6/12/2017 LTEPeakCapacityExplained:HowtoCalculateit?

FrankRayal

Frank Rayal
Strategic insights & advisory in telecom and technology

LTE Peak Capacity Explained: How to Calculate it?

By Frank Rayal | June 27, 2011 42 Comments

I like to focus on LTE capacity in the next few blog entries and present what can realistically be obtained. I have
seen wild gures, mainly pushed by system vendors and consumed by many operators, journalist and writers
who like to wow readers of the promise of new technologies. For network operators, erring on capacity
expectations has negative consequences as capacity fundamentally impact the cost of the network both on
the access side and the backhaul side. In ated capacity gures would lead to under-dimensioning on the
access side and over-dimensioning on the backhaul side. So, for example, if we think LTE cell will provide 100
Mbps of throughput while in reality can only do 50 Mbps, the operator will be short by 50% of capacity in the
access network resulting in poor user experience (e.g. slow download, blocking, etc.) and will be 50% over the
required capacity for backhaul in which case its investment in capacity thats sitting idle. This is why it is
important to get capacity expectations right.

In this blog, I will look at the peak capacity of LTE. This is the maximum possible capacity which in reality can
only be achieved in lab conditions. To understand the calculations below, one needs to be familiar with the
technology (I will provide references at the end). But for now, lets assume a 25 MHz LTE system. We rst
calculate the number of resource elements (RE) in a subframe (a subframe is 1 msec):

12 Subcarriers x 7 OFDMA Symbols x 25 Resource Blocks x 2 slots = 4,200 REs

Then we calculate the data rate assuming 64 QAM with no coding (64QAM is the highest modulation for
downlink LTE):

6 bits per 64QAM symbol x 4,200 Res / 1 msec = 25.2 Mbps

The MIMO data rate is then 2 x 25.2 = 50.4 Mbps. We now have to subtract the overhead related to control
signaling such as PDCCH and PBCH channels, reference & synchronization signals, and coding. These are
estimated as follows:

PDCCH channel can take 1 to 3 symbols out of 14 in a subframe. Assuming that on average it is 2.5
symbols, the amount of overhead due to PDCCH becomes 2.5/14 = 17.86 %.

Downlink RS signal uses 4 symbols in every third subcarrier resulting in 16/336 = 4.76% overhead for 22
MIMO con guration

The other channels (PSS, SSS, PBCH, PCFICH, PHICH) added together amount to ~2.6% of overhead

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The total approximate overhead for the 5 MHz channel is 17.86% + 4.76% + 2.6% = 25.22%.

The peak data rate is then 0.75 x 50.4 Mbps = 37.8 Mbps.

Note that the uplink would have lower throughput because the modulation scheme for most device classes is
16QAM in SISO mode only.

There is another technique to calculate the peak capacity which I include here as well for a 220 MHz LTE
system with 44 MIMO con guration and 64QAM code rate 1:

Downlink data rate:

Pilot overhead (4 Tx antennas) = 14.29%

Common channel overhead (adequate to serve 1 UE/subframe) = 10%
CP overhead = 6.66%
Guard band overhead = 10%

Downlink data rate = 4 x 6 bps/Hz x 20 MHz x (1-14.29%) x (1-10%) x (1-6.66%) x (1-10%) = 298 Mbps.

Uplink data rate:

1 Tx antenna (no MIMO), 64 QAM code rate 1 (Note that typical UEs can support only 16QAM)

Pilot overhead = 14.3%

Random access overhead = 0.625%
CP overhead = 6.66%
Guard band overhead = 10%

Uplink data rate = 1 * 6 bps/Hz x 20 MHz x (1-14.29%) x (1-0.625%) x (1-6.66%) x (1-10%) = 82 Mbps.

Alternative to these methods, one can refer to 3GPP document 36.213, Table 7.1.7.1-1, Table 7.1.7.2.1-1 and
Table 7.1.7.2.2-1 for more accurate calculations of capacity. I have used these tables to generate the gures
below for LTE peak capacity.

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To conclude, the LTE capacity depends on the following:

1. Channel bandwidth
2. Network loading: number of subscribers in a cell which impacts the overhead
3. The con guration & capability of the system: whether its 22 MIMO, SISO, and the MCS scheme.

I will address the issue of average capacity in my next blog entry. But for now, those interested in dig a little
deeper on how the background for the above calculations can refer to my LTE white paper series posted at:

1. http://www.eetimes.com/design/microwave-rf-design/4199671/An-overview-of-the-LTE-physical-layer-
Part-I
2. http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4200493/An-overview-of-the-LTE-physical-layer-Part-II
3. http://www.eetimes.com/design/communications-design/4204835/An-overview-of-the-LTE-physical-
layer-Part-III

Category: LTE/5G Tags: capacity , Linkedin , LTE , throughput , wireless

42 thoughts on LTE Peak Capacity Explained: How to Calculate it?

