically the TDD systems will have >50% better battery life than
FDD systems.

Table 1. Power Amplifier and Battery Consumptions Comparison

Peak Spectral Efficiency (PSE)

The PSE is defined in ITU-R (2008). It is basically the highest theoretical data rate
normalized by bandwidth assignable to a single mobile station assuming error-free
conditions. The WINNER+ IEG evaluated PSE for LTE-A FDD mode and TDD mode in
UL and DL. In addition to evaluation configuration parameters provided in (ITU-R
2009) with up to 4 Rx and 4 Tx antennas at the base station and up to 4 Rx and 2
Tx antennas at the mobile station, configurations with up to eight antennas were
investigated for information purposes. From a mathematical point of view the PSE
calculation is not demanding. It is simply the number of data bits that can be
transmitted divided by the bandwidth and the time needed for that transmission.
But LTE-A, like any other mobile radio system, needs overheads that do not
contribute to the data rate. Reference and synchronization signals as well as
broadcast channels and control signaling with channels carrying different indicators
and control information from such overheads. Depending on the mode and the
direction of transmission, different overhead types have to be taken into account. In
TDD mode the guard period (GP), which separates DL and UL transmission in time
domain adds additional overheads. The TD-LTE spectral efficiency is slightly
degraded because of the additional overhead due to GAP period.

Figure 2. LTE Peak Spectral Efficiency Comparison

LTE TDD as Capacity Expansion

TDD spectrum can provide substantial additional bandwidth per operator in almost
all countries. Even so, it will be critical for operators to use the available spectrum
and other network resources as efficiently as possible if they hope to keep pace with
demand and provide an excellent high-speed mobile broadband service for
customers. 3GPP has defined 10 frequency bands for TD-LTE and 23 for FDD-LTE.
The TD-LTE frequency bands currently attracting the most interest are 2.6 GHz and
2.3 GHz, while the recently ratified 3.4-3.8 GHz bands are also likely to play an
important role by making 400 MHz of fresh spectrum bandwidth available in many
countries. In fact, TDD spectrum can provide substantial additional bandwidth per
operator in almost all countries.

Figure 3. TDD can be used to provide more DL capacity with the flexible DL/UL ratio
There are possible co-deployment scenarios for FDD and TDD using different
frequency bands:

Co-located cells may use different frequency bands over the same footprint.
Both networks offer full coverage of the same area. This can be an
economical option, since both technologies occupy the same real estate, use
the same backhaul and potentially the same core network.
Alternatively, co-located sites may not have the same cell footprint. This
might be the natural result of using two very different frequencies, with

different path loss characteristics resulting in concentric rings around each

base station that are best served by the different frequency bands.
Some operators may opt to deploy TDD to cover hotspots, enabling traffic to
be offloaded from the wider FDD network.

Figure 4. Example of LTE TDD deployment on top of LTE FDD

Existing FDD networks can leverage LTE TDD for targeted capacity expansions,
ensuring a larger economy of scale by utilizing common EPC network architecture
wherever possible. TDD is excellent for hot-spot expansions. LTE TDD is an excellent
indoor complement for small nodes because it does not interfere with the FDD
network. It is the ideal technology to leverage unpaired spectrum, which is typically
available at higher frequency bands optimal for capacity expansion, making it less
fragmented. A mix of LTE TDD hot-spots with LTE FDD macro cells will boost
capacity and expand coverage. A mix of LTE TDD hot-spots with LTE FDD macro cells
will boost capacity and expand coverage.
Normally there are two phases in deploying LTE TDD as complement for existing LTE
FDD Network:

Phase I, interoperability between LTE FDD and LTE TDD is implemented using
coverage and load balancing based handover
Phase II, upon the availability of supporting terminal, joint operation of LTE
FDD and LTE TDD is implemented using Carrier Aggregation

Previously, CA (Carrier Aggregation) has been possible only between FDD and FDD
spectrum or between TDD and TDD spectrum. 3GPP has finalized the work on TDDFDD CA, which offers the possibility to aggregate FDD and TDD carriers jointly. The
main target with introducing the support for TDD-FDD CA is to allow the network to
boost the user throughput by aggregating both TDD and FDD toward the same UE.
This will allow the network to boost the UE throughput independently from where
the UE is in the cell (at least for DL CA).

