Includes FPGA-based LTE physical layer
Testing and evaluating various scenarios of LTE-U and LAA

NI unveiled a real-time testbed capable of testing and prototyping LTE-U (LTE Unlicensed Spectrum) and LAA (License Assisted Access) wireless access technologies at Mobile World Congress (MWC 2016).

While 5G is generating significant interest, advancements in LTE-U and LAA technologies are essential to improving current 4G data performance before it becomes a reality. LTE-U (Unlicensed Spectrum) utilizes Wi-Fi frequency bands as LTE frequencies to boost network speeds. LAA (License Assited Access) combines LTE-U (LTE Unlicensed), which utilizes unlicensed frequency bands, such as Wi-Fi frequencies, for LTE use, using CA (Carrier Aggregation) technology to transmit them.

The NI real-time testbed demonstrated at MWC includes an FPGA-based LTE physical layer in its source code, enabling testing and evaluation of various LTE-U and LAA scenarios, and can be used to improve systems built on existing LTE and 802.11 infrastructure to diagnose performance and improve data rates.

Because LTE-U and LAA use the 5.9 GHz unlicensed ISM band to augment the cellular spectrum, LTE-U and LAA compatible devices must "share" channels with WiFi devices such as 802.11a and 802.11ac. While LTE-U can be deployed regionally, LAA is more universally compliant with global spectrum regulations, so the 3GPP technical specifications group is focusing more on LAA.

“The 3GPP standard has introduced several suggestions to minimize interference with existing unlicensed spectrum users, but thorough prototyping and testing are essential to ensure a smooth adoption of the new standard,” said James Kimery, director of RF research and SDR marketing at NI. “NI’s LTE-U/LAA testbed will help diagnose the impact of the new standard.”