Smruti Ranjan Panda

March 8, 2013

excelent fundametal to calculate capacity

Smruti Ranjan Panda

March 8, 2013

a doubt
In formula 6 bits per 64QAM symbol x 4,200 Res / 1 msec = 25.2 Mbps

how we consider 6 bit.??

Frank Rayal
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March 9, 2013

64 QAM symbol contains 6 bits: 2^6 = 64 symbols.

Similarly 16 QAM symbol has 4 bits: 2^4 = 16 symbols, and so on to other orders of QAM modulation.

jaydip
April 26, 2013

hello nice tutorial but if we have Downlink shared channel DSH i want to calculate throughput of LTE downlink
system for SISO mode, transmit diversity MIMO 21 ,transmit diversity MIMO 42, open loop spatial
multiplexing MIMO 42 antenna system plz give some detailed analysis for 1.4 MHZ bandwidth calculation of
throughput i really appreciate that.

Frank Rayal
April 26, 2013

The calculations are for two stream MIMO/Spatial Multiplexing. For 21 MIMO, there is no capacity gain (i.e. no
spatial multiplexing) and this becomes equivalent to SISO channel capacity (in practice, there is gain because
of reduction in fading due to transmit diversity). For 42 MIMO theoretically the channel capacity is the same
as 22. 1.4 MHz channel would have a slightly higher percentage of overhead. On the whole, you can scale the
capacity based on these rules of thumb.

Codey
May 2, 2013

Hi, in the last method where it is suggested to use the 3GPP document 36.213 tables for accurate results, do
these give the maximum capacity including the overhead? Or should the overhead be taken into consideration
even when using these tables? Thank you

Frank Rayal
May 2, 2013

The tables account for overhead.

Codey
May 2, 2013

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I have another question, if you dont mind clarifying please. The calculation of the Downlink RS signal uses 4
symbols in every third subcarrier resulting in a total of 16. If SISO is considered then only 8 RSs in a resource
block are considered. Is that correct?
Going back to the example above: does that mean that only 16 RSs are used in the total 336 subcarriers? For
instance, if we have 4 RSs in every third subcarrier (considering 22 MIMO), then for a total of 336 subcarriers,
dont we have (336/3=112) instances where we have 4RSs? Or is this the wrong way to look at it? Thank you.

Codey
May 2, 2013

Otherwise I think it can be calculate as: (SISO): 12*7 = 84, ans 4 out of those 84 are used for RS, which gives
(4/84)* 100% = 4.7% as well. Clearer reasoning I think

pierro
May 3, 2013

Hi,

Please clarify for me, 1 RE = 1bit ?

How do you relate number of RE to the speed in b/s ?

How do you relate number of users to number of ressource elements ? to number of PRB ?

Best regards

Frank Rayal
May 4, 2013

One RE is one subcarrier it can be modulated accordingly, QPSK-64QAM. The rate will depend on the
modulation(e.g. QPSK is 2bps/Hz). The users are scheduled on PRBs which is a MAC layer function, but the
more resources, the larger number of supported users.

pierro
June 21, 2013

thanks for your answer. i have another question, do you know how much people can be put in a frame?

Frank Rayal
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June 21, 2013

This is a an implementation issue and is vendor dependent. The standard does not specify.

sammy
July 3, 2013

hello and thanks for a very resourceful explanation on LTE peak capacity

I have some question:

1. Say if a have a S111 Lte site @ 20Mhz, what would be the required backhaul capacity be for the
site.assume transport is full IP?
2. Can I use Peak capacity calculation to work our backhaul capacity? please show me the procedure if it is
di erent.

Thanks

Frank Rayal
July 3, 2013

The NGMN published whitepapers on LTE capacity guidelines as well as on backhaul. I suggest you look at
those for the answer (http://www.ngmn.org/). As for the use of peak capacity for backhaul this is a matter of
policy. Some operators do that to back up their marketing claims on LTE data rates. Others decide to
oversubscribe the backhaul link.

harry
July 28, 2013

Its really an amazing article, I also checked your explaination on average data rate. I have a question, how will
the number of users a ect average data rate, is there any formular or model to show the relationship? Thank
you very much.

Frank Rayal
July 28, 2013

Im not aware of any speci c formula for the relationship between average data rate and number of users. The
way the cell loading impact capacity of the cell and overall data rates is largely dependent on vendor
implementation because this is a MAC scheduling issue which is left to the vendors to optimize and develop
their own di erentiation.

