Background Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a 4G wireless broadband technology developed by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), an industry trade group. 3GPP named the technology Long Term Evolution because it represents the next step (4G) in a progression from GSM, a 2G standard, to UMTS, the 3G technologies based upon GSM. LTE provides significantly increased peak data rates, with the potential for 100Mbps downstream and 50Mbps upstream, reduced latency, scalable bandwidth capacity, and backwards compatibility with existing GSM and UMTS technology. The table below shows mobile data standards:
Evolution Technology: The upper layers of LTE are based upon TCP/IP, which is an all- IP network similar to the current state of wired communications. LTE supports mixed types of data: text, voice, video and messaging traffic. LTE uses OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) for downlink access technique, SC-FDMA (Single Carrier- Frequency Division Multiple Access) for uplink access technique and MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) antenna technology similar to that used in the IEEE 802.11n wireless local area network (WLAN) standard. The higher signal to noise ratio (SNR) at the receiver enabled by MIMO, along with OFDM, provides improved coverage and throughput, especially in dense urban areas. Mobile operators can upgrade existing infrastructure to support LTE rather than start from scratch. As a 4G technology, LTE becomes increasingly important to mobile operators as the amount of data traffic on their networks grows. LTE Market Status The GSA (Global Mobile Suppliers Association) has published an update on its Evolution to LTE report, highlighting accelerating deployments of LTE networks. The GSA report covers both LTE FDD and LTE TDD system modes. 248 operators, 60% higher than a year ago, have committed to commercial LTE network deployments are engaged in trials, technology testing or studies. GSA now expects over 100 network launches by end of 2012. There are 35 LTE networks commercially launched in 21 countries; including Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway,Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, UAE, USA, and Uzbekistan. This figure shows the global LTE subscription 2011 2016 forecast from Informa Telecom & Media. From several million subscribers in 2011 it will quickly grow to over 600 million subscribers in 2016. In-Stat (www.instat.com) also forecasts that LTE subscriptions will experience a 3,400% explosion of growth between 2011 and 2015.
LTE Applications LTE user data rate is similar with VDSL2 17a profile, the downlink data rate is around 100Mbps and uplink data rate is around 50Mbps. LTE technology has a high-speed capacity that can support many new applications compared with low-speed 3G technology which cannot support some developments, such as high-definition video streaming, online high-quality gaming, public safety (like IP surveillance), cloud computing and more. In addition LTE technology has an excellent mobility capability which can support more applications than VDSL2 technology and GPON technology such as PTT (Push-to- Talk) communications, supplementary VoIP capacity and M2M communications. In addition, LTE can deliver video, voice and data at superior broadband data rates to nextgeneration mobile devices, enabling any-time, anywhere, always-on high-speed Internet access. Moreover, it will continue to provide Internet access service while users are on the move in a car or train, travelling at over 300km per hour. Upcoming new LTE-inside devices will empower more developing mobile applications, such as smart phones, smart tablets, Notebooks, automotive telematics, M2M gateway, IP camera, home router and portable router LTE-inside devices. The figure below shows the latest LTE-inside devices and their application scenarios. New Opportunity: Service providers can develop new business models and explore new potential mobile applications adapting LTE technology; it offers great opportunities for mobile operators.
ZyXEL 4G / LTE Solution ZyXEL s been a pioneer in WiMAX technology and now has been leading the 4G / LTE revolution through investment in R&D and new product development. ZyXEL recently launched its first fixed 4G / LTE integrated access CPE LTE5121 which was awarded CES Innovations 2013 Design and Engineering Honoree in the Home Networking Product category. The LTE5121 delivers 4G fixed broadband Internet along with a complete range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, VoIP ports, and support for smart home services such as home automation and monitoring. The LTE5121 has a high performance LTE module and a MIMO antenna array that supplies up to 100Mbps (downlink) and 50Mbps (uplink) connectivity for rich, triple-play services including IPTV and Video-on-Demand, voice and High Speed Internet. The LTE5121 supports bands 4 and17 with the LTE5122 supporting band 13. The LTE5121 and LTE5122 are ideal choices for modern digital homes. ZyXEL has loaded the devices with open standards technology including SIP for Voice over IP, TR-069 to help operators remotely manage and troubleshoot the devices and DLNA for compatibility with consumer entertainment devices offering media streaming. The figure above shows typical applications of ZyXEL LTE5121, it includes DLNA home entertainment, high-performance home networking, Wi-Fi devices sharing, VoIP, mobile cafe and Internet cloud services.
Please contact us for more information at 1.800.255.4101 / 714.632.0882 or telco@zyxel.com. ZyXEL, a pioneer in IP technology, is ranked among the top 5 global manufacturers of xdsl CPE and broadband sharing gateways. ZyXEL offers service providers a complete range of multi-service broadband gateways and routers, connected home and entertainment devices and SMB networking solutions. Headquartered in Anaheim, California, ZyXEL customers are supported by a domestic team of reliable telco-trained engineers. Address: 1130 North Miller St. Anaheim CA 82608 Fax: 714.632.0858 l