4G – Long Term Evolution (LTE) Air Interface

Course Overview

Long Term Evolution (LTE) is the new 3GPP standard for wireless broad band data services. It comprises E-UTRA network, which uses OFDMA technology and EPC (Evolved Packet Core), an all-IP core network. This framework allows the migration of 3GPP system towards packet-optimized system that supports multiple RATs (Radio Access Technologies), higher-data-rates and lower-latencies. Also it provides an evolutionary path for 3GPP and non-3GPP legacy technologies.

This course provides an in-depth discussion of LTE air interface. It begins with an overview of LTE/E-UTRAN network architecture and protocols and introduces OFDMA, the key technology of LTE, and then discusses the DL and UL channels, signals and operations. This is followed by a comprehensive discussion of MAC, RLC and PHY layers of the LTE air interface.

Course Schedule

Request Group Training

Target Audience

Personnel involved in mobile operation, maintenance and planning.

Course Prerequisites

4G – Long Term Evolution (LTE) System Survey

Expected Accomplishments

Describe network architecture evolution OFDM Basics

Explain OFDM Concepts

Understand in details the physical layer and operations in mobility and idle mode

Describe MIMO in LTE

Understand MAC and RLC in details

Study LTE Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) Layer

Explain the details of RRC layer and operations

Course Outline

Evolved Packet System Network Architecture & Protocols

Describe network architecture evolution

Explain Evolved Packet System (EPS) network entities and interfaces

Describe EPS user and control plane protocol stacks

Identify basic EPS Security aspects

Explain mobility management, session management, and IP connectivity aspects

Explain EPS QoS architecture and principles

OFDM basics

Explain OFDM basic concepts

OFDMA, multipath and cyclic prefix

Understand OFDM and SC-FDMA

E-UTRA Essentials

Identify the main E-UTRA Air Interface capabilities

Air Interface peak data rates and UE categories

Understand E-UTRA Downlink and Uplink time and frequency organization

Define the components of the E-UTRA UL/DL resource grid

DL/UL scheduling and interference management

E-UTRA Downlink (DL) Channels, signals & operation

Discuss E-UTRA DL physical channels and signals

Discuss the initial acquisition procedure

Describe DL shared channel operation

Describe the role of DL control channels in DL operation

Understand how channel feedback information is reported by the UE in the UL

Describe DL HARQ operation

Describe DL data transfer modes

MIMO in LTE

E-UTRA Uplink (UL) Channels, signals and operation

Describe E-UTRA UL channels and channel mapping onto time/frequency resources

Describe E-UTRA UL operations

Comparison between LTE and HSPA operations

LTE Physical Layer

Describe frame, subframe, and slot structure in Downlink and Uplink

Describe resource block and resource elements

Describe physical layer processing for Downlink and Uplink channels

Describe reference signals used in Downlink and Uplink

LTE Medium Access Control (MAC) Layer

Describe key MAC functions

Explain channel mapping and multiplexing

Describe MAC PDU formats for different transport channels

Describe RACH procedure

Explain timing alignment and (DRX) procedures

LTE Radio Link Control (RLC) Layer

List the functions of RLC

Describe the different RLC modes in LTE

Compare RLC implementations in LTE and HSPA

Describe the re-segmentation process for retransmissions

LTE PDCP Layer

Provide an overview of PDCP

Describe PDCP data and control PDU formats

Describe PDCP functions

LTE and HSPA comparison

LTE RRC Layer

Provide an overview of RRC in LTE

Describe idle mode procedure

Show what RRC signaling is used in Connected mode

Describe Radio Link Failure (RLF) Handling in UE