Figure 5. FDD-TDD LTE Carrier Aggregation

TDD and FDD CA would also allow dividing the load more quickly between the TDD
and FDD frequencies. In short, TDD-FDD CA extends CA to be applicable also in
cases where an operator has spectrum allocation in both TDD and FDD bands. The
typical benefits of CA more flexible and efficient utilization of spectrum resources
are also made available for a combination of TDD and FDD spectrum resources. The
Rel-12 TDD-FDD CA design supports either a TDD or FDD cell as the primary cell.
CA is an effective tool to combine together fragmented operator spectrum and
deliver higher throughputs with a bigger spectrum pipe. However, CA has several
additional benefits:

Higher speeds. Aggregation of carriers increases spectrum resources,

which provides higher speeds across the cell coverage
Capacity gain. Aggregating multiple carriers increases spectrum but also
includes trunking gains from dynamically scheduling traffic across the entire
spectrum. This in turn increases cell capacity and network efficiency and
improves the experiences of all users. A user previously facing congestion on
one carrier can be seamlessly scheduled on a carrier with more capacity and
maintain a consistent experience.
Optimum utilization of an operators spectrum resources. The majority
of operators have fragmented spectrum covering different bands and
bandwidths. Carrier Aggregation helps combine these into more valuable
spectrum resource.

ZTE LTE FDD + LTE TDD Solution for Telkomsel

With the multi-mode era coming, ZTE, who is one of the top players in providing
comprehensive network solutions and delivering the future-oriented quality network
for operators, has developed the cutting-edge SDR Unified platform with the
essential feature to support multi-mode and multi-band radio access.
The SDR Unified platform aim is to design a unified network which can bring
seamless experience to operators. For any network in GSM, UMTS, LTE FDD or LTE
TDD, ZTE proposed solution enables Telkomsel to save CAPEX and OPEX

significantly because they only need to deploy a Uni-Radio Access Network. The
following figure and table show typical upgrade that is required to upgrade eNodeB
from LTE FDD to LTE FDD + LTE TDD in Telkomsel network:

Figure 6. FDD LTE Upgrade to LTE FDD + LTE TDD

Table 2. FDD LTE Upgrade to LTE FDD + LTE TDD Module Requirements

The B8200 BBU is shared between LTE FDD and LTE TDD, including its PM, SA, FAM,
and CC boards. Because LTE TDD is operating in different frequency, new RRU is
required to deploy LTE TDD in the designated band. For LTE TDD in 2300MHz ZTE
propose R8984E as RRU. R8984E features 4T4R, and is capable to support beam
forming and 4x4 MIMO.
Unified solution from ZTE also enables the implementation of common transmission
between LTE FDD and LTE TDD as follow:

Backhaul is shared by FDD and TDD and different IP/VLAN is allocated to

FDD/TDD
Transmission priority can be configured according to the service type of
TDD/FDD
Congestion control is carried by transmission equipment according to
TDD/FDDs service message

Figure 7. FDD LTE and LTE TDD Co-Transport

ZTE NetNumen U31 system can provide a centralized solution to manage the whole
radio network, including GSM, UMTS, and LTE FDD and LTE TDD infrastructure. U31
is located in the Element Management Layer of TMN (TelecommUnication
Management Network) model, and interconnects with the upper level NMS (Network
Management System) through northbound interface. Below figure shows the role of
U31 in network in managing both LTE FDD and LTE TDD:

Figure 8. Unified O&M Solution

The main functions of NetNumen U31 includes: fault management, configuration
management, performance management, security management, topology
management, system management, software management, signaling tracing and
northbound interfaces, etc. The dimension of OMC is based on number of cells in

the whole network. Based on the cell number in each region, ZTE propose EMS
solution with corresponding capacity.

Glossary
3GPP

3rd Generation Partnership Project

AAA

Authentication, Authorization, Accounting

BBU

Base band Unit

BS

Base Station

CAPEX

Capital Expenditures

CC

Control Central

CN

Core Network

DL

Downlink

eNodeB

Evolved Node B

EPC

Evolved Packet Core

EPS

Evolved Packet System

E-UTRA

Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access

E-UTRAN

Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network

FDD

Frequency Division Duplex

LTE

Long Term Evolution

MAC

Medium Access Control

MIMO

Multiple In Multiple Out

OMC

Operation and Maintenance Centre

OAM

Operation Administration Maintenance

OPEX

Operating Expense

QoS

Quality of Service

RRU

Remote Radio Unit

SAE

System Architecture Evolution

SISO

Single In Single Out

UE

User Equipment

UL

Uplink