Carrier Aggregation Feature of LTE Advanced Networks
May 27, 2016
A powerful feature of LTE Advanced, carrier aggregation, is the next big step in the evolution of LTE networks. It is being adopted across the globe at a rapid pace as it increases the performance of wireless networks significantly. Wireless operators using carrier aggregation gain the advantages of better peak user throughput, more efficient use of spectrum and greater flexibility in increasing overall cell capacity. Users benefit by getting higher speed data connections consistently and this leads to the overall quality of experience being improved.
Network operators using carrier aggregation can create bigger channels from spectrum blocks that are not adjacent. An operator could for example use 10 MHz from the 2100 MHz band and combine it with 5 MHz from the 700 MHz band to create one 15 MHz LTE channel. Carrier aggregation channels are also not limited to a maximum of 20 MHz, but can be combined up to a single 100 MHz LTE channel.
The industry group 3GPP defining LTE Release 10 led to carrier aggregation being used for the first time. New releases of LTE specify more band combinations for use in various global regions. It is expected that carrier aggregation technology will carry on improving in new LTE releases. New technologies that enable the efficient use of spectrum, including carrier aggregation, will be a major part of 5G.
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4 comments
Aren’t LTE networks on the way out? I don’t know why this article is up here. You should either delete it or put some kind of update letting people know what the status of LTE is. Otherwise, it’s a waste of time reading.
Carrier Aggregation benefits sound helpful for making the use of any LTE network. The concept of LTE carrier aggregation band combinations sounds simple, yet extremely powerful. I’d like to see a detailed LTE carrier aggregation tutorial to see how to make the most of carrier aggregation. I’d like to see carrier aggregation on or off and what it results in. If anyone knows of a carrier aggregation wiki here or elsewhere, let me know.
This blog shows what it is all about-getting fast data speed, clear calls, and no dropped calls from your cell phones. People rely on cell phones too much not to have the service they pay for. I like that things like cell phone boosters, DAS installation, and carrier aggregation can help make this happen on a consistent basis.
I want to make sure I understand this concept. Is this blog saying the carrier aggregation discussed here mean network operators can pick and choose from existing bands to an entirely new channel? That seems like it would be a fantastic tool to have for making cell phone calls and other data transfers go faster and clearer. When you combine this new power with the signal boosting capability of cell phone boosters and DAS design, you might finally have networks that can keep up with demand.