Study Item for cellular communication at above 6GHz spectrum

3GPP - is not just 3G now..

Lot of activities and expectation from the  next generation 5G technology are in full swing among different forums and academics groups. 3GPP the standardization body has also started studying the components which are likely to be the building blocks of 5G technology. Some of the key technologies that are expected to be the center of 5G systems are Massive MIMO and mmWave. 

Some of the leading companies like Samsung, NSN, Ericsson, ZTE, Huawei have been contributing to the study of new schemes for Release 13 of LTE. During the recent 3GPP RAN1 meeting (#81, Fukuoka, Japan) the study of FD-MIMO was completed, where the group demonstrated (through simulation) and concluded that significant gains can be achieved by using Active Antenna Systems (AAS) with controllable electronic beams rather than the conventional sector antenna. 

With demanding spectrum, the next generation networks are gazing at higher bands above 6GHz to satisfy high data rate as well as more connected devices. During the RAN Plenary meeting (#68 at Sweden), Samsung submitted a study proposal to study the channel models at 28GHz, where 500+MHz bandwidth are available and suitable for cellular communication for cell of size ~200m. 

Contribution available here 

Proposed target date to develop channel model is Q1 2016 (Coincides with 3GPP RAN1#84bis at Seoul). The objective is to extend the 3GPP 3D-channel model for the higher bands.

Additional Study Item proposal by CMCC -  Study on Scenarios and Requirements for Next Generation Access Technologies (5G) [ppt]

Modelling cellular system

In my previous post, I uploaded a snap shot of GUI version of my simulator. Am interested in developing a professional multi-cell deployment simulator tool with the following features. The targeted end-user client would be an cellular operator, vendor, network deployment study team or non-profit organization for generating whitepapers.

Deployment trends in cellular communication will take a new paradigm shift. Unlike the sectorized deployment of narrowband systems like GSM, the broadband systems like LTE, WiMAX will do frequence reuse deployment. The primary service on these networks are packet data service. The goal would be to provide any-time UP kind of data-pipe, similar to a dedicated broadband DSL connection. Whether the packet data is short time (like Social Network, Messenger updates, or Push POP notifications) or long session connections like watching streaming video (iptv, youtube, widevine ) or uploading live video ( justin TV, ustream). And a reliable connection on-the-go (Dont want a banking transaction query or link to break).  This requires to have sufficient coverage to provide a minimal reliable throughput link. 

Small cell deployments in next generation wireless technology

In my opinion, this is going to drive the new deployment strategy. LTE is purely a data aimed technology. Compared to earlier wireless technology 3G,GSM, cdma2000 which primarily was focused on providing voice.

Think of voice, which consumed the a good and reliable amount of wireless resource (time (GSM slots) or codes (cdma/wcdma long codes)) for short duration of time. While when one is talking about packet services. One does not want to "dial-up" a data session. Its an always on connectivity when you are connected to through a 4G-MOBILE terminal. The "dongle" based access is a different case.

Mobile Broadband in India

"A comment that I had written on a discussion regarding mobile broadband in India on BWA spectrum"


Personally, I believe there is first need to drive the need for BROADBAND for common man. Probably the operator will have enough time to study the market after the 3G deployment. India has wide range of user-base. Dongles are not the business for common man. Who needs "data" and what goes on "data" will be drive the mode of deployment of BROADBAND.

Telecom India: So much rubbish on LTE/WiMAX in Media

Telecom India: So much rubbish on LTE/WiMAX in Media

Check out the recent blog of a friend on the "mis-leading" information of the media on the wireless spectrum auction and the technology itself.