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john
September 14, 2013

Hi Frank,

How to calculate the no of RB in a given Bandwidth

Frank Rayal
September 14, 2013

The number of RBs is xed and provided in the standard. It varies depending on the channel bandwidth.

john
September 15, 2013

thankx a lot for your reply

john
September 19, 2013

Hi Frank,

How does the enodeb knows abt the MME and in which message the enodeb tells the UE about the MME.

john
September 19, 2013

Hi Frank,

How does the enodeb knows abt the MME and in which message the enodeb tells the UE about the MME in
the initial attach procedure..

faithgrows
October 5, 2013

Hi frank, thanks for your sizzling explanation;it has been a great and deeper understanding for me. but let me
seek you help on this.NCA OF Ghana has licensed 3 companies to provide 4g services. each was allocated 15

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mhz band. now knowing that LTE has channeled bandwidth from 1.4 to 20 mhz, my question is can they still
provide service in the 20 mhz bandwidth channel band since they have 15 mhz each ? thanks ebenezer Annang

Frank Rayal
October 5, 2013

Annang, unfortunately, they cannot use 20 MHz if their allocation is only 15 MHz The good news is that 15
MHz is a pro le of LTE and they can use that. However, I have not heard anyone in practice doing this.

faithgrows
October 5, 2013

thanks Frank; i will seek some clari cation with NCA on that.

faithgrows
October 5, 2013

sure , but the 2.6 ghz band has 50 mhz for use, so in essence if providing to 3 licensed companies it will have
that distribution and a little left. what do you think?

Frank Rayal
October 5, 2013

The operators can deploy 5, 10, or 15 MHz (if the latter is supported by the equipment) in di erent
con gurations such as multicarrier or N=3 reuse plan

faithgrows
October 7, 2013

correction in my band calculation for 2.6ghz; the total spectrum under the 2.6 ghz band is 70 bandwidth. the
distribution for the licensed operators were 215 mhz, 2x15mhz and type 2 band of 130 .

faithgrows
October 22, 2013

need some clari cations. the e ective channel bandwidth for 5 mhz is 4.5 considering the guard-band of 10%
in the uplink. so, my question is to know whether was considered in The total approximate overhead as

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indicated has 17.86% + 4.76% + 2.6% = 25.22%. ? thank you

Frank Rayal
October 23, 2013

Yes, this was factors in by the number of resource blocks.

annanebenfaithgrows
October 22, 2013

sorry the query is on download i should say , not up-link.

Pooja
October 23, 2013

Hello Frank,
I have one question regarding Reference Signal Sequence in LTE,
In 3GPP TS 36.211 V8.9.0, Section 6.10, its given the sequence genration and the reference signal sequence is
given by equation rl,n(m), where m=0,1,,2*N_RB.
Why the range is given as 2*Number of resource block???

Frank Rayal
October 23, 2013

The allocations of resource blocks to users are in a factor of 2.

sammy
October 24, 2013

The uplink data rate is reduced by

Pilot overhead = 14.3%
Random access overhead = 0.625%
CP overhead = 6.66%
Guard band overhead = 10%
Seeing that Sounding RS is con gurable, is it already withing one of the above percentages or do we put in the
7% additional should we design to include.

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ASA
October 24, 2013

Thanks Frank,
If we have LTE 10 MHZ FDD and if we suppose that we have enough MW BW to achieve maximum
Throughout.how much max throughput i can commit to get like 60% of the max which is around (42) from
(73)..and why i cant commit 100 % from the radio point of view .

and i saw 79 Mbps result of throughput test !is it possible?!

Thanks and Regards

AsA

Derek
November 7, 2013

Thank you Frank! This is very useful.

I have a question, why is the uplink data rate can only achieve SISO while downlink is MIMO? Is this related to
the ue category of our handsets?

Thanks.

Frank Rayal
November 7, 2013

Derek, yes, the UE categories de ne the supported features and typically to save on power in the handset only
one antenna transmits.
Frank

Derek
November 8, 2013

Thanks for the reply! I will look it up in the UE category info then

Eric
November 15, 2013

Frank, could you please illustrate how did you calculate the CAT4 uplink peak throughput (20MHz bandwidth)
by using 36.213 table 8.6.1-1 and 7.1.7.2.1-1? 50Mbps uplink means MCS=23 is used, but the modulation order
would be 6, 64QAM. CAT4 UE only supports up to 16 QAM, right?

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Thanks

Frank Rayal
November 17, 2013

Eric, thats correct, Cat4 UE only supports 16QAM on UL (MCS 20 if I recall correctly). The de nition of Cat 4 is
51024 TB bits/TTI which is 51 Mbps (1 ms TTI). I think table 7.1.7.2.1-1 is for DL-PDSCH.

Eric
November 18, 2013

table 7.1.7.2.1-1 is for both DL-PDSCH and UL-PDSCH if you check the specs. My question is how could CAT4
phone reach 51Mbps for uplink?

Frank Rayal
November 29, 2013

You are correct the table is for DL and UL. The only explanation I have now is that the coding rate must be
close to 1. I did the exercise of accounting for the overhead on the UL and with 1 PUCCH, I got 51.3 Mbps. For
16QAM, the max throughput without any overhead is 67.2 Mbps. 51 Mbps means 24% overhead. 43 Mbps
means 35% overhead which is probably too high.

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